bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vasospastic angina in a chronic myeloid leukemia patient treated with nilotinib
Authors: Maruta Shunsuke , Usami Kyohei , Tajiri Kazuko , Otani Masafumi , Hiraya Daigo , Watabe Hiroaki , Hoshi Tomoya , Sato Akira , Ieda Masaki
Published: August 2021

Background

Nilotinib, a second-generation BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is highly effective in the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), despite being more vasculotoxic than older TKIs such as imatinib. Herein, we present a case of nilotinib-associated vasospastic angina confirmed by an acetylcholine spasm provocation test.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old CML patient treated with 300 mg nilotinib twice daily complained of several episodes of rest angina and was hospitalized at our institution. Coronary angiography revealed no severe organic stenosis, and the acetylcholine spasm provocation test confirmed the diagnosis of vasospastic angina. Although treatment with a calcium channel blocker and nicorandil reduced the frequency of chest pain, angina symptoms continued to occur. At 10 months post discharge, the patient complained of increased frequency of angina; therefore, the nilotinib dosage was reduced to 150 mg twice daily. Consequently, the patient reported a significant improvement in chest symptoms.

Conclusions

This case report highlights the potential vasculotoxic effects of nilotinib. Cardiologists and hematologists should be vigilant for coronary artery spasm as a possible vascular adverse event caused by nilotinib.
Expression of the Adipocyte Progenitor Markers MSCA1 and CD36 is Associated With Adipose Tissue Function in Children
Authors: Hanschkow Martha , Boulet Nathalie , Kempf Elena , Bouloumié Anne , Kiess Wieland , Stein Robert , Körner Antje , Landgraf Kathrin
Published: August 2021

Context

MSCA1 (mesenchymal stem cell antigen 1) and CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36) have been described as novel adipocyte progenitor markers in adults with a potential relevance for obesity and adipocyte progenitor function.

Objective

With the early manifestation of obesity in children and formation of adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction, children provide the opportunity to characterize the function of MSCA1 and CD36 during physiological AT accumulation and with obesity and related disease.

Methods

We investigated MSCA1 and CD36 expression in adipocytes and stroma vascular fraction (SVF) cells from 133 children of the Leipzig AT Childhood cohort with regard to AT accumulation and biology. In a subsample we analyzed how MSCA1 and CD36 expression is related to adipose progenitor capacities in vitro (ie, proliferation, differentiation and mitochondrial function).

Results

Both MSCA1 and CD36 are differentially expressed in adipocytes and SVF cells of children. MSCA1 expression is positively correlated to obesity-associated AT dysfunction (ie, adipocyte hypertrophy and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), and high SVF MSCA1 expression is associated with increased mitochondrial respiration in vitro. CD36 expression is not associated with AT dysfunction but SVF CD36 expression is downregulated in children with overweight and obesity and shows a positive association with the differentiation capacity of SVF cells ex vivo and in vitro.

Conclusion

Both MSCA1 and CD36 are associated with obesity-related alterations in AT of children. In particular, CD36 expression predicts adipogenic potential of SVF cells, indicating a potential role in the regulation of adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy with obesity development in children.
Causal Associations of Obesity With Chronic Kidney Disease and Arterial Stiffness: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Ye Chaojie , Kong Lijie , Zhao Zhiyun , Li Mian , Wang Shuangyuan , Lin Hong , Xu Yu , Lu Jieli , Chen Yuhong , Xu Yiping , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Bi Yufang , Xu Min , Wang Tiange
Published: August 2021

Context

Observational studies have been associated obesity with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and arterial stiffness, but the causality remains unclear.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the causality of obesity with CKD and arterial stiffness using mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods

We genotyped 14 body mass index (BMI)-associated variants validated in East Asians in 11 384 Chinese adults. A genetic risk score based on the 14 variants and the 14 individual single-nucleotide variations (SNVs, formerly single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) were respectively used as instrumental variables (IVs). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Arterial stiffness was defined as brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity greater than 1550 cm/s.

Results

Using the genetic risk score as the IV, we demonstrated causal relations of each 1-SD increment in BMI with CKD (odds ratio [OR]: 2.36; 95% CI, 1.11-5.00) and arterial stiffness (OR: 1.71; 95% CI, 1.22-2.39). Using the 14 SNVs individually as IVs, each 1-SD increment in BMI was casually associated with CKD (OR: 2.58; 95% CI, 1.39-4.79) and arterial stiffness (OR: 1.87; 95% CI, 1.24-2.81) in the inverse-variance weighted analysis, and MR-Egger regression revealed no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy (both P for intercept ≥ .34). The causality between obesity and CKD was validated in 2-sample MR analysis among Europeans (681 275 of Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits and 133 413 of CKD Genetics).

Conclusion

This study provided novel insights into the causality of obesity with CKD and arterial stiffness, highlighting the importance of weight management for primary prevention and control of subclinical vascular diseases.
Acute Effects of an Inorganic Phosphorus Additive on Mineral Metabolism and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Volk Christin , Schmidt Benjamin , Brandsch Corinna , Kurze Tabea , Schlegelmilch Ulf , Grosse Ivo , Ulrich Christof , Girndt Matthias , Stangl Gabriele I
Published: August 2021

Context

Hyperphosphatemia and high levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) are risk factors for cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney diseases. However, the impact of an inorganic phosphorus additive in healthy people is largely unknown.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the acute effect of excessive dietary phosphorus administered as sodium dihydrogen phosphate on the postprandial levels of Pi and FGF23 and the response to food.

Methods

This study was a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study with 29 healthy male and female participants from the general community who were administered a single dose of either 700 mg phosphorus (NaH2PO4) or a sodium-adjusted placebo in combination with a test meal. Postprandial plasma levels of Pi and FGF23 were measured.

Results

Compared with placebo, oral phosphorus increased the plasma Pi level, which remained elevated during the ensuing 8 hours (at 480 minutes: 1.31 vs 1.16 mmol/l; P < 0.001), increased urinary Pi (iAUC0-480 789 vs 95 mmol/mmol; P < 0.001), reduced tubular Pi reabsorption (iAUC0-480 −31.5 vs −6.2; P < 0.001), decreased urinary calcium (iAUC0-240 30.6 vs 53.0 mmol/mmol; P = 0.009), and stimulated the release of parathyroid hormone (iAUC0-480 2212 vs 768 ng/l; P < 0.001). However, the FGF23 levels did not change. Postprandial levels of glucose, insulin, and lipids were not substantially affected by phosphorus vs placebo.

Conclusion

An oral phosphorus load can induce elevated postprandial levels of circulating Pi for hours in healthy subjects, despite rapid homeostatic counterreactions. FGF23 levels and the postprandial response to food were not affected.
Development and characterization of an animal model of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in adolescent C57BL/6 mouse
Authors: Tripathi Aarti , Banerjee Arup , Vrati Sudhanshu
Published: August 2021

A mouse-adapted isolate of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), designated as JEV-S3, was generated by serially passaging the P20778 strain of the virus in 3- to 4-week-old C57BL/6 mice. Blood-brain barrier leakage was evident in JEV-S3-infected mice, in which viral antigens and RNA were consistently demonstrated in the brain, along with infiltration of activated immune cells, as evidenced by an increased CD45+CD11b+ cell population. Histopathology studies showed the presence of perivascular cuffing, haemorrhage and necrotic foci in the virus-infected brain, conforming to the pathological changes seen in the brain of JEV-infected patients. Mass spectrometry studies characterized the molecular events leading to brain inflammation in the infected mice. Notably, a significant induction of inflammatory cytokines, such as IFNγ, IL6, TNFα and TGFβ, was observed. Further, genome sequencing of the JEV-S3 isolate identified the mutations selected during the mouse passage of the virus. Overall, we present an in-depth characterization of a robust and reproducible mouse model of JEV infection. The JEV-S3 isolate will be a useful tool to screen antivirals and study virus pathogenesis in the adolescent mouse model.
Direct observation of aggregate-triggered selective autophagy in human cells
Authors: Janssen Anne F. J. , Korsten Giel , Nijenhuis Wilco , Katrukha Eugene A. , Kapitein Lukas C.
Published: August 2021

Degradation of aggregates by selective autophagy is important as damaged proteins may impose a threat to cellular homeostasis. Although the core components of the autophagy machinery are well characterized, the spatiotemporal regulation of many selective autophagy processes, including aggrephagy, remains largely unexplored. Furthermore, because most live-cell imaging studies have so far focused on starvation-induced autophagy, little is known about the dynamics of aggrephagy. Here, we describe the development and application of the mKeima-PIM assay, which enables live-cell observation of autophagic turnover and degradation of inducible protein aggregates in conjunction with key autophagy players. This allowed us to quantify the relative timing and duration of different steps of aggrephagy in human cells and revealed the short-lived nature of the autophagosome. The assay furthermore showed the spatial distribution of omegasome formation, highlighting that autophagy initiation is directly instructed by the cargo. Moreover, we found that nascent autophagosomes mostly remain immobile until acidification occurs. Thus, our assay provides new insights into the spatiotemporal regulation and dynamics of aggrephagy.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Syntheses and Room Temperature Phosphorescence Properties of Dibenzobenzodithiophenes and Dibenzothiophenes
Authors: Tsuboi Madoka , Nakamura Shotaro , Nandi Surajit , de Silva Piotr , Takeda Youhei , Miura Masahiro
Published: August 2021

A new family of heavy-atom-free room-temperature phosphorescent compounds, dibenzobenzodithiophenes (DBDTs) have been synthesized and characterized. The afterglow of the regioisomeric compounds has been investigated in a polymer matrix. Furthermore, it has been revealed that much simpler dibenzothiophenes display room-temperature phosphorescence in a polymeric matrix.
Science of Electrode Processes in the 21st Century: Fundamental Understanding of Microscopic Mechanisms towards Advancing Electrochemical Technologies
Authors: Sakaushi Ken
Published: August 2021

The science of electrode processes will be a key to provide the game-changing technology towards the ongoing challenges related to carbon neutrality, however further advancements of fundamental concepts and theories of electrode processes are indispensable for both solid-state and surface systems. This account summarizes several attempts to acquire further understanding of fundamental and microscopic aspects of these complicated electrode processes towards advancing electrochemical energy storage/conversion technologies.
Measuring Technological Innovation over the Long Run
Authors: Kelly Bryan , Papanikolaou Dimitris , Seru Amit , Taddy Matt
Published: August 2021

We use textual analysis of high-dimensional data from patent documents to create new indicators of technological innovation. We identify important patents based on textual similarity of a given patent to previous and subsequent work: these patents are distinct from previous work but related to subsequent innovations. Our importance indicators correlate with existing measures of patent quality but also provide complementary information. We identify breakthrough innovations as the most important patents—those in the right tail of our measure—and construct time series indices of technological change at the aggregate and sectoral levels. Our technology indices capture the evolution of technological waves over a long time span (1840 to the present) and cover innovation by private and public firms as well as nonprofit organizations and the US government. Advances in electricity and transportation drive the index in the 1880s, chemicals and electricity in the 1920s and 1930s, and computers and communication in the post-1980s. (JEL C43, N71, N72, O31, O33, O34)
A Simple Planning Problem for COVID-19 Lock-down, Testing, and Tracing
Authors: Alvarez Fernando , Argente David , Lippi Francesco
Published: August 2021

We study the optimal lock-down for a planner who controls the fatalities of COVID-19 while minimizing the output costs of the lock-down. The policy prescribes a severe lock-down beginning a few weeks after the outbreak, covering almost 50 percent of the population after a month, with a total duration shy of 4 months. The intensity of the optimal lock-down depends on the gradient of the fatality rate with respect to the infected and the availability of antibody testing, which yields a welfare gain of 2 percent of GDP. We also study test-tracing-quarantine, which we show to be complementary to lock-down. (JEL E23, I12, I15, I18)
Jacks of All Trades and Masters of One: Declining Search Frictions and Unequal Growth
Authors: Martellini Paolo , Menzio Guido
Published: August 2021

Declining search frictions generate productivity growth by allowing workers to find jobs for which they are better suited. For “jacks of all trades”—workers whose productivity is similar across different jobs in their labor market—declining search frictions lead to minimal growth. For “masters of one trade”—workers whose productivity varies a great deal across different jobs in their labor market—declining search frictions lead to fast growth. A rudimentary calibration suggests that differential returns to declining search frictions may account for a non-negligible fraction of the wage growth differential between routine and nonroutine workers. (JEL J24, J31, J63, J64, O33)
Asymptomatic COVID-19 in the elderly: dementia and viral clearance as risk factors for disease progression.
Authors: Esteban Ignacio , Bergero Georgina , Alves Camila , Bronstein Micaela , Ziegler Valeria , Wood Cristian , Caballero Mauricio T. , Wappner Diego , Libster Romina , Perez Marc Gonzalo , Polack Fernando P.
Published: August 2021

Background:

SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals ≥60 years old have the highest hospitalization rates and represent >80% fatalities. Within this population, those in long-term facilities represent >50% of the total COVID-19 related deaths per country. Among those without symptoms, the rate of pre-symptomatic illness is unclear, and potential predictors of progression for symptom development are unknown.

Our objective was to delineate the natural evolution of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in elders and identify determinants of progression.

Methods:

We established a medical surveillance team monitoring 63 geriatric institutions. When an index COVID-19 case emerged, we tested all other eligible asymptomatic elders ≥75 or >60 years old with at least 1 comorbidity. SARS-CoV-2 infected elders were followed for 28 days. Disease was diagnosed when any COVID-19 manifestation occurred. SARS-CoV-2 load at enrollment, shedding on day 15, and antibody responses were also studied.

Results:

After 28 days of follow-up, 74/113(65%) SARS-CoV-2-infected elders remained asymptomatic. 21/39(54%) pre-symptomatic patients developed hypoxemia and ten pre-symptomatic patients died(median day 13.5,IQR 12).

Dementia was the only clinical risk factor associated with disease(OR 2.41(95%CI=1.08, 5.39). In a multivariable logistic regression model, dementia remained as a risk factor for COVID-19 severe disease. Furthermore, dementia status showed a statistically significant different trend when assessing the cumulative probability of developing COVID-19 symptoms(log-rank p=0.027).

On day 15, SARS-CoV-2 was detectable in 30% of the asymptomatic group while in 61% of the pre-symptomatic(p=0.012).

No differences were observed among groups in RT-PCR mean cycle threshold at enrollment(p=0.391) and in the rates of antibody seropositivity(IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein).

Conclusions:

In summary, 2/3 of our cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected elders from vulnerable communities in Argentina remained asymptomatic after 28 days of follow-up with high mortality among those developing symptoms. Dementia and persistent SARS-CoV-2 shedding were associated with progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic infection.
Biologic Treatment for the Elbow Tendinopathy
Authors: Jung Hyoung-Seok , Lee Jae-Sung
Published: August 2021

Although elbow tendinopathy is the one of common diseases causing elbow pain, ideal nonoperative treatment to provide long-term satisfaction has not been introduced. Recently, there is significant interest in biological treatment to facilitate the healing environment and tissue proliferation in elbow tendinopathy. Biological agents such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cells are likely to be established as one of the nonoperative treatment methods that can have long-term therapeutic effects in the future, given their theoretical basis. Despite many previous studies using biological agents such as PRP and stem cells in the elbow, its beneficial effect on elbow tendinopathy is controversial. Thus, the purpose of this review is to provide an evidence-based summary of the biologic agent for treating elbow tendinopathy and to identify areas where further research is warranted.
Saving with Group or Individual Personal Pension Schemes: How Much Difference Does It Make?
Authors: Zalewska Anna (Ania)
Published: August 2021

The quality of services provided by institutional investors has attracted considerable attention. This paper adds to the debate by showing that institutional differences in setting up defined contribution personal schemes have an economically and statistically significant impact on the returns. Using a sample of 10,326 UK defined contribution personal pension funds over July 1990–June 2019, I show that pension funds that have a third party involved in contract setting and subsequent oversight deliver 0.96%–1.67% higher gross returns and charge 0.7% lower fees than pension funds offered directly to the public without any well-informed third party involved. I also show that the introduction of additional governance bodies in 2015 resulted in a widening of the performance gap, which further supports the notion that investment governance has a material impact on fund performance. The results highlight the importance of investment oversight and call for more protection for individual investors.

This paper was accepted by Tomasz Piskorski, finance.
The Single-Line Design Problem for Demand-Adaptive Transit Systems: A Modeling Framework and Decomposition Approach for the Stationary-Demand Case
Authors: Errico Fausto , Crainic Teodor Gabriel , Malucelli Federico , Nonato Maddalena
Published: August 2021

When demand for transportation is low or sparse, traditional transit cannot provide efficient and good-quality service, because of its fixed structure. For this reason, mass transit is evolving toward some degree of flexibility. Although the extension of Dial-a-Ride systems to general public meets such need of adaptability, it presents several drawbacks mostly related to the their extreme flexibility. Consequently, new transportation alternatives, such as demand-adaptive systems (DASs), combining characteristics from both the traditional transit and Dial-a-Ride, have been introduced. For their twofold nature, DASs require careful planning. We focus on tactical aspects of the planning process by formalizing the single-line DAS design problem with stationary demand and proposing two alternative hierarchical decomposition approaches for its solution. The main motivation behind this work is to provide a general methodology suitable to be used as a tool to build the tactical DAS plan in real-life conditions. We provide an experimental study where the two proposed decomposition methods are compared and the general behavior of the systems is analyzed when altering some design parameters. Furthermore, we test the versatility of our methods on a variety of situation that may be encountered in real-life conditions.
A Simulation-Based Heuristic to Find Approximate Equilibria with Disaggregate Demand Models
Authors: Bortolomiol Stefano , Lurkin Virginie , Bierlaire Michel
Published: August 2021

Oligopolistic competition occurs in various transportation markets. In this paper, we introduce a framework to find approximate equilibrium solutions of oligopolistic markets in which demand is modeled at the disaggregate level using discrete choice models, according to random utility theory. Compared with aggregate demand models, the added value of discrete choice models is the possibility to account for more complex and precise representations of individual behaviors. Because of the form of the resulting demand functions, there is no guarantee that an equilibrium solution for the given market exists, nor is it possible to rely on derivative-based methods to find one. Therefore, we propose a model-based algorithmic approach to find approximate equilibria, which is structured as follows. A heuristic reduction of the search space is initially performed. Then, a subgame equilibrium problem is solved using a mixed integer optimization model inspired by the fixed-point iteration algorithm. The optimal solution of the subgame is compared against the best responses of all suppliers over the strategy sets of the original game. Best response strategies are added to the restricted problem until all ε-equilibrium conditions are satisfied simultaneously. Numerical experiments show that our methodology can approximate the results of an exact method that finds a pure equilibrium in the case of a multinomial logit model of demand with a single-product offer and homogeneous demand. Furthermore, it succeeds at finding approximate equilibria for two transportation case studies featuring more complex discrete choice models, heterogeneous demand, a multiproduct offer by suppliers, and price differentiation for which no analytical approach exists.
The life cycle of the lesser-spotted cardiac nurse researcher
Authors: Farquharson Barbara , Austin Rosalynn , Bernhardt Lizelle , Whitehead Helena , Barron Claire , Damianopoulos Adam , Campbell Gaynor , Lawson Claire , Deaton Christi ,   On behalf of the BANCC Research Forum
Published: August 2021

Cardiovascular care is strongly evidence based, but most of that evidence has not been generated by nurses. As with all aspects of care, it is essential that the care delivered by nurses is evidence based, so it follows that we need nurses who can generate that evidence. Historically, there were few opportunities for nurses to lead research, but this is changing. UK policy now outlines a vision for the future where all healthcare staff feel empowered to support research as part of their job. This article shares examples of cardiovascular nurses from across the UK who are involved in research. The authors hope that this will help to shed light on the various stages and show that, far from being abstract and detached from everyday care, most nursing research is focused on making things better for patients. Finally, the authors provide links to individuals and organisations that can support nurses to get involved in research.
Gender disparities and work–life balance in cardiology
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: August 2021

In this monthly feature, Sarah Jane Palmer delves into topical news, the latest research and what the experts are saying on subjects related to cardiology and cardiac nursing practice.
Research on End-to-end Voiceprint Recognition Model Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhao Hong , Yue Lupeng , Wang Weijie , Xiangyan Zeng
Published: August 2021

Speech signal is a time-varying signal, which is greatly affected by individual and environment. In order to improve the end-to-end voice print recognition rate, it is necessary to preprocess the original speech signal to some extent. An end-to-end voiceprint recognition algorithm based on convolutional neural network is proposed. In this algorithm, the convolution and down-sampling of convolutional neural network are used to preprocess the speech signals in end-to-end voiceprint recognition. The one-dimensional and two-dimensional convolution operations were established to extract the characteristic parameters of Meier frequency cepstrum coefficient from the preprocessed signals, and the classical universal background model was used to model the recognition model of voice print. In this study, the principle of end-to-end voiceprint recognition was firstly analyzed, and the process of end-to-end voice print recognition, end-to-end voice print recognition features and Res-FD-CNN network structure were studied. Then the convolutional neural network recognition model was constructed, and the data were preprocessed to form the convolutional layer in frequency domain and the algorithm was tested.
Intrusion Detection Using Few-shot Learning Based on Triplet Graph Convolutional Network
Authors: Wang Yue , Jiang Yiming , Lan Julong
Published: August 2021

Machine learning and deep learning methods have been widely used in network intrusion detection, most of which are supervised intrusion detection methods, which need to train a lot of marked data. However, in some cases, a small amount of exception data is hidden in a large amount of exception data, making methods that require a large amount of the same markup data to learn features invalid. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes an innovative method of small sample network intrusion detection. The innovation point is that network data is modeled as graph structure to effectively mine the correlation features between data samples, and by comparing the distance similarity, the triplet network structure is used to detect anomalies. The triplet network is composed of triplet graph convolutional neural network which shares the same parameters and is trained by providing triplet samples to the network. Experiments on network traffic datasets CSE-CIC-IDS2018 and UNSW-NB15 as well as system status monitoring datasets verify the effectiveness of the proposed method in network intrusion detection of small samples.
Prevalence and predictors of thyroid cancer among thyroid nodules: a retrospective cohort study of 1,000 patients
Authors: Elbalka SS , Metwally IH , Shetiwy M , Awny S , Hamdy O , Kotb SZ , Shoman AM , Shahda E , Elzahaby IA
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Thyroid cancer is increasing in incidence globally due either to early detection (overestimation) or true increment. A recent debate concerns multinodular goitre (MNG) or toxic goitres which have classically been considered at a lower risk for cancer.

Methods

In this study, we enrolled retrospectively all patients with nodular goitre treated at our tertiary hospital and analysed their data with the aim of detecting the rate of cancer among different types of nodular goitre. We also studied predictors of incidental malignancy among thyroidectomies.

Results

A predilection for solitary thyroid nodules (STNs) was found in women of younger age, with STNs tending to be larger in comparison with MNG in the same age group. However, both types of nodules were at equal risk of harbouring malignancy. Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and Bethesda scores were the only dependent predictors of malignancy within thyroid nodules.

Conclusion

The authors recommend management of both STNs and MNG using the same algorithm.
What is the current practice for managing patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia in vascular surgery services? A survey of UK vascular surgeons
Authors: Nickinson ATO , Birmpili P , Weale A , Chetter I , Boyle J , Loftus I , Davies RSM , Sayers RD
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland (VSGBI) Peripheral Arterial Disease Quality Improvement Framework (PAD QIF) stipulates targets for managing patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI); however, it is unknown whether these are achievable. This survey aims to evaluate contemporary practice for managing CLTI in the UK.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed in conjunction with the VSGBI to survey the management of CLTI and canvass opinions on the PAD QIF. The survey was distributed to all consultant members of the VSGBI and through a targeted social media campaign.

Results

Forty-seven consultant vascular surgeons based at 36 arterial centres across the UK responded (response rate from arterial centres = 46%). Only 14.3% of centres provided outpatient consultation within the target of seven days from referral, with only one centre providing revascularisation within the target of seven days from consultation. For inpatient management, 31.6% provided surgical and 23.8% endovascular revascularisation within the target of three days from assessment. While 60% of participants believe the PAD QIF’s 5-day ‘admitted care’ pathway is achievable, only 28.6% thought the 14-day ‘non-admitted care’ pathway was feasible. Challenges to meeting these targets include the availability of theatre space and angiography lists, and availability of outpatient appointments for patient assessment.

Conclusions

The opinion of UK vascular surgeons indicates that achieving the targets of the PAD QIF represents a major challenge based upon current services. Adapting existing services with a greater focus on providing an ‘urgent’ model of care may help to potentially overcome these challenges.
An analysis of lesions associated with developmental venous anomalies
Authors: Taydas O , Ogul H , Kantarci M
Published: August 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe different lesions and features associated with developmental venous anomalies (DVAs).

Methods

The records and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of 1,722 patients who underwent cranial MRI between 2010 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. It was found that 124 (7.2%) patients had DVAs, and 48 of these patients (38.7%) had additional anomalies accompanying DVAs. Of the patients with DVAs, 25 were female and 23 were male, with a mean age of 39.3 years (range, 3–77 years). MRI was performed in all the patients.

Results

In addition to DVAs, cavernomas were present in 30 patients (62.5%), haematomas in 7 (14.5%), gliosis in 6 (12.5%), demyelinating plaques in 4 (8.3%) and a glioblastoma in 1 (2.2%). The mean diameter of the DVAs was 1.1mm and the mean diameter of the lesions was 17.4mm. The susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) sequence was also applied to 12 patients with cavernomas. The relevant sequence in all of these patients contributed to the diagnosis.

Conclusion

Our study shows that DVAs can accompany a wide spectrum of lesions, especially cavernomas. Although their pathophysiology has not yet been clearly established, these lesions may have a common aetiology.
Spatial modeling of mid-infrared spectral data with thermal
compensation using integrated nested Laplace approximation
Authors: Aquino Bernardo , Castruccio Stefano , Gupta Vijay , Howard Scott
Published: August 2021

The problem of analyzing substances using low-cost sensors with a low
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) remains challenging. Using accurate models
for the spectral data is paramount for the success of any
classification task. We demonstrate that the thermal compensation of
sample heating and spatial variability analysis yield lower modeling
errors than non-spatial modeling. Then, we obtain the inference of the
spectral data probability density functions using the integrated
nested Laplace approximation (INLA) on a Bayesian hierarchical model.
To achieve this goal, we use the fast and user-friendly R-INLA package
in

R

for the computation. This approach
allows affordable and real-time substance identification with fewer
SNR sensor measurements, thereby potentially increasing throughput and
lowering costs.
Toward optomechanical parametric instability prediction in ground-based gravitational wave detectors
Authors: Cohen David E. , Allocca Annalisa , Bogaert Gilles , Puppo Paola , Jacqmin Thibaut
Published: August 2021

Increasing laser power is essential to improve the sensitivity of interferometric gravitational wave detectors. However, optomechanical parametric instabilities can set a limit to that power. It is of major importance to understand and characterize the many parameters and effects that influence these instabilities. Here, we model with a high degree of precision the optical and mechanical modes involved in these parametric instabilities, such that our model can become predictive. As an example, we perform simulations for the Advanced Virgo interferometer (O3 configuration). In particular, we compute mechanical mode losses by combining both on-site measurements and finite element analysis with unprecedented levels of detail and accuracy. We also study the influence on optical modes and parametric gains of mirror finite size effects, and mirror deformations due to thermal absorption. We show that these effects play an important role if transverse optical modes of orders higher than four are involved in the instability process.
Signal properties of split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography for quantitative optical coherence tomography-based velocimetry
Authors: Nakamichi Yu , Chiu Kai-shih , Sun Chia-Wei
Published: August 2021

Split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography (SSADA) is a noninvasive and three-dimensional angiographic technique with a microscale spatial resolution based on optical coherence tomography. The SSADA signal is known to be correlated with the blood flow velocity and the quantitative velocimetry with SSADA has been expected; however, the signal properties of SSADA are not completely understood due to lack of comprehensive investigations of parameters related to SSADA signals. In this study, phantom experiments were performed to comprehensively investigate the relation of SSADA signals with flow velocities, time separations, particle concentrations, signal-to-noise ratios, beam spot sizes, and viscosities, and revealed that SSADA signals reflect the spatial commonality within a coherence volume between adjacent A-scans.
Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy for the in vivo study of microtubule dynamics in the zebrafish embryo
Authors: Bernardello Matteo , Marsal Maria , Gualda Emilio J. , Loza-Alvarez Pablo
Published: August 2021

During its first hours of development, the zebrafish embryo presents a large microtubule array in the yolk region, essential for its development. Despite of its size and dynamic behavior, this network has been studied only in limited field of views or in fixed samples. We designed and implemented different strategies in Light Sheet Fluorescence microscopy for imaging the entire yolk microtubule (MT) network in vivo. These have allowed us to develop a novel image analysis from which we clearly observe a cyclical re-arrangement of the entire MT network in synchrony with blastoderm mitotic waves. These dynamics also affect a previously unreported microtubule array deep within the yolk, here described. These findings provide a new vision of the zebrafish yolk microtubules arrangement, and offers novel insights in the interaction between mitotic events and microtubules reorganization.
Oxidation ruled transition from normal to anomalous periodic structures with femtosecond laser irradiation on Cr/Si films
Authors: Xie Hongbo , Zhao Bo , Lei Yuhao , Yu Zhi , Cheng Jinluo , Yang Jianjun
Published: August 2021

Elucidation of the underlying physics for laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) is of great importance for their controllable fabrication. We here demonstrate a periodic structure transition from normal to anomalous morphology, upon femtosecond laser irradiation on 50-nm thick Cr/Si films in an air pressure-tunable chamber. As the air pressure gradually decreases, the amount of surface oxide induced by preceding laser pulses is found to reduce, and eventually triggering the structure evolution from the anomalously oriented subwavelength to normally oriented deep-subwavelength LIPSSs. The intriguing structure transition is explained in terms of the competitive excitation between the transverse-electric scattered surface wave and transverse-magnetic hybrid plasmon wave, which is ruled by the thickness of the preformed oxide layer indeed.
Amplification of stimulated light emission in arrays of nanoholes by plasmonic absorption-induced transparency
Authors: Rodrigo Sergio G
Published: August 2021

Absorption induced transparency is an optical phenomenon that occurs in plasmonic nanostructures when materials featuring narrow lines in their absorption spectra are deposited on top of it. First reported in the visible range for metallic arrays of nanoholes, using dye lasers as covering, it has been described as transmission peaks unexpectedly close to the absorption energies of the dye. In this work, amplification of stimulated light emission is numerically demonstrated in the active regime of absorption induced transparency. Amplification can be achieved in the regime where the dye laser behaves as a gain material. Intense illumination can modify the dielectric constant of the gain material in a short span of time and thus the propagation properties of the plasmonic modes excited in the hole arrays, providing both less damping to light and further optical feedback that enhances the stimulated emission process.
Nonlinear spectral blueshift in semiconductor optical amplifiers
Authors: Bednyakova A. E. , Khudozhitkova D. , Kokhanovskiy A. , Turitsyn S. K.
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate that spectral peak power of negatively chirped optical pulses can acquire a blueshift after amplification by a semiconductor optical amplifier. The central wavelength of a transform limited optical pulse translates over 20 nm towards a shorter wavelength after propagation in a single-mode fiber and semiconductor optical amplifier. A chirped Gaussian pulse with full width at half maximum 1 ps and dimensionless chirp parameter

C

=
−

20

can be blueshifted by 5 THz.
Ultra-thin single band metamaterial inspired absorber with suppressed higher order modes for terahertz applications
Authors: Jaradat Hamzeh M.
Published: August 2021

An ultra-thin single band metamaterial (MTM) based perfect absorber with suppressed higher order absorption modes is presented in this paper. The unit cell structure is comprised of square shaped resonant patch whose sides are attached to interdigitally coupled fingers providing strong cell to cell electromagnetic coupling, which is found to have a significant impact in reducing the effect of higher order absorption modes. The structure is designed to operate in terahertz (THz) regime with a perfect absorption band centered at 1.61 THz. The absorption behavior is computationally studied and thoroughly analyzed using full wave simulations as well as circuit model approximation. The proposed structure exhibited remarkable characteristics such as polarization insensitivity, high absorption level over wide range of incident angles for both TE and TM polarizations and very weak excited higher order bands for TM polarized wave. In addition to that, it is capable to detect thin layers analyte overlays with sensitivity of 550 GHz/RIU. The absorber is very compact, where the overall thickness is about 1.67% of the wavelength at resonance. Furthermore, it could be viewed as continuous medium since the achieved cell size is around 0.1 times the operating wavelength. The absorber has the potential to be utilized in removing the unwanted peaks in thermal emission and detection as well as in rejecting unwanted modes in resonant structures such as accelerating cavities. It also might be applied to other classes of resonant structures.
Laser induced aerosol formation mediated by resonant excitation of volatile organic compounds
Authors: Shumakova V. , Schubert E. , Balčiūnas T. , Matthews M. , Ališauskas S. , Mongin D. , Pugžlys A. , Kasparian J. , Baltuška A. , Wolf J.-P.
Published: August 2021

Since its first demonstration, laser induced aerosol formation (LIAF) has been studied in various environmental conditions and laser parameters. LIAF driven by UV and near-IR lasers mainly relies on the nitrogen photo-oxidative chemistry, leading to the production of hygroscopic

H
N
O

3

, which stabilizes the growth of aerosol nanoparticles. Mid-IR lasers were expected to be drastically less effective for LIAF, due to their much lower multiphoton photodissociation and ionization rates. Here, we report on the observation of surprisingly high yields of nanometric and sub-µm aerosol formation driven by mid-IR laser pulses, which cannot be explained by the

H
N
O

3

-pathway. We hereby evidence a new mechanism of aerosol stabilization and growth, based on the resonant excitation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by mid-IR pulses whose spectrum is broadened during filamentation.
III/V-on-lithium niobate amplifiers and lasers
Authors: Op de Beeck Camiel , Mayor Felix M. , Cuyvers Stijn , Poelman Stijn , Herrmann Jason F. , Atalar Okan , McKenna Timothy P. , Haq Bahawal , Jiang Wentao , Witmer Jeremy D. , Roelkens Gunther , Safavi-Naeini Amir H. , Van Laer Raphaël , Kuyken Bart
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate electrically pumped, heterogeneously integrated lasers on thin-film lithium niobate, featuring electro-optic wavelength tunability.
Independent of Calorie Intake, Short-term Alternate-day Fasting Alleviates NASH, With Modulation of Markers of Lipogenesis, Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Inflammation in Rats
Authors: Elsayed Hassan Reda Hassan , El-Nablaway Mohammad , Khattab Basma Adel , Sherif Rania N. , Elkashef Wagdi Fawzy , Abdalla Asim Mohammed , El Nashar Eman Mohammad , Abd-Elmonem Mostafa Mohammed , El-Gamal Randa
Published: August 2021

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a worldwide health problem. Alternate-day fasting (ADF), although thought to be aggressive, has proven safety and efficacy. We aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term ADF against already established high-fat-fructose (HFF)-induced NASH, independent of the amount of calorie intake, and to study the effect of ADF on lipogenesis, apoptosis, and hepatic inflammation. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups: (1) negative control and (2) NASH group fed on HFF for 9 weeks, and then randomized into two subgroups of either HFF alone or with ADF protocol for 3 weeks. The ADF could improve HFF-related elevation in serum lactate dehydrogenase and could decrease the mRNA expression of lipogenesis genes; acetyl CoA carboxylase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α; apoptotic genes caspase-3, p53, and inflammatory cyclo-oxygenase 2; and immunohistochemical staining for their proteins in liver with upregulation of LC3 and downregulation of P62 immunoexpression. Moreover, ADF ameliorated HFF-induced steatosis, inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis through hematoxylin and eosin, Oil Red O, and Sirius Red staining, confirmed by morphometric analysis, without significant weight loss. Significant correlation of morphometric parameters with levels of gene expression was found. These findings suggest ADF to be a safe effective therapeutic agent in the management of NASH
Control of snakebite envenoming: A mathematical modeling study
Authors: Abdullahi Shuaibu Ahijo , Habib Abdulrazaq Garba , Hussaini Nafiu
Published: August 2021

A mathematical model is designed to assess the impact of some interventional strategies for curtailing the burden of snakebite envenoming in a community. The model is fitted with real data set. Numerical simulations have shown that public health awareness of the susceptible individuals on snakebite preventive measures could reduce the number of envenoming and prevent deaths and disabilities in the population. The simulations further revealed that if at least fifty percent of snakebite envenoming patients receive early treatment with antivenom a substantial number of deaths will be averted. Furthermore, it is shown using optimal control that combining public health awareness and antivenom treatment averts the highest number of snakebite induced deaths and disability adjusted life years in the study area. To choose the best strategy amidst limited resources in the study area, cost effectiveness analysis in terms of incremental cost effectiveness ratio is performed. It has been established that the control efforts of combining public health awareness of the susceptible individuals and antivenom treatment for victims of snakebite envenoming is the most cost effective strategy. Approximately the sum of US$72,548 is needed to avert 117 deaths or 2,739 disability adjusted life years that are recorded within 21 months in the study area. Thus, the combination of these two control strategies is recommended.
Association of IRS1 (Gly972Arg) and IRS2 (Gly1057Asp) genes polymorphisms with OSA and NAFLD in Asian Indians
Authors: Bhatt Surya Prakash , Guleria Randeep
Published: August 2021

Aim and objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 (Gly972Arg) and IRS2 (Gly1057Asp) genes with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Asian Indians.

Method

A total of 410 overweight/obese subjects (130 with OSA with NAFLD, 100 with OSA without NAFLD, 95 without OSA and with NAFLD and 85 without OSA and without NAFLD) were recruited. Degree of NAFLD was based on liver ultrasound and of OSA on overnight polysomnography. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and confirmed by gene sequencing.

Result

Mean values of blood pressure, body fat markers, blood glucose, lipids, liver function, and markers of insulin resistance were significantly increased in OSA and NAFLD subjects (p<0.05). In addition, according to age (years) categories, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, obesity markers, and markers of insulin resistance were significantly higher in 45–60 years group as compared to 20–45 years group (p<0.05). In IRS1 gene, the genotype frequency (%) of Arg/Arg was significantly higher in NAFLD and OSA subjects. In addition, Gly/Arg genotype of IRS1 gene was associated with significantly higher body mass index, fat mass, %body fat, triglycerides, cholesterol, alkaline phosphate, aspartate transaminase, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels in OSA and NAFLD subjects. No significant difference in genotype frequencies of IRS2 was observed between four groups. Further we found that subjects carrying IRS1 Gly/Arg (OR 4.49, 95% C.I. 1.06–12.52, p = 0.002) genotype possess a much higher risk of OSA and NAFLD compared to IRS2 Gly/Asp (OR 1.01, 95% C.I. 0.8–2.56, p = 0.05). In sub group analysis of IRS1 Gly/Arg have significant differences between the mild, moderate and severe group (P<0.05). In addition, patients with the ‘Gly’ allele were inclined to develop more severe OSA.

Conclusion

We concluded that Asian Indian subject carrying the allele Gly972Arg polymorphism of IRS1 is predisposed to develop OSA and NAFLD.