bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic utilities of washout CYFRA 21-1 combined with washout thyroglobulin for metastatic lymph nodes in thyroid cancer: a prospective study
Authors: Park Joonseon , An Solji , Kim Kwangsoon , Kim Jeong Soo , Jung Chan Kwon , Bae Ja Seong
Published: March 2024

Cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis is common in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). This study evaluated the utility of the washout CYFRA 21-1 level, combined with the thyroglobulin (Tg) concentration, in terms of diagnosis of LN metastasis. We prospectively enrolled 53 patients who underwent thyroid surgery to treat DTC with lateral cervical LN metastases. Preoperative ultrasound guided needle localization was used to surgical sampling of specific LNs during the operation. The intraoperative washout Tg and CYFRA 21-1 levels were measured in such LNs. The Tg and CYFRA 21-1 levels differed significantly between metastatic and benign LNs. The cutoff values were 2.63 ng/mL for washout CYFRA 21-1 and 22.62 ng/mL for Tg. Combined use of the washout Tg and CYFRA 21-1 levels afforded the highest diagnostic accuracy (92.5%), better than that of individual markers. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) were 94.6%, 90.0%, 91.4%, 93.8%, respectively. The conjunction of the washout CYFRA21-1 and Tg levels enhances the diagnostic accuracy of LN metastasis in DTC patients. The washout CYFRA 21-1 level may be useful when malignancy is suspected, especially in cases where the cytology and washout Tg findings do not provide definitive results.
Network analysis of the proteome and peptidome sheds light on human milk as a biological system
Authors: Dekker Pieter M. , Boeren Sjef , Saccenti Edoardo , Hettinga Kasper A.
Published: March 2024

Proteins and peptides found in human milk have bioactive potential to benefit the newborn and support healthy development. Research has been carried out on the health benefits of proteins and peptides, but many questions still need to be answered about the nature of these components, how they are formed, and how they end up in the milk. This study explored and elucidated the complexity of the human milk proteome and peptidome. Proteins and peptides were analyzed with non-targeted nanoLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS in a selection of 297 milk samples from the CHILD Cohort Study. Protein and peptide abundances were determined, and a network was inferred using Gaussian graphical modeling (GGM), allowing an investigation of direct associations. This study showed that signatures of (1) specific mechanisms of transport of different groups of proteins, (2) proteolytic degradation by proteases and aminopeptidases, and (3) coagulation and complement activation are present in human milk. These results show the value of an integrated approach in evaluating large-scale omics data sets and provide valuable information for studies that aim to associate protein or peptide profiles from biofluids such as milk with specific physiological characteristics.
Thinking you're different matters more for belonging than being different
Authors: Chadha Sareena , Ha Tiffany , Wood Adrienne
Published: March 2024

Belonging to a community is essential for wellbeing, but potentially unattainable for those dissimilar from a group. In the present work, we ask whether belongingness is better predicted by acting and thinking like peers or believing you act and think like peers. Students (N = 1181) reported their belonging and how much they, their friends, and an “average student” endorsed local behavioral norms and general values. We calculated difference scores for behaviors and values capturing perceived similarity to the average, actual similarity to the average, and accuracy around the norm. Key results indicate that perceived behavioral similarity to the average, when controlling for other differences, predicts belonging and most robustly mediates between identity and belonging. Using social network analysis, we find behavioral differences from friends are meaningfully linked to network density and racial homophily. Efficient interventions for enhanced belonging could highlight similarities between students and their peers.
Design and fabrication of electrochemical sensor based on NiO/Ni@C-Fe3O4/CeO2 for the determination of niclosamide
Authors: Darvishi Setayesh , Ensafi Ali A. , Mousaabadi Kimia Zarean
Published: March 2024

In this study, we aimed to enhance and accelerate the electrochemical properties of a glassy carbon-based voltammetric sensor electrode. This was achieved through the modification of the electrode using a nanocomposite derived from a metal–organic framework, which was embedded onto a substrate consisting of metal oxide nanoparticles. The final product was an electrocatalyst denoted as NiO/Ni@C-Fe3O4/CeO2, tailored for the detection of the drug niclosamide. Several techniques, including FT-IR, XRD, XPS, FE-SEM, TEM, and EDS, were employed to characterize the structure and morphology of this newly formed electroactive catalyst. Subsequently, the efficiency of this electrocatalyst was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Differential pulse voltammetry was also utilized to achieve heightened sensitivity and selectivity. A comprehensive exploration of key factors such as the catalyst quantity, optimal instrumental parameters, scan rate influence, and pH effect was undertaken, revealing a well-regulated reaction process. Furthermore, the sensor's analytical performance parameters were determined. This included establishing the linear detection range for the target compound within a specified concentration interval of 2.92 nM to 4.97 μM. The detection limit of 0.91 nM, repeatability of 3.1%, and reproducibility of 4.8% of the sensor were calculated, leading to the observation of favorable stability characteristics. Conclusively, the developed electrochemical sensor was successfully employed for the quantification of niclosamide in urine samples and niclosamide tablets. This application highlighted not only the sensor’s high selectivity but also the satisfactory and accurate outcomes obtained from these measurements.
Lesion volume and spike frequency on EEG impact perfusion values in focal cortical dysplasia: a pediatric arterial spin labeling study
Authors: Gennari Antonio Giulio , Bicciato Giulio , Lo Biundo Santo Pietro , Kottke Raimund , Stefanos-Yakoub Ilona , Cserpan Dorottya , O’Gorman Tuura Ruth , Ramantani Georgia
Published: March 2024

Arterial spin labelling (ASL), an MRI sequence non-invasively imaging brain perfusion, has yielded promising results in the presurgical workup of children with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD)-related epilepsy. However, the interpretation of ASL-derived perfusion patterns remains unclear. Hence, we compared ASL qualitative and quantitative findings to their clinical, EEG, and MRI counterparts. We included children with focal structural epilepsy related to an MRI-detectable FCD who underwent single delay pseudo-continuous ASL. ASL perfusion changes were assessed qualitatively by visual inspection and quantitatively by estimating the asymmetry index (AI). We considered 18 scans from 15 children. 16 of 18 (89%) scans showed FCD-related perfusion changes: 10 were hypoperfused, whereas six were hyperperfused. Nine scans had perfusion changes larger than and seven equal to the FCD extent on anatomical images. Hyperperfusion was associated with frequent interictal spikes on EEG (p = 0.047). Perfusion changes in ASL larger than the FCD corresponded to larger lesions (p = 0.017). Higher AI values were determined by frequent interictal spikes on EEG (p = 0.004). ASL showed FCD-related perfusion changes in most cases. Further, higher spike frequency on EEG may increase ASL changes in affected children. These observations may facilitate the interpretation of ASL findings, improving treatment management, counselling, and prognostication in children with FCD-related epilepsy.
Exploring effective biomarkers and potential immune related gene in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yunchu Yang , Miyanaga Akihiko , Matsuda Kuniko , Kamio Koichiro , Seike Masahiro
Published: March 2024

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is well known as a highly malignant neuroendocrine tumor. Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy has become a standard treatment for extensive SCLC. However, since most patients quickly develop resistance and relapse, finding new therapeutic targets for SCLC is important. We obtained four microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and screened differentially expressed genes by two methods: batch correction and “RobustRankAggregation”. After the establishment of a protein–protein interaction network through Cytoscape, seven hub genes (AURKB, BIRC5, TOP2A, TYMS, PCNA, UBE2C, and AURKA) with high expression in SCLC samples were obtained by eight CytoHubba algorithms. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression and the Wilcoxon test were used to analyze the differences in the immune cells’ infiltration between normal and SCLC samples. The contents of seven kinds of immune cells were considered to differ significantly between SCLC samples and normal samples. A negative association was found between BIRC5 and monocytes in the correlation analysis between immune cells and the seven hub genes. The subsequent in vitro validation of experimental results showed that downregulating the expression of BIRC5 by siRNA can promote apoptotic activity of SCLC cells and inhibit their vitality, migration, and invasion. The use of BIRC5 inhibitor inhibited the vitality of SCLC cells and increased their apoptotic activity. BIRC5 may be a novel therapeutic target option for SCLC.
Day length regulates gonadotrope proliferation and reproduction via an intra-pituitary pathway in the model vertebrate Oryzias latipes
Authors: Royan Muhammad Rahmad , Hodne Kjetil , Nourizadeh-Lillabadi Rasoul , Weltzien Finn-Arne , Henkel Christiaan , Fontaine Romain
Published: March 2024

In seasonally breeding mammals and birds, the production of the hormones that regulate reproduction (gonadotropins) is controlled by a complex pituitary-brain-pituitary pathway. Indeed, the pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) regulates gonadotropin expression in pituitary gonadotropes, via dio2-expressing tanycytes, hypothalamic Kisspeptin, RFamide-related peptide, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. However, in fish, how seasonal environmental signals influence gonadotropins remains unclear. In addition, the seasonal regulation of gonadotrope (gonadotropin-producing cell) proliferation in the pituitary is, to the best of our knowledge, not elucidated in any vertebrate group. Here, we show that in the vertebrate model Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), a long day seasonally breeding fish, photoperiod (daylength) not only regulates hormone production by the gonadotropes but also their proliferation. We also reveal an intra-pituitary pathway that regulates gonadotrope cell number and hormone production. In this pathway, Tsh regulates gonadotropes via folliculostellate cells within the pituitary. This study suggests the existence of an alternative regulatory mechanism of seasonal gonadotropin production in fish.
Impaired extinction of cocaine seeking in HIV-infected mice is accompanied by peripheral and central immune dysregulation
Authors: Buck Lauren A. , Xie Qiaowei , Willis Michelle , Side Christine M. , Giacometti Laura L. , Gaskill Peter J. , Park Kyewon , Shaheen Farida , Guo Lili , Gorantla Santhi , Barker Jacqueline M.
Published: March 2024

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are highly comorbid with HIV infection, necessitating an understanding of the interactive effects of drug exposure and HIV. The relationship between HIV infection and cocaine use disorder is likely bidirectional, with cocaine use directly impacting immune function while HIV infection alters addiction-related behavior. To better characterize the neurobehavioral and immune consequences of HIV infection and cocaine exposure, this study utilizes a humanized mouse model to investigate the outcomes of HIV-1 infection on cocaine-related behaviors in a conditioned place preference (CPP) model, and the interactive effects of cocaine and HIV infection on peripheral and central nervous system inflammation. HIV infection selectively impairs cocaine CPP extinction without effecting reinstatement or cocaine seeking under conflict. Behavioral alterations are accompanied by immune changes in HIV infected mice, including increased prefrontal cortex astrocyte immunoreactivity and brain-region specific effects on microglia number and reactivity. Peripheral immune system changes are observed in human cytokines, including HIV-induced reductions in human TNFα, and cocaine and HIV interactions on GM-CSF levels. Together these data provide new insights into the unique neurobehavioral outcomes of HIV infection and cocaine exposure and how they interact to effect immune responses.
Cytosolic retention of HtrA2 during mitochondrial protein import stress triggers the DELE1-HRI pathway
Authors: Bi Paul Y. , Killackey Samuel A. , Schweizer Linus , Arnoult Damien , Philpott Dana J. , Girardin Stephen E.
Published: March 2024

Mitochondrial stress inducers such as carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) and oligomycin trigger the DELE1-HRI branch of the integrated stress response (ISR) pathway. Previous studies performed using epitope-tagged DELE1 showed that these stresses induced the cleavage of DELE1 to DELE1-S, which stimulates HRI. Here, we report that mitochondrial protein import stress (MPIS) is an overarching stress that triggers the DELE1-HRI pathway, and that endogenous DELE1 could be cleaved into two forms, DELE1-S and DELE1-VS, the latter accumulating only upon non-depolarizing MPIS. Surprisingly, while the mitochondrial protease OMA1 was crucial for DELE1 cleavage in HeLa cells, it was dispensable in HEK293T cells, suggesting that multiple proteases may be involved in DELE1 cleavage. In support, we identified a role for the mitochondrial protease, HtrA2, in mediating DELE1 cleavage into DELE1-VS, and showed that a Parkinson’s disease (PD)-associated HtrA2 mutant displayed reduced DELE1 processing ability, suggesting a novel mechanism linking PD pathogenesis to mitochondrial stress. Our data further suggest that DELE1 is likely cleaved into DELE1-S in the cytosol, while the DELE1-VS form might be generated during halted translocation into mitochondria. Together, this study identifies MPIS as the overarching stress detected by DELE1 and identifies a novel role for HtrA2 in DELE1 processing.
Curving THz wireless data links around obstacles
Authors: Guerboukha Hichem , Zhao Bin , Fang Zhaoji , Knightly Edward , Mittleman Daniel M.
Published: March 2024

A key challenge in millimeter-wave and terahertz wireless networks is blockage of the line-of-sight path between a base station and a user. User and environmental mobility can lead to blockage of highly directional beams by intervening people or objects, yielding link disruptions and poor quality of service. Here, we propose a solution to this problem which leverages the fact that, in such scenarios, users are likely to be located within the electromagnetic near field of the base station, which opens the possibility to engineer wave fronts for link maintenance. We show that curved beams, carrying data at high bit rates, can realize a link by curving around an intervening obstacle. We develop a model to analyze and experimentally evaluate the bandwidth limitations imposed by the use of self accelerating beams. We also demonstrate that such links employ the full aperture of the transmitter, even those portions which have no direct line of sight to the receiver, emphasizing that ray optics fails to capture the behavior of these near-field wave fronts. This approach, which is ideally suited for use at millimeter-wave and terahertz frequencies, opens vast new possibilities for wave front management in directional wireless networks.
De novo design of peptides that bind specific conformers of α-synuclein
Authors: Wallace Hailey M. , Yang Hyunjun , Tan Sophia , Pan Henry S. , Yang Rose , Xu Junyi , Jo Hyunil , Condello Carlo , Polizzi Nicholas F. , DeGrado William F.
Published: March 2024

De novo designed peptides bind specific conformers of α-synuclein fibrils.
Efficient hydrogen evolution from degenerate-doped p-type WS2 electrocatalysts over a wide pH range
Authors: Siva Pamula , Vasu Kuraganti
Published: March 2024

The degenerate doping strategy shows a beneficial effect on improving the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of Ir-doped WS2 semiconductor catalysts in 0.5 M H2SO4, 1 M Na2SO4, and 1 M KOH electrolytes.
Short‐term electric load forecasting based on empirical wavelet transform and temporal convolutional network
Authors: Zhao Zhongwei , Lin Wenfang
Published: March 2024

Short‐term load forecasting is the basis of power system operation and analysis and is of great significance for the stable operation of power systems. To solve the problems of insufficient mining of the intrinsic information of load data, randomness, and non‐linearity, and to improve the accuracy of load prediction, the authors propose a short‐term power load prediction model based on empirical wavelet transform (EWT) decomposition and the temporal convolutional network (TCN). First, the Pearson coefficient is used to eliminate the less relevant influencing factors to reduce the complexity of the model. Then, the EWT algorithm is used to decompose the original load signal to fully exploit the load data time domain and frequency domain information, while solving the problems of non‐linearity and randomness. Finally, the decomposed subsequences are input to the TCN network for prediction superposition to obtain the final results. The experimental results show that, compared with the single models TCN, gated recurrent units (GRU), and long short‐term memory (LSTM), and the hybrid models EWT‐GRU, EWT‐LSTM, and VMD‐TCN, the R2 of the short‐term power load forecasting model based on EWT‐TCN is improved by 0.2099%, 0.2519%, 0.3453%, 0.0334%, 0.1766%, and 0.1228%, respectively.
Highly robust co‐estimation of state of charge and state of health using recursive total least squares and unscented Kalman filter for lithium‐ion battery
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Liu Weidong , Liang Bin , Li Qian , Zhao Yue , Hu Jian
Published: March 2024

State of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) constitute pivotal factors in the efficient and secure management of lithium‐ion batteries, particularly within the context of electric vehicles. A highly‐robust co‐estimation method is proposed in this paper to accurately assess the SOC and SOH under strong electromagnetic interference environment. First, the 1‐RC equivalent circuit model is adopted and the model parameters are identified in a real‐time manner using the recursive total least‐square method to improve the accuracy and adaptivity of the battery model. Subsequently, the SOH estimation is reframed as capacity estimation and an unscented Kalman filter is designed to co‐estimate the SOC and capacity based on the battery model. The results suggest that the proposed method has strong robustness against the measurement noises on current and voltage. The average estimation errors of SOC and capacity are 1.57% and 0.11 Ahr, respectively.
Dual‐labelled multi‐Bernoulli filter based on specific emitter identification
Authors: Guan Xin , Lu Yu
Published: March 2024

In complex electromagnetic environments, airborne passive bistatic radar encounters the challenge of associating emitters with measurements for multi‐target tracking. The authors propose a solution based on specific emitter identification technology. Firstly, generative adversarial networks (GANs) are utilised to extract and classify emitter signals using radio frequency fingerprint (RFF) features. The classification results are then used to construct a set of emitter labels for pre‐processing the measurement data. Subsequently, the pre‐processed measurement data set is input into the labelled multi‐Bernoulli filter framework, which is extended to a dual‐labelled (target label and emitter label) multi‐Bernoulli filter. This filter jointly predicts and updates the multi‐target posterior density, enabling the estimation of multi‐target trajectories. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is validated using two experiments. The results demonstrate that the GAN based on RFF features effectively identifies emitter signals. Moreover, the dual‐labelled multi‐Bernoulli filter, based on specific emitter identification, accurately estimates multi‐target trajectories using measurement data from an airborne passive radar of the multi‐transmit single‐receive type. This approach provides a novel and effective solution to the multi‐target tracking problem in complex electromagnetic environments.
Navigating the Outdoors: A Case Study on Outdoor Equity
Authors: Ospina Natalia
Published: March 2024

My ties to the outdoors began very young. I don’t think I am unique in that. I come from a lineage of caretakers of the land and knew that the reason I ended up on American soil at age 4, was because the land my abuelo

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in Colombia had been tending was seized by a rebel group called the FARC. I remember playing in the deep woods of the piedmont of North Carolina, running through puddles with bare feet, collecting unknown plants to make forts. I was raised on picking honeysuckles, eating biscuits, and arepas, so many arepas

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. I always knew that I was different though I tried so hard to erase every bit of what made me who I was. I would ask my parents to not introduce themselves with their names, I would try to copy what the other girls wore, I desperately wanted my thick curly hair to be stick straight, and I avoided inviting friends over to my house, as if giving up a world to move to another world was embarrassing. In high school, I started to realize that pretending was exhausting but also felt like the pressure was far more than I could take, and I continued to mask my identity. I would spend my time continuing to run through neighborhoods, jump in lakes every chance I got, but never did I think that these now known coping mechanisms to find balance in my turbulent mental space were an attempt to try to find a connection to the land.

Information

© CAB International 2024
Network community detection using higher-order structures
Authors: Yu X , Zhu J
Published: March 2024

In many real-world networks, it is often observed that subgraphs or higher-order structures of certain configurations, e.g., triangles and by-fans, are overly abundant compared to standard randomly generated networks (Milo et al., 2002). However, statistical models accounting for this phenomenon are limited, especially when community structure is of interest. This limitation is coupled with a lack of community detection methods that leverage subgraphs or higher-order structures. In this paper, we propose a new community detection method that effectively uses higher-order structures in a network. Furthermore, for the community detection accuracy, under an edge-dependent network model that consists of both community and triangle structures, we develop a finite-sample error bound characterized by the expected triangle degree, which leads to the consistency of the proposed method. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first statistical error bound and consistency result for community detection of a single network considering a network model with dependent edges. We also show, in both simulation studies and a real-world data example, that our method unveils network communities that are otherwise invisible to methods that ignore higher-order structures.
Involvement of Minority Social Workers in Policy Practice: Frontline Managers’ Discretion
Authors: Nouman Hani
Published: March 2024

In multicultural societies, social workers from diverse groups, including ethnic minority groups, may be engaged in policy practice. Their involvement is emphasised as important and essential to reducing gaps between the majority and the minority. Frontline managers may play a crucial role in legitimising minority social workers to act in policy arenas through forging the organisational culture. Their discretion of involvement can be influenced by institutional opportunities. Interviews with frontline managers in Arab localities in Israel reveal that institutional rules—in the contexts of local government, state and culture largely shape the perceptions of managers as well as the practices and processes in organisations regarding involvement of minority social workers in policy arenas.
Alginate-based water-soluble adhesives: effect of incorporated phenolic hydroxy groups on adhesiveness
Authors: Inata Soi , Nakanishi Shogo , Sogawa Hiromitsu , Sanda Fumio
Published: March 2024

Alginic acid (Alg) was modified with tyramine (TA), homoveratrylamine (HVTA), and 2-phenylethylamine (PA) to obtain Alg-based adhesives, AlgTA, AlgHVTA, and AlgPA. The adhesiveness of the modified Algs were evaluated and compared with previously reported catechol-modified alginate, AlgDA. AlgTA showed adhesion tendency differently from AlgDA, depending on the incorporation ratios of TA. AlgHVTA with protected phenolic hydroxy groups showed lower adhesiveness than AlgDA for mica surfaces, but higher for polymethyl methacrylate surfaces. AlgPA without a phenolic hydroxy group also exhibited moderate adhesiveness for mica.
Reverse Phase HPLC Methodology for the Determination of Bay K8644
Authors: Miranda Pablo , Castro Analía , Rodríguez Grassi Luisina , Davyt Danilo , Hill Marcelo , Segovia Mercedes , Mombrú Alvaro W , Pardo Helena
Published: March 2024

Following ICH guidelines for analytical validation, we report a common C18 column stability indicating isocratic reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of the ion channel modulator Bay K8644. Two main forced degradation products and a minor impurity were also tentatively identified by Mass Spectrometry. The mobile phase consisted of a 50/50 acetonitrile/buffer mixture at a flow rate of 2 mL/min. Mean retention time for Bay K8644 was 3.030 minutes. Excellent linearity (r = 0.9998) was achieved in the range 0.10–1.40 μg/mL at 274 nm wavelength. Analytical limits were 16.56 ± 1.04 ng/mL for detection and 55.21 ± 3.48 ng/mL for quantitation respectively. Accuracy and precision studies showed good results (95–105%). Robustness was assessed by varying ±3%, both temperature and flow rate. Five different stress conditions were applied to assess Bay K8644’s stability. Only basic and photolytic treatments yielded degradation products, both correctly resolved in a total runtime of 4 minutes. In conclusion, we developed a fast, simple, sensitive, accurate, precise, reliable and stability indicating method for detecting/quantifying Bay K8644, and tentatively characterized its main impurities/forced degradation products.
A proper financialisation? New financing mechanisms for developing countries
Authors: Cingolani Massimo , Toporowski Jan
Published: March 2024

The common view of critics of international finance is that unregulated capital movements destabilise developing countries. At the same time, financial innovations such as foreign exchange swaps are considered to be ‘shadow banking’ and a part of that destabilising international financial environment. The alternative is a reliance on finance in domestic currency. Here there is a problem that finance is poorly developed in many developing countries. This paper outlines an international financing mechanism, based on foreign exchange swaps, that provides for sustainable foreign finance of lending in domestic currencies in developing countries. Section 2 contains a literature review. Section 3 considers the conditions for stable financing of economic activity. Section 4 outlines a swap-based lending facility that can assist domestic financial development and discusses it form the microeconomic viewpoint. Section 5 looks at some of the macro-implications of such a facility. A final section concludes.
Magnetic Resonance Enterography and Intestinal Ultrasound for the Assessment and Monitoring of Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Kumar Shankar , De Kock Isabelle , Blad William , Hare Richard , Pollok Richard , Taylor Stuart A
Published: March 2024

Magnetic resonance enterography [MRE] and intestinal ultrasound [IUS] have developed rapidly in the past few decades, emerging as the primary non-invasive options for both diagnosing and monitoring Crohn’s disease [CD]. In this review, we evaluate the pertinent data relating to the use of MRE and IUS in CD. We summarise the key imaging features of CD activity, highlight their increasing role in both the clinical and the research settings, and discuss how these modalities fit within the diagnostic pathway. We discuss how they can be used to assess disease activity and treatment responsiveness, including the emergence of activity scores for standardised reporting. Additionally, we address areas of controversy such as the use of contrast agents, the role of diffusion-weighted imaging, and point-of-care ultrasound. We also highlight exciting new developments, including the applications of artificial intelligence. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research priorities.
Early life poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance levels and adiposity in the first 2 years of life
Authors: van Beijsterveldt Inge A L P , van Zelst Bertrand D , Dorrepaal Demi J , van den Berg Sjoerd A A , Hokken-Koelega Anita C S
Published: March 2024

Importance

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are nondegradable, man-made chemicals. They accumulate in humans with potential harmful effects, especially in susceptible periods of human development, such as the first months of life. We found that, in our cohort, exclusively breastfed (EBF) infants had 3 times higher PFAS plasma levels compared with exclusively formula-fed (EFF) infants at the age of 3 months. Thus, PFASs could potentially reduce the health benefits of breastfeeding.

Objective

We investigated the associations between PFAS levels at the age of 3 months and accelerated gain in fat mass during the first 6 months of life, body composition at 2 years, and whether these associations differ between EBF and EFF infants.

Setting

In 372 healthy term-born infants, we longitudinally assessed anthropometrics, body composition (by air-displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and visceral and subcutaneous fat (by abdominal ultrasound) until the age of 2 years.

Measures

The plasma levels of 5 individual PFASs were determined by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry at the age of 3 months.

Main outcomes

We studied associations between PFAS levels and outcomes using multiple regression analyses.

Results

Higher early life plasma perfluorooctanoic acid and total PFAS levels were associated with an accelerated gain in fat mass percentage [FM%; >0.67 SD score (SDS)] during the first 6 months of life. Higher early life PFAS levels were associated with lower fat-free mass (FFM) SDS at the age of 2 years, but not with total FM% SDS at 2 years. Furthermore, we found opposite effects of PFAS levels (negative) and exclusive breastfeeding (positive) at the age of 3 months on FFM SDS at 2 years.

Conclusion

Higher PFAS levels in early life are associated with accelerated gains in FM% during the first 6 months of life and with lower FFM SDS at the age of 2 years, which have been associated with an unfavorable body composition and metabolic profile later in life. Our findings warrant further research with longer follow-up times.
Metrological performances of the global chronic morbidity indicator of the Minimum European Health Module and implications for chronic disease prevalence and socioeconomic gradient estimations
Authors: Coste Joël , Robine Jean-Marie , Van Oyen Herman , Carcaillon-Bentata Laure
Published: March 2024

Background

Although the global chronic morbidity indicator (GCMI) of the Minimum European Health Module (MEHM) was not specifically designed to monitor chronic disease in the population, it is increasingly used for this purpose in Europe and elsewhere. However, its metrological characteristics have seldom been examined, with various sensitivity issues being raised. The present study investigated the metrological performances of the GCMI and analyzed its implications in terms of prevalence and demographic and socioeconomic gradients of chronic conditions in the population.

Methods

We used data from two large French nationwide representative surveys with cross-sectional and longitudinal data conducted between 2010 and 2021. The surveys used MEHM and collected data on numerous chronic conditions and socioeconomic indicators. Criterion and predictive validity of the GCMI regarding chronic conditions and the resultant socioeconomic gradients were compared with indicators based on reports of individual chronic conditions.

Results

GCMI sensitivity to capture chronic conditions varied from <20 to 80% depending on the chronic condition. Number of chronic conditions, gender, age and education were also associated with GCMI endorsement. However, the GCMI was predictive of mortality and activity limitations independently of individual conditions.

Conclusion

The varying lack of sensitivity depending on the chronic condition and the respondent’s sociodemographic status may bias estimates of demographic and socioeconomic gradients compared with indicators based on reports of individual chronic conditions. Differences between GCMI and list-based approaches should be more cautiously considered when monitoring chronic conditions in the population. These approaches should be viewed as complementary rather than contradictory or interchangeable.
Analysing 50 yr of the Lacq induced seismicity (Southwestern, France) highlights the role of fluid injection
Authors: Jacquemond L , Letort J , Cotton F , Causse M , Grasso J R , Senechal G , Ammirati J B , Derode B , Grimaud F , Pauchet H , Benhamed S , Sylvander M
Published: March 2024

The Lacq area in southwest France has been associated with continuous moderate induced seismic activity since 1969. However, the mechanisms driving this induced seismicity are not fully understood: reservoir depletion has been proposed as the main factor, and more recently wastewater injection has been suggested to play a more important role. The interpretation of these mechanisms relies heavily on the quality of earthquake locations, which we prove to be weak due to a lack of local instrumentation for several years. In order to provide the most complete and reliable induced event catalogue for the studies of the Lacq induced seismicity mechanisms and seismic hazard, we made an exhaustive compilation, analysis and improvement of all available catalogues. We also provided new earthquake detections and relocations in a 3-D velocity model from past and present temporary deployments never used for studying the Lacq area. Important remaining location uncertainties lead us to also carefully sort the events according to their location confidence, defining 3 classes of events (unconstrained location, location constrained within 2–3 km and 1–2 km, respectively). This new harmonized catalogue and the identification of well-constrained events, covering 50 yr of induced seismicity, allow us to propose that wastewater injection is almost certainly the main mechanism driving the seismicity, with (i) most of the constrained events located within the reservoir boundaries and (ii) the released seismic energy variations following variations in injection operations at different scales. In particular, we have also highlighted a change in the injection–seismicity relationship around 2010–2013. From 2013, despite lower injection volumes, seismicity remained persistent and some clusters of earthquakes were detected predominantly in spring, summer and early autumn, except in winter periods. From 2016, we observed a strong temporal relationship between days with higher rate/volume injections (approximately above 400 m3 d−1) and both clustered events and higher magnitude earthquakes (greater than 2.4).
2-D Sn wave attenuation tomography beneath the Eastern Himalaya
Authors: Sarkar Sukanta , Singh Chandrani , Tiwari Ashwani Kant , Kumar M Ravi , Dubey Arun Kumar , Dutta Abhisek , Kumar Gaurav , Singh Arun
Published: March 2024

The Arunachal and Bhutan Himalaya, which are tectonically distinct from other regions of the Himalaya, have a structure that is quite intricate. The eastern Himalayan segment is a component of the region where the Indian and Eurasian plates collided 50 Myr. The Indian Plate goes beneath the Eurasian Plate in the north, and in the eastern part of the region, the Indian Plate subducts under the Burmese Plate. Here, we studied the seismic attenuation of the uppermost mantle by measuring the quality factor of the Sn wave (SnQ) to understand the dynamics of the lithospheric mantle and the cause of the seismic anomalies found in this area. The upper mantle Q structure has significant lateral differences in Arunachal and the Bhutan Himalaya. Arunachal Himalaya’s central region is characterized by a very low $Q\, (\le 150)$. The successive low-high-low SnQ values in eastern Arunachal Himalaya near Siang region have been observed. The western Arunachal region, close to the Bhutan border, exhibits a contrast in Q values. We notice that low Q values (≤200) predominate in the central to eastern Bhutan Himalaya. The western part of Bhutan Himalaya exhibits relatively high $Q\, (\ge 200)$ values, mostly near Paro and Thimpu. Interestingly, a clear boundary between low and high Q has been observed near Kakthang thrust (KT) in the Bhutan Himalaya. We found significant lateral variation of frequency dependent parameter (η) across the study region. They range from 0.25 to 0.75, with low values (≤0.5) found mostly in the central Bhutan Himalaya and in a few isolated areas of the Arunachal Himalaya. Low Q and a relatively higher $\eta \, (\ge 0.5)$ might suggest that the scattering attenuation is the controlling mechanism for Sn wave attenuation in the upper mantle beneath Arunachal Himalaya. On the contrary, dominant low Q values across the central segment of the Bhutan Himalaya, along with a low to moderate body wave velocity and dominating low η values, subsequently corroborate that intrinsic attenuation is the dominant factor in the upper mantle of the central Bhutan Himalaya.
The high-quality genome of Grona styracifolia uncovers the genomic mechanism of high levels of schaftoside, a promising drug candidate for treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Zeng Shaohua , Wang Zhiqiang , Shi Dingding , Yu Fangqin , Liu Ting , Peng Ting , Bi Guiqi , Yan Jianbin , Wang Ying
Published: March 2024

Recent study has evidenced that traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) plant-derived schaftoside shows promise as a potential drug candidate for COVID-19 treatment. However, the biosynthetic pathway of schaftoside in TCM plants remains unknown. In this study, the genome of the TCM herb Grona styracifolia (Osbeck) H.Ohashi & K.Ohashi (GSO), which is rich in schaftoside, was sequenced, and a high-quality assembly of GSO genome was obtained. Our findings revealed that GSO did not undergo recent whole genome duplication (WGD) but shared an ancestral papilionoid polyploidy event, leading to the gene expansion of chalcone synthase (CHS) and isoflavone 2′-hydroxylase (HIDH). Furthermore, GSO-specific tandem gene duplication resulted in the gene expansion of C-glucosyltransferase (CGT). Integrative analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome identified 13 CGTs and eight HIDHs involved in the biosynthetic pathway of schaftoside. Functional studies indicated that CGTs and HIDHs identified here are bona fide responsible for the biosynthesis of schaftoside in GSO, as confirmed through hairy root transgenic system and in vitro enzyme activity assay. Taken together, the ancestral papilionoid polyploidy event expanding CHSs and HIDHs, along with the GSO-specific tandem duplication of CGT, contributes, partially if not completely, to the robust biosynthesis of schaftoside in GSO. These findings provide insights into the genomic mechanisms underlying the abundant biosynthesis of schaftoside in GSO, highlighting the potential of GSO as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical development.
Thermal and energy analysis of a novel solar updraft tower design with divergent chimney and convergent collector concept: CFD analysis with experimental validation
Authors: Cuce Pinar Mert , Saxena Abhishek , Cuce Erdem , Kontoleon Karolos J , Oztekin Erman K , Shaik Saboor , Guo Shaopeng
Published: March 2024

The fact that energy sources are heavily dependent on fossil fuels increases the need for alternative energy day by day. Solar energy is the most popular alternative energy source with massive potential. Solar chimney power plants (SCPP) are one of the systems of interest based on solar energy. SCPP systems are rare systems that can provide 24-hour power output. Their performance has been the subject of constant research since the first pilot plant in Manzanares. Design is crucial for performance figures of SCPPs, and the limitation of climatic parameters causes the system to be approached with different designs. This study makes a 3D CFD model by combining the divergent chimney and convergent collector structure based on the first pilot plant. The solar ray tracing algorithm and the RNG k-e turbulence model are applied and the model equations are solved under dynamic conditions with the reliable software ANSYS FLUENT. After the mesh-independent solution of the model is complete, it is validated with experimental data. The two cases are compared for solar radiation of 1000 W/m2 and environmental temperature of 293 K. A power output of 50.51 kW is achieved for standard pilot sizing. With the new model, the power output rises to 146.34 kW. It is seen that the divergent chimney and convergent collector affect the airflow in the system, increasing the maximum air velocity to 19.363 m/s. In parallel with the experimental data, it is seen that the temperature on the ground exceeds 360 K in the CFD results.
Stereotypes and Stereotyping: Measuring the Accuracy of Lifestyle-Based Judgments on Political Affiliation
Authors: Ouellet Catherine , Tremblay-Antoine Camille
Published: March 2024

People often draw inferences about others’ underlying characteristics from single and static samples of their appearance, such as facial features, or attractiveness. Evidence also suggests that these judgments occur spontaneously and rapidly. Are humans also able to detect political preferences based on appearance? This article examines to what extent observable lifestyle characteristics influence people’s judgments about one’s political affiliation and, more importantly, to what degree these judgments are accurate. A conjoint analysis allows for the identification of the specific lifestyle cues that people use to infer one’s political affiliation. These results are contrasted with a large and unique dataset (n = 64,745), enabling the assessment of how accurate these cues are. Results suggest that certain lifestyle characteristics, such as type of car or leisure activities, are clearly associated with different political parties, at least in people’s minds. Results also suggest that, despite the potential detrimental effects of appearance-based judgments, people are generally pretty good at guessing others’ political preferences. This study contributes to a growing body of research on the relationship between lifestyle and political preferences. More generally, it sheds light on the diagnostic value of appearances in everyday social judgments.
What’s age got to do with it? A study of the implementation of the discharge medicines service for paediatric patients
Authors: Trivedi Ashifa , Bhatti Afaq , Patel Bhavisha , Patel Monica
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The discharge medicines service (DMS) was introduced as an essential service for all community pharmacies in England through the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) in February 2021. This study aimed to describe the implementation of this service for paediatric patients and to identify any barriers to referrals.

Methods

The study was undertaken in a 24-bed paediatric ward in a District General Hospital from September 2022 to February 2023. All paediatric inpatients on long-term medications were eligible for inclusion. Out of 169 eligible participants, 149 were referred. Community pharmacists accessed referrals through PharmOutcomes® and could accept, complete, or reject referrals on this platform.

Key findings

Of the 149 referred patients, 24 (16.1%) were accepted but not yet actioned; 63 (42.3%) were fully or partially completed; 19 (12.8%) were rejected, and 43 (28.9%) there was no response (remained as referred). Younger children (<2 years) were more likely to have their referral rejected than older children (6 years and older). The feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive (93.5%) and two families reported that they believed the DMS service prevented readmission to the hospital for their children. No children were involved in the community pharmacist consultation. Barriers to referrals included patients not having a nominated pharmacy and a lack of confidence in completing paediatric referrals.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the value of completing referrals for paediatric patients. More research is required to explore how community pharmacists can be supported to complete paediatric DMS referrals.
Terrorists versus Rebels: The Strategic Use of Implicit Amnesty in the Peace Process in Mali
Authors: Rosenberg Sophie T
Published: March 2024

Why do governments block efforts to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable, including against actors linked to proscribed groups? This article explores the Malian government’s decisions to support or suspend accountability efforts against prominent individuals during the peace negotiations between 2012 and 2017, including those with links to jihadist groups. By tracing the micro-processes determining how and why certain individuals faced justice for crimes and not others, the article shows how Malian authorities used implicit amnesty measures as a tool of strategic legitimation for certain rebel leaders. This helped constitute certain actors as part of the legitimate opposition and gloss over both their alleged responsibility for human rights abuses and their involvement in jihadist groups excluded from the talks. This article presents a framework that demonstrates how elite bargaining around accountability follows four political rationales and shows how a government’s selective approach to justice can enable actors to use peace processes as a means of impunity and political rehabilitation. This reveals the political significance of implicit amnesty measures, which achieve similar aims as formal amnesties yet without crossing the red line of providing formal amnesty for international crimes and serious human rights violations.
Can “Soft” Advice from International Organizations Catalyze Natural Resource Sector Reform?
Authors: Goes Iasmin , Chapman Terrence L
Published: March 2024

Can international organizations improve natural resource governance? The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is most noted for its role in crisis lending, where it can wield the “teeth” of loan suspensions to push for reforms. But IMF officials also spend a large amount of time conducting routine surveillance through Article IV consultations, which assess a country’s economic developments and provide non-binding recommendations. Do governments follow this “toothless” advice? To answer this question, we examine the content of all Article IV staff appraisals published between 2004 and 2019. Using text analysis and a difference-in-differences estimator, we find that resource-rich developing countries are more likely to adopt legislation reforming the oil, gas, and mining sectors in the wake of an Article IV appraisal that extensively discusses the natural resource sector and recommends natural resource governance reforms. Our results suggest that technocratic advice—a tool often overlooked in international organization scholarship—can lead to the adoption of policies that help ameliorate the resource curse.