bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preventative Care in First Responder Mental Health: Focusing on Access and Utilization via Stepped Telehealth Care
Authors: Wright Hannah M. , Fuessel-Hermann Dianna , Pazdera Myah , Lee Somi , Ridge Brook , Kim Joseph U. , Konopacki Kelly , Hilton Layne , Greensides Michael , Langenecker Scott A. , Smith Andrew J.
Published: June 2022

First responders are at high risk for disorders that arise from repeat exposure to stress and trauma (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and problematic alcohol use). Although mental health treatments are available, first responders often do not access them, anchored by barriers that include: lack of knowledge, stigma, negative experience with mental health providers, and time-based burdens. In this study, we designed an intervention to address these barriers, extending a Planned-Action framework. Step 1 involved self-report screening for four mental health risks (PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use risk), delivered to all personnel electronically, who were free to either consent and participate or opt-out. The detection of risk(s) in Step 1 led to scheduling a Step 2 telehealth appointment with a trained clinician. We report descriptive statistics for participation/attrition/utilization in Steps 1 and 2, rates of risk on four mental health variables, and rate of adherence to follow-up treatment recommendations. Step 1: In total, 53.3% of personnel [229 of 429 full-time employees (221 males; eight females; 95% White; 48% paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician; 25% captain; 19% engineer; 7% other)] initially opted-in by consenting and completing the brief remote screening survey. Among those who opted-in and completed (n = 229), 43% screened positive for one or more of the following mental health risks: PTSD (7.9%); depression (9.6%); anxiety (13.5%); alcohol use (36.7%). Step 2: A maximum of three attempts were made to schedule “at risk” individuals into Step 2 (n = 99). Among the 99 who demonstrated a need for mental health treatment (by screening positive for one or more risk), 56 (56.6%) engaged in the telehealth appointment. Of the 56 who participated in Step 2 clinical appointments, 38 were recommended for further intervention (16.6% of full-time personnel who participated). Among the 38 firefighters who were recommended to seek further mental health services, 29 were adherent/followed through (76.3% of those who received recommendations for further services). Taken together, evidence-based, culturally conscious, stepped care models delivered via the virtual/telehealth medium can promote access, utilization, and cost-effective mental health services for first responders. Implications are for informing larger, more rigorous dissemination and implementation efforts.
Roadmap for Creating Effective Communication Tools to Improve Health Equity for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Dharampuriya Priyanka R. , Abend Susan L.
Published: June 2022

Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live 20 fewer years than the average person and almost 40% of their deaths are from preventable causes. They suffer from well-documented disparities in health and healthcare, and much of this inequity is rooted in information transfer failures between patients, their caregivers, and their healthcare providers. Tools to improve communication between these stakeholders, such as health checks and hand-held health records, or health passports, have been implemented in Europe, Australia and Canada with mixed results, and there are no standard information tools currently in widespread use in the U.S. We review the evidence of the effectiveness of these tools, as well as their barriers to adoption, to inform proposed development of next-generation information transfer tools most useful to patients with IDD and their healthcare providers. The repair of health information transfer failures will be a major step toward achieving health equity for this population.
Patient Characteristics in Oral Cancer Staging
Authors: Hoffman Matthew J. , Hale Demetria D. , Hale Elijah W.
Published: June 2022

Background

Oral cancer is a largely preventable malignancy with many modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco use and proper oral hygiene. Early detection of oral cancer is an important goal for oral healthcare providers, as survival rates for oral cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage are less than half the rates for cancers diagnosed in early stages. As many patients are asymptomatic in early stages, it is crucial for oral healthcare providers to have a high index of suspicion while treating patients at risk for late diagnosis.

Objectives

To identify characteristics associated with early vs. late stage diagnosis of oral cancer.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review using the TriNetX database. We identified two cohorts of interest: patients with an initial diagnosis of stage 1 oral cancer, and patients with an initial diagnosis of stage 3 or 4 oral cancer. Statistical comparison of cohort characteristics was completed through the TriNetX statistical software platform.

Results

We identified 386 patients diagnosed at stage 1 and 869 patients diagnosed at stage 3 or 4. We identified several characteristics not previously reported in the literature. Race, BMI between 20 and 29, malnurition, anemia were all associated with late stage diagnosis. Certain medications were also associated with late stage diagnosis, such as heparin derivatives and diclofenac. Our findings also reinforced prior research for characteristics such as nicotine use and ethnicity.

Conclusion

Our findings offer new characteristics that may aid oral healthcare providers in detecting oral cancer at an early stage. Increasing provider awareness of factors that they may not have considered previously could increase the rates of early stage cancer detection, improving overall patient mortality and curative outcomes.
Global Perspective on the Management of Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Moisés da Silva Gabriel Veber , Dávila Francisco Javier , Rosito Tiago Elias , Martins Francisco E.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Peyronie's disease is the disease that results in an alteration in the curvature of the penis, which can lead to a shortening of length, pain in erection, or difficulties in penetration, thus leading the patient to psychological alterations due to loss of functionality such as aesthetic alteration. That is why there are several studies to define the best form of treatment, which currently continues to be the first choice surgical treatment.

Objective

We present the most recommended therapies for Peyronie's disease and suggest an algorithm as a guide to direct therapy.

Methods

We used the PubMed platform to review the literature related to Peyronie's disease. Various editorials were reviewed as well as original articles and reviews focusing on the various treatments as well as their indications and results.

Results

Peyronie's disease in which conservative or drug treatment does not have a response, surgical treatment with corporoplasty, penile prosthesis implantation or both may be indicated. Corporoplasty refers to both the plication of the tunica albuginea as well as the incision of the tunica with the placement of a graft. An accurate history should always be carried out to identify erectile dysfunction as well as to be able to guide you on the repercussions of the treatment. If refractory erectile dysfunction is present, placement of a penile prosthesis with or without further adjunctive straightening maneuvers is recommended. We reviewed the indications, advantages, disadvantages, and results of the available techniques, and proposed a surgical treatment algorithm.

Conclusion

Penile shortening procedures are usually indicated in curvatures <60°, in penises with adequate length. Partial excision/incision and grafting are indicated for curvatures >60°, hourglass or hinge deformities, and short penises, if the patient's erectile function is adequate. The presence of “borderline” erectile function and/or ventral curvature tilts the choice toward shortening procedures, and refractory erectile dysfunction is an indication for penile prosthesis placement. An accurate risk/benefit assessment of the individual patient as well as meticulous patient counseling are critically important.
Sustainable WEF Nexus Management: A Conceptual Framework to Integrate Models of Social, Economic, Policy, and Institutional Developments
Authors: Akinsete Ebun , Koundouri Phoebe , Kartala Xanthi , Englezos Nikos , Lautze Jonathan , Yihdego Zeray , Gibson Julie , Scholz Geeske , van Bers Caroline , Sodoge Jan
Published: June 2022

Rapid population growth along with increased rates of economic growth around the globe are placing valuable natural resources, water in particular, under unprecedented stress; this in turn drives the pursuit of innovative tools to support integrated Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus management. This paper presents a framework for the integrated management of the WEF nexus, which brings together four separate models that address the less well-examined socio-anthropological aspects of the nexus. The proposed framework provides insight into the human element as part of the wider ecosystem in terms of socio-cultural and economic activities, the laws and policies that govern these activities, as well as their potential socio-economic impacts and consequences. This paper outlines each individual model, before going on to present a conceptual framework for the integration of the various models for the purpose of supporting more robust decision-making. The framework, which is grounded in systems thinking, adopts the principles of sustainable development as structural foci in order to position the various models in relation to one another; harmonizing their inputs as well as outputs.
The Anthropology of Aquaculture
Authors: Costa-Pierce Barry Antonio
Published: June 2022

Aquaculture is nothing new. It has a long, fascinating history that stretches from antiquity at least 8,000 years ago. What is new is the evolution of aquaculture in modern times into highly intensive monocultures which arose in the 1970–1980's. Modern aquaculture production has grown worldwide but remains concentrated in Asia due to the: (1) increased demands for aquatic foods as explosive population growth occurred in coastal cities with increasing affluence, (2) expansion of scientific and engineering breakthroughs, (3) high export values of aquatic foods, and (4) sharp decline of costs of global to local transport/shipping. The pioneering anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss brought the idea of “structuralism” to anthropology: the concept that societies throughout history followed universal patterns of behavior. A qualitative document analysis of the key anthropological literature to assess aquaculture developments from antiquity to the beginning of the modern era was conducted to evaluate if there was adequate evidence to support a theory of anthropological “structuralism” for aquaculture in human history. Seven case studies of the cultural/environmental history of aquaculture were reviewed in diverse parts of the world (China, Australia, Egypt, Europe, South America, Canada/USA, Hawai'i). Analysis supports the structural theory that whenever the demands of aquatic/seafood-eating peoples exceeded the abilities of their indigenous fishery ecosystems to provide for them, they developed aquaculture. Modern aquaculture concepts and new communities of practice in “restoration aquaculture” have beginnings in Indigenous anthropology and archeology in aquaculture and point the way for Indigenous nations to engage as leaders of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ecosystem approach to aquaculture worldwide. Bringing ancient knowledge of Indigenous aquaculture into the modern context is an essential part of an alternative, “radical transformation” of modern aquaculture. There is an urgent need to develop and promote locally designed and culturally appropriate aquaculture systems that fit into the livelihoods of communities as part of a larger, diverse portfolio of food security.
Development and Validation of a Nomogram to Predict the Probability of Breast Cancer Pathologic Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Li Yijun , Zhang Jian , Wang Bin , Zhang Huimin , He Jianjun , Wang Ke
Published: June 2022

Background

The methods used to predict the pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) have some limitations. In this study, we aimed to develop a nomogram to predict breast cancer pCR after NAC based on convenient and economical multi-system hematological indicators and clinical characteristics.

Materials and Methods

Patients diagnosed from July 2017 to July 2019 served as the training group (N = 114), and patients diagnosed in from July 2019 to July 2021 served as the validation group (N = 102). A nomogram was developed according to eight indices, including body mass index, platelet distribution width, monocyte count, albumin, cystatin C, phosphorus, hemoglobin, and D-dimer, which were determined by multivariate logistic regression. Internal and external validation curves are used to calibrate the nomogram.

Results

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.942 (95% confidence interval 0.892–0.992), and the concordance index indicated that the nomogram had good discrimination. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model was well-calibrated.

Conclusion

The nomogram developed in this study can help clinicians accurately predict the possibility of patients achieving the pCR after NAC. This information can be used to decide the most effective treatment strategies for patients.
Imaging Findings in Dogs and Cats With Presumptive Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis
Authors: Gremillet Bérengère C. H. , Porsmoguer Charles , Bolen Géraldine , Billen Frédéric , Noël Stéphanie , Brutinel Flore , Busoni Valeria
Published: June 2022

This retrospective case series describes imaging findings in seven dogs and two cats with a presumptive diagnosis of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) between 2014 and 2021. Peritoneal effusion was present in all animal patients. Sonographically, echogenic fluid with or without echogenic intraperitoneal septations, gathered or corrugated bowel loops, and abdominal lymphadenomegaly were suggesting an inflammatory process and the presence of adhesions. Gathering of the bowel with abdominal distension and/or signs of intestinal obstruction were major findings on radiographs. Abdominal fat stranding was an additional finding in animals undergoing a CT examination. Previous surgery, pregnancy, and the presence of a perforating foreign body were potential predisposing causes in 4/9 animals. Peritonitis was septic in 4/9 animals. As SEP is a rare condition but life threatening, this detailed description of imaging findings in a short case series can be useful for a presumptive diagnosis and surgical planning.
Increasing Engagement in Kitten Fostering Programs: Lessons Learned From High Kitten Intake Zip Codes in Los Angeles County
Authors: McDonald Shelby E. , Miller Gregory S. , Fried Tina Reddington , Olmedo Debra , Matijczak Angela
Published: June 2022

The goal of the current study was to identify ways to increase awareness and engagement in kitten fostering programs (KFPs) among residents of areas with a high intake of kittens to animal shelters in Southern California (i.e., Los Angeles County). Specifically, we aimed to understand residents': (1) awareness of KFPs and kitten overpopulation issues, (2) interest in fostering kittens with an animal welfare organization, (3) concerns about fostering, (4) perceived ability to meet common KFP requirements, and (5) perceptions of potential KFP marketing/messaging and communication methods. Participants included 283, predominantly Hispanic/Latinx adults aged 18 years or older who resided in Los Angeles County and who lived in one of 12 zip codes with a high rate of kitten shelter intake. Survey results indicated that more than one quarter of participants had engaged in fostering on their own without an animal shelter or rescue program. One-third of the total sample, and more than two-thirds of participants who had already fostered cats and kittens on their own, were open to fostering kittens in partnership with an animal shelter. A majority of individuals who were interested in fostering had not seen advertising for fostering programs; Spanish-language participants were significantly less likely than expected to have encountered program advertisements. The most prevalent concerns about fostering in our sample were centered on the time (79%), cost (78%), and space (77%) required to engage in fostering. Text, email, social media, and mail were among the most preferred methods for marketing and communication, with some variation between Spanish and English language respondents. Opportunities for increasing engagement included, but were not limited to, improving the promotion of program advertisements using animal-welfare and cost-focused messaging approaches and improving the dissemination and marketing of Spanish-language materials. Providing community members with realistic expectations of the time, resources, and support they will get from animal welfare organizations may improve engagement in KFPs, as well as identifying alternative resources and supports (e.g., transportation, in-home veterinary visits) to assist community members in serving animals in their community.
Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) Improves Boar Sperm Quality and Antioxidant Capacity in Liquid Preservation (17°C) Linked to AMPK Activity Maintenance
Authors: Lan Qun , Xue Li'e , Cao Jiacheng , Xie Yingyu , Xiao Tianfang , Fang Shaoming
Published: June 2022

Liquid preservation of boar sperm is crucial for artificial insemination application in pig production. However, time-dependent oxidative damage to sperm is one of the major challenges during the liquid preservation period. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) possesses excellent antioxidant properties and has potential therapeutic use in reproductive organ injury linked to oxidative stress. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) involves in modulating the cellular redox state and exerts a beneficial effect on sperm preservation. In the present study, we firstly assessed different concentrations of CAPE that affect sperm quality during liquid storage to determine the appropriate addition. To further investigate whether CAPE exerts protective effects on boar sperm through modulation of AMPK activity, sperm quality parameters, antioxidant capacity, and marker protein expressions were evaluated under co-incubation with H2O2. The results showed that sperm treated with 210 μmol/L CAPE exhibited the highest motion parameters (total motility and progressive motility) and best functional integrity (mitochondrial activity, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosomal integrity). Even in the presence of H2O2, the addition of 210 μmol/L CAPE not only significantly improved sperm quality parameters, but also elevated CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px activities to enhance sperm antioxidant capacity. In addition, we found that CAPE could affect the protein activities of AMPK, phospho-AMPK α (p-AMPK), SOD, and Caspase-3 regardless of whether H2O2 is present or not. Our findings suggested that CAPE has potential application in liquid preservation of boar sperm and preliminary indicated that CAPE-induced improvement of sperm quality and antioxidant capacity should be mediated through conservation of AMPK activity. Further studies are required to illustrate the specific mechanism by which CAPE attenuates oxidative stress-mediated damages dependent on AMPK activity.
Antimicrobial Resistance in New Zealand—A One Health Perspective
Authors: Pattis Isabelle , Weaver Louise , Burgess Sara , Ussher James E. , Dyet Kristin
Published: June 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing global threat that affects human, animal and, often less acknowledged, environmental health. This complex issue requires a multisectoral One Health approach to address the interconnectedness of humans, animals and the natural environment. The prevalence of AMR in these reservoirs varies widely among countries and thus often requires a country-specific approach. In New Zealand (NZ), AMR and antimicrobial usage in humans are relatively well-monitored and -understood, with high human use of antimicrobials and the frequency of resistant pathogens increasing in hospitals and the community. In contrast, on average, NZ is a low user of antimicrobials in animal husbandry systems with low rates of AMR in food-producing animals. AMR in New Zealand’s environment is little understood, and the role of the natural environment in AMR transmission is unclear. Here, we aimed to provide a summary of the current knowledge on AMR in NZ, addressing all three components of the One Health triad with a particular focus on environmental AMR. We aimed to identify knowledge gaps to help develop research strategies, especially towards mitigating AMR in the environment, the often-neglected part of the One Health triad.
Variability of Anthocyanin Concentrations, Total Metabolite Contents and Antioxidant Activities in Adzuki Bean Cultivars
Authors: Desta Kebede Taye , Yoon Hyemyeong , Shin Myoung-Jae , Lee Sukyeung , Wang Xiao-Han , Choi Yu-Mi , Yi Jung-Yoon
Published: June 2022

In this study, adzuki bean cultivars including Arari, Chilbopat, Geomguseul, and Hongeon were recently cultivated, and the concentrations of seven individual anthocyanins were determined in their seed coats for the first time. Moreover, the variations of total saponin content (TSC), total phenolic content (TPC), 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) between defatted and undefatted extracts of whole seeds, seed coats, and dehulled seeds of each were analyzed. The anthocyanins were detected only in the black seed-coated cultivars and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside was dominant in both Geomguseul (12.46 mg/g) and Chilbopat (10.88 mg/g) followed by delphinidin-3-O-galactoside. TSC and TPC were in the ranges of 16.20–944.78 mg DE/g and 0.80–57.35 mg GAE/g, respectively, and each decreased in the order of seed coats > whole seeds > dehulled seeds regardless of extract type. The antioxidant activities also showed similar patterns of variation. Geomguseul seed coats outweighed the remaining cultivars in terms of TPC and FRAP activity (p < 0.05). Generally, significant variations of metabolite contents and antioxidant activities were observed between cultivars and across their seed parts (p < 0.05). Thence, black seed-coated adzuki beans could be excellent sources of anthocyanins and antioxidants.
Effect of Catalyst Inlet Flow Field Distribution Characteristics on Outlet NO Concentration Distribution in SCR Denitration Reactor Based on Monte Carlo Method
Authors: Sun Wanying , Ye Mengmeng , Gao Yihua , Sun Yi , Qian Fuping , Lu Jinli , Wu Shenghua , Huang Naijing , Xu Bing
Published: June 2022

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology plays a crucial role in flue gas denitration. The nonuniform distribution of catalyst inlet parameters causes the nonuniform distribution of NO concentration at the outlet, thus affecting accuracy of ammonia injection. Regarding this issue, this paper describes the impacts of nonuniform velocity and temperature on both the confidence of NO concentration measured at a single measuring point at the outlet and the denitration efficiency, which can provide a basis for structural optimization of SCR denitration reactor and decrease in ammonia slip. The random distribution form of velocity and temperature above the catalyst layer are derived from the actual gas volume and the actual SCR reactor model, and then the catalyst inlet boundary conditions were generated with different relative standard deviation of velocity and temperature accordingly. The confidence of outlet NO concentration measurement results can be counted by means of Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, the relation model can be obtained to calculate the confidence of outlet NO concentration measurement results at different working conditions. The results show that within the gas volume range of this work, in order to ensure the confidence of the NO concentration measurement results, the relative standard deviation of temperature before the catalyst inlet must be within 0.005 and the relative standard deviation of velocity before the catalyst inlet must be within 0.1. With the increase in relative standard difference in temperature, there is a slight decrease in the efficiency of denitration. With the different mean value of temperature, the variation range of denitration efficiency is similar to that of temperature-relative standard difference. With the different mean value of velocity, the deviation range of corresponding efficiency is similar to that of the temperature-relative standard difference. When the relative standard difference in velocity increases, the denitration efficiency decreases slightly. The greater velocity value, the decreasing range of denitration efficiency is larger than the variation range of relative standard difference in velocity.
Using a Digital Twin to Study the Influence of Climatic Changes on High Ozone Levels in Bulgaria and Europe
Authors: Zlatev Zahari , Dimov Ivan
Published: June 2022

High concentration levels of air pollutants may cause damage to plants, animals, and the health of some groups of human beings. Therefore, it is important to investigate different topics related to the high air pollution levels and to find reliable answers to the questions about the possible damages, which might take place when these levels exceed some limits. A few of the numerous questions, the answers of which are highly desirable, are listed below: (a) When are the air pollution levels dangerous? (b) What is the reason for the increased air pollution levels? (c) How can the air pollution levels be decreased? (d) Will the future climate changes result in higher and more dangerous air pollution levels? It is necessary to study carefully many issues connected with the distribution of air pollutants in a given region and with the reasons for the increases of the concentrations to high levels, which might be damaging. In order to do this, it is necessary to develop a Digital Twin of all relevant physical processes in the atmosphere and to use after that this tool in different applications. Such a tool, its name is DIGITAL AIR, has been created. Digital Twins are becoming more and more popular). Many complex problems, arising taking place in very complicated surroundings, can be handled and resolved successfully by applying Digital Twins. The preparation of such a digital tool as well as its practical implementation in the treatment of a special problem, the increase of some potentially dangerous ozone levels, will be discussed and tested in this paper. The Unified Danish Eulerian Model (UNI-DEM) is a very important part of DIGITAL AIR. This mathematical model, UNI-DEM, can be applied in many different studies related to damaging effects caused by high air pollution levels. We shall use it in this paper to get a reliable answer to a very special but extremely important question: will the future climatic changes lead to an increase in the ozone pollution levels in Bulgaria and Europe, which can potentially become dangerous for human health?
Evaluation of ERA5 Wave Parameters with In Situ Data in the South China Sea
Authors: Liu Junliang , Li Bo , Chen Wuyang , Li Junmin , Yan Jing
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the accuracy of wave parameters of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) in the South China Sea (SCS) is systematically examined with field measured data of two buoys at offshore sites and a subsea-based platform at a nearshore site, which has a total observational period of nearly three years. It is suggested that the wave parameters provided by ERA5, such as significant wave height (Hs) and mean wave period (Tm), are in good agreement with the observational data of the three sites. Compared with the in situ data, the correlation coefficient of ERA5 Hs is in the range of 0.87–0.93, and the root mean square error is only in the range of 0.22–0.57 m. The error of standard deviation does not exceed 0.29 m and is even as low as 0.04 m at two sites. The wave propagation directions of the ERA5 and in situ data are also basically the same. However, when the data are applied in engineering, some wave parameters extracted from ERA5 may deviate from the measured statistics. It is possible to significantly overestimate the average duration of a particular Hs. Further analysis shows that the possible errors of ERA5 wave parameters may be due to insufficient description of topographic conditions, which shows that the error value changes obviously with the wave direction. The results preliminarily confirm the validity of ERA5 data in the SCS, but also indicate that it is necessary to calibrate and validate the data adequately when applying the global model and its reanalysis data to specific ocean areas.
Comparison of Cloud Amounts Retrieved with Three Automatic Methods and Visual Observations
Authors: Utrillas María Pilar , Marín María José , Estellés Víctor , Marcos Carlos , Freile María Dolores , Gómez-Amo José Luis , Martínez-Lozano José Antonio
Published: June 2022

Four methods have been used for the estimation of the total cloud amount and cloud amount for low clouds: visual observations, the Long method applied on pyranometer measurements, the Automatic Partial Cloud Amount Detection Algorithm (APCADA) method applied on pyrgeometers measurements, and ceilometer measurements of the cloud base height. Records from meteorological observers indicate that clear days (0–1 octa) represent the most frequent cloud amount for low clouds. In contrast, the total cloud amount is more aleatory. Results obtained from the Long method show maximum frequency in the extreme cloud amount values. The APCADA method also indicates the predominance of cloudless skies. The ceilometer method shows a predominance of completely clear skies, but the completely cloudy (8 octas) is the second most frequent case. Automatic methods report more cloudless and overcast skies than the observer. Automatic methods agree with the visual method or differ in ±1 octa for 60–76% cases for low cloud amount and for 56–63% cases for total cloud amount. In general, low cloud amount agrees more with observer measurements than total cloud amount and the automatic methods underestimated total cloud amount observer values possibly due to the difficulty in monitoring high clouds.
Case Study of Mesoscale Precipitation Areas within the Comma Head of an Extratropical Cyclone
Authors: Zhao Yu , Lan Xin , Li Shuling , Yang Chengfang
Published: June 2022

On 12–13 February 2016, a record-breaking rain–snow event during the passage of an extratropical cyclone occurred in Shandong Province, China, in which the 24 h precipitation totals at 48 of 123 national meteorological stations in Shandong Province broke their historical records for the month of February, and a further 25 stations recorded their second-largest February totals. This paper investigates the evolution of the mesoscale precipitation areas and the mechanisms responsible for the formation, organization, and maintenance of the mesoscale precipitation areas, using FY-2G satellite data, Doppler radar observations, and a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model numerical simulation at 4 km grid spacing. The main results show that the comma head cloud of the cyclone developed from four echo strips. Intense precipitation was related to the mesoscale elongated precipitation areas (EPAs) of reflectivity >30 dBZ within the stratiform clouds. The formation and development of the EPAs coincided with the activities of a low-level shear line and an associated increase in frontogenesis. The simulated EPAs occurred in an environment of conditional instability (CI), inertial instability (II), and conditional symmetric instability (CSI). In the initial stage of the elongated rainfall areas (ERAs), rainfall was initiated by the frontal forcing in the presence of elevated CI, and II was generated by upright convection. During the development stage of the ERAs, the CI was absent, and condensational heating was enhanced. II occurred in the absence of upright convection, and it seems likely that the presence of II is a diabatic signature of the precipitation itself. Upper-level II intensified the convective systems by enhancing outflow aloft, and II caused the ERAs to organize. Thus, II played an important role in the organization and maintenance of the ERAs. The frontogenesis provided the dynamic condition for the release of the instability. Enhanced CSI and II intensified slantwise convection, and combining with enhanced frontogenesis, intensified the ERAs. The echo, ascent, and frontogenesis in snowfall areas were weaker than those in rainfall areas.
Toward More Realistic Social Distancing Policies via Advanced Feedback Control
Authors: Join Cédric , d’Onofrio Alberto , Fliess Michel
Published: June 2022

A continuously time-varying transmission rate is suggested by many control-theoretic investigations on non-pharmaceutical interventions for mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. However, such a continuously varying rate is impossible to implement in any human society. Here, we significantly extend a preliminary work (M. Fliess, C. Join, A. d’Onofrio, Feedback control of social distancing for COVID-19 via elementary formulae, MATHMOD, Vienna, 2022), based on the combination of flatness-based and model-free controls with respect to the classic parsimonious SIR model. Indeed, to take into account severe uncertainties and perturbations, we propose a feedback control where the transmission rate, i.e., the control variable, is piecewise constant. More precisely, the transmission rate remains constant during an appreciable time interval, which is not too large. Strict extended lockdowns may therefore be avoided. The poor knowledge of fundamental quantities such as the rate of infection hinders a precise calibration of the transmission rate. Thus, the results of our approach ought therefore not to be regarded as rules of action to follow accurately but as a guideline for a wise behaviour.
Comparative Analysis and Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction of Bacterial Sortase Family Proteins Generates Functional Ancestral Mutants with Different Sequence Specificities
Authors: Valgardson Jordan D. , Struyvenberg Sarah A. , Sailer Zachary R. , Piper Isabel M. , Svendsen Justin E. , Johnson D. Alex , Vogel Brandon A. , Antos John M. , Harms Michael J. , Amacher Jeanine F.
Published: June 2022

Gram-positive bacteria are some of the earliest known life forms, diverging from gram-negative bacteria 2 billion years ago. These organisms utilize sortase enzymes to attach proteins to their peptidoglycan cell wall, a structural feature that distinguishes the two types of bacteria. The transpeptidase activity of sortases make them an important tool in protein engineering applications, e.g., in sortase-mediated ligations or sortagging. However, due to relatively low catalytic efficiency, there are ongoing efforts to create better sortase variants for these uses. Here, we use bioinformatics tools, principal component analysis and ancestral sequence reconstruction, in combination with protein biochemistry, to analyze natural sequence variation in these enzymes. Principal component analysis on the sortase superfamily distinguishes previously described classes and identifies regions of relatively high sequence variation in structurally-conserved loops within each sortase family, including those near the active site. Using ancestral sequence reconstruction, we determined sequences of ancestral Staphylococcus and Streptococcus Class A sortase proteins. Enzyme assays revealed that the ancestral Streptococcus enzyme is relatively active and shares similar sequence variation with other Class A Streptococcus sortases. Taken together, we highlight how natural sequence variation can be utilized to investigate this important protein family, arguing that these and similar techniques may be used to discover or design sortases with increased catalytic efficiency and/or selectivity for sortase-mediated ligation experiments.
Microfluidic-Based Novel Optical Quantification of Red Blood Cell Concentration in Blood Flow
Authors: Wang Yudong , Nunna Bharath Babu , Talukder Niladri , Lee Eon Soo
Published: June 2022

The optical quantification of hematocrit (volumetric percentage of red blood cells) in blood flow in microfluidic systems provides enormous help in designing microfluidic biosensing platforms with enhanced sensitivity. Although several existing methods, such as centrifugation, complete blood cell count, etc., have been developed to measure the hematocrit of the blood at the sample preparation stage, these methods are impractical to measure the hematocrit in dynamic microfluidic blood flow cases. An easy-to-access optical method has emerged as a hematocrit quantification technique to address this limitation, especially for the microfluidic-based biosensing platform. A novel optical quantification method is demonstrated in this study, which can measure the hematocrit of the blood flow at a targeted location in a microchannel at any given instant. The images of the blood flow were shot using a high-speed camera through an inverted transmission microscope at various light source intensities, and the grayscale of the images was measured using an image processing code. By measuring the average grayscale of the images of blood flow at different luminous exposures, a relationship between hematocrit and grayscale has been developed. The quantification of the hematocrit in the microfluidic system can be instant and easy with this method. The innovative proposed technique has been evaluated with porcine blood samples with hematocrit ranging from 5% to 70%, flowing through 1000 µm wide and 100 µm deep microchannels. The experimental results obtained strongly supported the proposed optical technique of hematocrit measurement in microfluidic systems.
Low Back Pain—A Disease or Condition of Impaired Functional Health? Definition-Inherent Consequences for the Comprehensive Care of Back Pain Patients
Authors: Ammer Kurt , Ebenbichler Gerold , Bochdansky Thomas
Published: June 2022

This article provides arguments for and against the classification of low back pain (LBP) as a disease or health condition. Based on the basic definitions of health, disease, illness, sickness, infirmity, and pain, little support has been found for the idea that LBP represents a specific disease entity. Although specified back pains do not signify disease, the pain experienced may be caused by specific diseases, such as inflammation, neuropathy, fractures, or tumors. Common findings in medical imaging indicate disk herniation, degenerative joints with or without signs of inflammation in the facet joints, and spinal stenosis present in a relatively high proportion of pain-free persons. The same applies to hypomobile segmental dysfunction (joint blockage) and myofascial syndrome. Both functional entities play a core role in manual medicine but are common in asymptomatic subjects, showing low–moderate reliability and failing to meet the classification requirements of disease. Reducing disability through interventions targeting a disease’s structural/functional conditions cannot be achieved since the relationship between pathological changes and activity restrictions/participation is indirect in most cases. Considering LBP as a condition shifts the goal of treatment from the disease to the patient’s optimal performance in activities/participation and allows them to be self-determined and independent.
SARS-CoV-2: A Master of Immune Evasion
Authors: Rubio-Casillas Alberto , Redwan Elrashdy M. , Uversky Vladimir N.
Published: June 2022

Viruses and their hosts have coevolved for a long time. This coevolution places both the pathogen and the human immune system under selective pressure; on the one hand, the immune system has evolved to combat viruses and virally infected cells, while viruses have developed sophisticated mechanisms to escape recognition and destruction by the immune system. SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that is causing the current COVID-19 pandemic, has shown a remarkable ability to escape antibody neutralization, putting vaccine efficacy at risk. One of the virus’s immune evasion strategies is mitochondrial sabotage: by causing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial physiology is impaired, and the interferon antiviral response is suppressed. Seminal studies have identified an intra-cytoplasmatic pathway for viral infection, which occurs through the construction of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), hence enhancing infection and avoiding immune surveillance. Another method of evading immune monitoring is the disruption of the antigen presentation. In this scenario, SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces MHC-I molecule expression: SARS-CoV-2’s open reading frames (ORF 6 and ORF 8) produce viral proteins that specifically downregulate MHC-I molecules. All of these strategies are also exploited by other viruses to elude immune detection and should be studied in depth to improve the effectiveness of future antiviral treatments. Compared to the Wuhan strain or the Delta variant, Omicron has developed mutations that have impaired its ability to generate syncytia, thus reducing its pathogenicity. Conversely, other mutations have allowed it to escape antibody neutralization and preventing cellular immune recognition, making it the most contagious and evasive variant to date.
Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Enhances the Neuroprotective Activity of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in a Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Dzhauari Stalik , Litvinova Svetlana , Efimenko Anastasia , Aleksandrushkina Natalia , Basalova Nataliya , Abakumov Maxim , Danilova Natalia , Malkov Pavel , Balabanyan Vadim , Bezuglova Tatiana , Balayants Viktor , Mnikhovich Maxim , Gulyaev Mikhail , Skryabina Mariya , Popov Vladimir , Stambolsky Dmitry , Voronina Tatiana , Tkachuk Vsevolod , Karagyaur Maxim
Published: June 2022

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a classic neuroprotective and pro-regenerative factor in peripheral and central nervous tissue. Its ability to stimulate the restoration of damaged nerve and brain tissue after ischemic stroke and intraventricular hemorrhage has been demonstrated. However, the current concept of regeneration allows us to assert that one factor, even if essential, cannot be the sole contributor to this complex biological process. We have previously shown that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) complements BDNF activity and stimulates restoration of nervous tissue. Using a model of intracerebral hemorrhage in rats, we investigated the neurotrophic and neuroprotective effect of BDNF combined with uPA. The local simultaneous administration of BDNF and uPA provided effective neuroprotection of brain tissue after intracerebral hemorrhage, promoted survival of experimental animals and their neurological recovery, and decreased lesion volume. The study of cellular mechanisms of the observed neurotrophic effect of BDNF and uPA combination revealed both known mechanisms (neuronal survival and neurite growth) and new ones (microglial activation) that had not been shown for BDNF and uPA. Our findings support the concept of using combinations of biological factors with diverse but complementary mechanisms of action as a promising regenerative approach.
Osteoarthritis-Induced Metabolic Alterations of Human Hip Chondrocytes
Authors: Eitner Annett , Sparing Simon , Kohler Felix C. , Müller Sylvia , Hofmann Gunther O. , Kamradt Thomas , Schaible Hans-Georg , Aurich Matthias
Published: June 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) alters chondrocyte metabolism and mitochondrial biology. We explored whether OA and non-OA chondrocytes show persistent differences in metabolism and mitochondrial function and different responsiveness to cytokines and cAMP modulators. Hip chondrocytes from patients with OA or femoral neck fracture (non-OA) were stimulated with IL-1β, TNF, forskolin and opioid peptides. Mediators released from chondrocytes were measured, and mitochondrial functions and glycolysis were determined (Seahorse Analyzer). Unstimulated OA chondrocytes exhibited significantly higher release of IL-6, PGE2 and MMP1 and lower production of glycosaminoglycan than non-OA chondrocytes. Oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and mitochondrial ATP production were comparable in unstimulated non-OA and OA chondrocytes, although the non-mitochondrial OCR was higher in OA chondrocytes. Compared to OA chondrocytes, non-OA chondrocytes showed stronger responses to IL-1β/TNF stimulation, consisting of a larger decrease in mitochondrial ATP production and larger increases in non-mitochondrial OCR and NO production. Enhancement of cAMP by forskolin prevented IL-1β-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in OA chondrocytes but not in non-OA chondrocytes. Endogenous opioids, present in OA joints, influenced neither cytokine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction nor NO upregulation. Glycolysis was not different in non-OA and OA chondrocytes, independent of stimulation. OA induces persistent metabolic alterations, but the results suggest upregulation of cellular mechanisms protecting mitochondrial function in OA.
A Comparative Study of Cell Culture Conditions during Conversion from Primed to Naive Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Romayor Irene , Herrera Lara , Burón Maria , Martin-Inaraja Myriam , Prieto Laura , Etxaniz Jone , Inglés-Ferrándiz Marta , Pineda Jose Ramon , Eguizabal Cristina
Published: June 2022

The successful reprogramming of human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represented a turning point in the stem cell research field, owing to their ability to differentiate into any cell type with fewer ethical issues than human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). In mice, PSCs are thought to exist in a naive state, the cell culture equivalent of the immature pre-implantation embryo, whereas in humans, PSCs are in a primed state, which is a more committed pluripotent state than a naive state. Recent studies have focused on capturing a similar cell stage in human cells. Given their earlier developmental stage and therefore lack of cell-of-origin epigenetic memory, these cells would be better candidates for further re-differentiation, use in disease modeling, regenerative medicine and drug discovery. In this study, we used primed hiPSCs and hESCs to evaluate the successful establishment and maintenance of a naive cell stage using three different naive-conversion media, both in the feeder and feeder-free cells conditions. In addition, we compared the directed differentiation capacity of primed and naive cells into the three germ layers and characterized these different cell stages with commonly used pluripotent and lineage-specific markers. Our results show that, in general, naive culture NHSM medium (in both feeder and feeder-free systems) confers greater hiPSCs and hESCs viability and the highest naive pluripotency markers expression. This medium also allows better cell differentiation cells toward endoderm and mesoderm.