bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Journey through Hemetsberger–Knittel, Leimgruber–Batcho and Bartoli Reactions: Access to Several Hydroxy 5‐ and 6‐Azaindoles
Authors: Radix Sylvie , Hallé François , Mahiout Zahia , Teissonnière Amélie , Bouchez Grégoire , Auberger Ludovic , Barret Roland , Lomberget Thierry
Published: December 2021

The preparation of various 5‐ and 6‐azaindoles, heterocyclic structures that are frequently part of molecules in clinical development, and their monohydroxy analogues were described. Different strategies, relying on the de novo pyrrole ring formation, were investigated and, thanks to Hemetsberger–Knittel, Bartoli and Leimgruber–Batcho approaches, 4‐ and 7‐monohydroxy 5‐ and 6‐azaindoles were obtained. The crucial introduction of the oxygen atom was carried out from halogen derivatives, using nucleophilic substitution reactions under basic conditions with or without a copper catalyst. Some preliminary oxidation reactions have shown that it was yet not possible to synthesize the azaquinone indole structure from monohydroxy azaindole, using molecular oxygen in the presence of salcomine as a catalyst.
Acceleration of cervical cancer diagnosis with human papillomavirus testing below age 30: Observational study
Authors: Rebolj Matejka , Mathews Christopher S. , Pesola Francesca , Castañon Alejandra , Kitchener Henry ,   HPV Pilot Steering Group
Published: December 2021

Several international cervical screening guidelines advise against using high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) testing in women younger than 30. The rationale for this in young women, lies in the potential for additional detection of both low‐grade and high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) leading to unnecessary treatments without reducing the burden of cervical cancer. We studied 56 544 women screened at 24 to 29 with HR‐HPV testing and 116 858 screened with liquid‐based cytology (LBC) in the English HPV screening pilot. They were compared to 528 460 women screened at the age of 30 to 49. We studied the detection of cervical cancer and CIN2/3 across two consecutive screening rounds 3 years apart. At 24 to 29, a positive HR‐HPV test detected more cases of cervical cancer in the prevalence round than did a positive LBC test (1.36/1000 screened vs 0.82/1000, ORadj: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.18‐2.19). In women with a negative HR‐HPV test, cervical cancer was diagnosed before or at the incidence round in 0.07/1000. After a negative LBC test, cancer detection reached 0.47/1000 and 40% of these cases were diagnosed at FIGO stage IB+. HR‐HPV testing increased the detection of CIN2/3 diagnoses in two consecutive rounds combined by 30% (71.9/1000 vs 55.2/1000). The patterns of detection of cervical cancer and CIN2/3 were almost identical at older ages. These data support using HR‐HPV testing for screening of women younger than 30, which not only accelerates the diagnosis of cervical cancer but leads to a similar relative increase in CIN2/3 diagnosis to that found in women aged 30 to 49.
Mechanical removal of biofilm on titanium discs: An in vitro study
Authors: Ichioka Yuki , Derks Jan , Dahlén Gunnar , Berglundh Tord , Larsson Lena
Published: December 2021

The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate surface cleanness and cytocompatibility following mechanical instrumentation of biofilm‐contaminated titanium surfaces. Titanium discs (non‐modified [Ti(s)] and shot‐blasted surfaces [Ti(r)]) contaminated with Streptococcus gordonii were instrumented using four different techniques: (i) gauze soaked in saline (GS), (ii) ultra‐sonic device (US), (iii) rotating nickel‐titanium brush (TiB), or (iv) air‐polishing device (AP). Non‐contaminated, untreated titanium disks were used as controls (C). Residual deposits and cytocompatibility for osteoblast‐like cells were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. While the number of residual bacteria on Ti(s) discs was close to 0 in all treatment groups, significantly higher mean numbers of residual bacteria were observed on Ti(r) discs for GS (152.7 ± 75.7) and TiB (33.5 ± 22.2) than for US (0) and AP (0). Instrumentation with US resulted in deposition of foreign material (mean area% of foreign material: 3.0 ± 3.6% and 10.8 ± 9.6% for Ti(s) and Ti(r) discs, respectively). AP was the most effective decontamination procedure in reducing bacteria without depositing residual foreign material on Ti(r) discs. TiB and AP were superior methods in restoring cytocompatibility, although no method of mechanical decontamination resulted in pristine levels of cytocompatibility.
Immune Response to Persistent Staphyloccocus Aureus Periprosthetic Joint Infection in a Mouse Tibial Implant Model
Authors: Sokhi Upneet K , Xia Yunwei , Sosa Branden , Turajane Kathleen , Nishtala Sita N , Pannellini Tania , Bostrom Mathias P , Carli Alberto V , Yang Xu , Ivashkiv Lionel B
Published: December 2021

Staphyloccocus aureus is one of the major pathogens in orthopedic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), a devastating complication of total joint arthroplasty that often results in chronic and persistent infections that are refractory to antibiotics and require surgical interventions. Biofilm formation has been extensively investigated as a reason for persistent infection. The cellular composition, activation status, cytokine profile, and role of the immune response during persistent S. aureus PJI are incompletely understood. In this study, we used histology, multiparametric flow cytometry, and gene expression analysis to characterize the immune response in a clinically relevant orthopedic PJI model. We tested the hypothesis that persistent S. aureus infection induces feedback mechanisms that suppress immune cell activation, thereby affecting the course of infection. Surprisingly, persistent infection was characterized by strikingly high cytokine gene expression indicative of robust activation of multiple components of innate and adaptive immunity, along with ongoing severe neutrophil-dominated inflammation, in infected joint and bone tissues. Activation and expansion of draining lymph nodes and a bone marrow stress granulopoiesis reaction were also maintained during late phase infection. In parallel, feedback mechanisms involving T-cell inhibitory receptors and exhaustion markers, suppressive cytokines, and regulatory T cells were activated and associated with decreased T-cell proliferation and tissue infiltration during the persistent phase of infection. These results identify the cellular and molecular components of the mouse immune response to persistent S. aureus PJI and indicate that neutrophil infiltration, inflammatory cytokine responses, and ongoing lymph node and bone marrow reactions are insufficient to clear infection and that immune effector mechanisms are suppressed by feedback inhibitory pathways. These immune-suppressive mechanisms are associated with diminished T-cell proliferation and tissue infiltration and can be targeted as part of adjuvant immunotherapeutic strategies in combination with debridement of biofilm, antibiotics, and other therapeutic modalities to promote eradication of infection. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Patients with hereditary hemochromatosis reach safe range of transferrin saturation sooner with erythrocytaphereses than with phlebotomies
Authors: Rombout‐Sestrienkova Eva , Brandts Lloyd , Koek Ger H. , van Deursen Cees Th. B. M
Published: December 2021

Introduction

For the maintenance treatment of patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), it is advised to keep the transferrin saturation (TSAT) <70% to prevent formation of non‐transferrin‐bound iron and labile plasma iron. The period of the initial iron depletion may last up to 1 year or longer and during this period, the patient is exposed to elevated TSAT levels. Therapeutic erythrocytapheresis (TE) is a modality which has proven to reduce treatment duration of patients with iron overload from HH. In this study, we investigated the time to reach TSAT <70% for both treatment modalities.

Methods

From a previous randomized controlled trial comparing erythrocytaphereses with phlebotomies (PBMs), we performed an analysis in a subgroup of patients who presented with TSAT >70%. Mann‐Whitney U tests were performed to compare the number of treatments and the number of weeks to reach the interim goal of a persistent level of <70% for TSAT between TE and PBM.

Results

The period to reach TSAT levels of <70% was statistically significant shorter for the TE group compared to the PBM treatment group (median treatment procedures [IQR] 2.0 (5) vs 16.0 (23), P‐value: <.001, and median treatment duration [IQR]: 5.5 (11) vs 19.0 (29) weeks, P‐value: .007).

Conclusion

Patients with HH reach a safe TSAT <70% significantly sooner and with less treatment procedures with TE compared to PBM.
Financial statement readability and credit rating conservatism
Authors: Hsieh Yi‐Ting
Published: December 2021

The paper examines the relation between the financial statement readability and credit rating conservatism. The Fog Index of the financial statements of the United States publicly listed companies and the text length of their financial statements are employed as the readability indicators. I find that: (1) firms with annual reports that are harder to read (i.e., they have a higher Fog index and longer length) have more conservatism; (2) rating agencies have become more conservative in assigning credit ratings during dot.com bubble and financial crisis; (3) rating agencies have faced increased regulatory pressure result in becoming more conservative after Sarbanes‐Oxley Act; and (4) as firms have lower readability, it will influence the rating agencies becoming more conservative during crises or after SOX act.
The potential role of miR‐1290 in cancer progression, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment: An oncomiR or onco‐suppressor microRNA?
Authors: Kalhori Mohammad Reza , Soleimani Masoud , Arefian Ehsan , Alizadeh Ali Mohammad , Mansouri Kamran , Echeverria Javier
Published: December 2021

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in humans because of the lack of early diagnosis, distant metastases, and the resistance to adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In addition to playing an essential role in tumor progression and development, microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as a robust biomarker in the early detection of cancer. MiR‐1290 was discovered for the first time in human embryonic stem cells, and under typical physiological situations, plays an essential role in neuronal differentiation and neural stem cell proliferation. Its coding sequence is located at the 1p36.13 regions in the first intron of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 4 gene member A1. miR‐1290 is out of control in many cancers such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and plays a vital role in their development. Therefore, it is suggested that miR‐1290 can be considered as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in many cancers. In addition to the importance of miR‐1290 in the noninvasive diagnosis of various cancers, this systematic review study discussed the role of miR‐1290 in altering the expression of different genes involved in cancer development and chemo‐radiation resistance. Moreover, it considered the regulatory effect of natural products on miR‐1290 expression and the interaction of lncRNAs by miR‐1290.
A pyridine‐dicarbohydrazide‐based chemosensor for detecting Al3+ by fluorescence turn‐on
Authors: Kim Hyeongjin , Suh Boeon , Kim Cheal
Published: December 2021

A pyridine‐dicarbohydrazide‐based chemosensor TMC (N2, N6‐bis((E)‐5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)pyridine‐2,6‐dicarbohydrazide) showed a marked fluorescence response with Al3+. With analysis of Job plot and electrospray ionization (ESI)‐mass spectrometry, the association of TMC to Al3+ was determined to be a 1:1 ratio. Detection limit of TMC for Al3+ was 1.56 μM. Especially, TMC could distinctly distinguish Al3+ from Ga3+ and In3+. TMC could suitably analyze Al3+ in a real environment with great recovery and relative standard deviation (RSD). In addition, TMC‐coated test kits can be practically used for recognition of Al3+. Binding process of TMC to Al3+ was illustrated with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, NMR titration, ESI‐mass, and UV–vis experiments.
Socioeconomic status and the therapeutic alliance: An empirical investigation using structural equation modeling
Authors: Wolgast Martin , Despotovski Diana , Olsson John Lachonius , Wolgast Sima
Published: December 2021

Objective

The purpose of the study was to investigate the associations between client socioeconomic status and the therapeutic alliance.

Methods

Data on socioeconomic status and different aspects of the therapeutic alliance were obtained from participants currently or recently in psychotherapy and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Results

The results provided support for a structural equation model where socioeconomic status was positively related to the therapeutic alliance. The study also found that the associations between socioeconomic status and therapeutic alliance was significantly stronger among clients who had received psychodynamic therapy compared to those who had received cognitive behavior therapy.

Conclusions

The results are discussed in relation to research suggesting that clients of lower socioeconomic status are estranged from the psychotherapeutic context, reflecting experiences among the clients both of not being understood and as inferior in relation to their therapist, as well as possible perceptions that such client are less suitable for psychotherapy.
Remittances and households' livelihood in the context of Covid‐19: Evidence from Burkina Faso
Authors: Tapsoba Tebkieta Alexandra
Published: December 2021

Using data from a migration survey conducted in Burkina Faso, this research seeks to understand the Covid‐19 pandemic's effects on migrant remittances and households' livelihood. Results suggest that migrant households and those receiving remittances are less likely to report a negative effect of the pandemic on their livelihood. More precisely, we find that if remittances sent by migrants remained the same or increased during the pandemic, households are less likely to report a negative effect on their livelihood. We resort to a recursive bivariate probit model and a two‐stage residual inclusion estimator, using variables that capture xenophobia and possession of identity papers as instruments for remittances.
Small, but smart: Fine structure of an avicularium in Dendrobeania fruticosa (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata)
Authors: Shunatova Natalia , Serova Ksenia , Denisova Sofia , Shchenkov Sergei , Ostrovsky Andrew
Published: December 2021

Bryozoans are small benthic suspension‐feeding colonial animals. Among this phylum, there are representatives showing a lesser or greater degree of polymorphism, and the most common type of polymorphic zooids is the avicularium. Here we present a detailed description of the bird's‐head shaped avicularium in Dendrobeania fruticosa. The body cavity of the avicularium demonstrates an acoelomate condition: along the cystid walls, there is neither the layer of extracellular matrix toward the epidermis, nor coelomic lining. However, a layer of extracellular matrix and epithelialized cells lie under the epidermis of the tentacle sheath. Probably, such construction helps the tentacle sheath to acquire some rigidity—it is the only region of the body wall without an ectocyst. We did not find typical funicular strands in the avicularium, but there is a delicate mesh composed of stellate cells with thin and long projections, which sometimes isolate the spaces filled with a heterogeneous matrix. The proximal ends of the adductors, abductors, and polypide retractors are attached to the body wall via typical epidermal tendon cells, which possess numerous bundles of tonofilaments. The distal ends of the abductors and adductors attach to the frontal membrane or upper vestibular membrane, respectively. The inner organic layer of the ectocyst in these regions forms large protrusions, from which numerous thin outgrowths branch off. We suggest them to be a functional analogue of apodemes and apodemal filaments in arthropods. “Apodemal” tendon cells have long and thin projections that line the outgrowths of the ectocyst and surround the distal ends of the muscle cells. At these sites, “apodemal” tendon cells possess numerous tonofilaments. The vestigial polypide includes the tentacle sheath, rudimentary lophophore, cerebral ganglion, and polypide retractors. The sensory part of 5HT‐positive cells of the frontal membrane is dendrite‐shaped and embedded in the inner organic layer of the ectocyst.
The unresolved question on COVID‐19 virus origin: The three cards game?
Authors: Borsetti Alessandra , Scarpa Fabio , Maruotti Antonello , Divino Fabio , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Giovanetti Marta , Ciccozzi Massimo
Published: December 2021

The ongoing discussion about the real origin of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) feeds acrimonious debates. Where did SARS‐CoV‐2 come from? Was SARS‐CoV‐2 transmitted in the wild from an animal to a person before exploding in Wuhan or was it an engineered virus that escaped from research or a laboratory in Wuhan? Right now, we still don't know enough whether SARS‐CoV‐2 is human‐made or not, and lab‐leak theories remain essentially speculative. Many recent studies have pointed out several plausible scenarios. Anyhow, currently, even if suspicions by some about the possibility of lab‐leak hypothesis still remain, the consensus view is that the pandemic probably started from a natural source and, to determine the real origin of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, further research is needed.
Assessing hydrolytic enzyme production ability of bacterial strains from bovine manure as potential biowaste conversion candidates
Authors: Aiysha Dalaq , Latif Zakia
Published: December 2021

Microbial enzymatic degradation of biowaste is a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for eliminating biowaste pollution. It is the underlying cause of the ever‐increasing demand for harnessing multipurpose microbes to work as an entity under given complex processes. Twelve bacterial strains of bovine manure were evaluated for their hydrolytic enzyme activity and optimization. Six enzymes; cellulase, amylase, pectinase, chitinase, protease, and gelatinase were selected based on their corresponding abundant biowaste, that is, cellulose, proteinaceous, chitin, and polymeric starchy biowaste. The preliminary qualitative screening was followed by quantitative enzyme production as well as optimal enzyme production conditions. Irrespective of their sample source and origin, all strains showed the highest enzyme production when grown at 40°C for 72 h with pH 7. Comparatively, among the selected enzymes, strains were higher producers of cellulase, protease, and gelatinase. The present study reported the first time Brevibacillus parabrevis (DZ.15) as pectinase producer, Achromobacter spanius (DZ.1) as amylase‐protease‐chitinase producer, Achromobacter piechaudii (DZ.12) as pectinase‐chitinase‐gelatinase producer, and two Achromobacter kerstersii (DZ.16 and DZ.17) as pectinase‐chitinase producers. Therefore, this study suggested that bovine manure microbes exhibiting novel potential can be used for hydrolysis of environmental biowaste.
Ketogenic diet and cancer: Fad or fabulous?
Authors: Mundi Manpreet S. , Mohamed Elfadil Osman , Patel Ishani , Patel Jalpan , Hurt Ryan T.
Published: December 2021

As the prevalence of smoking continues to decline, dietary factors are rapidly becoming the leading preventable cause of disease. Diet and obesity are also leading to a shift in cancer prevalence with increases noted in breast, liver, pancreas, and uterine cancers. Once cancer is detected, obesity is also associated with poorer outcomes with therapy as well as higher morbidity and mortality. Key factors are associated with the link between obesity and cancer including chronic inflammation, change in sex hormones, alteration in insulin‐IGF‐1 axis, alteration in adipokines, as well as cancer stem cells that are derived from adipose tissue. Because of these associations, a great deal of effort is being placed in implementing lifestyle changes that mitigate obesity‐associated factors that contribute to development of cancer, reduce side effects of treatment, and improve survival. Ketogenic diet is emerging as an attractive option in countering obesity‐related tumor‐promoting factors, as it is associated with weight loss as well as a reduction in insulin resistance and inflammation. Ketogenic diet can also deprive cancer cells of glucose, a fuel source that is predominantly used by many cancer lines through aerobic glycolysis in the setting of dysregulated mitochondria. Current manuscript reviews the theoretical benefits for use of ketogenic diet in cancer as well as the data available from clinical trials.
The evolution of adjuvant/neoadjuvant trials for resectable localized sarcoma
Authors: Gervais Mai‐Kim , Callegaro Dario , Gronchi Alessandro
Published: December 2021

Soft‐tissue sarcomas are rare tumors arising from mesenchymal tissues. As a heterogeneous group comprising more than 50 types, the development of clinical trials remains challenging. Decision‐making for neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy is based on the available evidence of contemporary trials and multidisciplinary clinical judgment.
Is a journal's ranking related to the reviewer's academic impact? (An empirical study based on Publons)
Authors: Lei Yan
Published: December 2021

This study explores the relationship between a journal's ranking and the reviewer's academic impact through extracting bibliometric information about reviewers for the top 1,000 Publons medical partner journals between February 2019 and 2020. Pairwise comparisons illustrate that reviewers of higher impact factor/average journal impact factor (IF/JIF) percentile ranked journals had better citation metrics than those of lower‐ranked journals. Multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis reveals a lower level of average citations per item and total citations, as well as h‐index scores, are associated with researchers who review for lower IF ranked journals; a lower level of average citations per item and verified reviews are associated with reviewing for lower JIF percentile ranked journals. Higher average citations per item and verified reviews are positively associated with reviewing for SCI journals compared to journals without an IF/JIF percentile. The results also show that there is no statistical difference in the academic impact of researchers who review for journals that have the lowest Impact factors and those that do not have an Impact Factor. These findings, although restricted to medical journals, may provide insights for editors when selecting reviewers.
Pelagic N2 fixation dominated by sediment diazotrophic communities in a shallow temperate estuary
Authors: Hallstrøm Søren , Benavides Mar , Salamon Ellen R. , Evans Clayton W. , Potts Lindsey J. , Granger Julie , Tobias Craig R. , Moisander Pia H. , Riemann Lasse
Published: December 2021

Estuaries receive substantial anthropogenic nitrogen loading and are mainly considered net nitrogen sinks. While several studies have identified diverse diazotrophic communities in estuarine sediments, the role of pelagic diazotrophs in these systems is not well understood. We investigated the links between diazotrophic community composition, nitrogenase (nifH) gene expression, N2 fixation, and environmental conditions in Narragansett Bay (USA). Pelagic N2 fixation rates ranged between 0.02 and 9.41 nmol N L−1 d−1 and correlated significantly with fluctuations in diazotroph community composition. These fluctuations were also correlated with temperature, salinity, and mean sea level. The dominant sequences in our pelagic samples were related to sequences previously detected in the bay's sediments and were dominated by nifH gene Clusters I and III. We interpret this as a coupling between sediment and pelagic diazotroph communities and speculate that resuspension plays an important role for pelagic N2 fixation in shallow estuarine environments such as Narragansett Bay. For instance, the finding of active sulfate reducers in the oxygenated water illustrates that the sediment‐pelagic coupling can impact nutrient cycling in shallow environments. The pelagic N2 fixation measured during our study period showed only a minor contribution (< 1%) to the total estimated nitrogen load to Narragansett Bay. However, with intensifying nitrogen management in estuaries, the need to constrain the rates of pelagic N2 fixation in these systems will be essential for estimating nitrogen fluxes within the bay and to the adjacent coastal ecosystems.
Physiology of Tremor Reduction by Putting the Hands Together in Essential Tremor
Authors: McGurrin Patrick , Vial Felipe , Osterholt Thomas , Norato Gina , Khan Imran , Haubenberger Dietrich , Ehrlich Debra , Hallett Mark
Published: December 2021

Background

Essential tremor is a common movement disorder, characterized by 4–12 Hz tremor of the hands and arms that can affect many activities of daily living. It has been reported by patients that when performing tasks bimanually their tremor is reduced, but why this happens is unknown.

Objectives

We measured patients' tremors in different conditions when performed with 1 hand and 2 hands to observe if bimanual task performance changes the characteristics of the tremor.

Methods

A total of 10 patients with essential tremor participated in the study. Electromyographic electrodes were attached bilaterally to the wrist flexor and extensor muscles, and accelerometers were attached to the dorsum of the hands. For each condition, holding a cup, wingbeat, and extending both arms up, data were collected with a single hand and bimanually with the hands touching.

Results

When the hands were touching, there was a significant decrease in both accelerometric and electromyographic power at the tremor frequency. In addition, there was a decrease in coherence between accelerometer and electromyography on the same side. There was no change in the tremor frequency.

Conclusions

Tremor amplitude does decrease when the hands are together. Together, the characteristics underlying the decrease in tremor amplitude may indicate a decrease in power of the central oscillator driving the tremor, which we speculate is attributed to the differences in unimanual and bimanual motor control. However, given the small sample size, we note that future hypothesis‐driven studies with an a priori power analysis will be required to further explore this phenomenon.
Passive syndicates and risk in venture capital investments
Authors: Geronikolaou George
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a model in which a budget‐constrained venture capital investor forms a syndicate and coinvests in a risky project. Assuming that syndication ameliorates competition among investors and that investee's outside option increases with investor competition, the model predicts that even if follower syndicate members are passive and do not add value to the project, the size of the syndicate is positively related to the maximum risk that the lead venture capital investor can tolerate.
Research on enterprises emission reduction technology innovation strategies with government subsidy and carbon trading mechanism
Authors: Wu Qunli , Xu Xinxin , Tian Ye
Published: December 2021

This paper establishes a differential game model to explore the interaction strategies among the government and supply chain enterprises under carbon trading mechanism and subsidies. By applying the principle of optimal control, we obtain the optimal solutions of the government and supply chain players with different scenarios. Research findings indicate that without cost‐sharing, the decision types between enterprises do not affect the low‐carbon technology (LCT) innovation level and subsidies. However, with a cost‐sharing contract, the emissions strategies of the supply players are achieved Pareto optimal. Specially, for government regulation, only when the proportion of cost‐sharing between enterprises reaches a reasonable range can government regulation make the better effect.
Optimal hybrid control of interarea oscillation in power system using energy storage systems
Authors: Biroon Roghieh A. , Pisu Pierluigi , Schoenwald David
Published: December 2021

Unmanaged renewables integration into the power system will raise the possibility of small‐signal instability due to higher load deviations in the transmission lines. In power grids with a higher penetration level of the renewables, the load deviation can cause interarea oscillation in the grid. Meanwhile, large‐scale battery energy storage systems are promising solutions to enhance power system stability by smoothening the load profile and their fast response. To damp the interarea oscillations without compromising the voltage stability, we need to consider the battery's dynamic model inaxis. The battery's dynamic model inaxis allows us to integrate the battery into the power system and simulate both the battery's active and reactive power injection/absorption. In this paper, we model the battery energy storage onaxis. Then, the battery model is augmented into the two‐area four‐machine power system. An optimum hybrid controller using linear quadratic regulator techniques is designed to damp generators' frequency deviations. The results show that the interarea oscillations are damped without losing the voltage stability of the system.
Characteristics and outcomes of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in Japanese elementary‐school students on total parenteral nutrition
Authors: Tamura Akira , Minami Koichi , Tsuda Yuko , Tsujimoto Hiroshi , Ichikawa Takayuki , Mizumoto Kazuhiro , Suzuki Hiroyuki
Published: December 2021

The clinical outcomes of adolescents with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) remain unclear. Furthermore, no report has compared the characteristics of ARFID and restricting‐type anorexia nervosa (R‐AN) in elementary‐school students on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). This study retrospectively reviewed inpatients diagnosed with ARFID or R‐AN between 2005 and 2019. Patients with ARFID (two boys and seven girls) and R‐AN (13 girls) were hospitalized because of rapid physical deterioration, and nutrition therapy was continued without withdrawal. The ARFID group exhibited significantly lower body weights at admission than the R‐AN group and gained an average of 6.5 kg during hospitalization; furthermore, the monthly weight gain during hospitalization was significantly higher, and no relapse was observed. Early physical improvement in ARFID resulted in good recovery. In conclusion, TPN can be easily introduced to patients with ARFID, in whom aversive eating is a concern, and is a suitable treatment for ARFID.
Riligustilide alleviates hepatic insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis in T2DM mice through multitarget actions
Authors: Qu Xiaodan , Guan Peipei , Xu Lixiao , Liu Bo , Li Minglei , Xu Zhaonan , Huang Xueshi , Han Li
Published: December 2021

Riligustilide (RG), one of the dimeric phthalides of Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum chuanxiong, was confirmed effective against many diseases. However, its effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated yet. The current study was designed to investigate the hypoglycemic potential by which RG affects the pathogenesis of T2DM. Comprehensive insights into the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of RG on attenuating aberrant metabolism of glucose were determined in high‐fat diet‐induced T2DM mice and insulin‐resistant (IR) HepG2 cells. In high‐fat diet‐induced C57BL/6J mice, RG administration significantly reduced hyperglycemia, decreased hyperinsulinemia, and ameliorated glucose intolerance. Mechanistically, RG activated PPARγ and insulin signaling pathway to improve insulin sensitivity, and increase glucose uptake as well as glycogenesis. In addition, RG also upregulated AMPK‐TORC2‐FoxO1 axis to attenuate gluconeogenesis in vivo and in vitro. According to the findings, RG may be a promising candidate for the treatment of T2DM.
Investigation of dysregulated lipid metabolism in diabetic mice via targeted metabolomics of bile acids in enterohepatic circulation
Authors: Ruan Yanjiao , Liu Rong , Gong Lingzhi
Published: December 2021

Rationale

The mechanism of lipid metabolism disorder in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains unclear. This study aimed to reveal the mechanism underlying dysregulated lipid metabolism in T2DM through bile acid metabolism.

Methods

A db/db mouse model was employed to investigate the alteration of bile acid profiles in T2DM. Ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify the detailed bile acid levels in each compartment of enterohepatic circulation. The pathological change of mouse liver was assessed by liver histology and serum biochemical assays. The expression level of bile acid‐related transporters and synthases was measured with Western blot analysis.

Results

The results showed that T2DM can result in severe liver fat accumulation and liver damage. In addition, compared to the control group, in T2DM mice, bile acid synthesis is reduced, while the level of bile acids is increased at the storage sites and the reabsorption sites, but there are subtle gender differences. Further, the ratio of conjugated bile acids in total bile acid in the liver of T2DM mice increased significantly relative to the control group for both female and male mice.

Conclusions

In T2DM, bile acid metabolism is disordered in both male and female mice, which could be the underlying mechanism of dysregulated lipid metabolism in T2DM.
Usefulness of expanding the indications of early rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Authors: Shibahara Takashi , Fukasaku Yuu , Miyazaki Nozomi , Kawato Hiroaki , Minoura Hiroyuki
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Early rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is often performed in cases in which not even a single oocyte has extruded a second polar body 6 h after insemination. We evaluated the usefulness of expanding the indications of early rescue ICSI to cases in which <80% of oocytes have extruded second polar bodies 6 h after insemination.

Methods

Early rescue ICSI was performed on oocytes that were denuded 2.5 h post‐insemination and whose extrusion of the second polar bodies had been examined 6 h post‐insemination with a PolScope.

Results

In vitro fertilization was performed on 24 496 oocytes of 4944 cycles, and 1438 cycles had <80% rate of the second polar body extrusion. Rescue ICSI was performed on 3933 oocytes. Three pronuclei (3PN) incidence of rescue ICSI was 3.0% in oocytes with ≥50% rate of the second polar body extrusion. With respect to the second polar body extrusion rate, no differences were observed in normal fertilization, blastocyst development, implantation, miscarriage, or live birth rates for rescue ICSI.

Conclusion

By expanding the indications of early rescue ICSI using the PolScope to cases in which <80% of oocytes have extruded the second polar bodies, many fertilized oocytes can be obtained without considerably increasing the 3PN rate.
Effects of post‐ovulatory aging on centromeric cohesin protection in murine MII oocytes
Authors: Shimoi Gaku , Wakabayashi Rico , Ishikawa Ryu , Kameyama Yuichi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Post‐ovulatory aging causes a high frequency of aneuploidy during meiosis II in mouse oocytes, irrespective of maternal age. In this study, we evaluated the effects of post‐ovulatory oocyte aging on the protection of chromosomal cohesion involved in aneuploidy and verified the relationship between PP2A or SGO2 expression and the phosphorylation level of REC8 in oocytes.

Methods

Murine ovulated oocytes were incubated for 6 or 12 h in vitro after collection and denoted as the aged group. The oocytes examined immediately after collection were used as the control group. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the localization of PP2A, SGO2, BUB1, AURORA B, and MAD2 in the chromosomal centromere. Immunoblotting was used to quantify the expression of proteins describe above and REC8 in the oocytes.

Results

PP2A expression involved in the de‐phosphorylation of REC8 decreased over time in oocytes, suggesting a deficiency in PP2A in centromeres. This indicated an increase in the level of phosphorylated REC8, which destabilizes centromeric cohesion in oocytes. In contrast, SGO2 expression was significantly high in aged oocytes.

Conclusions

The findings show that post‐ovulatory aging destabilizes the centromeric cohesin protection in oocytes and can cause aneuploidy, which is often observed in aged oocytes during meiosis II.
Minimum‐time row transition control of a vision‐guided agricultural robot
Authors: Li Qiang , Xu Yunjun
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a vision‐based, subspace optimal controller aiming to improve the row transition performance of an agricultural robot in a strawberry field. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, only RGB cameras, instead of complicated sensor suites, are used for cross‐bed navigation and row alignment. Second, a real‐time adaptive dynamic programming‐based algorithm is designed for an optimal row transition. The conditions for row alignment are derived in an augmented pixel coordinate frame. Based on these conditions, a simple motion rule is utilized to reduce the search space dimension so that the proposed algorithm can be implemented in real‐time. Additionally, the inverse‐dynamics policy of the algorithm is updated using vision feedback at each control step to adapt to uncertainties. The proposed controller is tested in both simulations and field experiments. In a simulation comparison, the minimum‐time solution achieved using the proposed algorithm is 44.7 s, which is very close to that of a benchmark algorithm (44.4 s). However, the CPU time required by the proposed algorithm is only 4.3% of time needed by the benchmark algorithm. Twenty field experiments using the presented design were all successful in row transition, with a mean final alignment error of 0.5 cm.
Upconverting Nanoparticles in Aqueous Media: Not a Dead‐End Road. Avoiding Degradation by Using Hydrophobic Polymer Shells
Authors: Mendez‐Gonzalez Diego , Torres Vera Vivian , Zabala Gutierrez Irene , Gerke Christoph , Cascales Concepción , Rubio‐Retama Jorge , G. Calderón Oscar , Melle Sonia , Laurenti Marco
Published: December 2021

The stunning optical properties of upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have inspired promising biomedical technologies. Nevertheless, their transfer to aqueous media is often accompanied by intense luminescence quenching, partial dissolution by water, and even complete degradation by molecules such as phosphates. Currently, these are major issues hampering the translation of UCNPs to the clinic. In this work, a strategy is developed to coat and protect β‐NaYF4 UCNPs against these effects, by growing a hydrophobic polymer shell (HPS) through miniemulsion polymerization of styrene (St), or St and methyl methacrylate mixtures. This allows one to obtain single core@shell UCNPs@HPS with a final diameter of ≈60–70 nm. Stability studies reveal that these HPSs serve as a very effective barrier, impeding polar molecules to affect UCNPs optical properties. Even more, it allows UCNPs to withstand aggressive conditions such as high dilutions (5 µg mL−1), high phosphate concentrations (100 mm), and high temperatures (70 °C). The physicochemical characterizations prove the potential of HPSs to overcome the current limitations of UCNPs. This strategy, which can be applied to other nanomaterials with similar limitations, paves the way toward more stable and reliable UCNPs with applications in life sciences.
Puerarin alleviates cadmium‐induced oxidative damage to bone by reducing autophagy in rats
Authors: Tong Xishuai , Yu Gengsheng , Liu Qingyang , Zhang Xueqing , Bian Jianchun , Liu Zongping , Gu Jianhong
Published: December 2021

Autophagy is a regulatory mechanism involved in cadmium (Cd)‐induced bone toxicity and is suppressed by various stimuli, including oxidative stress. Puerarin is an isoflavonoid compound isolated from Pueraria, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. The underlying mechanisms of action of puerarin remain unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the mitigating effects of puerarin on cadmium‐induced oxidative damage in the bones of rats. Cadmium exposure increased oxidative damage in rat bones; this was markedly decreased by puerarin treatment, as demonstrated by changes in the activity of antioxidative enzymes. Cadmium‐induced blockage of the expression of key bone regulatory proteins, autophagy‐related markers, and signaling molecules was also alleviated by puerarin treatment. Additionally, cadmium reduced expression of the autophagic protein Rab7 and of late endosomal/lysosomal adaptor and MAPK and mTOR activator 1 (LAMTOR1); the decrease in these proteins was not restored by puerarin treatment. We speculate that puerarin relieves the inhibition of fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes that is induced by cadmium; however, this specific effect of puerarin and downstream effects on bone regulatory mechanisms require further investigation. In conclusion, puerarin alleviates cadmium‐induced oxidative damage in the bones of rats by attenuating autophagy, which is likely associated with the antioxidant activity of puerarin.
Prevalence of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Samim Daryoush , Choffat Damien , Vollenweider Peter , Waeber Gérard , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Méan Marie
Published: December 2021

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with increased morbi-mortality. The prevalence of AF in the Western world is increasing; however, reports on the prevalence of AF in the past decade are scarce, and whether the prevalence of AF increased during the last decade in Switzerland remains uncertain. Therefore, using data from a Swiss population-based sample, we aimed to assess the point prevalence of AF from 2014 to 2017 and to investigate determinants of AF.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of 4616 Caucasian participants aged 45–86 years (55% women) from a population-based sample was designed to explore the point prevalence and determinants of cardiovascular risk factors in the population of Lausanne, Switzerland. AF was assessed using electrocardiography (ECG) between 2014 and 2017.

Results

Overall, the point prevalence of AF was 0.9% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.7–1.2%) and the combined AF + atrial flutter (AFL) point prevalence was 1.1% (95% CI: 8.4–1.5%). The point prevalence of AF was higher among men (81% vs. 19% in women) and increased with age, reaching 3.1% in participants aged ≥ 80. In multivariable analysis, male gender (odds ratio and 95% CI: 4.98 [1.01–24.6]) and increasing age (2.86 [1.40–5.87] per decade) were associated with AF.

Conclusion

The point prevalence of AF and of AF + AFL, assessed between 2014 and 2017 in the city of Lausanne (Switzerland), was low but increased with age and in men.
A Sharp Version of Price’s Law for Wave Decay on Asymptotically Flat Spacetimes
Authors: Hintz Peter
Published: December 2021

We prove Price’s law with an explicit leading order term for solutions $$\phi (t,x)$$

ϕ
(
t
,
x
)

of the scalar wave equation on a class of stationary asymptotically flat $$(3+1)$$

(
3
+
1
)

-dimensional spacetimes including subextremal Kerr black holes. Our precise asymptotics in the full forward causal cone imply in particular that $$\phi (t,x)=c t^{-3}+{\mathcal {O}}(t^{-4+})$$

ϕ

(
t
,
x
)

=
c

t

-
3

+
O

(

t

-
4
+

)

for bounded |x|, where $$c\in {\mathbb {C}}$$

c
∈
C

is an explicit constant. This decay also holds along the event horizon on Kerr spacetimes and thus renders a result by Luk–Sbierski on the linear scalar instability of the Cauchy horizon unconditional. We moreover prove inverse quadratic decay of the radiation field, with explicit leading order term. We establish analogous results for scattering by stationary potentials with inverse cubic spatial decay. On the Schwarzschild spacetime, we prove pointwise $$t^{-2 l-3}$$

t

-
2
l
-
3

decay for waves with angular frequency at least l, and $$t^{-2 l-4}$$

t

-
2
l
-
4

decay for waves which are in addition initially static. This definitively settles Price’s law for linear scalar waves in full generality. The heart of the proof is the analysis of the resolvent at low energies. Rather than constructing its Schwartz kernel explicitly, we proceed more directly using the geometric microlocal approach to the limiting absorption principle pioneered by Melrose and recently extended to the zero energy limit by Vasy.
Interobserver agreement of estimating the extent of intestinal metaplasia in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis
Authors: Lerch Julia M. , Pai Rish K. , Brown Ian , Gill Anthony J. , Jain Dhanpat , Kővári Bence , Kushima Ryoji , Sheahan Kieran , Slavik Tomas , Srivastava Amitabh , Lauwers Gregory Y. , Langner Cord
Published: December 2021

The extent of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) can be used to determine the risk of gastric cancer. Eleven international gastrointestinal expert pathologists estimated the extent of GIM on haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)- and Alcian blue-Periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS)-stained slides of 46 antrum biopsies in 5% increments. Interobserver agreement was tested with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlation between standard deviation and extent of GIM was evaluated with the Spearman correlation. The interobserver agreement was very good (ICC = 0.983, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.975–0.990). The use of AB-PAS did not increase the agreement (ICC = 0.975, 95% CI 0.961–0.985). Cases with a higher amount of metaplastic epithelium demonstrated a higher standard deviation (rs = 0.644; p < 0.01), suggesting lower diagnostic accuracy in cases with extensive GIM. In conclusion, estimating the extent of GIM on H&E-stained slides in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis can be achieved satisfactorily with high interobserver agreement, at least among international expert gastrointestinal pathologists.
Global stability of fuzzy cognitive maps
Authors: Harmati István Á. , Hatwágner Miklós F. , Kóczy László T.
Published: December 2021

Complex systems can be effectively modelled by fuzzy cognitive maps. Fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) are network-based models, where the connections in the network represent causal relations. The conclusion about the system is based on the limit of the iteratively applied updating process. This iteration may or may not reach an equilibrium state (fixed point). Moreover, if the model is globally asymptotically stable, then this fixed point is unique and the iteration converges to this point from every initial state. There are some FCM models, where global stability is the required property, but in many FCM applications, the preferred scenario is not global stability, but multiple fixed points. Global stability bounds are useful in both cases: they may give a hint about which parameter set should be preferred or avoided. In this article, we present novel conditions for the global asymptotical stability of FCMs, i.e. conditions under which the iteration leads to the same point from every initial vector. Furthermore, we show that the results presented here outperform the results known from the current literature.