bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and evaluation of cruciferous plant volatiles attractive to Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Yan Xi‐Zhong , Ma Li , Li Xiao‐Fei , Chang Le , Liu Qing‐Zhao , Song Cheng‐Fei , Zhao Jin‐Yu , Qie Xing‐Tao , Deng Cai‐Ping , Wang Chen‐Zhu , Hao Chi
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, has developed resistance to almost all insecticides used for its control. The ‘push–pull’ method has been shown as an effective control strategy to address this resistance challenge of P. xylostella. The key focus of the strategy is the identification of attractive or repellent volatile components. The aim of this study was to identify attractive volatile compounds released from host plants. Identified compounds were applied in the biological control of this pest.

RESULTS

Nine active compounds released into the headspace of seven cruciferous plant species were identified using gas chromatography–electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Electroantennographic detection‐active compounds included five green leaf volatiles (hexanal, trans‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol, cis‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate, and 1‐penten‐3‐ol), three isothiocyanates (isopropyl isothiocyanate, allyl isothiocyanate, and butyl isothiocyanate), and nonanal. Except for nonanal, all the identified green leaf volatiles and isothiocyanates elicited strong electrophysiological and behavioral responses in P. xylostella. The strongest attractive compounds, trans‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol and isopropyl isothiocyanate, were further evaluated in oviposition and field‐trapping assays. Results showed that they both lured female moths to lay eggs, and were highly attractive to P. xylostella adults in field, especially when used in combination with yellow and green sticky boards. However, a blend of the two compounds showed no synergistic effect, but rather an antagonistic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Green leaf volatiles and isothiocyanates were identified as key olfactory cues for host selection of P. xylostella. Trans‐2‐ hexen‐1‐ol and isopropyl isothiocyanate were identified as candidate attractive compounds to serve in a ‘push–pull’ strategy for P. xylostella control. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Increased serum activin A level in congenital heart disease‐associated pulmonary artery hypertension: A comparative study from the COHARD‐PH registry
Authors: Hadwiono Muhammad R. , Hartopo Anggoro B. , Wasityastuti Widya , Anggrahini Dyah W. , Ryanto Gusty R. T. , Emoto Noriaki , Dinarti Lucia K.
Published: August 2023

Activin A, a member of TGF‐β superfamily, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH due to congenital heart disease (CHD‐PAH) is a major problem in developing countries. Activin A may have a role in PAH development and progression among uncorrected CHD. In this comparative study, serum activin A level was significantly increased in subjects with uncorrected CHD without the presence of PH and were more significantly risen in CHD‐PAH, as compared to control. The utilization of serum activin A measurement seems promising to identify uncorrected CHD patients with PAH development and progression.
Organic light‐emitting diode behaviors of some synthesized platinum(II)‐based complexes
Authors: Üngördü Ayhan
Published: August 2023

Organic light‐emitting light diodes (OLEDs) have been increasingly used in displays, replacing liquid‐crystal displays (LCD) and light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) panels. The increase in commercial use of OLED has led to the search for OLED with high performance. For that reason, the OLED properties of monomers and dimers of some synthesized platinum(II)‐based complexes were estimated by using different computational chemistry tools with different codes. The electron/hole reorganization energies, the adiabatic/vertical ionization potentials, the adiabatic/vertical electron affinities, the chemical hardness values, the dipole moments, the frontier orbital shapes/energy levels, the energy gaps, the emission wavelengths, spin‐orbit matrix elements, the rates of reverse intersystem crossing and intersystem crossing of the investigated complexes were determined. From the theoretically obtained data, it was found that Pt(hppz)2 and Pt(fppz)2 complexes can be used as electron transfer material. Furthermore, it was stated that Pt(f2bipz)(bpy) is both electron‐blocking layer and hole blocking layer materials. Moreover, it was noted that that PtOEP complex can be utilized as a good electron injection layer and hole injection layer material. Addition to these, it was emphasized that that Pt(f2bipz)(bpy) can be considered as a good candidate for near infrared organic light emitting diodes and thermal activated delayed fluorescent organic light emitting diodes. In light of computational chemistry, it should be expected that the study will provide a great contribution to studies related to organic light emitting diodes.
Bound state calculations for Hulthén–Hellmann type potential by improved asymptotic iteration method
Authors: Yalçın Zeynel
Published: August 2023

In this study, some nonrelativistic energy eigenvalues of Hulthén–Hellmann type interaction were calculated using the improved asymptotic iteration method (improved AIM) by applying the Greene–Aldrich approach for the inverse square term of the potential. Calculations have also been made for some special cases of the Hulthén–Hellmann potential. It is seen that the results obtained are in excellent agreement with those previously obtained from other methods.
Madecassic acid suppresses osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption by inhibiting RANKL‐induced NF‐κB, JNK and NFAT signaling pathways
Authors: Su Peiru , Luo Xiangya , Zeng Chunping , Zhou Lin
Published: August 2023

Background

Overproduction and activation of osteoclasts result in various bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, inhibiting osteoclast formation and overactivation may effectively prevent osteoclast‐related bone diseases, especially osteoporosis. Madecassic acid, one of the most important active ingredients in Centella asiatica, has various biological effects, but its role in osteoclastogenesis remains unknown.

Methods

RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)‐κΒ ligand (RANKL, 25 ng/mL) to differentiate into multi‐nucleated osteoclasts. Subsequently, osteoclasts were treated with or without varying concentrations of madecassic acid (1, 2.5, 5, and 10 μmol/L).

Results

Madecassic acid significantly inhibited RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis in a concentration‐dependent manner. In addition, it reduced the percentage of bone resorptive area compared with the control, confirming that madecassic acid can inhibit osteoclast function. Furthermore, luciferase reporter gene studies indicate that madecassic acid could decrease the transcriptional activity of NF of activated T cells (NFAT) and NF‐κB in a dose‐dependent manner. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction results show that madecassic acid attenuated the expression of osteoclast‐associated genes, including V‐ATPase‐d2, cathepsin K, tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), NFAT cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1). Western blot analysis shows that madecassic acid inhibited RANKL‐mediated degradation of IκBα and NFATc1 expression, as well as phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) in RAW 264.7 cells.

Conclusion

Madecassic acid inhibited osteoclast formation and function in vitro by suppressing NF‐κB, JNK, and NFAT signaling pathways, indicating its potential as a novel drug for the treatment of osteoclast‐related bone diseases, especially osteoporosis.
Endobronchial metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Lenvatinib: A case report
Authors: Takei Shota , Yoshimura Akihiro , Yamamoto Chie , Kataoka Seita , Kataoka Nobutaka , Morimoto Kenji , Iwasaku Masahiro , Tokuda Shinsaku , Yamada Tadaaki , Takeda Takayuki , Takayama Koichi
Published: August 2023

Endobronchial metastasis (EBM) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare though HCC often metastasizes to the lungs. In this case report, a 74‐year‐old man with a history of HCC with chronic hepatitis C experienced hemoptysis and a dry cough. During immunotherapy for postoperative recurrent HCC, chest computed tomography (CT) revealed soft tissue shadows in the right upper and lower lobe bronchi, and we pathologically diagnosed as EBM of HCC using bronchoscopy. Although the prognosis of HCC with EBM is poor, lenvatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was administered and resulted in improved symptoms, decreased tumour markers, and reduced EBM shadows on chest CT scans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of lenvatinib monotherapy for EBM of HCC. It is important to perform a bronchoscopy for early diagnosis of EBM, followed by lenvatinib treatment.
Electronic Structure Regulation and Surface Reconstruction of Iron Diselenide for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Activity
Authors: Huang Yuan , Zhang Li , Jiang Li‐Wen , Liu Xiao‐Long , Tan Ting , Liu Hong , Wang Jian‐Jun
Published: August 2023

Regulating the electronic structure of active sites and monitoring the evolution of the active component is essential to improve the intrinsic activity of catalysts for electrochemical reactions. Herein, a highly efficient pre‐electrocatalyst of iron diselenide with rich Se vacancies achieved by phosphorus doping (denoted as P‐FeSe2) for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is reported. Systematically experimental and theoretical results show that the formed Se vacancies with phosphorus doping can synergistically modulate the electronic structure of FeSe2 and facilitate OER kinetics with the resulting enhanced electrical conductivity and electrochemical surface area. Importantly, the in situ formed FeOOH species on the surface of the P‐FeSe2 nanorods (denoted as P‐FeOOH(Se)) during the OER process acts as an active component to efficiently catalyze OER and exhibits a low overpotential of 217 mV to reach 10 mA cm‐2 with good durability. Promisingly, an alkaline electrolyzer assembled with P‐FeOOH(Se) and Pt/C electrodes requires an ultra‐low cell voltage of 1.50 V at 10 mA cm‐2 for overall water splitting, which is superior to the RuO2 || Pt/C counterpart and most of the state‐of‐the‐art electrolyzers, demonstrating the high potential of the fabricated electrocatalyst by P doping strategy to explore more highly efficient selenide‐based catalysts for various reactions.
Hydrophobic and Homogeneous Conductive Carbon Matrix for High‐Rate Non‐Alkaline Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Wang Fengmei , Qiu Ke , Zhang Zihao , Li Xinjie , Cao Yongjie , Wang Fei
Published: August 2023

Non‐alkaline zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) that use reversible O2/ZnO2 chemistry exhibit excellent stability and superior reversibility compared to conventional alkaline ZABs. Unlike alkaline ZABs, ZnO2 discharge products are generated on the surface of the air cathodes in non‐alkaline ZABs, requiring more gas–liquid–solid three‐phase reaction interfaces. However, the kinetics of reported ZABs based on carbon black (CB) is far from satisfactory due to the insufficient reaction areas. The rational structural design of the air cathode is an effective way to increase active surfaces to further enhance the performance of non‐alkaline ZABs. In this study, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MW‐CNTs) with unique mesoporous structures and high pore volumes are selected to replace CB in the air cathode preparation. Due to the larger electrochemically active surface area, superior hydrophobicity, and uniform electroconductibility of MW‐CNTs‐based cathodes, primary ZABs exhibit high specific capacity (704 mAh gZn−1) with a Zn utilization ratio of 85.85% at 1.0 mA cm−2, excellent discharge rate performance, and negligible self‐discharge. Furthermore, rechargeable ZABs also demonstrate outstanding rate capability and excellent cycling stability at various current densities. This work provides a fundamental understanding of the criteria for the cathode design of non‐alkaline ZABs, thus opening a new pathway for more sustainable ZABs.
Introduction
Authors: Scott-Baumann Alison
Published: August 2023

This introductory chapter provides a personal testimony about how I, the author, late in life, experience better understanding of white privilege and its distortion of reality within daily life and philosophy than philosopher Paul Ricœur apparently did. Nevertheless, Ricœur’s dialectical approach can be used to analyse and understand personal and group needs and identity. Thus philosophy can provide clarity if it also accepts critique. I bring a pragmatist philosophy of free speech: this is a threefold model of nested Russian dolls (as an analogy) to show how three progressively more outward facing forms of discussion can provide a model for better communication. I call them, respectively: Communities of Inquiry﻿, the politics of pedagogy and polity praxis. In addition, Communities of Inquiry (the smallest doll yet the core to it all) is comprised of a fourfold typology of speech which moves from libertarian to liberal to guarded liberal and finally to no platforming. This chapter also sketches the economic and social changes that provide a backdrop for the current turmoil in the higher education sector.
The Politics of Pedagogy Leading to Polity Praxis
Authors: Scott-Baumann Alison
Published: August 2023

The free speech and culture war debates obfuscate and stop us examining difficult matters such as religion; we need to create a new form of activism, as I have done via the Influencing Corridors of Power project (ICOP) (https://blogs.soas.ac.uk/cop/). Ricœur’s activism was in the word: he understood the full potential of language for grappling with the human condition. He believed that we must exercise our capacity to act to improve our world, bearing within us the negatives that we blame on others. I bring together here the three levels of word as activism: Communities of Inquiry, politics of pedagogyand polity praxis.
The QCD phase diagram in the space of imaginary chemical potential via ’t Hooft anomalies
Authors: Kobayashi Shun K. , Yokokura Takahiro , Yonekura Kazuya
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The QCD phase diagram in the space of temperature and imaginary baryon chemical potential has been an interesting subject in numerical lattice QCD simulations because of the absence of the sign problem and its deep structure related to confinement/deconfinement. We study constraints on the phase diagram by using an ’t Hooft anomaly. The relevant anomaly is an anomaly in the space of imaginary chemical potential. We compute it in the UV, and discuss how it is matched by the pion effective field theory at low temperatures. Then we study implications of the anomaly to the phase diagram. There must be a line of phase transition studied in the past by Roberge and Weiss such that the expectation value of the Polyakov loop is not smooth when we cross the line. Moreover, if the greatest common divisor of the color and flavor numbers is greater than one, the phase transition across the Roberge-Weiss line must be either a first order phase transition, or a second order phase transition described by a nontrivial interacting three-dimensional CFT.
Symplectic gauge group on the Lens space
Authors: Amariti Antonio , Rota Simone
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We compute the Lens space index for 4d supersymmetric gauge theories involving symplectic gauge groups. This index can distinguish between different gauge groups from a given algebra and it matches across theories related by supersymmetric dualities. We provide explicit calculations for $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM and for classes of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 Lagrangian quivers related by S-duality. In these cases the index matches across the S-dual phases, while models in different S-duality orbits have a different Lens index. We provide analogous computations for a 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 toric quiver gauge theory corresponding to a ℤ7 orbifold of ℂ3. This SU(n)7 gauge theory becomes interesting in the case of n = 2 because it is conformally dual to other two models, with symplectic and unitary gauge groups, bifundamentals and antisymmetric tensors. We explicitly check this triality at the level of the Lens space index.
Less is more: a methodological assessment of extraction techniques for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis in mammalian tissues
Authors: Mertens Helena , Noll Benedikt , Schwerdtle Tanja , Abraham Klaus , Monien Bernhard H.
Published: August 2023

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants. Studying the bioaccumulation in mammalian tissues requires a considerable effort for the PFAS extraction from complex biological matrices. The aim of the current work was to select and optimize the most efficient among common extraction strategies for eleven perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA). Primary extractions from wild boar tissues (liver, kidney, and lung) were performed with methanol at neutral, acidic, or alkaline conditions, or with methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) after ion-pairing with tetrabutylammonium (TBA) ions. A second purification step was chosen after comparing different solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges (Oasis WAX, ENVI-Carb, HybridSPE Phospholipid) and various combinations thereof or dispersive SPE with C18 and ENVI-Carb material. The best extraction efficiencies of the liquid PFAA extraction from tissue homogenates were achieved with methanol alone (recoveries from liver 86.6–114.4%). Further purification of the methanolic extracts using dispersive SPE or Oasis WAX columns decreased recoveries of most PFAA, whereas using pairs of two SPE columns connected in series proved to be more efficient albeit laborious. Highest recoveries for ten out of eleven PFAA were achieved using ENVI-Carb columns (80.3–110.6%). In summary, the simplest extraction methods using methanol and ENVI-Carb columns were also the most efficient. The technique was validated and applied in a proof of principle analysis in human tissue samples.

Graphical Abstract
Erbliche Netzhautdystrophien in Deutschland – Versorgungsstrukturelle und diagnostische Herausforderungen
Authors: Bolz Hanno J. , Kochs Constanze L. , Holz Frank G. , Bucher Franziska , Herrmann Philipp
Published: August 2023

Hintergrund

Hereditäre Netzhautdystrophien („inherited retinal diseases“ [IRD]) zählen zu den seltenen Augenerkrankungen und stellen hohe Herausforderungen an die Diagnostik dar. Eine lückenhafte Versorgungsstruktur mit wenigen hoch spezialisierten Zentren in Deutschland, Fehldiagnosen aufgrund fehlender molekulargenetischer Abklärung sowie ein fehlendes Zentralregister zur Erfassung von IRDs führen dazu, dass verlässliche Aussagen zu Prävalenz und Verteilung von IRDs in Deutschland fehlen.

Methoden

Anhand von Stichprobendaten eines ophthalmologischen und eines molekulargenetischen Schwerpunktzentrums sowie anonymisierter Krankenkassendaten der InGef-Forschungsdatenbank wurde neben der Erfassung von Informationen zur phäno- und genotypischen Verteilung der IRD deren Prävalenz in Deutschland abgeschätzt.

Ergebnisse

Das mediane Einzugsgebiet des ophthalmologischen Schwerpunktzentrums betrug 60 km. Die häufigsten Diagnosen waren Retinitis pigmentosa, Makuladystrophie und allgemein Netzhautdystrophie. Bei 87 % der Patienten mit klinischem Verdacht auf IRD erfolgte eine molekulargenetische Testung, wobei deutliche Unterschiede der Häufigkeiten in den Alterskohorten beobachtet wurden. Die molekulargenetische Aufklärungsrate der Stichprobe betrug 51 %. Die mittels der InGef-Forschungsdatenbank bestimmte Prävalenz hereditärer Netzhautdystrophien für Deutschland lag bei ca. 1:1150.

Schlussfolgerung

Eine adäquate Versorgung mit der insbesondere von jüngeren Patienten gewünschten molekulardiagnostischen Abklärung erfordert für viele Patienten lange Anfahrtswege. Verlässlichere Zahlen zur deutschlandweiten Prävalenz setzen eine routinemäßige molekulargenetische Abklärung und ein nationales Register zur IRD-Erfassung voraus.
Identifying subgroups with differential response to CBASP versus Escitalopram during the first eight weeks of treatment in outpatients with persistent depressive disorder
Authors: Serbanescu Ilinca , Schramm Elisabeth , Walter Henrik , Schnell Knut , Zobel Ingo , Drost Sarah , Fangmeier Thomas , Normann Claus , Schoepf Dieter
Published: August 2023

There exists little empirical evidence helping clinicians to select the most effective treatment for individual patients with persistent depressive disorder (PDD). This study identifies and characterizes subgroups of patients with PDD who are likely to benefit more from an acute treatment with psychotherapy than from pharmacotherapy and vice versa. Non-medicated outpatients with PDD were randomized to eight weeks of acute treatment with the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP; n = 29) or escitalopram plus clinical management (ESC/CM; n = 31). We combined several baseline variables to one composite moderator and identified two subgroups of patients: for 56.0%, ESC/CM was associated with a greater reduction in depression severity than CBASP, for the remaining 44.0%, it was the other way around. Patients likely to benefit more from ESC/CM were more often female, had higher rates of moderate-to-severe childhood trauma, more adverse life events and more previous suicide attempts. Patients likely to benefit more from CBASP were older, had more often an early illness onset and more previous treatments with antidepressants. Symptomatic response, remission, and reductions in symptom severity occurred more often in those patients treated with their likely more effective treatment condition. The findings suggest that the baseline phenotype of patients with PDD moderates their benefit from acute treatment with CBASP relative to ESC/CM. Once confirmed in an independent sample, these results could serve to guide the choice between primarily psychotherapeutic or pharmacological treatments for outpatients with PDD.
The homeless, seizures, and epilepsy: a review
Authors: Pontes Silva Rita , Gama Marques João
Published: August 2023

This review aims to estimate the prevalence of seizures and epilepsy among homeless people in current literature as well as understand the main adversities that this group withstands. We conducted a search for “epilep*”, “seizur*”, and “homeles*” in titles and abstracts of articles in PubMed. Overall, 25 articles met the final inclusion criteria and warranted analyses. This study suggests that the prevalence of epilepsy in the homeless population is between 2 and 30%, whereas the prevalence of homelessness in people with epilepsy is between 2 and 4%. Every study included in this review corroborates the increased prevalence of seizures and epilepsy among the homeless, which puts them at risk for worse outcomes related to this condition and numerous associated comorbidities. Further evidence is needed to clarify the distinction of primary and secondary seizures in this group, which shows a high rate of confounding factors for seizures like substance abuse or withdrawal and head injury, and to decrease the burden of epilepsy and homelessness in an already resource-deficient community.
Rare PMP22 variants in mild to severe neuropathy uncorrelated to plasma GDF15 or neurofilament light
Authors: Palu Edouard , Järvilehto Julius , Pennonen Jana , Huber Nadine , Herukka Sanna-Kaisa , Haapasalo Annakaisa , Isohanni Pirjo , Tyynismaa Henna , Auranen Mari , Ylikallio Emil
Published: August 2023

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a heterogeneous set of hereditary neuropathies whose genetic causes are not fully understood. Here, we characterize three previously unknown variants in PMP22 and assess their effect on the recently described potential CMT biomarkers’ growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and neurofilament light (NFL): first, a heterozygous PMP22 c.178G > A (p.Glu60Lys) in one mother-son pair with adult-onset mild axonal neuropathy. The variant led to abnormal splicing, confirmed in fibroblasts by reverse transcription PCR. Second, a de novo PMP22 c.35A > C (p.His12Pro), and third, a heterozygous 3.2 kb deletion predicting loss of exon 4. The latter two had severe CMT and ultrasonography showing strong nerve enlargement similar to a previous case of exon 4 loss due to a larger deletion. We further studied patients with PMP22 duplication (CMT1A) finding slightly elevated plasma NFL, as measured by the single molecule array immunoassay (SIMOA). In addition, plasma GDF15, as measured by ELISA, correlated with symptom severity for CMT1A. However, in the severely affected individuals with PMP22 exon 4 deletion or p.His12Pro, these biomarkers were within the range of variability of CMT1A and controls, although they had more pronounced nerve hypertrophy. This study adds p.His12Pro and confirms PMP22 exon 4 deletion as causes of severe CMT, whereas the previously unknown splice variant p.Glu60Lys leads to mild axonal neuropathy. Our results suggest that GDF15 and NFL do not distinguish CMT1A from advanced hypertrophic neuropathy caused by rare PMP22 variants.
Association between 1-year changes in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and kidney disease progression in Japanese individuals with diabetes: a historical cohort study
Authors: Babazono Tetsuya , Hanai Ko , Yokoyama Yoichi , Uchiyama Kazuhisa
Published: August 2023

Background

The National Kidney Foundation recently proposed a ≥ 30% decrease in urinary albumin–to–creatinine ratio (UACR) over 0.5–2 years as a surrogate endpoint for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in individuals with baseline UACR > 30 mg/g. This historical cohort study aimed to determine the applicability of a decrease in UACR, within as little as 1 year, as a surrogate endpoint for Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).

Methods

A total of 5067 individuals with T2D were divided into three groups based on 1-year change in UACR: ≥ 30% decrease (UACR decreased group), < 30% decrease and < 30% increase (UACR unchanged group), or ≥ 30% increase (UACR increased group). The primary endpoint was a composite of a ≥ 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or the initiation of kidney replacement therapy, whichever occurred first.

Results

At baseline, the proportions of individuals with normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were 68.1%, 22.1%, and 75.5%, respectively. During a median follow-up of 6.8 years, 926 individuals (18.3%) reached the composite endpoint. Adjusted hazard ratios (vs. the UACR unchanged group) for the UACR decreased and increased groups were 0.758 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.636–0.905; P = 0.002) and 1.304 (95% CI, 1.108–1.536; P = 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

These findings support the use of 1-year changes in UACR as a surrogate endpoint for the progression of CKD and the implementation of a ≥ 30% decrease in UACR as a positive efficacy endpoint in Japanese individuals with T2D and early-stage kidney disease.
HMPT: a human–machine cooperative program translation method
Authors: Zhang Xin , Yu Zhiwen , Liu Jiaqi , Wang Hui , Wang Liang , Guo Bin
Published: August 2023

Program translation aims to translate one kind of programming language to another, e.g., from Python to Java. Due to the inefficiency of translation rules construction with pure human effort (software engineer) and the low quality of machine translation results with pure machine effort, it is suggested to implement program translation in a human–machine cooperative way. However, existing human–machine program translation methods fail to utilize the human’s ability effectively, which require human to post-edit the results (i.e., statically modified directly on the model generated code). To solve this problem, we propose HMPT (Human-Machine Program Translation), a novel method that achieves program translation based on human–machine cooperation. It can (1) reduce the human effort by introducing a prefix-based interactive protocol that feeds the human’s edit into the model as the prefix and regenerates better output code, and (2) reduce the interactive response time resulted by excessive program length in the regeneration process from two aspects: avoiding duplicate prefix generation with cache attention information, as well as reducing invalid suffix generation by splicing the suffix of the results. The experiments are conducted on two real datasets. Results show compared to the baselines, our method reduces the human effort up to 73.5% at the token level and reduces the response time up to 76.1%.
Imaging modality-dependent carotid stenosis severity variations against intravascular ultrasound as a reference: Carotid Artery intravasculaR Ultrasound Study (CARUS)
Authors: Tekieli Lukasz , Kablak-Ziembicka Anna , Dabrowski Wladyslaw , Dzierwa Karolina , Moczulski Zbigniew , Urbanczyk-Zawadzka Malgorzata , Mazurek Adam , Stefaniak Justyna , Paluszek Piotr , Krupinski Maciej , Przewlocki Tadeusz , Pieniazek Piotr , Musialek Piotr
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Different non-invasive and invasive imaging modalities are used to determine carotid artery stenosis severity that remains a principal parameter in clinical decision-making. We compared stenosis degree obtained with different modalities against vascular imaging gold standard, intravascular ultrasound, IVUS.

Methods

300 consecutive patients (age 47–83 years, 192 men, 64% asymptomatic) with carotid artery stenosis of “ ≥ 50%” referred for potential revascularization received as per study protocol (i) duplex ultrasound (DUS), (ii) computed tomography angiography (CTA), (iii) intraarterial quantitative angiography (iQA) and (iv) and (iv) IVUS. Correlation of measurements with IVUS (r), proportion of those concordant (within 10%) and proportion of under/overestimated were calculated along with recipient-operating-characteristics (ROC).

Results

For IVUS area stenosis (AS) and IVUS minimal lumen area (MLA), there was only a moderate correlation with DUS velocities (peak-systolic, PSV; end-diastolic, EDV; r values of 0.42–0.51, p < 0.001 for all). CTA systematically underestimated both reference area and MLA (80.4% and 92.3% cases) but CTA error was lesser for AS (proportion concordant-57.4%; CTA under/overestimation-12.5%/30.1%). iQA diameter stenosis (DS) was found concordant with IVUS in 41.1% measurements (iQA under/overestimation 7.9%/51.0%). By univariate model, PSV (ROC area-under-the-curve, AUC, 0.77, cutoff 2.6 m/s), EDV (AUC 0.72, cutoff 0.71 m/s) and CTA-DS (AUC 0.83, cutoff 59.6%) were predictors of ≥ 50% DS by IVUS (p < 0.001 for all). Best predictor, however, of ≥ 50% DS by IVUS was stenosis severity evaluation by automated contrast column density measurement on iQA (AUC 0.87, cutoff 68%, p < 0.001). Regarding non-invasive techniques, CTA was the only independent diagnostic modality against IVUS on multivariate model (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

IVUS validation shows significant imaging modality-dependent variations in carotid stenosis severity determination.
TenGAN: adversarially generating multiplex tensor graphs
Authors: Shiao William , Miller Benjamin A. , Chan Kevin , Yu Paul , Eliassi-Rad Tina , Papalexakis Evangelos E.
Published: August 2023

In this work, we explore multiplex graph (networks with different types of edges) generation with deep generative models. We discuss some of the challenges associated with multiplex graph generation that make it a more difficult problem than traditional graph generation. We propose TenGAN, the first neural network for multiplex graph generation, which greatly reduces the number of parameters required for multiplex graph generation. We also propose 3 different criteria for evaluating the quality of generated graphs: a graph-attribute-based, a classifier-based, and a tensor-based method. We evaluate its performance on 4 datasets and show that it generally performs better than other existing statistical multiplex graph generative models. We also adapt HGEN, an existing deep generative model for heterogeneous information networks, to work for multiplex graphs and show that our method generally performs better.
Early on-treatment C-reactive protein and its kinetics predict survival and response in recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab
Authors: Haas Markus , Lein Alexander , Fuereder Thorsten , Schnoell Julia , Brkic Faris F. , Liu David T. , Kadletz-Wanke Lorenz , Heiduschka Gregor , Jank Bernhard J.
Published: August 2023

Purpose: First-line immune checkpoint blockade has improved the prognosis of recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), but response rates remain low. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CRP and its early kinetics to predict response and survival in R/M HNSCC. Methods: A total of 87 patients who received first-line pembrolizumab for R/M HNSCC were analyzed. Three-fold cross-validation was used to estimate cut-off points of CRP at baseline and on-treatment (day 40 ± 10). Treatment response and survival were analyzed according to early CRP kinetics. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was used as a benchmark for the prognostic performance of CRP. Results: On-treatment CRP below 2 mg/dl, 4x the upper limit of normal (ULN), was associated with increased overall survival (OS), while on-treatment CRP below 3 mg/dl (6x ULN) was correlated with a higher disease control rate (DCR) and increased progression-free survival (PFS). CRP flare-responders and CRP responders showed a higher DCR and longer PFS than CRP non-responders. An NLR above 6 was a negative prognosticator for progression. In multivariable analysis, on-treatment CRP prevailed as the only significant prognosticator for OS (HR: 4.97, CI95%: 2.18–11.32, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR: 2.07, CI95%: 1.07–3.99, p = 0.030). Conclusion: On-treatment CRP was identified as a prognostic biomarker for objective response and survival in R/M HNSCC patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab and could be easily incorporated into clinical practice as a widely available and cost-effective biomarker.
Synthesis of a Multiband Microstrip Patch Antenna for 5G Wireless Communications
Authors: El-Hakim Hesham , Mohamed Hesham A.
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a multiband microstrip patch antenna for future 5G Millimeter Wave (mm-wave) wireless technologies. The synthesized antenna is designed to be based on the genetic algorithm (GA) optimization tool in the high frequency simulation software (HFSS). The optimized dimensions of the engineered antenna are 24 × 24 × 0.203 mm3, comprising of a ground plane. The antenna design simulated results have been implemented via (HFSS) and microwave studio (CST) tools. The proposed antenna structure is engineered using Rogers RT-Duroid 4003 substrate as a dielectric medium. The Conformist rectangular and circular patches are modified to get multiband operation in the mm-wave band 25–32 besides 40–60 GHz frequency ranges. The input reflection coefficient ($${\mathrm{S}}_{11}$$

S
11

) simulation results were compared with the measurements to check the validity of the design. The fabricated antenna radiation efficiency and gain values are also measured over the desired bandwidths. The measured gain and radiation efficiency values reached up to 9.75 dBi, 0.85%, and 10.75 dBi, 0.84%, for both bandwidths, respectively.
Ibuprofen, other NSAIDs and COVID-19: a narrative review
Authors: Laughey William , Lodhi Imran , Pennick Graham , Smart Lucinda , Sanni Olutoba , Sandhu Suneet , Charlesworth Bruce
Published: August 2023

At the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (March 2020), there was speculation that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, used to manage some of the symptoms of COVID-19, could increase the susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and negatively impact clinical outcomes. In the absence of any robust mechanistic and clinical evidence, this speculation led to confusion about the safety of ibuprofen, contributing to the so-called ‘infodemic’ surrounding COVID-19. A wealth of evidence has been generated in subsequent years, and this narrative review aims to consider the body of in vitro and in vivo research, observational studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, in COVID-19. Overall, the direction of evidence supports that NSAIDs do not increase susceptibility to infection, nor worsen disease outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Neither do they impact the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines. There is no basis to limit the use of NSAIDs, and doing so may deprive patients of effective self-care measures to control symptoms.
Toll-like receptor 4 promotes the inflammatory response in septic acute kidney injury by promoting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation
Authors: Yue Linlin , Liu Xin , Wu Chaoyu , Lai Jiying , Wang Jie , Zhong Huifeng , Chen Feng
Published: August 2023

Septic acute kidney injury (AKI) contributes to the mortality and morbidity of sepsis patients. Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) has prominent roles in septic AKI. This study investigated the functions of TLR4 in septic AKI. A septic AKI mouse model was established by cecal ligation and puncture surgery. Mouse kidney function and kidney tissue lesion were examined using corresponding kits and H&E staining. The in vitro cell model of septic AKI was established by lipopolysaccharide induction. Cell viability, inflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, IL-1β, IL-18) levels, pyroptotic cell number changes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, myeloperoxidase (MOP) concentration, and levels of pyroptosis-associated protein and MyD88, TRIF and p38 MAPK phosphorylation were determined by MTT, ELISA, FAM-FLICA Caspase-1 Detection kit, other corresponding kits, and Western blot. TLR4 was highly expressed in septic AKI mouse kidney tissues and human septic AKI cells. TLR4 knockdown alleviated kidney injury, increased cell viability, and reduced LDH activity and MPO concentration. TLR4 knockdown reduced cell pyroptosis by repressing p38 MAPK phosphorylation through MyD88/TRIF, suppressed pro-inflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, IL-1β, IL-18) levels, promoted anti-inflammatory factor (IL-4) level, and reduced inflammatory response, thus playing a protective role in septic AKI. Briefly, TLR4 promoted the inflammatory response in septic AKI by promoting p38 MAPK phosphorylation through MyD88/TRIF.
Anomaly detection analysis based on correlation of features in graph neural network
Authors: Ko Hoon , Praca Isabel , Choi Seong Gon
Published: August 2023

Various studies have been conducted to detect network anomalies. However, because anomaly signals are determined by the pattern characteristics using the dataset, the real-time detection problem continues. Even if there is a signal with an attack sign among the constantly transmitted and received signals, the attack cannot be blocked in advance. Moreover, it appears in many places in a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, so the real-time defense must be the best option. Therefore, it is necessary first to discover the characteristics and elements regarded as abnormal signals to discover anomalies in real time. Finally, by analyzing the correlation between network data and features, extracting the elements of the anomaly, and analyzing the behavior of the extracted elements in detail, we aim to increase the accuracy of the anomaly. In this study, we used Coburg intrusion detection and KDDCup datasets and analyzed the correlation of elements in the dataset using a graph neural network. The calculated accuracy values of the anomaly detection were 94.5% and 98.85%.
Maturation of Paracetamol Elimination Routes in Preterm Neonates Born Below 32 Weeks of Gestation
Authors: Wu Yunjiao , Völler Swantje , Krekels Elke H. J. , Roofthooft Daniëlla W. E. , Simons Sinno H. P. , Tibboel Dick , Flint Robert B. , Knibbe Catherijne A. J.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Despite being off-label, intravenous paracetamol (PCM) is increasingly used to control mild-to-moderate pain in preterm neonates. Here we aim to quantify the maturation of paracetamol elimination pathways in preterm neonates born below 32 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Datasets after single dose (rich data) or multiple doses (sparse data) of intravenous PCM dose (median (range)) 9 (3–25) mg/kg were pooled, containing 534 plasma and 44 urine samples of PCM and metabolites (PCM–glucuronide, PCM–sulfate, PCM–cysteine, and PCM–mercapturate) from 143 preterm neonates (gestational age 27.7 (24.0–31.9) weeks, birthweight 985 (462–1,925) g, postnatal age (PNA) 5 (0–30) days, current weight 1,012 (462–1,959) g. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using NONMEM® 7.4.

Results

For a typical preterm neonate (birthweight 985 g; PNA 5 days), PCM clearance was 0.137 L/h, with glucuronidation, sulfation, oxidation and unchanged renal clearance accounting for 5.3%, 73.7%, 16.3% and 4.6%, respectively. Maturational changes in total PCM clearance and its elimination pathways were best described by birthweight and PNA. Between 500–1,500 g birthweight, total PCM clearance increases by 169%, with glucuronidation, sulfation and oxidation clearance increasing by 347%, 164% and 164%. From 1–30 days PNA for 985 g birthweight neonate, total PCM clearance increases by 167%, with clearance via glucuronidation and oxidation increasing by 551%, and sulfation by 69%.

Conclusion

Birthweight and PNA are the most important predictors for maturational changes in paracetamol clearance and its glucuronidation, sulfation and oxidation. As a result, dosing based on bodyweight alone will not lead to consistent paracetamol concentrations among preterm neonates.
Changing students’ explicit and implicit attitudes toward peers with disabilities: Effects of a curriculum-based intervention programme
Authors: Wüthrich S. , Lozano C. Sahli , Lüthi M. , Wicki M.
Published: August 2023

Negative peer attitudes are a significant barrier to social participation of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Although many intervention studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of interaction or disability awareness programmes in promoting positive peer attitudes, reliance on students’ self-reported attitudes is prone to social desirability bias and is unable to capture implicit prejudice. The present study examined changes in students’ explicit and implicit attitudes toward peers with disabilities after a curriculum-based intervention programme (“Prinzip Vielfalt”), which aims to promote an open-minded attitude toward human diversity. Teachers in 12 primary school classes in the experimental group (n = 195 students) used the programme for eight weeks, whereas a control group of 12 classes (n = 191 students) used no intervention. Students’ pre- and post-intervention attitudes were assessed using an adapted version of the Chedoke–McMaster Attitudes Towards Children with Handicaps Scale and a disability Implicit Association Test for children. Post-intervention analyses revealed a significant relative improvement in explicit attitudes toward peers with disabilities in the experimental group compared to the control group (b = 0.20, 95% CI = [0.03; 0.37]) but no change in implicit attitudes (b = -0.03, 95% CI = [-0.10; 0.03]). Thus, while the intervention positively affected self-reported attitudes, implicit negative associations were unchanged. Using explicit and implicit measures of attitudes and attitude changes among children can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms and effectiveness of different intervention strategies.
Pluralism in reasoning: how to legitimate material inferences
Authors: Kuukkanen Jouni-Matti
Published: August 2023

Wilfrid Sellars’s suggestion that there are valid material inferences entails that validity is not limited to formal inferences. Because material inferences are expressed in ordinary language and deal with both conceptual and empirical matters, an interesting prospect unfolds: valid reasoning is irreducibly plural. However, it is not clear what the validity of inferences composed of non-logical and descriptive vocabulary means. I argue that it is better to speak of the legitimacy rather than the validity of material inferences. A material inference can be understood as legitimate when one has a pragmatic propriety to infer from an assertion A to an assertion B. Pragmatic propriety designates the social-normative entitlement of inferencing. Because pragmatic proprieties are discipline-specific and local, legitimate reasoning is plural. Nevertheless, the shared general feature of reasoning practices is to preserve and improve the coherence of one’s system of belief.
Evaluation of coffee husks in pellet bedding, performance characteristics, footpad dermatitis scoring, and meat quality of broiler ducks
Authors: Biesek Jakub , Wlaźlak Sebastian , Banaszak Mirosław , Grabowicz Małgorzata
Published: August 2023

The study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of pellet bedding made of straw or coffee husks (10, 25, 50%) and the performance characteristics of broiler ducks and footpad dermatitis. During rearing, the properties of the bedding and utility features of ducks were analyzed, and the frequency of footpad dermatitis (FPD) in ducks was verified. There was a decrease in dry matter from the 28th day of rearing. The crude fiber, NDF, ADF, and nitrogen content decreased compared to fresh bedding, while phosphorus and potassium increased. The highest pH was found in the CH25 and CH50 groups in fresh bedding on day 42 and in CH50 on day 14. High adj. R2 was found due to rearing time and bedding material (0.817–0.985). The ducks’ growth rate in the CH25 group was higher at week 6 than in the other groups. In CH10 and CH25 groups, higher carcass weight was found than in group C. In group CH10, a higher weight of pectoral muscles and lower wing proportion was found than in C. In CH25, a higher remains weight was shown than in C and CH50. In CH50, lower water-holding capacity in the pectoral muscles was found than in the other groups. Considering the bedding (the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), carcass features, and meat quality (water-holding capacity, intramuscular fat, and water content), it is possible to use 10, 25 or 50% of coffee husks in straw pellets in the rearing of broiler ducks. Due to the FPD, the moisture should be lowered.
A computational study of perspective cuts
Authors: Bestuzheva Ksenia , Gleixner Ambros , Vigerske Stefan
Published: August 2023

The benefits of cutting planes based on the perspective function are well known for many specific classes of mixed-integer nonlinear programs with on/off structures. However, we are not aware of any empirical studies that evaluate their applicability and computational impact over large, heterogeneous test sets in general-purpose solvers. This paper provides a detailed computational study of perspective cuts within a linear programming based branch-and-cut solver for general mixed-integer nonlinear programs. Within this study, we extend the applicability of perspective cuts from convex to nonconvex nonlinearities. This generalization is achieved by applying a perspective strengthening to valid linear inequalities which separate solutions of linear relaxations. The resulting method can be applied to any constraint where all variables appearing in nonlinear terms are semi-continuous and depend on at least one common indicator variable. Our computational experiments show that adding perspective cuts for convex constraints yields a consistent improvement of performance, and adding perspective cuts for nonconvex constraints reduces branch-and-bound tree sizes and strengthens the root node relaxation, but has no significant impact on the overall mean time.