bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Pathogenic De Novo INS p.T97P Variant Presenting With Severe Neonatal DKA
Authors: Lal Rayhan A , Moeller Hannah P , Thomson Ella A , Horton Timothy M , Lee Sooyeon , Freeman Raquel , Prahalad Priya , Poon Ada S Y , Annes Justin P
Published: December 2021

Pathogenic INS gene mutations are causative for mutant INS-gene-induced diabetes of youth (MIDY). We characterize a novel de novo heterozygous INS gene mutation (c.289A>C, p.T97P) that presented in an autoantibody-negative 5-month-old male infant with severe diabetic ketoacidosis. In silico pathogenicity prediction tools provided contradictory interpretations, while structural modeling indicated a deleterious effect on proinsulin folding. Transfection of wildtype and INS p.T97P expression and luciferase reporter constructs demonstrated elevated intracellular mutant proinsulin levels and dramatically impaired proinsulin/insulin and luciferase secretion. Notably, proteasome inhibition partially and selectively rescued INS p.T97P-derived luciferase secretion. Additionally, expression of INS p.T97P caused increased intracellular proinsulin aggregate formation and XBP-1s protein levels, consistent with induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress. We conclude that INS p.T97P is a newly identified pathogenic A-chain variant that is causative for MIDY via disruption of proinsulin folding and processing with induction of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response.
Dexmedetomidine Alleviates Gut-Vascular Barrier Damage and Distant Hepatic Injury Following Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice
Authors: Zhang Yi-Nan , Chang Ze-Nan , Liu Zi-Meng , Wen Shi-Hong , Zhan Ya-Qing , Lai Han-Jin , Zhang Hu-Fei , Guo Yi , Zhang Xu-Yu
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND:

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) challenge often results in gut barrier dysfunction and induces distant organ injury. Dexmedetomidine has been shown to protect intestinal epithelial barrier against I/R attack. The present study aims to investigate the degree to which intestinal I/R attack will contribute to gut-vascular barrier (GVB) damage, and to examine the ability of dexmedetomidine to minimize GVB and liver injuries in mice.

METHODS:

In vivo, intestinal ischemic challenge was induced in mice by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 45 minutes. After clamping, the mice were subjected to reperfusion for either 2, 4, 6, or 12 hours. Intraperitoneal injection of dexmedetomidine 15, 20, or 25 μg·kg–1 was performed intermittently at the phase of reperfusion. For the in vitro experiments, the challenge of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) was established in cultured vascular endothelial cells, and dexmedetomidine (1 nM) was used to treat the cells for 24 hours. Moreover, in vivo and in vitro, SKL2001 (a specific agonist of β-catenin) or XAV939 (a specific inhibitor of β-catenin) was applied to determine the role of β-catenin in the impacts provided by dexmedetomidine.

RESULTS:

The attack of intestinal I/R induced GVB damage. The greatest level of damage was observed at 4 hours after intestinal reperfusion. There was a significant increase in plasmalemma vesicle–associated protein-1 (PV1, a specific biomarker for endothelial permeability) expression (5.477 ± 0.718 vs 1.000 ± 0.149; P < .001), and increased translocation of intestinal macromolecules and bacteria to blood and liver tissues was detected (all P < .001). Liver damages were observed. There were significant increases in histopathological scores, serum parameters, and inflammatory factors (all P < .001). Dexmedetomidine 20 μg·kg–1 reduced PV1 expression (0.466 ± 0.072 vs 1.000 ± 0.098; P < .001) and subsequent liver damages (all P < .01). In vitro, dexmedetomidine significantly improved vascular endothelial cell survival (79.387 ± 6.447% vs 50.535 ± 1.766%; P < .001) and increased the productions of tight junction protein and adherent junction protein (all P < .01) following OGD/R. Importantly, in cultured cells and in mice, β-catenin expression significantly decreased (both P < .001) following challenge. Dexmedetomidine or SKL2001 upregulated β-catenin expression and produced protective effects (all P < .01). However, XAV939 completely eliminated the protective effects of dexmedetomidine on GVB (all P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The disruption of GVB occurred following intestinal I/R. Dexmedetomidine alleviated I/R-induced GVB impairment and subsequent liver damage.
“Les Hypothèses Trop Hasardées”
Authors: Raden Justin
Published: December 2021

This essay argues that the difficulties Émile Zola faced in closing the Rougon-Macquart novel cycle reveal a political imaginary whose notion of a clean line of progress depends on a technical supplement it disavows. At critical points Zola’s method exposes the disavowal of this technical supplement that functions as the prosthetic by which man overcomes a hereditary deficiency, his original psychosis in Zola’s account, and is also the means by which he allegorizes history as progress. But this supplement must also disappear from view, or operate as a vanishing mediator. Because, for Zola, the immediate political problem of engendering the right kind of political subjects for the Third Empire must be integrated into a larger evolutionary history, the rational overcoming of the original psychosis takes the form of a necessary and indeed automatic process. What is at stake here is not the inhumanism of generalizing the “Anthropos,” which has come under recent scrutiny, but the inhumanism integral to any humanism that imagines itself as teleologically or historically oriented—the inhumanism in humanism that subtends any imaginary of evolution or progress, because such a humanism must have recourse to technical prosthesis.
Modest sexual size dimorphism and allometric growth: a study based on growth and gonad development in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae)
Authors: Zhang Fan , Chen Xiaoqiong , Zeng Chi , Wen Lelei , Zhao Yao , Peng Yu
Published: December 2021

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is a notable phenomenon in terrestrial animals, and it is correlated with unusual morphological traits. To date, the underlying sex-specific growth strategies throughout the ontogenetic stage of spiders are poorly understood. Here, we comprehensively investigated how the growth trajectories and gonad development shaped SSD in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae). We also hypothesized the potential growth allometry among the carapace, abdomen, and gonads of spiders in both sexes. By measuring the size of the carapace and abdomen, investigating developmental duration and growth rate, describing the gonadal sections, and calculating the area of gonads at all instars from hatching to maturity, we demonstrated that SSD results from sex-specific growth strategies. Our results indicated that the growth and developmental differences between both sexes appeared at early life stages, and there was allometric growth in the carapace, abdomen, and gonads between males and females.
CPVT-associated calmodulin variants N53I and A102V dysregulate Ca2+ signalling via different mechanisms
Authors: Prakash Ohm , Held Marie , McCormick Liam F. , Gupta Nitika , Lian Lu-Yun , Antonyuk Svetlana , Haynes Lee P. , Thomas N. Lowri , Helassa Nordine
Published: December 2021

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited condition that can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmia. Human mutations in the Ca2+ sensor calmodulin (CaM) have been associated with CPVT susceptibility, suggesting that CaM dysfunction is a key driver of the disease. However, the detailed molecular mechanism remains unclear. Focusing on the interaction with the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2), we determined the effect of CPVT-associated variants N53I and A102V on the structural characteristics of CaM and on Ca2+ fluxes in live cells. We provide novel data showing that interaction of both Ca2+/CaM-N53I and Ca2+/CaM-A102V with the RyR2 binding domain is decreased. Ca2+/CaM–RyR23583-3603 high-resolution crystal structures highlight subtle conformational changes for the N53I variant, with A102V being similar to wild type (WT). We show that co-expression of CaM-N53I or CaM-A102V with RyR2 in HEK293 cells significantly increased the duration of Ca2+ events; CaM-A102V exhibited a lower frequency of Ca2+ oscillations. In addition, we show that CaMKIIδ (also known as CAMK2D) phosphorylation activity is increased for A102V, compared to CaM-WT. This paper provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms of CPVT-associated CaM variants and will facilitate the development of strategies for future therapies.
Prognostic Performance of Alternative Lymph Node Classification Systems for Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer: A Single Center Cohort Study
Authors: Prassas Dimitrios , Kounnamas Aristodemos , Cupisti Kenko , Schott Matthias , Knoefel Wolfram Trudo , Krieg Andreas
Published: December 2021

Background

Lymph node ratio (LNR) and the log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) have been proposed as alternative lymph node (LN) classification schemes. Various cut-off values have been defined for each system, with the question of the most appropriate for patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) still remaining open. We aimed to retrospectively compare the predictive impact of different LN classification systems and to define the most appropriate set of cut-off values regarding accurate evaluation of overall survival (OS) in patients with MTC.

Methods

182 patients with MTC who were operated on between 1985 and 2018 were extracted from our medical database. Cox proportional hazards regression models and C-statistics were performed to assess the discriminative power of 28 LNR and 28 LODDS classifications and compare them with the N category according to the 8th edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM classification in terms of discriminative power. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex, T category, focality, and genetic predisposition.

Results

High LNR and LODDS are associated with advanced T categories, distant metastasis, sporadic disease, and male gender. In addition, among 56 alternative LN classifications, only one LNR and one LODDS classification were independently associated with OS, regardless of the presence of metastatic disease. The C-statistic demonstrated comparable results for all classification systems showing no clear superiority over the N category.

Conclusion

Two distinct alternative LN classification systems demonstrated a better prognostic performance in MTC patients than the N category. However, larger scale studies are needed to further verify our findings.
Splicing efficiency of minor introns in a mouse model of SMA predominantly depends on their branchpoint sequence and can involve the contribution of major spliceosome components
Authors: Jacquier Valentin , Prévot Manon , Gostan Thierry , Bordonné Rémy , Benkhelifa-Ziyyat Sofia , Barkats Martine , Soret Johann
Published: December 2021

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by reduced amounts of the ubiquitously expressed Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. In agreement with its crucial role in the biogenesis of spliceosomal snRNPs, SMN-deficiency is correlated to numerous splicing alterations in patient cells and various tissues of SMA mouse models. Among the snRNPs whose assembly is impacted by SMN-deficiency, those involved in the minor spliceosome are particularly affected. Importantly, splicing of several, but not all U12-dependent introns has been shown to be affected in different SMA models. Here, we have investigated the molecular determinants of this differential splicing in spinal cords from SMA mice. We show that the branchpoint sequence (BPS) is a key element controlling splicing efficiency of minor introns. Unexpectedly, splicing of several minor introns with suboptimal BPS is not affected in SMA mice. Using in vitro splicing experiments and oligonucleotides targeting minor or major snRNAs, we show for the first time that splicing of these introns involves both the minor and major machineries. Our results strongly suggest that splicing of a subset of minor introns is not affected in SMA mice because components of the major spliceosome compensate for the loss of minor splicing activity.
Forecasting the Financial Results of an Agricultural Organization, Taking into Account State Financial Support
Authors: Timofeev V. , Timofeeva Natalya
Published: December 2021

Currently, the relevance of the effective use of state support for agricultural enterprises is considered both from the position of increasing the volume of agricultural production, and the impact of this support on the financial results of the company. The paper analyzes the production indicators of an agricultural organization, the dynamics of financial support for agricultural production, suggests approaches to forecasting financial indicators and developing a financial strategy for the enterprise.
Implementing digital technology during the pandemic: impact on stoma nursing services at a tertiary referral centre
Authors: Oliquiano Nerissa M , Marinova Rali , Perry-Woodford Zarah L
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the greatest challenges to the NHS, creating turmoil in the public health workforce and for all of those who use its services. Its immediate impact was a rapid change in how care in the NHS is planned, delivered and accessed, with no concession for stoma care services. Investment in global resources detailing COVID-19 recovery plans and the steady increase in national data related to the transmission and treatment of the virus has allowed stoma care nurses to better understand the long-term effects of the pandemic and mitigate future risk to specialist nursing services. This article describes how this crisis has provided an opportunity to radically change systems and processes in stoma care through the use of digital technology to continue interaction with patients, communicate with the multidisciplinary team and collaborate with relatives or carers, and as a platform to enhance personal development, training and education.
Nurse-led early evaluation following corticosteroid prescription in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Harvey Philip R , Slater Jayne , Algieder Akram , Jones Judith , Bates Beth , De Silva Shanika
Published: December 2021

Background:

The Toronto consensus for management of ulcerative colitis (UC) recommends early evaluation of UC patients 2 weeks after initiation on corticosteroids. A system for early evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease patients was established by specialist nurses in a secondary care centre.

Aim:

To compare outcomes following early evaluation to the previous service.

Methods:

All patients undergoing early evaluation over a 1-year period were prospectively audited and compared to a retrospective cohort of patients receiving prednisolone in the preceding year.

Findings:

Of 140 patients included, 76 (54.3%) underwent early evaluation. All patients in the early evaluation group received drug education and details of the nurse helpline (17.1% of patients did not already have this). Of patients, 81.6% were prescribed Adcal, and 83.9% were on 5-aminosalicylates. Fewer admissions were observed within 6 months following early evaluation (8.6% vs. 23.4%, p=0.013).

Conclusion:

Multiple benefits of early evaluation were observed, including a potential reduction in hospital admissions.
Bioabsorbable implants in forefoot surgery: a review of materials, possibilities and disadvantages
Authors: Pisecky Lorenz , Luger Matthias , Klasan Antonio , Gotterbarm Tobias , Klotz Matthias C. , Hochgatterer Rainer
Published: December 2021

Bioabsorbable and biodegradable implants offer new possibilities in orthopaedic and trauma surgery. As soon as the initial stability of the degradable implants has reached the qualities of conventional materials, new devices may find usage in younger and more demanding patients. Residual conventional osteosynthetic material or the necessity to remove metal increasingly seems to be more of an adverse event than daily practice in forefoot surgery. Nevertheless, some drawbacks need to be discussed.

Recent literature screened for the use of bioabsorbable and biodegradable materials in forefoot surgery, available implants and indications in forefoot surgery were analysed and summarized. Apart from common indications in forefoot surgery, points of interest were the type of biomaterial, the process of biodegradation and biointegration, and possible adverse events. Materials were comprehensively discussed for each indication based on the available literature.

Polylactide, polyglycoside and polydioxanone are considered safe and sufficiently stable for use in forefoot surgery. Low complication rates (e.g. 0.7% for pin fixation in hallux deformities) are given.

Magnesium implants suffered from an extensive corrosive process in the first generation but now seem to be safe in forefoot surgery and offer good options compared with conventional titanium screws, especially in procedures of the first ray.

Allograft bone has proven feasibility in small case series, but still lacks larger or randomized clinical trials. The first results are promising.

Bioresorbable and osseointegrating devices offer attractive new possibilities for surgeons and patients. Despite all the known advantages, the difficulties and possible complications must not be forgotten, such as soft tissue reactions, unwanted osteolysis and a lower primary mechanical load capacity.

Cite this article:EFORT Open Rev2021;6:1132-1139. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200157
A guide to regional analgesia for Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Rodriguez-Patarroyo Fabio A. , Cuello Nadin , Molloy Robert , Krebs Viktor , Turan Alparslan , Piuzzi Nicolas S.
Published: December 2021

Regional analgesia has been introduced successfully into the postoperative pain management after total knee arthroplasty, reducing pain scores, opioid use and adverse effects.

Combination of regional analgesia techniques is associated with better pain management and lower side effects than single regional techniques.

Adductor canal block provides good analgesia and considerably lower detrimental effect in muscular strength than femoral nerve block, enhancing surgical recovery.

Infiltration techniques may have equivalent analgesic effect than epidural analgesia and peripheral nerve blocks, however there should be awareness of dose dependent toxicity.

Novel long-acting local anesthetics role for regional analgesia is still to be determined, and will require larger randomized trials to support its advantage over traditional local anesthetics.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:1181-1192. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210045
Design and Evaluation of the Key Units in a Rapeseed Direct Seeder Integrated with Plowing-Rotating Combined Tillage
Authors: Wei Guoliang , Zhang Qingsong , Wang Biao , Liao QingXi
Published: December 2021

Highlights

The seeder combined the plowing and rotating tillage to overcome the heavy soil and a large amount of straws.

The plow could lift and turn the soil and straw before rotary tillage.

The optimal working parameters of the seeder were obtained by orthogonal field experiments.

Abstract. Rapeseed, one of the most important oil crops in China, is mainly planted in the mid-lower reaches of the Yangtze River. However, limited by the special long-term rice-rapeseed rotation, rotary tillage is applied in most of the planted areas apply instead of plow tillage, leading to a shallow arable layer. On the other hand, maintaining a high-quality seedbed for rapeseed becomes a challenge because a large amount of straw remains buried in the soil. As a solution, a rapeseed direct seeder that combines plow tillage and rotary tillage was designed. The structure of the plowing unit, whose key components were a lifting-turning plow and symmetrical plow, was analyzed based on the forming principle of the plow. Furthermore, a mechanical soil throwing model of the rotary tillage blade was built to determine the structural parameters. Then, the interaction between the rotary tillage unit and the lift-turning plow was analyzed. Finally, the performance and optimal parameters were evaluated by orthogonal field experiments. The seedbed after the operations indicated that the seeder could achieve the function of turning the soil and straw first and then rotating the soil with good passability, mixing the straw and the soil, flattening the surface of the seed bed, and stabilizing the tillage depth. Orthogonal experiments showed that the optimal working parameters of the seeder were as follows: the tillage depth was 180 mm, the equipment forward speed was 2.1 km/h, and the speed of the rotary tillage blade was 250 r/min. Under the optimal parameter combination, the power consumption of the seeder, the thickness of the tillage layer, the crop residue burial efficiency, the soil breakage efficiency, and the flatness of the seed bed surface were 30.48 kW, 231 mm, 90.88%, 93.26%, and 21.15 mm, respectively. The working performance of the seeder could meet the tillage requirements of rapeseed planting. Keywords: Direct seeder, Evaluation, Plow, Plowing-rotating combined tillage, Rapeseed.
Stage-Discharge Relationships of Drawdown Plates for Denitrifying Woodchip Bioreactors
Authors: Maxwell Bryan M. , Cooke Richard A. , Christianson Reid D. , Christianson Laura E.
Published: December 2021

Highlights

Drawdown plates can prevent prolonged saturation in denitrifying woodchip bioreactors.

Contraction coefficients for the orifice equation ranged from 0.74 to 0.76.

Drawdown orifice should be sized appropriately to avoid interfering with design flow rates.

Established stage-discharge relationships for drawdown orifice improve accuracy of flow monitoring.

Abstract.Denitrifying woodchip bioreactors are a conservation drainage practice used to reduce nitrate loads in tile drainage water from field crops. Prolonged saturation in the woodchip media under no flow or low flow conditions can result in the production of hydrogen sulfide and methane. The US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Practice Standard for denitrifying bioreactors recommends a low-level orifice at the bioreactor outlet to drain the woodchip media within 48 h to prevent prolonged stagnation. This study determined stage-discharge relationships for three drawdown configurations in an AgriDrain water level control structure (15.2 cm nominal tile size) to improve accuracy of estimating flow in field bioreactors. Tested drawdown configurations consisted of a custom-made inverted-v orifice plate currently used by the NRCS (3.6 cm2 orifice area); and a 2 and an 8 mm gap between the base of the structure and the bottom stop log (2.6 and 12.3 cm2 orifice area, respectively). The stage-discharge relationship for all three orifices was accurately described by the orifice flow equation (R2 > 0.99). Stage-discharge relationship for the inverted-v drawdown plate in combination with a stainless steel-edged v-notch weir was the sum of their respective stage-discharge relationships for orifice flow and flow over the weir. Contraction coefficients for the inverted-v, 2 mm gap, and 8 mm gap configurations were 0.74, 0.74, and 0.76, respectively. The stage-discharge relationships for the inverted-v, 2 mm gap, and 8 mm gap configurations were Q = 3.26*A*h0.5, Q = 3.29*A*h0.5, and Q = 3.38*A*h0.5, respectively, where Q is in m3 s-1, A is the orifice area in m2, and h is the water head differential in meters. Keywords: Denitrifying bioreactor, Drawdown plate, Flow monitoring, NRCS, Prolonged saturation.
Efficient utilization of Hough transform and orthogonal-triangular decomposition for optical wireless modulation format recognition
Authors: Mohamed Safie El-Din Nasr , Al-Makhlasawy Rasha M. , Abdelaziz Muhammed , Khalaf Ashraf A. M. , Dessouky Moawad I. , Abd El-Samie Fathi E.
Published: December 2021

Two schemes for optical wireless modulation format recognition (MFR), based on the orthogonal-triangular decomposition (OTD) and Hough transform (HT) of the constellation diagrams, are proposed in this paper. Constellation diagrams are obtained at optical signal-to-noise ratios (OSNRs) ranging from 5 to 30 dB for seven different modulation formats (2/4/8/16—PSK and 8/16/32—QAM) as images. The first scheme depends on applying the HT of the obtained images; the second scheme is based on utilization of the decomposition of each of the obtained image matrices into an orthogonal matrix (Q) and an upper triangular matrix (R) followed by the HT. Different classifiers, including AlexNet, VGG16, and VGG19, are used for the MFR task. Model setups and results are provided to study the scheme efficiency at different levels of OSNR. The proposed schemes provide unique signatures for constellation diagrams. Moreover, it reveals that the main pattern corresponding to each constellation diagram is more distinguishable for both proposed schemes at different levels of OSNR. The obtained results achieve high accuracy at low OSNR values.
Constrained deconvolution from wavefront sensing using the frozen flow hypothesis and complex wavelet regularization
Authors: Ren Zhilei , Liu Jin , Liang Yonghui
Published: December 2021

Deconvolution from wavefront sensing (DWFS) is a high-performance image restoration technique designed to compensate for atmospheric turbulence-induced wavefront distortions. It uses simultaneously recorded short-exposure images of the object and high cadence wavefront sensor (WFS) data to estimate both the wavefronts and the object. Conventional DWFS takes no account of the temporal correlations in WFS data, which limits the reconstruction of high-spatial frequency components of wavefront distortion and then the recovery of the object. This paper takes the frozen flow hypothesis (FFH) to model the temporal evolution of atmospheric turbulence. Under this assumption, a joint estimation is performed in a Bayesian framework to simultaneously estimate the object and the turbulence phases with strict constraints imposed by WFS data and the FFH. It takes into account the temporal correlations in WFS data as well as the availablea prioriknowledge about the object and turbulence phases. Taking advantage of the sparse analysis prior of the object in the wavelet domain, a sparse regularization of the object based on the 2D dual-tree complex wavelet transform is proposed. Numerical experiments show that the proposed method is robust and effective for high-resolution image restoration in different seeing conditions.
Low-coherence quantitative differential phase-contrast microscopy using Talbot interferometry
Authors: Tajbakhsh Kiarash , Ebrahimi Samira , Dashtdar Masoomeh
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a simple, cost-efficient, and highly stable quantitative differential phase-contrast (PC) microscopy based on Talbot interferometry. The proposed system is composed of an optical microscope coupled with a pair of Ronchi amplitude gratings that utilizes a light-emitting diode as a low temporal coherence light source. The quantitative differential PC images of the microscopic transparent samples are reconstructed by analyzing the deformation of moiré patterns using a phase-shifting procedure. Low temporal coherence leads to eliminating speckle noise and undesirable interferences to obtain high-quality images. The spatial phase stability of the system is investigated and compared to two other common-path interferometers. Additionally, the performance of the method is verified by the experimental results of a standard resolution test target and phase biological samples.
Highly efficient light trapping of clustered silicon nanowires for solar cell applications
Authors: Lan Jun , Liu Junbo , Hu Song , Yang Yong
Published: December 2021

Due to their excellent photoelectric performance, nanostructures have attracted considerable attention in research to improve the power conversion efficiency of thin-film solar cells (TFSCs). Furthermore, cylindrical silicon nanowires (Cy-SiNWs) are regarded as promising candidates for a new generation of TFSCs. On this basis, many new nanostructures derived from conventional Cy-SiNWs have been studied extensively, but most of these structures require high manufacturing accuracy because of their complex morphology. In this paper, an ingenious design of clustered silicon nanowires (Cl-SiNWs) is introduced, whose cross section is similar to the flower shape and consists of four arcs with the same radius. Hence, it requires lower manufacturing difficulty compared with nanostructures with curvature variation of the cross-section profile (i.e., elliptic shape, crescent shape, etc.). In this study, the optical and electrical characterizations are numerically investigated using the finite-difference time-domain method. The numerical simulation shows that the optimized Cl-SiNWs achieve an optical ultimate efficiency (

η

u
l

) and circuit current density (

J

sc

) of 33.66% and

27.54

m
A

/

c
m

2

, respectively, with an enhancement of 7.3% over conventional Cy-SiNWs. Further, the

η

u
l

and

J

sc

improve to 42.20% and

34.53

m
A

/

c
m

2

by adding the silicon substrate and silver backreflector. More importantly, the

η

u
l

of Cl-SiNWs always obtained a higher value than Cy-SiNWs at a recommended diameter range of 360–560 nm. Therefore, the suggested Cl-SiNWs have exhibited tremendous potential for the future development of low-cost and highly efficient solar cells.
Biosensing with a scanning planar Yagi-Uda antenna
Authors: Soltani Navid , Rabbany Esfahany Elham , Druzhinin Sergey I. , Schulte Gregor , Müller Julian , Butz Benjamin , Schönherr Holger , Agio Mario , Markešević Nemanja
Published: December 2021

We investigate a model bioassay in a liquid environment using a z-scanning planar Yagi-Uda antenna, focusing on the fluorescence collection enhancement of ATTO-647N dye conjugated to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules. The antenna changes the excitation and the decay rates and, more importantly, the emission pattern of ATTO-647N, resulting in a narrow emission angle (41°) and improved collection efficiency. We efficiently detect immobilized fluorescently-labeled DNA molecules, originating from solutions with DNA concentrations down to 1 nM. In practice, this corresponds to an ensemble of fewer than 10 ATTO-647N labeled DNA molecules in the focal area. Even though we use only one type of biomolecule and one immobilization technique to establish the procedure, our method is versatile and applicable to any immobilized, dye-labeled biomolecule in a transparent solid, air, or liquid environment.
Farewell editorial
Authors: Hitzenberger Christoph K. , Gibson Adam
Published: December 2021

Biomedical Optics Express Editor-in-Chief Christoph K. Hitzenberger and Deputy Editor Adam Gibson share some final remarks as they prepare to end their editorial terms on 31 December 2021.
Diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis, a systematic review and meta-analysis with sensitivity analysis for studies comparable for confounders
Authors: Foe-Essomba Joseph Rodrigue , Kenmoe Sebastien , Tchatchouang Serges , Ebogo-Belobo Jean Thierry , Mbaga Donatien Serge , Kengne-Ndé Cyprien , Mahamat Gadji , Kame-Ngasse Ginette Irma , Noura Efietngab Atembeh , Mbongue Mikangue Chris Andre , Feudjio Alfloditte Flore , Taya-Fokou Jean Bosco , Touangnou-Chamda Sabine Aimee , Nayang-Mundo Rachel Audrey , Nyebe Inès , Magoudjou-Pekam Jeannette Nina , Yéngué Jacqueline Félicité , Djukouo Larissa Gertrude , Demeni Emoh Cynthia Paola , Tazokong Hervé Raoul , Bowo-Ngandji Arnol , Lontchi-Yimagou Eric , Kaiyven Afi Leslie , Donkeng Donfack Valerie Flore , Njouom Richard , Mbanya Jean Claude , Mbacham Wilfred Fon , Eyangoh Sara
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Meta-analyses conducted so far on the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the tuberculosis (TB) development risk did not sufficiently take confounders into account in their estimates. The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether DM is associated with an increased risk of developing TB with a sensitivity analyses incorporating a wider range of confounders including age, gender, alcohol consumption, smoke exposure, and other comorbidities.

Methods

Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Global Index Medicus were queried from inception until October 2020. Without any restriction to time of study, geographical location, and DM and TB diagnosis approaches, all observational studies that presented data for associations between DM and TB were included. Studies with no abstract or complete text, duplicates, and studies with wrong designs (review, case report, case series, comment on an article, and editorial) or populations were excluded. The odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated by a random-effect model.

Results

The electronic and manual searches yielded 12,796 articles of which 47 were used in our study (23 case control, 14 cross-sectional and 10 cohort studies) involving 503,760 cases (DM or TB patients) and 3,596,845 controls. The size of the combined effect of TB risk in the presence of DM was OR = 2.3, 95% CI = [2.0–2.7], I2 = 94.2%. This statistically significant association was maintained in cohort (OR = 2.0, CI 95% = [1.5–2.4], I2 = 94.3%), case control (OR = 2.4, CI 95% = [2.0–2.9], I2 = 93.0%) and cross-sectional studies (OR = 2.5, CI 95% = [1.8–3.5], I2 = 95.2%). The association between DM and TB was also maintained in the sensitivity analysis including only studies with similar proportions of confounders between cases and controls. The substantial heterogeneity observed was mainly explained by the differences between geographic regions.

Conclusions

DM is associated with an increased risk of developing latent and active TB. To further explore the role of DM in the development of TB, more investigations of the biological mechanisms by which DM increases the risk of TB are needed.

Review registration

PROSPERO, CRD42021216815.
Evaluation of YouTube videos for patients’ education on periradicular surgery
Authors: Jamleh Ahmed , Nassar Mohannad , Alissa Hamad , Alfadley Abdulmohsen
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of periradicular surgery-related YouTube videos available for patients’ education. YouTube search was made for videos related to periradicular surgery using specific terms. After exclusions, 42 videos were selected, viewed and assessed by two independent observers. The videos were assessed in terms of duration, days since upload, country of upload, number of views, likes and dislikes, authorship source, viewing rate and interaction index. To grade the content of videos about periradicular surgery, a usefulness score was created with 10 elements based mainly on the American Association of Endodontists guidelines. Each element was given a score of 0 or 1. SPSS software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze data at a 95% confidence level. An inter-evaluator reliability analysis for the scoring system was performed using the Kappa statistic. The videos received an average of 35103.9 views (range: 9–652378) with an average duration of 338.71 seconds (range: 42–2081), respectively. Most videos were provided by individuals (57%). Half of the videos were posted by authors from the United States. The inter-evaluator reliability for usefulness scoring was 94.5%. No video covered the 10 scoring elements completely, presenting very low usefulness scores (mean: 3.2; range: 1–7). The most discussed elements were supporting media (100%) and steps of the procedure (90.5%) followed by indications and contraindications (45.2%) and symptoms (31%). None of the included videos discussed the procedure’s cost or prognosis. In terms of usefulness score, no significant difference was detected between different sources of upload (chi-square test, P > 0.05). Information on periradicular surgery in YouTube videos is not comprehensive and patients should not rely on YouTube as the only source of information. Dental professionals should enrich the content of YouTube with good quality videos by providing full and evidence-based information that will positively affect patients’ attitudes and satisfaction.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals key components controlling spathe color in Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.)
Authors: Osorio-Guarín Jaime A. , Gopaulchan David , Quanckenbush Corey , Lennon Adrian M. , Umaharan Pathmanathan , Cornejo Omar E.
Published: December 2021

Anthurium andraeanum(Hort.) is an important ornamental in the tropical cut-flower industry. However, there is currently insufficient information to establish a clear connection between the genetic model(s) proposed and the putative genes involved in the differentiation between colors. In this study, 18 cDNA libraries related to the spathe color and developmental stages ofA.andraeanumwere characterized by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). For thede novotranscriptome, a total of 114,334,082 primary sequence reads were obtained from the Illumina sequencer and were assembled into 151,652 unigenes. Approximately 58,476 transcripts were generated and used for comparative transcriptome analysis between three cultivars that differ in spathe color (‘Sasha’ (white), ‘Honduras’ (red), and ‘Rapido’ (purple)). A large number of differentially expressed genes (8,324), potentially involved in multiple biological and metabolic pathways, were identified, including genes in the flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways. Our results showed that the chalcone isomerase (CHI) gene presented the strongest evidence for an association with differences in color and the highest correlation with other key genes (flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), flavonoid 3’5’ hydroxylase (F3’5’H)/flavonoid 3’-hydroxylase (F3’H), and leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LDOX)) in the anthocyanin pathway. We also identified a differentially expressed cytochromeP450gene in the late developmental stage of the purple spathe that appeared to determine the difference between the red- and purple-colored spathes. Furthermore, transcription factors related to putative MYB-domain protein that may control anthocyanin pathway were identified through a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The results provided basic sequence information for future research on spathe color, which have important implications for this ornamental breeding strategies.
Paying it forward to end period poverty in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Pedagogies and politics of care, community, and academic activism
Authors: Zonjić Maja , Baker-Wanhalla Caitlin , Cooper Serena , Dobbs Olivia , Gellen Romy , Hawkins Charlotte
Published: December 2021

Period poverty is a significant issue in Aotearoa/New Zealand, yet public discourses around menstruation are rare, marked by social stigma, and kept outside of university classrooms. Simultaneously, student activism is on the rise, as are critical pedagogical approaches that resist hierarchical education models and value community engagement. In this article, we draw on shared lecturer/student experiences of taking part in COMS305: Media and Social Change, a course at the University of Canterbury in 2020, during which five students started a menstrual item donation drive benefitting two local charities. Together, we reflect on the initiative and wrestle with a number of questions arising from it before offering future recommendations.
Guerrilla art in the city: Urban and social revitalization
Authors: Lovaglio Enrica , Scortichini Manuel
Published: December 2021

Without a permit, a masterplan, or corporate or public funding, artists have evaded conventional norms to accomplish a feat: the urban and socio-economic revitalization of abandoned or depressed cities worldwide. In Rio’s favelas and America’s impoverished suburbs, artists are the political force that promotes local economies, defines collective identities, gives people a sense of belonging, while covering the land with beauty. To act at the city’s scale, artists teach their craft to the locals and use art to empower the community, and unveil needed urban policies, bringing economic development, expertise and collaborative action. As a result, public art becomes instrumental for infusing new life in marginalized neighbourhoods, and the city becomes the ideal canvas for free expression without bureaucracy. This article is a bird’s eye view of two public art interventions that have highlighted the political and pedagogical implications of a citizen-design approach to urban renewal. Ultimately, it is a call for artists to activate as impactful makers of urban transformations.
Concepción REVERTE BERNAL. La época colonial en la narrativa peruana contemporánea. Pamplona: EUNSA, 2020
Authors: Kovacevic Petrovic Bojana
Published: December 2021

Reseña de Bojana Kovačević Petrović sobre La época colonial en la narrativa peruana contemporánea (EUNSA, 2020) de Concepción Reverte. 290 p. ISBN: 978-84-313-3505-2.
herencia de las Silly Symphonies
Authors: Hernández Polo Beatriz
Published: December 2021

A finales de los años treinta, en el contexto de la Gran Depresión, los Estudios Disney comenzarían a trabajar en su primer bloque de largometrajes de animación. Uno de los motivantes que propiciaría el cambio de formato sería superar las limitaciones que ofrecían los cortometrajes para el desarrollo argumental. En consecuencia, partiendo de la experiencia en la serie de Silly Symphonies, cortometrajes producidos entre 1928 y 1939 en los que la música constituía el eje vertebral del argumento, el equipo de los estudios llevaría a cabo las cinco primeras películas de larga duración de la historia de la animación. En ellas se hace patente que la serie de sinfonías funcionaría como laboratorio experimental, no solo en el plano de la animación, sino también en el campo musical, de tal forma que, en mayor o menor medida, en todas las cintas podemos localizar elementos surgidos y esbozados en varios de estos cortometrajes, tanto previos como coetáneos al proceso de producción. A lo largo del artículo nos centraremos en visibilizar y analizar estas influencias con el fin de poner de manifiesto esta transferencia de material que se llevaría a cabo, en concreto, en torno al apartado musical entre las Silly Symphonies y en este primer grupo de largometrajes de la compañía Disney.
EFFECTS OF INDIRECT NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION BY A REGISTERED DIETITIAN THROUGH VISITING NURSES IN NUTRITIONALLY AT-RISK OLDER HOME-CARE RECIPIENTS: A RANDOMIZED PILOT STUDY
Authors: Tsuji T. , Yamasaki K. , Nishikawa N. , Yamamoto K. , Yasui Y. , Habu D.
Published: December 2021

Objectives: Home-visit nutritional support services by registered dietitians for home-care patients are not popular due to a shortage of visiting registered dietitians. This study examined the effects of indirect nutritional intervention by a registered dietitian through visiting nurses in community-dwelling older home-care recipients. Design: A randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial. Setting: Community. Participants: Thirty-four nutritionally at-risk older home-care recipients aged 65 years or older who were receiving home-visit nursing care services. Intervention: Dietary counseling promoting highly varied food intake provided by visiting nurses trained by a registered dietitian. Measurements: Nutritional status based on the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA®-SF), dietary variety, anthropometric measurements, activities of daily living, and subjective diet-related quality of life were measured at baseline and after three months. Results: Nutritional status tended to improve in the intervention group (P = 0.087). Analysis of the changes of MNA®-SF item scores revealed significant improvement in “Appetite loss” (P = 0.046) and a trend toward improvement in “Weight loss” (P = 0.053) in the intervention group. Conclusion: Indirect nutritional intervention by a registered dietitian through visiting nurses was effective in improving the nutritional status of nutritionally at-risk older home-care recipients.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARKERS OF MALNUTRITION AND MUSCLE WASTING WITH FRAILTY AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN OLDER CARE HOME RESIDENTS
Authors: Slee A. , Ahmed T. , Storey L. , Wilkinson L. , Wilson G. , Garden G.
Published: December 2021

Background: Older care homes residents may suffer from malnutrition and muscle wasting within a background of varying degrees of frailty, comorbidity and disability. Hence, malnutrition is complicated by co-presence of sarcopenia, cachexia and inactivity-induced muscle atrophy. Objectives: (1) to assess the prevalence of malnutrition in care home residents using different methodologies. (2) To examine the relationship between measurements of nutritional status and muscle mass with frailty and physical function; Design: initial pilot study. Setting: care homes for older people. Participants: 73 participants, 46 female and 27 male; Intervention: observational study. Measurements: height (m), weight (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg), bioelectrical impedance assessment (BIA) of fat free mass index (FFMI) (kg/m2), mid upper arm muscle circumference (MUAMC) (cm), Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS) and Barthel Index (BI). Results: There was a relatively high prevalence of malnutrition depending on measure used. MNA-SF 0-7 score was 30% for females and 28% males. Low MUAMC was found in 41% females and 53% males; low BIA FFMI in 37% females and 52% males. Good correlation (P<0.001) was found for most measures including against EFS and BI for MNA-SF and MUAMC. Conclusions: Malnutrition prevalence was relatively high. MNA-SF and MUAMC correlated well with functional status and frailty EFS measures. FFMI by BIA correlated well with MNA-SF and MUAMC. This range of practical techniques should be explored further for determining malnutrition risk and muscle wasting in relation to functionality and frailty in care home residents.
ELEVEN WEEKS OF STRENGTH TRAINING DECREASED THE EXPRESSION OF IMMUNE-RELATED GENES IN OLDER SUBJECTS INDEPENDENT OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT TYPE; A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Gjevestad G.O. , Hamarsland H. , Raastad T. , Christensen J.J. , Biong A.S. , Ulven S.M. , Holven K.B.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To investigate the effects of eleven weeks of strength training combined with two isocaloric protein supplements on mRNA expression levels in skeletal muscle and peripheral blood mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs). Design: A double blind randomized controlled study. Setting: The Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Norway. Participants: Untrained, but otherwise healthy, men and women (n=20, ≥ 70 yrs). Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated to receive either milk protein or a native whey protein supplement (20 g protein, morning and afternoon) combined with a standardized strength training protocol (6-10 RM, 1-3 sets, 3 times/week) for eleven weeks. Measurements: The mRNA expression levels of immune-related genes were measured before and after the intervention period, using RT-qPCR. Cytokines were measured using ELISA. Results: PBMC mRNA expression of interleukin (IL) 6, IL8, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL) 3, and nuclear receptor subfamily (NR) 1 group H (H) member 3 decreased significantly after the intervention period, whereas the mRNA expression of toll-like receptor (TLR2) increased. In skeletal muscle, the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A) and PPARGC1B decreased significantly, whereas the mRNA expression of CCL2, CCL5, TLR2, TLR4 and hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha subunit (HIF1A) increased significantly after the intervention. We found no significant differences in circulating C-reactive protein and IL6 after the intervention period. The consumption of whey and milk proteins had similar effects on mRNA expression levels after strength training in skeletal muscle as well as PBMCs. Conclusion: Eleven weeks of strength training and protein supplementation reduced the PBMC expression levels of genes involved in the immune system as well as in metabolism, underlining the close interaction between these processes. The upregulation of other immune-related genes observed in PBMCs as well as in skeletal muscle needs further investigations, but may be related to protein supplementation and training adaptations. Different protein supplementation (milk or native whey) did not differentially modulate mRNA expression after the intervention period.