bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased touch‐evoked itch (punctate hyperknesis) in postherpetic itch: Implications of reduced intraepidermal nerve fibers representing small fiber neuropathy
Authors: Hashimoto Takashi , Okuzawa Manami , Yamamoto Mihiro , Okuno Satoshi , Satoh Takahiro
Published: November 2022

Chronic itch conditions are often accompanied by neural itch sensitization, known as hyperknesis (excessive itch induced by stimuli that would normally induce only mild itching or pain) and alloknesis (considerable itch evoked by light tactile stimuli). Herpes zoster (shingles) can cause neuropathic itch (postherpetic itch), although it is unknown whether hyperknesis accompanies postherpetic itch. The authors report five patients with postherpetic itch who showed increased touch‐evoked itch (punctate hyperknesis) in the affected skin areas compared with the contralateral site. Collected skin biopsy specimens from two patients showed histopathologically detected reduced intraepidermal nerve fibers in the affected skin areas, reflective of small C/Aδ fiber neuropathy. In one case, improvement in itching and comparable levels of touch‐evoked itch on the affected and contralateral sites were noted after 6 months without any medication, accompanied by restored intraepidermal nerve fibers proven through rebiopsy of the affected site. Reduced intraepidermal nerve fibers could be one of the precipitating factors for postherpetic itch and its associated punctate hyperknesis.
Changes in odorants and flavor profile of heat‐processed beef flavor during storage
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Blank Imre , Wang Bei , Cao Yanping
Published: November 2022

Flavor quality changes of heat‐processed beef flavor (HPBF) upon storage are greatly affected by storage conditions. Flavor characterization of HPBF stored for 168 days resulted in 17 key odor‐active compounds having flavor dilution factors log3FD ≥ 3 and odor activity values  > 1. Based on the concentration changes of these key odorants, a total of 13 HPBF samples were divided into four groups by hierarchical cluster analysis. Combined with flavor profile analysis, the overall flavor of HPBF gradually changed from a characteristic beef aroma to burnt and fermented soybean paste‐like notes. Some of the 17 key odorants, such as 2‐methyl‐3‐furanthiol, 2‐furfurylthiol, methyl furfuryl disulfide, and difurfuryl disulfide, contributed to the characteristic beef aroma of the freshly prepared product and in the early stage of storage. On the other hand, the odor‐active compounds 2‐methylbutanal, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and 2‐ethyl‐3,5‐dimethylpyrazine were associated with the later stage of storage showing a positive correlation with the intensity of burnt and fermented soybean paste‐like notes. A molecular understanding of flavor profile changes of HPBF during storage will provide the basis for developing characteristic beef aroma notes and maintaining the keeping quality of beef products upon storage.

Practical Application

The relationship between sensory quality and changes in odorant concentration of heat‐processed beef flavor during storage will provide the molecular basis for developing high‐quality thermal reaction meat flavorings.
Co‐production of biofuel, bioplastics and biochemicals during extended fermentation of Halomonas bluephagenesis
Authors: Park Helen , Toogood Helen S. , Chen Guo‐Qiang , Scrutton Nigel S.
Published: November 2022

Halomonas bluephagenesis TD1.0 was engineered to produce the biofuel propane, bioplastic poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB), and biochemicals mandelate and hydroxymandelate in a single, semi‐continuous batch fermentation under non‐sterile conditions. Multi‐product separation was achieved by segregation of the headspace gas (propane), fermentation broth ([hydroxy]mandelate) and cellular biomass (PHB). Engineering was performed by incorporating the genes encoding fatty acid photodecarboxylase (CvFAP) and hydroxymandelic acid synthase (SyHMAS) into a H. bluephagenesis hmgCAB cassette knockout to channel flux towards (hydroxy)mandelate. Design of Experiment strategies were coupled with fermentation trials to simultaneously optimize each product. Propane and mandelate titres were the highest reported for H. bluephagenesis (62 g/gDCW and 71 ± 10 mg/L respectively) with PHB titres (69% g/gDCW) comparable to other published studies. This proof‐of‐concept achievement of four easily separated products within one fermentation is a novel achievement probing the versatility of biotechnology, further elevating H. bluephagenesis as a Next Generation Industrial Biotechnology (NGIB) chassis by producing highly valued products at a reduced cost.
Implementing optimal outcomes through sequential auctions
Authors: Shi Fanqi , Xing Yiqing
Published: November 2022

We study sequential auctions as optimal mechanisms for selling multiple heterogeneous items to unit‐demand buyers. We find that as long as the items can be ordered in decreasing variation of the buyers' values, any combination of static standard auctions in this sequence achieves full efficiency and the constrained optimal revenue, subject to (BIC), (IIR), and the all‐sold constraint. In addition, with increasing threshold types and optimal static reserve prices, any l‐th price auctions in the same sequence can achieve the optimal revenue subject to (BIC) and (IIR). Our results have implications for practical auction design, such as sponsored search auctions.
Accuracy of different electronic apex locators in determination of minimum Root perforation diameter
Authors: Koç Simay , Kuştarcı Alper , Er Kürşat
Published: November 2022

This study aims to evaluate the ability of Raypex 6, Propex Pixi, Dentaport ZX, Apex ID, Propex II and Dr.'s Finder NEO to detect minimum root canal perforation diameter. One hundred single‐rooted, extracted human teeth were artificially perforated by 5 burs in different diameters (0.25–1.25 mm) in 5 mm above the apex. Twenty teeth were assigned to each group. The actual canal lengths (AL) were measured under stereomicroscope followed by a measurement of electronic canal length (EL) using each electronic apex locator (EAL). None of the EALs were able to detect the perforation at diameters of 0.50 and 0.25 mm. Although all EALs used in our study were unable to detect perforations at diameters of 0.5 mm and 0.25 mm, they were highly successful in the determination of simulated root perforations at diameters of 1.25, 1 and 0.75 mm.
TNFα stimulates the proliferation of immature Sertoli cells by attenuating UPS‐degradation of cyclin D1 and leads to the delay of BTB maturation in pubertal rats
Authors: Wu Weixing , Hu Ying , Zhang Qiang , Xu Ying , Su Wenhui
Published: November 2022

Backgrounds

The Sertoli cell that plays a vital role during spermatogenesis is a known target of physiological and pathological factors affecting testicular development. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) participates in the blood–testis barrier reconstruction, cell apoptosis, and inflammatory response by recognizing receptors on Sertoli cell. TNFα has also been shown to induce the proliferation of immature Sertoli cell in vitro, yet the mechanism still remains unclarified.

Objectives

This study was designed to investigate the effect of TNFα on blood–testis barrier development during puberty and the underlying mechanisms of TNFα‐induced immature Sertoli cell proliferation.

Materials and methods

Immature male Sprague–Dawley rats of postnatal day 12 were intraperitoneally injected with TNFα. Biotin‐labeled method was used to detect permeability of the developing blood–testis barrier after TNFα treatment, and the distribution of occludin and junctional adhesion molecule‐A (JAM‐A) were detected by immunofluorescence. Sertoli cells isolated from Sprague–Dawley rats of postnatal day 10 were cultured in vitro and treated with TNFα. Cell proliferation rate was reflected by Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and 5‐ethynyl‐2'‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. Immunoblot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Fbxo4, and cyclin D1. Immunoprecipitation was used to detect the ubiquitination of cyclin D1 and the interaction between Fbxo4 and cyclin D1. Ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) was applied to detect the effect of nuclear factor kappaB (NFκB) activity inhibition on TNFα‐induced Sertoli cell proliferation. The adenoviral recombinant plasmid containing rat Fbxo4 gene was constructed to investigate the effect of Fbxo4 overexpression on Sertoli cell proliferation promoted by TNFα.

Results

The in vivo experiment revealed a significant delay of blood–testis barrier maturation in pubertal rats caused by exogenous TNFα. TNFα (10 ng/ml) treatment in vitro was found to promote the proliferation of immature Sertoli cells, accompanied with increased NFκB activity and cyclin D1 protein level. The level of Fbxo4 and ubiquitination of cyclin D1 were decreased after TNFα treatment. Inhibitor of NFκB or overexpression of Fbxo4 could both reverse the TNFα‐induced proliferation of immature Sertoli cells, meanwhile restore the ubiquitin–proteasome system‐dependent degradation of cyclin D1. Overexpression of Fbxo4 could not affect the activation of NFκB caused by TNFα.

Conclusion

These results indicate that TNFα inhibits the ubiquitination and degradation of cyclin D1 through the NFκB pathway, thereby promoting the proliferation of immature Sertoli cell in vitro and inducing the delay of blood–testis barrier maturation in pubertal rats.
Endophthalmitis and blebitis following deep sclerectomy and trabeculectomy with routine use of mitomycin C
Authors: Kankainen Tuulia , Harju Mika
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate the incidence for endophthalmitis and blebitis after deep sclerectomy (DS) and trabeculectomy with routine use of Mitomycin C (MMC) 0.4 mg/ml.

Methods

Electronic medical records of patients who underwent surgery 1/2008–4/2020 were reviewed. Cumulative incidence for bleb‐associated infection (BAI), including both endophthalmitis and blebitis, was calculated with cumulative incidence function (CIF) and Kaplan–Meier analysis. Risk factors for BAI were evaluated with univariate competing risk regression analysis and Log‐rank analysis. Competing event in CIF was death.

Results

In this retrospective single‐centre cohort study, a total of 2653 patients and 3411 eyes underwent surgery: 3478 glaucoma surgeries, 2419 DS and 1059 trabeculectomies. Two cases of endophthalmitis and three of isolated blebitis developed. Median follow‐up from the most recent surgery on the eye until the end of the study was 5.5 years, and until last visit at the ophthalmology department was 1.9 years. For the whole follow‐up period in CIF‐analysis, cumulative incidence for BAI was 0.16% (95% CI 0.06–0.36) at five years. Incidence was higher with eyes not treated with an antifibrotic during surgery (sub‐hazard ratio 11.66, 95% CI 1.94–70.21, p = 0.007). Cumulative incidence between surgery and last visit with Kaplan–Meier analysis was 0.21% (95% CI 0.08–0.52) at five years, similarly, not using an antifibrotic increased incidence (Log‐rank p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Cumulative incidence for BAI was low despite routine use of high‐dose MMC.
Editorial: what is needed to achieve success in developing diagnostic technologies for patients with gastrointestinal motility disorders ‐ past and present
Authors: Busam Jonathan A. , Shah Eric D.
Published: November 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Thwaites et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17216 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17268
Editorial: what is needed to achieve success in developing diagnostic technologies for patients with gastrointestinal motility disorders ‐ past and present. Authors' reply
Authors: Thwaites Phoebe A. , Berean Kyle J. , Gibson Peter R.
Published: November 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Thwaites et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17216 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17225
Intra‐professional stress—demonstrating veterinarian identity in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan CKY , Lai JSK , Wong PWC
Published: November 2022

Objective

Little is known about the contributing factors of mental health among veterinarians in Hong Kong. This qualitative study aimed to examine potential contributing factors that lead to their stress and poor mental health.

Procedures

Potential participants were screened and recruited using purposive and snowball sampling to maximise variations. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted between December 2020 and April 2021. The data collection and analysis adopted the constructivist grounded theory's three‐stage coding process and were thematically coded and analysed.

Results

Eighteen veterinarians took part in the study. Intra‐professional stress was classified by stressors from individual veterinarians, expectations of their workplace, and shared values among the profession. Participants expected themselves to exhibit professionalism when under low‐quality workplace leadership with restrictions from the profession's institutional regulations and resources. The urbanised culture and cyberbullying phenomenon in Hong Kong contributed significantly to the stress and impacted their mental well‐being.

Conclusion and relevance

The quality of communication and the feasibility of meeting expectations were overarching concepts associated with intra‐professional stressors. While this paper focuses on stressors residing within the veterinary community, veterinarians' responses to expectations of the animal‐health enthusiast community were equally influential. This study enabled an international comparison of the profession's distress from non‐Anglosphere, urbanised city, and will shed light on the development of future research and practice to improve the mental health of veterinarians, which directly influences the well‐being of the animals and their owners in Hong Kong.
Trajectories of child growth, child development, and home child‐rearing quality during the Covid pandemic in rural Nepal
Authors: Miller Laurie C. , Neupane Sumanta , Joshi Neena , Lohani Mahendra , Shrestha Bhola
Published: November 2022

Background

Children, especially disadvantaged children in poor countries, were expected to be among the “biggest victims” of the Covid pandemic. Economic burdens, decreased nutritious foods, reduced medical care, school closures, and ill‐health or death of family members were predicted to increase child undernutrition and developmental delays, and diminish home child‐rearing quality.

Methods

A planned nutrition intervention could not be implemented due to Covid restrictions. However, three surveys (pre‐Covid [December 2019], July 2021, and September 2021) in 280 Nepali households (309 parent‐dyads, 368 children, 6–66 months old) collected demographics, child anthropometry and development (Ages and Stages Questionnaire‐3 [ASQ‐3]), and home child‐rearing quality (caregiver engagement, learning resources, adult supervision [UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey]). Mixed‐effect regression models adjusted for household (wealth, maternal education) and child factors (age, gender) and survey round.

Results

Height, mid‐upper‐arm circumference, and head circumference measurements improved over time. The total ASQ‐3 score did not change: Communication scores increased while fine motor and personal‐social scores declined. Girls' growth and development worsened more than boys. Caregiver engagement (especially mothers') generally declined, but learning resource availability increased. More children were left unsupervised at Round 2 than Round 1 or 3.

Conclusions

In this sample, some aspects of child growth, development, and home child‐rearing quality improved while others declined. Better understanding of these changes in child well‐being and the family environment during the pandemic could provide insight on how to protect children during future crises.
Child oral health and preventive dental service access among children with intellectual disabilities, autism and other educational additional support needs: A population‐based record linkage cohort study
Authors: Sherriff Andrea , Stewart Ryan , Macpherson Lorna M. D. , Kidd Jamie B. R. , Henderson Angela , Cairns Deborah , Conway David I.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Inequalities in child oral health are a global challenge and the intersection of socioeconomic factors with educational additional support needs (ASN), including children with intellectual disabilities or autism, have thus far received limited attention in relatively small clinical studies. We aimed to address this evidence gap by investigating oral health and access to preventive dental services among children with ASN compared to the general child population.

Methods

Cohort study linking data from six Scotland‐wide health and education databases compared: dental caries experience and tooth extraction via general anaesthetic; receipt of school‐based dental inspection; access to primary care and hospital dental services; and access to the Childsmile national oral health improvement programme between children with a range of ASN (intellectual disabilities, autism, social and other) and their peers for the school years 2016/17–2018/19 (n = 166 781).

Results

Children with any ASN had higher rates of caries experience than those with no ASN, however, after adjustment for socioeconomic deprivation, sex, year, and school type only those with a social or other ASN remained at increased risk. Rates of tooth extraction under general anaesthesia in hospital were higher among children with intellectual disabilities (aRR = 1.67;95% CI = [1.16–2.37]). School‐based dental inspection access improved for children with intellectual disability and/or autism from 2016/17 onwards, although higher rates of child refusal on the day were observed in these groups (no ASN refusal: 5.4%; intellectual disability: 35.8%; autism: 40.3%). Children with any ASN were less likely to attend primary dental‐care regularly, and in those who attended, children with intellectual disability or autism were less likely than their peers to receive prevention (fluoride varnish, oral‐hygiene instruction, or dietary advice). Childsmile nursery‐supervised toothbrushing programme access among children with any ASN was similar to children with no ASN and children with intellectual disability (aRR = 1.27;95% CI = [1.12–1.45]) or autism (aRR = 1.32;95% CI = [1.19–1.45]) were more likely to receive support from Childsmile dental health support worker.

Conclusions

We have identified inequalities in oral health and dental care for children with different ASN in Scotland with both a greater burden of disease among some groups and higher complexity of care; compounded by reduced and variable access to preventive dental services. Further efforts are needed to develop and improve preventive care pathways for children with ASN and integrate oral health to wider healthcare systems for these children to mitigate against oral health inequalities.
Are we Teleologically Essentialist?
Authors: Joo Sehrang , Yousif Sami R.
Published: November 2022

People may conceptualize certain categories as held together by a category‐specific “essence”—some unobservable, critical feature that causes the external features of a category to emerge. But what is the nature of this essence? Recently, Rose and Nichols have argued that something's essence is fundamentally its telos or purpose. However, Neufeld has challenged this work on theoretical grounds, arguing that these effects arise only because peopleinferan underlying internal change when reasoning about a change in telos. In Neufeld's view, it is the underlying internal cause, and not the telos itself, that serves as an essence (consistent with classic views of scientific essentialism). Here, we ask: Is teleology the primary force behind psychological essentialism? We begin by successfully replicating Rose and Nichols’ key findings in support of teleological essentialism. In two further experiments, however, we demonstrate that teleology may not be the central way that people understand the essences of living things. We show that internal changes matter at least as much as changes in teleology. These findings suggest that while teleology may be one important cue to category membership and the essences of living things, it may be premature to say that we are “teleologically essentialist.”
The Semantic Organization of the English Odor Vocabulary
Authors: Hörberg Thomas , Larsson Maria , Olofsson Jonas K.
Published: November 2022

The vocabulary for describing odors in English natural language is not well understood, as prior studies of odor descriptions have often relied on preselected descriptors and odor ratings. Here, we present a data‐driven approach that automatically identifies English odor descriptors based on their degree of olfactory association, and derive their semantic organization from their distributions in natural texts, using a distributional‐semantic language model. We identify 243 descriptors that are much more strongly associated with olfaction than English words in general. We then derive the semantic organization of these olfactory descriptors, and find that it is captured by four clusters that we name Offensive, Malodorous, Fragrant, and Edible. The semantic space derived from our model primarily differentiates descriptors in terms of pleasantness and edibility along which our four clusters are positioned, and is similar to a space derived from perceptual data. The semantic organization of odor vocabulary can thus be mapped using natural language data (e.g., online text), without the limitations of odor‐perceptual data and preselected descriptors. Our method may thus facilitate research on olfaction, a sensory system known to often elude verbal description.
Eco‐friendly approach on wool pretreatment and effect on the wool structure and dyeability
Authors: Türkoğlu Gizem Ceylan , Avcı Berrak Buket , Erkan Gökhan , Özen Ceyda , Tozan Rüzgar Şerife , Akkaya Alper
Published: November 2022

This research investigated the effect of various proteolytic enzymatic pretreatment on morphological and chemical features and the dyeability properties of wool fibres. Scoured merino wool fibres are treated with protease, papain, trypsin, and pepsin in specified conditions. Each enzyme activity measurement was provided by appropriate methods such as Bradford, BAPNA (N‐benzoyl‐1‐arginine‐p‐nitroanilide), and BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin). Enzymatic processes were carried out for 24 h in the incubator set at 40°C, 100 rpm, and specified pH with 1 mg/ml enzyme concentration. Whiteness index (Stensby) and yellowness index (ASTM D 1925) were examined after enzymatic pretreatment. Pepsin and trypsin‐treated wool fibres showed the highest whiteness index as 61.3 and 61.1, respectively whilst untreated wool fibres had 52.2. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed the increase in the intensity of amide‐related bands and hydroxyl bands after enzymatic treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs manifested the cuticle layer is partially removed in enzyme‐treated fibres. Elemental identification was provided by SEM–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). It appears that the sulphur bonds decreased after the treatment and the pepsin‐treated fibres have fewer bonds of all. To examine the damage to the structure, photomicrographs were taken using fluorescence and light microscopes. The alkali solubility test (ASTM D1283) was also conducted to compare different enzyme types. Wool fibres were dyed in 2.0% concentration with reactive dyestuff. Dyeability and colorimetric features of fibres were measured by a spectrophotometer. The washing fastness test showed that all the samples have good results and the colour change after washing was better in enzyme‐treated samples (grade 5) compared to untreated wool fibres (grade 4–5).
Endoscopic full‐thickness resection, indication, methods and perspectives
Authors: Wang Kehao , Gao Pingting , Cai Mingyan , Song Baohui , Zhou Pinghong
Published: November 2022

Minimally invasive surgery has emerged as the dominant theme of modern surgery, in which endoscopic surgery plays a key role. The technique of endoscopic surgery has evolved continuously with extensive research, improving the treatment modalities as well as expanding the indications for its use. As an active perforation endoscopic technique, endoscopic full‐thickness resection (EFTR) is mainly used in the treatment of submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the gastrointestinal tract. With decades of evolution, EFTR has gradually developed into a mature endoscopic operation. Based on clinical experience and current research, indications, techniques, clinical outcomes and future perspectives for EFTR are discussed in this paper. We performed a bibliometric study on EFTR literature and showed robust data through a brief meta‐analysis on the topic.
From pity to fear: security as a mechanism for (re)production of vulnerability
Authors: Chmutina Ksenia , von Meding Jason , Williams Darien Alexander , Vickery Jamie , Purdum Carlee
Published: November 2022

Vulnerability is not only a shared basic condition, but also a condition of potential. In the context of disasters and crises, the concept of vulnerability is frequently used to portray individuals and groups as ‘weak’, ‘threatened’, and ‘in need of help’. Occasionally, though, a shift occurs and the ‘threatened’—and therefore usually the pitied—become those who are feared and hated, that is, they become a ‘threat’. This paper explores how apparently incompatible discursive regimes of ‘threatened’ and ‘threat’ intertwine, merge, and feed upon each other, and how vulnerability can be and is consequently securitised. It demonstrates that too often the freedoms and opportunities prescribed by the neoliberal state are impossible to actualise when ‘normality’ and hence ‘otherness’ are also defined by the state, where people are first and foremost subjects of a global market. These considerations are critical if we are truly to reduce vulnerabilisation by focusing on justice.
Efficacy and safety of degludec U100 versus glargine U300 for the early postoperative management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A non‐inferiority randomized trial
Authors: Kuchay Mohammad Shafi , Mathew Anu , Mishra Mitali , Surendran Parvathi , Kaur Parjeet , Wasir Jasjeet Singh , Gill Harmandeep Kaur , Jain Rujul , Gagneja Sakshi , Kohli Chhavi , Kumari Poonam , Singh Manish Kumar , Mishra Sunil Kumar
Published: November 2022

Aims

To compare the efficacy and safety of degludec U100 versus glargine U300 for the early postoperative management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods

A total of 239 patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a basal‐bolus regimen in the early postoperative period using degludec U100 (n = 122) or glargine U300 (n = 117) as basal and glulisine before meals. The primary outcome was mean differences between groups in their daily BG concentrations. The major safety outcome was the occurrence of hypoglycemia.

Results

There were no differences in mean daily BG concentrations (157 vs. 162 mg/dl), mean percentage of readings within target BG of 70–180 mg/dl (74% vs. 73%), daily basal insulin dose (19 vs. 21 units/day), length of stay (median [IQR]: 9 vs. 9 days), or hospital complications (21.3% vs. 21.4%) between treatment groups. There were no differences in the proportion of patients with BG <70 mg/dl (15.6% vs. 23.1%) or <54 mg/dl (1.6% vs. 4.3%) between degludec‐100 and glargine‐300 groups.

Conclusions

Treatment with degludec U100 is as effective and safe as glargine U300 for the early postoperative hospital management of patients with T2D undergoing CABG.
Fatigue corrosion behavior of friction‐welded stainless and carbon steel dissimilar joint
Authors: Benedetti Matteo , Orempuller Mattia , Russo Francesca , Fontanari Vigilio , Rossi Stefano
Published: November 2022

This study investigates the fatigue corrosion behavior of direct drive friction welded ASTM A105 and AISI 304L steels joints. Axial fatigue tests were carried out at a stress ratio of R = 0.1 in air and different corrosive environments using a 3D printed environmental test cell. The samples were tested in 3.5%wt NaCl aqueous solution at free corrosion potential (Ecorr) and other two polarization conditions (−0.85 and −1.30 V vs. Ag/AgCl) with the objective to highlight the influence of the cathodic protection and the influence of evolved hydrogen on the fatigue behavior. Fracture analyses were conducted through optical and electron microscopy to identify the possible causes of failure nucleation and the different damage mechanisms dictated by the aggressive environment. Principal results quantify the detrimental effect of the corrosive environment and the positive role played by the cathodic protection. Moreover, a clear differentiation in the failure site and mechanism was observed for the different corrosion fatigue conditions.
Testing Transferability: Quantitative Evaluation of Labor Market Area Definition Methods in Three Contrasting Countries
Authors: Casado‐Díaz José Manuel , Coombes Mike , Martínez‐Bernabéu Lucas
Published: November 2022

Sub‐national economic policies increasingly use labor market areas (LMAs) rather than administrative areas for analysis and implementation. How a set of LMAs was defined influences the results of such analyses, and so accurate policy delivery needs appropriately defined LMAs. Multinational bodies need comparable LMA definitions in many countries, calling for a definition method that is transferable across national boundaries. This article applies quantitative metrics to evaluate LMAs defined in three contrasting countries by three methods that represent the main methodological approaches. The deductive approach—based on a center and hinterland—is too inflexible to deal with differing geographical circumstances and cannot cope with statistical zones that are very small, or do not respect settlement structure. The alternative inductive methods tested define appropriate LMAs in each country, with the newer method performing slightly better in statistical terms. The article also exemplifies the usefulness of the metrics for comparisons of alternative regionalizations.
Linking power and inequality in global value chains
Authors: Lang Juliane , Ponte Stefano , Vilakazi Thando
Published: November 2022

There is increasing interest in the study of globalization on whether the emergence and consolidation of global value chains (GVCs) have exacerbated inequalities within and across nations and/or how GVCs may be leveraged to mitigate them. Although power asymmetries have been identified as a central factor shaping (un)successful GVC participation, dominant discourses still disregard the links between power and inequality or use these concepts interchangeably. In this article, we provide an analytical approach to GVC‐related inequalities (within, along and through value chains) and examine how they may co‐evolve with different types of power (bargaining, demonstrative, institutional and constitutive). We apply this approach to the case study of the hake value chain in South Africa to illustrate how existing inequalities are manifested, challenged, mitigated or exacerbated—and draw an agenda for future research.
Pre‐emptive vs. classic criteria for initiation of dialysis in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) — A retrospective real‐world study
Authors: Hellman Tapio , Uusalo Panu , Järvisalo Mikko J.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Guidelines recommend starting renal replacement therapy (RRT) in critically ill acute kidney injury (AKI) patients according to classic criteria for the initiation of dialysis (CCID). However, comparative data on the presence or absence of CCID in patients receiving continuous veno‐venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) or intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) as the initial modality are scarce.

Methods

Altogether 733 critically ill AKI patients receiving CVVHD or IHD at the research hospital between 2010 and 2019 were screened for this real‐world study. All patients on maintenance dialysis were excluded. Patient survival was studied in 662 patients and adverse renal outcomes in 375 surviving patients at 90 days follow‐up. The adverse renal outcome was defined as RRT requirement and the secondary outcome was estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 90 days follow‐up.

Findings

Altogether 472 (71.3%) patients received CVVHD and 190 (28.7%) IHD, and CCID was present at the time of RRT initiation in 250 (37.8%). The CCID was independently associated with mortality in a multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR] 2.226, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.455–3.407, p < 0.001) adjusted for age, sex, baseline eGFR, disease severity, RRT modality, hypertension, and diabetes. The presence of CCID at the start of RRT was not associated with adverse renal outcome (OR 0.548, 95% CI 0.230–1.305, p = 1.74) nor eGFR (β = 0.155, p = 0.066) at 90 days follow‐up. However, starting RRT in the presence of CCID was independently associated with eGFR at 90 days follow‐up in a multivariable ordinal regression analysis (β = 0.930, p = 0.018) after adjusting for age, sex, baseline eGFR, disease severity markers, hypertension, and diabetes in patients receiving CVVHD but not IHD as the initial modality.

Discussion

The presence of CCID at the initiation of RRT was associated with mortality but not adverse renal outcomes in this large real‐world study on critically ill AKI patients requiring RRT. Initiating RRT in the presence of CCID was associated with improved eGFR at 90 days follow‐up in patients receiving CVVHD as the initial modality.
Eco‐friendly preparation and structural characterization of calcium silicates derived from eggshell and silica gel
Authors: Kaou Maroua H. , Horváth Zsolt E. , Balázsi Katalin , Balázsi Csaba
Published: November 2022

In this work, the preparation of calcium–silicate‐based composites consisting of natural waste from calcium source as eggshell and silica gel from a desiccator as a silicon source both presenting alternative materials for cheap preparation of eco‐friendly calcium–silicate bioceramics has been investigated. The effect of the CaO/SiO2 ratio on microstructural properties has also been studied. The pseudowollastonite formation has been observed in the case of 40 wt.% CaO and 60 wt.% SiO2 with lowest porosity and highest density 2.6 g/cm3. In the case of 50 wt.% CaO and 50 wt.% SiO2, the phase transformation from pseudowollastonite to wollastonite was observed. Increasing the calcium content caused higher apparent porosity with 19%. It was shown that the development of novel ceramics from reused waste, eggshell, or silica can be an optimal solution for the low‐cost preparation of calcium silicates with potential applications in medicine or cement, food industry.
Toward a Renewed Theological Culture: Introduction
Authors: Dürr Oliver , Chalamet Christophe
Published: November 2022

This article introduces a series of articles analysing the current state of theology and inquiring about the possibilities of a renewed theological culture (not least within secular societies). It places theology, and more precisely, the conditions of a possible renewal thereof, in several fields of tension. Paradigmatic for secular societies is the tension between theology and the natural sciences. It is argued that theology and the natural sciences cultivate different modes of reasoning on different epistemic levels and that no competition between them has to be construed if one is not caught up in the premises of secularism. A brief summary of each of the contributions follows these initial remarks.
High activation levels maintained in receptor‐binding domain–specific memory B cells in people with severe coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Gupta Money , Balachandran Harikrishnan , Louie Raymond H Y , Li Hui , Agapiou David , Keoshkerian Elizabeth , Christ Daniel , Rawlinson William , Mina Michael M , Post Jeffrey J , Hudson Bernard , Gilroy Nicky , Konecny Pamela , Bartlett Adam W , Sasson Sarah C , Ahlenstiel Golo , Dwyer Dominic , Lloyd Andrew R , Martinello Marianne , Luciani Fabio , Bull Rowena A ,   the COSIN study group
Published: November 2022

The long‐term health consequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection are still being understood. The molecular and phenotypic properties of SARS‐CoV‐2 antigen–specific T cells suggest a dysfunctional profile that persists in convalescence in those who were severely ill. By contrast, the antigen‐specific memory B‐cell (MBC) population has not yet been analyzed to the same degree, but phenotypic analysis suggests differences following recovery from mild or severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Here, we performed single‐cell molecular analysis of the SARS‐CoV‐2 receptor‐binding domain (RBD)–specific MBC population in three patients after severe COVID‐19 and four patients after mild/moderate COVID‐19. We analyzed the transcriptomic and B‐cell receptor repertoire profiles at ~2 months and ~4 months after symptom onset. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a higher level of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) signaling via nuclear factor‐kappa B in the severe group, involving CD80, FOS, CD83 and TNFAIP3 genes that was maintained over time. We demonstrated the presence of two distinct activated MBCs subsets based on expression of CD80hiTNFAIP3hi and CD11chiCD95hi at the transcriptome level. Both groups revealed an increase in somatic hypermutation over time, indicating progressive evolution of humoral memory. This study revealed distinct molecular signatures of long‐term RBD‐specific MBCs in convalescence, indicating that the longevity of these cells may differ depending on acute COVID‐19 severity.
Risk stratification of ventricular fibrillation in patients with symptomatic Brugada syndrome using pharmacological tests
Authors: Kawano Kyoko , Shinohara Tetsuji , Kondo Hidekazu , Ishii Yumi , Takahashi Masaki , Mitarai Kazuki , Hirota Kei , Fukui Akira , Akioka Hidefumi , Teshima Yasushi , Yufu Kunio , Nakagawa Mikiko , Takahashi Naohiko
Published: November 2022

Background

Brugada syndrome (BrS), which is characterized by J‐point elevation in right precordial leads of a 12‐lead electrocardiogram, is associated with the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, risk stratification of VF in patients with BrS remains challenging.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify a risk predictor of VF in patients with BrS using pharmacological tests.

Methods

Twenty‐one consecutive patients with BrS and a history of documented spontaneous VF (n = 16) or syncope presumed to be caused by lethal ventricular arrhythmia (n = 5) were enrolled. J‐wave changes in response to intravenous verapamil, propranolol, and pilsicainide were separately assessed.

Results

During the median follow‐up period of 86.0 months, 8 patients had VF recurrence (recurrence group) and 13 patients did not have VF recurrence (non‐recurrence group). Intravenous propranolol injection induced significant J‐wave augmentation (i.e., increase in amplitude >0.1 mV) in the inferior and/or lateral leads in the recurrence group compared to the non‐recurrence group (p = .048 and p = .015, respectively). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that VF recurrence is significantly higher in patients with BrS and J‐wave augmentation due to intravenous propranolol than in patients without J‐wave augmentation (p = .014).

Conclusion

The study results show that propranolol‐induced J‐wave augmentation is involved in the risk of VF in patients with BrS. The results suggest that early repolarization patterns in response to pharmacological tests may be useful for risk stratification of VF in patients with symptomatic BrS.
Immune‐enhancing effects of Astragalus polysaccharides and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on Vibrio harveyi flgJ DNA vaccine in grouper
Authors: Lin Guixiang , Da Fan , Wan Xiaoju , Huang Yucong , Yang Shiping , Jian Jichang , Cai Shuanghu
Published: November 2022

Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) have been shown to possess strong immunoregulatory properties in aquatic animals. In this study, the fragment containing Vibrio harveyi flgJ gene was ligated into pcDNA3.1(+) vector and pcDNA3.1(+)‐flgJ was constructed as DNA vaccine. APS and GLP were used as DNA vaccine adjuvants to evaluate the immunoregulatory effect by intramuscular injection to pearl gentian grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂E. lanceolatus). The results showed that pcDNA3.1(+)‐flgJ combined with APS or GLP could significantly up‐regulate the innate and adaptive immune response in fish, including serum‐specific antibody titres, catalase and lysozyme activities. At the same time, DNA vaccine combined with APS or GLP significantly up‐regulated the expression levels of CD8α, IgM, IL‐1β, MHC‐Iα, MyD88 and TLR3 genes in thymus, head kidney, spleen and liver of pearl gentian grouper in comparison with those of the pFlgJ group. After 42 days post‐vaccination, V. harveyi was used to challenge pearl gentian grouper by intraperitoneal injection. The relative percentage of survival (RPS) of pFlgJ, pFlgJ +APS, pFlgJ +GLP and pFlgJ+APS+GLP groups were 69%, 81%, 77% and 88%, respectively. These results suggested APS and GLP were potential adjuvants for DNA vaccine against V. harveyi infection in pearl gentian grouper.
Analysis of air‐inflated rubber dam for flood‐fighting at the subway entrance
Authors: Guo Wei , Zeng Wenqian , Gao Xin , Ren Yuxiao
Published: November 2022

The air‐inflated rubber dam is innovatively adopted in this paper for temporary flood‐fighting at the subway entrance. Numerical studies using the FLAC2D software are carried out to investigate the behavior of the proposed structure. Laboratory model tests are also conducted to verify the accuracy of the numerical model. The results from the model tests agree well with those from the numerical analysis. Parametric studies are carried out to investigate the influences of the external floodwater head, inflated air pressure, and anchor position on the performance of the proposed air‐inflated rubber dam. It is found that the external floodwater head reduces the tensile force but nonlinearly increases the height of the rubber dam. The inflated air pressure has no obvious effect on the cross‐section of the rubber dam but heavily influences the ultimate flood‐fighting height and tensile force. An optimum design line for the inflated air pressure of the rubber dam is provided. A deeper anchor position results in a smaller ultimate flood‐fighting height. A rubber dam design with a lower anchor depth that has to satisfy the requirements of the anchor bolt is therefore concluded.
Arabidopsis Trithorax histone methyltransferases are redundant in regulating development and DNA methylation
Authors: Shang Ji‐Yun , Cai Xue‐Wei , Su Yin‐Na , Zhang Zhao‐Chen , Wang Xin , Zhao Nan , He Xin‐Jian
Published: November 2022

Although the Trithorax histone methyltransferases ATX1–5 are known to regulate development and stress responses by catalyzing histone H3K4 methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana, it is unknown whether and how these histone methyltransferases affect DNA methylation. Here, we found that the redundant ATX1–5 proteins are not only required for plant development and viability but also for the regulation of DNA methylation. The expression and H3K4me3 levels of both RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) genes (NRPE1, DCL3, IDN2, and IDP2) and active DNA demethylation genes (ROS1, DML2, and DML3) were downregulated in the atx1/2/4/5 mutant. Consistent with the facts that the active DNA demethylation pathway mediates DNA demethylation mainly at CG and CHG sites, and that the RdDM pathway mediates DNA methylation mainly at CHH sites, whole‐genome DNA methylation analyses showed that hyper‐CG and CHG DMRs in atx1/2/4/5 significantly overlapped with those in the DNA demethylation pathway mutant ros1 dml2 dml3 (rdd), and that hypo‐CHH DMRs in atx1/2/4/5 significantly overlapped with those in the RdDM mutant nrpe1, suggesting that the ATX paralogues function redundantly to regulate DNA methylation by promoting H3K4me3 levels and expression levels of both RdDM genes and active DNA demethylation genes. Given that the ATX proteins function as catalytic subunits of COMPASS histone methyltransferase complexes, we also demonstrated that the COMPASS complex components function as a whole to regulate DNA methylation. This study reveals a previously uncharacterized mechanism underlying the regulation of DNA methylation.
Transcriptional glucocorticoid effects in the brain: Finding the relevant target genes
Authors: Meijer Onno C. , Buurstede Jacobus C. , Viho Eva M. G. , Amaya Jorge Miguel , Koning Anne‐Sophie C. A. M. , van der Meulen Merel , van Weert Lisa T. C. M. , Paul Susana N. , Kroon Jan , Koorneef Lisa L.
Published: November 2022

Glucocorticoids are powerful modulators of brain function. They act via mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors (MR and GR). These are best understood as transcription factors. Although many glucocorticoid effects depend on the modulation of gene transcription, it is a major challenge to link gene expression to function given the large‐scale, apparently pleiotropic genomic responses. The extensive sets of MR and GR target genes are highly specific per cell type, and the brain contains many different (neuronal and non‐neuronal) cell types. Next to the set “trait” of cellular context, the “state” of other active signaling pathways will affect MR and GR transcriptional activity. Here, we discuss receptor specificity and contextual factors that determine the transcriptional outcome of MR/GR signaling, experimental possibilities offered by single‐cell transcriptomics approaches, and reflect on how to make sense of lists of target genes in relation to understanding the functional effects of steroid receptor activation.
Effects of an intravenous infusion of diltiazem on glomerular filtration rate, electrolyte excretion, and urine output in healthy dogs
Authors: Kelley Megan D. , Thompson‐Butler Dorothy A. , Tanner Matthew C. , Thomason Justin D. , Whitehouse William H.
Published: November 2022

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs has a high case fatality rate. Diltiazem might improve renal function, but effect of intravenous infusion has not been adequately studied in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine if an intravenous infusion of diltiazem improves renal function through changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), and urine output (UOP) in healthy dogs.

Animals

Ten healthy adult dogs.

Methods

Prospective, unmasked, crossover study. Dogs were randomized to receive diltiazem (loading dose of 240 μg/kg followed by 6 μg/kg/min for 300 min) or the same volume of 5% dextrose in water (D5W). The opposite treatment was given after a 7‐day washout period. GFR and FENa were obtained at baseline and after infusion. UOP was measured starting 1 hour before diltiazem administration.

Results

GFR did not significantly increase from baseline with diltiazem (before diltiazem median = 2.371 mL/min/kg, range = 1.605‐4.359; after diltiazem median = 2.305 mL/min/kg, range = 1.629‐4.387; median difference = 0.080 mL/min/kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.417 to 0.757;P = .85), and there was no difference in D5W GFR before and after diltiazem (median = 2.389 mL/min/kg, range = 1.600‐3.557; median difference = 0.036 mL/min/kg, 95% CI = −0.241 to 1.112;P = .69). FENa did not increase from baseline after administration of diltiazem (median difference = 0%, 95% CI = −0.1 to 0.1;P = .81), and there was no difference in D5W FENa (median difference = 0.1%, 95% CI = −0.1 to 0.2;P = .26). UOP did not increase with diltiazem (P = .06).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Intravenous administration of diltiazem does not improve markers of renal function in healthy dogs. Further studies are needed in dogs with AKI.