bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sirt1 inhibits macrophage polarization and inflammation in gouty arthritis by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB/AP-1 pathway and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway
Authors: Zhao Xu , Li Menglan , Lu Yiwei , Wang Mi , Xiao Jiawei , Xie Qingqing , He Xinyi , Shuai Shiquan
Published: May 2024

Objective and design

To elucidate Sirt1’s role in gouty arthritis inflammation and its potential mechanisms.

Material

Constructed murine models of gouty arthritis and conducted THP-1 cell experiments.

Treatment

1 mg of MSU crystals injected into mice ankle joints for a 72-h intervention. After a 3-h pre-treatment with Sirt1-specific inhibitor (EX527) and agonist (SRT2104), inflammation was induced for 21 h using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus MSU crystals.

Methods

We assessed gouty arthritis severity through joint inflammation index, swelling, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and measured CD68 mononuclear macrophages and Sirt1 expression in synovial tissue via immunohistochemistry. ELISA, NO assay, RT-qPCR, Flow cytometry, and Western blot were utilized to examine macrophage inflammatory factors, polarization, reactive oxygen species(ROS), MAPK/NF-κB/AP-1 and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways proteins.

Results

Significant joint swelling, synovial tissue edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed. CD68 mononuclear macrophages and Sirt1 expression were elevated in synovium. Sirt1 activation decreased inflammatory factors, M1 polarization, and ROS generation. Sirt1 activation reduced p38/JNK phosphorylation, thereby inhibiting downstream NF-κB p65/AP-1 and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1, thus suppressing inflammation.

Conclusions

Sirt1 alleviates M1 macrophage polarization and inflammation in gouty arthritis by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB/AP-1 pathway and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Thus, activating Sirt1 may provide a new therapeutic target for gouty arthritis.
Das Verbundprojekt „Personalisierte Medizin für die Onkologie“ (PM4Onco) als Teil der Medizininformatik-Initiative (MII)
Authors: Metzger Patrick , Boerries Melanie
Published: May 2024

Das Verbundprojekt Personalisierte Medizin für die Onkologie (PM4Onco) wurde 2023 im Rahmen der Nationalen Dekade gegen Krebs (NDK) ins Leben gerufen und wird als Anwendungsfall der Medizininformatik-Initiative (MII) geführt. Es verfolgt das Ziel, eine nachhaltige Infrastruktur zur Integration und Nutzung von Daten aus der klinischen und biomedizinischen Forschung zu etablieren, und bündelt dabei die Erfahrungen und Vorarbeiten aller 4 Konsortien der MII sowie der onkologischen Spitzenzentren in Deutschland. Die von PM4Onco bereitgestellten Daten werden in geeigneter Form aufbereitet, um die Entscheidungsfindung in molekularen Tumorboards zu unterstützen. Dieses Konzept und die entsprechende Infrastruktur werden auf die 23 beteiligten Standorte ausgeweitet und damit wird ein verbesserter Zugang zu zielgerichteten Therapien ermöglicht, die auf klinischen Informationen und der Analyse molekulargenetischer Veränderungen in Tumoren in verschiedenen Krankheitsstadien basieren. Dies trägt dazu bei, die Behandlung und Prognose von Tumorerkrankungen zu verbessern.

Klinische Krebsregister sind Teil des Projekts, um die Datenqualität durch standardisierte Dokumentationsroutinen zu erhöhen. Klinische Expert:innen beraten bei der Erweiterung der Kerndatensätze für die Personalisierte Medizin (PM). Einen entscheidenden Beitrag liefern Informationen zur Lebensqualität und zum Behandlungserfolg, die Patient:innen über Fragebögen rückmelden und die bisher außerhalb klinischer Studien kaum erfasst werden. Patientenvertreter:innen begleiten das Projekt, um die wichtige Perspektive der Betroffenen in den Entscheidungen zu berücksichtigen. PM4Onco schafft somit eine Allianz zwischen MII, onkologischen Spitzenzentren, klinischen Krebsregistern, Nachwuchswissenschaftler:innen, Patient:innen und Bürger:innen, um die PM in der Krebstherapie zu stärken und voranzubringen.
The role of automated insulin delivery technology in diabetes
Authors: Boughton Charlotte K. , Hovorka Roman
Published: May 2024

The role of automated insulin delivery systems in diabetes is expanding. Hybrid closed-loop systems are being used in routine clinical practice for treating people with type 1 diabetes. Encouragingly, real-world data reflects the performance and usability observed in clinical trials. We review the commercially available hybrid closed-loop systems, their distinctive features and the associated real-world data. We also consider emerging indications for closed-loop systems, including the treatment of type 2 diabetes where variability of day-to-day insulin requirements is high, and other challenging applications for this technology. We discuss issues around access and implementation of closed-loop technology, and consider the limitations of present closed-loop systems, as well as innovative approaches that are being evaluated to improve their performance.

Graphical Abstract
Preparation of an ethics application
Authors: Mathis Dominic ,   AGA Research Committee
Published: May 2024

The purpose of writing an ethics application as part of a scientific study is to ensure that the study adheres to ethical standards and guidelines. This work must be done with care and accuracy, and can be a tedious and time-consuming task that may involve multiple amendments and revisions. This is where guidance such as the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) criteria can be used. This article is intended to support you in approaching the submission process with preparation of the application in a structured and standardized manner.
Pathology of submeasures and $$F_{\sigma }$$ ideals
Authors: Martínez Jorge , Meza-Alcántara David , Uzcátegui Carlos
Published: May 2024

We address some phenomena about the interaction between lower semicontinuous submeasures on $${\mathbb {N}}$$
N
and $$F_{\sigma }$$

F
σ

ideals. We analyze the pathology degree of a submeasure and present a method to construct pathological $$F_{\sigma }$$

F
σ

ideals. We give a partial answers to the question of whether every nonpathological tall $$F_{\sigma }$$

F
σ

ideal is Katětov above the random ideal or at least has a Borel selector. Finally, we show a representation of nonpathological $$F_{\sigma }$$

F
σ

ideals using sequences in Banach spaces.
Prospective Clinical Trial for Predicting Mastectomy Skin Flap Necrosis with Indocyanine Green Angiography in Implant-Based Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Kim Jaewoo , Han Man Wong , Hong Ki Yong
Published: May 2024

Background

Indocyanine green angiography (ICG-A) is a useful tool for evaluating mastectomy skin flap (MSF) perfusion during breast reconstruction. However, a standardized protocol for interpreting and applying MSF perfusion after mastectomy has not been established yet. The purpose of this study is to establish criteria for assessing MSF perfusion in immediate implant-based prepectoral breast reconstruction while correlating ICG-A findings with postoperative outcomes

Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted at a single institution and involved patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and immediate implant-based prepectoral breast reconstruction between August 2021 and August 2023. The terms “hypoperfused flap” and “hypoperfused area” were defined according to ICG-A perfusion. MSF exhibited < 30% perfusion, excluding the nipple and the corresponding region, respectively. Data on the hypoperfused flap, hypoperfused area, and MSF necrosis were collected.

Results

Fifty-three breast cases were analyzed. Eight patients developed MSF necrosis (15.1%, 8/53). Of these, two patients underwent surgical debridement and revision within 3 months (3.8%, 2/53). There were nine cases of a hypoperfused flap, eight of which developed MSF necrosis. The hypoperfused flap was a significant predictor of the occurrence of MSF necrosis (p < 0.001). There was a tendency for increased full-thickness necrosis with a wider hypoperfused area.

Conclusions

The hypoperfused flap enabled the prediction of MSF necrosis with high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Considering the presumed correlation between the extent of the hypoperfused area and the need for revision surgery, caution should be exercised when making intraoperative decisions regarding the reconstruction method.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
The home health care routing with heterogeneous electric vehicles and synchronization
Authors: Cebeci Eşref , Yücel Eda , Koç Çağrı
Published: May 2024

This paper studies the problem of heterogeneous electric vehicles, fast chargers, and synchronized jobs that have time windows in home healthcare routing and scheduling. We consider a problem that aims to establish daily routes and schedules for healthcare nurses to provide a variety of services to patients located in a scattered area. Each nurse should be assigned to an electric vehicle (EV) from a heterogeneous fleet of EVs to perform the assigned jobs within working hours. We consider three different types of EVs in terms of battery capacity and energy consumption. We aim to minimize the total cost of energy consumption, fixed nurse cost, and costs arising from the patients that cannot be served within the working day. We model the problem as a mixed integer programming formulation. We develop a hybrid metaheuristic based on a greedy random adaptive search procedure heuristic, to generate good quality initial solutions quickly, and an adaptive variable neighborhood search algorithm to generate high quality solutions in reasonable time. The hybrid metaheuristic employs a set of new advanced efficient procedures designed to handle the complex structure of the problem. Through extensive computational experiments, the performance of the mathematical model and the hybrid metaheuristic are evaluated. We conduct analyses on the robustness of the metaheuristic and the performance contribution of employing adaptive probabilities. We analyze the impact of problem parameters such as competency requirements, job duration, and synchronized jobs.
IgA vasculitis after COVID-19: a case-based review
Authors: Suszek Dorota , Grzywa-Celińska Anna , Emeryk-Maksymiuk Justyna , Krusiński Adam , Redestowicz Katarzyna , Siwiec Jan
Published: May 2024

IgA-associated vasculitis (IgAV) known as Henoch - Schönlein purpura (HSP) disease is an inflammatory disorder of small blood vessels. It’s the most common type of systemic vasculitis in children which can be associated with the inflammatory process following infections. IgA vasculitis is a rare and poorly understood systemic vasculitis in adults. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with HSP in both adults and children. A 58-year-old woman was diagnosed with HSP, fulfilling the clinical criteria: palpable purpura, arthritis, hematuria. The disclosure of the HSP disease was preceded by a infection of the respiratory tract. COVID-19 infection was confirmed via the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies. This case indicates the possible role of SARS-CoV-2 in the development of HSP. The clinical course of IgAV in adults appears to be different from pediatric IgAV, especially due to higher risk of renal complications. Symptoms of the disease quickly resolved with low-dose of steroids.
Comparing mouse and human cingulate cortex organization using functional connectivity
Authors: van Hout Aran T. B. , van Heukelum Sabrina , Rushworth Matthew F. S. , Grandjean Joanes , Mars Rogier B.
Published: May 2024

The subdivisions of the extended cingulate cortex of the human brain are implicated in a number of high-level behaviors and affected by a range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Its anatomy, function, and response to therapeutics are often studied using non-human animals, including the mouse. However, the similarity of human and mouse frontal cortex, including cingulate areas, is still not fully understood. Some accounts emphasize resemblances between mouse cingulate cortex and human cingulate cortex while others emphasize similarities with human granular prefrontal cortex. We use comparative neuroimaging to study the connectivity of the cingulate cortex in the mouse and human, allowing comparisons between mouse ‘gold standard’ tracer and imaging data, and, in addition, comparison between the mouse and the human using comparable imaging data. We find overall similarities in organization of the cingulate between species, including anterior and midcingulate areas and a retrosplenial area. However, human cingulate contains subareas with a more fine-grained organization than is apparent in the mouse and it has connections to prefrontal areas not present in the mouse. Results such as these help formally address between-species brain organization and aim to improve the translation from preclinical to human results.
Interventions about physical activity and diet and their impact on adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: a Prisma systematic review
Authors: Vasilopoulou M. , Asimakopoulou Z. , Velissari J. , Vicha A. , Rizogianni M. , Pusa S. , Stöven S. , Ficarra S. , Bianco Α. , Jiménez-Pavón D. , Ponce Gonzalez Jesus G. , Tavares Paula C. , Gomes B. , Bayer D. , Silva S. , Nogueira C. , Papakonstantinou S. , Musa K. , Glorioso F. , Vantarakis A.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Over the past few decades, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults (AYA) has been increasing. The impact of behaviors, such as physical activity (PA) and nutrition, on disease progression, prognosis, and overall health and quality of life for AYA cancer survivors is of significant importance. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PA and diet interventions for AYA cancer survivors and to critically evaluate existing literature, gaps, and limitations.

Methods

A search of literature was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar following the PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-two studies were included from online databases from 2012 to 2022, 13 of which were randomized controlled trials.

Results

Most interventions were related to PA, with only four studies including nutrition or Diet interventions. The interventions were generally feasible and acceptable to AYA cancer survivors, and digitally based PA interventions were commonly used. PA interventions mainly comprised aerobic and resistance training and were individualized. Overall, this review found various PA and diet interventions for AYA cancer survivors that were feasible and well-accepted, but gaps in knowledge and design still exist.

Conclusions

This systematic review underscores the importance of conducting more research on diet interventions for YCS.

Prospero registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#aboutregpage
A systematic review and meta-analysis of artificial neural network, machine learning, deep learning, and ensemble learning approaches in field of geotechnical engineering
Authors: Yaghoubi Elaheh , Yaghoubi Elnaz , Khamees Ahmed , Vakili Amir Hossein
Published: May 2024

Artificial neural networks (ANN), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and ensemble learning (EL) are four outstanding approaches that enable algorithms to extract information from data and make predictions or decisions autonomously without the need for direct instructions. ANN, ML, DL, and EL models have found extensive application in predicting geotechnical and geoenvironmental parameters. This research aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the applications of ANN, ML, DL, and EL in addressing forecasting within the field related to geotechnical engineering, including soil mechanics, foundation engineering, rock mechanics, environmental geotechnics, and transportation geotechnics. Previous studies have not collectively examined all four algorithms—ANN, ML, DL, and EL—and have not explored their advantages and disadvantages in the field of geotechnical engineering. This research aims to categorize and address this gap in the existing literature systematically. An extensive dataset of relevant research studies was gathered from the Web of Science and subjected to an analysis based on their approach, primary focus and objectives, year of publication, geographical distribution, and results. Additionally, this study included a co-occurrence keyword analysis that covered ANN, ML, DL, and EL techniques, systematic reviews, geotechnical engineering, and review articles that the data, sourced from the Scopus database through the Elsevier Journal, were then visualized using VOS Viewer for further examination. The results demonstrated that ANN is widely utilized despite the proven potential of ML, DL, and EL methods in geotechnical engineering due to the need for real-world laboratory data that civil and geotechnical engineers often encounter. However, when it comes to predicting behavior in geotechnical scenarios, EL techniques outperform all three other methods. Additionally, the techniques discussed here assist geotechnical engineering in understanding the benefits and disadvantages of ANN, ML, DL, and EL within the geo techniques area. This understanding enables geotechnical practitioners to select the most suitable techniques for creating a certainty and resilient ecosystem.
Initiation of the Unazuki Belt, Southwest Japan, during the Carboniferous as an island arc system along the North China Craton
Authors: Oh Chang Whan , Kawaguchi Kenta , Lee Bo Young , Lee Seung Hwan , Imayama Takeshi
Published: May 2024

The Unazuki Belt, Southwest Japan, is a part of the Hida Belt, which is characterized as a plutono-metamorphic complex with a continental affinity formed between the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic. The Unazuki Belt is known to be an important tectonic unit for the tectonic correlation between the proto-Japan and East Asian continents as it records Permo–Triassic tectono-thermal events, however, comprehensive chronology of the Unazuki Belt including the timing of the initiation of this Belt is yet unclear. The present study reveals certain Carboniferous magmatic and sedimentation events from the Unazuki Belt and their tectonic implications for the first time as follows. Zircon U–Pb age dating results and whole-rock geochemical compositions show that the protoliths of metagranite and metatrachyandesite in the Unazuki Belt formed at 328.2 ± 4.4 Ma and 332.8 ± 2.2 Ma, respectively, in an arc tectonic setting. Most metasedimentary rocks of the Unazuki Belt have the youngest detrital zircon grains of ~ 300 Ma with the Carboniferous single cluster at ~ 340–300 Ma without any Pre-360 Ma detrital zircon grains. However, one metasedimentary rock with Precambrian detrital zircons (~ 20%) has the youngest detrital zircon age of ~ 252 Ma, and ~ 66% of detrital zircons show a Permian age. Most of the εHf(t) values of zircon grains from all the studied Unazuki Belt samples, including the metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks with Carboniferous ages (~ 360–300 Ma) are positive (+ 6– + 18), whereas those of the zircon grains with Permian ages (~ 280–260 Ma) show wide variations between + 16 and -23. The whole-rock geochemical compositions of the ~ 300 Ma metasedimentary rocks of the Unazuki Belt show an island arc tectonic setting, whereas those of ~ 252 Ma metasedimentary rock have a continental arc affinity. These new data suggest that (1) igneous and sedimentary rocks in the Unazuki Belt formed in the island arc tectonic setting separated from the margin of continental crust during the Carboniferous but shifted to the continental arc tectonic setting during the latest Permian, (2) the collision between the island arc and continental arc may have caused the intermediate-P/T metamorphism during the Permian in the Unazuki Belt. The Carboniferous island arc tectonic setting in the Unazuki Belt indicates that the Hida Belt, including the Unazuki Belt, formed not at the margin of the South China Craton where Carboniferous subduction is absent but on the continuous subduction zone located along the eastern margin of the North China Craton, including the eastern margin of the northern Korean Peninsula where Carboniferous subduction occurred.

Graphical Abstract
Anthropogenic Eutrophication Drives Major Food Web Changes in Mwanza Gulf, Lake Victoria
Authors: King Leighton , Wienhues Giulia , Misra Pavani , Tylmann Wojciech , Lami Andrea , Bernasconi Stefano M. , Jaggi Madalina , Courtney-Mustaphi Colin , Muschick Moritz , Ngoepe Nare , Mwaiko Salome , Kishe Mary A. , Cohen Andrew , Heiri Oliver , Seehausen Ole , Vogel Hendrik , Grosjean Martin , Matthews Blake
Published: May 2024

Discerning ecosystem change and food web dynamics underlying anthropogenic eutrophication and the introduction of non-native species is necessary for ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries and lake biodiversity. Previous studies of eutrophication in Lake Victoria, eastern Africa, have focused on the loss of endemic fish biodiversity over the past several decades, but changes in the plankton communities over this same time remain unclear. To fill this gap, we examined sediment cores from a eutrophic embayment, Mwanza Gulf, to determine the timing and magnitude of changes in the phytoplankton and zooplankton assemblages over the past century. Biogeochemical proxies indicate nutrient enrichment began around ~ 1920 CE and led to rapid increases in primary production, and our analysis of photosynthetic pigments revealed three zones: pre-eutrophication (prior to 1920 CE), onset of eutrophication with increases in all pigments (1920–1990 CE), and sustained eutrophication with cyanobacterial dominance (1990 CE–present). Cladoceran remains indicate an abrupt decline in biomass in ~ 1960 CE, in response to the cumulative effects of eutrophication and lake-level rise, preceding the collapse of haplochromine cichlids in the 1980s. Alona and Chydorus, typically benthic littoral taxa, have remained at relatively low abundances since the 1960s, whereas the abundance of Bosmina, typically a planktonic taxon, increased in the 1990s concurrently with the biomass recovery of haplochromine cichlid fishes. Overall, our results demonstrate substantial changes over the past century in the biomass structure and taxonomic composition of Mwanza Gulf phytoplankton and zooplankton communities, providing a historical food web perspective that can help understand the recent changes and inform future resource management decisions in the Lake Victoria ecosystem.
Temporary division of roles in group hunting for fish eggs by a coral reef fish
Authors: Sato Hajime , Sakai Yoichi , Kuwamura Tetsuo
Published: May 2024

Division of roles was observed during group hunting by the false cleanerfish, Aspidontus taeniatus (Blenniidae), when they raid the nests of the damselfish (Pomacentridae) and eat their guarded eggs. In this paper, we provide the first description of the collaborative group egg-eating behavior by the false cleanerfish. When raiding the nests of the three-spot dascyllus, Dascyllus trimaculatus, whose eggs are guarded by parents, the false cleanerfish divided roles as follows: “decoy” or “watcher” to draw attention and attract attacks from the parents, and “hider” or “intruder” to avoid detection by the parents and invade the nest. The potential differential costs associated with each role are unique among examples of group hunting strategies in fishes. However, once any individual in the group successfully invaded the nest, all individuals quickly achieved successful predation of the eggs and gained immediate shared benefit. We propose that the group egg-eating behavior of the false cleanerfish not only reinforces the evidence that fish can collaborate with other individuals but also suggests the hypothesis that collaborative hunting can evolve through mutualism even in fishes. Digital video images related to the article are available at http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo240411at01a, and http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo240411at02a.
Multiplex PCR specific for genus Phytophthora and P. nicotianae with an internal plant DNA control for effective quarantine of Phytophthora species in Japan
Authors: Otsubo Kayoko , Li Mingzhu , Afandi Auliana , Suga Haruhisa , Kageyama Koji , Hieno Ayaka
Published: May 2024

To prevent threats from pathogens such as Phytophthora species from international plant trade, molecular identification techniques are needed for rapid, accurate quarantine inspection. Here, for quarantine control in Japan, we developed a simple DNA extraction for plants and a practical detection method that combines multiplexed PCR using primers specific for Phytophthora species, for P. nicotianae, which is the only non-quarantine Phytophthora species, and as internal controls, for plants. For the new genus-level primer set, we modified previously reported genus-specific primers to improve detectability. The new primers were able to detect mycelial DNA of 155 taxa among Phytophthora clades 1–10, with a sensitivity of 100 fg/µL for three representative species, P. ramorum, P. kernoviae and P. nicotianae. In the PCRs using DNA from non-target species, amplification was observed for only three taxa, and for some strains, four taxa in a closely related genus. Duplex and triplex PCR of the genus-specific primers combined with previously reported plant primers verified the success of DNA extraction and PCR detection from diseased plant samples, and in the triplex PCR, whether the pathogen was diagnosed as P. nicotianae or not by the species-specific primer. The new method detected the pathogen in naturally infected and inoculated plants. The amplicons using the genus-specific primer have enough variation to be sequenced to identify the species. This new method can be used immediately for detecting Phytophthora species and for quarantine control in Japan.
Long-term prognosis of acute primary angle closure in an east asian cohort
Authors: Jeong Yoon , Park Ki Ho , Jeoung Jin Wook
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To provide an updated analysis of the long-term outcomes of patients with acute primary angle closure (APAC) and to investigate the risk factors for visual field (VF) loss progression.

Study Design

Retrospective, clinical cohort study

Methods

One hundred and forty-six APAC patients with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. The presenting features and the treatment utilized were recorded. The visual and intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes were analyzed. The main outcome measures were the proportion of blindness and IOP at the final visit. A subset of patients with sufficient VF results was divided into a stable and progressive group based on mean deviation (MD) loss rate. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of progression.

Results

Nine patients (6.2%) were blind, and 76.0% (111/146) had final decimal visual acuity greater than or equal to 0.5. All patients had normal final IOP, and 65.1% (95/146) were medication-free. 64.4% (94/146) underwent cataract surgery at a median 4 months after their APAC attack. The use of topical hypotensive medications (OR = 8.029, P = 0.012) was the only significant predictor of fast MD loss in the multivariate regression.

Conclusions

The long-term outcomes of APAC in recent years have been more promising. All patients maintained normal IOP several years following their APAC attack, and fewer than half required hypotensive agents. The incidence of blindness was low. These findings suggest that current practice patterns in the management of APAC are beneficial.
Themes, Rates, and Risk of Adverse Events of the Artificial Pancreas in the United States Using MAUDE
Authors: Ferguson Andrew M. , Lin Alex C.
Published: May 2024

Three manufacturers sell artificial pancreas systems in the United States for management of Type 1 Diabetes. Given the life-saving task required of an artificial pancreas there needs to be a high level of trust and safety in the devices. This evaluation sought to find the adjusted safety event reporting rate and themes along with device-associated risk in events reported utilizing the MAUDE database. We searched device names in the MAUDE database over the period from 2016 until August 2023 (the date of retrieval). Thematic analysis was performed using dual-reviewer examination with a 96% concurrence. Relative risk (RR) was calculated for injury, malfunction, and overall, for each manufacturer, as well as adjusted event rate per manufacturer. Most events reported related to defects in the manufacturing of the casing materials which resulted in non-delivery of therapy. Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. had an adjusted event rate of 50 per 100,000 units and RR of 0.0225. Insulet had an adjusted event rate of 300 per 100,000 units and RR of 0.1684. Medtronic has an adjusted event rate of 2771.43 per 100,000 units and RR of 20.7857. The newer Medtronic devices show improvements in likely event rate. While the artificial pancreas is still in its infancy, these event rates are not at an acceptable level for a device which can precipitate death from malfunctions. Further exploration into safety events and much more research and development is needed for devices to reduce the event rates. Improved manufacturing practices, especially the casing materials, are highly recommended. The artificial pancreas holds promise for millions but must be improved before it becomes a true life-saving device that it has the potential to become.
CCL4 contributes to aging related angiogenic insufficiency through activating oxidative stress and endothelial inflammation
Authors: Chang Ting-Ting , Lin Liang-Yu , Chen Ching , Chen Jaw-Wen
Published: May 2024

Aging is a natural process associated with chronic inflammation in the development of vascular dysfunction. We hypothesized that chemokine C-C motif ligands 4 (CCL4) might play a vital role in aging-related vascular dysfunction. Circulating CCL4 was up-regulated in elderly subjects and in aged animals. CCL4 inhibition reduced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), attenuated inflammation, and restored cell functions in endothelial progenitor cells from elderly subjects and in aged human aortic endothelial cells. CCL4 promoted cell aging, with impaired cell functioning, by activating ROS production and inflammation. CCL4 knockout mice and therapeutic administration of anti-CCL4 neutralizing antibodies exhibited vascular and dermal anti-aging effects, with improved wound healing, via the down-regulation of inflammatory proteins and the activation of angiogenic proteins. Altogether, our findings suggested that CCL4 may contribute to aging-related vascular dysfunction via activating oxidative stress and endothelial inflammation. CCL4 may be a potential therapeutic target for vascular protections during aging.
New discrete-time zeroing neural network for solving time-dependent linear equation with boundary constraint
Authors: Cang Naimeng , Qiu Feng , Xue Shan , Jia Zehua , Guo Dongsheng , Zhang Zhijun , Li Weibing
Published: May 2024

Recently, continuous- and discrete-time models of a zeroing neural network (ZNN) have been developed to provide online solutions for the time-dependent linear equation (TDLE) with boundary constraint. This paper presents a novel approach to address the bound-constrained TDLE (BCTDLE) problem by proposing a new discrete-time ZNN (DTZNN) model. The proposed DTZNN model is designed using the Taylor difference formula to discretize the previous continuous-time ZNNN (CTZNN) model. Theoretical analysis indicates the computational property of the proposed DTZNN model, and numerical results further demonstrate its validity. The applicability of the proposed DTZNN model is finally confirmed via its application to the motion planning of a PUMA560 robotic arm.
On a quality measure for interval inclusions
Authors: Rump Siegfried M. , Ogita Takeshi
Published: May 2024

Verification methods compute intervals which contain the solution of a given problem with mathematical rigour. In order to compare the quality of intervals some measure is desirable. We identify some anticipated properties and propose a method avoiding drawbacks of previous definitions.
Population genetics of caribou in the Alaska-Yukon border region: implications for designation of conservation units and small herd persistence
Authors: Mager Karen H. , Suitor Michael J. , Nguyen Thanh Khoa , Hoang My Hanh , Herriges Jim D. , Stetz Jeffrey B. , Russell Kelsey L.
Published: May 2024

Better knowledge of genetic relationships between the Fortymile caribou herd and its neighbors is needed for conservation decision-making in Canada. Here, we contribute the first fine-scale analysis of genetic population structure in nine contiguous caribou herds at the geographic boundaries between Barren-ground and Northern Mountain caribou, and at the Alaska-Yukon border. Using pairwise differentiation metrics, STRUCTURE, and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) to analyze 15 microsatellite loci in 379 caribou, we found complex patterns of genetic differentiation. The Fortymile was the only herd assigned to more than one genetic cluster, indicative of its history as a larger herd whose range expansions and gene flow to other herds were likely important to maintaining diversity across a functioning genetic metapopulation. Some small herds (Chisana, Klaza, and White Mountains) were genetically distinct, while others (Hart River, Clear Creek, Mentasta) exhibited little differentiation from herds they occasionally overlap, including herds assigned to different conservation units (DUs). This genetic connectivity does not result from demographic connectivity, as episodic contact during rut, rather than herd switching, is the likely mechanism. Unusually, one small herd (White Mountains) maintained genetic differentiation despite rut overlap with Fortymile. Our data reveal that some herds with different ecological and behavioral attributes are demographically independent but nonetheless genetically connected. Thus, we suggest that managing caribou for an appropriate level of genetic connectivity, while also supporting herd persistence, will be essential to conserve caribou genetic diversity in the region.
The Association Between Gastrointestinal Issues and Psychometric Scores in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays, Down Syndrome, and Typical Development
Authors: Sotelo-Orozco Jennie , Hertz-Picciotto Irva
Published: May 2024

Investigate the association between gastrointestinal (GI) issues and psychometric scores among children with developmental delays and typical development. We examined the association between GI issues and the Mullen Scale of Early Learning (MSEL), Vineland Adaptive Behavior Subscales (VABS), and Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) scores from participants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome (DS), other developmental delays (DD) and typical development (TD) from the CHildhood Autism Risk from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) Study (n = 1603). Approximately 32% of children with ASD, 31% of children with DD, and 20% of children with DS reported at least one GI issue, compared to 7% of TD controls. Constipation was the most frequently reported symptom for the entire population, including controls. In general, GI issues correlated with poorer behavioral scores (decreased communication, daily living, socialization, and motor skills on the VABS, and increased irritability/agitation, lethargy/social withdrawal, stereotypic behavior, and hyperactivity/noncompliance on the ABC) among ASD cases. Analysis by sex indicated that GI issues also correlated with poorer cognitive scores (fine motor, receptive language, expressive language, and MSEL composite scores), and adaptive behavior (communication skills, daily living skills, motor, and VABS composite scores) among boys with DD, but not girls with DD—suggesting sex differences among DD cases. Even TD controls showed increased stereotypic behavior and social withdrawal in association with GI issues. However, GI issues were not correlated with impairments in psychometric scores among DS cases. Given that GI issues correlate with deficits in behavioral and cognitive scores, future studies should investigate the treatment of GI symptoms in children with ASD and DD.
Unveiling the potential of (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 high-entropy oxide synthesized from CoFeNiMnCr high-entropy alloy for efficient oxygen-evolution reaction
Authors: Božiček Barbara Ljubec , Hreščak Jitka , Kušter Monika , Kovač Janez , Naglič Iztok , Markoli Boštjan , Batič Barbara Šetina , Šala Martin , Drev Sandra , Marinko Živa , Čeh Miran , Marinho Belisa Alcantara
Published: May 2024

Electrochemical water-splitting is a promising green technology for the production of hydrogen. One of the bottlenecks, however, is the oxygen evolution half-reaction (OER), which could be overcome with the development of a suitable electrocatalyst. Recently, non-noble metal, high-entropy oxides (HEO) have been investigated as potential OER electrocatalysts, but complex synthesis approaches that usually produce the material in powder form limit their wider utilization. Here, an innovative synthesis strategy of formulating a nanostructured (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 HEO thin film on a CoFeNiMnCr high entropy alloy (HEA) using facile electrochemical and thermal treatment methods is presented. The CoFeNiMnCr HEA serves as exceptional support to be electrochemically treated in an ethylene glycol electrolyte with ammonium fluoride to form a rough and microporous structure with nanopits. The electrochemically treated CoFeNiMnCr HEA surface is more prone to oxidation during a low-temperature thermal treatment, leading to the growth of a spinel (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 HEO thin film. The (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 HEO exhibits a superior overpotential of 341 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 50 mV dec−1 along with remarkable long-term stability in alkaline media. The excellent catalytic activity and stability for the OER can serve as a promising platform for the practical utilization of (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 HEO.

Graphical abstract
Modeling of heat conduction through rate equations
Authors: Giorgi Claudio , Morro Angelo , Zullo Federico
Published: May 2024

Starting from a classical thermodynamic approach, we derive rate-type equations to describe the behavior of heat flow in deformable media. Constitutive equations are defined in the material (Lagrangian) description where the standard time derivative satisfies the principle of objectivity. The statement of the Second Law is formulated in the classical form and the thermodynamic restrictions are then developed following a variant of the Coleman-Noll procedure where the entropy production too is given by a non-negative constitutive equation. Both the free energy and the entropy production are assumed to depend on a common set of independent variables involving, in addition to temperature, both temperature gradient and heat-flux vector together with their time derivatives. This approach results in rate-type constitutive function for the heat flux that are intrinsically consistent with the Second Law and easily amenable to analysis. In addition to providing already known models (e.g., Maxwell-Cattaneo-Vernotte’s and Jeffreys-like heat conductors), this scheme allows the formulation of new models of heat transport that are likely to apply also in nanosystems. This is consistent with the fact that higher-order time derivatives of the heat flux are in order when high-rate regimes occur.
A novel self-supervised sentiment classification approach using semantic labeling based on contextual embeddings
Authors: Alizadeh Mousa , Seilsepour Azam
Published: May 2024

Sentiment Analysis (SA) is a domain or context-oriented task since the sentiment words convey different sentiments in various domains. As a result, the domain-independent lexicons cannot correctly recognize the sentiment of domain-dependent words. To address this problem, this paper proposes a novel self-supervised SA method based on semantic similarity, contextual embedding, and Deep Learning Techniques. It introduces a new Pseudo-label generator that estimates the pseudo-labels of samples using semantic similarity between the samples and their sentiment words. It proposes two new concepts to calculate semantic similarity: The Soft-Cosine Similarity of a sample with its Positive words (SCSP) and the Soft-Cosine Similarity of a document with its Negative words (SCSN). Then, the Pseudo-label generator uses these concepts and the number of sentiment words to estimate the label of each sample. Later on, a novel method is proposed to find the samples with highly accurate pseudo-labels. Finally, a hybrid classifier, composed of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), is trained using these highly accurate pseudo-labeled data to predict the label of unseen data. The comparison of the proposed method with the lexicons and other similar existing methods demonstrates that the proposed method outperforms them in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score.
Numerical simulation of the post-derailment behaviour of a railway vehicle and its interaction with the infrastructure
Authors: Santelia Matteo , Mazzeo Francesco , Rosi Riccardo , Di Gialleonardo Egidio , Melzi Stefano , Bruni Stefano
Published: May 2024

Train derailments may have catastrophic consequences, and therefore suitable measures should be designed and installed at specific safety-relevant sites to mitigate their effects. Mitigation measures, such as guard rails and containment walls, aim at restraining the motion of the derailed vehicle using suitable derailment containment devices. However, the design and structural sizing of these devices is challenging as the quantification of the loads caused by the impact with the vehicle is complex.

The aim of this paper is to extend previous work from the same authors aimed at defining a non-linear multi-body model for the simulation in time-domain of the post-derailment behaviour of a railway vehicle and the impact on a derailment containment wall. The extension presented in this paper is concerned with the model of the interaction of the derailed vehicle with the sleepers and with the ballast. To this aim, an algorithm is introduced to manage the different possible contact conditions the wheels of the vehicle may undergo during the derailment process: contact with the rail, with the sleepers and with the ballast. Then, a model of the impact between the derailed wheels and the sleepers is introduced, and a terramechanic model defining the forces acting on the wheels sinking in the ballast is established. The effect of the accurate modelling of forces exchanged by the derailed wheels with the sleepers and the ballast is quantified for a relevant derailment scenario and shown to be highly relevant to the estimation of the impact loads applied to the containment structure.
Sequential gentle hydration increases encapsulation in model protocells
Authors: Gehlbach Emma M. , Robinson Abbey O. , Engelhart Aaron E. , Adamala Katarzyna P.
Published: May 2024

Small, spherical vesicles are a widely used chassis for the formation of model protocells and investigating the beginning of compartmentalized evolution. Various methods exist for their preparation, with one of the most common approaches being gentle hydration, where thin layers of lipids are hydrated with aqueous solutions and gently agitated to form vesicles. An important benefit to gentle hydration is that the method produces vesicles without introducing any organic contaminants, such as mineral oil, into the lipid bilayer. However, compared to other methods of liposome formation, gentle hydration is much less efficient at encapsulating aqueous cargo. Improving the encapsulation efficiency of gentle hydration would be of broad use for medicine, biotechnology, and protocell research. Here, we describe a method of sequentially hydrating lipid thin films to increase encapsulation efficiency. We demonstrate that sequential gentle hydration significantly improves encapsulation of water-soluble cargo compared to the traditional method, and that this improved efficiency is dependent on buffer composition. Similarly, we also demonstrate how this method can be used to increase concentrations of oleic acid, a fatty acid commonly used in origins of life research, to improve the formation of vesicles in aqueous buffer.
Use of diffusive gradients in thin-film technique to predict the mobility and transfer of nutrients and toxic elements from agricultural soil to crops—an overview of recent studies
Authors: Senila Marin , Kovacs Eniko
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this review was to survey the recent applications of the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique in the assessment of mobility and bioavailability of nutrients and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soil. Many studies compared the capabilities of the DGT technique with those of classical soil chemical extractants used in single or sequential procedures to predict nutrients and PTE bioavailability to crops. In most of the published works, the DGT technique was reported to be superior to the conventional chemical extraction and fractionation methods in obtaining significant correlations with the metals and metalloids accumulated in crops. In the domain of nutrient bioavailability assessment, DGT-based studies focused mainly on phosphorous and selenium labile fraction measurement, but potassium, manganese, and nitrogen were also studied using the DGT tool. Different DGT configurations are reported, using binding and diffusive layers specific for certain analytes (Hg, P, and Se) or gels with wider applicability, such as Chelex-based binding gels for metal cations and ferrihydrite-based hydrogels for oxyanions. Overall, the literature demonstrates that the DGT technique is relevant for the evaluation of metal and nutrient bioavailability to crops, due to its capacity to mimic the plant root uptake process, which justifies future improvement efforts.
On maximizing curves of degree 7
Authors: Czarnota Izabela
Published: May 2024

In the present paper we investigate an intriguing question on the existence of maximizing curves of degree 7 with some prescribed $$\textrm{ADE}$$
ADE
singularities. We give a result proving the non-existence of such maximizing septics and we give new examples of conic-line arrangements with some $$\textrm{ADE}$$
ADE
singularities that are free but not maximizing.
Expectations of emergency patients regarding triage system knowledge upon arrival: an interpretive study
Authors: Alnaeem Mohammad Minwer , Banihani Salam Salam , Islaih Asma , Al-Qudimat Ahmad R.
Published: May 2024

Background

One of the most important aspects of healthcare knowledge is having a thorough understanding of the triage system which is used in emergency departments. This study aims to assess the level of awareness of Jordanian patients who visit the ED about the triage procedure.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional design was utilized in the emergency department at the biggest public hospital in Jordan. A convenience sample of a self-administrated questionnaire utilizing a Discounted Cash Flow Interview (DCF) survey was filled out.

Results

A total of 726 participants were recruited with a response rate of 90.8%. The mean age of the participants was M = 38.1 (SD = 12.9), and the age of the participants varied from 18 to 89 years. More than half of the participants were male (n = 383, 52.8%) and married (n = 425, 58.5%). A significant relationship between the overall perception of knowing what a teaching hospital is and patients’ educational level (X2 = 11.9, P < 0.003), current job (X2 = 25.2, P < 0.001), nationality (X2 = 7.20, P < 0.007), and family income (X2 = 15.9, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

More investigation is required to determine the causes of the low knowledge of the triage system. The study suggests increasing staffing levels, giving nursing staff ongoing education and training, and integrating technology and automation to reduce the load of patient care.