bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetics and phylogeographic characteristics of coxsackievirus A16 in hand foot and mouth disease and herpangina cases collected in Beijing, China from 2019 to 2021
Authors: Li Renqing , Lin Changying , Dong Shuaibing , Li Jie , Liang Zhichao , Yang Yang , Huo Da , Gao Zhiyong , Jia Lei , Zhang Daitao , Wang Xiaoli , Wang Quanyi
Published: July 2023

Coxsackievirus A16 (CV‐A16) is a significant pathogen responsible for causing hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and herpangina (HA). This study aimed to investigate the recent evolution and spread of CV‐A16 by monitoring HFMD and HA cases in 29 hospitals across 16 districts in Beijing from 2019 to 2021. The first five cases of HFMD and the first five cases of HA each month in each hospital were included in the study. Real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to identify CV‐A16, CV‐A6, and EV‐A71. From each district, two to four CV‐A16 positive samples with a relatively long sampling time interval every month were selected for sequencing. A total of 3344 HFMD cases and 2704 HA cases were enrolled in this study, with 76.0% (2541/3344) of HFMD and 45.4% (1227/2704) of HA cases confirmed to be infected by enterovirus. Among the EV‐positive samples, CV‐A16 virus was detected in 33.61% (854/2541) of HFMD cases and 13.4% (165/1227) of HA cases, with the predominant cluster being B1a. Both B1a and B1b had a co‐circulation of local and imported strains, with different origin time (1993 vs. 1995), different global distribution (14 countries vs. 10 countries), and different transmission centers but mainly distributed in the southern and eastern regions of Beijing. Strengthening surveillance of HFMD in southern and eastern regions will improve the prevention and control efficiency of enterovirus infections.
The signature of SARS‐CoV‐2 evolution reflects selective pressures within human guts
Authors: Zhiyanov Anton , Shkurnikov Maxim , Nersisyan Ashot , Hui Cai , Baranova Ancha , Tonevitsky Alexander
Published: July 2023

In somatic cells, microRNAs (miRNAs) bind to the genomes of RNA viruses and influence their translation and replication. In London and Berlin samples represented in GISAID database, we traced severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) lineages and divided these sequenced in two groups, “Ancestral variants” and “Omicrons,” and analyzed them through the prism of the tissue‐specific binding between host miRNAs and viral messenger RNAs. We demonstrate a significant number of miRNA‐binding sites in the NSP4 region of the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome, with evidence of evolutionary pressure within this region exerted by human intestinal miRNAs. Notably, in infected cells, NSP4 promotes the formation of double‐membrane vesicles, which serve as the scaffolds for replication‐transcriptional complexes and protect viral RNA from intracellular destruction. In 3 years of selection, the loss of many miRNA‐binding sites in general and those within the NSP4 in particular has shaped the SARS‐CoV‐2 genomes. With that, the descendants of the BA.2 variants were promoted as dominant strains, which define current momentum of the pandemics.
Clinicoradiographic comparative evaluation of 1% melatonin gel plus platelet‐rich fibrin over platelet‐rich fibrin alone in treatment of Grade II furcation defects: A randomized controlled double‐blind clinical trial
Authors: Dhande Srushti K. , Rathod Surekha R. , Kolte Abhay P. , Lathiya Vrushali N. , Kasliwal Palak A.
Published: July 2023

Background

The present study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of 1% melatonin gel plus platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) and PRF alone in treatment of furcation defects, clinically and radiographically using cone‐beam computed tomography.

Methods

This split‐mouth clinical trial included 23 patients with 46 bilateral Grade II furcation defects in first or second maxillary or mandibular molars. Control group was treated with PRF alone while the test group was treated with 1% melatonin gel and PRF. Clinical attachment level (CAL) and horizontal probing depth (HPD) were primary outcome parameters while secondary outcome parameters were pocket probing depth (PPD) and defect volume (DV) assessed at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

Results

Significantly greater mean reduction of PPD, HPD, and CAL gain was observed in test group (2.23 ± 0.41, 2.36 ± 0.68, and 2.97 ± 0.62 mm, respectively) in comparison with control group (2.83 ± 0.78, 2.85 ± 0.67, and 3.21 ± 0.86 mm, respectively) at 6 months. A significant reduction in the mean DV was exhibited radiographically in test group (1.06 ± 0.5 mm3) as compared with control group (3.94 ± 1.32 mm3) at the end of 6 months. Both the groups showed improvements in assessed parameters.

Conclusions

In Grade II furcation defects the combination therapy of 1% melatonin + PRF shows a statistically significant degree of bone fill within the periodontal tissues and also better results in terms of decrease in PPD, HPD, and a greater CAL gain.
Mechanistic study on the inhibition of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase using the extract of ultrasound‐treated coffee leaves
Authors: Sun Yu , Cao Qingwei , Huang Yuanyuan , Lu Tingting , Ma Haile , Chen Xiumin
Published: July 2023

Background

Our previous studies have shown that ultrasound‐treated γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐rich coffee leaves have higher angiotensin‐I‐converting enzyme inhibitory activity than their untreated counterpart. However, whether they have antidiabetic activity remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the inhibitory activities of coffee leaf extracts (CLEs) prepared with ultrasound (CLE‐U) or without ultrasound (CLE‐NU) pretreatment on α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase. Subsequently, we evaluated the binding interaction between CLE‐U and both enzymes using multi‐spectroscopic and in silico analyses.

Results

Ultrasound pretreatment increased the inhibitory activities of CLE‐U against α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase by 21.78% and 25.13%, respectively. CLE‐U reversibly inhibits both enzymes, with competitive inhibition observed for α‐amylase and non‐competitive inhibition for α‐glucosidase. The static quenching of CLE‐U against both enzymes was primarily driven by hydrogen bond and van der Waals interactions. The α‐helices of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase were increased by 1.8% and 21.3%, respectively. Molecular docking results showed that the key differential compounds, including mangiferin, 5‐caffeoylquinic acid, rutin, trigonelline, GABA, caffeine, glutamate, and others, present in coffee leaves interacted with specific amino acid residues located at the active site of α‐amylase (ASP197, GLU233, and ASP300). The binding of α‐glucosidase and these bioactive components involved amino acid residues, such as PHE1289, PRO1329, and GLU1397, located outside the active site.

Conclusion

Ultrasound‐treated coffee leaves are potential anti‐diabetic substances, capable of preventing diabetes by inhibiting the activities of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase, thus delaying starch digestion. Our study provides valuable information to elucidate the possible antidiabetic capacity of coffee leaves through the inhibition of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activities. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Using HPLC for the determination of platinum drugs in biological matrixes after derivatization with diethyldithiocarbamate
Authors: Turoňová Dorota , Krčmová Lenka Kujovská , Vošmik Milan , Melichar Bohuslav , Švec František
Published: July 2023

Challenges and pitfalls in the application of diethyldithiocarbamate derivatization for LC analysis of cisplatin and oxaliplatin, as well as the suitability of this method for different biological matrices with implications for use in routine practice have been identified. The LC of platinum drugs presents a significant challenge. They are polar compounds with poor retention on reverse phase packings. Cisplatin also exhibits poor absorption in UV and ionization in mass spectrometry. Therefore, we developed and optimized a derivatization approach for the LC analysis of total platinum in plasma, plasma ultrafiltrate, peritoneal fluid, and urine. Derivatization in urine proved to be difficult due to the complexity of the matrix, and extended testing was required. Our results highlight the important issues affecting the efficiency, reliability, and suitability of platinum drug derivatization. Although precolumn derivatization is less selective than its postcolumn counterpart, the application of precolumn derivatization is a simple, rapid, and universal approach for the determination of platinum drugs by HPLC. One of its major advantages is that it allows a more affordable analysis using UV detection without the need for additional high‐end instrumentation such as a MS detector.
Successful rechallenge with avelumab in a patient with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma who presented pembrolizumab‐induced myositis
Authors: Bertold Clémence , Troin Laura , Chassang Madleen , Passeron Thierry , Doyen Jérôme , Montaudié Henri , Picard‐Gauci Alexandra
Published: July 2023

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer, associated with high mortality. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated long‐lasting efficiency for treating advanced MCC. Despite a good safety profile, ICI remain associated with non‐negligible risk of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs), which may require treatment discontinuation if they are severe. We report the case of a long‐lasting complete response to Avelumab after rechallenge in a patient with a metastatic MCC who became resistant to this anti‐Programmed cell Death Ligand 1 (anti‐PD‐L1) treatment and who presented severe neuromuscular toxicity during anti‐PD‐1 treatment with Pembrolizumab, without recurrence of the irAE. The potential specificity of therapeutic properties and irAEs of each ICI supports a personalized management of antitumoral immunogenic response and its adverse effects.
Practical Application of Culture‐Directed Treatment for Chronic Bacterial Laryngitis
Authors: Conti Keith R. , Zhao Adelaide , Hunt Erin , Jaworek Aaron J.
Published: July 2023

Background/Objectives

Situated at the center of the upper aerodigestive tract, the larynx often is susceptible to a variety of insults including infection. Manifestations of laryngitis include hoarseness, cough, and sore throat, among others. The purpose of this research is to better understand the clinical presentation and patient characteristics of chronic infectious laryngitis. We aim to better understand when culture‐directed therapy should be initiated in patients presenting to the otolaryngologist with suspected chronic infectious laryngitis and how this may influence treatment outcomes.

Methods

A single center, retrospective chart review was performed for patients with laryngitis of >3 weeks duration and who had positive laryngeal cultures obtained at a tertiary referral laryngology office from January 2016 through January 2023.

Results

Twenty‐four patients (ages 36–84 years) with 29 positive cultures of the larynx met inclusion criteria. Ninety percent of patients were already on acid suppression therapy prior to culture acquisition. Fifty‐five percent were immunocompromised. The most common species of bacterial growth included Klebsiella sp. (27.5%), Staphylococcus sp. (27.5%), and methicillin‐resistant staphylococcus sp. (13.7%). Twelve cultures (41.4%) revealed multiple bacterial species, and 10 cultures (34.5%) had concomitant fungal isolates. The average treatment duration was 10 days. Twenty‐one patients (72%) experienced improvement or resolution in symptoms after completion of culture‐directed therapy.

Conclusions

The use of culture‐directed therapy for chronic bacterial laryngitis was helpful in the determination of appropriate treatment in these cases. More studies are needed to determine the optimal timing of cultures, duration of treatment, and implications of concomitant fungal laryngitis.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:335–339, 2024
Association of Sociodemographic Factors on the Presentation and Management of Unilateral Vocal Fold Immobility
Authors: Nourmahnad Anahita , Raslan Shahm , Ezeh Uche C. , Rossborough Jackson , Ma Ruixuan , Anis Mursalin M.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To determine the association of social determinants of health (SDOH) on the presentation and management of unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI).

Methods

Retrospective chart review of 207 adult UVFI patients evaluated at a tertiary‐care hospital between 2018 and 2019 was performed. Sociodemographic factors including gender, median household income, preferred language, and insurance type were recorded. Confounding clinical factors including etiology of UVFI, Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) score, laryngoscopic findings, and intervention history were extracted from medical records. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Results

Patient demographics and socioeconomic status were not associated with time to presentation. Patients presenting with glottic insufficiency and UVFI due to malignancy or recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) sacrifice had a shorter time to presentation. Higher household income was associated with greater number of interventions (p = 0.02), but neither income nor insurance type affected intervention type or timing. Female patients were less likely to undergo injection medialization laryngoplasty (odds ratio [OR] 0.25, p = 0.005). Older patients were more likely to undergo injection (OR 1.04, p = 0.027). Patients with large glottic gaps (OR 21.2, p = 0.014) and higher VHI‐10 scores (OR 1.06, p = 0.047) were more likely to undergo surgery.

Conclusion

Higher household income was associated with greater number of interventions and longer duration of care at a private tertiary‐care hospital. RLN sacrifice, known malignancy, and glottic insufficiency significantly reduced the time to presentation. Type of intervention received was a complex interplay of both demographic and clinical factors. Large prospective studies should examine the role of SDOH in the presentation and management of UVFI.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:297–304, 2024
Role of Microplastics in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Without Nasal Polyps
Authors: Taş Burak Mustafa , Tuna Ayşegül , Başaran Kankılıç Gökben , Koçak Furkan Melih , Şencan Ziya , Cömert Ela , Bayar Muluk Nuray
Published: July 2023

Objective

We aimed to examine the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps and microplastics.

Methods

A total of 80 patients participated in this prospectively planned study. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 had 50 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps, whereas Group 2 had 30 healthy volunteers. The age and gender of the participants were noted. Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation questionnaire was applied to the patients. The patients performed nasal lavage with saline. Microplastics were examined in the collected nasal lavage fluids, and their numbers were noted. The groups were compared on these values.

Results

The mean age was 38.06 ± 14.15 years in the chronic rhinosinusitis group without nasal polyps and 33.60 ± 11.68 years in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender. There was a significant difference in the number of microplastics between the chronic rhinosinusitis group without nasal polyps and the control group (p < 0.001). Microplastics were detected in all participants.

Conclusions

We found more microplastics in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps. According to this result, we can say that there may be a relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and microplastics.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:1077–1080, 2024
Mandarin Chinese version of the Aging Voice Index
Authors: Liao Chia‐En , Chan Roger W. , Zhuang Peiyun , Wang Chi‐Te , Lin Feng‐Chuan , Chen Ying , Yu Huiqin
Published: July 2023

Objectives

This study developed the Mandarin Chinese version of the Aging Voice Index (AVI), with preliminary validation of the scale for potential clinical applications.

Study Design

Scale development.

Methods

The experimental procedure involved: (1) cross‐cultural adaptation of the original AVI into the Mandarin Chinese version (CAVI); (2) evaluation by expert panel; (3) back translation; (4) pilot testing; (5) development of the final CAVI; (6) scale validation with 68 older adults of 60–89 years old (29 females and 39 males), 34 with voice disorders and 34 age‐matched with normal voice. Internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability, content validity, criterion‐related validity, and discriminatory ability (diagnostic accuracy) of the CAVI were evaluated.

Results

There were high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.9733), high test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.9578, p < 0.01), high content validity (content validity index = 0.9710), high criterion‐related validity (Pearson's r = 0.9439, p < 0.01 between CAVI and Voice Handicap Index‐10; r = 0.8070, p < 0.01 between CAVI and voice‐related quality of life [V‐RQOL]), and significant difference in CAVI scores between the two groups with huge effect size (t(34.69) = −11.59, Cohen's d = 2.81, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed a high diagnostic accuracy of the CAVI, with an area under the curve of 0.9974 (p < 0.001) and a cut‐off score of 12.0 with 100% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that the CAVI could be a reliable and valid standardized self‐assessment questionnaire tool for clinical evaluation of the impact of voice problems specifically for Mandarin‐speaking older adults. Further studies should explore a full‐scale validation of the CAVI for being a standard clinical tool, including for older adults in Mainland China.

Level of evidence

3b (case–control study).
Clinician accuracy in identifying essential laryngeal landmarks on swallowing fluoroscopy
Authors: Zhao Nina W. , MacDonald Bridget V. , Pietrowski Jessica R. , Laus Joey , Evangelista Lisa M. , Joseph Ian , Rosen Clark A. , Belafsky Peter C.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Identification of anatomical landmarks is essential for interpretation of video fluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS). This investigation sought to confirm the location of essential laryngeal landmarks and determine clinician accuracy in structure identification on VFSS.

Methods

A single human cadaver was used to generate unmarked standard lateral and anterior–posterior (AP) fluoroscopic images. Essential laryngeal structures (e.g., true vocal fold, arytenoid) were directly identified using a guidewire placed through an endoscope while obtaining corresponding marked fluoroscopic images. Licensed clinicians (speech‐language pathologists [SLP], laryngologists) and trainees (otolaryngology residents, SLP clinical fellows [CF]) identified 18 structures (9 lateral, 9 AP) on unmarked images. Answers were compared to corresponding marked images. The percentage of accurate identification was calculated for each clinician and then compared between groups using t‐tests.

Results

Twenty‐four individuals (10 SLPs, 1 CF, 9 residents, 4 laryngologists) from six institutions completed structure identification. Mean overall accuracy was 41.7 ± 13.0% (range 18.8–68.8%). There were no significant differences in mean overall accuracy between trainees (41.9 ± 12.9%) and clinicians (42.0 ± 13.1%), p = .97, or between SLPs (45.5 ± 12.8%) and physicians (38.9 ± 12.3%), p = .22. On average, participants were significantly more accurate identifying structures on lateral view (53.1 ± 16.1%) than AP (27.3 ± 22.8%), p < .001. Less than half of participants accurately identified the laryngeal ventricle, cricoid, epiglottic petiole, and the anterior commissure on lateral view.

Conclusions

The ability of certified clinicians and trainees to correctly identify essential anatomic landmarks on swallowing fluoroscopy may be poor. Future work is needed to identify how we can train clinicians on more accurate identification of essential anatomic structures on swallowing fluoroscopy.

Level of Evidence: NA.
Systematic Tuning of Persistent Luminescence in a Quaternary Wurtzite Crystal Through Synergistic Defect Engineering
Authors: Zhang Xin , Suo Hao , Wang Yanze , Chen Bing , Zheng Weilin , Wang Qiangke , Wang Yu , Zeng Zixin , Tsang Sai‐Wing , Tu Dong , Wang Feng
Published: July 2023

Persistent luminescence (PersL), characterized by continuous light emission after cessation of excitation, finds enormous applications in night displays, optoelectronics, and biomedicine. Despite the long history and a recent renaissance of PersL research, there still lacks a versatile approach for deliberate control over PersL in a single material system, which is crucial for mechanistic understanding and rational design of PersL. Herein, a strategy for the systematic tuning of PersL in the wavelength, time, and temperature domains in a wurtzite CaZnOS crystal, based on synergistic defect engineering (i.e., simultaneous control of activator/trap states and trap‐filling process) through combinatorial doping in the double cationic sites, is presented. This design principle can be harnessed to produce PersL in a vast collection of emitters with distinct electronic transitions, including ns2‐nsnp, 3d–3d, 4f–4f, and donor–acceptor recombination, which is inaccessible to the existing material systems. The results highlight that the strategy of synergistic defect engineering can provide unprecedented PersL properties with stimulus‐responsive features for information encryption and photoexcitation‐free optical thermometry.
Inverse Design of Diffusion–Absorption Hybrid Metasurfaces
Authors: Song Zicheng , Zhang Ruicong , Min Pingping , Wang Tianyu , Cao Wenxin , He Yurong , Wu Lin , Zhu Jiaqi , Qiu Cheng‐Wei
Published: July 2023

Random metasurfaces have demonstrated significant potential in radar‐signature control applications, but their ability to manipulate scattering‐field reduction is limited by relying solely on the diffusion mechanism. To achieve flexible and arbitrary designs for scattering‐field reduction, a diffusion–absorption hybrid metasurface is proposed based on the Babinet principle. This hybrid metasurface adopts complementary bilayer metasurfaces to satisfy the impedance matching condition and employs a hybrid absorption and diffusion mechanism. Such complementary designs' intralayer resonances and interlayer couplings are tailored by multi‐objective optimization, achieving the precise and wideband design of absorptive elements with a specific reflection phase. By optimizing the spatial distributions of elements, diffusion is introduced and designs are achieved with a continuous scattering‐field reduction from 15.40 to 32.58 dB at 15 GHz. Three representative designed structures are fabricated and verified as proof of concept. The experimental results are consistent with the calculations and simulations, demonstrating a 12.32–24.46 dB scattering‐field reduction range. The proposed high‐freedom metasurface and the implementation multi‐objective optimization strategy collectively empower flexible wavefront manipulation, offering a viable solution for designing hybrid meta‐devices that incorporate multiple mechanisms.
On‐Chip Non‐Volatile Reconfigurable THz Varifocal Metalens
Authors: Zhang Shoujun , Chen Xieyu , Liu Kuan , Lang Yuanhao , Xu Quan , Singh Ranjan , Cao Tun , Tian Zhen
Published: July 2023

Implementation of integrated, nonvolatile, and reconfigurable solutions for on‐chip terahertz (THz) metadevices holds great potential for applications in sensing, integrated circuits, and high‐speed communications. This study demonstrates the non‐volatile reconfigurable dynamic manipulation of THz on‐chip metadevices through optical modulation of Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) and 2π phase shift of metasurfaces. The approach allows for the simultaneous realization of surface plasmons (SPs) excitation, wavefront shaping, and amplitude modulation in a single device. Using the principles of 2D holography, a reconfigurable multilevel THz SP metalens switch with a maximum extinction ratio of 29.9 dB is presented. The focusing intensity of the metalens can be continuously modulated by varying the pump laser energy. The implementation of the approach is further demonstrated by realizing a switchable THz SP varifocal metalens. Reconfigurable, reversible, and repeated switching is achieved through optical and thermal stimuli, resulting in switching contrast ratios of 7.4 dB and −44.4 dB in the amorphous and crystalline states of GST, respectively. The results demonstrate a promising route toward developing non‐volatile, reconfigurable, and energy‐efficient on‐chip THz integrated metadevices. By enabling the dynamic manipulation of THz waves on a single chip, the approach holds significant potential for advancing the field of terahertz‐integrated photonics.
Predictive modeling for infectious diarrheal disease in pediatric populations: A systematic review
Authors: Ogwel Billy , Mzazi Vincent , Nyawanda Bryan O. , Otieno Gabriel , Omore Richard
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Diarrhea is still a significant global public health problem. There are currently no systematic evaluation of the modeling areas and approaches to predict diarrheal illness outcomes. This paper reviews existing research efforts in predictive modeling of infectious diarrheal illness in pediatric populations.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review via a PubMed search for the period 1990–2021. A comprehensive search query was developed through an iterative process and literature on predictive modeling of diarrhea was retrieved. The following filters were applied to the search results: human subjects, English language, and children (birth to 18 years). We carried out a narrative synthesis of the included publications.

Results

Our literature search returned 2671 articles. After manual evaluation, 38 of these articles were included in this review. The most common research topic among the studies were disease forecasts 14 (36.8%), vaccine‐related predictions 9 (23.7%), and disease/pathogen detection 5 (13.2%). Majority of these studies were published between 2011 and 2020, 28 (73.7%). The most common technique used in the modeling was machine learning 12 (31.6%) with various algorithms used for the prediction tasks. With change in the landscape of diarrheal etiology after rotavirus vaccine introduction, many open areas (disease forecasts, disease detection, and strain dynamics) remain for pathogen‐specific predictive models among etiological agents that have emerged as important. Additionally, the outcomes of diarrheal illness remain under researched. We also observed lack of consistency in the reporting of results of prediction models despite the available guidelines highlighting the need for common data standards and adherence to guidelines on reporting of predictive models for biomedical research.

Conclusions

Our review identified knowledge gaps and opportunities in predictive modeling for diarrheal illness, and limitations in existing attempts whilst advancing some precursory thoughts on how to address them, aiming to invigorate future research efforts in this sphere.
Grease material properties from first principles thermodynamics
Authors: Osara Jude A. , Chatra Sathwik , Lugt Piet M.
Published: July 2023

Thermodynamics has historically been used to derive characteristic material properties. In this study, fundamental thermodynamics is applied to grease. First‐principle formulations of existing material properties—heat capacity and storage modulus—and new properties—thermal strain and stress coefficients, chemical resistance and thermo‐chemical decay coefficient—are derived, some of which are experimentally determined. A new group of Maxwell relations is introduced by replacing the classical compression work with the grease shearing work . The physical interpretations and implications of these properties on grease behaviour and performance are presented. Experimental measurements of the derived properties are performed in accordance with the theoretical formulations. Six different grease types are studied. Obtained results are shown to conform with anticipated, observed and established grease behaviours. The proposed properties can be used in grease performance and degradation analyses, as well as grease selection for lubrication applications.
Elliptic problem involving logarithmic weight under exponential nonlinearities growth
Authors: Dridi Brahim
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we study the nonlinear weighted elliptic problem
where B is the unit ball of , , and the singular logarithm weight with the limiting exponent in the Trudinger–Moser embedding. The nonlinearities are critical or subcritical growth in view of Trudinger–Moser inequalities. We prove the existence of nontrivial solutions via the critical point theory. In the critical case, the associated energy functional does not satisfy the compactness condition. We give a new growth condition and we point out its importance for checking the Palais–Smale compactness condition.
The Clinical Profile of Tremor in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Pasquini Jacopo , Deuschl Günther , Pecori Alessandro , Salvadori Stefano , Ceravolo Roberto , Pavese Nicola
Published: July 2023

Background

Tremor is one of the most troublesome manifestations of Parkinson's Disease (PD) and its response to dopaminergic medication is variable; an evidence‐based framework of PD tremor is lacking yet needed to inform future investigations.

Objective

To perform a comprehensive longitudinal analysis on the clinical characteristics, course and response to dopaminergic medication of tremor in de‐novo PD.

Methods

Three hundred ninety‐seven participants were recruited in the Parkinson Progressive Markers Initiative, a prospective observational cohort study in early de‐novo PD. Rest, postural and kinetic tremor scores were extracted from the Movement Disorders Society—Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Progression from baseline to 7‐year follow‐up of rest, postural and kinetic tremor scores, and their response to in‐clinic dopaminergic medication were analyzed through linear mixed‐effects models adjusted for age, sex and disease duration at enrollment. A sensitivity analysis was conducted through subgroup and imputation analyses.

Results

382 (96.2%) participants showed tremor and 346 (87.2%) showed rest tremor in at least one assessment over 7 years. Off‐state rest, postural and kinetic tremor scores increased significantly over time, coupled with a significant effect of dopaminergic medication in reducing tremor scores. However, at each assessment, tremor was unresponsive to in‐clinic dopaminergic medication in at least 20% of participants for rest, 30% for postural and 38% for kinetic tremor.

Conclusions

PD tremor is a troublesome manifestation, with increasing severity and variable response to medications. This analysis details the current clinical natural history of tremor in early‐to‐mid stage PD, outlining an evidence‐based framework for future pathophysiological and interventional studies.
The Challenge of Choosing the Right Stimulation Target for Dystonic Tremor—A Series of Instructive Cases
Authors: Paschen Steffen , Becktepe Jos S. , Hobert Markus A. , Zeuner Kirsten E. , Helmers Ann‐Kristin , Berg Daniela , Deuschl Günther
Published: July 2023

Background

Thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) is established for medically refractory tremor syndromes and globus pallidus stimulation (GPi‐DBS) for medically refractory dystonia syndromes. For combined tremor and dystonia syndromes, the best target is unclear.

Objectives

We present four patients with two different profiles whose clinical course demonstrates that our current analysis of clinical symptomatology is not a sufficient predictor of surgical success.

Methods

Outcome parameters were assessed with observer‐blinded video ratings and included the Fahn‐Tolosa‐Marin‐Tremor Rating Scale (FTM‐TRS) and the Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS).

Results

Two patients with “predominant lateralized action tremor” of the hands and mild cervical dystonia showed no relevant tremor improvement after GPi‐DBS, but UDRS improved (mean, 45%). Rescue ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (Vim)‐DBS electrodes were implanted and both patients benefited significantly with a mean tremor reduction of 51%.

Two other patients with “axial‐predominant action tremor of the trunk and head” associated with cervical dystonia underwent bilateral Vim‐DBS implantation with little effect on tremor (24% reduction in mean FTM‐TRS total score) and no effect on dystonic symptoms. GPi rescue DBS was implanted and showed a significant effect on tremor (63% reduction in mean FTM‐TRS) and dystonia (49% reduction in UDRS).

Conclusions

The diagnosis of dystonic tremor alone is not a sufficient predictor to establish the differential indication of GPi‐ or Vim‐DBS. Further criteria (eg, proximal‐distal distribution of tremor/dystonia) are needed to avoid rescue surgery in the future. On the other hand, the course of our patients encourages rescue surgery in such severely disabled patients if the first target fails.
Distance‐layer structure of the De Bruijn and Kautz digraphs: Analysis and application to deflection routing
Authors: Fàbrega J. , Martí‐Farré J. , Muñoz X.
Published: July 2023

In this article, we present a detailed study of the reach distance‐layer structure of the De Bruijn and Kautz digraphs, and we apply our analysis to the performance evaluation of deflection routing in De Bruijn and Kautz networks. Concerning the distance‐layer structure, we provide explicit polynomial expressions, in terms of the degree of the digraph, for the cardinalities of some relevant sets of this structure. Regarding the application to defection routing, and as a consequence of our polynomial description of the distance‐layer structure, we formulate explicit expressions, in terms of the degree of the digraph, for some probabilities of interest in the analysis of this type of routing. De Bruijn and Kautz digraphs are fundamental examples of digraphs on alphabet and iterated line digraphs. If the topology of the network under consideration corresponds to a digraph of this type, we can perform, in principle, a similar vertex layer description.
Nursing students' attitudes towards sexuality before training in sexual and reproductive health
Authors: Martínez‐Vázquez Sergio , Hernández‐Martínez Antonio , Peinado‐Molina Rocío Adriana , Martínez‐Galiano Juan Miguel
Published: July 2023

Aim

To know the attitudes towards sexuality of nursing students and those sociodemographic and cultural factors that can influence it.

Design

An observational study was carried out on Nursing degree students. One hundred and eighteen nursing degree students who were going to take the sexual and reproductive health nursing course.

Methods

A self‐administered online questionnaire. This questionnaire had several parts specifically designed to collect sociodemographic variables. In order to determine the attitudes towards sexuality, the questionnaire based on the ATSS (Attitudes Towards Sexuality Scale). The Double Standard Scale (DSS) was also used. This scale evaluates double standards within the area of sexuality. The Rape Supportive Attitude Scale (RSAS), was included to determine beliefs about rape, rapists and their victims.

Results

The ATSS shows a statistically significant association with religious beliefs (p = 0.005), with mean scores of 113.84 (SD = 9.81) for non‐believers (no religion), 108.36 (SD = 15.68) for non‐practicing believers and 102.32 (SD = 17.87) for believers (those who practice their faith). The mean score in the DSS shows a statistically significant association with alcohol consumption (p = 0.001). The mean score on the RSAS is statistically significantly associated with the place of residence (p = 0.050), the means were 44.32 (SD = 9.26) for those who lived in the city, 34.94 (SD = 19.21) if the place of residence was between 10,000 and 5000 inhabitants and 32.54 (SD = 15.01) if the family home was in a town with less than 5000 inhabitants.

Conclusion

Religious beliefs reduce liberalism and positive attitudes towards sexuality, whereas sporadic alcohol consumption increases them.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Strong convergence for an explicit fully‐discrete finite element approximation of the Cahn‐Hillard‐Cook equation with additive noise
Authors: Lin Qiu , Qi Ruisheng
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we consider an explicit fully‐discrete approximation of the Cahn–Hilliard–Cook (CHC) equation with additive noise, performed by a standard finite element method in space and a kind of nonlinearity‐tamed Euler scheme in time. The main result in this paper establishes strong convergence rates of the proposed scheme. The key ingredient in the proof of our main result is to employ uniform moment bounds for the numerical approximations. To the best of our knowledge, the main contribution of this work is the first result in the literature which establishes strong convergence for an explicit fully‐discrete finite element approximation of the CHC equation. Finally, numerical results are finally reported to confirm the previous theoretical findings.
Recent and lifetime maternal substance use: Rurality and economic distress
Authors: Miller Jennifer S. , Bada Henrietta , Dunworth Caitlin , Charnigo Richard
Published: July 2023

Research on opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy has mainly considered women in urban areas receiving treatment, with less known about women in rural areas. We sought to describe demographics and substance use characteristics of pregnant women with OUD and to compare the women based on urbanicity, in a state (Kentucky) with unfavorable economic conditions in many rural counties; we hypothesized that pregnant women in rural areas would have greater adversity, broadly defined, related to substance use. Using data collected from a larger project between 2017 and 2020, we analyzed characteristics of 93 pregnant women (59 rural and 34 urban) with OUD; we examined data in medical, employment, substance use, legal, family history, relationship, and psychiatric health domains, both overall and within rural (population <50,000) and urban (population ≥50,000) strata. Pregnant women with OUD from rural and urban areas were similar on almost all attributes. Among the few significant differences, 30% from urban areas perceived inadequate prenatal care versus 11% from rural areas (p = 0.024); 21% of urban women used amphetamines/methamphetamines in the month before delivery versus 0% of rural women (p < 0.001); and rural women had longer most recent abstinence from substance use than their urban counterparts (medians 7.0 and 2.8 months, p = 0.049). The few significant differences that were discovered favored rural women. These findings, contrary to our hypothesis, suggest that tailoring interventions may require more than focusing on geography. The participants in this study were pregnant women being treated for OUD, and as such there is patient contribution of data.
Identifying links between the biodiversity impacts and monetary costs of alien birds
Authors: Evans Thomas , Angulo Elena , Diagne Christophe , Kumschick Sabrina , Şekercioğlu Çağan H. , Turbelin Anna , Courchamp Franck
Published: July 2023

Alien species can be damaging to native biodiversity, human well‐being and the economy. Identifying the complete range of impacts they cause, and the ways that these impacts are connected, may inform the prioritisation of management actions to mitigate impacts.

Using datasets on the biodiversity impacts and monetary costs (damage and management costs) of alien birds, we aimed to establish whether species with the most severe biodiversity impacts also had the highest costs; whether types of biodiversity impact were associated with high costs; and whether specific factors associated with alien species are linked to both damaging biodiversity impacts and high costs.

We identified a positive relationship between a specific type of biodiversity impact (predation) and costs, possibly because predation by alien birds can be severely damaging to native species and therefore attracts management actions. However, predation impacts are likely to occur more frequently and to be easier to identify than some other impact mechanisms such as hybridisation and transmission of diseases, and they are therefore likely to be more frequently managed and hence to have costs.

We identified a specific species characteristic (generalism) to be associated with severe biodiversity impacts and high costs, probably because generalist species have greater opportunity to cause impacts, whether they be on biodiversity or the economy, or both. We also found widely distributed alien birds to be associated with high costs, probably because these species also have greater opportunity to cause impacts.

Management interventions that prevent the introduction of both predatory and generalist alien bird species, or that reduce their geographic distribution at early stages of invasions, may have significant biodiversity and economic benefits.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
pH‐dependent swellable hyaluronate nanogels targeting acidic tumors
Authors: Song Jeonghun , Lee Eunsol , Lee Eun Seong
Published: July 2023

In this study, we have developed pH‐dependent nanogels based on hyaluronic acid (HA) to specifically target acidic tumors. Our initial approach involved modifying HA through the grafting of 3‐(diethylamino)propylamine (DEAP), a molecule known for its responsiveness to changes in pH. This modified HA was termed as HDEA. Subsequently, we performed chemical crosslinking of HDEA using adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH), a crosslinking molecule, resulting in the formation of nanogels referred to as cHDEA. Importantly, the non‐ionized DEAP molecules (with a pKb value of ~pH 7.0) at pH 7.4 support the formation of deswellable cHDEA. This property enables the encapsulation of a photodynamic model drug, chlorin e6 (Ce6), into cHDEA. However, when the DEAP molecules become protonated at pH 6.8, they induce a change in the nanogel structure, causing it to swell due to electrostatic repulsion. As a result, Ce6 is rapidly released from the nanogels. By modulating the pH, we can continuously control the nanogel structure, alternating between swelling and deswelling states. We anticipate that this system offers the advantage of facilitating drug release specifically under acidic tumor conditions while inhibiting drug release under normal pH conditions (i.e., pH 7.4). This approach will serve as an effective strategy for mitigating side effects by efficiently controlling drug release in specific disease areas.
Characterisation of Sclerocarya birrea (marula) seed oil and investigation of the geographical origin by applying similarity calculations, differential NMR and hierarchical cluster analysis
Authors: Schripsema Jan , Augustyn Wilma , Viljoen Alvaro
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The marula fruit is an important indigenous African fruit since various commercial products are produced from the pulp and the seed oil. The increased demand requires methods for authentication, quality control and determination of geographical origin.

Objective

The study aimed to establish a fast and reliable method for characterisation and authentication of marula seed oil. Furthermore, to identify marker compounds that can distinguish marula seed oils from other commercial oils and indicate regional differences.

Materials and Methods

Metabolic profiling of 44 commercial marula seed oils was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). For rapid classification similarity calculations were compared with principal component analysis. Differential NMR was used to determine marker compounds.

Results

Marula seed oil was found to be similar to macadamia and olive oils and was distinguished from these oils by the detection of minor components. Marula seed oil is differentiated from the other two oils by the absence of α‐linolenic acid, relatively high levels of monoglycerides and diglycerides, and an approximately 1:1 ratio of 1,2‐ and 1,3‐diglycerides. When comparing marula seed oils from various regions using hierarchical cluster analysis, clustering of the marula seed oils from Namibia and Zimbabwe was observed and was related to the quantities of linoleic acid and monoglycerides and diglycerides. Some samples displayed deviations in their composition which might indicate adulteration or contamination during the production process.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the potential of NMR as a tool in the quality control of marula seed oil. This technique requires very little sample preparation, circumvents derivatisation of the oil components with fast run‐times. In addition, samples with chemical profiles that differ from the general signature profile can easily be identified.
Molybdenum disulfide polymeric nanoarchitectures and applications: A review
Authors: Idumah Christopher Igwe
Published: July 2023

The advent of nanotechnology has escalated the quest for novel 2‐D nanomaterials (NMs) with the capability of surpassing all known advantages of graphene (GN), and more, resulting in the recent discovery of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). MoS2 is a 2‐D sheet‐like NM, possessing unique layered “sandwich” architecture, in addition to chemical, electronic, and optical features similar to those of GN, thereby expanding their scope of applications for transistors, solar cells, catalysts, sensors, and so on. The embedment of MoS2 inside polymeric substrates (PP, PEG, epoxy, and so on), have resulted in the construction of MoS2 polymer nanoarchitectures exhibiting superior mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant features with multifunctional and versatile applications. Hence, this elucidation discusses recently emerging research activities in MoS2 polymeric nanoarchitectures and multifaceted applications.
Effect of visual warmness of counseling room on primary school students' willingness to psychological help‐seeking: The role of intimacy and cognitive style
Authors: Huang Xishan , Bei Lin , Yinyin Wang , Xin Liang , Miao Chen
Published: July 2023

According to previous studies, few students who experienced psychiatric problems sought out professional help. Although counseling rooms are now frequently found in primary and secondary schools in China, there is still a need to find a solution to the issue of how to increase the utilization rate of counseling rooms. To better understand how the setting of the counseling room affects students' willingness to seek professional psychological help, this study looked at the components that influence that increase. In this study, 1173 primary school students were surveyed using visual warmth of counseling room picture materials, intimacy measurement questionnaires, and the embedded figures test to investigate the relationship between visual warmth of counseling room picture materials and students' willingness to seek psychological help, as well as the role of intimacy and cognitive style. The study found that the warmth of the school counseling room had a significant effect on students' willingness to seek professional psychological help and that students' feelings of closeness to the counseling room mediated this influence path. Also, cognitive style moderated the direct effect of the counseling room's visual warmth on willingness to seek help as well as the first half of the mediating effect of intimacy.