bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Copenhagen Adduction Exercise on Muscle Architecture and Adductor Flexibility
Authors: Alonso-Fernández Diego , Fernández-Rodríguez Rosana , Taboada-Iglesias Yaiza , Gutiérrez-Sánchez Águeda
Published: May 2022

Groin injuries are one of the most prevalent in sports, especially due to the hip adductor muscles’ weakness, which is considered as a risk factor. The Copenhagen adduction exercise (CAE) has been demonstrated to increase the strength of adductor muscles, but its effects on the architectural characteristics and flexibility of the adductors has been little studied. The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact on the muscular architecture and flexibility of the adductor musculature after 8 weeks of CAE-based training and after 4 weeks of subsequent detraining. A sample of 45 active subjects (26.1 ± 2.8 years old) were randomly divided into a control group with no intervention and an experimental group with an intervention based on 8 weeks of CAE training and 4 weeks of subsequent detraining. The muscle thickness of adductors was measured before and after training and detraining using ultrasound imaging and hip abduction range with goniometry. A significant increase in muscle thickness (left leg: +17.83%, d = 1.77, p < 0.001//right leg: +18.38%, d = 1.82, p < 0.001) and adductor flexibility was found in the experimental group (left leg: +7.3%, d = 0.96, p < 0.05//right leg: +7.15%, d = 0.94, p < 0.05), and after detraining, both variables returned to their initial values. These results could indicate that CAE would be a suitable strategy to modify the architecture of the adductors and thus form part of training protocols designed for the prevention and rehabilitation of muscle injuries.
Serum Ketone Levels May Correspond with Preoperative Body Weight Loss in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery: A Single-Center, Prospective, Observational Feasibility Study
Authors: Kutnik Paweł , Borys Michał , Buszewicz Grzegorz , Piwowarczyk Paweł , Osak Marcin , Teresiński Grzegorz , Czuczwar Mirosław
Published: May 2022

Although nutritional-risk scoring systems allow the determination of the patient’s malnutrition at admission, additional tools might be useful in some clinical scenarios. Previous medical history could be unavailable in unconscious or demented patients. This study aimed to assess the ketone bodies serum levels in patients undergoing elective surgeries and to determine the possible correlation between ketone bodies serum levels and preoperative body weight loss. The study included 21 patients who underwent elective surgery. Hyperketonemia, defined as ketone bodies over 1 mmol/L, was observed in seven (33.3%) patients. Patients with hyperketonemia had significantly higher preoperative percentage body weight loss (p = 0.04) and higher nutritional risk scores prior to surgery (p = 0.04). Serum glucose and the percentage of body weight loss were associated with increased ketone bodies serum levels (Odds Ratios: 0.978 (0.961–0.996, p = 0.019) and 1.222 (1.0–1.492, p = 0.05), respectively). A significant linear correlation was found between the percentage of body weight loss and both ketones bodies (r2 = 0.25, p = 0.02) and albumin serum levels (r2 = 0.19, p = 0.04). Our study’s results might suggest a positive association between preoperative body weight loss and ketone bodies serum levels. The observation between increased ketone bodies serum levels in patients and preoperative body mass loss merits further research.
Drug Consumption Rooms and Public Health Policy: Perspectives of Scottish Strategic Decision-Makers
Authors: Nicholls James , Livingston Wulf , Perkins Andy , Cairns Beth , Foster Rebecca , Trayner Kirsten M. A. , Sumnall Harry R. , Price Tracey , Cairney Paul , Dumbrell Josh , Parkes Tessa
Published: May 2022

There is widespread support for the introduction of Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) in Scotland as part of a policy response to record levels of drug-related harm. However, existing legal barriers are made more complex by the division of relevant powers between the UK and Scottish Governments. This paper reports on a national, qualitative study of key decision-makers in both local and national roles across Scotland. It explores views on the political barriers and enablers to the adoption of Drug Consumption Rooms and the potential role of these facilities in the wider treatment system. It also considers approaches to evidence, especially the types of evidence that are considered valuable in supporting decision-making in this area. The study found that Scottish decision-makers are strongly supportive of DCR adoption; however, they remain unclear as to the legal and political mechanisms that would make this possible. They view DCRs as part of a complex treatment and support system rather than a uniquely transformative intervention. They see the case for introduction as sufficient, on the basis of need and available evidence, thus adopting a pragmatic and iterative approach to evidence, in contrast to an appeal to traditional evidence hierarchies more commonly adopted by the UK Government.
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Using Machine Learning: A Danish Case Study
Authors: Ageenko Angelina , Hansen Lærke Christina , Lyng Kevin Lundholm , Bodum Lars , Arsanjani Jamal Jokar
Published: May 2022

Mapping of landslides, conducted in 2021 by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), revealed 3202 landslides in Denmark, indicating that they might pose a bigger problem than previously acknowledged. Moreover, the changing climate is assumed to have an impact on landslide occurrences in the future. The aim of this study is to conduct the first landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) in Denmark, reducing the geographical bias existing in LSM studies, and to identify areas prone to landslides in the future following representative concentration pathway RCP8.5, based on a set of explanatory variables in an area of interest located around Vejle Fjord, Jutland, Denmark. A subset from the landslide inventory provided by GEUS is used as ground truth data. Three well-established machine learning (ML) algorithms—Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Logistic Regression—were trained to classify the data samples as landslide or non-landslide, treating the ML task as a binary classification and expressing the results in the form of a probability in order to produce susceptibility maps. The classification results were validated through the test data and through an external data set for an area located outside of the region of interest. While the high predictive performance varied slightly among the three models on the test data, the LR and SVM demonstrated inferior accuracy outside of the study area. The results show that the RF model has robustness and potential for applicability in landslide susceptibility mapping in low-lying landscapes of Denmark in the present. The conducted mapping can become a step forward towards planning for mitigative and protective measures in landslide-prone areas in Denmark, providing policy-makers with necessary decision support. However, the map of the future climate change scenario shows the reduction of the susceptible areas, raising the question of the choice of the climate models and variables in the analysis.
Exploring the Impact of Built Environment Attributes on Social Followings Using Social Media Data and Deep Learning
Authors: Tang Yiwen , Zhang Jiaxin , Liu Runjiao , Li Yunqin
Published: May 2022

Streets are an important component of urban landscapes and reflect the image, quality of life, and vitality of public spaces. With the help of the Google Cityscapes urban dataset and the DeepLab-v3 deep learning model, we segmented panoramic images to obtain visual statistics, and analyzed the impact of built environment attributes on a restaurant’s popularity. The results show that restaurant reviews are affected by the density of traffic signs, flow of pedestrians, the bicycle slow-moving index, and variations in the terrain, among which the density of traffic signs has a significant negative correlation with the number of reviews. The most critical factor that affects ratings on restaurants’ food, indoor environment and service is pedestrian flow, followed by road walkability and bicycle slow-moving index, and then natural elements (sky openness, greening rate, and terrain), traffic-related factors (road network density and motor vehicle interference index), and artificial environment (such as the building rate), while people’s willingness to stay has a significant negative effect on ratings. The qualities of the built environment that affect per capita consumption include density of traffic signs, pedestrian flow, and degree of non-motorized design, where the density of traffic signs has the most significant effect.
Critical Review on Fatty Acid-Based Food and Nutraceuticals as Supporting Therapy in Cancer
Authors: Ferreri Carla , Sansone Anna , Chatgilialoglu Chryssostomos , Ferreri Rosaria , Amézaga Javier , Burgos Mercedes Caro , Arranz Sara , Tueros Itziar
Published: May 2022

Fatty acids have an important place in both biological and nutritional contexts and, from a clinical point of view, they have known consequences for diseases’ onset and development, including cancer. The use of fatty acid-based food and nutraceuticals to support cancer therapy is a multidisciplinary subject, involving molecular and clinical research. Knowledge regarding polyunsaturated fatty acids essentiality/oxidizability and the role of lipogenesis-desaturase pathways for cell growth, as well as oxidative reactivity in cancer cells, are discussed, since they can drive the choice of fatty acids using their multiple roles to support antitumoral drug activity. The central role of membrane fatty acid composition is highlighted for the application of membrane lipid therapy. As fatty acids are also known as biomarkers of cancer onset and progression, the personalization of the fatty acid-based therapy is also possible, taking into account other important factors such as formulation, bioavailability and the distribution of the supplementation. A holistic approach emerges combining nutra- and pharma-strategies in an appropriate manner, to develop further knowledge and applications in cancer therapy.
Lignans as Pharmacological Agents in Disorders Related to Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: Chemical Synthesis Approaches and Biological Activities
Authors: Osmakov Dmitry I. , Kalinovskii Aleksandr P. , Belozerova Olga A. , Andreev Yaroslav A. , Kozlov Sergey A.
Published: May 2022

Plant lignans exhibit a wide range of biological activities, which makes them the research objects of potential use as therapeutic agents. They provide diverse naturally-occurring pharmacophores and are available for production by chemical synthesis. A large amount of accumulated data indicates that lignans of different structural groups are apt to demonstrate both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, in many cases, simultaneously. In this review, we summarize the comprehensive knowledge about lignan use as a bioactive agent in disorders associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, pharmacological effects in vitro and in vivo, molecular mechanisms underlying these effects, and chemical synthesis approaches. This article provides an up-to-date overview of the current data in this area, available in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, screened from 2000 to 2022.
Deep Brain Stimulation of the Medial Septal Area Can Modulate Gene Expression in the Hippocampus of Rats under Urethane Anesthesia
Authors: Spivak Yulia S. , Karan Anna A. , Dobryakova Yulia V. , Medvedeva Tatiana M. , Markevich Vladimir A. , Bolshakov Alexey P.
Published: May 2022

We studied the effects of stimulation of the medial septal area on the gene expression in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. Rats under urethane anesthesia were implanted with a recording electrode in the right hippocampus and stimulating electrode in the dorsal medial septum (dMS) or medial septal nucleus (MSN). After one-hour-long deep brain stimulation, we collected ipsi- and contralateral dorsal and ventral hippocampi. Quantitative PCR showed that deep brain stimulation did not cause any changes in the intact contralateral dorsal and ventral hippocampi. A comparison of ipsi- and contralateral hippocampi in the control unstimulated animals showed that electrode implantation in the ipsilateral dorsal hippocampus led to a dramatic increase in the expression of immediate early genes (c-fos, arc, egr1, npas4), neurotrophins (ngf, bdnf) and inflammatory cytokines (il1b and tnf, but not il6) not only in the area close to implantation site but also in the ventral hippocampus. Moreover, the stimulation of MSN but not dMS further increased the expression of c-fos, egr1, npas4, bdnf, and tnf in the ipsilateral ventral but not dorsal hippocampus. Our data suggest that the activation of medial septal nucleus can change the gene expression in ventral hippocampal cells after their priming by other stimuli.
A Review on Current Strategies for Extraction and Purification of Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Rodriguez-Marquez Carlos Dariel , Arteaga-Marin Susana , Rivas-Sánchez Andrea , Autrique-Hernández Renata , Castro-Muñoz Roberto
Published: May 2022

Since it is known that hyaluronic acid contributes to soft tissue growth, elasticity, and scar reduction, different strategies of producing HA have been explored in order to satisfy the current demand of HA in pharmaceutical products and formulations. The current interest deals with production via bacterial and yeast fermentation and extraction from animal sources; however, the main challenge is the right extraction technique and strategy since the original sources (e.g., fermentation broth) represent a complex system containing a number of components and solutes, which complicates the achievement of high extraction rates and purity. This review sheds light on the main pathways for the production of HA, advantages, and disadvantages, along with the current efforts in extracting and purifying this high-added-value molecule from different sources. Particular emphasis has been placed on specific case studies attempting production and successful recovery. For such works, full details are given together with their relevant outcomes.
Maternal Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Supplementation Improves Offspring Liver Bioactive Lipid Profiles throughout the Lifespan and Protects against the Development of Adult NAFLD
Authors: Mandala Ashok , Dobrinskikh Evgenia , Janssen Rachel C. , Fiehn Oliver , D’Alessandro Angelo , Friedman Jacob E. , Jonscher Karen R.
Published: May 2022

Maternal obesity and consumption of a high-fat diet significantly elevate risk for pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affecting 10% of children in the US. Almost half of these children are diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a leading etiology for liver transplant. Animal models show that signs of liver injury and perturbed lipid metabolism associated with NAFLD begin in utero; however, safe dietary therapeutics to blunt developmental programming of NAFLD are unavailable. Using a mouse model of maternal Western-style diet (WD), we previously showed that pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a potent dietary antioxidant, protected offspring of WD-fed dams from development of NAFLD and NASH. Here, we used untargeted mass spectrometry-based lipidomics to delineate lipotoxic effects of WD on offspring liver and identify lipid targets of PQQ. PQQ exposure during pregnancy altered hepatic lipid profiles of WD-exposed offspring, upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α signaling and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation to markedly attenuate triglyceride accumulation beginning in utero. Surprisingly, the abundance of very long-chain ceramides, important in promoting gut barrier and hepatic function, was significantly elevated in PQQ-treated offspring. PQQ exposure reduced the hepatic phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine (PC/PE) ratio in WD-fed offspring and improved glucose tolerance. Notably, levels of protective n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were elevated in offspring exposed to PQQ, beginning in utero, and the increase in n − 3 PUFAs persisted into adulthood. Our findings suggest that PQQ supplementation during gestation and lactation augments pathways involved in the biosynthesis of long-chain fatty acids and plays a unique role in modifying specific bioactive lipid species critical for protection against NAFLD risk in later life.
Evaluation of Potential Anti-Hepatitis A Virus 3C Protease Inhibitors Using Molecular Docking
Authors: Sasaki-Tanaka Reina , Nagulapalli Venkata Kalyan C. , Okamoto Hiroaki , Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Kanda Tatsuo
Published: May 2022

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide and occasionally causes acute liver failure and can lead to death in the absence of liver transplantation. Although HAV vaccination is available, the prevalence of HAV vaccination is not adequate in some countries. Additionally, the improvements in public health reduced our immunity to HAV infection. These situations motivated us to develop potentially new anti-HAV therapeutic options. We carried out the in silico screening of anti-HAV compounds targeting the 3C protease enzyme using the Schrodinger Modeling software from the antiviral library of 25,000 compounds to evaluate anti-HAV 3C protease inhibitors. Additionally, in vitro studies were introduced to examine the inhibitory effects of HAV subgenomic replicon replication and HAV HA11-1299 genotype IIIA replication in hepatoma cell lines using luciferase assays and real-time RT-PCR. In silico studies enabled us to identify five lead candidates with optimal binding interactions in the active site of the target HAV 3C protease using the Schrodinger Glide program. In vitro studies substantiated our hypothesis from in silico findings. One of our lead compounds, Z10325150, showed 47% inhibitory effects on HAV genotype IB subgenomic replicon replication and 36% inhibitory effects on HAV genotype IIIA HA11-1299 replication in human hepatoma cell lines, with no cytotoxic effects at concentrations of 100 μg/mL. The effects of the combination therapy of Z10325150 and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, favipiravir on HAV genotype IB HM175 subgenomic replicon replication and HAV genotype IIIA HA11-1299 replication showed 64% and 48% inhibitory effects of HAV subgenomic replicon and HAV replication, respectively. We identified the HAV 3C protease inhibitor Z10325150 through in silico screening and confirmed the HAV replication inhibitory activity in human hepatocytes. Z10325150 may offer the potential for a useful HAV inhibitor in severe hepatitis A.
NMR Investigation of the Supramolecular Complex Formed by a Phenylboronic Acid-Ferrocene Electroactive Probe and Native or Derivatized β-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Cesari Andrea , Casulli Maria Antonietta , Hashimoto Takeshi , Hayashita Takashi
Published: May 2022

Specifically designed electrochemical sensors are standing out as alternatives to enzyme-based biosensors for the sensing of metabolites. In our previous works, we developed a new electrochemical assay based on cyclodextrin supramolecular complexes. A ferrocene moiety (Fc) was chemically modified by phenylboronic acid (4-Fc-PB) and combined with two different kinds of cyclodextrins (CDs): β-CD and β-CD modified by a dipicolylamine group (dpa-p-HB-β-CDs) for the sensing of fructose and adenosine-triphosphate (ATP), respectively. The aim of the present work is to better comprehend the features underlining the aforementioned complex formation. For the first time, a study about inclusion phenomena between the 4-Fc-PB electroactive probe with β-CD and with dpa-p-HB-β-CD was performed by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. In particular, we focused on providing insights on the interaction involved and on the calculation of the binding constant of 4-Fc-PB/β-CD supramolecular complex, and elucidation about a drift in the time observed during the control experiments of the electrochemical measurements for the 4-Fc-PB/dpa-p-HB-β-CD supramolecular complex. In this sense, this paper represents a step further in the explanation of the electrochemical results obtained, pointing out the nature of the interactions present both in the formation of the inclusions and in the sensing with the analytes.
Muscle Wasting in Chronic Kidney Disease: Mechanism and Clinical Implications—A Narrative Review
Authors: Cheng Tsai-Chin , Huang Shou-Hsien , Kao Chung-Lan , Hsu Po-Cheng
Published: May 2022

Muscle wasting, known to develop in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a deleterious consequence of numerous complications associated with deteriorated renal function. Muscle wasting in CKD mainly involves dysregulated muscle protein metabolism and impaired muscle cell regeneration. In this narrative review, we discuss the cardinal role of the insulin-like growth factor 1 and myostatin signaling pathways, which have been extensively investigated using animal and human studies, as well as the emerging concepts in microRNA- and gut microbiota-mediated regulation of muscle mass and myogenesis. To ameliorate muscle loss, therapeutic strategies, including nutritional support, exercise programs, pharmacological interventions, and physical modalities, are being increasingly developed based on advances in understanding its underlying pathophysiology.
Transcription Factor SrsR (YgfI) Is a Novel Regulator for the Stress-Response Genes in Stationary Phase in Escherichia coli K-12
Authors: Kobayashi Ikki , Mochizuki Kenji , Teramoto Jun , Imamura Sousuke , Takaya Kazuhiro , Ishihama Akira , Shimada Tomohiro
Published: May 2022

Understanding the functional information of all genes and the biological mechanism based on the comprehensive genome regulation mechanism is an important task in life science. YgfI is an uncharacterized LysR family transcription factor in Escherichia coli. To identify the function of YgfI, the genomic SELEX (gSELEX) screening was performed for YgfI regulation targets on the E. coli genome. In addition, regulatory and phenotypic analyses were performed. A total of 10 loci on the E. coli genome were identified as the regulatory targets of YgfI with the YgfI binding activity. These predicted YgfI target genes were involved in biofilm formation, hydrogen peroxide resistance, and antibiotic resistance, many of which were expressed in the stationary phase. The TCAGATTTTGC sequence was identified as an YgfI box in in vitro gel shift assay and DNase-I footprinting assays. RT-qPCR analysis in vivo revealed that the expression of YgfI increased in the stationary phase. Physiological analyses suggested the participation of YgfI in biofilm formation and an increase in the tolerability against hydrogen peroxide. In summary, we propose to rename ygfI as srsR (a stress-response regulator in stationary phase).
Enalapril Diminishes the Diabetes-Induced Changes in Intestinal Morphology, Intestinal RAS and Blood SCFA Concentration in Rats
Authors: Jaworska Kinga , Kopacz Wojciech , Koper Mateusz , Szudzik Mateusz , Gawryś-Kopczyńska Marta , Konop Marek , Hutsch Tomasz , Chabowski Dawid , Ufnal Marcin
Published: May 2022

Evidence suggests that microbiota-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and trimethylamine-oxide (TMAO), affect the course of diabetic multiorgan pathology. We hypothesized that diabetes activates the intestinal renin–angiotensin system (RAS), contributing to gut pathology. Twelve-week-old male rats were divided into three groups: controls, diabetic (streptozotocin-induced) and diabetic treated with enalapril. Histological examination and RT-qPCR were performed to evaluate morphology and RAS expression in the jejunum and the colon. SCFA and TMAO concentrations in stools, portal and systemic blood were evaluated. In comparison to the controls, the diabetic rats showed hyperplastic changes in jejunal and colonic mucosa, increased plasma SCFA, and slightly increased plasma TMAO. The size of the changes was smaller in enalapril-treated rats. Diabetic rats had a lower expression of Mas receptor (MasR) and angiotensinogen in the jejunum whereas, in the colon, the expression of MasR and renin was greater in diabetic rats. Enalapril-treated rats had a lower expression of MasR in the colon. The expression of AT1a, AT1b, and AT2 receptors was similar between groups. In conclusion, diabetes produces morphological changes in the intestines, increases plasma SCFA, and alters the expression of renin and MasR. These alterations were reduced in enalapril-treated rats. Future studies need to evaluate the clinical significance of intestinal pathology in diabetes.
Extended Reality in Marketing—A Multiple Case Study on Internet of Things Platforms
Authors: Wagner Ralf , Cozmiuc Diana
Published: May 2022

This research highlights how cloud platform as a service technologies host extended reality technologies and convergent technologies in integrated solutions. It was only around 2019 that scholarly literature conceptualized the role of extended reality, that is, augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality, in the marketing function. This article is a multiple case study on the leading eleven platform as a service vendors. They provide the programming technology required to host software as a service in the cloud, making the software available from everywhere. Of the eleven cases, 10% integrate technologies in solutions. Research results show that extended reality technologies reinvent digital marketing; as part of this, they shape the customer delivery model in terms of customer value proposition; favor the choice of customer channel (the omnichannel); possibly lead to new customer relationships, such as cocreation; and reach global mass customers. Extended reality in the delivery model is complemented by other technologies in the operating model. These combinations provide the foundations of the business models, which are either network or platform business models. This study identifies a number of solutions enabled by extended reality, which have an integrated goal in the form of customer value contribution and are to be studied in further articles.
Using Malaise Traps and Metabarcoding for Biodiversity Assessment in Vineyards: Effects of Weather and Trapping Effort
Authors: Kaczmarek Marvin , Entling Martin H. , Hoffmann Christoph
Published: May 2022

Metabarcoding is a powerful tool for ecological studies and monitoring that might provide a solution to the time-consuming taxonomic identification of the vast diversity of insects. Here, we assess how ambient weather conditions during Malaise trap exposure and the effort of trapping affect biomass and taxa richness in vineyards. Biomass varied by more than twofold with weather conditions. It increased with warmer and drier weather but was not significantly related with wind or precipitation. Taxa richness showed a saturating relationship with increasing trapping duration and was influenced by environmental and seasonal effects. Taxa accumulation was high, increasing fourfold from three days of monthly trap exposure compared to continuous trapping and nearly sixfold from sampling at a single site compared to 32 sites. The limited saturation was mainly due to a large number of singletons, such as rare species, in the metabarcoding dataset. Metabarcoding can be key for long-term insect monitoring. We conclude that single traps operated for up to ten days per month are suitable to monitor the presence of common species. However, more intensive trapping is necessary for a good representation of rare species in biodiversity monitoring. The data collected here can potentially guide the design of monitoring studies.
Lung Ultrasound Improves Outcome Prediction over Clinical Judgment in COVID-19 Patients Evaluated in the Emergency Department
Authors: Bima Paolo , Pivetta Emanuele , Baricocchi Denise , Giamello Jacopo Davide , Risi Francesca , Vesan Matteo , Chiarlo Michela , De Stefano Giuliano , Ferreri Enrico , Lauria Giuseppe , Podio Stefano , Nazerian Peiman , Aprà Franco , Lupia Enrico , Morello Fulvio ,   On behalf of the CODED Study Investigators
Published: May 2022

In the Emergency Department (ED), the decision to hospitalize or discharge COVID-19 patients is challenging. We assessed the utility of lung ultrasound (LUS), alone or in association with a clinical rule/score. This was a multicenter observational prospective study involving six EDs (NCT046291831). From October 2020 to January 2021, COVID-19 outpatients discharged from the ED based on clinical judgment were subjected to LUS and followed-up at 30 days. The primary clinical outcome was a composite of hospitalization or death. Within 393 COVID-19 patients, 35 (8.9%) reached the primary outcome. For outcome prognostication, LUS had a C-index of 0.76 (95%CI 0.68–0.84) and showed good performance and calibration. LUS-based classification provided significant differences in Kaplan–Meier curves, with a positive LUS leading to a hazard ratio of 4.33 (95%CI 1.95–9.61) for the primary outcome. The sensitivity and specificity of LUS for primary outcome occurrence were 74.3% (95%CI 59.8–88.8) and 74% (95%CI 69.5–78.6), respectively. The integration of LUS with a clinical score further increased sensitivity. In patients with a negative LUS, the primary outcome occurred in nine (3.3%) patients (p < 0.001 vs. unselected). The efficiency for rule-out was 69.7%. In unvaccinated ED patients with COVID-19, LUS improves prognostic stratification over clinical judgment alone and may support standardized disposition decisions.
Psychological Effects and Medication Adherence among Korean Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Single-Center Survey
Authors: Ryu Ji Eun , Kang Sung-Goo , Jung Sung Hoon , Lee Shin Hee , Kang Sang-Bum
Published: May 2022

Background and Aim. This study evaluated the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. We quantified anxiety, depression, and medication adherence among IBD patients through a single-center survey in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. An electronic survey was made available to patients at the IBD clinic in Daejeon St. Mary’s hospital from July 2021 to September 2021. The validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess depression and anxiety. The Korean version of the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (KMARS) questionnaire was used to assess medication adherence. Results. In total, 407 patients (56.5%; ulcerative colitis, 43.5%; Crohn’s disease) participated in the survey. Among the respondents, 14.5% showed significant anxiety and 26.3% showed significant depression. Female sex, presence of mental disease, unvaccinated status, and the presence of Crohn’s disease were associated with greater risks of anxiety and depression. Among medications, immunomodulators were associated with a greater risk of anxiety. In terms of KMARS, patients reported favorable medication adherence despite the psychological burden of the pandemic. The KMARS score was 7.3 ± 1.5 (mean ± SD) of 10.0 points. High anxiety and depression were associated with a slight decrease in medication adherence. Conclusions. COVID-19 has increased anxiety and depression among IBD patients, whose medication adherence has nevertheless remained good. Furthermore, anxiety and depression were found to have a negative correlation with adherence. Our results provide insights concerning psychological response and medication adherence among IBD patients in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Significantly Delayed Medium-Latency Response of the Stretch Reflex in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness of the Quadriceps Femoris Muscles Is Indicative of Sensory Neuronal Microdamage
Authors: Sonkodi Balázs , Hegedűs Ádám , Kopper Bence , Berkes István
Published: May 2022

Unaccustomed or strenuous eccentric exercise is known to cause delayed-onset muscle soreness. A recent hypothesis postulated that mechano-energetic microinjury of the primary afferent sensory neuron terminals in the muscle spindles, namely a transient Piezo2 channelopathy, could be the critical cause of delayed-onset muscle soreness in the form of a bi-phasic non-contact injury mechanism. This theory includes that this microlesion could delay the medium-latency response of the stretch reflex. Our aim with this study was to investigate this hypothesis. According to our knowledge, no study has examined the effect of delayed-onset muscle soreness on the medium-latency response of the stretch reflex. Our findings demonstrated that a significant delay in the medium-latency stretch reflex could be observed right after a multi-stage fitness test in the quadriceps femoris muscles of Hungarian professional handball players who consequently experienced delayed-onset muscle soreness. The long-latency stretch reflex and most likely short-latency stretch reflex were unaffected by delayed-onset muscle soreness in our study, which is in line with earlier findings. We translate these findings as indicative of proprioceptive Type Ia terminal microdamage in the muscle spindle in line with the aforementioned new acute non-contact compression axonopathy theory of delayed-onset muscles soreness.
Automatically Guided Selection of a Set of Underwater Calibration Images
Authors: Beaudoin Laurent , Avanthey Loïca , Bunel Corentin , Villard Charles
Published: May 2022

The 3D reconstruction of underwater scenes from overlapping images requires modeling the sensor. While underwater self-calibration gives good results when coupled with multi-view algorithms, calibration or pre-calibration with a pattern is still necessary when scenes are weakly textured or if there are not enough points of view of the same points; however, detecting patterns on underwater images or obtaining a good distribution of these patterns on a dataset is not an easy task. Thus, we propose a methodology to guide the acquisition of a relevant underwater calibration dataset. This process is intended to provide feedback in near real-time to the operator to guide the acquisition and stop it when a sufficient number of relevant calibration images have been reached. To perform this, pattern detection must be optimized both in time and success rate. We propose three variations of optimized detection algorithms, each of which takes into account different hardware capabilities. We present the results obtained on a homemade database composed of 60,000 images taken both in pools and at sea.
How Has the Aspergillosis Case Fatality Rate Changed over the Last Two Decades in Spain?
Authors: González-García Pablo , Alonso-Sardón Montserrat , Rodríguez-Alonso Beatriz , Almeida Hugo , Romero-Alegría Ángela , Vega-Rodríguez Víctor-José , López-Bernús Amparo , Muñoz-Bellido Juan Luis , Muro Antonio , Pardo-Lledías Javier , Belhassen-García Moncef
Published: May 2022

(1) Background: Aspergillus produces high morbidity and mortality, especially in at-risk populations. In Spain, the evolution of mortality in recent years due to this fungus is not well established. The aim of this study was to estimate the case fatality rate of aspergillosis in inpatients from 1997 to 2017 in Spain. (2) Methodology: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted with records of inpatients admitted to the National Health System with a diagnosis of aspergillosis. (3) Principal findings: Of 32,960 aspergillosis inpatients, 24.5% of deaths were registered, and 71% of the patients who died were men. The percentage of deaths increased progressively with age. The case fatality rate progressively decreased over the period, from 25.4 and 27.8% in 1997–1998 to values of 20.6 and 20.8% in 2016 and 2017. Influenza and pneumonia occurrence/association significantly increased case fatality rates in all cases. (4) Conclusions: Our study shows that lethality significantly decreased in the last two decades despite the increase in cases. This highlights the fact that patients with solid and/or hematological cancer do not have a much higher mortality rate than the group of patients with pneumonia or influenza alone, these two factors being the ones that cause the highest CFRs. We also need studies that analyze the causes of mortality to decrease it and studies that evaluate the impact of COVID-19.
Fungus–Fungus Association of Boletus griseus and Hypomyces chrysospermus and Cadmium Resistance Characteristics of Symbiotic Fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus
Authors: Tian Zhen , Wang Yunan , Zhuang Yongliang , Mao Chunze , Shi Yujia , Sun Liping
Published: May 2022

Fungi bioaccumulation of heavy metals is a promising approach to remediate polluted soil and water. Boletus griseus could accumulate high amounts of Cd, even in a natural habitat with low Cd contents. This study found a symbiotic association of B. griseus with a fungus. The symbiotic fungus was isolated and identified as Hypomyces chrysospermus. The isolated strain had a strong ability to tolerate Cd. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Cd of fungal growth was 200 mg·L−1. The Cd bioaccumulation capacity of the fungus reached 10.03 mg·g−1. The biomass production of the fungus was promoted by 20 mg·L−1 Cd. However, high concentrations of Cd suppressed fungal growth and significantly altered the morphology and fine texture of fungal hyphae and chlamydospores. The immobilization effects of the cell wall and acid compounds and antioxidant enzymes were employed by the fungus to alleviate the toxic effects of Cd. The results not only demonstrate a new insight into the Cd bioconcentration mechanisms of B. griseus but also provide a potential bioremediation fungus for Cd contamination.
Optimal Portfolio Allocation between Global Stock Indexes and Safe Haven Assets: Gold versus the Swiss Franc (1999–2021)
Authors: Tronzano Marco
Published: May 2022

This paper contributes to the literature on safe haven assets, analyzing gold and the Swiss Franc’s defensive properties inside various global stocks portfolios. The analysis relies on monthly data extending over the last two decades. Drawing on Multivariate Garch DCC models, the hedging effectiveness of bivariate Swiss Franc-hedged portfolios is found to be notably higher than that of gold-hedged portfolios. Value-at-Risk simulations, assuming equal or “optimal” portfolio weights, confirm these results inside a multivariate asset framework, while a regression approach with quantile dummies provides further support in this regard. Since the better hedge and safe haven properties of the Swiss Franc are likely to persist in the future, the main policy implication of the paper concerns asset allocation strategies giving relatively more weight to the Swiss currency in global stock portfolios.
Fintechs and Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Tello-Gamarra Jorge , Campos-Teixeira Diogo , Longaray André Andrade , Reis João , Hernani-Merino Martin
Published: May 2022

The growth of fintechs has exponentially modified the international financial system. These changes affect social mechanisms that regulate the performance of economic agents, generating the need to modify the current role played by institutions. Despite the clear relationship that exists between fintechs and institutions, studies exploring the details of this relationship are still scarce. The objective of this article is to propose a review and analysis of the current state of research on fintechs and institutions. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review was conducted, with the selection and analysis of 123 documents published which were based on preestablished inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main results show the development of a framework that allows us to increase our understanding of fintechs and institutions; the identification of three propositions that serve as a guide to the institutional landscape in which fintechs operate; and finally the recognition of a research agenda.
Effects of Low-Carbon Visualizations in Landscape Design Based on Virtual Eye-Movement Behavior Preference
Authors: Lin Zhengsong , Wang Yuting , Ye Xinyue , Wan Yuxi , Lu Tianjun , Han Yu
Published: May 2022

Three-dimensional geovisualization in landscape design can be used to evaluate the efforts of mitigating CO2 emissions. This study evaluated subjects’ emotional preferences for 3D landscape design through an eye movement tracking experiment. In the case that the color of the building materials was positively correlated with low carbon emissions, green, blue, and gray were typical representatives of low carbon emissions. Through the eye movement tracking experiment, subjects’ emotional preferences for different building colors were obtained. The results show that the fixation trajectory is consistent with the preset green and energy saving parameters, and the design effect of the architectural landscape can be evaluated by detecting virtual eye movement tracking. There is a coupling relationship between virtual eye movement tracking, expert interviews, and evaluation results, so that it presents a logical relationship between virtual eye movement, the color of low-carbon materials, and carbon emissions. In addition, the affective preference analysis and entropy weight method confirmed their effectiveness in the evaluation of the 3D landscape design effect, which had a positive impact on the CO2 emission reduction of the construction industry. These results will contribute to the development of 3D landscape design in the architecture industry and provide new ideas and methods for the carbon peak project.
Impact of Land Use Change on Tree Diversity and Aboveground Carbon Storage in the Mayombe Tropical Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Michel Opelele Omeno , Yu Ying , Fan Wenyi , Lubalega Tolerant , Chen Chen , Sudi Kaiko Claude Kachaka
Published: May 2022

The Mayombe tropical forest has experienced dramatic changes over several decades due to human activities. However, the impact of these changes on tree biodiversity and ecosystem services has not been studied yet. Such a study could advance the current knowledge on tree biodiversity and carbon storage within the Mayombe forest, which is presently under high anthropogenic pressures. This information could benefit decision-makers to design and implement strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource utilization. As such, biodiversity surveys were conducted within the forest under different land utilization regimes. To evaluate the effect of human utilization on tree biodiversity and ecosystem services (carbon storage), land was classified into three categories based on the intensity of human utilization: low utilization, moderate utilization, and high utilization. Additionally, the study evaluated the recovery potential of the disturbed forest under both moderate and high utilization, after abandonment for 10 and 20 years. Tree diameter and height were measured for all trees whose diameter at breast height was greater than or equal to 10 cm. Our findings revealed that forest land with both high and moderate utilization regimes, and having no regulation, resulted in the decline of tree species richness, tree species diversity, and carbon storage. The magnitude of decrease was greater in high utilization compared to moderate utilization regimes. On the other hand, high values of biodiversity indices and carbon storage were observed in the low utilization regime. This study also demonstrated that fallow land that had been left undisturbed for more than 10 years, but had experienced both high and moderate utilization regimes, could reasonably recover carbon storage, and an acceptable level of tree species biodiversity can be achieved. However, there remains a significant difference when compared with the original level in the low utilization regime, suggesting that the Mayombe forest takes longer to recover. Based on the findings on tree biodiversity and carbon storage over the recovery trajectory, this study improves the understanding of the degraded forest restoration process within the Mayombe forest. It is therefore necessary to formulate new strategies to regulate forest land utilization within the Mayombe forest. This will ensure sustainability and availability of all ecosystem services this forest provides to a human population that strongly depends on it for their survival.
Hydrological Regime, Provenance, and Impacts on Cultural Development at Changsha Kiln Archaeological Site since 1300 a, Lower Xiangjiang River, China
Authors: Guo Aipeng , Mao Longjiang , Shan Siwei , Zhang Xingguo , Mo Duowen
Published: May 2022

Changsha kilns were exported to more than 20 countries and regions and were an essential part of the culture in the central Yangtze River during the late Holocene. Reconstructing the hydrological landform and sedimentary history of its surrounding areas (Shizhu) is significant for further constraining any links between regional paleoenvironmental change and the human−land relationship in the lager river valley. To examine paleo−hydrological and provenance evolution, the rare earth element (REE) and trace element ratio from the Shizhuping (SZP) section were analyzed. The SZP section records the paleo−hydrological evolution over 1300 years: river network cutting plain landscape—Shizhu Lake—river floodplain—Shizhu Lake reformation—Shizhu flat. This section was labeled as stages IV to I, respectively. The deposition of stages IV was wind and dust accumulation during the Last Glacial. The provenance of stages III (1288–1094 a.BP) was wasted from the ceramic production process. The layer of stage II (1094–380 a.BP) was in two parts. In stage II−2 (1094–890 a.BP), provenance was dominated by granite. Sedimentary rocks became the source of stage II−1 (890–380 a.BP). In stages I (380 a.BP–), the primary material sources were anthropogenic bedding and weathering erosion deposits around the slope. During the Medieval Warm Period, the climate was warm and humid, and the rising water level of the Xiangjiang River led to the emergence of lakes in the Shizhu area. The migration of northern China into Changsha kiln brought new technology and labor. In the late Five Dynasties, the climate turned dry, and the falling water level of the Xiangjiang River caused Changsha kiln to lose its commercial wharf.
Growth Pattern of European Black Pine outside Its Current Natural Range: A Case Study in Portugal
Authors: Dias Alexandra , Louzada José , Fonseca Teresa
Published: May 2022

European Black Pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold) is a fast-growing conifer, currently distributed in a fragmented pattern from western North Africa through Southern Europe to Asia Minor and is an economically important native conifer in Southern Europe. In Portugal, P. nigra populations are allochthonous, and were planted 50–90 years ago with plant material of unknown origin. This work intended to evaluate and investigate long-term radial growth characteristics of the species on the westernmost part of Europe, outside its natural range, in mainland Portugal. To achieve this objective, six planted stands located in the north and centre of the country were chosen, which were considered representative of the distribution of the species in the country and the most extreme south-western location in Europe. The height and diameter at breast height was measured and the general state of these stands was evaluated. Overall, no mortality was observed except in one site, where trees manifested poor growth. Sampling a set of 15 trees per site, was used to create a database for analysis of the radial development of the species. The 90 trees sampled, with ages ranging from 56–98 years, provided a database of 5308 observations of diameter-age pairs. The Schumacher function was tested for the description of radial growth and provided satisfying results in terms of the model fitness, allowing us to summarize general trends of diameter growth among sites. Complementary analysis of radial growth at a tree age of 50-yr was performed to assess for differences among populations. It was concluded that radial growth differs between sites, and two statistically different groups were identified, although no specific latitudinal or longitudinal gradients were found. The information on the identified growth patterns can be used for decision-making purposes when considering species selection in afforestation or reforestation procedures in the context of adaptive management.