bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A tale of two multi‐focal therapies for glioblastoma: An antibody targeting ELTD1 and nitrone‐based OKN‐007
Authors: Zalles Michelle , Smith Nataliya , Saunders Debra , Lerner Megan , Fung Kar‐Ming , Battiste James , Towner Rheal A.
Published: December 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumour in adults. Despite a multimodal treatment response, survival for GBM patients remains between 12 and 15 months. Anti‐ELTD1 antibody therapy is effective in decreasing tumour volumes and increasing animal survival in an orthotopic GBM xenograft. OKN‐007 is a promising chemotherapeutic agent that is effective in various GBM animal models and is currently in two clinical trials. In this study, we sought to compare anti‐ELTD1 and OKN‐007 therapies, as single agents and combined, against bevacizumab, a commonly used therapeutic agent against GBM, in a human G55 xenograft mouse model. MRI was used to monitor tumour growth, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess tumour markers for angiogenesis, cell migration and proliferation in the various treatment groups. OKN and anti‐ELTD1 treatments significantly increased animal survival, reduced tumour volumes and normalized the vasculature. Additionally, anti‐ELTD1 was also shown to significantly affect other pro‐angiogenic factors such as Notch1 and VEGFR2. Unlike bevacizumab, anti‐ELTD1 and OKN treatments did not induce a pro‐migratory phenotype within the tumours. Anti‐ELTD1 treatment was shown to be as effective as OKN therapy. Both OKN and anti‐ELTD1 therapies show promise as potential single‐agent multi‐focal therapies for GBM patients.
The loss of molars in supportive periodontal care: A 10‐year follow‐up for tooth‐ and patient‐related factors
Authors: Costa Fernando Oliveira , Cortelli José Roberto , Cortelli Sheila Cavalca , Costa Amanda Almeida , Esteves Lima Rafael Paschoal , Costa Adriana Moreira , Pereira Gustavo Henrique Mattos , Cota Luís Otávio Miranda
Published: December 2021

Aim

To determine the impact of the degree of furcation involvement (FI) on the longevity of molar teeth and assess the risk variables (tooth‐ and patient‐related factors) associated with the loss of molars (LM) in individuals treated for periodontitis and monitored in a private programme of supportive periodontal care (SPC).

Materials and Methods

The present retrospective cohort study included 222 individuals with 1329 molars under a 10‐year monitoring period in SPC. Periodontal clinical parameters, FI, the type of molar, pulp vitality, and other variables of interest were collected at approximately 50 days after active periodontal therapy and after 10 years. The association of tooth‐ and patient‐related factors with LM was assessed using a multilevel Cox regression analysis.

Results

Two‐hundred and thirty‐five molars were extracted during the SPC period of 12.4 ± 1.9 years. Age >50 years, male gender, diabetes, smoking, and non‐compliance were identified as relevant patient‐related factors for LM during SPC (p < .05). Significant tooth‐related factors for LM were bleeding on probing (BoP) and probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm, tooth non‐vitality, and class II and III FI (p < .05).

Conclusions

Class III FI, tooth non‐vitality, higher mean PD and BoP, age, male gender, diabetes, and smoking all strongly influenced the prognosis of molars during SPC.
Activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway by lipopolysaccharide aggravates postoperative ileus in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Liu Lujia , Liu Yang , Guo Xiao , Jin Xiangren , Yan Wei , Lin Baiqiang , Cai Ting , Wei Yunwei
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim

Patients undergoing abdominal surgery can develop postoperative ileus (POI). Inflammation of the intestinal muscularis following intestinal manipulation may be caused by displaced bacteria or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota, LPS, and POI in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and explore underlying mechanisms of LPS‐triggered POI.

Methods

Sixty CRC patients undergoing colorectal resection were included. Bacterial communities from fecal samples were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and fecal LPS levels were determined by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Mice were used to mechanistically investigate the causal relationship between microbiota, LPS, and POI.

Results

We discovered that CRC patients who developed prolonged POI (PPOI) had a unique pro‐inflammatory gut microbial composition during the perioperative period. The highest proportions of Gram‐negative bacteria at the genus level were Escherichia–Shigella and Bacteroides; the abundance of Escherichia–Shigella was higher throughout the perioperative period. Fecal LPS levels were significantly higher in patients with PPOI. In mice treated with an antibiotic cocktail, intestinal muscularis inflammation and intestinal dysfunction were significantly improved. Inflammation and dysfunction were significantly reduced in mice treated with polymyxin B, but were worsened by treatment with LPS. Moreover, LPS upregulated p38 phosphorylation in mice, and treatment with an inhibitor of p38 (SB203580) significantly alleviated intestinal inflammation and dysmotility.

Conclusion

Lipopolysaccharide increases intestinal muscularis inflammation via activation of p38 signaling, which aggravates POI. Removing bacterial sources of LPS during the perioperative period is promising for the prophylactic treatment of PPOI.
Effect of remimazolam tosilate on early cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Tan Yingjie , Ouyang Wen , Tang Yongzhong , Fang Ning , Fang Chao , Quan Chengxuan
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim

Remimazolam tosilate (RT) is under evaluation as a sedative for endoscopic procedures. Herein, we aimed to evaluate safety including cognition recovery of RT administered in elderly patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and assess its safety dosage.

Methods

Ninety‐nine patients presenting for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomized to receive 0.1 mg/kg RT (R1) or 0.2 mg/kg RT (R2), or propofol (P). Cognitive functions (memory, attention, and executive function) were measured via neuropsychological tests conducted before sedation and 5 min after recovery to full alertness. Adverse events were also assessed.

Results

There were no statistical differences between postoperative and baseline results for R1 group and P group, whereas those for R2 group revealed worsened postoperative cognitive functions (immediate recall and short delay recall) than baseline (P < 0.05). Compared with P group, Scores demonstrated worse restoration of immediate recall in R1 group, immediate recall, short‐delayed recall, and attention function in R2 group (P < 0.05). Patients in R2 group had a longer sedation time (12.09 vs 8.27 vs 8.21 min; P < 0.001) and recovery time (6.85 vs 3.82 vs 4.33 min; P < 0.001) than that in R1 group and P group. Moreover, the incidence of hypotension was 3.0% in R1 group, whereas it was 21.2% in R2 group and 48.5% in P group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The addition of 0.1 mg/kg RT as an adjunct to opiate sedation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy not only achieves more stable perioperative hemodynamics but also achieves acceptable neuropsychiatric functions in elderly patients.
Interaction between CETP Taq1B polymorphism and HEI, DQI and DPI on metabolic biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kalantar Zahra , Sotoudeh Gity , Esmaeily Zahra , Rafiee Masoumeh , Koohdani Fariba
Published: December 2021

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multidimensional consequence of environmental and genetic factors. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq1B polymorphism has been reported as a main predictor of dyslipidaemia, comprising an important complication in persons with T2DM. However, diet could affect T2DM patients metabolic health.

Methods

We investigated the combination of gene–diet effects on some metabolic biomarkers. In our cross‐sectional study, blood samples of 220 patients were collected. Dietary indices (healthy eating index, dietary quality index and dietary phytochemical index) were obtained from a validated semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire. CETP Taq1B polymorphism was genotyped by a polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment polymorphism method. Data were analysed by analysis of covariance.

Results

The interaction between the CETP Taq1B polymorphism and dietary indices on low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein was significant (p < 0.001 both crude and adjusted models). In addition, the interaction between polymorphism and dietary quality index on total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.004 crude model, p = 0.005 after adjusting) and pentraxin 3 (p = 0.01 both crude and adjusted models) was significant. Also, the interaction between polymorphism and healthy eating index on waist circumference (p = 0.005 both crude and adjusted models) and dietary phytochemical index on interleukin‐18 (p = 0.03 crude model) was significant.

Conclusions

Our results indicated the effect of CETP Taq1B polymorphism on some inflammatory and anthropometrics markers (total antioxidant capacity, pentraxin 3, interleukin‐18, low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein and waist circumference) with high and low adherence to dietary incides.
Role of the rs10401670 variant in the resistin gene on the metabolic response after weight loss secondary to a high‐fat hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean pattern
Authors: de Luis Daniel , Aller Rocío , Izaola Olatz , Primo David
Published: December 2021

Background

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs10401670) of the RETN gene has been associated with metabolic disorder in obese subjects and has scarcely been evaluated after dietary interventions. The present study aimed to analyse the effects of the rs10401670 RETN gene polymorphism on metabolic changes secondary to weight loss and secondary to a high‐fat hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean dietary pattern.

Methods

A Caucasian population comprising 284 obese patients without diabetes mellitus was analysed. Before and after 3 months of a high‐fat hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean pattern, an anthropometric evaluation, an assessment of nutritional intake and a biochemical analysis were performed. A statistical analysis was conducted for the combined CT and TT as a group and for wild‐type CC as a second group.

Results

Decreases in weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference were similar in both genotypes groups. In T allele carriers, insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), triglycerides and C‐reactive protein levels were decreased. The decrease in these parameters was statistically significant for triglycerides (−22.3 ± 9.3 mg dl–1: p = 0.03), C‐reactive protein (−2.8 ± 0.5 mg dl–1: p = 0.03), insulin (−7.4 ± 2.9 mUI L–1: p = 0.03) and HOMA‐IR (−2.4 ± 1.0: p = 0.02). Leptin levels were decreased in both genotypes groups after the hypocaloric diet, as well as the anthropometric parameters BMI, weight, waist circumference and fat mass. Resistin and adiponectin levels remained unchanged in both groups.

Conclusions

In the present study, we have detected a significant association between the T allele of this SNP and a better response of insulin resistance, triglycerides and C‐reactive protein compared to non T allele carriers after weight loss with a high‐fat hypocaloric diet and a Mediterranean diet.
Impact of patient characteristics on clinicians' decisions to involve dietitians in eating disorder treatment
Authors: McMaster Caitlin M. , Wade Tracey , Franklin Janet , Waller Glenn , Hart Susan
Published: December 2021

Background

Dietetic involvement in eating disorder (ED) treatment is often initiated by other members of a patient's treating team. The present study aimed to examine the impact of patient characteristics on clinicians' decisions to involve a dietitian in a patient's ED treatment, as well as the influence of clinician characteristics on their decision‐making.

Methods

ED clinicians were recruited to complete an online survey, which used case vignettes to assess their likelihood of referring patients to a dietitian or consulting with a dietitian for guidance. Questions were also included that measured clinician anxiety, beliefs about the therapy they deliver, beliefs about dietitians and views on evidence‐based practice to determine whether these were related to their responses to case vignettes.

Results

Fifty‐seven clinicians completed the survey, with the largest group being clinical psychologists (n = 22, 39%). ED diagnosis, weight status, medical co‐morbidities and progress in treatment were all shown to be influential on whether clinicians involved dietitians in ED treatment. Clinician characteristics and their beliefs about dietitians were generally not correlated with the likelihood of seeking dietetic input.

Conclusions

The present study indicates that clinicians' decisions to involve dietitians in ED treatment are systematic rather than random decisions influenced by individual clinician characteristics. Clinicians require further education on the potential for malnutrition regardless of patients' ED diagnosis or weight status, and the dietitian's role in addressing this.
The effect of a dual‐wavelength 532 nm and 1064 nm picosecond‐domain laser with a fractionated holographic optic on photoaging and patient age perception: A pilot study
Authors: Leight‐Dunn Hayley , Hadi Ali , Patel Forum , Yao Christopher J. , Tu Yingqi Michelle , Chapas Anne
Published: December 2021

Introduction

This study evaluated the efficacy of a dual‐wavelength 532 nm/1064 nm Nd:YAG picosecond‐domain laser with a holographic lens array in treating facial photoaging.

Methods

Thirteen subjects were enrolled with 10 completing the study. Receiving three‐month treatments, subjects underwent full‐face spot treatment of facial lentigines with the 532‐nm non‐fractionated handpiece, followed by two sequential facial passes of the 1064‐nm and the 532‐nm fractionated handpieces. Improvement was measured by treating physician evaluation of pigmentation and rhytids as well as blinded reviewer evaluation of pre‐ and post‐treatment image sets taken 12 weeks after the final treatment. Participants completed treatment surveys to assess satisfaction.

Results

Physician grading on a 5‐point scale revealed an average improvement of 1.6 in pigmentation (p = 0.0042) and 0.9 in rhytids (p = 0.0196). Blinded physicians appropriately selected baseline images in 44 of 50 (88%) image sets (10 subjects; five reviewers). On an 11‐point scale for overall facial photoaging (0 = no change, 1 = 10% improvement, 2 = 20% improvement, etc.) treating physicians scored mean improvement as 3.3 ± 1.83 (95% CI 1.99 to 4.61; range 1–6), while blinded reviewers scored mean improvement as 2.32 ± 2.62 (range % −4 to 8, 95% CI 1.57 to 3.07). The greatest majority (80%) of participants reported satisfaction with the treatment. Adverse events were mild; however, one patient developed hyperpigmentation, consistent with melasma that was successfully treated with topical agents.

Conclusion

This is the first study to show that picosecond‐domain 532 nm/1064 nm laser treatments with combination non‐fractionated and fractionated handpieces are well‐tolerated, safe, and effective for the treatment of photodamage.
Androgenetic alopecia and COVID‐19: Is there a clinical connection?
Authors: Baghani Moein , Pourani Mohammad Reza , Nekooghadam Sayyed Mojtaba , Ommi Davood , Fatemi Alireza , Abdollahimajd Fahimeh , Moravvej Hamideh
Published: December 2021

Background

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak, multiple studies showed higher rates of severe infection in adults and specifically in male patients, which may be related to differences in androgen receptor (AR) expression. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the AR expression manifestations.

Aim

To explore AGA severity as a possible risk factor for COVID‐19 severity in hospitalized patients.

Methods

A total of 164 subjects (116 men and 48 females) with confirmed COVID‐19 in need of hospitalization were included in this study. An experienced dermatologist examined the correlation of clinical signs of COVID‐19 severity with AGA types. For evaluation of the association between categorical variables and comparison of the mean age in three groups of COVID‐19 patients, the Fisher's exact test and the analysis of variance were used.

Results

Our cross‐sectional study included 116 male patients (70.7%) with a median age of 65.5 (age range: 22–97) years. Among them, 13.8% required intubation, 15.5% needed intensive care unit (ICU) care, and 70.7% required inward hospitalization. The Hamilton–Norwood Scale (HNS) was as follows: HNS I 14.7%, HNS II 12.1%, HNS III 20.7%, HNS IV 19.8%, HNS IV 29.8%, HNS V 17.2%, HNS VI 13.8%, and HNS VII 1.7%. Also, 29.3% of the patients were female, possessing a median age of 72 (age range: 23–98) years. In this group, 8.3% required intubation, 6.3% required ICU care, and 85.4% needed inpatient ward admission care. The Ludwig Scale (LS) was as follows: LS I 52.1%, LS II 35.4%, and LS III 12.5%.

Conclusion

The severity of AGA type did not correlate with the severity of COVID‐19 among hospitalized patients. Our results were in contrast with other research that suggested AGA severity as a marker of unfavorable outcomes of COVID‐19.
Memes, Emojis, and Text: The Semiotics of Differentiation in Sri Lankan Tamil Digital Publics
Authors: Davis Christina P.
Published: December 2021

This article draws on Judith T. Irvine’s theorizing of the semiotic processes of differentiation to investigate how Sri Lankan Tamils and Muslims configure similarity and difference in multimodal social media interactions. I analyze Facebook discussions around memes of Tamil‐language blunders in trilingual public signs, which are widely taken to represent the incomplete implementation of Tamil as a co‐official language. Insider status in groups is not contingent on code use, but on expressing particular alignments toward the memes as tokens of a type. By virtue of their metapragmatic ambiguity, emojis are powerful in enabling participants to create shared affective stances around the memes, but they are also useful in demarcating difference between Tamil speakers and Sinhalas. I contribute to studies of social media communication by examining how different linguistic and non‐linguistic forms of expression are used to delineate transnational Tamil digital publics.
Scaling Language Boundaries: Inclusion, Commensurability, and a Caribbean Coloniality
Authors: Fenigsen Janina
Published: December 2021

Drawing on ethnography as well as media and archival sources, this article approaches issues of language and relations of power in Barbados along ideological axes of civilization, modernity, and intelligence. Its particular focus is on the ideologies of social and language boundaries and the semiotic processes of their construction, navigation, and policing. I use the concept of commensurability to engage with questions of inclusion, alterity, and (post)colonial selfhood brought into sharp relief by my Barbadian fieldwork and conversations.
Mapping Participant Frameworks in the Aitys of Birzhan and Sara
Authors: Dubuisson Eva‐Marie
Published: December 2021

Here the lens of the "mapping problem" described by Judith Irvine in participant framework studies is used to analyze shifts in the cultural tale “The Aitys of Birzhan and Sara” from its origin as an improvisational verbal duel in the late 19th century, to a Kazakh socialist opera during the Soviet period, to a nationalized historical reference in Kazakhstan. During the multiple recontextualizations of that social text, its discursive pragmatics and characters are preserved within the expanding and shifting participant frameworks enabled by the genre of aitys poetry. Birzhan and Sara are able to “speak”—as poets, characters, and ancestors—to a changing series of audiences, all of whom become involved and implicated in their words and story as a result. They—like all aitys poets and the tradition itself—become a source of cultural authority. Thus the mapping of this social text over time is used as an example, in order to explain why and how an oral tradition is able to overcome or absorb even serious intertextual gaps resulting from shifting historical and political contexts over a long twentieth century.
Efficacy and safety of a novel mucoadhesive clobetasol patch for treatment of erosive oral lichen planus: A phase 2 randomized clinical trial
Authors: Brennan Michael T. , Madsen Lars Siim , Saunders Deborah P. , Napenas Joel J. , McCreary Christine , Ni Riordain Richeal , Pedersen Anne Marie Lynge , Fedele Stefano , Cook Richard J. , Abdelsayed Rafik , Llopiz Maria T. , Sankar Vidya , Ryan Kevin , Culton Donna A. , Akhlef Yousra , Castillo Fausto , Fernandez Inti , Jurge Sabine , Kerr Alexander R. , McDuffie Chad , McGaw Tim , Mighell Alan , Sollecito Thomas P. , Schlieve Thomas , Carrozzo Marco , Papas Athena , Bengtsson Thomas , Al‐Hashimi Ibtisam , Burke Laurie , Burkhart Nancy W. , Culshaw Shauna , Desai Bhavik , Hansen Jens , Jensen Pia , Menné Torkil , Patel Paras B. , Thornhill Martin , Treister Nathaniel , Ruzicka Thomas
Published: December 2021

Background

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the oral mucosa. Currently there is no approved treatment for OLP. We report on the efficacy and safety of a novel mucoadhesive clobetasol patch (Rivelin®‐CLO) for the treatment of OLP.

Methods

Patients with confirmed OLP and measurable symptomatic ulcer(s) participated in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter clinical trial testing a novel mucoadhesive clobetasol patch (Rivelin®‐CLO) in OLP across Europe, Canada, and the United States. Patients were randomized to placebo (nonmedicated), 1, 5, 20 µg Clobetasol/patch, twice daily, for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in total ulcer area compared to baseline. Secondary endpoints included improvement from baseline in pain, disease activity, and quality of life.

Results

Data were analyzed and expressed as mean [SD]. One hundred thirty‐eight patients were included in the study; 99 females and 39 males, mean age was 61.1 [11.6] years. Statistical analyses revealed that treatment with 20‐μg Rivelin®‐CLO patches demonstrated significant improvement with ulcer area (p = 0.047), symptom severity (p = 0.001), disease activity (p = 0.022), pain (p = 0.012), and quality of life (p = 0.003) as compared with placebo. Improvement in OLP symptoms from beginning to the end of the study was reported as very much better (best rating) in the 20‐µg group (25/32) patients compared to the placebo group (11/30), (p = 0.012). Adverse events were mild/moderate. Candidiasis incidence was low (2%).

Conclusions

Rivelin®‐CLO patches were superior to placebo demonstrating statistically significant, clinically relevant efficacy in objective and subjective improvement and, with a favorable safety profile.
Introduction: Mobility, polylingualism, and change: Toward an updated sociolinguistics of diaspora
Authors: Tseng Amelia , Hinrichs Lars
Published: December 2021

Diaspora offers a fruitful and narrower approach to language and mobility than the study of globalization. By making the historical footprint of mobility evident, diaspora allows analysts to identify the tension between ideologies of language and ethnonational belonging, and patterns of mobility that destabilize them. This special issue features a series of case studies of that tension and its linguistic manifestations, and adds empirical evidence to the nuances and histories within diversity and mobility that concepts such as “globalization” and “superdiversity” can obscure. Further, the notion of diaspora has not been explored with the same rigor in linguistics as it has in other fields. Sociolinguistics stands to benefit from integrating a more nuanced understanding of diaspora into our key questions and assumptions in order to advance the field's critical capacity to respond to complexity. Diaspora sociolinguistics is able to trace and discuss those social processes that are crucial to shaping linguistic repertoires and linguistic behavior—transnationalism, racialization, negotiation of gender and class dynamics, generational differences, and more—with empirical detail and historical embedding. Increased theorization will contribute to new and perennial guiding questions in the field and allow sociolinguists to define the questions we ask about language in diaspora with rigor.
Anthems in the Arab world: A hybrid national symbol
Authors: Podeh Elie
Published: December 2021

The national flag, anthem and emblem are the three symbols through which an independent country proclaims its identity and sovereignty. These symbols are universal signs of particularity. In spite of their symbolic significance, national anthems have not been the subject of widespread scholarship. This is particularly true with regard to the Arab world. The aim of this article is, therefore, threefold: first, to explore the historical, political and cultural sources of these anthems; second, to analyse the anthems' themes; and finally, to explore whether a commonality between the various Arab anthems can be found. The article advances three arguments: First, in contrast to the stability of anthems outside the Middle East, anthems in the Arab world underwent changes since independence, yet several countries retained their original anthems. The changes reflected the change of regime and/or historical narrative. Second, the consolidation of the territorial Arab state has also been reflected in the symbolic framework. And, finally, the Arab anthem is a hybrid symbol, amalgamating Western and Eastern cultural artefacts—Arab, Muslim or territorial.
A systematic review of diffusion tensor imaging studies in obesity
Authors: Okudzhava Liana , Heldmann Marcus , Münte Thomas F.
Published: December 2021

Obesity is a major global health problem leading to serious complications. It has been consistently associated with alterations in brain structure. Diffusion tensor imaging is used to examine brain white matter microstructure by assessing the dynamics of water diffusion in white matter tracts. Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity are two parameters measuring the directionality and rate of diffusion, respectively. Changes in these indices associated with obesity have been previously reported in numerous fiber tracts. This systematic review investigates microstructural white matter alterations in obesity using diffusion tensor imaging. A computerized search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Livivo databases. Based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 31 cross‐sectional studies comparing individuals with obesity and lean controls were identified. The studies included mixed‐gender samples of children, young, middle‐aged, and older adults. The majority of included studies reported decreased fractional anisotropy and increased mean diffusivity associated with elevated body mass index, suggesting white matter abnormalities. Nevertheless, a pattern of alterations is inconsistent across studies. This could be explained by several potential biases assessed by the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool. Furthermore, a direct assessment of body fat is recommended for a more accurate characterization of the brain–body relationship.
Long‐term effects of preeclampsia on metabolic and biochemical outcomes in offspring: What can be expected from a meta‐analysis?
Authors: Bi Shilei , Zhang Lizi , Huang Lijun , Li Yulian , Liang Yingyu , Huang Minshan , Huang Baoying , Liang Jingying , Gu Shifeng , Chen Jingsi , Du Lili , Chen Dunjin , Wang Zhijian
Published: December 2021

The objective of this study is to evaluate the long‐term effects of preeclampsia (PE) on metabolic and biochemical outcomes in offspring. We searched PubMed‐Medline, Web of Science, and EMBASE from inception to June 2021 for randomized clinical trials, cohort, and case–control studies. Two researchers independently extracted data according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and assessed possible bias. Rate ratios (RRs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) were estimated using fixed‐effects model or random‐effects model if the heterogeneity was high. PE increased offspring risk of obesity (RR 1.45, 95% confident interval [CI] 1.19–1.78) with a mean weighted age of 9.1 years, and a higher body mass index from 10 years of age (WMD 0.46, 95% CI 0.08–0.83). PE offspring were associated with a higher mean arterial pressure (WMD 1.33, 95% CI 0.42–2.24), systolic blood pressure (WMD 1.93, 95% CI 1.48–2.37), and diastolic blood pressure (WMD 1.13, 95% CI 0.80–1.47) in puberty. However, we uncovered no association between PE and offspring levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein, glucose, and insulin in blood with puberty, nor was there an increase in the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus in PE offspring under 15 years of age (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.88–1.32). However, PE might be associated with central obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus of offspring in later life. Offspring of mothers with PE exhibited an increased risk of obesity in childhood and a higher body mass index and blood pressure in puberty, but there were no differences in blood lipids or glucose metabolism in puberty compared to non‐PE offspring. PE might be associated with a higher risk for central obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus of offspring in later life.
The controversy of drug hypersensitivity in patients with cystic fibrosis and review of the literature
Authors: Tugcu Gokcen Dilsa , Emiralioglu Nagehan , Yalcin Ebru , Sahiner Umit Murat , Dogru Deniz , Sekerel Bulent Enis , Ozcelik Ugur , Kiper Nural , Soyer Ozge
Published: December 2021

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is reported to be a risk factor for drug hypersensitivity. However, there are conflicting data about true prevalence of drug hypersensitivity in children with CF.

Methods

The suspicious drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) of children with CF were enquired by the European Network for Drug Allergy (ENDA) questionnaire, and skin tests and/or drug provocation tests were performed according to the established guidelines.

Results

Two hundred and nineteen children (48.9% boys; median [IQR] age, 8.4 years [4.8–12.4 years]) with cystic fibrosis were included in the study, among which 22 patients with 24 suspected DHRs were evaluated. Most of the suspected DHRs were of non‐immediate (n = 16, 66.6%) type, and the offending drugs were amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid (n = 7), macrolides (n = 4), trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) (n = 2), piperacillin‐tazobactam (n = 1), pancrelipase (n = 1), and ursodeoxycholic acid (n = 1). Eight (33.3%) of the DHRs were classified as immediate (ceftriaxone [n = 2], ceftazidime [n = 2], meropenem [n = 1], AmBisome [n = 2], and vancomycin [n = 1]). The main clinical presentations were maculopapular eruption (41.6%) and urticaria (37.5%), accompanied by angioedema (8.3%), flushing (12.5%), and vomiting (8.3%). Nine skin tests (with beta‐lactam protocol in 6 patients) and 24 DPTs were performed, and none of the skin tests revealed a positive result; however, 2 DPTs with TMP/SMX were positive.

Conclusion

Actual drug hypersensitivity was demonstrated in 2 of 219 patients (0.9%) with non–beta‐lactam antibiotics. These results conflict with previous researches that showed higher drug hypersensitivity rates but are consistent with some recent studies. Allergological diagnostic workup is mandatory in patients with cystic fibrosis in case of a suspicious DHR.
Efficient Learning of Optimal Individualized Treatment Rules for Heteroscedastic or Misspecified Treatment-Free Effect Models
Authors: Mo Weibin , Liu Yufeng
Published: December 2021

Recent development in data-driven decision science has seen great advances in individualized decision making. Given data with individual covariates, treatment assignments and outcomes, researchers can search for the optimal individualized treatment rule (ITR) that maximizes the expected outcome. Existing methods typically require initial estimation of some nuisance models. The double robustness property that can protect from misspecification of either the treatment-free effect or the propensity score has been widely advocated. However, when model misspecification exists, a doubly robust estimate can be consistent but may suffer from downgraded efficiency. Other than potential misspecified nuisance models, most existing methods do not account for the potential problem when the variance of outcome is heterogeneous among covariates and treatment. We observe that such heteroscedasticity can greatly affect the estimation efficiency of the optimal ITR. In this paper, we demonstrate that the consequences of misspecified treatment-free effect and heteroscedasticity can be unified as a covariate-treatment dependent variance of residuals. To improve efficiency of the estimated ITR, we propose an Efficient Learning (E-Learning) framework for finding an optimal ITR in the multi-armed treatment setting. We show that the proposed E-Learning is optimal among a regular class of semiparametric estimates that can allow treatment-free effect misspecification. In our simulation study, E-Learning demonstrates its effectiveness if one of or both misspecified treatment-free effect and heteroscedasticity exist. Our analysis of a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) observational study also suggests the improved efficiency of E-Learning.
Comparative genomics reveal the convergent evolution of CYP82D and CYP706X members related to flavone biosynthesis in Lamiaceae and Asteraceae
Authors: Gao Ranran , Lou Qian , Hao Lijun , Qi Guihong , Tian Ya , Pu Xiangdong , He Chunnian , Wang Yu , Xu Wenjie , Xu Zhichao , Song Jingyuan
Published: December 2021

Distant species producing the same secondary metabolites is an interesting and common phenomenon in nature. A classic example of this is scutellarein whose derivatives have been used clinically for more than 30 years. Scutellarein occurs in significant amounts in species of two different orders, Scutellaria baicalensis and Erigeron breviscapus, which diverged more than 100 million years ago. Here, according to the genome‐wide selection and functional identification of 39 CYP450 genes from various angiosperms, we confirmed that only seven Scutellaria‐specific CYP82D genes and one Erigeron CYP706X gene could perform the catalytic activity of flavone 6‐hydroxylase (F6H), suggesting that the convergent evolution of scutellarein production in these two distant species was caused by two independently evolved CYP450 families. We also identified seven Scutellaria‐specific CYP82D genes encoding flavone 8‐hydroxylase (F8H). The evolutionary patterns of CYP82 and CYP706 families via kingdom‐wide comparative genomics highlighted the evolutionary diversity of CYP82D and the specificity of CYP706X in angiosperms. Multi‐collinearity and phylogenetic analysis of CYP82D in Scutellaria confirmed that the function of F6H evolved from F8H. Furthermore, the SbaiCYP82D1A319D, EbreCYP706XR130A, EbreCYP706XF312D and EbreCYP706XA318D mutants can significantly decrease the catalytic activity of F6H, revealing the contribution of crucial F6H amino acids to the scutellarein biosynthesis of distant species. This study provides important insights into the multi‐origin evolution of the same secondary metabolite biosynthesis in the plant kingdom.
Inhibition of anandamide hydrolysis does not rescue respiratory abnormalities observed in an animal model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Batista Luara A. , Cabral Laís M. , Moreira Thiago S. , Takakura Ana C.
Published: December 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The respiratory frequency to hypercapnia is attenuated in an animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD): what is the therapeutic potential of inhibition of anandamide hydrolysis for this respiratory deficit?

What is the main finding and its importance?

In an animal model of PD there is an increased variability in resting respiratory frequency and an impaired tachypnoeic response to hypercapnia, which is accompanied by diminished expression of Phox2b immunoreactivity in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN). Inhibition of anandamide hydrolysis also impaired the response to hypercapnia and decreased the number of Phox2b immunoreactive cells in the RTN. This strategy does not reverse the respiratory deficits observed in an animal model of PD.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by severe classic motor symptoms along with various non‐classic symptoms. Among the non‐classic symptoms, respiratory dysfunctions are increasingly recognized as contributory factors to complications in PD. The endocannabinoid system has been proposed as a target to treat PD and other neurodegenerative disorders. Since symptom management of PD is mainly focused on the classic motor symptoms, in this work we aimed to test the hypothesis that increasing the actions of the endocannabinoid anandamide by inhibiting its hydrolysis with URB597 reverses the respiratory deficits observed in an animal model of PD. Results show that bilateral injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine hydrochloride (6‐OHDA) in the dorsal striatum leads to neurodegeneration of the substantia nigra, accompanied by reduced expression of Phox2b in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), an increase in resting respiratory frequency variability and an impaired tachypnoeic response to hypercapnia. URB597 treatment in control animals was associated with an impaired tachypnoeic response to hypercapnia and a reduced expression of Phox2b in the RTN, whereas treatment of 6‐OHDA‐lesioned animals with URB597 was not able to reverse the deficits observed. These results suggest that targeting anandamide may not be a suitable strategy to treat PD since this treatment mimics the respiratory deficits observed in the 6‐OHDA model of PD.
Reducing the Natural Convection Inside an Enclosure Using a Concentric Internal Open Square
Authors: Alhazmy Majed M. , Alqadi Ibraheem , Al-Bahi Ali M.
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the results of a numerical simulation for the natural convection inside an enclosure that has an inner open square at its center. The inner square is open at the top and connected to the ceiling of the enclosure. The open inner square distorts the convection patterns, slows down the flow, and provides a compartment to confine the fluid at the core of the enclosure. Ultimately, this lowers the local Nusselt number, Nu, along the hot wall, and reduces the heat flux through the enclosure. The analysis shows the effects of changing the dimensions of the inner square on the heat flux through the enclosure for a range of Rayleigh numbers- from 103 to 106. Short-sided inner squares work as flow deflectors while long-sided inner squares provide compartments to accommodate new flow circulation at the core of the enclosure. The inner square is most effective when the length of its sides equals the width of the stagnant core inside the empty enclosure at the same Rayleigh number, and the heat flux at this condition is the lowest. Inner squares made of thermally conducting materials can reduce the heat flux through the enclosure by 70%, while adiabatic inner squares can reduce the heat flux by 90%. Inner squares reduce the external heat load on buildings when fitted inside the holes of hollow bricks used in building facades. The external heat flux can be lowered by 30%–55% depending on the material of the inner square and outer side temperature.
Investigations on Selection of Suitable Propellers for High Payload Based Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Advanced Computational Simulations
Authors: Raja Vijayanandh , Raji Arul Prakash , Madasamy Senthil Kumar , Bernard Feonsa Antonitta , Rameshbabu Vaidegi , Mathaiyan Vijayakumar , Kulandaiyapan Naveen Kumar
Published: December 2021

In this technological era, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has evolved drastically and various research in propulsion and propellers are going on. Large diameter-based propellers with good cum relevant pitches are best suited for carrying heavy payloads and to improvise the aerodynamic along with the structural performance of these propellers, the FSI technique has been implemented. It is necessary to consider the oscillatory effects in structures that may be resulting in the lifespan of the propellers. Therefore, the user-friendly cum advanced computational tool is mandatory to execute these aforesaid effects. A suitable tool to compute the Rotodynamic with Aerodynamic effects on 10 and 20 inches based propellers is found out, which is ANSYS Workbench. The unique design approach has been implemented in this work to construct various high payload-based UAV’s Propellers. Ten different propellers are designed through analytical calculation and thereby the modeling of all the propellers is completed in CATIA. Thereafter, the complicated Rotodynamic analysis is computed through ANSYS FLUENT, in which MRF (Moving Reference Frame) approach is imposed for the representation of real-time behavior. Additionally, the transient structural simulations are carried out on shortlisted UAV’s Propellers, and thereby the suitable Propeller is given as the best performer for high payload application. Based on high thrust production, low reacted deformation, and low induced equivalent stress, the Propeller is chosen which can maneuver with all kind of environmental conditions.
Optimized Small Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT), Phase I
Authors: Zilberman Moshe , Abu Sbaih Abdelaziz , Hadad Ibrahim
Published: December 2021

Wind energy has become an important resource for the growing demand for clean energy. In 2020 wind energy provided more than 6% of the global electricity demand. It is expected to reach 7% at the end of 2021. The installation growth rate of small wind turbines, though, is relatively slow. The reasons we are interested in the small vertical axis wind turbines are their low noise, environmentally friendly, low installation cost, and capable of being rooftop-mounted. The main goal of the present study is an optimization process towards achieving the optimal cost-effective vertical wind turbine. Thirty wind turbine models were tested under the same conditions in an Azrieli 30 × 30 × 90 cm low-speed wind tunnel at 107,000 Reynolds number. The different types of models were obtained by parametric variations of five basic models, maintaining the same aspect ratio but varying the number of bucket phases, the orientation angles, and the gaps between the vanes. The best performing turbine model was made of one phase with two vanes of non-symmetric bipolynomial profiles that exhibited 0.2 power coefficient, relative to 0.16 and 0.13 that were obtained for symmetrical polynomial and the original Savonius type turbines, respectively. Free rotation, static forces and moments, and dynamic moments and power were measured for the sake of comparison and explanation for the variations in performances of different types of turbines. CFD calculations were used to understand the forces and moment behaviors of the optimized turbine.
Vortex Shedding Analysis in the Wake of a Flat Plate at Low Incidence and Low Reynolds Number
Authors: Borah Bastav , Verma Anand , Kulkarni Vinayak , Saha Ujjwal K.
Published: December 2021

Vortex shedding phenomenon leads to a number of different features such as flow induced vibrations, fluid mixing, heat transfer and noise generation. With respect to aerodynamic application, the intensity of vortex shedding and the size of vortices play an essential role in the generation of lift and drag forces on an airfoil. The flat plates are known to have a better lift-to-drag ratio than conventional airfoils at low Reynolds number (Re). A better understanding of the shedding behavior will help aerodynamicists to implement flat plates at low Re specific applications such as fixed-wing micro air vehicle (MAV). In the present study, the shedding of vortices in the wake of a flat plate at low incidence has been studied experimentally in a low-speed subsonic wind tunnel at a Re of 5 × 104. The velocity field in the wake of the plate is measured using a hot wire anemometer. These measurements are taken at specific points in the wake across the flow direction and above the suction side of the flat plate. The velocity field is found to oscillate with one dominant frequency of fluctuation. The Strouhal number (St), calculated from this frequency, is computed for different angles of attack (AoA). The shedding frequency of vortices from the trailing edge of the flat plate has a general tendency to increase with AoA. In this paper, the generation and subsequent shedding of leading edge and trailing edge vortices in the wake of a flat plate are discussed.
Dimple Shape Effect on the Aerodynamic Performance of H-Rotor Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Authors: Naik Kabita , Sahoo Niranjan
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, the vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have gained significant attention among the small wind turbine (WT) due to their omnidirectional ability, low costs, low noise, and robustness, mainly for urban and off-shore applications. The H-rotor Darrieus is one of the class of VAWT that is mostly suitable for low-speed wind and low tip speed ratio (TSR) conditions. These VAWTs have relatively lesser performance than horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). Therefore, to improve the performance of the H-rotor Darrieus VAWT, a dimple/cavity of different shapes is created into the surface of the blade airfoil as a power augmentation technique. The current study presents several two-dimensional numerical simulations on the H-rotor Darrieus VAWT in the turbulent flow. The performance of the VAWT has been examined through ANSYS Fluent solver with different turbulence models, and it is found that the Shear stress transport (SST) k–ω turbulence model shows better results. The study primarily focuses on the effect of the dimple location, diameter and shape to enhance the aerodynamic performance of the H-rotor Darrieus VAWT. It is found that the rotor performance is increased by about 13% with a quadral/rectangular dimple in comparison to without dimple. Further, with the inclusion of a dimple on the rotor blade airfoil, its performance is not only enhanced but also able to maintain it for a broad range of TSR. Thus, the present study suggests the implication of a dimple/cavity to be very promising in improving H-rotor Darrieus VAWT.
Efficiency Analysis of Savonius-Style Wind Turbine in Hydrodynamic Flow Field
Authors: Paul Diplina , Banerjee Abhisek
Published: December 2021

The world’s population is going to surge past 10 billion by 2050. In order to cater to the energy demand of the ever-increasing posterity, scientists across the globe are working to harness power from renewable sources of energy. In pursuit of studying alternative energy sources, Savonius-style turbines (SSTs) have gained increased attention in the past few years. However, considering the low operational efficiency, design aspects of these turbines need to be improved. In this study, experimental investigations have been carried out using two designs of SSTs namely classical SST and elliptic shaped SST. The study has been carried out using an experimental setup that could produce a low head of < 1 m and water flow velocity within a range of 0.4 m/s to 1.2 m/s; the velocities at which perennial rivers flow. This study presents the comparison and analysis of the coefficients of power and torque measurements at various tip speed ratios. The study shows that there exists a local maximum when coefficient of performance is plotted with TSR. Out of the two profiles studied here, elliptic shaped SST generated a coefficient of power of 0.392 and a coefficient of torque of 0.538, when the water head was set at 1 m and flow velocity of 0.47 m/s. Experimental data reported here exhibit a gain of 16 % using an elliptic shaped SST over classical design.