bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Small Molecular Hyper‐activators of Human Caseinolytic Peptidase P (hClpP) with a [1,8]‐naphthyridinone Scaffold as Novel Anti‐cancer Agents
Authors: Fu Yuantao , Yuan Yinan , Tan Rongliang , Jiang Jinxin , Li Zhilong , Li Tong , Xie Guangjun , Xiao Yibei , Sun Haiying
Published: November 2024

Based on a clinical staged small molecular hClpP activator ONC201, a class of novel hClpP agonists with a [1,8]naphthyridinone scaffold was designed, synthesized and evaluated in a series of biochemical and biological assays. Mechanism studies for the representative compound F20 indicated that it can potently bind to and activate hClpP, efficiently promote the degradation of hClpP substrates, robustly induce ATF4/CHOP regulated integrated stress responses, strongly inhibit cell growth and effectively induce apoptosis in a subset of cancer cell lines. F20 showed good PK profiles when dosed by intravenous injection and exhibited moderate oral bioavailability in mice.
Correcting images for individual differences in color appearance
Authors: Simoncelli Camilla , Webster Michael A.
Published: November 2024

Individual differences are a prominent feature of normal color vision and range from variations in sensitivity to perception and color naming. Corrections for differences in spectral sensitivity are common, and there is growing interest in calibrating displays for the sensitivity of an individual observer. In contrast, few studies have explored calibrations for aspects of color appearance. We developed a technique for adjusting images based directly on an individual's hue percepts and illustrate the principle of the approach using a set of hue scaling functions measured previously for a large sample of color‐normal observers (Emery et al. PNAS 2023). Colors in an image are mapped onto the average scaling function to define the hue perceived by the average “standard observer.” This hue is then mapped back to the chromaticity that would elicit the same response in any individual observer. With this correction, different observers – each looking at physically different images calibrated for their own hue percepts – should in principle agree on the perceived colors. Adjustments of this kind could be easily implemented on standard displays, because they require only measures of hue percepts and not spectral sensitivity, and could lead to greater consistency in the perception and communication about color across individuals with potentially widely different perceptual experiences of color.
Enhanced Performance of Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries Using Construction Wastes: A Sustainable Approach to High‐Loading Sulfur Cathodes
Authors: Huang Yi‐Chen , Wu Cheng‐Che , Chung Sheng‐Heng
Published: November 2024

Advancing lithium‐sulfur battery technology requires addressing both extrinsic cell‐fabrication and intrinsic material challenges to improve efficiency, cyclability, and environmental sustainability. A key challenge is the low conductivity of sulfur cathodes, which is typically managed by incorporating conductive carbon materials. These materials enhance the performance of sulfur cathodes by facilitating high sulfur loading and improving polysulfide retention. In line with green chemistry principles and circular economy concepts, this study explores the use of recycled materials–specifically recycled quartz and board–as substrates for graphene coatings in lithium‐sulfur cells. Recycled quartz bricks and blocks, predominantly SiO2, and recycled shelf boards, rich in Al2O3, are successfully coated with graphene, which significantly improves polysulfide adsorption and overall battery performance. The graphene‐coated quartz exhibits high sulfur loading (8 mg cm−2), exceptional charge‐storage capacity (1,114 mA h g−1), and long cycle stability (200 cycles) with an energy density of 19 mW h cm−2. This approach enhances the electrochemical performance of the lithium‐sulfur cells and also aligns with sustainability goals by repurposing waste materials and minimizing environmental impact. This novel methodology demonstrates that integrating recycled materials can effectively address key challenges in lithium‐sulfur battery technology, advancing both performance and environmental sustainability.
Phenological mismatch is less important than total nectar availability for checkerspot butterflies
Authors: Crone Elizabeth E. , Arriens June V. , Brown Leone M.
Published: November 2024

Changes in phenology are a conspicuous fingerprint of climate change, leading to fears that phenological mismatches among interacting species will be a leading cause of population declines and extinction. We used quantile regression to analyze museum collection data and estimate changes in the phenological overlap of Baltimore checkerspot butterflies and 12 common nectar plant species over several decades in two geographic regions. We combined these museum data with field estimates of each species' flower density and nectar sugar production to estimate changes in resource availability caused by shifts in phenological overlap. Phenological overlap (measured as the proportion of plant flowering during the flight period of an average butterfly) decreased through time, primarily because the flowering period of nectar plants was longer, but the flight period of butterflies was shorter in recent years. Our study was also motivated by the hypothesis that phenological mismatches may be more severe in the southern region due to a midsummer dearth in floral resources, but this hypothesis was not supported by our data. Although phenological overlap was somewhat smaller in the southern region, changes in overlap through time were similar in both regions. When phenological overlap was weighted by nectar sugar production of different species, the overlap increased in the southern region but decreased in the northern region (the opposite of our prediction). Overall, nectar resources were much more abundant at study sites in our northern region than in our southern region, possibly due to differences in land management. Our study demonstrates the complexities of phenological mismatch of interacting species and highlights that phenological changes may have small impacts on population viability.
Mapping Biodiversity Coast‐to‐Coast‐to‐Coast Across Canada's Three Oceans Using eDNA Metabarcoding
Authors: Jacquemot Loïc , Hunt Brian P. V. , Li Shaorong , Schulze Angela D. , Deeg Christoph M. , Sutherland Ben J. G. , Tabata Amy , Lovejoy Connie , Miller Kristina M.
Published: November 2024

Marine biodiversity worldwide is rapidly declining, and nowhere is this more evident than in coastal ecosystems where the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities concentrate. The ongoing biodiversity crisis affects all components of the marine food web, but data required to monitor biodiversity shifts at continental scales are scarce and taxonomically and spatially heterogeneous. The application of environmental DNA metabarcoding can complement traditional approaches to monitoring marine biodiversity, but its efficiency in detecting large‐scale biogeographic breaks remains to be tested. Using 86 coastal surface water samples collected during the Canada C3 expedition in the summer of 2017, we investigated metazoan biodiversity across Canada's three oceans—North Pacific, Arctic and North Atlantic—using multi‐marker eDNA metabarcoding. The resulting dataset, combining information from seven separate amplicons, identified 1477 unique species ranging from zooplankton to marine mammals. We found that marine coastal biodiversity around Canada separated into four clusters that overlapped with known marine ecoregions, indicating a higher connectivity between the Arctic and Atlantic than between the Arctic and Pacific clusters. However, the detection of Pacific salmon eDNA in the Canadian Arctic suggests that these species may be extending their Pacific distribution range poleward. By comparing the distribution of eDNA with species occurrence recorded in the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) for Canada and Alaska coastal waters, we identified 324 “unexpected” species. These results demonstrate the importance of primer selection for species‐specific applications of eDNA metabarcoding and provide a benchmark for further work aimed at validating species identification and map species distribution at large spatial scale. Our results showed that eDNA metabarcoding is a powerful method for monitoring biodiversity shifts at an interoceanic scale. Integrating eDNA into monitoring programs can provide valuable insights into biodiversity changes associated with climate change and contribute to filling gaps in the distribution of species‐at‐risk.
An Experimental Study on Behavior of Power Conditioning System for Photovoltaic Power Generation System Connected to End of Distribution Line
Authors: Yamanaka Hiroki , Yamaguchi Mayu , Matsuura Ippei , Shimizu Hirotaka
Published: November 2024

Reverse power flow from a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system to distribution system is limited below a certain limit value. The behavior of a power conditioning system (PCS) for large capacity PV power generation system when the output power approached the output power limit value was experimentally estimated. Under the condition, the PCS became uncontrollable. It was pointed out that this phenomenon was caused by the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control of the PCS. Furthermore, some methods to avoid the uncontrollable condition of PCS were shown.
Phenotyping patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure
Authors: Becher Peter Moritz , Lindberg Felix , Benson Lina , Hage Camilla , Dahlström Ulf , Rosenkranz Stephan , Cosentino Francesco , Rosano Giuseppe M.C. , Blankenberg Stefan , Kirchhof Paulus , Braunschweig Frieder , Lund Lars H. , Savarese Gianluigi
Published: November 2024

Aims

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) are prevalent comorbidities associated with significant morbidity/mortality. We assessed prevalence of, patient profiles and outcomes associated with COPD across the ejection fraction (EF) spectrum.

Methods

HF patients enrolled in the Swedish HF registry between 2005 and 2021 were considered. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to assess patient characteristics independently associated with COPD and Cox regression models for investigating the associations between COPD and outcomes, that is, morbidity/mortality.

Results

Among 97 904 HF patients, COPD prevalence was 13%, highest in HF with preserved EF [HFpEF: 16%, HF with mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF): 12%, HF with reduced EF (HFrEF): 11%]. Key patient characteristics independently associated with a diagnosis of COPD included higher EF, female sex, smoking, obstructive sleep disorder, peripheral artery disease, a lower educational level, more severe HF, more likely mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist and diuretic use but less likely use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin‐receptor‐neprilysin inhibitors (not in HFrEF), beta‐blockers, HF device therapies, and follow‐up in HF nurse‐led clinics. COPD was independently associated with a 15% higher risk of cardiovascular (CV) death/HF hospitalization [hazard ratio: 1.15 (95% confidence interval: 1.11–1.18)], CV death, non‐CV death, all‐cause death and HF hospitalizations, regardless of EF.

Conclusions

COPD was present in every eight patient with HF, and more common with preserved EF. Patients with COPD had more severe HF, heavier comorbidity burden and worse morbidity/mortality regardless of EF. Our results call for improved diagnostic and management strategies in patients with HF and COPD.
A Comprehensive Review on Capillary Electrophoresis–Mass Spectrometry in Advancing Biomolecular Research
Authors: Pont Laura , Vergara‐Barberán María , Carrasco‐Correa Enrique Javier
Published: November 2024

This review provides an in‐depth exploration of capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (CE–MS) in biomolecular research from 2020 to 2024. CE–MS emerges as a versatile and powerful tool due to its numerous advantages, facilitating the analysis of various biomolecules, including proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, and other metabolites, such as lipids, carbohydrates, or amines, among others. The review extends to various CE modes and interfaces for the CE–MS coupling, offering comprehensive insights into their applications within biomolecular research. Furthermore, it effectively summarizes the conditions employed in CE–MS while also addressing critical aspects such as sample preparation requirements. Despite its advantages, the review highlights a gap between discovery and practical implementation, underscoring the need for large‐scale validation and method standardization to fully realize the potential of CE–MS in biomolecular research.
Digital Twin‐Enabled Deep Reinforcement Learning for Safety‐Guaranteed Flocking Motion of UAV Swarm
Authors: Li Zhilin , Lei Lei , Shen Gaoqing , Liu Xiaochang , Liu Xiaojiao
Published: November 2024

Multi‐agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL) has become a typical paradigm for the flocking motion of UAV swarm in dynamic, stochastic environments. However, sim‐to‐real problems, such as reality gap, training efficiency, and safety issues, restrict the application of MADRL in flocking motion scenarios. To address these problems, we first propose a digital twin (DT)‐enabled training framework. With the assistance of high‐fidelity digital twin simulation, effective policies can be efficiently trained. Based on the multi‐agent proximal policy optimization (MAPPO) algorithm, we then design the learning approach for flocking motion with matching observation space, action space, and reward function. Afterward, we employ a distributed flocking center estimation algorithm based on position consensus. The estimated center is used as a policy input to improve the aggregation behavior. Moreover, we introduce a repulsion scheme, which applies an additional repulsion force to the action to prevent UAVs from colliding with neighbors and obstacles. Simulation results show that our method performs well in maintaining flocking formation and avoiding collisions, and has better decision‐making ability in near‐realistic environments.
Characterization of Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia With t(7;12)(q36;p13)
Authors: Östlund Anders , Waraky Ahmed , Staffas Anna , Sjögren Helene , De Moerloose Barbara , Arad‐Cohen Nira , Cheuk Daniel , Navarro Jose Maria Fernandez , Jahnukainen Kirsi , Kaspers Gertjan J. L. , Kovalova Zhanna , Pasauliene Ramune , Saks Kadri , Zeller Bernward , Norén‐Nyström Ulrika , Hasle Henrik , Fogelstrand Linda , Abrahamsson Jonas , Palmqvist Lars
Published: November 2024

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(7;12)(q36;p13) is a recurrent translocation in AML in infants or very young children and was recently included in the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Hematolymphoid Tumors. AML with t(7;12) is reported to involve MNX1 and ETV6 signaling; however, the mechanism of leukemogenesis is not well understood, and the presence of MNX1::ETV6 fusion transcripts has only been confirmed in approximately 50% of cases. In contrast, high expression of MNX1 has been seen in all investigated cases. In this study, we investigated the clinical as well as biological characteristics of 12 pediatric AML with t(7;12) and performed whole transcriptome (WTS) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) on six of these. There was no significant difference in event‐free survival or overall survival of these t(7;12) AML patients compared with other AML in the same age group. Interestingly, WTS identified several fusion transcripts involving ETV6 but not together with MNX1. WGS identified the genomic breakpoints and revealed that a common fusion partner on chromosome 7 was NOM1. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the WTS data showed that all t(7;12) AML cases cluster together, separate from all other pediatric AML subtypes; all cases had high expression of MNX1, MNX1‐AS1, and MNX1‐AS2. Hence, t(7;12) AML, despite expressing different fusion transcripts and with varying translocation breakpoints, constitutes a phenotypically homogenous subgroup. This underlines that the leukemia‐driving event most likely is ectopic expression of MNX1 and that this therefore should be the defining Classifying criteria of this type of AML.
Acid Fast Positivity Rate and Associated Factors of Leprosy in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Northeastern Ethiopia: Its Implication for Evidence‐Based Leprosy Prevention and Control
Authors: Gedefie Alemu , Shibabaw Agumas , Mulatie Zewudu , Ebrahim Hussen , Debash Habtu , Tilahun Mihret , Alemayehu Ermiyas , Belete Melaku Ashagrie , Mohammed Ousman , Tekele Saba Gebremichael , Weldehanna Daniel Gebretsadik , Eshetu Bruktawit
Published: November 2024

Background and Aim

Leprosy is one of the most common skin neglected tropical diseases in Ethiopia posing social stigma, physical disability, deformity, discrimination, loss of social status, and poor quality of life in families. Hence, evidence‐based collaborative inter‐sectoral actions should be performed to reduce and eliminate its burden in endemic areas. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the acid‐fast positivity rate and associated factors of leprosy among suspected cases in Northeastern Ethiopia: a cross‐sectional study.

Method

A cross‐sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to March 2023 among 256 leprosy‐suspected cases selected using a simple random sampling technique. A semi‐structured questionnaire was used to collect socio‐demographic, clinical, and predictor variables of leprosy through face‐to‐face interviews. Skin slit specimens were collected and stained using Ziehl–Neelsen staining technique. STATA 17 was used for analysis. The scale reliability coefficient was checked using Cronbach's α and the goodness‐of‐fit test of the model was assessed by the Hosmer–Lemshow test. Moreover, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were computed. Finally, variables with an adjusted odds ratio and their p < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.

Result

The mean ± standard deviation of the age of participants was 43.25 ± 16.35. The overall, prevalence of acid‐fast positivity among suspected cases was 19.6% (95% CI: 15.8%, 23.4%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that sex being male (p = 0.045), rural residence (p = 0.047), not eating three times meals frequency (p = 0.014), not eating a balanced diet (p = 0.036), poor personal hygiene (p = 0.028), distant from health facility (p = 0.039), not washing hands usually (p = 0.013), presence of current co‐infection (p = 0.002), type of leprosy (p = 0.004), and close contact with leprosy cases (p = 0.003) were more likely to be positive for leprosy.

Conclusion

The prevalence of leprosy was remained high. Thus, early detection and treatment are necessary to reduce delayed diagnosis and hidden transmission of leprosy in the community. By addressing the driving factors through evidence‐based intervention, we can significantly control the burden of leprosy in the affected communities, and improve their health outcomes and quality of life.
Are People Living With Dementia Receiving High Intensity Statin Therapy After Stroke? A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Picton Leonie , George Johnson , Bell J. Simon , Ilomäki Jenni
Published: November 2024

Background and Aims

This Australian population‐based study investigated statin intensity after hospitalization for ischemic stroke in a matched cohort of people living with and without dementia.

Methods

We identified all patients aged ≥ 30 years hospitalized in the state of Victoria, Australia, for ischemic stroke from July 1, 2013 to April 30, 2018 from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Data set. People with dementia were matched 1:4 for sex, 5‐year age group and index date ± 90 days with people without dementia. Records of statin dispensing within 60 days postdischarge were extracted from prescription claims data. The intensity of the first postdischarge statin dispensing was determined. Odds ratios for high versus low‐moderate intensity and no statin dispensing were estimated using multinomial logistic regression adjusted for factors including age, sex, and comorbidity.

Results

The cohorts comprised 11,105 people (dementia: N = 2221; without dementia: N = 8884 and 52% were female. Compared to people without dementia, people with dementia had 35% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 24%–44%) lower odds of receiving a high intensity versus a low‐moderate intensity statin and 54% (95% CI: 48%–59%) lower odds of receiving a high intensity versus no statin. Compared to men, women with and without dementia had 16% (95% CI: 5%–25%) lower odds of receiving a high‐ versus low‐moderate intensity statin and 28% (95% CI: 19%–35%) lower odds of receiving a high intensity versus no statin.

Conclusions

People living with dementia are less likely to receive high‐intensity statins post‐discharge compared to people without dementia. There is a gender gap in receipt of guideline‐recommended high‐intensity statin therapy for secondary prevention after ischemic stroke.

Clinical Implications

Guidelines recommend all people with reasonable life expectancy receive a high‐intensity statin after stroke to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and other adverse cardiovascular events. More research is needed to understand why people living with dementia might not receive guideline recommended care, and how statin use and statin intensity impact the health outcomes of people living with dementia and stroke.
Psychometric Properties of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire in Heart Failure Patients: A Cross Sectional Study Using Health Action Process Approach Perspective
Authors: Fallah Zahra , Feizi Awat , Sadeghi Masoumeh , Hadavi Mohammad Mahdi , Shahnazi Hossein
Published: November 2024

Background and Aim

The present study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate the exercise self‐efficacy tool within the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) framework among heart failure patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods

This study assessed 205 patients who had suffered heart attacks at the Shahid Chamran Cardiac Rehabilitation Center of Isfahan. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to evaluate the construct. Internal reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha. Additionally, external reliability was measured through a test‐retest approach.

Results

EFA identified four factors within the self‐efficacy questions (task self‐efficacy 1, task self‐efficacy 2, coping self‐efficacy, and recovery self‐efficacy), which accounted for 70.1% of the total variance explained. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were as follows: 0.836 for the first factor, 0.896 for the second factor, 0.921 for the third factor, 0.914 for the fourth factor, and 0.9 for the overall instrument. The intra‐class correlation coefficient was 0.901 for the first factor, 0.887 for the second factor, 0.826 for the third factor, and 0.885 for the fourth factor.

Conclusion

The cardiac rehabilitation self‐efficacy questionnaire exhibited high validity, reliability, and desirable item commonalities. Therefore, it can be effectively employed in pertinent HAPA‐based studies involving heart failure patients.
The Association of Nasal and Blood Eosinophils with Serum IgE Level in Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma: A Case‐Control Study
Authors: Torabizadeh Mehdi , Aghaei Mojtaba , Saki Najmaldin , Vahid Mohammad A. , Bitaraf Saeid , Bandar Bita
Published: November 2024

Background and Aims

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are two common respiratory diseases with allergic etiology in the world's population. Eosinophils and serum IgE levels have been known as inflammatory allergy markers for many years. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of nasal and blood eosinophils with serum IgE levels in allergic rhinitis and asthma patients.

Methods

This prospective study was done on patients (n = 78) diagnosed with asthma (n = 20), allergic rhinitis (n = 49), and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) (n = 9) at our hospital in Ahvaz City, Iran. The age of participants in our study ranged from 3 to 73 years, and all of them were subjected to a complete blood count (CBC) test, nasal smear, and determination of serum IgE levels after their consent.

Results

There was no correlation between serum IgE level and nasal eosinophil count (p = 0.728) or between serum IgE level and blood eosinophil count (p = 0.657); however, a positive correlation was detected between blood and nasal eosinophil levels (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

There is no significant relationship between serum IgE level and eosinophil count in the blood and nasal secretions. Serum IgE level and blood or nasal eosinophil count are both useful biomarkers for monitoring allergic rhinitis and asthma individually, but no diagnostic conclusion can be drawn from their correlation.
Toddlers' emotion vocalizations during peer conflicts and contingent teacher interventions in early care and education settings
Authors: Lopez Lukas D. , Kwon Kyong‐Ah , Jeon Hyun‐Joo , Dewhirst Courtney , Kim Sun Geun , Jensen Francisca
Published: November 2024

This study used naturalistic audio–visual recordings from early care and education (ECE) settings to examine the associations between toddlers' (76 toddlers, 40 female, M
age = 32.94 months, SD = 4.92 months) multimodal emotion expressions and emotion‐related vocalizations with contingent teacher interventions. Findings indicated a correspondence between multimodal emotion expressions and emotion‐related vocalizations, such that screams and yells corresponded with anger expressions, and cries corresponded with sadness expressions. Time series analysis indicated that toddlers' emotion vocalizations significantly predicted subsequent contingent teacher interventions. Specifically, toddlers' multimodal sadness expressions with vocalizations increased the likelihood of evoking a contingent teacher response seven times more than other emotions and vocalizations. Implications for multimodal emotion correspondences, emotion dynamics, and toddlers' distress expressions are discussed.
The link between early iconic gesture comprehension and receptive language
Authors: Doğan Işıl , Özer Demet , Aktan‐Erciyes Aslı , Furman Reyhan , Demir‐Lira Ö. Ece , Özçalışkan Şeyda , Göksun Tilbe
Published: November 2024

Children comprehend iconic gestures relatively later than deictic gestures. Previous research with English‐learning children indicated that they could comprehend iconic gestures at 26 months, a pattern whose extension to other languages is not yet known. The present study examined Turkish‐learning children's iconic gesture comprehension and its relation to their receptive vocabulary knowledge. Turkish‐learning children between the ages of 22‐ and 30‐month‐olds (N = 92, M = 25.6 months, SD = 1.6; 51 girls) completed a gesture comprehension task in which they were asked to choose the correct picture that matched the experimenter's speech and iconic gestures. They were also administered a standardized receptive vocabulary test. Children's performance in the gesture comprehension task increased with age, which was also related to their receptive vocabulary knowledge. When children were categorized into younger and older age groups based on the median age (i.e., 26 months—the age at which iconic gesture comprehension was present for English‐learning children), only the older group performed at chance level in the task. At the same time, receptive vocabulary was positively related to gesture comprehension for younger but not older children. These findings suggest a shift in iconic gesture comprehension at around 26 months and indicate a possible link between receptive vocabulary knowledge and iconic gesture comprehension, particularly for children younger than 26 months.
Clinical Significance of Combined Detection of CCL22 and IL‐1 as Potential New Bronchial Inflammatory Mediators in Children's Asthma
Authors: Cui Lei , Song Xiaozhen , Peng Yanping , Shi Min
Published: November 2024

Backgrounds

Severe asthma is a significant health burden because children with severe asthma are vulnerable to medication‐related side effects, life‐threatening deterioration, and impaired quality of life. However, there is a lack of data to elucidate the role of inflammatory variables in asthma. This study aimed to compare the levels of inflammatory factors in serum and sputum in children with acute and stable asthma to those in healthy children and the ability to predict clinical response to azithromycin therapy.

Methods

This study recruited 95 individuals aged 1−3 years old and collected data from January 2018 to 2020. We examined serum and sputum inflammatory factors and constructed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) model. Predictive models were constructed through multifactor logistic regression and presented in the form of column‐line plots. The performance of the column‐line diagrams was measured by subject work characteristics (ROC) curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Then, filter‐paper samples were collected from 45 children with acute asthma who were randomly assigned to receive either azithromycin (10 mg/kg, n = 22) or placebo (n = 23). Pretreatment levels of immune mediators were then analyzed and compared with clinical response to azithromycin therapy.

Results

Of the 95 eligible participants, 21 (22.11%) were healthy controls, 29 (30.53%) had stable asthma, and 45 (47.37%) had acute asthma. The levels of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), tumor necrosis factor‐a (TNF‐α), chemokine CCL22 (CCL22), interleukin 12 (IL‐12), chemokine CCL4 (CCL4), chemokine CCL2 (CCL2), and chemokine CCL13 (CCL13）were significantly higher in the acute asthma group than in the stable asthma group. A logistic regression analysis was performed using CCL22 and IL‐1 as independent variables. Additionally, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐1, IL‐13, and CCL22 were identified in the LASSO model. Finally, we found that CCL22 and IL‐1 were more responsive in predicting the response to azithromycin treatment.

Conclusion

Our results show that CCL22 and IL‐1 are both representative markers during asthma symptom exacerbations and an immune mediator that can predict response to azithromycin therapy.
Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis and Assessments of Analgesic and Antidiarrheal Activity of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Cheilanthes tenuifolia: In Vivo Study
Authors: Rakib Asraful Islam , Chowdhury Raihan , Bhuia Md. Shimul , Hasan Md. Sakib Al , Sheikh Salehin , Ansari Siddique Akber , Ansari Irfan Aamer , Islam Muhammad Torequl
Published: November 2024

Background

Cheilanthes tenuifolia (Burm.f.), commonly known as the Sword Fern or Narrow‐leaved Cloak Fern, is a little evergreen fern that belongs to the Pteridaceae family and is abundant in various bioactive compounds exerting promising medicinal properties. The current study is designed to evaluate in vivo analgesic and antidiarrheal activity of the methanol leaf extract of C. tenuifolia (MCT).

Methods

For this purpose, Swiss albino mice were used to investigate the analgesic and antidiarrheal properties using acetic acid‐induced writhing and castor oil‐induced diarrhea methods, respectively. The mice were administered orally with different doses of MCT (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg). The vehicle performed as a negative control (NC), while diclofenac sodium (DCN) (25 mg/kg), loperamide (LOP) (3 mg/kg), bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) (10 mg/kg), and nifedipine (NDP) (2.5 mg/kg) were supplied as positive controls (PC) (p.o.). In both models, combination treatment of MCT (higher dose) and PC was also administered to different groups of animals for assessing potential antagonistic or synergistic activity.

Results

Findings of the in vivo study demonstrated that MCT dose‐dependently significantly (p < 0.05) exhibited analgesic and antidiarrheal properties by reduction in the number of writhing and reductions in the total fecal output in contrast to the NC group. Moreover, in combination treatment, MCT significantly (p < 0.05) synergized the activity of PC in both models, exerting potential analgesic and antidiarrheal activity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MCT has analgesic and antidiarrheal activity; it might be beneficial for the management of pain and diarrhea.
MetOrigin 2.0: Advancing the discovery of microbial metabolites and their origins
Authors: Yu Gang , Xu Cuifang , Wang Xiaoyan , Ju Feng , Fu Junfen , Ni Yan
Published: November 2024

First introduced in 2021, MetOrigin has quickly established itself as a powerful web server to distinguish microbial metabolites and identify the bacteria responsible for specific metabolic processes. Building on the growing understanding of the interplay between the microbiome and metabolome, and in response to user feedback, MetOrigin has undergone a significant upgrade to version 2.0. This enhanced version incorporates three new modules: (1) Quick search module that facilitates the rapid identification of bacteria associated with a particular metabolite; (2) Orthology analysis module that links metabolic enzyme genes with their corresponding bacteria; (3) Mediation analysis module that investigates potential causal relationships among bacteria, metabolites, and phenotypes, highlighting the mediating role of metabolites. Additionally, the backend MetOrigin database has been updated with the latest data from seven public databases (KEGG, HMDB, BIGG, ChEBI, FoodDB, Drugbank, and T3DB), with expanded coverage of 210,732 metabolites, each linked to its source organism. MetOrigin 2.0 is freely accessible at http://metorigin.met-bioinformatics.cn.
Postoperative Complications of Intramedullary Nailing for Impending and Pathologic Fractures of the Humerus Due to Bone Metastases—A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Griggers James I. , Alcantar Sergio , Gonzalez Marcos R. , Lozano‐Calderon Santiago A.
Published: November 2024

Intramedullary nailing (IMN) is a common option for managing impending or pathologic fractures of the humerus secondary to metastatic disease. We sought to assess the (1) early complications, (2) failure rates and mechanisms, and (3) functional outcomes. A systematic review using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines were followed. The study was registered on PROSERO (CRD42023406905). The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist was used for quality assessment. Studies describing postoperative outcomes of patients with impending or pathologic fractures of the humerus treated with IMN were included. Implant failure was classified into mechanical and nonmechanical causes. Functional outcomes were assessed via the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score. Overall, 41 studies comprising 1431 patients were included. Early complications occurred in 5.5% of patients, with 2.8% of patients having systemic complications. The overall implant failure rate was 4.9%, and the mean MSTS score at the last follow‐up was 79.9%. IMN was associated with good postoperative functional outcomes and low implant failure rates. Systemic complications were the most common type of early complication, and tumor progression was the main cause of implant failure.

Level of evidence

III.
Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage Increases Risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2‐Mediated Otologic Dysfunction
Authors: de Cos Víctor , Naugle Kendyl , Baker Omer , Kocharian Elida , Moshtaghi Omid , Dixon Peter R. , Matsuoka Akihiro , Harris Jeffrey P.
Published: November 2024

Objectives

We aim to use the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) to investigate the correlations between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage (NSD), SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination rates, infection severity, and subsequent audiovestibular symptoms.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, surveys were administered to participants ≥18 years of age who received a SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination and/or tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection between January 2020 and September 2022. ADI scores were calculated for each patient to quantify NSD. Statistical analyses were performed to compare demographic and clinical characteristics between ADI quintiles.

Results

Of 2415 participants, the majority were female (62.8%) and White (87%), with a mean age of 60.8 years. Individuals in ADI Quintile 5 were less likely to receive second booster doses than those in Quintile 1 (58% vs. 71%, p < 0.0001). Among those infected with SARS‐CoV‐2, those in ADI Quintile 5 were 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized (relative risk = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [1.03, 5.88]) than those in Quintile 1. Symptoms more likely to be experienced by participants in ADI Quintile 5 than those in Quintile 1 immediately following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection included headaches (28% vs. 21%, p = 0.02), aural fullness (14% vs. 6%, p < 0.0001), change of hearing (8% vs. 4%, p = 0.01), dizziness (15% vs. 8%, p < 0.01), and otalgia (8% vs. 4%, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Individuals experiencing greater NSD were found to have lower SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine booster rates, higher rates of postinfection hospitalization, and increased rates of certain otologic and neurotologic symptoms following infection.

Level of Evidence

III Laryngoscope, 2024
Are Neutrality Targets Alone Sufficient for Protecting Nature? Learning From Land Cover Change and Land Degradation Neutrality Targets in Mauritius
Authors: Koenig Xavier G. H. , Deenapanray Prakash N. K. , Weber Jean‐Louis , Rakotondraompiana Solofo , Ramihangihajason Tony Arison
Published: November 2024

Land degradation contributes to loss of land productivity, climate change, and biodiversity loss worldwide, making the monitoring of land cover change a fundamental component of sustainable land use planning. To facilitate this task, international research organizations publish increasingly high‐quality global land cover data, yet those are still proving too imprecise at the scale of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Mauritius. Though rapidly developing, Mauritius does not have a locally produced land cover map which is consistently updated and made available to the public in the scope of participatory planning processes. This study sought to bridge this gap by revising a 2010 land cover map of Mauritius island and producing a new map for 2020, which can serve as a basis for future updates through a consistent methodology that combines photointerpretation and semi‐automated classification from various datasets. These maps enabled the observation of key changes in the island's landscape, which are consistent with socio‐economic events, namely the decline of agricultural coverage (12.7%) due to the phasing out of preferential trade agreements for sugar, and the expansion of real estate (14.3% increase in built area) following new investment promotion policies. Considering the small size and high population density of the island, as is the case for SIDS, these developments and the Land Degradation Neutrality Targets of Mauritius bring the feasibility of area‐based land degradation neutrality into question and call for the analysis of land and ecosystem conditions through additional indicators.
Adoption and use of author identifier services: A French national survey
Authors: Boudry Christophe , Bouchard Aline
Published: November 2024

This paper studies awareness and use of author identifier services (AIDs) in the French academic community and explores needs and forms of support required for these tools, using a national questionnaire survey. ArXivID, IdHAL, ORCID, ResearcherID and Scopus Author ID were investigated. A total of 6125 people completed the questionnaire in full. The results of this survey show that discipline and age play an important role in French researchers' familiarity with AIDs. IdHAL and ORCID were by far the two best known AIDs, probably because they have been promoted by institutions in France for several years. French researchers use AIDs mainly to respond to external requests (e.g., to submit an article or a research project), while, surprisingly, few use them to ‘facilitate their work’. When French researchers were asked about their needs and the form of support required for AIDs, more than 30% of them said they either required an introduction to or practical training in these tools. The results of this national survey should help stakeholders to adapt their policies and to guide and support researchers more efficiently in the use of these tools.
ORGANIZATIONS BUILDING TRUST, COHESION, FRATERNITY, AND FRIENDSHIP OUTSIDE THE FAMILY AND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
Authors: Moriarty Denis
Published: November 2024

The author is managing director of Our Community, an Australian social enterprise. He provides context on what it’s like being a leader in that country. He describes Our Community as “basically a support organization for not‐for‐profit organizations (NFPs) and a software vendor to government.” In relating its origins, he writes that “I wanted to break new ground in this country with a new thing that would reward its employees, that I could make some money from, and that would do good in the world.” He also explains that “without support from investors who are poised precisely between commerce and philanthropy, leadership would simply be beside the point. From the beginning, Our Community was for‐profit, but not for‐profit only. A lot of our offerings were free, subsidized by our profit centers.” He also points to the pivotal role of ethics for him, and that he was “awarded a Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership scholarship 30 years ago and it was a seminal moment in my career.” A separate sidebar explains, “What We Believe,” “What We Do,” and “How We Work.” For instance, in the latter: “We believe in a work environment that allows for an authentic life balance.”
In Patients With Painful Hip Osteoarthritis, Is It More Beneficial to Offer Them an Ultrasound‐Guided or a Fluoroscopic‐Guided Intra‐Articular Corticosteroid Injection to Relieve Their Symptoms? A Systematic Review and Network Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Brookes Peter Alan , Stynes Siobhan
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disabling musculoskeletal condition. Clinical guidelines recommend intra‐articular corticosteroid injections (IACSI) as a pharmacological adjunct to help manage pain. IACSI are typically image‐guided either by ultrasound guidance (USG) or fluoroscopic guidance (FG) with no clear evidence towards the more efficacious guidance technique. This study aims to systematically review the scientific literature to determine the clinical effectiveness of USG compared with FG‐IACSIs for people with pain‐related hip OA.

Methods

A systematic review of major bibliographic databases from inception to 24 August 2023 was conducted. Randomised controlled trials of USG‐ and FG‐IACSIs for patients with hip OA were included. The primary outcome measure was pain. Hedges' g calculated effect size and meta‐analysis using the random‐effects model‐estimated pooled effect sizes. τ2, I2 and Cochran's Q calculated heterogeneity. Network meta‐analysis was completed to indirectly compare effect sizes. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool (RoB2).

Results

A total of 1464 citations were identified; eight studies were included in the review. No studies directly compared imaging modalities. Two network meta‐analyses indirectly comparing USG‐ to FG‐IACSI via an image‐guided comparator hip injection ([any comparator], [local anaesthetic or saline]) established effect sizes (g) of 2.61 and 2.46, respectively, both in favour of FG‐IACSI. Heterogeneity was low in the USG studies and high in the FG studies.

Conclusion(s)

Evidence suggests that both USG and FG‐IACSI are effective at reducing pain at 1 month in patients with painful hip OA. Although network meta‐analyses favoured FG‐IACSI, further high‐quality trials are needed to determine the preferred guidance technique.
Depth‐wise multiparametric assessment of articular cartilage layers with single‐sided NMR
Authors: Golini Carlo , Barbieri Marco , Nagmutdinova Anastasiia , Bortolotti Villiam , Testa Claudia , Brizi Leonardo
Published: November 2024

Articular cartilage (AC) is a specialized connective tissue that covers the ends of long bones and facilitates the load‐bearing of joints. It consists of chondrocytes distributed throughout an extracellular matrix and organized into three zones: superficial, middle, and deep. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques can be used to characterize this layered structure. In this study, devoted to a better understanding of the NMR response of this complex tissue, 20 specimens excised from femoral and tibial cartilage of bovine samples were analyzed by the low‐field single‐sided NMR‐MOUSE‐PM10. A multiparametric depth‐wise analysis was performed to characterize the laminar structure of AC and investigate the origin of the NMR dependence on depth. The depth dependence of the single parameters T1, T2, and D has been described in literature, but their simultaneous measurement has not been fully exploited yet, as well as the extent of their variability. A novel parameter, α, evaluated by applying a double‐quantum‐like sequence, has been measured. The significant decrease in T1, T2, and D from the middle to the deep zone is consistent with depth‐dependent composition and structure changes of the complex matrix of fibers confining and interacting with water. The α parameter appears to be a robust marker of the layered structure with a well‐reproducible monotonic trend across the zones. The discrimination of cartilage zones was reinforced by a multivariate principal component analysis statistical analysis. The large number of samples allowed for the identification of the smallest number of parameters or their combination able to classify samples. The first two components clustered the data according to the different zones, highlighting the sensitivity of the NMR parameters to the structural and compositional variations of AC. Using two parameters, the best result was obtained by considering T1 and α. Single‐sided NMR devices, portable and low‐cost, provide information on NMR parameters related to tissue composition and structure.
Pediatric liver transplant for acute liver failure: Defining the standard nutrition and clinical evolution: An observational study
Authors: Zamberlan Patrícia , Bonfim Maria A. C. , Tannuri Uenis , de Carvalho Werther B. , Delgado Artur F.
Published: November 2024

Background

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a clinical diagnosis in which previously asymptomatic children exhibit a rapid loss of liver function.

Objectives

To describe the clinical and nutrition conditions at admission and during hospitalization in patients with PALF who underwent liver transplantation (LT) at a referral center and establish a possible association between nutrition status and prognosis in this population.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted on children underwent LT because of PALF. Nutrition assessment was performed at admission and repeated weekly until hospital discharge, and their relationships with clinical outcomes were tested.

Results

The study population consisted of 23 patients with a median age of 60 months and, in most cases, the etiology of acute liver failure (ALF) was indeterminate (69.6%). The majority of the patients were well nourished according to the z score body mass index‐for‐age (82.6%) and z arm circumference‐for‐age (zAC/A) (82.6%). A decline in nutrition status was observed in 47.6% of the patients, as indicated by a decrease in zAC. Clinical and nutrition improvement was demonstrated by the progressive increase in zAC, serum albumin levels, and phase angle (PA) values and by the reduction in C‐reactive protein levels. There was no statistically significant relationship between nutrition status and clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

Most children and adolescents with ALF presented adequate nutrition status at the time of LT, and some patients worsened their nutrition status during hospitalization, suggesting that post‐LT is a period of high nutrition risk, and early nutrition therapy (NT) must be a priority in these patients.