bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel high-efficiency plasma nitriding process utilizing a high power impulse magnetron sputtering discharge
Authors: Ehiasarian A. P. , Hovsepian P. Eh.
Published: February 2024

Lifetime and biocompatibility of orthopedic implants are crucial in meeting the new challenges brought about by the fall in the patient age and the aging population. The high-load surfaces in contact with the biological environment must display enhanced tribological properties, biocompatibility, and reduced metal ion release in long-term clinical performance. Surface modification techniques such as nitriding can significantly improve the in-service behavior of the medical-grade alloys in current use. We report on a novel approach for nitriding of CoCrMo alloys using high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) discharge. The new nitriding process has been successfully carried out at the National HIPIMS Technology Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, UK, in an industrial size Hauzer 1000-4 system enabled with HIPIMS technology. While the nitriding ion flux is controlled by the HIPIMS magnetron plasma source, the ion energy can be independently set via the substrate bias. Implementing the HIPIMS source allows reducing the operational pressure by one order of magnitude compared to conventional dc plasma nitriding (DCPN). Plasma analyses have identified significantly enhanced production of ions of molecular nitrogen (N2+), atomic nitrogen (N+), and N2H+ radicals in the HIPIMS discharge compared to DCPN. Because of the low pressure of operation of the HIPIMS process, the energy of ions is similar to the bias voltage, whereas the high pressures used in DCPN cause severe losses in ion energy due to scattering collisions within the sheath. The high flux and high ion energy are primarily responsible for achieving a fourfold increase in process productivity as compared to state-of-the-art plasma nitriding processes. The nitrided surface layers exhibit excellent mechanical and tribological properties, which bring about significant improvements in hardness, fracture toughness, and wear. The protective function of the nitrided layer against corrosion in the aggressive environments of simulated body fluid is remarkably augmented. The barrier properties of the nitrided layer have been demonstrated through a reduction in metal ion release by as much as a factor of 2, 4, and 10 for Co, Cr, and Mo, respectively.
Intracellular proteomics and extracellular vesiculomics as a metric of disease recapitulation in 3D-bioprinted aortic valve arrays
Authors: Clift Cassandra L. , Blaser Mark C. , Gerrits Willem , Turner Mandy E. , Sonawane Abhijeet , Pham Tan , Andresen Jason L. , Fenton Owen S. , Grolman Joshua M. , Campedelli Alesandra , Buffolo Fabrizio , Schoen Frederick J. , Hjortnaes Jesper , Muehlschlegel Jochen D. , Mooney David J. , Aikawa Masanori , Singh Sasha A. , Langer Robert , Aikawa Elena
Published: February 2024

In calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), mechanosensitive valvular cells respond to fibrosis- and calcification-induced tissue stiffening, further driving pathophysiology. No pharmacotherapeutics are available to treat CAVD because of the paucity of (i) appropriate experimental models that recapitulate this complex environment and (ii) benchmarking novel engineered aortic valve (AV)–model performance. We established a biomaterial-based CAVD model mimicking the biomechanics of the human AV disease-prone fibrosa layer, three-dimensional (3D)–bioprinted into 96-well arrays. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analyses probed the cellular proteome and vesiculome to compare the 3D-bioprinted model versus traditional 2D monoculture, against human CAVD tissue. The 3D-bioprinted model highly recapitulated the CAVD cellular proteome (94% versus 70% of 2D proteins). Integration of cellular and vesicular datasets identified known and unknown proteins ubiquitous to AV calcification. This study explores how 2D versus 3D-bioengineered systems recapitulate unique aspects of human disease, positions multiomics as a technique for the evaluation of high throughput–based bioengineered model systems, and potentiates future drug discovery.
Remote magnetic navigation enables precision telesurgery
Authors: Nelson Bradley J. , Bendok Bernard R. , Turcotte Evelyn L. , Batjer H. Hunt
Published: February 2024

Medical devices actuated by external magnetic fields can create opportunities for clinical adoption of precision telesurgery.
Clinical isolates of
Streptococcus mitis/oralis
-related species with reduced carbapenem susceptibility, harboring amino acid substitutions in penicillin-binding proteins in Japan
Authors: Sarangi Jayathilake , Ido Ayaka , Ito Masaya , Iinuma Chihiro , Doyama Yo , Jin Wanchun , Wachino Jun-ichi , Suzuki Masahiro , Iguchi Mitsutaka , Yagi Tetsuya , Arakawa Yoshichika , Kimura Kouji
Published: February 2024

Streptococcus mitis/oralis
group isolates with reduced carbapenem susceptibility have been reported, but its isolation rate in Japan is unknown. We collected 356 clinical α-hemolytic streptococcal isolates and identified 142 of them as
S. mitis/oralis
using partial
sodA
sequencing. The rate of meropenem non-susceptibility was 17.6% (25/142). All 25 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates harbored amino acid substitutions in/near the conserved motifs in PBP1A, PBP2B, and PBP2X. Carbapenem non-susceptibility is common among
S. mitis/oralis
group isolates in Japan.
Host defense peptides mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance in physiologically relevant condition
Authors: Zhang Miao , Yang Bingqing , Shi Jingru , Wang Zhiqiang , Liu Yuan
Published: February 2024

Antibiotic resistance represents a significant challenge to public health and human safety. The primary driver behind the dissemination of antibiotic resistance is the horizontal transfer of plasmids. Current conjugative transfer assay is generally performed in a standardized manner, ignoring the effect of the host environment. Host defense peptides (HDPs) possess a wide range of biological targets and play an essential role in the innate immune system. Herein, we reveal that sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of HDPs facilitate the conjugative transfer of RP4-7 plasmid in the Luria Broth medium, and this observation is reversed in the RPMI medium, designed to simulate the host environment. Out of these HDPs, indolicidin (Ind), a cationic tridecapeptide from bovine neutrophils, significantly inhibits the conjugation of multidrug resistance plasmids in a dose-dependent manner, including
bla
NDM
- and
tet
(X4)-bearing plasmids. We demonstrate that the addition of Ind to RPMI medium as the incubation substrate downregulates the expression of conjugation-related genes. In addition, Ind weakens the tricarboxylic acid cycle, impedes the electron transport chain, and disrupts the proton motive force, consequently diminishing the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate and limiting the energy supply. Our findings highlight the importance of the host-like environments for the development of horizontal transfer inhibitors and demonstrate the potential of HDPs in preventing the spread of resistance plasmids.
Rapid high-throughput processing of tissue samples for microbiological diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections using bead-beating homogenization
Authors: Jazmati Nathalie , Liebold Carolin , Offerhaus Christoph , Volkenand Annika , Grote Stefan , Pöpsel Juliane , Körber-Irrgang Barbara , Hoppe Thomas , Wisplinghoff Hilmar
Published: February 2024

Enrichment of periprosthetic tissue samples in blood culture bottles (BCBs) for microbiological diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) is more reliable than the use of an enrichment broth. Nevertheless, the extremely time-consuming homogenization of the samples for BCB processing has so far limited its use, especially in high-throughput settings. We aimed to establish a highly scalable homogenization process of tissue samples for long-term incubation in BCBs. A protocol for homogenization of tissue samples using bead beating was established and validated. In a second step, the use of the homogenate for enrichment in BCBs was compared to the use of thioglycolate broth (TB) in terms of diagnostic accuracy using clinical tissue samples from 150 patients with suspected PJI. Among 150 analyzed samples, 35 samples met the microbiological criteria for PJI. Using BCB, 32 of 35 (91.4%) PJI were detected compared to 30 of 35 (85.7%) by TB. The use of BCB had a lower secondary contamination rate (2/115; 1.7% vs 4/115; 3.5%) but the trend was not significant due to low numbers of samples (
P
= 0.39). The time to process a batch of 12 samples using the established homogenization method was 23 ± 5 min (
n
= 10 batches). We established and validated a homogenization workflow that achieves the highest sensitivity in the microbiological diagnostic of PJI. The enrichment of the tissue homogenate in BCBs showed equally good results as the use of enrichment broth and allows semi-automated high-throughput processing while demonstrating lower contamination rates in our study.
Increased production of aureolysin and staphopain A is a primary determinant of the reduced virulence of
Staphylococcus aureus sarA
mutants in osteomyelitis
Authors: Campbell Mara J. , Beenken Karen E. , Ramirez Aura M. , Smeltzer Mark S.
Published: February 2024

We previously demonstrated that mutation of
sarA
in
Staphylococcus aureus
limits biofilm formation, cytotoxicity for osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and virulence in osteomyelitis, and that all of these phenotypes can be attributed to the increased production of extracellular proteases. Here we extend these studies to assess the individual importance of these proteases alone and in combination with each other using the methicillin-resistant USA300 strain LAC, the methicillin-susceptible USA200 strain UAMS-1, and isogenic
sarA
mutants that were also unable to produce aureolysin (Aur), staphopain A (ScpA), staphylococcal serine protease A (subsp.), staphopain B (SspB), and the staphylococcal serine protease-like proteins A-F (SplA-F). Biofilm formation was restored in LAC and UAMS-1
sarA
mutants by subsequent mutation of
aur
and
scpA
, while mutation of
aur
had the greatest impact on cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, particularly with conditioned medium (CM) from the more cytotoxic strain LAC. However, SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis of CM confirmed that mutation of
sspAB
was also required to mimic the phenotype of
sarA
mutants unable to produce any extracellular proteases. Nevertheless, in a murine model of post-traumatic osteomyelitis, mutation of
aur
and
scpA
had the greatest impact on restoring the virulence of LAC and UAMS-1
sarA
mutants, with concurrent mutation of
sspAB
and the
spl
operon having relatively little effect. These results demonstrate that the increased production of Aur and ScpA in combination with each other is a primary determinant of the reduced virulence of
S. aureus sarA
mutants in diverse clinical isolates including both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible strains.

IMPORTANCE

Previous work established that SarA plays a primary role in limiting the production of extracellular proteases to prevent them from limiting the abundance of
S. aureus
virulence factors. Eliminating the production of all 10 extracellular proteases in the methicillin-resistant strain LAC has also been shown to enhance virulence in a murine sepsis model, and this has been attributed to the specific proteases Aur and ScpA. The importance of this work lies in our demonstration that the increased production of these same proteases largely accounts for the decreased virulence of
sarA
mutants in a murine model of post-traumatic osteomyelitis not only in LAC but also in the methicillin-susceptible human osteomyelitis isolate UAMS-1. This confirms that
sarA
-mediated repression of Aur and ScpA production plays a critical role in the posttranslational regulation of
S. aureus
virulence factors in diverse clinical isolates and diverse forms of
S. aureus
infection.
Complete genome sequence of
Lentilactobacillus buchneri
subsp.
silagei
MGR2-32 isolated from guinea grass silage in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Irimajiri Rei , Kuwabara Meimi , Togo Shun , Fujino Yasuhiro , Honsho Masanori , Mawatari Shiro , Fujino Takehiko , Doi Katsumi
Published: February 2024

The genome sequence of
Lentilactobacillus buchneri
subsp.
silagei
MGR2-32, isolated from guinea grass silage, is 2,540,137 bp, has a GC content of 44%, and contains 2,393 predicted protein-coding genes. Pairwise average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between MGR2-32 and the type strain were 99.75% and 99.90%, respectively.
Extracellular organic disulfide reduction by
Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1
Authors: Phan Jonathan , Macwan Shine , Gralnick Jeffrey A. , Yee Nathan
Published: February 2024

Microbial reduction of organic disulfides affects the macromolecular structure and chemical reactivity of natural organic matter. Currently, the enzymatic pathways that mediate disulfide bond reduction in soil and sedimentary organic matter are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the extracellular reduction of 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) by
Shewanella oneidensis
strain MR-1. A transposon mutagenesis screen performed with
S. oneidensis
resulted in the isolation of a mutant that lost ~90% of its DTNB reduction activity. Genome sequencing of the mutant strain revealed that the transposon was inserted into the
dsbD
gene, which encodes for an oxidoreductase involved in cytochrome
c
maturation. Complementation of the mutant strain with the wild-type
dsbD
partially restored DTNB reduction activity. Because DsbD catalyzes a critical step in the assembly of multi-heme
c
-type cytochromes, we further investigated the role of extracellular electron transfer cytochromes in organic disulfide reduction. The results indicated that mutants lacking proteins in the Mtr system were severely impaired in their ability to reduce DTNB. These findings provide new insights into extracellular organic disulfide reduction and the enzymatic pathways of organic sulfur redox cycling.

IMPORTANCE

Organic sulfur compounds in soils and sediments are held together by disulfide bonds. This study investigates how
Shewanella oneidensis
breaks apart extracellular organic sulfur compounds. The results show that an enzyme involved in the assembly of
c
-type cytochromes as well as proteins in the Mtr respiratory pathway is needed for
S. oneidensis
to transfer electrons from the cell surface to extracellular organic disulfides. These findings have important implications for understanding how organic sulfur decomposes in terrestrial ecosystems.
Fluid environment controls along-strike variation in slip style: Midcrustal geological signatures from the Red River fault, China
Authors: Duan Qingbao , Fagereng Åke , Chen Jianye , Blenkinsop Thomas
Published: February 2024

The slip style of continental midcrustal shear zones plays a crucial role in determining the seismogenic potential of faults, but it remains poorly understood because geological observations that can be directly tied to seismic behavior are scarce. We describe frictional-viscous shear zones in the Red River fault, China, which consists of two segments with distinct seismic behaviors and fluid availabilities. The northern segment hosts moderate to large earthquakes, and midcrustal fault slip is localized into mylonitized pseudotachylyte-bearing layers where dynamically recrystallized quartz records flow stresses exceeding 100 MPa and accelerated viscous creep. The southern segment is dominantly aseismic but active microseismically. Fault slip is accommodated in several mylonitized cataclasite layers, comprising interconnected biotite and intervening fractured clasts, with evidence for pervasive dissolution-precipitation creep. Microstructures, paleopiezometry, and microphysical modeling suggest transient aseismic slip in response to increased strain rates during viscous creep at <50 MPa. We interpret that along-strike variations in fluid environment control fault slip styles and seismic behaviors. The dry and strong northern segment is capable of nucleating large earthquakes, while greater fluid availability in the southern segment activates dissolution-precipitation creep at low driving stresses, which limits interseismic elastic strain accumulation at frictional-viscous transition depths. In this model, compaction-driven fluid pressurization and dilatant hardening are invoked to explain the aseismic slip transients in the southern segment.
Detrital isotopic record of a retreating accretionary orogen: An example from the Patagonian Andes
Authors: Rey F.M. , Malkowski M.A. , Fosdick J.C. , Dobbs S.C. , Calderón M. , Ghiglione M.C. , Graham S.A.
Published: February 2024

U-Pb zircon geochronology and isotopic records have played an influential role in our understanding of convergent margin dynamics. Orogenic cyclicity models link tectonic regimes with magmatic isotopic signatures in advancing orogens, relating compressional regimes with evolved signatures and extension with juvenile signatures; however, such frameworks may not apply for retreating orogens, which commonly produce substantial crustal heterogeneities during backarc rifting and ocean spreading. We explore the Mesozoic to Cenozoic Patagonian Andes tectonic evolution, combining U-Pb zircon ages, bulk rock εNd, and new detrital zircon εHf from the retroarc basin to understand the associated magmatic arc evolution during retreat and advance of the margin. Our results reveal a protracted phase of isotopically juvenile magmatism between 150 and 80 Ma, which began during backarc extension and persisted long after the margin switched to a contractional regime. We propose that the prolonged juvenile isotopic trend started mainly due to trenchward migration of the arc during backarc extension (150–120 Ma) and persisted due to partial melting of underthrusted juvenile attenuated and oceanic crust during backarc basin closure (120–80 Ma). This interpretation implies that tectonic stress alone does not predict isotopic trends, and factors like assimilation or the composition of underthrusted crust are important controls on magmatic isotopic composition, especially in retreating and transitional orogens.
Rare case of p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer metastasis to the orbit
Authors: Jeganathan Chaithanya , Tan Jian Li , Dhepnorrarat Chris
Published: February 2024

We describe a case of a man in his 70s who was diagnosed with a p16-positive base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and presented with deteriorating vision and exophthalmos. Imaging revealed medial rectus hypertrophy, and surgery confirmed metastatic p16-positive SCC. Literature reveals that orbital metastasis from any malignancy is a rare occurrence, and even that of p16-positive oropharyngeal SCC has only been reported once in English literature previously. The case highlights the importance of maintaining a wide differential and not being narrowed into a diagnosis or treatment, and given the increasing incidence of human papillomavirus-related cancers, it is important to preserve a high index of suspicion.
Acute sensorimotor paraneoplastic neuropathy in a patient with small cell prostate cancer
Authors: Faggin Marco , McCann Brendan , Gallagher Paul , Salmond Jonathan
Published: February 2024

The authors describe a patient with a background of metastatic small cell prostate cancer who presented with a rapidly evolving sensorimotor neuropathy with bulbar features closely resembling Guillain-Barré syndrome, with a good initial response to intravenous immunoglobulins and platinum-based chemotherapy. This represented a likely paraneoplastic manifestation of the patient’s urological malignancy.
Treatment of accidental puncture of the left subclavian artery and ongoing haemorrhage with vascular stenting
Authors: Di Chengye , Wang Qun , Wu Yanxi , Lin Wenhua
Published: February 2024

A man in his 60s was admitted for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) as a treatment for atrial fibrillation. A decapolar catheter (Synaptic Medical, Beijing, China) was inserted into the coronary sinus via the left subclavian vein. Two hours after RFCA, the patient presented new symptoms of cough, mild haemoptysis, mild dyspnoea and mild chest discomfort. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a mediastinal haematoma with contrast medium extravasation at the interlobular fissure outside the parietal pleura and mild–moderate pericardial effusion. Active left subclavian artery bleeding, rather than venous bleeding due to superior vena cava perforation, was finally diagnosed. Ongoing haemorrhage conservative treatment with red cell concentrate and intravenous fluid (normal saline) replacement may lead to compression of the mediastinum, and a covered stent was used to treat this iatrogenic complication.
Late-onset mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes and the role of serial imaging
Authors: Ambrogetti Robert , Kavanagh Ethan , ElTayeb Khalid
Published: February 2024

Mitochondria are essential for human metabolic function. Over 350 genetic mutations are associated with mitochondrial diseases, which are inherited in a matrilineal fashion. In mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), defective mitochondrial function and resultant impaired cellular energy production compromise vascular perfusion in affected tissues. Early diagnostic criteria suggested the diagnosis should be considered in those under 40. However, a broader range of phenotypes are now recognised, including those that present for the first time later in life. The primary presenting feature in MELAS is a stroke-like episode invariably resulting in patients undergoing neuroradiological imaging. We present a case of a woman with a first presentation of a stroke-like episode and seizures in her 40s who was eventually diagnosed with MELAS. We detail her clinical presentation, treatment and diagnosis, emphasising the role of serial imaging in her diagnosis.
Mercaptopurine-induced Sweet’s syndrome
Authors: Commins Natalie , Subhaharan Deloshaan , Dettrick Andrew , Patrick Desmond
Published: February 2024

Sweet’s syndrome is an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis. Drug-induced Sweet’s syndrome typically occurs soon after drug administration, with rapid resolution of symptoms with cessation of the offending agent. We report a man in his early 40s who presented with fever and widespread erythematous rash on a background of recently diagnosed mild stricturing ileal Crohn’s disease. He was commenced on 6-mercaptopurine 12 days before presentation. Skin biopsy demonstrated diffuse infiltration of neutrophils in the upper dermis, dermal oedema, eosinophils and fibrin deposition. Symptoms rapidly improved with cessation of 6-mercaptopurine without requiring systemic corticosteroids.
Nystagmus in a child with nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Vasantha Shekar Reddy Hamsa , S Nagabushana Divya , Kattamanchi Deepthi , Dakappa Ahish
Published: February 2024

We report a child with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome presenting with excessive irritability, double vision and inability to walk for 5 days. On examination, the child was irritable with Glasgow coma sccale (GCS of 12/15, had bilateral convergent squint (R>L), vertical nystagmus, ataxia without any focal neurological deficits and normal fundus. MRI brain with venogram showed bilateral symmetric FLAIR hyperintensity in the medial thalamus and periaqueductal grey matter showing diffuse restriction with normal venogram. A possibility of Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) was considered and the child was started on thiamine supplementation, following which he had significant improvement in his symptoms. His irritability reduced with significant improvement in the range of eye movements and vertical nystagmus. At 3-month follow-up, the child is asymptomatic with normal gait. Although WE is uncommon in children with nephrotic syndrome, the possibility has to be kept in mind when a child presents with atypical neurological symptoms.
Exploring the influences of education, intelligence and income on mental disorders
Authors: Baranova Ancha , Cao Hongbao , Zhang Fuquan
Published: February 2024

Background

Previous studies have shown that educational attainment (EA), intelligence and income are key factors associated with mental disorders. However, the direct effects of each factor on major mental disorders are unclear.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the overall and independent causal effects of the three psychosocial factors on common mental disorders.

Methods

Using genome-wide association study summary datasets, we performed Mendelian randomisation (MR) and multivariable MR (MVMR) analyses to assess potential associations between the 3 factors (EA, N=766 345; household income, N=392 422; intelligence, N=146 808) and 13 common mental disorders, with sample sizes ranging from 9907 to 807 553. Inverse-variance weighting was employed as the main method in the MR analysis.

Results

Our MR analysis showed that (1) higher EA was a protective factor for eight mental disorders but contributed to anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder (BD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD); (2) higher intelligence was a protective factor for five mental disorders but a risk factor for OCD and ASD; (3) higher household income protected against 10 mental disorders but confers risk for anorexia nervosa. Our MVMR analysis showed that (1) higher EA was a direct protective factor for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and insomnia but a direct risk factor for schizophrenia, BD and ASD; (2) higher intelligence was a direct protective factor for schizophrenia but a direct risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD) and ASD; (3) higher income was a direct protective factor for seven mental disorders, including schizophrenia, BD, MDD, ASD, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD and anxiety disorder.

Conclusions

Our study reveals that education, intelligence and income intertwine with each other. For each factor, its independent effects on mental disorders present a more complex picture than its overall effects.
Pregnancy stressors and postpartum symptoms of depression and anxiety: the moderating role of a cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention
Authors: Sun Yunxiang , Park Soim , Malik Abid , Atif Najia , Zaidi Ahmed , Rahman Atif , Surkan Pamela J
Published: February 2024

Background

Little is known about the association between stressors (especially positive stressors) during pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety.

Aims

We investigated the association between positive and negative stress events during different stages of pregnancy and postpartum mental health outcomes among low-income pregnant women with symptoms of anxiety in Pakistan and evaluated whether an intervention based on cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) had a regulatory effect.

Methods

Participants were 621 pregnant Pakistani women with mild anxiety. Using the Pregnancy Experience Scale-Brief Version, six scores were created to assess positive and negative stressors. We performed a multivariate linear regression to examine whether these six scores, measured both at baseline and in the third trimester, were associated with postpartum anxiety and depressive symptoms. The effect of the intervention on this relationship was examined by adding an interaction term to the regression model.

Results

Hassles frequency measured in the third trimester was positively associated with depression (B=0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09 to 0.36) and anxiety (B=0.19, 95% CI: 0.08to 0.30). At the same timepoint, uplifts intensity was negatively associated with symptoms of depression (B=−0.82, 95% CI: −1.46 to –0.18) and anxiety (B=−0.70, 95% CI: −1.25 to –0.15), whereas hassles intensity was positively related to symptoms of depression (B=1.02, 95% CI: 0.36 to 1.67) and anxiety (B=0.90, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.47). The intensity ratio of hassles to uplifts reported in the third trimester was positively related to both depression (B=1.40, 95% CI: 0.59 to 2.20) and anxiety (B=1.26, 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.96). The intervention strengthened the overall positive effects of uplifts and the negative effects of hassles. Pregnancy experiences at baseline during early pregnancy to mid-pregnancy were not associated with mental health outcomes.

Conclusions

Stressors in the third trimester but not earlier in pregnancy were associated with postpartum symptoms of anxiety and depression. The CBT intervention modified the association between pregnancy stressors and postpartum mental health outcomes. Programmes that promote positive experiences and reduce negative experiences, especially in late pregnancy, may mitigate postpartum mental health consequences.

Trial registration number

NCT03880032.
Gene of the month: the uroplakins
Authors: Sivakumaar Krithicck , Griffin Jon , Schofield Ella , Catto James W F , Jubber Ibrahim
Published: February 2024

Uroplakins are a family of membrane-spanning proteins highly specific to the urothelium. There are four uroplakin proteins in humans. These are encoded by the followingUPKgenes:UPK1A,UPK1B,UPK2andUPK3. Uroplakin proteins span the apical membrane of umbrella cells of the urothelium, where they associate into urothelial plaques. This provides a barrier function to prevent passage of urine across the urothelium in the renal pelvis, ureters, and bladder. Uroplakins are also involved in developmental processes such as nephrogenesis. The specific localisation of uroplakins within the urothelium means that they are often expressed in primary and metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma and may be used as an immunohistochemical marker of urothelial malignancy.
Exercise as medicine in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Langeskov-Christensen Martin , Franzén Erika , Grøndahl Hvid Lars , Dalgas Ulrik
Published: February 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an incurable and progressive neurological disorder leading to deleterious motor and non-motor consequences. Presently, no pharmacological agents can prevent PD evolution or progression, while pharmacological symptomatic treatments have limited effects in certain domains and cause side effects. Identification of interventions that prevent, slow, halt or mitigate the disease is therefore pivotal. Exercise is safe and represents a cornerstone in PD rehabilitation, but exercise may have even more fundamental benefits that could change clinical practice. In PD, the existing knowledge base supports exercise as (1) a protective lifestyle factor preventing the disease (ie, primary prevention), (2) a potential disease-modifying therapy (ie, secondary prevention) and (3) an effective symptomatic treatment (ie, tertiary prevention). Based on current evidence, a paradigm shift is proposed, stating that exercise should be individually prescribed as medicine to persons with PD at an early disease stage, alongside conventional medical treatment.
Effects of motor cortical and peripheral axonal hyperexcitability on survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Otani Ryo , Shibuya Kazumoto , Suzuki Yo-Ichi , Suichi Tomoki , Morooka Marie , Aotsuka Yuya , Ogushi Moeko , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: February 2024

Background

Increased ‘cortical’ and ‘peripheral’ excitability are reportedly associated with shorter survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, suggesting that hyperexcitability contributes to motor neuron death. However, whether upper or lower motor function has a greater impact on survival is unclear. We aimed to investigate the component that strongly impacts the prognosis of ALS.

Methods

A total of 103 consecutive patients with ALS who underwent cortical (threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)) and motor nerve excitability tests were included. Motor cortical excitability was evaluated using short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) during TMS. Motor axonal excitability was assessed using the strength-duration time constant (SDTC). Survival time was defined as the time from examination to death or tracheostomy.

Results

Compared with healthy subjects, patients with ALS had lower SICI and longer SDTC (p<0.05), indicating increased excitability of cortical motor neurons and motor axons. According to the SICI and SDTC findings, patients were divided into the following four groups: ‘cortical high and peripheral high (high-high)’, ‘high-low’, ‘low-high’ and ‘low-low’ groups. In Kaplan-Meier curves, the ‘high-high’ and ‘low-high’ groups showed significantly shorter survival than the other groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that increased cortical (HR=5.3, p<0.05) and peripheral (HR=20.0, p<0.001) excitability were significantly associated with shorter survival.

Conclusions

In patients with ALS, both motor cortical and peripheral hyperexcitability independently affected survival time, with peripheral hyperexcitability having a greater impact on shorter survival. The modulation of neuronal/axonal excitability is a potential therapeutic target for ALS.
Chronic occupational exposures to irritants and asthma in the CONSTANCES cohort
Authors: Sit Guillaume , Orsi Laurent , Iwatsubo Yuriko , Dananché Brigitte , Orsi Florence , Goldberg Marcel , Leynaert Benedicte , Nadif Rachel , Ribet Céline , Roche Nicolas , Roquelaure Yves , Varraso Raphäelle , Zins Marie , Pilorget Corinne , Le Moual Nicole , Dumas Orianne
Published: February 2024

Objectives

The impact of chronic occupational exposures to irritants on asthma remains discussed. We studied the associations between occupational exposures and asthma, with specific interest for chronic exposure to irritants, including disinfectants and cleaning products (DCPs) and solvents.

Methods

Cross-sectional analyses included 115 540 adults (55% women, mean age 43 years, 10% current asthma) working at inclusion in the French population-based CONSTANCES cohort (2012–2020). Current asthma was defined by ever asthma with symptoms, medication or asthma attacks (past 12 months), and the asthma symptom score by the sum of 5 respiratory symptoms (past 12 months). Both lifetime and current occupational exposures were assessed by the Occupational Asthma-specific Job-Exposure Matrix. Associations were evaluated by gender using logistic and binomial negative regressions adjusted for age, smoking status and body mass index.

Results

In women, associations were observed between current asthma and lifetime exposure to irritants (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.11), DCPs (1.06, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.12) and solvents (1.06, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.14). In men, only lifetime exposure to DCPs (1.10, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.20) was associated with current asthma. Lifetime exposure to irritants was associated with higher asthma symptom score both in women (mean score ratio: 1.08, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.11) and men (1.11, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.15), especially for DCPs (women: 1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.13, men: 1.21, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.27) and solvents (women 1.14, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.19, men: 1.10, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.15). For current exposures, no consistent associations were observed with current asthma and asthma symptom score.

Conclusions

Lifetime occupational exposures to irritants were associated with current asthma and higher asthma symptom score. These exposures should be carefully considered in asthma management.
Changes in work schedule affect headache frequency among Norwegian nurses: a 3-year-follow-up study
Authors: Kristoffersen Espen Saxhaug , Waage Siri , Pallesen Staale , Bjorvatn Bjørn
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To explore whether changes in work schedule, number of night shifts and number of quick returns were related to changes in headache frequencies.

Methods

A longitudinal study with questionnaire data from 2014 (baseline) and 2017 (follow-up) on work schedule (day only, shift work without nights and shift work with nights), number of night shifts, number of quick returns (less than 11 hours in-between shifts) and validated headache diagnoses among 1104 Norwegian nurses. Associations were explored by adjusted multivariate regression analyses.

Results

The median age at baseline was 37 years (IQR 31–43) and 90.5% were women. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis of changed work schedule between baseline and follow-up, changing from night work was associated with increased odds for reversion from headache >1 days/month to no headache at all last year (OR 2.77 (1.29; 5.95)). Changes towards less night shifts (>10) or quick returns (>10) during the last year were associated with increased odds of reversion of headache to no headache (OR 2.23 (1.20; 4.17) and OR 1.90 (1.04; 3.49)). Only decrease in number of night shifts (>10) during the last year reduced risk of onset of any new headache between baseline and follow-up (OR of 0.39 (0.18; 0.84)).

Conclusion

Changing from night work and reducing the number of night shifts and quick returns were associated with less headache in this 3-year-follow-up of Norwegian nurses. This adds to the growing body of evidence that night work may have direct negative health consequences.
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with suboptimal asthma care in the UK: the SABINA healthCARe-Based envirONmental cost of treatment (CARBON) study
Authors: Wilkinson Alexander J K , Maslova Ekaterina , Janson Christer , Radhakrishnan Vasanth , Quint Jennifer K , Budgen Nigel , Tran Trung N , Xu Yang , Menzies-Gow Andrew , Bell John P
Published: February 2024

Background

Poorly controlled asthma is associated with increased morbidity and healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU). Therefore, to quantify the environmental impact of asthma care, this retrospective, cohort, healthCARe-Based envirONmental cost of treatment (CARBON) study estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK associated with the management of well-controlled versus poorly controlled asthma.

Methods

Patients with current asthma (aged ≥12 years) registered with the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (2008‒2019) were included. GHG emissions, measured as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), were estimated for asthma-related medication use, HCRU and exacerbations during follow-up of patients with asthma classified at baseline as well-controlled (<3 short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) canisters/year and no exacerbations) or poorly controlled (≥3 SABA canisters/year or ≥1 exacerbation). Excess GHG emissions due to suboptimal asthma control included ≥3 SABA canister prescriptions/year, exacerbations and any general practitioner and outpatient visits within 10 days of hospitalisation or an emergency department visit.

Results

Of the 236 506 patients analysed, 47.3% had poorly controlled asthma at baseline. Scaled to the national level, the overall carbon footprint of asthma care in the UK was 750 540 tonnes CO2e/year, with poorly controlled asthma contributing excess GHG emissions of 303 874 tonnes CO2e/year, which is equivalent to emissions from >124 000 houses in the UK. Poorly controlled versus well-controlled asthma generated 3.1-fold higher overall and 8.1-fold higher excess per capita carbon footprint, largely SABA-induced, with smaller contributions from HCRU.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that addressing the high burden of poorly controlled asthma, including curbing high SABA use and its associated risk of exacerbations, may significantly alleviate asthma care-related carbon emissions.
A numerical investigation on the effect of rotation on the cone penetration test
Authors: Yang Xiaotong , Zhang Ningning , Wang Rui , Martinez Alejandro , Chen Yuyan , Fuentes Raul , Zhang Jian-Min
Published: February 2024

The cone penetration test (CPT) is one of the most popular in situ soil characterization tools. However, the test is often difficult to conduct in soils with high penetration resistance. To resolve the problem, a rotary CPT device has recently been adopted in practice by rotating the rod to increase the penetrability, particularly in deep dense sand. This study investigates the underlying mechanism of the rotation effects from a micromechanical perspective using models based on the discrete element method. With rotation, the cone penetration resistance ( qc) decreases by up to 50%, while the cone torque resistance ( tc) increases gradually. These results are also used to successfully assess existing theoretical solutions. The mechanical work required during penetration is observed to keep rising as the rotational velocity increases. Microscopic variables including particle displacement and velocity field show that rotation reduces the volume of disturbed soil during penetration and drives particles to rotate horizontally, while contact force chain and contact fabric indicate that rotation increases the number of radial and tangential contacts and the corresponding contact forces, forming a lateral stable structure around the shaft, which can reduce the force transmitted to the particles below the cone, thus decreasing the vertical penetration resistance.
Lifetimes of b-hadrons and mixing of neutral B-mesons: theoretical and experimental status
Authors: Albrecht Johannes , Bernlochner Florian , Lenz Alexander , Rusov Aleksey
Published: February 2024

In this article, we review the current status ofB-mixing andb-hadron lifetimes both from experimental and theoretical points of view. Furthermore, we discuss the phenomenological potential of these observables for deepening our understanding of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and for indirect searches for effects beyond the Standard Model (SM). In addition, we present new updated SM predictions for the mixing observables$$\Delta M_{d,s}$$ΔMd,s,$$\Delta \Gamma _{d,s}$$ΔΓd,sand$$a_{fs}^{d,s}$$afsd,s. We conclude with an outlook on future prospects for theoretical and experimental improvements.
Endpoint estimates of variation and oscillation operators associated with Zλ functions
Authors: Wen Yongming , Han Yanyan , Hou Xianming
Published: February 2024

This paper obtains weak-type estimates, limiting weak-type behaviors for variation operators associated with [Formula: see text] functions. Besides, we give a new characterization of Hardy space via the boundedness of variation operators associated with [Formula: see text] functions.
Deep learning-assisted Hubble parameter analysis
Authors: Salti Mehmet , Kangal Evrim Ersin , Zengin Bilgin
Published: February 2024

We turn our attention on evaluating the most recent Hubble parameter data measured via the differential evolution of cosmic-chronometers from a deep learning perspective. To achieve this goal, we start our investigation by introducing the selected theoretical setup and compiling the most recent statistical data obtained in cosmology experiments. Then we implement a tuned version of the long-short term memory (LSTM) architecture and run it to predict possible values of the Cosmic Hubble parameter for different red-shift states. Since we observe a good correlation between the observed and predicted datasets of the Hubble parameter, we conclude that the machine learning approaches can play important roles in the future cosmology investigations.
Raman-assisted Kerr platicon and perfect soliton crystal formation in the cavity
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Zhang Haoyu , Dong Kegong , Chu Qiuhui , Lin Honghuan , Wang Jianjun
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we investigate the soliton evolution dynamics influenced by the stimulated Raman scattering effect. The strong Raman gain ensures the breathing platicon and stable platicon formation at the cavity with normal quartic dispersion. The switching waves benefitted from the power transformation between pump mode and Raman gain spectrum could modulate the temporal waveform at the breathing platicon existence region. The oscillated characteristics of the temporal waveform mainly rely on the central frequency of the Raman gain spectrum. Meanwhile, at the anomalous quadratic dispersion regime, the Raman effects could capture the perfect soliton crystal formation which provides one novel method for the implementation of the harmonic mode-locking process. Our findings provide a viable way to demonstrate the cavity soliton dynamics and soliton-based applications.
Evaluation of the influence of neighboring resonance on spectroscopy measurements
Authors: Chen Ming-Chen , Qi Xiao-Qiu , Chen Ai-Xi
Published: February 2024

The quantum interference arising from neighboring resonance is investigated in a four-level system. This effect is evaluated through two methods: one is the direct numerical solution of the optical Bloch equation, and the other considers the impact of neighboring resonances as perturbations on other equations, i.e., using a simplified approximate optical Bloch equation for simulation. The results show that the energy shift caused by quantum interference is correlated with the spectral separation of two resonances, and is most significant when the interval is comparable to the spontaneous emission rate [Formula: see text]. For spectral separation that is sufficiently large, with spacing greater than [Formula: see text], the approximate optical Bloch equation method proves to be a straightforward and efficient approach. In addition, two formulas are given, which can be used to evaluate the contributions of neighboring resonances at other positions once the contribution of one is determined. According to the formulas, we evaluated the result of 4He atom as about [Formula: see text] kHz, which is consistent with the value given in the paper [Phys. Rev. A 86 (2012) 040501(R)]. Utilizing these methods can streamline intricate energy level structures, and thus facilitate the evaluation of quantum interference in high-precision spectroscopic measurements.
On the Vertex Identification Spectra of Grids
Authors: Marcelo Reginaldo M. , Tolentino Mark Anthony C. , Garciano Agnes D. , Ruiz Mari-Jo P. , Buot Jude C.
Published: February 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a red–white coloring of the vertices of a nontrivial connected graph [Formula: see text] with diameter [Formula: see text], where at least one vertex is colored red. Then [Formula: see text] is called an identification coloring or simply, an ID-coloring, if and only if for any two vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], where for any vertex [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the number of red vertices at a distance [Formula: see text] from [Formula: see text]. A graph is said to be an ID-graph if it possesses an ID-coloring. If [Formula: see text] is an ID-graph, then the spectrum of [Formula: see text] is the set of all positive integers [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] has an ID-coloring with [Formula: see text] red vertices. The identification number or ID-number of a graph is the smallest element in its spectrum. In this paper, we extend a result of Kono and Zhang on the identification number of grids [Formula: see text]. In particular, we give a formulation of strong ID-coloring and use it to give a sufficient condition for an ID-coloring of a graph to be extendable to an ID-coloring of the Cartesian product of a path [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. Consequently, some elements of the spectrum of grids [Formula: see text] for positive integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text], are obtained. The complete spectrum of ladders [Formula: see text] is then determined using systematic constructions of ID-colorings of the ladders.