bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of vitamin B12 on the symptom severity and psychological profile of fibromyalgia patients; a prospective pre-post study
Authors: Gharibpoor Faeze , Ghavidel-Parsa Banafsheh , Sattari Nazila , Bidari Ali , Nejatifar Fatemeh , Montazeri Ali
Published: September 2022

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) as a prototypical nociplastic pain condition displays a difficult therapeutic situation in many cases. Given the promising data on the effect of vitamin B12 in improving pain and cognitive functions in various nociplastic pain conditions, we aimed to determine the efficacy of 1000 mcg daily dose of oral vitamin B12 on the symptom severity and psychological profile of FM patients.

Methods

This open-label, pre-post study was performed on FM patients whose diagnoses were confirmed by a rheumatologist based on the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Patients were instructed to take a daily dose of 1000mcg vitamin B12 for fifty days. Outcome measures including the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 12-item Short-Form health survey (SF-12), and pain Visual Analog Scale (pain-VAS) were fulfilled by patients before and after the treatment.

Results

Of 30 eligible patients, 28 patients completed the study protocol. Patients were female with a mean age of 47.50 ± 8.47 years. FIQR scores in all domains improved significantly after treatment (total FIQR: 49.8 ± 21.86 vs 40.00 ± 18.36, p value < 0.01; function: 13.17 ± 7.33 vs 10.30 ± 5.84, p value: 0.01; overall: 10.32 ± 6.22 vs 8.25 ± 6.22, p value: 0.03; symptoms: 26.30 ± 10.39 vs 21.44 ± 8.58, p value < 0.01). Vitamin B12 also improved anxiety scores from 9.33 ± 4.30 to 7.70 ± 3.60, p value: 0.01. Depression, pain-VAS, and SF-12 didn’t improve following the treatment. The Generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis showed the improvement in total FIQR score is not cofounded by the improvement of anxiety and patients’ baseline characteristics.

Conclusions

This study showed a short course of sublingual vitamin B12, 1000 mcg daily, significantly improves the severity of FM and anxiety score. We postulate that vitamin B12 has a strong potential to consider, at least, as adjunctive therapy of FM.

Trial registration

The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Guilan University of Medical Sciences (IR.GUMS.REC.1400.197) in accordance with the World Medical Association’s code of ethics (Declaration of Helsinki, revised in Brazil 2013), and registered at an ICMJE and WHO recognized registry of clinical trials (www.irct.ir) on 28/08/2021 (registration number: IRCT20200920048782N1).
Thyroid Function and COVID-19 Susceptibility and Its Severity: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Fang Tian , Chen Lanlan , Qiu Binxu , Lv Yonggang
Published: September 2022

Several observational studies have confirmed the relationship between thyroid hormones and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but this correlation remains controversial. We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on the largest publicly available summary datasets. Summary statistics with 49 269 individuals for free thyroxine (FT4) and 54 288 for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were used as exposure instruments. Genome-wide association studies of susceptibility (cases = 38 984; controls = 1 644 784), hospitalization (cases: 9986 = controls = 1 877 672), and very severe disease (cases = 5101; controls = 1 383 241) of COVID-19 were used as the outcome. We used the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analysis, and utilized MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and robust adjusted profile score (RAPS) for sensitivity analysis. Genetic predisposition to higher serum levels of FT4 within the normal range was negatively associated with the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] = 0.818; 95% CI, 0.718-0.932; P = 2.6 × 10−3) and very severe disease (OR = 0.758; 95% CI, 0.626-0.923; P = 5.8 × 10−3), but not susceptibility. There is no evidence that genetically predicted circulating TSH levels are associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity risk. Neither apparent pleiotropy nor heterogeneity were detected in the sensitivity analysis. In summary, we found that higher FT4 levels may reduce the risk of COVID-19 severity, suggesting that thyroid function testing may be required for patients with COVID-19.
Cortisol Stimulates Local Progesterone Withdrawal Through Induction of AKR1C1 in Human Amnion Fibroblasts at Parturition
Authors: Lu Jiang-Wen , Lei Wen-Jia , Ling Li-Jun , Wang Lu-Yao , Lin Yi-Kai , Zhang Fan , Li Meng-Die , Pan Fan , Wang Wang-Sheng , Sun Kang
Published: September 2022

Fetal membrane activation is seen as being one of the crucial triggering components of human parturition. Increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, a common mediator of labor onset in virtually all species, is recognized as one of the landmark events of membrane activation. Fetal membranes are also equipped with a high capacity of cortisol regeneration by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1), and the cortisol regenerated potently induces PGE2 synthesis, an effect normally suppressed by progesterone during gestation. There is no precipitous decline of progesterone synthesis in human parturition. It is intriguing how this suppression is lifted in parturition. Here, we investigated this issue by using human amnion tissue and primary amnion fibroblasts which synthesize the most PGE2 in the fetal membranes. Results showed that the expression of 11β-HSD1 and aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C1 (AKR1C1), a progesterone-inactivating enzyme, increased in parallel in human amnion tissue with gestational age toward the end of gestation and at parturition. Cortisol induced AKR1C1 expression via the transcription factor CCAAT enhancer binding protein δ (C/EBPδ) in amnion fibroblasts. Inhibition of AKR1C1 not only blocked progesterone catabolism induced by cortisol, but also enhanced the suppression of cortisol-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by progesterone in amnion fibroblasts. In conclusion, our results indicate that cortisol regenerated in the fetal membranes triggers local progesterone withdrawal through enhancement of AKR1C1-mediated progesterone catabolism in amnion fibroblasts, so that the suppression of progesterone on the induction of COX-2 expression and PGE2 synthesis by cortisol can be lifted for parturition.
Brain-to-brain communication during musical improvisation: a performance case study
Authors: Ramírez-Moreno Mauricio A. , Cruz-Garza Jesús G. , Acharya Akanksha , Chatufale Girija , Witt Woody , Gelok Dan , Reza Guillermo , Contreras-Vidal José L.
Published: September 2022

Understanding and predicting others' actions in ecological settings is an important research goal in social neuroscience. Here, we deployed a mobile brain-body imaging (MoBI) methodology to analyze inter-brain communication between professional musicians during a live jazz performance. Specifically, bispectral analysis was conducted to assess the synchronization of scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from three expert musicians during a three-part 45 minute jazz performance, during which a new musician joined every five minutes. The bispectrum was estimated for all musician dyads, electrode combinations, and five frequency bands. The results showed higher bispectrum in the beta and gamma frequency bands (13-50 Hz) when more musicians performed together, and when they played a musical phrase synchronously. Positive bispectrum amplitude changes were found approximately three seconds prior to the identified synchronized performance events suggesting preparatory cortical activity predictive of concerted behavioral action. Moreover, a higher amount of synchronized EEG activity, across electrode regions, was observed as more musicians performed, with inter-brain synchronization between the temporal, parietal, and occipital regions the most frequent. Increased synchrony between the musicians' brain activity reflects shared multi-sensory processing and movement intention in a musical improvisation task.
Environment Friendly Practices Adopted in Hotels and their Impact on Customer Satisfaction: A Critical Review of the Literature and Research Implications for the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Soni Gagandeep , Hussain Sarah , Kareem Saima
Published: September 2022

The purpose of the study is to investigate various environment-friendly practices implemented by the hospitality industry while assessing their impact on customer satisfaction. Thirty-one papers were downloaded with keywords such as “environment friendly,” "customer satisfaction," "customer loyalty," and "sustainability" from various online research databases like Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate, and Emerald Insights from 2000 to 2020. These papers were critically analysed in terms of the different variables associated with the environmentally friendly measures used in hotels. The study will assist hospitality industry managers in developing appropriate marketing strategies that include green measures in order to achieve guest retention, which will result in increased profits and goodwill for the hotels. In addition, the study sheds light on different variables such as demographics, willingness to pay, and visit intention in relation to green practices and guest satisfaction. The findings reveal that the environment-friendly green initiatives adopted in hotels have a positive effect on customer satisfaction. Moreover, the study emphasises how green practices play a key role in achieving customer loyalty through the mediating effect of customer satisfaction. A model of the positive effects of hotel employee training on environment-friendly practices has also been proposed. The willingness to pay for the environment-friendly initiatives reflect a rather contradictory result since a majority of the guests expect hotels to bear the cost of the green initiatives implemented.
La realidad aumentada como una tecnología innovadora y eficiente para el aprendizaje de idiomas en un modelo pedagógico
Authors: Reyes Ruiz Gerardo
Published: September 2022

Los jóvenes aprendices de algún idioma, normalmente hacen una asociación entre palabras y objetos para entender lo abstracto de las cosas; las palabras que se relacionan con imágenes, animaciones o sonidos, facilitan la comprensión y asimilación de lo que se aprende e incrementan su interés por el conocimiento. Este trabajo muestra un proyecto focalizado en el aprendizaje de idiomas, el cual se cristaliza mediante un sistema, basado en realidad aumentada, que sirve como plataforma de aprendizaje, la cual ayuda tanto a la enseñanza como al entendimiento de conceptos abstractos. El sistema incluye vocabularios que se asocian a las palabras, las cuales se almacenan en una base de datos con diferentes formatos, como imágenes 2D y 3D, texto, video y audio, mismos que son asociados a ítems cuyo contenido es representar entidades abstractas para entrenar la lectura, escritura y pronunciación de un idioma. Además, este sistema le permite a un asesor virtual interactuar con el usuario vía internet, lo cual facilita el aprendizaje a distancia con un funcionamiento iterativo (autoevaluación). Finalmente, el sistema fue evaluado por alumnos de nivel básico donde sus comentarios fueron muy prometedores para la implementación de un modelo pedagógico Flipped Learning en escuelas públicas mexicanas
El modelo Flipped Learning enriquecido con plataformas educativas gamificadas para el aprendizaje de la geometría
Authors: Moral-Sánchez Silvia Natividad , Sánchez Compaña María Teresa , Sánchez-Cruzado Cristina
Published: September 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo es evidenciar las mejoras producidas, dentro del marco de una investigación-acción, del uso del modelo Flipped Learning, en combinación con técnicas de gamificación, en un aula de secundaria para trabajar la geometría. La investigación se ha llevado a cabo durante dos cursos académicos, con el mismo grupo-clase. En una etapa inicial, se parte de un modelo tradicional, que pasa a una etapa intermedia en la que se utiliza el modelo Flipped Learning, y una etapa final, en la que dicho modelo se mejora, con una plataforma educativa que integra elementos de gamificación (Classcraft). Para comparar los resultados de cada etapa, se consideran evidencias analizadas desde la dimensión cognitiva, la dimensión social y la dimensión motivacional. Las mejoras se van produciendo secuencialmente desde la etapa inicial, siendo en la última etapa, donde se alcanzan los mejores resultados en cuanto a rendimiento académico, participación y motivación del alumnado, interacción social y atención a la diversidad.
Flipped Learning, vídeos y autonomía de aprendizaje en Música: impacto en familias y adolescentes
Authors: Fabra Brell Eugenio , Roig-Vila Rosabel
Published: September 2022

El modelo Flipped Learning (FL) invierte el aula tradicional mediante la presentación de conceptos antes de la clase, permitiendo de este modo a los educadores utilizar el tiempo de clase para poder guiar a cada estudiante en un aprendizaje activo, creativo e innovador. El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer el impacto y percepción que tienen los estudiantes de Enseñanza Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) del sistema público español y sus familias sobre la facilidad de uso y grado de autonomía personal aquirido al trabajar en el uso de vídeos en un modelo de FL en la asignatura de Música. El enfoque metodológico ha sido mixto, de carácter descriptivo y con un diseño de estudio colectivo de casos. Los instrumentos utilizados han sido: cuestionario individual de corte cuantitativo y cualitativo y grupo de discusión. Los resultados muestran que alumnado y familias perciben de forma positiva el uso de vídeos enriquecidos con preguntas al trabajar según un modelo FL. Se sugiere que las experiencias donde se emplea el modelo FL son válidas para afianzar la autonomía personal en el aprendizaje en la enseñanza musical en ESO.
Percepciones de estudiantes acerca de la enseñanza a distancia durante la COVID-19
Authors: Dominguez Castillo José Gabriel , Cisneros-Cohernour Edith J. , Ortega Maldonado Alvaro , Ortega Carrill José Antonio
Published: September 2022

Este artículo surge como resultado de la gran incertidumbre que existe actualmente en el contexto educativo como consecuencia de la implementación de un modelo de emergencia de educación a distancia en tiempos de COVID-19 en todo el mundo.El trabajo aporta la perspectiva de 2063 estudiantes de diversos contextos del sureste mexicano, que contestaron un instrumento que evaluó cuatro dominios del proceso de enseñanza a distancia: Tareas y estrategias, Diseño del curso, Comunicación e Interacción, Contenido y Actitud.Existieron notables diferencias en cuanto a las percepciones de los estudiantes urbanos y rurales en todos los dominiosevaluados. LaComunicación e interacción obtuvo elpuntaje más alto en los estudiantes de contextos rurales y urbanos,en contraste los más bajos registrados para los dos contextos fueron: Diseño de tareas y estrategias para los contextos urbanos y el dominio Actitud para los contextos rurales. Una de las conclusiones de este estudio evidencia las desventajas en las que se encuentran los estudiantes pertenecientes a las comunidades rurales y el posible aumento en las brechas de desigualdad de acceso al conocimiento durante el confinamiento
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a global concern
Authors: Mortimore Gerri
Published: September 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is an umbrella term used to describe a build-up of fat in the liver. Gerri Mortimore provides an overview of the condition, its diagnosis, treatment and the role of the practice nurse in health promotion

In the early stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the condition does not cause damage and is reversible. If left untreated, it can develop into the more serious form of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), where the liver becomes inflamed, and over time can further develop into fibrosis and cirrhosis. Obesity is associated with the development of NAFLD. Any patient who falls in the obese category and/or has type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance and/or is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome should be tested for NAFLD. Nurses are often in the best position to prompt early investigation. Health promotion in the form of lifestyle advice is the mainstay of treatment, with an emphasis on weight reduction and healthy diet.
Exploration of Bioplastics: A Review
Authors: Saharan Ritu , Kharb Jyoteshna
Published: September 2022

The marvellous and versatile properties of synthetic plastics make them an indispensable part of human lives. But in the recent years, plastic pollution has become the biggest environmental concern for the whole world globally. Environmental distress over plastic pollution associated with a rising debate over fossil fuel dependence and abatement have brought the attention of researchers towards finding a suitable alternative to plastics i.e., bioplastic. Bioplastics are specially designed to have lower carbon footprint, less dependent on natural resources, energy efficiency, environmental safety and sustainability. These are bio-resources based polymers which have the potential of substituting conventional petroleum-based plastics. This review article summarizes need for developing eco-friendly alternative to plastics, bioplastics, importance of bioplastic, advantages of bioplastics over plastics and current trends in production of bioplastics. It also highlights types of bioplastics based on various sources and a variety of bioplastic materials such as starch, cellulose, chitosan, chitin, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactic acid, Bio-PE, Bio-PET, Bio-PBS, etc., their synthesis, applications and biodegradability. A comparative analysis of both natural and bio-based polymers in term of their availability, nature, structure, properties such as thermal stability, biodegradability, tensile strength, etc. has also been highlighted.
Formulation and Characterization of SNEDDS of Pandanus tectorius Fruit Extract and in vitro Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Kholieqoh Alifa Husnun , Muhammad Tengku Sifzizul Tengku , Mohamad Habsah , Choukaife Hazem , Seyam Salma , Alfatama Mulham , Andriani Yosie
Published: September 2022

Excess reactive oxygen species can cause oxidative stress and lead to the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Pandanus tectorius fruit (PTF) is a promising source of herbal medicine with antioxidant activity. However, the oral administration is hindered due to the semi-polar properties of the extract. The solubility of the extract can be potentially improved through synthesis of a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS). This study aims to formulate nanoemulsion of the extract by means of self-nanoemulsification approach using caprylic triglycerides, kolliphor RH40, and propylene glycol. It was found that when tested in water, simulated gastric, and intestinal fluid, PTF-SNEDDS had emulsification times of 38.17, 49.44, and 45.29 sec, indicating grade A formulation. The clarity level of PTF-SNEDDS, particle size, and zeta potential was at 99.3%, 41.5 ± 1.1 nm, and -25.9 mV. The antioxidant activity of PTF-SNEDDS was 1.6 times higher than PTF extracts. It can be concluded that PTF extract can be formulated into SNEDDS and stable in gastrointestinal conditions.
Does surgery change pelvic tilt?
Authors: Thummala Abhinav R. , Xi Yin , Middleton Emily , Kohli Ajay , Chhabra Avneesh , Wells Joel
Published: September 2022

Aims

Pelvic tilt is believed to affect the symptomology of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip by alterations in joint movement, dysplasia of the hip by modification of acetabular cover, and femoroacetabular impingement by influencing the impingement-free range of motion. While the apparent role of pelvic tilt in hip pathology has been reported, the exact effects of many forms of treatment on pelvic tilt are unknown. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of surgery on pelvic tilt in these three groups of patients.

Methods

The demographic, radiological, and outcome data for all patients operated on by the senior author between October 2016 and January 2020 were identified from a prospective registry, and all those who underwent surgery with a primary diagnosis of OA, dysplasia, or femoroacetabular impingement were considered for inclusion. Pelvic tilt was assessed on anteroposterior (AP) standing radiographs using the pre- and postoperative pubic symphysis to sacroiliac joint (PS-SI) distance, and the outcomes were assessed with the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), and Harris Hip Score (HHS).

Results

The linear regression model revealed a significant negative predictive association between the standing pre- and postoperative PS-SI distances for all three groups of patients (all p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in all three outcome measures between the pre- and postoperative values (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

There is a statistically significant decrease in pelvic tilt after surgery in patients with OA of the hip, dysplasia, and femoroacetabular impingement. These results confirm that surgery significantly alters the pelvic orientation. Pelvic tilt significantly decreased after total hip arthroplasty, periacetabular osteotomy, and arthroscopy/surgical hip dislocation. The impact of surgery on pelvic tilt should be considered within the therapeutic plan in order to optimize pelvic orientation in these patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1025–1031.
Postoperative outcomes of pedicle screw instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with and without a subfascial wound drain: a multicentre randomized controlled trial
Authors: Helenius Linda , Gerdhem Paul , Ahonen Matti , Syvänen Johanna , Jalkanen Jenni , Charalampidis Anastasios , Nietosvaara Yrjänä , Helenius Ilkka
Published: September 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether, after correction of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), leaving out the subfascial drain gives results that are no worse than using a drain in terms of total blood loss, drop in haemoglobin level, and opioid consumption.

Methods

Adolescents (aged between 10 and 21 years) with an idiopathic scoliosis (major curve ≥ 45°) were eligible for inclusion in this randomized controlled noninferiority trial (n = 125). A total of 90 adolescents who had undergone segmental pedicle screw instrumentation were randomized into no-drain or drain groups at the time of wound closure using the sealed envelope technique (1:1). The primary outcome was a drop in the haemoglobin level during first three postoperative days. Secondary outcomes were 48-hour postoperative oxycodone consumption and surgical complications.

Results

All 90 patients were included in the primary outcome analysis (no drain = 43; drain = 47). The mean total postoperative blood loss (intraoperative and drain output) was significantly higher in the group with a subfascial drain than in the no-drain group (1,008 ml (SD 520) vs 631 ml (SD 518); p < 0.001). The drop in haemoglobin level did not differ between the study groups over the postoperative timepoints (p = 0.290). The 48-hour opioid consumption was significantly higher in the no-drain group (2.0 mg/kg (SD 0.9) vs 1.4 (SD 0.6); p = 0.005). Two patients in the no-drain and one patient in the drain group developed a surgical site infection.

Conclusion

Leaving the subfascial drain out after pedicle screw instrumentation for AIS is not associated with higher postoperative haemoglobin levels. Patients treated without a subfascial drain needed 30% more opioids during the first 48 hours than those who had a drain. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1067–1072.
Mid- to long-term results of single-stage surgery for patients with chronic osteomyelitis using a bioabsorbable gentamicin-loaded ceramic carrier
Authors: McNally Martin A. , Ferguson Jamie Y. , Scarborough Matthew , Ramsden Alex , Stubbs David A. , Atkins Bridget L.
Published: September 2022

Aims

Excision of chronic osteomyelitic bone creates a dead space which must be managed to avoid early recurrence of infection. Systemic antibiotics cannot penetrate this space in high concentrations, so local treatment has become an attractive adjunct to surgery. The aim of this study was to present the mid- to long-term results of local treatment with gentamicin in a bioabsorbable ceramic carrier.

Methods

A prospective series of 100 patients with Cierny-Mader Types III and IV chronic ostemyelitis, affecting 105 bones, were treated with a single-stage procedure including debridement, deep tissue sampling, local and systemic antibiotics, stabilization, and immediate skin closure. Chronic osteomyelitis was confirmed using strict diagnostic criteria. The mean follow-up was 6.05 years (4.2 to 8.4).

Results

At final follow-up, six patients (six bones) had recurrent infection; thus 94% were infection-free. Three infections recurred in the first year, two in the second year, and one 4.5 years postoperatively. Recurrence was not significantly related to the physiological class of the patient (1/20 Class A (5%) vs 5/80 Class B (6.25%); p = 0.833), nor was it significantly related to the aetiology of the infection, the organisms which were cultured or the presence of nonunion before surgery (1/10 with nonunion (10%) vs 5/90 without nonunion (5.6%); p = 0.570). Organisms with intermediate or high-grade resistance to gentamicin were significantly more likely in polymicrobial infections (9/21; 42.8%) compared with monobacterial osteomyelitis (7/79 (8.9%); p < 0.001). However, recurrence was not significantly more frequent when a resistant organism was present (1/16 for resistant cases (6.25%) vs 5/84 in those with a microbiologically sensitive infection (5.95%); p = 0.958).

Conclusion

We found that a single-stage protocol, including the use of a high-delivery local antibiotic ceramic carrier, was effective over a period of several years. The method can be used in a wide range of patients, including those with significant comorbidities and an infected nonunion. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1095–1100.
Mucin 1 aggravates synovitis and joint damage of rheumatoid arthritis by regulating inflammation and aggression of fibroblast-like synoviocytes
Authors: Zou Yaoyao , Zhang Xuepei , Liang Jinjian , Peng Liqin , Qin Jiale , Zhou Feng , Liu Ting , Dai Lie
Published: September 2022

Aims

To explore the synovial expression of mucin 1 (MUC1) and its role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as the possible downstream mechanisms.

Methods

Patients with qualified synovium samples were recruited from a RA cohort. Synovium from patients diagnosed as non-inflammatory orthopaedic arthropathies was obtained as control. The expression and localization of MUC1 in synovium and fibroblast-like synoviocytes were assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Small interfering RNA and MUC1 inhibitor GO-203 were adopted for inhibition of MUC1. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) was used as an activator of Rho-associated pathway. Expression of inflammatory cytokines, cell migration, and invasion were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Transwell chamber assay.

Results

A total of 63 RA patients and ten controls were included. Expression of MUC1 was observed in both the synovial lining and sublining layer. The percentage of MUC1+ cells in the lining layer of synovium was significantly higher in RA than that in control, and positively correlated to joint destruction scores of RA. Meanwhile, MUC1+ cells in the sublining layer were positively correlated to the Krenn subscore of inflammatory infiltration. Knockdown of MUC1, rather than GO-203 treatment, ameliorated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, cell migration, and invasion of rheumatoid synoviocytes. Knockdown of MUC1 decreased expression of RhoA, Cdc42, and Rac1. Treatment with LPA compromised the inhibition of migration and invasion, but not inflammation, of synoviocytes by MUC1 knockdown.

Conclusion

Upregulated MUC1 promotes the aggression of rheumatoid synoviocytes via Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), thereby facilitating synovitis and joint destruction during the pathological process of RA. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(9):639–651.
Effectiveness of mechanical cleaning, antibiotics, and induction heating on eradication of Staphylococcus aureus in mature biofilms
Authors: Pijls B. G. , Sanders Ingrid M. J. G. , Kuijper Ed J. , Nelissen R. G. H. H.
Published: September 2022

Aims

Here we used a mature seven-day biofilm model of Staphylococcus aureus, exposed to antibiotics up to an additional seven days, to establish the effectiveness of either mechanical cleaning or antibiotics or non-contact induction heating, and which combinations could eradicate S. aureus in mature biofilms.

Methods

Mature biofilms of S. aureus (ATCC 29213) were grown on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) coupons for seven days and were subjected to the following treatments or their combinations: antibiotics, mechanical cleaning, or heat shock by induction heating of 60°C for one minute. Experiments were repeated at least five times.

Results

In the untreated biofilm, growth up to 1.8×1011 colony-forming units (CFU)/cm2 was observed. Treatment with ciprofloxacin, flucloxacillin, vancomycin, cefuroxime, and amoxicillin all with rifampicin gave 6.0 log, 6.1 log, 1.4 log, 4.8 log, and 3.6 log reduction in CFU/cm2, respectively. Mechanical cleaning alone resulted in 4.9 log reduction and induction heating in 7.3 log reduction. There was an additional effect of ciprofloxacin, flucloxacillin, and induction heating when used in combinations. There was no additional effect for mechanical cleaning. No bacterial growth could be detected after induction heating followed by seven days of ciprofloxacin with rifampicin.

Conclusion

Mechanical cleaning, antibiotics, and non-contact induction heating reduced the bacterial load of mature S. aureus biofilms with approximately 5 log or more as a single treatment. The effect of mechanical cleaning on mature S. aureus biofilms was limited when used in combination with antibiotics and/or induction heating. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(9):629–638.
Economic tolerance analysis of optical systems based on
distortion
Authors: Hu Yuan , Jiang Hao , Fu Yuegang
Published: September 2022

In optical design, the purpose of tolerance allocation is not only to satisfy all image quality requirements but also to minimize the machining cost. Therefore, to achieve these two goals easily and quickly, in this paper, we propose a calculation method that can effectively reduce the data storage amount and relatively accurately fit the function relationship between tolerance and image quality. At the same time, distortion is used as the performance criterion. The differential derivation formula of the distortion with respect to the two structural parameters of decenter and tilt is derived to improve and supplement the types of structural parameters. An example is used to demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of the approach, which can achieve a balance between image quality and machining cost.
Spatially resolved reflectance from turbid media having a rough surface. Part I: simulations
Authors: Lindner Benjamin , Foschum Florian , Kienle Alwin
Published: September 2022

Determining the optical properties of turbid media with spatially resolved reflectance measurements is a well-known method in optical metrology. Typically, the surfaces of the investigated materials are assumed to be perfectly smooth. In most realistic cases, though, the surface has a rough topography and scatters light. In this study, we investigated the influence of the Cook–Torrance surface scattering model and the generalized Harvey–Shack surface scattering model on the spatially resolved reflectance based on Monte Carlo simulations. Besides analyzing the spatially resolved reflectance signal, we focused on the influence of surface scattering on the determination of the reduced scattering coefficients and absorption coefficients of turbid media. Both models led to significant errors in the determination of optical properties when roughness was not accounted for.
Thermal insulator film with transparency to visible light using metallic nano-spheres
Authors: Shameli Mohammad Ali , Salami Pooria , Yousefi Leila
Published: September 2022

A method to develop an insulator window film which is able to filter thermal emission while transmitting the visible spectrum of sunlight is proposed. The proposed film is constructed from engineered metallic nano-spheres randomly distributed in

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, as a host medium. The performance of the designed film is investigated using both analytical models and numerical full-wave simulations. The analytical analysis shows that the thermal emission (the wavelengths in the range of 6–16 µm) is suppressed by more than 10 dB when going through the designed film, meaning that more than 90% of the thermal power is filtered by the film. This is while more than 50% of the visible light passes through the film. Similar results are obtained using numerical full-wave simulations. Moreover, to have a more comprehensive study on the ability of our method, the illuminance due to the insulator window film is calculated and compared with illuminance in different places. This comparison shows that the resultant illuminance in a typical room at the distance of 4 m from the designed window is in the range of illuminance required in a typical office room.
Information content of and the ability to reconstruct dichroic X-ray tomography and laminography
Authors: Marcus Matthew A.
Published: September 2022

Dichroic tomography is a 3D imaging technique in which the polarization of the incident beam is used to induce contrast due to the magnetization or orientation of a sample. The aim is to reconstruct not only the optical density but the dichroism of the sample. The theory of dichroic tomographic and laminographic imaging in the parallel-beam case is discussed as well as the problem of reconstruction of the sample’s optical properties. The set of projections resulting from a single tomographic/laminographic measurement is not sufficient to reconstruct the magnetic moment for magnetic circular dichroism unless additional constraints are applied or data are taken at two or more tilt angles. For linear dichroism, three polarizations at a common tilt angle are insufficient for unconstrained reconstruction. However, if one of the measurements is done at a different tilt angle than the other, or the measurements are done at a common polarization but at three distinct tilt angles, then there is enough information to reconstruct without constraints. Possible means of applying constraints are discussed. Furthermore, it is shown that for linear dichroism, the basic assumption that the absorption through a ray path is the integral of the absorption coefficient, defined on the volume of the sample, along the ray path, is not correct when dichroism or birefringence is strong. This assumption is fundamental to tomographic methods. An iterative algorithm for reconstruction of linear dichroism is demonstrated on simulated data.
Bound states in the continuum in waveguide arrays within a symmetry classification scheme
Authors: Petráček J. , Kuzmiak V.
Published: September 2022

We study a photonic implementation of a modified Fano-Anderson model – a waveguide array with two additional waveguides and by using the coupled mode theory we calculate its spectral and scattering properties. We classify eigenmodes according to vertical symmetry of the structure given by self-coupling coefficients of the additional waveguides and establish the conditions for bound states in the continuum (BIC) existence. The main predictions drawn from the theoretical model are verified by rigorous full-wave simulations of realistic structures. We use the Weierstrass factorization theorem and interpret the scattering spectra of the systems with broken symmetry in terms of the eigenmodes. The Fano resonance related with excitation of quasi-BIC is explained as arising from the interference between this mode and another leaky mode.
A design method for direct vision coaxial linear dispersion spectrometers
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Wang Jian , Zhang Jun , Yan Jie , Han Yan
Published: September 2022

A spectrometer design method based on the prism-prism-grating (PPG) dispersion module is proposed in this paper to correct the serious nonlinear dispersion that prism and grating spectrometers and other dispersive spectrometers suffer from. First, we determine the criteria for selecting the optical materials of the PPG module by analyzing the dispersion characteristics of prisms and gratings. Second, a loop traversal algorithm is used to optimize the system structure parameters after selecting optical materials. Next, the direct vision coaxial condition of the PPG module is derived according to basic optical principles and the geometrical relationship between optical elements. Then, the dispersion equation of the PPG module is used to establish the spectral linearity index of the system. Finally, combined with the design index, the structural parameters of the PPG module to meet the linear dispersion requirements are determined. A direct vision coaxial linear dispersion spectrometer is designed and realized under the condition that the working band is 400-990 nm, the deviation angle and offset of the emitted ray with a central wavelength of 695 nm with respect to the optical axis are 0, and the dispersion angle is not less than 15°. The results simulated by ZEMAX show that the actual simulation results are consistent with the theoretical calculation results, the spectral resolution of the spectrometer is less than 1.5 nm, and the spectral smile and keystone are less than 3.89% pixels. In the discussion section, the influences of the dispersion ability of optical materials and the incident angles of prisms and gratings on the spectral dispersion linearity of the PPG module are analyzed and studied. The universality of the spectrometer design method developed in this paper is discussed, and its universality is simulated and verified in the 1000-1600 nm and 1600-2200 nm bands. In addition, some advantages compared with other dispersion structures are analyzed.
Phase errors and statistical analysis of silicon-nitride arrayed waveguide gratings
Authors: Han Qi , Robin Daniel , Gervais Antoine , Ménard Michaël , Shi Wei
Published: September 2022

We present a statistical analysis of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) in the presence of phase errors in the optical waveguides caused by fabrication process variations. Important figures of merit, such as the insertion loss, crosstalk, and non-uniformity, are parameterized as a function of the coherence length, a physical parameter that characterizes the accumulated phase errors in optical waveguides and that can be extracted by measuring variations in the resonant wavelengths of Mach-Zehnder interferometers. A die-level coherence length of 23.7 mm is measured for sub-micrometer-thick silicon nitride (SiN) waveguides fabricated using a 200-mm wafer process. Through Monte Carlo simulations using a semi-analytical model, we examine the impacts of phase errors on the performance of AWGs with 200 GHz and 100 GHz channel spacings. Our results show that the waveguide phase errors cause remarkable excess insertion loss and crosstalk in an AWG, and also increase non-uniformity across channels.
Engineering a sandwiched Si/I/LNOI structure for 180-GHz-bandwidth electro-optic modulator with fabrication tolerances
Authors: Wang Jing , Yang Haoru , Zou Weiwen
Published: September 2022

Electro-optical modulators are essential for scalable photonic integrated circuits and are promising for many applications. The convergence of silicon (Si) and lithium niobate (LN) allows for a compact device footprint and large-scale integration of modulators. We propose a sandwiched Si/I/LNOI modulator for broad modulation with CMOS-compatible fabrication tolerances. There is a thin film SiO2 spacer sandwiched between Si and LN, which is engineered to tailor optical and electrical properties and enhance index matching. Moreover, the SiO2 spacer is also exploited to inhibit the radiation loss induced by mode coupling. The modulator shows a bandwidth of ∼180 GHz with a halfwave voltage of 3 V. Such a device is considerably robust to the fabrication deviations, making it promising for massive and stable manufacturing.
Front and back surface measurement of the transparent planar element based on multi-frequency fringe deflectometry
Authors: Zheng Wanxing , Li Dahai , Wang Ruiyang , Zhang Xinwei , Ge Renhao , Yu Linzhi
Published: September 2022

As a highly accurate metrology, phase measuring deflectometry (PMD) can be used for in-situ surface shape measurement. However, due to the reflection off the back surface, PMD cannot measure both the front and back surfaces of the transparent planar element simultaneously. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for measuring the front and back surfaces of the transparent planar element. The phase distribution corresponding to the front and back surfaces can be firstly acquired by multi-frequency fringe deflectometry. Then, the front and back surface shapes can be obtained by inverse ray-tracing and nonlinear optimization. Numerical simulation and experiment verify the proposed method. The surface shape of window glass with a thickness of 10 mm is measured in the experiment. The surface shape error is around 50 nm in the root mean square with a diameter of 51 mm.
Neurocognitive trajectory and proteomic signature of inherited risk for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Paranjpe Manish D. , Chaffin Mark , Zahid Sohail , Ritchie Scott , Rotter Jerome I. , Rich Stephen S. , Gerszten Robert , Guo Xiuqing , Heckbert Susan , Tracy Russ , Danesh John , Lander Eric S. , Inouye Michael , Kathiresan Sekar , Butterworth Adam S. , Khera Amit V.
Published: September 2022

For Alzheimer’s disease–a leading cause of dementia and global morbidity–improved identification of presymptomatic high-risk individuals and identification of new circulating biomarkers are key public health needs. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a polygenic predictor of risk for Alzheimer’s disease would identify a subset of the population with increased risk of clinically diagnosed dementia, subclinical neurocognitive dysfunction, and a differing circulating proteomic profile. Using summary association statistics from a recent genome-wide association study, we first developed a polygenic predictor of Alzheimer’s disease comprised of 7.1 million common DNA variants. We noted a 7.3-fold (95% CI 4.8 to 11.0; p < 0.001) gradient in risk across deciles of the score among 288,289 middle-aged participants of the UK Biobank study. In cross-sectional analyses stratified by age, minimal differences in risk of Alzheimer’s disease and performance on a digit recall test were present according to polygenic score decile at age 50 years, but significant gradients emerged by age 65. Similarly, among 30,541 participants of the Mass General Brigham Biobank, we again noted no significant differences in Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis at younger ages across deciles of the score, but for those over 65 years we noted an odds ratio of 2.0 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.2; p = 0.002) in the top versus bottom decile of the polygenic score. To understand the proteomic signature of inherited risk, we performed aptamer-based profiling in 636 blood donors (mean age 43 years) with very high or low polygenic scores. In addition to the well-known apolipoprotein E biomarker, this analysis identified 27 additional proteins, several of which have known roles related to disease pathogenesis. Differences in protein concentrations were consistent even among the youngest subset of blood donors (mean age 33 years). Of these 28 proteins, 7 of the 8 proteins with concentrations available were similarly associated with the polygenic score in participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. These data highlight the potential for a DNA-based score to identify high-risk individuals during the prolonged presymptomatic phase of Alzheimer’s disease and to enable biomarker discovery based on profiling of young individuals in the extremes of the score distribution.
Trends of unmet need for family planning among currently married reproductive age women in Ethiopia: A multivariate decomposition analysis
Authors: Azanaw Melkalem Mamuye , Fentie Dawit Tefera , Bukayaw Yaynemarnesh Asmare , Lakew Ayenew Molla , Sisay Malede Mequanent
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Despite decreasing the percentage of women with unmet needs, Ethiopian women still have a higher unmet need for family planning due to different factors. Therefore, addressing the unmet need for FP provides an opportunity for policymakers in all sectors to respond to the expressed fertility preferences of their population. This study aimed to analyze trends and determinants of changes in unmet needs over time among married women of reproductive age in Ethiopia.

Methods

The study used data from three consecutive Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Ethiopia (2005, 2011, and 2016). These nationally representative household surveys cover all Ethiopia region and city administrations with population health and other relevant indicators). The study included a total weighted sample of 8642 in 2005, 10204 in 2011, and 9824 in 2016 in the final analysis. Factors contributing to the change in unmet need rate were examined using logit-based multivariate decomposition analysis.

Results

Among married women, unmet needs declined from 33.8% (95% confidence interval (CI):32.8,34.8) in 2005 to 21.0%(95%CI:20.2,21.9) in 2016. In decomposition analysis, the difference in coefficients was responsible for 90% of the overall change in the unmet need rate. In particular, being at the age of 25–49 years, rural place of residence, agrarian regions, and having more than four children were significant predictors of the increase in unmet need rate.

Conclusions

Unmet needs among women have shown a remarkable decline over the last decade in Ethiopia. Policy and program interventions better targeting younger, agrarian regions and rural dwellers would help to maintain a declining trend in unmet needs.
Metabolic size scaling reflects growth performance effects on age-size relationships in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)
Authors: Ibarrola Irrintzi , Arranz Kristina , Markaide Pablo , Navarro Enrique
Published: September 2022

Body-size scaling of metabolic rate in animals is typically allometric, with mass exponents that vary to reflect differences in the physiological status of organisms of both endogenous and environmental origin. Regarding the intraspecific analysis of this relationship in bivalve molluscs, one important source of metabolic variation comes from the large inter-individual differences in growth performance characteristic of this group. In the present study, we aimed to address the association of growth rate differences recorded among individual mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) with variable levels of the standard metabolic rate (SMR) resulting in growth-dependent shift in size scaling relationships. SMR was measured in mussels of different sizes and allometric functions fitting SMR vs. body-mass relationships were compared both inter- and intra-individually. The results revealed a metabolic component (the overhead of growth) attributable to the differential costs of maintenance of feeding and digestion structures between fast and slow growers; these costs were estimated to amount to a 3% increase in SMR per unit of increment in the weight specific growth rate. Scaling exponents computed for intraindividual SMR vs body-mass relationships had a common value b = 0.79 (~ ¾); however, when metabolic effects caused by differential growth were discounted, this value declined to 0.67 (= ⅔), characteristic of surface dependent processes. This last value of the scaling exponent was also recorded for the interindividual relationships of both standard and routine metabolic rates (SMR and RMR) after long-lasting maintenance of mussels under optimal uniform conditions in the laboratory. The above results were interpreted based on the metabolic level boundaries (MLB) hypothesis.