bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D Printing of Self‐Healing Materials
Authors: Roppolo Ignazio , Caprioli Matteo , Pirri Candido F. , Magdassi Shlomo
Published: October 2023

This review article presents a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the field of 3D printable structures with self‐healing properties. Three‐dimensional printing (3DP) is a versatile technology that enables the rapid manufacturing of complex geometric structures with precision and functionality not previously attainable. However, the application of 3DP technology is still limited by the availability of materials with customizable properties specifically designed for additive manufacturing. The addition of self‐healing properties within 3D printed objects is of high interest as it can improve the performance and lifespan of structural components, and even enable the mimicking of living tissues for biomedical applications, such as organs printing. The review will discuss and analyze the most relevant results reported in recent years in the development of self‐healing polymeric materials that can be processed via 3D printing. After introducing the chemical and physical self‐healing mechanism that can be exploited, the literature review here reported will focus in particular on printability and repairing performances. At last, actual perspective and possible development field will be critically discussed.
Recent Developments and Future Directions of Wearable Skin Biosignal Sensors
Authors: Kim Dohyung , Min JinKi , Ko Seung Hwan
Published: October 2023

This review article explores the transformative advancements in wearable biosignal sensors powered by machine learning, focusing on four notable biosignals: electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and photoplethysmogram (PPG). The integration of machine learning with these biosignals has led to remarkable breakthroughs in various medical monitoring and human–machine interface applications. For ECG, machine learning enables automated heartbeat classification and accurate disease detection, improving cardiac healthcare with early diagnosis and personalized interventions. EMG technology, combined with machine learning, facilitates real‐time prediction and classification of human motions, revolutionizing applications in sports medicine, rehabilitation, prosthetics, and virtual reality interfaces. EEG analysis powered by machine learning goes beyond traditional clinical applications, enabling brain activity understanding in psychology, neurology, and human–computer interaction, and holds promise in brain–computer interfaces. PPG, augmented with machine learning, has shown exceptional progress in diagnosing and monitoring cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, offering non‐invasive and accurate healthcare solutions. These integrated technologies, powered by machine learning, open new avenues for medical monitoring and human–machine interaction, shaping the future of healthcare.
Visual Functional–Structural Plant Modeling Innovatively as a Compound Eye: Opening a New Way for Advancing the Scientific Cognition of Plant Vision
Authors: Lin Yi
Published: October 2023

Plant vision is an interesting interdisciplinary branch of botany and vision science, and its emerging studies have composed an epic journey of discovery. However, there are few endeavors on modeling how a plant as an integrity sees. Inspired by the similarity between those discovered laws of plant vision and the visual performance of some insect species with compound eyes, the visual functional–structural plant modeling as a compound eye is innovatively proposed. Using this adapted basic‐pattern‐oriented modeling, we tried to validate its feasibility in terms of the structural support, visual pathway, and functional performance. First, for a diversity of woody plants, their crowns proved to show self‐similar profiles, which render the omnidirectional surfaces for structurally supporting the proposed model. Second, for many plant species, their branching proved to abide by the Pareto front, which ensures the optimality of assuming the visual pathway along the branching network. Third, in canopies the varying, but existing horizontal and vertical modes of crown shyness are detected, which in functional performance accords with the panoramic visibility of the proposed model. Overall, the feasibility of compound eye modeling is validated preliminarily, with the implication of opening a way for advancing the scientific cognition of plant vision.
Sustainable development: The role of sustainability committees in achieving ESG targets
Authors: Abdullah Aso , Yamak Sibel , Korzhenitskaya Anna , Rahimi Roya , McClellan Jeanette
Published: October 2023

This study investigating the impact of sustainability committee characteristics (SCCs) on corporate sustainability performance (CSP) utilised environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring. Based on secondary data obtained from Refinitiv, Fame and FTSE 150 databases, the sample consists of 112 non‐financial companies from 2010 to 2018, thus 926 firm‐year observations. The results reveal a positive and significant relationship between organisational factors including firm size, profitability and firm age across combined ESG and environmental scores. As for the sustainability committee characteristics, there is a positive association between frequency of committee meeting and age diversity with governance scores and a negative relationship between frequency of committee meeting and environmental performance. The empirical finding shows positive and negative relationships under the presence of focussed and non‐focussed committees equally. Furthermore, the presence of focussed or non‐focussed sustainability committees (SCs) do appear to have an association with the overall CSP. Furthermore, this paper provides empirical evidence of the insignificant relationship of SCC with the sub‐dimension of social performance, which contradicts our hypothesis and existing studies. Together with SCC's weak associations with environment and governance dimensions, this finding supports the argument that firms are actively using sustainability committees to create positive public image and reputation to protect legitimacy.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the mortality among patients with colorectal cancer in Hiroshima, Japan: A large cancer registry study
Authors: Miyamori Daisuke , Kamitani Tsukasa , Yoshida Shuhei , Shigenobu Yuya , Ikeda Kotaro , Kikuchi Yuka , Kashima Saori , Yamamoto Yosuke
Published: October 2023

Background

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on colorectal cancer care and mortality using a large cancer registry in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The study aimed to estimate the all‐cause mortality rates within 1 year of diagnosis among colorectal cancer patients diagnosed during the pandemic period (2020 and 2021) compared to those diagnosed during the pre‐pandemic period (2018 and 2019).

Methods

The day of diagnosis was set as Day 0 and Cox regression models were utilized to estimate crude hazard ratios (HRs) and adjusted HRs, accounting for age, sex, cancer stage, and treatment status. Two sensitivity analyses of overall survival were performed with different cutoffs of the pre‐pandemic/pandemic periods and year‐to‐year comparisons. Subgroup analyses were performed using likelihood ratio tests.

Results

A total of 15,085 colorectal cancer patients were included, with 6499 eligible for follow‐up. A median age of included patients was 72 years old, of which 59% were male. The distribution of cancer stages showed little variation between the pre‐pandemic and pandemic periods. With a median follow‐up of 177 days, the number of events was 316/3111 (173 events per 1000 person‐years [E/1000PY], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 154–192 E/1000PY) in the pre‐pandemic period, and 326/2746 (245 E/1000PY, 95% CI: 220–274 E/1000PY) in the pandemic period (crude HR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.22–1.66; adjusted HR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07–1.46). The two sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses consistently supported these findings.

Conclusions

The study revealed an increased colorectal cancer mortality during the pandemic period, suggesting a continuous impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the known and unknown risk factors for colorectal cancer for several years. Further studies are necessary to mitigate the adverse effects on patient outcomes.
Becoming a trauma‐informed campus: The Missouri Model as a map
Authors: Costa Karen
Published: October 2023

Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed explosive growth in the amount of interest in trauma awareness among higher educators. Prior to the pandemic, I taught on this topic, but interest was generally limited. I felt like I was often begging people to pay attention to how trauma shows up in our classrooms and how we might modify our teaching approaches to be more inclusive.
Fluorinated Benzimidazole‐Linked Highly Conjugated Polymer Enabling Covalent Polysulfide Anchoring for Stable Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Haldar Sattwick , Khan Arafat H. , De Ankita , Reichmayr Fanny , Morag Ahiud , Yu Minghao , Schneemann Andreas , Kaskel Stefan
Published: October 2023

Sulfur is one of the most abundant and economical elements in the p‐block family and highly redox active, potentially utilizable as a charge‐storing electrode with high theoretical capacities. However, its inherent good solubility in many electrolytes inhibits its accessibility as an electrode material in typical metal‐sulfur batteries. In this work, the synthetically designed fluorinated porous polymer, when treated with elemental sulfur through a well‐known nucleophilic aromatic substitution mechanism (SNAr), allows for the covalent integration of polysulfides into a highly conjugated benzimidazole polymer by replacing the fluorine atoms. Chemically robust benzimidazole linkages allow such harsh post‐synthetic treatment and facilitate the electronic activation of the anchored polysulfides for redox reactions under applied potential. The electrode amalgamated with sulfurized polymer mitigates the so‐called polysulfide shuttle effect in the lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) battery and also enables a reversible, more environmentally friendly, and more economical aluminum‐sulfur (Al−S) battery that is configured with mostly p‐block elements as cathode, anode, and electrolytes. The improved cycling stabilities and reduction of the overpotential in both cases pave the way for future sustainable energy storage solutions.
Diffusion is everywhere: Jörg Kärger zum Geburtstag
Authors: Caro Jürgen , Gläser Roger
Published: October 2023

No abstract.
Design and Preparation of a Bifunctional Nanobiohybrid Catalyst by Combining Palladium and α‐Amylase Enzyme: Application in One‐pot Chemoenzymatic Catalysis
Authors: Kaur Parmjeet , Tyagi Vikas
Published: October 2023

A chemoenzymatic approach that combines chemical and bio‐catalyst has proven very useful in synthetic chemistry, however, mutual deactivation of chemical and bio‐catalyst when employed in the same pot is still a challenge. In this context, the development of nanobiohybrid catalysts has played an important role and overcoming the issue of mutual deactivation between catalysts to a certain extent. Herein, we design and synthesize a novel heterogeneous recyclable nanobiohybrid catalyst comprising palladium nanoparticles and α‐amylase from Aspergillus oryzae immobilized onto halloysite nanotubes as a solid heterogeneous support. Further, the wider applicability of the developed nanobiohybrid catalyst is revealed in the one‐pot chemoenzymatic synthesis of functionalized biphenyls and bis(indolyl)methanes which consists of Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling and α‐amylase mediated aza‐Michael addition or electrophilic substitution reactions respectively. Further, the robustness and generality of the developed one‐pot chemoenzymatic synthesis are demonstrated by incorporating different substitutions at the starting materials and obtaining the corresponding products in moderate to good yields.
Overcoming seed coat–imposed dormancy in wild species ofCajanusandRhynchosia
Authors: Lamichaney Amrit , Naik SJ Satheesh , Hazra Kali Krishna , Datta Dibendu , Parihar Ashok Kumar , Aidbhavi Revanasidda , Katiyar Pardip Kumar
Published: October 2023

Occurrence of physical dormancy or hard seed coat prevents proper utilization and conservation of wild species ofCajanusandRhynchosia, which offers a source of many useful traits. Hence, an attempt has been made to understand the variability in hardseededness and the pretreatments (hot air treatment for 3, 5, 7, and 14 days; hot air treatment for 30 and 60 min; sulfuric acid scarification for 2 and 5 min; partial incision on seed coat) to overcome it in 44 accessions of 10 wild pigeon pea species. The level of hardseededness varied from 36% to 100% with an average of 76.5%. Likewise, time to 1% germination or time taken to initiate germination (T1), time to 50% germination (T50), and mean germination time (MGT) varied between 16.18–249.9 h, 94.7–607.7 h, and 37.5–153.2 h, respectively. Overall, all the treatments reduced hardseededness and improved germination over the control, with partial incision on seed coat being the best treatment for all the species recording 70%–98% germination, except forRhynchosia aurea(30%) andCajanus cajanifolius(59%). The hot water treatment for 30 and 60 min was the best treatment forC. cajanifoliusrecording germination of 66%–70% as compared to 11% in control. The sulfuric acid scarification for 2 min was the best pretreatment for overcoming dormancy and improving germination inRhynchosia bracteata,Rhynchosia rothii, andRhynchosia rufescens. The result indicated a significant inter‐ and intraspecific variation in the effectiveness of pretreatments in overcoming physical dormancy, suggesting that the optimum pretreatment for overcoming hardseededness should be standardized for each accession. Also, the dormancy‐breaking pretreatments not only reduced hardseededness and improved final germination percent but it also reduced time for T1, T50, and MGT, suggesting that use of such pretreatments before sowing could result into higher, uniform, and rapid germination.
Admixture mapping and selection scans identify genomic regions associated with stomatal patterning and disease resistance in hybrid poplars
Authors: Fetter Karl C. , Keller Stephen R.
Published: October 2023

Variation in fitness components can be linked in some cases to variation in key traits. Metric traits that lie at the intersection of development, defense, and ecological interactions may be expected to experience environmental selection, informing our understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes. Here, we use quantitative genetic and population genomic methods to investigate disease dynamics in hybrid and non‐hybrid populations. We focus our investigation on morphological and ecophysiological traits which inform our understanding of physiology, growth, and defense against a pathogen. In particular, we investigate stomata, microscopic pores on the surface of a leaf that regulate gas exchange during photosynthesis and are sites of entry for various plant pathogens. Stomatal patterning traits were highly predictive of disease risk. Admixture mapping identified a polygenic basis of disease resistance. Candidate genes for stomatal and disease resistance map to the same genomic regions and experienced positive selection. Genes with functions to guard cell homeostasis, the plant immune system, components of constitutive defenses, and growth‐related transcription factors were identified. Our results indicate positive selection acted on candidate genes for stomatal patterning and disease resistance, potentially acting in concert to structure their variation in naturally formed backcrossing hybrid populations.
Biome‐ and timescale‐dependence of Holocene vegetation variability in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Hébert Raphaël , Schild Laura , Laepple Thomas , Herzschuh Ulrike
Published: October 2023

Global climatic changes expected in the next centuries are likely to cause unparalleled vegetation disturbances, which in turn impact ecosystem services. To assess the significance of disturbances, it is necessary to characterize and understand typical natural vegetation variability on multi‐decadal timescales and longer. We investigate this in the Holocene vegetation by examining a taxonomically harmonized and temporally standardized global fossil pollen dataset. Using principal component analysis, we characterize the variability in pollen assemblages, which are a proxy for vegetation composition, and derive timescale‐dependent estimates of variability using the first‐order Haar structure function. We find, on average, increasing fluctuations in vegetation composition from centennial to millennial timescales, as well as spatially coherent patterns of variability. We further relate these variations to pairwise comparisons between biome classes based on vegetation composition. As such, higher variability is identified for open‐land vegetation compared to forests. This is consistent with the more active fire regimes of open‐land biomes fostering variability. Needleleaf forests are more variable than broadleaf forests on shorter (centennial) timescales, but the inverse is true on longer (millennial) timescales. This inversion could also be explained by the fire characteristics of the biomes as fire disturbances would increase vegetation variability on shorter timescales, but stabilize vegetation composition on longer timecales by preventing the migration of less fire‐adapted species.
Functional consequences of animal community changes in managed grasslands: An application of the CAFE approach
Authors: Hogan Katharine F. E. , Jones Holly P. , Savage Kirstie , Burke Angela M. , Guiden Peter W. , Hosler Sheryl C. , Rowland‐Schaefer Erin , Barber Nicholas A.
Published: October 2023

In the midst of an ongoing biodiversity crisis, much research has focused on species losses and their impacts on ecosystem functioning. The functional consequences (ecosystem response) of shifts in communities are shaped not only by changes in species richness, but also by compositional shifts that result from species losses and gains. Species differ in their contribution to ecosystem functioning, so species identity underlies the consequences of species losses and gains on ecosystem functions. Such research is critical to better predict the impact of disturbances on communities and ecosystems. We used the “Community Assembly and the Functioning of Ecosystems” (CAFE) approach, a modification of the Price equation to understand the functional consequences and relative effects of richness and composition changes in small nonvolant mammal and dung beetle communities as a result of two common disturbances in North American prairie restorations, prescribed fire and the reintroduction of large grazing mammals. Previous research in this system has shown dung beetles are critically important decomposers, while small mammals modulate much energy in prairie food webs. We found that dung beetle communities were more responsive to bison reintroduction and prescribed fires than small nonvolant mammals. Dung beetle richness increased after bison reintroduction, with higher dung beetle community biomass resulting from changes in remaining species (context‐dependent component) rather than species turnover (richness components); prescribed fire caused a minor increase in dung beetle biomass for the same reason. For small mammals, bison reintroduction reduced energy transfer through the loss of species, while prescribed fire had little impact on either small mammal richness or energy transfer. The CAFE approach demonstrates how bison reintroduction controls small nonvolant mammal communities by increasing prairie food web complexity, and increases dung beetle populations with possible benefits for soil health through dung mineralization and soil bioturbation. Prescribed fires, however, have little effect on small mammals and dung beetles, suggesting a resilience to fire. These findings illustrate the key role of re‐establishing historical disturbance regimes when restoring endangered prairie ecosystems and their ecological function.
Numerical multiscale analysis of 3D printed short fiber composites parts: Filament anisotropy and toolpath effects
Authors: Estefani Alejandro , Távara Luis
Published: October 2023

The aim of the present investigation is the development of a numerical model able to adequately represent the effect of several variables, associated to the fused deposition modeling (FDM) procedure, on the mechanical behavior of 3D printed parts. Specifically, 3D printed carbon short‐fiber reinforced thermoplastic parts are numerically analyzed. Previous experimental results have proven that this kind of parts show a global anisotropic behavior, in terms of classical mechanical parameters as stiffness. Thus, special emphasis is done in analyzing the effect of the raster angle / toolpath (inherent to FDM) and the internal microstructure of the deposited filaments (due to the presence of the short fibers). Multiscale finite element models are used to represent the linear elastic behavior at macro scale. The numerical models are also able to include the effect of porosity. Based on experimental results of 3D printed composite parts with 100% infill and different raster angles, elastic transversely isotropic properties are estimated for the individual deposited filaments using a reverse engineering procedure. Obtained results show that for an adequate modeling of FDM composite parts, anisotropic properties of the filament must be taken into account, even when quasi‐isotropic printing parameters are used (“cross‐ply” configurations). Finally, additional numerical analyses of some parameters associated to the FDM technique are done. Specifically, the effect of porosity related to the infill pattern and percentage on the global (macro) apparent stiffness is analyzed.
Elastic functional changepoint detection of climate impacts from localized sources
Authors: Tucker J. Derek , Yarger Drew
Published: October 2023

Detecting changepoints in functional data has become an important problem as interest in monitoring of climate phenomenon has increased, where the data is functional in nature. The observed data often contains both amplitude (‐axis) and phase (‐axis) variability. If not accounted for properly, true changepoints may be undetected, and the estimated underlying mean change functions will be incorrect. In this article, an elastic functional changepoint method is developed which properly accounts for these types of variability. The method can detect amplitude and phase changepoints which current methods in the literature do not, as they focus solely on the amplitude changepoint. This method can easily be implemented using the functions directly or can be computed via functional principal component analysis to ease the computational burden. We apply the method and its nonelastic competitors to both simulated data and observed data to show its efficiency in handling data with phase variation with both amplitude and phase changepoints. We use the method to evaluate potential changes in stratospheric temperature due to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines in June 1991. Using an epidemic changepoint model, we find evidence of a increase in stratospheric temperature during a period that contains the immediate aftermath of Mt. Pinatubo, with most detected changepoints occurring in the tropics as expected.
Expert opinion on diagnosis and management of epilepsy‐associated comorbidities
Authors: Peltola Jukka , Surges Rainer , Voges Berthold , von Oertzen Tim J.
Published: October 2023

Apart from seizure freedom, the presence of comorbidities related to neurological, cardiovascular, or psychiatric disorders is the largest determinant of a reduced health‐related quality of life in people with epilepsy (PwE). However, comorbidities are often underrecognized and undertreated, and clinical management of comorbid conditions can be challenging. The focus of a comprehensive treatment regimen should maximize seizure control while optimizing clinical management of treatable comorbidities to improve a person's quality of life and overall health. A panel of four European epileptologists with expertise in their respective fields of epilepsy‐related comorbidities combined the latest available scientific evidence with clinical expertise and collaborated to provide consensus practical advice to improve the identification and management of comorbidities in PwE. This review provides a critical evaluation for the diagnosis and management of sleep–wake disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive dysfunction, and depression in PwE. Whenever possible, clinical data have been provided. The PubMed database was the main search source for the literature review. The deleterious pathophysiological processes underlying neurological, cardiovascular, or psychiatric comorbidities in PwE interact with the processes responsible for generating seizures to increase cerebral and physiological dysfunction. This can increase the likelihood of developing drug‐resistant epilepsy; therefore, early identification of comorbidities and intervention is imperative. The practical evidence‐based advice presented in this article may help clinical neurologists and other specialist physicians responsible for the care and management of PwE.
Contaminants of Concern and Spatiotemporal Metabolomic Changes in Quagga Mussels (Dreissena bugensis rostriformis) from the Milwaukee Estuary (Wisconsin, USA)
Authors: Fuller Neil , Kimbrough Kimani L. , Davenport Erik , Edwards Michael E. , Jacob Annie , Chandramouli Bharat , Johnson W. Edward
Published: October 2023

Environmental metabolomics has emerged as a promising technique in the field of biomonitoring and as an indicator of aquatic ecosystem health. In the Milwaukee Estuary (Wisconsin, USA), previous studies have used a nontargeted metabolomic approach to distinguish between zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) collected from sites of varying contamination. To further elucidate the potential effects of contaminants on bivalve health in the Milwaukee Estuary, the present study adopted a caging approach to study the metabolome of quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis rostriformis) deployed in six sites of varying contamination for 2, 5, or 55 days. Caged mussels were co-deployed with two types of passive sampler (polar organic chemical integrative samplers and semipermeable membrane devices) and data loggers. In conjunction, in situ quagga mussels were collected from the four sites studied previously and analyzed for residues of contaminants and metabolomics using a targeted approach. For the caging study, temporal differences in the metabolomic response were observed with few significant changes observed after 2 and 5 days, but larger differences (up to 97 significantly different metabolites) to the metabolome in all sites after 55 days. A suite of metabolic pathways were altered, including biosynthesis and metabolism of amino acids, and upmodulation of phospholipids at all sites, suggesting a potential biological influence such as gametogenesis. In the caging study, average temperatures appeared to have a greater effect on the metabolome than contaminants, despite a large concentration gradient in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons residues measured in passive samplers and mussel tissue. Conversely, significant differences between the metabolome of mussels collected in situ from all three contaminated sites and the offshore reference site were observed. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of contextualizing the effects of environmental conditions and reproductive processes on the metabolome of model organisms to facilitate the wider use of this technique for biomonitoring and environmental health assessments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:307–323. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Homo heterogenus: Variability in early Pleistocene Homo environments
Authors: Foister Tegan I. F. , Žliobaitė Indrė , Wilson Oscar E. , Fortelius Mikael , Tallavaara Miikka
Published: October 2023

To understand the ecological dominance of Homo sapiens, we need to investigate the origins of the plasticity that has enabled our colonization of the planet. We can approach this by exploring the variability of habitats to which different hominin populations have adapted over time. In this article, we draw upon and synthesize the current research on habitats of genus Homo during the early Pleistocene. We examined 121 published environmental reconstructions from 74 early Pleistocene sites or site phases to assess the balance of arguments in the research community. We found that, while grasslands and savannahs were prominent features of Homo habitats in the early Pleistocene, current research does not place early Pleistocene Homo, in any single environmental type, but in a wide variety of environments, ranging from open grasslands to forests. Our analysis also suggests that the first known dispersal of Homo out of Africa was accompanied by niche expansion.
Association between atherosclerosis and primary Sjogren's syndrome: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liu Shuang , Li Xingjun , Yang Qian , Wang Nan , Xu Jian , Li Luqiong , Guo Yulong
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Atherosclerosis (AS) risk increases in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. The association and mechanism between primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) and AS haven't been explained for now. We did this cross‐sectional study to clarify the prevalence and risk factors of AS in patients with pSS, and to further explore how immune cells and inflammatory cytokines work in the process.

Methods

Patients with pSS were enrolled. General information, AS events, immune cells, inflammatory cytokines, and related clinical data were recorded. Prevalence of AS events was calculated. Correlation analysis between immune factors and AS quantitative parameters were conducted by SPSS v20.0.

Results

A total of 155 pSS patients were included with a median Framingham 10‐year risk of 7%. Sixty‐four AS events were recorded, with a prevalence of 41.3%. Carotid intima‐media thickness was positively correlated to immunoglobulin (Ig) A (r = 0.245, p = 0.030) and negatively correlated to IgM (r = −0.227, p = 0.045). Left ankle‐brachial pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was positively correlated to the course of disease (r = 0.352, p = 0.004), B cells (r = 0.410, p = 0.001), and T helper (Th) cells (r = 0.284, p = 0.029), while negatively correlated to IgM (r = −0.257, p = 0.042). Right baPWV was positively correlated to the course of pSS (r = 0.319, p = 0.010), B cells (r = 0.453, p < 0.001), Th cells (r = 0.302, p = 0.020), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.286, p = 0.042). Use of hydroxychloroquine, cyclophosphamide, and glucocorticoids had no impact on AS events.

Conclusion

The prevalence of AS in patients with pSS is reported to be 41.3%. Several risk factors have been associated with AS in these patients, including the duration of the disease, levels of Th cells, B lymphocytes, and CRP. Interestingly, IgM appears to have a protective effect against AS. It is worth noting that traditional therapy for pSS does not seem to have any effect in preventing AS events.
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Authors: Xiao Yao , Liu Yi‐Feng , Li Hong‐Wei , Li Jia‐Yang , Wang Jing‐Qiang , Hu Hai‐Yan , Su Yu , Jian Zhuang‐Chun , Yao Hu‐Rong , Chen Shuang‐Qiang , Zeng Xian‐Xiang , Wu Xiong‐Wei , Wang Jia‐Zhao , Zhu Yan‐Fang , Dou Shi‐Xue , Chou Shu‐Lei
Published: October 2023

In the article (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12475), Yao Xiao and co‐workers report an oxide cathode material of Na0.6Mn0.95Mg0.05O2 with layered/tunnel intergrowth structure, which exhibits superior Na+ storage performance, offering new opportunities for realizing high‐energy‐density and long‐cycle‐life sodium‐ion batteries.

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Community‐Acquired and Hospital‐Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Foster Malcolm T.
Published: October 2023

The older drugs used to treat pneumonia may still be useful in self‐limiting infections. Newer antibiotics—augmented penicillins, trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole, third‐generation cephalosporins, and others—are quite effective, but resistance can be a problem, and some patients cannot tolerate the adverse events associated with these agents. The fluoroquinolones are effective in treating pneumonia because of their broad spectra of activity against gram‐negative and gram‐positive organisms, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. They are rapidly and nearly completely absorbed after oral administration; bioavailability ranges up to 100% for ofloxacin and lomefloxacin. Concentrations attained in lung tissues and sputum generally exceed the minimum inhibitory concentrations for the most common respiratory tract pathogens. The quinolones are also well tolerated; most adverse events are mild and do not lead to discontinuation of therapy. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are available in parenteral as well as oral formulations. The high bioavailability of oral ofloxacin (>95%) allows a patient to be started on the parenteral form in the hospital and continued taking the oral form at home with no loss of efficacy, but with reduced costs and improved quality of life.
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs and Certain Rare, Serious Adverse Events: A Cohort Study
Authors: Jick Hershel , Derby Laura E. , Rodríguez Luis A. García , Jick Susan S. , Dean Alan D.
Published: October 2023

We performed a population‐based study of over 100,000 users of diclofenac, naproxen, or piroxicam to identify cases of important blood, skin, central nervous system, kidney, pancreas, or pulmonary disorders caused by these drugs. In three cases a causal relation seemed likely; one of hemolytic anemia attributed to diclofenac, one of neutropenia attributed to naproxen, and one of pancreatitis attributed to piroxicam. In 13 additional cases a causal connection seemed unlikely but could not be fully ruled out. We conclude that such illnesses are uncommonly caused by the three agents studied.
Invasive Pharmacodynamic Characterization of Combined Ibopamine and Calcium Blocker Therapy for Heart Failure
Authors: Munger Mark A. , Nara Andrew R. , Pospisil Robert A. , Stoddard Gregory J. , Schleman Margo
Published: October 2023

Study Objective. To determine the acute hemodynamic response of single‐dose coadministration of ibopamine plus nifedipine or diltiazem in patients with New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA FC) II—III congestive heart failure.

Design. A single‐blind, placebo‐controlled, two‐paired, crossover study.

Setting. Cardiology clinics at two large teaching hospitals.

Patients. Eight patients with NYHA FC II—III congestive heart failure who met the inclusion criteria were selected randomly.

Interventions. All patients underwent right heart catheterization. Day 1 consisted of concomitant calcium channel blocker plus placebo, with cardiac and peripheral hemodynamic recordings from 30 minutes–24 hours. The design was equivalent on day 2, with single‐dose administration of ibopamine plus calcium channel blocker.

Measurements and Main Results. Single‐dose nifedipine‐diltiazem augmented cardiac output and stroke volume secondary to decreasing systemic vascular resistance. The nifedipine‐ibopamine and diltiazem‐ibopamine subgroups demonstrated relatively equal hemodynamics, augmenting cardiac index (nifedipine 43%, p<0.05; diltiazem 40%, p<0.05 vs baseline) while decreasing systemic vascular resistance (nifedipine 41%, p<0.05; diltiazem 28%, p NS vs baseline) 30 minutes after the dose. In contrast to single‐dose diltiazem, the diltiazem‐ibopamine subgroup exhibited an increased left ventricular filling pressure (122%, p<0.05 vs baseline) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (43%, p<0.05 vs baseline) at 30 minutes after the dose. One patient experienced a transient episode of chest pain associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure with diltiazem‐ibopamine.

Conclusion. Diltiazem and ibopamine should be coadministered with caution in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction.
Safety of Different Dosages of Intravenous Adenosine Used in Conjunction With Diagnostic Myocardial Imaging Techniques
Authors: Mohiuddin Syed M. , Esterbrooks Dennis J. , Gupta Naresh C. , Hilleman Daniel E.
Published: October 2023

Study Objective. To determine the safety of three different dosage regimens of intravenous adenosine.

Design. Open‐label, observational safety evaluation.

Setting. University hospital‐based department of nuclear medicine.

Patients. Cohort of 854 patients referred for myocardial perfusion imaging to evaluate their coronary artery disease and who were judged unable to perform physical exercise

Interventions. Subjects underwent myocardial perfusion imaging in conjunction with one of three intravenous dosage regimens: 1 = fixed dosage 140 μg/kg/minute for 6 minutes; 2 = dosage titration to a maximum of 140 μg/kg/minute; and 3 = dosage titration to a maximum of 200 μg/kg/minute. In regimens 2 and 3, maximum tolerated dosages were continued for a minimum of 3 minutes prior to radioisotope injection.

Measurements and Main Results. Adenosine‐induced hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and biochemical changes were measured. Adverse effects of the different adenosine dosages were compared. Noncardiac side effects such as flushing, dyspnea, neck tightness, and lightheadedness occurred at a significantly higher rate during regimens 2 and 3 than regimen 1. Chest pain and first‐ and second‐degree atrioventricular block were also more frequent during regimens 2 and 3. However, the frequency of other side effects such as complete heart block, hypotension, and ST segment depression did not differ among the regimens. High‐dose adenosine was associated with a significant increase in serum uric acid, a significant decrease in blood glucose, and a significant increase in serum triglyceride levels. Mean changes in hemodynamics and electrocardiographic intervals' were also not different among the groups except for a greater increase in PR interval in regimens 2 and 3 than regimen 1. Discontinuation of adenosine was infrequent (< 1%) and did not differ among the regimens.

Conclusions. Adenosine‐assisted myocardial perfusion imaging procedures are relatively safe for evaluating coronary artery disease. Despite 82% of patients reporting at least one side effect, only 10 (< 1%) had to discontinue adenosine. No patient suffered any residual sequelae from the adverse effects. The fixed‐dose regimen is associated with fewer subjective side effects and is better tolerated than titration regimens. Appropriate safety precautions should nonetheless be taken during adenosine infusions.
A Retrospective Review and Assessment of Benzodiazepines in the Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Hoey Lori L. , Nahum Avi , Vance‐Bryan Kyle
Published: October 2023

Little information has been published concerning differences among the benzodiazepines in treating hospitalized patients with severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. We attempted to determine the length and type of hospital stay, and the pattern and appropriateness of administration, dosage requirements, and costs associated with benzodiazepines in patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal. A 1‐year retrospective analysis was performed for 57 hospitalized patients. Appropriate therapy was defined as lorazepam for patients 60 years and older or those with hepatic dysfunction, and chlordiazepoxide or diazepam for all other patients. Drug costs were calculated based on acquisition costs. The mean number of days of benzodiazepine treatment and length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) were 6.2 days (range 1–30 days) and 3.9 days (range 0–12 days), respectively. Fifty‐six patients were admitted to the ICU for management or for monitoring continuous‐infusion lorazepam; one patient received chlordiazepoxide on a general ward. Total mean lorazepam infusion required per patient was 324 mg (range 2–5956 mg). The total benzodiazepine acquisition cost was $56,489 (mean $1009, range $0.06–7157/patient). The total costs of benzodiazepine acquisition and ICU charge were $404,346 (mean $7462/patient). Based on our criteria, 41 of 57 patients could have been treated appropriately with chlordiazepoxide, which would have resulted in an estimated drug‐acquisition cost savings of at least $37,000. Mean benzodiazepine dosage requirements in patients hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal appear higher than previously reported. Approximately 70% of our patients were not of advanced age and had no evidence of organ dysfunction, and therefore, could have been treated with an oxidized benzodiazepine (i.e., chlordiazepoxide). Significant acquisition costs were associated with continuous‐infusion lorazepam.
Effects of Long‐Term Oral Carvedilol on the Steady‐State Pharmacokinetics of Oral Digoxin in Patients With Mild to Moderate Hypertension
Authors: Wermeling Daniel P. , Feild Carinda J. , Smith Deborah A. , Chandler Mary H.H. , Clifton G. Dennis , Boyle Duane A.
Published: October 2023

The effect of multiple oral doses of carvedilol on steady‐state plasma digoxin pharmacokinetics was evaluated in 12 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Area under the curve (AUC), mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), mean time to maximum concentration (Tmax), concentration at 24 hours after the dose (C24), creatinine clearance, renal digoxin clearance, and urinary digoxin excretion were determined after patients took oral digoxin 0.25 mg once/day for 2 weeks. Carvedilol was added to the regimen, and digoxin pharmacokinetics were assessed after 2 weeks of concurrent treatment. The AUC and Cmax for digoxin increased by 14% and 32%, respectively (p<0.05), with no change in Tmax. The 24‐hour urinary digoxin excretion and 24‐hour renal digoxin clearance increased by 45% and 26%, respectively (p<0.05), with no change in creatinine clearance. Carvedilol appears to increase digoxin's oral bioavailability as well as renal elimination. The absolute change in digoxin pharmacokinetics was small and not clinically significant. The significance of the interaction in other patient populations remains to be studied.
Metabolic Studies on the Rabbit Corpus Cavernosum
Authors: LEVIN ROBERT M. , HYPOLITE JOSEPH A. , LONGHURST PENELOPE A. , GONG CHAOLIANG , BRISCOE JANICE , BRODERICK GREGORY A.
Published: October 2023

Erectile function (erection and detumescence) involves the complex interaction of direct neuronal stimulation of corporal smooth muscle, neurohumoral release of specific endothelial contractile and relaxant factors, and secondary modulation by a variety of putative neuropeptides and vasoactive modulators. The net result is a rapid and sustained relaxation of the smooth muscle elements during erection and contraction of the smooth muscle during detumescence. Proper function of the corporal tissue is dependent upon cellular metabolism of glucose and the generation of cellular energy in the form of high energy phosphates. The current study characterizes the following metabolic parameters of the rabbit corpus cavernosum: Tissue concentrations of creatine phosphate (CP), ATP, ADP, and AMP; maximal rate of glucose metabolism to lactic acid and CO2; and activities of the enzymes creatine kinase (CK), citrate synthase, and malate dehydrogenase. For comparative purposes only, bladder smooth muscle preparations were analyzed simultaneously with and under the same conditions as the corpus cavernosum.

The results are as follows: The concentrations of ATP and CP in the corpora were significantly lower than the concentrations in bladder. In the corpora, the tissue concentration of CP was lower than the tissue concentration of ATP, whereas the concentration of CP in the bladder was higher than the concentration of ATP. The rate of glucose metabolism to lactic acid and to carbon dioxide was similar for both bladder smooth muscle and corpus cavernosum. The maximal enzymatic activity of the mitochondrial enzyme citrate synthase was similar for both tissues; similarly, there was no significant difference in the activity of malate dehydrogenase between the two tissues. However, the CK activity of the bladder smooth muscle was significantly greater than the activity in the corpus cavernosum. One important factor that must be considered is that only 34% of the corpus cavernosum is smooth muscle, the balance being extracellular matrix, endothelium, and cytoskeletal elements. Thus, the differences between these two tissues may well be related to the different structural components.
Operational Standards for CASA Instruments
Authors: DAVIS R. O. , KATZ D. F.
Published: October 2023

Computer‐aided sperm analysis (CASA) technology is 7 years old. Over 120 papers have been written that verify the technology or apply it in basic and clinical studies. Most of the technical problems with CASA, such as the dependence of velocity on video frame rate, inaccuracy of count and percent motility for low‐ and high‐concentration specimens, parameter dependence on the number of frames analyzed, sensitivity of the subjective threshold setting, confusion over the presence of debris, and different implementations of algorithms across instruments, still persist. A critical review of the literature reveals that no standard practices are followed within or across instruments. Moreover, no standards have been embraced or recommended by professional societies. Despite its potential to provide objective measurements of specimen and individual sperm parameters, and to automate the laboratory semen analysis, the promise of CASA has not been fulfilled. Unless laboratory medicine defines instrument performance and laboratory standards and co‐operates with industry to achieve these goals, CASA technology may remain a research curiosity. This outcome is especially worri‐some in the context of increasing requirements for laboratory accuracy, precision, standardization, and accreditation under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988.
150‐kDa Proteins in Dog Serum Bind 1.5‐kDa Growth‐Promoting Factors for Androgen‐Independent Canine Prostatic Epithelial Cells
Authors: CHEVALIER SIMONE , MCKERCHER GINETTE , CHAPDELAINE ALCIDE
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT Fractions obtained by gel filtration or ultrafiltration of dog serum were tested for their mitogenic activity on canine prostatic epithelial cells: two prostatic growth factor (PGF) entities were found, a major one of 150 kDa (PGF‐I) and a minor one of 1.5–2.0 kDa (PGF‐II). Treatment and/or extraction with acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, or acidified‐ethanol of preparations enriched in PGF‐I obtained either by ion‐exchange chromatography, acetone precipitation, or retention by ultrafiltration membrane (cut‐off 30 kDa) resulted, upon gel filtration, in the detection of a mitogenic activity eluting mainly at the position of PGF‐II. Acid hydrolysis and proteolysis of PGF‐II led to a loss of activity. It is proposed that, in dog serum, mitogenic peptides for prostatic epithelial cells of 1.5 kDa (PGF‐II) are found in their free form and/or in association with proteins of 150 kDa (PGF‐I).