bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Critical Assessment of Friedenwald’s Technique for Estimating the Coefficient of Rigidity of the Cornea
Authors: Tutchenko Larysa , Patel Sudi , Skovron Mykhailo , Horak Olha , Voytsekhivskyy Oleksiy
Published: October 2022

Purpose. To determine if Friedenwald’s technique for estimating the coefficient of corneal rigidity (Ko, units mmHg/μL), could differentiate between the cornea in keratoconus, normal eyes, and after crosslinking (CXL). Methods. Two operators (1 and 2) independently measured Ko in three groups (keratoconus, normal, and post-CXL corneas), and repeated the procedure in some where their care remained unchanged and others after routine CXL (>28 days postop, epi-off treatment, 3.0 mW/cm2, 30 min). The data were subsequently used to quantify interoperator error, test-retest/intersessional reliability for estimation of Ko, the significance of intergroup differences, and the effect of CXL on Ko. Results. The major findings were: (i) Ko values were not normally distributed; (ii) mean (±sd, 95% CI) interoperator error was -0.002 (±0.019, −0.006 to 0.003, n = 95) and the limit of agreement between the operators was ±0.039; (iii) RMS differences in the intersessional estimation of Ko values were 0.011 (operator 1) and 0.012 (operator 2); (iv) intergroup differences in Ko were not significant (

p
>
0.05

); (v) intersessional change in Ko (y) was linearly related to Ko estimated (x) at 1st session (for operator 2 y = 1.187x−0.021, r = 0.755, n = 16,

p
<
0.01

); and (vi) change in Ko (y1) after CXL was linearly related to Ko (x1) at preop (for operator 2 y1 = 0.880x1−0.016, r = 0.935, n = 20,

p
<
0.01

). Conclusion. Friedenwald’s technique for estimating the Ko is prone to substantial interoperator error and intersessional differences. According to the technique, the change in Ko following CXL is on par with the expected intersessional change observed in controls.
Antioxidant Activity and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Scavenging Mechanism of Eriodictyon californium, an Edible Herb of North America
Authors: Richards Allie , Chaurasia Savita
Published: October 2022

Modern life associated with processed food, exposure to a wide range of pollutants, physical inactivity, unprecedented time, excessive involvement of technology in our lives, and so on give rise to oxidative stress which threatens our physical and mental health. Because of rising healthcare costs and mistrust of conventional medicine, mankind is looking for alternatives to over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, which is driving the demand for nutraceuticals across the globe. Antioxidant-rich plant-based natural products could be an important source of nutraceuticals to boost endogenous antioxidant levels. In this research, we uncovered the antioxidant potential of Eriodictyon californicum, an herb used by Native Americans for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments. The ethanolic leaf extract of E. californicum was studied for its phytochemical constituents, antioxidant potential, and free radical scavenging activity. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and steroids. The abundance of total phenol (78.58 ± 0.016 μg GAE/mg) and flavonoid content (6.76 ± 0.003 μg QE/mg) and the strong reducing activity in the FRAP assay indicated the antioxidant potential of the leaves. Free radical scavenging activity was confirmed by a dose-dependent response on the DPPH assay (IC50 0.071 mg/mL). Since reactive oxygen species are the main culprits for causing oxidative stress in our body, studying the effect of plant extracts on superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals found that it has the ability to neutralize all three. IC50 was found to be 0.083 mg/mL for superoxide radicals, 0.033 mg/mL for hydrogen peroxide, and 0.080 mg/mL for hydroxyl radicals. Herein, we report that E. californicum is a potential source of bioactive components with strong radical scavenging activity. This holy herb could serve as a healing agent against oxidative stress and holds promise for the development of nutraceuticals.
Lead Exposure Induced Neural Stem Cells Death via Notch Signaling Pathway and Gut-Brain Axis
Authors: Sun Lijuan , Zou Yuankang , Su Peng , Xue Chong , Wang Diya , Zhao Fang , Luo Wenjing , Zhang Jianbin
Published: October 2022

Numerous studies have examined the effects of lead (Pb) on cognitive ability. It is essential for the brain to maintain its functions through the differentiation of neural stem cells into various types of cells. Despite this, it remains unclear how Pb exposure affects neural stem cells and how it does, so the Pb-exposed mice were treated with the Notch inhibitor DAPT after we established the Pb exposure models. Neuronal stem cells and autophagy were assessed by immunofluorescence staining and western blot. The microbiota of the feces was also analyzed using the 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing technique. In this study, we found that Pb exposure caused neural injuries and deficits in neural stem cells, whereas DAPT rescued the damage. With DAPT, Pb-induced autophagy was partially reversed. Exposure to Pb also reduced inflammation and damaged gut barrier function. Furthermore, Pb exposure led to low bacterial diversity, an increase in pathogen abundance, and an unusual mode of interaction. Taken together, this study revealed that damages in neural stem cells contributed largely to cognitive impairment during Pb exposure, and this process was partially dependent on the Notch pathway and gut dysbiosis.
Convolution-LSTM-Based Mechanical Hard Disk Failure Prediction by Sensoring S.M.A.R.T. Indicators
Authors: Shi Junjie , Du Jing , Ren Yingwen , Li Boyu , Zou Jinwei , Zhang Anyi
Published: October 2022

The traditional Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud platform tends to realize high data availability by introducing dedicated storage devices. However, this heterogeneous architecture has high maintenance cost and might reduce the performance of virtual machines. In homogeneous IaaS cloud platform, servers in the platform would uniformly provide computing resources and storage resources, which effectively solve the above problems, although corresponding mechanisms need to be introduced to improve data availability. Efficient storage resource availability management is one of the key methods to improve data availability. As mechanical hard disk is the main way to realize data storage in IaaS cloud platform at present, timely and accurate prediction of mechanical hard disk failure and active data backup and migration before mechanical hard disk failure would effectively improve the data availability of IaaS cloud platform. In this paper, we propose an improved algorithm for early warning of mechanical hard disk failures. We first use the Relief feature selection algorithm to perform parameter selection. Then, we use the zero-sum game idea of Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) to generate fewer category samples to achieve a balance of sample data. Finally, an improved Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model called Convolution-LSTM (C-LSTM) is used to complete accurate detection of hard disk failures and achieve fault warning. We evaluate several models using precision, recall, and Area Under Curve (AUC) value, and extensive experiments show that our proposed algorithm outperforms other algorithms for mechanical hard disk warning.
Development of a Novel Hyperchaos‐Based Image Encryption Algorithm Consisting of Two Scrambling‐Diffusion Operations
Authors: Huang Yongzhong , Bi Xueguang , Liu Yucheng , Li Yuxia
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes a hyperchaos‐based image encryption algorithm, which consists of two scrambling‐diffusion operations and one scrambling operation. In the proposed algorithm, the initial conditions of a hyperchaotic Chen system are first generated using the Message Digest 5 (MD5) value of digital images and given initial values, and then the images will be encrypted using the keystream created by the system. Since the initial values of hyperchaotic Chen systems are related to plaintext and the encryption process is related to the images, this algorithm is able to effectively protect images against selective plaintext attacks. Simulation results demonstrate that the present algorithm offers enhanced encryption performance, high security, and strong resistance to known attacks. Therefore, it may find wide application in image encryption transmission. Compared to other image encryption algorithms, the proposed algorithm uses different keystreams when encrypting different images and is capable of effectively resisting various plain image and differential attacks faster.
An Integrated Strategy of Chemical Fingerprint and Network Pharmacology for the Discovery of Efficacy-Related Q-Markers of Pheretima
Authors: Shang Ye , Liu Suyi , Liang Chunxiao , Du Kunze , Chen Shujing , Li Jin , Jin Hua , Chang Yanxu
Published: October 2022

Pheretima, one of the animal-derived traditional Chinese medicines, has been wildly used in various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. However, it was still a big challenge to select the quality markers for Pheretima quality control. The fingerprint and network pharmacology-based strategy was proposed to screen the efficiency related quality markers (Q-Markers) of Pheretima. The ratio of sample to liquid, ultrasonic-extraction time, temperature, and power were optimized by orthogonal design, respectively. The chemical fingerprint of forty batches of Pheretima was established, and six common peaks were screened. The network pharmacology was used to construct the Pheretima-Components-Targets-Pathways-Stroke network. It was found that six potential efficacy Q-markers in Pheretima could exert the relaxing meridians effect to treat stroke through acting on multiple targets and regulating various pathways. A simple HPLC-DAD method was developed and validated to determine the efficacy Q-markers. Grey relational analysis was used to further verify the relation of potential efficiency related quality markers with the anticoagulation activity of Pheretima, which indicated that the contents of these markers exhibited high relationship with the anticoagulation activity. It was concluded that hypoxanthine, uridine, phenylalanine, inosine, guanosine, and tryptophan were selected as quality markers related to relaxing meridians to evaluate the quality of Pheretima. The fingerprint and network pharmacology-based strategy was proved to be a powerful strategy for the discovery of efficiency related Q-markers of Pheretima.
Study of Channel Capacity Optimization of Discrete Channel Based on Normalized Tangent Function
Authors: Shao Junhua , Li Qiang , Tan Junmei
Published: October 2022

Channel capacity is the rate limit of information transmission; many researchers strive to find the maximum channel transmission rate while balancing the performance of the whole communication system and making it close to the channel capacity. We know in the discrete channel that, when the BER of the system is small enough, the transmission rate of the channel will be extremely close to the channel capacity. According to Shannon theory, the common way to increase the channel capacity is to increase the system bandwidth and the input signal power. However, the bandwidth resources are extremely limited, so it is impractical to expand the system bandwidth, and at the same time, increasing the input signal power is impractical as well, because it will reduce the economy of the communication system. In this paper, we proposed a normalized tangent function (NorTF) which can optimize the discrete channel probability distribution, reduce the BER of the channel, and improve the channel capacity of the discrete channel, which need not expand bandwidth and increase the signal input power of the system. Through theoretical analysis and experimental verification of this method, we found that the channel capacity of the improved system was indeed much higher than that of the preimproved system, so the method proposed in this paper has some theoretical guiding significance and is feasible.
Simulation of Flow-Induced Vibration and Dynamic Performance of Circular-Arc Helical Gear Pump under Background of Machine Learning
Authors: Wei Xiaoling , Feng Yongbao , Han Xiaoxia , He Zhenxin
Published: October 2022

At present, with the continuous development and great improvement of mechanical manufacturing, processing, and assembly technology, mechanical flow-induced vibration (FIV) with a relatively concentrated frequency domain can be controlled by active and passive noise reduction methods. However, whether it is active noise reduction or passive noise reduction, they all focus on how to suppress the transmission of sound waves and cannot solve the problems of flow leakage, obvious temperature rise, and noise excitation from the root cause. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the location of the primary and secondary excitation sound sources of FIV, the identification of true and false sounds, and the characteristic relationship between flow and noise. This provides a theoretical basis and engineering application direction for the mechanism of noise reduction of FIV. The numerical calculation part of the acoustics in this paper is solved by the hybrid method, and the flow field is discretely calculated by the large eddy simulation (LES) module in the Fluent software. When the calculated flow field is stable, the velocity field of one impeller rotation period is selected to be output as the iterative value of the sound field and imported into ACTRAN for Fourier transform. Then, the sound field calculation is carried out, and the result of the spatial and temporal variation of the sound field is finally obtained. Through experiments, it was found that when the load of the gear pump is 8 MPa, the volumetric efficiency of the optimized circular-arc helical gear pump of the sliding bearing was improved by about 4%. When the rotation speed is 2100°r/min, the arc helical gear pump reduced the surface temperature rise by 2.5°C. This verified that the optimized performance of the sliding bearing in the arc helical gear pump is significantly improved. Through the theoretical model of the temperature rise of the sliding bearing, the phenomenon that the surface temperature of the prototype gear pump was not significantly increased with the loading in the low pressure region is explained.
Metabolic and Nonmetabolic Functions of PSAT1 Coordinate Signaling Cascades to Confer EGFR Inhibitor Resistance and Drive Progression in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Luo Ming-Yu , Zhou Ye , Gu Wei-Ming , Wang Cheng , Shen Ning-Xiang , Dong Jiang-Kai , Lei Hui-Min , Tang Ya-Bin , Liang Qian , Zou Jing-Hua , Xu Lu , Ma Pengfei , Zhuang Guanglei , Bi Ling , Xu Ling , Zhu Liang , Chen Hong-Zhuan , Shen Ying
Published: October 2022

Emerging evidence demonstrates that the dysregulated metabolic enzymes can accelerate tumorigenesis and progression via both metabolic and nonmetabolic functions. Further elucidation of the role of metabolic enzymes in EGFR inhibitor resistance and metastasis, two of the leading causes of death in lung adenocarcinoma, could help improve patient outcomes. Here, we found that aberrant upregulation of phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) confers erlotinib resistance and tumor metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma. Depletion of PSAT1 restored sensitivity to erlotinib and synergistically augmented the tumoricidal effect. Mechanistically, inhibition of PSAT1 activated the ROS-dependent JNK/c-Jun pathway to induce cell apoptosis. In addition, PSAT1 interacted with IQGAP1, subsequently activating STAT3-mediated cell migration independent of its metabolic activity. Clinical analyses showed that PSAT1 expression positively correlated with the progression of human lung adenocarcinoma. Collectively, these findings reveal the multifunctionality of PSAT1 in promoting tumor malignancy through its metabolic and nonmetabolic activities.

Significance:

Metabolic and nonmetabolic functions of PSAT1 confer EGFR inhibitor resistance and promote metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting therapeutic targeting of PSAT1 may attenuate the malignant features of lung cancer.
Patient and Provider Web-Based Decision Support for Breast Cancer Chemoprevention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Crew Katherine D. , Bhatkhande Gauri , Silverman Thomas , Amenta Jacquelyn , Jones Tarsha , McGuinness Julia E. , Mata Jennie , Guzman Ashlee , He Ting , Dimond Jill , Tsai Wei-Yann , Kukafka Rita
Published: October 2022

Significant underutilization of breast cancer chemoprevention remains, despite guidelines stating that physicians should recommend chemoprevention with antiestrogen therapy to high-risk women. We randomized women, ages 35 to 75 years, who met high-risk criteria for breast cancer, without a personal history of breast cancer or prior chemoprevention use, to standard educational materials alone or combined with a web-based decision aid. All healthcare providers, including primary care providers and breast specialists, were given access to a web-based decision support tool. The primary endpoint was chemoprevention uptake at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included decision antecedents (perceived breast cancer risk/worry, chemoprevention knowledge, self-efficacy) and decision quality (decision conflict, chemoprevention informed choice) based upon patient surveys administered at baseline, 1 and 6 months after randomization. Among 282 evaluable high-risk women enrolled from November 2016 to March 2020, mean age was 57 years (SD, 9.9) and mean 5-year invasive breast cancer risk was 2.98% (SD, 1.42). There was no significant difference in chemoprevention uptake at 6 months between the intervention and control groups (2.1% vs. 3.5%). Comparing the intervention and control arms at 1 month, there were significant differences among high-risk women in accurate breast cancer risk perceptions (56% vs. 39%, P = 0.017), adequate chemoprevention knowledge (49% vs. 27%, P < 0.001), mean decision conflict (34.0 vs. 47.0, P < 0.001), and informed choice (41% vs. 23%, P = 0.003). These differences were no longer significant at 6 months. Although our decision support tools did not result in a significant increase in chemoprevention uptake, we did observe improvements in decision antecedents and decision quality measures.

Prevention Relevance:

In this randomized controlled trial of decision support for 300 high-risk women and 50 healthcare providers, we did not observe a significant increase in chemoprevention uptake, which remained low at under 5%. However, these decision support tools may increase knowledge and informed choice about breast cancer chemoprevention.
Targeting the Leukotriene Pathway for Colon Cancer Interception
Authors: Mohammed Altaf , Shoemaker Robert H.
Published: October 2022

The role of chronic inflammation and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in tumor progression has been well characterized for variety of cancers, with compelling data for colon cancer. Several preclinical and clinical studies primarily focused on inhibiting the cyclooxygenase pathways using NSAIDs and aspirin for colon cancer prevention. However, emerging evidence clearly supports the pro-tumorigenic role of 5-lipoxygenase and its downstream leukotriene pathway within AA metabolism. As discussed in the current issue, targeting the leukotriene pathway by cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) montelukast suppressed formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and cell proliferation in colonic epithelium, suggesting the potential of LTRAs for colon cancer prevention. Although this is a short clinical chemoprevention trial to explore the effects of LTRAs against ACF development, it is a significant and timely study opening avenues to further explore the possibilities of using LTRAs in other inflammation-associated precancerous lesions as well. In this spotlight commentary, we highlight the implications of their data and the opportunities for developing LTRAs as potential candidates for colorectal cancer interception.

See related article by Higurashi et al., p. 661
One Barrier to Colorectal Cancer Screening Eliminated: On to the Next
Authors: Wender Richard C. , Rendle Katharine A.
Published: October 2022

Colorectal cancer screening is one of the best proven and most cost-effective of all preventive interventions. Screening lowers both incidence and mortality. Bearing some of the costs of colonoscopy, also known as cost-sharing, has been a barrier to completion of colonoscopy, both as a primary screen and as a second test to complete screening after an abnormal initial stool or radiologic screening test. While a newly published model concludes that eliminating cost-sharing for colonoscopy after an initial screen is cost-effective, the desired outcome has already been achieved. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services has announced the plan to eliminate this final out of pocket expense starting in 2023. While this is an important step, many barriers to screening for colorectal cancer and all other cancers remain. Eliminating downstream costs that result from an abnormal screen is a difficult to achieve but important goal.

See related article by Fendrick et al., p. 653
Rituximab, Mycophenolic Acid, and Calcineurin Inhibitors Achieve Long-Term Remission in Pediatric Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis with Steroid-Resistant and Frequently Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Ambarsari Cahyani Gita , Saraswati Meilania , Laudza Genta Syaifrin
Published: October 2022

Studies investigating the effect of rituximab in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) have reported conflicting results, with some concluding that patients may require additional immunosuppressive therapy to achieve and/or maintain long-term remission. We report successful treatment of pediatric FSGS with rituximab infusions, followed by maintenance immunosuppression with mycophenolic acid (MPA) and a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) in 1 patient with refractory steroid-resistant NS (SRNS), and one with frequently relapsing NS (FRNS). Case 1 is a patient with refractory SRNS due to FSGS. MPA and tacrolimus induced complete remission within 6 months following rituximab treatment. Remission was maintained for over 2 years, and the patient’s kidney function and body height also returned to normal ranges within this time. Case 2 is a patient with FRNS due to FSGS, who was treated with rituximab followed by MPA and cyclosporine, which successfully prevented relapses for 18 months, that is, at the end point of the observation. Our case report demonstrates that rituximab and a combination of CNIs and MPA can be effective in achieving complete remission in pediatric refractory SRNS and sustaining remission in pediatric FSGS with FRNS and SRNS for several years. This treatment regimen has the advantage of eliminating the need for long-term high-dose steroid treatments, allowing 1 patient to achieve normal growth and recover from other adverse steroid effects.
Perifolliculitis Capitis Abscedens et Suffodiens after Follicular Unit Transplantation: A Case Report
Authors: Genco Lucia , Cantelli Mariateresa , Delfino Mario , Noto Matteo , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Vastarella Maria
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In the field of hair transplantation (HT) surgery, transplantation techniques from autologous tissue dominate. The most widely used techniques are follicular unit transplantation, also known as strip technique, and follicular unit extraction. Case Presentation: We report a case of an HT sequence of particular interest because of its unusual clinical presentation, chronic relapsing nature, and aggressiveness. The clinical presentation (fluctuating and communicating lesions in the occipital region), course, and symptomatology support the hypothesis of PCAS. Discussion: PCAS or folliculitis dissecans or Hoffmann’s disease is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. We speculate that the mechanical extraction of follicular units was the trigger. This case underlines the need for further studies as cases of PCAS may increase concomitantly with the increase in HT.
Tislelizumab in Patients with Previously Treated Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (RATIONALE-208): A Multicenter, Non-Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 2 Trial
Authors: Ren Zhenggang , Ducreux Michel , Abou-Alfa Ghassan K. , Merle Philippe , Fang Weijia , Edeline Julien , Li Zhiwei , Wu Lihua , Assenat Eric , Hu Sheng , Rimassa Lorenza , Zhang Tao , Blanc Jean-Frédéric , Pan Hongming , Ross Paul , Yen Chia-Jui , Tran Albert , Shao Guoliang , Bouattour Mohamed , Chen Yajin , Meyer Tim , Hou Jinlin , Tougeron David , Bai Yuxian , Hou Ming-Mo , Meng Zhiqiang , Wu John , Li Vincent , Chica-Duque Sandra , Cheng Ann-Lii
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Tislelizumab (anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibody) showed preliminary antitumor activity and tolerability in patients with advanced solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab in patients with previously treated advanced HCC. Methods: The multiregional phase 2 study RATIONALE-208 examined single-agent tislelizumab (200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks) in patients with advanced HCC with Child-Pugh A, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B or C, and who had received one or more prior lines of systemic therapy. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), radiologically confirmed per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 by the Independent Review Committee. Safety was assessed in patients who received ≥1 dose of tislelizumab. Results: Between April 9, 2018, and February 27, 2019, 249 eligible patients were enrolled and treated. After a median study follow-up of 12.7 months, ORR was 13% (n = 32/249; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9–18), including five complete and 27 partial responses. The number of prior lines of therapy did not impact ORR (one prior line, 13% [95% CI, 8–20]; two or more prior lines, 13% [95% CI, 7–20]). Median duration of response was not reached. The disease control rate was 53%, and median overall survival was 13.2 months. Of the 249 total patients, grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events were reported in 38 (15%) patients; the most common was liver transaminase elevations in 10 (4%) patients. Treatment-related adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 13 (5%) patients or dose delay in 46 (19%) patients. No deaths were attributed to the treatment per investigator assessment. Conclusion: Tislelizumab demonstrated durable objective responses, regardless of the number of prior lines of therapy, and acceptable tolerability in patients with previously treated advanced HCC.
The Effects of Metabolism Tracker Device (Lumen) Usage on Metabolic Control in Adults with Prediabetes: Pilot Clinical Trial
Authors: Buch Assaf , Yeshurun Shlomo , Cramer Tomer , Baumann Axel , Sencelsky Yael , Zelber Sagi Shira , Serebro Merav , Greenman Yona , Mor Merav , Eldor Roy
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Prediabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it may be reversed via lifestyle changes. Lumen is a novel handheld device that measures exhaled CO2 producing results in agreement with those of indirect calorimetry when assessing metabolic fuel usage. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of following Lumen’s personalized, measurement-guided lifestyle intervention program on anthropometric and metabolic variables in adults with prediabetes. Methods: A 12-week single-arm intervention study was conducted in 27 participants. Body composition and blood markers were measured at the start and end of the study. Each participant took a daily morning (fasted) measurement and received feedback on their metabolic state (i.e., their degree of fat vs. carbohydrate oxidation). Participants were then provided with personalized daily guidelines for their carbohydrate, fat, and protein consumption, along with recommended lifestyle changes. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed a significant decrease in body weight (5.99 kg, p < 0.001), comprising a significant reduction in percentage body fat (2.93%, p < 0.001) and waist circumference (6.23 cm, p < 0.001). Significant reductions were also observed in glycated hemoglobin A1c (0.27%, p < 0.001), triglycerides (0.45 mg/dL, p < 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (0.5 mm Hg, p < 0.05). Conclusion: In a 12-week pilot study of participants with prediabetes, Lumen usage significantly improved multiple metabolic parameters, demonstrating its potential to deliver better clinical outcomes for patients with T2DM and metabolic syndrome.
The Obesity Paradox in Heart Failure: Is It Still Valid in Light of New Therapies?
Authors: Fröhlich Hanna , Frey Norbert , Frankenstein Lutz , Täger Tobias
Published: October 2022

Background: Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart failure (HF). However, in patients with established HF, many studies observed greater survival with increasing adiposity. This counterintuitive observation has been termed the “obesity paradox.” In recent years, new HF therapies have emerged that improve prognosis in patients with HF. Some of these, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), cause weight loss and may therefore interfere with the obesity paradox. Summary: This article is a narrative review on the relationship between body weight and outcomes in patients with HF with special focus on new HF treatments. PubMed was searched for studies reporting the prognostic impact of obesity in HF from 2002 to February 22, 2022. More than 400 records were examined, with 150 being included in the present review. Literature provides evidence for an obesity paradox in a broad range of HF patients, including acute and chronic HF across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction. It has been verified in HF patients treated with SGLT2i but not in those using sacubitril/valsartan. Cardiorespiratory fitness and the severity of HF seem to be important confounders of the obesity paradox in HF. While unintentional weight loss is associated with a poor prognosis in HF, weight loss associated with SGLT2i treatment appears safe. Key Messages: Consensus has yet to emerge as to whether the obesity paradox is a true phenomenon in HF. As cardiorespiratory fitness is strongly associated with prognosis and significantly modifies the relationship between adiposity and survival in HF, regular physical activity is recommended irrespective of the body weight. In HF patients with severe obesity, a modest weight reduction of 5–10% may be reasonable to improve HF symptoms and quality of life.
Reconnecting with your Culture. The school of the world: entrevista a Olimpia Niglio
Authors:   Universidad de Ibagué, Colombia, León Victoria , Echeverry Kevin A. ,   comité científico de la Serie EdA Kids
Published: October 2022

Olimpia Niglio es profesora de Restauración Arquitectónica en la Universidad de Pavia, Italia, y profesora visitante permanente de Historia de la Arquitectura Comparada en la Hosei University, Tokio, donde es docente de grado y posgrado. Posdoctora del Ministerio de la Educación (MIUR) en Conservación de la Arquitectura y doctora de la Università di Napoli Federico II. Trabaja temas relativos a la restauración, el patrimonio y la cultura. En la actualidad se desempeña como investigadora principal del programa Italian Diaspora in the World. Dirige el Centro Internacional de Investigación Esempi di Architettura (EdA). Es vicepresidenta de ICOMOS en el comité científico internacional Places of Religion and Ritual (Perico) y de Asian Cultural Landscape Association (Acla, Seúl, República de Corea). Los avances y reflexiones que Olimpia desarrolla en torno al patrimonio cultural, desde la perspectiva de las infancias y su relación con la escuela y el territorio, han permitido que la participación se extienda al mundo entero; cuenta con el apoyo de la Cátedra Unesco (Universidad y Patrimonio) y del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de Italia. El programa Reconnecting with your Culture (Rwyc) es miembro de la comisión europea New European Bauhaus y de la Charter - European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance
Vidas que perseveram: escrevivências de uma comunidade quilombola como ruptura ótica e política
Authors: Gondim Diego de Matos
Published: October 2022

Este ensaio tem como objetivo produzir escrevivências de uma Comunidade Remanescentes de Quilombo no interior do estado de São Paulo, tendo como perspectiva uma ruptura ótica e política das imagens representativas da realidade. Tal proposta é inspirada na obra Becos da memória, de Conceição Evaristo – onde a escrevivência é compreendida como uma maneira de con(fundir) escrita e vida. A ruptura ótica e política é inspirada na performance Narciso e Eco, realizada por Grada Kilomba – onde a ruptura é produzida a partir de uma desobediência poética das figuras representativas da realidade. Para tanto, a escrevivência é produzida em correspondência com diversas conversações realizadas com os moradores da comunidade quilombola do Mandira. Tais conversações encarnam não apenas a memória de um trabalho de campo iniciado em 2015, mas também as vivências dos quilombolas, atualizando passado, presente e futuro na contemporaneidade.
Large‐Scale Targeted Sequencing Study of Ischemic Stroke in the Han Chinese Population
Authors: Shi Mengyao , Kelly Tanika N. , Zhu Zhengbao , Li Changwei , Shen Chong , Sun Yingxian , Wang Aili , Shan Guangliang , Bu Xiaoqing , Guo Daoxia , Zhao Jingbo , Xu Tan , Peng Hao , Xu Tian , Zhong Chongke , Sun Xiao , Chen Jing , Zhang Yonghong , He Jiang
Published: October 2022

Background

Ischemic stroke is likely caused by interactions of multiple genes and environmental determinants. However, large‐scale sequencing studies to discern functional genetic variants and their interactions with clinical and lifestyle risk factors on ischemic stroke are limited.

Methods and Results

We sequenced functional regions of 740 previously identified genes associated with atherosclerotic disease among 999 ischemic stroke cases and 1001 controls of Chinese ancestry. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between variants and ischemic stroke and test interactions between variants and clinical and lifestyle risk factors. Functional variants achieving suggestive significance were replicated in an independent sample of 4724 ischemic stroke cases and 5029 controls. Driven by variant main effects, each minor allele of the correlated rs174535, rs174545, and rs3834458 variants at
MYRF‐FADS1‐FADS2
conferred an average 0.83‐fold (95% CI, 0.78–0.88) decreased odds of stroke. Significant main effects of
MTHFR
rs1801133 missense variant were also observed, with each copy of the A allele associated with a 1.20‐fold (95% CI, 1.13–1.27) higher odds of ischemic stroke. The functional
ALDH2
rs671 variant was identified in interaction analyses with alcohol drinking (
Meta‐P
=3.39×10
−17
). Each minor allele conferred a 0.54‐fold (95% CI, 0.45–0.64) decreased odds of stroke among drinkers and a 0.89‐fold (95% CI, 0.83–0.97) decreased odds among nondrinkers.

Conclusions

Significant associations at
MYRF‐FADS1‐FADS2
indicate that genetically elevated polyunsaturated fatty acids may decrease ischemic stroke risk in East Asians. Significant associations at
MTHFR
and
ALDH2
robustly confirm deleterious effects of genetically elevated homocysteine and alcohol intake, respectively, on ischemic stroke.
Prevalence of Isolated Nocturnal Hypertension and Development of Arterial Stiffness, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, and Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions: The KoGES (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study)
Authors: Kim Seong Hwan , Shin Chol , Kim Sunwon , Kim Jin‐Seok , Lim Sang Yup , Seo Hyeong‐Seok , Lim Hong Euy , Sung Ki‐Chul , Cho Goo‐Yeong , Lee Seung Ku , Kim Yong‐Hyun
Published: October 2022

Background

Apart from nondippers’ impact on cardiovascular events, the prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) and its consequences on both the heart and brain were not clearly investigated in the general population.

Methods and Results

The participants underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring evaluations for arterial stiffness, echocardiography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. They were grouped into normotension, INH, and overt diurnal hypertension, based on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and history of antihypertensive treatment. White matter hyperintensity, arterial stiffness, and echocardiographic parameters were compared. Of the 1734 participants, there were 475 (27.4%) subjects with normotension, 314 with INH (18.1%), and 945 with overt diurnal hypertension (54.5%). Prevalence of INH was not different between sex or age. Of INH, 71.3% (n=224) was caused by elevated diastolic blood pressure. After multivariable adjustment, INH showed higher pulse wave velocity (
P
<0.001) and central systolic blood pressure (
P
<0.001), left ventricular mass index (
P
=0.026), and worse left ventricular diastolic function (early diastolic mitral annular velocity) (
P
<0.001) than normotension. Mean white matter hyperintensity scores of INH were not different from normotension (
P
=0.321), but the odds for white matter hyperintensity presence were higher in INH than normotension (odds ratio, 1.504 [95% CI, 1.097–2.062];
P
=0.011).

Conclusions

INH was common in the general population and associated with increased arterial stiffness, left ventricular hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction. White matter hyperintensity was more likely to be present in the INH group than in the normotension group. The use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should be encouraged to identify masked INH and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular events.
Issue Mapping Strategy: Process of Discovery, Places of Invention and Design Process Fallacies
Authors: Buchanan Kaja Tooming
Published: October 2022

In this article I explore the challenges faced in design practice, where the approach to inquiry depends on understanding the context as a whole with all of its interconnected parts, and its successful transformation from one developmental phase to another. The specific goal of this article is to reflect on the meaning behind and the significance of the Issue Mapping Strategy in the exploratory research process of problem finding and discuss challenges encountered in the process of discovery that might lead to invalid topics and thus to design process fallacies. Therefore, this article explores three major areas of concern—places of invention, process of invention and product of invention—where the risk for design process fallacies is greatest. The significance of discovering commonplaces of arguments and the process of reasoning that help to identify issues in problematic situations is discussed and examples are given. The Issue Mapping strategy is useful in all of the cases that focus on problem finding in complex environments and situations of uncertainty in human experience.
Contemporary Haredi Yiddish Bilingual Pedagogical Materials
Authors: Belk Zoë , Benedict Eliyahu , Kahn Lily , Yampolskaya Sonya
Published: October 2022

This article examines Hebrew- and English-medium pedagogical materials aimed at Haredi learners of Yiddish. Our main findings are 1) the materials are produced by and for the community, which reflects the commonly held Haredi view that knowledge of Yiddish is a key element of in-group identity and therefore must be maintained and taught, 2) the learning materials tend to adopt an inductive approach informed by the traditional Ashkenazic taytsh educational model, where forms and structures are absorbed through exposure, rather than a deductive one, which differs from most non-Haredi Yiddish pedagogical resources, 3) some features (e.g., personal pronouns) presented in the materials are more conservative than those typically used in spoken Haredi Yiddish, and there is considerable variation among the different resources vis-à-vis the grammatical elements presented (e.g., noun case and gender, which supports earlier research demonstrating that these features are absent from or in flux in Contemporary Hasidic Yiddish).
The Vertical Middepth Ocean Density Profile: An Interplay between Southern Ocean Dynamics and Interior Vertical Diffusivity
Authors: Yang Xiaoting , Tziperman Eli
Published: October 2022

The middepth ocean temperature profile was found by Munk in 1966 to agree with an exponential profile and shown to be consistent with a vertical advective–diffusive balance. However, tracer release experiments show that vertical diffusivity in the middepth ocean is an order of magnitude too small to explain the observed 1-km exponential scale. Alternative mechanisms suggested that nearly all middepth water upwells adiabatically in the Southern Ocean (SO). In this picture, SO eddies and wind set SO isopycnal slopes and therefore determine a nonvanishing middepth interior stratification even in the adiabatic limit. The effect of SO eddies on SO isopycnal slopes can be understood via either a marginal criticality condition or a near-vanishing SO residual deep overturning condition in the adiabatic limit. We examine the interplay between SO dynamics and interior mixing in setting the exponential profiles of σ2 and ∂zσ2. We use eddy-permitting numerical simulations, in which we artificially change the diapycnal mixing only away from the SO. We find that SO isopycnal slopes change in response to changes in the interior diapycnal mixing even when the wind forcing is constant, consistent with previous studies (that did not address these near-exponential profiles). However, in the limit of small interior mixing, the interior ∂zσ2 profile is not exponential, suggesting that SO processes alone, in an adiabatic limit, do not lead to the observed near-exponential structures of such profiles. The results suggest that while SO wind and eddies contribute to the nonvanishing middepth interior stratification, the exponential shape of the ∂zσ2 profiles must also involve interior diapycnal mixing.
Comparison of Optical Flow Derivation Techniques for Retrieving Tropospheric Winds from Satellite Image Sequences
Authors: Apke Jason M. , Noh Yoo-Jeong , Bedka Kristopher
Published: October 2022

This study introduces a validation technique for quantitative comparison of algorithms that retrieve winds from passive detection of cloud- and water vapor–drift motions, also known as atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs). The technique leverages airborne wind-profiling lidar data collected in tandem with 1-min refresh-rate geostationary satellite imagery. AMVs derived with different approaches are used with accompanying numerical weather prediction model data to estimate the full profiles of lidar-sampled winds, which enables ranking of feature tracking, quality control, and height-assignment accuracy and encourages mesoscale, multilayer, multiband wind retrieval solutions. The technique is used to compare the performance of two brightness motion, or “optical flow,” retrieval algorithms used within AMVs, 1) patch matching (PM; used within operational AMVs) and 2) an advanced variational optical flow (VOF) method enabled for most atmospheric motions by new-generation imagers. The VOF AMVs produce more accurate wind retrievals than the PM method within the benchmark in all imager bands explored. It is further shown that image regions with low texture and multilayer-cloud scenes in visible and infrared bands are tracked significantly better with the VOF approach, implying VOF produces representative AMVs where PM typically breaks down. It is also demonstrated that VOF AMVs have reduced accuracy where the brightness texture does not advect with the mean wind (e.g., gravity waves), where the image temporal noise exceeds the natural variability, and when the height assignment is poor. Finally, it is found that VOF AMVs have improved performance when using fine-temporal refresh-rate imagery, such as 1- versus 10-min data.
Adolescents’ Flexibility Can Affect Motor Competence: The Pathway from Health Related Physical Fitness to Motor Competence
Authors: Chagas Daniel das Virgens , Barnett Lisa M.
Published: October 2022

Motor competence has been shown to predict health-related physical fitness (HRPF) components in youth, but there is indeterminate evidence for the reverse path. Even less is known about the specific relationship between motor competence and flexibility. Our aims in this study were to analyze the relationship between flexibility and motor competence among adolescents; and, secondarily, to examine the relationships between motor competence and other HRPF components (body composition and musculoskeletal fitness). We conducted a longitudinal study (14-months follow-up) with two measurement points of 128 participants (55.5% girls; 45% boys) aged 12–13 years at baseline. We assessed HRPF components at the first time point and determined motor competence at the second time point. We assessed HRPF in terms of body composition (body fat percentage), musculoskeletal fitness (sit-up test), and flexibility (sit and reach). We determined motor competence using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK). We employed multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) to examine the effect of HRPF on motor competence through three models, in which each HRPF component was considered an independent variable. Sex, age, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) z-scores were considered confounders. In our crude models all HRPF components significantly affected motor competence. In adjusted models, flexibility ( p = .002) and body composition ( p < .001) significantly affected motor competence. Overall, these results supported the assumptions that HRPF components are related to motor competence in adolescence, and that flexibility can affect motor competence in young people.
Reactive dyes in the fabrication of gold nanoparticles as wool textile colorants
Authors: Wrigglesworth Emma G , Woolly Ethan F , Johnston James H
Published: October 2022

Gold nanoparticles make an appealing candidate as textile colorants due to the range of attractive colors they can produce and their exceptional stability compared to organic dyes. However, ensuring a strong interaction between the fabric and the nanoparticles remains a challenge. We have investigated the use of commercial reactive dyes to (1) reduce gold ions and form nanoparticles and (2) form a chemical link between the nanoparticles and wool fibers. For the first time, gold nanoparticles have been produced using organic reactive dyes as reducing agents. As part of this process, the chromophore of the dye has been chemically altered such that it does not contribute any color, and the red shades displayed result entirely from gold nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have then been tested for their ability to dye wool yarn samples. Careful analysis has indicated that a weak bond has formed between the particles and the fibers due to degradation of the dye structure during reduction. The mechanism of degradation has been studied, providing insight into the type of chemical structure that could be used in the future to achieve wash-fast gold nanoparticle textiles.