bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurological complications associated with Covid‐19; molecular mechanisms and therapeutic approaches
Authors: Mahboubi Mehrabani Mohammad , Karvandi Mohammad Sobhan , Maafi Pedram , Doroudian Mohammad
Published: February 2022

With the progression of investigations on the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), neurological complications have emerged as a critical aspect of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) pandemic. Besides the well‐known respiratory symptoms, many neurological manifestations such as anosmia/ageusia, headaches, dizziness, seizures, and strokes have been documented in hospitalised patients. The neurotropism background of coronaviruses has led to speculation that the neurological complications are caused by the direct invasion of SARS‐CoV‐2 into the nervous system. This invasion is proposed to occur through the infection of peripheral nerves or via systemic blood circulation, termed neuronal and haematogenous routes of invasion, respectively. On the other hand, aberrant immune responses and respiratory insufficiency associated with Covid‐19 are suggested to affect the nervous system indirectly. Deleterious roles of cytokine storm and hypoxic conditions in blood‐brain barrier disruption, coagulation abnormalities, and autoimmune neuropathies are well investigated in coronavirus infections, as well as Covid‐19. Here, we review the latest discoveries focussing on possible molecular mechanisms of direct and indirect impacts of SARS‐CoV‐2 on the nervous system and try to elucidate the link between some potential therapeutic strategies and the molecular pathways.
Secure consensus control for multi‐agent systems against attacks on actuators and sensors
Authors: Huo Shicheng , Wu Hao , Zhang Ya
Published: February 2022

This article studies the secure leader‐following consensus control problem for discrete‐time multi‐agent systems under false data injection (FDI) attacks on both actuators and sensors. It is shown that under standard consensus protocol, an attacked follower can cause normal followers to fail to follow the leader if the normal followers can access the attacked follower through directed paths of arbitrary length. To mitigate the adverse impacts of FDI attacks, a secure observer‐based consensus protocol is presented where local observer is used to estimate the system state and attack signal simultaneously and then the uniformly ultimately boundedness of state consensus error between all followers and leader can be guaranteed. Finally, a simulation example on the LC oscillator networks in the presence of FDI attacks validates the unavailability of standard consensus protocol and the effectiveness of the proposed secure observer‐based consensus protocol.
Environmental or spatial components? Patterns that structure the assemblages of aquatic oligochaetes in Argentine Pampas streams
Authors: Armendáriz Laura Cecilia , Rodríguez Marianela , Rodrigues Capítulo Alberto
Published: February 2022

The metacommunity theory includes processes that contribute, at different scales, to the understanding of the distribution of organisms in space and aims to assess the relative importance of spatial and environmental factors in the structuring of communities. Fluvial ecosystems of the Argentine Pampas are characterized by their environmental heterogeneity from slow water courses and variable development of aquatic vegetation to faster courses. They are affected by the different land uses, which are among the main threats to biodiversity and alter the dispersal of the species. Forty‐four species of aquatic oligochaete assemblages from 15 streams of nine Pampean basins were seasonally analyzed. The assemblages were characterized through estimations of taxonomic richness, α and β diversity. No differences were found in the assemblages of the substrates (sediments and aquatic vegetation) within each stream, except for Juan Blanco stream. However, differences were found between streams, as well as between basins. The oligochaetes that contributed most to the dissimilarity among streams and basins were Nais communis, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Dero obtusa, and Stylaria fossularis. Two groups of sites were identified through the analysis of canonical correspondence: those of mountain basins and those of lowland basins. The variance partitioning showed that local environmental conditions (acting as environmental filters) accounted for 15.64% in the ordering of the assemblages, while 14.60% was explained by altitude and geographic factors (as a dispersal limitation). These results help to understand the processes that organize the distribution of organisms at different scales, which could have important implications when making decisions regarding biomonitoring and conservation.
Trace Solvent Additives Enhance Charge Generation in Layer‐by‐Layer Coated Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Karuthedath Safakath , Firdaus Yuliar , Scaccabarozzi Alberto D. , Nugraha Mohamad Insan , Alam Shahidul , Anthopoulos Thomas D. , Laquai Frédéric
Published: February 2022

In bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSC), the photoactive layer morphology controls charge carrier generation, transport, and extraction. Obtaining the “optimum” morphology is often achieved by empiric optimization of processing conditions and post‐processing treatment. Better control over the morphology can be achieved by sequential photoactive layer‐by‐layer (LbL) deposition techniques, creating a pseudo‐bilayer OSC. Solvent additives can be used to modify the vertical component distribution, thereby enhancing OSC efficiency. However, the impact of solvent additives on device photophysics is often unclear. Here, the photophysics of LbL‐coated PM6/Y6 organic solar cells are reported. Enhanced power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) are observed when using 1‐chloronaphthalene (CN) as a solvent additive. Transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy indicates that the addition of 0.5% CN facilitates both exciton dissociation and charge separation, while excessive (>1%) use of CN causes fast geminate and non‐geminate charge recombination and consequently deteriorates device performance. The results outline routes to fine‐tune the morphology of LbL‐coated photoactive layers of OSCs and provide insight into the reasons for increased PCEs.
Self‐Supported Transition Metal‐Based Nanoarrays for Efficient Energy Storage
Authors: Liu Xiong Xiong , Chen Chong , He Qian , Kong Qingquan , Blackwood Daniel John , Li Nian Wu , Yu Le , Chen Jun Song
Published: February 2022

Rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors are currently considered as promising electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems to address the energy and environment issues. Self‐supported transition metal (Ni, Co, Mn, Mo, Cu, V)‐based materials are promising electrodes for EES devices, which offer highly efficient charge transfer kinetics. This review summarizes the latest development of transition metal‐based materials with self‐supported structures for EES systems. Special focus has been taken on the synthetic methods, the selection of substrates, architectures and chemical compositions of different self‐supported nanoarrays in energy storage systems. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of these materials for future development in this field are briefly discussed. We believe that the advancement in self‐supported electrode materials would pave the way towards next‐generation EES.
Dynamic hyperchaotic key generation using optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing‐based visible light communication networks
Authors: Alresheedi Mohammed T. , Al‐Moliki Yahya M. , Al‐Harthi Yahya , Alqahtani Ali H.
Published: February 2022

This paper introduces an optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)‐based hyperchaotic key generation encryption approach that can improve confidentiality in visible light communication (VLC) networks. Using a hyperchaotic four‐dimensional method, the bipolar real‐valued OFDM signal can be used for constructing dynamic cipher keys modified at every frame over the communication time, resulting in a superior degree of protection against malicious attacks. In accordance with our findings, this approach decreases the ratio of peak‐to‐average power of the transmitted signal, and enhances the bit error rate efficiency and secrecy capacity of the OFDM‐based VLC network, which improves confidentiality. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Mass transfer mechanisms of water pollutions adsorption mediated by different natural adsorbents
Authors: Ratnasari Anisa , Syafiuddin Achmad , Budiarti Rizqi Putri Nourma , Bistara Difran Nobel , Fitriyah Fifi Khoirul , Mardhotillah Rachma Rizqina
Published: February 2022

In textile industries, residual dyes and heavy metals are usually released into environment via wastewater effluent. Because of their negative effects not only to environment but also to human health, these contaminants are required to be removed from water environment. To achieve the effective adsorption of dye and heavy metal, the adsorption mechanism needs to be understood clearly. In this study, the complexity of adsorption of Remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR), methyl orange (MO), copper (Cu) ions, and iron (Fe) ions onto numerous natural adsorbents was analyzed using the modified mass transfer factor model (MMTF). The secondary adsorption data were collected from various sources. The study found that MMTF has a superior adaptability for describing the mechanism of the adsorption of dyes and heavy metals both in solely and in multi solute.
Patterning of the antero‐ventral mammalian brain: Lessons from holoprosencephaly comparative biology in man and mouse
Authors: Barratt Kristen S. , Drover Kyle A. , Thomas Zoe M. , Arkell Ruth M.
Published: February 2022

Adult form and function are dependent upon the activity of specialized signaling centers that act early in development at the embryonic midline. These centers instruct the surrounding cells to adopt a positional fate and to form the patterned structures of the phylotypic embryo. Abnormalities in these processes have devastating consequences for the individual, as exemplified by holoprosencephaly in which anterior midline development fails, leading to structural defects of the brain and/or face. In the 25 years since the first association between human holoprosencephaly and the sonic hedgehog gene, a combination of human and animal genetic studies have enhanced our understanding of the genetic and embryonic causation of this congenital defect. Comparative biology has extended the holoprosencephaly network via the inclusion of gene mutations from multiple signaling pathways known to be required for anterior midline formation. It has also clarified aspects of holoprosencephaly causation, showing that it arises when a deleterious variant is present within a permissive genome, and that environmental factors, as well as embryonic stochasticity, influence the phenotypic outcome of the variant. More than two decades of research can now be distilled into a framework of embryonic and genetic causation. This framework means we are poised to move beyond our current understanding of variants in signaling pathway molecules. The challenges now at the forefront of holoprosencephaly research include deciphering how the mutation of genes involved in basic cell processes can also cause holoprosencephaly, determining the important constituents of the holoprosencephaly permissive genome, and identifying environmental compounds that promote holoprosencephaly.

This article is categorized under:

Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development

Congenital Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics

Congenital Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Congenital Diseases > Environmental Factors
Preliminary investigation of the effects of a concert on the behavior of zoo animals
Authors: Harley Jessica J. , Rowden Lewis J. , Clifforde Lisa M. , Power Aisling , Stanley Christina R.
Published: February 2022

To increase visitor footfall and engagement, zoos may host public events that may extend outside typical opening hours. With plans to hold a 2‐day concert at Tayto Park, Ireland, this study aimed to identify the behavioral response to the music event of a selected group of species in the zoo. Twenty‐two species were observed across three phases of the event (pre‐, during, and post event). Specific behaviors of interest were categorized as active, resting, asleep, abnormal, and out of sight, with repeated observations being made at each enclosure during each phase. Alongside these behavioral data, sound pressure levels (SPLs) were concurrently recorded at the observation locations in terms of both dB(A) and dB(C). The median dB(C) levels during the event were found to be significantly higher (mdn = 64.5 dB) when compared with both pre‐event (mdn = 60.7 dB) and postevent phases (mdn = 59.4 dB), while dB(A) levels were only significantly higher during the event (51.7 dB) when compared with the pre‐event phase (mdn = 49.8 dB). We found some species‐specific behavioral changes (mainly associated with active and resting behaviors) correlated with increased SPLs and/or event itself. However, the behavioral responses varied between species and there were numerous species that did not respond with any change in behavior to the increased SPLs or the event itself. This variation in response across species reinforces the need for monitoring of behavioral changes as well as consideration of their natural behavioral ecology when implementing appropriate mitigation strategies. Further research should be encouraged to provide an evidence‐based assessment of how music events may affect animal welfare and behavior and to test the efficacy of mitigation strategies that are implemented to safeguard animal welfare.
Survey of current group demographics and management practices of bachelor groups of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) across North America
Authors: Gartland Kylen N. , Carrigan Jodi , White Frances J.
Published: February 2022

Recommendations for the successful management and maintenance of bachelor groups of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in zoological settings have been an increasingly prevalent focus within the zoological community. Over the past two decades, studies have examined the impact of various environmental factors on the stability of bachelor groups, proposed management strategies for bachelor groups, and compared behavioral trends between bachelor and mixed‐sex groups. These studies have clearly demonstrated that bachelor groups are complex social units that require specialized management approaches. In this study, we aimed to assess the extent to which bachelor group management across North American zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums aligns with established recommendations. We distributed a comprehensive survey broadly encompassing habitat and housing, aggression and wounding, group demographics, feeding, and training to the 22 zoos housing bachelor groups as of 2019. We received completed surveys from 19 zoos, representing a total of 21 social units and 59 individual gorillas. We used descriptive statistics to represent the range of current management strategies across the surveyed population and ANOVAs to assess significant variation in key demographic variables. Our results demonstrate that a majority of zoos have adopted the best practices for the formation of social groups established by Stoinski et al. in 2004. However, there is much less standardization across zoos in protocols surrounding training and feeding. Additionally, important variables in the assessment of wounding, such as time of day and location, are often unknown or not observed by animal care professionals. We highlight these two areas as being of particular focus in developing and adhering to consistent protocols across institutions.
Privacy and the Internet of Things
Authors: Lipford Heather Richter , Tabassum Madiha , Bahirat Paritosh , Yao Yaxing , Knijnenburg Bart P.
Published: February 2022

Using networks of Internet-connected sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT) makes technologies “smart” by enabling automation, personalization, and remote control. At the same time, IoT technologies introduce challenging privacy issues that may frustrate their widespread adoption. This chapter addresses the privacy challenges of IoT technologies from a user-centered perspective and demonstrates these prevalent issues in the domains of wearables (e.g., fitness trackers), household technologies (e.g., smart voice assistants), and devices that exist in the public domain (e.g., security cameras). The chapter ends with a comprehensive list of solutions and guidelines that can help researchers and practitioners introduce usable privacy to the domain of IoT.
Cross-Cultural Privacy Differences
Authors: Li Yao
Published: February 2022

As many technologies have become available around the world and users increasingly share personal information online with people and organizations from different countries and cultures, there is an urgent need to investigate the cross-cultural differences in users’ privacy attitudes and behaviors in the use of these technologies. Such investigation is important to understand how users in different cultures manage their information privacy differently and to inform the privacy design for technologies that are used globally. This chapter covers major cross-cultural differences that have been reported in privacy research. Specifically, it briefly reviews the concept of culture, discusses the cross-cultural differences in privacy management, and recommends design implications on privacy design in the international context.
Privacy and Behavioral Economics
Authors: Acquisti Alessandro , Brandimarte Laura , Loewenstein George
Published: February 2022

There are diverse streams of empirical research attempting to study complex privacy behaviors in different scenarios. In this chapter, we connect those streams and present them under three themes: (1) individuals’ uncertainty about their own preferences as well as their uncertainty about the consequences of information disclosure; (2) the context-dependence of individuals’ concern, or lack thereof, about privacy; (3) the degree to which privacy concerns are malleable and prone to manipulations by commercial and government entities. Building on these themes, we discuss the role of public policy in the protection of privacy in the information age.
Fake Malware Generation Using HMM and GAN
Authors: Trehan Harshit , Di Troia Fabio
Published: February 2022

In the past decade, the number of malware attacks have grown considerably and, more importantly, evolved. Many researchers have successfully integrated state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to combat this ever present and rising threat to information security. However, the lack of enough data to appropriately train these machine learning models is one big challenge that is still present. Generative modelling has proven to be very efficient at generating image-like synthesized data that can match the actual data distribution. In this paper, we aim to generate malware samples as opcode sequences and attempt to differentiate them from the real ones with the goal to build fake malware data that can be used to effectively train the machine learning models. We use and compare different Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) algorithms and Hidden Markov Models (HMM) to generate such fake samples obtaining promising results.
End-to-End Security Scheme for E-Health Systems Using DNA-Based ECC
Authors: Moosavi Sanaz Rahimi , Izadifar Arman
Published: February 2022

Today, the amount of data produced and stored in computing Internet of Things (IoT) devices is growing. Massive volumes of sensitive information are exchanged between these devices making it critical to ensure the security of these data. Cryptography is a widely used method for ensuring data security. Many lightweight cryptographic algorithms have been developed to address the limitations of resources on the IoT devices. Such devices have limited processing capabilities in terms of memory, processing power, storage, etc. The primary goal of exploiting cryptographic technique is to send data from the sender to the receiver in the most secure way to prevent eavesdropping of the content of the original data. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end security scheme for IoT system. The proposed scheme consists of (i) a secure and efficient mutual authentication scheme based on the Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and the Quark lightweight hash design, and (ii) a secure end-to-end communication based on Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and ECC. DNA Cryptography is the cryptographic technique to encrypt and decrypt the original data using DNA sequences based on its biological processes. It is a novel technique to hide data from unauthorized access with the help of DNA. The security analysis of the proposed scheme reveals that it is secure against the relevant threat models and provides a higher security level than the existing related work in the literature.
New BPS solitons in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 gauged supergravity and black holes in Einstein-Yang-Mills-dilaton theory
Authors: Canfora Fabrizio , Oliva Julio , Oyarzo Marcelo
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We start by revisiting the problem of finding BPS solutions in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SU (2) × SU (2) gauged supergravity. We report on a new supersymmetric solution in the Abelian sector of the theory, which describes a soliton that is regular everywhere. The solution is 1/4 BPS and can be obtained from a double analytic continuation of a planar solution found by Klemm in hep-th/9810090. Also in the Abelian sector, but now for a spherically symmetric ansatz we find a new solution whose supersymmetric nature was overlooked in the previous literature. Then, we move to the non-Abelian sector of the theory by considering the meron ansatz for SU (2). We construct electric-meronic and double-meron solutions and show that the latter also leads to 1/4 BPS configurations that are singular and acquire an extra conformal Killing vector. We then move beyond the supergravity embedding of this theory by modifying the self-interaction of the scalar, but still within the same meron ansatz for a single gauge field, which is dilatonically coupled with the scalar. We construct exact black holes for two families of self-interactions that admit topologically Lifshitz black holes, as well as other black holes with interesting causal structures and asymptotic behavior. We analyze some thermal properties of these spacetimes.
Energy-weighted message passing: an infra-red and collinear safe graph neural network algorithm
Authors: Konar Partha , Ngairangbam Vishal S. , Spannowsky Michael
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Hadronic signals of new-physics origin at the Large Hadron Collider can remain hidden within the copiously produced hadronic jets. Unveiling such signatures require highly performant deep-learning algorithms. We construct a class of Graph Neural Networks (GNN) in the message-passing formalism that makes the network output infra-red and collinear (IRC) safe, an important criterion satisfied within perturbative QCD calculations. Including IRC safety of the network output as a requirement in the construction of the GNN improves its explainability and robustness against theoretical uncertainties in the data. We generalise Energy Flow Networks (EFN), an IRC safe deep-learning algorithm on a point cloud, defining energy weighted local and global readouts on GNNs. Applying the simplest of such networks to identify top quarks, W bosons and quark/gluon jets, we find that it outperforms state-of-the-art EFNs. Additionally, we obtain a general class of graph construction algorithms that give structurally invariant graphs in the IRC limit, a necessary criterion for the IRC safety of the GNN output.
Understanding the pathogenesis of lean non-autoimmune diabetes in an African population with newly diagnosed diabetes
Authors: Kibirige Davis , Sekitoleko Isaac , Lumu William , Jones Angus G. , Hattersley Andrew T. , Smeeth Liam , Nyirenda Moffat J.
Published: February 2022

Aims/hypothesis

Apparent type 2 diabetes is increasingly reported in lean adult individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. However, studies undertaking robust clinical and metabolic characterisation of lean individuals with new-onset type 2 diabetes are limited in this population. This cross-sectional study aimed to perform a detailed clinical and metabolic characterisation of newly diagnosed adult patients with diabetes in Uganda, in order to compare features between lean and non-lean individuals.

Methods

Socio-demographic, clinical, biophysical and metabolic (including oral glucose tolerance test) data were collected on 568 adult patients with newly diagnosed diabetes. Participants were screened for islet autoantibodies to exclude those with autoimmune diabetes. The remaining participants (with type 2 diabetes) were then classified as lean (BMI <25 kg/m2) or non-lean (BMI ≥25 kg/m2), and their socio-demographic, clinical, biophysical and metabolic characteristics were compared.

Results

Thirty-four participants (6.4%) were excluded from analyses because they were positive for pancreatic autoantibodies, and a further 34 participants because they had incomplete data. For the remaining 500 participants, the median (IQR) age, BMI and HbA1c were 48 years (39–58), 27.5 kg/m2 (23.6–31.4) and 90 mmol/mol (61–113) (10.3% [7.7–12.5]), respectively, with a female predominance (approximately 57%). Of the 500 participants, 160 (32%) and 340 (68%) were lean and non-lean, respectively. Compared with non-lean participants, lean participants were mainly male (60.6% vs 35.3%, p<0.001) and had lower visceral adiposity level (5 [4–7] vs 11 [9–13], p<0.001) and features of the metabolic syndrome (uric acid, 246.5 [205.0–290.6] vs 289 [234–347] μmol/l, p<0.001; leptin, 660.9 [174.5–1993.1] vs 3988.0 [1336.0–6595.0] pg/ml, p<0.001). In addition, they displayed markedly reduced markers of beta cell function (oral insulinogenic index 0.8 [0.3–2.5] vs 1.6 [0.6–4.6] pmol/mmol; 120 min serum C-peptide 0.70 [0.33–1.36] vs 1.02 [0.60–1.66] nmol/l, p<0.001).

Conclusions/interpretation

Approximately one-third of participants with incident adult-onset non-autoimmune diabetes had BMI <25 kg/m2. Diabetes in these lean individuals was more common in men, and predominantly associated with reduced pancreatic secretory function rather than insulin resistance. The underlying pathological mechanisms are unclear, but this is likely to have important management implications.

Graphical abstract
Assessing the effectiveness of social network interventions for adults with a diagnosis of mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of impact
Authors: Brooks Helen , Devereux-Fitzgerald Angela , Richmond Laura , Bee Penny , Lovell Karina , Caton Neil , Cherry Mary Gemma , Edwards Bethan Mair , Downs James , Bush Laura , Vassilev Ivaylo , Young Bridget , Rogers Anne
Published: February 2022

Background

Social connections have been linked to the genesis and amelioration of mental health problems and thus have potential therapeutic value.

Purpose

To identify the current evidence base, assess risk of bias and synthesise findings on the effectiveness of social network interventions for people with mental health problems.

Methods

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus) and grey literature databases were systematically searched from inception to October 2021 using free text syntax combining synonyms for ‘mental health problems’ and ‘social network interventions’. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they reported data from randomised controlled trials on the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve social networks for adults (18+) with mental health problems. Papers were independently reviewed for inclusion with conflicts resolved through consensus. Included papers were quality assessed and data extracted and synthesized narratively. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

Results

Nine studies randomising 2226 participants were included. Four focused on those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychosis, one on major depressive disorder and four included all types of mental health diagnoses. The current evidence base is of unclear quality. However, interventions which focused on supporting social activities appear to hold the most promise for enhancing social networks. Data on cost-effectiveness and research acceptability were limited, but suggest the potential economic feasibility of and acceptability for evaluating these interventions.

Conclusion

There is emerging evidence that social network interventions can be effective in improving social connections for people with mental health problems. However, further evaluations with robust methodological approaches are required to inform evidence-based recommendations for health services.
Circulating microRNA miR-137 as a stable biomarker for methamphetamine abstinence
Authors: Kim Baeksun , Tag Sung Hyun , Kim Yong Sik , Cho Sung Nam , Im Heh-In
Published: February 2022

Objective

Stimulant use instigates abstinence syndrome in humans. miRNAs are a critical component for the pathophysiology of stimulant abstinence. Here we sought to identify a miRNA marker of methamphetamine abstinence in the circulating extracellular vesicles (cEVs).

Methods

miR-137 in the cEVs was quantified by qPCR in thirty-seven patients under methamphetamine abstinence and thirty-five age-matched healthy controls recruited from 2014 to 2016 from the general adult population in a hospital setting, Seoul, South Korea. Diagnostic power was evaluated by area under curve in the receiver-operating characteristics curve and other multiple statistical parameters.

Results

Patients under methamphetamine abstinence exhibited a significant reduction in cEV miR-137. Overall, cEV miR-137 had high potential as a blood-based marker of methamphetamine abstinence. cEV miR-137 retained the diagnostic power irrespective of the duration of methamphetamine abstinence or methamphetamine use. Interestingly, cEV miR-137 interacted with age: Control participants displayed an aging-dependent reduction of cEV miR-137, while methamphetamine-abstinent patients showed an aging-dependent increase in cEV miR-137. Accordingly, cEV miR-137 had variable diagnostic power depending on age, in which cEV miR-137 more effectively discriminated methamphetamine abstinence in the younger population. Duration of methamphetamine use or abstinence, cigarette smoking status, depressive disorder, or antidepressant treatment did not interact with the methamphetamine abstinence-induced reduction of cEV miR-137.

Conclusion

Our data collectively demonstrated that miR-137 in the circulating extracellular vesicles held high potential as a stable and accurate diagnostic marker of methamphetamine abstinence syndrome.
Teleocidin-producing genotype of Streptomyces clavuligerus ATCC 27064
Authors: Pivk Lukančič Petra , Drčar Tjaša , Bruccoleri Robert , Črnugelj Martin , Mrak Peter
Published: February 2022

Streptomyces clavuligerus is an industrially important producer of clavulanic acid (CA), a β-lactamase inhibitor which is used together with amoxicillin in one of the most widely prescribed antibacterial medicines, the co-amoxiclav. In a mid-eighties ATCC vial of S. clavuligerus ATCC 27064 culture, we have found a new genotype, which was apparently lost from the subsequent ATCC collection stocks, and has remained obscure to the scientific community. Most importantly, this genotype harbors teleocidin (lyngbyatoxin) biosynthetic genes, which are located on an enigmatic 138 kb chromosomal region and support accumulation of significant amounts of these highly toxic, tumor-promoting secondary metabolites in cultures of S. clavuligerus. While this genomic region is completely absent from all published sequences for S. clavuligerus ATCC strain, at least one of the industrial strains for commercial production of CA, originating from ATCC 27064, retained the genetic potential for production of teleocidins. The origin of teleocidin biosynthetic cluster can now be traced back to early S. clavuligerus stocks at the ATCC. Our work provides a genome sequence and a deposited monoisolate of this genotype. Given the scale of industrial use of S. clavuligerus world-wide and toxicity of teleocidins, we also discuss the environmental and safety implications and provide a method of abolishing teleocidin production without affecting productivity of CA.

Key points

• Early stocks of S. clavuligerus ATCC 27064 produce toxic teleocidins

• Teleocidin biosynthetic genes were found within a distinct S. clavuligerus genotype

• The genotype has been passed on to some industrial clavulanic acid producer strains
Quantitative classification and radiomics of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in indeterminate thyroid nodules
Authors: de Koster Elizabeth J. , Noortman Wyanne A. , Mostert Jacob M. , Booij Jan , Brouwer Catherine B. , de Keizer Bart , de Klerk John M. H. , Oyen Wim J. G. , van Velden Floris H. P. , de Geus-Oei Lioe-Fee , Vriens Dennis ,   for the EfFECTS trial study group
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To evaluate whether quantitative [18F]FDG-PET/CT assessment, including radiomic analysis of [18F]FDG-positive thyroid nodules, improved the preoperative differentiation of indeterminate thyroid nodules of non-Hürthle cell and Hürthle cell cytology.

Methods

Prospectively included patients with a Bethesda III or IV thyroid nodule underwent [18F]FDG-PET/CT imaging. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for standardised uptake values (SUV) and SUV-ratios, including assessment of SUV cut-offs at which a malignant/borderline neoplasm was reliably ruled out (≥ 95% sensitivity). [18F]FDG-positive scans were included in radiomic analysis. After segmentation at 50% of SUVpeak, 107 radiomic features were extracted from [18F]FDG-PET and low-dose CT images. Elastic net regression classifiers were trained in a 20-times repeated random split. Dimensionality reduction was incorporated into the splits. Predictive performance of radiomics was presented as mean area under the ROC curve (AUC) across the test sets.

Results

Of 123 included patients, 84 (68%) index nodules were visually [18F]FDG-positive. The malignant/borderline rate was 27% (33/123). SUV-metrices showed AUCs ranging from 0.705 (95% CI, 0.601–0.810) to 0.729 (0.633–0.824), 0.708 (0.580–0.835) to 0.757 (0.650–0.864), and 0.533 (0.320–0.747) to 0.700 (0.502–0.898) in all (n = 123), non-Hürthle (n = 94), and Hürthle cell (n = 29) nodules, respectively. At SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmax-ratio, and SUVpeak-ratio cut-offs of 2.1 g/mL, 1.6 g/mL, 1.2, and 0.9, respectively, sensitivity of [18F]FDG-PET/CT was 95.8% (95% CI, 78.9–99.9%) in non-Hürthle cell nodules. In Hürthle cell nodules, cut-offs of 5.2 g/mL, 4.7 g/mL, 3.4, and 2.8, respectively, resulted in 100% sensitivity (95% CI, 66.4–100%). Radiomic analysis of 84 (68%) [18F]FDG-positive nodules showed a mean test set AUC of 0.445 (95% CI, 0.290–0.600) for the PET model.

Conclusion

Quantitative [18F]FDG-PET/CT assessment ruled out malignancy in indeterminate thyroid nodules. Distinctive, higher SUV cut-offs should be applied in Hürthle cell nodules to optimize rule-out ability. Radiomic analysis did not contribute to the additional differentiation of [18F]FDG-positive nodules.

Trial registration number

This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02208544 (5 August 2014), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02208544.
Comparison of antipsychotic drug use among Dutch Youth before and after implementation of the Youth Act (2010–2019)
Authors: Bais Y. , Hermans R. A. , Schuiling-Veninga C. C. M. , Bos H. J. , Kloosterboer S. M. , de Winter B. C. M. , Simoons M. , Dieleman G. C. , Hillegers M. H. J. , Koch B. C. P. , Dierckx B.
Published: February 2022

Objective

The Dutch law on youth care (the Youth Act) was implemented from 2015 onwards. One of the government’s aims by implementing this new policy was de-medicalization of youths by separating youth mental healthcare from the rest of the healthcare system. A previous study conducted by our research group showed that prevalence rates of antipsychotic drug prescriptions stabilized among Dutch youth in the period 2005–2015, just before the introduction of the Youth Act. In our study, we aimed to describe antipsychotic drug use among Dutch children aged 0–19 years old before and after implementation of the Youth Act (2010–2019).

Methods

We analyzed prescription data of 7405 youths aged 0–19 years using antipsychotic drugs between 2010 and 2019, derived from a large Dutch community pharmacy-based prescription database (IADB.nl).

Results

Prevalence rates of antipsychotic drug use per thousand youths decreased significantly in youths aged 7–12 years old in 2019 compared to 2015 (7.9 vs 9.0 p < 0.05). By contrast, prevalence rates increased in adolescent females in 2019 compared to 2015 (11.8 vs 9.5 p < 0.05). Incidence rates increased significantly in adolescent youths in 2019 compared to 2015 (3.9 vs 3.0 p < 0.05), specifically among adolescent girls (4.2 per thousand in 2019 compared to 3.0 per thousand in 2015). Dosages in milligram declined for the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs during the study period. The mean duration of antipsychotic drug use in the study period was 5.7 (95% CI 5.2–6.2) months.

Conclusion

Despite the aim of the Youth Act to achieve de-medicalization of youths, no clear reduction was observed in prevalence rates of antipsychotic drugs or treatment duration in all subgroups. Prevalence rates even increased in adolescent females.
Separate collection and bio-waste valorization in the Italian poultry sector by material flow analysis
Authors: Bux Christian , Amicarelli Vera
Published: February 2022

Poultry meat production and consumption face several challenges under economic, social and environmental perspectives, and increasing concerns are associated with food loss and waste minimization. One of the main issues is related to the absence of a homogeneous and standardized separate collection of bio-waste at country level, which makes chicken bones, skin and food waste valorization a challenging goal. The present research, implementing the material flow analysis to the Italian poultry sector, aims at measuring poultry-related co-products and by-products, exploring food waste, chicken bones and skin and the current trends in the Italian bio-waste separate collection. Then, it discusses alternative separate collection strategies and sustainable consumption habits. Data have been collected according to a research triangulation approach, whereas system boundaries consider slaughterhouse, distribution and final consumption stage. It emerges that more than 1.50 Mt of live animals have been processed to obtain 0.46 Mt of fresh meat and 0.76 Mt of co-products and by-products, of which more than 0.32 Mt are represented by chicken bones and skin. In addition, more than 0.15 Mt of food waste have been recorded. The research adds an extra step towards the identification of awareness campaigns and separate collection strategies at national level.
Finite Element Systems for Vector Bundles: Elasticity and Curvature
Authors: Christiansen Snorre H. , Hu Kaibo
Published: February 2022

We develop a theory of finite element systems, for the purpose of discretizing sections of vector bundles, in particular those arising in the theory of elasticity. In the presence of curvature, we prove a discrete Bianchi identity. In the flat case, we prove a de Rham theorem on cohomology groups. We check that some known mixed finite elements for the stress–displacement formulation of elasticity fit our framework. We also define, in dimension two, the first conforming finite element spaces of metrics with good linearized curvature, corresponding to strain tensors with Saint-Venant compatibility conditions. Cochains with coefficients in rigid motions are given a key role in relating continuous and discrete elasticity complexes.
The additional use of strain measurements for timing of treatment in severe aortic regurgitation
Authors: Sinning Christoph
Published: February 2022

Assessment of severity and need for intervention in clinical practice often is in need for a thorough echocardiography regarding function of the ventricles and additional valvular dysfunction. Despite the indications recommended in the current guidelines, there is still need for further research to identify patients with a severe valvular dysfunction but a potential reversible status regarding the function of the ventricles. Strain imaging is suggested in the current literature to be an additional tool to identify ventricular dysfunction in the setting of preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.
Toxicity screening of bisphenol A replacement compounds: cytotoxicity and mRNA expression in LMH 3D spheroids
Authors: Sharin Tasnia , Crump Doug , O’Brien Jason M.
Published: February 2022

Previously, we showed that the chicken LMH cell line cultured as 3D spheroids may be a suitable animal free alternative to primary chicken embryonic hepatocytes (CEH) for avian in vitro chemical screening. In this study, cytotoxicity and mRNA expression were determined in LMH 3D spheroids following exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), five BPA replacement compounds (BPF, TGSH, DD-70, BPAF, BPSIP), and 17β estradiol (E2). Results were compared to an earlier study that evaluated the same endpoints for these chemicals in CEH. BPA and the replacement compounds had LC50 values ranging from 16.6 to 81.8 μM; DD-70 and BPAF were the most cytotoxic replacements (LC50 = 17.23 ± 4.51 and 16.6 ± 4.78 μM). TGSH and DD-70 modulated the greatest number of genes, although fewer than observed in CEH. Based on the expression of apovitellenin and vitellogenin, BPAF was the most estrogenic compound followed by BPF, BPSIP, and BPA. More estrogen-responsive genes were modulated in LMH spheroids compared to CEH. Concentration-dependent gene expression revealed that DD-70 and BPAF altered genes related to lipid and bile acid regulation. Overall, cytotoxicity and clustering of replacements based on gene expression profiles were similar between LMH spheroids and CEH. In addition to generating novel gene expression data for five BPA replacement compounds in an in vitro avian model, this research demonstrates that LMH spheroids may represent a useful animal free alternative for avian toxicity testing.
Effect of transport infrastructure development on selected components of the environment of inner-city river valley and the possibility of its revitalization (Lublin, Poland)
Authors: Zubala Tomasz
Published: February 2022

The study covered an urban river valley, strongly transformed due to the transport infrastructure development. The paper evaluates changes in spatial management of the valley section passing through the city centre that occurred during the past two centuries (long-term and short-term phenomena) as well as their effect on selected environmental components. The basic spatial analyses were carried out with the use of specialized software, cartographic materials and photographic and descriptive documentation of the studied area (archival data). The most unfavourable changes in the potential of the valley environment occurred over the past few decades. They are manifested in a considerable deterioration of landscape values as well as the quantity and quality of water resources. Relationship was identified between water quality and intensity of motor vehicle traffic near the river. Despite the progressing urbanisation of the valley, revitalisation procedures can be still carried out and attractive space in the city centre can be created. In order to demonstrate the reasonableness of the presented concept, the paper suggests that urban succession should be incorporated as a term covering time trends and accumulated transformations. It can be helpful in analysing and determining the directions of development in disputable situations.
Using Autonomous Teams to Improve Quality of Life of People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Blížkovská Marie , Martínez-Tur Vicente , Pătras Luminita , Moliner Carolina , Gracia Esther , Ramos José
Published: February 2022

This research study tested an intervention, based on autonomous teams and the service co-creation approach, to improve the social inclusion and self-determination (as indicators of quality of life) of people with intellectual disability. Members of the autonomous teams (professionals, people with intellectual disability, and family members) cooperated to plan and carry out a project. A total of 72 autonomous teams participated (experimental condition). Each team designed its action plan to be implemented during eight weeks. Three measurement times were used: before the intervention (T1), four (T2) and eight (T3) weeks after the starting point. Family members (experimental group, N = 117; control group, N = 187) reported on the social inclusion and self-determination of their relative with intellectual disability. Scores in the control group remained stable over time, whereas scores in the experimental group changed significantly. Social inclusion increased (T2), and later stabilized (T3). By contrast, self-determination increased (T2), but this improvement was subsequently reduced (T3).
Treatment of Persistent Large Gastrocutaneous Fistulas After Bariatric Surgery: Preliminary Experience with Endoscopic Kehr’s T-Tube Placement
Authors: Liagre Arnaud , Queralto Michel , Levy Jonathan , Combis Jean Marc , Peireira Paulo , Buchwald Jane N. , Juglard Gildas , Petrucciani Niccolò , Martini Francesco
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Post-bariatric surgery gastrocutaneous fistula is a chronic leak with an incidence of 1.7 to 4.0% and no standardized management. A large gastrocutaneous fistula (LGCF) is not indicated for treatment with pigtail drains. We aimed to evaluate results of a novel treatment using endoscopic Kehr’s T-tube placement.

Methods

Only patients with a postoperative LGCF duration of > 10 days and a flow rate of > 50 cc by external drainage after revisional surgery for sepsis were included. Endoscopic placement of Kehr’s T-tube was performed. Patients had been reoperated with wash and drainage for severe sepsis after initial bariatric surgery in which no fistula had been discovered. Patients not reoperated, or with a fistula requiring intraoperative Kehr’s T-tube placement, or a pigtail drain were excluded. Primary outcomes were endoscopic characteristics and results (LGCF closure rate, Kehr T-tube retention time, etc.).

Results

The study group included 12 women, 2 men; body mass index 43.1 ± 4.5 kg/m2. Interventions were SG (7), RYGB (2), OAGB (4), and SADI-S (1). Endoscopic assessment was carried out after a mean of 33.2 ± 44.3 days after the bariatric procedure. The mean fistula orifice diameter was 2.0 ± 0.9 cm. Kehr’s T-tube was positioned at a mean 51.5 ± 54.8 days after the bariatric procedure. T-tube tolerance was excellent. Mean additional days: hospitalization, 34.4 ± 27.0; T-tube retention, 86.4 ± 73.1; fistula healing, 139.9 ± 111.5, LGCF closure rate, 92.9%. Complications: 1 pulmonary embolism, 2 T-tube migrations,1 drain-path bleed, 1 skin abscess. No mortality.

Conclusions

Endoscopic Kehr’s T-tube placement was successful in closing persistent post-bariatric surgery LGCF in 92.9% of patients.

Graphical abstract