bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased retention of tau PET ligand [18F]-AV1451 in Alzheimer’s Disease Psychosis
Authors: Gomar J. J. , Tan G. , Halpern J. , Gordon M. L. , Greenwald B. , Koppel J.
Published: February 2022

Psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents a distinct disease subtype with a more rapid progression of illness evidenced by an increased velocity of cognitive decline and a hastened mortality. Previous biomarker and post-mortem studies have implicated tau neuropathology as a possible mediator of the accelerated decline in AD psychosis. Tau positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging provides the opportunity to evaluate tau pathology in-vivo, so that clinical symptomatology can be correlated with disease pathology. [18F]-AV1451 (Flortaucipir) is a PET ligand with high affinity for insoluble paired-helical filaments (PHFs) of hyperphosphorylated tau. In order to determine whether the development of psychosis and worsened prognosis in AD is associated with an increased burden of tau pathology that can be identified with tau imaging, we identified subjects within the Alzheimer’s disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI) who had [18F]-AV1451 imaging at baseline and became psychotic over the course of the study (N = 17) and matched them 1:3 for gender, age, and education to subjects who had [18F]-AV1451 imaging at baseline and did not become psychotic (N = 50). We compared baseline [18F]-AV1451 retention, in addition to cognitive and functional baseline and longitudinal change, in those who became psychotic over the course of participation in ADNI with those who did not. Results suggest that increases in tau pathology in frontal, medial temporal, and occipital cortices, visualized with [18F]-AV1451 binding, are associated with psychosis and a more rapid cognitive and functional decline.
Plasma biomarkers associated with deployment trauma and its consequences in post-9/11 era veterans: initial findings from the TRACTS longitudinal cohort
Authors: Pierce Meghan E. , Hayes Jasmeet , Huber Bertrand Russell , Jeromin Andreas , Fortier Catherine B. , Fonda Jennifer R. , Lasseter Heather , Chaby Lauren , McGlinchey Regina , Milberg William
Published: February 2022

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is among the most common injuries sustained by post-9/11 veterans; however, these injuries often occur within the context of psychological trauma. Blast exposure, even in the absence of a diagnosable TBI, leads to changes in neural connectivity and congitive functioning. Therefore, considering clinical comorbidities and injury characteristics is critical to understanding the long-term effects of mTBI. Research is moving towards identifying diagnostic and prognostic blood-based biomarkers for TBI; however, few studies include other prevalent clinical and medical comorbidities related to deployment. Here, we present the initial cross-sectional relationships between plasma biomarkers, clinical, and medical comorbidities in a well-characterized longitudinal sample of 550 post-9/11 veteran men and women. We examined biomarkers associated with inflammation (interleukin 6 and 10, tumor necrosis factor α, and eotaxin) and neurodegeneration (neurofilament light, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), tau, brain derived neurotrophic factor, amyloid ß 40 and 42, phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain, and neuron specific enolase). Univariate analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were conducted to determine mean level differences between close blast (blasts that occur within 0–10 meters) and mTBI groups. Our primary findings were twofold: (1) Inflammatory markers were consistently higher in participants exposed to close blasts and were strongly related to deployment-related psychopathology. (2) GFAP was consistently lower in participants exposed to blast and mTBI and lower GFAP was associated with more severe psychological symptoms. More research is clearly needed; however, our findings indicate that chronic increased inflammation and decreased GFAP may be related to close blast exposure.
Generation of functional oligopeptides that promote osteogenesis based on unsupervised deep learning of protein IDRs
Authors: Cai Mingxiang , Xiao Baichuan , Jin Fujun , Xu Xiaopeng , Hua Yuwei , Li Junhui , Niu Pingping , Liu Meijing , Wu Jiaqi , Yue Rui , Zhang Yong , Wang Zuolin , Zhang Yongbiao , Wang Xiaogang , Sun Yao
Published: March 2022

Deep learning (DL) is currently revolutionizing peptide drug development due to both computational advances and the substantial recent expansion of digitized biological data. However, progress in oligopeptide drug development has been limited, likely due to the lack of suitable datasets and difficulty in identifying informative features to use as inputs for DL models. Here, we utilized an unsupervised deep learning model to learn a semantic pattern based on the intrinsically disordered regions of ~171 known osteogenic proteins. Subsequently, oligopeptides were generated from this semantic pattern based on Monte Carlo simulation, followed by in vivo functional characterization. A five amino acid oligopeptide (AIB5P) had strong bone-formation-promoting effects, as determined in multiple mouse models (e.g., osteoporosis, fracture, and osseointegration of implants). Mechanistically, we showed that AIB5P promotes osteogenesis by binding to the integrin α5 subunit and thereby activating FAK signaling. In summary, we successfully established an oligopeptide discovery strategy based on a DL model and demonstrated its utility from cytological screening to animal experimental verification.
Multiple pollutants in groundwater near an abandoned Chinese fluorine chemical park: concentrations, correlations and health risk assessments
Authors: Tang Jiaxi , Zhu Yongle , Xiang Biao , Li Yu , Tan Ting , Xu Ying , Li Mengxue
Published: March 2022

Contamination and adverse effects from various pollutants often appear in abandoned industrial regions. Thus, nine groundwater samples were collected from the vicinity of the fluorochemical industry in Fuxin City, Liaoning Province, to determine concentrations of the ten heavy metals arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and mercury(Hg), as well as those of fluorine (F−) and eighteen poly- and perfluorinated substances (PFASs), analyse correlation relationships, and assess the health risks for different age groups. The results showed that the levels of fluorine (F−) (0.92–4.42 mg·L−1), Mn (0.0005–4.91 mg·L−1) and Fe (1.45–5.61 mg·L−1) exceeded the standard limits for drinking water. Short chain perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) (4.14–2501.42 ng·L−1), perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) (17.07–51,818.61 ng·L−1) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (0.47–936.32 ng·L−1) were the predominant substances from the PFASs group. No individual PFASs levels had significant relationships with F− or heavy metal contents. There was a positive relationship between short chain PFASs concentrations and water depth and a negative relationship between long chain PFASs concentration and water depth. The hazard quotient (HQ) decreased in the order F− > heavy metals > PFASs and also decreased for older age groups. In addition, As, Fe, Mn and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the main sources of risk from the heavy metal and PFASs groups, respectively.
A deep learning system for prostate cancer diagnosis and grading in whole slide images of core needle biopsies
Authors: Singhal Nitin , Soni Shailesh , Bonthu Saikiran , Chattopadhyay Nilanjan , Samanta Pranab , Joshi Uttara , Jojera Amit , Chharchhodawala Taher , Agarwal Ankur , Desai Mahesh , Ganpule Arvind
Published: March 2022

Gleason grading, a risk stratification method for prostate cancer, is subjective and dependent on experience and expertise of the reporting pathologist. Deep Learning (DL) systems have shown promise in enhancing the objectivity and efficiency of Gleason grading. However, DL networks exhibit domain shift and reduced performance on Whole Slide Images (WSI) from a source other than training data. We propose a DL approach for segmenting and grading epithelial tissue using a novel training methodology that learns domain agnostic features. In this retrospective study, we analyzed WSI from three cohorts of prostate cancer patients. 3741 core needle biopsies (CNBs) received from two centers were used for training. The κquad (quadratic-weighted kappa) and AUC were measured for grade group comparison and core-level detection accuracy, respectively. Accuracy of 89.4% and κquad of 0.92 on the internal test set of 425 CNB WSI and accuracy of 85.3% and κquad of 0.96 on an external set of 1201 images, was observed. The system showed an accuracy of 83.1% and κquad of 0.93 on 1303 WSI from the third institution (blind evaluation). Our DL system, used as an assistive tool for CNB review, can potentially improve the consistency and accuracy of grading, resulting in better patient outcomes.
Music modulates emotional responses in growing pigs
Authors: Zapata Cardona Juliana , Ceballos Maria Camila , Tarazona Morales Ariel Marcel , David Jaramillo Edimer , Rodríguez Berardo de Jesús
Published: March 2022

There is a lack of clarity on whether pigs can emotionally respond to musical stimulation and whether that response is related to music structure. Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) was used to evaluate effects of 16 distinct musical pieces (in terms of harmonic structure) on emotional responses in nursery pigs (n = 30) during four periods: “habituation”, “treatments”, “breaks” and “final”. Data were evaluated using Principal component analysis (PCA). Two principal components (PC) were considered in the analysis: PC1, characterized as a positive emotions index, included the emotional responses content, playful, sociable, and happy, whereas PC2, characterized as a negative emotions index, included fearful, inquisitive, and uneasy with positive loadings, and relaxed and calm with negative loadings. Musical stimulation (treatment) increased (P < 0.01) both emotional indices, compared to other periods and this response was influenced by harmonic characteristics of the music. We concluded that pigs have a wide variety of emotional responses, with different affective states related to the music structure used, providing evidence of its potential use as environmental enrichment for this species.
Visualization and quantum control of light-accelerated condensates by terahertz multi-dimensional coherent spectroscopy
Authors: Mootz Martin , Luo Liang , Wang Jigang , Perakis llias E.
Published: March 2022

Characterizing and controlling high-order correlation of quantum systems is key for developing quantum devices and switching technologies. Although conventional static and ultrafast spectroscopy gives access to collective excitations characterizing quantum states, more exotic correlations cannot be easily separated from other contributions. Here we develop density matrix simulations to show that seventh-order-wave-mixing peaks with distinct temperature and field dependences in two-dimensional terahertz nonlinear spectra reveal light-induced correlations in non-equilibrium superconducting states. Above critical terahertz driving, these emerging peaks split from conventional peaks along the second axis introduced by pump-probe relative phase in two-dimensional frequency space. They are photo-generated by correlations between two-photon fluctuations and interacting quasi-particle and quasi-particle/Higgs superconductor excitations. By photo-inducing persistent symmetry breaking via light-wave propagation, we also demonstrate seventh-order-wave-mixing sensing of Higgs collective modes. Our theory suggests to use multi-dimensional spectroscopy for quantum sensing of light-driven superconductivity and paves a path for quantum operations by few-cycle-THz-periodic photocurrent modulation.
Imaging deposition-dependent supramolecular chiral organisation
Authors: Killalea C. Elizabeth , Samperi Mario , Siligardi Giuliano , Amabilino David B.
Published: March 2022

Chiral diketopyrrolopyrrole thin films imaged with spatially-defined Mueller Matrix Polarimetry revealed different supramolecular homogeneity for spun-coated and drop-coated films, indiscernible with absorption spectroscopy or optical microscopy.
Computational design of a new layered superconductor LaOTlF2
Authors: Yuan Zhihong , Meng Jingjing , Liu Rui , Zheng Pengyu , Ma Xiaobo , Wang Guangwei , Yu Tianye , Peng Yiran , Yin Zhiping
Published: February 2022

Two new layered superconductor families, La(O,F)TlF2 and La(O,F)TlCl2, are designed and investigated using first-principles calculations which predict that the highest superconducting temperatures are ∼8.6 K and 8.1 K at 13% and 15% F doping, respectively.
Toxicological impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) on human and environmental health
Authors: Fiordaliso Fabio , Bigini Paolo , Salmona Mario , Diomede Luisa
Published: March 2022

This review focuses on the correlation between the physico-chemical characteristics of TiO2 nanoparticles, their passage through biological barriers, and the impact of this nanomaterial on human and environmental health.
Origin of the anisotropic-strain-driven photoresponse enhancement in inorganic halide-based self-powered flexible photodetectors
Authors: Kim Da Bin , Han Ju , Jung Ye Seul , Park Kwan Sik , Park Youngseo , Heo Junseok , Cho Yong Soo
Published: February 2022

The optical and structural origin of the high-performance lattice-strain-dependent photoresponse is proposed in an unprecedented self-powered flexible vertical photodetector based on inorganic perovskite halide thin films.
Neuromorphic behaviour in discontinuous metal films
Authors: Bose Saurabh K. , Mallinson Joshua B. , Galli Edoardo , Acharya Susant K. , Minnai Chloé , Bones Philip J. , Brown Simon A.
Published: March 2022

Discontinuous metal films, comprising nanoscale gold islands, exhibit correlated avalanches of electrical signals that mimic those observed in the cortex, providing an interesting platform for brain-inspired computing.
808 nm NIR-triggered Camellia sapogein/curcumin-based antibacterial upconversion nanoparticles for synergistic photodynamic-chemical combined therapy
Authors: Liu Ze-Yu , Tang Xiao-Yue , Huang Chuan-Qing , Zhang Jin , Huang Wen-Qian , Ye Yong
Published: March 2022

A new UCNP-aPCCT system using the natural product saponin and curcumin presented a high combined photodynamic-chemical antibacterial effect toward E. coli and S. aureus with 808 nm irradiation.
Photocatalytic redox-neutral arylation of cyclopropanols with cyanoarenes via radical-mediated C–C and C–CN bond cleavage
Authors: Tong Yue , Hao Na , Zhang Long , Wei Jun , Zhang Zhijie , Fu Qiang , Yi Dong , Mou Yao , Wang Jun , Pan Xianchao , Yang Lin , Wei Siping , Zhong Lei , Lu Ji
Published: February 2022

This work describes a photocatalytic redox-neutral arylation of cyclopropanols with cyanoarenes via radical-mediated C–C and C–CN bond cleavage to afford various β-arylated ketones.
Influence of Brønsted acid sites on the product distribution in the hydrodeoxygenation of methyl laurate over supported Ru catalysts
Authors: Zhou Leilei , Lin Weiwei , Wang Xinchao , Wang Zhuangqing , Yang Yinze , Zhang Liyan , Cheng Haiyang , Arai Masahiko , Zhao Fengyu
Published: February 2022

Brønsted acid sites rather than Lewis acid sites play an important role in controlling the product selectivity in the hydrodeoxygenation of n-C11H23COOCH3 over supported Ru catalysts.
From PEF to rPEF: disclosing the potential of deep eutectic solvents in continuous de-/re-polymerization recycling of biobased polyesters
Authors: Agostinho Beatriz , Silvestre Armando J. D. , Sousa Andreia F.
Published: March 2022

For the first time, the design of a urea : zinc acetate DES for a continuous, eco-friendly and closed-loop approach for recycling poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) is communicated to avoid its future accumulation in the environment.
ToF-SIMS characterization of surface chemical evolution on electrode surfaces educed by electrochemical activation
Authors: Tang Jilin , Ni Zhigang , Zhang Yanyan , Zhao Yao , Luo Qun , Wang Fuyi
Published: February 2022

By combination of ToF-SIMS surface spectra and SEM imaging, this study unraveled the electrochemical activation involving both surface chemical evolution and morphological alteration.
t
BuOLi-promoted terminal alkyne functionalizations by aliphatic thiols and alcohols
Authors: Pramanik Milan , Mathuri Ashis , Mal Prasenjit
Published: March 2022

t
BuOLi (tert-butoxide) in EtOH is a radical initiator for thiols. Selective addition of aliphatic thiols and alcohols to N-phenylpropiolamides (terminal alkynes) using tBuOLi in EtOH led to the thioacetals and acetals, respectively.
Synthetic studies towards naturally occurring γ-(Z)/(E)-alkylidenebutenolides through bimetallic cascade cyclization and an adventitious photoisomerization method
Authors: Chatterjee Shrestha , Acharyya Ranjan Kumar , Pal Pratik , Nanda Samik
Published: March 2022

Visible light-induced photoisomerization method of γ-(Z)-alkylidenebutenolides to their corresponding E-components is investigated and explored further for total synthesis of related natural products.
High reaction activity enables carbon dots to construct multicomponent nanocomposites with superior catalytic performance
Authors: Li Shijia , Pang Ernan , Li Ning , Chang Qing , Yang Jinlong , Hu Shengliang
Published: March 2022

An efficient and simply strategy is developed for the synthesis of multicomponent nanocomposites by means of their high affinity for metal ions and the strong reduction activity of carbon dots.
Asymmetric decarboxylative [3 + 2] cycloaddition for the diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of spiro[2.4]heptanes via cyclopropanation
Authors: Gao Can , Zhang Ting , Li Xiaoxun , Wu Jing-De , Liu Jitian
Published: March 2022

A novel asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 1,4-dipoles and nitroolefins catalysed by the cooperative action of the chiral palladium/phosphine complex and the chiral urea-tertiary amine is described.
Deformable, sensible, and reconfigurable microgels with structural color: potential as camouflage soft microrobots
Authors: Liu Yajing , Wang Xiuyu , Feng Feng , Li Qilong , Xiao Hanzhang , Yao Li
Published: February 2022

Topological heterogeneous microgels have been obtained via self-assembly of stimuli-responsive, semi-confined space processing block copolymers. The synergistic capabilities have been integrated into a microscale entity for the first time.
Intensive Voice Treatment (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment [LSVT LOUD]) for Children With Down Syndrome: Phase I Outcomes
Authors: Boliek Carol A. , Halpern Angela , Hernandez Keren , Fox Cynthia M. , Ramig Lorraine
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

This study examined the effects of an intensive voice treatment Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) on children with Down syndrome (DS) and motor speech disorders.

Method:

A Phase I, multiple baseline, single-subject design with replication across nine participants with DS was used. Single-word intelligibility, acoustic measures of vocal functioning, and parent perceptions of pre- and posttreatment communication function were used as treatment outcome measures.

Results:

All participants completed the full dose of LSVT LOUD and showed gains on one or more of the outcome measures. Patterns of posttreatment improvements were not consistent across participants but were more frequently observed on trained maximum performance tasks compared to tasks reflecting generalization of the treatment skillset. Some participants exhibited a stronger response to treatment, whereas others showed a mixed or weaker response. Parents liked the treatment protocol, perceived benefits from intensive intervention, and indicated they would strongly recommend LSVT LOUD to other parents who have children with DS and motor speech disorders.

Conclusions:

These preliminary results show that children with DS tolerated intensive voice treatment without adverse effects and made select meaningful therapeutic gains. The treatment evidence from this study warrants Phase II treatment studies using LSVT LOUD with a larger group of children with DS.
Caregiver Language Input Supports Sentence Diversity in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Clark-Whitney Elysha , Klein Claire Brito , Hadley Pamela A. , Lord Catherine , Kim So Hyun
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

Sentence diversity is a measure of early language development that has yet to be applied to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The primary aim of this study was to identify whether children with ASD show change in sentence diversity over 6 months of treatment with Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI). The secondary aim was to examine possible predictors of changes in children's sentence diversity, including caregiver use of NDBI strategies, naturally occurring instances of caregiverToy Talk,and child characteristics.

Method:

Fifty children with ASD (ages 2–4 years) and their caregivers, who were receiving NDBI, engaged in two 10-min video-recorded play interactions, 6 months apart. Child speech was transcribed and coded for sentence diversity. Caregiver input was transcribed and coded for naturally occurringToy Talk. Zero-inflated negative binomial mixed models were used to explore predictors of change in child sentence diversity.

Results:

Children's sentence diversity improved over time. Changes in caregiver NDBI strategy use and caregiver baselineToy Talkwere significant predictors of changes in sentence diversity, as were baseline age, nonverbal ratio IQ, and child sex. Additionally, a significant interaction of caregiver baselineToy Talkand change in caregiver NDBI strategies emerged; the effect of caregiver baselineToy Talkon children's sentence diversity change was stronger when NDBI strategy use improved.

Conclusions:

Sentence diversity is a developmentally sensitive measure of language development in ASD. NDBI strategies that facilitate reciprocal social communication, combined with input composed of declarative sentences with noun or third-person pronoun subjects, may provide optimal support for children's sentence development.
Spectroscopic evolution of very massive stars at Z = 1/2.5 Z⊙
Authors: Martins F. , Palacios A.
Published: March 2022

Context. Stars with masses in excess of 100 M⊙ are observed in the Local Universe, but they remain rare objects. Because of the shape of the mass function, they are expected to be present only in the most massive and youngest clusters. They may thus be formed in number in highly star-forming galaxies.

Aims. Very massive stars (VMSs) experience strong stellar winds that are stronger than those of their less massive OB-type counterparts. These strong winds therefore need to be taken into account in evolutionary models and synthetic spectra to properly predict the appearance of VMS.

Methods. We present evolutionary models computed with the code STAREVOL. They include a recent mass-loss recipe that is relevant for VMSs. We subsequently calculated atmosphere models and synthetic spectra along the resulting tracks with the code CMFGEN. We studied stars with masses between 150 and 400 M⊙ and focused on a metallicity Z = 1/2.5 Z⊙. We studied the impact of our VMS spectra on the spectral energy distribution of young starbursts.

Results. We show that the optical and UV range is dominated by He II 4686 and He II 1640 emission for almost the entire main-sequence evolution of VMSs, in contrast to less massive stars. In the UV spectral range, carbon, nitrogen, and iron lines shape the spectra of VMSs, which appear for most of their evolution as WNh objects. The morphology of the synthetic spectra is similar to that of VMSs in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We show that stars with masses higher than 100 M⊙ emit nearly as much light as all other stars in young starbursts. The integrated UV spectrum of these starbursts is significantly affected by the presence of VMSs.

Conclusions. We conclude that a consistent treatment of the evolution and the atmospheres of VMSs is mandatory to properly study spatially unresolved regions of intense star formation. We make our synthetic spectra and spectral energy distributions available to the community.
Non-Markovian modelling highlights the importance of age structure on Covid-19 epidemiological dynamics
Authors: Reyné Bastien , Richard Quentin , Selinger Christian , Sofonea Mircea T. , Djidjou-Demasse Ramsès , Alizon Samuel
Published: March 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak was followed by a huge amount of modelling studies in order to rapidly gain insights to implement the best public health policies. Most of these compartmental models involved ordinary differential equations (ODEs) systems. Such a formalism implicitly assumes that the time spent in each compartment does not depend on the time already spent in it, which is at odds with the clinical data. To overcome this “memoryless” issue, a widely used solution is to increase and chain the number of compartments of a unique reality (e.g.have infected individual move between several compartments). This allows for greater heterogeneity and thus be closer to the observed situation, but also tends to make the whole model more difficult to apprehend and parameterize. We develop a non-Markovian alternative formalism based on partial differential equations (PDEs) instead of ODEs, which, by construction, provides a memory structure for each compartment thereby allowing us to limit the number of compartments. We apply our model to the French 2021 SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and, while accounting for vaccine-induced and natural immunity, we analyse and determine the major components that contributed to the Covid-19 hospital admissions. The results indicate that the observed vaccination rate alone is not enough to control the epidemic, and a global sensitivity analysis highlights a huge uncertainty attributable to the age-structured contact matrix. Our study shows the flexibility and robustness of PDE formalism to capture national COVID-19 dynamics and opens perspectives to study medium or long-term scenarios involving immune waning or virus evolution.
Nutritional quality of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods: focus on lipid composition and vitamin content
Authors: Moustiés Célia , Bourlieu-Lacanal Claire , Hemery Youna M. , Baréa Bruno , Villeneuve Pierre , Servent Adrien , Alter Pascaline , Lebrun Marc , Laillou Arnaud , Wieringa Frank T. , Avallone Sylvie
Published: March 2022

Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is still a public health issue in many low-income and middle-income countries. Its management has changed with the development of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) that are energy-dense, lipid-based, micronutrient-enriched foods. The purpose of the present study was to define some aspects of the nutritional profile (in particular, lipid content, fatty acids profile, lipophilic vitamin content), oxidative status, and mycotoxin content of three RUTF products (of which two manufactured in Asia and one in Europe), at different time points during their storage. All RUTF displayed good lipid stability, with peroxide values < 10 meqO2/kg lipids, acidity index < 0.6 g/100 g lipids, and very low amounts of secondary oxidation volatile compounds. Only the one produced in Europe complied with the international recommendations on vitamin A and E contents. Lipid content ranged from 28.7 ± 0.5 to 41.2 ± 2.4 g/100 g. Oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid (47.2 ± 7.4%, 26.8 ± 2.1%, and 12.4 ± 3.9% of total lipids, respectively) were the main fatty acids. Only one of the samples made in Asia exceeded the regulatory limit of mycotoxins. The RUTF lipid phase was rather stable at ambient temperature from 9 to 12 months, and appropriate packaging may have contributed to a major stability.
Complexity analysis of primal-dual interior-point methods for linear optimization based on a new efficient Bi-parameterized kernel function with a trigonometric barrier term
Authors: Mousaab Bouafia , Adnan Yassine
Published: March 2022

In this paper we are generalizing the efficient kernel function with trigonometric barrier term given by (M. Bouafia, D. Benterki and A. Yassine, J. Optim. Theory Appl. 170 (2016) 528–545). Using an elegant and simple analysis and under some easy to check conditions, we explore the best complexity result for the large update primal-dual interior point methods for linear optimization. This complexity estimate improves results obtained in (X. Li and M. Zhang, Oper. Res. Lett. 43 (2015) 471–475; M.R. Peyghami and S.F. Hafshejani, Numer. Algo. 67 (2014) 33–48; M. Bouafia, D. Benterki and A. Yassine, J. Optim. Theory Appl. 170 (2016) 528–545). Our comparative numerical experiments on some test problems consolidate and confirm our theoretical results according to which the new kernel function has promising applications compared to the kernel function given by (M. Bouafia and A. Yassine, Optim. Eng. 21 (2020) 651–672). Moreover, the comparative numerical study that we have established favors our new kernel function better than other best trigonometric kernel functions (M. Bouafia, D. Benterki and A. Yassine, J. Optim. Theory Appl. 170 (2016) 528–545; M. Bouafia and A. Yassine, Optim. Eng. 21 (2020) 651–672).
Sharp Lagrange multipliers for set-valued optimization problems
Authors: Oussarhan Abdessamad , Amahroq Tijani
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we give a comparison among some notions of weak sharp minima introduced in Amahroq et al. [Le matematiche J. 73 (2018) 99–114], Durea and Strugariu [Nonlinear Anal. 73 (2010) 2148–2157] and Zhu et al. [Set-Valued Var. Anal. 20 (2012) 637–666] for set-valued optimization problems. Besides, we establish sharp Lagrange multiplier rules for general constrained set-valued optimization problems involving new scalarization functionals based on the oriented distance function. Moreover, we provide sufficient optimality conditions for the considered problems without any convexity assumptions.
UAVs routes optimization on smart cities and regions
Authors: Marques Elias L. , Coelho Vitor N. , Coelho Igor M. , Frota Yuri A. de M. , Koochaksaraei Roozbeh H. , Ochi Luiz Satoru , Coelho Bruno N.
Published: March 2022

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are becoming a common technology used on smart cities and smart regions, thus requiring optimization of its routes with crucial importance. In this innovative work, six objective functions are optimized in order to provide sets of non-dominated solutions, composed of routes with different characteristics. Realistic constraints are considered such as obstacles and areas in which drones could not pass through. A didactic case of study considering points of a graph is used in order to illustrate a smart city composed of different regions. Obtained solutions are analyzed using a state-of-the-art visualization tool, which guides the comprehension of harmony and conflicts between objectives.
Evaluation of a Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana
Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Male Athletes: A Randomized
Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Domínguez-Balmaseda Diego , Bressa Carlo , Fernández-Romero Arantxa , de Lucas Beatriz , Pérez-Ruiz Margarita , San Juan Alejandro F. , Roller Marc , Issaly Nicolas , Larrosa Mar
Published: March 2022

The gut microbiota has emerged as a factor that influences exercise performance
and recovery. The present study aimed to test the effect of a polyherbal
supplement containing ginger and annatto called “ReWin(d)” on the gut microbiota
of recreational athletes in a pilot, randomized, triple-blind,
placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-four participants who practice physical
activity at least three times weekly were randomly allocated to two groups, a
ReWin(d) group or a maltodextrin (placebo) group. We evaluated the gut
microbiota, the production of short-chain fatty acids, and the serum levels of
interleukin-6 and lipopolysaccharide at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results
showed that ReWin(d) supplementation slightly increased gut microbiota
diversity. Pairwise analysis revealed an increase in the relative abundance of
Lachnospira (β-coefficient = 0.013; p = 0.001),
Subdoligranulum (β-coefficient = 0.016; p = 0.016),
Roseburia (β-coefficient = 0.019; p = 0.001), and
Butyricicoccus (β-coefficient = 0.005; p = 0.035) genera in
the ReWin(d) group, and a decrease in Lachnoclostridium
(β-coefficient = − 0.008; p = 0.009) and the Christensenellaceae R7 group
(β-coefficient = − 0.010; p < 0.001). Moreover, the
Christensenellaceae R-7 group correlated positively with serum interleukin-6
(ρ = 0.4122; p = 0.032), whereas the Lachnospira genus correlated
negatively with interleukin-6 (ρ = − 0.399; p = 0.032). ReWin(d) supplementation
had no effect on short-chain fatty acid production or on interleukin-6 or
lipopolysaccharide levels.
Gesundheitsversorgung in Deutschland durch Mitarbeit von Physician
Assistants im ärztlichen Team
Authors: Meyer-Treschan Tanja , Stegemann Ann Kathrin , Sebastian Julia , Hatwich Sara , Beiderlinden Martin , Siepe Ralf B. , Veltjens Barbara , Farhan Nabeel , Siegmüller Julia
Published: February 2022

Ziel der Studie ÄrztInnen in Deutschland sind überlastet.
Entlastung könnte durch Delegation von ärztlichen Aufgaben an
Physician Assistants (PA) geschaffen werden. Obwohl seit 2012 PA im deutschen
Gesundheitswesen mitarbeiten, gibt es wenig Daten. Wir haben die Vor- und
Nachteile der Delegation aus Sicht von ÄrztInnen, die seit Jahren an PA
delegieren, sowie die Arbeitsbedingungen, die Zufriedenheit und Prozesszeiten
von PA untersucht.

Methodik Semi-quantitative Querschnittserhebung an einer Abschlusskohorte
des Studienganges PA und den an diese seit drei Jahren delegierenden
ÄrztInnen. Retrospektive Analyse von Wartezeiten und Aufenthaltsdauer in
einer interdisziplinären Notaufnahme.

Ergebnisse Die ÄrztInnen waren mit den PA sehr zufrieden und gaben
eine deutliche Entlastung durch diese an. Auch die PA zeigten eine sehr hohe
berufliche Zufriedenheit. Prozesszeiten in der Notaufnahme wurden durch die
Mitarbeit einer PA nicht verlängert.

Schlussfolgerung ÄrztInnen, die seit Jahren an PA delegieren, sind
entlastet und mit den PA zufrieden, gleichermaßen sind PA zufrieden mit
ihrem Beruf.
Update for the Performance of CT Coronary Angiography – Evidence-Based Application and Technical Guidance According to Current Consensus Guidelines and Practical Advice from the Clinical Routine
Authors: Soschynski Martin , Hagar Muhammad Taha , Taron Jana , Krauss Tobias , Ruile Philipp , Hein Manuel , Nührenberg Thomas , Russe Maximilian Frederik , Bamberg Fabian , Schlett Christopher L
Published: March 2022

Background Coronary CT angiography (cCTA) is a class 1 recommendation in the current guidelines by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) for excluding significant coronary artery stenosis. To achieve optimal image quality at a low radiation dose, the imaging physician may choose different acquisition modes. Therefore, the consensus guidelines by the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) provide helpful guidance for this procedure.

Method The article provides practical recommendations for the application and acquisition of cCTA based on the current literature and our own experience.

Results and Conclusion According to current ESC guidelines, cCTA is recommended in symptomatic patients with a low or intermediate clinical likelihood for coronary artery disease. We recommend premedication with beta blockers and nitrates prior to CT acquisition under certain conditions even with the latest CT scanner generations. The most current CT scanners offer three possible scan modes for cCTA acquisition. Heart rate is the main factor for selecting the scan mode. Other factors may be coronary calcifications and body mass index (BMI).

Key Points: 

Citation Format
Traumatisierung im Arztberuf: Auslöser, Rollen und
Prozessfaktoren
Authors: Renner Anna , Kaiser Julia , Kersting Anette
Published: March 2022

Hintergrund ÄrztInnen zeigen eine erhöhte
Prävalenz von posttraumatischen Belastungsstörungen (PTBS).
Potentiell traumatische Ereignisse im Arztberuf sind unter anderem die
Konfrontation mit Leid, Tod, Gewalterlebnissen und medizinischen Fehlern. Ziel
der vorliegenden Analyse ist die Erfassung traumatischer Ereignisse (TE) bei
hilfesuchenden ÄrztInnen sowie die qualitative Analyse der Rollen und
beteiligten Prozessfaktoren.

Methode Mittels eines Online-Fragebogens wurden ÄrztInnen, die ein
TE erlebt hatten, hinsichtlich posttraumatischem Stress (PCL-5),
Depressivität (PHQ-9), Alkoholmissbrauch (CAGE-Test) sowie
Suizidalität (BSIS) befragt. Berichte von TEs wurden qualitativ mithilfe
der strukturierten Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet.

Ergebnis N=41 ÄrztInnen beschrieben mindestens ein TE. Es
wurden K=54 Beschreibungen von TE qualitativ ausgewertet. Die
Betroffenen waren in einigen Fällen selbst Opfer von z. B.
Unfällen oder Gewalt, in anderen Fällen waren sie als ZeugInnen
oder Behandelnde involviert. Folgende Themen konnten identifiziert werden:
Begleitung von und Konfrontation mit Leid und Sterben, negative
Behandlungsverläufe (insbesondere Komplikationen und medizinische
Fehler) und mangelnde Unterstützung (insbesondere mangelndes
Fehlermanagement). Bei 90,3% der ÄrztInnen lagen Hinweise auf
eine vollständige oder unterschwellige PTBS vor, bei 24,4% auf
schädlichen Alkoholkonsum. Psychotrope Medikamente wurden von
31,7% der Befragten eingenommen.

Diskussion Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine hohe Belastung durch TE im
Arztberuf. Dabei sind ÄrztInnen von Traumatisierung in der Rolle als
Opfer, ZeugIn oder Behandelnde betroffen. Von besonderer Relevanz sind die
Konfrontation mit Leid und Sterben, negative Behandlungsverläufe und
subjektiv mangelnde Unterstützung. Die AssistenzärztInnenzeit
stellt möglicherweise eine vulnerable Phase dar.

Schlussfolgerung Leicht zugängliche Therapieformen (z. B.
Internettherapie) und strukturelle Veränderungen (z. B.
adäquate Unterstützung für AssistenzärztInnen,
Programme zu funktionalem Fehlermanagement) könnten die psychische
Gesundheit von ÄrztInnen fördern.
Randomized Noninferiority Trial of Expectant Management versus Early Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants
Authors: Potsiurko Solomiia , Dobryanskyy Dmytro , Sekretar Lesya , Salabay Zoryana
Published: February 2022

Objective The study aimed to investigate, whether expectant management is noninferior to early patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment with regard to the composite of mortality and/or incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very preterm infants.

Study design A total of 208 very preterm infants of the gestational age <32 weeks, birth weight <1,500 g, chronological age <72 hours, and PDA >1.5 mm were randomized between the treatment or expectant management groups. Both, the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were performed.

Results A total of 104 (50%) patients received rectal ibuprofen (n = 52) or intravenous acetaminophen (n = 52) within first 72 hours of life. In 104 (50%) infants, expectant management was used. Eight of them (8%) received rescue treatment at the median age of 7 (range: 6–13) days. PDA closure rates by the 10th day of life were 81% (n = 84) in the treatment arm, and 58% (n = 60) in the expectant management arm (p < 0.01). The median age at the time of ductus closure was 5 (range: 5–6) days in the treatment arm and 8 (range: 6–11) days in the expectant management arm (p < 0.01). At the time of discharge, ductus was closed in 83% of treated infants and in 78% of patients who were managed expectantly (p > 0.05). No significant difference between the groups was found for the primary clinical outcomes, BPD/death, or the secondary outcomes at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks or discharge.

Conclusion Expectant management is noninferior to early PDA treatment for reducing the incidence of death/BPD. Compared with the expectant management, early pharmacological treatment provides more frequent and faster PDA closure in preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks, but it neither reduces morbidity nor improves survival rates.

Key Points
Individualised Homeopathic Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting in the First Trimester and of COVID-19 in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy—A Case Report
Authors: Glas Katarina Lucija
Published: February 2022

Introduction/Background Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are common physiological disturbances, causing physical, social and psychological symptoms in the affected women. Though it is difficult to draw absolute conclusions on whether or not pregnant women are at high risk of acquiring severe consequences from corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), clinical experience has shown them to be potentially vulnerable to other coronaviruses. Lack of specific conventional therapy for these conditions called for a complementary and individualised homeopathy approach in the presented case.

Methods The homeopathic medical management of early symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) and the beginning of COVID-19 symptoms shortly before a scheduled Caesarean section is described. No ongoing specific treatments were discontinued. The connection between intervention with individualised homeopathy and clinical improvement was assessed by two independent reviewers using the MOdified NARanjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) inventory.

Results There was improvement of NVP symptoms in early pregnancy and in later-onset COVID-19 symptoms following an individually prescribed unipotent homeopathic medicine, Sepia officinalis, after tele-consultation during lockdown. The agreed MONARCH score was +8 points, suggesting that homeopathy contributed to clinical improvement.

Conclusion Individualised homeopathy may be a helpful complementary medical approach for managing symptoms associated with NVP and COVID-19 during pregnancy.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Neurological Patient: Scientific Principles and Applications
Authors: Eldaief Mark C. , Dickerson Bradford C. , Camprodon Joan A.
Published: February 2022

Non-invasive brain stimulation has been increasingly recognized for its potential as an investigational, diagnostic and therapeutic tool across the clinical neurosciences. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method of focal neuromodulation. Diagnostically, TMS can be used to probe cortical excitability and plasticity, as well as for functional mapping. Therapeutically, depending on the pattern employed, TMS can either facilitate or inhibit stimulated cortex potentially modulating maladaptive physiology through its effects on neuroplasticity. Despite this potential, applications of TMS in neurology have only been approved for diagnostic clinical neurophysiology, pre-surgical mapping of motor and language cortex, and the treatment of migraines. In this article, we discuss the principles of TMS and its clinical applications in neurology, including experimental applications in stroke rehabilitation, seizures, autism spectrum disorder, neurodegenerative disorders, movement disorders, tinnitus, chronic pain and functional neurological disorder. To promote increased cross-talk across neurology and psychiatry, we also succinctly review the TMS literature for the treatment of major depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Overall, we argue that larger clinical trials that are better informed by circuit-level biomarkers and pathophysiological models will lead to an expansion of the application of TMS for patients cared for by neurologists.
The Evolution of Neurosurgery Throughout the Ages: From Trepanations in Prehistory to The Robotic Era
Authors: Souza Felipe dos Santos , Silva Rhuann Pontes dos Santos , Junior Luiz Severo Bem , Azevedo Filho Hildo Rocha Cirne de
Published: February 2022

Introduction Throughout the historical course, the emergence of neurosurgery invariably involved the narrative about different eras, marked by relevant discoveries in the field of medical science. From prehistoric mystical and therapeutic reports to the Robotic Era in the 21st century, there were changes that contributed to current neurosurgery. Thus, this study will analyze articles and studies that describe the history of neurosurgery and demonstrate the main advances in the field of science.

Materials and methods This is a narrative review of scientific literature, carried out by searching the following databases: Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), Online System for Searching and Analyzing Medical Literature (MEDLINE), Latin American Literature and Caribbean in Health Sciences (LILACS), and Public Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (PubMed).The following descriptors were used: History of neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, together with the Boolean operator “AND”. In addition, the descriptors History
of
Neurosurgery and Robotics were used between the Boolean operator “AND”. In this sense, in order to establish a linearity of the narrative presented, the evolution of neurosurgery in five eras was didactically separated.

Conclusion Neurosurgery, throughout history, has undergone several transformations. There was a series of events that made neurosurgery one of the most evolutionary and progressive sciences. This is because technology combined with scientific knowledge was, in fact, what made it possible to get where we are. In this sense, the studied ages allow the comprehension of a history that needs to be understood and valued by all students of the neurological and neurosurgical sciences.
Surgical Dilemmas Associated with Malignant Large Bowel Obstructions
Authors: Schwartzberg David M. , Valente Michael A.
Published: February 2022

Despite an increase in screening colonoscopy, with the objective to decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer, a third of patients will present with an obstructing cancer. Malignant large bowel obstructions (MLBO) pose a challenging workup and treatment paradigm where an oncologic primary tumor resection must be balanced with relieving the obstruction, functional outcomes, palliation, and consideration for adjuvant therapy. A thorough work up with cross-sectional imaging and medical optimization should be attempted; however, patients may present in extremis and require emergent intervention. The onset of MLBO can be insidious, but result in electrolyte derangements, perforation, small bowel obstruction, hemorrhage, and ischemia. Self-expandable metallic stents have been used as palliation or as a bridge to surgery and have allowed for minimally invasive surgical options as well as a decrease in stoma rates. Patients with signs of colon ischemia or perforation require emergent surgery, which is associated with an increase in stoma formation, morbidity, mortality, and a decrease in overall survival.
Routine Mediastinal Drainage Fluid Culture for Early Diagnosis of Poststernotomy Mediastinitis
Authors: Jung Yochun , Lee Kyo Seon , Oh Sang Gi , Jeong Yangseung
Published: February 2022

Background Early diagnosis of poststernotomy mediastinitis (PSM) is challenging. Since 2016, we have routinely performed mediastinal drainage fluid culture (MDFC) in patients undergoing sternotomy. This study aimed to determine the utility of MDFC for early diagnosis of PSM.

Methods Between November 2016 and April 2020, we conducted MDFC in 1,012 patients on the third postoperative day and prospectively observed for PSM occurrence for 3 months. If bacteria were identified, additional MDFC or blood culture was performed to reduce the possibility of false positives. Based on MDFC results, the decision for early treatment for PSM was at the attending physician's discretion.

Results Bacteria were identified in MDFC of 29 patients, eight of whom subsequently developed PSM. Among 983 patients with negative MDFC, only 15 developed PSM. In multivariate analysis, previous sternotomy history and positive MDFC were predictors of PSM. Positive MDFC was regarded as true positive if (1) PSM occurred subsequently, and/or (2) the same bacteria were identified in additional MDFC/blood culture. Non-occurrence of PSM in the absence of antibiotic treatment was regarded as false-positive MDFC. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of routine MDFC for diagnosis of mediastinal infection were 46.4, 99.0, 56.5, and 98.5%, respectively. When categorizing cases with positive MDFC based on the identified bacteria, the positive predictive value was highest (76.9%) when Staphylococci were identified.

Conclusion Routine MDFC after sternotomy can facilitate early diagnosis of PSM. Early treatment for PSM may be indicated in patients in whom Staphylococci are identified in the MDFC.