bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic evolution of TCF3‐PBX1 leukemias at the single‐cell level under chemotherapy pressure
Authors: Kusterer Mira , Lahnalampi Mari , Voutilainen Minna , Brand Alexandra , Pennisi Sandra , Norona Johana , Gentile Gaia , Herzog Heike , Greve Gabriele , Lübbert Michael , Sipola Mikko , Kaartinen Emma , Sankowski Roman , Prinz Marco , Killmer Saskia , Lago Marilyn S. , Bengsch Bertram , Cysar Stepan R. , Aumann Konrad , Werner Martin , Duyster Justus , Lohi Olli , Heinäniemi Merja , Duque‐Afonso Jesús
Published: February 2025

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. The translocation t(1;19), encoding the TCF3‐PBX1 fusion, is associated with intermediate risk and central nervous system (CNS) infiltration at relapse. Using our previously generated TCF3‐PBX1 conditional knock‐in mice, we established a model to study relapsed clones after in vivo chemotherapy treatment, CNS infiltration, and clonal dynamic evolution of phenotypic diversity at the single cell‐level using next‐generation sequencing technologies and mass cytometry. Mice transplanted with TCF3‐PBX1+ leukemia cells and treated with vehicle succumbed to disease, whereas 40% of treated mice with prednisolone or daunorubicin survived. Bulk and single‐cell RNA sequencing of FACS‐sorted GFP+ cells from TCF3‐PBX1+ leukemias arising after chemotherapy treatment revealed that apoptosis, interleukin‐, and TGFβ‐signaling pathways were regulated in CNS‐infiltrating leukemic cells. Across tissues, upregulation of the MYC signaling pathway was detected in persisting leukemic cells and its downregulation by BRD3/4 inhibition increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. In TCF3‐PBX1+ leukemia cells collected after chemotherapy treatment, mass cytometry identified increased phosphorylation of STAT3/5 upon preBCR stimulation, which was susceptible to inhibition by the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. In summary, we developed a TCF3‐PBX1+ ALL mouse model and characterized relapsed disease after in vivo chemotherapy and cell phenotype dependence on microenvironment. Transcriptomics and phospho‐proteomics revealed distinct pathways that may underlie chemotherapy resistance and might be suitable for pharmacological interventions in human ALL.
Prevalence of Opportunistic Infections and Determinants Among HIV‐Positive Patients in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Aemiro Aleka , Girma Abayeneh , Beletew Demsew
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims

Opportunistic infections (OIs) associated with HIV are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality among individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Evaluating the extent of OIs at the national level is essential for developing targeted interventions and effective control measures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pooled prevalence and identify the associated factors of OIs among HIV‐positive individuals across all age groups.

Methods

This systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. It included studies published in English, research articles conducted in Ethiopia, and articles released between 2013 and 2023. A systematic search of articles on the prevalence and determinants of OIs among patients living with HIV in Ethiopia was conducted across four databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library). To evaluate heterogeneity and publication bias, the study employed Cochran's Q, inverse variance (I2), sensitivity analysis, funnel plots, and Begg and Egger regression tests. The meta‐analysis was executed using STATA software, version 14.

Results

Of the 207 articles examined, only 26 met the inclusion requirements. The overall prevalence of OIs among HIV‐positive patients was 42.71% (95% CI: 36.87–48.56). OIs among HIV‐positive individuals were significantly associated with baseline WHO clinical stage II and above (OR: 2.83; 95% CI: 1.93–3.73), khat chewers (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.21–2.66), poor adherence to ART (OR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.51–3.13), and individuals with an initial CD4 number less than 200 cells/mm3 (OR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.55–3.09).

Conclusion

Chewing khat, poor adherence, low CD4 count, and WHO stage II and above were found to be predictors of OIs. A constant state of awareness is required for healthcare providers to improve decisions about the proper diagnosis and management of OIs among HIV‐positive individuals.
Unsteady MHD Free Convective Flow of a Micro‐Polar Fluids Over a Vertical Porous Plate in the Presence of Radiation and Chemical Reaction
Authors: Rabha Kankana , Chakraborty Shyamanta
Published: February 2025

Objective of the paper is to investigate the motion of an unsteady free convective MHD flow of a micro‐polar fluid over semi‐infinite vertically moving porous plate in the presence of chemical reaction and thermal radiation. A transverse magnetic field is applied, assuming a low magnetic Reynolds number. We have discussed the effects of heat radiation due to a heat source and first order chemical reaction within the medium. The perturbation method is applied to solve the nonlinear coupled partial differential equations in their dimensionless form, converting them into a system of ordinary differential equations, which are then solved analytically. The effects of magnetic field, medium permeability, buoyancy force, heat source, concentration gradient, Prandtl number, thermal diffusion, heat radiation, and first order chemical reaction on velocity, temperature and concentration are discussed graphically. The graphical representations are generated using MATLAB software. For engineering interest, their effects on skin friction, heat and mass transfer in terms of Nusselt number and Sherwood number are discussed; numerical values are shown in tabular form. The results show that magnetic fields reduce fluid velocity, while thermal radiation decreases temperature, and chemical reactions lower concentration. Radiation increases skin friction and heat transfer, while chemical reactions reduce mass transfer. Findings have relevance in various problems and situations arising with micro‐polar fluidic devices, industrial like petroleum and lubrication, mixing etc.
Antiphospholipid Antibodies and COVID‐19: A Systematic Review of Clinical Implications
Authors: Sabaghian Tahereh , Kharazmi Amir Behnam , Omidi Fatemeh , Hajikhani Bahareh , Tehrani Shabnam , Mardani Sayna , Shahidi Bonjar Amir Hashem , Centis Rosella , D'Ambrosio Lia , Sotgiu Giovanni , Angeli Fabio , Nasiri Mohammad Javad , Migliori Giovanni Battista
Published: February 2025

Introduction

As the COVID‐19 pandemic transitions, understanding the intricate dynamics of the disease becomes paramount. This systematic review explores the role of antiphospholipid antibodies in COVID‐19, focusing on their potential clinical implications.

Methods

This systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, assesses studies exploring the link between antiphospholipid antibodies and COVID‐19. PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Scopus were searched for relevant studies published up to December 22, 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised studies involving patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 and reporting on the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. The risk of bias in individual studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool.

Results

Our Study includes 59 records involving a total of 28,489 COVID‐19 patients. Antiphospholipid antibodies were tested in 14,498 COVID‐19 patients. It was observed that 50.84% of patients tested positive for antiphospholipid antibodies. Various types of antiphospholipid antibodies, including Anticardiolipin, Anti beta2 glycoproteins, and Lupus anticoagulant antibody, displayed prevalence rates in the patients with thrombosis. The overall frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies in thrombosis patients was 38.55%.

Conclusion

The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in a significant proportion of COVID‐19 patients underscores the need for a detailed investigation into their role in thrombotic events. Our study highlights potential avenues for targeted interventions. However, the evolving nature of COVID‐19 necessitates continued research efforts to clarify clinical implications and optimize management strategies in this complex landscape of thrombosis and immunology. The review reveals some limitations, such as variability in study designs and demographics and inherent differences in methodologies among included studies. Future studies should address these limitations with standardized methodologies for more conclusive findings.
Baihe Dihuang Tang as a therapeutic candidate for insomnia: Targeting gut dysbiosis and neuroendocrine dysfunction
Authors: Chu Liuxi , Lu Qin , Chen Pingping , Feng Zunyong , Wu Ping , Shen Jiamen , Jiang Yi , Yang Yang , Tan Xiran , Wang Xiaomeng , Deng Guoxing , Wang Xi , Li Xiaokun , Wang Zhouguang
Published: February 2025

Baihe Dihuang Tang (BDT), is a traditional Chinese medicinal formulation historically utilized to manage various health conditions, including insomnia. This therapeutic use of BDT for treating insomnia is rooted in its potential to regulate the gut microbiota, neuroendocrine, and serotonin systems, which may collectively contribute to its effectiveness. This study aims to explore the anti‐insomnia effects of BDT, and focus on its underlying mechanisms, emphasizing the potential interplay with gut microbiota, neuroendocrine, and serotonin pathways. An insomnia mouse model was induced using p‐chlorophenylalanine (PCPA). Subjects received varying doses of BDT or a saline solution as a control. Behavioral assessment was conducted via the open field test and elevated plus maze test. Hypothalamic monoamine neurotransmitter levels were quantified using ELISA kits. Neurosteroid levels in brain and serum samples were determined through high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). Gut microbiota composition was evaluated using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. PCPA‐induced insomnia led to significant alterations in neurosteroids, monoamine neurotransmitters, and gut microbiota composition. BDT treatment markedly improved behavioral parameters in insomniac mice, evidenced by enhanced motility and reduced sleep latency compared to controls. BDT administration restored neurosteroid and monoamine neurotransmitter dose‐dependently, suggesting potential for neuroendocrine system homeostasis restoration. BDT‐treated mice exhibited significant gut microbiota composition changes, including reduced Acidobacteria, increased Fusobacteria and Firmicutes at the phylum level, and decreased Alistipes at the genus level, compared to the insomnia model group. BDT effectively rectifies gut dysbiosis and mitigates neuroendocrine and serotonin system dysfunctions induced by insomnia, emerging as a promising therapeutic candidate for insomnia management.
“This is Why We All Show Up”: How Supporting Youth Cultivates Hope, Purpose, and Well‐Being of Adult Mentors
Authors: Lee Helen , Salcedo Janelle , Chen Katharine , Anderson Amy J.
Published: February 2025

This study explores the development of adult mentors participating in a summer youth program, focusing on how mentoring relationships and shared activities with youth impact mentors' personal and professional growth. The analysis integrates focus group data and participant observations collected over the course of the weeklong program to identify key themes. Findings reveal that affirming mentor‐youth connections within the program's youth‐initiated, collaborative mentoring model enhanced mentors' sense of hope, purpose, and well‐being. However, role ambiguity, particularly around how to collaborate with other adults to support youth, generated challenges for mentors. These insights contribute to the understanding of adult mentor development and adjustment and provide practical recommendations for designing youth programs that foster growth for both mentors and mentees.
Infectious Subgenomic Amplicon Strategies for Japanese Encephalitis and West Nile Viruses
Authors: Singh Prince Pal , Le Nguyen Phuong Khanh , Karniychuk Uladzimir
Published: February 2025

Classical methods for constructing infectious cDNA clones of flaviviruses are often hindered by instability and toxicity. The Infectious‐Subgenomic‐Amplicons (ISA) method is an advancement which utilizes overlapping DNA fragments representing viral genomic sequence and in‐cell recombination to bypass bacterial plasmid assembly. However, the ISA method has limitations due to the toxicity of some ISA DNA fragments in bacteria during synthetic production. We validated modified ISA strategies for producing toxic ISA Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) DNA fragments. Three approaches were explored, including subdividing toxic DNA fragments into two sub‐fragments for synthetic clonal production, using a low‐copy bacterial plasmid, and subdividing the toxic DNA fragments into four short overlapping sub‐fragments, each up to 1.8 kb. The latter novel approach in ISA applications enabled the synthesis of entirely bacteria‐free ISA DNA fragments. Our results demonstrate that subdividing toxic fragments into sub‐fragments smaller than 1.8 kb for synthesis is the efficient strategy, circumventing the need for bacterial plasmids and ensuring rapid production of synthetic flaviviruses. This method also shortens the production timeline. We also compared the efficacy of JEV and WNV ISA in zinc finger antiviral protein 1 (ZAP) wild‐type and knockout cells and found that knockout cells may be more effective for ISA rescue of flaviviruses, including CpG‐enriched strains for live attenuated vaccines. The validated modified ISA strategies provide an efficient approach for producing synthetic JEV and WNV. This will enable rapid research during outbreaks of emerging flaviviruses by facilitating the quick generation of new virus variants.
Climate Change in Sergipe, Northeast Brazil: Hydrological Trends in Recent Decades
Authors: de Souza Thiers Pereira , Souza Neto Izaias Rodrigues de , Lima Ronaldo Guilherme Santos , Mendes Ludmilson Abritta
Published: February 2025

Analysing spatial and temporal variability in climate is not just an academic exercise; it is also crucial for identifying hydrological trends, assessing climate change, and understanding the environmental vulnerability of a region. These analyses also help in projecting future water availability and susceptibility to desertification. The Northeast of Brazil (NEB), characterised by prolonged droughts and intense rainfall events, could greatly benefit from such research. In Sergipe, the smallest state in NEB, some studies have revealed trends indicating a decrease in annual rainfall and increasing extremes in maximum and minimum temperatures, accompanied by signs of climate change in arid zones. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the temporal variability of precipitation (P), evapotranspiration (ETo), and the aridity index (AI) in Sergipe's watersheds, as well as to assess changes in their spatial distribution across the territory. The results showed that, over the past six decades, Sergipe did not exhibit statistically significant tendencies in the P variables: total annual precipitation, total precipitation in the wettest quarter (WQT), and total precipitation in the driest quarter (DQT). However, spatial analysis revealed changes in the dynamics of these variables. Five watersheds presented a statistically significant increase in ETo annually and during the DQT. Spatially, an expansion of ETo occurred in areas highly susceptible to desertification, particularly in the São Francisco watershed and at the headwaters of the Piauí and Real rivers. These findings suggest a trend of decreasing water availability in the region, emphasising the need for immediate policy intervention to mitigate the risks and damage caused by prolonged droughts.
Sexual dimorphism in periodontal inflammation: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Farina Roberto , Simonelli Anna , Tomasi Cristiano , Ioannidou Effie , Trombelli Leonardo
Published: February 2025

Background

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of sexual dimorphism (SD) in the clinical manifestation of plaque‐induced periodontal inflammation by analyzing the association between patient‐related factors and the full‐mouth prevalence of bleeding on probing (BOP%) within 2 cohorts of male and female individuals.

Methods

Data on BOP (dichotomously recorded as present/absent after the assessment of probing depth [PD]) were retrospectively obtained from the files of adult patients undergoing a first periodontal visit at a University center. Two multiple regression models (1 for males, 1 for females) were built with BOP% as the dependent variable and patient‐related factors (i.e., age; smoking status; daily cigarette consumption; history of diabetes diagnosis; number of teeth present; proportion of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm around teeth) as independent variables.

Results

In males (n = 212), BOP% was 5.9% lower in smokers compared to non‐smokers (p = 0.021). In females (n = 389), BOP% increased by 1.6% for each 10‐year increase in age (p = 0.046). The proportion of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm showed a strongly significant, positive association with BOP% irrespective of biological sex (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

SD manifested as a sex‐dependent diversity in the association between patient‐related factors and periodontal inflammation expressed as BOP%. While smoking determined a lower BOP% only in males, aging was associated with increased BOP% only in females.

Plain Language Summary

Gingival bleeding upon mechanical stimulation of the bottom of the gingival sulcus/pocket with a periodontal probe (bleeding on probing [BOP]) is suggestive of the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate induced by dental plaque within the gingival tissue. The prevalence of BOP within the dentition (BOP%) has a diagnostic relevance, being one of the main parameters to discriminate between periodontal health and disease. Also, BOP% informs the probability for a patient to either develop destructive form of periodontal disease (i.e., periodontitis) or manifest periodontitis progression. Based on the documented influence of biological sex on the incidence, traits, and/or progression rate of several diseases, which goes under the name of sexual dimorphism (SD), the effect of SD was investigated in relation to the factors that were previously associated with BOP% in a cohort of patients with heterogeneous periodontal conditions undergoing their first periodontal visit. Interestingly, SD manifested as a sex‐dependent diversity in the association between patient‐related factors and periodontal inflammation expressed by BOP%. While smoking determined a lower BOP% only in males, aging was associated with increased BOP% only in females. The present findings may find potential applications in personalized periodontal medicine and inspire future studies in this field.
A multicenter study: New cut‐off values of antitransglutaminase antibodies processed by chemiluminescence in children with suspected celiac disease
Authors: Ortiz Gonzalo , Ursino Florencia , Battiston Fernando , Messere Gabriela , Busoni Veronica , Neffa Rosana Solis , Bigliardi Roman , Mora Mabel , Toca Maria del Carmen , Orsi Marina
Published: February 2025

Objectives

(1) To assess the predictive value of anti‐tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies (a‐tTG) by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) related to duodenal histology in children with suspected celiac disease (CD) and (2) to determine the cut‐off value of a‐tTG by CLIA that allows diagnosis of CD avoiding biopsy.

Methods

Retrospective, descriptive, observational study in children between 1 and 16 years of age, studied for CD. Patients with IgA deficiency and those on a gluten‐free diet were excluded. Sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for ≥10, 30, and 50 times the normal a‐tTG (normal value [NV]) compared with histology, evaluated by blinded pathologists.

Results

The total number of patients included was 262. The a‐tTG IgA by CLIA with a cut‐off point of 20 chemiluminescent units (CU) had a S of 99.5%, Sp, 10.26%, PPV, 86.38%, NPV, 80%. When a cut‐off value of a‐tTG ≥ 10 times NV (200 CU) was used, the S, Sp, PPV, and NPV were 65.4%, 69.23%, 94.2%, and 25.96%, respectively. Likewise, with a value ≥30 times NV (600 CU) the correlation with histology was 99.03%, reaching a PPV of 100% with a cut‐off value ≥50 NV (1000 CU). Combining both methods a‐tTG IgA + EMA IgA, we obtained similar results to the a‐tTG IgA level for the proposed cut‐off values.

Conclusions

We suggest that the use of 30 times the NV cutoff values would be the best predictor of which patients do not need a biopsy.
A clear approach: Hemostatic gel as a novel adjunct for pediatric upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Plott Natalia , Rougraff Audra , Bose Paroma , Tolliver Kyla M. , Waseem Shamaila , Hoskins Brett J.
Published: February 2025

Pediatric upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a significant clinical concern, with a mortality rate of approximately 2%. Endoscopic management of UGIB in children includes various techniques such as injections, mechanical devices, thermal therapies, and topical agents. PuraStat®, a clear hemostatic gel, has been used in adults to create a physical barrier for hemostasis without obscuring the endoscopic view. However, its use in pediatric UGIB has not been well‐documented. A review of four pediatric cases where PuraStat® was used to treat UGIB showed that it was applied as an adjunct to other hemostatic methods like clip placement or epinephrine injections, and in one case, as monotherapy for a large duodenal ulcer/site of recently contained perforation. The gel was easy to use, appeared to be beneficial, and was well‐tolerated in this small cohort, although conclusions regarding its safety and efficacy are limited by the sample size.
Targeting the Antibody Fab Region Using Light‐Induced Indole‐3‐Butyric Acid Functionalized Magnetic Microspheres
Authors: Yi Yu , Li Yao , Wang Sa , Liang Yuting , Mei Jianfeng , Ying Guoqing
Published: February 2025

A novel light‐controlled adsorption system for direct targeting of antibody Fab fragments was developed by utilizing indole‐3‐butyric acid functionalized magnetic microspheres. Indole‐3‐butyric acid, serving as a specific small molecule ligand, was successfully conjugated to amine‐functionalized magnetic microspheres via a 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N‐hydroxysuccinimide activation strategy. Under illumination at a particular wavelength, the indole‐3‐butyric acid ligand generated reactive radicals that interacted with the nucleotide‐binding sites of antibody Fab fragments, enabling effective affinity adsorption. Static adsorption experiments demonstrated that the system's adsorption behavior obeys the Langmuir model (KF = 0.122, R2 = 0.996), indicating a homogeneous adsorption process. Kinetic studies further revealed that the adsorption process follows a second‐order kinetic model (k2 = 0.0257, R2 = 0.989). When compared with conventional antibody adsorption systems, this new system exhibited specific targeting of Fab fragments, enhanced selectivity, and adjustable properties. In particular, at pH 7.0, effective elution was achieved by increasing the salt concentration, with the eluted product retaining antigen‐binding activity. The purification recovery rate exceeded 98%, and the system maintained effective adsorption and elution of Fab fragments across various pH conditions. Besides, even after 10 reuse cycles, the system retained more than 96% of its efficiency, thus presenting excellent regenerability and reusability. In summary, the developed light‐controlled antibody Fab region adsorption system offers a highly efficient, stable, and cost‐effective approach. It is also expected to become one of the most effective methods for antibody Fab purification in the future.
Enhanced Myometrial Vascularity, a Little‐Known Complication of Pregnancy
Authors: Timor‐Tritsch Ilan E. , D'Antonio Francesco , Monteagudo A.
Published: February 2025

In the last decades, clinicians reported that patients, after failed or terminated intrauterine or cesarean scar pregnancies, demonstrated increased vascularization of the adjacent uterine muscle layers by ultrasound (US). These “earned” the incorrect diagnosis: uterine arterio‐venous malformation (AVM). This misnomer was used without etiologic scrutiny by clinicians and repeated in scientific articles and textbooks. Despite the articles written during the same 10–20 years which tried to encourage caretakers of patients to relinquish the term AVM and use the correct term of enhanced myometrial vascularity (EMV). There still is a degree of ignorance as well as a knowledge gap in the obstetrical and radiological community as to the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of the above clinical entity. This article contains previously published, relevant ultrasound‐based data on the subject along with our clinical experience highlighted by examples. We aim to fill this gap by providing illustrative clinical cases of the tools we consider relevant to the clinical diagnosis and management of EMV. We emphasize, that in the majority of cases expectant approach, avoids complications resulting from misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment as well as pointing out the diagnostic importance of determining the parameters in guiding their treatment.
Rewritable ITO Patterning for Nanophotonics
Authors: Liu Xinqin , Peng Pan , Zhang Zhenyang , Zhao Xiangyu , Chen Wenyu , Liu Shiyuan , Zhu Jinlong
Published: February 2025

Nanophotonic devices leverage unique interactions between photons and materials at the nanoscale, enabling applications in optical communication, biosensing, and quantum computing. These devices' properties are susceptible to material composition and structural design. Nanofabrication techniques, such as optical lithography, e‐beam lithography, two‐photon polymerization, and direct laser writing, have been widely applied to fabricate nanophotonic devices. Notably, rewritable fabrication stands out due to its low cost, flexibility, efficiency, and multi‐functionality. In this paper, a novel rewritable nanofabrication technique is proposed, which combines electrochemical reactions with direct laser writing, to fabricate nanophotonic devices on low‐cost indium tin oxide (ITO) films. The experimental results have demonstrated that high‐quality and erasable photonic structures such as diffraction gratings and holography masks can be directly fabricated using our technique. Hence, it is believed that this method can be applied in diverse fields such as nanophotonics, optoelectronic devices, biosensors, micro‐electromechanical systems, and nonlinear optics.
Thermo‐Responsive Polymer‐Based Nanoparticles: From Chemical Design to Advanced Applications
Authors: Nunziata Giuseppe , Nava Marco , Lacroce Elisa , Pizzetti Fabio , Rossi Filippo
Published: February 2025

Thermo‐responsive polymers have emerged as a cutting‐edge tool in nanomedicine, paving the way for innovative approaches to targeted drug delivery and advanced therapeutic strategies. These “smart” polymers respond to temperature changes, enabling controlled drug release in pathological environments characterized by high temperatures. By exploiting their unique phase transition, occurring at the lower or upper critical solution temperatures (LCST and UCST), these systems ensure localized therapeutic action, minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues. The integration of these polymers into nanoparticles with hydrophilic shells and hydrophobic cores enhances their stability and biocompatibility. Furthermore, advanced polymer engineering allows precise modulation of LCST and UCST through adjustments in composition and hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance, optimizing their responsiveness for specific applications. In addition to drug delivery, thermo‐responsive nanoparticles are gaining attention in several fields such as gene therapy and imaging. Therefore, this review explores the chemical and structural diversity of thermo‐responsive nanoparticles, emphasizing their ability to encapsulate and release drugs effectively. Second, this review highlights the potential of thermo‐responsive nanoparticles to redefine treatment paradigms, providing a comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms, applications, and future perspectives in biomedical research.
Kumada‐Tamao Catalyst‐Transfer Condensation Polymerization of AB2 Monomer: Synthesis of Well‐Defined Hyperbranched Poly(thienylene‐phenylene)
Authors: Ohta Yoshihiro , Hirota Toshiki , Yamamoto Arisa , Yokozawa Tsutomu
Published: February 2025

The synthesis of well‐defined hyperbranched aromatic polymer by Kumada‐Tamao catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization of AB2 monomer is investigated. Grignard monomer 2 is generated by treatment of 2‐(3,5‐dibromophenyl)‐3‐hexyl‐5‐iodothiophene (1) with 1.0 equivalent of isopropylmagnesium chloride in THF at 0 °C for 1 h and subsequently polymerized with Ni(dppe)Cl2 at room temperature for 1 h. The molecular weight of the obtained polymer increases linearly up to ≈30 000 in proportion to the ratio of [consumed 2] /[Ni(dppe)Cl2]0 and in proportion to the conversion of 2, while a narrow molecular weight distribution is maintained (Mw/Mn ≤ 1.12). The matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrum shows almost a single series of peaks due to polymer with hydrogen at one end and bromine at the other, as in the case of Kumada‐Tamao catalyst transfer condensation polymerization of AB monomers. The degree of branching (DB) of the obtained polymers is 0.70–0.75, irrespective of the degree of polymerization. These results indicate that the polymerization of 2 proceeds in a chain‐growth polymerization manner through the intramolecular catalyst transfer mechanism, affording hyperbranched polymer with higher DB than the theoretical DB value of 0.5 in conventional polycondensation of AB2 monomers.
Multi‐scale dual attention embedded U‐shaped network for accurate segmentation of coronary vessels in digital subtraction angiography
Authors: Deng He , Li Yuqing , Liu Xu , Cheng Kai , Fang Tong , Min Xiangde
Published: February 2025

Background

Most attention‐based networks fall short in effectively integrating spatial and channel‐wise information across different scales, which results in suboptimal performance for segmenting coronary vessels in x‐ray digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images. This limitation becomes particularly evident when attempting to identify tiny sub‐branches.

Purpose

To address this limitation, a multi‐scale dual attention embedded network (named MDA‐Net) is proposed to consolidate contextual spatial and channel information across contiguous levels and scales.

Methods

MDA‐Net employs five cascaded double‐convolution blocks within its encoder to adeptly extract multi‐scale features. It incorporates skip connections that facilitate the retention of low‐level feature details throughout the decoding phase, thereby enhancing the reconstruction of detailed image information. Furthermore, MDA modules, which take in features from neighboring scales and hierarchical levels, are tasked with discerning subtle distinctions between foreground elements, such as coronary vessels of diverse morphologies and dimensions, and the complex background, which includes structures like catheters or other tissues with analogous intensities. To sharpen the segmentation accuracy, the network utilizes a composite loss function that integrates intersection over union (IoU) loss with binary cross‐entropy loss, ensuring the precision of the segmentation outcomes and maintaining an equilibrium between positive and negative classifications.

Results

Experimental results demonstrate that MDA‐Net not only performs more robustly and effectively on DSA images under various image conditions, but also achieves significant advantages over state‐of‐the‐art methods, achieving the optimal scores in terms of IoU, Dice, accuracy, and Hausdorff distance 95%.

Conclusions

MDA‐Net has high robustness for coronary vessels segmentation, providing an active strategy for early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. The code is publicly available at https://github.com/30410B/MDA‐Net.git.
Accurate and precise in vivo liver 3DT1 mapping at 3T
Authors: Belsley Gabriela , Mózes Ferenc E. , Tyler Damian J. , Robson Matthew D. , Tunnicliffe Elizabeth M.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To develop an accurate and precise liver 3D mapping method using only scanner‐agnostic sequences.

Methods

While the spoiled gradient‐recalled echo sequence is widely available on clinical scanners, variable flip angle mapping methods based on this sequence provide biased estimates, with the largest systematic error arising from inhomogeneities. To correct for this, the flip angle was mapped using a 2D gradient‐echo double‐angle method approach. To correct for the confounding effect of fat on liver and , Dixon and fat saturation techniques were used in combination with the variable flip angle and the map acquisitions, respectively. The and mapping methods were validated with a ‐phantom against gold standard methods. An intra‐ and inter‐repeatability study was conducted at 3T in 10 healthy individuals' livers.

Results

The developed 3D mapping method achieved an excellent agreement with the gold standard, with a weighted root mean squared normalized error below 2.8%. In vivo, a median standard deviation of 31 ms and an interquartile range of [27, 39] ms was achieved across all measurements, including the intra‐ and inter‐repeatability study data. A within‐subject standard deviation for of 21 ± 5 ms had a corresponding repeatability coefficient of 60 ms. The measured values agree well with MOLLI and SASHA mapping methods, with average differences of 5%.

Conclusion

Accurate and precise 3D liver measurements can lead the way to the wider adoption of a clinically feasible measurement as a marker of hepatic fibro‐inflammation.
A 60‐channel high‐density flexible receive array for pediatric abdominal MRI
Authors: Lee Wonje , Stickle Yunjeong , Follante Clyve , Grafendorfer Thomas , Yang Taeyoung , Robb Fraser , Zhang Fan , Pauly John , Scott Greig , Vasanawala Shreyas , Syed Ali
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Conventional MRI coils offer suboptimal parallel imaging performance for young children. Our goal was to enhance imaging acceleration by dedicated, flexible high‐density coil design for pediatric patients at 3T.

Methods

We design, construct, and evaluate a highly flexible small loop array. Key design notes include full‐wave simulation and analysis of the dual‐turn loop, miniature feedboard allocation at the loop center, and cable management. Phantom experiments and adult and pediatric volunteer case studies were conducted to evaluate the small loop array imaging performance compared to commercial reference coils.

Results

Dual‐turn loop configuration forms higher preamp decoupling impedance than the same size single‐turn, supporting a flexible form factor that requires a wide range of critical overlap. Both phantom and in‐vivo studies demonstrate superior parallel imaging performance or high spatial resolution imaging using the small loop, compared to commercial reference coils.

Conclusion

A dedicated high‐density coil array with a minimum inter‐component interference layout design allows a flexible form factor and higher imaging accelerations. Phantom and in‐vivo volunteer case studies demonstrate promising results in improving efficiency for pediatric patients in routine clinical imaging procedures.
Financial Growth of Sport Industry in the Extreme Context: Evidence From Iran Under Economic Sanction and COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Mohity Zahra , Mokhtari Dinani Maryam , Rezaei Pandari Abbas , Afshar Jahanshahi Asghar
Published: February 2025

The objective of this research is to shift the narrative toward the impact of international sanctions against Iran and the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic on the financial growth of the sports industry. Employing Importance‐Performance Analysis (IPA), we delve into the diverse factors influencing the financial dynamics of the sports sector in Iran. After an extensive review of the research literature, we identify pivotal elements affecting the financial prosperity of the sports industry. Using expert opinions and the content validity index (CVI), we select 20 significant factors shaping the financial landscape of the sports industry in Iran. Subsequently, we evaluate the importance and performance of these identified factors, drawing insights from the perspectives of 12 sports economics experts and sports managers. Employing Decision‐making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DANP) and IPA methods, we analyze the interplay of these factors. The research outcomes underscore the pivotal role of international sanctions against Iran and the challenges posed by the COVID‐19 pandemic in influencing the financial growth of the sports industry. Noteworthy factors include the stability of sports club incomes, the commercialization of the sports industry, private sector investment in sports, and the allocation of sports expenses within government expenditures. These findings illuminate the nuanced relationship between external geopolitical factors and internal financial dynamics, shaping the trajectory of the sports industry's financial growth in Iran.
Screening Cognition, Sleep, and Physical Activity in Pediatric Oncology Long‐Term Follow‐Up Care
Authors: Oswald‐McCloskey Kaitlin A. , Kubinec Nicole , Heinrich Kimberley
Published: February 2025

Background

Children treated for pediatric cancer are at risk for cognitive late effects, as well as impairments in sleep and physical activity. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of clinical screening of child‐ and caregiver‐reported cognitive functioning, sleep, and physical activity and the relationship between cognitive functioning and health behaviors within a pediatric oncology long‐term follow‐up clinic.

Procedure

The study included a retrospective chart review of 99 caregivers and 80 children (8–17 years old) who completed the Conners Short Form (parent only) and PROMIS cognitive functioning, sleep‐related impairment, sleep disturbance, and physical activity scales at the child's annual long‐term follow‐up visit. Test statistics and T‐tests were used to assess psychometrics of the PROMIS scales. Bivariate correlations were used to examine the relationship between cognitive function and health behaviors.

Results

The child‐ and parent‐report, short‐version PROMIS cognitive functioning, sleep, and physical activity scales demonstrated high internal consistency and inter‐rater reliability. High convergent validity was observed between PROMIS cognitive functioning and Conners Short Form. Caregiver‐ and child‐reported cognitive functioning and health behaviors were significantly related (p ≤ 0.042).

Conclusions

The PROMIS short‐version scales are reliable and valid measures for screening cognitive function and health behaviors in pediatric oncology long‐term follow‐up care. Further research examining the predictive validity and longitudinal utility of the PROMIS scales in survivors is warranted. There was a positive association between cognitive functioning and health behaviors in survivors, warranting further investigation to inform potential targets of intervention in long‐term follow‐up care.
Comparative Analysis of Data‐Driven Rescoring Platforms for Improved Peptide Identification in HeLa Digest Samples
Authors: Castaño Jesus D. , Beaudry Francis
Published: February 2025

Mass spectrometry is a critical tool to understand complex changes in biological processes. Despite significant advances in search engine technology, many spectra remain unassigned. This research evaluates the performance of three rescoring platforms, Oktoberfest, MS2Rescore, and inSPIRE, using MaxQuant output. The results indicated a substantial increase in identifications at the peptide level (40%–53%) and PSM level (64%–67%). However, some peptides were lost due to limitations in processing posttranslational modifications (PTMs)—with up to 75% of lost peptides exhibiting PTMs. Each platform displayed distinct strengths and weaknesses. For instance, inSPIRE performed best in terms of peptide identifications and unique peptides, while MS2Rescore performed better for PSMs at higher FDR values. Differences in platform performance stemmed from different sources: original search engine feature selection, type of ion series predicted, retention time predictor, and PTMs compatibility. Overall, inSPIRE showed a superior ability to harness original search engine results. Taken all together, rescoring platforms clearly outperformed original search results; however, they demanded additional computation time (up to 77%) and manual adjustments. The findings here underline the necessity of integrating rescoring platforms into current proteomics pipelines but also address some challenges in their implementation and optimization. Future integrated platforms may help enhance adoption.
N‐Alkylation of 4‐Hydroxy‐3,5‐Dinitropyrazole: A Facile Route for the Synthesis of Insensitive Energetic Materials
Authors: Bhatia Prachi , Das Priyanka , Kumar Dheeraj
Published: February 2025

Behind the synthesis of any new high‐energy density material is the objective to achieve equilibrium between energy and stability, which becomes laborious because of their adversarial nature. Nitropyrazoles, with their viable syntheses and easy modifiability, have been adopted typically as backbones to achieve this goal. However, the acidic nature of pyrazole NH in nitropyrazoles limits their usefulness despite exhibiting appealing characteristics. 4‐Hydroxy‐3,5‐dinitropyrazole (HODNP) is an interesting skeleton because of the presence of the hydroxy functionality in between two nitro groups, which not only provides additional oxygen content for better energy output but also possesses the quality of exhibiting strong hydrogen bonding interactions and tuning of properties via salt formation. N‐alkylation is the most straightforward technique for the protection of the unwanted acidic proton, in addition to making them more physically stable. In this work, we have synthesized N‐methylated and N,N’‐ethylene‐bridged derivatives (2 and 7) of HODNP. Mono and dicationic salts 3‐6 and 8‐11 were also synthesized to boost their performance further. N‐methylated neutral compound 2 and its ammonium salt were confirmed through 15N NMR analysis, and 2 was also confirmed with single‐crystal analysis. All the compounds showed excellent physical stability (IS >40 J, FS > 360 N), and most of the compounds showed good thermal stability (Td > 180°C). The detonation characteristics were found to be similar to the ones found for 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (Dv = 7704–8172 m/s, p = 22.4–27.3 GPa).
Effect of Initial Crack Position on Low‐intensity Impact Ignition Performance of Solid Propellant
Authors: Yu Hongtao , Zhang Xiaojing , Zhang Fukun , Meng Yang , Ye Shunan
Published: February 2025

The micro‐crack defects produced in the process of storage and use of solid propellants have an important influence on the safety of solid propellants. In this study, the low‐intensity impact ignition performance of crack‐containing hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant was studied. According to the typical HTPB solid propellant formula, the mesoscopic models of defect‐free HTPB propellant and HTPB propellant with different crack positions were established. The Cohesive element was inserted globally. The friction heat generation inside the material and microcracks, the deformation heat generation of ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles and the exothermic reaction of AP particles were considered. The drop hammer impact process of HTPB propellant with crack defects was simulated, and the influence of initial crack position on the low‐intensity impact ignition response time of solid propellant was studied. The results show that the ignition response time of the defect‐free HTPB propellant is 0.38 ms, and the ignition temperature is 621 K; the ignition time of HTPB propellant with crack defects in AP particles, interface, and matrix is 0.33, 0.34, and 0.36 ms, respectively. The ignition temperature is 578, 584, and 597 K.
Investigation of the mechanisms involved in the biocontrol activities of natural products from a marine soil bacterium against rice blast
Authors: Fei Liwang , Hafeez Rahila , Zhang Junliang , Fu Shiquan , Xu Ying , Hao Lingyun
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Rice blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a devastating fungal disease threatening global rice production. Overreliance on chemical fungicides has raised environmental concerns and led to resistant strains, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives. This study integrated marine microbiology and natural antifungal compounds to create eco‐friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides for disease management.

RESULTS

We identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa R64 with broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity from mangrove soil in the Mai Po Nature Reserve. The R64 fermentation extract (RFE) exhibited multifaceted inhibition of P. oryzae, suppressing mycelial growth, conidiation, conidial germination and appressorial formation, while disturbing cell wall and membrane function. It also attenuated virulence by impairing appressorial penetration and invasive growth. Further chemical analysis identified phenazines and quinolines as the primary compounds in RFE, corroborated by PCR detection of corresponding phenazine biosynthetic gene clusters. Comparative bioassays with two main bioactive components of RFE, phenazine‐1‐carboxamide (PCN) and phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid (PCA), against P. oryzae implicated PCN as the principal antifungal effector. RFE and PCN had higher efficacy than tricyclazole in P. oryzae growth inhibition, but were less effective than isoprothiolane. Furthermore, RFE and PCN displayed lower acute ecotoxicity to an environmental indicator organism than isoprothiolane, suggesting their potential as sustainable biopesticides for rice blast management.

CONCLUSION

Natural products from mangrove soil bacterium P. aeruginosa R64 inhibited key developmental and infection processes of P. oryzae, effectively reducing rice blast development. The promising disease inhibition and low ecotoxicity of mangrove‐associated bacteria highlight their untapped potential for innovative, eco‐friendly fungicide mining for sustainable agriculture. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Design of Broadband Modified‐Uni‐Traveling‐Carrier Photodiodes with 3 dB Bandwidth of 171 GHz
Authors: Wang Yun , Yu Jianguo , Liu Xiaorui
Published: February 2025

In this research, modified‐uni‐traveling‐carrier photodiodes for broadband applications are designed using simulations based on the energy‐balance model. Previously reported experimental results are used to validate this physical model. By optimizing the doping concentration of the cliff layer, the thickness of the absorption layer, and introducing inductive peaking technology in coplanar waveguide (CPW) electrodes, 3 dB bandwidths of 171 and 119 GHz are achieved for photodiodes with diameters of 3 and 5 um, respectively, with responsivities of 0.125 and 0.134 A W−1. When the incident light intensity is 4 × 105 W cm−2, the maximum RF output power of 3 μm diameter photodiode is −4.9 dBm at 171 GHz, and 3.57 dBm at 119 GHz for 5 μm diameter photodiode.
Disposition effect in group versus individual investors: Evidence from Kenyan stock exchange
Authors: Kano Mercy , Muradoğlu Gülnur , Olukuru John
Published: February 2025

This paper studies group behavior and disposition effect. Nairobi Securities Exchange constitutes an excellent setting for analyzing group behavior of investors, who trade jointly as investment groups. Using a proprietary database from the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC) containing all retail equity transactions from 2016, we compared the trading behavior of groups and individuals. The results show that group investors exhibit a significantly lower disposition effect than individual investors. Disposition effect increases with frequency of trade and reduces with age. Implications are important in terms of further work on groupthink and group polarization in the context of investments.