bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of Ge−H and Sn−H Bonds with N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes and a Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene
Authors: Philipp Michael S. M. , Bertermann Rüdiger , Radius Udo
Published: September 2022

A study of the reactivity of several N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene 1‐(2,6‐di‐iso‐propylphenyl)‐3,3,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidin‐2‐ylidene (cAACMe) with the group 14 hydrides GeH2Mes2and SnH2Me2(Me=CH3, Mes=1,3,5‐(CH3)3C6H2) is presented. The reaction of GeH2Mes2with cAACMeled to the insertion of cAACMeinto one Ge−H bond to give cAACMeH−GeHMes2(1). If 1,3,4,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene (Me2ImMe) was used as the carbene, NHC‐mediated dehydrogenative coupling occurred, which led to the NHC‐stabilized germylene Me2ImMe⋅GeMes2(2). The reaction of SnH2Me2with cAACMealso afforded the insertion product cAACMeH−SnHMe2(3), and reaction of two equivalents Me2ImMewith SnH2Me2gave the NHC‐stabilized stannylene Me2ImMe⋅SnMe2(4). If the sterically more demanding NHCs Me2ImMe, 1,3‐di‐isopropyl‐4,5‐dimethyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene (iPr2ImMe) and 1,3‐bis‐(2,6‐di‐isopropylphenyl)‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene (Dipp2Im) were employed, selective formation of cyclic oligomers (SnMe2)n(5;n=5–8) in high yield was observed. These cyclic oligomers were also obtained from the controlled decomposition of cAACMeH−SnHMe2(3).
Civil society organisations as agents for societal change: Football clubs' engagement with sustainability
Authors: Lozano Rodrigo , Barreiro‐Gen Maria
Published: September 2022

Progress towards more sustainable societies requires moving from reactive responses to immediate problems, towards a more proactive focus on avoiding possible future problems and preparing for potential events. This requires that sustainability is endorsed by a group or opinion leader to be adopted by society. Organisations have been instrumental in fostering sustainability and can be such opinion leaders. During the last 10 years, there has been an increasing interest in organisational sustainability; however, research on civil society organisations (CSOs) has been scarce. Sports organisations (such as football clubs) are a particular type of CSO, and have been adopting sustainability, albeit slowly. Twelve interviews with representatives of Swedish football clubs (from which nine were male clubs and three were female clubs) were conducted between August and November 2021. The data were analysed using Grounded Theory's constant comparative analysis method. The findings show that football clubs have been undertaking several sustainability efforts (e.g. stakeholder collaboration, energy, health, gender and transportation) and have been connecting the sustainability dimensions throughout such efforts. The findings provide insights into the stages of sustainability awareness in football clubs, starting from the social dimension, then the environmental, economic and time dimensions. An important finding from the interviews was the potential that football clubs have in engaging and influencing society through their fans. This research provides insights into the contributions of football clubs to sustainability. Football clubs, and other CSOs, have the potential to become societal change agents and make societies more sustainable through a shared identity.
The heterogeneity of mammalian utricular cells over the course of development
Authors: You Dan , Guo Jin , Zhang Yunzhong , Guo Luo , Lu Xiaoling , Huang Xinsheng , Sun Shan , Li Huawei
Published: September 2022

Background

The inner ear organ is a delicate tissue consisting of hair cells (HCs) and supporting cells (SCs).The mammalian inner ear HCs are terminally differentiated cells that cannot spontaneously regenerate in adults. Epithelial non‐hair cells (ENHCs) in the utricle include HC progenitors and SCs, and the progenitors share similar characteristics with SCs in the neonatal inner ear.

Methods

We applied single‐cell sequencing to whole mouse utricles from the neonatal period to adulthood, including samples from postnatal day (P)2, P7 and P30 mice. Furthermore, using transgenic mice and immunostaining, we traced the source of new HC generation.

Results

We identified several sensory epithelial cell clusters and further found that new HCs arose mainly through differentiation from Sox9+ progenitor cells and that only a few cells were produced by mitotic proliferation in both neonatal and adult mouse utricles. In addition, we identified the proliferative cells using the marker UbcH10 and demonstrated that in adulthood the mitotically generated HCs were primarily found in the extrastriola. Moreover, we observed that not only Type II, but also Type I HCs could be regenerated by either mitotic cell proliferation or progenitor cell differentiation.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings expand our understanding of ENHC cell fate and the characteristics of the vestibular organs in mammals over the course of development.
Intraspecific trait variability is a key feature underlying high Arctic plant community resistance to climate warming
Authors: Jónsdóttir Ingibjörg S. , Halbritter Aud H. , Christiansen Casper T. , Althuizen Inge H. J. , Haugum Siri V. , Henn Jonathan J. , Björnsdóttir Katrín , Maitner Brian Salvin , Malhi Yadvinder , Michaletz Sean T. , Roos Ruben E. , Klanderud Kari , Lee Hanna , Enquist Brian J. , Vandvik Vigdis
Published: September 2022

In the high Arctic, plant community species composition generally responds slowly to climate warming, whereas less is known about the community functional trait responses and consequences for ecosystem functioning. The slow species turnover and large distribution ranges of many Arctic plant species suggest a significant role of intraspecific trait variability in functional responses to climate change. Here we compare taxonomic and functional community compositional responses to a long‐term (17‐year) warming experiment in Svalbard, Norway, replicated across three major high Arctic habitats shaped by topography and contrasting snow regimes. We observed taxonomic compositional changes in all plant communities over time. Still, responses to experimental warming were minor and most pronounced in the drier habitats with relatively early snowmelt timing and long growing seasons (Cassiope and Dryas heaths). The habitats were clearly separated in functional trait space, defined by 12 size‐ and leaf economics‐related traits, primarily due to interspecific trait variation. Functional traits also responded to experimental warming, most prominently in the Dryas heath and mostly due to intraspecific trait variation. Leaf area and mass increased and leaf δ15N decreased in response to the warming treatment. Intraspecific trait variability ranged between 30% and 71% of the total trait variation, reflecting the functional resilience of those communities, dominated by long‐lived plants, due to either phenotypic plasticity or genotypic variation, which most likely underlies the observed resistance of high Arctic vegetation to climate warming. We further explored the consequences of trait variability for ecosystem functioning by measuring peak season CO2 fluxes. Together, environmental, taxonomic, and functional trait variables explained a large proportion of the variation in net ecosystem exchange (NEE), which increased when intraspecific trait variation was accounted for. In contrast, even though ecosystem respiration and gross ecosystem production both increased in response to warming across habitats, they were mainly driven by the direct kinetic impacts of temperature on plant physiology and biochemical processes. Our study shows that long‐term experimental warming has a modest but significant effect on plant community functional trait composition and suggests that intraspecific trait variability is a key feature underlying high Arctic ecosystem resistance to climate warming.
Embolism resistance explains mortality and recovery of five subtropical evergreen broadleaf trees to persistent drought
Authors: Shao Junjiong , Zhou Xuhui , Zhang Peipei , Zhai Deping , Yuan Tengfei , Li Zhen , He Yanghui , McDowell Nate G.
Published: September 2022

Subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests (SEBF) are experiencing and expected to suffer more frequent and severe drought events. However, how the hydraulic traits directly link to the mortality and recovery of SEBF trees remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a drought–rewatering experiment on tree seedlings of five dominant species to investigate how the hydraulic traits were related to tree mortality and the resistance and recovery of photosynthesis (A) and transpiration (E) under different drought severities. Species with greater embolism resistance (P50) survived longer than those with a weaker P50. However, there was no general hydraulic threshold associated with tree mortality, with the lethal hydraulic failure varying from 64% to 93% loss of conductance. The photosynthesis and transpiration of tree species with a greater P50 were more resistant to and recovered faster from drought than those with lower P50. Other plant traits could not explain the interspecific variation in tree mortality and drought resistance and recovery. These results highlight the unique importance of embolism resistance in driving carbon and water processes under persistent drought across different trees in SEBFs. The absence of multiple efficient drought strategies in SEBF seedlings implies the difficulty of natural seedling regeneration under future droughts, which often occurs after destructive disturbances (e.g., extreme drought events and typhoon), suggesting that this biome may be highly vulnerable to co‐occurring climate extremes.
Ultrathin and Air‐Stable Lithium Metal Anodes with Superlong Cycling Life in Ether/Ester‐Based Electrolytes
Authors: Luo Chao , Tang Zihuan , Zhang Miaomiao , Feng Xiaoyu , Luo Rongjie , Guo Qifei , Zhang Xuming , Gao Biao , Ding Zhao , Zheng Yang , Huo Kaifu
Published: September 2022

Ultrathin and air‐stable Li metal anodes hold great promise toward high‐energy and high‐safety Li metal batteries (LMBs). However, the application of LMBs is technically impeded by existing Li metal anodes with large thickness, high reactivity, and poor performance. Here, we developed a novel and scalable approach for the construction of a 10‐μm‐thick flexible and air‐stable Li metal anode by conformally encapsulating Li within a multifunctional VN film. Specifically, the highly lithiophilic VN layer guides a uniform deposition of Li, while abundant and multilevel pores arising from assembly of ultrathin nanosheets enable a spatially confined immersion of metallic Li, thus ensuring an ultrathin and sandwiched Li anode. More impressively, the strong hydrophobicity of VN surface can effectively improve the stability of anode to humid air, whereas the highly conductive framework greatly boosts charge transfer dynamics and enhances Li utilization and high‐rate capability. Benefiting from such fascinating features, the constructed Li‐VN anode exhibits ultrastable cycling stability in both ether (2500 h) and carbonate (900 h) electrolytes, respectively. Moreover, even exposed to ambient air for 12 h, the anode still can retain ~78% capacity, demonstrating excellent air‐defendable capability. This work affords a promising strategy for fabricating high‐performance, high‐safety, and low‐cost LMBs.
Effects of multifaceted optimization management for chronic heart failure: a multicentre, randomized controlled study
Authors: Pan Guangming , Ji Weiqiang , Wang Xia , Li Song , Zheng Chaoyang , Lyu Weihui , Feng Xiaoyan , Xia Yu , Xiong Zhihua , Shan Haohong , Yang Haiyu , Zou Xu
Published: September 2022

Aims

In recent years, we have developed the concept of ‘clinical pathway based on integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine for the management of Chronic heart failure (CHF)’. The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation effects of multifaceted optimization management of chronic heart failure.

Methods

A total of nine physicians in optimization group from nine research sites received multifaceted intervention (a 1‐day training session on how to implement the optimization programme, a written optimization programme for CHF management, supervision from daily quality coordinator, and 1‐monthly monitoring and feedback of performance measure) with respect to the management of CHF, comparing to nine physicians in control group who did not receive the aforementioned multifaceted intervention and diagnosed and treated CHF patients with conventional programme (usual care). After that, a total of 256 patients with CHF were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive optimization programme [integration of usual care and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment] or conventional programme (usual care) for the treatment of CHF. The primary outcome was the change in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification during 24 weeks of treatment.

Results

When compared with usual care, multifaceted optimization management resulted in superior improvements in NYHA functional classification at the 12‐week visit (P = 0.023), the 16‐week, 20‐week, and 24‐week visits (P < 0.001). It also demonstrated superior performance in comparison with the conventional programme with respect to readmission rate for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), readmission rate for worsening heart failure, plasma N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), patient TCM syndrome scores, quality of life, and patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in optimization group more likely received beta‐blockers and ACE inhibitors or ARBs than those in control group (P = 0.038 and P = 0.013, respectively).

Conclusions

It is likely that the multifaceted optimization programme used in this study is feasible would benefit patients with CHF in NYHA functional classification, readmission for worsening heart failure, plasma NT‐proBNP level, LVEF, patient TCM syndrome scores, and quality of life. Additionally, it would improve hospital personnel adherence to evidence‐based performance measures for HFrEF.
Long‐term outcomes after NORSE: Treatment with vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Espino Poul H. , Burneo Jorge G. , Moscol Gaby , Gofton Teneille , MacDougall Keith , Suller Marti Ana
Published: September 2022

New‐onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is associated with high mortality, therapy‐resistant epilepsy (TRE), and poor cognitive and functional outcomes. Some patients develop multifocal TRE, for whom surgery with a curative intention, is not an option. In these patients, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is performed as a palliative treatment. We report the long‐term outcomes regarding seizure frequency, functional and cognitive outcome, and effectiveness of VNS in two patients with TRE as a consequence of NORSE. In the first patient with cryptogenic NORSE, VNS implantation occurred during the acute stage, probably contributing to the cessation of her status epilepticus. However, in the long‐term follow‐up, the patient persisted with daily multifocal seizures. In the second patient, VNS implantation was delayed to manage his epilepsy when the NORSE, ultimately due to autoimmune encephalitis, had resolved. During long‐term follow‐up, no reduction in seizure frequency was achieved. This evidence supporting the use of VNS in patients with TRE after NORSE warrants further investigation.
Efficacy and safety of adjunctive padsevonil in adults with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy: Results from two double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Rademacher Michael , Toledo Manuel , Van Paesschen Wim , Liow Kore K. , Milanov Ivan G. , Esch Maria‐Luise , Wang Nan , MacPherson Merran , Byrnes William J. , Minh Timothy D. C. , Webster Elizabeth , Werhahn Konrad J.
Published: September 2022

Objective

To characterize efficacy, safety/tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of padsevonil (PSL) administered concomitantly with ≤3 antiseizure medications (ASMs) for observable focal seizures in adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy in two multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trials.

Methods

The phase 2b dose‐finding trial (EP0091/NCT03373383) randomized patients 1:1:1:1:1 to PSL 50/100/200/400 mg or placebo twice daily (b.i.d.). The phase 3 efficacy trial (EP0092/NCT03739840) randomized patients 1:1:1:1 to PSL 100/200/400 mg or placebo b.i.d. Patients with observable (focal aware with motor symptoms, focal impaired awareness, focal to bilateral tonic–clonic) focal seizures for ≥3 years, experiencing them ≥4 times per 28 days including during the 4‐week baseline period despite treatment with ≥4 lifetime ASMs including current ASMs, were enrolled.

Results

In EP0091 and EP0092, 410 and 231 patients, respectively, were randomized and received at least one dose of trial medication. In patients in EP0091 on PSL 50/100/200/400 mg b.i.d. (n = 80/82/81/81, respectively) versus placebo (n = 81), outcomes included percentage reductions over placebo in observable focal seizure frequency during the 12‐week maintenance period: 17.2%, 19.1% (p = 0.128), 19.2% (p = 0.128), 12.4% (p = 0.248); 75% responder rates (p‐values for odds ratios): 13.8%, 12.2% (p = 0.192), 11.1% (p = 0.192), 16.0% (p = 0.124) versus 6.2%; 50% responder rates: 33.8% (p = 0.045), 31.7% (p = 0.079), 25.9% (p = 0.338), 32.1% (p = 0.087), versus 21.0%; TEAEs were reported by 82.7% (67/81), 78.3% (65/83), 74.4% (61/82), 90.1% (73/81) versus 78.3% (65/83). In patients in EP0092 on PSL 100/200/400 mg b.i.d. (n = 60/56/56, respectively) versus placebo (n = 54), outcomes included percentage reductions over placebo: −5.6% (p = 0.687), 6.5% (p = 0.687), 6.3% (p = 0.687); 75% responder rates: 15.3% (p = 0.989), 12.5% (p = 0.989), 14.3% (p = 0.989) versus 13.0%; 50% responder rates: 35.6% (p = 0.425), 33.9% (p = 0.625), and 42.9% (p = 0.125) versus 27.8%; TEAEs were reported by 80.0% (48/60), 78.9% (45/57), 83.1% (49/59) versus 67.3% (37/55).

Significance

In both trials, the primary outcomes did not reach statistical significance in any PSL dose group compared with placebo. PSL was generally well tolerated, and no new safety signals were identified.
Origin of glacial curvilineations by subglacial meltwater erosion: Evidence from the Stargard drumlin field, Poland
Authors: Hermanowski Piotr , Piotrowski Jan A.
Published: September 2022

Deciphering the origin of subglacial landforms is crucial for understanding processes operating under ice sheets. Due to the inaccessibility of the ice/bed interface limiting real‐time observations, the origin of these landforms is typically interpreted from the morphological and sedimentological record exposed after ice retreat, which makes the conclusions conjectural. Here, we focus on a recently discovered new type of subglacial landform called glacial curvilineations (GCLs), whose formation generates some controversy. We use LiDAR imagery and geological data to constrain the origin of GCLs found in a tunnel valley in the Stargard drumlin field, Poland. The tunnel valley is about 3800 m long, 520 m wide, and it occupies about 2 km2. A total of 61 individual GCLs have been mapped there; they are up to 550 m long and typically 0.5–1.5 m high, but some reach a height of up to 5 m. The GCLs are composed of mostly massive till represented by either a single or several diamicton units occasionally separated by thin layers of meltwater sand. Till macrofabrics in the GCLs and in the nearby till plain are distinctly consistent, and have high and uniform clustering strengths. At all locations, the dominant till fabric direction broadly corresponds with the ice movement direction given by the drumlin orientations, but it is oblique to the orientation of the tunnel valley and independent of the orientations of the individual GCLs. The lack of correspondence between the orientation of the GCLs and the till fabrics in them suggests that the GCLs consist of an antecedent till deposited during the drumlinizing ice advance and subsequently carved by subglacial meltwater erosion in the tunnel valley. These results substantiate the hypothesis that GCLs are erosional features postdating the material constituting them, and emphasize the role of subglacial meltwater flows as a landforming agent.
Obese male Zucker rats exhibit dendritic remodeling in neurons of the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit as well as spatial memory deficits
Authors: Manuel Sánchez Dulce María , Limón Daniel , Silva Gómez Adriana Berenice
Published: September 2022

Obesity is characterized by excessive fat accumulation. The Zucker rat displays genetic obesity due to a mutation in the leptin receptor gene; this model is of great interest because of its similarity to human obesity. Brain regions may be affected by obesity, but detailed information is lacking. In the present study, we analyzed the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit as well as the spatial memory of obese Zucker rats. We performed two experiments. Each experiment contained two experimental groups: the control group (male Long Evans rats) and the study group (obese male Zucker rats). We monitored the body weights of all rats over 4 weeks. In the first experiment, we analyzed the morphology of hippocampal neurons. Under anesthesia, we measured the abdominal and hip circumferences and collected at least 1 ml of blood to assess serum glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TGC), and cholesterol (COL) concentrations. We perfused the brains of these rats with 0.9% saline solution, incubated the brains in Golgi‐Cox solution, and subsequently evaluated the morphology of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus (the CA1‐CA3 regions) and the entorhinal cortex as well as the morphology of granule neurons in the dentate gyrus. In the second experiment, we assessed the spatial memory of animals with the Morris water maze. The Zucker rats had an obese phenotype, as indicated by their elevated body weight and increased abdominal and hip circumferences as well as elevated GLU, COL, and TGC concentrations. Analysis of neurons from the specified regions in obese male Zucker rats indicated reduced dendritic arborization and reduced dendritic spine density. In terms of spatial learning and memory, the obese Zucker rats exhibited intact spatial learning (i.e., of platform location) but deficits in spatial memory. These data provide evidence that obesity alters the morphology and function of hippocampal neurons.
Numerical and experimental analysis of the flat plate solar water heater systems' thermal performance
Authors: Freegah Basim
Published: September 2022

In this paper, improving the thermal performance of flat plate solar water heater systems by inserting different tube configurations inside the riser pipes has been numerically and experimentally studied. This study is focused on increasing the moving of energy from riser pipes to the operating fluid within the riser pipes. To achieve that, the diameter of the riser pipes was increased along with the insertion of different tube configurations within them, namely, smooth, helical, and wavy tubes, keeping the same amount of the operating liquid. A comparison was performed to determine the best in terms of coefficient of heat transfer of the operating liquid, mass flow rate of the operating liquid, pressure drop, and water temperature in the storage tank, as a thermal performance indication of the system under study. The findings show the model consisting of a straight tube inside the riser pipe provides the best thermal performance. In terms of thermal performance, the straight model outperforms the conventional model by 12.3%. An experimental and numerical comparison between the optimum model (straight model) was conducted. The study proves that the average difference between numerical results and experimental findings is 7.2%.
Impact of a pharmacist‐driven antimicrobial stewardship program on the prescription of antibiotics by intensive care physicians in a Latin American hospital: A retrospective study
Authors: Díaz‐Madriz José Pablo , Zavaleta‐Monestel Esteban , Chaverri‐Fernández José Miguel , Arguedas‐Chacón Sebastián , Arguedas‐Herrera Raquel , Leiva‐Montero Brayan , Vásquez‐Mendoza Ana Fernanda , Muñoz‐Gutiérrez Gabriel
Published: September 2022

Background

The implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (AMS) has shown to be an effective tool for the rational use of antimicrobials, but this has been challenging in several Latin American countries, due to limited resources, such as the lack of trained clinical pharmacists in infectious disease. This study aims to determine the impact of a pharmacist‐driven AMS on the prescription of antibiotics by intensive care physicians (ICPs) and the bacterial resistance patterns in a Latin American hospital.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted that compared the optimal selection and the consumption (days of therapy/1000 ICP patient‐days) of antibiotics in patients treated by intensive care unit (ICU) physicians, before and after AMS implementation, defined as pre‐AMS (January–December 2014) and post‐AMS (January 2020–March 2021) at Hospital Clínica Bíblica, Costa Rica. Bacterial resistance patterns were also compared.

Results

333 patients met the inclusion criteria (52% pre‐AMS and 48% post‐AMS). After a five‐year intervention, the optimal antibiotic selection prescribed by ICP was 43.1% (n = 75) in the pre‐AMS period and 86.8% (n = 138) in the post‐AMS period (43.7% absolute improvement, P < 0.001). The prescription trends of some antibiotics showed an improvement, such as ertapenem in 45% (P < 0.001) and levofloxacin in 59% (P < 0.001). Also, there was an improvement in some empiric antibiotic prescriptions with the diagnosis, including an increase of 32% (P < 0.001) in Community‐Acquired Pneumonia. There was a reduction in the consumption of antimicrobials including a decrease of 66.9% (P = 0.017) for vancomycin and 64.7% (P = 0.033) for meropenem. Regarding bacterial resistance, the study found a decrease of 11% (P = 0.048) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to meropenem and a reduction in the detection of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase in Escherichia coli (11% decrease; P = 0.007).

Conclusion

The pharmacist‐driven AMS showed a positive impact on antibiotic selection and consumption in ICU patients. In addition, strategies implemented through the AMS could have had a beneficial impact on antibiotic resistance.
Extracellular Vesicles as Communicators of Senescence in Musculoskeletal Aging
Authors: Alfonzo Monica Correa , Al Saedi Ahmed , Fulzele Sadanand , Hamrick Mark W.
Published: September 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, are released by numerous cell types. EVs are now acknowledged as playing a critical role in cell–cell communication in healthy aging as well as in age‐related diseases. Recently it was shown that senescence, a key hallmark of aging, increases the secretion of EVs. Moreover, EVs can transport proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) that are key components of the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Here we review evidence that SASP‐related miRNAs are involved in musculoskeletal degeneration with aging. Specifically, senescence‐related miRNAs are elevated in EVs released by skeletal muscle myocytes and fibro‐adipogenic progenitor cells with aging and disuse atrophy, respectively. Many of these same senescence‐related miRNAs are detected in EVs from the synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis, and these miRNAs can contribute to cartilage degeneration. Finally, senescence‐associated miRNAs are secreted from bone marrow–derived stem (stromal) cells impacting neighboring hematopoietic stem cells and circulating in the blood. The senescence‐associated miRNA mir‐34a, which is known to target Wnt and Notch pathways as well as the cell survival factors Sirt1 and Bcl2, is detected in EVs from human and animal subjects with muscle atrophy, bone loss, and osteoarthritis. These findings suggest that suppressing the secretion of EV‐derived, senescence‐related miRNAs, such as miR‐34a, or increasing levels of competing endogenous long noncoding RNAs, such as MALAT1 that inhibit miR‐34a, may help to improve musculoskeletal function with aging. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Wastewater treatment potential, light penetration profile and biomass settling performance of a photo‐sequencing batch reactor
Authors: García Alfonso , Valenzuela Edgardo I. , Vargas Alejandro , de Godos Ignacio , Muñoz Raúl , Wang Meng , Vital‐Jácome Miguel , Quijano Guillermo
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

The performance of microalgal and bacterial systems devoted to wastewater treatment might be limited by the poor settling of microalgal biomass and the inhibition of nitrifying bacteria under high irradiance conditions. This work implemented a photo‐sequencing batch bioreactor (PSBR) treating medium‐ and low‐strength wastewaters. The impact of a short settling time on the formation of microalgal–bacterial aggregates (MABAs) was evaluated. Moreover, online photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) measurements at the bottom of the PSBR were used to identify potential nitrifying activity inhibition.

RESULTS

A chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency of up to 88% was obtained for the medium‐ and low‐strength wastewaters. Photoinhibition of the nitrifying activity was observed at PAR values from 73 to 480 μmol m−2 s−1, and it was confirmed under non‐limiting dissolved oxygen conditions. The PSBR operating conditions, including a short settling time (30 min) and treatment of medium‐strength wastewater, favored the rapid formation of MABAs in only 19 days, with a biomass settling velocity (vs) of 0.74 m h−1. The microalgal genera Acutudesmus, Desmodesmus, and Chlorella were predominant in the MABAs. Experimental estimation of the light extinction coefficient (λ = 0.056 m2 g−1 total suspended solids) allowed the simulation of light penetration profiles at different reactor liquid depths and biomass concentrations.

CONCLUSION

A short settling time favors the rapid formation of MABAs in PSBR‐type reactors treating medium‐strength wastewater. Online monitoring and simulation of light penetration is a valuable tool to determine photoinhibition of the nitrifying activity in microalgal and bacterial systems. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Prevalence and factors associated with mild depressive and anxiety symptoms in older adults living with HIV from the Kenyan coast
Authors: Mwangala Patrick N. , Nasambu Carophine , Wagner Ryan G. , Newton Charles R. , Abubakar Amina
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Empirical research on the burden and determinants of common mental disorders (CMDs), especially depression and anxiety, among older adults living with HIV (OALWH) in sub‐Saharan Africa is inadequate. To bridge the gap in Kenya we: (1) determined the prevalence of CMDs among OALWH on routine HIV care compared to HIV‐negative peers; (2) investigated HIV status as an independent predictor of CMDs in older adults; and (3) investigated CMD determinants.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study conducted between 2020 and 2021, the prevalence of CMDs and associated determinants were investigated at the Kenyan coast among 440 adults aged ≥50 years (257 OALWH). The Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale were administered alongside measures capturing biopsychosocial information. Logistic regression was used to examine the correlates of CMDs.

Results

No significant differences were found in the prevalence of mild depressive symptoms, 23.8% versus 18.2% (p = 0.16) and mild anxiety symptoms, 11.7% versus 7.2% (p = 0.12) among OALWH compared to HIV‐negative peers, respectively. HIV status was not independently predictive of CMDs. Among OALWH, higher perceived HIV‐related stigma, ageism, increasing household HIV burden, loneliness, increasing functional disability, sleeping difficulties, chronic fatigue and advanced age (>70 years) were associated with elevated CMDs. Among HIV‐negative older adults, loneliness, increased medication burden and sleeping difficulties were associated with elevated depressive symptoms. Easier access to HIV care was the only factor associated with lower CMDs among OALWH.

Conclusions

On the Kenyan coast, the burden of moderate and severe CMDs among older adults is low; however, both OALWH and their HIV‐negative peers have a similar relatively high burden of mild depressive and anxiety symptoms. Our results also suggest that determinants of CMDs among OALWH in this setting are predominantly psychosocial factors. These results highlight the need for psychosocial interventions (at the family, community and clinical levels) to mitigate the risks of mild CMDs as they are known to be potentially debilitating.
Serum thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels and its relation with pathogenesis and bleeding and prognosis in patients with Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever
Authors: Altin Nilgun , Altay Fatma Aybala , Albayrak Murat , Sahingoz Seyda Ozdemir , Sencan Irfan
Published: September 2022

Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral hemorrhagic fever, which is common in Turkey and globally. The pathogenesis of coagulation disorders, which is seen in viral hemorrhagic fevers remains to be elucidated. Thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) has a key role in this process In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether TAFI levels contributed to bleeding and whether it is related to prognosis in CCHF patients. Eighty‐four patients older than 15 years of age, who were admitted to our hospital who had positive immunoglobulin M (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) and/or polymerase chain reaction test results for CCHF between 2009 and 2010, were included in the study. The control group included 30 healthy adults. The plasma TAFI levels were compared between patients and controls, and also between patients with bleeding and no bleeding, and between patients with mild‐moderate and severe disease. The mean TAFI levels were lower in patients (mean: 87.82 ng/ml, median: 61.69 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR] 30.49–537.95) than controls (mean: 313.5 ng/ml with a median: 338.5 ng/ml (IQR 182–418). However, median TAFI levels were significantly higher in patients with bleeding compared to those without bleeding (78.99 and 50.28 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.032). Median IQR TAFI levels were similar between patients with mild‐moderate and severe disease (64.72 (41.37–113.85), and, 58.66 (42.44–118.93) ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.09) and survivors and nonsurvivors (86.14 ± 77.98 and 103.48 ± 69.92, respectively; p = 0.3). Although TAFI levels were lower in the patients with CCHF compared to healthy controls, it does not seem to be a major player in the prognosis.
Serum ferritin diagnosis and prediction of hepatitis B virus‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Luo Jinjin , Liang Xi , Xin Jiaojiao , Li Peng , Li Jiaqi , Jiang Jing , Wang Yifan , Lu Yingyan , Shi Dongyan
Published: September 2022

Early diagnosis and prediction of hepatitis B virus‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (HBV‐ACLF) is important to reduce mortality. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic and predictive value of serum ferritin (SF) in HBV‐ACLF patients. Clinical data from 1905 hospitalized patients with acute deterioration of HBV‐related chronic liver diseases were analyzed to explore the association between SF and ACLF. A co‐expression network based on transcriptomics data for 20 HBV‐ACLF patients was constructed to investigate biological processes related to ferritin. Of 1270 patients in the derivation group, 440 and 830 were diagnosed with and without ACLF, respectively, based on Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B‐ACLF criteria. SF levels showed high diagnostic accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic [AUROC]: 0.820) for ACLF at admission. In patients with ACLF, SF was associated with liver and coagulation failure. In patients without ACLF, SF predicted risk for 28‐day progression to ACLF (AUROC: 0.808). A validation group of 635 patients confirmed the above results. Moreover, SF was significantly associated with the immune response based on transcriptomics analysis. SF is a potential diagnostic and predictive marker for HBV‐ACLF and might play a crucial role in immune disorders in HBV‐ACLF.
Prevalence of drug resistant HIV‐1 forms in patients without any history of antiretroviral therapy in the Republic of Guinea
Authors: Shchemelev Alexander N. , Boumbaly Sanaba , Ostankova Yulia V. , Zueva Elena B. , Semenov Alexander V. , Totolian Areg A.
Published: September 2022

To study the structure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 drug resistance (DR) in patients with newly diagnosed infection. Residents of the Republic of Guinea (N = 2168) were tested for HIV using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Individuals with a positive result were further examined for the presence of viral load in blood plasma. HIV was analyzed using Sanger sequencing. The obtained sequences were genotyped using REGA (version 3.0) and analyzed in MEGA 7. Analysis for the presence of DR mutations was performed using the Stanford University HIV DR Database. Serological markers of HIV were detected in 239 people, which represents 11.02% of the entire sample. HIV RNA was detected in 58 people. The following subtypes were seen: HIV CRF02_AG (41.9%); A1 (29.1%); A3 (12.9%); URF A1_G (12.9%); and G (3.2%). In 25% of patients, at least one significant mutation was encountered leading directly to HIV DR. The mutations encountered cause resistance to NRTI and NNRTI; one case of multiple resistance was identified. Major resistance to protease inhibitor was not seen. The detection of HIV‐1 mutations associated with DR, in individuals who have never received antiretroviral therapy, is a cause for concern. It suggests that: new infections are occurring with strains that already have resistance; and the expansion of resistance is not always directly associated with selective drug pressure. Among the likely reasons for the high prevalence of primary HIV DR in the Republic of Guinea, drug availability is probably the key. The consequence of this is the lack of adherence of patients to treatment, the formation and transmission of resistant variants of the virus in the population. These findings suggest the need to test patients for resistant virus variants before initiating treatment.
Utility of telemedicine in tracheostomy‐dependent children
Authors: Li Lilun , Jo Stacy , Kawai Kosuke , Yacovone Laura , Jackmin Mary , Nuss Roger C.
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Telemedicine can improve access to pediatric otolaryngology care by decreasing travel time and cost, and lowering the risk of viral transmission during the SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) pandemic. This study aims to identify the clinical role and outcomes of telemedicine for tracheostomy‐dependent children before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of 42 tracheostomy‐dependent pediatric patients who utilized telemedicine between October 2013 and April 2020 (pre‐COVID‐19), and 111 patients who utilized telemedicine between May 2020 and July 2021 (during COVID‐19) at a tertiary free‐standing children's hospital outpatient clinic.

Results

The majority of pre‐COVID‐19 telecommunication solely addressed tracheostomy stomal concerns as compared with during COVID‐19 (99% vs. 3%, p < .001), while telecommunication during COVID‐19 was mainly used for routine follow‐up as compared with pre‐COVID‐19 (99% vs. 0%, p < .001). Telemedicine visits during COVID‐19 were significantly less likely to result in the need for in‐person office visits as compared with those pre‐COVID‐19 (4% vs. 22%; p < .001). There was no significant difference in urgent emergency department (ED) evaluation following telemedicine pre‐ and during COVID‐19 (16% vs. 11%). The most common reasons for ED presentation both pre‐ and during COVID‐19 following telemedicine visit included respiratory distress, dislodged tracheostomy tube, and tracheostomy bleeding.

Conclusion

The clinical role of telemedicine has evolved from problem‐based evaluation to routine follow‐up during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Although telemedicine can decrease the need for in‐person office evaluation of routine tracheostomy concerns, respiratory complications and tracheostomy bleeding still require urgent in‐person ED evaluation.

Level of evidence

Level 4.
Use of low‐intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients: A thirty case study in a tertiary medical center
Authors: Jhang Lan‐Sin , Hsieh Wu‐Chiao , Huang Ting‐Xuan , Chou Yi‐Chun , Lo Tsia‐Shu , Liang Ching‐Chung , Lin Yi‐Hao
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Low‐energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT) is a new potential treatment for intractable interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), and this paper will evaluate its therapeutic effects on IC/BPS.

Materials and Methods

This prospective clinical trial enrolled 30 women who have been diagnosed with IC/PBS to receive LiESWT treatment at an intensity of 0.25 mJ/mm2 and a frequency of 3 pulses/second, for a total of 3000 pulses within 8 weeks. And we assessed questionnaires (including O'Leary‐Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI)), 3‐day voiding diary, and urodynamic study at the following intervals: 4 weeks of LiESWT (W4), 8 weeks of LiESWT (W8), 1‐month follow‐up (F1), 3‐month follow‐up (F3) after LiESWT, and 1 year follow‐up (F12).

Results

The primary outcome of questionnaires showed significant improvement of symptoms compared to baseline (W0), especially on ICSI(12.87 ± 3.44 before treatment and 7.87 ± 5.27 at F12, p < 0.05). 3‐day voiding diary also revealed significant decrease in daytime voiding frequency (15.57 ± 5.22 times before treatment and 10.70 ± 4.21 times at F1, p < 0.05) and significant increase on average voiding volume (95.85 ± 35.30 mL before treatment and 161.27 ± 74.21 mL at F1, p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in all parameters of the urodynamic study.

Conclusion

LiESWT can mitigate pain and lower urinary tract symptoms and improve the quality of life in IC/PBS patients, but does not increase the maximal cystometric capacity.
Sketch‐and‐project methods for tensor linear systems
Authors: Tang Ling , Yu Yajie , Zhang Yanjun , Li Hanyu
Published: September 2022

For tensor linear systems with respect to the popular t‐product, we first present the sketch‐and‐project method and its adaptive variants. Their Fourier domain versions are also investigated. Then, considering that the existing sketching tensor or way for sampling has some limitations, we propose two improved strategies. Convergence analyses for the methods mentioned above are provided. We compare our methods with the existing ones using synthetic and real data. Numerical results show that they have quite decent performance in terms of the number of iterations and running time.
The U‐shaped association between hospitalization time and fall incidence in inpatients using publicly available data: A cross‐sectional study in Japan
Authors: Chen Zihong , Zhong Qiang , Chen Yonghong , Chen Lihua , Peng Huanhuan
Published: September 2022

Aim

To examine the association between the hospitalization time and fall incidence.

Design

A secondary analysis using the Dryad Digital Repository public database.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Fukushima Medical University Hospital cohort study between August 2008 and September 2009. The final analytic sample included 8,598 participants, 156 of who fell. The risk of fall incidents according to hospitalization time was estimated using logistic proportional hazards models, and restricted cubic splines with four knots model were developed.

Results

The median hospitalization time was 9.00 (4.00, 17.00) days. The incidence of falls was 1.81% (N = 156). A U‐shaped association between the hospitalization time and fall incidence, with an inflextion point of 8 days. We found a decreasing fall incidence as the hospitalization time increased from 0 to 8 days (OR 0.72 [0.62 ~ 0.83], p < .001); beyond 8 days, the fall incidence increased as the hospitalization time increased (OR 1.06 [1.04 ~ 1.09]).
Sodium Persulfate Pre‐treatment of Copper Foils Enabling Homogenous Growth of Cu(OH)2 Nanoneedle Films for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Gustavsen Kim Robert , Johannessen Erik Andrew , Wang Kaiying
Published: September 2022

Oxide‐derived copper (OD−Cu) catalysts have received widespread attention for their ability to produce energy‐dense multicarbon products. Within this class of materials, nanostructured copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)2) has shown excellent catalytic properties, but its synthesis requires complex pre‐treatment steps of the Cu surface. In this study, we have developed a simple two‐step synthesis method for homogenous Cu(OH)2 nanoneedle films using a sodium persulfate pre‐treatment step prior to anodization. The Cu(OH)2 nanoneedle films show drastically enhanced uniformity after the pre‐treatment due to improved current distribution and can be grown over large surface areas (63 cm2). As a catalyst for CO2 reduction, the Cu(OH)2 favours ethylene formation, with a near total suppression of methane production. A peak faradaic efficiency (FE) of 36.5 % is found at −1.0 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and the catalyst remains stable while providing an ethylene to methane ratio of 27.8 after 6 h of reaction.
Tribological properties of oriented polytetrafluoroethylene at room temperature and cryogenic temperature
Authors: Cai Peng , Zhao Meng , Zhao Bingbing , Zhao Gai , Zheng Fei , Ni Lingli
Published: September 2022

In this study, the tribological properties of drawn PTFE were tested on a CSM tribometer at room temperature and cryogenic temperature. The orientation degree and worn surface morphology of drawn PTFE were studied and correlated with the friction and wear behaviors. It was found that the sample with low friction coefficient corresponded to high orientation degree in the parallel direction at room temperature, while the friction coefficient barely changed with increasing draw ratio in the perpendicular direction. The friction coefficient of drawn PTFE at liquid nitrogen temperature is higher than that at room temperature in the perpendicular direction, while the two values are almost undistinguishable within error range in the parallel direction. The wear volume of drawn PTFE at liquid nitrogen temperature is lower than that at room temperature in both perpendicular and parallel directions due to the mitigation of adhesive wear of drawn PTFE under liquid nitrogen temperature.
Embedding equity into school mental health theory: Introduction to Part 2 of the special issue series
Authors: Gaias Larissa , Jones Janine , Exner‐Cortens Deinera , Splett Joni , Walker Whitney
Published: September 2022

In this article, we present an introduction to the second part of a two‐part special series focused on embedding equity into school mental health. In the previous part, we focused on measurement and practice, and in this second part, we focus on theory.
Splenic artery embolization for treatment of portal hypertension due to essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Liu Jiacheng , Liu Xiaoming , Xiong Bin
Published: September 2022

Philadelphia‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are significantly associated with the development of splanchnic vein thrombosis, which leads to portal hypertension. Here, we report two rare cases of portal hypertension caused by essential thrombocythemia (a type of MPN). Splenic artery embolization was performed to prevent variceal rebleeding, and during follow‐up, no rebleeding occurred in these two cases.