bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of centrifugation time and pneumatic tube transport on plasma concentrations of direct oral anticoagulants
Authors: Roginski Emma , Nissen Peter H. , Hojbjerg Johanne Andersen , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Hvas Anne‐Mette
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Rapid results are needed when plasma concentrations of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are required in acute clinical settings. We evaluated the impact of centrifugation time and pneumatic tube transport on DOAC plasma concentrations with the overall aim of reducing turnaround time.

Methods

Blood samples were spiked with rivaroxaban, apixaban or dabigatran in a low and a high concentration prior to centrifugation for 25 minutes (3163 g) or 5 minutes (3000 g) (n = 20 for each DOAC). Both samples spiked with DOACs (n = 20 for each DOAC) and patient samples (n = 25 in total) were transported manually or by pneumatic tube system samples.

Results

For samples spiked with DOAC, statistically significant differences in DOAC plasma concentrations were found between centrifugation times for rivaroxaban in low (P < .05) and high (P < .05) concentrations. Relative bias was below 9% for all DOACs. Statistically significant differences were found between modes of transportation for rivaroxaban (P < .01) and dabigatran (P < .01) in high concentrations. Relative bias was 4%‐23% for all DOACs. For patient samples, no statistically significant differences were found between modes of transportation, and relative bias was below 12% for all DOACs.

Conclusion

Minor, clinically insignificant, differences regarding centrifugation times were found in DOAC plasma concentrations. Importantly, no significant differences were found according to transportation modes for samples collected from patients. Although statistically significant differences were found depending on mode of transportation of spiked samples, relative bias was clinically acceptable. Thus, reduced centrifugation time and pneumatic tube transport should be considered to reduce turnaround time for rapid measurement of DOAC plasma concentrations.
Impact of flash glucose monitoring on glycemic control varies with the age and residual β‐cell function of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Liyin , Xu Yaling , Jiang Xiaofang , Wu Jieru , Liu Fang , Fan Li , Li Xia , Yin Guangming , Yang Lin
Published: October 2021

Aims/Introduction

We aimed to explore the clinical factors associated with glycemic variability (GV) assessed with flash glucose monitoring (FGM), and investigate the impact of FGM on glycemic control among Chinese type 1 diabetes mellitus patients in a real‐life clinical setting.

Materials and Methods

A total of 171 patients were included. GV was assessed from FGM data. A total of 110 patients wore FGM continuously for 6 months (longitudinal cohort). Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting and 2‐h postprandial C‐peptide, and glucose profiles were collected. Changes in HbA1c and glycemic parameters were assessed during a 6‐month FGM period.

Results

Individuals with high residual C‐peptide (HRCP; 2‐h postprandial C‐peptide >200 pmol/L) had less GV than patients with low residual C‐peptide ( 2‐h postprandial C‐peptide ≤200 pmol/L; P < 0.001). In the longitudinal cohort (n = 110), HbA1c and mean glucose decreased, time in range (TIR) increased during the follow‐up period (P < 0.05). The 110 patients were further divided into age and residual C‐peptide subgroups: (i) HbA1c and mean glucose were reduced significantly only in the subgroup aged ≤14 years during the follow‐up period, whereas time below range also increased in this subgroup at 3 months (P = 0.047); and (ii) HbA1c improved in the HRCP subgroup at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). The mean glucose decreased and TIR improved significantly in the low residual C‐peptide subgroup; however, TIR was still lower and time below range was higher than those of the HRCP subgroup at all time points (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

HRCP was associated with less GV. FGM wearing significantly reduced HbA1c, especially in pediatric patients and those with HRCP. Additionally, the mean glucose and TIR were also found to improve.
Knockdown of lncRNA IGF2BP2‐AS1 inhibits proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Tong Shuqing , Wang Xiaoyang , Guo Xiangrui , Lu Zhiming
Published: October 2021

Background

Long non‐coding RNA IGF2BP2 antisense RNA1 (lncRNA IGF2BP2‐AS1) has been used to predict the overall survival rate of lung squamous cell carcinoma. This research aims to investigate the effect of IGF2BP2‐AS1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods

The TCGA database was applied to evaluate the level of IGF2BP2‐AS1 and its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC. The levels of IGF2BP2‐AS1 in 30 OSCC and 20 normal tissue samples were detected by RT‐qPCR. The distributions of IGF2BP2‐AS1 in two OSCC cell lines (ie, Cal27 and SCC9) were detected by FISH. Colony formation, flow cytometry, wound‐healing, transwell, and Western blotting analyses were used for evaluating the effect of IGF2BP2‐AS1 on OSCC progression.

Results

In comparison with the normal tissue samples, OSCC showed higher expression of IGF2BP2‐AS1. High expression of IGF2BP2‐AS1 was associated with poor survival in OSCC patients. Results of FISH showed that IGF2BP2‐AS1 was mainly present in the cytoplasm. Further in vitro functional tests demonstrated that downregulation of IGF2BP2‐AS1 in Cal27 and SCC9 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration, leading to cell‐cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Western blotting showed that expressions of β‐catenin, Cyclin D1, Bcl‐2, and MMP2 were downregulated, whereas Bax was upregulated following knockdown of IGF2BP2‐AS1. The inhibitory effect of knockdown of IGF2BP2‐AS1 on migration could be partially reversed by the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway stimulator LiCl.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that knockdown of IGF2BP2‐AS1 suppresses cell growth, migration and promotes apoptosis in OSCC cells, providing a new molecular target for OSCC.
A procedure to model and design elastomeric‐based isolation systems for the seismic protection of rocking art objects
Authors: Pellecchia Davide , Lo Feudo Stefania , Vaiana Nicolò , Dion Jean‐Luc , Rosati Luciano
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates the rocking behavior of rigid bodies seismically protected by means of lead rubber bearings and high damping rubber bearings, which are the most popular kinds of elastomeric isolators in the market. The complex nonlinear force–displacement relationship displayed by such devices is predicted by a phenomenological model based on a small set of parameters having a clear mechanical meaning. The algebraic nature of the proposed hysteretic model makes it suitable for a design procedure, using an energy‐based approach, that allows one to obtain the hysteretic model parameters on the basis of the mass and the isolation period. Overturning spectra are evaluated and discussed to illustrate the effect of the isolation devices on the rigid bodies' rocking behavior. Furthermore, nonlinear time history analyses associated with six real earthquakes are carried out on six of Michelangelo's sculptures, located in the Galleria dei Prigioni at the Accademia Gallery of Florence, in order to examine their actual behavior under real strong ground motions.
Accumulation of 22 kDa α‐zein‐mediated nonzein protein in protein body of maize endosperm
Authors: Feng Yang , Ma Yafei , Feng Fan , Chen Xinze , Qi Weiwei , Ma Zeyang , Song Rentao
Published: October 2021

Protein bodies (PBs), the major protein storage organelle in maize (Zea mays) endosperm, comprise zeins and numerous nonzein proteins (NZPs). Unlike zeins, how NZPs accumulate in PBs remains unclear.

We characterized a maize miniature kernel mutant, mn*, that produces small kernels and is embryo‐lethal. After cloning the Mn* locus, we determined that it encodes the mitochondrial 50S ribosomal protein L10 (mRPL10). MN* localized to mitochondria and PBs as an NZP; therefore, we renamed MN* Non‐zein Protein 1 (NZP1). Like other mutations affecting mitochondrial proteins, mn* impaired mitochondrial function and morphology.

To investigate its accumulation mechanism to PBs, we performed protein interaction assays between major zein proteins and NZP1, and found that NZP1 interacts with 22 kDa α‐zein. Levels of NZP1 and 22 kDa α‐zein in various opaque mutants were correlated. Furthermore, NZP1 accumulation in induced PBs depended on its interaction with 22 kDa α‐zein. Comparative proteomic analysis of PBs between wild‐type and opaque2 revealed additional NZPs. A new NZP with plastidial localization was also found to accumulate in induced PBs via interaction with 22 kDa α‐zein.

This study thus reveals a mechanism for accumulation of NZPs in PBs and suggests a potential application for the accumulation of foreign proteins in maize PBs.
A rare and unusual laryngeal complication following lingual nerve block: A case report and literature review
Authors: Dais Panayotis , Nikolaidou Aikaterini , Axioti Anna‐Maria , Alexopoulou Maria
Published: October 2021

Local anaesthesia (LA) is the standard of care in adequate pain control during routine dental practice as well as minor oral surgery procedures. Thus, LA offers pain control and comfort to the patient, enabling the clinician to perform the scheduled procedure with confidence and patient safety. The present case report describes the rare complication of vocal cord paralysis following a lingual nerve block.
“Success” in policy piloting: Process, programs, and politics
Authors: Checkland Kath , Hammond Jonathan , Coleman Anna , Macinnes Julie , Mikelyte Rasa , Croke Sarah , Billings Jenny , Bailey Simon , Allen Pauline
Published: October 2021

Research has demonstrated that pilots contain multiple shifting purposes, not all of which relate to simple policy testing or refinement. Judging the success of policy pilots is therefore complex, requiring more than a simple judgment against declared goals. Marsh and McConnell provide a framework against which policy success can be judged, distinguishing program success from process and political success. We adapt Boven's modification of this framework and apply it to policy pilots, arguing that pilot process, outcomes and longer‐term effects can all be judged in both program and political terms. We test this new framework in a pilot program in the English National Health Service, the Vanguard program, showing how consideration of these different aspects of success sheds light on the program and its aftermath. We consider the implications of the framework for the comprehensive and multifaceted evaluation of policy pilots.
Non‐uniform excitation of the pectoralis major muscle during flat and inclined bench press exercises
Authors: Cabral Hélio V. , de Souza Leonardo M. L. , de Oliveira Liliam F. , Vieira Taian M.
Published: October 2021

Non‐physiological sources may lead to equivocal interpretation on the degree of muscle excitation from electromyograms (EMGs) amplitude. This presumably explains the contradictory findings regarding the effect of the bench press inclination on the pectoralis major (PM) activation pattern. To contend with these issues, herein we used high‐density surface EMG to investigate whether different PM regions are excited during the flat and 45° inclined bench press exercises. Single‐differential EMGs were collected from 15 regions along the PM cranio‐caudal axis, while 8 volunteers performed a set of the flat and 45° inclined bench press at 50% and 70% of 1 repetition maximum. The coefficient of variation, the range of motion, and the cycle duration were calculated from the barbell vertical position to assess the within‐subject consistency across cycles. The number of channels detecting the largest EMGs amplitude (active channels), their interquartile range, and their barycentre coordinate were assessed to characterize the EMG amplitude distribution within PM. No significant differences in the range of motion (p > 0.11), cycle duration (p > 0.28), number of active channels (p > 0.05), and interquartile range of active channels (p > 0.39) were observed between the two bench press inclinations. Conversely, the barycentre shifted toward the PM clavicular region (p < 0.001) when the bench press changed from flat to 45°. Our results revealed that greatest EMG amplitudes were concentrated at the PM sternocostal and clavicular heads when exercising in the flat and 45° inclined bench press, respectively. Performing the bench press exercise, with different postures, seem to demand the excitation of different PM regions.
Alcances y límites del "método de dramatización" en Diferencia y repetición
Authors: Alvarado Castillo Nicolás
Published: October 2021

Un momento central en el desarrollo de Diferencia y repetición de Gilles Deleuze está marcado por la introducción, en el contexto de la discusión sobre la síntesis asimétrica de lo sensible, de los conceptos de spatium y de cantidades intensivas. La descripción de las características de este campo de individuación y del tipo de entidades que lo pueblan resulta indispensable para pensar la relación entre los elementos diferenciales que componen las ideas y los estados de cosas en los que estas se encarnan. O, lo que es lo mismo, para definir el paso de lo virtual a lo actual es necesario hacer intervenir la imagen de un “principio trascendental no divisible” como escenario en donde ciertos agentes –los dinamismos espaciotemporales– juegan el rol de principio genético de la realidad extensa, deter- minada según la cantidad y la cualidad. Este proceso dinámico es lo que Deleuze llama “método de dramatización”. Ahora bien, esta referencia al teatro, aunque central en la economía del libro, es particularmente oscura y elíptica. El objetivo de este artículo es aclarar cuál es el posible sentido de esta referencia y cuál es alcance general del vínculo entre la individuación y el teatro. Para cumplir ese propósito, examinaremos con especial atención el uso que Deleuze hace de las categorías poetológicas de Friedrich Hölderlin en su descripción de la tercera síntesis pasiva del tiempo.
Contrapunteo Deleuze-Guattari / Benítez Rojo. Diferencia y repetición de la isla en la Geofilosofía del Caribe
Authors: Boyer Hernández Amalia
Published: October 2021

En este artículo abordaré las relaciones entre la filosofía de Deleuze y Guattari y el pensamiento del Caribe hispano. En particular, abordaré el ensayo de Antonio Benítez Rojo La isla que se repite (1998) por haber encontrado en él la presencia, pero sobre todo la expresión, de algunos conceptos deleuzianos y deleuzo-guattarianos. Me serviré del concepto deleuziano de repetición para defender esta posición, así como para argumentar que se puede encontrar en autores del Caribe tales como Benítez Rojo algunas de las lecturas más interesantes de la obra de Deleuze y Guattari, a pesar, o más bien, gracias al hecho de que este no es su objetivo. No se tratará aquí de medir las consistencias o inconsistencias de apropiaciones siguiendo una lógica del original versus la copia, sino más bien de desestabilizar las fronteras entre filosofía y literatura, por un lado, y por otro las supuestas fronteras entre pensamiento francés, occidental, del centro o del norte y pensamiento caribeño, no-occidental, de los márgenes o del sur. Se propone, entonces, un contrapunteo entre dos imágenes del pensamiento, una deleuziana, la otra caribeña. Tomamos este camino con la certeza de que haremos un encuentro que le promete aún otro devenir a la filosofía de Gilles Deleuze.
Diferencia y repetición: preludios en la matemática moderna y ecos en la matemática contemporánea
Authors: Zalamea Fernando
Published: October 2021

Se estudian todas las apariciones de la matemática moderna en Diferencia y repetición, y se explica cómo, a partir de ellas, Deleuze construye una “síntesis ideal de la diferencia”, que supera las perspectivas reduccionistas usuales de sus comentadores posteriores.
La diferencia interna
Authors: Chaparro Amaya Adolfo
Published: October 2021

En este artículo se exploran las fuentes del concepto de diferencia establecido por Deleuze y, en particular, la idea de una diferencia no fenomenológica, entendida como diferencia interna. En la primera parte, se rastrea la apropiación que Deleuze hace de los conceptos de memoria y duración propuestos por Bergson, como si allí hubiera una respuesta a la sistematización heideggeriana de Nietzsche, abriendo el concepto de fuerzas a otros como heterogeneidad, relatividad y multiplicidad. En la segunda parte se aborda la hipótesis según la cual de la inmersión en las síntesis bergsonianas del tiempo surge (i) la justificación para la reformulación del eterno retorno desde la repetición, (ii) el problema propiamente deleuziano de la diferencia interna y (iii) el concepto de virtual como la cifra definitiva de un nuevo plano de inmanencia para el pensamiento. Finalmente, a modo de conclusión, se presenta la diferencia interna desde el afuera que la desborda y la hace mutar en el conjunto de la filosofía deleuziana.
Materiales para una aproximación al escotismo de Gilles Deleuze: univocidad del ser y modo intrínseco en Diferencia y repetición
Authors: Salinas Leal Héctor Hernando
Published: October 2021

En este artículo se esboza la presencia del pensamiento de Juan Duns Escoto en Diferencia y repetición de Gilles Deleuze, teniendo como centro el análisis de los conceptos de “ser unívoco” y “modo intrínseco”. La novedad del trabajo descansa en la preocupación por situar claramente el lugar de emergencia de la tesis sobre la univocidad del ser y la teoría del modo intrínseco que la acompaña en la obra de Duns Escoto, con el objetivo de determinar el horizonte de apropiación y el desplazamiento conceptual operados por Gilles Deleuze en su propia obra.
Pascal, inquietud y deseo
Authors: Vernazza Diego
Published: October 2021

Este artículo no versa sobre la apología pascaliana del cristianismo, no al menos en tanto tal, sino sobre aquello que ese sujeto inquieto, falto de infinito, que es Blaise Pascal, puede decirnos sobre la relación entre la inquietud y el deseo. Nos interesa aquí Pascal, también, porque sus textos, en su fragmentación misma, permiten pensar las aporías de un sujeto que llamamos, por hábitos académicos, pero también políticos, moderno, arropando bajo ese término un tiempo donde Dios se ha hecho presente, ante todo, como falta.
Toom, Tarmo (Ed.). (2020) The Cambridge Companion to Augustine’s Confessions.
Authors: Flórez Flórez Alfonso
Published: October 2021

Reseña de Tarmo Toom (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Augustine’s Confessions , Cambridge University Press, 2020, 340 pp.
Planar figure-8 coils for ultra-focal and directional micromagnetic brain stimulation
Authors: Jeong Hongbae , Deng Jiangdong , Bonmassar Giorgio
Published: October 2021

Recently, white-matter fiber tract pathways carrying neural signals through the brain were shown to follow curved, orthogonal grids. This study focuses on how these white-matter fibers may be selectively excited using micromagnetic stimulation (μMS), a new type of neuronal stimulation, which generates microscopic eddy currents capable of directionally activating neurons. One of the most remarkable properties of this novel type of stimulation is that the μMS fields provide unique directional activation of neuronal elements not seen with traditional electrical stimulation. An initial prototype built with SU-8 based photolithography technology shows that the structure can be fabricated. The coil design was optimized through electrical resistance calculations and electric field simulations to elicit the brain's maximal focal and directional neural responses.
Widespread vulnerability of flowering plant seed production to pollinator declines
Authors: Rodger James G. , Bennett Joanne M. , Razanajatovo Mialy , Knight Tiffany M. , van Kleunen Mark , Ashman Tia-Lynn , Steets Janette A. , Hui Cang , Arceo-Gómez Gerardo , Burd Martin , Burkle Laura A. , Burns Jean H. , Durka Walter , Freitas Leandro , Kemp Jurene E. , Li Junmin , Pauw Anton , Vamosi Jana C. , Wolowski Marina , Xia Jing , Ellis Allan G.
Published: October 2021

A global dataset shows that animal pollinators are crucial for reproduction in half of wild flowering plants.
Deformation of microtubules regulates translocation dynamics of kinesin
Authors: Nasrin Syeda Rubaiya , Ganser Christian , Nishikawa Seiji , Kabir Arif Md. Rashedul , Sada Kazuki , Yamashita Takefumi , Ikeguchi Mitsunori , Uchihashi Takayuki , Hess Henry , Kakugo Akira
Published: October 2021

Microtubules work as mechanotransducer to regulate translocation of kinesins.
Insertional activation of
STAT3
and
LCK
by HIV-1 proviruses in T cell lymphomas
Authors: Mellors John W. , Guo Shuang , Naqvi Asma , Brandt Leah D. , Su Ling , Sun Zhonghe , Joseph Kevin W. , Demirov Dimiter , Halvas Elias K. , Butcher Donna , Scott Beth , Hamilton Aaron , Heil Marintha , Karim Baktiar , Wu Xiaolin , Hughes Stephen H.
Published: October 2021

HIV-1 proviruses in the first introns of
STAT3
and
LCK
can contribute to the development of T cell lymphomas.
Microglial activation states drive glucose uptake and FDG-PET alterations in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Xiang Xianyuan , Wind Karin , Wiedemann Thomas , Blume Tanja , Shi Yuan , Briel Nils , Beyer Leonie , Biechele Gloria , Eckenweber Florian , Zatcepin Artem , Lammich Sven , Ribicic Sara , Tahirovic Sabina , Willem Michael , Deussing Maximilian , Palleis Carla , Rauchmann Boris-Stephan , Gildehaus Franz-Josef , Lindner Simon , Spitz Charlotte , Franzmeier Nicolai , Baumann Karlheinz , Rominger Axel , Bartenstein Peter , Ziegler Sibylle , Drzezga Alexander , Respondek Gesine , Buerger Katharina , Perneczky Robert , Levin Johannes , Höglinger Günter U. , Herms Jochen , Haass Christian , Brendel Matthias
Published: October 2021

FDG-PET shows that microglial activation might drive cerebral glucose uptake in mice and patients with AD.
Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of Porcine Parvovirus NS1 Protein Mediated by the CRM1 Nuclear Export Pathway and the Importin α/β Nuclear Import Pathway
Authors: Cao Liyan , Fu Fang , Chen Jianfei , Shi Hongyan , Zhang Xin , Liu Jianbo , Shi Da , Huang Yong , Tong Dewen , Feng Li
Published: October 2021

PPV replicates in the nucleus, and the nuclear envelope is a barrier to its entry into and egress from the nucleus. PPV NS1 is a nucleus-targeting protein that is important for viral DNA replication.
Why Is the Biodegradation of Polyfluorinated Compounds So Rare?
Authors: Wackett Lawrence P.
Published: October 2021

Thousands of heavily fluorinated chemicals are found in the environment, impact human and ecosystem health, and are relatively resistant to biological and chemical degradation. Their persistence in the environment is due to the inability of most microorganisms to biodegrade them.
Greenhead (Tabanus nigrovittatus)
Wolbachia
and Its Microbiome: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Lefoulon Emilie , Truchon Alex , Clark Travis , Long Courtney , Frey Daniel , Slatko Barton E.
Published: October 2021

Tabanus nigrovittatus
greenhead populations contain two supergroups of
Wolbachia
endosymbionts, members of supergroups A and B. Analysis of the greenhead microbiome using next-generation sequencing revealed that the majority of bacterial species detected belonged to
Gammaproteobacteria
, with most of the samples also showing the presence of
Spiroplasma
, a member of the
Mollicutes
phylum also known to infect insects.
Oleate Hydratase in Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.
bulgaricus
LBP UFSC 2230 Catalyzes the Reversible Conversion between Linoleic Acid and Ricinoleic Acid
Authors: Kuhl Gabriela Christina , Mazzon Ricardo Ruiz , Simas Porto Brenda Lee , Zamboni Madaloz Tâmela , Razzera Guilherme , Patricio Daniel De Oliveira , Linehan Kevin , Ahern Grace , Mathur Harsh , Ross Paul , Stanton Catherine , De Dea Lindner Juliano
Published: October 2021

This study provides insight into the enzymatic mechanism of CLA synthesis in
L. delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
and broadens our understanding of the bioconversion of LA and RA by OleH. The impact of OleH on the production of the
c
9,
t
11 CLA isomer and stress tolerance by
E. coli
has been assisted.
Cardiac abnormalities in athletes after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review
Authors: van Hattum Juliette C , Spies Jessica L , Verwijs Sjoerd M , Verwoert Germaine C , Planken R Nils , Boekholdt S Matthijs , Groenink Maarten , Malekzadeh Arjan , Pinto Yigal M , Wilde Arthur A M , Jorstad Harald T
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Quantification of pericardial/myocardial involvement and risks of sudden cardiac arrest/sudden cardiac death (SCA/SCD) after SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes who return to sports.

Design

Systematic review on post-SARS-CoV-2 infection pericardial/myocardial manifestations in athletes.

Data sources

Combinations of key terms in Medline, Embase and Scopus (through 2 June 2021).

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Inclusion: athletes, with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) or echocardiography after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, including arrhythmia outcomes. Exclusion: study population ≥1 individual comorbidity and mean age <18 or >64 years. Quality assessment was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools checklists.

Results

In total, 12 manuscripts (1650 papers reviewed) comprising 3131 athletes (2198 college/student athletes, 879 professional athletes and 54 elite athletes) were included. The prevalence of myocarditis on echocardiography and/or CMR was 0%–15%, pericardial effusion 0%–58% and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) 0%–46%. Weighted means of diagnosed myocarditis were 2.1% in college/student athletes and 0% in elite athletes. The prevalence of LGE was markedly lower in studies with high-quality assessment scores (3%–4%) versus low scores (38%–42%). A single study reported reversibility of myocardial involvement in 40.7%. No important arrhythmias were reported. Ten studies (n=4171) reporting postrecovery troponin T/I found no clear relationship with cardiac abnormalities.

Summary/conclusion

Athletes have an overall low risk of SARS-CoV-2 pericardial/myocardial involvement, arrhythmias and SCA/SCD. Rates of pericardial/myocardial abnormalities in athletes are highly variable and dependent on study quality. Troponin screenings seem unreliable to identify athletes at risk for myocardial involvement. Prospective athlete studies, with pre-SARS-CoV-2 imaging (CMR), including structured follow-up and arrhythmia monitoring, are urgently needed.
Bremelanotide and flibanserin for low sexual desire in women: the fallacy of regulatory precedent
Authors: Mintzes Barbara , Tiefer Leonore , Cosgrove Lisa
Published: October 2021

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two drugs for ‘hypoactive sexual desire disorder’ in women, flibanserin (Addyi) in 2015 and bremelanotide (Vyleesi) in 2019. In this paper we examine the outcome measures and clinical trial data upon which regulatory approval was based. In clinical trials, flibanserin led to an average of only one additional enjoyable sexual experience every two months, bremelanotide to none. Trials for both drugs feature shifts in primary outcomes and a contested indication. A politicised industry-sponsored advocacy campaign and conflicted patient and expert testimony likely influenced flibanserin’s approval at its third attempt. Bremelanotide, with even weaker efficacy, capitalised on the regulatory precedent set by the approval of flibanserin. Reconsideration of regulatory decisions to approve these drugs is in order, as well as a broader examination of how future regulatory decisions can better address conflicts of interest and clinically meaningful benefit.
Influenza vaccine and risk of acute myocardial infarction in a population-based case–control study
Authors: de Abajo Francisco José , Rodríguez-Martín Sara , Barreira Diana , Rodríguez-Miguel Antonio , Fernández-Antón Encarnación , Gil Miguel , García-Lledó Alberto
Published: October 2021

Objective

To assess the relationship between influenza vaccination and risk of a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the general population by different epidemic periods.

Methods

This is a population-based case–control study carried out in BIFAP (Base de datos para la investigación farmacoepidemiológica en atención primaria), over 2001–2015, in patients aged 40–99 years. Per each incident AMI case, five controls were randomly selected, individually matched for exact age, sex and index date (AMI diagnosis). A patient was considered vaccinated when he/she had a recorded influenza vaccination at least 14 days before the index date within the same season. The association between influenza vaccination and AMI risk was assessed through a conditional logistic regression, computing adjusted ORs (AOR) and their respective 95% CIs. The analysis was performed overall and by each of the three time epidemic periods per study year (pre-epidemic, epidemic and postepidemic).

Results

We identified 24 155 AMI cases and 120 775 matched controls. Of them, 31.4% and 31.2%, respectively, were vaccinated, yielding an AOR of 0.85 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.88). No effect modification by sex, age and background cardiovascular risk was observed. The reduced risk of AMI was observed shortly after vaccination and persisted over time. Similar results were obtained during the pre-epidemic (AOR=0.87; 95% CI 0.79 to 0.95), epidemic (AOR=0.89; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.96) and postepidemic (AOR=0.83; 95% CI 0.79 to 0.87) periods. No association was found with pneumococcal vaccine (AOR=1.10; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.15).

Conclusions

Results are compatible with a moderate protective effect of influenza vaccine on AMI in the general population, mostly in primary prevention, although bias due to unmeasured confounders may partly account for the results.
Single-cell sequencing reveals antitumor characteristics of intratumoral immune cells in old mice
Authors: Zhang Cangang , Lei Lei , Yang Xiaofeng , Ma Kaili , Zheng Huiqiang , Su Yanhong , Jiao Anjun , Wang Xin , Liu Haiyan , Zou Yujing , Shi Lin , Zhou Xiaobo , Sun Chenming , Hou Yuzhu , Xiao Zhengtao , Zhang Lianjun , Zhang Baojun
Published: October 2021

Background

Aging has long been thought to be a major risk factor for various types of cancers. However, accumulating evidence indicates increased resistance of old animals to tumor growth. An in-depth understanding of how old individuals defend against tumor invasion requires further investigations.

Methods

We revealed age-associated alterations in tumor-infiltrating immune cells between young and old mice using single-cell RNA and coupled T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing analysis. Multiple bioinformatics methods were adopted to analyze the characteristics of the transcriptome between two groups. To explore the impacts of young and old CD8+ T cells on tumor growth, mice were treated with anti-CD8 antibody every 3 days starting 7 days after tumor inoculation. Flow cytometry was used to validate the differences indicated by sequencing analysis between young and old mice.

Results

We found a higher proportion of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, naturally occurring Tregs, conventional dendritic cell (DC), and M1-like macrophages in tumors of old mice compared with a higher percentage of exhausted CD8+ T cells, induced Tregs, plasmacytoid DC, and M2-like macrophages in young mice. Importantly, TCR diversity analysis showed that top 10 TCR clones consisted primarily of exhausted CD8+ T cells in young mice whereas top clones were predominantly cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in old mice. Old mice had more CD8+ T cells with a ‘progenitor’ and less ‘terminally’ exhausted phenotypes than young mice. Consistently, trajectory inference demonstrated that CD8+ T cells preferentially differentiated into cytotoxic cells in old mice in contrast to exhausted cells in young mice. Importantly, elimination of CD8+ T cells in old mice during tumor growth significantly accelerated tumor development. Moreover, senescent features were demonstrated in exhausted but not cytotoxic CD8+ T cells regardless of young and old mice.

Conclusions

Our data revealed that a significantly higher proportion of effector immune cells in old mice defends against tumor progression, providing insights into understanding the altered kinetics of cancer development and the differential response to immunotherapeutic modulation in elderly patients.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement using the iSleeve expandable sheath in small femoral arteries
Authors: Glaser Natalie , O'Sullivan Crochan J. , Saleh Nawzad , Verouhis Dinos , Settergren Magnus , Linder Rickard , Rück Andreas
Published: October 2021

Background

Small femoral arteries have been associated with a higher risk of vascular complications in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We investigated the feasibility and safety of TAVR in patients with small femoral arteries.

Methods

In this observational study, we included 82 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR with the ACURATE neo system using the expandable 14F iSleeve sheath between 2018 and 2019 at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. Of these, 41 patients had a minimal femoral artery diameter of ≥5.5 mm (mean 6.5, range 5.5–9.2), and 41 patients had a minimal femoral artery diameter <5.5 mm (mean 4.9, range 3.9–5.4).

Results

There was no significant difference in major vascular and bleeding complications between the small femoral artery group (7%) and the normal femoral artery group (2%) (p=0.62). The total of major and minor vascular complications did not differ significantly according to femoral artery size (17% vs 5%) (p=0.16). The iSleeve sheath was not correlated with any of the complications. The use of the iSleeve sheath was unsuccessful in four patients (5%), of which one patient had a small femoral artery diameter.

Conclusion

Transfemoral TAVR with the ACURATE neo system using the iSleeve sheath is a promising method for patients with small femoral arteries even though we found a trend towards higher rates of complications in these patients. The use of expandable sheaths may expand the spectrum of patients that can be treated with transfemoral TAVR, and thus may improve the prognosis in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.
Nationwide prevalence and characteristics of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in Sweden
Authors: Lauppe Rosa Elisabeth , Liseth Hansen Johan , Gerdesköld Christian , Rozenbaum Mark H , Strand Anne Mette , Vakevainen Merja , Kuusisto Johanna , Gude Einar , Gustafsson Finn , Smith J Gustav
Published: October 2021

Objective

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a rare, progressive and fatal condition caused by deposition of transthyretin amyloid fibrils in the heart. This study aims to identify all patients diagnosed with ATTR-CM in Sweden, estimate the prevalence of ATTR-CM, describe patient characteristics and mortality, assess the importance of early symptoms (red flags) for identification of ATTR-CM, and compare with patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods

This retrospective study combined multiple national health registers covering all specialist visits and prescriptions for the entire population of Sweden. Between January 2008 and December 2018, patients with ATTR-CM were identified retrospectively based on a combination of diagnosis codes and compared with matched, all-cause non-ATTR HF patients.

Results

Overall, a total of 994 patients diagnosed with ATTR-CM were identified, with an average age at diagnosis of 73 years, and 30% of whom were female. The prevalence of diagnosed ATTR-CM cases in 2018 was 5.0 per 100 000. The median survival from diagnosis was 37.6 months (CI 33.8 to 43.8), with a lower median survival in women (27.9 months, CI 23.3 to 33.8) compared with men (43.5 months, CI 37.6 to 49.6). Patients with ATTR-CM demonstrated reduced survival compared with patients with HF (p<0.001). Compared with patients with HF, clinical identification of carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal stenosis, and atrioventricular and left bundle branch block can facilitate earlier diagnosis of ATTR-CM.

Conclusions

This study provides the first nationwide estimates of ATTR-CM prevalence and risk factors. The results reinforce the severity of the disease and the importance of earlier diagnosis, especially for female patients, in order to allow effective treatment and prevention of disease progression.
WSDM'21
Authors: Carmel David , Lewin-Eytan Liane , Yom-Tov Elad , Agichtein Eugene , Gabrilovich Evgeniy
Published: October 2021

The ACM International Conference on Web Search and Data Mining (WSDM) is one of the premier conferences on web-related research involving web search and data mining, with a dynamic and growing community from academia and industry. This year, WSDM was held virtually on March 8th -- 12th, 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of the originally-planned location in Jerusalem, Israel. WSDM'21 program reflects the breadth and diversity of research in the field and showcases the latest developments in these domains.
Upcoming SIGWEB supported conferences
Authors: Roßner Daniel
Published: October 2021

The Special Interest Group on Hypertext and the Web, SIGWEB was created in 1989 to support the community participating in the annual ACM Hypertext Conference. In its fourth decade, SIGWEB continues its efforts to support a wide range of communities and conferences. Recently, the Web Conference's legal and financial sponsorship was transferred to SIGWEB and thus joins the family of seven annual conferences in 2022. SIGWEB supports several specialized conferences, short courses, and workshops of different sizes, as well as the annual Hypertext Conference. SIGWEB sponsored conferences focus on timely topics in applied and computational hypertext and Web disciplines and provide a place for members and the entire applied Hypermedia and Web community to exchange ideas and to meet with and expand their network of colleagues. In this article, we provide a brief overview of SIGWEB sponsored conferences, in addition to events that are in cooperation with SIGWEB.

Due to the current Corona crisis, many event organizers opted for an online conference format or allow remote participation. These conferences are marked accordingly.
Flood Inundation Prediction
Authors: Bates Paul D.
Published: October 2021

Every year flood events lead to thousands of casualties and significant economic damage. Mapping the areas at risk of flooding is critical to reducing these losses, yet until the last few years such information was available for only a handful of well-studied locations. This review surveys recent progress to address this fundamental issue through a novel combination of appropriate physics, efficient numerical algorithms, high-performance computing, new sources of big data, and model automation frameworks. The review describes the fluid mechanics of inundation and the models used to predict it, before going on to consider the developments that have led in the last five years to the creation of the first true fluid mechanics models of flooding over the entire terrestrial land surface.
Adaptive Fault-Tolerant System and Optimal Power Allocation for Smart Vehicles in Smart Cities Using Controller Area Network
Authors: Biswal Anil Kumar , Singh Debabrata , Pattanayak Binod Kumar , Samanta Debabrata , Chaudhry Shehzad Ashraf , Irshad Azeem
Published: October 2021

Nowadays, the power consumption and dependable repeated data collection are causing the main issue for fault or collision in controller area network (CAN), which has a great impact for designing autonomous vehicle in smart cities. Whenever a smart vehicle is designed with several sensor nodes, Internet of Things (IoT) modules are linked through CAN for reliable transmission of a message for avoiding collision, but it is failed in communication due to delay and collision in communication of message frame from a source node to the destination. Generally, the emerging role of IoT and vehicles has undoubtedly brought a new path for tomorrow’s cities. The method proposed in this paper is used to gain fault-tolerant capability through Probabilistic Automatic Repeat Request (PARQ) and also Probabilistic Automatic Repeat Request (PARQ) with Fault Impact (PARQ-FI), in addition to providing optimal power allocation in CAN sensor nodes for enhancing the performance of the process and also significantly acting a role for making future smart cities. Several message frames are needed to be retransmitted on PARQ and fault impact (PARQ-FI) calculates the message with a response probability of each node.
Using Nonlinear Diffusion Model to Identify Music Signals
Authors: Li Qiang
Published: October 2021

In this paper, combined with the partial differential equation music signal smoothing model, a new music signal recognition model is proposed. Experimental results show that this model has the advantages of the above two models at the same time, which can remove noise and enhance music signals. This paper also studies the music signal recognition method based on the nonlinear diffusion model. By distinguishing the flat area and the boundary area of the music signal, a new diffusion coefficient equation is obtained by combining these two methods, and the corresponding partial differential equation is discretized by the finite difference method with numerical solution. The application of partial differential equations in music signal processing is a relatively new topic. Because it can accurately model the music signal, it solves many complicated problems in music signal processing. Then, we use the group shift Fourier transform (GSFT) to transform this partial differential equation into a linear homogeneous differential equation system, and then use the series to obtain the solution of the linear homogeneous differential equation system, and finally use the group shift inverse Fourier transform to obtain the noise frequency modulation time-dependent solution of the probability density function of the interference signal. This paper attempts to use the mathematical method of stochastic differentiation to solve the key problem of the time-dependent solution of the probability density function of noise interference signals and to study the application of random differentiation theory in radar interference signal processing and music signal processing. At the end of the thesis, the application of stochastic differentiation in the filtering processing of music signals is tried. According to the inherent self-similarity of the music signal system and the completeness and stability of the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) algorithm, a new kind of EMD music using stochastic differentiation is proposed for signal filtering algorithm. This improved anisotropic diffusion method can maintain and enhance the boundary while smoothing the music signal. The filtering results of the actual music signal show that the algorithm is effective.
Utilization of Waste Glass Powder and Glass Composite Fillers in Asphalt Pavements
Authors: Choudhary Jayvant , Kumar Brind , Gupta Ankit
Published: October 2021

Today, researchers around the globe are looking for suitable alternatives of conventional fillers which can form flexible pavements with satisfactory engineering performance in an environmental friendly and cost‐effective manner. This study investigated the engineering, economical, and environmental viability of recycling waste glass powder (GP) and glass‐hydrated lime (GL) composite as alternative fillers, in place of stone dust (SD). All fillers were characterized, and asphalt concrete mixes incorporating them at different proportions (4–8.5%) were designed using the Marshall mix design method. The engineering performance of asphalt mixes was analyzed using the static creep analysis, indirect tensile fatigue test, Cantabro test, modified Lottman test, resilient modulus test, mixing time analysis, and boiling water test. Additionally, the design of single km of two‐lane flexible pavements utilizing aforesaid mixes was done as per the mechanistically empirical method suggested in IRC 37 guideline. Finally, the economic and environmental analysis was done by comparing their material cost and global warming potential (GWP). GL and GP mixes exhibited better resistance against rutting, fatigue, and low temperature cracking at lower optimum asphalt content than SD mixes. However, GP mixes also displayed poor moisture resistance and adhesion due to the high amount of silica in GP. GL mixes had satisfactory moisture resistance up to 7% filler content due to the fine nature and anti‐stripping properties of hydrated lime. The pavement containing GL and GP fillers also reduced material cost and GWP up to 35% while consuming up to 74 tons of GP.
Phytogenic Synthesis and Characterization of NiO-ZnO Nanocomposite for the Photodegradation of Brilliant Green and 4-Nitrophenol
Authors: Haq Sirajul , Raja Aqsa Waheed , Rehman Sadiq Ur , Mezni Amine , Ben Ali Manel , Hedfi Amor , Shahzad Muhammad Imran , Rehman Wajid , Shahzad Nadia , Waseem Muhammad , Ahmad Pervaiz
Published: October 2021

The NiO-ZnO nanocomposite (NiO-ZnO NC) was synthesized by ecofriendly process by using Diospyros kaki (D. kaki) extract of leaves as reducing and capping agents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used for examined crystallinity, cell dimensions, and crystallite size (7.6 nm). To determine the purity of sample and weight percentage, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) is used. The surface morphology was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). By using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), functional groups in samples were determined. By using diffuse reflectance data (DRS), band gap energy calculated via Tauc plot was 3.23 eV. The photocatalytic activity was checked against brilliant green (BG) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and 92.5% and 69.7% of brilliant green (BG) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) were degraded with rate of degradation which were 0.0281 and 0.011 min−1.
Contribution to the Detection of Poor Quality Sildenafil Drugs in Burkina Faso Using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography
Authors: Sakira Abdoul Karim , Ouattara Mitéhélé Sandrine Marie Josiane , Yabre Moussa , Bande Moumouni , Some Touridomon Issa
Published: October 2021

In substandard drugs enforcement, there is a need to develop reliable, fast, and inexpensive analytical methods. Due to its very characteristics, HPTLC offers opportunities for the development of methods that meet these requirements. This technique was used to develop and validate a method for the determination of sildenafil in pharmaceutical formulations from the licit and illicit supply chain in Burkina Faso. Taking into account optimization parameters such as measurement wavelength and mobile phase composition, the best elution quality is found at the maximum signals of spots on silica plates at 305 nm, using a mixture of dichloromethane-methanol mixture 9 : 1 (v/v) proportions. The method developed under these conditions was validated using the accuracy profile as a decision tool. The establishment of the response function curves allowed the choice of the polynomial function applied to the peak areas. This mathematical model provides a validity range between 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL. The application of the developed and validated method to collected samples allowed the detection of two substandard drugs and confirmed the poor quality of drugs in the illicit market. More data using this approach in a variety of drug molecules could lead to the establishment of databases of counterfeit drugs in Burkina Faso.