bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of hydrological processes on wetland landscapes and wintering migratory birds in a large floodplain lake (Poyang Lake, China)
Authors: Du Fei , Wang Shiyan , Han Zhen , Liu Xiaobo , Liu Chang , Huang Aiping , Chen Kaiqi , Zhao Shilin , Wang Liang , Jiang Zhi
Published: August 2022

Hydrological processes are an important factor influencing the wetland landscapes and the quality of wintering migratory birds habitat in Poyang Lake. However, most of the research on a small spatiotemporal scale and there is a lack of studies on the impact of hydrological processes on migratory bird habitats. This study analysed the response of the Poyang Lake wetland landscape to low water levels from 1990 to 2016 and determined the relationship between hydrological processes, wetland landscape characteristics and migratory bird habitats. According to the results, the number of days during the study period when the maximum water level was higher than the current water level (MaxDay) and the average water level from the 40th to 50th day prior to the current day (D50) are two critical factors affecting the area of grassland in Poyang Lake. In particular, a D50 value of 9.5–11.0 m is important for maintaining the grassland area and growth of wetland vegetation. Besides, the water level should not exceed 11 m from mid–late October to early November and should be maintained between 7.58 and 7.97 m in mid–late December that can maximize the habitat area of migratory birds. Furthermore, this study used ecological threshold to propose the optimal inundation period of Cyperus rotundus L. community, Leersia japonica community, Polygonum criopolitanum community, Phragmites australis community, Triarrhena lutarioriparia community, Carex spp. community and Phalaris arundinacea community, which are 124–174, 31–101, 199–249, 65–147, 51–121, 110–190 and 175–253 days, respectively.
Liver fibrosis scores and atrial fibrillation incidence in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Liu Xiao , Chen Wenya , Shao Wen , Jiang Yuan , Cao Zhengyu , He Wanbing , Wu Maoxiong , Chen Zhiteng , Ma Jianyong , Chen Yangxin , Yu Peng , Zhang Yuling , Wang Jingfeng
Published: August 2022

Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)‐related advanced liver fibrosis (Stage 3 or 4) was reported to be linked to worse prognosis in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This study aims to assess the relationship between liver fibrosis scores and new‐onset atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence in patients with HFpEF in the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial.

Methods and results

Baseline liver fibrosis levels, assessed by NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) or Fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4), with AF incidence were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) using the Cox proportional hazard model. The risk for advanced fibrosis was estimated to be 21.5% (447/2072) as assessed by FIB‐4 (>3.25) and 4.2% (88/2072) as assessed by NFS (>0.676) in HFpEF patients without baseline AF. After a median follow‐up of 3.11 years, 106 new‐onset AF cases occurred. In multivariate analysis, elevated NFS [NFS = −1.455–0.676: HR 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27–4.68; NFS > 0.676: HR 3.36, 95% CI 1.27–6.80; per 1 unit increase: HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01–1.32], not FIB‐4 (FIB‐4 = 1.45–3.25: HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.67–1.55; FIB‐4 > 3.25: HR 1.69, 95% CI 0.76–3.79; per 1 unit increase: HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.93–1.37), was associated with increased AF incidence. The NFS (C‐index 0.662), not FIB‐4 (C‐index 0.531), had a moderate predictive ability in predicting incident AF.

Conclusions

Among patients with HFpEF, the risk of advanced liver fibrosis is associated with an increased incidence of new‐onset AF and may be a novel predictor for new‐onset AF. Additional studies are needed to confirm our results.
Application of recommended therapies among patients with heart failure during the Syrian conflict: reality and barriers
Authors: Abdin Amr , Barakat Amer , Alsaadi Ahmad Rasheed , Katbeh Asim , Bani Marjeh Yassin , Bekfani Tarek , Alachkar Mhd Nawar
Published: August 2022

Aims

Lower socio‐economic status may delay and even prevent the application of guideline‐directed heart failure (HF) therapy for most patients. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and possible difficulties facing the application of this treatment during the current Syrian conflict.

Methods and results

A questionnaire on HF management and feasibility of recommended HF therapy was addressed to physicians practising cardiology in Syria. The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions and focused on the quality of HF management and awareness of recommended drug and device therapy for HF among physicians practising cardiology in Syria. A total of 228 physicians participated in the survey. Awareness of recommended medical and device therapy of HF was very high among participants (98% and 95%, respectively). The majority of participants (>75%) believe that more than half of HF patients do not receive optimal medical HF therapy. Ninety per cent of participants believe that <10% of patients with an appropriate indication for device therapy receive it. More than 75% of participants believe that the cost of medications, alone or in combination with other medical causes, represents the major problem facing the application of optimal HF medical therapy. More than 95% of participants reported that cost alone, or in combination with unavailability, is the primary reason why patients with appropriate indications are not offered device therapy.

Conclusions

Despite the high level of awareness of recommended HF therapies among Syrian cardiologists, the majority of HF patients are still undertreated. Financial difficulties and lack of resources are the main causes of this problem.
Clustering of bivariate satellite time series: A quantile approach
Authors: Musau Victor Muthama , Gaetan Carlo , Girardi Paolo
Published: August 2022

Clustering has received much attention in statistics and machine learning with the aim of developing statistical models and autonomous algorithms which are capable of acquiring information from raw data in order to perform exploratory analysis. Several techniques have been developed to cluster sampled univariate vectors only considering the average value over the whole period and as such they have not been able to explore fully the underlying distribution as well as other features of the data, especially in presence of structured time series. We propose a model‐based clustering technique that is based on quantile regression permitting us to cluster bivariate time series at different quantile levels. We model the within cluster density using asymmetric Laplace distribution allowing us to take into account asymmetry in the distribution of the data. We evaluate the performance of the proposed technique through a simulation study. The method is then applied to cluster time series observed from Glob‐color satellite data related to trophic status indices with aim of evaluating their temporal dynamics in order to identify homogeneous areas, in terms of trophic status, in the Gulf of Gabes.
Nonlinear inflation forecasting with recurrent neural networks
Authors: Almosova Anna , Andresen Niek
Published: August 2022

Motivated by the recent literature that finds that artificial neural networks (NN) can efficiently predict economic time‐series in general and inflation in particular, we investigate if the forecasting performance can be improved even further by using a particular kind of NN—a recurrent neural network. We use a long short‐term memory recurrent neural network (LSTM) that was proven to be highly efficient for sequential data and computed univariate forecasts of monthly US CPI inflation. We show that even though LSTM slightly outperforms autoregressive model (AR), NN, and Markov‐switching models, its performance is on par with the seasonal autoregressive model SARIMA. Additionally, we conduct a sensitivity analysis with respect to hyperparameters and provide a qualitative interpretation of what the networks learn by applying a novel layer‐wise relevance propagation technique.
Bitcoin futures risk premia
Authors: Shi Shimeng
Published: August 2022

This paper presents an empirical analysis of bitcoin futures risk premia. Based on the relevant theories and empirical findings of commodity futures risk premia, we study a battery of predictors, including position‐based measures, market microstructure factors, and macroeconomic variables. We find that trading activity and extreme sentiment of speculators and retailers present significant predicting power on the subsequent bitcoin futures price changes over different time horizons. We also find evidence that the lower transaction cost, the higher bitcoin futures risk premiums. Regarding macroeconomic variables, financial conditions index, TED spread, US M2 money stock, and funding cost of financial institutions could predict bitcoin futures returns. The return impact of net position changes of hedgers is likely to be affected by extremes in macroeconomic variables. Speculators behave like negative feedback traders, while retailers are positive feedback traders. This detailed analysis of the risk premia of this emerging derivatives market provides critical implications.
Characterising trauma‐informed aged care: An appreciative inquiry approach
Authors: de la Perrelle Lenore , Klinge Nathan , Windsor Tim , Low Lee‐Fay , Laver Kate , Cations Monica
Published: August 2022

Objective

While Trauma‐informed care (TIC) has the potential to improve the quality of aged and dementia care, the challenge remains in translating the principles of TIC into practice. This study aimed to characterise what trauma‐informed aged care looks like in practice, by learning from an aged care service acknowledged as delivering trauma‐informed aged care effectively.

Method

We conducted an appreciative inquiry study within a residential aged care service catering for veterans and others with trauma histories. Observation of care behaviours, interviews with staff and residents, and organisational policy mapping were used to identify elements that maximised care safety and accessibility for trauma survivors. Data were analysed and triangulated using a framework analysis approach.

Results

The aged care provider embedded the principles of TIC into its staff training (i) to promote understanding of how trauma may affect experiences in care, and (ii) to adapt care when appropriate to promote safety. The service promoted a calm atmosphere where residents could make choices and felt safe. Uniforms and signage provided consistency, clarity, and transparency for residents. Staff behaviours demonstrated respect, fostered trust, and anticipated needs without unnecessarily imposing care. Staff consistently offered choices, used residents' names, sought permission before providing care, and offered reassurance. Staff reported high morale with a commitment to delivering high quality care, and feedback to management. Effective communication promoted information sharing and trust among staff.

Conclusion

Trauma‐informed practice was facilitated through organisational policy, a dignified environment, and thoughtful staff behaviour creating safety, choice, and control for residents.
Leading by example: Nursing home staff experiences of what facilitates them to meaningfully engage with residents with advanced dementia
Authors: Haunch Kirsty , Downs Murna , Oyebode Jan
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Meaningful connections promote the quality of life of people living with advanced dementia in nursing homes. However, evidence internationally suggests people living with advanced dementia in nursing homes spend the majority of time alone, with little contact with anyone. Frontline care workers are in powerful positions to meaningfully engage with residents, yet research to date has not focused on their experiences. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of nursing home staff, specifically, what care workers feel enables them to meaningfully engage with residents living with advanced dementia.

Methods/Design

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 21 staff from seven nursing homes. Inductive thematic analysis was used.

Results

Four themes were important for facilitating care workers to meaningfully engage with residents with advanced dementia: support from managers and nurses, support from experienced care workers, a caring culture and an appropriate physical environment.

Conclusion

Effective leadership was the key thread that ran throughout. It was evident that meaningfully engaging with residents with advanced dementia was hard, particularly for new or inexperienced care workers. Those with experience (of care work and the residents they cared for), as well as those in formal leadership positions played key roles in facilitating care workers to: perceive it was their role to connect, understand, accept and empathise with residents, understand the importance of getting to know residents' and express their own caring attributes. Future research should focus on empirically testing leadership models that promote meaningful engagement.
Carbon Emissions from Overuse of U.S. Health Care: Medical and Ethical Problems
Authors: Thiel Cassandra , Richie Cristina
Published: August 2022

The United States health care industry is the second largest in the world, expending an estimated 479 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon dioxide per year, nearly 8 percent of the country's total emissions. The importance of carbon reduction in health care is slowly being accepted. However, efforts to “green” health care are incomplete since they generally focus on buildings and structures. Yet hospital care and clinical service sectors contribute the most carbon dioxide within the U.S. health care industry, with structures/equipment and pharmaceuticals ranking as the third and fourth highest emitters in the industry. Given the magnitude of health care carbon emissions—and the paucity of attention to the carbon of hospital care and clinical services—this essay identifies overuse of health care as a health threat with serious ethical implications, offers a data‐driven action plan for carbon reduction in health care, and provides practical suggestions for more sustainable health care delivery in the United States.
Performance of American Gastroenterological Association Clinical Care Pathway for the risk stratification of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the US population
Authors: Udompap Prowpanga , Therneau Terry M. , Canning Rachel E. , Benson Joanne T. , Allen Alina M.
Published: August 2022

Background and aims:

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recently launched the Clinical Care Pathway for the Risk Stratification and Management of Patients with NAFLD to identify adults with significant fibrosis. We aimed to examine this pathway’s performance in the US population.

Approach and Results:

Using the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, we identified participants aged ≥18 with available Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) score and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the absence of other liver diseases. Based on the AGA clinical pathway, FIB‐4 < 1.3 and LSM < 8 kilopascals (kPa) by vibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE) are associated with low risk of significant fibrosis. Using these cutoffs, we examined the pathway performance using negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) and explored alternative risk‐stratification strategies. There were 2322 participants with available data (projected to 94.2 million US adults). The NPV of LSM ≥ 8 kPa among those with FIB‐4 < 1.3 was 90%, whereas the PPV among those with FIB‐4 1.3–2.67 was 13%. As diabetes was a strong predictor of fibrosis, we propose a simple, alternative strategy to eliminate the indeterminate FIB‐4 range and perform VCTE in those with FIB‐4 ≥ 1.3 and diabetes. This strategy would decrease the number of VCTEs from 14.5 to 4.9 million and increase PPV from 13% to 33% without compromising the NPV among those who did not undergo VCTE.

Conclusion:

The implementation of the current AGA clinical pathway would lead to overutilization of VCTE. An alternative strategy using FIB‐4 ≥ 1.3 and diabetes to select adults undergoing second‐line testing will improve this pathway’s performance and minimize unnecessary VCTEs.
Attacking the public health crisis of hepatocellular carcinoma at its roots
Authors: Lee Hannah M. , Lidofsky Steven D. , Taddei Tamar H. , Townshend‐Bulson Lisa J.
Published: August 2022

As the third most common cause of cancer‐related death worldwide with significant mortality rates in the United States, hepatocellular carcinoma has strong association with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a growing at‐risk population from the rise in chronic liver disease from alcohol use and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Despite this, progress in identifying at‐risk individuals and early detection of HCC in these populations have lagged behind treatment advances.The lack of consensus may undermine widespread adoption of surveillance programs, thus preventing HCC detection at a curable stage. This public policy corner piece focuses on opportunities for prevention of HCC by focusing on its principal risk factors: viral hepatitis, NAFLD, and alcohol‐related liver disease, and three key action points to reverse the course of this public health crisis: 1) Awareness and education; 2) Screening and diagnosis, and 3) Partnerships and advocacy.
Janus kinase 2 inhibition by pacritinib as potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis
Authors: Torres Sandra , Ortiz Cristina , Bachtler Nadine , Gu Wenyi , Grünewald Leon D. , Kraus Nico , Schierwagen Robert , Hieber Christoph , Meier Caroline , Tyc Olaf , Joseph Brol Maximilian , Uschner Frank Erhard , Nijmeijer Bart , Welsch Christoph , Berres Marie‐Luise , Garcia‐Ruiz Carmen , Fernandez‐Checa Jose Carlos , Trautwein Christian , Vogl Thomas J. , Zeuzem Stefan , Trebicka Jonel , Klein Sabine
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims:

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) signaling is increased in human and experimental liver fibrosis with portal hypertension. JAK2 inhibitors, such as pacritinib, are already in advanced clinical development for other indications and might also be effective in liver fibrosis. Here, we investigated the antifibrotic role of the JAK2 inhibitor pacritinib on activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and in two animal models of liver fibrosis in vivo.

Approach and Results:

Transcriptome analyses of JAK2 in human livers and other targets of pacritinib have been shown to correlate with profibrotic factors. Although transcription of JAK2 correlated significantly with type I collagen expression and other profibrotic genes, no correlation was observed for interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase and colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor. Pacritinib decreased gene expression of fibrosis markers in mouse primary and human‐derived HSCs in vitro. Moreover, pacritinib decreased the proliferation, contraction, and migration of HSCs. C57BL/6J mice received ethanol in drinking water (16%) or Western diet in combination with carbon tetrachloride intoxication for 7 weeks to induce alcoholic or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Pacritinib significantly reduced liver fibrosis assessed by gene expression and Sirius red staining, as well as HSC activation assessed by alpha‐smooth muscle actin immunostaining in fibrotic mice. Furthermore, pacritinib decreased the gene expression of hepatic steatosis markers in experimental alcoholic liver disease. Additionally, pacritinib protected against liver injury as assessed by aminotransferase levels.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that the JAK2 inhibitor pacritinib may be promising for the treatment of alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver fibrosis and may be therefore relevant for human pathology.
Socioeconomic position and clinical outcomes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lauritsen Tine Bichel , Østgård Lene Sofie Granfeldt , Grønbæk Kirsten , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Nørgaard Jan Maxwell
Published: August 2022

Low socioeconomic position (SEP) may be associated with adverse outcomes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) inherent to for example, delayed diagnosis or reduced treatment intensity, but firm evidence is limited. In this study, we examined the association between SEP and clinical outcomes. We conducted a population‐based cohort study (2010–2018) of 2233 Danish patients with MDS. SEP measures included individual‐level information on education, cohabitation status and income retrieved from Statistics Denmark. Associations between SEP measures and disease severity at diagnosis were examined using binomial regression analysis. Using time‐to‐event analysis, we examined the association between SEP measures and treatment with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT), risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and death. Estimates were adjusted for covariates selected based on direct acyclic graphs and reported with 95% confidence intervals. Patients with a short education were more likely to be transfusion‐dependent at diagnosis (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04–1.45) and more likely to be diagnosed with higher risk MDS according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03–1.62), than patients with a long education. We found no clear association between SEP and risk of progression to AML. In adjusted models, the 1‐year risk of dying was higher in patients with short versus long education (RR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08–1.65), in patients with low versus high income (RR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.14–1.77), and among patients who lived alone compared to those who lived with a partner (RR = 1.15, 0.98–1.35). These associations persisted after 3 years and 5 years of follow‐up. Notably, patients with a short education had a markedly lower rate of undergoing treatment with allo‐HSCT compared to patients with a long education (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.31–0.84). In conclusion, low SEP and especially short education, were poor prognostic factors for adverse clinical outcomes among patients with MDS.
A numerical solution using EFDM for unsteady MHD radiative Casson nanofluid flow over a porous stretching sheet with stability analysis
Authors: Rao Shiva , Deka Paramananda
Published: August 2022

The present study deals with the heat and mass transfer of the unsteady two‐dimensional magnetohydrodynamics Casson nanofluid flow over a nonlinearly stretched porous sheet associated with viscous dissipation, chemical reaction, heat generation, and thermal radiation. After nondimensionalizing the boundary layer governing equations, an explicit finite difference scheme is implemented to solve the equations. To make the numerical approach more reliable, a stability analysis is carried out to establish the efficient convergence criteria . The velocity, temperature, and nanoparticle concentration profiles are plotted to investigate the influence of different flow parameters. It is found that the nanofluid motion hastens with the increase in both the Grashof number and the modified Grashof number. It is also noteworthy to observe that increasing thermal radiation enhances the nanofluid temperature, whereas increasing chemical reaction leads to a decrease in nanofluid concentration. The current research shows that there are some important industrial applications for magnetic nanoparticle processing and cooling in the industry. The study finds its importance with the view to increasing the heat and mass transfer efficiency in industrial and engineering applications. The issues discussed in this study have not been included in the earlier investigation for unsteady Casson nanofluid flow due to a vertical stretching sheet of a porous medium. A comparative analysis of the results is also performed with previous studies to validate the efficiency of the numerical approach.
Utility of an alternative method (to USEPA Method 1613) for analysis of priority persistent organic pollutants in soil from mixed industrial–suburban areas of Durban, South Africa
Authors: Rimayi Cornelius , Madikizela Lawrence M.
Published: August 2022

This study evaluates the adequacy of a USEPA Method 1613 alternative analytical method for analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in soil from the immediate vicinity of industrialized areas in the eThekwini municipal area in South Africa. The objective of this study is in line with the Stockholm Convention Article 11 on research, development, and monitoring. Furthermore, it became imperative to find an alternative analytical procedure to USEPA Method 1613 that could cater to studies conducted in Africa where recent reviews have indicated that most African countries lack the technical and instrumental capacity for performing analysis of dioxin-like compounds according to USEPA Method 1613, which entails the use of high-resolution chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry instrumentation. The study aimed to ascertain the utility of an alternative two-dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry method for analysis of trace-level priority POPs in soil, along with a fast single quadrupole gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. The analytical methods were applied to the analysis of POPs on soil samples from industrial areas with oil refineries and a pulp and paper manufacturing company, while other samples were collected near the electricity substations and a landfill site. Analytical results showed BDE 209 as the dominant contaminating polybrominated diphenyl ether (concentration ranges from 0.006 to 5.71 ng g−1). Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) 9, 10, and 49 were the dominant PBBs detected in 78% of the sites tested, although their concentrations were below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls detected could not be quantified above their respective LOQs, indicating that the Durban area has low priority pollutant contamination levels compared to other regions around the world. The methods developed are a starting point that will inform considerations for routine evaluation and management of soil contamination, which plays a vital role in environmental management. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:749–762. © 2022 SETAC
Cesarean section per se is not a risk factor for non‐anatomical placenta creta
Authors: Stanek Jerzy
Published: August 2022

Objective

To investigate whether mild forms of placenta creta (MPC) are more common in placentas delivered by cesarean section for non‐anatomical indications than in placentas from vaginal deliveries.

Methods

This is a retrospective clinical study in which MPC was diagnosed histologically by the presence of myometrial fibers in the decidua basalis or parietalis or in direct contact with the Rohr fibrinoid or chorionic villi. After excluding 111 cases at high risk for anatomical PC, placentas from 830 consecutive cesarean deliveries (group 1) were retrospectively statistically compared with 907 placentas from vaginal deliveries (group 2).

Results

Statistically significant differences were found in six independent clinical and seven placental phenotypes. More frequently, pre‐eclampsia, abnormal fetal heart rate tracing and umbilical artery Dopplers, hypercoiled umbilical cord, diffuse postuterine pattern of chronic hypoxic placental injury, and clusters of avascular or mineralized chorionic villi were found in group 1, while preterm delivery, induction of labor, and histological patterns related to stillbirth were observed in group 2.

Conclusion

MPC diagnosed in placentas from cesarean sections performed for non‐anatomical indications is not statistically significantly more common than in those after vaginal delivery. Therefore, MPC may feature similar diagnostic correlations and portend a similar prognosis for future pregnancies.
Reproducible and low‐power multistate bio‐memristor from interpenetrating network electrolyte design
Authors: Zhao Bin , Zhao Xuan , Li Qi , Xun Xiaochen , Ouyang Tian , Zhang Zheng , Kang Zhuo , Liao Qingliang , Zhang Yue
Published: August 2022

Bio‐memristor can address the inherent limitations of conventional memory components in artificial perceptual systems due to their biocompatibility with biological tissue. The actual deployment of bio‐memristor is restricted by the lack of reproducibility, high power consumption, and insufficient storage capacity. Here, a reproducible and low‐power multistate bio‐memristor is developed by designing the chitosan (CS)‐reduced graphene oxide (rGO) interpenetrating network electrolyte. The interpenetrating network structure of the CS‐rGO electrolyte reinforces structural stability and improves ionic conductivity. The bio‐memristor equipped with CS‐rGO active layer shows stable bipolar resistive switching up to 100 consecutive cycles, reproducible multistate storage with six different memory states, and low programming power of 9.4 μW. The fabricated biocompatible CS‐rGO device also exhibits deformation stability of memory operation over 103 bending cycles, high biocompatibility with HEK293 cells, and skin adhesion. This work provides an enlightening design strategy to develop high‐performance bio‐memristors for applications in artificial perceptual systems.

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Recent progress on the long‐term stability of hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysts
Authors: Zhai Wenfang , Ma Yuanyuan , Chen Dong , Ho Johnny C. , Dai Zhengfei , Qu Yongquan
Published: August 2022

Developing new methodologies to produce clean and renewable energy resources is pivotal for carbon‐neutral initiatives. Hydrogen (H2) is considered as an ideal energy resource due to its nontoxic, pollution‐free, high utilization rate, and high calorific combustion value. Electrolysis of water driven by the electricity generated from renewable and clean energy sources (e.g., solar energy, wind energy) to produce hydrogen attracts great efforts for hydrogen production with high purity. Recently, the breakthrough of the catalyst activity limit for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts has received extensive attention. Comparatively, fewer reviews have focused on the long‐term stability of HER catalysts, which is indeed decisive for large‐scale electrolytic industrialization. Therefore, a systematic summary concentrated on the durability of HER electrocatalysts would provide a fundamental understanding of the electrocatalytic performance for practical applications and offer new opportunities for the rational design of the highly performed HER electrocatalysts. This review summarizes the research progress toward the HER stability of precious metals, transition metals, and metal‐free electrocatalysts in the past few years. It discusses the challenges in the stability of HER electrocatalysts and the future perspectives. We anticipate that it would provide a valuable basis for designing robust HER electrocatalysts.

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Robust triboelectric information‐mat enhanced by multi‐modality deep learning for smart home
Authors: Yang Yanqin , Shi Qiongfeng , Zhang Zixuan , Shan Xuechuan , Salam Budiman , Lee Chengkuo
Published: August 2022

In metaverse, a digital‐twin smart home is a vital platform for immersive communication between the physical and virtual world. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) sensors contribute substantially to providing smart‐home monitoring. However, TENG deployment is hindered by its unstable output under environment changes. Herein, we develop a digital‐twin smart home using a robust all‐TENG based information mat (InfoMat), which consists of an in‐home mat array and an entry mat. The interdigital electrodes design allows environment‐insensitive ratiometric readout from the mat array to cancel the commonly experienced environmental variations. Arbitrary position sensing is also achieved because of the interval arrangement of the mat pixels. Concurrently, the two‐channel entry mat generates multi‐modality information to aid the 10‐user identification accuracy to increase from 93% to 99% compared to the one‐channel case. Furthermore, a digital‐twin smart home is visualized by real‐time projecting the information in smart home to virtual reality, including access authorization, position, walking trajectory, dynamic activities/sports, and so on.

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“Plasma exchange in a bottle”: An overview of efgartigimod for apheresis practitioners
Authors: Tran Minh‐Ha
Published: August 2022

Efgartigimod represents a first‐in‐class immunomodulatory agent that is comparable to TPE in reducing immunoglobulin levels. This translates to reductions in Myasthenia Gravis symptom scores with maximal effect following the fourth weekly efgartigimod dose. Efgartigimod received FDA approval in December of 2021 and may be an alternative particularly for patients on long‐term TPE regimens of weekly or less frequent. Apheresis practitioners, especially those managing long‐term apheresis in seropositive individuals, may therefore see some of their patients transitioned from plasma exchange to efgartigimod. Long‐term experience with efgartigimod remains lacking and studies are needed to establish the role of efgartigimod in the acute setting.
PARP1 inhibition enhances reactive oxygen species on gut microbiota
Authors: Zhuang Yixiao , Wang Hui , Ding Jiyang , Zhang Xinyi , Liu Xiaoyu , Zhang Shuai , Xing Xiaorui , Kaudimba Keneilwe Kenny , He Muyang , Zhang Shuang , Guo Shanshan , Kong Xingxing , Jin Li , Liu Tiemin
Published: August 2022

Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) plays a key role in genome stability by modulating DNA‐damage responses. Activated by DNA interruptions through ultraviolet (UV) exposure, PARylation is synthesized by PARP1 and serves as a survival mechanism for cancer and metabolic diseases. Several strategies including ROS and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) function in host defenses, while the targeted tissue and mechanism under DNA damage are unknown. Here, we show that DNA damage induces responses specifically in the gut tissue. The knockdown of PARP1 reduces the activation of PARylation. Parp1 knockdown under DNA damage results in over‐accumulated ROS and secretion of AMPs through the regulation of Relish, a subunit of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB). Double‐knockdown of Parp1 and Relish specifically in the gut inhibits AMP secretion. In conclusion, the host defense is achieved through ROS accumulation rather than the AMPs under DNA damage. In contrast, the knockdown of PARP1 exacerbates ROS accumulation to a harmful level. Under this circumstance, NF‐κb targeted AMP secretion is provoked for host defense. Microbiome and functional analysis provide evidence for the hazard of DNA damage and show variations in the metabolic pathways following Parp1 inhibition. Our findings suggest the notion that PARP1 inhibition contributes to ROS accumulation under DNA damage and its role in NF‐κb activation for host defense.
Involvement of Bid in the crosstalk between ferroptotic agent‐induced ER stress and TRAIL‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Kim Jin Hong , Najy Abdo J. , Li Jian , Luo Xu , Kim Hyeong‐Reh C. , Choudry Mohammad Haroon Asif , Lee Yong J.
Published: August 2022

Tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces death receptor‐mediated extrinsic apoptosis, specifically in cancer cells, and Bid (BH3‐interacting domain death agonist) plays an important role in TRAIL‐induced apoptosis. Ferroptosis is a newly defined form of regulated cell death known to be distinct from other forms of cell death. However, our previous studies have shown that ferroptosis shares common pathways with other types of programmed cell death such as apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the role of Bid in the crosstalk between the ferroptotic agent‐induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and TRAIL‐induced apoptosis. When human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells were treated with the ferroptosis‐inducing agents artesunate and erastin in combination with TRAIL, TRAIL‐induced activation of caspase‐8 was enhanced, and subsequently, the truncation of Bid was increased. Similar results were observed when ovarian adenocarcinoma OVCAR‐3 cells were treated with the ferroptotic agents in combination with TRAIL. Results from studies with Bid mutants reveal that the truncation of Bid and the presence of intact BH3 domains are critical for synergistic apoptosis. Nonfunctional Bid mutants were not able to activate the mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis pathway, which is required for the conversion of p19 to p17, the active form of caspase‐3. These results indicate that Bid plays a critical role in the crosstalk between the ferroptotic agent‐induced ER stress response and TRAIL‐induced apoptosis.
Optimizing medium composition with wastewater from Coffea arabica processing to produce single‐cell protein using Candida sorboxylosa
Authors: Pillaca‐Pullo Omar S. , Lopes André Moreni , Rodriguez‐Portilla Liz M.I. , Estela‐Escalante Waldir
Published: August 2022

Background

Coffee production is an important agro‐industrial activity in several countries worldwide. However, during wet processing of coffee beans, substantial quantities of wastewater effluents are generated and discharged into nearby water systems, negatively impacting ecosystems. A compelling biotechnological alternative involves the use of nutrients contained in wastewater (e.g., sugars, proteins, and salts) to produce value‐added molecules–such as single‐cell protein (SCP) using the yeast Candida sorboxylosa–with high potential for use as animal feed.

Results

Yeast isolated from the feces of ring‐tailed coatis showed a positive assimilation of reducing sugars (glucose, mannose, and fructose). Efficient reuse of coffee wastewater (CWW) for SCP production was achieved via the statistical design of experiments (DoE) technique. The bioprocess was standardized in a medium culture composed of 87.5% (v/v) CWW, and of 1.38 and 7.24 g/L yeast extract (YE) and ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4], respectively, resulting in a high SCP yield of approximately 38%.

Conclusion

The reuse of CWW shows potential as a low‐cost component for SCP production that can ultimately reduce the environmental impact of wastewater effluent by circumventing its release into river systems. The bioprocess developed in this study presented certain advantages, including high volumes of CWW with only YE and (NH4)2SO4 supplementation, and without requiring additional components to correct the pH of the medium. Therefore, it is highly feasible to apply this bioprocess in close proximity to coffee‐processing agrobusinesses, thus generating an alternative source of income for Peruvian coffee‐producing communities. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Proposal of nomograms to predict clinical outcomes in patients with ampulla of Vater cancer based on the Korea‐Japan collaborative study
Authors: Kim Hyung Sun , Kim Woojin , Endo Itaru , Jang Jin‐Young , Kim Hongbeom , Song Ki Byung , Hwang Dae Wook , Kang Chang Moo , Hwang Ho Kyoung , Park Sang‐Jae , Han Sung‐Sik , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Do Yang Jae , Amano Ryosuke , Yamazoe Sadaaki , Yanagimoto Hiroaki , Ajiki Tetsuo , Ohtsuka Masayuki , Suzuki Daisuke , Lee Dong‐Shik , Kitahata Yuji , Amaya Koji , Sakata Jun , Seo Hyung Il , Yamauchi Junichiro , Yabushita Yasuhiro , Tanaka Takayuki , Sakurai Naoki , Hirashita Teijiro , Horiguchi Akihiko , Unno Michiaki , Do You Dong , Yamashita Yo‐ichi , Kobayashi Shogo , Kyoden Yusuke , Ide Takao , Nagano Hiroaki , Nakamura Masafumi , Yamaue Hiroki , Yamamoto Masakazu , Park Joon Seong
Published: August 2022

Background

In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to predict overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) in patients who underwent curative resection of ampulla of Vater (AOV) cancer. This is the first study for nomograms in AOV cancer patients using retrospective data based on an international multicenter study.

Methods

A total of 2007 patients with AOV adenocarcinoma who received operative therapy between 2002 January and 2015 December in Korea and Japan were retrospectively assessed to develop a prediction model. Nomograms for 5‐year OS and 3‐year RFS were constructed by dividing the patients who received and who did not receive adjuvant therapy after surgery, respectively. Significant risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. Performance assessment of the four prediction models was conducted by the Harrell’s concordance index (C‐index) and calibration curves using bootstrapping.

Results

A total of 2007 and 1873 patients were collected for nomogram construction to predict 5‐year OS and 3‐year RFS. We developed four types of nomograms, including models for 5‐year OS and 3‐year RFS in patients who did not receive postoperative adjuvant therapy, and 5‐year OS and 3‐year RFS in patients who received postoperative adjuvant therapy. The C‐indices of these nomograms were 0.795 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.766‐0.823), 0.712 (95% CI: 0.674‐0.750), 0.804 (95% CI: 0.7778‐0.829), and 0.703 (95% CI: 0.669‐0.737), respectively.

Conclusions

This predictive model could help clinicians to choose optimal treatment and precisely predict prognosis in AOV cancer patients.
Expansion of the clinical and neuroimaging spectrum associated with NDUFS8‐related disorder
Authors: Andzelm Milena M. , Balasubramaniam Shanti , Yang Edward , Compton Alison G. , Millington Kate , Zhu Jia , Anselm Irina , Rodan Lance H. , Thorburn David R. , Christodoulou John , Srivastava Siddharth
Published: August 2022

Biallelic pathogenic variants in NDUFS8, a nuclear gene encoding a subunit of mitochondrial complex I, result in a mitochondrial disorder characterized by varying clinical presentations and severity. Here, we expand the neuroimaging and clinical spectrum of NDUFS8‐related disorder. We present three cases from two unrelated families (a girl and two brothers) homozygous for a recurrent pathogenic NDUFS8 variant [c.460G>A, p.(Gly154Ser)], located in the [4Fe‐4S] domain of the protein. One of the patients developed auto‐antibody positive diabetic ketoacidosis. Brain MRIs performed in two of the three patients demonstrated diffuse cerebral and cerebellar white matter involvement including corticospinal tracts, but notably had sparing of deep gray matter structures. Our report expands the neuroimaging phenotype of NDUFS8‐related disorder to include progressive leukodystrophy with increasing brainstem and cerebellar involvement, with relative sparing of the basal ganglia. In addition, we describe autoimmune diabetes in association with NDUFS8‐related disorder, though the exact mechanism of this association is unclear. This paper provides a comprehensive review of case presentation and progressive neuroimaging findings of three patients from two unrelated families that have an identical pathogenic NDUFS8 variant, which expands the clinical spectrum of NDUFS8‐associated neurological disease.
Intraspecific variation in the cranial osteology of Diplometopon zarudnyi (Squamata: Amphisbaenia: Trogonophidae)
Authors: Hawkins Rebecca K. , Bell Christopher J. , Olori Jennifer C. , Stocker Michelle R.
Published: August 2022

A snake‐like body plan and burrowing lifestyle characterize numerous vertebrate groups as a result of convergent evolution. One such group is the amphisbaenians, a clade of limbless, fossorial lizards that exhibit head‐first burrowing behavior. Correlated with this behavior, amphisbaenian skulls are more rigid and coossified than those of nonburrowing lizards. However, due to their lifestyle, there are many gaps in our understanding of amphisbaenian anatomy, including how their cranial osteology varies among individuals of the same species and what that reveals about constraints on the skull morphology of head‐first burrowing taxa. We investigated intraspecific variation in the cranial osteology of amphisbaenians using seven individuals of the trogonophid Diplometopon zarudnyi. Variation in both skull and individual skull element morphology was examined qualitatively and quantitatively through three‐dimensional (3D) models created from microcomputed tomography data. Qualitative examination revealed differences in the number and position of foramina, the interdigitation between the frontals and parietal, and the extent of coossification among the occipital complex, fused basioccipital and parabasisphenoid (“parabasisphenoid‐basioccipital complex”), and elements X. We performed 3D landmark‐based geometric morphometrics for the quantitative assessment, revealing shape differences in the skull, premaxilla, maxilla, frontal, and parietal. The observed intraspecific variation may be the result of different stages of ontogenetic development or biomechanical optimization for head‐first burrowing. For example, variation in the coossification of the occipital region suggests a potential ontogenetic coossification sequence. Examination of these areas of variation across other head‐first burrowing taxa will help determine if the variation is clade‐specific or part of a broader macroevolutionary pattern of head‐first burrowing.
MRI‐Based Artificial Intelligence in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Wong Chinting , Fu Yu , Li Mingyang , Mu Shengnan , Chu Xiaotong , Fu Jiahui , Lin Chenghe , Zhang Huimao
Published: August 2022

Rectal cancer (RC) accounts for approximately one‐third of colorectal cancer (CRC), with death rates increasing in patients younger than 50 years old. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely performed for tumor evaluation. However, the semantic features from images alone remain insufficient to guide treatment decisions. Functional MRIs are useful for revealing microstructural and functional abnormalities and nevertheless have low or modest repeatability and reproducibility. Therefore, during the preoperative evaluation and follow‐up treatment of patients with RC, novel noninvasive imaging markers are needed to describe tumor characteristics to guide treatment strategies and achieve individualized diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) has created new tools for RC evaluation based on MRI. In this review, we summarize the research progress of AI in the evaluation of staging, prediction of high‐risk factors, genotyping, response to therapy, recurrence, metastasis, prognosis, and segmentation with RC. We further discuss the challenges of clinical application, including improvement in imaging, model performance, and the biological meaning of features, which may also be major development directions in the future.

Evidence Level

5

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
New International Guidelines and Consensus on the Use of Lung Ultrasound
Authors: Demi Libertario , Wolfram Frank , Klersy Catherine , De Silvestri Annalisa , Ferretti Virginia Valeria , Muller Marie , Miller Douglas , Feletti Francesco , Wełnicki Marcin , Buda Natalia , Skoczylas Agnieszka , Pomiecko Andrzej , Damjanovic Domagoj , Olszewski Robert , Kirkpatrick Andrew W. , Breitkreutz Raoul , Mathis Gebhart , Soldati Gino , Smargiassi Andrea , Inchingolo Riccardo , Perrone Tiziano
Published: August 2022

Following the innovations and new discoveries of the last 10 years in the field of lung ultrasound (LUS), a multidisciplinary panel of international LUS experts from six countries and from different fields (clinical and technical) reviewed and updated the original international consensus for point‐of‐care LUS, dated 2012. As a result, a total of 20 statements have been produced. Each statement is complemented by guidelines and future developments proposals. The statements are furthermore classified based on their nature as technical (5), clinical (11), educational (3), and safety (1) statements.