Nevin Manimala

Soft Matter. 2022 Nov 9. doi: 10.1039/d2sm01093c. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The two-state stochastic phenomenon is observed in various systems and is attracting more interest, and it can be described by the two-state random walk (TSRW) model. The TSRW model is a typical two-state renewal process alternating between the continuous-time random walk state and the Lévy walk state, in both of which the sojourn time distributions follow a power law. In this paper, by discussing the statistical properties and calculating the ensemble averaged and time averaged mean squared displacement, the ergodic property and the ultimate diffusive behavior of the aging TSRW is studied. Results reveal that because of the two-state intermittent feature, ergodicity and nonergodicity can coexist in the aging TSRW, which behave as the time scalings of the time averages and ensemble averages not being identically equal. In addition, we find that the unique state occupation mechanism caused by the diverging mean of the sojourn times of one state, determines the aging TSRW’s ultimate diffusive behavior at extremely large timescales, i.e., instead of the term with the larger diffusion exponent, the diffusion is surprisingly characterized by the term with the smaller one, which is distinctly different from previous conclusions and known results. At last, we note that the Lévy walk with rests model which also displays aging and ergodicity breaking, can be generalized by the TSRW model.

PMID:36349834 | DOI:10.1039/d2sm01093c

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Nov 9. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28522. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Little is known about internal carotid artery (ICA) hemodynamics in patients with moyamoya angiopathy (MMA) and its role in cerebrovascular events.

PURPOSE: To characterize ICA hemodynamics in MMA patients by 4D flow MRI and investigate its relationship with cerebrovascular events.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective.

SUBJECTS: Seventy MMA patients (50 years old ± 9, 30 males).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Time-resolved three-directional velocity encoded fast field echo sequence (4D flow) MRI, T1-weighted fast field echo sequence, T2 weighted turbo spin echo sequence, diffusion weighted echo planar imaging; T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery turbo spin echo sequence, susceptibility weighted fast field echo sequence, and time-of-flight MR angiography fast field echo sequence at 3.0T.

ASSESSMENT: ICA hemodynamics (maximum and average velocity [V_max , V_avg ], average blood flow [Flow_avg ], and wall shear stress) were analyzed based on 4D flow data. Cerebral infarction, defined as the occurrence of events, in 124 brain hemispheres was determined according to clinical symptoms and conventional brain MR imaging.

STATISTICAL TESTS: The independent-samples T test was used to evaluate differences in ICA hemodynamics between infarcted and non-infarcted hemispheres. Binary logistic regression was performed to investigate the relationship between ICA hemodynamics and events. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Sixty-one infarcted hemispheres (eight hemispheres with acute ischemic damage, 30 with chronic ischemic damage, and 23 with chronic hemorrhagic damage) had cerebrovascular events and 63 non-infarcted hemispheres did not. The hemodynamic parameters in the infarcted hemispheres (V_max : P < 0.001; V_avg : P = 0.003; and Flow_avg : P = 0.004) were significantly lower than those in the non-infarcted hemispheres. However, V_max (P = 0.052), V_avg (P = 0.107), and Flow_avg (P = 0.074) were not significantly different among hemispheres with acute ischemic lesions, chronic ischemic lesions and chronic hemorrhagic lesions. V_max (odds ratio 3.033, 95% CI: 1.075-8.562) was independently associated with cerebrovascular events.

DATA CONCLUSION: V_max maybe a higher risk factor of cerebrovascular events in MMA patients.

EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 3.

PMID:36349829 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28522

Adv Mater. 2022 Nov 9:e2207741. doi: 10.1002/adma.202207741. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Switchable metal-organic frameworks change their structure in time and selectively open their pores adsorbing guest molecules, leading to highly selective separation, pressure amplification, sensing, and actuation applications. The three-dimensional engineering of metal-organic frameworks has reached a high level of maturity, but spatiotemporal evolution opens a new perspective towards engineering materials in the 4^th dimension (time) by t-axis design, in essence exploiting the deliberate tuning of activation barriers. This work demonstrates the first example in which an explicit temporal engineering of a switchable metal-organic framework (DUT-8, [M₁ M₂ (2,6-ndc)₂ dabco]_n , 2,6-ndc = 2,6,-naphthalene dicarboxylate, dabco = 1,4 diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, M₁ = Ni, M₂ = Co) is presented. The temporal response is deliberately tuned by variations in cobalt content. We present a spectrum of advanced analytical methods for analyzing the switching kinetics stimulated by vapor adsorption using in situ time-resolved techniques ranging from ensemble adsorption and advanced synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments to individual crystal analysis. A novel analysis technique based on microscopic observation of individual crystals in a microfluidic channel reveals the lowest limit for adsorption switching reported so far. Differences in the spatiotemporal response of crystal ensembles originate from an induction time that varies statistically and widens characteristically with increasing cobalt content reflecting increasing activation barriers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36349824 | DOI:10.1002/adma.202207741

Proteomics. 2022 Nov 9:e2200092. doi: 10.1002/pmic.202200092. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Proteomics data are often plagued with missingness issues. These missing values (MVs) threaten the integrity of subsequent statistical analyses by reduction of statistical power, introduction of bias, and failure to represent the true sample. Over the years, several categories of missing value imputation (MVI) methods have been developed and adapted for proteomics data. These MVI methods perform their tasks based on different prior assumptions (e.g., data is normally or independently distributed) and operating principles (e.g., the algorithm is built to address random missingness only), resulting in varying levels of performance even when dealing with the same dataset. Thus, to achieve a satisfactory outcome, a suitable MVI method must be selected. To guide decision making on suitable MVI method, we provide a decision chart which facilitates strategic considerations on datasets presenting different characteristics. We also bring attention to other issues that can impact proper MVI such as the presence of confounders (e.g., batch effects) which can influence MVI performance. Thus, these too, should be considered during or before MVI. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36349819 | DOI:10.1002/pmic.202200092

Proteomics. 2022 Nov 9:e2200013. doi: 10.1002/pmic.202200013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

There are multiple reasons why the next generation of biological and medical studies require increasing numbers of samples. First, many conditions need to be considered to produce generalisable results. For example, biological systems are dynamic, and the effect of a perturbation depends on the genetic background and environment. Moreover, human population and clinical studies only reach sufficient statistical power if conducted at scale and with precise measurement methods. Finally, many proteins remain without sufficient functional annotations, because they have not been systematically studied under a broad range of conditions. In this review, we discuss the latest technical developments in mass spectrometry-based proteomics that facilitate large-scale studies by fast and efficient chromatography, fast scanning mass spectrometers, data-independent acquisition (DIA), and new software. We further highlight recent studies which demonstrate how high-throughput proteomics can be applied to capture biological diversity, annotate gene functions or to generate predictive and prognostic models for human disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36349817 | DOI:10.1002/pmic.202200013

Ophthalmic Res. 2022 Nov 7. doi: 10.1159/000527884. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Acute acquired concomitant esotropia (AACE) has been increased dramatically in myopia. To clarify whether fusional vergence dysfunctions exist in AACE with myopia, and to explore the relationship between fusional vergence and myopia in AACE Methods: A prospective clinical study. Adult AACE patients as well as controls (aged ≥18 years) both with myopia were prospectively recruited from October 2016 to August 2021. Refractive error and fusional divergence and convergence amplitude at distance were measured, as determined with a comprehensive refractor. The main outcome measures were the real value of the fusional divergence amplitude (calculated by subtracting the break point value from the angle of deviation) and the real value of the fusional convergence amplitude (calculated by subtracting the angle of deviation from the break point value). Two-sided p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS: Fusional vergence consisting of fusional divergence and fusional convergence in patients with AACE of adulthood were different from the controls (p<0.001), with fusional convergence decreased and fusional divergence increased. In the linear regression analysis, spherical equivalents were significantly negatively correlated with fusional convergence (right eyes, p<0.001; left eyes, p<0.001) in patients with AACE of adulthood but not in controls. There was a significant difference in fusional convergence amplitude among different degrees of spherical equivalents (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Fusional vergence dysfunction exist in AACE of adulthood, which may be attributed to self-adaptation based on concomitant esotropia to maintain fusion in AACE. Fusional convergence was associated with degrees of myopia, implying the adaption would be weakened as the degree of myopia becomes serious.

PMID:36349785 | DOI:10.1159/000527884

Am J Nephrol. 2022 Nov 7:1-6. doi: 10.1159/000526957. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have dysbiosis, dysmetabolism, and immune dysregulation. Gut microbiome plays an important role shaping the immune system which is an important modulator of CKD progression.

METHODS: We compared the effect of a diet low in protein and high in fiber (LP-HF; n = 7) to that of diet rich in protein, but low in fiber (HP-LF; n = 7) on gut microbiome and T-cell commitment in male CKD (Alb/TGF-β1) mice. The gut microbiomes of these mice were subjected to 16S rRNA taxonomic profiling at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks of the study.

RESULTS: The LP-HF diet was associated with an increase in Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum BT, a taxon whose functions include those closely related to butyric acid synthesis (Kendall’s W statistic = 180 in analysis of microbiome composition). HP-LF diet was associated with increased abundance of two predominantly proteolytic bacterial strains related to Parabacteroides distasonis (W statistic = 173), Mucispirillum schaedleri, and Bacteroides dorei (W statistic = 192). Pathway analysis suggested that the LP-HF diet induced carbohydrate, lipid, and butyrate metabolism. As compared with HP-LF mice, LP-HF mice had 1.7-fold increase in CD4+Foxp3+Treg cells in spleen and 2.4-fold increase of these cells in peripheral blood. There was an 87% decrease in percentage of CD4+ Th17 + cells in spleen and an 85% decrease in peripheral blood, respectively, in LP-HF mice compared to the HP-LF mice.

CONCLUSION: The LP-HF diet promotes the proliferation of saccharolytic bacteria and favors T-cell commitment toward Treg cells in a CKD mouse of model. Clinical significance of the finding needs to be further investigated.

PMID:36349783 | DOI:10.1159/000526957

Complement Med Res. 2022 Nov 7. doi: 10.1159/000527706. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative gastrointestinal tract dysfunction is considered a common complication affecting patients undergoing intestinal surgery. This research aims to provide evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of Baizhu Shaoyao San (BSS) or modified BSS in treating postoperative diarrhea of colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS: Eighty patients with colorectal cancer were randomized within two weeks after surgery to receive either modified BSS or Loperamide combined with the respective dummy. The curative effect was evaluated with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score. Determination of motilin and gastrin in plasma was conducted utilizing ELISA.

RESULTS: Compared with Loperamide therapy, the efficacy of modified BSS was statistically significant, the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score decreased, and the total effective rate increased. Levels of motilin and gastrin in plasma decreased.

CONCLUSION: The curative effect and safety of modified BSS were statistically significant.

PMID:36349756 | DOI:10.1159/000527706

Mol Genet Genomic Med. 2022 Nov 9:e2080. doi: 10.1002/mgg3.2080. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Almost 5% of the world’s population develops an autoimmune disease (AID), it is considered the fourth leading cause of disability for women, who represent 78% of cases. The sex ratio when it comes to the most prevalent AID varies from 9:1 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to 13:1 in endemic Tunisian pemphigus foliaceus (PF).

METHODS: To test the potential involvement of skewed x-inactivation in the pathogenesis of Tunisian PF, we analyzed the methylation status of a highly polymorphic CAG repeat in the androgen receptor gene and evaluated the x chromosome inactivation (XCI) patterns in peripheral blood-leukocyte-derived DNA samples of female patients with PF (n = 98) compared to healthy control (HC) subjects (n = 150), as well as female patients with SLE (n = 98) were enrolled as a reference group.

RESULTS: XCI status was informative for 50 of the 98 PF patients (51%) and 70 of the 150 HC women (47%). Extremely skewed XCI patterns were more frequent in PF and SLEwomen than HC, but the difference was statistically significant only in women with SLE. No statistical difference was observed in XCI patterns between PF and SLE patients. PF phenotype-XCI correlation analysis revealed that (i) skewed XCI patterns may be involved in the disease’s subtype and (ii) it was more pronounced in the endemic group than the sporadic one. Furthermore, preferential XCI showed an increase in heterozygote genotypes of PF’s susceptibility polymorphisms in immunity-related X genes (FOXP3, AR, and TLR7) in PF patients compared to HC.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that skewed XCI could lead to hemizygosity of X-linked alleles that might unmask X-linked deleterious alleles.

PMID:36349750 | DOI:10.1002/mgg3.2080

Psychogeriatrics. 2022 Nov 9. doi: 10.1111/psyg.12905. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this study was to compare older patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to those with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) according to their dependency in daily living activities and comprehensive geriatric assessment parameters.

METHOD: A total of 227 AD and 123 DLB patients underwent a geriatric assessment that included comorbidities, number of drugs used, falls, urinary incontinence, hand grip strength, Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment Scale, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Basic and instrumental activities of daily living were assessed by the Barthel Index and the Lawton scale, respectively.

RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 83.4 years, and 73% were female. There were no statistically significant differences between AD and DLB patients in age, gender, cognitive function, or comorbidities except for coronary artery disease (P < 0.05). The number of falls, drugs used, and ISI and Epworth scores were higher in patients with DLB than patients with AD (P < 0.05). DLB patients had lower MNA, Tinetti scale, and hand grip strength scores than AD patients. The ratio of patients highly dependent in basic daily activities as a whole was significantly greater in DLB than in AD (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the overall levels of dependency in instrumental activities.

CONCLUSION: DLB patients are more dependent on their caregivers than AD patients. Nutritional deterioration, sleep disorders, falls, balance and gait problems, decreased muscle strength, and multiple drug use are more common in those with DLB compared to those with AD. The management of older patients with DLB may be more difficult than older patients with AD.

PMID:36349708 | DOI:10.1111/psyg.12905