bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is there a characteristic pattern of ambulatory blood pressure profile in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents?
Authors: Morić Bernardica Valent , Šamija Ivan , Sabolić Lavinia La Grasta , Stipančić Gordana
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To examine the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) including blood pressure variability (BPV) and its association with albuminuria in type 1 diabetic (T1D) children and to identify potential predictors of high-normal albuminuria and microalbuminuria.Methods: ABP monitoring was performed in 201 T1D children and adolescents (mean age, 14.7±3.8 years) with T1D duration over 1 year. The level of albuminuria was assessed as the albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and patients were further classified as low-normal, high-normal or microalbuminuria.Results: Fifteen T1D children (7.5%) were hypertensive using office blood pressure (BP) and 10 (5%) according to ABP. T1D subjects had elevated 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) (+0.2 and + 0.3 standard deviation score [SDS]) and nighttime SBP and DBP (+0.6 and +0.8 SDS) compared to reference values. Patients with microalbuminuria had significantly higher 24-hour, daytime and nighttime DBP compared to normoalbuminuric subjects. There was a high percentage of nondippers (74.1%). Nighttime diastolic BPV was significantly higher in subjects with high-normal compared to low-normal albuminuria (p=0.01). A weak correlation was found between ACR and daytime DBP SDS (r=0.29, p<0.001 and nighttime DBP SDS (r=0.21, p=0.003). Age and nighttime diastolic BPV were predictors of high-normal albuminuria while nighttime DBP was a strong predictor for microalbuminuria.Conclusion: T1D children have impaired BP regulation although most of them do not fulfill the criteria for sustained hypertension. There is an association between diastolic ABP and diastolic BPV with rising levels of albuminuria pointing to a clear connection between BP and incipient diabetic nephropathy.
An Overview of Approaches to Nuclear Security in Ghana
Authors: Agalga Raymond , Amoah Paul Atta , Adjei Daniel Nii , Frederick Charles Daniel , Darko Emmanuel Ofori
Published: October 2022

Ghana has significantly improved its nuclear security infrastructure over the years. However, as threats increase by the day and new applications of nuclear and radiological technology are designed and implemented, Ghana must develop a rigid and comprehensive approach to mitigating the negative impacts on its nuclear security while improving prevention, detection, and deterrence of nuclear and radiological terrorism within its geographical space. This paper overviews the approaches adopted by Ghana to build a strong nuclear security regime within the past decade. These include improving legal frameworks for nuclear security by establishing an independent Nuclear Regulatory Authority; assessing nuclear security culture in facilities; strengthening nuclear security capabilities at facilities that hold radioactive materials by improving physical protection systems for deterrence and detection; and building strong and effective collaboration and cooperation with various stakeholders, both locally and internationally, to distribute responsibility and provide technical and logistic support to build a stronger nuclear security regime. Ghana also identified developments in human capacity in areas of nuclear security as a relevant approach to improving its nuclear security and has thus collaborated with the IAEA and the University of Ghana to establish a graduate school for training Ghanaians and Africans in nuclear-related disciplines.
Astroturfing e debate político espanhol nas redes sociais: um estudo de caso
Authors: Arce-García Sergio , Said-Hung Elias
Published: October 2022

O objetivo do trabalho é estimar a utilização do astroturfing, como estratégia para promover debates políticos em Espanha, por meio do Twitter. Um total de 89.528 twits associados ao debate gerado em torno das férias do primeiro vice-presidente e da ministra da igualdade do governo da Espanha, Pablo Iglesias e Irene Montero, são coletados e analisados entre 14 e 20 de agosto de 2020. O caso estudado permite ver um cenário político não eleitoral onde mensagens baseadas em astroturfing e nanoinfluenciadores são expostas, capazes de distribuir, amplificar e inundar redes sociais, como o Twitter, com conteúdo desinformativo e confrontacional.
Inserções, identidades e competências dos sociólogos em Portugal
Authors: Abrantes Pedro , Banha Rui , Ramos Madalena , Aníbal Alexandra , Urze Paula
Published: October 2022

O artigo procura contribuir para o conhecimento e a reflexão acerca das identidades e representações profissionais dos sociólogos per se e na relação com os outros profissionais, no quadro das dinâmicas organizacionais. Para isso, retoma algumas questões de fundo sobre o desenvolvimento deste campo em Portugal, analisando as respostas ao inquérito “Competências e Práticas Profissionais dos Diplomados em Sociologia”, lançado em 2019. Explora, assim, o efeito de diferenças geracionais, de percurso formativo e de inserção profissional (dentro e fora da academia) no posicionamento dos indivíduos, em termos de identidade e representações, nomeadamente quanto ao que significa ser sociólogo.
Zbtb14 regulates monocyte and macrophage development through inhibiting pu.1 expression in zebrafish
Authors: Deng Yun , Wang Haihong , Liu Xiaohui , Yuan Hao , Xu Jin , de Thé Hugues , Zhou Jun , Zhu Jun
Published: October 2022

Macrophages and their precursor cells, monocytes, are the first line of defense of the body against foreign pathogens and tissue damage. Although the origins of macrophages are diverse, some common transcription factors (such as PU.1) are required to ensure proper development of monocytes/macrophages. Here, we report that the deficiency of zbtb14, a transcription repressor gene belonging to ZBTB family, leads to an aberrant expansion of monocyte/macrophage population in zebrafish. Mechanistically, Zbtb14 functions as a negative regulator of pu.1, and SUMOylation on a conserved lysine is essential for the repression activity of Zbtb14. Moreover, a serine to phenylalanine mutation found in an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient could target ZBTB14 protein to autophagic degradation. Hence, ZBTB14 is a newly identified gene implicated in both normal and malignant myelopoiesis.
Stigma and its associated factors among patients with COVID-19 in Dhaka City: evidence from a cross-sectional investigation
Authors: Kibria Md. Golam , Islam Taslima , Islam Md. Tajul , Kabir Russell , Ahmed Shakil , Sultana Papia
Published: October 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a significant disease pandemic. Dhaka City alone has contributed about one-third to the total COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh. Globally, patients with infectious diseases, including COVID-19, experience stigma. There was no quantitative estimate of stigma experienced by patients with COVID-19 in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of stigma and its associated factors among patients with COVID-19 in Dhaka.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 respondents aged 18 years or older who had been hospitalized or had stayed at home and were tested negative 15 days to 6 months before the day of data collection. Data collection was done through in-person and telephone interviews using a semi-structured survey questionnaire. A 15-item COVID-19-related stigma scale questionnaire was used to assess stigma. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of stigma.

Results

More than half (53.1%) of the respondents experienced stigma when they were COVID-19 positive. Females were at a 3.24 times higher risk of experiencing stigma than their male counterparts. Respondents from the 60+ age group and 40–59 age group were 63.0% and 48.0% less likely to experience stigma than those from the 18–39 age group. Non-hospitalised patients had 1.67 times higher odds of facing stigma than those hospitalised.

Conclusions

This study reported a high prevalence of stigma among the patients with COVID-19 in Dhaka City. The current evidence base of stigma experience among patients with COVID-19 offers a solid foundation for creating effective strategies and policies and designing appropriate interventions to counter stigma, which will improve the psychological well-being of patients with COVID-19 in Bangladesh.
Genomic differences between sequence types 1 and 104 of Streptococcus suis Serotype 2
Authors: Kerdsin Anusak , Takeuchi Dan , Akeda Yukihiro , Nakamura Shota , Gottschalk Marcelo , Oishi Kazunori
Published: October 2022

Background

Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause invasive infections in humans who are in close contact with infected pigs or contaminated pork-derived products. S. suis serotype 2 sequence type (ST) 1 strains are mostly associated with meningitis, whereas ST104 strains are mostly recovered from sepsis cases in humans. No data are available for comparison of the ST1 and ST104 strains at the genomic level, particularly concerning virulence-associated genes. Thus, genomic comparison of both STs was performed in this study.

Methods

An ST1 isolate (ID26154) from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with meningitis and an ST104 isolate (ID24525) from the blood of a patient with sepsis were subjected to shotgun pyrosequencing using the 454 GS Junior System. Genomic comparison was conducted between the ST1 isolate and the ST104 isolate using the Artemis Comparison Tool (ACT) to identify the region of differences (RDs) between ST1 and ST104.

Results

Fifty-eight RDs were unique to the ST104 genome and were mainly involved in metabolism and cell functional activities, cell wall anchored proteins, bacteriophages and mobile genetic elements, ABC-type transporters, two-component signal transductions, and lantibiotic proteins. Some virulence genes mostly found in ST1 strains were also present in the ST104 genome. Whole-genome comparison is a powerful tool for identifying genomic region differences between different STs of S. suis serotype 2, leading to the identification of the molecular basis of virulence involved in the pathogenesis of the infection.
Shallow epifaunal sea cucumber densities and their relationship with the benthic community in the Okinawa Islands
Authors: Hamamoto Kohei , Poliseno Angelo , Soliman Taha , Reimer James Davis
Published: October 2022

Sea cucumbers are important ecological engineers in marine ecosystems. However, the fishery demand of some species, especially large-epifaunal and commercially used (LEC) sea cucumbers, has risen drastically, resulting in serious depletion of local populations for many species. Despite this problem, basic ecological data on sea cucumbers, such as population densities and preferred habitats, are often still insufficient. Here, we report on the population densities of multiple LEC sea cucumber species, and their ambient benthic communities at eight sites around Okinawa Islands. Further, we discuss the correspondence between sea cucumber densities and the surrounding coral communities. Our results show two sites within national or quasi-national parks, Aka and Manza, where stricter rules have been placed on fisheries and land reclamation compared to other areas, had the highest and third highest sea cucumber population densities among sites, respectively. Holothuria atra was observed at all survey sites and made up the majority of sea cucumber populations at all sites except for Chatan and Sesoko, where Holothuria leucospilota and Stichopus chloronotus were most abundant, respectively. Regarding the relationships between benthic composition and LEC sea cucumber species, S. chloronotus was significantly correlated with dead corals, scleractinian corals, and coralline algae. As well, H. leucospilota had significant correlations with rubble. Although there were no significant correlations between any specific scleractinian coral genus and sea cucumber densities, S. chloronotus was marginally insignificant with Platygyra and Psammocora. Notably, medium- to highly valued species were sparse in our surveys, and most of them appeared at only one site. Additionally, at one site (Odo), only three LEC sea cucumber individuals were observed. Combining these facts with relatively low population densities around the Okinawa Islands compared to densities reported in previous research from the Indo-West Pacific Ocean region, we conclude that Okinawan LEC sea cucumber populations have been and are being impacted by high levels of direct (e.g., overexploitation, as well as coastal development) and indirect anthropogenic pressure (e.g., decreasing water quality). To address the current situation, repeated monitoring and more detailed investigations to reveal the drivers that determine LEC sea cucumber species aggregations and population densities are urgently needed, along with more robust management of remaining LEC sea cucumber populations.
La segregación espacial desde la perspectiva de la movilidad cotidiana y la densidad de las zonas periurbanas de Cuenca en Ecuador
Authors: Flores-Juca Enrique , García-Navarro Justo , Mora-Arias Estefanía , Chica Jessica
Published: October 2022

Las dificultades de movilidad causadas por la segregación espacial ponen de relieve los problemas económicos, sociales y ambientales a los que se expone la población emplazada en las zonas rezagadas. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar y comparar las condiciones de movilidad de los trabajadores de las zonas periurbanas de Cuenca y con ello determinar la segregación espacial a la que están expuestos. La metodología transversal de carácter cuantitativo partió de un análisis a dos escalas en el que se consideró la densidad poblacional como unidad de análisis. Se identificó que el 35% de las viviendas periurbanas no cuenta con servicio de autobuses, situación que se complejiza por la alta dependencia laboral de sus habitantes respecto de la ciudad y la poca disponibilidad de vehículos propios. Esta segregación espacial se presentó principalmente en las zonas menos densas, cuyos residentes tienen mayores limitaciones para acceder a las zonas de empleo.
Crecimiento y fragmentación del periurbano valdiviano. Efectos del urbanismo neoliberal en una ciudad intermedia del sur de Chile
Authors:   Universidad Austral de Chile (Chile), Marchant Carla , Riesco Matías ,   Universidad Austral de Chile (Chile), Monje-Hernández Yerko ,   Universidad Austral de Chile (Chile)
Published: October 2022

Valdivia, en el sur de Chile, posee privilegiadas características naturales y paisajísticas por sus ríos y humedales, que la transforman en una ciudad intermedia especialmente atractiva para vivir. Esto ha generado presiones en el periurbano, espacio de alto interés para nuevos residentes y agentes inmobiliarios, quienes, a través de loteos y parcelaciones de agrado transadas a elevados precios, propician procesos de especulación del suelo y fragmentación urbana. Este trabajo analiza el proceso de periurbanización en Valdivia a partir del estudio de tres sectores: Quitacalzón, Torobayo-Estancilla y Cabo Blanco. Estos evidencian distintas etapas de la dinámica de desarrollo inmobiliario de la ciudad, configurando nuevas formas de habitar y relacionarse con la naturaleza. A través de una metodología mixta, que consideró fotointerpretación de imágenes satelitales, catastro de precios de suelo y entrevistas semiestructuradas a informantes clave, se caracterizan y describen las trayectorias de cambio en cada sector.
Renovación urbana en el centro histórico de Santiago, Chile: el caso de la manzana de la Casa Colorada
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile), Pérez-Villalón Blanca-Elvira , Ortega-Esquivel Andrea ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile), Saavedra Christian ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile), Lobos-Peña Paulina ,   Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales (Chile)
Published: October 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es aportar al debate sobre la renovación urbana de los centros históricos latinoamericanos, analizando cómo ciertas normativas han transformado morfológicamente el patrimonio colonial inmueble en Santiago de Chile. El artículo examina críticamente las renovaciones urbanas y cambios normativos desarrollados en la manzana de la Casa Colorada, uno de los pocos inmuebles coloniales que perduran en el centro histórico de la capital debido a su destrucción por terremotos, a la desregulación de las renovaciones urbanas y a ciertas normativas que han impactado negativamente en su conservación. En este contexto, se analizan las transformaciones normativas que han tenido lugar, desde el Plano Oficial de Urbanización de la Comuna de Santiago (1939) hasta la aplicación de la norma de Conjunto Armónico y la definición de Zona de Conservación Histórica (2008). La manzana donde se ubica el Monumento Histórico en referencia es un ejemplo paradigmático, ya que refleja morfológicamente las diversas normativas aplicadas y el escaso patrimonio colonial que permanece.
“Villas miseria” en Buenos Aires hacia mediados del siglo XX: tensiones políticas y primeras conceptualizaciones estatales
Authors:   The University of Sheffield (Reino Unido), Massidda Adriana , Camelli Eva ,   Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento (Argentina), Snitcofsky Valeria ,   Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Published: October 2022

Este trabajo analiza las primeras conceptualizaciones estatales producidas en torno a asentamientos urbanos precarios en Buenos Aires. Se examina para ello el primer plan de desalojo masivo de “villas miseria” (el término local para urbanizaciones informales) en Argentina (Plan de Emergencia, 1956), junto con sus antecedentes conceptuales y su contexto político. Se propone que la idea estatal de “villa miseria” cristalizó en la Argentina de los años cincuenta en torno a dicho plan y en la intersección de dos escalas: nacional e interamericana. A nivel nacional, las tensiones entre adeptos y opositores al peronismo determinaron que este nuevo concepto urbano surgiría cargado de un fuerte sesgo político. Pero, además, en diálogo con organismos interamericanos, la matriz discursiva de esta conceptualización estuvo signada por agendas hemisféricas vinculadas a la Guerra Fría. A través de un estudio minucioso de fuentes históricas originales, el artículo reconstruye este proceso.
Conflicto ambiental, urbanización y disenso: Perspectivas en torno a prácticas democráticas en ordenamiento territorial
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Colombia), Quimbayo-Ruiz Germán
Published: October 2022

Este artículo examina la noción de conflicto ambiental, con el fin de aportar a discusiones contemporáneas sobre transiciones socioecológicas más justas en tiempos de crisis climática, social y de pandemia. A partir de una revisión conceptual e información de casos sobre prácticas democráticas en procesos de ordenamiento territorial y urbanización, el artículo propone que el conflicto ambiental es un proceso de producción y disputa socioecológica de múltiples territorialidades. Dicho proceso es a su vez atravesado por diferentes desigualdades socioecológicas. Por tanto, a la luz de un reciente interés en la despolitización de la cuestión ambiental, el artículo también propone que los conflictos pueden ser entendidos como una ruptura de un orden normalizado, para forzar nuevos arreglos hacia una justicia ambiental respetando la diferencia, en lugar de controlar o eliminar el disenso. Esto permitirá promover prácticas más democráticas de ordenamiento territorial.
Recognizing Minimal Cutaneous Involvement or Systemic Symptoms in Monkeypox
Authors: Eisenstadt Rachel , Liszewski Walter J. , Nguyen Cuong V.
Published: October 2022

This case report describes 2 umbilicated and ulcerated, skin-colored papules on the genitals, as well as a honey-colored crusted papule on the face.
Use of the Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19 Diagnosis Code in Routine Clinical Practice in the US
Authors: McGrath Leah J. , Scott Amie M. , Surinach Andy , Chambers Richard , Benigno Michael , Malhotra Deepa
Published: October 2022

Importance

A new International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis code (U09.9 Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified) was introduced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on October 1, 2021.

Objective

To examine the use of the U09.9 code and describe concurrently diagnosed conditions to understand physician use of this code in clinical practice.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study of US patients with an ICD-10-CM code for post–COVID-19 condition used deidentified patient-level claims data aggregated by HealthVerity. Children and adolescents (aged 0-17 years) and adults (aged 18-64 and ≥65 years) with a post–COVID-19 condition code were identified between October 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022. To identify a prior COVID-19 diagnosis, 3 months of continuous enrollment (CE) before the post–COVID-19 diagnosis date was required.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Presence of the ICD-10-CM U09.9 code.

Results

There were 56 143 patients (7723 female patients [61.2%]; mean [SD] age, 47.6 [19.2] years) with a post–COVID-19 diagnosis code, with cases increasing in mid-December 2021 following the trajectory of the Omicron case wave by 3 to 4 weeks. The analysis cohort included 12 622 patients after the 3-month preindex CE criteria was applied. Among this cohort, the median (IQR) age was 49 (35-61) years; however, 1080 (8.6%) were pediatric patients. The U09.9 code was used most often in the outpatient setting, although 305 older adults (14.0%) were inpatients. Only 698 patients (5.5%) had at least 1 of the 5 codes listed as possible concurrent conditions in the coding guidance. Only 8879 patients (70.4%) had a documented acute COVID-19 diagnosis code (569 [52.7%] among children), and the median (IQR) time between acute COVID-19 and post–COVID-19 diagnosis codes was 56 (21-200) days. The most common concurrently coded conditions varied by age; children experienced COVID-19–like symptoms (eg, 207 [19.2%] had cough and 115 [10.6%] had breathing abnormalities), while 459 older adults aged 65 years or older (21.1%) experienced respiratory failure and 189 (8.7%) experienced viral pneumonia.

Conclusions and Relevance

This retrospective cohort study found patients with a post–COVID-19 ICD-10-CM diagnosis code following the acute phase of COVID-19 disease among patients of all ages in clinical practice in the US. The use of the U09.9 code encompassed a wide range of conditions. It will be important to monitor how the use of this code changes as the pandemic continues to evolve.
Risk Factors Associated With Pterygium Reoperation in the IRIS Registry
Authors: Oke Isdin , Hall Nathan , Elze Tobias , Miller Joan W. , Lorch Alice C. , Hunter David G. , Traish Aisha S. ,   IRIS Registry Analytic Center Consortium
Published: October 2022

This cohort study used data from the IRIS Registry to assess the risk factors associated with pterygium reoperation.
A Swollen Supraglottis
Authors: Syal Amit , Chen Longwen , Karle William E.
Published: October 2022

A woman in her late 20s presented with difficulty phonating and singing for the past 15 months and no improvement from prior treatment with steroids and antibiotics for chronic laryngitis. What is your diagnosis?
Septoplasty Revision Rates in Pediatric vs Adult Populations
Authors: Shah Jay P. , Youn Gun Min , Wei Eric X. , Kandathil Cherian , Most Sam P.
Published: October 2022

Importance

Although septal deviations are highly prevalent in the pediatric population and pediatric septoplasties are garnering more discussion, to date, there are no large-scale studies characterizing pediatric septoplasty revision rates.

Objective

To identify rates of pediatric septoplasty revision in the US.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective, observational cohort study used administrative claims data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database (which contains inpatient and outpatient data for millions of patients and dependents covered by employer-sponsored private health insurance in the US) to identify patients undergoing septoplasty between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2016. Patients 18 years or younger were included in the study as the pediatric cohort, and patients aged 19 to 65 years were included as the adult cohort for comparison. Patients were excluded if the initial surgery included rhinoplasty, nasal vestibular stenosis, or costal cartilage grafts or if the second surgery did not have nasal vestibular stenosis, septoplasty, rhinoplasty, and/or cartilage grafts.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Outcomes included septoplasty revision rate, septoplasty-to-rhinoplasty conversion rate, and associated risks for revision surgery. Collected data were analyzed between January 1 and July 30, 2022

Results

A total of 24 322 pediatric patients (mean [SD] age, 15.7 [2.5] years; 15 121 boys [62.2%]) who underwent an initial septoplasty were identified, of whom 704 (2.9%) received a revision. In the adult cohort of 286 218 patients (mean [SD] age, 41.4 [12.2] years; 162 893 [56.9%] men), 3081 individuals (1.1%) received a revision. Within the pediatric revision group, 66 patients (9.4%) received a rhinoplasty vs 162 (5.3%) in the adult revision group. All pediatric age groups had higher revision rates than the adult population, with the 9- to 13-year-old group having the highest rates of revision (118 of 2763 [4.3%]). Patients in the West and Northeast, along with those with point of service and health maintenance organization health plans, were more likely to receive a revision.

Conclusion and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest that pediatric patients are more likely to receive a revision surgery than their adult counterparts. Furthermore, pediatric patients are more likely than adults to receive a rhinoplasty as their revision surgery. These findings provide valuable information that may be used to inform clinical decision-making, although further research is needed to better identify the causes for pediatric septoplasty revision.
Multiplayer zero‐sum games optimal control for modular robot manipulators with interconnected dynamic couplings
Authors: Zhu Xinye , An Tianjiao , Dong Bo
Published: October 2022

This article presents a multiplayer zero‐sum game optimal control for modular robot manipulators (MRMs) via adaptive dynamic programming (ADP). The dynamic model of MRMs with interconnected dynamic couplings (IDCs) is formulated. The control law and IDC effect are regarded as players in each module. The optimal tracking control problem of the MRM system can be transformed into a multiplayer zero‐sum game. Base on ADP algorithm, the Hamilton–Jacobi–Issacs (HJI) equation is solved via critic neural network. Then, the optimal control law can be derivated. The closed‐loop robotic system is proved to be asymptotic stable and experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the control method.
Pre‐Training of Equivariant Graph Matching Networks with Conformation Flexibility for Drug Binding
Authors: Wu Fang , Jin Shuting , Jiang Yinghui , Jin Xurui , Tang Bowen , Niu Zhangming , Liu Xiangrong , Zhang Qiang , Zeng Xiangxiang , Li Stan Z.
Published: October 2022

The latest biological findings observe that the motionless “lock‐and‐key” theory is not generally applicable and that changes in atomic sites and binding pose can provide important information for understanding drug binding. However, the computational expenditure limits the growth of protein trajectory‐related studies, thus hindering the possibility of supervised learning. A spatial‐temporal pre‐training method based on the modified equivariant graph matching networks, dubbed ProtMD which has two specially designed self‐supervised learning tasks: atom‐level prompt‐based denoising generative task and conformation‐level snapshot ordering task to seize the flexibility information inside molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories with very fine temporal resolutions is presented. The ProtMD can grant the encoder network the capacity to capture the time‐dependent geometric mobility of conformations along MD trajectories. Two downstream tasks are chosen to verify the effectiveness of ProtMD through linear detection and task‐specific fine‐tuning. A huge improvement from current state‐of‐the‐art methods, with a decrease of 4.3% in root mean square error for the binding affinity problem and an average increase of 13.8% in the area under receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the precision‐recall curve for the ligand efficacy problem is observed. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the magnitude of conformation's motion in the 3D space and the strength with which the ligand binds with its receptor.
Ultralight Smart Patch with Reduced Sensing Array Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide for Hand Gesture Recognition
Authors: Liu Yuchi , Liang Xiangpeng , Li Haonan , Deng Haitao , Zhang Xinran , Wen Danliang , Yuan Mengyao , Heidari Hadi , Ghannam Rami , Zhang Xiaosheng
Published: October 2022

Flexible sensors for hand gesture recognition and human–machine interface (HMI) applications have witnessed tremendous advancements during the last decades. Current state‐of‐the‐art sensors placed on fingers or embedded into gloves are incapable of fully capturing all hand gestures and are often uncomfortable for the wearer. Herein, a flake‐sphere hybrid structure of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) doped with polystyrene (PS) spheres is fabricated to construct the highly sensitive, fast response, and flexible piezoresistive sensor array, which is ultralight in the weight of only 2.8 g and possesses the remarkable curved‐surface conformability. The flexible wrist‐worn device with a five‐sensing array is used to measure pressure distribution around the wrist for accurate and comfortable hand gesture recognition. The intelligent wristband is able to classify 12 hand gestures with 96.33% accuracy for five participants using a machine learning algorithm. To showcase our wristband, a real‐time system is developed to control a robotic hand via the classification results, which further demonstrates the potential of this work for HMI applications.
Trial designs and endpoints for immune therapies in multiple myeloma
Authors: Lancman Guido , Moshier Erin , Cho Hearn Jay , Parekh Samir , Richard Shambavi , Richter Joshua , Rodriguez Cesar , Rossi Adriana , Sanchez Larysa , Jagannath Sundar , Chari Ajai
Published: October 2022

Immune therapies, including CAR‐T cells, bispecific antibodies, and antibody‐drug conjugates, are revolutionizing the treatment of multiple myeloma. In this review, we discuss clinical trial design considerations relevant to immune therapies. We first examine issues pertinent to specific populations, including elderly, patients with renal impairment, high‐risk/extramedullary disease, and prior immune therapies. We then highlight trial designs to optimize the selection of dose and schedule, explore rational combination therapies based on preclinical data, and evaluate the nuances of commonly used endpoints. By exploiting their pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles and utilizing novel translational insights, we can optimize the use of immune therapies in multiple myeloma.
The association of 25 (OH) D3 serum level with ischemic cerebrovascular accident risk, severity and outcome in Iranian population
Authors: Eghbali Babak Bakhshayesh , Ramezani Sara , Alavi Cyrus Emir , Ghayeghran Amir Reza , Herfeh Sina Sedaghat , Atefi Amirhomayoun , Limouei Sepideh Rahimi , Ansar Malek Moein
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The role of combined presence of vitamin D deficiency and other risk factors of stroke in ischemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA) development in Iranian adults has been unclear, so far. The association of vitamin D status at admission with ischemic CVA severity and outcome in this community is not yet well elucidated. This study aimed to clarify these ambiguities.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study 104 hospitalized ischemic CVA patients and 104 healthy controls participated. The serum level of 25 (OH) D3 and baseline biochemical parameters were measured in ischemic patients within the first 24 h of admission, as well as healthy controls. The severity of CVA and clinical outcome were assessed using National Institutes Health Stroke Scale and Modified Rankin Scale, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Chi‐square test, independent t‐test, and multiple logistic regression.

Results

There was a significant difference between patients and controls regarding the presence of vitamin D3 deficiency, hypertension, smoking, and baseline level of LDL and FBS. Vitamin D3 deficiency boosted the risk of ischemic in males and those having family history of CVA. A low serum level of 25 (OH) D3 was associated with more severity and poor outcome of CVA. The CVA severity, vitamin D3 deficiency, and hypertension were predictors of poor outcome.

Conclusions

The study highlights the increased risk of ischemia in Iranians by cooccurrence of vitamin D3 deficiency and other risk factors of CVA. Clinical significance of vitamin D3 deficiency control may be suggested in those at risk of CVA and functional poor outcomes.
Expedient Synthesis of a Library of Heparan Sulfate‐Like “Head‐to‐Tail” Linked Multimers for Structure and Activity Relationship Studies**
Authors: Zhang Jicheng , Liang Li , Yang Weizhun , Ramadan Sherif , Baryal Kedar , Huo Chang‐Xin , Bernard Jamie J. , Liu Jian , Hsieh‐Wilson Linda , Zhang Fuming , Linhardt Robert J. , Huang Xuefei
Published: October 2022

Heparan sulfate (HS) plays important roles in many biological processes. The inherent complexity of naturally existing HS has severely hindered the thorough understanding of their structure‐activity relationship. To facilitate biological studies, a new strategy has been developed to synthesize a HS‐like pseudo‐hexasaccharide library, where HS disaccharides were linked in a “head‐to‐tail” fashion from the reducing end of a disaccharide module to the non‐reducing end of a neighboring module. Combinatorial syntheses of 27 HS‐like pseudo‐hexasaccharides were achieved. This new class of compounds bound with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) with similar structure‐activity trends as HS oligosaccharides bearing native glycosyl linkages. The ease of synthesis and the ability to mirror natural HS activity trends suggest that the new head‐to‐tail linked pseudo‐oligosaccharides could be an exciting tool to facilitate the understanding of HS biology.
Abbildung des Photoelektronen‐Zirkulardichroismus im Detachment massenselektierter, chiraler Anionen
Authors: Triptow Jenny , Fielicke André , Meijer Gerard , Green Mallory
Published: October 2022

Photoelektronen‐Zirkulardichroismus (im folgenden PECD, nach der englischen Bezeichnung) zeigt sich als eine Vorwärts‐Rückwärts‐Asymmetrie in der Photoemission nicht‐razemischer Proben, ausgelöst durch zirkular polarisiertes Licht. Gegenüber anderen chiroptischen Methoden hat die PECD‐Spektroskopie potentielle analytische Vorteile bei der Differenzierung chiraler Substanzen, da sie sehr sensitiv auf das chirale Potential von Molekülen ist. Anionen können für die PECD‐Spektroskopie entsprechend ihrer Masse selektiert werden und ihr Einsatz eröffnet Wege zu einfachen experimentellen Aufbauten, die auf handlichen (table‐top) Lasern basieren. Die Nachweise für den PECD von Anionen sind noch rar und das genaue Verständnis der Triebkräfte, welche die PECD‐Elektronendynamik im Photodetachment bestimmen, sind unklar. Hier zeigen wir den PECD‐Effekt im Photodetachment von massenselektierten, deprotonierten 1‐Indanol‐Anionen. Der PECD wird über einen großen Bereich von Photonenenergien mit einem Velocity‐Map‐Imaging(VMI)‐Photoelektronenspektrometer energieaufgelöst analysiert. Ein PECD von bis zu 11 % wird nachgewiesen, was vergleichbar mit gemessenen Werten für neutrale Moleküle ist.
Engineering of Pyroelectric Crystals Decoupled from Piezoelectricity as Illustrated by Doped α‐Glycine
Authors: Dishon Ben Ami Shiri , Ehre David , Ushakov Andrei , Mehlman Tevie , Brandis Alexander , Alikin Denis , Shur Vladimir , Kholkin Andrei , Lahav Meir , Lubomirsky Igor
Published: October 2022

Design of pyroelectric crystals decoupled from piezoelectricity is not only a topic of scientific curiosity but also demonstrates effects in principle that have the potential to be technologically advantageous. Here we report a new method for the design of such materials. Thus, the co‐doping of centrosymmetric crystals with tailor‐made guest molecules, as illustrated by the doping of α‐glycine with different amino acids (Threonine, Alanine and Serine). The polarization of those crystals displays two distinct contributions, one arising from the difference in dipole moments between guest and host and the other from the displacement of host molecules from their symmetry‐related positions. These contributions exhibit different temperature dependences and response to mechanical deformation. Thus, providing a proof of concept for the ability to design pyroelectric materials with reduced piezoelectric coefficient (d22) to a minimal value, below the resolution limit of the method (<0.005 pm/V).
Monovarietal olive oils fortified with carotenoids: Physicochemical and sensory trends and taste sensor evaluation
Authors: Murillo‐Cruz Mª Carmen , Rodrigues Nuno , Dias Maria Inês , Bermejo‐Román Ruperto , Veloso Ana C. A. , Pereira José Alberto , Peres António M.
Published: October 2022

This study evaluated the effects of lutein or β‐carotene incorporation (0.1 mg/ml) on the quality, sensory attributes and stability of Arbequina, Picual or Royal monovarietal extra virgin olive oils. The fortification significantly decreased (p value < 0.05) the chemical quality of the fortified oils (peroxide values: +3% to +34%; extinction coefficients: +4% to +55%). The negative impact was higher on Arbequina oil, followed by Royal and Picual oils, especially in lutein fortified oils. Nevertheless, all fortified oils fulfilled the legal thresholds required by extra virgin category. Compared with the unfortified ones, fortified oils showed significantly lower (p value < 0.05) stability and total phenol content (−6% and −12%, respectively). The fortification changed the oils' green color into a yellowish‐orange color. Bitterness, pungency and sweetness varied significantly (p value < 0.05) with the type of monovarietal olive oil. Bitter and pungent intensities increased in Arbequina and Picual fortified oils (+29% to +191%, especially for the former) and decreased in Royal fortified oils (−42% and −62%, respectively). The fortification increased the sweetness of Picual and Royal oils (+109% and +10%), but decreased in Arbequina oils (−74%). The physicochemical‐sensory changes induced by the fortification allowed a clear differentiation of the monovarietal oils and, for each oil cultivar, by fortification agent. The use of an electronic tongue further confirmed the fortification impact at the phenolic and sensory levels, allowing the discrimination of unfortified and fortified oils and the quantification of oils' bitterness, pungency or sweetness and, in a less extent, the total phenols contents.
Magnetite‐doped electrospun fibers forDNAadsorption
Authors: Cavalcante Edmo Henrique Martins , de Oliveira Helinando Pequeno
Published: October 2022

Gene delivery, biosensing‐based diagnostic therapy, and in vivo responsive drugs are promising technologies based on the interaction of DNA with supports on the nanoscale. Typical advantages for nanomaterials applied in DNA removal are related to their high surface area and availability of cationic sites that favor the electrostatic interaction with the target (DNA). Herein, a magnetite‐doped cationic polymer was explored as a support for the production of electrospun fibers that offer an abundance of the available sites for the adsorption of DNA while exploring the doping effect of magnetite for the improvement in the adsorption capacity and the magnetic removal from the reactor. The mechanisms of adsorption revealed that the Freundlich isotherm prevails in a process denoted by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model.
Alloying synergistic flame retardant effect improving fire resistance and mechanical properties of polyamide 6
Authors: Li Junxiao , Qian Lijun , Xi Wang , Qiu Yong , Tang Wei , Li Shanzhe
Published: October 2022

The alloying synergistic flame retardant effect was studied by using polyetherimide (PEI) and aluminum diethylphosphinate (ADP) for polyamide 6 (PA6), which can endow PA6 composites with excellent mechanical properties and flame retardancy simultaneously. On the one hand, because the molecular structures of PEI and PA6 are similar, adding PEI with PA6 can form PEI‐PA6 alloy by the hydrogen bond effect and nice homogeneous phase, which can endow PA6 composites with excellent mechanical properties. On the other hand, the test results of flame retardancy show that 9ADP/10PEI‐PA6 composite can obtain higher LOI value (LOI = 31%), and excellent flame retardant rating (UL94 V‐0) with 9%ADP and 10%PEI. From the results of cone calorimetry test, the pk‐HRR and THR of 9ADP/10PEI‐PA6 are reduced by 24.4% and 24.7%, respectively, compared to PA6, and higher char residue rate was obtained, which shows that ADP combined with PEI‐PA6 alloying exerts an excellent flame retardant synergistic effect. Through the study of flame retardant mechanism found that ADP works together with PEI can effectively increase the quenching effect in the gas phase, promote thermal stability, and delay the decomposition process of PA6 matrix during the combustion process. Meanwhile, it also increases the char yield to exert a synergistic effect in the condensed phase by ADP/PEI‐PA6. The residual char rate reached 36.6%, higher than neat PA6 about 4.6 wt.%. Thus, the alloying flame retardant method using ADP/PEI‐PA6 can endow PA6 with better flame retardancy and more excellent mechanical properties. Importantly, it provides a new direction for developing high‐performance halogen‐free flame retardant materials.
Techno‐Economic assessment for superactive carbon production from side stream lignin
Authors: Ponomarev Nikolai P. , O'Shea Gregory , Nuortila‐Jokinen Jutta , Kiljunen Samantha , Kallioinen‐Mänttäri Mari
Published: October 2022

Superactive carbon (SAC), having a high surface area of over 2500 m2/g, could be a superior choice for many applications. However, the manufacture of SAC in bulk quantities is challenging. To demonstrate the possibility of SAC manufacturing in large amounts, a techno‐economic assessment was performed. For that purpose, a new method utilizing a mixture of waste lignin, KOH and KCl was employed. The chemicals were recovered after use. The technical assessment was performed based on laboratory‐scale experimental findings, a simplified process diagram, and mass and heat balance calculations. The economic evaluation was assessed through the estimation of capital costs (CAPEX), operational costs (OPEX) and the minimum selling price (MSP). Moreover, to demonstrate the potential costs saving for the water treatment process, the performance of SAC for the removal of natural organic matter was compared with that of commercial active carbon. SAC was obtained at a minimized KOH amount (1 g/g) and chemicals were successfully recovered with a rate of 5–10% losses. The CAPEX, OPEX and MSP were found to be 4–21 million EUR, 1–9 million EUR/year and 4.4–2.9 kEUR/t for a 0.5–5.0 t/year production capacity, respectively, at a profitability requirement of 20% and a less than 5 year payback period. In addition, SAC demonstrated considerably higher adsorptive capacity for natural organic matter (600–900 mg total organic carbon/g) compared with commercial active carbon (40–50 mg total organic carbon/g), which could lead to substantial process savings. SAC manufacture through this method has been validated and the benefit for the potential application is sufficiently clear to promote the successful commercialization of SAC using lignin wastes. © 2022 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The ligamentum mucosum: A new classification
Authors: Gonera Bartosz , Kurtys Konrad , Wysiadecki Grzegorz , Podgórski Michał , Olewnik Łukasz Hubert
Published: October 2022

The ligamentum mucosum (LM) is a ligamentous structure within the synovial layer of the knee joint capsule. For a long time LM was perceived as the vestigial remnant from the embryological development of the knee. However, last years have shown increased interest in this structure due to its potentially significant clinical role. Fifty‐one, 12 females (mean age 83.1 ± 3.4 years) and 39 males (mean age 84.2 ± 6.8 years) fixed in 10% formalin were examined. Upon dissection, the following morphological features of the LM were assessed: the types of LM, morphometric measurement and histological analysis of each type. The LM was present in 66.7% of all examined specimens. Three different types were recognized: Type I (55.9%)—single band with attachment to the intercondylar notch, Type IIa—bifurcated ligament with attachment to the anterior cruciate ligament, Type IIb—bifurcated ligament with both attachments to the intercondylar notch, Type III—double ligament with two independent bands and attachments to the intercondylar notch and to the knee joint capsule. The LM is variable and probably evolutionary changes are the reason. In our study we propose the new clinically useful classification supported by its anatomical and histological characteristics. Type IIa seems to be the most important from the clinical point of view, as it may be responsible for clinical issues and should be paid attention while diagnosing patients suffering from anterior cruciate ligament torn or anterior knee pain.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 polymorphism is associated with chemotherapy‐related cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer who receive chemotherapy
Authors: Yao Senbang , Li Wen , Liu Shaochun , Cai Yinlian , Zhang Qianqian , Tang Lingxue , Yu Sheng , Jing Yanyan , Yin Xiangxiang , Cheng Huaidong
Published: October 2022

Background

Chemotherapy‐related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common but easily overlooked condition that markedly affects the quality of life (QOL) of patients with breast cancer. The rs671 is a common gene polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in Asia that is involved in aldehyde metabolism and may be closely related to CRCI. However, no study has yet summarised the association between ALDH2 and CRCI.

Methods

This study enrolled one hundred and twenty‐four patients diagnosed with breast cancer according to the pathology results, genotyped for ALDH2 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to explore these. The mini‐mental state exam (MMSE), verbal fluency test (VFT), and digit span test (DST) results were compared in these patients before and after chemotherapy (CT).

Results

We found that patients with ALDH2 gene genotypes of rs671_GG, rs886205_GG, rs4648328_CC, and rs4767944_TT polymorphisms were more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment during chemotherapy. A trend toward statistical significance was observed for rs671_GG of DST (z = 2.769, p = 0.006), VFT (t = 4.624, P<0.001); rs886205_GG of DST (z = 3.663, P<0.001); rs4648328_CC of DST (z = 2.850, p = 0.004), VFT (t = 3.477, p = 0.001); and rs4767944_TT of DST (z = 2.967, p = 0.003), VFT (t = 2.776, p = 0.008). The cognitive indicators of these patients significantly decreased after chemotherapy (p < 0.05). The difference in ALDH2 rs671 was most obvious.

Conclusion

Our results showed what kinds of ALDH2 genotyped patients that are more likely to develop CRCI. In the future, it may be possible to infer the risk of CRCI by detecting the single‐nucleotide locus of ALDH2 that is conducive to strengthening clinical interventions for these patients and improving their QOL. More importantly, this study has important implications for Asian women with breast cancer as ALDH2 rs671 is a common polymorphism in Asians.