bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single catheter ablation of atrioventricular node in a patient with dextrocardia and permanent atrial fibrillation via peripheral vascular access using remote magnetic navigation: a case report
Authors: Raatikainen Pekka , Marjamaa Annukka , Tolppanen Heli , Karvonen Jarkko , Aro Aapo
Published: September 2024

Background

Cardiac interventions may be challenging in patients with congenital cardiac abnormalities. This case reports cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P) implantation and single catheter ablation of atrioventricular node (AVN) with remote magnetic navigation (RMN) via peripheral vascular access in a patient with Kartagener’s syndrome and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Case summary

A 74-year-old male with situs inversus presented for treatment of permanent AF and severe heart failure. In echocardiography, left ventricular ejection fraction was 30%, and there was severe dyskinesia due to a left bundle branch block. After successful CRT-P implantation, we performed AVN ablation because biventricular (BiV) pacing was <75% despite maximal rate control medication. The ablation catheter was inserted from the right basilic vein, and no other catheters were used. Despite peripheral vascular access, manipulation of the ablation catheter with RMN was easy, and the ablation was successful. After the ablation, BiV pacing instantly increased to 100%, and left ventricular function and symptomatic status improved gradually.

Conclusions

Cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker implantation and RMN-guided single catheter ablation of the AVN in a patient with dextrocardia via peripheral vascular access was effective and safe. The use of RMN and peripheral vascular access may offer important advantages also in other patient groups.
Productivity Growth and Workers’ Job Transitions: Evidence from Census Microdata
Authors: Albagli Elías , Canales Mario , Syverson Chad , Tapia Matías , Wlasiuk Juan
Published: September 2024

We use administrative data for Chile to provide novel insights on the relationship between job transitions and productivity differentials and quantify how different groups contribute to aggregate reallocation. While on average workers move to more productive firms, almost half of transitions are ‘down the productivity ladder’. Reallocation gains are mostly explained by a narrow subset of transitions: young, high-skilled workers generate the lion’s share of aggregate productivity gains. Workers with high turnover contribute proportionally the least. Therefore, while job reallocation yields a net benefit, it hides massive and heterogeneous gross flows, with many appearing to add little to aggregate efficiency.
Bite force transmission and mandible shape in grasshoppers, crickets, and allies is not driven by dietary niches
Authors: Edel Carina , Rühr Peter T , Frenzel Melina , van de Kamp Thomas , Faragó Tomáš , Hammel Jörg U , Wilde Fabian , Blanke Alexander
Published: September 2024

Although species evolve in response to many intrinsic and extrinsic factors, frequently one factor has a dominating influence on a given organ system. In this context, mouthpart shape and function are thought to correlate strongly with dietary niche and this was advocated for decades, e.g., for insects. Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and allies) are a prominent case in this respect because mandible shape has been even used to predict feeding preferences. Here, we analyzed mandible shape, force transmission efficiency, and their potential correlation with dietary categories in a phylogenetic framework for 153 extant Orthoptera. The mechanical advantage profile was used as a descriptor of gnathal edge shape and bite force transmission efficiency in order to understand how mandible shape is linked to biting efficiency and diet, and how these traits are influenced by phylogeny and allometry. Results show that mandible shape, in fact, is a poor predictor of feeding ecology and phylogenetic history has a strong influence on gnathal edge shape. Being ancestrally phytophagous, Orthoptera evolved in an environment with food sources being always abundant so that selective pressures leading to more specialized mouthpart shapes and force transmission efficiencies were low.
Muscle Quality and Physical Function in Men With and Without HIV
Authors: Sun Jing , Ditzenberger Grace L , Brown Todd T , Langan Susan , Hsu Hsing-Yu , Ng Derek , Palella Frank J , Lake Jordan E , Kingsley Lawrence A , Koletar Susan L , Post Wendy , Erlandson Kristine M
Published: September 2024

Background

People with HIV (PWH) experience faster physical decline than those without HIV (PWoH), despite antiretroviral therapy. We compared skeletal muscle density and area and their relationship with physical function among PWH and PWoH.

Methods

Quantitative computed tomography scans were performed at the L4–L5 spinal region and the thigh to evaluate muscle groups in Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study participants at baseline. Using exploratory factor analysis, we summarized aggregated muscle measures based on factor loadings. Longitudinal associations between muscle area and density with gait speed and grip strength were examined using multivariable linear regression models with generalized estimating equations, adjusting for demographics, HIV serostatus, and other health metrics.

Results

We included 798 men (61% of PWH). The median age was 54 years (interquartile range: 49–59), 61% were White, 32% Black, and 10% Hispanic. Among them, 22% had a body mass index over 30 kg/m2, and 14% had diabetes. Two factors emerged from the factor analysis explaining 55.9% of variance. Factor 1 (explained 32.5% of variance) encompassed all density measures. Factor 2 (explained 23.4% of variance) encompassed all area measures. Associations between muscle density and gait speed were more pronounced with aggregated measures than with individual ones. Specifically, each unit increase in overall muscle density correlated with a 0.028 m/s increase in gait speed (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.017, 0.038, p < .01). Grip strength was associated with aggregated measures of both muscle density and area, with overall muscle density associated with a 1.88 kg increase in grip strength (95% CI: 1.29, 2.46, p < .01), and overall muscle area with a 1.60 kg increase (95% CI: 1.02, 2.19, p < .01).

Conclusions

Aggregated muscle density and area measurements were significantly associated with physical function. These correlations underscore the importance of interventions to enhance skeletal muscle to improve healthy aging for PWH and PWoH.
Multimorbidity Patterns, Leisure Activities, and Cognitive Function: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study
Authors: Wang Shuojia , Yu Chengyuan , Zhu Jing , Zhao Pengfei , Jin Nana , Cheng Lixin , Kang Lin
Published: September 2024

Background

There is limited knowledge about the effect of leisure activities on cognitive decline related to different multimorbidity patterns. The study aimed to examine the role of leisure activities in the association between multimorbidity patterns and cognitive function.

Methods

We conducted a community-based cohort study based on the 2002–2018 Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey. Multimorbidity patterns were examined by exploratory factor analysis. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between multimorbidity, leisure activities, and cognitive function.

Results

The study included 14 093 older adults. Those with specific multimorbidity patterns had lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Compared with individuals with cardiometabolic and sensory patterns who frequently engaged in activities such as housework, garden work, and watching TV/listening to the radio, those who participated in these activities less regularly had lower MMSE scores. Furthermore, a higher frequency change of participation and a greater variety of leisure activities were associated with better cognitive function.

Conclusions

The older individuals with multimorbidity are associated with lower MMSE scores, while those who participated in more leisure activities had higher cognitive function. Diverse and frequent leisure activities may help delay cognitive decline in Chinese older adults with different multimorbidities.
A novel miniaturized roller pump circuit for simulation of extracorporeal circulation
Authors: Hjärpe Anders K , Jeppsson Anders , Lannemyr Lukas , Pernbro Fredrik , Hesse Camilla , Romlin Birgitta
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

Extracorporeal circulation induces pronounced effects on haemostasis and rheology. To study these, an ex vivo simulation model is an attractive alternative but often requires large amounts of blood. We sought to create a miniaturized roller pump circuit requiring minimal amounts of blood and to test if the circuit could be used to compare coagulation, platelet function and blood rheology between a dextran-based and a crystalloid-based priming solution.

METHODS

A miniaturized roller pump circuit requiring only 27 ml of blood was created. Blood samples from 8 cardiac surgery patients were mixed with either a dextran-based or a crystalloid-based solution and circulated for 60 min. Coagulation was assessed by rotational thromboelastometry, and platelet function by impedance aggregometry and flow cytometry, before and at 5 and 60 min of circulation.

RESULTS

A time-dependent impairment of coagulation was observed in both groups. Maximum clot firmness was lower with dextran-based than with crystalloid-based priming at 5 min (HEPTEM 37 ± 4 vs 43 ± 4 mm, P < 0.001; EXTEM 37 ± 4 vs 43 ± 4 mm, P < 0.001; FIBTEM 3 ± 2 vs 9 ± 2 mm, P < 0.001) and at 60 min (HEPTEM 29 ± 9 vs 38 ± 5 mm, P < 0.001; EXTEM 30 ± 7 vs 39 ± 5 mm, P < 0.001; FIBTEM 3 ± 2 vs 8 ± 3 mm, P = 0.002). The EXTEM clotting time was longer with dextran-based solution at 5 (109 ± 19 vs 63 ± 7 sec, P < 0.001) and at 60 min (176 ± 72 vs 73 ± 7 sec, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The novel miniaturized roller pump circuit can be used to mimic extracorporeal circulation for selected research questions. Dextran-based priming caused a significant impairment in haemostasis compared with a standard crystalloid solution.
Advancements in a low global warming potential refrigerants for enhanced thermal management in electric vehicle air conditioning
Authors: Dong Suiju , Huo Ziheng , Liu Yin , Zhai Saina , Ding Chuangchuang , Yang Jingxing , Fu Pengwei , Meng Zhaofeng
Published: September 2024

This article proposes an effective thermal management solution for electric vehicles by incorporating a low global warming potential (GWP) hybrid refrigerant R1234ze(E)/R134a/R32 (with a mass percentage of 85/10/5). By integrating R1234ze(E), the potential of substituting R134a with this mixed refrigerant in electric vehicle air conditioning for thermal analysis was analyzed. The findings are that R1234ze(E) exhibits a COP reduction of 0.51% compared to R134a, while R1234ze(E)/R134a/R32 showcases a coefficient of performance (COP) enhancement of 1.53% over R134a. The compressor exhaust temperatures of R1234ze(E) and R1234ze(E)/R134a/R32 are, respectively, 7.4°C and 5.2°C lower than those of R134a. R1234ze(E) demonstrates a volumetric cooling capacity ~26.3% smaller than that of R134a. However, the volumetric cooling capacity of R1234ze(E)/R134a/R32 aligns closely with R134a, facilitating convenient direct charging. R1234ze(E)/R134a/R32 proves to be an excellent refrigerant for applications in the thermal management of electric vehicles.
Applications of blockchain technologies in artificial electricity market settlement and clearing
Authors: Li Yan , Gong Yuying , Wu Mingbo , Li Yujia , Wang Wenguo
Published: September 2024

Blockchain technology is demonstrating vast potential in the realm of distributed energy transactions. This article employs the Ethereum platform to architect an energy trading settlement framework. By incorporating whitelists, authorization mechanisms, and dedicated energy tokens, transactions are rendered more secure and reliable, ensuring the openness, transparency, traceability, and immutability of transaction information. The proposed transaction settlement mechanism automatically updates users' energy imbalances and levies corresponding charges, thereby ensuring strict adherence to transaction contracts. Furthermore, during the settlement phase, smart contracts are employed to autonomously evaluate the creditworthiness of transaction parties, with results recorded on the blockchain. As the credit levels of the entities across the entire network increase, the block generation time for distributed energy trading blockchains becomes shorter, with the block generation time predominantly influenced by the credit rating of the highest-rated entity in the network. Hence, through smart contract design based on energy trading, blockchain technology is utilized to enhance the transparency and security of transaction settlement and clearing. Future research could focus on improving blockchain scalability, integrating emerging technologies, to advance the effectiveness and adoption of blockchain-based energy trading systems.
Genomic insights into epidemic plasmids carrying blaCTX-M and mcr-1 genes in Escherichia coli from Lebanese broiler production
Authors: Mikhayel Myriam , Praud Karine , Leclercq Sébastien , Karam Sarkis Dolla , Doublet Benoît
Published: September 2024

Background

In a previous nationwide survey in the Lebanese broiler production, multidrug-resistant CTX-M-producing E. coli were found to carry the mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-1.

Objectives

To investigate the mobile genetic supports responsible for the spread of these resistance genes among E. coli in healthy broilers in Lebanon.

Methods

Thirty-three blaCTX-M and mcr-1 positive E. coli of various sequence types from 17 broilers farms were subjected to conjugation assays. Long-read sequencing (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) and hybrid assembly were performed to determine complete plasmid sequences and their phylogenetic diversity.

Results

Twenty-nine conjugative IncFII plasmids harboured the extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes blaCTX-M-3 (n = 25) or blaCTX-M-55 (n = 4). Highly related IncF2:A-:B-/blaCTX-M-3 plasmids differing only through IS-mediated genetic rearrangements in antibiotic resistance gene clusters were found in genetically diverse E. coli strains isolated from distant farms. The mobile colistin resistance genes mcr-1.1 and mcr-1.26 were carried by IncX4 and IncI2 plasmids. Worryingly, in one isolate, the ISEcp1-blaCTX-M-55 transposable unit was found integrated in a mcr-1.26-carrying IncX4 plasmid. Beside expanded cephalosporins and colistin resistances, all E. coli isolates were multidrug-resistant with different additional resistances against aminoglycosides, (fluoro)quinolones, fosfomycin, phenicols, sulphonamides, tetracycline and trimethoprim.

Conclusions

Closely related blaCTX-M-3/55-borne IncF2:A-:B- plasmids harbouring variable MDR regions and mcr-1 carrying IncX4 plasmids are widely disseminated in the E. coli population of healthy broilers in Lebanon. Further surveillance programmes of antimicrobial resistance and interventions to reduce the abusive use of medically important antibiotics are necessary to limit the spread of resistances in food-producing animals in Lebanon.
Empowering diversity: striving for inclusivity by leveraging the American Medical Informatics Association’s “For Your Informatics” Podcast
Authors: Williams Karmen S , Hui Vivian , Ross Mindy , Zamanzadeh Davina J , Nguyen Vickie , Khan Zubin A , Chapman Wendy W , You Kai-Lin , Murcko Anita , Warsame Leyla , Ingram Wendy M , Harman Tiffany , Grando Adela
Published: September 2024

Importance

Starting in 2018, the ‘Women in American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) Podcast’ was women-focused, in 2021 the podcast was rebranded and relaunched as the “For Your Informatics Podcast” (FYI) to expand the scope of the podcast to include other historically underrepresented groups. That expansion of the scope, together with a rebranding and marketing campaign, led to a larger audience and engagement of the AMIA community.

Objectives

The goals of this case report are to characterize our rebranding and expanding decisions, and to assess how they impacted our listenership and engagement to achieve the Podcast goals of increasing diversity among the Podcast team, guests, audience, and improve audience engagement.

Materials and Methods

This descriptive case study is focused on the FYI Podcast team’s processes to develop a revised mission, vision, and values, increase the diversity of guests, augment listenership through social media, and track the reach through the number of followers, downloads, and impressions.

Results

As of December 2023, 35 FYI Podcast episodes are available with 685 social media followers, over 20 000 downloads, and nearly 145 000 impressions. In addition to introductions to informatics and loyal listeners within AMIA, the FYI Podcast episodes have been used by students as teaching material in a graduate biomedical informatics curriculum, and as introductory material for student clubs and programs.

Discussion

The Podcast relaunching led to 98% of guests from underrepresented groups and growth in listenership by 329% since May 2021.

Conclusion

The FYI Podcast supports AMIA’s diversity mission, and gives voices to underrepresented groups, engages the clinical informatics community in critical conversations on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and supports education.
Recreating Fall Risk Appraisal matrix using R to support fall prevention programs
Authors: Suarez Jethro Raphael M , Lafontant Kworweinski , Blount Amber , Park Joon-Hyuk , Thiamwong Ladda
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study aimed to optimize Fall Risk Appraisal (FRA) graphing for use in intervention programs tailored toward reducing the fall risk of older adults by using computing graphic functions in the R language.

Materials and Methods

We utilized RStudio, a free development environment for the R language, as well as the functions within the “ggplot2” and “grid” packages, to develop a code that would recreate the FRA matrix for use in data visualization and analysis, as well as feedback for older adults.

Results

The developed code successfully recreates the FRA matrix in R and allows researchers and clinicians to graph participant data onto the matrix itself.

Discussion

The use of an R code allows for a streamlined approach to manipulating the FRA matrix for use in data visualization and feedback for older adults, which improves upon the traditional paper-pencil method that has been previously used.

Conclusions

The code presented in this study recreates the FRA matrix instrument in the R language and gives researchers the ability to instantaneously add, remove, or change different aspects of the instrument to improve its readability for researchers and older adults.
Machine learning-based delirium prediction in surgical in-patients: a prospective validation study
Authors: Jauk Stefanie , Kramer Diether , Sumerauer Stefan , Veeranki Sai Pavan Kumar , Schrempf Michael , Puchwein Paul
Published: September 2024

Objective

Delirium is a syndrome that leads to severe complications in hospitalized patients, but is considered preventable in many cases. One of the biggest challenges is to identify patients at risk in a hectic clinical routine, as most screening tools cause additional workload. The aim of this study was to validate a machine learning (ML)-based delirium prediction tool on surgical in-patients undergoing a systematic assessment of delirium.

Materials and Methods

738 in-patients of a vascular surgery, a trauma surgery and an orthopedic surgery department were screened for delirium using the DOS scale twice a day over their hospital stay. Concurrently, delirium risk was predicted by the ML algorithm in real-time for all patients at admission and evening of admission. The prediction was performed automatically based on existing EHR data and without any additional documentation needed.

Results

103 patients (14.0%) were screened positive for delirium using the DOS scale. Out of them, 85 (82.5%) were correctly identified by the ML algorithm. Specificity was slightly lower, detecting 463 (72.9%) out of 635 patients without delirium. The AUROC of the algorithm was 0.883 (95% CI, 0.8523-0.9147).

Discussion

In this prospective validation study, the implemented machine-learning algorithm was able to detect patients with delirium in surgical departments with high discriminative performance.

Conclusion

In future, this tool or similar decision support systems may help to replace time-intensive screening tools and enable efficient prevention of delirium.
Ivermectin-Based Products in the Context of Green Pharmaceutical Analysis
Authors: Galvão Natália Sabina dos Santos , Kogawa Ana Carolina
Published: September 2024

Background

Ivermectin (IVE), a broad-spectrum antiparasitic, is used in human and animal health. Analytical methods for evaluating IVE in pharmaceutical products are found in the literature and in official compendiums. However, the vast majority of them do not have an eco-friendly approach.

Objective

The aim of this review is to present an overview of existing analytical methods for evaluating IVE in pharmaceutical matrixes in the context of green analytical chemistry (GAC) and show possibilities for increasing their greenness.

Results

GAC is a current alternative to promote sustainable development in laboratories and chemical-pharmaceutical industries; therefore, through its principles, such as reducing the use of aggressive solvents, it is possible to make processes more ecological. However, the vast majority of analytical methods available in the literature and official compendiums do not present an eco-friendly approach. Seventy percent of the methods are by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among the various pharmaceutical matrixes, the most evaluated are tablets (37%). Of all the solvents used in HPLC, ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS), ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods, the combination of methanol and acetonitrile is the most used, accounting for more than 50% of occurrences.

Conclusion

Analytical methods for evaluating IVE-based products can be leveraged within the scope of GAC, bringing sustainable work opportunities to analytical development laboratories around the world.

Highlights

This review shows an overview of the analytical methods present in the literature and official compendiums to evaluate pharmaceutical IVE matrixes, in the context of GAC.
Unveiling the effects of shrimp hydrolysate as a dietary ingredient in healthy adult Beagle dogs
Authors: Guilherme-Fernandes Joana , Fonseca António J M , Aires Tiago , Lima Sofia A C , Maia Margarida R G , Cabrita Ana R J
Published: September 2024

To be more sustainable, the pet food industry could increase the inclusion of animal byproducts from the human food chain and fish hydrolysates have been reported to benefit dogs’ health. However, there is limited research on the impact of alternative marine hydrolysates in dog food. The current study evaluated the effects of including shrimp hydrolysate as a replacement for wheat gluten (experimental diet) in an extruded complete diet (control diet) on diet palatability, intake, digestibility, fecal characteristics and metabolites, oral volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), and coat quality in dogs. The palatability of diets was assessed in a 2-bowl test, conducted with 12 healthy adult Beagle dogs. No differences were observed in the first approach, first taste, or intake ratio. A randomized block design lasting 12 wk was performed with 12 dogs distributed into 6 blocks, according to sex and body weight; one dog from each block was randomly allocated to each diet. Fecal characteristics and metabolites were measured in weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12, VSC and coat quality in weeks 4, 8, and 12, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy in week 12. The inclusion of shrimp hydrolysate did not affect intake, but increased fecal output (dry matter, DM, basis, P < 0.05). Fecal butyrate concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in dogs fed the experimental diet. The inclusion of shrimp hydrolysate did not affect ATTD of nutrients and energy, and VSC. Both diets promoted high coat quality. The experimental diet decreased gloss and general evaluation scores in week 4 (P < 0.05), but improved scale scores in weeks 4 and 12 (P < 0.05). Overall, the findings indicate the potential of including shrimp hydrolysate in diets for dogs, fostering a more sustainable industry.
Practical Knowledge and the Structural Challenge
Authors: Campbell Lucy
Published: September 2024

Elizabeth Anscombe characterised practical knowledge as knowledge ‘in intention’. As Anscombe recognised, accepting this view involves rejecting certain basic orthodox epistemological assumptions. But even once this is done, a challenge remains for a conception of practical knowledge as knowledge ‘in intention’. For while practical knowledge would appear to be a kind of propositional knowledge, intentions would appear to be a kind of non-propositional attitude. I call this the ‘Structural Challenge’ for an intention-based account of practical knowledge. After rejecting two suggested responses – one which views intentions as propositional attitudes; one which views practical knowledge as non-propositional knowledge – I offer my own solution by showing how simply having and carrying out an intention to φ will ordinarily meet a plausible neutral condition on propositional knowledge. Knowing a fact will in general involve being mentally related to it via a successful exercise of relevant concepts. The account I develop turns on viewing a person’s carrying out an intention to φ as their constituting the fact that they are φ-ing, through a practical exercise of their concept of φ-ing. The resulting account sheds light both on the analogies, and on the crucial formal differences, between practical and theoretical knowledge.
Evaluation of machine learning models that predict lncRNA subcellular localization
Authors: Miller Jason R , Yi Weijun , Adjeroh Donald A
Published: September 2024

The lncATLAS database quantifies the relative cytoplasmic versus nuclear abundance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) observed in 15 human cell lines. The literature describes several machine learning models trained and evaluated on these and similar datasets. These reports showed moderate performance, e.g. 72–74% accuracy, on test subsets of the data withheld from training. In all these reports, the datasets were filtered to include genes with extreme values while excluding genes with values in the middle range and the filters were applied prior to partitioning the data into training and testing subsets. Using several models and lncATLAS data, we show that this ‘middle exclusion’ protocol boosts performance metrics without boosting model performance on unfiltered test data. We show that various models achieve only about 60% accuracy when evaluated on unfiltered lncRNA data. We suggest that the problem of predicting lncRNA subcellular localization from nucleotide sequences is more challenging than currently perceived. We provide a basic model and evaluation procedure as a benchmark for future studies of this problem.
A generalized protein identification method for novel and diverse sequencing technologies
Authors: Bhandari Bikash Kumar , Goldman Nick
Published: September 2024

Protein sequencing is a rapidly evolving field with much progress towards the realization of a new generation of protein sequencers. The early devices, however, may not be able to reliably discriminate all 20 amino acids, resulting in a partial, noisy and possibly error-prone signature of a protein. Rather than achieving de novo sequencing, these devices may aim to identify target proteins by comparing such signatures to databases of known proteins. However, there are no broadly applicable methods for this identification problem. Here, we devise a hidden Markov model method to study the generalized problem of protein identification from noisy signature data. Based on a hypothetical sequencing device that can simulate several novel technologies, we show that on the human protein database (N = 20 181) our method has a good performance under many different operating conditions such as various levels of signal resolvability, different numbers of discriminated amino acids, sequence fragments, and insertion and deletion error rates. Our results demonstrate the possibility of protein identification with high accuracy on many early experimental devices. We anticipate our method to be applicable for a wide range of protein sequencing devices in the future.
An integrated experimental–modeling approach to identify key processes for carbon mineralization in fractured mafic and ultramafic rocks
Authors: Neil Chelsea W , Yang Yun , Nisbet Haylea , Iyare Uwaila C , Boampong Lawrence O , Li Wenfeng , Kang Qinjun , Hyman Jeffrey D , Viswanathan Hari S
Published: September 2024

Controlling atmospheric warming requires immediate reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as well as the active removal and sequestration of CO2 from current point sources. One promising proposed strategy to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels is geologic carbon sequestration (GCS), where CO2 is injected into the subsurface and reacts with the formation to precipitate carbonate minerals. Rapid mineralization has recently been reported for field tests in mafic and ultramafic rocks. However, unlike saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs historically considered for GCS, these formations can have extremely low porosities and permeabilities, limiting storage volumes and reactive mineral surfaces to the preexisting fracture network. As a result, coupling between geochemical interactions and the fracture network evolution is a critical component of long-term, sustainable carbon storage. In this paper, we summarize recent advances in integrating experimental and modeling approaches to determine the first-order processes for carbon mineralization in a fractured mafic/ultramafic rock system. We observe the critical role of fracture aperture, flow, and surface characteristics in controlling the quantity, identity, and morphology of secondary precipitates and present where the influence of these factors can be reflected in newly developed thermo-hydro-mechanical–chemical models. Our findings provide a roadmap for future work on carbon mineralization, as we present the most important system components and key challenges that we are overcoming to enable GCS in mafic and ultramafic rocks.
Repurposing weather modification for cloud research showcased by ice crystal growth
Authors: Ramelli Fabiola , Henneberger Jan , Fuchs Christopher , Miller Anna J , Omanovic Nadja , Spirig Robert , Zhang Huiying , David Robert O , Ohneiser Kevin , Seifert Patric , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: September 2024

The representation of cloud processes in models is one of the largest sources of uncertainty in weather forecast and climate projections. While laboratory settings offer controlled conditions for studying cloud processes, they cannot reproduce the full range of conditions and interactions present in natural cloud systems. To bridge this gap, here we leverage weather modification, specifically glaciogenic cloud seeding, to investigate ice growth rates within natural clouds. Seeding experiments were conducted in supercooled stratus clouds (at −8 to −5∘C) using an uncrewed aerial vehicle, and the created ice crystals were measured 4–10 min downwind by in situ and ground-based remote sensing instrumentation. We observed substantial variability in ice crystal growth rates within natural clouds, attributed to variations in ice crystal number concentrations and in the supersaturation, which is difficult to reproduce in the laboratory and which implies faster precipitation initiation than previously thought. We found that for the experiments conducted at −5.2∘C, the ice crystal populations grew nearly linearly during the time interval from 6 to 10 min. Our results demonstrate that the targeted use of weather modification techniques can be employed for fundamental cloud research (e.g. ice growth processes, aerosol–cloud interactions), helping to advance cloud microphysics parameterizations and to improve weather forecasts and climate projections.
Negative Symptoms and Their Associations With Other Clinical Variables and Working Memory Across the Schizophrenia Spectrum and Bipolar Disorder
Authors: De Pieri Marco , Berg Xaver , Georgiadis Foivos , Brakowski Janis , Burrer Achim , Sabé Michel , Kaliuzhna Mariia , Vetter Stefan , Seifritz Erich , Homan Philipp , Kaiser Stefan , Kirschner Matthias
Published: September 2024

Negative symptoms (NS) of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are also prevalent in bipolar disorder I (BD-I) and show associations with impaired working memory (WM). However, empirical work on their relationship to other clinical factors across SSD and BD-I is sparse. Here, we characterized the associations of NS with key clinical variables and WM capacity across a combined sample of SSD and BD. We included 50 outpatients with SSD and 49 with BD-I and assessed NS domains using SANS global scores for avolition-apathy, anhedonia-asociality, alogia, and blunted affect. We assessed the transdiagnostic relationship between NS and other clinical variables, including positive symptoms, disorganization, depressive symptoms, and antipsychotic medication, using multiple regressions. The strength of these associations was further determined through dominance analyses. Finally, we used multiple regression to assess the relationship between NS domains and WM. To assess the generalizability of transdiagnostic associations, analyses were repeated in each diagnostic group separately. Across SSD and BD-I, disorganization was associated with avolition-apathy and anhedonia-asociality and depressive symptoms additionally predicted anhedonia-asociality. Antipsychotic dose was associated with blunted affect while group differences only predicted alogia. Higher avolition-apathy was related to impaired WM transdiagnostically, partially mediated by the severity of disorganization, whereas only in BD-I higher anhedonia-asociality was associated with better WM capacity. This study demonstrated transdiagnostic associations of both avolition-apathy and anhedonia-asociality with disorganization and identified avolition-apathy as a potential transdiagnostic predictor of WM impairments. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of understanding the relationship between NS domains and other clinical factors with cognitive function across SSD and BD.
Newer formulations of oral testosterone undecanoate: development and liver side effects
Authors: Goldstein Irwin , Chidambaram Nachiappan , Dobs Adrian , King Shelby , Miner Martin , Ramasamy Ranjith , Yafi Faysal A , Khera Mohit
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Testosterone deficiency is a clinical disorder due to either failure of the testes to produce testosterone or failure of the hypothalamus or pituitary to produce sufficient gonadotropins. Previous formulations of oral testosterone therapy, particularly methyltestosterone, have been associated with adverse liver effects. Many different routes of testosterone delivery have been developed, each with their own administrative benefits and challenges. Newer formulations of oral testosterone undecanoate (TU) provide a convenient administration option, although their use has been limited by hepatotoxicity concerns based on older methyltestosterone data, and prescribing physicians may still be concerned about adverse liver effects.

Objectives

In this review, we discuss the history of oral testosterone development, clarify the mechanism of action of oral TU, and describe the relevant liver safety findings.

Methods

Relevant literature was allocated to present a review on the history of oral TU development and the mechanism of action of oral TU. We pooled data from individual studies of oral TU products to present a safety summary.

Results

Overall, safety results from studies of the newer formulations of oral TU showed that increased liver function test values are not generally associated with oral TU formulations and that no clinically significant liver toxicities were noted in clinical trials of oral TU.

Conclusion

Continued research into the safety of oral TU will contribute to a better understanding of the potential risks in patients receiving this therapy, an outcome that highlights the importance of providing patient education and reassurance regarding oral TU safety.
Cercospora Leaf Spot Impacts on Postharvest Disease and Respiration of Affected Sugarbeet Roots
Authors: Hendershot Carly , Ruth Sarah , Bloomingdale Chris , Corder Holly , Goodwill Tom , Beaudry Randy , Hanson Linda E. , Willbur Jaime F.
Published: September 2024

In Michigan, sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris) are stored for up to 200 days postharvest, during which time sugar loss may occur as a result of energy use from respiration and factors such as rot. Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) has been considered a potential predisposing factor for increased storage rot. To investigate these impacts, field and postharvest studies evaluated storage rot symptom development in sugarbeets with designated “high” or “low” in-season CLS severity. Root slices of sugarbeets from each CLS level were inoculated with Fusarium graminearum, Botrytis cinerea, or Penicillium vulpinum, and symptoms were assessed after 7 days. Across three CLS-susceptible commercial varieties, there were no significant differences among storage rot susceptibility to any of the tested pathogens in hand-harvested sugarbeets, regardless of CLS level, at any storage time point in 2020 or 2021 (P > 0.05). In studies using CLS-susceptible and -resistant germplasm and varieties, CLS effects were inconsistent and only significant in one parameter at two out of six storage time points across these years (P < 0.05). Across storage pathogens, prior CLS level also did not impact root respiration or the change in respiration rate from initial to final storage time point in either 2021 or 2023 (P > 0.05). Of note, B. cinerea caused more severe symptoms than other pathogens in these studies (P < 0.05). Finally, varietal responses differed significantly to storage pathogens (P < 0.05) and may be of interest to future cultivar development efforts. This research increases our understanding of factors contributing to potential storage losses, which will improve yield and profit for sugar growers.
Dermal white adipose tissue: Development and impact on hair follicles, skin defense, and fibrosis
Authors: Peng Yujie , Cheong Sousan , Lu Feng , He Yunfan
Published: September 2024

Dermal white adipose tissue (DWAT) is a distinctive adipose depot located within the lower dermis of the skin. Its significance as an ancillary fat in skin homoeostasis has recently received increased attention. New research has revealed that DWAT responses to skin pathology and physiology changes, impacting skin development, hair cycling, defense mechanisms, and fibrotic conditions. In this review, we explore the developmental process of DWAT and the adipose commitment timing of hypodermal. We explore the development process of DWAT and its pivotal role in regulating the hair cycle. We conclude the antibacterial activity and reversible dedifferentiation of dermal adipocytes in response to skin defense. Furthermore, we underscore the potentially crucial yet underestimated anti‐fibrotic functions of DWAT‐derived adipokines and adipocyte‐myofibroblast transition.
O10 HEART RATE VARIABILITY AS EARLY MARKER OF CARDIAC INJURY IN HYPERTENSIVE YOUNG ADULTS
Authors: Olaniyi Kehinde Samuel , Ajayi Success , Areloegbe Stephanie
Published: September 2024

Background:

Hypertension remains a life-threatening risk factor for cardiovascular diseases globally. It is not only common to middle age or aged group but also affect young individuals. Heart rate variability (HRV) gives an inference of the overall cardiac function and health of an individual. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether HRV could be an early marker and a valid alternative to biochemical probes for the early detection of cardiac injury and systemic inflammation in hypertensive young adults.

Materials and methods:

A total number of 300 participants were recruited by fixed sampling of the case control study grouped into normotensive and hypertensive young groups. Informed consent was obtained from all participants before the procedure. Blood pressure with some anthropometric data were collected. Afterward, each participant’s HRV data was acquired by conducting a 5-minute resting ECG. Then, 5 ml of blood was taken through sterile venepuncture, centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 mins and biochemical analysis was performed for plasma troponin-I, troponin-T and inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha and NF-kappaB).

Results:

HRV assessment showed significant decrease in HRV parameters of parasympathetic activity (SDNN, RMSSD, HF) in the hypertensive young group. LF also showed significant decrease in the hypertensive group. But, LF/HF (sympatho-vagal balance) showed significant increase in the hypertensive group. LF correlates with plasma TNF-α (r = -0.6167) and NF-kB (r = -0.6673) at p = 0.0003 and p<0.0001, respectively. In addition, LF correlates with plasma Troponin-I (r = -0.6393) and Troponin-T (r = -0.5719) at p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0010, respectively. LF/HF had no correlation with these biomarkers. Thus, HRV correlates with plasma troponin-I, troponin-T, TNF-alpha and NF-kappaB in hypertensive young adults.

Conclusion:

HRV can be used as an early marker of cardiac injury and inflammation in young hypertensive individuals.
O15 DIFFERENTIAL CARDIAC MACROPHAGE POLARIZATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH BETTER PRECLINICAL MARKERS IN FEMALE SEX VERSUS MALE SEX WITH HYPERTENSION AND METABOLIC SYNDROME
Authors: Sepulveda R , Moya J , Rojas J , Araos P , Amador C , Hermoso M , Gabrielli L , Jalil J , Ocaranza M
Published: September 2024

Background:

Women compared to men with hypertension (HT) and metabolic syndrome (MS) exhibit better clinical outcomes. In the preclinical model of HT-MS, female mice develop attenuated cardiac remodeling (CRM) compared to male mice (not mediated by sex hormones). Male cardiac macrophages (Mo) from mice are more susceptible to inflammatory stimuli. It is unknown whether subpopulations of cardiac pro-inflammatory Mo and resident repair Mo differ between males and females.

Purpose:

To characterize, in male and female mice with HT-MS, the cardiac pro-inflammatory cardiac Mo derived from monocytes (CCR2+MHCII+) and the resident repair Mo (CCR2-MHCII+ and CCR2- MHCII-).

Methods:

12-week-old male and female C57BL/6N mice were assigned to experimental groups: high-fat diet + L-NAME or control diet. Body weight (BW), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, glucose and exercise tolerance, cardiac function and cardiac Mo CCR2+MHCII+, CCR2-MHCII+, CCR2- MHCII- were determined.

Results:

(mean ± SEM, n=11-18 mice/group). Compared with males, females with HT-MS gained less BW (14% vs. 22%, p<0.05), 2), had lower glucose levels (265±13 mg/dL vs 191±14 vs., p<0.001) and covered a greater distance on the treadmill (p<0.05). SBP and DBP was similary increased vs. their controls in both groups. In males but not in females with HT-MS both the LV septum and posterior wall were thicker vs controls (p< 0.001). Left atrium size increased 7.6% in females and 20% in males. In the myocardium, CR2+MHCII+ Mo increased by 58% only in males (p<0.001, F=11.7). The CCR2-MHCII- Mo increased by 75% in HT-MS females vs their controls, (p<0.001,F=18.7) and vs males. The CCR2-MHCII+ Mo decreased by 28.4% only in males (p<0.05, F=3.7).

Conclusion:

In females with HT-MS protective resident cardiac Mo increased significantly which was associated to less CRM and better exercise performance. Activation of resident cardiac Mo may be an important mechanism for prevention and treatment of CRM by HT and MS.
O16 ARTERIAL STIFFNESS, INFLAMMATORY AND METABOLIC PROFILE IN DIFFERENT HYPERTENSION SEVERITY PHENOTYPES
Authors: Margallo Victor , Duarte Carlos Henrique , da Silva de Sousa Vitoria Miriam , Campeche Guilherme , Fontes Gabriele , Bezerra da Silva João Gabriel , Muxfeldt Elizabeth , Carlos Fernanda , Viegas Bianca , de Moraes Beatriz , Moreno João
Published: September 2024

Background:

Hypertension presents different severity phenotypes, from prehypertension to resistant hypertension. The early assessment of macrovascular damage through the measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the inflammatory profile through the measurement of reactive C protein (hs-RCP) is capable of early assessment of the impact of blood pressure on cardiovascular risk.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to analyze macrovascular damage and the immunoinflammatory profile of patients with different hypertension phenotypes.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study that is being developed in 2 research centers in Rio de Janeiro, a primary care unit and a tertiary university hospital center. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, office blood pressure and HBPM were registered. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring PWV. The inflammatory profile was assessed by measuring hs-RCP, the metabolic profile was assessed by measuring serum lipids and glycated hemoglobin.

Results:

A total of 150 participants were included (54% women, age 47.3 ± 11.7 years, 58% black/brown), 35 of whom were pre-hypertensive, 72 hypertensive and 43 resistant hypertensives. We found 54% of participants to be obese and 66% have abdominal obesity. More than half of the individuals are sedentary (53.3%), and 39% of participants having metabolic syndrome. Comparatively evaluating pre-hypertensive, hypertensive and resistant hypertensive patients, we observed a progressive increase in age, in the prevalence of black/brown (42.9% vs 56.9% vs 72.1%, p<0.05), centripetal fat distribution (351 ± 145 vs 403 ± 151 vs 444 ± 267, p<0.04), glycated hemoglobin (5.3 ± 1.7 vs 5.7 ± 1.3 vs 6.4 ±1.6, p<0.05), and in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (31.4% vs 34.7% vs 53.5%, p<0.05). There is a progressive increase in hs-RCP (1.0[0.5-3.2] vs 4.0[2.6-8.8] vs 5.4[0.5-10.6]) and pulse wave velocity measurement (8.1 ± 0.1 vs 8.8 ± 1.8 vs 10.4 ± 2.2, p<0.01), identifying individuals with greater arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation.

Conclusion:

Cardiovascular risk increased proportionally with hypertension severity, especially in relation to metabolic profile, arterial stiffness, and inflammatory status.