bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of infection‐induced and vaccine‐induced immunity against COVID‐19 in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: John Binu V. , Doshi Akash , Ferreira Raphaella D. , Taddei Tamar H. , Kaplan David E. , Spector Seth A. , Deng Yangyang , Bastaich Dustin , Dahman Bassam
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Immunity to SARS‐CoV‐2 can be infection or vaccine‐induced. Cirrhosis is associated with vaccine hyporesponsiveness, but whether there is decreased immunity after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in unvaccinated patients with cirrhosis is unknown.

The objective of our study was to compare infection‐induced and vaccine‐induced immunity against COVID‐19 among patients with cirrhosis.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study among US Veterans with cirrhosis between November 27, 2020, and November 16, 2021, comparing a vaccine‐induced immunity group, defined as participants without a documented SARS‐CoV‐2 infection but fully vaccinated with two doses of an mRNA vaccine, and infection‐associated immunity group, defined as unvaccinated participants who had a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both groups were propensity score matched for observed characteristics, including location, and the date of the immunity acquiring event, to control for the community prevalence of COVID‐19 variants. The outcome was a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR more than 60 days after previous infection in the infection‐induced, or after full vaccination in the vaccine‐induced immunity group.

Results:

We compared 634 participants in the infection‐induced immunity group with 27,131 participants in the vaccine‐induced immunity group using inverse propensity of treatment weighting. Vaccine‐induced immunity was associated with a reduced odds of developing SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–0.20, p < 0.0001). On multivariable logistic regression, vaccine‐induced immunity was associated with reduced odds of developing symptomatic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.36; 95% CI, 0.33–0.41, p < 0.0001), moderate/severe/critical (aOR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.22–0.31, p < 0.0001), and severe or critical COVID‐19 (aOR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.16–0.26, p < 0.001), compared with infection‐induced immunity.

Conclusions:

In participants with cirrhosis, vaccine‐induced immunity is associated with reduced risk of developing COVID‐19, compared with infection‐induced immunity.
SDHA/B reduction promotes hepatocellular carcinoma by facilitating the deNEDDylation of cullin1 and stabilizing YAP/TAZ
Authors: Yuan Tao , Zhou Tianyi , Qian Meijia , Du Jiamin , Liu Yue , Wang Jia'er , Li Yonghao , Fan Guanghan , Yan Fangjie , Dai Xiaoyang , Li Xiawei , Wu Yulian , Dong Xin , He Qiaojun , Zhu Hong , Yang Bo
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Succinate dehydrogenase enzyme (SDH) is frequently diminished in samples from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and SDH reduction is associated with elevated succinate level and poor prognosis in patients with HCC. However, the underlying mechanisms of how impaired SDH activity promotes HCC remain unclear.

Approach and Results:

In this study, we observed remarkable downregulations of SDH subunits A and B (SDHA/B) in chronic liver injury–induced murine HCC models and patient samples. Subsequent RNA sequencing, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry analyses of HCC samples revealed that Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ‐binding motif (TAZ) were significantly upregulated in HCC, with their levels inversely correlating with that of SDHA/B. YAP/TAZ stability was greatly enhanced in SDHA/B‐depleted HCC cells along with accumulation of succinate. Further mechanistic analyses demonstrated that impaired activity of SDHA/B resulted in succinate accumulation, which facilitated the deNEDDylation of cullin1 and therefore disrupted the E3 ubiquitin ligase SCFβ‐TrCP complex, consequently leading to YAP/TAZ stabilization and activation in HCC cells. The accelerated in vitro cell proliferation and in vivo tumor growth caused by SDHA/B reduction or succinate exposure were largely dependent on the aberrant activation of YAP/TAZ.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrated that SDHA/B reduction promotes HCC proliferation by preventing the proteasomal degradation of YAP/TAZ through modulating cullin1 NEDDylation, thus binding SDH‐deficient HCC cells to YAP/TAZ pathway and rendering these cells vulnerable to YAP/TAZ inhibition. Our findings warrant further investigation on the therapeutic effects of targeting YAP/TAZ in patients with HCC displaying reduced SDHA/B or elevated succinate levels.
Exploring the perspectives of clinicians on solutions to tackling physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour in older hospital patients
Authors: Jasper Unyime , Visvanathan Renuka , Dollard Joanne , Yu Solomon , Jadczak Agathe Daria
Published: June 2022

Objective

Despite growing research on sedentary behaviour and physical activity among hospitalised older people, there is little evidence of effective intervention strategies. This study sought input from clinical staff from various health professions on strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentariness for hospitalised older people.

Methods

A 60‐minute focus group discussion involving two physiotherapists, two occupational therapists, one doctor, one nurse and one social worker was conducted. Participants were recruited from a subacute geriatric ward and an acute orthopaedic ward with an orthogeriatric service at a general hospital. Data were thematically analysed.

Results

Six strategies to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity were identified: clear and positive communication for patients and family/carers; educating patients and family/carers; involving family/carers and volunteers; setting physical activity goals; utilising group activities and activities of daily living (ADL); and making the hospital environment activity‐friendly.

Conclusions

This research has revealed novel strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in hospital. The next step is to design interventions for testing.
Effect of economic uncertainty on public health expenditure in Economic Community of West African States: Implications for sustainable healthcare financing
Authors: Iheoma Chukwunonso Gerald
Published: June 2022

This study investigates the dynamic effect of economic uncertainty on public health expenditure in the Economic Community of West African States region. The investigation is motivated by the recent volatilities in the global economy in the face of increasing demand for adequate funding of health systems in the region, and the need to fill the existing gap in the literature. The study employs the panel autoregressive distributed lag model to express the theoretical relationship between public health expenditure per capita, economic uncertainty and population growth rate, and estimates the model parameters using the mean group and the pooled mean group estimators, after accounting for stationarity and cointegration. Results reveal that on the aggregate, economic uncertainty and population growth are significant determinants of per capita health spending in the long run. When the countries are disaggregated by income groups, evidence suggests that in low‐income countries, economic uncertainty is negatively associated with health spending in the short run, while a growing population reduces health spending per capita in the long run. In lower‐middle‐income countries, economic uncertainty increases health spending in the short run, but reduces it in the long run as uncertainty persists, while population growth negatively impacts health spending in the long run. We conclude that the dependence on public funding of the health system in the region appears unsustainable. Thus, health financing policies need to explore alternative funding mechanisms that entrench cost‐sharing between the public and private financiers.
A comparative study on the results of beating and arrested heart isolated tricuspid valve surgery: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Bigdelu Leila , Azari Ali , Mashayekhi Zarrin , Dadgarmoghaddam Maliheh , Baradaran Rahimi Vafa
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims

The isolated tricuspid valve surgery is performed using beating or arrested heart surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the results of patients who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery using the beating and arrested heart techniques.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study, all patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve surgery between 2011 and 2018 were included. The patient's demographic information, echocardiographic, surgery, and hospitalization results were collected, and the EuroSCORE was calculated from the patient's medical records.

Results

Fifty‐three patients were included in the study of which 21 (39.63%) and 32 (60.37%) underwent a beating heart and arrested heart surgeries, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two studied groups in the echocardiographic results before and after the surgery, total hospitalization days (p = 0.56), and the mortality in the first 30 days after the surgery (p = 0.152). However, the duration of surgery (p < 0.001), EuroSCORE (p = 0.005), and patients who underwent lateral thoracotomy (p = 0.007) were notably lower in the arrested heart than in the beating heart group. In contrast, the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and hospitalization in an intensive care unit after the surgery was remarkably lower in the beating heart than in the arrested heart group (p < 0.001 for both cases).

Conclusion

Although there were some significant differences between the two kinds of surgery techniques, it seems superficial that made a particular decision to consider each method's superiority. Therefore, further studies with larger populations and meta‐analyses are required to recommend the preferred method for the surgeons certainly.
Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage presenting as an acute scrotum: A case report on the rare presentation of right adrenal hemorrhage and contralateral left scrotal hematoma
Authors: Okamoto Takashi , Kajiwara Sinya , Sekito Sho , Shibahara Takuji , Onishi Takehisa
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Acute swelling and discoloration of the scrotum in a newborn is a rare condition and can have several causes such as testicular torsion, trauma, inguinal hernia, hydrocele, or adrenal hemorrhage.

Case presentation

We report a neonate of adrenal hemorrhage presenting clinically as the acute scrotum. Definitive diagnosis was defined by ultrasonography and computed tomography scan, and the conservative management was successfully performed.

Conclusion

Adrenal hemorrhage should be considered as one of the causes of acute scrotum in newborns. The abdominal ultrasonography, as well as the scrotal ultrasonography, should be performed routinely to achieve a definitive diagnosis to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Inhibition of HMGB1/RAGE Signaling Reduces the Incidence of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) in Mice
Authors: Gkouveris Ioannis , Hadaya Danny , Elzakra Naseim , Soundia Akrivoula , Bezouglaia Olga , Dry Sarah M , Pirih Flavia , Aghaloo Tara , Tetradis Sotirios
Published: June 2022

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe complication of antiresorptive or antiangiogenic medications, used in the treatment of bone malignancy or osteoporosis. Bone necrosis, mainly represented by osteocytic death, is always present in MRONJ sites; however, the role of osteocyte death in MRONJ pathogenesis is unknown. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone nucleoprotein that in its acetylated form accumulates in the cytoplasm, whereas non-acetylated HMGB1 localizes in the nucleus. SIRT1 deacetylase regulates cellular localization of HMGB1. Interestingly, HMGB1 is released during cell necrosis and promotes inflammation through signaling cascades, including activation of the RAGE receptor. Here, we utilized a well-established mouse MRONJ model that utilizes ligature-induced experimental periodontitis (EP) and treatment with either vehicle or zolendronic acid (ZA). Initially, we evaluated HMGB1-SIRT1 expression in osteocytes at 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment. Significantly increased cytoplasmic and perilacunar HMGB1 expression was observed at EP sites of ZA versus vehicle (Veh) animals at all time points. SIRT1 colocalized with cytoplasmic HMGB1 and presented a statistically significant increased expression at the EP sites of ZA animals for all time points. RAGE expression was significantly higher in the submucosal tissues EP sites of ZA animals compared with those in vehicle group. To explore the significance of increased cytoplasmic and extracellular HMGB1 and increased RAGE expression in MRONJ pathogenesis, we used pharmacologic inhibitors of these molecules. Combined HMGB1/RAGE inhibition resulted in lower MRONJ incidence with statistically significant decrease in osteonecrotic areas and bone exposure versus non-inhibitor treated ZA animals. Together, our data point to the role of HMGB1 as a central alarmin, overexpressed at early phase of MRONJ pathogenesis during osteocytic death. Moreover, HMGB1-RAGE pathway may represent a new promising therapeutic target in patients at high risk of MRONJ. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Frontline polatuzumab vedotin for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: A survey of clinician impressions
Authors: Major Ajay , Cliff Edward R. Scheffer , Ermann Daniel A. , Durani Urshila , Russler‐Germain David A.
Published: June 2022

In the POLARIX trial, pola‐R‐CHP demonstrated improved progression‐free survival (PFS) compared to R‐CHOP in untreated intermediate‐ to high‐risk DLBCL. We surveyed practicing clinicians regarding their interpretation of POLARIX, including impressions of efficacy, safety, and cost. Of 174 respondents, most from academic centers (82%) in the United States (57%), 70% stated they would not replace R‐CHOP with pola‐R‐CHP due to insufficient PFS difference, lack of overall survival benefit, and excessive cost. Respondents not recommending pola‐R‐CHP expressed concerns about financial implications for both society and patients. We observed considerable heterogeneity in both study interpretation and plans for real‐world implementation of pola‐R‐CHP.
Risk Stratification and Outcomes in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: Insights into Right Ventricular Strain by MRI Feature tracking
Authors: Zhou Di , Li Xin , Yin Gang , Li Shuang , Zhao Shihua , Liu Zhihong , Lu Minjie
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite a recommended multidimensional approach for pulmonary hypertension (PH) risk stratification and guidance of treatment decisions, this may not always be achievable in patients with advanced disease. One issue is the lack of an imaging modality to assess right ventricular (RV) structure and function abnormalities.

Purpose

To explore the risk stratification and prognostic value of cardiac MR feature tracking (MR‐FT)‐derived RV strain.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

A total of 80 patients with idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension (N = 52) or chronic thromboembolic PH (N = 28).

Field Strength

A 1.5 T or 3.0 T, balanced steady‐state free precession sequence.

Assessment

All patients underwent laboratory testing, right heart catheterization, and MR imaging (and in 37 cases, a cardiopulmonary exercise test was also performed) within a 1‐month period. Cardiac functional parameters and both global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were analyzed. Patients were stratified into low, intermediate, and high‐risk groups by guideline suggested stratified values of risk factors. The combined endpoint was death or hospitalization for congestive heart failure assessed during follow‐up since the date of MR examination.

Statistical Tests

Kolmogorov–Smirnov's test, independent‐sample t‐tests, Wilcoxon's rank‐sum tests, one‐way analysis of variance, χ2 tests or Fisher's exact test, receiver operating characteristic analysis, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and Cox regression analysis. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The median follow‐up duration was 3.4 years. Thirty‐five patients presented with combined endpoint including 10 cardiac deaths. RV structural and deformation impairments were significantly associated with combined endpoint (ejection fraction: 31.3% ± 13.2% vs. 38.0% ± 14.8%, hazard ratio [HR: 0.974; GLS: −14.5 [−18.6, −10.9] % vs. −20.4 [−26.0, −13.2] %, HR: 1.071; GCS: −9.8 [−14.5, −7.3] % vs. −12.3 [−19.9, −8.4] %, HR: 1.059). There were significant differences in RVGLS among low, intermediate, and high‐risk groups (−19.3% ± 7.2% vs. −17.3% ± 9.4% vs. −11.5% ± 4.4% by cardiac functional class, −21.8% ± 7.3% vs. −19.4% ± 8.2% vs. −12.7 ± 5.3% by NT‐proBNP, −19.7% ± 7.7 vs. −15.8% ± 6.5% vs. −12.6% ± 8.2% by cardiac index).

Data Conclusion

RV deformation may aid risk stratification in patients with PH, providing crucial information for RV remodeling, pulmonary hemodynamic condition and exercise capacity.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Are H1 and H3 haplotypes of endothelial protein C receptor (PROCR) an important factor in contracting COVID‐19?
Authors: Ceylan Mehmet Reşat , Kankılıç Nazım , Öz Özlem
Published: June 2022

The development of cardiovascular disease shows increase after contracting coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) disease and myocardial damage is observed in patients who have had the disease severely. The relationship between genetic cardiovascular risk factors with COVID‐19 infection was investigated in our study. One hundred thirty‐five patients, 27 of whom were COVID‐19 (−) and 108 were COVID‐19 (+) patients, were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups ([COVID‐19 [−], COVID‐19 [+] asymptomatic, and COVID‐19 [+] symptomatic + patients with pulmonary involvement]). Genetic cardiovascular risk factors were examined in blood samples taken from the patients with new generation sequencing analysis. In the clinical classification, there were no significant differences between the three groups in fibrinogen beta chain—455G>A, human platelet antigen 1 (HPA1b)/platelet receptor GPIIIa/(ITGB3) (HPA1a/b; GpIIIa; integrin beta 3 L33P), ACE I/D, AGT (M268T), AGTR1 (1166A>C), Apo E (E2/E3/E4) (rs7412, rs429358), eNOS (786T>C), eNOS (894G>T) genes (p > 0.05). However, significant differences were observed in PROCR H3 haplotype/G (endothelial protein C receptor gene [EPCR] 4600A>G [A3 haplotype]), PROCR H1 haplotype/C (EPCR 4678G>C [A1 haplotype]) genes (p < 0.05). When COVID‐19 (+) and COVID‐19 (−) groups were compared, it was observed that the infection was more common in people with PROCR H1 haplotype/C and PROCR H3 haplotype/G genotypes (p < 0.05). PROCR H1 and PROCR H3 haplotypes may be an important factor in contracting COVID‐19 disease. In people with COVID‐19 disease, revealing PROCR genetic differences and measuring sEPCR levels will be beneficial in the follow‐up of the disease.
Precipitation and temperature anomalies over Aotearoa New Zealand analysed by weather types and descriptors of atmospheric centres of action
Authors: Pohl Benjamin , Sturman Andrew , Renwick James , Quénol Hervé , Fauchereau Nicolas , Lorrey Andrew , Pergaud Julien
Published: June 2022

Weather types (WTs) are often used to assess the relationships between synoptic‐scale atmospheric dynamics and local scale climate anomalies. We focus here on Aotearoa New Zealand (ANZ) where pre‐existing WTs have recently been characterized using a set of descriptors monitoring the daily location and intensity of their main atmospheric centres of action (ACAs). We show here that the precipitation and temperature anomalies associated with the WTs in ANZ are more complex than previously thought. They do not solely depend on type occurrence, but are also strongly modulated by within‐type changes in the location and intensity of ACAs, and their interaction with surface terrain. Thus, the mere analysis of WT occurrence is not sufficient to explain climate variability over ANZ. The magnitude and sign of daily minimum and maximum temperature anomalies are strongly driven by meridional advection of temperature, which is also driven by within‐type changes in ACAs. The amplitude of precipitation anomalies is likewise strongly variable within WTs. Associated mechanisms involve interactions between the underlying terrain and atmospheric fluxes modulated by ACAs, modifying the strength and location of orographic uplift. Finally, daily extreme precipitation can occur under several cyclonic WTs, more particularly when their low‐pressure ACAs are significantly more intense than normal. This situation is associated with more intense moisture transport towards ANZ, promoting heavy precipitation there. These results provide a detailed assessment of within‐type variability in temperature and precipitation patterns at both synoptic and local scales. They also help to improve understanding of local effects of larger scale synoptic patterns, thereby allowing for more accurate use of analogues in forecasting.
Winds are changing: An explanation for the warming of the Netherlands
Authors: Hoogeveen Jippe , Hoogeveen Han
Published: June 2022

Western Europe is warming rapidly, much faster than the world average. To explain this phenomenon for the Netherlands, we look at the region where the airflow comes from instead of looking at the wind on the ground. Thereto, we consider 24 so‐called weather patterns, which describe the origin of the airflow (north, northeast, etc.) and whether the airflow comes straight at us, or with bending of isobars (cyclonal or anticyclonal). For each day from January 1, 1836 onwards, we have determined the corresponding weather pattern on basis of the weather maps from Reanalysis archives at wettercentrale.de. Using a statistical test, we can see that a shift has occurred in the weather patterns, which has resulted in a significant increase in airflow coming from warmer directions. We further have applied linear regression to explain the daily average temperatures on basis of the weather patterns for the period 1961–2020. In this way, we find for the daily model an R2 value of 0.60 and for the yearly model, based on the aggregated average daily values, we find an R2 of 0.81, which is increased to 0.85 when we take the influence of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and the Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) into account. These values strongly suggest that the warming in the Netherlands is caused by a shift in the origin of the airflow to warmer directions.
Regulation of gingival keratinocyte monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1‐induced protein (MCPIP)‐1 and mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein (MALT)‐1 expressions by periodontal bacteria, lipopolysaccharide, and interleukin‐1β
Authors: Firatli Yigit , Firatli Erhan , Loimaranta Vuokko , Elmanfi Samira , Gürsoy Ulvi K.
Published: June 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate oral bacteria‐ and interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced protein and mRNA expression profiles of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1‐induced protein (MCPIP)‐1 and mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein (MALT)‐1 in human gingival keratinocyte monolayers and organotypic oral mucosal models.

Methods

Human gingival keratinocyte (HMK) monolayers were incubated with Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IL‐1β. The protein levels of MCPIP‐1 and MALT‐1 were examined by immunoblots and mRNA levels by qPCR. MCPIP‐1 and MALT‐1 protein expression levels were also analyzed immunohistochemically using an organotypic oral mucosal model. One‐way analysis of variance followed by Tukey correction was used in statistical analyses.

Results

In keratinocyte monolayers, MCPIP‐1 protein expression was suppressed by F. nucleatum and MALT‐1 protein expression was suppressed by F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis LPS and IL‐1β. P. gingivalis seemed to degrade MCPIP‐1 and MALT‐1 at all tested time points and degradation was inhibited when P. gingivalis was heat‐killed. MCPIP‐1 mRNA levels were increased by P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, and IL‐1β, however, no changes were observed in MALT‐1 mRNA levels.

Conclusion

Gingival keratinocyte MCPIP‐1 and MALT‐1 mRNA and protein expression responses are regulated by infection and inflammatory mediators. These findings suggest that periodontitis‐associated bacteria‐induced modifications in MCPIP‐1 and MALT‐1 responses can be a part of periodontal disease pathogenesis.
Qualitative and quantitative determination of the primary active components and metabolites in human plasma after oral administration of Shuanghuanglian liquid
Authors: Zhang Shengman , Liu Ying , Peng Ni , Chen Xiaoyan
Published: June 2022

Shuanghuanglian oral liquid is a common traditional Chinese medicine used to treat respiratory tract infections. Its major components are baicalin, chlorogenic acid, and forsythin. In this study, the main drug‐related components in human plasma after oral administration of Shuanghuanglian were initially identified using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet detector/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Thirteen components from baicalin were identified, including the parent drug baicalin and aglycone baicalein. Only one metabolite related to chlorogenic acid, a sulfate conjugate formed after hydrolysis, and one metabolite related to forsythin, a sulfate conjugate of forsythin aglycone, were detected. Subsequently, a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated to simultaneously determine baicalin and baicalein, the primary active components. After simple protein precipitation, the analytes were separated on a BEH C18 column using a 5 min‐gradient elution to avoid interference from baicalin isomers and their in‐source dissociation. Excellent linearity was observed over the concentration ranges of 5.00–2000 ng/ml for baicalin and 1.00–100 ng/ml for baicalein. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of an oral administration of 60 ml Shuanghuanglian in healthy subjects. This study provided a foundation to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Shuanghuanglian further.
Early cardiomyopathy without severe metabolic dysregulation in a patient with cblB‐type methylmalonic acidemia
Authors: Agnarsdóttir Dagbjört , Sigurjónsdóttir Vaka Kristín , Emilsdóttir Arna Rut , Petersen Erna , Sigfússon Gunnlaugur , Rögnvaldsson Ingólfur , Franzson Leifur , Vernon Hilary , Bjornsson Hans Tomas
Published: June 2022

Background

Cardiomyopathy is a known complication of organic acidemias but generally thought to be secondary to poor metabolic control.

Methods

Our patient was found through biochemical testing and Sanger sequencing to harbor an Icelandic founder mutation: NM_052845.4(MMAB):c.571C > T(p.Arg191Trp), leading to an early presentation (4 h after birth) of cblB‐type methylmalonic acidemia (MMA). Biochemical testing of this patient suggested B‐12‐responsiveness and thus the patient was treated with cyanocobalamin throughout life. Informed parental consent was obtained for this report.

Results

Our patient had three metabolic decompensations in her life (at birth, at 1 month, and at 5 months). The first decompensation was probably linked to stress of delivery, second to rhinovirus infection, and third by co‐infection of norovirus and enterovirus. At 3 months, the patient was noted to be tachypneic, although this was attributed to her underlying metabolic acidosis. At 5 months and 10 days, the patient was admitted with minor flu‐like symptoms but developed severe diarrhea in hospital and upon rehydration had cardiac decompensation and was found to have undiagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy. Although, patient was treated aggressively with dextrose, hemodialysis, levocarnitine, and vasoactive agents, there was limited response to medications to treat cardiac failure, and eventually the patient passed away before turning 6 months old.

Conclusions

Other than these three mild decompensations, patient had very good metabolic control, thus demonstrating that even without frequent metabolic decompensation, cardiomyopathy can be an observed phenotype in cblB‐type MMA even very early in life, suggesting that this phenotype may be independent of metabolic control.
Association between Habitual Diet and the Postprandial Glucose Response—An Enable Study
Authors: Reik Anna , Brandl Beate , Schauberger Gunther , Wawro Nina , Linseisen Jakob , Skurk Thomas , Volkert Dorothee , Hauner Hans , Holzapfel Christina
Published: June 2022

Scope

It is inconclusive which factors influence inter‐individual variations of postprandial glucose response (PPGR). This study investigates whether the habitual diet is associated with PPGR.

Methods and results

Data from healthy adults (young adults with 18–25 years, middle‐aged adults with 40–65 years, and older adults with 75–85 years) is collected at baseline and during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) collected. Habitual diet is assessed by a food frequency questionnaire and two 24‐h food lists. Associations between habitual diet and glucose incremental area under the curve (iAUCmin) are examined by regression models. The intake of cereals and cereal products is negatively associated with glucose iAUCmin (p = 0.002) in the total cohort (N = 459, 50% women, 55 ± 21 years, BMI 26 ± 5 kg m−2). Up to 9% of the variance in the glycemic response is explained by the respective dietary parameters identified in the models of the specific age groups.

Conclusion

There are age‐specific diet‐related effects on PPGR. The usual intake of cereals and cereal products seems to play a greater role in PPGR in more than one age group. Further research is needed, to establish how diet can be optimized based on age and PPGR.
The Protective Effect of Sweet Potato Root Tuber on Chemotherapy‐Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Qi Zi‐Heng , Yan Xiao‐Jun , Liu Yang‐Yang , Hou Xia , Zhao Zhu , Zhu Yan‐Yan , He Ying‐Jie , Wang Zhao‐Jie , Yang Hong‐Jun , Na Zhong‐Yuan , Zhao Yun‐Li , Luo Xiao‐Dong
Published: June 2022

Scope

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is one of the leading crops worldwide, containing high nutritional components such as fiber and polyphenols. Root tuber of Simon 1 (SIMON), a cultivar of sweet potato, is a folk food in China with a hemostasis function but lacking experimental data support.

Methods and results

Now the protective effect of SIMON on chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia (CIT), a serious complication of cancer treatment, is investigated for the first time by a CIT mouse model induced by intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin. As a result, SIMON raises the number of peripheral platelets, white blood cells, and bone marrow nucleated cells in CIT mice significantly. Besides, carboplatin‐induced atrophy of the thymus, spleen, and disordered metabolism of the inflammatory immune system and glycerophospholipids are also reversed by SIMON. Phytochemical analysis of SIMON indicates 16 compounds including eight phenolic derivatives, which might be associated with its anti‐CIT bioactivity.

Conclusion

Sweet potato (SIMON) may be an efficient function food in the prevention of bleeding disorders.
Carbon Dioxide Switchable Polymers – Recent Developments and Emerging Applications
Authors: Cunningham Michael F. , Jessop Philip G.
Published: June 2022

Carbon dioxide has emerged as an alternative trigger for stimuli‐responsive or “switchable” materials that has unique advantages compared to conventional triggers. The principles of CO2 switching have been applied to a wide range of materials and processes, including polymeric materials and polymerization processes. This Perspective briefly reviews the types of polymer materials that have been made CO2‐switchable, and the types of processes where CO2 switching has been utilized to address process‐related challenges such as catalyst recovery. Recent research is then highlighted conducted in the groups on a range of new switchable polymers and processes, emphasizing emerging applications where CO2 switching may offer novel solutions and opportunities for commercial development.
MR Fingerprinting with b‐Tensor Encoding for Simultaneous Quantification of Relaxation and Diffusion in a Single Scan
Authors: Afzali Maryam , Mueller Lars , Sakaie Ken , Hu Siyuan , Chen Yong , Szczepankiewicz Filip , Griswold Mark A. , Jones Derek K. , Ma Dan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Although both relaxation and diffusion imaging are sensitive to tissue microstructure, studies have reported limited sensitivity and robustness of using relaxation or conventional diffusion alone to characterize tissue microstructure. Recently, it has been shown that tensor‐valued diffusion encoding and joint relaxation‐diffusion quantification enable more reliable quantification of compartment‐specific microstructural properties. However, scan times to acquire such data can be prohibitive. Here, we aim to simultaneously quantify relaxation and diffusion using MR fingerprinting (MRF) and b‐tensor encoding in a clinically feasible time.

Methods

We developed multidimensional MRF scans (mdMRF) with linear and spherical b‐tensor encoding (LTE and STE) to simultaneously quantify T1, T2, and ADC maps from a single scan. The image quality, accuracy, and scan efficiency were compared between the mdMRF using LTE and STE. Moreover, we investigated the robustness of different sequence designs to signal errors and their impact on the maps.

Results

T1 and T2 maps derived from the mdMRF scans have consistently high image quality, while ADC maps are sensitive to different sequence designs. Notably, the fast imaging steady state precession (FISP)‐based mdMRF scan with peripheral pulse gating provides the best ADC maps that are free of image distortion and shading artifacts.

Conclusion

We demonstrated the feasibility of quantifying T1, T2, and ADC maps simultaneously from a single mdMRF scan in around 24 s/slice. The map quality and quantitative values are consistent with the reference scans.
Prospective motion correction and automatic segmentation of penetrating arteries in phase contrast MRI at 7 T
Authors: Moore Julia , Jimenez Jordan , Lin Weili , Powers William , Zong Xiaopeng
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To develop a prospective motion correction (MC) method for phase contrast (PC) MRI of penetrating arteries (PAs) in centrum semiovale at 7 T and to evaluate its performance using automatic PA segmentation.

Methods

Head motion was monitored and corrected during the scan based on fat navigator images. Two convolutional neural networks (CNN) were developed to automatically segment PAs and exclude surface vessels. Real‐life scans with MC and without MC (NoMC) were performed to evaluate the MC performance. Motion score was calculated from the ranges of translational and rotational motion parameters. MC versus NoMC pairs with similar motion scores during MC and NoMC scans were compared. Data corrupted by motion were reacquired to further improve PA visualization.

Results

PA counts (NPA) and PC and magnitude contrasts (MgC) relative to neighboring tissue were significantly correlated with motion score and were higher in MC than NoMC images at motion scores above 0.5–0.8 mm. Data reacquisition further increased PC but had no significant effect on NPA and MgC. CNNs had higher sensitivity and Dice similarity coefficient for detecting PAs than a threshold‐based method.

Conclusions

Prospective MC can improve the count and contrast of segmented PAs in the presence of severe motion. CNN‐based PA segmentation has improved performance in delineating PAs than the threshold‐based method.
Relationship between chewing ability and malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty in older adults
Authors: Özsürekci Cemile , Kara Murat , Güngör Anıl Evrim , Ayçiçek Gözde Şengül , Çalışkan Hatice , Doğu Burcu Balam , Cankurtaran Mustafa , Halil Meltem Gülhan
Published: June 2022

Background

Several studies reported that impaired nutrition is associated with reduced muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. Chewing ability is essential to maintain balanced oral nutrient intake. The study was designed to define the possible relationship between chewing ability and nutrition‐related problems (malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty) in a holistic perspective.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study recruited adults aged ≥65 years. All patients were evaluated with comprehensive geriatric assessment. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criterion. Malnutrition was determined according to body mass index, calf circumference, and Mini Nutritional Assessment short form (MNA‐SF). Frailty status was diagnosed with the Clinical Frailty Scale. Masseter and gastrocnemius muscle thicknesses (MTs) were measured via ultrasonography imaging. Oral examinations were carried out by a dentist, and chewing performance was examined with a color‐changeable chewing gum.

Results

Overall, 135 older adults (76 females) were analyzed. Mean ± SD age was 75.7 ± 7.2 years; 37.0% of the patients were frail, 3.7% were malnourished, 12.6% were sarcopenic, and 20.0% had poor chewing function. In the poor chewing function group, age and frailty scores were increased and the MNA‐SF scores, handgrip strength, skeletal muscle index, and masseter MT were reduced (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, regression analysis showed that low grip strength and low gastrocnemius MT were independently associated with poor chewing ability.

Conclusions

Chewing ability was related to sarcopenia. Age and low grip strength in females and low cognitive scores and having low gastrocnemius MT in males were independent variables affecting chewing ability.
The policy response to COVID‐19 pandemic and its impact on the equity market sentiment: The Indian experience
Authors: Bhattacharjee Nayanjyoti , De Anupam
Published: June 2022

We examine the dynamics of the impact of the evolving policy response during the COVID‐19 pandemic on the equity market sentiment in India. We operationalise our study by examining the India VIX, the fear gauge of the Indian equity market as an indicator for the market sentiment, and the country level Government Response Index of the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University as an indicator for the policy response. The relation is examined through the Markov‐switching model using high‐frequency daily data from January 30, 2020, to May 31, 2021. The evidence suggests that the policy response has a positive impact on the market sentiment when the market is fearful. Further, the evidence suggests that both the high‐fear state and the low‐fear state of the market sentiment given by the model are short‐lived indicating heightened volatility and possible speculation during the ongoing pandemic in the Indian equity market.
Under investigation; wanted, missing Risk‐Based Process Safety elements
Authors: Broadribb Michael P.
Published: June 2022

When the 20 elements of CCPS Risk‐Based Process Safety (RBPS) were published in 2007, they represented a major improvement in risk management over the 14 elements of the OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) regulation. Not only were several additional elements added, but the scope of many of those elements common with OSHA PSM was broadened. The author has successfully applied RBPS to facilities in countries that do not have process safety regulations and to industries in the United States that are not covered by OSHA PSM (Broadribb, 2020). The author has also previously presented a paper on additional elements that could broaden the scope of RBPS further to promote and drive greater risk reduction where appropriate (Broadribb, 2017). Audits of worldwide facility incident investigations have found quite often that symptoms and events were mistakenly identified as the root cause(s). This failure to identify the true underlying root causes often results in recommendations that are unlikely to prevent the recurrence of the subject incident. To assist companies in correctly identifying the underlying root causes, the author has developed a root cause analysis (RCA) technique that not only systematically drives the RCA to the fundamental, underlying management system weaknesses but also covers occupational safety, health, and environment; the 20 elements of RBPS; and some of the additional elements from the author's previous paper (such as human factors and engineering project phases). This paper describes the issues and solutions in detail with examples illustrated from the RCA technique.
Process hazard evaluation for the epoxidation of soybean oil with calorimetry techniques
Authors: Zhou Xue , Pan Yue , Zhang Lifan , Jiang JiaJia
Published: June 2022

Epoxidized soybean oil was widely used in industrial production. However, the epoxidized soybean oil production process releases a lot of heat, which could cause a runaway reaction, resulting in fires and explosions. Therefore, the thermal risk of the soybean oil epoxidation reaction process has been studied. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate the thermal stability of reaction materials. The parameters such as initial exothermic temperature and reaction heat were obtained based on heat flow diagrams. EasyMax was used to analyze the soybean oil epoxidation reaction under different reaction temperatures and dosing rate conditions. The maximum temperature of the synthesis reactions, time to maximum rate under adiabatic condition (), and adiabatic temperature rise () were obtained by analyzing the epoxidation reaction. An adiabatic accelerating calorimeter was used to study the adiabatic decomposition of reaction products to obtain safety criteria such as adiabatic temperature rise and maximum reaction rate. The results obtained by the risk matrix evaluation method show that the risk level of the soybean oil epoxidation process was unacceptable. According to the results of the runaway scenario analysis method, the risk level of soybean oil epoxidation reaction was level 5. Therefore, the reaction process needs to be improved to ensure safe production.
Coupled data assimilation at ECMWF: current status, challenges and future developments
Authors: de Rosnay Patricia , Browne Philip , de Boisséson Eric , Fairbairn David , Hirahara Yoichi , Ochi Kenta , Schepers Dinand , Weston Peter , Zuo Hao , Alonso‐Balmaseda Magdalena , Balsamo Gianpaolo , Bonavita Massimo , Borman Niels , Brown Andy , Chrust Marcin , Dahoui Mohamed , Chiara Giovanna , English Stephen , Geer Alan , Healy Sean , Hersbach Hans , Laloyaux Patrick , Magnusson Linus , Massart Sébastien , McNally Anthony , Pappenberger Florian , Rabier Florence
Published: June 2022

This article presents coupled data assimilation (DA) activities at the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Coupled DA is an essential component of the ECMWF Earth‐system strategy. It aims at providing consistent initial conditions to the coupled atmosphere, land, and ocean forecast model. The article introduces the different DA systems and observing systems for each Earth‐system component. It discusses challenges related to observation consistency, availability, and sustainability across the components. It gives a review of coupling methodologies and presents coupling methods in development at the ECMWF. The current ECMWF system relies on weakly coupled DA approaches between land and atmosphere, between wave and atmosphere, and between ocean and atmosphere. Research on coupled DA has been centred on outer loop coupling developments and evaluation, focused on ocean–atmosphere coupling for reanalysis and for numerical weather prediction. The latest configuration of the ocean–atmosphere outer loop coupling combines weak and outer loop coupling methods. The article discusses the challenges in assimilating surface‐sensitive observations and it presents opportunities that coupled DA offers to enhance the exploitation of interface observations. It presents recent developments on land–atmosphere forward operator coupling and multilayer snow‐emission modelling and shows the potential for coupled radiative transfer modelling at low‐frequency passive microwave. The article discusses ongoing developments of in‐house sea‐surface temperature analysis based on coupled skin temperature assimilation. It presents preliminary results that demonstrate meaningful upper ocean temperature increments when assimilating skin temperature information from four‐dimensional variational assimilation. Coupled assimilation results are illustrated and discussed in the context of several applications related to reanalysis, scatterometer impact on coupled ocean–atmosphere, tropical cyclone, impact of weakly coupled sea‐ice–atmosphere data assimilation as well as land surface coupled DA case studies. These examples illustrate benefits and challenges of coupled DA developments. The article discusses future plans of coupled DA developments in support of ECMWF's Earth‐system 2021–2030 strategy.
Remaining useful life prediction using composite health index and hybrid LSTM‐SVR model
Authors: Gu Liudong , Zheng Rui , Zhou Yifan , Zhang Zhisheng , Zhao Kunkun
Published: June 2022

Remaining useful life (RUL) plays an important role in prognostic and health management to reduce maintenance costs and avoid possible accidents. Massive multi‐sensor data makes it challenging to extract degradation features and predict RUL. This paper develops a novel RUL prediction framework consisted of a multi‐sensor fusion model and a hybrid prediction model. HI curves are constructed by synthesizing multiple metrics including time correlation, monotonicity, robustness, and consistency, making our data fusion method different from existing methods considering only one metric. In many practical situations, the initial degradation levels of obtained HI curves are different, and treating all curves without classification will result in errors in RUL prediction. The K‐means method is used to partition degradation paths into discrete states and the obtained HI curves are grouped by their initial states and then trained separately. A hybrid prediction model combining Long Short‐Term Memory (LSTM) network and Support Vector Regression (SVR) is developed to predict the RUL. The dataset of turbofan engines is used to verify the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method performs better than many existing methods.
Ixekizumab Successfully Treated Severe Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris after COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Liu Ya-ting , Wang Shang-shang
Published: June 2022

Pityriasis rubra pilaris is an inflammatory dermatologic disorder of unknown cause. We report a 67-year-old man with Pityriasis rubra pilaris might induced by COVID-19 vaccination. The patient developed the lesions after the first dose of vaccine and significantly aggravated after the second dose. He had poor effect and liver function impairment developed after acitretin used, but achieved satisfactory efficacy after replacement to ixekizumab, an interleukin-17A inhibitor.