bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial‐Induced Carbonate Precipitation: A Review on Influencing Factors and Applications
Authors: Zhang Junhui , Shi Xiuzhi , Chen Xin , Huo Xiaofeng , Yu Zhi
Published: December 2021

Based on recent literary sources, this survey discusses the effects of main factors influencing the microbial‐induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), including the bacterial species, bacterial concentration, temperature, and pH value. While the MICP technology has been widely adopted to improve rock and soil characteristics, it has excellent development prospects in many other fields. The breakthrough solutions in the MICP technology are improving geotechnical and foundation sand properties, repairing cement‐based materials, using mineralized film mulching to protect cultural relics, enhancing properties of tailings, desert control, and heavy metal environmental restoration, etc., are discussed. The experimental findings prove that MICP can improve the strength, stiffness, liquefaction resistance, erosion resistance, and permeability of geotechnical materials and maintain the good permeability and permeability of the soil and improve the growth environment of plants. It is an environment‐friendly bioengineering technology. Because microbial mineralization involves a series of biochemical and ionic chemical reactions, there are many reaction steps in the solidification process and the solidification effect of MICP is restricted and affected by many factors. The comprehensive analysis and optimization strategy on MICP industrial implementation should account for micro‐ and macro‐scale effects: the type of bacteria, the concentration of bacteria and cementation solutions, ambient temperature, pH value, and other factors directly affect the crystallization type, morphology, and size of calcium carbonate from the microscopic standpoint, while the macro‐scale factors control the rock and soil mineralization. The limitations and prospects of the MICP technology are outlined.
Soluble PD-L1 Concentration Is Proportional to the Expression of PD-L1 in Tissue and Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Shiraishi Tadashi , Toyozumi Takeshi , Sakata Haruhito , Murakami Kentaro , Kano Masayuki , Matsumoto Yasunori , Yokoyama Masaya , Okada Koichiro , Kamata Toshiki , Ryuzaki Takahiro , Kinoshita Kazuya , Hirasawa Soichiro , Matsubara Hisahiro
Published: December 2021

Introduction: We determined the soluble programmed cell death-1 ligand-1 (sPD-L1) concentration in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and confirmed the PD-L1 expression in resected specimens. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 73 patients with histologically proven ESCC. The serum levels of sPD-L1 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlations between the sPD-L1 concentration and the expression of PD-L1 in tumor specimens and tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, disease stage, and various laboratory data were assessed. Results: sPD-L1 levels in patients with high PD-L1 expression levels in tumor tissue were significantly higher than in patients with low PD-L1 expression levels (p = 0.042). The OS of the sPD-L1-high group was significantly worse than that of the low group (p = 0.028). Similarly, patients in whom a tissue specimen was PD-L1-positive group showed significantly poorer OS. Conclusion: The sPD-L1 concentration was correlated with the PD-L1 expression in tissues. Patients with PD-L1-positive tissue specimens showed significantly higher sPD-L1 levels in comparison to PD-L1-negative cases. Furthermore, patients with high sPD-L1 expression levels had a significantly worse prognosis than those with low sPD-L1 expression levels, and patients with a PD-L1-positive tissue specimen had a significantly worse prognosis than patients in whom the tissue specimen showed a low PD-L1 expression level.
The Impact of Phenylketonuria on Body Composition in Adults
Authors: Barta András Gellért , Becsei Dóra , Kiss Erika , Sumánszki Csaba , Simonová Erika , Reismann Péter
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) must follow a lifelong phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet with additional amino acid supplementations, and this may put them at risk for nutritional disturbances. However, the body composition and nutritional status of adult patients with PKU has only been partially explored. The current study aims to assess the body composition of adult patients with PKU using multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (MF-BIA) and to reveal potential correlations between therapy adherence and body composition. Additionally, we compared body composition of patients with healthy controls. Methods: Fifty adult patients with early-treated PKU (27 female and 23 male) and 40 healthy, age- and gender-matched controls were included in this single-center, cross-sectional study. MF-BIA was performed on all subjects. Additionally, we determined serum nutritional markers for all patients. In the PKU patient group, correlation analyses were performed between body composition parameters and therapy adherence. We compared body composition of patients with PKU and controls using BIA. Results: The proportion of overweight was 56% among all patients with PKU. Female patients with PKU had significantly higher body fat percentage compared with controls. In parallel with higher fat content, we observed lower muscle mass, protein, and mineral content among female patients with PKU compared to controls. Such findings were not observed in male patients. Female patients with PKU had decreased therapy adherence and had significantly lower prealbumin levels compared with males. There was no significant correlation observed between body composition parameters and therapy adherence over the last 10 years in the PKU patient group. Conclusion: Although female patients had less optimal therapy adherence over the last 10 years compared with male patients, our results suggest that this does not influence body composition fundamentally. Our results suggest that obesity is an important comorbidity in young adult patients with PKU, especially in females. We advocate that nutritional assessments and weight management should be additional objectives of PKU management to provide optimal care.
Emodin Promotes Autophagy and Prevents Apoptosis in Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy through Activating BDNF/TrkB Signaling
Authors: Gao Li-Li , Wang Zhi-Hao , Mu Yu-Hang , Liu Zuo-Long , Pang Li
Published: December 2021

Objective: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a severe and common complication of sepsis and can induce cognitive dysfunction and apoptosis of neurons and neuroinflammation. Emodin has been confirmed to have anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, we sought to investigate the role of Emodin in SAE. Methods: The cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method was used for the establishment of SAE in mice model. For treatment of Emodin, intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg Emodin was performed before the surgery. The Morris water maze and open field tests were carried for measurement of cognitive dysfunction. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was for histological analysis of hippocampus. Cell apoptosis of hippocampus neurons was measured by TUNEL staining. Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in hippocampus tissue homogenate were evaluated by ELISA. BDNF/TrkB signaling-related proteins (TrkB, p-TrkB, and BDNF), autophagy-related proteins (LC3 II/I and Beclin-1), and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3) were detected by Western blotting. Results: Emodin significantly inhibited apoptosis and induced autophagy in hippocampal neurons of CLP-treated mice. In addition, Emodin significantly ameliorated CLP-induced cognitive dysfunction and pathological injury in mice. Meanwhile, Emodin notably inhibited CLP-induced inflammatory responses in mice via upregulation of BDNF/TrkB signaling, while the effect of Emodin was partially reversed in the presence of K252a (BDNF/TrkB signaling inhibitor). Conclusion: Emodin significantly inhibited the progression of SAE via mediation of BDNF/TrkB signaling. Thus, Emodin might serve as a new agent for SAE treatment.
Treating Insomnia with High Risk of Depression Using Therapist-Guided Digital Cognitive, Behavioral, and Circadian Rhythm Support Interventions to Prevent Worsening of Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Leerssen Jeanne , Lakbila-Kamal Oti , Dekkers Laura M.S. , Ikelaar Savannah L.C. , Albers Anne C.W. , Blanken Tessa F. , Lancee Jaap , van der Lande Glenn J.M. , Maksimovic Teodora , Mastenbroek Sophie E. , Reesen Joyce E. , van de Ven Sjors , van der Zweerde Tanja , Foster-Dingley Jessica C. , Van Someren Eus J.W.
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The global disease burden of major depressive disorder urgently requires prevention in high-risk individuals, such as recently discovered insomnia subtypes. Previous studies targeting insomnia with fully automated eHealth interventions to prevent depression are inconclusive: dropout was high and likely biased, and depressive symptoms in untreated participants on average improved rather than worsened. Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed to efficiently prevent the worsening of depressive symptoms by selecting insomnia subtypes at high risk of depression for internet-based circadian rhythm support (CRS), cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), or their combination (CBT-I+CRS), with online therapist guidance to promote adherence. Methods: Participants with an insomnia disorder subtype conveying an increased risk of depression (n = 132) were randomized to no treatment (NT), CRS, CBT-I, or CBT-I+CRS. The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self Report (IDS-SR) was self-administered at baseline and at four follow-ups spanning 1 year. Results: Without treatment, depressive symptoms indeed worsened (d = 0.28, p = 0.041) in high-risk insomnia, but not in a reference group with low-risk insomnia. Therapist-guided CBT-I and CBT-I+CRS reduced IDS-SR ratings across all follow-up assessments (respectively, d = –0.80, p = 0.001; d = –0.95, p < 0.001). Only CBT-I+CRS reduced the 1-year incidence of clinically meaningful worsening (p = 0.002). Dropout during therapist-guided interventions was very low (8%) compared to previous automated interventions (57–62%). Conclusions: The findings tentatively suggest that the efficiency of population-wide preventive strategies could benefit from the possibility to select insomnia subtypes at high risk of developing depression for therapist-guided digital CBT-I+CRS. This treatment may provide effective long-term prevention of worsening of depressive symptoms. Trial registration: the Netherlands Trial Register (NL7359).
Prenatal Diagnosis of Aortic Coarctation: Prediction Algorithm according to Gestational Age
Authors: Deiros-Bronte Lucía , Diez-Sebastian Jesus , Rodríguez González Roberto , Uceda Galiano Angela , De La Calle María , Gutiérrez-Larraya Aguado Federico
Published: December 2021

Objectives: The aim of the study was first to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of predictive anatomical factors of aortic coarctation (CoA) and second to design a postnatal CoA probability algorithm according to gestational age (GA) in prenatal period. Methods: Global and according to GA diagnostic performance of cardiac anatomical variables using the ROC curve were evaluated in a retrospective cohort of fetuses with suspicion of CoA (2004–2020). A serial testing strategy to predict postnatal CoA by fetal echocardiography was designed. Results: 114 fetuses were included. Isthmus-to-ductal (I/D) ratio provided the best discrimination between healthy fetuses and those with CoA (AUC 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86–0.96, I/D < 0.74 sensitivity 96.3%, I/D < 0.6, specificity 92.5%) with good classification capacity in both the second and third trimesters of gestation. Isthmus z-score and pulmonary/aortic valve ratio increased accuracy in fetuses >28 and tricuspid/mitral valve ratio (TV/MV) in fetuses ≤28 weeks. Study of I/D plus TV/MV ratio in fetuses ≤28 and I/D ratio plus isthmus z-scores in fetuses >28 weeks allowed to correctly classify 91.8% of fetuses as high or low probability of postnatal CoA. Conclusions: Diagnostic discrimination of anatomic predictive factors for CoA varies according to GA. Specific algorithms according to GA increase accuracy in CoA’s prenatal prediction.
Diagnostic Delay of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Significantly Higher in Public versus Private Health Care System in Mexican Patients
Authors: Yamamoto-Furusho Jesús K. , Parra-Holguín Norma N.
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) characterized by a fluctuating course with periods of clinical activity and remission. No previous studies have demonstrated the frequency of delay at diagnosis and its associated factors in Mexico and Latin America. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic delay of IBD in the last 4 decades in 2 different health care systems (public vs. private) and its associated factors. Methods: This is a cohort study that included 1,056 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD from public and private health care systems. The diagnostic delay was defined as time >1 year from the onset of symptoms to the confirmed diagnosis for patients with UC and 2 years for patients with CD. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS v.24 program. A value of p ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The delay at diagnosis decreased significantly by 24.9% in the last 4 decades. The factors associated with the diagnostic delay were proctitis in UC, clinical course >2 relapses per year and IBD surgeries for CD. We found a delay at diagnosis in 35.2% of IBD patients in the public versus 16.9% in the private health care system (p = 0.00001). Conclusions: We found a significant diagnosis delay of IBD in 35.2% from the public health care system versus 16.9% in the private health care system.
Methods for Monitoring Risk of Hypoxic Damage in Fetal and Neonatal Brains: A Review
Authors: Uzianbaeva Liaisan , Yan Yan , Joshi Tanaya , Yin Nina , Hsu Chaur-Dong , Hernandez-Andrade Edgar , Mehrmohammadi Mohammad
Published: December 2021

Fetal, perinatal, and neonatal asphyxia are vital health issues for the most vulnerable groups in human beings, including fetuses, newborns, and infants. Severe reduction in oxygen and blood supply to the fetal brain can cause hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), leading to long-term neurological disorders, including mental impairment and cerebral palsy. Such neurological disorders are major healthcare concerns. Therefore, there has been a continuous effort to develop clinically useful diagnostic tools for accurately and quantitatively measuring and monitoring blood and oxygen supply to the fetal and neonatal brain to avoid severe consequences of asphyxia HIE and neonatal encephalopathy. Major diagnostic technologies used for this purpose include fetal heart rate monitoring, fetus scalp blood sampling, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray computed tomography, and nuclear medicine. In addition, given the limitations and shortcomings of traditional diagnostic methods, emerging technologies such as near-infrared spectroscopy and photoacoustic imaging have also been introduced as stand-alone or complementary solutions to address this critical gap in fetal and neonatal care. This review provides a thorough overview of the traditional and emerging technologies for monitoring fetal and neonatal brain oxygenation status and describes their clinical utility, performance, advantages, and disadvantages.
Structural and Vascular Changes of the Choroid in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy after Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy
Authors: Montorio Daniela , Giordano Mariapaola , Concilio Marina , Cennamo Gilda
Published: December 2021

Introduction: This study aimed to identify the changes in vessel density (VD) of the choriocapillaris (CC) and in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and to evaluate their correlation with functional response after 3 monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (loading phase [LP]) in patients affected by polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods: A total of 30 eyes of 30 PCV patients and 30 eyes of 30 healthy subjects as the control group were enrolled in this prospective study. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured at baseline and after 1 month from the third intravitreal injection in each patient. The VD of CC was evaluated in the macular area by means of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Central macular thickness (CMT) and SFCT were analyzed by enhanced depth imaging (EDI)-OCT. Results: The VD of CC showed statistically lower values in PCV patients at baseline with respect to after LP and normal eyes (p < 0.001). CMT and SFCT revealed a statistically significant reduction after LP (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the reduced SFCT and CMT at baseline and the improvement of BCVA after LP (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The close relationship between the thinner SFCT and better visual outcome after LP reveals the role of the EDI-OCT assessment of the choroid as a predictive biomarker of functional response to anti-VEGF therapy. This tool could provide a quantitative evaluation of structural features of the choroid avoiding mistakes of evaluation at OCTA.
Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking and Other Multiple Sclerosis Environmental Risk Factors
Authors: Alkhawajah Nuha M. , Aljarallah Salman , Hussain-Alkhateeb Laith , Almohaini Mohammad Osama , Muayqil Taim A.
Published: December 2021

Introduction: There are a number of well-established risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). Other factors, however, showed conflicting or inconsistent results. Here, we examine some factors that are unique to or more practiced in Saudi Arabia (SA) and the Arab region such as waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), face veiling, raw milk (RM) and camel milk (CM) consumption, and tuberculosis (TB) infection in addition to other traditional factors. Methods: This is a sex- and age-matched case-control study in which we used a structured questionnaire to examine the relation between a number of factors and exposures and the risk of MS. Three hundred MS patients and 601 controls were included. Data were analyzed across different statistical models using logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, marital status, duration of breastfeeding, age first joining school, coffee consumption, and face exposure. Results: Cigarette smoking (OR = 1.79, [95% CI: 1.01–3.17], p = 0.047), WTS (OR = 2.25, [95% CI: 1.21–4.15], p = 0.010), and CM consumption (OR = 2.50, [95% CI: 1.20–5.21], p = 0.014) increased the risk of MS, while performing hajj (OR = 0.47, [95% CI: 0.34–0.67], p = 0.001), TB infection (OR = 0.29, [95% CI: 0.11–0.78], p = 0.015), face veiling (OR = 0.32, [95% CI: 0.23–0.47], p = 0.001), and coffee consumption (OR = 0.67, [95% CI: 0.49–0.89], p = 0.008) appeared to be associated with decreased risk. No association was found between fast food, processed meat, soft drinks, animal milk (other than camel), or RM consumption and the risk of MS. Conclusion: The results of this case-control study confirm that different means of tobacco smoking are associated with increased risk of MS. It also sheds more light on the complex association between infections and MS.
Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Serologic and Cellular Study
Authors: Molica Stefano , Giannarelli Diana , Lentini Mirella , Zappala Daniela , Mannella Ada , Loiacono Daniela , Gianfelici Valentina , Panduri Giuseppina , Gariani Iris , Minchella Pasquale , Talarico Francesco , Levato Luciano
Published: December 2021

Background: Antibody response following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is somewhat defective in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Moreover, the correlation between serologic response and status of cellular immunity has been poorly studied. Objective: This study was undertaken to assess humoral immune and cellular responses to the BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccination in CLL. Methods: The presence of the spike antibodies was assessed at a median time of 14 days from the second vaccine dose of SARS-CoV-2 in 70 CLL patients followed up at a single institution. Results: The antibody response rate (RR) in CLL patients was 58.5%, compared to 100% of 57 healthy controls of the same sex and age (p < 0.0001). Treatment-naïve patients and those in sustained clinical remission after therapy had the highest RR (87.0% and 87.7%, respectively). In contrast, patients on therapy with a pathway inhibitor as monotherapy and those treated with an association of anti-CD20 antibody were unlikely to respond to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (52% and 10%, respectively). In multivariate analysis, early Rai stage (OR, 0.19 [0.05–0.79]; p = 0.02) and no previous therapy (OR, 0.06 [0.02–0.27]; p < 0.0001) were found to be independent predictors of vaccination response. An increase in absolute NK cells (i.e., CD16/CD56 positive cells) in patients with a serological response was found following the second dose of vaccine (p = 0.02). Conclusions: These results confirm that serological response to the BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with CLL is impaired. A third boosting vaccine dosage should be considered for these patients.
Effects of Washed Microbiota Transplantation on Serum Uric Acid Levels, Symptoms, and Intestinal Barrier Function in Patients with Acute and Recurrent Gout: A Pilot Study
Authors: Xie Wen-Rui , Yang Xiao-Ya , Deng Zhi-He , Zheng Ya-Mei , Zhang Ran , Wu Li-Hao , Cai Jie-Yi , Kong Ling-Ping , Xia Harry Hua-Xiang , He Xing-Xiang
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Gut dysbiosis has been reported to be closely associated with gout. Washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) is considered as an effective way to restore a healthy gut microbiota with less adverse events than the conventional fecal microbiota transplantation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of WMT on serum uric acid levels, symptoms, and the intestinal barrier function in patients with acute and recurrent gout. Methods: We performed a pilot study of WMT for acute and recurrent gout. The primary outcome was the changes in the serum uric acid level and gout symptoms. The secondary outcomes included the changes in levels of diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid, and endotoxin. Results: Eleven patients received WMT treatment. The averaged serum uric acid levels in patients with gout reduced after WMT (p = 0.031), accompanied with a decrease in the frequency and duration time of acute gout flares (p < 0.01). The levels of DAO, D-lactic acid, and endotoxin were higher in patients than in healthy donors (p < 0.05). After WMT treatment, the levels of DAO and endotoxin decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusions: WMT is effective for reducing serum uric acid levels and improving gout symptoms in patients with gout and contributes to improve their impaired intestinal barrier function.
Relación docente-estudiante y compromiso escolar: percepción de estudiantes secundarios con necesidades educativas especiales
Authors: Lara Gabriela , González Nicole , Lara Francisca , Lagos Lorena , Parra Victoria , Pérez-Salas Claudia
Published: December 2021

(analítico)Investigaciones previas sostienen que la relación docente-estudiante es un factor relevante para el compromiso escolar y rendimiento académico. Sin embargo, su impacto ha sido poco explorado en estudiantes con necesidades educativas especiales. Este estudio examina la influencia de la relación docente-estudiante en el compromiso escolar según la percepción de estudiantes de primer año medio con necesidades educativas especiales de una Región de Chile. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo, de tipo fenomenológico y de alcance descriptivoanalítico. Se desarrollaron diez entrevistas en profundidad a estudiantes con necesidades educativas especiales, las que se analizaron mediante el método de comparación constante de la teoría fundamentada. Los resultados revelan el rol clave de los/as docentes en el compromiso escolar a través de la satisfacción de las necesidades de vinculación y competencia de sus estudiantes, pero no de su autonomía.
Palabras clave: Compromiso escolar, necesidades educativas especiales, relación profesor-estudiante, educación secundaria.
Excess deaths from all causes and by COVID-19 in Brazil in 2020
Authors: Santos Alcione Miranda dos , Souza Bruno Feres de , Carvalho Carolina Abreu de , Campos Marcos Adriano Garcia , Oliveira Bruno Luciano Carneiro Alves de , Diniz Eduardo Moraes , Branco Maria dos Remédios Freitas Carvalho , Queiroz Rejane Christine de Sousa , Carvalho Vitória Abreu de , Araújo Waleska Regina Machado , Silva Antônio Augusto Moura da
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVE To estimate the 2020 all-cause and COVID-19 excess mortality according to sex, age, race/color, and state, and to compare mortality rates by selected causes with that of the five previous years in Brazil. METHODS Data from the Mortality Information System were used. Expected deaths for 2020 were estimated from 2015 to 2019 data using a negative binomial log-linear model. RESULTS Excess deaths in Brazil in 2020 amounted to 13.7%, and the ratio of excess deaths to COVID-19 deaths was 0.90. Reductions in deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVD), respiratory diseases, and external causes, and an increase in ill-defined causes were all noted. Excess deaths were also found to be heterogeneous, being higher in the Northern, Center-Western, and Northeastern states. In some states, the number of COVID-19 deaths was lower than that of excess deaths, whereas the opposite occurred in others. Moreover, excess deaths were higher in men aged 20 to 59, and in black, yellow, or indigenous individuals. Meanwhile, excess mortality was lower in women, in individuals aged 80 years or older, and in whites. Additionally, deaths among those aged 0 to 19 were 7.2% lower than expected, with reduction in mortality from respiratory diseases and external causes. There was also a drop in mortality due to external causes in men and in those aged 20 to 39 years. Moreover, reductions in deaths from CVD and neoplasms were noted in some states and groups. CONCLUSION There is evidence of underreporting of COVID-19 deaths and of the possible impact of restrictive measures in the reduction of deaths from external causes and respiratory diseases. The impacts of COVID-19 on mortality were heterogeneous among the states and groups, revealing that regional, demographic, socioeconomic, and racial differences expose individuals in distinct ways to the risk of death from both COVID-19 and other causes.
FGF21 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 21) Defines a Potential Cardiohepatic Signaling Circuit in End-Stage Heart Failure
Authors: Sommakia Salah , Almaw Naredos H. , Lee Sandra H. , Ramadurai Dinesh K.A. , Taleb Iosif , Kyriakopoulos Christos P. , Stubben Chris J. , Ling Jing , Campbell Robert A. , Alharethi Rami A. , Caine William T. , Navankasattusas Sutip , Hoareau Guillaume L. , Abraham Anu E. , Fang James C. , Selzman Craig H. , Drakos Stavros G. , Chaudhuri Dipayan
Published: December 2021

Background:

Extrinsic control of cardiomyocyte metabolism is poorly understood in heart failure (HF). FGF21 (Fibroblast growth factor 21), a hormonal regulator of metabolism produced mainly in the liver and adipose tissue, is a prime candidate for such signaling.

Methods:

To investigate this further, we examined blood and tissue obtained from human subjects with end-stage HF with reduced ejection fraction at the time of left ventricular assist device implantation and correlated serum FGF21 levels with cardiac gene expression, immunohistochemistry, and clinical parameters.

Results:

Circulating FGF21 levels were substantially elevated in HF with reduced ejection fraction, compared with healthy subjects (HF with reduced ejection fraction: 834.4 [95% CI, 628.4–1040.3] pg/mL, n=40; controls: 146.0 [86.3–205.7] pg/mL, n=20,
P
=1.9×10
−5
). There was clear FGF21 staining in diseased cardiomyocytes, and circulating FGF21 levels negatively correlated with the expression of cardiac genes involved in ketone metabolism, consistent with cardiac FGF21 signaling. FGF21 gene expression was very low in failing and nonfailing hearts, suggesting extracardiac production of the circulating hormone. Circulating FGF21 levels were correlated with BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) and total bilirubin, markers of chronic cardiac and hepatic congestion.

Conclusions:

Circulating FGF21 levels are elevated in HF with reduced ejection fraction and appear to bind to the heart. The liver is likely the main extracardiac source. This supports a model of hepatic FGF21 communication to diseased cardiomyocytes, defining a potential cardiohepatic signaling circuit in human HF.
Acetazolamide-Challenged Arterial Spin Labeling Detects Augmented Cerebrovascular Reserve After Surgery for Moyamoya
Authors: Rao Vaishnavi L. , Prolo Laura M. , Santoro Jonathan D. , Zhang Michael , Quon Jennifer L. , Jin Michael , Iyer Aditya , Yedavalli Vivek , Lober Robert M. , Steinberg Gary K. , Yeom Kristen W. , Grant Gerald A.
Published: December 2021

Background:

Cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) inversely correlates with stroke risk in children with Moyamoya disease and may be improved by revascularization surgery. We hypothesized that acetazolamide-challenged arterial spin labeling MR perfusion quantifies augmentation of CVR achieved by revascularization and correlates with currently accepted angiographic scoring criteria.

Methods:

We retrospectively identified pediatric patients with Moyamoya disease or syndrome who received cerebral revascularization at ≤18 years of age between 2012 and 2019 at our institution. Using acetazolamide-challenged arterial spin labeling, we compared postoperative CVR to corresponding preoperative values and to postoperative perfusion outcomes classified by Matsushima grading.

Results:

In this cohort, 32 patients (17 males) with Moyamoya underwent 29 direct and 16 indirect extracranial-intracranial bypasses at a median 9.7 years of age (interquartile range, 7.6–15.7). Following revascularization, median CVR increased within the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery territory (6.9 mL/100 g per minute preoperatively versus 16.5 mL/100 g per minute postoperatively,
P
<0.01). No differences were observed in the ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery (
P
=0.13) and posterior cerebral artery (
P
=0.48) territories. Postoperative CVR was higher in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery territories of patients who achieved Matsushima grade A perfusion, in comparison to those with grades B or C (25.8 versus 17.5 mL,
P
=0.02). The method of bypass (direct or indirect) did not alter relative increases in CVR (8 versus 3.8 mL/100 g per minute,
P
=0.7).

Conclusions:

Acetazolamide-challenged arterial spin labeling noninvasively quantifies augmentation of CVR following surgery for Moyamoya disease and syndrome.
More about Thraulodes Ulmer, 1920 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from the Brazilian Amazonia: three new species, a new record and a gynandromorph report
Authors: DO NASCIMENTO JEANE MARCELLE CAVALCANTE , CASTELACI LUCIANA CAMURÇA , HAMADA NEUSA
Published: December 2021

Three new species of Thraulodes Ulmer (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from Brazilian Amazonia are described: Thraulodes yara n. sp., Thraulodes yaciara n. sp. and Thraulodes ykamiaba n. sp., all based on imagoes. All three new species can be easily recognized by general color pattern and genitalia morphology. Thraulodes alboniger Kluge, 2020, known only from Peru, is recorded in Brazil. A remarkable gynandromorph case is presented for T. yara n. sp.
Updated records for Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) and a new species of Thraulodes Ulmer, 1920 from Tocantins State, Northern Brazil
Authors: ORLANDO THALES YANN , SALLES FREDERICO FALCÃO , BOLDRINI RAFAEL , KROLOW TIAGO KÜTTER
Published: December 2021

An annotated checklist with complementary information for leptophlebiid mayflies from Tocantins State, Brazil is provided. Additionally, we describe a new species of Thraulodes Ulmer, 1920 based on male adults. New reports are based on collections conducted between August 2017 and August 2019 in 13 localities of 10 municipalities. A total of 436 adults distributed in 11 genera, 16 species and five morphospecies treated as undescribed species were collected. Of the total species examined, 11 are new records.
Impact of Cloud-Base Turbulence on CCN Activation: Single-Size CCN
Authors: Grabowski Wojciech W. , Thomas Lois , Kumar Bipin
Published: December 2021

This paper examines the impact of cloud-base turbulence on activation of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Following our previous studies, we contrast activation within a nonturbulent adiabatic parcel and an adiabatic parcel filled with turbulence. The latter is simulated by applying a forced implicit large-eddy simulation within a triply periodic computational domain of 643 m3. We consider two monodisperse CCN. Small CCN have a dry radius of 0.01 μm and a corresponding activation (critical) radius and critical supersaturation of 0.6 μm and 1.3%, respectively. Large CCN have a dry radius of 0.2 μm and feature activation radius of 5.4 μm and critical supersaturation 0.15%. CCN are assumed in 200-cm−3 concentration in all cases. Mean cloud-base updraft velocities of 0.33, 1, and 3 m s−1 are considered. In the nonturbulent parcel, all CCN are activated and lead to a monodisperse droplet size distribution above the cloud base, with practically the same droplet size in all simulations. In contrast, turbulence can lead to activation of only a fraction of all CCN with a nonzero spectral width above the cloud base, of the order of 1 μm, especially in the case of small CCN and weak mean cloud-base ascent. We compare our results to studies of the turbulent single-size CCN activation in the Pi chamber. Sensitivity simulations that apply a smaller turbulence intensity, smaller computational domain, and modified initial conditions document the impact of specific modeling assumptions. The simulations call for a more realistic high-resolution modeling of turbulent cloud-base activation.
The Orinoco Low-Level Jet and Its Association with the Hydroclimatology of Northern South America
Authors: Builes-Jaramillo Alejandro , Yepes Johanna , Salas Hernán D.
Published: December 2021

We investigated the relationship between the frequency of occurrence of the Orinoco low-level jet (OLLJ) and hydroclimatic variables over northern South America. We use data from the ERA5 atmospheric reanalysis to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of the OLLJ in light of the low-level jet (LLJ) classification criteria available in the literature. An index for the frequency of occurrence of an LLJ was used, based on the hourly maxima of wind speed. The linkages among the OLLJ, water vapor flux, and precipitation were analyzed using a composite analysis. Our results show that during December–February (DJF), the OLLJ exhibits its maximum wind speed, with values around 8–10 m s−1. During DJF, the analysis shows how the OLLJ transports atmospheric moisture from the tropical North Atlantic Ocean. During this season, the predominant pathway of the OLLJ is associated with an area of moisture flux divergence located over northeastern South America. During June–August (JJA), an area of moisture flux convergence associated with the northernmost location of the ITCZ inhibits the entrance of moisture from northerlies. We also show that the occurrence of the OLLJ is associated with the so-called cross-equatorial flow. During DJF, the period of strongest activity of the OLLJ is associated with the northerly cross-equatorial flow and dry season, whereas during JJA the southerly cross-equatorial flow from the Amazon River basin predominates and contributes to the rainy season over the Orinoco region.
“It’s in Our DNA”: Climate Change and Perceived Resilience and Adaptive Capacity in Nature-Based Tourism in Lofoten, Norway
Authors: Antonsen Karin Marie , Dale Brigt , Mayer Stephanie
Published: December 2021

In 2018, tourism was the fastest growing sector in the world, accounting for 10% of all jobs worldwide and 10.4% of the world’s gross domestic product. Tourism is often cited as a strategy for future development at national, regional, and local levels. This paper takes a closer look at the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway, where the increase in nature-based tourism over the last two decades has occurred in parallel with the restructuring of the traditional fisheries. Nature-based tourism in rural regions relies heavily on a broad range of ecosystem services (ES). This paper will present how stakeholders in nature-based tourism assess the influence of climate change on ES crucial for their activities and for the destination and will outline and explain how the practitioners perceive their ability to withstand or adapt to these changes. With the aid of models depicting potential future climate scenarios, we initiated discussions with stakeholders and found that tourism actors have only to a minor degree sought to develop strategies to increase adaptive capacity and therefore resilience to climate change. Based on our findings, we discuss how the adaptive capacity of individual actors in nature-based tourism forms the basis for the system’s resilience, and that a general resilience focus also forms the basis for transformational capacity, a capacity needed for future resilience. In light of our findings and analyses, we will conclude by reflecting on overarching systemic transformative tendencies in the wake of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and obligations contained in the Paris Agreement on reducing global emissions.
Do Local Perceptions of Climate Variability and Changes Correspond to Observed Climate Changes? A Comparative Study from Nepal as One of the Most Climate-Vulnerable Countries
Authors: Darjee Kumar Bahadur , Neupane Prem Raj , Köhl Michael
Published: December 2021

This study explored people’s perceptions of climate change by conducting interviews and focus-group discussions with local residents of three ecological regions of Nepal, i.e., mountain, midhills, and lowland. Climatic measurements from meteorological stations of the regions were acquired for the period from 1988 to 2018. We compared the people’s perception with trends and variabilities of observed temperature and rainfall patterns. The results showed that, over the last three decades, temperature and precipitation trends and variability between regions varied, largely corroborating the local experiences. The temperature increased in mountain, midhills, and lowland by 0.061°, 0.063°, and 0.017°C yr−1, respectively. In contrast, rainfall decreased by −9.7, −3.6, and −0.04 mm yr−1 for the regions, respectively. Although the amount of rainfall decrease observed in the mountain was highest, its variability was found to be relatively low, and vice versa in lowland. Approximately 88% of interviewees perceived temperature rise, and 74% noticed rainfall decline. Local residents linked these changes with their livelihood activities, as exemplified by, for example, crop’s quality and quantity and birds’ migration. The results indicate that local understandings complement the scarce observational data and provide a reliable and additional foundation to determine changes in climatic variables. Moreover, the result infers that small changes in climate variables have noticeable implications on human behavior change. Therefore, besides active participation of local communities, integrating local understanding is crucial in developing climate change–related policies and strategies at local and national levels.
A 10-Year Review of Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Firearm Injury in a Rural Setting
Authors: Lasky Tiffany , Richmond Bryan K , Samanta Damayanti , Annie Frank
Published: December 2021

Introduction

West Virginia (WV) had the ninth highest rate of firearm mortality of all states in the United States according to the CDC in 2018. Gun violence in WV has been a steady problem over the last decade. The rural population is more vulnerable to unintentional firearm injuries and suicides. Previously published literature from urban settings has demonstrated a link between firearm injuries and modifiable situational variables such as crime, unemployment, low income, and low education. There are very few studies that have utilized geospatial analytic techniques as a tool for injury mapping, surveillance, and primary prevention in rural and frontier zones of the United States.

Methods

We performed a 10-year retrospective single-institution review of firearm injuries at a rural WV level 1 trauma center between January 2010 and December 2019. The AIS World Geocoding Service was then used to identify specific areas of emerging firearm-related injuries within the service area.

Results

Specific hot spots of emerging firearm injury were identified in both intentional and unintentional populations. These were located in geographically distinct areas of the WV unincorporated rural and frontier population. These rural WV hotspots were associated with the modifiable variables of crime, unemployment, lower income, and lower education level.

Conclusions

Emerging hot spots of firearm injury in rural and frontier locations were associated with modifiable social determinants. These areas represent an opportunity for targeted injury prevention efforts addressing these disparities. Further prospective study of these findings is warranted.
Efficacy of a School-Based Comprehensive Intervention Program for Adolescents With Autism
Authors: Hume Kara , Odom Samuel L. , Steinbrenner Jessica R. , Smith DaWalt Leann , Hall Laura J. , Kraemer Bonnie , Tomaszewski Brianne , Brum Christopher , Szidon Kate , Bolt Daniel M.
Published: December 2021

We tested the efficacy of a comprehensive intervention program designed for high school students across the autism spectrum, the Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism (CSESA) model, in a cluster randomized control trial involving 60 high schools in three states (California, North Carolina, Wisconsin), with implementation occurring over a 2-year period. We examined outcomes for the schools, students ( N = 547), and families. At the conclusion of the study, CSESA schools had significantly higher program quality than the services-as-usual (SAU) schools. In addition, students in the CSESA schools had significantly higher total attainment of educational goals than students in SAU schools. There were not significant differences between the two groups on standardized assessment outcomes. We discuss implications for intervention implementation and future research with this population in the public school context.
The India–EU FTA and Its Potential Impact on India’s Dairy Sector: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Basu Anwesha
Published: December 2021

The present study attempts to quantify ex-ante the impact on trade flows, revenue and welfare of the India–EU FTA on India’s dairy sector. In light of the fact that the EU is the world’s largest exporter of dairy products and India’s dairy sector is highly protected, it is important to assess the potential impact that an FTA with EU can have on this sector. Using a partial equilibrium set-up, our simulation results reveal that the estimated increase in India’s imports of dairy products is mainly driven by trade creation rather than trade diversion, implying that the FTA does not promote inefficient dairy trade at the cost of other countries outside the trade bloc. We augment our analysis using the gravity model to estimate the potential increase in dairy sector imports due to trade liberalisation. PPML estimates suggest that a 10% decline in tariff rates leads to a 3.4% increase in the value of imports. While the estimated increase in dairy imports is significant, our analysis indicates that the increased value of imports, expressed as a fraction of India’s domestic output of dairy products, would still be less than 1%.

JEL Codes: F13, F14, F17
Modeling Brain Dynamics During Virtual Reality-Based Emergency Response Learning Under Stress
Authors: Tyagi Oshin , Hopko Sarah , Kang John , Shi Yangming , Du Jing , Mehta Ranjana K.
Published: December 2021

Background

Stress affects learning during training, and virtual reality (VR) based training systems that manipulate stress can improve retention and retrieval performance for firefighters. Brain imaging using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) can facilitate development of VR-based adaptive training systems that can continuously assess the trainee’s states of learning and cognition.

Objective

The aim of this study was to model the neural dynamics associated with learning and retrieval under stress in a VR-based emergency response training exercise.

Methods

Forty firefighters underwent an emergency shutdown training in VR and were randomly assigned to either a control or a stress group. The stress group experienced stressors including smoke, fire, and explosions during the familiarization and training phase. Both groups underwent a stress memory retrieval and no-stress memory retrieval condition. Participant’s performance scores, fNIRS-based neural activity, and functional connectivity between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and motor regions were obtained for the training and retrieval phases.

Results

The performance scores indicate that the rate of learning was slower in the stress group compared to the control group, but both groups performed similarly during each retrieval condition. Compared to the control group, the stress group exhibited suppressed PFC activation. However, they showed stronger connectivity within the PFC regions during the training and between PFC and motor regions during the retrieval phases.

Discussion

While stress impaired performance during training, adoption of stress-adaptive neural strategies (i.e., stronger brain connectivity) were associated with comparable performance between the stress and the control groups during the retrieval phase.
An Evaluation of Sleepiness, Performance, and Workload Among Operators During a Real-Time Reactive Telerobotic Lunar Mission Simulation
Authors: Glaros Zachary , Carvalho Robert E. , Flynn-Evans Erin E.
Published: December 2021

Objective

We assessed operator performance during a real-time reactive telerobotic lunar mission simulation to understand how daytime versus nighttime operations might affect sleepiness, performance, and workload.

Background

Control center operations present factors that can influence sleepiness, neurobehavioral performance, and workload. Each spaceflight mission poses unique challenges that make it difficult to predict how long operators can safely and accurately conduct operations. We aimed to evaluate the performance impact of time-on-task and time-of-day using a simulated telerobotic lunar rover to better inform staffing and scheduling needs for the upcoming Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission.

Methods

We studied seven trained operators in a simulated mission control environment. Operators completed two five-hour simulations in a randomized order, beginning at noon and midnight. Performance was evaluated every 25 minutes using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Psychomotor Vigilance Task, and NASA Task Load Index.

Results

Participants rated themselves as sleepier (5.06 ± 2.28) on the midnight compared to the noon simulation (3.12 ± 1.44; p < .001). Reaction time worsened over time during the midnight simulation but did not vary between simulations. Workload was rated higher during the noon (37.93 ± 20.09) compared to the midnight simulation (32.09 ± 21.74; p = .007).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that work shifts during future operations should be limited in duration to minimize sleepiness. Our findings also suggest that working during the day, when distractions are present, increases perceived workload. Further research is needed to understand how working consecutive shifts and taking breaks within a shift influence performance.