bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rational Design, Multistep Synthesis and in Vitro Evaluation of Poly(glycerol) Functionalized Nanodiamond Conjugated with Boron‐10 Cluster and Active Targeting Moiety for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Authors: Nishikawa Masahiro , Yu Jie , Kang Heon Gyu , Suzuki Minoru , Komatsu Naoki
Published: August 2023

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), advanced cancer treatment utilizing nuclear fission of 10B atom in cancer cells, is attracting increasing attention. As 10B delivery agent, sodium borocaptate (10BSH, 10B12H11SH ⋅ 2Na), has been used in clinical studies along with L‐boronophenylalanine. Recently, this boron cluster has been conjugated with lipids, polymers or nanoparticles to increase selectivity to and retentivity in tumor. In this work, anticancer nanoformulations for BNCT are designed, consisting of poly(glycerol) functionalized detonation nanodiamonds (DND−PG) as a hydrophilic nanocarrier, the boron cluster moiety (10B12H112−) as a dense boron‐10 source, and phenylboronic acid or RGD peptide as an active targeting moiety. Some hydroxy groups in PG were oxidized to carboxy groups (DND−PG−COOH) to conjugate the active targeting moiety. Some hydroxy groups in DND−PG−COOH were then transformed to azide to conjugate 10B12H112− through click chemistry. The nanodrugs were evaluated in vitro using B16 murine melanoma cells in terms of cell viability, BNCT efficacy and cellular uptake. As a result, the 10B12H112− moiety is found to facilitate cellular uptake probably due to its negative charge. Upon thermal neutron irradiation, the nanodrugs with 10B12H112− moiety exhibited good anticancer efficacies with slight differences with and without targeting moiety.
Absolute and Relative Bioavailability of Oral Solid Dosage Formulations of Deucravacitinib in Humans
Authors: Chimalakonda Anjaneya , Li Wenying , Marchisin David , He Bing , Singhal Shalabh , Deshpande Prashant , Brown Jonathan , Aras Urvi , Murthy Bindu
Published: August 2023

Deucravacitinib is an oral, selective, allosteric inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2, an intracellular signaling kinase involved in the pathogenesis of immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases. The absolute and relative bioavailability (BA) were evaluated in phase 1, open‐label studies in healthy adults to assess (1) the absolute BA of the deucravacitinib tablet formulation following single oral administration of a 12‐mg tablet and an intravenous microdose infusion of 0.1‐mg carbon‐13 and nitrogen‐15–labeled deucravacitinib ([13C2, 15N3] deucravacitinib) solution in 8 subjects, and (2) the relative oral BA of deucravacitinib tablet and capsule formulations at the 3‐ and 12‐mg dose levels in 20 subjects. The absolute oral availability of deucravacitinib in the tablet formulation was near complete at approximately 99%. The total clearance (254 mL/min) was low relative to hepatic blood flow, and volume of distribution (∼140 L) was greater than total body water, indicating extravascular distribution. Deucravacitinib systemic exposure (maximum plasma concentration, area under the plasma drug concentration curve from time zero to the time of the last quantifiable nonzero concentration, and area under the plasma drug concentration–time curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity) after administration of the tablet formulation were similar to the capsule at the tested 3‐ and 12‐mg doses. In both studies, deucravacitinib was safe with no clinically relevant changes in laboratory values, electrocardiogram parameters, or vital signs.
One‐Pot Chitin Conversion to High‐Activity Antifungal N,N‐Dimethyl Chitosan Oligosaccharides
Authors: Cheng Jiong , Armugam Arunmozhiarasi , Zhang Yugen , Yang Yang , Jin Fangming , Yan Ning
Published: August 2023

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Ning Yan at the National University of Singapore. The image shows the production of modified oligosaccharides from marine biomass as powerful antimicrobial ‘weapon’ through the ‘booster’ made of formaldehyde. The Research Article itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202300591.
Transitions in Solvate Crystals of a Tetraaryladamantane
Authors: Frey Wolfgang , Schwenger Alexander , Berking Tim , Richert Clemens
Published: August 2023

Obtaining high‐resolution structures of liquid compounds can be difficult. Encapsulating them in the lattice of a larger organic molecule acting as crystallization chaperone is one option to overcome this difficulty. Tetraaryladamantane ethers can play the role of chaperones, accommodating a range of different guest molecules in their crystals. How well‐ordered crystalline arrangements for molecules of different shape are achieved is not clear. Cases in which more than one structure is found may shed light on this phenomenon. Here, we report low‐order cubic crystal structures of 1,3,5,7‐tetrakis(2,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)adamantane (TDA) encapsulating ortho‐xylene or cyclohexane, together with better ordered structures obtained after warming the crystals to 60 °C. Evidence for cubic crystal systems was also found for limonene, hexachlorobutadiene and eucalyptol, with a transition to a triclinic system for the former two, but no transition up to 70 °C for the latter. These findings indicate that some solvate structures of TDA can readily undergo structural transitions to less solvated, better ordered systems. Crystals obtained by rapid thermal crystallization may be in kinetically trapped states, and the transition to a solvate‐free crystal system appears to have a kinetic barrier that depends strongly on the structure of the liquid guest molecules encapsulated in the lattice.
Association of the Kiwi OmniCup system with maternal and neonatal morbidity: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Yue , Niu Yanxia , Xu Ziyi , Yan Xiaomeng , Li Jinhang , Xu Hongbin
Published: August 2023

Objective

To discuss the effect of the Kiwi OmniCup system on reducing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and provide a reference for assisted vaginal delivery methods.

Methods

Women who gave birth to singleton term neonates in a cephalic presentation and underwent assisted vaginal delivery from 2017 to 2021 were eligible for inclusion in the study; they were divided into a Kiwi OmniCup system group and a forceps group. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to observe and compare maternal and neonatal outcomes. The primary outcomes were severe maternal and neonatal morbidity. Severe maternal morbidity was defined as the occurrence of at least one of the following outcomes: third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal lacerations, refractory postpartum hemorrhage, thrombotic events, amniotic fluid embolism, admission to the intensive care unit, and maternal death. Severe neonatal morbidity was defined as the occurrence of at least one of the following outcomes: neonatal asphyxia requiring resuscitation or intubation, neonatal head and face injuries, neonatal fracture, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for longer than 24 h.

Results

The rate of severe neonatal morbidity in the forceps group was significantly higher than that in the Kiwi OmniCup system group, the differences between the two groups were significant (27.2% vs. 42.3%, P < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in the rate of severe maternal morbidity between the two groups (30% vs. 30%, P > 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that Kiwi OmniCup system‐assisted delivery reduced severe neonatal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio 0.49; 95% confidence interval 0.33–0.73) and did not increase severe maternal morbidity compared with forceps‐assisted delivery.

Conclusion

The Kiwi OmniCup system, which can reduce the incidence of severe neonatal morbidity without increasing the incidence of serious adverse maternal outcomes, is worthy of clinical promotion.
Terrestrial water storage anomaly estimating using machine learning techniques and satellite‐based data (a case study of Lake Urmia Basin)
Authors: Soltani Keyvan , Azari Arash
Published: August 2023

In this study, the Terrestrial Water Storage Anomaly (TWSA) in the Lake Urmia Basin (LUB) was obtained by using the GRACE satellites. The whole study area was covered by 10 GRACE/GFO pixels, and the TWSA value was calculated for these 10 pixels. Examining the changing trend showed that the value of TWSA in the LUB has a decreasing trend and fluctuates from approximately −200 to +200 compared to the average value. The TWSA was modelled using the group method of data handling (GMDH) by considering six different parameters obtained from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis V5 (ERA5) and the Global Land Data Assimilation System version 2.0 (GLDAS V2.0). Finally, the best models with two to six input variables were selected. Among the models with different inputs, the GMDH Model 2, with three inputs, had the best performance compared to the other models. After choosing the best inputs in calculating the TWSA value by the GMDH, the TWSA value was also modelled by using the Adaptive Neuro‐Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) and the Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The results showed that GMDH not only outperformed other models but also provided some simple equations to apply in practical tasks.
Interactions among the composition changes in fungal communities and the main mycotoxins in simulated stored wheat grains
Authors: Wang Ruihu , Li Mengmeng , Jin Rui , Liu Yuanxiao , Guan Erqi , Mohamed Sherif Ramzy , Bian Ke
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

There are significant food safety risks associated with wheat spoilage due to fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination. Nevertheless, a few studies have examined how stored wheat grain microbial communities and mycotoxins vary in different storage conditions. In this study, changes in deoxynivalenol (DON) and deoxynivalenol‐3‐glucoside (D3G) content were measured with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS), and an amplicon sequence analysis of fungi was performed on stored wheat grains from different storage conditions using high‐throughput sequencing. The detailed interactions among the composition changes in the fungal community and the DON content of simulated stored wheat grains were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Alternaria, Fusarium, Mrakia, and Aspergillus were the core fungal taxa, and the fungal communities of samples stored under different conditions were observed to be different. Aspergillus relative abundances increased, whereas Fusarium decreased. This led to an increase in the content of DON. The content of DON increased about 67% with 12% moisture and at 25 °C after 2 months of storage, which was influenced by the stress response of Fusarium. Correlations in fungal and mycotoxins changes were observed. There may be potential value in these findings for developing control strategies to prevent mildew infestations and mycotoxins contamination during grain storage.

CONCLUSION

In storage, the more the fungal community composition and the relative abundance of Fusarium change, the more mycotoxins will be produced. We should therefore reduce competition between fungal communities through pre‐storage treatment and through measures during storage. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
A dilute‐and‐inject low‐pressure gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method for phthalate determination in extra virgin olive oil
Authors: Ferracane Antonio , Zoccali Mariosimone , Arena Alessia , Mondello Monica , Tranchida Peter Q. , Mondello Luigi
Published: August 2023

The goal of this study was to develop a method for the determination of nine phthalic acid esters in extra virgin olive oils using low‐pressure gas chromatography‐triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry. Sample preparation was simple, environmental friendly, and rapid inasmuch that it involved only dilution (< 1 mL of hexane). The low‐pressure gas chromatography analyses were performed by using a 5 m wide‐bore column. The limit of quantification for the phthalates ranged from 0.06 to 1.14 mg kg−1. Both intra‐ and interday precisions were measured, with coefficient of variation values ranging from 0.2% to 11.7%. The trueness of the method was measured by evaluating accuracy at the initial stage of the work and after 2 months, with values ranging between −8.7% and 12.1%. Moreover, blind accuracy was comprised between −11.6% and 14.2%. The method involves the use of simplified instrumentation and reduced analysis times (nearly two times faster) compared to a previously published comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography‐triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry method, leading to a reduction of energy and helium consumption. The approaches were compared in analytical terms and for the environmental impact. In total, 23 olive oil samples were analyzed, with at least one phthalate detected in all but one sample.
Effect of thermal and ultraviolet exposure on volatile organic compounds emitted from basalt‐hemp reinforced polypropylene
Authors: Rhodes Kyleigh , Jobson Thomas , Pelaez‐Samaniego Manuel Raul , Yadama Vikram
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the “new car smell” has been linked to materials off‐gassing toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within the chamber of vehicles. Previous studies collected air samples directly from the vehicle chamber and analyzed them using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). However, there is a lack of data regarding which materials are responsible for each compound and the resulting concentrations. This preliminary research was focused on analysis of VOC emissions emitted from basalt fiber and hemp hurd‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) panels, glass fiber reinforced PP panels, and PP panels intended for interior automotive applications such as dashboards and door panels. The panels were subjected to various temperatures and UV radiation that may be experienced within a vehicle. Results showed increasing concentrations as temperature increased, and a reduction in off‐gassing in the presence of UV radiation. The major compounds detected were acetaldehyde (<41 μg/m3), acetone (<29 μg/m3), and various alkanes (<6786 μg/m3). Overall, the concentrations detected from all panels were below the suggested standards and limitations.
Therapeutic efficacy and safety of a free‐standing motorized ejaculation aid for patients with intravaginal ejaculatory dysfunction
Authors: Fukuhara Shinichiro , Shirai Masato , Ueda Norichika , Takezawa Kentaro , Ishikawa Keisuke , Hiramatsu Ippei , Uesaka Yuka , Nozaki Taiji , Iwasa Atsushi , Kobayashi Kazuhiro , Nonomura Norio , Tsujimura Akira
Published: August 2023

Purpose

There are no approved drugs or devices for the treatment of intravaginal ejaculation disorders, and treatment is often difficult. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the A10 Cyclone SA + PLUS® ejaculation aid (Rends Co., Ltd., Chiba, Japan), which allows the user to adjust the intensity of stimulation, for intravaginal ejaculation disorders.

Methods

Each participant was instructed to perform practice masturbation with the A10 Cyclone SA + PLUS to simulate vaginal ejaculation. After 8 weeks of training, the participants were asked about their intravaginal ejaculation status. Sexual function was also evaluated before and after the training using several specific questionnaires, including the numerical rating scale for ejaculatory satisfaction.

Results

Among the 10 participants (41.5 ± 3.21 years) who completed the training and questionnaire evaluation, four (40%) became capable of intravaginal ejaculation. The questionnaire evaluation showed predominant improvement after training in the ejaculation‐capable group according to the numerical rating scale, which expresses satisfaction with ejaculation. The participants experienced no significant adverse events.

Conclusion

As no effective treatment currently exists for intravaginal ejaculation disorders, we conclude that the A10 Cyclone SA + PLUS may be one treatment tool for intravaginal ejaculation disorders with good efficacy and no adverse events.
Coumarin‐Pyrazole Based Fluorescent Sensor for Selective Detection of Dopamine in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Palta Aastha , Singla Dinesh , Paul Kamaldeep , Luxami Vijay
Published: August 2023

A rapid, efficient, selective, and sensitive ratiometric chemosensor has been developed to detect dopamine. The sensor is based on coumarin fluorophore incorporating an aldehyde binding site to detect catecholamines. Here, the fluorescence quenching was observed after the reaction of compound 6 with dopamine. This fluorescence sensor relies on rapid detection of dopamine in aqueous medium by iminium ion formation between aldehyde and amine analytes at neutral pH. The reaction product gives the emission maximum at 420 nm on excitation at 280 nm. The proposed method allows the determination of dopamine upto 9.7×10−7 M. Furthermore, this method has good selectivity and sensitivity towards dopamine.
The Media in Europe 1990–2020
Authors: Papathanassopoulos Stylianos , Giannouli Iliana , Archontaki Ioanna , Karadimitriou Achilleas
Published: August 2023

The European media landscape has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. Initially were the privatization and commercialization of the broadcasting sector that led to an increase of TV channels and at the same time the decline of the press. The advent of the Internet has also transformed the analogue media world giving its place to the digital one. In effect, the media in Europe has undergone a prolonged period of change, in the attempt to adapt to rapid technological advances, the side effects of globalization, and the developments associated with the process of Europeanization. On the other hand, there is no simple explanation for these complex processes of change. Neither can we say that there is a common universal trend, even a common model, across Europe. This chapter tries to shed light on the emerging patterns in media production since 1990, across European countries. Initially, based on hard data, the chapter describes the changes in the media systems of the EU countries. Then it is attempted to group the similarities, continuities, and discontinuities of the media systems.
Bone mineral density around the knee after open wedge high tibial osteotomy measured up to 24 months in 51 patients
Authors: Akamatsu Yasushi , Kobayashi Hideo , Mitsuhashi Shota , Kusayama Yoshihiro
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and radiographic and clinical outcomes of patients with varus knee osteoarthritis treated with open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). We hypothesised that medial condyle BMD would decrease and lateral condyle BMD would increase after OWHTO.

Methods

Overall, 51 patients (mean age: 65.3 years; female: 40, male: 11) treated with OWHTO were prospectively enrolled. Several angles using whole single‐leg radiographs were measured preoperatively and up to 24 months postoperatively. Five square tibial regions of interest (ROI) located below the proximal tibia as T1–T5 from medial to lateral regions and two square femoral ROI as F1 and F2 from medial and lateral regions, respectively, were defined. M/L BMD ratio was used to define the medial‐to‐lateral condyle BMD ratio. Femoral condyle BMD (F1 and F2) around the knee, as well as lumbar spine, and ipsilateral and contralateral femoral neck BMD, were measured before OWHTO and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after OWHTO using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Furthermore, tibial condyle BMD (T1–T5) around the knee was measured before and 24 months after OWHTO. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Knee Society knee and function scores, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and the Lysholm score preoperatively and 24 months postoperatively. A power analysis was performed.

Results

F1 BMD decreased by 19.2% from before to 3 months postoperatively. F2 BMD did not change up to 24 months after OWHTO. Femoral M/L BMD ratio decreased by 22.2% 3 months after OWHTO. T1 BMD and tibial M/L BMD ratio decreased, whilst T3, T4 and T5 BMD increased 24 months after OWHTO. Mean hip–knee–ankle angle (HKA) and weight‐bearing line ratio were corrected from − 6.8° to 4.5° and 14.7 to 60.7%, respectively, postoperatively. Lumbar spine BMD did not change up to 12 months postoperatively. Ipsilateral femoral neck BMD decreased up to 6 months after OWHTO.

Conclusion

Medial femoral condyle BMD decreased rapidly within 3 months and continued to decrease up to 12 months, but lateral femoral condyle BMD did not change after OWHTO. BMD measurements around the knee condyle enabled the evaluation of the changes in stress distribution before and after OWHTO with accelerated rehabilitation.

Level of evidence

II.
Non-Markovian Impulse Control Under Nonlinear Expectation
Authors: Perninge Magnus
Published: August 2023

We consider a general type of non-Markovian impulse control problems under adverse non-linear expectation or, more specifically, the zero-sum game problem where the adversary player decides the probability measure. We show that the upper and lower value functions satisfy a dynamic programming principle (DPP). We first prove the dynamic programming principle (DPP) for a truncated version of the upper value function in a straightforward manner. Relying on a uniform convergence argument then enables us to show the DPP for the general setting. Following this, we use an approximation based on a combination of truncation and discretization to show that the upper and lower value functions coincide, thus establishing that the game has a value and that the DPP holds for the lower value function as well. Finally, we show that the DPP admits a unique solution and give conditions under which a saddle point for the game exists. As an example, we consider a stochastic differential game (SDG) of impulse versus classical control of path-dependent stochastic differential equations (SDEs).
Nomogram for predicting the prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy based on serum lipids analysis
Authors: Xiao Bijing , Ouyang Hui , Gulizeba Haimiti , Fu Haiyan , Wang Zhiqiang , Huang Yan
Published: August 2023

Background

Serum lipids have been identified to be used as prognostic biomarkers in several types of cancer. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of serum lipids in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients received anti-PD-1 therapy.

Methods

Pretreatment and the alteration of serum lipids, including apolipoprotein B (ApoB), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), cholesterol (CHO), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) after 2 courses of anti-PD1 therapy, were collected. Kaplan–Meier survival and cox regression analysis were performed to identify the prognostic values on overall survival (OS). Finally, those significant predictors from multivariate analysis were used to construct a nomogram for the prediction of prognosis.

Results

Baseline ApoB, CHO, HDL-C, LDL-C and early changes of ApoB, ApoA-I, HDL-C were statistically significant in the ROC analysis, showing good discriminatory ability in terms of OS. In multivariate analysis, treatment lines, lung metastasis, baseline HDL-C (low vs. high, HR, 6.30; 95% CI 1.82–21.80; P = 0.004) and early changes in HDL-C (reduction vs. elevation, HR, 4.59, 95% CI 1.20–17.63; P = 0.026) independently predicted OS. The area under the time-dependent ROC curve at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years consistently demonstrated the satisfactory accuracy and predictive value of the nomogram (AUC: 0.88, 0.85, 0.84).

Conclusion

Overall, high level at baseline and an early elevation of HDL-C are correlated with better outcomes in mCRC patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy. The constructed nomogram indicated that the factors are strong predictive markers for response and prognosis to anti-PD-1 therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Digital measurement of anterolateral knee laxity using strain sensors
Authors: Mayr Hermann O. , Rosenstiel Nikolaus , Prakash Karthika S. , Comella Laura M. , Woias Peter , Schmal Hagen , Seidenstuecker Michael
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The ambition of the research group was to develop a sensor-based system that allowed the transfer of results with strain sensors applied to the knee joint. This system was to be validated in comparison to the current static mechanical measurement system. For this purpose, the internal rotation laxity of the knee joint was measured, as it is relevant for anterolateral knee laxity and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Methods

This is a noninvasive measurement method using strain sensors which are applied to the skin in the course of the anterolateral ligament. The subjects were placed in supine position. First the left and then the right leg were clinically examined sequentially and documented by means of an examination form. 11 subjects aged 21 to 45 years, 5 women and 6 men were examined. Internal rotation of the lower leg was performed with a torque of 2 Nm at a knee flexion angle of 30°.

Results

Comparison of correlation between length change and internal knee rotation angle showed a strong positive correlation (r = 1, p < 0.01). Whereas females showed a significant higher laxity vs. males (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The present study showed that the capacitive strain sensors can be used for reproducible measurement of anterolateral knee laxity. In contrast to the previous static systems, a dynamic measurement will be possible by this method in the future.
Seed amplification assay results illustrate discrepancy in Parkinson’s disease clinical diagnostic accuracy and error rates
Authors: Middleton John Stephen , Hovren Hanna Lynn , Kha Nelson , Medina Manuel Joseph , MacLeod Karen Ruth , Concha-Marambio Luis , Jensen Kendal Jay
Published: August 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) may be misdiagnosed due to the clinical overlap between PD and atypical parkinsonism. The utility of α-Synuclein (αSyn) Seed Amplification Assay (SAA) as a diagnostic indicator for PD has been reported in numerous studies, but never when administered as a validated clinical laboratory test. This study compares results from αSyn-SAA validation testing performed using well-characterized cohorts from two biorepositories to better understand the accuracy of PD clinical diagnosis. Blinded cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from a repository that included cohorts of subjects clinically diagnosed as PD or healthy controls, both with confirmatory dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography (DAT SPECT) imaging, and blinded CSF specimens from a repository that included cohorts of subjects clinically diagnosed as PD or healthy controls based on clinical diagnosis alone, were tested as part of the validation studies for the diagnostic αSyn-SAA test (SYNTap® Biomarker Test). Measured αSyn-SAA test accuracy was 83.9% using clinical diagnosis as comparator, and 93.6% using clinical diagnosis with confirmatory DAT- SPECT imaging as comparator. The statistically significant discordance between accuracy determinations using specimens classified using different diagnostic inclusion criteria indicates that there is some symbiosis between dopamine-weighted imaging and αSyn-SAA results, both of which are associated with higher accuracy compared with the clinical diagnosis alone.
Fall-related ocular trauma in patients over 90 years in tertiary ophthalmic center in Germany: 90-TOSG Report 1
Authors: Uzel Ayşe Güzin Taşlıpınar , Gosheva Mariya , Neubauer Jonas , Stock Lydia , Bartz-Schmidt Karl-Ulrich , Gelisken Faik ,   for the 90-Tübingen Ophthalmology Study Group, Bartz-Schmidt Karl-Ulrich , Dimopoulos Spyridon , Gelisken Faik , Gosheva Mariya , Neubauer Jonas , Stock Lydia , Strudel Lisa Vanessa , Rohrbach Jens Martin , Uzel Ayşe Güzin Taşlıpınar , Ziemssen Focke
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To investigate the clinical characteristics of fall-related ocular trauma in patients over 90 years of age.

Methods

Retrospective, medical record reviews. Patients over the age of 90 years treated in a tertiary center with fall-related ocular trauma were included in the study.

Results

Fifty consecutive patients (fifty eyes) were analyzed. The mean age was 93.6 ± 1.8 years and 41 patients (82%) were female. The most common site of the injuries was orbital fracture (18 patients, 36%), accompanied with open globe rupture (OGR) in three patients, and globe contusion in two patients. Seventeen patients (34%) presented with OGR. Ocular trauma score in those patients was category 1 in 10 patients (58.8%) and category 2 in the others. Conjunctival hemorrhage and/or periocular contusion was seen in 14 patients (28%) and globe contusion in six patients (12%). At the presentation, the mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2.82 ± 0.24 logMAR in patients with OGR and 1.98 ± 0.81 logMAR in six patients with globe contusion. Three of the patients with OGR had a final vision of 20/200 or better whereas the remaining patients had hand movements or less. The most common risk factors were female gender (82%) and use of antihypertensive drugs (46%).

Conclusion

Patients with OGR had a poor visual outcome despite the early treatment. It is important to raise public awareness about of the poor prognosis of ocular injuries due to falls in the elderly population in order to establish preventive measures.
Modelling growth and formation of thrombi: a multiphasic approach based on the theory of porous media
Authors: Gupta Ishan , Schanz Martin
Published: August 2023

Aortic dissection (AD) has a high mortality rate. About 40% of the people with type B AD do not live for more than a month. The prognosis of AD is quite challenging. Hence, we present a triphasic model for the formation and growth of thrombi using the theory of porous media (TPM). The whole aggregate is divided into solid, liquid and nutrient constituents. The constituents are assumed to be materially incompressible and isothermal, and the whole aggregate is assumed to be fully saturated. Darcy’s law describes the flow of fluid in the porous media. The regions with thrombi formation are determined using the solid volume fraction. The velocity- and nutrient concentration-induced mass exchange is defined between the nutrient and solid phases. We introduce the set of equations and a numerical example for thrombosis in type B AD. Here we study the effects of different material parameters and boundary conditions. We choose the values that give meaningful results and present the model’s features in agreement with the Virchow triad. The simulations show that the thrombus grows in the low-velocity regions of the blood. We use a realistic 2-d geometry of the false lumen and present the model’s usefulness in actual cases. The proposed model provides a reasonable approach for the numerical simulation of thrombosis.
Differences in the learning curve of robotic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair according to surgeon’s robotic experience
Authors: Solaini L. , Cavaliere D. , Rocco G. , Avanzolini A. , Di Pietrantonio D. , Ercolani G.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

In this study, we aim to analyze the learning curve of each step of robotic transabdominal pre-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair (rTAPP) in two surgeons with varying degrees of expertise with the robotic platform but no experience with laparoscopic hernia repair.

Methods

Data on 124 rTAPP cases performed by two surgeons were retrospectively reviewed. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was applied to visualize the learning curve of rTAPP on operation time of each step of the procedure [the peritoneal flap creation (T1), the completion of the critical view of the myopectineal orifice (T2), the mesh application (T3) and the peritoneal flap closure (T4)]. Each intraoperative and postoperative outcome was compared according to surgeon’s experience with the robotic platform and learning phase. The robotic surgeon mentored the surgeon-in-training and was present during all surgeries in his learning period.

Results

The surgeon in training with the robotic platform showed a learning phase till the 20th procedure followed by a gradual improvement in performances. The expert surgeon showed a learning phase till the 35th procedure after which a constant decrease of operative time was recorded till the last procedure included. The operative times of each step of the procedures of both surgeons were significantly improved after the learning phase. In the late phase, the surgeon in training could achieve operative times in T2 and T3, which are similar to those of an experienced robotic surgeon with no experience with TAPP before the completion of the learning phase.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the learning phase of rTAPP surgery may vary between 20 and 35 cases, depending on the surgeon’s experience in robotic surgery.
The impact of vascular volume fraction and compressibility of the interstitial matrix on vascularised poroelastic tissues
Authors: Mascheroni Pietro , Penta Raimondo , Merodio José
Published: August 2023

In this work we address the role of the microstructural properties of a vascularised poroelastic material, characterised by the coupling between a poroelastic matrix and a viscous fluid vessels network, on its overall response in terms of pressures, velocities and stress maps. We embrace the recently developed model (Penta and Merodio in Meccanica 52(14):3321–3343, 2017) as a theoretical starting point and present the results obtained by solving the full interplay between the microscale, represented by the intervessels’ distance, and the macroscale, representing the size of the overall tissue. We encode the influence of the vessels’ density and the poroelastic matrix compressibility in the poroelastic coefficients of the model, which are obtained by solving appropriate periodic cell problem at the microscale. The double-poroelastic model (Penta and Merodio 2017) is then solved at the macroscale in the context of vascular tumours, for different values of vessels’ walls permeability. The results clearly indicate that improving the compressibility of the matrix and decreasing the vessels’ density enhances the transvascular pressure difference and hence transport of fluid and drug within a tumour mass after a transient time. Our results suggest to combine vessel and interstitial normalization in tumours to allow for better drug delivery into the lesions.
Rockfalls, fragmentation, and dust clouds: analysis of the 2017 Pousset event (Northern Italy)
Authors: Crosta Giovanni B , Dattola Giuseppe , Lanfranconi Camilla , De Blasio Fabio V , Malusà Marco , Bertolo Davide
Published: August 2023

The process and dynamics of rock fragmentation during the collapse of rockfalls and rock avalanches is a poorly developed topic. The most severe fragmentation often leads to the formation of a rock dust that rises to form a cloud suspended in the air. The understanding of fragmentation processes is hampered by the environmental disturbances that alter the dust cloud deposit shortly after deposition. Here, we study the fragmentation of the October 2017 Pousset rockfall, detached from a NNE facing steep bedrock wall in the permafrost zone, that involved 8,300m3 of metamorphic rock and fell about 800 m. The collapse generated large boulders which rolled downslope and a thick and large dust cloud. The source and deposit were investigated, and dust cloud material was sampled at different locations to reconstruct an exponential thickness distribution and perform grain size characterization. The fragmentation energy was estimated by integrating the spectrum of the grains assuming that the fragmentation energy is proportional to the generated area. The fragmentation energy was found to be about 0.4% of the initial potential energy. Most probable fragmentation points and block deposition areas were evaluated and positioned by means of the HyStone 3D rockfall simulator. Furthermore, we calculated the flow rate of the suspended powder generated by the fragmentation process and compared the results with observations available for the evolution of the phenomenon and the collected samples. The Pousset event, in its relatively simple dynamics, may be a good testing ground to address the current theories of rockfall and rock avalanche fragmentation and dust cloud behavior.
How the Lewisian can Account for Kit Fine’s Essentialist Beliefs
Authors: Nencha Cristina
Published: August 2023

The Lewisean counterpart theorist– despite not defending a genuinely essentialist view of what is possible, de re, of individuals – generally has a way to make essentialist claims come out as true, in those contexts in which they are endorsed by a committed essentialist.

In this paper, I am going to show that the normal system that the Lewisean adopts when she wants to make the essentialist a truth-teller does not work with Kit Fine: his essentialist beliefs, which support his counterexamples to the modal account of essentialism, cannot come out as true, in any contexts whatsoever, under the Lewisean view.

After arguing that this represents a genuine problem for Lewis’s theory, I will propose a solution. I will indeed show that the Lewisean has a principled way to account for Fine’s essentialist beliefs, consistently with her own counterpart-theorist reading of them.
Towards an Understanding of the Principle of Variable Embodiments
Authors: Baratella Riccardo
Published: August 2023

The theory of variable embodiments has been primarily formulated to model ordinary objects as things that change their parts over time. A variable embodiment /f/ is a sui generis whole constructed from a principle f, the principle of a variable embodiment, and it is manifested at different times by different things picked out by such a principle f. This principle is usually clarified as a function that picks out, at any given time the variable embodiment exists, its corresponding manifestation at that time, and it fails to pick out anything at any other time. The first purpose of this article is to examine and refute three natural understandings of such a principle. Specifically, first, we argue against the view that it should be understood extensionally as either a partial function or total function. Next, we provide some motivations to reject the understanding of the principle as a function in intensional terms, where the notion of intension is analyzed in terms of a specific version of a possible world semantics. The second goal of the article is to make it plausible that the principle has an intensional character and, on the basis of the results achieved, to formulate some constraints that an account of such a principle should meet.
Transcriptomic profiling of human granulosa cells between women with advanced maternal age with different ovarian reserve
Authors: Jia Zhi-cheng , Li Yong-qian , Zhou Bo-wen , Xia Qing-chang , Wang Pei-xuan , Wang Xiao-xuan , Sun Zhen-gao , Guo Ying
Published: August 2023

Background

Age-related diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is not absolute. Some advanced maternal age (AMA) still have normal ovarian reserve (NOR) and often show better pregnancy outcomes. Exploring the transcriptomic profile of granulosa cells (GCs) in AMA could lead to new ideas for mitigating age-related diminished ovarian reserve.

Aim

This study aimed to analyze the transcriptomic profile of GCs in AMA with different ovarian reserve.

Results

In total, 6273 statistically significant differential expression genes (DEGs) (|log2fc|> 1, q < 0.05) were screened from the two groups, among which 3436 genes were upregulated, and 2837 genes were downregulated in the DOR group. Through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, the potential functions of dysregulated genes in AMA with DOR or NOR were predicted. The GO enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in obsolete oxidation–reduction process, mitochondrion, metal ion binding, ATP binding, etc. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the above-mentioned DEGs were mainly enriched in ferroptosis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, oxidative phosphorylation, etc. Meanwhile, verification of the mRNA expression levels of DEGs revealed the possible involvement of “ferroptosis” in age-related diminished ovarian reserve.

Conclusions

From a new clinical perspective, we presented the first data showing the transcriptomic profile in GCs between AMA with different ovarian reserve. At the same time, we identified the role of ferroptosis in the GCs of AMA, providing a new biological basis for studying ovarian aging and improving pregnancy outcomes of AMA.
Aggregation of organically managed fields promotes aphid parasitism in cereal crops under Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Salat-Moltó Agnès , Blanco-Moreno José M. , Pérez Hidalgo Nicolás , Michelena José M. , Ferrer Suay Mar , Guerrieri Emilio , Caballero-López Berta
Published: August 2023

Context

Maintaining a balance between semi-natural habitats and arable land is not always feasible for farmers. The promotion of biological control agents can be addressed through management at farm or field level, and/or by deploying lower intensity, biodiversity-friendly practices which can act either directly or indirectly through their effect of the plant community.

Objectives

We studied the effects on cereal aphids and their parasitoids of agricultural management at field and landscape levels. We tested the effect of organic and conventional farming, and of the within field characteristics, on the cereal aphid-parasitoid community, across a gradient of organic farming aggregation and of percentage of arable land.

Methods

In spring 2015, we sampled aphid populations in 30 cereal fields in five agricultural areas in Catalonia (Spain) with contrasting levels of organic farming aggregation. In each field, we also assessed weed and crop cover. As landscape variables, we calculated the Percentage of Agricultural Land (PAL) and the Percentage of Organically Managed Land (POML) in a 500-m buffer around each field. We sampled cereal tillers 3 m from the field edges and collected all aphids detected. In addition, we reared mummies (parasitized aphids) until they hatched.

Results

Our results show that management at landscape level has significant effects on parasitism rates: a higher proportion of surrounding fields under organic management increased the amount of parasitism, as did less agricultural land cover. On the other hand, aphid populations were mainly affected by two in-field factors, namely, crop density and crop variety. Differences in weed communities did not seem to have any effects on either aphids or parasitoids.

Conclusions

Rather than concentrating on the individual management of fields, a coordinated implementation of organic farming at landscape level would seem to be a much better strategy for improving the biological control of aphids.
On the viscosity approximation type iterative method and its non-linear behaviour in the generation of Mandelbrot and Julia sets
Authors: Kumari Sudesh , Gdawiec Krzysztof , Nandal Ashish , Kumar Naresh , Chugh Renu
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we visualise and analyse the dynamics of fractals (Julia and Mandelbrot sets) for complex polynomials of the form $$T(z) = z^{n} + mz + r$$

T

(
z
)

=

z
n

+
m
z
+
r

, where $$n \ge 2$$

n
≥
2

and $$m, r \in \mathbb {C}$$

m
,
r
∈
C

, by adopting the viscosity approximation type iteration process which is most widely used iterative method for finding fixed points of non-linear operators. We establish a convergence condition in the form of escape criterion which allows to adapt the escape-time algorithm to the considered iteration scheme. We also present some graphical examples of the Mandelbrot and Julia fractals showing the dependency of Julia and Mandelbrot sets on complex polynomials, contraction mappings, and iteration parameters. Moreover, we propose two numerical measures that allow the study of the dependency of the set shape change on the values of the iteration parameters. Using these two measures, we show that the dependency for the considered iteration method is non-linear.
Variation in Polycyclic Aromatic Compound (PAC) Concentrations in a Norway Spruce Stand Close to a Major Traffic Route—Influence of Distance and Season
Authors: Klingberg Jenny , Strandberg Bo , Grundström Maria , Sjöman Henrik , Wallin Göran , Pleijel Håkan
Published: August 2023

Air concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) were measured in a Norway spruce (Picea abies) stand at four different distances from a major traffic route near Gothenburg, Sweden, during summer and winter 2019, using passive samplers. In total, the concentrations of 32 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and six dibenzothiophenes (DBTs) and NO2 were analysed. PAC air concentrations were on average 2.5 times higher during the winter compared to the summer. All investigated PAH categories and compounds as well as dibenzothiophene declined linearly with the logarithmic distance from the traffic route. This indicates that the length of pollutant pathways through vegetation is a valid proxy to assess health risks of traffic-related PAC pollutants. Concentrations of heavier PAHs declined faster (concentration at site furthest away from the road was 6% and 33% of concentration at site closest to road, for summer and winter respectively) with increasing distance from traffic compared to lighter PAHs (63% and 68% for summer and winter respectively). As a result, the mix of PAHs changed with the depth into the forest stand (i.e. distance from the road) with potential effects on the toxicity as well as on diagnostic ratios used for source attribution. This is likely caused by different deposition rates among the PAH compounds to the vegetation surfaces, although the exact mechanism needs to be further investigated. This study provides new information that can improve air quality risk assessment and limit the exposure of the population to toxic air pollutants such as PACs.
Diurnal variation in variables related to cognitive performance: a systematic review
Authors: Munnilari Madhavi , Bommasamudram Tulasiram , Easow Judy , Tod David , Varamenti Evdokia , Edwards Ben J. , Ravindrakumar Aishwarya , Gallagher Chloe , Pullinger Samuel A.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The aim of this review was to assess current evidence regarding changes in cognitive function according to time-of-day (TOD) and assess the key components of research design related to manuscripts of chronobiological nature.

Methods

An English-language literature search revealed 523 articles through primary database searches, and 1868 via organization searches/citation searching. The inclusion criteria were met by eleven articles which were included in the review. The inclusion criteria set were healthy adult males, a minimum of two timepoints including morning and evening, cognitive measures of performance, and peer-reviewed academic paper.

Results

It was established that cognitive performance varies with TOD and the degree of difference is highly dependent on the type of cognitive task with differences ranging from 9.0 to 34.2% for reaction time, 7.3% for alertness, and 7.8 to 40.3% for attention. The type of cognitive function was a determining factor as to whether the performance was better in the morning, evening, or afternoon.

Conclusion

Although some studies did not establish TOD differences, reaction time and levels of accuracy were highest in the evening. This implies that cognitive processes are complex, and existing research is contradictory. Some studies or cognitive variables did not show any measurable TOD effects, which may be due to differences in methodology, subjects involved, testing protocols, and confounding factors. No studies met all requirements related to chronobiological research, highlighting the issues around methodology. Therefore, future research must use a rigorous, approach, minimizing confounding factors that are specific to examinations of TOD.