bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urolithin A alleviates acute kidney injury induced by renal ischemia reperfusion through the p62‐Keap1‐Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liu Mengmeng , Zhang Yaoyuan , Tian Mi , Chen Peng , Lan Yu , Zhou Benhong
Published: January 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by renal ischemia reperfusion (RIR) is typically observed in renal surgeries and is a leading cause of renal failure. However, there is still an unmet medical need currently in terms of clinical treatments. Herein, we report the effect of Urolithin A (UA) in a mouse RIR model, wherein we demonstrated its underlying mechanism both in vitro and in vivo. The expression levels of p62 and Keap1 significantly decreased, while that of nuclear Nrf2 increased in vitro in a hypoxia cell model after UA treatment. Furthermore, the apoptosis of tubular cells was attenuated and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were reduced in the kidneys in a mouse RIR model after UA administration. In this study, we demonstrated that UA can alleviate oxidative stress and promote autophagy by activating the p62‐Keap1‐Nrf2 signaling pathway, which could protect the kidneys from ischemia reperfusion injury.
Robotic‐assisted diaphragmatic plication: Improving safety and effectiveness in the treatment of diaphragmatic paralysis
Authors: Lampridis Savvas , Pradeep I. H. D. Saman , Billè Andrea
Published: January 2022

Background

Diaphragmatic plication can be performed with various surgical approaches. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of robotic‐assisted plication.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent diaphragmatic plication from 2017 to 2021.

Results

Eighteen patients underwent 20 operations, 11 of which were performed with robotic‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and 9 with open transthoracic approach. RATS was associated with shorter operating time (80 vs. 120 min; p = 0.04), less blood loss (20 vs. 100 ml; p = 0.01), shorter chest‐drain duration (1 vs. 3 days; p = 0.01), and shorter length of stay (3 vs. 7 days; p = 0.04). The median grade in the Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale improved from four to two in both groups.

Conclusions

Robotic‐assisted diaphragmatic plication is a safe procedure that can significantly improve dyspnoea and is associated with shorter hospitalisation compared to open approach.
PFAS Experts Symposium 2: An update on advances in chemical analysis of PFAS
Authors: Fiorenza Stephanie , Denly Elizabeth , Vitale Rock J. , Nigro Nick , Leahy Maureen C. , Neslund Charles , Blye David R. , Farmer Norman
Published: January 2022

As quickly as our understanding of the nature and extent of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment has developed, the analytical chemistry tools we use to study and quantify them have evolved. The last 5 years have seen commercial laboratories scramble to analyze atypical and unusual samples submitted by concerned citizens and governmental agencies. The unusual matrices have pushed innovative sample extraction techniques, as the regulated community and the laboratories await a final multilaboratory validated method to provide direction for the analysis of PFAS in matrices beyond drinking water. The large number of PFAS compounds has also sparked interest in the development of methods to screen for all PFAS without quantifying the individual constituents. Measurement of total PFAS is also useful in consumer product testing. New methods to determine total PFAS are in varying stages of development and are described in detail herein. The fact that there are more PFAS chemicals than can be quantified by commercial laboratories has also promoted the development of nontarget analysis (NTA) using sophisticated instrumentation. This article provides the basis of NTA and examples of its novel applications in forensics and compound identification. The pace of change in PFAS analysis is breathtaking and challenging for all those studying environmental impacts of PFAS. Updates on key topics as can be found in this article serve an important need for the remediation community.
Efficient integration of aggregate data and individual participant data in one‐way mixed models
Authors: Agarwala Neha , Park Junyong , Roy Anindya
Published: January 2022

Often both aggregate data (AD) studies and individual participant data (IPD) studies are available for specific treatments. Combining these two sources of data could improve the overall meta‐analytic estimates of treatment effects. Moreover, often for some studies with AD, the associated IPD maybe available, albeit at some extra effort or cost to the analyst. We propose a method for combining treatment effects across trials when the response is from the exponential family of distribution and hence a generalized linear model structure can be used. We consider the case when treatment effects are fixed and common across studies. Using the proposed combination method, we study the relative efficiency of analyzing all IPD studies vs combining various percentages of AD and IPD studies. For many different models, design constraints under which the AD estimators are the IPD estimators, and hence fully efficient, are known. For such models, we advocate a selection procedure that chooses AD studies over IPD studies in a manner that force least departure from design constraints and hence ensures an efficient combined AD and IPD estimator.
Accelerated Leaching of Unmodified Gold Nanoparticles for Environmental and Biological Monitoring of Nitrite and Nitrate
Authors: Sepahvand Marzieh , Ghasemi Forough , Hosseini Hossein Mirseyed
Published: January 2022

Accurate, simple, and economical control of nitrite and nitrate concentrations is of great importance because of the adverse environmental effects and threats to the food chain of living organisms. Due to the high potential of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) especially gold NPs (AuNPs) in sensor design, in this study, we have presented a method for nitrite and nitrate measurement based on leaching of spherical AuNPs. We have utilized a non‐toxic thiol‐containing compound that forms cationic complexes with gold ions and consequently speeds up the leaching process. Therefore, it is possible to measure nitrite ions at room temperature by changing the size of plasmonic NPs and subsequently producing measurable signals, including spectral and color changes. Due to the easy synthesis of spherical NPs, which are the most thermodynamically and kinetically favorable morphology, this probe is simple and cost‐effective with no need for well‐trained personnel. Under optimal conditions, a linear range was obtained from 10.0 to 80.0 μmol L−1 with a limit of detection as low as 0.13 μmol L−1. Nitrate was measured indirectly and after reduction to nitrite by zinc powder. The linear range obtained for nitrate was 1.2 to 3.5 mmol L−1 and the detection limit was as low as 96.2 μmol L−1. Furthermore, the designed probe could determine nitrite and nitrate in environmental, food, and biological samples with high quantitative accuracy. Due to its simplicity and high accuracy, this method can reliably smooth the problems caused by other laboratory methods in measuring nitrite and nitrate.
Nanocomposite Materials Developed from Nano‐hydroxyapatite Impregnated Chitosan/κ‐Carrageenan for Bone Tissue Engineering.
Authors: Zia Iram , Jolly Reshma , Mirza Sumbul , Rehman Abdur , Shakir Mohammad
Published: January 2022

Herein, nano‐hydroxyapatite impregnated chitosan/κ‐carrageenan (nHAp/CHI/κ‐CGN) nanocomposite was prepared through co‐precipitation approach and was compared with nano‐hydroxyapatite/chitosan (nHAp/CHI) nanocomposite for bone regeneration capability. The comparative assessment carried out through Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and mechanical testing revealed rough surface morphology, better interaction between the components, favorable crystallinity, and higher mechanical properties for the nHAp/CHI/κ‐CGN nanocomposite as compared to the bicomponent nanocomposite. Moreover, the in vitro biomineralization study showed increased deposition of apatite layer on nHAp/CHI/κ‐CGN nanocomposite as compared to nHAp/CHI nanocomposite. The cytocompatibility studies carried out using the MG‐63 cell line revealed greater cell viability when cultured in the presence of nHAp/CHI/κ‐CGN nanocomposite as compared to nHAp/CHI. In addition, appropriate swelling ability, enhanced protein adsorption, and favorable degradation rate were also observed for the nHAp/CHI/κ‐CGN nanocomposite. All the results substantiate that nHAp/CHI/κ‐CGN nanocomposite could be a better candidate for bone regeneration.
Polyvinyl butyral/3‐Hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic hydrazide/Poly (methylhydrosiloxane) Composite Coatings for Improved Stainless Steel Anticorrosion in Salt, Acid, and Alkali Solution
Authors: Chen Sifan , Li Anhang , Sun Min , Ma Zhidong , Zhang Yue , Wang Wei
Published: January 2022

An environmental‐friendly composite material, combining polyvinyl butyral (PVB), 3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic hydrazide (HNH) and poly (methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS), was prepared by facile mechanical agitation. Hydrazide compounds were used into coating to improve anti‐corrosion capability of 304 stainless steel in different environments. The tested results of structure and surface morphology showed that components were uniformly dispersed into PVB, and prepared coating on substrate was smooth without cracks and holes. According to the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization, compared with other specimens, the parameters of PVB/HNH/PMHS coatings appeared as the downward change in corrosion current density (Icorr) and upward change in charge transfer resistance (Rct), which indicated that the PVB/HNH/PMHS had the best anti‐corrosion ability. The long‐term immersion test was processed in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution at room temperature, which referred that the substrate was protected by PVB/HNH/PMHS coating more than 176 days. This work provides an ideal way of using hydrazide compounds to prevent metal corrosion.
Recent Advances of Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)‐Based Nanoparticles for Tumor‐Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Jiang Linye , Luo Jie , Hong Dawei , Guo Shuhong , Wang Shuyi , Zhou Bizhong , Zhou Shiyu , Ge Jingyan
Published: January 2022

Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) is an FDA‐approved polymer for its biocompatibility and biodegradability. PLGA‐based nanoparticles (NPs) are well recognized as promising candidates for drug delivery. However, the lack of selectivity to cancer cells limits the clinical application of PLGA‐based NPs. In recent years, a number of studies were focused on tackling this limitation and showed great potential in improving the anticancer efficacy. Herein, we summarize passive tumor‐targeting strategies through the EPR effect and active tumor‐targeting strategies through ligand modifications based on PLGA NPs for tumor‐targeted drug delivery. Finally, new challenges and possible opportunities for further research are also discussed.
Potential Anti‐hyperuricemic Agents from Proanthocyanidins, Procyanidins, and Benzophenone Glucosides via In Silico Docking Analysis Verified with In Vitro Bioassay
Authors: Ho Sheau Ling , Lin Yi li , Tsai Sheng Fa , Lee Shoei‐Sheng
Published: January 2022

In a continuation of searching natural xanthine oxidase inhibitors as anti‐hyperuricemic agent, in silico virtual screening of epicatechin (1) and A‐type proanthocyanidins 2–8, isolated from Machilus philippinensis , by molecular docking was undertaken and subsequent in vitro assay was followed. The bioassay result correlated well with the docking score. Additional A‐type proanthocyanidins 9–16 and procyanidins 17 & 18, present in peanut skin, were isolated and assayed against XO. Although their inhibitory activities were low but correlated well with the docking scores, too. This study indicated in silico virtual docking to be applicable to predict the XO inhibitory activity for proanthocyanidins with the molecular weight ranging from dimers (MW∼550) to hexamers (MW∼1750). For verifying such virtual screening to other phenolics, this approach was extended to benzophenone glucosides 19–22, isolated from Planchonella obovata . Likewise their inhibitory activities against XO correlated well with the docking score. Of these 22 compounds, the tetramer 5, pentamer 7, hexamer 8, and the digalloylated 22, having the docking score around −25.5 Kcal/mol, showed comparable inhibitory activity against xanthine oxidase to allopurinol (IC50∼40.0 vs. 58.5 μM). Further application of such virtual screening on XO template will keep going for searching potential anti‐hyperuricemic drugs.
Esters as Both Alkylating and Acylating Reagents: PCl3‐Promoted Friedel‐Crafts Reaction in One‐Pot
Authors: Guo Fengzhe , Xiao Jing , Deng Jinfeng , Li Fangshao , Tang Zi‐Long
Published: January 2022

An efficient PCl3‐promoted Friedel‐Crafts reaction using esters as both alkylating and acylating reagents has been developed. By using a PCl3/I2 combination, various esters underwent Friedel‐Crafts alkylation and acylation reactions with arenes in one‐pot, readily producing two kinds of products aromatic ketones and alkyl aromatics by one step in good yields. The Friedel‐Crafts alkylation and acylation of arene with 4‐formylbenzoate derivatives in one‐pot have also been achieved. This novel strategy features high step economy, low‐cost, metal‐free and simple reaction conditions.
Mechanism of Ligand‐Controlled Chemoselectivity‐Switchable Ni‐Catalyzed C−N Cross‐Coupling of Amine
Authors: Zhang Bo , Deng Wei , Xu Zheng‐Yang
Published: January 2022

Ni‐catalyzed C−N cross‐coupling of 5‐aminoindole and 2‐chloroquinoline provides a ligand‐controlled chemoselectivity‐switchable method for construction of arylamines. In this study, we employed density functional theory methods to elucidate the mechanistic details of this reaction and the origin of different chemoselectivity induced by Phen‐DalPhos and PAd2‐DalPhos. The calculation indicating that the catalytic cycle mainly proceeds through the oxidative addition of 2‐chloroquinoline, anion exchange with 5‐aminoindole and C−N reductive elimination. Meanwhile, the turnover‐limiting step is the reductive elimination of C−N bond. The intrinsic electric property of 5‐aminoindole (Phen‐DalPhos) control the chemoselectivity, leading to the preference of (hetero)aniline cross‐coupling. In addition, the stronger electron‐withdrawing ligand PAd2‐DalPhos, leading to the preference of indole N‐arylation
Nano‐magnetic Copper Complexes as Double‐Edged Sword against MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Gajare Shivanand P. , Bansode Prakash A. , Patil Pradnya V. , Aalhusaini Taha N. A. , Chavan Sanjay S. , Pore Dattaprasad M. , Chhowala Tarulata N. , Khot Vishwajeet M. , Rashinkar Gajanan S.
Published: January 2022

A multi‐step synthesis and characterization of nano‐magnetic copper complexes [Nano‐magnetite‐Lys@Cu(PPh3)I] and [Nano‐magnetite‐Arg@Cu(PPh3)I] with size of ∼ 12 nm and∼15 nm is reported. Complexes displayed significant anti‐cancer activity against MCF‐7 breast cancer cells with IC50 of 104.38 μg/mL and 95.81 μg/mL respectively as compared to the standard drug cis‐platin (IC50=88.91 μg/mL). The hyperthermia studies of both the complexes revealed remarkable specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 36.83‐85.81 W/g and 97.67‐125.58 W/g with therapeutic temperature of 48 °C and 43 °C respectively. The studies revealed that both the complexes can act as a double edged sword in anti‐breast cancer therapy through combined effect of hyperthermia and chemotherapy.
Synthesis of Monophosphaferrocenes Revisited
Authors: Masaoka Kakeru , Ohkubo Manami , Taue Haruka , Wakioka Masayuki , Ohki Yasuhiro , Ogasawara Masamichi
Published: January 2022

The method of preparing monophosphaferrocenes originally reported by Roberts and Wells, which requires two equivalents of [(mesitylene)FeCp]PF6 (A), was reinvestigated. By the use of inexpensive aluminum chloride as a phenyllithium scavenger, a 50 % reduction of required A could be attained. Diverse monophosphaferrocene derivatives having aliphatic C‐substituents, including four new compounds, were prepared in good yields from the corresponding P‐phenylphospholes, A (1 equiv.), and aluminum chloride (1/3 equiv.) under the modified conditions. These modified conditions showed comparable to better yields of monophosphaferrocenes and the far better atom‐economy compared to the original conditions.
Designing and testing systems of systems: From variability models to test cases passing through desirability assessment
Authors: Lonetti Francesca , de Oliveira Neves Vânia , Bertolino Antonia
Published: January 2022

In the early stages of a system of systems (SoS) conception, several constituent systems could be available that provide similar functionalities. An SoS design methodology should provide adequate means to model variability in order to support the opportunistic selection of the most desirable SoS configuration. We propose the VANTESS approach that (i) supports SoS modeling taking into account the variation points implied by the considered constituent systems; (ii) includes a heuristics to weight benefits and costs of potential architectural choices (called as SoS variants) for the selection of the constituent systems; and finally (iii) also helps test planning for the selected SoS variant by deriving a simulation model on which test objectives and scenarios can be devised. We illustrate an application example of VANTESS to the “educational” SoS and discuss its pros and cons within a focus group.
All changed, changed utterly
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: January 2022

In this editorial, Professor Roger Kirby, Editor‐in‐Chief of Trends in Urology and Men's Health, welcomes in the New Year and considers changes to both our journal and the wider world. Trends will be online‐only from 2022, so sign up to receive our regular email reminders that our next issue is available (https://secure.wiley.com/LP=8714).
Past, present and future of surgical robotics
Authors: Mayor Nikhil , Coppola Andrew SJ , Challacombe Ben
Published: January 2022

The last 20 years have seen a paradigm shift in minimally invasive surgery with the advent and uptake of robotic surgery. This review explores the past, present and future of robotic surgery, providing an overview of novel robotic systems soon to be available for clinical use.
Can urosepsis risk awareness help improve renal stone disease management?
Authors: Khan Masood A
Published: January 2022

Although the risk of urosepsis associated with renal stone disease and its management is relatively low, awareness of the factors influencing the risk of urosepsis for an individual may help optimise that person's care.
Long‐term outcomes of fetal urinary tract dilatation
Authors: Woodhouse Christopher
Published: January 2022

Many urinary tract dilatations resolve in utero or soon after birth. Surgery is only required for proven obstruction or recurrent infection. Here the author discusses the outcomes of the more common dilatations beyond childhood.
Journal watch
Authors: Kirby Mike
Published: January 2022

Professor Mike Kirby, Editor of Trends in Urology and Men's Health, picks some interesting recent papers and highlights the ‘take‐home’ messages.
Effect of heat stress on ileal microbial community of indigenous yellow‐feather broilers based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing
Authors: Jin Yong‐Yan , Guo Yan , Zheng Chun‐Tian , Liu Wen‐Chao
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The broiler chickens are susceptible to heat stress (HS), including the indigenous broilers raised in tropical and subtropical regions. HS caused intestinal dysfunction and disrupted the gut microbiota. However, the researches about the effects of HS on ileal microbiome of indigenous broilers are limited. Therefore, this experiment used 16S rRNA sequencing to analyse the ileal microbial community in indigenous yellow‐feather broilers under HS.

Material and methods

The single factor completely random design was used in the present study, and forty 8‐week‐old Chinese indigenous yellow‐feather broilers (Huaixiang chickens) were randomly divided into two treatments: normal temperature (NT) group and HS group. There are five replications with four broilers per replicate in each group. The broilers in NT group were raised at 21.3 ± 1.2°C during the whole experimental period, the broilers in HS group were exposed to 32.5 ± 1.4°C for 8 h/day from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm and the temperature of rest time is consistent with NT group. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks.

Results

The results showed that HS exposure had no significant effects on the alpha diversity index of ileal microflora of broilers, including the Shannon, Simpson, Chao1 and ACE indexes (p > 0.05). At the genus level, HS significantly reduced the relative abundance of Campylobacter (p < 0.05), and increased the abundance of Delftia (p < 0.05). In addition, prediction of microbial community function indicated that HS significantly enhanced the abundance of the microflora related to lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism and reduced the abundance of the microflora related to nucleotide metabolism and amino acid metabolism.

Conclusions

Taken together, the present study revealed that chronic HS (4 weeks) exposure changes the abundance of the ileal microflora of broilers. These findings provided new insights into the role of HS in influencing ileal microbial community in indigenous broilers.
Dark archives or a dark age for reasoning over archives?
Authors: Bell Mark , Bunn Jenny
Published: January 2022

This article considers that reasoning over archives is a joint enterprise between archivists and researchers and that both groups are increasingly using machine agents to assist them in it. It starts by considering the processing of archivists, researchers and machine agents separately. Using the different perspectives this brings to highlight different aspects of that processing, as a process of sense-making, as scholarly research activity, as practices that realise and achieve data for the drawing of further inference, it reasserts the argument that archives cannot be regarded as raw data to be reasoned over, but must be seen as the result of multiple representative and interpretive acts, of iterative realisation and activation as ‘data’ potentially involving many, many additional actors. It then goes on to consider how the involvement of machine agents fits into and potentially alters this picture by providing more detail about the basis on which they currently perform such acts.
Heat Control simulation for variothermal injection moulding moulds using infrared radiation
Authors: Berlin Werner , Reichel Vicky , Hürkamp André , Dröder Klaus
Published: January 2022

Mould temperature control has a significant influence on component quality and costs in the plastic injection moulding process. In the case of standard applications isothermal temperature control, in which the mould temperature is maintained at one level, is sufficient. For special applications (e.g. plastic optics; long, thin components; moulding of microstructures) variothermal temperature control using cyclically changing temperatures is beneficial. Therefore, the use of infrared radiators offers advantages in terms of achievable temperatures and investment costs but at low heating rates and efficiency. This paper therefore investigates the possibility of increasing the efficiency of energy input by infrared radiation into metals in particular into aluminium. For this purpose, a simulation model is developed. The numeric models used are validated by means of experiments. A short-wave infrared radiator is investigated, consisting of a tungsten filament in a quartz glass tube. The emitter power is varied from 1200 to 400 W. An aluminium sample with a thickness of 10 mm and a square base with an edge length of 60 mm is investigated. The temperature is measured on the non-irradiated side in the centre of the sample surface and at a distance of 20 mm from it while being irradiated. For the numerical model, a ray tracing simulation is carried out in a first step, the result of which is used as a Neumann boundary condition for a thermal simulation in second step. The model created can serve as a basis for the thermal design of more complex geometries.
“Real-World Study of a Dual-Layer Micromesh Stent in Elective Treatment of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis (ROADSAVER)”
Authors: Kedev Sasko , Müller-Hülsbeck Stefan , Langhoff Ralf
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Endovascular carotid artery stenosis treatment is associated with a higher peri- and early post-procedural stroke risk relative to surgery. Dual-layer micromesh carotid stents were specifically designed for improved plaque coverage to reduce the cerebral embolization risk and related ischemic events. ROADSAVER study aims to further confirm the safety and efficacy of the Roadsaver™ dual-layer micromesh stent for the treatment of elective patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Materials and Methods

ROADSAVER is a prospective, multi-center, observational study. Between January 2018 and February 2021, a total of 1967 patients featuring asymptomatic or symptomatic, non-occlusive and non-thrombotic carotid stenosis eligible for an elective stenting procedure were enrolled across 13 European countries (52 centers). Follow-up visits are scheduled at 30 days and at 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the major adverse event rate, i.e., cumulative incidence of any death or stroke up to 30 days post-procedure. All deaths, strokes and carotid revascularizations are adjudicated by an independent Clinical Events Committee. Sub-analyses are prespecified and focused on baseline patient characteristics (e.g., age, neurologic status), procedural features (e.g., access route, embolic protection use), advanced imaging, and treatment efficacy up to 12 months.

Conclusion

The present study evaluates the Roadsaver™ dual-layer micromesh carotid stent in the real-world clinical practice aiming to provide valuable insights into the contemporary European treatment trends and outcomes of elective carotid artery stenting. The large study population and predefined sub-analyses should help identify the best practices and patient subsets to benefit most from the treatment.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrial.gov identifier: NCT03504228.
The contribution of sleep to the neuroendocrine regulation of rhythms in human leukocyte traffic
Authors: Lange Tanja , Luebber Finn , Grasshoff Hanna , Besedovsky Luciana
Published: January 2022

Twenty-four-hour rhythms in immune parameters and functions are robustly observed phenomena in biomedicine. Here, we summarize the important role of sleep and associated parameters on the neuroendocrine regulation of rhythmic immune cell traffic to different compartments, with a focus on human leukocyte subsets. Blood counts of “stress leukocytes” such as neutrophils, natural killer cells, and highly differentiated cytotoxic T cells present a rhythm with a daytime peak. It is mediated by morning increases in epinephrine, leading to a mobilization of these cells out of the marginal pool into the circulation following a fast, beta2-adrenoceptor-dependent inhibition of adhesive integrin signaling. In contrast, other subsets such as eosinophils and less differentiated T cells are redirected out of the circulation during daytime. This is mediated by stimulation of the glucocorticoid receptor following morning increases in cortisol, which promotes CXCR4-driven leukocyte traffic, presumably to the bone marrow. Hence, these cells show highest numbers in blood at night when cortisol levels are lowest. Sleep adds to these rhythms by actively suppressing epinephrine and cortisol levels. In addition, sleep increases levels of immunosupportive mediators, such as aldosterone and growth hormone, which are assumed to promote T-cell homing to lymph nodes, thus facilitating the initiation of adaptive immune responses during sleep. Taken together, sleep–wake behavior with its unique neuroendocrine changes regulates human leukocyte traffic with overall immunosupportive effects during nocturnal sleep. In contrast, integrin de-activation and redistribution of certain leukocytes to the bone marrow during daytime activity presumably serves immune regulation and homeostasis.
Medial temporal lobe contributions to resting-state networks
Authors: Seoane Sara , Modroño Cristián , González-Mora José Luis , Janssen Niels
Published: January 2022

The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is a set of interconnected brain regions that have been shown to play a central role in behavior as well as in neurological disease. Recent studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) have attempted to understand the MTL in terms of its functional connectivity with the rest of the brain. However, the exact characterization of the whole-brain networks that co-activate with the MTL as well as how the various sub-regions of the MTL are associated with these networks remains poorly understood. Here, we attempted to advance these issues by exploiting the high spatial resolution 7T rsfMRI dataset from the Human Connectome Project with a data-driven analysis approach that relied on independent component analysis (ICA) restricted to the MTL. We found that four different well-known resting-state networks co-activated with a unique configuration of MTL subcomponents. Specifically, we found that different sections of the parahippocampal cortex were involved in the default mode, visual and dorsal attention networks; sections of the hippocampus in the somatomotor and default mode networks; and the lateral entorhinal cortex in the dorsal attention network. We replicated this set of results in a validation sample. These results provide new insight into how the MTL and its subcomponents contribute to known resting-state networks. The participation of the MTL in an expanded range of resting-state networks is in line with recent proposals on MTL function.
Augmented reality-based border management
Authors: Shakeri Maryam , Sadeghi-Niaraki Abolghasem , Choi Soo-Mi
Published: January 2022

A proficient border management has typically been tied to its capability to support information structuring and to make exchanges from the distributed sources. The lack of a proper access interface to information at the right time and the right place to conduct various activities. Augmented reality (AR) has been proposed as an efficient interface in order to improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of activities in the real world. There has only been a limited amount of research that has evaluated the effectiveness and usability of AR in the border management domain. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of border management and AR system integration to enhance the activities’ efficiency through improving the information retrieval process. The system development steps were adopted to design, develop, and evaluate the border management AR (BM AR) system. The system contains three AR services that include pointing to border objects, showing the borderline, and locating border objects. The system also integrates the information from different resources in an interoperable way using GIS web services. The results revealed the effectiveness of using AR for border activities, which can reduce the operating costs and effectively, access the required information for doing different activities in the border field.
Electrical and Immunohistochemical Properties of Cochlear Fibrocytes in 3D Cell Culture and in the Excised Spiral Ligament of Mice
Authors: Osborn A. , Caruana D. , Furness D. N. , Evans M. G.
Published: January 2022

Fibrocyte degeneration in the cochlear lateral wall is one possible pathology of age-related metabolic hearing loss (presbycusis). Within the lateral wall fibrocytes play a role in potassium recycling and maintenance of the endocochlear potential. It has been proposed that cell replacement therapy could prevent fibrocyte degeneration in the CD/1 mouse model of hearing loss. For this to work, the replacement fibrocytes would need to take over the structural and physiological role of those lost. We have grown lateral wall fibrocytes from neonatal CD/1 mice in a 3D-collagen gel culture with the aim of assessing their functional similarity to native lateral wall fibrocytes, the latter in a slice preparation and in excised spiral ligament pieces. We have compared cultured and native fibrocytes using both immuno-labelling of characteristic proteins and single cell electrophysiology. Cultured fibrocytes exhibited rounded cell bodies with extending processes. They labelled with marker antibodies targeting aquaporin 1 and calcium-binding protein S-100, precluding an unambiguous identification of fibrocyte type. In whole-cell voltage clamp, both native and cultured fibrocytes exhibited non-specific currents and voltage-dependent K+ currents. The non-specific currents from gel-cultured and excised spiral ligament fibrocytes were partially and reversibly blocked by external TEA (10 mM). The TEA-sensitive current had a mean reversal potential of + 26 mV, suggesting a permeability sequence of Na+  > K+. These findings indicate that 3D-cultured fibrocytes share a number of characteristics with native spiral ligament fibrocytes and thus might represent a suitable population for transplantation therapy aimed at treating age-related hearing loss.
Learning Elliptic Partial Differential Equations with Randomized Linear Algebra
Authors: Boullé Nicolas , Townsend Alex
Published: January 2022

Given input–output pairs of an elliptic partial differential equation (PDE) in three dimensions, we derive the first theoretically rigorous scheme for learning the associated Green’s function G. By exploiting the hierarchical low-rank structure of G, we show that one can construct an approximant to G that converges almost surely and achieves a relative error of $$\mathcal {O}(\varGamma _\epsilon ^{-1/2}\log ^3(1/\epsilon )\epsilon )$$

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using at most $$\mathcal {O}(\epsilon ^{-6}\log ^4(1/\epsilon ))$$

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input–output training pairs with high probability, for any $$0<\epsilon <1$$

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. The quantity $$0<\varGamma _\epsilon \le 1$$

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characterizes the quality of the training dataset. Along the way, we extend the randomized singular value decomposition algorithm for learning matrices to Hilbert–Schmidt operators and characterize the quality of covariance kernels for PDE learning.
A capaciflector provides continuous and accurate respiratory rate monitoring for patients at rest and during exercise
Authors: Hayward Nick , Shaban Mahdi , Badger James , Jones Isobel , Wei Yang , Spencer Daniel , Isichei Stefania , Knight Martin , Otto James , Rayat Gurinder , Levett Denny , Grocott Michael , Akerman Harry , White Neil
Published: January 2022

Respiratory rate (RR) is a marker of critical illness, but during hospital care, RR is often inaccurately measured. The capaciflector is a novel sensor that is small, inexpensive, and flexible, thus it has the potential to provide a single-use, real-time RR monitoring device. We evaluated the accuracy of continuous RR measurements by capaciflector hardware both at rest and during exercise. Continuous RR measurements were made with capaciflectors at four chest locations. In healthy subjects (n = 20), RR was compared with strain gauge chest belt recordings during timed breathing and two different body positions at rest. In patients undertaking routine cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET, n = 50), RR was compared with pneumotachometer recordings. Comparative RR measurement bias and limits of agreement were calculated and presented in Bland–Altman plots. The capaciflector was shown to provide continuous RR measurements with a bias less than 1 breath per minute (BPM) across four chest locations. Accuracy and continuity of monitoring were upheld even during vigorous CPET exercise, often with narrower limits of agreement than those reported for comparable technologies. We provide a unique clinical demonstration of the capaciflector as an accurate breathing monitor, which may have the potential to become a simple and affordable medical device.

Clinical trial number: NCT03832205 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03832205
registered February 6th, 2019.
A Spin Glass Model for the Loss Surfaces of Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Baskerville Nicholas P. , Keating Jonathan P. , Mezzadri Francesco , Najnudel Joseph
Published: January 2022

We present a novel mathematical model that seeks to capture the key design feature of generative adversarial networks (GANs). Our model consists of two interacting spin glasses, and we conduct an extensive theoretical analysis of the complexity of the model’s critical points using techniques from Random Matrix Theory. The result is insights into the loss surfaces of large GANs that build upon prior insights for simpler networks, but also reveal new structure unique to this setting which explains the greater difficulty of training GANs.
A high-cycle accumulation model for clay and its application to monopile foundations
Authors: Staubach Patrick , Machaček Jan , Tafili Merita , Wichtmann Torsten
Published: January 2022

A high-cycle accumulation (HCA) model predicting the accumulation of permanent strain or excess pore water pressure in clay under a large number of load cycles is presented. Data from an extensive laboratory testing program on kaolin under undrained cyclic loading has been analysed for that purpose. The influence of strain amplitude, void ratio, stress ratio, overconsolidation ratio and loading frequency on the accumulation rates is considered in the constitutive equations of the HCA model. The proposed model is validated first by the simulation of element tests. Subsequently, its application to offshore wind turbine foundations under long-term lateral cyclic loading is presented by the back-analysis of a centrifuge test on a monopile in soft clay. The results are in good accordance with the measurements in terms of pile displacement and bending moment versus number of applied cycles. It is concluded that the proposed model is feasible to describe the long-term behaviour of clay subjected to high-cyclic loading.
Simvastatin Improves Outcomes of Endotoxin-induced Coagulopathy by Regulating Intestinal Microenvironment
Authors: Xu Min , Luo Li-li , Du Meng-yi , Tang Lu , Zhou Jie , Hu Yu , Mei Heng
Published: January 2022

Objective

The systemic inflammatory response is regarded as the major cause of endotoxin-induced coagulopathy, which is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with severe sepsis. Simvastatin plays an important role in reducing inflammation. In addition, the gut has long been hypothesized to be the “motor” of critical illness, driving or aggravating sepsis by the increased intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation. Whether simvastatin plays a role in severe endotoxin-induced coagulopathy through the gut is unclear.

Methods

In this study, mice were administered 20 mg/kg simvastatin by gavage for 2 weeks and then intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg endotoxin. Twelve h later, cytokine release, coagulation dysfunction, organ damage, and survival were assessed. Besides, the intestinal barrier, permeability, bacteria abundance, and translocation were evaluated.

Results

We found that the severity of endotoxin-induced coagulopathy was significantly improved in simvastatin-pretreated mice, who showed attenuated depletion of coagulation factors and platelets, decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression, reduced organ fibrin deposition, and improved survival time. Also, simvastatin reduced epithelial apoptosis and improved intestinal barrier function by upregulating antimicrobial peptides, lysozyme, and mucins. Simvastatin increased Lactobacillales counts, while the lipopolysaccharide group showed increased Desulfovibrio and Mucispirillum, which can produce harmful toxins. Finally, the decreased intestinal permeability in the simvastatin group caused reduced bacterial translocation in the organs and blood, both in terms of quantity and species.

Conclusion

Simvastatin improves the prognosis of severe endotoxemia, and the intestinal microenvironment participates in this process.
Capturing the Influence of Jet Fluctuations on Particles in Plasma Spraying
Authors: Bobzin K. , Heinemann H. , O’Brien A.
Published: January 2022

Instabilities and fluctuations of the plasma jet in a thermal spray process can have a significant influence on the particle in-flight temperatures and velocities, affecting the properties of resulting plasma-sprayed coatings. Presented in this paper is a novel method for capturing the effects particles are exposed to in the plasma spraying process. High-speed camera images of a plasma jet generated by a cascaded three-cathode plasma generator (TriplexPro-210) were recorded for varying operating conditions. The images are processed using the inverse Abel transform. This transformation accounts for the fact that the images represent a 2D projection of the 3D jet and generates more accurate intensity values that the sprayed particles would experience. These images are then combined with particle tracks resulting from CFD simulations of the plasma jet to match the particles path with the recorded plasma jet. This new method allows a precise description of the plasma intensity experienced by individual particles with a high temporal resolution. The results show a high sensitivity of the method, even detecting the influence on the particles of the plasma jet originating from the cascaded triple arc plasma generator, which is considered as rather stable.
Vibration-Based Tests and Results for the Evaluation of Infill Masonry Walls Influence on the Dynamic Behaviour of Buildings: A Review
Authors: Nicoletti Vanni , Arezzo Davide , Carbonari Sandro , Gara Fabrizio
Published: January 2022

Tests on infill masonry walls have been widely performed by many researchers and for a long time with the main purpose of characterising the infill performance under earthquake-type excitations. However, most of these works deal with laboratory tests on purpose-built specimens. More recently, vibration-based tests have been also adopted to investigate the influence of the non-structural elements on the dynamic behaviour of buildings, with the advantage that this kind of tests can be performed both on laboratory specimens and on in-situ buildings. However, differently from classical infill tests (i.e., monotonic or cyclic lateral load tests, out of plane tests, etc.), a limited number of works is available in the literature discussing the outcomes and possible procedures for testing infilled structures with vibration-based methods aimed to investigate the role of the non-structural components. This paper presents a literature review of research works dealing with vibration-based tests performed on RC frame structures with the main target of discussing the influence of non-structural components on the dynamics of buildings. Tests on infilled buildings performed during the construction, in operating conditions and after the damage occurred due to earthquake shakings, are discussed. Furthermore, a comprehensive review about papers discussing vibration-based tests performed on infill masonry walls is presented and in-depth investigated with the aim of finding possible correlations between the dynamic test outcomes and the infill geometric and mechanical properties. From this study it comes out the need of further experimental data on both undamaged and damaged infills in order to get more reliable correlations.
Evaluation of segmentation accuracy and its impact on patient-specific CFD analysis
Authors: Bertolini Michele , Luraghi Giulia , Belicchi Ilaria , Migliavacca Francesco , Colombo Giorgio
Published: January 2022

Medical image segmentation, especially for biological soft tissues, is an issue of great interest. The aim of this study is to evaluate the segmentation performance of a commercial and an open-source software, to segment aortic root and coronary arteries. 3D printing stereolithography technology was used to generate ground truth models, which were then re-acquired by means of a micro-CT scanner. Measurements from the printed and reconstructed models with both the software were compared, in order to evaluate the level of agreement. In the second phase of this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted, to compare the outputs between the models segmented with the two software. The goal was to understand how differences in the segmentation process propagate in CFD results. Results showed that both software guarantee satisfactory segmentation performance, with average geometrical differences between reconstructed and physical models in the order of a few percentage points. However, when we consider thin details, as a sharp stenotic region, the commercial validated software seems to be more accurate in replicating the real anatomy. We also realized how apparently negligible geometrical differences, varying the employed software, can turn into enormous variations of hemodynamic parameters, such as velocity and wall shear stress, which place in the centre the delicate role the segmentation process holds. This evidence is crucial in the biomedical field and especially in a coronary arteries study, where CFD simulations can be exploited as a starting point for surgery considerations.
A novel method for calculating polymer adsorption in fractures through a dual porosity model
Authors: Sedaee Behnam , Taymourtash Assila
Published: January 2022

Increasing demand for energy and limited capacity of available resources of fossil fuels have drawn attention to enhanced oil recovery for maximum use of the available resources. Among different enhanced recovery methods, polymer injection maintains the advantages of water flooding, including the simplicity of this technique, while eliminating some of its drawbacks such as high mobility of the injected water. Therefore, mechanisms involved in the flow of polymer in the reservoirs need to be well understood and modeled. An important phenomenon affecting the flow of polymer in the oil reservoirs is polymer adsorption on reservoir rock. In fractured reservoirs, the polymer is adsorbed both in the matrix and the fracture. Miscalculation of the amount of adsorbed polymer results in the miscalculation of the fracture permeability on one hand, and concentration of dissolved polymer on the other. This, in turn, leads to over- or under-estimation of polymer injection performance in fractured reservoirs. An important tool for simulating fractured reservoirs is dual-porosity models. The models, however, may not correctly estimate polymer adsorption in fractures. This is attributable to the assumptions used in the dual-porosity model and the nature of adsorption. The present study attempts to improve the way this phenomenon is modeled by dual-porosity models. A new parameter called “pseudo-density” is defined here to replace the density of the fracture cells in the dual-porosity model for polymer adsorption. Then, a hypothetical reservoir is simulated using this new parameter, and the results of the two simulations, one with density and the other with pseudo-density, are compared in terms of three parameters, including the polymer adsorbed in the reservoir, the polymer dissolved in the aqueous phase, and the polymer produced in the reservoir. The results show that using pseudo-density instead of rock density decreases the required polymer amount to reach the maximum polymer concentration. Consequently, polymer solution viscosity and permeability reduction are increased. Furthermore, it results in increasing the polymer production compared to the conventional dual-porosity models.