bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biophysics for personalized medicine
Authors: Photopoulos Julianna
Published: July 2021

Nabiha Saklayen is co-founder and chief executive of US start-up Cellino Biotech, which uses biophysics technologies to advance personalized regenerative medicine. She talks to Julianna Photopoulos about the importance of multidisciplinarity for tackling real-world problems
More human than human
Authors: Henney Kevlin
Published: July 2021

A short story by Kevlin Henney
Integrating phase field and crystal plasticity finite element models for simulations of titanium alloy Ti-5553
Authors: Agius Dylan , O’Toole Patrick , Wallbrink Chris , Sterjovski Zoran , Wang Chun-Hui , Schaffer G B
Published: July 2021

The ability to simultaneously predict the microstructure and bulk material properties of 3D printed (additively manufactured or AM) metals is critical to the development of process intelligence that can be used by a digital-twin for forecasting and optimising alloy composition and fabrication parameters. This study proposes a simulation framework for predicting the microstructure and corresponding meso- and macro-scale properties of AM materials. This is achieved by integrating phase-field and crystal plasticity modelling techniques, whereby the phase field model predicts the microstructure and the crystal plasticity constitutive model computes the stress–strain evolution using the microstructure as the input. The simulation of multiple microstructures demonstrates that this integrated approach can be used to test the influence of different microstructures on the mechanical properties of titanium alloy Ti-5553. This includes the influence of grain size and grain orientation on both the meso- and macro-scale behaviour.
Neoxanthin in young vegetable leaves prevents fat accumulation in differentiated adipocytes
Authors: Sekiya Mihoko , Suzuki Shigenori , Ushida Yusuke , Suganuma Hiroyuki
Published: July 2021

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of young leaves on fat accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. A potent preventive effect on fat accumulation was observed in fractions of young leaves of spinach, beet, and arugula extracted with a low-polarity solvent (hexane:acetone:ethanol:toluene = 10:6:7:6). This effect was seemingly associated with the leaf carotenoid content, including lutein, β-carotene, and neoxanthin. Among these, only neoxanthin, with the characteristic structure of 5,6-monoepoxide and an allenic bond, significantly prevented fat accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. The preventive effect and carotenoid content, including neoxanthin, of these young leaves did not differ from those of the corresponding adult leaves. Therefore, our study demonstrated that young vegetable leaves, such as spinach, beet, and arugula leaves, contained neoxanthin, which prevented fat accumulation in adipocytes in vitro. In the future, the effectiveness of such young leaves and neoxanthin should be investigated in vivo.
Relationship between body colour and microhabitat breadth in an orb-web spider
Authors: Nakata Kensuke
Published: July 2021

Habitat use often differs among intraspecific individuals, and the degree to which individual animals use specific habitats, i.e. microhabitat breadth, can also vary. Variation in body colour sometimes emerges as dark vs. bright coloration, which can be related to habitat selectivity. The aim of this study was to examine whether darker animals prefer shady sites to avoid overheating from direct sunlight exposure, whereas brighter animals would use both shady and open sites. Orb-web spiders, Cyclosa argenteoalba, have a silver dorsal abdomen with black markings; the proportion of these black markings varies between 20 and 100% among individuals. In summer, there was less variation in the duration of direct sunlight hitting the webs of darker spiders compared with that of brighter spiders. This indicated a narrower microhabitat range for darker spiders, which preferred shady sites. This pattern was not observed in spring and autumn, when thermal conditions were less severe. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that when the temperature is high, darker animals are microhabitat specialists, whereas brighter animals are generalists. A previous study found that darker spiders capture more prey than brighter spiders, and the amount of black markings is considered to be a trade-off between foraging success and microhabitat availability.
Predicting the onset of breast cancer using mammogram imaging data with irregular boundary
Authors: Jiang Shu , Cao Jiguo , Colditz Graham A , Rosner Bernard
Published: July 2021

With mammography being the primary breast cancer screening strategy, it is essential to make full use of the mammogram imaging data to better identify women who are at higher and lower than average risk. Our primary goal in this study is to extract mammogram-based features that augment the well-established breast cancer risk factors to improve prediction accuracy. In this article, we propose a supervised functional principal component analysis (sFPCA) over triangulations method for extracting features that are ordered by the magnitude of association with the failure time outcome. The proposed method accommodates the irregular boundary issue posed by the breast area within the mammogram imaging data with flexible bivariate splines over triangulations. We also provide an eigenvalue decomposition algorithm that is computationally efficient. Compared to the conventional unsupervised FPCA method, the proposed method results in a lower Brier Score and higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) in simulation studies. We apply our method to data from the Joanne Knight Breast Health Cohort at Siteman Cancer Center. Our approach not only obtains the best prediction performance comparing to unsupervised FPCA and benchmark models but also reveals important risk patterns within the mammogram images. This demonstrates the importance of utilizing additional supervised image-based features to clarify breast cancer risk.
Striving to strengthen the ecosocial framework in social work in Finland
Authors: Ranta-Tyrkkö Satu , Närhi Kati
Published: July 2021

There is no economic or social sustainability without ecological sustainability, yet the latter can hardly be achieved without the other forms of sustainability. While contemporary consumer societies are still today fundamentally unsustainable, advancing the overall sustainability transition as well as mitigating and preventing the ecological crisis should be high on the social work and community development agendas. On one hand, this is because the ecological crisis both causes and increases social inequality and vulnerability. On the other hand, aspiring sustainability requires profound social and cultural changes, bringing about which belongs to social work and community work’s areas of expertise.

Asking how to respond to the socio-environmental crisis and its ramifications in social work education, this article focuses on the currently evolving ecosocial framework in Finnish social work education and practice, paying special attention to the opportunities and hindrances in its realization. The inquiry is based on thematic analysis of advanced level social work students’ views on these issues, as presented on a 5 ECTS (credits as per the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) course Social Work in Ecosocial Transition, part of the University of Jyväskylä’s social work master’s degree curriculum. In countries like Finland, where community development has a marginal role, adoption of the ecosocial framework would inherently strengthen the community based and political orientation in social work.
The Pattern of Fos-Like Immunoreactivity Expressed Within the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Is Associated With Individual Variation in the Taste Quality of a Stimulus
Authors: Loney Gregory C , Eckel Lisa A
Published: July 2021

Outbred rats differ in their preference for the artificial sweetener sucralose. Psychophysical assessments have shown that the taste of sucralose is differentially generalized to either sucrose or a sucrose-quinine (QHCl) mixture in sucralose preferers (SP) and sucralose avoiders (SA), respectively. It remains to be determined if these differences in the psychophysical assessment of the taste of sucralose are due to an insensitivity to any bitter-like taste component of sucralose in SP or reduced sensitivity to a sweet-like component in SA that may mask any putative aversive side-taste in SP. Here, we exploited the proposed chemotopic organization of the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract (rNTS) to further parse out the root differences in the perception of the salient taste qualities of sucralose using Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) to approximate neural activation following intraoral delivery of sucrose, QHCl, and sucralose solutions in previously categorized SA and SP. First, we confirmed previous reports that the medial third of the NTS is primarily responsive to intraoral infusions of the bitter taste stimulus QHCl while sucrose produces a more diffuse pattern of FLI. Upon comparing the FLI generated by intraoral sucralose, we found that the pattern in SA was indistinguishable from that of QHCl while SP displayed a pattern of FLI more representative of a sucrose-QHCl mixture. We conclude that SA, relative to SP, may be less sensitive to the sucrose-like properties of sucralose and that an enhanced sensitivity to these sucrose-like qualities may mask a QHCl-like quality in SP.
Social positioning theory
Authors: Lawson Tony
Published: July 2021

The theory of social positioning is an account of social constitution in which organising structure is key. A core component of the theory is a conception of the nature of specifically community structure and the manner whereby human beings and other phenomena are organised through it. The primary objective of this paper is simply to systematise the (continuously evolving) theory, and in particular this core component, as it currently stands. The theory has implications for both substantive social analysis and projects of social transformation. In the current paper, it is (mostly) the theory’s usefulness to the former that is highlighted, through the inclusion of an illustration of how the theory contributes to resolving long standing puzzles at the substantive level, and specifically those connected to the theorising of the nature of money.
Circulating Cellular Communication Network Factor 1 Protein as a Sensitive Liquid Biopsy Marker for Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Authors: Bartkowiak Kai , Heidrich Isabel , Kwiatkowski Marcel , Banys-Paluchowski Maggie , Andreas Antje , Wurlitzer Marcus , Geffken Maria , Voß Hannah , Zeller Tanja , Blankenberg Stefan , Peine Sven , Joosse Simon A , Müller Volkmar , Schlüter Hartmut , Oliveira-Ferrer Leticia , Pantel Klaus
Published: July 2021

Background

Despite recent progress in liquid biopsy technologies, early blood-based detection of breast cancer is still a challenge.

Methods

We analyzed secretion of the protein cellular communication network factor 1 (CCN1, formerly cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61) in breast cancer cell lines by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Soluble CCN1 in the plasma (2.5 µL) of 544 patients with breast cancer and 427 healthy controls was analyzed by ELISA. The breast cancer samples were acquired at the time of primary diagnosis prior to neoadjuvant therapy or surgery. A classifier was established on a training cohort of patients with breast cancer and age-adapted healthy controls and further validated on an independent cohort comprising breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Samples from patients with benign breast diseases were investigated as additional controls. Samples from patients with acute heart diseases (n = 127) were investigated as noncancer controls. The diagnostic accuracy was determined by receiver operating characteristic using the parameters area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity.

Results

CCN1 was frequently secreted by breast cancer cell lines into the extracellular space. Subsequent analysis of clinical blood samples from patients with breast cancer and age-adjusted healthy controls revealed an overall specificity of 99.0% and sensitivity of 80.0% for cancer detection. Remarkably, 81.5% of small T1 cancers were already CCN1-positive, while CCN1 concentrations in patients with benign breast lesions were below the threshold for breast cancer detection.

Conclusions

Circulating CCN1 is a potentially novel blood biomarker for the detection of breast cancer at the earliest invasive stage.
Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their remnants: metabolic insights, role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and emerging therapeutic strategies—a consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society
Authors: Ginsberg Henry N , Packard Chris J , Chapman M John , Borén Jan , Aguilar-Salinas Carlos A , Averna Maurizio , Ference Brian A , Gaudet Daniel , Hegele Robert A , Kersten Sander , Lewis Gary F , Lichtenstein Alice H , Moulin Philippe , Nordestgaard Børge G , Remaley Alan T , Staels Bart , Stroes Erik S G , Taskinen Marja-Riitta , Tokgözoğlu Lale S , Tybjaerg-Hansen Anne , Stock Jane K , Catapano Alberico L
Published: July 2021

Recent advances in human genetics, together with a large body of epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical trial results, provide strong support for a causal association between triglycerides (TG), TG-rich lipoproteins (TRL), and TRL remnants, and increased risk of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, and aortic valve stenosis. These data also indicate that TRL and their remnants may contribute significantly to residual cardiovascular risk in patients on optimized low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering therapy. This statement critically appraises current understanding of the structure, function, and metabolism of TRL, and their pathophysiological role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Key points are (i) a working definition of normo- and hypertriglyceridaemic states and their relation to risk of ASCVD, (ii) a conceptual framework for the generation of remnants due to dysregulation of TRL production, lipolysis, and remodelling, as well as clearance of remnant lipoproteins from the circulation, (iii) the pleiotropic proatherogenic actions of TRL and remnants at the arterial wall, (iv) challenges in defining, quantitating, and assessing the atherogenic properties of remnant particles, and (v) exploration of the relative atherogenicity of TRL and remnants compared to LDL. Assessment of these issues provides a foundation for evaluating approaches to effectively reduce levels of TRL and remnants by targeting either production, lipolysis, or hepatic clearance, or a combination of these mechanisms. This consensus statement updates current understanding in an integrated manner, thereby providing a platform for new therapeutic paradigms targeting TRL and their remnants, with the aim of reducing the risk of ASCVD.
Genome assembly of the popular Korean soybean cultivar Hwangkeum
Authors: Kim Myung-Shin , Lee Taeyoung , Baek Jeonghun , Kim Ji Hong , Kim Changhoon , Jeong Soon-Chun
Published: July 2021

Massive resequencing efforts have been undertaken to catalog allelic variants in major crop species including soybean, but the scope of the information for genetic variation often depends on short sequence reads mapped to the extant reference genome. Additional de novo assembled genome sequences provide a unique opportunity to explore a dispensable genome fraction in the pan-genome of a species. Here, we report the de novo assembly and annotation of Hwangkeum, a popular soybean cultivar in Korea. The assembly was constructed using PromethION nanopore sequencing data and two genetic maps and was then error-corrected using Illumina short-reads and PacBio SMRT reads. The 933.12 Mb assembly was annotated as containing 79,870 transcripts for 58,550 genes using RNA-Seq data and the public soybean annotation set. Comparison of the Hwangkeum assembly with the Williams 82 soybean reference genome sequence (Wm82.a2.v1) revealed 1.8 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms, 0.5 million indels, and 25 thousand putative structural variants. However, there was no natural megabase-scale chromosomal rearrangement. Incidentally, by adding two novel subfamilies, we found that soybean contains four clearly separated subfamilies of centromeric satellite repeats. Analyses of satellite repeats and gene content suggested that the Hwangkeum assembly is a high-quality assembly. This was further supported by comparison of the marker arrangement of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and of gene arrangement at the Rsv3 locus. Therefore, the results indicate that the de novo assembly of Hwangkeum is a valuable additional reference genome resource for characterizing traits for the improvement of this important crop species.
The Genome of the Haptophyte Diacronema lutheri (Pavlova lutheri, Pavlovales): A Model for Lipid Biosynthesis in Eukaryotic Algae
Authors: Hulatt Chris J , Wijffels René H , Posewitz Matthew C
Published: July 2021

Haptophytes are biogeochemically and industrially important protists with underexplored genomic diversity. We present a nuclear genome assembly for the class Pavlovales, which was assembled with PacBio long-read data into highly contiguous sequences. We sequenced strain Diacronema lutheri NIVA-4/92, formerly known as Pavlova lutheri, because it has established roles in aquaculture and has been a key organism for studying microalgal lipid biosynthesis. Our data show that D. lutheri has the smallest and most streamlined haptophycean genome assembled to date, with an assembly size of 43.503 Mb and 14,446 protein-coding genes. Together with its high nuclear GC content, Diacronema is an important genus for investigating selective pressures on haptophyte genome evolution, contrasting with the much larger and more repetitive genome of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. The D. lutheri genome will be a valuable resource for resolving the genetic basis of algal lipid biosynthesis and metabolic remodeling that takes place during adaptation and stress response in natural and engineered environments.
Social Networks and Cognitive Function: An Evaluation of Social Bridging and Bonding Mechanisms
Authors: Perry Brea L , McConnell William R , Peng Siyun , Roth Adam R , Coleman Max , Manchella Mohit , Roessler Meghann , Francis Heather , Sheean Hope , Apostolova Liana A
Published: July 2021

Background and Objectives

Social connectedness has been linked prospectively to cognitive aging, but there is little agreement about the social mechanisms driving this relationship. This study evaluated 9 measures of social connectedness, focusing on 2 forms of social enrichment—access to an expansive and diverse set of loosely connected individuals (i.e., social bridging) and integration in a supportive network of close ties (i.e., social bonding).

Research Design and Methods

This study used egocentric network and cognitive data from 311 older adults in the Social Networks in Alzheimer Disease study. Linear regressions were used to estimate the association between social connectedness and global cognitive function, episodic memory, and executive function.

Results

Measures indicative of social bridging (larger network size, lower density, presence of weak ties, and proportion of non-kin) were consistently associated with better cognitive outcomes, while measures of social bonding (close ties, multiplex support, higher frequency of contact, better relationship quality, and being married) largely produced null effects.

Discussion and Implications

These findings suggest that the protective benefits of social connectedness for cognitive function and memory may operate primarily through a cognitive reserve mechanism that is driven by irregular contact with a larger and more diverse group of peripheral others.
Teleseismic measurements of upper mantle shear wave anisotropy in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico
Authors: Soto Gerardo León , Valenzuela Raúl W , Arceo R , Huesca-Pérez Eduardo , Rosas Ricardo Vazquez
Published: July 2021

Shear wave splitting measurements in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (IT), southern Mexico, inferred from teleseismic core phases are presented. Measurements were made along a south-to-north profile across the IT. The results show a predominantly trench-normal pattern of fast polarization orientations with averaged delay times up to 2.2 s. Fast orientations near the trench suggest a corner flow in the mantle wedge and an entrained flow in the subslab region. Away the trench, fast orientations are parallel to the Absolute plate Motion, suggesting that the anisotropy in that region is driven by a simple asthenospheric flow. A comparison with splitting measurements made in the Mexican subduction zone shows a 17º clockwise rotation of the fast orientations of between east and west Mexico. This is consistent with the observed change in orientation of 19º clockwise in the Middle America Trench (MAT). This suggests that the rotation of the fast orientations is controlled by the change of orientation in the MAT.
O-GlcNAc transferase Ogt regulates embryonic neuronal development through modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Shen Hui , Zhao Xingsen , Chen Junchen , Qu Wenzheng , Huang Xiaoli , Wang Mengxuan , Shao Zhiyong , Shu Qiang , Li Xuekun
Published: July 2021

Ogt-mediated O-GlcNAcylation is enriched in the nervous system and involves in neuronal development, brain function and neurological diseases. However, the roles of Ogt and O-GlcNAcylation in embryonic neurogenesis have remained largely unknown. Here, we show that Ogt is highly expressed in embryonic brain, and Ogt depletion reduces the proliferation of embryonic neural stem cells and migration of new born neurons. Ogt depletion in cultured hippocampal neurons impairs neuronal maturation, including reduced dendritic numbers and length, and immature development of spines. Mechanistically, Ogt depletion decreases the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Ectopic β-catenin rescues neuronal developmental deficits caused by Ogt depletion. Ogt also regulates human cortical neurogenesis in forebrain organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Our findings reveal the essential roles and mechanisms of Ogt-mediated O-GlcNAc modification in regulating mammalian neuronal development.
Digital platforms and the transactions cost approach to competition law
Authors: Biggar Darryl , Heimler Alberto
Published: July 2021

For the past few decades, competition authorities around the world have said they seek to promote consumer welfare. However, in recent years, several national competition authorities have announced major investigations into behavior by digital platforms—including some behavior that does not immediately harm downstream consumers. This has reopened old questions about the fundamental purpose of competition law: What is the harm that competition law is designed to address? How, exactly, does competition law promote economic welfare? Separately, the literature on ecosystems emphasizes the central role of non-generic complementary investments as a defining feature of ecosystems and the power this can give to ecosystem orchestrators over their associated complementors. We draw these strands together to show how a recently proposed economic foundation for competition law, drawing on the transactions cost literature, provides a consistent, compelling, and economically sound foundation for competition policy toward digital platforms going forward.
Glycaemic index, glycaemic load and cancer risk: results from the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort
Authors: Debras Charlotte , Chazelas Eloi , Srour Bernard , Julia Chantal , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Zelek Laurent , Agaësse Cédric , Druesne-Pecollo Nathalie , Andreeva Valentina A , Galan Pilar , Hercberg Serge , Latino-Martel Paule , Deschasaux-Tanguy Mélanie , Touvier Mathilde
Published: July 2021

Background

Evidence is accumulating that high dietary glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) are potential risk factors for several metabolic disorders (e.g. type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases), but remains limited concerning cancer risk. Although, mechanistic data suggest that consuming high-GI foods may contribute to carcinogenesis through elevated blood glucose levels, insulin resistance or obesity-related mechanisms. Our objective was to study the associations between dietary GI/GL and cancer.

Methods

In total, 103 020 French adults (median age = 40.2 years) from the NutriNet-Santé cohort (2009–2020) with no cancer or diabetes at baseline were included (705 137 person-years, median follow-up time = 7.7 years). Repeated 24-h dietary records linked with a detailed food-composition table (>3500 food/beverage items). We computed the average dietary GI and GL at the individual level. Associations between GI, GL, contribution of low- and medium/high-GI foods to energy and carbohydrate intake and cancer risk (overall, breast, prostate and colorectal) were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional-hazard models.

Results

Higher dietary GL was associated with higher overall cancer risk [n = 3131 cases, hazard ratios (HRs) for sex-specific quintile 5 vs 1 = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–1.52; Ptrend = 0.008] and specifically postmenopausal breast cancer (n = 924, HRQ5vs.Q1 = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.06–2.55; Ptrend = 0.03). A higher contribution of low-GI food/beverages to energy intake was associated with lower cancer risk whereas a higher contribution of medium/high-GI items to energy intake was positively associated with higher risk of overall, breast and postmenopausal breast cancers (Ptrend ≤ 0.02).

Conclusions

These results support a possible impact of GI/GL on cancer risk. If confirmed in other populations and settings, dietary GI/GL could be considered as modifiable risk factors for primary cancer prevention.

Trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03335644.
Less is more: simple algorithms for the minimum sum of squares clustering problem
Authors: Kalczynski Pawel , Brimberg Jack , Drezner Zvi
Published: July 2021

The clustering problem has many applications in machine learning, operations research and statistics. We propose three algorithms to create starting solutions for improvement algorithms for the minimum sum of squares clustering problem. We test the algorithms on 72 instances that were investigated in the literature. We found five new best known solutions and matched the best known solution for 66 of the remaining 67 instances. Thus, we are able to demonstrate that good starting solutions combined with a simple local search get results comparable with, and sometimes even better than, more sophisticated algorithms used in the literature.
Machine learning-assisted imaging analysis of a human epiblast model
Authors: Resto Irizarry Agnes M , Esfahani Sajedeh Nasr , Zheng Yi , Yan Robin Zhexuan , Kinnunen Patrick , Fu Jianping
Published: July 2021

The human embryo is a complex structure that emerges and develops as a result of cell-level decisions guided by both intrinsic genetic programs and cell–cell interactions. Given limited accessibility and associated ethical constraints of human embryonic tissue samples, researchers have turned to the use of human stem cells to generate embryo models to study specific embryogenic developmental steps. However, to study complex self-organizing developmental events using embryo models, there is a need for computational and imaging tools for detailed characterization of cell-level dynamics at the single cell level. In this work, we obtained live cell imaging data from a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based epiblast model that can recapitulate the lumenal epiblast cyst formation soon after implantation of the human blastocyst. By processing imaging data with a Python pipeline that incorporates both cell tracking and event recognition with the use of a CNN-LSTM machine learning model, we obtained detailed temporal information of changes in cell state and neighborhood during the dynamic growth and morphogenesis of lumenal hPSC cysts. The use of this tool combined with reporter lines for cell types of interest will drive future mechanistic studies of hPSC fate specification in embryo models and will advance our understanding of how cell-level decisions lead to global organization and emergent phenomena. Insight, innovation, integration: Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been successfully used to model and understand cellular events that take place during human embryogenesis. Understanding how cell–cell and cell–environment interactions guide cell actions within a hPSC-based embryo model is a key step in elucidating the mechanisms driving system-level embryonic patterning and growth. In this work, we present a robust video analysis pipeline that incorporates the use of machine learning methods to fully characterize the process of hPSC self-organization into lumenal cysts to mimic the lumenal epiblast cyst formation soon after implantation of the human blastocyst. This pipeline will be a useful tool for understanding cellular mechanisms underlying key embryogenic events in embryo models.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes of Lower Extremity Burns in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Rotman Sydney , Lapaine Pierre , Rehou Sarah , Jeschke Marc G , Shahrokhi Shahriar
Published: July 2021

Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly prevalent chronic disease that leads to long-term health consequences. Some long-term clinical sequelae of diabetes include coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, and impaired wound healing. These can increase hospital stay and complications such as wound infections and amputations among patients with lower extremity burns. A retrospective analysis was performed of all isolated lower extremity burns from a single tertiary burn care center from 2006 to 2017. Patients were stratified by diabetic status and the incidence of lower extremity amputations was the primary outcome. Multivariable regression was used to model the association between diabetes and amputations, adjusting for patient and injury characteristics. A total of 198 patients were identified as meeting inclusion criteria, 160 were nondiabetic and 38 were diabetic. Age was significantly different between nondiabetic and diabetic patients; mean age was 46 ± 18 vs 62 ± 17 years (P < .0001). Length of stay was also significantly different, median length of stay was 11 (interquartile range 7–15) vs 18 (interquartile range 12–24; P < .001), with diabetic patients staying longer. There was a significantly greater proportion of diabetic patients that had an amputation (control 4% vs diabetic 29%; P < .0001). After adjustment for patient and injury characteristics, there was a significant association between diabetes and amputation (P = .002). Among patients with isolated lower extremity burns, those with a preexisting condition of diabetes had a longer hospitalization and increased amputations, despite similar size of burn. Diabetes is an important risk factor to acknowledge in patients with these injuries to optimize care.
Bochdalek hernia with intrathoracic spleen treated by robotic-assisted mesh repair utilizing indocyanine green contrast media intraoperatively. A case report
Authors: Kozadinos Alexandros , Chrysikos Dimosthenis , Davakis Spyridon , Kozadinos Ioannis , Farmakis Panagiotis , Georgiou Georgios , Troupis Theodore
Published: July 2021

Bochdalek hernias are usually diagnosed in newborns. However, they can occur in adults. Few reports exist regarding robotic repair of such hernias. We present a case of a female patient with symptomatic Bochdalek hernia, including the spleen. Patient was successfully treated by robotic-assisted surgical mesh with the use of indocyanine green (ICG). An 80-year-old female patient presented with dyspnea, angina and intermittent abdominal pain. She had loss of appetite and 15-kg weight loss within 3 months. Past medical history was unremarkable. Imaging revealed a left Bochdalek hernia. The patient underwent robotic-assisted surgery; hernia contents included stomach, parts of colon, omentum and remarkably the spleen. Sac was dissected free. Patency of organs was assessed with ICG. Diaphragmatic defect was repaired with mesh. Bochdalek hernias should be surgically repaired. Minimally invasive therapy is safe and effective. Intraoperative ICG use can provide excellent results with favorable clinical outcomes.
Carcinosarcoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland: a case report
Authors: Almubarak Ali A , Alotaibi Salman K , Alghamdi Fareed R , Alqahtani Saeed , Alahmadi Rawan M
Published: July 2021

Carcinosarcoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm of the salivary gland that originates from a pre-existing benign tumor. Malignant transformation of the pleomorphic adenoma is extremely rare. The management of carcinosarcoma ex pleomorphic adenoma remains challenging because of its rarity, behavioral aggressiveness and resemblance to benign pleomorphic adenoma. Herein, we present the case of a 75-year-old male resident of Saudi Arabia with a history of a swelling in the right parotid gland for more than 25 years, which grew slowly with time. He underwent surgical removal with superficial parotidectomy. Afterward, histological examination of the resected tumor revealed features of carcinosarcoma, and he was diagnosed with carcinosarcoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. He presented again with recurrence of the tumor, which was managed with total parotidectomy and a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. At 12-month follow-up, the patient showed no evidence of disease recurrence or distant metastasis.
A case of carotid endarterectomy assisted with a three-way junction shunting tube for the internal carotid artery stenosis involving a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery
Authors: Sanada Takahiro , Shirai Wakako , Yamamoto Shota , Kinoshita Manabu , Tokumitsu Naoki
Published: July 2021

Only several cases of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis involving the persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA) have been treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) because of its extreme rarity. CEA was performed for an 87-year-old female with severe stenosis of the right ICA–PPHA bifurcation requiring shunting from CCA to both PPHA and ICA. We initially attempted to insert two intraluminal balloon shunts into the CCA, as previously reported. However, we found this procedure technically impossible to achieve. An improvised three-way junction tube was inserted distally into PPHA and ICA and proximally into CCA, securing blood flow during CEA. Unfortunately, the patient suffered post-operative ischemic brain lesions due to the prolonged ischemic time during our initial unsuccessful shunt attempt. A three-way junction shunting tube could be an effective shunt technique during an anatomically complicated CEA.
Energy transition and green energy: the struggle for climate and for a new redivision of the world—and the proposal for a balanced Russia–EU solution
Authors: Konoplyanik Andrey
Published: July 2021

The author argues that current energy transition is the seventh one in the long-term history of the mankind though different from the previous ones. He explains why Paris Agreement (the ‘no return point’ for current energy transition) has grown from the 1970s. He explains the role of hydrogen in current energy transition and three different paths for H2 production: water electrolysis; methane steam reforming with CO2 emissions and CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS); methane pyrolysis and similar technologies without CO2 emissions. He demonstrates their competitive advantages and disadvantages. He describes European Union (EU) vision of cooperation in H2 within EU hydrogen strategy and H2 section of Russian Energy Strategy. He argues why cooperation based on Russian gas supplies to the EU and H2 production in EU at end-use in ‘EU H2 valleys’ based on mostly pyrolysis technologies without CO2 emissions is the mutually beneficial one for both Russia and the EU: for the EU it helps to decrease low-carbon development costs and for Russia to further monetize its vast gas resources within export-oriented decarbonization. He presents his ‘win-win’ scenario for Russia–EU hydrogen cooperation.
The BTB/POZ domain protein GmBTB/POZ promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of the soybean AP2/ERF-like transcription factor GmAP2 to regulate the defense response to Phytophthora sojae
Authors: Zhang Chuanzhong , Gao Hong , Sun Yan , Jiang Liangyu , He Shengfu , Song Bo , Liu Shanshan , Zhao Ming , Wang Le , Liu Yaguang , Wu Junjiang , Xu Pengfei , Zhang Shuzhen
Published: July 2021

Phytophthora root and stem rot in soybean (Glycine max) is a destructive disease worldwide, and hence improving crop resistance to the causal pathogen, P. sojae, is a major target for breeders. However, it remains largely unclear how the pathogen regulates the various affected signaling pathways in the host, which consist of complex networks including key transcription factors and their targets. We have previously demonstrated that GmBTB/POZ enhances soybean resistance to P. sojae and the associated defense response. Here, we demonstrate that GmBTB/POZ interacts with the transcription factor GmAP2 and promotes its ubiquitination. GmAP2-RNAi transgenic soybean hairy roots exhibited enhanced resistance to P. sojae, whereas roots overexpressing GmAP2 showed hypersensitivity. GmWRKY33 was identified as a target of GmAP2, which represses its expression by directly binding to the promoter. GmWRKY33 acts as a positive regulator in the response of soybean to P. sojae. Overexpression of GmBTB/POZ released the GmAP2-regulated suppression of GmWRKY33 in hairy roots overexpressing GmAP2 and increased their resistance to P. sojae. Taken together, our results indicate that GmBTB/POZ-GmAP2 modulation of the P. sojae resistance response forms a novel regulatory mechanism, which putatively regulates the downstream target gene GmWRKY33 in soybean.
Evaluation of the NIO and T.A.L.O.N Intraosseous Devices as Placed by U.S. Army Conventional Force Combat Medics—A Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Lange Pascal , Umar Mohamad , Walker Jerimiah D , Riddle Mark , Mochmer Paul
Published: July 2021

Introduction

In recent U.S. Military conflicts, hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable death with 30%-40% mortality rates. Management consists of effective bleeding control and rapid resuscitation with blood products. Rapid and accurate circulatory access is crucial in battlefield trauma management. This study evaluates the insertion success rate and time to successfully insert the NIO automatic intraosseous (IO) device and the Tactical Advanced Lifesaving IO Needle (TALON) manual IO device. The primary outcome is successful first attempt insertion. Secondary outcomes are the time taken for the successful insertion, user-reported “ease of use” for both devices, and user-reported device preference.

Materials and Methods

This is a prospective randomized crossover study comparing the NIO and TALON devices. As they are often the frontline health care providers, combat medics (68W) were recruited to participate in this study. They were randomized into two cohorts based on the IO device and location they would start first. Each medic performed a total of four IO cannulations on the proximal tibia and the humeral head of cadaveric human models.

Results

Sixty medics participated in the study, performing a total of 240 IO insertions, 120 with NIO (60 at the proximal tibia and 60 at the humeral head) and 120 with TALON (60 at the proximal tibia and 60 at the humeral head). The first attempt success rate was 89.2% for the NIO and 83.3% for the TALON, P = .19. The time to successful first attempt insertion for the NIO [M = 24.71 seconds, SD = 4.72] and the TALON, [M = 24.70 seconds, SD = 4.74] were similar, P = .98. The differences between the success of device insertion and time to successful insertion did not achieve statistical significance. The “ease of use” score (5-point Likert Scale) for the NIO [M = 4.73] and the TALON, [M = 4.11], demonstrated a significant difference, P < .001. Ninety percent [n = 54] of the combat medics preferred the NIO versus only 10% [n = 6] preferred TALON.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the overall insertion success rate and time to successful insertion were similar between NIO automatic IO device and the TALON manual IO device. In our study, Army combat medics learned how to use both devices rapidly but felt the NIO automatic IO device easier to use and overwhelmingly preferred this device.
Constraining the properties of dense neutron star cores: the case of the low-mass X-ray binary HETE J1900.1–2455
Authors: Degenaar N , Page D , van den Eijnden J , Beznogov M V , Wijnands R , Reynolds M
Published: July 2021

Measuring the time evolution of the effective surface temperature of neutron stars can provide invaluable information on the properties of their dense cores. Here, we report on a new Chandra observation of the transient neutron star low-mass X-ray binary HETE J1900.1–2455, which was obtained ≈2.5 yr after the end of its ≈10-yr long accretion outburst. The source is barely detected during the observation, collecting only six net photons, all below 2 keV. Assuming that the spectrum is shaped as a neutron star atmosphere model, we perform a statistical analysis to determine a 1σ confidence upper range for the neutron star temperature of ≈30–39 eV (for an observer at infinity), depending on its mass, radius, and distance. Given the heat injected into the neutron star during the accretion outburst, estimated from data provided by all-sky monitors, the inferred very low temperature suggests that the core either has a very high heat capacity or undergoes very rapid neutrino cooling. While the present data do not allow us to disentangle these two possibilities, both suggest that a significant fraction of the dense core is not superfluid/superconductor. Our modelling of the thermal evolution of the neutron star predicts that it may still cool further, down to a temperature of ≃15 eV. Measuring such a low temperature with a future observation may provide constraints on the fraction of baryons that is paired in the stellar core.
Probing the kinematics and chemistry of the hot core Mon R2 IRS 3 using ALMA observations
Authors: Fuente A , Treviño-Morales S P , Alonso-Albi T , Sánchez-Monge A , Rivière-Marichalar P , Navarro-Almaida D
Published: July 2021

We present high angular resolution 1.1 mm continuum and spectroscopic Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations of the well-known massive protocluster Mon R2 IRS 3. The continuum image at 1.1 mm shows two components, IRS 3 A and IRS 3 B, that are separated by ∼0.65 arcsec. We estimate that IRS 3 A is responsible of ∼80 per cent of the continuum flux, being the most massive component. We explore the chemistry of IRS 3 A based on the spectroscopic observations. In particular, we have detected intense lines of S-bearing species such as SO, SO2, H2CS, and OCS, and of the complex organic molecules (COMs) methyl formate (CH3OCHO) and dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3). The integrated intensity maps of most species show a compact clump centred on IRS 3 A, except the emission of the COMs that is more intense towards the near-IR nebula located to the south of IRS 3 A, and HC3N whose emission peak is located ∼0.5 arcsec NE from IRS 3 A. The kinematical study suggests that the molecular emission is mainly coming from a rotating ring and/or an unresolved disc. Additional components are traced by the ro-vibrational HCN ν2 = 1 3→2 line which is probing the inner disc/jet region, and the weak lines of CH3OCHO, more likely arising from the walls of the cavity excavated by the molecular outflow. Based on SO2 we derive a gas kinetic temperature of T$_k\, \sim$ 170 K towards the IRS 3 A. The most abundant S-bearing species is SO2 with an abundance of ∼ 1.3 × 10−7, and χ(SO/SO2) ∼ 0.29. Assuming the solar abundance, SO2 accounts for ∼1 per cent of the sulphur budget.
The ALPINE-ALMA [C ii] Survey: kinematic diversity and rotation in massive star-forming galaxies at z ~ 4.4–5.9
Authors: Jones G C , Vergani D , Romano M , Ginolfi M , Fudamoto Y , Béthermin M , Fujimoto S , Lemaux B C , Morselli L , Capak P , Cassata P , Faisst A , Le Fèvre O , Schaerer D , Silverman J D , Yan Lin , Boquien M , Cimatti A , Dessauges-Zavadsky M , Ibar E , Maiolino R , Rizzo F , Talia M , Zamorani G
Published: July 2021

While the kinematics of galaxies up to z ∼ 3 have been characterized in detail, only a handful of galaxies at high redshift (z > 4) have been examined in such a way. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Large Program to INvestigate [C ii] at Early times (ALPINE) survey observed a statistically significant sample of 118 star-forming main-sequence galaxies at z = 4.4–5.9 in [C ii]158 $\mu$m emission, increasing the number of such observations by nearly 10×. A preliminary qualitative classification of these sources revealed a diversity of kinematic types (i.e. rotators, mergers, and dispersion-dominated systems). In this work, we supplement the initial classification by applying quantitative analyses to the ALPINE data: a tilted ring model (TRM) fitting code (3Dbarolo), a morphological classification (Gini-M20), and a set of disc identification criteria. Of the 75 [C ii]-detected ALPINE galaxies, 29 are detected at sufficient significance and spatial resolution to allow for TRM fitting and the derivation of morphological and kinematic parameters. These 29 sources constitute a high-mass subset of the ALPINE sample ($M_*\gt 10^{9.5}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$). We robustly classify 14 of these sources (six rotators, five mergers, and three dispersion-dominated systems); the remaining sources showing complex behaviour. By exploring the G-M20 of z > 4 rest-frame far-infrared and [C ii] data for the first time, we find that our 1 arcsec ∼ 6 kpc resolution data alone are insufficient to separate galaxy types. We compare the rotation curves and dynamical mass profiles of the six ALPINE rotators to the two previously detected z ∼ 4–6 unlensed main-sequence rotators, finding high rotational velocities (∼50–250 km s−1) and a diversity of rotation curve shapes.
Circumbinary disc self-gravity governing supermassive black hole binary mergers
Authors: Franchini Alessia , Sesana Alberto , Dotti Massimo
Published: July 2021

Understanding the interaction of massive black hole binaries with their gaseous environment is crucial since at sub-parsec scales the binary is too wide for gravitational wave emission to take over and to drive the two black holes to merge. We here investigate the interaction between a massive black hole binary and a self-gravitating circumbinary disc using 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations. We find that, when the disc self-gravity regulates the angular momentum transport, the binary semi-major axis decreases regardless the choice of disc masses and temperatures, within the range we explored. In particular, we find that the disc initial temperature (hence the disc aspect ratio) has little effect on the evolution of the binary since discs with the same mass self-regulate towards the same temperature. Initially warmer discs cause the binary to shrink on a slightly shorter timescale until the disc has reached the self-regulated equilibrium temperature. More massive discs drive the binary semi-major axis to decrease at a faster pace compared to less massive discs and result in faster binary eccentricity growth even after the initial-condition-dependent transient evolution. Finally we investigate the effect that the initial cavity size has on the binary-disc interaction and we find that, in the self-gravitating regime, an initially smaller cavity leads to a much faster binary shrinking, as expected. Our results are especially important for very massive black hole binaries such as those in the PTA band, for which gas self gravity cannot be neglected.