bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and simulation analysis of fatigue life of aluminum 6061-T6 alloy
Authors: Jain Nitesh , Kumar Rajesh
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The majority of machine component failures are caused by load conditions that change with time. Under those circumstances, the component can function effectively for a long time but then breaks down unexpectedly and without warning. Therefore, the study of fatigue considerations in design becomes important. Also, to determine the component's long-term tenability, fatigue behavior must be investigated. This paper aims to investigate the fatigue life of aluminum 6061-T6 alloy under uniaxial loading using experiments and finite element simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Both base metal (BM) and friction stir welding (FSW) configurations have been used to analyze fatigue behavior. The experimental tests were carried out using Instron-8801 hydraulic fatigue testing machine at frequency of 20 Hz and load ratio of 0.1. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, amplitude stress and fatigue life were used as input in simulation analysis software. Based on the findings of the tensile test, the maximum stress applied during the fatigue testing was estimated. Simulated and experimental results were also used to plot and validate the S-N curves. The fracture behavior of specimens was also examined using fractographic analysis.

Findings

The fractured surfaces indicate both brittle and ductile failure in the specimens. However, dimples dominated during the final fracture. The comparison between experimental and simulation results illustrates that the difference in fatigue cycles increases with an increase in the yield strength of both BM and FSWed specimens. This disparity is attributed to many factors such as scratches, rough surfaces and microstructural behavior. Aluminum 6061-T6 alloy is considered a noteworthy material where high strength with reduced weight contributes to the crash-worthy design of automobile structures.

Originality/value

The current study is significant in the prediction of the fatigue life of aluminum 6061-T6 alloy using experiments and simulation analysis. A good correlation was found when the experimental and simulation analysis were compared. The proposed simulation analysis approach can be used to anticipate a component's fatigue life.
World society and field theory: The infiltration of development into humanitarianism
Authors: Rotem Nir
Published: February 2022

Differentiated modern society is commonly viewed as an aggregation of various fields, yet the question of their boundaries is often a silent one. This article builds on this lacuna to argue that cultural globalization should be acknowledged and added to the equation. Drawing from two distinct branches of the sociology of knowledge, Bourdieusian field theory and Meyer’s world society, an integrative approach is presented here. It rests on three propositions: scriptwriting is related to fields; script may be diffused into other fields; and a global taken for granted can emerge. With an eye toward the humanitarian‐development nexus, the article examines the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (established in 1950). Utilizing archival materials, changes the organization underwent, and the transfer of knowledge from the development field are documented. The article argues that resistance to the diffusion of social knowledge may occur, but some shared understanding is nonetheless gained.
The relationship between craving and insular morphometry in regular cocaine users: Does sex matter?
Authors: Abdel Malek George S. , Goudriaan Anna E. , Kaag Anne Marije
Published: February 2022

While it has been suggested that cocaine use and relapse in women is more strongly related to stress‐relief craving, whereas cocaine use in men is more strongly related to reward craving, the neural mechanisms that underlie these differences are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate sex‐dependent differences in insular morphometry and associations with craving, in a sample of regular cocaine users (CUs) and non‐drug using controls (non‐CUs). It was hypothesized that insular volume, thickness and surface area would be lower in CU women, compared with CU men and non‐CUs. It was furthermore hypothesized that insular morphometry, particularly insular thickness, would be negatively associated to reward craving in CU men, while being negatively associated with stress‐relief craving in CU women. In contrast to the hypothesis, we did not find evidence of sex‐specific differences in insular morphometry in CUs. However, sex‐specific association between stress‐relief craving and insular morphometry were found: Right insular volume was negatively associated with stress‐relief craving in CU women, whereas this association was positive in CU men. Additionally, right insular surface area was negatively associated with stress‐relief craving in cocaine‐using men, whereas this association was positive in cocaine‐using women. In conclusion, the current study provides first evidence of sex‐specific differences in the association between craving and insular morphometry in a sample of regular cocaine users. Although speculative, these sex‐specific alterations in insular morphometry may underlie higher stress‐induced craving and relapse in CU women compared with CU men.
Factors associated with public support for a lockdown measure in China during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Wang Xiao
Published: February 2022

The lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in China in early 2020 was considered effective by the World Health Organization and many academics around the world. At the same time, the Western media labelled these measures as draconian. This research examined the reasons why the Chinese people were willing to support such measures. Based on an online survey of 528 Chinese participants, conducted in April 2020, the results revealed that the participants' instrumental attitudes (e.g., the outcome of the lockdown), but not experiential attitudes (i.e., the experience of the lockdown), were predictive of their support for a lockdown policy. Further analysis showed that those with higher communitarian worldviews had favourable instrumental attitudes and strong support regardless of the level of the perceived severity of the virus, whereas those with lower communitarian worldviews had more favourable instrumental attitudes and policy support when perceived severity was high than when it was low. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Time‐resolving characterization of molecular weight retention changes among three synthetic high‐flux dialyzers
Authors: Zawada Adam M. , Melchior Pascal , Schall Christian , Erlenkötter Ansgar , Lang Thomas , Keller Torsten , Stauss‐Grabo Manuela , Kennedy James P.
Published: February 2022

Background

Toxin removal capacity (i.e., performance) of a dialyzer is not constant but diminishes during treatment, as the adsorption of proteins to the membrane provides an additional barrier to uremic solutes. We investigated time‐resolving molecular weight retention changes among synthetic high‐flux dialyzers and compared the results with recent data from a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

In plasma recirculation experiments over 240 min, sieving coefficients (SC) for β2‐microglobulin, myoglobin, and albumin were determined for the FX CorAL (Fresenius Medical Care), ELISIO (Nipro), and xevonta (B. Braun). Molecular weight retention (MWR) curves were generated and the shifts over 120 min were characterized. Effective pore radius was determined, and the predicted albumin loss was compared with clinical data.

Results

SC decreased over time for all dialyzers (mean relative decrease across all dialyzers: β2‐microglobulin: 8.0% (120 min); myoglobin: 56.6% (240 min); albumin: 94.1% (240 min)). FX CorAL (7.3%, 52.6% and 91.1%) and ELISIO (7.7%, 51.0%, and 93.8%) showed a lower decrease than xevonta (9.0%, 66.2%, and 97.4%). For all dialyzers, MWR curves shifted toward lower molecular weight, with the lowest shift for FX CorAL (by 0.23 nm at SC50%, 120 min) and highest for xevonta (0.50 nm). FX CorAL had the highest slope over time and the smallest decrease in the effective pore radius (2 min: 2.31 nm, 120 min: 2.08 nm). Predicted albumin loss over 4 h was highest for xevonta (609.3 mg) and comparable between ELISIO (283.6 mg) and FX CorAL (313.3 mg).

Conclusions

Substantial differences in the temporal performance profile of dialyzers exist. The present approach allows the characterization of dialyzer permeability changes over time using standard, clinically relevant protein markers.
Screening Methods for Linear Errors-in-Variables Models in High Dimensions
Authors: Nghiem Linh H. , Hui Francis K.C. , Müller Samuel , Welsh A.H.
Published: February 2022

Microarray studies, in order to identify genes associated with an outcome of interest, usually produce noisy measurements for a large number of gene expression features from a small number of subjects. One common approach to analyzing such high-dimensional data is to use linear errors-in-variables (EIV) models; however, current methods for fitting such models are computationally expensive. In this paper, we present two efficient screening procedures, namely, corrected penalized marginal screening (PMSc) and corrected sure independence screening (SISc), to reduce the number of variables for final model building. Both screening procedures are based on fitting corrected marginal regression models relating the outcome to each contaminated covariate separately, which can be computed efficiently even with a large number of features. Under mild conditions, we show that these procedures achieve screening consistency and reduce the number of features substantially, even when the number of covariates grows exponentially with sample size. In addition, if the true covariates are weakly correlated, we show that PMSc can achieve full variable selection consistency. Through a simulation study and an analysis of gene expression data for bone mineral density of Norwegian women, we demonstrate that the two new screening procedures make estimation of linear EIV models computationally scalable in high-dimensional settings, and improve finite sample estimation and selection performance compared with estimators that do not employ a screening stage.
Detection and characterization of low-level mosaicism among clinically unaffected parents of ‘sporadic’ epidermolysis bullosa simplex cases
Authors: Chen Fuying , Deng Dan , Pan Chaolan , Yao Zhirong , Gu Yan , Li Ming
Published: February 2022

In this study, two (18.2%) clinically unaffected parents from 11 trios were identified with mosaic KRT14 variants.To our knowledge, this is the first report to study the proportion of low-level mosaicism in the clinically unaffected parents whose children were previously regarded as sporadic EBS cases.
Guideline for the first‐line management of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma — A British Society for Haematology guideline
Authors: Follows George A. , Barrington Sally F. , Bhuller Kaljit S. , Culligan Dominic J. , Cutter David J. , Gallop‐Evans Eve , Kassam Shireen , Osborne Wendy , Sadullah Shalal , Townsend William , Uttenthal Benjamin J. , Collins Graham P. ,   British Society for Haematology
Published: February 2022

This guideline was compiled according to the British Society for Haematology (BSH) process at BSH Guidelines Process 2016 (b‐s‐h.org.uk). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) nomenclature was used to evaluate levels of evidence and to assess the strength of recommendations. The GRADE criteria can be found at http://www.gradeworkinggroup.org. Recommendations are based on a review of the literature using Medline, PubMed/Medline and Cochrane searches beginning from 2013 up to January 2021. The following search terms were used: [Hodgkin lymphoma OR Hodgkin disease] NOT non‐Hodgkin; AND [chemotherapy OR radiotherapy]; AND [elderly]; AND [teenage OR adolescent OR young adult]; AND [pregnancy]. Filters were applied to include only publications written in English, studies carried out in humans, clinical conferences, congresses, clinical trials, clinical studies, meta‐analyses, multicentre studies and randomised controlled trials. References pre‐2013 were taken from the previous version of this guideline.1 Review of the manuscript was performed by the British Society for Haematology (BSH) Guidelines Committee Haematology Oncology Taskforce, the BSH Guidelines Committee and the Haematology Oncology sounding board of BSH.
Cardiovascular disease in hereditary haemophilia: The challenges of longevity
Authors: Shapiro Susan , Benson Gary , Evans Gillian , Harrison Catherine , Mangles Sarah , Makris Mike
Published: February 2022

The development of effective and safe treatments has significantly increased the life expectancy of persons with haemophilia (PWH). This has been accompanied by an increase in the comorbidities of ageing including cardiovascular disease, which poses particular challenges due to the opposing risks of bleeding from haemophilia and antithrombotic treatments versus thrombosis. Although mortality secondary to coronary artery disease in PWH is less than in the general population, the rate of atherosclerosis appears similar. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation in PWH and risk of secondary thromboembolic stroke are not well established. PWH can be safely supported through acute coronary interventions but data on the safety and efficacy of long‐term antithrombotics are scarce. Increased awareness and research on cardiovascular disease in PWH will be crucial to improve primary prevention, acute management, secondary prevention and to best support ageing PWH.
LncRNA SNHG15: A potential therapeutic target in the treatment of colorectal cancer
Authors: Olatubosun Mutolib Olabayo , Abubakar Murtala Bello , Batiha Gaber El‐Saber , Malami Ibrahim , Ibrahim Kasimu Ghandi , Abubakar Bilyaminu , Bello Muhammad Bashir , Alexiou Athanasios , Imam Mustapha Umar
Published: February 2022

The global burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing annually. CRC could develop from genetic and phenotypic factors involving changes in gene expression. Incredibly, the human genome transcribes into non‐coding RNAs, among which long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) signify the most crucial part of the transcriptome in multicellular organisms. lncRNAs affect gene expression at multiple levels, from transcription to protein localization and stability. Recent studies have implicated lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) in cancers occurrence and progression. Previously, an indication suggests SNHG15 overexpression triggers proliferation, metastasis, and impedes apoptosis in CRC. Further, through its activity of binding micro‐RNAs, lncRNA SNHG15 modulates genes associated with CRC progression and promotes CRC resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Here, we reviewed recent findings on the various mechanisms and roles of lncRNA SNHG15 implicated in CRC tumorigenesis. We further highlight how SNHG15 plays a vital role in regulating critical pathways linked to the development and progression of CRC. Finally, we highlight how SNHG15 can be modulated for CRC treatments and the various therapeutic strategies to be implored when targeting SNHG15 in the context of CRC treatments. Findings from these studies present SNHG15 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating CRC.
A randomized controlled trial comparing guided bone regeneration to connective tissue graft to re‐establish buccal convexity at dental implant sites: Three‐year results
Authors: Bouckaert Eline , De Bruyckere Thomas , Eghbali Aryan , Younes Faris , Wessels Retief , Cosyn Jan
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To compare guided bone regeneration (GBR) to connective tissue graft (CTG) in terms of increase in buccal soft tissue profile (BSP) at three‐year follow‐up when applied at the buccal aspect of single implant sites demonstrating a minor horizontal alveolar defect.

Materials and methods

Patients with a single tooth gap in the anterior maxilla and horizontal alveolar defect were enrolled in a single‐blind RCT. All sites had a bucco‐palatal bone dimension of at least 6 mm, received a single implant at least 3 months after tooth removal and were randomly allocated to the control (GBR) or test group (CTG) to re‐establish buccal soft tissue convexity. Primary outcome was linear increase in BSP, meaning increase at the buccal aspect of the implant, based on superimposed digital surface models. Secondary outcomes were buccal bone and buccal soft tissue thickness, aesthetic and clinical parameters.

Results

Twenty‐one patients were included per group at baseline. After three years, three patients in the GBR group and four in the CTG group were not willing to return for re‐assessment. Hence, the final sample included 9 females/9 males (mean age 52) in the GBR group and 8 females / 9 males in the CTG group (mean age 49). The changes in BSP over time were not significantly different between GBR and CTG (p = 0.629). At three years, sites treated with GBR demonstrated 1.06 mm (95% CI: 0.83; 1.28) increase in BSP, whereas sites treated with CTG showed 0.99 mm (95% CI: 0.65; 1.35) increase in BSP (p = 0.699) compared to baseline. There were no significant differences between the groups for any of the parameters except for Mucosal Scarring Index, which was 1.63 (95% CI: 0.73; 2.53) lower for CTG (p = 0.002) at study termination.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in linear increase in BSP between GBR and CTG after three years. Hence, clinical decision‐making should be based on other factors.
Identifying trade‐offs and opportunities for forest carbon and wildlife using a climate change adaptation lens
Authors: Littlefield Caitlin E. , D'Amato Anthony W.
Published: February 2022

On a warming planet, a key challenge natural resource managers face is protecting wildlife while mitigating climate change—as through forest carbon storage—to the greatest extent possible. But in some ecosystems, habitat restoration for imperiled species may be incompatible with maximizing carbon storage. For example, promoting early successional forest conditions does not maximize stand‐level carbon storage, whereas uniformly promoting high stocking or mature forest conditions in the name of carbon storage excludes species that require open or young stands. Here, we briefly review the literature regarding carbon and wildlife trade‐offs and then explore four case studies from the Northern Forest region of the United States. In each case, human activities have largely dampened the influence of natural disturbances; restoring or emulating these disturbances is typically required for habitat restoration even when doing so equates to less carbon storage at the stand level. We propose that applying a climate adaptation lens can help managers and planners navigate these trade‐offs and steer away from maladaptive practices that may ultimately reduce adaptive capacity. Instead, critically evaluating the consequences of stand‐level management actions on both carbon and wildlife can then facilitate landscape‐scale climate adaptation planning that supports a diversity of habitats alongside opportunities to invest in maximizing forest carbon.
Histological evaluation of ischemic alterations in donors after cardiac death: A useful tool to predict post‐transplant renal function
Authors: Zagni Moreno , Croci Giorgio Alberto , Cannavò Antonino , Passamonti Serena Maria , De Feo Tullia , Boggio Francesca Laura , Cribiù Fulvia Milena , Maggioni Marco , Ferrero Stefano , Del Gobbo Alessandro , Gianelli Umberto
Published: February 2022

Kidneys retrieved from donors after cardiac death (DCD) pose significant challenges from a clinical and technical point of view, undergoing a variable degree of ischemia‐reperfusion injury. At present, the utilization of kidneys is assessed according to the Karpinski score, which does not take into account the ischemic insult and does not predict the functional recovery of the organ once transplanted. Therefore, the correlation between biopsy results and post‐transplant graft function is still debated. In this study we examined kidney biopsies from DCD donors; we calculated the Karpinski score and subsequently identified and quantified the ischemic lesions in the glomerular, interstitial, and tubular compartments. These same lesions were quantified in kidney biopsies from donors after brain death (DBD) in a case‐control analysis. The collected data were correlated with the clinical data of the donors and the post‐transplant follow‐up. Proximal tubule alterations are crucial in ischemia‐reperfusion damage, showing precise histological alterations, which are more frequent in DCD than in DBD donors and are statistically correlated with functional recovery of the organ. Quantification of ischemic tubular lesions in biopsies of kidneys from DCD donors is a useful tool for predicting post‐transplant renal function and a valid parameter for assessing the quality of the graft.
Iran's Feminist School in the Diaspora: Dynamics of Decline and Demobilization
Authors: Nasirpour Sanaz , Barlow Rebecca , Akbarzadeh Shahram
Published: February 2022

This article explores the mechanisms behind the demobilization of the Feminist School, the self‐proclaimed ‘intellectual wing’ of the Iranian women's movement, which was established as an online forum in 2008. For a short time, the Feminist School was at the forefront of framing the Iranian women's movement and provided the conceptual tools for its strategy setting. In the years following the disputed presidential election of 2009, however, many of the School's founding members were forced to leave Iran. Although they attempted to continue their work in diaspora, by 2015 the School was in decline. This article analyses the demobilization of the Feminist School using data collected in interviews with some of its founding members. The authors argue that despite the dedication of activists in the diaspora, and their willingness to continue their efforts to fight for gender justice at the grassroots, their capacity to do so was compromised by extreme top‐down tensions between Iran and ‘the West’. Those tensions caused serious security concerns and gave rise to an ever‐widening conceptual and affectual gap between domestic and diasporic activists/advocates. This empirical study adds to scholarship on the demobilization of transnational and diasporic movements that seek to influence the policies and politics of highly repressive homelands.
Case of gel immersion endoscopy: Efficacy of identification and achieving hemostasis for diverticular hemorrhage in the sigmoid colon
Authors: Teshima Hajime , Yamashita Ken , Oka Shiro
Published: February 2022

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Evidence for a developmental shift in the motivation underlying helping in early childhood
Authors: Hepach Robert , Engelmann Jan M. , Herrmann Esther , Gerdemann Stella C. , Tomasello Michael
Published: February 2022

We investigated children's positive emotions as an indicator of their underlying prosocial motivation. In Study 1, 2‐, and 5‐year‐old children (N = 64) could either help an individual or watch as another person provided help. Following the helping event and using depth sensor imaging, we measured children's positive emotions through changes in postural elevation. For 2‐year‐olds, helping the individual and watching another person help was equally rewarding; 5‐year‐olds showed greater postural elevation after actively helping. In Study 2, 5‐year‐olds’ (N = 59) positive emotions following helping were greater when an audience was watching. Together, these results suggest that 2‐year‐old children have an intrinsic concern that individuals be helped whereas 5‐year‐old children have an additional, strategic motivation to improve their reputation by helping.
The effects of peer bullying and poverty on suicidality in Chinese left behind adolescents: The mediating role of psychotic‐like experiences
Authors: Li Bin , Hu Tao , Tang Wanjie
Published: February 2022

Aim

This study investigated the influence of childhood adversity, such as peer bullying and socioeconomic status, on the suicidal behaviour of left‐behind Chinese adolescents to determine whether psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs) mediated the associations between these childhood adversities and suicidality; suicidal ideation (serious thoughts about taking one's own life), suicide plans, and suicide attempts.

Methods

A representative group of rural adolescents (n = 3346) was recruited from 16 rural high schools in China. Suicidality was assessed using the suicide module from the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Kid. Participants also completed questionnaires on bullying, socioeconomic status, left‐behind characteristics, and PLEs. Structural equation modelling was then employed to explore the relationships between these variables.

Results

Peer bullying, poverty, and left‐behind status were all found to significantly increase adolescent suicide risk, the relationships between which were mediated by PLEs. Peer bullying was found to play the most significant role in the PLEs and suicidality, with the risk of suicide increasing with the length of time a child had been left behind.

Conclusion

Adverse life events can lead to a high risk of PLEs, which in turn can increase the risk of suicide. These results could assist in identifying individuals at risk of suicidality and the design of appropriate interventions. The results also highlighted the role PLEs play in suicidality and highlighted the need for further research in this area.
Investigating the utility of saliva immunoglobulins for the detection of myeloma and using myeloma proteins to clarify partition between oral and systemic immunity
Authors: Heaney Jennifer L. J. , Faustini Sian , Evans Lili , Rapson Alec , Collman Emily , Emery Annabelle , Campbell John P. , Moore Sally , Goodall Margaret , Afzal Zaheer , Chapple Iain L. , Pratt Guy , Drayson Mark T.
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Myeloma is characterised by the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin (M‐protein) and the free light chain (FLC) in blood. We investigated whether these M‐proteins and FLC are detectable in myeloma patients’ saliva to evaluate its utility for non‐invasive screening and monitoring of haematological malignancies.

Methods

A total of 57 patients with monoclonal gammopathy and 26 age‐matched healthy participants provided paired serum and saliva samples for immunoglobulin characterisation and quantification.

Results

Myeloma patients had IgG or IgA M‐protein levels ranging up to five times and FLC levels up to a thousand times normal levels of polyclonal immunoglobulins. Despite these highly elevated levels, only two IgG and no IgA M‐proteins or FLC could be detected in paired saliva samples. Most patients had reduced levels of serum polyclonal immunoglobulins, but all had normal levels of salivary IgA.

Conclusions

Immunoglobulin transfer from blood is not determined by levels in the systemic circulation and more likely dictated by periodontal inflammation and the integrity of the oral epithelium. Immunoglobulins secreted by bone marrow plasma cells do not substantially enter saliva, which represents a poor medium for myeloma diagnosis. These findings, along with normal salivary IgA levels despite systemic immunoparesis, support a strong partitioning of oral from systemic humoral immunity.
Persistent opioid use in patients with multiple myeloma post‐ASCT
Authors: Danish Matthew L. , Shah Mansi R. , Lin Yong , Ho Joseph K. , Copeland Tabitha M. , Cooper Dennis L.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Bone pain is a common presenting symptom of multiple myeloma (MM) and is frequently treated with opioids in addition to myeloma directed therapy. With improved response and survival with modern myeloma therapy, it is important to re‐examine the role of opioids in managing symptomatic myeloma.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with myeloma at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (RCINJ) who received an ASCT between January 1, 2012, and December 30, 2017, and who had subsequent follow‐up (a total of 138 patients). We sought information specifically from the visits after induction therapy but prior to ASCT, at 100 days and 1‐year post‐ASCT follow‐up visits. We compared opioid users and non‐users in relation to treatment response, co‐morbid conditions, and symptoms. We also examined amounts, duration, and odds of continued opioid use.

Results

At the time of the first analysis (before transplant), 34.8% of patients were using opioids and opioid use was more frequent in younger patients and, as expected, in patients with bone lesions. At 1 year, 31.9% of patients were still using opioids and continued opioid use was not correlated with disease response. Of the patients using opioids at the time of transplant, 58% either maintained their opioid dose or increased it at 1‐year post‐transplant.

Conclusions

This retrospective analysis shows that despite a small decrease in opioid use over time, opioid use remains frequent in MM patients and is correlated with younger age and bone involvement but not with response to therapy. Over half the patients using opioids at the time of transplant continued or increased opioid use over the following year. With increasing survival in myeloma patients, further attention is required to distinguish cancer pain from chronic pain in cancer patients.
A diagnostic score for anti‐myelin‐associated‐glycoprotein neuropathy or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in patients with anti‐myelin‐associated‐glycoprotein antibody
Authors: Doneddu Pietro E. , Ruiz Marta , Bianchi Elisa , Liberatore Giuseppe , Manganelli Fiore , Cocito Dario , Cosentino Giuseppe , Benedetti Luana , Marfia Girola A. , Filosto Massimiliano , Briani Chiara , Giannotta Claudia , Nobile‐Orazio Eduardo
Published: February 2022

Background and purpose

A diagnostic score was developed to discriminate anti‐myelin‐associated‐glycoprotein (MAG) neuropathy from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and applied it to patients with atypical anti‐MAG neuropathy.

Methods

The clinical and electrophysiological features of patients with a diagnosis of typical anti‐MAG neuropathy were compared to those of patients with a diagnosis of CIDP. The association of each feature with the diagnosis was assessed in the two groups. Features showing a significant association with the diagnosis were included in a multivariable logistic regression model and adjusted odds ratios were estimated for each feature. A score ranging from 1 to 3 was applied to each feature based on the magnitude of the estimated odds ratios. The score was then applied to patients with a clinical diagnosis of CIDP who also had high anti‐MAG antibody titers (CIDP‐MAG).

Results

Thirty‐one anti‐MAG neuropathy patients, 45 typical CIDP patients and 16 CIDP‐MAG patients were included. Scores in anti‐MAG antibody patients ranged from 1 to 5 and in CIDP patients from −7 to −1. Using the score, 4/16 CIDP‐MAG patients were diagnosed to have anti‐MAG neuropathy and 12/16 patients to have CIDP. Response to intravenous immunoglobulin in the CIDP‐MAG patients classified as CIDP was similar to that of definite CIDP patients and higher than that of anti‐MAG neuropathy patients.

Conclusions

Our score allowed an accurate discrimination to be made, amongst patients with anti‐MAG antibodies, of those affected by CIDP and the patients with anti‐MAG neuropathy. This score may help proper treatment to be chosen for patients with anti‐MAG antibodies with a CIDP‐like presentation.
Parental preferences for seizure detection devices: A discrete choice experiment
Authors: van Westrhenen Anouk , Wijnen Ben F. M. , Thijs Roland D.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Previous studies identified essential user preferences for seizure detection devices (SDDs), without addressing their relative strength. We performed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to quantify attributes' strength, and to identify the determinants of user SDD preferences.

Methods

We designed an online questionnaire targeting parents of children with epilepsy to define the optimal balance between SDD sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) while accounting for individual seizure frequency. We selected five DCE attributes from a recent study. Using a Bayesian design, we constructed 11 unique choice tasks and analyzed these using a mixed multinomial logit model.

Results

One hundred parents responded to the online questionnaire link; 49 completed all tasks, whereas 28 completed the questions, but not the DCE. Most parents preferred a relatively high sensitivity (80%–90%) over a high PPV (>50%). The preferred sensitivity‐to‐PPV ratio correlated with seizure frequency (r = −.32), with a preference for relative high sensitivity and low PPV among those with relative low seizure frequency (p = .04). All DCE attributes significantly impacted parental choices. Parents expressed preferences for consulting a neurologist before device use, personally training the device's algorithm, interaction with their child via audio and video, alarms for all seizure types, and an interface detailing measurements during an alarm. Preferences varied between subgroups (learning disability or not, SDD experience, relative low vs. high seizure frequency based on the population median).

Significance

Various attributes impact parental SDD preferences and may explain why preferences vary among users. Tailored approaches may help to meet the contrasting needs among SDD users.
Detecting pulmonary oedema in lung resection patient through point‐of‐care lung ultrasonography
Authors: Zhao Xiaoning , Liu Yong , Sun Mingyan , Wang Yingying , Qian Bailing
Published: February 2022

Background

Postoperative pulmonary oedema is an outstanding postoperative complexity brought about by numerous etiological variables and which can be effectively recognized through careful control during the postoperative period. Lung ultrasound (LUS) was utilized for the non‐obtrusive recognition of pulmonary oedema. Semi‐quantitative visual LUS scores (visual LUS [V‐LUS]) in light of B‐lines correspond decently with pulmonary capillary pressure (PCWP) and extravascular lung water (EVLW).

Methods

Seventy‐eight patients with pulmonary resection and pulmonary ultrasound at the time of treatment were examined. Cardiopulmonary echocardiography was performed on the first day before and after the operation, and the oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) was measured after the operation. B‐lines from B‐score were measured through lung ultrasound. Each region was classified as “B0” if fewer than three B‐lines were identified in the entire intercostal space. “B1” if there were at least three B‐lines in at least one intercostal space, “B2” in the presence of the “white lung field”. B‐score were recorded at baseline (T0, before operation), after 1 day (T1), after 2 days (T2), after 3 days (T3), after 5 days (T5), after 7 days (T7), after 9 days (T9). Statistical software was used for the measurement of statistical correlations.

Results

(1) The total number of B‐lines is negatively correlated with oxygen and the index (r = −0.50, p < 0.001). (2) The B‐score appeared significantly with 86% of T1 to T3 and disappeared in 83% from T7 to T9 existed in 17% (3). The logistic regression analysis showed that the surgical method influenced the total number of B‐lines.

Conclusions

LUS optimizes treatment by identifying subclinical pulmonary oedema, which facilitates early detection of pulmonary oedema and improves the prognosis.
Assessing the combined threats of artificial light at night and air pollution for the world’s nocturnally migrating birds
Authors: La Sorte Frank A. , Aronson Myla F. J. , Lepczyk Christopher A. , Horton Kyle G.
Published: February 2022

Aim

Two important environmental hazards for nocturnally migrating birds are artificial light at night (ALAN) and air pollution, with ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) considered to be especially harmful. Nocturnally migrating birds are attracted to ALAN during seasonal migration, which could increase exposure to PM2.5. Here, we examine PM2.5concentrations and PM2.5trends and the spatial correlation between ALAN and PM2.5within the geographical ranges of the world’s nocturnally migrating birds.

Location

Global.

Time period

1998–2018.

Major taxa studied

Nocturnally migrating birds.

Methods

We intersected a global database of annual mean PM2.5concentrations over a 21‐year period (1998–2018) with the geographical ranges (breeding, non‐breeding and regions of passage) of 225 nocturnally migrating bird species in three migration flyways (Americas,n = 143; Africa–Europe,n = 36; and East Asia–Australia,n = 46). For each species, we estimated PM2.5concentrations and trends and measured the correlation between ALAN and PM2.5, which we summarized by season and flyway.

Results

Correlations between ALAN and PM2.5were significantly positive across all seasons and flyways. The East Asia–Australia flyway had the strongest ALAN–PM2.5correlations within regions of passage, the highest PM2.5concentrations across all three seasons and the strongest positive PM2.5trends on the non‐breeding grounds and within regions of passage. The Americas flyway had the strongest negative air pollution trends on the non‐breeding grounds and within regions of passage. The breeding grounds had similarly negative air pollution trends within the three flyways.

Main conclusions

The combined threats of ALAN and air pollution are greatest and likely to be increasing within the East Asia–Australia flyway and lowest and likely to be decreasing within the Americas and Africa–Europe flyways. Reversing PM2.5trends in the East Asia–Australia flyway and maintaining negative PM2.5trends in the Americas and Africa–Europe flyways while reducing ALAN levels would likely be beneficial for the nocturnally migrating bird populations in each region.
A new currency for paid care: Circles of reciprocity
Authors: Regev‐Messalem Shiri
Published: February 2022

The article offers a fresh perspective on the social value of paid care, and how we, as a society, can assign its full value. The social importance of paid care is highly reliant on the nonmarket attributes of the care offered. Thus, care is extremely valuable when it is bestowed with loving presence, kindness, and concern. The nonmarket characteristics of care work establish unique types of ties that transform egoistic individuals into a human society. However, the social import of this work is not acknowledged when we rely on the market to reflect care's value. Flattening the value of care solely based on its market dimension may lead to care being emptied of its nonmarket elements over time, transforming the essence of care, the relationships within which care is given as well as the identity and social fabric of the welfare state. To sustain and foster the nonmarket attributes of paid care, the article proposes a theoretical notion of reciprocity—rather than exchange—on the axis between the family, the community, and the state as a way to ascribe nonmonetized value to these attributes.
Adaptive response and tolerance to weak acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii: a metabolomics approach
Authors: Fu Junjie , Liu Chaolan , Li Li , Liu Jun , Tie Yu , Wen Xueping , Zhao Qikai , Qiao Zongwei , An Zheming , Zheng Jia
Published: February 2022

Weak acids inhibit the growth of probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii. We explored the tolerance of S. boulardii to different weak acids. S. boulardii had better fermentation ability under lactic acid conditions compared with acetic and butyric acid conditions; however, the budding of S. boulardii was significantly stronger than that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae under acetic acid conditions. Although the surface structure of S. boulardii was destroyed, it produced more daughter cells. S. boulardii metabolites were also significantly different from S. cerevisiae under acidic stress. The growth of S. boulardii under weak acid conditions differed significantly from that of S. cerevisiae. S. boulardii‐mediated fingerprints under weak acid conditions were identified as latent biomarkers, related to fructose and mannose metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the glycolysis pathway. Identified biomarkers will aid in the genetic engineering of S. boulardii and other Saccharomyces strains for improved acid resistance and biomass yield.
Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the structure and retrogradation inhibition of oat starch
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Meili , Zhang Yakun , Bai Xue , Wang Chen
Published: February 2022

As a non‐thermal processing technology, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) can be used for starch modification without affecting the quality and flavour constituents. The effect of HHP on starch is closely related to the treatment pressure of HHP. In this paper, we investigated the impacts of HHP treatment pressure (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 MPa) on the microstructure and retrogradation characteristics of oat starch, established the retrogradation kinetic model and elaborated the mechanism of HHP treatment inhibiting the retrogradation of oat starch. Results show that HHP treatment caused the microstructure of oat starch experienced crystallisation perfection (100–300 MPa), crystallisation destruction (400 MPa), crystallisation disintegration and gelatinisation (500–600 MPa). Results of oat starch retrogradation showed that, after treated at 500 MPa for 15 min, the recrystallisation rate of oat starch was reduced, the formation of nuclei at the early stage of oat starch retrogradation suppressed and its nucleation mode was changed from instantaneous to spontaneous, otherwise, the mobility of water in oat starch gel system reduced. Therefore, 500 MPa treated for 15 min can inhibits the retrogradation of oat starch. This study provides theoretical guidance for the application of HHP technology in starch modification and food processing.
Early dynamics of circulating tumor DNA predict clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Koh Yoko , Nakano Kosuke , Katayama Kotoe , Yamamichi Gaku , Yumiba Satoru , Tomiyama Eisuke , Matsushita Makoto , Hayashi Yujiro , Yamamoto Yoshiyuki , Kato Taigo , Hatano Koji , Kawashima Atsunari , Ujike Takeshi , Imamura Ryoichi , Yamaguchi Rui , Imoto Seiya , Shiotsu Yukimasa , Nonomura Norio , Uemura Motohide
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Detection of genomic alterations in circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid of peripheral blood can guide the selection of systemic therapy in cancer patients. The predictive significance of circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid in metastatic renal cell carcinoma remains unclear, especially for patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods

In this study, we collected plasma samples before and 1 month after commencing nivolumab monotherapy or nivolumab plus ipilimumab therapy from 14 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients. We performed circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid genomic profiling in plasma cell‐free deoxyribonucleic acid by next‐generation sequencing using a commercially available pan‐cancer panel (Guardant360 CDx). Additionally, we also performed whole exome sequencing of tumor tissues and compared the concordance of genomic profiles with circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid.

Results

Nine patients had circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid in pretreatment plasma samples with a total of 20 mutations (15 single nucleotide variants, three insertions/deletions, and two copy number amplification). VHL (30.0%) was the most frequently mutated gene, followed by TP53 (20.0%), and 45.0% of circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid mutations were concordant with somatic mutations in tumor tissues. Patients with decreasing circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid mutant allele frequency had better progression free survival when compared to those with increasing mutant allele frequency (P = 0.0441).

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that early circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid dynamics can serve as a predictive biomarker for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients.
Identification and functional analysis of carbonyl reductases related to tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Liang Dan , Shu Rui , Jiang Song , Yang Liangli , Wang Ying , Zhao Yue , Cai Yangyang , Xie Ruiping , Meng Yan
Published: February 2022

The superfamily of short‐chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) is crucial in biosynthetic and signalling pathways, in which the carbonyl reductases (CBRs) subfamily is important in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). BH4 is an essential coenzyme for animals, and its deficiency can lead to neurological diseases. There are few reports on CBRs involved in BH4 synthesis of silkworms, Bombyx mori. Here, we identified 67 SDR genes in B. mori (BmSDR) through whole genome survey for the first time. Based on bioinformatics analyses and KEGG verification, four BmCBRs that may be related to BH4 synthesis were further characterized and functionally analysed. The results showed these four genes were high expressed in the head and gonads of ah09 (a lem mutant with defective BH4 synthesis). Enzyme activity, BH4 content and the related gene expression levels after intracellular interference with BmCBR and the main catalytic enzymes sepiapterin reductase of B. mori (BmSpr) in the de novo pathway of BH4 showed BmCBR2 plays a role in the salvage pathway. BmCBR3 and BmCBR4 regulate BH4 synthesis through the alternative pathway. Among the four pathways of silkworm BH4 synthesis, the de novo pathway occupies the dominant position, followed by the alternative pathway and salvage pathway. According to the overexpression of BmCBR3 after interference with BmSpr, the BH4 content did not change significantly. It is speculated that BmCBR3 is located upstream of BmSpr. These results provide a theoretical basis for in‐depth exploration of the role of BmSDR in B. mori and also provide clues for the research of other animal‐related diseases.
Clinical effectiveness of the Eruption Guidance Appliances in treating malocclusion in the mixed dentition: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Shuying , Chen Yong , Chen Tianmu , Mallineni Sreekanth Kumar , McGrath Colman , Hagg Urban
Published: February 2022

Aim

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the eruption guidance appliances (EGAs) in treating malocclusion in the early mixed dentition.

Design

Electronic databases were comprehensively searched for the eligibility literature of the EGA treatment for a period spanning from the earliest available date in each database up to July 2021. Randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and prospective and retrospective cohort studies were included in the present review. The quality of clinical trials was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tools (RoB2.0 and ROBINS‐I), whereas cohort studies were based on the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS). The data were gathered and synthesized with the Stata software (version 12).

Results

The screen yielded 436 articles, of which 17 papers were potentially eligible, and 7 articles from 3 studies (1 RCT, 1 CCT, and 1 PCS) were qualified for the final review and analysis. The meta‐analysis showed both favorable dentoalveolar and skeletal changes in short term. Both overjet and overbite had a significant decrease after treatment (MD = −2.38 mm, 95% CI: −2.82 to −1.94, p < .001, and MD = −2.43 mm, 95% CI: −3.52 to −1.35, p < .001, respectively), and SNB increased significantly by 0.73 degrees (95% CI: 0.17–1.28, p = .01). After the retention period, however, overbite had a significant increase of 0.88mm, which indicated the occurrence of a relapse (95% CI: 0.60–1.16, p < .001).

Conclusions

According to the existing evidence, the EGA treatment is effectively correcting overjet and overbite in the early mixed dentition in short term; furthermore, high‐quality and long‐term studies are warranted to determine its long‐term effectiveness.