bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role and mechanism of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression in pepsin-induced development of vocal cord leukoplakia
Authors: Ao Yin-Jie , Wu Ting-Ting , Cao Zai-Zai , Zhou Shui-Hong , Bao Yang-Yang , Shen Li-Fang
Published: November 2021

Purpose

We investigated the role of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression in pepsin-induced development of human vocal cord leukoplakia cells (HVCLCs). Next, we analyzed the relationship between Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression with the clinicopathological features of laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods

Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression levels in HVCLCs were determined after treatment with artificial gastric juice containing pepsin and laryngeal carcinoma tissues.

Results

Exposure to pepsin-containing artificial gastric juice significantly enhanced the migration and proliferation of VSCLCs in a time-dependent manner. The apoptotic rate of VSCLCs decreased over time after exposure to pepsin and reached a nadir on day 7 (p < 0.01). With increasing duration of exposure to pepsin, the proportion of VSCLCs in G0/G1 phase decreased and the proportions in the S and G2/M phases significantly increased (p < 0.05). After treatment with pepsin-containing artificial gastric juice, RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase α, β significantly increased in HVCLCs compared to in the absence of pepsin (p < 0.05). The expression of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase α, β gradually increased from vocal cord leukoplakia (VLC) to laryngeal carcinoma (p < 0.05). Lentivirus-mediated inhibition of Glut-1 expression in VCL significantly inhibited the cells’ migration and proliferation (p < 0.05) but enhanced their apoptosis (p < 0.05). Also, inhibition of Glut-1 expression resulted in an increased proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase and a significantly decreased proportion in G2/M phase (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Elevated Glut-1 expression may promote the development of VCL by upregulating laryngeal H+/K+-ATPase expression to reactivate absorbed pepsin, thus damaging the laryngeal mucosa.
Assessment of the microvasculature in poppers maculopathy
Authors: Hamann T. , Wiest M. R. J. , Brinkmann M. , Toro M. , Fasler K. , Baur J. , Freund K. B. , Zweifel Sandrine
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To investigate a possible microvascular component of poppers maculopathy (PMP) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods

Twelve patients suffering from poppers maculopathy were included. Health records, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA data was gathered and compared to a healthy control group (HC). PMP lesion type was determined by manifestation in OCT. OCTA-based evaluation of retinal vascular plexus and choriocapillaris (CC) was executed. Vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) in superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP, DCP), as well as flow deficits (FD), within the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in CC were assessed.

Results

Median age of PMP patients was 40 (min 24; max 64) years, all male. Eleven patients presented with ellipsoid zone-type lesions; one patient showed a vitelliform-type lesion. No qualitative microvascular changes between PMP patients and HC were identified. Quantitative values for VD and VLD of SCP and DCP did not differ in between the two groups. The analysis of FDs in CC showed no deviation from PMP patients to HC.

Conclusions

No vascular anomalies in qualitative and quantitative analysis in OCTA were detected in PMP patients. The constitution of the CC within FAZ of PMP patients does not differ from HC when assessed as FD.
Thrust tectonics in the Wetterstein and Mieming mountains, and a new tectonic subdivision of the Northern Calcareous Alps of Western Austria and Southern Germany
Authors: Ortner Hugo , Kilian Sinah
Published: November 2021

We investigate the tectonic evolution of the Wetterstein and Mieming mountains in the western Northern Calcareous Alps (NCA) of the European Eastern Alps. In-sequence NW-directed stacking of thrust sheets in this thin-skinned foreland thrust belt lasted from the Hauterivian to the Cenomanian. In the more internal NCA major E-striking intracontinental transform faults dissected the thrust belt at the Albian–Cenomanian boundary that facilitated ascent of mantle melts feeding basanitic dykes and sills. Afterwards, the NCA basement was subducted, and the NCA were transported piggy-back across the tectonically deeper Penninic units. This process was accompanied by renewed Late Cretaceous NW-directed thrusting, and folding of thrusts. During Paleogene collision, N(NE)-directed out-of-sequence thrusts developed that offset the in-sequence thrust. We use this latter observation to revise the existing tectonic subdivision of the western NCA, in which these out-of-sequence thrusts had been used to delimit nappes, locally with young-on-old contacts at the base. We define new units that represent thrust sheets having exclusively old-on-young contacts at their base. Two large thrust sheets build the western NCA: (1) the tectonically deeper Tannheim thrust sheet and (2) the tectonically higher Karwendel thrust sheet. West of the Wetterstein and Mieming mountains, the Imst part of the Karwendel thrust sheet is stacked by an out-of-sequence thrust onto the main body of the Karwendel thrust sheet, which is, in its southeastern part, in lateral contact with the latter across a tear fault.
Sum-of-squares chordal decomposition of polynomial matrix inequalities
Authors: Zheng Yang , Fantuzzi Giovanni
Published: November 2021

We prove decomposition theorems for sparse positive (semi)definite polynomial matrices that can be viewed as sparsity-exploiting versions of the Hilbert–Artin, Reznick, Putinar, and Putinar–Vasilescu Positivstellensätze. First, we establish that a polynomial matrix P(x) with chordal sparsity is positive semidefinite for all $$x\in \mathbb {R}^n$$

x
∈

R

n

if and only if there exists a sum-of-squares (SOS) polynomial $$\sigma (x)$$

σ
(
x
)

such that $$\sigma P$$

σ
P

is a sum of sparse SOS matrices. Second, we show that setting $$\sigma (x)=(x_1^2 + \cdots + x_n^2)^\nu $$

σ

(
x
)

=

(

x
1
2

+
⋯
+

x
n
2

)

ν

for some integer $$\nu $$
ν
suffices if P is homogeneous and positive definite globally. Third, we prove that if P is positive definite on a compact semialgebraic set $$\mathcal {K}=\{x:g_1(x)\ge 0,\ldots ,g_m(x)\ge 0\}$$

K
=
{
x
:

g
1

(
x
)

≥
0
,
…
,

g
m

(
x
)

≥
0
}

satisfying the Archimedean condition, then $$P(x) = S_0(x) + g_1(x)S_1(x) + \cdots + g_m(x)S_m(x)$$

P

(
x
)

=

S
0

(
x
)

+

g
1

(
x
)

S
1

(
x
)

+
⋯
+

g
m

(
x
)

S
m

(
x
)

for matrices $$S_i(x)$$

S
i

(
x
)

that are sums of sparse SOS matrices. Finally, if $$\mathcal {K}$$
K
is not compact or does not satisfy the Archimedean condition, we obtain a similar decomposition for $$(x_1^2 + \cdots + x_n^2)^\nu P(x)$$

(

x
1
2

+
⋯
+

x
n
2

)

ν

P

(
x
)

with some integer $$\nu \ge 0$$

ν
≥
0

when P and $$g_1,\ldots ,g_m$$

g
1

,
…
,

g
m

are homogeneous of even degree. Using these results, we find sparse SOS representation theorems for polynomials that are quadratic and correlatively sparse in a subset of variables, and we construct new convergent hierarchies of sparsity-exploiting SOS reformulations for convex optimization problems with large and sparse polynomial matrix inequalities. Numerical examples demonstrate that these hierarchies can have a significantly lower computational complexity than traditional ones.
The applicability of established clinical and histopathological risk factors for tumor recurrence during long-term postoperative care in meningioma patients
Authors: Lüthge Swenja , Spille Dorothee Cäcilia , Steinbicker Andrea Ulrike , Schipmann Stephanie , Streckert Eileen Maria Susanne , Hess Katharina , Grauer Oliver Martin , Paulus Werner , Stummer Walter , Brokinkel Benjamin
Published: November 2021

Risk factors to predict late-onset tumor recurrence in meningioma patients are urgently needed to schedule control intervals during long-term follow-up. We therefore analyzed the value of established risk factors for postoperative meningioma recurrence for the prediction of long-term prognosis. Correlations of clinical and histopathological variables with tumor relapse after 3, 5, and 10 years following microsurgery were analyzed in uni- and multivariate analyses, and compared to findings in the entire cohort. In the entire cohort (N = 1218), skull base location (HR: 1.51, 95%CI 1.05–2.16; p = .026), Simpson ≥ IV resections (HR: 2.41, 95%CI 1.52–3.84; p < .001), high-grade histology (HR: 3.70, 95%CI 2.50–5.47; p < .001), and male gender (HR: 1.46, 95%CI 1.01–2.11; p = .042) were independent risk factors for recurrence. Skull base location (HR: 1.92, 95%CI 1.17–3.17; p = .010 and HR: 2.02, 95%CI 1.04–3.95; p = .038) and high-grade histology (HR: 1.87, 95%CI 1.04–3.38; p = .038 and HR: 2.29, 95%CI 1.07–4.01; p = .034) but not subtotal resection (HR: 1.53, 95%CI .68–3.45; p = .303 and HR: 1.75, 95%CI .52–5.96; p = .369) remained correlated with recurrence after a recurrence-free follow-up of ≥ 3 and ≥ 5 years, respectively. Postoperative tumor volume was related with recurrence in general (p < .001) but not beyond a follow-up of ≥ 3 years (p > .05). In 147 patients with a follow-up of ≥ 10 years, ten recurrences occurred and were not correlated with any of the analyzed variables. Skull base tumor location and high-grade histology but not the extent of resection should be considered when scheduling the long-term follow-up after meningioma surgery. Recurrences ≥ 10 years after surgery are rare, and predictors are lacking.
Pembrolizumab plus axitinib versus sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: outcomes of Japanese patients enrolled in the randomized, phase III, open-label KEYNOTE-426 study
Authors: Tamada Satoshi , Kondoh Chihiro , Matsubara Nobuaki , Mizuno Ryuichi , Kimura Go , Anai Satoshi , Tomita Yoshihiko , Oyama Masafumi , Masumori Naoya , Kojima Takahiro , Matsumoto Hiroaki , Chen Mei , Li Mengran , Matsuda Kenji , Tanaka Yoshinobu , Rini Brian I. , Uemura Hirotsugu
Published: November 2021

Background

In the phase III open-label KEYNOTE-426 (NCT02853331) study, first-line pembrolizumab and axitinib improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) versus sunitinib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). KEYNOTE-426 evaluated patients enrolled from 25 sites in Japan.

Methods

Patients enrolled in Japan were included in this post hoc subgroup analysis. Adults with clear cell mRCC were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks plus oral axitinib 5 mg twice daily or oral sunitinib 50 mg once daily (4 weeks on/2 weeks off). Dual primary endpoints were OS and PFS as assessed by blinded independent central review. Objective response rate (ORR) and safety were secondary endpoints.

Results

The Japanese subgroup comprised 94 patients (pembrolizumab–axitinib,n = 44; sunitinib,n = 50; 11% of the intent-to-treat population). Median time from randomization to data cutoff (January 6, 2020) was 29.5 months (range 24.6–37.3). Consistent with the intent-to-treat population, the OS, PFS, and ORR suggested improvement with pembrolizumab–axitinib versus sunitinib in the Japanese subgroup. Grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 70% of patients receiving pembrolizumab–axitinib versus 78% receiving sunitinib; 11 (25%) patients receiving pembrolizumab–axitinib and 13 (27%) patients receiving sunitinib discontinued the study medication due to AEs. TRAEs led to the discontinuation of pembrolizumab, axitinib, pembrolizumab–axitinib, or sunitinib in 32%, 34%, 14%, and 20%, respectively. No deaths from TRAEs occurred.

Conclusions

Efficacy outcomes for the Japanese subgroup were consistent with those of the global population. Safety in Japanese patients was consistent with the results from the global population.
Emotional Violence is Associated with Increased HIV Risk Behavior Among South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women in the HPTN 068 Cohort
Authors: Leddy Anna M. , Selin Amanda , Lippman Sheri A. , Kimaru Linda J. , Twine Rhian , Gómez-Olivé Xavier , Kahn Kathleen , Pettifor Audrey
Published: November 2021

Limited research has explored how emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) shapes HIV risk behaviors. Using cross-sectional data from the HPTN 068 post-trial visit (N = 1942), we assessed the association between emotional IPV and its sub-domains (verbal abuse and threats) with condomless sex, transactional sex, and frequent alcohol use among young women in South Africa. In adjusted multivariable logistic regression models, any emotional IPV and verbal IPV were associated with increased odds of condomless sex (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.87; and aOR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.89), transactional sex (aOR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.74, 3.08; and aOR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.51, 2.71) and alcohol use (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.39, 2.53; and aOR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.37, 2.55). Threats were associated with transactional sex (aOR: 3.67; 95% CI: 2.62, 5.14). Future research should examine this relationship over-time and HIV prevention programs should consider and address emotional IPV.
Global Workforce Development in Father Engagement Competencies for Family-Based Interventions Using an Online Training Program: A Mixed-Method Feasibility Study
Authors: Sawrikar Vilas , Plant Alexandra L. , Andrade Brendan , Woolgar Matt , Scott Stephen , Gardner Eli , Dean Celia , Tully Lucy A. , Hawes David J. , Dadds Mark R.
Published: November 2021

Global access to practitioner training in the clinical engagement of fathers in family-based interventions is limited. The current study evaluated the feasibility of training practitioners in Canada and UK using online training developed in Australia by examining improvements in practitioner confidence and competence in father engagement, training satisfaction, qualitative feedback, and benchmarking results to those from an Australian sample. Practitioners were recruited to participate in a 2-h online training program through health services and charity organisations. The online program required practitioners to watch a video and complete self-reflection exercises in a digital workbook. Pre- and post-training measures were collected immediately before and after the online training program. The results indicated significantly large improvements in self-reported confidence and competence in engaging fathers following training, with levels of improvement similar to those found in Australia. Training satisfaction was high and qualitative feedback suggested providing local resources and increasing representation of social diversity could improve training relevance in local contexts. The findings suggest online training in father engagement can contribute to global workforce development in improving practitioners’ skills in engaging fathers in family-based interventions.
The emergence of university rankings: a historical‑sociological account
Authors: Wilbers Stefan , Brankovic Jelena
Published: November 2021

Nowadays, university rankings are a familiar phenomenon in higher education all over the world. But how did rankings achieve this status? To address this question, we bring in a historical-sociological perspective and conceptualize rankings as a phenomenon in history. We focus on the United States and identify the emergence of a specific understanding oforganizational performancein the postwar decades. We argue that the advent of this understanding constituted a discursive shift, which was made possible—most notably but not solely—by the rise of functionalism to the status of a dominant intellectual paradigm. The shift crystallized in the rankings of graduate departments, which were commissioned by the National Science Foundation and produced by the American Council on Education (ACE) in 1966 and 1970. Throughout the 1970s, social scientists became increasingly more interested in the methods and merits of ranking higher education institutions, in which they would explicitly refer to the ACE rankings. This was accompanied by a growing recognition, already in the 1970s, that rankings had a place and purpose in the higher educationsystem—a trend that has continued into the present day.
Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Early Childhood Screening Assessment
Authors: Zimmermann Peter , Gleason Mary Margret , Hellwig Susan , Podewski Fritz , Iwanski Alexandra
Published: November 2021

Fast and accurate screening for mental health problems in early childhood is a prerequisite for effective early intervention. The Early Childhood Screening Assessment (ECSA) is a valid and standardized screening tool for young children. The aims of the current study were to examine the psychometric properties, the factorial structure, and validity evidence for test score interpretation of the German version of the ECSA. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis support a two-factor solution differentiating externalizing and internalizing problems in early childhood. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by positive associations with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Accuracy of identifying children at risk in comparison to CBCL was good with appropriate sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, ECSA problem scores showed specific associations with low ego-resiliency and field-independence scores and high ego-undercontrol, aggression, and anxiety scores. ECSA caregiver depression scores were associated with children’s ECSA problem scores. The German version of the ECSA is a short and accurate screening tool for mental health problems in early childhood.
A novel chlorhexidine-hexametaphosphate coating for titanium with antibiofilm efficacy and stem cell cytocompatibility
Authors: Garner Sarah J. , Dalby Mathew J. , Nobbs Angela H. , Barbour Michele E.
Published: November 2021

Dental implants are an increasingly popular way to replace missing teeth. Whilst implant survival rates are high, a small number fail soon after placement, with various factors, including bacterial contamination, capable of disrupting osseointegration. This work describes the development of chlorhexidine-hexametaphosphate coatings for titanium that hydrolyse to release the antiseptic agent chlorhexidine. The aim was to develop a coating for titanium that released sufficient chlorhexidine to prevent biofilm formation, whilst simultaneously maintaining cytocompatibility with cells involved in osseointegration. The coatings were characterised with respect to physical properties, after which antibiofilm efficacy was investigated using a multispecies biofilm model, and cytocompatibility determined using human mesenchymal stem cells. The coatings exhibited similar physicochemical properties to some implant surfaces in clinical use, and significantly reduced formation of multispecies biofilm biomass up to 72 h. One coating had superior cytocompatibility, with mesenchymal stem cells able to perform normal functions and commence osteoblastic differentiation, although at a slower rate than those grown on uncoated titanium. With further refinement, these coatings may have application in the prevention of bacterial contamination of dental implants at the time of surgery. This could aid a reduction in rates of early implant failure.
Thermodynamic Behavior of Spin-1 Heisenberg Chain: a Comparative Study
Authors: Faridfar Mona , Vahedi Javad
Published: November 2021

In this work, we present a comparative study of thermodynamic quantum equilibrium observables of spin-1 Heisenberg chain. As a theoretical approach, the modified spin-wave theory is chosen. From the numerical side, we consider finite-temperature Lanczos, kernel polynomial, and density matrix renormalization techniques. The results show general consistency of thermodynamic quantities, such as heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility, calculated within the approaches. For the modified spin-wave, the results show some inaccuracy especially at low temperature, failure in capturing the gapped features of spin-1 Heisenberg chain, while the numerical approaches illustrate a good achievement at $$T\rightarrow 0$$

T
→
0

within the proper parameters chosen.
Constraints on near-source saturation models for avoiding over-saturation of response spectral ordinates in RVT-based stochastic ground-motion simulations
Authors: Stafford Peter J.
Published: November 2021

Inversions of empirical data and ground-motion models to find Fourier spectral parameters can result in parameter combinations that produce over-saturation of short-period response spectral ordinates. While some evidence for over-saturation in empirical data exists, most ground-motion modellers do not permit this scaling within their models. Host-to-target adjustments that are made to published ground-motion models for use in site-specific seismic hazard analyses frequently require the identification of an equivalent set of Fourier spectral parameters. In this context, when inverting response spectral models that do not exhibit over-saturation effects, it is desirable to impose constraints upon the Fourier parameters to match the scaling of the host-region model. The key parameters that determine whether over-saturation arises are the geometric spreading rate (γ) and the exponential rate within near-source saturation models (hβ). The article presents the derivation of simple nonlinear constraints that can be imposed to prevent over-saturation when undertaking Fourier spectral inversions.
Deep ST
Authors: Ferguson Thomas M. , Ramírez-Cámara Elisángela
Published: November 2021

Many analyses of notion of metainferences in the non-transitive logic have tackled the question of whether can be identified with classical logic. In this paper, we argue that the primary analyses are overly restrictive of the notion of metainference. We offer a more elegant and tractable semantics for the strict-tolerant hierarchy based on the three-valued function for the material conditional. This semantics can be shown to easily handle the introduction of mixed inferences, i.e., inferences involving objects belonging to more than one (meta)inferential level and solves several other limitations of the hierarchies introduced by Barrio, Pailos, and Szmuc.
Increased proliferation is associated with CNS invasion in meningiomas
Authors: Behling Felix , Fodi Christina , Wang Sophie , Hempel Johann-Martin , Hoffmann Elgin , Tabatabai Ghazaleh , Honegger Jürgen , Tatagiba Marcos , Schittenhelm Jens , Skardelly Marco
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Meningiomas are the most common benign intracranial neoplasms. CNS invasion in meningiomas has been integrated into the 2016 WHO classification of CNS tumors as a stand-alone criterion for atypia. Since then, its prognostic impact has been debated based on contradictory results from retrospective analyses. The aim of the study was to elucidate whether histopathological evidence of CNS invasion is associated with increased proliferative potential.

Methods

We have conducted a quantified measurement of the proliferation marker Ki67 and analyzed its association with CNS invasion determined by histology together with other established prognostic markers of progression. Routine, immunohistochemical staining for Ki67 were digitalized and automatic quantification was done using Image J software.

Results

Overall, 1718 meningiomas were assessed. Histopathological CNS invasion was seen in 108 cases (6.7%). Uni- and multivariate analysis revealed a significantly higher Ki67 proliferation rate in meningiomas with CNS invasion (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0098, respectively).

Conclusions

Meningiomas with histopathological CNS invasion show a higher proliferative activity.
Single-stage to orbit ascent trajectory optimisation with reliable evolutionary initial guess
Authors: Marchetti Francesco , Minisci Edmondo , Riccardi Annalisa
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the ascent trajectory optimization of a lifting body Single-Stage To Orbit (SSTO) reusable launch vehicle is investigated. The work is carried out using a Direct Multiple Shooting method to solve the Optimal Control problem. The crucial initialisation of the optimisation process is performed by using a combination of two evolutionary algorithms, namely a Multi-Objective Parzen-based Estimation of Distribution (MOPED) algorithm and a Multi-Population Adaptive Inflationary Differential Evolution Algorithm (MP-AIDEA). Multi-Objective Parzen-based Estimation of Distribution (MOPED) belongs to the class of Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDAs) and it is used in the first phase of the initial guess research to explore the search space, then Multi-Population Adaptive Inflationary Differential Evolution Algorithm (MP-AIDEA) is used to refine the obtained results, and better fulfill the imposed constraints. The initial guesses obtained with this evolutionary framework were tested on different multiple shooting configurations. The importance of the continuity properties of the employed mathematical models was also quantitatively addressed.
Involvement of P2X7 receptors in chronic pain disorders
Authors: Ren Wen-Jing , Illes Peter
Published: November 2021

Chronic pain is caused by cellular damage with an obligatory inflammatory component. In response to noxious stimuli, high levels of ATP leave according to their concentration gradient, the intracellular space through discontinuities generated in the plasma membrane or diffusion through pannexin-1 hemichannels, and activate P2X7Rs localized at peripheral and central immune cells. Because of the involvement of P2X7Rs in immune functions and especially the initiation of macrophage/microglial and astrocytic secretion of cytokines, chemokines, prostaglandins, proteases, reactive oxygen, and nitrogen species as well as the excitotoxic glutamate/ATP, this receptor type has a key role in chronic pain processes. Microglia are equipped with a battery of pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from bacterial infections or danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as ATP. The co-stimulation of these receptors leads to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) release. In the present review, we invite you to a journey through inflammatory and neuropathic pain, primary headache, and regulation of morphine analgesic tolerance, in the pathophysiology of which P2X7Rs are centrally involved. P2X7R bearing microglia and astrocyte-like cells playing eminent roles in chronic pain will be also discussed.
What to feed or what not to feed-that is still the question
Authors: Lech James C. , Dorfsman Sophia I. , Répás Zoltán , Krüger Tjaart P. J. , Gyalai Ingrid Melinda , Boros László G.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

This review addresses metabolic diversities after grain feeding of cattle using artificial total mixed ration (TMR), in place of pasture-based feeding.

Objectives

To determine how grain feeding impairs the deuterium-depleting functions of the anaplerotic mitochondrial matrix during milk and meat production.

Methods

Based on published data we herein evaluate how grain-fed animals essentially follow a branched-chain amino acid and odd-chain fatty acid-based reductive carboxylation-dependent feedstock, which is also one of the mitochondrial deuterium-accumulating dysfunctions in human cancer.

Results

It is now evident that food-based intracellular deuterium exchange reactions, especially that of glycogenic substrate oxidation, are significant sources of deuterium-enriched (2H; D) metabolic water with a significant impact on animal and human health. The burning of high deuterium nutritional dairy products into metabolic water upon oxidation in the human body may contribute to similar metabolic conditions and diseases as described in state-of-the-art articles for cows. Grain feeding also limits oxygen delivery to mitochondria for efficient deuterium-depleted metabolic water production by glyphosate herbicide exposure used in genetically modified crops of TMR constituents.

Conclusion

Developments in medical metabolomics, biochemistry and deutenomics, which is the science of biological deuterium fractionation and discrimination warrant urgent critical reviews in order to control the epidemiological scale of population diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer by a thorough understanding of how the compromised metabolic health of grain-fed dairy cows impacts human consumers.
Facile fabrication of Fe-TiO2 thin film and its photocatalytic activity
Authors: Aguinaco Almudena , Amaya Beatriz , Ramírez-del-Solar Milagrosa
Published: November 2021

Fe3+-TiO2 (Fe-TiO2) thin films were successfully prepared using a “sandwich” approach. TiO2 NPs were doped with different Fe3+ content (0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% molar ratio), and the modified TiO2 NPs were deposited on glass flat support by dip coating.

Structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties of Fe-TiO2 thin films were studied. XPS spectra confirm the presence of Ti, Fe, O, and defective –OH groups at the material surface. The Fe 2p spectrum demonstrates the existence of Fe3+. SEM images indicate that the incorporation of Fe3+ deforms in some degree the homogeneity of the TiO2 system. Additionally, incorporation of Fe3+ ions to the network creates an impurity band near the VB due to the oxygen vacancies, resulting in the reduction of the effective optical band gap. Photocatalytic activity of fabricated thin films in the elimination of sulfamethoxazole (SMT) follows pseudo first-order kinetics. The highest SMT removal yields were achieved using the sample with 0.05%Fe. Additionally, the use of greater thicknesses improves the removal performance. However, material detachment limits the maximum usable value around 6 µm.

Finally, stability and reusability of catalysts were confirmed studying the photocatalytic activity over three cycles and evaluating that no Fe3+ leaching occurred.

Graphical abstract
CenetBiplot: a new proposal of sparse and orthogonal biplots methods by means of elastic net CSVD
Authors: González-García Nerea , Nieto-Librero Ana Belén , Galindo-Villardón Purificación
Published: November 2021

In this work, a new mathematical algorithm for sparse and orthogonal constrained biplots, called CenetBiplots, is proposed. Biplots provide a joint representation of observations and variables of a multidimensional matrix in the same reference system. In this subspace the relationships between them can be interpreted in terms of geometric elements. CenetBiplots projects a matrix onto a low-dimensional space generated simultaneously by sparse and orthogonal principal components. Sparsity is desired to select variables automatically, and orthogonality is necessary to keep the geometrical properties that ensure the biplots graphical interpretation. To this purpose, the present study focuses on two different objectives: 1) the extension of constrained singular value decomposition to incorporate an elastic net sparse constraint (CenetSVD), and 2) the implementation of CenetBiplots using CenetSVD. The usefulness of the proposed methodologies for analysing high-dimensional and low-dimensional matrices is shown. Our method is implemented in R software and available for download fromhttps://github.com/ananieto/SparseCenetMA.
High throughput method development and optimised production of leaf protein concentrates with potential to support the agri-industry
Authors: Iyer Ajay , Guerrier Lisa , Leveque Salomé , Bestwick Charles S. , Duncan Sylvia H. , Russell Wendy R.
Published: November 2021

Invasive plants offer an interesting and unconventional source of protein and the considerable investment made towards their eradication can potentially be salvaged through their revalorisation. To identify viable sources, effective and high-throughput screening methods are required, as well as efficient procedures to isolate these components. Rigorous assessment of low-cost, high-throughput screening assays for total sugar, phenolics and protein was performed, and ninhydrin, Lever and Fast Blue assays were found to be most suitable owing to high reliability scores and false positive errors less than 1%. These assays were used to characterise invasive Scottish plants such as Gorse (Ulex europeans), Broom (Cystisus scoparius) and Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium). Protein extraction (alkali-, heat- and enzyme assisted) were tested on these plants, and further purification (acid and ethanol precipitation, as well as ultrafiltration) procedures were tested on Gorse, based on protein recovery values. Cellulase treatment and ethanol precipitation gave the highest protein recovery (64.0 ± 0.5%) and purity (96.8 ± 0.1%) with Gorse. The amino acid profile of the purified protein revealed high levels of essential amino acids (34.8 ± 0.0%). Comparison of results with preceding literature revealed a strong association between amino acid profiles and overall protein recovery with the extraction method employed. The final purity of the protein concentrates was closely associated to the protein content of the initial plant mass. Leaf protein extraction technology can effectively raise crop harvest indices, revalorise underutilised plants and waste streams.
PINK1 kinase dysfunction triggers neurodegeneration in the primate brain without impacting mitochondrial homeostasis
Authors: Yang Weili , Guo Xiangyu , Tu Zhuchi , Chen Xiusheng , Han Rui , Liu Yanting , Yan Sen , Wang Qi , Wang Zhifu , Zhao Xianxian , Zhang Yunpeng , Xiong Xin , Yang Huiming , Yin Peng , Wan Huida , Chen Xingxing , Guo Jifeng , Yan Xiao-Xin , Liao Lujian , Li Shihua , Li Xiao-Jiang
Published: November 2021

In vitrostudies have established the prevalent theory that the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 protects neurodegeneration by removing damaged mitochondria in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, difficulty in detecting endogenous PINK1 protein in rodent brains and cell lines has prevented the rigorous investigation of thein vivorole of PINK1. Here we report that PINK1 kinase form is selectively expressed in the human and monkey brains. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deficiency of PINK1 causes similar neurodegeneration in the brains of fetal and adult monkeys as well as cultured monkey neurons without affecting mitochondrial protein expression and morphology. Importantly,PINK1mutations in the primate brain and human cells reduce protein phosphorylation that is important for neuronal function and survival. Our findings suggest that PINK1 kinase activity rather than its mitochondrial function is essential for the neuronal survival in the primate brains and that its kinase dysfunction could be involved in the pathogenesis of PD.
Protective effect of berberine chloride against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity
Authors: Kim Jong-Heun , Baek Jeong-In , Lee In-Kyu , Kim Un-Kyung , Kim Ye-Ri , Lee Kyu-Yup
Published: November 2021

Background

Cisplatin (CP) is an effective anticancer drug broadly used for various types of cancers, but it has shown ototoxicity that results from oxidative stress. Berberine has been reported for its anti-oxidative stress suggesting its therapeutic potential for many diseases such as colitis, diabetes, and vascular dementia.

Objective

Organ of Corti of postnatal day 3 mouse cochlear explants were used to compare hair cells after the treatment with cisplatin alone or with berberine chloride (BC) followed by CP.

Methods

We investigated the potential of the anti-oxidative effect of BC against the cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. We observed a reduced aberrant bundle of stereocilia in hair cells in CP with BC pre-treated group. Caspase-3 immunofluorescence and TUNEL assay supported the hypothesis that BC attenuates the apoptotic signals induced by CP. Reactive oxygen species level in the mitochondria were investigated by MitoSOX Red staining and the mitochondrial membrane potentials were compared by JC-1 assay.

Results

BC decreased ROS generation with preserved mitochondrial membrane potentials in mitochondria as well as reduced DNA fragmentation in hair cells. In summary, our data indicate that BC might act as antioxidant against CP by reducing the stress in mitochondria resulting in cell survival.

Conclusion

Our result suggests the therapeutic potential of BC for prevention of the detrimental effect of CP-induced ototoxicity.
A yearly maximum sea level simulator and its applications: A Stockholm case study
Authors: Hieronymus Magnus
Published: November 2021

A yearly maximum sea level simulator for Stockholm is presented. The simulator combines extreme sea level estimates and mean sea level rise projections into a joint probabilistic framework. The framework can be used, for example, to assess the risk that new structures placed at the current minimum allowed height above the sea level can become flooded in the future. Such assessments can be used to underpin future building free levels, which would be a great improvement over the much more arbitrary criteria in use today. Another strong point of the framework is that it can be used to quantify the influence of uncertainties in mean sea level projections, estimates of sea level extremes and future emission scenarios on the risk of flooding. For Stockholm mean sea level uncertainty is found to be much more important than extreme sea level uncertainty. The framework is also set-up to test adaptation measures. It is found that protections that are built once the mean sea level has risen above some given threshold can be very efficient. Lastly, the framework is embedded into a simple decision problem that can be used to calculate risk/reward ratios for land development as a function of height above today’s mean sea level.
Lorenz and Polarization Orderings of the Double-Pareto Lognormal Distribution and Other Size Distributions
Authors: Okamoto Masato
Published: November 2021

Polarization indices such as the Foster-Wolfson index have been developed to measure the extent of clustering in a few classes with wide gaps between them in terms of income distribution. However, Zhang and Kanbur (2001) failed to empirically find clear differences between polarization and inequality indices in the measurement of intertemporal distributional changes. This paper addresses this ‘distinction' problem on the level of the respective underlying stochastic orders, the polarization order (PO) in distributions divided into two nonoverlapping classes and the Lorenz order (LO) of inequality in distributions. More specifically, this paper investigates whether a distribution F can be either more or less polarized than a distribution H in terms of the PO if F is more unequal than H in terms of the LO. Furthermore, this paper derives conditions for the LO and PO of the double-Pareto lognormal (dPLN) distribution. The derived conditions are applicable to sensitivity analyses of inequality and polarization indices with respect to distributional changes. From this application, a suggestion for appropriate two-class polarization indices is made.
Dyssegmental Dysplasia-Silverman Handmaker Type: a Rare Case Report
Authors: Vadukkut Annabelle Sabu , Parasuram Meenu Batra , Balakrishnan Bijoy K. , Ganesan Parvathy , Gopinathan K. K.
Published: November 2021

Dyssegmental dysplasia, Silverman-Handmaker type (DDSH), is a lethal autosomal recessive form of dwarfism with characteristic anisospondylic micromelia. We present a rare case of a pregnancy with a history of congenitally malformed fetuses. This is the 8th prenatally diagnosed case and the first in our department. The couple were both heterozygous carriers for a gene mutation causing DDSH. Invasive testing was performed for the ongoing pregnancy to check for the same gene mutation in the fetus. The fetus, now diagnosed as a carrier of the mutation was a boon to the distressed couple. Prenatal diagnosis is important in this type of lethal Dyssegmental Dysplasias to help make an informed decision and accordingly plan future pregnancy. Fetopathological examination and skeletal radiographs are mandatory in order to establish a precise diagnosis. With advances in genetic tests and the availability of specific newer tests, we can provide appropriate genetic counseling for a better pregnancy outcome.
Design of the upstream decay pipe window of the long baseline neutrino facility
Authors: Wang Hai-Jing , Yuan Ye , Tang Jing-Yu , Ji Quan , Kang Ling , Ning Chang-Jun , Sun Ji-Lei , Wei Shao-Hong
Published: November 2021

The beam windows of high-energy beam lines are important, and it is sometimes difficult to design because it is necessary to ensure particle propagation with minimum disturbance and fulfill mechanical requirements at the same time. The upstream decay pipe window of the long baseline neutrino facility at Fermilab has an extremely large diameter (1.8 m), with a thickness of only 1.5 mm to separate the helium atmosphere in the decay pipe and the nitrogen atmosphere on the other side. Furthermore, the center of this dish-shaped window is expected to be a 200-mm-diameter beryllium dish welded to the outside aluminum alloy A6061, and this welded combination must withstand extreme conditions of a 2.4-MW, high-energy proton beam without leakage. These severe conditions make the design of this window an unprecedented challenge. This paper describes the static thermal-structural analyses based on which the structure has been optimized, as well as dynamic analyses for understanding the shockwave effects originating in the beam. After optimization, the maximum von Mises stresses in the window decreased significantly in both normal operation and accident cases, making our design very reasonable.
Nusselt number correlation for turbulent heat transfer of helium–xenon gas mixtures
Authors: Zhou Biao , Ji Yu , Sun Jun , Sun Yu-Liang
Published: November 2021

A gas-cooled nuclear reactor combined with a Brayton cycle shows promise as a technology for high-power space nuclear power systems. Generally, a helium–xenon gas mixture with a molecular weight of 14.5–40.0 g/mol is adopted as the working fluid to reduce the mass and volume of the turbomachinery. The Prandtl number for helium–xenon mixtures with this recommended mixing ratio may be as low as 0.2. As the convective heat transfer is closely related to the Prandtl number, different heat transfer correlations are often needed for fluids with various Prandtl numbers. Previous studies have established heat transfer correlations for fluids with medium–high Prandtl numbers (such as air and water) and extremely low-Prandtl fluids (such as liquid metals); however, these correlations cannot be directly recommended for such helium–xenon mixtures without verification. This study initially assessed the applicability of existing Nusselt number correlations, finding that the selected correlations are unsuitable for helium–xenon mixtures. To establish a more general heat transfer correlation, a theoretical derivation was conducted using the turbulent boundary layer theory. Numerical simulations of turbulent heat transfer for helium–xenon mixtures were carried out using Ansys Fluent. Based on simulated results, the parameters in the derived heat transfer correlation are determined. It is found that calculations using the new correlation were in good agreement with the experimental data, verifying its applicability to the turbulent heat transfer for helium–xenon mixtures. The effect of variable gas properties on turbulent heat transfer was also analyzed, and a modified heat transfer correlation with the temperature ratio was established. Based on the working conditions adopted in this study, the numerical error of the property-variable heat transfer correlation was almost within 10%.
Management of post-acute COVID-19 patients in geriatric rehabilitation: EuGMS guidance
Authors: van Haastregt Jolanda C. M. , Everink Irma H. J. , Schols Jos M. G. A. , Grund Stefan , Gordon Adam L. , Poot Else P. , Martin Finbarr C. , O’Neill Desmond , Petrovic Mirko , Bachmann Stefan , van Balen Romke , van Dam van Isselt Leonoor , Dockery Frances , Holstege Marije S. , Landi Francesco , Pérez Laura M. , Roquer Esther , Smalbrugge Martin , Achterberg Wilco P.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To describe a guidance on the management of post-acute COVID 19 patients in geriatric rehabilitation.

Methods

The guidance is based on guidelines for post-acute COVID-19 geriatric rehabilitation developed in the Netherlands, updated with recent insights from literature, related guidance from other countries and disciplines, and combined with experiences from experts in countries participating in the Geriatric Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the European Geriatric Medicine Society.

Results

This guidance for post-acute COVID-19 rehabilitation is divided into a section addressing general recommendations for geriatric rehabilitation and a section addressing specific processes and procedures. The Sect. “General recommendations for geriatric rehabilitation” addresses: (1) general requirements for post-acute COVID-19 rehabilitation and (2) critical aspects for quality assurance during COVID-19 pandemic. The Sect. “Specific processes and procedures”, addresses the following topics: (1) patient selection; (2) admission; (3) treatment; (4) discharge; and (5) follow-up and monitoring.

Conclusion

Providing tailored geriatric rehabilitation treatment to post-acute COVID-19 patients is a challenge for which the guidance is designed to provide support. There is a strong need for additional evidence on COVID-19 geriatric rehabilitation including developing an understanding of risk profiles of older patients living with frailty to develop individualised treatment regimes. The present guidance will be regularly updated based on additional evidence from practice and research.
“More control, more conflicts?” Clarifying the longitudinal relations between parental psychological Control and parent‐adolescent Conflict by disentangling between‐family effects from within‐family effects
Authors: Sun Liping , Ju Jiawen , Kang Liying , Bian Yufang
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Adolescence is a period when adolescents seek autonomy and parent‐adolescent conflict appears inevitable. Even though some research found that parental psychological control triggered parent‐adolescent conflict, studies clarifying the directionality of effects at the within‐family level are scarce. This study investigated the longitudinal relations between parental psychological control and parent‐adolescent conflict using a traditional cross‐lagged panel model (CLPM) and the random‐intercept CLPM (RI‐CLPM) framework.

Methods

Data from 2473 Chinese adolescents (Mage Time1 = 13.20 years, standard deviation = 0.52 years; 51.4% male) were collected via a cross‐sectional survey across three time points. Adolescents reported on parental psychological control, parent‐adolescent conflict, and demographic characteristics at each time point. CLPM and RI‐CLPM were utilized.

Results

The results from the CLPM analyses suggested a reciprocal effects model. However, the results from the RI‐CLPM framework supported a conflict‐driven model at the within‐family level, wherein if parent‐adolescent conflict increased, subsequent parental psychological control would increase as a result. The reverse pattern was not observed.

Conclusions

These findings indicate the maladaptive processes of parent‐adolescent conflict that shape parental psychologically controlling behaviors in Chinese families at the within‐family level. Practical implications, including how to assist Chinese parents to address parent‐adolescent conflict and to reduce psychological control, are discussed.
Mammoths Lost Their Steppe Habitat to Climate Change
Authors: Cutts Elise
Published: November 2021

Ancient plant and animal DNA buried in Arctic sediments preserve a 50,000-year history of Arctic ecosystems, suggesting that climate change contributed to mammoth extinction.