bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of comet-based approaches to assess base excision repair
Authors: Zheng Congying , Shaposhnikov Sergey , Collins Andrew , Brunborg Gunnar , Oancea Florin , Van Schooten Frederik-Jan , Godschalk Roger
Published: June 2023

DNA repair plays an essential role in maintaining genomic stability, and can be assessed by various comet assay-based approaches, including the cellular repair assay and the in vitro repair assay. In the cellular repair assay, cells are challenged with a DNA-damaging compound and DNA damage removal over time is assessed. In the in vitro repair assay, an early step in the repair process is assessed as the ability of a cellular extract to recognize and incise damaged DNA in substrate nucleoids from cells treated with a DNA-damaging compound. Our direct comparison of both assays in eight cell lines and human peripheral blood lymphocytes indicated no significant relationship between these DNA repair assays (R2 = 0.084, P = 0.52). The DNA incision activity of test cells measured with the in vitro repair assay correlated with the background level of DNA damage in the untreated test cells (R2 = 0.621, P = 0.012). When extracts were prepared from cells exposed to DNA-damaging agents (10 mM KBrO3 or 1 µM Ro 19–8022 plus light), the incision activity was significantly increased, which is in line with the notion that base excision repair is inducible. The data presented suggest that the two assays do not measure the same endpoint of DNA repair and should be considered as complementary.
Dynamic in situ growth of bonded-phase silica nanospheres on silica capillary inner walls for open-tubular liquid chromatography
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed Adel , Ghiasvand Alireza , Quirino Joselito P.
Published: June 2023

Silica nanospheres (SNS) were grown on the inner walls of silica capillaries through a dynamic in situ nucleation process to prepare a highly porous and large accessible surface area substrate. The SNS were then functionalized with octadecyl (C18), 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD), and amino groups to develop robust and efficient chromatographic stationary phases. The modified silica capillaries were exploited for open-tubular liquid chromatography (OT-LC) and open-tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC) applications. The prepared stationary phases were compared to conventional capillaries in terms of separation performance. The synthesis process was optimized, and the bonded-phase stationary phases were characterized by the electron microscopy technique. The effects of different solvents, additives, and functional groups on the geometry and chromatographic resolving power of the SNS were envisaged. The capillaries modified with octadecyl groups were evaluated for the separation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, phenones, alkenylbenzenes, and enantiomers of chlorophenoxy herbicides. As an application instance, an SNS-C18-coated capillary was utilized for the separation of alkenylbenzenes from clove extract and protein digest medium, through OT-LC and OT-CEC techniques, respectively. The β-CD functionalized capillary was applied for the OT-CEC separation of a dichlorprop racemic mixture.

Graphical abstract
The RIG-I agonist M8 triggers cell death and natural killer cell activation in human papillomavirus-associated cancer and potentiates cisplatin cytotoxicity
Authors: Girone Carlo , Calati Federica , Lo Cigno Irene , Salvi Valentina , Tassinari Valentina , Schioppa Tiziana , Borgogna Cinzia , Lospinoso Severini Ludovica , Hiscott John , Cerboni Cristina , Soriani Alessandra , Bosisio Daniela , Gariglio Marisa
Published: June 2023

Although the activation of innate immunity to treat a wide variety of cancers is gaining increasing attention, it has been poorly investigated in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated malignancies. Because these tumors harbor a severely impaired cGAS-STING axis, but they still retain a largely functional RIG-I pathway, another critical mediator of adaptive and innate immune responses, we asked whether RIG-I activation by the 5’ppp-RNA RIG-I agonist M8 would represent a therapeutically viable option to treat HPV+ cancers. Here, we show that M8 transfection of two cervical carcinoma-derived cell lines, CaSki and HeLa, both expressing a functional RIG-I, triggers intrinsic apoptotic cell death, which is significantly reduced in RIG-I KO cells. We also demonstrate that M8 stimulation potentiates cisplatin-mediated cell killing of HPV+ cells in a RIG-I dependent manner. This combination treatment is equally effective in reducing tumor growth in a syngeneic pre-clinical mouse model of HPV16-driven cancer, where enhanced expression of lymphocyte-recruiting chemokines and cytokines correlated with an increased number of activated natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment. Consistent with a role of RIG-I signaling in immunogenic cell killing, stimulation of NK cells with conditioned medium from M8-transfected CaSki boosted NK cell proliferation, activation, and migration in a RIG-I-dependent tumor cell-intrinsic manner. Given the highly conserved molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and genomic features of HPV-driven cancers and the remarkably improved prognosis for HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer, targeting RIG-I may represent an effective immunotherapeutic strategy in this setting, favoring the development of de-escalating strategies.
Agriculture and crop dispersal in the western periphery of the Old World: the Amazigh/Berber settling of the Canary Islands (ca. 2nd–15th centuries ce)
Authors: Morales Jacob , Speciale Claudia , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Amelia , Henríquez-Valido Pedro , Marrero-Salas Efrain , Hernández-Marrero Juan Carlos , López Rosa , Delgado-Darias Teresa , Hagenblad Jenny , Fregel Rosa , Santana Jonathan
Published: June 2023

The Canary Islands were settled ca. 1,800 years ago by Amazigh/Berber farming populations originating in North Africa. This historical event represents the last and westernmost expansion of the Mediterranean farming package in Antiquity, and investigating it yields information about crop dispersal along the periphery of the Mediterranean world around the turn of the first millennium ce. The current study focuses on archaeobotanical evidence recorded in a series of pre-Hispanic/Amazigh sites of the Canary Islands (ca. 2nd–15th centuries ce). It offers new, unpublished archaeobotanical findings and direct radiocarbon datings of plant remains from the different islands. The general goal is to gain a better grasp of how the first settlers of the Canary Islands adapted their farming activities to the different natural conditions of each island. The results suggest a shared crop ‘package’ throughout the islands since at least the 3rd–5th centuries ce. This set of plants was likely introduced from north-western Africa and consists of Hordeum vulgare (hulled barley), Triticum durum (durum wheat), Lens culinaris (lentil), Vicia faba (broad bean), Pisum sativum (pea), and Ficus carica (fig). The crop ‘package’ probably arrived in a single episode during the initial colonisation and was not followed by any other plants. Subsequent to the initial settling and until the arrival of the European seafarers, the islands remained isolated from each other and from the outside world, a condition that over time led to a decline in crop diversity in all of the islands except Gran Canaria.
Leading by example in a public goods experiment with benefit heterogeneity
Authors: Yu Jing , Kocher Martin G.
Published: June 2023

Social dilemmas such as greenhouse gas emission reduction are often characterized by heterogeneity in benefits from solving the dilemma. How should leadership of group members be organized in such a setting? We implement a laboratory public goods experiment with heterogeneous marginal per capita returns from the public good and leading by example that is either implemented exogenously or by self-selection. Our results suggest that both ways of implementing leadership only have small effects on contributions to the public good. Self-selected leaders—in particular self-selected low-benefit leaders—tend to set better examples than imposed leaders, but they are also exploited more strongly by followers. Leaders seem to need additional instruments to be more effective when benefits are heterogeneous.
Treatment patterns of individualized real-life tapering approaches based on shared decision-making in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Birkner Benjamin , Rech Jürgen , Edelmann Edmund , Verheyen Frank , Schett Georg , Stargardt Tom
Published: June 2023

Objective

To provide real-world evidence on patient-individual tapering patterns of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in daily clinical practice.

Methods

Data obtained through a controlled prospective cohort study in Germany conducted from July 2018 to March 2021 were analyzed. Participants consist of RA patients in sustained remission who were eligible for DMARD tapering at enrolment. Data from RA patients who experienced tapering of DMARDs at least once during the observational period (n = 200) were used. Descriptive analyses of medical outcomes at baseline and at time of first tapering, time to first tapering, tapering patterns by substance group, and tapering intensity were documented.

Results

We did not observe meaningful differences in either disease activity or quality of life measures between substance groups at enrolment, time of first tapering, and at 6 or 12 months after tapering. Median time until first tapering varied between substance groups (csDMARDs: 108 days; bDMARDs: 189 days; combination: 119 days). Most patients received one iteration of tapering only (147/200 patients, 73.5%). Dose reduction was applied for patients treated with csDMARDs (79/86 patients, 91.8%), spacing of interval was the most frequent strategy for patients treated with bDMARDs only (43/48 patients, 89.5%). Necessity for increased DMARD dosage was observed in only 10% of patients (20/200). Tapering intensity by substance was overall heterogenous, indicating high individualization.

Conclusion

We identify highly heterogeneous tapering patterns between substance groups and within substances. Identification and recognition of patient-individual approaches of tapering will help to further improve the management of RA for both patients and rheumatologists.
Assessment of diagnostic reference levels for paediatric cardiac computed tomography in accordance with European guidelines
Authors: Aboul Hamad Mohamed S. , Attalla Ehab M. , Amer Hanan H. , Fathy Mohamed M.
Published: June 2023

Recently, paediatric cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has caused concerns that diagnostic image quality and dose reduction may require further improvement. Consequently, this study aimed to establish institutional (local) diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) for CCT for paediatric patients, and assess the impact of tube voltage on proposed DRLs in terms of the volume computed tomography index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP). In addition, effective doses (EDs) of exposure were estimated. A population of 453 infants, whose mass and age were less than 12 kg and 2 years, respectively, were considered from January 2018 to August 2021. Based on previous studies, this number of patients was considered to be sufficient for establishing LDRLs. A group of 245 patients underwent CCT examinations at 70 kVp tube voltage with an average scan range of 23.4 cm. Another set of 208 patients underwent CCT examinations at 100 kVp tube voltage with an average scan range of 15.8 cm. The observed CTDIvol and DLP values were 2.8 mGy and 54.8 mGy.cm, respectively. The mean effective dose (ED) was 1.2 mSv. It is concluded that provisional establishment and use of DRLs for cardiac computed tomography in children are crucial, and further research is needed to develop regional and international DRLs.
Economic evaluation of Motor Neuron Diseases: a nationwide cross-sectional analysis in Germany
Authors: Heinrich Felix , Cordts Isabell , Günther René , Stolte Benjamin , Zeller Daniel , Schröter Carsten , Weyen Ute , Regensburger Martin , Wolf Joachim , Schneider Ilka , Hermann Andreas , Metelmann Moritz , Kohl Zacharias , Linker Ralf A. , Koch Jan Christoph , Radelfahr Florentine , Schönfelder Erik , Gardt Pavel , Mohajer-Peseschkian Tara , Osmanovic Alma , Klopstock Thomas , Dorst Johannes , Ludolph Albert C. , Schöffski Oliver , Boentert Matthias , Hagenacker Tim , Deschauer Marcus , Lingor Paul , Petri Susanne , Schreiber-Katz Olivia
Published: June 2023

Background and objectives

Motor Neuron Diseases (MND) are rare diseases but have a high impact on affected individuals and society. This study aims to perform an economic evaluation of MND in Germany.

Methods

Primary patient-reported data were collected including individual impairment, the use of medical and non-medical resources, and self-rated Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Annual socio-economic costs per year as well as Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) were calculated.

Results

404 patients with a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) or Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) were enrolled. Total annual costs per patient were estimated at 83,060€ in ALS, 206,856€ in SMA and 27,074€ in HSP. The main cost drivers were informal care (all MND) and disease-modifying treatments (SMA). Self-reported HRQoL was best in patients with HSP (mean EuroQoL Five Dimension Five Level (EQ-5D-5L) index value 0.67) and lowest in SMA patients (mean EQ-5D-5L index value 0.39). QALYs for patients with ALS were estimated to be 1.89 QALYs, 23.08 for patients with HSP and 14.97 for patients with SMA, respectively. Cost-utilities were estimated as follows: 138,960€/QALY for ALS, 525,033€/QALY for SMA, and 49,573€/QALY for HSP. The main predictors of the high cost of illness and low HRQoL were disease progression and loss of individual autonomy.

Conclusion

As loss of individual autonomy was the main cost predictor, therapeutic and supportive measures to maintain this autonomy may contribute to reducing high personal burden and also long-term costs, e.g., care dependency and absenteeism from work.
The neuroanatomical hallmarks of chronic tinnitus in comorbidity with pure-tone hearing loss
Authors: Elmer Stefan , Schmitt Raffael , Giroud Nathalie , Meyer Martin
Published: June 2023

Tinnitus is one of the main hearing impairments often associated with pure-tone hearing loss, and typically manifested in the perception of phantom sounds. Nevertheless, tinnitus has traditionally been studied in isolation without necessarily considering auditory ghosting and hearing loss as part of the same syndrome. Hence, in the present neuroanatomical study, we attempted to pave the way toward a better understanding of the tinnitus syndrome, and compared two groups of almost perfectly matched individuals with (TIHL) and without (NTHL) pure-tone tinnitus, but both characterized by pure-tone hearing loss. The two groups were homogenized in terms of sample size, age, gender, handedness, education, and hearing loss. Furthermore, since the assessment of pure-tone hearing thresholds alone is not sufficient to describe the full spectrum of hearing abilities, the two groups were also harmonized for supra-threshold hearing estimates which were collected using temporal compression, frequency selectivity und speech-in-noise tasks. Regions-of-interest (ROI) analyses based on key brain structures identified in previous neuroimaging studies showed that the TIHL group exhibited increased cortical volume (CV) and surface area (CSA) of the right supramarginal gyrus and posterior planum temporale (PT) as well as CSA of the left middle-anterior part of the superior temporal sulcus (STS). The TIHL group also demonstrated larger volumes of the left amygdala and of the left head and body of the hippocampus. Notably, vertex-wise multiple linear regression analyses additionally brought to light that CSA of a specific cluster, which was located in the left middle-anterior part of the STS and overlapped with the one found to be significant in the between-group analyses, was positively associated with tinnitus distress level. Furthermore, distress also positively correlated with CSA of gray matter vertices in the right dorsal prefrontal cortex and the right posterior STS, whereas tinnitus duration was positively associated with CSA and CV of the right angular gyrus (AG) and posterior part of the STS. These results provide new insights into the critical gray matter architecture of the tinnitus syndrome matrix responsible for the emergence, maintenance and distress of auditory phantom sensations.
Honey for acute cough in children — a systematic review
Authors: Kuitunen Ilari , Renko Marjo
Published: June 2023

To analyze the efficacy of using honey to treat acute cough in children. Systematic review, synthesis without meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases on August 15, 2022, for words honey and cough. Randomized controlled trials conducted in children were included. Risk-of-bias and evidence quality were assessed. Studies were not pooled due to lack of key information. Instead, we provided the range of observed effects for the main outcomes. Three hundred ninety-six papers were screened, and 10 studies were included. Two studies had high risk-of-bias and six had some concerns. Honey seemed to decrease cough frequency more than placebo/no treatment (range of observed effect 0.0–1.1 points) and cough medication (0.2–0.9 points). Sleep improved more often in the honey group (range of effect was 0.0–1.1) compared to placebo/no treatment and (− 0.2–1.1 points) compared to cough medication. Quality of the evidence was low to very low.

Conclusion: We found low quality evidence that honey may be more effective than cough medication or placebo/no treatment in relieving symptoms and improving sleep in children with acute cough. Better quality randomized, placebo-controlled blinded trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of honey in treating acute cough in children.

Trial registration: CRD42022369577.

What is Known:• Honey has been suggested to be effective as a symptomatic treatment in acute cough.• Prior randomized trials have had conflicting results and thus an overview of the literature was warranted.

What is New:• Based on low quality evidence honey may be more effective than placebo or over-the-counter medications for acute symptom reliwef in cough.• Future studies with better reporting are needed to confirm the results.
A proposed difficulty grading system for laparoscopic bile duct exploration: benefits to clinical practice, training and research
Authors: Nassar Ahmad H. M. , Sallam Mahmoud , Khan Khurram S. , Kilpatrick Rhona , Zino Samer , Katbeh Tarek Z.
Published: June 2023

Background

A gap remains between the mounting evidence for single session management of bile duct stones and the adoption of this approach. Laparoscopic bile duct exploration (LBDE) is limited by the scarcity of training opportunities and adequate equipment and by the perception that the technique requires a high skill-set. The aim of this study was to create a new classification of difficulty based on operative characteristics and to stratify postoperative outcomes of easy vs. difficult LBDE irrespective of the surgeon’s experience.

Methods

A cohort of 1335 LBDEs was classified according to the location, number and size of ductal stones, the retrieval technique, utilisation of choledochoscopy and specific biliary pathologies encountered. A combination of features indicated easy (Grades I and II A & B) or difficult (Grades III A and B, IV and V) transcystic or transcholedochal explorations.

Results

78.3% of patients with acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis, 37% with jaundice and 46% with cholangitis had easy explorations. Difficult explorations were more likely to present as emergencies, with obstructive jaundice, previous sphincterotomy and dilated bile ducts on ultrasound scans. 77.7% of easy explorations were transcystic and 62.3% of difficult explorations transductal. Choledochoscopy was utilised in 23.4% of easy vs. 98% of difficult explorations. The use of biliary drains, open conversions, median operative time, biliary-related complications, hospital stay, readmissions, and retained stones increased with the difficulty grade. Grades I and II patients had 2 or more hospital episodes in 26.5% vs. 41.2% for grades III to V. There were 2 deaths in difficulty Grade V and one in Grade IIB.

Conclusion

Difficulty grading of LBDE is useful in predicting outcomes and facilitating comparison between studies. It ensures fair structuring and assessment of training and progress of the learning curve. LBDEs were easy in 72% with 77% completed transcystically. This may encourage more units to adopt this approach.

Graphical abstract
Association between lifestyle modifications and improvement of early cardiac damage in children and adolescents with excess weight and/or high blood pressure
Authors: Genovesi Simonetta , Tassistro Elena , Giussani Marco , Antolini Laura , Lieti Giulia , Orlando Antonina , Montemerlo Massimo , Patti Ilenia , Parati Gianfranco
Published: June 2023

Background

It is not known whether, in children and adolescents with alterations in weight and/or blood pressure (BP), lifestyle modifications are associated with an improvement of early cardiac damage.

Methods

In a pediatric population referred for excess weight, high BP, or both (n = 278, 10.6 (2.3) years), echocardiography was performed at enrollment and after 15 months of follow-up, during which participants received nonpharmacological treatment, based on correcting unhealthy lifestyles and improving dietary habits. Left ventricular mass was indexed for height (g/m2.7, LVMI), and an LVMI value higher than or equal to age- and gender-specific 95th percentile was the criterion for defining left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine associations between changes in BMI and BP z-scores and changes of LVMI values and LVH prevalence, from baseline to follow-up.

Results

At baseline, 33.1% of study participants were hypertensive, 52.9% obese, and 36.3% had LVH. At follow-up, the prevalence of hypertension, obesity, and LVH was 18.7%, 30.2%, and 22.3%, respectively (p < 0.001 for all). A decrease in LVMI from 37.1 to 35.2 g/m2.7 (p < 0.001) was observed. Only delta BMI z-score positively related to an improvement of LVMI. Reductions of BMI (OR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.07–0.64) and diastolic BP (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.42–0.93) z-scores from baseline to follow-up and family history of hypertension (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.16–0.78) were associated with a lower prevalence of LVH.

Conclusions

In a pediatric population at cardiovascular risk, changing incorrect lifestyle and dietary habits is associated with both reduction of BMI and BP values and regression of early cardiac damage.

Graphical abstract
DeepGraviLens: a multi-modal architecture for classifying gravitational lensing data
Authors: Pinciroli Vago Nicolò Oreste , Fraternali Piero
Published: June 2023

Gravitational lensing is the relativistic effect generated by massive bodies, which bend the space-time surrounding them. It is a deeply investigated topic in astrophysics and allows validating theoretical relativistic results and studying faint astrophysical objects that would not be visible otherwise. In recent years, machine learning methods have been applied to support the analysis of the gravitational lensing phenomena by detecting lensing effects in datasets consisting of images associated with brightness variation time series. However, the state-of-the-art approaches either consider only images and neglect time-series data or achieve relatively low accuracy on the most difficult datasets. This paper introduces DeepGraviLens, a novel multi-modal network that classifies spatio-temporal data belonging to one non-lensed system type and three lensed system types. It surpasses the current state-of-the-art accuracy results by $$\approx 3\%$$

≈
3
%

to $$\approx 11\%$$

≈
11
%

, depending on the considered data set. Such an improvement will enable the acceleration of the analysis of lensed objects in upcoming astrophysical surveys, which will exploit the petabytes of data collected, e.g., from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
Study of Quarkonium in QGP from Unquenched Lattice QCD
Authors: Ali Sajid , Bala Dibyendu , Kaczmarek Olaf , Shu Hai-Tao , Ueding Tristan ,   HotQCD collaboration
Published: June 2023

This paper discusses the charmonium and bottomonium correlators in the pseudoscalar channel and the corresponding spectral reconstruction on the lattice. The absence of a transport peak in the pseudoscalar channel spectral function allows for an easier study of the in-medium modification of bound states. However, extracting spectral information from Euclidean correlators is still a numerically ill-posed problem. To constrain the spectral reconstruction, we use an ansatz motivated from perturbation theory. The perturbative model spectral function has two main contributions: a thermal part around the threshold obtained from pNRQCD and the vacuum part well above the threshold. These two regions are matched continuously, and the model spectral function is obtained by introducing parameters that control the overall thermal shift of the peak and the overall amplitude. The lattice correlator data is computed using clover-improved Wilson valence fermions on large and fine gauge field configurations generated using$$N_f=2+1$$Nf=2+1flavors Highly Improved Staggered Quark action with physical strange quark mass$$m_s$$ms, and slightly heavy degenerate up and down quark masses$$m_l=m_s/5$$ml=ms/5that correspond to$$m_\pi \simeq 320$$mπ≃320MeV. Our results obtained at$$T=220$$T=220MeV and$$T=251$$T=251MeV suggest that no resonance peaks are needed to describe the charmonium lattice data at these temperatures, while for bottomonium thermally broadened resonance peaks persists.
Serum neurofilament light as a predictor of outcome in subarachnoid haemorrhage
Authors: Johansson Conny , Aineskog Helena , Koskinen Lars-Owe D. , Gunnarsson Andreas , Lindvall Peter
Published: June 2023

Background

Prognostication of clinical outcome in patients suffering from aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a challenge. There are no biochemical markers in routine use that can aid in prognostication. Neurofilament light (NFL) measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been associated with clinical outcome in previous studies.

Objective

To investigate if serum levels of NFL correlate with CSF levels and long-term clinical outcome in patients suffering from SAH.

Methods

We conducted an observational cohort study of 88 patients treated for SAH at Umeå University Hospital in 2014–2018. Serum and CSF samples were analysed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify NFL levels. Outcome was assessed using Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended and dichotomised as favourable or unfavourable. Differences in NFL levels between outcome groups were analysed using repeated measurements ANOVA. Relationship between CSF and serum NFL levels was analysed using Pearson’s correlation. A multivariate binary logistic regression model and a receiver operation characteristic curve were used to assess the predictive value of serum NFL.

Results

A significant correlation between serum and CSF-NFL levels could be seen (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.7, p < .0001). Mean level of serum NFL was higher in the unfavourable outcome group than the favourable outcome group (p < .0001), in all epochs of SAH, and correlated with initial disease severity on the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies scale. Serum NFL in the late phase displayed the best predictive potential in a receiver operation characteristic curve analysis (AUC=0.845, p < .0001).

Conclusion

Levels of NFL in serum and CSF are correlated. Early serum NFL levels seem to reflect initial tissue damage and serum NFL levels in the late phase may reflect secondary events such as vasospasm or delayed cerebral ischemia. Serum NFL may be used as a prognostic marker of clinical outcome in SAH.
Effects of fixed functional orthodontic treatment in hypodivergent and hyperdivergent class II patients—a retrospective cephalometric investigation
Authors: Hourfar Jan , Kinzinger Gero Stefan Michael , Frye Linda , Lisson Jörg Alexander
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare skeletal and dentoalveolar changes after orthodontic treatment of class II malocclusion in patients with hypodivergent and hyperdivergent growth patterns through cast splint fixed functional appliances (FFA).

Materials and methods

N = 42 out of n = 47 patients with mandibular plane angles < 34° or ≥ 34° were divided into a hypodivergent (n = 24) and a hyperdivergent (n = 18) group. All patients received a single-step mandibular advancement protocol through an FFA. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed after initial leveling and alignment (T1) and immediately after FFA removal (T2). The therapeutic effect was calculated through comparison with age-matched controls from a growth survey. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Hypodivergent and hyperdivergent patients showed different treatment outcomes, but significant differences existed only for overbite and interincisal angle. Nearly all measurements suggested similar treatment-related changes for both groups with exception for dentoalveolar parameters.

Conclusion

Treatment with FFA causes similar skeletal and dentoalveolar effects in hypodivergent and in hyperdivergent patients. The correction of overjet and molar relationship is mainly caused by dentoalveolar changes.

Clinical relevance

Hyperdivergent patients do not respond unfavorably to FFA treatment compared to hypodivergent patients. Lower incisor protrusion occurs more pronounced in hypodivergent patients. The growth pattern ought to be considered when choosing FFA for class II treatment.
Association of cerebellar volume with cognitive and motor function in adults with congenital heart disease
Authors: Naef Nadja , Hottinger Selma J. , Schlosser Ladina , Greutmann Matthias , Latal Beatrice , O’Gorman Ruth Tuura
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for cognitive and motor function impairments, brain injury, and smaller total brain volumes. The specific vulnerability of the cerebellum and its role in cognitive and motor functions in adults with congenital heart disease is not well defined.

Methods

Forty-three patients with CHD and 53 controls between 18 and 32 years underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive, executive (EF), and motor function assessment. Cerebellar volumes were obtained using EasyMeasure and SUIT Toolbox. Associations between cerebellar volumes and cognitive and motor function were calculated using linear models.

Results

General cognitive and pure motor functions were lower in patients compared to controls (P < 0.05). Executive functions were within the normal range. While total cerebellar volumes and the anterior lobes were similar in patients and controls (P > 0.1), the posterior cerebellar lobe was smaller in patients with more complex CHD (P = 0.006). Smaller posterior cerebellar gray matter was not associated with cognitive functions. Smaller anterior cerebellar gray matter was not significantly related to motor functions (P > 0.1).

Conclusion

In adults with CHD, cerebellar volume was largely unimpaired. Patients with more complex CHD may be vulnerable to changes in the posterior cerebellar gray matter. We found no significant contribution of cerebellar gray matter to cognitive and motor impairments. More advanced imaging techniques are necessary to clarify the contribution of the cerebellum to cognitive and motor functions.
Cognitive outcomes following functional neurosurgery in refractory OCD patients: a systematic review
Authors: Laseca-Zaballa G. , Lubrini G. , Periañez J. A. , Simón-Martínez V. , Martín Bejarano M. , Torres-Díaz C. , Martínez Moreno N. , Álvarez-Linera J. , Martínez Álvarez R. , Ríos-Lago M.
Published: June 2023

Neurosurgery is a therapeutic option for patients with refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder who do not respond to previous treatments. Although its efficacy in reducing clinical symptomatology has been proven, few studies have analyzed its effects at the cognitive level. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the cognitive outcomes of functional neurosurgery in patients that went through capsulotomies or cingulotomies. PubMed, Medline, Scopus, PsycInfo, PsyArticles, and Web of Knowledge were searched for studies reporting cognitive outcomes in refractory obsessive–compulsive patients after capsulotomies and cingulotomies. The risk of bias was assessed with the Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies With No Control Group tool; 13 studies met inclusion criteria, including 205 refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder patients for both surgical procedures. Results showed a substantial number of studies that did report significant cognitive improvement after surgery, being this improvement specially related to memory and executive functions. The second-most frequent finding is the maintenance of cognitive performance (nor improvement or worsening). From a neuropsychological point of view, this outcome might be considered a success, given that it is accompanied by amelioration of obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Subtle cognitive adverse effects have also been reported. Neurosurgery procedures appear to be safe from a cognitive point of view. Methodological issues must be improved to draw clearer conclusions, but capsulotomies and cingulotomies constitute an effective alternative treatment for refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder patients.
Edaphic properties as pieces of evidence of tailings deposit on soils
Authors: Zúñiga-Vázquez Diana , Armienta María Aurora , Cruz Olivia , Aguayo Alejandra , Pérez-Martínez Isabel , Morales-Arredondo José Iván
Published: June 2023

Mine tailings are one of the primary contaminant sources of heavy metals and metalloids in the soil. Besides increasing the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), tailings may modify the edaphic conditions and decrease the buffer capacity of impacted soils. The influence of tailings may reach distances far from the impoundments depending on the transport path and the specific transport mean: air, rain (runoff and infiltration), or acid mine drainage. In this study, soil samples from various horizons were collected in trial pits along a transect, at different distances from sulfide tailings. Soil analysis included texture, organic matter, alkalinity, porous space, carbonates, pH, electrical conductivity, real density, apparent density, total sulfur, main mineralogy, and total concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Zn. Graphical and statistical interpretation of the results showed that real density and porous space are the leading indicators of the tailings dispersion and accumulation and that pH is not a significant parameter (all values were above the neutrality) due to the limestone abundance in the area. However, Zn and Cd concentrations had an inverse relation with pH. Differences in the concentrations of PTEs between the superficial and deep layers that increased toward the tailings were also observed. Gypsum was only present in the closest samples to the tailings and may also be an indicator of tailings’ influence on soils. This study allowed us to identify general edaphic parameters as a first and quick means to determine the tailings contamination of soils.
Changes in the practices and narratives of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mert Ayṣem , Remling Elise
Published: June 2023

The 2023 SDG Summit, which will take place in September during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly high-level week, aims to review the state of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. As 2023 marks the mid-point to 2030, this meeting aims to respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is only one of these critical crises. The pandemic meant an enormous backlash for the implementation of most SDGs, as discussed in the UN Secretary-General's mid-term progress report “Toward a Rescue Plan for People and Planet.” Therefore, it is at once an important background to the Summit and one that highlights the common overarching structural issues that underlie SDG implementation, as the pandemic not only posed a global health crisis but also led to lasting changes in policy areas concerning the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, such as health, mobility, trade, industry, finance, and sustainability. This paper engages with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practices of the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the short-term policy narratives around the SDGs. Its goal is to document some of the changes the pandemic triggered in practices of sustainability governance, based on the findings of a 4-year project that draws on qualitative analysis of participatory observations at the HLPF meetings, document analysis, and in-depth interviews.
Anthocyanins and reactive oxygen species: a team of rivals regulating plant development?
Authors: Cerqueira João Victor A. , de Andrade Moab T. , Rafael Diego D. , Zhu Feng , Martins Samuel V. C. , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Benedito Vagner , Fernie Alisdair R. , Zsögön Agustin
Published: June 2023

Anthocyanins are a family of water-soluble vacuolar pigments present in almost all flowering plants. The chemistry, biosynthesis and functions of these flavonoids have been intensively studied, in part due to their benefit for human health. Given that they are efficient antioxidants, intense research has been devoted to studying their possible roles against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the redox homeostasis established between antioxidants and ROS is important for plant growth and development. On the one hand, high levels of ROS can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids, on the other, they are also required for cell signaling, plant development and stress responses. Thus, a balance is needed in which antioxidants can remove excessive ROS, while not precluding ROS from triggering important cellular signaling cascades. In this article, we discuss how anthocyanins and ROS interact and how a deeper understanding of the balance between them could help improve plant productivity, nutritional value, and resistance to stress, while simultaneously maintaining proper cellular function and plant growth.
How well do the adult social care outcomes toolkit for carers, carer experience scale and care-related quality of life capture aspects of quality of life important to informal carers in Australia?
Authors: Bucholc Jessica , McCaffrey Nikki , Ugalde Anna , Muldowney Anne , Rand Stacey , Hoefman Renske , Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Engel Lidia
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Identify aspects of quality of life (QoL) important to Australian informal carers and explore how well the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit for Carers, Care-related Quality of Life instrument and Carer Experience Scale capture these aspects in the Australian context.

Methods

Online questionnaires were completed by Australian informal carers. Socio-demographics, open-ended questions: positive/negative aspects of caring and QoL aspects missing from the instruments, and ranking of the instrument domains was used to explore the content of the instruments. Instruments were scored using preference-weighted value sets (reported in another paper). Content analysis was used to analyse the open-ended responses. Chi-squared test looked at differences in domain importance. Descriptive analyses summarised all other information.

Results

Eight themes were identified: Behaviour-mood of the care recipient, Caring responsibilities, Finances, Health, Own life, Perception of carers, Relationship with care recipient and Support. Many aspects of carer QoL mentioned as missing in the instruments appeared covered by the domains, of which all were reported as important. The highest ranked domain was relationship with the care recipient. The influence of the care recipient specific support, behaviour/mood and health on carer QoL appear absent in all instruments.

Conclusion

The content of the three instruments appears relevant in an Australian setting. The influence of care recipient’s health and well-being on carer QoL should be considered, along with spillover effects. A content and/or face validity analysis is required to confirm differences in item interpretation in Australian informal carers.
Semantic conventions and referential intentions
Authors: Rudnicki Jakub
Published: June 2023

According to intentionalism, the semantic reference of the uses of demonstratives is fixed, at least partly, by the speaker’s referential intention. In this paper, I argue against the possibility of the existence of a semantic convention of this sort. My argument is placed in the Lewisian framework of signaling games and consists of several steps that correspond to four anti-intentionalist arguments, already present in the literature, that have proven inconclusive when employed separately and without being set in the mentioned framework.
A comparison of younger and older burglars undertaking virtual burglaries: the development of skill and automaticity
Authors: Meenaghan Amy , Nee Claire , Vernham Zarah , Otto Marco
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The study examines the development of offence-related expertise over time and age in a sample of convicted burglars.

Methods

A quasi-experimental design was used to assess indicators of expertise in younger (n=36) and older (n=32) burglars as they completed a “virtual burglary”. It was predicted that (i) older burglars would use more efficient scoping and searching strategies than younger burglars, and (ii) older burglars would be more discerning in their selection of items to steal than younger burglars.

Results

Findings suggested that indicators of expertise were evident in both age groups however, compared to younger burglars, older burglars demonstrated more developed expertise in relation to items stolen and the efficiency of the search.

Conclusions

The research supports the role that expertise plays in offence-related decision-making across the criminal career. It provides additional support for the use of VR to assess offender expertise.
Investigation of Doping Processes to Achieve Highly Doped Czochralski Germanium Ingots
Authors: Subramanian Aravind , Abrosimov Nikolay , Gybin Alexander , Guguschev Christo , Juda Uta , Fiedler Andreas , Bärwolf Florian , Costina Ioan , Kwasniewski Albert , Dittmar Andrea , Sumathi R. Radhakrishnan
Published: June 2023

Highly doped germanium (HD-Ge) is a promising material for mid-infrared detectors, bio-sensors, and other devices. Bulk crystals with a doping concentration higher than 1018 cm−3would be desirable for such device fabrication technologies. Hence, an effective method needs to be developed to dope germanium (Ge) ingots in the Czochralski (Cz) growth process. In this study, a total of 5 ingots were grown by the Cz technique: two undoped Ge ingots as a reference and three doped ingots with 1018, 1019, and 1020atoms/cm3respectively. To obtain a uniformp-type doping concentration along the crystal, co-doping of boron-gallium (B-Ga) via the Ge feed material was also attempted. Both B and Ga arep-type dopants, but with a large difference in their segregation behavior (contrary segregation profile) in Ge, and hence it is expected that the incorporation of dopants in the crystal would be uniform along the crystal length. The distribution of the dopants followed the Scheil-predicted profile. The etch pit density maps of the grown crystals showed an average dislocation density in the order of 105 cm−2. No increase in the overall etch pit count was observed with increasing dopant concentration in the crystal. The grown highly doped Ge crystals have a good structural quality as confirmed by x-ray diffraction rocking curve measurements.
Chorology and phytosociological affinity of Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua L.) in Slovakia
Authors: Dudáš Matej , Hrivnák Richard , Slezák Michal
Published: June 2023

Ranunculus lingua is an Euro-Siberian vascular plant species of freshwater habitats. Distribution and vegetation preferences of this rare species, which is native to the Slovak flora, have not yet been critically revised. The present paper aimed i) to provide the first complex distribution pattern of this species in Slovakia and ii) to analyse all available vegetation plots with species occurrence in order to elucidate the variability of plant communities. The distribution data were retrieved from herbarium specimens, literature records and field surveys. Our revision suggests that R. lingua was found particularly in the lowland areas of the western, south-western and south-eastern parts of the country. It was very rare in other regions of Slovakia, and several populations have become extinct due to drainage or habitat destruction. New localities of secondary origin were additionally documented in some human-made habitats. The temporal trend showed a strong decrease in the number of localities in natural habitats, mainly in the hilly and mountainous regions of the Western Carpathians from the 1980s to the end of the twentieth century. R. lingua was recorded in both forest and treeless swamp communities. Vegetation analysis revealed numerous records mainly in eutrophic marshes (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class), willow and alder carrs (Franguletea and Alnetea glutinosae).
Influences of Tides, Winds, and Bathymetry on Surface Transport Through a Complex Nearshore System: Measurements from GPS Drifters and an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Robinson Andrew , Tilburg Charles
Published: June 2023

Bathymetric features such as dredged channels, constricted-inlet basins, and nearshore islands have known influences on coastal transport, which are typically studied on an individual basis. However, their interactive effects on flow when found in the same area are poorly characterized. A multi-season study was conducted to characterize surface transport in and around Wood Island Harbor, in the southwestern Gulf of Maine, where these features all exist in close proximity. Patterns of surface transport were assessed with repeated series of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle flights and deployments of GPS drifters across tidal conditions and winds typical to the area. Transport followed a major axis through the harbor, as a result of the combined effects of the linked inlet-channel system. Despite the complex topography, the individual dynamics of transport are maintained. Tidal variations explained a majority of displacement (R2 = 0.752) along the channel axis, while across-channel wind velocity explained the majority of orthogonal displacement (R2 = 0.646). Flow in the area was friction-dominated, and both inter-island passages and the deep channel served to direct flow. The offshore transport of tidally driven flows from a constricted-inlet basin was enhanced by deep channels, with flow primarily following bathymetric contours. Our observations suggest that surrounding topography lessened the role of wave energy in governing transport. The co-occurrence of bathymetric features around a constricted-inlet basin can disrupt the typical influences of physical mechanisms on surface transport, leading to a greater importance of local conditions and the larger-scale circulation of the area.