bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrative discourse in TED Talks
Authors: Wingrove Peter
Published: March 2023

This article investigates the extent to which TED talks can be considered a narrative register. This study
analyses ‘narrative versus non-narrative discourse’ (Biber 1988) in a corpus of TED
talks (n = 2483). TED talks were found to be typically non-narrative (−2.47 mean). However, there was a great
degree of variation, with approximately 10% of talks (n = 257) classified as narrative. When TED talks were
compared to registers in prior studies they were close to academic prose and presented a similar pattern in terms of disciplinary
variation, with ‘soft’ disciplines closer to narratives. When textual data was examined, the average TED talk was found to weave
narrative and descriptive elements, but were found to be more descriptive overall.
Why do we vent our emotions and blame others during the coronavirus pandemic? The role of emotional clarity in the United States and South Korea (¿Por qué ventilamos nuestras emociones y culpabilizamos a otras personas durante la pandemia del coronavirus? El rol de la claridad emocional en los Estados Unidos y Corea del Sur)
Authors: Kim Min-Young , Han Kyueun
Published: March 2023

People have been experiencing more negative affect (NA) during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic than prior to its onset. This may increase instances of people venting their emotions and blaming others to relieve the flood of unregulated NA. This study examined individuals’ venting and blaming processes within the context of the pandemic and explored the mediating role of emotional clarity across cultures. We conducted an online survey with 210 and 197 participants from the US and South Korea, respectively. The results of the moderated mediation analysis showed that individuals’ NA during the pandemic significantly affected their venting and blaming via emotional clarity among US participants. This finding implies that when people in individualistic cultures do not fully understand their emotions, they are more likely to vent to or blame others. This can serve as a potential risk factor for hate crimes during the pandemic. Conversely, the mediation effect of emotional clarity was not significant among South Korean participants, suggesting dissimilar roles played by emotional clarity in individualistic versus collectivistic cultures in managing NA.
Tuning the magnetoresistance properties of phosphorene with periodic magnetic modulation
Authors: Oubram O , Sadoqi M , Cisneros-Villalobos L , Rodríguez-Vargas I
Published: March 2023

Periodic superlattices constitute ideal structures to modulate the transport properties of two-dimensional materials. In this paper, we show that the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) in phosphorene can be tuned effectively through periodic magnetic modulation. Deltaic magnetic barriers are arranged periodically along the phosphorene armchair direction in parallel (PM) and anti-parallel magnetization (AM) fashion. The theoretical treatment is based on a low-energy effective Hamiltonian, the transfer matrix method and the Landauer–Büttiker formalism. We find that the periodic modulation gives rise to oscillating transport characteristics for both PM and AM configurations. More importantly, by adjusting the electrostatic potential appropriately we find Fermi energy regions for which the AM conductance is reduced significantly while the PM conductance keeps considerable values, resulting in an effective TMR that increases with the magnetic field strength. These findings could be useful in the design of magnetoresistive devices based on magnetic phosphorene superlattices.
Ground and excited states of even-numbered Hubbard ring at half-filling: comparison of the extended Gutzwiller approach with exact diagonalization
Authors: Fang Yimei , Zhang Feng , Ye Zhuo , Zhang Han , Lu Wen-Cai , Wu Shunqing , Yao Yong-Xin , Wang Cai-Zhuang , Ho Kai-Ming
Published: March 2023

It remains a great challenge in condensed matter physics to develop a method to treat strongly correlated many-body systems with balanced accuracy and efficiency. We introduce an extended Gutzwiller (EG) method incorporating a manifold technique, which builds an effective manifold of the many-body Hilbert space, to describe the ground-state (GS) and excited-state (ES) properties of strongly correlated electrons. We systematically apply an EG projector onto the GS and ES of a non-interacting system. Diagonalization of the true Hamiltonian within the manifold formed by the resulting EG wavefunctions gives the approximate GS and ES of the correlated system. To validate this technique, we implement it on even-numbered fermionic Hubbard rings at half-filling with periodic boundary conditions, and compare the results with the exact diagonalization (ED) method. The EG method is capable of generating high-quality GS and low-lying ES wavefunctions, as evidenced by the high overlaps of wavefunctions between the EG and ED methods. Favorable comparisons are also achieved for other quantities including the total energy, the double occupancy, the total spin and the staggered magnetization. With the capability of accessing the ESs, the EG method can capture the essential features of the one-electron removal spectral function that contains contributions from states deep in the excited spectrum. Finally, we provide an outlook on the application of this method on large extended systems.
The development and characterization of an all-purpose bolus for radiotherapy
Authors: Nakamura Kenji , Monzen Hajime , Kubo Kazuki , Kosaka Hiroyuki , Ito Takaaki , Sakai Yusuke , Yanagi Yuya , Nishimura Yasumasa
Published: March 2023

Objective. The purpose of this study was to develop a new bolus (HM bolus), with tissue equivalence, transparency, reusability, and free shaping at approximately 40 °C for excellent adhesion, and to evaluate the feasibility of clinically using this bolus as an ideal bolus. Approach. We summarized the advantages and disadvantages of existing boluses. To evaluate dose characteristics, a vinyl gel sheet bolus (Gel bolus) and HM bolus placed on a water-equivalent phantom were used to obtain the percentage depth dose (PDD) of electron (6 MeV, 9 MeV) and photon (4 MV, 6 MV) beams. The average dose difference of the HM bolus and Gel bolus was calculated. The Gel bolus, a soft rubber bolus (SR bolus), and HM bolus were placed in adherence to a pelvic phantom. CT images taken after shaping and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after shaping were used to evaluate the adhesion and reproducibility using air gap and dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Main results. The average dose difference for electron beams was 0.16% ± 0.79% and photon beams was 0.06% ± 0.34%, both within 1% of the PDD results. The HM bolus showed the same build-up effect and dose characteristics as the Gel bolus. The mean air gap values for the Gel bolus, SR bolus, and HM bolus were 96.02 ± 43.77 cm3, 34.93 ± 21.44 cm3, and 4.40 ± 1.50 cm3, respectively. The mean DSC values compared to initial images for the Gel bolus, SR bolus, and HM bolus were 0.363 ± 0.035, 0.556 ± 0.042, and 0.837 ± 0.018, respectively. Excellent adhesion was observed in the CT simulation and during the treatment period. Significance. The HM bolus has unique features, such as tissue equivalence, transparency, reusability, and free shaping for excellent adhesion, and is thus an ideal bolus for use in clinical cases.
Molecular dynamics models of tapping mode atomic force microscopy
Authors: Sun Baishun , Huo Xuyang , Tian LiGuo , Wang Jiajia , Song Zhengxun , Wang Zuobin
Published: March 2023

Macro-mechanical simulation software cannot easily simulate the atomic resolution of the tapping mode atomic force microscope (TM-AFM), so the accuracy of the corresponding mechanical model is questioned. In this paper, a TM-AFM simulation model is established using classical molecular dynamics (MD). The model simulated the tapping of gold (Au) and aluminum (Al) by probes with various amplitudes. The simulation yielded the z-direction force curves, trajectory curves and indentation curves of the probe. The amplitude change and the phase shift of the probe at various amplitudes were calculated from the direct measurement results. A contact jump and detachment jump become evident and are significant to energy and force results. The recovery ability of Al after indenting is smaller than that of Au. The energy calculations can be fitted to a high goodness of fit, reaching 0.99 and better; hence, the amplitude and phase shift variations of the probe can be used to fit the stored and dissipated energies, the sample energies when the sample is tapped. In this way, the TM-AFM is able to calculate the mechanical properties of the sample, and thus characterize the sample.
Dark matter-electron interactions in materials beyond the dark photon model
Authors: Catena Riccardo , Cole Daniel , Emken Timon , Matas Marek , Spaldin Nicola , Tarantino Walter , Urdshals Einar
Published: March 2023

The search for sub-GeV dark matter (DM) particles via electronic transitions in underground detectors attracted much theoretical and experimental interest in the past few years. A still open question in this field is whether experimental results can in general be interpreted in a framework where the response of detector materials to an external DM probe is described by a single ionisation or crystal form factor, as expected for the so-called dark photon model. Here, ionisation and crystal form factors are examples of material response functions: interaction-specific integrals of the initial and final state electron wave functions. In this work, we address this question through a systematic classification of the material response functions induced by a wide range of models for spin-0, spin-1/2 and spin-1 DM. We find several examples for which an accurate description of the electronic transition rate at DM direct detection experiments requires material response functions that go beyond those expected for the dark photon model. This concretely illustrates the limitations of a framework that is entirely based on the standard ionisation and crystal form factors, and points towards the need for the general response-function-based formalism we pushed forward recently [1,2]. For the models that require non-standard atomic and crystal response functions, we use the response functions of [1,2] to calculate the DM-induced electronic transition rate in atomic and crystal detectors, and to present 90% confidence level exclusion limits on the strength of the DM-electron interaction from the null results reported by XENON10, XENON1T, EDELWEISS and SENSEI.
Dynamics of supercooled liquids from static averaged quantities using machine learning
Authors: Ciarella Simone , Chiappini Massimiliano , Boattini Emanuele , Dijkstra Marjolein , Janssen Liesbeth M C
Published: March 2023

We introduce a machine-learning approach to predict the complex non-Markovian dynamics of supercooled liquids from static averaged quantities. Compared to techniques based on particle propensity, our method is built upon a theoretical framework that uses as input and output system-averaged quantities, thus being easier to apply in an experimental context where particle resolved information is not available. In this work, we train a deep neural network to predict the self intermediate scattering function of binary mixtures using their static structure factor as input. While its performance is excellent for the temperature range of the training data, the model also retains some transferability in making decent predictions at temperatures lower than the ones it was trained for, or when we use it for similar systems. We also develop an evolutionary strategy that is able to construct a realistic memory function underlying the observed non-Markovian dynamics. This method lets us conclude that the memory function of supercooled liquids can be effectively parameterized as the sum of two stretched exponentials, which physically corresponds to two dominant relaxation modes.
Sculpting a teaching and learning curriculum to better meet the career needs of postgraduate year 1 and 2 pharmacy residents
Authors: Chang Eugenie , Johnson Peter N , Medina Melissa S , Dennis Vincent C , Neely Stephen B , Miller Jamie L
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To describe implementation of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy (OUCOP) teaching and learning curriculum (TLC) for postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) residents, including the required components, evaluation structure, residency graduate outcomes and perceptions captured by a survey following program completion, generalizability to other institutions, and opportunities for future directions.

As part of their residency training, pharmacy residents are required to develop and refine teaching, precepting, and presentation skills. To meet the required and elective competency areas, goals, and objectives on teaching, precepting, and presentation skills, many American Society of Health-System Pharmacists–accredited residency programs have utilized TLC programs. OUCOP offers 2 distinct TLC programs for PGY1 and PGY2 residents, respectively.

Conclusion

The OUCOP TLC program provided residents with opportunities for development of teaching and presentation skills in a variety of settings. The majority of residency graduates currently practice as a clinical specialist, and the majority lecture, precept, and deliver continuing education presentations. Graduates felt that the mentorship and diversity of teaching activities were the most beneficial qualities of the program. In addition, the majority noted that mentorship in lecture preparation was helpful in creating presentations after graduation. On the basis of the feedback from the survey, several changes have been made to better prepare residents for their postgraduate careers. TLC programs should conduct ongoing assessments to continue to foster the development of precepting and teaching skills for residents’ future careers.
Medication dosing in adult patients with reduced lean body mass and kidney injury: A focus on cystatin C
Authors: Erstad Brian L , Nix David E
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) have been the standard for classifying kidney function and guiding drug dosing for over 5 decades. There have been many efforts to compare and improve different methods to estimate GFR. The National Kidney Foundation recently updated the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations without race for creatinine (CKD-EPIcr_R) and creatinine and cystatin C (CKD-EPIcr-cys_R), and the 2012 CKD-EPI equation based on cystatin C (CKD-EPIcys) remains. The focus of this review is to highlight the importance of muscle atrophy as a cause for overestimation of GFR when using creatinine-based methods.

Patients with liver disease, protein malnutrition, inactivity, denervation, or extensive weight loss may exhibit markedly lower creatinine excretion and serum creatinine concentration, leading to overestimation of GFR or creatinine clearance when using the Cockcroft-Gault equation or CKD-EPIcr (deindexed). In some cases, estimated GFR appears to exceed the physiological normal range (eg, >150 mL/min/1.73 m2). Use of cystatin C is recommended when low muscle mass is suspected. One would expect discordance between the estimates such that CKD-EPIcys < CKD-EPIcr-cys < CKD-EPIcr ≈ Cockcroft-Gault creatinine clearance. Clinical evaluation can then occur to determine which estimate is likely accurate and should be used for drug dosing.

Conclusion

In the setting of significant muscle atrophy and stable serum creatinine levels, use of cystatin C is recommended, and the resulting estimate can be used to calibrate interpretation of future serum creatinine measurements.
Self-Reported Breast Implant Illness: The Contribution of Systemic Illnesses and Other Factors to Patient Symptoms
Authors: Bresnick Stephen D
Published: March 2023

Patients with self-reported breast implant illness (BII) report a range of systemic symptoms which they attribute to having breast implants. The etiology of self-reported BII is unknown. Some patients have limited resolution of symptoms despite implant removal, and the mechanism of persistent symptoms is unclear. Notably, there are a number of prevalent, chronic systemic illnesses and other factors which present with the most common physical symptoms of self-reported BII. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and hypothyroidism often produce fatigue, joint and muscle pain, “brain fog,” anxiety or depression, and hair loss in affected patients who may or may not have breast implants. Other factors such as anxiety with or without depression, perimenopause, aging, cigarette smoking/marijuana use, and prominent side effects from common medications are known to produce similar symptoms as those reported by patients concerned with BII. The possibility that patients with breast implants have an undiagnosed, chronic illness unrelated to breast implants should be considered as well as other factors which may produce similar symptoms. Plastic surgeons should be aware of the range of illnesses and factors which can produce physical symptoms similar to those of patients with self-reported BII. For patients in which a systemic illness or other factor is felt to play a contributory role to self-reported BII symptoms, referral to an internist or rheumatologist for a thorough history and physical examination to rule out conditions may be prudent before explantation. This may reduce the need for explantation if the etiology of systemic symptoms is found to be unrelated to breast implants.

Level of Evidence: 3
A systematic review of 454 randomized controlled trials using the Dermatology Life Quality Index: experience in 69 diseases and 43 countries
Authors: Vyas Jui , Johns Jeffrey R , Ali Faraz M , Singh Ravinder K , Ingram John R , Salek Sam , Finlay Andrew Y
Published: March 2023

Background

Over 29 years of clinical application, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) has remained the most used patient-reported outcome (PRO) in dermatology due to its robustness, simplicity and ease of use.

Objectives

To generate further evidence of the DLQI's utility in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and to cover all diseases and interventions.

Methods

The methodology followed PRISMA guidelines and included seven bibliographical databases, searching articles published from 1 January 1994 until 16 November 2021. Articles were reviewed independently by two assessors, and an adjudicator resolved any opinion differences.

Results

Of 3220 screened publications, 454 articles meeting the eligibility criteria for inclusion, describing research on 198 190 patients, were analysed. DLQI scores were primary endpoints in 24 (5.3%) of studies. Most studies were of psoriasis (54.1%), although 69 different diseases were studied. Most study drugs were systemic (85.1%), with biologics comprising 55.9% of all pharmacological interventions. Topical treatments comprised 17.0% of total pharmacological interventions. Nonpharmacological interventions, mainly laser therapy and ultraviolet radiation treatment, comprised 12.2% of the total number of interventions. The majority of studies (63.7%) were multicentric, with trials conducted in at least 42 different countries; 40.2% were conducted in multiple countries. The minimal clinically importance difference (MCID) was reported in the analysis of 15.0% of studies, but only 1.3% considered full score meaning banding of the DLQI. Forty-seven (10.4%) of the studies investigated statistical correlation of the DLQI with clinical severity assessment or other PRO/quality of life tools; and 61–86% of studies had within-group scores differences greater than the MCID in ‘active treatment arms’. The Jadad risk-of-bias scale showed that bias was generally low, as 91.8% of the studies had Jadad scores of ≥ 3; only 0.4% of studies showed a high risk of bias from randomization. Thirteen per cent had a high risk of bias from blinding and 10.1% had a high risk of bias from unknown outcomes of all participants in the studies. In 18.5% of the studies the authors declared that they followed an intention-to-treat protocol; imputation for missing DLQI data was used in 34.4% of studies.

Conclusions

This systematic review provides a wealth of evidence of the use of the DLQI in clinical trials to inform researchers’ and ­clinicians’ decisions for its further use. Recommendations are also made for improving the reporting of data from future RCTs using the DLQI.
Chronic activation of Toll-like receptor 2 induces an ichthyotic skin phenotype
Authors: Tagoe Hephzi , Hassan Sakinah , Bliss Emily , Youssef Gehad , Heywood Wendy , Mills Kevin , Harper John I , O’Shaughnessy Ryan F L
Published: March 2023

Background

Ichthyosis defines a group of chronic conditions that manifest phenotypically as a thick layer of scales, often affecting the entire skin. While the gene mutations that lead to ichthyosis are well documented, the actual signalling mechanisms that lead to scaling are poorly characterized; however, recent publications suggest that common mechanisms are active in ichthyotic tissue and in analogous models of ichthyosis.

Objectives

To determine common mechanisms of hyperkeratosis that may be easily targeted with small-molecule inhibitors.

Methods

We combined gene expression analysis of gene-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdowns in rat epidermal keratinocytes (REKs) of two genes mutated in autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI), Tgm1 and Alox12b, and proteomic analysis of skin scale from patients with ARCI, as well as RNA sequencing data from rat epidermal keratinocytes treated with the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonist Pam3CSK4.

Results

We identified common activation of the TLR2 pathway. Exogenous TLR2 activation led to increased expression of important cornified envelope genes and, in organotypic culture, caused hyperkeratosis. Conversely, blockade of TLR2 signalling in keratinocytes from patients with ichthyosis and our shRNA models reduced the expression of keratin 1, a structural protein overexpressed in ichthyosis scale. A time course of TLR2 activation in REKs revealed that although there was rapid initial activation of innate immune pathways, this was rapidly superseded by widespread upregulation of epidermal differentiation-related proteins. Both nuclear factor kappa B phosphorylation and GATA3 upregulation was associated with this switch, and GATA3 overexpression was sufficient to increase keratin 1 expression.

Conclusions

Taken together, these data define a dual role for TLR2 activation during epidermal barrier repair that may be a useful therapeutic modality in treating diseases of epidermal barrier dysfunction.
Efficacy and safety of topical brepocitinib cream for mild-to-moderate chronic plaque psoriasis: a phase IIb randomized double-blind vehicle-controlled parallel-group study
Authors: Landis Megan N , Smith Stacy R , Berstein Gabriel , Fetterly Gerald , Ghosh Pranab , Feng Gang , Pradhan Vivek , Aggarwal Sudeepta , Banfield Christopher , Peeva Elena , Vincent Michael S , Beebe Jean S , Tarabar Sanela
Published: March 2023

Background

Plaque psoriasis (PsO) is an inflammatory skin disease driven, in part, by the activation of Janus kinase (JAK) signalling pathways.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of multiple doses of topical brepocitinib, a tyrosine kinase 2/JAK1 inhibitor, in participants with mild-to-moderate PsO.

Methods

This phase IIb multicentre randomized double-blind study was conducted in two stages. In stage 1, participants received one of eight treatments for 12 weeks: brepocitinib 0.1% once daily, 0.3% once or twice daily, 1.0% once or twice daily, 3.0% once daily, or vehicle once or twice daily. In stage 2, participants received brepocitinib 3.0% twice daily or vehicle twice daily. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score at week 12, analysed using analysis of covariance. The key secondary endpoint was the proportion of participants who achieved a Physician Global Assessment response [score of clear (0) or almost clear (1) and an improvement of ≥ 2 points from baseline] at week 12. Additional secondary endpoints included the difference vs. vehicle in change from baseline in PASI, using mixed-model repeated measures, and the change from baseline in Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale at week 12. Safety was monitored.

Results

Overall, 344 participants were randomized. Topical brepocitinib did not result in statistically significant changes compared with respective vehicle controls in the primary or key secondary efficacy endpoints for any dose group. At week 12, least squares mean change from baseline in PASI score ranged from –1.4 to –2.4 for the brepocitinib once-daily groups vs. –1.6 for vehicle once daily, and from –2.5 to –3.0 for the brepocitinib twice-daily groups vs. –2.2 for vehicle twice daily. From week 8, change from baseline in PASI score separated from vehicle in all brepocitinib twice daily groups. Brepocitinib was well tolerated, with adverse events (AEs) occurring at similar rates across groups. One participant in the brepocitinib 1.0% once-daily group developed a treatment-related AE of herpes zoster in the neck area.

Conclusions

Topical brepocitinib was well tolerated but did not result in statistically significant changes compared with vehicle when administered at the doses evaluated to treat signs and symptoms of mild-to-moderate PsO.
Diagnosis and treatment for gastro-oesophageal cancer in England and Wales: analysis of the National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit (NOGCA) database 2012–2020
Authors: Pucher Philip H , Park Min Hae , Cromwell David A , Crosby Tom C , Thomas Betsan , Trudgill Nigel , Wahedally Muhammad , Maynard Nick , Gossage James A
Published: March 2023

Background

The National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit (NOGCA) captures patient data from diagnosis to end of primary treatment for all patients with oesophagogastric (OG) cancer in England and Wales. This study assessed changes in patient characteristics, treatments received, and outcomes for OG cancer surgery for the period 2012–2020, and examined which factors may have led to changes in clinical outcomes over this time.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with OG cancer between April 2012 and March 2020 were included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics, disease site, type, and stage, patterns of care, and outcomes over time. The treatment variables of unit case volume, surgical approach, and neoadjuvant therapy were included. Regression models were used to examine associations between surgical outcomes (duration of stay and mortality), and patient and treatment variables.

Results

In total, 83 393 patients diagnosed with OG cancer during the study period were included. Patient demographics and cancer stage at diagnosis showed little change over time. Altogether, 17 650 patients underwent surgery as part of radical treatment. These patients had increasingly more advanced cancers, and a greater likelihood of pre-existing comorbidity in more recent years. Significant decreases in mortality rates and duration of stay were noted, along with improvements in oncological outcomes (nodal yields and margin positivity rates). Following adjustment for patient and treatment variables, increasing audit year and trust volume were associated, respectively, with improved postoperative outcomes: lower 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.93 (95 per cent c.i. 0.88 to 0.98) and OR 0.99 (95 per cent c.i. 0.99–0.99)) and lower 90-day mortality (OR 0.94 (95 per cent c.i. 0.91 to 0.98) and OR 0.99 (95 per cent c.i. 0.99–0.99)), and a reduction in duration of postoperative stay (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.98 (95 per cent c.i. 0.97 to 0.98) and IRR 0.99 (95 per cent c.i. 0.99 to 0.99)).

Conclusion

Outcomes of OG cancer surgery have improved over time, despite little evidence of improvements in early diagnosis. The underlying drivers for improvements in outcome are multifactorial.
Sex differences in treatment and outcomes amongst myocardial infarction patients presenting with and without obstructive coronary arteries: a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Lawless Michael , Appelman Yolande , Beltrame John F , Navarese Eliano P , Ratcovich Hanna , Wilkinson Chris , Kunadian Vijay
Published: March 2023

Aims

Women have an increased prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI) with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). Whether sex differences exist in the outcomes of patients with MI and obstructive coronary arteries (MIOCA) vs. MINOCA remains unclear. We describe sex-based differences in diagnosis, treatment, and clinical outcomes of patients with MINOCA vs. MIOCA.

Methods and results

A large-scale cohort study of patients with ST/non-ST elevation MI undergoing coronary angiography (01/2015–12/2019). Patient demographics, diagnosis, prescribed discharge medications, in-hospital complications, and follow-up data were prospectively collected. A total of 13 202 participants were included (males 68.2% and females 31.8%). 10.9% were diagnosed with MINOCA. Median follow-up was 4.62 years. Females (44.8%) were as commonly diagnosed with MINOCA as males (55.2%), unlike the male preponderance in MIOCA (male, 69.8%; female, 30.2%). Less secondary prevention medications were prescribed at discharge for MINOCA than MIOCA. There was no difference in mortality risk between MINOCA and MIOCA [in-hospital: adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74–2.35, P = 0.350; long term: adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.03, 95% CI 0.81–1.31, P = 0.813]. MINOCA patients had reduced mortality at long-term follow-up if prescribed secondary prevention medications (aHR 0.64, 95% CI 0.47–0.87, P = 0.004). Females diagnosed with MIOCA had greater odds of in-hospital and 1-year mortality than males (aOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.09–2.07, P = 0.014; aHR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01–1.38, P = 0.048).

Conclusion

MINOCA patients have similar mortality rates as MIOCA patients. MINOCA patients were less likely than those with MIOCA to be discharged with guideline-recommended secondary prevention therapy; however, those with MINOCA who received secondary prevention survived longer. Females with MIOCA experienced higher mortality rates vs. males.
LC-MS/MS Determination of Antibiotic Residues in Distillers Grains: Method Modification
Authors: De Alwis Hemakanthi G , Nochetto Cristina
Published: March 2023

Background

Antibiotics are used in ethanol production to discourage undesirable bacteria growth. To determine if antibiotic residues remain in the distillers grain (DG) byproduct, which is used as an animal food ingredient, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine previously developed an LC-MS/MS method to detect residues of erythromycin A, penicillin G, virginiamycin M1, and virginiamycin S1 in DG to enable regulatory decision-making.

Objective

Erythromycin and penicillin G were quantitated using the stable isotope dilution technique with their isotopically labeled compounds, which are considered optimal internal standards (ISTDs) for quantitative mass spectrometry. With the commercial availability of virginiamycin M1-d2 since then, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of its use as it is only doubly deuterated, and to incorporate it in the method to enhance method performance.

Method

Antibiotic residues were solvent-extracted from DG; the extract was cleaned up by a hexane wash and solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by LC-MS/MS.

Results

We established suitability of virginiamycin M1-d2 as an ISTD and incorporated it in the method. For all analytes, accuracy and precision ranged 90 to 102% and 3.8 to 6.8, respectively.

Conclusions

We modified a previously developed LC-MS/MS method that uses virginiamycin M1-d2 as an ISTD to support surveillance studies to determine several drugs in DG.

Highlights

Virginiamycin M1-d2 was successfully incorporated into the method for better virginiamycin M1 quantitation. This addition also allowed calibration curves for all analytes to be constructed in solvent, thereby simplifying the method.
Ineffective investigation into making a book available for illegal download breaches copyright holder’s right to property, rules European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Izyumenko Elena
Published: March 2023

The European Court of Human Rights continues to establish breaches of copyright holders’ (human) right to property. This time, in a judgment from January 2023, the Court held that a protracted and ineffective investigation in respect of making the applicant’s book available for illegal download on the internet was in breach of the State’s positive obligation to protect intellectual property.
Vertical motion in the Galactic disc: unwinding the snail
Authors: Frankel Neige , Bovy Jo , Tremaine Scott , Hogg David W
Published: March 2023

The distribution of stars in the Milky Way disc shows a spiral structure − the snail − in the space of velocity and position normal to the Galactic mid-plane. The snail appears as straight lines in the vertical frequency−vertical phase plane when effects from sample selection are removed. Their slope has the dimension of inverse time, with the simplest interpretation being the inverse age of the snail. Here, we devise and fit a simple model in which the spiral starts as a lopsided perturbation from steady state, that winds up into the present-day morphology. The winding occurs because the vertical frequency decreases with vertical action. We use data from stars in Gaia EDR3 that have measured radial velocities, pruned by simple distance and photometric selection functions. We divide the data into boxels of dynamical invariants (radial action, angular momentum); our model fits the data well in many of the boxels. The model parameters have physical interpretations: one, A, is a perturbation amplitude, and one, t, is interpretable in the simplest models as the time since the event that caused the snail. We find trends relating the strength and age to angular momentum: (i) the amplitude A is small at low angular momentum (${\lt 1\, 600{\,}kpc\ km\ s}^{-1}$ or guiding-centre radius $\lt 7.3\,$kpc) and over a factor of three larger, with strong variations, in the outer disc; (ii) there is no single well-defined perturbation time, with t varying between 0.2 and 0.6 Gyr. Residuals between the data and the model display systematic trends, implying that the data call for more complex models.
Stirred but not shaken: a multiwavelength view of HD 16743’s debris disc
Authors: Marshall Jonathan P , Milli J , Choquet E , del Burgo C , Kennedy G M , Kemper F , Wyatt M C , Kral Q , Soummer R
Published: March 2023

Planetesimals – asteroids and comets – are the building blocks of planets in protoplanetary discs and the source of dust, ice, and gas in debris discs. Along with planets they comprise the left-over material after star formation that constitutes a planetary system. Planets influence the dynamics of planetesimals, sculpting the orbits of debris belts to produce asymmetries or gaps. We can constrain the architecture of planetary systems, and infer the presence of unseen planetary companions, by high spatial resolution imaging of debris discs. HD 16743 is a relatively young F-type star that hosts a bright edge-on debris disc. Based on far-infrared Herschel observations its disc was thought to be stirred by a planetary companion. Here, we present the first spatially resolved observations at near-infrared and millimetre wavelengths with HST and ALMA, revealing the disc to be highly inclined at $87{_{.}^{\circ}} 3~^{+1{_{.}^{\circ}} 9}_{-2{_{.}^{\circ}} 5}$ with a radial extent of 157.7$^{+2.6}_{-1.5}$ au and an full width at half maximum of 79.4$^{+8.1}_{-7.8}$ au (ΔR/R = 0.5). The vertical scale height of the disc is 0.13 ± 0.02, significantly greater than typically assumed unstirred value of 0.05, and could be indicative of stirring of the dust-producing planetesimals within the disc by bodies at least a few times the mass of Pluto up to 18.3 M⊕ in the single object limit.
Healthcare workers’ acceptance of and adherence to latent tuberculosis treatment
Authors: Yang H , Lee J S , Kim Y
Published: March 2023

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) have a high risk of active tuberculosis and need systematic LTBI screening and treatment. However, acceptance and adherence rates of LTBI treatment are low.

Aims

To examine the specific reasons for the loss at each LTBI treatment-cascade stage: acceptance, continuation and completion of LTBI treatment in HCWs.

Methods

This retrospective descriptive study was conducted among 61 HCWs with an interferon-gamma release assay-confirmed LTBI diagnosis who were prescribed LTBI treatment at a tertiary hospital in the Republic of Korea. Data were analysed using Pearson’s chi-square, Fisher’s exact, independent t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test. A word cloud analysis was used to describe the perceived meaning of LTBI in HCWs.

Results

HCWs who refused or discontinued LTBI treatment perceived LTBI as ‘not a big deal’, whereas HCWs who completed LTBI treatment had a high-risk perception of the LTBI prognosis, such as ‘frightened about adverse prognosis’. Determinants of non-adherence to the recommended LTBI treatment included a busy work schedule, side effects of anti-tuberculosis agents and the inconvenience of regularly taking anti-tuberculosis agents.

Conclusions

To ensure LTBI treatment adherence in HCWs, effective interventions that are customized to each stage of the LTBI treatment should be developed, with due consideration of the stage-specific perceived facilitators and barriers in the LTBI treatment cascade.
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma ALK-positive variant of primary bone lymphoma associated with melanoma
Authors: Tutaeva Victoria V , Ovsiannikova Maria R , Bobin Alexander N , Gorbunov Alexey V , Kurbanov Sergey I , Rukavitsin Oleg A
Published: March 2023

We describe in detail a case of the anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) type of primary bone lymphoma, which initially was diagnosed and treated as osteomyelitis. The diagnosis was delayed because of unspecific clinical symptoms and uncertain radiographs and histology. Only relapse of the lymphoma from the same area with involvement of the soft tissue and local lymph nodes allowed to establish a correct diagnosis and start treatment. Also, in this case, we observed the development of the second cancer (melanoma), which has the same cytogenetic abnormality as ALCL (t[2;5]).
Reduced methionine synthase expression results in uracil accumulation in mitochondrial DNA and impaired oxidative capacity
Authors: Heyden Katarina E , Fiddler Joanna L , Xiu Yuwen , Malysheva Olga V , Handzlik Michal K , Phinney Whitney N , Stiles Linsey , Stabler Sally P , Metallo Christian M , Caudill Marie A , Field Martha S
Published: March 2023

Adequate thymidylate [deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) or the “T” base in DNA] levels are essential for stability of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA). Folate and vitamin B12 (B12) are essential cofactors in folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM), a metabolic network which supports synthesis of nucleotides (including dTMP) and methionine. Perturbations in FOCM impair dTMP synthesis, causing misincorporation of uracil (or a “U” base) into DNA. During B12 deficiency, cellular folate accumulates as 5-methyltetrahdryfolate (5-methyl-THF), limiting nucleotide synthesis. The purpose of this study was to determine how reduced levels of the B12-dpendent enzyme methionine synthase (MTR) and dietary folate interact to affect mtDNA integrity and mitochondrial function in mouse liver. Folate accumulation, uracil levels, mtDNA content, and oxidative phosphorylation capacity were measured in male Mtr+/+ and Mtr+/− mice weaned onto either a folate-sufficient control (C) diet (2 mg/kg folic acid) or a folate-deficient (FD) diet (lacking folic acid) for 7 weeks. Mtr heterozygosity led to increased liver 5-methyl-THF levels. Mtr+/− mice consuming the C diet also exhibited a 40-fold increase in uracil in liver mtDNA. Mtr+/− mice consuming the FD diet exhibited less uracil accumulation in liver mtDNA as compared to Mtr+/+ mice consuming the FD diet. Furthermore, Mtr+/− mice exhibited 25% lower liver mtDNA content and a 20% lower maximal oxygen consumption rates. Impairments in mitochondrial FOCM are known to lead to increased uracil in mtDNA. This study demonstrates that impaired cytosolic dTMP synthesis, induced by decreased Mtr expression, also leads to increased uracil in mtDNA.
Localized Pain and Fatigue During Recovery From Submaximal Resistance Exercise in People With Fibromyalgia
Authors: Berardi Giovanni , Eble Christine , Hunter Sandra K , Bement Marie Hoeger
Published: March 2023

Objective

Exercise is recommended as a main treatment in fibromyalgia. However, many people have limited exercise tolerance and report exacerbated pain and fatigue during and following a bout of exercise. This study examined the local and systemic changes in perceived pain and fatigue during exercise and through the 3-day recovery following isometric and concentric exercises in people with and without fibromyalgia.

Methods

Forty-seven participants with a physician diagnosis of fibromyalgia (44 women; mean age [SD] = 51.3 [12.3] years; mean body mass index [SD] = 30.2 [6.9]) and 47 controls (44 women; mean age [SD] = 52.5 [14.7] years; mean body mass index [SD] = 27.7 [5.6]) completed this prospective, observational cohort study. A bout of submaximal resistance exercise (isometric and concentric) was performed localized to the right elbow flexors on 2 separate days. Baseline attributes (pain, fatigue, physical function, physical activity, and body composition) were assessed prior to exercise. Primary outcomes were: change in perceived pain and fatigue (0 to 10 on the visual analog scale) in the exercising limb and whole body during recovery with movement (immediately, 1 day following exercise, and 3 days following exercise). Secondary outcomes were perceived pain and exertion during exercise performance and pain and fatigue at rest during recovery.

Results

Following a single bout of isometric or concentric exercise, there was increased perceived pain (ηp2 = 0.315) and fatigue (ηp2 = 0.426) in the exercising limb, which was greater in people with fibromyalgia (pain: ηp2 = 0.198; fatigue: ηp2 = 0.211). Clinically, relevant increases in pain and fatigue during exercise and through the 3-day recovery occurred in individuals with fibromyalgia only. Concentric contractions led to greater perceived pain, exertion, and fatigue during exercise compared with isometric exercise for both groups.

Conclusions

People with fibromyalgia experienced significant pain and fatigue in the exercising muscle during recovery from low-intensity and short-duration resistance exercise, with greater pain during concentric contractions.

Impact

These findings highlight a critical need to assess and manage pain and fatigue in the exercising muscles of people with fibromyalgia up to 3 days following a single bout of submaximal resistance exercise.

Lay Summary

If you have fibromyalgia, you might have significant pain and fatigue up to 3 days following an exercise bout, with the pain and fatigue localized to the exercising muscles and no changes in whole-body pain.
Evaluation of aristolochic acid Ι nephrotoxicity in mice via 1H NMR quantitative metabolomics and network pharmacology approaches
Authors: Feng Lin-Lin , Huang Zheng , Nong Yun-Yuan , Guo Bing-Jian , Wang Qian-Yi , Qin Jing-Hua , He Ying , Zhu Dan , Guo Hong-Wei , Qin Yue-Lian , Zhong Xin-Yu , Guo Yue , Cheng Bang , Ou Song-Feng , Su Zhi-Heng
Published: March 2023

Background

Although many studies have shown that herbs containing aristolochic acids can treat various human diseases, AAΙ in particular has been implicated as a nephrotoxic agent.

Methods and results

Here, we detail the nephrotoxic effect of AAΙ via an approach that integrated 1H NMR-based metabonomics and network pharmacology. Our findings revealed renal injury in mice after the administration of AAΙ. Metabolomic data confirmed significant differences among the renal metabolic profiles of control and model groups, with significant reductions in 12 differential metabolites relevant to 23 metabolic pathways. Among them, there were seven important metabolic pathways: arginine and proline metabolism; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; taurine and hypotaurine metabolism; ascorbate and aldehyde glycolate metabolism; pentose and glucosinolate interconversion; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; and glyoxylate and dicarboxylic acid metabolism. Relevant genes, namely, nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1), pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase 2 (GOT2), were highlighted via network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Quantitative real-time PCR findings revealed that AAI administration significantly downregulated GOT2 and NOS3 and significantly upregulated NOS1 and PYCR1 expression and thus influenced the metabolism of arginine and proline.

Conclusion

This work provides a meaningful insight for the mechanism of AAΙ renal injury.
Contrasting warming responses of photosynthesis in early- and late-successional tropical trees
Authors: Mujawamariya Myriam , Wittemann Maria , Dusenge Mirindi E , Manishimwe Aloysie , Ntirugulirwa Bonaventure , Zibera Etienne , Nsabimana Donat , Wallin Göran , Uddling Johan
Published: March 2023

The productivity and climate feedbacks of tropical forests depend on tree physiological responses to warmer and, over large areas, seasonally drier conditions. However, knowledge regarding such responses is limited due to data scarcity. We studied the impact of growth temperature on net photosynthesis (An), maximum rates of Rubisco carboxylation at 25 °C (Vcmax25), stomatal conductance (gs) and the slope parameter of the stomatal conductance-photosynthesis model (g1), in 10 early successional (ES) and 8 late-successional (LS) tropical tree species grown at three sites along an elevation gradient in Rwanda, differing by 6.8 °C in daytime ambient air temperature. The effect of seasonal drought on An was also investigated. We found that warm climate decreased wet-season An in LS species, but not in ES species. Values of Vcmax25 were lower at the warmest site across both successional groups, and An and Vcmax25 were higher in ES compared with LS species. Stomatal conductance exhibited no significant site differences and g1 was similar across both sites and successional groups. Drought strongly reduced An at warmer sites but not at the coolest montane site and this response was similar in both ES and LS species. Our results suggest that warming has negative effects on leaf-level photosynthesis in LS species, while both LS and ES species suffer photosynthesis declines in a warmer climate with more pronounced droughts. The contrasting responses of An between successional groups may lead to shifts in species’ competitive balance in a warmer world, to the disadvantage of LS trees.
How Teachers Can Promote Assessment for Learning During All Phases of Learning
Authors: Boscardin Christy , Larsen Dana , O’Brien Bridget C. , Hauer Karen E.
Published: March 2023

Assessment for Learning (AFL) includes all educational activities designed to improve teaching and learning through gathering, sharing, and acting on information. AFL expands on the concept of formative assessment—which focuses mainly on an in-the-moment assessment activity—to include all processes that facilitate teachers and learners actively seeking and interpreting evidence to guide learning. AFL involves teachers and learners as partners and uses evidence to identify what the learner needs to learn (planning), review where the learner is in their learning (observing), and strategize how to maximize learning (supporting).1 We provide the following guidelines for teachers to implement AFL within these 3 phases of a learning activity. Teachers should tailor their choice of AFL strategies to suit their relationship with the learner and learning environment context, aiming to support the development of self-regulated learning and metacognitive skills.