bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The reinforcing effect of cyclic binary secondary amine chain extenders on the cryogenic performance of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers
Authors: Geng Yanfei , Wang Meng , Li Wenke , Yi Pengcheng , Ji Yumei , Stewart Callum , Yang Yike , Liu Feng
Published: April 2022

The poor cryogenic performance of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) severely restricts their extensive application in low‐temperature fields as elastomers. Chain extenders are one of the adjustable items for TPUs to optimize cryogenic performance. In this contribution, three cyclic amine homologs of imidazoline, piperazine and 2‐methylpiperazine are selected as bi‐functional chain extenders. The corresponding TPU elastomers, TPU‐IM, TPU‐PP, and TPU‐2P with identical soft segments, are synthesized by the prepolymer method. All TPUs' structure, morphology and thermodynamic properties were investigated. The results showed that the cyclic amine structure embedded in TPU hard segment can effectively promote microphase separation through hydrogen‐bonded crosslink and polar aggregation on the molecular scale, achieving a glass transition temperature (Tg) as low as −103.9°C for resisting low temperatures. The mechanical properties also demonstrated a 23‐fold improvement compared to the control TPU‐BD. The elastomer TPU‐PP possessed the best all‐around performance with an ideal Tg of −98.4°C and tensile strength of 18.1 MPa. We believe that these TPUs will have potential applications in cryogenic engineering.
The current scenario on anticancer activity of artemisinin metal complexes, hybrids, and dimers
Authors: Zhang Shu , Yi Chuan , Li Wei‐Wei , Luo Yang , Wu Yi‐Zhe , Ling Hai‐Bo
Published: April 2022

Cancer, the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality, has already posed a heavy burden on health care systems globally. In recent years, cancer treatment has made a significant breakthrough, but cancer cells inevitably acquire resistance, and the efficacy of the treatment is greatly reduced as the tumor progresses. To overcome the above issues, novel chemotherapeutics are needed urgently. Artemisinin and its derivatives—sesquiterpene lactone compounds possessing a unique peroxy bridge moiety—exhibit excellent safety and tolerability profiles. Mechanistically, artemisinin derivatives can promote cancer cell apoptosis, induce cell cycle arrest and autophagy, and inhibit cancer cell invasion and migration. Accordingly, artemisinin derivatives demonstrate promising anticancer efficacy both in vitro and in vivo, and even in clinical Phase I/II trials. The purpose of the present review article is to provide an emphasis on the current scenario (January 2017–January 2022) of artemisinin derivatives with potential anticancer activity, inclusive of artemisinin metal complexes, hybrids, and dimers. The structure–activity relationships and mechanisms of action are also discussed to facilitate the further rational design of more effective candidates.
How incumbents realize disruptive circular innovation ‐ Overcoming the innovator's dilemma for a circular economy
Authors: Kuhlmann Marianne , Bening Catharina R. , Hoffmann Volker H.
Published: April 2022

Despite the promises of the circular economy to become an attractive source of innovation, many firms have so far hesitated to pursue circular innovations. Incumbents are facing a dilemma: While circular innovations may be potentially disruptive to the current profitable linear business, standing still may be dangerous, as traditional businesses may be rendered obsolete in the current changing environment. Yet, the literature has so far provided only a few insights into how firms can approach circular innovations strategically. By using the lens of disruptive innovation, we offer a strategic analysis of circular innovation challenges and potential ways to overcome them. Based on two in‐depth cases, we show how a separate organizational structure can help to implement potentially disruptive circular innovation, but some caveats exist. In addition, this structural separation should be linked with a clear innovation strategy, and the partnerships, organizational culture, and competencies needed for implementation should also be considered.
A comprehensive study of the abdominal ganglia part 1: Celiac, phrenic and superior mesenteric ganglia
Authors: du Plessis Maira , Loukas Marios
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Patients with pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis and other abdominal pain syndromes may develop debilitating pain throughout the course of their illness with little to no relief by most conventional methods. While some form of relief is experienced by patients, not all benefit from these procedures and side effects, while transitory in most cases are severe and often not expected. Our aim was therefore to investigate the anatomy surrounding the abdominal sympathetic ganglia, the target for the invasive procedures in an attempt to understand the variations in results.

Materials and methods

The abdominal cavities of nine individuals were dissected and the ganglia investigated, harvested and histologically and immunochemical stained.

Results

The phrenic ganglion was found inconsistently and more often in the left than the right. If present it was located in association with the inferior phrenic artery and often connected to the celiac ganglion. The celiac ganglion was located anterior to the diaphragmatic crus on both sides and specifically posteromedial to the suprarenal gland and superior to the renal artery on the left. On the right it was located posterior to the suprarenal gland and inferior vena cava also superior to the renal vessels. The superior mesenteric ganglion was only positively identified in one individual and was located on the left lateral aspect of the superior mesenteric artery.

Conclusion

The blockade procedures for treatment of pain are developed to target the area around the celiac artery where the ganglion is commonly described to be located. However, based on our results of its location and interconnections the ganglion is not located in the targeted area.
Compared with fresh injera, stale injera increases satiety in healthy subjects, but does not decrease the glycemic index
Authors: Yaregal Zemenu , Baye Kaleab , Fardet Anthony
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives

The impact of food structure on postprandial physiological responses has received sustained attention in recent years. Changes in the glycemic response and satiety score to commonly consumed starchy foods may have a positive impact on health. However, no data on Ethiopian staple foods has been reported. This study aimed at investigating the effects of structural changes in injera (stale and fresh with similar macronutrient content) on glycemic and satiety responses in 10 healthy subjects during 2 h in a randomized cross‐over design.

Findings

With increasing hardness, stale injera had a marked higher satiety index (iAUC = 407 ± 14; p = .001) than fresh injera (iAUC = 333 ± 18). Besides, stale injera had a slightly, but not significant, lower glycemic index (GI) than fresh injera (stale, 35.9 ± 3.6; fresh, 40.2 ± 3.0).

Conclusions

Injera staling increased satiety but not glycemic response, and may provide a simple means for improving its health potential.

Significance and Novelty

The effect of injera staling on satiety/glycemic responses has never been studied before. Injera is a staple food in Ethiopia, eaten several times a day. Therefore, stale injera may help reducing food intake of subsequent unhealthy foods through increased satiety.
A novel design of 3D carbon host for stable lithium metal anode
Authors: Liu Hang , Di Jie , Wang Ping , Gao Rui , Tian Han , Ren Pengfei , Yuan Qingxi , Huang Wanxia , Liu Ruiping , Liu Qiang , Feng Ming
Published: April 2022

Rational design of porous conductive hosts with high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and adequate interior space is desirable to suppressing dendritic lithium growth and accommodating large volume change of lithium metal anode during the Li plating/stripping process. However, due to the conductive nature of the conductive hosts, Li is easily deposited directly on the top of the hosts, which hinders it from fully functioning. To circumvent the issue, in this study, we designed a novel porous carbon host with a gradient‐pore‐size structure based on one‐dimensional (1D) carbon with different diameters. With this kind of host, stable cycling with high and stable Coulombic efficiency of ~98% is achieved at 0.5 mA cm−2 with an areal capacity of 1 mAh cm−2 over 320 cycles. In contrast, the normal three‐dimensional (3D) carbon nanotube host presents a moss‐like Li morphology with wildly fluctuating Coulombic efficiency after 100 cycles. The results reveal that the unique gradient‐pore‐size structure of the 3D conductive host greatly improves the performance of lithium metal batteries.
Two‐in‐one shell configuration for bimetal selenides toward fast sodium storage within broadened voltage windows
Authors: Yan Zichao , Zhao Lingfei , Liang Yaru , Zhang Lei , Liu Hanwen , Zhu Zhiqiang , Wang Yunxiao , Chou Shu‐Lei
Published: April 2022

The shell structure design has been recognized as a highly efficient strategy to buffer the severe volume expansion and consecutive pulverization of conversion‐type anodes. Nevertheless, construction of a functional shell with a stabilized structure that meets the demands of both high electronic conductivity and feasible pathways for Na+ ions has been a challenge so far. Herein, we design a two‐in‐one shell configuration for bimetal selenides to achieve fast sodium storage within broadened voltage windows. The hybridized shell, which benefits from the combination of titanium dioxide quantum dots and amorphous carbon, can not only effectively buffer the strain and maintain structural integrity but also allow facile and reversible transport of electrons and Na+ uptake for electrode materials during sodiation/desodiation processes, resulting in increased reaction kinetics and diffusion of sodium ions, conferring many benefits to the functionality of conversion‐type electrode materials. As a representative material, Ni‐CoSe2 with such structural engineering shows a reversible capacity of 515 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and a stable capacity of 416 mAh g−1 even at 6.4 A g−1; more than 80% of the capacity at 0.1 A g−1 could be preserved, so that this strategy holds great promise for designing fast‐charging conversion‐type anodes in the future.
Construction and Activity of an All‐Organic Heterojunction Photocatalyst Based on Melem and Pyromellitic Dianhydride
Authors: Li Yuxin , Jiang Zeyu , Dong Guohui , Ho Wingkei
Published: April 2022

The separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers in the g‐C3N4system could be improved by the construction of all‐organic heterojunctions. However, g‐C3N4has a large π–π conjugated plane that induces a low number of amino groups (−NH2), which are the sites of the heterojunction reaction with organic molecules. In this case, few heterojunction knots can be constructed, and the enhancement effect of the heterojunction cannot be fully displayed. In this study, an all‐organic heterojunction with PMDA is constructed with melem instead of g‐C3N4. Although the photocatalytic activity of melem is far below that of g‐C3N4, the photocatalytic activity of PI (the all‐organic heterojunction constructed with melem) is considerably higher than that of CP (the all‐organic heterojunction constructed with g‐C3N4). This result is attributed to melem that has more –NH2groups to form more heterojunction knots, which can enable the effective transfer and separation of electron‐hole pairs. These new findings may shed light on the design of all‐organic heterojunction photocatalysts.
Associations between peer stress in early adolescence and multiple event‐related potentials elicited during social feedback processing
Authors: Panier Lidia , Ethridge Paige , Farrell‐Reeves Alison , Punturieri Claire , Kujawa Autumn , Dirks Melanie , Weinberg Anna
Published: April 2022

Interpersonal stress in adolescence has been associated with alterations in neural responses to peer feedback, and increased vulnerability to psychopathology. However, it is unclear whether the associations of interpersonal problems with neural responses are global across event‐related potentials (ERPs) or might result in alterations only in specific ERPs. We examined associations between multiple informants of peer stress (self‐reported, parent‐reported, and peer‐reported) and multiple ERPs (N1, P2, RewP, and LPP) to social feedback in a sample of 46 early adolescents (aged 12–13 years). Reports of peer stress were only moderately correlated with one another, indicating different informants capture different aspects of peer stress. Regressions using informant reports to predict ERPs revealed greater parent‐reported peer stress was associated with a smaller RewP, whereas self‐reported stress was associated with a smaller P2, to acceptance. In contrast, greater peer‐reported stress was associated withlargerP2, RewP, and LPP to acceptance. Findings suggest that different sources of stress measurement are differentially associated with ERPs. Future research using social feedback‐related ERPs should consider multiple sources of information as well as multiple ERP components across the time‐course of feedback processing, to gain a clearer understanding of the effects of peer stress on neural responses to feedback.
Conservative surgical treatment for metatarsal osteomyelitis in diabetic foot: experience of two French centres
Authors: Nguyen Sophie , Wallard Pauline , Robineau Olivier , Topolinski Hélène , Beltrand Eric , Benkanoun Ali , Baranski Didier , Descamps Dominique , Senneville Eric
Published: April 2022

Aims

Conservative surgery (CS) for diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) consists in removing all or part of the infected bone tissues without amputation, in complement with antibiotic therapy. Data on CS for DFO therapy are scarce.

Material and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all DFO episodes treated with CS between 06/2007 and 12/2017. Remission was defined by the absence of soft‐tissue infection, complete sustained (i.e. > 1 month) healing of the foot ulcer, favourable (i.e., stabilisation or improvement) radiological outcome, and no need for additional surgery during a 1‐year follow‐up.

Results

During the study period, 47 episodes (in 41 patients) were analysed. Excluding deaths (all unrelated to the DFO;n = 3) or loss to follow‐up before 1 year (n = 5), the remission rate was 64.2%. Most failures occurred during the first 6 months (79%, 11/14). Patients who experienced failure had a higher rate of peripheral arterial disease with arterial stenosis than patients in remission (57% vs. 24%,P = 0.03), a higher C‐reactive protein rate at admission (116 ± 112 mg/L vs. 48 ± 46 mg/L,P = 0.02), and a trend for a higher rate of abscesses (29% vs. 4%,P = 0.06). At 1‐year follow‐up, foot ulcers related to transfer lesion were identified in 25.5% of the cases. At the last follow‐up (mean 3 ± 2 years), the remission rate was 23/25 (92%).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that CS is a therapeutic option in patients with localised but severe DFO. Clinicians should, however, consider the necessity of revascularisation, and higher risk of failure if surgery is performed in patients presenting with acute foot infections.
Climate change weakens the impact of disturbance interval on the growth rate of natural populations of Venus flytrap
Authors: Louthan Allison M. , Keighron Melina , Kiekebusch Elsita , Cayton Heather , Terando Adam , Morris William F.
Published: April 2022

Disturbances elicit both positive and negative effects on organisms; these effects vary in their strength and their timing. Effects of disturbance interval (i.e., the length of time between disturbances) on population growth will depend on both the timing and strength of positive and negative effects of disturbances. Climate change can modify the relative strengths of these positive and negative effects, leading to altered optimal disturbance intervals (the disturbance interval at which population growth rate is highest) and changes in the sensitivity of population growth rate to disturbance interval. While we know that climate may alter impacts of disturbance in some systems, we have a poor understanding of which effects of disturbance and which vital rates might drive an altered response to disturbance interval in a changing climate. We use demographic monitoring of natural populations of Dionaea muscipula, the Venus flytrap, that have experienced natural and managed fires, combined with realistic past and future climate projections, to construct climate‐ and fire‐driven integral projection models (IPMs). We use these IPMs to compare the effect of fire return interval (FRI) on population growth rate in past and future climates. To dissect the mechanisms driving FRI response, we then construct IPMs with demographic data from an experimental manipulation of fire effects (ash addition, neighbor removal) and an accidental fire. Our results show that an FRI of 10 years is optimal for D. muscipula in past climate conditions, but a longer FRI (12 years) is optimal in future climate conditions. Further, deviations from optimal FRI reduce population growth rate dramatically in the past climate, but this reduction is muted in a future climate (future minus past sensitivity = 0.006, 95% CI [0.002, 0.011]). Finally, our experimental work suggests that fire effects are driven in part by positive, additive effects of competitor removal and ash addition immediately following a fire; for one population, both these treatments significantly increased population growth rate. Our work suggests that climate change can alter the response of populations to disturbance, highlighting the need to consider the interacting effects of multiple abiotic drivers when projecting future population growth and geographical distributions.
The benefits of the earlier use of sacubitril/valsartan in de novo heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients
Authors: Oh Ji‐Hye , Lee Jae‐Man , Lee Hee‐Jung , Hwang Jongmin , Lee Cheol Hyun , Cho Yun‐Kyeong , Park Hyoung‐Seob , Yoon Hyuck‐Jun , Chung Jin‐Wook , Kim Hyungseop , Nam Chang‐Wook , Han Seongwook , Hur Seung‐Ho , Youn Jong‐Chan , Kim In‐Cheol
Published: April 2022

Aims

We evaluated the clinical outcomes and trajectory of cardiac reverse remodelling according to the timing of sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) use in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods and results

Patients with de novo HFrEF who used Sac/Val between June 2017 and October 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were grouped into the earlier use group (initiation of Sac/Val < 3 months after the first HFrEF diagnosis) and the later use group (initiation of Sac/Val ≥ 3 months after the first HFrEF diagnosis). Primary outcome was a composite of HF hospitalization and cardiac death. Secondary outcomes were HF hospitalization, cardiac death, all‐cause death, significant ventricular arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation), and echocardiographic evidence of cardiac reverse remodelling including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) change during follow‐up. Among 115 enrolled patients, 67 were classified in the earlier use group, and 48 were classified in the later use group. Mean period of HFrEF diagnosis to Sac/Val use was 52.1 ± 14.3 days in the earlier use group, and 201.8 ± 127.3 days in the later use group. During the median follow‐up of 721 days, primary outcome occurred in 21 patients (18.3%). The earlier use group experienced significantly fewer primary outcome than the later use group (10.4% vs. 29.2%, P = 0.010). The Kaplan–Meier survival curve showed better event‐free survival in the earlier use group than in the later use group (log rank = 0.017). There were no significant differences in cardiac death, all‐cause death, and ventricular arrhythmia between two groups (1.5% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.811; 1.5% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.375; 3.0% vs. 0%, P = 0.227, respectively). Despite a significantly lower baseline LVEF in the earlier use group (21.3 ± 6.4% vs. 24.8 ± 7.9%, P = 0.012), an early prominent increase of LVEF was noted before 6 months (35.2 ± 11.9% vs. 27.8 ± 8.8%, P = 0.007). A delayed improvement of LVEF in the later use group resulted in similar LVEF at last follow‐up in both groups (40.7 ± 13.4% vs. 39.4 ± 10.9%, P = 0.686). Although the trajectory of left ventricular remodelling showed similar pattern in two groups, left atrial (LA) reverse remodelling was less prominent in the later use group during the follow‐up period (final LA volume index: 43.6 ± 14.3 mL/m2 vs. 55.2 ± 17.1 mL/m2, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

Earlier use of Sac/Val was related with better clinical outcome and earlier left ventricular reverse remodelling. Remodelling of LA was less prominent in the later use group implying delayed response in diastolic function.
Regioselective Synthesis of 1,4,5‐Trisubstituted 1,2,3‐Triazole Derivatives from α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyls
Authors: Verma Naimish K. , Bera Smritilekha , Gonnade Rajesh , Mondal Dhananjoy
Published: April 2022

The copper‐catalyzed oxidative azide‐olefin cycloaddition (OAOC) reaction of differently substituted α,β‐unsaturated carbonyls with azides provided an efficient method for preparing biologically active 1,4,5‐trisubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles. In this study, the cycloaddition reaction was found to be a simple and powerful method for constructing diverse mono‐ and bis‐(1,4,5‐trisubstituted 1,2,3‐triazole) functionalized heterocyclic compounds in moderate to high yields with great regioselectivity. The XRD‐analysis data of one of the bis‐triazole derivatives supported the regioselectivity as well as the conformity of the method in the construction of the triazole nucleus. The preliminary antifungal profile against C. albicans was observed with cinnamaldehyde‐based triazole derivatives demonstrating promising results.
Carboxylic Acid f‐MWCNT/Graphite and Safranin O/Graphite Based Voltammetric Sensors for Norfloxacin Detection
Authors: Rani Aishwarya , Pan Shu‐Yuan , Chang Chang‐Tang
Published: April 2022

A well‐established electrode modifier, i. e., carboxylic acid (CA) functionalized‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNT), and a less explored safranin O (SFO) were fabricated on cuboidal graphite electrodes to develop two different voltammetric sensors for norfloxacin‘s electrochemical detection. The developed CA f‐MWCNT/graphite electrode and SFO/graphite showed a linear range of 3.10×10−7 to 3.13×10−5 M and 2.50×10−8 to 4.06×10−7 M with a limit of detection of 1.60×10−8 and 4.80×10−9 M, respectively. The practical applicability was tested in the spiked hospital wastewater, milk, and orange juice. It showed that the SFO could be a potential modifier for rapid, simple, and sensitive voltammetric detection of norfloxacin.
Actual pseudocapacity for Li ion storage in tunable core‐shell electrode architectures
Authors: Xiong Tuzhi , Gao Yingxia , Huang Peng , Huang Yongchao , Yang Hao , (Jie Tang) Balogun M‐Sadeeq
Published: April 2022

Upon evaluating the pseudocapacitance contribution (k1v) of electrode materials, the exact capacity (also termed as actual pseudocapacity, kQ) is usually ignored. However, there is a significant variation between k1v and kQ. Herein, we designed tunable in situ core‐shell electrode materials to examine the variation between the k1v and kQ. Using nickel foam (NF) as the starting material, the internal structure of NF is systematically controlled via in situ strategy to obtain the optimized nickel oxide core–shell architectures (denoted NFNTO). Despite the directly oxidized NF (denoted NFO) exhibits a higher k1v (79.1%) than the NFNTO (47.6%), the kQ of NFNTO is ≈2.3 fold larger than NFO at the highest current density of 8.0 mA cm−2. The higher kQ can be attributed to the integration of titanium that shortens the Li+ diffusion pathway, boosts the diffusion co‐efficient and improves the electronic conductivity towards achieving enhanced ionic transport.

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Large‐scale cooperation in small‐scale foraging societies
Authors: Boyd Robert , Richerson Peter J.
Published: April 2022

We present evidence that people in small‐scale mobile hunter‐gatherer societies cooperated in large numbers to produce collective goods. Foragers engaged in large‐scale communal hunts and constructed shared capital facilities; they made shared investments in improving the local environment; and they participated in warfare, formed enduring alliances, and established trading networks. Large‐scale collective action often played a crucial role in subsistence. The provision of public goods involved the cooperation of many individuals, so each person made only a small contribution. This evidence suggests that large‐scale cooperation occurred in the Pleistocene societies that encompass most of human evolutionary history, and therefore it is unlikely that large‐scale cooperation in Holocene food producing societies results from an evolved psychology shaped only in small‐group interactions. Instead, large‐scale human cooperation needs to be explained as an adaptation, likely rooted in distinctive features of human biology, grammatical language, increased cognitive ability, and cumulative cultural adaptation.
Analysis of adaptive mesh refinement in a turbulent buoyant helium plume
Authors: Maragkos Georgios , Funk Elena , Merci Bart
Published: April 2022

The study evaluates OpenFOAM's adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) capabilities and accuracy when applied to numerical simulations of turbulent buoyant flows. To this purpose, large eddy simulations of Sandia's turbulent helium plume test case are considered, a scenario with similar characteristics (in terms of air entrainment and vortex shedding) to those encountered in large‐scale fires. Comparison is made of the relative accuracy (in terms of both first and second order statistics), the predicted puffing frequencies and the computing times of numerical simulations using AMR and static meshes. Additionally, a sensitivity study on different AMR parameters is conducted and an evaluation of the performance of the dynamic Smagorinsky model when combined with AMR is made. Overall, the predictions of AMR are very satisfactory, in terms of both accuracy and computing times, compared to the use of static meshes of different sizes. Nevertheless, it is observed that a careful choice of a static mesh can result in equally accurate predictions with comparable, or even smaller, computing times than AMR for the case at hand. Additionally, the use of AMR slightly modified the entrainment characteristics in the near‐field region of the plume and (significantly) altered some of the, dynamically determined, turbulence model parameters.
Interactive effects of the low‐carbohydrate diet score and genetic risk score on Hypo‐HDL‐cholesterolemia among Korean adults: A cross‐sectional analysis from the Ansan and Ansung Study of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study
Authors: Park SoHyun , Jang Min‐Jae , Park Min Young , Kim Jun‐Mo , Shin Sangah
Published: April 2022

This cross‐sectional study investigated the interaction between the genetic risk score (GRS) and abnormal high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol lipid levels, which are modified by low‐carbohydrate diets (LCDs) and their effects on the prevalence of hypo‐HDL‐cholesterolemia (hypo‐HDL‐C) in Korean adults. Baseline data were obtained from the Ansan and Ansung study of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), conducted from 2001 to 2002, that targeted 8,314 Korean adults aged 40–69 years, including old men (47.6%) and women (52.4%), and whole genomic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed. We identified 18 SNPs significantly associated with hypo‐HDL‐C in the proximity of several genes, including LPL, APOA5, LIPC, and CETP, and calculated the GRS. The low‐carbohydrate diet score (LCDS) was calculated on the basis of energy intake information from food frequency questionnaires. Furthermore, we performed multivariable‐adjusted logistic modeling to examine the odds ratio (OR) for hypo‐HDL‐C across tertiles of LCDS and GRS, adjusted for several covariates. Among participants in the highest GRS tertile, those in the highest tertile of the LCDS had a significantly lower risk of hypo‐HDL‐C (OR: 0.759, 95% CI (confidence interval): 0.625–0.923) than those in the lowest tertile of the LCDS. In the joint effect model, the group with the lowest GRS and highest LCDS was found to have the lowest risk of hypo‐HDL‐C prevalence. This study suggests that individuals with a high genetic risk for low HDL concentrations may have a beneficial effect on a lower intake of carbohydrates.
The effect of preschool attendance on Children's health: Evidence from a lower middle‐income country
Authors: Nguyen Cuong Viet
Published: April 2022

In this study, we find that children in Vietnam who were born in December of a given year have better health outcomes than those born in January of the following year. Children born in December are taller, heavier, and less likely to be underweight and suffer from stunted growth than those born in January of the following year, though these two groups of children differ in age by only 1 month. We argue that the effect of being born in December compared to January on children's health is translated through early preschool attendance. In Vietnam, children born in December are more likely to start preschool as well as primary school 1 year earlier than those born in January of the following year. Thus, the health benefit for a child born in December would come from earlier and longer exposure to preschool. Importantly, we find that the positive effect of preschool persists over time as children grow. A possible major reason why preschool attendance improves health is the nutrition provided for children in preschools.
More surgery in December among US patients with commercial insurance is offset by unrelated but lesser surgery among patients with Medicare insurance
Authors: Dexter Franklin , Epstein Richard H. , Diez Christian , Fahy Brenda G.
Published: April 2022

Study Objective

Evaluate whether there is more surgery (in the US State of Florida) at the end of the year, specifically among patients with commercial insurance.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

The 712 facilities in Florida that performed inpatient or outpatient elective surgery from January 2010 through December 2019.

Results

Among patients with commercial insurance, December had more cases than November (1.108 [1.092–1.125]) or January (1.257 [1.229–1.286]). In contrast, among patients with Medicare insurance (traditional or managed care), December had fewer cases than November (ratio 0.917 [99% confidence interval 0.904–0.930]) or January (0.823 [0.807–0.839]) of the same year. Summing among all cases, December did not have more cases than November (ratio 1.003 [0.992–1.014]) or January (0.998 [0.984–1.013]). Comparing December versus November (January) ratios for cases among patients with commercial insurance to the corresponding ratios for cases among patients with Medicare, years with more commercial insurance cases had more Medicare cases (Spearman rank correlation +0.36 [+0.25], both p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In the US State of Florida, although some surgeons' procedural workloads may have seasonal variation if they care mostly for patients with one category of insurance, surgical facilities with patients undergoing many procedures will have less variability. Importantly, more commercial insurance cases were not causing Medicare cases to be postponed or vice‐versa, providing mechanistic explanation for why forecasts of surgical demand can reasonably be treated as the sum of the independent workloads among many surgeons.
Assessment of localized and resuspended 137Cs due to decontamination and demolition in the difficult-to-return zone of Tomioka town, Fukushima Prefecture
Authors: Taira Yasuyuki , Matsuo Masahiko , Orita Makiko , Matsunaga Hitomi , Takamura Noboru , Hirao Shigekazu
Published: April 2022

As the next step that occurred more than one decade after the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), decontamination and demolition have been carried out in the Specified Reconstruction and Revitalization Base (SRRB) of the difficult-to-return zone around the FDNPS. However, the risk of internal exposure among workers due to airborne dust inhalation after building demolition operations has not been sufficiently evaluated. To evaluate the working environment and internal exposure risk due to inhalation in the SRRB of Tomioka town, Fukushima Prefecture, the cesium-137 (137Cs) radioactivity levels in the airborne dust at building demolition sites were analyzed using gamma spectrometry. The 137Cs radioactivity levels and resuspension factors of the airborne dust at the subject building sites in the difficult-to-return zone remained at high levels compared with those of the control, which was located in the evacuation order-lifted area in Tomioka town. However, the 137Cs radioactivity levels did not increase significantly, despite demolition operations that used heavy machinery. In this case, no substantial increases in accident-derived 137Cs levels due to decontamination and demolition in the SRRB of Tomioka town, Fukushima Prefecture, were observed in the airborne dust samples, which suggests that the 137Cs radioactivity in the airborne dust is primarily associated with particles that are resuspended by localized winds accompanied by the transfer of construction vehicles as opposed to the decontamination and demolition operations. However, the internal exposure doses due to aspirating airborne dust containing 137Cs were extremely low compared with the estimated annual effective doses of decontamination workers or the limits recommended by the Japanese government. Additionally, countermeasures such as wearing protective masks could help reduce the on-site inhalation of soil-derived radionuclides. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1555–1563. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

KEY POINTS

No substantial increase in accident-derived 137Cs due to demolition in areas close to the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station was observed in the airborne dust. 137Cs radioactivity in the airborne dust is primarily associated with particles resuspended by localized wind accompanied by transfer of construction vehicles.
A disaggregated approach to analysing the effects of globalization and energy consumption on economic growth: New insights from low‐income countries
Authors: Ehigiamusoe Kizito Uyi
Published: April 2022

This study examines the impacts of globalization and energy consumption on economic growth in 10 low‐income countries during the 1990–2017 period. It also determines the causal relationship between globalization and energy consumption. It disaggregates overall globalization into economic, social, and political dimensions, as well as disaggregates total energy consumption into renewable and non‐renewable energy. It employs the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares, Instrumental Variables approach, and Dumitrescu‐Hurlin Granger non‐causality technique to account for heterogeneity, endogeneity and cross‐sectional dependence. The results show that overall globalization has a positive impact on economic growth in low‐income countries. But when it disaggregates globalization into economic, social and political dimensions, the results reveal that social and political dimensions boost economic growth while economic dimension undermines economic growth. Moreover, the results show that energy consumption is a significant determinant of economic growth. But when it disaggregates energy consumption into renewable and non‐renewable energy, the results reveal that non‐renewable energy consumption has a positive impact on economic growth, while the impact of renewable energy consumption is tenuous. The results also show a unidirectional causality from globalization to energy consumption, suggesting that globalization enhances energy consumption. This study implies that overall globalization and total energy consumption are significant determinants of economic growth, Therefore, efforts to accelerate economic growth should incorporate both globalization and energy consumption in low‐income countries. However, low‐income countries should appraise the dimensions of globalization and energy consumption that are not growth‐enhancing with a view to making them drivers of economic growth.
Assessment of farmers' water and fertilizer practices and perceptions in the North China Plain
Authors: Sun Xiulu , Ritzema Henk , Huang Xiuqiao , Bai Xiaojun , Hellegers Petra
Published: April 2022

Irrigation and fertilization are vital to increasing crop yield, but their application often exceeds crop requirements. Excessive fertilization under inefficient irrigation depletes the already scarce water resources while contributing to water pollution. To overcome these problems, the introduction of fertigation in combination with modern irrigation technologies has been promoted in the North China Plain (NCP), but farmers have been reluctant to adopt such technologies. To better understand the current situation and farmers' perceptions, we performed a case study in the People's Victory Canal Irrigation District (PVCID) of NCP. A field survey was carried out using a participatory approach, and field monitoring was conducted on a representative farm. We found that farmers are generally satisfied with their irrigation and fertilization practices, although they result in low application efficiency and distribution uniformity. In principle, the lack of knowledge about how to implement fertigation technology, the small‐scale farming conditions, and the high cost of developing advanced fertigation systems are the main obstacles for fertigation adoption. We further conclude that (i) to improve the on‐farm performance in terms of efficiency and uniformity of irrigation and fertilization, evidence‐based guidelines are required to help farmers to implement; (ii) for effective adoption of new technologies, consideration of farmers' situation and perspectives is critical; and (iii) surface fertigation might be a good start for fertigation promotion.
Is being a victim of bullying or cyberbullying in secondary school associated with subsequent risk‐taking behavior in adolescence? A longitudinal study in secondary schools
Authors: Shah R. , Dodd M. , Allen E. , Viner R. , Bonell C.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Neurobiological and social changes in adolescence can make victims of bullying more susceptible to subsequent impulsive behavior. With the high prevalence of bullying in schools and rise in cyberbullying in the United Kingdom, it is important that the health impacts of bullying victimization, including on risk‐taking, are understood. Our study aims to investigate whether bullying/cyberbullying victimization is associated with subsequent health risk‐taking behavior in adolescence. Risk‐taking behavior includes electronic cigarette and cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, early sexual debut, weapon carrying, damaging property, and setting fire.

Methods

A secondary quantitative analysis of data from 3337, English, secondary school students in the control arm of the INCLUSIVE trial, constituting an observational cohort. Bullying victimization was measured at baseline (age 11/12 years) using the gatehouse bullying scale and a separate question on cyberbullying victimization. Logistic regression was used to test for an association between bullying/cyberbullying victimization at baseline and risk‐taking behavior at 36 months, adjusting for baseline risk‐taking behavior and other potential confounders, and accounting for school clustering.

Results

There was strong evidence (p ≤ .02) for a positive dose‐responsive association between being bullied at baseline and nearly all risk‐taking behavior at follow‐up. Although there was no evidence for an association between being bullied at baseline and weapon carrying (p = .102), there was evidence for a positive association between being cyberbullied at baseline and weapon carrying (p = .036).

Conclusions

It is plausible that bullying/cyberbullying victimization increases the likelihood of subsequent risk‐taking behavior in adolescence. Policy options should focus on implementing evidence‐based antibullying school interventions.
Safety and Efficacy of PTH 1-34 and 1-84 Therapy in Chronic Hypoparathyroidism: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Trials
Authors: Puliani Giulia , Hasenmajer Valeria , Simonelli Ilaria , Sada Valentina , Pofi Riccardo , Minnetti Marianna , Cozzolino Alessia , Napoli Nicola , Pasqualetti Patrizio , Gianfrilli Daniele , Isidori Andrea M.
Published: April 2022

Hypoparathyroidism is the only endocrine deficiency for which hormone replacement therapy is not the standard of care. Although conventional treatments may control hypocalcaemia, other complications such as hyperphosphatemia, kidney stones, peripheral calcifications, and bone disease remain unmet needs. This meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number CRD42019126881) aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of PTH1−34 and PTH1−84 in restoring calcium metabolism in chronic hypoparathyroidism. EMBASE, PubMed, and CENTRAL databases were searched for randomized clinical trials or prospective studies published between January 1996 and March 2021. English-language trials reporting data on replacement with PTH1−34 or PTH1−84 in chronic hypoparathyroidism were selected. Three authors extracted outcomes, one author performed quality control, all assessed the risk of biases. Overall, data from 25 studies on 588 patients were analyzed. PTH therapy had a neutral effect on calcium levels, while lowering serum phosphate (−0.21 mmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.31 to −0.11 mmol/L; p < 0.001) and urinary calcium excretion (−1.21 mmol/24 h; 95% CI, −2.03 to −0.41 mmol/24 h; p = 0.003). Calcium phosphate product decreased under PTH1−84 therapy only. Both treatments enabled a significant reduction in calcium and calcitriol supplementation. PTH therapy increased bone turnover markers and lumbar spine mineral density. Quality of life improved and there was no difference in the safety profile between PTH and conventionally treated patients. Results for most outcomes were similar for the two treatments. Limitations of the study included considerable population overlap between the reports, incomplete data, and heterogeneity in the protocol design. In conclusion, the meta-analysis of data from the largest collection to date of hypoparathyroid patients shows that PTH therapy is safe, well-tolerated, and effective in normalizing serum phosphate and urinary calcium excretion, as well as enabling a reduction in calcium and vitamin D use and improving quality of life. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
A lesson for the maestro of the replication fork: Targeting the protein‐binding interface of proliferating cell nuclear antigen for anticancer therapy
Authors: Bhardwaj Vijay Kumar , Purohit Rituraj
Published: April 2022

The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) has emerged as a promising candidate for the development of novel cancer therapeutics. PCNA is a nononcogenic mediator of DNA replication that regulates a diverse range of cellular functions and pathways through a comprehensive list of protein‐protein interactions. The hydrophobic binding pocket on PCNA offers an opportunity for the development of inhibitors to target various types of cancers and modulate protein–protein interactions. In the present study, we explored the binding modes and affinity of molecule I1 (standard molecule) with the previously suggested dimer interface pocket and the hydrophobic pocket present on the frontal side of the PCNA monomer. We also identified potential lead molecules from the library of in‐house synthesized 3‐methylenisoindolin‐1‐one based molecules to inhibit the protein–protein interactions of PCNA. Our results were based on robust computational methods, including molecular docking, conventional, steered, and umbrella sampling molecular dynamics simulations. Our results suggested that the standard inhibitor I1 interacts with the hydrophobic pocket of PCNA with a higher affinity than the previously suggested binding site. Also, the proposed molecules showed better or comparable binding free energies as calculated by the Molecular Mechanics Poisson‐Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) approach and further validated by enhanced umbrella sampling simulations. In vitro and in vivo methods could test the computationally suggested molecules for advancement in the drug discovery pipeline.
Alchemical free energy simulations without speed limits. A generic framework to calculate free energy differences independent of the underlying molecular dynamics program
Authors: Wieder Marcus , Fleck Markus , Braunsfeld Benedict , Boresch Stefan
Published: April 2022

We describe the theory of the so‐called common‐core/serial‐atom‐insertion (CC/SAI) approach to compute alchemical free energy differences and its practical implementation in a Python package called Transformato. CC/SAI is not tied to a specific biomolecular simulation program and does not rely on special purpose code for alchemical transformations. To calculate the alchemical free energy difference between several small molecules, the physical end‐states are mutated into a suitable common core. Since this only requires turning off interactions, the setup of intermediate states is straightforward to automate. Transformato currently supports CHARMM and OpenMM as back ends to carry out the necessary molecular dynamics simulations, as well as post‐processing calculations. We validate the method by computing a series of relative solvation free energy differences.
Effects of Voriconazole Exposure on the Pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus in Lung Transplantation Patients, Based on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Data
Authors: Chen Wenqian , Wang Xiaoxue , Li Bo , Qin Wei , Li Shu , Wang Xiaoxing , Chen Wenhui , Zhang Xianglin , Li Pengmei , Zuo Xianbo
Published: April 2022

Tacrolimus and voriconazole are usually used simultaneously in lung transplantations. Voriconazole can increase tacrolimus concentrations by inhibiting the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme, which poses a great challenge for dose adjustment. The aim of this study is to clarify the correlation between voriconazole exposure and tacrolimus trough concentrations (C0), and to establish a population pharmacokinetic model including voriconazole trough concentrations (VOZ) as a covariate for dose optimization. All data were retrospectively collected from lung transplantation patients who were subjected to therapeutic drug monitoring of tacrolimus and voriconazole. The correlation between C0 and VOZ or voriconazole daily doses was analyzed by Spearman's correlation. A total of 52 patients accounting for 351 pairs of tacrolimus and voriconazole trough concentrations were included. C0 and C0/daily dose of tacrolimus (DD) had a significant correlation with VOZ (P < .01) rather than voriconazole daily doses. A linear one‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and elimination was used as the basic model for population pharmacokinetic analysis. Body weight (WT), DD, VOZ, and hematocrit (HCT) were included as covariates in the final model. With the increase in voriconazole concentrations, the apparent total clearance (clearance/bioavailability, CL/F) of tacrolimus decreased significantly. The simulation results showed that the highest proportion of C0 within the target range can only reach <50% when the optimal initial drug regimen was given. Therefore, both tacrolimus and voriconazole concentrations need to be continuously monitored during treatments in lung transplantation patients, and the tacrolimus dose can be optimized according to VOZ based on the established pharmacokinetic model.