bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thiazolidinediones and Glucagon‐Like Peptide‐1 Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cohort Study
Authors: van Dalem Judith , Driessen Johanna H. M. , Burden Andrea M. , Stehouwer Coen D. A. , Klungel Olaf H. , de Vries Frank , Brouwers Martijn C. G. J.
Published: June 2021

Background and Aims

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists are potential pharmacological treatment options for patients at risk of NAFLD. Therefore, we examined the association between the risk of NAFLD and the use of TZDs and GLP‐1 receptor agonists compared with the use of sulfonylureas (SUs) and insulins. Additionally, we calculated the incidence of HCC in users of TZDs and GLP‐1 receptor agonists.

Approach and Results

We conducted a population‐based cohort study using primary care data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink database (2007‐2018). All patients aged ≥18 with a prescription of an oral glucose‐lowering agent or GLP‐1 receptor agonist were included. The first prescription defined the start of follow‐up. The primary outcome was a new diagnosis of NAFLD. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs of the primary outcome. Incidence rates of HCC were determined per 1,000 person‐years for all exposures. The study identified 207,367 adults with a prescription for a glucose‐lowering agent. The risk of NAFLD was lower in patients prescribed a TZD than in those prescribed an SU (adjusted HR [aHR], 0.32; 95% CI, 0.20‐0.51). No difference in risk of NAFLD was observed comparing GLP‐1 receptor agonist use with insulin use (aHR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.91‐1.63).

Conclusions

Results of our study endorse the use of TZDs for selected patients at risk of NAFLD but do not support previous findings regarding the beneficial effect of GLP‐1 receptor agonists. The low number of events in several subgroups may affect the generalizability of the current findings.
Efficacy of hydrated phospholipid polymer interfaces between all‐polymer bearings for total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Kyomoto Masayuki , Moro Toru , Yamane Shihori , Watanabe Kenichi , Hashimoto Masami , Tanaka Sakae , Ishihara Kazuhiko
Published: June 2021

Measurements of wear resistance and metal ion release are important for designing bearing couples or interfaces in total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this study, we investigated wear resistance and metal ion release of surface‐modified metal‐free all‐polymer hip bearings, such as poly(ether‐ether‐ketone), (PEEK) on cross‐linked polyethylene (PEEK‐on‐CLPE), with a hydrated gel‐like surface layer, to propose an improved alternative to the conventional materials used to design THA bearings. The PEEK surface resulted in less metal ion release than the cobalt–chromium–molybdenum (Co–Cr–Mo) alloy surface owing to the lack of metal. The PEEK‐on‐CLPE bearing (6.33 mg/106 cycles) had lower wear (rate) than the bearing with Co–Cr–Mo alloy‐on‐CLPE (10.47 mg/106 cycles) under controlled laboratory conditions; the wear performance of the all‐polymer hip bearings was further improved with hemi‐ or both‐surface modified with a hydrated poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) layer (3.74 and 3.06 mg/106 cycles, respectively). The PMPC‐grafted interface of PEEK‐on‐CLPE will be especially suitable for THA candidates. This study is of key importance for the design of lifelong THA and a better understanding of the limitations resulting from using PEEK. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the possibility of using this material in artificial hips.
Dietary management and growth outcomes in children with propionic acidemia: A natural history study
Authors: Saleemani Haneen , Egri Csilla , Horvath Gabriella , Stockler‐Ipsiroglu Sylvia , Elango Rajavel
Published: June 2021

Background

Propionic acidemia (PROP) is an autosomal recessive inherited deficiency of propionyl‐CoA carboxylase (PCC) which is involved in the catalytic breakdown of the amino acids valine, isoleucine, methionine, and threonine. PROP nutritional management is based on dietary protein restriction and use of special medical formulas which are free of the offending amino acids, but are enriched in leucine. The resulting imbalance among branched‐chain amino acids negatively impacts plasma concentrations of valine and isoleucine, which might impact growth in children with PROP.

Objective and Methods

Our primary objective was to describe dietary protein and calorie intake and their impact on long‐term growth outcomes of four PROP patients. This was accomplished through a longitudinal retrospective chart review following the cohort from birth to 18 years.

Results

All children (n = 4) had poor growth outcomes with persistently reduced height‐for‐age Z scores, and elevated weight and body mass index (BMI) Z scores. Energy intakes for all subjects were within 80% to 120% of the dietary reference intakes for age. All children had low intakes of intact protein compared with current guidelines and were supplemented with medical formula and single l‐amino acids (valine and/or isoleucine), which led to the excess consumption of total protein.

Conclusion

Despite adequate total protein and energy intakes, all children had persistently low height Z scores. Restricted intact protein consumption together with the abundant use of medical formula could have affected overall growth. To optimize dietary management in patients with PROP, further research is needed to determine the optimal intake of medical formula relative to intact protein.
Organization of the central nervous system and innervation of cephalic sensory structures in the water bear Echiniscus testudo (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada) revisited
Authors: Gross Vladimir , Epple Lisa , Mayer Georg
Published: June 2021

The tardigrade brain has been the topic of several neuroanatomical studies, as it is key to understanding the evolution of the central nervous systems in Panarthropoda (Tardigrada + Onychophora + Arthropoda). The gross morphology of the brain seems to be well conserved across tardigrades despite often disparate morphologies of their heads and cephalic sensory structures. As such, the general shape of the brain and its major connections to the rest of the central nervous system have been mapped out already by early tardigradologists. Despite subsequent investigations primarily based on transmission electron microscopy or immunohistochemistry, characterization of the different regions of the tardigrade brain has progressed relatively slowly and open questions remain. In an attempt to improve our understanding of different brain regions, we reinvestigated the central nervous system of the heterotardigrade Echiniscus testudo using anti‐synapsin and anti‐acetylated α‐tubulin immunohistochemistry in order to visualize the number and position of tracts, commissures, and neuropils. Our data revealed five major synapsin‐immunoreactive domains along the body: a large unitary, horseshoe‐shaped neuropil in the head and four neuropils in the trunk ganglia, supporting the hypothesis that the dorsal brain is serially homologous with the ventral trunk ganglia. At the same time, the pattern of anti‐synapsin and anti‐tubulin immunoreactivity differs between the ganglia, adding to the existing evidence that each of the four trunk ganglia is unique in its morphology. Anti‐tubulin labeling further revealed two commissures within the central brain neuropil, one of which is forked, and additional sets of extracerebral cephalic commissures associated with the stomodeal nervous system and the ventral cell cluster. Furthermore, our results showing the innervation of each of the cephalic sensilla in E. testudo support the homology of subsets of these structures with the sensory fields of eutardigrades.
Behavior analysis of new bio‐inspired metaheuristics to solve distribution network reconfiguration problem under different radiality constraints representation
Authors: Gerez Cassio , Marques Costa Eduardo C. , Sguarezi Filho Alfeu J.
Published: June 2021

As distribution networks operate in their majority in a radial way, this condition becomes one of the most important constraints of distribution network reconfiguration (DNR) problem. There are diverse ways to represent this in DNR, but a lack of studies that provide an analysis of its behavior is noted, specially regarding its influence in metaheuristics and bio‐inspired metaheuristics. This paper presents a discussion between two alternatives to represent this in DNR in conjunction with three new bio‐inspired metaheuristics. One is based on the formation of the incidence matrix of the system and its determinant; the other is a modified approach of a method that establishes a set of forbidden switches through the analysis of the system fundamental loops. To solve DNR, three new bio‐inspired metaheuristics are presented: monarch butterfly optimization (MBO), gray wolf optimizer (GWO), and marine predators algorithm (MPA). A comparison is performed with selective particle swarm optimization (SPSO). To test the alternatives, three systems are used (33‐, 69‐, and 84‐ bus), with results showing the influence of the radiality approach in the results of bio‐inspired metaheuristics.
Polymer monoliths for the concentration of viruses from environmental waters: A review
Authors: Vitek Renan , do Nascimento Fernando H. , Masini Jorge C.
Published: June 2021

Even at low concentrations in environmental waters, some viruses are highly infective, making them a threat to human health. They are the leading cause of waterborne enteric diseases. In agriculture, plant viruses in irrigation and runoff water threat the crops. The low concentrations pose a challenge to early contamination detection. Thus, concentrating the virus particles into a small volume may be mandatory to achieve reliable detection in molecular techniques. This paper reviews the organic monoliths developments and their applications to concentrate virus particles from waters (waste, surface, tap, sea, and irrigation waters). Free‐radical polymerization and polyaddition reactions are the most common strategies to prepare the monoliths currently used for virus concentration. Here, the routes for preparing and functionalizing both methacrylate and epoxy‐based monoliths will be shortly described, following a revision of their retention mechanisms and applications in the concentration of enteric and plant viruses in several kinds of waters.
Sound Opportunities: Factors That Impact Referral for Pediatric Cochlear Implant Evaluation
Authors: Park Lisa R. , Preston Elizabeth , Eskridge Hannah , King English R. , Brown Kevin D.
Published: June 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To identify barriers to and opportunities for referral among children who could be considered for cochlear implantation.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

Audiological and medical records were reviewed on all children who had diagnostic or hearing aid care through a statewide healthcare system over 5‐year span to identify children who met newly established clinical cochlear implant (CI) referral criteria. Data were collected for 869 potential CI candidates regarding demographic, socio‐economic, audiological, medical, and family factors that may influence referral. A binomial logistic regression was completed to investigate the potential contributions of these predictors toward referral for a CI evaluation.

Results

Children who met traditional candidacy criteria of severe‐to‐profound bilateral hearing loss were referred at very high rates, while nontraditional candidates were referred less frequently. Factors influencing referral included race, age, insurance source, hearing thresholds, audiologist, physician, and family request.

Conclusions

Results suggest that bilateral traditional candidates are being referred at high percentages; however, current practices and trends in pediatric cochlear implantation should be shared with families and providers to increase referral rates for nontraditional candidates. 

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2904–E2910, 2021
Lessons from the Nation's Founding
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: June 2021

It was 245 years ago that our nation was founded. A handful of brave individuals breaking away from the rules of England sought to create a new life, in the “new world.” At the start, there were just the 13 colonies and a “Declaration of Independence.” Yet even more than two centuries ago, industries such as manufacturing, shipping, and agriculture were major parts of the economy.
MUFAs in High‐Fat Diets Protect against Obesity‐Induced Bias of Hematopoietic Cell Lineages
Authors: Lemus‐Conejo Ana , Medrano Mayte , Lopez Sergio , Millan‐Linares Maria C. , Rosillo Maria A. , Perez‐Simon Jose A. , Muriana Francisco J. G. , Abia Rocio
Published: June 2021

Scope

The role of dietary fatty acids in the generation of bone marrow (BM) immune cells and their trafficking to extramedullary compartments in the obesity is not yet fully understood.

Methods and Results

C57BL/6J mice are randomly assigned to isocaloric high‐fat diets (HFDs) formulate with dietary fats rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) or MUFAs fortified with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids for 20 weeks, followed by profiling of the obese metabolic phenotype and immunophenotypic features of immune cells in blood, spleen, and BM. All HFDs induce an obese phenotype, but it becomes largely less disruptive after the HFDs are enriched in MUFAs, which also induce signs of granulopoiesis and an expansion of long‐term hematopoietic stem and granulocyte‐macrophage progenitor cells in BM. In contrast, a HFD enriched in SFAs disturbs the fitness of medullary lymphocytes and promotes monopoiesis in favor of pro‐inflammatory activated subsets.

Conclusion

The reshaping of the fatty acid pools with MUFAs from the diet serves to manipulate the generation and trafficking of immune cells that are biased during obesity. These findings reveal a novel strategy by which dietary MUFAs may be instrumental in combating HFD‐induced dysfunctional immune systems.
The repeatability of measurements of male pelvic floor anatomy and function made from transperineal ultrasound images of healthy men and those before and after prostatectomy
Authors: Cowley David , Stafford Ryan E. , Hodges Paul W.
Published: June 2021

Aims

To investigate the inter‐ and intratester repeatability of measurement of the location and displacement of five pelvic landmarks related to pelvic floor muscles with transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) imaging recorded from healthy men and men before and after prostatectomy.

Methods

TPUS images were selected from four different participant groups: healthy men, men awaiting prostatectomy, men 2 weeks after prostatectomy, and men 12 months after prostatectomy. On two separate occasions, two assessors with different levels of experience performed analysis of location and displacement of five pelvic landmarks in images made at rest and during voluntary contraction. A two‐way mixed effects, single measurement, absolute agreement intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to investigate the repeatability.

Results

Intertester reliability of all locations at rest for all groups was excellent (ICCs > 0.8) except for the craniocaudal coordinate of the ventral urethrovesical junction for men 2 weeks postprostatectomy and the anorectal junction for men with a cancerous prostate. Intertester reliability of the measurement of landmark displacement was acceptable (>0.5) for the dorsoventral axis of motion but not for the craniocaudal axis of motion for all landmarks across all groups. The more experienced assessor was consistently more repeatable. More deeply placed landmarks were more often excluded from analysis and had poorer reliability.

Conclusions

Analysis of TPUS images across clinical groups is repeatable for both location and displacement of pelvic landmarks related to pelvic floor muscles when measures are made twice. Analysis experience, landmark depth and optimization of ultrasound settings appear to be important factors in reliability.
Abnormal functional connectivity within the prefrontal cortex in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS): A pilot study using resting state functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (rs‐fNIRS)
Authors: Pang Dongqing , Liao Limin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To investigate the abnormalities of functional connectivity (FC) within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) based on resting state functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (rs‐fNIRS) data using FC matrix analysis.

Materials and Methods

Ten patients with IC/BPS (females, 9; mean age, 56.9 ± 12.432 years) and 15 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls (HC) (females, 12; mean age, 55.067 ± 7.46 years) participated in this rs‐fNIRS study. Two rs‐fNIRS scans were performed (when the bladder was empty and when the desire to void was strong). The Pearson's correlation coefficient between the time series of the 22 channels was calculated to obtain a 22 × 22 FC matrix for each subject. A two‐sample t‐test (p < .05) was performed to compare group differences in the FC matrix between patients with IC/BPS and HC.

Results

FC was significantly decreased within the PFC in the IC/BPS group based on a two‐sample t‐test (p < .05) compared with HC. FC decreased in a wider range of brain regions during the strong desire to void state (4 brain regions and 28 edges) when compared with the empty bladder state (3 brain regions and 18 edges).

Conclusion

FC abnormalities in IC/BPS patients may lead to frontal lobe disorders involved in processing sensory integration, motivation drive, emotional control, and decision‐making whether to urinate, leading to urinary control dysfunction manifested as typical clinical IC/BPS symptoms. Our results may provide new insight into the pathogenesis of IC/BPS and new brain biomarkers for diagnosis.
Bariatric surgery and cognitive impairment
Authors: Morledge Michael D. , Pories Walter J.
Published: June 2021

Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve cognition in patients with severe obesity. Bariatric surgery may improve mental function in patient populations with obesity and with cognitive impairment, including nonacquired, dementia, and traumatic brain injury, although studies have been limited. Bariatric surgery provides an opportunity to explore the effects of obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemias, and other expressions of metabolic syndrome on cognition. It offers the unusual opportunity to study patients with these chronic diseases and, later, those without them. This suggests the need for further studies into the effects of bariatric surgery on patient populations with obesity and with cognitive impairment to look at the effects of the continuing metabolic brain damage in people with severe obesity when earlier intervention could be considered.
Modulation of phase transition of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐based microgels for pulsatile drug release
Authors: Li Zhifeng , Liang Bing
Published: June 2021

This work aims to synthesize poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐based microgels with sharp phase transition by introducing a specific secondary structure to achieve pulsatile drug release near body temperature. To achieve this, N‐isopropylacrylamide (NiPAM) based microgels were synthesized by surfactant free‐radical polymerization of NiPAM in the presence of polyalanine terminated α‐methallyl poly(ethylene glycol) ether (HPEG‐Alax) as a macro‐comonomer and N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as a chemical crosslinker. A series of microgels were characterized by TEM, DLS, UV–Vis, 1H NMR, and other analytical methods. The introduction of hydrophilic HPEG allows the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) to move towards the body temperature, and α‐helix structure confers a high deswelling ratio and response sensitivity to the microgel, overcoming the disadvantage of a broadened phase transition caused by hydrophilic monomers. The presence of HPEG‐Alax significantly improves the stability of the microgel in the electrolyte solution at high temperatures. The drug release of the microgels was investigated with the model drugs, hydrophilic DOX and hydrophobic curcumin, showing that the microgels can release hydrophilic drugs in a pulsatile mechanism.
Impact of fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and moderate lung hypoplasia
Authors: Cruz‐Martínez Rogelio , Shazly Sherif , Martínez‐Rodríguez Miguel , Gámez‐Varela Alma , Luna‐García Jonahtan , Juárez‐Martínez Israel , López‐Briones Hugo , Coronel‐Cruz Fausto , Villalobos‐Gómez Rosa , Ibarra‐Rios Daniel , Ordorica‐Flores Ricardo , Nieto‐Zermeño Jaime
Published: June 2021

Objective

To assess the effect of Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion (FETO) on neonatal survival in fetuses with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and moderate lung hypoplasia.

Study Design

CDH fetuses with moderate pulmonary hypoplasia (observed/expected lung area to head ratio between 26% and 35%, or between 36% and 45% with liver herniation) were prospectively recruited. Included patients were matched to a control group who were ineligible for FETO. Primary outcomes were survival at 28 days, at discharge, and at 6 months of age, respectively.

Results

58 cases were recruited, 29 treated with FETO and 29 matched controls. Median gestational age (GA) at balloon placement and removal were 29.6 and 33.6 weeks, respectively. FETO group showed significantly lower GA at delivery (35.2 vs. 37.1 weeks, respectively, p < 0.01), higher survival at 28 days (51.7 vs. 24.1%, respectively, p = 0.03), at discharge (48.3 vs. 24.1%, respectively, p = 0.06), and at six months of age (41.4 vs. 24.1%, respectively, p = 0.16), and significantly lower length of ventilatory support (17.8 vs. 32.3 days, p = 0.01) and NICU stay (34.2 vs. 58.3 days, p = <0.01) compared to controls.

Conclusion

FETO was associated with a non‐significant increase in survival and significantly lower neonatal respiratory morbidity among CDH fetuses with moderate lung hypoplasia.
Evaluation of the rheological and electrical percolation of high‐density polyethylene/carbon black composites using mathematical models
Authors: da SiIva Moacy P. , Cavalcanti Shirley N. , Alves Amanda M. , Freitas Daniel M. G. , Agrawal Pankaj , Vilar Eudesio O. , de Mélo Tomás. J. A.
Published: June 2021

In this work, conductive polymer composites (CPCs) of bio‐based polyethylene (BioPe) containing different concentrations of carbon black (CB) were developed. By using oscillatory rheology analysis, a Newtonian plateau was observed in BioPe, and all BioPe/CB composites had a behavior of a pseudo‐solid and that composites with volume fractions ranging from 0.24 to 0.56 presented higher viscosity, storage, and loss modulus. This suggests the formation of a percolated network and by using the power‐law models, it was observed that the electrical percolation threshold was higher than the rheological percolation threshold. The electrical conductivity was measured using the four‐point probe method and a sigmoid model was used to predict the CPCs' electrical conductivity percolation threshold. The results indicated that the four‐point probe method presented satisfactory results according to the calculated standard deviations and voltage–current characteristics for each round of measurements considering the same ranging as used in rheology analysis. The analytical model used showed a coefficient of determination (R2) higher than 95%, allowing the prediction of the electrical conductivity of the CPC and the percolation threshold as a function of the volumetric fraction of the CB.
Daratumumab provides a survival benefit in relapsed and refractory Multiple Myeloma, independent of baseline clinical characteristics: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Cao Congcong , Zhou Xin , Ma Qun
Published: June 2021

Daratumumab was approved in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) who previously received proteasome inhibitors or immunomodulatory drugs. However, the efficacy and safety of the addition of daratumumab in subpopulations of patients with relapsed or refractory MM is still unknown. We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane for randomized controlled trials (inception to September 2020). All phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which were conducted in patients with relapsed or refractory MM and compared the efficacy or safety with the addition of daratumumab versus control were adopted. Three studies including 1497 patients met our criteria. The addition of daratumumab increased the rates of overall response (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15–1.28, p < .001), complete response or better (RR 2.43, 95% CI 2.00–2.96, p < .001), very good partial response or better (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.48–1.80, p < .001) compared with those with control. No clear evidence of heterogeneity was found in comparisons of progression‐free survival obtained from subsets of studies grouped by the age of participant, ISS disease stage, type of measurable MM, the level of baseline renal function, cytogenetic profile. The results showed progression‐free survival benefit was consistent between the treatment groups regarding previous clinical therapy information. Patients receiving daratumumab had higher risks of lymphopenia and infusion‐related reactions of any grade and grade 3 or 4. In conclusions, this study provides a clear proof of beneficial effects of daratumumab‐based therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory MM with an acceptable safety profile. The progression‐free survival benefit was consistent regardless of patient's baseline characteristics or previous therapy agents.
Quantum Sensing for Energy Applications: Review and Perspective
Authors: Crawford Scott E. , Shugayev Roman A. , Paudel Hari P. , Lu Ping , Syamlal Madhava , Ohodnicki Paul R. , Chorpening Benjamin , Gentry Randall , Duan Yuhua
Published: June 2021

On its revolutionary threshold, quantum sensing is creating potentially transformative opportunities to exploit intricate quantum mechanical phenomena in new ways to make ultrasensitive measurements of multiple parameters. Concurrently, growing interest in quantum sensing has created opportunities for its deployment to improve processes pertaining to energy production, distribution, and consumption. Safe and secure utilization of energy is dependent upon addressing challenges related to material stability and function, secure monitoring of infrastructure, and accuracy in detection and measurement. A summary of well‐established and emerging quantum sensing materials and techniques, as well as the corresponding sensing platforms that have been developed for their deployment is provided here. Specifically, the enhancement of existing advanced sensing technologies with quantum methods and materials is focused on, enabling the realization of an unprecedented level of sensitivity, placing an emphasis on relevance to the energy industry. The review concludes with a discussion on high‐value applications of quantum sensing to the energy sector, as well as remaining barriers to sensor deployment.
Altered H19/miR‐675 expression in skeletal muscle is associated with low muscle mass in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Antoun Elie , Migliavacca Eugenia , Garratt Emma S , Barton Sheila J , Titcombe Phil , Westbury Leo D , Baczynska Alica , Dodds Richards , Roberts Helen C , Sayer Avan A , Shaw Sarah , Syddall H.E. , Sheppard Allan , McFarlane Craig , Karnani Neerja , Forrester Terrence , Cooper Cyrus , Feige Jerome N , Patel Harnish P , Godfrey Keith M , Lillycrop Karen A ,   the EpiGen Global Research Consortium
Published: June 2021

Background

Despite increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis of muscle ageing, the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Based on an expression analysis of muscle biopsies from older Caucasian men, we undertook an in‐depth analysis of the expression of the long non‐coding RNA, H19, to identify molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the loss of muscle mass with age.

Methods

We carried out transcriptome analysis of vastus lateralis muscle biopsies from 40 healthy Caucasian men aged 68–76 years from the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study (HSS) with respect to appendicular lean mass adjusted for height (ALMi). Validation and replication was carried out using qRT‐PCR in 130 independent male and female participants aged 73–83 years recruited into an extension of the HSS (HSSe). DNA methylation was assessed using pyrosequencing.

Results

Lower ALMi was associated with higher muscle H19 expression (r2 = 0.177, P < 0.001). The microRNAs, miR‐675‐5p/3p encoded by exon 1 of H19, were positively correlated with H19 expression (Pearson r = 0.192 and 0.182, respectively, P < 0.03), and miR‐675‐5p expression negatively associated with ALMi (r2 = 0.629, P = 0.005). The methylation of CpGs within the H19 imprinting control region (ICR) were negatively correlated with H19 expression (Pearson r = −0.211 to −0.245, P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, RNA and protein levels of SMAD1 and 5, targets of miR‐675‐3p, were negatively associated with miR‐675‐3p (r2 = 0.792 and 0.760, respectively) and miR‐675‐5p (r2 = 0.584 and 0.723, respectively) expression, and SMAD1 and 5 RNA levels positively associated with greater type II fibre size (r2 = 0.184 and 0.246, respectively, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Increased expression profiles of H19/miR‐675‐5p/3p and lower expression of the anabolic SMAD1/5 effectors of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling are associated with low muscle mass in older individuals.
Modeling the dynamics of total suspended solids in a mountain basin using network theory
Authors: García‐Usuga Jorge M. , Olivar‐Tost Gerard , Mesa‐Mazo Mónica J. , Acosta‐Minoli César A.
Published: June 2021

The watersheds of the Quindío River in Colombia South America have high levels of contamination by total suspended solids (TSS). The objective of this work was to represent the entire hydrographic network of the watersheds of the Quindío department by means of a graph and, using network theory, analyze the different centrality measures to identify areas most prone to TSS contamination. Similarly, partial differential equations were used to simulate the transport of TSS pollutants between specific points of the basin. For this purpose, a network of 409 nodes and 408 edges was created based on topographic maps and reports from the corporations in charge of preserving these watersheds. With information on contamination zones, the network, and partial differential equations, TSS transport was calculated throughout the hydrological network, identifying eight critical zones with high levels of this parameter. Some of these zones are on major rivers, such as the Quindío River near the city of Armenia; the Roble, Espejo, and San Juan rivers also have considerable levels.
Typification of fourteen Linnaean names in the genus Hieracium (Compositae)
Authors: Ferrer‐Gallego P. Pablo
Published: June 2021

The typification of fourteen Linnaean names in Hieracium, viz. H. aurantiacum, H. auricula, H. chondrilloides, H. cymosum, H. dubium, H. glutinosum, H. hedypnoides, H. incanum, H. murorum var. pilosissimum, H. murorum var. sylvaticum, H. porrifolium, H. pumilum, H. sabaudum and H. tomentosum, is discussed. The designation of the nomenclatural types is based on the consultation of Linnaeus's original material and the literature cited in the respective protologue. The names are lectotypified using specimens preserved at UPS‐BURSER and LINN, and two illustrations of Boccone and Dillenius. Linnaeus's original material of H. pumilum and H. pyrenaicum var. helveticum could not be found. A specimen in S‐LINN that best conforms with the diagnosis for H. pumilum is selected as the neotype for that name. The application of the name H. pyrenaicum var. helveticum appears uncertain, and therefore it is treated as nomen ambiguum. Finally, epitypes are designated for H. porrifolium and H. tomentosum due to ambiguity in the interpretation of the lectotypes.
Parameter estimation in fluorescence recovery after photobleaching: quantitative analysis of protein binding reactions and diffusion
Authors: Williamson Daniel E. , Sahai Erik , Jenkins Robert P. , O’Dea Reuben D. , King John R.
Published: June 2021

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a common experimental method for investigating rates of molecular redistribution in biological systems. Many mathematical models of FRAP have been developed, the purpose of which is usually the estimation of certain biological parameters such as the diffusivity and chemical reaction rates of a protein, this being accomplished by fitting the model to experimental data. In this article, we consider a two species reaction–diffusion FRAP model. Using asymptotic analysis, we derive new FRAP recovery curve approximation formulae, and formally re-derive existing ones. On the basis of these formulae, invoking the concept of Fisher information, we predict, in terms of biological and experimental parameters, sufficient conditions to ensure that the values all model parameters can be estimated from data. We verify our predictions with extensive computational simulations. We also use computational methods to investigate cases in which some or all biological parameters are theoretically inestimable. In these cases, we propose methods which can be used to extract the maximum possible amount of information from the FRAP data.
Unravelling HP1 functions: post-transcriptional regulation of stem cell fate
Authors: Casale Assunta Maria , Cappucci Ugo , Piacentini Lucia
Published: June 2021

Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is a non-histone chromosomal protein first identified in Drosophila as a major component of constitutive heterochromatin, required for stable epigenetic gene silencing in many species including humans. Over the years, several studies have highlighted additional roles of HP1 in different cellular processes including telomere maintenance, DNA replication and repair, chromosome segregation and, surprisingly, positive regulation of gene expression. In this review, we briefly summarize past research and recent results supporting the unexpected and emerging role of HP1 in activating gene expression. In particular, we discuss the role of HP1 in post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA processing because it has proved decisive in the control of germline stem cells homeostasis in Drosophila and has certainly added a new dimension to our understanding on HP1 targeting and functions in epigenetic regulation of stem cell behaviour.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Decision response of subway evacuation signs based on brain component features
Authors: Huang Yixin , Cao Dongmei
Published: June 2021

Due to safety issues when passengers get on and off the subway and spend a lot of time on the subway, this makes subway station signs very important. Moreover, in case of fire and other dangerous situations and emergency evacuation, the guiding signs must be able to guide passengers to leave the station and dangerous areas efficiently and orderly, so as to protect the personal and property safety of passengers. The purpose of this study was to analyze the decision response of subway evacuation signs using the characteristics of the brain components. In this study, subway model is constructed. When you perform simulation using software, you need to fine tune the parameters to get the best simulation effect. A questionnaire survey was made on the components of the subway sign. The results show that the number of people who think that the standard font of the blackboard logo is the most representative of the emergency exit, accounting for 78.2% of the total number of people, taking the image as the first choice accounted for 52.9% of the total number of people, and the green sulfur powder logo as the first choice accounted for 69.8% of the total number. This study makes an important contribution to the research of subway traffic safety problems.
Infralittoral ostracoda and benthic foraminifera of the Gulf of Pozzuoli (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)
Authors: Aiello Giuseppe , Barra Diana , Parisi Roberta , Arienzo Michele , Donadio Carlo , Ferrara Luciano , Toscanesi Maria , Trifuoggi Marco
Published: June 2021

The shallow water benthic foraminiferal and ostracod assemblages of the Gulf of Pozzuoli, located in the central Tyrrhenian Sea, were studied to investigate the relationship between calcareous meiofaunas and contaminant concentrations in bottom sediments exposed to prolonged industrial pollution. Both benthic foraminifers and ostracods displayed high-diversity and low-dominance, unusual features in highly contaminated environments. High-diversity values were possibly linked to the oligotrophic, well-oxygenated, and CaCO3-supersaturated coastal Mediterranean waters. The comparison with historical data suggested that assemblage composition changed in the last decades, with an increase in the relative abundance of benthic foraminiferal (Quinqueloculina seminulum, Bulimina elongata) and ostracod (Xestoleberis,Loxoconcha, Semicytherura rarecostata) taxa. They probably represent organisms tolerant to the environmental variations in the last decades. The relationships between granulometry and diversity indices, high correlation values betweenQuinqueloculina lataand heavy metal pollution, and the preference of the ostracod generaUrocythereisandParacytherideafor very shallow marine waters were highlighted.
A comparison of three methods for estimating call densities of migrating bowhead whales using passive acoustic monitoring
Authors: Oedekoven Cornelia S. , Marques Tiago A. , Harris Danielle , Thomas Len , Thode Aaron M. , Blackwell Susanna B. , Conrad Alexander S. , Kim Katherine H.
Published: June 2021

Various methods for estimating animal density from visual data, including distance sampling (DS) and spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR), have recently been adapted for estimating call density using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) data, e.g., recordings of animal calls. Here we summarize three methods available for passive acoustic density estimation: plot sampling, DS, and SECR. The first two require distances from the sensors to calling animals (which are obtained by triangulating calls matched among sensors), but SECR only requires matching (not localizing) calls among sensors. We compare via simulation what biases can arise when assumptions underlying these methods are violated. We use insights gleaned from the simulation to compare the performance of the methods when applied to a case study: bowhead whale call data collected from arrays of directional acoustic sensors at five sites in the Beaufort Sea during the fall migration 2007–2014. Call detections were manually extracted from the recordings by human observers simultaneously scanning spectrograms of recordings from a given site. The large discrepancies between estimates derived using SECR and the other two methods were likely caused primarily by the manual detection procedure leading to non-independent detections among sensors, while errors in estimated distances between detected calls and sensors also contributed to the observed patterns. Our study is among the first to provide a direct comparison of the three methods applied to PAM data and highlights the importance that all assumptions of an analysis method need to be met for correct inference.
Exploring Information Systems Curricula
Authors: Föll Patrick , Thiesse Frédéric
Published: June 2021

The study considers the application of text mining techniques to the analysis of curricula for study programs offered by institutions of higher education. It presents a novel procedure for efficient and scalable quantitative content analysis of module handbooks using topic modeling. The proposed approach allows for collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and comparing curricula from arbitrary academic disciplines as a partially automated, scalable alternative to qualitative content analysis, which is traditionally conducted manually. The procedure is illustrated by the example of IS study programs in Germany, based on a data set of more than 90 programs and 3700 distinct modules. The contributions made by the study address the needs of several different stakeholders and provide insights into the differences and similarities among the study programs examined. For example, the results may aid academic management in updating the IS curricula and can be incorporated into the curricular design process. With regard to employers, the results provide insights into the fulfillment of their employee skill expectations by various universities and degrees. Prospective students can incorporate the results into their decision concerning where and what to study, while university sponsors can utilize the results in their grant processes.
Latest Developments in the Management of Nut Allergies
Authors: Brough H. A. , Gourgey R. , Radulovic S. , Caubet J. C. , Lack G. , Anagnostou A.
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review

In this review, we sought to describe the most recent advances in the dietary and medical management of peanut and tree nut allergy, including selective introduction and immunotherapy.

Recent findings

Dietary updates include changes to labeling laws, improved information sources, and new apps for buying foods in shops and overseas to better protect individuals with nut allergies. There are still issues in the management of nut allergies in schools, such as parents having to resort to packed lunches instead of school meals and patients experiencing bullying. Air travel also poses concern, but additional resources are now available to travelers, and recent evidence suggest limited airborne exposure to nuts. The medical management of anaphylaxis is use of epinephrine; however, this remains underutilized. Needle length and administration devices have been recently debated considering the risk of bone penetration vs subcutaneous administration, and autoinjectors seem to deliver higher peak concentrations than syringes. Selective nut introduction has gained momentum in the last 5 years, demonstrating improved quality of life but with the need for motivated parents for continued consumption and available resources for challenges. Immunotherapy to nuts is also a rapidly developing field, with the balance of efficacy and safety being important considerations in the differing modes of administration.

The management of nut allergies is a rapidly developing field, and dietary and medical management have progressed significantly in the last 5 years. Future research directions include improving safety and efficacy of food immunotherapy and examining patients’ goals for therapy and treatment outcomes.
Multiscale friction model for hot sheet metal forming
Authors: Venema Jenny , Hazrati Javad , Atzema Eisso , Matthews David , van den Boogaard Ton
Published: June 2021

The accurate description of friction is critical in the finite element (FE) simulation of the sheet metal forming process. Usually, friction is oversimplified through the use of a constant Coulomb friction coefficient. In this study, the application of an existing multiscale friction model is extended to the hot stamping process. The model accounts for the effects of tool and sheet metal surface topography as well as the evolution of contact pressure, temperature, and bulk strain during hot stamping. Normal load flattening and strip drawing experiments are performed to calibrate the model. The results show that the model can relatively well predict friction in strip draw experiments when the tool surface evolution due to wear is incorporated. Finally, the application of the formulated multiscale friction model was demonstrated in the FE simulation of a hot-stamped part.
Structural Engineering of Hierarchical Aerogels Comprised of Multi-dimensional Gradient Carbon Nanoarchitectures for Highly Efficient Microwave Absorption
Authors: Zhao Yongpeng , Zuo Xueqing , Guo Yuan , Huang Hui , Zhang Hao , Wang Ting , Wen Ningxuan , Chen Huan , Cong Tianze , Muhammad Javid , Yang Xuan , Wang Xinnan , Fan Zeng , Pan Lujun
Published: June 2021

Recently, multilevel structural carbon aerogels are deemed as attractive candidates for microwave absorbing materials. Nevertheless, excessive stack and agglomeration for low-dimension carbon nanomaterials inducing impedance mismatch are significant challenges. Herein, the delicate “3D helix–2D sheet–1D fiber–0D dot” hierarchical aerogels have been successfully synthesized, for the first time, by sequential processes of hydrothermal self-assembly and in-situ chemical vapor deposition method. Particularly, the graphene sheets are uniformly intercalated by 3D helical carbon nanocoils, which give a feasible solution to the mentioned problem and endows the as-obtained aerogel with abundant porous structures and better dielectric properties. Moreover, by adjusting the content of 0D core–shell structured particles and the parameters for growth of the 1D carbon nanofibers, tunable electromagnetic properties and excellent impedance matching are achieved, which plays a vital role in the microwave absorption performance. As expected, the optimized aerogels harvest excellent performance, including broad effective bandwidth and strong reflection loss at low filling ratio and thin thickness. This work gives valuable guidance and inspiration for the design of hierarchical materials comprised of dimensional gradient structures, which holds great application potential for electromagnetic wave attenuation. "Image missing"
The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea
Authors: Finch Anne
Published: June 2021

This is the first ever complete critical edition of the writings of Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea (1661–1720), including work printed in her lifetime and material left in manuscript form at her death. Textual analysis, based on print and manuscript copies in repositories across the United Kingdom and United States, reveals her revision processes and uses of manuscript and print. Extensive commentary clarifies her techniques, sources, contexts, and diction. A detailed essay traces the history of her works' reception and transmission. The result is a complete view of her achievements that will promote more accurate assessments of her contributions to literary and cultural shifts, including perspectives on literary value, women's equality, religion, and affairs of state. This second volume provides established texts of Finch's later collections in print and manuscript form, Miscellany Poems, on Several Occasions (1713) and The Wellesley Manuscript, as well as uncollected poems and letters.
NULL SETS AND COMBINATORIAL COVERING PROPERTIES
Authors: SZEWCZAK PIOTR , WEISS TOMASZ
Published: June 2021

A subset of the Cantor cube is null-additive if its algebraic sum with any null set is null. We construct a set of cardinality continuum such that: all continuous images of the set into the Cantor cube are null-additive, it contains a homeomorphic copy of a set that is not null-additive, and it has the property
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, a strong combinatorial covering property. We also construct a nontrivial subset of the Cantor cube with the property
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that is not null additive. Set-theoretic assumptions used in our constructions are far milder than used earlier by Galvin–Miller and Bartoszyński–Recław, to obtain sets with analogous properties. We also consider products of Sierpiński sets in the context of combinatorial covering properties.