bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CLINICAL BENEFITS OF TRAMIPROSATE IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER NUMBER OF APOE4 ALLELES: THE “APOE4 GENE-DOSE EFFECT”
Authors: Abushakra S. , Porsteinsson A. , Vellas B. , Cummings J. , Gauthier S. , Hey J.A. , Power A. , Hendrix S. , Wang P. , Shen L. , Sampalis J. , Tolar M.
Published: November 2021

Background: Tramiprosate is an oral amyloid anti-aggregation agent that reduces amyloid oligomer toxicity in preclinical studies and was evaluated in two 78-week trials in North America and Western Europe that enrolled 2,025 patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease. The completed North American study did not achieve its efficacy objectives, but a pre-specified subgroup analysis suggested potential efficacy in apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) carriers. To further explore this observation, we analyzed tramiprosate Phase 3 clinical data based on the number of APOE4 alleles. Objectives: To analyze tramiprosate efficacy, safety, and occurrence of vasogenic edema in the three APOE4 subgroups: homozygous, heterozygous and non-carriers. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-arm multi-center studies. Setting: Academic Alzheimer’s disease & dementia centers, community-based dementia and memory clinics, and neuropsychiatric clinical research sites. Participants: Subjects included 2,025 patients, 50 years of age or older, with approximately 60% having APOE4 carrier status (10-15% homozygotes and 45-50% heterozygotes), and mild to moderate disease. All subjects were on stable symptomatic drugs. Intervention: Randomized subjects received placebo, 100 mg BID, or 150 mg BID of tramiprosate. Measurements: Co-primary outcomes in both studies were change from baseline in the ADAS-cog11 and CDR-SB assessment scales. Results: Highest efficacy was observed in APOE4/4 homozygotes receiving 150 mg BID of tramiprosate, showing statistically significant effects on ADAS-cog and positive trends on CDR-SB (respectively, 40-66% and 25-45% benefit compared to placebo). APOE4 heterozygotes showed intermediate efficacy, and non-carriers showed no benefit. In 426 patients with MRI scans, no cases of treatment-emergent vasogenic edema were observed. In the three subgroups, the most common adverse events were nausea, vomiting, and decreased weight. Conclusions: The “APOE4 Gene-Dose effect” is likely explained by the high prevalence of amyloid pathology in symptomatic APOE4 carriers. In APOE4/4 Alzheimer’s disease patients, the high dose of tramiprosate showed favorable safety and clinically meaningful efficacy in addition to standard of care.
‘ALZHEIMER’S PROGRESSION SCORE’: DEVELOPMENT OF A BIOMARKER SUMMARY OUTCOME FOR AD PREVENTION TRIALS
Authors: Leoutsakos J.-M. , Gross A.L. , Jones R.N. , Albert M.S. , Breitner J.C.S.
Published: November 2021

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prevention research requires methods for measurement of disease progression not yet revealed by symptoms. Preferably, such measurement should encompass multiple disease markers. Objectives: Evaluate an item response theory (IRT) model-based latent variable Alzheimer Progression Score (APS) that uses multi-modal disease markers to estimate pre-clinical disease progression. Design: Estimate APS scores in the BIOCARD observational study, and in the parallel PREVENT-AD Cohort and its sister INTREPAD placebo-controlled prevention trial. Use BIOCARD data to evaluate whether baseline and early APS trajectory predict later progression to MCI/dementia. Similarly, use longitudinal PREVENT-AD data to assess test measurement invariance over time. Further, assess portability of the PREVENT-AD IRT model to baseline INTREPAD data, and explore model changes when CSF markers are added or withdrawn. Setting: BIOCARD was established in 1995 and participants were followed up to 20 years in Baltimore, USA. The PREVENT-AD and INTREPAD trial cohorts were established between 2011-2015 in Montreal, Canada, using nearly identical entry criteria to enroll high-risk cognitively normal persons aged 60+ then followed for several years. Participants: 349 cognitively normal, primarily middle-aged participants in BIOCARD, 125 high-risk participants aged 60+ in PREVENT-AD, and 217 similar subjects in INTREPAD. 106 INTREPAD participants donated up to four serial CSF samples. Measurements: Global cognitive assessment and multiple structural, functional, and diffusion MRI metrics, sensori-neural tests, and CSF concentrations of tau, Aβ42 and their ratio. Results: Both baseline values and early slope of APS scores in BIOCARD predicted later progression to MCI or AD. Presence of CSF variables strongly improved such prediction. A similarly derived APS in PREVENT-AD showed measurement invariance over time and portability to the parallel INTREPAD sample. Conclusions: An IRT-based APS can summarize multi-modal information to provide a longitudinal measure of pre-clinical AD progression, and holds promise as an outcome for AD prevention trials.
RATIONALE AND STRUCTURE FOR A NEW CENTER FOR STUDIES ON PREVENTION OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (STOP-AD)
Authors: Breitner J.C.S. , Poirier J. , Etienne P.E. , Leoutsakos J.M.
Published: November 2021

We describe events spanning over 20 years that have shaped our approach to identification of interventions that may delay symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These events motivated the development of a new Centre for Studies on Prevention of AD that includes an observational cohort of cognitively normal high-risk persons and INTREPAD, a nested two-year randomized placebo-controlled trial of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen sodium. INTREPAD enrolled 217 persons and will follow 160 in a modified intent-to-treat analysis of persons who remained on-protocol through at least one follow-up evaluation. The trial employs dual endpoints: 1) a composite global cognitive score generated by a battery of 12 psychometric tests organized into five subscales; and 2) a summary Alzheimer’s Progression Score derived from latent variable modeling of multiple biomarker data from several modalities. The dual endpoints will be analyzed by consideration of their joint probability under the null hypothesis of no treatment effect, after allowing appropriately for their lack of independence. We suggest that such an approach can be used economically to generate preliminary data regarding the efficacy of potential prevention strategies, thereby increasing the chances of finding one or more interventions that successfully prevent symptoms.
Retrospective trial of long acting analogues detemir and degludec usage in children and adolescents to overcome glucose variability caused by dawn phenomenon and reverse dawn phenomenon
Authors: Vitebskaya A. V. , Shreder E. V. , Popovich A. V. , Pisareva E. A.
Published: November 2021

Backgraund: Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) need more insulin late in the evening (reverse dawn phenomenon (RDP)), and adolescents need more insulin yearly in the morning (dawn phenomenon (DP)); these cause blood glucose variability. Modern long acting insulin analogues allow to achieve satisfactory glycemic control.

Aims: To study the characteristics of insulin therapy in children and adolescents with T1DM using insulin analogues detemir and degludec to overcome blood glucose variability caused by DP and RDP in different age periods.

Materials and methods: We analyzed medical documents of 200 patients using detemir, admitted to pediatric endocrinology department in 2013–2019, at mean age 9.0 years (5.4; 13.0), with T1DM for 1.3 years (0.5; 3.0); and medical documents of 50 patients switched to degludec in 2018–2019 at mean age 12.0 years (10.5; 14.5) with T1DM for 3.0 years (1.5; 6.0). Before degludec they were on intensive insulin therapy with glargine (22), detemir (26), or insulin pump (2); 16 patients (32%) presented with clinical characteristics of DP, and 5 (10%) — RDP.

Results: 67 children of 108 (62%) aged 1–9 years had redistribution of detemir doses to daytime; 58 adolescents of 92 (63%) aged 10–17 лет — to nighttime. Patients switched to degludec demonstrated decrease in HbA1с from 8.7% (7.8; 9.9) to 8.0% (7.4; 9.0) (р<0.001); fasting blood glucose from 9.8 mmol/l (7.4; 11.7) to 7.7 mmol/l (6.4; 8.6) (р<0.001); within-day variability from 35.2% (31.6; 40.9) to 23.5% (19.7; 28.6) (р<0.001); daily insulin dose from 0.98 U/kg/day (0.82; 1.14) to 0.87 U/kg/day (0.75; 1.07) (р=0.002). Sub-groups of patients with DP and RDP demonstrated decrease in fasting blood glucose (from 11.5 mmol/l (9.8; 13.8) to 7.5 mmol/l (6.6; 9.1) (р<0.001)), and late evening blood glucose (from 11.0 mmol/l (10.2; 11.2) to 8.0 mmol/l (6.7; 9.5) (р= 0.03)) correspondently. Achieved levels of glycemic control did not differ between sub-groups of patients initially using glargine or detemir.

Conclusions: Compensation of T1DM may be complicated due to DP and RDP. Switching to degludec allowed to achieve better glycemic control and lowering of blood glucose variability caused by DP and DRP.
Neovascular glaucoma in patients with diabetes mellitus — the current state of the problem
Authors: Biletskaya V. A. , Lipatov D. V. , Frolov M. A. , Kazakova K. A.
Published: November 2021

Today, diabetes is one of the leading medical and social problems. This is due to a pandemic increase in the development of the disease. Eye complications that occur against the background of diabetes are complex. Diabetic damage to the visual organ is the main cause of visual acuity in these patients. One of the serious complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy is secondary neovascular glaucoma, which is often refractory to treatment and eventually leads to irreversible blindness. Currently, neovascular glaucoma is an important and urgent problem in modern society, as it leads a large number of patients to disability and impaired social adaptation. The paper presents a review of the literature on the current state of the problem of neovascular glaucoma and presents the results of major international studies.

Based on the data of domestic and foreign literature, the authors provide up-to-date information on the incidence, evaluate the clinical manifestations of the disease, paying attention to new methods of diagnosis and treatment. These data allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of modern therapeutic and surgical approaches in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma, as well as its various complications and measures for their prevention.
The role of iron metabolism indicators in predicting gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Torosyan A. O. , Loginova E. V. , Gagaev C. G.
Published: November 2021

Iron (Fe) deficiency and hyperglycaemia are both widely found throughout the world among pregnant women. According to the latest data from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased and reaches 15–20%. Nowadays, there is growing evidence that a link between Fe metabolism and glucose homeostasis exists. The study of changes in the indicators of Fe metabolism in the serum of pregnant women with glucose intolerance and GDM plays an important role in expanding the understanding of the pathogenesis of these conditions. The hypothesis that excess Fe increases the risk of developing GDM has prompted us to review and evaluate the potential relationship between elevated Fe levels and the risk of developing GDM. The aim is to integrate all available data on the correlation between GDM and Fe status in the body. It is increasingly being recognised that excess Fe accumulation in the body is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. There is no available data on the relationship between serum ferritin and GDM in the Russian population, while early identification of the risk of GDM development will be of great importance for its related health effects and prevention. The role of Fe status as a GDM biomarker in high-risk populations is of interest, both for prognostic and diagnostic measures, and for therapeutic interventions. For a better understanding of whether an excess of Fe increases the risk of developing GDM, studies are needed to reveal the role of Fe in the mechanisms of GDM development.
Some mechanisms of inflammation development in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Bochkareva L. A. , Nedosugova L. V. , Petunina N. A. , Теlnova M. Е. , Goncharova E. V.
Published: November 2021

Inflammation plays a key role in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), a disease characterized by peripheral insulin resistance and systemic glucolipotoxicity. The main source of inflammation in the early stages of the disease is visceral adipose tissue (VT). Macrophages are innate immune cells that are present in all peripheral tissues, including VT. Violation of the response of VT (MT) macrophages to changes in the microenvironment underlies aberrant inflammation and the development of local and systemic insulin resistance. The inflammatory activation of macrophages is regulated at several levels: stimulation of cell surface receptors, intracellular signaling, transcription, and metabolic levels. Which are activated by the transformation of macrophages along the pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory pathways. Such polarization of macrophages in modern immunology is divided into classical anti-inflammatory M1 polarization and alternative anti-inflammatory M2 polarization of macrophages. The M1 / M2 ratio of macrophages in the process of inflammation ensures the resolution of inflammation at different stages of its development. The review considers the main mechanisms involved in VT inflammation and the development of insulin resistance in T2DM, supported with the participation of immunocompetent cells, M1 / M2, as well as growth factors and humoral immunity factors secreted during this process.
Low risk of hypoglycemia and high efficacy of gliclazide MB: results of recent studies
Authors: Kononenko I. V. , Smirnova O. M.
Published: November 2021

Sulfonylureas are widely prescribed all over the world, mainly because of their high effectiveness. At the same time, the heterogeneity of the group is obvious, primarily in relation to the effect of drugs on the risk of developing hypoglycemic events. The review presents the results of new studies, including «Comparative effectiveness of gliclazide modified release versus sitagliptin as second-line treatment after metformin monotherapy in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes» and results of a model-based meta-analysis of 24 antihyperglycemic drugs for type 2 diabetes, confirming the higher efficacy of modified release gliclazide (gliclazide MB) compared to DPP-4, as well as a low risk of hypoglycemic conditions. The results of recent studies, as well as the results of the ADVANCE and ADVANCE-ON studies, suggest that gliclazide MB is safe to use as a second-line drug, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease.
The Study of Optical and Electrical Properties of Nanostructured Silicon Carbide Thin Films Grown by Pulsed-Laser Deposition
Authors: Muhanad A. Ahmed  , Mohammed Sabri Mohammed F. , Abed Wathiq R.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, nanostructured silicon carbide (SiC) thin films are deposited onto glass substrate using pulsed laser deposition technique. Electrical and optical characterizations such as conductivity, resistivity, transmission, Seeback effect, absorption, absorption coefficient, energy band gap, and extinction coefficient as a function of photon energy, and the effect of thin films thickness on transmission are carried out to characterize the prepared samples. Results showed that the prepared SiC thin film is an n-type semiconductor with an indirect bandgap of ~3 eV, 448 nm cutoff wavelength, 3.4395 × 104 cm−1 absorption coefficient and 0.154 extinction coefficient. The surface morphology of the SiC thin films is studied using scanning electron microscope at a substrate temperature of 400 °C and it is found that the grain size of the prepared SiC thin film is about 30 nm. As such, the nano thin films optical and structural characteristics enable the films to be used as gases sensors in many optoelectronic devices such as the environment and ultraviolet photodiode.
Validation of the LUMIPULSE automated immunoassay for the measurement of core AD biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Gobom Johan , Parnetti Lucilla , Rosa-Neto Pedro , Vyhnalek Martin , Gauthier Serge , Cataldi Samuela , Lerch Ondrej , Laczo Jan , Cechova Katerina , Clarin Marcus , Benet Andrea L. , Pascoal Tharick A. , Rahmouni Neserine , Vandijck Manu , Huyck Else , Le Bastard Nathalie , Stevenson Jenna , Chamoun Mira , Alcolea Daniel , Lleó Alberto , Andreasson Ulf , Verbeek Marcel M. , Bellomo Giovanni , Rinaldi Roberta , Ashton Nicholas J. , Zetterberg Henrik , Sheardova Katerina , Hort Jakub , Blennow Kaj
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The core cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers; total tau (tTau), phospho-tau (pTau), amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ 1-42), and the Aβ 1-42/Aβ 1-40 ratio have transformed Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research and are today increasingly used in clinical routine laboratories as diagnostic tools. Fully automated immunoassay instruments with ready-to-use assay kits and calibrators has simplified their analysis and improved reproducibility of measurements. We evaluated the analytical performance of the fully automated immunoassay instrument LUMIPULSE G (Fujirebio) for measurement of the four core AD CSF biomarkers and determined cutpoints for AD diagnosis.

Methods

Comparison of the LUMIPULSE G assays was performed with the established INNOTEST ELISAs (Fujirebio) for hTau Ag, pTau 181, β-amyloid 1-42, and with V-PLEX Plus Aβ Peptide Panel 1 (6E10) (Meso Scale Discovery) for Aβ 1-42/Aβ 1-40, as well as with a LC-MS reference method for Aβ 1-42. Intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility was evaluated for all assays. Clinical cutpoints for Aβ 1-42, tTau, and pTau was determined by analysis of three cohorts of clinically diagnosed patients, comprising 651 CSF samples. For the Aβ 1-42/Aβ 1-40 ratio, the cutpoint was determined by mixture model analysis of 2,782 CSF samples.

Results

The LUMIPULSE G assays showed strong correlation to all other immunoassays (r>0.93 for all assays). The repeatability (intra-laboratory) CVs ranged between 2.0 and 5.6%, with the highest variation observed for β-amyloid 1-40. The reproducibility (inter-laboratory) CVs ranged between 2.1 and 6.5%, with the highest variation observed for β-amyloid 1-42. The clinical cutpoints for AD were determined to be 409 ng/L for total tau, 50.2 ng/L for pTau 181, 526 ng/L for β-amyloid 1-42, and 0.072 for the Aβ 1-42/Aβ 1-40 ratio.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the LUMIPULSE G assays for the CSF AD biomarkers are fit for purpose in clinical laboratory practice. Further, they corroborate earlier presented reference limits for the biomarkers.
Methods to reduce lipemic interference in clinical chemistry tests: a systematic review and recommendations
Authors: Soh Sheila X. , Loh Tze Ping , Sethi Sunil K. , Ong Lizhen
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Lipemia is the presence of abnormally high lipoprotein concentrations in serum or plasma samples that can interfere with laboratory testing. There is little guidance available from manufacturers or professional bodies on processing lipemic samples to produce clinically acceptable results. This systematic review summarizes existing literature on the effectiveness of lipid removal techniques in reducing interference in clinical chemistry tests.

Methods

A PubMed search using terms relating to lipid removal from human samples for clinical chemistry tests produced 1,558 studies published between January 2010 and July 2021. 15 articles met the criteria for further analyses.

Results

A total of 66 analytes were investigated amongst the 15 studies, which showed highly heterogenous study designs. High-speed centrifugation was consistently effective for 13 analytes: albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (Jaffe method), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose (hexokinase-based method), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), phosphate, potassium, and urea. Lipid-clearing agents were uniformly effective for seven analytes: ALT, AST, total bilirubin, CK, creatinine (Jaffe method), lipase, and urea. Mixed results were reported for the remaining analytes.

Conclusions

For some analytes, high-speed centrifugation and/or lipid-clearing agents can be used in place of ultracentrifugation. Harmonized protocols and acceptability criteria are required to allow pooled data analysis and interpretation of different lipemic interference studies.
Simple modifications of nicotinic, isonicotinic, and 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acids toward new weapons against plant diseases
Authors: Czerwoniec Patrycja , Szymkowiak Joanna , Smiglak Marcin
Published: November 2021

Recently, the biggest challenge in agriculture is the search for new, effective, and ecological methods of protecting plants against diseases. One of the fastest-growing and prospective strategies is a method based on activating the plant’s natural defenses. The use of suitable substances (elicitors) stimulates the immune system of plants, which makes them resistant to infections even before the first symptoms appear. This article presents preparation, characterization, phytotoxicity, and plant resistance induction efficacy of 28 ester derivatives of nicotinic, isonicotinic, and 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acids as potential inducers of plants’ natural immune system. Plant resistance induction efficacy tests were performed on tobacco Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi infected by the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).
Towards the use of acrylic acid graft-copolymerized plant biofiber in sustainable fortified composites: Manufacturing and characterization
Authors: Rana Ashvinder K. , Thakur Vijay Kumar , Singha Amar S.
Published: November 2021

In this study, the impact of particle form of the Cannabis indica plant biofibers and the fiber’s surface tailoring on the physical, thermal, dielectric, and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester composite specimens manufactured utilizing nonconventional materials were investigated. The mechanical properties such as compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of the composite specimens were noticed to increase after functionalization of biofiber with acrylic acid and maximum enhancement was found at 20% of biofiber sacking. The physical characterization was concentrated on the assurance of the dielectric constant, dielectric strength, dielectric loss, moisture absorption, chemical resistance, percentage of swelling, limiting oxygen index, and biodegradation of polymer composites under red soil. An increase in dielectric strength from 28 to 29 kV, limiting oxygen index values from 19% to 23%, and moisture/water absorption behavior was noted for resulted bio-composites after surface tailoring of biofiber. To assess the deterioration of the polymeric materials with the temperature, differential scanning calorimetric and the thermogravimetric tests were carried out and enhancement in thermal stability was noted after fortification of polyester composites with functionalized biofiber.
Towards understanding kraft lignin depolymerisation under hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Ahlbom Anders , Maschietti Marco , Nielsen Rudi , Hasani Merima , Theliander Hans
Published: November 2021

Kraft lignin depolymerisation using hydrothermal liquefaction suffers from the formation of char, resulting in a decreased product yield as well as causing operational problems. While this may be mitigated by the addition of capping agents such as phenol and isopropanol, other reaction parameters, for example reaction time and temperature, are also important for the product yields. In this work, the effect of short reaction times on the hydrothermal liquefaction of kraft lignin in an alkaline water and isopropanol mixture was investigated at 1–12 min and 290 °C. The results show that there were swift initial reactions: the major ether bonds in the lignin were broken within the first minute of reaction, and the molecular weight of all product fractions was halved at the very least. Longer reaction times, however, do not cause as pronounced structural changes as the initial reaction, indicating that a recalcitrant carbon-carbon skeleton remained in the products. Nevertheless, the yields of both char and monomers increased slowly with increasing reaction time. The swift initial depolymerising reactions were therefore followed by slower repolymerisation as well as a slow formation of monomers and dimers, which calls for careful tuning of the reaction time.
Study on crystallization kinetics of dry fractionation products of beef tallow
Authors: Liu Shoushan , Li Dong , He Xinyi , Li Hang , Li Xiaoyan , Liao Zhenyu , Wang Zhanzhong
Published: November 2021

The dry fractionation beef tallow and their products were analyzed in the dynamic thermodynamic analysis, isothermal analysis and crystallization kinetics analysis in this experiment. Through the dynamic thermodynamic analysis by DSC, the possibility of fine fractionation of beef tallow at 25 °C and 42.9 °C crystallization temperature was obtained. The dynamic thermodynamic analysis of dry fractionation products was carried out, and the linear functions of peak temperature and melting/crystallization rate of beef tallow and its stearic acid mixture were constructed. The crystallization temperature and melting point were obtained by linear function. The isothermal crystallization kinetic model was used to calculate and fit the experimental data by the Avrami model. Beef tallow and its stearic mixture were fitted with the Avrami equation to obtain R
2 ≥ 0.98. This analysis provides an innovative idea and method for thermodynamics and crystallization kinetics of beef tallow.
(Meta-)communicative work in a counselling centre for refugees: reiteration, erasure and agency
Authors: Hassemer Jonas
Published: November 2021

We have no apartments is a phrase repeated over and over again at the counselling centre for refugees on housing matters based in Vienna, Austria, where I conducted ethnographic fieldwork. Based on an analysis of processes of entextualisation, de- and recontextualisation in the reiterative, discursive chain, this paper traces the emergence of an institutional regime of communication and the ways institutional actors – counsellors and volunteers – produce, navigate and reproduce this regime by engaging in (meta-)communicative work. The analysis shows how individual agency is both contingent and co-productive of institutional order and social order more generally. With this contribution, I propose Judith Butler’s concept of the postsovereign subject as a way to understand the relations between “local” practices and wider processes of trans-situational meaning-making.
The dialectics of indexical semiosis: scaling up and out from the “actual” to the “virtual”
Authors: Silverstein Michael
Published: November 2021

Conventional indexicality is semiotically effective when regimented by its meta-indexical (or “metapragmatic”) interpretant, a conceptual scheme presumed upon by participants in communication that determines the categories of possibility for a relevant “here-and-now” of indexically signaled co-presence, just as, conversely, such an interpretant is an emergent consequence of the sign’s pointing to its object. In the more general case of non-denotational indexicality – forms indicating everything from perduring demographic characteristics of participants in interaction to their role incumbencies, voicings of identity, and momentary relational attitudes and affects (loosely termed “stances”) – the culture – and thus group-specific metapragmatics (or “ethno-metapragmatics”) is central to how indexicals entail the mutual (il)legibility of interlocutors and the (in)coherence of interactional projects in which they are engaged, the “interactional text” of what is happening. This inherent metapragmatic functionality of models of indexical signs and their contexts is, in general, itself influenced by genres of metapragmatic discourse about social life that “circulate” among networks of people who participate in certain sites of sociality. Such “circulation” is a virtual reality that comes into being via chains of interdiscursivity, allowing us to imagine an “ideological” plane with its own order of virtual semiotic dialectic that, notwithstanding, we experience in actual interactional context by its effects on the ever-changing what and how of indexicality.
Sebastian Münster and his Sources: The Messiah in Rome and the Convergence of Christian-Jewish Polemic and Intra-Christian Conflict
Authors: Lehmann Daniel
Published: November 2021

The Talmudic story of an encounter between Rabbi Joshua ben Levi and the Messiah at the gate of Rome served medieval Christians well in their polemics against the Jews. This was, it seemed, a Jewish affirmation of the truth of Christianity: not only did the legend indicate that the Messiah had already come, it also placed him in Rome, the epicenter of the Christian faith. For that very reason, however, later Protestant polemicists could hardly be expected to utilize the story correspondingly, not after rejecting the primacy of Rome.

This article considers a number of Protestant responses to the Jewish Messiah in Rome tradition. Its primary focus, though, is on two anti-Jewish treatises by Sebastian Münster. As Stephen G. Burnett has demonstrated, Münster’s texts draw heavily from pre-Reformation polemical works – in other words, works that accepted Rome’s preeminence; the present article argues that Münster managed to subtly convey his own Protestant sensitivities in discussing the Joshua b. Levi story, all the same. This close reading of Münster offers a unique perspective on the convergence of Christian-Jewish controversy and Protestant-Catholic tensions, and especially on the role and development of the former in light of the latter.
Von Rossen und Wagen: Das Verhältnis von Stadt und Land in der Ulmer Reformation
Authors: Schenk Susanne
Published: November 2021

This essay addresses the question of how the city and its territory (Umland) were related in the reformation process. Its object of investigation is the imperial city of Ulm which owned one of the largest territories. The assumption that in the reformation process the city was the outrider and the territory followed proves adequate only at first view. A closer look shows some more complex dynamics. Whereas reformation preaching indeed did spread from the city into the territory, the practice of a reformed eucharist started at the edges of the territory. After the official introduction of the reformation in 1531 the territory played an important role concerning reformatory diversity. It served the city as religious experiment space and storage room.
Maintaining the Common Peace: Security and the Religious Peace of 1578 during the Dutch Revolt
Authors: Swart Erik
Published: November 2021

This article analyses the failed Dutch Religious Peace of 1578 through the lens of security. As Wayne te Brake recently argued in Religious War and Religious Peace in Early Modern Europe, creating security for all parties is key for an effective religious peace. In the sixteenth century, communal security was deemed a collective responsibility. In practice this meant that religious peace – suppressing and preventing violence and threats between Protestants and Catholics – was framed as a matter of preserving the common peace. Theological questions were dissimulated or kept out of peace settlements. In 1578, the religious peace proposed that Catholics and Calvinists were to live in the Netherlands side by side, each allowed to worship publicly. Some 27 Dutch towns introduced this religious peace. Yet the municipal magistrates mostly did so reluctantly and generally declined to share political power, thus contributing to its failure. Moreover, there were different, conflicting conceptions at work concerning the common peace, as well as regarding how to keep it.
Conciliar Infallibility and Error in the Thomistic Ecclesiology of St. Robert Bellarmine, S.J.
Authors: Washburn Christian D.
Published: November 2021

In the sixteenth century, St. Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621) in his Disputationes de controversiis Christianae fidei adversus huius temporis haereticos defended the authority of the conciliar magisterium. Bellarmine, like other sixteenth-century Thomists, held that there were conditions under which God necessarily protects a general council from teaching error, but he did not deny that councils can and have erred. This article explains Bellarmine’s classification of the different types of councils. It also examines the conditions under which he believes that God necessarily protects a council from teaching error. It then discusses Bellarmine’s teaching on what kinds of councils can err and under what conditions a council can do so. Finally, the article will discuss his historical examination of various alleged conciliar errors.
Methods to evaluate the scavenging activity of antioxidants toward reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (IUPAC Technical Report)
Authors: Apak Reşat , Calokerinos Antony , Gorinstein Shela , Segundo Marcela Alves , Hibbert David Brynn , Gülçin İlhami , Demirci Çekiç Sema , Güçlü Kubilay , Özyürek Mustafa , Çelik Saliha Esin , Magalhães Luís M. , Arancibia-Avila Patricia
Published: November 2021

This project was aimed to identify the quenching chemistry of biologically important reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS, including radicals), to show antioxidant action against reactive species through H‐atom and electron transfer reactions, and to evaluate the ROS/RNS scavenging activity of antioxidants with existing analytical methods while emphasizing the underlying chemical principles and advantages/disadvantages of these methods. In this report, we focused on the applications and impact of existing assays on potentiating future research and innovations to evolve better methods enabling a more comprehensive study of different aspects of antioxidants and to provide a vocabulary of terms related to antioxidants and scavengers for ROS/RNS. The main methods comprise the scavenging activity measurement of the hydroxyl radical (•OH), dioxide(•1–) (O2
•–: commonly known as the superoxide radical), dihydrogen dioxide (H2O2: commonly known as hydrogen peroxide), hydroxidochlorine (HOCl: commonly known as hypochlorous acid), dioxidooxidonitrate(1–) (ONOO−: commonly known as the peroxynitrite anion), and the peroxyl radical (ROO•). In spite of the diversity of methods, there is currently a great need to evaluate the scavenging activity of antioxidant compounds in vivo and in vitro. In addition, there are unsatisfactory methods frequently used, such as non-selective UV measurement of H2O2 scavenging, producing negative errors due to incomplete reaction of peroxide with flavonoids in the absence of transition metal ion catalysts. We also discussed the basic mechanisms of spectroscopic and electrochemical nanosensors for measuring ROS/RNS scavenging activity of antioxidants, together with leading trends and challenges and a wide range of applications. This project aids in the identification of reactive species and quantification of scavenging extents of antioxidants through various assays, makes the results comparable and more understandable, and brings a more rational basis to the evaluation of these assays and provides a critical evaluation of existing ROS/RNS scavenging assays to analytical, food chemical, and biomedical/clinical communities by emphasizing the need for developing more refined, rapid, simple, and low‐cost assays and thus opening the market for a wide range of analytical instruments, including reagent kits and sensors.
Dynamic green synthesis of iron oxide and manganese oxide nanoparticles and their cogent antimicrobial, environmental and electrical applications
Authors: Ahmad Khuram Shahzad , Yaqoob Sidra , Gul Mahwash Mahar
Published: November 2021

The scientific community is inclined towards addressing environmental and energy concerns through sustainable means. Conventional processes such as chemical synthesis, involve the usage of environmentally harmful ligands and high tech facilities, which are time-consuming, expensive, energy-intensive, and require extreme conditions for synthesis. Plant-based synthesis is valuable and sustainable for the ecosystem. The use of plant-based precursors for nanoparticle synthesis eliminates the menace of toxic waste contamination. The present review elucidates that the plant based synthesized iron oxide and manganese oxide nanoparticles have tremendous and exceptional applications in various fields such as antimicrobial and antioxidative domains, environmental, electrical and sensing properties. Hence, the literature reviewed explains that plant based synthesis of nanoparticles is an adept and preferred technique. These important transition oxide metal nanoparticles have great applicability in ecological, environmental science as well as electrochemistry and sensing technology. Both these metal oxides display a stable and adaptable nature, which can be functionalized for a specific application, thus exhibiting great potential for efficiency. The current review epitomizes all the latest reported work on the synthesis of iron and manganese oxide nanoparticles through a greener approach along with explaining various significant applications keeping in view the concept of sustainability.
Graphene-based composite membranes for isotope separation: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Rehman Faisal , Memon Fida Hussain , Bhatti Zubeda , Iqbal Muzaffar , Soomro Faheeda , Ali Akbar , Thebo Khalid Hussain
Published: November 2021

Graphene-based membranes have got significant attention in wastewater treatment, desalination, gas separation, pervaporation, fuel cell, energy storage applications due to their supreme properties. Recently, studies have confirmed that graphene based membranes can also use for separation of isotope due to their ideal thickness, large surface area, good affinity, 2D structure etc. Herein, we review the latest groundbreaking progresses in both theoretically and experimentally chemical science and engineering of both nanoporous and lamellar graphene-based membrane for separation of different isotopes. Especially focus will be given on the current issues, engineering hurdles, and limitations of membranes designed for isotope separation. Finally, we offer our experiences on how to overcome these issues, and present an ideas for future improvement and research directions. We hope, this article is provide a timely knowledge and information to scientific communities, and those who are already working in this direction.
Perspectives on Gender Stereotypes: How Did Gender-Based Perceptions Put Hillary Clinton at an Electoral Disadvantage in the 2016 Election?
Authors: Nawabdin Fatemah
Published: November 2021

Research on gender stereotypes has largely emphasized that women candidates are evaluated differently compared to their male counterparts. In this article, I argue that such differential evaluation put Clinton at an electoral disadvantage in the 2016 election. I develop my expectations based on the differences between feminine stereotypes and masculine stereotypes and how voters’ perceptions of the latter match the longstanding popular expectations for political leaders, in a way that advantages men as candidates and disadvantages women. I also expect that a “gender affinity effect” influenced the election, with Democratic women being more likely to vote for Clinton. In this article, I rely on data from the 2016 American National Election Survey to evaluate the role of gender affinity effect and gender stereotypes in Clinton’s electability. The results show that masculine personality traits had the largest effect and were more fundamental for winning the White House. They also show that there was no significant evidence of a gender affinity effect among Democratic women in terms of voting for Clinton. These results offer new insights into voters’ gender stereotypic perceptions of Clinton and their consequences for the electoral fortunes of women candidates in general.
Sc3Ir4Si13+x
and Sc4Ir7Ge6 – the perovskite-related crystal structures
Authors: Levytskyi Volodymyr , Wagler Jörg , Hennig Christoph , Feig Manuel , Weigel Tina , Leithe-Jasper Andreas , Meyer Dirk C. , Gumeniuk Roman
Published: November 2021

The crystal structure of Sc3Ir4Si13+x
(x = 0.22) [space group

P
m

3
‾

n

$Pm\bar{3}n$

, a = 8.4651(1) Å] is found to be a new disordered variant of the primitive cubic Yb3Rh4Sn13 Remeika prototype. The silicide is stable in the narrow temperature range of 1283–1397 °C and reveals metallic properties. The crystal structure of Sc4Ir7Ge6 [U4Re7Si6 type, space group

I
m

3
‾

m

$Im\bar{3}m$

, a = 8.1397(8) Å] is refined for the first time. The electronic band structure calculations reveal that the properties of this germanide can be explained based on the free electron gas model. Both compounds reveal close structural relationships to the simple perovskite structure.
Snatch Grip Overhead Shrug
Authors: Pistilli Emidio E.
Published: November 2021

The snatch requires considerable power and strength to stabilize the barbell overhead in the deep squat position. Overhead strength in the catch phase of the snatch can be a factor in whether the snatch is completed successfully or missed. Special assistance exercises can be used to specifically enhance strength and stability in the catch phase of the snatch. The snatch grip overhead shrug (SGOSh) exercise can be integrated into training programs to enhance general strength and stability in the catch phase as well as to teach a weightlifter how to actively resist the downward movement of the barbell as they move into the deep squat. Proper technique to perform the SGOSh exercise is presented, along with recommendations for incorporating this exercise into the training plans of novice and advanced weightlifters.
Traditional and Modified 5-0-5 Change of Direction Test: Normative and Reliability Analysis
Authors: Ryan Chloe , Uthoff Aaron , McKenzie Chloe , Cronin John
Published: November 2021

Change of direction (COD) ability is an important performance factor in many field and court sports. A common COD maneuver is the 180-degree turn, which is commonly assessed through the 5-0-5 COD test. Coaches and practitioners need to assess an athlete's COD performance and have access to normative data for these assessments. This review focuses on the traditional and modified 5-0-5 COD test. The 5-0-5 COD performance results have been gathered across 50 different studies and 11 different sports to create sport, sex, and level specific normative data so performance comparisons can be made, which in turn can drive programming to better effect. The reliability of both the traditional and modified 5-0-5 COD tests has been evaluated and discussed. Traditional COD ability of male athletes is better understood given there were 300 male athletes, compared with 62 female athletes. On average, males were 6.03% faster than females. Elite males were 7.78% faster than subelite and novice males, and subelite females were 3.30% faster than novice female athletes. Further research or collation of normative data is needed on female, youth, and elite cohorts to build more comprehensive databases.
Prognostic Significance of HbA1c Level in Asian Patients with Prediabetes and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Liu Yang , Feng Xunxun , Yang Jiaqi , Sun Tienan , Zhai Guangyao , Guo Qianyun , Zhou Yujie
Published: November 2021

Background: Measuring glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a simple way to assess patients with prediabetes or diabetes mellitus. It has been shown that HbA1c level predicts prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and the incidence of diabetes mellitus. However, the prognostic significance of HbA1c level in Asian patients with prediabetes and CAD is not yet clear. Our study aimed to determine the relationship between HbA1c level and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with prediabetes and CAD.

Methods: We enrolled 1367 patients with prediabetes and CAD in the final analysis, and grouped them according to the HbA1c level. Primary end points included nonfatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between HbA1c level and MACE after our accounting for confounding factors.

Results: A total of 1367 patients (age 58.8 ± 10.3 years; 71.6% men) were included. During 43 months of follow-up, 197 patients experienced at least one primary end point event. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis showed in comparison of HbA1c levels that the hazard ratio for primary end points was 4.110, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.097–6.011 (P<0.001).

Conclusions: HbA1c level positively correlated with MACE, demonstrating it is a valuable indicator for independently predicting MACE in Asian patients with prediabetes and CAD.
Cognitive Disorders in People over 65 in Home Environment
Authors: Dziechciaż Małgorzata , Chmielewski Jarosław
Published: November 2021

Introduction. Cognitive disorders are a serious problem in the elderly that lead to the loss of functional ability and thus dependence on others.Aim. The aim of the article is to asses the cognitive disorders in people over 65 in home environment and show a correlation between age, sex, education, multiple morbidities, functional disability, and cognitive disorders.Material and Methods. The research was carried out using diagnostic survey and direct observation. Also, the following research tools were used: Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), Barthel Scale, Lawton Scale and own survey questionnaire. The research was carried out on 329 women and 175 men, aged 66–94.Results. 74.80% of the surveyed were found to have normal cognitive ability. Mild cognitive disability was found in 20.24% of the respondents, and severe — in 4.96%. It has been concluded that women with low level of education, more morbidities, and sight and hearing impairment had worse cognitive ability (p < 0.001). Moreover, it has been concluded that cognitive ability of the surveyed was worsening with age in a significant way (p < 0.001).Conclusions. Cognitive disorders affected 25.20% of people over 65 in home environment. Furthermore, relevant factors that influenced the incidence of cognitive disorders in the elderly over 65 years old in home environment were: female sex, elderly age, low level of education and multiple morbidities. Moreover, cognitive disorders occurring in people over 65 in the home environment significantly contributed to the deterioration of their functional efficiency. (JNNN 2021;10(2):65–70)
Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) — Study Review
Authors: Chojdak-Łukasiewicz Justyna
Published: November 2021

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO, Devic’s disease) is a rare autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), mainly affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. For a very long time it was considered as a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS). In 2004 antibodies against aquaporin 4 (AQP4) were discovered. AQP4 is a water channel which plays a central role in the pathogenesis of NMO. Typical NMO is characterized by optic neuritis (ON) with longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). Recommended therapeutic options for acute attacks of NMO include high doses of corticosteroids and/or plasma exchange. In long-term treatment a lot of immuno-suppressants are used. In recent years there has been an increased range of treatment options, which may prevent relapses and allow a better outcome. In NMO, as for MS, the role of the nurse is very important. (JNNN 2021;10(2):82–85)