bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly selective chromogenic and fluorogenic probe based on benzothiazole‐thiosemicarbazone Schiff base for detection of copper (II) in real samples
Authors: Zhong Xuefang , Cheng Song , Zhao Zhigang , Shi Zhichuan
Published: April 2023

Copper is the third most abundant essential transition metal ion in the human body. It's responsible for important activities in many living things, but excessive intake of Cu2+ can lead to a range of diseases. A colorimetric and turn‐off fluorescent probe (E)‐2‐(5‐(benzothiazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐(diethylamino)‐4‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐N‐phenylhydrazine‐1‐carbothioamide (ZTR) was designed and synthesized by thiosemicarbazone Schiff base as a specific complexes site strategy to achieve highly specific Cu2+ detection. The fluorescence of the probe ZTR solution fell dramatically when Cu2+ was added, and its appearance changed from dazzling blue to nearly colorless. The simple structure and readily available fluorescent probe provide a novel approach for the quantitative detection of Cu2+ in the linear range from 0 to 0.12 μM, with a detection limit down to 16 nM, and with high selectivity for Cu2+ over 15 other metal ions. Job’s plot analysis showed that probe ZTR and Cu2+ formed a 1:1 coordination complex. In addition, because of its low detection limits and fast response time, the created fluorescent molecule was effectively used to study the target ions on test paper strips and in water samples.))
Sirtuin 6 ameliorates bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis via activation of lipid catabolism
Authors: He Jiangping , Yu Cong , Shen Yunlong , Huang Jiao , Zhou Yanzi , Gu Jianmin , Cao Ying , Zheng Quan
Published: April 2023

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and serious interstitial lung disease with little effective therapies currently. Our incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis remains obstacles in therapeutic developments. Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) has been shown to mitigate multiple organic fibrosis. However, the involvement of SIRT6‐mediated metabolic regulation in pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that SIRT6 was predominantly expressed in alveolar epithelial cells in human lung tissues by using a single‐cell sequencing database. We showed that SIRT6 protected against bleomycin‐induced injury of alveolar epithelial cells in vitro and pulmonary fibrosis of mice in vivo. High‐throughput sequencing revealed enriched lipid catabolism in Sirt6 overexpressed lung tissues. Mechanismly, SIRT6 ameliorates bleomycin‐induced ectopic lipotoxicity by enhancing lipid degradation, thereby increasing the energy supply and reducing the levels of lipid peroxides. Furthermore, we found that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) was essential for SIRT6‐mediated lipid catabolism, anti‐inflammatory responses, and antifibrotic signaling. Our data suggest that targeting SIRT6‐PPARα‐mediated lipid catabolism could be a potential therapeutic strategy for diseases complicated with pulmonary fibrosis.
Phycoremediation and simultaneous production of protein‐rich algal biomass from aquaculture and agriculture wastewaters
Authors: Bhatti Shabana , Richards Robert , Wall Cheryl L. , MacPherson Margaret J. , Stemmler Kevin , Lalonde Crystal G. , Patelakis Shane J. J. , Tibbetts Sean M. , McGinn Patrick J.
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Microalgae cultivation in wastewaters is a potential remediation technology for converting residual nutrients into valuable biomass for biofuels, fertilizers, animal and aquaculture feeds, and bio‐based chemicals. The objective of this study was to determine the potential for microalgae phycoremediation of aquaculture and agriculture wastewaters for sustainable production of nutrient‐rich algal biomass.

RESULTS

Thirty‐seven aquaculture and agriculture wastewaters were evaluated as growth media for two freshwater, chlorophytic microalgae strains (Chlorella sorokiniana SMC14M and Scenedesmus sp. AMDD). Although nutrient levels and physicochemical parameters of the wastewaters varied widely, phycoremediation efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorous was high (> 70%) for a large majority of them, with both microalgae strains. Photobioreactor cultivation (300 L) of C. sorokiniana grown on finfish aquaculture wastewater (CA2) and standard growth medium (SGM) exhibited similar biomass production levels and nutritional compositions of moisture (4.9–5.0%), ash (5.9–6.1%), nitrogen (8.6–8.8%), protein (41.0–42.1%), lipid (8.6–8.8%), carbohydrate (38.3–39.3%) and gross energy (22.2–22.3 MJ⋅kg−1) with highly similar fatty acid and amino acid profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the use of freshwater microalgae to remediate various aquaculture and agriculture wastewaters, while producing valuable nutrient‐rich biomass, is feasible. We have found that a particular finfish aquaculture wastewater (CA2) contains all of the nutrients required for rapid microalgae growth, avoiding the need for expensive commercial fertilizers. The biochemical composition of C. sorokiniana grown on CA2 aquaculture wastewater has good potential for use as a nutrient‐rich ingredient for animal and aquaculture feeds, fertilizers products, biofuels and other applications, resulting in remediated water that could be reused. © 2023 National Research Council Canada. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development.
Characterization of polymer‐polymer aqueous two‐phase system droplets for 3D culture future applications
Authors: Chairez‐Cantu Karolina , González‐González Mirna , Rito‐Palomares Marco
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Cell‐based high‐throughput platforms using aqueous two‐phase systems (ATPS) have led to the construction of 3D cultures using ATPS in which stem cells are confined into polymer–polymer droplets, giving rise to viable spheroids for their further proliferation and differentiation. This work aims to characterize polymer–polymer ATPS droplet generation based on diameter size, morphology and uniformity, using basic laboratory equipment.

RESULTS

Dextran (DEX), including DEX 500 000 and 70 000 g mol−1, as well as UCON were used as the droplet phase (0.5, 1, 2 μL). Polyethylene glycol (PEG), including PEG 8 000, 10 000 and 35 000 g mol−1, as well as DEX 75 000 g mol−1 and Ficoll were used as the bulk phase (50, 100 μL). Different ATPS compositions (molecular weights and concentrations) with phosphate‐buffered saline as ATPS solvent and construction strategies (droplet added, immersed or covered) were evaluated in 96‐well plates. ATPS droplets were generated in PEG‐DEX ATPS. Diameter size and morphology were susceptible to ATPS compositions, construction strategies and DEX droplet phase volumes with no significant difference in PEG bulk phase volumes, whereas higher uniformity of ATPS droplets was correlated to lower PEG bulk volumes. Therefore, 1 μL DEX droplets immersed at the bottom of a well filled with 50 μL PEG resulted in uniform ATPS droplets with a mid‐range diameter of 1.35 ± 0.23 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results, this work demonstrates simplified and practical alternatives for the generation of reproducible PEG‐DEX ATPS droplets that could be adapted for the encapsulation of different cell types for further 3D culture applications. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Decoupling solid and hydraulic retention times in microalgal biofilm reactors treating primary wastewater: performance and biodiesel potential
Authors: Arcila Juan S , Halloum Ibrahim , Calvo Diana , Buitrón Germán , Torres César I
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Microalgal biofilm systems are a promising approach for wastewater treatment and for production of biodiesel precursors through simple biomass harvesting. However, the low concentration of nutrients in wastewater limits possible approaches for microalgal growth. The effective decoupling of the solid retention time (SRT) and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) in biofilm reactors as an alternative for increasing microalgae growth and biodiesel performance in low‐strength wastewater has not been investigated. In this study, we tracked how decoupling the SRT and the HRT influences the removal of organics and nutrients, the biomass productivity and the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).

RESULTS

Three perturbations of the HRT, SRT and liquid level (LL) with regards to the base case condition (HRT 2.6 h; SRT 21 days, LL 5 mm) performance were analyzed. The base case showed the highest TN and TP removal (>50%) outcomes with high pH values (>10). A decrease of HRT and SRT from 2.6 to 1.3 h and 21 to 10 days, respectively, promoted an increment of microalgal productivity ≤5.8 ± 0.7 g m−2 day−1. A short HRT of 1.3 h enhanced the nitrogen removal rate up to 1.2 g N m−2 day−1, which triggered an increase in the FAME productivity and microalgal density on the biofilms without affecting their productivity.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that the strategy of decoupling HRT and SRT allows operation at shorter HRTs, promoting microalgal growth without affecting FAME production in low‐strength municipal wastewater. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
More complex incidental bidirectional naming results from exposure alone
Authors: Kleinert‐Ventresca Kelly , Greer R. Douglas , Baldonado Lauren
Published: April 2023

Incidental bidirectional naming (Inc‐BiN) has been defined as a verbal developmental cusp whereby children demonstrate learning the names of things as listener and speaker as a function of observation alone. Stimulus characteristics have been found to affect performance in tests for Inc‐BiN. To further explore this effect, Experiment 1 compared untaught listener and speaker responses for novel familiar‐type versus novel nonfamiliar‐type stimuli with 20 first‐grade students following naming experiences in which the participants observed each visual stimulus five times while hearing its name. Participants performed significantly better with familiar‐type than with nonfamiliar‐type stimuli. Experiment 2 examined the effects of a repeated‐probe intervention to induce Inc‐BiN with nonfamiliar‐type stimuli. Participants were six first‐grade students who demonstrated incidental unidirectional naming (i.e., acquired names as listener from exposure alone). Implementation of the intervention was staggered across dyads of participants in a multiple‐probe, simultaneous‐treatments design. One participant in each dyad received the intervention with nonfamiliar‐type stimuli only and the other with both nonfamiliar‐ and familiar‐type stimuli. Pre‐ and postintervention Inc‐BiN probes with stimuli not included in the intervention suggested both conditions were effective in establishing Inc‐BiN for nonfamiliar‐type stimuli. These findings have implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying Inc‐BiN.
Nitrilase mediated mild hydrolysis of a carbon‐14 nitrile for the radiosynthesis of 4‐(7‐hydroxycarbamoyl‐[1‐14C‐heptanoyl]‐oxy)‐benzoic acid methyl ester, [14C]‐SHP‐141: A novel class I/II histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor
Authors: Kitson Sean L. , Watters William , Moody Thomas S. , Chappell Todd , Mazitschek Ralph
Published: April 2023

A strategy has been developed for the carbon‐14 radiosynthesis of [14C]‐SHP‐141, a 4‐(7‐hydroxycarbamoyl‐heptanoyloxy)‐benzoic acid methyl ester derivative containing a terminal hydroxamic acid. The synthesis involved four radiochemical transformations. The key step in the radiosynthesis was the conversion of the 7‐[14C]‐cyano‐heptanoic acid benzyloxyamide [14C]‐4 directly into the carboxylic acid derivative, 7‐benzyloxycarbamoyl‐[14C]‐heptanoic acid [14C]‐8 using nitrilase‐113 biocatalyst. The final step involved deprotection of the benzyloxy group using catalytic hydrogenation to facilitate the release of the hydroxamic acid without cleaving the phenoxy ester. [14C]‐SHP‐141 was isolated with a radiochemical purity of 90% and a specific activity of 190 μCi/mg from four radiochemical steps starting from potassium [14C]‐cyanide in a radiochemical yield of 45%.
The effect of neuroinflammation on the cerebral metabolism at baseline and after neural stimulation in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Cheataini Fatima , Ballout Nissrine , Al Sagheer Tareq
Published: April 2023

Neuroinflammation is a reaction of nervous tissue to an attack caused by an infection, a toxin, or a neurodegenerative disease. It involves brain metabolism adaptation in order to meet the increased energy needs of glial cell activation, but the nature of these adaptations is still unknown. Increasing interest concerning neuroinflammation leads to the identification of its role in neurodegenerative diseases. Few reports studied the effect of metabolic alteration on neuroinflammation. Metabolic damage initiates a pro‐inflammatory response by microglial activation. Moreover, the exact neuroinflammation effect on cerebral cell metabolism remains unknown. In this study, we reviewed systematically the neuroinflammation effect in animal models' brains. All articles showing the relationship of neuroinflammation with brain metabolism, or with neuronal stimulation in neurodegenerative diseases were considered. Moreover, this review examines also the mitochondrial damage effect in neurodegeneration diseases. Then, different biosensors are classified regarding their importance in the determination of metabolite change. Finally, some therapeutic drugs inhibiting neuroinflammation are cited. Neuroinflammation increases lymphocyte infiltration and cytokines' overproduction, altering cellular energy homeostasis. This review demonstrates the importance of neuroinflammation as a mediator of disease progression. Further, the spread of depolarization effects pro‐inflammatory genes expression and microglial activation, which contribute to the degeneration of neurons, paving the road to better management and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Microglial inflammation modulates opioid analgesic tolerance
Authors: Pahan Priyanka , Xie Jennifer Yanhua
Published: April 2023

As we all know, opioids are the drugs of choice for treating severe pain. However, very often, opioid use leads to tolerance, dependence, and hyperalgesia. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying opioid tolerance and designing strategies for increasing the efficacy of opioids in chronic pain are important areas of research. Microglia are brain macrophages that remove debris and dead cells from the brain and participate in immune defense of the central nervous system during an insult or injury. However, recent studies indicate that microglial activation and generation of proinflammatory molecules (e.g., cytokines, nitric oxide, eicosanoids, etc.) in the brain may contribute to opioid tolerance and other side effects of opioid use. In this review, we will summarize the evidence and possible mechanisms by which proinflammatory molecules produced by activated microglia may antagonize the analgesic effect induced by opioids, and thus, lead to opioid tolerance. We will also delineate specific examples of studies that suggest therapeutic targets to counteract the development of tolerance clinically using suppressors of microglial inflammation.
Focal vascular occlusion: A link between livedoid vasculopathy and cutaneous arteritis?
Authors: Nagy Géza R. , Veres Klára , Belső Nóra , Németh István Balázs , Varga Erika , Korom Irma , Kemény Lajos , Bata‐Csörgő Zsuzsanna
Published: April 2023

Background

Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) and cutaneous arteritis (CA) are rare cutaneous diseases. A consideration of these two conditions as different entities is debatable, because thrombosis and inflammation are closely related in their pathogenesis mechanisms. Varying reports on the effectiveness of anticoagulant and immunosuppressant therapies in LV and CA also point to diagnostic challenge and overlap in these conditions.

Objectives

We sought to assess the therapeutic effect of anticoagulation therapy in adult patients with CA, who were recalcitrant to immunosuppressive modalities.

Methods

A monocentric retrospective analysis of adult patients who were diagnosed with CA between 2010 and 2018, was carried out.

Results

We describe 8 cases of long‐term recalcitrant CA, in whom anticoagulation therapy significantly reduced the pain and cutaneous symptoms. All patients had cutaneous symptoms compatible with CA along with clinical features also characteristic of LV, including underlying procoagulative disorders in the majority (87.5%), as confirmed by screening for thrombophilia. We also review current concepts regarding LV and CA, and suggest vascular occlusion is a common link between these two entities.

Conclusions

Although current knowledge advocates segregating vasculopathy from vasculitis by means of histopathological examination in LV and CA, clinical experience suggests some overlap and common complex underlying pathomechanisms.
Enhancing Thermal Conductivity of hBN/SiC/PTFE Composites with Low Dielectric Properties via Pulse Vibration Molding
Authors: Feng Yanhong , Chen Tao , Gao Shuo , Yin Xiaochun , Zhang Guizhen
Published: April 2023

In order to enhance the thermal conductivity of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐based composites, while maintaining relatively low dielectric constant and dielectric loss for high‐frequency and high‐speed applications, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and silicon carbide (SiC) compounded fillers are filled into the PTFE matrix. The hBN/SiC/PTFE composites are prepared by pulse vibration molding (PVM), and their subsequent thermal conductivities are comparatively investigated. The PVM process with controlled fluctuation in pressure (1 Hz square wave force, 0–20 MPa, at 150 °C) can reduce the sample porosity and surface defects, improve the orientation of hBN, and increase the thermal conductivity by 44.6% compared with that obtained by compression molding. When hBN:SiC (vol) is 3:1, the in‐plane thermal conductivity of the composite with 40 vol% filler content is ≈4.83 W m−1 K−1, which is 40.3% higher than that of hBN/PTFE. Regarding the dielectric properties, hBN/SiC/PTFE maintains a low dielectric constant of 3.27 and a low dielectric loss of 0.0058. The dielectric constants of hBN/SiC/PTFE ternary composites are predicted by using different prediction models, among which the effective medium theory (EMT), is in good agreement with the experimental results. PVM shows great potential in the large‐scale preparation of thermal conductive composites for high‐frequency and high‐speed applications.
Characterisation of the mechanical properties of polyamide 12 powder when using titanium dioxide as antimicrobial additive
Authors: du Maire P. , Deckert M. , Johlitz M. , Öchsner A.
Published: April 2023

Antimicrobial properties of plastic components are an important part of polymer engineering. One commonly used additive with an antibacterial effect is titanium dioxide. The aim of this study is to investigate the influences on the mechanical properties resulting from the addition of titanium dioxide as an antimicrobial additive and the processing of the compounds with selective laser sintering. Compounds with 5 %, 10 % and 15 % titanium dioxide and polyamide 12 as matrix material are fabricated. Tensile test specimen are produced from the compounds, examined and the results compared with virgin polyamide 12. The investigations show a general loss in the ultimate tensile strength compared to the virgin polyamide 12. Comparing the different titanium dioxide contents with each other, an increasing tensile strength with increasing titanium dioxide content of the compound can be examined. A decreasing elongation at break and thus a decreasing ductility can also be observed. Furthermore, the results of the tensile test show a stiffening effect, i. e. an increase in the elastic modulus due to the addition of titanium dioxide.
Videoconference‐led art‐based interventions for children during COVID‐19: Comparing mindful mandala and emotion‐based drawings
Authors: Léger‐Goodes Terra , Malboeuf‐Hurtubise Catherine , Herba Catherine M. , Taylor Geneviève , Mageau Geneviève A. , Chadi Nicholas , Lefrançois David
Published: April 2023

Emerging evidence on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic suggests that children are experiencing a deterioration in mental health, namely, an increase in anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity symptoms. To address this rising issue, preventive strategies and mental health interventions need to be evaluated to help children in their school setting. Recent studies have suggested that art‐based interventions could increase children's well‐being and be easily implemented in schools. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of an emotion‐based directed drawing intervention, compared to a mandala drawing intervention, on elementary school children's (n = 165) mental health, in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic. An experimental design was used to compare the effects of the two interventions on primary school students' anxiety, depression, and inattention symptoms. All drawing activities were led by an online facilitator, while children and teachers attended school in‐person. Mixed analyses of variance revealed a significant effect of time on students' levels of anxiety. Post hoc sensitivity analyses indicated that children from both groups reported lower levels of anxiety pre‐ to postintervention. Results from this study showed that, in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic, both emotion‐based and mandala drawing interventions could improve certain mental health aspects of elementary school children, by reducing their anxiety levels. Informal evidence indicates that implementing these interventions online and remotely through a videoconferencing platform is feasible and well received by children and their teachers. Nevertheless, future studies should include an inactive control group, explore the acceptability of the intervention, and use longitudinal methods to better document if the positive impacts on mental health can be maintained through time.
Nonclassical perturbation approach to a nonlinear multiparameter eigenvalue problem arising in electromagnetics
Authors: Martynova Valeria , Valovik Dmitry
Published: April 2023

The paper focuses on a problem of nonlinear electromagnetic wave propagation in a plane shielded waveguide filled with nonlinear medium. We look for nonlinear eigenvalues that correspond to propagation constants of the waveguide. One of the main feature of the problem is that it has nonperturbative solutions and therefore the corresponding linearized problem cannot be used in any perturbation approach to find such eigenvalues (moreover, it turns out that the linearized problem is solvable in exceptional cases only). To solve the main problem, we develop a nonlinear perturbation approach based on usage of a certain simpler nonlinear problem that also has nonlinearizable solutions. Using this approach, we prove existence of nonlinearizable solutions to the main problem. Numerical results are also presented. Briefly, we present electromagnetic background for the main problem.
Maximal regularity and two‐sided estimates of the approximation numbers of the nonlinear Sturm–Liouville equation solutions with rapidly oscillating coefficients in L2(ℝ)
Authors: Muratbekov Madi , Muratbekov Mussakan , Altynbek Serik
Published: April 2023

A theorem on the maximum regularity of solutions of the nonlinear Sturm–Liouville equation with greatly growing and rapidly oscillating potential in the space
is proved in this paper. Two‐sided estimates of the Kolmogorov widths of the sets associated with solutions of the nonlinear Sturm–Liouville equation are also obtained. As is known, the obtained estimates give the opportunity to choose approximation apparatus that guarantees the minimum possible error.
Near‐optimal control of a stochastic pine wilt disease model with prevention strategies
Authors: Xu Jing , Yuan Sanling
Published: April 2023

Pine wood nematode disease has become nowadays a major threat to forest ecosystems and caused huge economic and environmental losses to many countries and regions. Considering the influence of environmental factors such as temperature, drought, and humidity, as well as possible prevention strategies, including trunk injection, cutting infected pines, and insecticide application, in this paper, we develop a stochastic pine wilt disease model with prevention strategies, aiming to obtain the conditions for its near‐optimal control. The near‐optimality problem is constructed by decreasing the infected pine forests and beetle population while minimizing the costs of prevention strategies. We first verify that, under certain convexity conditions, the near‐minimum condition of the Hamiltonian function is sufficient for the near‐optimal control. Then, by utilizing the spike variational technique, we derive the necessary conditions of the near‐optimal control. Finally, we present an example to illustrate the validity of the main theoretical results, which indicates that reasonable prevention strategies could effectively reduce pine wilt infection, and therefore, to some extent, could protect the pine forests from pine wilt disease and reduce economic losses caused by this disease.
Advanced practice physiotherapists in Scottish primary care: Axial Spondyloarthropathy epidemiology, time to diagnosis, and referrals to rheumatology
Authors: Hepburn Jordan
Published: April 2023

Objectives

(1) Generate empirical knowledge of a Musculoskeletal (MSK) Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP) Service in Scottish Primary Care; (2) Identify the incidence and baseline time to diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthropathy (AxSpA); (3) Identify APP Rheumatology referral fulfilment of the NICE 2017 Guidelines and Spondylarthritis Diagnosis Evaluation (SPADE) Tool; (4) Calculate APP Rheumatology referral conversion rates for AxSpA diagnosis and further investigation; (5) Contribute towards the current body of literature for informing analysis of MSK APP services within Scottish Primary Care.

Methods

An audit and evaluation approach was undertaken over a 3‐year period (May 2019–April 2022). Relevant clinical cases from the whole‐service data‐set were identified and analysed, using retrospective electronic healthcare record review and descriptive statistical techniques.

Results

A total of 37,656 primary care MSK APP consultations took place, with N = 19 suspected AxSpA referrals made to Rheumatology. N = 6 cases of AxSpA were diagnosed by a Rheumatologist (31.6%). The mean age of individuals diagnosed with AxSpA was 39.6 ± 8.8, and 66.7% (4/6) were female. Mean time to diagnosis was 3.4 years, and incidence per‐10,000 person‐years was 1.6. Compliance of referrals with the NICE 2017 Guidelines and SPADE Tool Criteria was 78.9%. Of those diagnosed with AxSpA, 66.7% met both referral criterion sets.

Conclusion

Those referred by an MSK APP from primary care had a 5.1 year shorter time to diagnosis than the previous reported UK average of 8.5 years. APPs identified relevant AxSpA features in referring to Rheumatology, and supported effective implementation of the local secondary care pathway.
Effect of online modified mindfulness‐based stress reduction training on the resilience of nursing interns in China
Authors: Wang Yanqiu , Kou Jingli , Han Binru
Published: April 2023

Aim

This study aimed to adopt online mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) training to increase the resilience of nursing interns and help them to achieve a smooth transition.

Design

A one‐group pretest‐posttest study design was used.

Methods

A total of 119 college nursing interns were recruited from 12 tertiary hospitals in Beijing on Feb.20, 2021. The MBSR training was organized into 4 weeks of courses, conducted online using Tencent Meeting and taught by a certified teacher at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. Resilience was assessed before and 2 weeks after the training, respectively, using Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents via an online questionnaire tool.

Results

Seventy‐nine college nursing interns finished both of the resilience questionnaire surveys. The mean resilience values before and after the training were 98.7 ± 13.69 and 104.57 ± 16.64 respectively. The 4‐week online MBSR training considerably increased the resilience of nursing interns. This can be an effective measure to maintain a balanced state among nursing interns and help them smoothly transition from school to clinical practice.

No Patient or Public Contribution.
Factors associated with compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Jia , Su Mei , Chang Wenzhong , Hu Yuchong , Ma Yujia , Tang Peijuan , Sun Jiaxin
Published: April 2023

Aims

To examine the factors influencing compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses and to explore the combined results of multiple factors.

Design

An online cross‐sectional study was conducted.

Review Methods

Data were collected from 311 nurses using a convenience sampling method from January to February 2022. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis and mediation tests were performed.

Results

Compassion fatigue in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses was in the moderate to high levels. Physical status, number of children, emotional labour, lack of professional efficacy, emotional exhaustion and the none‐only‐child can influence compassion fatigue; lack of professional efficacy, cynicism, social support, work experience, employment status and night shift were predictive of compassion satisfaction. Social support partially mediated between lack of professional efficacy and compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction; emotional labour moderated in the mediated analysis model.

Conclusion

Moderate to high levels of compassion fatigue was present in 75.88% of obstetrics and gynaecology nurses. Some factors affect compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. Thus, nursing managers should consider factors and construct a monitoring system to reduce compassion fatigue and improve compassion satisfaction.

Implications for the Profession

The results will provide a theoretical basis for improving job satisfaction and the quality of care in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses. And this may raise concerns about the occupational health of obstetrics and gynaecology nurses in China.

Reporting Method

The study was reported according to the STROBE.

Patient or Public Contribution

The nurses spent time filling out the questionnaires during the data collection phase and answered the questions sincerely.

What does this article contribute to the wider global clinical community?

Obstetrics and gynaecology nurses with 4–16 years of experience are prone to experience compassion fatigue.

The effect of lack of professional efficacy on compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction can be improved by social support.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Reducing nurse compassion fatigue and improving compassion satisfaction are important for providing quality nursing care to obstetrics and gynaecology patients. In addition, clarifying the influencing factors of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction can improve nurses' work efficiency and job satisfaction, and provide theoretical guidance for managers to implement interventions.
Registration of RU9601099 short‐grain rice germplasm
Authors: Wisdom D. K. A. , De Guzman C. T. , Moldenhauer K. A. K.
Published: April 2023

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station released the germplasm of a short‐grain rice (Oryza sativa L.) known by its experimental designation RU9601099 (Reg. no. GP‐150, PI 701904). The line originated from the cross ‘Koshihikari’/’Mars’ (cross no. 900625), made at the Rice Research and Extension Center, Stuttgart, AR, in 1990. The RU9601099 line has an average yield of 7698 kg ha−1, excellent milling yield of 62/71 (% head rice/% total rice), and greater straw strength than either of its parents. The RU9601099 line provides a high‐yielding, lodging resistant, Japanese‐quality short‐grain rice line that is agronomically adapted to Arkansas growing conditions. These characteristics make this line beneficial for mid‐South producers to market rice to Japan.
Plasma concentration of atorvastatin metabolites correlates with low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Sverre E. , Munkhaugen J. , Kristiansen O. , Weedon‐Fekjær H. , Peersen K. , Gjertsen E. , Gullestad L. , Bergan S. , Husebye E. , Vethe N. T.
Published: April 2023

In this exploratory study from a randomized double‐blinded crossover trial including 70 patients with coronary heart disease and self‐perceived muscular side effects of statins, we aimed to determine the relationship between low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) reduction and atorvastatin metabolite plasma concentrations. All patients underwent a 7 weeks treatment period with atorvastatin 40 mg/day and a 7 weeks placebo period in random order. Nonlinear regression with a three‐parameter equation explored the relationship between percentage LDL‐C reduction (statin vs. placebo) and the pharmacokinetic variables. Mean LDL‐C reduction was 49% (range 12% to 71%). The sum of 4‐OH‐atorvastatin acid and lactone correlated moderately with the LDL‐C response (Spearman ρ 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03 to 0.48). Accordingly, nonlinear regression showed R2 of 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.37, R2 adjusted equaled 0.11). Even a perfect underlying correlation of 1.0 showed R2 = 0.32 by simulation, using historical intra‐individual LDL‐C variation (8.5%). The 90% inhibitory concentration was 2.1 nmol/L, and the 4‐OH‐metabolite sum exceeded this threshold in 34% of the patients. In conclusion, trough plasma concentrations of 4‐OH‐atorvastatin metabolites correlated moderately to the LDL‐C reduction. A plateau LDL‐C response was observed above a pharmacokinetic threshold, below which the response was highly variable. The usefulness of monitoring concentrations of atorvastatin metabolites to optimize the individual dosage have limitations, but its supportive potential may be pursued in relevant patient subsets to achieve adequate efficacy at the lowest possible dose. The results add knowledge to the overall understanding of the variable LDL‐C response mediated by atorvastatin.
Geniposidic acid attenuates DSS‐induced colitis through inhibiting inflammation and regulating gut microbiota
Authors: Jiang Peng , Zhang Yun , Li Xiaojie , Chen Junyang
Published: April 2023

Geniposidic acid (GPA) is a bioactive compound isolated from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae) that has long been used to treat arthritis, jaundice, and hypertension. However, the therapeutic effects of GPA against colitis remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effect of GPA on the remission of colitis and the underlying mechanisms. A DSS‐induced colitis mouse model was used to evaluate the influence of GPA on the modulation of gut microbiota and intestinal epithelial barrier function. Our results indicated that GPA improved DSS‐induced mouse colitis, including loss of body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and colonic pathological damage. DSS‐induced destruction of the intestinal barrier was also significantly repaired by GPA treatment. In addition, the relative levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1β and TNF‐α, were markedly alleviated by GPA. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed that GPA downregulated the protein expression of the nuclear transcription factor NF‐κB. Finally, we first demonstrated that GPA could alleviate gut microbiota dysbiosis in mice with colitis by bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the therapeutic and protective effects of GPA on IBD and provides novel insights into the prevention of colitis by targeting gut microbiota metabolism using natural products.
No rest for resting spores: Can predators mitigate clubroot disease?
Authors: Schwelm Arne , Brennan Fiona , Geisen Stefan
Published: April 2023

The clubroot pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae is a major and growing problem for the cultivation of Brassica crops. As conventional control disease management methods are ineffective or prohibited due to their ecological impact, and crop resistance is frequently broken, biological control of the pathogen has become a key focus for the development of sustainable agricultural systems. Here we provide a perspective review on the unexplored impact of soil microbiome predators, and their potential use as biocontrol agents, using clubroot disease as an example. We highlight several pathways by which microbiome predators can reduce clubroot in soils, including directly through predation and indirectly by inducing a clubroot‐suppressive microbiome. We further discuss how some microbiome predators might, in contrast, benefit clubroot disease spread through mechanisms such as phoresy toward hosts. We highlight that gaps in knowledge need to be filled that hinder wider application of microbiome predators against P. brassicae alone, and in combination with known biocontrol agents.
Confounding adjustment in the analysis of augmented randomized controlled trial with hybrid control arm
Authors: Li Liang , Jemielita Thomas
Published: April 2023

The augmented randomized controlled trial (RCT) with hybrid control arm includes a randomized treatment group (RT), a smaller randomized control group (RC), and a large synthetic control (SC) group from real‐world data. This kind of trial is useful when there is logistics and ethics hurdle to conduct a fully powered RCT with equal allocation, or when it is necessary to increase the power of the RCT by incorporating real‐world data. A difficulty in the analysis of augmented RCT is that the SC and RC may be systematically different in the distribution of observed and unmeasured confounding factors, causing bias when the two control groups are analyzed together as hybrid controls. We propose to use propensity score (PS) analysis to balance the observed confounders between SC and RC. The possible bias caused by unmeasured confounders can be estimated and tested by analyzing propensity score adjusted outcomes from SC and RC. We also propose a partial bias correction (PBC) procedure to reduce bias from unmeasured confounding. Extensive simulation studies show that the proposed PS + PBC procedures can improve the efficiency and statistical power by effectively incorporating the SC into the RCT data analysis, while still control the estimation bias and Type I error inflation that might arise from unmeasured confounding. We illustrate the proposed statistical procedures with data from an augmented RCT in oncology.
Cobalt Ferrite‐Gossypol Coordination Nanoagents with High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency Sensitizing Chemotherapy against Bcl‐2 to Induce Tumor Apoptosis
Authors: Zeng Yun , Liu Huifang , Ma Jingwen , Li Ke , Chang Peng , Wang Chenying , Li Lei , Chen Dan , Liu Changhu , Li Na , Zhan Wenhua , Zhan Yonghua
Published: April 2023

Gossypol is a chemotherapeutic drug that can inhibit the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2, but the existing gossypol‐related nanocarriers cannot well solve the problem of chemotherapy resistance. Based on the observation that gossypol becomes black upon Fe3+ coordination, it is hypothesized that encasing gossypol in glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and making it coordinate cobalt ferrite will not only improve its photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) but also help it enter tumor cells. As the drug loading content and drug encapsulation efficiency of gossypol are 10.67% (w/w) and 96.20%, the PCE of cobalt ferrite rises from 14.71% to 36.00%. The synergistic therapeutic effect finally induces tumor apoptosis with a tumor inhibition rate of 96.56%, which is 2.99 and 1.47 times higher than chemotherapy or photothermal therapy (PTT) alone. PTT generated by the GMO nanocarriers under the irradiation of 808 nm laser can weaken tumor hypoxia, thereby assisting gossypol to inhibit Bcl‐2. In addition, the efficacy of nanocarriers is also evaluated through T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Observations of gossypol‐induced apoptosis in tissue slices provide definitive proof of chemotherapy sensitization, indicating that such coordination nanocarriers can be used as an effective preclinical agent to enhance chemotherapy.
Bamboo‐Inspired Structurally Efficient Materials with a Large Continuous Gradient
Authors: Mao Anran , Chen Jiewei , Bu Xiaochen , Tian Lulu , Gao Weiwei , Saiz Eduardo , Bai Hao
Published: April 2023

Because of its light weight and high strength, bamboo is used in many applications around the world. Natural bamboo is built from fiber‐reinforced material and exhibits a porous graded architecture that provides its remarkable mechanical performance. This porosity gradient is generated through the unique distribution of densified vascular bundles. Scientists and engineers have been trying to mimic this architecture for a very long time with much of the work focusing on the effect of fiber reinforcement. However, there still lacks quantitative studies on the role of pore gradient design on mechanical properties, in part because the fabrication of bamboo‐inspired graded materials is challenging. Here, the steep and continuous porosity gradient through an ingenious cellular design in Moso bamboo is revealed. The effect of gradient design on the mechanical performance is systematically studied by using 3D‐printed models. The results show that not only the magnitude of gradient but also its continuity have a significant effect. By introducing a continuous and large gradient, the maximum flexural load and energy absorption capability can be increased by 40% and 110% when comparing to the structure without gradient. These bamboo‐inspired cellular architectures can offer efficient solutions for the design of damage tolerant engineering structures.
Realizing Highly‐Ordered Laser‐Reduced Graphene for High‐Performance Flexible Microsupercapacitor
Authors: Zhao Yirong , Du Jingwei , Du Jiajun , Lu Qiongqiong , Mikhailova Daria , Yu Minghao , Pan Xiaojun
Published: April 2023

Laser reduction of graphene oxide (GO) with direct‐write technology is promising to develop miniaturized energy storage devices because of highly flexible, mask‐free, and chemical‐free merits. However, laser reduction of GO is often accompanied with deflagration (spectacular and violent deoxygenating reaction), leading reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films into brittle and irregular internal structure which is harmful to the applications. Here, a pre‐reduction strategy is demonstrated to avoid this deflagration and realize a uniform laser‐reduced GO (LrGO) matrix for the application of flexible micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs).The pre‐reduction process with ascorbic acid decreases the content of oxygen‐containing functional groups on GO in advance, and thus relieves gases emission and avoids unconstrained expansion during the laser reduction process. In addition, a self‐assembled skeleton with pre‐reduced GO (PGO) nanosheets could be constructed which is a more appropriate aforehand framework for laser reduction to establish controllable rGO films with the homogenous porosity. The quasi‐solid‐state MSCs assembled with laser‐reduced PGO exhibit the maximum areal capacitance of 88.32 mF cm−2, good cycling performance (capacitance retention of 82% after 2000 cycles), and outstanding flexibility (no capacitance degradation after bending for 5000 times). This finding provides opportunities to enhance quality of LrGO which is promising for micro‐power devices and beyond.
Filler‐Enhanced Piezoelectricity of Poly‐L‐Lactide and Its Use as a Functional Ultrasound‐Activated Biomaterial
Authors: Vukomanović Marija , Gazvoda Lea , Kurtjak Mario , Maček‐Kržmanc Marjeta , Spreitzer Matjaž , Tang Qiao , Wu Jiang , Ye Hao , Chen Xiangzhong , Mattera Michele , Puigmartí‐Luis Josep , Pane Salvador Vidal
Published: April 2023

Poly‐L‐lactide (PLLA) offers a unique possibility for processing into biocompatible, biodegradable, and implantable piezoelectric structures. With such properties, PLLA has potential to be used as an advanced tool for mimicking biophysical processes that naturally occur during the self‐repair of wounds and damaged tissues, including electrostimulated regeneration. The piezoelectricity of PLLA strongly depends on the possibility of controlling its crystallinity and molecular orientation. Here, it is shown that modifying PLLA with a small amount (1 wt%) of crystalline filler particles with a high aspect ratio, which act as nucleating agents during drawing‐induced crystallization, promotes the formation of highly crystalline and oriented PLLA structures. This increases their piezoelectricity, and the filler‐modified PLLA films provide a 20‐fold larger voltage output than nonmodified PLLA during ultrasound (US)‐assisted activation. With 99% PLLA content, the ability of the films to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase the local temperature during interactions with US is shown to be very low. US‐assisted piezostimulation of adherent cells directly attach to their surface (such as skin keratinocytes), stimulate cytoskeleton formation, and as a result cells elongate and orient themselves in a specific direction that align with the direction of PLLA film drawing and PLLA dipole orientation.
KIF15 knockdown inhibits the development of endometrial cancer by suppressing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and stemness through Wnt/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Huang Jie , Sun Xinwei , Diao Ge , Li Runbo , Guo Jianxin , Han Jian
Published: April 2023

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers among women, while the incidence of EC is rising. Many studies have found that Kinesin family member 15 (KIF15) is highly expressed in a series of cancers, but the role of KIF15 in EC is unclear. We detected the expression level of KIF15 in a microarray of EC tissues by immunohistochemical staining (IHC), and analyzed the correlation between the expression level of KIF15 and the pathological characteristics of patients. After inhibit the expression of KIF15 in EC cells with lentivirus, cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected respectively by CCK8 assay, flow cytometry and tunnel assay. Transwell assay and wound healing assay were used to examine the migration ability and invasion ability of EC cells. Spheroid formation assay was used to evaluate cell self‐renewal ability. In vivo tumor xenograft model was used for validation. The expressions of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling molecules were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that the expression of KIF15 in EC tissues was higher than that in normal endometrial tissues, while the expression level of KIF15 in EC was positively correlated with the pathological grade of the tumor. The down‐regulation of KIF15 reduced the proliferation, colony formation, invasion, migration and self‐renewal ability of EC cells, while promoted cell apoptosis. Knockdown of KIF15 inactivates the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling of EC cells, inhibitors of Wnt signaling can counteract the enhanced self‐renewal ability caused by KIF15 overexpression. Therefore, KIF15 may be a new potential target for diagnosis and treatment of EC.
Anaesthesia, analgesia and cardiovascular support in a Kunekune pig undergoing a complicated umbilical hernia repair
Authors: Dagnall Clare , Deutsch Julia
Published: April 2023

This report describes the peri‐operative anaesthesia and analgesia management of a 5‐year‐old Kunekune pig undergoing surgical correction of an umbilical hernia. Premedication with azaperone (1 mg/kg), xylazine (0.5 mg/kg), butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) and ketamine (5 mg/kg) intramuscularly preceded induction of anaesthesia with ketamine (2 mg/kg) intravenously. General anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. Analgesia was supported intraoperatively by a transversus abominis plane block with lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg), and a ketamine (10 μg/kg/min) infusion intravenously. Crystalloid fluid boluses and atropine intravenously were administered, and mechanical ventilation was stopped to aid correction of hypotension. Post‐operative analgesia was supported with a continuous infusion of ketamine (5 μg/kg/min) intravenously, butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) intravenously every 6 hours, paracetamol (10 mg/kg) intravenously orally every 8 hours and meloxicam (0.4 mg/kg) intravenously orally every 24 hours. The pig made progressive clinical improvement and was discharged 7 days after the surgery.