bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New extralimital breeding records of saltmarsh sparrows (Ammospiza caudacuta) and Nelson's sparrows (Ammospiza nelsoni) and their implications
Authors: Ruskin Katharine J. , Clark Jonathan D. , Hotopp Alice , Kovach Adrienne I. , Guido Nicole A. , Hernandez Dean L. , Peña Colin , Webb Samantha N. , Shriver W. Gregory
Published: September 2023

Saltmarsh (Ammospiza caudacuta) and Nelson's (A. nelsoni) sparrows are sister taxa that breed in tidal marshes along the coast of the Northeastern United States and Canada. The Saltmarsh Sparrow breeds from mid‐coast Maine south to Virginia, while the Acadian Nelson's Sparrow breeds from the Canadian maritime provinces south to northern Massachusetts. Here, we present three extralimital observations of breeding Saltmarsh (n = 2) and Nelson's (n = 1) sparrows. In 2021 and 2022, we observed Saltmarsh Sparrow females attending nests at Mendall Marsh, ME, and Milbridge, ME, respectively, approximately 60 and 110 km beyond the documented northern extent of the Saltmarsh Sparrow breeding range. In 2022, we observed a breeding‐condition male Nelson's sparrow singing in the upriver portion of a marsh on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, approximately 115 km beyond the previously documented southern extent of the Nelson's Sparrow breeding range. We confirmed morphological species identification using a panel of microsatellite DNA loci. Due to both the well‐documented population declines of these species in the region and the intensity of sampling effort undertaken in recent years, we suggest that these observations likely are not indicative of range expansion. However, they do indicate that these 2 taxa have the capacity to use and successfully reproduce in marshes well beyond their established breeding limits. Our findings provide novel insight into the potential for these taxa to occur and successfully breed outside their documented breeding ranges. Given increased interest in their conservation, these results support the idea that management actions aimed at creating or maintaining nesting habitat across both species ranges could benefit both taxa.
UVA‐Light‐Promoted Catalyst‐Free Photochemical Aerobic Oxidation of Boronic Acids
Authors: Gkizis Petros L. , Constantinou Constantinos T. , Kokotos Christoforos G.
Published: September 2023

The hydroxy group, and the phenol moiety in particular, is ubiquitous in several natural products, in organic synthesis and/or pharmaceutical industry. With the uprise of photoredox catalysis, many efforts worldwide focus on developing novel and sustainable protocols, providing an easy access to hydroxy‐containing molecules. Boronic acids and boronic ester derivatives are considered valuable precursors for the synthesis of hydroxy group derivatives. Herein, we report a novel, sustainable, light‐driven protocol, where the impact of wavelength irradiation on boronic acid aerobic photooxidation was examined. In this work, UVA‐light (370 nm) irradiation was found to promote the photocatalyst‐free aerobic oxidation of boronic acids and boronic acid derivatives. Furthermore, a broad scope of substrates was tested, and extensive mechanistic studies were performed in order to probe the reaction mechanism.
Long‐term performance of single‐lap joints: Review, challenges and prospects in civil engineering
Authors: Shu Yue , Qiang Xuhong , Jiang Xu , Xiao Yi , Dong Hao
Published: September 2023

Compared with traditional technology, bonding technology is more suitable for civil structure reinforcement because of its cost‐efficiency and superior mechanical properties. However, research on the long‐term performance of single‐lap joints (SLJs) requires better organization and comprehension. This article aims to investigate the long‐term performance and optimization design of SLJs. The main factors influencing the long‐term performance of SLJs from both material and component levels are discussed. The moisture diffusion mechanisms of bulk adhesives and the degradation mechanisms of SLJs are explored. Moreover, the optimization design of SLJs focuses on evaluating the overlap length, adhesive layer thicknesses, and changes in adhesives along the overlap length based on available literature. It is found that the applicability of diffusion models should be validated, and the selection of the models should consider working environments and types of adhesives. Exploring failure mechanisms and design criteria for the mixed SLJs in hygrothermal environments with/without sustained or alternating load is significant for the optimization design. This article indicates the limitations on the shear strength and long‐term performance of SLJs in available studies and provides insights into the challenges and prospects of their optimization design.
Seismic fragility analysis of coupled building‐slope systems
Authors: Raj Dhiraj , Singh Yogendra , Kaynia Amir M.
Published: September 2023

Buildings located on hill slopes are subjected to additional effects under seismic action compared with those on flat ground. This article presents Incremental Dynamic Analyses of coupled building‐slope systems incorporating topographic amplification, nonlinear slope movement and irregular structural configuration of hill‐side buildings. Two different stable slopes, supporting single and multiple adjacent ductile moment resisting reinforced concrete frame buildings with step‐back configuration, prevalent in Indian and Chinese hilly regions, are modelled and analyzed using the finite element software ABAQUS. A suite of 21 ground motions is incrementally scaled and used to compute the seismic response of the coupled system. Fragility curves for different damage states, derived as lognormal probability distributions in terms of three different Intensity Measures (IMs) and damage probabilities of the considered buildings, are derived and compared. The spectrum‐based IMs (e.g., spectral acceleration at fundamental period, and average of the spectral acceleration over a period range) result in lower record‐to‐record variability, compared with the peak ground acceleration as the IM. The results reveal that ignoring the effect of slope significantly underestimates the fragility for all the damage states.
Development and Validation of Multiple Linear Regression Models for Predicting Chronic Zinc Toxicity to Freshwater Microalgae
Authors: Price Gwilym A. V. , Stauber Jenny L. , Jolley Dianne F. , Koppel Darren J. , Van Genderen Eric J. , Ryan Adam C. , Holland Aleicia
Published: September 2023

Multiple linear regression (MLR) models were developed for predicting chronic zinc toxicity to a freshwater microalga, Chlorella sp., using three toxicity-modifying factors (TMFs): pH, hardness, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The interactive effects between pH and hardness and between pH and DOC were also included. Models were developed at three different effect concentration (EC) levels: EC10, EC20, and EC50. Models were independently validated using six different zinc-spiked Australian natural waters with a range of water chemistries. Stepwise regression found hardness to be an influential TMF in model scenarios and was retained in all final models, while pH, DOC, and interactive terms had variable influence and were only retained in some models. Autovalidation and residual analysis of all models indicated that models generally predicted toxicity and that there was little bias based on individual TMFs. The MLR models, at all effect levels, performed poorly when predicting toxicity in the zinc-spiked natural waters during independent validation, with models consistently overpredicting toxicity. This overprediction may be from another unaccounted for TMF that may be present across all natural waters. Alternatively, this consistent overprediction questions the underlying assumption that models developed from synthetic laboratory test waters can be directly applied to natural water samples. Further research into the suitability of applying synthetic laboratory water–based models to a greater range of natural waters is needed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2630–2641. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Petrogenesis of the Zijinshan alkaline complex in Shanxi Province, western North China Craton: Mixing of melts from multiple sources
Authors: Wang Zhen‐Yu , Fan Hong‐Rui , Liu Shuang‐Liang , Li Xiao‐Chun
Published: September 2023

The destruction of the North China Craton (NCC) is a well‐known dynamic event in the Mesozoic, but the western NCC, with only few magmatic activities, has lacked  studies so far. The Zijinshan alkaline complex, tectonically located at the western part of the NCC and the eastern edge of Ordos Block/Basin, is one of the most typical alkaline intrusions during the NCC destruction, and consists of monzonite, aegirine–augite syenite, nepheline syenite, pseudoleucite phonolite and trachyte porphyry. Geochronological, geochemical and in situ Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic analyses were performed on the various lithologies, in order to reveal the magma sources, petrogenesis and possible geodynamic processes. Zircon and titanite U–Pb dating shows that the Zijinshan complex was emplaced at ~130 Ma. The main rocks are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large‐ion lithophile elements (LILEs; such as Rb, Ba, K, Sr), and depleted in heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) and high‐field‐strength elements (HFSEs; such as Th, U, Nb, Ta, Ti), without negative Eu anomaly. In addition, the obviously enriched and inhomogeneous Sr–Nd isotopic components occurred among the various lithologies, implying the primary magma of Zijinshan complex may originate from a deep mixed source. Specifically, the monzonites of Zijinshan complex come from the partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle with participation of crustal materials. Meanwhile, the nepheline syenites and alkaline volcanics originated from the enriched lithospheric mantle mixing with the depleted asthenosphere‐derived compositions. During the NCC destruction, continuous asthenospheric upwelling resulted in several times of mixing of melts from asthenospheric mantle, lithospheric mantle and lower crust in different proportions, and then the mixed magma of each episode migrated upward to the shallow part to form the Zijinshan pluton.
Delayed skin grafting protocol following Integra™ application for non‐radiated scalp reconstruction for decreased wound depth and improved contour
Authors: Reece Mac Kenzie , Walker Hannah , Benintendi Isabella , Ward Stacey , Thatcher Ashley , Johnson R. Michael , Kadakia Sameep P.
Published: September 2023

The clinical use of Integra™ has expanded to include scalp reconstruction since its FDA approval in 1996. Integra™, or dermal regeneration template, can be utilized in patients who are elderly with multiple medical comorbidities. Well‐established Integra™ techniques utilize skin grafting 1–2 weeks following evidence of template vascularity. Most studies show the time to graft placement as <30 days, with almost all <52 days. No single article proposes a time frame for applying STSG after neodermis regeneration. Therefore, we aimed to describe our protocol to define a time frame for delaying scalp reconstruction with STSG following dermal regeneration. Over the last several years, the senior author has utilized a delayed reconstruction with skin grafting method where‐in Integra™ is applied to either debrided bone or exposed pericranium in selected patients, and allowed to mature for ~6 weeks before performing skin grafting. The results have been predictable, reproducible, and have yielded high levels of patient and provider satisfaction due to the improved contour cosmesis. In this pictorial essay, the authors' novel protocol is detailed.
Bibliometric analysis of publication trends and topics of influenza‐related encephalopathy from 2000 to 2022
Authors: Zhang Zhengyu , Tan Juntao , Li Ying , Zhou Xiumei , Niu Jianhua , Chen Jun , Sheng Hongfeng , Wu Xiaoxin , Yuan Yuan
Published: September 2023

Background

Influenza‐related encephalopathy is a rapidly progressive encephalopathy that usually presents during the early phase of influenza infection and primarily manifests as central nervous system dysfunction. This study aimed to analyze the current research status and hotspots of influenza‐related encephalopathy since 2000 through bibliometrics analysis.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) was used to extract global papers on influenza‐related encephalopathy from 2000 to 2022. Meanwhile, the VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were used for data processing and result visualization.

Results

A total of 561 published articles were included in the study. Japan was the country that published the most articles, with 205 articles, followed by the United States and China. Okayama University and Tokyo Medical University published the most articles, followed by Nagoya University, Tokyo University, and Juntendo University. Based on the analysis of keywords, four clusters with different research directions were identified: “Prevalence of H1N1 virus and the occurrence of neurological complications in different age groups,” “mechanism of brain and central nervous system response after influenza virus infection,” “various acute encephalopathy” and “diagnostic indicators of influenza‐related encephalopathy.”

Conclusions

The research progress, hotspots, and frontiers on influenza‐related encephalopathy after 2000 were described through the visualization of bibliometrics. The findings will lay the groundwork for future studies and provide a reference for influenza‐related encephalopathy. Research on influenza‐related encephalopathy is basically at a stable stage, and the number of research results is related to outbreaks of the influenza virus.
A study on the level of NLRP3 inflammasome in patients with premature rupture of membranes
Authors: Xue Fen , Wang Yan , Tao Xue‐Qiang , Su Wei
Published: September 2023

Objective

In this study, we investigated the levels of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐18, and the NOD‐like receptor pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in patients with premature rupture of membranes (PROMs).

Methods

We selected 60 pregnant women at the Fourth Hospital of Baotou between January 2019 and July 2021. These women were divided into three distinct groups: the preterm PROM group with 20 cases, term PROM (TPROM) group with 20 cases, and a control group with 20 cases consisting of normal full‐term pregnancies without PROM. Peripheral blood was collected from all participants. Using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, the levels of IL‐1 and IL‐18 in the plasma were assessed. Additionally, the proportions of NLRP3, apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein (ASC), and caspase‐1‐positive macrophages were also evaluated.

Results

The ratios of NLRP3, ASC, IL‐1β, and IL‐18 concentrations, along with the presence of caspase‐1‐positive macrophages, were notably greater in the PROM groups in comparison with the control group (p < .05). In the TPROM group and control group, the proportions of IL‐1β and IL‐18 levels were found to be lower than NLRP3, ASC, and caspase‐1‐positive macrophages levels (p < .05).

Conclusion

The concentrations of IL‐1β and IL‐18, as well as the ratios of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase‐1‐positive macrophages, were elevated in patients with PROM compared to the control group. This suggests a potential correlation between the excessive activation of NLRP3 and the development of PROM.
Diagnostic values of serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF in acute pulmonary embolism complicated by pulmonary artery hypertension and their correlations with severity of pulmonary artery hypertension
Authors: Zheng Qinghou , Zhang Bin , Lu Na , Li Xinyi , Jin Beibei , Jin Pingkui
Published: September 2023

Objective

This paper aimed to unveil the diagnostic values of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in acute pulmonary embolism complicated by pulmonary artery hypertension (APE‐PAH) and their correlations with severity of PAH.

Methods

A total of 153 patients with APE were selected for our study and divided into the PAH and Non‐PAH groups according to the measurement of pulmonary artery pressure by echocardiography. Serum BNP levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay, and serum PTX3 and VEGF levels were appraised by ELISA. The predictive values of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF for APE‐PAH were evaluated by applying the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman test was implemented to correlate BNP, PTX3, and VEGF with the severity of PAH.

Results

Higher serum levels of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF were observed in the PAH group versus the Non‐PAH group (p < .05). ROC curve analysis indicated that BNP, PTX3, and VEGF had acceptable diagnostic value for predicting APE‐PAH. Higher serum levels of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF were witnessed in the moderate and severe PAH groups in contrast to the mild PAH group (p < .05), and the levels of these parameters were elevated in the severe PAH group versus the moderate PAH group (p < .05). Spearman correlation analysis signified that serum BNP (r = 0.377), PTX3 (r = 0.488), and VEGF (r = 0.575) levels were positively correlated with the severity of PAH in APE‐PAH patients.

Conclusion

Serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are significantly elevated in APE‐PAH patients. Serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are of clinical value in the diagnosis of APE‐PAH patients, and serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are positively correlated with the severity of PAH and can be used as predictors of the severity of PAH.
Tumor cell‐expressed lipolysis‐stimulated lipoprotein receptor negatively regulates T‐cell function
Authors: Funauchi Masashi , Serada Satoshi , Hiramatsu Kosuke , Funajima Eiji , Kanda Mizuki , Nagase Yoshikazu , Nakagawa Satoshi , Ohkawara Tomoharu , Fujimoto Minoru , Suzuki Yuji , Ueda Yutaka , Kimura Tadashi , Naka Tetsuji
Published: September 2023

Lipolysis‐stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is known as a lipoprotein receptor. LSR is expressed in various solid tumors, including epithelial ovarian, gastric, and colon cancers. High LSR expression is significantly associated with poor prognosis, but its role in cancer has not been fully elucidated. LSR belongs to the Ig protein superfamily, which is conserved in B7 family. Here, we assessed LSR as a novel immune checkpoint molecule. We developed a novel anti‐LSR antibody (#27‐6 mF‐18) that defects antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement‐dependent cytotoxicity activity. The #27‐6 mF‐18 cross‐reacts with both human and mouse LSR. We found that LSR was expressed on 4T1 murine breast cancer cell line. The #27‐6 mF‐18 exhibited antitumor effects against the 4T1 syngeneic tumor model, a poor immunogenic model refractory to treatment with anti‐PD‐1 or anti‐CTLA‐4 antibodies. Compared with control antibody‐treated mice, mice treated with #27‐6 mF‐18 showed significantly increased numbers of CD8+ T cells and a ratio of activated CD8+ T cells infiltrated in the tumor tissue. This antitumor effect was abrogated by CD8+ T‐cell depletion through anti‐CD8 antibody treatment, indicating that LSR negatively regulates tumor immunity by repressing CD8+ T cells. These findings show that LSR negatively regulates T‐cell immune activity. LSR targeting could provide immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer immunotherapy.
Assessing n‐type organic materials for lithium batteries: A techno‐economic review
Authors: Innocenti Alessandro , Adenusi Henry , Passerini Stefano
Published: September 2023

The high demand for critical minerals such as lithium, copper, nickel, and cobalt, required for lithium‐ion batteries, has raised questions regarding the feasibility of maintaining a steady and affordable supply of raw materials for their production. In the last years, researchers have shifted their attention toward organic materials, which are potentially more widely available, affordable, and sustainable due to the ubiquitous presence of the constituent organic elements. The n‐type materials have a redox mechanism analogous to that of lithium‐ion cathodes and anodes, hence they are suitable for a meaningful comparison with the state‐of‐the‐art technology. While many reviews have evaluated the properties of organic materials at the material or electrode level, herein, the properties of n‐type organic materials are assessed in a complex system, such as a full battery, to evaluate the feasibility and performance of these materials in commercial‐scale battery systems. The most relevant cathode materials for organic batteries are reviewed, and a detailed cost and performance analysis of n‐type material‐based battery packs using the BatPaC 5.0 software is presented. The analysis considers the influence of electrode design choices, such as the conductive carbon content, active material mass loading, and electrode density, on energy density and cost. The potential of n‐type organic materials as a low‐cost and sustainable solution for energy storage applications is highlighted, while emphasizing the need for further advancements of organic materials for energy storage applications.

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Ox‐LDL promotes M1‐like polarization of macrophages through the miR‐21‐5p/SKP2/EP300 pathway
Authors: Wu Jinlei , Liu Tingting , Xie Wenjie , Zhuo Yufeng , Feng Yanling
Published: September 2023

Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) mediated inflammatory damage, which possibly induces atherosclerosis (AS); however, the role of miRNA in this process has rarely been reported. In this paper, we study the ox‐LDL‐related endothelial cell damage and changes of macrophages. The bioinformatics method was used to analyze the expression changes of miRNA in AS patients, luciferase assay was used to study the interaction of protein and miRNA, and co‐IP and ubiquitination experiments were used to analyze protein interaction. Flow cytometry was used to detect the polarization of macrophages. Database analysis showed that the expression of miR‐21‐5p was upregulated in AS patients. Luciferase assay showed that miR‐21‐5p can bind to SKP2 and subsequently influence ubiquitination of EP300. Overexpression of EP300 strengthens the HMGB1‐induced acetylation and subsequently mediates the dissociation of HMGB1 from SIRT1, and thus HMGB1 could be secreted outside the cell. The HMGB1 released from endothelial cells can promote macrophage M1 polarization. This study shows that ox‐LDL activates the SKP2/EP300 pathway through promoting upregulation of miR‐21‐5p, thereby acetylating and secreting HMGB1 outside the endothelium, subsequently enhancing macrophage polarization to further stabilize the inflammation situation.
Emergence of a three‐sample conditional discrimination as foundation for reasoning capabilities
Authors: Pérez‐González Luis Antonio , Martínez Héctor , Palomino Marlon
Published: September 2023

We hypothesized that a three‐sample conditional discrimination can emerge as a result of learning conditional discriminations with relational stimuli. After learning three first‐order conditional discriminations AB, PQ, and CD, we taught a second‐order conditional discrimination XAB in which X1 indicated selection of related stimuli (e.g., A1 and B1) and X2 of unrelated stimuli (e.g., A1 and B2). Then, we probed the emergence of conditional discriminations PQX and XCD in which the X stimuli were comparisons and contextual stimuli, respectively. Finally, a conditional discrimination was probed with stimuli P, Q, and C as samples and D1 and D2 as comparisons. When the P and Q stimuli were related (and related to X1 in PQX), all participants selected the D stimulus that was related to the C stimulus (D1 when C1 was present and D2 when C2 was present); when the P and Q stimuli were unrelated (and related to X2 in PQX), they selected the D stimulus unrelated to the C stimulus (D2 when C1 and D1 when C2), which demonstrated emergence based on the relations established among all stimuli. In Experiment 2, the teaching of XAB was omitted and only one in six participants demonstrated emergence, which indicated that relational stimuli X1 and X2 played an important role in emergence. Thus, a new type of emergence that mimics analogical reasoning was demonstrated. The obtained outcome suggests that this procedure provides a learning foundation for acquiring reasoning capabilities.
Australian radiation therapist's research capacity and culture: investigating the extent of assistance required to build research capacity
Authors: Beldham‐Collins Rachael , Halkett Georgia K.B. , Knight Kellie , Gebski Val , Wright Caroline
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Building research capacity within the radiation therapist workforce/profession is essential to guarantee research is embedded into core practices. Assessment of current capacity levels within organisation, department and individual domains needs to occur to establish a baseline and ensure research capacity building (RCB) strategies will be targeted successfully. This exploratory study aimed to identify the areas within each domain where radiation therapists would benefit from extra research assistance, that being research support and process changes, particularly in relation to the workplace and health sector.

Methods

Practising radiation therapists (RTs) within Australia were recruited through professional organisations and invited to complete the online Research Capacity Culture Tool (RCCT). The survey was conducted using Qualtrics with data exported to SPSS.V27 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and the Radiation Therapy Specific Survey Analysis Approach (RTSSAA) for the Research Capacity and Culture Tool were used to analyse and report the results.

Results

Survey participation rate was 121/2640 (4.6%). Within the Organisation and Department domains, the most research assistance was required in infrastructure (n = 92–37) and support (n = 66–45) categories, respectively. Participants from private sector (Organisation: 42.7%, Department: 53.7%) and metropolitan centres (Organisation: 32.6%, Department: 47.5%) required a higher rate of assistance when compared to their counterparts in both categories. The individual domain showed similar levels of assistance required across health sectors and work locations. Workplaces showed similar levels of complexity of research activity; private sector (62.5%) recorded the highest level of no research activity.

Conclusion

This study has provided insight into how the research capacity and culture of organisations and departments in which individuals' work will influence their abilities and opportunities to perform research.
Antimicrobial activity of coral‐associated beneficial bacteria against coral disease‐causing microbial pathogens
Authors: Irudayarajan Lawrance , Ravindran Chinnarajan , Raveendran Haritha P.
Published: September 2023

Microbial infection of immune‐compromised corals influences disease severity, resulting in coral mortality. However, coral‐associated beneficial bacteria are known to produce antimicrobial compounds that prevent the growth of potential pathogens and invading microbes. Hence, beneficial bacteria associated with coral Porites lutea were isolated and antimicrobial protein and bioactive secondary metabolites were extracted and tested for their antimicrobial activity against putative prokaryotic and eukaryotic coral pathogens. Bioactive secondary metabolites exhibited remarkable antagonism against various coral pathogens such as Serratia marcescens, Vibrio species, and Aspergillus sydowii. Besides, the metabolites of Cobetia marina, Cobetia amphilecti, Pseudoalteromonas neustonica, and Virgibacillus halodenitrificans manifested notable inhibition against the protozoan ciliates (Uronema marinum, Holosticha diademata, Cohnilembus verminus, and Euplotes vannus) and zooplankton that are known to be involved in the secondary pathogenesis in coral diseased lesion progression. Thus, the present study may benefit in understanding coral‐associated beneficial bacteria for their antagonistic interactions with microbial pathogens, as well as their potential involvement in reducing coral disease severity.
The effect of photodynamic therapy in controlling the oral biofilm: A comprehensive overview
Authors: Aghili Seyedeh Sara , Jahangirnia Alireza , Alam Mostafa , Oskouei Asal Bagherzadeh , Golkar Mohsen , Badkoobeh Ashkan , Abbasi Kamyar , Mohammadikhah Meysam , Karami Shahryar , Soufdoost Reza Sayyad , Namanloo Reza Abdollahi , Talebi Sahar , Amookhteh Samira , Hemmat Maryam , Sadeghi Sima
Published: September 2023

Several resistance mechanisms are involved in dental caries, including oral biofilms. An accumulation of bacteria on the surface of teeth is called plaque. Periodontitis and gingivitis are caused by dental plaque. In this review article, we aimed to review the studies associated with the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to prevent and treat various microbial biofilm‐caused oral diseases in recent decades. There are several studies published in PubMed that have described antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) effects on microorganisms. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the potential of APDT for treating endodontic, periodontal, and mucosal infections caused by bacteria as biofilms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are activated in the presence of oxygen by integrating a nontoxic photosensitizer (PS) with appropriate wavelength visible light. By causing irreversible damage to microorganisms, ROS induces some biological and photochemical events. Testing several wavelengths has been conducted to identify potential PS for APDT. A standard protocol is not yet available, and the current review summarizes findings from dental studies on APDT.
Machine learning‐based mortality prediction in hip fracture patients using biomarkers
Authors: Asrian George , Suri Abhinav , Rajapakse Chamith
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess whether mortality following a hip fracture can be predicted by a machine learning model trained on basic blood and lab test data as well as basic demographic data. Additionally, the purpose was to identify the key variables most associated with 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐year mortality and investigate their clinical significance. Input data included 3751 hip fracture patient records sourced from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database, which provided records from in‐hospital database systems at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The 1‐year mortality rate for all patients studied was 21% and for those aged 80+ was 29%. We assessed 10 different machine learning classification models, finding LightGBM to have the strongest 1‐year mortality prediction performance, with accuracy of 81%, AUC of 0.79, sensitivity of 0.34, and specificity of 0.98 on the test set. The strongest‐weighted features of the 1‐year model included age, glucose, red blood cell distribution width, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, white blood cells, urea nitrogen, prothrombin time, platelet count, calcium levels, and partial thromboplastin time. Most of these were also in the top 10 features of the LightGBM 5‐ and 10‐year prediction models trained. Testing for these high‐ranking biomarkers in new hip fracture patients can aid clinicians in assessing the likelihood of poor outcomes for hip fracture patients, and additional research can use these biomarkers to develop a mortality risk score.
Therapeutic efficacy of vancomycin‐loaded carbon fiber‐reinforced polyetheretherketone hip stem for periprosthetic joint infection: A pilot study
Authors: Nakahara Ichiro , Ando Wataru , Enami Hideaki , Kamihata Satoshi , Takashima Kazuma , Uemura Keisuke , Hamada Hidetoshi , Sugano Nobuhiko
Published: September 2023

A carbon fiber‐reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR/PEEK) hip stem with a special antibiotic elution mechanism is under development to treat periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The antibiotic elution characteristics of intramedullary implants were experimentally investigated, and the efficacy of revision surgery using a therapeutic stem in treating ovine PJI was examined. To evaluate elution characteristics, the intramedullary vancomycin‐loaded CFR/PEEK cylindrical implants were inserted in the distal femur of nine sheep, and the vancomycin elution rate was measured at 2, 7, and 21 days. To evaluate therapeutic efficacy, the PJI model with staphylococcus aureus was attempted to create for five sheep. Moreover, the therapeutic vancomycin‐loaded CFR/PEEK stem was implanted during one‐stage revision surgery. Three weeks after revision surgery, the treatment efficacy was evaluated based on bacterial cultures and wound findings. In addition, the vancomycin elution rate from the stem was measured. On average, the cylindrical implants eluted approximately 70% vancomycin in 21 days. Of the five sheep attempting to create a PJI model, three were successfully infected with S. aureus as intended for verification of treatment efficacy. In all three joints, negative bacterial cultures and no purulence were observed 3 weeks after revision surgery. The vancomycin elution rates from the stems were >70%. Efficient elution of vancomycin was confirmed by the experimental implant inserted into the bone marrow and the stem in actual PJI treatment. Using a novel therapeutic stem with an antibiotic elution mechanism in one‐stage revision surgery, successful treatment was demonstrated in all S. aureus‐induced PJIs.
Burden of treatment in severe acne vulgaris
Authors: Kiely Lisa , O'Connor Cathal , Moosa Aysha Al , Dight Emer , Murphy Michelle
Published: September 2023

Background

Acne is associated with a significant burden of disease related to the visual impact of facial lesions, symptoms such as pain, and sequelae such as scarring. However, little research has been performed on the acne‐specific burden of treatment (BOT), defined as the workload of healthcare as well as its impact on functioning and well‐being.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the BOT of moderate‐severe acne.

Methods

A prospective study was performed in our tertiary dermatology department. Patients attending the dermatology department with moderate‐severe acne (defined as an Investigator's Global Assessment of acne severity of 3 or 4) were invited to complete a validated BOT questionnaire, modified for use in acne, with additional qualitative components.

Results

Of 50 patients, 68% were female, with a mean age of 22.6 years (range 16‐45 years). Most (82%, n = 41) patients were on isotretinoin, with 18% (n = 9) on oral antibiotics. The average BOT was 4.2/10 (range 0–8.2) for topical therapies, 4.5/10 (range 2.7–6.8) for oral antibiotics, and 3.8/10 (range 0.69–6.9) for isotretinoin. From qualitative statements, the greatest burdens reported with topical treatment were unpleasant sensations, skin sensitivity, skin dryness, and lack of efficacy; with antibiotic therapy were the requirement for long‐term treatment, limited efficacy, and side‐effects including gastrointestinal upset; and with isotretinoin therapy were cheilitis and xerosis, cost, and need for blood tests. However, 58% (n = 29) of patients believed their overall BOT was decreased with isotretinoin, and 18% (n = 9) felt that it was unchanged with isotretinoin, with statements such as “the side effects can be tough, but the result is definitely worth it.”

Conclusions

The BOT associated with oral isotretinoin is similar or lower to topical therapies and oral antibiotics. This should be taken into consideration when optimizing the care of patients with acne.
Laryngotracheal Amyloidosis: Amyloid Airway Center 23‐Year Experience
Authors: Tracy Lauren F. , Danis D. O'Neil , Rodriggs Timothy , Kariveda Rohith , Grillone Gregory A.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Localized laryngotracheal amyloidosis (LA) is a rare disease that can impact phonation and respiration. Treatment options include observation, surgery, and radiation therapy (RT). Given the rare incidence of LA, evidence regarding optimal management and long‐term outcomes is limited.

Study design

Retrospective cross‐sectional analysis.

Methods

All patients with LA presenting to an international amyloid center from 1999 to 2022 were analyzed. Patients were categorized by treatment modality: surgery, RT, or observation. Patient and disease factors including demographics, clinical presentation, and progression with need for additional treatment were evaluated.

Results

Seventy‐one patients (27M:44F) with LA were treated with surgery (n = 40), RT (n = 11), and observation (n = 20). Gender distribution, age at diagnosis, and systemic workup did not differ significantly between treatment cohorts. A correlation was identified between LA location and treatment modality, with higher rate of subglottic/tracheal amyloid in RT patients vs. surgery and observation patients [(90% and 52% respectively), p < 0.005]. Surgery patients had a median of two surgeries for disease management (range: 1–32) and RT patients had median five surgeries prior to RT (range: 0–17). Six patients required tracheotomy: 3/40 surgery, 3/11 RT and 0/20 in observation cohort. Surgery and RT patients had a longer duration of follow‐up (mean 6.7 and 11.7 years) compared with the observation cohort (5.7 years).

Conclusion

Laryngotracheal amyloidosis is a rare disease with variable presentation. Selective surgery of involved subsites is the primary treatment, though multiple surgeries may be needed to optimize function. Observation is appropriate for those with minimal symptoms. For recalcitrant disease, and particularly subglottic/tracheal amyloid, radiotherapy can be beneficial.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:1606–1613, 2024
Balloon‐assisted laser application for endoscopic treatment of biliary stricture
Authors: Lim Seonghee , Truong Van Gia , Jeong Seok , Lee Jiho , Lee Byeong‐il , Kang Hyun Wook
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Malignant biliary stricture is a ductal narrowing of the bile duct that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to difficulty in resection. The current study aims to evaluate the feasibility of endobiliary laser treatment by quantifying the extent of coagulative necrosis in tissue under various conditions.

Methods

Ex vivo and in vivo porcine bile tissues were used for endobiliary laser treatment to characterize the dosimetric responses of the tissue to various treatment conditions: power level, irradiation time, and number of treatments. 532 nm laser light was coupled with a balloon‐integrated diffusing applicator (BDA) to deliver the laser light endoscopically for tissue coagulation. The coagulated regions (maximum length and depth) in the treated tissues were evaluated histologically for quantitative comparison.

Results

Dosimetric evaluations with ex vivo liver tissue confirmed that both maximum length and depth of coagulative necrosis (CN) increased with applied power and number of treatments. Ex vivo bile duct tests demonstrated that BDA‐assisted laser treatment at 10 W for 12 s reproducibly yielded CN with a length of 5.8 ± 1.6 mm and a depth of 0.6 ± 0.2 mm. In vivo tests presented that endoscopic laser treatment using the BDA created CN on the ductal surface without any perforation. Microscopic examinations revealed that a dense inflammatory cell infiltration and eosinophilic area in the in vivo treated tissue. The extent of CN in the in vivo tissue was 40% longer and 120% deeper (length: 8.1 ± 0.7 mm; depth: 1.3 ± 0.2 mm), compared to that in the ex vivo tissue.

Conclusion

BDA‐assisted laser treatment could be a feasible option for endoscopic treatment of biliary stricture with uniform ablation at the circumference of bile duct. Further in vivo studies will be performed in a large number of stricture‐developed porcine models to examine both efficacy and safety of the proposed endobiliary laser treatment for clinical translations.
Polycaprolactone/Testicular Extracellular Matrix/Graphene Oxide‐Based Electrospun Tubular Scaffolds for Reproductive Medicine: Biomimetic Architecture of Seminiferous Tubules
Authors: Mohammadi Amirhossein , Koruji Morteza , Azami Mahmoud , Shabani Ronak , Mohandesnezhad Sanam , Bashiri Zahra , Asgari Hamidreza
Published: September 2023

Numerous scaffolds are developed in the field of testicular bioengineering. However, effectively replicating the spatial characteristics of native tissue, poses a challenge in maintaining the requisite cellular arrangement essential for spermatogenesis. In order to mimic the structural properties of seminiferous tubules, the objective is to fabricate a biocompatible tubular scaffold. Following the decellularization process of the testicular tissue, validation of cellular remnants' elimination from the specimens is conducted using 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and DNA content analysis. The presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) components is confirmed through Alcian blue, Orcein, and Masson's trichrome staining techniques. The electrospinning technique is employed to synthesize the scaffolds using polycaprolactone (PCL), extracted ECM, and varying concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) (0.5%, 1%, and 2%). Subsequently, comprehensive evaluations are performed to assess the properties of the synthetic scaffolds. These evaluations encompass Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy imaging, scaffold degradation testing, mechanical behavior analysis, methylthiazolyldiphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide assay, and in vivo biocompatibility assessment. The PCL/decellularized extracellular matrix with 0.5% GO formulation exhibits superior fiber morphology and enhanced mechanical properties, and outperforms other groups in terms of in vitro biocompatibility. Consequently, these scaffolds present a viable option for implementation in “in vitro spermatogenesis” procedures, holding promise for future sperm production from spermatogonial cells.
Toward learning steelmaking—A review on machine learning for basic oxygen furnace process
Authors: Ghalati Maryam Khaksar , Zhang Jianbo , El‐Fallah G. M. A. M. , Nenchev Bogdan , Dong Hongbiao
Published: September 2023

Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) steelmaking is the most widely used process in global steel production today, accounting for around 70% of the industry's output. Due to the physical, mechanical, and chemical complexities involved in the process, conventional monitoring and control methods are often pushed to their limits. The increasing global competition has created a demand for new methods to monitor and control the BOF steelmaking process. Over the past decade, Machine Learning (ML) techniques have garnered substantial attention, offering a promising pathway to enhance efficiency and suitability of steel production. This paper presents the first comprehensive review of ML applications in the BOF steelmaking process. We provide an introduction to both fields: an overview of the BOF steelmaking process and ML. We analyze the existing work on ML applications in BOF steelmaking and synthesize common concepts into categories, supporting the identification of common use cases and approaches. This analysis concludes with the elaboration of challenges, potential solutions, and a future outlook for further research directions.
A new algorithm of boundary value problems based on improved wavelet basis and the reproducing kernel theory
Authors: Zhang Ruimin , Lin Yingzhen
Published: September 2023

Relying upon Legendre polynomials, an improved multiwavelet orthonormal basis is constructed in the reproducing kernel space. We study boundary value problems (BVPs) based on the improved wavelet orthonormal basis and construct the
‐best approximate solution. Convergence and the stability are discussed; this method has higher order convergence. The main advantage of the wavelet based our method is its efficiency and simple applicability for a variety of boundary conditions. Some numerical tests even including singular BVPs reveal the stability and efficiency of the new algorithm.
Vitamin E Treatment Improves the Antioxidant Capacity of Patients Receiving Dialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Ni Ce , Zhou Wenhua , Yu Mengyuan , Li Xinyang , Li Jian , Cui Yingchun , Cui Wenpeng
Published: September 2023

Scope

To summarize the effect of vitamin E‐coated dialyzer membranes (VEMs) treatment or oral vitamin E intake on antioxidant molecules, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant level in patients receiving dialysis.

Methods and results

A literature search of PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and the Cochrane Library databases is performed from inception to July 1, 2023, with no language nor country restrictions. Twenty‐four experimental studies involving 512 patients undergoing dialysis are selected for meta‐analysis. The levels of antioxidant markers in the blood of patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) improve with long‐term VEMs treatment (p = 0.016). According to the findings of each antioxidant index, there is a significant increase in the levels of erythrocyte‐derived SOD (p = 0.047), CAT (p = 0.029), and plasma‐derived total antioxidant level (p < 0.001). The antioxidant marker levels in patients receiving HD are significantly increased by oral vitamin E intake (p < 0.001). Erythrocyte‐derived SOD (p = 0.003), GPX (p < 0.001), and CAT (p = 0.001) substantially improves after 2–6 months of intervention with oral vitamin E preparation. The antioxidant index of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) is unaffected by oral vitamin E treatment (p = 0.945).

Conclusion

Vitamin E therapy has a favorable effect on the retention of antioxidant compounds in patients undergoing dialysis.
Compact wideband MIMO antenna with fragmented patches for 5G mobile terminals
Authors: Liu An , Liu Juhua
Published: September 2023

A compact wideband MIMO antenna obtained by breaking up an intact rectangular patch into a 2 × 5 small patch array with connected strips is proposed for 5G mobile terminals. The diagonal small patches are connected with the metal strips respectively, so as to constitute an interleaved double branch composed of a main branch and a parasitic branch, thus achieving compactness. The main branch fed by two ports operates at 4.5 GHz, and the parasitic branch coupled by the main branch achieves a lower resonant frequency of 3.35 GHz, thus widening the bandwidth. The small patches in the middle are connected to the ground to improve the isolation. A short length of 21.5 mm (about 0.24 wavelength of the lower‐edge frequency) of the proposed antenna pair is realized. Besides, an eight‐element MIMO antenna is designed and fabricated. Measured results show the reflection coefficients are lower than −6 dB, and the transmission coefficients between every two ports are lower than −10 dB in the 5G N77/N78/N79 bands (3.3–5.0 GHz). The average total efficiencies are 70.4% and 63.8% for antenna 1 and antenna 2, respectively. The ECCs are lower than 0.15.
Analysis of two fully discrete spectral volume schemes for hyperbolic equations
Authors: Wei Ping , Zou Qingsong
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we analyze two classes of fully discrete spectral volume schemes (SV) for solving the one‐dimensional scalar hyperbolic equation. These two schemes are constructed by using the forward Euler (EU) method or the second‐order Runge–Kutta (RK2) method in time‐discretization, and by letting a piecewise kth degree( is an arbitrary integer) polynomial satisfy the local conservation law in each control volume designed by subdividing the underlying mesh with Gauss–Legendre points (LSV) or right‐Radau points (RRSV). We prove that for the EU‐SV schemes, the weak(2) stability holds and the norm errors converge with optimal orders , provided that the CFL condition is satisfied. While for the RK2‐SV schemes, the weak(4) stability holds and the norm errors converge with optimal orders , provided that the CFL condition is satisfied. Here and are, respectively, the spacial and temporal mesh sizes and the constant is independent of and . Our theoretical findings have been justified by several numerical experiments.