bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Zeolites to Cold Stabilize White Wines
Authors: Reilly Tim , Mierczynski Pawel , Suwanto Andri , Krido Wahono Satriyo , Maniukiewicz Waldemar , Vasilev Krasimir , Bindon Keren , Mierczynska-Vasilev Agnieszka
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims. Tartrate stabilisation is a necessary step in commercial wine production. The traditional method to prevent crystallisation and precipitation of potassium bitartrate (KHT) after a wine is bottled is by adding seed KHT crystals to wine stored in a tank and holding temperatures below 0°C for a set period of time before bottling. This process requires time and energy and a filtration step to remove sediment. However, compared to other technical solutions such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, or ion exchange, it is still the most economical stabilisation option. This work aims to evaluate the ability of zeolites to cold stabilize white wines. Since zeolites can also remove proteins and thus heat-stabilize white wines, the new process can potentially combine heat and cold stability in a single treatment. Methods and Results. Effective tartrate stabilisation was achieved by mixing a natural zeolite sample with white wine for three hours. Although the quantum of required zeolite was larger than bentonite, zeolite did not exhibit shrink-swell behaviour, thus enabling greater wine recovery and capacity to be regenerated. Effective heat and cold stability could be achieved using a low-calcium zeolite as a processing aid in a single treatment. To avoid aluminium leaching and elevated aluminium concentrations in the treated wine, the zeolite was calcinated before being added to the wine. The calcination process also reduced calcium content in the wine after treatment with zeolite, thus eliminating the risk of calcium instability. Conclusions. The application of zeolite as a processing aid can potentially be effective in cold-stabilizing white wines and removing proteins responsible for haze formation. Significance of the study. Zeolites may constitute an alternative technology in white wine production facilitating heat and cold stabilisation in a single treatment.
Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual Function
Authors: Zhou Xin-Yi , Ma Jia-Ni , Shen Ya-Yin , Xie Xue-Rui , Ren Wei
Published: April 2023

Growth hormone (GH), which is commonly considered to be a promoter of growth and development, has direct and indirect effects on adult gonads that influence reproduction and sexual function of humans and nonhumans. GH receptors are expressed in adult gonads in some species including humans. For males, GH can improve the sensitivity of gonadotropins, contribute to testicular steroidogenesis, influence spermatogenesis possibly, and regulate erectile function. For females, GH can modulate ovarian steroidogenesis and ovarian angiogenesis, promote the development of ovarian cells, enhance the metabolism and proliferation of endometrial cells, and ameliorate female sexual function. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is the main mediator of GH. In vivo, a number of the physiological effects of GH are mediated by GH-induced hepatic IGF-1 and local IGF-1. In this review, we highlight the roles of GH and IGF-1 in adult human gonads, clarify potential mechanisms, and explore the efficacy and the risk of GH supplementation in associated deficiency and assisted reproductive technologies. Besides, the effects of excess GH on adult human gonads are discussed as well.
The Diffusion-Driven Instability for a General Time-Space Discrete Host-Parasitoid Model
Authors: Zhang Xuetian , Zhang Chunrui
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we consider a general time-space discrete host-parasitoid model with the periodic boundary conditions. We analyzed and obtained some usual conditions, such as Turing instability occurrence, Flip bifurcation occurrence, and Neimark-Sacker bifurcation occurrence. We also find several multiple bifurcation phenomena, such as 1 : 2 Resonance, Neimark-Sacker-Flip bifurcation, Neimark-Sacker-Neimark-Sacker bifurcation, Neimark-Sacker-Flip-Flip bifurcation, induced by diffusion. In a modified Nicholson-Bailey model, employing the mutual interference and diffusive interaction as bifurcation parameters, there appear route from standing Turing instability to multiple bifurcations by changing diffusive parameters. Some numerical simulations of the modified Nicholson-Bailey model support these corollaries.
Heat Transfer Analysis of Generalized Nanofluid with MHD and Ramped Wall Temperature Using Caputo–Fabrizio Derivative Approach
Authors: Ali Anwar , Haq Sami Ul , Ali Shah Syed Inayat , Khan Ilyas , Aljohani Amnah S. , Jan Saeed Ullah , Andualem Mulugeta
Published: April 2023

The aim of the present work is to apply the fractional derivative to the heat transformation of a nanofluid along with ramped wall temperature. The flow is analyzed under the effect of magnetohydrodynamic together with heat transfer. A nanofluid under the application of fractional‐order differential equations by Caputo–Fabrizio derivatives with respect to time has the ability to explain the behavior of nanofluid under the influence of memory concept. For the same purpose, Caputo–Fabrizio time‐fractional derivative is applied to investigate the behavior of nanoparticles on the thermal conductivity of a fluid. Appropriate nondimensional variables are engaged in the equation which governs the problem and guides us to obtain the exact solutions for the fields of velocity and temperature. These obtained solutions for the nondimensional set of governing equations are found by extracting them from the governing equations by applying Laplace transform techniques along with Caputo–Fabrizio time‐fractional derivative. The influence of the fractional variable on the velocity, temperature, and Nusselt number is graphically exposed and discussed. The velocity for the state of wall temperature as ramped falls down with the enlarging values of the fractional parameter. Variation in Nusselt number is shown in the tabular form. Solutions are visualized graphically to make an analysis of how the variation is taking place in the physical behavior of the nanofluid flow with respect to the change in distinct physical parameters. The obtained results here will have useful industrial and engineering implementations. It is found that fluid velocity in the flow direction decreases with the increase in the magnetic parameter. The relationship of fractional parameter with the velocity and temperature of the nanofluid is found as direct proportional for a smaller time. However, this direct proportionality converts into inverse proportionality for larger values of time. It is observed that the increase in the nanoparticles volume fraction causes an increase in temperature distribution. It is due to lower specific heat of nanoparticles and its higher thermal conductivity than that of the base fluid.
CD86 Is Associated with Immune Infiltration and Immunotherapy Signatures in AML and Promotes Its Progression
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Ma Ruixue , Chen Huimin , Guo Wentong , Li Zhenyu , Xu Kailin , Chen Wei
Published: April 2023

Background. Cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86), also known as B7-2, is a molecule expressed on antigen-presenting cells that provides the costimulatory signals required for T cell activation and survival. CD86 binds to two ligands on the surface of T cells: the antigen CD28 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). By binding to CD28, CD86—together with CD80—promotes the participation of T cells in the antigen presentation process. However, the interrelationships among CD86, immunotherapy, and immune infiltration in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are unclear. Methods. The immunological effects of CD86 in various cancers (including on chemokines, immunostimulators, MHC, and receptors) were evaluated through a pan-cancer analysis using TCGA and GEO databases. The relationship between CD86 expression and mononucleotide variation, gene copy number variation, methylation, immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs), and T-cell inflammation score in AML was subsequently examined. ESTIMATE and limma packages were used to identify genes at the intersection of CD86 with StromalScore and ImmuneScore. Subsequently, GO/KEGG and PPI network analyses were performed. The immune risk score (IRS) model was constructed, and the validation set was used for verification. The predictive value was compared with the TIDE score. Results. CD86 was overexpressed in many cancers, and its overexpression was associated with a poor prognosis. CD86 expression was positively correlated with the expression of CTLA4, PDCD1LG2, IDO1, HAVCR2, and other genes and negatively correlated with CD86 methylation. The expression of CD86 in AML cell lines was detected by QRT-PCR and Western blot, and the results showed that CD86 was overexpressed in AML cell lines. Immune infiltration assays showed that CD86 expression was positively correlated with CD8 T cell, Dendritic cell, macrophage, NK cell, and Th1_cell and also with immune examination site, immune regulation, immunotherapy response, and TIICs. ssGSEA showed that CD86 was enriched in immune-related pathways, and CD86 expression was correlated with mutations in the genes RB1, ERBB2, and FANCC, which are associated with responses to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The IRS score performed better than the TIDE website score. Conclusion. CD86 appears to participate in immune invasion in AML and is an important player in the tumor microenvironment in this malignancy. At the same time, the IRS score developed by us has a good effect and may provide some support for the diagnosis of AML. Thus, CD86 may serve as a potential target for AML immunotherapy.
Tumor-Derived CCL5 Recruits Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Promotes Tumor Cell Proliferation in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Dunbar Karen J. , Karakasheva Tatiana A. , Tang Qiaosi , Efe Gizem , Lin Eric W. , Harris Michael , Sahu Varun , Sachdeva Uma M. , Hu Jianhua , Klein-Szanto Andres J. , Henick Brian , Diehl J. Alan , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Rustgi Anil K.
Published: April 2023

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) can promote tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the mechanisms of action remain elusive. Our objective was to identify secreted factor(s) that mediate the communication between CAFs and ESCC tumor cells with the aim of identifying potential druggable targets. Through unbiased cytokine arrays, we have identified CC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) as a secreted factor that is increased upon co-culture of ESCC cells and CAFs, which we replicated in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) with CAFs. Loss of tumor-cell-derived CCL5 reduces ESCC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo and we propose this is mediated, in part, by a reduction in ERK1/2 signaling. Loss of tumor-derived CCL5 reduces the percentage of CAFs recruited to xenograft tumors in vivo. CCL5 is a ligand for the CC motif receptor 5 (CCR5), for which a clinically approved inhibitor exists, namely Maraviroc. Maraviroc treatment reduced tumor volume, CAF recruitment, and ERK1/2 signaling in vivo, thus, mimicking the effects observed with genetic loss of CCL5. High CCL5 or CCR5 expression is associated with worse prognosis in low-grade esophageal carcinomas.

Implications:

These data highlight the role of CCL5 in tumorigenesis and the therapeutic potential of targeting the CCL5–CCR5 axis in ESCC.
MACdb: A Curated Knowledgebase for Metabolic Associations across Human Cancers
Authors: Sun Yanling , Zheng Xinchang , Wang Guoliang , Wang Yibo , Chen Xiaoning , Sun Jiani , Xiong Zhuang , Zhang Sisi , Wang Tianyi , Fan Zhuojing , Bu Congfan , Bao Yiming , Zhao Wenming
Published: April 2023

Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death. As metabolomics techniques become more and more widely used in cancer research, metabolites are increasingly recognized as crucial factors in both cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we developed MACdb (https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/macdb), a curated knowledgebase to recruit the metabolic associations between metabolites and cancers. Unlike conventional data-driven resources, MACdb integrates cancer-metabolic knowledge from extensive publications, providing high quality metabolite associations and tools to support multiple research purposes. In the current implementation, MACdb has integrated 40,710 cancer-metabolite associations, covering 267 traits from 17 categories of cancers with high incidence or mortality, based entirely on manual curation from 1,127 studies reported in 462 publications (screened from 5,153 research papers). MACdb offers intuitive browsing functions to explore associations at multi-dimensions (metabolite, trait, study, and publication), and constructs knowledge graph to provide overall landscape among cancer, trait, and metabolite. Furthermore, NameToCid (map metabolite name to PubChem Cid) and Enrichment tools are developed to help users enrich the association of metabolites with various cancer types and traits.

Implication:

MACdb paves an informative and practical way to evaluate cancer-metabolite associations and has a great potential to help researchers identify key predictive metabolic markers in cancers.
Work Experiences of the Interdisciplinary Dialysis Workforce in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Plantinga Laura C. , Bender Alexis A. , Urbanski Megan , Hoge Courtney , Joseph Jessica , Damron Kelli Collins , Douglas-Ajayi Clarica J. , Rickenbach Fran , Morgan Jennifer Craft , Jaar Bernard G.
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Suboptimal dialysis care may be in part due to staff issues such as job dissatisfaction, burnout, work overload, high staff turnover, and inconsistent training. Here, we leveraged data collected in a recent national survey to provide an initial, comprehensive description of current work experiences of US dialysis care providers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,240 active US dialysis clinic staff members (physicians, advanced practice providers, nurse managers/clinic coordinators, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and patient care technicians), who were recruited via emails to society membership lists. Respondents were asked about a wide variety of work experiences, including job satisfaction, professional fulfillment, and burnout (Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index), work culture, experiences of hostility and violence, and self-reported medical errors. Responses were summarized overall and compared by clinic role. Results: Most of the survey respondents, representing all 50 US states, were aged 35–49 years (58.3%) or ≥50 years (23.5%), female (60.7%), and white (59.8%; 23.1% black, and 10.0% Asian); 82.1% had been in their current role for at least 1 year. Most US dialysis staff responding to our survey reported being generally satisfied with their jobs (mean rating of 7.9 on 0–10 scale), but only 54.4% met criteria for professional fulfillment, and 32.8% met criteria for burnout, driven by high scores in the work exhaustion domain. Related issues, including high workloads, lack of respect (including experiences of violence and hostility), lack of autonomy, and suboptimal patient environments (in terms of both safety and patient centeredness), were commonly reported among dialysis care providers, although their prevalence often differed by provider type. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the dialysis workforce may be at a critical point. Preventing further staff burnout, which could lead to even greater staffing shortages and worse working conditions among those who continue to provide dialysis care, is essential.
Propensity-Matched Study of Early Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Enzan Nobuyuki , Matsushima Shouji , Kaku Hidetaka , Tohyama Takeshi , Nezu Tomoyuki , Higuchi Tae , Nagatomi Yuta , Fujino Takeo , Hashimoto Toru , Ide Tomomi , Tsutsui Hiroyuki
Published: April 2023

Background:

The impact of early implementation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in heart failure (HF) patients remains to be elucidated. This study sought to determine whether CR during HF hospitalization could improve prognostic outcomes in patients with acute decompensated HF.

Methods:

We analyzed patients with HF enrolled in the JROADHF (Japanese Registry of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure) registry, a retrospective, multicenter, nationwide registry of patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF. Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups according to CR during hospitalization. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or rehospitalization due to cardiovascular event after discharge. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death and cardiovascular event rehospitalization.

Results:

Out of 10 473 eligible patients, 3210 patients underwent CR. Propensity score matching yielded 2804 pairs. Mean age was 77±12 years and 3127 (55.8%) were male. During a mean follow-up of 2.8 years, the CR group had lower incidence rates of the composite outcome (291 versus 327 events per 1000 patient-years; rate ratio, 0.890 [95% CI, 0.830–0.954];
P
=0.001) and rehospitalization due to cardiovascular event (262 versus 295 events per 1000 patient-years; rate ratio, 0.888 [95% CI, 0.825–0.956];
P
=0.002) than the no CR group. In-hospital CR was associated with an improvement in Barthel index for activities of daily living (
P
=0.002). Patients with very low Barthel index at admission were benefited by CR in comparison with patients with independent Barthel index (very low; hazard ratio, 0.834 [95% CI, 0.742–0.938]: independent; hazard ratio, 0.985 [95% CI, 0.891–1.088];
P
for interaction=0.035).

Conclusions:

CR implementation during hospitalization was associated with better long-term outcomes in patients with acute decompensated HF. These data support the need for a randomized, controlled, adequately powered trial to definitively test the role of early physical rehabilitation in hospitalized patients with HF.
Associations of Community and Individual Social Determinants of Health With Medication Adherence in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Boyd Lisa M. , Colavecchia Anthony Carmine , Townsend Kevin A. , Kmitch Laura , Broder Leah , Hegeman‐Dingle Rozelle R. , Ateya Mohammad , Lattimer Alan , Bosch Ryan , Alvir Jose
Published: April 2023

Background

Despite guideline‐recommended use of oral anticoagulation (OAC) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), OAC medication adherence among patients with AF in the United States ranges from 47% to 82%. To characterize potential causes of nonadherence, we analyzed associations between community and individual social risk factors and OAC adherence for stroke prevention in AF.

Methods and Results

A retrospective cohort analysis of patients with AF was conducted using the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus claims data from January 2016 to June 2020, and 3‐digit ZIP code‐level social risk scores were calculated using American Community Survey and commercial data. Logistic regression models evaluated associations between community social determinants of health, community social risk scores for 5 domains (economic climate, food landscape, housing environment, transportation network, and health literacy), patient characteristics and comorbidities, and 2 adherence outcomes: persistence on OAC for 180 days and proportion of days covered ≥0.80 at 360 days. Of 28 779 patients with AF included in the study, 70.8% of patients were male, 94.6% were commercially insured, and the average patient age was 59.2 years. Multivariable regression found that greater health literacy risk was negatively associated with 180‐day persistence (odds ratio [OR]=0.80 [95% CI, 0.76–0.83]) and 360‐day proportion of days covered (OR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.76–0.87]). Patient age and higher AF stroke risk score and AF bleeding risk scores were positively associated with both 180‐day persistence and 360‐day proportion of days covered.

Conclusions

Social risk domains, such as health literacy, may affect OAC adherence among patients with AF. Future studies should explore associations between social risk factors and nonadherence with greater geographic granularity.
The EVA Study: Early Vascular Aging in Women With History of Preeclampsia
Authors: Werlang Ana , Paquin Amélie , Coutinho Thais
Published: April 2023

Background

Early vascular aging (EVA) is associated with higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events and can be estimated noninvasively by assessing arterial hemodynamics. Women with a history of preeclampsia have increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that women with a history of preeclampsia display persistent arterial abnormalities and EVA in the postpartum period.

Methods and Results

We performed a comprehensive, noninvasive arterial hemodynamic evaluation in women with a history of preeclampsia (n=40) and age‐matched controls with previous normotensive pregnancies (n=40). We used validated methods integrating applanation tonometry with transthoracic echocardiography to obtain measures of aortic stiffness, steady and pulsatile arterial load, central blood pressure, and arterial wave reflections. Presence of EVA was defined as aortic stiffness higher than that predicted from reference values based on the participant's age and blood pressure. The association of preeclampsia with arterial hemodynamic variables was assessed with multivariable linear regression, and the association of severe preeclampsia with EVA was assessed with multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders. We found that women with a history of preeclampsia had greater aortic stiffness, steady arterial load, central blood pressure, and arterial wave reflections when compared with controls. We observed a dose–response relationship, with the greatest abnormalities observed in subgroups with severe, preterm, or recurrent preeclampsia. Women with severe preeclampsia had 9.23 times greater odds of having EVA as compared with controls (95% CI, 1.67–51.06,
P
=0.011) and 7.87 greater odds of EVA as compared with women with nonsevere preeclampsia (95% CI, 1.29–47.77,
P
=0.025).

Conclusions

Our study comprehensively characterizes arterial hemodynamic abnormalities after preeclampsia and suggests that specific subgroups of women with a history of preeclampsia exhibit greater alterations in arterial hemodynamics related to arterial health. Our findings have important implications for understanding potential links between preeclampsia and cardiovascular events, and suggest women with severe, preterm, or recurrent preeclampsia as subgroups who may deserve intensification of efforts for prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease.
Twenty‐Four‐Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Profile in Patients With Reflex Syncope and Matched Controls
Authors: Sharad Bashaaer , Rivasi Giulia , Hamrefors Viktor , Johansson Madeleine , Ungar Andrea , Sutton Richard , Brignole Michele , Parati Gianfranco , Fedorowski Artur
Published: April 2023

Background

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring has long been used to monitor BP in hypertension and lately emerged as a useful tool to detect hypotensive susceptibility in reflex syncope. However, hemodynamic characteristics in reflex syncope have not been sufficiently explored. The present study investigated the differences between ambulatory BP monitoring profiles associated with reflex syncope and normal population.

Methods and Results

This is an observational study comparing ambulatory BP monitoring data from 50 patients with reflex syncope and 100 controls without syncope, age‐ and sex‐matched 1:2. Mean 24‐hour systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP, pulse pressure (24‐hour PP), dipping status, and number of daytime SBP drops <90 to 100 mm Hg were analyzed. Variables associated with reflex syncope were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. Patients with reflex syncope displayed significantly lower 24‐hour SBP (112.9±12.6 versus 119.3±11.5 mm Hg,
P
=0.002), higher 24‐hour diastolic BP (85.2±9.6 versus 79.1±10.6 mm Hg,
P
<0.001), and markedly lower 24‐hour PP (27.7±7.6 versus 40.3±9.0 mm Hg,
P
<0.001) compared with controls. Daytime SBP drops <90 mm Hg were more prevalent in patients with syncope (44% versus 17%,
P
<0.001). Daytime SBP drops <90 mm Hg, 24‐hour PP <32 mm Hg, 24‐hour SBP ≤110 mm Hg, and 24‐hour diastolic BP ≥82 mm Hg were independently associated with reflex syncope, with 24‐hour PP <32 mm Hg achieving the highest sensitivity (80%) and specificity (86%).

Conclusions

Patients with reflex syncope have lower 24‐hour SBP but higher 24‐hour diastolic BP and more frequent daytime SBP drops <90 mm Hg than individuals without syncope. Our results support the presence of lower SBP and PP in reflex syncope and suggest a role for ambulatory BP monitoring in the diagnostic work‐up of this condition.
Characterization of the Mitochondrial Genetic Landscape in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Vats Sakshi , Sundquist Kristina , Li Yanni , Wang Xiao , Hong Mun‐Gwan , Sundquist Jan , Zarrouk Moncef , Gottsäter Anders , Memon Ashfaque A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease with a mortality rate of >80% if ruptured. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been previously implicated in AAA pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to characterize the mitochondrial genetic landscape in AAA.

Methods and Results

Whole mitochondrial genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed in comorbidity matched 48 cases without AAA and 48 cases with AAA, objectively diagnosed, and selected from a cohort of 65‐year‐old men recruited for a screening program. We identified differential mutational landscapes in men with and without AAA, with errors in mitochondrial DNA replication or repair as potential sources. Heteroplasmic insertions and overall heteroplasmy of structural rearrangements were significantly elevated in AAA cases. Three heteroplasmic variants were associated with risk factors of AAA: leukocyte concentration, plasma glucose, and cholesterol levels, respectively. Interestingly, mutations were more prevalent in regulatory part of the mitochondria, the displacement loop region, in AAA as compared with controls (
P
value <0.05), especially in the conserved and critical mitochondrial extended termination‐associated sequence region. Moreover, we report a novel 24 bp mitochondrial DNA duplication present exclusively in cases with AAA (4%) and 75% of the unmatched AAA biopsies. Finally, the haplogroup cluster JTU was overrepresented in AAA and significantly associated with a positive family history of AAA (odds ratio, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.1–8.1]).

Conclusions

This is the first study investigating the mitochondrial genome in AAA, where important genetic alterations and haplogroups associated with AAA and clinical risk factors were identified. Our findings have the potential to fill in gaps in the missing genetic information on AAA.
Plasma Inflammatory Biomarkers Are Associated With Poststroke Cognitive Impairment: The Nor-COAST Study
Authors: Sandvig Heidi Vihovde , Aam Stina , Alme Katinka Nordheim , Askim Torunn , Beyer Mona K. , Ellekjær Hanne , Ihle-Hansen Hege , Lydersen Stian , Mollnes Tom Eirik , Munthe-Kaas Ragnhild , Næss Halvor , Saltvedt Ingvild , Seljeseth Yngve Müller , Thingstad Pernille , Wethal Torgeir , Knapskog Anne-Brita
Published: April 2023

Background:

Inflammation is proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of poststroke cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between concentrations of systemic inflammatory biomarkers after ischemic stroke and poststroke cognitive impairment.

Methods:

The Nor-COAST study (Norwegian Cognitive Impairment After Stroke) is a prospective observational multicenter cohort study, including patients hospitalized with acute stroke between 2015 and 2017. Inflammatory biomarkers, including the TCC (terminal C5b-9 complement complex) and 20 cytokines, were analyzed in plasma, collected at baseline, 3-, and 18 months poststroke, using ELISA and a multiplex assay. Global cognitive outcome was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale. We investigated the associations between plasma inflammatory biomarkers at baseline and MoCA score at 3-, 18-, and 36-month follow-ups; the associations between inflammatory biomarkers at 3 months and MoCA score at 18- and 36-month follow-ups; and the association between these biomarkers at 18 months and MoCA score at 36-month follow-up. We used mixed linear regression adjusted for age and sex.

Results:

We included 455 survivors of ischemic stroke. Higher concentrations of 7 baseline biomarkers were significantly associated with lower MoCA score at 36 months; TCC, IL (interleukin)-6, and MIP (macrophage inflammatory protein)-1α were associated with MoCA at 3, 18, and 36 months (
P
<0.01). No biomarker at 3 months was significantly associated with MoCA score at either 18 or 36 months, whereas higher concentrations of 3 biomarkers at 18 months were associated with lower MoCA score at 36 months (
P
<0.01). TCC at baseline and IL-6 and MIP-1α measured both at baseline and 18 months were particularly strongly associated with MoCA (
P
<0.01).

Conclusions:

Higher concentrations of plasma inflammatory biomarkers were associated with lower MoCA scores up to 36 months poststroke. This was most pronounced for inflammatory biomarkers measured in the acute phase following stroke.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02650531.
Perfusion Imaging Mismatch Profiles in the Early Thrombectomy Window: A Single-Center Analysis
Authors: Schwarz Ghil , Agostoni Elio C. , Saliou Guillaume , Hajdu Steven David , Salerno Alexander , Dunet Vincent , Michel Patrik , Strambo Davide
Published: April 2023

Background:

Little is known on the role of mismatch profile in patients undergoing early endovascular treatment (EVT). We aimed to describe pretreatment perfusion parameters and mismatch profiles in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke undergoing EVT in the early time window and assess their association with time from stroke onset and outcomes.

Methods:

Retrospective single-center study, including early (<6 hours) EVT-treated large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke with baseline perfusion data, assessing perfusion parameters (ischemic core volume, mismatch volume and mismatch ratio) and mismatch profiles (favorable versus unfavorable, based on criteria adopted in EXTEND-IA [Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits - Intra-Arterial], SWIFT PRIME [Solitaire With the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment], DEFUSE 3 [Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke 3], and DAWN [Clinical Mismatch in the Triage of Wake Up and Late Presenting Strokes Undergoing Neurointervention With Trevo] trials). We evaluated their association with time from stroke onset (r
s
[for parameters] or χ
2
for trend [for profiles]) and association with modified Rankin Scale score >2, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality (multivariate regression analyses [each parameter/profile entered into a separate logistic regression model, adjusted for baseline variables associated with each outcome in the univariate analysis at the
P
<0.1 level]).

Results:

Among 357 patients, unfavorable mismatch profiles ranged from 21% to 60%, depending on the criterion, and were not correlated with time from stroke onset (
P
=0.490). All individual perfusion parameters and unfavorable mismatch profiles were associated with poor functional outcome: ischemic core volume adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.49 ([95% CI, 1.13–1.97]
P
=0.005); penumbral volume aOR, 0.30 ([95% CI, 0.10–0.84]
P
=0.022); mismatch ratio aOR, 0.67 ([95% CI, 0.50–0.90]
P
=0.007); EXTEND-IA aOR, 2.61 ([95% CI, 1.23–5.51]
P
=0.012); SWIFT PRIME aOR, 2.50 ([95% CI, 1.30–4.57]
P
=0.006); DEFUSE 3 aOR, 2.28 ([95% CI, 1.14–4.57]
P
=0.020); and DAWN aOR, 4.19 ([95% CI, 2.13–8.26]
P
<0.001). EXTEND-IA and DEFUSE 3 unfavorable profiles were also independently associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aOR, 3.82 [95% CI, 1.42–10.3];
P
=0.008 and aOR, 2.83 [95% CI, 1.09–7.36];
P
=0.033) and death (aOR, 3.26 [95% CI, 1.33–8.02];
P
=0.010 and aOR, 2.52 [95% CI, 1.10–5.82];
P
=0.030).

Conclusions:

Pretreatment perfusion parameters and mismatch profiles in early EVT-treated patients were not correlated with time from stroke onset but were independently associated with functional outcome. Mismatch assessment in the early time window may improve EVT patient selection, independently of onset-to-treatment time.
Optimizing network neuroscience computation of individual differences in human spontaneous brain activity for test-retest reliability
Authors: Jiang Chao , He Ye , Betzel Richard F. , Wang Yin-Shan , Xing Xiu-Xia , Zuo Xi-Nian
Published: April 2023

A rapidly emerging application of network neuroscience in neuroimaging studies has provided useful tools to understand individual differences in intrinsic brain function by mapping spontaneous brain activity, namely intrinsic functional network neuroscience (ifNN). However, the variability of methodologies applied across the ifNN studies—with respect to node definition, edge construction, and graph measurements—makes it difficult to directly compare findings and also challenging for end users to select the optimal strategies for mapping individual differences in brain networks. Here, we aim to provide a benchmark for best ifNN practices by systematically comparing the measurement reliability of individual differences under different ifNN analytical strategies using the test-retest design of the Human Connectome Project. The results uncovered four essential principles to guide ifNN studies: (1) use a whole brain parcellation to define network nodes, including subcortical and cerebellar regions; (2) construct functional networks using spontaneous brain activity in multiple slow bands; and (3) optimize topological economy of networks at individual level; and (4) characterize information flow with specific metrics of integration and segregation. We built an interactive online resource of reliability assessments for future ifNN (https://ibraindata.com/research/ifNN).
The Idea of a Good Life: Lessons from Confucius, Aristotle, Zhuangzi, and the Stoics
Authors: Wenzel Christian Helmut
Published: April 2023

In 1930, the British economist John Maynard Keynes predicted that by 2030 people would work only fifteen hours per week and enjoy more free time and leisure, that we would return to “principles of religion and traditional virtue,” declaring “love of money morbid, semi-criminal, and semi-pathological,” and that “we shall once more value ends above means.” But today, we do not see that this prophesy has proven true. Something must have gone wrong. We do not sufficiently know the distinction between needs and wants, absolute values and relative values, what a good life is, and how to live it. In this essay, I will present and discuss ideas from Confucius, Aristotle, Zhuangzi, and the Stoics that I think are deep and meaningful and can help us free ourselves from evolutionary programming and blind belief in economic and technological growth.
Gangster Zhi: Comedic Daoist Philosophical Practice
Authors: Moeller Hans-Georg
Published: April 2023

This paper argues that the Zhuangzi 《莊子》 represents a specific type of Daoist practical philosophy: It is medicinal or therapeutic and seeks to promote existential ease, often by means of humor. Part of its approach to practical philosophy consists in pointing out the impracticality of many early Chinese philosophical doctrines, and, especially, Confucian political and ethical teachings. To illustrate this understanding of the Zhuangzi, the narrative of Confucius’ visit to the legendary Gangster Zhi (dao zhi 盜跖) is analyzed in some detail.
What’s Wrong with Toleration? The Zhuangzian Respect as an Alternative
Authors: Huang Yong
Published: April 2023

Toleration has been almost universally regarded as an indispensable virtue one ought to have when encountering people of races, religions, languages, cultures, genders, and sexual orientations different from one’s own. This is unfortunate, however, because toleration includes objection as one of its necessary components: to tolerate an object means to have objection to it though without interfering with it. However, it is wrong to think we have, and it is wrong for us to have, objection to people simply because of their races, religions, languages, cultures, genders, and sextual orientations different from us. The proper virtue we ought to cultivate in this context is respect as advocated in the Zhuangzi, which is fundamentally different from respect that has sometimes been associated with the very conception of toleration.
Just Roles and Virtues? On the Double Structure of Confucian Ethics
Authors: Roetz Heiner
Published: April 2023

Role ethics is next to virtue ethics one of the two dominant current paradigms to classify Confucian ethics. This article argues that both approaches undersell Confucianism. While roles and virtues are important elements of its ethics, this has a deontological layer that does not address the specific bearer of roles but the human being in general. This layer even prevails in case of conflict. Together and in constant tension with the emphasis on roles and virtues, it forms part of a double structure of Confucian ethics.
Globalization as a Catalyst for the Development and Decline of Empires
Authors: Chumakov Alexander N.
Published: April 2023

The author analyzes the problem of social progress in the context of the historical stages of development: savagery – barbarism – civilization. I show how, under the influence of the Great Geographical Discoveries, the variety of continental empires was replenished with maritime (colonial) empires. Globalization has given them a powerful impetus for their development. Then, from the XX century, empires ceased to meet the requirements of the changed times. The empire, as a form of organization of social life, turned out to be ineffective in the modern global world and entered into an acute phase of antagonistic contradictions with it.
The Therapeutic Effect of Herbal Mixture in Repairing Degenerated Joint
Authors: Wang Haidong , Yao Xiaodong , Wu Chengjun
Published: April 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease due to the limited capacity to repair itself. There is an increasing need for novel and more effective alternatives to promote cartilage joint regeneration. Natural compounds as herbal remedies are ideal to be considered to treat OA.
In order to explore the functional herbal remedy, we investigated the efficacy of herbal mixture along with bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in repairing rat cartilage tissues. Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups. A cartilage injury models by a drilling was made. The histological
H&E analysis, Mankin scores and cartilage-specific markers were tested. We found that herbal mixture treatment can significantly improve the damaged cartilage compared to the control. Moreover, the combination of herbal formulation and 3D bioscaffold containing BMSCs can produce better
efficacy to repair the damaged cartilages. Our data provides that herbal formulation is effective to treat damaged cartilage, and the herbal remedy along with BMSCs is most promising therapeutic effect in repairing damaged cartilage tissue, demonstrating a combinational therapeutic effect
to be considered in the clinic.
SPOCK1 is a Prognostic-Related Biomarker and Correlated with Immune Infiltrates in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Ying , Feng Linyuan , Yang Yang , Lin Zhenhua , Jiang Wenquan
Published: April 2023

Background: To explore expression and immune infiltration of SPARC/osteonectin, cwcv, and maze-like domains proteoglycan 1 (SPOCK1) in Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: A total of 107 HNSC patients’ tissues and 15 adjacent normal tissues were collected
in this study. Co-expressed gene and gene set enrichment analysis was detected using STRING and Linked Omics. Immune cell infiltration related to SPOCK1 was analyzed via TIMER. Results: The positive rate of SPOCK1 in HNSC tissues were significantly higher than that in normal tissues
by immunohistochemical staining (p< 0.01). The expression of SPOCK1 in HNSC was a positive correlation with the level of immune infiltrating cells. In addition, we discovered that SPOCK1 was major involved in inflammatory response pathways, cancer cell proliferation regulation, cell
cycle regulation, apoptosis, adhesion, cell-matrix interaction, etc. Conclusions: SPOCK1 plays a role in promoting cancer in HNSC, which was closely related to the malignant evolution of HNSC, and it was expected to become a prognostic molecular marker for HNSC patients and a potential
target for immunotherapy.
Performance of fly ash-based geopolymer incorporated with high magnesium nickel slag: Effects of different cooling conditions
Authors: Yu Haiyang , Chen Wenju , Yang Tao , Xu Cheng , Song Dongdong , Zhuang Peizhi
Published: April 2023

High magnesium nickel slag (HMNS), as industrial by-product generated from the pyrometallurgical extraction of nickel, has the great potential to be used as the silica-rich precursor for the production of geopolymers. This work investigated the compressive strength and autogenous shrinkage
of fly ash-based geopolymers incorporating HMNS with different cooling conditions. The results showed that HMNS additions could enhance the compressive strengths, while the autogenous shrinkage rates were also increased. The addition of air cooling HMNS with finer particle size could compact
the pore structure. Larger proportion of medium-capillary pores formed in the binders raised the capillary pore pressure. Compared with the air cooling HMNS, the water quenching HMNS exhibited relatively higher reactivity. The Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions released from HMNS increased
the surface tension of pore solution, resulting in a larger pore pressure developed in the binder. Furthermore, Mg/Si and Ca/Si ratios of binder gel phase were enhanced simultaneously, suggesting that HMNS addition facilitated the development of magnesium/calcium modified sodium aluminosilicate
hydrate (N–(M)–A–S–H and N–(C)–A–S–H) gel phases.
Harmful emissions of rubber asphalt at high temperatures: A review
Authors: Xie Juan , Luo Haochen , Zhao Xucheng , Chen Xueru , He Wen
Published: April 2023

Rubber asphalt is considered to have potential development and application prospects because it not only has good performance but also promotes the resource utilization of waste tires. However, compared with ordinary asphalt, rubber asphalt has greater viscosity and needs to be made
at higher temperatures. The resulting harmful fumes and odorous gas seriously threaten human health and cause environmental pollution. This paper reviews the research status of the toxic emissions of rubber asphalt at high temperatures from hazards, emission mechanisms, treatment measures,
and analysis methods. Compared with the emissions of ordinary asphalt, the high-temperature emissions of rubber asphalt are more complex. Since they include the emissions of asphalt, the pyrolysis of rubber, and the interaction between them. Most of the existing treatment measures can only
reduce the emissions of some parts of the mixing or paving processes. The effective collection of emissions is still a problem, which reduces the accuracy of qualitative and quantitative analyses. Future work on relieving the toxic emissions of rubber asphalt is also recommended: the degradation
and desulfurization of rubber, the preparation of compound fume suppressants, and the utilization of multiple analysis methods.
Application of Green Pollution-Free Materials in Environmental Art Design
Authors: Wang Ke
Published: April 2023

This work analyzes the fundamental mechanical characteristics of straw concrete by measuring the water content, cubic compressive strength, and axial compressive strength in order to conform to the trend of the double-carbon age and achieve the recycling of green renewable resources.
The optimal mix ratio is provided by the wall seismic performance test. Numerous tests were conducted in order to study the impacts of straw on existing wall materials, the outcomes of straw on wall materials, and the effects of straw and fly ash on wall materials when these two substances
interact. In this study, segments of maize stalks with greater yields were chosen. The findings demonstrate that as fiber content rises, friction and tension between the concrete and the matrix increase, as does the ultimate strain in the concrete’s tensile zone, as well as the concrete’s
bearing capacity, ductility, and flexural and tensile qualities. The impacts of straw on brand-new wall materials, the effects of fly ash on wall materials, and the effects of straw and fly ash on wall materials when the two interact were investigated based on several trials. Straw fly ash
concrete exhibits compressive solid performance qualities and is lightweight when used as a wall material. Materials that are environmentally friendly and pollution-free are affordable, easily promoted, and offer significant practical value for the whole society’s pursuit of sustainable
development objectives.
The Influence of Formal and Informal Sanctions on Offending: The Moderating Role of Legal Cynicism
Authors: Heitkamp Amanda , Mowen Thomas J.
Published: April 2023

Work on deterrence demonstrates that high perceptions of formal sanctions (e.g., arrest) and informal sanctions (e.g., negative reactions from others) both relate to decreased offending behaviors. However, there are numerous contextual factors that influence the strength of formal and informal sanctions on crime. The current study uses the Pathways to Desistance data to explore how formal and informal sanctions relate to offending, and how legal cynicism moderates this process. Findings from a series of longitudinal models show that higher perceptions of both formal and informal sanctions are related to decreased offending, while higher legal cynicism is linked to increased offending. Legal cynicism moderates the relationship between formal—but not informal—sanctions and offending. Policy implications are explored.
Post-9/11 Veterans’ Pursuit and Completion of Post-secondary Education: Social Connection, Mental Health, and Finances
Authors: Morgan Nicole R. , Aronson Keith R. , McCarthy Kimberly J. , Balotti Brandon A. , Perkins Daniel F.
Published: April 2023

This study examined how veteran social engagement predicted post-secondary school attainment. Nearly 10,000 post-9/11 veterans, who separated from military service in 2016, were surveyed on the programs/services they used over 4 years following separation. More than half of veterans had obtained a degree within 4 years of separation. A higher proportion of veterans of color and female veterans reported attending only some higher education than White non-Hispanic male veterans. Positive predictors of educational attainment included participating in veterans’ centers and veteran-student organizations, while negative predictors included financial and mental health problems. Implications for veteran-serving programs of post-secondary institutions are discussed.
Smuggling in Humanity: Musicking through Prison Walls
Authors: de Quadros André , Evelyn Sean
Published: April 2023

In this article, the two authors talk about their vastly different trajectories that span international geographies and contrasting circumstances. By chance, their lives intersected in a music education program in an American prison. They trace their lifeworlds and how their musical engagement was a reciprocal learning experience for both of them. The article describes the “Empowering Song” music education approach that had its genesis in American prisons. The authors also share the experiential learning that has marked their collaboration, a relationship that has benefited them socially, emotionally, and politically. As a liberation pedagogy, the Empowering Song approach has wider implications, from general music and professional settings to community music in peace-building and forced migration circumstances.