bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insights about personality traits and cognitive performance and decline in adults 51–59 Years old from the Wisconsin longitudinal study
Authors: Beaudreau Sherry A. , Gould Christine E. , Hantke Nathan C. , Kramer Abigail O. , Suresh Madhuvanthi , Jo Booil , Fairchild Jennifer K.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To delineate midlife personality dimensions of early cognitive change in an age‐homogenous sample of U.S. older adults.

Design

Longitudinal study of 6133 adults from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS).

Measures

Middle‐aged participants (mean age = 53.2; SD = 0.6) from the WLS completed the ‘Big‐5’ personality assessment in 1992. Mixed effects models examined whether midlife personality traits were associated with change in cognitive performance from participant's mid‐60s (2004–2005) to early 70s (2011). The cognitive battery assessed abstract reasoning (AR), category fluency (CF), working memory (WM), and delayed verbal memory (DVM). Models adjusted for sex, education, and subjective health.

Results

High Openness was a significant predictor of change in AR, CF, and DVM. These cognitive outcomes declined less among those with high Openness, but the effect sizes for Openness by time were small (R2s < 0.01). AR and CF were characterized by higher overall performance with high Openness, but with relatively parallel change for the highest and lowest Openness quartiles. There was no advantage of Openness to DVM by the second assessment. High Conscientiousness was a predictor of more change for DVM, though the effect size was small (R
2 < 0.01).

Conclusions

None of the midlife personality traits were uniformly associated with change in cognitive performance in early older adulthood. High midlife Openness had the most noteworthy impact on cognition. Interventions designed to target Openness have potential to elevate and maintain a higher threshold of performance in some cognitive domains, but may only have a small impact on cognitive change.
Are neuropsychiatric symptoms a marker of small vessel disease progression in older adults? Evidence from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936
Authors: Clancy Una , Radakovic Ratko , Doubal Fergus , Hernández Maria del C. Valdés , Maniega Susana Muñoz , Taylor Adele M. , Corley Janie , Chappell Francesca M. , Russ Tom C. , Cox Simon R. , Bastin Mark E. , Deary Ian J. , Wardlaw Joanna M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Neuropsychiatric symptoms could form part of an early cerebral small vessel disease prodrome that is detectable before stroke or dementia onset. We aimed to identify whether apathy, depression, anxiety, and subjective memory complaints associate with longitudinal white matter hyperintensity (WMH) progression.

Methods

Community‐dwelling older adults from the observational Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 attended three visits at mean ages 73, 76, and 79 years, repeating MRI, Mini‐Mental State Examination, neuropsychiatric (Dimensional Apathy Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and subjective memory symptoms. We ran regression and mixed‐effects models for symptoms and normalised WMH volumes (cube root of WMH:ICV × 10).

Results

At age 73, 76, and 79, m = 672, n = 476, and n = 382 participants attended MRI respectively. Worse apathy at age 79 was associated with WMH volume increase (β = 0.27, p = 0.04) in the preceding 6 years. A 1SD increase in apathy score at age 79 associated with a 0.17 increase in WMH (β = 0.17 normalised WMH percent ICV, p = 0.009). In apathy subscales, executive (β = 0.13, p = 0.05) and emotional (β = 0.13, p = 0.04) scores associated with increasing WMH more than initiation scores (β = 0.11, p = 0.08). Increasing WMH also associated with age (β = 0.40, p = 0.002) but not higher depression (β = ‐0.01, p = 0.78), anxiety (β = 0.05, p = 0.13) scores, or subjective memory complaints (β = 1.12, p = 0.75).

Conclusions

Apathy independently associates with preceding longitudinal WMH progression, while depression, anxiety, and subjective memory complaints do not. Patients with apathy should be considered for enrolment to small vessel disease trials.
The bi‐directional association between loneliness and depression among older adults from before to during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Ward Mark , Briggs Robert , McGarrigle Christine A. , De Looze Celine , O’Halloran Aisling M. , Kenny Rose Anne
Published: November 2022

Background

Older adults have both the highest risk of contracting SARS‐CoV‐2 and in many jurisdictions have had additional restrictions placed on the social interactions. As a result, the COVID‐19 pandemic has led to increased depression and loneliness among older adults. Using data from an established cohort of older adults, the aims of this study was to describe changes in loneliness and depression and to examine the directionality of the association between depression and loneliness over a 5‐year period that included the early months of the pandemic.

Methods

Data were from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), a large cohort of community‐dwelling adults aged 54+. We applied an auto‐regressive cross‐lagged panel modelling approach to estimate the effect of depression on loneliness and vice versa over three time points.

Results

Both depression and loneliness increased significantly in the early months of the pandemic. While the association between loneliness and depression was bi‐directional, loneliness was a stronger predictor of depression.

Conclusion

The strength and bi‐directionality of the association between loneliness and depression suggests that interventions to alleviate loneliness may also help reduce depressive symptoms and vice versa.
What are the factors associated with people with advanced dementia refusing assistance with personal care?
Authors: Backhouse Tamara , Killett Anne , Mioshi Eneida , Khondoker Mizanur
Published: November 2022

Background

People with dementia sometimes refuse assistance with personal care activities such as washing or dressing. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with refusals of care in advanced dementia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study using informant‐based measures. Participants were people with advanced dementia and their caregivers (family carers or care‐home staff) (n = 260, 130 dyads) in the UK. Mixed effects linear models were used to examine the effects of neuropsychiatric behaviours, ability with activities of daily living, professional input, co‐morbidities, psychotropic medications, environment modifications, and caregiver factors including type and training status on refusals of care. The Refusal of Care Informant Scale was used, range 1–13; higher scores indicate more refusal behaviours.

Results

Higher independence in activities of daily living was associated with less refusal behaviours (coefficient = −0.11, p < 0.001 [95% confidence interval −0.15, −0.07]). Higher agitation was associated with more refusal behaviours (0.11, p < 0.001 [0.06, 0.15]). No other statistically significant differences were found. There was no demonstrable evidence of differences in number of refusals of care between family and care‐home caregivers or between dementia‐trained or ‐untrained caregivers.

Conclusions

Results suggest refusals of care have similar prevalence regardless of caregiver type (family or care home) or dementia training status, indicating that current dementia training has no impact on refusals of care or may not be implemented as intended. Improving independence in activities of daily living and reducing agitations may help prevent refusals of care. To establish causality, future research should consider embedding these factors into interventions targeting refusal of care.
Enteral nutrition support and treatment toxicities in patients with head and neck cancer receiving definitive or adjuvant helical intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy
Authors: Blake Claire L. , Brown Teresa E. , Pelecanos Anita , Moroney Laura B. , Helios Jennifer , Hughes Brett G. M. , Chua Benjamin , Kenny Lizbeth M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Enteral nutrition (EN) is often required in patients with head and neck cancer (HNSCC); however, initiation criteria is limited or inconsistent. This study aimed to describe the relationship of treatment toxicities and requirement for EN and investigate toxicity and baseline characteristics association with EN duration.

Methods

Acute toxicities and baseline characteristics were collected from patients with HNSCC (n = 110) undergoing H‐IMRT. Percentage EN contributing to estimated requirements and EN duration were measured.

Results

The threshold for patients needing ≥50% of estimated requirements via EN increased from week 3 to 4 for grade ≥2 oral/pharyngeal mucositis, dysgeusia, thick saliva and nausea, and for grade 3 dysphagia. Patients with grade 2–3 dysphagia had a reduced risk of ceasing EN compared to those with grade 0–1 dysphagia.

Conclusions

Using acute toxicities in clinical practice may be a useful tool to inform prompt initiation of EN prior to decline in nutritional status and anticipate EN duration.
Survival outcomes for patients with T3N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis treated with definitive radiation alone versus chemoradiation
Authors: Rock Calvin B. , Hutten Ryan J. , Weil Chris R. , Lloyd Shane , Kerrigan Kathleen C. , Cannon Richard B. , Hitchcock Ying J.
Published: November 2022

Background

Given the poor lymphatics of the glottis, we evaluated omission of chemotherapy in patients treated definitely for T3N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the glottis.

Methods

We performed survival analysis of patients with T3N0M0 SCC of the glottis identified in the National Cancer Database treated with radiation alone versus chemoradiation.

Results

A total of 3785 patients were identified. Patients age ≥70 and those with comorbidities were less likely to receive chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR] 0.30, 95% CI [0.25–0.37] and 0.48 [0.31–0.76], respectively). Five‐year OS was lower in patients treated with radiation versus chemoradiation (33.8% [30.3%–37.2%] vs. 58.0% [55.8%–60.0%]). In patients <70 with no comorbidities this difference persisted (51.0% [44.5%–57.0%] versus 66.7% [64.0%–69.3%]).

Conclusion

Overall survival was higher in patients treated with chemoradiation compared to radiation alone, even when controlling for age and comorbidities. Radiotherapy with chemotherapy omission is not appropriate in patients with T3N0M0 SCC of the glottis.
Anti‐CD38 antibody isatuximab monotherapy for Japanese individuals with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: An update of the phase 1/2 ISLANDs study
Authors: Sunami Kazutaka , Fuchida Shin‐ichi , Suzuki Kenshi , Ri Masaki , Matsumoto Morio , Shimazaki Chihiro , Asaoku Hideki , Shibayama Hirohiko , Ishizawa Kenichi , Takamatsu Hiroyuki , Ikeda Takashi , Maruyama Dai , Imada Kazunori , Uchiyama Michihiro , Kiguchi Toru , Iyama Satoshi , Murakami Hirokazu , Onishi Reiko , Tada Keisuke , Iida Shinsuke
Published: November 2022

The primary analysis of the phase 1/2 ISLANDs study in Japanese individuals with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) showed that isatuximab monotherapy was well tolerated and effective, even in participants with high‐risk cytogenetic abnormalities. Here, we report a prespecified second analysis conducted 20 months after the first dosing of the last participant (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02812706). The primary objectives were to evaluate the safety and tolerability of isatuximab in phase 1 and to evaluate the efficacy of isatuximab, including assessment of overall response rate (ORR) at the recommended dose (RD), in phase 2. In phase 1, three participants received isatuximab 10 mg/kg every week (QW) for 4 weeks/cycle followed by every 2 weeks (Q2W) and five participants received 20 mg/kg QW/Q2W. Since no dose‐limiting toxicities occurred in phase 1, 20 mg/kg QW/Q2W was identified as the RD for the phase 2 study (n = 28). At the time of data cut‐off, three participants (one in phase 1 and two in phase 2) continued to receive isatuximab; disease progression and treatment‐related adverse events were the most common reasons for treatment discontinuation. The overall safety profile was consistent with the primary analysis. One death, not related to isatuximab treatment, was reported since the first analysis. The ORR and clinical benefit rate remained unchanged from the primary analysis at 36.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.4%–54.9%) and 54.5% (95% CI: 36.4%–71.9%), respectively. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 5.6 months, longer than the median PFS reported in the primary analysis (4.7 months), whereas median overall survival was not reached. Overall, isatuximab 20 mg/kg QW/Q2W had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile and showed promising antitumor activity in Japanese individuals with RRMM.
Richter transformation in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Innocenti Idanna , Benintende Giulia , Tomasso Annamaria , Fresa Alberto , Autore Francesco , Larocca Luigi Maria , Laurenti Luca
Published: November 2022

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia can evolve to an aggressive lymphoma—in most of the cases diffuse large B cells lymphoma, rarely Hodgkin lymphoma—and this complication is defined Richter syndrome (RS). Immunogenotypic features that characterize RS include unmutated IgHV status with high prevalence of IgHV4‐39/D6‐13/J5 sequence; deletion of chromosome 17p or 11q; activation of oncogenes as NOTCH1 and c‐MYC; inactivation of onco‐suppressors as TP53 and CDKN2A; high expression of CD38 in lymph‐nodes. The prognosis of this condition is very poor: patients experience a rapid clinical deterioration with frequent therapeutic failure since the current options include suboptimal strategies as standard chemo‐immunotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cells transplantation or enrollment in clinical trials which investigate the efficacy of target drugs. Understanding the biology of such a heterogeneous condition is crucial to personalize the treatment and improve patient's survival.
The community food environment and its association with diet, health or weight status in Australia: A systematic review with recommendations for future research
Authors: Bivoltsis Alexia , Christian Hayley , Ambrosini Gina L. , Hooper Paula , Pulker Claire E. , Thornton Lukar , Trapp Gina S. A.
Published: November 2022

Issue addressed

This study systematically reviewed Australian literature to determine if an association exists between geospatial exposure to food outlets and diet, health or weight status. Recommendations for future research are provided.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in December 2021 using CINAHL Plus, PubMed and Web of Science databases. Data were extracted, as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Study quality was assessed using an eight‐item checklist. A descriptive synthesis of study characteristics and findings was carried out, stratified via study outcomes.

Results

Of the 36 included articles, the majority were from Victoria (n = 19), involving adult participants (n = 30) and cross‐sectional in design (n = 27). Overall, associations were mainly null (nonsignificant) for diet (80%), weight status (75%) and health outcomes (90%). Significant findings were mixed with no positive trend with study quality.

Conclusions

Six recommendations are suggested to address current knowledge gaps and limitations in the Australian evidence base: (1) Conduct research on different populations; (2) Employ robust study designs that can test the impact of change over time; (3) Improve the accuracy of food outlet data sources; (4) Improve food outlet geospatial exposure measures; (5) Improve measurement of outcome variables; and (6) Incorporate theoretical models into study design and data analysis.

So what?

Improving the quality and consistency of research will be critical to informing locally relevant policy. Despite the present limitations in the evidence base, it is reasonable to assume that decisions to purchase and consume food are driven by availability and access. Thus, policy and planning aimed at improving the overall “healthiness” of the community food environment by increasing access to healthy food outlets is warranted to ensure that healthy options are easier choice for all.
Would you like fries with that? Investigating fast‐food outlet availability near schools in Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Trapp Gina S. A. , Hooper Paula , Billingham Wesley , Thornton Lukar , Sartori Ainslie , Kennington Kelly , Devine Amanda , Godrich Stephanie , Sambell Ros , Howard Justine , Bivoltsis Alexia
Published: November 2022

Issue addressed

Locating fast‐food outlets near schools is a potential public health risk to schoolchildren, given the easy access and repeated exposure to energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor foods they provide. Fast‐food outlet availability near schools has not been previously investigated in Perth, Western Australia. This study aimed to quantify fast‐food outlet availability near Perth schools and determine whether differences in area‐level disadvantage and school type exist.

Methods

Fast‐food outlet locations were sourced from Perth Local Governments in 2018/2019. All Perth Primary (n = 454), Secondary (n = 107) and K‐12 (n = 94) schools were assigned an area‐level disadvantage decile ranking based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Socio‐Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA). Regression models assessed whether fast‐food outlet availability within 400 m, 800 m and 1 km of schools differed by school type (ie, Primary/Secondary/K‐12) or SEIFA.

Results

Secondary schools were significantly more likely than Primary and K‐12 schools to have a higher presence and density of fast‐food outlets and the “Top 4” fast‐food outlet chains (McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, KFC and Red Rooster) nearby. Schools located in low socio‐economic status (SES) areas had a significantly higher density of fast‐food outlets within 400 m, and “Top 4” fast‐food outlet chains within 400 m and 1 km, than schools located in high SES area.

Conclusions

Perth schools are surrounded by fast‐food outlets with densities significantly higher around secondary schools and schools located in lower SES areas.

So what?

Policies and regulations aimed at reducing fast‐food outlets near schools is an essential strategy to improve dietary intakes and reduce obesity in schoolchildren.
The nexus between climate change risk and financial policy uncertainty
Authors: Hunjra Ahmed Imran , Azam Muhammad , Al‐Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: November 2022

We investigate the role of financial policy uncertainty in climate change risk. We use the financial policies uncertainty index to estimate its composite effectiveness on climate change. We test the financial development role from two perspectives covering the credit channel and market liquidation facilities for climate change. We also test the role of financial policy uncertainty through moderating channels of renewable energy production and financial development. Our sample comprises 42 developing economies from 1991 to 2020. We apply the fixed‐effects estimation, feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) method and bootstrap quantile to analyze the results. The empirical results reveal that financial policy uncertainty plays a significant role in climate change risk. We conclude that climate change risk management policies and financial policy uncertainties should be considered as key indicators of financial development.
The dynamics of income poverty in Australia: Evidence from the first three waves of the HILDA Survey
Authors: Headey Bruce , Marks Gary , Wooden Mark
Published: November 2022

This paper reports an analysis of income poverty dynamics in Australia using longitudinal data from the first three waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. As in other developed countries, far fewer people are found to be living in persistent poverty than are poor on an annual basis. With a poverty threshold set at 50 per cent of median equivalised income, just over four per cent of Australians were measured as being in income poverty in all three waves. Among those who were poor during 2000‐01, about half subsequently had incomes above the 50 per cent threshold. However, the longer people remained in poverty, the less likely they were to exit, the greater was their risk of re‐entering poverty, and the lower were their incomes if they temporarily escaped poverty.
Resin cement coating reverts the machining damage on the flexural fatigue strength of lithium disilicate glass‐ceramic
Authors: May Michele Mirian , Machry Renan Vaz , Fraga Sara , de Andrade Guilherme Schmitt , Bottino Marco Antonio , Valandro Luiz Felipe , May Liliana Gressler
Published: November 2022

This study evaluated the effect of resin cement coating with high and low viscosities on the flexural fatigue strength of machined lithium disilicate glass‐ceramic. Discs (IPS e.max CAD; Ivoclar Vivadent) were prepared and divided according to the surface condition (machining [M]—CEREC inLab; and polishing [P]—laboratory procedures), resin cement coating (with or without), and cement viscosity (high [H] and low [L]). The ceramic bonding surface was etched/primed by a one‐step primer application followed by resin cement application (Variolink N base + high or low viscosity catalyst; Ivoclar Vivadent). Biaxial flexural fatigue strength was evaluated on a piston‐on‐three‐ball set by the step‐test method (n = 15) (initial stress: 60 MPa; incremental steps: 20 MPa; 10,000 cycles/step, at 20 Hz). Weibull statistics were used for fatigue data. Contact angle, topographic, and fractographic analysis were also performed. Machining produced statistically lower contact angle than polishing and a significant detrimental effect on the fatigue behavior (σ0M = 247.2 [246.9–268.3];σ0P = 337.4 [297.8–382.4]). Machined groups followed by resin cement coating (σ0MH = 297.9 [276.0–321.5];σ0Ml = 301.2 [277.1–327.4]) behaved similarly to the polished and coated groups (σ0PH = 342.0 [308.9–378.5];σ0PL = 357.3 [324.7–393.1]), irrespective of the cement viscosity. Therefore, cement coating has able to revert the detrimental effects of the machining on the fatigue strength of lithium disilicate glass‐ceramic. High and low viscosity cements behaved similarly in the improvement of CAD–CAM lithium disilicate fatigue strength.
A building‐block database of distributed polarizabilities and dipole moments to estimate optical properties of biomacromolecules in isolation or in an explicitly solvated medium
Authors: Ligório Raphael F. , Rodrigues José L. , Krawczuk Anna , Dos Santos Leonardo H. R.
Published: November 2022

Since atomic or functional‐group properties in the bulk are generally not available from experimental methods, computational approaches based on partitioning schemes have emerged as a rapid yet accurate pathway to estimate the materials behavior from chemically meaningful building blocks. Among several applications, a comprehensive and systematically built database of atomic or group polarizabilities and related opto‐electronic quantities would be very useful not only to envisage linear or non‐linear optical properties of biomacromolecules but also to improve the accuracy of classical force fields devoted to simulate biochemical processes. In this work, we propose the first entries of such database that contains distributed polarizabilities and dipole moments extracted from fragments of peptides. Twenty three prototypical conformers of the dipeptides alanine–alanine and glycine–glycine were used to extract functional groups such as CH2, CHCH3, NH2, COOH, CONH, thus allowing construction of a diversity of chemically relevant environments. To evaluate the accuracy of our database, reconstructed properties of larger peptides containing up to six residues of alanine and glycine were tested against density functional theory calculations at the M06‐HF/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level of theory. The procedure is particularly accurate for the diagonal components of the polarizability tensor with errors up to 15%. In order to include solvent effects explicitly, the peptides were also surrounded by a box of water molecules whose distribution was optimized using the CHARMM force field. Solvent effects introduced by a classical dipole–dipole interaction model were compared to those obtained from polarizable‐continuum model calculations.
Efficacy and Safety of Annual Infusion of Zoledronic Acid and Weekly Oral Alendronate in the Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wang Qiuling , Yu Qingzhen , Zeng Ping , Ai Weipeng
Published: November 2022

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to reveal the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid compared with alendronate in patients with primary osteoporosis. The PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched from the establishment of each database to April 2022 for comparative studies on the topic, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies, and 2 authors individually extracted information and data concerning study design, baseline characteristics, bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, and adverse events (AEs). We identified 8 eligible trials, including 1863 participants. Pooled estimates demonstrated that, compared with alendronate, zoledronic acid showed no significant difference in increasing the BMD of the lumbar spine after 1 year (SMD = −0.03, 95%CI −0.15 to 0.09, I2 = 0.41%) or after 2 years (SMD = 0.16, 95%CI −0.12 to 0.43, I2 = 63%), and the BMD of the total hip after 1 year (SMD = −0.08, 95%CI −0.31 to 0.14, I2 = 64%) or after 2 years (SMD = 0.05, 95%CI −0.21 to 0.32, I2 = 61%). No significant difference in improving bone turnover markers, including serum C‐terminal cross‐linking telopeptide of type‐1 collagen, urine N‐terminal cross‐linking telopeptide of type‐1 collagen, and serum procollagen type‐1 N‐terminal propeptide, were found, whereas significantly higher total AE rates (RR = 2.27, 95%CI 1.60 to 3.21, I2 = 75%) were recorded within 3 days of infusion, but some lower AE rates, particularly of gastrointestinal AEs (RR = 0.6, 95%CI 0.44 to 0.83, I2 = 37%), were noted after 3 days of infusion. Compared with alendronate, zoledronic acid has achieved comparable therapeutic results in the treatment of primary osteoporosis in increasing BMD and reducing bone turnover marker levels. Zoledronic acid showed a better safety profile than alendronate with long‐term use, especially with regards to gastrointestinal‐related AEs.
Expression of Ceruloplasmin in the Peripheral Blood of Patients With Drug‐Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Chen Hai‐Yan , Pan Yao‐Xin , Li Xue‐Bin , Yun Yan‐Fang , Yang Gui‐Xin , Jiang Yong‐Ming , Lu Dong , Huang Jian‐Min
Published: November 2022

This study was performed to detect the expression of ceruloplasmin in the peripheral blood of patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy and explore the mechanisms of iron metabolism disorder in drug‐resistant epilepsy. Peripheral blood was collected from 32 patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy, labeled the drug‐resistant group; 30 patients who were drug responsive, labeled the drug‐responsive group; and 34 healthy people, named the normal group.The expression levels of ceruloplasmin mRNA and ceruloplasmin protein in the peripheral blood of the 3 groups were detected using real‐time fluorescence‐based quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The differences in the expression of ceruloplasmin mRNA of different seizure frequencies and types, electroencephalogram abnormal discharges, and different medication methods were analyzed and compared. The relative expression of ceruloplasmin mRNA and ceruloplasmin protein in the drug‐resistant epilepsy group was significantly higher than that in the drug‐responsive group (P= .002 and .010, respectively) and higher in the drug‐responsive group compared with the normal group (P= .014 and .005, respectively). The relative expression of ceruloplasmin mRNA in patients with epilepsy using different medication methods was statistically significant (P= .001). Patients who received a combination of 2 or 3 drugs exhibited a higher expression than those treated with single‐drug treatment, whereas those who received a combination of 3 drugs had a higher expression than those with 2 drugs (P= .013, .001, and .011, respectively). There was no significant difference in the relative expression of Cp mRNA in patients with epilepsy with different seizure frequencies and types and abnormal electroencephalogram discharges (allP> .05). The increased expression of ceruloplasmin in the peripheral blood of patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy was closely related to the different medication methods, but no obvious correlation with epileptic seizure frequencies or types and abnormal electroencephalogram discharges was identified. The increased expression of ceruloplasmin enhanced iron oxidative damage and may be the potential mechanism of drug‐resistant epilepsy and may be one of the drug resistance indicators for combination drugs when treating drug‐resistant epilepsy.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants: An Updated Systematic Review of Their Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Effectiveness and Safety in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Bortman Lucia Victoria , Mitchell Florencia , Naveiro Sofia , Pérez Morales Juana , Gonzalez Claudio Daniel , Di Girolamo Guillermo , Giorgi Mariano Anibal
Published: November 2022

Direct oral anticoagulants have been an increasingly used class of drugs in the setting of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, defying vitamin K antagonists’ monopoly when it comes to anticoagulation due to its several limitations. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have entered the market as a noninferior and safer option in comparison with vitamin K antagonists, as their respective phase III clinical trials proved. The aim of this article was to update and summarize data on their clinical pharmacology and to review real‐world data to know their comparative effectiveness and safety. We performed a systematic review using PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science as search engines. Regarding pharmacodynamics, there were no substantial changes reported from their original profile. There were many advances in the knowledge about clinical pharmacokinetics of DOACs that have had a direct impact on their clinical use, mainly related to drug‐drug interactions. In a real‐world setting, DOACs have shown to be noninferior in preventing thromboembolic events compared to vitamin K antagonists. In regards to safety, DOACs have shown a lower bleeding risk relative to warfarin. Comparison between DOACs has demonstrated rivaroxaban to have the highest bleeding risk. Overall, the evidence gathered showed few changes from the original data presented in phase III clinical trials, concluding that their real‐world use coincides greatly with them.
Ontogenetic shifts in olfactory rosette morphology of the sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka
Authors: Rheinsmith Sarah E. , Quinn Thomas P. , Dittman Andrew H. , Yopak Kara E.
Published: November 2022

Sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, are anadromous, semelparous fish that breed in freshwater—typically in streams, and juveniles in most populations feed in lakes for 1 or 2 years, then migrate to sea to feed for 2 or 3 additional years, before returning to their natal sites to spawn and die. This species undergoes important changes in behavior, habitat, and morphology through these multiple life history stages. However, the sensory systems that mediate these migratory patterns are not fully understood, and few studies have explored changes in sensory function and specialization throughout ontogeny. This study investigates changes in the olfactory rosette of sockeye salmon across four different life stages (fry, parr, smolt, and adult). Development of the olfactory rosette was assessed by comparing total rosette size (RS), lamellae number, and lamellae complexity from scanning electron microscopy images across life stages, as a proxy for olfactory capacity. Olfactory RS increased linearly with lamellae number and body size (p < .001). The complexity of the rosette, including the distribution of sensory and nonsensory epithelia and the appearance of secondary lamellar folding, varied between fry and adult life stages. These differences in epithelial structure may indicate variation in odor‐processing capacity between juveniles imprinting on their natal stream and adults using those odor memories in the final stages of homing to natal breeding sites. These findings improve our understanding of the development of the olfactory system throughout life in this species, highlighting that ontogenetic shifts in behavior and habitat may coincide with shifts in nervous system development.
Prognostic significance of circulating Epstein‐Barr virus DNA in pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma: A meta‐analysis and validation study
Authors: Wei Xinyan , Wei Zuyou , Zheng Guixian , Xie Ting , Huo Zengyu , Huang Yanbing , Chen Xiaoli , Bai Jing
Published: November 2022

In small‐scale studies, circulating Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels have prognostic value in patients with pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma (LELC). Therefore, we performed a comprehensive meta‐analysis to evaluate the prognostic significance of circulating EBV DNA levels in patients with pulmonary LELC. Studies that discussed the prognostic significance of circulating EBV DNA detection in pulmonary LELC were eligible for inclusion in this study. The overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were the primary outcomes. Pooled hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p value were calculated to estimate the prognostic significance of EBV DNA levels. Additionally, we conducted a further observation using an independent cohort. The pooled HR and 95% CI of pretreatment EBV DNA levels for OS and PFS were 3.63 (95% CI: 2.90–4.55) and 2.88 (95% CI: 1.90–4.38), respectively. The pooled HR and 95% CI for Posttreatment EBV DNA levels for OS and PFS were 3.77 (95% CI: 2.96–4.80) and 3.52 (95% CI: 1.91–6.51, p < 0.001), respectively. The independent cohort showed similar results that patients with high pretreatment EBV DNA or positive posttreatment EBV DNA had significantly inferior PFS. Circulating EBV DNA levels provide prognostic values of survival and treatment response in pulmonary LELC patients.
Long‐term effects of prophylactic MgSO4 in maternal immune activation rodent model at adolescence and adulthood
Authors: Dabbah‐Assadi Fadwa , Rashid Sally , Golani Idit , Rubinstein Alon , Doron Ravid , Alon David , Palzur Eilam , Beloosesky Ron , Shamir Alon
Published: November 2022

The effects of MgSO4 as an anti‐inflammatory agent in pregnant women have been investigated in the last few years. Infections can cause an inflammatory reaction involving the placenta membranes and amniotic cavity. They may have short‐term effects on the mother and her fetuses, like preterm birth, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay. Despite the alleged advantages of MgSO4 as a neuroprotective agent in the preterm brain, the long‐term molecular and behavioral function of MgSO4 has not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the long‐term effect of antenatal MgSO4, during late gestation, on offspring's behavior focusing on cognitive function, motor activity, and social cognition in adolescence and adulthood, and explored its influence on brain gene expression (e.g., ErbB signaling, pro‐inflammatory, and dopaminergic markers) in adulthood. A significant abnormal exploratory behavior of offspring of MgSO4‐treated dams was found compared to the control group in both adolescence and adulthood. Furthermore, we found that adult females exposed to MgSO4 under inflammation displayed working and recognition memory impairment. A reduction in IL‐6 expression was detected in the prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus specimens derived from LPS–Mg‐treated group. In contrast, an imbalanced expression of dopamine 1 and 2 receptors was detected only in prefrontal cortex specimens. Besides, we found that MgSO4 ameliorated the overexpression of the Nrg1 and Erbb4 receptors induced by LPS in the hippocampus. Thus, MgSO4 treatment for preventing brain injuries can adversely affect offspring cognition behavior later in life, depending on the sex and age of the offspring.
The impacts of land use and land cover change on biophysical processes in West Africa using a regional climate model experimental approach
Authors: Achugbu Ifeanyi Chukwudi , Laux Patrick , Olufayo Ayo Akinlabi , Balogun Ifeoluwa Adebowale , Dudhia Jimy , Arnault Joël , Gbode Imoleayo E. , Naabil Edward , Kunstmann Harald
Published: November 2022

Using 2001 and 2016 land use (LU) data and three developed deforestation LU scenarios, namely Deforest I, II and III, the possible impacts of the ongoing land use land cover change (LULCC) over West Africa (WA) and the uncertainty regarding the impacts on regional climate were assessed. Twelve Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulations were configured with the default and integrated MODIS satellite dataset for two sets of 3 months (December–February DJF 2011–2012 and July–September JAS 2012) over WA. Between 2001 and 2016, changes that occurred in precipitation, temperature and dew point temperature due to LULCC are mostly not significant at the 95% level with a decrease of 0.8, 0.0 and 0.1%, respectively. Deforest I, II and III caused significant changes with an increase of 44.4, 44.7, 41.5%; 0.8, 0.9, 1.1%; and 0.3, 0.1, −0.2%, respectively, for precipitation, temperature and dew point temperature. Precipitation was lower in the simulation with 2016 LU than it was with 2001 LU, which may have also been influenced by the reforestation that occurred between the periods. However, Deforest III resulted in a widespread nonsignificant rise in precipitation, as the modified areas showed a significant decrease during JAS period. Areas where forests were converted into barren lands revealed severe increase in the surface albedo which is a strong factor that its alteration is capable of influencing precipitation and other variables over WA. LULCC also altered the atmospheric column by modifying the strength of the African Easterly Jet (AEJ), Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ), wind speed, and monsoonal, vertical, meridional and zonal winds. Heat related fields, such as dew point and air temperature, and moisture fields such as relative humidity were also modified by LULCC. Therefore, as WA reacts strongly to LULCC, sustainable land management practices should be encouraged to control its adverse effects.
Climatology and characteristics of rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean
Authors: Kranthi Ganadhi Mano , Deshpande Medha , Sunilkumar Khadgarai , Emmanuel Rongmie , Ingle Sopan
Published: November 2022

Rapid intensification (RI) of a tropical cyclone (TC) is defined as an increase in the wind speed by 30 knots within 24 hours. It is a less understood process, particularly for TCs over the North Indian Ocean. We considered data for the past 39 years (1982–2020) from the JTWC and studied the climatology of TCs. We found that, out of 197 cases, 44 TCs (22%) experienced RI. There is a significant increasing trend in RI TCs frequency and duration over the Arabian Sea (AS). Lifetime maximum intensity (LMI) is significantly higher, and genesis to LMI duration is also significantly longer for TCs undergoing RI over the AS. LMI is double for RI TC than for non‐RI (NRI) TC. The longer duration to achieve the higher maximum intensity resulted in a longer total lifespan for RI TCs. All TCs reaching a super cyclonic storm category underwent RI and generally, RI onset happens in the depression stage. The composites are prepared to understand the characteristics of RI TCs in contrast to NRI TCs. For the RI TC composite, the period includes 12 hours before and 24 hours after the RI onset. For the NRI TC, we considered 36 hours starting from the initial intensification stage. The analysis shows the RI TCs are embedded in the warm water regions with ocean heat content of 90–100 kJ · cm−2 and strong latent heat flux transport. RI TCs also have higher positive low‐level relative vorticity, higher upper‐level divergence, and higher mid‐level relative humidity, with higher moisture content around the TC centre. Deep clouds with 208 K < IRBT <240 K dominate in RI TCs. The total surface rainfall for RI cases is symmetric around the centre. RI TCs have higher rainfall fractions with intense surface rain rates for stratiform and convective rainfall during the pre‐monsoon.
β‐Glucan alleviates mice with ulcerative colitis through interactions between gut microbes and amino acids metabolism
Authors: Liu Chang , Sun Changwu , Cheng Yuliang
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Food polysaccharide 1,3‐β‐d‐glucan (OBG) has been shown to alleviate ulcerative colitis (UC) in a mouse model, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate potential mechanisms involving interactions among gut microbiota, microbial metabolites and host metabolic function.

RESULTS

OBG alleviated colonic inflammation, barrier dysfunction and intestinal concentrations of short‐chain fatty acids in mice with UC. In addition, the relative abundance of Muribaculaceae, Alistipes, Erysipelatoclostridium and Blautia increased, whereas the abundance of Proteus, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcus decreased within the gut microbiota upon OBG treatment. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses showed that intestinal enzymes altered upon OBG treatment were mainly enriched in sub‐pathways of amino acid biosynthesis. Metabolomics analyses showed that l‐tryptophan, l‐tyrosine, l‐phenylalanine and l‐alanine increased, which is consistent with the predictive metabolism of gut microbiota. Correlation analysis and interaction networks highlighted gut microbiota (especially Lactobacillus, Parabacteroides, Proteus and Blautia), metabolites (especially l‐phenylalanine, l‐tryptophan, l‐tyrosine and acetic acid) and metabolism (phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis) that may be key targets of OBG.

CONCLUSION

OBG is beneficial to the gut microecological balance in mice with colitis, mainly becaue of its impact on the interactions between gut microbes and amino acids metabolism (especially tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism). © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Asparagus (Asparagus racemosus L.) roots: nutritional profile, medicinal profile, preservation, and value addition
Authors: Kohli Deepika , Champawat Padam Singh , Mudgal Vishwambhar Dayal
Published: November 2022

Asparagus (Asparagus racemosus L.) is one of the most significant traditional medicinal plants, containing phytochemicals that are non‐nutritive but beneficial to health. It contains bioactive metabolites such as fructo‐oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, asparosides, shatavarins, sapogenins, racemosols, isoflavones, glycosides, mucilage, and fatty acids, while saponin is one of the main active constituents of asparagus roots. Asparagus helps in fertility promotion, stress management, and hormone modulation. It also treats stomach ulcers, kidney disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Substitution of asparagus powder or extract for value addition of food products (such as beverages, bakery, and milk) enhances the nutritional and functional properties. Currently, the plant is considered endangered in its natural habitat because of its destructive harvesting, habitat destruction, and deforestation. As it is a highly perishable commodity, it needs proper handling, preservation, and storage. This review will outline the medicinal properties, uses, value addition, and preservation techniques of asparagus roots. The study found that, till now, the only preservation techniques used to increase the shelf life of asparagus roots are drying and irradiation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Contemporary conditional cancer‐specific survival rates in surgically treated adrenocortical carcinoma patients: A stage‐specific analysis
Authors: Panunzio Andrea , Barletta Francesco , Tappero Stefano , Cano Garcia Cristina , Piccinelli Mattia , Incesu Reha‐Baris , Law Kyle W. , Tian Zhe , Tafuri Alessandro , Tilki Derya , De Cobelli Ottavio , Chun Felix K. H. , Terrone Carlo , Briganti Alberto , Saad Fred , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Bourdeau Isabelle , Cerruto Maria A. , Antonelli Alessandro , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives

We examined the effect of disease‐free interval (DFI) duration on cancer‐specific mortality (CSM)‐free survival, otherwise known as the effect of conditional survival, in surgically treated adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) patients.

Methods

Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004−2018), 867 ACC patients treated with adrenalectomy were identified. Conditional survival estimates at 5‐years were assessed based on DFI duration and according to stage at presentation. Separate Cox regression models were fitted at baseline and according to DFI.

Results

Overall, 406 (47%), 285 (33%), and 176 (20%) patients were stage I−II, III and IV, respectively. In conditional survival analysis, providing a DFI of 24 months, 5‐year CSM‐free survival at initial diagnosis increased from 66% to 80% in stage I−II, from 35% to 66% in stage III, and from 14% to 36% in stage IV. In multivariable Cox regression models, stage III (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.38; p < 0.001) and IV (HR: 4.67; p < 0.001) independently predicted higher CSM, relative to stage I−II. The magnitude of this effect decreased over time, providing increasing DFI duration.

Conclusions

In surgically treated ACC, survival probabilities increase with longer DFI duration. This improvement is more pronounced in stage III, followed by stages IV and I−II patients, in that order. Survival estimates accounting for DFI may prove valuable in patients counseling.
Infiltration holes enhance the deep soil water replenishment from a level ditch on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyuan , Wang Ke , Li Gaoliang , Zheng Jiyong
Published: November 2022

The introduction of exotic plants with high‐water consumption and high‐density planting have greatly changed the deep soil water environment on the Loess Plateau of China. Slope measures can intercept runoff to change slope soil water redistribution, however, the existing measures are not enough to improve deep soil water replenishment. Infiltration holes were used as a supplement of the existing slope measures. In this study, the effects of three different measures (the control without any measures, the level ditch, and the combination of level ditch and infiltration hole) on slope runoff and deep soil water redistribution were evaluated under field conditions. The results showed that the combined measure reduced the runoff by 44.1% and the sediments by 78.6% under an intense rainfall event compared with the control. After two rainy seasons, compared with the control and the level ditch, the combined measures significantly increased the soil water storage below 50 cm in the soil layer. Combining infiltration hole with level ditch improved the deep soil water replenishment within 30 cm from infiltration hole in a horizontal plane. Overall, the single‐level ditch was insufficient to improve deep soil water replenishment, and the combined measure can more effectively intercept runoff to increase the water replenishment of deep soils. Our findings provide a new thinking in regulating and utilizing slope runoff to effectively improve deep soil water replenishment in arid and semiarid areas.