bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whitehead’s fallacy of misplaced concreteness and the unfortunate uselessness of all monetary-macro theory micro-founded on Walrasian-Pareto general equilibrium theory
Authors: Rogers Colin
Published: December 2023

Whitehead’s fallacy of misplaced concreteness (FMC) explains the ‘unfortunate uselessness’ into which all monetary-macro theory ‘micro-founded’ on Walrasian-Pareto general equilibrium (GE) theory has blundered. The FMC occurs because the misuse of the Walrasian-Pareto GE idealisation results in mistakes in reasoning when applied to monetary-macro theory. Consequently, theorists who employ the Walrasian GE idealisation as a foundation for monetary-macro theory are caught on the horns of a dilemma. Either money is appended when it is not required, violating the principles of monetary theory or money is abolished, (the ‘cashless limit’) and theorists are forced to change the meaning of words and economic concepts, in the process deceiving themselves and the reader. This paper provides a general explanation of the way all models based on the Walrasian-Pareto GE idealisation commit the FMC. There is no escape if the Walrasian GE idealisation is retained; models that employ it are unscientific and should be abandoned.
Criminal capitalism: a new socio-economic formation
Authors: Patalano Rosario
Published: December 2023

Criminal capitalism, fuelled mainly by drug trafficking, creates social consensus and determines a social order that plays a not-always marginal role in the fragmented social reality of the contemporary capitalist mode of production. Drug trafficking not only feeds the sophisticated machine of corruption that reaches the highest institutional spheres, but, in some regions, also represents the only form of subsistence economy. The growing importance of criminal capitalism is in large part the consequence of financial liberalisation, which has facilitated the mechanisms for the laundering and illegal investment of accumulated wealth.
Laws of Timed State Machines
Authors: Cavalcanti Ana , Conserva Filho Madiel , Ribeiro Pedro , Sampaio Augusto
Published: December 2023

State machines are widely used in industry and academia to capture behavioural models of control. They are included in popular notations, such as UML and its variants, and used (sometimes informally) to describe computational artefacts. In this paper, we present laws for state machines that we prove sound with respect to a process algebraic semantics for refinement, and complete, in that they are sufficient to reduce an arbitrary model to a normal form that isolates basic (action and control) elements. We consider two variants of UML-like state machines, both enriched with facilities to deal with time budgets, timeouts and deadlines over triggers and actions. In the first variant, machines are self-contained components, declaring all the variables, events and operations that they require or define. In contrast, in the second variant, machines are open, like in UML for instance. Laws for open state machines do not depend on a specific context of variables, events and operations, and normalization uses a novel operator for open-machine (de)composition. Our laws can be used in behaviour-preservation transformation techniques. Their applications are automated by a model-transformation engine.
WiPoTS: An Application Layer Protocol With Network Protocol Stack Enhancements For Wireless Power Transfer Networks
Authors: Omer Farooq Muhammad
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, a far-field wireless power transfer (WPT) system aims to deliver wireless power over a distance of a few meters. Communication among devices for the purpose of WPT in the far-field WPT system is unique as its purpose is to establish, maintain and monitor a WPT session among devices in the system. For proper functionality of a WPT system, a number of communication-, control- and management-related challenges need to be addressed. Hence, here an application layer protocol specifically designed for a WPT system is presented. The protocol provides essential control, management and communication functionalities to establish, maintain and monitor a WPT session. Some features of a WPT system require low-latency communication, hence enhancements for a networking protocol stack are also proposed. To validate the effectiveness of the presented application layer protocol along with the enhancements proposed for the networking protocol stack, a set of experiments was carried out over a real WPT system. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed protocol possesses the features essential for a WPT system, and the proposed enhancements for the networking protocol stack provide low-latency communication along with lower control overhead compared with an existing state-of-the-art network protocol stack.
Diagnosis and treatment of right ventricular failure secondary to acutely increased right ventricular afterload (acute cor pulmonale): a clinical consensus statement of the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care of the European Society of Cardiology
Authors: Arrigo Mattia , Price Susanna , Harjola Veli-Pekka , Huber Lars C , Schaubroeck Hannah A I , Vieillard-Baron Antoine , Mebazaa Alexandre , Masip Josep
Published: December 2023

Acute right ventricular failure secondary to acutely increased right ventricular afterload (acute cor pulmonale) is a life-threatening condition that may arise in different clinical settings. Patients at risk of developing or with manifest acute cor pulmonale usually present with an acute pulmonary disease (e.g. pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome) and are managed initially in emergency departments and later in intensive care units. According to the clinical setting, other specialties are involved (cardiology, pneumology, internal medicine). As such, coordinated delivery of care is particularly challenging but, as shown during the COVID-19 pandemic, has a major impact on prognosis. A common framework for the management of acute cor pulmonale with inclusion of the perspectives of all involved disciplines is urgently needed.
Diffuse non-obstructive coronary artery disease: two clinical faces of the same disease—a case report
Authors: Klemenc Matjaž , Budihna Gregor , Kranjec Igor
Published: December 2023

Background

Coronary artery disease has a long preclinical phase before manifesting itself clinically due to diffuse non-obstructive disease, stenoses, or thrombosis.

Case summary

We present a case of a middle-aged male complaining of atypical chest pain, then severe retrosternal pain, and, eventually, effort angina. We performed non-invasive testing, coronary angiography, intravascular imaging, and flow reserve tests, each as appropriate. Cardiovascular risk control, optimization of drug therapy, and percutaneous coronary intervention were considered trying to comply with the best clinical practice.

Discussion

Diffuse non-obstructive coronary artery disease may present clinically in different ways. Exercise stress test might be sufficient to assess effort angina before a potential angiography. Flow reserve tests across the diseased vessel can distinguish between diffuse and focal pattern of the disease and assist in the adequate selection of therapy. Finally, intravascular imaging is invaluable for the assessment of the plaque risk features.
Primary cardiac lymphoma presenting with cardiac tamponade and complete heart block: case report
Authors: Kelleher Ruth , Bird Brian Healey , Hayes Tríona , O’Sullivan Crochan J
Published: December 2023

Background

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is rare and its presentation can be variable. Thorough workup of suspected PCL or other cardiac tumours typically incorporates a range of imaging techniques and laboratory investigations but ultimately diagnosis is confirmed by histological analysis of myocardial tissue.

Case Summary

An 80-year-old Caucasian female presented with complete heart block and symptomatic cardiac tamponade. A pericardiocentesis was performed and a dual-chamber permanent pacemaker was implanted for the management of her complete heart block. Subsequently, a right atrial mass was discovered on imaging and the patient underwent endomyocardial biopsy of the mass. Histological analysis of the sample confirmed a primary cardiac lymphoma. The patient opted to forgo treatment with chemotherapy and died from her disease 1 month later.

Discussion

Cardiac arrhythmias can occur in PCL due to infiltration of conduction pathways. Characterization of cardiac masses on various imaging modalities and laboratory tests guides diagnosis. Tissue diagnosis is required to confirm PCL. The location of a cardiac mass may present technical challenges when undertaking a biopsy, so the best approach to tissue sampling should be considered on an individual basis. Without treatment survival is less than one month but with modern chemoimmunotherapy five-year survival may exceed 50%.
Take a load off: skeletal implications of sedentism in the feet of modern body donors
Authors: Albee Malorie E
Published: December 2023

Background and Objectives

Modern biocultural environments continue to place selective pressures on our skeletons. In the past century, a major cultural pressure has been the rise in sedentism. However, studies considering the effects of sedentism on the foot have largely considered pathological changes to the gross foot without particular regard for the pedal skeleton. To address this gap in the literature, temporal trends in the development of osteoarthritis and entheseal changes on the tarsals and metatarsals were analyzed in the context of biodemographic data for recent modern humans.

Methodology

The sample utilized for this project is comprised of 71 individuals from the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection, with birth years ranging from 1909 to 1993. Temporal trends in osteoarthritis and entheseal changes were determined via ANCOVA, using year of birth as the explanatory variable and biodemographic variables (age, sex, stature, body mass index and tibial robusticity) as covariates.

Results

Results indicate that entheseal changes and osteoarthritis have decreased over time, and these trends are statistically significant. Temporal trends in pedal entheseal changes and osteoarthritis vary by sex.

Conclusions and Implications

The increase in sedentary behavior over time has usually been framed as a net negative for human health and well-being. However, considered in isolation, the decrease in entheseal changes and osteoarthritis presented here might be considered a positive development as they suggest overall less stress on the modern human foot. This study also has the potential to inform the health sciences and general public about biocultural contributors to modern foot health.
Sperm intrusion into the implantation-stage blastocyst and its potential biological significance
Authors: Sengupta Jayasree , Kroneis Thomas , Boddy Amy M , Roy Rahul , Sarkar Anish , Sarkar Deepayan , Ghosh Debabrata , Huppertz Berthold
Published: December 2023

The human embryo derives from fusion of oocyte and sperm, undergoes growth and differentiation, resulting in a blastocyst. To initiate implantation, the blastocyst hatches from the zona pellucida, allowing access from external inputs. Modelling of uterine sperm distribution indicates that 200–5000 sperm cells may reach the implantation-stage blastocyst following natural coitus. We show ultrastructural evidence of sperm cells intruding into trophectoderm cells of zona-free blastocysts obtained from the uterus of rhesus monkeys. Interaction between additional sperm and zona-free blastocyst could be an evolutionary feature yielding adaptive processes influencing the developmental fate of embryos. This process bears potential implications in pregnancy success, sperm competition and human health.
Comparison of the performance of cardiovascular risk prediction tools in rural India: the Rishi Valley Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Birhanu Mulugeta Molla , Zengin Ayse , Evans Roger G , Joshi Rohina , Kalyanram Kartik , Kartik Kamakshi , Danaei Goodarz , Barr Elizabeth , Riddell Michaela A , Suresh Oduru , Srikanth Velandai K , Arabshahi Simin , Thomas Nihal , Thrift Amanda G
Published: December 2023

Aims

We compared the performance of cardiovascular risk prediction tools in rural India.

Methods and results

We applied the World Health Organization Risk Score (WHO-RS) tools, Australian Risk Score (ARS), and Global risk (Globorisk) prediction tools to participants aged 40–74 years, without prior cardiovascular disease, in the Rishi Valley Prospective Cohort Study, Andhra Pradesh, India. Cardiovascular events during the 5-year follow-up period were identified by verbal autopsy (fatal events) or self-report (non-fatal events). The predictive performance of each tool was assessed by discrimination and calibration. Sensitivity and specificity of each tool for identifying high-risk individuals were assessed using a risk score cut-off of 10% alone or this 10% cut-off plus clinical risk criteria of diabetes in those aged >60 years, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Among 2333 participants (10 731 person-years of follow-up), 102 participants developed a cardiovascular event. The 5-year observed risk was 4.4% (95% confidence interval: 3.6–5.3). The WHO-RS tools underestimated cardiovascular risk but the ARS overestimated risk, particularly in men. Both the laboratory-based (C-statistic: 0.68 and χ2: 26.5, P = 0.003) and non–laboratory-based (C-statistic: 0.69 and χ2: 20.29, P = 0.003) Globorisk tools showed relatively good discrimination and agreement. Addition of clinical criteria to a 10% risk score cut-off improved the diagnostic accuracy of all tools.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular risk prediction tools performed disparately in a setting of disadvantage in rural India, with the Globorisk performing best. Addition of clinical criteria to a 10% risk score cut-off aids assessment of risk of a cardiovascular event in rural India.

Lay Summary

In a cohort of people without prior cardiovascular disease, tools used to predict the risk of cardiovascular events varied widely in their ability to accurately predict who would develop a cardiovascular event.The Globorisk, and to a lesser extent the ARS, tools could be appropriate for this setting in rural India.Adding clinical criteria, such as sustained high blood pressure, to a cut-off of 10% risk of a cardiovascular event within 5 years could improve identification of individuals who should be monitored closely and provided with appropriate preventive medications.
Leg strength and incidence of heart failure in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Ueno Kensuke , Kamiya Kentaro , Hamazaki Nobuaki , Nozaki Kohei , Ichikawa Takafumi , Yamashita Masashi , Uchida Shota , Noda Takumi , Miki Takashi , Hotta Kazuki , Maekawa Emi , Yamaoka-Tojo Minako , Matsunaga Atsuhiko , Ako Junya
Published: December 2023

Aims

The risk of developing heart failure (HF) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains high. It is unclear whether skeletal muscle strength, in addition to existing risk factors, is a predictor for developing HF after ACS. We aimed to clarify the relationship between quadriceps isometric strength (QIS), a skeletal muscle strength indicator, and the risk of developing HF in patients with ACS.

Methods and results

We included 1053 patients with ACS without a prior HF or complications of HF during hospitalization. The median (interquartile range) age was 67 (57–74) years. The patients were classified into two groups—high and low QIS—using the sex-specific median QIS. The endpoint was HF admissions. During a mean follow-up period of 4.4 ± 3.7 years, 75 (7.1%) HF admissions were observed. After multivariate adjustment, a high QIS was associated with a lower risk of HF [hazard ratio: 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.32–0.87]. Hazard ratio (95% CI) per 5% body weight increment increase of QIS for HF incidents was 0.87 (0.80–0.95). Even when competing risks of death were taken into account, the results did not change. The inclusion of QIS was associated with increases in net reclassification improvement (0.26; 95% CI: 0.002–0.52) and an integrated discrimination index (0.01; 95% CI: 0.004–0.02) for HF.

Conclusion

The present study showed that a higher level of QIS was strongly associated with a lower risk of developing HF after ACS. These findings suggest that skeletal muscle strength could be one of the factors contributing to the risk of developing HF after ACS.
Microcystis blooms caused the decreasing richness of and interactions between free-living microbial functional genes in Lake Taihu, China
Authors: Wu Qiong , Yu Chunyan , Liu Yanru , Xing Peng , Li Huabing , Li Biao , Wan Shiqiang , Wu Qinglong L
Published: December 2023

Microcystis blooms have a marked effect on microbial taxonomical diversity in eutrophic lakes, but their influence on the composition of microbial functional genes is still unclear. In this study, the free-living microbial functional genes (FMFG) composition was investigated in the period before Microcystis blooms (March) and during Microcystis blooms (July) using a comprehensive functional gene array (GeoChip 5.0). The composition and richness of FMFG in the water column was significantly different between these two periods. The FMFG in March was enriched in the functional categories of nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus cycling, whereas the FMFG in July was enriched in carbon cycling, organic remediation, and metal homeostasis. Molecular ecological network analysis further demonstrated fewer functional gene interactions and reduced complexity in July than in March. Module hubs of the March network were mediated by functional genes associated with carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, whereas those in July by a metal homeostasis functional gene. We also observed stronger deterministic processes in the FMFG assembly in July than in March. Collectively, this study demonstrated that Microcystis blooms induced significant changes in FMFG composition and metabolic potential, and abundance—information, which can support the understanding and management of biogeochemical cycling in eutrophic lake ecosystems.
Amino acid-based enteral nutrition is effective for pediatric Crohn’s disease: a multicenter prospective study
Authors: Yang Qingfan , Zhang Ting , Diao Na , Chao Kang , Shu Huijun , Wu Jie , Guan Dexiu , Wang Li , Xu Xiwei , Li Zhenghong , Gao Xiang
Published: December 2023

Background

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) therapy effectively induces remission in pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD). However, this may depend on the type of enteral formula used. Moreover, data on the efficacy of amino acid-based EEN are limited. Thus, we aimed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of amino acid-based formulas for EEN in pediatric patients with active CD.

Methods

Patients with active CD aged between 6 and 17 years were recruited into this prospective study from four hospitals in China between March 2019 and December 2021. Patients received EEN for 8 weeks. Inflammatory and nutrition-associated indices were evaluated at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after treatment. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare continuous and categorical variables before and after intervention, respectively.

Results

Twenty-four patients were included in the analysis. After an 8-week intervention period, the CD activity index significantly decreased (26.3 ± 12.2 vs 7.1 ± 8.3, P < 0.001). Most patients (66.7%) achieved complete clinical remission. Among the 22 patients who had ulcers and erosions diagnosed endoscopically at baseline, 10 (45.5%) achieved complete mucosal healing. The degree of thickening of the intestinal wall was significantly reduced after EEN intervention, with a transmural healing rate of 42.9%. Furthermore, the serum inflammatory markers decreased and there was a significant improvement in the nutrition-related indices (P < 0.05). There were no severe adverse effects.

Conclusions

Amino acid-based EEN is effective and safe for treating pediatric-onset CD. Studies with larger sample sizes and mechanistic and follow-up studies are required to further validate these findings.
Estimating Muscle Mass Using D3-Creatine Dilution: A Narrative Review of Clinical Implications and Comparison With Other Methods
Authors: Pagano Ana Paula , Montenegro Julia , Oliveira Camila L P , Desai Nidhi , Gonzalez M Cristina , Cawthon Peggy M , Evans William J , Prado Carla M
Published: December 2023

Background

The D3-creatine (D3-Cr) dilution method is of emerging interest for estimating total-body skeletal muscle mass. This review explores the association of muscle mass estimated via D3-Cr with various clinical outcomes and provides a summary of the literature comparing D3-Cr with other body composition techniques.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science for studies using D3-Cr to measure muscle in adult populations (ie, ≥18 years old) from inception until September 2023.

Results

Out of the 23 included studies, 15 investigated the correlation between D3-Cr and clinical outcomes. More consistent associations were reported for mortality (100%, n = 2), mobility disability (100%; n = 5), falls and fractures (100%; n = 3), physical performance (63.3%; n = 11), muscle strength (44.4%; n = 9), and muscle composition (33.3%; n = 3). However, conflicting findings were also reported for such correlations. Among the 23 studies, 14 compared D3-Cr-estimated muscle with other body composition techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a reference method. Strong and positive correlations were found between D3-Cr and MRI. Nonetheless, variations in muscle measurements were noted, with differences in D3-Cr values ranging from 0.62 kg lower to 13.47 kg higher compared to MRI.

Conclusions

D3-Cr-estimated muscle mass may be a valuable predictor of clinical outcomes showing consistent associations with falls and fractures, mobility disability, and mortality. However, less consistent associations were found with muscle strength and composition, and physical performance. Although a strong correlation exists between D3-Cr-estimated muscle mass and MRI measurements, under- or overestimation may occur.
Social security in late medieval England: corrodies in the hospitals and almshouses of Durham Priory
Authors: Brown A T
Published: December 2023

Historians have debated the extent of poor relief and social security provision in late medieval England, yet our knowledge about the inmates of hospitals and almshouses remains limited. Corrodies – grants of food, clothes and shelter – have been seen as a way of alleviating poverty in old age. Utilizing the evidence of 260 corrodies, this article explores the gender, marital status and length of time recipients held their positions in two hospitals and two almshouses in Durham. Far from catering just to ageing male retainers, as is often thought, corrodies provided security for men and women of all ages.
ABA-CsABI5-CsCalS11 module upregulates Callose deposition of citrus infected with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
Authors: Yao Lixiao , Guo Xingru , Su Juan , Zhang Qingwen , Lian Mengyao , Xue Hao , Li Qiang , He Yongrui , Zou Xiuping , Song Zhen , Chen Shanchun
Published: December 2023

Huanglongbing (HLB) primarily caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) has been threatening citrus production globally. Under HLB conditions, an excessive accumulation of the polysaccharide callose in citrus phloem occurs, leading to phloem blockage and starch accumulation in leaves. The callose production is controlled by callose synthases (CalS), which have multiple members within plants. However, the knowledge of callose production in the citrus upon infection with CLas is limited. In this study, we firstly identified 11 CalSs in the Citrus sinensis genome through bioinformatics and found the expression pattern of CsCalS11 exhibited a positive correlation with callose deposition in CLas-infected leaves (correlation coefficient of 0.77, P ≤ 0.05). Knockdown of CsCalS11 resulted in a reduction of callose deposition and starch accumulation in CLas-infected citrus. Interestingly, we observed significantly higher concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) in HLB-infected citrus leaves compared to uninfected ones. Furthermore, the expressions of CsABI5, CsPYR, and CsSnRK2 in the ABA pathway substantially increased in citrus leaves upon CLas infection. Additionally, the expression of CsCalS11 was significantly upregulated in citrus leaves following the application of exogenous ABA. We confirmed that CsABI5, a pivotal component of the ABA signaling pathway, regulates CsCalS11 expression by binding to its promoter using yeast one-hybrid assay, dual luciferase assay, and transient expression in citrus leaves. In conclusion, our findings strongly suggest that the CsABI5-CsCalS11 module plays a crucial role in regulating callose deposition through the ABA signaling pathway during CLas infection. The results also revealed new function of the ABA signaling pathway in plants under biotic stress.
Learning Goals in Simulations
Authors: Levin-Banchik Luba
Published: December 2023

Why do scholar–teachers use simulations? This study presents an analysis of simulation goals in peer-reviewed simulations published over the past 20 years. The scholarship of teaching and learning emphasizes that educational goals are an essential first step in designing simulations. The flexibility of simulation designs allows the formulation of a variety of content-based, skill-based, and emotion-based goals. However, which of these goals are more prevalent in published simulations of political science and international relations? Is there a change in the stated simulation objectives over time? And do scholar–teachers outline simulation goals in the first place? This study answers these questions by collecting and analyzing data on the stated simulation objectives in a random sample of eighty-seven simulations published in the Journal of Political Science Education (2005–2021), International Studies Perspectives (2000–2021), and PS: Political Science and Politics (2000–2021). The key finding is that the simulation community is doing well and, over time, is making progress in outlining and diversifying the intended learning outcomes of simulations. What is still needed, however, is a greater recognition of the emotional impacts of simulations and their potential to advance not only student substantive knowledge but also their skills and emotional experiences, with all three in the same simulation design.
Development and external validation of multimodal postoperative acute kidney injury risk machine learning models
Authors: Karway George K , Koyner Jay L , Caskey John , Spicer Alexandra B , Carey Kyle A , Gilbert Emily R , Dligach Dmitriy , Mayampurath Anoop , Afshar Majid , Churpek Matthew M
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To develop and externally validate machine learning models using structured and unstructured electronic health record data to predict postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) across inpatient settings.

Materials and Methods

Data for adult postoperative admissions to the Loyola University Medical Center (2009-2017) were used for model development and admissions to the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2009-2020) were used for validation. Structured features included demographics, vital signs, laboratory results, and nurse-documented scores. Unstructured text from clinical notes were converted into concept unique identifiers (CUIs) using the clinical Text Analysis and Knowledge Extraction System. The primary outcome was the development of Kidney Disease Improvement Global Outcomes stage 2 AKI within 7 days after leaving the operating room. We derived unimodal extreme gradient boosting machines (XGBoost) and elastic net logistic regression (GLMNET) models using structured-only data and multimodal models combining structured data with CUI features. Model comparison was performed using the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), with Delong’s test for statistical differences.

Results

The study cohort included 138 389 adult patient admissions (mean [SD] age 58 [16] years; 11 506 [8%] African-American; and 70 826 [51%] female) across the 2 sites. Of those, 2959 (2.1%) developed stage 2 AKI or higher. Across all data types, XGBoost outperformed GLMNET (mean AUROC 0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.80-0.82] vs 0.78 [95% CI, 0.77-0.79]). The multimodal XGBoost model incorporating CUIs parameterized as term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) showed the highest discrimination performance (AUROC 0.82 [95% CI, 0.81-0.83]) over unimodal models (AUROC 0.79 [95% CI, 0.78-0.80]).

Discussion

A multimodality approach with structured data and TF-IDF weighting of CUIs increased model performance over structured data-only models.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the predictive power of CUIs when merged with structured data for clinical prediction models, which may improve the detection of postoperative AKI.
Sugar Profile Method by High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection in Food, Dietary Supplements, Pet Food, and Animal Feeds: Interlaboratory Validation Study, Final Action 2018.16
Authors: Ruosch Andrew J , Ellingson David J
Published: December 2023

Background

A method for sugar profile analysis granted First Action 2018.16 was subjected to a multi-laboratory study.

Objective

Perform a multi-laboratory study with this method to determine the performance parameters of repeatability and reproducibility against the AOAC Standard Method Performance Requirements (AOAC SMPR 2018.001) for Final Action status.

Methods

Eleven laboratories from three different countries participated in the study. Each laboratory was provided practice materials for successful method setup. Each laboratory then proceeded with analysis of blind duplicates of 10 different products covering the scope of the method. Results were reported to the study directors with any modifications and assessed following the procedures of Appendix D of the AOAC Official Methods of AnalysisSM (guidelines for collaborative study procedures).

Results

The majority of results from the study met the SMPR requirements. The data is presented along with any outlying observations or modifications. The method was proven to be flexible across different instrumentation and laboratories, and the method was updated to provide further system suitability and guidelines to maintain the performance of the method across the large scope of matrixes.

Conclusion

The results from the collaborative study supported the method for Final Action status. The Expert Review Panel reviewed and voted to move the method forward to Final Action and was followed by review from the Official Methods Board and granted approval.

Highlights

The method was granted Final Action Official Methods status.
Protein degraders - from thalidomide to new PROTACs
Authors: Ito Takumi
Published: December 2023

Recently, the development of protein degraders (protein-degrading compounds) has prominently progressed. There are two remarkable classes of protein degraders: proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glue degraders (MGDs). Almost 70 years have passed since thalidomide was initially developed as a sedative-hypnotic drug, which is currently recognized as one of the most well-known MGDs. During the last two decades, a myriad of PROTACs and MGDs have been developed, and the molecular mechanism of action (MOA) of thalidomide was basically elucidated, including identifying its molecular target cereblon (CRBN). CRBN forms a Cullin Ring Ligase 4 with Cul4 and DDB1, whose substrate specificity is controlled by its binding ligands. Thalidomide, lenalidomide and pomalidomide, three CRBN-binding MGDs, were clinically approved to treat several intractable diseases (including multiple myeloma). Several other MGDs and CRBN-based PROTACs (ARV-110 and AVR-471) are undergoing clinical trials. In addition, several new related technologies regarding PROTACs and MGDs have also been developed, and achievements of protein degraders impact not only therapeutic fields but also basic biological science. In this article, I introduce the history of protein degraders, from the development of thalidomide to the latest PROTACs and related technologies.
Unusual weak and delayed GTPase activity of FtsZ from human pathogenic bacteria Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Gurung Sumiran Kumar , Sangeeta   , Dubey Priyanka , Akhtar Fatima , Saha Abhik , Bhattacherjee Arnab , Dhar Suman Kumar
Published: December 2023

Actively treadmilling FtsZ acts as the pivotal scaffold for bacterial cell divisome components, providing them with a circumferential ride along the site of future division. FtsZ from slow-growing Helicobacter pylori (HpFtsZ), a class I carcinogen that thrives abundantly in the acidic environment, is poorly understood. We studied HpFtsZ as a function of pH, cations and time and compared it with well-studied Escherichia coli FtsZ (EcFtsZ). HpFtsZ shows pH-dependent GTPase activity, which is inhibited under acidic conditions. Mg+2 ions play an indispensable role in its GTPase activity; however, higher Mg+2 levels negatively affect its activity. As compared to EcFtsZ, HpFtsZ exhibits lower and slower nucleotide hydrolysing activity. Molecular dynamics simulation studies of FtsZ reveal that GTP binding induces a rewiring of the hydrogen bond network, which results in reduction of the binding cleft volume leading to the spontaneous release of GTP. The GTPase activity is linked to the extent of reduction in the binding cleft volume, which is also supported by the binding free energy analysis. Evidently, HpFtsZ is a pH-sensitive GTPase with low efficiency that may reflect on the overall slow growth rate of H. pylori.
Expression and Correlation of HER2/P53/VEGF in Marjolin’s Ulcer
Authors: Xia Chen , Chu Zhigang , Wu Yiqi
Published: December 2023

Marjolin’s ulcer is described as malignant lesions developed in the injured skin, which can cause several kinds of malignancies. Our results showed that no HER2 but p53 was detected in Majorlin’s ulcer samples. Meanwhile, by statistical analysis, we found that the positive rate of p53 in Majorlin’s ulcer samples was associated with the pathological type of ulcer canceration and degree of tumor differentiation. The positive expression rate of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was 62.5% in poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 39.4% in moderately differentiated SCC, and 66.7% in well-differentiated SCC, respectively. Furthermore, some cases of Majorlin’s ulcer with positive P53 were negative for VEGF, while some cases with positive VEGF were negative for P53. Image superposition showed that VEGF expression was absent or minimal in p53-positive cases. However, P53 was not expressed or rarely expressed in VEGF-positive cases. Our results of this study will suggest that P53 can be used as the mark of Marjolin’s ulcer differentiation, and there may be some interaction between P53 and VEGF in Marjolin’s ulcer. The regulation of microenvironment in the oncogenesis, progression, and differentiation of Marjolin’s ulcer is complex and needs further study.
Severe High-Voltage Electrical Injury: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Wu Yanjun , Luo Jia , Luo Yimei , Luo Gaoxing , Qian Wei
Published: December 2023

High-voltage electrical injury usually causes severe tissue damage and serious secondary complications. We report a case of treatment of severe high-voltage electrical injury. A series of personalized and effective treatment plans were created through repeated discussions, we successfully handled a series of acute and critical conditions, including severe limb damage, a very large area of full-thickness abdominal wall defect, abdominal viscera (stomach and liver) necrosis, abdominal infection, renal insufficiency, myocardial damage, and malignant arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation). Finally, the wounds were all closed, the functions of the abdominal organs were restored, and the course of the disease was successfully transitioned into the rehabilitation stage. It took a lot of twists and turns but ultimately saved the patient’s life. The successful treatment of this patient provides an important reference for similar patients with serious electrical injury in the future.
The difficulty of detecting inbreeding depression and its effect on conservation decisions
Authors: Hoy Sarah R , Brzeski Kristin E , Vucetich Leah M , Peterson Rolf O , Vucetich John A
Published: December 2023

Statistical inferences about inbreeding depression are often derived from analyses with low power and a high risk of failing to detect inbreeding depression. That risk is widely appreciated by scientists familiar with the relevant statistical and genetical theory, but may be overlooked and underappreciated by decision-makers. Consequently, there is value in demonstrating this risk using a real example. We use data from the wolf population on Isle Royale to demonstrate the difficulty of making reliable statistical inferences about inbreeding depression. This wolf population is known—by other methods—to have gone effectively extinct due to deleterious genetic processes associated with inbreeding. Beyond that demonstration, we use two case-studies—wolves on Isle Royale and vaquita (porpoises) from the Gulf of California, Mexico—to show how statistical inferences about inbreeding depression can affect conservation decisions. According to most decision theory, decisions depend importantly on: 1) probabilities that certain states exist (e.g. inbreeding depression is present) and 2) the utility assigned to various outcomes (e.g. the value of acting to mitigate inbreeding when it is present). The probabilities are provided by statistical inference; whereas utilities are almost entirely determined by normative values and judgements. Our analysis suggests that decisions to mitigate inbreeding depression are often driven more by utilities (normative values) than probabilities (statistical inferences). As such, advocates for mitigating inbreeding depression will benefit from better communicating to decision-makers the value of populations persisting and the extent to which decisions should depend on normative values.
JunB condensation attenuates vascular endothelial damage under hyperglycemic condition
Authors: Ren Xuxia , Cui Zexu , Zhang Qiaoqiao , Su Zhiguang , Xu Wei , Wu Jinhui , Jiang Hao
Published: December 2023

Endothelial damage is the initial and crucial factor in the occurrence and development of vascular complications in diabetic patients, contributing to morbidity and mortality. Although hyperglycemia has been identified as a damaging effector, the detailed mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, identified by ATAC-seq and RNA-seq, JunB reverses the inhibition of proliferation and the promotion of apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with high glucose, mainly through the cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways. Furthermore, JunB undergoes phase separation in the nucleus and in vitro, mediated by its intrinsic disordered region and DNA-binding domain. Nuclear localization and condensation behaviors are required for JunB-mediated proliferation and apoptosis. Thus, our study uncovers the roles of JunB and its coacervation in repairing vascular endothelial damage caused by high glucose, elucidating the involvement of phase separation in diabetes and diabetic endothelial dysfunction.
Structural damage identification using an optimization technique based on generalized flexibility matrix
Authors: Gao Qianhui , Li Zhu , Yu Yongping , Zheng Shaopeng
Published: December 2023

A generalized flexibility matrix-based objective function utilized for structure damage identification is firstly constructed. After transforming the damage identification into a constrained nonlinear least squares optimization problem, the trust-region algorithm is applied to find the solution of the inverse problem in multiple damage cases. Thereinto, the sensitivity analysis of the objective function with respect to the design variables is derived using the Nelson's method. At last, two numerical examples with several damage cases are investigated, including a steel truss bridge model as well as a drilling rig derrick model. Based on the computational results, it is evident that the presented approach provides excellent validity and reliability for the large and complicated engineering structures.
The Early Editions of Rob Roy
Authors: McMullin B J
Published: December 2023

Sir Walter Scott’s three-volume Rob Roy was the first of his novels to be issued in three ‘factitious editions’—i.e. of the one setting of type, in an edition number totalling 10,000, 2,500 were issued with ‘Second edition’ on the title pages, 2,500 with ‘Third edition’. Publication of the [first] edition was scheduled for 30 December 1817 (title page dated 1818), and the second and third followed on 7 January 1818 and 10 January 1818 respectively. The closeness of the dates is explained by the publishing stratagem, but there is also a difficulty in that Scott did not return proofs of the final three and a half gatherings of volume 3 until late on 26 December (a Friday). It is proposed that these gatherings were printed (in at least the first 5,000) by concurrent perfecting, thus meeting the deadline. In bibliographical terms the three editions are at best three issues of the one edition.
The Manikin We Owe
Authors: Ieong Hada Fong-Ha
Published: December 2023

This poem is to provide narratives written by a student of Hospital Corpsman Basic program, describing experiences throughout the training and expressing hope in Navy Medicine. It was originally performed as a spoken-word poem at graduation in 2023 and was adopted for reading enjoyment.
World War I and the Origins of Blood Transfusion for the Trauma Patient
Authors: Danford Joseph R
Published: December 2023

The use of blood transfusion to treat hemorrhagic shock is a relatively new treatment with its origins in World War I. Due to the severity and nature of injuries seen, World War I provided the stimulus to propel medicine forward and accept whole blood transfusion for the trauma patient.
Telemedicine Improves Performance of a Two-Incision Lower Leg Fasciotomy by Combat Medics: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Stark Pieter W , Borger van der Burg Boudewijn L S , van Dongen Thijs T C F , Casper Marnalg , Wouter 1 , Hoencamp Rigo
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess if a head-mounted display (HMD) providing telemedicine support improves performance of a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy by a NATO special operations combat medic (combat medic).

Materials and Methods

Thirty-six combat medics were randomized into two groups: One group performed a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy with the assistance of an HMD, while the control group completed the procedure without guidance. A Mann–Whitney U test was used to determine the possible differences in release of compartments and performance scores, as assessed by a supervising medical specialist. A Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the proportions of collateral damage between groups. An independent-samples t-test was used to interpret total procedure times. The usability and technical factors involving HMD utilization were also assessed.

Results

Combat medics in the HMD group released the anterior compartment (P ≤ .001) and deep posterior compartment (P = .008) significantly better. There was significantly more iatrogenic muscle (P ≤ .001) and venous damage (P ≤ .001) in the control group. The overall performance of combat medics in the HMD group was significantly better than that of the control group (P < .001). Combat medics in the control group were significantly faster (P = .012). The combat medics were very satisfied with the HMD. The HMD showed no major technical errors.

Conclusions

This randomized controlled trial shows that a HMD providing telemedicine support leads to significantly better performance of a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy by a combat medic with less iatrogenic muscle and venous damage.
Leading Graduate Medical Education in the Face of Uncertainty
Authors: Bradley Matthew , Reamy Brian
Published: December 2023

Leading through uncertainty poses significant challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, the Afghanistan withdrawal, and the implementation of a new electronic medical records system led to massive shortages of health care workers throughout the Military Health System (MHS). This case describes the leadership challenges of a surgical residency program director during uncertain times.
The End is Near: Grim Reapers and Endless Futures
Authors: Schmid Joseph C
Published: December 2023

José Benardete developed a famous paradox involving a beginningless set of items each member of which satisfies some predicate just in case no earlier member satisfies it. The Grim Reaper version of this paradox has recently been employed in favour of various finitist metaphysical theses, ranging from temporal finitism to causal finitism to the discrete nature of time. Here, I examine a new challenge to these finitist arguments—namely, the challenge of implying that the future cannot be endless. In particular, I develop future-oriented Benardete paradoxes and examine their epistemic symmetry with past-oriented paradoxes.
Light curves for 10 R Coronae Borealis stars for longer than a century: secular evolution, dip statistics, and a general model for the shape of isolated light-curve dips
Authors: Schaefer Bradley E
Published: December 2023

R Coronae Borealis stars (RCBs) are cool supergiants that display non-periodic deep dips in brightness. Recently, a group of ‘Hot RCB stars’ has been discovered to be fast evolving across the HR (Hertzsprung-Russell) diagram, as these stars leave the RCB region, with brightness changes at the rate of ∼1 mag per century. Perhaps cool RCB stars can also be seen evolving, either increasing in temperature as they evolve to become Hot RCB stars, or perhaps increasing in luminosity as the stars arrive at the RCB region. To seek these changes, the only possible method is to extract archival data going back more than a century, looking for the brightness changes associated with the evolution. I have measured and extracted 323 464 mag (mostly from the Harvard plates and from the American Association of Variable Star Observers) for 10 cool RCB stars, all with over a century for the light curves, all consistently calibrated to a modern magnitude system. For times away from any dips, these light curves are flat to within the typical uncertainty of ±0.10 mag per century. That is, I see no significant evolution. I also have collected a large data base of light-curve dips and their properties. From this, the light curves for all the well-observed isolated dips have the same shape, featuring a flat slope for the few days immediately after the minima. Further, I derive a general model for the shape of the light curve for all isolated RCB dips, with a simple equation accurately describing the observed recovery to maximum light.