bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GAB1::ABL1 fusions define a distinctive soft tissue neoplasm, with variable perineurial differentiation, and a predilection for children and young adults
Authors: Agaimy Abbas , Perret Raul , Demicco Elizabeth G. , Gross John , Liu Yajuan J. , Azmani Rihab , Engelmann Carsten , Schubart Christoph , Seppet Joosep , Stoehr Robert , Le Loarer François , Dickson Brendan C.
Published: February 2023

Although well known as a fusion partner in hematological malignancies, fusion genes involving the ABL proto‐oncogene 1 (ABL1), mapping to chromosomal region 9q34.12, have only been anecdotally reported in five soft tissue tumors. These neoplasms have been variously reported as perineurioma, angiofibroma, and solitary fibrous tumor, and all have harbored a GAB1::ABL1 gene fusion; however, the nosology and clinicopathological characteristics of soft tissue tumors carrying this rare fusion have not been delineated. We herein describe eight tumors containing the GAB1::ABL1 fusion and review previously reported cases in a series to define their morphological spectrum, address immunohistochemical evidence for a line of differentiation, with special reference to the presence or absence of a perineurial immunophenotype, and gather insight into their behavior. The patients included four females and four males, aged 13–37 years (median, 24 years). Two cases each originated in the shoulder area, trunk, hands, and lower extremities, with a size range of 1.5–8 cm (median, 3.4 cm). Four tumors were deep and four superficial. All tumors were morphologically similar, being composed of bland fibroblast‐like spindle to ovoid cells diffusely arranged in a paucivascular fibrous to fibromyxoid stroma with variable resemblance to soft tissue perineurioma. Mitotic activity was generally low (0–8 mitoses in 10 high‐power fields [HPFs]; median, 1). All lesions had at least focally infiltrative margins, but they otherwise lacked pleomorphism and necrosis. Immunohistochemistry showed focal reactivity for CD34 (5/7), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) (3/8), claudin1 (2/3), GLUT1 (4/6), and S100 (2/7); other markers, including MUC4 (0/7), desmin (0/9), and smooth muscle actin (SMA) (0/4), were negative. RNA sequencing revealed a GAB1::ABL1 fusion in all cases with exon 6 of GAB1 fused to exon 2 of ABL1. Treatments included various forms of surgical intervention in seven cases; one tumor was biopsied only. Limited follow‐up was available for five patients. One tumor regrew rapidly within 1 month to 1.5 cm after an initial marginal excision and was re‐excised with close margins. Four patients were disease‐free at 1, 3, 14, and 25 months of follow‐up. Metastases have not, to date, been observed. This series characterizes “GAB1::ABL1 fusion‐positive spindle cell neoplasm” as a distinct entity, with overlapping features with soft tissue perineurioma and predilection for children and young adults.
Energy productivity and environmental quality in Sweden: Evidence from Fourier and non‐linear based approaches
Authors: Kirikkaleli Dervis , Sowah James Karmoh , Addai Kwaku , Altuntaş Mehmet
Published: February 2023

This study aims to examine the asymmetric and long‐run effects of energy productivity on the quality of the environment in Sweden. It covers the time series data from 1990Q1 to 2019Q4. Sweden was the first country in 1972 to host a United Nations conference on the environment. Unlike other countries in Europe, Sweden is cognizant of an innovative environment; it hopes to achieve 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040 and lead the way towards a low‐carbon community. The novelty of this study lies in the thorough analysis of how energy productivity affects the quality of the environment in Sweden while controlling for economic growth, trade openness, and financial development utilizing the non‐linear ARDL approach and other robust econometric techniques. Precisely, (i) results indicate non‐linear and asymmetric effects of the variables over long‐term horizons; (ii) energy productivity benefits the environment by lowering CO2 emissions (CO2E) in the long term; (iii) a growth in trade openness positively impacts CO2E; (iv) an increase in financial development and economic growth without eco‐friendly protocols contribute to an increase in CO2E. The findings of this study support the economic theory that energy productivity can stimulate green living and green economic growth. We recommend that policymakers in Sweden invest in energy productivity, pursue R&D that embraces cleaner technologies, and prioritize cleaner, cross‐cutting eco‐friendly policies to combat climate challenges and achieve the long‐term climate policy goals of the EU.
Green bonds as a bridge to the UN sustainable development goals on environment: A climate change empirical investigation
Authors: Ahmed Rizwan , Yusuf Fatima , Ishaque Maria
Published: February 2023

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) made an urgent call for action by all the countries across the globe, with an aim to end poverty, improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all of this is intended to be achieved while tackling climate change and working to protect environment and preserve earth. However, these goals cannot be achieved unless money is mobilised to finance climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts across the world. In response, various manifestations of green bonds have appeared in the market and these are considered as a bridge to the achievement of the SDGs – this is because climate mitigation and adaptation are integral to successful implementation of the SDGs. Using the Capital Asset Pricing Model, Fama–French Three Factor, Carhart Four Factor and Fama–French Five Factor pricing models, our study provides empirical evidence that the announcement of green bonds issuance lead to positively abnormal return on stocks. We divided our dataset into two parts. The first part of the dataset is from 01/01/2013 to 30/06/2018 and later part analyses the period from 01/07/2018 to 30/06/2022. The consistent results highlight the firms' and investors' efforts towards climate action (SDG13) and strongly suggest that green bonds play an important role as a bridge to the SDGs.
Development and application of a large‐scale disaster preparedness system in the perinatal field
Authors: Tsuda Naotake , Unnno Nobuya , Nishigaya Yoshiko , Sugawara Junichi , Nakai Akihito , Kimura Tadashi
Published: February 2023

Objective

To introduce the Perinatal Early Assessment and Communication system for Emergencies (PEACE), a dedicated internet‐based system for sharing maternal and newborn health information during large‐scale disaster.

Methods

PEACE was developed by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) to enable internet‐based sharing of maternal and newborn support information between facilities and rescue teams in disaster areas. PEACE input rates during prefecture‐scale disasters and in disaster drills were surveyed for two facility categories: centers for perinatal medical care (CPMs) and combined clinics + regional general hospitals.

Results

The PEACE input rate was 60%–100% (mean 86%) for CPMs and 5%–86% (mean 47%) among clinics + regional general hospitals. After encouraging PEACE input from JSOG, the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (JAOG), and the disaster response departments of prefectural governments, input rates increased significantly from 74% to 98% in CPMs (P = 0.018) and from 14% to 80% in clinics + regional general hospitals (P = 0.020).

Conclusion

JSOG has established the first national system for sharing health information of pregnant women and newborns for use during disasters. The cooperation of prefectures and experience during disaster drills were critical to improving PEACE input rates.
Structurally diverse specialized metabolites of maize and their extensive biological functions
Authors: Zhou Huiwen , Hua Juan , Li Hongdi , Song Xinyu , Luo Shihong
Published: February 2023

Maize originated in southern Mexico and various hybrid varieties have been bred during domestication. All maize tissues are rich in specialized plant metabolites (SPMs), which allow the plants to resist the stresses of herbivores and pathogens or environmental factors. To date, a total of 95 terpenoids, 91 phenolics, 31 alkaloids, and 6 other types of compounds have been identified from maize. Certain volatile sesquiterpenes released by maize plants attract the natural enemies of maize herbivores and provide an indirect defensive function. Kauralexins and dolabralexins are the most abundant diterpenoids in maize and are known to regulate and stabilize the maize rhizosphere microbial community. Benzoxazinoids and benzoxazolinones are the main alkaloids in maize and are found in maize plants at the highest concentrations at the seedling stage. These two kinds of alkaloids directly resist herbivory and pathogenic infection. Phenolics enhance the cross‐links between maize cell walls. Meanwhile, SPMs also regulate plant–plant relationships. In conclusion, SPMs in maize show a large diversity of chemical structures and broad‐spectrum biological activities. We use these to provide ideas and information to enable the improvement of maize resistances through breeding and to promote the rapid development of the maize industry.
Mitochondrial cargo export in exosomes: Possible pathways and implication in disease biology
Authors: Sharma Aman
Published: February 2023

Exosome biogenesis occurs parallel to multiple endocytic traffic routes. These coexisting routes drive cargo loading in exosomes via overlapping of exosome biogenesis with endosomal pathways. One such pathway is autophagy which captures damaged intracellular organelles or their components in an autophagosome vesicle and route them for lysosomal degradation. However, in case of a noncanonical fusion event between autophagosome and maturing multivesicular body (MVB)—a site for exosome biogenesis, the autophagic cargo is putatively loaded in exosomes and subsequent released out of the cell via formation of an “amphisome” like structure. Similarly, during “mitophagy” or mitochondrial (mt) autophagy, amphisome formation routes mitophagy cargo to exosomes. These mt‐cargo enriched exosomes or mt‐enREXO are often positive for LC3 protein—an autophagic flux marker, and potent regulators of paracrine signaling with both homeostatic and pathological roles. Here, I review this emerging concept and discuss how intracellular autophagic routes helps in generation of mt‐enREXO and utility of these vesicles in paracrine cellular signaling and diagnostic areas.
Pancreatic adverse events in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Hana Caroline , Rehman Tauseef , Park Kyeeun , Carracedo Uribe Carlos , Aung Pyi Phyo , Hunis Brian , Salzberg Matthew , Zikria Jennifer , Hussein Atif
Published: February 2023

Background and Aim

The inhibition of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) and programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) has been a target for multiple drugs to enhance the T‐cell antitumor activity. However, these immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) come with a panel of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) that include mainly endocrine, skin, and gastrointestinal effects. We report seven cases of pancreatic irAEs in patients treated with ICIs at our institute.

Methods

This is a case series; data was collected through chart review by 3 different data collectors and was analyzed separately by 2 physicians.

Results

Of these seven cases, two had diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), while five had pancreatitis diagnosed by a substantial rise in serum lipase. Pancreatitis was asymptomatic in two cases. A pancreatic biopsy in one case revealed type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis. The ICIs used included pembrolizumab, nivolumab, durvalumab, and avelumab. Treatment included steroids and holding the ICI therapy: three cases had complete resolution of pancreatitis while two cases required either a prolonged taper or a second course of prednisone for recurrence of pancreatitis. On the other hand, the DKA cases were treated with withdrawal of the ICI and starting insulin with no steroid therapy.

Conclusions

Pancreatitis and DKA are rare adverse events of ICIs that can be controlled by holding the ICI with or without starting steroids. Rechallenging the patient with the same ICI is possible in selected cases.
MYC‐activated LINC00607 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating the miR‐584‐3p/ROCK1 axis
Authors: Dong Shuilin , Wang Wei , Liao Zhibin , Fan Yawei , Wang Qi , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2023

Background

There have been many reports of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumors, and abnormally expressed lncRNA is closely related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The mechanism of LINC00607 in HCC has not been reported.

Methods

We utilized qPCR to evaluate the RNA expression level. The mechanism of MYC binding to the LINC00607 promoter was revealed through chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and dual luciferase reporter assay. The proliferation and invasive ability were evaluated by CCK‐8 and transwell assays. The relation between LINC00607 and miR‐584‐3p was assessed by RNA immunoprecipitation assay and dual luciferase reporter assay. The level of ROCK1 was evaluated by qPCR and western blot.

Results

In this research, we found that the expression of LINC00607 was higher in HCC tissues when compared with that in the adjacent non‐tumor tissues. Meanwhile, MYC was observed to interact with the LINC00607 promoter, leading to the upregulation of LINC00607 in HCC. We further revealed that LINC00607 functioned as a sponge for miR‐584‐3p. Cell proliferation and migration assays showed that miR‐584‐3p may inhibit the HCC progression. Moreover, we found that the miR‐584‐3p inhibitor could reverse the effects of LINC00607 downregulation in HCC through rescue experiments. Through verification, miR‐584‐3p bound to the 3′ UTR of ROCK1 to downregulate its expression.

Conclusion

LINC00607 regulated by MYC can promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells through the miR‐584‐3p/ROCK1 axis.
circANKRD28 inhibits cisplatin resistance in non‐small‐cell lung cancer through the miR‐221‐3p/SOCS3 axis
Authors: Song Shu , Shi Yuhan , Zeng Dong , Xu Jingjing , Yang Yuexiang , Guo Wenjuan , Zheng Ye , Tang Haicheng
Published: February 2023

Background

Non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common cancer. Chemotherapeutic drug resistance limits the therapeutic effect of NSCLC and leads to a poor prognosis. As a result, new specific targets may be better identified by studying the mechanism of drug resistance to cisplatin in NSCLC.

Methods

In the present study, we performed a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting to detect mRNA and protein levels. The proliferation of cells was analyzed by a Cell Counting Kit‐8 and colony formation assays. Cell invasion was measured via the Transwell assay. A scratch assay was performed to measure cell migration in cisplatin (DDP)‐resistant NSCLC cells. Apoptosis of cells was examined using flow cytometry.

Results

We found that circANKRD28 was notably decreased in NSCLC. The results showed that circANKRD28 expression was not affected, and its half‐life was more than 12 h. Functional experiments revealed that circANKRD28 overexpression inhibited DDP resistance in NSCLC cells in vitro. Mechanistic findings demonstrated that circANKRD28 regulated tumor cell progression and DDP sensitivity through the miR‐221‐3p/SOCS3 axis.

Conclusions

The present study revealed the regulatory effects and molecular mechanism of circANKRD28 on the development and cisplatin resistance in NSCLC, which may provide experimental basis and theoretical support to identify new targets for therapy of DDP resistance in NSCLC.
Posthepatectomy but not prehepatectomy chemotherapy was associated with a longer time to recurrence in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases: Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis
Authors: Yoshizaki Yuhi , Kawaguchi Yoshikuni , Seki Yusuke , Sasaki Shu , Ichida Akihiko , Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Kaneko Junichi , Arita Junichi , Hasegawa Kiyoshi
Published: February 2023

Background

Patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM) are treated with surgery alone, surgery and posthepatectomy chemotherapy, or prehepatectomy chemotherapy and surgery. The optimal approach in terms of survival is unclear. We compared survival in the three treatment groups using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis.

Methods

Data from patients undergoing initial CLM resection in 2005–2018 were obtained from a prospectively maintained database. Our group treated resectable CLM with surgery alone but gradually adopted post‐ and prehepatectomy chemotherapy for patients with CLM number ≥5 after 2015. IPTW analysis was employed to adjust the characteristics of the three groups.

Results

Of the 439 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 175 underwent surgery alone, 135 underwent surgery and posthepatectomy chemotherapy, and 129 underwent prehepatectomy chemotherapy and surgery. After the IPTW adjustment, the demographic and clinicopathological characteristics were well balanced. The IPTW analysis revealed that the recurrence‐free survival was better in patients undergoing surgery and posthepatectomy chemotherapy than in patients undergoing surgery alone (median recurrence‐free survival, 1.3 years vs 0.7 years; P = .018). Overall survival was not significantly different between the three treatment approaches.

Conclusion

Posthepatectomy but not prehepatectomy chemotherapy prolongs the time to recurrence after curative‐intent resection of CLM.
Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation modulation of ENSO teleconnections in its decaying stages: Relations with Indian Ocean basin‐wide mode and South American precipitation
Authors: Souza Itamara P. , Andreoli Rita V. , Kayano Mary T. , Cerón Wilmar L. , Souza Rodrigo A. F. , Roy Indrani
Published: February 2023

This study examines the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) modulation of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections in its decaying stages with the tropical ocean by focusing on the Indian Ocean Basin‐Wide (IOBW) mode and the precipitation over South America (SA) in the 1901–2012 period. Composite analyses revealed that the ENSO teleconnections are IPO‐modulated due to the differential ENSO decaying speed, which is slower during the positive than negative IPO phase, for both El Niño (EN) and La Niña (LN) cases. Negative precipitation anomalies related to EN persist over northeastern SA until austral winter for the positive IPO phase (POS IPO), while significant opposite sign anomalies occur in this region for the negative IPO phase (NEG IPO). These results are associated with the Walker circulation's reversal during NEG IPO which is, in turn, accompanied by negative IOBW. During the POS IPO, the positive IOBW causes upward movements over there and, by continuity, downward movements over SA. In the NEG IPO, for LN events the wave train originating in the north of Australia propagates toward subtropical SA, which, coupled with the surface circulation, causes dryness in this region. In addition, the rapid decay of LN in the NEG IPO, followed by the emergence of EN, caused changes in the Walker circulation, such that enhanced upward movements occurred over the Pacific and SA region, and downward movements over the Indian Ocean until austral winter. In turn, the slower decay of the LN in the POS IPO maintains strong subsidence over the central Pacific and weak upward motions over western SA. So, the EN (LN) and positive (negative) IOBW during the POS (NEG) IPO prolong the scarcity of precipitation over equatorial (subtropical) SA. Persistent dry periods over these regions during the ENSO decaying stage might have important implications for the seasonal forecasts.
Improvement of Robusta coffee aroma with l‐leucine powder
Authors: Jo Ara , Park Hyunbeen , Lee Seongho , Lee Kwang‐Geun
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

l‐Leucine powder (LP) was added to green Robusta coffee beans in order to reduce the difference in flavour between Robusta and Arabica coffee. l‐Leucine was selected as an additive based on the Maillard reaction. The pre‐treatment method conducted in this study was a short soaking (M1) or spraying procedure (M2), then LP was added at varying levels up to 3% (w/w, 30 g kg−1). All samples were roasted (240 °C for 15 min) and extracted using an espresso machine. Volatile compounds were analysed by solid‐phase microextraction‐gas chromatography‐mass selective detection.

RESULTS

Thirty volatile compounds (six pyrroles, eight pyrazines, three phenols, nine furans, two ketones, two aldehydes) were analysed. In 15 coffee samples, the levels of total volatile compounds (based on peak area ratios) ranged from 8.9 (M1‐1) to 15. Non‐treated Robusta had higher levels of bitter aroma compounds than Arabica coffee, and Robusta coffee had lower levels of bitter aroma compounds when pre‐treated with LP. The sum of bitter volatiles (phenols, pyrroles, pyrazines) was lowest in M1‐5 (3% LP), M2‐1 (1% LP; both dried at 50 °C for 15 min) and M2‐7 (3% LP, dried at 70 °C for 15 min) compared with non‐treated Robusta (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

From the results of this study it can be shown that pre‐treatment with LP can improve the flavour of Robusta. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Why disability data capture is key to improving inclusion outcomes in scholarly publishing
Authors: Holt Simon , Hunter Sylvia , Osborne‐Martin Erin , Scott Stacy
Published: February 2023

Key points

Explains why mass disability data capture is potentially transformative for the scholarly publishing industry.

Considers major challenges, particularly focusing on cultural and systemic roadblocks.

Offers practical suggestions for a framework, using the accessibility movement as a case study.
Optical Vortex Brillouin Laser
Authors: Zeng Xinglin , Russell Philip St. J. , Chen Yang , Wang Zheqi , Wong Gordon K. L. , Roth Paul , Frosz Michael H. , Stiller Birgit
Published: February 2023

Optical vortices, which have been extensively studied over the last decades, offer an additional degree of freedom useful in many applications, such as optical tweezers and quantum control. Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), providing a narrow linewidth and a strong nonlinear response, has been used to realize quasi‐continuous wave lasers. Here, stable oscillation of optical vortices and acoustic modes in a Brillouin laser based on chiral photonic crystal fiber (PCF) is reported, which robustly supports helical Bloch modes (HBMs) that carry circularly polarized optical vortex and display circular birefringence. A narrow‐linewidth Brillouin fiber laser that stably emits 1st‐ and 2nd‐order vortex‐carrying HBMs is implemented. Angular momentum conservation selection rules dictate that pump and backward Brillouin signals have opposite topological charge and spin. Additionally, it is shown that when the chiral PCF is placed within a laser ring cavity, the linewidth‐narrowing associated with lasing permits the peak of the Brillouin gain that corresponds to acoustic mode to be measured with resolution of 10 kHz and accuracy of 520 kHz. The results pave the way to a new generation of vortex‐carrying SBS systems with applications in optical tweezers, quantum information processing, and vortex‐carrying nonreciprocal systems.
Levodopa Equivalent Dose of Safinamide: A Multicenter, Longitudinal, Case–Control Study
Authors: Cilia Roberto , Cereda Emanuele , Piatti Marco , Pilotto Andrea , Magistrelli Luca , Golfrè Andreasi Nico , Bonvegna Salvatore , Contaldi Elena , Mancini Francesca , Imbalzano Gabriele , De Micco Rosa , Colucci Fabiana , Braccia Arianna , Bellini Gabriele , Brovelli Francesco , Zangaglia Roberta , Lazzeri Giulia , Russillo Maria Claudia , Olivola Enrica , Sorbera Chiara , Cereda Viviana , Pinto Patrizia , Sucapane Patrizia , Gelosa Giorgio , Meloni Mario , Pistoia Francesca , Sessa Maria , Canesi Margherita , Modugno Nicola , Pacchetti Claudio , Brighina Laura , Pellecchia Maria Teresa , Ceravolo Roberto , Sensi Mariachiara , Zibetti Maurizio , Comi Cristoforo , Padovani Alessandro , Zecchinelli Anna L. , Di Fonzo Alessio , Tessitore Alessandro , Morgante Francesca , Eleopra Roberto
Published: February 2023

Background

Effects of dopaminergic medications used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) may be compared with each other by using conversion factors, calculated as Levodopa equivalent dose (LED). However, current LED proposals on MAO‐B inhibitors (iMAO‐B) safinamide and rasagiline are still based on empirical approaches.

Objectives

To estimate LED of safinamide 50 and 100 mg.

Methods

In this multicenter, longitudinal, case–control study, we retrospectively reviewed clinical charts of 500 consecutive PD patients with motor complications and treated with (i) safinamide 100 mg (N = 130), safinamide 50 mg (N = 144), or rasagiline 1 mg (N = 97) for 9 ± 3 months and a control group of patients never treated with any iMAO‐B (N = 129).

Results

Major baseline features (age, sex, disease duration and stage, severity of motor signs and motor complications) were similar among the groups. Patients on rasagiline had lower UPDRS‐II scores and Levodopa dose than control subjects. After a mean follow‐up of 8.8‐to‐10.1 months, patients on Safinamide 50 mg and 100 mg had lower UPDRS‐III and OFF‐related UPDRS‐IV scores than control subjects, who in turn had larger increase in total LED than the three iMAO‐B groups. After adjusting for age, disease duration, duration of follow‐up, baseline values and taking change in UPDRS‐III scores into account (sensitivity analysis), safinamide 100 mg corresponded to 125 mg LED, whereas safinamide 50 mg and rasagiline 1 mg equally corresponded to 100 mg LED.

Conclusions

We used a rigorous approach to calculate LED of safinamide 50 and 100 mg. Large prospective pragmatic trials are needed to replicate our findings.
Phantom Boarder Relates to Experimentally‐Induced Presence Hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Blanke Olaf , Bernasconi Fosco , Potheegadoo Jevita
Published: February 2023

Background

Phantom boarder (PB) is the sensation that someone uninvited is in the patient's home despite evidence to the contrary. It is mostly reported by patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson's disease (PD). Presence hallucination (PH) is frequent in neurodegenerative disease, shares several aspects with PB, and is the sensation that someone is nearby, behind or next to the patient (when nobody is actually there). Recent work developed a sensorimotor method to robotically induce PH (robot‐induced PH, riPH) and demonstrated that a subgroup of PD patients showed abnormal sensitivity for riPH.

Objective

We investigated if PD patients with PB (PD‐PB) would (1) show elevated sensitivity for riPH that (2) is comparable to that of patients reporting PH, but not PB (PD‐PH).

Methods

We studied the sensitivity of non‐demented PD patients in a sensorimotor stimulation paradigm, during which three groups of patients (PD‐PB; PD‐PH; PD patients without hallucinations, PD‐nPH) were exposed to different conditions of conflicting sensorimotor stimulation.

Results

We show that PD‐PB and PD‐PH groups had a higher sensitivity to riPH (compared to PD‐nPH). PD‐PB and PD‐PH groups did not differ in riPH sensitivity. Together with interview data, these behavioral data on riPH show that PB is associated with PH, suggesting that both share some underlying brain mechanisms, although interview data also revealed phenomenological differences.

Conclusions

Because PD‐PB patients did not suffer from dementia nor delusions, we argue that these shared mechanisms are of perceptual‐hallucinatory nature, involving sensorimotor signals and their integration.
The fault‐tolerant beacon set of hexagonal Möbius ladder network
Authors: Faisal Nadeem Muhammad , Azeem Muhammad
Published: February 2023

In localization, some specific nodes (beacon set) are selected to locate all nodes of a network, and if an arbitrary node stops working and still selected nodes remain in the beacon set, then the chosen nodes are called fault‐tolerant beacon set. Due to the variety of metric dimension applications in different areas of sciences, many generalizations were proposed, fault‐tolerant metric dimension is one of them. A resolving (beacon) set is fault tolerant, if for each is also a resolving set; it is also known as a fault‐tolerant beacon set; the minimum cardinality of such a beacon set is known as the fault‐tolerant metric dimension of a graph . In this paper, we find the fault‐tolerant beacon set of hexagonal Möbius ladder network and proved that all the different variations of and in has constant fault‐tolerant metric dimension.
An RF coil design to enable quintuple nuclear whole‐brain MRI
Authors: Dai Jiying , Gosselink Mark , van der Velden Tijl Antonius , Meliadò Ettore Flavio , Raaijmakers Alexander Jan Eberhard , Klomp Dennis Wilhelmus Johannes
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To bring metabolic imaging based on multi‐NMR toward practical use from the RF hardware perspective.

Methods

A highly integrated RF coil is designed for whole‐brain MRI and MRS targeted to five nuclear species: 1H, 19F, 31P, 23Na, and 13C. Dipole antennas and closely loaded local receiver loops are combined in this setup.

Results

High‐quality in vivo scan results of 1H, 31P, 23Na, and 13C on healthy volunteers have been achieved. For 1H, the transmit efficiency is 77% of a single‐tuned commercial head coil (NOVA 8‐transmit [Tx]/32‐receive [Rx]; NOVA Medical, Wilmington, MA, USA). For 31P, 110% SNR of a dual‐tuned close‐fit head‐birdcage was achieved at the center of the subject, based on MR experiments on a phantom. For 31P, 23Na, and 13C, bench measurements indicate SNR loss of 15%, 27%, and 30% compared with single‐tuned conditions. 19F performance has been proven to be similar to that of 1H through bench tests and electromagnetic simulations.

Conclusion

With this device, 1H‐based anatomic images that are expected to meet clinical requirements, as well as high‐quality multi‐NMR images and spectra, can be acquired within one scan session without hardware replacement or patient repositioning, enabling morphologic and metabolic MRI within acceptable scan time.
Motion compensated self supervised deep learning for highly accelerated 3D ultrashort Echo time pulmonary MRI
Authors: Miller Zachary , Johnson Kevin M.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To investigate motion compensated, self‐supervised, model based deep learning (MBDL) as a method to reconstruct free breathing, 3D pulmonary UTE acquisitions.

Theory and Methods

A self‐supervised eXtra dimension MBDL architecture (XD‐MBDL) was developed that combined respiratory states to reconstruct a single high‐quality 3D image. Non‐rigid motion fields were incorporated into this architecture by estimating motion fields from a lower resolution motion resolved (XD‐GRASP) reconstruction. Motion compensated XD‐MBDL was evaluated on lung UTE datasets with and without contrast and compared to constrained reconstructions and variants of self‐supervised MBDL that do not account for dynamic respiratory states or leverage motion correction.

Results

Images reconstructed using XD‐MBDL demonstrate improved image quality as measured by apparent SNR (aSNR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR), and visual assessment relative to self‐supervised MBDL approaches that do not account for dynamic respiratory states, XD‐GRASP and a recently proposed motion compensated iterative reconstruction strategy (iMoCo). Additionally, XD‐MBDL reduced reconstruction time relative to both XD‐GRASP and iMoCo.

Conclusion

A method was developed to allow self‐supervised MBDL to combine multiple respiratory states to reconstruct a single image. This method was combined with graphics processing unit (GPU)‐based image registration to further improve reconstruction quality. This approach showed promising results reconstructing a user‐selected respiratory phase from free breathing 3D pulmonary UTE acquisitions.
In vivo reproducibility of 3D relayed NOE in the healthy human brain at 7 T
Authors: Benyard Blake , Nanga Ravi Prakash Reddy , Wilson Neil E. , Thakuri Deepa , Jacobs Paul S. , Swain Anshuman , Kumar Dushyant , Reddy Ravinder
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) is based on dipolar cross‐relaxation mechanism that enables the indirect detection of aliphatic protons via the water proton signal. This work focuses on determining the reproducibility of NOE magnetization transfer ratio (NOEMTR) and isolated or relayed NOE (rNOE) contributions to the NOE MRI of the healthy human brain at 7 Tesla (T).

Methods

We optimized the amplitude and length of the saturation pulse by acquiring NOE images with different values with multiple saturation lengths. Repeated NOE MRI measurements were made on five healthy volunteers by using optimized saturation pulse parameters including correction of B0 and inhomogeneities. To isolate the individual contributions from z‐spectra, we have fit the NOE z‐spectra using multiple Lorentzians and calculated the total contribution from each pool contributing to the overall NOEMTR contrast.

Results

We found that a saturation amplitude of 0.72 μT and a length of 3 s provided the highest contrast. We found that the mean NOEMTR value in gray matter (GM) was 26%, and in white matter (WM) was 33.3% across the 3D slab of the brain. The mean rNOE contributions from GM and WM values were 8.9% and 9.6%, which were ∼10% of the corresponding total NOEMTR signal. The intersubject coefficient of variations (CoVs) of NOEMTR from GM and WM were 4.5% and 6.5%, respectively, whereas the CoVs of rNOE were 4.8% and 5.6%, respectively. The intrasubject CoVs of the NOEMTR range was 2.1%–4.2%, and rNOE range was 2.9%–10.5%.

Conclusion

This work has demonstrated an excellent reproducibility of both inter‐ and intrasubject NOEMTR and rNOE metrics in healthy human brains at 7 T.
Imaging gas‐exchange lung function and brain tissue uptake of hyperpolarized 129Xe using sampling density‐weighted MRSI
Authors: Collier Guilhem J. , Schulte Rolf F. , Rao Madhwesha , Norquay Graham , Ball James , Wild Jim M.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Imaging of the different resonances of hyperpolarized 129Xe in the brain and lungs was performed using a 3D sampling density‐weighted MRSI technique in healthy volunteers.

Methods

Four volunteers underwent dissolved‐phase hyperpolarized 129Xe imaging in the lung with the MRSI technique, which was designed to improve the point‐spread function while preserving SNR (1799 phase‐encoding steps, 14‐s breath hold, 2.1‐cm isotropic resolution). A frequency‐tailored RF excitation pulse was implemented to reliably excite both the 129Xe gas and dissolved phase (tissue/blood signal) with 0.1° and 10° flip angles, respectively. Images of xenon gas in the lung airspaces and xenon dissolved in lung tissue/blood were used to generate quantitative signal ratio maps. The method was also optimized and used for imaging dissolved resonances of 129Xe in the brain in 2 additional volunteers.

Results

High‐quality regional spectra of hyperpolarized 129Xe were achieved in both the lung and the brain. Ratio maps of the different xenon resonances were obtained in the lung with sufficient SNR (> 10) at both 1.5 T and 3 T, making a triple Lorentzian fit possible and enabling the measurement of relaxation times and xenon frequency shifts on a voxel‐wise basis. The imaging technique was successfully adapted for brain imaging, resulting in the first demonstration of 3D xenon brain images with a 2‐cm isotropic resolution.

Conclusion

Density‐weighted MRSI is an SNR and encoding‐efficient way to image 129Xe resonances in the lung and the brain, providing a valuable tool to quantify regional spectroscopic information.
A mixed‐methods assessment of human‐elephant conflict in the Western Okavango Panhandle, Botswana
Authors: Buchholtz Erin K. , McDaniels Megan , McCulloch Graham , Songhurst Anna , Stronza Amanda
Published: February 2023

Human‐wildlife conflict, where interactions have negative impacts on both people and animals, is complex with underlying drivers and broad ecological and social impacts. From individual incidents and perceptions, to contemporary patterns and long‐term trends, a range of information about human‐wildlife conflict can help understand and manage challenges. However, many studies focus on a single data type or spatiotemporal scale.

In the Western Okavango Panhandle in Botswana, people in rural farming communities share and compete for resources with a growing African savanna elephant population. Few previous studies have focused on human‐wildlife interactions in this region. We assessed spatiotemporal trends in human‐elephant conflict using reported conflict incidents (2008–2016), surveys of individual perceptions of conflict encompassing the late 1990s–2016, and detailed field raid assessments from 2016. We found complementary patterns among the data types at different geographic and spatial scales.

We found that the number of annual HEC incidents have increased over time, although not evenly across space, with increases primarily in the northern region of the Panhandle. Crop raiding presents both chronic and acute challenges for farmers, with the amount of damage incurred per incident largely dependent on the size of elephant group involved rather than factors within the farmers' control such as guarding or types of crops grown.

Our results provide a characterization of contemporary conflict incidents and long‐term trends, despite scarce historical data. Combining the reporting and assessment data with surveyed local ecological knowledge offered a multidimensional understanding of human‐wildlife conflict for a region where this information was lacking. It is an important precursor to effective and collaborative conflict management and mitigation.

When possible, this mixed‐methods approach may facilitate understanding for complex human‐wildlife interactions and support the diverse communities and stakeholders involved with conflict‐related challenges.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Tensile behavior of the bolt‐jointed GFRP after low‐velocity impact
Authors: Wan Yun , Lu Wenbin , Li Hao , Huang Yonghu , Lei Zuxiang , Yang Bin
Published: February 2023

Bolt joint is one of the most commonly used methods for fiber‐reinforced polymers (FRP) structures whose mechanical properties are quite sensitive to both the stacking sequence and the low‐velocity impact loading. For this reason, herein, we conducted an experimental method with the self‐designed clamp to evaluate the influence of low‐velocity impact (LVI) at the compressed area nearby the bolt hole on the residual tensile properties of bolt joint GFRP laminates with various stacking sequences. After comparing the displacement‐force curves and failure modes of different bolt joints in tensile tests after LVI loading, the effect of LVI and the failure mechanism subjected to post‐impact loading are discussed in depth. Tensile properties show that the damage caused by impact has a significant effect on the performance of the composite. Under the condition of incident energy of 9 J and distance of 6 mm from the center of the bolt hole to the impact point, the ultimate tensile value of Ply‐A, Ply‐B, and Ply‐C samples are reduced by 32.3%, 34.6%, and 50%, respectively. This influence can also be confirmed by observing the failure morphology, describing the interlaminar behavior of the specimens varying stacking sequence, where a more serious interlaminar damage was identified at Ply‐C specimens. In addition, we also utilized the VIC‐2D device to record and analyze the strain of different ply stacking sequence specimens in the failure process. The result shows that all types of cases have the same initial failure mode of bearing, but various final failure modes.
The dark triad, performance avoidance, and academic cheating
Authors: He Qiong , Zheng Yang , Yu Yue , Zhang Jianxin
Published: February 2023

This study found that: (1) performance avoidance played a partial mediating role between college students' psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and academic cheating, respectively; and (2) performance avoidance showed a full mediating role between college students' narcissism and academic cheating.
Adverse childhood experiences and personality functioning interact substantially in predicting depression, anxiety, and somatization
Authors: Kerber André , Gewehr Elsa , Zimmermann Johannes , Sachser Cedric , M. Fegert Jörg , Knaevelsrud Christine , Spitzer Carsten
Published: February 2023

Etiological theories on the development of psychopathology often incorporate adverse childhood experiences (ACE) as an important contributing factor. Recent studies suggest personality functioning (PF; i.e., stability of the self and interpersonal relationships) as an important transdiagnostic construct that could be useful in better understanding when persons with ACE do (not) develop psychopathological symptoms. A representative sample of N = 2363 was assessed by questionnaires on ACE, PF (Level of Personality Functioning Scale—Brief Form 2.0), and current symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization (Brief Symptom Inventory 18). The interaction between ACE and PF on symptoms was investigated using multiple group models and Bayesian structural equation modeling. ACE were positively associated with psychopathology and PF impairments. The interaction effect between ACE and PF explained incremental variance in current symptoms, ranging from 26% for somatization to 49% for depression with the complete model explaining up to 91% of the latent variance in psychopathology. Our findings indicate a diathesis–stress model with PF as a resource or resilience that may buffer against the development of symptoms in the face of adversity. Treatments of depression and anxiety targeting self and interpersonal functioning therefore may lead to improvements in resilience and relapse prevention. [Correction added on 15 March 2023, after first online publication: Level of Personality Functioning Scale—Brief Form has been replaced to Level of Personality Functioning Scale—Brief Form 2.0 ]
The mechanism of coumarin inhibits germination of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and its application as coumarin–carbon dots nanocomposites
Authors: Yang Ni , He Xiulong , Ran Lulu , Yang Furong , Ma Chuanxin , Chen Hanqiu , Xiang Dong , Shen Guangmao , Zhang Ping , He Lin , Qian Kun
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

As an important plant allelochemical, coumarin can effectively inhibit the germination of various seeds. However, little is known about the inhibition mechanism of coumarin on weed seed germination. Moreover, the herbicidal activity of coumarin is needed to be improved as a natural pesticide.

RESULTS

Coumarin had the highest inhibition effect on the ryegrass (Lolium perenne) seed, where coumarin disturbed the hormone pathway by decreasing the content of gibberellic acid 3, resulting in the reduction of amylase activity and consumption of starch during the germination process of ryegrass seed. Moreover, coumarin induced decreased activity of catalase and subsequently led to the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, causing oxidative stress during the germination process of ryegrass seed. Furthermore, to enhance the herbicidal activity of coumarin, carbon dots (CDs) modified with polyetherimide were prepared, characterized, and then combined with coumarin to form coumarin–carbon dots (Cm‐CDs) nanocomposites. Compared with coumarin, Cm‐CDs nanocomposites significantly increased the herbicidal activity of coumarin on ryegrass, which implies that Cm‐CDs nanocomposites could be used as a potential formulation to improve the herbicidal activity of coumarin.

CONCLUSION

This study not only reveals the mechanism of coumarin on ryegrass germination, but also develop Cm‐CDs nanocomposites to enhance the herbicidal activity of coumarin. Our findings will stimulate the application of Cm‐CDs nanomaterials as an effective and environmentally friendly formulation in agriculture. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Modulatory properties of curcumin in cancer: A narrative review on the role of interferons
Authors: Chamani Sajjad , Moossavi Maryam , Naghizadeh Ali , Abbasifard Mitra , Kesharwani Prashant , Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: February 2023

The immune network is an effective network of cell types and chemical compounds established to maintain the body's homeostasis from foreign threats and to prevent the risk of a wide range of diseases; hence, its proper functioning and balance are essential. A dysfunctional immune system can contribute to various disorders, including cancer. Therefore, there has been considerable interest in molecules that can modulate the immune network. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is one of these herbal remedies with many beneficial effects, including modulation of immunity. Curcumin is beneficial in managing various chronic inflammatory conditions, improving brain function, lowering cardiovascular disease risk, prevention and management of dementia, and prevention of aging. Several clinical studies have supported this evidence, suggesting curcumin to have an immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory function; nevertheless, its mechanism of action is still not clear. In the current review, we aim to explore the modulatory function of curcumin through interferons in cancers.
A new non‐parametric control chart for monitoring general linear profiles based on log‐linear modelling
Authors: Huwang Longcheen , Liao Yen‐Ming
Published: February 2023

Profile monitoring has received much attention from the applications in statistical process control. It is a method for monitoring the stability of a functional relationship between a response variable and one or more explanatory variables over the time axis. General linear profiles monitoring is very important since the linear relationship between a response variable and explanatory variables is easy to characterize besides it is simple and flexible. In addition, most of general linear profiles monitoring techniques assume normality of random error variables. However, the normality of random error variables is not satisfied in certain applications. This causes the existing monitoring methods for general linear profiles both inadequate and inefficient. Based on the log‐linear modelling, in this paper, we develop a non‐parametric control chart for Phase II monitoring of general linear profiles where normality of random error variables is not assumed. The proposed charting method applies the CUSUM (cumulative sum) to the Pearson chi‐square test for the Wilcoxon‐type rank‐based estimators of coefficient parameters and an estimator of random error variance. Effectiveness of the developed control chart is assessed and compared with that of two existing control charts based on the criterion of ARL (average run length). An industrial production process example is also applied to illustrate how the proposed control chart can be used in practice.