bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is weight gain preventable in women with early breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy? A real-world study on dietary pattern, physical activity, and body weight before and after chemotherapy
Authors: Pedersini Rebecca , Laganà Marta , Bosio Sara , Zanini Barbara , Cosentini Deborah , di Mauro Pierluigi , Alberti Andrea , Schivardi Greta , Laini Lara , Ippolito Giuseppe , Amoroso Vito , Vassalli Lucia , Simoncini Edda Lucia , Berruti Alfredo , Donato Francesco
Published: September 2023

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the role of a lifestyle intervention and clinical and therapeutic factors for preventing weight gain in early breast cancer (BC) patients from one week before to 12 months after chemotherapy.

Methods

Dietary assessments were conducted by a trained dietician using a food-frequency questionnaire at each clinical assessment. Total energy, macronutrients intakes, and physical activity were estimated and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) for adherence to Mediterranean diet was calculated. At each follow-up visit, patients were provided with dietary advices according to Mediterranean and Italian guidelines by a registered dietician, after evaluation of their food records. The associations of clinical characteristics, dietary pattern, and physical activity with weight gain were evaluated by multiple logistic regression, with weight gain ≥5% from baseline value as a dichotomous dependent variable.

Results

169 early BC patients who met all follow-up visits and provided complete data were included in the analysis. From baseline to last assessment, weight loss (≥5% decrease from baseline value), stable weight, and weight gain were observed in 23.1%, 58%, and 18.9% women, respectively. Overall, a 0.68 kg mean decrease in women’s weight (−1.1% from baseline) was observed. The risk of gaining weight increased for having normal weight/underweight at baseline, receiving hormone therapy, MDS worsening, and physical activity decreasing from baseline to last assessment.

Conclusion

Providing simple suggestions on Mediterranean diet principles was effective for preventing weight gain in normal weight women and favoring weight loss in overweight and obese women.
A Filippov approximation theorem for strengthened one-sided Lipschitz differential inclusions
Authors: Baier Robert , Farkhi Elza
Published: September 2023

We consider differential inclusions with strengthened one-sided Lipschitz (SOSL) right-hand sides. The class of SOSL multivalued maps is wider than the class of Lipschitz ones and a subclass of the class of one-sided Lipschitz maps. We prove a Filippov approximation theorem for the solutions of such differential inclusions with perturbations in the right-hand side, both of the set of the velocities (outer perturbations) and of the state (inner perturbations). The obtained estimate of the distance between the approximate and exact solution extends the known Filippov estimate for Lipschitz maps to SOSL ones and improves the order of approximation with respect to the inner perturbation known for one-sided Lipschitz (OSL) right-hand sides from $$\frac{1}{2}$$

1
2

to 1.
The Shock Absorbing Role of Cross-border Investments: Net Positions Versus Currency Composition
Authors: Bénétrix Agustín , Demirölmez Beren , Schmitz Martin
Published: September 2023

We present a comprehensive analysis of the shock absorption role of external positions using the currency exposures dataset by Bénétrix et al. (2020). While the literature has frequently studied how the net international investment position and its currency composition determine the direction and scale of valuation effects, we focus on their amplitude. This is of central importance for global financial stability given the large and increasing scale of external balance sheets. To that end, we propose an indicator showing the extent to which external positions absorb or amplify exchange rate shocks. Analysing a set of 50 countries over the period 1990-2017, we find the external shock absorption role to be present for advanced economies, while this was initially not the case for emerging markets economies (EMEs). In recent years, however, EMEs’ external positions increasingly showed a shock absorption capacity. Our regression-based analysis reveals that the level of economic and financial development is associated with a greater capacity to absorb exchange rate shocks.
Analysis of Spacecraft Materials Discrimination Using Color Indices for Remote Sensing for Space Situational Awareness
Authors: Reyes Jacqueline A. , Cowardin Heather M. , Velez-Reyes Miguel
Published: September 2023

The increasing number of space missions have resulted in an augmented density of artificial objects positioned in orbital domains near Earth. Knowing the material composition of the resident space object can be of value in object identification and risk assessment using remote sensing techniques. To perform this task, it is increasingly imperative to optically characterize spacecraft materials to identify unique material-specific spectroscopic markers. In this work, a variety of materials frequently utilized by the aerospace industry in spacecraft design and construction were analyzed using reflectance spectroscopy. The collected data provide a spectral characterization baseline for modern-day and historical spacecraft materials. The color index was computed for standard astronomical and suggested theoretical filter passbands and compared to each other in their capability to discriminate materials belonging to different classes. The color index was calculated from reflectance spectra of common spacecraft materials in their pristine, as-received conditions that fell under different family groupings. Different color-index combinations were studied using color-color diagrams. Visual and quantitative analysis of the color-color diagrams were used to evaluate the possibility of discriminating materials from one another by means of optical measurements. Results of the analysis show that polyimide and photovoltaic materials are most easy to discriminate from all other materials via color indices using different filter passbands evaluated in this study.
Order continuity of Arens extensions of regular multilinear operators
Authors: Botelho Geraldo , Garcia Luis Alberto
Published: September 2023

First we give a counterexample showing that recent results on separate order continuity of Arens extensions of multilinear operators cannot be improved to get separate order continuity on the product of the whole of the biduals. Then we establish conditions on the operators and/or on the underlying Riesz spaces/Banach lattices so that the extensions are order continuous on the product of the whole biduals. We also prove that all Arens extensions of any regular multilinear operator are order continuous in at least one variable and we study when Arens extensions of regular homogeneous polynomials on a Banach lattice

$E$

are order continuous on

$E^{**}$

.
Late glacial through Early Holocene environments inferred using pollen from coprolites and sediments recovered from Paisley Caves, Oregon
Authors: Saban Chantel V. , Herring Erin M. , Jenkins Dennis L. , Gavin Daniel G.
Published: September 2023

The Paisley Cave archeological site in the Northern Great Basin has provided a rich archaeological record from 13,000 to 6000 cal yr BP, including abundant mammalian coprolites preserved in a well-dated stratigraphy. Here we analyze and contrast pollen from within coprolites and pollen in associated sediments to examine vegetation history and assess whether coprolite pollen provides unique information with respect to the coprolite producer, such as the use of specific habitats, foods, or water sources. We found that the dissimilarity of pollen assemblages between coprolites and associated sediments was greater than the serial dissimilarity between stratigraphically adjacent samples within either group. Serial dissimilarity within types was not greater for coprolites than sediments, as would be expected if there were unique pollen signatures derived from the short period (1–2 days) represented by each coprolite. Compared with sediment pollen assemblages, the coprolites had higher abundances of lighter pollen types, and some individual samples were high in wetland taxa (especiallyTypha). Our results are consistent with coprolite pollen representing short time periods collected as a mammal moves on the landscape, whereas sediment pollen reflects longer time periods and more regional vegetation indicators.
How important is food structure when cats eat mice?
Authors: D’Hooghe Sylvie M-T. J. , Bosch Guido , Sun Mengmeng , Cools An , Hendriks Wouter H. , Becker Anne A. M. J. , Janssens Geert P. J.
Published: September 2023

Feeding whole prey to felids has shown to benefit their gastrointestinal health. Whether this effect is caused by the chemical or physical nature of whole prey is unknown. Fifteen domestic cats, as a model for strict carnivores, were either fed minced mice (MM) or whole mice (WM), to determine the effect of food structure on digestibility, mean urinary excretion time (MUET) of15N, intestinal microbial activity and fermentation products. Faeces samples were collected after feeding all cats a commercially available extruded diet (EXT) for 10 d before feeding for 19 d the MM and WM diets with faeces and urine collected from day 11 to 15. Samples for microbiota composition and determination of MUET were obtained from day 16 to 19. The physical structure of the mice diet (minced or not) did not affect large intestinal fermentation as total SCFA and branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA), and most biogenic amine (BA) concentrations were not different (P> 0·10). When changing from EXT to the mice diets, the microbial community composition shifted from a carbolytic (Prevotellaceae) to proteolytic (Fusobacteriaceae) profile and led to a reduced faecal acetic to propionic acid ratio, SCFA, total BCFA (P< 0·001), NH3(P= 0·04), total BA (P< 0·001) and para-cresol (P= 0·08). The results of this study indicate that food structure within a whole-prey diet is less important than the overall diet type, with major shifts in microbiome and decrease in potentially harmful fermentation products when diet changes from extruded to mice. This urges for careful consideration of the consequences of prey-based diets for gut health in cats.
Building causal knowledge in behavior genetics without racial/ethnic diversity will result in weak causal knowledge
Authors: Syed Moin
Published: September 2023

Behavior genetics often emphasizes methods over the underlying quality of the psychological information to which the methods are applied. A core aspect of this quality is the demographic diversity of the samples. Building causal genetic models based only on European-ancestry samples compromises their generalizability. Behavior genetics researchers must spend additional time and resources diversifying their samples before emphasizing causation.
Genome-wide association study and the randomized controlled trial: A false equivalence
Authors: Siegel Paul
Published: September 2023

Madole & Harden's assertion that the effects derived from within-family genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are equivalent is misleading. GWASs are substantially more “non-unitary, non-uniform, and non-explanatory” than RCTs. While the within-family GWAS bring us closer to identifying genetic causes, whether it will change behavioral genetics into a causal science is an open question.
A disanalogy with RCTs and its implications for second-generation causal knowledge
Authors: Lynch Kate E. , Brown Rachael L. , Strasser Jeremy , Yeo Shang Long
Published: September 2023

We are less optimistic than Madole & Harden that family-based genome-wide association studies (GWASs) will lead to significant second-generation causal knowledge. Despite bearing some similarities, family-based GWASs and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are not identical. Most RCTs assess a relatively homogenous causal stimulus as a treatment, whereas GWASs assess highly heterogeneous causal stimuli. Thus, GWAS results will not translate so easily into second-generation causal knowledge.
Complex interactions confound any unitary approach to social phenomena, not just biological ones
Authors: Burke Darren
Published: September 2023

Although Burt clearly explains how modern genomic techniques work, and describes their limitations, her conclusion that they are therefore not valuable additions to understanding social outcomes is unwarranted. Understanding the causes of complex social outcomes depends on understanding how social, individual, and genetic factors complexly interact with each other. None can be understood without reference to the others.
Taking a lifespan approach to polygenic scores
Authors: Freitag Eloise W. , Kelsey Caroline M.
Published: September 2023

This commentary is a call to action for researchers to create and use genome-wide association studies (GWASs) with previously missed age groups (e.g., infancy, elderly), which will improve our ability to ask important developmental questions using genetic data to trace pathways across the lifespan.
Beware of the phony horserace between genes and environments
Authors: Trejo Sam , Martschenko Daphne Oluwaseun
Published: September 2023

Although Burt provides a valuable critique of the scientific value of integrating genetic data into social science research, she reinforces rather than disrupts the age-old horserace between genetic effects and environmental effects. We must move past this false dichotomy to create a new ontology that recognizes the ways in which genetic and environmental processes are inextricably intertwined.
Don't miss the chance to reap the fruits of recent advances in behavioral genetics
Authors: Alexander Nina , Illius Sabrina , Feyerabend Dennis , Wacker Jan , Liszkowski Ulf
Published: September 2023

In her target article, Burt revives a by now ancient debate on nature and nurture, and the ways to measure, disentangle, and ultimately trust one or the other of these forces. Unfortunately, she largely dismisses recent advances in behavior genetics and its huge potential in contributing to a better prediction and understanding of complex traits in social sciences.
Infrastructure and the integral state: Internal Relations, processes of state formation, and Gramscian state theory
Authors: McCarthy Daniel R.
Published: September 2023

Infrastructures are central to processes of state formation. The revival of materialism in International Relations has made an important contribution to our understanding of states through careful analysis of the politics of infrastructure and state building. Yet, to date, engagement with the state-theoretical tradition associated with the work of Antonio Gramsci, Nicos Poulantzas, and Bob Jessop has been absent. Through comparison with the external-relational ontology of Bruno Latour and actor-network theory (ANT), this article argues that state theory and its internal-relational ontology avoids reifying the state while providing an analysis of infrastructure and state formation sensitive to the historical reproduction of social orders over time. Developing Gramsci’s concept of the ‘integral state’, it emphasises the necessary interpenetration between civil society, the state apparatus, and the creation of infrastructure. These conceptual arguments are illustrated through an analysis of the United States’ development of nuclear infrastructures during the early Cold War period, in the internal relations between infrastructure and the integral state are explored through Civil Defense Education programmes. Clarifying the internal relations of past, present, and potential future forms of socio-technical order is an important task for rethinking the politics of technological design in International Relations.
Aldhelm’s Aenigmata, Greek riddles, and the Hisperica famina
Authors: Laird Cameron Scott
Published: September 2023

When Aldhelm came to compose a collection of Latin riddles in the late seventh century, the riddle was already an established literary genre in Greek and Latin. Although Aldhelm’s main source was the Latin Aenigmata of Symphosius, he introduced a number of innovations that transformed the genre. To account for these innovations, it has been suggested that Aldhelm also knew and was influenced by Greek riddles, which are otherwise unattested in Anglo-Saxon England. This article first reviews the evidence for Aldhelm’s knowledge of Greek riddles, especially in his Aenigma 32 about a writing tablet. It then argues that the peculiar features of Aenigma 32 were not derived from Greek riddles but rather from the Hisperica famina, a work that Aldhelm very likely knew. His transformation of the genre therefore can be accounted for by his use of Latin sources available in seventh-century England without appealing to speculative Greek ones.
There’s no time like the present: path-dependent urban growth, agglomeration economies and congestion externalities in contemporary Athens
Authors: Postigliola Michele , Salvati Luca
Published: September 2023

Despite a long settlement history, empirical investigations of the role of path dependency in the long-term evolution of human populations are scarce in Europe, and especially in the Mediterranean countries. Using spatially explicit econometric techniques, our study discusses the empirical evidence stemming from a quantitative analysis of the spatial distribution of population growth rates in 115 districts of metropolitan Athens (Greece) over one century, distinguishing path dependency from the impact of other socio-economic forces on long-term urban expansion. The empirical findings of this study clarify how path-dependent regulation of population growth was heterogeneous over time and space, and depends on the specific stage of the city life cycle. After an initial period when path-independent population expansion reflected the inherent impact of exogenous shocks, path-dependent growth was associated with compact urbanization governed by agglomeration and scale advantages. Path-dependent growth was less intense during suburbanization, when the population spread over larger areas.
Evaluation of a modified paediatric early warning score for children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Commotio Simone , Leister Nicolas , Menzel Christoph , Ulrichs Christoph , Wetsch Wolfgang A. , Emmel Mathias , Trieschmann Uwe
Published: September 2023

Background:

Paediatric early warning score systems are used for early detection of clinical deterioration of patients in paediatric wards. Several paediatric early warning scores have been developed, but most of them are not suitable for children with cyanotic CHD who are adapted to lower arterial oxygen saturation.

Aim:

The present study compared the original paediatric early warning system of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland with a modification for children with cyanotic CHD.

Design:

Retrospective single-centre study in a paediatric cardiology intermediate care unit at a German university hospital.

Results:

The distribution of recorded values showed a significant shift towards higher score values in patients with cyanotic CHD (p < 0.001) using the original score, but not with the modification. An analysis of sensitivity and specificity for the factor “requirement of action” showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic for non-cyanotic patients of 0.908 (95% CI 0.862–0.954). For patients with cyanotic CHD, using the original score, the area under the receiver operating characteristic was reduced to 0.731 (95% CI 0.637–0.824, p = 0.001) compared to 0.862 (95% CI 0.809–0.915, p = 0.207), when the modified score was used. Using the critical threshold of scores ≥ 4 in patients with cyanotic CHD, sensitivity and specificity for the modified score was higher than for the original (sensitivity 78.8 versus 72.7%, specificity 78.2 versus 58.4%).

Conclusion:

The modified score is a uniform scoring system for identifying clinical deterioration, which can be used in children with and without cyanotic CHD.
Ambulatory sedation for children under 6 years with CHD in MRI and CT
Authors: Reichl Nicolas , Rabl Elisabeth , Shehu Nerejda , Ferrari Irene , Martinoff Stefan , Wiesner Gunther , Stern Heiko , Ewert Peter , Meierhofer Christian
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

In infants and young children, good image quality in MRI and CT requires sedation or general anesthesia to prevent motion artefacts. This study aims to determine the safety of ambulatory sedation for children with CHD in an outpatient setting as a feasible alternative to in-hospital management.

Methods:

We recorded 91 consecutive MRI and CT examinations of patients with CHD younger than 6 years with ambulatory sedation. CHD diagnoses, vital signs, applied sedatives, and adverse events during or after ambulatory sedation were investigated.

Results:

We analysed 91 patients under 72 months (6 years) of age (median 26.0, range 1–70 months; 36% female). Sixty-eight per cent were classified as ASA IV, 25% as ASA III, and 7% as ASA II (American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification). Ambulatory sedation was performed by using midazolam, propofol, and/or S-ketamine. The median sedation time for MRI was 90 minutes (range 35–235 minutes) and 65 minutes for CT (range 40–280 minutes). Two male patients (age 1.5 months, ASA II, and age 17 months, ASA IV) were admitted for in-hospital observation due to unexpected severe airway obstruction. The patients were discharged without sequelae after 1 and 3 days, respectively. All other patients were sent home on the day of examination.

Conclusion:

In infants and young children with CHD, MRI or CT imaging can be performed under sedation in an outpatient setting by a well-experienced team. In-hospital backup should be available for unexpected events.
Piezoelectric ceramic sensor-based structural health monitoring of diagonally braced H-shaped steel structures
Authors: Wu Cai , Xiao Quanmao , Zhu Daopei
Published: September 2023

In this study, we propose a piezoelectric ceramic sensor-based health monitoring method to monitor the stress state of diagonally braced H-shaped steel structures. Loading experiments were carried out on diagonally braced H-shaped steel under different working conditions. Subsequently, the amplitude and energy of piezoelectric signals under these two working conditions were compared and analyzed, and finite element analysis was performed using ABAQUS software to verify the results. The experimental results showed that with an increase in the web height or load, the time-domain waveform energy index of the H-shaped steel increased. Under different working conditions, such as a diagonally braced H-shaped steel member with a web height of 10 cm, when the pressure value was less than 10 N/mm2, the energy index increased by approximately 15.98% for every 1 N/mm2 increase in the pressure. When the pressure value was greater than 10 N/mm2 and less than 15 N/mm2, the energy index increased by approximately 1% for every 1 N/mm2 increase in pressure. Further, the energy index increased by approximately 8.4% for every 1 cm increase in the height of the web. Simultaneously, it can be seen from the results of the finite element analysis that the stress and strain at the induction position of the piezoelectric ceramic sensor increased with an increase in the external pressure. The study of structural health monitoring for diagonally braced H-shaped steel structures holds significant importance in ensuring the safety and reliability of these structures, achieving predictive maintenance, evaluating structural performance and energy efficiency, and optimizing structural maintenance.
Association of secondhand smoke exposure and health-related lifestyle behaviors among male university employees in Japan
Authors: Nakanishi Kaori , Ishibashi Chisaki , Ide Seiko , Yamamoto Ryohei , Nishida Makoto , Nagatomo Izumi , Moriyama Toshiki , Yamauchi-Takihara Keiko
Published: September 2023

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure causes various health problems associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. However, the lifestyles of individuals exposed to SHS have not been characterized extensively. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between SHS exposure and lifestyle behaviors. The participants were 2379 healthy male employees at Osaka University who underwent health examinations. Physical and biochemical parameters and lifestyle behavior data were obtained from all the participants. Participants with SHS exposure had significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, and serum levels of triglycerides and uric acid than that of those without SHS exposure. SHS exposure was significantly correlated with several lifestyle behaviors, including TV time, frequency of breakfast consumption and fried food consumption, vegetable and fruit intake, alcohol consumption frequency and daily alcohol intake, and smoking status. Thus, SHS exposure may be associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. The lifestyle behaviors of the smoke-excluded population were assessed further; however, SHS exposure was still associated with dietary and drinking habits. Since participants with SHS exposure are likely to have an unhealthy life and combined unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, the confounding effect of these factors should be considered when assessing the impact of SHS exposure on health.
Synthetic circuits based on split Cas9 to detect cellular events
Authors: Przybyszewska-Podstawka Alicja , Czapiński Jakub , Kałafut Joanna , Rivero-Müller Adolfo
Published: September 2023

Synthetic biology involves the engineering of logic circuit gates that process different inputs to produce specific outputs, enabling the creation or control of biological functions. While CRISPR has become the tool of choice in molecular biology due to its RNA-guided targetability to other nucleic acids, it has not been frequently applied to logic gates beyond those controlling the guide RNA (gRNA). In this study, we present an adaptation of split Cas9 to generate logic gates capable of sensing biological events, leveraging a Cas9 reporter (EGxxFP) to detect occurrences such as cancer cell origin, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell–cell fusion. First, we positioned the complementing halves of split Cas9 under different promoters—one specific to cancer cells of epithelial origin (phCEA) and the other a universal promoter. The use of self-assembling inteins facilitated the reconstitution of the Cas9 halves. Consequently, only cancer cells with an epithelial origin activated the reporter, exhibiting green fluorescence. Subsequently, we explored whether this system could detect biological processes such as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). To achieve this, we designed a logic gate where one half of Cas9 is expressed under the phCEA, while the other is activated by TWIST1. The results showed that cells undergoing EMT effectively activated the reporter. Next, we combined the two inputs (epithelial origin and EMT) to create a new logic gate, where only cancer epithelial cells undergoing EMT activated the reporter. Lastly, we applied the split-Cas9 logic gate as a sensor of cell–cell fusion, both in induced and naturally occurring scenarios. Each cell type expressed one half of split Cas9, and the induction of fusion resulted in the appearance of multinucleated syncytia and the fluorescent reporter. The simplicity of the split Cas9 system presented here allows for its integration into various cellular processes, not only as a sensor but also as an actuator.
Shape memory polyurethanes crosslinked with castor oil-based multifunctional polyols
Authors: Lee Joo Hyung , Kim Seong Hun
Published: September 2023

As both the industry and academia become more focused on biomass-based smart materials, they are attracting a lot of attention. There has been a significant effort in the field of polyurethane (PU) synthesis to replace polyols used in synthesis with bio-derived polyols. Bio-derived polyols have limited application potential for bio-based PU due to their low functionality. Here, we reported castor oil (CO) based multifunctional polyols prepared by grafting thiols such as 1-mercaptoethanol or α–thioglycerol via a facile thiol-ene click reaction method (coded as COM and COT, respectively). Subsequently, bio-based shape memory polyurethanes (SMPU) crosslinked with prepared polyols were synthesized using a 2-step prepolymer method. By confirming the functionality of the synthesized polyols, it was determined that COT has an OH value of 380 mg KOH/g, which is approximately three times that of CO. The successful synthesis of SMPUs was confirmed through chemical structural analysis. It was also proved that the phase separation between the soft and hard segments was limited due to the increase in crosslinking density. As compared to SMPU crosslinked with CO, the mechanical strength of SMPU crosslinked with COT was improved by 80%, while the elongation was decreased by about 26%. As a result of shape memory behavior analysis, it was confirmed that the outstanding SMPU can be synthesized using CO-based multifunctional polyols.
Association of uric acid levels with severity of Plasmodium infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kuraeiad Saruda , Kotepui Kwuntida Uthaisar , Masangkay Frederick Ramirez , Mahittikorn Aongart , Kotepui Manas
Published: September 2023

Elevated uric acid (UA) levels have been reported in malaria patients and are particularly prominent in severe malaria cases. This study aims to synthesize the difference in UA levels between malaria patients and uninfected controls, and between patients with severe and non-severe malaria. A comprehensive literature search was carried out across databases such as Embase, MEDLINE, Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies for inclusion. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated independently by two reviewers using the JBI critical appraisal tool for observational studies. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled effect sizes, expressed as Hedges' g, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Hedges' g was pooled using the random-effects model. An initial search yielding a total of 1122 articles, and a final total of 19 studies being included in the review. Elevated UA levels were observed more prominently in malaria patients, especially those with severe manifestations, when compared to uninfected controls. The conducted meta-analysis demonstrated a significant elevation in UA levels in patients suffering from malaria as compared to uninfected controls (P < 0.01, Hedges’s g = 1.40, 95% CI 0.84–1.95, I2 = 95.81, 16 studies). The conducted meta-analysis demonstrated a significant elevation in UA levels in patients suffering from severe malaria as compared to non-severe malaria (P < 0.01, Hedges’s g = 3.45, 95% CI 1.06–5.83, I2 = 98.73, 6 studies). In summary, these findings provide valuable insights into the potential use of UA as a biomarker for malaria infection and determination of its severity. Further research is needed to validate these findings and to explore the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the elevation of UA levels during malaria infection.
Effects of apparent temperature on cardiovascular disease admissions in rural areas of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture
Authors: Zhai Guangyu , Gao Ziyao , Zhou Wenjuan
Published: September 2023

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major threat to public health worldwide. The relationship between CVD and temperature has been widely reported in developed countries and regions. However, there are few studies of severe CVD in poor rural areas of developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between CVD and apparent temperature (AT) in a rural area of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, China. Daily CVD admission data and meteorological data were collected from Linxia between 2014 and 2015. The media of AT was used as the reference temperature to estimate the cumulative relative risk (RR) of CVD admission. The distributed lag non-linear models were used to examine the association between AT and cumulative RR of CVD admission at lag 0–21 days. In Linxia, high AT (20 °C) had a persistent adverse effect on cumulative RR of CVD admissions, and the RR increased with increasing lag days. Cold (− 10 °C) had a protective effect on the first and later lag days (lag 0–14 and lag 0–21). Adults (aged < 65 years) and females were more susceptible to the effects of heat than males and the elderly (aged ≥ 65 years). In Linxia, China, extremely high AT is an important risk factor for CVD hospitalizations in suburban and rural populations.
Glycerol photocatalytic oxidation to higher value-added compounds via bismuth oxyhalide photocatalysts
Authors: Limpachanangkul Paphada , Nimmmanterdwong Prathana , Liu Licheng , Hunsom Mali , Pruksathorn Kejvalee , Piumsomboon Pornpote , Chalermsinsuwan Benjapon
Published: September 2023

Bismuth oxyhalides (BiOX) including BiOCl, BiOBr, and BiOI, were well synthesized using solvothermal technique and then used in the aqueous phase photooxidation of glycerol as a catalyst. The as-synthesized BiOBr could achieve the highest glycerol transformation of around 85.6% in 8 h under ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation among as-synthesized BiOXs. Moreover, the BiOBr/TiO2 heterojunction was also prepared through an ethylene glycol-assisted solvothermal process. This new BiOBr/TiO2 heterostructure exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity (97.4%) for the oxidation of glycerol compared with pure BiOBr (74%) under ultraviolet light irradiation at 6 h. This obtained behavior was confirmed by more produced OH• radicals of BiOBr/TiO2.
Linkage analysis using whole exome sequencing data implicates SLC17A1, SLC17A3, TATDN2 and TMEM131L in type 1 diabetes in Kuwaiti families
Authors: Hebbar Prashantha , Nizam Rasheeba , John Sumi Elsa , Antony Dinu , Dashti Mohammad , Channanath Arshad , Shaltout Azza , Al-Khandari Hessa , Koistinen Heikki A. , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Alsmadi Osama , Thanaraj Thangavel Alphonse , Al-Mulla Fahd
Published: September 2023

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by the progressive destruction of pancreatic β-cells, leading to insulin deficiency and lifelong dependency on exogenous insulin. Higher estimates of heritability rates in monozygotic twins, followed by dizygotic twins and sib-pairs, indicate the role of genetics in the pathogenesis of T1D. The incidence and prevalence of T1D are alarmingly high in Kuwait. Consanguineous marriages account for 50–70% of all marriages in Kuwait, leading to an excessive burden of recessive allele enrichment and clustering of familial disorders. Thus, genetic studies from this Arab region are expected to lead to the identification of novel gene loci for T1D. In this study, we performed linkage analyses to identify the recurrent genetic variants segregating in high-risk Kuwaiti families with T1D. We studied 18 unrelated Kuwaiti native T1D families using whole exome sequencing data from 86 individuals, of whom 37 were diagnosed with T1D. The study identified three potential loci with a LOD score of ≥ 3, spanning across four candidate genes, namely SLC17A1 (rs1165196:pT269I), SLC17A3 (rs942379: p.S370S), TATDN2 (rs394558:p.V256I), and TMEM131L (rs6848033:p.R190R). Upon examination of missense variants from these genes in the familial T1D dataset, we observed a significantly increased enrichment of the genotype homozygous for the minor allele at SLC17A3 rs56027330_p.G279R accounting for 16.2% in affected children from 6 unrelated Kuwaiti T1D families compared to 1000 genomes Phase 3 data (0.9%). Data from the NephQTL database revealed that the rs1165196, rs942379, rs394558, and rs56027330 SNPs exhibited genotype-based differential expression in either glomerular or tubular tissues. Data from the GTEx database revealed rs942379 and rs394558 as QTL variants altering the expression of TRIM38 and IRAK2 respectively. Global genome-wide association studies indicated that SLC17A1 rs1165196 and other variants from SLC17A3 are associated with uric acid concentrations and gout. Further evidence from the T1D Knowledge portal supported the role of shortlisted variants in T1D pathogenesis and urate metabolism. Our study suggests the involvement of SLC17A1, SLC17A3, TATDN2, and TMEM131L genes in familial T1D in Kuwait. An enrichment selection of genotype homozygous for the minor allele is observed at SLC17A3 rs56027330_p.G279R variant in affected members of Kuwaiti T1D families. Future studies may focus on replicating the findings in a larger T1D cohort and delineate the mechanistic details of the impact of these novel candidate genes on the pathophysiology of T1D.
Continuous anesthesia for 60 days in an isosmotic environment does not impair limb or cardiac regeneration in the axolotl
Authors: Andersson Sofie Amalie , Dittrich Anita , Lauridsen Henrik
Published: September 2023

Longitudinal animal experiments in the field of regenerative biology often require repeated use of short-term anesthesia (minutes to a few hours). Regain of consciousness limits the level of acceptable invasiveness of procedures, and it makes it difficult to untangle behavioral changes caused by injury to physiological processes involved in the regenerative response. Therefore, a method to keep a regenerative research animal in a comatose state under continuous anesthesia during regenerative experiments often spanning months, would be ethically and experimentally desirable. Here we report on a method using propofol based anesthesia in an isosmotic environment that allows for continuous anesthesia of regenerating axolotls for 60 days with a 75% survival rate, thus spanning the majority of a full regenerative cycle following limb amputation or cryoinjury to the heart. No differences were detected in the axolotl’s ability to regenerate amputated limbs and cardiac cryo-injury while anesthetized, however some regenerative failures in the limb were observed in both anesthetized and unanesthetized control groups, most likely caused by prolonged fasting. Sixty days of anesthesia may be approaching a level were kidney function is affected, but the 75% surviving anesthetized animals recovered well after anesthesia and showed a full behavioral recovery within 17 days.
Construction of self-propelled micromotor for “hunting bacteria”
Authors: Zhang Yaping , Zhang Duoxin , Geng Yuanze , He Yufeng , Song Pengfei , Wang Rongmin
Published: September 2023

The inherent migration behaviour of bacteria impacted the advancement of the antibacterial treatment technology. In this study, the self-propelled micromotor (SPM) with the morphology like “Newman projection” was constructed to “hunt” bacteria.
Hollow polyester/kapok/hollow polyester fiber-based needle punched nonwoven composite materials for rapid and efficient oil sorption
Authors: Zhou Yuxuan , Zhu Borong , Yang Ting , Liu Yuqing , Zhang Ke-Qin , Liu Jinxin
Published: September 2023

Needle-punched nonwovens that feature rapid oil absorption, high oil capacity, and reusability hold significant potential for oil sorption materials.
Enhancing solubility and stability of sorafenib through cyclodextrin-based inclusion complexation: in silico and in vitro studies
Authors: Aman Aamir , Ali Saba , Mahalapbutr Panupong , Krusong Kuakarun , Wolschann Peter , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada
Published: September 2023

Amongst all inclusion complexes of SOR with CDs, SBEβCD exhibit the highest tendency to encapsulate SOR.
Geographical heterogeneity and dominant polymer types in microplastic contamination of lentic ecosystems: implications for methodological standardization and future research
Authors: Miranda-Peña Lindys , Buitrago-Duque Laura , Rangel-Buitrago Nelson , Gracia C. Adriana , Arana Victoria Andrea , Trilleras Jorge
Published: September 2023

This study examines the prevalence and distribution of microplastic polymer types in lentic ecosystems, revealing significant heterogeneity across different geographical regions and ecosystems.
Bio-conjugated nanoarchitectonics with dual-labeled nanoparticles for a colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode serological lateral flow immunoassay sensor in detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples
Authors: Kim Sang Ki , Lee Jong Uk , Jeon Myeong Jin , Kim Soo-Kyung , Hwang Sang-Hyun , Hong Min Eui , Sim Sang Jun
Published: September 2023

A colorimetric-fluorescent dual-mode lateral flow immunoassay sensor incorporating metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) for the rapid and sensitive serological detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG was developed.
Unsymmetric Ir(iii) phosphorescent complexes with both 2-phenylpyridine(ppy)- and 2-vinylpyridine(vpy)-type ligands bearing functional groups and their optoelectronic properties
Authors: Liu Siqi , Feng Zhao , Wang Hongyan , Hang Huaiteng , Zhong Daokun , Yang Xiaolong , Sun Yuanhui , Su Bochao , Xu Xianbin , Feng Zhen , Zhou Guijiang , Jiao Bo
Published: September 2023

Functional unsymmetric Ir(iii) phosphorescent complexes with both 2-phenylpyridine- and 2-vinylpyridine-type ligands showing high electroluminescence performances.
Impacts of PbI2 on high-efficiency perovskite solar cells: exploring intercalation orientations and defects
Authors: Ren Feifei , Xiang Huiwen , Zhao Ke , Liu Chengyan
Published: September 2023

The parallel and vertical intercalations of the layered PbI2 in CsPbI3 result in type-I and type-II band alignments, respectively. The deep-level states caused by certain defects in PbI2 are not active recombination centers.
GDNF AND CISPLATIN NEURONOPATHY
Authors: Cavaletti G. , Dondè E. , Marmiroli P. , Tredici G.
Published: September 2023

GDNF is a growth factor produced in the central nervous system by glial cells and has a trophic action on dopaminergic neurons. However, GDNF mRNA is expressed also in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), suggesting that it may act as a neurotrophic factor on different neuronal populations. The three different GDNF receptor components are highly expressed in a group of small primary sensory neurons and these neurons do not express any of the specific Trk receptors for the neurotrophins. Furthermore, GDNF receptor expression has been also found in DRG neurons of all sizes, indicating that these cells too may be responsive to GDNF. We have, therefore, evaluated the possible neuroprotective effect of GDNF (1 mg/kg, s.c. three times a week, donated by Amgen Inc) against cisplatin (CDDP, 2 mg/Kg i.p. twice a week for 9 times) DRG neuronopathy.

Using our experimental paradigm, GDNF had no positive effect with both electrophysiological and morphometric determinations. The lack of GDNF activity in preventing the signs of peripheral nerve involvement in CDDP neuronopathy with respect to NGF and NT3 may be explained by a different distribution of their specific receptors in DRG neurons. In fact, the specific NT‐3 TrkC receptor is mainly expressed by the large DRG neurons, which are prominently involved in cisplatin neuronopathy, while GDNF receptors are mainly, although not exclusively, expressed by small‐ and medium‐sized DRG neurons. Small‐ and medium‐sized DRG neurons are also involved in the pathological changes of cisplatin neuronopathy, but to a lesser degree than the large ones. Furthermore, GDNF, in other models of peripheral neuropathies, may be active in an indirect way, mediated by its capacity to activate macrophages and inflammatory responses.
CMT1A ASSOCIATED WITH 17p11.2 DUPLICATION AND ASYMMETRICAL LEG MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY
Authors: Manganelli F. , Orsini A. , Iadicicco L. , Santoro L.
Published: September 2023

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common inherited disorder of the peripheral nervous system. It is characterized by distal muscle weakness and atrophy, first involving legs and particularly the peroneal muscles with the typical leg as “inverted champagne bottle”.

The CMT1A is an autosomal dominant demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy most often associated with a duplication of chromosome 17p11.2, a region that contains the gene for the peripheral protein 22 (PMP22). We describe two families with CMT1A, in which three of six members did not show the typical feature of leg atrophy. In fact, a patient belonging to the first family showed a bilateral symmetric hypertrophy of the calf. In the second family, a patient had an asymmetric bilateral calf hypertrophy, and his son showed a similar condition but the asymmetric hypertrophy involved the whole left limb. The other cardinal features in our family were distal weakness of lower limbs (5 of 6), pes cavus (3 of 6), and reduced or absent tendon reflexes (6 of 6).

Motor and sensory conduction velocities showed, in all nerves explored, values at or below 38 m/sec. The computed tomography of lower limbs showed that leg enlargement was due to true muscle hypertrophy without concomitant increase of adipose or connective tissue.

The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for muscle enlargement are yet unclear. It is possible that one or more genetic factors, still unknown, may be linked genetically to the neuropathy in such pedigrees in which most or all affected members carry the trait.
DOES LOSS OF MEDIAN NERVE FIBRES INFLUENCE SPONTANEOUS PAIN OCCURRING IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?
Authors: Buonocore M. , Bodini A. , Mazzucchi G. , Piazzoli S. , Bagnasco R.
Published: September 2023

Following peripheral nerve injury, a variety of mechanisms may generate and maintain pain. Pain mechanisms occurring in entrapment neuropathies are largely unknown. Many studies have related peripheral neuropathic pain to nerve fibre dysfunction.

Aim of the study was to test the hypothesis of a possible role played by the loss of nerve fibres in the pathogenesis of pain occurring in patients with severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

Methods: Three consecutive patients (females) with severe monolateral CTS but not spontaneous pain were enrolled. Five females, age‐matched control patients with severe monolateral CTS and spontaneous pain, were also recruited. Severe CTS was confirmed by neurological examination and classified by nerve conduction studies (absence of peripheral sensory and motor evoked potentials). In order to assess small‐diameter fibres the Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) evoked by auditory, alerting stimuli and recorded from the palm was also bilaterally tested.

Results: Patients with and without spontaneous pain demonstrated the same clinical pattern of nerve fibre dysfunction. In particular, all patients had severe hypesthesia (tactile and vibratory) and hypalgesia (pinprick evaluation) over the second and third fingers (palmar surface), with an extension of sensory loss into the palm. Moreover, in all patients, SSR was always bilaterally and symmetrically present.

Conclusion: These results failed to indicate a possible role of fibre loss (both large and small) of the median nerve in the pathogenesis of pain occurring in patients with severe CTS. Different pain mechanisms, both neuropathic and nociceptive, may be simultaneously present in any one patient. Studies on a large population of patients are needed.
Synchronized charge extraction circuit for electret‐based vibration energy harvester
Authors: Liu Guoping , He Zhongbo , Zhou Jingtao , Dong Chao , Yang Zhaoshu
Published: September 2023

Impedance matching is one outstanding issue for the electret‐based vibration energy harvester (eVEH) due to its small equivalent capacitance. In this paper, the authors developed a synchronized charge extraction (SCE) circuit for eVEH, to improve its performance in small load resistance conditions. An electromagnetic detector is embedded with the eVEH to detect its maximum vibration amplitude. The synchronized switch is controlled by a microcontroller unit. According to the authors’ simulation study, the power output of eVEH interfaced with the SCE circuit is three times larger than that of the standard circuit, which proved the effectiveness of our SCE circuit.