bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors & glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists, efficacy & safety in diabetic kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Mahmoud Tarek , Yagan Jude , Hasan Amal , Gheith Osama A , Mostafa Mohamed , Rida Suzann , El‐Serwi Nabil , Shaker Mohamad , Khalid Mahmoud
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Cardiovascular and renal complications define the outcomes of diabetic kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The new diabetes medications have changed the management of diabetes. However, transplant physicians are still reluctant to use sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) post kidney transplantation due to fear of drug related complications and lack of established guidelines.

Patients and methods

We collected 1‐year follow‐up data from records of 98 diabetic KTRs on SGLT2I, 41 on GLP‐ 1RA and 70 on standard‐of‐care medicines. Patients were more than 3 months post‐transplant with a minimum estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 25 ml/min/1.73 m2. Demographic data were similar except for a slightly lower HbA1c in the control group and higher albuminuria in SGLT2i group.

Results

HbA1c dropped significantly by .4% in both SGLT2i and GLP‐1RA compared to .05% in the control group. A significant decrease in BMI by .32 in SGLT2i and .34 in GLP‐1RA was observed compared to an increase by .015 in control group. A tendency for better eGFR in study groups was observed but was non‐significant except for the SGLT2i group with an eGFR above 90 (p = .0135). The usual dip in eGFR was observed in the SGLT2i group at 1–3 months. Albuminuria was significantly reduced in both study groups. Adverse events were minimal with comparable safety in all groups.

Conclusion

The use of SGLT2i and GLP‐1RA appears to be effective and safe in diabetic KTRs with good outcomes. Randomized control trials are required to confirm these findings and establish guidelines.
Facilitation of benthic assemblages by Bluehead Chubs: Testing the stress‐gradient hypothesis in streams
Authors: Evelyn Isabel G. , Morse John C. , Peoples Brandon K.
Published: September 2023

Ecosystem engineers facilitate beneficiary species by ameliorating physical habitat. The stress‐gradient hypothesis (SGH) predicts the importance of facilitation in communities should increase with physical stress but has rarely been tested in freshwater. Bluehead Chubs (Nocomis leptocephalus) build gravel nests for spawning, which can reduce negative effects of sedimentation for lithophilic species including invertebrates and other taxa. Our goal was to test the SGH using chubs and benthic assemblages as a model system. We surveyed assemblages in chub nests, paired unmodified substrate and reach‐wide samples in 10 Piedmont streams in South Carolina, USA, placed across a gradient of sedimentation. Based on the SGH, we predicted benthic assemblage diversity in chub nests would show no relationship to increasing embeddedness but that diversity in unmodified substrate should decrease with embeddedness. We found that taxa counts, richness and Shannon diversity were higher in chub nests than unmodified substrate but were lower than reach‐wide samples. Canonical correspondence analyses indicated benthic assemblages differed between nests and unmodified substrate, but assemblages in both microhabitats were nested subsets of the more diverse reach‐wide assemblage. Contrary to our hypotheses, diversity in both microhabitats decreased significantly with substrate embeddedness but was consistently higher in nests. While substrate modification by chubs clearly facilitated benthic diversity at the microhabitat scale, it was not sufficient to overcome the worst effects of sedimentation. This study provides mixed evidence for SGH in streams; chub nesting appears to be facilitative at the microhabitat scale but may not have reach‐wide effects on benthic assemblages in this system.
Diets of invasive channel catfish are subsidized by invasive riparian trees
Authors: Cheek Christopher A. , Peoples Brandon K. , Goforth Reuben R.
Published: September 2023

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is an invasive, fruit‐bearing riparian tree that dominates riparian zones of the San Juan River in the southwestern United States. Previous research in this river suggests olive fruit is common in diets of invasive channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), but its energetic importance is unknown (i.e. critical for catfish fitness vs. incidental consumption). We assessed Russian olive consumption in channel catfish diets bimonthly for 1 year, hypothesizing that olive consumption would be greatest during periods of high olive availability and low benthic aquatic invertebrate availability. We found that catfish consumed olive fruit throughout the year and that olive comprised up to 44% of total stomach contents by mass, with peaks in spring and fall. Regression models revealed the presence and mass of olive fruit in catfish stomachs were positively associated with catfish total length, with a significant interaction between water temperature and river discharge. Catfish were more likely to consume olive fruit during higher flows, regardless of temperature and at low discharge with higher temperature. Contrary to our hypothesis, neither olive nor benthic invertebrate availability were associated with olive presence in channel catfish diets. Nutrition analysis indicated that olive alone was a low‐quality diet item but has the potential to provide a reliable energy source. We used seasonal data to estimate the energetic contribution of olive fruit to catfish populations using a bioenergetic model, which estimated that olive fruit accounted for 35.6% of energy (Joules) consumed by catfish populations and satisfied 38% of their metabolic demand. Our results suggest that Russian olive fruit is a significant subsidy to channel catfish in the San Juan River. However, more research is needed to determine the indirect effects of this interaction on native fishes and ecosystem function.
Increase of ISG15 in psoriasis lesions and its promotion of keratinocyte proliferation via the Hif‐1α signalling pathway
Authors: Sun Xianqi , Li Yuzhen
Published: September 2023

Psoriasis is a frequent chronic, recurrent and immune‐mediated inflammatory skin disease, whose pathogenesis remains unclear at present. The role of antiviral protein in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is the focus of current research. Interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is an important antiviral protein. In this study, the expression of ISG15 saw a significant increase through the immunohistochemical detection of imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced mice. In the psoriasis cell model, a remarkable increase also occurred in the expression of ISG15. In this study, it was found that the cell cycle was blocked in G1/S conversion, and a reduction took place in the proliferation of keratinocytes and the expression of a cell cycle‐related protein—cyclin D1 after the knockout of ISG15 in the psoriasis cell model. After that, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) sequencing and Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (GO/KEGG) analysis indicated its close association with the hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) signalling pathway. Western blot showed a decrease in the expression of HIF‐1α and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) after the knockout of the ISG15 gene. The rescue experiment verified that ISG15 promotes the proliferation of keratinocytes by regulating the HIF‐1α signalling pathway. It was concluded that psoriasis cells and mouse models witnessed the increased expression of ISG15. In psoriasis, knocking out ISG15 inhibits the proliferation of keratinocytes and blocks the cell cycle. Besides, ISG15 promotes the proliferation of keratinocytes through the HIF‐1α signalling pathway.
Health topics emerged from brief‐motivational interviewing: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Arnett Michelle C. , Paulson Danna R. , Evans Michael D. , Blue Christine M. , Reibel Yvette G.
Published: September 2023

Objective

The goal of this study was to analyse transcription of audio recordings to determine health topics that emerged from brief‐motivational interviewing (MI) compared to traditional oral hygiene instructions (OHI).

Methods

Fifty‐eight periodontal maintenance patients were randomized to a brief‐MI or traditional OHI group for a longitudinal 1‐year clinical trial. Both groups received four patient education sessions per their assigned group. Audio recordings were transcribed and coded. The overarching themes and subthemes emerged were quantified and reported as the number of instances per participant. Global scores and behavioural counts were compared across baseline, 4, 8, and 12‐month research visits using mixed‐effect models.

Results

Of the six overarching themes, the brief‐MI group evoked more topics toward total health. Oral home care behaviours (15 vs. 10.2) and oral diseases/conditions (3.3 vs. 1.9) were discussed more in the brief‐MI group compared to the traditional OHI group. This positive outcome for the average number of times a health topic was discussed in the brief‐MI group compared to the traditional OHI group continued for the remaining major themes: lifestyle behaviours (1.0 vs. 0.4), nutrition (2.6 vs. 0.8), emotional/mental health (1.8 vs. 0.8) and general health (1.2 vs. 0.4).

Conclusion

This study identified that brief‐MI was a more successful communication approach to increase discussions of oral home care behaviours, oral diseases/conditions, lifestyle behaviours, nutrition, emotional/mental health and general health compared to traditional OHI in individuals with periodontitis.
Comparison of the effectiveness of two manual toothbrushes: Conventional design versus double‐sided toothbrush design. A pilot study
Authors: Pérez‐González Fabián , Sáez‐Alcaide Luis‐Miguel , Sánchez‐Labrador Luis , Mateos‐Moreno María‐Victoria , Garcillán‐Izquierdo María‐Rosario , Salgado‐Peralvo Angel‐Orión
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Dental hygiene is the most effective method in the prevention of oral diseases. However, most patients do not use the recommended teeth brushing techniques and/or time brushing is insufficient. With this objective, modifications in conventional toothbrushes have been developed to deal with these findings. The aim of this study was to compare plaque removal effectiveness of a manual toothbrush with a modified head (MTMH) with a wrap‐around design versus a conventional manual toothbrush.

Methods

This pilot prospective clinical study was designed according to STROBE guidelines. The patients suspended oral hygiene habits for 24 h (baseline). Subsequently, the teeth were brushed for 60 s. Both toothbrushes followed the same study procedure, separated by 1 month. Plaque‐removing effectiveness was measured before and after tooth brushing using the modified O'Leary Plaque Index (PI).

Results

Seven patients were included in this pilot study. The mean age was 37.66 ± 10.68 years. PI mean differences between baseline and after brushing were 51.99% ± 16.43 for MTMH and 27.93 ± 6.85, for conventional toothbrush (p = 0.0013). After brushing, mean PI values were 18.36% ± 6.95%, and 37.61% ± 10.57% respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of plaque removal by using MTMH is significantly higher than the conventional manual toothbrush.
Application of ultrasound in wood chips on the accelerated aging of apple liqueur
Authors: Krüger Roselini Trapp , Alberti Aline , Los Paulo Ricardo , Schnitzler Egon , Nogueira Alessandro
Published: September 2023

The practice of aging beverages, such as fruit liqueur, incorporates phenolic compounds from wood, contributing to sensorial enhancement with new aromas and flavours. The apple liqueurs were prepared with 100 g L−1 of sugar, 20°GL and the addition of oak chips (toasted or untoasted) was previously treated with ultrasound (bath or probe). The content of total and individual phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH and ABTS) and colour were evaluated. A Ranking Descriptive Analysis was performed to evaluate the characteristics of each apple liqueur. The apple liqueur that received chips pre‐treated with an ultrasonic probe presented 116.5% more phenolic compounds, on average 4.9 times more antioxidant activity, and greater variation in total colour ΔE 7.03 than the control apple liqueur. The pre‐treatment with an ultrasonic probe accelerated the extraction process in approximately 60 days. The untoasted chips contributed by adding 17.4% more total phenols than the toasted chips, due to the significant presence of gallic acid. The pre‐treatment on wood chips accelerated the aging of apple liqueurs, increased phenolics compounds. Sensorially, the woody descriptors (taste, aroma and residual) were more intensely perceived and with the best acceptance scores among the judges.
Evaluation of the Sysmex DI‐60 digital morphology analyzer on Wright‐stained samples with a focus on prevalence‐dependent quality indicators
Authors: Hollenstein Marlene , Tueni Andrea , Wiedermann Jasmin , Eisenbock Bettina , Thalhammer Renate , Haslacher Helmuth
Published: September 2023

Background

This study aims to evaluate the trueness of the DI‐60 Digital Cell Imaging Analyzer on Wright‐stained samples with a focus on prevalence‐dependent quality indicators for differential blood counts requested from non‐hematology wards.

Methods

Two hundred and ninety‐nine samples were included into this performance evaluation study at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna. The following aspects were verified: (a) the reliability of automatedly pre‐classified differential counts, (b) the concordance of DI‐60 counts with manual‐microscopic differential counts and (c) the agreement of DI‐60 and manual‐microscopic results regarding clinically relevant findings.

Results

82.3% of all leukocytes were correctly pre‐classified. Cell categories with a low prevalence (eosinophils, basophils, progenitors/precursors) in non‐hematological patients presented with a low positive predictive value (PPV), indicating a high frequency of false positives. Comparisons between visually adjusted results of the DI‐60 and manual‐microscopic differential counts revealed a good concordance for neutrophil and lymphocyte counts. Besides the detection of precursors/progenitors and normoblasts, no relevant systemic errors were detected. However, due to their low prevalence and technical aspects, the detection of basophilia, monocytosis or the presence of precursors/progenitors showed comparably low accuracies (error rates of 7.4%–24.1%).

Conclusion

The DI‐60 system works well for Wright‐stained samples collected in the non‐hematology ward. Due to the varying prevalence of cell categories found in peripheral blood, a low PPV can be expected with automatic assignment for those cells with low prevalence (e.g., basophils, eosinophils, precursor and progenitor cells, plasma cells). If the pre‐test probability of these conditions is increased, manual microscopic processing may be recommended.
Modifiable in‐hospital factors for 12‐month global cognition, post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and depression symptoms in adults hospitalized with COVID‐19
Authors: Han Jin H. , Jackson James C. , Orun Onur M. , Brown Samuel M. , Casey Jonathan D. , Clark Lindsay , Collins Sean P. , Cordero Kemberlyne , Ginde Adit A. , Gong Michelle N. , Hough Catherine L. , Iwashyna Theodore J. , Kiehl Amy L. , Lauck Alana , Leither Lindsay M. , Lindsell Christopher J. , Patel Mayur B. , Raman Rameela , Rice Todd W. , Ringwood Nancy J. , Sheppard Karen L. , Semler Matthew W. , Thompson B. Taylor , Ely E. Wesley , Self Wesley H. ,   for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute PETAL Clinical Trials Network
Published: September 2023

Background

We sought to identify potentially modifiable in‐hospital factors associated with global cognition, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and depression symptoms at 12 months.

Methods

This was a multi‐center prospective cohort study in adult hospitalized patients with acute COVID‐19. The following in‐hospital factors were assessed: delirium; frequency of in‐person and virtual visits by friends and family; and hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroid, and remdesivir administration. Twelve‐month global cognition was characterized by the MOCA‐Blind. Twelve‐month PTSD and depression were characterized using the PTSD Checklist for the DSM‐V and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, respectively.

Findings

Two hundred three patients completed the 12‐month follow‐up assessments. Remdesivir use was associated with significantly higher cognition at 12 months based on the MOCA‐Blind (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.70). Delirium was associated with worsening 12‐month PTSD (aOR = 3.44, 95% CI: 1.89, 6.28) and depression (aOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.84) symptoms. Multiple virtual visits per day during hospitalization was associated with lower 12‐month depression symptoms compared to those with less than daily virtual visits (aOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.85).

Conclusion

Potentially modifiable factors associated with better long‐term outcomes included remdesivir use (associated with better cognitive function), avoidance of delirium (associated with less PTSD and depression symptoms), and increased virtual interactions with friends and family (associated with less depression symptoms).
The Effect of the Media on Suicide: Evidence From Japan, 1955–1985
Authors: Stack Steven
Published: September 2023

Research on media impacts on suicide has been largely restricted to the United States, a Christian nation marked by moral aversion to suicide. The present study extends the analysis to an Eastern nation, Japan, where people are less critical of those who suicide. Such a cultural definition of suicide might multiply imitative effects. Yule‐Walker times series estimates indicate that the imitative effect is restricted to stories concerning Japanese victims. Further, the increase is similar in magnitude to that reported in the American cultural context. The Japanese audience may not be as predisposed to media effects, given a lower divorce rate, low couple centeredness, and a high level of extended family social support. These factors may offset a potentially very high “Werther effect.” The model explains 88% of the variance in monthly Japanese suicide rates.
Doctoral Dissertations on Suicide From U.S. and Canadian Institutions of Higher Learning, 1990–1995
Authors: McIntosh John L.
Published: September 2023

Doctoral dissertations on suicide from 1990 to 1995 appearing in Volumes 51–55 and the 1995 issues of Volume 56 of Dissertation Abstracts International are listed. A total of 214 dissertations from 119 North American institutions of higher learning (110 in the United States and 9 in Canada) are compiled and organized by the year in which the dissertation was completed. An average of 40 dissertations were completed annually for the years 1990–1994. The institutions granting the most doctorates are indicated. More than half of the doctoral projects involve topics of youth suicide, with only small numbers of dissertations on any other specific topic.
Gender and Suicide Risk Among Artists: A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Stack
Published: September 2023

Research on mental disorders among male artists has suggested that artists are at risk of suicide. However, given that men are higher in suicide risk than women, the presumed suicide risk of artists may be an artifact of sampling bias. A logistic regression analysis of data from 21 states finds that artists have a 270% higher risk of suicide than nonartists. However, after controlling for gender and sociodemographic variables, this risk level is reduced to 125%. The findings are related to both psychiatric and work‐related stress factors that may place artists at risk of suicide as an occupational group.
Microwave drying of bitter yam (Dioscorea bulbifera): An approach of MATLAB image processing to comprehend moisture diffusion process
Authors: Sahoo Monalisa , Titikshya Sushree , Aradwad Pramod , Kumar Madan , Kumar Vivek , Naik S. N.
Published: September 2023

This study examined how microwave power loading (300–600 W) affected Dioscorea bulbifera (BY) slice drying, colorimetric values, moisture diffusion, textural, and rehydration properties. Drying time was reduced from 100 to 40 min with increased microwave power from 300 to 600 W. Drying rate and moisture diffusivity (4.948 × 10−9–1.262 × 10−8 m2/s) enhanced with microwave power and was observed falling rate drying. The initial and final moisture content of BY slices were 87% (w.b.) and 4.5% (w.b.), respectively. The activation energy for BY slices was 9.6 W/g. To illustrate the drying and color change behavior of BY, experimental data were fitted to 10 dryings and 4 color kinetics models. The Midilli–Kucuk model and the Fraction model were the best fitted for moisture and color parameters. The highest efficiency was 55.85% and the lowest specific energy consumption was 9.6 MJ/kg at 600 W microwave power. MATLAB microstructure characterization provided detailed pore analysis of microwave‐dried samples.

Practical Applications

Microwave‐dried yam can enhance storability, ease handling and transportation and protect against microbial activity, enzymatic browning and high‐water activity. Mathematical modeling of pretreated microwave‐dried yam is useful for industrial dryer design and large‐scale yam drying production. Additionally, yam flours have the potential for use in numerous applications, including noodles, extrudates, cookies, and bakery products. Further, yam flour may be a binder, thickener, and gelling agent.
Slags from roasting of antimony ore in the Brioude‐Massiac (France) area used as aggregates: An early example of circular economy
Authors: Thiery Vincent , Chedrewih Migueli , Rollinson Gavyn , Ramos Violeta , Andersen Jens
Published: September 2023

Towards the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, France was the world's largest producer of antimony, especially due to the rich deposits in the Brioude‐Massiac area. Even though all the mining and smelting activities are long gone, there are still some remains of those activities. The most original of those is the use of roasting slags as aggregates in former plant walls or industrial building. They are macroscopically characterised by a black or red colour with a vesicular aspect similar to natural pozzolanas. Common petrography and mineralogy tools have been used to characterise those slags: optical mineralogy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). To gain an insight into their mineral complexity, a QEMSCAN map has been produced. The mineralogy is typical of high‐temperature slags: cristobalite, quartz, mullite, fayalite‐forsterite series and spinel. The antimony content is quite high, up to seven percent, under the form of various antimony oxides and native antimony.
Exploring the competencies of Chinese critical care nurses in mobile medical teams based on the onion model: A qualitative study
Authors: Niu Aifang , Ma Huijuan , Chen Zhe , Zhang Suofei , Deng Jing , Luo Yu
Published: September 2023

Background

With frequent conflicts, natural disasters, and public health emergencies globally, mobile medical teams (MMTs) are becoming increasingly critical. Importantly, the competency of critical care nurses in MMTs can substantially affect the effectiveness and quality of its rescue efforts. Yet, these nurses' competencies are not well understood.

Aim

This study examined the competencies of critical care nurses in MMTs using the Onion Model.

Study Design

A qualitative descriptive method was used to describe the competencies of Chinese MMT critical care nurses. From April to May 2022, a convenience sample of 18 participants (14 critical care nurses and 4 surgeons) from 10 MMTs was recruited for semi‐structured interviews. Deductive and inductive coding methods were combined for content analysis.

Results

In total, 29 competencies were identified, which were grouped into four major domains using the Onion Model. From the outer to inner layers, these domains were knowledge and skills, professional abilities, professional quality, and personal traits. Several novel competencies emerged, including field medical equipment operation skills, on‐site hazard identification and safety prevention skills, triage knowledge, and field survival skills.

Conclusions

Using the Onion Model, this study furthers the understanding of the competency of critical care nurses in MMTs, especially by revealing the novel competencies. Further, the results can be used to recruit, evaluate, and train critical care nurses for MMTs.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Understanding MMT critical care nurses' competencies can help managers plan and provide relevant training and education before deployment, which can improve nurses' performance, and especially reduce the mortalities and disabilities from trauma.
System dynamics simulation models on overweight and obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review
Authors: Aguiar Anaely , Gebremariam Mekdes K. , Romanenko Eduard , Önal Furkan , Kopainsky Birgit , Savona Natalie , Brown Andrew , Allender Steven , Lien Nanna
Published: September 2023

It has increasingly been recognized that developing successful obesity prevention policies and interventions requires understanding of the complex mechanisms driving the obesity pandemic and that models could be useful tools for simulating policies. This paper reviews system dynamics simulation models of mechanisms driving childhood overweight and obesity and/or testing of preventive interventions. A systematic literature search was conducted in six databases from inception to January 2023 using terms related to overweight/obesity, children, and system dynamics. Study descriptives, mechanisms, and where to intervene (the leverage points), as well as quality assessments of the simulation models were extracted by two researchers into a predetermined template and narratively synthesized. Seventeen papers describing 15 models were included. Models describing the mechanisms ranged from only intrapersonal factors to models cutting across multiple levels of the ecological model, but mechanisms across levels were lacking. The majority of interventions tested in the simulation models were changes to existing model parameters with less emphasis on models that alter system structure. In conclusion, existing models included mechanisms driving youth obesity at multiple levels of the ecological model. This is useful for developing an integrated simulation model combining mechanisms at multiple levels and allowing for testing fundamental system changes.
Cognitive frailty and its association with depression, anxiety and stress during the COVID‐19 pandemic among older adults in the transforming cognitive frailty into later‐life self‐sufficiency (AGELESS) study
Authors: Aravindhan Kiirtaara , Morgan Karen , Mat Sumaiyah , Hamid Tengku Aizan , Ibrahim Rahimah , Saedon Nor Izzati , Hasmuk Kejal , Mahadzir Hazlina , Tan Maw Pin
Published: September 2023

Background

Cognitive frailty describes the co‐occurrence of cognitive impairment and physical frailty and is classified into reversible and irreversible phenotypes. Data on the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic imposed lockdowns, locally known as the Movement Control Order (MCO), on the psychological status of cognitively frail older adults remain scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress and cognitive frailty among older adults during the MCO.

Method

Participants aged above 60 years from three ageing cohorts in Malaysia were interviewed virtually. The Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness and Loss of Weight scale, blind Montreal Cognitive Assessment, 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale, anxiety subscale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and four‐item Perceived Stress Scale measured frailty, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), depression, anxiety and stress, respectively.

Results

Cognitive frailty data were available for 870 participants, age (mean ± SD) = 73.44 ± 6.32 years and 55.6% were women. Fifty‐seven (6.6%) were robust, 24 (2.8%) had MCI, 451 (51.8%) were pre‐frail, 164 (18.9%) were pre‐frail+MCI, 119 (13.7%) were frail and 55 (6.3%) were frail+MCI. There were significant differences in depression and anxiety scores between the controlled MCO and recovery MCO. Using multinomial logistic regression, pre‐frail (mean difference (95% confidence interval, CI) = 1.16 (0.932, 1.337), frail (1.49 (1.235, 1.803) and frail+MCI (1.49 (1.225, 1.822)) groups had significantly higher depression scores, frail (1.19 (1.030, 1.373)) and frail+MCI (1.24 (1.065, 1.439)) had significantly higher anxiety scores and pre‐frail (1.50 (1.285, 1.761)), frail (1.74 (1.469, 2.062)) and frail+MCI (1.81 (1.508, 2.165)) had significantly higher stress scores upon adjustments for the potential confounders. The MCO was a potential confounder in the relationship between depression and prefrail+MCI (1.08 (0.898, 1.340)).

Conclusion

Frail individuals with or without MCI had significantly higher depression, anxiety and stress than those who were robust. Increased depression and stress were also observed in the pre‐frail group. Interventions to address psychological issues in older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic could target prefrail and frail individuals and need further evaluation.
The use and abuse of keystone plant species in restoration practices of terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Ballarin Caio S. , Amorim Felipe W. , Watson David M. , Fontúrbel Francisco E.
Published: September 2023

Keystone plant species are commonly used for restoring degraded terrestrial sites because, despite being encountered in low abundances in natural communities, they interact with multiple species across multiple niche dimensions. Nevertheless, the demographic characteristics of these “great interactors” are often disregarded in restoration planning, which may bring unintended consequences for restoration trajectories once the outcome of species relationships interplays between positive and negative effects depending on the density of interacting species. Therefore, while replanting keystone species at their characteristically low densities may re‐entangle food webs and allow novel plant and animal recruitment, restoring them at high densities can assemble asymmetrical relationships strong enough to affect sympatric plant species establishment, survival, and reproduction. Here, we explore the negative consequences of overusing keystone plant species in sites undergoing restoration and provide specific guidelines for practitioners to maximize the benefits of keystone plants in restoration initiatives.
The OsTIL1 lipocalin protects cell membranes from reactive oxygen species damage and maintains the 18:3‐containing glycerolipid biosynthesis under cold stress in rice
Authors: Ji Lingxiao , Zhang Zhengfeng , Liu Shuang , Zhao Liyan , Li Qiang , Xiao Benze , Suzuki Nobuhiro , Burks David J. , Azad Rajeev K. , Xie Guosheng
Published: September 2023

Lipocalins constitute a conserved protein family that binds to and transports a variety of lipids while fatty acid desaturases (FADs) are required for maintaining the cell membrane fluidity under cold stress. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether plant lipocalins promote FADs for the cell membrane integrity under cold stress. Here, we identified the role of OsTIL1 lipocalin in FADs‐mediated glycerolipid remodeling under cold stress. Overexpression and CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene edition experiments demonstrated that OsTIL1 positively regulated cold stress tolerance by protecting the cell membrane integrity from reactive oxygen species damage and enhancing the activities of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase, which was confirmed by combined cold stress with a membrane rigidifier dimethyl sulfoxide or a H2O2 scavenger dimethyl thiourea. OsTIL1 overexpression induced higher 18:3 content, and higher 18:3/18:2 and (18:2 + 18:3)/18:1 ratios than the wild type under cold stress whereas the gene edition mutant showed the opposite. Furthermore, the lipidomic analysis showed that OsTIL1 overexpression led to higher contents of 18:3‐mediated glycerolipids, including galactolipids (monoglactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol) and phospholipids (phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine and phosphatidyl inositol) under cold stress. RNA‐seq and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay analyses indicated that OsTIL1 overexpression enhanced the transcription and enzyme abundance of four ω‐3 FADs (OsFAD3‐1/3‐2, 7, and 8) under cold stress. These results reveal an important role of OsTIL1 in maintaining the cell membrane integrity from oxidative damage under cold stress, providing a good candidate gene for improving cold tolerance in rice.
Threshold for the expected measure of the convex hull of random points with independent coordinates
Authors: Pafis Minas
Published: September 2023

Let be an even Borel probability measure on . For every , consider independent random vectors in , with independent coordinates having distribution . We establish a sharp threshold for the product measure of the random polytope in under the assumption that the Legendre transform of the logarithmic moment generating function of satisfies the condition
where . An application is a sharp threshold for the case of the product measure , with density , where is the ‐norm and .
On the length of D(±1)$D(\pm 1)$‐tuples in imaginary quadratic rings
Authors: Cipu Mihai , Fujita Yasutsugu
Published: September 2023

Let be an imaginary quadratic field and its ring of integers. Fix a rational integer . A set is called a ‐‐tuple in if , where for all such that . Here, we prove the non‐existence of ‐‐tuples in for and .
Finiteness of metrics on state spaces
Authors: Kyed David , Nest Ryszard
Published: September 2023

We show that Connes' metric on the state space associated with a spectral triple is nowhere infinite exactly when it is globally bounded. Moreover, we produce a family of simple examples showing that this is not automatically the case.
Experimental Validation of a Seal Flutter Model
Authors: Corral Roque , Greco Michele
Published: September 2023

In this paper, the predictions of an analytical model for seal flutter have been compared with the experimental data of a rotating multi-cavity labyrinth seal test rig. The experiments were conducted to assess the flutter inception in a large set of operating conditions by varying the rotational speed and the total pressure ratio across the seal. The analytical model derived by Corral et al. (2022, “Effective Clearance and Differential Gapping Impact on Seal Flutter Modelling and Validation,” ASME J. Turbomach., 144 (7), p. 071010) has been previously validated by using a frequency domain linearized Navier–Stokes solver retaining the effect of the effective gaps and the kinetic energy carried over to the downstream fin. A set of 3D steady RANS simulations has been carried out to reduce the uncertainty in the steady characteristics of the seal that are used to inform the flutter model. The simulations consider the static deformation due to the pressure and the centrifugal force through a set of numerical models with geometrical gap differences. The stability has been investigated in a large range of operating conditions. It is concluded that the analytical model can be used to quickly predict the modes susceptible to flutter, provided that the steady flow field and the effective running clearances of the seal are well predicted.
Experimental Investigation of Orientation Effects on Pseudocritical Transition Dynamics in Heated Microchannel With Side-View Schlieren Imaging
Authors: Whitaker Trevor A. , Rao Sameer R.
Published: September 2023

The heat transfer characteristics of carbon dioxide flow in microchannels in close vicinity of the critical point have drawn the interest of researchers in recent years as a promising approach to achieve high heat flux (500 W cm−2) thermal management. Enhancements to the supercritical convective heat transfer coefficients are observed to accompany the pseudocritical transition due to the significant thermophysical property variations around the critical point. In addition, CO2 is a dielectric fluid with a low global warming potential (GWP), further increasing the appeal for thermal management applications. Supercritical fluid convection heat transfer in microchannel configurations relevant to thermal management requires further study. Specifically, there is a limited understanding of how density gradients induced by the pseudocritical transition influence the heat transfer in microscale flows and what role orientation with respect to gravity plays. The present study developed a microchannel (Dh = 500 μm) test article to allow heat transfer measurements and side-view schlieren imaging of carbon dioxide. High-speed visualization of density gradients from schlieren imaging and heat transfer characteristics for non-uniform boundary heating to a single channel wall will be discussed as a function of orientation. Schlieren images reveal the development of a region influenced by pseudocritical transition near the heated wall that grows with increased heat flux or decreased mass flux. The observed density fluctuations that comprise this region are strong functions of experimental conditions and may aid in generating a predictive capability for supercritical heat transfer. The insights derived from this study are ultimately aimed at developing a mechanistic understanding of near-critical flows in microchannels and are crucial to assessing the potential for applications of electronic thermal management.
Investigating global and topological orders of states by local measurement and classical communication: Study on SPT phase diagrams by quantum energy teleportation
Authors: Ikeda Kazuki
Published: September 2023

Distinguishing non-local orders, including global and topological orders of states through solely local operations and classical communications (LOCC), is a highly non-trivial and challenging task since the topology of states is determined by the global characteristics of the many-body system, such as the system's symmetry and the topological space it is based on. Here, we report that we reproduced the phase diagram of Ising model and symmetry protected topological phases using the quantum energy teleportation protocol, which foresees non-trivial energy transfer between remote observers using the entanglement nature of the ground state and LOCC. The model we use includes the Haldane model, the AKLT model, and the Kitaev model. Therefore, our method paves a new general experimental framework to determine and quantify phase transitions in various condensed matter physics and statistical mechanics.
Genotype-specific precision tumor therapy using mitochondrial DNA mutation-induced drug release system
Authors: Li Yanan , Xu Ru , Wu Yonghua , Guo Jialing , Quan Fenglei , Pei Yiran , Huang Di , Zhao Xiu , Gao Hua , Liu Junjie , Zhang Zhenzhong , Shi Jinjin , Zhang Kaixiang
Published: September 2023

Precise killing of tumor cells without affecting surrounding normal cells is a challenge. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, a common genetic variant in cancer, can directly affect metabolic homeostasis, serving as an ideal regulatory switch for precise tumor therapy. Here, we designed a mutation-induced drug release system (MIDRS), using the single-nucleotide variation (SNV) recognition ability and trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a to convert tumor-specific mtDNA mutations into a regulatory switch for intracellular drug release, realizing precise tumor cell killing. Using Ce6 as a model drug, MIDRS enabled organelle-level photodynamic therapy, triggering innate and adaptive immunity simultaneously. In vivo evaluation showed that MIDRS
MT
could identify tumor tissue carrying SNVs in mtDNA in unilateral, bilateral, and heterogeneous tumor models, producing an excellent antitumor effect (~82.6%) without affecting normal cells and thus resulting in a stronger systemic antitumor immune response. Additionally, MIDRS was suitable for genotype-specific precision drug release of chemotherapeutic drugs. This strategy holds promise for mutation-specific personalized tumor treatment approaches.
Structural insights into the activation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated by oxidative stress
Authors: Howes Anna C. , Perisic Olga , Williams Roger L.
Published: September 2023

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a master kinase regulating DNA damage response that is activated by DNA double-strand breaks. However, ATM is also directly activated by reactive oxygen species, but how oxidative activation is achieved remains unknown. We determined the cryo-EM structure of an H
2
O
2
-activated ATM and showed that under oxidizing conditions, ATM formed an intramolecular disulfide bridge between two protomers that are rotated relative to each other when compared to the basal state. This rotation is accompanied by release of the substrate-blocking PRD region and twisting of the N-lobe relative to the C-lobe, which greatly optimizes catalysis. This active site remodeling enabled us to capture a substrate (p53) bound to the enzyme. This provides the first structural insights into how ATM is activated during oxidative stress.
Hepatocyte CYR61 polarizes profibrotic macrophages to orchestrate NASH fibrosis
Authors: Mooring Meghan , Yeung Grace A. , Luukkonen Panu , Liu Silvia , Akbar Muhammad Waqas , Zhang Gary J. , Balogun Oluwashanu , Yu Xuemei , Mo Rigen , Nejak-Bowen Kari , Poyurovsky Masha V. , Booth Carmen J. , Konnikova Liza , Shulman Gerald I. , Yimlamai Dean
Published: September 2023

Obesity is increasing worldwide and leads to a multitude of metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61) is associated with the progression of NASH, but it has been described to have anti- and proinflammatory properties. We sought to examine the role of liver CYR61 in NASH progression. CYR61 liver-specific knockout mice on a NASH diet showed improved glucose tolerance, decreased liver inflammation, and reduced fibrosis. CYR61 polarized infiltrating monocytes promoting a proinflammatory/profibrotic phenotype through an IRAK4/SYK/NF-κB signaling cascade. In vitro, CYR61 activated a profibrotic program, including PDGFa/PDGFb expression in macrophages, in an IRAK4/SYK/NF-κB–dependent manner. Furthermore, targeted-antibody blockade reduced CYR61-driven signaling in macrophages in vitro and in vivo, reducing fibrotic development. This study demonstrates that CYR61 is a key driver of liver inflammation and fibrosis in NASH.
A MERS-CoV antibody neutralizes a pre-emerging group 2c bat coronavirus
Authors: Tse Longping V. , Hou Yixuan J. , McFadden Elizabeth , Lee Rhianna E. , Scobey Trevor D. , Leist Sarah R. , Martinez David R. , Meganck Rita M. , Schäfer Alexandra , Yount Boyd L. , Mascenik Teresa , Powers John M. , Randell Scott H. , Zhang Yi , Wang Lingshu , Mascola John , McLellan Jason S. , Baric Ralph S.
Published: September 2023

The repeated emergence of zoonotic human betacoronaviruses (β-CoVs) dictates the need for broad therapeutics and conserved epitope targets for countermeasure design. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)–related coronaviruses (CoVs) remain a pressing concern for global health preparedness. Using metagenomic sequence data and CoV reverse genetics, we recovered a full-length wild-type MERS-like BtCoV/
li
/GD/2014-422 (BtCoV-422) recombinant virus, as well as two reporter viruses, and evaluated their human emergence potential and susceptibility to currently available countermeasures. Similar to MERS-CoV, BtCoV-422 efficiently used human and other mammalian dipeptidyl peptidase protein 4 (DPP4) proteins as entry receptors and an alternative DPP4-independent infection route in the presence of exogenous proteases. BtCoV-422 also replicated efficiently in primary human airway, lung endothelial, and fibroblast cells, although less efficiently than MERS-CoV. However, BtCoV-422 shows minor signs of infection in 288/330 human DPP4 transgenic mice. Several broad CoV antivirals, including nucleoside analogs and 3C-like/M
pro
protease inhibitors, demonstrated potent inhibition against BtCoV-422 in vitro. Serum from mice that received a MERS-CoV mRNA vaccine showed reduced neutralizing activity against BtCoV-422. Although most MERS-CoV–neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) had limited activity, one anti-MERS receptor binding domain mAb, JC57-11, neutralized BtCoV-422 potently. A cryo–electron microscopy structure of JC57-11 in complex with BtCoV-422 spike protein revealed the mechanism of cross-neutralization involving occlusion of the DPP4 binding site, highlighting its potential as a broadly neutralizing mAb for group 2c CoVs that use DPP4 as a receptor. These studies provide critical insights into MERS-like CoVs and provide candidates for countermeasure development.
Draft genome sequencing of
Naganishia
species isolated from the polar environments
Authors: Leo Patrick , Onofri Silvano , Zucconi Laura , Selbmann Laura , Turchetti Benedetta , Buzzini Pietro , Chander Atul M. , Simpson Anna , Singh Nitin , Vellone Daniel , Tighe Scott , Venkateswaran Kasthuri
Published: September 2023

The draft genomes of five
Naganishia
strains were sequenced using MinION and annotated using Funannotate pipeline. Phylogenetic and genomic analyses were performed to provide their genetic relationships, diversity, and potential functional capabilities. This approach will aid in understanding their potential to survive under microgravity and their resilience to extreme environments.