bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of individual variation in large herbivore diets: Roles of spatial heterogeneity and state‐dependent foraging
Authors: Walker Reena H. , Hutchinson Matthew C. , Potter Arjun B. , Becker Justine A. , Long Ryan A. , Pringle Robert M.
Published: November 2022

Many populations of consumers consist of relatively specialized individuals that eat only a subset of the foods consumed by the population at large. Although the ecological significance of individual‐level diet variation is recognized, such variation is difficult to document, and its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Optimal foraging theory provides a useful framework for predicting how individuals might select different diets, positing that animals balance the “opportunity cost” of stopping to eat an available food item against the cost of searching for something more nutritious; diet composition should be contingent on the distribution of food, and individual foragers should be more selective when they have greater energy reserves to invest in searching for high‐quality foods. We tested these predicted mechanisms of individual niche differentiation by quantifying environmental (resource heterogeneity) and organismal (nutritional condition) determinants of diet in a widespread browsing antelope (bushbuck, Tragelaphus sylvaticus) in an African floodplain‐savanna ecosystem. We quantified individuals' realized dietary niches (taxonomic richness and composition) using DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples collected repeatedly from 15 GPS‐collared animals (range 6–14 samples per individual, median 12). Bushbuck diets were structured by spatial heterogeneity and constrained by individual condition. We observed significant individual‐level partitioning of food plants by bushbuck both within and between two adjacent habitat types (floodplain and woodland). Individuals with home ranges that were closer together and/or had similar vegetation structure (measured using LiDAR) ate more similar diets, supporting the prediction that heterogeneous resource distribution promotes individual differentiation. Individuals in good nutritional condition had significantly narrower diets (fewer plant taxa), searched their home ranges more intensively (intensity‐of‐use index), and had higher‐quality diets (percent digestible protein) than those in poor condition, supporting the prediction that animals with greater endogenous reserves have narrower realized niches because they can invest more time in searching for nutritious foods. Our results support predictions from optimal foraging theory about the energetic basis of individual‐level dietary variation and provide a potentially generalizable framework for understanding how individuals' realized niche width is governed by animal behavior and physiology in heterogeneous landscapes.
Iron‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Azidabenzoyl Difluoromethylation of Alkenes to Access β‐Difluoroacyl Azides
Authors: Wang Xia , Fang Mougui , Wu Shiguang , Wu Jingjing , Wu Fanhong
Published: November 2022

A Fe(II)‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of 2‐iodo‐2,2‐difluoroacetophenones, alkenes and TMSN3 is described, which provides a particularly valuable route to access difluoroalkylated azides with high yields. The method permits the efficient azidation of varied β‐difluoroacyl‐benzylic radicals in mild conditions with high functional group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic investigation indicated that a radical‐mediated process was involved in this azidadifluoroacylation reaction.
Does Environmental Exposure to Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product Residues Result in the Selection of Antimicrobial-Resistant Microorganisms, and is this Important in Terms of Human Health Outcomes?
Authors: Stanton Isobel C. , Tipper Holly J. , Chau Kevin , Klümper Uli , Subirats Jessica , Murray Aimee K.
Published: November 2022

The environment plays a critical role in the development, dissemination, and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) enter the environment through direct application to the environment and through anthropogenic pollution. Although there is a growing body of evidence defining minimal selective concentrations (MSCs) of antibiotics and the role antibiotics play in horizontal gene transfer (HGT), there is limited evidence on the role of non-antibiotic PPCPs. Existing data show associations with the development of resistance or effects on bacterial growth rather than calculating selective endpoints. Research has focused on laboratory-based systems rather than in situ experiments, although PPCP concentrations found throughout wastewater, natural water, and soil environments are often within the range of laboratory-derived MSCs and at concentrations shown to promote HGT. Increased selection and HGT of AMR by PPCPs will result in an increase in total AMR abundance in the environment, increasing the risk of exposure and potential transmission of environmental AMR to humans. There is some evidence to suggest that humans can acquire resistance from environmental settings, with water environments being the most frequently studied. However, because this is currently limited, we recommend that more evidence be gathered to understand the risk the environment plays in regard to human health. In addition, we recommend that future research efforts focus on MSC-based experiments for non-antibiotic PPCPS, particularly in situ, and investigate the effect of PPCP mixtures on AMR. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:623–636. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
More cost‐sharing, less cost? Evidence on reference price drugs
Authors: Herr Annika , Stühmeier Torben , Wenzel Tobias
Published: November 2022

This paper evaluates the causal effects of changes in reference prices (RP) on prices, copayments, and overall expenditures for off‐patent pharmaceuticals. With reference pricing, firms set prices freely and the health plan covers the expenses only up to a certain threshold. We use quarterly data of the German market for anti‐epileptics at the package level and at the active substance level and exploit that the RP has been adjusted in some of the active substances but not in others in a difference‐in‐differences framework. At the product level, we find that a lower RP reduces prices for both brand‐name drugs and generics, but leads to higher copayments, especially for brand‐name drugs. At the aggregate level, we find that a lower RP leads to savings for the public health insurer since revenues decrease substantially for brand‐name firms and, to a lesser extent, also for generic firms. Overall expenditures (payments by the health insurer and the patients) for brand‐name drugs decrease in proportion to the decrease in the RP, while the adjustment does not significantly influence overall expenditures for generics.
Rate of atypical nodal metastases in surgically treated HPV‐associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Miller Lauren E. , Au Vivienne H. , Sivarajah Shanmugappiriya , Lin Derrick T. , Deschler Daniel G. , Varvares Mark A. , Faden Daniel L. , Feng Allen L. , Sadow Peter M. , Richmon Jeremy D.
Published: November 2022

Background

Understanding of nodal metastasis in patients with HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is warranted.

Methods

Patients with HPV+ OPSCC who underwent neck dissection (ND) between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed. Pathology reports were reviewed for lymph node (LN) metastases. Noncontiguous metastases were defined as pathologic evidence of level II disease with another involved LN in a noncontiguous neck level. Skip metastases were defined as pathologic lymph node(s) in the neck without disease in level II.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐one patients underwent levels II–IV ND with a mean (SD) LN yield of 33.3 (±13.5). The rate of atypical metastases in both the therapeutic and elective ND cohort was 5%. The noncontiguous and skip metastases were in level IV (n = 2) and level III (n = 4), respectively.

Conclusions

Skip and noncontiguous metastases were rare in patients with HPV+ OPSCC undergoing surgical treatment. Surgeons may consider a selective ND omitting Level IV in select patients with HPV+ OPSCC undergoing surgery.
Eulerian multiphase study of direct steam generation in parabolic trough with OpenFOAM
Authors: Achi Alladdine , Demagh Yassine
Published: November 2022

Direct steam generation (DSG) in parabolic trough solar collectors is a feasible option for economic improvement in solar thermal power generation. Three‐dimensional Eulerian two‐fluid simulations are performed under OpenFOAM to study the turbulent flow in the evaporation section of the parabolic trough receiver and investigate the phase change, and pressure drop of water as a heat transfer fluid. First, the model's validity has been tested by comparing the numerical results of a laboratory scale boiler with the available correlations and semi‐correlations of boiling flows from the literature. Simulations agreed well with Rouhani–Axelsson correlation for horizontal tubes, with a mean relative error of less than 7.1% for all studied cases. However, despite a mean relative error of less than 13.19% compared to the experimental data in the literature, the reported pressure drop factor remains valid; overprediction remains tolerable for most engineering applications. Second, the scaling effect on the mathematical model, from laboratory to commercial‐scale configuration, was tested with experimental data of the DISS test loop in Platforma Solar de Almeria, Spain. The Monte Carlo Ray Tracing method under the Tonatiuh package allowed for obtaining the nonuniform heat flux distribution. Due to the large size of the evaporation section in the DISS loop (eight collectors), each collector is considered independently in the simulations. Thus, simulations follow each other, taking the numerical results of each collector output as input data in the next collector and so on until the last. The numerical results showed an excellent agreement for the void fraction with 3.53% against the Rouhani–Axelsson correlation. Frictional pressure losses are within a 17.06% error of the Friedel correlation, in the range of previous work in the literature, and the heat loss is less than 4.69% error versus experimental correlation.
A developmental understanding of the self may provide valuable insight into the experience of selfhood in dementia
Authors: Mentzou Aikaterini , Ross Josephine
Published: November 2022

The self is a complex and multidimensional construct with both reflective and experiential aspects. The experience of selfhood has been well documented in both developmental psychology and dementia research. However, these research fields have rarely come together. This is unfortunate since a lack of sensitive measurement of self in adults with dementia has historically led to erroneous assumptions that people diagnosed with dementia experience total loss of self. Dementia causes profound self‐alterations, particularly associated with gaps in autobiographical and semantic self‐knowledge. However, important experiential manifestations of self may remain intact. Focusing on the emergence of different levels of self‐processes in early childhood, and reflecting on conceptual similarities as well as methodological perspectives, the aim of this article is to explore how developmental approaches may be applied to provide a promising new direction into the experience of selfhood in dementia.
Isolated rupture of the corpus spongiosum with urethral injury diagnosed by pre‐surgical MRI
Authors: Yokoyama Shuhei , Tsuboi Ichiro , Ogawa Kohei , Yoshioka Saori , Kobayasi Yusuke , Nakajima Hirochika , Nagami Taichi , Yamasaki Seigen , Wada Koichiro
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Penile fracture is typically defined as the rupture of the corpus cavernosum.

Case presentation

A 61‐year‐old man presented with swelling, pain, and bruising of his penis, along with gross hematuria. He reported that he sustained this injury while having sex with his wife. We suspected a penile fracture and obtained magnetic resonance imaging, which showed a rupture of the ventral corpus spongiosum and clarified the appropriate approach for repair. We used a direct transverse incision to repair both the urethral injury and the corpus spongiosum. Surgery went well, without any significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. We removed the urinary catheter on postoperative day 8, and cystoscopy showed no urethral stenosis on postoperative day 17. The patient's postoperative erectile function was the same as before his injury.

Conclusion

Magnetic resonance imaging was useful for detect the site of rupture. Ventral direct transverce incision made him a good clinical course.
Assessing water productivity and energy use for irrigating rice in Pakistan
Authors: Akbar Ghani , Hameed Shahid , Islam Zafar
Published: November 2022

Overirrigation of rice crops from groundwater negatively impacts water productivity, energy use and the environment in Pakistan. Therefore, four decades (1981–2020) of data on rice crop area and production were assessed for water productivity, and alternative options for irrigation application and energy use were explored. The results show a maximum average yield of 2.42 t ha‾¹ and water productivity of 0.16 kg m‾3 (6211 L kg‾¹) for the last decade (2011–2020), with an average decadal yield increase of 14%. The last year's rice crop during 2020 consumed 14.43 million acre‐feet (MAF) of groundwater, assuming a minimum irrigation application of 1500 mm per season. The maximum equivalent energy required for pumping is approximately 386 MW for electrical and 4966 MW for diesel‐driven tube wells. Diesel combustion for pumping caused 1.26 million t (467 kg ha‾¹) of CO2 emissions per season. The capital cost for converting all installed capacities of electrical (2311 MW, PKR 481 billion) and diesel (16 517 MW, PKR 1909 billion) tube wells to solar energy can be recovered in less than 4 years. Improved governance and optimized site‐specific solar system designs can avoid undergoing groundwater. Improving water productivity and using solar energy for irrigation indicates the prospects of improved sustainability of rice crops in Pakistan.
Cancer patients' experience with a pharmacist‐led oral chemotherapy clinic: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Hamner Allison N. , Andrick Benjamin , Mathur Anupama , Gionfriddo Michael R.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Geisinger in Danville, Pennsylvania, has pharmacist‐managed oral chemotherapy clinics that manage approximately 100 patients per day. Through a collaborative practice agreement with the provider, the pharmacist serves as a clinical extender to manage patients' oral oncolytics between provider visits. Previous studies have described the clinical and financial impact of a pharmacist‐driven oral chemotherapy clinic, yet there is a paucity of data regarding patients' perceptions of the care received in such clinics.

Objectives

We aimed to conduct a qualitative, semi‐structured, and descriptive study to better understand the patients' perceived role of the pharmacist in their care, perceived benefits, and opportunities for optimization.

Methods

Patients were prospectively sampled from clinic records in this single clinic study. Eligible patients must have a clinic visit between November 2020 and March 2021, be at least 18 years of age, and have at least six documented encounters with the clinic pharmacist within the last 6 months. Patients were excluded if they were residents of a nursing home or rehab if they required a professional caregiver, or if they had not personally talked with the pharmacist during at least four encounters within the previous 6 months.

Results

Out of 110 screened patients, 36 met the inclusion criteria, and 21 completed the interview. Overall, patients described the oral chemotherapy pharmacist as knowledgeable, helpful, and considerate of their situation. When comparing the oral chemotherapy pharmacist to a community pharmacist, some patients felt the oral chemotherapy pharmacist provided more personalized care. One area of improvement identified by patients included improving the clarity and consistency of clinic phone calls.

Conclusions

Based on the results of our thematic analysis, patients value the services provided in our pharmacist‐managed oral chemotherapy clinic; however, areas of improvement included how pharmacists communicate with patients regarding their care and the pharmacist's role within the care team.
The Prrx1eGFP Mouse Labels the Periosteum During Development and a Subpopulation of Osteogenic Periosteal Cells in the Adult
Authors: Brown Sarah , Malik Saif , Aljammal Maria , O'Flynn Aine , Hobbs Carl , Shah Mittal , Roberts Scott J , Logan Malcolm PO
Published: November 2022

The identity of the cells that form the periosteum during development is controversial with current dogma suggesting these are derived from a Sox9‐positive progenitor. Herein, we characterize a newly created Prrx1eGFP reporter transgenic mouse line during limb formation and postnatally. Interestingly, in the embryo Prrx1eGFP‐labeled cells become restricted around the Sox9‐positive cartilage anlage without themselves becoming Sox9‐positive. In the adult, the Prrx1eGFP transgene live labels a subpopulation of cells within the periosteum that are enriched at specific sites, and this population is diminished in aged mice. The green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labeled subpopulation can be isolated using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) and represents approximately 8% of all isolated periosteal cells. The GFP‐labeled subpopulation is significantly more osteogenic than unlabeled, GFP‐negative periosteal cells. In addition, the osteogenic and chondrogenic capacity of periosteal cells in vitro can be extended with the addition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to the expansion media. We provide evidence to suggest that osteoblasts contributing to cortical bone formation in the embryo originate from Prrx1eGFP‐positive cells within the perichondrium, which possibly piggyback on invading vascular cells and secrete new bone matrix. In summary, the Prrx1eGFP mouse is a powerful tool to visualize and isolate periosteal cells and to quantify their properties in the embryo and adult. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Effects of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination on male fertility: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Dong Yehao , Li Xiaoyun , Li Zewu , Zhu Yunting , Wei Zichun , He Jiarui , Cheng Hongju , Yang Aijun , Chen Fei
Published: November 2022

Numerous studies have revealed severe damage to male fertility from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, raising concerns about the potential adverse impact on reproductive function of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine developed based on the virus. Interestingly, there are several researchers who have studied the impact of the COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine since then but have come up with conflicting results. As a near‐ideal candidate for mass immunization programs, inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine has been widely used in many countries, particularly in less wealthy nations. However, little is known about its effect on male fertility. Here, we conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single large center for reproductive medicine in China between December 2021 and August 2022. Five hundred and nineteen fertile men with no history of laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 were included and categorized into four groups based on their vaccination status: unvaccinated group (n = 168), one‐dose vaccinated group (n = 8), fully vaccinated group (n = 183), and booster group (n = 160). All of them underwent a semen analysis and most had serum sex hormone levels tested. There were no significant differences in all semen parameters and sex hormone levels between the unvaccinated group and either vaccinated group. To account for possible vaccination‐to‐test interval‐specific changes, sub‐analyses were performed for two interval groups: ≤90 and >90 days. As expected, most of the semen parameters and sex hormone levels remained unchanged between the control and vaccinated groups. However, participants in vaccinated group (≤90 days) have decreased total sperm motility and increased follicle‐stimulating hormone level compared with the ones in unvaccinated group. Moreover, some trends similar to those found during COVID‐19 infection and recovery were observed in our study. Fortunately, all values are within the normal range. In addition, vaccinated participants reported few adverse reactions. No special medical intervention was required, and no serious adverse reactions happened. Our study suggests that inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination does not impair male fertility, possibly due to the low frequency of adverse effects. This information reassures young male population who got this vaccine worldwide, and helps guide future vaccination efforts.
Scavenger receptor class B type I genetic variants associated with disease severity in chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Arandhara Victoria L. , McClure Charles Patrick , Tarr Alexander W. , Chappell Sally , Morgan Kevin , Baumert Thomas F. , Irving William L. , Ball Jonathan K.
Published: November 2022

Analysis of host genetic polymorphisms is an increasingly important tool for understanding and predicting pathogenesis and treatment response of viral diseases. The gene locus of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR‐BI), encoding a cell entry factor and receptor for hepatitis C virus (HCV), contains several genetic polymorphisms. We applied a probe extension assay to determine the frequency of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the SR‐BI gene locus in 374 individuals with history of HCV infection. In addition, SR‐BI messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were analyzed in liver biopsy specimens of chronically infected HCV subjects. The rs5888 variant allele T was present at a higher frequency in subjects with advanced fibrosis (χ2, p = 0.016) and after adjusting for age, duration of infection and alcohol intake as confounding factors. Haplotype analysis of SNP frequencies showed that a haplotype consisting of rs61932577 variant allele C and rs5888 variant allele T was associated with an increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis (defined by an Ishak score 4−6) (adjusted odds ratio 2.81; 95% confidence interval 1.06−7.46. p = 0.038). Carriers of the rs5888 variant allele T displayed reduced SR‐BI mRNA expression in liver biopsy specimens. In conclusion the rs5888 polymorphism variant is associated with decreased SR‐BI expression and an increased risk of development of advanced fibrosis in chronic HCV infection. These findings provide further evidence for a role of SR‐BI in HCV pathogenesis and provides a genetic marker for prediction of those infected individuals at greater risk of developing severe disease.
The dissolved oxygen budget of a small Canadian Shield lake during winter
Authors: Ghane Alireza , Boegman Leon
Published: November 2022

Deep‐water hypoxia is an environmental concern in temperate lakes. Seasonal turnover events provide a mechanism for deep‐water oxygenation; however, the lake oxygen budget and mixing dynamics during turnovers are poorly understood. In the present study, the oxygen cycle in a small dimictic lake was investigated from long‐term field measurements supplemented with output from a three‐dimensional numerical model. Photosynthetic production and atmospheric exchange were modeled to predominate during spring and fall turnovers, respectively, contributing 92% (surprisingly) and 8% of the net dissolved oxygen (DO) input to the lake. Of the DO production, 41% occurred under‐ice, with a potential to supply 17% ± 11% of the hypolimnetic DO saturation deficit at spring turnover. The corresponding DO sinks were sediment oxygen demand (− 54%), mineralization (− 33%), and nitrification (− 13%). The watercolumn circulation and stratification during pre‐winter and spring turnover controlled the inter‐annual variability in hypoxia during the following summer. Warm winters (~ 4°C watercolumn leading to rapid summer stratification) and severely cold winters (strong winter stratification with shallow convective mixing in spring) were followed by incomplete spring turnover, whereas, following cold winters (moderate winter stratification and extended convection) turnover was complete. This underscores the connection between winter hydrodynamics and summer water quality in dimictic lakes.
From organismal physiology to ecological processes: Effects of nutrient enrichment and salinity variation in a freshwater ecosystem
Authors: Carrier‐Belleau Charlotte , Pascal Ludovic , Tiegs Scott D. , Nozais Christian , Archambault Philippe
Published: November 2022

Environmental stressors have profound implications for species, communities, and ecosystems by altering fundamental processes. With increasing human impacts on aquatic ecosystems, two main scenarios have been reported: (1) the spatiotemporal superposition of multiple stressors, leading to interactions among them and (2) intensifying environmental gradients, leading to threshold responses. However, studies designed to assess the effects of multiple stressors (e.g., pulse stressors) along environmental gradients (e.g., press stressors) are uncommon, and interactions between pulse and press stressors may cause abrupt changes in biological responses. We conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate the effects of osmotic stress along a nutrient enrichment gradient on a freshwater community composed of periphyton, microorganisms, and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). Our objectives were to (1) quantify the individual and combined effects of stressors, (2) delineate thresholds along the nutrient gradient (press) in the absence and presence of osmotic stress (pulse), and (3) test for interactions between the two stressors. We evaluated effects on metabolic rates in D. polymorpha and on microbial activity, as well as phototrophic periphyton biomass and physiological status. We observed interactions between the two stressors for metabolic rates in D. polymorpha and periphytic phaeopigments. In contrast, we found an individual effect of osmotic stress on microbial activity and chlorophyll a content. Thresholds were only identified in the presence of osmotic stress for metabolic rates in D. polymorpha. Our work highlights the importance of combining multiple stressors with environmental gradients and the need to consider multiple biological compartments when evaluating the impacts of stressors on ecosystems.
On exact integrability of a Covid‐19 model: SIRV
Authors: Amiri Babaei Navid , Özer Teoman
Published: November 2022

In this study, the integrability conditions and the exact analytical solutions of the initial‐value problem defined for the prominent SIRV model used for the pandemic Covid‐19 are investigated by using the partial Hamiltonian approach based on the theory of Lie groups. Two different cases are considered with respect to the model parameters. In addition, the integrability properties and the associated approximate and exact analytical solutions to the SIRV model are analyzed and investigated by considering two different phase spaces. Furthermore, the graphical representations of susceptible, infected, recovered, and vaccinated population fractions evolving with time for subcases are introduced and discussed.
L‐Theanine Mitigates the Harmful Effects of Excess High‐Protein Diet in Rats by Regulating Protein Metabolism
Authors: Lin Ling , Zhang Jiao , He Lin , Li Lanlan , Song Yuxin , Xiao Wenjun , Gong Zhihua
Published: November 2022

Scope

l‐Theanine (LTA) is a non‐protein amino acid that contributes to the flavor of tea and can regulate protein metabolism of healthy organisms. However, it is unknown whether it regulates protein metabolism in individuals on high‐protein diets (HPDs).

Methods and results

Here, Sprague–Dawley rats are fed HPDs with different protein supply ratios and administered a diverse dose of LTA for 40 days. Results show that HPDs with an energy supply ratio from protein >40% impair the liver and kidneys, elevate serum ammonia and urea nitrogen, induce amino acid (AA) catabolism, and promote fatty acid (FA) synthesis via FA‐binding protein 5 (Fabp5) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1). LTA intervention alleviates HPD‐induced hepatic and renal injury and improves serum biochemical indices. It increases hepatic free AA content and inhibits FA synthesis by downregulating Fabp5 and ACC1. It promotes protein synthesis by acting on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, thereby alleviating HPD‐induced metabolic disorders.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that LTA mitigates kidney and liver damage induced by long‐term excess HPDs by regulating protein metabolism.
Loss of Visceral Fat is Associated with a Reduction in Inflammatory Status in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Castro‐Barquero Sara , Casas Rosa , Rimm Eric B. , Tresserra‐Rimbau Anna , Romaguera Dora , Martínez J. Alfredo , Salas‐Salvadó Jordi , Martínez‐González Miguel A. , Vidal Josep , Ruiz‐Canela Miguel , Konieczna Jadwiga , Sacanella Emilio , García‐Gavilán Jesús Francisco , Fitó Montse , García‐Arellano Ana , Estruch Ramon
Published: November 2022

Scope

Excessive visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with higher secretion of pro‐inflammatory molecules, contributing to systemic inflammation and obesity‐related metabolic disturbances.

Methods and results

This prospective analysis includes 117 overweight/obese adults (55–75 years) from the PREDIMED‐Plus study. Fourteen inflammatory markers and adipokines are measured using a Bio‐Plex assay with multiplex technology: insulin, glucagon, IL‐6, visfatin, ghrelin, GLP‐1, TNF‐α, MCP‐1, PAI‐1, resistin, C‐peptide, leptin, adipsin, and adiponectin. Participants are categorized into tertiles according to changes in VAT after 1‐year of follow‐up, determined by dual‐energy X‐Ray absorptiometry. Participants allocate in tertile 3, which represent an increase of VAT content after 1‐year of follow‐up compared to tertile 1, show significant differences in insulin (T3 vs T1, fully adjusted model: p = 0.037, p for trend 0.042), PAI‐1 (fully adjusted model: p = 0.05, p for trend 0.06), c‐peptide (fully adjusted model: p = 0.037, p for trend 0.042), and TNF‐α (fully adjusted model p = 0.037, p for trend 0.042).

Conclusion

The results evidence that a reduction in VAT is associated with clinical improvements in several inflammatory and adiposity markers, mainly in insulin, c‐peptide, and PAI‐1 levels, and these improvements may contribute to a reduction in cardiometabolic disturbances observe in obesity.
Camel Milk Cannot Prevent the Development of Cow's Milk Allergy—A Study in Brown Norway Rats
Authors: Maryniak Natalia Zofia , Stage Mette Halkjær , Ballegaard Anne‐Sofie Ravn , Sancho Ana Isabel , Hansen Egon Bech , Bøgh Katrine Lindholm
Published: November 2022

Scope

Currently there are no specific recommendations for the use of any particular infant formula in the prevention of cow's milk allergy (CMA). Recently, there has been an increasing interest in alternative infant formulas based on milk proteins from other sources than the cow, including milk from other mammalians such as goat, sheep, donkey, horse, and camel. Whereas these have been studied for their usability in CMA management, there are no studies of their CMA preventive capacity. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether camel milk can prevent CMA and vice versa.

Methods and results

The capacity of camel milk in preventing CMA and vice versa is evaluated in a well‐established prophylactic Brown Norway rat model. IgG1, IgE, and IgA responses, allergy elicitation, intestinal and mLN gene expression, and protein uptake are analyzed. The study demonstrates that camel and cow's milk in general has an insignificant cross‐preventive capacity. Yet, whereas cow's milk is shown to have a low transient capacity to prevent sensitization and clinically active camel milk allergy, camel milk does not show this effect for CMA.

Conclusions

This study suggests that due to lack of cross‐tolerance camel milk cannot be used for CMA prevention.
Anomalous 1H NMR chemical shift behavior of substituted benzoic acid esters
Authors: Gadikota Vidya , Govindapur Rajeshwar Reddy , Reddy D. Srinivas , Roseman Hailey J. , Williamson R. Thomas , Raab Jeffrey G.
Published: November 2022

Benzoic acid esters represent key building blocks for many drug discovery and development programs and have been advanced as potent PDE4 inhibitors for inhaled administration for treatment of respiratory diseases. This class of compounds has also been employed in myriad industrial processes and as common food preservatives. Recent work directed toward the synthesis of intermediates for a proprietary medicinal chemistry program led us to observe that the 1H NMR chemical shifts of substituents ortho to the benzoic acid ester moiety defied conventional iterative chemical shift prediction protocols. To explore these unexpected results, we initiated a detailed computational study employing density functional theory (DFT) calculations to better understand the unexpectedly large variance in expected versus experimental NMR chemical shifts.
Enhanced physics‐informed neural networks for hyperelasticity
Authors: Abueidda Diab W. , Koric Seid , Guleryuz Erman , Sobh Nahil A.
Published: November 2022

Physics‐informed neural networks have gained growing interest. Specifically, they are used to solve partial differential equations governing several physical phenomena. However, physics‐informed neural network models suffer from several issues and can fail to provide accurate solutions in many scenarios. We discuss a few of these challenges and the techniques, such as the use of Fourier transform, that can be used to resolve these issues. This paper proposes and develops a physics‐informed neural network model that combines the residuals of the strong form and the potential energy, yielding many loss terms contributing to the definition of the loss function to be minimized. Hence, we propose using the coefficient of variation weighting scheme to dynamically and adaptively assign the weight for each loss term in the loss function. The developed PINN model is standalone and meshfree. In other words, it can accurately capture the mechanical response without requiring any labeled data. Although the framework can be used for many solid mechanics problems, we focus on three‐dimensional (3D) hyperelasticity, where we consider two hyperelastic models. Once the model is trained, the response can be obtained almost instantly at any point in the physical domain, given its spatial coordinates. We demonstrate the framework's performance by solving different problems with various boundary conditions.
Numerical modeling of nonlinear photoelasticity
Authors: Mehnert Markus , Oates William , Steinmann Paul
Published: November 2022

When molecular photo‐switches, such as azobenzene or norbornadiene, are embedded into a sufficiently soft polymer matrix the resulting compound can undergo a mechanical deformation induced by light of a specific wavelength. These photo‐sensitive compounds have the potential to be applied as soft actuators without the need for hard wired electronics or a separate energy source. Such characteristics are especially attractive in the design of micro‐scale robots but also other applications such as high‐speed data transfer or the conversion of photonic energy into a mechanical response holds great promise. Despite these almost futuristic possibilities, photo‐sensitive polymers have not yet experienced a sufficient attention in industrial applications. One important factor to increase the acceptance of this group of soft smart materials is the formulation of a rigorous constitutive modeling approach in combination with numerical simulation methods. Thus, in this contribution we present a photo‐mechanical modeling approach, departing from the fundamentals published previously. We briefly introduce the necessary constitutive equations which are subsequently utilized in combination with the respective balance laws into a finite element implementation. Finally, the capabilities of the numerical solution approach are illustrated by a simple two‐dimensional bench‐mark example and subsequently extended to a more complex three‐dimensional problem.
Experimental study of electrical complex resistivity in a 2D multiphase porous medium under non‐isothermal conditions: Application to soil remediation monitoring
Authors: Iravani Mohammad Ali , Davarzani Hossein , Deparis Jacques , Colombano Stéfan , Philippe Nicolas , Oniangue Benjarese , Guérin Roger , Maineult Alexis
Published: November 2022

In this decade, electro‐geophysical methods are widely used in different environmental subjects. Studies on soil remediation when polluted by dense non‐aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) has become a certain need for all countries. Geoelectrical methods have shown their potential to facilitate evaluating decontamination processes. Our challenge in this study was to understand how coupled temperature and saturation changes affect electro‐geophysical parameters in a contaminated 2D sample. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficiency and potential of spectral‐induced polarization (SIP) for monitoring the recovery of DNAPLs in contaminated porous media. A set of 2D tank experiments investigated the impacts of temperature and saturation changes on the electrical complex resistivity of a saturated porous medium under non‐isothermal conditions. The measurements were made with a coal‐tar and water fluid pair in a porous medium that has been simulated by 1 mm glass beads. Hot water was circulated around the tank and an immersion heater used to heat the porous medium in the tank at different stages. The SIP technique (also called complex resistivity) was used to measure the complex electrical resistivity of a medium in the frequency domain. The experimental results for a simple drainage case were validated using numerical modelling. The complex electrical resistivity was used to obtain the saturation field before and after imbibition. For this purpose, the generalized Archie's law obtained for the same fluid pair with 1D cells (with a vertical flow) was used. Our results from electrical resistivity measurements for saturation fields are in accordance with 2D tank images and can illustrate the saturation change with pointwise resistivity measurements. The results show that saturation change has the primary role in electrical resistivity variation compared to temperature (5%–7%). We also studied the effects of temperature change on the Cole–Cole parameters, and the results confirm our previous findings with the same variation trend in these parameters. The results from varying electrical complex resistivity from the 2D tank (with vertical and horizontal flow) in the laboratory conditions will help us to understand the coupled temperature and saturation effects on complex resistivity in a real polluted site case.
Reframing fundraising research: The challenges and opportunities of interpretivist research practices and practitioner researchers in fundraising studies
Authors: Alborough Lesley , Hansen Ruth K.
Published: November 2022

This paper examines interpretivism as an approach for researching fundraising practice as context and practice specific. In doing so, it highlights the agency of fundraisers and extends critical analysis of fundraising practice and its broader implications in ways that the dominant positivistic, functionalist literature does not. Building on previous comparisons of positivist and interpretivist approaches, we consider two fundraising studies, and benefits and challenges of using an interpretivist approach. These observations highlight both the complexity and messiness of interpretivist studies, and of the fundraising process. The paper concludes by discussing how these challenges can be managed through analytical iteration, adjustment, and pragmatism throughout the research process; while advocating for including more critical and dialectic approaches to research fundraising and fundraisers' broader practice.
Replacing sedentary time with light activity was associated with less adiposity across several depots in African ancestry men
Authors: Marron Megan M. , Cvejkus Ryan K. , Acevedo‐Fontanez Adrianna I. , Kuipers Allison L. , Nair Sangeeta , Carr John Jeffrey , Terry James G. , Wheeler Victor , Miljkovic Iva
Published: November 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether displacement of sedentary time with activity was cross‐sectionally associated with less adiposity among Black Caribbean men in the Tobago Health Study.

Methods

Objectively assessed activity was categorized as sedentary (< 1.5 metabolic equivalents; METs), light (≥ 1.5 to < 3.0 METs), or moderate‐to‐vigorous (≥ 3.0 METs) using the SenseWear Pro armband. Computed tomography scans of the chest, abdomen, liver, and thigh were used to assess subcutaneous and ectopic adipose tissue. The isotemporal substitution framework paired with linear regression was used to examine associations between activity and adiposity adjusting for age, height, total awake time, and multiple comparisons.

Results

On average, participants (n = 271) were 63 years old with 11.2 h/d of sedentary behavior, 4.5 h/d of light activity, and 54 min/d of moderate‐to‐vigorous activity. Replacing sedentary time with light activity was cross‐sectionally associated with lower volume and higher density of abdominal and thigh subcutaneous adiposity, visceral adiposity, abdominal and thigh intermuscular adiposity, and pericardial adiposity and higher liver attenuation (p values ≤ 0.0001).

Conclusions

Displacement of sedentary time with light activity was associated with less adiposity among this Black Caribbean cohort. Interventions focused on increasing light activity may be easier to maintain than higher intensity interventions and thus may be more successful at reducing adiposity.
Factors affecting the incidence of health insurance penetration among elderly: Evidence from India
Authors: Chatterjee Chandrima , Nayak Narayan Chandra , Mahakud Jitendra
Published: November 2022

A thrust on insurance‐financed health systems may reduce Out‐of‐pocket health spending. But health insurance penetration among Indian elderly is abysmally low. In this context, the paper intends to examine the factors affecting demand for various types of insurances among Indian elderly. Data were drawn from 71st round (2014–15) “Key Consumption: Health” household survey data collected by National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), Government of India. A total number of 27,245 older adults were selected for this study. In addition to basic descriptive statistics, we employ logistic regression models to conduct the econometric analysis. Socioeconomic, health‐related and contextual predictors are considered in this study. The results show that the probability of health insurance coverage among elderly significantly depends on income, education, disease types, caste, family size, and most importantly, social relationships. The underprivileged groups have higher likelihood to be covered by government‐funded insurance, while the older people with higher income and education, having spouses and less number of children, and residing in urban areas have a higher likelihood of purchasing private health insurance. The study identified the factors responsible for low demand for health insurance among elderly. The study suggests the expansion of private insurance network, especially, in the underserved rural areas, along with generating financial awareness among the elderly. The study also suggests an inclusive model of health insurance demand, which may be adopted by future empirical studies to find out the significant factors affecting health insurance demand.
Extracardiovascular injury complications in Kawasaki disease
Authors: Liu Jie , Huang Yuqin , Qin Suyuan , Su Danyan , Ye Bingbing , Pang Yusheng
Published: November 2022

Importance

Patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) experience various extracardiovascular injury complications, which may affect their outcomes.

Objective

To investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of extracardiovascular complications in children with KD.

Methods

The clinical data of patients diagnosed with KD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2003 to January 2021 were reviewed. The clinical characteristics and extracardiovascular complications were compared among patients stratified by age, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy responsiveness, and coronary status.

Results

A total of 511 patients with KD were included, 357 (69.9%) were aged 1–5 years. Children aged <1 year (21.5%) and boys (70.8%) were more likely to have coronary artery lesions (CALs). The incidence of incomplete KD was lowest in 1–5‐year‐old patients (19.6%). Involvement of the hematological system gradually decreased with age (<1 year, 51.8%; 1–5 years, 36.7%; >5 years, 29.5%), whereas the involvement of the joints gradually increased with age (<1 year, 2.7%; 1–5 years, 6.2%; >5 years, 20.5%). Nervous system involvement was more common in IVIG non‐responders (15.7% [13/83] vs. 5.4% [23/428], P = 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in extracardiovascular injury complications between patients with or without CALs.

Interpretation

KD can involve multiple organ injuries as well as cardiovascular complications, and nervous systerm involvement may be more common in patients unresponsive to IVIG.
Impact of American Society of Anesthesiologists score on postoperative holmium enucleation of the prostate outcomes and complications
Authors: Soyster Mary E. , Agarwal Deepak , Slade Austen , Sahm Erica , Large Tim , Rivera Marcelino
Published: November 2022

Introductions

The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA) is a validated risk stratification method for patients undergoing surgery. There is an increased prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and comorbidities in our aging population. The role of ASA related to postoperative complications in patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has not been described.

Methods

A review of our database was performed for patients who underwent HoLEP from July 2018 to December 2020. Patients were stratified based on ASA score. Preoperative, perioperative, and complication data were analyzed using SAS analytics software.

Results

Of 472 patients undergoing HoLEP, 320 (67.8%) were ASA 3–4 patients. There was a statistically significant difference found in age (72.3 ± 9.8 vs. 69.1 ± 9.0 years, p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (29.0 ± 5.9 vs. 27.3 ± 4.2, p = 0.004), and use of antiplatelet/anticoagulant medications (14.6% vs. 2.6%, p < 0.001) in the ASA 3–4 group. There was no significant difference between prostate volume (p = 0.158) or catheter‐dependent urinary retention (p = 0.376). No difference was found in enucleation time (52.76 ± 24.8 vs. 54.16 ± 23.7 min, p = 0.587), OR specimen weight (70.24 ± 58.5 vs. 81.53 ± 65.9, p = 0.094). or intraoperative complications (2.8% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.330). There were higher postoperative complications in the ASA 3–4 group (12.8% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.03), but no difference in Clavien ≥3 complications (p = 0.068). ASA 3–4 patients had similar postoperative international prostate symptom score (p = 0.159).

Conclusion

HoLEP is feasible and effective in patients who are ASA 3–4. The high‐risk cohort had an increased rate of low‐grade complications. Patients with an ASA score of 3–4 should be counseled regarding a higher rate of low‐grade complications.