bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Status of Dendrimer Micelles in Tumor Therapy for Drug Delivery
Authors: Wang Xijie , Zhang Min , Li Yanan , Cong Hailin , Yu Bing , Shen Youqing
Published: August 2023

Dendrimers are a family of polymers with highly branched structure, well‐defined composition, and extensive functional groups, which have attracted great attention in biomedical applications. Micelles formed by dendrimers are ideal nanocarriers for delivering anticancer agents due to the explicit study of their characteristics of particle size, charge, and biological properties such as toxicity, blood circulation time, biodistribution, and cellular internalization. Here, the classification, preparation, and structure of dendrimer micelles are reviewed, and the specific functional groups modified on the surface of dendrimers for tumor active targeting, stimuli‐responsive drug release, reduced toxicity, and prolonged blood circulation time are discussed. In addition, their applications are summarized as various platforms for biomedical applications related to cancer therapy including drug delivery, gene transfection, nano‐contrast for imaging, and combined therapy. Other applications such as tissue engineering and biosensor are also involved. Finally, the possible challenges and perspectives of dendrimer micelles for their further applications are discussed.
Deciphering the Space Charge Effect of the CoNiLDH/FeOOH n–n Heterojunction for Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Zhao Pandeng , Fu Shaqi , Luo Yuancong , Peng Cheng , Cheng Lingli , Jiao Zheng
Published: August 2023

Space charge transfer is an effective strategy to regulate the electron density of narrow bandgap semiconductors for enhancing electrocatalytic activity. Herein, the CoNiLDH/FeOOH n–n heterojunction hollow nanocages structure is constructed. The hollow structure provides abundant catalytic active sites and enhances mass transfer. The space charge region in the n–n heterojunction significantly promotes the adsorption of OH− and electron transfer; and the built‐in electric field accelerates the electron transport, optimizes the electronic structure during the catalytic reaction process, and ensures the stability of surface charged active center sites in the heterojunction. Thus, CoNiLDH/FeOOH delivers an excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) overpotential of 250 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a small Tafel slope of 60 mV dec−1, and superior electrocatalytic durability for 210 h at a high current density. Density functional theory calculations further verify that the space charge effect and built‐in electric field in the n–n heterojunction of CoNiLDH/FeOOH can improve the electron transfer and lower the adsorption energy of OH− and the reaction energy barrier of the rate‐determining step. This work provides a new fundamental understanding of the space charge effect of semiconductor heterojunction during the electrocatalytic process for developing more efficient OER electrocatalysts.
Highly Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cell Using Pure δ‐FAPbI3 Single Crystals
Authors: Mandal Tarak Nath , Heo Jin Hyuck , Im Sang Hyuk , Kim Woo‐Sik
Published: August 2023

Pure δ‐formamidinium lead triiodide (δ‐FAPbI3) single crystal for highly efficient perovskite solar cell (PCS) with long‐term stability is prepared by a new method consisting of liquid phase reaction of FAI and PbI2 in N,N‐dimethyl formamide and antisolvent crystallization using acetonitrile. In this method, the incorporation of any impurity into the crystal is excluded by the molecular recognition of the crystal growth site. This pure crystal is used to fabricate α‐FAPbI3 inverted PSCs which showed excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE) due to much‐reduced trap‐states. The champion device exhibited a high PCE of 23.48% under the 1‐Sun condition. Surface‐treated devices with 3‐(aminomethyl)pyridine showed a significantly improved PCE of 25.07%. In addition, the unencapsulated device maintained 97.22% of its initial efficiency under continuous 1‐Sun illumination for 1,000 h at 85 °C in an N2 atmosphere ensuring long‐term thermal and photo stabilities of PSCs, whereas the control device kept only 89.93%.
PARP inhibitor rescues hearing and hair cell impairment in Cx26‐null mice
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Chen Sen , Qiu Yue , Xu Kai , Bai Xue , Xie Le , Kong Weijia , Sun Yu
Published: August 2023

GJB2 (encoding connexin26, Cx26) mutation is the most common genetic cause of hereditary deafness. Cochlear sensory hair cell (HC) death is the core pathologic phenomenon of GJB2‐related deafness. However, mechanism‐based therapy is still obscure. A targeted‐cell conditional Gjb2 knockout mouse model was established in which the Cx26 in Deiters cells and pillar cells were knocked out at birth. We explored the mechanism of HC death caused by deficiency of GJB2 in supporting cells (SCs), which exhibited moderate deafness, early HC death without SCs, and a decrease in distortion product otoacoustic emission. Here, a DNA damage response was observed in HCs during the onset of hearing loss. Apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis do not contribute to the death of HCs. We identified and demonstrated that parthanatos, a poly‐(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP)‐dependent and caspase‐independent form of cell death, is a mechanism of HC degeneration. Furthermore, we observed that the use of PARP inhibitors effectively alleviated both deafness and HC loss. Our study reveals the specific mechanism of HC death caused by GJB2 deficiency. These findings demonstrate that targeting parthanatos is an HC protective strategy in the prevention of GJB2‐related hereditary deafness.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings of brain olfactory areas in patients with COVID‐19‐related anosmia: A preliminary comparative study
Authors: Nemati Shadman , Haghani Dogahe Mohammad , Saberi Alia , Ramezani Naghi , Kiani Pejman , Yaghubi Kalurazi Tofigh  , Kazemnejad Leili Ehsan , Seddighi Sara , Monsef Abbas
Published: August 2023

Objectives

2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) infection is commonly associated with olfactory dysfunctions, but the basic pathogenesis of these complications remains controversial. This study seeks to evaluate the value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in determining the molecular neurometabolite alterations within the main brain olfactory areas in patients with COVID‐19‐related anosmia.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, seven patients with persistent COVID‐19‐related anosmia (mean age: 29.57 years) and seven healthy volunteers (mean age: 27.28 years) underwent MRS in which N‐acetyl‐aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), and their ratios were measured in the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insular cortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Data were analyzed using TARQUIN software (version 4.3.10), and the results were compared with an independent sample t‐test and nonparametric Mann–Whitney test based on the normality of the MRS data distribution.

Results

The mean duration of anosmia before imaging was 8.5 months in COVID‐19‐related anosmia group. MRS analysis elucidated a significant association between MRS findings within OFC and COVID‐19‐related anosmia (Pdisease < 0.01), and NAA was among the most important neurometabolites (Pinteraction = 0.006). Reduced levels of NAA (P < 0.001), Cr (P < 0.001) and NAA/Cho ratio (P = 0.007) within OFC characterize COVID‐19‐related anosmia.

Conclusions

This study emphasizes that MRS can be illuminating in COVID‐19‐related anosmia and indicates a possible association between central nervous system impairment and persistent COVID‐19‐related anosmia.
Nilpotent Cone and Bivariant Theory
Authors: Di Gennaro Vincenzo , Franco Davide , Sessa Carmine
Published: August 2023

We exhibit a new proof, relying on bivariant theory, that the nilpotent cone is rationally smooth. Our approach enables us to prove a slightly more general statement.
Whole-pelvic irradiation with boost to involved nodes and prostate in node-positive prostate cancer—long-term data from the prospective PLATIN-2 trial
Authors: Fink C. A. , Wegener D. , Sauer L. D. , Jäkel C. , Zips D. , Debus J. , Herfarth K. , Koerber S. A.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Node-positive prostate cancer is a potentially curable disease. Definitive radiotherapy to the prostate and lymphatic drainage is an effective treatment option but prospective long-term outcome data are scarce. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of definitive radiation therapy for men with prostate cancer and nodal metastases using modern irradiation techniques.

Methods

A total of 40 treatment-naïve men with node-positive prostate cancer were allocated to the trial. All patients received definitive radiation therapy at two German university hospitals between 2009 and 2018. Radiation was delivered as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with 51 Gy to the lymphatic drainage with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) up to 61.2 Gy to involved nodes and 76.5 Gy to the prostate in 34 fractions. Feasibility and safety, overall and progression-free survival, toxicity, and quality of life measurements were analyzed.

Results

During a median follow-up of 79 months, median overall survival was 107 months and progression-free survival was 78 months. Based on imaging follow-up, no infield relapse was reported during the first 24 months of follow-up. There were 3 (8%) potentially treatment-related grade 3 toxicities. Common iliac node involvement was associated with a higher risk of progression (HR 15.8; 95% CI 2.1–119.8; p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Definitive radiation to the lymphatic drainage with SIB to the involved nodes and prostate is a safe and effective treatment approach for patients with treatment-naïve, node-positive prostate cancer with excellent infield tumor control rates and tolerable toxicity. Location rather than number of involved nodes is a major risk factor for progression.
Influence of demographic change on the demand for radiotherapy using forecasted predictions for prostate cancer in Germany
Authors: Sonnhoff M. , Graff M. , Paal K. , Becker J.-N. , Hermann R.-M. , Christiansen H. , Nitsche M. , Merten R.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Demographic change will lead to an increase in age-associated cancers. The demand for primary treatment, especially oncologic therapies, is difficult to predict. This work is an attempt to project the demand for radiation therapy (RT) in 2030, taking into account demographic changes using prostate cancer (PC) as an example.

Materials and methods

Using the GENESIS database of the Federal Statistical Office, we retrieved demographic population projections for 2030 and retrospective demographic surveys from 1999 to 2019. Additionally, we queried incidence rates for PC in the respective age groups of 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and +85 years from 1999–2019 via the Federal Cancer Registry of the Robert Koch Institute. We used a regression method to determine the age-dependent correlation between the incidence of PC and the population size of the respective age group by combining the data from 1999 to 2019. This information was used to calculate the incidence rates in the age groups of the expected population for 2030 and the expected new cases of PC in 2030. Finally, we extrapolated the indications for the demand for RT based on data from the Report on Cancer Incidence in Germany from 2016.

Results

Considering a population-dependent incidence rate, an increase in new cases of PC is expected. This increase is particularly evident in the age groups of 70–74 and 80–84 years. With regards to RT, the estimate indicates an overall increase of 27.4% in demand. There is also a shift in RT demands towards older patients, especially in the 80- to 84-year-old age group.

Conclusion

We observe an age-associated increase in primary cases of PC. This is likely to result in an increased demand for RT. The exact demand cannot be predicted. However, trends can be estimated to plan for the demand. This, though, requires a good database from cancer registries.
Self-awareness and Social Influences as Predictors of Body Dissatisfaction and Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery for Social Reasons Among Men
Authors: Nerini Amanda , Di Gesto Cristian , Lo Bartolo Martina , Innocenti Alessandro , Stefanile Cristina , Matera Camilla
Published: August 2023

Background

Body dissatisfaction and the use of surgery for purely aesthetic reasons among men is steadily increasing. Nevertheless, compared to women, few studies have focused on specific sociocultural and individual factors predicting men’s body dissatisfaction and interest in cosmetic surgery procedures. The present study investigated the role of media, significant others, public and private self-awareness in predicting men’s body dissatisfaction and acceptance of cosmetic surgery for social reasons.

Methods

Participants were 203 men (mean-age 24 years), who completed a questionnaire containing the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-4R, the Situational Self-Awareness Scale, the Muscular internalization subscale, the Male Body Attitudes Scale, and the Social subscale of the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale. A path analysis was performed.

Results

The influence of significant others and public self-awareness predicted men’s body dissatisfaction directly and indirectly, via muscularity internalization, while media was only directly associated with body dissatisfaction. A significant link between private self-awareness and body dissatisfaction was found. Moreover, media was not associated with cosmetic surgery either directly or indirectly and public self-awareness showed only a significant association with internalization.

Conclusions

These findings provide information about the role that self-awareness and sociocultural factor play on body dissatisfaction and acceptance of surgery for social reasons among men. The study highlighted the importance of designing preventive programs aimed at enhancing men’s ability to resist various forms of pressure regarding body image and its management. Moreover, the advantages of focusing one’s attention on internal states and feelings can limit body dissatisfaction and can discourage consideration of cosmetic surgery for social benefits.

Level of Evidence V

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Influence of the freezing level on atmospheric rivers in High Mountain Asia: WRF case studies of orographic precipitation extremes
Authors: Nash Deanna , Carvalho Leila M. V. , Rutz Jonathan J. , Jones Charles
Published: August 2023

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) reach High Mountain Asia (HMA) about 10 days per month during the winter and spring, resulting in about 20 mm day$$^{-1}$$

-
1

of precipitation. However, a few events may exceed 100 mm day$$^{-1}$$

-
1

, providing most of the total winter precipitation and increasing the risk of precipitation-triggered landslides and flooding, particularly when the height of the height of the 0 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C isotherm, or freezing level is above-average. This study shows that from 1979 to 2015, integrated water vapor transport (IVT) during ARs that reach Western HMA has increased 16% while the freezing level has increased up to 35 m. HMA ARs that have an above-average freezing level result in 10–40% less frozen precipitation compared to ARs with a below-average freezing level. To evaluate the importance of these trends in the characteristics of ARs, we investigate mesoscale processes leading to orographic precipitation using Advanced Weather Research and Forecasting (ARW-WRF) simulations at 6.7 km spatial resolution. We contrast two above- and below- average freezing level AR events with otherwise broadly similar characteristics and show that with a 50–600 m increase in freezing level, the above-average AR resulted in 10–70% less frozen precipitation than the below-average event. This study contributes to a better understanding of climate change-related impacts within HMA’s hydrological cycle and the associated hazards to vulnerable communities living in the region.
Preventing mitochondrial reverse electron transport as a strategy for cardioprotection
Authors: Prag Hiran A. , Murphy Michael P. , Krieg Thomas
Published: August 2023

In the context of myocardial infarction, the burst of superoxide generated by reverse electron transport (RET) at complex I in mitochondria is a crucial trigger for damage during ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Here we outline the necessary conditions for superoxide production by RET at complex I and how it can occur during reperfusion. In addition, we explore various pathways that are implicated in generating the conditions for RET to occur and suggest potential therapeutic strategies to target RET, aiming to achieve cardioprotection.
Cortical somatosensory evoked potential amplitudes and clinical outcome after cardiac arrest: a retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Aalberts Noelle , Westhall Erik , Johnsen Birger , Hahn Katrin , Kenda Martin , Cronberg Tobias , Friberg Hans , Preuß Sandra , Ploner Christoph J. , Storm Christian , Nee Jens , Leithner Christoph , Endisch Christian
Published: August 2023

Objective

Bilaterally absent cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) reliably predict poor outcome in comatose cardiac arrest (CA) patients. Cortical SSEP amplitudes are a recent prognostic extension; however, amplitude thresholds, inter-recording, and inter-rater agreement remain uncertain.

Methods

In a retrospective multicenter cohort study, we determined cortical SSEP amplitudes of comatose CA patients using a standardized evaluation pathway. We studied inter-recording agreement in repeated SSEPs and inter-rater agreement by four raters independently determining 100 cortical SSEP amplitudes. Primary outcome was assessed using the cerebral performance category (CPC) upon intensive care unit discharge dichotomized into good (CPC 1–3) and poor outcome (CPC 4–5).

Results

Of 706 patients with SSEPs with median 3 days after CA, 277 (39.2%) had good and 429 (60.8%) poor outcome. Of patients with bilaterally absent cortical SSEPs, one (0.8%) survived with CPC 3 and 130 (99.2%) had poor outcome. Otherwise, the lowest cortical SSEP amplitude in good outcome patients was 0.5 µV. 184 (42.9%) of 429 poor outcome patients had lower cortical SSEP amplitudes. In 106 repeated SSEPs, there were 6 (5.7%) with prognostication-relevant changes in SSEP categories. Following a standardized evaluation pathway, inter-rater agreement was almost perfect with a Fleiss’ kappa of 0.88.

Interpretation

Bilaterally absent and cortical SSEP amplitudes below 0.5 µV predicted poor outcome with high specificity. A standardized evaluation pathway provided high inter-rater and inter-recording agreement. Regain of consciousness in patients with bilaterally absent cortical SSEPs rarely occurs. High-amplitude cortical SSEP amplitudes likely indicate the absence of severe brain injury.
Monocytes subsets altered distribution and dysregulated plasma hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-155-5p in HCV-linked liver cirrhosis progression to hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hammad Reham , Eldosoky Mona A. , Elmadbouly Asmaa A. , Aglan Reda Badr , AbdelHamid Sherihan G. , Zaky Samy , Ali Elham , Abd El Hakam Fatma El-Zahraa , Mosaad Alshaimaa M. , Abdelmageed Neamat A. , Kotb Fatma M. , Kotb Hend G. , Hady Ahmed A. , Abo-Elkheir Omaima I. , Kujumdshiev Sandy , Sack Ulrich , Lambert Claude , Hamdy Nadia M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The authors aim to investigate the altered monocytes subsets distribution in liver cirrhosis (LC) and subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in association with the expression level of plasma Homo sapiens (has)-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-155-5p. A step toward non-protein coding (nc) RNA precision medicine based on the immune perturbation manifested as altered monocytes distribution, on top of LC and HCC.

Methods

Seventy-nine patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus (CHCV) infection with LC were enrolled in the current study. Patients were sub-classified into LC group without HCC (n = 40), LC with HCC (n = 39), and 15 apparently healthy controls. Monocyte subsets frequencies were assessed by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure plasma hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-155-5p expression.

Results

Hsa-miR-21-5p correlated with intermediate monocytes (r = 0.30, p = 0.007), while hsa-miR-155-5p negatively correlated with non-classical monocytes (r = − 0.316, p = 0.005). ROC curve analysis revealed that combining intermediate monocytes frequency and hsa-miR-21 yielded sensitivity = 79.5%, specificity = 75%, and AUC = 0.84. In comparison, AFP yielded a lower sensitivity = 69% and 100% specificity with AUC = 0.85. Logistic regression analysis proved that up-regulation of intermediate monocytes frequency and hsa-miR-21-5p were independent risk factors for LC progression to HCC, after adjustment for co-founders.

Conclusion

Monocyte subsets differentiation in HCC was linked to hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-155-5p. Combined up-regulation of intermediate monocytes frequency and hsa-miR-21-5p expression could be considered a sensitive indicator of LC progression to HCC. Circulating intermediate monocytes and hsa-miR-21-5p were independent risk factors for HCC evolution, clinically and in silico proved.

Graphical abstract
What do we mean by ‘self-management’ for chronic low back pain? A narrative review
Authors: Zhou Tianyu , Salman David , McGregor Alison H.
Published: August 2023

Background

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting 60–80% of the general population within their lifetime. Given the large numbers of people affected, self-management approaches have been introduced as a way to manage this condition with endorsement by the national institute for health and care excellence. Interventions are often termed self-management without defining either content or goals. Our study sought to determine the content, characteristics, and evidence for self-management of CLBP.

Methods

This narrative review was conducted using a systematic approach to search journal articles in English that focused on CLBP self-management. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were used to identify publications with terms relating to back pain and self-management from January 2016 until January 2022.

Results

In total, 15 studies were found suitable for inclusion in the review. Core components of self-management strategies include exercise, education, and psychological interventions, but there was a lack of consistency with respect to content. Intervention characteristics were either under-reported or varied. Furthermore, outcome measures used to assess these self-management programmes were diverse, mainly focusing on functional disability and pain intensity.

Conclusions

Inconsistencies in the content of self-management interventions, intervention characteristics, and outcome measures used for assessing self-management programmes were found across the literature. Current self-management approaches do not consider the complex biopsychosocial nature of CLBP. A consensus on the key components of self-management interventions, and how they should be evaluated, will pave the way for research to determine whether self-management can effectively manage CLBP.
Inflammatory rheumatic diseases and the risk of drug use disorders: a register-based cohort study in Sweden
Authors: Kiadaliri Ali , Dell’Isola Andrea , Englund Martin
Published: August 2023

To investigate the association between chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD) and drug use disorder (DUD). Individuals aged ≥ 30 years in 2009 that met the following conditions were included: residing in the Skåne region, Sweden, with at least one healthcare contact in person and no history of DUD (ICD-10 codes F11-F16, F18-F19) during 1998–2009 (N = 649,891). CIRD was defined as the presence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or systemic lupus erythematosus. Treating CIRD as a time-varying exposure, we followed people from January 1, 2010 until a diagnosis of DUD, death, relocation outside the region, or December 31, 2019, whichever occurred first. We used flexible parametric survival models adjusted for attained age, sociodemographic characteristics, and coexisting conditions for data analysis. There were 64 (95% CI 62–66) and 104 (88–123) incident DUD per 100,000 person-years among those without and with CIRD, respectively. CIRD was associated with an increased risk of DUD in age-adjusted analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.77, 95% CI 1.49–2.09). Almost identical HR (1.71, 95% CI 1.45–2.03) was estimated after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, and it slightly attenuated when coexisting conditions were additionally accounted for (1.47, 95% CI 1.24–1.74). Fully adjusted HRs were 1.49 (1.21–1.85) for RA, 2.00 (1.38–2.90) for AS, and 1.58 (1.16–2.16) for PsA. More stringent definitions of CIRD didn’t alter our findings. CIRD was associated with an increased risk of DUD independent of sociodemographic factors and coexisting conditions.

Key Points• A register-based cohort study including 649,891 individuals aged≥30 residing in the Skåne region, Sweden, was conducted.• Chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases were associated with higher risks of drug use disorder independent of sociodemographic factors and coexisting conditions.
Normalizing flows for conditional independence testing
Authors: Duong Bao , Nguyen Thin
Published: August 2023

Detecting conditional independencies plays a key role in several statistical and machine learning tasks, especially in causal discovery algorithms, yet it remains a highly challenging problem due to dimensionality and complex relationships presented in data. In this study, we introduce LCIT (Latent representation-based Conditional Independence Test)—a novel method for conditional independence testing based on representation learning. Our main contribution involves a hypothesis testing framework in which to test for the independence between X and Y given Z, we first learn to infer the latent representations of target variables X and Y that contain no information about the conditioning variable Z. The latent variables are then investigated for any significant remaining dependencies, which can be performed using a conventional correlation test. Moreover, LCIT can also handle discrete and mixed-type data in general by converting discrete variables into the continuous domain via variational dequantization. The empirical evaluations show that LCIT outperforms several state-of-the-art baselines consistently under different evaluation metrics, and is able to adapt really well to both nonlinear, high-dimensional, and mixed data settings on a diverse collection of synthetic and real data sets.
A Global Indicator to Track Well-Being in the Silver and Golden Age
Authors: Guo Qi , Grané Aurea , Albarrán Irene
Published: August 2023

In this work, we design a protocol to obtain global indicators of health and well-being from weighted and longitudinal heterogeneous multivariate data. First, we consider a set of thematic sub-indicators of interest observed in several periods. Next, we combine them using the Common Principal Component (CPC) model. For this purpose, we put a new straightforward CPC model to cope with weighted and longitudinal data and develop a new statistic to test the validity of the CPC-longitudinal model, whose distribution is obtained by stratified bootstrap. To illustrate this methodology, we use data from the last three waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which is the largest cross-European social science panel study data set covering insights into the public health and socio-economic living conditions of European individuals. In particular, we first design four thematic indicators that focus on general health status, dependency situation, self-perceived health, and socio-economic status. We then apply the CPC-longitudinal model to obtain a global indicator to track the well-being in the silver and golden age in the 18 participating European countries from 2015 to 2020. We found that the latest survey wave 8 captures the early reactions of respondents successfully. The pandemic significantly worsens people’s physical health conditions; however, the analysis of their self-perceived health presents a delay. Tracking the performances of our global indicator, we also found that people living in Northern Europe mainly have better health and well-being status than in other participating countries.
Kollektive Ansätze Sozialer Arbeit
Authors: Elsen Susanne
Published: August 2023

Der Prozess der öko-sozialen Transformation öffnet Möglichkeiten der Verbindung der sozialen und ökologischen Entwicklungsaufgaben und der zivilgesellschaftlichen Bewegungen, mit einerseits sozialpolitischen- und ökologischen Zielen andererseits. Soziale Dienste sind aufgefordert diese Möglichkeit zu erkennen und zu nutzen und eine proaktive Sozialpolitik hat diese integrativen Ansätze zu fördern. Damit könnten soziale Dienste und mit ihnen ihre Nutzer_innen ein Stück weit aus ihrer marginalisierten Position heraustreten und sich verbinden mit Bestrebungen nachhaltiger Entwicklung. Die Verbindung sozialer Dienste mit solidarökonomischen Ansätzen ist nicht neu. Als Ansatz öko-sozialer Arbeit gewinnt sie aber zunehmend an Bedeutung. Im Kontext der Sozialen Arbeit wird das Potenzial der Solidarökonomie zur Förderung der Selbstorganisation benachteiligter Menschen und für eine gestaltende lokale Sozialpolitik deutlich.
Effect of microserum environment stimulation on extraction and biological function of colorectal cancer stem cells
Authors: Wang Feiqing , Zhao Jianing , Zhang Chike , Yang Bo , Tian Tingting , Tian Mengxian , Meng Na , Xie Wei , Liu Guangyang , Zhu Xiaodong , Su Min , He Zhixu , Liu Yang , Tang Dongxin , Li Yanju
Published: August 2023

Background

3D cancer stem cell (CSC) cultures are widely used as in vitro tumor models. In this study, we determined the effects of enriching HCT116 tumor spheres initially cultured in serum-free medium with different concentrations of serum, focusing on the effect of microserum environment stimulation on extraction and biological function of colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs).

Methods

CCSCs were enriched in standard serum-free medium and serum-free medium with different concentrations of serum for 1 week. The expression of CSC-associated markers in CCSCs, and the presence and relative proportion of CSCs (CD133/CD44 cell sorting) were then determined to elucidate the effect of the microserum environment on the preservation of CSC-related features. Further, the tumorigenic capacity of CCSCs was evaluated in an immunodeficiency mouse model.

Results

Our data indicated that a significantly greater number of spheres with a greater size range and high viability without drastic alteration in biological and structural features, which maintained self‐renewal potential after sequential passages were formed after serum supplementation. Real-time analysis showed that both serum spheres and serum-free spheres displayed similar expression patterns for key stemness genes. Serum spheres showed higher expression of the CSC surface markers CD133 and CD44 than did CSCs spheres cultured in serum-free medium. Adherent cultures in complete medium could adapt to the serum-containing microenvironment faster and showed higher proliferation ability. The addition of serum induced EMT and promoted the migration and invasion of serum globular cells. Compared with serum-free cells and adherent cells, serum spheres showed higher tumor initiation ability.

Conclusions

Microserum environment stimulation could be an effective strategy for reliable enrichment of intact CCSCs, and a more efficient CSC enrichment method.
Development of a Regional F‐Region Critical Frequency Model for Southern Africa
Authors: Brijraj S. , Cilliers P. J. , Kosch M.
Published: August 2023

A new localized linear regression model, called the SANSA model, is presented. The model provides a forecast of the F‐region critical frequency (foF2) over Grahamstown, South Africa (33.31°S, 26.52°E). The input parameters of this model are the maximum daily solar elevation angle, the F10.7 cm radio flux index and the planetary K index. The output parameter is the forecasted foF2. The historical data‐set consists of ionosonde foF2 observations made in Grahamstown for the period 2010–2019. The historical and predicted data sets used to develop the model are obtained from databases maintained by the South African National Space Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The model improves on the results of the Ionospheric Communications Enhanced Profile Analysis and Circuit Prediction Program in terms of the root mean square error skill score metric. The work presented shows that a linear regression model based on the solar elevation angle as well as the F10.7 and planetary K indices can closely approximate observed foF2 magnitudes during quiet and storm times.
Neighborhood socioeconomic status is associated with low diversity gut microbiomes and multi-drug resistant microorganism colonization
Authors: Zuniga-Chaves Ibrahim , Eggers Shoshannah , Kates Ashley E. , Safdar Nasia , Suen Garret , Malecki Kristen M. C.
Published: August 2023

Social disparities continue to limit universal access to health care, directly impacting both lifespan and quality of life. Concomitantly, the gut microbiome has been associated with downstream health outcomes including the global rise in antibiotic resistance. However, limited evidence exists examining socioeconomic status (SES) associations with gut microbiome composition. To address this, we collected information on the community-level SES, gut microbiota, and other individual cofactors including colonization by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in an adult cohort from Wisconsin, USA. We found an association between SES and microbial composition that is mediated by food insecurity. Additionally, we observed a higher prevalence of MDROs isolated from individuals with low diversity microbiomes and low neighborhood SES. Our integrated population-based study considers how the interplay of several social and economic factors combine to influence gut microbial composition while providing a framework for developing future interventions to help mitigate the SES health gap.
Orbital-selective charge-density wave in TaTe4
Authors: Xu R. Z. , Du X. , Zhou J. S. , Gu X. , Zhang Q. Q. , Li Y. D. , Zhao W. X. , Zheng F. W. , Arita M. , Shimada K. , Kim T. K. , Cacho C. , Guo Y. F. , Liu Z. K. , Chen Y. L. , Yang L. X.
Published: August 2023

TaTe4, a metallic charge-density wave (CDW) material discovered decades ago, has attracted renewed attention due to its rich interesting properties, such as pressure-induced superconductivity and candidate nontrivial topological phase. Here, using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and ab initio calculation, we systematically investigate the electronic structure of TaTe4. At 26 K, we observe a CDW gap as large as 290 meV, which persists up to 500 K. The CDW-modulated band structure shows a complex reconstruction that closely correlates with the lattice distortion. Inside the CDW gap, there exist highly dispersive energy bands contributing to the remnant Fermi surface and metallic behavior in the CDW state. Interestingly, our ab initio calculation reveals that the large CDW gap mainly opens in the electronic states with out-of-plane orbital components, while the in-gap metallic states originate from in-plane orbitals, suggesting an orbital texture that couples with the CDW order. Our results shed light on the interplay between electron, lattice, and orbital in quasi-one-dimensional CDW materials.
A systematic review of experimental studies on Salmonella persistence in insects
Authors: Pinarelli Fazion Juliane , Marzoli Filippo , Pezzuto Alessandra , Bertola Michela , Antonelli Pietro , Dolzan Beatrice , Barco Lisa , Belluco Simone
Published: August 2023

The consumption of insects as food and feed has been recently suggested as a possible alternative to the rising global food need, thus it is crucial to monitor any potential food safety hazards in the insect supply chain. The aims of this systematic review were to collect, select, and evaluate studies investigating the persistence of Salmonella in insects. We searched PUBMED, EMBASE, WEB of Science Core Collection, and Food Science and Technology Abstracts. In total, 36 papers investigating the persistence of Salmonella in insects (both holometabolous and heterometabolous) were included after screening. Regarding complete metamorphosis insects, the longest Salmonella persistence was reported in Phormia regina, in which the pathogen persisted for 29 days at 5 °C. Similarly, Salmonella persisted in the feces of Alphitobius diaperinus for 28 days. The incomplete metamorphosis insect showing the longest Salmonella persistence (>10 months) was Blatella germanica. Periplaneta americana excreted Salmonella via feces for 44 days until all the insects were dead. The retrieved data on the persistence of Salmonella can be useful for further analysis by risk assessors and decision-makers involved in the safety of insect-based food, contributing to defining the sanitary requirements and risk mitigation measures along the supply chain. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42022329213).
Solanum americanum genome-assisted discovery of immune receptors that detect potato late blight pathogen effectors
Authors: Lin Xiao , Jia Yuxin , Heal Robert , Prokchorchik Maxim , Sindalovskaya Maria , Olave-Achury Andrea , Makechemu Moffat , Fairhead Sebastian , Noureen Azka , Heo Jung , Witek Kamil , Smoker Matthew , Taylor Jodie , Shrestha Ram-Krishna , Lee Yoonyoung , Zhang Chunzhi , Park Soon Ju , Sohn Kee Hoon , Huang Sanwen , Jones Jonathan D. G.
Published: August 2023

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) crops suffer severe losses to late blight caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Solanum americanum, a relative of potato and tomato, is globally distributed and most accessions are highly blight resistant. We generated high-quality reference genomes of four S. americanum accessions, resequenced 52 accessions, and defined a pan-NLRome of S. americanum immune receptor genes. We further screened for variation in recognition of 315P. infestans RXLR effectors in 52 S. americanum accessions. Using these genomic and phenotypic data, we cloned three NLR-encoding genes, Rpi-amr4, R02860 and R04373, that recognize cognate P. infestans RXLR effectors PITG_22825 (AVRamr4), PITG_02860 and PITG_04373. These genomic resources and methodologies will support efforts to engineer potatoes with durable late blight resistance and can be applied to diseases of other crops.
Quality control of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. based on value chains and food chain analysis
Authors: Jiang Linlin , Niu Hui , Chen Yuan , Li Xing , Zhao Yulian , Zhang Chunhong , Li Minhui
Published: August 2023

Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. has been proposed as a medicine and food homology, thus playing an important role in disease prevention and health promotion, with great potential for research and value in clinical application. We aimed to analyze stakeholders' production behavior and financial performance from a value chain (VC) perspective and provide a basis for improving the quality of P. grandiflorum and the interests of stakeholders. P. grandiflorum collected from different producing areas were chemically analyzed, and the quality of platycodin D was evaluated. Rstudio3.6.0 was used to analyze the correlation between total platycodins (as platycodin D, platycoside E, and platycodin D3) and platycodin D in P. grandiflorum, providing the basis for quality control of P. grandiflorum. In addition, we studied the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of P. grandiflorum extract under different links. Based on the food chain energy pyramid, the transfer efficiency of active components of P. grandiflorum in different links was studied. Accordingly, 10 different types of VCs were determined in producing P. grandiflorum. Our results show that vertical coordination has led to a more consistent traceability system and strict regulation of supply chains.
Locomotion rhythm makes power and speed
Authors: Bejan A. , Gunes U. , Almahmoud H.
Published: August 2023

This article addresses two questions, why certain animals (frogs, breaststroke swimmers, hovering fliers, jellyfish) push rapidly against the surrounding fluid and then reach forward slowly, and whether this rhythm of propulsion is a manifestation of the universal phenomenon of design evolution in nature. Emphasis is on the distribution of time periods of locomotion in which, during the driving phase of cyclic movement (the motive stroke, phases 1 and 2, in alternating sequence with the dissipative stroke, phase 3), the work is generated (phase 1) and dissipated (phase 2). The relative lengths of the characteristic times t1 and t2 of the phases 1 and 2, are predicted. The relative duration of the proposed three phases of a cycle is the ‘rhythm’. The analysis is based on a model of how the effective cross-sections of the stroking body parts impact the surrounding medium, water, or air, and the total power required to account for the kinetic energy losses during phases 2 and 3, which are due to drag forces posed by the surrounding medium. The body configuration (limbs' cross-sections) determines the limbs' velocities that maximize mean power, and the times t1 and t2 within the motive stroke. Emphasis is placed on the freedom to change the evolving design. Freedom is represented in two ways: the number of degrees of freedom in changing the dimensions of the model and its deformation in time, and the effect that evolutionary changes have on the access that the body has to its available space. Freedom to change the locomotion design leads to greater power and speed.
Prevalence of gastroparesis in diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Lianxin , Wang Luyao , Long Ruolan , Song Linrui , Yue Rensong
Published: August 2023

Although there was no significant heterogeneity in the meta-publication, sensitivity analyses revealed significant heterogeneity. Overall, the prevalence was higher in women (N = 6, R = 4.6%, 95% CI 3.1%, 6.0%, and I2 = 99.8%) than in men (N = 6, R = 3.4%, 95% CI 2.0%, 4.7%, and I2 = 99.6the %); prevalence of type 2 diabetes (N = 9, R = 12.5%, 95% CI 7.7%, 17.3%, and I2 = 95.4%) was higher than type 1 diabetes (N = 7, R = 8.3%, 95% CI 6.4%, 10.2%, and I2 = 93.6%); the prevalence of DGP was slightly lower in DM patients aged over 60 years (N = 6, R = 5.5%, 95% CI 3.3%, 7.7%, and I2 = 99.9%) compared to patients under 60 years of age (N = 12, R = 15.8%, 95% CI 11 15.8%, 95% CI 11.4%, 20.2%, and I2 = 88.3%). In conclusion, our findings indicate that the combined estimated prevalence of gastroparesis in diabetic patients is 9.3%. However, the sensitivity of the results is high, the robustness is low, and there are significant bias factors. The subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence of DM-DGP is associated with factors such as gender, diabetes staging, age, and study method.
Predictors of infectious foci on FDG PET/CT in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia
Authors: Ghanem-Zoubi Nesrin , Abu-Elhija Jawad , Kagna Olga , Mustafa-Hellou Mona , Qasum Majd , Haber Daniel , Paul Mical , Keidar Zohar
Published: August 2023

We looked for predicting factors for the detection of infectious foci on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in combination with computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) among patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) who participated in an interventional study that was conducted at Rambam Health Care Campus, between July 1, 2015 and February 1, 2019. The primary outcome was an infectious focus detected by FDG PET/CT. Independent predictors for detection of focal infection were identified using univariate followed by a logistic regression multivariate analysis. We included 149 patients with 151 separate episodes of SAB who underwent FDG-PET/CT. Focal infections were detected in 107 patients (70.8%). Independent predictors for focal infection detection were community acquisition of bacteremia with odds ratio (OR) 3.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–8.77], p-0.042 and C reactive protein (CRP) with OR 1.09 [95% CI 1.04–1.14], p < 0.001. Primary bacteremia was inversely associated with focal infection detection with OR 0.27 [0.10–0.69], p = 0.007, as were the pre-scan blood glucose levels OR 0.9 [0.98–0.99], p-0.004. The latter stayed significant in the subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus. To conclude, patients with community-acquired bacteremia or high CRP levels should be carefully investigated for focal infection. Patients who present with primary bacteremia seem to be at low risk for focal infection.
Communications with guaranteed bandwidth and low latency using frequency-referenced multiplexing
Authors: Zhou Zichuan , Wei Jinlong , Luo Yuan , Clark Kari A. , Sillekens Eric , Deakin Callum , Sohanpal Ronit , Slavík Radan , Liu Zhixin
Published: August 2023

Emerging cloud applications such as virtual reality and connected car fleets demand guaranteed connections, as well as low and stable latency, to edge data centres. Currently, user–cloud communications rely on time-scheduled data frames through tree-topology fibre networks, which are incapable of providing guaranteed connections with low or stable latency and cannot be scaled to a larger number of users. Here we show that a frequency-referenced multiplexing method can provide guaranteed bandwidth and low latency for time-critical applications. We use clock and optical frequency synchronization, enabled by frequency comb and signal processing techniques, to provide each user with dedicated optical bandwidth, creating scalable user–cloud upstream communications. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate a frequency-division multiplexing system servicing up to 64 users with an aggregate bandwidth of 160 GHz, exhibiting a data rate of up to 4.3 Gbps per user (240.0 Gbps aggregated capacity considering a 200 GHz wavelength band) with a high receiver sensitivity of –35 dBm.
Spatial Metabolomics Reveals the Multifaceted Nature of Lamprey Buccal Gland and Its Diverse Mechanisms for Blood-Feeding
Authors: Gou Meng , Duan Xuyuan , Li Jun , Wang Yaocen , Li Qingwei , Pang Yue , Dong Yonghui
Published: August 2023

Lampreys are blood-sucking vampires in marine environments. From a survival perspective, it is expected that the lamprey buccal gland exhibits a repository of pharmacologically active components to modulate the host’s homeostasis, inflammatory and immune responses. By analyzing the metabolic profiles of 14 different lamprey tissues, we show that two groups of metabolites in the buccal gland of lampreys, prostaglandins and the kynurenine pathway metabolites, can be injected into the host fish to assist lamprey blood feeding. Prostaglandins are well-known blood-sucking-associated metabolites that act as vasodilators and anticoagulants to maintain vascular homeostasis and are involved in inflammatory responses. The vasomotor reactivity test on catfish aortic ring showed that kynurenine can also relax the blood vessels of the host fish, thus improving the blood flow of the host fish at the bite site. Finally, a lamprey spatial metabolomics database (https://www.lampreydb.com) was constructed to assist studies using lampreys as animal model.