bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal prenatal psychological distress and motor/cognitive development in two-year-old offspring: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Mori Miyuki , Nishigori Toshie , Ogata Yuka , Suzuki Taeko , Sato Akiko , Murata Tsuyoshi , Kyozuka Hyo , Yamaguchi Akiko , Metoki Hirohito , Shinohara Yoshie , Takahashi Toshifumi , Shinoki Kosei , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Fujimori Keiya , Yasumura Seiji , Hashimoto Koichi , Goto Aya , Nishigori Hidekazu ,   The Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group
Published: January 2023

Maternal prenatal psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, may affect offspring’s motor/cognitive development. However, research findings have been inconsistent. We used a dataset from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study to evaluate associations between maternal six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) scores and motor/cognitive development among offspring at two years of age. Their offspring’s motor/cognitive development was assessed using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001. Records for 1859 male and 1817 female offspring were analyzed. The maternal K6 was administered twice during pregnancy: at a median of 14.6 weeks (M-T1) and 27.3 weeks (M-T2) of gestation. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the group with K6 scores ≤4 at both M-T1 and M-T2 as a reference. In the group with K6 scores ≥5 at both M-T1 and M-T2, male offspring had significantly lower developmental quotients (DQ) in the posture-motor area (partial regression coefficient [B]: −3.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.92 to −1.44) and language-social area (B: −1.93; 95%CI: −3.73 to −0.12), while female offspring had a lower DQ for the language-social area (B: −1.95; 95%CI: −3.73 to −0.17). In those with K6 scores ≥5 only at M-T1 or M-T2, male and female offspring did not differ significantly in DQ for any area. Continuous maternal psychological distress from the first to the second half of pregnancy was associated with lower motor and verbal cognitive development in male offspring and lower verbal cognitive development in female offspring at 2 years compared with the group without persistent maternal prenatal psychological distress.
Diurnal Sea Surface Temperature Warming Along the Kuroshio off Taiwan Under Easterly Wind Conditions
Authors: Chang Ming‐Huei , Cheng Yu‐Hsin , Yeh Yu‐Yu , Hsu Je‐Yuan , Jan Sen , Tseng Yu‐heng , Sui Chung‐Hsiung , Yang Yiing Jang , Lin Po‐Hsiung
Published: January 2023

We carry out the Lagrangian diurnal warm layer (DWL) observations, supplemented by satellite products, along the strong Kuroshio east of Taiwan, where the boundary terrain modifies the winds and the advection effect is significant. The synoptic easterly wind bifurcates as it encounters Taiwan's coast, forming the southward‐blowing and the northward‐blowing branches in the southern and northern regions of the bifurcation, respectively. The two branches produce areas with enhanced and weakened apparent wind speed relative to the northeastward flowing Kuroshio. The DWL can reach 5 m in the south of the bifurcation due to the shear instability‐induced mixing. Sea surface temperature (SST) enhancement occurs around and in the north of the wind bifurcation, where the solar heat is only trapped in the upper 2 m due to the absence of instability, forming inhomogeneous SST along the Kuroshio. The synoptic wind variations and Kuroshio advection further modulate the location of SST enhancement.
Global Warming has Increased the Distance Traveled by Marine Heatwaves
Authors: He Yongli , Zhang Boyuan , Xia Zihan , Wang Shanshan , Guan Xiaodan
Published: January 2023

Due to the destructive effects of marine heatwaves (MHWs) on marine ecosystems and local economies, whether they become more frequent and stronger under global warming has attracted much attention. The proposed event‐based algorithm identifies 3,843 MHWs during 1982–2020. Except for the MHW frequency, the global averaged duration, intensity, area and moving distance increased significantly. The contributions of the frequency and mean projection area to the total projection area were further investigated from the four categories of MHWs. The results showed that for moderate MHWs, frequency contributes more than the mean projection area to the increase in projection area; however, for strong, severe, and extreme MHWs, the mean projection area contributes much more than frequency. Due to the increased moving distance, the projected area change of the extreme MHW dominates the increase in the total projected area. The high sensitivity of extreme MHWs to global warming deserves extra attention.
Evaluating Changes in the Moisture Sources for Tropical Cyclones Precipitation in the North Atlantic That Underwent Extratropical Transition
Authors: Pérez‐Alarcón Albenis , Coll‐Hidalgo Patricia , Fernández‐Alvarez José C. , Trigo Ricardo M. , Nieto Raquel , Gimeno Luis
Published: January 2023

In this study, we investigated the changes in the origin of moisture for the precipitation associated with tropical cyclones (TCs) after extratropical transition (ET) over the North Atlantic Ocean basin from 1980 to 2018. We analyzed the 24 hr before and after the occurrence of ET events. By applying a TC‐centric methodology we found that the moisture uptake (MU) occurred predominantly in the south and southwest sectors within ∼2,000 km of TC center before ET and from the southwest and west sectors after ET. In addition, the development of the cold front and the warm conveyor belt after ET induces changes in the moisture transport pattern. Overall, the secondary circulation of TCs favored the moisture flux inward for TCs precipitation, while the large‐scale baroclinic environment controlled the MU after ET.
Characteristics of the Matuyama‐Brunhes Magnetic Field Reversal Based on a Global Data Compilation
Authors: Mahgoub Ahmed Nasser , Korte Monika , Panovska Sanja
Published: January 2023

Magnetic field reversals are irregular events in Earth's history when the geomagnetic field changes its polarity. Reversals are recorded by spot and continuous remanent magnetization data collected from lava flows and marine sediments, respectively. The latest field reversal, the Matuyama‐Brunhes reversal (MBR), is better covered by paleomagnetic data than prior field reversals, hence providing an opportunity to understand the physical mechanisms. Despite the quantity of data, a full understanding of the MBR is still lacking. The evolution of the MBR in time and space is explored in this work by compiling a global set of paleomagnetic data, both from sediments and volcanic rocks, which encompass the period 900–700 ka. After careful evaluation of data and dating quality, regional and global stacks of virtual axial dipole moment (VADM), virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP), and paleosecular variation index (Pi) are constructed from the sediment records using bootstrap resampling. Individual VADMs and VGPs calculated from lavas are compared to these stacks. Four phases of full‐vector field instability are observed in these stacks over the period 800–770 ka. The first three phases, observed at 800–785 ka, reflect a rapid weakening of the field coupled with low VGP latitude, after which the field returned to the reverse polarity of the Matuyama chron. The fourth phase, lasting from 780 to 770 ka, is when the field reversal process completed, such that the field entered the Brunhes normal polarity state. These findings point to a complex reversal process lasting ∼30 Kyr, with the reversal ending at ∼770 ka.
To Estimate Plant Water Use, Consider the Xylem
Authors: Derouin Sarah
Published: January 2023

New research shows that chemical isotopes from plant xylem can improve representations of the forest water cycle.
Even at the Bottom of the World, the Ocean Is Belching Plastic
Authors: Morris Bill
Published: January 2023

Plastic fills the air above Auckland, New Zealand.
Origin of congenital coronary arterio-ventricular fistulae from anomalous epicardial and myocardial development
Authors: Palmquist-Gomes P. , Ruiz-Villalba A. , Guadix J. A. , Romero J. P. , Bessiéres B. , MacGrogan D. , Conejo L. , Ortiz A. , Picazo B. , Houyel L. , Gómez-Cabrero D. , Meilhac S. M. , de la Pompa J. L. , Pérez-Pomares J. M.
Published: January 2023

Coronary Artery Fistulae (CAFs) are cardiac congenital anomalies consisting of an abnormal communication of a coronary artery with either a cardiac chamber or another cardiac vessel. In humans, these congenital anomalies can lead to complications such as myocardial hypertrophy, endocarditis, heart dilatation, and failure. Unfortunately, despite their clinical relevance, the aetiology of CAFs remains unknown. In this work, we have used two different species (mouse and avian embryos) to experimentally model CAFs morphogenesis. Both conditional Itga4 (alpha 4 integrin) epicardial deletion in mice and cryocauterisation of chick embryonic hearts disrupted epicardial development and ventricular wall growth, two essential events in coronary embryogenesis. Our results suggest that myocardial discontinuities in the embryonic ventricular wall promote the early contact of the endocardium with epicardial-derived coronary progenitors at the cardiac surface, leading to ventricular endocardial extrusion, precocious differentiation of coronary smooth muscle cells, and the formation of pouch-like aberrant coronary-like structures in direct connection with the ventricular lumen. The structure of these CAF-like anomalies was compared with histopathological data from a human CAF. Our results provide relevant information for the early diagnosis of these congenital anomalies and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their embryogenesis.
SIRT6 is a key regulator of mitochondrial function in the brain
Authors: Smirnov Dmitrii , Eremenko Ekaterina , Stein Daniel , Kaluski Shai , Jasinska Weronika , Cosentino Claudia , Martinez-Pastor Barbara , Brotman Yariv , Mostoslavsky Raul , Khrameeva Ekaterina , Toiber Debra
Published: January 2023

The SIRT6 deacetylase has been implicated in DNA repair, telomere maintenance, glucose and lipid metabolism and, importantly, it has critical roles in the brain ranging from its development to neurodegeneration. Here, we combined transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches to characterize the functions of SIRT6 in mouse brains. Our analysis reveals that SIRT6 is a central regulator of mitochondrial activity in the brain. SIRT6 deficiency in the brain leads to mitochondrial deficiency with a global downregulation of mitochondria-related genes and pronounced changes in metabolite content. We suggest that SIRT6 affects mitochondrial functions through its interaction with the transcription factor YY1 that, together, regulate mitochondrial gene expression. Moreover, SIRT6 target genes include SIRT3 and SIRT4, which are significantly downregulated in SIRT6-deficient brains. Our results demonstrate that the lack of SIRT6 leads to decreased mitochondrial gene expression and metabolomic changes of TCA cycle byproducts, including increased ROS production, reduced mitochondrial number, and impaired membrane potential that can be partially rescued by restoring SIRT3 and SIRT4 levels. Importantly, the changes we observed in SIRT6-deficient brains are also occurring in aging human brains and particularly in patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease. Overall, our results suggest that the reduced levels of SIRT6 in the aging brain and neurodegeneration initiate mitochondrial dysfunction by altering gene expression, ROS production, and mitochondrial decay.
Modulations of the neuronal trafficking of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) influences glutamate release
Authors: Varangot Alexandre , Lebatard Simon , Bellemain-Sagnard Mathys , Lebouvier Laurent , Hommet Yannick , Vivien Denis
Published: January 2023

The discovery of the neuronal expression of the serine protease tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) has opened new avenues of research, with important implications in the physiopathology of the central nervous system. For example, the interaction of tPA with synaptic receptors (NMDAR, LRP1, Annexin II, and EGFR) and its role in the maturation of BDNF have been reported to influence synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival. However, the mechanisms regulating the neuronal trafficking of tPA are unknown. Here, using high-resolution live cell imaging and a panel of innovative genetic approaches, we first unmasked the dynamic characteristics of the dendritic and axonal trafficking of tPA-containing vesicles under different paradigms of neuronal activation or inhibition. We then report a constitutive exocytosis of tPA- and VAMP2-positive vesicles, dramatically increased in conditions of neuronal activation, with a pattern which was mainly dendritic and thus post-synaptic. We also observed that the synaptic release of tPA led to an increase of the exocytosis of VGlut1 positive vesicles containing glutamate. Finally, we described alterations of the trafficking and exocytosis of neuronal tPA in cultured cortical neurons prepared from tau-22 transgenic mice (a preclinical model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)). Altogether, these data provide new insights about the neuronal trafficking of tPA, contributing to a better knowledge of the tPA-dependent brain functions and dysfunctions.
HDAC1 disrupts the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle through the deacetylation of Nur77 and promotes inflammation in ischemia-reperfusion mice
Authors: Wu Zhenhua , Bai Yunpeng , Qi Yujuan , Chang Chao , Jiao Yan , Bai Yaobang , Guo Zhigang
Published: January 2023

Histone deacetylase enzymes (HDACs) regulate protein acetylation. HDAC1 is known to enhance ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but its underlying mechanism(s) of action have not been defined. Here, in vivo mouse models of myocardial I/R were used to investigate the role of HDAC1 during I/R myocardial injury. We show that HDAC1 enhances the inflammatory responses of I/R mice. Using a constructed macrophage H/R (hypoxia/ regeneration) injury model (Raw264.7 cells), we identified Nur77 as a HDAC1 target in macrophages. Nur77 deficient macrophages failed to downregulate IDH1 (isocitrate dehydrogenase 1) and accumulated succinic acid and other tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle-derived metabolites in a glutamine-independent manner. These data show that the inhibition of HDAC1 ameliorates H/R-inflammation in macrophages through the regulation of Nur77 and the TCA cycle.
Impact of the Euro 2020 championship on the spread of COVID-19
Authors: Dehning Jonas , Mohr Sebastian B. , Contreras Sebastian , Dönges Philipp , Iftekhar Emil N. , Schulz Oliver , Bechtle Philip , Priesemann Viola
Published: January 2023

Large-scale events like the UEFA Euro 2020 football (soccer) championship offer a unique opportunity to quantify the impact of gatherings on the spread of COVID-19, as the number and dates of matches played by participating countries resembles a randomized study. Using Bayesian modeling and the gender imbalance in COVID-19 data, we attribute 840,000 (95% CI: [0.39M, 1.26M]) COVID-19 cases across 12 countries to the championship. The impact depends non-linearly on the initial incidence, the reproduction number R, and the number of matches played. The strongest effects are seen in Scotland and England, where as much as 10,000 primary cases per million inhabitants occur from championship-related gatherings. The average match-induced increase in R was 0.46 [0.18, 0.75] on match days, but important matches caused an increase as large as +3. Altogether, our results provide quantitative insights that help judge and mitigate the impact of large-scale events on pandemic spread.
Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus induces specialised ribosomes to efficiently translate viral lytic mRNAs
Authors: Murphy James C. , Harrington Elena M. , Schumann Sophie , Vasconcelos Elton J. R. , Mottram Timothy J. , Harper Katherine L. , Aspden Julie L. , Whitehouse Adrian
Published: January 2023

Historically, ribosomes were viewed as unchanged homogeneous macromolecular machines with no regulatory capacity for mRNA translation. An emerging concept is that heterogeneity of ribosomal composition exists, exerting a regulatory function or specificity in translational control. This is supported by recent discoveries identifying compositionally distinct specialised ribosomes that actively regulate mRNA translation. Viruses lack their own translational machinery and impose high translational demands on the host during replication. We explore the possibility that KSHV manipulates ribosome biogenesis producing specialised ribosomes which preferentially translate viral transcripts. Quantitative proteomic analysis identified changes in the stoichiometry and composition of precursor ribosomal complexes during the switch from latent to lytic replication. We demonstrate the enhanced association of ribosomal biogenesis factors BUD23 and NOC4L, and the KSHV ORF11 protein, with small ribosomal subunit precursor complexes during lytic replication. BUD23 depletion resulted in significantly reduced viral gene expression, culminating in dramatic reduction of infectious virion production. Ribosome profiling demonstrated BUD23 is essential for reduced association of ribosomes with KSHV uORFs in late lytic genes, required for the efficient translation of the downstream coding sequence. Results provide mechanistic insights into KSHV-mediated manipulation of cellular ribosome composition inducing a population of specialised ribosomes facilitating efficient translation of viral mRNAs.
A new AMPK isoform mediates glucose-restriction induced longevity non-cell autonomously by promoting membrane fluidity
Authors: Jeong Jin-Hyuck , Han Jun-Seok , Jung Youngae , Lee Seung-Min , Park So-Hyun , Park Mooncheol , Shin Min-Gi , Kim Nami , Kang Mi Sun , Kim Seokho , Lee Kwang-Pyo , Kwon Ki-Sun , Kim Chun-A. , Yang Yong Ryoul , Hwang Geum-Sook , Kwon Eun-Soo
Published: January 2023

Dietary restriction (DR) delays aging and the onset of age-associated diseases. However, it is yet to be determined whether and how restriction of specific nutrients promote longevity. Previous genome-wide screens isolated several Escherichia coli mutants that extended lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, using 1H-NMR metabolite analyses and inter-species genetics, we demonstrate that E. coli mutants depleted of intracellular glucose extend C. elegans lifespans, serving as bona fide glucose-restricted (GR) diets. Unlike general DR, GR diets don’t reduce the fecundity of animals, while still improving stress resistance and ameliorating neuro-degenerative pathologies of Aβ42. Interestingly, AAK-2a, a new AMPK isoform, is necessary and sufficient for GR-induced longevity. AAK-2a functions exclusively in neurons to modulate GR-mediated longevity via neuropeptide signaling. Last, we find that GR/AAK-2a prolongs longevity through PAQR-2/NHR-49/Δ9 desaturases by promoting membrane fluidity in peripheral tissues. Together, our studies identify the molecular mechanisms underlying prolonged longevity by glucose specific restriction in the context of whole animals.
Common evolutionary trajectory of short life-cycle in Brassicaceae ruderal weeds
Authors: Li Ling-Zi , Xu Zhou-Geng , Chang Tian-Gen , Wang Long , Kang Heng , Zhai Dong , Zhang Lu-Yi , Zhang Peng , Liu Hongtao , Zhu Xin-Guang , Wang Jia-Wei
Published: January 2023

Weed species are detrimental to crop yield. An understanding of how weeds originate and adapt to field environments is needed for successful crop management and reduction of herbicide use. Although early flowering is one of the weed trait syndromes that enable ruderal weeds to overcome frequent disturbances, the underlying genetic basis is poorly understood. Here, we establish Cardamine occulta as a model to study weed ruderality. By genome assembly and QTL mapping, we identify impairment of the vernalization response regulator gene FLC and a subsequent dominant mutation in the blue-light receptor gene CRY2 as genetic drivers for the establishment of short life cycle in ruderal weeds. Population genomics study further suggests that the mutations in these two genes enable individuals to overcome human disturbances through early deposition of seeds into the soil seed bank and quickly dominate local populations, thereby facilitating their spread in East China. Notably, functionally equivalent dominant mutations in CRY2 are shared by another weed species, Rorippa palustris, suggesting a common evolutionary trajectory of early flowering in ruderal weeds in Brassicaceae.
Long-term spatiotemporal patterns in the number of colonies and honey production in Mexico
Authors: Balvino-Olvera Francisco J. , Lobo Jorge A. , Aguilar-Aguilar María J. , Ruiz-Guzmán Gloria , González-Rodríguez Antonio , Ruiz-Mercado Ilse , Ghilardi Adrián , del Coro Arizmendi María , Quesada Mauricio
Published: January 2023

Honey bee decline is currently one of the world's most serious environmental issues, and scientists, governments, and producers have generated interest in understanding its causes and consequences in honey production and food supply. Mexico is one of the world’s top honey producers, however, the honey bee population's status has not been documented to date. Based on 32 years of data from beekeeping, we make a country-level assessment of honey bee colony trends in Mexico. We use generalized additive mixed models to measure the associations between the percent change in honey bee hives and the percent change in honey yield per hive in relation to land-use, climate, and socioeconomic conditions. Despite the fact that the average annual yield per hive increased from 1980 to 2012, we detected a significant decline in the percent change in the number of honey bee hives across the time period studied. We also found a relationship between climatic conditions and agricultural land use, with agriculture increases and high temperatures producing a decrease in the percent change in honey yield. We found a relationship between a reduction in the temperature range (the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures) and a decrease in the percent change in the number of hives, while socioeconomic factors related to poverty levels have an impact on the number of hives and honey yields. Although long-term declines in hive numbers are not correlated with poverty levels, socioeconomic factors in states with high and medium poverty levels limit the increase in honey yield per hive. These results provide evidence that land-use changes, unfavorable climatic conditions, political, and socioeconomic factors are partially responsible for the reductions in the percent change in honey bee hives in Mexico.
Modeling thermophysical properties of glasses
Authors: Lucia Angelo , Gregory Otto
Published: January 2023

Metal oxide glasses are important in various industries because their properties can be tailored to meet application-specific requirements. However, there are few rigorous modeling tools for predicting thermomechanical properties of these materials with acceptable accuracy and speed, yet these properties can play a critical role in material design. In this article, a general multi-scale modeling framework based on Monte Carlo simulation and a cubic equation of state for predicting thermomechanical properties is presented. There are two novel and fundamental aspects of this work: (1) characterization of glass transition and softening temperatures as adjacent saddle points on the heat capacity versus temperature curve, and (2) a new moving boundary equation of state that accounts for structure and ‘soft’ repulsion. In addition, modeling capabilities are demonstrated by comparing thermomechanical properties of a pure B2O3 glass and PbO–B2O3 glass predicted by the equation of state to experimental data. Finally, this work provides a rigorous approach to estimating thermophysical properties for the purpose of guiding experimental work directed at tailoring thermomechanical properties of glasses to fit applications.
Prospective study of dietary changes in cancer survivors for five years including pre- and post- diagnosis compared with those in cancer-free participants
Authors: Ishii Yuri , Takachi Ribeka , Ishihara Junko , Yamaji Taiki , Iwasaki Motoki , Inoue Manami , Tsugane Shoichiro , Sawada Norie
Published: January 2023

The number of long-term survivors after a cancer diagnosis is increasing. Few investigations have compared survivors’ diets to their original pre-diagnosis dietary pattern or with the patterns of cancer-free controls. We examined the dietary changes in survivors for five years (i.e. before to after diagnosis) in cancer survivors, comparing them with cancer-free controls in a prospective cohort study in Japan. Using 1995–1998 for the baseline and 2000–2003 for the follow-up survey, a validated food frequency questionnaire was administered to 33,643 men and 39,549 women aged 45–74 years. During the follow-up period, 886 men and 646 women had developed cancer. Participants that had not been diagnosed with cancer served as controls. There was a greater decrease in the calorie intake (median change: − 168 kcal/d [Interquartile range: − 640, 278]) in male cancer survivors compared to controls (− 33 kcal/d [− 453, 380], P < .001). On comparison with cancer-free controls, multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significantly larger reduction in energy-adjusted ethanol intake for male cancer survivors (β =  − 0.36). There was no difference in changes in fruit and vegetable or red meat intake and no other significant differences in dietary changes between survivors and controls for either gender. This suggests that most dietary changes in survivors after cancer diagnosis are not systematically different from those that occur in people without a cancer diagnosis.
Functions of human olfactory mucus and age-dependent changes
Authors: Shirai Tomohiro , Takase Dan , Yokoyama Junkichi , Nakanishi Kuniyuki , Uehara Chisaki , Saito Naoko , Kato-Namba Aya , Yoshikawa Keiichi
Published: January 2023

Odorants are detected by olfactory sensory neurons, which are covered by olfactory mucus. Despite the existence of studies on olfactory mucus, its constituents, functions, and interindividual variability remain poorly understood. Here, we describe a human study that combined the collection of olfactory mucus and olfactory psychophysical tests. Our analyses revealed that olfactory mucus contains high concentrations of solutes, such as total proteins, inorganic elements, and molecules for xenobiotic metabolism. The high concentrations result in a capacity to capture or metabolize a specific repertoire of odorants. We provide evidence that odorant metabolism modifies our sense of smell. Finally, the amount of olfactory mucus decreases in an age-dependent manner. A follow-up experiment recapitulated the importance of the amount of mucus in the sensitive detection of odorants by their receptors. These findings provide a comprehensive picture of the molecular processes in olfactory mucus and propose a potential cause of olfactory decline.
Ho:YAG laser at 2097 nm pumped by a narrow linewidth tunable 1.91 μm laser
Authors: Tian Juntao , Zhao Lili , Li Zhiyong , Bian Jintian , Ye Qing , Wang Hai , Tan Rongqing
Published: January 2023

This study presents a high efficiency Ho:YAG laser based on a narrow linewidth tunable 1.91 μm laser. A tunable Tm:YLF laser is the pump source and the wavelength continuous tunability ranges from 1906.04 to 1908.83 nm, corresponding to a linewidth of less than 0.41 nm. The tunable Tm:YLF laser is achieved by changing the operating temperature of the VBG. The output power of the Ho:YAG laser is between 21.04 and 23.53 W and the slope efficiency is between 64.08 and 68.26% at the pump power of 39.8 W. The output power and slope efficiency corresponding to the pump wavelength of 1907.36 nm are 23.53 W and 68.26%, respectively. This study illustrates that fine-tuning the pump wavelength is an effective way to improve the slope efficiency and output power of the Ho:YAG laser at room temperature.
Topologically protected plasmonic phases in randomized aperture gratings
Authors: Fox Maayan , Gorodetski Yuri
Published: January 2023

We experimentally show the excitation of surface plasmons by topologically protected diffraction from gratings with randomized periodicity. The structures are designed such that the plasmonic excitation is conditioned by the proper combination of the geometric and the dynamic phases. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a precise interaction of the incident light signal and a specific plasmonic directional mode in a polarization dependent manner.
The systemic and hepatic alternative renin–angiotensin system is activated in liver cirrhosis, linked to endothelial dysfunction and inflammation
Authors: Hartl Lukas , Rumpf Benedikt , Domenig Oliver , Simbrunner Benedikt , Paternostro Rafael , Jachs Mathias , Poglitsch Marko , Marculescu Rodrig , Trauner Michael , Reindl-Schwaighofer Roman , Hecking Manfred , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas
Published: January 2023

We aimed to assess the systemic and hepatic renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) fingerprint in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). This prospective study included 13 compensated (cACLD) and 12 decompensated ACLD (dACLD) patients undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement. Plasma components (all patients) and liver-local enzymes (n = 5) of the RAS were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Patients with dACLD had significantly higher angiotensin (Ang) I, Ang II and aldosterone plasma levels. Ang 1–7, a major mediator of the alternative RAS, was almost exclusively detectable in dACLD (n = 12/13; vs. n = 1/13 in cACLD). Also, dACLD patients had higher Ang 1–5 (33.5 pmol/L versus cACLD: 6.6 pmol/L, p < 0.001) and numerically higher Ang III and Ang IV levels. Ang 1–7 correlated with HVPG (ρ = 0.655; p < 0.001), von Willebrand Factor (ρ = 0.681; p < 0.001), MELD (ρ = 0.593; p = 0.002) and interleukin-6 (ρ = 0.418; p = 0.047). Considerable activity of ACE, chymase, ACE2, and neprilysin was detectable in all liver biopsies, with highest chymase and ACE2 activity in cACLD patients. While liver-local classical and alternative RAS activity was already observed in cACLD, systemic activation of alternative RAS components occurred only in dACLD. Increased Ang 1–7 was linked to severe liver disease, portal hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation.
Explainable artificial intelligence for mental health through transparency and interpretability for understandability
Authors: Joyce Dan W. , Kormilitzin Andrey , Smith Katharine A. , Cipriani Andrea
Published: January 2023

The literature on artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) in mental health and psychiatry lacks consensus on what “explainability” means. In the more general XAI (eXplainable AI) literature, there has been some convergence on explainability meaning model-agnostic techniques that augment a complex model (with internal mechanics intractable for human understanding) with a simpler model argued to deliver results that humans can comprehend. Given the differing usage and intended meaning of the term “explainability” in AI and ML, we propose instead to approximate model/algorithm explainability by understandability defined as a function of transparency and interpretability. These concepts are easier to articulate, to “ground” in our understanding of how algorithms and models operate and are used more consistently in the literature. We describe the TIFU (Transparency and Interpretability For Understandability) framework and examine how this applies to the landscape of AI/ML in mental health research. We argue that the need for understandablity is heightened in psychiatry because data describing the syndromes, outcomes, disorders and signs/symptoms possess probabilistic relationships to each other—as do the tentative aetiologies and multifactorial social- and psychological-determinants of disorders. If we develop and deploy AI/ML models, ensuring human understandability of the inputs, processes and outputs of these models is essential to develop trustworthy systems fit for deployment.
Di- and trinuclear sandwich complexes of a cross-conjugated fulvene
Authors: Kudo Eiji , Oba Yuki , Yamamoto Koji , Murahashi Tetsuro
Published: January 2023

We report di- and trinuclear sandwich complexes of cross-π-conjugated fulvenes. The reversible extrusion of a Pd atom from inside to outside the sandwich framework occurs due to the cross-π-conjugation of fulvene.
Constructing low-kpolymers at high frequency from two propenyl-containing biomasses through the grubbs reaction
Authors: Shi Manling , Huang Gang , Sun Jing , Fang Qiang
Published: January 2023

Two biomasses with a 4-propenyl-phenol skeleton (isoeugenol and anethole) were used to form three dimers via the Grubbs reaction, which were heated at a high temperature to produce cured resins that exhibited good dielectric and thermal properties.
Vacancy controlled n–p conduction type transition in CuAgSe with superior thermoelectric performance
Authors: Yu Tian , Ning Suiting , Zhang Tingting , Chen Xiangbin , Liu Qian , Qi Ning , Chen Zhiquan , Su Xianli , Tang Xinfeng
Published: January 2023

The conduction type of CuAgSe can be tuned by chemical composition. The positron technique indicates that n–p transition is controlled by vacancy.
Supramolecular engineering of cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors: novel thiophene-bridged donor–acceptor sp2 carbon-linked polymers
Authors: Peng Haijun , Montes-García Verónica , Raya Jésus , Wang Hanlin , Guo Haipeng , Richard Fanny , Samorì Paolo , Ciesielski Artur
Published: January 2023

Donor–acceptor carbon-linked conjugated polymers (DA-CCPs) with thiophene-S active sites have been used for the first time as cathodes in rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors, exhibiting a performance surpassing the state of the art.
Initiating highly efficient (Bi,Ce)2(O,S)3−xoxysulfide catalysts with rich oxygen vacancies for hydrogen evolutionviaadjusting valence band configuration
Authors: Chen Xiaoyun , Wu Qinhan , Kuo Dong-Hau , Abdeta Adugna Boke , Zhang Hanya , Li Ping , Huang Ting , Zelekew Osman Ahmed , Lin Jinguo
Published: January 2023

Converting Bi2S3into an efficient PHER catalyst by defect engineering to form solid solutions with the incorporation of Ce and O into Bi2S3for bimetal–chalcogen (Bi,Ce)2(O,S)3−xcatalysts.
Correction: Dispersion stability and tribological properties of additives introduced by ultrasonic and microwave assisted ball milling in oil
Authors: Wang Siyuan , Chen Ding , Chen Yaotong , Zhu Kaiji
Published: January 2023

Correction for ‘Dispersion stability and tribological properties of additives introduced by ultrasonic and microwave assisted ball milling in oil’ by Siyuan Wang et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 25177–25185, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA03414B.
Variational actor-critic algorithms,
Authors: Zhu Yuhua , Ying Lexing
Published: January 2023

We introduce a class of variational actor-critic algorithms based on a variational formulation over both the value function and the policy. The objective function of the variational formulation consists of two parts: one for maximizing the value function and the other for minimizing the Bellman residual. Besides the vanilla gradient descent with both the value function and the policy updates, we propose two variants, the clipping method and the flipping method, in order to speed up the convergence. We also prove that, when the prefactor of the Bellman residual is sufficiently large, the fixed point of the algorithm is close to the optimal policy.
Und schon wieder „Corona“?
Authors: Zauner Bernhard
Published: January 2023

Während ich diese Ausgabe vorbereite, „rollt die Herbstwelle
über uns hinweg“, die Situation ist aber eine andere als im Herbst
2021. Doch Thema ist SARS-CoV-2 noch immer. In Deutschland warnt der
Gesundheitsminister nach wie vor, jedoch in abgeschwächter Form,
wofür es wahrscheinlich mehrere Gründe gibt. In Österreich
hört man derzeit eher wenig, es wurde sogar schon vom Gesundheitsminister
angesprochen, dass auf „Kollateralschäden“ genauer geachtet
werden muss.
Angefeindet und bekämpft: die schwedische Homöopathin
Klara Fransén und die Pandemie 1918
Authors: Jahn Stefanie
Published: January 2023

Die gesellschaftspolitischen Auswirkungen der Spanischen Grippe ab dem Jahr 1918
lassen sich mit denen der aktuellen Coronapandemie vergleichen. Am Ende eines
Weltkriegs versuchten die Menschen, sich zusätzlich noch in einer
pandemischen Krise zurechtzufinden. Soziale, psychische, ökonomische und
gesundheitliche Fragen prägten private und öffentliche Debatten.
Medizinische Errungenschaften standen nur einem Teil der Menschen zur
Verfügung. Bereits damals waren komplementäre Verfahren gefragt
und wurden teils aus Mangel an Alternativen genutzt.

Die Homöopathie war zur Zeit der Spanischen Grippe in vielen
Ländern verbreitet. Konventionelle Mediziner nutzten ergänzend
naturheilkundliche Verfahren. Die Integration körperlicher und
psychischer Symptome, eine ganzheitlichere Behandlung und Patientenzentrierung
sowie häufig bessere Verträglichkeit sorgten für
Beliebtheit der komplementären Methoden in der Bevölkerung.

Der im Jahr 1910 in den USA veröffentlichte Flexner Report führte
dazu, dass die ärztliche Ausbildung reformiert und
Qualitätskriterien unterzogen wurde. Die US-amerikanischen
Universitäten etablierten die 3 Bereiche Praxis, Lehre und Forschung.
Ausbildungsstätten mit Unterricht in nichtkonventionellen
Medizinrichtungen wurden als unwissenschaftlich eingestuft und mussten
schließen. Pejorative Bezeichnungen wie „Scharlatan“ und
„Quacksalber“ für Ärzte und Praktiker
komplementärer Verfahren gab es damals wie heute. In Schweden war das
Verhältnis zwischen konventionellen Ärzt*innen und
Homöopath*innen besonders zerrüttet. Am Beispiel der
nichtärztlichen Homöopathin Klara Fransén lässt
sich exemplarisch darstellen, welchen Anfeindungen Vertreter*innen
komplementärer Verfahren ausgesetzt waren. Dabei wird außer Acht
gelassen, dass sich Homöopath*innen am medizinischen und
wissenschaftlichen Diskurs beteiligen, Forschung betreiben und sich mit ihrem
Wissen einbringen – vor 100 Jahren wie auch heute.
Homöopathische Begleitung von Long Covid und
„Postacute“ Covid – ein Forschungsprojekt der Dr. B. K.
Bose Stiftung, Zug
Authors: Mayer Andrea Corinna , Grabenhofer Christoph , Jus Martine , Keller Gabriela
Published: January 2023

Im Frühjahr 2021 wurde in der Schweiz ein Projekt zur
homöopathischen Begleitung von Long Covid gestartet, das von der Dr. B.
K. Bose Stiftung in Zug finanziert wird. Es wurden Fälle von
verschiedenen Homöopathen ausgewertet, die in ihrer Praxis mit der
Jus-Methode arbeiten. In der Arbeit wurden 4 Beispielfälle von
„Covid-geimpften“ Patienten beschrieben, die
„Postacute“ (>3 Wochen seit Beginn der akuten
Covid-Erkrankung) oder Long Covid (>2 Monate seit Beginn der akuten
Covid-Erkrankung) entwickelt haben und 4 Fälle von
„Ungeimpften“. In allen Fällen konnte der
Gesundheitszustand wie vor der Covid-Erkrankung wiederhergestellt werden
– ungeachtet dessen, ob sie gegen Covid geimpft waren oder nicht.
Natrium arsenicosum hat sich in der Behandlung von Long Covid und
„Postacute Covid“ sehr bewährt. Die Fallbeispiele zeigen
auch, dass mithilfe der klassischen Homöopathie monatelange Beschwerden
gelindert bzw. geheilt werden können, die vorher jeglichen
Therapieversuchen hartnäckig „standgehalten“ haben.
Zwei alltägliche Fälle aus der Praxis –
Impfnebenwirkung, Long Covid
Authors: Zauner Bernhard
Published: January 2023

In der Homöopathie haben wir die Möglichkeit, an Covid-19
erkrankte Patienten, Menschen mit Long/Post Covid und solche mit Folgen
der Impfung zu behandeln. Anhand von Kasuistiken wird dies deutlich gemacht.
Risk Analysis Index and 30-Day Mortality after Brain Tumor Resection: A Multicenter Frailty Analysis of 31,776 Patients from 2012 to 2020
Authors: Rumalla Kavelin , Thommen Rachel , Kazim Syed Faraz , Segura Aaron C. , Kassicieh Alexander J. , Schmidt Meic H. , Bowers Christian A.
Published: January 2023

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the discriminative accuracy of the preoperative Risk Analysis Index (RAI) frailty score for prediction of mortality or transition to hospice within 30 days of brain tumor resection (BTR) in a large multicenter, international, prospective database.

Methods Records of BTR patients were extracted from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2012–2020) database. The relationship between the RAI frailty scale and the primary end point (mortality or discharge to hospice within 30 days of surgery) was assessed using linear-by-linear proportional trend tests, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (area under the curve as C-statistic).

Results Patients with BTR (N = 31,776) were stratified by RAI frailty tier: 16,800 robust (52.8%), 7,646 normal (24.1%), 6,593 frail (20.7%), and 737 severely frail (2.3%). The mortality/hospice rate was 2.5% (n = 803) and was positively associated with increasing RAI tier: robust (0.9%), normal (3.3%), frail (4.6%), and severely frail (14.2%) (p < 0.001). Isolated RAI was a robust discriminatory of primary end point in ROC curve analysis in the overall BTR cohort (C-statistic: 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.76) as well as the malignant (C-statistic: 0.74; 95% CI: 0. 67–0.80) and benign (C-statistic: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.70–0.73) tumor subsets (all p < 0.001). RAI score had statistically significantly better performance compared with the 5-factor modified frailty index and chronological age (both p < 0.0001).

Conclusions RAI frailty score predicts 30-day mortality after BTR and may be translated to the bedside with a user-friendly calculator (https://nsgyfrailtyoutcomeslab.shinyapps.io/braintumormortalityRAIcalc/). The findings hope to augment the informed consent and surgical decision-making process in this patient population and provide an example for future study designs.
Variable Virulence Genes in Clinical Isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei: Impact on Disease Severity and Outcome in Melioidosis
Authors: Raj Sruthi , Sistla Sujatha , Sadanandan Deepthy Melepurakkal , Peela Sreeram Chandra Murthy
Published: January 2023

Objectives To isolate Burkholderia pseudomallei from clinical specimens and study the association of virulence genes with clinical manifestations and outcome in patients with melioidosis.

Materials and Methods Burkholderia
pseudomallei isolates obtained from melioidosis cases diagnosed during 2018 to 2021 were identified using VITEK 2 system and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a Type III secretion system gene cluster. Multiplex PCR was performed to detect the genotypes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) namely A, B, and B2, and singleplex PCR was performed to detect the presence of the Burkholderia intracellular motility gene (BimA) and filamentous hemagglutinin gene (fhaB3).

Statistical Analysis Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests were performed to study the association between various clinical manifestations and outcome and different virulence genes. The results were expressed as unadjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results Sixty-seven isolates were available for characterization. BimABm
and BimABp
were observed among 82 and 18% of the isolates, respectively. Both sepsis and mortality were significantly associated with BimABm
. Majority of the isolates had fhaB3 (97%). Most of the isolates showed the presence of LPS A gene (65.7%) followed by LPS B gene (6%), while LPS B2 was not detected. Nineteen isolates could not be assigned to any LPS genotypes.

Conclusion Among the virulence genes studied, only BimABm
was significantly associated with sepsis and mortality. More than a quarter (28.3%) of the isolates could not be assigned to any LPS genotypes, hinting at a greater genetic diversity in our isolates.
A Rapid Method for Determination of Serum Methotrexate Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Its Application in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Tripathy Naresh Kumar , Mishra Shravan Kumar , Nathan Gopi , Srivastava Shreya , Gupta Anshul , Lingaiah Raghavendra
Published: January 2023

Objectives Methotrexate (MTX) has anticancer therapeutic potential with multiple doses-related adverse effects and toxicities. Immunoassays for therapeutic monitoring of serum MTX have their own limitations. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is considered as the reference method; however, commercially availability of them is limited. We aimed to adapt/develop an in-house LC-MS/MS method for therapeutic monitoring of serum MTX.

Materials and Methods Serum protein precipitation was performed using acetonitrile–water containing 250 μM solution of aminoacetophenone as internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column with mobile phase of 0.1% solution of formic acid (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. MS was performed under positive ion mode with mass transition for MTX and IS as m/z 455.1→308.1 and 136.2→94.1, respectively. The method was validated by following Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance for Industry, 2018 and applied on leukemia patients' samples on MTX therapy.

Results The correlation coefficient of eight serially diluted calibration standards of 0.09 to 12.5 μM was >0.99 and had linearity with > 95% precision and accuracy at analytical quality control levels. The lower limit of MTX quantification achieved was 0.09 μM with good intensity and sharp peak as compared with blank sample. The total run time of the assay was 5 minutes. The serum MTX levels obtained by this method in leukemia patients exhibited clinical correlation and an excellent agreement with commercial immunoassay used in parallel.

Conclusion We were able to develop a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective LC-MS/MS method suitable for therapeutic drug monitoring of MTX in routine clinical diagnostic laboratories.
Gastric Metastasis of Primary Neuroendocrine Tumor of Skin: Rare Tumor with Rare Presentation
Authors: Osama Md Ali , Rao Seema , Mittal Tarun , Kumar Sandeep
Published: January 2023

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary neuroendocrine tumor of the skin. It has an aggressive biological behavior and shows early local and distant metastasis. Diagnosis of MCC is a challenge and requires confirmation by immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, metastasis of MCC to the stomach is extremely uncommon and is rarely reported in the literature. We hereby describe a patient with gastric metastasis of MCC, who presented with black tarry stool and was finally diagnosed on the basis of clinical history, histology, and IHC.