bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher disease activity and lower renal function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are associated with loss of muscle mass: results from a long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Nogi Shinichi , Hashimoto Atsushi , Tohma Shigeto , Matsui Toshihiro
Published: March 2022

Background

Muscle mass or strength is an important factor of activities of daily living in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there are few reports analysing the long‐term change in muscle mass in these patients. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of patient's background or disease activity of RA with change in muscle mass after 7 years.

Methods

Muscle mass was measured in 101 female patients with RA in 2010. Among them, 79 patients underwent remeasurements in 2017. We examined the relationship between muscle mass at baseline in 2010 or changes in muscle mass (i.e., the difference between 2010 and 2017 or the ratio of 2017 to 2010) and the patients' background, disease activity of RA, treatment, or renal function. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with loss of muscle mass. Muscle mass was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Results

At baseline in 2010, the age (mean ± SD) of 101 patients was 62.6 ± 9.8 years. Muscle mass measurements in 2010 showed a significantly negative correlation with patient age (r = −0.361, p < 0.001), Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) (r = −0.461, p < 0.001), and Disease Activity Score (DAS)28‐CRP (r = −0.249, p = 0.013). Mean (±SD) muscle mass was not significantly different between 2010 (32.5 ± 3.4 kg) and 2017 (32.1 ± 3.8 kg). Changes in muscle mass (the difference or ratio) were negatively correlated with the mean value of DAS28‐CRP for 7 years (r = −0.281, p = 0.012 or r = −0.298, p = 0.010, respectively) and positively correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, they were not correlated with the use of glucocorticoids, age, or mHAQ. Logistic regression analysis showed that a mean DAS28‐CRP value for 7 years >2.6 (odds ratio (OR): 3.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–11.1; p = 0.028) and eGFR≤80 in 2010 (OR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.2–11.1; p = 0.030) was significantly associated with >5% loss of muscle mass after 7 years.

Conclusions

Patients with higher disease activity of RA and lower renal function exhibited a tendency toward loss of muscle mass after 7 years.
Reduced muscle strength of knee extensors is a risk factor for silent lacunar infarcts among Japanese elderly people: the Bunkyo Health Study
Authors: Someya Yuki , Tamura Yoshifumi , Kaga Hideyoshi , Sugimoto Daisuke , Kadowaki Satoshi , Suzuki Ruriko , Aoki Shigeki , Hattori Nobutaka , Motoi Yumiko , Shimada Kazunori , Daida Hiroyuki , Ishijima Muneaki , Kaneko Kazuo , Nojiri Shuko , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka
Published: March 2022

Background

Silent lacunar infarcts (SLIs) are often incidentally diagnosed by brain magnetic resonance imaging in elderly people and are associated with the future onset of stroke, dementia, and frailty. While decreased muscle strength was reported as a risk factor for stroke, it is still unclear whether it also predisposes to SLI. In this study, we investigated the association between muscle strength and SLI in elderly subjects.

Methods

The subjects were 1536 elderly people aged 65–84 years without previous stroke events, living in an urban area of Tokyo, Japan, and recruited in the Bunkyo Health Study. Lacunar infarcts were defined by brain magnetic resonance imaging. Muscle strength of the knee extensors was measured using a dynamometer. After categorizing subjects by age and sex, we divided them into three groups based on muscle strength tertiles (High, Medium, and Low) and investigated the association between muscle strength and SLI.

Results

The mean subject age was 73.0 ± 5.4 years, and 58.9% were female. The prevalence of SLI was 16.4% and was inversely associated with muscle strength (High, 12.3%; Medium, 17.7%; and Low, 19.3%; P for trend 0.003). After multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio for SLI was increased in the Medium and Low groups compared with the High group (High, 1.00 [reference]; Medium, 1.42 [95% confidence interval: 0.98–2.04]; and Low: 1.48 [1.02–2.14]), and the linear trend across the three groups was significant (P for trend 0.043).

Conclusions

Reduced knee extensor muscle strength is associated with SLI among Japanese elderly, independently of other established risk factors.
Influence of the drifts on the double‐peaked emission profile of the visible light in the upper divertor region of EAST
Authors: Guo Jin , Lu Zhiyuan , Jia Guozhang , Ruan Xinglei , Xu Yuchen , Mao Shifeng , Yang Jianhua , Wang Yumin , Meng Lingyi , Yang Qingquan , Xu Guosheng , Ye Minyou
Published: March 2022

A novel double‐peaked emission profile has been observed by the visible light imaging system in EAST. In the upper divertor region, two emission peaks in the high‐field side (HFS) scrape‐off layer (SOL) and near the X‐point are identified by tomographic reconstruction. In our previous SOLPS‐ITER simulation work, the emission peaks in the HFS SOL and near the X‐point are attributed to the carbon deposition on the HFS baffle and the dome of the upper tungsten divertor, respectively. The appearance of the emission peak near the X‐point when the outer target is attached was understood by analysing the carbon transport in the private flux region (PFR). However, the simulated intensity of the emission peak in the HFS SOL is lower by one order of magnitude than that in the PFR, while they are at the similar level in the experiment. In this work, the influence of the drifts is further studied by SOLPS‐ITER simulations. Under the favourable toroidal field condition, the HFS SOL plasma transits to the detachment regime. The chemical sputtering of the carbon deposited on the inner baffle increases significantly, as well as the emission intensity of the peak in the HFS SOL. Meanwhile, the C2+ density peak in the PFR decreases due to the E × B drift towards inner target. The emission intensity in the PFR near the X‐point, therefore, decreases moderately. As a result, the intensities of the two emission peaks become comparable, which matches better with the experiment.
The phylogeny of the Anderson's White‐bellied Rat (Niviventer andersoni) based on complete mitochondrial genomes
Authors: Liu Shu‐Jing , Li Fu‐Li , Zhou Ji‐Hua , Lv Ji‐Zhou , Tan Zhong‐Yang , Zhang Yun‐Zhi , Ge Xing‐Yi
Published: March 2022

The phylogenetic structure of the genus Niviventer has been studied based on several individual mitochondrial and nuclear genes, but the results seem to be inconsistent. In order to clarify the phylogeny of Niviventer, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of white‐bellied rat (Niviventer andersoni of the family Muridae) by next‐generation sequencing. The 16,291 bp mitochondrial genome consists of 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein‐coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, and one noncoding control region (D‐Loop). Phylogenetic analyses of the nucleotide sequences of all 13 PCGs, PCGs minus ND6, and the entire mitogenome sequence except for the D‐loop revealed well‐resolved topologies supporting that N. andersoni was clustered with N. excelsior forming a sister division with N. confucianus, which statistically rejected the hypothesis based on the tree of cytochrome b (cytb) gene that N. confucianus is sister to N. fulvescens. Our research provides the first annotated complete mitochondrial genome of N. andersoni, extending the understanding about taxonomy and mitogenomic evolution of the genus Niviventer.
Large‐diameter trees affect snow duration in post‐fire old‐growth forests
Authors: Teich Michaela , Becker Kendall M. L. , Raleigh Mark S. , Lutz James A.
Published: March 2022

Snow duration in post‐fire forests is influenced by neighbourhoods of trees, snags, and deadwood. We used annually resolved, spatially explicit tree and tree mortality data collected in an old‐growth, mixed‐conifer forest in the Sierra Nevada, California, that burned at low to moderate severity to calculate 10 tree neighbourhood metrics for neighbourhoods up to 40 m from snow depth and snow disappearance sampling points. We developed two linear mixed models, predicting snow disappearance timing as a function of tree neighbourhood, litter density, and simulated incoming solar radiation, and two multiple regression models explaining variation in snow depth as a function of tree neighbourhood. Higher densities of post‐fire large‐diameter snags within 10 m of a sampling point were related to higher snow depth (indicating reduced snow interception). Higher densities of large‐diameter trees within 5 m and larger amounts of litter were associated with shorter snow duration (indicating increased longwave radiation emittance and accelerated snow albedo decay). However, live trees with diameters >60 cm within 10 m of a snow disappearance sampling point were associated with a longer‐lasting spring snowpack. This suggests that, despite the local effects of canopy interception and emitted longwave radiation from boles of large trees, shading from their canopies may prolong snow duration over a larger area. Therefore, conservation of widely spaced, large‐diameter trees is important in old‐growth forests because they are resistant to fire and can enhance the seasonal duration of snowmelt.
Evaluation of diastole by echocardiography for detecting early cardiac dysfunction: an outcome study
Authors: Kuznetsova Tatiana , Cauwenberghs Nicholas , Sabovčik František , Kobayashi Yukari , Haddad Francois
Published: March 2022

Aims

Timely detection of subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDDF) is of importance for precise risk stratification of asymptomatic subjects. Here, we evaluated the prevalence of LVDDF and its prognostic significance in the general population using two grading approaches: the 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations and population‐derived, age‐specific criteria.

Methods and results

We randomly recruited 1407 community‐dwelling participants (mean age, 51.2 years; 51.1% women; 53.5% with cardiovascular risk factors). We measured left heart dimensions, strain, tricuspid regurgitation, transmitral blood flow, and mitral annular tissue velocities using conventional echocardiography and Doppler imaging. We utilized these measurements to grade of LVDDF according to the 2016 recommendations and population‐derived, age‐specific approach. According to the 2016 recommendations, 26 subjects (1.85%) were classified as having the advanced stage (Grade 2), whereas in 109 participants (7.75%) diastolic function was indeterminate. When applying the population‐derived criteria, the prevalence of advanced LVDDF was 17.9% (n = 252). During the follow‐up period (8.4 years), 100 participants experienced adverse cardiac events. After full adjustment, we did not observe any significant differences in the risk of events between subjects with indeterminate or any grade of LVDDF and subjects with normal diastolic function when classified according to the 2016 recommendation (P ≥ 0.25). In contrast, the adjusted risks of adverse cardiac events (HR = 1.28; P = 0.0045) were significantly elevated in participants with LVDDF when classified according to the population‐derived criteria.

Conclusions

Our study underscored the importance of considering age‐ and population‐derived thresholds in LVDDF grading in subjects at high cardiovascular risk which led to a better risk stratification and outcome prediction.
Relation of left atrial overload indices with prognostic endpoints in heart failure and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Hoshida Shiro , Tachibana Koichi , Shinoda Yukinori , Minamisaka Tomoko , Seo Masahiro , Yano Masamichi , Hayashi Takaharu , Nakagawa Akito , Nakagawa Yusuke , Tamaki Shunsuke , Yamada Takahisa , Yasumura Yoshio , Sotomi Yohei , Hikoso Shungo , Nakatani Daisaku , Sakata Yasushi ,   OCVC‐Heart Failure Investigators
Published: March 2022

Aims

Considerable variation in the relationships between the indices of left atrial (LA) volume and pressure could possibly affect the selection of medications or efforts to improve the prognoses of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to clarify the association between the prognostic endpoint and LA overload indices in elderly patients with HFpEF.

Methods and results

We analysed 898 patients with HFpEF hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (men/women: 406/492). Blood tests and transthoracic echocardiography were performed before discharge. The primary endpoint was re‐admission for heart failure or all‐cause mortality. Stroke volume (SV)/left atrial volume (LAV), an index for LA volume overload, was a significant prognostic factor of re‐admission for heart failure in the multivariable Cox hazard analysis adjusted for comorbidities [hazard ratio (HR) 0.616, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.430–0.882, P = 0.008]. Additionally, the ratio of diastolic elastance (Ed) to arterial elastance (Ea), an index for LA pressure overload, was also significant (HR 1.444, 95% CI 1.014–2.058, P = 0.041). Furthermore, Ed/Ea, but not SV/LAV, was a significant prognostic factor of all‐cause mortality (HR 1.594, 95% CI 1.102–2.306, P = 0.013).

Conclusions

The index of LA overload for prognosis may differ according to the different endpoints in elderly patients with HFpEF.
Water‐induced disintegration behaviour of Malan loess
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Fan Nannan , Li Yanrong , He Shengdi , Guo Dingyi
Published: March 2022

The Malan loess is a greyish yellow unstratified sediment with uniform lithology, large pores and loose texture. The Malan loess is sensitive to water due to its porous and metastable structure. Water‐induced disintegration is the main cause of soil loss in the Loess Plateau of China and the primary evolutionary driving force of the loess landform. A series of laboratory tests is conducted on undisturbed cylindrical Malan loess samples to understand their disintegration behaviour further and examine potential influencing factors. Results show that the Malan loess experiences primary and secondary disintegration stages. The primary disintegration occurs very fast and terminates in an average of 40 s. Approximately 78% of the soil disintegrates in this stage. The disintegration velocity (V) and percentage (Df) in the primary stage demonstrate high correlation with the dry density, clay mineral content and CaCO3 content. Specifically, Df increases while V decreases with the increase of dry density or clay content. Df decreases while V increases with the increase of CaCO3. The concentration of ions, including Cl−, SO42−, CO32−, HCO3−, Ca2+, K+, Na+ and Mg2+, and the organic matter content do not exhibit a clear relationship with Df and V. In addition, the pore structure influences the Malan loess disintegration. The soil with evenly distributed small pores is subjected to gradual disintegration from outside to inside without abrupt failure, while that with large pipes disintegrates abruptly in large pieces.
Approximation of Caputo‐Prabhakar derivative with application in solving time fractional advection‐diffusion equation
Authors: Singh Deeksha , Sultana Farheen , Pandey Rajesh K.
Published: March 2022

This work aims to numerically approximate the Caputo‐Prabhakar derivative and use this approximation for solving the time‐fractional advection‐diffusion equation defined in Caputo‐Prabhakar sense which is widely used in fluid dynamics. In this approach, we approximate the time‐fractional derivative of the mentioned equation by two schemes, namely and , using linear and quadratic interpolation functions, respectively. The convergence order of the two schemes is , , respectively, for . The analytical error bounds for the two schemes are also discussed. Then, these schemes are applied to solve the time‐fractional advection‐diffusion equation defined in the Caputo‐Prabhakar sense numerically. We will prove the solvability and stability of the proposed methods. Numerical examples validate the analytical results. With the reference of an example, we have shown that the schemes work well for the fractional diffusion equation also.
Treatment de‐escalation for HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Petrelli Fausto , Luciani Andrea , Ghidini Antonio , Cherri Sara , Gamba Paolo , Maddalo Marta , Bossi Paolo , Zaniboni Alberto
Published: March 2022

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) related oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) carries a better prognosis compared with HPV‐counterparts, thereby pushing the adoption of de‐intensification treatment approaches as new strategies to preserve superior oncologic outcomes while minimizing toxicity. We evaluated the effect of treatment de‐intensification in terms of overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), locoregional and distant control (LRC and DM) by selecting prospective or retrospective studies, providing outcome data with reduced intensification versus standard curative treatment in HPV+ OPC patients, with a systematic analysis till September 2020. The primary outcome of interest was OS. Secondary endpoints were PFS, LRC, and DM expressed as HR. A total of 55 studies (from 1393 screened references) were employed for quantitative synthesis for 38 929 patients. Among n = 48 studies with data available, de‐intensified treatments reduced OS in HPV+ OPCs (HR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.17–1.52; p < 0.01). In de‐escalated treatments, PFS was also decreased (HR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.65–2.69; p < 0.01). Compared with standard treatments, reduced intensity approaches were associated with reduced locoregional and distant disease control (HR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.75–3.59; p < 0.01; and HR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.25–2.9; p < 0.01). Chemoradiation improved survival in a definitive curative setting compared with radiotherapy alone (HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.16–1.75; p < 0.01). When adjuvant treatments were compared, standard and de‐escalation strategies provided similar OS. In conclusion, in patients with HPV+ OPC, de‐escalation treatments should not be widely and agnostically adopted in clinical practice, as therein lies a concrete risk of offering a sub‐optimal treatment to patients.
Diabetes medications and risk of HCC
Authors: Plaz Torres Maria Corina , Jaffe Ariel , Perry Rachel , Marabotto Elisa , Strazzabosco Mario , Giannini Edoardo G.
Published: March 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a recognized risk factor for HCC in patients with liver disease, independent from the etiology of their liver disease. Hence, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its underlying cause, insulin resistance, should be considered a treatment target for patients with liver disease. The drug armamentarium for diabetes is wide and consists of agents with insulin‐sensitizing activity, agents that stimulate insulin secretion, insulin itself, and agents that reduce gastrointestinal and urinary glucose absorption. From an endocrinology perspective, the main goal of treatment is the achievement of euglycemia; however, in patients at risk of, or with known underlying liver disease, the choice of diabetic medication as it relates to potential hepatic carcinogenesis remains complex and should be carefully considered. In the last decade, increasing evidence has suggested that metformin may reduce the risk of HCC, whereas evidence for other classes of diabetic medications, particularly some of the newer agents including the sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists, is fewer and often inconsistent. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence on the potential effects of the most widely used diabetic agents on liver cancer tumorigenesis.
Sarcopenia HIBA score predicts sarcopenia and mortality in patients on the liver transplant waiting list
Authors: Mauro Ezequiel , Diaz Juan Manuel , Garcia‐Olveira Lucrecia , Spina Juan Carlos , Savluk Lorena , Zalazar Fernanda , Saidman Julia , De Santibañes Martin , Pekolj Juan , De Santibañes Eduardo , Crespo Gonzalo , Abraldes Juan G. , Gadano Adrían
Published: March 2022

Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition that predicts prognosis in patients awaiting liver transplantation (LT). The gold standard for the diagnosis of sarcopenia is the assessment of the muscular area at L3 with computed tomography (CT) scan (skeletal muscle index [SMI]), but the routine use of CT scan is limited in clinical practice. Thus, we designed a single‐center observational study aimed to evaluate the clinical factors associated with the presence of sarcopenia by SMI, and to build a score capable of predicting or excluding the presence of sarcopenia in patients on the LT waiting list (WL). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the factors independently associated with sarcopenia, and the Sarcopenia Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA) score was built from the resulting model after internal validation analysis by bootstrapping and correction for optimism. The predictive capability of mortality on the WL was evaluated with competing risk regression analysis. A total of 215 patients with cirrhosis on the LT WL were included. The independent factors associated with the presence of sarcopenia were male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 6.09, p < 0.001), body mass index (OR: 0.74, p < 0.001), Child Pugh (OR: 1.44, p < 0.001), and the ratio creatinine/Cystatin C (OR: 0.03, p = 0.007). The Sarcopenia HIBA score constructed with these variables showed an area under the curve of 0.862. During follow‐up, 77 (36%) patients underwent LT, 46 (21%) died, and 92 (43%) remained alive. After adjusting for Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease–Sodium, Sarcopenia HIBA score was an independent predictor of WL mortality (subhazard ratio: 1.19; 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.40; p = 0.042). Sarcopenia HIBA score is an easy‐to‐use, objective, and reliable diagnostic and predictive tool that can be useful to improve the prognostic evaluation and allow identifying a group of patients with a higher risk of death while awaiting LT.
Identifying latent classes of empowerment among early adolescent girls and the factors that cultivate them: Evidence from a community‐based skills training program
Authors: Misunas Christina , Amin Sajeda
Published: March 2022

Background

Efforts to empower adolescent girls remain constrained by confusion around how to conceptually define empowerment and how to design interventions. More research, particularly among young adolescents, is needed that considers contextual and age‐specific circumstances. This paper examines the latent classes of empowerment among early adolescent girls in Bangladesh and factors associated with membership in these classes. Using data from the Bangladeshi Association for Life Skills, Income, and Knowledge for Adolescents project, a four‐arm randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate different community‐based approaches for adolescents' skills development, we identify the latent classes before and after intervention and explore whether girls' membership in the study arms was associated with latent class membership at endline.

Methods

To identify underlying subgroups among the sample, we conducted latent class analysis at baseline and endline using indicators of seven different constructs of empowerment based on the literature. Using multinomial logistic regression analysis, we assessed whether respondents' background characteristics and membership in the study arms were predictive of latent class membership at both timepoints.

Results

A three‐class model at baseline and a four‐class model at endline showed optimal fit. In both models, three distinct latent classes were observed: (1) a least empowered class, (2) a mobile, socially active class, and (3) a socially progressive class. At endline, a fourth class emerged—the most empowered—that was mobile, socially active, and socially progressive. Girls' marital status, religion, and parents' level of education predicted latent class membership; household wealth was predictive at baseline, but not endline. Study arm was also associated with class membership at endline: girls in the Gender‐Rights Awareness Arm had the highest probability of belonging to the fourth, most empowered class.

Conclusion

This paper identifies and characterizes latent classes of empowerment that exist among the sample before and after the intervention. The apparent differential effects of interventions in predicting latent class membership have implications for community‐based programming. Findings suggest that skills‐building curriculum focused on promoting gender equitable norms, voice, and agency has potential to influence early adolescent girls across multiple dimensions of empowerment.
Noninvasive examination of the cardiac properties of insect embryos enabled by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Su Ya , Fan Jiangling , Wang Xiuli , Wang Xiaoxiao , Li Jing , Duan Bingbing , Kang Le , Wei Liya , Yao X. Steve
Published: March 2022

Understanding the cardiac properties of insect embryos at different development stages is important, however, few works have been conducted probably due to the lack of effective tools. Using locust embryos as an example, here we show, for the first time, that optical coherence tomography (OCT) is capable of obtaining detailed information of embryos' heart activities and irregularities, such as the heart rate, cardiac cycle, diastolic and systolic diameters, hemolymph pumping rate and ejection fraction at different stages of embryonic development and at different temperatures. We develop algorithms and mathematical methods for extracting and analyzing cardiac behavior information of locust embryos. We discover that locust embryos experienced suspended development (quiescence) caused by cold storage have a heart rate 20% more than that of embryos without experiencing quiescence and that the hemolymph pumping rate of the two types of embryos behaves differently as the embryos grow. In addition, using OCT as an accurate cardiac activity examination tool, we show that the heart rates of locust embryos are effectively reduced due to nitric oxide synthase gene silencing by RNA interference, indicating potential application of using locust embryos as a good model organism to study cardiovascular diseases, including the congenital heart disease and arrhythmia. Finally, the capabilities offered by OCT in the studies of locust embryonic development may also prove helpful to promote locust reproduction for nutritions or restrain locust reproduction for pest control.
Methylation‐ and homologous recombination deficiency‐related mutant genes predict the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Nie Guang‐Jie , Liu Jian , Zou Ai‐Mei , Zhan Shao‐Feng , Liang Jia‐Kang , Sui Yi , Chen Yu‐Ning , Yao Wei‐Shen
Published: March 2022

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a lung cancer subtype with poor prognosis. We investigated the prognostic value of methylation‐ and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)‐associated gene signatures in LUAD.

Methods

Data on RNA sequencing, somatic mutations, and methylation were obtained from TCGA database. HRD scores were used to stratify patients with LUAD into high and low HRD groups and identify differentially mutated and expressed genes (DMEGs). Pearson correlation analysis between DMEGs and methylation yielded methylation‐associated DMEGs. Cox regression analysis was used to construct a prognostic model, and the distribution of clinical features in the high‐ and low‐risk groups was compared.

Results

Patients with different HRD scores showed different DNA mutation patterns. There were 272 differentially mutated genes and 6294 differentially expressed genes. Fifty‐seven DMEGs were obtained; the top 10 upregulated genes wereCOL11A1,EXO1,ASPM,COL12A1,COL2A1,COL3A1,COL5A2,DIAPH3,CAD, andSLC25A13, while the top 10 downregulated genes wereC7,ERN2,DLC1,SCN7A,SMARCA2,CARD11,LAMA2,ITIH5,FRY, andEPHB6. Forty‐two DMEGs were negatively correlated with 259 methylation sites. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis of the DMEGs revealed enrichment of loci involved in extracellular matrix‐related remodeling and signaling. Six out of the 42 methylation‐associated DMEGs were significantly associated with LUAD prognosis and included in the prognostic model. The model effectively stratified high‐ and low‐risk patients, with the high‐risk group having more patients with advanced stage disease.

Conclusion

We developed a novel prognostic model for LUAD based on methylation and HRD. Methylation‐associated DMEGs may function as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for LUAD. Further studies are needed to elucidate their roles in LUAD carcinogenesis.
Psoriatic arthritis: Ultrasound peculiarities with particular emphasis on enthesitis
Authors: Draghi Ferdinando , Ferrozzi Guia , Ballerini Daniela , Bortolotto Chandra
Published: March 2022

The prevalence of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis has a marked variability with ethnic and geographic variations. Inflammatory changes associated with psoriatic arthritis include bone erosion, tenosynovitis, and synovial hypertrophy, but enthesitis is considered the hallmark. Both X‐ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are usefull in the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, but ultrasonography is the best imaging modality to assess entheses. Ultrasound findings of enthesitis include a loss of the regular fibrillar architecture, hypoechoic thickening, hypervascularization of tendons, ligaments, and joint capsules at their bony attachment, bony changes (including irregularities and erosions). Ultrasound has also proved the ability to detect inflammatory subclinical findings and to be useful in the follow‐up of therapies.
Leaf epidermal morphology of Asparagaceae of Taiwan and its systematic significance
Authors: Chao Chien‐Ti , Tzeng Hsy‐Yu , Tseng Yen‐Hsueh
Published: March 2022

The current study analyzed the epidermal morphology of Asparagaceae in detail and assessed its systematic importance. At the familial level, no consistent characteristics were found, but anticlinal wall and stomata morphology provided systematic information of different tribes, especially Ophiopogoneae and Polygonateae. In Ophiopogoneae, Liriope and Ophiopogon had similar epidermis, which implying a close relationship between them, and was also supported by related studies. The leaves of Polygonateae exhibited rounded and undulate anticlinal wall. Polygonatum arisanense var. formosanum had a rounded anticlinal wall, whereas other species exhibited undulate anticlinal walls. Different epidemis of Po. arisanense var. formosanum supported the variety treatment of Po. arisanense. The intergeneric relationship was also interpreted based on the anticlinal wall and stomata. Therefore, the epidermis could provide the systematic value of Asparagaceae. The present study also revealed the linkage of stomata and habitat types, though the adaptative significance of epidermal traits needs further study.

Research Highlights

Anticlinal wall and stomatal morphology had systematic potential on tribal or generic levels of Asparagaceae.

Stomatal types of Asparagaceae might be linked to environmental factors.
Enhanced scanning electron microscopy images using muscovite mica, an example with Rhizaria
Authors: Llopis Monferrer Natalia , Foulon Valentin , Elies Philippe
Published: March 2022

Muscovite mica sheets were used as a support to capture scanning electron microscopy pictures of marine biological samples. The physical properties of the cleaved muscovite mica provide a clean background, which greatly reduces the postprocessing of images, thereby enhancing them and resulting in impressive images. We chose siliceous Rhizaria for this investigation due to their morphological diversity and elaborate skeletons.

Research highlights

Muscovite mica sheet was used as a SEM support for biological sample

Physical properties of muscovite mica sheet can provide native dark, gray, and white background of SEM images

Muscovite mica sheet should be considered for image production in the context of art and science intersection
The impact of helical slide honing on surface microtexture compared to plateau honing process through relevant characterization methods
Authors: Yousfi Mohammed , Ţălu Ştefan
Published: March 2022

The cylinder engine surface texture has a major influence on the functional performances of the ring‐pack tribo‐system. The cylinder engine surface microtexture manufactured by plateau honing (PH) and helical slide honing (HSH) processes have been analyzed using white light interferometry (WLI), and stereometric analysis. The approaches in three‐dimensional (3‐D) white light interferometer measurements and surface stereometric analysis are important for the correct interpretation of 3‐D local surface texture features and can be applied in mathematical models for calculating the friction. The samples were divided into two groups: plateau honing (PH) samples and helical slide honing (HSH) samples to discuss the obtained results, according to the honing techniques obtained after several stages: the rough and finish honing and final stage. The obtained results demonstrated that the surface of group PH has the higher values of root mean square height (Sq = 1.83 μm) and fractal dimension (Df = 2.74 ± 0.01), while the lowest values of root mean square height (Sq = 0.63 μm) and fractal dimension (Df = 2.60 ± 0.01) were found for HSH samples. These values highlight that the PH samples are more irregular (both as surface and topography) in comparison with HSH samples.

Highlights

We characterized the micromorphology of surface microtexture in plateau and helical slide honing.

The nanostructure morphology was investigated using the white light interferometry, fractal and stereometric analyses.

The surface topography during the HSH process has different characteristics than the PH process and can be used to obtain better friction and lubrication performances.
Falsehoods and myths in famine research: The Bengal famine and Daoud
Authors: Bowbrick Peter
Published: March 2022

Decision makers on famine and food policy may be influenced by myths, some of which reappear after being refuted. The subject of famine is highly emotive and politically charged which means that many authors cherry‐pick or invent evidence, suppress evidence or use bad economics. Daoud's (2018) paper ‘Synthesizing the Malthusian and Senian approaches on scarcity: A realist account’ contains many falsehoods supporting myths, both misrepresentations of what people have written on the 1943 Bengal famine (suggestio falsi) and suppression of what they did say (suppressio veri). The statistics are unacceptable. The claims about the Malthusian approach are untenable.
Governing the artisanal gold mining sector in the Mano River Union: A comparative study of Liberia and Sierra Leone
Authors: Kalokoh Amidu , Kochtcheeva Lada V.
Published: March 2022

This paper contributes to the growing literature on the dynamics and governance challenges of artisanal mining in sub‐Saharan Africa. It examines the artisanal gold mining sector in Liberia and Sierra Leone, two neighboring post‐war countries with extensive informal economies in the gold mining sector. This comparative case study explores factors that help reveal governance struggles, including the informality of the sector, the multiplicity of actors, ineffective monitoring, and gold price differences. It underscores the informality of the sector as a more pronounced problem that offers opportunities for corruption, smuggling of gold, human rights abuses, and exploitation.
Efficient cascaded V‐net optimization for lower extremity CT segmentation validated using bone morphology assessment
Authors: Kuiper Ruurd J. A. , Sakkers Ralph J. B. , van Stralen Marijn , Arbabi Vahid , Viergever Max A. , Weinans Harrie , Seevinck Peter R.
Published: March 2022

Semantic segmentation of bone from lower extremity computerized tomography (CT) scans can improve and accelerate the visualization, diagnosis, and surgical planning in orthopaedics. However, the large field of view of these scans makes automatic segmentation using deep learning based methods challenging, slow and graphical processing unit (GPU) memory intensive. We investigated methods to more efficiently represent anatomical context for accurate and fast segmentation and compared these with state‐of‐the‐art methodology. Six lower extremity bones from patients of two different datasets were manually segmented from CT scans, and used to train and optimize a cascaded deep learning approach. We varied the number of resolution levels, receptive fields, patch sizes, and number of V‐net blocks. The best performing network used a multi‐stage, cascaded V‐net approach with 1283−643−323 voxel patches as input. The average Dice coefficient over all bones was 0.98 ± 0.01, the mean surface distance was 0.26 ± 0.12 mm and the 95th percentile Hausdorff distance 0.65 ± 0.28 mm. This was a significant improvement over the results of the state‐of‐the‐art nnU‐net, with only approximately 1/12th of training time, 1/3th of inference time and 1/4th of GPU memory required. Comparison of the morphometric measurements performed on automatic and manual segmentations showed good correlation (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC] >0.8) for the alpha angle and excellent correlation (ICC >0.95) for the hip‐knee‐ankle angle, femoral inclination, femoral version, acetabular version, Lateral Centre‐Edge angle, acetabular coverage. The segmentations were generally of sufficient quality for the tested clinical applications and were performed accurately and quickly compared to state‐of‐the‐art methodology from the literature.
Research perspectives—Pipelines to human tendon transcriptomics
Authors: Ramos‐Mucci Lorenzo , Sarmiento Paula , Little Dianne , Snelling Sarah
Published: March 2022

Tendon transcriptomics is a rapidly growing field in musculoskeletal biology. The ultimate aim of many current tendon transcriptomic studies is characterization of in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo, healthy, and diseased tendon microenvironments to identify the underlying pathways driving human tendon pathology. The transcriptome interfaces between genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic signatures of the tendon cellular niche and the response of this niche to stimuli. Some of the greatest bottlenecks in tendon transcriptomics relate to the availability and quality of human tendon tissue, hence animal tissues are frequently used even though human tissue is most translationally relevant. Here, we review the variability associated with human donor and procurement factors, such as whether the tendon is cadaveric or a clinical remnant, and how these variables affect the quality and relevance of the transcriptomes obtained. Moreover, age, sex, and health demographic variables impact the human tendon transcriptome. Tendons present tissue‐specific challenges for cell, nuclei, and RNA extraction that include a dense extracellular matrix, low cellularity, and therefore low RNA yield of variable quality. Consideration of these factors is particularly important for single‐cell and single‐nuclei resolution transcriptomics due to the necessity for unbiased and representative cell or nuclei populations. Different cell, nuclei, and RNA extraction methods, library preparation, and quality control methods are used by the tendon research community and attention should be paid to these when designing and reporting studies. We discuss the different components and challenges of human tendon transcriptomics, and propose pipelines, quality control, and reporting guidelines for future work in the field.
Factors affecting searcher efficiency and scavenger removal of bat carcasses in Neotropical wind facilities
Authors: Barros Marília A. S. , Iannuzzi Luciana , de Holanda Silva Isabelle Leite , Otálora‐Ardila Aída , Bernard Enrico
Published: March 2022

Bat fatalities at wind facilities have been reported worldwide, and environmental impact assessments depend on searches for carcasses around wind turbines to quantify impacts. Some of the carcasses may go undetected by search teams or be removed by scavengers during search intervals, so these biases must be evaluated and taken into account in fatality estimation. We investigated the influence of different factors on searcher efficiency and scavenger removal in a dry forest area in northeastern Brazil, one of the regions with the highest density of wind turbines in the Neotropics. We conducted searcher efficiency and scavenger removal trials around 34 wind turbines from January 2017 to January 2018. Searcher efficiency was influenced by cover type, season, and carcass size, ranging between 12% for small bats in shrub vegetation during the rainy season and 96% for large bats in absent or sparse vegetation during the dry season. Carcass type and season affected scavenger removal; carcass persistence time was shorter for chicks (1.2 days) than for bats and mice (2.1 days), and the probability of a carcass persisting for a whole day was higher in the rainy season, while the probability of carcass persistence for 7, 14, and 28 days was higher in the dry season. The scavenger community was composed of canids, birds of prey, and insects, with systematic removal of carcasses by the crab‐eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) throughout the year and by dung beetles in the rainy season. Based on our findings, impact assessments of wind facilities on bats should conduct searcher efficiency trials in all seasons and cover types around wind turbines, using bat carcasses or models of different sizes. Scavenger removal trials should cover all seasons as well, and use mouse carcasses (but not chick carcasses) as surrogates for bats.
Alginates for Protection Against Pepsin‐Acid Induced Aerodigestive Epithelial Barrier Disruption
Authors: Samuels Tina L. , Yan Ke , Patel Nishma , Plehhova Kate , Coyle Cathal , Hurley Bryan P. , Johnston Nikki
Published: March 2022

Objective

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are chronic conditions caused by backflow of gastric and duodenal contents into the esophagus and proximal aerodigestive tract, respectively. Mucosal barrier dysfunction resultant from the synergistic actions of chemical injury and the mucosal inflammatory response during reflux contributes to symptom perception. Alginates effectively treat symptoms of mild to moderate GERD and have recently shown benefit for LPR. In addition to forming a “raft” over gastric contents to reduce acidic reflux episodes, alginates have been found to bind the esophageal mucosa thereby preserving functional barrier integrity measured by transepithelial electrical resistance. The aim of this study was to further examine the topical protective capacity of alginate‐based Gaviscon Advance (GA) and Double Action (GDA) against pepsin‐acid mediated aerodigestive epithelial barrier dysfunction in vitro.

Study Design

Translational.

Methods

Immortalized human esophageal and vocal cord epithelial cells cultured in transwells were pretreated with liquid formula GA, GDA, matched viscous placebo solution, or saline (control), then treated for 1 h with saline, acid (pH 3–6) or pepsin (0.1–1 mg/ml) at pH 3–6. Endpoint measure was taken of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) allowed to diffuse across monolayers for 2 h.

Results

Pepsin (0.1‐1 mg/ml) at pH 3‐6 increased HRP flux through cultures pretreated with saline or placebo (p < 0.05); acid alone did not. GA and GDA prevented barrier dysfunction.

Conclusions

GA and GDA preserved epithelial barrier function during pepsin‐acid insult better than placebo suggesting that protection was due to alginate. These data support topical protection as a therapeutic approach to GERD and LPR. Laryngoscope, 132:2327–2334, 2022
Riesz potential and its commutators on generalized weighted Orlicz–Morrey spaces
Authors: Guliyev Vagif S. , Deringoz Fatih
Published: March 2022

In the present paper, we shall give a characterization for the Adams‐type boundedness of the Riesz potential and its commutators on the generalized weighted Orlicz–Morrey spaces. We also give a characterization for the BMO space via the boundedness of the commutator of the Riesz potential.
Designing End‐of‐Life Recyclable Polymers via Diels–Alder Chemistry: A Review on the Kinetics of Reversible Reactions
Authors: van den Tempel Paul , Picchioni Francesco , Bose Ranjita K.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this review is to critically assess the kinetic behavior of the furan/maleimide Diels–Alder click reaction. The popularity of this reaction is evident and still continues to grow, which is likely attributed to its reversibility at temperatures above 100 °C, and due to its biobased “roots” in terms of raw materials. This chemistry is used to form thermoreversible crosslinks in polymer networks, and thus allows the polymer field to design strong, but also end‐of‐life recyclable thermosets and rubbers. In this context, the rate at which the forward reaction (Diels–Alder for crosslinking) and its reverse (retro Diels–Alder for decrosslinking) proceed as a function of temperature is of crucial importance in assessing the feasibility of the design in real‐life products. Differences in kinetics based from various studies are not well understood, but are potentially caused by chemical side groups, mass transfer limitations, and the analysis methods being employed. In this work, all the relevant studies are attempted to be placed in perspective with respect to each other, and thereby offer a general guide is offered on how to assess their recycling kinetics.
Phenological Variation in Spring Migration Timing of Adult Alewife in Coastal Massachusetts
Authors: Dalton Rebecca M. , Sheppard John J. , Finn John T. , Jordaan Adrian , Staudinger Michelle D.
Published: March 2022

The timing of biological events in plants and animals, such as migration and reproduction, is shifting due to climate change. Anadromous fishes are particularly susceptible to these shifts as they are subject to strong seasonal cycles when transitioning between marine and freshwater habitats to spawn. We used linear models to determine the extent of phenological shifts in adult Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus as they migrated from ocean to freshwater environments during spring to spawn at 12 sites along the northeastern USA. We also evaluated broadscale oceanic and atmospheric drivers that trigger their movements from offshore to inland habitats, including sea surface temperature, North Atlantic Oscillation index, and Gulf Stream index. Run timing metrics of initiation, median (an indicator of peak run timing), end, and duration were found to vary among sites. Although most sites showed negligible shifts towards earlier timing, statistically significant changes were detected in three systems. Overall, winter sea surface temperature, spring and fall transition dates, and annual run size were the strongest predictors of run initiation and median dates, while a combination of within-season and seasonal-lag effects influenced run end and duration timing. Disparate results observed across the 12 spawning runs suggest that regional environmental processes were not consistent drivers of phenology and local environmental and ecological conditions may be more important. Additional years of data to extend time series and monitoring of Alewife timing and movements in nearshore habitats may provide important information about staging behaviors just before adults transition between ocean and freshwater habitats.