bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cigarette smoke condensate induces centrosome clustering in normal lung epithelial cells
Authors: Thaiparambil Jose , Amara Chandra S. , Sen Subrata , Putluri Nagireddy , El‐Zein Randa
Published: January 2023

Background

Unlike normal cells, cancer cells frequently have multiple centrosomes that can cluster to form bipolar mitotic spindles and allow for successful cell division. Inhibiting centrosome clustering, therefore, holds therapeutic promise to promote cancer cell‐specific cell death.

Methods

We used confocal microscopy, real‐time PCR, siRNA knockdown, and western blot to analyze centrosome clustering and declustering using normal lung bronchial epithelial and nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Also, we used Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software to identify novel pathways associated with centrosome clustering.

Results

In this study, we found that exposure to cigarette smoke condensate induces centrosome amplification and clustering in human lung epithelial cells. We observed a similar increase in centrosome amplification and clustering in unexposed NSCLC cell lines which may suggest a common underlying mechanism for lung carcinogenesis. We identified a cyclin D2‐mediated centrosome clustering pathway that involves a sonic hedgehog‐forkhead box protein M1 axis which is critical for mitosis. We also observed that cyclin D2 knockdown induced multipolar mitotic spindles that could eventually lead to cell death.

Conclusions

Here we report a novel role of cyclin D2 in the regulation of centrosome clustering, which could allow the identification of tumors sensitive to cyclin D2 inhibitors. Our data reveal a pathway that can be targeted to inhibit centrosome clustering by interfering with the expression of cyclin D2‐associated genes.
Hydrogen Spillover‐Promoted Hydrogen Evolution onto Copper
Authors: Xing Liwen , Liu Yan , Liu Yaqi , Wu Ke , Ji Yongjun
Published: January 2023

Currently, green hydrogen harvesting from electrochemical water splitting is overly reliant on noble metals with high catalytic activity but low natural abundance and high cost. As one of potential earth‐abundant alternatives, copper, however, displays a poor hydrogen evolving capability, mainly due to inherently a weak hydrogen binding energy (HBE). It poses a substantial restriction to metallic Cu alone serving as primary active sites for high‐performance hydrogen evolution. Thanks to the presence of hydrogen spillover that was often overlooked during the electrocatalysis, the hydrogen evolution in a nonacidic electrolyte can be accelerated by the recombination desorption of adsorbed hydrogen over Cu with a weak HBE. Here, we concisely highlighted this promotion effect of secondary active Cu on electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and eagerly expected to extend hydrogen spillover effects to the advance of multi‐site electrocatalytic systems.
High FeLS(C) electrochemical activity of an iron hexacyanoferrate cathode boosts superior sodium ion storage
Authors: Guo Junhong , Feng Fan , Zhao Shiqiang , Shi Zhenhai , Wang Rui , Yang Meng , Chen Fangfang , Chen Suli , Ma Zi‐Feng , Liu Tianxi
Published: January 2023

Sodium iron hexacyanoferrate (FeHCF) is one of the most promising cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to its low cost theoretical capacity. However, the low electrochemical activity of FeLS(C) in FeHCF drags down its practical capacity and potential plateau. Herein, FeHCF with high FeLS(C) electrochemical activity (C‐FeHCF) is synthesized via a facile citric acid‐assisted solvothermal method. As the cathode of SIBs, C‐FeHCF shows superior cycling stability (ca. 87.3% capacity retention for 1000 cycles at 10 C) and outstanding rate performance (ca. 68.5% capacity retention at 50 C). Importantly, the contribution of FeLS(C) to the whole capacity was quantitatively analyzed via combining dQ/dV and discharge curve for the first time, and the index reaches 44.53% for C‐FeHCF, close to the theoretical value. In‐situ X‐ray diffraction proves the structure stability of C‐FeHCF during charge–discharge process, ensuring its superior cycling performance. Furthermore, the application feasibility of the C‐FeHCF cathode in quasi‐solid SIBs is also evaluated. The quasi‐solid SIBs with the C‐FeHCF cathode exhibit excellent electrochemical performance, delivering an initial discharge capacity of 106.5 mAh g−1 at 5 C and high capacity retention of 89.8% over 1200 cycles. This work opens new insights into the design and development of advanced cathode materials for SIBs and the beyond.
Charge‐transfer‐regulated bimetal ferrocene‐based organic frameworks for promoting electrocatalytic oxygen evolution
Authors: Hu Jinsong , Xu Qiaoling , Wang Xiaoyu , Huang Xinhua , Zhou Chunhui , Ye Ying , Zhang Lei , Pang Huan
Published: January 2023

The ferrocene (Fc)‐based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are regarded as compelling platforms for the construction of efficient and robust oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts due to their superior conductivity and flexible electronic structure. Herein, density functional theory simulations were addressed to predict the electronic structure regulations of CoFc‐MOF by nickel doping, which demonstrated that the well‐proposed CoNiFc‐MOFs delivered a small energy barrier, promoted conductivity, and well‐regulated d‐band center. Inspired by these, a series of sea‐urchin‐like CoNiFc‐MOFs were successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal method. Moreover, the synchrotron X‐ray and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements manifested that the introduction of nickel could tailor the electronic structure of the catalyst and induce the directional transfer of electrons, thus optimizing the rate‐determining step of *O → *OOH during the OER process and yielding decent overpotentials of 209 and 252 mV at 10 and 200 mA cm−2, respectively, with a small Tafel slope of 39 mV dec−1. This work presents a new paradigm for developing highly efficient and durable MOF‐based electrocatalysts for OER.
Anisotropic Crystal Growth of Layered Vanadates with Bulky Interlayer Cations
Authors: Ban Takayuki , Konishi Karin , Mizuno Motoki , Takai‐Yamashita Chika , Ohya Yutaka
Published: January 2023

The crystallization behavior of layered tetramethylammonium octavanadate [N(CH3)4]V8O20 including both V4+ and V5+ during hydrothermal synthesis is examined. According to the Bravais–Friedel–Donnay–Harker law, layered metalate crystals with bulky interlayer cations tend to have shapes with large surfaces parallel to the metalate layers; however, small rodlike crystals elongated along the direction normal to the vanadate layers are produced at the early stage of crystallization. As the crystallization proceeds, the crystal shapes are changed to large belt‐like and platelike ones with the largest surfaces parallel to the vanadate layers. If sols containing only the small rodlike crystals formed at the early stage of crystallization are prepared, they will be useful for the fabrication of thin films with the vanadate layers vertically aligned normal to the substrate surface. Furthermore, ultrasonic treatment of the aqueous suspensions of the [N(CH3)4]V8O20 crystals leads to their exfoliation to a thickness of several tens of nanometers. For the relation between crystal shapes and crystallographic directions, the small crystals obtained using ultrasonic treatment are different from the ones formed at the early stage of crystallization. Probably, the morphology of the small rodlike crystals formed at the early stage of crystallization is attributed to the metastable growth form.
An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian discontinuous Galerkin method for two‐dimensional compressible flows on adaptive quadrilateral meshes
Authors: Zhao Xiaolong , Huang Chaobao , Yu Xijun , Zou Shijun , Qing Fang
Published: January 2023

In this article, a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme on the adaptive quadrilateral meshes is proposed to simulate two‐dimensional compressible flows in the direct arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) framework. In our scheme, the Euler equations are discretized in the reference element with the help of a bilinear map. A kind of Taylor expansion basis functions in the reference element is used to construct the interpolation polynomials of variables. We describe the property that the material derivatives of the basis functions used in the DG discretization are equal to zero, with which the scheme is simplified. Furthermore, the mesh velocity in our ALE framework is obtained by implementing the approach of mesh movement based on the variational principle from [Adaptive mesh methods for one‐ and two‐dimensional hyperbolic conservation laws. SIAM J Numer Anal. 2003;41:487–515]. This approach of mesh movement automatically concentrates the mesh nodes near the regions with large gradient values of the variables and can greatly improve the resolution of the solution near these regions. In addition, a WENO (weighted essentially non‐oscillatory) reconstruction helps our scheme remove the numerical oscillations. Some numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, high resolution, and robustness of our scheme.
Agronomic assessment of two populations of intermediate wheatgrass—Kernza® (Thinopyrum intermedium) in temperate South America
Authors: Locatelli Andres , Gutierrez Lucia , Duchene Olivier , Speranza Pablo R. , Picasso Risso Valentin D.
Published: January 2023

Background

Kernza® intermediate wheatgrass is a perennial grain and forage crop that can provide several ecosystem services. Major research efforts focused on Kernza have taken place in high latitudes. The goal of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the agronomic performance of Kernza in a low‐latitude region with mild winters.

Methods

A KS‐cycle 4 Kernza population (A) was planted in spring in Wisconsin, USA, and selected in one cycle for lower vernalization requirements, obtaining a new population (B). These two populations, at three nitrogen (N) fertilization rates, were evaluated in a full factorial, completely randomized field experiment in Uruguay over 2 years.

Results

The populations were similar in grain yields and flowering time in the 1st year, but population B had 63% lower grain yield in the 2nd year and 20% lower forage yield throughout the experiment. Increasing the N rate to 160 kg ha−1 led to a 63% increase in grain yield and 28% increase in forage yield across populations. Forage yields and nutritive values were similar to those reported in the northern hemisphere. However, grain yields for both the 1st (316 kg ha−1) and 2nd year (41 kg ha−1) were lower due to reduced flowering and weed competition.

Conclusions

Expansion of Kernza to lower‐latitude regions will require further breeding to improve reproductive performance.
Effects of scenario‐based attribution on collective emotions and stigma toward persons with COVID‐19: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Boo Hye In , Choi Yun‐Kyeung
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

During this COVID‐19 pandemic, many people experience and share emotions such as fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, and disgust, which can be regarded as collective emotions. This study investigated the effects of scenario‐based attribution for serious diseases on collective emotions and social stigma.

Methods

Participants were 297 healthy adults who met two conditions: (1) not having tested positive for COVID‐19 (including their family members or close friends) and no experience of self‐quarantine; and (2) not having been diagnosed with lung cancer, and not having family members or close friends diagnosed with it. Three hundred participants were recruited, through a company conducting online surveys. A total of 297 data sets were analyzed, excluding data supplied by three participants who might have responded unreliably to the filler question. Scenarios were recorded according to attribution type (internal vs. external) and disease (COVID‐19 vs. lung cancer). A 2 × 2 factorial design was used, whereby participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions.

Results

The COVID‐19 condition showed higher scores on the perceived risk and fear of the disease compared to the lung cancer one. The COVID‐19/internal attribution condition showed the highest scores for fear and anger toward scenario characters, and the lung cancer/external attribution condition showed higher sympathy scores than other conditions. Although attribution to COVID‐19 was not directly related to social stigma, it could evoke negative emotions toward infected people.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that attributions of serious diseases such as COVID‐19 to infected persons can influence collective emotions and the level of social stigma associated with the disease. Attention to the collective emotions and stigma associated with disease is a key component for communities and countries to recover from and respond to its impacts.
Prognosis of COVID‐19 patients using lab tests: A data mining approach
Authors: Khounraz Fariba , Khodadoost Mahmood , Gholamzadeh Saeid , Pourhamidi Rashed , Baniasadi Tayebeh , Jafarbigloo Aida , Mohammadi Gohar , Ahmadi Mahnaz , Ayyoubzadeh Seyed Mohammad
Published: January 2023

Background

The rapid prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused a pandemic worldwide and affected the lives of millions. The potential fatality of the disease has led to global public health concerns. Apart from clinical practice, artificial intelligence (AI) has provided a new model for the early diagnosis and prediction of disease based on machine learning (ML) algorithms. In this study, we aimed to make a prediction model for the prognosis of COVID‐19 patients using data mining techniques.

Methods

In this study, a data set was obtained from the intelligent management system repository of 19 hospitals at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran. All patients admitted had shown positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results. They were hospitalized between February 19 and May 12 in 2020, which were investigated in this study. The extracted data set has 8621 data instances. The data include demographic information and results of 16 laboratory tests. In the first stage, preprocessing was performed on the data. Then, among 15 laboratory tests, four of them were selected. The models were created based on seven data mining algorithms, and finally, the performances of the models were compared with each other.

Results

Based on our results, the Random Forest (RF) and Gradient Boosted Trees models were known as the most efficient methods, with the highest accuracy percentage of 86.45% and 84.80%, respectively. In contrast, the Decision Tree exhibited the least accuracy (75.43%) among the seven models.

Conclusion

Data mining methods have the potential to be used for predicting outcomes of COVID‐19 patients with the use of lab tests and demographic features. After validating these methods, they could be implemented in clinical decision support systems for better management and providing care to severe COVID‐19 patients.
Histopathological carcinoma classification using parallel, cross‐concatenated and grouped convolutions deep neural network
Authors: Kadirappa Ravindranath , Subbian Deivalakshmi , Ramasamy Pandeeswari , Ko Seok‐Bum
Published: January 2023

Cancer is more alarming in modern days due to its identification at later stages. Among cancers, lung, liver and colon cancers are the leading cause of untimely death. Manual cancer identification from histopathological images is time‐consuming and labour‐intensive. Thereby, computer‐aided decision support systems are desired. A deep learning model is proposed in this paper to accurately identify cancer. Convolutional neural networks have shown great ability to identify the significant patterns for cancer classification. The proposed Parallel, Cross Concatenated and Grouped Convolutions Deep Neural Network (PC2GCDN2) has been developed to obtain accurate patterns for classification. To prove the robustness of the model, it is evaluated on the KMC and TCGA‐LIHC liver dataset, LC25000 dataset for lung and colon cancer classification. The proposed PC2GCDN2 model outperforms states‐of‐the‐art methods. The model provides 5.5% improved accuracy compared to the LiverNet proposed by Aatresh et. al on the KMC dataset. On the LC25000 dataset, 2% improvement is observed compared to existing models. Performance evaluation metrics like Sensitivity, Specificity, Recall, F1‐Score and Intersection‐Over‐Union are used to evaluate the performance. To the best of our knowledge, PC2GCDN2 can be considered as gold standard for multiple histopathology image classification. PC2GCDN is able to classify the KMC and TCGA‐LIHC liver dataset with 96.4% and 98.6% accuracy, respectively, which are the best results obtained till now. The performance has been superior on LC25000 dataset with 99.5% and 100% classification accuracy on lung and colon dataset, by utilizing less than 0.5 million parameters.
Influence of international ownership on the performance of local social enterprises: Evidence from the global microfinance industry
Authors: Djan Kwame Ohene , Nyarko Samuel Anokye , Mersland Roy , Beisland Leif Atle , Nakato Linda
Published: January 2023

International ownership positively impacts the social performance of social enterprises at the expense of financial performance. International owners mostly use their resources and controlling rights to improve social performance at the expense of financial performance. Current ownership theories do not address how the multidimensional utility function might affect the governance and financing of a social enterprise. There is a need to develop theories for firms with conflicting objectives.
Development of a New Care Pathway for Depression and Anxiety in Adult‐Onset Isolated Dystonia
Authors: Martino Davide , Nosratmirshekarlou Elaheh , Cothros Nicholas , Medina Escobar Alex , Goodarzi Zahra
Published: January 2023

Background

Recently, we identified barriers and facilitators to the screening and treatment of depressive and anxiety symptoms in adult‐onset isolated dystonia (AOID). These symptoms are common, functionally impairing, and often underdetected and undertreated.

Objectives

To develop a care pathway for mood symptoms in AOID.

Methods

We used a multistep modified Delphi approach to seek consensus among healthcare professionals with experience of AOID on the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of mood symptoms. A combination of face‐to‐face meetings and online surveys was performed from 2019 to 2020. We created the survey and then reviewed with stakeholders before 2 rounds of Delphi surveys, all of which was finally reviewed in a consensus meeting. A purposive sample of 41 expert stakeholders from 4 Canadian provinces, including neurologists, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and family physicians, was identified by the research team.

Results

The Delphi process led to consensus on 12 statements that operationalized a pathway of care to screen for and manage depression and anxiety in people with AOID. Key actions of the pathway included yearly screening with self‐rated instruments, multidisciplinary involvement in management involving local networks of providers coordinated by movement disorders neurologists, and access to educational resources. The Delphi panel indicated the 2 core steps as the documentation of the most recent screening outcome and the documentation of a management plan for patients who were positive at the last screening.

Conclusions

This new care pathway represents a potentially useful intervention that can be used to build an integrated model of care for AOID.
Aerial Application of Organic Pellets Eliminates Lake Trout Recruitment from a Primary Spawning Reef in Yellowstone Lake
Authors: Koel Todd M. , Doepke Philip D. , MacDonald Drew J. , Thomas Nathan A. , Vender Cody W. , Glassic Hayley C. , Poole Alex S. , Guy Christopher S. , Zale Alexander V.
Published: January 2023

Invasive Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush in the Yellowstone Lake ecosystem have been gillnetted since 1995 to suppress the population and allow for recovery of native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri. Although gillnetting is effective (Lake Trout population growth rate λ ≤ 0.6 during 2012–2022), the effort only targets free-swimming, age-2 and older Lake Trout. We developed a complementary suppression method using organic (soy and wheat) pellets to cause Lake Trout embryo mortality and reduce recruitment from spawning areas. The entire Carrington Island spawning reef (0.5 ha) was aerially treated with 3.56 and 3.00 kg/m2 of pellets in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Pellet decomposition caused dissolved oxygen concentrations to decline to lethal levels at 20 cm depth in the substrate, and pellets mostly dissipated from the reef within 12 d. Lake Trout fry trap CPUE was reduced to zero after ice-off each spring after the treatments. Prior to the treatments, 71 fry were captured during 58 trap-nights of effort in 2017–2019. After the treatments, no fry were captured during 273 trap-nights in 2020 and 2021. Lake Trout CPUE in large-mesh gill nets set near Carrington Island in September did not decline during 2017–2021 and fry were again trapped on the reef in spring 2022, suggesting that adults were not deterred from spawning there in the years after the pellet treatments. Complementary methods that increase mortality of prerecruits may allow for a reduction in gill-netting effort and the long-term costs of maintaining Lake Trout population suppression in Yellowstone Lake. Treatment of spawning areas may improve suppression efficiency for Lake Trout and invasive fish populations elsewhere because entire cohorts are targeted while immobile and temporarily concentrated in relatively small areas.
The duality of drought: Pelagic- and benthic-spawning stream fishes show opposing responses to drought in the southern Great Plains
Authors: Nguyen Erin , Mayes Kevin B. , Smith Ryan , Trungale Joe , Perkin Joshuah S.
Published: January 2023

Objective

Streamflow is a primary determinant of fish assemblage structure in riverine systems, but alteration of natural flow regimes can result in fish assemblage shifts through the process of environmental filtering. Because natural drought conditions reduce and homogenize streamflow in a manner comparable to projections for climate change in some regions, drought could serve as a proxy for expected future flow conditions.

Methods

We investigated the effects of drought as a temporally dynamic environmental filter of the occurrence of two guilds of fishes, benthic spawners that deposit adhesive ova along the benthic zone of rivers and pelagic spawners that release semibuoyant, nonadhesive ova into the pelagic zone of rivers. We developed species-specific random forest models to estimate annual probability of occurrence for three benthic-spawning and four pelagic-spawning minnow species at three sites in the upper Brazos River, Texas, for the period 1950–2018. We then used a generalized additive mixed-effects model to assess the relationship between drought intensity and likelihood of occurrence to test whether reproductive modes differed in response to drought (hypothesis 1) and whether response to drought was spatially (hypothesis 2) or temporally (hypothesis 3) variable.

Result

We found support for hypothesis 1 as two of four pelagic-spawning species (Shoal Chub Macrhybopsis hyostoma, Smalleye Shiner Notropis buccula) declined and two of three benthic-spawning species increased as drought intensified, support for hypothesis 2 as responses to drought varied by gauge location, and no support for hypothesis 3 as drought response was consistent for periods 1950–1979 and 1980–2018.

Conclusion

These findings offer insight into the future of riverine fish assemblages as climate change is expected to exacerbate regional drought conditions. Management of pelagic-spawning fishes during extreme drought in the southern Great Plains may require strategies such as (1) rescues of fish from drying reaches, (2) captive holding and propagation, and (3) assisted recolonization following subsidence of drought conditions.
Natal Origin Differentiation Using Eye Lens Stable Isotope Analysis
Authors: Rosinski Caroline L. , Glaid Jeff , Hahn Matt , Fetzer William W.
Published: January 2023

Natal origin determination can be critical to understanding the movement, recruitment, and stock discrimination of fish populations. We investigated the utility of eye lens stable isotope analysis as a natural marker to determine natal origins, specifically the differentiation of stocked versus naturally reproduced individuals. We compared isotopic values for stocked and naturally reproduced Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in the North Platte River (Wyoming, USA) and found that the metabolically inert core of the eye lens retained hatchery feed values as the fish grew poststocking. The stable isotope values of eye lens cores from stocked Rainbow Trout were >15‰ higher for δ34S and >4‰ higher for δ13C than naturally reproduced fish. The values for δ15N proved to be a less useful indicator for natal origin than sulfur and carbon. These high carbon and sulfur isotopic values were retained in the core, despite subsequent lens layers showing a dietary shift to natural prey items poststocking. Rainbow Trout formed over 10 layers at age 0, decreasing to an estimated one to two layers during subsequent years. Eye lens stable isotope analysis represents an additional tool for researchers and managers to use natural isotopic markers to accurately assess natal origins and hatchery contributions to fish populations.
A non‐uniform rational B‐splines enhanced finite element formulation based on the scaled boundary parameterization for the analysis of heterogeneous solids
Authors: Reichel Rainer , Klinkel Sven
Published: January 2023

The contribution is concerned with a finite element formulation for the nonlinear analysis of heterogeneous solids in boundary representation. It results in an element with an arbitrary number of curved boundary edges. The curved edges can be parametrized by, for example, non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS). The presented element formulation is based on the scaling concept, which is adopted from the so‐called scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM). In contrast to SBFEM, the proposed method uses a numerical approximation for the displacement response in scaling direction. This enables the analysis of geometrically and physically nonlinear problems in solid mechanics. The interpolation at the boundary in circumferential direction is independent of interpolation in scaling direction. Thus, different basis functions can be used for each direction, for example, NURBS basis functions in circumferential and Lagrange basis functions in radial direction. It allows the construction of polygonal elements with an arbitrary number of curved sides, which are described by either whole NURBS curves or NURBS curves' segments. The advantage of the presented element formulation is the flexibility in mesh generation. For example, using Quadtree algorithms, a fast and reliable mesh generation can be achieved. Furthermore, in connection with trimming algorithms, the element formulation allows a precise representation of the geometry even with coarse meshes. Some benchmark tests are presented to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed numerical method against analytical solutions, and a comparison to standard element formulations is given as well.
Linking discrete and continuum diffusion models: Well‐posedness and stable finite element discretizations
Authors: Schenk Christina , Portillo David , Romero Ignacio
Published: January 2023

In the context of mathematical modeling, it is sometimes convenient to integrate models of different nature. These types of combinations, however, might entail difficulties even when individual models are well‐understood, particularly in relation to the well‐posedness of the ensemble. In this article, we focus on combining two classes of dissimilar diffusive models: the first one defined over a continuum and the second one based on discrete equations that connect average values of the solution over disjoint subdomains. For stationary problems, we show unconditional stability of the linked problems and then the stability and convergence of its discretized counterpart when mixed finite elements are used to approximate the model on the continuum. The theoretical results are highlighted with numerical examples illustrating the effects of linking diffusive models. As a side result, we show that the methods introduced in this article can be used to infer the solution of diffusive problems with incomplete data.
Identification of end‐stage renal disease metabolic signatures from human perspiration
Authors: Shankar Vishnu , Michael Basil , Celli Alessandra , Zhou Zhenpeng , Ashland Melanie D. , Tibshirani Robert , Snyder Michael , Zare Richard N.
Published: January 2023

End‐stage renal disease (ESRD), characterized by cessation in kidney function, has been linked to severe metabolic disturbances, caused by the buildup of toxic solutes in blood. To remove these solutes, ESRD patients undergo dialysis. As a proof of concept, we tested whether ESRD‐related metabolic signatures can be detected in perspiration samples using a combined methodology. Our rapid methodology involves swabbing a glass slide across the patient's forehead, detecting the metabolites in the imprint using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and identifying the key differences using machine learning methods. Based on collecting 42 healthy and 27 ESRD samples, we find saturated fatty acids are consistently suppressed in ESRD patients, with little change after dialysis. Moreover, our method enables the detection of uremic solutes, where we find elevated levels of uric acid (6.7 fold higher on average) that sharply decrease after dialysis. Beyond the study of individual metabolites, we find that a lasso model, which selects for 8 m/z fragments from 24,602 detected analytes, achieves area under the curve performance of 0.85 and 0.87 on training (n = 52) and validation sets (n = 17), respectively. Together, these results suggest that this methodology is promising for detecting signatures relevant for precision health.

Key points

Combines physical measurements with statistical analysis based on machine learning.

Uses results to make medical predictions.

Learns about biological pathways.
Thermoneutral housing and preexisting obesity do not abolish the sexually dimorphic effects of olanzapine on weight gain in mice
Authors: Seguin Ian , Medak Kyle D. , Shamshoum Hesham , Hahn Margaret K. , Wright David C.
Published: January 2023

Objective

In contrast to what is seen clinically, male mice are resistant to antipsychotic‐induced obesity. This is problematic as preclinical studies examining mechanisms of antipsychotic‐induced metabolic dysfunction might be relevant to only half the population. This study sought to determine whether housing mice at thermoneutrality and under conditions of preexisting obesity, steps that have not been previously considered, would uncover a greater obesogenic effect of the antipsychotic olanzapine (OLZ).

Methods

C57BL6/J mice were fed a low‐ or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks and then switched to a control HFD or an HFD supplemented with OLZ for 6 weeks.

Results

Irrespective of obesity, OLZ treatment attenuated weight gain and increased energy expenditure in male mice. In females, OLZ increased food intake and potentiated weight gain in mice with preexisting obesity.

Conclusions

Despite taking steps to increase clinical translatability, this study did not unmask an obesogenic effect of OLZ in male mice. Interestingly, prior studies in female mice could have been underestimating the metabolic consequences of OLZ by not considering the importance of preexisting obesity. Uncovering the mechanisms conferring resistance to weight gain in males may provide clues for approaches to counter the metabolic side effects of antipsychotics clinically.
Vaccine wastage in the Philippines: An examination of the contributory factors
Authors: Bernardino Gilbert D. , Yogyog Karolyn Rae A. , Tayaben Jude L. , Garma Paul Froilan U.
Published: January 2023

The global introduction of COVID‐19 vaccines provided relief to the burden inflicted by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. However, reports of vaccine wastage are still apparent in some countries, particularly in the Philippines. This paper examines the phenomenon of vaccine wastage with emphasis on factors related to improper storage and distribution and on vaccine hesitancy whose roots may be traced to a controversial vaccine rollout. The discussion elaborates on the following themes: (a) supply chain management, (b) limited health literacy, and (c) the unintended consequences of vaccine hesitancy. This paper asserts that addressing the problem of vaccine wastage may involve public‐private partnerships that are grounded in good governance and transparency. In addition, combatting disinformation may entail collaborative communication strategies that may tap into the valuable contributions of the health/natural sciences and the humanities.
Zinc removal from synthetic waters using magnetite/graphene oxide composites
Authors: Almeida‐Naranjo Cristina E. , Morillo Bryan , Aldás María B. , Garcés Nicole , Debut Alexis , Guerrero Victor H.
Published: January 2023

The removal of heavy metals from wastewater has become a global challenge, which demands the continuous study of efficient and low‐cost treatment alternatives such as adsorption. In this research, the removal of zinc was evaluated using batch adsorption processes with nonconventional materials such as graphene oxide (GO), magnetite (MG), and their composites (GO:MG), formulated with three weight ratios (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2). Graphene was synthesized by the modified Marcano method, using pencil lead graphite as a precursor. MG and the composites were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation of ferrous sulfate and ferric chloride. The materials were characterized by Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method to determine the functional groups, microstructural and morphological characteristics, and specific surface area. Batch adsorption tests were carried out to optimize the adsorbent dose and contact time with zinc solutions of 10 ppm. Zinc adsorption reached equilibrium at 2 h, with an optimal dose between 0.25 and 1.0 g/L. The maximum zinc removal efficiencies/adsorption capacities were 98.6%/165.6, 83.4%/47.6, 83.5%/21.9, 72.8%/19.9, and 82.2%/9.25 mg/g using GO, 2GO:1MG, 1GO:1MG, 1GO:2MG, and MG, respectively. Furthermore, the analysis of the isotherm and adsorption kinetics models determined that the adsorption processes using MG and the composites fit the Sips and pseudo‐second‐order models.
Whole-exome sequencing identifies FANC heterozygous germline mutation as an adverse factor for immunosuppressive therapy in Chinese aplastic anemia patients aged 40 or younger: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Shen Yingying , Liu Qi , Li Hangchao , Liu Wenbin , Hu Huijin , Zhao Yuechao , Li Yuzhu , Chen Ying , Liu Shan , Yu Qinghong , Zhuang Haifeng , Wu Liqiang , Hu Zhiping , Zheng Zhiyin , Shen Jianping , Lin Shenyun , Shen Yiping , Zhou Yuhong , Ye Baodong , Wu Dijiong
Published: January 2023

Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is a bone marrow failure disorder characterized by pancytopenia, and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) is the optional first-line management. Several studies identified the influencing factors on IST response; however, there are still a considerable number of patients suffering from poor prognoses. In this study, we enrolled 61 AA patients aged ≤ 40 years old, and whole-exome sequencing (WES) found unexpected high FANC heterozygous germline mutations (28/61, 45.9%). Patients with FANC mutations have a significantly lower absolute reticulocyte count and CD34+ % in the bone marrow and also lower 3-, 6-, and 9-month IST response than that without mutation, which were 0% vs. 25% (P = 0.017), 26.3% vs. 42.1% (P = 0.495), and 29.4% vs. 72.2% (P = 0.011), especially in anti-thymocyte globulin combined with the cyclosporin A (ATG + CsA) group, which were 0% vs.33.4% (P = 0.143), 25% vs.83.3% (P = 0.103), and 25% vs. 100% (P = 0.003), respectively. The event-free survival in the FANCwt group was also better than that in the FANCmut group (P = 0.016) and also showed in patients who received ATG + CsA treatment (P = 0.045). In addition, all the adverse effects of FANC germline mutation were not significant in stem cell–transplanted group. Our result indicated that the WES-based detection of FANC heterozygous germline mutations may have a great meaning in predicting IST response of acquired AA. This study was registered at chictr.org.cn (# ChiCTR2100054992).
Speicheldrüsenkarzinome – ein aktueller Überblick
Authors: Rupp Niels J. , Freiberger Sandra N.
Published: January 2023

Der zweite Teil des Artikels widmet sich den molekularen Charakteristiken des epithelial-myoepithelialen Karzinoms, des polymorphen Adenokarzinoms, des myoepithelialen Karzinoms, des Basalzelladenokarzinoms sowie des Speichelgangkarzinoms. Zusätzlich werden die neu aufgekommenen Entitäten des muzinösen Adenokarzinoms, des sklerosierenden mikrozystischen Adenokarzinoms und des mikrosekretorischen Adenokarzinoms zusammengefasst. Auch bei den meisten dieser Entitäten kann der molekulare Genotyp diagnostisch sehr hilfreich sein. Eine Überexpression des Androgenrezeptors und/oder von „human epidermal growth factor receptor 2“ (HER2)/neu kann dabei im geeigneten histopathologischen Kontext nicht nur zur Diagnoseuntermauerung eines Speichelgangkarzinoms dienen, sondern potenziell auch gezielt therapeutisch angegangen werden.
A duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy for small main pancreatic duct and soft pancreas in minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Zhao Anbang , Zhu Qian , Qin Xian , Wang Kunlei , Tan Kai , Liu Zhicheng , Song Wenjing , Cheng Qian , Li Xinyin , Chen Zhinan , Liu Zhisu , Yuan Yufeng , Yang Zhiyong
Published: January 2023

Background

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality after the Whipple operation. Patient-related factors associated with POPF include soft pancreatic texture and a small main pancreatic duct (MPD). The traditional duct-to-mucosa anastomosis was modified to be easily performed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the simplified pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) method in the prevention of POPF after minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

Ninety-eight patients who underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) and robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) with a simplified PJ procedure containing only two duct-to-mucosa sutures and four penetrating-sutures to anastomose the pancreatic parenchyma and jejunal seromuscular layer in our center were retrospectively studied. Demographics and clinical short-term safety were assessed.

Results

All LPD and RPD procedures were successfully performed. The median time of PJ was 17 min, and the median blood loss was 60 mL, with only one patient requiring transfusion. Four patients (4.1%) suffered from clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF), including four grade B cases and no grade C cases. For patients with an MPD diameter of 3 mm or less, POPF was noted in two (4%) of the fifty patients, with all cases being grade B. Of the patients with a soft pancreas, only two (4.5%) patients suffered from grade B POPF. One patient (1.0%) experienced a 90-day mortality. Neither the main pancreatic diameter nor pancreatic texture had an impact on postoperative outcomes.

Conclusions

Our technique is a simple, safe and efficient alternative to prevent POPF after LPD and RPD. This method is suitable for almost all pancreatic conditions, including cases with a small main pancreatic duct and soft pancreas, and has the potential to become the preferred procedure in low-volume pancreatic surgery centers.

Graphical abstract

Our modified duct-to-mucosa PJ, which contains only two duct-to-mucosa sutures and four penetrating-sutures to anastomose the pancreatic parenchyma and jejunal seromuscular layer, is ideal for small MPD and soft pancreas when performing minimally invasive PD and has a low rate of POPF. PJ pancreaticojejunostomy, MPD main pancreatic diameter, PD pancreaticoduodenectomy, POPF postoperative pancreatic fistula
Tips and tricks for robotic pancreatoduodenectomy with superior mesenteric/portal vein resection and reconstruction
Authors: Kauffmann Emanuele F. , Napoli Niccolò , Ginesini Michael , Gianfaldoni Cesare , Asta Fabio , Salamone Alice , Ripolli Allegra , Di Dato Armando , Vistoli Fabio , Amorese Gabriella , Boggi Ugo
Published: January 2023

Background

Open pancreatoduodenectomy with vein resection (OPD-VR) is now standard of care in patients who responded to neoadjuvant therapies. Feasibility of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) with vein resection (RPD-VR) was shown, but no study provided a detailed description of the technical challenges associated with this formidable operation. Herein, we describe the trips and tricks for technically successful RPD-VR.

Methods

The vascular techniques used in RPD-VR were borrowed from OPD-VR, as well as from our experience with robotic transplantation of both kidney and pancreas. Vein resection was classified into 4 types according to the international study group of pancreatic surgery. Each type of vein resection was described in detail and shown in a video.

Results

Between October 2008 and November 2021, a total of 783 pancreatoduodenectomies were performed, including 233 OPDs-VR (29.7%). RPD was performed in 256 patients (32.6%), and RPDs-VR in 36 patients (4.5% of all pancreatoduodenectomies; 15.4% of all pancreatoduodenectomies with vein resection; 14.0% of all RPDs). In RPD-VR vein resections were: 4 type 1 (11.1%), 10 type 2 (27.8%), 12 type 3 (33.3%) and 10 type 4 (27.8%). Vascular patches used in type 2 resections were made of peritoneum (n = 8), greater saphenous vein (n = 1), and deceased donor aorta (n = 1). Interposition grafts used in type 4 resections were internal left jugular vein (n = 8), venous graft from deceased donor (n = 1) and spiral saphenous vein graft (n = 1).

There was one conversion to open surgery (2.8%). Ninety-day mortality was 8.3%. There was one (2.8%) partial vein thrombosis, treated with heparin infusion.

Conclusions

We have reported 36 technically successful RPDs-VR. We hope that the tips and tricks provided herein can contribute to safer implementation of RPD-VR. Based on our experience, and according to data from the literature, we strongly advise that RPD-VR is performed by expert surgeons at high volume centers.

Graphical abstract
Dialyseeinleitung
Authors: Aregger Fabienne , Kuhlmann Martin K.
Published: January 2023

Die optimale Dialyseeinleitung erfolgt durch einen davor angelegten permanenten Zugang in einem geplanten Ablauf. Morbidität und Mortalität sind geringer bei geplantem Dialysestart. Dazu ist eine optimale Vorbereitung elementar. Der Zeitpunkt der Zugangsplanung richtet sich nach der gewählten Modalität. Bei Hämodialysezugängen sollte die Anlage eines arteriovenösen (AV) Zugangs bei dynamischem Abfall der glomerulären Filtrationsrate (GFR) ab GFR-Werten von 15–20 ml/min erwogen werden; bei langsamer Dynamik sollte die AV-Fistel 1 bis 3 Monate vor erwarteter Dialysepflichtigkeit angelegt werden. Bei AV-Grafts kann dieser Zeitpunkt später erfolgen. Ein Peritonealdialyse(PD)-Katheter sollte mindestens 14 Tage vor Dialysestart implantiert werden. Der Zeitpunkt der Dialyseeinleitung ist eine Individualentscheidung. Die Verschreibung der initialen Dialysebehandlungen ist individuell und richtet sich nach der Indikation und der Klinik. Gerade die ersten Behandlungen sollten umsichtig verschrieben werden, um ein Dysäquilibriumsyndrom (Hämodialyse) oder das Gefühl der Überfüllung (PD) zu verhindern. Die Progression zur Dialysepflichtigkeit ist psychisch sehr belastend. Ängste, Hilflosigkeit, Hoffnungslosigkeit und Depression können dabei führende Empfindungen sein. Die Erkennung psychischer Nöte und der soziale Support sind in dieser Phase äußerst wichtig.
Characterization Studies on 7075 Aluminium Alloy Under As-Cast and in Multiple Step T6 Conditions
Authors: Sowrabh B. S. , Gurumurthy B. M. , Shivaprakash Y. M. , Sharma Sathya Shankara
Published: January 2023

In the present investigation AA7075 (Al–5.4Zn–2.6 Mg) alloy is subjected to peak aging treatment at 100, 120 and 150 °C to obtain the maximum induced hardness due to solid solution strengthening. In succession, by the results of peak aging treatment the alloy is heat treated by two step and three step aging under non-pre aged and pre-aged conditions. The results of this modified aging treatment indicated that pre-aged three step aging has resulted in enhanced alloy hardness of 185.6 VHN as compared to peak hardness of 142.9 at 100 °C resulting in 29.88% improvement. Also the alloy in this condition showed an improvement of 21.38% in UTS and displayed excellent wear characteristics as compared to as cast alloy. An important observation in this work is that in two or three step aging the last step having higher temperature and duration of aging has resulted always a better hardness and hence has improved mechanical properties. This may be due to increased aging kinetics during heat treatment. The method developed in this study is advantageous in reducing the long duration of conventional aging heat treatment and the energy consumption.
Arbeitsbezogenes sedentäres Verhalten
Authors: Nöscher Paulus , Weber Andrea , Leitzmann Michael , Grifka Joachim , Jochem Carmen
Published: January 2023

Hintergrund

Sedentäres Verhalten ist mit einem erhöhten Risiko für chronische Krankheiten und einer höheren Gesamtmortalität assoziiert. Arbeitsbezogenes Sitzen hat einen großen Anteil am täglichen sedentären Verhalten, insbesondere bei Büroangestellten.

Ziel der Arbeit

In dieser Studie sollte untersucht werden, wie viel Zeit bei verschiedenen Aufgaben am Arbeitsplatz und beim Pendeln von Verwaltungsangestellten einer Universitätsklinik in Deutschland im Sitzen verbracht wird.

Material und Methoden

Eine fragebogengestützte Querschnittsstudie mit Verwaltungsangestellten des Universitätsklinikums Regensburg wurde durchgeführt, um arbeitsbezogenes sedentäres Verhalten zu untersuchen.

Ergebnisse

Die Studienpopulation bestand aus 159 Teilnehmenden (54,1 % Frauen, 51,6 % älter als 40 Jahre), was einer Antwortquote von 26 % entspricht. Die durchschnittliche tägliche Sitzzeit am Arbeitsplatz betrug im Median 7,0 h (Interquartilsbereich [IQR] 6,0–7,5 h) und fand hauptsächlich bei der Computerarbeit statt (57,3 %). Die mittlere Stehzeit bei der Arbeit betrug im Median 0,8 h (IQR 0,3–1,4 h). Verwaltungsangestellte verbrachten während des Pendelns im Median 0,7 h (IQR 0,3–1,0 h) pro Tag im Sitzen. Die Teilnehmenden waren der Ansicht, dass langes und ununterbrochenes Sitzen negative (69,6 %) oder eher negative (29,7 %) Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit hat.

Diskussion

Verwaltungspersonal in Krankenhäusern verbringt einen großen Teil der täglichen Arbeitszeit mit sedentärem Verhalten. Maßnahmen, die es ermöglichen, sowohl im Sitzen als auch im Stehen zu arbeiten, können zu einer Verringerung der arbeitsbedingten Sitzzeit führen und damit die Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz und im weiteren Sinne die öffentliche Gesundheit verbessern.