bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shear wave velocity structure at the Fukushima forearc region based on H/V analysis of ambient noise recordings by ocean bottom seismometers
Authors: Farazi Atikul Haque , Ito Yoshihiro , Garcia Emmanuel Soliman M , Lontsi Agostiny Marrios , Sánchez-Sesma Francisco José , Jaramillo Aristoteles , Ohyanagi Shukei , Hino Ryota , Shinohara Masanao
Published: January 2023

This study presents the shear wave velocity (VS) structures of sedimentary sequences and a section of the upper crustal layer in the Fukushima forearc region of the Japan Trench subduction zone, which were obtained by analysing the horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratios of ambient vibration records. The H/V curves were derived using 31 d of continuous seismic data from 3 broad-band and 16 short-period ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) stations. Using the broad-band data, H/V ratios from 0.01 to 10 Hz were derived, but the ratios below 0.1 Hz frequencies were unusually large and temporally unstable. Characterization of seismic noise energy from ∼1 yr of seismic data of three broad-band OBSs revealed variable and elevated energy conditions below 0.1 Hz due to typical long-period oceanic noise; we link these observations with the unstable H/V ratios below this frequency. Therefore, H/V analysis was performed in the frequency range of 0.1–10 Hz for both broad-band and short-period OBSs to obtain subsurface VS profiles. For the forward calculation of the H/V ratios in the inversion process, we used the recently developed ‘hvgeneralized’ method, which is based on the diffuse field assumption, and accounts for the water layer on top of stratified media. Moreover, available prior geological and geophysical information was utilized during the inversion of the H/V curves. We found that subsurface VS ranged from approximately 30 m s−1 at the seabed to approximately 4900 m s−1 at 7000 m below the sea floor (mbsf). Starting with the best model candidate at each OBS location, the effect of the water layer on the H/V curve in the deep ocean was investigated by comparing synthetic H/V curves with and without the water layer. The synthetic H/V analysis revealed that the water layer had a significant effect on H/V amplitudes at higher frequencies (>1 Hz), whereas comparatively little effect was observed at lower frequencies (<1 Hz). This study provides an empirical basis for H/V analysis using OBS data to determine VS down to several kilometres of sedimentary sequences to the upper crust with high-resolution.
Dietary yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan supplemented to adult Labrador Retrievers alters peripheral blood immune cell responses to vaccination challenge without affecting protective immunity
Authors: Fries-Craft Krysten , Kilburn-Kappeler Logan R , Aldrich Charles G , Bobeck Elizabeth A
Published: January 2023

Yeast-derived 1,3/1,6 β-glucans may alter host immunity to produce robust and quickly resolved responses that align with companion animal health goals. In adult dogs, immunomodulation by yeast 1,3/1,6 β-glucans in extruded kibble diet have not been well documented. The study objective was to evaluate systemic immune responses in dogs fed kibble diets with two yeast 1,3/1,6 β-glucans doses before and after vaccine challenge. Twenty-four adult Labrador Retrievers were assigned to three dietary treatments consisting of a basal diet (control) supplemented with 0.012% or 0.023% (0.5 or 1×, respectively) yeast 1,3/1,6 β-glucan with equal sex representation within each treatment (8 dogs/diet). Animals were fed experimental diets for a 29-d acclimation period, after which baseline blood samples were collected before administration of a combination canine distemper virus, parvovirus, and adenovirus-2 vaccine. Blood samples were collected weekly for 21 d following vaccination with whole blood for CBC analysis, serum for titer and cytokine assays, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated for flow cytometric immune cell profiling. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure with diet and timepoint fixed effects. Serum titer was analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis test (SAS 9.4; P ≤ 0.05). Prior to vaccination, β-glucan diets did not affect serum cytokines, antibody titer, or immune cell populations. In the first 7 d post-vaccination (dpv), PBMC CD21low B cells increased 36.5% to 58.1% in all groups but the magnitude of change was lesser in the 0.5× β-glucan diet resulting in 25.6% lower CD21low populations compared to control-fed dogs (P = 0.007). By 21 dpv, B-cell populations recovered to baseline levels in dogs fed 1× β-glucan, but CD21high cells remained elevated 50.5% in dogs fed 0.5× β-glucan diets compared with baseline (P < 0.0001). While no differences in serum titer or cytokines were observed, feeding both β-glucan diets maintained stable blood monocytes, whereas a 53.0% decrease between baseline and 14 dpv was observed in control-fed dogs (P = 0.01). Collectively, these outcomes suggest that a 1× dose of 1,3/1,6 yeast β-glucan in extruded kibble diets altered monocytes associated with trained immunity, did not reduce PBMC CD21low B-cell responsiveness, and simultaneously contributed to B-cell population resolution by 21 dpv in adult dogs. Additional research to assess the functionality of these changes is needed.
The IMF’s Evolving Role Within a Constant Mandate
Authors: Georgieva Kristalina , Weeks-Brown Rhoda
Published: January 2023

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is by design an economic institution, with an exclusive economic mandate. Traditionally, this has meant that the IMF focused its work on monetary, fiscal, exchange rate, and financial sector policies, along with closely related structural aspects. In recent years, however, the IMF’s work has widened to cover a broader range of substantive topics, including governance and anti-corruption, climate change, fintech and the digitalization of finance, inequality, social protection, and gender. This article posits that the IMF’s work in these emerging areas with demonstrated criticality for the institution’s macroeconomic and financial stability mandate is not an expansion of the IMF’s mandate, but rather reflects continuing evolution in the economic understanding of what is critical for the achievement of that mandate. The article explores how macro-criticality is assessed within the IMF’s legal and institutional framework in the context of the IMF’s core powers generally and with a special focus on governance and anti-corruption, climate change, and gender. It also discusses the IMF’s strategies for engagement with its member countries in these three areas.
Honeybees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Adapt to the Shock of High Temperature and High Humidity Through Changes in Sugars and Polyols and Free Amino Acids
Authors: Li Xinyu , Ma Weihua , Jiang Yusuo
Published: January 2023

Temperature and humidity are important factors affecting the honeybees physiological metabolism. When honeybees are stressed by high temperature and high humidity, various physiological stress mechanisms evolved by bees are activated in response to injury. The accumulation of some sugars, polyols, and free amino acids can effectively protect cell structure stability and resist temperature stress. In this study, the changes of glucose, trehalose, cholesterol, sorbitol, sorbitol dehydrogenase, mannitol, and free amino acids content of worker honeybees [Apis cerana cerana Fabricius and Apis mellifera Ligustica (Hymenoptera: Apidae)] under different temperature and humidity conditions were measured. Our research results show that high temperature has an important impact on the metabolism of honeybees. Heat stress can cause the accumulation of various antistress substances in worker. The contents of sugars, polyols, and some free amino acids accumulated in high temperature were significantly higher than those in the control, while the influence of high humidity was less. Although high humidity was improved compared with the control, the difference was not obvious. It provides a theoretical basis for exploring the physiological mechanism of individual heat resistance of honeybees.
Prognostic differences among the positive surgical margin locations following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in a large Japanese cohort (the MSUG94 group)
Authors: Sasaki Takeshi , Ebara Shin , Tatenuma Tomoyuki , Ikehata Yoshinori , Nakayama Akinori , Kawase Makoto , Toide Masahiro , Yoneda Tatsuaki , Sakaguchi Kazushige , Teishima Jun , Makiyama Kazuhide , Kitamura Hiroshi , Saito Kazutaka , Koie Takuya , Koga Fumitaka , Urakami Shinji , Inoue Takahiro
Published: January 2023

Background

To investigate whether subgroups of prostate cancer patients, stratified by positive surgical margin locations, have different oncological outcomes following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Methods

A retrospective multicenter cohort study in prostate cancer patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was conducted at 10 institutions in Japan. Pre- and post-operative outcomes were collected from enrolled patients. Biochemical recurrence and clinical and pathological variables were evaluated among subgroups with different positive surgical margin locations.

Results

A total of 3195 patients enrolled in this study. Data from 2667 patients (70.1% [N = 1869] with negative surgical margins and 29.9% [N = 798] with positive surgical margins based on robot-assisted radical prostatectomy specimens) were analyzed. The median follow-up period was 25.0 months. The numbers of patients with apex-only, middle-only, bladder-neck-only, seminal-vesicle-only and multifocal positive surgical margins were 401, 175, 159, 31 and 32, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, PSA level at surgery, pathological Gleason score based on robot-assisted radical prostatectomy specimens, pathological T stage, pathological N stage and surgical margin status were independent risk factors significantly associated with biochemical recurrence-free survival. Patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with multifocal positive surgical margins and seminal-vesicle-only positive surgical margins were associated with worse biochemical recurrence-free survival than those with apex-only, middle-only and bladder-neck-only positive surgical margins. Patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with apex-only positive surgical margins, the most frequent positive surgical margin location, were associated with more favorable biochemical recurrence-free survival that those with middle-only and bladder-neck-only positive surgical margins. The study limitations included the lack of central pathological specimen evaluation.

Conclusions

Although positive surgical margin at any locations is a biochemical recurrence risk factor after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, positive surgical margin location status should be considered to accurately stratify the biochemical recurrence risk after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.
The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton complex is required for X-ray-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Imaizumi Hiromasa , Minami Kazumasa , Hieda Miki , Narihiro Naomasa , Koizumi Masahiko
Published: January 2023

The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex has been implicated in various functions of the nuclear envelope, including nuclear migration, mechanotransduction and DNA repair. We previously revealed that the LINC complex component Sad1 and UNC84 domain containing 1 (SUN1) is required for sublethal-dose X-ray-enhanced cell migration and invasion. This study focused on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which contributes to cell migration. Hence, the present study aimed to examine whether sublethal-dose X-irradiation induces EMT and whether LINC complex component SUN1 is involved in low-dose X-ray-induced EMT. This study showed that low-dose (0.5 Gy or 2 Gy) X-irradiation induced EMT in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, X-irradiation increased the expression of SUN1. Therefore, SUN1 was depleted using siRNA. In SUN1-depleted cells, low-dose X-irradiation did not induce EMT. In addition, although the SUN1 splicing variant SUN1_916-depleted cells (containing 916 amino acids [AA] of SUN1) were induced EMT by low-dose X-irradiation like as non-transfected control cells, SUN1_888-depleted cells (which encodes 888 AA) were not induced EMT by low-dose X-irradiation. Moreover, since the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway regulates E-cadherin expression via the expression of the E-cadherin repressor Snail, the expression of β-catenin after X-irradiation was examined. After 24 hours of irradiation, β-catenin expression increased in non-transfected cells or SUN1_916-depleted cells, whereas β-catenin expression remained unchanged and did not increase in SUN1- or SUN1_888-depleted cells. Therefore, in this study, we found that low-dose X-irradiation induces EMT, and LINC complex component SUN1, especially SUN1_888, is required for X-ray-induced EMT via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Quantification of Slip Band Distribution in Polycrystals: An Automated Fast Fourier Transform Decomposition Approach
Authors: León-Cázares Fernando D , Rowlands Bradley , Galindo-Nava Enrique I
Published: January 2023

Plastic deformation is accumulated in slip bands in a wide variety of engineering alloys. Multiple material and loading conditions impact their distribution and degree of slip localization, but these effects are rarely quantified. To tackle this, the current work introduces a fast Fourier transform (FFT) decomposition method and applies it to a tensile-loaded polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy imaged via high-resolution digital image correlation and electron backscatter diffraction. This approach identifies active slip planes over the FFT images of individual grains and performs inverse transforms such that slip band traces with shared orientations are isolated. This technique enabled the largest quantification of slip band spacings and in-plane strains to date, with a total of 6,557 slip bands detected. The results show that the slip band spacings increase with grain size, with no evident dependence on grain orientation and Schmid factor. Slip bands are found to develop similar spacings along different octahedral planes and continue to spread over larger regions of the grain as the resolved shear stress of the active slip system increases. The FFT decomposition technique, which could be employed with multiple microscopy techniques, will allow for much-needed large-scale quantitative studies of slip localization.
Telomerase inhibition is an effective therapeutic strategy inTERTpromoter-mutant glioblastoma models with low tumor volume
Authors: Aquilanti Elisa , Kageler Lauren , Watson Jacqueline , Baird Duncan M , Jones Rhiannon E , Hodges Marie , Szegletes Zsofia M , Doench John G , Strathdee Craig A , Figueroa Jose Ricardo Mc Faline , Ligon Keith L , Beck Matthew , Wen Patrick Y , Meyerson Matthew
Published: January 2023

Background

Glioblastoma is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with 5-year survival rates of only 6%. Glioblastoma-targeted therapeutics have been challenging to develop due to significant inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT) promoter mutations are the most common known clonal oncogenic mutations in glioblastoma. Telomerase is therefore considered to be a promising therapeutic target against this tumor. However, an important limitation of this strategy is that cell death does not occur immediately after telomerase ablation, but rather after several cell divisions required to reach critically short telomeres. We, therefore, hypothesize that telomerase inhibition would only be effective in glioblastomas with low tumor burden.

Methods

We used CRISPR interference to knock down TERT expression in TERT promoter-mutant glioblastoma cell lines and patient-derived models. We then measured viability using serial proliferation assays. We also assessed for features of telomere crisis by measuring telomere length and chromatin bridge formation. Finally, we used a doxycycline-inducible CRISPR interference system to knock down TERT expression in vivo early and late in tumor development.

Results

Upon TERT inactivation, glioblastoma cells lose their proliferative ability over time and exhibit telomere shortening and chromatin bridge formation. In vivo, survival is only prolonged when TERT knockdown is induced shortly after tumor implantation, but not when the tumor burden is high.

Conclusions

Our results support the idea that telomerase inhibition would be most effective at treating glioblastomas with low tumor burden, for example in the adjuvant setting after surgical debulking and chemoradiation.
Don’t Stop Believing: Fragmentalism and the Problem of Tensed Belief Explosion
Authors: Loss Roberto
Published: January 2023

Giovanni Merlo has argued that a currently popular way to interpret Kit Fine's fragmentalism about tensed facts (which he calls ‘unstructured fragmentalism’) is threatened by the problem of ‘tensed belief explosion’. I argue that such an explosion of belief poses no problem to unstructured fragmentalists.
The Political Economics of Green Transitions
Authors: Besley Timothy , Persson Torsten
Published: January 2023

Reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases may be almost impossible without a green transition—a substantial transformation of consumption and production patterns. To study such transitions, we propose a dynamic model, which differs from the common approach in economics in two ways. First, consumption patterns reflect not just changing prices and taxes, but changing values. Transitions of values and technologies create a dynamic complementarity that can help or hinder a green transition. Second, and unlike fictitious social planners, policy makers in democratic societies cannot commit to future policy paths, as they are subject to regular elections. We show that market failures and government failures can interact to prevent a welfare-increasing green transition from materializing or make an ongoing green transition too slow.
A Network Solution to Robust Implementation: The Case of Identical but Unknown Distributions
Authors: Ollár Mariann , Penta Antonio
Published: January 2023

We study robust mechanism design in environments in which agents commonly believe that others’ types are identically distributed, but we do not assume that the actual distribution is common knowledge, nor that it is known to the designer. First, we characterize all incentive compatible transfers under these assumptions. Second, we characterize the conditions under which full implementation is possible via direct mechanisms, that only elicit payoff relevant information, and the transfer schemes which achieve it whenever possible. The full implementation results obtain from showing that the problem can be transformed into one of designing a network of strategic externalities, subject to suitable constraints which are dictated by the incentive compatibility requirements.
Lung function trajectory of rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Chang Sung Hae , Lee Ji Sung , Ha You-Jung , Kim Min Uk , Park Chan Ho , Lee Jeong Seok , Kim Ji-Won , Chung Sang Wan , Pyo Jung Yoon , Lee Sung Won , Kang Eun Ha , Lee Yeon-Ah , Park Yong-Beom , Choe Jung-Yoon , Lee Eun Young
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To explore the course of lung function and RA disease activity and predictive factors for deteriorating lung function in patients with RA-interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods

The Korean Rheumatoid Arthritis–Interstitial Lung Disease cohort is a multicentre, prospective observational cohort. Patients with RA-ILD were enrolled and followed up annually for 3 years for RA disease activity and ILD status assessment. Group-based modelling was used to cluster a similar predicted percentage of forced vital capacity (FVC%) patterns into trajectories.

Results

This study included 140 patients who underwent at least two pulmonary function tests. Four distinctive trajectories for predicted FVC% were ‘improving’ [n = 11 (7.9%)], ‘stable’ [n = 68 (38.4%)], ‘slowly declining’ [n = 54 (48.6%)] and ‘rapidly declining’ [n = 7 (5.0%)]. Most (77.7%) patients maintained or improved to low RA disease activity. The lung function trajectory was not comparable to the RA disease activity trajectory. Age ≥70 years [relative risk (RR) 10.8 (95% CI 1.30, 89.71)] and early RA diagnosed within the preceding 2 years [RR 10.1 (95% CI 1.22, 84.2)] were associated with increased risk for rapidly declining predicted FVC%. The risk for deterioration or mortality increased in patients with a simultaneous diagnosis of RA and ILD within 24 weeks [RR 9.18 (95% CI 2.05, 41.0)] and the extent of lung involvement [RR 3.28 (95% CI 1.12, 9.60)].

Conclusion

Most patients with RA-ILD experienced stable or slowly declining lung function. In 5% of patients, predicted FVC% deteriorated rapidly, especially in older adults with early RA. The lung function trajectory was not comparable to the RA disease activity trajectory.
Chronic low‐level JUUL aerosol exposure causes pulmonary immunologic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes
Authors: Been Terek , Alakhtar Bayan , Traboulsi Hussein , Tsering Thupten , Bartolomucci Alexandra , Heimbach Nicole , Paoli Sofia , Burnier Julia , Mann Koren K. , Eidelman David H. , Baglole Carolyn J.
Published: January 2023

E‐cigarettes currently divide public opinion, with some considering them a useful tool for smoking cessation and while others are concerned with potentially adverse health consequences. However, it may take decades to fully understand the effects of e‐cigarette use in humans given their relative newness on the market. This highlights the need for comprehensive preclinical studies investigating the effects of e‐cigarette exposure on health outcomes. Here, we investigated the impact of chronic, low‐level JUUL aerosol exposure on multiple lung outcomes. JUUL is a brand of e‐cigarettes popular with youth and young adults. To replicate human exposures, 8‐ to 12‐week‐old male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to commercially available JUUL products (containing 59 mg/ml nicotine). Mice were exposed to room air, PG/VG, or JUUL daily for 4 weeks. After the exposure period, inflammatory markers were assessed via qRT‐PCR, multiplex cytokine assays, and differential cell count. Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses were also performed on samples isolated from the lavage of the lungs; this included unbiased analysis of proteins contained within extracellular vesicles (EVs). Mice exposed to JUUL aerosols for 4 weeks had significantly increased neutrophil and lymphocyte populations in the BAL and some changes in cytokine mRNA expression. However, BAL cytokines did not change. Proteomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed significant changes in numerous biological pathways including neutrophil degranulation, PPAR signaling, and xenobiotic metabolism. Thus, e‐cigarettes are not inert and can cause significant cellular and molecular changes in the lungs.
Examining the Primary Care Experience of Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Incze Michael A. , Chen David , Galyean Patrick , Kimball Elisabeth R. , Stolebarger Laura , Zickmund Susan , Gordon Adam J.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Despite substantial investment in expanding access to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), overdose deaths continue to increase. Primary care holds enormous potential to expand access to OUD treatment, but few patients receive medications for OUD (MOUD) in primary care. Understanding both patient and clinician experiences is critical to expanding access to patient-centered MOUD care, yet relatively little research has examined patient perspectives on primary care–based MOUD. We sought to examine the care experiences of patients with OUD receiving medication-based treatment in a primary care setting.

Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with patients receiving MOUD at a single primary care site at the University of Utah. Interviews were performed and transcribed by qualitative researchers, who used rapid qualitative analysis using a grounded theory–based approach to identify key themes pertaining to patient experiences receiving medication-based OUD treatment in primary care.

Results

Twenty-one patients were screened, and 14 completed the interview. In general, participants had numerous medical and psychiatric comorbidities. The following key themes pertaining to primary care–based OUD treatment were identified: (1) overall health improvement, (2) team-based care, (3) comparing primary care to specialty addiction treatment, (4) access to medications for OUD, and (5) discrimination and stigma.

Conclusions

Patients reported many advantages to receiving primary care–based MOUD treatment. In particular, the flexibility and added support of team-based care along with the convenience of receiving addiction treatment alongside regular medical care were highly valued. These findings can be used to develop patient-centered initiatives aimed at expanding OUD treatment within primary care.
An update on autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Gómez-Bañuelos Eduardo , Fava Andrea , Andrade Felipe
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

Autoantibodies are cornerstone biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody-mediated tissue damage. Autoantibodies can inform about disease susceptibility, clinical course, outcomes and the cause of SLE. Identifying pathogenic autoantibodies in SLE, however, remains a significant challenge. This review summarizes recent advances in the field of autoantibodies in SLE.

Recent findings

High-throughput technologies and innovative hypothesis have been applied to identify autoantibodies linked to pathogenic pathways in SLE. This work has led to the discovery of functional autoantibodies targeting key components is SLE pathogenesis (e.g. DNase1L3, cytokines, extracellular immunoregulatory receptors), as well as the identification of endogenous retroelements and interferon-induced proteins as sources of autoantigens in SLE. Others have reinvigorated the study of mitochondria, which has antigenic parallels with bacteria, as a trigger of autoantibodies in SLE, and identified faecal IgA to nuclear antigens as potential biomarkers linking gut permeability and microbial translocation in SLE pathogenesis. Recent studies showed that levels of autoantibodies against dsDNA, C1q, chromatin, Sm and ribosomal P may serve as biomarkers of proliferative lupus nephritis, and identified novel autoantibodies to several unique species of Ro52 overexpressed by SLE neutrophils.

Autoantibodies hold promise as biomarkers of pathogenic mechanisms in SLE.
Inflammation in osteoarthritis: the latest progress and ongoing challenges
Authors: Knights Alexander J. , Redding Stephen J. , Maerz Tristan
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

The understanding of inflammation in osteoarthritis is rapidly evolving. This review highlights important basic science, mechanistic, and clinical findings since 2020 that underscore the current notion of osteoarthritis as an inflammatory disease.

Recent findings

There exists a disconnect between clinical radiographic findings and patient symptoms in osteoarthritis. Inflammation, in particular synovitis, has been put forward as a potential explanation for this disconnect. New findings have shed light on the temporal dynamics and activation states of joint-resident or systemically derived immune cell populations, notably macrophages, that participate in the inflammatory response. The intricate crosstalk in which they engage may underpin disparate pain and symptoms in patients, for instance during osteoarthritis flares. The role of biological and environmental factors such as exercise, age, and diet, have been the subject of recent studies for their protective or destructive roles in osteoarthritis inflammation. Despite these advances, no disease-modifying osteoarthritis treatments targeting inflammation have emerged.

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating chronic disease that manifests with widely varying symptomatology. Inflammation is now appreciated as a key pathophysiological process in osteoarthritis, but there remain considerable gaps in our understanding of its role in disease progression and how best to target the inflammatory response for therapeutic interventions.
Blood biomarkers for new-onset hypertension in midlife women: a nested case-control study
Authors: He Zhen , Yang Peixuan , Lin Qiuqiang , Thio Chris H.L. , Zhang Fan , Wang Ruifeng , Wang Yue , Snieder Harold , Zhang Qingying
Published: January 2023

Objective

Midlife in women is associated with an increase in prevalence of hypertension. Little is known on the risk factors of new-onset hypertension among middle-aged women.

Methods

In this nested case-control study, 1,430 women aged 40 to 60 years with repeated physical examinations between 2009 and 2019 were recruited. Data included age, body mass index, blood pressure (BP), and a series of blood biomarkers. Participants with hypertension were divided into two case-control samples: 388 cases with episodic new-onset hypertension (ie, one normal BP at the first visit and one abnormal BP during follow-up) each with two age-matched controls (n = 776) and 151 cases with regular new-onset hypertension (ie, normal BP at the first two visits and abnormal BP at two or more follow-up visits) each with three age-matched controls (n = 453). Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to analyze the data.

Results

Our data showed very consistent results for episodic and regular new-onset hypertension, respectively, and verified known associations (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], per SD increase) with obesity (body mass index, 1.72 [1.49-1.98] and 1.81 [1.45-2.26]), inflammation (white blood cell count, 1.39 [1.23-1.58] and 1.38 [1.13-1.69]), and metabolic dysregulation (triglycerides, 1.25 [1.09-1.44] and 1.31 [1.08-1.58]; glucose, 1.46 [1.23-1.73] and 1.27 [1.05-1.54]) but, more surprisingly, also revealed positive associations with red blood cell count (1.27 [1.11-1.44] and 1.38 [1.14-1.68]), hemoglobin (1.18 [1.03-1.35] and 1.31 [1.05-1.64]), and platelet count (1.39 [1.20-1.61] and 1.33 [1.09-1.63]).

Conclusions

In addition to obesity and metabolic dysregulation, increased hemoglobin and counts of platelets, and red and white blood cells are associated with hypertension in this period. Future study may verify whether these associations are causal in nature and whether these variables are useful in risk stratification.
Video telehealth to manage menopausal symptoms after cancer: a prospective study of clinicians and patient satisfaction
Authors: Rachagan Nagusha , Szabo Rebecca A. , Rio Ines , Rees Faith , Hiscock Harriet M. , Hickey Martha
Published: January 2023

Objective

The aim of the study is to evaluate clinician and patient satisfaction with a novel video conferencing telehealth (VCT) service and barriers to use.

Methods

A prospective observational study (2018‐2020) of a statewide VCT service using healthdirect was performed. Participants were clinicians and patients from the Menopausal Symptoms After Cancer service. Patients were cancer survivors aged 20 to 70 years referred to the Menopausal Symptoms After Cancer service to manage early menopause/menopausal symptoms or women at high inherited risk of cancer due to pathogenic gene variants, such as BRCA1/2 between September 2018 and May 2020. Data were analyzed descriptively. The main outcome measures for clinicians were clinician satisfaction and ease of use, duration of consultation, patient rapport and standard of care, and future intention to use VCT. Outcome measures for patients were reasons for choosing telehealth, preferred devices, ease of use, perceived benefits and standard of care, and future intention to use VCT.

Results

Data were available from 109 complete clinician surveys. Overall satisfaction was high (93%), but 32% reported technical difficulties and 42% found VCT distracting. Most reported that standard of care (91%), consultation duration (93%), and patient rapport (73%) were unaffected and 97% would use VCT again for patients not requiring examination. From 35 complete patient surveys, saving travel time and cost were the main reasons for choosing VCT (57%) and for convenience (31%). Most found the platform easy to use (83%) and were comfortable with the technology (83%) without technical difficulties (89%). All found the platform easier and less time consuming than in-person appointments. Most believed that the standard of care received was equivalent to an in-person consultation (94%), were satisfied with the consultation (97%), and would choose VCT again (97%).

Conclusions

Clinician and patient satisfaction with VCT was high and clinical standards were maintained. However, technical difficulties and distractions were common for clinicians despite training.
Do correlates of white matter features differ between older men and women living with human immunodeficiency virus?
Authors: Gordián-Arroyo Alvin , Reame Nancy , Gutierrez Jose , Liu Jianfang , Ganzhorn Sarah , Igwe Kay Chioma , Laing Krystal , Schnall Rebecca
Published: January 2023

Objective

Given estrogen's role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression and the higher rates of neurocognitive decline in affected women, the purpose of this study was to assess whether the relationship of white matter features and reproductive hormone levels differed between men versus women (sex as a moderator), controlling for selected cardiometabolic risk factors, HIV-related health indicators, and demographics in an aging population of persons living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods

Older PLWH (50 y and older; 44 women and 35 men; mean ± SD age, 59.8 ± 0.6 y; 55.7% women; 72.2% non-Hispanic Black) participated in a cross-sectional study involving a fasting blood draw and a demographic survey (visit 1) and a magnetic resonance imaging scan (visit 2) to determine white matter volume and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume. Associations between reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA-S]) and white matter features were assessed in linear regression models. Covariates were age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, current smoking status, CD4 count, and cranial size.

Results

For white matter volume, a sexually dimorphic interaction was seen for DHEA-S (B = 21.23; P = 0.012) and observed for FSH (B = −22.97, P = 0.08) with a trend for significance after controlling for risk factors. In women, higher white matter volume was associated with higher DHEA-S (B = 13.89, P = 0.017) and lower FSH (B = 23.58, P = 0.01). No hormone associations were shown in men for white matter volume. For WMH volume, no significant interaction effects between sex and reproductive hormones were identified. For WMH, sex did not predict associations with reproductive hormones after controlling for risk factors.

Conclusions

Although sexually dimorphic interactions of reproductive hormones and total white matter volume were demonstrated, our study findings do not support a role for sex-based differences in reproductive hormones as predictive correlates of WMH in a small sample of older PLWH.
Association of ß-glucuronidase activity with menopausal status, ethnicity, adiposity, and inflammation in women
Authors: Funk Janet L. , Wertheim Betsy C. , Frye Jennifer B. , Blew Robert M. , Nicholas Jennifer Skye , Chen Zhao , Bea Jennifer W.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Many dietary polyphenols with potential health-promoting benefits undergo hepatic conjugation and circulate as inactive glucuronides that can be cleaved by ß-glucuronidase to reform the bioactive aglycone. Although indirect evidence suggests estrogen may induce ß-glucuronidase, little is known about ß-glucuronidase regulation across women's reproductive lifespan. Correlates of serum ß-glucuronidase activity in healthy premenopausal versus postmenopausal women were therefore examined.

Methods

ß-Glucuronidase activity and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assayed in stored serum from the Women's Breast and Bone Density Study, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry assessed body composition. Participants were premenopausal (n = 133) or postmenopausal (n = 89), and Hispanic (37%) or non-Hispanic White (63%). Multivariate linear regression models tested associations between ß-glucuronidase and menopausal status, ethnicity, CRP, and body composition metrics, overall and stratified by menopausal status.

Results

Postmenopausal (vs premenopausal) women were older (60.4 ± 3.7 vs 44.8 ± 2.4 y) with a lower Hispanic ethnicity prevalence (27% vs 44%), and higher serum ß-glucuronidase activity (1.5 ± 0.8 vs 1.3 ± 0.5 U/L) and CRP (4.2 ± 4.4 vs 3.3 ± 4.7 mg/L). Adjusting for confounders, ß-glucuronidase was positively associated with Hispanic ethnicity, CRP, body mass index, and total fat mass (all, P < 0.01), but not menopausal status nor lean mass. Central adiposity measures were also positively associated with ß-glucuronidase with the same covariates.

Conclusions

ß-Glucuronidase enzyme activity, upon which polyphenol health-related benefits may depend, is not associated with menopausal status. Future studies are required to determine clinical significance and mechanisms driving ß-glucuronidase associations with ethnicity, inflammation, and adiposity in women.
Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine by perimenopausal women in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhou Wen-Bin , Xue Bing , Ouyang Yan-Qiong , Redding Sharon R.
Published: January 2023

Objective

To investigate the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by perimenopausal women and explore factors associated with their preference.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 558 perimenopausal women in Wuhan, China. Online questionnaires were available from December 2021 to April 2022. Instruments used were the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire and the Greene Climacteric Scale. The association between scores and participants' sociodemographic characteristics and perimenopausal symptoms was analyzed using multiple linear regression.

Results

The overall utilization of CAM by perimenopausal women was 50.4% (281/558). Perimenopausal symptoms affecting the frequency of CAM usage included anxiety (adjusted β = 0.18), somatic (adjusted β = 0.07), and vasomotor symptoms (adjusted β = 0.76), P < 0.05. The most commonly used CAM were massage (37.7%), herbal therapies (19.9%), and dietary supplements (18.2%). Walking (58.6%) was the most popular self-practice therapy. Perimenopausal women consulted Western (38.4%) and Chinese medicine physicians (34.8%) and dentists (36.0%) most frequently.

Conclusions

Perimenopausal women experience discomforts during this age-related stage, and their use of CAM to manage symptoms is common. The usage and preferences of these management strategies are worthy of further exploration. There is a need to understand cost-effective and appropriate management interventions to improve the quality of life of perimenopausal women.
Pain Reduction Using Ropivacaine in Tumescent Solution following Lipoaspiration
Authors: Mantripragada Koushik , Yerke Hansen Payton , Vazquez Oscar Adrian , Pires Giovanna , Becker Hilton
Published: January 2023

Tumescent solution utilizing dilute epinephrine and a local anesthetic agent injected into a fat compartment has been shown to effectively minimize blood loss and postoperative pain in liposuction. Ropivacaine has a longer duration of action compared to lidocaine and is a potential analgesic in tumescent solution. We sought to explore the effect of using ropivacaine in a tumescent technique with a focus on its efficacy for pain control postoperatively. The formula for the tumescent technique used combined 1 mL of epinephrine with 30 mL of ropivacaine into 500 mL of injectable saline. Tumescent solution was injected manually into fat donor sites of 10 consecutive patients followed by a 20-minute waiting period before beginning fat aspiration with liposuction cannula. Patients were seen immediately following their surgery and on postoperative day 1 and reported their pain using a numerical scale. Data gathered included the amount of ropivacaine used, average pain rating, and the average amount of fat removed. On average, participants reported little to no pain at the donor sites immediately following surgery and on postoperative day 1. Based on the low need for pain medication, we believe that ropivacaine may be successfully used in tumescent solution to reduce postoperative pain.
LONG-TERM CHANGES IN VISUAL FUNCTION AND EN FACE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN FOVEA-OFF RETINAL DETACHMENT
Authors: Thomseth Vilde M. , Lindtjørn Birger , Ushakova Anastasia , Forsaa Vegard A.
Published: January 2023

Purpose:

To investigate the long-term changes in visual function and outer retinal abnormalities on en face optical coherence tomography after fovea-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and to assess associations between functional outcomes and outer retinal abnormalities.

Methods:

Prospective, observational study. The following data were collected at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after retinal reattachment: Best-corrected visual acuity, metamorphopsia (M-CHARTS), aniseikonia (New Aniseikonia Test), altered ellipsoid zone reflectivity, outer retinal folds, macular detachment demarcation, and subfoveal fluid.

Results:

Thirty-eight patients were included. Best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly from 1 to 12 months and from 12 to 24 months (P < 0.001; P = 0.022). Vertical and horizontal metamorphopsia improved significantly from 1 to 12 months (P < 0.001; P = 0.002), and at 24 months, scores of ≥0.2° were present in 54% and 42% of patients, respectively. The degree of aniseikonia did not change. Best-corrected visual acuity and aniseikonia scores were positively associated with outer retinal fold (r 0.4, P = 0.009; r 0.4, P = 0.048). A gradual normalization of outer retinal reflectivity took place during 24 months.

Conclusion:

Visual acuity improved significantly during the second year after reattachment surgery for fovea-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, in parallel with normalization of outer retinal abnormalities on en face optical coherence tomography. Metamorphopsia did not improve after 12 months, and aniseikonia remained unchanged.
DIFFERENCES IN ANATOMICAL AND VISUAL OUTCOMES AMONG THREE INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE TECHNIQUES TREATING EXTRA-LARGE IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLES
Authors: Liu Lingzi , Yu Yanping , Yang Xiaohan , Wang Zengyi , Qi Biying , Zhang Ke , Wu Xijin , Wang Xinbo , Liu Wu
Published: January 2023

Purpose:

To compare the anatomical and visual outcomes of extra-large idiopathic macular holes treated with internal limiting membrane peeling and two inverted internal limiting membrane flap techniques, namely insertion and cover technique.

Methods:

Patients with idiopathic macular holes (minimum linear diameter ≥ 650 µm) were divided into peeling group, insertion group, and cover group. The initial closure rate, final length of external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone recovery, and best-corrected visual acuity were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 124 eyes were included, and the average follow-up was 7.2 months. All the baseline characteristics were comparable among the three groups. Initial closure rate of the peeling group, the insertion group, and the cover group was 65.0% (26/40), 97.6% (41/42), and 90.5% (38/42), respectively (P < 0.001). In closed idiopathic macular holes, the peeling group and the cover group exhibited significantly longer length of external limiting membrane recovery than the insertion group (P < 0.001), and the peeling group exhibited significantly longer length of ellipsoid zone recovery than the other two groups (P = 0.021). The peeling group and the cover group exhibited significantly better best-corrected visual acuity improvement than the insertion group (P = 0.009).

Conclusion:

For extra-large idiopathic macular holes, cover technique surpasses internal limiting membrane peeling technique in closure rate and outperforms insertion technique in anatomical and functional recovery, whereas insertion technique may adversely affect the recovery of foveal microstructure and best-corrected visual acuity.
PRENATAL MATERNAL CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY
Authors: Strawbridge Jason C. , Chu Alison , Dammann Olaf , Hanson Justin , Janzen Carla , Tsui Irena
Published: January 2023

Purpose:

Determine whether prenatal maternal characteristics such as sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, or pregnancy complications affect retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) development.

Methods:

Medical records of 236 mother–infant dyads from our institution were reviewed, only including dyads in which infants were born at 30 weeks gestational age or earlier. The primary outcome measure was the risk of ROP (defined Stage 1 or greater in either eye) and its association with prenatal maternal variables.

Results:

Maternal Medicaid insurance, smoking during pregnancy, and chorioamnionitis were associated with an increased risk of ROP. For Medicaid insurance and chorioamnionitis, these risks were not appreciably altered by adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that several prenatal maternal factors may independently affect the risk of ROP in preterm infants. Validation of our findings could aid in the identification of infants at high risk for ROP based on prenatal clinical features.
Silica-associated lung disease in developing countries
Authors: Dhooria Sahajal , Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

There is a considerable burden of silica-associated lung diseases in the developing world. This review summarizes the epidemiology of these diseases, especially silicosis and silico-tuberculosis, mitigative efforts and treatment, especially in the context of developing countries.

Recent findings

In 2017, the highest incidence of silicosis was in China, India and Brazil among the developing countries. The prevalence of silicosis amongst exposed workers may vary from 4 to 55%; there is a risk of underestimation because of the ‘healthy worker effect’. The permissible exposure limit for respirable silica adopted by governments in developing countries remains higher than the proposed 0.025 mg/m3. Silica exposure in informal or unorganized industries is challenging, as it falls outside statutory controls. Recent efforts on regulation and compensation by various governments in developing countries are encouraging but need proper implementation on the ground. Biomarkers such as club cell protein 16 and imaging methods such as computed tomography may offer earlier and easier detection of silicosis. Advanced silicosis remains incurable; novel treatments such as antifibrotics agents may be potentially effective.

Silica-associated lung diseases are prevalent in developing countries. Efforts directed at preventing or minimizing exposure to respirable crystalline silica are required for mitigation.
Kidney organ allocation: reducing discards
Authors: Friedewald John J. , Schantz Karolina , Mehrotra Sanjay
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

The donation and kidney transplant system in the United States is challenged with reducing the number of kidneys that are procured for transplant but ultimately discarded. That number can reach 20% of donated kidneys each year.

Recent findings

The reasons for these discards, in the face of overwhelming demand, are multiple.

The authors review the data supporting a number of potential causes for high discard rates as well as provide potential solutions to the problem.