bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract P3111: Can ACE Inhibitors Provide Similar Long-lasting Cardioprotection Against Chronic Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity As An Approved Drug Dexrazoxane On A Well-established Animal Model?
Authors: Sterba Martin , Pokorna Zuzana , Kollarova Petra , Lencova Olga , Kubes Jan , Mazurova Yvona , Adamcova Michaela , Simunek Tomas
Published: November 2022

Background:
ACE inhibitors (ACEi) have been reported cardioprotective in a secondary prevention of anthracycline (ANT) cardiotoxicity in high-risk patients. However, it remains to be determined whether they can also prevent the onset of ANT-induced cardiac damage and provide long-lasting cardioprotection in primary settings similarly as approved drug dexrazoxane (DEX).

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to assess whether ACEis can prevent TOP2B-mediated DNA damage induced by ANTs in the heart as a very upstream event, and thus provide long-lasting cardioprotection against chronic ANT cardiotoxicity.

Methods:
Chronic cardiotoxicity was induced in rabbits by daunorubicin (DAU, 3 mg/kg weekly for 10 weeks). Perindopril (PER) in two clinically relevant doses (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg/day) was administered before and throughout the chronic DAU treatment. The cardioprotection was evaluated at the end of treatment period and after 3- and 10-week drug-free post-treatment follow-up (FU). TOP2B-depedent DNA damage signaling in the heart was determined 6 h after single dose of DAU, while TOPB interaction was studied
in vitro
; the results were compared to DEX.

Results:
A week after completion of the chronic DAU administration, PER-co-treatment completely overcame or markedly reduced DAU-induced mortality, blood congestion and systolic dysfunction (LVFS 41.5% vs. 34.3% in the DAU group, p<0.05), increase of troponin T in plasma and histopathological changes in the heart. However, most of these parameters were significantly deteriorated during 3-week drug-free FU. Further worsening of the left ventricular systolic function and cardiac morphological damage occurred in the 10-week FU which led to a heart failure-related mortality in the PER co-treated group. DEX showed very effective protection against DAU cardiotoxicity both at the end of chronic treatment and after the 10-week FU. In contrast to DEX, the PER co-treatment did not affect TOP2B activity
in vitro
and did not prevent DAU-induced acute p53-mediated DNA damage signaling in the heart.

Conclusions:
Unlike approved drug DEX, the ACEi treatment provided only temporary control of ANT cardiotoxicity development which may be associated with the lack of the effects on ANT-induced and TOP2B-mediated DNA damage response in the heart.
Abstract P3112: Pharmacological Inhibition Of ATM Sensitizes Rabbit Hearts For Development Of Chronic Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity And Heart Failure
Authors: Lencova Olga , Kollarova Petra , Adamcova Michaela , Mazurova Yvona , Sterba Martin
Published: November 2022

Introduction:
Anthracycline (ANT) cardiotoxicity is still a serious complication of cancer chemotherapy. While it has been originally explained by direct oxidative damage to the heart, recently topoisomerase II beta (TOP2B)-dependent DNA damage to cardiomyocytes has been implicated. However, the specific role of DNA damage response (DDR) signaling downstream of TOP2B in the development of chronic ANT cardiotoxicity remains unclear.

Hypothesis:
Pharmacological inhibition of ATM will confirm the involvement of the ATM pathway in DDR signaling in the heart after ANT exposure and determine whether this signaling leads to the development of ANT cardiotoxicity or the opposite is true.

Methods:
A well-established rabbit model of chronic ANT cardiotoxicity (daunorubicin/DAU/3 mg/kg, weekly for ten weeks) was employed. The highly selective ATM inhibitor AZD0156, which is currently in clinical evaluation elsewhere, was administered at 0.5 mg/kg before each DAU dose. The results were compared with the group receiving AZD0156 alone and the controls receiving saline or vehicle for AZD0156. In another set of animals, the acute DDR in the heart was studied 6 hours after a single administration of the same drugs.

Results:
AZD0156 effectively prevented acute DAU-induced increase of p53 levels and up-regulation of p53 target genes (p21 and many others) in the left ventricular myocardium. Chronic co-treatment of AZD0156 with DAU markedly increased the incidence of DAU-induced blood congestion (hydrothorax 80 % vs. 40 % in the DAU-alone group), end-stage heart failure, and heart failure-related mortality (60 % vs. 20 % in the DAU-alone group). Before the observed deaths, plasma levels of cardiac troponin T increased steeply, while left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) determined by echocardiography declined. The last measured LVFS values in the AZD0156+DAU group were significantly lower than in the DAU-alone group. AZD0156 alone was well tolerated and had no significant impact on any studied parameter.

Conclusion:
ANT-induced DDR signaling in the heart appears to be ATM-dependent, and pharmacological inhibition of ATM sensitizes rabbit hearts to ANT-induced chronic cardiotoxicity and heart failure.
Abstract P3116: Cardioprotective Effects Of Dexrazoxane Derivatives Against Chronic Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity Depend On Topoisomerase II Beta Inhibition And Prevention Of DNA Damage Signaling In The Heart
Authors: Kollarova Petra , Lencova Olga , Karabanovich Galina , Kubes Jan , Vanova Nela , Roh Jaroslav , Simunek Tomas , Sterbova Petra , Sterba Martin
Published: November 2022

Background:
Cardioprotective effects of dexrazoxane (DEX), the only drug approved against anthracycline (ANT) cardiotoxicity, have been traditionally associated with metal chelating properties of its metabolites. However, newer data point to importance of interaction of the parent drug with topoisomerase II beta (TOP2B).

Hypothesis:
Close derivatives of DEX with different ability to catalytically inhibit TOP2B will show different capability to prevent ANT-induced and TOP2B-depedent DNA damage signaling in the heart which will determine their different cardioprotective effects against chronic ANT cardiotoxicity
in vivo
.

Methods:
Chronic ANT cardiotoxicity was induced with daunorubicin (DAU, 3 mg/kg/week for 10 weeks). DEX and its
N
,
N′
-dimethyl derivative were administered at 60 mg/kg, while a water-soluble prodrug of DEX derivative with additional methyl on the aliphatic linker (ICRF-193) was administered at 1 or 5 mg/kg. All drugs were administered 30 min before each DAU dose, and the results were compared with the appropriate control groups.

Results:
DEX co-treatment almost completely prevented all DAU-induced markers of chronic cardiotoxicity including heart failure-related mortality, left ventricular dysfunction and cardiac troponin T raise in plasma. However, its dimethyl derivative failed to show any cardioprotective potential as all results were not different from the DAU-alone group despite even higher plasma concentrations of the parent compound as well as the main metabolite (compared with DEX). In contrast, the prodrug of ICRF-193 showed dose-dependent cardioprotection with almost complete protection in all studied parameters at 5 mg/kg, despite much lower plasma concentrations of the active derivative ICRF-193. The ability to protect heart against chronic ANT cardiotoxicity correlated with the potency of studied drugs to catalytically inhibit TOP2B
in vitro
and capability to prevent acute DAU-induced and p53-mediated DNA damage signaling in the heart
in vivo
.

Conclusion:
Cardioprotective effects of DEX derivatives against chronic ANT cardiotoxicity
in vivo
are closely related to their ability to catalytically inhibit TOP2B and prevent ANT-induced DNA damage signaling in the heart.
Abstract P3119: Selectively Expressing Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein S1 Subunit In Cardiomyocytes Induces Cardiac Hypertrophy In Mice
Authors: Sheldon Caroline , Negron Steven , Kessinger Chase W , Xu Bing , Pu William T , Lin Chieh-Yu , Lin Zhiqiang
Published: November 2022

Cardiac injury is common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and portends poorer prognosis and higher mortality. To better understand how SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-2) damages the heart, it is critical to elucidate the biology of CoV-2 encoded proteins, each of which may play multiple pathological roles. HCoV-NL63 is another human coronavirus with a Spike protein (NL63-S) that also engages ACE2 for virus entry but is known to only cause moderate respiratory symptoms. By comparing the pathological effects of NL63-S and CoV-2 spike protein (CoV-2-S), we tested the hypothesis that CoV-2-S damages the heart by activating cardiomyocyte (CM) innate immune responses, which is independent of ACE2.We found that CoV-2-S and not NL63-S interacted with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a crucial pattern recognition receptor responsible for detecting pathogen and initiating innate immune responses. Our data show that the S1 subunit of CoV-2-S (CoV-2-S1) interacts with the extracellular leucine-rich repeats-containing domain of TLR4 and activates NF-kB. To investigate the possible pathological role of CoV-2-S1 in the heart, we generated constructs that express membrane-localized CoV-2-S1 (S1-TM) or HCoV-NL63-S1 (NLS1-TM). AAV9-mediated, selective expression of the S1-TM and not NLS1-TM in CMs caused heart dysfunction, induced hypertrophic remodeling, and elicited cardiac inflammation. In vitro, overexpressing S1-TM in cultured neonatal rat ventricular CMs induced hypertrophy, decreased Myh6 and increased IL-6 . In the ventricular biopsy of a deceased patient with COVID-19 associated myocarditis, Spike protein and TLR4 were detected in both CMs and non-CMs, and these two proteins were absent in a healthy pre-pandemic human heart. In the ventricular biopsy of a patient who died of modified RNA vaccine-associated myocarditis, the expression of Spike protein was only detected in a small fraction of CMs, and no obvious TLR4 signal was detected in CMs. Because CoV-2-S does not interact with murine ACE2, our study presents a novel ACE2-independent pathological role of CoV-2-S. Additionally, our data suggest that modified RNA vaccine unlikely causes myocarditis by directly transfecting the CMs.
Abstract P3124: Treatment Of Apoe
-/-
Mice With Advanced Atherosclerosis With The Senolytic Agent Abt-263 Caused Increased Mortality And Was Associated With Increased Endo-mt But Reduced Acta2 Cap Thickness And Collagen Content
Authors: Karnewar Santosh , Karnewar Vaishnavi , Owens Gary K
Published: November 2022

Background:
Plaque rupture and erosion of advanced atherosclerotic lesions resulting in ischemic heart disease or stroke are the leading worldwide cause of death. Multiple studies have shown that senescent cells are present in human atherosclerotic lesions, and recent animal studies have claimed that removing senescent cells from the lesions using senolytic agents has some beneficial effects but also limitations. Although these mouse studies have important implications for using senolytic agents to treat atherosclerosis, due to the lack of lineage tracing models and relying on markers not specific for various lesion cell types, it is difficult to ascertain the mechanisms that underline the beneficial effects shown by previous studies.

Hypothesis:
Treatment of western diet (WD) fed Apoe
-/-
mice with the senolytic agent ABT-263 (Navitoclax) will reduce lesion size and induce changes consistent with increased plaque stability including a thicker collagen-rich ACTA2 fibrous cap.

Methods:
SMC (Myh11-ERT2-Cre-eYFP+) and EC (Cdh5-ERT2-Cre-eYFP+) lineage tracing Apoe
-/-
were fed a WD for 18 weeks, followed by ABT-263 (100MG or 50MG /KG/BW) treatment for six to nine weeks on WD and analyzed for the indices of stability.

Results:
ABT-263 treatment did not result in changes in lesion size, lumen area, or outward remodeling of the brachiocephalic artery (BCA). However, surprisingly, ABT-263 treatment was associated with an 80% reduction in SMC (Myh11-eYFP+) but a 50-60% increase in endothelial cell (EC) contributions to lesions via EC to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) (Chd5-eYFP+). ABT-263 treatment also reduced ACTA2 cap thickness by 50-75% and collagen content by 50%, but increased mortality by 50-60%.

Conclusions:
Taken together, contrary to our hypothesis, the senolytic agent ABT-263 treatment on advanced atherosclerosis showed multiple detrimental effects, including reduced indices of stability, increased Endo-MT, and increased mortality.
Abstract P3130: Role Of The Placenta-derived Extracellular Vesicle-cargo Protein, Vasorin In Vascular Dysfunction In Preeclampsia
Authors: Murugesan Saravanakumar , Powell Mark F , Hussey Hanna , Saravanakumar Lakshmi , Sturdivant Adam B , Sinkey Rachel G , Mobley James A , Jilling Tamas , Berkowitz Dan E
Published: November 2022

Background:
We recently demonstrated that placenta-derived extracellular vesicles (pEVs) cargo play a role in vascular dysfunction in patients with severe preeclampsia (sPE). We focused our follow up studies on a novel protein vasorin (VASN) that has not as yet been studied in PE. Here, we hypothesize that decreased VASN in EVs cargo plays a significant role in the regulation of vascular endothelial proliferation and function in sPE.

Methods:
We manipulated VASN by overexpression and knockdown in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and in murine aortic vascular rings (MVR) using adenoviral vectors encoding VASN (AD-VASN) or VASN shRNA (AD-shVASN), respectively. VASN levels in EVs, in HAEC and in MVR with/wo adenoviral overexpression or knockdown of VASN was done by western blotting. Migration of HAEC was studied by a scratch and repair migration assay and contractile function of MVR was assessed by wire myography. A PE-like vascular dysfunction was produced in timed pregnant mice by intravenous injection of an adenoviral vector encoding the short form of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT-1) on embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) of pregnancy. Plasma from sFLT-1 -injected and control untreated (UT) mice were collected on E15.5,E17.5 and E19.5.

Results:
We confirmed our findings with proteomics and using western blotting we detected a significant reduction in VASN levels in both urinary and plasma-derived EVs in sPE patients when compared to normotensive. Moreover, we detected a time-dependent significant reduction of VASN in EVs from plasma of sFLT-1 injected mice whereas UT mice exhibited a time-dependent increase of VASN. Western blotting also confirmed over-expression and knock down of VASN in HAEC and in MVR treated with AD-VASN and AD-shVASN, respectively. Treatment of HAEC with EVs from sPE, but not by EVs from NTP inhibited migration, and pretreatment with AD-VASN but not with AD-shVASN rescued migration upon treatment with EVs from PE. Treatment of MVR with EVs from sPE, but not by EVs from NTP inhibited acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasorelaxation. Pretreatment with AD-VASN, but not with AD-shVASN rescued ACh-induced vasorelaxation upon treatment with EVs from sPE.

Conclusion:
Over-expression of VASN using adenoviral vectors rescued inhibitory effects of EVs from sPE on migration of HAEC and ACh-induced vasorelaxation in MVR, suggesting that reduced VASN content in EVs from sPE plays a mechanistic role in vascular dysfunction observed in sPE.
Abstract P3132: High-salt Diet Increases Blood Cholesterol: Potential Role Of Hepatic Enzyme CYP51
Authors: Kim MyungYoon , Nawaz Asma , Pellot Isabelle , Shah Prediman K , Cingolani Eugenio , Marban Eduardo , Cho Jae Hyung
Published: November 2022

Introduction:
The increased consumption of dietary fat has been well established to lead to cardiovascular disease via the elevation of lipids in serum. High blood pressure is also commonly associated with high serum cholesterol levels, but the relationships among blood pressure, dietary sodium intake and serum cholesterol have not been fully elucidated.

Hypothesis:
An increase in the intake of salt causes an elevation of serum cholesterol through the activation of hepatic enzymes critical to cholesterol synthesis.

Methods:
Dahl salt-sensitive rats (n=6) were fed a high-salt (HS) diet (8% NaCl) from 7 weeks of age to induce hypertension. Rats fed a normal-salt (NS) diet (0.3% NaCl; n=6) served as controls. Blood pressure was measured non-invasively using a tail artery cuff. Blood was withdrawn from 6-hour fasting HS and NS-fed rats to check serum cholesterol levels. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterols were measured. Gene expression array and western blot were performed in liver protein extracts from HS and NS-fed rats.

Results:
Systolic blood pressure was elevated in HS-fed rats compared to NS-fed rats at 16 weeks of age (225±23 vs. 156±18 mmHg, p=0.0002). Serum fasting cholesterol was higher in hypertensive rats compared to normotensive rats (194±49 vs. 102±12 mg/dL, p=0.0013). LDL cholesterol was higher in HS-fed rats compared to NS-fed rats (83±9 vs. 60±10 mg/dL, p=0.0024), while HDL and VLDL cholesterol were not. Hepatic cholesterol synthesis gene array revealed significant up-regulation of 3 genes in hypertensive rats in comparison to normotensive rats (
Apoa1
fold change [FC] 2.84, p<0.0001;
Tm7sf2
FC 2.45, p=0.0004;
Cyp51
FC 2.44, p=0.0002). Western blot of hepatic protein extracts showed a definitive increase in CYP51 in HS-fed rats compared to NS-fed rats (normalized against GAPDH, 2.7-fold increase, p=0.0018).

Conclusions:
A high-salt diet increased serum cholesterol levels, potentially via activation of liver enzyme CYP51, which is crucial for the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. Further research is warranted to investigate the mechanisms of how high-salt diets can increase CYP51 in the liver.
A new deep-sea species of Vemana J.L. Barnard, 1964 (Amphipoda, Amphilochidea, Vemanidae) from off southern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: ORTIZ M. , WINFIELD I.
Published: November 2022

Vemanidae Lowry & Myers, 2017, is an amphipod family restricted to the world’s deep waters, with four benthic species inhabiting both bathyal and abyssal zones from the Caribbean Sea, South California, and the Mozambique Channel. During an oceanographic campaign carried out in the southern Gulf of Mexico, a single male specimen of a new species of Vemana J.L. Barnard, 1964 was collected from the deep-sea soft bottom, which is described in detail herein. The new species mainly differs from those four Vemana species by coxa 4 posteroventral corner prolonged forming an acute tooth, basis posterior margin of pereopod 7 with 6 evident teeth, antenna 1 flagellar article 1 lower margin with callynophore, and first urosome segment convex with a diminutive hump. The new species is morphologically closest to Vemana lizata Barnard, 1964, which was collected from the Caribbean Sea at 4077 m depth. Besides, a dichotomous key for the identification of the 5 known Vemana species worldwide is provided.
Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XXV: Revision of Pterinoxylus Serville, 1838, with the descriptions of two new species from Costa Rica. (Phasmatodea: Oriophasmata: Cladomorphinae: Pterinoxylini)
Authors: HENNEMANN FRANK H. , CONLE OSKAR V. , VALERO PABLO , NISHIDA KENJI
Published: November 2022

The genus Pterinoxylus Serville, 1838 is redescribed and revised at the species level. It is distributed throughout most of Central America, the northern half of South America and also has one species on the Lesser Antilles. Detailed descriptions, notes on intraspecific variability and illustrations are provided for all six known species. Keys are presented to distinguish males, females and eggs. Two new species are described from Costa Rica: P. cocoense n. sp. from both sexes and the eggs and P. speciosus n. sp. from both sexes. The female of P. perarmatus (Redtenbacher, 1908) is described and illustrated for the first time, as are the eggs of the type-species P. eucnemis Serville, 1838 and P. perarmatus (Redtenbacher, 1908). The external morphology of all species shows considerable intraspecific variability, which is discussed and illustrated. While P. cocoense n. sp. is an endemic and the only stick insects that has so far become known from Cocos Island a small island some 550 km off the Costa Rican Pacific coast, all other species appear to have fairly wide distributional ranges. Maps show the distributions of all six known species. Type-specimens of the two newly described species are deposited in the collections of MNCR-A (Costa Rica) and Zoologisches Museum und Universität, Hamburg, Germany (ZMUH).
Projecting Future Energy Production from Operating Wind Farms in North America. Part I: Dynamical Downscaling
Authors: Pryor S. C. , Coburn J. J. , Barthelmie R. J. , Shepherd T. J.
Published: November 2022

New simulations at 12-km grid spacing with the Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) Model nested in the MPI Earth System Model (ESM) are used to quantify possible changes in wind power generation potential as a result of global warming. Annual capacity factors (CF; measures of electrical power production) computed by applying a power curve to hourly wind speeds at wind turbine hub height from this simulation are also used to illustrate the pitfalls in seeking to infer changes in wind power generation directly from low-spatial-resolution and time-averaged ESM output. WRF-derived CF are evaluated using observed daily CF from operating wind farms. The spatial correlation coefficient between modeled and observed mean CF is 0.65, and the root-mean-square error is 5.4 percentage points. Output from the MPI-WRF Model chain also captures some of the seasonal variability and the probability distribution of daily CF at operating wind farms. Projections of mean annual CF (CFA) indicate no change to 2050 in the southern Great Plains and Northeast. Interannual variability of CFA increases in the Midwest, and CFA declines by up to 2 percentage points in the northern Great Plains. The probability of wind droughts (extended periods with anomalously low production) and wind bonus periods (high production) remains unchanged over most of the eastern United States. The probability of wind bonus periods exhibits some evidence of higher values over the Midwest in the 2040s, whereas the converse is true over the northern Great Plains.

Significance Statement

Wind energy is playing an increasingly important role in low-carbon-emission electricity generation. It is a “weather dependent” renewable energy source, and thus changes in the global atmosphere may cause changes in regional wind power production (PP) potential. We use PP data from operating wind farms to demonstrate that regional simulations exhibit skill in capturing actual power production. Projections to the middle of this century indicate that over most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains annual expected PP is largely unchanged, as is the probability of extended periods of anomalously high or low production. Any small declines in annual PP are of much smaller magnitude than changes due to technological innovation over the last two decades.
Contested Sinicization in the Tianxia All-Under-Heaven: Civilization Envy in Vietnam’s “Principal Graduates of the Two Kingdoms” Literary Trope, the 15th Century to the Present
Authors: Chang Yufen
Published: November 2022

A rising China has upended the academia in many fronts. One of the challenges has been the reinvented ideal of Tianxia All-Under-Heaven, which first appeared in the eighth century BCE and has been offered by China as the alternative to the Westphalia system of nation-states on the basis that it will bring peace and harmony to the war-ridden international world. Nevertheless, ongoing international controversies regarding the “forced Sinicization” of the Uyghurs, the Tibetans, and the Mongols under its rule has given rise to the questions of the nature of both Tianxia and Sinicization. Analyzing a famous Vietnamese literary trope of the “principal graduates of the two kingdoms” that emerged no later than the 15th century, this essay proposes a concept of civilization envy to discuss the nuances of Sinicization. Civilization envy is a competitive mentality that desires to prove one’s civilizational parity with or even superiority over China, the center of Tianxia. This mentality of civilization envy continues to modern era, and the “principal graduates of the two kingdoms” have been promoted to national heroes to show that Vietnam is a “Domain of Literature.” The evolution of the trope shows that China and Vietnam had different understanding of civilizing missions. For China, it involved transforming mores and customs of the peoples under its direct control. For Vietnam, when dealing with China, it involved acquiring literary competence, especially the skills in mastering Sinitic script and poetry composition.
Multiplying Faces and Amplifying Voices: Do Women’s Lives Matter in Local Governance Politics in Gwanda, Zimbabwe?
Authors: Phiri Keith , Ndlovu Sibonokuhle , Khumalo Samukeliso , Ncube Siphilisiwe Benita , Nyathi Douglas
Published: November 2022

Women’s invisibility in political spaces is a glaring reality, particularly in patriarchal polities characterized by misogynistic attitudes towards feminine leadership. This article unpacks the socio-cultural variables that hinder women’s participation in politics and other masculinized spheres of influence. The article focuses on the advocacy efforts of Women’s Institute for Leadership Development in Gwanda, Zimbabwe. The article also details the successes and challenges scored by the lobbying effort. The article uses a qualitative research approach. It discusses the extent and effectiveness of women’s involvement in local governance and how their participation relates to Sustainable Development Goal 5. It was established that the project has greatly improved ordinary women’s participation in local governance in Gwanda Central. Capacity-building strategies implemented improved participation, competence, confidence, and effectiveness of women’s local governance processes. Women are increasingly participating in leadership at various levels. The training and mentorship programmes inspired some women to contest in the 2018 elections. We recommend the government of Zimbabwe and civil society organizations facilitate the implementation of structural reforms that address systemic and institutionalized gender-based discrimination.00263
Anti-Inflationary Commitment in the Post-Bretton Woods Era: Italy's Road to Stability-Oriented Monetary Policies, 1975–81
Authors: Ventresca Roberto
Published: November 2022

This article focuses on the historical reasons, and the main political implications of Italy's anti-inflationary commitment between the mid-1970s and the early-1980s. This study examines the broader climate of opinion within which Italy's economic and monetary authorities – that is, the Bank of Italy – changed or adapted their main attitudes regarding the existence of high inflation rates throughout the 1970s and early 1980s in accordance with an emergent international (i.e. the European Monetary System) anti-inflationary consensus. This article first explores the main political and social steps of Italy's prioritization of anti-inflationary goals as they were envisaged by the central bank and its governmental interlocutors. Second, it retraces the run-up to the ‘divorce’ between the Bank of Italy and the Treasury in July 1981. Here the ‘divorce’ is conceptualized as a counter-reaction of specific strands of Italy's ruling class (namely those who revolved around the central bank) against the volatility of public finance performances and what was deemed as the seeming elusiveness of Italy's governmental parties regarding the need to restore the country's financial stability. Finally, this article reflects on the historical meaning of Italy's anti-inflationary commitment as part of the global emergence of stability-oriented monetary policies.
3D geometric modeling of three-thread fleece fabric based on micro-CT
Authors: Yu Yuelin , Wu Weili , Chen Weilai , Shao Yiqin , Zhu Chunhong , Gu Xuefeng , Hu Shengchao
Published: November 2022

In the era of information technology, the update cycle of textiles is shortened, which urgently demands new design and higher quality. Therefore, the traditional mode of quality control after knitting faces great challenges due to the hysteresis and huge material loss. This problem can be solved by the digitization of textiles, which aims at adjusting before knitting, while a key step of digitization is geometric modeling. Herein, a three-dimensional geometric model of three-thread fleece fabric is constructed for the first time based on micro-computed tomography technology. First, the computed tomography scan data were flipped, clipped and rendered by software DragonFly Pro to observe the loop structure more clearly, annotated and probed to obtain the coordinate points of yarn center trajectory. According to those coordinate points, the spatial trajectory of each yarn was reconstructed by the spline curve method using software Catia, then the unit cell models of each group of yarns were obtained and assembled to form a complete three-dimensional loop model. Finally, the constructed geometric model was compared with the actual fabric, and standard curve equations of the loop trajectory were fitted. The meso-scale model of three-thread fleece fabric was established accurately which clearly reflected the relationship of geometry position between yarns, providing a precise geometric model for further study on the simulation and performance prediction of knitted fabrics in future work.
The Boundary Problem in Workplace Democracy: Who Constitutes the Corporate Demos?
Authors: Stehr Philipp
Published: November 2022

This article brings to bear findings from the debate on the boundary problem in democratic theory on discussions of workplace democracy to argue that workplace democrats’ focus on workers is unjustified and that more constituencies will have to be included in any prospective scheme of workplace democracy. It thereby provides a valuable and underdiscussed perspective on workplace democracy that goes beyond the debate’s usual focus on the clarification and justification of workplace democrats’ core claim. It also goes beyond approaches like stakeholder theory in law and economics that determine decision-making rights without taking into account genuinely democratic considerations. My discussion proceeds by considering three principles for inclusion from democratic theory for the specific case of the corporation. I submit that two of them, the all-coerced and the all-subjected principle, are not appropriate for this specific case, because they cannot capture the distinguishing features of the corporation. The all-affected principle however is appropriate but has a very wide range. I further argue that this is not as big of a problem as it first might seem and that this principle is still the most appropriate for defining the demos of the democratic corporation. The article closes by pointing out the consequences of this result for the workplace democracy debate and for the legitimacy of the market as a coordination mechanism.
Appraising Uncivil Comments in Online Political Discussions: How Do Preceding Incivility and Senders’ Stance Affect the Processing of an Uncivil Comment?
Authors: Kluck Jan P. , Krämer Nicole C.
Published: November 2022

Although the appraisal of online incivility highly depends on the social context in which it occurs, little research has focused on this aspect. Drawing on the general aggression model, we assumed that the appraisal of and the reaction to an uncivil discussion comment is affected by the represented stance and the appearance of accompanying comments. To examine these assumptions, we conducted an online experiment ( N = 611) with a three ( uncivil vs. civil vs. no preceding comments as a control) × two ( opposing vs. conforming recipient’s views) between-subjects design. Data revealed that the influence of preceding comments is limited. However, people were more likely to attribute aggressive motives to senders of incivility when they opposed their opinion. In turn, these attributions increased individuals’ anger, anxiety, hostile cognitions, but also enthusiasm. Furthermore, aggressive motive attributions, participants’ emotions, and hostile cognitions guided participants’ intentions to answer in a discussion-centered and/or aggressive way.
Using national electronic health records for pandemic preparedness: validation of a parsimonious model for predicting excess deaths among those with COVID-19–a data-driven retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mizani Mehrdad A , Dashtban Ashkan , Pasea Laura , Lai Alvina G , Thygesen Johan , Tomlinson Chris , Handy Alex , Mamza Jil B , Morris Tamsin , Khalid Sara , Zaccardi Francesco , Macleod Mary Joan , Torabi Fatemeh , Canoy Dexter , Akbari Ashley , Berry Colin , Bolton Thomas , Nolan John , Khunti Kamlesh , Denaxas Spiros , Hemingway Harry , Sudlow Cathie , Banerjee Amitava ,   on behalf of the CVD-COVID-UK Consortium
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To use national, pre- and post-pandemic electronic health records (EHR) to develop and validate a scenario-based model incorporating baseline mortality risk, infection rate (IR) and relative risk (RR) of death for prediction of excess deaths.

Design

An EHR-based, retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Linked EHR in Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD); and linked EHR and COVID-19 data in England provided in NHS Digital Trusted Research Environment (TRE).

Participants

In the development (CPRD) and validation (TRE) cohorts, we included 3.8 million and 35.1 million individuals aged ≥30 years, respectively.

Main outcome measures

One-year all-cause excess deaths related to COVID-19 from March 2020 to March 2021.

Results

From 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021, there were 127,020 observed excess deaths. Observed RR was 4.34% (95% CI, 4.31–4.38) and IR was 6.27% (95% CI, 6.26–6.28). In the validation cohort, predicted one-year excess deaths were 100,338 compared with the observed 127,020 deaths with a ratio of predicted to observed excess deaths of 0.79.

Conclusions

We show that a simple, parsimonious model incorporating baseline mortality risk, one-year IR and RR of the pandemic can be used for scenario-based prediction of excess deaths in the early stages of a pandemic. Our analyses show that EHR could inform pandemic planning and surveillance, despite limited use in emergency preparedness to date. Although infection dynamics are important in the prediction of mortality, future models should take greater account of underlying conditions.
Development and Validation of a Measure to Assess Readiness to Advance Health and Equity: The Assessment for Advancing Community Transformation (AACT)
Authors: Attell Brandon K. , Kingery Kate , Adimu Tanisa , Butts John , Howard Paul , Saha Somava , Minyard Karen
Published: November 2022

Multi-sector partnerships are core in efforts to improve population health but are often not as fully developed or positioned to advance health and equity in their communities as believed to be. Therefore, measuring the collaborations multi-sector partnerships undertake is important to document the inputs, processes, and outcomes that evolve as they work together towards achieving their goals, which ultimately creates a greater sense of shared accountability. In this study we present the development and validation of the Assessment for Advancing Community Transformation (AACT), a new tool designed to measure readiness to advance health and health equity. Development of the AACT included initial item pool creation, external evaluation from five subject matter experts, and pilot testing (including user feedback surveys) among 103 individuals. Validation of the AACT was performed using a series of confirmatory factor analyses on an expanded dataset representing 352 individuals from 49 multi-sector collaboratives across the United States. The results of our study indicate the items in the AACT align to six domains created during the scale development process, and that the tool demonstrates desirable measurement characteristics for use in research, evaluation, and practice.
Trabecular bone microstructure analysis on data from a novel twin robotic X-ray device
Authors: Klintström Eva , Klintström Benjamin , Spångeus Anna , Sandborg Michael , Woisetschläger Mischa
Published: November 2022

Background

Bone strength is related to both mineral density (BMD) and the bone microstructure. However, only the assessment of BMD is available in clinical routine care today.

Purpose

To analyze and study the correlation of trabecular bone microstructure from the imaging data of a prototype Multitom Rax system, using micro-computed tomography (CT) data as the reference method (Skyscan 1176).

Material and Methods

Imaging data from 14 bone samples from the human radius were analyzed regarding six bone structure parameters, i.e. trabecular nodes, separation, spacing, and thickness as well as bone volume (BV/TV) and structural model index (SMI).

Results

All six structure parameters showed strong correlations to micro-CT with Spearman correlation coefficients in the range of 0.83–0.93. BV/TV and SMI had a correlation >0.90. Two of the parameters, namely, separation and number, had mean values in the same range as micro-CT. The other four were either over- or underestimated.

Conclusion

The strong correlation between micro-CT and the clinical imaging system, indicates the possibility for analyzing bone microstructure with potential to add value in fracture assessment using the studied device in a clinical workflow.
Comparison of T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging for the diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum abnormality
Authors: Prakash Adity , Kumar Ishan , Verma Ashish , Shukla Ram C
Published: November 2022

Background

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is feasible in prenatal imaging, and it exhibits better contrast between the placenta and the myometrium compared to T2-weighted (T2W) images.

Purpose

To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of placenta accreta on T2W and DW imaging.

Material and Methods

In this retrospective study, 42 pregnant patients who underwent prenatal MRI were included. MRI was performed on a Siemens 1.5-T scanner. T2W and DWI sequences in the axial, sagittal, and/or coronal planes were compiled for review. Two radiologists independently interpreted T2W and DW images for placenta accreta. T2W and DWI scores were calculated based on the presence of features and graded as low, intermediate, and high risk. The association between imaging features and placental invasion on pathology was calculated using chi-square tests. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (NPV) were compared between T2W and DWI interpretations. Inter-reader agreement between the two radiologists for T2W and DWI scores was calculated using Cohen's kappa coefficient.

Results

Out of 42 pregnant patients, 10 were pathologically/surgically proven to have placenta accreta. There were no significant differences between T2W and DWI interpretations. Considering a cutoff >6 as positive, the T2W score had higher sensitivity (90% vs. 80%) and NPV (96.9% vs. 94.1%) than the DWI score. The specificity and positive predictive value were 100% for both scores. The inter-reader agreement of T2W score was higher (k = 0.943 vs. 0.882).

Conclusion

T2W and DWI are comparable in diagnosing placenta accreta spectrum. T2W sequences have higher sensitivity, NPV, and inter-reader agreement than DWI.
The effect of B4C reinforcements on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behavior of AA7075 alloy matrix produced by squeeze casting
Authors: Demir Mehmet Emin , Çelik Yahya Hışman , Kilickap Erol , Kalkanli Ali
Published: November 2022

Aluminum and its alloys have become the most popular materials in applications aiming to provide lightness due to their low density. However, the low mechanical properties compared to other competitors are among the disadvantages of aluminum and its alloys. This is an important motivation factor in researching strength increasing mechanisms in aluminum and its alloys. In this study, the effects of reinforcement ratio and type on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behavior of the AA7075/B4C composite produced by squeeze casting method were investigated. Two types of materials were produced and compared—non-reinforced AA7075 alloy and AA7075 allo matrix composite reinforced by 4, 8, 10, and 12 wt% B4C. Microstructures of two materials were analyzed by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and energy distribution spectrometer. In addition, the mechanical and tribological properties of these materials were investigated. Microstructure and scanning electron microscope analysis reveals that the increasing B4C reinforcement ratio increased the tendency of agglomeration in the matrix. Although B4C reinforcement tends to agglomerate, B4C reinforcement positively affected the AA7075 alloy's hardness, tensile and bending strengths, elasticity modules, and wear resistance.
Persistently elevated alkaline phosphatase could be related to Paget’s disease of bone in a patient receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Authors: Aubert Arthur , Berger Jean-Luc , Hittinger Roux Ambre , N’Guyen Yohan , Bani-Sadr Firouzé
Published: November 2022

The prevalence of Paget’s disease of bone (PDB) reaches 1–2% of all adults aged ≥55 years old. However, reports describing PDB among HIV positive patients are extremely rare. We report here the case of a HIV positive person receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF)-based antiretroviral therapy and who had persistently elevated alkaline phosphatase (AP) revealing PDB. It is well established that tenofovir-DF use is associated with reversible increases in serum AP levels. Clinicians should bear in mind that persistently elevated AP in a person receiving tenofovir DF-based cART could be related to PDB, in particular in person older than 50 years with no other notable biological abnormalities related to kidney tubular dysfunction.
Improved molecular detection of Neorickettsia risticii with a duplex real-time PCR assay in the diagnosis of Potomac horse fever
Authors: Thirumalapura Nagaraja R. , Livengood Julia , Beeby John , Wang Weihua , Goodrich Erin L. , Goodman Laura B. , Erol Erdal , Tewari Deepanker
Published: November 2022

Neorickettsia risticii, an obligate intracellular bacterium, is the causative agent of Potomac horse fever (PHF). Diagnosis of PHF is based on demonstration of serum antibodies, isolation of N. risticii, and/or detection of nucleic acid by a PCR assay. An existing real-time PCR assay targeting the N. risticii 16S rRNA has been validated using blood samples from horses with colitis, and snails; to our knowledge, the performance of the assay for other sample types has not been reported. We describe here a modification of the 16S rRNA gene assay by the addition of a set of primers and probe targeting the N. risticii p51 gene to form a duplex assay. We validated the new assay using diagnostic specimens from 56 horses with suspected PHF. The assay consistently detected down to 5 copies of synthetic targets, and did not show any cross-reaction with common equine enteric pathogens. Although we did not establish the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the duplex assay, results for both gene targets were in complete agreement, with the exception of 4 fecal samples that tested positive for the 16S rRNA gene only. Further analysis indicated that testing of fecal samples using our 16S rRNA gene assay alone can produce a false-positive result.
Study on creep characteristics and fractional creep damage constitutive model of limestone under thermal-mechanical action
Authors: Jiang Haopeng , Jiang Annan , Zhang Fengrui , Feng Yunpeng
Published: November 2022

To study influence of thermal-mechanical action on creep for the geothermal wellbore, Dalian limestone was taken as the research object, and triaxial creep tests were carried out on samples under different temperatures and the effects of different temperatures on the creep deformation, creep rate and long-term strength of limestone are discussed. The test results show that the creep process of limestone under thermal-mechanical action shows three distinct phases. As the temperature increases, the creep time and long-term strength gradually decrease. The macroscopic failure modes of limestone under different temperatures are shear failure and the fracture surface is more obvious. Meanwhile, based on the principle of statistical damage and fractional calculus, the damage body under high temperature is proposed, and a fractional creep damage model that can characterize the triaxial creep mechanical behavior of limestone under different temperatures is constructed. The reasonableness of the model is proved by comparing. The parameters analysis shows that the fractional order δ mainly affects the creep rate, which is expressed in the stable and accelerated phases. The aging damage parameter λ is related to the time coordinate scale. The research results in this paper can provide a certain guiding significance for the long-term stability evaluation of the surrounding rock of the geothermal wellbore.
Minimum 5-Year Follow-up Results: CROSSBAT (Combined Randomised and Observational Study of Surgery vs No Surgery for Type B Ankle Fracture Treatment)
Authors: O’Keefe Ryan , Naylor Justine M. , Symes Michael J. , Harris Ian A. , Mittal Rajat
Published: November 2022

Background:

Isolated Weber B, AO (Association for the Study of Internal Fixation) type 44B ankle fractures with no fracture to the medial side are the most common type of ankle fracture and may be treated with internal fixation or without surgery. This study aimed to determine if surgery is superior to nonsurgical management for the treatment of these fractures after a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Methods:

Design: A pragmatic, multicenter, single-masked, randomized controlled trial with minimum 5-year follow-up. Setting/participants/interventions: Participants between 18 and 65 years with AO type 44B ankle fracture and minimal talar shift were recruited from 22 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Participants willing to be randomized were randomly allocated to undergo surgical fixation followed by mobilization in a walking boot for 6 weeks. Those treated nonsurgically were managed in a walking boot for 6 weeks. Outcome assessors were masked for the treatment allocation. Primary outcomes: Patient-reported ankle function using the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle Outcomes Questionnaire (FAOQ) and the physical component summary (PCS) of the SF-12v2 General Health Survey at 12 months postinjury and at minimum 5 years post injury. Primary analysis was intention-to-treat.

Results:

Of the 160 (80 surgical, 80 nonoperative) randomized patients included in the CROSSBAT analysis, 77 (40 surgical, 37 nonoperative) were followed up for repeat analysis at minimum 5-year follow-up (mean 7.3 years, range 5.1-8.9). This cohort demonstrated that surgery was not associated with clinically or statistically significant differences compared to nonoperative management for the FAOQ (51.7 vs 49.6; mean difference 2.1, 95% CI –2.1 to 6.2, P = .95), or the PCS (51.5 vs 49.1; mean difference 2.3, 95% CI –2.0 to 6.7, P = .54). The surgical cohort had a higher rate of any adverse events (odds ratio 3.7, 95% CI 1.2-11.6, P = .04).

Conclusion:

The results of this study suggest that surgical management is not superior to nonsurgical management in type B ankle (fibula) fractures with minimal talar shift over a 5-year period and is associated with increased adverse events.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, randomized clinical trial.