bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence and risk factors for second malignancies among patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Zhang Yuhui , Han Yingdi , Teng Guangshuai , Du Chenxiao , Gao Shan , Yuan Weiping , Zhang Lei , Bai Jie
Published: February 2023

Objective

The clinical characteristics and survival of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) with secondary cancer were analyzed to explore the possible risk factors for secondary cancer in MPN patients.

Methods

The clinical characteristics of 1060 Chinese patients with MPN were retrospectively analyzed. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to analyze the survival. The Cox multivariate regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for developing secondary cancer in patients with MPNs.

Results

The 1060 patients with MPN had a median follow‐up of 10 years (range 1–50) and a median age of 55 years (range 21–86), and 497 (45.2%) were male. The proportion of PV, ET, and PMF was 52.2%, 33.5%, and 14.3%, respectively. About 28.1% (298/1060) of 1060 MPN patients died. The median survival times of the PV, ET, and PMF groups were 20, 24, and 12 years, respectively (p < 0.0001). In age‐ and sex‐matched healthy Chinese patients, the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) value of developing secondary cancer in MPN patients was 6.41 (95% CI: 4.90–9.48). The median survival time was 14 years in the MPN with secondary cancer group. The Cox multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years (p < 0.0001, HR = 5.027, 95% CI [2.823, 8.952]), MF‐1 (p = 0.001, HR = 2.887, 95% CI [1.503, 5.545]) were risk factors for developing secondary cancer.

Conclusions

The survival of MPN patients with secondary cancer was significantly worse than that of patients without secondary cancer. Compared with normal subjects, MPN patients had a 6.41‐fold increased risk of developing secondary cancer, and age ≥ 65 years and MF‐1 were risk factors for developing secondary cancer in MPN patients.
Thermally Activated vs. Photochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reactions–A Tale of Three Metals
Authors: Ončák Milan , Siu Chi‐Kit , van der Linde Christian , Kit Tang Wai , Beyer Martin K.
Published: February 2023

Molecular processes behind hydrogen evolution reactions can be quite complex. In macroscopic electrochemical cells, it is extremely difficult to elucidate and understand their mechanism. Gas phase models, consisting of a metal ion and a small number of water molecules, provide unique opportunities to understand the reaction pathways in great detail. Hydrogen evolution in clusters consisting of a singly charged metal ion and one to on the order of 50 water molecules has been studied extensively for magnesium, aluminum and vanadium. Such clusters with around 10–20 water molecules are known to eliminate atomic or molecular hydrogen upon mild activation by room temperature black‐body radiation. Irradiation with ultraviolet light, by contrast, enables hydrogen evolution already with a single water molecule. Here, we analyze and compare the reaction mechanisms for hydrogen evolution on the ground state as well as excited state potential energy surfaces. Five distinct mechanisms for evolution of atomic or molecular hydrogen are identified and characterized.
Glückauf Hinunter zu den salzigen Schätzen der Tiefe
Authors: Sicker Dieter
Published: February 2023

Glück auf mit diesem alten Bergmannsgruß wollen wir nun in Salzbergwerke einfahren. Der Gruß entstand im 16. Jahrhundert im Erzgebirge und verbreitete sich allgemein im Bergbau. Noch heute ist er dort üblich. Er betrifft sowohl den Wunsch, eine neue Erzader zu entdecken als auch den nach einem gesunden Ausfahren bei Schichtende. Dabei ist es egal, ob man zu Fuß über Leitern hinabsteigt oder mit einem Förderkorb einfährt. Im Erzgebirge gibt es übrigens nicht nur Erze. Wussten Sie, dass in den beiden sächsischen Steinkohlerevieren um Zwickau und Lugau‐Oelsnitz innerhalb von fast 1000 Jahren bis 1978 etwa 350 Mio. t Steinkohle aus einer Teufe (= Tiefe ab Erdoberfläche) bis zu 1200 m gefördert wurden? Aber hier geht es nur um den Salzbergbau.
Generalists and specialists: Two sides of the same coin for cancer care?
Authors: Nelson Bryn , Faquin William
Published: February 2023

This news section is written by a medical journalist and offers Cancer Cytopathology readers timely information on events, issues, and personalities of interest to the subspecialty. In this issue, a decline in generalists has specialists extending their reach and paying more attention to key generalist tools that they can tap.
Establishment of alfalfa interseeded into corn in response to one cycle of selection and hybridization
Authors: Grabber John H. , Riday Heathcliffe , Enjalbert Nicolas , Wagner Steven , Mickelson David
Published: February 2023

Intercropping alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in corn (Zea mays L.) can improve forage production, but wet growing conditions and high corn yields adversely impact alfalfa establishment. Therefore, we evaluated breeding alfalfa specifically for intercropping by selecting surviving plants from previous alfalfa varietal evaluations under corn and assigning them to five polycrosses to form cycle‐1 synthetics. Pollen from four polycrosses was also used to generate hybrid seed using a male‐sterility system. Corn was planted in May, intensively managed, and harvested for silage during September at Arlington and Prairie du Sac Wisconsin during 2019. Parental, polycross, and hybrid alfalfa entries were interseeded as swards between corn rows. Two subplots within each whole plot were treated with prohexadione, fungicide, and insecticide (PFI) or left as nontreated controls. Competition from high yielding corn combined with 43% above average precipitation during the growing season contributed to complete stand failure of nontreated alfalfa. Application of PFI improved foliar health, increased root mass, and enabled alfalfa establishment. Following corn silage harvest average stand density of PFI‐treated polycross entries was 35% greater than parental entries (105 vs. 78 plants m−2); broad‐sense heritability was 0.54. Overall, PFI‐treated polycross and hybrid entries had similar stand densities after corn, but posthoc comparisons indicated two hybrids had twofold greater stand density than parental entries. These results indicate plant selection can be highly effective for developing polycross and hybrid germplasm with improved survival under corn. Our findings should stimulate further breeding work to improve alfalfa and other forages for use in intercropping systems.
Supra‐physiological doses of anabolic androgenic steroids impact erythropoietin and blood parameters
Authors: Heiland Carmel E. , Schickel Yasmin , Lehtihet Mikael , Börjesson Annica , Ekström Lena
Published: February 2023

Hematological parameters and erythropoiesis are known to be influenced by anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use. However, little is known in relation to supra‐physiological doses of AAS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supra‐physiological doses of AAS on serum and urinary erythropoietin (EPO), and blood parameters, from self‐reported AAS users. Serum EPO levels were higher in testosterone positive AAS users (11.83 mIU/mL ± 4.19) than nonpositive (6.60 mIU/mL ± 2.70, p = 0.03), while no differences in urinary EPO levels were noted. There were positive correlations between serum EPO and testosterone levels (rs = 0.46, p = 0.01) and reticulocyte percentage (rs = 0.43, p = 0.02). Individuals with AAS‐induced hypogonadism (ASIH; luteinizing hormone levels <1.4 IU/L) had approximately 75% higher serum EPO (p < 0.05) and 140% higher high fluorescence reticulocyte fractions (p < 0.001), as well as other affected hematological parameters, compared with non‐ASIH individuals. The results extend the knowledge of how endocrine and hematological biomarkers are affected by AAS doping.
Suppressing the Undesirable Energy Loss in Solution‐Processed Hyperfluorescent OLEDs Employing BODIPY‐Based Hybridized Local and Charge‐Transfer Emitter
Authors: Nie Xuewei , Mahmood Zafar , Liu Denghui , Li Mengke , Hu Dehua , Chen Wencheng , Xing Longjiang , Su Shijian , Huo Yanping , Ji Shaomin
Published: February 2023

Hyperfluorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (HF‐OLEDs) approach has made it possible to achieve excellent device performance and color purity with low roll‐off using noble‐metal‐free pure organic emitter. Despite significant progress, the performance of HF‐OLEDs is still unsatisfactory due to the existence of a competitive dexter energy transfer (DET) pathway. In this contribution, two boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐based donor‐acceptor emitters (BDP‐C‐Cz and BDP‐N‐Cz) with hybridized local and charge transfer characteristics (HLCT) are introduced in the HF‐OLED to suppress the exciton loss by dexter mechanism, and a breakthrough performance with low‐efficiency roll‐off (0.3%) even at high brightness (1000 cd m−2) is achieved. It is demonstrated that the energy loss via the DET channel can be suppressed in HF‐OLEDs utilizing the HLCT emitter, as the excitons from the dark triplet state of such emitters are funneled to its emissive singlet state following the hot‐exciton mechanism. The developed HF‐OLED device has realized a good maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 19.25% at brightness of 1000 cd m−2 and maximum luminance over 60 000 cd m−2, with an emission peak at 602 nm and Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates (0.57, 0.41), which is among the best‐achieved results in solution‐processed HF‐OLEDs. This work presents a viable methodology to suppress energy loss and achieve high performance in the HF‐OLEDs.
Reframing governance possibilities for urban biodiversity conservation through systemic co‐inquiry
Authors: Mumaw Laura M. , Ison Ray , Corney Helen , Gaskell Nadine , Kelly Irene
Published: February 2023

Despite decades of effort, biodiversity has not attracted effective political discourse, policies, or action to halt its decline. In cities in particular, biodiversity conservation is challenged by short‐term approaches, separately focusing on biodiversity or community well‐being rather than on their interconnection, and pervasive beliefs that urban citizenry lack the requisite ethic or skills for conservation action or biodiversity governance. We describe how a systemic co‐inquiry in Victoria Australia, conducted by citizen and agency practitioners alongside policy developers and academic researchers, modified understandings, practices, and institutional arrangements (governance) for urban biodiversity conservation. The most impactful outcomes of the early co‐inquiry period were (1) start‐up funding for a network to forge collaborations between community and local government actors that engage urban residents in supporting indigenous biodiversity in their gardens, and (2) empowered co‐inquiry members driving the network's development. These efforts have led to on‐going social learning and long‐term institutional arrangements for a burgeoning network of municipally based nature stewardship collaborations that are nurturing local human–nature relations. Key challenges include(d): maintaining the co‐inquiry, paradigms that undervalue urban biodiversity and the role of citizens, organizational inertia, and evaluation measures incommensurate with strengthening person‐nature relationships. Our research shows how systemic co‐inquiry involving citizen practitioners can surface misleading assumptions around biodiversity stewardship and governance, and help to empower citizen and agency actors to focus on nurturing sustainable human‐nature relations in cities.
Curcumin/cyclodextrin polymer inclusion complex attenuates ethanol‐induced liver injury by inhibition of DNA damage in mice
Authors: Chen Jianping , Fan Tugui , Li Jiarui , Li Rui , Liu Xiaofei , Wu Bing , Gao Jialong , Liu Ying , Dong Hao , Zhong Saiyi
Published: February 2023

This study was to examine the protective effects of curcumin/cyclodextrin polymer inclusion complex (CUR/CDP) on ethanol‐induced liver injury in mice and to explore its potential mechanisms. In the ethanol‐induced acute injury mouse model, the effects of pretreatment with silymarin, cyclodextrin polymer (CDP), curcumin (CUR) and CUR/CDP at low, middle, and high doses were evaluated by biochemical and histopathological examination. The liver index, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in serum of the mice were measured. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in liver tissue were assessed by assay kits. Moreover, hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining was carried out to observe pathological changes of liver. Western blotting was performed for determining the changes in the expressions of DNA damage‐associated proteins. The results showed that compared with the control group, the liver index and the levels of ALT, AST, LDH, and MDA in the ethanol treatment group were significantly increased and the activities of GSH‐Px and SOD were obviously decreased. However, pretreatment with silymarin, CUR, and CUR/CDP reversed the change of above indicators except CDP. Moreover, CUR/CDP at high dose further weakened the liver index, inhibited the biochemical indexes, and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes to a greater extent than silymarin and CUR. Western blot analysis indicated that CUR/CDP significantly down‐regulated the expressions of DNA damage‐related proteins including p‐ATM, γ‐H2AX, p‐p53, and p‐p38MAPK, which inhibited ethanol‐induced the G2/M arrest and ultimately prevented liver function from oxidative stress injury. These results indicated that CUR/CDP possessed good protective effect on mice liver damage in vivo by increasing the activities of GSH‐Px and SOD to suppress DNA damage.
The Need for Gas Pipeline Capacity: Guidance (or not) from the Spire STL Experience
Authors: Smead Richard G.
Published: February 2023

On December 15, 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a permanent certificate authorizing the Spire STL natural gas pipeline serving the St. Louis area to continue service operations. Spire STL had been on a legal roller‐coaster, wherein it received a FERC certificate in 2018, built and started operation of the 65‐mile pipeline in 2019, then in 2021 saw its certificate “vacated”—wiped out—by a U.S. Court of Appeals, essentially an order to cease operations. Then, during the white‐knuckled tail end of the ride, with the winter of 2021–2022 looming and potentially a loss of the natural gas supply and capacity at the last minute, Spire STL received an emergency/temporary authorization from FERC to continue operating while a new certificate application was being considered. The permanent certificate issued on December 15 should mean, absent another court reversal, that St. Louis may rely on the capacity for a long time. However, both the nature of FERC's decision and the implications for the rest of the natural gas industry need further exploration.
Genesis of greenockite (CdS) and associated sulphide‐gold mineralization from Mahakoshal belt, Central Indian Tectonic Zone
Authors: Baswani Srinivas Rao , Hazarika Pranjit , Meshram Tushar , Bage Gladson , Dora Muduru Lachhana , Saha Asit , Korakoppa Mahesh , Meshram Rajkumar , Chandramouleeswara Rao Kattoju
Published: February 2023

The Zn‐Cd‐S critical minerals system is a significant mineralogical indicator of hydrothermal ore‐forming processes. The understanding of greenockite (CdS) formation in natural mineral systems is very restricted due to low crustal abundances (Cd <0.2 ppm). We report the first occurrence of greenockite from the Bagada orogenic gold prospect, Paleoproterozoic Mahakoshal belt, Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ). This provides an ideal opportunity to access the occurrence and its genesis. Greenockite occurs in discrete sheared quartz veins hosted in phyllites. Sulphide mineralization is closely associated with hydrothermal chlorite alterations. Pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite assemblages are formed at high temperatures, while sphalerite and galena precipitated when the temperature decreased. Greenockite, native silver and bismuth with gold precipitated during the breakdown of arsenopyrite to scorodite in progressively oxidizing conditions. Greenockite precipitation occurred in a transforming hydrothermal environment from a reducing to an oxidizing one during late‐stage hydrothermal alteration. Sphalerite and chlorite thermometry yielded temperatures in the range from 266 to 366°C for this late‐stage hydrothermal alteration. Textural relations show two modes of occurrence of greenockite, one (Gck‐1) as exsolution within sphalerite (Sp‐2) and the other (Gck‐2) occurring as a discontinuous rim replacing the Cd‐rich sphalerite (Sp‐3). The Gck‐1 contains high Zn and low Cd, while as compared to Gck‐2. Zinc and Cd in greenockite show diadochy relation (Zn2+ ↔ Cd2+). Laser ablation ICPMS analyses of sphalerite (Sp‐2) reveal remarkably high Cd contents (1.9–12 wt%). Cd >0.02 ppm suggests possible Cd derivation from sphalerite (Sp‐2) under variable fS2, T, pH, fO2 conditions, fluid–rock interaction, and change in the Zn/Cd ratio. Sphalerite compositions display a low Zn/Cd (av.22) ratio and high temperature of formation, with characteristics intermediate between volcanogenic massive sulphides (VMS) and magmatic‐hydrothermal Cu‐Pb‐Zn system.
Uterine tamponade in postpartum hemorrhage with handmade balloons: Comparison of manufacturing, infusion, and total times
Authors: Alves Álvaro Luiz Lage , da Silva Jane Braga , de Oliveira Santos Mayra , Lopes Andrezza Vilaça Belo , Silva Roberta Bessa Veloso , Senra Janaína Campos
Published: February 2023

Objective

To compare the manufacturing, infusion, and total times of handmade balloons for uterine tamponade using the El Hennawy and Alves techniques, given the failure of initial measures and uterotonic therapy to control postpartum hemorrhage.

Methods

An open clinical trial (clinical article) was conducted among 30 physicians, residents, and assistants in an Obstetrics Department. Each participant manufactured and infused one of two different balloons compared in the study, in a randomly predefined sequence. The manufacturing and infusion times were timed by the researchers and their medians were compared using the t test or Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

The manufacturing time of the El Hennawy balloon was 72 s lower in relation to the Alves balloon (P < 0.010). Regarding the infusion time, the Alves balloon was filled faster than the El Hennawy balloon (P < 0.010). The total time (manufacturing and infusion) of Alves balloon was also lower than the El Hennawy device (P < 0.010).

Conclusions

Although the El Hennawy balloon was manufactured more quickly, the total time of manufacturing and infusing the Alves balloon was much faster, which makes it the most suitable device to be used in critical situations of postpartum hemorrhage.
Identifying symptom clusters among pregnant women during early and late pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Yunxue , Xu Xiaofang , Xie Zihui , Li Yuanyuan , Zhao Di , Lv Gaorong , Li Ping
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To investigate the status of multiple psychosomatic symptoms among women and identify symptom clusters at different gestational stages.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study and a consecutive sample of 557 pregnant women were recruited. They were asked to complete the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, and to supply sociodemographic and clinical information. Spearman correlation analysis, partial correlation networks, and hierarchical cluster analysis were carried out to identify the optimal number of symptom clusters.

Results

The top five scores for symptoms in early pregnancy were nausea, lack of appetite, feeling drowsy, lack of energy, and vomiting. Weight gain, difficulty sleeping, sweating, lack of energy, and dry mouth scored high in late pregnancy. Four clusters were identified in early pregnancy, and three clusters were determined in late pregnancy.

Conclusions

Women experience multiple psychosomatic symptoms during pregnancy, and the manifestation of symptoms varies at different stages. The present study has provided new insights into symptom clusters in pregnant women.
Connecting and feeling: Associations between social factors and emotions in nine countries
Authors: Castelletti Chiara , Lara Elvira , Tobiasz‐Adamczyk Beata , Koskinen Seppo , Olaya Beatriz , Haro Josep Maria , Leonardi Matilde , Kowal Paul , Chatterji Somnath , Ayuso‐Mateos José Luis , Miret Marta
Published: February 2023

We aimed to explore the distribution of positive and negative emotions across nine low‐, middle‐ and high‐income countries; and the association between social factors and these emotions. Data were drawn from the SAGE and the COURAGE studies, with 52,553 participants. Emotions were assessed through the day reconstruction method.Sociodemographic characteristics and social factors were also measured. Multiple linear regressions were performed. Finland, China and African countries showed significantly lower scores on the negative emotions, whereas positive emotions were more homogeneous across countries. Loneliness was positively associated with negative emotions and negatively associated with positive ones; frequent social participation was related with higher scores in positive emotions; and lower trust with higher levels of feeling rushed, irritated, depressed and less calm. The extent to which each emotion was felt varied across countries, but there seems to exist an association of social factors with the emotions.
C‐reactive protein/albumin ratio and IL‐6 are associated with disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Feng Wan , Zhu Lei , Liu Yajun , Xu Luzhou , Shen Hong
Published: February 2023

Background

Cytokines are key mediators of the inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC); there are inconsistent data on cytokines profile in patients with UC. C‐reactive protein/albumin ratio (CRP/ALB) has also been found as an inflammatory indicator. However, the role of CRP/ALB in UC remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the CRP/ALB ratio and cytokines profile in patients with UC. We further explore the association between CRP/ALB and inflammatory markers, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fecal calprotectin (FC) and cytokines.

Methods

One hundred thirty UC patients and 65 controls were included in the study. Clinical and laboratory findings were retrospectively reviewed; differences in variables between two groups were examined using the Mann–Whitney U‐test. The association between CRP/ALB, cytokines, and clinical parameters was determined by Spearman's correlation test.

Results

CRP/ALB levels were significantly elevated in active UC patients. The optimal cutoff level of the CRP/ALB was 0.083. The patients with active UC had a median interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) level of 7.715 pg/ml (interquartile ranges, IQR 3.475–14.63), which was significantly higher than those in remission (2.95 pg/ml, IQR 2.17–5.44) (p < 0.001). Positive correlations between CRP/ALB and inflammatory markers were also observed.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that CRP/ALB and IL‐6 could be potential biomarkers for assessment of clinical activity in Chinese patients with UC.
The sensitivity and specificity of COVID‐19 rapid anti‐gene test in comparison to RT‐PCR test as a gold standard test
Authors: Al‐Hashimi Oday Taher Mohammed , AL‐Ansari Waleed Ibraheem Ali , Abbas Safia Abdullkareem , Jumaa Dalal Saad , Hammad Shams Ahmed , Hammoudi Faten Abdulghani , Allawi Ali Abdulmajid dyab
Published: February 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a modern infectious disease, first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The etiology is via severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), in a pandemic manner. The study aimed to compare between RT‐PCR and rapid anti‐gene tests for COVID‐19 with regard to sensitivity and specificity.

Methods

This is a cohort hospital‐based study done during the period of July to September 2020. Both rapid anti‐gene test kit (SARS‐CoV‐2) and RT‐qPCR were used for the detection of COVID‐19 in suspected cases.

Results

A total of 148 cases were tested using both the RT‐qPCR and rapid test. Twenty‐nine (19.6%) of these cases had positive results for RT‐qPCR and 119 (80.4%) were negative, whereas 52 (35.1%) patients were positive to rapid anti‐gene test and 96 (64.9%) of them negative. The sensitivity of the rapid test was 37.9%, the specificity was 65.5% and the accuracy was 64.44%. Rapid IgG test was positive in 47 (31.8) of cases. Although, rapid IgM test was positive in 18 (12.2%). The rapid IgG test was more sensitive than rapid IgM (Sensitivity 34.48% vs. 3.45%), but it was less specific than rapid IgM test (Specificity 68.91% vs. 85.71%).

Conclusion

We cannot consider rapid anti‐gene test alone as a diagnostic method for COVID‐19. We should also conduct RT‐PCR test and other investigations like imaging CT scan of chest to confirm the diagnosis. The rapid IgG test is more sensitive than rapid IgM, but it was less specific.
Glypican‐4 regulated actin cytoskeletal reorganization in glucocorticoid treated trabecular meshwork cells and involvement of Wnt/PCP signaling
Authors: Maddala Rupalatha , Eldawy Camelia , Bachman William , Soderblom Erik J. , Rao Ponugoti V.
Published: February 2023

A common adverse response to the clinical use of glucocorticoids (GCs) is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) which is a major risk factor for glaucoma. Elevated IOP arises due to impaired outflow of aqueous humor (AH) through the trabecular meshwork (TM). Although GC‐induced changes in actin cytoskeletal dynamics, contractile characteristics, and cell adhesive interactions of TM cells are believed to influence AH outflow and IOP, the molecular mechanisms mediating changes in these cellular characteristics are poorly understood. Our studies focused on evaluating changes in the cytoskeletal and cytoskeletal‐associated protein (cytoskeletome) profile of human TM cells treated with dexamethasone (Dex) using label‐free mass spectrometric quantification, identified elevated levels of specific proteins known to regulate actin stress fiber formation, contraction, actin networks crosslinking, cell adhesion, and Wnt signaling, including LIMCH1, ArgBP2, CNN3, ITGBL1, CTGF, palladin, FAT1, DIAPH2, EPHA4, SIPA1L1, and GPC4. Several of these proteins colocalized with the actin cytoskeleton and underwent alterations in distribution profile in TM cells treated with Dex, and an inhibitor of Abl/Src kinases. Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) signaling agonists‐Wnt5a and 5b were detected prominently in the cytoskeletome fraction of TM cells, and studies using siRNA to suppress expression of glypican‐4 (GPC4), a known modulator of the Wnt/PCP pathway revealed that GPC4 deficiency impairs Dex induced actin stress fiber formation, and activation of c‐Jun N‐terminal Kinase (JNK) and Rho kinase. Additionally, while Dex augmented, GPC4 deficiency suppressed the formation of actin stress fibers in TM cells in the presence of Dex and Wnt5a. Taken together, these results identify the GPC4‐dependent Wnt/PCP signaling pathway as one of the crucial upstream regulators of Dex induced actin cytoskeletal reorganization and cell adhesion in TM cells, opening an opportunity to target the GPC4/Wnt/PCP pathway for treatment of ocular hypertension in glaucoma.
Associations between the Trauma Memory Quality Questionnaire and posttraumatic stress symptoms in youth: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Reed Joanna , Taylor Jasmine , Randall Grace , Burgess Aaron , Meiser‐Stedman Richard
Published: February 2023

Cognitive models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) propose that trauma memory characteristics are implicated in the etiology of the disorder. Empirical support for cognitive models in youth is necessary to ensure psychological interventions are based on appropriate theory. This meta‐analysis was conducted to quantitatively investigate the strength of the associations between self‐reported trauma memory characteristics (e.g., sensory and temporal features), measured using the Trauma Memory Quality Questionnaire (TMQQ), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in children and adolescents. PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PTSDPubs, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global were searched for relevant literature. In total, 11 studies (N = 1,270 participants) met the inclusion criteria for the random‐effects meta‐analysis. A large effect size was observed for the association between trauma memory characteristics and PTSS, r = .51, 95% CI [.44, .58], and was maintained in subgroup analyses of the prospective association between trauma memory characteristics and later PTSS (k = 5, n = 6 28), r = .51, 95% CI [.42, .59]. A slightly larger effect size was observed in subgroup analyses of the cross‐sectional association between trauma memory characteristics and concurrent PTSS (k = 11, N = 1,270), r = .62, 95% CI [.53, .70]. Sensitivity analyses on study quality, TMQQ alteration, chronic trauma exposure, geographical location, and PTSS measure supported the robustness of these results. These findings provide empirical support for the role of trauma memory characteristics in PTSS, congruent with cognitive models, suggesting this theoretical framework is appropriate for youth populations. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Winter mulching practice alters soil bacterial communities and networks in lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) forests
Authors: Wu Fei , Wu Na , Zhang Linping , Li Zuyao , Pei Nancai , Jin Cangfu , Huang Yuxuan
Published: February 2023

Winter mulching is widely used to raise soil temperature and promote earlier harvesting in agroforestry, but successive years of mulching can lead to soil degradation. The effect of winter mulch on soil bacterial community composition and co‐occurrence patterns is not clear. The influence of different mulches (a defatted seed cake of Camellia oleifera, DS; a mixture of wheat straw and chicken manure, MWC; and wheat straw, WS) on soil bacterial communities and networks in lei bamboo       (Phyllostachys praecox) forests over a four‐month mulching period was studied using Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that mulching time and mulching material treatment significantly influenced bacterial community composition and diversity, mainly driven by nutrient availability. MWC and WS mulching treatments decreased α‐diversity of the bacterial communities, whereas the DS treatment had no significant impact. The oligotrophs, Gryllotalpicola, Granulicella, and Verrucomicrobia, were enriched before and at the end of mulching, while the copiotrophs, Deltaproteobacteria, were enriched in the middle of the mulching period (Jan). Comparing the three mulching treatments, Proteobacteria were enriched in DS mulching soils in Jan. The complexity of the four networks decreased with pre‐mulching, DS mulching, WS mulching, and MWC mulching networks, with a reduction in the number of edges and average degree observed. The results suggested that winter mulching practices adversely affected soil bacterial community diversity and interactions, which may be detrimental to the resistance of bacterial communities to environmental changes and soil sustainability. Mulching MWC and WS has a greater risk of loss of soil bacterial biodiversity than DS.
Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Containing Platelet Derivatives for Synovial Fluid Viscosupplementation and Growth Factors Delivery
Authors: Toropitsyn Evgeniy , Ščigalková Ivana , Pravda Martin , Velebný Vladimír
Published: February 2023

Osteoarthritisis a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder characterized by degradation of cartilage and synovial fluid (SF). Platelet derivatives as platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) and platelet lysate have great potential in the treatment of osteoarthritis because they contain biologically active substances including growth factors (GFs). Rapid release of GFs and their short biological half‐life are factors that can limit the therapeutic impact of PRP therapy. Herein, the first work that describes hydrogels based on polyaldehyde derivative of hyaluronic acid (HA‐OX) as carriers of platelet derivatives for in situ applications is presented, which can be a possible solution to the problem. HA‐OX hydrogels containing 50% (w/w) of PRP or platelet lysate can be injected using a syringe due to low viscosity(<10 Pa s) and injection force (<20 N), and reach elastic modulus up to 2000 Pa. Insulin‐like GF‐1 and Platelet‐derived GF‐AB release from HA‐OX hydrogels (mesh size 297–406 nm) by Fickian and non‐Fickian diffusion respectively. The released PRP GFs maintain their ability to induce cell proliferation (87%–92%). Based on the obtained results, the unique concept of a new material that can restore viscoelastic properties of SF and at the same time gradually deliver GFs from platelet derivatives is designed.
Systemic deuteration of SCID mice using the water‐isotopologue deuterium oxide (D2O) inhibits tumor growth in an orthotopic bioluminescent model of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jandova Jana , Galons Jean‐Philippe , Dettman David L. , Wondrak Georg T.
Published: February 2023

Since its initial discovery as a natural isotopologue of dihydrogen oxide (1H2O), extensive research has focused on the biophysical, biochemical, and pharmacological effects of deuterated water (2H2O [D2O, also referred to as “heavy water”]). Using a panel of cultured human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells we have profiled (i) D2O‐induced phenotypic antiproliferative and apoptogenic effects, (ii) redox‐ and proteotoxicity‐directed stress response gene expression, and (iii) phosphoprotein‐signaling related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and MAP‐kinase stress response pathways. Differential array analysis revealed early modulation of stress response gene expression in both BxPC‐3 and PANC‐1 PDAC cells elicited by D2O (90%; ≤6 h; upregulated: HMOX1, NOS2, CYP2E1, CRYAB, DDIT3, NFKBIA, PTGS1, SOD2, PTGS2; downregulated: RUNX1, MYC, HSPA8, HSPA1A) confirmed by independent RT‐qPCR analysis. Immunoblot‐analysis revealed rapid (≤6 h) onset of D2O‐induced MAP‐kinase signaling (p‐JNK, p‐p38) together with ER stress response upregulation (p‐eIF2α, ATF4, XBP1s, DDIT3/CHOP). Next, we tested the chemotherapeutic efficacy of D2O‐based drinking water supplementation in an orthotopic PDAC model employing firefly luciferase‐expressing BxPC‐3‐FLuc cells in SCID mice. First, feasibility and time course of systemic deuteration (30% D2O in drinking water; 21 days) were established using time‐resolved whole‐body proton magnetic resonance imaging and isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry‐based plasma (D/H)‐analysis. D2O‐supplementation suppressed tumor growth by almost 80% with downregulated expression of PCNA, MYC, RUNX1, and HSP70 while increasing tumor levels of DDIT3/CHOP, HO‐1, and p‐eIF2α. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that pharmacological induction of systemic deuteration significantly reduces orthotopic tumor burden in a murine PDAC xenograft model.
Group‐buying with products of heterogeneous quality
Authors: Song Hui , Ma Hongkun , Ma Zimeng
Published: February 2023

The present paper proposes a model with vertical differentiation to study firms' incentives using group‐buying. We look into two cases. In the first study, firms are restricted to use the same threshold. If the low‐tech firm uses group‐buying, the high‐tech firm follows suit. The reverse does not necessarily hold but rather depends on parameters. In the second study, this restriction is relaxed. We find that the high‐tech firm tends to impose higher threshold than the low‐tech firm. The reason is that the price effect from using group‐buying is stronger for the high‐tech firm than the low‐tech firm.
Access to healthcare for people with sickle cell disease: Views of healthcare professionals on policies and practices
Authors: Adigwe Obi Peter
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder with its highest prevalence in Nigeria. The condition causes red blood cells to turn rigid, and consequently, results to several complications including organ damage. This study aimed at assessing views of health practitioners in Nigeria on policies and practices in the area of access to healthcare services for sickle cell disease.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was undertaken amongst healthcare professionals in Nigeria. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire, and analyses were undertaken using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software.

Results

A significant proportion of the participants (42.8%) disagreed that relevant legislative framework exists to facilitate optimal access to high‐quality healthcare services for persons with sickle cell disorder in Nigeria. Two‐thirds of the study cohort were of the opinion that public health surveillance towards sickle cell disease was suboptimal (61.2%). Also, more than three‐quarters of the respondents (78.7%) indicated that the cost of managing sickle cell disease was not affordable to majority of affected Nigerians.

Conclusion

This study provides critical insights into access to healthcare services for sickle cell disease. As such, challenges preventing access to healthcare services for sickle cell patients which have been identified in this study can underpin the development of contextual policies to address them.
Non‐instantaneous impulsive stochastic FitzHugh–Nagumo equation with fractional Brownian motion
Authors: Durga N. , Malik Muslim
Published: February 2023

This article is devoted to examine the exponential behavior of stochastic FitzHugh–Nagumo equation in Hilbert space. Initially, the proposed model is reformulated into an abstract space, and the existence of mild solution is constructed by employing Mönch fixed‐point theorem and Hausdorff measure of non‐compactness. Furthermore, suitable conditions are developed to prove the proposed model's exponential behavior which reflects the stable generation and transmission of electric signal in neurons. At last, an example is presented to verify the established theoretical concepts.
Dissecting operant alcohol self‐administration using saccharin‐fading procedure
Authors: Calleja‐Conde Javier , Echeverry‐Alzate Víctor , Bühler Kora‐Mareen , Morales‐García Jose Ángel , Segovia‐Rodríguez Lucía , Durán‐González Pedro , Olmos Pedro , de Fonseca Fernando Rodríguez , Giné Elena , López‐Moreno Jose Antonio
Published: February 2023

Background

Although alcohol use disorder is a complex human pathology, the use of animal models represents an opportunity to study some aspects of this pathology. One of the most used paradigms to study the voluntary alcohol consumption in rodents is operant self‐administration (OSA).

Aims

In order to facilitate the performance of this paradigm, we aim to describe some critical steps of OSA under a saccharin‐fading procedure.

Material & Methods

We used 40 male Wistar rats to study the process of acquiring the operant response through a saccharin‐fading procedure under a fixed ratio (FR1) schedule of reinforcement. Next, we analyze the alcohol introduction and concentration increase, the effect of an alcohol deprivation, and the analogy between this paradigm with the Drinking in the Dark‐Multiple Scheduled Access paradigm.

Results

During alcohol concentration increase, animals reduced their lever presses in accordance with the increase in alcohol concentration. On the contrary, the consumption measured in g·kg−1 BW showed a great stability. The lever presses pattern within operant session changes with the introduction of different alcohol concentrations: at higher alcohol concentrations, animals tended to accumulate most of their presses in the initial period of the session.

Discussion

We show the utility of fading with low concentrations of saccharin and the evolution of the operant response through the different concentrations of alcohol.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results aimed to dissect the acquisition and maintenance of OSA behavior as well as other related variables, to facilitate the understanding and performance of this paradigm.
Equivocal end‐of‐therapy imaging findings do not predict a higher risk of local relapse after definitive radiotherapy in pediatric Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: McLean‐Thomas Lorna , Gao Dexiang , Trenbeath Zachary , Cost Carrye R. , Milgrom Sarah A.
Published: February 2023

Background

Posttherapy imaging studies can provide reassurance or induce anxiety regarding risk of recurrence for patients and their families. In some cases, it is difficult to determine if imaging findings represent posttreatment changes or residual disease. Equivocal radiographic findings can occur due to therapy‐related inflammation or residual, inactive soft tissue masses, but it is unknown if such findings indicate an increased likelihood of local recurrence. The aim of this study was to assess the value of initial posttherapy scans for predicting local relapse in patients with Ewing sarcoma (EWS) or rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) who received radiotherapy (RT) for local control. These findings are critical to inform clinicians’ surveillance recommendations and ability to accurately counsel patients and their families.

Procedure

The primary endpoint was time to local progression (LP). Patients were classified as having posttherapy scans that were “positive” (residual disease within the RT field), “negative” (no evidence of residual disease within the RT field), or “equivocal” (no determination could be made). The value of initial posttreatment scans for predicting LP was assessed using positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).

Results

Negative imaging findings (n = 51) had an NPV of 88%, and positive imaging findings (n = 1) had a PPV of 100%. When equivocal findings (n = 16) were categorized with negative results (i.e., positive vs. equivocal/negative), the NPV was 90%. When equivocal findings were categorized with positive results (equivocal/positive vs. negative), the PPV was 12%.

Conclusion

Equivocal findings within the RT field on end‐of‐therapy imaging studies indicate no higher risk of local recurrence than negative findings. These results may contribute to appropriate surveillance schedules and accurate counseling of patients with RMS and EWS who have received RT for local control.
Impact of using fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c instead of OGTT as a screening tool for gestational diabetes: a retrospective study
Authors: Cooke Hannah , Craig Stephen , Kahal Hassan , Talbot Fleur , Lonnen Kathryn
Published: February 2023

Aims: To examine the impact of using the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) COVID‐19 Gestational Diabetes (GDM) criteria on identifying women with GDM.

Methods: Data were collected between November 2018 and June 2019, from women previously diagnosed with GDM using NICE guidelines, who also had HbA1c data available. These were used to determine whether they would have been diagnosed had the RCOG criteria been applied. Data were also collected to compare birth and fetal outcomes, and to compare medical management.

Results: Eighty‐nine women were included; 43 (48%) met both the RCOG and NICE GDM diagnostic criteria (RCOG + NICE group), while 46 (52%) only met the NICE GDM criteria and would have been missed using the RCOG GDM criteria (NICE only group). There were no significant differences in outcomes between the groups in terms of neonatal and delivery complications. More women in the RCOG + NICE group required treatment with insulin (11 [25.6%] vs 1 [2.2%], p=0.0010) or metformin (23 [53.5%] vs 14 [30.4%], p=0.03).

Conclusions: Applying the RCOG criteria resulted in approximately half of women previously diagnosed with GDM to be missed, one‐third of whom had severe insulin resistance requiring treatment with metformin or insulin. The retrospective design of this study may not represent the neonatal and delivery outcomes these women may have had if their diagnosis had been missed. Women should be informed about this risk when not offered an oral glucose tolerance test to guide decision making. Copyright © 2023 John Wiley & Sons.
Improving diabetes care in Ealing, London: an analysis of the NDA and diabetes‐related admissions data during first year of COVID‐19
Authors: Chandok Raj , Baynes Kevin , Birnbaum Maurice , Vanterpool Grace , Okwu Adamma , Bains Kanchan , Sidhu Diljit , Dhatt Mini , Mehar Salma , Chitra Baldeep
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we present and analyse National Diabetes Audit (NDA) and diabetes‐related emergency admissions data in Ealing during the period 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2021. Care for diabetes and other long‐term conditions was disrupted and significantly impacted during this initial period of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

The NDA analysis shows that for type 1 and type 2 diabetes Key Care Processes (KCPs), both the eight and nine KCPs fell between 2019/20 and 2020/21, but the relative fall for NHS Ealing was lower than that seen for England. Type 1 diabetes Three Treatment Targets (3TTs) for NHS Ealing increased from 22.6% in 2019/20 to 26.4% in 2020/21; in contrast the 3TTs for England increased slightly from 19.8% in 2019/20 to 20.8% in 2020/21. Type 2 diabetes 3TTs for NHS Ealing changed from 40.9% in 2019/20 to 38.9% in 2020/21, while in England it was 40.3% in 2019/20 and 35.5% in 2020/21.

The diabetes‐related emergency admissions analysis shows that there were reductions in the number and rate of emergency admissions for cerebrovascular accident and myocardial infarction; admissions and rates for diabetic ketoacidosis and amputations were the same; those for diabetes mellitus and hypoglycaemia increased. There were overall cost savings of £874,147 due to estimated avoided admissions.

In Ealing, the NDA data, diabetes‐related emergency admissions and estimated avoided admissions data show that improvements in diabetes care achieved in previous years in Ealing, faltered, but were broadly sustained in the first pandemic year. Support from the Ealing diabetes care teams, improved self‐management of diabetes and the empowering of people with diabetes through digital technologies could explain these trends in Ealing. Continued access to health care practitioners during the COVID‐19 pandemic is important to ensure the appropriate management of long‐term conditions such as type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2023 John Wiley & Sons.
Conformational and binding mode assessment of the human IL‐3 recognition by its alpha receptor
Authors: Fogha Jade , de Brevern Alexandre G. , Diharce Julien
Published: February 2023

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are attractive targets as they are critical in a variety of biological processes and pathologies. As an illustration, the interleukin 3 (IL‐3) and its α subunit receptor (IL‐3Rα) are two proteins belonging to the cytokine or receptor βc family and are involved in several disorders like inflammatory diseases or hematological malignancies. This PPI exhibits a low binding affinity and a complex formed by a mutant form of IL‐3 (superkine) and IL‐3Rα have emerged from the literature, with an increase of the affinity. Therefore, in this study, we performed molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculation in order to evaluate protein dynamics and to characterize the main interactions between IL‐3 and IL‐3Rα, considering both wild‐type and mutant. First, in the case of IL‐3Rα/IL‐3 wild‐type complex, IL‐3Rα can adopt three different conformations essentially driven by NTD domain, including the open and closed conformations, previously observed in crystal structures. Additionally, our results reveal a third conformation that has a distinct interaction profile that the others. Interestingly, these conformational changes are attenuated in IL‐3Rα/IL‐3 mutant complex. Then, we highlighted the contribution of different residues which interact principally with IL‐3 or IL‐3Rα conserved region. As for the mutated residue at position 135 of IL‐3, other residues such as IL‐3 E138, IL‐3 D40, IL‐3Rα Y279, IL‐3Rα K235, or IL‐3Rα R277 seem important for a low or a high binding affinity. Altogether these findings yield new information that could be exploited in a drug discovery process.