bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship betweenBaccharis dracunculifoliaDC. andB. microdontaDC. (Asteraceae) by Their Different Seasonal Volatile Expression
Authors: Minteguiaga Manuel , González Andrés , Catalán César A. N. , Dellacassa Eduardo
Published: May 2021

Baccharis dracunculifoliaDC. andBaccharis microdontaDC. (Asteraceae) are woody species morphologically similar growing in Uruguay, where not taxonomists people often confuse them in field conditions. As the essential oil ofB. dracunculifolia(‘vassoura’oil) is highly prized by the flavor and fragrance industry, the correct differentiation of the two species is a key factor in exploiting them profitably and reasonably. To differentiate bothBaccharisspecies, in this work their volatile expression profiles were studied as an alternative tool to determine authenticity and quality. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monthly extracted during an entire year from aerial parts of wild populations by simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE), and studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS; identification) and conventional gas chromatography (GC‐FID; component abundances determination). Enantioselective gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Es‐GC/MS) was applied in the search of parameters able to ensure genuineness of each species extract. Qualitative VOCs profiles were found to be similar for both species, being β‐pinene, limonene, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide, and viridiflorol the main components. However, the abundance of those VOCs were two to ten times higher inB. dracunculifoliathan inB. microdontaduring the year of study. TheseBaccharisspp. showed species‐specific patterns of VOCs expression according to the seasonality, and interestingly, oxygenated compounds (trans‐pinocarveol and myrtenal) increased their abundances at full‐flowering stages. The enantiomeric distribution of selected monoterpenes (α‐ and β‐pinenes, limonene, linalool, terpinen‐4‐ol, and α‐terpineol) presented differential values for bothBaccharisspp., meaning that Es‐GC might be a useful tool for differentiating chemically both species in Uruguay for genuineness determination purposes.
Process Parameters in the Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Ethylene
Authors: Sturman Michael , Oelgemöller Michael
Published: May 2021

Ethylene is one of the most widely used chemical compounds. It is readily transformed to a variety of useful products that can replace those derived from fossil sources. Further, the ability to produce ethylene from atmospheric carbon dioxide would significantly assist in the urgent need to stabilize, and ultimately to reduce, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This review covers the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide at copper‐based cathodes. The direct production of ethylene is the focus of the review, but it is also relevant to include the important ethylene precursor and intermediate in the carbon dioxide reduction reaction, carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide can be reduced to ethylene on a copper cathode under similar conditions to carbon dioxide. Ethanol is another potential product of the reduction of carbon dioxide at a copper cathode. It can be readily dehydrated to ethylene, further enhancing the overall yield of ethylene. The aim of the review is to show that there are many interacting parameters that influence the effectiveness and efficiency of the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide at copper‐based cathodes.
“De novo” familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) presenting as rectal cancer
Authors: Agrawal Riya , De Utpal
Published: May 2021

Familial adenomatous polyposis is an autosomal dominant disorder with familial predisposition. 25%‐30% cases arise "de novo," without any clinical or genetic evidence.
Metabolic acidosis due to ingestion of lanthanum sulfates and chlorides in cetyl alcohol solution pool cleaner
Authors: Ivaturi Kaushik , Ferrey Antoney J. , Nguyen Lawrence , Tonthat Sam , Kohli Sanjivan , Torres Everado Arias , Kalantarzadeh Kamyar , Hanna Ramy
Published: May 2021

Cetyl Alcohol is a rare cause of acidosis if ingested in large quantities. Hyponatremia with overlapping anion gap and osmolal gap‐positive metabolic acidosis may appear to have iso‐osmolar serum. This is a case of an unusual toxic exposure.
Oxidation of threo‐9,10‐Dihydroxystearic Acid Mediated by Micrococcus luteus as a Key Step in the Conversion of Oleic Acid into Pelargonic and Azelaic Acids
Authors: Colombo Danilo , Brenna Elisabetta , Casali Beatrice , Ghezzi Maria Chiara , Parmeggiani Fabio , Tentori Francesca , Tessaro Davide , Boratyński Filip
Published: May 2021

A sequential one‐pot chemoenzymatic procedure for the conversion of diol 1, easily obtained from oleic acid, into pelargonic and azelaic acids is herein described. The oxidation of diol 1 into a mixture of the corresponding regioisomeric hydroxyketones was promoted by an alcohol dehydrogenase from Micrococcus luteus, selected after an extensive screening of commercial enzyme kits and strain collections. The stereochemistry of the oxidation process of chiral diol 1 was also investigated. The hydroxyketones obtained by the biocatalyzed oxidation were submitted to further oxidative cleavage by a mild treatment with aqueous NaClO in a biphasic mixture, affording pelargonic and azelaic acids in high yield (76 and 71 %, respectively) with no need of column chromatography.
Controlling Light‐Induced Proton Transfer from the GFP Chromophore
Authors: Langeland Jeppe , Persen Natascha W. , Gruber Elisabeth , Kiefer Hjalte V. , Kabylda Adil M. , Bochenkova Anastasia V. , Andersen Lars H.
Published: May 2021

The front cover artwork is provided by the groups of Assoc. Prof. Anastasia V. Bochenkova (Lomonosov Moscow State University) and Prof. Lars H. Andersen (Aarhus University). The image shows the quantum nature of wavelength‐dependent excited‐state proton transfer in gas‐phase H‐bonded complexes of the GFP chromophore with an anionic proton acceptor. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.202100068.
Direct and Indirect Measurements of Sex Hormones in Rodents During Fear Conditioning
Authors: Florido Antonio , Perez‐Caballero Laura , Velasco Eric Raúl , Molina Patricia , Marin‐Blasco Ignacio , Andero Raül
Published: May 2021

Fear conditioning (FC) is a widely accepted tool for the assessment of learning and memory processes in rodents related to normal and dysregulated acquired fear. The study of sex differences in fear learning and memory is vast and currently increasing. Sex hormones have proven to be crucial for fear memory formation in males and females, and several methods have been developed to assess this hormonal state in rats and mice. Herein, we explain a routine FC and extinction protocol, together with the evaluation of sex hormonal state in male and female rodents. We explain three protocols for the evaluation of this hormonal state directly from blood samples extracted during the procedure or indirectly through histological verification of the estrous cycle for females or behavioral assessment of social hierarchies in males. Although females have typically been considered to present great variability in sex hormones, it is highlighted that sex hormone assessment in males is as variable as in females and equally important for fear memory formation. The readout of these protocols has had a great impact on different fields of fear learning and memory study and appears essential when studying FC. The proven interaction with drugs involved in the modulation of these processes makes sex hormone assessment during FC a valuable tool for the development of effective treatments for fear‐related disorders in men and women. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Fear conditioning and fear extinction

Basic Protocol 2: Blood collection for direct measurement of sex hormone levels in fear conditioning

Basic Protocol 3: Indirect measurement of sex hormones in females during fear conditioning

Basic Protocol 4: Assessment of dominance status in males before a fear conditioning protocol

Support Protocol: Construction of a confrontation tube
Generation and Biochemical Characterization of Phase‐Separated Droplets Formed by Nucleic Acid Binding Proteins: Using HP1 as a Model System
Authors: Sanulli Serena , Narlikar Geeta J.
Published: May 2021

Liquid‐liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been invoked as an underlying mechanism involved in the formation and function of several cellular membrane‐less compartments. Given the explosion of studies in this field in recent years, it has become essential to converge on clear guidelines and methods to rigorously investigate LLPS and advance our understanding of this phenomenon. Here, we describe basic methods to (1) visualize droplets formed by nucleic acid binding proteins and (2) characterize the liquid‐like nature of these droplets under controlled in vitro experimental conditions. We discuss the rationale behind these methods, as well as caveats and limitations. Our ultimate goal is to guide scientists interested in learning how to test for LLPS, while appreciating that the field is evolving rapidly and adjusting constantly to the growing knowledge. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Observing phase‐separated condensates by microscopy.

Support Protocol: Coating of glass‐bottom plates.

Basic Protocol 2: Assessing condensate reversibility by changing ionic strength.

Alternate Protocol 1: Assessing condensate reversibility by dilution.

Alternate Protocol 2: Assessing condensate reversibility by altering temperature.

Basic Protocol 3: Quantifying phase separation by centrifugation assay.

Basic Protocol 4: Quantifying phase separation by turbidity assay
Comparative barrier membrane degradation over time: Pericardium versus dermal membranes
Authors: Bornert Fabien , Herber Valentin , Sandgren Rebecca , Witek Lukasz , Coelho Paulo G. , Pippenger Benjamin E. , Shahdad Shakeel
Published: May 2021

Objective

The effectiveness of GBR procedures for the reconstruction of periodontal defects has been well documented. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the degradation kinetics and biocompatibility of two resorbable collagen membranes in conjunction with a bovine xenograft material.

Materials and Methods

Lower premolars and first molars were extracted from 18 male Yucatan minipigs. After 4 months of healing, standardized semi‐saddle defects were created (12 mm × 8 mm × 8 mm [l˙̇ × W˙ × d]), with 10 mm between adjacent defects. The defects were filled with a bovine xenograft and covered with a either the bilayer collagen membrane (control) or the porcine pericardium‐derived collagen membrane (test). Histological analysis was performed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of healing and the amount of residual membrane evaluated. Non‐inferiority was calculated using the Brunner‐Langer mixed regression model.

Results

Histological analysis indicated the presence of residual membrane in both groups at all time points, with significant degradation noted in both groups at 12 weeks compared to 4 weeks (p = .017). No significant difference in ranked residual membrane scores between the control and test membranes was detected at any time point.

Conclusions

The pericardium‐derived membrane was shown to be statistically non‐inferior to the control membrane with respect to resorption kinetics and barrier function when utilized for guided bone regeneration in semi‐saddle defects in minipigs. Further evaluation is necessary in the clinical setting.
Optimal traffic routing in the network virtualization context
Authors: El Amri Achref , Meddeb Aref
Published: May 2021

Network virtualization enables service providers to instantiate virtual networks on a common physical infrastructure. Virtual networks are then allocated to clients in order to deploy or test their services. Thus, clients do not know how their traffic is routed, which server is responding, and which path is crossed. Service providers who own the physical infrastructure aim to share the load among multiple servers for traffic routing. However, those who do not own the infrastructure and want to lease it essay to concentrate all the traffic on one server and exactly the closest server. In this paper, we model the problems of load sharing on multiple servers and traffic concentration on one server as two mathematical programs. The objective functions correspond to service providers' aims under a delay constraint based on the M/D/1/N queue's mean sojourn time's formula. Due to its hardness, we provide an approximation of the delay constraint at low and medium traffic intensities. The approximation is analytically proved by the Taylor series development at a chosen point. Finally, through simulation and analytical models, we compare the performance of programs' optimal solutions. We notice that load sharing decreases the packet loss and jitter values. However, traffic concentration reduces the latency.
The use of transgenics in the laboratory axolotl
Authors: Tilley Lydia , Papadopoulos Sofia‐Christina , Pende Marko , Fei Ji‐Feng , Murawala Prayag
Published: May 2021

The ability to generate transgenic animals sparked a wave of research committed to implementing such technology in a wide variety of model organisms. Building a solid base of ubiquitous and tissue‐specific reporter lines has set the stage for later interrogations of individual cells or genetic elements. Compared to other widely used model organisms such as mice, zebrafish and fruit flies, there are only a few transgenic lines available in the laboratory axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), although their number is steadily expanding. In this review, we discuss a brief history of the transgenic methodologies in axolotl and their advantages and disadvantages. Next, we discuss available transgenic lines and insights we have been able to glean from them. Finally, we list challenges when developing transgenic axolotl, and where further work is needed in order to improve their standing as both a developmental and regenerative model.
Heparin impairs skeletal muscle glucose uptake by inhibiting insulin binding to insulin receptor
Authors: Zhu Canjun , Xu Zhiyue , Yuan Yexian , Wang Tao , Xu Chang , Yin Cong , Xie Peipei , Xu Pingwen , Ye Hui , Patel Nirali , Schaul Sarah , Wang Lina , Zhu Xiaotong , Wang Songbo , Gao Ping , Xi Qianyun , Zhang Yongliang , Shu Gang , Jiang Qingyan
Published: May 2021

Aim

Heparin, a widely used antithrombotic drug has many other anticoagulant‐independent physiological functions. Here, we elucidate a novel role of heparin in glucose homeostasis, suggesting an approach for developing heparin‐targeted therapies for diabetes.

Methods

For serum heparin levels and correlation analysis, 122 volunteer’s plasma, DIO (4 weeks HFD) and db/db mice serums were collected and used for spectrophotometric determination. OGTT, ITT, 2‐NBDG uptake and muscle GLUT4 immunofluorescence were detected in chronic intraperitoneal injection of heparin or heparinase (16 days) and muscle‐specific loss‐of‐function mice. In 293T cells, the binding of insulin to its receptor was detected by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), Myc‐GLUT4‐mCherry plasmid was used in GLUT4 translocation. In vitro, C2C12 cells as mouse myoblast cells were further verified the effects of heparin on glucose homeostasis through 2‐NBDG uptake, Western blot and co‐immunoprecipitation.

Results

Serum concentrations of heparin are positively associated with blood glucose levels in humans and are significantly increased in diet‐induced and db/db obesity mouse models. Consistently, a chronic intraperitoneal injection of heparin results in hyperglycaemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. These effects are independent of heparin’s anticoagulant function and associated with decreases in glucose uptake and translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle. By using a muscle‐specific loss‐of‐function mouse model, we further demonstrated that muscle GLUT4 is required for the detrimental effects of heparin on glucose homeostasis.

Conclusions

Heparin reduced insulin binding to its receptor by interacting with insulin and inhibited insulin‐mediated activation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway in skeletal muscle, which leads to impaired glucose uptake and hyperglycaemia.
On testing for the equality of autocovariance in time series
Authors: Cirkovic Daniel , Fisher Thomas J.
Published: May 2021

The comparison of two time series often arises in climatology, environmental science, and econometrics. Through natural and physical circumstances these series are often dependent. We develop a hypothesis test for the equality of autocovariance functions for two linearly dependent multivariate time series. Previous tests for two independent series are reviewed and extended to the dependent case. A univariate bootstrapped statistic that automatically selects the order of the test is extended to the multivariate setting as well. The performance of the tests are compared through simulation and the methods are applied to univariate temperature and multivariate air quality series. Empirical results show that by accounting for the correlation between series substantial improvements in power can be made in the detection of differences in the autocovariance.
The psychometric network structure of mental health in eating disorder patients
Authors: de Vos Jan Alexander , Radstaak Mirjam , Bohlmeijer Ernst T. , Westerhof Gerben J.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Psychometric network analysis has led to new possibilities to assess the structure and dynamics of psychiatric disorders. The current study focuses on mental health networks in patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified eating disorders (EDs).

Method

Network analyses were applied with five mental health domains (emotional, psychological and social well‐being, and general and specific psychopathology) among 905 ED patients. Also, networks of 36 underlying symptoms related to the domains were estimated. The network stability, structure and (bridge) centrality of the nodes were assessed for the total group and each ED type. Network differences between the ED types were also examined.

Results

ED psychopathology was only weakly connected with the well‐being domains. Psychological well‐being was the most central node in the domain network. The most central nodes in the symptom network were feeling depressed, feeling worthless, purpose in life and self‐acceptance. Bridge symptoms between well‐being and psychopathology were self‐acceptance, environmental mastery, interested in life and feeling depressed. There were no network differences between the ED types in both the domain and symptom networks.

Conclusions

This study shows novel associations between well‐being and psychopathology in ED patients. Central domains and their underlying symptoms may be especially important to consider in treatment for promoting mental health in ED patients.
A mathematical model‐based approach for DC multi‐microgrid performance evaluations considering intermittent distributed energy resources, energy storage, multiple load classes, and system components variations
Authors: Anees Hafiz Muhammad , Kazmi Syed Ali Abbas , Naqvi Muhammad , Naqvi Salman Raza , Dastgeer Faizan , Gelani Hassan Erteza
Published: May 2021

The efficiency of DC microgrid needs investigation from a smart grid perspective, since their spread has expected to prevail in comparison with AC counterparts. Furthermore, there is a need to address the limitations (majorly to cater the intermittency of distributed energy resources (DERs) as well as the time dependency of systematic parameters etc.) in previous model and propose a new mathematical model to evaluate system efficiency for given parameters and scenarios. The core focus of current study aims at formulation of an improved (composite) mathematical model, that is capable of bridging issues and serve as a tool to address requirements of future DC systems including microgrids (MGs) and multi‐microgrids (MMGs). This research work offers such a mathematical model that consists of 3D matrices based on newly derived set of discrete time dependent equations, which evaluates the system efficiency of residential DC‐MMGs. Each DC‐MG is embedded with intermittent DERs, storage, components (with efficiency variations), and multi‐class load (with discrete time dependency), for evaluation across worst, normal, and best scenarios. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis across various cases and respective scenarios are also presented to evaluate overall system performance. Also, the impacts of system parameters on various system variables, states, and overall system efficiency have presented in this paper.
Valorization of pineapple peel and poultry manure for clean energy generation
Authors: Dahunsi Samuel O. , Ogunwole Joshua O. , Owoseni Abimbola A. , Olutona Godwin O. , Nejo Yewande T. , Atobatele Oluwatosin E.
Published: May 2021

The quest for renewable energy generation is fast increasing globally due to environmental degradation by fossil fuels. The energy production from the anaerobic codigestion of pineapple peels (PPs) and poultry manure (PM) was assessed in the present study. Prior to digestion, the PPs were pretreated using a strong acid (sulfuric acid) and a low‐cost mild alkali hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) which was prepared via the adjustment of the pH of H2O2 to 11.5 by adding solution of 5 M NaOH. The physicochemical and structural parameters of the biomass, as well as microbial composition, were evaluated by using standard methodologies, while all structural changes to the biomass after pretreatment were determined using the Fourier transform infrared spectra. The application of alkaline H2O2 pretreatment removed 71.34% of lignin, reduced hemicellulose by 61%, but increased the cellulose content by 39%. The alkaline pretreated pineapple peel (Al‐P PP) was able to produce about 91% more biogas than the acid pretreated pineapple peel (Ac‐P PP) and 36% more than the two untreated biomass samples. The results of the economic assessment of pretreatment also showed that investment into the use of H2O2 for pretreatment is economically feasible with high net thermal and electrical energy gain, while that of acid pretreatment results in loses. Therefore, alkaline pretreatment application to PPs prior to digestion is hereby solicited in the biotechnological conversion of PPs/wastes for biogas and quality digestate which can be used as biofertilizers or soil enhancers especially in those regions where pineapple production is enormous.
Effects of germinating temperature and time on metabolite profiles of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed
Authors: Guo Shuangshuang , Klinkesorn Utai , Lorjaroenphon Yaowapa , Ge Yan , Na Jom Kriskamol
Published: May 2021

Sprouts with higher levels of nutrients and lower content of antinutritional substances have been gained a growing interest in the influence on the human's health. The study of the influence of germination temperature and time on the metabolite profiles of sunflower seed was studied by a metabolomics approach based on gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC‐FID). Samples were extracted and fractionated covering a wide range of lipophilic and hydrophilic spectra. A total of 90 metabolites were identified by comparison with reference standards. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct dynamic changes in metabolites with the germinating time. Heatmap and agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis revealed the differences and similarities among the samples. The germinating sunflower seeds clustered into three major groups. For instance, group I with a high content of sterols, monosaccharide, and amino acids, indicating the germination process, resulted in an increase in amino acids and monosaccharide. Group II had a high content of FAME and FFA. Relative targeted quantification of metabolites visually depicted by heatmap showed decreases in fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and free fatty acid (FFA), and increases in amino acids, α‐tocopherol, sterols, and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) during germination. Sunflower seeds germinated at 25°C were better for the accumulation of α‐tocopherol, stigmasterol, leucine, proline, methionine, glutamine, and GABA compared with those at 35°C. These results help to better understand how germination conditions change the nutritional quality of germinated sunflower seeds from a metabolite profile view, allowing for the rational screening and usage of germinated sunflower seeds in the food industry.
Exploring the effect of a school‐based cluster‐randomised controlled trial to increase the scheduling of physical activity for primary school students on teachers’ physical activity
Authors: Murawski Beatrice , Reilly Kathryn L. , Hope Kirsty , Hall Alix E. , Sutherland Rachel L. , Trost Stewart G. , Yoong Sze Lin , McCarthy Nicole , Lecathelinais Christophe , Wolfenden Luke , Nathan Nicole K.
Published: May 2021

Background

To determine if a school‐based physical activity (PA) intervention that supported primary school teachers to schedule PA during school hours impacted their own PA.

Methods

A 2x2 factorial group cluster‐randomised controlled trial was undertaken in 12 Australian primary schools. The nine‐month intervention supported classroom teachers to increase scheduled weekly PA for their class via physical education, sport, Energisers and integrated lessons. Teachers’ PA (n = 76) was measured at follow‐up only using accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X or GT9X). Linear mixed models were used to estimate between‐group differences in teachers’ mean minutes of sedentary, light, moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) across the school day and during class‐time.

Results

At follow‐up, there were non‐significant between‐group differences favouring intervention teachers, compared to controls, for light PA (4.9 minutes, 95% CI: −6.3, 16.0; P = .33) and MVPA (0.4 minutes, 95% CI: −10.9, 11.6; P = .94) across the school day; although not favouring the intervention for sedentary behaviour (5.1 minutes, 95% CI: −11.4, 21.7; P = .48). Similar patterns were seen during class‐time for light PA and sedentary time, but not for MVPA.

Conclusions

Supporting teachers with the scheduling of PA for their class may impact on their own PA. Fully powered studies are needed to better understand the impact of the intervention on teachers’ PA.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12616001228471 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/).
National accreditation programmes for hospitals in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Case studies from Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon
Authors: Mansour Wesam , Boyd Alan , Walshe Kieran
Published: May 2021

Background

Many countries use external evaluation programmes such as accreditation in order to improve quality and safety in their healthcare settings. Hospital accreditation has developed in many low‐and‐middle‐income countries (LMICs); however, the implementation and sustainability of these programmes vary in each country. This study addresses design and implementation issues of national hospital accreditation programmes. It identifies factors which may explain why programmes can be implemented successfully in one country but not in another and derives lessons for the design and implementation of national accreditation programmes in poor‐resource settings.

Methods

A multiple case study design was used, comprising three countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 27 key stakeholders in the three countries and experts from international organisations concerned with accreditation activities in LMICs.

Results

The hospital accreditation programme was successful and sustainable in Jordan but experienced some difficulties in Egypt and Lebanon. The premature end of external funding and devastating political instability after the Arab Spring were problematic for the programmes in Egypt and Lebanon, but continuous funding and strong political will supported the implementation and sustainability of the programme in Jordan.

Conclusions

LMICs striving to improve their hospitals' performance through accreditation programmes should consider their vulnerability to a scarcity of financial resources and political instability. An important factor underpinning sustainability is recognising that the accreditation programme is an ongoing and developing quality improvement process that needs continuing and careful attention from funders and political systems if it is to survive and thrive.
The conspiracy hoax? Testing key hypotheses about the correlates of generic beliefs in conspiracy theories during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Bruder Martin , Kunert Laura
Published: May 2021

Conspiracy beliefs are ubiquitous in the current COVID‐19 pandemic. This may be because they directly affect own and others' health and economic outcomes due to detrimental effects on preventive behaviour. We aimed to (a) test key hypotheses on the correlates of generic beliefs in conspiracy theories in this high‐threat real‐life setting, (b) examine the role of trust in mediating effects of conspiracy beliefs on preventive behaviour, and (c) thereby inform the public health response. Using cross‐sectional data (N = 1013) from the German COVID‐19 monitoring we tested the relationships between conspiracy beliefs and (a) social and economic worries, (b) trust in media, the government, public health institutions, and science, and (c) hygiene‐related and contact‐related preventive behaviour. Results were in line with expectations apart from null findings for the relationships with social worries and hygiene‐related preventive behaviour. Trust in government mediated effects of conspiracy beliefs on contact‐related preventive behaviour.
An artificial olfactory inference system based on memristive devices
Authors: Wang Tong , Huang He‐Ming , Wang Xiao‐Xue , Guo Xin
Published: May 2021

Due to the complexity of real environments, it is hard to detect toxic and harmful gases by sensors. To address such an issue, an artificial olfactory system is promoted, emulating the function of the human nose by means of gas sensors and an inference system. In this work, an artificial olfactory inference system based on memristive devices is developed to classify four gases (ethanol, methane, ethylene, and carbon monoxide) with 10 different concentrations. First, the spike trains converted from signals of the sensor array are inputted to a reservoir computing (RC) system based on volatile memristive devices, which extracts spatiotemporal features; then the features are processed by a classifier based on nonvolatile memristive devices; the output of the classifier indicates the classification result. Moreover, to reduce the device number and the power consumption, three strategies are applied to reduce the extracted features from the RC system. Eventually, the olfactory inference system successfully identifies the gases with a high accuracy of 95%.

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Erythropoietin treatment and the risk of hip fractures in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Suresh Sukanya , Wright Elizabeth C. , Wright Daniel G. , Abbott Kevin C. , Noguchi Constance T.
Published: May 2021

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary regulator of bone marrow erythropoiesis. Mouse models have provided evidence that EPO also promotes bone remodeling and that EPO-stimulated erythropoiesis is accompanied by bone loss independent of increased red blood cell production. EPO has been used clinically for three decades to treat anemia in end-stage renal disease, and notably, although the incidence of hip fractures decreased in the United States generally after 1990, it rose among hemodialysis patients coincident with the introduction and subsequent dose escalation of EPO treatment. Given this clinical paradox and findings from studies in mice that elevated EPO affects bone health, we examined EPO treatment as a risk factor for fractures in hemodialysis patients. Relationships between EPO treatment and hip fractures were analyzed using United States Renal Data System (USRDS) datasets from 1997 to 2013 and Consolidated Renal Operations in a Web-enabled Network (CROWNWeb) datasets for 2013. Fracture risks for patients treated with <50 units of EPO/kg/week were compared to those receiving higher doses by multivariable Cox regression. Hip fracture rates for 747,832 patients in USRDS datasets (1997–2013) increased from 12.0 per 1000 patient years in 1997 to 18.9 in 2004, then decreased to 13.1 by 2013. Concomitantly, average EPO doses increased from 11,900 units/week in 1997 to 18,300 in 2004, then decreased to 8,800 by 2013. During this time, adjusted hazard ratios for hip fractures with EPO doses of 50–149, 150–299, and ≥ 300 units/kg/week compared to <50 units/kg/week were 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.15), 1.22 (95% CI, 1.14–1.31), and 1.41 (95% CI, 1.31–1.52), respectively. Multivariable analyses of 128,941 patients in CROWNWeb datasets (2013) replicated these findings. This study implicates EPO treatment as an independent risk factor for hip fractures in hemodialysis patients and supports the conclusion that EPO treatment may have contributed to changing trends in fracture incidence for these patients during recent decades. Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Association of sarcopenia with mortality and end‐stage renal disease in those with chronic kidney disease: a UK Biobank study
Authors: Wilkinson Thomas J. , Miksza Joanne , Yates Thomas , Lightfoot Courtney J. , Baker Luke A. , Watson Emma L. , Zaccardi Francesco , Smith Alice C.
Published: May 2021

Background

Sarcopenia, a degenerative and generalized skeletal muscle disorder involving the loss of muscle function and mass, is an under‐recognized problem in clinical practice, particularly in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in individuals with CKD, its risk factors, and its association with all‐cause mortality and progression to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods

UK Biobank participants were grouped according to the presence of CKD (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and as having probable (low handgrip strength), confirmed (plus low muscle mass), and severe sarcopenia (plus poor physical performance) based on the 2019 European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People and Foundation for the National Institutes of Health criteria. Risk factors were explored using logistic regression analysis. Survival models were applied to estimate risk of mortality and ESRD.

Results

A total of 428 320 participants, of which 8767 individuals with CKD (46% male, aged 62.8 (standard deviation 6.8) years, median estimated glomerular filtration rate 54.5 (interquartile range 49.0–57.7) mL/min/1.72 m2) were included. Probable sarcopenia was present in 9.7% of individuals with CKD compared with 5.0% in those without (P < 0.001). Sarcopenia was associated with being older; inflammation; poorer renal function; and lower serum albumin, total testosterone, and haemoglobin. The largest risk factors for sarcopenia were having three or more comorbidities (odds ratio: 2.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.62 to 3.29; P < 0.001) and physical inactivity: participants in the highest quartile of weekly activity were 43% less likely to have sarcopenia compared to the lowest quartile (odds ratio: 0.57; 0.42 to 0.76; P < 0.001). Participants with CKD and sarcopenia had a 33% (7% to 66%; P = 0.011) higher hazard of mortality compared with individuals without. Sarcopenic CKD individuals had a 10 year survival probability of 0.85 (0.82 to 0.88) compared with 0.89 (0.88 to 0.30) in those without sarcopenia, an absolute difference of 4%. Those with sarcopenia were twice as likely to develop ESRD (hazard ratio: 1.98; 1.45 to 2.70; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Participants with reduced kidney function are at an increased risk of premature mortality. The presence of sarcopenia increases the risk of mortality and ESRD. Appropriate measurement of sarcopenia should be used to identify at‐risk individuals. Interventions such as physical activity should be encouraged to mitigate sarcopenia.
Lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia as markers of disease progression of multiple myeloma: A case report
Authors: Ziegler Caroline , Volkov Lev , Marnai Rémy , Courte Guilhem , Cravoisy Aurélie , Conrad Marie , Nace Lionel , Melone Agnès , Perrot Aurore , Gibot Sébastien
Published: May 2021

Case report: A 64‐year‐old man was hospitalized in the intensive care unit with pneumonia, lactic acidosis, and hypoglycemia. Investigations revealed a kappa light chain multiple myeloma. The patient underwent chemotherapy by bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. Serum lactate level and glycemia normalized. Evaluation at day 28 showed a disease progression. Lenalidomide was switched for daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone. In front of the inefficiency of the chemotherapy, the patient underwent third‐line chemotherapy by melphalan. There was a correlation between the evolution of the myeloma, serum lactate level, and hypoglycemia, with a normalization after chemotherapy, and a rise at myeloma's relapse. Daratumumab was continued as a maintenance treatment. The patient died 4 months and 10 days after his first hospital admission.

Discussion: Our case is consistent with a type B tumor‐associated aerobic glycolytic lactic acidosis, called the Warburg effect. It is well described in association with other hematologic malignancies, but rarely in association with myeloma. All reported cases of myeloma with type B lactic acidosis died within 1 year.

Conclusion: When associated with multiple myeloma, tumor‐associated aerobic glycolytic lactic acidosis is correlated with the disease progression and has a very high mortality rate.

Significance Statement : Aerobic glycolytic lactic acidosis also known as the Warburg effect can be encountered in multiple myeloma, resulting of a metabolic shift to increased glycolysis operating in malignant cells. Together with hypoglycemia, it is well correlated with the disease progression and has a very poor outcome.
Serum Ceruloplasmin Depletion is Associated With Magnetic Resonance Evidence of Widespread Accumulation of Brain Iron in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Guan Xiaojun , Bai Xueqin , Zhou Cheng , Guo Tao , Wu Jingjing , Gu Luyan , Gao Ting , Wang Xuchu , Wei Hongjiang , Zhang Yuyao , Xuan Min , Gu Quanquan , Huang Peiyu , Liu Chunlei , Zhang Baorong , Pu Jiali , Song Zhe , Yan Yaping , Xu Xiaojun , Zhang Minming
Published: May 2021

Background

Excessive iron accumulation is one of the main pathogeneses of Parkinson's disease (PD). Ceruloplasmin plays an important role in keeping the iron homoeostasis.

Purpose

To explore the association between serum ceruloplasmin depletion and subcortical iron distribution in PD.

Study type

Prospective.

Population

One hundred and twenty‐one normal controls, 34 PD patients with low serum ceruloplasmin (PD‐LC), and 28 patients with normal serum ceruloplasmin (PD‐NC).

Sequence

Enhanced susceptibility‐weighted angiography (ESWAN) on a 3 T scanner.

Assessment

Quantitative susceptibility mapping was employed to quantify the regional iron content by using a semi‐automatic method. Serum ceruloplasmin concentration was measured from peripheral blood sample. Clinical assessments were conducted by a neurologist.

Statistical Tests

General linear model was used to compare the intergroup difference of region iron distribution among groups, and the statistics was adjusted by Bonferroni method (P < 0.01). Partial correlation analysis was used to detect the association between regional iron distribution and serum ceruloplasmin concentration (P < 0.05).

Results

Compared with normal controls, significant iron accumulation in substantia nigra, putamen, and red nucleus was observed in PD‐LC, while the only region showing significant iron accumulation was SN in PD‐NC. Between PD‐NC and PD‐LC, the iron accumulation in putamen remained significantly different, which had a negative correlation with serum ceruloplasmin in whole PD patients (r = −0.338, P = 0.008).

Data Conclusion

Nigral iron accumulation characterizes PD patients without significant association with serum ceruloplasmin. Differentially, when PD patients appear with reduced serum ceruloplasmin, more widespread iron accumulation would be expected with additionally involving putamen and red nucleus. All these findings provide insightful evidence for the abnormal iron metabolism behind the ceruloplasmin depletion in PD.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

2
Multi‐objective downscaling of precipitation time series by genetic programming
Authors: Zerenner Tanja , Venema Victor , Friederichs Petra , Simmer Clemens
Published: May 2021

We use symbolic regression to estimate daily precipitation amounts at six stations in the Alpine region from a global reanalysis. Symbolic regression only prescribes the set of mathematical expressions allowed in the regression model, but not its structure. The regression models are generated by genetic programming (GP) in analogy to biological evolution. The two conflicting objectives of a low root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) and consistency in the distribution between model and observations are treated as a multi‐objective optimization problem. This allows us to derive a set of downscaling models that represents different achievable trade‐offs between the two conflicting objectives, a so‐called Pareto set. Our GP setup limits the size of the regression models and uses an analytical quotient instead of a standard or protected division operator. With this setup we obtain models that have a generalization performance comparable with generalized linear regression models (GLMs), which are used as a benchmark. We generate deterministic and stochastic downscaling models with GP. The deterministic downscaling models with low RMSE outperform the respective stochastic models. The stochastic models with low IQD, however, perform slightly better than the respective deterministic models for the majority of cases. No approach is uniquely superior. The stochastic models with optimal IQD provide useful distribution estimates that capture the stochastic uncertainty similar to or slightly better than the GLM‐based downscaling.
Comprehension and recall of information about factors associated with peri‐implantitis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Monje Alberto , Pérez Alva , Vera‐Rodriguez Maria , Nart José , Catena Andrés , Petrova Dafina
Published: May 2021

Background

To evaluate the effect of different communication strategies on comprehension and recall of information about factors associated to peri‐implantitis.

Methods

A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in consecutive patients diagnosed with peri‐implantitis. The sample was divided into three groups according to the communication strategy used: Test group 1—Written communication via leaflet with visual aids (L‐VA); Test group 2—Written communication via leaflet with no visual aids (L‐NVA); and control group—only verbal communication with no leaflet (NL). A questionnaire assessing comprehension at baseline (T0) and recall at 3 months (T1) and 6 months (T2) was administered following the fuzzy trace theory with a combination of 11 “gist” and seven “verbatim” items. The “health belief model” dimensions were further examined to test the influence of the communication strategy upon perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, self‐efficacy, and behavioral intentions.

Results

Ninety‐nine patients that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included. Gist and verbatim comprehension of the control, risk factors, and preventive measures for peri‐implantitis overall was significantly greater in the test groups, in particular in L‐VA at T0 (n = 99). Nevertheless, recall was not influenced by the communication strategy at T1 (n = 85) or T2 (n = 78). No significant differences were noted between groups or as a function of time for any of the “health belief model” constructs with the sole exception of perceived barriers (P = 0.045), which proved lower in the test groups.

Conclusion

The comprehension of information about factors associated to peri‐implantitis can be efficiently improved by using written communicative strategies, in particular when supplemented with visual aids. Nevertheless, this approach failed to show effectiveness in modulating recall or in changing behavioral intentions over follow‐up (NCT04543604).
Raman spectroscopy and artificial intelligence open up accurate detection of pathogens from DNA‐based sub‐species level classification
Authors: Sil Sanchita , Mukherjee Ria , Kumbhar Dipak , Reghu Dhanya , Shrungar Divya , Kumar Nallaperumal Shunmuga , Singh Upendra Kumar , Umapathy Siva
Published: May 2021

Genomic deoxyribounucleic acid (DNA) extracted from Brucella and Bacillus genera including Bacillus anthracis was investigated for the first time using Raman spectroscopy coupled with deep learning technique. Since DNA sequence is unique and independent of growth phases of bacteria, Raman spectroscopy can be a potential molecular diagnostic tool to identify different pathogens. Additionally, pure cellular components such as DNA provide pure Raman spectra and are not corrupted by spectral features from other cell components which is usually the case in whole organism detection. In this work, 15 DNA samples (two from Brucella genus and 13 from Bacillus genus) were studied. Raman signatures revealed unique features for Brucella and Bacillus genus bacteria. We propose an artificial intelligence (AI) based method, convolutional neural network (CNN) to discriminate all 15 DNA samples. The results reveal that Bacillus anthracis has distinct Raman DNA signatures compared to Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis and could be discriminated from the latter two using principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component‐linear discriminant analysis (PC‐LDA). In addition to these multivariate analysis techniques, we show that using convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture all 15 DNA samples could be discriminated with 100% accuracy.
Dual‐view 3‐D display with multiple resolutions
Authors: Lv Guo‐Jiao , Zhao Bai‐Chuan , Wu Fei
Published: May 2021

A dual‐view 3‐D display with multiple resolutions is proposed. The proposed 3‐D display consists of a 2‐D display panel and a parallax barrier. The parallax barrier can project the parallax image on the 2‐D display panel into views and form several viewing zones. By making viewing zones overlapping, the proposed 3‐D display can improve the resolution of the image in the overlapped area and provide multiple resolutions. Finally, the resolution is improved at the center area of a viewing zone, where there is high‐probability viewing position of the observers. A prototype is developed to verify the principle. The experimental results show that the proposed 3‐D display can improve resolution.
Low‐Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Stimulation for Bone Fractures Healing
Authors: Palanisamy Poornima , Alam Monzurul , Li Shuai , Chow Simon K. H. , Zheng Yong‐Ping
Published: May 2021

Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a developing technology, which has been proven to improve fracture healing process with minimal thermal effects. This noninvasive treatment accelerates bone formation through various molecular, biological, and biomechanical interactions with tissues and cells. Although LIPUS treatment has shown beneficial effects on different bone fracture locations, only very few studies have examined its effects on deeper bones. This study provides an overview on therapeutic ultrasound for fractured bones, possible mechanisms of action, clinical evidences, current limitations, and its future prospects.