bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Anion Effects on Metal Ion Binding Interactions With Amyloid β Peptide by Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Phetsanthad Ashley , Li Lingjun
Published: September 2024

The study of metal ion's role in the biological processes of Alzheimer's disease has spurred investigations into the coordination chemistry of amyloid beta peptide and its fragments. Nano‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nESI‐MS) has been utilized to examine the stabilization of bound anions on multiprotein complexes without bulk solvent. However, the effects of anions on metal ion binding interactions with amyloid beta peptide have not been explored. This study directly examined metal‐peptide complexes using nESI‐MS and investigated the effects of various anions on the binding ratio and stability of these complexes from ammonium salt solutions. The results indicate that different anions have distinct effects on the binding ratio and stability of various metal‐peptide complexes. Of these, the bicarbonate ion exhibits the highest binding ratios for metal‐peptide complexes, while binding ratios for these complexes in phosphate are comparatively low. Our results suggest that acetate, formate, bicarbonate, and phosphate have weak affinities and act as weak stabilizers of the metal‐peptide complex structure in the gas phase. Intriguingly, chloride and sulfate act as stabilizers of the metal‐peptide complex in the gas phase. The rank order determined from these data is substantially different from the Hofmeister salt series in solution. Although this outcome was anticipated due to the reduced influence of anions and water solvation, our findings correlate well with expected anion binding in solution and emphasize the importance of both hydration layer and anion‐metal‐peptide binding effects for Hofmeister‐type stabilization in solution. This approach proved useful in examining the interactions between metal ions and amyloid beta peptide, which are relevant to Alzheimer's disease, using direct ESI‐MS.
EDTA‐Assisted MPT‐MS for Trace Analysis of Heavy Metals in Fireworks
Authors: Zhao Gaosheng , Huang Yuliang , Yang Maolin , Liu Lifeng , Jia Bin , Cheng Ping
Published: September 2024

A novel method was developed for the rapid detection of heavy metals in firework solutions with high sensitivity and minimal pretreatment by enriching them with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) reagent and analyzing them using microwave plasma torch mass spectrometry (MPT‐MS). Quantitative results showed that the limits of detection and quantification for heavy metals (Pb, Ba, Sr, and Ag) ranged from 0.05 to 0.25 and 0.38 to 0.71 μg·L−1, respectively. The linear dynamic ranges covered at least two orders of magnitude, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. Fireworks from five regions in China were also analyzed quantitatively, detecting heavy metals including Pb, Ba, Sr, and Ag, with recovery rates ranging from 87.9% to 107.5%. Good separation between the firework samples from different regions was achieved by using element ratios and principal component analysis (PCA). These results from the preliminary study showed that the EDTA‐assisted MPT‐MS combined with PCA is a powerful tool for characterizing firework samples and tracing them back to their sources, which is valuable to effectively regulate and manage banned fireworks.
Coinfection of human adenovirus and recombinant human astrovirus in a case of acute gastroenteritis: A report from China
Authors: Wang Xin , Liu Wanqiu , Hu Mingda , He Yaqing , Wang Boqian , Li Kexin , Zhang Rui , Zhang Hailong , Wang Tianyi , Wang Yuxin , Chen Long , Hu Xiaofeng , Ren Hongguang , Song Hongbin
Published: September 2024

Diarrhea is one of the major public health issues worldwide. Although the infections of individual enteric virus have been extensively studied, elucidation of the coinfection involving multiple viruses is still limited. In this study, we identified the coinfection of human adenovirus (HAdV) and human astrovirus (HAstV) in a child with acute gastroenteritis, analyzed their genotypes and molecular evolution characteristics. The sample was collected and identified using RT‐PCR and subjected to whole‐genome sequencing on the NovaSeq (Illumina) platform. Obtained sequences were assembled into the complete genome of HAdV and the ORF1 of HAstV. We conducted phylogenetic analysis using IQ‐TREE software and conducted recombination analysis with the Recombination Detection Program. The sequenced HAdV was confirmed to be genotype 41, and was genetically close to some European strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the HAstV was genetically close to both HAstV‐2 and HAstV‐4 and was different from the genotype prevalent in Shenzhen before. The recombination analysis confirmed that the sequenced HAstV strain is a recombinant of HAstV‐2 and HAstV‐4. Our analysis has shown that the strains in this coinfection are both uncommon variants in this geographical region, instead of dominant subtypes that have prevailed for years. This study presents a coinfection of HAdV and HAstV and conducts an evolutionary analysis on involved viruses, which reveals the genetic diversity of epidemic strains in Southern China and offers valuable insights into vaccine and medical research.
Rapid headspace analysis of commercial spearmint and peppermint teas using volatile ‘fingerprints’ and an electronic nose
Authors: Siderhurst Matthew S , Bartel William D , Hoover Anna G , Lacks Skylar , Lehman Meredith GM
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Spearmint and peppermint teas are widely consumed around the world for their flavor and therapeutic properties. Dynamic headspace sampling (HS) coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with principal component analysis (PCA) of ‘fingerprint’ volatile profiles were used to investigate 27 spearmint and peppermint teas. Additionally, comparisons between mint teas were undertaken with an electronic nose (enose).

RESULTS

Twenty compounds, all previously known in the literature, were identified using HS–GC–MS. PCA found distinct differences between the fingerprint volatile profiles of spearmint, peppermint and spearmint/peppermint combination teas. HS–GC–MS analysis performed with an achiral column allowed faster processing time and yielded tighter clustering of PCA tea groups than the analysis which used a chiral column. Two spearmint outliers were detected. One showed a high degree of variation in volatile composition and a second wholly overlapped with the peppermint PCA grouping. Enose analysis separated all treatments with no overlaps.

CONCLUSION

Characterizing the volatile fingerprints of mint teas is critical to quality control for this valuable agricultural product. The results of this study show that fingerprint volatile profiles and enose analysis of mint teas are distinctive and could be used to rapidly identify unknown samples. With specific volatile profiles identified for each tea, samples could be tested in the laboratory, or potentially on a farm or along the supply chain, to confirm the provenance and authenticity of mint food or beverage commodities. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Mood, Anxiety, and Cognitive Alterations in Cancer Patients
Authors: Fortes Gabriela Noronha , Fortes Marcos Fraga , Fortes Marcos Noronha , Gomes Fernanda Christoffel , Seelaendar Marília Cerqueira Leite , de Pinho Ariene Murari Soares , de Jesus Joyce de Cassia Rosa , Otoch José Pinhata
Published: September 2024

Background and Objective

To analyze the cytokine profile in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as mood, anxiety, and cognition profiles in patients with CC.

Methods

One hundred and nine individuals were evaluated, 37 controls, 18 CWC, and 54 CC patients. Assessments included BDI, HADS, Digit Span, FAS‐verbal, Animals/WMS‐R, Matrix Reasoning and Vocabulary (WASI), and QLQ‐C30.

Results

The CC group exhibited 62.96% depression and probable anxiety/depression, with 75.92% showing attention deficits. The CC and CWC groups demonstrated significant cognitive impairment on the WASI‐Vocabulary test (CWC: 13.4 ± 2.2; CC: 15.9 ± 1.1) compared to the control group (Ct: 22.8 ± 1.6; p = 0.0002). In the QLQ‐C30 scores, the CC group reported a greater perceived loss of quality of life and health deterioration (score of 17.5 ± 2.6) and lower scores on the Functional Scale (49.8 ± 4.5). The CC group had 18.52% illiteracy, 18.52% incomplete higher education, and 22.22% complete elementary education. The CC group also had lower weight (Ct: 67.8 ± 1.4; CWC: 61.7 ± 3.1; CC: 59.6 ± 1.7; p = 0.0023) and BMI (CC: 21.5 [18.3; 24.8]; Ct: 24.9 [23; 25.8]; p = 0.0021) compared to controls. Cytokines detected in the CSF were MCP‐1, VEGF, IL‐8, IP‐10, and MIP‐1β. Higher concentrations of MCP‐1 were found in cancer patients (CSC: 571.2 ± 105.8; CC: 399.5 ± 65.9; Ct: 1477 ± 0.1; p < 0.0001), along with lower levels of MIP‐1β (CC: 4345 [3060; 7353]) and VEGF (CC: 48.3 ± 2.0; CWC: 49.8 ± 3.8; Ct: 64.8 ± 3.2; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The level of mental impairment (mood, anxiety, and cognitive deficits) correlated with cancer‐associated and cachexia‐associated inflammation, weight loss, low BMI, elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP), leukocytosis, lymphopenia, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and low scores on the QLQ‐C30 questionnaire (Global Health Status, Functional Scale, Symptom Scale). The CC group exhibited a higher prevalence of depression/anxiety, a stronger correlation between depression and inflammation, and greater cognitive impairment in attention, reasoning, and language, alongside lower average educational attainment. The low concentration of certain cytokines in the CSF combined with elevated systemic CRP in cancer and cachexia, associated with mental disorders, presents a paradox that requires further investigation. Higher concentrations of the cytokine MCP‐1 in cancer patient groups indicated a positive correlation with the preservation of language abilities in these patients.
A Population‐Level Validation of the New 9th Edition of the American Joint Commission on Cancer Staging System for Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Karim Aos , Troester Alexander , Mott Sarah L. , Arsoniadis Elliot , Jensen Christine , Hassan Imran , Kandagatla Pridvi , Goffredo Paolo
Published: September 2024

Background and Objectives

The staging system for anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) was recently revised, downstaging selected node‐positive patients and upstaging some with larger tumors. We aimed to validate this staging system using a population‐based cohort.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was analyzed to identify adult ASCC patients. Patients were staged according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th and 9th edition systems. Survival probabilities were estimated using Kaplan‐Meier curves. Cox regression models were utilized to estimate the effect of stage on overall (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS).

Results

A total of 2117 patients were identified and staged based on the two AJCC classifications. At 24 months when comparing stage IIB versus stage IIIA, the 8th edition revealed an improved OS (79% vs. 88%) and CSS (84% vs. 91%) for stage IIIA disease, while the 9th edition restored the hierarchical OS (IIB 88% vs. IIIA 78%) and CSS (91% vs. 82%) order.

Conclusions

The hierarchical increase of the OS HRs, and nearly all CSS HRs, across disease stages validated the updated edition of the AJCC classification. Although this change may not have significant implication on the management of ASCC, it does provide better prognostication.
Chronic pain at 1‐year following knee arthroplasty is associated with a worse joint‐specific function and health‐related quality of life
Authors: Clement Nick D. , Jones Samantha , Afzal Irrum , Kader Deiary F.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify independent variables associated with chronic pain (CP) at 1 year following knee arthroplasty (KA) and whether this influenced functional outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted over a 2‐year period and included 2588 patients with completed Oxford knee score (OKS) and EuroQol (EQ)‐five domains (5D) preoperatively and at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The OKS pain component score was used to define patients with CP (≤14 points). The mean age was 70.0 (range 34–94) years and there were 1553 (60.0%) females.

Results

There were 322 (12.4%) patients with CP at 1 year. A worse preoperative EQ‐5D (p = 0.025), EQ‐visual analogue scale (VAS) (p = 0.005) and OKS questions relating to washing (p = 0.010), limping (p = 0.007), kneeling (p = 0.003) and night pain (p = 0.004) were independently associated with risk of CP. However, the preoperative OKS (area under the curve [AUC]: 72.0, p < 0.001) and EQ‐5D score (AUC: 70.1, p < 0.001) were the most reliable predictors, with threshold values of <18‐points and <0.300 being predictive of CP, respectively. Of those with CP at 1 year, 231 were followed up at 2 years, of which 92 (39.8%) had resolution of their CP. A worse response to OKS question 11 (ability to shop) and EQ‐5D (p = 0.028) at 1 year was independently associated with persistent CP. Patients with CP had significantly (p < 0.001) worse OKS, EQ‐5D and EQ‐VAS at 1 year compared to those without. However, for those that had resolution of their CP at 2 years, their outcomes were clinically equal to those that did not have CP at 1 year.

Conclusion

One in eight patients had CP at 1 year following surgery, which was associated with clinically worse knee‐specific outcomes and quality of life. However, by 2 years, two in five patients had resolution of their CP and had functional outcomes clinically equal to those without CP at 1 year. The risk factors identified could be used to inform patients of their risk for CP and the potential for resolution.

Level of Evidence

Level III retrospective study.
School engagement, epilepsy severity, and frequency of victimization in school age children
Authors: Emick Jessica , Griffith Nathan M. , Schweitzer Hannah
Published: September 2024

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in young people, which disrupts daily life and results in an increased risk of victimization. Archival data from the 2018/2019 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), a nationally representative cross‐sectional survey, were used. Data from the NSCH were collected via parent reports and analyzed for children aged 6–17 years (N = 25500). The results indicated that children with epilepsy (CWE) were significantly more likely to be frequently bullied than children with less stigmatizing chronic health conditions (i.e., asthma) and typical peers, but there was no significant association between the severity of epilepsy and the frequency of victimization. Furthermore, the degree of school engagement did not significantly moderate the relationship between epilepsy severity and frequency of victimization. However, the degree of school engagement was associated with the frequency of victimization in CWE, such that more school engagement was associated with less parent‐reported victimization. Overall, these findings support the growing evidence that CWE are at a higher risk of being bullied and need unique interventions regardless of epilepsy severity and that school engagement should be further examined to reduce victimization among CWE.
Monitoring of fused filament fabrication (FFF): An infrared imaging and machine learning approach
Authors: Bauriedel Niklas , Albuquerque Rodrigo Q. , Utz Julia , Geis Nico , Ruckdäschel Holger
Published: September 2024

Additive manufacturing holds great promise for broader future use, but quality assurance and component monitoring present notable challenges. This study tackles monitoring Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) via infrared imaging to forecast the mechanical traits of 3D‐printed items. It highlights how temperature variations, influenced by the infill's alternating orientation, affect printed parts' mechanical properties. Utilizing Machine Learning, notably the Random Forest Regressor, this research validates the capability to accurately predict tensile strength from infrared temperature readings, offering a simple, yet effective, real‐time FFF monitoring method without specialized hardware. This approach enhances the quality and dependability of 3D‐printed components with IR thermal monitoring and machine learning predictions.

Highlights

Infrared imaging and machine learning are combined to monitor 3D printing.

A cost‐effective and accessible non‐destructive monitoring method is proposed.

Temperature variation patterns of 3D printed layers influence mechanical properties.
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) in neonatal and pediatric critical care—A scoping review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kuitunen Ilari , Rannankari Markus , Räsänen Kati
Published: September 2024

We Aimed to analyze for which indications neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) has been studied in pediatric patients by conducting a scoping review. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched in September 2023. We included all randomized trials (including crossover, parallel, and cluster) comparing NAVA to other invasive ventilation modalities in children aged <18 years. We had three key outcomes. What have been the patient and disease groups where NAVA has been studied? What kind of trials and what has been the risk of bias in these randomized trials? What have been the most used outcomes and main findings? The risk of bias was assessed according to the risk of bias 2.0 tool. This review has been reported as preferred in PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. After screening 367 abstracts, 27 full reports were assessed and finally 13 studies were included. Six studies were conducted in neonates and seven in older pediatric patients. Ten of the studies were crossover and three were parallel randomized. Overall risk of bias was low in two studies, had some concerns in six studies, and was high in five studies. Most issues came from the randomization process and bias in the selection of reported results. Most used outcomes were changes in clinical parameters or measurements (such as ventilation peak and mean airway pressures, oxygenation index), and ventilator synchrony. Three parallel group trials focused on ventilation duration. The majority of the studies found NAVA as a possible alternative ventilation strategy. Although NAVA is a widely used strategy in neonatal and pediatric intensive care the current literature has notable limitations due to the risk of bias in the original studies and lack of parallel studies focusing on clinical or cost‐effectiveness outcomes.
Immunostimulatory/Immunodynamic model of mRNA‐1273 to guide pediatric vaccine dose selection
Authors: Ivaturi Vijay , Attarwala Husain , Deng Weiping , Ding Baoyu , Schnyder Ghamloush Sabine , Girard Bethany , Iqbal Javid , Minnikanti Saugandhika , Zhou Honghong , Miller Jacqueline , Das Rituparna
Published: September 2024

COVID‐19 vaccines, including mRNA‐1273, have been rapidly developed and deployed. Establishing the optimal dose is crucial for developing a safe and effective vaccine. Modeling and simulation have the potential to play a key role in guiding the selection and development of the vaccine dose. In this context, we have developed an immunostimulatory/immunodynamic (IS/ID) model to quantitatively characterize the neutralizing antibody titers elicited by mRNA‐1273 obtained from three clinical studies. The developed model was used to predict the optimal vaccine dose for future pediatric trials. A 25‐μg primary vaccine series was predicted to meet non‐inferiority criteria in young children (aged 2–5 years) and infants (aged 6–23 months). The geometric mean titers and geometric mean ratios for this dose level predicted using the IS/ID model a priori matched those observed in the pediatric clinical study. These findings demonstrate that IS/ID models represent a novel approach to guide data‐driven clinical dose selection of vaccines.
Effects of geometric isomerism in electron ionization mass spectra of dialkyl 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylates
Authors: Zimens Marina E. , Tussupkaliyev Yersin A. , A.Kadirbekov Kairat , Jussipbekov Umirzak Zh. , Borisov Roman S. , Zaikin Vladimir G.
Published: September 2024

Rationale

1,4‐Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and its esters are widely used as building blocks in the production of polymers and copolymers. The properties of such compounds directly depend on the ratio of cis‐ and trans‐isomers in the starting materials. The identification of such stereoisomers by mass spectrometry can be used for the analysis of complex reactions and pyrolysis mixtures.

Methods

1,4‐Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid propyl, isopropyl, butyl, 2‐butyl, pentyl, 2‐pentyl, 4‐methylpentyl, heptyl, octyl, and nonyl esters were synthesized and analyzed by gas chromatography‐electron ionization mass spectrometry. The general fragmentation patterns of the synthesized compounds in electron ionization conditions were determined using high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The relative response factors for the isomers were established on the basis of NMR and GC–MS data.

Results

Regardless of the structure of the alkyl groups, the EI mass spectra of cis‐ and trans‐dialkyl 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylates differ very sharply. The stereoselectivity of fragmentation processes is due to the steric proximity of the substituents in the case of cis‐isomers. Elemental composition of all ions appearing in the mass spectra of the analytes under study was confirmed by high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Despite the perceptible differences in the EI mass spectra of the isomers their ionization efficiencies are close.

Conclusions

The possibility of the unambiguous identification of stereoisomeric dialkyl cis and trans 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylates on the basis of their EI mass spectra was shown. The differences in mass spectra of the isomers are due to the conformational rigidity of the considered monocyclic molecules, which ensures the unique stereoselectivity of the elimination of neutral molecules owing to the 1,3‐cis‐diaxial proximity effect.
Next‐generation human‐robot interaction with ChatGPT and robot operating system
Authors: Koubaa Anis , Ammar Adel , Boulila Wadii
Published: September 2024

This article presents an innovative concept that harnesses the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) to revolutionize human‐robot interaction. This work aims to connect large language models with the Robot Operating System (ROS), the primary development framework for robotics applications. We develop a package for ROS that seamlessly integrates ChatGPT with ROS2‐based robotic systems. The core idea is to leverage prompt engineering with LLMs, utilizing unique properties such as ability eliciting, chain‐of‐thought, and instruction tuning. The concept employs ontology development to convert unstructured natural language commands into structured robotic instructions specific to the application context through prompt engineering. We capitalize on LLMs' zero‐shots and few‐shots learning capabilities by eliciting structured robotic commands from unstructured human language inputs. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, we implemented a proof‐of‐concept that integrates ChatGPT with ROS2, showcasing the transformation of human language instructions into spatial navigation commands for a ROS2‐enabled robot. Besides, we quantitatively evaluated this transformation over three use cases (ground robot, unmanned aerial vehicle, and Robotic arm) and five LLMs (LLaMA‐7b, LLaMA2‐7b, LLaMA2‐70b, GPT‐3.5, and GPT‐4) on a set of 3000 natural language commands. Our system serves as a new stride towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and paves the way for the robotics and natural language processing communities to collaborate in creating novel, intuitive human‐robot interactions. The open‐source implementation of our system on ROS 2 is available on GitHub.
A Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Saxagliptin and Avanafil: Application to Pharmacokinetic Drug‐Drug Interaction in Type 2 Diabetic Rat Model
Authors: Gajula Siva Nageswara Rao , Patil Rashmi Madhukar , Rahman Ziaur , Dandekar Manoj P. , Sonti Rajesh
Published: September 2024

Erectile dysfunction is a common complication of type 2 diabetes. The combination of saxagliptin and avanafil can effectively manage both conditions in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, evaluating the potential pharmacokinetic interactions for co‐administration of saxagliptin and avanafil is crucial. Here, we developed a sensitive bioanalytical method for simultaneously quantifying saxagliptin and avanafil in rat plasma using liquid chromatography hyphenated to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The chromatographic separation of saxagliptin, avanafil, and irbesartan (internal standard) was achieved on an Aquity BEH C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm), using 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile as mobile phase with the gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Mass detection was carried out using selective reaction monitoring mode, with the product ions for saxagliptin, avanafil, and irbesartan being 180.2, 375.1, and 207.1 m/z, respectively. The developed liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry method was validated as per the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines in rat plasma. The validation findings confirmed the method's robustness and suitability for accurate quantification of saxagliptin and avanafil in rat plasma with the limit of quantification of 1 ng/mL for both the drugs and were linear in the range of 1–2000 ng/mL. The study found no significant pharmacokinetic interaction between saxagliptin and avanafil, suggesting they can be safely co‐administered to patients with type 2 diabetes.
Single‐molecule methods, activation‐induced cytidine deaminase, and quantum mechanical approach to explore and prevent carcinogenesis
Authors: Ullah Asad , Mabood Neelam , Ullah Mujib , Shafi Mohsin , Maqbool Muhammad
Published: September 2024

Recent advancements in single‐molecule methods have not only made it possible to obtain precise measurements for complex biological processes but also to produce simple mathematical models for intricate biochemical mechanisms, which would otherwise be speculative. These developments have strengthened our ability to respond through mathematical modeling to concepts of protein‒protein and protein‒DNA interactions on a nanometer level and address‐related questions. In this article, we examine an intriguing biological phenomenon in which a protein and an enzyme co‐jointly encounter carcinogenic adducts during transcription. We are focusing mainly on the dysregulation of the protein involved and the possible consequences that may arise. By providing a quantum mechanical model, we have demonstrated that the presence of carcinogenic adducts in a transcriptional bubble deregulates the protein that could cause lethal mutations. Next, we present a case study to explore carcinogenesis by suggesting an alternative experimental design. Our quantum mechanical model emphasizes the use of a quantized energies approach for specific mechanisms within the living cells. Radiation‐induced carcinogenicity can be prevented if radiation interacting with tissue is not given the energies that satisfy the quantization conditions.
Covariant quantisation of tensor multiplet models
Authors: Kuzenko Sergei M. , Raptakis Emmanouil S. N.
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism is applied to quantise the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric generalisation of the Freedman-Townsend (FT) model, which was proposed by Lindström and Roček in 1983 in Minkowski superspace and is lifted to a supergravity background in this paper. This super FT theory describes a non-Abelian tensor multiplet and is known to be classically equivalent to a supersymmetric nonlinear sigma model. Using path integral considerations, we demonstrate that this equivalence holds at the quantum level in the sense that the quantum supercurrents in the two theories coincide. A modified Faddeev-Popov procedure is employed to quantise models for the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 tensor multiplet in harmonic superspace. The obtained results agree with those derived by applying the Batalin-Vilkovisky scheme within the harmonic superspace setting.
Hagedorn temperature in holography: world-sheet and effective approaches
Authors: Bigazzi Francesco , Canneti Tommaso , Castellani Federico , Cotrone Aldo L. , Mück Wolfgang
Published: September 2024

Abstract

We provide general results on the Hagedorn temperature of planar, strongly coupled confining gauge theories holographically dual to type II superstring models on curved backgrounds with Ramond-Ramond and Kalb-Ramond fluxes and non-trivial dilaton. For exact backgrounds the Hagedorn temperature is determined up to next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (NNNLO) in an expansion in α′; in all the other cases the results can be safely trusted up to NNLO. To reach these goals we exploit two complementary approaches. On the one hand, we perform an extrapolation to the Hagedorn regime of world-sheet results obtained from the semiclassical quantization of string configurations winding around the compact Euclidean time direction. En passant, we provide a detailed derivation of the fermionic part of the world-sheet spectrum, which is hard to find in the literature. On the other hand, we perturbatively solve the equations of motion for the thermal scalar field corresponding to the lightest mode of the winding string, which in flat space becomes tachyonic above the Hagedorn temperature. The interplay between different approaches is surely convenient, but we provide insights about a possible derivation of the whole NNLO correction to the Hagedorn temperature from a pure world-sheet perspective; furthermore, we determine the effective mass of the thermal scalar from the world-sheet in full generality.
Arbeitsplatzbezogenes Belastungserleben und psychische Gesundheit der Beschäftigten im Gesundheitswesen während der COVID-19-Pandemie: Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren aus der VOICE-Studie
Authors: Erim Yesim , Geiser Franziska , Beschoner Petra , Jerg-Bretzke Lucia , Weidner Kerstin , Albus Christian , Baranowski Andreas M. , Mogwitz Sabine , Morawa Eva
Published: September 2024

Hintergrund

Beschäftigte im Gesundheitswesen haben ein erhöhtes Risiko für Depressionen und Angstsymptome und insbesondere während der COVID-19-Pandemie war medizinisches Personal vielseitig gefordert. Ziel der VOICE-Studie war es, Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren für arbeitsplatzbezogenes Belastungserleben und psychische Gesundheit zu untersuchen.

Methode

Im Verbund von 5 psychosomatischen Universitätskliniken (Erlangen, Ulm, Bonn, Köln und Dresden) wurde ab Frühjahr 2020 eine multizentrische, webbasierte und prospektive Befragung (VOICE-Studie) initiiert. An der Studie nahmen zu 5 Messzeitpunkten mehr als 25.000 Personen teil.

Ergebnisse

Von 3678 während der ersten Pandemiewelle untersuchten Mitarbeitenden im Krankenhaussetting waren 17,4 % bzw. 17,8 % der Ärztinnen und Ärzte, 21,6 % bzw. 19,0 % der Pflegekräfte und 23,0 % bzw. 20,1 % der medizinisch-technischen Assistenteninnen und Assistenten (MTA) von Depressions- und Angstsymptomen in klinisch relevantem Ausmaß betroffen. Die wichtigsten Risikofaktoren für eine depressive bzw. Angstsymptomatik waren unzureichende Erholung in der Freizeit, erhöhter Alkoholkonsum, geringeres Vertrauen in die Kolleginnen und Kollegen in schwierigen Arbeitssituationen sowie erhöhte Angst, sich mit COVID-19 zu infizieren. Prädiktoren für eine erhöhte posttraumatische Symptomatik waren erhöhte generalisierte Angst und Depressivität sowie erhöhte Angst vor Ansteckung der Angehörigen. Als protektive Faktoren fungierten Kohärenzgefühl, soziale Unterstützung, Optimismus und Belohnungsniveau.

Diskussion

Die psychischen Auswirkungen arbeitsplatzbezogener Belastung in der Pandemie stellten sich als bedeutsam dar. Daher sind regelmäßige Screening- und Präventionsprogramme zur psychischen Gesundheit für Beschäftigte im Gesundheitswesen angezeigt.
Mortality rates in people presenting with a new diabetes-related foot ulcer: a cohort study with implications for management
Authors: Holman Naomi , Yelland Arthur C. , Young Bob , Valabhji Jonathan , Jeffcoate William , Game Fran
Published: September 2024

Aims/hypothesis

People with diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFUs) have high mortality rates. This analysis assesses the impact of selected risk factors on short-term mortality using a population registered in the National Diabetes Foot Care Audit (NDFA).

Methods

Mortality rates at 12, 26 and 52 weeks was assessed in people with a new DFU registered by a specialist diabetes footcare service in the NDFA in England and Wales between April 2017 and March 2022. Poisson regression models were created to explore risk factors for mortality.

Results

In 71,000 people registered with a new DFU, mortality rates at 12, 26 and 52 weeks was 4.2%, 8.2% and 14.4%, respectively. At 26 weeks, higher mortality rates was associated with older age (rate ratio 2.15; 95% CI 2.03, 2.28, for age ≥80 years vs age 65–79 years), certain ulcer characteristics (area ≥1 cm2 [1.50; 95% CI 1.42, 1.59], deep ulcers [1.26; 95% CI 1.18, 1.35] or hindfoot location [1.53; 95% CI 1.44, 1.62]) and recorded evidence of ischaemia in the lower limb (1.78; 95% CI 1.69, 1.88) and various comorbidities (heart failure [2.13; 95% CI 2.00, 2.26], myocardial infarction [1.45; 95% CI 1.29, 1.63], stroke [1.37; 95% CI 1.22, 1.53], renal replacement therapy [2.34; 95% CI 2.09, 2.61] and chronic kidney disease stage 3 or greater [1.20; 95% CI 1.12, 1.29]). The 26-week mortality rate exceeded 25% for 7.3% of all individuals, rising to 11.5% of those aged 65 years and older, and 22.1% of those aged 80 years and over.

Conclusions/interpretation

Short-term mortality rates in people with a DFU is high. Teams managing people with DFUs should consider modifying the burdensome interventions and care required to heal such ulcers so maximising the quality of residual life, rather than focusing exclusively on healing.

Graphical Abstract
Reconstruction of severe acetabular defects (Paprosky type III A) in total hip arthroplasty using modular tantalum augments in combination with a cemented cup
Authors: Spranz David , Müller Lisa-Marie , Trefzer Raphael , Hetto Pit , Nees Timo , Renkawitz Tobias , Walker Tilman , Reiner Tobias
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Acetabular defect reconstruction can be a complex and challenging surgical procedure, with stable long-term fixation of the implants remaining the ultimate goal. The purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcome of complex acetabular reconstruction surgery with the use of modular tantalum TM augments in combination with cemented revision cups; (2) to investigate blood tantalum concentrations in these patients; and (3) to report complications and mechanisms of failure related to this procedure at mid-term follow-up (mean 4.5 years).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients (29 hips) with severe acetabular bone loss (Paprosky type III A) reconstructed using a modular tantalum TM augment in combination with a cemented cup. We evaluated the implant survival and the radiological and clinical outcomes after a mean follow-up of 4.5 years (SD 2.2; range 8.4 – 2.1 years) using patient reported outcome scores (PROMs). Blood samples were analysed regarding tantalum concentration and compared with a control group.

Results

The cumulative survival rate at 4.5 years with the endpoint “revision of the acetabular component for any reason” was 96.2% (95% Confidence Interval 75.7–99.5). The PROMs improved significantly up to the latest follow-up, and radiographic data showed only one patient with signs of initial implant migration with a broken screw and a change of the position of the augment and the cup. Mean blood tantalum concentrations were significantly higher in the study group (0.16 µg/L) compared to the control group (0.002 µg/L) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated good mid-term (mean 4.5 years) clinical and radiological outcomes of modular tantalum TM augments in combination with a cemented cup for the reconstruction of major acetabular defects. Mean blood tantalum concentrations were increased in patients with stable tantalum implants compared to healthy controls.
A statistical evaluation of the sexual dimorphism of the acetabulum in an Iberian population
Authors: Warrier Varsha , San-Millán Marta
Published: September 2024

Sex estimation is essential for human identification within bioarchaeological and medico-legal contexts. Amongst the sexually dimorphic skeletal elements commonly utilised for this purpose, the pelvis is usually preferred because of its direct relationship with reproduction. Furthermore, the posterior part of the innominate bone has proven to have better preservation within degraded contexts. With the aim of investigating the potential of the vertical acetabular diameter as a sex marker, 668 documented individuals from three different Iberian skeletal collections were randomly divided into training and test samples and eventually analysed using different statistical approaches. Two traditional (Discriminant Function Analysis and Logistic Regression Analysis) and four Machine learning methodologies (Support Vector Classification, Decision Tree Classification, k Nearest Neighbour Classification, and Neural Networks) were performed and compared. Amongst these statistical modalities, Machine Learning methodologies yielded better accuracy outcomes, with DTC garnering highest accuracy percentages of 83.59% and 89.85% with the sex-pooled and female samples, respectively. With males, ANN yielded highest accuracy percentage of 87.70%, when compared to other statistical approaches. Higher accuracy obtained with ML, along with its minimal statistical assumptions, warrant these approaches to be increasingly utilised for further investigations involving sex estimation and human identification. In this line, the creation of a statistical platform with easier user interface can render such robust statistical modalities accessible to researchers and practitioners, effectively maximising its practical use. Future investigations should attempt to achieve this goal, alongside examining the influence of factors such as age, on the obtained accuracy outcomes.
The plant early recombinosome: a high security complex to break DNA during meiosis
Authors: Rafiei Nahid , Ronceret Arnaud
Published: September 2024

Key message

The formacion of numerous unpredictable DNA Double Strand Breaks (DSBs) on chromosomes iniciates meiotic recombination. In this perspective, we propose a ‘multi-key lock’ model to secure the risky but necesary breaks as well as a ‘one per pair of cromatids’ model for the topoisomerase-like early recombinosome.

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes recombine at few sites of crossing-overs (COs) to ensure correct segregation. The initiation of meiotic recombination involves the formation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) during prophase I. Too many DSBs are dangerous for genome integrity: if these DSBs are not properly repaired, it could potentially lead to chromosomal fragmentation. Too few DSBs are also problematic: if the obligate CO cannot form between bivalents, catastrophic unequal segregation of univalents lead to the formation of sterile aneuploid spores. Research on the regulation of the formation of these necessary but risky DSBs has recently advanced in yeast, mammals and plants. DNA DSBs are created by the enzymatic activity of the early recombinosome, a topoisomerase-like complex containing SPO11. This opinion paper reviews recent insights on the regulation of the SPO11 cofactors necessary for the introduction of temporally and spatially controlled DSBs. We propose that a ‘multi-key-lock’ model for each subunit of the early recombinosome complex is required to secure the formation of DSBs. We also discuss the hypothetical implications that the established topoisomerase-like nature of the SPO11 core-complex can have in creating DSB in only one of the two replicated chromatids of early prophase I meiotic chromosomes. This hypothetical ‘one per pair of chromatids’ DSB formation model could optimize the faithful repair of the self-inflicted DSBs. Each DSB could use three potential intact homologous DNA sequences as repair template: one from the sister chromatid and the two others from the homologous chromosomes.
Polymorphisms in the genes encoding RLR and TLR3 and CMV DNAemia in subjects coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and cytomegalovirus
Authors: Jabłońska Agnieszka , Jabłonowska Elżbieta , Studzińska Mirosława , Kamerys Juliusz , Paradowska Edyta
Published: September 2024

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a pathogen that is common worldwide and is often present in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are host sensors that activate the immune response against infectious agents. However, it is unclear whether PRR single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the occurrence of CMV DNAemia in subjects coinfected with HIV and CMV. HIV/CMV-coinfected patients with and without CMV DNAemia were recruited for this study. The DDX58 rs10813831 and IFIH1 (rs3747517 and rs1990760) polymorphisms were genotyped using the TaqMan Allelic Discrimination Assay, whereas the DDX58 rs12006123 and TLR3 (rs3775291 and rs3775296) SNPs were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. A mutation present in at least one allele of the DDX58 rs12006123 SNP occurred at least two times more frequently in HIV/CMV-coinfected patients with CMV DNAemia than in coinfected subjects without CMV DNAemia (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.33–4.68; p = 0.004, in the dominant model). A higher level of CMV DNAemia was observed in subjects who had the heterozygous (GA) or homozygous recessive (AA) genotype for the DDX58 rs12006123 SNP compared with those who had the wild-type (GG) genotype (p = 0.0003). Moreover, in subjects with a mutation detected in at least one allele of the DDX58 rs12006123 SNP, a lower serum IFN-β concentration was found compared with those who had a wild-type (GG) genotype for this polymorphism (p = 0.024). The DDX58 rs12006123 SNP is associated with CMV DNAemia in HIV/CMV-coinfected patients.
Pseudo-outbreak of Bacillaceae species associated with poor compliance with blood culture collection recommendations
Authors: Borcan Alina Maria , Vasile Carmen-Cristina , Popa Alina-Ioana , Badea Cristina Andreea , Popescu Gabriel Adrian , Tălăpan Daniela
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study describes a pseudo-outbreak of Bacillaceae spp. bloodstream infections that spanned five months starting in May 2023 and the infection prevention measures implemented to control it.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary infectious disease hospital in Bucharest, Romania. An observational audit of the blood culture collection practice in our hospital was performed, and the materials used during blood culture collection were sampled. Bacterial colonies were identified using MALDI Biotyper. The Bacillaceae blood culture positivity rates in the previous four years were compared using the Kruskal‒Wallis rank test.

Results

Bacillaceae spp.-positive blood cultures were recovered from 60 patients over a five-month period. In the case of 58 patients, Bacillaceae spp.-positive blood cultures were considered contaminated. Two patients were treated for Bacillus spp. bacteraemia. The audit revealed significant variation during the preparation of the venipuncture site step and the use of nonsterile medical cotton wool. Medical cotton wool contaminated with species of Bacillaceae was found in 10 out of 12 wards. The control measures included repeated training on the blood culture collection procedure and the removal of Bacillaceae spp.-contaminated cotton wool.

Conclusions

The pseudo-outbreak was caused by the unjustified use of medical cotton wool for disinfection of the skin and blood culture bottle septums. The investigation of this pseudo-outbreak highlighted a gap in blood culture collection practices at our facility and thus allowed for its improvement.
Comparative and international education: Equality in the opportunity to publish
Authors: Heyneman Stephen P.
Published: September 2024

This viewpoint outlines a new direction for foreign assistance in international and comparative education, aiming to equalize opportunities for contributing to education scholarship and policy analysis from universities and think tanks in low- and middle-income countries
Ireland’s Mental Health Bill 2024: progress, problems and Procrustean perils
Authors: Kelly Brendan D.
Published: September 2024

Background

Ireland’s Mental Health Bill 2024 proposes the most significant revision of mental health legislation since the Mental Health Act 2001.

Aims

To explore the 2024 Bill and provide suggestions for the subsequent Act.

Methods

Review of the 2024 Bill and related literature.

Results

The 2024 Bill proposes useful new definitions (e.g., ‘mental disorder’, ‘treatment’) and provisions governing specific practices (e.g., ‘physical restraint’). Revision is needed to better provide care and protect rights: (a) proposed treatment criteria for involuntary admission should be retained, but ‘risk’ criteria deleted; (b) treatment provisions should ensure mental health legislation provides for timely, accountable treatment for all patients; (c) detailed provisions about the content of treatment plans do not belong in primary legislation, which is ill-suited to micro-managing individual care and (d) the Mental Health Commission should be incorporated into the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Conclusions

The 2024 Bill proposes useful changes but requires revision, especially for involuntary patients who lack decision-making capacity and decline care, for whom the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 does not (and was not designed to) provide solutions. Relying on a convoluted combination of the 2015 Act, Circuit Court and High Court would be legally impossible, clinically impracticable and de facto denial of the rights of people with serious mental illness and their families. The final Act can accord with principles of the 2015 Act without relying on its provisions and should benefit patients and support staff in delivering mental health care that is essential and often life-saving.