bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Queries to the Missionary Research Library
Authors: Darwin Charles , Missions Foreign
Published: September 2021

You remember that there is a classic illustration in missions about Charles Darwin's visit to the New Hebrides Islands. He visited them before the missionaries went there, and after the missionaries had been there. You know that, as the story goes, it is said he made a contribution to the work of missions because of the changes in the people. That illustration is being challenged. Do you know where it could be verified in a historical way?
Cavovarus Foot Surgery Including a Peroneus Longus Transfer: A 2- to 6-Year Follow-up
Authors: Sprinchorn Anna E. , Beischer Andrew D.
Published: September 2021

Background:

The primary aim of this longitudinal study was to describe patient satisfaction and clinical outcome at least 2 years following cavovarus foot surgery, utilizing a peroneus longus to brevis transfer, lateral ligament reconstruction, and corrective osteotomies of the first metatarsal, occasionally with the added calcaneal osteotomy.

Methods:

Sixteen patients (17 feet) were examined in 2010-2012, 3.5 (range, 2-6.5) years after cavovarus foot surgery performed in 2004-2010 utilizing a peroneus longus to brevis transfer, lateral ligament reconstruction, and osteotomy of the first metatarsal with or without additional calcaneal osteotomy. The mean age at surgery was 45 years. Evaluation at baseline before surgery and at follow-up assessed patient satisfaction, using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. At follow-up, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain at walking was recorded, and a clinical and radiographic evaluation was included.

Results:

The mean AOFAS score improved from 57 (SD 11) to 83 (SD 12.5) points, with an average score improvement of 25 score points (95% confidence interval 16-35, P < .0001). Postoperative VAS score for pain at walking was mean 2 (range, 0-6). All feet had a residual cavovarus both clinically and on the radiographs.

Conclusion:

Patient satisfaction and clinical outcome was shown to improve pre- to postsurgery at intermediate follow-up after peroneus longus to brevis transfer and metatarsal osteotomies with or without additional calcaneal osteotomies as part of a cavovarus foot correction.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Does Frailty or Age Increase the Risk of Postoperative Complications Following Cochlear Implantation?
Authors: Gordon Steven A. , Aylward Alana , Patel Neil S. , Bowers Christian , Presson Angela P. , Smith Ken R. , Foster Norman L. , Gurgel Richard K.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate whether frailty or age increases the risk of postoperative complications following cochlear implant (CI) surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary academic center.

Methods

An evaluation of all adult patients undergoing cochlear implantation between 2006 and 2020 was performed. The 5‐item Modified Frailty Index (mFI‐5, comprising preoperative history of pulmonary disease, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and partially/totally dependent functional status) was calculated for all patients included in analysis in addition to demographic characteristics. The primary outcome was postoperative complications following CI within a 3‐month period. Major complications included myocardial infarction, bleeding, and cerebrospinal fluid leak, among others. Predictors of postoperative complications were examined using multivariable logistic regression reporting odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.

Results

There were 520 patients included for review with a median age of 68 (range, 18‐94) years and a slight male predominance (n = 283, 54.4%). There were 340 patients (65.4%) who were robust (nonfrail) with an mFI of 0, while 180 (34.6%) had an mFI of ≥1. There were 20 patients who experienced a postoperative complication (3.85%). There was no statistically significant association between postoperative complications as a result of preoperative frailty (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 0.98‐2.48, P =. 06) or age as a continuous variable (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97‐1.02, P =. 51).

Conclusions

CI is safe for elderly and frail patients and carries no additional risk of complications when compared to younger, healthier patients. While medical comorbidities should always be considered perioperatively, this study supports the notion that implantation is low risk in older, frail patients.
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty in complex fractures of the proximal humerus: results after 7 years of follow-up
Authors: Izquierdo-Fernández Alberto , Gómez-Rodríguez Marta , Urbano-Luque Maite , García-Carmona Manuel , Quevedo-Reinoso Rafael , Minarro José Carlos
Published: September 2021

Background

There is still little information about the long-term results of clinical and radiological evolution in patients older than 65 years with complex proximal humerus fractures (CPHF) treated acutely with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The aim of this paper was to evaluate function and results 7 years after surgery.

Material and methods

A prospective cross-sectional cohort study was designed for this purpose. Patients who underwent RSA surgery during 2012 because of a CPHF were included. The surgical approach was randomized (deltopectoral vs anterosuperior). Functional activity, evolution of tuberosities and evidence of scapular notching 7 years after surgery were analyzed.

Results

After evaluating 32 patients, the Constant score improved from 64.83 in the first year to 69.54 at 7 years postoperative. Results were independent of the approach used. Functional outcomes were poorer in patients with scapular notching and when tuberosities were resorbed or displaced.

Conclusions

At 7 years, function in patients undergoing RSA after CPHF demonstrated improvement in all patients except those who developed scapular notching or when tuberosities did not consolidate in an anatomical position. These results are completely independent of the approach used.

Level of evidence

III Controlled cohort study.
Combination of structural MRI, functional MRI and brain PET-CT provide more diagnostic and prognostic value in patients of cerebellar ataxia associated with anti-Tr/DNER: a case report
Authors: Shen Sisi , Liu Wenyu , Zhou Ming , Yang Ruiyi , Li Jinmei , Zhou Dong
Published: September 2021

Background

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rarely reveals structural changes in patients with suspected anti-Tr/DNER encephalitis and thus provides very limited information. Here, we combined structural MRI, functional MRI, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) findings to characterize this rare disorder in a patient.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old woman presented with progressive cerebellar ataxia, memory impairment, anxiety, and depression. Anti-Tr antibodies were detected in both her serum (1:10) and cerebrospinal fluid (1:10). A diagnosis of anti-Tr-positive autoimmune cerebellar ataxia was established. The patient’s symptoms were worse, but her brain MRI was normal. Meanwhile, voxel-based morphometry analysis showed bilateral reduced cerebellar volume, especially in the posterior lobe and uvula of the cerebellum and the middle of the left temporal lobe compared with 6 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects (6 females, 43 ± 2 years; p < 0.05). Using seed-based functional connectivity analysis, decreased connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus and left frontal lobe compared to the control group (p < 0.05) was detected. PET-CT revealed bilateral hypometabolism in the cerebellum and relative hypermetabolism in the cerebellar vermis and bilateral frontal lobe, but no malignant changes.

Conclusions

A combination of structural MRI, functional MRI, and brain PET-CT has higher diagnostic and prognostic value than conventional MRI in patients with suspected anti-Tr/DNER encephalitis.
The role of multimorbidity in short-term mortality of lung cancer patients in Spain: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Niksic Maja , Redondo-Sanchez Daniel , Chang Yoe-Ling , Rodriguez-Barranco Miguel , Exposito-Hernandez Jose , Marcos-Gragera Rafael , Oliva-Poch Ester , Bosch-Barrera Joaquim , Sanchez Maria-Jose , Luque-Fernandez Miguel Angel
Published: September 2021

Aim

Chronic diseases often occur simultaneously and tend to be associated with adverse health outcomes, but limited research has been undertaken to understand their role in lung cancer mortality. Therefore, this study aims to describe the prevalence and patterns of having one (comorbidity) or ≥ 2 chronic diseases (multimorbidity) among lung cancer patients in Spain, and to examine the association between comorbidity or multimorbidity and short-term mortality risk at six months after cancer diagnosis.

Methods

In this population-based cohort study, data were drawn from two Spanish population-based cancer registries, Girona and Granada, and electronic health records. We identified 1259 adult lung cancer patients, diagnosed from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2012. We identified the most common patterns of individual comorbidities and their pairwise correlations. We used a flexible parametric modelling approach to assess the overall short-term mortality risk 6 months after cancer diagnosis by levels of comorbidity after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, province of residence, surgery, cancer stage, histology, and body mass index.

Results

We found high prevalence of comorbidity in lung cancer patients, especially among the elderly, men, those diagnosed with advanced-stage tumours, smokers, and obese patients. The most frequent comorbidities were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (36.6%), diabetes (20.7%) and heart failure (16.8%). The strongest pairwise correlation was the combination of heart failure with renal disease (r = 0.20, p < 0.01), and heart failure with diabetes (r = 0.16, p < 0.01). Patients with either one or two or more comorbidities had 40% higher overall mortality risk than those without comorbidities (aHR for comorbidity: 1.4, 95%CI: 1.1–1.7; aHR for multimorbidity: 1.4, 95%CI: 1.1–1.8), when relevant confounding factors were considered.

Conclusions

The presence of comorbid diseases, rather than the number of comorbidities, was associated with increasing the risk of short-term lung cancer mortality in Spain. Comorbidity was a consistent and independent predictor of mortality among lung cancer patients, six months after diagnosis. The most common comorbid conditions were age-, obesity- and tobacco-related diseases. Our findings highlight the need to develop targeted preventive interventions and more personalised clinical guidelines to address the needs of lung cancer patients with one or more comorbidities in Spain.
Developing and implementing core competencies in children’s environmental health for students, trainees and healthcare providers: a narrative review
Authors: Goldman Rose Hannah , Zajac Lauren , Geller Robert J. , Miller Mark D.
Published: September 2021

Knowledge of the health impacts of environmental exposures (such as pollution disasters, poor air quality, water contamination, climate change) on children’s health has dramatically increased in the past 40 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 23% of all deaths worldwide were attributable to the environment, and 26% of deaths in children less than 5 years old could be prevented with removal of environmental risks factors. Yet, little has permeated medical education, leaving pediatric providers ill equipped to address these issues. To address this gap, members from the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units, a United States nationwide network of academically affiliated experts who have created numerous environmental health educational materials and programs, have identified fifteen core environmental health (EH) competencies needed by health care providers to enable them to effectively address environmental health concerns. These competencies can serve as the foundation for the development and implementation of relevant educational programs. The core EH competencies are based upon these foundational elements: 1) Definition of “children’s environmental health” that describes how environmental exposures (positive and negative) in early life influence the health and development in childhood and across the entire human life span 2) Children are not “little adults” and so have unique vulnerabilities to environmental hazards; 3) Environmental health inequities exist, causing some children to have a disproportionate amount of unhealthy exposures and consequently a greater risk of adverse effects; 4) Climate change will translate to numerous adverse health effects that will particularly affect children worldwide. In this article, the authors describe the core environmental health competencies and provide resources, online tools, strategies, and examples targeted to all levels of training and practice to better enable leaders and educators to bring this important content to the forefront.
Clinical connectivity map for drug repurposing: using laboratory results to bridge drugs and diseases
Authors: Wen Qianlong , Liu Ruoqi , Zhang Ping
Published: September 2021

Background

Drug repurposing, the process of identifying additional therapeutic uses for existing drugs, has attracted increasing attention from both the pharmaceutical industry and the research community. Many existing computational drug repurposing methods rely on preclinical data (e.g., chemical structures, drug targets), resulting in translational problems for clinical trials.

Results

In this study, we propose a novel framework based on clinical connectivity mapping for drug repurposing to analyze therapeutic effects of drugs on diseases. We firstly establish clinical drug effect vectors (i.e., drug-laboratory results associations) by applying a continuous self-controlled case series model on a longitudinal electronic health record data, then establish clinical disease sign vectors (i.e., disease-laboratory results associations) by applying a Wilcoxon rank sum test on a large-scale national survey data. Eventually, a repurposing possibility score for each drug-disease pair is computed by applying a dot product-based scoring function on clinical disease sign vectors and clinical drug effect vectors. During the experiment, we comprehensively evaluate 392 drugs for 6 important chronic diseases (include asthma, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart attack, type 2 diabetes, and stroke). The experiment results not only reflect known associations between diseases and drugs, but also include some hidden drug-disease associations. The code for this paper is available at:https://github.com/HoytWen/CCMDR

Conclusions

The proposed clinical connectivity map framework uses laboratory results found from electronic clinical information to bridge drugs and diseases, which make their relations explainable and has better translational power than existing computational methods. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework, further case analysis also proves our method can be used to repurposing existing drugs opportunities.
Impact of admission hyperglycemia on short and long-term prognosis in acute myocardial infarction: MINOCA versus MIOCA
Authors: Paolisso Pasquale , Foà Alberto , Bergamaschi Luca , Angeli Francesco , Fabrizio Michele , Donati Francesco , Toniolo Sebastiano , Chiti Chiara , Rinaldi Andrea , Stefanizzi Andrea , Armillotta Matteo , Sansonetti Angelo , Magnani Ilenia , Iannopollo Gianmarco , Rucci Paola , Casella Gianni , Galiè Nazzareno , Pizzi Carmine
Published: September 2021

Background

The prognostic role of hyperglycemia in patients with myocardial infarction and obstructive coronary arteries (MIOCA) is acknowledged, while data on non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) are still lacking. Recently, we demonstrated that admission stress-hyperglycemia (aHGL) was associated with a larger infarct size and inflammatory response in MIOCA, while no differences were observed in MINOCA. We aim to investigate the impact of aHGL on short and long-term outcomes in MIOCA and MINOCA patients.

Methods

Multicenter, population-based, cohort study of the prospective registry, designed to evaluate the prognostic information of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction to S. Orsola-Malpighi and Maggiore Hospitals of Bologna metropolitan area. Among 2704 patients enrolled from 2016 to 2020, 2431 patients were classified according to the presence of aHGL (defined as admission glucose level ≥ 140 mg/dL) and AMI phenotype (MIOCA/MINOCA): no-aHGL (n = 1321), aHGL (n = 877) in MIOCA and no-aHGL (n = 195), aHGL (n = 38) in MINOCA. Short-term outcomes included in-hospital death and arrhythmias. Long-term outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

aHGL was associated with a higher in-hospital arrhythmic burden in MINOCA and MIOCA, with increased in-hospital mortality only in MIOCA. After adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, Killip class and AMI phenotypes, aHGL predicted higher in-hospital mortality in non-diabetic (HR = 4.2; 95% CI 1.9–9.5, p = 0.001) and diabetic patients (HR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.5–8.2, p = 0.003). During long-term follow-up, aHGL was associated with 2-fold increased mortality in MIOCA and a 4-fold increase in MINOCA (p = 0.032 and p = 0.016). Kaplan Meier 3-year survival of non-hyperglycemic patients was greater than in aHGL patients for both groups. No differences in survival were found between hyperglycemic MIOCA and MINOCA patients. After adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, smoking, LVEF, STEMI/NSTEMI and AMI phenotypes (MIOCA/MINOCA), aHGL predicted higher long-term mortality.

Conclusions

aHGL was identified as a strong predictor of adverse short- and long-term outcomes in both MIOCA and MINOCA, regardless of diabetes. aHGL should be considered a high-risk prognostic marker in all AMI patients, independently of the underlying coronary anatomy.

Trial registrationdata were part of the ongoing observational study AMIPE: Acute Myocardial Infarction, Prognostic and Therapeutic Evaluation. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03883711.
Immunization with Leishmania tarentolae-derived norovirus virus-like particles elicits high humoral response and stimulates the production of neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Panasiuk Mirosława , Zimmer Karolina , Czarnota Anna , Grzyb Katarzyna , Narajczyk Magdalena , Peszyńska-Sularz Grażyna , Żołędowska Sabina , Nidzworski Dawid , Hovhannisyan Lilit , Gromadzka Beata
Published: September 2021

Background

Noroviruses are a major cause of epidemic and sporadic acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Unfortunately, the development of an effective norovirus vaccine has proven difficult and no prophylactic vaccine is currently available. Further research on norovirus vaccine development should be considered an absolute priority and novel vaccine candidates are needed. One of the recent approaches in safe vaccine development is the use of virus-like particles (VLPs). VLP-based vaccines show great immunogenic potential as they mimic the morphology and structure of viral particles without the presence of the virus genome.

Results

This study is the first report showing successful production of norovirus VLPs in the protozoan Leishmania tarentolae (L. tarentolae) expression system. Protozoan derived vaccine candidate is highly immunogenic and able to not only induce a strong immune response (antibody titer reached 104) but also stimulate the production of neutralizing antibodies confirmed by receptor blocking assay. Antibody titers able to reduce VLP binding to the receptor by > 50% (BT50) were observed for 1:5–1:320 serum dilutions.

Conclusions

Norovirus VLPs produced in L. tarentolae could be relevant for the development of the norovirus vaccine.
CMTM3 suppresses chordoma progress through EGFR/STAT3 regulated EMT and TP53 signaling pathway
Authors: Yuan Wanqiong , Wei Feng , Ouyang Hanqiang , Ren Xiaoqing , Hang Jing , Mo Xiaoning , Liu Zhongjun
Published: September 2021

Background

Chordomas are rare, slow-growing and locally aggressive bone sarcomas. At present, chordomas are difficult to manage due to their high recurrence rate, metastasis tendency and poor prognosis. The underlying mechanisms of chordoma tumorigenesis and progression urgently need to be explored to find the effective therapeutic targets. Our previous data demonstrates that EGFR plays important roles in chordoma development and CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing (CMTM)3 suppresses gastric cancer metastasis by inhibiting the EGFR/STAT3/EMT signaling pathway. However, the roles and mechanism of CMTM3 in chordomas remain unknown.

Methods

Primary chordoma tissues and the paired adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected to examine the expression of CMTM3 by western blot. The expression of CMTM3 in chordoma cell lines was tested by Real-time PCR and western blot. CCK-8 and colony forming unit assay were performed to delineate the roles of CMTM3 in cell proliferation. Wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion abilities. A xenograft model in NSG mice was used to elucidate the function of CMTM3 in vivo. Signaling pathways were analyzed by western blot and IHC. RNA-seq was performed to further explore the mechanism regulated by CMTM3 in chordoma cells.

Results

CMTM3 expression was downregulated in chordoma tissues compared with paired normal tissues. CMTM3 suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of chordoma cells in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. CMTM3 accelerated EGFR degradation, suppressed EGFR/STAT3/EMT signaling pathway, upregulated TP53 expression and enriched the TP53 signaling pathway in chordoma cells.

Conclusions

CMTM3 inhibited tumorigenesis and development of chordomas through activating the TP53 signaling pathway and suppressing the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway, which suppressed EMT progression. CMTM3 might be a potential therapeutic target for chordomas.
Acceptance and perceived value of non-invasive malaria diagnostic tests in malaria-endemic countries
Authors: Owusu Ewurama Dedea Ampadu , Campillo Ana , Daily Jennifer , Ding Xavier C.
Published: September 2021

Background

The diagnosis of malaria, using microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), requires the collection of capillary blood. This procedure is relatively simple to perform but invasive and poses potential risks to patients and health workers, arising from the manipulation of potentially infectious bodily fluids. Less or non-invasive diagnostic tests, based on urine, saliva or requiring no sampling, have the potential to generate less discomfort for the patient and to offer simpler and less risky testing procedures that could be safely performed by untrained staff or even self-performed. To explore the potential acceptance and perceived value of such non-invasive tests, an online, international survey was conducted to gather feedback from National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) representatives.

Methods

An online survey comprising nineteen questions, available in English, French or Spanish, was emailed to 300 individuals who work with NMCPs in malaria-endemic countries. Answers were collected between November and December 2017; responses were qualitatively analysed to identify key themes and trends and quantitatively analysed to determine average values stratified by region.

Results

Responses were received from 70 individuals, from 33 countries. Approximately half of the respondents (52 %) considered current blood-based tests for malaria to be minimally invasive and non-problematic in their setting. For these participants, non-invasive tests would only be of interest if they brought additional performance improvements, as compared with the performance of microscopy and RDTs. Most respondents were of the view that saliva-based (80 %) and urine-based (66 %) tests would be more readily acceptable among children than blood-based tests. Potential use-case scenarios of interest for both saliva- and urine-based tests were ease-of-testing by community health workers, additional surveillance, self-testing, and outbreak investigation. Many respondents (41 %) thought that if saliva-based tests retailed at <$0.50 per unit they could largely replace conventional RDTs, whereas only 25 % of respondents thought a similarly priced urine-based test would do so.

Conclusions

Although limited to NMCP stakeholders, this survey indicated that current tests for malaria, based on capillary blood, are generally perceived to be minimally invasive and non-problematic. Non-invasive tests, especially if saliva-based, would be welcome if they could match or out-perform the price and performance of current blood-based tests.
Crosstalk between N6-methyladenosine modification and circular RNAs: current understanding and future directions
Authors: Wang Xin , Ma Rui , Zhang Xilin , Cui Lian , Ding Yangfeng , Shi Weimin , Guo Chunyuan , Shi Yuling
Published: September 2021

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent internal modification in eukaryotic RNAs regulated by the so-called “writers”, “erasers”, and “readers”. m6A has been demonstrated to exert critical molecular functions in modulating RNA maturation, localization, translation and metabolism, thus playing an essential role in cellular, developmental, and disease processes. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs with covalently closed single-stranded structures generated by back-splicing. CircRNAs also participate in physiological and pathological processes through unique mechanisms. Despite their discovery several years ago, m6A and circRNAs has drawn increased research interest due to advances in molecular biology techniques these years. Recently, several scholars have investigated the crosstalk between m6A and circRNAs. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of m6A and circRNAs, as well as summarize the crosstalk between these molecules based on existing research. In addition, we present some suggestions for future research perspectives.
Assessment of life factors affecting the experience of depressive symptoms in adolescents: a secondary analysis using the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Authors: Lee Jongha , Han Changsu , Ko Young-Hoon , Lee Moon-Soo , Yoon Ho-Kyoung
Published: September 2021

Background

Adolescents may experience several changes in their lifestyle, such as social activity and school life, which makes them vulnerable to developing a depressive disorder. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the factors affecting the experience of depressive symptoms during adolescence.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis using the 2019 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based survey data, including a total of 57,303 middle and high school students selected from among 400 schools. Factors such as dietary habits, physical activity levels, time spent studying, duration of internet use, and other health risk behaviors were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors that predict the risk of experiencing depressive symptoms.

Results

The perceived stress of Korean adolescents showed a tendency to increase with age, and high school seniors and girls were more likely to report depressive symptoms. Perceived health status, academic performance, time spent studying, physical activity, duration of internet use, and effort to control weight were associated with individual experiences of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

We identified factors that influence the experience of depressive symptoms in adolescents. Our results suggest the possibility that the purpose of students’ physical activities and their leisure activity preferences may be related to their emotional status. We suggest that activities that are appropriate to the culture and lifestyle of adolescents should be recommended to reduce the occurrence of depressive symptoms.
Concomitant familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and single parathyroid adenoma: a case report
Authors: Marstrand Simone Diedrichsen , Tofteng Charlotte Landbo , Jarløv Anne , Borgwardt Line , Schwarz Peter
Published: September 2021

Background

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder and the most frequent benign cause of hypercalcemia. PHPT is characterized by autonomous hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), regardless of serum calcium levels. Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a rare, benign syndrome only affecting the regulation of calcium metabolism. FHH is an autosomal-dominant genetic disease with high penetrance, caused by an inactivating variant in the CASR gene encoding the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). We present a unique case of concomitant PHPT and FHH without clinically actionable variants in MEN1.

Case presentation

A 47-year-old Caucasian man with severe hypercalcemia, genetic FHH, and initially normal parathyroid scintigraphy was referred for endocrine evaluation due to nonspecific symptoms. Biochemical evaluation showed elevated serum ionized calcium and PTH. The calcium–creatinine clearance ratio was low. All other biochemical measures were normal, including kidney function. Genetic evaluation was redone and confirmed FHH. A new parathyroid scintigraphy showed a significant single adenoma corresponding to the lower left gland. The patient underwent parathyroidectomy, and a parathyroid adenoma was removed. A reduced level of hypercalcemia persisted due to FHH.

Conclusions

The correct diagnosis of the underlying cause of hypercalcemia is important to ensure the right treatment. Patients with FHH should avoid operative treatment, and PHPT should be differentiated from MEN1 to determine whether surgery should include parathyroidectomy with removal of one adenoma or 3.5 hyperplastic parathyroid glands.
Consolidated drained (CID) behavior of fibre reinforced cemented Toyoura sand in triaxial loading conditions
Authors: Safdar Muhammad , Newson Tim , Shah Faheem
Published: September 2021

The effects of fibre (0–3 %) and cement (0–3 %) additives, on Toyoura sand were examined under consolidated drained compression and extension loading conditions. All samples were prepared to a target dry density value (e.g., $${\rho }_{d}$$

ρ
d

= 1.489 g/cm3) of Toyoura sand using under-compaction moist tamping technique. In compression, the unreinforced specimens exhibited a behavior of medium dense sand and reached a peak deviator stress (qp) at approximately 4 % axial strain ($${\epsilon }_{a}$$

ϵ
a

) for the varying mean effective stresses, pʹ (i.e. 50–400 kPa). The peak drained strength increases in fibre reinforced cemented specimens were found to be up to 132 % (lower effective stresses) and 243 % (higher effective stresses), while, the drained strength increases at critical state for the fibre reinforced cemented specimens were found to be up to 105 % (lower effective stresses) and 245 % (higher effective stresses). Overall, the fibre and cement additives increased the stiffness, peak and strength at critical state of pure Toyoura sand but were found to be least effective in extension loading. Moreover, the stress ratio, peak and critical state stress ratios increase with the addition of fibres and cement. The secant modulus shows limited increases for the fibre reinforced specimens. However, a significant improvement in the secant modulus is observed for the fibre reinforced cemented specimens. For both unreinforced and reinforced specimens there is a decrease in volumetric strain with greater effective stresses or in other words, the rate of dilation decreases with increases in effective stresses. The fibre and cement additives also increased the strength parameters (frictional angle, cohesion), dilatancy angle, slope of the critical state line, and decreased the state parameter of pure Toyoura sand.
Climatization and luminosity optimization of buildings using genetic algorithm, random forest, and regression models
Authors: Mota Bruno , Albergaria Miguel , Pereira Helder , Silva José , Gomes Luis , Vale Zita , Ramos Carlos
Published: September 2021

With the rise in popularity of artificial intelligence, coupled with the growing concern over the environment, there has been a surge in the use of intelligent energy management systems. Additionally, as more buildings transition into the smart grid and, consequently, more energy and environmental data is gathered, there has been a significant increase in the number of data-driven approaches for building management systems. This paper proposes a methodology that aims to optimize the climatization and luminosity inside a building, using a genetic algorithm, a random forest, and two polynomial models. The proposed methodology enables the real-time management of the building taking into account the user needs and preferences. Air conditioner units and light systems are optimized to minimize energy costs, while also improving the air quality and considering the users’ temperature and luminosity preferences. This paper shows the results achieved, by the proposed solution, in an office building case study. The promising results demonstrate the possibility of minimizing energy costs while maximizing the users’ comfort.
Electric vehicles as distribution grid batteries: a reality check
Authors: Malya Prasad Prakash , Fiorini Laura , Rouhani Mohammadhadi , Aiello Marco
Published: September 2021

The current transition towards electric mobility implies that a significant portion of electricity is drawn by and stored in the electric vehicle’s (EV) batteries. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies can potentially give distribution system operators access to such energy to provide ancillary services, while remunerating the vehicle owners for their availability to participate. Although the benefits of stabilization and grid efficiency improvements are clear, is it appealing and lucrative for the vehicle owners to participate in such services? In this work, we answer this question by modelling the V2G system and performing economic projections of the possible benefits for EV owners. In particular, we present a novel way of parametrizing the electric vehicle driving profile and the V2G energy transfer to compute battery degradation costs. A profit model is developed to evaluate the profit earned by the vehicle owners offering their batteries. The profit is estimated on the basis of the owner’s inclination to buy and sell energy from the grid based on the electricity price. Using data of the German electricity market, we estimate a profit of 662 €/EV/Year for a vehicle with 100 kWh capacity, 95% battery round trip efficiency and driving 52 km per day. The remuneration is meaningful and can have the potential to encourage EV owners to participate in V2G service.
Methodology for identifying technical details of smart energy solutions and research gaps in smart grid: an example of electric vehicles in the energy system
Authors: Christensen Kristoffer , Ma Zheng , Demazeau Yves , Jørgensen Bo Nørregaard
Published: September 2021

Simulations, especially agent-based simulation, are able to facilitate the investigation of smart energy solutions and business models, and their impacts on the energy system and involved stakeholders. Technical details, alternatives, and multiple options for what-if scenarios influence simulation quality, but no methodology available to support the investigation. This paper proposes a method for identifying technical details of smart energy solutions in the energy system and identifying research gaps in the smart grid context with EV solutions as an example. The method includes the investigation of the state-of-the-art EV solutions by scoping review and the allocation of the scoping review results into the Smart Grid Architecture Model framework with three dimensions (Domains, Zones, and interoperability layers). The quantitative scoping review results in a total number of 240 references and 10 references match the criteria based on the qualitative scoping review. The results show that the most popular EV use case within the targeted scope is the V2G concept, and 6 out of the 10 references discuss the EVs’ potentials to work as energy storage. Seventeen features are identified by mapping the EV use cases (solutions and business models) into the three dimensions (domain, zone, and interoperability layers) of the SGAM framework. The process at the Zone layer is the most popularly covered (mentioned 64 times), and enterprise at the Zone layer and communication in the interoperability layer are the least covered (mentioned 4 times each).
Industrial consumers’ electricity market participation options: a case study of an industrial cooling process in Denmark
Authors: Fatras Nicolas , Ma Zheng , Jørgensen Bo Nørregaard
Published: September 2021

In a deregulated market context, industrial consumers often have multiple market participation options available to bid their flexible consumption in electricity markets and thereby reduce their electricity bill. Yet most participation strategies for demand response are developed in a fixed and predefined set of submarkets. Meanwhile, little literature has compared multiple market options for market participants. Therefore, this paper proposes a comparative approach between available market options to evaluate savings from different market participation options. More specifically, this study implements an optimisation program in Python to investigate the impacts of changes in an industrial process’ flexibility on savings with different market participation options. The optimisation program is tested with a case study of an industrial cooling process in three Danish submarkets (day-ahead, intraday, and regulating power markets). The market participation options are formed by different combinations of these three submarkets, and the type and amount of process flexibility are varied by changing time and load constraints in the optimisation program. The results show that bidding in market options with multiple submarkets yields higher savings than single-market bidding, but that increases in available flexibility impact savings in each market option differently. Increased flexibility will only bring additional savings if it allows to take further advantage of price variations in a market option. Additionally, increases in savings with flexibility depend on the considered type of flexibility. These changes in relative savings between market options at each flexibility level imply that the optimal market option is not a static choice for a process with variable operating conditions. The optimal market option for an industrial consumer depends not only on market price signals, but also on the type and amount of available flexibility.
Quarantine: use with care
Authors: Kisely Steve
Published: September 2021

This editorial discusses the psychological effects of isolation and quarantine in terms of both the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and previous epidemics in the past 20 years. Although much of the literature is based on healthcare settings, there is emerging evidence from home or hotel quarantine, particularly concerning international travellers. Regardless of setting, depression, anxiety, anger and stress-related disorders are especially common but can vary according to demographic features and the characteristics of quarantine. Psychological effects may be minimised by clear and consistent advice from authorities, adequate supplies to meet basic needs, and minimising both the duration and the associated financial burden. There should also be adequate protection from possible infection and thus the resulting fear of contracting COVID-19 while in quarantine.
Introduction: Carolee Schneemann (1939–2019)
Authors: White Kenneth
Published: September 2021

This is an introduction to a dossier on the work and life of Carolee Schneemann (1939–2019). Schneemann was celebrated in a memorial service at Judson Memorial Church in New York. The service included Malcolm Goldstein's improvisational performance on violin titled Soundings for Carolee. The seven essays in this dossier, derived in part from remarks delivered at the service, comprise a range of critical “soundings” of Schneemann's work and life.
RNA profiling of laser microdissected human trophoblast subtypes at mid-gestation reveals a role for cannabinoid signaling in invasion
Authors: Gormley Matthew , Oliverio Oliver , Kapidzic Mirhan , Ona Katherine , Hall Steven , Fisher Susan J.
Published: September 2021

Human placental architecture is complex. Its surface epithelium, specialized for transport, forms by fusion of cytotrophoblast progenitors into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts. Near the uterine surface, these progenitors assume a different fate, becoming cancer-like cells that invade its lining and blood vessels. The latter process physically connects the placenta to the mother and shunts uterine blood to the syncytiotrophoblasts. Isolation of trophoblast subtypes is technically challenging. Upon removal, syncytiotrophoblasts disintegrate and invasive cytotrophoblasts are admixed with uterine cells. We used laser capture to circumvent these obstacles. This enabled isolation of syncytiotrophoblasts and two subpopulations of invasive cytotrophoblasts from cell columns and the endovascular compartment of spiral arteries. Transcriptional profiling revealed numerous genes, the placental or trophoblast expression of which was not known, including neurotensin and C4ORF36. Using mass spectrometry, discovery of differentially expressed mRNAs was extended to the protein level. We also found that invasive cytotrophoblasts expressed cannabinoid receptor 1. Unexpectedly, screening agonists and antagonists showed that signals from this receptor promote invasion. Together, these results revealed previously unseen gene expression patterns that translate to the protein level. Our data also suggested that endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids can affect human placental development.
ApoE4 disrupts interaction of sortilin with fatty acid-binding protein 7 essential to promote lipid signaling
Authors: Asaro Antonino , Sinha Rishabhdev , Bakun Magda , Kalnytska Oleksandra , Carlo-Spiewok Anne-Sophie , Rubel Tymon , Rozeboom Annemieke , Dadlez Michal , Kaminska Bozena , Aronica Eleonora , Malik Anna R. , Willnow Thomas E.
Published: September 2021

Sortilin is a neuronal receptor for apolipoprotein E (apoE). Sortilin-dependent uptake of lipidated apoE promotes conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into neuromodulators that induce anti-inflammatory gene expression in the brain. This neuroprotective pathway works with the apoE3 variant but is lost with the apoE4 variant, the main risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we elucidated steps in cellular handling of lipids through sortilin, and why they are disrupted by apoE4. Combining unbiased proteome screens with analyses in mouse models, we uncover interaction of sortilin with fatty acid-binding protein 7 (FABP7), the intracellular carrier for PUFA in the brain. In the presence of apoE3, sortilin promotes functional expression of FABP7 and its ability to elicit lipid-dependent gene transcription. By contrast, apoE4 binding blocks sortilin-mediated sorting, causing catabolism of FABP7 and impairing lipid signaling. Reduced FABP7 levels in the brain of AD patients expressing apoE4 substantiate the relevance of these interactions for neuronal lipid homeostasis. Taken together, we document interaction of sortilin with mediators of extracellular and intracellular lipid transport that provides a mechanistic explanation for loss of a neuroprotective lipid metabolism in AD.
Screening Hamstring Injury Risk Factors Multiple Times in a Season Does Not Improve the Identification of Future Injury Risk
Authors: OPAR DAVID A. , RUDDY JOSHUA D. , WILLIAMS MORGAN D. , MANIAR NIRAV , HICKEY JACK T. , BOURNE MATTHEW N. , PIZZARI TANIA , TIMMINS RYAN G.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To determine if eccentric knee flexor strength and biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicle length were associated with prospective hamstring strain injury (HSI) in professional Australian Football players, and if more frequent assessments of these variables altered the association with injury risk.

Methods

Across two competitive seasons, 311 Australian Football players (455 player seasons) had their eccentric knee flexor strength during the Nordic hamstring exercise and BFlh architecture assessed at the start and end of preseason and in the middle of the competitive season. Player age and injury history were also collected in preseason. Prospective HSIs were recorded by team medical staff.

Results

Seventy-four player seasons (16%) sustained an index HSI. Shorter BFlh fascicles (<10.42 cm) increased HSI risk when assessed at multiple time points only (relative risk [RR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–3.0). Neither absolute (N) nor relative (N·kg−1) eccentric knee flexor strength was associated with HSI risk, regardless of measurement frequency (RR range, 1.0–1.1); however, between-limb imbalance (>9%), when measured at multiple time points, was (RR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.1). Prior HSI had the strongest univariable association with prospective HSI (RR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.9–4.3). Multivariable logistic regression models identified a combination of prior HSI, BFlh architectural variables and between-limb imbalance in eccentric knee flexor strength as optimal input variables; however, their predictive performance did not improve with increased measurement frequency (area under the curve, 0.681–0.726).

Conclusions

More frequent measures of eccentric knee flexor strength and BFlh architecture across a season did not improve the ability to identify which players would sustain an HSI.
Sport Participation and Academic Performance in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: OWEN KATHERINE B. , FOLEY BRIDGET C. , WILHITE KATRINA , BOOKER BRIDGET , LONSDALE CHRIS , REECE LINDSEY J.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Physical activity can improve academic performance; however, much less is known about the specific association between sport participation and academic performance, and this evidence has not been synthesized. Our aim was to systematically review and combine via meta-analyses evidence of the association between sport participation and academic performance in children and adolescents.

Methods

We conducted searches of five electronic databases using sport and academic performance related terms. We combined evidence from eligible studies using a structural equation modeling approach to multilevel meta-analysis.

Results

From 115 eligible studies, most of which had a high risk of bias (k = 87), we meta-analyzed 298 effect sizes. Overall, sport participation had a small positive effect on academic performance (d = 0.26, 95% confidence interval = 0.09, 0.42). Moderator analyses indicated that sports participation was most beneficial for academic performance when it was at a moderate dose (i.e., 1–2 h·wk−1), compared with no sport or a high dose of sport (3+ h·wk−1).

Conclusions

Sports participation during school hours was more beneficial for academic performance compared with sport participation outside school hours. Based on mostly low-quality studies, we found some evidence that sport could positively affect academic performance in children and adolescents. It appears that sport participation of a moderate dose and at school could be used to promote academic performance. However, if this field were to inform policy, high-quality studies are needed that provide insight into the effect of dose and sport characteristics on academic performance.