bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indocyanine green fluorescence image processing techniques for breast cancer macroscopic demarcation
Authors: Leiloglou Maria , Kedrzycki Martha S. , Chalau Vadzim , Chiarini Nicolas , Thiruchelvam Paul T. R. , Hadjiminas Dimitri J. , Hogben Katy R. , Rashid Faiza , Ramakrishnan Rathi , Darzi Ara W. , Leff Daniel R. , Elson Daniel S.
Published: May 2022

Re-operation due to disease being inadvertently close to the resection margin is a major challenge in breast conserving surgery (BCS). Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging could be used to visualize the tumor boundaries and help surgeons resect disease more efficiently. In this work, ICG fluorescence and color images were acquired with a custom-built camera system from 40 patients treated with BCS. Images were acquired from the tumor in-situ, surgical cavity post-excision, freshly excised tumor and histopathology tumour grossing. Fluorescence image intensity and texture were used as individual or combined predictors in both logistic regression (LR) and support vector machine models to predict the tumor extent. ICG fluorescence spectra in formalin-fixed histopathology grossing tumor were acquired and analyzed. Our results showed that ICG remains in the tissue after formalin fixation. Therefore, tissue imaging could be validated in freshly excised and in formalin-fixed grossing tumor. The trained LR model with combined fluorescence intensity (pixel values) and texture (slope of power spectral density curve) identified the tumor’s extent in the grossing images with pixel-level resolution and sensitivity, specificity of 0.75 ± 0.3, 0.89 ± 0.2.This model was applied on tumor in-situ and surgical cavity (post-excision) images to predict tumor presence.
Selective interaction and its effect on collective motion
Authors: Zheng Zhicheng , Lei Xiaokang , Peng Xingguang
Published: May 2022

Plenty of empirical evidence on biological swarms reveal that interaction between individuals is selective. Each individual’s neighbor is selected based on one or more featured factors. Based on the self-propelled model, we develop a general probability neighbor selection framework to study the effect of four typical featured factors (i.e., distance, bearing, orientation change and bearing change). In this work, two common cases are involved to comprehensively analyze the impact of the four featured factors on the collective motion. One is the flocking, the other is the responsivity to stimulus. The impact of different selection strengths of the featured factors on both cases are investigated. The effect of noise on flocking and different stimulus intensities on responsivity to stimulus are analyzed. This study allows us to get the insight of selective interaction and suggests the potential solution to overcome the trade-off between flocking and responsivity quality.
An orally active plant Rubisco-derived peptide increases neuronal leptin responsiveness
Authors: Kaneko Kentaro , Takekuma Yukihiro , Goto Tsuyoshi , Ohinata Kousaku
Published: May 2022

Nutrient excess, such as the intake of a high-fat diet, reduces hypothalamic responses to exogenously administered leptin and induces dietary obesity; however, orally active components that attenuate neural leptin dysregulation have yet to be identified. We herein demonstrated that YHIEPV, derived from the pepsin-pancreatin digestion of the green leaf protein Rubisco, increased the leptin-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 in ex vivo hypothalamic slice cultures. We also showed that YHIEPV mitigated palmitic acid-induced decreases in leptin responsiveness. Furthermore, orally administered YHIEPV promoted leptin-induced reductions in body weight and food intake in obese mice. In addition, dietary-induced body weight gain was significantly less in mice orally or centrally administered YHIEPV daily than in saline-control mice. Cellular leptin sensitivity and the levels of proinflammatory-related factors, such as IL1β and Socs-3, in the hypothalamus of obese mice were also restored by YHIEPV. YHIEPV blocked cellular leptin resistance induced by forskolin, which activates Epac-Rap1 signaling, and reduced the level of the GTP-bound active form of Rap1 in the brains of obese mice. Collectively, the present results demonstrated that the orally active peptide YHIEPV derived from a major green leaf protein increased neural leptin responsiveness and reduced body weight gain in mice with dietary obesity.
Effect of bending on radial distribution density, MFA and MOE of bent bamboo
Authors: Wang Xuehua , Ma Jingwen , Xu Wei , Fei Benhua , Lian Caiping , Sun Fengbo
Published: May 2022

One of the excellent characteristics of bamboo is the deformation stability. However, the reasons for the good bending stability of bamboo have not been well studied. In this study, we examined the pathways that controls bending deformation in bamboo. A hand-bent phyllostachys iridescens member was chosen to examine continuous density distribution, microfibril angle (MFA) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) along radial direction using SilviScan analysis. Our results show that in bent bamboo, MFA is lower in tension sample and higher in compression sample than neutral sample. There is a strong linear positive correlation between density and MOE, while negative linear correlation between MOE and MFA and no obvious linear correlation between MFA and density. Increased bending was influential in primarily changing the MOE, while also altering the density distribution and MFA. Our results demonstrate variation in density, MOE and MFA distribution along radial direction of tension, neutral and compression samples, which play an important role in maintaining the bending characteristics of bamboo.
Colloidal silica nanomaterials reduce the toxicity of pesticides to algae, depending on charge and surface area
Authors: Book Frida , Persson Michael , Carmona Eric , Backhaus Thomas , Lammel Tobias
Published: May 2022

Colloidal silica nanomaterials as adsorbents for aquatic pollutants.
Panther chameleon-inspired, continuously-regulated, high-saturation structural color of a reflective grating on the nano-patterned surface of a shape memory polymer
Authors: Zhao Jiaqin , Zhang Liang , Du Xinyue , Xu Jinyan , Lin Taotao , Li Yongjin , Yang Xuxin , You Jichun
Published: May 2022

In this work, surface nano-stripes and a reflective grating have been fabricated on shape memory polymers (SMPs) to simulate the active color change of chameleons.
Trifluoromethylthiolative spirocyclization of biaryl ynones without leaving groups on the para-position of dearomatized aryl rings
Authors: Liang You , Wang Sijin , Jia Huijuan , Chen Beibei , Zhu Feng , Huo Zhongyang
Published: May 2022

A direct and efficient strategy for the oxidative spirocyclization of biaryl ynones has been developed, where nonsubstituted groups were on the para-position of the dearomatized aryl rings.
Tetrabenzo[b,de,gh,j][1,10]phenanthroline: a nitrogen-doped nanographene as a selective metal cation and proton fluorophore
Authors: Xu Xiao , Xia Ting , Chen Xu-Lang , Hao Xiang , Liang Tongling , Li Huan-Rong , Gong Han-Yuan
Published: May 2022

A nitrogen-doped nanographene molecule tetrabenzo[b,de,gh,j]-[1,10]phenanthroline (TB(phen)) was generated for selective transition metal cation sensing or as a proton fluorophore.
Super-heat resistant, transparent and low dielectric polyimides based on spirocyclic bisbenzoxazole diamines with Tg > 450 °C
Authors: Xiao Peng , He Xiaojie , Zheng Feng , Lu Qinghua
Published: May 2022

A series of isomers with a spiro-ring structure connecting two benzoxazole rings were synthesized, and their corresponding polyimides showed high heat resistance (Tg = 491 °C) and transparency (T550 nm = 90%).
Asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 4-amino pyrazolone-based azomethine ylides: a straightforward approach to spiropyrazolones
Authors: Huang Yue , Wei Xingfu , Bao Xiaoze , Nawaz Shah , Qu Jingping , Wang Baomin
Published: May 2022

An asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 4-amino pyrazolone-derived azomethine ylides with α,β-enones has been established for the synthesis of 4-spiropyrazolone derivatives with four contiguous stereocenters.
Capacity enhancement for cooperative NOMA systems by successive user relaying
Authors: Song Jianjian , Chen Jian , Yang Mengqi , He Bingtao , Zhou Yuchen , Yang Long
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes a novel multi‐phase coordinated direct and user‐assisted transmission (MP‐CDUAT) strategy for a non‐orthogonal multiple access system consisting of a base station (BS), K near users (NUs) and a far user (FU). In the first phase, the BS directly serves an opportunistically scheduled NU. For the rest phases, an NU scheduling scheme is developed to jointly select two NUs in each phase, where one receives desired message from the BS and the other one serves as a relay to help FU's receiving. To evaluate the performance of the proposed MP‐CDUAT strategy, the analytical expression of the ergodic capacity (EC) for both NU and FU is derived. With the derived results, the EC scaling of NU and FU are, respectively, derived in the high ρ regime, where the EC scaling of FU increases with the transmission phase, while the EC scaling of NU remains the same. Finally, the numerical and simulation results show that (a) our proposed strategy can improve the performance of FU without affecting the capacity scaling of served NUs; (b) the performance gain achieved by the proposed strategy is more prominent with the increasing number of the transmission phases.
An optimal zero‐sequence voltage injection‐based common‐mode voltage reduction pulse‐width modulation for the reduction of common‐mode voltages in both amplitude and third‐order component
Authors: Wu Xiang , Li Chao , Zhu Jifeng , Lv Zehao , Zhang Xu , Zhang Xiao , Tan Guojun , Xu Shizhou
Published: May 2022

An optimal zero‐sequence voltage injection‐based common‐mode voltage reduction pulse‐width modulation (CMVRPWM) for the reduction of common‐mode voltages (CMVs) in both amplitude and third‐order component is proposed in this paper. On the basis of general symmetrical switching patterns of CMVRPWM, a constrained mathematical programming model is established with the objective of optimizing the volt‐second value of CMV in each switching period. By solving the mathematical model, the limitation of the CMV amplitude and the reduction of third‐order harmonic in CMV can be achieved simultaneously, contributing to better CMV suppression and common‐mode filter design in the applications of two‐level voltage source inverters (2L‐VSIs). The optimal zero‐sequence voltage under the given target is obtained, and the calculation method of the switching pattern and modulation wave is studied. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can restrict the CMV amplitude within one‐sixth of the DC bus voltage, and the third‐order component in CMV is effectively reduced compared with the conventional methods.
Temperature and differential emission measure evolution of a limb flare on 13 January 2015
Authors: Bröse M. , Warmuth A. , Sakao T. , Su Y.
Published: May 2022

Context. Spatially unresolved observations show that the cooling phase in solar flares can be much longer than theoretical models predict. It has not yet been determined whether this is also the case for different subregions within the flare structure.

Aims. We aim to investigate whether or not the cooling times, which are observed separately in coronal loops and the supra-arcade fan (SAF), are in accordance with the existing cooling models, and whether the temperature and emission measure of supra-arcade downflows (SADs) are different from their surroundings.

Methods. We analysed the M5.6 limb flare on 13 January 2015 using SDO/AIA observations. We applied a differential emission measure (DEM) reconstruction code to derive spatially resolved temperature and emission measure maps, and used the output to investigate the thermal evolution of coronal loops, the SAF, and the SADs.

Results. In the event of 13 January 2015, the observed cooling times of the loop arcade and the SAF are significantly longer than predicted by the Cargill model, even with suppressed plasma heat conduction. The observed SADs show different temperature characteristics, and in all cases a lower density than their surroundings.

Conclusions. In the limb flare event studied here, continuous heating likely occurs in both loops and SAF during the gradual flare phase and leads to an extended cooling phase.
Development of accelerated methods for calculating the pattern of current spreading over the surface of spacecraft
Authors: Vostrikov Alexander V. , Prokofeva Ekaterina N.
Published: May 2022

High-energy charged plasma particles pose a danger to space technology. The accumulation of charged particles on the body of the spacecraft generates discharges. Electrostatic discharge is a source of powerful electromagnetic interference that adversely affects the functioning of individual parts and entire systems. According to statistics, in about 30% of cases, the loss of satellites is the consequence of discharges. Before the operation of spacecraft, it is necessary to calculate the spreading of currents, which requires large machine and time costs. The article proposes original approaches for quickly constructing a picture of the spreading of currents over the surface of a spacecraft due to electrification. The key point of the first approach is the construction of a limited area for calculating the flow spreading. The calculation of transient currents will only take place in the electromagnetic compatibility area specified by the user without affecting the rest of it. The paper also developed new simplified computational schemes for a system of differential equations based on the Euler methods. With the help of new computational schemes, the time for calculating unknown quantities in a local area specified by the user has been reduced by several orders of magnitude compared to the calculation of unknown full models. The article presents conclusions on new computational schemes, indicating the complexity of their construction. The adequacy and accuracy of the new computational scheme are confirmed by a practical example.
Versorgungsforschung
Authors: Bubenzer Rainer H.
Published: May 2022

Zum Auftakt des 20. Deutschen Kongresses für Versorgungsforschung zeigte sich Kongresspräsident, Prof. Holger Pfaff, Köln, hoch erfreut über das Jubiläum und noch mehr über die Fortschritte der Versorgungsforschung in den letzten 20 Jahren. Nicht zuletzt mit der Etablierung des Innovationsfonds, der die integrierte Versorgung und Versorgungsforschung fördern soll. Zahlreiche innovative Formen der Gesundheitsversorgung wurden untersucht und viele wirksame Ansätze identifiziert, so Pfaff. „Mittlerweile sind es mehr als 200 Projekte und die „Pipeline“ ist voll. Der Innovationsfonds ist ein wichtiger Schritt zur Verknüpfung von Innovation und Evaluation, eine Grundvoraussetzung, um zu einer rationalen Gesundheitspolitik zu kommen“.
Implementierung von pflegetherapeutischen Gruppen in der forensischen Psychiatrie
Authors: Workowski Petra
Published: May 2022

Beziehungsarbeit wird im Maßregelvollzug häufig vernachlässigt – dabei ist sie auch hier immens wichtig und trägt dazu bei, die Patienten schrittweise wieder in die Gesellschaft einzugliedern. Welche Relevanz pflegetherapeutische Gruppen hierbei haben können, schildert unsere Autorin.
Zentral metastasiertes Nierenzellkarzinom
Authors: Krome Susanne
Published: May 2022

Bei etwa 10–15 % der Patienten mit Nierenzellkarzinomen (RCC) entwickeln sich zerebrale Metastasen. Extrakraniell gut wirksame Substanzen überwinden die Blut-Hirn-Schranke oftmals nicht. Das scheint beim Multikinase-Inhibitor Cabozantinib anders zu sein. In der retrospektiven Kohortenstudie mit 88 Patienten betrug die intrakranielle Remissionsrate 55 %.
Gezielte Kommunikation mit alkoholabhängigen Menschen
Authors: Schupp Tobias
Published: May 2022

In der Kommunikation mit alkoholabhängigen Menschen sind Fürsorge und Fingerspitzengefühl gefragt. Welche Gesprächsfallen zu vermeiden sind und welche Fragen sich eignen, um eine Beziehung zum Betroffenen aufzubauen und zielgerichtet mit ihm zu arbeiten, erläutert unser Autor.
Lungenkarzinom
Authors: Grübler Beate
Published: May 2022

Auf dem 14. Jahreskongress des Tumorzentrums München beschäftigte sich ein Symposium mit einer Bestandsaufnahme zur Therapie in der thorakalen Onkologie. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Thomas Duell, Gauting, wies darauf hin, vor 20 Jahren nur ein Drittel der Patienten mit fortgeschrittenem nicht-kleinzelligem Lungenkarzinom (NSCLC) nach einer Therapie mit Platindoubletten noch für mindestens 1 Jahr überlebten – heute sind es 80 % und mehr.
CLL mit Sternberg-Reed-Zellen und CLL mit Hodgkin-Transformation
Authors: Krome Susanne
Published: May 2022

Chronische lymphatische Leukämien und kleinzellige lymphozytische Lymphome (CLL/SLL) transformieren selten zu einem Hodgkin-Lymphom (CLL-HL). Der Unterschied zur CLL mit umgebenden Sternberg-Reed-Zellen (CLL-HRS) besteht laut WHO im fehlenden inflammatorischen Hintergrundmilieu. Eine neue retrospektive Analyse spricht für ein biologisches Kontinuum von CLL-HRS und CLL-HL mit therapeutischen Implikationen.
Comparative cost-effectiveness of three post-radiofrequency ablation surveillance intervals for Barrett’s esophagus
Authors: Menon Shyam , Norman Richard , Mannath Jayan , Iyer Prasad G. , Ragunath Krish
Published: May 2022

Background and study aims Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus (BE) has resulted in a paradigm shift in the management of BE. Despite widespread adoption of RFA, the optimal surveillance interval of the ablated zone is unclear.

Methods A patient-level discrete time cycle Markov model was developed to model clinical surveillance strategies post-RFA for BE. Three surveillance strategies were examined: the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) strategy based on ACG guidelines for post-RFA surveillance, the Cotton strategy based on data from the USA and UK RFA registries, and the UK strategy in line with surveillance strategies in UK centers. Monte-Carlo deterministic and probabilistic analyses were performed over 10,000 iterations (i. e., representing 10,000 patient journeys) and sensitivity analyses were carried out on the variables used in the model.

Results On base-case analysis, the ACG strategy was the most cost-effective strategy, at a mean cost of £ 11,733 ($ 16,396) (standard deviation (SD) 1520.15) and a mean effectiveness of 12.86 (SD 0.07) QALYs. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the ACG model was the most cost-effective strategy with a net monetary benefit (NMB) of £ 5,136 ($ 7177) (SD 241) compared to the UK strategy and a NMB of £ 7017 ($ 9,806) (SD 379) compared to the Cotton strategy. At a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of £ 20,000 ($ 27,949), the ACG model was superior to the other strategies as the most cost-effective strategy.

Conclusions A post-RFA surveillance strategy based on the ACG guidelines seems to be the most cost-effective surveillance option.
Fecal Microbiota Monitoring in Elite Soccer Players Along the
2019–2020 Competitive Season
Authors: Viciani Elisa , Barone Monica , Bongiovanni Tindaro , Quercia Sara , Di Gesu Roberta , Pasta Giulio , Manetti Paolo , Iaia F.Marcello , Trecroci Athos , Rampelli Simone , Candela Marco , Biagi Elena , Castagnetti Andrea
Published: May 2022

Physical exercise affects the human gut microbiota, which in turn influences
athletes’ performance. The current understanding of how the microbiota
of professional athletes changes along with different phases of training is
sparse. We aim to characterize the fecal microbiota in elite soccer players
along with different phases of a competitive season using 16 S rRNA gene
sequencing. Fecal samples were collected after the summer off-season period, the
pre-season retreat, the first half of the competitive season, and the 8 weeks of
COVID-19 lockdown that interrupted the season 2019–2020. According to
our results, the gut microbiota of professional athletes changes along with the
phases of the season, characterized by different training, diet, nutritional
surveillance, and environment sharing. Pre-season retreat, during which
nutritional surveillance and exercise intensity were at their peak, caused a
decrease in bacterial groups related to unhealthy lifestyle and an increase in
health-promoting symbionts. The competitive season and forced interruption
affected other features of the athletes’ microbiota, i.e., bacterial
groups that respond to dietary fiber load and stress levels. Our longitudinal
study, focusing on one of the most followed sports worldwide, provides baseline
data for future comparisons and microbiome-targeting interventions aimed at
developing personalized training and nutrition plans for performance
maximization.
Incidence of Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunctions in the Early Stages of COVID-19: An Objective Evaluation
Authors: Manhas Monica , Koul Disha , Kalsotra Gopika , Manhas Amit , Kalsotra Parmod , Kumar Parmil , Bhat Abid , Gupta Anchal , Saraf Aditya
Published: May 2022

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a dangerous infectious disease caused by a newly discovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has various clinical presentations. Numerable cases with non-specific olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in COVID-19 have been reported from all over the globe. This is important as awareness will let people to self-isolate and help in limiting disease spread.

Objective To objectively evaluate the frequency of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, which may occur independently or with other symptoms, in laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients at an early stage of the disease.

Methods Objective evaluation of olfactory and gustatory function of 322 COVID-19 patients treated at our hospital, (SMGS, Government Medical College, Jammu), from August 2020 until November 2020.

Results Our study population included 127 (39.4%) males and 195 (60.6%) females. Two hundred and twenty-six (70.2%) COVID-19 patients experienced olfactory and gustatory disorders. One hundred and sixty-five (51.2%) cases experienced both olfactory and gustatory disorders. Isolated olfactory dysfunction was reported in 34 (10.6%) patients, while 27 (8.4%) patients experienced only gustatory dysfunction.

Conclusion The olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions, without any nasal obstruction or rhinorrhea, are significant symptoms in the clinical presentation of early COVID-19 patients. This presentation can be recognized at the earliest one, and it can reduce the high communicability of the COVID-19 disease.
Sacroileítis infecciosa secundaria a un absceso del iliopsoas – Reporte de un caso
Authors: Vásquez-Cárdenas Isaac , Rojas Enrique Fernández , Barrientos Nicia Moldenhauer , Duque Waldo González , Estay Jaime Valencia , Parra Cristian Vásquez
Published: May 2022

La sacroileítis infecciosa (SII), también descrita en la literatura como sacroileítis séptica o piógena, es una patología infrecuente, y su diagnóstico constituye un reto debido a su rareza relativa y la diversa presentación clínica, que frecuentemente imita otros trastornos más prevalentes originados en estructuras vecinas.

Se requiere un alto índice de sospecha y un examen físico acucioso para un diagnóstico oportuno, mientras que los estudios de laboratorio y de imagen ayudan a confirmar el diagnóstico y dirigir la estrategia de tratamiento apropiada para evitar complicaciones y secuelas a corto y mediano plazos.

Presentamos un caso de paciente de género femenino de 36 años, con cuadro clínico de SII izquierda, secundaria a un absceso del músculo iliopsoas, condición que generalmente se presenta como una complicación de la infección. Se realizaron los diagnósticos clínico, imagenológico y microbiológico, se inició el tratamiento antibiótico oportuno, y se logró una excelente evolución clínica, sin secuelas.

Nivel de evidencia IV.
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Breast Cancer Risk in Egyptian Females
Authors: Sharaf Samia Abdel Fattah , Abdel Aal Ahmed Nagdy , Dessouky Iman Samy
Published: May 2022

Vitamin D has potent antiproliferative, prodifferentiative, and immune-modulatory effects. Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested to be very prevalent and there is growing evidence for the association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level with breast cancer risk among Egyptian women. The current study included 40 breast cancer cases and 40 healthy control women. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for all women and together with other clinical factors were correlated to the risk of breast cancer. A total of 80 women including 40 breast cancer cases and 40 controls were included in this analysis. The clinical characteristics were well balanced with no significant difference between cases and controls regarding age, menopausal status, weight, height, body mass index, serum calcium, and phosphorus levels. The mean serum 25(OH)D level in cases (12.11 ng/mL) was significantly lower than in controls (19.77 ng/mL). Ninety percent of cases had 25(OH)D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) compared with 57.5% of the controls. After adjustment for potentially confounding variables, women with vitamin D deficiency were associated with a high significant risk of breast cancer compared to women with sufficient vitamin D with OR of 6.99 (95% CI = 2.01–24.32, p = 0.002). A significant association exists between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of breast cancer in Egyptian women.
Bitcoin: like a satellite or always hardcore? A core–satellite identification in the cryptocurrency market
Authors: Börner Christoph J. , Hoffmann Ingo , Krettek Jonas , Schmitz Tim
Published: May 2022

Cryptocurrencies (CCs) have become increasingly interesting for institutional investors’ strategic asset allocation and will therefore be a fixed component of professional portfolios in the future. However, this asset class differs from established assets primarily in that it has a higher standard deviation and tail risk. The question then arises whether CCs with similar statistical key figures exist. On this basis, a core market incorporating CCs with comparable properties enables the implementation of a tracking error approach. A prerequisite for this is the segmentation of the CC market into a core and a satellite, with the latter comprising the accumulation of the residual CCs remaining in the complement. Using a concrete example, we segment the CC market into these components based on modern methods from image/pattern recognition.
Long-term business implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine
Authors: Markus Stanislav
Published: May 2022

Following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s macroeconomic stability will worsen; foreign trade and Russia-bound investment will dry up; and human capital will become scarce. Russia will not fully compensate these losses with increased economic engagement with China, with particular deficiencies likely in high-tech areas for Russia. Import substitution is also unlikely to allow Russia to innovate its way out of economic isolation or escape the resource curse. As Kremlin-connected elites further dominate the impoverished economy, crony state capitalism and kleptocracy will rise. The global repercussions of Russia’s war will include commodity shocks and the attendant supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures. In terms of FDI, the global industries in energy, auto, and consumer goods will be particularly affected. The loss of the Russian market will be less critical to sales revenues. Structurally, Russia’s forced decoupling from the global economy may lead to the fragmentation of global financial infrastructure and the formation of economically contained blocks.
Helicity budget in turbulent channel flows with streamwise rotation
Authors: Yan Zheng , Li Xinliang , Yu Changping
Published: May 2022

The streamwise rotation effects in turbulent channel flows are reflected not only in the appearance of the secondary flows but also in the weakened streamwise velocity and spanwise vorticity. In this paper, we investigate the secondary flows from three perspectives: the mean spanwise velocity, the mean streamwise vorticity, and combined mean and fluctuating helicity. We found that the combined helicity is also an alternative perspective to characterize the streamwise rotation effect, especially for the secondary flows. The budget equations of the mean and fluctuating helicity in physical space are derived theoretically and analyzed numerically. The streamwise rotation effects on the secondary flows are directly reflected on the pressure and Coriolis terms, which provides an essential source for helicity within the near-wall regions. The production term could be decomposed into two terms, which originate from the momentum and vorticity equations, respectively. The helical stress (velocity–vorticity correlation) originating from the vorticity equation shows a simple profile distribution and is dominant for the production for the helicity within the near-wall regions. The high helical structures in the core regions can be explained as an intense wall-normal transportation, which transfers produced helicity within the near-wall regions into the core regions.
Antihypertensive Drugs and Cancer Risk
Authors: Kidoguchi Satoshi , Sugano Naoki , Yokoo Takashi , Kaneko Hidehiro , Akazawa Hiroshi , Mukai Mikio , Node Koichi , Yano Yuichiro , Nishiyama Akira
Published: May 2022

Hypertension is the most prevalent comorbidity in cancer patients. Consequently, many cancer patients are prescribed antihypertensive drugs before cancer diagnosis or during cancer treatment. However, whether antihypertensive drugs affect the incidence, treatment efficacy, or prognosis of cancer remains unanswered. For instance, renin–angiotensin and β-adrenergic signaling may be involved not only in blood pressure elevation but also in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue invasion. Therefore, the inhibition of these pathways may have beneficial effects on cancer prevention or treatment. In this article, we reviewed several studies regarding antihypertensive drugs and cancer. In particular, we focused on the results of clinical trials to evaluate whether the use of antihypertensive drugs affects future cancer risk and prognosis. Unfortunately, the results are somewhat inconsistent, and evidence demonstrating the effect of antihypertensive drugs remains limited. We indicate that the heterogeneity in the study designs makes it difficult to clarify the causal relationship between antihypertensive drugs and cancer. We also propose that additional experimental studies, including research with induced pluripotent cells derived from cancer patients, single-cell analyses of cancer cell clusters, and clinical studies using artificial intelligence electronic health record systems, might be helpful to reveal the precise association between antihypertensive drugs and cancer risk.
Immune globulin therapy and kidney disease: Overview and screening, monitoring, and management recommendations
Authors: Kobayashi Roger H , Rigas Michael T
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This report calls attention to the potential risks of diminished kidney function when administering immune globulin (IG). The goal is to increase awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney function impairment in patients receiving IG and provide recommendations for screening, monitoring, and management to promote risk prevention and mitigation.

Human IG preparations for intravenous (IVIG) or subcutaneous (SCIG) administration are the mainstay of treatment in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. Increasingly, IVIG at high doses (1,000 to 2,400 mg/kg) is also used as a treatment for a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Although some autoinflammatory disorders respond to a single course of IVIG therapy, the majority of patients require long-term, regular infusions, thereby increasing the overall risks. Often, both patients and physicians treating adults with IG are unaware of underlying CKD or kidney function impairment. This lack of awareness constitutes a major risk factor for potential worsening, particularly when using high doses of IVIG. Therefore, screening of all patients for CKD and kidney function impairment before the use of IG is essential. Identification of the cause of kidney impairment is strongly encouraged, as IG therapy may need to be modified.

Conclusion

As detailed here, there are potential risks to patients with impaired kidney function with administration of IG, particularly at high doses. Product selection, volume, route of administration, and rate of infusion may impact those with compromised kidney function. Therefore, screening of all patients for CKD and kidney function impairment before the use of IVIG and SCIG, as well as ongoing monitoring and management, is critical. As with all potential adverse drug reactions, the best approach is to prevent them.
Assessment of Testamentary Capacity in Older Adults: Description and Initial Validation of a Standardized Interview Instrument
Authors: Martin Roy C , Gerstenecker Adam , Hebert Katina , Triebel Kristen , Marson Daniel
Published: May 2022

Objective

Testamentary capacity (TC) is a legal construct, which concerns a person’s mental capacity to make or amend a will. Although expert clinicians are frequently asked to assess TC in forensic settings, there are few instruments and little empirical research to inform and guide their assessments. The present study describes the development and psychometric properties of a standardized assessment measure of TC (Testamentary Capacity Instrument-TCI), and investigates its reliability and validity.

Methods

The TCI is an interview-based, psychometric measure, which assesses a testator’s knowledge of four conceptual elements, which together comprise the legal basis for TC in the Anglo-American legal system: (1) what a will is, (2) nature and extent of assets/property, (3) possible heirs/claimants to property, and (4) plan to distribute assets to heirs after death. Cronbach’s alpha and percentage exact agreement were used to examine TCI element reliabilities. Using independent samples t-tests, MANOVA and MANCOVA, we investigated validity by comparing TCI element performance of cognitively intact older adults (n = 22) and older adults with ad dementia (n = 20).

Results

The TCI elements showed good internal consistency and good inter-rater reliability. The ad group performed significantly below the control group on all four TCI elements, with effect sizes exceeding 1.2, suggesting that the TCI has content and construct validity.

Conclusions

Relative to cognitively intact older adults, older adults with ad dementia showed significant impairment on all four TCI conceptual elements. The TCI has promise as a standardized quantitative measure of TC to support clinical assessment of TC in forensic settings.
High-content imaging analyses of the effects of bisphenols and organophosphate esters on TM4 mouse Sertoli cells
Authors: Rajkumar Abishankari , Luu Trang , Hales Barbara F , Robaire Bernard
Published: May 2022

The endocrine disruptive effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and brominated flame retardants (BDE-47) have led to restrictions on their use and increased the pressure to identify safe replacements for these chemicals. Although there is evidence that some of these alternatives may be toxic to spermatogonial and Leydig cells, little is known about the toxicity of emerging replacements on Sertoli cells. We used high-content imaging to compare the effects of legacy chemicals, BPA and BDE-47, to their corresponding replacements. TM4 Sertoli cells were exposed for 48 h to each chemical (0.001–100 μM) followed by cytotoxicity and phenotypic endpoint assessment. The benchmark concentration potency ranking for bisphenols based on cytotoxicity was BPTMC > bisphenol M > BPAF>BPF > BPS > BPA. Human administered equivalent dose (AED) determination ranked BPS as the most potent alternative replacement. The benchmark concentration potency ranking of BDE-47 and organophosphate esters based on cytotoxicity was TDtBPP>BDMPP>TBOEP>TDCPP>TMPP>TPHP>BDE47>IPPP=BPDP=TCPP. Additionally, TM4 cell exposure to BDE-47 increased Calcein intensity (57.9 μM) and affected lysosomes (21.6 μM), while exposure to TPHP and TMPP resulted in cellular oxidative stress changes at benchmark concentration values as low as 0.01 and 0.4 μM, respectively. Overall bioactivity considerations of the chemicals on TM4 via ToxPi analyses and AED modeling further validated emerging replacements as highly potent chemicals in comparison to BPA and BDE-47. These findings demonstrate that many bisphenol and flame retardant replacements are more potent in Sertoli cells than the legacy chemical they are replacing and that phenotypic parameter assessment is an effective tool in chemical toxicity assessment.
Fancb deficiency causes premature ovarian insufficiency in mice
Authors: Cen Changhuo , Chen Junhua , Lin Limei , Chen Min , Dong Fangfang , Shen Zhiming , Cui Xiuhong , Hou Xiaohui , Gao Fei
Published: May 2022

Fanconi anemia complementation group B (FANCB) protein is a major component of the Fanconi anemia (FA) core complex and plays an important role in hematopoiesis and germ cell development. Deletion of Fancb gene causes the defect of primordial germ cell (PGC) development and infertility in male mice. However, it remains unknown whether Fancb is required for female germ cell development. In this study, we found that the fertility of Fancb knockout male mice in C57/ICR mixed backgrounds was not affected. Female Fancb−/− mice were obtained by crossing Fancb+/− females with Fancb−/Y males. The number of PGCs was dramatically decreased in Fancb−/− females. Very few oocytes were observed after birth and the primordial follicle pool was completely depleted at 6 weeks of age in Fancb−/− females. However, the remained oocytes from Fancb−/− mice were normal in fertilization and embryonic development from 2-cell to the blastocyst stage. We also found that Fancb and Fancl double-knockout males were also fertile and the number of sperm in epididymis was not reduced as compared to that of Fancb−/− and Fancl−/− single-knockout mice. Taken together, these results showed that Fancb is also essential for female germ cell development. Inactivation of Fancb causes massive germ cell loss and infertility in adult females. We also found that Fancb and Fancl do not act synergistically in regulating germ cell development.
Kidney oxygenation, perfusion and blood flow in people with and without type 1 diabetes
Authors: Laursen Jens Christian , Søndergaard-Heinrich Niels , Haddock Bryan , Rasmussen Ida Kirstine Bull , Hansen Christian Stevns , Larsson Henrik Bo Wiberg , Groop Per-Henrik , Bjornstad Petter , Frimodt-Møller Marie , Andersen Ulrik Bjørn , Rossing Peter
Published: May 2022

Background

We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study kidney energetics in persons with and without type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 15 persons with T1D and albuminuria and 15 non-diabetic controls (CONs) underwent multiparametric MRI (3 Tesla Philips Scanner) to quantify renal cortical and medullary oxygenation (R2*, higher values correspond to higher deoxyhaemoglobin concentration), renal perfusion (arterial spin labelling) and renal artery blood flow (phase contrast). Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, plasma haemoglobin, body mass index and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Results

Participants with T1D had a higher median (Q1; Q3) urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) than CONs [46 (21; 58) versus 4 (3; 6) mg/g; P < .0001] and a lower mean ± SD eGFR (73 ± 32 mL/min/1.73 m2 versus 88 ± 15 mL/min/1.73 m2;  P = .12), although not significantly. Mean medullary R2* was lower in T1D (34 ± 6/s versus 38 ± 5/s; P < .01) corresponding to a higher oxygenation. R2* was not different in the cortex. Cortical perfusion was lower in T1D (163 ± 40 versus 224 ± 49 mL/100 g/min; P < .001). Renal artery blood flow was lower in T1D than in CONs (360 ± 130 versus 430 ± 113 mL/min; P = .05). In T1D, lower cortical oxygenation and renal artery blood flow were both associated with higher UACR and lower eGFR (P < .05).

Conclusions

Participants with T1D and albuminuria exhibited higher medullary oxygenation than CONs, despite lower cortical perfusion and renal artery blood flow. This might reflect perturbed kidney energetics leading to a higher setpoint of medullary oxygenation in T1D. Lower cortical oxygenation and renal artery blood flow were associated with higher UACR and lower eGFR in T1D.
Bacterial pathogens and factors associated withSalmonellacontamination in hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromisspp.) cultivated in a cage culture system
Authors: Thaotumpitak Varangkana , Sripradite Jarukorn , Atwill Edward R , Tepaamorndech Surapun , Jeamsripong Saharuetai
Published: May 2022

Microbial food safety in cultured tilapia remains a challenge to public health worldwide, due in part to intensive aquaculture leading to poor water quality and high organic matter deposition. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of indicator and potential pathogenic bacteria in hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) and their cultivation water and to identify environmental parameters and other bacterial contaminants associated with Salmonella contamination. A total of 120 fish were sampled, which were partitioned into fish carcasses (n=120), muscle (n=120), intestine (n=120), liver and kidney (n=120), and cultivation water (n=120) from three commercial farms in western Thailand from October 2019 to November 2020. The prevalence of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in these 600 samples was 74.8% and 56.7%, respectively. The prevalence of Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae), Aeromonas hydrophila, and Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) was 23.0%, 17.5%, 2.5%, and 1.7%, respectively. None of the samples tested positive for Streptococcus agalactiae. Cultivation water exhibited a high prevalence for Salmonella (58.3%). Among fish samples, Salmonella had the highest prevalence at 14.1%, which was mainly from fish intestine. There was a significant association of Salmonella with the presence of fecal coliforms, E. coli, V. cholerae, and V. vulnificus. The predominant serovars of Salmonella included Saintpaul, Neukoelln, Escanaba, and Papuana. Grazing ducks that were raised in proximity to these cultured tilapia shared the same isolates of Salmonella based on the similarity of their rep-PCR DNA fingerprints, suggesting that ducks may function as either a biological reservoir for tilapia or at minimum participate in the environmental replication of this strain of Salmonella. Taken together, the results suggest that the environment used for tilapia aquaculture may be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria; therefore, food safety precautions are needed during processing, transportation, cooking, and consumption.
Relationship of Social Connectedness With Decreasing Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Older Women Participating in the Women’s Health Initiative Study
Authors: Crandall Carolyn J , Larson Joseph , Wiley Cene Crystal , Bellettiere John , Laddu Deepika , Jackson Rebecca D , Schumacher Benjamin T , Stefanick Marcia L ,   Women’s Health Initiative Investigators, Rossouw Jacques , Ludlam Shari , McGowan Joan , Ford Leslie , Geller Nancy , Anderson Garnet , Prentice Ross , LaCroix Andrea , Kooperberg Charles , Manson JoAnn E , Howard Barbara V , Stefanick Marcia L , Jackson Rebecca , Thomson Cynthia A , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Limacher Marian , Robinson Jennifer , Kuller Lewis , Shumaker Sally , Brunner Robert , Espeland Mark
Published: May 2022

Background

Aging is generally accompanied by decreasing physical activity (PA), which is associated with a decline in many health parameters, leading to recommendations for older adults to increase or at least maintain PA.

Methods

We determined relationships between social connectedness and decreasing or increasing PA levels during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic among 41 443 participants of the Women’s Health Initiative Extension Study. Outcomes of logistic regression models were decreasing PA activity (reference: maintaining or increasing) and increasing PA activity (reference: maintaining or decreasing). The main predictor was social connectedness as a combined variable: not living alone (reference: living alone) and communicating with others outside the home more than once/week (reference: once/week or less). We adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, body mass index, physical function level, and education.

Results

Compared with participants who were not socially connected, socially connected participants had lower odds of decreasing PA (adjusted odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.87–0.95). Odds of increasing PA (vs decreasing or maintaining PA) were not significantly different among socially connected and not socially connected participants. Associations between social connectedness and decreasing PA did not significantly differ by age (<85 vs ≥85 years), race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White vs other races/ethnicity), education (college vs 75).

Conclusion

Social connectedness was associated with lower odds of decreasing PA among older women during the pandemic. These findings could inform the development of future interventions to help older women avoid decreasing PA.
Physical Frailty and Brain White Matter Abnormalities: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Ducca Emma L , Gomez Gabriela T , Palta Priya , Sullivan Kevin J , Jack Clifford R , Knopman David S , Gottesman Rebecca F , Walston Jeremy , Windham B Gwen , Walker Keenan A
Published: May 2022

Background

Physical frailty is associated with increased risk for dementia and other neurologic sequelae. However, the neurobiological changes underlying frailty and frailty risk remain unknown. We examined the association of cerebral white matter structure with current and future frailty.

Methods

Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study Neurocognitive Study participants who underwent 3T brain MRI were included. Frailty status was classified according to the Fried criteria. Cerebral white matter integrity was defined using white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume and microstructure, measured using diffusion tensor imaging fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). Multivariable linear regression was used to relate baseline frailty to white matter structure; multivariable logistic regression was used to relate baseline white matter to frailty risk among participants nonfrail at baseline.

Results

In the cross-sectional analysis (N = 1 754; mean age: 76 years), frailty was associated with greater WMH volume, lower FA, and greater MD. These associations remained consistent after excluding participants with a history of stroke or dementia. Among participants nonfrail at baseline who completed follow-up frailty assessment (N = 1 379; 6.6-year follow-up period), each standard deviation increase in WMH volume was associated with 1.46 higher odds of frailty at follow-up. Composite FA and MD measures were not associated with future frailty; however, secondary analyses found several significant white matter tract-specific associations with frailty risk.

Conclusion

The current study demonstrates a robust association of WMH volume with current and future frailty. Although measures of white matter microstructure were altered in frail individuals, these measures were not generally associated with progression from nonfrail to frail status.