bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cost‐effective tsCUT&Tag method for profiling transcription factor binding landscape
Authors: Wu Leiming , Luo Zi , Shi Yanni , Jiang Yizhe , Li Ruonan , Miao Xinxin , Yang Fang , Li Qing , Zhao Han , Xue Jiquan , Xu Shutu , Zhang Tifu , Li Lin
Published: September 2022

Knowledge of the transcription factor binding landscape (TFBL) is necessary to analyze gene regulatory networks for important agronomic traits. However, a low‐cost and high‐throughput in vivo chromatin profiling method is still lacking in plants. Here, we developed a transient and simplified cleavage under targets and tagmentation (tsCUT&Tag) that combines transient expression of transcription factor proteins in protoplasts with a simplified CUT&Tag without nucleus extraction. Our tsCUT&Tag method provided higher data quality and signal resolution with lower sequencing depth compared with traditional ChIP‐seq. Furthermore, we developed a strategy combining tsCUT&Tag with machine learning, which has great potential for profiling the TFBL across plant development.
The online mindset intervention ‘The Growth Factory’ for adolescents with intellectual disabilities: moderators and mediators
Authors: Verberg F. , Helmond P. , Otten R. , Overbeek G.
Published: September 2022

Background

The online mindset intervention The Growth Factory (TGF) has shown promising effects—increasing growth mindsets and perseverance and decreasing mental health problems among youth with intellectual disabilities (ID). Studying moderators and mediators of intervention effects is essential to elucidate for whom and why TGF works. Using a randomised controlled trial design, we examined youth's baseline mindset, gender, age, level of ID and intervention satisfaction as moderators of TGF effects and examined whether the intervention effects of TGF on improvements in mental health were mediated by perseverance.

Methods

The sample consisted of 119 participants with mild to borderline ID (Mage = 15.83;SD = 2.23), randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 60) or passive control group (n = 59). Participants reported mindsets, perseverance, internalising, externalising, attention and total mental health problems at pre‐test, at post‐test and at 3‐month follow‐up. Additionally, youth in the intervention group graded their satisfaction with a score at the end of each session.

Results

Findings indicated that the effectiveness of TGF was not affected by participants' baseline mindsets, age and ID level. TGF was more effective in reducing internalising problems in girls and increasing perseverance in boys. In addition, in the intervention group TGF was more effective in improving internalising, externalising and total mental health problems for youth who reported higher levels of intervention satisfaction at post‐test. Finally, TGF indirectly decreased internalising and externalising problems at follow‐up through improvements in perseverance reported at post‐test.

Conclusions

TGF offers a universal, ‘add‐on’ mindset intervention complementing usual care programmes. It improves mindsets, perseverance and mental health in youth with ID. Both practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Repeat use of short‐term credit: The case of deposit advance products
Authors: Chin Alycia , Romeo Charles J.
Published: September 2022

Every day, consumers borrow using short‐term credit products. Relatively little is known about “Deposit Advance Products” (DAP), short‐term, small‐dollar loans offered to checking account customers. We examine (1) how DAP borrowing changes with repeat use and (2) how consumers use DAP in conjunction with other credit. By analyzing transaction‐level data on more than 100,000 checking accounts over an 18‐month period, we find that consumers' DAP borrowing evolves. With repeat borrowing, consumers take credit for a longer time, increasingly withdraw new loans within a week of repaying prior ones, and borrow more. Additionally, consumers with repeat DAP use are more likely to simultaneously borrow using overdraft. Together, this evidence suggests that DAP may provide inadequate credit for consumers. We discuss implications for the short‐term credit market.
A bibliometric and visualized research on global trends of abdominoplasty, 2011–2021
Authors: Xi Tingting , Guo Rong , Wu Xuemei , Jiang Hua , Xiong Jiachao
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Patients with multiple pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, and a history of severe obesity, the abdominal wall muscles, and skin exhibit rectus abdominis separation and skin laxity due to prolonged overstretching, which causes damage to both the patient's appearance and health. Abdominoplasty is a surgical solution to the problems of separation of the rectus abdominis muscle and laxity of the skin of the abdominal wall under direct vision, which is important for patients with the above problems. Currently, many studies have been reported on abdominoplasty, however, no reverent bibliometric analyses of abdominoplasty have been published.

Methods

In this study, we screened 1,119 studies on abdominoplasty between 2011 and 2021 based on the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database and performed a bibliometric analysis.

Results

We found that high‐quality research related to abdominoplasty has increased in the last decade, and the United States was the leading country in the field of abdominoplasty. Stanford university ranked first in number of publications and citations. Aesthetic surgery journal was the most productive journal, followed by the Plastic and reconstructive surgery and Aesthetic plastic surgery. In addition, bariatric surgery, venous thromboembolism, rectus diastasis, breast reconstruction and umbilicoplasty are the keywords of recent publications that are the focus of current research.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive analysis and visualization of global research trends on abdominoplasty from 2011 to 2021, and improvements in abdominoplasty to reduce the incidence of postoperative complications will remain a focus of future research.
Insurance demand experiments: Comparing crowdworking to the lab
Authors: Jaspersen Johannes G. , Ragin Marc A. , Sydnor Justin R.
Published: September 2022

We analyze an insurance demand experiment conducted in two different settings: in‐person at a university laboratory and online using a crowdworking platform. Subject demographics differ across the samples, but average insurance demand is similar. However, choice patterns suggest online subjects are less cognitively engaged—they have more variation in their demand and react less to changes in exogenous factors of the insurance situation. Applying data quality filters does not lead to more comparable demand patterns between the samples. Additionally, while online subjects pass comprehension questions at the same rate as in‐person subjects, they show more random behavior in other questions. We find that online subjects are more likely to engage in “coarse thinking,” choosing from a reduced set of options. Our results justify caution in using crowdsourced subjects for insurance demand experiments. We outline some best practices which may help improve data quality from experiments conducted via crowdworking platforms.
The therapeutic and preventive effects of a canine‐origin VB12‐producing Lactobacillus on DSS‐induced colitis in mice
Authors: Zhang Ping , Li Benrui , Mu Jiaxin , Liu Dandan , Zhang Guoying , Mao Xinru , Huang Kehe , Waldron Kevin J. , Chen Xingxiang
Published: September 2022

Vitamin B12 (VB12) plays vital roles as a cofactor in reactions related to biosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Animals with diarrhoea from intestinal inflammation are susceptible to VB12 deficiency due to dysfunctional absorption. No current medications for canine intestinal inflammation can simultaneously act as VB12 supplements. Here we have tested a strain of VB12‐producing Lactobacillus, to investigate its safety in healthy dogs and test for hypothesized therapeutic and preventive effects on murine colitis. Results from enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, histopathological analysis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed normal physical conditions of healthy dogs given Lactobacillus, and blood biochemical indices showed no significant differences in markers, indicating safety of Lactobacillus to healthy dogs. The microbiota in animals receiving VB12‐producing Lactobacillus probiotic exhibited decreased abundance of Escherichia coli and concomitant increase in Lactobacillus. The probiotic supplement also resulted in downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in murine colon tissues, reduced myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde level, and significantly increased serum VB12 level and decreased homocysteine in therapeutic and preventive experiments. Moreover, Lactobacillus supplement decreased colonic inflammation and injury, improved gut microbiota, and ameliorated VB12 deficiency as an adjunctive therapy. We conclude this product is potentially beneficial for efficient therapy and prevention of VB12 deficiency form intestinal inflammation in canine clinical practice.
Dietarysupplementation of 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol as an alternative to cholecalciferolin swine diets: A review
Authors: Lütke‐Dörhoff Michael , Schulz Jochen , Westendarp Heiner , Visscher Christian , Wilkens Mirja R.
Published: September 2022

25‐hydroxycholecalciferol (25‐OHD3) formed via hepatic hydroxylation from vitamin D, cholecalciferol, represents the precursor of the biologically active vitamin D hormone, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D. Due to a higher absorption rate and the omission of one hydroxylation, dietary supplementation of 25‐OHD3instead of vitamin D3is considered to be more efficient as plasma concentrations of 25‐OHD3are increased more pronounced. The present review summarises studies investigating potential beneficial effects on mineral homeostasis, bone metabolism, health status and performance in sows, piglets and fattening pigs. Results are inconsistent. While most studies could not demonstrate any or only a slight impact of partial or total replacement of vitamin D3by 25‐OHD3, some experiments indicated that 25‐OHD3might alter physiological processes when animals are challenged, for example, by a restricted mineral supply.
Serum lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein levels and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Ting‐Yun , Chang Yu‐Kang , Wu Ming‐Yin , Wu Tsai‐Kun , Chen Chang‐Hsu , Lim Paik‐Seong
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) exhibit an elevated cardiovascular risk. Chronic inflammation is one of the main mechanisms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lipopolysaccharide has been proposed as a link between systemic inflammation and CVD. Herein, we evaluated whether lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP), a surrogate marker of lipopolysaccharide and consequent inflammation, is associated with cardiovascular events in ESKD.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study of maintenance haemodialysis patients. Baseline serum LBP levels were categorized into tertiles and also modelled continuously for analyses. Cox regression methods were used to evaluate the association of serum LBP levels with cardiovascular events.

Results

A total of 360 haemodialysis patients were included in this analysis. During a median follow‐up of 3.1 years, 90 (25.0%) patients had cardiovascular events. Patients in the upper tertile of serum LBP levels had a significantly greater risk of cardiovascular events [hazard ratio (HR) 4.87; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 2.12–11.15] than those in the lower tertile, independent of age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, CVD, dialysis vintage, body mass index, non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, albumin, phosphorus, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, and interleukin‐6. The association was consistent regardless of whether competing risk of death was accounted for (subdistribution HR 4.87; 95% CI, 1.96–12.11 for upper versus lower tertiles) or serum LBP was analysed as a continuous variable (HR 1.30; 95% CI, 1.02–1.66 per 1 SD increment).

Conclusions

Serum LBP levels were independently associated with cardiovascular events in heomodialysis patients. LBP might serve as a novel biomarker for CVD in ESKD.
Emotional intelligence and coping strategies among intensive care unit nurses
Authors: Cichoń Jakub , Płaszewska‐Żywko Lucyna , Kózka Maria
Published: September 2022

Background

Stress is an integral part of daily work for nurses, especially those who work in intensive care units (ICUs). However, chronic stress can affect nurses' mental and physical well‐being, increasing their risk of burnout and decreasing the quality of care. A higher emotional intelligence (EI) level may be correlated with greater use of effective coping strategies, leading to a reduction of the adverse effects of stress.

Aim

This study aimed to examine the relationship between EI and coping strategies among adult ICU nurses in Poland.

Study Design

A cross‐sectional survey design was used. Current adult ICU nurses in nine Polish hospitals were invited to participate. The survey instruments used were: the Polish version of the Schutte Self‐Report Emotional Intelligence Test, the Inventory to Measure Coping Strategies with Stress (Brief‐COPE), and a self‐constructed questionnaire.

Results

114/543 (21%) nurses completed the survey. ICU nurses showed an average level of EI (70.2%). The main stress coping strategies were active coping and planning, the rarest being substance use, behavioural disengagement, and denial. For nurses with a higher EI level, the most frequently used strategies included positive reframing (R = 0.43; p < .001), active coping (R = 0.38; p < .001), planning (R = 0.37; p < .001) and religion (R = 0.25; p = .006). Nurses were less likely to utilize strategies of behavioural disengagement (R = –0.32; p = .001) and self‐blame (R = –0.40; p < .001).

Conclusions

EI may have an impact on coping strategies, as a higher EI level was correlated with the greater use of effective coping strategies in ICU nurses.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Training in coping with stress and increasing EI may have a positive impact on reducing the risk of burnout in nurses and thus improving the quality of care delivered.
Environmental Engel Curves: A Neural Network Approach
Authors: Mancini Tullio , Calvo-Pardo Hector , Olmo Jose
Published: September 2022

Environmental Engel curves describe how households' income relates to the pollution associated with the services and goods consumed. This paper estimates these curves with neural networks using the novel dataset constructed in Levinson and O'Brien. We provide further statistical rigor to the empirical analysis by constructing prediction intervals obtained from novel neural network methods such as extra-neural nets and MC dropout. The application of these techniques for five different pollutants allow us to confirm statistically that Environmental Engel curves are upward sloping, have income elasticities smaller than one and shift down, becoming more concave, over time. Importantly, for the last year of the sample, we find an inverted U shape that suggests the existence of a maximum in pollution for medium-to-high levels of household income beyond which pollution flattens or decreases for top income earners.
Unequal Transitions to Adulthood: Widening Disparities in Age at First Union, Sex, and Birth in Many Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Batyra Ewa , Kohler Hans‐Peter
Published: September 2022

Research on the timing of events during the transition to adulthood, such as first union, sex, and birth in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), focused predominantly on measures of central tendency, notably median or mean ages. In this report, we adopt a different perspective on this topic by examining disparities in the timing of these events in 46 LMICs spanning four decades. Using Demographic and Health Surveys, we estimate ages at which 25 percent, 50 percent, and 75 percent of women have first union, birth, and sex. We compute interquartile ranges to measure within‐country variation and disparities in the timing of sexual initiation and family formation. Variation in the timing of first union, birth, and sex generally increases as the median ages at these events increase. Disparities in the timing of first union and birth grew in West Africa and Latin America, and women who experience these events relatively early increasingly lag behind women who experience them relatively late. Documenting trends in measures of central tendency is insufficient to capture the complexity of ongoing changes because they mask growing disparities in the timing of family formation across many LMICs. These results are important for assessing progress toward the achievement of sustainable development goals related to the reduction of early marriages and pregnancies and highlight a need for more holistic approaches to measure the timing of family formation.
A novel HLA allele, HLA‐B*07:248, detected in a Chinese hematopoietic stem cell donor and platelet donor
Authors: Li Xiao‐Feng , Li Min‐Xi , Zhang Xu , Lin Feng‐Qiu , Li Jian‐Ping
Published: September 2022

HLA‐B*07:248 has one nucleotide change from HLA‐B*07:18:01 where Tyrosine (Y) is changed to Serine (S).
Examining the Non-Linear Impact of External Debt on Economic Convergence
Authors: Le Thai Hong , Phan Lan Trinh Thi
Published: September 2022

This article investigates the impact of external debt on economic convergence in 201 economies from 1990 to 2020. Panel data collected from the fiscal space database of the World Bank are analyzed using the conditional beta convergence framework. Results show that external debt negatively affects growth and there is no evidence to support the non-linear association. However, external debt influences the convergence speed in an inverted-U-shaped fashion. The economic convergence speeds up as the level of indebtedness increases to a threshold above which the convergence slows down as the level of foreign debts continues to increase. We also disaggregate external debt into its six sub-components and discover the non-linear effects of private debts and debts denominated in domestic currency on the convergence process.
InstabilitiesEverywhere!Hard Problems in Aero-Engines
Authors: Spakovszky Zoltán S.
Published: September 2022

Many of the challenges that limited aero-engine operation in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s were static in nature: hot components exceeding temperature margins, stresses in the high-speed rotating structure approaching safety limits, and turbomachinery aerodynamic efficiencies missing performance goals. Modeling tools have greatly improved since and have helped enhance jet engine design, largely due to better computers and improved simulations of the fluid flow and supporting structure. The situation is thus different today, where important problems encountered past the design and development phases are dynamic in nature. These can jeopardize engine certification and lead to major delays and increased program costs. A real challenge is the characterization of damping and the related dynamic behavior of rotating and stationary components and assemblies, and of the fluid–structure interactions and coupling. The theme of this lecture is instability in the broadest sense. A number of problems of technological interest in aero-engines are discussed with a focus on dynamical system modeling and identification of the underlying mechanisms. Future perspectives on outstanding seminal problems and grand challenges are also given.
Atomically precise deposition of (Er0.1Y0.9)2SiO5 combined with digitally processed DC sputtering and non-radical oxidation
Authors: Nakamura Ghent , Isshiki Hideo
Published: September 2022

(Er0.1Y0.9)2SiO5 (EYSO) crystalline thin film is expected as one of highly optical gain media for silicon photonics. Layer-by-layer deposition for the directed crystallization has been attempted to achieve a compact waveguide amplifier. In this study, atomically precise deposition (APD) of EYSO as the layer-by-layer approach was demonstrated by combination with digitally processed DC sputtering and nonradical oxidation. The crystalline phase was targeted at the C2/c space group of the monoclinic EYSO, and the directed crystallization of EYSO based on the APD process was confirmed by x-ray diffraction measurements. The nonradical oxidation effect on the improvement of the crystallinity of EYSO was also discussed through photoluminescence (PL) measurements. It was revealed that the APD process improved the Er-related PL emission properties of EYSO, suggesting a remarkable reduction in oxygen vacancies that act as the nonradiative center. Consequently, the decay time reaches 2.5 ms close to the radiative lifetime of Er ion in EYSO.
On the nature and propagation of errors in roughness parameters obtained from spectral analysis of atomic force microscopy topographic images
Authors: Chrostowski Robert , Mangolini Filippo
Published: September 2022

Scale-dependent surface roughness strongly affects critical surface properties of materials, including adhesion, wettability, and optical/thermal properties. As a particular example, tuning the ratio of the true to nominal area—a parameter that depends on the root mean square (RMS) local slope of the finest scales of topography—is an effective approach to tailor the wetting characteristics of solid surfaces. While power spectral density (PSD) analysis of atomic force microscopy (AFM) topographic images allows for directly assessing the scale-dependence of surface roughness, this approach to analyze AFM height maps requires power-law modeling and extrapolation of a PSD with inherently non-normal error distributions. Here, we use a Monte Carlo approach based on synthetic AFM images of known input power-law parameters to (1) evaluate the accuracy of fitting techniques based on the expected distribution of the PSD; (2) evaluate the error propagation from the standard errors of the fitted power-law parameters to the computed RMS slope and area ratio; and (3) evaluate the statistical power of various PSD regression techniques when differentiating surfaces. The results indicated that standard error for ordinary least squares on a log-log PSD (log OLS) underpredicts the observed variance by ∼50%. This underprediction can be eliminated by implementing a log-link gamma regression. Moreover, when propagating the standard error to derived parameters (e.g., the RMS slope), the propagated error is generally conservative relative to the observed variance and closely predicts the observed variance when extrapolating to the finest scale. This result demonstrates the possibility of accurately estimating roughness parameters that are critical for evaluating surface phenomena on the basis of fitting and extrapolating AFM data using self-affine models. Finally, our results provided evidence for the possibility of statistically differentiating surfaces with similar power-law parameters when using weighted gamma regression with a mean of 10 images, as opposed to unweighted log-OLS that requires as many as 10 000 images to differentiate images.
Desorption characteristics of selenium and tellurium thin films
Authors: Liu Derrick S. H. , Hilse Maria , Engel-Herbert Roman
Published: September 2022

The temperature-dependent desorption behavior of selenium and tellurium is investigated using a heated quartz crystal microbalance. Prior to heating the quartz crystal microbalance, selenium and tellurium films with varying thickness were deposited using thermal effusion cells in a molecular beam epitaxy system for subsequent determination of temperature-dependent mass loss of the deposited films. The desorption rate for tellurium was found to exhibit one sharp peak around 190 °C, indicating the loss of the entire film irrespective of film thickness within a temperature window of 20 °C, which was completely evaporated at 200 °C. Similar experiments for selenium revealed that the thermal desorption took place via a two-stage process with a smaller portion of the material desorbing within an even narrower temperature window of 5 °C at a much lower peak temperature of 65 °C, while most selenium desorbed within a temperature range of 10 °C around 90 °C. This two-stage behavior indicated the presence of at least two chemically distinct selenium species or binding states. The direct and quantitative determination of the chalcogen desorption process provides important insights into the kinetics of chalcogenide-based film growth and is in addition of applied benefit to the research community in the area of Se/Te capping and decapping of air sensitive materials as it provides temperature ranges and rates at which full desorption is achieved. Our work furthermore points toward the need for a more detailed understanding of the chemical composition state of atomic and molecular beams supplied from thermal evaporation sources during growth.
Super-resolution within a one-dimensional phononic crystal of resonators using time reversal in an equivalent circuit model
Authors: Kingsley Adam D. , Anderson Brian E. , Ulrich T. J.
Published: September 2022

An equivalent circuit model has been developed to model a one-dimensional waveguide with many side-branch Helmholtz resonators. This waveguide constitutes a phononic crystal that has been shown to have decreased phase speed below the resonance frequency of an individual resonator. This decreased phase speed can be exploited to achieve super-resolution using broadband time reversal focusing techniques. It is shown that the equivalent circuit model is capable of quantifying this change in phase speed of the crystal and also the small-scale wave-resonator interactions within the crystal. The equivalent circuit model enables the parameterization of the physical variables and the optimization of the focusing bandwidth by balancing the combination of increasing resolution and decreasing amplitude near the resonance frequency. It is shown that the quality factor—in this case, the quality factor determined by the geometric shape of each resonator—controls the range of frequencies that are strongly affected by the Helmholtz resonators.
Digital sampling of acoustic impulse noise: Implications for exposure measurement and damage risk criteria
Authors: Smalt Christopher J. , Brungart Douglas S.
Published: September 2022

Current standards for the measurement of impulse noise (e.g., MIL-STD-1474E) recommend using a sampling rate of at least 200 kHz in order to accurately estimate the risk of hearing damage. The given motivation for this high sampling rate is to ensure a temporal resolution in the impulse waveform fine enough to accurately capture the peak pressure. However, the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem specifies that a sampled signal can accurately reconstruct both the amplitude and phase information of a signal given the sampling rate is at least twice the highest frequency present in the original signal. Thus, it is possible to reconstruct a band limited signal with the same temporal resolution as one captured at a higher sampling rate if the contributions of energy above the Nyquist rate can be ignored. In this study, resampling techniques are applied to a signal sampled at 48 kHz to extract A-weighted sound pressure energy estimates within 0.1 dB of those obtained at a higher sampling rate. Our results suggest sampling rates for impulsive noise should be based on the range of frequencies expected to make a contribution to injury risk rather than on concerns about temporal resolution.
Maximum likelihood separation of anthropogenic and wind-generated underwater noise
Authors: Larsson Nordström Robin , Lalander Emilia , Skog Isaac , Andersson Mathias
Published: September 2022

A method is presented for simultaneous estimation of the probability distributions of both anthropogenic and wind-generated underwater noise power spectral density using only acoustic data recorded with a single hydrophone. Probability density models for both noise sources are suggested, and the model parameters are estimated using the method of maximum likelihood. A generic mixture model is utilized to model a time invariant anthropogenic noise distribution. Wind-generated noise is assumed normally distributed with a wind speed-dependent mean. The mean is then modeled as an affine linear function of the wind-generated noise level at a reference frequency, selected in a frequency range where the anthropogenic noise is less dominant. The method was used to successfully estimate the wind-generated noise spectra from ambient noise recordings collected at two locations in the southern Baltic Sea. At the North location, 3 km from the nearest shipping lane, the ship noise surpasses the wind-generated noise almost 100% of the time in the frequency band 63–400 Hz during summer for wind speed 7 m/s. At the South location, 14 km to the nearest shipping lane, the ship noise dominance is lower but still 40%–90% in the same frequencies and wind speed.
MAN v FAT Soccer: Feasibility Study and Preliminary Efficacy of a Sport-Based Weight-Loss Intervention for Overweight and Obese Men in Australia
Authors: Budden Timothy , Dimmock James A. , Rosenberg Michael , Beauchamp Mark R. , Fitzpatrick Ian , Jackson Ben
Published: September 2022

MAN v FAT Soccer is a sport-based weight-loss program for overweight and obese men that originated in the United Kingdom (i.e., as MAN v FAT Football) and appears to successfully engage men with weight loss. We sought to explore whether the program would work in an Australian context by (a) establishing a foundation for the implementation of the program on a larger scale and (b) determining how large-scale implementation is most feasible. We conducted a nonrandomized, single intervention group feasibility trial of MAN v FAT Soccer in Australia with 418 male participants with a body mass index greater than 27.50 kg/m2. Results indicate that the program is acceptable, with participants reporting positive perceptions of the various components of the program and a high proportion reporting intentions to recommend the program to others (95.9%). Furthermore, preliminary effectiveness results indicate positive changes in weight (4.6% reduction) and physical activity (88.5% increase) and improvements in psychological outcomes such as depression (17.6% decrease), stress (19.0% decrease), and body appreciation (19.1% increase). Our findings provide general support for the feasibility of MAN v FAT Soccer and the notion that leveraging competition and masculinity may help drive men’s health behavior change.
Cyclic ADP ribose isomers: Production, chemical structures, and immune signaling
Authors: Manik Mohammad K. , Shi Yun , Li Sulin , Zaydman Mark A. , Damaraju Neha , Eastman Samuel , Smith Thomas G. , Gu Weixi , Masic Veronika , Mosaiab Tamim , Weagley James S. , Hancock Steven J. , Vasquez Eduardo , Hartley-Tassell Lauren , Kargios Nestoras , Maruta Natsumi , Lim Bryan Y. J. , Burdett Hayden , Landsberg Michael J. , Schembri Mark A. , Prokes Ivan , Song Lijiang , Grant Murray , DiAntonio Aaron , Nanson Jeffrey D. , Guo Ming , Milbrandt Jeffrey , Ve Thomas , Kobe Bostjan
Published: September 2022

Cyclic adenosine diphosphate (ADP)–ribose (cADPR) isomers are signaling molecules produced by bacterial and plant Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized form) (NAD
+
) hydrolysis. We show that v-cADPR (2′cADPR) and v2-cADPR (3′cADPR) isomers are cyclized by O-glycosidic bond formation between the ribose moieties in ADPR. Structures of 2′cADPR-producing TIR domains reveal conformational changes that lead to an active assembly that resembles those of Toll-like receptor adaptor TIR domains. Mutagenesis reveals a conserved tryptophan that is essential for cyclization. We show that 3′cADPR is an activator of ThsA effector proteins from the bacterial antiphage defense system termed Thoeris and a suppressor of plant immunity when produced by the effector HopAM1. Collectively, our results reveal the molecular basis of cADPR isomer production and establish 3′cADPR in bacteria as an antiviral and plant immunity–suppressing signaling molecule.
Foreseeing metal failure from its inception
Authors: Omar Mostafa M. , El-Awady Jaafar A.
Published: September 2022

The life span of metals can be inferred from early microscopic deformation events
Structure, geochronology, and petrogenesis of Permian peraluminous granite dykes in the southern Chinese Altai as indicators of Altai−East Junggar convergence
Authors: Shu Tan , Jiang Yingde , Schulmann Karel , Yu Yang , Yuan Chao , Wang Sheng , Li Zhiyong , Kong Lingzhu
Published: September 2022

How and at which thermal conditions the convergence between the Chinese Altai and East Junggar operated remain poorly understood. This issue is addressed in the current study by focusing on the timing and petrogenesis of syntectonic granite dykes from the representative areas of Fuyun (convergent front) and Kalasu-Aletai (Chinese Altai interior). It is shown that Fuyun and Kalasu-Aletai dykes are fractionated I- and S-type granites, with zircon and monazite U-Pb ages of 300−291 Ma and 281−265 Ma, respectively. Geochemically, the Fuyun dykes have lower contents of aluminous (ASI: 0.97−1.13) and light rare earth element-enriched features, while the Kalasu-Aletai dykes have ASI = 1.01−2.17 and show overall flat rare earth element patterns with tetrad effects. The Fuyun dykes exhibit less evolved Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics (87Sr/86Srinitial: 0.7039−0.7048, εNd(t): + 5.7 to + 6.1) with respect to those of the Kalasu-Aletai dykes (87Sr/86Srinitial: 0.6978−0.7183, εNd(t): −7.6 to +3.0). The Fuyun and Kalasu-Aletai dykes are geochemically compatible with isotopically less evolved East Junggar arc components and heterogeneous Ordovician wedge sediment of the Chinese Altai, respectively, implying genetic links. We propose that the late Paleozoic Chinese Altai−Junggar convergence created a local perturbation of weak mantle beneath the southern Chinese Altai, causing partial melting of the underthrusting East Junggar and the overriding Altai components successively. The resulting magmas were emplaced along northward propagating syn-tectonic tensional fractures perpendicular to the Chinese Altai−East Junggar deformation front that serves as an excellent indicator of the convergent-shortening process.
Occult anterior uveal melanomas presenting as extrascleral extension
Authors: Maheshwari Abhilasha , Finger Paul T , Iacob Codrin E
Published: September 2022

Objective

To describe the management of patients with occult anterior uveal melanomas presenting with extrascleral extension.

Methods and analysis

Retrospective case series including five patients with small pigmented nodular mass on the episclera. Each lesion was documented by slit-lamp photography and measured with high-frequency ultrasound imaging (ultrasound biomicroscopy). Diagnosis of uveal melanoma was confirmed by biopsy with lamellar sclerectomy. Immediate scleral patch graft repair was performed. Later, each tumour was treated with palladium-103 ophthalmic plaque brachytherapy. The mean plaque diameter was 12 mm (median, 12; range, 10–14). A mean apex prescription dose of 87 Gy (median, 84.5; range, 82.3–99.2) to a tumour depth of 2 mm from the inner sclera delivered over 7 continuous days. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, changes in tumour and scleral characteristics and complications.

Results

During each surgery, residual tumour was visualised within an emissary passageway at the deep plane of scleral resection. At a mean of 80 months (median, 57; range, 24–159) follow-up, no patients experienced graft infection, scleromalacia or rejection. Biopsy was required to establish the diagnosis, transillumination failed, and therefore ultrasound measurements were used to determine the plaque size required to treat the relatively occult intraocular component. Despite these challenges, there were no cases of local tumour recurrence, secondary enucleation or metastatic disease. Attributed to cataract surgery, visual acuities improved in three patients and two were stable.

Conclusion

Extrascleral uveal melanoma extension can occur with undetectable, occult intraocular tumours. In these cases, plaque radiation effectively induced local tumour control, preserved vision and prevented metastasis.
Association of ultra-processed food consumption with colorectal cancer risk among men and women: results from three prospective US cohort studies
Authors: Wang Lu , Du Mengxi , Wang Kai , Khandpur Neha , Rossato Sinara Laurini , Drouin-Chartier Jean-Philippe , Steele Euridice Martínez , Giovannucci Edward , Song Mingyang , Zhang Fang Fang
Published: September 2022

Objective

To examine the association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and risk of colorectal cancer among men and women from three large prospective cohorts.

Design

Prospective cohort study with dietary intake assessed every four years using food frequency questionnaires.

Setting

Three large US cohorts.

Participants

Men (n= 46 341) from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2014) and women (n=159 907) from the Nurses’ Health Study (1986-2014; n=67 425) and the Nurses’ Health Study II (1991-2015; n=92 482) with valid dietary intake measurement and no cancer diagnosis at baseline.

Main outcome measure

Association between ultra-processed food consumption and risk of colorectal cancer, estimated using time varying Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for potential confounding factors.

Results

3216 cases of colorectal cancer (men, n=1294; women, n=1922) were documented during the 24-28 years of follow-up. Compared with those in the lowest fifth of ultra-processed food consumption, men in the highest fifth of consumption had a 29% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (hazard ratio for highest versus lowest fifth 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.53; P for trend=0.01), and the positive association was limited to distal colon cancer (72% increased risk; hazard ratio 1.72, 1.24 to 2.37; P for trend<0.001). These associations remained significant after further adjustment for body mass index or indicators of nutritional quality of the diet (that is, western dietary pattern or dietary quality score). No association was observed between overall ultra-processed food consumption and risk of colorectal cancer among women. Among subgroups of ultra-processed foods, higher consumption of meat/poultry/seafood based ready-to-eat products (hazard ratio for highest versus lowest fifth 1.44, 1.20 to 1.73; P for trend<0.001) and sugar sweetened beverages (1.21, 1.01 to 1.44; P for trend=0.013) among men and ready-to-eat/heat mixed dishes among women (1.17, 1.01 to 1.36; P for trend=0.02) was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer; yogurt and dairy based desserts were negatively associated with the risk of colorectal cancer among women (hazard ratio 0.83, 0.71 to 0.97; P for trend=0.002).

Conclusions

In the three large prospective cohorts, high consumption of total ultra-processed foods in men and certain subgroups of ultra-processed foods in men and women was associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to better understand the potential attributes of ultra-processed foods that contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis.
Qualitative documentary analysis of guidance on information provision and consent for the introduction of innovative invasive procedures including surgeries within NHS organisations’ policies in England and Wales
Authors: Ochieng Cynthia A , Richards Hollie , Zahra Jesmond , Cousins Sian , Elliott Daisy , Wilson Nicholas , Paramasivan Sangeetha , Avery Kerry N L , Mathews Johnny , Main Barry G , Hinchliffe Robert , Blencowe Natalie S , Blazeby Jane M
Published: September 2022

Objective

To review guidance, included in written local UK National Health Service (NHS) organisation policies, on information provision and consent for the introduction of new invasive procedures- including surgeries, and devices (IPs/Ds).

Design

A qualitative documentary analysis of data on patient information provision and consent extracted from policies for the introduction of IP/Ds from NHS organisations in England and Wales.

Setting

NHS trusts in England and health boards in Wales, UK.

Participants

Between December 2017 and July 2018, 150 acute trusts in England and 7 health boards in Wales were approached for their policies for the introduction of new IP/Ds. In total, 123 policies were received, 11 did not fit the inclusion criteria and a further policy was included from a trust website resulting in 113 policies included for review.

Results

From the 113 policies, 22 did not include any statements on informed consent/information provision or lacked guidance on the information to be provided to patients and were hence excluded. Consequently, 91 written local NHS policies were included in the final dataset. Within the guidance obtained, variation existed on disclosure of the procedure’s novelty, potential risks, benefits, uncertainties, alternative treatments and surgeon’s experience. Few policies stated that clinicians should discuss the existing evidence associated with a procedure. Additionally, while the majority of policies referred to patients needing written information, this was often not mandated and few policies specified the information to be included.

Conclusions

Nearly a fifth of all the policies lacked guidance on information to be provided to patients. There was variability in the policy documents regarding what patients should be told about innovative procedures. Further research is needed to ascertain the information and level of detail appropriate for patients when considering innovative procedures. A core information set including patients’ and clinicians’ views is required to address variability around information provision/consent for innovative procedures.
Haemodynamic effects of a 10-min treatment with a high inspired oxygen concentration in the emergency department: a prospective observational study
Authors: Stolmeijer Renate , van Ieperen Ellen , Lameijer Heleen , van Beest Paul , ter Maaten Jan Cornelis , ter Avest Ewoud
Published: September 2022

Previous studies show that prolonged exposure to a high inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) is associated with unfavourable haemodynamic effects. Until now, it is unknown if similar effects also occur after oxygen therapy of limited duration in the emergency department (ED).

Objectives

To investigate the haemodynamic effects of a high FiO2 administered for a limited duration of time in patients who receive preoxygenation for procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in the ED.

Design, settings and participants

In a prospective cohort study, cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured using the Clearsight non-invasive CO monitoring system in patients who received preoxygenation for PSA in the ED. Measurements were performed at baseline, after 5 min of preoxygenation via a non-rebreathing mask at 15 /L min and after 5 min of flush rate oxygen administration.

Outcomes measures

The primary outcome was defined as the change in CO (L/min) from baseline after subsequent preoxygenation with 15 L/min and flush rate.

Results

Sixty patients were included. Mean CO at baseline was 6.5 (6.0–6.9) L/min and decreased to 6.3 (5.8–6.8) L/min after 5 min of oxygen administration at a rate of 15 L/min, and to 6.2 (5.7–6.70) L/min after another 5 min at flush rate (p=0.037). Mean SV remained relatively constant during this period, whereas mean SVR increased markedly (from 781 (649–1067), to 1244 (936–1695) to 1337 (988–1738) dyn/s/cm–5, p<0.001. Sixteen (27%) patients experienced a>10% decrease in CO.

Conclusion

Exposure of patients to a high FiO2 for 5–10 min results in a significant drop in CO in one out of four patients. Therefore, even in the ED and in prehospital care, where oxygen is administered for a limited amount of time, FiO2 should be titrated based on deficit whenever this is feasible and high flow oxygen should not be given as a routine treatment.
Development and testing of a reduced carbohydrate intervention for the management of obesity and reduction of gestational diabetes (RECORD): protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Michalopoulou Moscho , Jebb Susan A , MacKillop Lucy H , Dyson Pamela , Hirst Jane E , Wire Amy , Astbury Nerys M
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Previous trials of dietary interventions to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have yielded only limited success. Low-carbohydrate diets have shown promise for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but there is no evidence to support their use in pregnancy. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of a moderately reduced-carbohydrate dietary intervention delivered from mid-pregnancy alongside routine antenatal care.

Methods and analysis

This is a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) with embedded qualitative study. Sixty women who are pregnant <20 weeks’ gestation, with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 at their antenatal booking appointment, will be randomised 2:1 intervention or control (usual care) and followed up until delivery. The intervention is a moderately reduced-carbohydrate diet (~130–150 g total carbohydrate/day), designed to be delivered alongside routine antenatal appointments. Primary outcomes are measures of adoption of the diet and retention of participants. Secondary outcomes include incidence of GDM, change in markers of glycaemic control, gestational weight gain, total carbohydrate and energy intake. Process outcomes will examine resources and management issues. Exploratory outcomes include further dietary changes, quality of life, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and qualitative measures.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial was reviewed and approved by the South-Central Oxford B Research Ethics Committee NHS National Research Ethics Committee and the Health Research Authority (Reference: 20/SC/0442). The study results will inform whether to progress to a full-scale RCT to test the clinical effectiveness of the RECORD programme to prevent GDM in women at high risk. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN16235884.