bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectrum–effect relationship between ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography fingerprints and antioxidant activities of Lophatherum gracile Brongn
Authors: Liu Xiaokang , Wang Yang , Ge Wei , Cai Guangzhi , Guo Yunlong , Gong Jiyu
Published: February 2022

Lophatherum gracile Brongn. is a medicinal and edible plant resource as well as a natural additive in the functional food market. To better understand its characteristics and efficacy, a method combining chromatographic fingerprints and antioxidant activity was proposed. A total of 21 common peaks were confirmed from liquid chromatography fingerprints and were identified as 14 flavonoids and 7 phenolic acids by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry (Q‐Orbitrap/MS). Their antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH), 2,2'‐diazide‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The results showed that all of the test samples had moderate to high antioxidant effects, with IC50 values ranging from 5.2 to 16.1 mg/ml and 1.2 to 2.8 mg/ml for DPPH and ABTS assays, and the FeSO4 concentrations of 1.84–4.20 mmol/L for the FRAP assay. The spectrum–effect relationship between UHPLC fingerprints and antioxidant activity was investigated through Pearson correlation analysis and Grey relational analysis (GRA) to identify the antioxidant constitutes in Lophatherum gracile Brongn. The results showed that 11 compounds were greatly associated with the antioxidant activity with a correlation degree >0.80, which can be used as the quality marker of Lophatherum gracile Brongn.
Inhibition of glial D‐serine release rescues synaptic damage after brain injury
Authors: Tapanes Stephen A. , Arizanovska Dena , Díaz Madelen M. , Folorunso Oluwarotimi O. , Harvey Theresa , Brown Stephanie E. , Radzishevsky Inna , Close Liesl N. , Jagid Jonathan R. , Graciolli Cordeiro Joacir , Wolosker Herman , Balu Darrick T. , Liebl Daniel J.
Published: February 2022

Synaptic damage is one of the most prevalent pathophysiological responses to traumatic CNS injury and underlies much of the associated cognitive dysfunction; however, it is poorly understood. The D‐amino acid, D‐serine, serves as the primary co‐agonist at synaptic NMDA receptors (NDMARs) and is a critical mediator of NMDAR‐dependent transmission and synaptic plasticity. In physiological conditions, D‐serine is produced and released by neurons from the enzymatic conversion of L‐serine by serine racemase (SRR). However, under inflammatory conditions, glial cells become a major source of D‐serine. Here, we report that D‐serine synthesized by reactive glia plays a critical role in synaptic damage after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and identify the therapeutic potential of inhibiting glial D‐serine release though the transporter Slc1a4 (ASCT1). Furthermore, using cell‐specific genetic strategies and pharmacology, we demonstrate that TBI‐induced synaptic damage and memory impairment requires D‐serine synthesis and release from both reactive astrocytes and microglia. Analysis of the murine cortex and acutely resected human TBI brain also show increased SRR and Slc1a4 levels. Together, these findings support a novel role for glial D‐serine in acute pathological dysfunction following brain trauma, whereby these reactive cells provide the excess co‐agonist levels necessary to initiate NMDAR‐mediated synaptic damage.
Quantitative MRI Differentiates Electromyography Severity Grades of Denervated Muscle in Neuropathy of the Brachial Plexus
Authors: Tan Ek T. , Serrano Kenneth C. , Bhatti Pravjit , Pishgar Farhad , Vanderbeek Alyssa M. , Milani Carlo J. , Sneag Darryl B.
Published: February 2022

Background

Quantitative MRI (qMRI) metrics reflect microstructural skeletal muscle changes secondary to denervation and may correspond to conventional electromyography (EMG) assessments of motor unit recruitment (MUR) and denervation.

Hypothesis

Differences in quantitative T2, diffusion‐based apparent fiber diameter (AFD), and fat fraction (FF) exist between EMG grades, in patients with clinically suspected neuropathy of the brachial plexus.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

A total of 30 subjects (age = 37.5 ± 17.5, 21M/9F) with suspected brachial plexopathy.

Field Strength/Sequence

3‐Tesla; qMRI using fast spin echo (T2‐mapping), multi‐b‐valued diffusion‐weighted echo planar imaging (for AFD), and dual‐echo Dixon gradient echo (FF‐mapping) sequences.

Assessment

qMRI values were compared against EMG grades (MUR and denervation). qMRI values (T2, AFD, and FF) were obtained for five regional shoulder muscles. A 4‐point scale was used for MUR/denervation severity.

Statistical Tests

Linear mixed models and least‐squares pairwise comparisons were used to evaluate qMRI differences between EMG grades. Predictive accuracy of EMG grades from qMRI was quantified by 10‐fold cross‐validated logistic models. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Mean (95% confidence interval) qMRI for “full” MUR were T2 = 39.40 msec (35.72–43.08 msec), AFD = 78.35 μm (72.52–84.19 μm), and FF = 4.54% (2.11–6.97%). Significant T2 increases (+8.36 to +14.67 msec) and significant AFD decreases (−11.04 to −21.58 μm) were observed with all abnormal MUR grades as compared to “full” MUR. Significant changes in both T2 and AFD were observed with increased denervation (+9.59 to +15.04 msec, −16.25 to −18.66 μm). There were significant differences in FF between some MUR grades (−1.45 to +2.96%), but no significant changes were observed with denervation (P = 0.089–0.662). qMRI prediction of abnormal MUR or denervation was strong (mean accuracy = 0.841 and 0.810, respectively) but moderate at predicting individual grades (accuracy = 0.492 and 0.508, respectively).

Data Conclusion

Quantitative T2 and AFD differences were observed between EMG grades in assessing muscle denervation.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Breast and thyroid cancer: A multicenter study with Accrual to Clinical Trials Network
Authors: Peckham Merry , Spencer Horace J. , Syed Shorabuddin , Armstrong William B. , Farwell Donald Gregory , Gal Thomas J. , Goldenberg David , Russell Marika D. , Solis Roberto N. , King Deanne , Stack Brendan C.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To investigate a possible link between breast and thyroid cancer.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective review of patients in the electronic medical records of six Accrual to Clinical Trial (ACT) institutions with both breast cancer and thyroid carcinoma. Each center queried its data using a predefined data dictionary. Information on thyroid and breast cancer included dates of diagnosis, histology, and patient demographics.

Results

A random‐effects model was used. There were 4.24 million women's records screened, 44 605 with breast cancer and 11 846 with thyroid cancer. The relative risks observed at each institution ranged from 0.49 to 13.47. The combined risk ratio (RR) estimate was 1.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.50–5.18).

Conclusion

There was no association between the risk of developing thyroid cancer and being a breast cancer survivor compared to no history of breast cancer, but the range of relative risks among the participating institutions was wide. Our findings warrant further study of more institutions with larger sample size. Additionally, further analysis of the significance of regional RR differences may be enlightening.
The degenerative impact of hyperglycemia on the structure and mechanics of developing murine intervertebral discs
Authors: Lintz Marianne , Walk Remy E. , Tang Simon Y. , Bonassar Lawrence J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Diabetes has long been implicated as a major risk factor for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, interfering with molecular signaling and matrix biochemistry, which ultimately aggravates the progression of the disease. Glucose content has been previously shown to influence structural and compositional changes in engineered discs in vitro, impeding fiber formation and mechanical stability.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the impact of diabetic hyperglycemia on young IVDs by assessing biochemical composition, collagen fiber architecture, and mechanical behavior of discs harvested from 3‐ to 4‐month‐old db/db mouse caudal spines.

Results

We found that discs taken from diabetic mice with elevated blood glucose levels demonstrated an increase in total glycosaminoglycan and collagen content, but comparable advanced glycation end products (AGE) levels to wild‐type discs. Diabetic discs also contained ill‐defined boundaries between the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus, with the latter showing a disorganized and unaligned collagen fiber network at this same boundary.

Conclusions

These compositional and structural changes had a detrimental effect on function, as the diabetic discs were twice as stiff as their wild‐type counterparts and demonstrated a significant resistance to deformation. These results indicate that diabetes may predispose the young disc to DDD later in life by altering patterns of extracellular matrix deposition, fiber formation, and motion segment mechanics independently of AGE accumulation.
Primary Hyper‐IgE‐Related Salivary Gland Disease: A New Disease Entity
Authors: Zhu Wen‐Xuan , Zhang Yan‐Yan , Gao Yan , Chen Yan , Zhang Zu‐Yan , Hua Hong , Yu Guang‐Yan
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of primary hyper‐IgE‐related salivary gland disease (PHIESD), which is a newly proposed entity.

Methods

Fifteen consecutive patients pathologically diagnosed with chronic sialadenitis were enrolled, and their clinicopathological features were comprehensively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) multiple salivary gland enlargement; (2) elevated serum IgE and/or IgE‐positive cell infiltration in salivary gland tissues; (3) histology‐confirmed lymphoplasmacytic infiltration; (4) exclusion of other known diseases.

Results

The male‐to‐female ratio was 5:10. The median age was 21 (range, 3–63) years. The average number of affected glands was 3.7 ± 1.4. Submandibular, parotid, and sublingual glands were involved in 15, 8, and 2 patients, respectively. Comorbid diseases included allergic diseases in seven patients and autoimmune diseases in two. Elevated serum IgE (median 175 kU/L) was seen in all patients. Serum IgG4 was slightly elevated in three patients. Histologically, most patients had mild lesions, including mild lymphocyte infiltration (60%) and focal fibrosis (66.7%). Lymphoid follicular formation (53.3%), moderate to severe lymphocytic inflammation (40%) and severe fibrosis (33.3%) were also observed. Immunohistochemically, IgE‐positive cells infiltrated mainly around the ducts, with scattered infiltration of IgG4‐positive, mast, and interleukin‐4 positive cells. During follow‐up (median, 46 months) of ten patients without intervention and two with immunosuppressive therapy, no significant changes in gland size or serum IgE level were noted.

Conclusions

PHIESD manifests as homogeneous enlargement of multiple salivary glands and elevated serum IgE. Histopathology further verifies the diagnosis. It might be associated with anaphylaxis or autoimmune dysfunction. Conservative treatment is suggested.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:2132–2138, 2022
Low hemoglobin is associated with worse outcomes via larger hematoma volume in intracerebral hemorrhage due to systemic disease
Authors: Zhang Shuting , Shu Yang , Chen Yunlong , Liu Xiaoyang , Liu Yu , Cheng Yajun , Wu Bo , Lei Peng , Liu Ming
Published: February 2022

Whether hemoglobin is associated with outcomes of a specific subtype of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is unknown. A total of 4643 patients with ICH from a multicenter cohort were included in the analysis (64.0% male; mean age [SD], 58.3 [15.2] year), of whom 1319 (28.4%) had anemia on admission. The unsupervised consensus cluster method was employed to classify the patients into three clusters. The patients of cluster 3 were characterized by a high frequency of anemia (85.3%) and mainly composed of patients of systemic disease ICH subtype (SD‐ICH; 90.0%) according to the SMASH‐U etiologies. In SD‐ICH, a strong interaction effect was observed between anemia and 3‐month death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.60–11.9, p = 0.004), and the hemoglobin levels were linearly associated with 3‐month death (aOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60–0.92; p = 0.009), which was partially mediated by larger baseline hematoma volume (p = 0.008). This study demonstrated a strong linear association between low hemoglobin levels and worse outcomes in SD‐ICH, suggesting that hemoglobin‐elevating therapy might be extensively needed in a specific subtype of ICH.
Evaluation of the operational efficiency of southeast intermodal terminals in the grain logistics chain using data envelopment analysis
Authors: Peixoto Maria Gabriela Mendonça , Mendonça Maria Cristina Angélico , de Castro Cleber Carvalho , de Castro Júnior Luiz Gonzaga , de Melo Gustavo Alves , Batalha Mário Otávio
Published: February 2022

This paper aimed to investigate the performance of intermodal terminals located in Southeastern Brazil, verifying their efficiency levels in logistics operations of grain agricultural crop runoff, using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The results show only 25% of terminals with total and pure technical efficiency, which are able, therefore, to use their inputs efficiently, without incurring large losses. The inefficient ones only present pure technical efficiency, suggesting they are likely to present scale inefficiency of operations. The analysis of terminals has shown that a better operational productivity can be obtained in relation to the use of their structure and available resources.
A new weighted statistical convergence and some associated approximation theorems
Authors: Braha Naim L. , Loku Valdete , Mansour Toufik , Mursaleen M.
Published: February 2022

In this paper we study a notion called (E, 1)(C, 1)−weighted statistical convergence and prove a Korovkin type approximation theorem. The rate of convergence for weighted statistical convergence is obtained. In the last section we also give Voronovskaya and Grüss‐Voronovskaya type theorems and some illustrative numerical examples
Anatomically and physiologically informed computational model of hepatic contrast perfusion for virtual imaging trials
Authors: Sauer Thomas J. , Abadi Ehsan , Segars Paul , Samei Ehsan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Virtual (in silico) imaging trials (VITs), involving computerized phantoms and models of the imaging process, provide a modern alternative to clinical imaging trials. VITs are faster, safer, and enable otherwise‐impossible investigations. Current phantoms used in VITs are limited in their ability to model functional behavior such as contrast perfusion which is an important determinant of dose and image quality in CT imaging. In our prior work with the XCAT computational phantoms, we determined and modeled inter‐organ (organ to organ) intravenous contrast concentration as a function of time from injection. However, intra‐organ concentration, heterogeneous distribution within a given organ, was not pursued. We extend our methods in this work to model intra‐organ concentration within the XCAT phantom with a specific focus on the liver.

Methods

Intra‐organ contrast perfusion depends on the organ's vessel network. We modeled the intricate vascular structures of the liver, informed by empirical and theoretical observations of anatomy and physiology. The developed vessel generation algorithm modeled a dual‐input‐single‐output vascular network as a series of bifurcating surfaces to optimally deliver flow within the bounding surface of a given XCAT liver. Using this network, contrast perfusion was simulated within voxelized versions of the phantom by using knowledge of the blood velocities in each vascular structure, vessel diameters and length, and the time since the contrast entered the hepatic artery. The utility of the enhanced phantom was demonstrated through a simulation study with the phantom voxelized prior to CT simulation with the relevant liver vasculature prepared to represent blood and iodinated contrast media. The spatial extent of the blood–contrast mixture was compared to clinical data.

Results

The vascular structures of the liver were generated with size and orientation which resulted in minimal energy expenditure required to maintain blood flow. Intravenous contrast was simulated as having known concentration and known total volume in the liver as calibrated from time–concentration curves. Measurements of simulated CT ROIs were found to agree with clinically observed values of early arterial phase contrast enhancement of the parenchyma ( HU). Similarly, early enhancement in the hepatic artery was found to agree with average clinical enhancement HU).

Conclusions

The computational methods presented here furthered the development of the XCAT phantoms allowing for multi‐timepoint contrast perfusion simulations, enabling more anthropomorphic virtual clinical trials intended for optimization of current clinical imaging technologies and applications.
7 tricks for 7 T CEST: Improving the reproducibility of multipool evaluation provides insights into the effects of age and the early stages of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Mennecke Angelika , Khakzar Katrin M. , German Alexander , Herz Kai , Fabian Moritz S. , Liebert Andrzej , Blümcke Ingmar , Kasper Burkhard S. , Nagel Armin M. , Laun Frederik B. , Schmidt Manuel , Winkler Jürgen , Dörfler Arnd , Zaiss Moritz
Published: February 2022

The objective of the current study was to optimize the postprocessing pipeline of 7 T chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging for reproducibility and to prove this optimization for the detection of age differences and differences between patients with Parkinson's disease versus normal subjects. The following 7 T CEST MRI experiments were analyzed: repeated measurements of a healthy subject, subjects of two age cohorts (14 older, seven younger subjects), and measurements of 12 patients with Parkinson's disease. A slab‐selective,
‐homogeneous parallel transmit protocol was used. The postprocessing, consisting of motion correction, smoothing,
‐correction, normalization, denoising,
‐correction and Lorentzian fitting, was optimized regarding the intrasubject and intersubject coefficient of variation (CoV) of the amplitudes of the amide pool and the aliphatic relayed nuclear Overhauser effect (rNOE) pool within the brain. Seven “tricks” for postprocessing accomplished an improvement of the mean voxel CoV of the amide pool and the aliphatic rNOE pool amplitudes of less than 5% and 3%, respectively. These postprocessing steps are: motion correction with interpolation of the motion of low‐signal offsets (1) using the amide pool frequency offset image as reference (2), normalization of the Z‐spectrum using the outermost saturated measurements (3),
correction of the Z‐spectrum with moderate spline smoothing (4), denoising using principal component analysis preserving the 11 highest intensity components (5),
correction using a linear fit (6) and Lorentzian fitting using the five‐pool fit model (7). With the optimized postprocessing pipeline, a significant age effect in the amide pool can be detected. Additionally, for the first time, an aliphatic rNOE contrast between subjects with Parkinson's disease and age‐matched healthy controls in the substantia nigra is detected. We propose an optimized postprocessing pipeline for CEST multipool evaluation. It is shown that by the use of these seven “tricks”, the reproducibility and, thus, the statistical power of a CEST measurement, can be greatly improved and subtle changes can be detected.
Alternating salt‐fog spray aging of stitched woven composites: Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness
Authors: Lin Chen , Cheng Ling
Published: February 2022

The experimental investigation was focused on the effect of salt‐fog corrosion on the interlaminar facture behavior of stitched woven composites with various stitching patterns. To this aim, four kinds of stitched woven composites were exposed to alternating salt‐fog and hot‐air environmental conditions according to GJB 150.11A‐2009 standard, for 2 and 4 cycles. In particular, an un‐stitched woven composite was used as a control. Double cantilever beam (DCB) tests were carried out in order to evaluate the interlaminar fracture toughness of woven composites during the aging process, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to reveal the interlaminar damage mechanisms. The results provide evidence that the stitching method can significantly improve the interlaminar fracture toughness of woven composites. The decrease of Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness for stitched woven composites is more serious as the salt‐fog spray aging cycles are increased. The stitching density has a significant effect on Mode I interlaminar fracture properties of the stitched woven composite both before and after the salt‐fog spray aging treatment. The effect of salt‐fog spray aging became more significant with an increase of the stitching density, while the interlaminar fracture toughness of the composites increased significantly.
A quest for substituent effects on novel diamino(phosphino)phosphinidenes using density functional theory method
Authors: Khorshidvand Neda , Kassaee Mohamad Zaman
Published: February 2022

Substituent effects on singlet (s) and triplet (t), symmetric acyclic (1X), cyclic‐saturated (2X), and cyclic‐unsaturated (3X) diamino(phosphino)phosphinidenes are investigated, at B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory (X = H, Me, t‐Bu, NH2, OH, Ph, CF3, and CN). All novel phosphinidenes scrutinized show singlet ground state, suggested by the conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (CPCM) on both gas‐phase and solvent‐phase optimized structures. Singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔES–T) increases in going from acyclic to cyclic‐saturated and cyclic‐unsaturated structures in gas phase. Band gap (ΔEH–L) decreases in going from cyclic‐saturated to cyclic‐unsaturated and to acyclic structures. Proton affinity (PA) decreases in going from acyclic to cyclic‐unsaturated and cyclic‐saturated structures in gas phase. Inverse pKa increases in both polar solvents (water and DMSO). Most our phosphinidenes appear as superacids in gas phase.
Risk of somatic hospitalization in parents after cancer in a child, a nationwide cohort study
Authors: von Heymann Annika , Alef‐Defoe Sierra , Salem Hanin , Andersen Elisabeth Anne Wreford , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Wadt Karin A. W. , Winther Jeanette Falck , Johansen Christoffer , Bidstrup Pernille Envold
Published: February 2022

Objective

The diagnosis of cancer in a child is a profoundly stressful experience. The impact on parents' somatic health, including lifestyle‐related diseases, however, is unresolved. This paper assesses parents' risk of hospitalization with somatic disease after a child's cancer diagnosis.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide population‐ and register‐based study with parents of all children under age 20 diagnosed with cancer in Denmark between 1998 and 2013 and parents of cancer‐free children, matched (1:10) on child's age and family type. We estimated HR with 95% CI in Cox proportional hazard models for 13 major International Classification of Diseases‐10 disease groups, selected stress‐ and lifestyle‐related disease‐groups, and investigated moderation by time since diagnosis, parental sex, and cancer type.

Results

Among n = 7797 parents of children with cancer compared with n = 74,388 parents of cancer‐free children (51% mothers, mean age 42), we found no overall pattern of increased risk for 13 broad disease groups. We found increases in digestive system diseases (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.12), genitourinary system diseases (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.14), and neoplasms (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.13–1.27), the latter attributable mostly to increased rates of tobacco‐related cancers and mothers' diet‐related cancers.

Conclusions

This is the first attempt to document the impact of childhood cancer on parents' somatic health. With the exception of increased risk for neoplasms, likely due to shared genetic or lifestyle factors, our findings offer the reassuring message, that the burden of caring for a child with cancer does not in general increase parents' risk for somatic diseases.
A review on supervised machine learning for accident risk analysis: Challenges in Malaysia
Authors: Choo Boon Chong , Abdul Razak Musab , Dayang Radiah Awang Biak , Mohd Tohir Mohd Zahirasri , Syafiie S.
Published: February 2022

The new Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) trend is driven by the concept of automation and artificial intelligence (AI). However, Malaysia is slightly behind Singapore in terms of adopting AI innovation among ASEAN countries. This paper aims to conduct a literature review of machine learning to overcome subjectivity and bias in risk ranking decision‐making. An introduction to machine learning concerning accident risk analysis is presented, and the challenges of its application in Malaysia are discussed. Existing machine learning features were evaluated to identify the feasible application in industrial accident analysis and ensure safety decision‐making consistency. This review observed how the IR 4.0 approaches were used in the risk analysis, especially on supervised machine learning. This study also highlights the finding from the previous works on challenges in utilizing supervised machine learning, which is the need to have publicly accessible large database from industries and agencies such as the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia for the development of algorithms, which can potentially improve accident risk analysis and safety, especially for Malaysian industries.
Are gold, USD, and Bitcoin hedge or safe haven against stock? The implication for risk management
Authors: Sharma Udayan , Karmakar Madhusudan
Published: February 2022

This study investigates whether gold, USD, and Bitcoin are hedge and safe haven assets against stock and if they are useful in diversifying downside risk for international stock markets. We propose a combined GO‐GARCH‐EVT‐copula approach to examine the hedge and safe haven properties of gold, USD, and Bitcoin. We then examine the attractiveness of these assets in reducing stock portfolio risk by using downside risk measures estimated by the proposed approach and other competing models. We also evaluate the relative performance of the proposed model in reducing downside risk with the competing models. The findings of the study indicate that the USD is the most valuable hedge and safe haven asset closely followed by gold, while Bitcoin is the least valuable. It is also observed that the proposed combined approach performs best in reducing the portfolio downside risk. The findings of this study are of significance for portfolio managers and individual investors who wish to protect the portfolio value during market turmoil.
Gypsum and cereal rye cover crops affect soil chemistry: Trace metals and plant nutrients
Authors: Gonzalez Javier M. , Dick Warren A. , Islam Rafiq , Watts Dexter B. , R. Fausey Norman , C. Flanagan Dennis , VanToai Tara T. , Batte Marvin T. , C. Reeder Randall , Kost David , Shedekar Vinayak S.
Published: February 2022

Worldwide food security is a pressing concern as population increases. Thus, there is a need to increase food production on existing farmland while improving soil health and water quality. We report the effect of two conservation practices, flue‐gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum (hereafter “gypsum”) soil amendment and cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop, on soil chemistry. Emphasis was placed on extractability of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) and plant nutrients (Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, and S). Research was conducted under no‐till management for 5 yr at four sites. Treatments consisted of annual gypsum soil surface application (0, 1.1, and 2.2 Mg ha–1), with and without cover crops, and two crop rotations [corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and continuous soybean]. Soils collected at 0‐to‐15‐ and 15‐to‐30‐cm depths from each treatment at the end of the 5‐yr study were microwave‐digested with 3:1 HNO3/HCl and analyzed for trace metals and nutrients. Gypsum chemical analysis indicated it did not provide trace metals that impair soil/water quality. However, it did provide Ca, S, and other nutrients supporting plant growth. Furthermore, gypsum and cereal rye winter cover crop, relative to the control and under the conditions of this study, did not increase extractability of most trace metals from soils. The cover crop, relative to the control, also significantly decreased P extractability, suggesting cereal rye immobilizes P, potentially decreasing off‐site transport to water bodies. Under the conditions of this study, gypsum and winter cover cereal rye did not increase extractable trace metals.
Nanophotonics Enable Targeted Photothermal Silencing of Nociceptor Neurons
Authors: Roversi Katiane , Tabatabaei Maryam , Desjardins‐Lecavalier Nicolas , Balood Mohammad , Crosson Theo , Costantino Santiago , Griffith May , Talbot Sebastien , Boutopoulos Christos
Published: February 2022

The sensory nervous and immune systems work in concert to preserve homeostasis. While this endogenous interplay protects from danger, it may drive chronic pathologies. Currently, genetic engineering of neurons remains the primary approach to interfere selectively with this potentially deleterious interplay. However, such manipulations are not feasible in a clinical setting. Here, this work reports a nanotechnology‐enabled concept to silence subsets of unmodified nociceptor neurons that exploits their ability to respond to heat via the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel. This strategy uses laser stimulation of antibody‐coated gold nanoparticles to heat‐activate TRPV1, turning this channel into a cell‐specific drug‐entry port. This delivery method allows transport of a charged cationic derivative of an N‐type calcium channel blocker (CNCB‐2) into targeted sensory fibers. CNCB‐2 delivery blocks neuronal calcium currents and neuropeptides release, resulting in targeted silencing of nociceptors. Finally, this work demonstrates the ability of the approach to probe neuro‐immune crosstalk by targeting cytokine‐responsive nociceptors and by successfully preventing nociceptor‐induced CD8+ T‐cells polarization. Overall, this work constitutes the first demonstration of targeted silencing of nociceptor neuron subsets without requiring genetic modification, establishing a strategy for interfering with deleterious neuro‐immune interplays.
Steifenlose Krafteinleitungen bei Biegeträgern – Interaktion mit Querkraft und Biegemoment sowie Implementierung im neuen Eurocode
Authors: Unterweger Harald , Kettler Markus , Zauchner Paul
Published: February 2022

Steifenlose Krafteinleitungen bei Biegeträgern sind häufig gewünschte Konstruktionsdetails im Hochbau, die aktuell im Eurocode nicht direkt angesprochen sind. Im Zuge dieser Arbeit wird ein an der TU Graz entwickeltes vereinfachtes Ingenieurmodell hinsichtlich der Eignung bei gleichzeitig hoher Querkraft‐ und Biegemomentenbeanspruchung überprüft. Dieses Interaktionstragverhalten (Fz & Vz & My) wird anhand numerischer Studien eingehend dargestellt, mit und ohne Beulgefährdung im Trägersteg. Abschließend wird erläutert, in welcher Form das Ingenieurmodell in den zukünftigen neuen Eurocode prEN 1993‐1‐1 einfließen wird und wie eine deutlich umfassendere Lösung in zukünftigen nationalen Anwendungsdokumenten aussehen könnte.
Randomized trial of cognitive training and brain stimulation in non‐demented older adults
Authors: Antonenko Daria , Thams Friederike , Grittner Ulrike , Uhrich Jessica , Glöckner Franka , Li Shu‐Chen , Flöel Agnes
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Given rapid global population aging, developing interventions against age‐associated cognitive decline is an important medical and societal goal. We evaluated a cognitive training protocol combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on trained and non‐trained functions in non‐demented older adults.

Methods

Fifty‐six older adults (65–80 years) were randomly assigned to one of two interventional groups, using age and baseline performance as strata. Both groups performed a nine‐session cognitive training over 3 weeks with either concurrent anodal tDCS (atDCS, 1 mA, 20 minutes) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (target intervention) or sham stimulation (control intervention). Primary outcome was performance on the trained letter updating task immediately after training. Secondary outcomes included performance on other executive and memory (near and far transfer) tasks. All tasks were administered at baseline, post‐intervention, and at 1‐ and 7‐month follow‐up assessments. Prespecified analyses to investigate treatment effects were conducted using mixed‐model analyses.

Results

No between‐group differences emerged in the trained letter updating and Markov decision‐making tasks at post‐intervention and at follow‐up timepoints. Secondary analyses revealed group differences in one near‐transfer task: Superior n‐back task performance was observed in the tDCS group at post‐intervention and at follow‐up. No such effects were observed for the other transfer tasks. Improvements in working memory were associated with individually induced electric field strengths.

Discussion

Cognitive training with atDCS did not lead to superior improvement in trained task performance compared to cognitive training with sham stimulation. Thus, our results do not support the immediate benefit of tDCS‐assisted multi‐session cognitive training on the trained function. As the intervention enhanced performance in a near‐transfer working memory task, we provide exploratory evidence for effects on non‐trained working memory functions in non‐demented older adults that persist over a period of 1 month.
A phase 1b/2a multicenter study of the safety and preliminary pharmacodynamic effects of selective muscarinic M1 receptor agonist HTL0018318 in patients with mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Nathan Pradeep J. , Millais S. Babli , Godwood Alex , Dewit Odile , Cross David M. , Liptrot Janet , Ruparelia Bharat , Jones Stephen Paul , Bakker Geor , Maruff Paul T. , Light Gregory A. , Brown Alastair J.H. , Weir Malcolm Peter , Congreve Miles , Tasker Tim
Published: February 2022

Introduction

This study examined the safety and pharmacodynamic effects of selective muscarinic M1 receptor orthosteric agonist HTL0018318 in 60 patients with mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) on background donepezil 10 mg/day.

Methods

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled 4‐week safety study of HTL0018318 with up‐titration and maintenance phases, observing exploratory effects on electrophysiological biomarkers and cognition.

Results

Treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild and less frequently reported during maintenance versus titration. Headache was most commonly reported (7–21%); 0 to 13% reported cholinergic TEAEs (abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea) and two patients discontinued due to TEAEs. At 1 to 2 hours post‐dose, HTL0018318‐related mean maximum elevations in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 5 to 10 mmHg above placebo were observed during up‐titration but not maintenance. Postive effects of HTL0018318 were found on specific attention and memory endpoints.

Discussion

HTL0018318 was well tolerated in mild‐to‐moderate AD patients and showed positive effects on attention and episodic memory on top of therapeutic doses of donepezil.
Cardiovascular autonomic nervous system responses and orthostatic intolerance in astronauts and their relevance in daily medicine
Authors: Jordan Jens , Limper Ulrich , Tank Jens
Published: February 2022

Background

The harsh environmental conditions during space travel, particularly weightlessness, impose a major burden on the human body including the cardiovascular system. Given its importance in adjusting the cardiovascular system to environmental challenges, the autonomic nervous system has been in the focus of scientists and clinicians involved in human space flight. This review provides an overview on human autonomic research under real and simulated space conditions with a focus on orthostatic intolerance.

Methods

The authors conducted a targeted literature search using Pubmed.

Results

Overall, 120 articles were identified and included in the review.

Conclusions

Postflight orthostatic intolerance is commonly observed in astronauts and could pose major risks when landing on another celestial body. The phenomenon likely results from changes in volume status and adaptation of the autonomic nervous system to weightlessness. Over the years, various non-pharmacological and pharmacological countermeasures have been investigated. In addition to enabling safe human space flight, this research may have implications for patients with disorders affecting cardiovascular autonomic control on Earth.
Citizen science reveals current distribution, predicted habitat suitability and resource requirements of the introduced African Carder Bee Pseudoanthidium (Immanthidium) repetitum in Australia
Authors: Dart Keeley , Latty Tanya , Greenville Aaron
Published: February 2022

The introduction of non-native bee species is a major driver of ecosystem change resulting in the spread of non-native weeds, alterations to plant-pollinator interactions and competition with native species for food and nesting resources. Our lack of ecological information for many non-native organisms hinders our ability to understand the impacts of species introductions. This is often compounded by the Wallacean Shortfall—a lack of adequate knowledge of a species’ distribution in geographic space. In Australia, the African carder bee (Pseudoanthidium (Immanthidium) repetitum) was first observed in 2000 and has since become one of the most common bees in some regions. Despite its rapid population increase and range expansion, little is known about the ecology or distribution of P. repetitum. In this study, we determine the flower preferences, current distribution and predicted areas at risk of future invasion of P. repetitum using opportunistic data collected from citizen science websites, social media and museum records. We found that the current distribution of P. repetitum in Australia encompasses approximately 332,000 km2 concentrated along the eastern coast. We found considerable suitable habitat outside the current distribution including biodiversity hotspots and world heritage listed natural areas. Pseudoanthidium repetitum foraged on a wide range of plants from many families and can thus be classified as a generalist forager (polylectic). Our results suggest that P. repetitum is well suited for continued expansion in coastal Australia. Our results demonstrate the effective application of opportunistic data in overcoming knowledge gaps in species ecology and modelling of introduced species distribution.
Prevalence of Mental Disorders in a German Kidney Transplant Population: Results of a KTx360°-Substudy
Authors: Birkefeld Katrin , Bauer-Hohmann Maximilian , Klewitz Felix , Kyaw Tha Tun Eva-Marie , Tegtbur Uwe , Pape Lars , Schiffer Lena , Schiffer Mario , de Zwaan Martina , Nöhre Mariel
Published: February 2022

In patients after kidney transplantation (KTx) an increased rate of affective and anxiety disorders has been observed. Repeatedly, a relationship between mental health issues and increased morbidity and mortality in KTx recipients has been reported. However, information on the prevalence of mental disorders in KTx patients is scarce. As part of the structured multimodal follow-up program (KTx360°), mental disorders were examined in 726 patients after KTx through structured diagnostic interviews using the Mini-DIPS Open Access. Overall, 27.5% had a current and 49.2% a lifetime mental disorder. Only 14.5% with a current mental disorder reported to be in treatment. Affected patients were younger, more often female, reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression and less perceived social support. While comparable to the rate in general population samples, the prevalence of mental disorders should attract attention. The low treatment rate requires an improved identification of afflicted patients and provision of specialist treatment.

ISRCTN registry, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN29416382, date of registry: 03.05.2017.
Hand hygiene with hand sanitizer versus handwashing: what are the planetary health consequences?
Authors: Duane Brett , Pilling Jessica , Saget Sophie , Ashley Paul , Pinhas Allan R. , Lyne Alexandra
Published: February 2022

In order to reduce the transmission of pathogens, and COVID-19, WHO and NHS England recommend hand washing (HW) and/or the use of hand sanitizer (HS). The planetary health consequences of these different methods of hand hygiene have not been quantified. A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out to compare the environmental impact of the UK population practising increased levels of hand hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic for 1 year. Washing hands with soap and water was compared to using hand sanitizer (both ethanol and isopropanol based sanitizers were studied). The isopropanol-based HS had the lowest environmental impact in 14 out of the 16 impact categories used in this study. For climate change, hand hygiene using isopropanol HS produced the equivalent of 1060 million kg CO2, compared to 1460 million for ethanol HS, 2300 million for bar soap HW, and 4240 million for liquid soap HW. For both the ethanol and isopropanol HS, the active ingredient was the greatest overall contributing factor to the environmental impact (83.24% and 68.68% respectively). For HW with liquid soap and bar soap, there were additional contributing factors other than the soap itself: for example tap water use (28.12% and 48.68% respectively) and the laundering of a hand towel to dry the hands (10.17% and 17.92% respectively). All forms of hand hygiene have an environmental cost, and this needs to be weighed up against the health benefits of preventing disease transmission. When comparing hand sanitizers to handwashing with soap and water, this study found that using isopropanol based hand sanitizer is better for planetary health. However, no method of hand hygiene was ideal; isopropanol had a greater fossil fuel resource use than ethanol based hand sanitizer. More research is needed to find hand hygiene sources which do not diminish planetary health, and environmental impact is a consideration for public health campaigns around hand hygiene.
Gebären will gelernt sein! – Bildungsangebote zur Geburt zwischen emanzipatorischer Befähigung und neoliberaler Indienstnahme
Authors: Rose Lotte
Published: February 2022

Ein Kind auf die Welt zu bringen, bedeutet heute, diese Aufgabe als Projekt des „unternehmerischen Selbst“ zum eigenen Vorteil und Vorteil des Kindes selbstverantwortlich und erfolgreich zu managen. Erwartet wird nicht nur, gut informiert zu sein zu den Abläufen, Risiken und Interventionen bei der Geburt, sondern auch, eigene Wunschvorstellungen zur Geburt zu entwickeln, die eigene Gesundheit zu sichern, geburtsoptimierende Körpertechniken zu beherrschen und auf dem „Markt“ der Geburtshilfe die richtigen Entscheidungen zu treffen. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser Qualifikationsansprüche ist es für Schwangere und ihre Partner zum Standard geworden, Geburtsvorbereitungskurse zu besuchen. Der Beitrag rekonstruiert zunächst die Entwicklung der Geburt hin zu einer Bildungsaufgabe, um anschließend empirisch der Frage nachzugehen, was bei dieser Bildung genau passiert. Anhand ethnografischen Beobachtungsmaterials aus Bildungsangeboten „rund um die Geburt“ wird nachgezeichnet, wie werdende Eltern von institutionellen Akteur_innen für die Geburt vorbereitet und qualifiziert werden, welche sozialen Anrufungen sie erleben, was öffentlich gemacht wird und was auch nicht. Nachgezeichnet wird schließlich auch, welche Geschlechterordnung der Geburt kreiert wird, indem der Vater in spezifischer und von der Mutter unterschiedener Weise als Bildungsobjekt adressiert wird. Abschließend werden die Befunde theoretisch vor dem Hintergrund gesellschaftlicher Neoliberalisierungen theoretisch reflektiert.
Assessing mineral supply concentration from different perspectives through a case study of zinc
Authors: Thomas Christine L. , Nassar Nedal T. , DeYoung John H.
Published: February 2022

Increasing demand for nonfuel mineral commodities has increased concerns regarding the reliability of their supplies. “Criticality” assessments over the past decade have attempted to capture this concern through a set of indicators, the most common of which quantifies the risk associated with market concentration by applying the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) to the world production of a given commodity by country in a given year. Although this approach is useful, it inherently assumes that all of world production is available to the market and is thus potentially at risk. In this analysis, the HHI, as well as HHI weighted by country governance, is calculated for mined and refined zinc via the standard approach of including all world production data and comparing that to the HHI when using the best estimate of what is available to the world market. The results indicate that although the HHI of both mined and refined zinc world production has increased markedly over the past decade, the HHI for what is available to the market for mined and refined zinc has remained relatively constant and low, which is indicative of minimal supply risk. This is mainly owing to the fact that a large and increasing share of the world’s mined and refined zinc production comes from China, but that production supplies domestic consumption as well as small amounts of exports. As a result, the zinc materials that are available to the world market are produced by a relatively large and diverse set of countries. Although these analyses are specific to zinc, they are likely to be comparable for other commodities of which the largest producers are also the largest consumers and highlight the importance of examining different perspectives in criticality assessments.
Screening for primary aldosteronism is underutilised in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Chauhan Karanjeet , Schachna Eitan , Libianto Renata , Ryan Jessica , Hutton Holly , Fuller Peter J. , Wilson Scott , Kerr Peter G. , Yang Jun
Published: February 2022

Background

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common and potentially curable endocrine cause of secondary hypertension, and carries a worse prognosis than essential hypertension. Despite the high prevalence of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the screening rates for primary aldosteronism in CKD are unknown.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively reviewed medical records of 1627 adults who presented to the nephrology clinics of 2 tertiary hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, between 2014 and 2019. In addition to assessing the pattern of screening, we also evaluated patient-specific factors associated with the decision to test for primary aldosteronism. Patients were excluded from the final analysis if they did not have CKD, had an organ transplant, had end stage renal failure, or had insufficient data or follow-up.

Results

Of the 600 patients included in the analysis, 234 (39%) had an indication for screening for primary aldosteronism based on recommendations made by the Endocrine Society. However, only 33 (14%) were tested. They were younger, had a higher mean systolic blood pressure, better renal function, and lower mean serum potassium than those who were indicated but not screened. Of the 33 screened patients, an elevated aldosterone-to-renin ratio was noted in 8 patients and a diagnosis of primary aldosteronism was made in 4 patients.

Conclusions

The screening rate for primary aldosteronism is low in a CKD population, especially in patients who are older, have a lower eGFR and normal serum potassium. The consequences of undiagnosed primary aldosteronism in this select population may be substantial due to the cardiovascular and renal sequelae associated with untreated disease.

Graphical abstract