bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-Triggered on Demand Lidocaine Release Relieves Postoperative Pain
Authors: Chen Xiaohong , Zhang Jianfeng , Yu Yan , Wang Haoran , Ma Genshan , Wang Di , Cao Hanzhong , Yang Jianping
Published: July 2022

Safe and non-invasive on-demand relief is a crucial and effective treatment for postoperative pain because it considers variable timing and intensity of anesthetics. Ultrasound modulation is a promising technique for this treatment because it allows convenient timed and non-invasive controlled drug release. Here, we created an ultrasound-triggered lidocaine (Lido) release platform using an amino acid hydrogel functioning as three-dimensional (3D) scaffold material (Lido-PPIX@ER hydrogel). It allows control of the timing, intensity and duration of lidocaine (Lido) to relieve postoperative pain. The hydrogel releases Lido due to the elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels generated by PPIX under ultrasound triggering. The Lido-PPIX@ER hydrogel under individualized ultrasound triggering released lidocaine and provided effective analgesia for more than 72 h. The withdrawal threshold was higher than that in the control group at all time points measured. The hydrogel showed repeatable and adjustable ultrasound-triggered nerve blocks in vivo, the duration of which depended on the extent and intensity of insonation. On histopathology, no systemic effect or tissue reaction was observed in the ultrasound-triggered Lido-PPIX@ER hydrogel-treated group. The Lido-PPIX@ER hydrogel with individualized (highly variable) ultrasound triggering is a convenient and effective method that offers timed and spatiotemporally controlled Lido release to manage postoperative pain. This article presents the delivery system for a new effective strategy to reduce pain, remotely control pain, and offer timed and spatiotemporally controlled release of Lido to manage postoperative pain.
Hospital Urinary Tract Infections in Healthcare Units on the Example of Mazovian Specialist Hospital Ltd
Authors: Trześniewska-Ofiara Zuzanna , Mendrycka Mariola , Cudo Andrzej , Szmulik Magdalena , Woźniak-Kosek Agnieszka
Published: July 2022

Microbiological diagnostics is of great importance in limiting the spread of nosocomial infections. The information on etiological agents of infections and their susceptibility to antibiotics enables a quick response in the case of a suspected epidemic outbreak. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence of nosocomial urinary tract infections among patients hospitalized in hospital wards over a period of 2 years and to determine the predominant etiological agent depending on the method of clinical specimen collection. Data from the Mazovian Specialist Hospital (MSH) in Radom constitute the material for the preparation of this study. Urine was collected using two methods. The first one was the method of collecting urine from the central stream, while the second method was urine collected from patients with a urinary catheter in place. The statistical calculations were conducted using the statistical software. Based on hospital data, it was shown that 5,870 urine tests were performed during the period under review, of which 2,070 were positive. The number of positive results in 2021 decreased by 2.84% compared to that in 2020. On the basis of the statistical analysis, differences in the occurrence of multiple strains were observed between catheter-based and midstream urine collection. Differences were observed especially for Acinetobacter baumannii, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A. baumannii, C. albicans, and P. aeruginosa were significantly more frequently found in urine samples collected through the catheter than from the midstream. Furthermore, E. coli (51.56%) and Enterococcus species (25.46%) were more frequent when collected from the middle stream than when urine was collected through a catheter. However, for the strain K. pneumoniae, the results were comparable when urine was collected from catheterized patients (13.83%) and from midstream (13.35%). Urinary tract infection among hospitalized patients of the Mazovian Specialist Hospital in Radom was diagnosed quite frequently. In 2021, 32 more urine cultures were performed than in 2020. In the analyzed period, among all ordered urine cultures, 35.27% of samples were positive.
The Gut Microbiota: A Novel Player in Autoimmune Hepatitis
Authors: Cheng Zilu , Yang Ling , Chu Huikuan
Published: July 2022

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic immune-mediated liver disease distributed globally in all ethnicities with increasing prevalence. If left untreated, the disease will lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or death. The intestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem located in the human intestine, which extensively affects the human physiological and pathological processes. With more and more in-depth understandings of intestinal microbiota, a substantial body of studies have verified that the intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in a variety of digestive system diseases, including alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, only a few studies have paid attention to evaluate the relationship between AIH and the intestinal microbiota. While AIH pathogenesis is not fully elucidated yet, some studies have indicated that intestinal microbiota putatively made significant contributions to the occurrence and the development of AIH by triggering several specific signaling pathways, altering the metabolism of intestinal microbiota, as well as modulating the immune response in the intestine and liver. By collecting the latest related literatures, this review summarized the increasing trend of the aerobic bacteria abundance in both AIH patients and AIH mice models. Moreover, the combination of specific bacteria species was found distinct to AIH patients, which could be a promising tool for diagnosing AIH. In addition, there were alterations of luminal metabolites and immune responses, including decreased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), increased pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), imbalanced regulatory T (Treg)/Th17 cells, follicular regulatory T (TFR)/follicular helper T (TFH) cells, and activated natural killer T (NKT) cells. These alterations participate in the onset and the progression of AIH via multiple mechanisms. Therefore, some therapeutic methods based on restoration of intestinal microbiota composition, including probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), as well as targeted intestinal microbiota-associated signaling pathways, confer novel insights into the treatment for AIH patients.
First Characterization and Zoonotic Potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Pigs in Hubei Province of China
Authors: Li Dongfang , Deng Han , Zheng Yaxin , Zhang Hongyan , Wang Sen , He Lan , Zhao Junlong
Published: July 2022

The zoonotic protozoa parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis infect a wide range of hosts, including humans. Pigs are reservoir hosts for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, which can transmit cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis to humans and other animals. The current study sought to investigate the infection rates and species/genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in pigs in Hubei of China. The nested PCR and sequence analyses of the small ribosomal subunit RNA (SSU rRNA) gene for Cryptosporidium spp. and the β-giardin (bg) gene for G. duodenalis was utilized to screen for the infection of those parasites in a total of 826 fresh fecal samples. Both Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infection rates were 0.97% (8/826). Of the genotyped positive isolates, 6/8 (75%) were C. scrofarum and 2/8 (25%) were C. suis, while two zoonotic species G. duodenalis assemblage E and assemblage A were also detected in 7/8 (87.5%) isolates and 1/8 (12.5%) isolates, respectively. The findings suggest that both of those parasites in pig in intensive farms of Hubei province, China, pose a potential public health risk.
Perspectives on Sex- and Gender-Specific Prediction of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation by Leveraging Big Data
Authors: Geurts Sven , Lu Zuolin , Kavousi Maryam
Published: July 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, has a large impact on quality of life and is associated with increased risk of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. Over the past two decades advances regarding the clinical epidemiology and management of AF have been established. Moreover, sex differences in the prevalence, incidence, prediction, pathophysiology, and prognosis of AF have been identified. Nevertheless, AF remains to be a complex and heterogeneous disorder and a comprehensive sex- and gender-specific approach to predict new-onset AF is lacking. The exponential growth in various sources of big data such as electrocardiograms, electronic health records, and wearable devices, carries the potential to improve AF risk prediction. Leveraging these big data sources by artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled approaches, in particular in a sex- and gender-specific manner, could lead to substantial advancements in AF prediction and ultimately prevention. We highlight the current status, premise, and potential of big data to improve sex- and gender-specific prediction of new-onset AF.
Special Considerations in the Care of Women With Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Ebong Imo A. , DeFilippis Ersilia M. , Hamad Eman A. , Hsich Eileen M. , Randhawa Varinder K. , Billia Filio , Kassi Mahwash , Bhardwaj Anju , Byku Mirnela , Munagala Mrudala R. , Rao Roopa A. , Hackmann Amy E. , Gidea Claudia G. , DeMarco Teresa , Hall Shelley A.
Published: July 2022

Advanced heart failure (AHF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and greater healthcare utilization. Recognition requires a thorough clinical assessment and appropriate risk stratification. There are persisting inequities in the allocation of AHF therapies. Women are less likely to be referred for evaluation of candidacy for heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device despite facing a higher risk of AHF-related mortality. Sex-specific risk factors influence progression to advanced disease and should be considered when evaluating women for advanced therapies. The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of sex hormones on the pathophysiology of AHF, describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and definitive therapies of AHF in women with special attention to pregnancy, lactation, contraception and menopause. Future studies are needed to address areas of equipoise in the care of women with AHF.
Sinapic Acid Attenuated Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction by Promoting Macrophage M2 Polarization Through the PPARγ Pathway
Authors: Yang Mei , Xiong Jun , Zou Qiang , Wang Xi , Hu Ke , Zhao Qingyan
Published: July 2022

Background

Macrophage polarization is an important regulatory mechanism of ventricular remodeling. Studies have shown that sinapic acid (SA) exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. However, the effect of SA on macrophages is still unclear.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of SA in macrophage polarization and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

An MI model was established by ligating the left coronary artery. The rats with MI were treated with SA for 1 or 4 weeks after MI. The effect of SA on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) was also observed in vitro.

Results

Cardiac systolic dysfunction was significantly improved after SA treatment. SA reduced MCP-1 and CCR2 expression and macrophage infiltration. SA decreased the levels of the inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, and iNOS and increased the levels of the M2 macrophage markers CD206, Arg-1, IL-10, Ym-1, Fizz-1, and TGF-β at 1 week after MI. SA significantly increased CD68+/CD206+ macrophage infiltration. Myocardial interstitial fibrosis and MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were decreased, and the sympathetic nerve marker TH and nerve sprouting marker GAP43 were suppressed after SA treatment at 4 weeks after MI. The PPARγ level was notably upregulated after SA treatment. In vitro, SA also increased the expression of PPARγ mRNA in BMDMs and IL-4-treated BMDMs in a concentration-dependent manner. SA enhanced Arg1 and IL-10 expression in BMDMs, and the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 attenuated M2 macrophage marker expression.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that SA attenuated structural and neural remodeling by promoting macrophage M2 polarization via PPARγ activation after MI.
LACE Index to Predict the High Risk of 30-Day Readmission in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction at a University Affiliated Hospital
Authors: Rajaguru Vasuki , Kim Tae Hyun , Han Whiejong , Shin Jaeyong , Lee Sang Gyu
Published: July 2022

Background

The LACE index (length of stay, acuity of admission, comorbidity index, and emergency room visit in the past 6 months) has been used to predict the risk of 30-day readmission after hospital discharge in both medical and surgical patients. This study aimed to utilize the LACE index to predict the risk of 30-day readmission in hospitalized patients with acute myocardial infraction (AMI).

Methods

This was a retrospective study. Data were extracted from the hospital's electronic medical records of patients admitted with AMI between 2015 and 2019. LACE index was built on admission patient demographic data, and clinical and laboratory findings during the index of admission. The multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the association and the risk prediction ability of the LACE index, and 30-day readmission were analyzed by receiver operator characteristic curves with C-statistic.

Results

Of the 3,607 patients included in the study, 5.7% (205) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge from the hospital. The adjusted odds ratio based on logistic regression of all baseline variables showed a statistically significant association with the LACE score and revealed an increased risk of readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge. However, patients with high LACE scores (≥10) had a significantly higher rate of emergency revisits within 30 days from the index discharge than those with low LACE scores. Despite this, analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that the LACE index had favorable discrimination ability C-statistic 0.78 (95%CI; 0.75–0.81). The Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness- of-fit test P value was p = 0.920, indicating that the model was well-calibrated to predict risk of the 30-day readmission.

Conclusion

The LACE index demonstrated the good discrimination power to predict the risk of 30-day readmissions for hospitalized patients with AMI. These results can help clinicians to predict the risk of 30-day readmission at the early stage of hospitalization and pay attention during the care of high-risk patients. Future work is to be focused on additional factors to predict the risk of 30-day readmissions; they should be considered to improve the model performance of the LACE index with other acute conditions by using administrative data.
Is Location Everything? Regulation of the Endothelial CCM Signaling Complex
Authors: Swamy Harsha , Glading Angela J.
Published: July 2022

Recent advances have steadily increased the number of proteins and pathways known to be involved in the development of cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM). Our ability to synthesize this information into a cohesive and accurate signaling model is limited, however, by significant gaps in our knowledge of how the core CCM proteins, whose loss of function drives development of CCM, are regulated. Here, we review what is known about the regulation of the three core CCM proteins, the scaffolds KRIT1, CCM2, and CCM3, with an emphasis on binding interactions and subcellular location, which frequently control scaffolding protein function. We highlight recent work that challenges the current model of CCM complex signaling and provide recommendations for future studies needed to address the large number of outstanding questions.
Resting Energy Expenditure and Body Composition in Children and Adolescents With Genetic, Hypothalamic, Medication-Induced or Multifactorial Severe Obesity
Authors: Abawi Ozair , Koster Emma C. , Welling Mila S. , Boeters Sanne C.M. , van Rossum Elisabeth F. C. , van Haelst Mieke M. , van der Voorn Bibian , de Groot Cornelis J. , van den Akker Erica L. T.
Published: July 2022

Background

Pediatric obesity is a multifactorial disease which can be caused by underlying medical disorders arising from disruptions in the hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin pathway, which regulates satiety and energy expenditure.

Aim

To investigate and compare resting energy expenditure (REE) and body composition characteristics of children and adolescents with severe obesity with or without underlying medical causes.

Methods

This prospective observational study included pediatric patients who underwent an extensive diagnostic workup in our academic centre that evaluated endocrine, non-syndromic and syndromic genetic, hypothalamic, and medication-induced causes of obesity. REE was assessed by indirect calorimetry; body composition by air displacement plethysmography. The ratio between measured REE (mREE) and predicted REE (Schofield equations), REE%, was calculated, with decreased mREE defined as REE% ≤90% and elevated mREE ≥110%. Additionally, the influence of fat-free-mass (FFM) on mREE was evaluated using multiple linear regression.

Results

We included 292 patients (146 [50%] with body composition measurements), of which 218 (75%) patients had multifactorial obesity and 74 (25%) an underlying medical cause: non-syndromic and syndromic genetic (n= 29 and 28, respectively), hypothalamic (n= 10), and medication-induced (n= 7) obesity. Mean age was 10.8 ± 4.3 years, 59% were female, mean BMI SDS was 3.8 ± 1.1, indicating severe obesity. Mean REE% was higher in children with non-syndromic genetic obesity (107.4% ± 12.7) and lower in children with hypothalamic obesity (87.6% ± 14.2) compared to multifactorial obesity (100.5% ± 12.6, both p<0.01). In 9 children with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a, mean REE% was similar (100.4 ± 5.1). Across all patients, mREE was decreased in 60 (21%) patients and elevated in 69 (24%) patients. After adjustment for FFM, mREE did not differ between patients within each of the subgroups of underlying medical causes compared to multifactorial obesity (all p>0.05).

Conclusions

In this cohort of children with severe obesity due to various etiologies, large inter-individual differences in mREE were found. Consistent with previous studies, almost half of patients had decreased or elevated mREE. This knowledge is important for patient-tailored treatment, e.g. personalized dietary and physical activity interventions and consideration of pharmacotherapy affecting central energy expenditure regulation in children with decreased mREE.
Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment of Diabetic Wound: From Basic Study to Clinical Application
Authors: Liu Runzhu , Dong Ruijia , Chang Mengling , Liang Xiao , Wang Hayson Chenyu
Published: July 2022

Diabetic wounds significantly affect the life quality of patients and may cause amputation and mortality if poorly managed. Recently, a wide range of cell-based methods has emerged as novel therapeutic methods in treating diabetic wounds. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are considered to have the potential for widespread clinical application of diabetic wounds treatment in the future. This review summarized the mechanisms of ASCs to promote diabetic wound healing, including the promotion of immunomodulation, neovascularization, and fibro synthesis. We also review the current progress and limitations of clinical studies using ASCs to intervene in diabetic wound healing. New methods of ASC delivery have been raised in recent years to provide a standardized and convenient use of ASCs.
Diabetic Foot Risk Classification at the Time of Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis and Subsequent Risk of Mortality: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Zhaonan , Hazlehurst Jonathan , Subramanian Anuradhaa , Tahrani Abd A. , Hanif Wasim , Thomas Neil , Singh Pushpa , Wang Jingya , Sainsbury Christopher , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah , Crowe Francesca L.
Published: July 2022

Aim

We aimed to compare the mortality of individuals at low, moderate, and high risk of diabetic foot disease (DFD) in the context of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, before developing active diabetic foot problem.

Methods

This was a population-based cohort study of adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes utilizing IQVIA Medical Research Data. The outcome was all-cause mortality among individuals with low, moderate, and high risk of DFD, and also in those with no record of foot assessment and those who declined foot examination.

Results

Of 225,787 individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, 34,061 (15.1%) died during the study period from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2019. Moderate risk and high risk of DFD were associated with increased mortality risk compared to low risk of DFD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.50, 95% CI 1.42, 1.58; aHR 2.01, 95% CI 1.84, 2.20, respectively). Individuals who declined foot examination or who had no record also had increased mortality risk of 75% and 25% vs. those at low risk of DFD, respectively (aHR 1.75, 95% CI 1.51, 2.04; aHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.20, 1.30).

Conclusion

Individuals with new-onset type 2 diabetes who had moderate to high risk of DFD were more likely to die compared to those at low risk of DFD. The associations between declined foot examination and absence of foot examinations, and increased risk of mortality further highlight the importance of assessing foot risk as it identifies not only patients at risk of diabetic foot ulceration but also mortality.
Sexual Dimorphism in Transcriptional and Functional Glucocorticoid Effects on Mouse Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Li Sheng , Schönke Milena , Buurstede Jacobus C. , Moll Tijmen J.A. , Gentenaar Max , Schilperoort Maaike , Visser Jenny A. , Kaikaew Kasiphak , van de Vijver Davy , Abbassi-Daloii Tooba , Raz Vered , Aartsma-Rus Annemieke , van Putten Maaike , Meijer Onno C. , Kroon Jan
Published: July 2022

Muscle atrophy is common in patients with increased glucocorticoid exposure. Glucocorticoid effects are often sex-specific, and while different glucocorticoid responses between male and female subjects are reported, it is unclear why this is. In this study, we evaluated the effects of corticosterone and synthetic glucocorticoid treatment on muscle atrophy in male and female mice. We found that corticosterone treatment reduced grip strength in female mice only, whereas muscle mass was reduced in both sexes. Skeletal muscle transcriptional responses to corticosterone treatment were more pronounced and widespread in male mice. Synthetic glucocorticoid treatment reduced grip strength in both sexes, while female mice were more sensitive to muscle atrophy than male mice. To evaluate the role of androgens, chemically-castrated male mice were treated with synthetic glucocorticoids. We observed additively reduced muscle mass, but did not observe any interaction effects. Although sex differences in glucocorticoid responses in skeletal muscle are partly influenced by androgen signaling, further studies are warranted to fully delineate the underlying mechanisms.
Investigating the Effects of Diet-Induced Pre-Diabetes on the Functioning of Calcium-Regulating Organs in Male Sprague Dawley Rats: Effects on Selected Markers
Authors: Naidoo Karishma , Ngubane Phikelelani S. , Khathi Andile
Published: July 2022

Derangements to the functioning of calcium-regulating organs have been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a condition preceded by pre-diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has shown to promote renal calcium wastage, intestinal calcium malabsorption and increased bone resorption. However, the changes to the functioning of calcium-regulating organs in pre-diabetes are not known. Subsequently, the effects of diet-induced pre-diabetes on the functioning of calcium-regulating organs in a rat model for pre-diabetes was investigated in this study. Male Sprague Dawley rats were separated into two groups (n=6, each group): non-pre-diabetic (NPD) group and a diet-induced pre-diabetic (DIPD) group for 20 weeks. After the experimental period, postprandial glucose and HOMA-IR were analysed in addition to plasma and urinary calcium concentrations. Gene expressions of intestinal vitamin D (VDR), intestinal calbindin-D9k, renal 1-alpha hydroxylase and renal transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 (TRPV5) expressions in addition to plasma osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline concentrations were analysed at week 20. The results demonstrated significantly increased concentrations of postprandial glucose, HOMA-IR and urinary calcium in addition to unchanged plasma calcium levels in the DIPD group by comparison to NPD. Renal TRPV5, renal 1-alpha hydroxylase, intestinal VDR and intestinal calbindin-D9k expressions were increased in the DIPD group by comparison to NPD. Furthermore, plasma osteocalcin levels were increased and urine deoxypyridinoline levels were decreased in the DIPD group by comparison to NPD. These observations may suggest that calcium-regulating organs compensate for the changes to calcium homeostasis by inducing increased renal calcium reabsorption, increased intestinal calcium absorption and decreased bone resorption followed by increased bone formation.
Baseline Testosterone Predicts Body Composition and Metabolic Response to Testosterone Therapy
Authors: Deepika FNU , Ballato Elliot , Colleluori Georgia , Aguirre Lina , Chen Rui , Qualls Clifford , Villareal Dennis T. , Armamento-Villareal Reina
Published: July 2022

Context

Male hypogonadism adversely affects body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), and metabolic health. A previous report showed that pre-treatment testosterone (T) levels of <200 ng/dl is associated with greater improvement in spine BMD with T therapy. However, to date, there is no study that investigates whether baseline T levels also influence body composition and metabolic response to T therapy.

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine if there are differences in the changes in body composition, metabolic profile, and bone turnover markers, in addition to BMD, in response to T therapy in men with a baseline T level of <264 ng/dl compared to those with levels ≥264 ng/dl.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a single-arm, open-label clinical trial (NCT01378299) on pharmacogenetics of response to T therapy conducted between 2011 and 2016 involving 105 men (40–74 years old), with average morning T < 300 ng/dl, given intramuscular T cypionate 200 mg every 2 weeks for 18 months. Subjects were divided into those with baseline T levels of <264 ng/dl (N = 43) and those with ≥264 ng/dl (N = 57). T and estradiol (E2) were measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry; serum bone turnover markers (C-telopeptide [CTX], osteocalcin, and sclerostin), adiponectin, and leptin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography; and areal BMD and body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results

Men with T < 264 ng/dl showed greater increases in total fat-free mass (FFM) at 18 months compared to those with T ≥ 264 ng/dl (4.2 ± 4.1 vs. 2.7 ± 3.8%; p = 0.047) and unadjusted appendicular FFM at 6 and 18 months (8.7 ± 11.5 vs. 4.4 ± 4.3%, 7.3 ± 11.6 vs. 2.4 ± 6.8%; p = 0.033 and p = 0.043, respectively). Men with T ≥ 264 ng/dl showed significant decreases in HbA1c at 12 months (−3.1 ± 9.2 vs. 3.2 ± 13.9%; p = 0.005), fasting glucose at 18 months (−4.2 ± 31.9 vs. 13.0 ± 57.3%; p = 0.040), LDL at 6 months (−6.4 ± 27.5 vs. 12.8 ± 44.1%; p = 0.034), and leptin at 18 months (−40.2 ± 35.1 vs. −27.6 ± 31.0%; p = 0.034) compared to those with T < 264 ng/dl. No significant differences in BMD and bone turnover markers were observed.

Conclusion

T therapy results in improvement in body composition irrespective of baseline T levels but T < 264 ng/dl is associated with greater improvement in FFM, whereas a T level of ≥264 ng/dl favors improvement in metabolic profile.
An Elevated METS-IR Index Is Associated With Higher Asthma Morbidity and Earlier Age of First Asthma in US Adults: Results Based on a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chen Yan , Yang Junping , Han Kexing , Wang Yan , Zhuang Cuixia , Zhu Laxiang , Chen Mingwei
Published: July 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the METS-IR index and asthma among Americans.

Methods

In an attempt to establish the relationship between the METS-IR index and asthma prevalence and age at first onset of asthma, we conducted a logistic regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and dose-response curve analysis using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database.

Results

In model 3, each unit increase in METS-IR index led to 1.5% increase in asthma prevalence (OR= 1.015, 95% CI: 1.012, 1.018) and an earlier age of onset of asthma by 0.057years (β= -0.057, 95% CI: -0.112, -0.002).Stratified analysis determined that an increase in METS-IR index was associated with asthma prevalence in almost all subgroups, except in the group where it was not known whether a blood relative had asthma, and a positive linear relationship was found between METS-IR index and asthma prevalence, as well as a linear negative relationship with age at asthma onset.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that a direct causal relationship cannot be demonstrated, a higher METS-IR index is positively related to asthma prevalence and correspondingly may result in asthma onset at younger ages.
Prenatal Pollutant Exposures and Hypothalamic Development: Early Life Disruption of Metabolic Programming
Authors: Koshko Lisa , Scofield Sydney , Mor Gil , Sadagurski Marianna
Published: July 2022

Environmental contaminants in ambient air pollution pose a serious risk to long-term metabolic health. Strong evidence shows that prenatal exposure to pollutants can significantly increase the risk of Type II Diabetes (T2DM) in children and all ethnicities, even without the prevalence of obesity. The central nervous system (CNS) is critical in regulating whole-body metabolism. Within the CNS, the hypothalamus lies at the intersection of the neuroendocrine and autonomic systems and is primarily responsible for the regulation of energy homeostasis and satiety signals. The hypothalamus is particularly sensitive to insults during early neurodevelopmental periods and may be susceptible to alterations in the formation of neural metabolic circuitry. Although the precise molecular mechanism is not yet defined, alterations in hypothalamic developmental circuits may represent a leading cause of impaired metabolic programming. In this review, we present the current knowledge on the links between prenatal pollutant exposure and the hypothalamic programming of metabolism.
The Emerging Role of Bone-Derived Hormones in Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Li Yixuan , Gu Zuhua , Wang Jun , Wang Yangang , Chen Xian , Dong Bingzi
Published: July 2022

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) causes the greatest proportion of end-stage renal disease (ESRD)–related mortality and has become a high concern in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Bone is considered an endocrine organ, playing an emerging role in regulating glucose and energy metabolism. Accumulating research has proven that bone-derived hormones are involved in glucose metabolism and the pathogenesis of DM complications, especially DKD. Furthermore, these hormones are considered to be promising predictors and prospective treatment targets for DM and DKD. In this review, we focused on bone-derived hormones, including fibroblast growth factor 23, osteocalcin, sclerostin, and lipocalin 2, and summarized their role in regulating glucose metabolism and DKD.
Addition of Capecitabine to Adjuvant Chemotherapy May be the Most Effective Strategy for Patients With Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Li Zhiyang , Zheng Jiehua , Ji Zeqi , Chen Lingzhi , Wu Jinyao , Zou Juan , Liu Yiyuan , Lin Weixun , Cai Jiehui , Chen Yaokun , Chen Yexi , Lu Hai
Published: July 2022

Background and Objective

Previous studies determined the therapeutic effects of capecitabine-based chemotherapy regimens on early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the optimal strategy of capecitabine-based chemotherapy remains uncertain. We conducted this network meta-analysis to address this issue.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) to retrieve eligible studies published before September 2021. Two independent reviewers extracted information from eligible studies using a pre-designed data extraction sheet. The primary outcome included disease-free survival, and the second outcome showed overall survival and adverse events. Direct meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4, and Bayesian network analysis was performed using R version 3.6.1 with the “gemtc” and “rjags” packages.

Results

Nine studies involving 3661 TNBC patients met the selection criteria. The network meta-analysis suggested that the addition of capecitabine to adjuvant chemotherapy achieved a significantly longer disease-free (HR = 0.66, 95% CrI = 0.49 to 0.86) and overall survival time (HR = 0.60, 95% CrI = 0.43 to 0.83) than standard chemotherapy. All comparisons did not achieve statistical significance. The addition of capecitabine to adjuvant chemotherapy was the most effective treatment for improving disease-free (81.24%) and overall survival (78.46%) times, and the replacement of capecitabine to adjuvant chemotherapy was the safest regime.

Conclusions

Based on available evidence, capecitabine-based chemotherapy benefits TNBC patients, and the addition of capecitabine with adjuvant chemotherapy was the most effective regime. In contrast, the replacement of capecitabine to adjuvant chemotherapy was the safest regime. More studies of high quality and large scale are needed to confirm our findings.
A Review of Air Conditioning Load Aggregation in Distribution Networks
Authors: Wang He , Chen Hongfeng , Li Yan , Liu Sumei
Published: July 2022

In the context of global energy transformation, it is particularly important to tap the potential of flexible load on the distribution network side to participate in grid operation. As an important flexible adjustable load in the distribution network, air conditioning loads have typical characteristics of thermal energy storage, rapid response, and flexible scheduling, which is an ideal load resource. Effective and reliable load aggregation technologies for air conditioning load participation are the basis for operation in a power grid. To better understand the current research status of air conditioning load aggregation technologies and make full use of the existing research results to carry out further research, this paper comprehensively reviews the various aggregation technologies being used in distribution networks, including the modeling strategy for air conditioning load aggregation, control strategy, control method, and application analysis. Moreover, future research directions are summarized as a guide to improving the technology of air conditioning load aggregation.
Dynamic Response Calculation Algorithm for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Based on a State-Space Method of Transfer Function
Authors: Wei Li , Sheng-xiao Zhao , Kun Liu , Hong-chao Lu , Tian-hui Fan
Published: July 2022

The Cummins equation is commonly applied to describe the motion of floating structures. Because of the convolution term, the efficiency of calculation is low and the error accumulation problems in numerical integration calculation are serious. For those reasons, a dynamic response analysis method of floating structures based on a state-space model is proposed. The method uses the state-space method to replace the force-to-motion relationship of the Cummins equation, that is, transfer function, which transforms the problem of calculating the dynamic response into obtaining the output of the state-space model. The method is easy to implement and avoids the problems caused by the presence of the convolution term.
Sparse Dictionary Learning for Transient Stability Assessment
Authors: Wang Qilin , Pang Chengzong , Qian Cheng
Published: July 2022

Transient stability assessment (TSA) has always been a fundamental and challenging problem for ensuring the security and operation of power systems. With more power electronic interface resources integrated into the grid and large renewable energies, the stability of the power system is jeopardized. Therefore, TSA of the power system should be considered in advance to keep the system running stable. In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), and Markov decision process, TSA has improved dramatically. In this study, a sparse dictionary learning approach is proposed to improve the precision of the classification accuracy of transient stability assessment in power systems. Case studies of TSA using multi-layer support vector machine (ML-SVM) and long short-term memory network–based recurrent neural network (LSTM-RNN) are discussed as benchmarks to validate the proposed method. The stable and unstable dictionary learnings are designed based on datasets obtained by simulating thousands of different time-domain simulation (TDS) scenarios performed on the New-England 39-bus system in the PSAT (power system analysis toolbox) toolbox. Stable and unstable dictionaries are developed based on the K-SVD approach. The testing dataset contains both stable and unstable samples which steps into the sparse coding process to obtain the indexes. Compared with the indexes, the system’s final TSA is targeted. The proposed method exhibits satisfactory classification accuracy in transient stability prediction and provides the ability to reduce false alarms both in positives and negatives of the power system.
Evolution of the Anthropogenic Gallium Cycle in China From 2005 to 2020
Authors: Jia Hongxiang , Zhou Yanjing , Wang Anjian , Wang Gaoshang , Li Tianjiao , Wang Chunhui , Xing Wanli , Ma Zhe , Li Pengyuan
Published: July 2022

Gallium is deemed to be a critical mineral given its irreplaceable use in consumer electronics and clean energy technologies. China has become a significant consumer of gallium while also playing a leading role in global gallium production, accounting for more than 90% of the world’s primary output in recent years. However, the quantification and evolution of China’s gallium cycle is limited until now. This study aims to uncover the dynamic flows and stocks of gallium in China during the period of 2005–2020. The results reveal that: 1) From 2005 to 2020, China’s gallium demand increased more than 20-fold, as a result of the booming semiconductor industry and the surging use of gallium in some low-carbon technologies; 2) despite the inefficient recovery issues existed in the production stage, the supply of gallium extracted as a byproduct grew in tandem with the capacity of alumina production, resulting in a significant supply surplus of 948 t by 2020; 3) China exported nearly half of its gallium mainly as raw materials and final products, but still experienced a high reliance on imported gallium-containing intermediate products from abroad, such as integrated circuits; 4) the generations of in-use stocks and end-of-life flows of gallium have accelerated since 2005 and reached about 278 t and 169 t in 2020, respectively. These indicate a large amount of available secondary gallium resource, with nonexistent recycling. The results provide a basis for identifying gallium extraction, use, loss and recycling within its anthropogenic cycle in China, as well as guidance for stakeholders to make future decisions concerning ways to improve resource efficiency and promote sustainable gallium practices from a dynamic material cycle perspective.
Investigation of Drought Risk Using a Dynamic Optimization Framework in Regional Water Allocation Procedure With Different Streamflow Scenarios
Authors: Hong Xu , Basirialmahjough Mahdi , He Yuan , Moudi Mahdi
Published: July 2022

Recently, the water supply process has experienced serious challenges, because, with the intensification of drought, the imbalance between available water resources and demand for water in different sectors has led to increased system risk. Therefore, this study proposed an optimal dynamic framework under different scenarios aimed at improving the drought risk of the water supply system. In this sense, given the negative effects of drought on the water supply procedure, the degree of drought risk is analyzed and improved according to system performance parameters. After examining the developed model by initial data collected from a real case study of Hamoun wetland in Iran, the most sensitive parameters were included reliability and vulnerability, which, in this regard, the highest degree of drought risk is related to the agricultural and industrial sectors due to the acquisition of less reliability and greater vulnerability. In addition, given the final output, adaptation measures such as demand governance scheme and weight scenario analysis have been developed in order to investigate the drought risk of the system in more detail.
The Influence of Atmospheric Circulation on Mean and Extreme Weather Conditions on Kaffiøyra (NW Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago) in the Summer Seasons 1975–2015
Authors: Araźny Andrzej , Przybylak Rajmund , Kejna Marek
Published: July 2022

The paper presents results describing the influence of Atmospheric Circulation (AC) on meteorological conditions on Kaffiøyra (NW Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago) in 23 summer seasons (July 21–August 31) in the years 1975, 1977–80, 1982, 1985, 1989, 1997–2000, 2005–15. The analysis covered the diurnal sums or means of major meteorological parameters: total cloudiness, sunshine duration, air temperature, wind speed, relative air humidity, water vapour pressure, and precipitation. Extreme weather events in terms of any given parameter were defined as days whose diurnal values (mean/sum) were in the ≤5th or ≥95th percentiles. The influence of AC on meteorological conditions on Kaffiøyra was analysed using the calendar of circulation types (CT) by T. Niedźwiedź et al. (Calendar of atmospheric circulation types for Spitsbergen–a digital dataset, 2018). In the study area, the variability of individual meteorological parameters depends primarily on air-mass advection direction, while type of baric regime is less important. Our study highlights that the greatest positive anomalies and a significant frequency of extreme values of cloudiness, wind speed, air temperature, humidity and precipitation occurred during air mass advection mainly from the SW and S. It was also demonstrated that sunshine duration correlated statistically significantly with the frequency of the anticyclonic macrotype, and precipitation with the cyclonic macrotype. The results confirmed that atmospheric circulation plays the most important role in shaping weather conditions in Spitsbergen.
Impacts on Meteorological Parameters and Pollutants by Aerosol Direct Radiative Effect Over Tianjin, China
Authors: Hao Jian , Cai Ziying , Han Suqin , Ma Gengxue , Zhang Min , Qiu Xiaobin
Published: July 2022

The direct radiative effect (DRE) of anthropogenic aerosols on meteorological elements and pollutants over Tianjin, China, was investigated using a fully coupled meteorology-chemistry model [Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem)] for the entire year of 2021. The results showed that the ground solar radiation decreased from 208.84 W m−2 to 194.52 W m−2 due to DRE in Tianjin, and the percentage of the reduction was 6.86%. The reduction of ground solar radiation resulted in a 0.90% decrease in temperature, 1.13% decrease in boundary layer height, and 6.01% decrease in visibility, respectively, and a 0.80% increase in relative humidity. Changes in meteorological parameters changed the diffuse conditions of pollutants, leading to an increase of PM2.5. Higher concentration of pollutants leads to stronger DRE, and the percentages of changes caused by DRE on polluted days are higher than those on clean days. The DRE influence on pollutants can be summarized as a weather → aerosol → weather → air quality circulation mechanism. The DRE had more severe influence on meteorological elements and pollutants on foggy days. With the emission reduction of pollutants, the influence of the DRE has declined.
An Approach to Evaluate Mountain Forest Protection and Management as a Means for Flood Mitigation
Authors: Rüegg Janine , Moos Christine , Gentile Alice , Luisier Gilles , Elsig Alexandre , Prasicek Günther , Otero Iago
Published: July 2022

We are of the opinion that environmental policies that are based on scientific knowledge at the time they are established need to be revisited in terms of the current knowledge and the effectiveness of these policies in protecting or promoting a particular ecosystem service. Here we use the first Swiss Federal Forest Law (1876) as a case example, which was established to protect mountain forests as a natural means of protection against natural hazards, particularly floods. We briefly summarize the current relevant scientific knowledge on (i) reasons for reforestation in mountains and how the law may have contributed, (ii) forest effects on hydrological regimes and their protection service against floods, and (iii) other watershed changes affecting both reforestation and the forest-runoff interaction. We then present insights from a case study on the Upper Rhone catchment, which lead us to develop a methodological approach based on interdisciplinary collaboration among social and natural sciences to gain the needed data to answer the question of whether a forest protection law can serve as a means of flood protection. Specifically, we found that a data interpolation method is key to answering this question given data are at different scales and resolutions and suggest modeling to fill gaps. Such methods and collaborations are key for basing environmental laws and policies in current scientific knowledge and effectively manage ecosystems and their services.
Testing Club Convergence in Female Smoking Prevalence
Authors: Ferretti Fabrizio , Mariani Michele , Sarti Elena
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we applied the concept of convergence to examine the evolution of smoking prevalence among women in 191 countries worldwide from 1990 to 2019. First, the non-linear time-varying factor model proposed by Phillips and Sul was adopted to identify potential clusters (clubs), wherein groups of countries converge to similar female smoking rates. Second, an ordered logit regression model was used to assess the impact of cigarette affordability on the probability of falling within a given cluster. The hypothesis of global convergence was rejected. However, the clustering algorithm successfully identified five and nine clubs, within countries with increasing and decreasing smoking prevalence, respectively. A higher relative income-price ratio (i.e., lower cigarette affordability) increased the likelihood of belonging to a club of countries with a low prevalence of female tobacco smoking.