bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation study on carbon-ion beam imaging by measuring secondary electron bremsstrahlung using imaging plate
Authors: Tsuda M. , Yamaguchi M. , Kada W. , Kamiya T. , Sakai M. , Watabe H. , Nagao Y. , Yabe T. , Kawachi N.
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a lead radiation shield on the ability of a beam imaging device consist of an imaging plate (IP) and a collimator by Monte Carlo simulations. Simulations were performed using PHITS. A carbon-ion beam was injected to an acrylic target. A tungsten collimator having a pinhole was placed at the distance of 31.2 cm from the beam. A lead radiation shield was placed on the tungsten collimator. An IP was placed under the collimator. Beam images were acquired by recording the position distribution of energy deposition on the IP. We confirmed that therapeutic carbon-ion beam images could be acquired using the imaging device combining the IP and collimator. It was found that removal of the lead shield had no effect on the imaging results.
Performance of the electromagnetic pixel calorimeter prototype Epical-2
Authors: Alme J. , Barthel R. , van Bochove A. , Borshchov V. , Bosley R. , van den Brink A. , Broeils E. , Büsching H. , Eikeland V.N. , Groettvik O.S. , Han Y.H. , van der Kolk N. , Kim J.H. , Kim T.J. , Kwon Y. , Mager M. , Malik Q.W. , Okkinga E. , Park T.Y. , Peitzmann T. , Pliquett F. , Protsenko M. , Reidt F. , van Rijk S. , Røed K. , Rogoschinski T.S. , Röhrich D. , Rossewij M.J. , Ruis G.B. , Solheim E.H. , Tymchuk I. , Ullaland K. , Watson N.K. , Yokoyama H.
Published: January 2023

The first evaluation of an ultra-high granularity digital
electromagnetic calorimeter prototype using 1.0–5.8 GeV/c electrons
is presented. The 25 × 106 pixel detector consists of 24
layers of ALPIDE CMOS MAPS sensors, with a pitch of around
30 μm, and has a depth of almost 20 radiation lengths of
tungsten absorber. Ultra-thin cables allow for a very compact
design.

The properties that are critical for physics studies are measured:
electromagnetic shower response, energy resolution and linearity.
The stochastic energy resolution is comparable with the state-of-the
art resolution for a Si-W calorimeter, with data described well by a
simulation model using Geant4 and Allpix2. The
performance achieved makes this technology a good candidate for use
in the ALICE FoCal upgrade, and in general demonstrates the strong
potential for future applications in high-energy physics.
The fractional composition calculation of two-component mixtures using direct and scattered X-rays: a new methodology testing
Authors: Badazhkov D. , Usov E. , Tyazhev A. , Serdyuk D. , Tailakov D.O. , Ulyanov V.N. , Vinnik A. , Skakunov M. , Shaymerdenova L. , Tolbanov O. , Mashnin A. , Spirin A. , Stenin V. , Alekseev I.
Published: January 2023

Continuous monitoring and control of hydrocarbon flow is not
a new task. Today, there are many engineering solutions in flow
measurement that are used in commercial applications. However, the
search for other solutions continues and is associated with the
emergence of new technical challenges of the oil and gas
industry. There is also a constant request for optimization of
already working flow-metering solutions. In the present work we
propose a methodology to calculate the composition of a mixture
using gamma densitometry methods with direct and scattered radiation
tracking. Experiments were carried out on reference samples and ways
of practical implementation of the proposed methodology are shown.
The effect of dynamic twisting on the flow field and the unsteady forces of a heaving flat plate
Authors: Soto Carlos , Bhattacharya Samik
Published: January 2023

Many marine animals can dynamically twist their pectoral fins while swimming. The effects of such dynamic twisting on the unsteady forces on the fin and its surrounding flow field are yet to be understood in detail. In this paper, a flat plate executing a heaving maneuver is subjected to a similar dynamic twisting. In particular, the effects of the direction of twist, non-dimensional heaving amplitude, and reduced frequency are studied using a force sensor and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Two reduced frequencies,

k
=
0.105

, and

0.209

, and two twisting modes are investigated. In the first twisting mode, the plate is twisted in the direction of the heave (forward-twist), and in the second mode, the plate is twisted opposite to the direction of the heave (backward-twist). Force sensor measurements show that the forward-twist recovers some of the lift that is usually lost during the upstroke of flapping locomotion. Additionally, the forward-twist maintains a near-constant lift coefficient during the transition between downstroke and upstroke, suggesting a more stable form of locomotion. PIV results show that forward-twist limits circulation and leading-edge vortex growth during the downstroke, keeping

C
d

≈
0

at the cost of the reduced lift. By contrast, backward-twist increases the circulation during the downstroke, resulting in large increases in both lift and drag coefficients. Force sensor data also showed that this effect on the lift is reversed during the upstroke, where the backward-twist causes a negative lift. The effects of each twisting mode are mainly caused by the changes in the shear layer velocity that occur as a result of twisting about the spanwise axis along the mid-chord. The twisting performed by forward-twist reduces the effective angle of attack through the upstroke and downstroke, resulting in a reduced shear layer velocity and lower circulation. The twisting performed by backward-twist does the exact opposite, increasing the effective angle of attack through the upstroke and downstroke and consequently increasing the shear layer velocity and circulation.
Full factorial design of experiment-based and response surface methodology approach for evaluating variation in uniaxial compressive mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of photocurable PEGDMA-based scaffolds
Authors: Bharadwaz Angshuman , Dhar Sarit , Jayasuriya Ambalangodage C
Published: January 2023

The goal of this study is to fabricate biocompatible and minimally invasive bone tissue engineering scaffolds that allow in situ photocuring and further investigate the effect on the mechanical properties of the scaffold due to the prevailing conditions around defect sites, such as the shift in pH from the physiological environment and swelling due to accumulation of fluids during inflammation. A novel approach of incorporating a general full factorial design of experiment (DOE) model to study the effect of the local environment of the tissue defect on the mechanical properties of these injectable and photocurable scaffolds has been formulated. Moreover, the cross-interaction between factors, such as pH and immersion time, was studied as an effect on the response variable. This study encompasses the fabrication and uniaxial mechanical testing of polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) scaffolds for injectable tissue engineering applications, along with the loss in weight of the scaffolds over 72 h in a varying pH environment that mimics in vivo conditions around a defect. The DOE model was constructed with three factors: the combination of PEGDMA and nano-hydroxyapatite referred to as biopolymer blend, the pH of the buffer solution used for immersing the scaffolds, and the immersion time of the scaffolds in the buffer solution. The response variables recorded were compressive modulus, compressive strength, and the weight loss of the scaffolds over 72 h of immersion in phosphate-buffered saline at respective pH. The statistical model analysis provided adequate information in explaining a strong interaction of the factors on the response variables. Further, it revealed a significant cross-interaction between the factors. The factors such as the biopolymer blend and pH of the buffer solution significantly affected the response variables, compressive modulus and strength. At the same time, the immersion time had a strong effect on the loss in weight from the scaffolds over 72 h of soaking in the buffer solution. The biocompatibility study done using a set of fluorescent dyes for these tissue scaffolds highlighted an enhancement in the pre-osteoblasts (OB-6) cell attachment over time up to day 14. The representative fluorescent images revealed an increase in cell attachment activity over time. This study has opened a new horizon in optimizing the factors represented in the DOE model for tunable PEGDMA-based injectable scaffold systems with enhanced bioactivity.
Partitioning of root, litter and microbial respiration by plant input manipulation in forests
Authors: Zhu Jingjing , Wu Qiuxia , Wu Fuzhong , Ni Xiangyin
Published: January 2023

Soil respiration (R
s) is the largest carbon (C) flux from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere and is of great significance to the global C budget. An increasing number of studies have assessed R
s through in situ observations and model estimates over the last decades, but the sources and pathways of soil carbon dioxide (CO2) are not fully understood, and great uncertainty remains in R
s partitioning of soil CO2 sources. Here, we compiled 236 paired observations that measured soil CO2 fluxes after concurrently removal of living roots (and rhizosphere), litter, and both roots and litter in plant input manipulation experiments conducted at 14 forest sites to partition root + rhizosphere (R
r), litter (R
l) and soil organic matter-derived microbial respiration (R
m) in total soil CO2 flux. We found that R
r, R
l and R
m accounted for 20.1%, 21.8% and 62.7% of the total R
s, respectively. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) was the most important factor driving R
r/R
s, R
l/R
s and R
m/R
s, and MAP was positively correlated with R
r/R
s and R
l/R
s but negatively correlated with R
m/R
s, suggesting a significant climatic control over the proportions of R
s components. Across all sites, the proportions of R
r/R
s and R
l/R
s increased but R
m/R
s decreased with the increase in soil CO2 flux, suggesting that the proportions of root- and litter-derived soil CO2 are generally higher in the tropics than in cold temperate and boreal forests. More accurate partitioning of R
r, R
l and R
m to elucidate different sources and pathways of soil CO2 flux will provide important insights for the global R
s assessment and terrestrial C budget.
Enhancement of the Zakharov–Glassey’s method for Blow-up in nonlinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Sacchetti Andrea
Published: January 2023

In this paper we give a sharper sufficient condition for blow-up of the solution to a nonlinear Schrödinger equation with free/Stark/quadratic potential by improving the well known Zakharov–Glassey’s method.
Study of a Flat Slab Building with a Shear Wall at Core and X-Bracing
Authors: singh Akshansh , mishra Vinayak , Singh R. P.
Published: February 2023

Construction with flat slabs is quite dangerous when there is strong earthquake shaking. Two different forms of flat slab buildings—flat slab with shear wall at core and flat slab with x-bracing—are considered in the study. These flat slab constructions’ structural rigidity is increased by this lateral force-resisting mechanism. It has been found that adding a shear wall considerably boosts the flat slab structure’s ability to withstand lateral forces.
Assessment of Lateral Load Capacity of Single Pile at Bettiah Site: A Parametric Study
Authors: Kumar Prabhakar , Choudhary Shiva Shankar , Kumar Shiv Shankar
Published: February 2023

Pile foundations are widely used and accepted approach to transfer superstructure load to a deeper and stronger stratum. This work has been focused on the assessment of the effect of different parameters associated with piles such as pile diameter, pile length, grade of concrete and pile head condition (i.e., free or fixed) on the lateral load capacity. To evaluate the lateral load capacity considering the aforementioned parameters ‘IS Code’ and ‘Matlock and Reese’ methodologies have been utilized. The soil exploration data has been collected from ten different boreholes near to the railway bridge at Bettiah site, Bihar. The results of lateral pile load at different boreholes reflects that the lateral load capacity of pile significantly increased with the increase of pile diameters and grades of concrete. The lateral load capacity of pile was increased approximately by 13%, from both IS Code and Matlock and Reese methods, when the grade of concrete was increased from M25 to M40. It was also found that the condition of pile head also plays a major role in lateral load capacity. The lateral load capacity of pile obtained from IS code method under fixed head condition was found to be higher as compared to free head condition. It has also been observed that the lower values of ultimate lateral load capacity for fixed head and lower values for free head condition was obtained by IS Code as compared to Matlock and Reese method.
Effect of fiber synergy on strength & durability of high-performance concrete
Authors: Gupta Mohit , Raj Ritu , Sahu Anil Kumar , Yadav Sapna
Published: January 2023

The distinct fiber addition to concrete can improve weak performance in tension. Due to its higher performance, fiber hybridization is becoming more and more competitive. In this study, the hardened and durability characteristics of performance-based concrete reinforced with polypropylene, basalt and hooked end steel fibers are investigated. Total 12 mixes are prepared to evaluate the different characteristics of performance-based concrete. The influence of basalt fibers (0.2, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 & 1%), polypropylene fibers ( 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.05 & 1%), hooked end steel fibers (0.225, 0.475, 0.65, 0.75, 0.80 & 1%) to explore the impact of fiber synergy, various hybrid fibers with maximum volume fraction of 1% were used out of total concrete volume with and without copper slag (20% & 40%) replacement with fine aggregate are investigated on the hardened characteristics including; compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength. Moreover, durability properties including; water absorption, electrical Resistivity, for performance-based concrete are also conducted. Out of the 12 mixes considered for this study, PP0.05B0.2S0.75CS40 performs better and exhibit excellent performance in terms of strength and durability.
Low temperature electrical transport in microwave plasma fabricated free-standing graphene and N-graphene sheets
Authors: Valcheva E , Kirilov K , Bundaleska N , Dias A , Felizardo E , Abrashev M , Bundaleski N , Teodoro O M N D , Strunskus Th , Kiss’ovski Zh , Alves L L , Tatarova E
Published: January 2023

In this paper, the electrical transport in free-standing graphene and N-graphene sheets fabricated by a microwave plasma-based method is addressed. Temperature–dependent resistivity/conductivity measurements are performed on the graphene/N-graphene sheets compressed in pellets. Different measurement configurations reveal directional dependence of current flow—the room-temperature conductivity longitudinal to the pellet’s plane is an order of magnitude higher than the transversal one, due to the preferential orientation of graphene sheets in the pellets. SEM imaging confirms that the graphene sheets are mostly oriented parallel to the pellet’s plane and stacked in agglomerates. The high longitudinal electrical conductivity with values on the order of 103 S/m should be noted. Further, the current flow mechanism revealed from resistivity-temperature dependences from 300K down to 10K shows non-metallic behavior manifested with an increasing resistivity with decreasing the temperature

d
ρ
/
d
T
<
0

usually observed for insulating or localized systems. The observed charge transport shows variable range hopping at lower temperatures and thermally activated behaviour at higher temperatures. This allows us to attribute the charge transport mechanism to a partially disordered system in which single graphene sheets are placed predominantly parallel to each other and stacked together.
Effect of welding process parameters on surface topography and mechanical properties of friction-stir-welded AA2024/AA2099 alloys
Authors: Rajkumar T , Dinesh S , Anbarasan B , Balamurugan S
Published: January 2023

The joining of two materials with different chemical composition was a major setback for conventional methods of metal joining. The results of this welding were showing considerably great improvement in the aspects of quality of weld, amount of heat generated, uniform distribution of material, refined microstructure, enhanced tribology, materials flowing pattern, good strength with reduced internal stresses. Optimized parameters were estimated by using Desirabilty approach and Response surface methodology. Optimum parameter combination for dissimilar material welding was observed to be 913.74 rpm, 45 mm min−1 and 8kN. The desirability values for dissimilar welding process were 0.912 respectively. The grain enhancements were decreased in the range of WC > WT > HAZ > Parent material. The wear rate of dissimilar AA2024 and AA2099 were superior as the wear value increases from 0 to 50 μm in the nugget zone. The coefficient of friction value remains constant throughout the wear experiment ranges from 0.3 to 0.55. A steady state friction value of 3N to 5N is observed when sliding distance increases. The wear loss was measured by finding the difference between initial weight and final weight and found as in the range from 0.2283 g to 0.4866 g.
Listening to the patients’ voice: a conceptual framework of the walking experience
Authors: Delgado-Ortiz Laura , Polhemus Ashley , Keogh Alison , Sutton Norman , Remmele Werner , Hansen Clint , Kluge Felix , Sharrack Basil , Becker Clemens , Troosters Thierry , Maetzler Walter , Rochester Lynn , Frei Anja , Puhan Milo A , Garcia-Aymerich Judith
Published: February 2023

Background

walking is crucial for an active and healthy ageing, but the perspectives of individuals living with walking impairment are still poorly understood.

Objectives

to identify and synthesise evidence describing walking as experienced by adults living with mobility-impairing health conditions and to propose an empirical conceptual framework of walking experience.

Methods

we performed a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative evidence, searching seven electronic databases for records that explored personal experiences of walking in individuals living with conditions of diverse aetiology. Conditions included Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip fracture, heart failure, frailty and sarcopenia. Data were extracted, critically appraised using the NICE quality checklist and synthesised using standardised best practices.

Results

from 2,552 unique records, 117 were eligible. Walking experience was similar across conditions and described by seven themes: (i) becoming aware of the personal walking experience, (ii) the walking experience as a link between individuals’ activities and sense of self, (iii) the physical walking experience, (iv) the mental and emotional walking experience, (v) the social walking experience, (vi) the context of the walking experience and (vii) behavioural and attitudinal adaptations resulting from the walking experience. We propose a novel conceptual framework that visually represents the walking experience, informed by the interplay between these themes.

Conclusion

a multi-faceted and dynamic experience of walking was common across health conditions. Our conceptual framework of the walking experience provides a novel theoretical structure for patient-centred clinical practice, research and public health.
Apolipoprotein E gene variants shape the association between dietary fibre intake and cognitive decline risk in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Unión-Caballero Andrea , Meroño Tomás , Andrés-Lacueva Cristina , Hidalgo-Liberona Nicole , Rabassa Montserrat , Bandinelli Stefania , Ferrucci Luigi , Fedecostante Massimiliano , Zamora-Ros Raúl , Cherubini Antonio
Published: February 2023

Background

healthy dietary patterns have been associated with lower risk for age-related cognitive decline. However, little is known about the specific role of dietary fibre on cognitive decline in older adults.

Objective

this study aimed to examine the association between dietary fibre and cognitive decline in older adults and to assess the influence of genetic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics in this association.

Design and participants

the Invecchiare in Chianti, aging in the Chianti area study is a cohort study of community-dwelling older adults from Italy. Cognitive function, dietary and clinical data were collected at baseline and years 3, 6, 9 and 15. Our study comprised 848 participants aged ≥ 65 years (56% female) with 2,038 observations.

Main outcome and measures

cognitive decline was defined as a decrease ≥3 units in the Mini-Mental State Examination score during consecutive visits. Hazard ratios for cognitive decline were estimated using time-dependent Cox regression models.

Results

energy-adjusted fibre intake was not associated with cognitive decline during the 15-years follow-up (P > 0.05). However, fibre intake showed a significant interaction with Apolipoprotein E (APOE) haplotype for cognitive decline (P = 0.02). In participants with APOE-ɛ4 haplotype, an increase in 5 g/d of fibre intake was significantly associated with a 30% lower risk for cognitive decline. No association was observed in participants with APOE-ɛ2 and APOE-ɛ3 haplotypes.

Conclusions and relevance

dietary fibre intake was not associated with cognitive decline amongst older adults for 15 years of follow-up. Nonetheless, older subjects with APOE-ɛ4 haplotype may benefit from higher fibre intakes based on the reduced risk for cognitive decline in this high-risk group.
Development of oxidoreductases for amino acid quantification and mutagenesis techniques for heterologous soluble expression: screening and selection strategies
Authors: Matsui Daisuke
Published: January 2023

The high stereo- and substrate specificities of enzymes have been utilized for microdetermination of amino acids. Here, I review the discovery of l-Arg oxidase from Pseudomonas sp. TPU 7192, l-Lys oxidase/decarboxylase from Burkholderia sp. AIU 395, and enzymes showing apparent l-His oxidase activity from Achromobacter sp. TPU 5009. I also discuss screening and uses of the selective enzymes for microdetermination of amino acids. In addition, functional modifications of l-amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813, l-Trp dehydrogenase from Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133, and l-Lys ε-oxidase from Marinomonas mediterranea NBRC 103028 by directed evolution are reviewed. Finally, I review the rational identification of aggregation hotspots based on secondary structure and amino acid hydrophobicity—this process enables the wider use of natural enzymes.
Exploring pharmacological active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine by pharmacotranscriptomic map in ITCM
Authors: Tian Saisai , Zhang Jinbo , Yuan Shunling , Wang Qun , Lv Chao , Wang Jinxing , Fang Jiansong , Fu Lu , Yang Jian , Zu Xianpeng , Zhao Jing , Zhang Weidong
Published: January 2023

With the emergence of high-throughput technologies, computational screening based on gene expression profiles has become one of the most effective methods for drug discovery. More importantly, profile-based approaches remarkably enhance novel drug–disease pair discovery without relying on drug- or disease-specific prior knowledge, which has been widely used in modern medicine. However, profile-based systematic screening of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been scarcely performed due to inadequate pharmacotranscriptomic data. Here, we develop the largest-to-date online TCM active ingredients-based pharmacotranscriptomic platform integrated traditional Chinese medicine (ITCM) for the effective screening of active ingredients. First, we performed unified high-throughput experiments and constructed the largest data repository of 496 representative active ingredients, which was five times larger than the previous one built by our team. The transcriptome-based multi-scale analysis was also performed to elucidate their mechanism. Then, we developed six state-of-art signature search methods to screen active ingredients and determine the optimal signature size for all methods. Moreover, we integrated them into a screening strategy, TCM-Query, to identify the potential active ingredients for the special disease. In addition, we also comprehensively collected the TCM-related resource by literature mining. Finally, we applied ITCM to an active ingredient bavachinin, and two diseases, including prostate cancer and COVID-19, to demonstrate the power of drug discovery. ITCM was aimed to comprehensively explore the active ingredients of TCM and boost studies of pharmacological action and drug discovery. ITCM is available at http://itcm.biotcm.net.
Role of poFUT1 and O-fucosylation in placental angiogenesis
Authors: Liang Caixia , Li Yaqi , Qin Huamin , Ramzan Muhammad Noman , Wang Hao , Liu Shuai , Yan Qiu
Published: February 2023

Trophoblast cells are critical to placental angiogenesis in the first trimester of pregnancy. Dysfunction of trophoblast leads to defective vascular remodeling and impaired angiogenesis, which is believed as the major cause of placental insufficiency and pregnancy failure. Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (poFUT1) is mainly responsible for O-fucosylated glycan biosynthesis on glycoproteins, and poFUT1 deficiency causes embryonic lethality in mice. However, the expression and function of poFUT1 in trophoblast-mediated human placental vessel formation remain unclear. In the current study, we showed that fewer blood vessels were observed in the villi and decidua of miscarriage patients than in normal pregnancy women. The expression of poFUT1 was decreased in the trophoblast cells of miscarriage patients compared with normal pregnancy women. Employing HTR/SVneo cells and an in vivo chorioallantoic membrane assay, we demonstrated that poFUT1 promoted the proliferation, migration ability, and angiogenesis potential of trophoblast cells. The results also indicated that poFUT1 upregulated O-fucosylation on uPA, facilitated the binding of uPA and uPAR, activated the RhoA signaling pathway, and further enhanced the angiogenic capacity of trophoblast cells. Our study provides new evidence for a relationship between poFUT1/O-fucosylation and placental angiogenesis. These findings may provide potential diagnostic biomarkers and targeted therapies for miscarriage patients.
Impact of hospital volume in liver surgery on postoperative mortality and morbidity: nationwide study
Authors: Magnin Josephine , Bernard Alain , Cottenet Jonathan , Lequeu Jean-Baptiste , Ortega-Deballon Pablo , Quantin Catherine , Facy Olivier
Published: February 2023

Background

This nationwide retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate impact of hospital volume and influence of liver transplantation activity on postoperative mortality and failure to rescue after liver surgery.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent liver resection between 2011 and 2019 using a nationwide database. A threshold of surgical activities from which in-hospital mortality declines was calculated. Hospitals were divided into high- and low-volume centres. Main outcomes were in-hospital mortality and failure to rescue.

Results

Among 39 286 patients included, the in-hospital mortality rate was 2.8 per cent. The activity volume threshold from which in-hospital mortality declined was 25 hepatectomies. High-volume centres (more than 25 resections per year) had more postoperative complications but a lower rate of in-hospital mortality (2.6 versus 3 per cent; P < 0.001) and failure to rescue (5 versus 6.3 per cent; P < 0.001), in particular related to specific complications (liver failure, biliary complications, vascular complications) (5.5 versus 7.6 per cent; P < 0.001). Liver transplantation activity did not have an impact on these outcomes.

Conclusion

From more than 25 liver resections per year, rates of in-hospital mortality and failure to rescue declined. Management of specific postoperative complications appeared to be better in high-volume centres.
Severe and therapeutic challenging oral erosive lichen planus treated with oral roflumilast
Authors: Fage Simon , Johansen Claus
Published: February 2023

Convincing and rapid effect of oral roflumilast in a patient with otherwise treatment-resistant severe oral erosive lichen planus.
Call to Action: Prioritizing the Use of Inclusive, Nonstigmatizing Language in Scientific Communications
Authors: Bares Sara H , Marcelin Jasmine R , Blumenthal Jill , Sax Paul E
Published: January 2023

The language we use in our scientific communications can either empower or stigmatize the people we study and care for. Clinical Infectious Diseases is committed to prioritizing the use of inclusive, nonstigmatizing language in published manuscripts. We hereby call upon submitting authors, reviewers, and editors to do the same.
Cardioprotective efficacy of limb remote ischaemic preconditioning in rats: discrepancy between a meta-analysis and a three-centre in vivo study
Authors: Sayour Nabil V , Brenner Gábor B , Makkos András , Kiss Bernadett , Kovácsházi Csenger , Gergely Tamás G , Aukrust Sverre Groever , Tian Huimin , Zenkl Viktória , Gömöri Kamilla , Szabados Tamara , Bencsik Péter , Heinen Andre , Schulz Rainer , Baxter Gary F , Zuurbier Coert J , Vokó Zoltán , Ferdinandy Péter , Giricz Zoltán
Published: January 2023

Aims

Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a robust cardioprotective intervention in preclinical studies. To establish a working and efficacious RIPC protocol in our laboratories, we performed randomized, blinded in vivo studies in three study centres in rats, with various RIPC protocols. To verify that our experimental settings are in good alignment with in vivo rat studies showing cardioprotection by limb RIPC, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. In addition, we investigated the importance of different study parameters.

Methods and results

Male Wistar rats were subjected to 20–45 min cardiac ischaemia followed by 120 min reperfusion with or without preceding RIPC by 3 or 4 × 5−5 min occlusion/reperfusion of one or two femoral vessels by clamping, tourniquet, or pressure cuff. RIPC did not reduce infarct size (IS), microvascular obstruction, or arrhythmias at any study centres. Systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on in vivo rat models of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury with limb RIPC showed that RIPC reduces IS by 21.28% on average. In addition, the systematic review showed methodological heterogeneity and insufficient reporting of study parameters in a high proportion of studies.

Conclusion

We report for the first time the lack of cardioprotection by RIPC in rats, assessed in individually randomized, blinded in vivo studies, involving three study centres, using different RIPC protocols. These results are in discrepancy with the meta-analysis of similar in vivo rat studies; however, no specific methodological reason could be identified by the systematic review, probably due to the overall insufficient reporting of several study parameters that did not improve over the past two decades. These results urge for publication of more well-designed and well-reported studies, irrespective of the outcome, which are required for preclinical reproducibility, and the development of clinically translatable cardioprotective interventions.
Production Networks And International Fiscal Spillovers
Authors: Devereux Michael B , Gente Karine , Yu Changhua
Published: January 2023

This paper analyses the impact of fiscal spending shocks in a dynamic, multi-country model with international production networks. The response of real gross domestic product to a fiscal spending shock can be decomposed into a direct effect, income effect and price effect. The direct effect depends only on input-output linkages, while the price effect is zero in the aggregate. We apply this decomposition to the Eurozone, and find that fiscal spillovers from Germany and the core Eurozone countries can be large, and within the range of empirical estimates. Without international production networks, spillovers would be significantly smaller. In an empirical application, using the decomposition, we find results strongly consistent with the model.
A mitral valve repair update: simple, intuitive and physiological techniques, using running sutures (part I)
Authors: Kofidis Theo
Published: February 2023

Today’s mitral valve techniques are pluralistic, and the result of variable contributions over decades. However, they are often associated with subjectivity, and inter-surgeon variability, as well as differing outcomes. Here, we propose a set of conceptual techniques, which aim to simplify and standardize mitral valve repair, of which some we have already verified in practice.
Family physicians’ knowledge levels about elder abuse and neglect in a province of Türkiye and hesitations in reporting
Authors: Durmaz Adem , Yılmaz Muammer
Published: February 2023

Background

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and reservations of family physicians (FPs) in reporting elderly abuse and neglect (EAN).

Methods

Our cross-sectional study was conducted with 161 FPs in Kütahya, a city in Türkiye. A questionnaire including demographic characteristics, the frequency with which Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI) questions were asked and knowledge level of EAN was applied to the FPs.

Results

Only about a quarter (24.2%) of the FPs felt competent regarding EAN. The rate of participants who had encountered EAN victims before was 46%. Of these, 40% reported psychological violence, 24.3% reported physical and psychological violence and 21.6% reported only physical violence. FPs also reported that inconsistency in anamnesis (87.0%), inconsistency between anamnesis and physical examination findings (85.1%) and frequent visits to the emergency department (59.6%) raised suspicion about EAN. It was also observed that 68.9% of the FPs knew that healthcare professionals had a legal obligation to report elder abuse. Only 23.0% of the FPs who encountered cases of violence and abuse stated that they had made a legal report. Among the FPs who did not report, 40.4% stated that they did not report because they had some reservations or did not know how to do so (35.1%).

Conclusion

Due to a lack of knowledge and some concerns, the rate of reporting EAN to judicial authorities was also low. FPs were not aware of the importance of EAN in terms of elderly health.
The transcription factor IbNAC29 positively regulates the carotenoid accumulation in sweet potato
Authors: Xing Shihan , Li Ruijie , Zhao Haoqiang , Zhai Hong , He Shaozhen , Zhang Huan , Zhou Yuanyuan , Zhao Ning , Gao Shaopei , Liu Qingchang
Published: February 2023

Carotenoid is a tetraterpene pigment beneficial for human health. Although the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway has been extensively studied in plants, relatively little is known about their regulation in sweet potato. Previously, we conducted the transcriptome database of differentially expressed genes between the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivar ‘Weiduoli’ and its high-carotenoid mutant ‘HVB-3’. In this study, we selected one of these candidate genes, IbNAC29, for subsequent analyses. IbNAC29 belongs to the plant-specific NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factor family. Relative IbNAC29 mRNA level in the HVB-3 storage roots was ~1.71-fold higher than Weiduoli. Additional experiments showed that the contents of α-carotene, lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and capsanthin are obviously increased in the storage roots of transgenic sweet potato plants overexpressing IbNAC29. Moreover, the levels of carotenoid biosynthesis genes in transgenic plants were also up-regulated. Nevertheless, yeast one-hybrid assays indicated that IbNAC29 could not directly bind to the promoters of these carotenoid biosynthesis genes. Furthermore, the level of IbSGR1 was down-regulated, whose homologous genes in tomato can negatively regulate carotene accumulation. Yeast three-hybrid analysis revealed that the IbNAC29-IbMYB1R1-IbAITR5 could form a regulatory module. Yeast one-hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, quantitative PCR analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that IbAITR5 directly binds to and inhibits the promoter activity of IbSGR1, up-regulating carotenoid biosynthesis gene IbPSY. Taken together, IbNAC29 is a potential candidate gene for the genetic improvement of nutritive value in sweet potato.
SIM-SR—Semiotic Inspection Method Mediated by Screen Reader: Analysing the Benefits of Bringing Communicability to the Accessibility Evaluation Table
Authors: Pedroso Carvalho Lucas , Ribeiro de Souza Joana Gabriela , Oliveira Prates Raquel , Pimenta Freire André
Published: February 2023

Accessibility--> inspection methods provide an important complement to user evaluations in the development of interactive systems. However, many inspection methods tend to focus on violations of guidelines and are limited in conveying the impact of such problems when delivering their results. Drawing from the theoretical framework of Semiotic Engineering of Human–Computer Interaction, this paper presents SIM-SR—Semiotic Inspection Method Mediated by Screen Reader and an investigation to collect indicators about the method’s applicability and insights it can generate. In order to assess its applicability, we conducted three case studies employing the method, analysing how aspects of accessibility and communicability were approached and results generated. Regarding SIM-SR insights, we used WCAG 2.1 criteria to discuss how communicative breakdowns relate to accessibility guidelines and their impact. Our results show that SIM-SR went beyond identifying guidelines violations and led evaluators to consider the impact of accessibility issues on the system’s communicability and different levels of communicative breakdowns that users with visual disabilities could experience during interaction.
Transiently silent acquired antimicrobial resistance: an emerging challenge in susceptibility testing
Authors: Wagner Theresa Maria , Howden Benjamin Peter , Sundsfjord Arnfinn , Hegstad Kristin
Published: January 2023

Acquisition and expression of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms in bacteria are often associated with a fitness cost. Thus, evolutionary adaptation and fitness cost compensation may support the advance of subpopulations with a silent resistance phenotype when the antibiotic selection pressure is absent. However, reports are emerging on the transient nature of silent acquired AMR, describing genetic alterations that can change the expression of these determinants to a clinically relevant level of resistance, and the association with breakthrough infections causing treatment failures. This phenomenon of transiently silent acquired AMR (tsaAMR) is likely to increase, considering the overall expansion of acquired AMR in bacterial pathogens. Moreover, the augmented use of genotypic methods in combination with conventional phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) will increasingly enable the detection of genotype and phenotype discrepancy. This review defines tsaAMR as acquired antimicrobial resistance genes with a corresponding phenotype within the wild-type distribution or below the clinical breakpoint for susceptibility for which genetic alterations can mediate expression to a clinically relevant level of resistance.

References to in vivo resistance development and therapeutic failures caused by selected resistant subpopulations of tsaAMR in Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens are given. We also describe the underlying molecular mechanisms, including alterations in the expression, reading frame or copy number of AMR determinants, and discuss the clinical relevance concerning challenges for conventional AST.
Lentilactobacillus hilgardiiH-50 strongly inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in mouse splenocytes via its specific surface layer proteins
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomofumi , Yasui Kenta , Fujii Sotaro , Ichikawa Kennosuke , Suzuki Takuya , Sambongi Yoshihiro , Yamamoto Yoshinari
Published: February 2023

Aims

Certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to have anti-inflammatory effects; however, hiochi bacteria, which are taxonomically classified as LAB and known to spoil a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage, have not been studied in the same context. The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of hiochi bacteria strains and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods and Results

We screened 45 strains of hiochi bacteria for anti-inflammatory effects and found that Lentilactobacillus hilgardii H-50 strongly inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in mouse splenocytes. This inhibition is attributed to its specific surface layer proteins (SLPs), which directly bind to LPS.

Conclusions

The L. hilgardii H-50 strain exerts anti-inflammatory effects through its SLPs.
Ocular immune privilege and retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Du Yuxiang , Yan Bo
Published: February 2023

The ocular tissue microenvironment is immune-privileged and uses multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms to prevent the induction of inflammation. The retinal pigment epithelium plays an essential role in ocular immune privilege. In addition to serving as a blood barrier separating the fenestrated choriocapillaris from the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium is a source of immunosuppressive cytokines and membrane-bound negative regulators that modulate the activity of immune cells within the retina. This article reviews the current understanding of how retinal pigment epithelium cells mediate immune regulation, focusing on the changes under pathologic conditions.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on neuropathology service: Experience at one Canadian center
Authors: Pejhan Shervin , Tran Christopher , Driman David K , Hammond Robert , Ang Lee Cyn , Zhang Qi
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on medical services. Many countries postponed nonemergent procedures to preserve hospital resources for the unprecedented situation. Surgical backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have been evaluated by different groups. However, the impact of this pandemic on pathology and specifically neuropathology (NP) services has received limited attention. In this study, we reviewed all NP reports of the London Health Sciences Centre from January 2018 (2 years before the pandemic declaration) until the end of the year 2021. Demographic information and pathology details were collected. For tumors, site, histopathology types, and WHO grading were analyzed. In nontumoral specimens, pathological diagnoses were compared in pre- and postpandemic time. The total number of NP samples reached its lowest in April 2020, corresponding to the first Ontario provincial lockdown, and fluctuated throughout the studied period. Among the different types of NP surgical specimens, muscle and epilepsy-related specimens showed a more significant reduction, compared to neoplastic specimens. In 2020, the proportion of tumor specimens from patients older than 40 years of age increased. Similarly, the proportion of high-grade glioma and brain metastasis diagnoses also increased. Lastly, we observed a marked increase in biopsies for temporal arteritis and other inflammatory lesions.
Honokiol alleviates sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction via attenuating inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress
Authors: Liu Aijun , Xun Shucan , Zhou Guangzhi , Zhang Yonglin , Lin Li
Published: January 2023

Objective

Honokiol, a natural active compound extracted from Chinese herbal medicine, can ameliorate acute lung and kidney injury of sepsis. This study was to explore the effects of honokiol on sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Septic mice were induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and septic HL-1 or AC16 cells were induced by LPS.

Results

Honokiol improved the survival and alleviated cardiac dysfunction in mice with CLP-induced sepsis. Honokiol inhibited the increased interleukin (IL) 1-β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the serum and heart of CLP- and LSP-induced septic mice. Honokiol treatment reversed the increased levels of IL1-β, IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-induced HL-1 cells. Honokiol treatment also decreased the elevated levels of IL1-β, IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-induced AC16 cells. The increased cardiac apoptosis in CLP- and LPS-induced septic mice was alleviated by honokiol. The enhancement of oxidative stress in the heart of CLP- and LPS-induced septic mice was suppressed after honokiol administration.

Conclusion

These results showed that honokiol could ameliorate sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction via attenuating inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Honokiol is a prospective drug for sepsis-associated heart damage in the future.
Day-time-scale variability in the radio light curve of the Tidal Disruption Event AT2022cmc: confirmation of a highly relativistic outflow
Authors: Rhodes L , Bright J S , Fender R , Sfaradi I , Green D A , Horesh A , Mooley K , Pasham D , Smartt S , Titterington D J , van der Horst A J , Williams D R A
Published: February 2023

Tidal disruption events (TDEs) are transient, multiwavelength events in which a star is ripped apart by a supermassive black hole. Observations show that in a small fraction of TDEs, a short-lived, synchrotron emitting jet is produced. We observed the newly discovered TDE AT2022cmc with a slew of radio facilities over the first 100 d after its discovery. The light curve from the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager Large Array radio interferometer shows day-time-scale variability which we attribute to a high brightness temperature emitting region as opposed to scintillation. We measure a brightness temperature of 2 × 1015 K, which is unphysical for synchrotron radiation. We suggest that the measured high brightness temperature is a result of relativistic beaming caused by a jet being launched at velocities close to the speed of light along our line of sight. We infer from day-time-scale variability that the jet associated with AT2022cmc has a relativistic Doppler factor of at least 16, which corresponds to a bulk Lorentz factor of at least 8, if we are observing the jet directly on axis. Such an inference is the first conclusive evidence that the radio emission observed from some TDEs is from relativistic jets because it does not rely on an outflow model. We also compare the first 100 d of radio evolution of AT2022cmc with that of the previous bright relativistic TDE,Swift J1644, and find a remarkable similarity in their evolution.