bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manipulating the kinetics and site of colonic fermentation with different fibre combinations – a review
Authors: Ratanpaul Vishal , Stanley Roger , Brennan Charles , Eri Rajaraman
Published: February 2023

The effects of dietary fibre on gut microbiota and the colonic markers of health have been well investigated, along with the kinetics of fibre fermentation. Most of the evidence available is based on faecal analysis or static in vitro models of colonic fermentation of constant amounts of fibres incubated individually with faecal inoculum. These results offer a limited understanding of the effects of different fibres on different bacterial species, and changes that occur along the GI tract, when dietary patterns involving different mixed sources of fibre consumed in a single day are considered. The normal gut transit time is 40–60 h. With three meals in a day, fibres and undigested nutrients tend to accumulate in the colon as they traverse from the proximal to the distal colon. There is an evolving need for a paradigm shift in nutritional research to investigate the metabolomic and physiological effects of fibres in combination, as they are consumed in a normal dietary pattern of daily three meals. We propose a research framework to harness the health‐beneficial effects of fermentation metabolites of fibre by manipulating the site of colonic fermentation resulting from the interplay between fibre fermentation and transit rates in the colon. Based on this framework, a hypothesis is developed to reduce the side effect of excessive gas production from the colonic fermentation of indigestible oligosaccharides in legumes such as chickpeas and soybean.
Reconstruction and resilience after Fukushima: A critical analysis of nuclear risk and disaster
Authors: Kojima Rina
Published: February 2023

This article revisits the concept of reconstruction in light of the Fukushima nuclear accident on March 11, 2011. It also offers an analysis of the reconstruction policy launched by the Japanese authorities in the context of the risk due to low‐dose radiation. What does reconstruction mean after this nuclear disaster? What kind of reconstruction is considered possible in the contaminated territories by those affected by this disaster and confronted with this long‐term health and environmental risk? To answer these questions, this article first examines the concept of reconstruction—very close to that of resilience in the Japanese context—which has sparked a controversy within the social sciences, at both national and international level. Second, based on more than 100 interviews conducted between 2013 and 2016 across the entire Nippon archipelago, this article analyzes the reconstruction policy's socio‐cultural consequences on the victims of this disaster who leave, stay or return to the contaminated territories. Finally, it proposes a new approach to the reconstruction of Fukushima, one which would support the process of resilience at the individual and collective levels.
Towards rebuilding collective bargaining? Poland in the face of contemporary challenges and changing European social policy
Authors: Pisarczyk Łukasz
Published: February 2023

The article examines the existing legal framework for collective bargaining in Poland with the situation, strategies and opinions of social partners and discusses the result – the coverage by collective agreements (approximately 12%). Next, de lege ferenda proposals and expectations for the future are put forward.
Moisture dependent engineering properties of Musa balbisiana seeds
Authors: Kumar Yogesh , Shelke Abhishek Ratan , Kumar Vivek , Suhag Rajat , Batta Kajol , Gupta Prapti , Prabhakar Pramod K. , Meghwal Murlidhar
Published: February 2023

Engineering properties of wild banana seeds at different moisture content (8.66%, 12%, 16%, 20%, and 24% db) were investigated. Physical dimensions, seed surface area (SA), seed volume (SV), and thousand seed mass (M1000) increased linearly with increase inmoisture content. While porosity decreased linearly from 42.33% to 38.89%, bulk density (ρb) and true density (ρt) increased from 513.59 to 564.72 and 890.56–924.09 kg m−3, respectively. The angle of repose increased linearly from 29.84 to 36.48 with moisture content. The increased moisture content also caused an increase in static coefficient of friction for surfaces made of stainless steel, glass, and plywood. The thermal conductivity (λ) and volumetric specific heat (ρcp) were found to increase linearly from .17 to .20 Wm−1 K−1, and .58 to .99 MJ m−3 K−1, and thermal diffusivity (α) decreased from .31 to .19 (×10−6 m2 s−1) with a increase in moisture content.

Practical applications

The research aimed to study the engineering properties of wild banana seeds as a function of moisture content as they are necessary to design equipment for handling, aeration, storage, and processing. Moreover, it helps in predicting flow and handling behavior during processing, including hopper flow, and conveying through feeders and other handling equipment. Furthermore, thermal properties are helpful in engineering, process design and modeling the thermal behavior of food products during storage, processing, and transportation.
Identification of phosphorylated tau protein interactors in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) reveals networks involved in protein degradation, stress response, cytoskeletal dynamics, metabolic processes, and neurotransmission
Authors: Radford Rowan A. W. , Rayner Stephanie L. , Szwaja Paulina , Morsch Marco , Cheng Flora , Zhu Tianyi , Widagdo Jocelyn , Anggono Victor , Pountney Dean L. , Chung Roger , Lee Albert
Published: February 2023

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a late‐onset neurodegenerative disease defined pathologically by the presence of insoluble phosphorylated‐Tau (p‐Tau) in neurons and glia. Identifying co‐aggregating proteins within p‐Tau inclusions may reveal important insights into processes affected by the aggregation of Tau. We used a proteomic approach, which combines antibody‐mediated biotinylation and mass spectrometry (MS) to identify proteins proximal to p‐Tau in PSP. Using this proof‐of‐concept workflow for identifying interacting proteins of interest, we characterized proteins proximal to p‐Tau in PSP cases, identifying >84% of previously identified interaction partners of Tau and known modifiers of Tau aggregation, while 19 novel proteins not previously found associated with Tau were identified. Furthermore, our data also identified confidently assigned phosphorylation sites that have been previously reported on p‐Tau. Additionally, using ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) and human RNA‐seq datasets, we identified proteins previously associated with neurological disorders and pathways involved in protein degradation, stress responses, cytoskeletal dynamics, metabolism, and neurotransmission. Together, our study demonstrates the utility of biotinylation by antibody recognition (BAR) approach to answer a fundamental question to rapidly identify proteins in proximity to p‐Tau from post‐mortem tissue. The application of this workflow opens up the opportunity to identify novel protein targets to give us insight into the biological process at the onset and progression of tauopathies.

image
Liver‐related mortality among people with hepatitis B and C: Evaluation of definitions based on linked healthcare administrative datasets
Authors: Shah Syed Hassan Bin Usman , Alavi Maryam , Hajarizadeh Behzad , Matthews Gail , Valerio Heather , Dore Gregory J.
Published: February 2023

Routinely collected and linked healthcare administrative datasets could be used to monitor mortality among people with hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV). This study aimed to evaluate the concordance in records of liver‐related mortality among people with an HBV or HCV notification, between data on hospitalization for end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) and death certificates. In New South Wales, Australia, HBV and HCV notifications (1993–2017) were linked to hospital admissions (2001–2018), all‐cause mortality (1993–2018) and cause‐specific mortality (1993–2016) datasets. Hospitalization for ESLD was defined as a first‐time hospital admission due to decompensated cirrhosis (DC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Consistency of liver death definition of mortality following hospitalization for ESLD was compared with two death certificate‐based definitions of liver deaths coded among primary and secondary cause‐specific mortality data, including ESLD‐related (deaths due to DC and HCC) and all‐liver deaths (ESLD‐related and other liver‐related causes). Of 63,292 and 107,430 individuals with an HBV and HCV notification, there were 4478 (2.6%) post‐ESLD hospitalization deaths, 5572 (3.3%) death certificate liver disease deaths and 2910 (1.7%) death certificate ESLD deaths. Between 2001 and 2016, among HBV post‐ESLD hospitalization deaths (n = 891), 63% (562) had death certificate ESLD recorded, and 83% (741) had death certificate liver disease recorded. Between 2001 and 2016, among HCV post‐ESLD hospitalization deaths (n = 3587), 58% (2082) had death certificate ESLD recorded, and 87% (3135) had death certificate liver disease recorded. At least one‐third of death certificates with DC and HCC as cause of death had no mention of HBV, HCV or viral hepatitis. Our study identified limitations in estimating and tracking HBV and HCV liver disease mortality using death certificate‐based data only. The optimum data for this purpose is either ESLD hospitalisations with vital status information or a combination of these with cause‐specific death certificate data.
Analysis of lncRNA and mRNA expression profiling in immature and mature DeZhou donkey (equine Taurus) testes
Authors: Yu Jie , Wang Zhaofei , Wang Fuwen , Yang Ge , Cheng Jie , Ji Chuanliang , Li Min , Liu Bing , Wang Yantao , Dang Ruihua
Published: February 2023

Testicular development and spermatogenesis are tightly regulated by the number of genes and noncoding genes, and mRNAs and lncRNAs play vital roles in regulating posttranscriptional gene expression. However, mRNAs and lncRNAs have not been systematically identified in the testes of donkeys. In this study, mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles in the testes of DeZhou donkeys between 2 months and 2 years of age were comprehensively analysed by RNA sequencing. We identified 56,605 lncRNAs and 61,857 mRNAs by gene expression analysis, and 21,845 lncRNAs (p < .05) and 14,109 mRNAs (p < .05) were differentially expressed in the immature (2‐month‐old, n = 3, noADGW) and mature (2‐year‐old, n = 3, ADGW) stages. In addition, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that the predicted target genes were enriched in the adherens junction, cell cycle, propanoate metabolism and cell adhesion molecule pathways. This study identified and analysed a comprehensive catalogue of lncRNAs and mRNAs in donkey testes, which provides a useful resource for further investigation of biological function in donkey lncRNAs.
Large‐time asymptotics to the focusing nonlocal modified Kortweg‐de Vries equation with step‐like boundary conditions
Authors: Xu Taiyang , Fan Engui
Published: February 2023

We investigate the large‐time asymptotics of solution for the Cauchy problem of the nonlinear focusing nonlocal modified Kortweg‐de Vries (MKdV) equation with step‐like initial data, that is, as , as , where A is an arbitrary positive real number. We first develop the direct scattering theory to establish the basic Riemann‐Hilbert (RH) problem associated with step‐like initial data. Thanks to the symmetries , of nonlocal MKdV equation, we investigate the asymptotics as and , respectively. Our main technique is to use the steepest descent analysis to deform the original matrix‐valued RH problem to corresponded regular RH problem, which could be explicitly solved. Finally, we obtain the different large‐time asymptotic behaviors of the solution of the Cauchy problem for focusing nonlocal MKdV equation in different space‐time sectors , , , and on the whole ‐plane.
Executive functions are important for academic achievement, but emotional intelligence too
Authors: Perpiñà Martí Georgina , Sidera Francesc , Senar Morera Fernando , Serrat Sellabona Elisabet
Published: February 2023

Finding predictors of academic achievement has caught the interest of many educational researchers in the last decades. Two of the variables that have received considerable attention are emotional intelligence (EI) and executive functions (EF). However, only a few studies have considered their influence in the primary school stage. The aim of this study is to identify which EI components and specific EF are most related to academic achievement and to explore if these relationships vary among subjects. The sample comprised of 180 students between 8–11 years old. We administered the BarOn EI Inventory, tasks of EF and tests of mathematic and linguistic competences. The results showed that EF are better predictors of school performance than EI. Inhibition and working memory were the EF most associated with achievement while adaptability emerged as the EI dimension most linked to it. This study suggests that EI and EF should be consciously developed in classrooms.
Core cellular and tissue‐specific mechanisms enable desiccation tolerance in Craterostigma
Authors: VanBuren Robert , Wai Ching Man , Giarola Valentino , Župunski Milan , Pardo Jeremy , Kalinowski Michael , Grossmann Guido , Bartels Dorothea
Published: February 2023

Resurrection plants can survive prolonged life without water (anhydrobiosis) in regions with seasonal drying. This desiccation tolerance requires the coordination of numerous cellular processes across space and time, and individual plant tissues face unique constraints related to their function. Here, we analyzed the complex, octoploid genome of the model resurrection plant Craterostigma (C. plantagineum), and surveyed spatial and temporal expression dynamics to identify genetic elements underlying desiccation tolerance. Homeologous genes within the Craterostigma genome have divergent expression profiles, suggesting the subgenomes contribute differently to desiccation tolerance traits. The Craterostigma genome contains almost 200 tandemly duplicated early light‐induced proteins, a hallmark trait of desiccation tolerance, with massive upregulation under water deficit. We identified a core network of desiccation‐responsive genes across all tissues, but observed almost entirely unique expression dynamics in each tissue during recovery. Roots and leaves have differential responses related to light and photoprotection, autophagy and nutrient transport, reflecting their divergent functions. Our findings highlight a universal set of likely ancestral desiccation tolerance mechanisms to protect cellular macromolecules under anhydrobiosis, with secondary adaptations related to tissue function.
Model-Based Estimation of Vehicle Center of Gravity Height and Load
Authors: Wittmer Kelvin , Sawodny Oliver , Henning Kay-Uwe
Published: February 2023

With an increasing number of driver assistance functions and the upcoming trend of autonomous driving, knowledge of the current state and changeable parameters of the vehicle becomes more and more important. One particularly significant parameter with regard to vehicle dynamics is the center of gravity (COG) height, which mainly accounts for its roll dynamics in combination with the mass of the vehicle. Thus, a highly increased vehicle mass and COG height might lead to rollover during cornering, which underlines the need for accurate knowledge of the load of the vehicle. Based on that, an improved rollover prevention could be implemented, for instance, by enhancing the electronic stability program (ESP) of the vehicle. Therefore, the main contribution of this work is the model-based online estimation of the additional load of the vehicle, comprising its COG position and mass. This is achieved by applying a joint extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for the simultaneous state and parameter estimation. Based on a nonlinear model with roll, pitch, and vertical dynamics, an accurate and reliable estimation is possible. One major novelty of this work is the consideration of air suspension systems on top of conventional steel spring suspension systems. Therefore, a nonlinear air spring model with sufficient complexity is proposed, making it suitable for real-time applications. Further, a system theoretical observability analysis allows for an online adaptation of the Kalman Filter weights in order to account for different driving situations. The proposed estimation method is tested and validated by considering a wide range of driving situations, considering distinct loading conditions on both a test track and public roads. The estimation accuracy lies within roughly 50 kg and 1.5 cm for the vehicle mass and COG height, respectively.
Numerical Simulation of Air-Core Surface Vortex at Critical Submergence for Dual Horizontal Intakes
Authors: Hashid M. , Eldho T. I.
Published: February 2023

Air-entrainment from surface vortex at critical submergence for hydraulic intakes adversely affects the withdrawal efficiency and intake performance. In this study, flow at the lateral dual square bottom intake placed in a row operating under uniform approach flow is numerically simulated. The dual intakes are subjected to perpendicular approach flow making the withdrawal condition more complex. The interface of the air–water phase is tracked using the volume of fluid (VOF) model, both coupled and decoupled with the level-set method with different spatial discretization methods for identifying the best interface interpolation. This study is focused on the development of a methodology for the determination of critical submergence for dual intakes numerically. Surface vortex causing air-entrainment at lateral dual intake was identified using three distinct approaches and a novel methodology involving the use of volume fraction study combined with a swirling-strength based vortex detection mechanism is proposed to compute the critical submergence for the safe operation of the intakes. Further, the effect of intake pipe blockage on the critical submergence is studied using differential intake protrusions and identified that a differential protrusion of the downstream intake can reduce the critical submergence with an enhanced withdrawal capacity of the upstream intake. The computed critical submergence is validated using experimental results on lateral dual intakes and found to be within ±10% error. The results of this study will be helpful to practicing engineers in the rational design of hydraulic intakes for various diversion projects.
Time Course Effects of Different Intensities of Running Exercise on Cognitive and Motor Performances in Individuals With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Affes Sana , Borji Rihab , Zarrouk Nidhal , Fendri Thouraya , Sahli Sonia , Rebai Haithem
Published: February 2023

This study explored the acute effects of different running intensities on cognitive and motor performances in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). An ID group (age, M = 15.25 years, SD = 2.76) and a control group without ID (age, M = 15.11 years, SD = 1.54) performed visual simple and choice reaction times, auditory simple reaction time, and finger tapping tests before and after running at low or moderate intensity (30% and 60% of heart rate reserve [HRR], respectively). Visual simple reaction time values decreased (p < .001) after both intensities at all time points with higher (p = .007) extend after the 60% HRR intensity for both groups. After both intensities, the VCRT decreased (p < .001) in the ID group at all time points compared with preexercise (Pre-EX) while, in the control group, these values decreased (p < .001) only immediately (IM-EX) and after 10 min (Post-10) of exercise cessation. Compared withs Pre-EX, in the ID group, the auditory simple reaction time values decreased (p < .001) at all time points after the 30% HHR intensity whereas, after the 60% HRR, these values decreased only at IM-EX (p < .001), Post-10 (p = .001) and Post-20 (p < .001). In the control group, auditory simple reaction time values decreased (p = .002) only after the 30% HRR intensity at IM-EX. The finger tapping test increased at IM-EX (p < .001) and at Post-20 (p = .001) compared to Pre-EX in both groups only after the 30% HHR intensity and for the dominant hand. The effect of physical exercise on cognitive performances in individuals with ID seems to depend on the cognitive test type as well as the exercise intensity.
Competition Between Desired Competitive Result, Tolerable Homeostatic Disturbance, and Psychophysiological Interpretation Determines Pacing Strategy
Authors: Foster Carl , de Koning Jos J. , Hettinga Florentina J. , Barroso Renato , Boullosa Daniel , Casado Arturo , Cortis Cristina , Fusco Andrea , Gregorich Halle , Jaime Salvador , Jones Andrew M. , Malterer Katherine R. , Pettitt Robert , Porcari John P. , Pratt Cassie , Reinschmidt Patrick , Skiba Phillip , Splinter Annabel , St Clair Gibson Alan , St Mary Jacob , Thiel Christian , Uithoven Kate , van Tunen Joyce
Published: February 2023

Scientific interest in pacing goes back >100 years. Contemporary interest, both as a feature of athletic competition and as a window into understanding fatigue, goes back >30 years. Pacing represents the pattern of energy use designed to produce a competitive result while managing fatigue of different origins. Pacing has been studied both against the clock and during head-to-head competition. Several models have been used to explain pacing, including the teleoanticipation model, the central governor model, the anticipatory-feedback-rating of perceived exertion model, the concept of a learned template, the affordance concept, the integrative governor theory, and as an explanation for “falling behind.” Early studies, mostly using time-trial exercise, focused on the need to manage homeostatic disturbance. More recent studies, based on head-to-head competition, have focused on an improved understanding of how psychophysiology, beyond the gestalt concept of rating of perceived exertion, can be understood as a mediator of pacing and as an explanation for falling behind. More recent approaches to pacing have focused on the elements of decision making during sport and have expanded the role of psychophysiological responses including sensory-discriminatory, affective-motivational, and cognitive-evaluative dimensions. These approaches have expanded the understanding of variations in pacing, particularly during head-to-head competition.
Elucidation of the Late Steps during Hexacosalactone A Biosynthesis in Streptomyces samsunensis OUCT16-12
Authors: Duan He , Wang Fang , Zhang Chuchu , Dong Yujing , Li Huayue , Xiao Fei , Li Wenli
Published: February 2023

In this study, we elucidate the post-PKS tailoring steps during the biosynthesis of compound 1 and demonstrate that both C
5
N and 15-
O
Me groups are critical for the antibacterial activities of compound 1, paving the way for generation of hexacosalactone derivatives
via
synthetic biology strategy. In addition, mining of HexABC homologs from the GenBank database revealed their wide distribution across the bacterial world, facilitating the discovery of other bioactive natural products with C
5
N moiety.
Sharing of Moonlighting Proteins Mediates the Symbiotic Relationship among Intestinal Commensals
Authors: Nishiyama Keita , Yong Cheng-Chung , Moritoki Nobuko , Kitazawa Haruki , Odamaki Toshitaka , Xiao Jin-Zhong , Mukai Takao
Published: February 2023

The adhesion of intestinal bacteria to the mucus layer is an important colonization strategy in the gut environment. Generally, the bacterial adhesion process is a characteristic feature of the individual cell surface-associated adhesion factors secreted by a particular bacterium.
Draft Genome Sequence of Tenacibaculum haliotis Strain RA3-2
T
, Isolated from Korean Wild Abalone (Haliotis discus
hannai
)
Authors: Avendaño-Herrera Ruben , Saldarriaga-Córdoba Mónica , Araya-León Henry , Irgang Rute
Published: February 2023

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
Tenacibaculum haliotis
strain RA3-2
T
(i.e., KCTC 52419
T
and NBRC 112382
T
), isolated from Korean wild abalone (
Haliotis discus
hannai
). As the only strain for this
Tenacibaculum
species worldwide, the information is of use for comparative genomic analyses delineating
Tenacibaculum
species.
The Colorectal Cancer Microbiota Alter Their Transcriptome To Adapt to the Acidity, Reactive Oxygen Species, and Metabolite Availability of Gut Microenvironments
Authors: Lamaudière Matthew T. F. , Arasaradnam Ramesh , Weedall Gareth D. , Morozov Igor Y.
Published: February 2023

The human gut microbiota has the genetic potential to drive colorectal cancer onset and progression; however, the expression of this genetic potential during the disease has not been investigated. We found that microbial expression of genes that detoxify DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species, which drive colorectal cancer, is compromised in cancer.
Single-Cell Transcriptomics To Define Plasmodium falciparum Stage Transition in the Mosquito Midgut
Authors: Mohammed Mubasher , Dziedziech Alexis , Sekar Vaishnovi , Ernest Medard , Alves E Silva Thiago Luiz , Balan Balu , Emami S. Noushin , Biryukova Inna , Friedländer Marc R. , Jex Aaron , Jacobs-Lorena Marcelo , Henriksson Johan , Vega-Rodriguez Joel , Ankarklev Johan
Published: February 2023

The malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
causes more than half a million deaths per year. The current treatment regimen targets the symptom-causing blood stage inside the human host.
Large-Scale Detection of Telomeric Motif Sequences in Genomic Data Using TelFinder
Authors: Sun Qing , Wang Hao , Tao Shiheng , Xi Xuguang
Published: February 2023

Telomeres are reported to be highly correlated with the cell cycle and aging. As a result, research on telomere composition and evolution has become more and more urgent.
Message to junior and less junior clinicians: let the core values of care guide your leadership!
Authors: Vanhaecht Kris
Published: February 2023

Recently, I experienced what care is all about. I became a patient and noticed that my field of expertise, quality of care and patient safety, is not that easy in daily practice. In this Leadership in the Mirror, I reflect on my own experience and describe how four core values of care can hopefully guide the leadership of junior and less junior clinicians. The essay is adapted from the commencement speech I gave in June 2022 at the Faculty of Medicine at KU Leuven University and introduces a new quality framework that highlights the progressions of healthcare towards personalisation of care, with a focus on the whole person as an individual, rather than a restricted view on the patient’s disease.
Ketamine decreased opiate use in US military combat operations from 2010 to 2019
Authors: Westcott Sally L , Wojahn A , Morrison T C , Leslie E
Published: February 2023

Background

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic currently used in a variety of healthcare applications. Effects are dose dependent and cause escalating levels of euphoria, analgesia, dissociation and amnesia. Ketamine can be given via intravenous, intramuscular, nasal, oral and aerosolised routes. A 2012 memorandum and the 2014 Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines included ketamine as part of the ‘Triple Option’ for analgesia. This study investigated the effect of ketamine adoption by the US military TCCC guidelines on opioid use between 2010 and 2019.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of deidentified Department of Defense Trauma Registry data. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) and facilitated by a data sharing agreement between NMCSD and the Defense Health Agency. Patient encounters from all US military operations from January 2010 to December 2019 were queried. All administrations of any pain medications via any route were included.

Results

5965 patients with a total of 8607 pain medication administrations were included. Between 2010 and 2019, the yearly percentage of ketamine administrations rose from 14.2% to 52.6% (p<0.001). The percentage of opioid administrations decreased from 85.8% to 47.4% (p<0.001). Among the 4104 patients who received a single dose of pain medication, the mean Injury Severity Score for those who received ketamine was higher than for those who received an opioid (mean=13.1 vs 9.8, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Military opioid use declined as ketamine use increased over 10 years of combat. Ketamine is generally used first for more severely injured patients and has increasingly been employed by the US military as the primary analgesic for combat casualties.
Prevention of COVID-19 during youth ice hockey
Authors: Chilibeck Philip D.
Published: February 2023

Ice hockey players are susceptible to COVID-19 because of close contact and poor arena ventilation. Preventive strategies include reducing arena crowding, practice strategies that reduce clustering of players, at-home rapid tests, symptom screening, and face mask or vaccine recommendations for spectators, coaches, and players. Face masks have little effect on physiological responses or performance and reduce COVID-19 transmission, but shifts should be shortened later in periods to reduce perceived exertion and players should be encouraged to assume a classic “hockey stance” when puck handling to improve peripheral vision. These strategies are important to prevent cancelation of practices or games, which have important physical and psychological benefits.
Combined in silico strategy for repurposing DrugBank entries towards introducing potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs
Authors: Ghavami Ghazaleh , Adibzadeh Setare , Amiri Shahin , Sardari Soroush
Published: February 2023

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) from China in December 2019 led to the coronavirus disorder 2019 pandemic, which has affected tens of millions of humans worldwide. Various in silico research via bio-cheminformatics methods were performed to examine the efficiency of a range of repurposed approved drugs with a new role as anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. The current study has been performed to screen the approved drugs in the DrugBank database based on a novel bioinformatics/cheminformatics strategy to repurpose available approved drugs towards introducing them as a possible anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug. As a result, 96 approved drugs with the best docking scores passed through several relevant filters were presented as the candidate drugs with potential novel antiviral activities against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
NLRP3 inhibition improves maternal hypertension, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction in response to placental ischemia
Authors: Wang Xi , Travis Olivia K. , Shields Corbin A. , Tardo G. Ann , Giachelli Chelsea , Nutter Christopher W. , Glenn Hannah L. , Cooper Olive G. , Davis Tatiana , Thomas Rashauna , Williams Jan M. , Cornelius Denise C.
Published: February 2023

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder with end-organ damage that presents after 20 wk of gestation. PE pathophysiology often includes vascular dysfunction and increased inflammation that continues to damage patient health even after PE resolves. Currently, there is no cure for PE beyond delivery of the fetal-placental unit. Previous clinical studies have identified elevated placental NLRP3 expression in patients with PE and suggest NLRP3 as a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we examined the effect of NLRP3 inhibition on PE pathophysiology in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model rat using MCC950 (20 mg/kg/day) or esomeprazole (3.5 mg/kg/day). We hypothesized that increased NLRP3 in response to placental ischemia impairs anti-inflammatory IL-33 signaling to induce T-helper 17 cell (TH17) and cytolytic NK cell (cNK) activation, which is known to mediate oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction leading to maternal HTN and intrauterine growth restriction. RUPP rats had significantly higher placental NLRP3 expression, maternal blood pressure, fetal reabsorption rate, vascular resistance, oxidative stress, cNKs and TH17s, and decreased IL-33 compared with normal pregnant (NP) rats. NLRP3 inhibition, with either treatment, significantly reduced placental NLRP3 expression, maternal blood pressure, fetal reabsorption rates, vascular resistance, oxidative stress, cNK, and TH17 populations in RUPP rats. Based on our findings, NLRP3 inhibition reduces PE pathophysiology and esomeprazole may be a potential therapeutic for PE treatment.
Screening of candidate genes related to differences in growth and development between Chinese indigenous and Western pig breeds
Authors: Tao Xuan , Kong Fan-Jing , Liang Yan , Yang Xue-Mei , Yang Yue-Kui , Zhong Zhi-Jun , Wang Yan , Hu Zi-Hui , Chen Xiao-Hui , Gong Jian-Jun , Pang Jian-Hui , Zhu Kang-Ping , Wang Yong , Liao Kun , Lv Xue-Bin , He Zhi-Ping , Gu Yi-Ren
Published: February 2023

Neijiang (NJ) and Yacha (YC) are two indigenous pig breeds in the Sichuan basin of China, displaying higher resistance to diseases, lower lean ratio, and slower growth rate than the commercial Western pig breed Yorkshire (YS). The molecular mechanisms underlying the differences in growth and development between these pig breeds are still unknown. In the present study, five pigs from NJ, YC, and YS breeds were subjected to the whole genome resequencing, and then the differential single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened using a 10-kb window sliding in 1-kb step using the Fst method. Finally, 48,924, 48,543, and 46,228 nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism loci (nsSNPs) were identified between NJ and YS, NJ and YC, and YC and YS, which highly or moderately affected 2,490, 800, and 444 genes, respectively. Moreover, three nsSNPs were detected in the genes of acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 ( ACAT1) insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor ( IGF2R), insulin-like growth factor 2 and mRNA-binding protein 3 ( IGF2BP3), which potentially affected the transformation of acetyl-CoA to acetoacetyl-CoA and the normal functions of the insulin signaling pathways. Moreover, serous determinations revealed significantly lower acetyl-CoA content in YC than in YS, supporting that ACAT1 might be a reason explaining the differences in growth and development between YC and YS breeds. Contents of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidic acid (PA) significantly differed between the pig breeds, suggesting that glycerophospholipid metabolism might be another reason for the differences between Chinese and Western pig breeds. Overall, these results might contribute basic information to understand the genetic differences determining the phenotypical traits in pigs.
Thermodynamic Analysis of an NH3/CO2 Cascade Refrigeration System with Subcooling in the Low-Temperature Circuit Utilizing the Expansion Work
Authors: Yang Qichao , Chen Xiaonan , Chi Weikai , Li Liansheng , Liu Guangbin , Zhao Yuanyang
Published: February 2023

NH3/CO2 cascade refrigeration system is recognized one of the most promising technologies in low-temperature application. In this paper, a NH3/CO2 cascade refrigeration system with subcooling in low-temperature circuit driven by recovery expansion work has been proposed. The aim of this study is to investigate the proposed cascade refrigeration system compared with conventional cascade refrigeration system. Mathematical models based on energy conservation and exergy balance are established. The selection of different refrigerants in auxiliary subcooling system is discussed. The effects of operating parameters such as the condensation temperature of the low-temperature circuit, evaporation temperature, and expander efficiency on system performance are evaluated. The results show that the coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency of the proposed system are about 7.56% and 7.98% higher than that of conventional cascade refrigeration system. The discharge temperature of NH3 compressor can be significantly reduced by 18.33%. The isentropic efficiency of the expander has a large impact on the system performance.
Sex‐Related Differences in Clinical Outcomes After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
Authors: Yousef Sarah , Brown James A. , Aranda‐Michel Edgar , Serna‐Gallegos Derek , Wang Yisi , Ogami Takuya , Sultan Ibrahim
Published: February 2023

Background

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been increasingly used for the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. This study sought to evaluate the influence of sex on outcomes after TEVAR.

Methods and Results

This was an observational study from the Nationwide Readmissions Database analyzing all patients who underwent TEVAR from 2010 to 2018. Sampling weights were used to generate national estimates.
International Classification of Diseases–Clinical Modification
codes were used to identify patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections who underwent TEVAR. Patients were dichotomized according to sex, and 1:1 propensity score matching was applied. Mixed model regression for in‐hospital mortality and weighted logistic regression with bootstrapping for 30‐day readmissions were performed. A supplemental analysis was performed according to pathology (aneurysm or dissection). A weighted total of 27 118 patients were identified. Propensity‐matching yielded 5026 risk‐adjusted pairs. Men were more likely to undergo TEVAR for type B aortic dissection, whereas women were more likely to undergo TEVAR for aneurysm. In‐hospital mortality was roughly 5% and was equivalent in the matched groups. Men were more likely to have paraplegia, acute kidney injury, and arrhythmias, while women were more likely to require transfusions after TEVAR. There were no significant differences in myocardial infarction, heart failure, respiratory failure, spinal cord ischemia, mesenteric ischemia, stroke, or 30‐day readmission between the matched groups. On regression analysis, sex was not an independent risk factor for in‐hospital mortality. Female sex was, however, significantly associated with a
decreased
odds of 30‐day readmission (odds ratio, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.87–0.92];
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Women are more likely to undergo TEVAR for aneurysms, while men are more likely to undergo TEVAR for type B aortic dissection. In‐hospital mortality after TEVAR is comparable among men and women irrespective of indication. Female sex is independently associated with a reduced odds of 30‐day readmission after TEVAR.
Contributions of Women to Cardiovascular Science Over Two Decades: Authorship, Leadership, and Mentorship
Authors: Blumer Vanessa , Zhbannikov Ilya Y. , Douglas Pamela S.
Published: February 2023

Background

Women remain underrepresented in cardiology. We aimed to assess gender trends in research authorship, authorship in leading roles, mentorship, and research team diversity.

Methods and Results

We identified “cardiac and cardiovascular systems” journals from 2002 to 2020 using Journal Citation Reports 2019 (Web of Science, Clarivate Analytics). Gender authorship, mentorship, research team diversity, and trends were assessed. Associations between author gender and impact factor, journal region, and cardiology subspecialties were analyzed. Analysis of 396 549 research papers from 122 journals showed the percentage of women authors increased from 16.6% to 24.6% (
β
=0.38 [95% CI, 0.29–0.46];
P
<0.001), whereas the proportion of women first (
β
=−0.03 [95% CI, −0.06 to 0.004];
P
=0.09) or last authors (
β
=−0.017 [95% CI, −0.04 to 0.006];
P
=0.15) was unchanged. Compared with men last authors, women last authors were more likely to mentor women first authors and lead more diverse research teams (both
P
<0.001). Journal impact factor was related to percentage of women authors overall (Spearman's correlation coefficient R
S
=0.208 [95% CI, 0.02–0.38];
P
=0.03) but not first or last women authors (both
P>
0.5). Women comprised 18.4%–25.7% of authors in cardiology subspecialties. Journal region and author gender were unrelated (all
P>
0.4).

Conclusions

Women's inclusion as authors of cardiology papers increased slightly over the past 2 decades, yet the proportions of women in first and last authorship roles were unchanged. Women are increasingly likely to mentor women first authors and lead diverse research teams. Women last authors are essential to increasing diversity of future independent investigators and inclusive research teams, both of which are associated with innovation and excellence in science.
Third‐Trimester Maternal Serum Chemerin and Hypertension After Preeclampsia: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Yixuan , Wu Linlin , Liu Hangkuan , Li Ziping , Li Linjie , Wu Xiaoxia , Lei Qiong , Yin Aiqi , Tong Jianing , Liu Kan , Guan Xiaonian , Zeng Cuiping , Zhang Huafan , Wan Yanmei , Huang Xuna , Huang Pingping , Yang Qing , Zhou Xin , Niu Jianmin
Published: February 2023

Background

Limited data are available for postpartum hypertension prediction after preeclampsia.

Methods and Results

We examined the association between maternal serum chemerin levels in patients with preeclampsia and blood pressure (BP) levels after delivery in a prospective birth cohort of 15 041 singleton pregnant women. A total of 310 cases among 322 patients with preeclampsia (follow‐up rate, 96.3%) were followed up during a mean 2.8 years after delivery. Compared with matched uncomplicated controls (n=310), serum chemerin measured at ≈35 gestational weeks was significantly increased in preeclampsia (171.8±49.2 versus 140.2±53.5 ng/mL;
P
<0.01) and positively correlated with the occurrence of postpartum hypertension, defined as either BP ≥130/80 mm Hg (per 1‐SD increase: odds ratio [OR], 4.01 [95% CI, 2.77–5.81]) or as BP ≥140/90 mm Hg (per 1‐SD increase: OR, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.28–2.25]) in patients with preeclampsia. The addition of chemerin levels improved the predictive performance of the clinical variable‐derived prediction models for postpartum hypertension (for BP ≥130/80 mm Hg: area under the curve, 0.903 [95% CI, 0.869–0.937], Δ area under the curve, 0.070,
P
<0.001; for BP ≥140/90 mm Hg: area under the curve, 0.852 [95% CI, 0.803–0.902], Δ area under the curve, 0.030,
P
=0.002). The decision curve analysis revealed a net benefit of the chemerin‐based prediction model for postpartum BP ≥130/80 mm Hg.

Conclusions

This study provides the first evidence supporting the independent predictive role of third‐trimester maternal chemerin levels for postpartum hypertension after preeclampsia. Future study is warranted for external validation of this finding.
Comparison of Stroke Care Costs in Urban and Nonurban Hospitals and Its Association With Outcomes in New Zealand: A Nationwide Economic Evaluation
Authors: Kim Joosup , Cadilhac Dominique A. , Thompson Stephanie , Gommans John , Davis Alan , Barber P. Alan , Fink John , Harwood Matire , Levack William , McNaughton Harry , Abernethy Virginia , Girvan Jacqueline , Feigin Valery , Denison Hayley , Corbin Marine , Wilson Andrew , Douwes Jeroen , Ranta Anna
Published: February 2023

Background:

Although geographical differences in treatment and outcomes after stroke have been described, we lack evidence on differences in the costs of treatment between urban and nonurban regions. Additionally, it is unclear whether greater costs in one setting are justified given the outcomes achieved. We aimed to compare costs and quality-adjusted life years in people with stroke admitted to urban and nonurban hospitals in New Zealand.

Methods:

Observational study of patients with stroke admitted to the 28 New Zealand acute stroke hospitals (10 in urban areas) recruited between May and October 2018. Data were collected up to 12 months poststroke including treatments in hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, other health service utilization, aged residential care, productivity, and health-related quality of life. Costs in New Zealand dollars were estimated from a societal perspective and assigned to the initial hospital that patients presented to. Unit prices for 2018 were obtained from government and hospital sources. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted when assessing differences between groups.

Results:

Of 1510 patients (median age 78 years, 48% female), 607 presented to nonurban and 903 to urban hospitals. Mean hospital costs were greater in urban than nonurban hospitals ($13 191 versus $11 635,
P
=0.002), as were total costs to 12 months ($22 381 versus $17 217,
P
<0.001) and quality-adjusted life years to 12 months (0.54 versus 0.46,
P
<0.001). Differences in costs and quality-adjusted life years remained between groups after adjustment. Depending on the covariates included, costs per additional quality-adjusted life year in the urban hospitals compared to the nonurban hospitals ranged from $65 038 (unadjusted) to $136 125 (covariates: age, sex, prestroke disability, stroke type, severity, and ethnicity).

Conclusions:

Better outcomes following initial presentation to urban hospitals were associated with greater costs compared to nonurban hospitals. These findings may inform greater targeted expenditure in some nonurban hospitals to improve access to treatment and optimize outcomes.
Risk Prediction of New Intracranial Aneurysms at Follow-Up Screening in People With a Positive Family History
Authors: Zuurbier Charlotte C.M. , Bourcier Romain , Constant Dit Beaufils Pacôme , Redon Richard , Desal Hubert ,   the ICAN Investigators, Bor Anne S.E. , Rinkel Gabriel J.E. , Greving Jacoba P. , Ruigrok Ynte M.
Published: February 2023

Background:

In first-degree relatives of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), the risk of an intracranial aneurysm can be predicted at initial screening but not at follow-up screening. We aimed to develop a model for predicting the probability of a new intracranial aneurysm after initial screening in people with a positive family history of aSAH.

Methods:

In a prospective study, we obtained data from follow-up screening for aneurysms of 499 subjects with ≥2 affected first-degree relatives. Screening took place at the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, and the University Hospital of Nantes, France. We studied associations between potential predictors and the presence of aneurysms using Cox regression analysis and the predictive performance at 5, 10, and 15 years after initial screening using C statistics and calibration plots, while correcting for overfitting.

Results:

In 5050 person-years of follow-up, intracranial aneurysms were found in 52 subjects. The risk of aneurysm at 5 years was 2% to 12%, at 10 years, 4% to 28%, and at 15 years, 7% to 40%. Predictors were female sex, history of intracranial aneurysms/aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and older age. The sex, previous history of intracranial aneurysm/aSAH, older age score had a C statistic of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.61–0.78) at 5 years, 0.71 (95% CI, 0.64–0.78) at 10 years, and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.63–0.76) at 15 years and showed good calibration.

Conclusions:

The sex, previous history of intracranial aneurysm/aSAH, older age score provides risk estimates for finding new intracranial aneurysms at 5, 10, and 15 years after initial screening, based on 3 easily retrievable predictors; this can help to define a personalized screening strategy after initial screening in people with a positive family history for aSAH.
Reimagining Political Economy Without “Yanking on a Thread before It's Ready”
Authors: Cuéllar Mariano-Florentino
Published: February 2023

The world urgently needs fresh thinking about political economy. Existing paradigms have largely run their course and failed to address lingering problems. The unprecedented changes since the Industrial Revolution have created serious challenges, even as living standards have improved in societies around the world. Some emerging interdisciplinary projects help address these challenges, but further progress will become harder as societies increasingly struggle to reconcile clashing goals. Scholars and policy-makers will be best positioned to draw actionable inferences from data and history and to make lasting contributions if they focus on the importance of policy experimentation and localized knowledge, systematic thinking about multiple timeframes, responding to the needs of people still living in crushing poverty, and humility about what any single intellectual or policy paradigm can accomplish.