bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iron Sulfide Na2FeS2 as Positive Electrode Material with High Capacity and Reversibility Derived from Anion–Cation Redox in All‐Solid‐State Sodium Batteries
Authors: Nasu Akira , Sakuda Atsushi , Kimura Takuya , Deguchi Minako , Tsuchimoto Akihisa , Okubo Masashi , Yamada Atsuo , Tatsumisago Masahiro , Hayashi Akitoshi
Published: September 2022

It is desirable for secondary batteries to have high capacities and long lifetimes. This paper reports the use of Na2FeS2 with a specific structure consisting of edge‐shared and chained FeS4 as the host structure and as a high‐capacity active electrode material. An all‐solid‐state sodium cell that uses Na2FeS2 exhibits a high capacity of 320 mAh g−1, which is close to the theoretical two‐electron reaction capacity of 323 mAh g−1, and operates reversibly for 300 cycles. The excellent electrochemical properties of all‐solid‐state sodium cells are derived from the anion–cation redox and rigid host structure during charging/discharging. In addition to the initial one‐electron reaction of NaxFeS2 (1 ≤ x ≤ 2) activated Fe2+/Fe3+ redox as the main redox center, the reversible sulfur redox further contributes to the high capacity. Although the additional sulfur redox affects the irreversible crystallographic changes, stable and reversible redox reactions are observed without capacity fading, owing to the local maintenance of the chained FeS4 in the host structure. Sodium iron sulfide Na2FeS2, which combines low‐cost elements, is one of the candidates that can meet the high requirements of practical applications.
Who is the most sought‐after economist? Ranking economists using Google Trends
Authors: Coupé Tom
Published: September 2022

This paper uses Google Trends to rank economists and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using Google Trends compared with other ranking methods, like those based on citations or downloads. I find that Google search intensity rankings make it possible to compare the current impact of both contemporaneous and past economists and that they can help to illustrate the variety in economists' careers that can lead to fame. Given Google Trends' algorithm to allocate searches to individuals (Google Trends' “topics”) is only applied to individuals with sufficiently high search intensity, Google Trends can only be used to rank about 2000 economists who have been regularly searched for on Google. For these sought‐after economists, I find that search intensity rankings based on Google Trends data are only modestly correlated with more traditional measures of scholarly impact.
RNA Oligomerisation without Added Catalyst from 2′,3′‐Cyclic Nucleotides by Drying at Air‐Water Interfaces**
Authors: Dass Avinash Vicholous , Wunnava Sreekar , Langlais Juliette , von der Esch Beatriz , Krusche Maik , Ufer Lennard , Chrisam Nico , Dubini Romeo C. A. , Gartner Florian , Angerpointner Severin , Dirscherl Christina F. , Rovó Petra , Mast Christof B. , Šponer Judit E. , Ochsenfeld Christian , Frey Erwin , Braun Dieter
Published: September 2022

For the emergence of life, the abiotic synthesis of RNA from its monomers is a central step. We found that in alkaline, drying conditions in bulk and at heated air‐water interfaces, 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotides oligomerised without additional catalyst, forming up to 10‐mers within a day. The oligomerisation proceeded at a pH range of 7–12, at temperatures between 40–80 °C and was marginally enhanced by K+ ions. Among the canonical ribonucleotides, cGMP oligomerised most efficiently. Quantification was performed using HPLC coupled to ESI‐TOF by fitting the isotope distribution to the mass spectra. Our study suggests a oligomerisation mechanism where cGMP aids the incorporation of the relatively unreactive nucleotides C, A and U. The 2′,3′‐cyclic ribonucleotides are byproducts of prebiotic phosphorylation, nucleotide syntheses and RNA hydrolysis, indicating direct recycling pathways. The simple reaction condition offers a plausible entry point for RNA to the evolution of life on early Earth.
Question Answering with Additive Restrictive Training (QuAART): Question Answering for the Rapid Development of New Knowledge Extraction Pipelines
Authors: Harper Corey A. , Daniel Ron , Groth Paul
Published: September 2022

Numerous studies have explored the use of language models and question answering techniques for knowledge extraction. In most cases, these models are trained on data specific to the new task at hand. We hypothesize that using models trained only on generic question answering data (e.g. SQuAD) is a good starting point for domain specific entity extraction. We test this hypothesis, and explore whether the addition of small amounts of training data can help lift model performance. We pay special attention to the use of null answers and unanswerable questions to optimize performance. To our knowledge, no studies have been done to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique. We do so for an end-to-end entity mention detection and entity typing task on HAnDS and FIGER, two common evaluation datasets for fine grained entity recognition. We focus on fine-grained entity recognition because it is challenging scenario, and because the long tail of types in this task highlights the need for entity extraction systems that can deal with new domains and types. To our knowledge, we are the first system beyond those presented in the original FIGER and HAnDS papers to tackle the task in an end-to-end fashion. Using an extremely small sample from the distantly-supervised HAnDS training data – 0.0015%, or less than 500 passages randomly chosen out of 31 million – we produce a CoNNL F1 score of 73.72 for entity detection on FIGER. Our end-to-end detection and typing evaluation produces macro and micro F1s of 45.11 and 54.75, based on the FIGER evaluation metrics. This work provides a foundation for the rapid development of new knowledge extraction pipelines.
The ERK5/NF-κB signaling pathway targets endometrial cancer proliferation and survival
Authors: Diéguez-Martínez Nora , Espinosa-Gil Sergio , Yoldi Guillermo , Megías-Roda Elisabet , Bolinaga-Ayala Idoia , Viñas-Casas Maria , Gorgisen Gokhan , Domingo-Ortí Inés , Pérez-Montoyo Héctor , Bayascas Jose R. , Colas Eva , Dolcet Xavier , Lizcano Jose M.
Published: September 2022

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common type of gynecologic cancer in women of developed countries. Despite surgery combined with chemo-/radiotherapy regimens, overall survival of patients with high-risk EC tumors is poor, indicating a need for novel therapies. The MEK5-ERK5 pathway is activated in response to growth factors and to different stressors, including oxidative stress and cytokines. Previous evidence supports a role for the MEK5-ERK5 pathway in the pathology of several cancers. We investigated the role of ERK5 in EC. In silico analysis of the PanCancer Atlas dataset showed alterations in components of the MEK5-ERK5 pathway in 48% of EC patients. Here, we show that ERK5 inhibition or silencing decreased EGF-induced EC cell proliferation, and that genetic deletion of MEK5 resulted in EC impaired proliferation and reduced tumor growth capacity in nude mice. Pharmacologic inhibition or ERK5 silencing impaired NF-kB pathway in EC cells and xenografts. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between ERK5 and p65/RELA protein levels in human EC tumor samples. Mechanistically, genetic or pharmacologic impairment of ERK5 resulted in downregulation of NEMO/IKKγ expression, leading to impaired p65/RELA activity and to apoptosis in EC cells and xenografts, which was rescued by NEMO/IKKγ overexpression. Notably, ERK5 inhibition, MEK5 deletion or NF-kB inhibition sensitized EC cells to standard EC chemotherapy (paclitaxel/carboplatin) toxicity, whereas ERK5 inhibition synergized with paclitaxel to reduce tumor xenograft growth in mice. Together, our results suggest that the ERK5-NEMO-NF-κB pathway mediates EC cell proliferation and survival. We propose the ERK5/NF-κB axis as new target for EC treatment.
Zuschauendes Verhalten an Unglücksorten – nicht immer ist es „Schaulust“, nicht immer sind es „Gaffer“
Authors: Karutz Harald
Published: September 2022

Fast täglich berichten Medien darüber, dass Rettungsarbeiten an Unglückorten von „Gaffern“ und „Schaulustigen“ behindert werden. Ein derartiges Verhalten wird von Einsatzkräften sowie der breiten Öffentlichkeit kritisiert und als unethisch, verantwortungslos oder auch als Ausdruck gesellschaftlicher Verrohung betrachtet. Emotional ist das Thema stark aufgeladen.

Mit diesem Artikel soll ein Überblick zu den Hypothesen und Theorien gegeben werden, mit denen zuschauendes Verhalten erklärt werden kann. Mittels einer Literaturrecherche wurden biologische bzw. ethologische, individual- und sozialpsychologische Erklärungsansätze für zuschauendes Verhalten an Unglücksorten identifiziert. Diese einzelnen Ansätze wurden in einem integrativen Rahmenmodell zusammengeführt.

Es zeigt sich, dass zuschauendes Verhalten an Unglücksorten keineswegs allein auf „Neugier“ und „Schaulust“ zurückzuführen ist. Vielmehr muss von einem komplexen Zusammenwirken biologischer bzw. ethologischer, individual- und sozialpsychologischer Motive mit gesellschafts-, ereignis- und personenbezogenen Moderatorvariablen ausgegangen werden. Die pauschale Bezeichnung von Zuschauern an Unglücksorten als „Gaffer“ bzw. „Schaulustige“ wird der Komplexität des Phänomens somit nicht gerecht. Zuschauendes Verhalten an Unglücksorten ist individuell unterschiedlich und multifaktoriell begründet. Erst ein dementsprechend umfassendes Verständnis der Problematik bietet eine solide Grundlage für die Ableitung geeigneter Präventions- und Interventionsstrategien.
The serotonin receptor 3E variant is a risk factor for female IBS-D
Authors: Fritz Nikola , Berens Sabrina , Dong Yuanjun , Martínez Cristina , Schmitteckert Stefanie , Houghton Lesley A. , Goebel-Stengel Miriam , Wahl Verena , Kabisch Maria , Götze Dorothea , D’Amato Mauro , Zheng Tenghao , Röth Ralph , Mönnikes Hubert , Tesarz Jonas , Engel Felicitas , Gauss Annika , Raithel Martin , Andresen Viola , Keller Jutta , Frieling Thomas , Pehl Christian , Stein-Thöringer Christoph , Clarke Gerard , Kennedy Paul J. , Cryan John F. , Dinan Timothy G. , Quigley Eamonn M. M. , Spiller Robin , Beltrán Caroll , Madrid Ana María , Torres Verónica , Mayer Emeran A. , Sayuk Gregory , Gazouli Maria , Karamanolis George , Bustamante Mariona , Estivil Xavier , Rabionet Raquel , Hoffmann Per , Nöthen Markus M. , Heilmann-Heimbach Stefanie , Schmidt Börge , Franke André , Lieb Wolfgang , Herzog Wolfgang , Boeckxstaens Guy , Wouters Mira M. , Simrén Magnus , Rappold Gudrun A. , Vicario Maria , Santos Javier , Schaefert Rainer , Lorenzo-Bermejo Justo , Niesler Beate
Published: September 2022

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gut-brain disorder of multifactorial origin. Evidence of disturbed serotonergic function in IBS accumulated for the 5-HT3 receptor family. 5-HT3Rs are encoded by HTR3 genes and control GI function, and peristalsis and secretion, in particular. Moreover, 5-HT3R antagonists are beneficial in the treatment of diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D). We previously reported on functionally relevant SNPs in HTR3A c.-42C > T (rs1062613), HTR3C p.N163K (rs6766410), and HTR3E c.*76G > A (rs56109847 = rs62625044) being associated with IBS-D, and the HTR3B variant p.Y129S (rs1176744) was also described within the context of IBS. We performed a multi-center study to validate previous results and provide further evidence for the relevance of HTR3 genes in IBS pathogenesis. Therefore, genotype data of 2682 IBS patients and 9650 controls from 14 cohorts (Chile, Germany (2), Greece, Ireland, Spain, Sweden (2), the UK (3), and the USA (3)) were taken into account. Subsequent meta-analysis confirmed HTR3E c.*76G > A (rs56109847 = rs62625044) to be associated with female IBS-D (OR = 1.58; 95% CI (1.18, 2.12)). Complementary expression studies of four GI regions (jejunum, ileum, colon, sigmoid colon) of 66 IBS patients and 42 controls revealed only HTR3E to be robustly expressed. On top, HTR3E transcript levels were significantly reduced in the sigma of IBS patients (p = 0.0187); more specifically, in those diagnosed with IBS-D (p = 0.0145). In conclusion, meta-analysis confirmed rs56109847 = rs62625044 as a risk factor for female IBS-D. Expression analysis revealed reduced HTR3E levels in the sigmoid colon of IBS-D patients, which underlines the relevance of HTR3E in the pathogenesis of IBS-D.
Das kombinierte Modell der Entscheidungsassistenz
Authors: Scholten Matthé , Gather Jakov , Vollmann Jochen
Published: September 2022

Hintergrund

Die Auslegung von Artikel 12 der Behindertenrechtskonvention der Vereinten Nationen (Art. 12 UN-BRK) durch den Ausschuss für die Rechte von Menschen mit Behinderungen hat zu einer Kontroverse über die Umsetzung des Artikels in der Psychiatrie geführt.

Fragestellung

Wie kann Art. 12 UN-BRK auf ethisch vertretbare Weise in der Psychiatrie umgesetzt werden?

Material und Methode

Es wurde eine empirisch und rechtlich informierte konzeptionelle und ethische Analyse durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Das vorgeschlagene kombinierte Modell der Entscheidungsassistenz gewährleistet die Anerkennung von Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen als Rechtssubjekt, deren Gleichbehandlung im Hinblick auf die Erteilung einer Einwilligung sowie die Bereitstellung von Entscheidungsassistenz. Nach diesem Modell dürfen Zwangsbehandlungen nur unter Achtung des Willens und der Präferenzen der Person und weiteren Voraussetzungen der Verhältnismäßigkeit und unabhängiger Überprüfung durchgeführt werden.

Schlussfolgerungen

Art. 12 UN-BRK kann nach dem kombinierten Modell der Entscheidungsassistenz auf ethisch vertretbare Weise in der Psychiatrie umgesetzt werden.
Clustering directional data through depth functions
Authors: Pandolfo Giuseppe , D’ambrosio Antonio
Published: September 2022

A new depth-based clustering procedure for directional data is proposed. Such method is fully non-parametric and has the advantages to be flexible and applicable even in high dimensions when a suitable notion of depth is adopted. The introduced technique is evaluated through an extensive simulation study. In addition, a real data example in text mining is given to explain its effectiveness in comparison with other existing directional clustering algorithms.
Validation of an ovine vesicovaginal fistula model
Authors: Maljaars Lennart P. , Jeffery Stephen T. , Scholten Marlou , Kaestner Lisa , Jere Khumbo , Bezuidenhout Deon , Guler Zeliha , Roovers Jan-Paul W. R.
Published: September 2022

Introduction and hypothesis

A representative, large animal model of vesicovaginal fistulas is needed for the training of surgeons and for the development of new surgical techniques and materials for obstetric fistula repair.

Methods

The safety, feasibility, and reproducibility of vesicovaginal fistula creation were studied in 4 adult female sheep. A 1-cm fistula was created between the vagina and the bladder through a transvaginal approach. The defect was allowed to heal for 8 weeks and the animals were then euthanized. The primary outcome was the fistula patency. Secondary outcomes were fistula size, urogenital dimensions, urodynamic evaluation, histology (inflammation, vascularization, collagen deposition) and biomechanical characteristics of the fistula edge (stress at break, maximum elongation, and stiffness).

Results

The transvaginal creation of a vesicovaginal fistula was safe. All animals survived the surgical procedure and follow-up period, without complications. Three of the four animals demonstrated a patent vesicovaginal fistula after 8 weeks. Baseline data are provided of the urogenital dimensions and the urodynamic, histological, and biomechanical characteristics of the model.

Conclusions

The ewe is a safe, feasible, and reproducible model for vesicovaginal fistulas. The model can help to study new techniques and materials to boost surgical innovation for vesicovaginal fistula repair.
Machine learning-based fault diagnosis for research nuclear reactor medium voltage power cables in fraction Fourier domain
Authors: Saad Mohamed H. , Said Abdelrahman
Published: September 2022

Fault diagnosis of Medium Voltage power Cables (MVCs) research nuclear reactor, incredibly inaccessible/remote ones, has to be carefully identified, located, and fixed within a short time. Therefore, this paper proposes a perfect simultaneous fault diagnosis scheme based on Multiclass Support-Vector Machine (MCSVM) in the fractional Fourier domain. First, the three-phase sending currents are simulated under different conditions then their features are extracted using Discrete Fractional Fourier Transform (DFRFT). Afterward, the features reduction process occurs via the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) approach. MCSVM scheme is used to diagnose faults (i.e., discover, categorize, and trace) using reduced features outcome from DFRFT and SVD stages. Alternating Transient Program/Electromagnetic Transient Program (ATP/EMTP) simulations have been carried out for 22 kV unreachable MVC. Different kernels of SVM, i.e., linear, quadratic, or polynomial, and diverse factors of DFRFT, i.e., α, are investigated in simulations to obtain the optimum performance (i.e., best α and kernel pair). Hence, performance analysis of the proposed diagnosis method under different conditions (i.e., various fault resistances, locations, and inception angles) concluded two highest accuracy and lowest time settings, which were found at α = 0.5 (for both) quadratic kernel, and linear kernel, respectively. Moreover, the linear kernel achieves 99.8% accuracy rate, the lowest execution time (10 ms), and fault tracing error rate of 0.525789%, which is proper for real-time applications. Besides, our proposed method is more reliable and accurate against variable operating conditions (fault resistances, distances, and inception angles), leading to more reliable power production systems.
Anticanonical geometry of the blow-up of $$\mathbb {P}^4$$ in 8 points and its Fano model
Authors: Xie Zhixin
Published: September 2022

Building on the work of Casagrande–Codogni–Fanelli, we develop our study on the birational geometry of the Fano fourfold $$Y=M_{S,-K_S}$$

Y
=

M

S
,
-

K
S

which is the moduli space of semi-stable rank-two torsion-free sheaves with $$c_1=-K_S$$

c
1

=
-

K
S

and $$c_2=2$$

c
2

=
2

on a polarised degree-one del Pezzo surface $$(S,-K_S)$$

(
S
,
-

K
S

)

. Based on the relation between Y and the blow-up of $$\mathbb {P}^4$$

P

4

in 8 points, we describe completely the base scheme of the anticanonical system $$|{-}K_Y|$$

|
-

K
Y

|

. We also prove that the Bertini involution $$\iota _Y$$

ι
Y

of Y, induced by the Bertini involution $$\iota _S$$

ι
S

of S, preserves every member in $$|{-}K_Y|$$

|
-

K
Y

|

. In particular, we establish the relation between $$\iota _Y$$

ι
Y

and the anticanonical map of Y, and we describe the action of $$\iota _Y$$

ι
Y

by analogy with the action of $$\iota _S$$

ι
S

on S.
The impact of enteric coating of aspirin on aspirin responsiveness in patients with suspected or newly diagnosed ischemic stroke: prospective cohort study: results from the (ECASIS) study
Authors: Elshafei Mohamed Nabil , Imam Yahia , Alsaud Arwa Ebrahim , Chandra Prem , Parray Aijaz , Abdelmoneim Mohamed S. , Obeidat Khaldun , Saeid Razan , Ali Mohammad , Ayadathil Raheem , Mohamed Mouhand F. H. , Abdallah Ibtihal M. , Mohammed Shaban , Akhtar Naveed , Danjuma Mohammed Ibn-Masoud
Published: September 2022

Background and purpose

Uncertainty remains regarding the impact of enteric-coated aspirin (EC-ASA) on secondary prevention of ischemic stroke compared to plain aspirin (P-ASA). Hence, this study was designed to investigate the effect of EC formulation on ASA response via evaluating thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels in patients with suspected or newly diagnosed stroke.

Methods

A prospective cohort study on suspected or newly diagnosed ischemic stroke patients who are aspirin-naive was conducted. Patients were received either EC aspirin or plain aspirin for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was the proportion of aspirin non-responsiveness between two groups (level of residual serum TXB2 associated with elevated thrombotic risk (< 99.0% inhibition or TXB2 > 3.1 ng/ml) within 72 h after three daily aspirin doses, while secondary outcomes were the incidence of early gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bleeding with the various aspirin preparations. (Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04330872 registered on 02 April 2020).

Results

Of 42 patients, ischemic strokes were confirmed in both P-ASA (81%) and EC-ASA (67%) arms. ASA non-responsiveness showed no significant difference between the two formulations (P-ASA vs. EC-ASA; 28.6% vs 23.8%; P = 0.726). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients treated with EC-ASA were more likely to have a lower rate of non-responders compared to P-ASA (unadjusted OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.20, 3.11); with the risk highest in type 2 diabetic patients with HBA1c > 6.5% (adjusted OR 6; 95% CI 1.02, 35.27; P = 0.047). No incidence of GIT bleeding observed throughout the study.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of ASA non-responsiveness was recorded regardless of ASA formulation administered. The increased risk of ASA non-responsiveness in diabetic patients needs further exploration by larger prospective studies.
Synthetic and biological surfactant effects on freshwater biofilm community composition and metabolic activity
Authors: Gill Stephanie P. , Hunter William R. , Coulson Laura E. , Banat Ibrahim M. , Schelker Jakob
Published: September 2022

Surfactants are used to control microbial biofilms in industrial and medical settings. Their known toxicity on aquatic biota, and their longevity in the environment, has encouraged research on biodegradable alternatives such as rhamnolipids. While previous research has investigated the effects of biological surfactants on single species biofilms, there remains a lack of information regarding the effects of synthetic and biological surfactants in freshwater ecosystems. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to test how the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the biological surfactant rhamnolipid altered community composition and metabolic activity of freshwater biofilms. Biofilms were cultured in the flumes using lake water from Lake Lunz in Austria, under high (300 ppm) and low (150 ppm) concentrations of either surfactant over a four-week period. Our results show that both surfactants significantly affected microbial diversity. Up to 36% of microbial operational taxonomic units were lost after surfactant exposure. Rhamnolipid exposure also increased the production of the extracellular enzymes, leucine aminopeptidase, and glucosidase, while SDS exposure reduced leucine aminopeptidase and glucosidase. This study demonstrates that exposure of freshwater biofilms to chemical and biological surfactants caused a reduction of microbial diversity and changes in biofilm metabolism, exemplified by shifts in extracellular enzyme activities.

Key points

• Microbial biofilm diversity decreased significantly after surfactant exposure.

• Exposure to either surfactant altered extracellular enzyme activity.

• Overall metabolic activity was not altered, suggesting functional redundancy.
Fabrication of electrospun polyamide–weathered basalt nano-composite as a non-conventional membrane for basic and acid dye removal
Authors: El-Sheikh M. N. , Metwally Bahaa S. , Mubarak Mahmoud. F. , Ahmed Hanan A. , Abdel Moghny Thanaa , Zayed Ahmed M.
Published: September 2022

In this study, an adsorptive electrospun polyamide membrane (ESPA) and electrospun polyamide–weathered basalt composite membrane (ESPA-WB) were prepared by an electrospinning process at room temperature. Hence, the WB structure was built as a polymeric membrane separation film in combination with the ESPA matrix as a composite nano-filtration membrane. Then, the ESPA and ESPA-WB membranes were characterized using BET surface area analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To avoid cracks forming during the sintering process, the WB should be added in certain percentages. The microstructures of the prepared membranes were investigated to evaluate their efficiency for basic and acidic dyesʼ removal and their permeation flux. Compared with the ESPA, the ESPA-WB membrane combines the characteristics of WB and ESPA, which greatly enhances the performance of both methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes removal from synthetic wastewater. The outcomes of this study indicated that the dye uptake in the case of ESPA-WB is higher than that of ESPA, and it decreases with an increase in dye concentrations. The obtained membrane ESPA-WB showed both an excellent anti-dye fouling and a good rejection property for both dyes (i.e. 90% rejection for MB and 74% for MO) with no sign of contamination by the applied dyes. It was found that the structure of the ESPA-WB membrane contains a large number of several adsorption sites which leads to an increase in the removal rate of dyes. Hence, this study demonstrated a non-conventional strategy to prepare an effective adsorptive nano-composite membrane that can be applied as a highly recyclable one for the removal of organic dyes.

Graphic abstract
Representation of the Mozambique channel trough and its link to southern African rainfall in CMIP6 models
Authors: Barimalala Rondrotiana , James Rachel , Munday Callum , Reason Chris J. C.
Published: September 2022

The topography of Madagascar and the strength of the Mozambique Channel Trough (MCT) modulate summer rainfall over southern Africa. A strong MCT hinders the penetration of moisture bearing easterlies from the South Indian Ocean into the mainland, thus reducing rainfall there and vice versa for weak MCT summers. Given the link between the MCT and rainfall, it is important to analyse how climate models represent the trough. Here, output from 20 models within the CMIP6 ensemble of Coupled General Circulation Models (CGCMs) are analyzed to investigate how state-of-the-art CGCMs represent the MCT and its link to southern African rainfall. Overall, the ensemble mean insignificantly underestimates the observed MCT. There is a large spread among the models, with the strength of the MCT significantly correlated with the Froude number based on the mountain height over Madagascar. In models, the vorticity tendency in the MCT area is dominated by the stretching and friction terms, whereas the vertical advection, tilting and residual terms dominate in the ERA5 reanalysis. The link between MCT and rainfall in the southern African subcontinent is missing in the models. Large rainfall biases are depicted over mainland even in models with a very strong MCT. It is found that the impacts of the MCT in the models could be masked by a complex mix of processes such as the strength of the Angola low, moisture fluxes from the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans as well as overestimated convection in the Mozambique Channel area.
PolyGA targets the ER stress-adaptive response by impairing GRP75 function at the MAM in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD
Authors: Pilotto Federica , Schmitz Alexander , Maharjan Niran , Diab Rim , Odriozola Adolfo , Tripathi Priyanka , Yamoah Alfred , Scheidegger Olivier , Oestmann Angelina , Dennys Cassandra N. , Sinha Ray Shrestha , Rodrigo Rochelle , Kolb Stephen , Aronica Eleonora , Di Santo Stefano , Widmer Hans Rudolf , Charlet-Berguerand Nicolas , Selvaraj Bhuvaneish T , Chandran Siddharthan , Meyer Kathrin , Zuber Benoît , Goswami Anand , Weis Joachim , Saxena Smita
Published: September 2022

ER stress signaling is linked to the pathophysiological and clinical disease manifestations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we have investigated ER stress-induced adaptive mechanisms in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD, focusing on uncovering early endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms and the crosstalk between pathological and adaptive responses in disease onset and progression. We provide evidence for the early onset of ER stress-mediated adaptive response in C9ORF72 patient-derived motoneurons (MNs), reflected by the elevated increase in GRP75 expression. These transiently increased GRP75 levels enhance ER–mitochondrial association, boosting mitochondrial function and sustaining cellular bioenergetics during the initial stage of disease, thereby counteracting early mitochondrial deficits. In C9orf72 rodent neurons, an abrupt reduction in GRP75 expression coincided with the onset of UPR, mitochondrial dysfunction and the emergence of PolyGA aggregates, which co-localize with GRP75. Similarly, the overexpression of PolyGA in WT cortical neurons or C9ORF72 patient-derived MNs led to the sequestration of GRP75 within PolyGA inclusions, resulting in mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) uptake impairments. Corroborating these findings, we found that PolyGA aggregate-bearing human post-mortem C9ORF72 hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons not only display reduced expression of GRP75 but also exhibit GRP75 sequestration within inclusions. Sustaining high GRP75 expression in spinal C9orf72 rodent MNs specifically prevented ER stress, normalized mitochondrial function, abrogated PolyGA accumulation in spinal MNs, and ameliorated ALS-associated behavioral phenotype. Taken together, our results are in line with the notion that neurons in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD are particularly susceptible to ER–mitochondrial dysfunction and that GRP75 serves as a critical endogenous neuroprotective factor. This neuroprotective pathway, is eventually targeted by PolyGA, leading to GRP75 sequestration, and its subsequent loss of function at the MAM, compromising mitochondrial function and promoting disease onset.
The association of serum immunoglobulins with cognition and dementia: the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Khan Samer R. , Yaqub Amber , Ikram M. Kamran , van Hagen P. Martin , Peeters Robin P. , Dalm Virgil A. S. H. , Chaker Layal , Ikram M. Arfan
Published: September 2022

Background

Chronic inflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of dementia, but the association of serum immunoglobulins with dementia has been understudied and longitudinal data are currently lacking. We investigated the association of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A, G, and M with cognition and dementia in a population-based cohort.

Methods

This study was embedded in the Rotterdam Study. Participants with information on serum immunoglobulin levels, measured between 1997 and 2009, were followed for incident dementia until 2016. Assessment of cognitive function and dementia was performed according to validated tests and clinical criteria respectively. We studied the association between serum immunoglobulins with prevalent and incident dementia using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses respectively. We performed linear regression analyses to quantify the cross-sectional association of serum immunoglobulins with global cognition as well as separate cognitive tests. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, lifestyle, and cardiovascular factors.

Results

We included 8768 participants (median age of 62.2 years, 57% women, median follow-up 10.7 years). Overall, none of the immunoglobulins was associated with prevalent or incident dementia. Higher IgG levels were associated with lower scores of global cognition (adjusted standardized mean difference − 0.04; 95% confidence interval:− 0.06; − 0.02) and separate cognitive tests.

Conclusion

In middle-aged and older individuals from the general population, serum Igs were not associated with prevalent or incident dementia, which may imply that serum Igs are not involved in the pathophysiology of dementia. Although higher IgG levels were associated with worse cognitive function, studies with longitudinal data should exclude reverse causation.
Mental calculation increases physiological postural tremor, but does not influence physiological goal-directed kinetic tremor
Authors: Budini Francesco , Mocnik Richard , Tilp Markus , Crognale Domenico
Published: September 2022

Purpose

During a cognitive effort, an increase in cortical electrical activity, functional alterations in the anterior cingulate cortex, and modifications in cortical inputs to the active motor units have been reported. In light of this, an increase in tremor could be anticipated as result of a mental task. In the present work, we tested this hypothesis.

Methods

In 25 individuals, tremor was measured with a three-axial accelerometer during 300 s of postural and goal-directed tasks performed simultaneously to mental calculation, or during control (same tasks without mental calculation). Hand and finger dexterity were also evaluated. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings from the extensor digitorum communis were collected during the postural task.

Results

Hand and finger dexterity was negatively affected by the mental task (p = .003 and p = .00005 respectively). During mental calculation, muscle tremor increased in the hand postural (+ 29%, p = .00005) but not in the goal-directed task (− 1.5%, p > .05). The amplitude of the main frequency peak also increased exclusively in the hand postural task (p = .028), whilst no shift in the position of the main frequency peak was observed. EMG was not affected.

Conclusion

These results support the position of the contribution of a central component in the origin of physiological hand postural tremor. It is suggested that the different effect of mental calculation on hand postural and goal-directed tasks can be attributed to the different origins and characteristics of hand postural and goal-directed physiological tremor.
Eruptive history of Mason Spur, a Miocene—Pleistocene polygenetic volcanic complex in southern Victoria Land, West Antarctic Rift System, Antarctica
Authors: Smellie John L. , Martin Adam P. , Di Vincenzo Gianfranco , Townsend Dougal B. , Heizler Matthew T. , Ruth Dawn C. S.
Published: September 2022

Mason Spur is a deeply eroded Middle Miocene to Pleistocene (c. 13 to 0.37 Ma) volcanic complex in southern Victoria Land, within the West Antarctic Rift System (WARS). The oldest rocks include a large volume of trachyte ignimbrites that provided abundant volcanic detritus recovered in McMurdo Sound drill cores. The ignimbrites together with early-formed intrusions were strongly deformed during a substantial caldera collapse at c. 13 Ma. Intense erosion modified the volcanic landscape, creating a paleo-relief of several hundred metres. Deep ravines were cut and filled by deposits of multiple lahars probably linked to gravitational collapses of trachyte dome(s). Small-volume trachytic magmas were also erupted, forming lavas and at least one tuff cone. The youngest trachytic activity comprises a lava dome and related block-and-ash-flow deposits, erupted at 6 Ma. Basanite erupted throughout the history of the complex and eruptions younger than 12 Ma are almost exclusively basanite, forming scoria cones, water-cooled lavas, and tuff cones. Three peripheral outcrops are composed of basanitic ‘a‘ā lava-fed deltas, probably erupted from vents on neighbouring volcanoes at Mount Discovery and Mount Morning. Abundant ignimbrite deposits at Mason Spur differentiate this volcanic complex from others in the WARS. Eruptions were triggered by rift extension initially, yielding the voluminous trachytes sourced from a magma chamber on the margin of the WARS. Later mafic eruptions were associated with deep crustal faults related to residual intraplate deformation. These results add important details to the eruptive history of the intracontinental WARS.
Increasing Adherence to Prophylactic Swallowing Exercises During Head and Neck Radiotherapy: The Multicenter, Randomized Controlled PRESTO-Trial
Authors: Baudelet Margot , Duprez Fréderic , Van den Steen Leen , Nuyts Sandra , Nevens Daan , Goeleven Ann , Vandenbruaene Caroline , Massonet Hanne , Vergauwen Alice , Bollen Heleen , Deschuymer Sarah , Wouters Kristien , Peeters Marc , Van Laer Carl , Mariën Steven , Van den Brekel Michiel , van der Molen Lisette , Vauterin Tom , van Dinther Joost , Verstraete Hilde , Hutsebaut Isabel , Meersschout Sabine , Vanderveken Olivier , De Bodt Marc , Van Nuffelen Gwen ,   members of the Belgian PRESTO-group
Published: September 2022

Background

Prophylactic swallowing exercises (PSE) during radiotherapy can significantly reduce dysphagia after radiotherapy in head and neck cancer (HNC). However, its positive effects are hampered by low adherence rates during the burdensome therapy period. Hence, the main goal of this multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to investigate the effect of 3 different service-delivery modes on actual patients’ adherence.

Methods

A total of 148 oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with primary (chemo)radiotherapy were randomly assigned to a 4 weeks PSE program, either diary-supported (paper group; n = 49), app-supported (app group; n = 49) or therapist-supported (therapist group; n = 50). Participants practiced 5 days/week, daily alternating tongue strengthening exercises with chin tuck against resistance exercises. Adherence was measured as the percentage of completed exercise repetitions per week (%reps). Statistical analysis was performed by means of SPSSv27, using Linear Mixed-effects Models with post hoc pairwise testing and Bonferroni-Holm correction.

Results

Adherence and evolution of adherence over time was significantly different between the three groups (p < .001). Adherence rates decreased in all three groups during the 4 training weeks (p < .001). During all 4 weeks, the therapist group achieved the highest adherence rates, whilst the app group showed the lowest adherence rates.

Conclusions

PSE adherence decreased during the first 4 radiotherapy weeks regardless of group, but with a significant difference between groups. The therapist group achieved the highest adherence rates with a rather limited decline, therefore, increasing the face-to-face contact with a speech-language therapist can overcome the well-known problem of low adherence to PSE in this population.

Trial Registration

Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN98243550. Registered December 21, 2018 – retrospectively registered, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN98243550?q=gwen%20van%20nuffelen&filters=&sort=&offset=1&totalResults=2&page=1&pageSize=10&searchType=basic-search.
Synthesis and potential applications of cyclodextrin-based metal–organic frameworks: a review
Authors: Xu Yang , Rashwan Ahmed K. , Osman Ahmed I. , Abd El-Monaem Eman M. , Elgarahy Ahmed M. , Eltaweil Abdelazeem S. , Omar Mirna , Li Yuting , Mehanni Abul-Hamd E. , Chen Wei , Rooney David W.
Published: September 2022

Metal–organic frameworks are porous polymeric materials formed by linking metal ions with organic bridging ligands. Metal–organic frameworks are used as sensors, catalysts for organic transformations, biomass conversion, photovoltaics, electrochemical applications, gas storage and separation, and photocatalysis. Nonetheless, many actual metal–organic frameworks present limitations such as toxicity of preparation reagents and components, which make frameworks unusable for food and pharmaceutical applications. Here, we review the structure, synthesis and properties of cyclodextrin-based metal–organic frameworks that could be used in bioapplications. Synthetic methods include vapor diffusion, microwave-assisted, hydro/solvothermal, and ultrasound techniques. The vapor diffusion method can produce cyclodextrin-based metal–organic framework crystals with particle sizes ranging from 200 nm to 400 μm. Applications comprise food packaging, drug delivery, sensors, adsorbents, gas separation, and membranes. Cyclodextrin-based metal–organic frameworks showed loading efficacy of the bioactive compounds ranging from 3.29 to 97.80%.
Validation of deep learning-based computer-aided detection software use for interpretation of pulmonary abnormalities on chest radiographs and examination of factors that influence readers’ performance and final diagnosis
Authors: Toda Naoki , Hashimoto Masahiro , Iwabuchi Yu , Nagasaka Misa , Takeshita Ryo , Yamada Minoru , Yamada Yoshitake , Jinzaki Masahiro
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of a deep learning-based computer-aided detection (CAD) software for detecting pulmonary nodules, masses, and consolidation on chest radiographs (CRs) and to examine the effect of readers’ experience and data characteristics on the sensitivity and final diagnosis.

Materials and methods

The CRs of 453 patients were retrospectively selected from two institutions. Among these CRs, 60 images with abnormal findings (pulmonary nodules, masses, and consolidation) and 140 without abnormal findings were randomly selected for sequential observer-performance testing. In the test, 12 readers (three radiologists, three pulmonologists, three non-pulmonology physicians, and three junior residents) interpreted 200 images with and without CAD, and the findings were compared. Weighted alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic (wAFROC) figure of merit (FOM) was used to analyze observer performance. The lesions that readers initially missed but CAD detected were stratified by anatomic location and degree of subtlety, and the adoption rate was calculated. Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison.

Results

The mean wAFROC FOM score of the 12 readers significantly improved from 0.746 to 0.810 with software assistance (P = 0.007). In the reader group with < 6 years of experience, the mean FOM score significantly improved from 0.680 to 0.779 (P = 0.011), while that in the reader group with ≥ 6 years of experience increased from 0.811 to 0.841 (P = 0.12). The sensitivity of the CAD software and the adoption rate for the lesions with subtlety level 2 or 3 (obscure) lesions were significantly lower than for level 4 or 5 (distinct) lesions (50% vs. 93%, P < 0.001; and 55% vs. 74%, P = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusion

CAD software use improved doctors’ performance in detecting nodules/masses and consolidation on CRs, particularly for non-expert doctors, by preventing doctors from missing distinct lesions rather than helping them to detect obscure lesions.
Systemic Sclerosis Association with Malignancy
Authors: Lepri Gemma , Catalano Martina , Bellando-Randone Silvia , Pillozzi Serena , Giommoni Elisa , Giorgione Roberta , Botteri Cristina , Matucci-Cerinic Marco , Antonuzzo Lorenzo , Guiducci Serena
Published: September 2022

The association of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and cancer is well known from several decades suggesting common genetic and environmental risk factors involved in the development of both diseases. Immunosuppressive drugs widely used in SSc may increase the risk of cancer occurrence and different SSc clinical and serological features identify patients at major risk to develop malignancy. In this context, among serological features, presence of anti-RNA polymerase III and anti-topoisomerase I autoantibodies seems to increase cancer frequency in SSc patients (particularly lung and breast cancers). Lung fibrosis and a long standing SSc pulmonary involvement have been largely proposed as lung cancer risk factors, and the exposure to cyclophosphamide and an upper gastrointestinal involvement have been traditionally linked to bladder and oesophagus cancers, respectively. Furthermore, immune checkpoint inhibitors used for cancer therapy can induce immune-related adverse events, which are more frequent and severe in patients with pre-existing autoimmune diseases such as SSc. The strong association between SSc and cancer occurrence steers clinicians to carefully survey SSc patients performing periodical malignancy screening. In the present review, the most relevant bilateral relationships between SSc and cancer will be addressed.
Assessment of Serum Hypoxia Biomarkers Pre- and Post-radiotherapy in Patients with Brain Tumors
Authors: El-Benhawy Sanaa A. , Sakr Ola A. , Fahmy Enayat I. , Ali Raed A. , Hussein Mohamed S. , Nassar Esraa M. , Salem Sherif M. , Abu-Samra Nehal , Elzawawy Sherif
Published: September 2022

Hypoxia is a prevalent hallmark of many malignant neoplasms. The aim was to assess the serum hypoxia biomarkers HIF-1α, VEGF, osteopontin, erythropoietin, caveolin-1, GLUT-1, and LDH pre- and post-radiotherapy in patients with brain tumors. The study was conducted on 120 subjects were divided into two groups: group I: 40 healthy volunteers as control group. Group II: 80 brain tumor patients were subdivided into glioblastoma subgroup: 40 glioblastoma patients, meningioma subgroup: 40 malignant meningioma patients. Two venous blood samples were collected from every patient prior to and following RT and one sample from controls. Biomarkers were assayed by ELISA. In glioblastoma subgroup, HIF-1α, VEGF, and LDH were significantly increased after RT. On the contrary, these biomarkers were significantly decreased after RT in malignant meningioma subgroup. Osteopontin was significantly increased after RT in both subgroups. Regarding erythropoietin, it was significantly decreased in both subgroups when compared to before RT. Caveolin-1 showed a significant increase in glioblastoma subgroup after RT comparing to before RT. GLUT-1 was significantly increased after RT in both subgroups comparing to before RT. Association of significant elevation of hypoxia biomarkers either pre- or post-RT with aggressive tumor such as glioblastoma indicates that, they are markers of malignancy and may have a role in tumor development and progression.
Can Cancer Education Programs Improve Health Literacy Among Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients: a Systematic Review
Authors: Münstermann Jan , Hübner Jutta , Büntzel Jens
Published: September 2022

Patients affected from hearing loss face many problems when visiting oncologists. We conducted a systematic review to survey if cancer education programs can promote health literacy among deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) patients. The authors searched two databases for RCTs, and cohort studies with interventions promoting cancer health literacy for adult DHH patients. Risk of bias was assessed with SIGN Methodology Checklist for RCTs, and cohort studies. Significance of mean changes over time, and mean differences between comparison groups were used to present outcomes of each study. Surveyed interventions addressed three domains: cancer knowledge, coping skills, and cancer screening. Key information was gathered and synthesized providing a juxtaposition of the content and presenting important effects in detail. Nine RCTs and seven cohorts with 1865 participants were included. In total, 13 studies showed that cancer health literacy interventions improved mean scores significantly from pre- to post-test measures. There are hints that captioning and written texts may be sufficient for milder forms of hearing loss. Three studies showed that resiliency skill training promotes various domains of well-being. Three studies indicated that educational interventions encourage cancer screening practices. Educational programs are an effective way to promote cancer health literacy among DHH patients to facilitate communication with oncologists. As extent of hearing loss was not assessed, the authors cannot say the degree to which results are applicable to all degrees of hearing loss. To obtain hard data, further studies with more diverse populations, various cancer entities, different methods, and exact hearing loss assessments are required.