bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of a prognostic model for triple‐negative breast cancer based on immune‐related genes, and associations between the tumor immune microenvironment and immunological therapy
Authors: Zhu Yue , Tao Lin‐Feng , Liu Jin‐Yan , Wang Yi‐Xuan , Huang Hai , Jiang Yan‐Nan , Qian Wei‐Feng
Published: June 2023

Background

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the subtype of breast cancer with the worst prognosis, and it is highly heterogeneous. There is growing evidence that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a crucial role in tumor development, maintenance, and treatment responses. Notably however, the full effects of the TIME on prognosis, TIME characteristics, and immunotherapy responses in TNBC patients have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas data were used to data analysis. Single‐cell sequencing and tissue microarray analysis were used to investigate gene expression. The concentrations and distributions of immune cell types were determined and analyzed using the CIBERSORT strategy. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score and the IMvigor210 cohort were used to estimate the sensitivity of TNBC patients with different prognostic statuses to immune checkpoint treatment.

Results

Five immune‐related genes associated with TNBC prognosis (IL6ST, NR2F1, CKLF, TCF7L2, and HSPA2) was identified and a prognostic evaluation model was constructed based on those genes. The respective areas under the curve of the prognostic nomogram model at 3 and 5 years were 0.791 and 0.859. The group with a lower nomogram score, with a better prognosis survival status and clinical treatment benefit rate.

Conclusion

A prognostic model for TNBC that was closely related to the immune landscape and therapeutic responses was constructed. This model may help clinicians to make more precise and personalized treatment decisions pertaining to TNBC patients.
Phase 2 trial of palbociclib and ganitumab in patients with relapsed Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Shulman David S. , Merriam Priscilla , Choy Edwin , Guenther Lillian M. , Cavanaugh Kerri L. , Kao Pei‐Chi , Posner Andrew , Bhushan Ketki , Fairchild Grace , Barker Emma , Klega Kelly , Stegmaier Kimberly , Crompton Brian D. , London Wendy B. , DuBois Steven G.
Published: June 2023

Background

Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive sarcoma with few treatment options for patients with relapsed disease. Cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) is a genomic vulnerability in EWS that is synergistic with IGF‐1R inhibition in preclinical studies. We present the results of a phase 2 study combining palbociclib (CDK4/6 inhibitor) with ganitumab (IGF‐1R monoclonal antibody) for patients with relapsed EWS.

Patients and Methods

This open‐label, non‐randomized, phase 2 trial enrolled patients ≥12 years with relapsed EWS. All patients had molecular confirmation of EWS and RECIST measurable disease. Patients initially received palbociclib 125 mg orally on Days 1–21 and ganitumab 18 mg/kg intravenously on Days 1 and 15 of a 28‐day cycle. The primary endpoints were objective response (complete or partial) per RECIST and toxicity by CTCAE. An exact one‐stage design required ≥4 responders out of 15 to evaluate an alternative hypothesis of 40% response rate against a null of 10%. The study was closed following enrollment of the 10th patient due to discontinuation of ganitumab supply.

Results

Ten evaluable patients enrolled [median age 25.7 years (range 12.3–40.1)]. The median duration of therapy was 2.5 months (range 0.9–10.8). There were no complete or partial responders. Three of 10 patients had stable disease for >4 cycles and 2 had stable disease at completion of planned therapy or study closure. Six‐month progression‐free survival was 30% (95% CI 1.6%–58.4%). Two patients had cycle 1 hematologic dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) triggering palbociclib dose reduction to 100 mg daily for 21 days. Two subsequent patients had cycle 1 hematologic DLTs at the reduced dose. Eighty percent of patients had grade 3/4 AEs, including neutropenia (n = 8), white blood cell decreased (n = 7), and thrombocytopenia (n = 5). Serum total IGF‐1 significantly increased (p = 0.013) and ctDNA decreased during the first cycle.

Conclusions

This combination lacks adequate therapeutic activity for further study, though a subset of patients had prolonged stable disease.
Targeting Colon Cancer Cells with Pyrazino‐Imidazolinone Derivatives: Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and in Vitro Evaluation of Anti‐Proliferative and Pro‐Apoptotic Activities
Authors: Tambat Nazia , Tambe Pranav , Shaikh Amin , Shiekh Kounsar N. , Köhler Leonhard H. F. , Schobert Rainer , Biersack Bernhard , Ahmed Khursheed
Published: June 2023

We report the synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, molecular docking and biological evaluation of nine pyrazino‐imidazolinone derivatives. These derivatives were evaluated for their anticancer activity against three cancer cell lines: 518A2 melanoma, HCT‐116, and HCT‐116 p53 knockout mutant colon carcinoma. The MTT assay was employed to assess their effectiveness. Among the nine compounds tested, four compounds (5 a, 5 d, 5 g, and 5 h) exhibited promising antiproliferative activity specifically against HCT‐116 p53‐negative cells (IC50 0.23, 0.20, 2.07 and 58.75 μM, respectively). Interestingly, treatment with the 3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl derivative 5a resulted in a significant increase (199 %) in caspase activity in HCT‐116 p53‐negative cells compared to untreated cells while the bromo‐pyrazine derivative 5d demonstrated (190 %) increase. These findings suggest that compounds 5a and 5 d induce p53‐independent apoptotic cell death. Additionally, in silico molecular docking studies with EGFR and tyrosinase proteins indicated that compounds 5 d and 5 e have the potential to bind to important anticancer drug targets.
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Bergamottin and 6,7‐Dihydroxybergamottin to Describe CYP3A4 Mediated Grapefruit‐Drug Interactions
Authors: Fuhr Laura Maria , Marok Fatima Zahra , Fuhr Uwe , Selzer Dominik , Lehr Thorsten
Published: June 2023

Grapefruit is a moderate to strong inactivator of CYP3A4, which metabolizes up to 50% of marketed drugs. The inhibitory effect is mainly attributed to furanocoumarins present in the fruit, irreversibly inhibiting preferably intestinal CYP3A4 as suicide inhibitors. Effects on CYP3A4 victim drugs can still be measured up to 24 hours after grapefruit juice (GFJ) consumption. The current study aimed to establish a physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) grapefruit‐drug interaction model by modeling the relevant CYP3A4 inhibiting ingredients of the fruit to simulate and predict the effect of GFJ consumption on plasma concentration‐time profiles of various CYP3A4 victim drugs. The grapefruit model was developed in PK‐Sim and coupled with previously developed PBPK models of CYP3A4 substrates that were publicly available and already evaluated for CYP3A4‐mediated drug–drug interactions. Overall, 43 clinical studies were used for model development. Models of bergamottin (BGT) and 6,7‐dihydroxybergamottin (DHB) as relevant active ingredients in GFJ were established. Both models include: (i) CYP3A4 inactivation informed by in vitro parameters, (ii) a CYP3A4 mediated clearance estimated during model development, as well as (iii) passive glomerular filtration. The final model successfully describes interactions of GFJ ingredients with 10 different CYP3A4 victim drugs, simulating the effect of the CYP3A4 inactivation on the victims' pharmacokinetics as well as their main metabolites. Furthermore, the model sufficiently captures the time‐dependent effect of CYP3A4 inactivation as well as the effect of grapefruit ingestion on intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4 concentrations.
Cuddling better than medication for NOWS: NIH
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2023

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has just released a study which, according to director Lawrence Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., shows using the “eat, sleep, console” approach for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is better than the traditional method of giving the babies opioids, such as morphine, methadone, or buprenorphine. This has been known for years in terms of pregnant methadone patients who deliver babies with withdrawal symptoms: simply letting the baby breastfeed, live in the same room with the mother instead of being in the neonatal ICU, and get a lot of cuddling and swaddling eliminates the need for medication and reduces the hospital length of stay.
Genetic evidence of population subdivision among Masai giraffes separated by the Gregory Rift Valley in Tanzania
Authors: Lohay George G. , Lee Derek E. , Wu‐Cavener Lan , Pearce David L. , Hou Xiaoyi , Bond Monica L. , Cavener Douglas R.
Published: June 2023

The Masai giraffe has experienced a population decline from 70,000 to 35,000 in the past three decades and was declared an endangered subspecies by the IUCN in 2019. The remaining number of Masai giraffe are geographically separated by the steep cliffs of the Gregory Rift escarpments (GRE) in Tanzania and Kenya dividing them into two populations, one west and one east of the GRE. The cliffs of the GRE are formidable barriers to east–west dispersal and gene flow and the few remaining natural corridors through the GRE are occupied by human settlements. To assess the impact of the GRE on Masai giraffe gene flow, we examined whole genome sequences of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in populations located east (Tarangire ecosystem) and west (Serengeti ecosystem) of the GRE in northern Tanzania. Evidence from mtDNA variation, which measures female‐mediated gene flow, suggests that females have not migrated across the GRE between populations in the Serengeti and Tarangire ecosystems in the past ~289,000 years. The analysis of nuclear DNA variation compared to mtDNA DNA variation suggests that male‐mediated gene flow across the GRE has occurred more recently but stopped a few thousand years ago. Our findings show that Masai giraffes are split into two populations and fulfill the criteria for designation as distinct evolutionary significant units (ESUs), which we denote as western Masai giraffe and eastern Masai giraffe. While establishing giraffe dispersal corridors across the GRE is impractical, conservation efforts should be focused on maintaining connectivity among populations within each of these two populations. The importance of these efforts is heightened by our finding that the inbreeding coefficients are high in some of these Masai giraffe populations, which could result in inbreeding depression in the small and fragmented populations.
Drivers of contrasting boreal understory vegetation in coniferous and broadleaf deciduous alternative states
Authors: Rodríguez‐Rodríguez Juanita C. , Fenton Nicole J. , Kembel Steven W. , Mestre Evick , Jean Mélanie , Bergeron Yves
Published: June 2023

Alternative states defined by tree‐canopy dominance result in different ecosystem functioning and shape habitat conditions for the understory vegetation. One example in the boreal forest is the alternation between broadleaf deciduous and coniferous forests. Disturbances related to natural fires and human land uses have produced changes in tree‐canopy dominance in the boreal region where coniferous forests change to broadleaved forests, affecting understory community dynamics and their related ecosystem processes and functions. To analyze the factors driving changes in understory vegetation and the resistance of its vegetation to shifts between alternative states, we compared the effects of changes in the system between two contrasting boreal forest types (black spruce vs. trembling aspen) in adjacent stands with similar topoedaphic conditions. We performed a 5‐year in situ experiment using alternative states as a theoretical framework including two approaches: (1) the ecosystem approach, manipulating environmental conditions of light, litter, and nutrients in each forest type to determine the main mechanisms associated with tree‐canopy dominance that affect the diversity and composition of understory communities; and (2) the community approach, physically exchanging understory communities between alternative states, to determine their resistance under a new tree‐canopy dominance through time, as well as the resilience of the forest understory after a small‐scale disturbance. Results indicate that the understory vegetation of trembling aspen forests were resistant through time both after changes in local conditions in the ecosystem approach and in the new black spruce‐dominated alternative state in the community approach. In contrast, mosses and ericaceous plants that typically dominate the forest floor of black spruce forests were negatively affected by the physical effect of broadleaf litter addition in our ecosystem approach and they were not resistant when transplanted to trembling aspen forests in the community approach, as they decreased in abundance and were invaded by aspen understory community species over time. The understory vegetation is a key forest ecosystem driver that can contribute to maintain the resilience of the boreal system and help to preserve their ecosystem services, which is a key aspect to consider in forest management faced with the effects of climate change.
Production and perspective approach of ellagic acid from mango pulp industrial waste by the Micrococcus luteus
Authors: Anandan Rubavathi , Kannan Visali , Sudalaimani Dinesh Kumar , Janani P.R. , Athiappan Murugan
Published: June 2023

Ellagic acid (EA) has gained momentum recently due to its various properties like anti‐mutagenic, anti‐carcinogenic, anti‐oxidant, anti‐viral and many other benefits to human health. The present study focused on the microbial production of EA from mango pulp processing industrial waste as an alternate method for conventional chemical extraction. Our experiments demonstrated that the 100 μg/mL of EA was produced by Micrococcus luteus from 9% of mango pulp waste and the effect of several fermentation parameters of EA production with Pontecorvo medium has yielded 496.75 mg/g at pH 6.0, temperature 35°C, ammonium nitrate (nitrogen source), sucrose (carbon source), potassium chloride (mineral source) with 0.5% of inoculum after 48 h of incubation. EA synthesized was further confirmed with the standard EA in high performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Perspective approaches like drought resistant in plants, anti‐parasitic activity and anti‐cancer activities have been proven and they were docked against depression proteins (receptors), namely MAO‐A using Epic, LigPrep and Glide module of Schrödinger. EA was found to have an ability to bind with the candidate receptor proteins 2Z5X for depression. Microbial bioconversion of mango wastes from pulp processing industries which can reduce the environmental pollution and convert as value added product.
Microwave‐assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from Sarawak Liberica sp. coffee pulp: Statistical optimization and comparison with conventional methods
Authors: Wong Joel Ching Jue , Nillian Elexson
Published: June 2023

Coffea liberica, commonly known as Liberica coffee, is a kind of coffee that originated in Liberia, a West African country. It is considered a less‐known coffee bean variety, which accounts for less than 2% of commercially produced coffee worldwide. In this study, the influences of optimization of microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total carbohydrate content (TCC) of bioactive compounds extracted from Sarawak Liberica sp. coffee pulp were studied. Response surface methodology was adopted with a face‐centered central composite design to generate 34 responses by taking three microwave parameters into consideration, microwave power (watt), time of irradiation (second), and solvent‐to‐feed ratio as independent variables. As a result, the findings revealed that optimum extraction conditions were conducted as follows: microwave power of 700 W, time of irradiation of 180 s, and solvent‐to‐feed ratio of 86.644:1. While under optimal extraction conditions, MAE outperformed conventional maceration extraction in terms of extraction efficiency and had no significant difference (p < .05) with Soxhlet extraction on the extraction of TPC (12.94 ± 2.25 mg GAE/g), TFC (9.84 ± 0.38 mg QE/g), and TCC (876.50 ± 64.15 mg GE/g). Present work advances the usage of Sarawak Liberica sp. coffee for the development of functional products and aids in reducing environmental pollution by utilization of coffee pulp waste.
Network anatomy in logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Mandelli Maria Luisa , Lorca‐Puls Diego L. , Lukic Sladjana , Montembeault Maxime , Gajardo‐Vidal Andrea , Licata Abigail , Scheffler Aaron , Battistella Giovanni , Grasso Stephanie M. , Bogley Rian , Ratnasiri Buddhika M. , La Joie Renaud , Mundada Nidhi S. , Europa Eduardo , Rabinovici Gil , Miller Bruce L. , De Leon Jessica , Henry Maya L. , Miller Zachary , Gorno‐Tempini Maria Luisa
Published: June 2023

The logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized linguistically by gradual loss of repetition and naming skills resulting from left posterior temporal and inferior parietal atrophy. Here, we sought to identify which specific cortical loci are initially targeted by the disease (epicenters) and investigate whether atrophy spreads through predetermined networks. First, we used cross‐sectional structural MRI data from individuals with lvPPA to define putative disease epicenters using a surface‐based approach paired with an anatomically fine‐grained parcellation of the cortical surface (i.e., HCP‐MMP1.0 atlas). Second, we combined cross‐sectional functional MRI data from healthy controls and longitudinal structural MRI data from individuals with lvPPA to derive the epicenter‐seeded resting‐state networks most relevant to lvPPA symptomatology and ascertain whether functional connectivity in these networks predicts longitudinal atrophy spread in lvPPA. Our results show that two partially distinct brain networks anchored to the left anterior angular and posterior superior temporal gyri epicenters were preferentially associated with sentence repetition and naming skills in lvPPA. Critically, the strength of connectivity within these two networks in the neurologically‐intact brain significantly predicted longitudinal atrophy progression in lvPPA. Taken together, our findings indicate that atrophy progression in lvPPA, starting from inferior parietal and temporoparietal junction regions, predominantly follows at least two partially nonoverlapping pathways, which may influence the heterogeneity in clinical presentation and prognosis.
Investigation of the Effect of Oral Selenium on the Reduction of Clinical Symptoms and Joint Pain in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Iranian Population
Authors: Mehrpooya Maryam , Majmasanaye Mahnam , Faramarzi Fatemeh , Eshraghi Azadeh , Faress Foroozan
Published: June 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory joint disease. Because inflammation and nitrosative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA, drugs that have antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects can be effective as adjuvant treatment in these patients. Selenium is a compound that has been shown in recent studies to have anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oral selenium on the reduction of clinical symptoms and joint pain in patients with RA. Fifty‐one patients with moderate and severe RA were randomly divided into selenium and placebo groups. The first group of patients received selenium at a dose of 200 μg twice a day for 12 weeks along with standard RA interventions and treatments, and the second group received standard treatments of RA along with a placebo. Clinical symptoms were evaluated with standard indicators to evaluate disease activity before and after the intervention in the 12th week. Examination of clinical symptoms at the end of the study showed that in the selenium group and after 12 weeks, a reduction in clinical symptoms and joint pain were observed, which was statistically significant compared with before the study began. Meanwhile, no significant changes were observed in the patients of the placebo group in terms of reducing symptoms and joint pains. A dose of 200 μg of oral selenium twice a day for 12 weeks can significantly reduce clinical symptoms and joint pain in patients with RA.
Through rose‐tinted glasses: How inducing and resolving curiosity makes consumers less skeptical and improves their product evaluations
Authors: Hüttl‐Maack Verena , Sedghi Tara M. , Daume Jana M.
Published: June 2023

Research indicates that in general, curiosity leads to more intense processing of an advertisement, which might result in a more skeptical response toward a persuasive message. However, we propose the opposite and argue that a process of evoking curiosity toward a stimulus in the first step (with the creation of an information gap) and resolving it in the second step creates a positive affective experience. Upon receiving curiosity‐resolving information after becoming curious, consumers are less skeptical toward the advertised product, which leads to a more favorable attitude and a higher purchase intention. Based on four studies, we demonstrate curiosity's skepticism‐reducing effect, its downstream consequences, and the underlying mechanism of positive affect. We show that this curiosity‐stimulating way of information disclosure caused the effect instead of the information itself, which remained constant. The effects occur for integral curiosity, directed at the focal product, and for incidental curiosity, elicited by an unrelated stimulus. These results contribute to understanding consumer responses to curiosity‐evoking advertisements, which are widespread, and provide implications for consumer psychologists, practitioners, and policy makers.
Predictors of PrEP awareness, PrEP discussion and interest in long‐acting injectable PrEP among Filipina transfeminine adults
Authors: Restar Arjee Javellana , Quilantang Ma Irene , Wickersham Jeffrey , Adia Alex , Guigayoma John , Bermudez Amiel Nazer , Galárraga Omar , Flores Dalmacio Dennis , Cu‐Uvin Susan , Nazareno Jennifer , Operario Don , Sison Olivia
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Transfeminine adults are impacted by the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, and newly approved modalities of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), including long‐acting injectable (LAI‐PrEP), could be beneficial for this group. To inform implementation, we analysed PrEP awareness, discussion and interest in taking LAI‐PrEP among Filipina transfeminine adults.

Methods

We utilized secondary data from the #ParaSaAtin survey that sampled Filipina transfeminine adults (n= 139) and conducted a series of multivariable logistic regressions with lasso selection to explore factors independently associated with PrEP outcomes, including awareness, discussion with trans friends and interest in LAI‐PrEP.

Results

Overall, 53% of Filipina transfeminine respondents were aware of PrEP, 39% had discussed PrEP with their trans friends and 73% were interested in LAI‐PrEP. PrEP awareness was associated with being non‐Catholic (p= 0.017), having previously been HIV tested (p= 0.023), discussing HIV services with a provider (p<0.001) and having high HIV knowledge (p = 0.021). Discussing PrEP with friends was associated with older age (p= 0.040), having experienced healthcare discrimination due to transgender identity (p= 0.044), having HIV tested (p= 0.001) and having discussed HIV services with a provider (p< 0.001). Very interested in LAI‐PrEP was associated with living in Central Visayas (p= 0.045), having discussed HIV services with a provider (p= 0.001) and having discussed HIV services with a sexual partner (p= 0.008).

Conclusions

Implementing LAI‐PrEP in the Philippines requires addressing systemic improvements across personal, interpersonal, social and structural levels in healthcare access, including efforts to create healthcare settings and environments with providers who are trained and competent in transgender health and can address the social and structural drivers of trans health inequities, including HIV and barriers to LAI‐PrEP.
Citronellol‐Based Long‐Lasting Antibacterial Cotton Fabrics without Bacterial Resistance
Authors: Lian Liqin , Pang Chuming , Wei Hongxin , Hong Liangzhi
Published: June 2023

Antibacterial cotton helps prevent the growth and spread of harmful microorganisms, reduces the risk of infection, and has a prolonged service life by reducing bacterial degradation. However, most antibacterial agents used are toxic to humans and the environment. Citronellol‐poly(N,N‐dimethyl ethyl methacrylate) (CD), a highly effective antibacterial polymer, is synthesized from natural herbal essential oils (EOs). CD exhibited efficient, rapid bactericidal activity against Gram‐positive, Gram‐negative, and drug‐resistant bacteria. Citronellol's environmental benignity makes CDs less hemolytic. Notably, negligible drug resistance developed after 15 bacterial subcultures. The CD‐treated cotton fabric displayed better antibacterial performance than AAA‐grade antibacterial fabric, even after repeated washing. This study extends the practical application of EOs to antibacterial surfaces and fabrics, which is promising for use in personal care products and medical settings.
Spherulitic Characterization and Hierarchical Structural Evaluation of Azacalixarene‐Polyethylene Glycol Copolymers Containing s‐Triazine Rings
Authors: Otsuki Yuto , Terui Ryoma , Hoshino Yui , Suzuki Tomohiro , Shibasaki Yuji , Fujimori Atsuhiro
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the solid‐state structure of a copolymer composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and azacalixarene, which has two s‐triazine rings and two phenyl rings alternately crosslinked by amino groups. Azacalixarene derivatives containing a low‐molecular‐weight linker moiety and exhibiting an amorphous structure have been synthesized in previous studies; however, in this study, they are crystallized by the substitution of the linker moiety with PEG. The spherulites formed by the corresponding copolymer possess the ability to form higher‐order structures, growing up to a diameter of 1.7 mm depending on the crystallization conditions. The azacalixarene‐PEG copolymer forms negative spherulites via homogeneous nucleation and exhibits a lamellar period at 13.8 nm. The lamellar crystalline part itself is 5.8 nm in thickness; bulky amorphous regions are also observed in the copolymer structure. Reciprocal lattice analysis results reveal that the crystal parts form a packing structure similar to the crystal lattice of PEG. The promotion of spherulite growth is predicted to reflect the characteristics of the corresponding copolymer, which crystallizes while universally containing many amorphous regions.
Silk Sericin Protein: Turning Discarded Biopolymer into Ecofriendly and Valuable Reducing, Capping, and Stabilizing Agent for Nanoparticles Synthesis Using Sonication
Authors: Summer Muhammad , Ali Shaukat , Tahir Hafiz Muhammad , Abaidullah Rimsha , Tahir Hunaiza , Mumtaz Shumaila , Mumtaz Samaira , Butt Samima Asad , Tariq Muniba
Published: June 2023

This current study is designed to incorporate sericin protein as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent to synthesize sonication‐mediated silver nanoparticles. Fabrication of sericin‐reduced silver nanoparticles (Sr‐AgNPs) is confirmed using UV–visible spectrophotometry, zeta sizer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). UV–Vis spectral peak of Sr‐AgNPs is observed at 420–440nm while the average size is found between 3 to 30 nm. SEM also confirms the reduction of large‐sized (1–40 µm) sericin macromolecules into nanometric hexagonal and triangular silver nanoparticles with a normal distribution (polydispersity index > 0.5). FTIR peaks from 500 to 4000cm−1 are analyzed for sericin while Sr‐AgNPs peaks with minor shifts (700–1000 cm−1 (COOCO stretching) in Sr‐AgNPs) are also observed. XRD peaks of 2θ at 27° with multiple low peaks at 38.2°, 47°, 49°, and 63.8° authenticate the amorphous nature of sericin and sharp peaks at 36°, 48°, 54.3°, and 61.9° with miller indices (hkl) of 98, 111, 200, and 211, assess the crystalline structure of Sr‐AgNPs. TGA reveals that sericin enhances the stability of silver NPs at high temperature (200–600 °C) by lowering the percentage weight loss from 70–80% to 60–65%.
A scoping review of older patients' health‐related quality of life, recovery and well‐being after intensive care
Authors: Israelsson‐Skogsberg Åsa , Eriksson Thomas , Lindberg Elisabeth
Published: June 2023

Aims

In the present study, we aimed to determine how Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), recovery (function and capacity in daily life) and well‐being are followed up and characterised in persons ≥65 years of age who were being cared for in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Design

A scoping review.

Methods

CINAHL, MEDLINE (Ovid) and PsycINFO databases were searched in October 2021. 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The scoping review followed the principles outlined by Arksey and O'Malley, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) checklist and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework were used.

Results

Results are presented under five subheadings: Study characteristics, Type of studies, Methods for follow‐up, health‐related quality of life, and Recovery. Time seems to be an important factor regarding HRQoL among older patients being cared for in an ICU, with most elderly survivors perceiving their HRQoL as acceptable after 1 year. Nevertheless, several studies showed patients' willingness to be readmitted to the ICU if necessary, indicating that life is worth fighting for.

Patient or Public Contribution

Due to the design of the study, this study involves no patient or public contribution.
Emotional and behavioral problems of pediatric cancer survivors and their siblings: Concordance of child self‐report and parent proxy‐report
Authors: Paul Verena , Inhestern Laura , Winzig Jana , Nasse Mona L. , Krauth Konstantin A. , Rutkowski Stefan , Escherich Gabriele , Bergelt Corinna
Published: June 2023

Objective

Childhood cancer confronts families with major challenges. The study aimed at developing an empirical and multi‐perspective understanding of emotional and behavioral problems of cancer survivors diagnosed with leukemia and brain tumors and their siblings. Further, the concordance between child self‐report and parent proxy‐report was examined.

Methods

140 children (72 survivors, 68 siblings) and 309 parents were included in the analysis (respond rate: 34%). Patients, diagnosed with leukemia or brain tumors, and their families were surveyed on average 7.2 months after the end of intensive therapy. Outcomes were assessed using the German SDQ. Results were compared with normative samples. Data were analyzed descriptively, and group differences between survivors, siblings, and a norm sample were determined using one‐factor ANOVA followed by pairwise comparisons. The concordance between the parents and children was determined by calculating Cohen's kappa coefficient.

Results

No differences in the self‐report of survivors and their siblings were identified. Both groups reported significantly more emotional problems and more prosocial behavior than the normative sample. Although the interrater reliability between parents and children was mostly significant, low concordances were found for emotional problems, prosocial behavior (survivor/parents), and peer relationship problems (siblings/parents).

Conclusion

The findings point out the importance of psychosocial services in regular aftercare. These should not only focus on survivors, but additionally address the siblings' needs. The low concordance between the parents' and the children's perspectives on emotional problems, prosocial behavior, and peer relationship problems suggests the inclusion of both perspectives to allow needs‐based support.
New prediction categories in CASP15
Authors: Kryshtafovych Andriy , Antczak Maciej , Szachniuk Marta , Zok Tomasz , Kretsch Rachael C. , Rangan Ramya , Pham Phillip , Das Rhiju , Robin Xavier , Studer Gabriel , Durairaj Janani , Eberhardt Jerome , Sweeney Aaron , Topf Maya , Schwede Torsten , Fidelis Krzysztof , Moult John
Published: June 2023

Prediction categories in the Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP) experiments change with the need to address specific problems in structure modeling. In CASP15, four new prediction categories were introduced: RNA structure, ligand‐protein complexes, accuracy of oligomeric structures and their interfaces, and ensembles of alternative conformations. This paper lists technical specifications for these categories and describes their integration in the CASP data management system.
Understanding the depressurization system design
Authors: Karre Avinashkumar V. , Cai Tianxing , Jena Akash , Jaiswal Avanindra , Jaiswal Abhishek
Published: June 2023

A pressure relief valve (PSV) cannot depressurize a vessel or system; it can only limit its maximum pressure during upset or emergency conditions. A blowdown system is usually specified to accomplish the removal of the pressurized, volatile, hazardous, and flammable compounds such as hydrocarbon or ammonia vapor in vessels or systems. The pressure is removed from the vessel using a blowdown system; however, some hydrocarbon liquid will remain in the vessel. This paper explains different criteria for designing a blowdown system. Examples are presented to show how the blowdown time is affected by several factors. The Joule–Thomson effect and its effect on the vessel's inner wall temperature are illustrated using charts and tables. Several applications of the blowdown system are provided that relate to actual offshore and refining operations. Different mechanisms by which the blowdown system is activated are discussed, and a simplified design procedure to design a blowdown system is also provided.
SVAE‐GRU‐based degradation generation and prediction for small samples
Authors: Shangguan Anqi , Feng Nan , Mu Lingxia , Fei Rong , Hei Xinhong , Xie Guo
Published: June 2023

The degradation process analysis is the basis of the system reliability assessment. Too few degradation samples will affect the accuracy of the reliability analysis. So, it is necessary to expand the degradation data and construct the degradation prediction model. This paper proposes an SVAE‐GRU‐based degradation generation and prediction model to handle the issues. New degradation data are generated by combining the Stacked Variational Autoencoder (SVAE) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) in each time step, which can improve the learning effectiveness of the degradation features. The GRU and the Multi‐layer perceptron calculate the mean and the variance of the degradation distribution for each timestamp, the deeply heterogeneity and temporal feature of the original degraded samples are learned. Then the degradation amount of different samples are predicted. The optimal hyper‐parameters of the SVAE‐GRU are obtained by the grid search method. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, three datasets and four methods are used for experiment comparison in this paper. The actual example indicate that the SVAE‐GRU method has the best effect on the degradation generation and prediction.
Nitrogen doping induced by intrinsic defects of recycled polyethylene terephthalate‐derived carbon nanotubes
Authors: Li Chuanping , Tong Lijuan , Wang Shuling , Liu Qian , Wang Yaxin , Li Xuan , Wang Manxi , Li Manxian , Chen Xiaochuan , Wu Junxiong , Chen Qinghua , Mai Yiu‐Wing , Fan Weiwei , Chen Yuming , Li Xiaoyan
Published: June 2023

The indiscriminate utilization of nondegradable polyethylene terephthalate (PET)‐based products has triggered serious environmental pollution that has to be resolved vigorously. A simple synthesis of N‐doped carbon nanotubes from recycled PET (NCNTsr‐PET) was developed by a nitric acid‐assisted hydrothermal method. Experimental results and theoretical calculations show that the intrinsic defects in CNTsr‐PET would induce N‐doping by NH3 generated from nitric acid during the hydrothermal process, thus producing the NCNTsr‐PET. The life cycle assessment proves that the developed method for N‐doped CNTs using r‐PET as the carbon source is more environmentally friendly than the conventional chemical vapor deposition using acetylene as the carbon source. As a typical application, the NCNTsr‐PET delivered an impressive sodium storage capacity with an ultralong lifespan. This work not only provides a new route to upcycling waste plastics into valuable carbonaceous materials in an ecofriendly manner, but also reveals a basic understanding of the N‐doping mechanism in carbonaceous materials.
A “greenhouse gas balance” for aviation in line with the Paris Agreement
Authors: Fuglestvedt Jan , Lund Marianne T. , Kallbekken Steffen , Samset Bjørn Hallvard , Lee David S.
Published: June 2023

The effects of aviation on climate pose unique policy challenges. A large fraction of the CO2 emissions (65%) is international and not (explicitly) included in the Paris Agreement. The interpretation of Article 4.1 on achieving a “balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases” is ambiguous in the context of aviation because of the substantial non‐CO2 effects associated with the sector. For the achievement of the temperature goal in Article 2, both CO2 and non‐CO2 effects are important. The non‐CO2 effects contribute 66% of the sectoral total climate effect (in terms of Effective Radiative Forcing; ERF) at present, with significant uncertainties. The largest of these non‐CO2 effects, contrail‐cirrus and the net‐effect of NOx, are not caused by direct greenhouse gas emissions, representing another ambiguity as to whether they should be included in the balance concept. We discuss the role of aviation in the context of the Paris Agreement, and present illustrative calculations of a hypothetical aviation “greenhouse gas balance.” Several questions are addressed: Which components should be included? If an aggregate of components is adopted for the “balance,” which metric should be used? How can the large differences in timescales as well as the large intrinsic underlying ERF uncertainties be handled? We demonstrate that these choices result in very different requirements for CO2‐removal from the atmosphere and different temperature outcomes over time. The article provides policymakers with an overview of issues and choices that are important regarding which approach is most appropriate for defining and achieving a greenhouse gas balance for aviation in the context of the Paris Agreement.

This article is categorized under:

Policy and Governance > International Policy Framework

Climate and Development > Knowledge and Action in Development

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Climate Forcing
The Embodied City: A Method for Multisensory Mapping
Authors: Misharina Anna , Betts Eleanor
Published: June 2023

This chapter presents a methodology for recording sensory data in an urban landscape and looks forward to how this might be adapted to enable multisensory mapping of ancient spaces more broadly. The premise is that it is impossible to make a single map of a city without overlapping temporal, monumental, social, and sensory spaces, a premise situated in Henri Lefebvre’s philosophy of social space. The focus of the authors’ methodology is lived space. Lived space is constructed from the relations between people and their habitation of the physical environment. Recognition of, and attachment to, places is constructed through personal experience and memories. Sight, sound, smell, taste, kinaesthesia, and touch all contribute to the creation of the experience and affectiveness of place. Sensation is complex, and the sensory experience of place is more so. In any discipline, taking a multisensory approach means embracing this complexity, while recognising the myriad variables and finding methods and approaches by which to record them. In order to draw attention to the embodied city, the authors invited a group of workshop participants to work with a map of the Canterbury city centre (Kent, UK) as a critical tool with which to analyse concrete space. Participants were encouraged to map the impressions engendered by their physical environment in the specific moment in which they encountered it. The objective of this exercise was to capture the qualitative experience of sensory space by recording individual perceptions of sensory stimuli. The results were then digitised and are presented in the final section of this chapter.
Kinesthetic Archaeologies: Digital Methods and the Reconstruction of Movement
Authors: Dunn Stuart
Published: June 2023

Digitization, defined as the capture of data into computable 1 and 0 s, is a freeze-frame process: a digital image, a piece of text, a video or audio file are a fixed set of data that is only rendered dynamic when it is read or played, or otherwise executed. What, therefore, are the implications of digitising movement? Digital technologies and methods employed for such digitization take a variety of forms, but broadly, they can be divided into two categories: those which capture and record motion directly (such as motion capture), and those which reconstruct it (such as GIS cost pathways). This chapter will consider and compare these two classes of approach. By considering them in the context of their “digital epistemology,” it will seek to situate these two highly complementary methods between performance studies and the digital humanities. By combining historical perspectives from both areas, the chapter will offer an evaluation of how the digital capture and recording of movement can contribute to our understandings of past environments and processes.
Combining 3D Visibility Analysis and Virtual Acoustics Analysis for the Architectural Study of Ancient Theatres
Authors: Manzetti Maria Cristina
Published: June 2023

The research presented in this chapter demonstrates the fruitful combination of interdisciplinary and multisensory approaches in the field of archaeology. Several disciplines, such as architecture, archaeology, computer science, acoustics and geophysics, cooperated to obtain new data and to elaborate new hypotheses about the original structure of the Roman theatres in Crete. All the information available about these monuments (such as ancient drawings, descriptions of travellers, plans, archaeological reports, aerial pictures and geophysical anomalies) were the basis to hypothesise their original architecture, together with the support of comparisons with well-preserved Roman theatres and with Vitruvius’ proportions. These reconstructive hypotheses were visualised by 3D models and their accuracy was verified through a new methodology that sees the application of 3D visibility analysis and virtual acoustics analysis. The 3D visibility analysis was useful to verify the level of visibility of the stage by the spectators in the seating area. The virtual acoustics analysis was used to obtain quantitative values of acoustic parameters helpful to judge the acoustic quality of the 3D reconstructions. The auralisation was also carried out to attain a subjective parameter about acoustic perception. In particular, by 3D visibility analysis and virtual acoustics analysis, it is possible to verify the reliability and the accuracy of hypothetical reconstructions, assuming that every spectator was able to watch the stage and able to listen and to comprehend any performance. The case study presented here is the theatre at the acropolis of Gortyna. Two different 3D reconstructions were tested and it has resulted that the 3D model of the theatre which maintains some Greek characteristics is the most reliable one. This approach made it possible to obtain data that could not be obtained otherwise, as well as raising new questions and opening up new perspectives.
Imagery of Social Structure and Social Change
Authors: Kortesoja Matti
Published: June 2023

Given that most social scientists and cultural analysts study society and social change in one way or another, how conscious are we of the conceptual metaphors that inform the foundations of our work? This chapter directs the analytical gaze to the conceptual metaphors that social scientists and cultural analysts apply—in a largely unconscious manner—when discussing social and cultural phenomena in terms of social structure and social change. The methodological exploration begins from a conceptual-historical perspective, with Skinner’s work as a historian of political science. He found the meaning of a concept to reside in its usage. I compare the Skinnerian method of contextual analysis, which factors in the history of concepts, with the metaphorical method employed by historians of sociological thought such as Richard Harvey Brown. The discussion below addresses the fundamental shift in the imagery of social structure and social change in analysis that brings out the political aspect of conceptual metaphors with reference to how they form and take shape in academic debate, in both theory and practice. Such contextual understanding furnishes tools for a critical examination of the conceptual metaphors in their intellectual, political, and material contexts.
Spätverfolgung von NS-Unrecht – Reflexionen der Nebenklagevertretung
Authors: Rückel Christoph
Published: June 2023

In den Strafverfahren der letzten Jahre wegen NS-Unrecht hat der Anwalt als Nebenkläger Vertreter für HolocaustÜberlebende de facto eine besondere Aufgabe zu übernehmen. Diese Anwaltsaufgabe hat dabei allein wegen des hohen Alters der Mandanten eine besondere Bedeutung gerade in der Betreuung und Information bekommen. Hinzu kommt die historische Veränderung der Nebenklägerrolle seit dem Eichmann Verfahren aus dem Jahre 1961. Der Anwalt als Nebenkläger Vertreter wirkt jetzt aktiv neben der Staatsanwaltschaft im gesamten Verfahren mit. In den NS Verfahren der Neuzeit wirkt der Anwalt intensiv mit an der Kommunikation, der Aufklärung und der gesamten Verfahrensgestaltung.
Ablation of specific long PDE4D isoforms increases neurite elongation and conveys protection against amyloid-β pathology
Authors: Paes Dean , Schepers Melissa , Willems Emily , Rombaut Ben , Tiane Assia , Solomina Yevgeniya , Tibbo Amy , Blair Connor , Kyurkchieva Elka , Baillie George S. , Ricciarelli Roberta , Brullo Chiara , Fedele Ernesto , Bruno Olga , van den Hove Daniel , Vanmierlo Tim , Prickaerts Jos
Published: June 2023

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) enzymes has been investigated as therapeutic strategy to treat memory problems in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although PDE4D inhibitors are effective in enhancing memory processes in rodents and humans, severe side effects may hamper their clinical use. PDE4D enzymes comprise different isoforms, which, when targeted specifically, can increase treatment efficacy and safety. The function of PDE4D isoforms in AD and in molecular memory processes per se has remained unresolved. Here, we report the upregulation of specific PDE4D isoforms in transgenic AD mice and hippocampal neurons exposed to amyloid-β. Furthermore, by means of pharmacological inhibition and CRISPR-Cas9 knockdown, we show that the long-form PDE4D3, -D5, -D7, and -D9 isoforms regulate neuronal plasticity and convey resilience against amyloid-β in vitro. These results indicate that isoform-specific, next to non-selective, PDE4D inhibition is efficient in promoting neuroplasticity in an AD context. Therapeutic effects of non-selective PDE4D inhibitors are likely achieved through actions on long isoforms. Future research should identify which long PDE4D isoforms should be specifically targeted in vivo to both improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects.