bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mixed methods evaluation of a jail diversion program: Impact on arrests and functioning
Authors: Mehari Krista R. , Morgan Savannah , Stevens Laura Taylor , Coleman Jasmine N. , Schuler Kaitlyn , Graves Curtis , Lindsey Dakota R. B. , Smith Phillip N.
Published: March 2024

This mixed methods study had two aims: (1) to examine the effectiveness of a jail diversion program in reducing recidivism and promoting educational and employment outcomes; and (2) to qualitatively explore mechanisms through which the program was effective. Participants were 17 individuals arrested for drug offenses who participated in an intensive, law enforcement‐based jail diversion program, and 17 individuals in a comparison group. Arrests were extracted from police records, and education and employment were extracted from program data. Four intervention participants completed qualitative interviews. Arrest rates in the intervention group decreased significantly postintervention, and arrest rates in the intervention group were numerically lower than those in the comparison group. Participants experienced significant increases in employment and driver's license status. Participants also identified mechanisms through which the program was effective. This jail diversion program shows promise in reducing recidivism and promoting adaptive functioning. Jail diversion programs that include mentorship, peer support, and removal of barriers to success may be particularly effective.
Synthesis of Pseudostellaria heterophyllapolysaccharide‐gold nanocomposites and their antitumor effect through immunomodulation
Authors: Liu Zijing , Bao Yixi , Lan Haiyan , Pu Youwei
Published: March 2024

Polysaccharides from natural sources have an excellent immune function and low toxicity; however, their limitations such as short half‐life and instability limit their sustained pharmacological activity. In this context, the combination of polysaccharides and nanotechnology have been developed to promote the stability and prolong the immune activities of polysaccharides. To synthesize and explore the antitumor effect and immunomodulatory activity of PHP‐AuNPs. Polysaccharides extracted from Pseudostellaria heterophylla were used to synthesize gold nanocomposites (PHP‐AuNPs), and their physicochemical properties and immunoregulatory effect in vitro and in vivo were analyzed. The PHP‐AuNPs were green synthesized with high biosafety. PHP‐AuNPs can activate macrophages in vitro and decrease the tumor weight and volume, whereas they increase the immune organ index in vivo. Besides, PHP‐AuNPs showed a beneficial effect for maintaining the immune balance of CD4+/CD8+ T cells and modulating the release of cytokines such as TNF‐α increase and IL‐10 decrease in mice. All these results suggested that PHP‐AuNPs exhibit a remarkable antitumor effect and stronger immunomodulatory activity than that of free PHP‐1.

Research Highlights

The P. heterophylla polysaccharide‐gold nanocomposites (PHP‐AuNPs) were synthesized and physicochemical properties were characterized.

The cytotoxicity in vitro and immunomodulatory effects of PHP‐AuNPs on macrophages were analyzed.

The immune‐antitumor effects in vivo of PHP‐AuNPs have also been confirmed.
Proteomic analysis of ascitic extracellular vesicles describes tumour microenvironment and predicts patient survival in ovarian cancer
Authors: Vyhlídalová Kotrbová Anna , Gömöryová Kristína , Mikulová Antónia , Plešingerová Hana , Sladeček Stanislava , Kravec Marek , Hrachovinová Šárka , Potěšil David , Dunsmore Garett , Blériot Camille , Bied Mathilde , Kotouček Jan , Bednaříková Markéta , Hausnerová Jitka , Minář Luboš , Crha Igor , Felsinger Michal , Zdráhal Zbyněk , Ginhoux Florent , Weinberger Vít , Bryja Vitězslav , Pospíchalová Vendula
Published: March 2024

High‐grade serous carcinoma of the ovary, fallopian tube and peritoneum (HGSC), the most common type of ovarian cancer, ranks among the deadliest malignancies. Many HGSC patients have excess fluid in the peritoneum called ascites. Ascites is a tumour microenvironment (TME) containing various cells, proteins and extracellular vesicles (EVs). We isolated EVs from patients’ ascites by orthogonal methods and analyzed them by mass spectrometry. We identified not only a set of ‘core ascitic EV‐associated proteins’ but also defined their subset unique to HGSC ascites. Using single‐cell RNA sequencing data, we mapped the origin of HGSC‐specific EVs to different types of cells present in ascites. Surprisingly, EVs did not come predominantly from tumour cells but from non‐malignant cell types such as macrophages and fibroblasts. Flow cytometry of ascitic cells in combination with analysis of EV protein composition in matched samples showed that analysis of cell type‐specific EV markers in HGSC has more substantial prognostic potential than analysis of ascitic cells. To conclude, we provide evidence that proteomic analysis of EVs can define the cellular composition of HGSC TME. This finding opens numerous avenues both for a better understanding of EV's role in tumour promotion/prevention and for improved HGSC diagnostics.
Altered Dynamics of Brain Spontaneous Activity and Functional Networks Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Fu Linqing , Zhang Wen , Bi Yan , Li Xin , Zhang Xin , Shen Xinyi , Li Qian , Zhang Zhou , Yang Sijue , Yu Congcong , Zhu Zhengyang , Zhang Bing
Published: March 2024

Background

Cognitive impairment is increasingly recognized as an important comorbidity and complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D), affecting patients' quality of life and diabetes management. Dynamic brain activity indicators can reflect changes in key neural activity patterns of cognition and behavior.

Purpose

To investigate dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) changes and spontaneous brain activity based on resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) in patients with T2D, exploring their correlations with clinical features.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Forty‐five healthy controls (HCs) (22 males and 23 females) and 102 patients with T2D (57 males and 45 females).

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T/T1‐weighted imaging and rs‐fMRI with gradient‐echo planar imaging sequence.

Assessment

Functional networks were created using independent component analysis. DFC states were determined using sliding window approach and k‐means clustering. Spontaneous brain activity was assessed using dynamic regional homogeneity (dReHo) variability.

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance and post hoc analysis were used to compare the essential information including demographics, clinical data, and features of DFC and dReHo among groups. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. P‐values <0.05 were taken to indicate statistical significance.

Results

T2D group had significantly decreased mean dwell time and fractional windows in state 4 compared to HC. T2D with mild cognitive impairment showed significantly increased dReHo variability in left superior occipital gyrus compared to T2D with normal cognition. Mean dwell time and number of fractional windows of state 4 both showed significant positive correlations with the Montreal cognitive assessment scores (r = 0.309; r = 0.308, respectively) and the coefficient of variation of dReHo was significantly positively correlated with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.266). The integrated index had an area under the curve of 0.693 (95% confidence interval = 0.592–0.794).

Data Conclusion

Differences in DFC and dynamic characteristic of spontaneous brain activity associated with T2D‐related functional impairment may serve as indicators for predicting symptom progression and assessing cognitive dysfunction.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
MRI Investigation of the Association of Left Atrial and Left Atrial Appendage Hemodynamics with Silent Brain Infarction
Authors: Pradella Maurice , Baraboo Justin J. , Prabhakaran Shyam , Zhao Lihui , Hijaz Tarek , McComb Erin N. , Naidich Michelle J. , Heckbert Susan R. , Nasrallah Ilya M. , Bryan R. Nick , Passman Rod S. , Markl Michael , Greenland Philip
Published: March 2024

Background

Left atrial (LA) myopathy is thought to be associated with silent brain infarctions (SBI) through changes in blood flow hemodynamics leading to thrombogenesis. 4D‐flow MRI enables in‐vivo hemodynamic quantification in the left atrium (LA) and LA appendage (LAA).

Purpose

To determine whether LA and LAA hemodynamic and volumetric parameters are associated with SBI.

Study Type

Prospective observational study.

Population

A single‐site cohort of 125 Participants of the multiethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA), mean age: 72.3 ± 7.2 years, 56 men.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T. Cardiac MRI: Cine balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP) and 4D‐flow sequences. Brain MRI: T1‐ and T2‐weighted SE and FLAIR.

Assessment

Presence of SBI was determined from brain MRI by neuroradiologists according to routine diagnostic criteria in all participants without a history of stroke based on the MESA database. Minimum and maximum LA volumes and ejection fraction were calculated from bSSFP data. Blood stasis (% of voxels <10 cm/sec) and peak velocity (cm/sec) in the LA and LAA were assessed by a radiologist using an established 4D‐flow workflow.

Statistical Tests

Student's t test, Mann–Whitney U test, one‐way ANOVA, chi‐square test. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression with automatic forward and backward selection. Significance level P < 0.05.

Results

26 (20.8%) had at least one SBI. After Bonferroni correction, participants with SBI were significantly older and had significantly lower peak velocities in the LAA. In multivariable analyses, age (per 10‐years) (odds ratio (OR) = 1.99 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30–3.04)) and LAA peak velocity (per cm/sec) (OR = 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81–0.93)) were significantly associated with SBI.

Conclusion

Older age and lower LAA peak velocity were associated with SBI in multivariable analyses whereas volumetric‐based measures from cardiac MRI or cardiovascular risk factors were not. Cardiac 4D‐flow MRI showed potential to serve as a novel imaging marker for SBI.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Quantitative mass spectrometry imaging (qMSI): A tutorial
Authors: Kibbe Russell R. , Muddiman David C.
Published: March 2024

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an analytical technique that enables the simultaneous detection of hundreds to thousands of chemical species while retaining their spatial information; usually, MSI is applied to biological tissues. Combining these elements can create ion images, which allows for the identification and localization of multiple chemical species within the sample. Being able to produce molecular images of biological tissues has already impacted the study of health and disease; however, the next logical step is being able to combine MSI with quantitative mass spectrometry methods to both quantify and determine the localization of disease progression or drug action. In this tutorial, we will detail the main factors to consider when designing a qMSI experiment and highlight the methods that have been developed to overcome these added complexities, specifically for those newer to the field of MSI.
Estimation of thermodynamic and physicochemical properties of the alkali astatides: On the bond strength of molecular astatine (At2) and the hydration enthalpy of astatide (At−)
Authors: Burgers Peter C. , Zeneyedpour Lona , Luider Theo M. , Holmes John L.
Published: March 2024

The recent accurate and precise determination of the electron affinity (EA) of the astatine atom At0 warrants a re‐investigation of the estimated thermodynamic properties of At0 and astatine containing molecules as this EA was found to be much lower (by 0.4 eV) than previous estimated values. In this contribution we estimate, from available data sources, the following thermodynamic and physicochemical properties of the alkali astatides (MAt, M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs): their solid and gaseous heats of formation, lattice and gas‐phase binding enthalpies, sublimation energies and melting temperatures. Gas‐phase charge‐transfer dissociation energies for the alkali astatides (the energy requirement for M+At− ➔ M0 + At0) have been obtained and are compared with those for the other alkali halides. Use of Born‐Haber cycles together with the new AE (At0) value allows the re‐evaluation of ΔHf (At0)g (=56 ± 5 kJ/mol); it is concluded that (At2)g is a weakly bonded species (bond strength <50 kJ/mol), significantly weaker bonded than previously estimated (116 kJ/mol) and much weaker bonded than I2 (148 kJ/mol), but in agreement with the finding from theory that spin‐orbit coupling considerably reduces the bond strength in At2. The hydration enthalpy (ΔHaq) of At− is estimated to be −230 ± 2 kJ/mol (using ΔHaq[H+] = −1150.1 kJ/mol), in good agreement with molecular dynamics calculations. Arguments are presented that the largest alkali halide, CsAt, like the smallest, LiF, will be only sparingly soluble in water, following the generalization from hard/soft acid/base principles that “small likes small” and “large likes large.”
Diversity of enteroviruses in cerebrospinal fluid specimens collected from hospitalised patients in the private and public sector in South Africa
Authors: Janse van Rensburg Megan , Mans Janet , Mafuyeka Rendani T. , Strydom Kathy‐Anne , Myburgh Marcelle , van Zyl Walda B.
Published: March 2024

Enteroviruses cause a wide range of neurological illnesses such as encephalitis, meningitis, and acute flaccid paralysis. Two types of enteroviruses, echovirus E4 and E9, have recently been detected in South Africa and are known to be associated with meningitis and encephalitis. The objective of this study was to characterize enterovirus strains detected in cerebrospinal fluid specimens of hospitalized patients in the private and public sector to identify genotypes associated with meningitis and encephalitis. From January 2019 to June 2021 enterovirus positive nucleic acid samples were obtained from a private (n = 116) and a public sector (n = 101) laboratory. These enteroviruses were typed using a nested set of primers targeting the VP1 region of the enterovirus genome, followed by Sanger sequencing and BLASTn analysis. Forty‐two percent (91/217) of the strains could be genotyped. Enterovirus B species was the major species detected in 95% (86/91) of the specimens, followed by species C in 3% (3/91) and species A in 2% (2/91) of the specimens. Echovirus E4 and E9 were the two major types identified in this study and were detected in 70% (64/91) and in 10% (9/91) of specimens, respectively. Echovirus E11 has previously been identified in sewage samples from South Africa, but this study is the first to report Echovirus E11 in cerebrospinal fluid specimens from South African patients. The genotypes identified during this study are known to be associated with encephalitis and meningitis. The predominant detection of echovirus E4 followed by E9 corresponds with other studies conducted in South Africa.
Leukemia inhibitory factor protects against experimental periodontitis through immuno‐modulations of both macrophages and periodontal ligament fibroblasts
Authors: Ou Yanjing , Fan Le , Wang Xiaoqi , Xia Haibin , Cheng Mengwen , Huang Jing , Liang Youde , Wang Yining , Zhou Yi
Published: March 2024

Background

To explore the role of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in periodontitis via in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Methods

The second upper molar of LIF knockout mice and their wild‐type littermates were ligated for 8 days. Micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT), histological analysis, and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) were performed. The expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines were examined in mouse bone marrow derived macrophages and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment.

Results

LIF deficiency promoted alveolar bone loss, inflammatory cells infiltration, osteoclasts formation and collagen fiber degradation in ligature‐induced mouse, along with higher expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐6 (IL6), IL‐1β (IL1B), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFA), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), and RANKL/OPG ratio. Additionally, LIF deletion led to higher expression levels of these proinflammatory cytokines in mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages from both femur and alveolar bone and HPDLFs when treated with LPS. Administration of recombined LIF attenuated TNFA, IL1B, and RANKL/OPG ratio in HPDLFs.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that LIF deficiency promotes the progress of periodontitis via modulating immuno‐inflammatory responses of macrophages and periodontal ligament fibroblasts, and the application of LIF may be an adjunctive treatment for periodontitis to resolute inflammation.
Molecular interaction of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory prodrug nepafenac with ionic surfactants
Authors: Abbas Arshi , Shafqat Syed Salman , Nazar Muhammad Faizan , Khan Hafeez Ullah , Mukhtar Asma , Tayyab Muhammad , Syed Asad , Zafar Muhammad Nadeem , Masood Syeda Amna , Kamran Kashif
Published: March 2024

Drug‐surfactant interaction increases the solubility of poorly water‐soluble drugs and design better pharmaceutical formulations. The degree of interaction of nepafenac (NP), a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory prodrug was studied with ionic surfactant molecules such as cationic surfactant cetrytrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) in an aqueous medium at room temperature. NP made mixed micelles with CTAB and SDS. To investigate the influence of interactions, conductivity measurements, UV–visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence measurements were recorded. The quantification of NP–surfactant interactions was investigated using various mathematical models. The CMC values determined from conductivity measurements of pure surfactants were 0.96 mM for CTAB and 8.14 mM for SDS near to their literature values. At different mole fractions of NP in UV measurements, binding constants from lnKb were found 0.025 and 0.123 and number of NP molecules per micelles (n) 67, 46 for CTAB and SDS, respectively. The mixed micelles of NP–CTAB and NP–SDS revealed that CTAB has a strong interaction with NP than SDS. The Benesi–Hildebrand relationship, Stern–Volmer and Kawamura replica for the partition coefficient were used to confirm the findings. We are confident that the host–guest interaction mechanism can contribute to a better understanding of molecular recognition in the phospholipid membrane model.
Platelet‐rich plasma augmentation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Evidence is still too scattered. A scoping review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Delcogliano Marco , Sangiorgio Alessandro , Bensa Alessandro , Andriolo Luca , Boffa Angelo , Filardo Giuseppe
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) augmentation has been proposed to improve the results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The present study aims to quantify the available evidence to support the use of PRP as biological augmentation in ACLR surgery.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science and Embase databases on 10 March 2023. Inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), written in English, addressing PRP augmentation in ACLR surgery, with no time limitation. A scoping review was performed to map the body of literature by examining the evidence related to specific aspects of patients' treatment and evaluation. Risk of bias evaluation was performed with the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for randomised trials Version 2 (RoB 2), while the quality assessment was performed with the use of the Coleman Score.

Results

Out of 983 articles retrieved, 23 RCTs on 943 knees were included in this scoping review. PRP was administered in a liquid form in nine studies and clotted in 11 studies, while in three studies both liquid and clotted PRP were used. Hamstring auto/allografts were used in 14 studies, patellar tendon auto/allografts were used in eight studies and one study described ACLR with peroneus longus allografts. The map of the evidence documented high heterogeneity also in terms of surgical technique, objective and subjective outcome measures and radiological assessment, as well as follow‐up times ranging from 1 day to 2 years, with virtually no overlapping data among studies neither in terms of treatments nor evaluations. Risk of bias evaluation showed an overall low quality of the included studies.

Conclusions

The available literature addressing PRP augmentation in ACLR is largely scattered. PRP was produced and applied following different procedures, and high variability was detected across the included studies for every aspect of ACLR surgery and evaluation. Currently, a meaningful comparison of the available studies is not possible as the quantification of the literature results is biased by their heterogeneity. Future studies should provide more standardisation to investigate the benefits of biological augmentation in ACL surgery and confirm the promising yet weak evidence of PRP potential as well as the most suitable application modality, before routine use in clinical practice.

Level of Evidence

Levels I and II, scoping review.
Functional knee phenotypes appear to be more suitable for the Chinese OA population compared with CPAK classification: A study based on 3D CT reconstruction models
Authors: Liu LiMing , Lei Kai , Du Dekai , Lin Yong , Pan Zhaoxun , Guo Lin
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of coronal plane alignment of the knee (CPAK) classification and functional knee phenotypes in a Chinese osteoarthritis (OA) population and to compare different lower limb alignment targets according to the distribution characteristics to find suitable total knee arthroplasty (TKA) bone cut strategies for the Chinese OA patients.

Methods

The computed tomography (CT) images were retrospectively collected and the three‐dimensional (3D) models were reconstructed from 434 Chinese OA patients, including 93 males and 341 females, with a mean age of 66.4 ± 9.3 years. Femoral mechanical angle (FMA), tibial mechanical angle (TMA) and mechanical hip–knee–ankle angle (mHKA) were measured on the 3D models. Arithmetic hip–knee–ankle angle (aHKA) was calculated using FMA plus TMA, and joint line obliquity was calculated as 180 + TMA–FMA. The CPAK according to MacDessi and the functional knee phenotypes according to Hirschmann were performed. In addition, the suitable TKA bone cut strategies were explored according to the phenotypes and based on the characteristics of different alignment targets, such as mechanical alignment, anatomic alignment (AA), kinematic alignment, restricted KA (rKA) and adjusted MA (aMA). Statistical differences were determined using the independent‐samples t‐test or the two independent‐samples Wilcoxon test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

The Chinese OA population showed a varus alignment tendency (mHKA = 172.1° ± 7.2°), to which the TMA was a major contributor (TMA = 84.7° ± 4.4° vs. FMA = 91.3° ± 3.2°). The mHKA was on average 3.9° more varus than the aHKA. A total of 140 functional knee phenotypes were found and 45.6% were concentrated in VARFMA3°–NEUFMA0° to VARTMA3°–NEUTMA0°. More than 70% of patients had different FMA and TMA phenotypes. There were 92.9% of CPAK distributed in types I to IV, with type I accounting for 53.9%. The FMA phenotypes were less changed if the aMA and rKA were chosen, and the TMA phenotypes were less changed if the AA and rKA were chosen.

Conclusion

Compared with the CPAK, the functional knee phenotypes were more suitable for the Chinese OA population with a wide distribution and a varus tendency, and it seemed more appropriate to choose aMA and rKA as TKA alignment targets for resection.

Level of Evidence

Level Ⅲ.
Seasonal patterns of phytoplankton photoacclimation in a dimictic oligotrophic lake over 5 yr: Implications for chlorophyll as an estimate of biomass
Authors: Girdner Scott , Sprague Joshua
Published: March 2024

Chlorophyll a is commonly used as a surrogate for algal biomass in lakes and oceans even though phytoplankton can readily adjust intracellular chlorophyll concentration to changes in the environment through a cellular process termed photoacclimation. Marine studies have documented fluctuations in cellular chlorophyll to year‐round changes in light intensity and nutrients using the chlorophyll : carbon ratio to estimate cellular pigment density. However, similar freshwater studies are almost exclusively limited to chlorophyll : carbon ratios at the summertime deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) depth in less productive water. This study expands direct estimates of freshwater photoacclimation to all seasons of the year utilizing optically derived estimates of algal carbon and chlorophyll fluorescence from high‐frequency (daily) data. We describe patterns of photoacclimation at daily, seasonal, and interannual time scales over a 5‐yr period. We show that increases in chlorophyll density at the cellular level not only occurred at the DCM depth during summer stratification but were a dominant and recurring feature when the lake was vertically mixing in fall, winter, and spring. Pigment density within the mixed layer was negatively correlated with light level, indicating a photoacclimation driven response to reduced light intensity. Predicting how cellular pigment density is affected by the surrounding environment in a replicated range of lake systems is needed if chlorophyll is to be accurately used as an estimate of algal biomass in freshwaters.
Nonlinear Generation, Compression and Spatio‐Temporal Analysis of sub‐GV/cm‐Class Femtosecond Mid‐Infrared Transients
Authors: Schoenfeld Christoph , Feuerer Lennart , Heinrich Alexander‐Cornelius , Leitenstorfer Alfred , Bossini Davide
Published: March 2024

A Yb:YAG thin‐disk regenerative amplifier with 3 kHz repetition rate pumps a second‐order nonlinear mixing scheme providing femtosecond transients of maximum electric field strength beyond 330 MV cm−1 at a center frequency of 45 THz. This value surpasses field conditions present at submolecular dimensions of matter. The inherent competition between efficiency and bandwidth in parametric downconversion is overcome with a third‐order nonlinear step of self‐phase modulation (SPM). The high repetition rate, versatility, beam quality, and passive phase stability of our system support advanced spectroscopic approaches like electro‐optic sampling (EOS). With this technique, solitonic self‐compression and octave‐spanning supercontinua directly on a subcycle scale are studied.
Beyond Nanoparticle‐Based Intracellular Drug Delivery: Cytosol/Organelle‐Targeted Drug Release and Therapeutic Synergism
Authors: Cho Hana , Huh Kang Moo , Shim Min Suk , Cho Yong‐Yeon , Lee Joo Young , Lee Hye Suk , Kang Han Chang
Published: March 2024

Nanoparticle (NP)‐based drug delivery systems are conceived to solve poor water‐solubility and chemical/physical instability, and their purpose expanded to target specific sites for maximizing therapeutic effects and minimizing unwanted events of payloads. Targeted sites are also narrowed from organs/tissues and cells to cytosol/organelles. Beyond specific site targeting, the particular release of payloads at the target sites is growing in importance. This review overviews various issues and their general strategies during multiple steps, from the preparation of drug‐loaded NPs to their drug release at the target cytosol/organelles. In particular, this review focuses on current strategies for “first” delivery and “later” release of drugs to the cytosol or organelles of interest using specific stimuli in the target sites. Recognizing or distinguishing the presence/absence of stimuli or their differences in concentration/level/activity in one place from those in another is applied to stimuli‐triggered release via bond cleavage or nanostructural transition. In addition, future directions on understanding the intracellular balance of stimuli and their counter‐stimuli are demonstrated to synergize the therapeutic effects of payloads released from stimuli‐sensitive NPs.
Recent Advances in Controlled Production of Long‐Chain Branched Polyolefins
Authors: Dashti Arezoo , Ahmadi Mostafa
Published: March 2024

Polyolefins, composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, dominate global polymer production. This stems from the wide range of physical and mechanical properties that various polyolefins can cover. Their versatile properties are largely tuned by chain microstructure, including molar mass distribution, comonomer content, and long‐chain branching (LCB). Specifically, LCB imparts unique characteristics, notably enhances processability crucial for downstream applications. Tailoring LCB structural features has encouraged academic and industrial efforts, chronicle in this review from a chemistry standpoint. While encompassing post‐reaction modification based traditional methods like peroxide grafting, ionizing beam irradiation, and coupling reactions, the main focus is given to catalyst‐centric strategies and innovative polymerization schemes. The advent of single‐site catalysts—metallocenes and late transition metals catalysts—amplifies interest in tailored chemical methods, but the progress in LCB formation flourishes via tandem catalytic systems and bimetallic catalysts under controlled reaction conditions. Specifically, the breakthrough in coordinative chain transfer polymerization unveils a novel avenue for controlled LCB synthesis by sequential chain propagation, transfer, liberation, and enchainment. This short review highlights recent approaches for the production of LCB polyolefins that can provide a roadmap crucial for researchers in academia and industry, steering their efforts toward further advancements in the production of tailored polyolefin.
Alterations in microbiota of patients with COVID‐19: implications for therapeutic interventions
Authors: Qiu Yong , Mo Chunheng , Chen Lu , Ye Wanlin , Chen Guo , Zhu Tao
Published: March 2024

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) recently caused a global pandemic, resulting in more than 702 million people being infected and over 6.9 million deaths. Patients with coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) may suffer from diarrhea, sleep disorders, depression, and even cognitive impairment, which is associated with long COVID during recovery. However, there remains no consensus on effective treatment methods. Studies have found that patients with COVID‐19 have alterations in microbiota and their metabolites, particularly in the gut, which may be involved in the regulation of immune responses. Consumption of probiotics may alleviate the discomfort caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the pathophysiological process underlying the alleviation of COVID‐19‐related symptoms and complications by targeting the microbiota remains unclear. In the current study, we summarize the latest research and evidence on the COVID‐19 pandemic, together with symptoms of SARS‐CoV‐2 and vaccine use, with a focus on the relationship between microbiota alterations and COVID‐19‐related symptoms and vaccine use. This work provides evidence that probiotic‐based interventions may improve COVID‐19 symptoms by regulating gut microbiota and systemic immunity. Probiotics may also be used as adjuvants to improve vaccine efficacy.
Transcriptomic analysis of rat brain response to alternating current electrical stimulation: unveiling insights via single‐nucleus RNA sequencing
Authors: Wang Yan , Ma Yongchao , Zhong Qiuling , Song Bing , Liu Qian
Published: March 2024

Electrical brain stimulation (EBS) has gained popularity for laboratory and clinical applications. However, comprehensive characterization of cellular diversity and gene expression changes induced by EBS remains limited, particularly with respect to specific brain regions and stimulation sites. Here, we presented the initial single‐nucleus RNA sequencing profiles of rat cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus subjected to intracranial alternating current stimulation (iACS) at 40 Hz. The results demonstrated an increased number of neurons in all three regions in response to iACS. Interestingly, less than 0.1% of host gene expression in neurons was significantly altered by iACS. In addition, we identified Rgs9, a known negative regulator of dopaminergic signaling, as a unique downregulated gene in neurons. Unilateral iACS produced a more focused local effect in attenuating the proportion of Rgs9+ neurons in the ipsilateral compared to bilateral iACS treatment. The results suggested that unilateral iACS at 40 Hz was an efficient approach to increase the number of neurons and downregulate Rgs9 gene expression without affecting other cell types or genes in the brain. Our study presented the direct evidence that EBS could boost cerebral neurogenesis and enhance neuronal sensitization to dopaminergic drugs and agonists, through its downregulatory effect on Rgs9 in neurons.
Effect of Thalamic versus Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation on Head Tremor in Dystonic and Essential Tremor Patients—A Retrospective Video‐Blinded Study
Authors: Paschen Steffen , Wolke Robin , Gövert Felix , Lauber Alexandra , Zeuner Kirsten E. , Helmers Ann‐Kristin , Berg Daniela , Deuschl Günther , Becktepe Jos S.
Published: March 2024

Background

Head tremor is common in dystonia syndromes and difficult to treat. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapeutic option in medically‐refractory cases. In most DBS‐centers, the globus pallidus internus (GPi) is targeted in patients with predominant dystonia and the ventrointermediate nucleus of the thalamus (Vim) in predominant tremor. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of GPi‐ versus Vim‐DBS in dystonic or essential head tremor.

Methods

All patients with dystonia or essential tremor (ET) (n = 381) who underwent DBS surgery at our institution between 1999 and 2020 were screened for head tremor in our database according to predefined selection criteria. Of the 33 patients meeting inclusion criteria tremor and dystonia severity were assessed at baseline, short‐ (mean 10 months) and long‐term follow‐up (41 months) by two blinded video‐raters.

Results

Twenty‐two patients with dystonic head tremor received either GPi‐ (n = 12) or Vim‐stimulation (n = 10), according to the prevailing clinical phenotype. These two groups were compared with 11 patients with ET, treated with Vim‐stimulation. The reduction in head tremor from baseline to short‐ and long‐term follow‐up was 60–70% and did not differ significantly between the three groups.

Conclusions

GPi‐DBS effectively and sustainably reduced head tremor in idiopathic dystonia. The effect was comparable to the effect of Vim‐DBS on head tremor in dystonia patients with predominant limb tremor and to the effect of Vim‐DBS on head tremor in ET.
Costs for pediatric MH conditions have risen more than 30% in five years
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2024

Pediatric mental health is associated with higher total medical spending, including in such categories as inpatient stays, medication and outpatient services, according to new research that also explored the connection between mental health conditions for children and health care costs for the family.
SAMHSA, ONC launch initiative to improve provider data collection
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: March 2024

Two federal agencies last month announced the launch of an information technology (IT) initiative that will leverage more than $20 million to enhance data collection and care coordination for behavioral health providers.
Some in Maryland MH community suggest alternatives to AOT
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2024

The opposition to assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) or forced treatment is long‐standing. Observers interviewed by MHW pointed to harms of forced treatment and unrealistic expectations of implementation. Some said opposition to involuntary treatment has been ongoing for 30 years. On the other hand, some observers said that the AOT bill would establish patient protections. Others suggest client‐centered approaches.
Critical mass phenomenon for a parabolic–elliptic multispecies chemotaxis system in a two‐dimensional disk
Authors: Zhong Hua
Published: March 2024

A parabolic–elliptic Keller–Segel model for multipopulations in a two‐dimensional unit ball will be considered in this paper. For the initial boundary value problem with mutually attractive populations, the global existence of bounded solutions has been proved through the logarithmic Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev inequality for system when the initial masses satisfy the subcritical condition. Moreover, based on the moments technique, there exists a blow‐up solution when the initial masses satisfy the supercritical case. In a word, a critical mass phenomenon has been established in this multispecies chemotaxis system.
2024 SID Honors & Awards
Authors: Wilson Lori A.
Published: March 2024

The Society for Information Display recognizes outstanding achievements, groundbreaking innovations, and significant contributions to the display industry.
Tandem OLED: The Solution for In‐Vehicle Displays in the SDV‐Based EV Era
Authors: Kim ByeongKoo , Son Kihwan (Eric) , Kim Minkoo , Na Hyeyoun (Melody)
Published: March 2024

Electric vehicles are evolving into software‐defined vehicles, or “smartphones on wheels,” and require improvements in screenification, power management, safety enhancement, and vehicle‐to‐everything communication.
OLED Display Manufacturing—A Task for UV Lasers
Authors: Haupt Oliver
Published: March 2024

UV lasers are ideal for backplanes to enable highest resolutions and brightness, perfect cuts to maximize the display area, and creating the smallest holes for sensors.
New Physics for Better OLEDs
Authors: Fusella Michael A. , Menon Vinod M. , Thompson Nicholas J.
Published: March 2024

As OLED dives into the realm of high brightness, flexible, rollable, and stretchable products, the plasmonic PHOLED is uniquely suited to enable next‐generation displays.
Evaluating disease status in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies with quantitative muscle ultrasound
Authors: Tan Jie Ying , Tan Cheng Yin , Yahya Mohd Azly , Shahrizaila Nortina , Goh Khean Jin
Published: March 2024

Introduction/Aims

Muscle strength, functional status, and muscle enzymes are conventionally used to evaluate disease status in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). This study aims to investigate the role of quantitative muscle ultrasound in evaluating disease status in IIM patients.

Methods

Patients with IIM, excluding inclusion body myositis, were recruited along with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HC). All participants underwent muscle ultrasound and clinical assessments. Six limb muscles were unilaterally scanned using a standardized protocol, measuring muscle thickness (MT) and echo intensity (EI). Results were compared with HC, and correlations were made with outcome measures.

Results

Twenty IIM patients and 24 HC were recruited. The subtypes of IIM were dermatomyositis (6), necrotizing myositis (6), polymyositis (3), antisynthetase syndrome (3), and nonspecific myositis (2). Mean disease duration was 8.7 ± 6.9 years. There were no significant differences in demographics and anthropometrics between patients and controls. MT of rectus femoris in IIM patients was significantly lower than HC. Muscle EI of biceps brachii and vastus medialis in IIM patients were higher than HC. There were moderate correlations between MT of rectus femoris and modified Rankin Scale, Physician Global Activity Assessment, and Health Assessment Questionnaire, as well as between EI of biceps brachii and Manual Muscle Testing‐8.

Discussion

Muscle ultrasound can detect proximal muscle atrophy and hyperechogenicity in patients with IIM. The findings correlate with clinical outcome measures, making it a potential tool for evaluating disease activity of patients with IIM in the late phase of the disease.
Deep‐learning‐based super‐resolution for accelerating chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI
Authors: Pemmasani Prabakaran Rohith Saai , Park Se Weon , Lai Joseph H. C. , Wang Kexin , Xu Jiadi , Chen Zilin , Ilyas Abdul‐mojeed Olabisi , Liu Huabing , Huang Jianpan , Chan Kannie W. Y.
Published: March 2024

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is a molecular imaging tool that provides physiological information about tissues, making it an invaluable tool for disease diagnosis and guided treatment. Its clinical application requires the acquisition of high‐resolution images capable of accurately identifying subtle regional changes in vivo, while simultaneously maintaining a high level of spectral resolution. However, the acquisition of such high‐resolution images is time consuming, presenting a challenge for practical implementation in clinical settings. Among several techniques that have been explored to reduce the acquisition time in MRI, deep‐learning‐based super‐resolution (DLSR) is a promising approach to address this problem due to its adaptability to any acquisition sequence and hardware. However, its translation to CEST MRI has been hindered by the lack of the large CEST datasets required for network development. Thus, we aim to develop a DLSR method, named DLSR‐CEST, to reduce the acquisition time for CEST MRI by reconstructing high‐resolution images from fast low‐resolution acquisitions. This is achieved by first pretraining the DLSR‐CEST on human brain T1w and T2w images to initialize the weights of the network and then training the network on very small human and mouse brain CEST datasets to fine‐tune the weights. Using the trained DLSR‐CEST network, the reconstructed CEST source images exhibited improved spatial resolution in both peak signal‐to‐noise ratio and structural similarity index measure metrics at all downsampling factors (2–8). Moreover, amide CEST and relayed nuclear Overhauser effect maps extrapolated from the DLSR‐CEST source images exhibited high spatial resolution and low normalized root mean square error, indicating a negligible loss inZ‐spectrum information. Therefore, our DLSR‐CEST demonstrated a robust reconstruction of high‐resolution CEST source images from fast low‐resolution acquisitions, thereby improving the spatial resolution and preserving mostZ‐spectrum information.
Influences of healthcare workers' behaviours towards infection prevention and control practices in the clinical setting: A systematic review
Authors: Mutsonziwa Gift A. , Mojab Marwa , Katuwal Megha , Glew Paul
Published: March 2024

Aim

To systematically evaluate empirical studies investigating the influences of healthcare workers' behaviours towards infection prevention and control practices in the Coronavirus clinical space, and to appraise and synthesise these findings.

Design

A systematic review of the literature.

Methods

The review used a five‐step framework described by Khan et al. (Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 2003, 96 and 118) of Framing questions for a review; Identifying relevant work; Assessing the quality of studies; Summarising the evidence; and Interpreting the findings. Searches were conducted in CINHAL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to retrieve relevant peer‐reviewed literature published in English between 2019 and 2023. Covidence and Joanna Briggs Quality appraisal tools were used for critical assessment. To improve transparent reporting, this review used a Synthesis Without Meta‐analysis (SWiM) in systematic review guidelines, as informed by Campbell et al. (BMJ, 2020, 368).

Results

Twenty studies were included in this review, identifying nine themes describing factors influencing HCWs' behaviours towards IPC practices in the coronavirus environment. The overarching influences emerged as knowledge‐oriented, person‐oriented, and environment‐oriented.

Conclusion

Healthcare workers' responsibilities at point‐of‐care involve providing direct care to patients with highly transmissible infections and working in clinical settings that may be ill‐designed for IPC practices, increasing the risk of transmission. Given the lack of a definitive solution to eradicate new mutant viruses and that IPC practices are the mainstay of prevention and control of transmissible, measures to improve are imperative. The identified HCWs' domains on behaviours towards IPC are critical in strategies to mitigate risks and further set an opportunity for developing an IPC model congruent with the rapid response required for HCWs during emerging or re‐merging mutant virus outbreaks. This is significant, given that HCWs' preparedness with IPC practices at point‐of‐care is central to patient care, the workforce and community safety.
Relationship between fear of COVID‐19 and mental health of Chinese nurses: The mediating effects of psychological capital and burnout
Authors: Liu Chengxiang , Li Sainan , Zhou Juan , Zhang Miao , Chen Hong
Published: March 2024

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between fear of COVID‐19 and mental health of nurses and the effects of psychological capital and burnout in this relation.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

The online surveys were conducted among mainland Chinese nurses. Participants (n = 445; average age 32.89 ± 6.76 years) completed an online‐questionnaire based on the Fear of COVID‐19 Scale, the Psychological Capital Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for Medical Professionals Scale and the 12‐Item Short Form Health Survey. Data analysis was conducted by Pearson's correlation analysis, Harman single‐factor test and the bootstrap method for mediating effect testing.

Results

(1) The study demonstrated a significant direct effect of fear of COVID‐19 on nurses' mental health, as well as on mediating factors such as burnout and psychological capital. (2) Regression analyses confirmed that while psychological capital bolstered mental health, burnout undermined it, with fear of COVID‐19 further imposing a negative influence. (3) Fear of COVID‐19 exerted an effect on the mental health of nurses by the independent and chain intermediary functions of psychological capital and burnout, resulting in a total mediating effect of −0.233.
Nursing students' experience of moral distress in clinical settings: A phenomenological study
Authors: Dehkordi Leila Mardanian , Kianian Toktam , Nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht
Published: March 2024

Aim

To explore nursing students' moral distress (MD) experiences in clinical settings.

Design

An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) design was employed.

Methods

Purposive sampling was used. In‐depth semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted from December 2020 to June 2021 with nursing students who were taking the internship course in clinical settings. Data analysis was conducted following Dickman et al.'s (1989) method.

Results

Ten nursing students participated in this study. Three main themes were identified, including (1) negative learning environments, (2) internal disgust and (3) threats to professional identity.

Conclusion

Findings showed that value conflict, lack of knowledge of ethical standards and its application, and unprofessional approaches result in negative environmental learning perceptions from the nursing students. Therefore, due to being unable to change the situation, they start to feel guilt and shame and, as a result, decide to escape the problem instead of managing it. These feelings lead to internal disgust. This issue indicates the importance of improving the knowledge and perception of these situations. Thus, nursing students must be prepared for the real world, where their ideals are constantly challenged. MDs were experienced as threats to dignity, inequality, distrust, and change of mentality towards nursing, characterised as threats to professional identity. It is suggested to inquire about the process of nursing students' resiliency in morally disturbing situations to deduce the suitable approach for clinical education.