bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors:   Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA) and National Cancer Center (NCC) Korea
Published: October 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
Hereditary Angioedema: The Dawn of a New Era of Hereditary Angioedema Management
Authors: Cicardi Marco , Craig Timothy , Magerl Markus , Zuraw Bruce
Published: October 2022

This symposium provided an overview of past, current, and future therapies and routes of administration for patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE). Prof Cicardi opened the symposium by welcoming attendees and introducing the main topics of the session. Prof Magerl then focussed on treatments that are currently used for acute and prophylactic management of patients with HAE and highlighted that there is an unmet medical need in terms of better prophylactic treatment options. Prof Craig summarised the clinical evidence gathered over the last decades and shared the key findings and insights that led to our current understanding of the disease and laid the foundations for current and future treatment approaches. Prof Zuraw presented the findings from the pivotal Phase III COMPACT trial that explored the efficacy and safety of a self-administered subcutaneous (SC) nanofiltered C1-esterase inhibitor concentrate (C1-INH[SC]) for the prevention of HAE attacks.
The Oligosaccharide Galactose-α-1,3-Galactose and the α-Gal Syndrome: Insights from an Epitope that is Causal in Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Immediate and Delayed Anaphylaxis
Authors: Wilson Jeffrey M. , Platts-Mills Thomas A.E.
Published: October 2022

Galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) is an oligosaccharide that was first described as a cause of immunoglobulin E-mediated anaphylaxis in cases of first-in-man reactions to the monoclonal antibody cetuximab. Soon thereafter, immunoglobulin E antibodies to this epitope were linked with anaphylactic episodes to mammalian meat, which had a characteristic delay of ~3-6 hours. The ‘α-Gal syndrome’ is now recognised globally as a significant form of food allergy, albeit with regional variation, which reflects that sensitisation relates to bites from certain species of hard tick. The α-Gal epitope is present in organs and muscles from most mammals (with the exception of humans, apes, and Old World monkeys) as a glycan conjugated to both proteins and lipids. There are a number of unusual features that distinguish α-Gal from other traditional food allergies, including the fact that the oligosaccharide can be causal in both immediate and delayed allergic responses, and that co-factors, such as alcohol or exercise, often relate to the instigation and/or severity of clinical reactions. In this narrative review, the authors focus on the novelty of α-Gal’s intrinsic lipid form; consider aspects of glycolipid digestion, absorption, and processing; and explain how this ‘glycolipid hypothesis’ may explain several of the clinical features of α-Gal syndrome. This review draws on pioneering studies of the biochemistry of α-Gal, contemporary understanding of lipid metabolism, and comparisons to other clinically important oligosaccharides.
Allergoids: Ready for the Future
Authors: Penfold Terri
Published: October 2022

Improving therapy for people with allergies is a continuously evolving area and, due to the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases, options such as pharmacotherapy and allergen avoidance are inadequate alone to control these diseases. Worldwide, approximately 400 million people are affected by allergic rhinitis (AR) and 300 million people by asthma.1 Unlike anti-allergy medications, a unique feature of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is that it modifies the underlying cause of disease,2 suggesting that it may be an optimal treatment approach. Guidelines, such as those from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2009,3 provide the basis for optimising trial design for the development of new AIT preparations. A wide range of treatment modalities, including recombinant allergens, have been developed, and results from several studies, some only published in trial registries, provide clarity and insights into optimising clinical trial design even further.4-13 Lessons learned from these studies, which are scientifically informative for the community, were explored in this session.

In addition, the latest results were discussed from a dose-finding trial and a Phase III trial of a new allergoid treatment in development for patients with house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma with or without AR or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC).14,15 Since AIT is recommended to be administered for 3 years, successful AIT requires adequate patient adherence over the long-term. The last section of this review focusses on strategies to optimise existing AIT and patient care, with a particular emphasis on reducing the number of injections during dose escalation when performing subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) using pollen allergoids.
Genetically Modified Wheat, Wheat Intolerance, and Food Safety Concerns
Authors: Munish Chander Atul , Kumar Bhadada Sanjay , Kumar Dhawan Devinder
Published: October 2022

Wheat intolerance is a common problem for certain individuals. A gluten-free diet is the only option for people with wheat-associated disorders (WAD) to manage their condition. The elimination of immunogenic proteins from the wheat is the most appropriate approach to ameliorate the symptoms of affected individuals, while also meeting their nutritional requirements. RNA interference technology can be exploited to silence the expression of gliadins to produce a wheat variety lacking the immunogenic proteins associated with WAD, but there are challenges before implementation of transgenic varieties in the market will occur. This review is focussed on RNA interference approaches acquired to produce wheat that patients with different WAD can tolerate. The authors also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of current omics approaches that are being used to validate the food safety issues related to the applicability and clinical relevance of genetically modified wheat.
Autoinflammatory Diseases: Consequences of Uncontrolled Inflammasome Activation
Authors: Kenealy Sinéad , Creagh Emma M.
Published: October 2022

Inflammasomes are sensors within the innate immune system that are responsible for the regulation of caspase-1 activation and the initiation of inflammatory responses following cellular infection or damage. A significant number of chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases have recently been identified to have inflammasome-mediated inflammation as a key driver of their pathogenesis; this area of research is under intense investigation at present. This review focusses on autoinflammatory diseases (AD), a rapidly expanding group of debilitating diseases that are associated with severe systemic inflammation. AD commonly arise as a result of mutations to genes that encode inflammasome components. Monogenic AD are relatively rare because they require fully penetrating mutations; however, they often present at birth and last a lifetime. Clinical awareness of AD is lacking and it is believed that, at present, many cases go undiagnosed. This review specifically discusses a number of inflammasome-associated AD and metabolic disorders that provide significant insight into our understanding of inflammasome signalling pathways. These AD highlight the potency of inflammasomes in their ability to initiate and sustain systemic inflammation. The debilitating symptoms of AD also reveal the extensive consequences of uncontrolled inflammasome activity. Clinical therapies that target the inflammasome and interleukin-1β, a product of its activation, in the successful management of AD and certain metabolic diseases will also be discussed.
Metabolic Syndrome and its Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review
Authors: Rajkumar Venkatraman
Published: October 2022

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health conditions linked to increased cardiovascular disease. It is found worldwide in increasing proportions due to the modern lifestyle. The increase is visceral fat leads to secretion of harmful proinflammatory cytokines that have deleterious effects on various tissues, chiefly the heart and vasculature. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease that shares pathogenic mechanisms with the metabolic syndrome. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffer increased heart disease over and above traditional risk factors. They have an increased occurrence of metabolic syndrome that enhance the risk further. Metabolic syndrome occurs early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis, creating clinical opportunities for prevention and control. Patients with both conditions also have more severe disease, pain, poorer functional status, less remission rates, and suboptimal response to treatment. Treatment of metabolic syndrome should be aggressive, using a proactive approach. Lifestyle measures are a corner stone, and this should be coupled with optimal control of rheumatoid arthritis, blood pressure, and lipid levels. The concerted efforts by a multi-disciplinary team of rheumatologists, primary care physicians, and other providers will set the stage for reducing the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these two conditions. More prospective studies are the need of the hour in determining the roles of the risk factors and the effects of lifestyle changes and medications in reducing the impact of the metabolic syndrome and its contribution to the already burdened pathology of rheumatoid arthritis. This narrative review discusses the latest in the field and identifies the areas that need further research.
EFEKTIVITAS MEDIA VIDEO TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN IBU TENTANG TANDA BAHAYA KEHAMILAN TRIMESTER III BERDASARKAN KAJIAN HOLISTIK
Authors: Kusumahati Evi , Sumarti
Published: October 2022

Kebijakan pembatasan interaksi sosial di masa pandemi COVID-19 termasuk bagi ibuhamil, dapat membantu ibu hamil meminimalkan kontak dengan orang lain yang dapatmenyebabkan penularan virus corona, hal ini bertujuan untuk mencegah komplikasidan penularan virus kepada bayi, ibu, maupun kepada tenaga kesehatan (bidan) yangmemberikan asuhan kehamilan ataupun membantu proses persalinan. Video dinilaimerupakan alternatif yang efektif untuk menjadi media penyuluhan kesehatan, selainkarena melibatkan panca indra secara keseluruhan sehingga membuat materi lebih mudahdipahami, juga tidak mengharuskan adanya kontak fisik secara langsung. Penelitian inibertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas media video terhadap pengetahuan ibu tentangtanda bahaya kehamilan trimester III berdasarkan kajian holistik. Desain penelitianmenggunakan desain kuantitatif dengan desain pre eksperimen, menggunakan pendekatanone group pre test-post test design tanpa kelompok kontrol. Sampel terdiri dari 40 orangibu hamil trimester III menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Teknik analisis datamenggunakan Wilcoxon signed ranks. Hasil penelitian menunjukan setelah penayanganvideo 85% pengetahuan responden terhadap tanda bahaya kehamilan trimester IIIberkategori baik, Hasil uji statistik dengan uji Wilcoxon signed ranks test dengan nilaip-value 0,0001 dimana nilai p-value <0,05 sehingga secara statistik media video efektifterhadap peningkatan pengetahuan ibu hamil tentang tanda bahaya kehamilan trimesterIII berdasarkan kajian holistik.
PENGALAMAN MANTAN PASIEN DALAM MENJALANI PENGOBATAN PENYAKIT COVID-19
Authors: Gunawan Hendra , Rahmat Rahmat , Hidayat Yayat
Published: October 2022

Saat ini penyakit Covid-19 sudah menjadi pandemi dan menyebar ke berbagai negara termasuk Indonesia. Penyakit Covid-19 juga menimpa berbagai kalangan termasuk juga Dosen, tenaga kependidikan serta mahasiswa di Universias ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa) Bandung. Berdasarkan data dari tim Satgas Covid-19 Unisa Bandung jumlah yang terkena penyakit Covid-19 per 12 Maret 2021 sejumlah 9 orang, terdiri dari 2 orang Dosen, 1 orang tenaga kependidikan serta 6 orang Mahasiswa. Dari 9 orang tersebut sudah berhasil sembuh sebanyak 8 orang serta masih dalam tahap pengobatan sejumlah 1 orang. Tujuan umum dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis gambaran pengalaman mantan pasien selama menjalani pengobatan penyakit Covid-19. Tujuan khusus penelitian ini adalah untuk mengeksplorasi lebih dalam tentang riwayat mantan pasien terkena penyakit Covid-19, untuk mengekplorasi lebih dalam tentang pengalaman berobat mantan pasien Covid- 19 di Rumah Sakit, untuk mengeksplorasi lebih dalam tentang pengalaman isolasi mandiri mantan pasien Covid-19, untuk mengeksplorasi lebih dalam tentang dukungan keluarga, dukungan pihak kampus serta dukungan pihak pemerintah dalam ikut menangani penyakit Covid-19 serta untuk mengekplorasi lebih dalam tentang dukungan masyarakat kepada pasien Covid-19. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi. Populasi pada penelitian ini adalah mantan pasien Covid-19 yang telah dinyatakan sembuh di lingkungan Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Bandung dari unsur Dosen, tenaga kependidikan dan Mahasiswa. Kegiatan penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Agustus 2021. Hasil penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa para mantan pasien Covid-9 merupakan pribadi yang tangguh untuk bisa sembuh dari penyakit Covid-19. Para mantan pasien Covid-19 berhasil sembuh dari penyakitnya karena ikhtiar yang sungguh-sungguh untuk berobat, adanya kepasrahan, keikhlasan serta selalu berdo’a kepada Allah SWT dan terdapatnya dukungan dari pihak luar seperti dari keluarga, teman, aparat pemerintah serta dari lingkungan sekitar
A scalable model for EPA and fatty acid production by Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Gu Wenjia , Kavanagh John M. , McClure Dale D.
Published: October 2022

Large-scale photoautotrophic production of microalgae has the potential to provide a sustainable supply of omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) for human and animal nutrition. This study presents a kinetic model for the EPA-producing microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum in photoautotrophic conditions, with light and nitrogen being the growth limiting factors. The model was developed using a dataset obtained from bench-scale (5 L) cultures and was successfully validated against pilot-scale (50 L) cultures. This model is the first to predict the biomass and total fatty acid accumulation along with the EPA concentrations in the biomass and total fatty acid fraction for microalgae. The model was used to develop an optimized repeated-batch strategy; implementation of this led to increases in the biomass and EPA productivities of 50 and 20% respectively. This clearly indicates the potential of the model to be used as a tool in the design, optimization and scale-up of microalgal systems for EPA production.
Impact and challenges of enactment for advanced regenerative medicine in South Korea
Authors: Kim Dong-Sook , Bae SeungJin
Published: October 2022

The Korean government has enacted the Act on Advanced Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Biological products (ARMAB) in August 2019, and it has been implemented in 2020. We reviewed the changes made by ARMAB compared to the existing Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and discussed future challenges to accelerate regenerative medicine while ensuring safety and efficacy. This act and regulations focused on the key elements of act as follows: the definition of advanced regenerative medicine (RM), the licensing of related facilities, safety management such as long-term follow-up, clinical research review committee, and establishment of a roadmap. Our study shows that Korea has achieved the second highest number of first approvals for regenerative medicine indications worldwide through expedited approvals encouraging innovation, while maintaining patient safety by mandating long-term follow-up. Additionally, the establishment of an interactive system for retrieval of patients' data and reporting of safety information by manufacturers electronically demonstrates Korea’s commitment to innovation for Advanced RM and patient safety.
Meiotic chromosome dynamics and double strand break formation in reptiles
Authors: Marín-Gual Laia , González-Rodelas Laura , M. Garcias Maria , Kratochvíl Lukáš , Valenzuela Nicole , Georges Arthur , Waters Paul D. , Ruiz-Herrera Aurora
Published: October 2022

During meiotic prophase I, tightly regulated processes take place, from pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes to recombination, which are essential for the generation of genetically variable haploid gametes. These processes have canonical meiotic features conserved across different phylogenetic groups. However, the dynamics of meiotic prophase I in non-mammalian vertebrates are poorly known. Here, we compare four species from Sauropsida to understand the regulation of meiotic prophase I in reptiles: the Australian central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), two geckos (Paroedura pictaandColeonyx variegatus) and the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). We first performed a histological characterization of the spermatogenesis process in both the bearded dragon and the painted turtle. We then analyzed prophase I dynamics, including chromosome pairing, synapsis and the formation of double strand breaks (DSBs). We show that meiosis progression is highly conserved in reptiles with telomeres clustering forming thebouquet, which we propose promotes homologous pairing and synapsis, along with facilitating the early pairing of micro-chromosomes during prophase I (i.e., early zygotene). Moreover, we detected low levels of meiotic DSB formation in all taxa. Our results provide new insights into reptile meiosis.
Bricks, trusses and superstructures: Strategies for skeletal reinforcement in batoid fishes (rays and skates)
Authors: Clark Brett , Chaumel Júlia , Johanson Zerina , Underwood Charlie , Smith Moya M. , Dean Mason N.
Published: October 2022

Crushing and eating hard prey (durophagy) is mechanically demanding. The cartilage jaws of durophagous stingrays are known to be reinforced relative to non-durophagous relatives, with a thickened external cortex of mineralized blocks (tesserae), reinforcing struts inside the jaw (trabeculae), and pavement-like dentition. These strategies for skeletal strengthening against durophagy, however, are largely understood only from myliobatiform stingrays, although a hard prey diet has evolved multiple times in batoid fishes (rays, skates, guitarfishes). We perform a quantitative analysis of micro-CT data, describing jaw strengthening mechanisms in Rhina ancylostoma (Bowmouth Guitarfish) and Rhynchobatus australiae (White-spotted Wedgefish), durophagous members of the Rhinopristiformes, the sister taxon to Myliobatiformes. Both species possess trabeculae, more numerous and densely packed in Rhina, albeit simpler structurally than those in stingrays like Aetobatus and Rhinoptera. Rhina and Rhynchobatus exhibit impressively thickened jaw cortices, often involving >10 tesseral layers, most pronounced in regions where dentition is thickest, particularly in Rhynchobatus. Age series of both species illustrate that tesserae increase in size during growth, with enlarged and irregular tesserae associated with the jaws’ oral surface in larger (older) individuals of both species, perhaps a feature of ageing. Unlike the flattened teeth of durophagous myliobatiform stingrays, both rhinopristiform species have oddly undulating dentitions, comprised of pebble-like teeth interlocked to form compound “meta-teeth” (large spheroidal structures involving multiple teeth). This is particularly striking in Rhina, where the upper/lower occlusal surfaces are mirrored undulations, fitting together like rounded woodworking finger-joints. Trabeculae were previously thought to have arisen twice independently in Batoidea; our results show they are more widespread among batoid groups than previously appreciated, albeit apparently absent in the phylogenetically basal Rajiformes. Comparisons with several other durophagous and non-durophagous species illustrate that batoid skeletal reinforcement architectures are modular: trabeculae can be variously oriented and are dominant in some species (e.g. Rhina, Aetobatus), whereas cortical thickening is more significant in others (e.g. Rhynchobatus), or both reinforcing features can be lacking (e.g. Raja, Urobatis). We discuss interactions and implications of character states, framing a classification scheme for exploring cartilage structure evolution in the cartilaginous fishes.
Chylomicronemia through a burr hole: A case report
Authors: Loh Wann Jia , Bakthavachalam Ramesh , Subramaniam Tavintharan , Pek Sharon , Chua Fionn , Lee Lester , Watts Gerald F.
Published: October 2022

Chylomicronemia has either a monogenic or multifactorial origin. Multifactorial chylomicronemia is the more common form and is due to the interaction of genetic predisposition and secondary factors such as obesity, diabetes, unhealthy diet, and medications. We report a case of a 38-year-old man who was diagnosed with multifactorial chylomicronemia following presentation with a subarachnoid hemorrhage requiring emergency surgery through a burr hole; lactescent cerebrospinal fluid mixed with blood was observed through the burr hole. The serum triglyceride concentration was 52⋅4 mmol/L with a detectable triglyceride concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid. Rapid weight gain leading to obesity and related unfavorable lifestyle factors were identified as key secondary causes of chylomicronemia. Gene testing revealed a homozygous variant in APOA5 and a heterozygous common variant in GPIHBP1. Accompanied with secondary causes, the interactions of gene and environmental conditions contribute to chylomicronemia. With aggressive medical treatment including excess weight loss, healthy diet, cessation of alcohol, and combination of anti-lipemic medications, normal plasma triglyceride levels were achieved.
Safety and feasibility of a 7F thin-walled sheath via distal transradial artery access for complex coronary intervention
Authors: Zong Bin , Liu Yi , Han Bing , Feng Chun-Guang
Published: October 2022

Background

Compared with traditional trans-radial artery access (TRA), there are limited data that can confirm the efficacy and safety of a 7F thin-walled sheath placedviadistal TRA (dTRA) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Objective

This study aims to analyze the safety and efficacy of the placement of a 7F thin-walled sheathviadTRA for PCI.

Methods

This was a single-center retrospective observational study in which 102 patients who received complex PCIs with a 7F thin-walled sheath placedviadTRA in the catheter room of our hospital from May 2020 to October 2021 were included. The basic information, puncture success rate, radial artery occlusion (RAO) rate, radial artery lumen diameter and area, surgical data, pain score, and complication rate were observed and recorded.

Results

The puncture success rate was 90.2% in the 102 patients, and the success rate of the operation was 97.8% among 92 patients with a successful puncture. The PCIs for patients included emergency PCIs and all types of complex PCIs. Color Doppler ultrasound performed at 1 and 30 d after the procedure showed that the RAO rate was 2.2%, the distal RAO rate was 3.3%, the postoperative average pain score was 2.2 points, and there were five patients (5.4%) with local hematoma, all of which were grade 1–2. Radial artery spasm and nervous injury occurred in two patients (2.2%), and arteriovenous fistula occurred in one patient (1.1%). Radial artery perforation, radial artery dissection, pseudoaneurysm, and sheath kinking did not occur.

Conclusion

The placement of a 7F thin-walled sheathviadTRA for PCI showed a high puncture and procedural success rate, a low postoperative RAO rate, and a low incidence of local hematoma and other complications. The placement of a 7F Glidesheath Slender®viadTRA for PCI is safe and feasible.
Dysnatremia is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality within 365 days post-discharge in patients with atrial fibrillation without heart failure: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhou Yan , Lin Dong , Wu Shiwan , Xiao Jiaxin , Yu Min , Xiao Zhongbo , Wu Muli , Chen Zhisheng , Tian Cuihong , Chen Rongbing , Chen Yequn , Tan Xuerui
Published: October 2022

Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between serum sodium concentrations at hospital admission and all-cause mortality within 365 days post-discharge in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) without heart failure (HF).

Methods

The prospective cohort study enrolled 1,446 patients with AF without HF between November 2018 and October 2020. A follow-up was performed 30, 90, 180, and 365 days after enrollment through outpatient visits or telephone interviews. All-cause mortality was estimated in three groups according to serum sodium concentrations: hyponatremia (< 135 mmol/L), normonatremia (135–145 mmol/L), and hypernatremia (> 145 mmol/L). We estimated the risk of all-cause mortalities using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models with normonatremia as the reference.

Results

The all-cause mortalities of hyponatremia, normonatremia, and hypernatremia were 20.6, 9.4, and 33.3% within 365 days post-discharge, respectively. In the univariable analysis, hyponatremia (HR: 2.19, CI 1.5–3.2) and hypernatremia (HR: 4.03, CI 2.32–7.02) increased the risk of all-cause mortality. The HRs for hyponatremia and hypernatremia were 1.55 (CI 1.05–2.28) and 2.55 (CI 1.45–4.46) after adjustment for age, diabetes mellitus, loop diuretics, antisterone, antiplatelet drugs, and anticoagulants in the patients with AF without HF. The association between serum sodium concentrations and the HRs of all-cause mortality was U-shaped.

Conclusion

Dysnatremia at hospital admission was an independent factor for all-cause mortality in patients with AF without HF within 365 days post-discharge.
Perspectives on the 12 January 2020 Taal Volcano eruption: An analysis of residents’ narrative accounts
Authors: Martinez-Villegas Ma. Mylene , Reniva Paolo D. , Sanico Lucille Rose D. , Loza Allan R. , Seda Ricardo G. , Doloiras Dynie F. , Pidlaoan Abigail C.
Published: October 2022

This study reconstructs the 12 January 2020 Taal Volcano eruption through the analysis of narratives from two perspectives: those of the Taal Volcano Island (TVI) residents and those living along the Taal Caldera Lakeshore (TCLS). Personal accounts of TVI residents provide an up-close look at the volcano’s behavior from the day before the eruption to the escalation of volcanic activity until the early morning after the eruption. These also include information on individual actions that helped lead to community evacuation. The decisions and resulting actions of TVI residents highlight the importance of alertness to observations of changing volcano behavior (environmental cues) based on local knowledge and long-established communication between the monitoring agency and the residents who had trust in the received warning message during the unfolding event. These paved the way for the quick action of the residents to evacuate at the most critical time. Interviews of eyewitnesses from TCLS on the other hand suggest a spectator’s first reaction to watching the motorized outrigger boats as TVI residents evacuated (social cues), waiting before taking action to evacuate themselves. While various information and education efforts were conducted in the years leading to the 2020 event, the lack of experiential knowledge among the lakeshore residents and the fact that Taal did not have any major eruption in more than 40 years mainly contributed to their hesitancy to immediately evacuate, and not until the eruption occurred.
Using sequential conditioning to explore uncertainties in geostatistical characterization and in groundwater transport predictions
Authors: Moore Catherine , Scott David , Burbery Lee , Close Murray
Published: October 2022

Rapid transmission of contaminants in groundwater can occur in alluvial gravel aquifers that are permeated by highly conductive small-scale open framework gravels (OFGs). This open framework gravel structure and the associated distribution of hydraulic properties is complex, and so assessments of contamination risks in these aquifers are highly uncertain. Geostatistical models, based on lithological data, can be used to quantitatively characterize this structure. These models can then be used to support analyses of the risks of contamination in groundwater systems. However, these geostatistical models are themselves accompanied by significant uncertainty. This is seldom considered when assessing risks to groundwater systems. Geostatistical model uncertainty can be reduced by assimilating information from hydraulic system response data, but this process can be computationally challenging. We developed a sequential conditioning method designed to address these challenges. This method is demonstrated on a transition probability based geostatistical simulation model (TP), which has been shown to be superior for representing the connectivity of high permeability pathways, such as OFGs. The results demonstrate that the common modelling practice of adopting a single geostatistical model may result in realistic predictions being overlooked, and significantly underestimate the uncertainties of groundwater transport predictions. This has important repercussions for uncertainty quantification in general. It also has repercussions if using ensemble-based methods for history matching, since it also relies on geostatistical models to generate prior parameter distributions. This work highlights the need to explore the uncertainty of geostatistical models in the context of the predictions being made.
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation: 20 years experience in Bologna University
Authors: Fabbri Raffaella , Vicenti Rossella , Magnani Valentina , Paradisi Roberto , Lima Mario , De Meis Lucia , Rossi Stefania , Raimondo Diego , Casadio Paolo , Venturoli Stefano , Maffi Michela , Seracchioli Renato
Published: October 2022

Objective

To report the 20-year experience in ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) of the Bologna clinical center (Bologna, Italy).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Patients

1026 pediatrics and women aged between 2 and 38 years who underwent OTC and OTT between January 2002 to January 2022.

Results

Of the 1026 patients, 238 (22.8%) were pediatrics (≤ 17 years, Group 1) and 788 (77.2%) were adult women (range 18-38 years, Group 2). In Group 1, 184 (77.3%) patients had malignant diseases and 54 (22.7%) had non-malignant diseases. In Group 2, 746 (94.7%) patients had malignant diseases and 42 (5.3%) had non-malignant diseases. No real complications were observed during surgery. In all the samples analyzed most of the follicles were in the resting stage, while only a few follicles were growing. In both fresh and thawed samples, follicular density was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.01). Regardless of age, good preservation of follicles and stroma was observed in fresh and thawed ovarian tissue by histological and immunohistochemical analyses (estrogen and progesterone receptors; Ki67 and Bcl2 markers; TUNEL). To date, out of 1026 total women, 812 (79.1%) had their tissue stored. Sixty-eight (6.6%) patients died from their primary disease. Twenty-four (2.3%) women performed 33 OTTs between December 2011 and January 2022. Restoration of menstruation was observed in 15 out of 17 menopausal women. Six pregnancies were achieved, two hesitated in abortion and four in the birth of healthy babies.

Conclusion

OTC is the only fertility preservation technique applicable in pre-pubertal/pediatrics and in adult patients when stimulation for oocytes/embryos cryopreservation is not possible. The reported data can help future patients and physicians in their discussions and decisions about the need and possibilities of preserving ovarian function.
Effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors on postprandial glucagon level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chai Shangyu , Zhang Ruya , Zhang Ye , Carr Richard David , Zheng Yiman , Rajpathak Swapnil , Ji Linong
Published: October 2022

Aims

Hyperglucagonemia occurs in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this meta-analysis, we summarized the effects of DPP4 inhibitors on glucagon levels in patients with T2DM.

Materials and methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the influence of DPP4 inhibitors on circulating glucagon levels with placebo or other oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in patients with T2DM were identified by searches of Medline (PubMed), Embase (Ovid), and CENTER (Cochrane Library). Only studies reporting changes in glucagon level presented as total area under the curve (AUCglucagon) using a meal or oral glucose tolerance test were included. Results were combined using a random-effects model that incorporated potential heterogeneity among the included studies.

Results

A total of 36 RCTs with moderate to high quality were included. Overall, the numbers of T2DM patients included for the meta-analyses comparing DPP4 inhibitors with placebo and other OADs were 4266 and 1652, respectively. Compared to placebo, DPP4 inhibitors significantly reduced circulating glucagon levels (standard mean difference [SMD]: -0.32, 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.24, P<0.001; I2 = 28%). Analysis of subgroups revealed that study characteristics had no significant effect on results, such as study design (parallel group or crossover), number of patients, mean patient age, proportion of men, baseline HbA1c, duration of diabetes, background therapy, treatment duration, or methods for glucagon measurement (all P for subgroup differences >0.05). Moreover, DPP4 inhibitors significantly reduced glucagon levels compared to other OADs (SMD: -0.35, 95% CI: -0.53 to -0.16, P<0.001; I2 = 66%), and the reduction in glucagon was greater in comparison with insulin secretagogues than in comparison with non-insulin secretagogues (P for subgroup difference =0.03).

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com/, identifier INPLASY202280104.

Conclusions

DPP4 inhibitors are effective at reducing the circulating postprandial glucagon level in T2DM patients.
The impact of digital technology use on farmers’ low-carbon production behavior under the background of carbon emission peak and carbon neutrality goals
Authors: Huang Xiaohui , Yang Fei , Fahad Shah
Published: October 2022

In the digital economy era, as a new production factor, digital technology can break through the information blocking constraints on farmers’ behavior, become an important driving force affecting farmers’ low-carbon production behavior, and provide new opportunities for agricultural green low-carbon transformation and the realization of carbon emission peak and carbon neutrality goals. Based on the field survey data of 571 farm households in Jiangsu Province, China, this paper employs the Ordered Probit model and the mediating effect test method, and takes risk cognition as the mediating variable to empirically analyze the impact of digital technology use on farmers’ low-carbon production behavior and its path. The study results show that environmental risk cognition, health risk cognition, agricultural product safety risk cognition, and pesticide residue risk cognition have a significant positive impact on farmers’ low-carbon production behavior. Study findings also reveal that, on one side, the use of digital technology has a direct effect on the farmers’ low-carbon production behavior, on the other side, it indirectly affects the farmers’ low-carbon production behavior by affecting their risk cognition, that is, risk cognition plays a partial mediation role in this relationship. Furthermore, the results indicate that among the control variables, joint cooperative membership, food security knowledge, agricultural income, technical guidance, and following instructions have a significant and positive impact on farmers’ low-carbon production behavior. Based on study findings, the variable “number of the labor force” has a negative and significant impact on farmers’ low-carbon production behavior. Based on study findings, to effectively realize carbon emission peak and carbon neutrality goals and promote sustainable and high-quality agriculture development, agricultural policy makers should pay attention to the role of digital technology to actively promote low-carbon production behavior.
Characterization and risk assessment of soil around waste rock heaps affected by acid rock drainage in an abandoned pyrite mining area
Authors: Tong Lizhi , Peng Xiangqin , Chen Di , Chen Yanzhi , Wen Yong , Wang Wei , Liu Xiaowen
Published: October 2022

Acid rock drainage (ARD) is one of the most serious and potentially lasting environmental issues for the mining industry. Many researchers investigated the impact of ARD on downstream farmland, but few focused on the soil properties change around waste rock heaps. In this study, a total of 119 soil samples were taken around the 35 waste rock heaps which are scattered in 12 mining sites in an abandoned pyrite mining area (Baihe County, Northwest China). Both rainy and dry seasons of ARD were collected from the discharge outlet of each mining site. The bulk levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, and F, in waste rock, soil, and ARD samples were analyzed. Leaching concentration and chemical speciation of these PTEs in soils were further investigated. The results show that the ARD had very high pollution loads of PTEs both in the rainy season and dry season, continuously exporting pollutants to the surrounding soils. More than 70% of the soil samples were acidic (pH<5.5). The bulk of As in 17 soil surface samples exceeded the risk control limit specified in China (60 mg/kg), while the leaching concentrations of As and other PTEs in soil were far below the regulated limits. According to the sequential extraction results, the residual fraction of As, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ni in the soil accounted for over 90%, indicating these metals were possibly retained by the silicate matrix. Considering the relatively low bioavailability of PTEs and limited exposure routes, the human health risk of the soil surrounding the waste heap is generally acceptable. This research work provides a more comprehensive understanding of the properties and effects of ARD in the pyrite mining area which is conducive to the development of a sustainable control strategy of environmental pollution in typical mining regions.
Integrating forest windthrow assessment data in the process of windscape reconstruction: Case of the extratropical storms downscaled for the Gutai Mountains (Romania)
Authors: Ilies Gabriela , Ilies Marin , Hotea Mihai , Bumbak Silviu-Vasile , Hodor Nicolaie , Ilies Dorina-Camelia , Caciora Tudor , Safarov Bahordihon , Morar Cezar , Valjarević Aleksandar , Berdenov Zharas , Lukić Tin , Mihajlović Marija , Liudmyla Niemets , Vasić Predrag
Published: October 2022

Downscaling and modeling natural disturbances such as the extratropical storms are important for understanding and predicting the behavior of the air flow over complex forested areas, especially in high wind instances that cause damages. Therefore, the rationale of the research was that the windscape of a storm could be reconstructed based on the features of consequent forest windthrows. Main input data for the model were derived from data on forest damages (extension, orientation, and depth of windthrows) retrieved from combined UAV imagery, high-resolution imagery, and field survey, integrated with terrain, wind data at stations within the study area, land cover, overturning and breaking point conditions for tree species, and human interventions. Using a GIS environment, a critical wind speed index was calculated, as well as the main wind direction on each damaged stand, considering the factors that lead to windthrows. This model was then compared to a computational fluid dynamics wind model built with WindNinja app, using the conservation of mass and momentum solver, at the moment of the storm, and adjusted. Ultimately, maps and 3D models were presented to the main stakeholders in the area, namely, forest management, protected area operatives, and road and tourist infrastructures’ management in order to enhance the resilience strategies and environmental protection.
Maize monoculture causes niacin deficiency in free-living European brown hares and impairs local population development
Authors: Selimovic Aldin , Tissier Mathilde L. , Arnold Walter
Published: October 2022

Maize (Zea mays) is the most produced crop worldwide and the second most important bio-energy plant. Huge maize monoculture is considered a threat to biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and may also contribute to the decline of European brown hares (Lepus europaeus, Pallas 1778). Indeed, the intensification of agriculture has been identified as one of the main factors responsible for the decline of brown hare populations. A reason why large maize cultures can be particularly detrimental to animals consuming this plant is its poor nutritional value with respect to niacin. In this study, we investigated the effects of the proportion of area under maize crops on liver concentrations of niacin in free-living hares, on the reproductive output of does (females), and on the development of local populations, at nine study sites in Lower Austria. Hare numbers were estimated from spotlight counts in spring and autumn. Liver samples and uteri were obtained from hares shot in the same areas during regular autumn hunts. Number of offspring born to an individual female during the preceding reproductive period was determined by counting placental scars. Our results show a significant negative effect of the area under maize crops on liver concentrations of niacin of does and on their reproductive output. Further, we found a significant negative effect of the area under maize on the development of a population. Altogether, our findings indicate that high proportions of the area under maize crops contribute to the decline of brown hares by reduced fecundity of does and impaired development of local populations.
The panorama of public officials’ meeting trips after the COVID-19 pandemic: Impact level, recovery, and prospects
Authors: Pedreira Junior Jorge Ubirajara , Galindo Ernesto Pereira , Batista Augusto Herrmann , Pitombo Cira Souza , Rodrigues da Silva Antonio Nelson
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about considerable changes to human mobility. Although circulation restrictions are being lifted worldwide following the mitigation of the crisis, the understanding of its long-term effects is still limited. This paper addresses the situation of business meeting trips made by public officials in Brazil by gauging the level shift in the number of trips, the pace of recovery in the aftermath and whether there is any perspective of returning to a pre-pandemic baseline in the near future. To answer these questions, more than 420,000 trips comprising 5 years of operation of the “TaxiGov” ridesourcing system were evaluated in the framework of a dynamic regression model based on an Interrupted Time Series analysis with Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average errors. We found that the baseline level of meeting trips plummeted more than 80% with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented effect that was not matched by any major external shock in recent human history. Based on a counterfactual scenario, more than 138,000 expected trips did not occur considering only the first year of the pandemic (April 2020 to March 2021), which is roughly three times as much as the actual number of trips in the same period. Furthermore, based on the time series’ characteristics, a forecast for the following year indicates that the number of business trips will be still behind the baseline figures of 2018 and 2019. We provide solid evidence that the COVID-19 might have produced longstanding (and perhaps irreversible) effects in business meeting trips in the Brazilian public sector. Important policies implemented throughout this period, such as the regulation of teleworking in the public sector, and the incorporation of new working habits after an extended period of adaptation are probably the main reasons behind these findings. Finally, we emphasize that the reduced environmental impacts ensuing from this decreased mobility could be further expanded by substituting car trips with microbus/van lines serving the main origin-destination trip pairs or by adding ridesharing/carpooling options within the existing ride sourcing system.
Pain reduction in fibromyalgia syndrome through pairing transcranial direct current stimulation and mindfulness meditation: A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled pilot clinical trial
Authors: Ramasawmy Perianen , Khalid Sarah , Petzke Frank , Antal Andrea
Published: October 2022

Background

This double-blinded, randomized and sham-controlled pilot clinical trial aimed to investigate the preliminary clinical efficacy and feasibility of combining mindfulness meditation (MM) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for pain and associated symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Methods

Included FMS patients (age: 33 to 70) were randomized to three different groups to receive either ten daily sessions of anodal tDCS over the left primary motor cortex paired with MM for 20 min (active + MM, n = 10), sham tDCS combined with MM (sham + MM, n = 10) or no intervention (NoT, n = 10). Patients in the bimodal therapy groups received a week of training in MM prior to the stimulation. Participants reported pain intensity, the primary outcome, by filling in a pain diary daily throughout the whole study. They were also evaluated for quality of life, pressure pain sensitivity, psychological wellbeing, sleep quality and sleep quantity. Assessments were performed at three time points (baseline, immediately after treatment and one-month follow-up).

Results

Participants in the active + MM group did not exhibit reduced pain intensity following the bimodal therapy compared to controls. Patients in active group demonstrated clinically meaningful and significantly higher quality of life following the therapeutic intervention than other groups. There was no significant difference among groups regarding pressure pain sensitivity, sleep parameters and psychological scales. The combined treatment was well tolerated among participants, with no serious adverse effects.

Conclusion

This study was the first to pair these two effective non-pharmacological therapies for pain management in FMS. In the light of an underpowered sample size, repetitive anodal tDCS combined with MM did not improve pain or FMS-associated symptoms. However, patients in the active + MM group reported higher quality of life than the control groups. Studies with more participants and longer follow-ups are required to confirm our findings.

Clinical trial registration

[www.drks.de], identifier [DRKS00023490].