bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations among Physician–Patient Communication, Patient Satisfaction, and Clinical Effectiveness of Overactive Bladder Medication: A Survey of Patients with Overactive Bladder
Authors: Izumi Naoko , Matsuo Tomohiro , Matsukawa Yoshihisa
Published: July 2022

This cross-sectional survey study evaluated associations between physician–patient communication and patient satisfaction with overactive bladder (OAB) medical care or clinical effectiveness. Japanese patients aged ≥50 years with OAB who had taken OAB medication within 2 years received a web-based survey regarding OAB medical care, physician–patient communication on OAB symptoms and treatment, and OAB symptom score (OABSS) change with treatment. Associations between physician–patient communication and patient satisfaction or OAB medication effectiveness (≥3-point improvement in OABSS) were investigated by multivariate analysis with confounding factors. Stratified analyses were performed based on medication continuation or discontinuation (for reasons except symptom improvement). Of the 1004 respondents included in the analyses, 58.0% continued treatment, and 23.7% discontinued for reasons except symptom improvement. Satisfaction with OAB care was associated with reported effectiveness, medication side effects, physician–patient communication, and whether medication was switched. Medication effectiveness was associated with patient–physician communication, female sex, and not switching medication. Significantly more patients in the continuation group were satisfied and had improvement of ≥3 points in OABSS (p < 0.001 for both). The findings suggest that, in Japan, adequate physician–patient communication contributes significantly to improving clinical effectiveness and satisfaction with medical care in OAB patients as well as treatment continuation.
Dermoscopic Features of Acute, Subacute, Chronic and Intermittent Subtypes of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus in Caucasians
Authors: Żychowska Magdalena , Reich Adam
Published: July 2022

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is divided into the following four clinical subtypes: acute CLE (ACLE), subacute (SCLE), chronic CLE (CCLE) and lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET). The aim of this study was to describe the dermoscopic patterns of CLE by clinical variant. A total of 54 Caucasian patients from Poland (ACLE = 10; SCLE = 11; CCLE = 26; LET = 7) were included. The predefined parameters for dermoscopic assessment in inflammatory dermatoses were analyzed separately by two dermatologists. Under dermoscopy, all the variants of CLE showed predominantly polymorphous vessels on a pink–red background within the lesional skin. Dotted vessels, in association with other vessel morphologies, were observed more frequently in SCLE than in the other subtypes of CLE, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). The findings associated with hair follicles, including rosettes (p = 0.02), follicular plugs (p = 0.01), follicular red dots (p < 0.01), perifollicular white halos (p < 0.01) and dermoscopic features corresponding to scarring, including white (p = 0.01) and pink (p < 0.01) structureless areas, were significantly more common in CCLE than in other variants of CLE. A lack of scaling, pigmentation, erosions and crusting were observed in all the cases of LET. The role of dermoscopy as an auxiliary tool in the differential diagnosis of CLE needs further elucidation.
A Tailored Antithrombotic Approach for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndrome and/or Undergoing PCI: A Case Series
Authors: Giubilato Simona , Lucà Fabiana , Pozzi Andrea , Caretta Giorgio , Cornara Stefano , Pilleri Anna , Di Nora Concetta , Amico Francesco , Di Matteo Irene , Favilli Silvia , Rossini Roberta , Riccio Carmine , Colivicchi Furio , Gulizia Michele Massimo
Published: July 2022

The combination of oral anticoagulants (OAC) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the mainstay for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and/or undergoing PCI. However, this treatment leads to a significant increase in risk of bleeding. In most cases, according to the most recent guidelines, triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) consisting of OAC and DAPT, typically aspirin and clopidogrel, should be limited to one week after ACS and/or PCI (default strategy). On the other hand, in patients with a high ischemic risk (i.e., stent thrombosis) and without increased risk of bleeding, TAT should be continued for up to one month. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in triple or dual antithrombotic therapy (OAC and P2Y12 inhibitor) should be favored over vitamin K antagonists (VKA) because of their favorable risk/benefit profile. The choice of the duration of TAT (one week or one month) depends on a case-by-case evaluation of a whole series of hemorrhagic or ischemic risk factors for each patient. Likewise, the specific DOAC treatment should be selected according to the clinical characteristics of each patient. We propose a series of paradigmatic clinical cases to illustrate the decision-making work-up in clinical practice.
Comparability of (Post-Concussion) Symptoms across Time in Individuals after Traumatic Brain Injury: Results from the CENTER-TBI Study
Authors: Rivera Diego , Greving Sven , Arango-Lasprilla Juan Carlos , von Steinbuechel Nicole , Zeldovich Marina ,   CENTER-TBI Participants and Investigators
Published: July 2022

Post-concussion symptoms often occur after TBI, persist and cause disabilities. The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) is widely used in this population, but little is known about the comparability of the symptoms over time, i.e., longitudinal measurement invariance (MI). The objectives of this study were to analyze the longitudinal MI of RPQ symptoms from three to twelve months after TBI and to find factors related to RPQ symptoms. The study involved 1023 individuals after TBI who took part in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in TBI (CENTER-TBI) study and completed the RPQ at three, six and twelve months post-injury. Longitudinal confirmatory factor analysis showed that the three-factor structure (somatic, emotional and cognitive) remains stable within one year after TBI. Linear mixed models revealed that sex, injury cause and prior psychiatric problems were related to the RPQ three-factor structure as well as to the RPQ total score. The study strengthens evidence for the RPQ’s factorial structure stability within one year after TBI and identifies sex, injury cause and prior psychiatric problems as important factors that may help clinicians to prevent future complications of symptomatology after TBI.
Safety and Efficacy of Several Versus Isolated Prophylactic Flexor Tenotomies in Diabetes Patients: A 1-Year Prospective Study
Authors: López-Moral Mateo , Molines-Barroso Raúl J. , García-Álvarez Yolanda , Sanz-Corbalán Irene , Tardáguila-García Aroa , Lázaro-Martínez José Luis
Published: July 2022

Background: To assess long-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent isolated versus several percutaneous flexor tenotomies for the treatment of toe deformities and previous diabetic foot ulcers; Methods: Twenty-three patients (mean age 66.26 ± 11.20, years) who underwent prophylactic percutaneous flexor tenotomies secondary to tip-toe ulcers participated in this 1-year prospective study. The study was stratified into two groups for analyses: (1) isolated tenotomies patients, and (2) several tenotomies patients (two or more tenotomies). Outcome measures were toe reulceration and recurrence, minor lesions, digital deformities, and peak plantar pressure (PPP—N/cm2) and pressure/time Integral (PTI—N/cm2/s) in the hallux and minor toes after a 1-year follow-up period; Results: Patients with isolated tenotomies (n = 11, 35.48%) showed a higher rate of reulceration (n = 8, 72.7%, p < 0.001) in the adjacent toes, additionally, we found more prevalence of hyperkeratosis (n = 11, 100%), minor lesions (n = 9, 81%), and claw toes (n = 11, 100%) (p < 0.001). In several tenotomies patients (n = 20, 64.52%), we found a higher rate of floating toes (n = 16, 80%) in comparison with isolated tenotomies patients (p < 0.001). PPP and PTI in the non-tenotomy toes were higher in the group of patients who underwent isolated tenotomies (p < 0.001); Conclusions: Patients who underwent several tenotomies had better clinical outcomes after a 1-year follow-up period compared to isolated tenotomies.
Dual-Energy Computed Tomography-Based Quantitative Bone Marrow Imaging in Non-Hematooncological Subjects: Associations with Age, Gender and Other Variables
Authors: Hagen Florian , Fritz Jan , Mair Antonia , Horger Marius , Bongers Malte N.
Published: July 2022

Background: Our aim is to assess the utility and associations of quantitative bone marrow attenuation (BMA) values measured on clinical dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) exams in non-hematooncologic subjects with skeletal regions, patient age, gender, and other clinical variables. Methods: Our local ethics committee approved this retrospective image data analysis. Between July 2019 and July 2021, 332 eligible patients (mean age, 64 ± 18 years; female, 135) were identified. Inclusion criteria were the availability of a standardized abdominopelvic DECT data set acquired on the same scanner with identical protocol. Eleven regions-of-interest were placed in the T11-L5 vertebral bodies, dorsal iliac crests, and femur necks. Patient age, gender, weight, clinical, habitual variables, inflammation markers, and anemia were documented in all cases. Results: Multi-regression analyses (all, p < 0.05) identified age as the strongest predictor of lumbar BMA (standardized coefficient: β = −0.74), followed by CRP (β = 0.11), LDH (β = 0.11), and gender (β = −0.10). In the lower thoracic spine, age was the strongest predictor (β = −0.58) of BMA, followed by gender (β = −0.09) and LDH (β = 0.12). In femoral bones, age was negatively predictive of BMA (β = −0.12), whereas LDH and anemia were positively predictive (β = 0.16 both). Heart insufficiency significantly decreased (β = 0.12, p = 0.034) a BMA value gradient from higher to lower HU values along the vertebrae T11 and L5, whereas age significantly increased this gradient (β = −0.2, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: DECT-based BMA measurements can be obtained from clinical CT exams. BMA values are negatively associated with patient age and influenced by gender, anemia, and inflammatory markers.
Language and Intelligence: A Relationship Supporting the Embodied Cognition Hypothesis
Authors: Negri Attà , Castiglioni Marco , Caldiroli Cristina Liviana , Barazzetti Arianna
Published: July 2022

Cognitive science has gathered robust evidence supporting the hypothesis that cognitive processes do not occur in an amodal format but take shape through the activation of the sensorimotor systems of the agent body, which works as simulation system upon which concepts, words, and thought are based. However, studies that have investigated the relationship between language and cognitive processes, as both embedded processes, are very rare. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that intelligence is associated with referential competence, conceived as the ability to find words to refer to our subjective and perceptual experience, and to evoke understanding of this experience in the listener. We administered the WAIS-IV test to 32 nonclinical subjects and collected autobiographical narratives from them through the Relationship Anecdotes Paradigm Interview. The narratives were analyzed linguistically by applying computerized measures of referential competence. Intelligence scores were found to correlate with the use in narratives of words related to somatic and sensory sensations, while they were not associated with other measures of referential competence related to more abstract domains of experience or based on vivid or reflective dimensions of language style. The results support the hypothesis that sensorimotor schemas have an intrinsic role in language and cognition.
Retrieval of Remotely Sensed Sediment Grain Size Evolution Characteristics along the Southwest Coast of Laizhou Bay Based on Support Vector Machine Learning
Authors: Yu Xiang , Zhan Chao , Liu Yan , Bi Jialin , Li Guoqing , Cui Buli , Wang Longsheng , Liu Xianbin , Wang Qing
Published: July 2022

Grain size is the basic property of intertidal zone sediment. Grain size acts as an indicator of sedimentary processes and geomorphological evolution under human and nature interactions. The remote sensing technique provides an alternative for sediment grain-size parameter monitoring with the advantages of wide coverage and real-time surveying. This paper attempted to map the distributions of three sediment grain size contents and the mean grain size with multitemporal Landsat images along the southwestern coast of Laizhou Bay, China, from 1989 to 2015. Considering the low correlations between the measured reflectance and grain-size parameters, we used a support vector machine (SVM) to develop a nonlinear calibration model by taking several band indices as input variables. Then, the performance of the back propagation neural network (BPNN) was determined and discussed with that of the SVM. The SVM performed better than the BPNN in calibrating the four grain-size parameters based on a comparison of R2 and the root-mean-square error (RMSE). Moreover, an atmospheric correction algorithm originally proposed for case II water enabled the TM\ETM+ images to be precisely atmospherically corrected in this study. The SVM-mapped spatial-temporal grain-size variation showed a coarsening trend, which agreed with that obtained during in situ measurements in a former study. The changes in Yellow River discharge and precipitation associated with the coarsening trend were further analyzed. The yielded results showed that the coarsening trend and reduction in tidal flat area might be aggravated with overutilization. More reasonable planning would be necessary in this case.
Feasibility of Outpatient Transradial Prostatic Artery Embolization and Safety of a Shortened Deflation Protocol for Hemostasis
Authors: Amouyal Gregory , Tournier Louis , de Margerie-Mellon Constance , Bouda Damien , Pachev Atanas , Assouline Jessica , de Bazelaire Cédric , Marques Florent , Le Strat Solenne , Desgrandchamps François , De Kerviler Eric
Published: July 2022

Background: to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a shorter time to hemostasis applied to outpatient transradial (TR) Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE). Methods: a retrospective bi-institutional study was conducted between July 2018 and April 2022 on 300 patients treated by outpatient TR PAE. Indications included lower urinary tract symptoms, acute urinary retention, and hematuria. Mean patient height was 176 ± 6.3 (158–192) cm. The primary endpoint was safety of a 45 min deflation protocol for hemostasis. The secondary endpoint was the feasibility of PAE using TR access. Results: technical success was 98.7% (296/300). There was one failure due to patient height. Mean DAP/fluoroscopy times were 16,225 ± 12,126.3 (2959–81,608) μGy·m2/35 ± 14.7 (11–97) min, and mean time to discharge was 80 ± 6 (75–90) min. All access site and embolization-related adverse events were minor. Mild hematoma occurred in 10% (30/300), radial artery occlusion (RAO) in 10/300 (3.3%) cases, and history of smoking was a predictor for RAO. There was no major event. Conclusion: the safety of TR PAE using a 45 min time to hemostasis was confirmed, and TR PAE is feasible in most cases. Radial artery occlusion was still observed and may be favored by smoking.
Sex Differences in Patent Ductus Arteriosus Incidence and Response to Pharmacological Treatment in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression
Authors: Borges-Lujan Moreyba , Gonzalez-Luis Gema E. , Roosen Tom , Huizing Maurice J. , Villamor Eduardo
Published: July 2022

A widely accepted concept in perinatal medicine is that boys are more susceptible than girls to complications of prematurity. However, whether this ‘male disadvantage of prematurity’ also involves persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has been scarcely investigated. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on studies addressing sex differences in the risk of developing PDA among preterm infants. We also investigated whether the response to pharmacological treatment of PDA differs between boys and girls. PubMed/Medline and Embase databases were searched. The random-effects male/female risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. We included 146 studies (357,781 infants). Meta-analysis could not demonstrate sex differences in risk of developing any PDA (37 studies, RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.08), hemodynamically significant PDA (81 studies, RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.02), or in the rate of response to pharmacological treatment (45 studies, RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.04). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression showed that the absence of sex differences was maintained over the years and in different geographic settings. In conclusion, both the incidence of PDA in preterm infants and the response rate to pharmacological treatment of PDA are not different between preterm boys and girls.
Market Quality and Short-Selling Ban during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A High-Frequency Data Approach
Authors: Ferreruela Sandra , Martín Daniel
Published: July 2022

The recent emergence of COVID-19 and the subsequent short-selling restriction (SSR) imposed on some equity markets provide us with a unique framework to analyze the effects of this kind of measure on market quality in the context of increasingly automated equity markets. We contribute to the literature by analyzing the microstructure and quality parameters of the Spanish equity market during COVID-19 and SSR. We study four subperiods, namely pre-crisis, turmoil, SSR, and first de-escalation periods, by means of a tick-by-tick dataset and the complete limit order book (LOB). We observe the following impact of the SSR on the constituents of IBEX 35: (1) the SSR did comply partially with its aim at an intraday level regarding volatility, but liquidity was reduced; (2) liquidity deterioration affected more the sell than the buy side of the LOB; (3) high-frequency activity (HFT) diminished during SSR, reinforcing volatility; (4) negative effects on liquidity and HFT diminished and disappeared as the ban was lifted; (5) HFT unidirectionally Granger causes 1 min realized volatility while the natural logarithm of the slope of the LOB bidirectionally Granger causes 1 min realized volatility.
The Effects of National Fundamental Factors on Regional House Prices: A Factor-Augmented VAR Analysis
Authors: Gao Xiang , Kong Wen , Hu Zhijun
Published: July 2022

Using panel data from 30 regions in China during the period 1999:01–2020:12, this paper evaluates the effects of national fundamentals affecting the movement of regional house prices by estimating a factor-augmented VAR model. We construct and examine a hypothesis that national fundamentals affecting regional house prices, such as monetary policy (short-term interest rate and M2), real output, and inflation rate, may affect regional house prices through their impacts on common factors. The empirical results show that monetary shocks (both interest rate and M2) can significantly affect regional house prices, but the effects are pretty different across regions. However, the effects of the real output and inflation rate are less important. Therefore, this study offers valuable information for regulators to improve the effectiveness of monetary policy to stabilize house markets from a regional perspective.
Integrating ANNs and Cellular Automata–Markov Chain to Simulate Urban Expansion with Annual Land Use Data
Authors: Xu Tingting , Zhou Dingjie , Li Yuhua
Published: July 2022

Accurately simulating and predicting the urban expansion process, especially in expeditious urbanization areas, is an important aspect of managing limited land resources and adjusting flawed land use policies. This research was conducted on the basis of a high-temporal-resolution land use dataset to precisely model urban expansion in a rapidly developing zone by integrating the Artificial Neural Network (ANN), cellular automata (CA), and Markov Chain (MC). An urban suitability index (USI) map was created using ANN and fed to CA–MC to identify possible changed-to-urban cells. Two ANNs, multiple-layer perceptron (MLP) and long short-term memory network (LSTM), were implemented as simulation models for comparison. Due to its ability to capture more temporal information, LSTM outperformed MLP in modeling urban expansion dynamics over a short temporal interval. The simulated results were validated by (fuzzy) kappa simulation and the results revealed that the combination of ANN and CA–MC can precisely model the urban development locations due to its strength in revealing the nonlinear relationship between the expansion process and its drivers. The same model was applied to southern Auckland, and the compared results show that the most simulated variance is caused by the land use policies implemented by different types of governments.
Towards Carbon Neutrality: The Innovation Efficiency of China’s Forestry Green Technology and Its Spatial Spillover Effects
Authors: Shang Hangbiao , Yang Chuwei
Published: July 2022

This study evaluates China’s forestry green technology innovation efficiency (FGTIE) using slack-based Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based on Chinese provincial panel data from 2011 to 2020. This research endeavours to explore the spatiotemporal dynamics of FGTIE in China and identify its influencing factors. The results demonstrate obvious spatial distribution differences among Chinese FGTIEs, with the southwestern region being relatively stable and the central and southeastern regions being more variable, revealing a general state of clustered development. FGTIE demonstrates a significant spatial correlation. The correlation intensity reveals a ‘W’-shaped, ‘down–up–down’ trend, suggesting that a universal spatial pattern of FGTIE has not yet developed a steady state and that stable spatial aggregation characteristics among provinces are evident. The influencing factors of FGTIE are confirmed to have significant spillover effects. Increases in social security, foreign direct investment and environmental policy stringency will promote efficiency improvements in neighbouring provinces through positive spillover effects, and the economic development level and forestry scale will inhibit efficiency improvements in neighbouring provinces through negative spillover effects.
SHL Teacher Development and Critical Language Awareness: From Engaño to Understanding
Authors: Ducar Cynthia
Published: July 2022

This paper offers insights from a study of 17 high school Spanish teachers enrolled in an online graduate course on Spanish Heritage Language (SHL) Pedagogy. The study analyzed the semester-long transformation of teacher attitudes as expressed in discussion board posts following a content analysis approach. Findings show an initial lack of respect for student dialects and knowledge of US varieties of Spanish coupled with a desire to help students improve via the teaching of “academic Spanish”. Many participants expressed a feeling of engaño (disillusionment) toward their previous training, wondering why they had not studied the aforementioned topics sooner (Russell and Kuriscak 2015). By creating a context where teachers themselves became more critically language aware, they also became “…cognizant of the naturalness of language variation and its loading of social, political, and economic power structures…” (Beaudrie et al. 2021, p. 587). This paper underscores the transformation that can occur when teachers investigate bilingual ideologies and practices and linguistic characteristics of US varieties of Spanish. The concrete suggestions offered here aim to answer Leeman’s (2015) call for “destabilizing teachers’ ideologies” (p. 114) in the hopes of creating a more equitable learning environment for future language students.
Reforming the Law on Consent to Medical Treatment for Trans Youth: A Renewed Call for Legislative Intervention
Authors: Jowett Steph , Dimopoulos Georgina , Kelly Fiona
Published: July 2022

Australian trans youth seeking medical treatment for gender dysphoria can encounter significant legal barriers to healthcare. Legal requirements for obtaining valid consent to gender-affirming care, first established in 2004, mean that an application to the Family Court is required in many cases before treatment can be provided. The development of Australian law concerning consent for the medical treatment of trans youth has been slow, haphazard, and remains incomplete. The Family Court process has been found to be damaging to trans youth and their families. There is widespread agreement that the law needs reform, even more so since the 2020 decision in Re: Imogen. This article explores the implications of the decision in Re: Imogen for trans youth and their families and raises possible models for reform. It starts by providing the background to Re: Imogen and explaining the current legal position. It then explores why the law needs to be reformed, highlighting the inconsistent approach to competency in Australian law and the harm the current law does to trans youth. Building on critiques of the law in this area, it reviews various options for law reform and suggests an optimal model.
Finding Emergent Gait Patterns May Reduce Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis in a Clinically Relevant Time Frame
Authors: Gupta Dhruv , Donnelly Cyril John , Reinbolt Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2022

A high contact force between the medial femoral condyle and the tibial plateau is the primary cause of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA). A high medial contact force (MCF) during gait has been shown to be correlated to both the knee adduction moment (KAM) and knee flexion/extension moment (KFM). In this study, we used OpenSim Moco to find gait kinematics that reduced the peaks of the KAM, without increasing the peaks of the KFM, which could potentially reduce the MCF and, hence, the progression of knee OA. We used gait data from four knee OA participants. Our simulations decreased both peaks of the KAM without increasing either peak of the KFM. We found that increasing the step width was the primary mechanism, followed by simulations of all participants to reduce the frontal plane lever arm of the ground reaction force vector about the knee, in turn reducing the KAM. Importantly, each participant simulation followed different patterns of kinematic changes to achieve this reduction, which highlighted the need for participant-specific gait modifications. Moreover, we were able to simulate emerging gait patterns within 15 min, enhancing the relevance and potential for the application of developed methods in clinical settings.
RNA-Seq Analysis Demonstrates Different Strategies Employed by Tiger Nuts (Cyperus esculentus L.) in Response to Drought Stress
Authors: Mu Zhongsheng , Wei Zunmiao , Liu Jiayao , Cheng Yan , Song Yu , Yao Hongbing , Yuan Xiankai , Wang Shukun , Gu Yanhua , Zhong Jingwen , Liu Kexin , Li Caihua , Du Jidao , Zhang Qi
Published: July 2022

Drought stress, an important abiotic stress, has affected global agricultural production by limiting the yield and the quality of crops. Tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus L.) are C4 crops in the Cyperaceae family, which have high-quality wholesome ingredients. However, data on mechanisms underlying the response of tiger nuts to drought stress are few. Here, the variety of Jisha 1 and 15% polyethylene glycol (PEG; a drought stress simulator) were used to study the mechanisms of stress response in tiger nuts. Our evaluation of the changes in physiological indicators such as electrolyte leakage (El), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2−) and activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) showed that 12 h was the most suitable time point to harvest and analyze the response to drought stress. Thereafter, we performed transcriptome (RNA-Seq) analysis in the control (CK) and stress treatment groups and showed that there was a total of 1760 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that the DEGs were enriched in abscisic acid (ABA) terms, and pathways such as starch and sucrose metabolism (ko00500), phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (ko00940) and plant hormone signal transduction (ko04075) were significantly enriched in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis of the DEGs demonstrated an upregulation of ABA and lignin content, as well as enzyme activities in enriched pathways, which validated the RNA-Seq data. These results revealed the pathways and mechanisms adopted by the tiger nuts in response to drought stress.
Linolenic Acid Plus Ethanol Exacerbates Cell Death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Promoting Lipid Peroxidation, Cardiolipin Loss, and Necrosis
Authors: Olmos-Orizaba Berenice Eridani , Arroyo-Peñaloza José Santos , Martínez-Alcántar Lorena , Montoya-Pérez Rocío , Flores-García Alberto , Rodríguez-Orozco Alain Raimundo , Calderón-Cortés Elizabeth , Saavedra-Molina Alfredo , Campos-García Jesús , Cortés-Rojo Christian
Published: July 2022

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) hypersensitize yeast to oxidative stress. Ethanol accumulation during fermentation is another factor that induces oxidative stress via mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS overproduction. Since this microorganism has raised growing interest as a PUFA factory, we have studied if the combination of PUFA plus ethanol enhances yeast death. Respiration, ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial cardiolipin content, and cell death were assessed in yeast grown in the presence of 10% ethanol (ETOH) or linolenic acid (C18:3), or ethanol plus C18:3 (ETOH+C18:3). Lipid peroxidation and cardiolipin loss were several-fold higher in cells with ETOH+C18:3 than with C18:3. On the contrary, ETOH tended to increase cardiolipin content without inducing changes in lipid peroxidation. This was consistent with a remarkable diminution of cell growth and an exacerbated propidium iodide staining in cells with only ETOH+C18:3. The respiration rate decreased with all the treatments to a similar degree, and this was paralleled with similar increments in ROS between all the treatments. These results indicate that PUFA plus ethanol hypersensitize yeast to necrotic cell death by exacerbating membrane damage and mitochondrial cardiolipin loss, independent of mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS generation. The implications of these observations for some biotechnological applications in yeast and its physiology are discussed.
Outcome and Midterm Survival after Heart Transplantation Is Independent from Donor Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Oehler Daniel , Böttger Charlotte , Immohr Moritz Benjamin , Bruno Raphael Romano , Haschemi Jafer , Scheiber Daniel , Horn Patrick , Aubin Hug , Tudorache Igor , Westenfeld Ralf , Akhyari Payam , Kelm Malte , Lichtenberg Artur , Boeken Udo
Published: July 2022

Prolonged treatment of organ donors in the intensive care unit (ICU) may be associated with complications influencing the outcome after heart transplantation (HTx). We therefore aim to explore the potential impact of the donor length of stay (LOS) in the ICU on outcomes in our cohort. We included all patients undergoing HTx in our center between September 2010 and April 2022 (n = 241). Recipients were divided around the median into three groups regarding their donor LOS in the ICU: 0 to 3 days (≤50th percentile, n = 92), 4 to 7 days (50th–75th percentile, n = 80), and ≥8 days (≥75th percentile, n = 69). Donor LOS in the ICU ranged between 0 and 155 days (median 4, IQR 3–8 days). No association between the LOS in the ICU and survival after HTx was observed (AUC for overall survival 0.514). Neither the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis up to 5 years after HTx (Log-Rank p = 0.789) nor group comparisons showed significant differences. Baseline recipient characteristics were comparable between the groups, while the donor baselines differed in some parameters, such as less cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to HTx in those with a prolonged LOS. However, regarding the recipients’ peri- and postoperative parameters, the groups did not differ in all of the assessed parameters. Thus, in this retrospective analysis, although the donors differed in baseline parameters, the donor LOS in the ICU was not associated with altered recipient survival or outcome after HTx.
An Overview of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Associated Problems with Special Emphasis on Treatments with Antimicrobials
Authors: Baig Mirza Shahed , Banu Ahmadi , Zehravi Mehrukh , Rana Ritesh , Burle Sushil S. , Khan Sharuk L. , Islam Fahadul , Siddiqui Falak A. , Massoud Ehab El Sayed , Rahman Md. Habibur , Cavalu Simona
Published: July 2022

One of the most significant challenges of diabetes health care is diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). DFUs are more challenging to cure, and this is particularly true for people who already have a compromised immune system. Pathogenic bacteria and fungi are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, so they may be unable to fight microbial infections at the wound site with the antibiotics we have now. This article discusses the dressings, topical antibacterial treatment, medications and debridement techniques used for DFU and provides a deep discussion of DFU and its associated problems. English-language publications on DFU were gathered from many different databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer Nature, and Google Scholar. For the treatment of DFU, a multidisciplinary approach involving the use of diagnostic equipment, skills, and experience is required. Preventing amputations starts with patient education and the implementation of new categorization systems. The microbiota involved in DFU can be better understood using novel diagnostic techniques, such as the 16S-ribosomal DNA sequence in bacteria. This could be achieved by using new biological and molecular treatments that have been shown to help prevent infections, to control local inflammation, and to improve the healing process.
Dementia and Risk Factors: Results from a Prospective, Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Villani Simona , Ferraro Ottavia Eleonora , Poloni Tino Emanuele , Guaita Antonio
Published: July 2022

The incidence rate of dementia varies between studies. The influence of some sociodemographic factors is reasonably established, but less is known about the role of comorbidities, which are common in the elderly. The objectives of this study was to estimate the incidence of dementia in a population of Italian elders and evaluate the role of walking speed, comorbidity and ApoE-ɛ4 as well as various sociodemographic factors on the new onset of dementia. The InveCe.Ab study is a population-based longitudinal study in people born between 1935 and 1939 and resident in Abbiategrasso, Milan, Italy. After excluding subjects with a diagnosis of dementia and those without a definite diagnosis, 1103 individuals with a median follow-up time of 4.1 years were included in the analyses. The cumulative four-year incidence of dementia was 5.3%. Demographic factors such as old age, male, less educated, ApoE-ɛ4 carrier status and slower gait were risk factors for dementia onset in a cognitively healthy sub-cohort. Comorbidity did not influence the onset of dementia; instead, slow walking speed appears to be a strong predictor of dementia onset.
Circulating Neurovascular Guidance Molecules and Their Relationship with Peripheral Microvascular Impairment in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Romano Eloisa , Rosa Irene , Fioretto Bianca Saveria , Matucci-Cerinic Marco , Manetti Mirko
Published: July 2022

Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex connective tissue disease whose earliest clinical manifestations are microvascular tone dysregulation and peripheral microcirculatory abnormalities. Following previous evidence of an association between circulating neurovascular guidance molecules and SSc disturbed angiogenesis, here, we measured the levels of soluble neuropilin 1 (sNRP1), semaphorin 3E (Sema3E), and Slit2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples from a large case series of 166 SSc patients vs. 110 healthy controls. We focused on their possible correlation with vascular disease clinical features and applied logistic regression analysis to determine which of them could better reflect disease activity and severity. Our results demonstrate that, in SSc: (i) sNRP1 is significantly decreased, with lower sNRP1 serum levels correlating with the severity of nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) abnormalities and the presence of ischemic digital ulcers (DUs); (ii) both Sema3E and Slit2 are increased, with Sema3E better reflecting early NVC abnormalities; and (iii) higher Sema3E correlates with the absence of DUs, while augmented Slit2 associates with the presence of DUs. Receiver operator characteristics curve analysis revealed that both circulating sNRP1 and Sema3E show a moderate diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, logistic regression analysis allowed to identify sNRP1 and Sema3E as more suitable independent biomarkers reflecting the activity and severity of SSc-related peripheral microvasculopathy.
Theoretical Study and Adsorption Behavior of Urea on Mild Steel in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) Medium
Authors: Chile Nleonu Emmanuel , Haldhar Rajesh , Godffrey Ubaka Kelechi , Chijioke Onyemenonu Christopher , Umezuruike Ezeibe Anderson , Ifeoma Okeke Pamela , Oke Mong Oke , Ichou Hamza , Arrousse Nadia , Kim Seong-Cheol , Dagdag Omar , Ebenso Eno E. , Taleb Mustapha
Published: July 2022

The continuous search for eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors due to differences in corrosive media remains an important point in corrosion control. The experimental studies on the corrosion inhibition of urea on mild steel in automotive gas oil (AGO) was conducted using gasometric techniques and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The theoretical approach on the density functional theory (DFT) on the urea molecule was carried out using Gaussian 09 software. The adsorption behavior of urea molecules on the surface of the mild steel was analyzed using Frumkin and Flory-Huggins adsorption isotherms models and Gibb’s free energy, respectively. The result of the experimental study shows a poor corrosion inhibitory effect of urea on mild steel in automobile gas oil (AGO) medium as the inhibition efficiency decreased from 69.30% in week 1 to 12% in week 11 at 200 ppm of inhibitor. The adsorption of urea on the mild steel surface obeys Frumkin’s adsorption isotherm model. Gibb’s free energy of adsorption of urea molecules onto mild steel surface revealed a physisorption mechanism. SEM results showed the non-inhibitive nature of urea on the studied mild steel. Quantum chemical parameters such as HOMO, LUMO, electron affinity, electronegativity, and the fraction of electrons transferred to the metal surface were calculated and interpreted to compare the experimental and theoretical results. The theoretical findings in the current investigation were not in agreement with the experimental result, thereby creating a need for further study using the electrochemical method.
Experimental Investigation on Process Parameters during Laser-Assisted Turning of SiC Ceramics Based on Orthogonal Method and Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Dai Di , Zhao Yugang , Cao Chen , Dong Ruichun , Zhang Haiyun , Liu Qian , Song Zhuang , Zhang Xiajunyu , Zheng Zhilong , Zhao Chuang
Published: July 2022

In this study, laser-assisted machining experiments are carried out on silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic materials by a turning process, and laser power, cutting depth, rotational speed, and feed speed are selected as research factors. In order to improve the surface processing quality of laser-assisted turning of SiC ceramics and obtain the smallest surface roughness, the orthogonal method and response surface method are used to investigate the effect of various factors on surface roughness. The effect of various factors on surface roughness is evaluated by variance analysis, mean analysis, main effect diagram, 3D response surface, and corresponding contour diagram. The surface roughness prediction model is established based on the response surface method, and the prediction error is 4.1% with high accuracy. The experimental results show that laser power and cutting depth are the most significant factors affecting surface roughness, and rotational speed is a significant factor affecting surface roughness. Under the optimum process conditions, the smallest surface roughness Ra obtained by the response surface method is 0.294 μm, which is lower than 0.315 μm obtained by the orthogonal method, and the surface quality is higher. Therefore, the optimal process parameters of the response surface method can obtain the smallest surface roughness and higher surface quality in laser-assisted turning of SiC ceramics.
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution from Artificial Seawater Splitting over Amorphous Carbon Nitride: Optimization and Process Parameters Study via Response Surface Modeling
Authors: Chee Michell K. T. , Ng Boon-Junn , Chew Yi-Hao , Chang Wei Sea , Chai Siang-Piao
Published: July 2022

Photocatalytic water splitting has garnered tremendous attention for its capability to produce clean and renewable H2 fuel from inexhaustible solar energy. Until now, most research has focused on scarce pure water as the source of H2, which is not consistent with the concept of sustainable energy. Hence, the importance of photocatalytic splitting of abundant seawater in alleviating the issue of pure water shortages. However, seawater contains a wide variety of ionic components which have unknown effects on photocatalytic H2 production. This work investigates photocatalytic seawater splitting conditions using environmentally friendly amorphous carbon nitride (ACN) as the photocatalyst. The individual effects of catalyst loading (X1), sacrificial reagent concentration (X2), salinity (X3), and their interactive effects were studied via the Box–Behnken design in response surface modeling towards the H2 evolution reaction (HER) from photocatalytic artificial seawater splitting. A second-order polynomial regression model is predicted from experimental data where the variance analysis of the regressions shows that the linear term (X1, X2), the two-way interaction term X1X2, and all the quadratic terms (X12, X22, X23) pose significant effects towards the response of the HER rate. Numerical optimization suggests that the highest HER rate is 7.16 µmol/h, achievable by dosing 2.55 g/L of ACN in 45.06 g sea salt/L aqueous solution containing 17.46 vol% of triethanolamine. Based on the outcome of our findings, an apparent effect of salt ions on the adsorption behavior of the photocatalyst in seawater splitting with a sacrificial reagent has been postulated.
Preparation and Optimization of an Ultraflexible Liposomal Gel for Lidocaine Transdermal Delivery
Authors: Sun Mengwei , Osipitan Ositomiwa O. , Sulicz Ewa K. , Di Pasqua Anthony J.
Published: July 2022

The pain caused by lidocaine injections into the face prior to facial plastic surgeries intended to remove growths or tumorous lesions has been reported by many patients to be the worst part of these procedures. However, the lidocaine gels and creams currently on the market do not deliver an equal or better local anesthetic effect to replace these injections. To develop an alternative to the painful local anesthetic injection, we prepared ultraflexible liposomes using soy phosphatidylcholine, lidocaine, and different amounts of sodium cholate, a surfactant. The prepared ultraflexible liposomes (UFLs) were examined for particle size, zeta potential, cytotoxicity, and in vitro release. By using a carbomer as a gelling agent, the prepared UFL lidocaine gels were evaluated for their penetration ability in a Franz diffusion cell, using Strat-M membranes. The formulation achieving the highest amount of penetrated lidocaine was chosen for further pH, viscosity, and stability tests. The local anesthetic efficacy of the formulation was investigated by an in vivo tail-flick test in rats. Our findings suggested that this topical gel formulated with ultraflexible liposomal lidocaine has enhanced skin permeation ability, as well as an improved local analgesic effect from the lidocaine.
Long-Term Treatment Outcomes of Implant Prostheses in Partially and Totally Edentulous Patients
Authors: Velasco-Ortega Eugenio , del Rocío Jiménez-Martin Inmaculada , Moreno-Muñoz Jesús , Núñez-Márquez Enrique , Rondón-Romero José Luis , Cabanillas-Balsera Daniel , Jiménez-Guerra Álvaro , Ortiz-García Iván , López-López José , Monsalve-Guil Loreto
Published: July 2022

Implant dental therapy is a clinical procedure used for treating patients with tooth loss with known clinical success. This clinical study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of dental implants in partially and totally edentulous patients. A total of 544 Microdent (Microdent SU, Implant Microdent System®, Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana Barcelona, Spain) screw implants were placed in 111 patients using a two-stage surgical technique and a conventional loading protocol (lasting 3 months). Implant and prosthetic clinical findings were evaluated during a 15-year follow-up. A total of 6 implants were lost during the healing period, and 124 prostheses were placed over the 538 implants that remained: 20 single crowns, 52 partially fixed bridges, 45 full-arch fixed restorations, and 7 overdentures. A total of 20 of these were lost during the follow-up period. The cumulative survival rate for all implants was 96.4%. The data underwent statistical analysis (significance level: p < 0.05). The mean marginal bone loss was 1.82 ± 0.54 mm, ranging from 1.2 to 3.1 mm. The most frequent complications were mechanical prosthodontic complications (16.2%). In all, 11.8% of implants showed periimplantitis as the primary biological complication. Dental implants inserted in both the maxillary and mandibular areas produce long-term favorable outcomes and stable tissue conditions when a delayed loading protocol is followed.
Study on the Seismic Performance of Stiffened Corrugated Steel Plate Shear Walls with Atmospheric Corrosion
Authors: Ma Xiaoming , Hu Yi , Jiang Liqiang , Jiang Lizhong , Nie Guibo , Zheng Hong
Published: July 2022

Corrugated steel plate shear walls (CSPWs) with three different stiffening methods are proposed in this paper, including unstiffened CSPWs (USWs), cross stiffened CSPWs (CSWs) and asymmetric diagonal-stiffened CSPWs (ASWs). A numerical model was established by ABAQUS 6.13 based on the validation of an existing cyclic test on a CSPW. This paper presents an investigation of the lateral performance under monotonic loading, seismic performance under cyclic loading and seismic performance under atmospheric corrosion of USW, CSW and ASW. The results show that (1) Stiffeners can improve the elastic critical buckling load, the initial stiffness and the ultimate shear resistance of CSPWs, and the effect of asymmetric diagonal stiffeners is more significant than that of cross stiffeners; (2) Stiffeners can improve the energy dissipation capacity and ductility, delay stiffness degradation and reduce the out-of-plane deformation of CSPWs, and the hysteretic performance of ASWs is obviously better than that of CSWs; and (3) Under atmospheric corrosion, stiffeners are conducive to inhibiting buckling and improving the seismic performance of CSPWs, while the seismic performance of CSWs is significantly affected by corrosion, so asymmetric diagonal stiffeners are better than cross stiffeners in improving the seismic performance of CSPWs. Meanwhile, the formula of ultimate shear resistance of corroded specimens is also fitted in this paper, which can provide design suggestions for practical engineering.