bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metformin, phenformin, and galegine inhibit complex IV activity and reduce glycerol-derived gluconeogenesis
Authors: LaMoia Traci E. , Butrico Gina M. , Kalpage Hasini A. , Goedeke Leigh , Hubbard Brandon T. , Vatner Daniel F. , Gaspar Rafael C. , Zhang Xian-Man , Cline Gary W. , Nakahara Keita , Woo Seungwan , Shimada Atsuhiro , Hüttemann Maik , Shulman Gerald I.
Published: March 2022

Significance

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, yet the mechanism by which it lowers plasma glucose concentrations has remained elusive. Most studies to date have attributed metformin’s glucose-lowering effects to inhibition of complex I activity. Contrary to this hypothesis, we show that inhibition of complex I activity in vitro and in vivo does not reduce plasma glucose concentrations or inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis. We go on to show that metformin, and the related guanides/biguanides, phenformin and galegine, inhibit complex IV activity at clinically relevant concentrations, which, in turn, results in inhibition of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, increased cytosolic redox, and selective inhibition of glycerol-derived hepatic gluconeogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.
A novel mouse strain optimized for chronic human antibody administration
Authors: Gupta Aaron , Smith Patrick , Bournazos Stylianos , Ravetch Jeffrey V.
Published: March 2022

Significance

Species differences in IgG Fc–Fcγ receptor (FcγR) interactions have made humanized mouse models an attractive strategy to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of human antibodies. We previously published a humanized FcγR mouse model that fully recapitulates the expression and function of these receptors in vivo. However, the immunogenicity of exogenous human IgG has made long-term assessment of antibody function challenging, since endogenous mouse anti-human IgG responses limit the duration and success of these studies. Here, we present a mouse strain that expresses human IgG1 and FcγRs, thereby conferring tolerance to chronic administration of human IgG and enabling functional assessment of antibodies. Because this strain is appropriate for chronic disease models, we expect that researchers will benefit from its use.
From more to less ‘Civil’ borderline discourses in mainstream media and government
Authors: Way Lyndon , İnceoğlu İrem
Published: March 2022

Between the civil and uncivil lie ‘borderline’ discourses where speech that appears civil is laden with uncivil ideas, norms and discourses that normalise anti-pluralist, nativist and exclusionary views. Such discourses are found in videos and websites of far-right groups and in some mainstream media. Here, we argue that Turkey’s government and mainstream media use similar discursive strategies. We examine both speeches and media representations of these that represent capital punishment since Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 2002 rise to politics. Analysis leans on Multimodal Critical Discourse Studies to expose how Erdoğan, who transforms from a cautious reformist prime minister into an authoritarian-populist president, has always articulated uncivil ideas cloaked in civility, with uncivility increasing over time. Analysis of lexica and imagery in associated news stories reveal how media normalise such discourses. As such, these borderline discursive acts contribute to a decline in civility in a deeply polarised society.
Towards a syntactic understanding of connective particles
Authors: Muñoz Pérez Carlos
Published: March 2022

The contrastive connectorpero‘but’ is rigidly sentence-initial in most Spanish varieties. However, at least three Spanish dialects allow locating it at the end of a sentence. This paper discusses the properties offinal peroas attested in the dialect spoken in Bahia Blanca (Argentina), i.e., the so-calledpero bahiense. First, I demonstrate thatpero bahiensecannot be reduced to superficially similar phenomena in Spanish. Then, I offer a comparison betweenpero bahienseand its sentence-initial counterpart showing that they share a number of non-trivial characteristics but also differ in relevant regards. Based on these properties, I advance an account of thepero bahiensephenomenon according to which instances ofperothat express concessivity may optionally attract the CP projection to their left. While the analysis does not cover all properties ofpero bahiense, it highlights aspects of the syntax of connective particles that require further investigation.
A complement to the scalar wave theory of light
Authors: Bhattacharya Kolahal
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we discuss how the concepts of Hamiltonian optics are internally connected to the scalar wave theory of light rays. It is shown that the solutions of the reduced wave equation are similar to Huygen’s wavelets, and they can be used to understand Snell’s law of refraction. This model can also be used to derive the coefficient of reflection consistent with Fresnel’s equation for s-polarized light.
Sliding down over a horizontally moving semi-sphere
Authors: Lineros Roberto A
Published: March 2022

We studied the dynamics of an object sliding down on a semi-sphere with radius R. We consider the physical setup where the semi-sphere is free to move over a flat surface. For simplicity, we assume that all surfaces are friction-less. We analyze the values for the last contact angle θ
⋆, corresponding to the angle when the object and the semi-sphere detach one of each other. We consider all possible scenarios with different combination of mass values: m

A
and m

B
, and the initial velocity of the sliding object A. We found that the last contact angle only depends on the ratio between the masses, and it is independent of the acceleration of gravity and semi-sphere’s radius. In addition, we found that the largest possible value of θ
⋆ is 48.19° that coincides with the case of a fixed semi-sphere. On the opposite case, the minimum value of θ
⋆ is 0° and it occurs then the object on the semi-sphere is extremely heavy, occurring the detachment as soon as the sliding body touches the semi-sphere. In addition, we found that if the initial kinetic energy of the sliding object A is half the value of the potential energy with respect to the floor. The object detaches at the top of the semi-sphere.
Performance enhancement of an organic photodetector enabled by NPB modified hole transport layer
Authors: Liu Wei , Liu Qingxia , Xiao Jianhua , Wang Yang , Yuan Liu , Tai Huiling , Jiang Yadong
Published: March 2022

Transport layers are extremely important for organic photodetectors (OPDs) due to their effective role in improving the charge selectivity at the contacts, thus leading to high photoresponse and low dark current. The quintessential hole transport layer (HTL), e.g. MoO3, is suffering from the work function instability caused by the preparation process and the evolution in external environment. In this paper, we introduce an N,N′-bis-(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (NPB) interfacial layer to modify MoO3 HTL. At an optimized NPB thickness of 20 nm, the photocurrent (J
p) density of the device increases by 19%, thus the responsivity and external quantum efficiency are raised to 0.44 A W−1 and 75% at 725 nm. Besides, owing to the suppressed dark current, the optimized device showcases an enhanced specific detectivity of over 1011 Jones in the range of 460–750 nm (under negative bias). This achievement is assigned to the improvement in transport and collection efficiency of holes. The study provides a feasible method of HTL modification to improve the performance of OPDs.
Nuclear reactions in artificial traps
Authors: Guo Peng , Long Bingwei
Published: March 2022

Coupled-channel two-particle systems bound by a harmonic trap are discussed in the present paper. Under assumption of short-range interactions, the formula that relates the energy levels of such trapped systems to phase shifts and inelasticity of coupled-channel reactions can be obtained in a closed form. The present paper may set some groundworks toward extracting scattering amplitudes of inelastic nuclear reactions from ab initio calculations of discrete levels of many-nucleon systems in a harmonic trap.
Ionic liquids on oxide surfaces
Authors: Cole Jordan , Syres Karen L
Published: March 2022

Ionic liquids (ILs) supported on oxide surfaces are being investigated for numerous applications including catalysis, batteries, capacitors, transistors, lubricants, solar cells, corrosion inhibitors, nanoparticle synthesis and biomedical applications. The study of ILs with oxide surfaces presents challenges both experimentally and computationally. The interaction between ILs and oxide surfaces can be rather complex, with defects in the oxide surface playing a key role in the adsorption behaviour and resulting electronic properties. The choice of the cation/anion pair is also important and can influence molecular ordering and electronic properties at the interface. These controllable interfacial behaviours make ionic liquid/oxide systems desirable for a number of different technological applications as well as being utilised for nanoparticle synthesis. This topical review aims to bring together recent experimental and theoretical work on the interaction of ILs with oxide surfaces, including TiO2, ZnO, Al2O3, SnO2 and transition metal oxides. It focusses on the behaviour of ILs at model single crystal surfaces, the interaction between ILs and nanoparticulate oxides, and their performance in prototype devices.
Determination of liquid–vapor equilibrium and critical properties of fatty acids for biodiesel production through molecular dynamics
Authors: Arriola González Kevin R , Armas-Perez Julio C , Vázquez-Núñez Edgar , Cárdenas José Carlos , Mendoza Angeles , Reyes-Aguilera José Antonio , Figueroa-Gerstenmaier Susana
Published: March 2022

In recent years, biodiesel production has emerged as an option for renewable and green fuel generation due to the constant reduction of fossil fuel reservoirs. Biofuels as biodiesel also show valuable attributes, environmentally speaking, due to their low environmental impact, contributing to the achievement of sustainability. However, costs are not allowable for large-scale production. Thereby, several novel processes have been proposed (e.g., reactive distillation) to solve this issue. An inconvenience for the development of these processes is the little information in the literature about the critical properties of fatty acids, which are precursors of biodiesel. Determination of critical properties for fatty acids through experimentation is difficult. The reason is that fatty acids tend to self-associate (to dimerize) due to carboxylic groups presence through hydrogen bonds, and consequently, have higher boiling points than other compounds of similar molecular mass (e.g., hydrocarbons, esters). Therefore, alternative methods for this determination are required. One choice is the group-contribution method, which is based on the structure of the molecule; however, results can significantly vary among different group-contribution approaches. Another alternative (and the focus of this research) for the determination of these properties is molecular simulation techniques. In this work, the liquid–vapor equilibrium as a function of temperature and the surface tension of three pure fatty acids of long chain (linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acid) have been calculated. Simulations have been performed by molecular dynamics using the method of direct determination of phase coexistence with the software GROMACS; in which the transferable potentials for phase equilibria united atom forcefield (TraPPE-UA) have been implemented for these specific molecules. Orthobaric densities and surface tension values have been reported at temperatures near the critical point (from 650 K to 800 K). Critical properties (temperature, pressure, density) have been extrapolated from trajectories obtained in these simulations using scaling law relations. Critical properties for these compounds are not available experimentally, therefore, group contribution calculations from the literature were used as a reference. In this comparison, the palmitic acid properties calculated in this work, show the best agreement among the three substances investigated.
Experimental study of the characteristics of energetic electrons outside LCFS in EXL-50 spherical torus
Authors: Guo Dong , Shi Yuejiang , Liu Wenjun , Song Yunyang , Sun Tiantian , Liu Bing , Li Yingying , Tian Xiaorang , Zhang Guosong , Xie Huasheng , Peng Y-K Martin , Liu Minsheng
Published: March 2022

Significant number of confined energetic electrons have been observed outside of the LCFS (last-closed flux surface) of EXL-50’s solenoid-free electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) sustained plasmas. Several measurement technologies have been applied to verify the key characteristics of energetic electrons for the first time. Experiments reveal that the presence of high-temperature, low-density electrons can carry relatively large quantities of the stored energy. The boundary between the thermal plasma and the energetic fluid is clearly separated and the distance between the two boundaries can reach tens of centimeters (around the size of the minor radius of the thermal plasma). This implies that the Grad-Shafranov equilibrium is not adequate to describe the equilibrium of EXL-50 plasma and a multi-fluid model is required. Particle simulations of full orbits show that energetic electrons can be well confined outside the LCFS. This is consistent with the experimental observations.
Direct laser acceleration of electrons from a plasma mirror by an intense few-cycle Laguerre–Gaussian laser and its dependence on the carrier-envelope phase
Authors: Pae Ki Hong , Kim Chul Min , Pathak Vishwa Bandhu , Ryu Chang-Mo , Nam Chang Hee
Published: March 2022

A direct acceleration scheme to generate high-energy, high-charge electron beams with an intense few-cycle Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) laser pulse was investigated using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. In this scheme, an intense LG laser pulse was irradiated onto a solid density plasma slab. When the laser pulse is reflected, electrons on the target front surface are injected into the longitudinal electric field of the laser and accelerated further. We found that the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the few-cycle laser pulse plays a key role in the electron injection and acceleration process. Using a three-cycle LG laser pulse with

a

0

=
2

and an appropriate CEP, an about 60 pC electron beam could be obtained at a maximum energy of 16 MeV. In comparison, when a laser pulse with mismatched CEP was used, a total of 4 pC electron beam with a maximum energy of 3.5 MeV was obtained. Linear scaling of electron energy to the laser strength was shown up to

a

0

=
100

at which a quasi-monoenergetic electron beam of 850 MeV energy with a charge equal to 600 pC could be obtained. These results demonstrate that high-energy electron beams can be stably generated through direct laser acceleration using a CEP-controlled intense few-cycle LG laser pulse.
Statistical properties of ion and electron temperature fluctuations in the edge of the COMPASS tokamak
Authors: Cipciar D , Adamek J , Horacek J , Cavalier J , Hron M
Published: March 2022

This paper presents measurements of the plasma turbulence with an emphasis on the ion temperature fluctuations in comparison to the electron temperature and the ion saturation current fluctuations in the edge of the COMPASS tokamak. The ion temperature values are obtained by using a fast swept ball-pen probe, with temporal resolution up to 10 µs, accompanied by independent 1 µs measurements of the electron temperature and ion saturation current. The experimental results obtained for a wide range of line-averaged densities show that statistical properties of the fluctuations are in good agreement with a form of beta or gamma distribution function. In addition, the dependence of the averaged ion and electron temperatures on the line-averaged density is studied in the near and main scrape off layer region.
Multiparameter estimation for qubit states with collective measurements: a case study
Authors: Len Yink Loong
Published: March 2022

Quantum estimation involving multiple parameters remains an important problem of both theoretical and practical interest. In this work, we study the problem of simultaneous estimation of two parameters that are respectively associate with the length and direction of the Bloch vector for identically prepared qubit states that is confined to a plane, where in order to obtain the optimal estimation precision for both parameters, collective measurements on multiple qubits are necessary. Upon treating N qubits as an ensemble of spin-1/2 systems, we show that simultaneous optimal estimation for both parameters can be attained asymptotically with a simple collective measurement strategy—first, we estimate the length parameter by measuring the populations in spaces corresponding to different total angular momentum values j, then we estimate the direction parameter by performing a spin projection onto an optimal basis. Furthermore, we show that when the state is nearly pure, for sufficiently but not arbitrarily large N, most information will be captured in the largest three j-subspaces. Then, we study how the total angular-momentum measurement can be realized by observing output signatures from a Bell multiport setup, either exactly for N = 2, 3, or approximately when the qubits are nearly pure for other N values. We also obtain numerical results that suggest that using a Bell multiport setup, one can distinguish between projection onto the j = N/2 and j = N/2 − 1 subspaces from their respective interference signatures at the output.
Studies of EC pre-ionization in DIII-D to support development of ITER plasma initiation
Authors: Sinha J. , de Vries P.C. , Walker M.L. , Battaglia D.J. , Turco F. , Hyatt A. , Kim H.T. , Stober J. , Yoneda R. , Gribov Y. , Haskey S.R. , Bykov I. , Hollmann E. , Herfindal J.L. , Glass F. , Chen J. , McLean A. , the DIII-D Team
Published: March 2022

New experiments have been conducted at DIII-D to improve the physics understanding of plasma initiation assisted by electron cyclotron (EC) wave injection, allowing better extrapolation to ITER. This has been achieved by applying an EC pulse prior to start of the inductive plasma initiation (i.e. the generation of a loop voltage). A pre-plasma was formed during the EC pulse that was characterized in terms of the maximum density and temperature. Parametric scans were performed to study the influence of the EC injected power, EC injection angle, and pre-fill gas pressure on the pre-plasma creation process. These experiments showed that pre-ionized plasma of good quality can have a significant effect on the subsequent V
loop induced plasma initiation process, i.e. a high density pre-plasma, increases the plasma current rise and speed at which ionization is achieved when the V
loop is applied. A good quality pre-plasma is one that achieved a significant degree of ionization, mainly obtained by providing sufficient ECH power in DIII-D of the order of 1 MW. It was found that a minimum EC power of 0.5 MW was required in DIII-D to create ionization, and this would scale to a minimum power of roughly 6.5 MW for ITER.
Spatially resolved stereoscopic surface profiling by using a feature-selective segmentation and merging technique
Authors: Lee ChaBum , Guo Xiangyu
Published: March 2022

We present a feature-selective segmentation and merging technique to achieve spatially resolved surface profiles of the parts by 3D stereoscopy and strobo-stereoscopy. A pair of vision cameras capture images of the parts at different angles, and 3D stereoscopic images can be reconstructed. Conventional filtering processes of the 3D images involve data loss and lower the spatial resolution of the image. In this study, the 3D reconstructed image was spatially resolved by automatically recognizing and segmenting the features on the raw images, locally and adaptively applying super-resolution algorithm to the segmented images based on the classified features, and then merging those filtered segments. Here, the features are transformed into masks that selectively separate the features and background images for segmentation. The experimental results were compared with those of conventional filtering methods by using Gaussian filters and bandpass filters in terms of spatial frequency and profile accuracy. As a result, the selective feature segmentation technique was capable of spatially resolved 3D stereoscopic imaging while preserving imaging features.
Corrosion behavior of Q235 steel in graphene oxide aqueous dispersion
Authors: Li Xiaolin , Kong Gang , Zhang Jingwen , Lai Delin , Che Chunshan , Yang Bo , Zhang Shuanghong , Gu Jiayu
Published: March 2022

Conductive metals can speed up the self-assembly and reduction process of graphene oxide (GO) in liquid media, but there is little available information about the effect of this process on the corrosion rate of metal substrates. The corrosion performance of Q235 steel in GO aqueous solution was studied by comparing the influence of different GO concentrations and immersion times on the corrosion rate of steel. The result found that a GO layer will be formed on the surface of steel when immersing in the GO aqueous dispersion, which has a shielding effect on the diffusion process of ions and electrons, and effectively inhibits the steel corrosion. However, this inhibition effect of GO layer will disappear with the self-reduction of GO, which increasing the defect density and conductivity of the sedimentary layer on steel and thus the corrosion rate of steel will increase with the immersion time and the GO concentration in solution.
A study on the effect of various process parameters on low pulsed energy of laser shock peening without ablative layer on the mechanical behavior of AA 7075 T651
Authors: Premnath M , Muruganandhan R , Abeens M
Published: March 2022

Laser shock peening is a well-known surface treatment process that dominates other modern surface treatment processes. Though several materials are investigated to enhance mechanical properties by LSP treatment, only a scarce number of studies have concentrated on Low Pulsed Laser Shock Peening (LPLSP) without an ablative layer on Aluminum Alloy 7075 T651 material. Thus this article investigates the optimization and effect of LPLSP on the mechanical behavior of AA 7075 T651. Grey Relational Analysis is chosen to optimize the Process Parameters on Low Pulsed Energy of LSP. The significant contributions of the optimized parameters on the mechanical behavior such as hardness, compressive residual stress, roughness and friction wear property are investigated. A drastic improvementof three times in the average hardness value occurred in LPLSP over the un-peened specimen. A maximum compressive residual stress is observed with the LPLSP specimen for the optimized parameters. An improvement of 65% in the minimum wear rate was recorded in LPLSP compared to unpeened specimens. The microstructural studies carried outusing an optical microscope and scanning electron microscope show a typical grain refinement and increase in the boundary for LPLSP specimen.
Experimental multi-state quantum discrimination through optical networks
Authors: Laneve Alessandro , Geraldi Andrea , Hamiti Frenkli , Mataloni Paolo , Caruso Filippo
Published: March 2022

Developing strategies to effectively discriminate between different quantum states is a fundamental issue in quantum information and communication. The actual realization of generally optimal protocols in this task is often limited by the need of supplemental resources and very complex receivers. We have experimentally implemented two discrimination schemes in a minimum-error scenario based on a receiver featured by a network structure and a dynamical processing of information. The first protocol implemented in our experiment, directly inspired to a recent theoretical proposal, achieves binary optimal discrimination, while the second one provides a novel approach to multi-state quantum discrimination, relying on the dynamical features of the network-like receiver. This strategy exploits the arrival time degree of freedom as an encoding variable, achieving optimal results, without the need for supplemental systems or devices. Our results further reveal the potential of dynamical approaches to quantum state discrimination tasks, providing a possible starting point for efficient alternatives to current experimental strategies.
Coxeter combinatorics for sum formulas in the representation theory of algebraic groups
Authors: Gruber Jonathan
Published: March 2022

Let

G
G

be a simple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field

F

\mathbb {F}

of characteristic

p
≥
h

p \geq h

, the Coxeter number of

G
G

. We observe an easy ‘recursion formula’ for computing the Jantzen sum formula of a Weyl module with

p
p

-regular highest weight. We also discuss a ‘duality formula’ that relates the Jantzen sum formula to Andersen’s sum formula for tilting filtrations and we give two different representation theoretic explanations of the recursion formula. As a corollary, we also obtain an upper bound on the length of the Jantzen filtration of a Weyl module with

p
p

-regular highest weight in terms of the length of the Jantzen filtration of a Weyl module with highest weight in an adjacent alcove.
Chromatic nonsymmetric polynomials of Dyck graphs are slide-positive
Authors: Tewari Vasu , Wilson Andrew , Zhang Philip
Published: March 2022

Motivated by the study of Macdonald polynomials, J. Haglund and A. Wilson introduced a nonsymmetric polynomial analogue of the chromatic quasisymmetric function called the chromatic nonsymmetric polynomial of a Dyck graph. We give a positive expansion for this polynomial in the basis of fundamental slide polynomials using recent work of Assaf-Bergeron on flagged

(
P
,
ρ
)

(P,\rho )

-partitions. We then derive the known expansion for the chromatic quasisymmetric function of Dyck graphs in terms of Gessel’s fundamental basis by taking a backstable limit of our expansion.
Evolutionary divergence of anaphase spindle mechanics in nematode embryos constrained by antagonistic pulling and viscous forces
Authors: Khatri Dhruv , Brugière Thibault , Athale Chaitanya A. , Delattre Marie
Published: March 2022

Little is known about the evolution of mechanical constraints in cells. We observed six nematode species for which the mitotic spindle is positioned asymmetrically in one-cell embryos, yet spindle motion varies between species. We asked which changes in biophysical parameters allow diversification in spindle motion but a constant output.
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: challenges and opportunities in lung cancer
Authors: Xu Caili , Ju Dianwen , Zhang Xuyao
Published: March 2022

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the paradigm in hematological malignancies treatment, driving an ever-expanding number of basic research and clinical trials of genetically engineering T cells to treat solid tumors. CAR T-cell therapies based on the antibodies targeting Mesothelin, CEA, EGFR, EGFR, MUC1, DLL3, and emerging novel targets provide promising efficacy for lung cancer patients. However, clinical application of CAR T-cell therapy against lung cancer remains limited on account of physical and immune barriers, antigen escape and heterogeneity, on-target off-tumor toxicity, and many other reasons. Understanding the evolution of CAR structure and the generalizable requirements for manufacturing CAR T cells as well as the interplay between lung tumor immunology and CAR T cells will improve clinical translation of this therapeutic modality in lung cancer. In this review, we systematically summarize the latest advances in CAR T-cell therapy in lung cancer, focusing on the CAR structure, target antigens, challenges, and corresponding new strategies.
Putting midodrine on the MAP: An approach to liberation from intravenous vasopressors in vasodilatory shock
Authors: Smith Susan E , Peters Nicholas A , Floris Lauren M , Patterson Joshua M , Hawkins W Anthony
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Prolonged duration of intravenous (IV) vasopressor dependence in critically ill adult patients with vasodilatory shock results in increased length of stay in both the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital, translating to higher risk of infection, delirium, immobility, and cost. Acceleration of vasopressor liberation can aid in reducing these risks. Midodrine is an oral α 1-adrenergic receptor agonist that offers a potential means of liberating patients from IV vasopressor therapy. This clinical review summarizes primary literature and proposes a clinical application for midodrine in the recovery phase of vasodilatory shock.

Five studies with a total of over 1,000 patients conducted between 2011 and 2021 were identified. In observational studies, midodrine administration was demonstrated to lead to faster time to liberation from IV vasopressor therapy and shorter ICU length of stay in patients recovering from vasodilatory shock. These findings were not replicated in a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. In this review, literature evaluating midodrine use for IV vasopressor liberation is summarized and study limitations are discussed.

Conclusion

On the basis of this review of current literature, recommendations are provided on selecting appropriate candidates for adjunctive midodrine in the recovery phase of vasodilatory shock and considerations are discussed for safely and effectively initiating, titrating, and discontinuing therapy.
COVID-19 Spread Mapper: a multi-resolution, unified framework and open-source tool
Authors: Shi Andy , Gaynor Sheila M , Dey Rounak , Zhang Haoyu , Quick Corbin , Lin Xihong
Published: March 2022

Amidst the continuing spread of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), real-time data analysis and visualization remain critical the general public to track the pandemic’s impact and to inform policy making by officials. Multiple metrics permit the evaluation of the spread, infection and mortality of infectious diseases. For example, numbers of new cases and deaths provide easily interpretable measures of absolute impact within a given population and time frame, while the effective reproduction rate provides an epidemiological measure of the rate of spread. By evaluating multiple metrics concurrently, users can leverage complementary insights into the impact and current state of the pandemic when formulating prevention and safety plans for oneself and others. We describe COVID-19 Spread Mapper, a unified framework for estimating and quantifying the uncertainty in the smoothed daily effective reproduction number, case rate and death rate in a region using log-linear models. We apply this framework to characterize COVID-19 impact at multiple geographic resolutions, including by US county and state as well as by country, demonstrating the variation across resolutions and the need for harmonized efforts to control the pandemic. We provide an open-source online dashboard for real-time analysis and visualization of multiple key metrics, which are critical to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and make informed policy decisions.

Availability and implementation

Our model and tool are publicly available as implemented in R and hosted at https://metrics.covid19-analysis.org/. The source code is freely available from https://github.com/lin-lab/COVID19-Rt and https://github.com/lin-lab/COVID19-Viz.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Impact of Multicomponent Support Strategies on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Virologic Suppression Rates During Coronavirus Disease 2019: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Spinelli Matthew A , Le Tourneau Noelle , Glidden David V , Hsu Ling , Hickey Matthew D , Imbert Elizabeth , Arreguin Mireya , Jain Jennifer P , Oskarsson Jon J , Buchbinder Susan P , Johnson Mallory O , Havlir Diane , Christopoulos Katerina A , Gandhi Monica
Published: March 2022

Background

After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shelter-in-place (SIP) orders, viral suppression (VS) rates initially decreased within a safety-net human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinic in San Francisco, particularly among people living with HIV (PLWH) who are experiencing homelessness. We sought to determine if proactive outreach to provide social services, scaling up of in-person visits, and expansion of housing programs could reverse this decline.

Methods

We assessed VS 24 months before and 13 months after SIP using mixed-effects logistic regression followed by interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to examine changes in the rate of VS per month. Loss to follow-up (LTFU) was assessed via active clinic tracing.

Results

Data from 1816 patients were included; the median age was 51 years, 12% were female, and 14% were experiencing unstable housing/homelessness. The adjusted odds of VS increased 1.34 fold following institution of the multicomponent strategies (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–1.46). In the ITS analysis, the odds of VS continuously increased 1.05 fold per month over the post-intervention period (95% CI, 1.01–1.08). Among PLWH who previously experienced homelessness and successfully received housing support, the odds of VS were 1.94-fold higher (95% CI, 1.05–3.59). The 1-year LTFU rate was 2.8 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 2.2–3.5).

Conclusions

The VS rate increased following institution of the multicomponent strategies, with a lower LFTU rate compared with prior years. Maintaining in-person care for underserved patients, with flexible telemedicine options, along with provision of social services and permanent expansion of housing programs, will be needed to support VS among underserved populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Efficacy of BCG Vaccination Against Respiratory Tract Infections in Older Adults During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Authors: Moorlag Simone J C F M , Taks Esther , ten Doesschate Thijs , van der Vaart Thomas W , Janssen Axel B , Müller Lisa , Ostermann Philipp , Dijkstra Helga , Lemmers Heidi , Simonetti Elles , Mazur Marc , Schaal Heiner , ter Heine Rob , van de Veerdonk Frank L , Bleeker-Rovers Chantal P , van Crevel Reinout , ten Oever Jaap , de Jonge Marien I , Bonten Marc J , van Werkhoven Cornelis H , Netea Mihai G
Published: March 2022

Background

Older age is associated with increased severity and death from respiratory infections, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The tuberculosis BCG vaccine may provide heterologous protection against nontuberculous infections and has been proposed as a potential preventive strategy against COVID-19.

Methods

In this multicenter, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned older adults (aged ≥60 years; n = 2014) to intracutaneous vaccination with BCG vaccine (n = 1008) or placebo (n = 1006). The primary end point was the cumulative incidence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) that required medical intervention, during 12 months of follow-up. Secondary end points included the incidence of COVID-19, and the effect of BCG vaccination on the cellular and humoral immune responses.

Results

The cumulative incidence of RTIs requiring medical intervention was 0.029 in the BCG-vaccinated group and 0.024 in the control group (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.26 [98.2% confidence interval, .65–2.44]). In the BCG vaccine and placebo groups, 51 and 48 individuals, respectively tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with polymerase chain reaction (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.053 [95% confidence interval, .71–1.56]). No difference was observed in the frequency of adverse events. BCG vaccination was associated with enhanced cytokine responses after influenza, and also partially associated after SARS-CoV-2 stimulation. In patients diagnosed with COVID-19, antibody responses after infection were significantly stronger if the volunteers had previously received BCG vaccine.

Conclusions

BCG vaccination had no effect on the incidence of RTIs, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, in older adult volunteers. However, it improved cytokine responses stimulated by influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and induced stronger antibody titers after COVID-19 infection.

Clinical trials registration

EU Clinical Trials Register 2020-001591-15 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04417335.
FibROAD: a manually curated resource for multi-omics level evidence integration of fibrosis research
Authors: Sun Yu-Zhe , Hu Yong-Fei , Zhang Yan , Wei Shu-Yi , Yang Bei-Lei , Xu Ying-Ping , Rong Zhi-Li , Wang Dong , Yang Bin
Published: March 2022

Organ fibrosis represents a vital health threat that substantially contributes to yearly mortality rates. While a considerable amount of research has been conducted on fibrosis, these reports have only focused on specific organs as affected within distinct disorders. Accordingly, results from such studies have been unable to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathological processes involved. Here, we describe the development of FibROAD, an open-access database that integrates evidence from fibrosis-associated disorders as obtained from both the literature and multi-omics data. This resource will greatly assist both researchers and clinicians in the comprehension and treatment of this condition. FibROAD currently involves an assembly of 232 strong evidence-based fibrosis-related genes (FRGs) as garnered from 909 PubMed publications and contains lists of multi-omics data from > 4000 samples including RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, miRNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq MeDIP-seq and MBD-seq as obtained from 17 different organs in 5 species. Results from integrative analyses as obtained using FibROAD have demonstrated that FRGs can be indicators for a wide range of organ fibrosis and reveal potential pro-fibrotic candidate genes for fibrosis research. In conclusion, FibROAD serves as a convenient platform where researchers can acquire integrated evidence and a more comprehensive understanding of fibrosis-related disorders.

Database URL  https://www.fibroad.org
Complete embolization of a mechanical aortic valve during trail running—a case report with a lucky ending
Authors: Dalen Havard , Graven Torbjørn , Slagsvold Katrine H , Krogstad Lars Erik , Saxhaug Lars Mølgaard , Tannvik Tomas D , Holte Espen , Nordhaug Dag Ole , Karlsen Øystein , Thorstensen Anders , Wahba Alexander , Winnerkvist Anders M
Published: March 2022

Background

Complete embolization of a prosthetic heart valve is extremely rare and dangerous. This case reports a total embolization of a mechanical aortic valve and contributes to the literature regarding the diagnostic challenges related to infective endocarditis and follow-up after valvular surgery.

Case summary

A 28-year-old male 11.5 years status-post a mechanical aortic valve replacement presented with acute onset of chest pain and dyspnoea while jogging. The patient lost consciousness and went into cardiopulmonary arrest with acute pulmonary oedema and circulatory shock. An echocardiogram revealed an empty aortic annulus, and a chest radiograph showed an embolized valve in the aortic arch. The patient underwent emergent removal of the embolized valve and replacement with a new mechanical aortic valve. The patient survived with minimal sequelae. At a 3-month follow-up, he had resumed work, and the only sequelae were mild left ventricular dysfunction and minor vision loss. Although he experienced no warning signs or symptoms, the most likely aetiology for embolization of the valvular prosthesis was infective endocarditis, which was revealed by re-evaluation of an echocardiogram recorded 1 month before the presentation which demonstrated a subtle motion abnormality of the valve.

Conclusions

We present a case of a late complete embolization of a mechanical aortic valve most likely caused by asymptomatic infective endocarditis. The case illustrates the challenges in follow-up after valvular surgery and highlights the ultimate benefit of a well-functioning pre-hospital to hospital chain.
(In)visible and (Un)heard? Older Adults as Guests on COVID-Related Political Talk Shows in Germany
Authors: Myrczik Janina , Bowen Catherine , Franke Annette , Täuber Leonie , Kessler Eva-Marie
Published: March 2022

Background and Objectives

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately affected older adults. Despite calls to include older people in societal decision making, the extent to which older adults have participated in the pandemic-related public debate is unknown. This study investigated older adults’ (65+ years) voice and visibility as guests on political talk shows as an important arena of public debate. Specifically, we examined how often older adults appeared as guests, their characteristics, and how older versus younger guests discussed the pandemic.

Research Design and Methods

Judges assessed all guests’ age, gender, migration experience, functional aids, and professional background on all episodes of the 4 most-watched political talk shows in Germany between January 1 to December 31, 2020 (N = 136 episodes, K = 754 guests). We used an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach and frame analysis on all episodes featuring older guests (n = 37), to first identify how guests discussed the pandemic, and then assess differences in positions between older and younger guests (<65 years).

Results

Older guests rarely appeared (12.2% of all guests, 9.6% of guests on COVID-related episodes) and if they did, they were majorly male, young-old, German-born professionals with no functional aids. Rather than appearing as “peer advocates” of older adults, older guests framed the pandemic similarly to younger guests, with a tendency to more strongly address disproportionate restrictions of civil liberties in society.

Discussion and Implications

Results suggest that one prominent part of German media failed to represent the diverse voice of a population most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Differences between how older and younger guests discussed the pandemic may reflect their privileged background in addition to generational differences in attitudes toward government. Future research in other social fora and of other social groups of older adults might facilitate understanding how older adults shaped the public debate on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social Problem Solving in Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumor
Authors: Gordon Mallorie L , Means Bethany , Jurbergs Niki , Conklin Heather M , Gajjar Amar , Willard Victoria W
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Psychosocial late effects among survivors of pediatric brain tumors are common. For school-aged survivors, social skills deficits and isolation present a particular challenge. Social problem-solving is a social skill that is an important determinant of social outcomes and may yield a potential target for intervention.

Methods

School-aged youth (N = 65) 8–12 years of age (10.59 ± 1.36 years; 55.4% female, 86.2% white) who were 5.23 (SD = 2.44, range 2–10.9) years post-treatment for a brain tumor completed the Attributions and Coping Questionnaire, a measure of social problem-solving that uses vignettes to assess attribution of intent, subsequent emotional response, and imagined behavioral response to an interpersonal problem. Youth also completed self-reports of social functioning (PROMIS Peer Relationships, Self-Perception Profile). A caregiver completed additional measures of child social functioning (NIH Toolbox—Emotion Measures).

Results

Survivors attributed unpleasant situations to accidental causes (neutral attribution) and responded in ways that prioritized the friendship (appeasement) or relied on adult intervention. Self-reported social functioning was higher among those who were less likely to avoid challenging social problem-solving situations.

Conclusions

Findings identified characteristic social problem-solving approaches among survivors, including a tendency to attribute ambiguous situations to accidental causes and to request adult assistance and/or maintain social relationships. This may indicate a possible avenue for intervention, with a focus on increasing survivors’ understanding of the causes of potentially negative peer interactions and reducing their reliance on adults.
Anorectal leiomyoma with GLUT1 overexpression mimicking malignancy on FDG-PET/CT
Authors: Teraishi Fuminori , Shigeyasu Kunitoshi , Kagawa Shunsuke , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: March 2022

A 43-year-old female underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging for uterine myoma that incidentally revealed a 4.6 × 2.8 cm soft tissue mass in the anorectal region. Rectal endoscopy showed a submucosal tumor just above the anal canal. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) revealed an anorectal tumor with very high FDG uptake. Aspiration cytology and needle biopsy were inconclusive, and the patient underwent trans-perineal tumor resection. The excised tumor was a 4.6 × 3.5 × 2.7 cm gray–white bifurcated nodular tumor. Light microscopy revealed fenestrated growth of poorly dysmorphic short spindle-shaped cells with eosinophilic sporophytes. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for αSMA and desmin, negative for CD117 (KIT) and S100, and the patient was diagnosed with benign leiomyoma. Tumor cells were also positive for glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) immunohistochemically. It is important to keep in mind that FDG-PET/CT may show false-positive results even in benign anal leiomyoma for various reasons, including GLUT1 overexpression.
Nitrate-dependent regulation of miR444-OsMADS27 signalling cascade controls root development in rice
Authors: Pachamuthu Kannan , Hari Sundar Vivek , Narjala Anushree , Singh Rahul R , Das Soumita , Avik Pal Harshith C Y , Shivaprasad Padubidri V
Published: March 2022

Nitrate is an important nutrient and a key signalling molecule for plant development. A number of transcription factors involved in the response to nitrate and their regulatory mechanisms have been identified. However, little is known about the transcription factors involved in nitrate sensing and their regulatory mechanisms among crop plants. In this study, we identified functions of a nitrate-responsive miR444:MADS-box transcription factor OsMADS27 module and its downstream targets mediating rice root growth and stress responses. Transgenic rice plants expressing miR444 target mimic improved rice root growth. Although miR444 has the potential to target multiple genes, we identified OsMADS27 as the major miR444 target that regulates the expression of nitrate transporters, as well as several key genes including expansins, and those associated with auxin signalling, to promote root growth. In agreement with this, overexpression of miRNA-resistant OsMADS27 improved root development and tolerance to abiotic stresses, while its silencing suppressed root growth. OsMADS27 mediated robust stress tolerance in plants through its ability to bind to the promoters of specific stress regulators, as observed in ChIP-seq analysis. Our results provide evidence of a nitrate-dependent miR444-OsMADS27 signalling cascade involved in the regulation of rice root growth, as well as its surprising role in stress responses.