bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dry sand abrasion characteristics of WC-10Ni+NiCrBSi coatings
Authors: Shi Jintian , Zhu Jiawei , Xu Xiangping , Liu Chi , Liu Kai , Qiao Yanxin , Zou Jiasheng
Published: December 2023

A WC-10Ni/NiCrBSi coating was prepared and applied to the surface of Q235 steel through vacuum brazing. Using a self-developed dry sand abrasion test machine, the effects of the abrasive sand’s type, load, and sliding speed on the dry sand abrasion property of the coating were analysed. The wear mechanism of dry sand abrasion was also investigated. The results indicated that the coating cross-section comprised three layers: the substrate, the interface layer, and the surface layer. The hard layer served as the main distribution area of WC hard particles, which directly determined the hardness and wear resistance of the coating. WC particles, fortified by a γ-Ni solid solution, enhanced the wear resistance and hardness of the coating. In the friction and wear test, when ceramic abrasives were employed, the coating sample exhibited a loss of only 23 mg, constituting only 7.9% of that observed with quartz sand abrasives. Under low loading conditions, the wear mass loss exhibited a linear relationship with the applied load. During these low-load scenarios, the abrasive particles operated through a rolling motion, thereby entailing an abrasive wear mechanism. Conversely, when the load exceeded 0.05 MPa, the primary mode of abrasive particle motion transitioned into sliding with burial, resulting in a combination of fatigue wear and abrasive wear mechanisms. Therefore, the dry sand abrasion mechanism inherent to composite coatings can be attributed to the protective shielding role played by WC particles on the substrate. This shielding function effectively mitigates and counteracts the abrasive cutting effects induced by abrasive particles.
A semi-empirical formula for the dependence of upper critical field with component and strain in Nb3Sn
Authors: Xu Binhong , Li Yingxu , Salmi Tiina
Published: December 2023

We include the effects of Sn content

β

in the scaling law to generalize the upper critical field

B

c
2

(
T
,
ε
)

function of temperature and strain in Nb3Sn. The basis for this generalization comes from a theory developed by the same author [Scientific Reports 7, 1133 (2017)]. The important assumption in the current work is that, in determining the upper critical field

B

c
2

,

the contributions of strain, temperature and Sn content are independent of each other. It is followed that we write down a semi-empirical expression

B

c
2

(
T
,
ε
,
β
)

=

B

c
2

(

T

0

,

ε

0

,
β
)

s

(
ε
)

(
1
−

t

1.52

)

where the strain function

s

(
ε
)

and

t
≡
T
/

T

c

(
ε
)

are affected only by strain and temperature, respectively, and the variation of tin content

β

enters in the function

B

c
2

through

B

c
2

(

T

0

,

ε

0

,
β
)

.

This separable form of

B

c
2

(
T
,
ε
,
β
)

allows one to incorporate Sn content

β

in the scaling law in a natural way, while this variable is not considered by traditional scaling laws. In addition to this advance, one can see a more flexible function with triple variables which could be an effective tool to fit or predict experiments. As the last but most important outcome, this semi-empirical function instructs one how to understand the role of component content played in scaling behaviors of Nb3Sn, so as to reduce the off-stoichiometric composition inducing discrepancy between the results by scaling laws and experiments.
Statistical similarity matching and filtering for clinical image retrieval by machine learning approach
Authors: Alfwzan Wafa F , Alballa Tmader , Al-Dayel Ibrahim A , Selim Mahmoud M
Published: December 2023

Clinical image retrieval plays a pivotal role in modern healthcare for diagnostics and research, but prior research has grappled with the challenge of achieving high accuracy due to limited filtering techniques. The proposed method includes statistical distance measurements for similarity comparison and a machine learning technique for image filtering. Throughout this framework, the search area for similarity matching is reduced by first filtering away irrelevant images using the probabilistic outcomes of the Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification as class predictions of search and database images. Resizing is done as part of the preprocessing. Then, using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the preprocessed data’s textural features, visual characteristics, and low-level features are extracted. The study also suggested an adaptive similarity matching method centered on a linear integration of feature-level similarities on the individual-level level. The precision and ranking order details of the most appropriate images retrieved and predicted by SVMs are considered when calculating the feature weights. The system continually alters weights for every distinctive search to generate beneficial outcomes. The supervised and unsupervised learning strategies are studied to link low-level global image features in the generated PCA-based Eigen Space using their high-level semantic and visual classifications to reduce the semantic gap and enhance retrieval effectiveness. The ground-truth database used in experiments has 1594 unique medical images with 3 different databases. Our method significantly improves the precision and recall rates in image retrieval tasks by combining sophisticated feature extraction, data-driven algorithms, and deep learning models. Research obtained an impressive accuracy of 0.99, demonstrating the effectiveness of our approach. This novel methodology addresses the limitations of prior research and provides a robust and reliable solution for clinicians and researchers in the medical field seeking to access and analyze relevant clinical images.
High performance metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetector based on mixed-dimensional TiO2/CsPbBr3 heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Tao , Cai Siyu , Liang Nina , Gao Yalei , Li Yuanpeng , Liu Fuchi , long Lizhen , Liu Jun
Published: December 2023

Zero-dimensional (0D) and one-dimensional (1D) mixed heterostructure semiconductors can bring superior electrical and optoelectronic performances due to the synergistic advantages of different dimensionalities. Here, a metal-semiconductor–metal (MSM) ultraviolet (UV) photodetector based on 1D-0D TiO2/CsPbBr3 heterostructure semiconductor is constructed, which exhibits excellent photodetection performance. A back-to-back Schottky contact is formed in the MSM (Au/TiO2/Au) structure due to the large band-energy bending resulted from the abundant surface-states at 1D-TiO2 surface. Under an applied voltage, a small saturation current flows through the device. Benefiting from the decoration of CsPbBr3 QDs, the dark current of MSM photodetectors can be further suppressed, and producing the improved on/off ratio (I
light/I
dark), photoresponsivity (R

λ
), and detectivity (D*). PL properties study suggested that an energy transfer is occurred between the 0D-CsPbBr3 and 1D-TiO2. The TiO2/CsPbBr3 heterojunctions are beneficial for photo-induced charge transfer in hetero-interface because of the type-II energy-band alignment, but not non-radiative energy transfer from 0D-CsPbBr3 to 1D-TiO2. On the whole, this study depicts a fascinating coupling architecture of mixed-dimensional materials toward implementing low-cost and high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Analytical estimations of the side lobe characteristics for the pattern factor of the continuous uniform line source in electromagnetics
Authors: Xu Xiaofei
Published: December 2023

This contribution proposes an interesting analytical method to estimate the side lobe characteristics for the pattern factor of the continuous uniform line source in electromagnetics. The new solutions are observed more precise than the classical analytical estimations. Detailed formulas and results are given in explicit validation of the methodology. In particular, to estimate the first side lobe direction, the error between the new method and the truly accurate one is only −0.08%, whereas for the classical analytical study is about 4.87%.
Exfoliation of graphite to turbostratic graphene
Authors: Kumar K Vijay , Islam Aminul , Kiran P Sai , Pandit Niranjan , Kumar Rahul , Indupuri Satish , Keshri Anup Kumar
Published: December 2023

Here, we exfoliated high-quality turbostratic graphene with a clean interface at a high production rate (10 g h−1) directly from graphite using an industrial-friendly technique i.e. plasma spraying, catching note of its growing global interest. The reduction of the (002) x-ray diffraction peak and the transparent scanning electron microscope image are used to characterize the exfoliation. The thickness of exfoliated graphene layers is measured using an atomic force microscope. Turbostratic nature (twist) in graphene is identified based on the appearance of three Raman combination bands (TS1, TS2, and TS3) between 1800 cm−1 and 2300 cm−1. The twist between the layers is precisely measured using selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and the turbostratic nature is confirmed by observing a moiré pattern utilizing a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The produced turbostratic graphene exhibited large variability in twist angles (2°–30°) with a visible moiré pattern. The high crystalline quality and clean interface between single layers of graphene were confirmed by the moiré pattern and SAED. Later, we demonstrated the mechanism underlying the twist in our exfoliated graphene, which could open the way for the production of high-quality turbostratic graphene with clean interfaces.
Use of the Afirma Xpression Atlas for cytologically indeterminate, Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier suspicious thyroid nodules: Clinicopathologic analysis with postoperative molecular testing
Authors: Munoz-Zuluaga Carlos A , Heymann Jonas J , Solomon James P , Patel Ami , Siddiqui Momin T , Scognamiglio Theresa , Gokozan Hamza N
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Afirma has recently introduced its Xpression Atlas (XA) as an adjunct to its Genomic Sequencing Classifier (GSC) for risk stratification of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. We evaluated the performance of Afirma XA and associated pathologic findings for Afirma GSC suspicious nodules.

Methods

Intradepartmental records of thyroid fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) from January 2021 to December 2022 were identified and reviewed for patient and nodule characteristics, FNA findings, molecular test results, and final surgical pathology, if available.

Results

Material for Afirma GSC testing was collected in 624 thyroid FNAs, and 148 (24%) were classified as cytologically indeterminate. Afirma GSC testing was successful in 132 (89%) of those cases, of which 35 (27%) were Afirma GSC suspicious. Afirma XA testing was positive in 11 cases (11/35 [31%]). Eight (73%) patients underwent surgery that revealed 7 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and 1 patient with noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) (risk of malignancy: 100% [8/8]). Among the 24 patients with negative Afirma XA results, 19 (79%) underwent surgery, revealing 5 patients with malignancy and 3 patients with NIFTP (risk of malignancy: 42% [8/19]). Overall, the risk of malignancy for Afirma GSC suspicious nodules was 59% (16/27).

Conclusions

Afirma XA improved risk stratification of thyroid disease with a high risk of malignancy in Afirma GSC suspicious nodules. A negative Afirma XA result, however, should not be used as a rule-out test.
Effects of Midcheek Lift According to Dissection Plane and Range: An Anatomical Study
Authors: Kyung Hyunwoo , Park Yunsung , Oh Sang-Ha , Kim Dong Woon , Seo Young-Joon , Song Seung Han
Published: December 2023

Background

Midcheek lift has been performed for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery of the lower eyelid. For midcheek lift through the subciliary incision, preperiosteal and subperiosteal dissections are the most often implemented, with good clinical outcomes. However, a comparative assessment of the effects of these 2 methods had not been conducted.

Objectives

In this study we compared the effects of midcheek lift according to preperiosteal or subperiosteal plane and range of midfacial dissection.

Methods

Forty hemifaces of 20 fresh cadavers were dissected. One side of the hemiface underwent preperiosteal dissection, and the other side underwent subperiosteal dissection. After dissections of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mm and all of the midcheek area from the inferior orbital rim, the length of the elevated lid-cheek junction was measured by placing upward traction on the lateral portion of the lower lid.

Results

In both methods, the length of the midcheek lift increased as the dissection progressed, and the length of the lift on the lateral side was greater than that on the medial side. The length of the pulled skin in the preperiosteal group was the greatest in most cases. However, in the full dissection cases, the midcheek lift length was not statistically different between the 2 surgical methods, especially on the lateral side.

Conclusions

Flap elevation in lower blepharoplasty surgery can be predicted based on the surgical method and dissection range. Implementing a surgical plan that takes this into account can enhance both reconstruction and aesthetic surgery outcomes in the midcheek area.
The Safety of Contraction of Subcutaneous Tissue Following Liposuction Procedures
Authors: Shridharani Sachin M , Ruff Paul G , Doolabh Vaishali B , Zimmerman Edward M
Published: December 2023

This paper examines the practice of using a helium plasma radiofrequency (RF) device for contracting subcutaneous soft tissue following liposuction in all body areas. A review of the data from 6 industry-sponsor-initiated retrospective studies was performed, wherein 483 real-world patients underwent liposuction followed by contraction of the subcutaneous soft tissue with the helium plasma RF system. These data were evaluated to determine if any new or increased risks were introduced compared to the risks of liposuction alone. The totality of the real-world data demonstrates there are no new or increased risks for helium plasma RF procedures following liposuction compared to liposuction alone. These data support the safety of helium plasma RF for subcutaneous soft-tissue contraction following liposuction. There are currently no alternative therapies specifically cleared by the FDA that can claim use following liposuction for the purpose of contracting the subcutaneous soft tissue.

Level of Evidence: 3
PaintorPipe: a pipeline for genetic variant fine-mapping using functional annotations
Authors: Gerber Zoé , Fisun Michel , Aschard Hugues , Djebali Sarah
Published: December 2023

Motivation

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of genetic variants associated with common diseases. These results include a mix of causal and non-causal variants related through strong linkage disequilibrium (LD, i.e. highly correlated). Fine-mapping methods have been developed to decipher the causal from non-causal variants using GWAS results and LD information, assigning to each variant a probability of being causal. In this field, the PAINTOR program has become a standard, one of its advantages being its ability to take into account functional annotations. This approach requires many pre- and post-processing steps. Here, we developed a Nextflow pipeline called PaintorPipe that wraps all these steps and the fine-mapping itself together. PaintorPipe uses three independent sources of information: GWAS summary statistics, LD information and functional annotations, to rank the variants according to their susceptibility to be involved in the disease development. The PAINTOR framework is used to calculate the posterior probability of each variant (single nucleotide polymorphism) to be causal (a.k.a. Bayesian fine-mapping). The resulting credible sets of variants are annotated with their biological functions and visualized using CANVIS. This pipeline requires minimal input from users (a GWAS summary statistics file and a set of functional annotation files) and is designed to be modular and customizable, allowing for an easy integration of diverse functional annotations.

Availability and implementation

PaintorPipe is implemented in the Nextflow pipeline specific language, can be run locally or on a slurm cluster and handles containerization using Singularity. PaintorPipe is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/sdjebali/PaintorPipe).
Effects of dopaminergic treatment on inhibitory control differ across Hoehn and Yahr stages of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Mirabella Giovanni , Pilotto Andrea , Rizzardi Andrea , Montalti Martina , Olivola Enrica , Zatti Cinzia , Di Caprio Veronica , Ferrari Elisabetta , Modugno Nicola , Padovani Alessandro
Published: December 2023

Motor inhibitory control, a core component of cognitive control, is impaired in Parkinson’s disease, dramatically impacting patients’ abilities to implement goal-oriented adaptive strategies. A progressive loss of the midbrain’s dopamine neurons characterizes Parkinson’s disease and causes motor features responsive to dopaminergic treatments. Although such treatments restore motor symptoms, their impact on response inhibition is controversial. Most studies failed to show any effect of dopaminergic medicaments, although three studies found that these drugs selectively improved inhibitory control in early-stage patients. Importantly, all previous studies assessed only one domain of motor inhibition, i.e. reactive inhibition (the ability to react to a stop signal). The other domain, i.e. proactive inhibition (the ability to modulate reactive inhibition pre-emptively according to the current context), was utterly neglected. To re-examine this issue, we recruited cognitively unimpaired Parkinson’s patients under dopaminergic treatment in the early (Hoehn and Yahr, 1–1.5, n = 20), intermediate (Hoehn and Yahr 2, n = 20), and moderate/advanced (Hoehn and Yahr, 2.5–3, n = 20) stages of the disease. Using a cross-sectional study design, we compared their performance on a simple reaction-time task and a stop-signal task randomly performed twice on dopaminergic medication (ON) and after medication withdrawal (OFF). Normative data were collected on 30 healthy controls. Results suggest that medication effects are stage-dependent. In Hoehn and Yahr 1–1.5 patients, drugs selectively impair reactive inhibition, leaving proactive inhibition unaffected. In the ON state, Hoehn and Yahr two patients experienced impaired proactive inhibition, whereas reactive inhibition is no longer affected, as it deteriorates even during the OFF state. By contrast, Hoehn and Yahr 2.5–3 patients exhibited less efficient reactive and proactive inhibition in the OFF state, and medication slightly improved proactive inhibition. This evidence aligns with the dopamine overdose hypothesis, indicating that drug administration may overdose intact dopamine circuitry in the earliest stages, impairing associated cognitive functions. In later stages, the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons prevents the overdose and can exert some beneficial effects. Thus, our findings suggest that inhibitory control assessment might help tailor pharmacological therapy across the disease stage to enhance Parkinson’s disease patients’ quality of life by minimizing the hampering of inhibitory control and maximizing the reduction of motor symptoms.
Association of endomyocardial fibrosis and minor myocarditis sequelae with intracardiac thrombus and Ebstein like valvulopathy in a patient with Behçet disease: a case report
Authors: Ceruti Hélène , van de Borne Philippe , Mirica Daniela-Corina
Published: December 2023

Background

Cardiac complications occur in 1–6% of cases of Behçet disease (BD) with intracardiac thrombus being the most frequent complication. Endomyocardial fibrosis, less common and occasionally associated with intracardiac thrombus, is reported in <20 case reports of BD, among which, three cases are described to mimic Ebstein disease based on echocardiography. We present the first case in the literature of a 34-year-old man with BD diagnosed with multiple cardiovascular complications, highlighting the challenging diagnosis and treatment of this pathology, especially regarding anticoagulation therapy.

Case summary

A 34-year-old man, diagnosed with BD, presented to the Emergency Room with haemoptysis. Computed tomography study of the thorax diagnosed pulmonary arterial aneurysm with multiple arterial thrombi, associated with multiple intracardiac thrombi in the right ventricle and atrium. The echocardiography confirmed the presence of voluminous thrombi in the right ventricle and atrium and showed hypertrabeculation of the right ventricle and a high insertion of the posterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve inducing a moderate tricuspid insufficiency compatible with an Ebstein disease. The cardiac MRI later revealed right ventricular fibrosis consistent with endomyocardial fibrosis and sequelae of myocarditis, also described as BD rare cardiac manifestations. The patient had a favourable outcome under anticoagulant treatment and immunosuppressive drugs.

Discussion

The association of multiple cardiovascular complications can occur in a single patient with BD. The endomyocardial fibrosis in the right heart chambers acting as a substrate for thrombus formation and subsequent pulmonary embolism; fibrosis extending to the tricuspid valve inducing an Ebstein-like morphology.
Machine learning–based gait analysis to predict clinical frailty scale in elderly patients with heart failure
Authors: Mizuguchi Yoshifumi , Nakao Motoki , Nagai Toshiyuki , Takahashi Yuki , Abe Takahiro , Kakinoki Shigeo , Imagawa Shogo , Matsutani Kenichi , Saito Takahiko , Takahashi Masashige , Kato Yoshiya , Komoriyama Hirokazu , Hagiwara Hikaru , Hirata Kenji , Ogawa Takahiro , Shimizu Takuto , Otsu Manabu , Chiyo Kunihiro , Anzai Toshihisa
Published: December 2023

Aims

Although frailty assessment is recommended for guiding treatment strategies and outcome prediction in elderly patients with heart failure (HF), most frailty scales are subjective, and the scores vary among raters. We sought to develop a machine learning–based automatic rating method/system/model of the clinical frailty scale (CFS) for patients with HF.

Methods and results

We prospectively examined 417 elderly (≥75 years) with symptomatic chronic HF patients from 7 centres between January 2019 and October 2023. The patients were divided into derivation (n = 194) and validation (n = 223) cohorts. We obtained body-tracking motion data using a deep learning–based pose estimation library, on a smartphone camera. Predicted CFS was calculated from 128 key features, including gait parameters, using the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) model. To evaluate the performance of this model, we calculated Cohen’s weighted kappa (CWK) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the predicted and actual CFSs. In the derivation and validation datasets, the LightGBM models showed excellent agreements between the actual and predicted CFSs [CWK 0.866, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.807–0.911; ICC 0.866, 95% CI 0.827–0.898; CWK 0.812, 95% CI 0.752–0.868; ICC 0.813, 95% CI 0.761–0.854, respectively]. During a median follow-up period of 391 (inter-quartile range 273–617) days, the higher predicted CFS was independently associated with a higher risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio 1.60, 95% CI 1.02–2.50) after adjusting for significant prognostic covariates.

Conclusion

Machine learning–based algorithms of automatically CFS rating are feasible, and the predicted CFS is associated with the risk of all-cause death in elderly patients with HF.
Current national availability of advanced echocardiography imaging: real world data from an Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging survey
Authors: Barbieri Andrea , Mantovani Francesca , Ciampi Quirino , Barchitta Agata , Faganello Giorgio , Miceli Sofia , Parato Vito Maurizio , Tota Antonio , Trocino Giuseppe , Antonini-Canterin Francesco , Carerj Scipione , Pepi Mauro
Published: December 2023

Aims

Advanced echocardiographic imaging (AEI) techniques, such as three-dimensional (3D) and multi-chamber speckle-tracking deformation imaging (strain) analysis, have been shown to be more accurate in assessing heart chamber geometry and function when compared with conventional echocardiography providing additional prognostic value. However, incorporating AEI alongside standard examinations may be heterogeneous between echo laboratories (echo labs). Thus, our goal was to gain a better understanding of the many AEI modalities that are available and employed in Italy.

Methods and results

The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey over a month (November 2022) to describe the use of AEI in Italy. Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire uploaded on the SIECVI website. Data obtained from 173 echo labs were divided into 3 groups, according to the numbers of echocardiograms performed: <250 exams (low-volume activity, 53 centres), between 251 and 550 exams (moderate-volume activity, 62 centres), and ≥550 exams (high-volume activity, 58 centres). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) 3D was in use in 75% of centres with a consistent difference between low (55%), medium (71%), and high activity volume (85%) (P = 0.002), while 3D transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was in use in 84% of centres, reaching the 95% in high activity volume echo labs (P = 0.006). In centres with available 3D TTE, it was used for the left ventricle (LV) analysis in 67%, for the right ventricle (RV) in 45%, and for the left atrium (LA) in 40%, showing greater use in high-volume centres compared with low- and medium-volume centres (all P < 0.04). Strain analysis was utilized in most echo labs (80%), with a trend towards greater use in high-volume centres than low- and medium-volume centres (77%, 74%, and 90%, respectively; P = 0.08). In centres with available strain analysis, it was mainly employed for the LV (80%) and much less frequently for the RV and LA (49% and 48%, respectively).

Conclusion

In Italy, the AEI modalities are more frequently available in centres with high-volume activity but employed only in a few applications, being more frequent in analysing the LV compared with the RV and LA. Therefore, the echocardiography community and SIECVI should promote uniformity and effective training across the Italian centres. Meanwhile, collaborations across centres with various resources and expertise should be encouraged to use the benefits of the AEI.
Mirroring the American Bankruptcy Code? IP Licences in the European Insolvency Harmonisation Project
Authors: Gabriel-Pizarro Guillem
Published: December 2023

With the growth of the licensing of Intellectual Property rights in the global economy, the insolvency treatment of licensing agreements has also taken on greater importance. This paper analyses the treatment of intellectual property licences under the European Commission’s new Directive Proposal 2022/0408/COD, the flagship law of the European insolvency harmonisation project. The paper focuses on the Proposal’s approach in cases where the debtor’s business, or part of it, is sold as a going concern in the pre-pack context. It contrasts the European response to the US Bankruptcy Code, which serves as a significant source of inspiration, and provides examples of how some EU Member States handle such cases.

In substance, the paper examines the Commission’s steps towards harmonising the treatment of IP licences in insolvency. Considering the insolvency context and the needs of the parties to the licence, it critically analyses not only the expediency of implementing specific regulations but also the effectiveness of the means employed. Finally, the paper provides some suggestions to amend the Proposal and highlights the necessity to revisit the broader debate over the treatment of IP licences in European insolvency legislation in general.
Impact of COVID-19 on incidence and outcomes of post-infarction mechanical complications in Europe
Authors: Ronco Daniele , Matteucci Matteo , Ravaux Justine Mafalda , Kowalewski Mariusz , Massimi Giulio , Torchio Federica , Trumello Cinzia , Naito Shiho , Bonaros Nikolaos , De Bonis Michele , Fina Dario , Kowalówka Adam , Deja Marek , Jiritano Federica , Serraino Giuseppe Filiberto , Kalisnik Jurij Matija , De Vincentiis Carlo , Ranucci Marco , Fischlein Theodor , Russo Claudio Francesco , Carrozzini Massimiliano , Boeken Udo , Kalampokas Nikolaos , Golino Michele , De Ponti Roberto , Pozzi Matteo , Obadia Jean-François , Thielmann Matthias , Scrofani Roberto , Blasi Stefania , Troise Giovanni , Antona Carlo , De Martino Andrea , Falcetta Giosuè , Actis Dato Guglielmo , Severgnini Paolo , Musazzi Andrea , Lorusso Roberto
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVES

Post-acute myocardial infarction mechanical complications (post-AMI MCs) represent rare but life-threatening conditions, including free-wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture and papillary muscle rupture. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, an overwhelming pressure on healthcare systems led to delayed and potentially suboptimal treatments for time-dependent conditions. As AMI-related hospitalizations decreased, limited information is available whether higher rates of post-AMI MCs and related deaths occurred in this setting. This study was aimed to assess how COVID-19 in Europe has impacted the incidence, treatment and outcome of MCs.

METHODS

The CAUTION-COVID19 study is a multicentre retrospective study collecting 175 patients with post-AMI MCs in 18 centres from 6 European countries, aimed to compare the incidence of such events, related patients’ characteristics, and outcomes, between the first year of pandemic and the 2 previous years.

RESULTS

A non-significant increase in MCs was observed [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85–1.57; P = 0.364], with stronger growth in ventricular septal rupture diagnoses (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.95–2.18; P = 0.090). No significant differences in treatment types and mortality were found between the 2 periods. In-hospital mortality was 50.9% and was higher for conservatively managed cases (90.9%) and lower for surgical patients (44.0%). Patients admitted during COVID-19 more frequently had late-presenting infarction (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.24–4.92; P = 0.010), more stable conditions (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.27–5.35; P = 0.009) and higher EuroSCORE II (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.06; P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

A non-significant increase in MCs incidence occurred during the first year of COVID-19, characterized by a significantly higher rate of late-presenting infarction, stable conditions and EuroSCORE-II if compared to pre-pandemic data, without affecting treatment and mortality.
Ex vivo comparative immunogenicity assessment (EVCIA) to determine relative immunogenicity in chronic plaque psoriasis in participants receiving Humira® or undergoing repeated switches between Humira® and AVT02
Authors: Richter Kathleen , Haliduola Halimu N , Schockaert Jana , Mazy Aurélie , Reznichenko Nataliya , Guenzi Eric , Berti Fausto
Published: December 2023

Immunogenicity against biologic medicines is ubiquitous, and it is traditionally measured by the final humoral response. However, the onset of a sustained immunogenic response begins at the cellular level with activation of T cells and maturation of naïve B cells into plasma cells. Ex vivo comparative immunogenicity assessment (EVCIA) of cellular immunogenicity in participants with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in the AVT02-GL-302 study, who received either reference product (RP) alone (non-switching arm) or switched between RP and AVT02 (switching arm) after 1:1 randomization at week 12. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected and cryopreserved from 28 participants at: baseline (before treatment) (week 1); pre-randomization (week 12); and week 16 and week 28 in both switching and non-switching arms. PBMCs were thawed and re-exposed to either medium alone (negative control), RP, AVT02, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) (positive control), RP+KLH, or AVT02+KLH. Samples from 10 participants (predetermined average cell viability of 75% across all timepoints) from each arm were analyzed for cytokine release after 24 hours and for Th-cell proliferation, 6 days post-seeding. Until week 28, cytokine release and Th-cell proliferation was similar at all time points in both switching and non-switching arms. Overall cellular immune response was elevated post-KLH re-exposure at all timepoints. The comparable ex vivo cellular immunogenicity between switching and non-switching arms complements the confirmation of interchangeability in the main study. Given the sensitivity of novel EVCIA, detecting cellular immunogenicity could be a potential outcome in predicting the immunogenicity of biologic medicines.
Africa's Great Moderation
Authors: Krantz Sebastian
Published: December 2023

Over the past 30 years, African economies have experienced remarkable improvements in macroeconomic conditions, characterised by higher and more stable real per-capita growth rates and lower and more stable inflation. This paper documents the persistent decline in macroeconomic volatility at the aggregate and sectoral levels and seeks to provide explanations. Sectoral analysis shows a particularly strong reduction of growth volatility in agriculture and, to a lesser extent, in services. Classical structural change only explains a small fraction of the moderation. Analysis of further factors yields that changes in structural characteristics such as institutions, trade intensity and diversification, natural resource dependence or conflict incidence do not explain the moderation. On the positive side, the paper provides evidence to suggest that changes in the external environment, improved macroeconomic policy frameworks and ‘softer’ structural improvements, such as the deepening of the domestic financial sector, were important in reducing macroeconomic volatility on the continent.
Sympatry and parapatry among rocky reef cichlids of Lake Victoria explained by female mating preferences
Authors: Svensson Ola , Woodhouse Katie , Smith Alan , Seehausen Ole , Turner George F
Published: December 2023

Work on the Lake Victoria cichlids Pundamilia nyererei (red dorsum males, deeper water), Pundamilia pundamilia (blue males, shallower water) and related species pairs has provided insights into processes of speciation. Here, we investigate the female mating behaviour of 5 Pundamilia species and 4 of their F1 hybrids through mate choice trials and paternity testing. Complete assortative mating was observed among all sympatric species. Parapatric species with similar depth habitat distributions interbred whereas other parapatric and allopatric species showed complete assortative mating. F1 hybrids mated exclusively with species accepted by females of the parental species. The existence of complete assortative mating among some currently allopatric species suggests that pre-existing mating barriers could be sufficient to explain current patterns of co-existence, although, of course, many other factors may be involved. Regardless of the mechanism, mating preferences may influence species distribution in potentially hybridizing taxa, such as in the adaptive radiation of cichlid fish. We suggest that this at least partly explains why some species fail to establish breeding populations in locations where they are occasionally recorded. Our results support the notion that the mating preferences of potentially cross-breeding species ought to be included in coexistence theory.
Effect of unequal vaccination coverage and migration on long-term pathogen evolution in a metapopulation
Authors: Walter Alicia , Gandon Sylvain , Lion Sébastien
Published: December 2023

Worldwide inequalities in vaccine availability are expected to affect the spread and spatial distribution of infectious diseases. It is unclear, however, how spatial variation in vaccination coverage can affect the long-term evolution of pathogens. Here we use an analytical model and numerical simulations to analyse the influence of different imperfect vaccines on the potential evolution of pathogen virulence in a two-population model where vaccination coverage varies between populations. We focus on four vaccines, with different modes of action on the life cycle of a pathogen infecting two host populations coupled by migration. We show that, for vaccines that reduce infection risk or transmissibility, spatial heterogeneity has little effect on pathogen prevalence and host mortality, and no effect on the evolution of pathogen virulence. In contrast, vaccines that reduce pathogen virulence can select for more virulent pathogens and may lead to the coexistence of different pathogen strains, depending on the degree of spatial heterogeneity in the metapopulation. This heterogeneity is driven by two parameters: pathogen migration and the difference in the vaccination rate between the two populations. We show that vaccines that only reduce pathogen virulence select mainly for a single pathogen strategy in the long term, while vaccines that reduce both transmission and virulence can favor the coexistence of two pathogen genotypes. We discuss the implications and potential extensions of our analysis.
“Conscientious Guardian” vs. “Commercialized Jungle”: Pharmacists and Pharmacy Design in the Postwar United States
Authors: Richert Lucas , Carter Gabriel Lake
Published: December 2023

Pharmacists and pharmacies are key drivers in the American marketplace. They serve as an endpoint of the pharmaceutical supply chain and are the dispensers of a range of consumer goods, some nonthreatening and others potentially harmful to public health. In adding pharmacies to the roster of consumerist locales in the postwar period, scholars might draw even deeper connections about the transformation of health, corporate medicine, and American economic power. To understand the interface of consumerism, corporatism, and health in postwar America, this article holds the postwar pharmacy as a key site of commodity exchange and business and positions it within the larger American firmament, paying attention to the design of pharmacies. In particular, the article will add to the knowledge about the tangible ways that medical and health care spaces are constructed, organized, and designed to best generate profits. Besides prescription medications, alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-rich products were also vital elements of the postwar pharmacy and will be featured in this article. What is more, this article focuses on a central debate between pharmacists during the postwar period about how pharmacies were shifting from the role of healer to that of a retailer — from a “conscientious guardian” to a “commercialized jungle” — in order to highlight how the public health role of pharmacies was undermined by industry pressures for profit. Based on unused corporate guides and manuals, company records, photographs, and management documents, this article will spotlight the underexplored interiority of pharmacies – the store’s insides, processes of organization, and design features related to potentially habit-changing substances.
Arctigenin attenuated spatial memory impairment in pR5 mice by regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism
Authors: Yang Chao , Dan Ding , Xu Jia , Qiu Chaoming , He Kaiwu , Zhang Chang-E , Li Shangming , Yang Xifei , Xu Pingyi , Zhu Feiqi
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Arctigenin (ATG) is a natural product with a variety of biological activity, which can improve the pathological changes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model mice through multiple mechanisms. This study aims to further elucidate the potential mechanism by which ATG improves memory impairment in AD mice.

Methods

Here, we used pR5 mice as an experimental model, and ATG was administered continuously for 90 days. Novel object recognition, Y-maze, and Morris water maze were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of ATG on memory impairment in AD mice. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses were used to evaluate the effects of ATG on tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation, respectively. Finally, proteomics techniques were used to explore the possible mechanism of ATG.

Key findings

ATG significantly improved memory impairment in pR5 mice and inhibited tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus and neuroinflammation in the cortex. According to the proteomic analysis, the altered cognitive function of ATG was associated with the proteins of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain.

Conclusion

These results suggest that ATG is a potential therapeutic agent for diseases related to aberrant energy metabolism that can treat AD by improving mitochondrial function.
Are tube fill volumes below 90% a rejection criterion for all coagulation tests?
Authors: Sena Odabasi Merve , Yalcinkaya Kara Zeynep Mine
Published: December 2023

Background

Rejected samples lead to prolonged turnaround time and delayed diagnosis and treatment of patients. This study was conducted to determine minimum acceptable sample volume in Sarstedt brand coagulation tubes to reduce high sample rejection rate.

Methods

Blood samples were drawn from 20 participants (10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients receiving oral anticoagulant) into coagulation tubes. Six samples were taken from each participant, with tube fill volumes of 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, and 50%. Prothrombin time (PT), active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen tests were analyzed.

Results

According to quality performance specifications, the tube fill volume must be at least 70% for PT and aPTT and 50% for fibrinogen. There was no statistical difference in samples from healthy volunteers for PT, aPTT, and fibrinogen tests when the minimum tube fill volume was at least 80%, 90%, and 50%, respectively. These percentages were 50%, 70%, and 60%, respectively, in patients receiving oral anticoagulant.

Conclusions

Sarstedt tubes meet quality standard specifications at a 70% fill rate for PT and aPTT and a 50% fill rate for fibrinogen. Comprehensive studies with larger populations are needed to accept these values as sample acceptance criteria for the laboratory.
Reallocating desk workers’ sitting time to standing or stepping: associations with work performance
Authors: Lin C-Y , Shibata A , Ishii K , Koohsari M J , Hadgraft N , Dunstan D W , Owen N , Oka K
Published: December 2023

Background

Studies have suggested that sitting time at work may lead to underperformance but they may underestimate the benefits to desk workers’ performance of reducing occupational sitting time without considering the relative effects of the specific activities replaced.

Aims

To estimate differences in work performance (presenteeism, absenteeism and engagement) when occupational sitting time is reallocated to standing/stepping in desk workers.

Methods

Data for middle-aged desk workers were from a Japan-wide online survey (n = 2228). Self-report proportion of occupational sitting and standing/stepping, work hours and work performance indicators, including absolute (ratings relating only to self) and relative (ratings of self, compared to others) presenteeism and absenteeism, and dimensions of work engagement, were collected. Partition and isotemporal substitution models were used to investigate the associations of occupational sitting and standing/stepping time with work performance, including their reallocation effects.

Results

In partition models, longer occupational sitting time was associated with a lower absolute presenteeism score (i.e. less productivity), lower absolute absenteeism (i.e. longer-than-expected work hours), and lower engagement. Longer occupational standing/stepping time was associated with lower absolute absenteeism and more engagement. Isotemporal substitution models showed that each hour of occupational sitting reallocated to standing/stepping was favourably associated with overall work engagement (B = 0.087; 95% confidence interval 0.051, 0.122) and its dimensions (B ranged from 0.078 to 0.092), but was not associated with presenteeism or absenteeism.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that management support and practical initiatives to encourage desk workers to replace portions of their sitting time with standing/stepping may contribute to enhanced work engagement.
Computer simulations predict the impact of neuronal atrophy on the calcium dynamics in Huntington's disease
Authors: Sameni Sara , Bartol Thomas M , Corey-Bloom Jody , Sejnowski Terrence J
Published: December 2023

One of the early hallmarks of Huntington's disease (HD) is neuronal cell atrophy, especially in the striatum, underlying motor dysfunction in HD. Here using a computer model, we have predicted the impact of cell shrinkage on calcium dynamics at the cellular level. Our model indicates that as cytosolic volume decreases, the amplitude of calcium transients increases and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) becomes more leaky due to calcium-induced calcium release and a “toxic” positive feedback mechanism mediated by ryanodine receptors that greatly increases calcium release into the cytosol. The excessive calcium release from ER saturates the calcium buffering capacity of calbindin and forces further accumulation of free calcium in the cytosol and cellular compartments including mitochondria. This leads to imbalance of calcium in both cytosol and ER regions. Excessive calcium accumulation in the cytosol can damage the mitochondria resulting in metabolic dysfunction in the cell consistent with the pathology of HD. Our computational model points toward potential drug targets and can accelerate and greatly help the experimental studies of HD paving the way for treatments of patients suffering from HD.
Interaction with YAP underlies the species differences between humans and rodents in CAR-dependent hepatocyte proliferation
Authors: Shizu Ryota , Makida Natsuki , Sobe Keiichiro , Ishimura Mai , Takeshita Aki , Hosaka Takuomi , Kanno Yuichiro , Sasaki Takamitsu , Yoshinari Kouichi
Published: December 2023

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a nuclear receptor predominantly expressed in the liver, is activated by diverse chemicals and induces hepatocyte proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis in rodents. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for CAR-dependent hepatocyte proliferation remains unclear. Importantly, this phenomenon has not been observed in the human liver. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying CAR-induced hepatocyte proliferation and to explore the species differences in hepatocyte proliferation between humans and rodents. Treatment of mice with the CAR activator TCPOBOP induced hepatocyte proliferation and nuclear accumulation of yes-associated protein (YAP), a known liver cancer inducer. This induction was abolished in CAR-knockout mice. Exogenously expressed YAP in cultured cells was accumulated in the nucleus by the coexpression with mouse CAR but not human CAR. Pull-down analysis of recombinant proteins revealed that mouse CAR interacted with YAP, whereas human CAR did not. Further investigations using YAP deletion mutants identified the WW domain of YAP as essential for interacting with CAR and showed that the PY motif (PPAY) in mouse CAR was crucial for binding to the WW domain, whereas human CAR with its mutated motif (PPAH) failed to interact with YAP. A mouse model harboring the Y150H mutation (PPAY to PPAH) in CAR displayed drastically attenuated TCPOBOP-induced hepatocyte proliferation and nuclear accumulation of YAP. CAR induces the nuclear accumulation of YAP through the PY motif-WW domain interaction to promote hepatocyte proliferation. The absence of this interaction in human CAR contributes to the lack of CAR-dependent hepatocyte proliferation in human livers.