bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of adipokines and adipocytokines by epidural adipose tissue in cauda equina syndrome in dogs
Authors: Leisengang Stephan , Gluding Dennis , Hörster Julia , Peek Verena , Ott Daniela , Rummel Christoph , Schmidt Martin J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Compression of epidural adipose tissue (EAT) within the scope of cauda equina syndrome (CES) could lead to an enhanced expression of inflammatory mediators, possibly contributing to pain amplification in dogs.

Objectives

To analyze expression of inflammatory adipo(‐cyto)kines within the EAT of dogs with CES.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs: 15 dogs with CES and 9 dogs euthanized for unrelated medical reasons (controls).

Methods

Prospective, experimental study. Epidural adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue were collected during dorsal laminectomy and used for real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Tissue explants were cultured for measurements of inflammation‐induced release of cytokines.

Results

Results show a CES‐associated upregulation of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα: mean ± SD: 18.88 ± 11.87, 95% CI: 10.90‐26.86 vs 9.66 ± 5.22, 95% CI: 5.29‐14.02, *: P = .04) and interleukin‐ (IL‐) 10 (20.1 ± 9.15, 95% CI: 14.82‐25.39 vs 11.52 ± 6.82, 95% CI: 5.82‐17.22, *: P = .03), whereas the expression of the adipokine leptin was attenuated in EAT of dogs with CES (3.07 ± 2.29, 95% CI: 1.80‐3.34 vs 9.83 ± 8.42, 95% CI: 3.36‐16.30, **: P = .007). Inflammatory stimulation of EAT explant cultures resulted in an enhanced release of IL‐6 (LPS: 5491.55 ± 4438, 95% CI: 833.7‐10 149; HMGB1: 1001.78 ± 522.2, 95% CI: 518.8‐1485; PBS: 310.9 ± 98.57, 95% CI: 228.5‐393.3, ***: P < .001).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Expression profile of inflammatory adipo(‐cyto)kines by EAT is influenced from compressive forces acting in dogs with CES and might contribute to amplification of pain.
Shaping strategic arms trade controls: A multivariate approach
Authors: Klomp Jeroen
Published: July 2022

The objective of this study is to measure the stringency of strategic arms trade controls across countries and explain the variation herein. This regulatory framework is implemented by sovereign states to control the international transfer of military‐strategic items that potentially contain a security risk. For the purpose of this study, I apply a two‐stage approach. In the first step, I employ factor analysis on more than sixty regulatory indicators related to the rigorousness of and compliance to strategic arms trade controls in a particular country to construct two new measures. The first measure is related to the extent of implementing arms trade laws and legislation, while the second captures the enforcement and control of this kind of regulation. The individual country scores indicate that there exists substantial variation in the extent to which countries implement and enforce strategic trade regulations. Therefore, in the second step, I use the predicted factor scores as a dependent variable in a Bayesian Model Averaging analysis to test several economic and political theories and find the key drivers of the stringency of strategic arms trade regulations and control policies. The general findings of this analysis suggest that the implementation and enforcement of strategic arms trade controls are primarily determined by the trade‐off between two competing policy objectives: national security on the one hand and domestic economic interests on the other. In particular, the implementation effort of arms trade laws and legislation is mainly explained by economic factors, while the degree of enforcement and control is more associated with political factors.
Perioperative trajectory of plasma viscosity: A prospective, observational, exploratory study in cardiac surgery
Authors: Valeanu Liana , Andrei Stefan , Ginghina Carmen , Robu Cornel , Ciurciun Adrian , Balan Cosmin , Stefan Mihai , Stoian Anca , Stanculea Iulia , Cheta Andreea , Dima Laura , Stiru Ovidiu , Filipescu Daniela , Bubenek‐Turconi Serban‐Ion , Longrois Dan
Published: July 2022

Objective

Plasma viscosity is one of the critical factors that regulate microcirculatory flow but has received scant research attention. The main objective of this study was to evaluate plasma viscosity in cardiac surgery with respect to perioperative trajectory, main determinants, and impact on outcome.

Methods

Prospective, single center, observational study, including 50 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between February 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. Clinical perioperative characteristics, short term outcome, standard blood analysis, plasma viscosity, total proteins, and fibrinogen concentrations were recorded at 10 distinct time points during the first perioperative week.

Results

The longitudinal analysis showed that plasma viscosity is strongly influenced by proteins and measurement time points. Plasma viscosity showed a coefficient of variation of 11.3 ± 1.08 for EDTA and 12.1 ± 2.1 for citrate, similarly to total proteins and hemoglobin, but significantly lower than fibrinogen (p < .001). Plasma viscosity had lower percentage changes compared to hemoglobin (RANOVA, p < .001), fibrinogen (RANOVA, p < .001), and total proteins (RANOVA, p < .001). The main determinant of plasma viscosity was protein concentrations. No association with outcome was found, but the study may have been underpowered to detect it.

Conclusion

Plasma viscosity had a low coefficient of variation and low perioperative changes, suggesting tight regulation. Studies linking plasma viscosity with outcome would require large patient cohorts.
Distinguishing post‐translational modifications in dominantly inherited frontotemporal dementias: FTLD‐TDP Type A (GRN) vs Type B (C9orf72)
Authors: Cracco Laura , Doud Emma H. , Hallinan Grace I. , Garringer Holly J. , Jacobsen Max H. , Richardson Rose M. , Buratti Emanuele , Vidal Ruben , Ghetti Bernardino , Newell Kathy L.
Published: July 2022

Aims

Frontotemporal dementias are neuropathologically characterised by frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Intraneuronal inclusions of transactive response DNA‐binding protein 43 kDa (TDP‐43) are the defining pathological hallmark of approximately half of the FTLD cases, being referred to as FTLD‐TDP. The classification of FTLD‐TDP into five subtypes (Type A to Type E) is based on pathologic phenotypes; however, the molecular determinants underpinning the phenotypic heterogeneity of FTLD‐TDP are not well known. It is currently undetermined whether TDP‐43 post‐translational modifications (PTMs) may be related to the phenotypic diversity of the FTLDs. Thus, the investigation of FTLD‐TDP Type A and Type B, associated with GRN and C9orf72 mutations, becomes essential.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to identify and map the intraneuronal inclusions. Sarkosyl‐insoluble TDP‐43 was extracted from brains of GRN and C9orf72 mutation carriers post‐mortem and studied by Western blot analysis, immuno‐electron microscopy and mass spectrometry.

Results

Filaments of TDP‐43 were present in all FTLD‐TDP preparations. PTM profiling identified multiple phosphorylated, N‐terminal acetylated or otherwise modified residues, several of which have been identified for the first time as related to sarkosyl‐insoluble TDP‐43. Several PTMs were specific for either Type A or Type B, while others were identified in both types.

Conclusions

The current results provide evidence that the intraneuronal inclusions in the two genetic diseases contain TDP‐43 filaments. The discovery of novel, potentially type‐specific TDP‐43 PTMs emphasises the need to determine the mechanisms leading to filament formation and PTMs, and the necessity of exploring the validity and occupancy of PTMs in a prognostic/diagnostic setting.
The kinectome: A comprehensive kinematic map of human motion in health and disease
Authors: Troisi Lopez Emahnuel , Sorrentino Pierpaolo , Liparoti Marianna , Minino Roberta , Polverino Arianna , Romano Antonella , Carotenuto Anna , Amico Enrico , Sorrentino Giuseppe
Published: July 2022

Human voluntary movement stems from the coordinated activations in space and time of many musculoskeletal segments. However, the current methodological approaches to study human movement are still limited to the evaluation of the synergies among a few body elements. Network science can be a useful approach to describe movement as a whole and to extract features that are relevant to understanding both its complex physiology and the pathophysiology of movement disorders. Here, we propose to represent human movement as a network (that we named the kinectome), where nodes represent body points, and edges are defined as the correlations of the accelerations between each pair of them. We applied this framework to healthy individuals and patients with Parkinson's disease, observing that the patients’ kinectomes display less symmetrical patterns as compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we used the kinectomes to successfully identify both healthy and diseased subjects using short gait recordings. Finally, we highlighted topological features that predict the individual clinical impairment in patients. Our results define a novel approach to study human movement. While deceptively simple, this approach is well‐grounded, and represents a powerful tool that may be applied to a wide spectrum of frameworks.
The public sector and co‐creation in turbulent times: A systematic literature review on robust governance in the COVID‐19 emergency
Authors: Scognamiglio Fulvio , Sancino Alessandro , Caló Francesca , Jacklin‐Jarvis Carol , Rees James
Published: July 2022

The capacity of public sector of co‐creating with other stakeholders is challenged by the increasing presence of disruptive turbulent events, such as the COVID‐19. At this regard, robustness has been identified as a suitable response to deal with this kind of events. Through a systematic literature review, we analyzed how public sector organizations have co‐created with other actors during the COVID‐19 and what have been the contribution of robust governance strategies. Our findings point firstly to the empirical validity of the robustness concept, providing evidence of the extensive use of robust governance strategies into the co‐creation processes. Second, we identified a configurational approach to robustness, with governments co‐creating by simultaneously employing several robust strategies. Thirdly, we observed a more active involvement of societal stakeholders, with emergence of proto‐institutions and potential threats to the political system.
A review of two decades of LGBTQ‐inclusive research in JSPR and PR
Authors: Pollitt Amanda M. , Blair Karen L. , Lannutti Pamela J.
Published: July 2022

The field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) relationship science has grown significantly over the past two decades, coinciding with rapid changes in the social acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. However, it is unclear to what extent the top two journals in relationship science, the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships and Personal Relationships, have contributed to the field. In this critical review, we analyzed the 2181 manuscripts published in the journals between 2002 and 2021 for whether they included or excluded LGBTQ+ participants, the methodologies used to analyze their data, and their conclusions about LGBTQ+ lives and relationships. The overwhelming majority (85.8%) of manuscripts did not acknowledge LGBTQ+ relationships; however, there have been improvements compared to past research in retaining LGBTQ+ participants within a data set when they were present. We identified 92 manuscripts that contributed to knowledge about LGBTQ+ lives or relationships. We discuss the lack of intersectional analyses and methodological challenges of incorporating multiple forms of diversity within quantitative research. Overarching themes across manuscript content included minority stress, relationship formation, social support, and commitment. Overall, though the research in the two journals has contributed to the literature on LGBTQ+ relationships, our review suggests that scholars do not consider these two journals as a first choice for finding or publishing LGBTQ+ relationship science.
Aromatic Endoperoxides†
Authors: Clennan Edward L.
Published: July 2022

The fundamental aspects of aromatic endoperoxide chemistry are reviewed including their synthesis and reactions. The discussion will focus on factors that will both enhance and prevent the formation of aromatic endoperoxides and on structural features that will provide control over their ability to release singlet oxygen. This approach recognizes the dual use of aromatic hydrocarbons as both precursors of endoperoxides and as valuable materials for incorporation in electronic and photonic devices. Improvement of the existing methods and development of new methods for the synthesis of endoperoxides is necessary as a result of the demand to improve existing and to create new applications for these valuable materials. On the contrary, prevention of endoperoxide formation is crucial to inhibit irreversible oxidative degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons and to extend their lifetimes as useful organic semiconductors.
Counterterrorism resource allocation during a pandemic: The effects of dynamic target valuations when facing a strategic terrorist
Authors: Chen Xia , Dong Yucheng , Hunt Kyle , Zhuang Jun
Published: July 2022

The outbreak of pandemics such as COVID‐19 can result in cascading effects for global systemic risk. To combat an ongoing pandemic, governmental resources are largely allocated toward supporting the health of the public and economy. This shift in attention can lead to security vulnerabilities which are exploited by terrorists. In view of this, counterterrorism during a pandemic is of critical interest to the safety and well‐being of the global society. Most notably, the population flows among potential targets are likely to change in conjunction with the trend of the health crisis, which leads to fluctuations in target valuations. In this situation, a new challenge for the defender is to optimally allocate his/her resources among targets that have changing valuations, where his/her intention is to minimize the expected losses from potential terrorist attacks. In order to deal with this challenge, in this paper, we first develop a defender–attacker game in sequential form, where the target valuations can change as a result of the pandemic. Then we analyze the effects of a pandemic on counterterrorism resource allocation from the perspective of dynamic target valuations. Finally, we provide some examples to display the theoretical results, and present a case study to illustrate the usability of our proposed model during a pandemic.
Consumer responses to the COVID‐19 crisis: evidence from bank account transaction data*
Authors: Andersen Asger Lau , Hansen Emil Toft , Johannesen Niels , Sheridan Adam
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we use transaction‐level bank account data from Denmark to study the dynamics of consumer spending during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We document that aggregate spending initially dropped by almost 30 percent but recovered almost fully after the first wave. While spending plummeted in categories severely affected by supply restrictions, it increased in unaffected categories. Individual exposure to health risks and supply restrictions was associated with much larger spending cuts than exposure to income risk and unemployment. The findings suggest that the contraction was mainly caused by temporary health risks and supply restrictions, with a limited role for persistent negative spillovers.
Teletrabajo y trabajo en casa: tendencias contemporáneas de contratación laboral en Colombia
Authors: Molina Betancur Carlos Mario , Roncancio Bedoya Andrés Felipe
Published: July 2022

En épocas de pandemia, el derecho laboral ha dado un giro de ciento ochenta grados, anunciando el inicio de una nueva era en las relaciones empleado-empleador. En efecto, después de casi dos años de encierro por el confinamiento anticontagio, el Gobierno nacional debió expedir una nueva legislación sobre el trabajo en casa que viene a completar la ya existente sobre el teletrabajo. Dichas medidas son producto de la globalización pandémica, donde aparecen nuevas formas de relaciones laborales entre los seres humanos.

El presente documento es una actualización y revisión del producto de investigación “El teletrabajo como tendencia contemporánea”, Medellín, Universidad de Medellín, 2016 y el Grupo de Investigaciones Jurídicas de la Universidad de Medellín. Además, es una actualización y revisión del producto de la investigación presentado en el 1.er Encuentro Internacional de Grupos de Investigación, Universidad Mariana de Pasto. También es el inicio de una reflexión más amplia del nuevo proyecto de investigación “Ética, Innovación y Paz” del Centro de Investigaciones Carlos Mauro Hoyos del Instituto de Estudios del Ministerio Público de la Procuraduría General de la Nación, el cual pretende demostrar los resultados de los efectos de la pandemia en las relaciones laborales que han generado nuevos escenarios en la contratación y modificación de la legislación laboral, pero que, aun cuando se han dado algunas, hace falta por complementar, quedando, de esta manera, un reto importante para los gobernantes de turno y los legisladores del país, quienes deberán adecuar la normatividad a las necesidades actuales de la sociedad.
A Numerical Scheme for Anisotropic Reactive Nonlinear Viscoelasticity
Authors: Ateshian Gerard A. , Petersen Courtney A. , Maas Steve A. , Weiss Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2022

Reactive viscoelasticity is a theoretical framework based on the theory of reactive constrained mixtures that encompasses nonlinear viscoelastic responses. It models a viscoelastic solid as a mixture of strong and weak bonds that maintain the cohesiveness of the molecular constituents of the solid matter. Strong bonds impart the elastic response while weak bonds break and reform into a stress-free state in response to loading. The process of bonds breaking and reforming is modeled as a reaction where loaded bonds are the reactants and bonds reformed into a stress-free state are the products of a reaction. The reaction is triggered by the evolving state of loading. The state of stress in strong bonds is a function of the total strain in the material, whereas the state of stress in weak bonds is based on the state of strain relative to the time that these bonds were reformed. This study introduces two important practical contributions to the reactive nonlinear viscoelasticity framework: (1) normally, the evaluation of the stress tensor involves taking a summation over a continually increasing number of weak bond generations, which is poorly suited for a computational scheme. Therefore, this study presents an effective numerical scheme for evaluating the strain energy density, the Cauchy stress, and spatial elasticity tensors of reactive viscoelastic materials. (2) We provide the conditions for satisfying frame indifference for anisotropic nonlinear viscoelasticity, including for tension-bearing fiber models. Code verifications and model validations against experimental data provide evidence in support of this updated formulation.
Analytical Sensitivity Analysis of a Spent Nuclear Fuel Cask
Authors: Remedes Tyler J. , Ramsey Scott D. , Baciak James E.
Published: July 2022

Nuclear science and engineering is a field increasingly dominated by computational studies resulting from increasingly powerful computational tools. As a result, analytical studies, which previously pioneered nuclear engineering, are increasingly viewed as secondary or unnecessary. However, analytical solutions to reduced-fidelity models can provide important information concerning the underlying physics of a problem and aid in guiding computational studies. Similarly, there is increased interest in sensitivity analysis studies. These studies commonly use computational tools. However, providing a complementary sensitivity study of relevant analytical models can lead to a deeper analysis of a problem. This work provides the analytical sensitivity analysis of the one-dimensional (1D) cylindrical mono-energetic neutron diffusion equation using the forward sensitivity analysis procedure (FSAP) developed by Cacuci. Further, these results are applied to a reduced-fidelity model of a spent nuclear fuel cask, demonstrating how computational analysis might be improved with a complementary analytic sensitivity analysis.
Wideband signal detection in multipath environment affected by impulsive noise
Authors: Tian Ya-nan , Han Xiao , Vorobyov Sergiy A. , Yin Jing-wei , Liu Qing-yu , Qiao Gang
Published: July 2022

Detecting the presence or absence of a known signal is an important aspect of underwater acoustic (UWA) communications as it is a vital first step to process the received data. The influence of impulsive noise and multipath propagation on detection are both considered in this paper. Many robust detectors have been designed to cope with impulsive noise, but they tend to ignore the impact of multipath propagation, which may decrease the detection probability. To emphasize the role of multipath channel, we propose two-stage detection methods. In the first stage, the channel is estimated based on robust orthogonal matching pursuit, while in the second stage, detectors that use the channel estimation from the first stage, namely augmented log-likelihood ratio detector and augmented pseudo-correlation detector, are developed. The former detector is parametric and the latter one is non-parametric. The improved performance is demonstrated in simulated multipath channel and actual UWA channel with both simulated noise and recorded snapping shrimp noise, indicating that the proposed detectors are resistant to impulsive noise. It is also shown that the use of multipath information helps to improve the detection performance.
Recognition method for the bionic camouflage click communication trains modulated by time delay difference
Authors: Jiang Jia-jia , Qiao Fei , Li Yao , Li Chunyue , Li Zhuochen , Sun Zhongbo , Fu Xiao , Duan Fajie
Published: July 2022

Bionic camouflage covert underwater acoustic communication has recently attracted great attention. However, we have not found relevant methods or literature to recognize these bionic camouflage communication signals (BCCSs) in the area of anti-reconnaissance. Focused on recognizing the BCCSs, this article proposes a recognition method based on the statistics of inter-click intervals to recognize the camouflaged click communication train (CCCT), which is modulated by time delay difference (TDD). We first analyze the characteristics of TDD distributions of CCCT and real click train (RCT). According to the coding principle, the TDDs of CCCTs present a ladder-like distribution with a fixed time step, and the TDDs are equal to the integral multiple of the fixed time step. On the contrary, the TDDs of RCTs are approximately random distribution within a certain time range. Therefore, based on the different TDD distributions, this article classifies CCCTs and RCTs by utilizing the statistical property of TDD distributions. To measure the TDDs of diverse cetacean clicks accurately, a new click location scheme based on the dynamic window energy ratio is proposed. Next, based on the statistics of TDD distribution, the influences of the TDDs that are caused by multipath interferences are eliminated by iteration. Simulations demonstrate the accuracy of the recognition method under different conditions.
Resolving the molecular architecture of the photoreceptor active zone with 3D-MINFLUX
Authors: Grabner Chad P. , Jansen Isabelle , Neef Jakob , Weihs Tobias , Schmidt Roman , Riedel Dietmar , Wurm Christian A. , Moser Tobias
Published: July 2022

Cells assemble macromolecular complexes into scaffoldings that serve as substrates for catalytic processes. Years of molecular neurobiology research indicate that neurotransmission depends on such optimization strategies. However, the molecular topography of the presynaptic active zone (AZ), where transmitter is released upon synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion, remains to be visualized. Therefore, we implemented MINFLUX optical nanoscopy to resolve the AZ of rod photoreceptors. This was facilitated by a novel sample immobilization technique that we name heat-assisted rapid dehydration (HARD), wherein a thin layer of rod synaptic terminals (spherules) was transferred onto glass coverslips from fresh retinal slices. Rod ribbon AZs were readily immunolabeled and imaged in 3D with a precision of a few nanometers. Our 3D-MINFLUX results indicate that the SV release site in rods is a molecular complex of bassoon–RIM2–ubMunc13-2–Ca
v
1.4, which repeats longitudinally on both sides of the ribbon.
Mechanical regulation of talin through binding and history-dependent unfolding
Authors: Dahal Narayan , Sharma Sabita , Phan Binh , Eis Annie , Popa Ionel
Published: July 2022

Talin is a force-sensing multidomain protein and a major player in cellular mechanotransduction. Here, we use single-molecule magnetic tweezers to investigate the mechanical response of the R8 rod domain of talin. We find that under various force cycles, the R8 domain of talin can display a memory-dependent behavior: At the same low force (<10 pN), the same protein molecule shows vastly different unfolding kinetics. This history-dependent behavior indicates the evolution of a unique force-induced native state. We measure through mechanical unfolding that talin R8 domain binds one of its ligands, DLC1, with much higher affinity than previously reported. This strong interaction can explain the antitumor response of DLC1 by regulating inside-out activation of integrins. Together, our results paint a complex picture for the mechanical unfolding of talin in the physiological range and a new mechanism of function of DLC1 to regulate inside-out activation of integrins.
Investigating trends in those who experience menstrual bleeding changes after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Authors: Lee Katharine M. N. , Junkins Eleanor J. , Luo Chongliang , Fatima Urooba A. , Cox Maria L. , Clancy Kathryn B. H.
Published: July 2022

Early in 2021, many people began sharing that they experienced unexpected menstrual bleeding after SARS-CoV-2 inoculation. We investigated this emerging phenomenon of changed menstrual bleeding patterns among a convenience sample of currently and formerly menstruating people using a web-based survey. In this sample, 42% of people with regular menstrual cycles bled more heavily than usual, while 44% reported no change after being vaccinated. Among respondents who typically do not menstruate, 71% of people on long-acting reversible contraceptives, 39% of people on gender-affirming hormones, and 66% of postmenopausal people reported breakthrough bleeding. We found that increased/breakthrough bleeding was significantly associated with age, systemic vaccine side effects (fever and/or fatigue), history of pregnancy or birth, and ethnicity. Generally, changes to menstrual bleeding are not uncommon or dangerous, yet attention to these experiences is necessary to build trust in medicine.
Magnetically steerable bacterial microrobots moving in 3D biological matrices for stimuli-responsive cargo delivery
Authors: Akolpoglu Mukrime Birgul , Alapan Yunus , Dogan Nihal Olcay , Baltaci Saadet Fatma , Yasa Oncay , Aybar Tural Gulsen , Sitti Metin
Published: July 2022

Bacterial biohybrids, composed of self-propelling bacteria carrying micro/nanoscale materials, can deliver their payload to specific regions under magnetic control, enabling additional frontiers in minimally invasive medicine. However, current bacterial biohybrid designs lack high-throughput and facile construction with favorable cargoes, thus underperforming in terms of propulsion, payload efficiency, tissue penetration, and spatiotemporal operation. Here, we report magnetically controlled bacterial biohybrids for targeted localization and multistimuli-responsive drug release in three-dimensional (3D) biological matrices. Magnetic nanoparticles and nanoliposomes loaded with photothermal agents and chemotherapeutic molecules were integrated onto
Escherichia coli
with ~90% efficiency. Bacterial biohybrids, outperforming previously reported
E. coli
–based microrobots, retained their original motility and were able to navigate through biological matrices and colonize tumor spheroids under magnetic fields for on-demand release of the drug molecules by near-infrared stimulus. Our work thus provides a multifunctional microrobotic platform for guided locomotion in 3D biological networks and stimuli-responsive delivery of therapeutics for diverse medical applications.
Femtosecond photoelectron circular dichroism of chemical reactions
Authors: Svoboda Vít , Ram Niraghatam Bhargava , Baykusheva Denitsa , Zindel Daniel , Waters Max D. J. , Spenger Benjamin , Ochsner Manuel , Herburger Holger , Stohner Jürgen , Wörner Hans Jakob
Published: July 2022

Understanding the chirality of molecular reaction pathways is essential for a broad range of fundamental and applied sciences. However, the current ability to probe chirality on the time scale of primary processes underlying chemical reactions remains very limited. Here, we demonstrate time-resolved photoelectron circular dichroism (TRPECD) with ultrashort circularly polarized vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) pulses from a tabletop source. We demonstrate the capabilities of VUV-TRPECD by resolving the chirality changes in time during the photodissociation of atomic iodine from two chiral molecules. We identify several general key features of TRPECD, which include the ability to probe dynamical chirality along the complete photochemical reaction path, the sensitivity to the local chirality of the evolving scattering potential, and the influence of electron scattering off dissociating photofragments. Our results are interpreted by comparison with high-level ab-initio calculations of transient PECDs from molecular photoionization calculations. Our experimental and theoretical techniques define a general approach to femtochirality.
Protocol for Home-Based Solution for Remote Atrial Fibrillation Screening to Prevent Recurrence Stroke (HUA-TUO AF Trial): a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wong Chun Ka , Hai Jo Jo , Lau Yuk-Ming , Zhou Mi , LUI Hin-Wai , Lau Kui Kai , Chan Koon-Ho , Mok Toi Meng , Liu Yong , Feng Yingqing , Tan Ning , Tam Weng-Chio , Tam Kun-Chong , Feng Xiuhua , Zuo Ming-Liang , Yin Li-Xue , Tan Jing , Zhang Wen-Jun , Jiang Xiaofei , Huang Xiaoyu , Ye Jianfeng , Liang Yan , Jiang Wei , Lei Zhen , Huang Duo , Yue Wen-Sheng , Tan Guanming , Yan Bryan P , Evora Mario Alberto , Chen Ji-yan , Siu Chung-Wah
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Current international guidelines recommend ECG monitoring after an ischaemic stroke to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) in order to prevent stroke recurrence. However, optimal strategies to detect AF and the downstream management to prevent stroke recurrence remain to be established. The objective of the study was to explore the use of long-term home-based ECG monitoring for AF detection and stroke prevention in patients with a history of stroke.

Methods and analysis

This prospective, randomised, open-label trial with blinded endpoint adjudication aimed to evaluate the efficacy of long-term home-based ECG monitoring for AF detection and stroke prevention in a 24-month period. Patients aged >18 years with a history of ischaemic stroke will be stratified according to the time from the index ischaemic stroke: <1, 1–3 and >3 years and then randomised in 1:1 to (1) home-based AF screening and (2) control. The home-based AF screening system comprises (1) a handheld single-lead ECG recorder (Comfit Healthcare Devices, Hong Kong SAR, China) and (2) a patient-facing smartphone application specially designed for the study. Patients randomised to the home-based AF group will record a 30 s single-lead ECG using a specially designed handheld ECG device every morning or when symptomatic. All remotely obtained data will be automatically transmitted in real-time through the study smartphone application to a secured cloud hosting and analysed using an artificial intelligence-based diagnostic system. When a diagnosis of AF is made with the system, the patients will be called back for a formal cardiology consultation within 1 week. The primary endpoint is the time to first detection of AF at 24 months of follow-up. Secondary endpoints include recurrent stroke or transient ischaemic attack, initiation of long-term anticoagulation therapy, hospitalisation for heart failure, cardiovascular death and all-cause death.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by the institutional review board of The University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong West Cluster, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong SAR, China. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04523649.
Effects of prophylactic antibiotic administration and antibiotic timing on culture results and clinical outcomes of paediatric musculoskeletal infection: a protocol for a randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Xia Yongjie , Deng Chao , Zhou Yibiao , Wu Dechao , Liu Zhiyong , Xie Liangfu , E Bing , Han Jingming , You Chao
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Musculoskeletal infection (MSI) is a common cause of morbidity among the paediatric population. Some clinicians recommend withholding prophylactic antibiotics until culture collection with an aim to improve the culture sensitivity. However, a recent retrospective study reported that prophylactic antibiotic administration did not affect culture sensitivities in either disseminated or local MSI in paediatric population, which is surprising. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of prophylactic antibiotic administration and the timing of antibiotic administration on culture sensitivity and clinical outcomes of paediatric MSI.

Methods and analysis

A randomised controlled clinical trial will be carried out. Individuals aged 0–18 years with a diagnosis of MSI will be screened and evaluated at the Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. The participants will be randomly allocated into four groups, and they will receive the antibiotic treatment at different time points, that is, 1 week, 3 days, 1 day prior to tissue culture collection and 1 day after tissue culture collection, respectively. The primary outcome will be culture sensitivity. In addition, the disease-related markers including white blood cell count, C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, vital signs as well as the length of hospital stay will be measured or recorded accordingly. Using χ2 tests, the rates of positive cultures will be compared between different groups. Statistical comparisons between the different patient groups regarding the confounding and outcome variables will be conducted using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, χ2 tests and Fisher’s exact tests as appropriate with the significance level set to 5% (p<0.05).

Ethics and dissemination

This study has received ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated both in scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100041631.
Perspectives on adapting a mobile application for pain self-management in neurofibromatosis type 1: results of online focus group discussions with individuals living with neurofibromatosis type 1 and pain management experts
Authors: Grau Lauretta E , Larkin Kaitlyn , Lalloo Chitra , Stinson Jennifer N , Zempsky William T , Ball Samuel A , Buono Frank D
Published: July 2022

Objective

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder in which chronic pain commonly occurs. The study sought to understand the needs of individuals with NF1 and pain management experts when adapting a pain self-management mobile health application (app) for individuals with NF1.

Design

We conducted a series of online, audio-recorded focus groups that were then thematically analysed.

Setting

Online focus groups with adults currently residing in the USA.

Participants

Two types of participants were included: individuals with NF1 (n=32 across six focus groups) and pain management experts (n=10 across three focus groups).

Results

Six themes across two levels were identified. The individual level included lifestyle, reasons for using the mobile app and concerns regarding its use. The app level included desired content, desired features and format considerations. Findings included recommendations to grant free access to the app and include a community support feature for individuals to relate and validate one another’s experience with pain from NF1. In addition, participants noted the importance of providing clear instructions on navigating the app, the use of an upbeat, hopeful tone and appropriate visuals.

Conclusions

Both participant groups endorsed the use of iCanCope (iCC) as an NF1 pain self-management mobile app. Differences between groups were noted, however. The NF1 group appeared interested in detailed and nuanced pain tracking capabilities; the expert group prioritised tracking information such as mood, nutrition and activity to identify potential associations with pain. In tailoring the existing iCC app for individuals with NF1, attention should be paid to creating a community support group feature and to tailoring content, features and format to potential users’ specific needs.
Assessment of inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using thermography and machine learning: a fast and automated technique
Authors: Morales-Ivorra Isabel , Narváez Javier , Gómez-Vaquero Carmen , Moragues Carmen , Nolla Joan M , Narváez José A , Marín-López Manuel Alejandro
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Sensitive detection of joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is crucial to the success of the treat-to-target strategy. In this study, we characterise a novel machine learning-based computational method to automatically assess joint inflammation in RA using thermography of the hands, a fast and non-invasive imaging technique.

Methods

We recruited 595 patients with arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as healthy subjects at two hospitals over 4 years. Machine learning was used to assess joint inflammation from the thermal images of the hands using ultrasound as the reference standard, obtaining a Thermographic Joint Inflammation Score (ThermoJIS). The machine learning model was trained and tuned using data from 449 participants with different types of arthritis, osteoarthritis or without rheumatic disease (development set). The performance of the method was evaluated based on 146 patients with RA (validation set) using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, area under the receiver-operating curve (AUROC), average precision, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and F1-score.

Results

ThermoJIS correlated moderately with ultrasound scores (grey-scale synovial hypertrophy=0.49, p<0.001; and power Doppler=0.51, p<0.001). The AUROC for ThermoJIS for detecting active synovitis was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.71 to 0.86; p<0.001). In patients with RA in clinical remission, ThermoJIS values were significantly higher when active synovitis was detected by ultrasound.

Conclusions

ThermoJIS was able to detect joint inflammation in patients with RA, even in those in clinical remission. These results open an opportunity to develop new tools for routine detection of joint inflammation.
C reactive protein utilisation, a biomarker for early COVID-19 treatment, improves lenzilumab efficacy: results from the randomised phase 3 ‘LIVE-AIR’ trial
Authors: Temesgen Zelalem , Kelley Colleen F , Cerasoli Frank , Kilcoyne Adrian , Chappell Dale , Durrant Cameron , Ahmed Omar , Chappell Gabrielle , Catterson Victoria , Polk Christopher , Badley Andrew , Marconi Vincent C
Published: July 2022

Objective

COVID-19 severity is correlated with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and C reactive protein (CRP) levels. In the phase three LIVE-AIR trial, lenzilumab an anti-GM-CSF monoclonal antibody, improved the likelihood of survival without ventilation (SWOV) in COVID-19, with the greatest effect in participants having baseline CRP below a median of 79 mg/L. Herein, the utility of baseline CRP to guide lenzilumab treatment was assessed.

Design

A subanalysis of the randomised, blinded, controlled, LIVE-AIR trial in which lenzilumab or placebo was administered on day 0 and participants were followed through Day 28.

Participants

Hospitalised COVID-19 participants (N=520) with SpO2 ≤94% on room air or requiring supplemental oxygen but not invasive mechanical ventilation.

Interventions

Lenzilumab (1800 mg; three divided doses, q8h, within 24 hours) or placebo infusion alongside corticosteroid and remdesivir treatments.

Main outcome measures

The primary endpoint was the time-to-event analysis difference in SWOV through day 28 between lenzilumab and placebo treatments, stratified by baseline CRP.

Results

SWOV was achieved in 152 (90%; 95% CI 85 to 94) lenzilumab and 144 (79%; 72 to 84) placebo-treated participants with baseline CRP <150 mg/L (HR: 2.54; 95% CI 1.46 to 4.41; p=0.0009) but not with CRP ≥150 mg/L (HR: 1.04; 95% CI 0.51 to 2.14; p=0.9058). A statistically significant interaction between CRP and lenzilumab treatment was observed (p=0.044). Grade ≥3 adverse events with lenzilumab were comparable to placebo in both CRP strata. No treatment-emergent serious adverse events were attributed to lenzilumab.

Conclusion

Hospitalised hypoxemic patients with COVID-19 with baseline CRP <150 mg/L derived the greatest clinical benefit from treatment with lenzilumab.

Trial registration number

NCT04351152
Importance of skeletal muscle lipid levels for muscle function and physical function in older individuals
Authors: Yoshiko Akito , Maeda Hisashi , Takahashi Hideyuki , Koike Teruhiko , Tanaka Noriko , Akima Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

The skeletal muscle contains lipids inside (intramyocellular lipids, IMCL) or outside (extramyocellular lipids, EMCL) its cells. The muscle lipid content increases with age; however, the characteristics of IMCL and EMCL in older individuals are not well known. We aimed to examine the characteristics of skeletal muscle lipids by investigating their relationship with muscle function and physical functions. Seven elderly men and 16 elderly women participated. The skeletal muscle lipid content, including IMCL and EMCL, was measured in the vastus lateralis by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Isometric knee extension with maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and time-to-task failure for knee extension with 50% MVC were measured as muscle functions. The participants performed six physical function tests: preferred gait speed, maximal gait speed, Timed Up and Go, chair sit-to-stand, handgrip strength, and stand from the floor. The time to knee extension task failure had a significant relationship with the IMCL ( rs = −0.43, P < 0.05), but not with the EMCL content. Significant relationships were confirmed in the EMCL content with the sit-to-stand ( rs = −0.48, P < 0.05) and stand-from-the-floor ( rs = 0.53, P < 0.05) tests. These findings indicated that muscle lipids are associated with muscle and physical functional performances in older individuals.

Novelty: No relationship was confirmed between IMCL and EMCL in older individuals. Muscle endurance performance had a relationship with IMCL, but not with EMCL. Relationships between EMCL and physical functional tests (e.g., sit-to-stand and stand from the floor) were confirmed.
Factors influencing the presence of parasitic trombiculids on red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) in a temperate archipelago
Authors: Mallinger Elyse C. , Olson Erik R. , Vincent Geoffrey P. , Van Stappen Julie , Van Deelen Timothy R.
Published: July 2022

Parasites can influence host population health and dynamics and are often an overlooked aspect of the ecology of ecosystems. Understanding the impacts of ecological interactions between parasites and small mammals can provide insights into ecosystem dynamics. We live trapped small mammals within the Apostle Islands archipelago (2017–2020) and assessed factors influencing the presence of mites from the Trombiculidae family. Archipelagos provide unique research opportunities because in small mammal–parasitic trombiculid systems, they are essentially closed systems. We detected trombiculids on 47% of red-backed vole ( Myodes gapperi (Vigors, 1830)) individuals but rarely detected trombiculids on other species. We developed and ranked a set of a priori logistic regression models of trombiculid presence relative to habitat quality, host abundance, body condition, sex, and sexual maturity to identify factors significant in predicting trombiculid infection for M. gapperi. Parasitic trombiculids were more likely when M. gapperi abundance was high and body condition was poor; however, it is unknown whether trombiculids affect condition or if trombiculids are more likely to parasitize hosts in poor condition. The significance of host abundance may indicate density-dependent transmission. Our work suggests that host density and body condition are important factors influencing parasitism by trombiculids in M. gapperi populations.
A method for estimating songbird abundance with drones
Authors: Wilson Andrew M. , Glass Darren B. , Immordino Marisa A. , Ozoh Precious S. , Sherman Lauren B. , Somers McKenzie D.
Published: July 2022

Using drones to conduct airborne bioacoustics surveys is a potentially useful new way to estimate the abundance of vocal bird species. Here we show that by using two audio recorders suspended from a quadcopter drone it is possible to estimate distances to birds with precision. In an experimental test, the mean error of our estimated distances to a broadcast song across 11 points between 0 and 100 m away was just 3.47 m. In field tests, we compared 1 min airborne counts with 5 min terrestrial counts at 34 count locations. We found that the airborne counts yielded similar data to the terrestrial point counts for most of the 10 songbird species included in our analysis, and that the effective detection radii were also similar. However, airborne counts significantly under-detected the Northern Cardinal (χ29 = 22.8, post-hoc test P = 0.007), which we attribute to a behavioral response to the drone. Airborne counts work best for species that vocalize close to the ground and have high-frequency-range songs. Under those circumstances, airborne bioacoustics could have several advantages over ground-based surveys, including increased precision, increased repeatability, and easier access to difficult terrain. Further, we show that it is possible to do rapid surveys using airborne techniques, which could lead to the development of much more efficient survey protocols than are possible using traditional survey techniques.
On the collapse revival of entanglement in a two-dimensional noncommutative harmonic oscillator: An algebraic approach
Authors: Madouri Fethi , Merdaci Abdeldjalil
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we employ an algebraic approach to investigate the dynamics of entanglement in a two-dimensional noncommutative harmonic oscillator. We start by using the so-called the Bopp shift to convert the Hamiltonian describing the system into an equivalent commutative one. This allows us to take advantage of the Schwinger oscillator construction of [Formula: see text] Lie algebra to reveal through the time evolution operator that there is a connection between the noncommutativity and entanglement. The degree of entanglement between the states is evaluated by using the purity function. The remarkable emerging feature is that, as long as the noncommutativity parameter is nonvanishing, the system exhibits the phenomenon of collapse and revival of entanglement.