bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The link between apathy and depressive symptoms and healthy lifestyles in older community‐dwelling adults
Authors: Harrison Fleur , Brodaty Henry , Mortby Moyra E , Aerts Liesbeth , Guastella Adam J
Published: June 2023

Background

Apathy (loss of motivation or goal‐directed behaviour) and depression each confer risk for dementia, cardiovascular disease and mortality in older adults. The mechanisms by which these neuropsychiatric symptoms are linked with health outcomes are not yet understood. Health behaviours may be one pathway, yet their potential links with apathy have received scant attention, whereas depression has been consistently associated with unhealthier behaviours including physical inactivity. Depression and apathy may be confounded, thus it is critical to determine their potential differential associations with health behaviours. This study thus aims to investigate whether apathy and depressive symptoms in older adults were associated with a broad battery of health behaviours.

Method

Community‐dwelling participants from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (n = 1,030) aged 70‐90 without dementia completed assessments including the Geriatric Depression Scale, from which apathy (GDS‐3A) and depression (GDS‐12D) subscores were obtained. To investigate cross‐sectional associations with self‐reported physical activity, diet, current and lifetime alcohol consumption and smoking, linear or logistic regressions predicted the outcomes from apathy and depression, controlling for age, sex, education, global cognition and chronic conditions.

Result

Greater apathy (but not depressive symptoms) was significantly associated with current physical inactivity (fewer hours/week weighted by intensity, p < .001) and frequent alcohol consumption (>2x weekly, p <.05). Depressive symptoms alone predicted poorer current adherence to Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG‐2013, p <.05) and smoking (p <.001). Higher levels of both apathy and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with a past period of “heavier” alcohol consumption (p <.05); neither were related with lifetime history of smoking nor lifetime abstinence from alcohol.

Conclusion

Apathy and depression were differentially associated with health behaviours. Presence of these symptoms in older adults may act as a barrier to engagement in healthier lifestyle activities, which are known to have numerous benefits for health and cognitive outcomes. These novel findings should be further examined longitudinally and with objective measures and alternative apathy assessment. Apathy should be considered along with depression as key determinants of health behaviours when designing health promotion interventions targeting older adults, and in models of dementia risk reduction.
Relationship of APOE genotypes and level of cognitive reserve to cognitive trajectories among cognitively normal individuals
Authors: Pettigrew Corinne , Soldan Anja , Nazarovs Jurijs , Singh Vikas , Wang Jiangxia , Gross Alden L , Johnson Sterling C. , Masters Colin L , Maruff Paul , Morris John C , Hassenstab Jason J. , Resnick Susan M. , Albert Marilyn
Published: June 2023

Background

Prior findings indicate that both genetic factors and indices of cognitive reserve (CR) influence risk of cognitive decline, with APOE4 genetic status increasing risk, and APOE2 genetic status and higher CR indices decreasing risk. However, it remains unclear whether these genetic and lifestyle variables interact to influence long‐term cognitive trajectories. This study examined whether these variables modify baseline cognitive scores and longitudinal cognitive trajectories in N = 1819 participants who were cognitively normal at baseline and included in the Preclinical AD Consortium (PAC).

Method

PAC datasets include harmonized data from five longitudinal cohort studies: ACS, AIBL, BIOCARD, BLSA, and WRAP. Longitudinal cognitive performance was measured by harmonized factor scores for global cognition, memory, and executive function (M follow‐up = 9.8y; Table 1). APOE genotypes were coded with separate indicator variables for APOE2 (n = 233) and APOE4 (n = 581), with APOE3/3 (n = 1005) as the reference group. A CR index was calculated by combining years of education and literacy scores.

Result

In longitudinal mixed effect models, using time since baseline as the timescale (Table 2), higher CR index scores were associated with better baseline cognitive performance for all cognitive factor scores, but not with rate of change in cognition over time. In contrast, APOE4 genotype was associated with more negative rates of cognitive change. For the global and memory scores, there were also 3‐way CR index x APOE4 x time interactions, indicating the negative effect of APOE4 genotype on global and memory score change was attenuated among individuals with higher CR index scores (Figure 1). When the models were re‐run with the term for APOE4 genetic status reflecting the number of APOE4 alleles (i.e., 0, 1, 2; Table 3), the patterns of results were similar, except the 3‐way CR index x APOE4 x time interaction for global cognition was only marginal (p = 0.06).

Conclusion

Higher CR proxy scores are associated with higher levels of cognitive performance, whereas APOE4 genetic status is associated with greater rates of cognitive decline. Higher levels of CR may attenuate APOE4‐related declines in global cognition and memory, but level of CR and APOE4 have largely independent effects on executive function.
Sex‐specific association of physical frailty and cognitive function in a population‐based cross‐sectional study of American older adults
Authors: Karanth Shama D
Published: June 2023

Background

We hypothesized that the association between physical frailty and cognition would be modified by participant sex in a nationally representative sample of elderly adults in the United States.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2011‐2014) were obtained for participants age ≥60 years. Physical frailty was defined by four measures developed by Fried et al.: exhaustion, weakness, low body mass, and low physical activity, and then categorized into robust (None), pre‐frail (1‐2 measures), or frail (3‐4 measures). Cognitive test scores were converted to z‐scores based on the study sample means and standard deviations. To estimate global cognition, a composite z‐score was calculated by averaging the individual z‐scores. Linear regression models were fit to evaluate the association between frailty and cognition. In addition to the cognitive tests, we evaluated frailty as a risk factor for self‐reported memory complaint (SMC) using logistic regression. We used sampling weights to account for the NHANES design.

Results

A total of 2863 participants aged 60 years or older were included. According to the 4‐items frailty measures, 50.5% of participants were robust, 44.7% were pre‐frail, and 4.8% were frail. The majority of the participants were > 70 (58.9%), women (54.4%), and White (79.4%). After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, alcohol use, income, marital status, diabetes, hypertension, and history of stroke, compared to robust, being frail (β = ‐0.69, 95%CI: ‐0.90, ‐0.48) and pre‐frail (β = ‐0.11, 95%CI: ‐0.19, ‐0.02) was associated with lower global cognitive z‐scores. Compared to men, pre‐frail women had mean adjusted global cognitive z‐scores that were ‐0.33 standard deviations lower (95% confidence interval (CI): ‐0.23, ‐0.42; P<0.001). Similarly, compared to frail men, frail women had mean adjusted global z‐scores that were lower but the difference was not significant. There were no significant differences in odds of SMC by sex with regard to frailty.

Conclusions

In this population‐based cohort, our findings suggest frailty was associated with lower cognitive performance in older adults and modified by sex. Participants who did not meet criteria for 3‐4 measures of frailty but had 1‐2 measures showed similar lower cognitive performance.
The effect of brain exercise for improving cognitive function among cognitively impaired batik workers: A preliminary study in Indonesia
Authors: Wulandari Clara Valencia Okky , Prodjohardjono Astuti , Satiti Sekar , Vidyanti Amelia Nur
Published: June 2023

Background

Brain exercise, also known as Brain Gym, aims to maintain brain health by exercising. The movements in brain exercise are focused to train contralateral and ipsilateral coordination, namely by doing hand and foot movements on different sides and the same side alternately. Brain exercise can restore the reticular activating system in the brain so that it can improve memory abilities. This study aimed to identify the effect of brain exercise for improving cognitive function among batik workers who had cognitive

Method

This study was one group pretest and posttest design. We conducted brain exercise on 47 batik workers with cognitive impairment who were chronically exposed to heavy metals in 2 batik centers in Gulurejo Village, Lendah, Kulonprogo, Indonesia. Subjects were examined for cognitive function before treatment using MoCA‐INA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment‐Indonesia version). The treatment of brain exercise was done 2 times a week for 3 months, with duration of exercise was 10 minutes. The cognitive function of the research subjects was re‐examined after 1 and 3 months of brain exercise.

Result

The mean age of the subject was 44 years‐old, with the median duration of being batik worker was 4 years (1‐15 years). The mean MoCA‐Ina score before treatment was 19.21 ± 4.86. After 1 month of treatment, there was an increase of MoCA‐INA score to 19.91 ± 4.81. After 3 months of treatment, the MoCA‐INA score futher increased to 22.45 ± 4.74. When further analyzed for each domain, we found that there were no differences after 1 month. However, there was a significant increase in the domains of attention (p = 0.004), language (p = 0.002), abstraction (p = 0.10), delayed recall (p < 0.001) and orientation (p = 0.001) after 3 months exercise.

Conclusion

Brain exercise may benefit for improving cognitive function among batik workers with cognitive impairment. This study could potentially be applied for other population with dementia to help improving the clinical outcome.
Longitudinal Changes in Insulin Resistance, Cognition, and AD Biomarkers across the AD Continuum
Authors: Klinedinst Brandon S , Pappas Colleen , Larsen Brittany A , Willette Sara A , Wang Qian , Pollpeter Amy , Li Tianqi , Lim Ye‐Lim , Cerna Jonathan , Willette Auriel A
Published: June 2023

Background

To determine if 3‐year changes in serum insulin resistance (IR) were related to changes in brain volume and glucose uptake, cognition, and CSF biomarkers in cognitively unimpaired and impaired older adults.

Method

Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data was downloaded for 275 aged adults (55‐89 years). Participants had longitudinal T1‐ and T2‐weighted volume scans, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) scans, CSF β‐amyloid (Aβ) and tau species, and cognitive performance over baseline and months 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36. Growth curve modeling in R regressed IR against these outcomes, by itself and with clinical diagnosis as a moderator. Cognitively unimpaired (CU) adults were used as a reference group to determine potential effects in pathological aging.

Result

In AD and/or Mild Cognitive Impairment progressors to AD (MCI‐P), higher IR over time was related to progressive atrophy in medial temporal frontoinsular areas. Similarly, decline was seen in global cognition and both memory and executive function. HOMA1‐IR associations were partially mediated by p‐tau‐181. Among clinical diagnosis groups, higher IR was significantly related to amyloid, p‐tau‐181, and total tau 181 among AD patients but not MCI or unimpaired groups.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that in older adults who develop AD or had AD at baseline, higher IR over time is related to brain atrophy and consequent cognitive decline, perhaps as a function of amyloid or tau deposition.
Triptycene‐Fused Sterically Shielded Multi‐Resonance TADF Emitter Enables High‐Efficiency Deep Blue OLEDs with Reduced Dexter Energy Transfer
Authors: Mubarok Hanif , Amin Al , Lee Taehwan , Jung Jaehoon , Lee Jeong‐Hwan , Lee Min Hyung
Published: June 2023

Designing multi‐resonance (MR) emitters that can simultaneously achieve narrowband emission and suppressed intermolecular interactions is challenging for realizing high color purity and stable blue organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Herein, a sterically shielded yet extremely rigid emitter based on a triptycene‐fused B,N core (Tp‐DABNA) is proposed to address the issue. Tp‐DABNA exhibits intense deep blue emissions with a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) and a high horizontal transition dipole ratio, superior to the well‐known bulky emitter, t‐DABNA. The rigid MR skeleton of Tp‐DABNA suppresses structural relaxation in the excited state, with reduced contributions from the medium‐ and high‐frequency vibrational modes to spectral broadening. The hyperfluorescence (HF) film composed of a sensitizer and Tp‐DABNA shows reduced Dexter energy transfer compared to those of t‐DABNA and DABNA‐1. Notably, deep blue TADF‐OLEDs with the Tp‐DABNA emitter display higher external quantum efficiencies (EQEmax=24.8 %) and narrower FWHMs (≤26 nm) than t‐DABNA‐based OLEDs (EQEmax=19.8 %). The HF‐OLEDs based on the Tp‐DABNA emitter further demonstrate improved performance with an EQEmax of 28.7 % and mitigated efficiency roll‐offs.
Direct Light‐Enabled Access to α‐Boryl Radicals: Application in the Stereodivergent Synthesis of Allyl Boronic Esters**
Authors: Marotta Alessandro , Fang Hao , Adams Callum E. , Sun Marcus Kailey , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Molloy John J.
Published: June 2023

Operationally simple strategies to assemble boron containing organic frameworks are highly enabling in organic synthesis. While conventional retrosynthetic logic has engendered many platforms focusing on the direct formation of C−B bonds, α‐boryl radicals have recently reemerged as versatile open‐shell alternatives to access organoborons via adjacent C−C bond formation. Direct light‐enabled α‐activation is currently contingent on photo‐ or transition metal‐catalysis activation to efficiently generate radical species. Here, we disclose a facile activation of α‐halo boronic esters using only visible light and a simple Lewis base to enable homolytic scission. Intermolecular addition to styrenes facilitates the rapid construction of highly versatileE‐allylic boronic esters. The simplicity of activation permits the strategic merger of this construct with selective energy transfer catalysis to enable the complimentary stereodivergent synthesis ofZ‐allylic boronic esters.
Structural Evolution of Giant Polyoxometalate: From “Keplerate” to “Lantern” Type Mo132 for Improved Oxidation Catalysis
Authors: Liu Jiang , Jiang Nan , Lin Jiao‐Min , Mei Zhi‐Bin , Dong Long‐Zhang , Kuang Yi , Liu Jing‐Jing , Yao Su‐Juan , Li Shun‐Li , Lan Ya‐Qian
Published: June 2023

Structural variants of high‐nuclearity clusters are extremely important for their modular assembly study and functional expansion, yet the synthesis of such giant structural variants remains a great challenge. Herein, we prepared a lantern‐type giant polymolybdate cluster (L‐Mo132) containing equal metal nuclearity with the famous Keplerate type Mo132 (K‐Mo132). The skeleton of L‐Mo132 features a rare truncated rhombic triacontrahedron, which is totally different with the truncated icosahedral K‐Mo132. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to observe such structural variants in high‐nuclearity cluster built up of more than 100 metal atoms. Scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals that L‐Mo132 has good stability. More importantly, because the pentagonal [Mo6O27]n− building blocks in L‐Mo132 are concave instead of convex in the outer face, it contains multiple terminal coordinated water molecules on its outer surface, which make it expose more active metal sites to display superior phenol oxidation performance, which is more higher than that of K‐Mo132 coordinated in M=O bonds on the outer surface.
Directed Evolution of Piperazic Acid Incorporation by a Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase**
Authors: Stephan Philipp , Langley Chloe , Winkler Daniela , Basquin Jérôme , Caputi Lorenzo , O'Connor Sarah E. , Kries Hajo
Published: June 2023

Engineering of biosynthetic enzymes is increasingly employed to synthesize structural analogues of antibiotics. Of special interest are nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) responsible for the production of important antimicrobial peptides. Here, directed evolution of an adenylation domain of a Pro‐specific NRPS module completely switched substrate specificity to the non‐standard amino acid piperazic acid (Piz) bearing a labile N−N bond. This success was achieved by UPLC‐MS/MS‐based screening of small, rationally designed mutant libraries and can presumably be replicated with a larger number of substrates and NRPS modules. The evolved NRPS produces a Piz‐derived gramicidin S analogue. Thus, we give new impetus to the too‐early dismissed idea that widely accessible low‐throughput methods can switch the specificity of NRPSs in a biosynthetically useful fashion.
Synthesis and performance of hydroxyl‐terminated polysiloxane‐modified polyurethane acrylate films as potential flexible hydrophobic materials
Authors: Zhao Min , Yang Mingda , Omoniyi Ahmed Olalekan , Xu Jiatong , Zhou Yang , Zou Chenyang , Zhang Jianfu
Published: June 2023

Hydrophobic materials possess exceptional properties, making them extensively useful in daily production and life. However, developing low‐cost and flexible hydrophobic materials remains a challenging task. In this study, a series of composite emulsions were prepared by introducing hydroxyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane as a modifier into polyurethane acrylate via a solvent‐free approach. The composite emulsions were then used to fabricate polymer films using the solvent evaporation technique. The effects of varying siloxane content on the properties of composite emulsions and polymer membranes were examined. The results showed that increasing the siloxane content improved the hydrophobic properties and flexibility of the film materials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the introduction of the SiOSi group into the polyurethane chain structure, the absorption peak for asymmetric stretching vibration of SiOSi is at 1100 cm−1. The mechanical properties test revealed that the film had excellent elongation at break (278.96 ± 0.01%), and a hydrophobic surface with a contact angle of 101.94° was obtained. The composite materials showed improved water resistance and thermal stability with the increase in siloxane content. The hydrophobic film is a promising material for application in decoration, architecture, and flexible wearable devices.
The sustainable recycling of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane for tribological application
Authors: Liang Lifen , Ma Yalong , Ji Xianbing , Ma Jizhong , Zhang Wenli , Song Laizhou
Published: June 2023

In the study, the waste polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were recovered and the obtained resin powders by a solvent recovery method were employed for the fabrication of a novel PVDF‐based tribological composite. Herein, a new strategy was developed for applying the waste PVDF membranes to fabricate a self‐lubricant composite, where the recycled PVDF powders acted as the polymer matrix and microcapsules with the configuration of polysulfone (PSF) capsuling lubricant oil (PAO) served as the filler. The morphologies, crystal phases, chemical components and groups as well as thermal stabilities of fabricated PAO@PSF/PVDF composites were characterized, and the self‐lubricating and wear properties of fabricated composites were tested under the dry sliding condition using a ball‐on‐disc configuration. Experimental results suggest that the PAO@PSF/PVDF composite with an addition of 20 wt% PAO@PSF microcapsules exhibits the best tribological properties, in view of the lowest friction coefficient (0.077) and the smallest wear rate (2.34 × 10−15 m3/Nm). The incorporation of PAO@PSF microcapsules greatly reduces the friction coefficient of PVDF polymer. The tribological properties of fabricated PAO@PSF/PVDF composite will be expectable to that of the PVDF polymer with the dripping presence of lubricating oil.
Automated grading of anatomical objective structured practical examinations using decision trees: An artificial intelligence approach
Authors: Bernard Jason , Sonnadara Ranil , Saraco Anthony N. , Mitchell Josh P. , Bak Alex B. , Bayer Ilana , Wainman Bruce C.
Published: June 2023

An Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) is an effective and robust, but resource‐intensive, means of evaluating anatomical knowledge. Since most OSPEs employ short answer or fill‐in‐the‐blank style questions, the format requires many people familiar with the content to mark the examinations. However, the increasing prevalence of online delivery for anatomy and physiology courses could result in students losing the OSPE practice that they would receive in face‐to‐face learning sessions. The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy of Decision Trees (DTs) in marking OSPE questions as a first step to creating an intelligent, online OSPE tutoring system. The study used the results of the winter 2020 semester final OSPE from McMaster University's anatomy and physiology course in the Faculty of Health Sciences (HTHSCI 2FF3/2LL3/1D06) as the data set. Ninety percent of the data set was used in a 10‐fold validation algorithm to train a DT for each of the 54 questions. Each DT was comprised of unique words that appeared in correct, student‐written answers. The remaining 10% of the data set was marked by the generated DTs. When the answers marked by the DT were compared to the answers marked by staff and faculty, the DT achieved an average accuracy of 94.49% across all 54 questions. This suggests that machine learning algorithms such as DTs are a highly effective option for OSPE grading and are suitable for the development of an intelligent, online OSPE tutoring system.
Melatonin mitigates type 1 diabetes‐aggravated cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury through anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects
Authors: Xu Qian , Cheung Raymond Tak Fai
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Cerebral ischemia and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common diseases that often coexist and interact with each other. DM doubles the risk of ischemic stroke, and cerebral ischemia causes stress‐induced hyperglycemia. Most experimental stroke studies used healthy animals. Melatonin is neuroprotective against cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury (CIRI) in non‐DM, normoglycemic animals through anti‐oxidant effect, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐apoptosis. Previous studies have also reported a negative correlation between hyperglycemia and urinary melatonin metabolite.

Objectives

The present study investigated the effects of type 1 DM (T1DM) on CIRI in rats and the role of melatonin against CIRI in T1DM animals.

Results

Our results revealed that T1DM aggravated CIRI, leading to greater weight loss, increased infarct volume, and worse neurological deficit. T1DM aggravated the post‐CIRI activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway and increase in pro‐apoptotic markers. A single intraperitoneal injection of melatonin at 10 mg/kg given 30 min before ischemia onset attenuated CIRI in T1DM rats, resulting in less weight loss, decreased infarct volume, and milder neurological deficit when compared with the vehicle group. Melatonin treatment achieved anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects with reduced NF‐κB pathway activation, reduced mitochondrial cytochrome C release, decreased calpain‐mediated spectrin breakdown product (SBDP), and decreased caspase‐3‐mediated SBDP. The treatment also led to fewer iNOS+ cells, milder CD‐68+ macrophage/microglia infiltration, decreased TUNEL+ apoptotic cells, and better neuronal survival.

Conclusions

T1DM aggravates CIRI. Melatonin treatment is neuroprotective against CIRI in T1DM rats via anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects.
Innovations in healthcare delivery: Human papilloma virus self sampling diagnostics and participatory innovations for CCS
Authors: Osei Evans Appiah
Published: June 2023

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major contributor to the development of cervical cancer, resulting in over 500,000 cases and 266,000 deaths annually worldwide. Previous cervical cancer screening programs have been successful in reducing cervical cancer rates, but have faced challenges such as low acceptance and adherence rates. Innovations in screening technology, such as the HerSwab self‐sampling test, have the potential to increase awareness, acceptance, and participation in cervical cancer screening programs.

Aim

This literature review examines the effectiveness of HerSwab and participatory innovations in increasing adherence to cervical cancer screening.

Method

This manuscript comprised a comprehensive narrative literature review encompassing the years 2006–2022. The review process adhered to the PRISMA diagram as a guiding framework. Among the search terms utilized, a total of 200 articles were initially retrieved. However, after applying the predefined inclusion criteria, only 57 articles were included.

Results

The HerSwab self‐sampling test is described, including how it is performed, challenges, and facilitators, and evaluation and assessment of its effectiveness. While the HerSwab diagnostic test is not currently widely available, studies should assess its feasibility in less developed countries where cervical cancer mortality rates are high.

Conclusion

By increasing awareness and availability of innovative screening techniques, such as HerSwab, we can work toward reducing the incidence of cervical cancer and improving outcomes for women worldwide.
Effects of fear of cancer recurrence on subjective physical and mental health in breast cancer patients: The intermediary role of heart rate variability
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Cai Yinlian , Yu Sheng , Tang Lingxue , Li Wen , Yao Senbang , Zheng Xucai , Liu Jianjun , Chen Gongpu , Gan Chen , Xu Jian , Cheng Huaidong
Published: June 2023

Background

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and psychological distress are common psychological problems in breast cancer (BC) patients and ultimately affecting their health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Heart rate variability (HRV) can reflect the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. However, the pathways through which HRV influences between FCR and HRQoL are unclear. This study preliminarily explored the intermediary role of HRV in FCR and HRQoL in BC patients.

Methods

A total of 101 BC patients participated in this study. HRV parameters were measured by a 5‐min dynamic electrocardiogram. FCR, psychological distress and HRQoL were evaluated by the Fear of disease progression simplified scale (FOP‐Q‐SF), Distress thermometer and SF‐36 concise health survey. The intermediary effect model was established to test the intermediary effect of high frequency‐HRV (HF‐HRV) on FCR and HRQoL.

Results

FCR and psychological distress were negatively correlated with HRV in the time domain, negatively correlated with HF‐HRV in the frequency domain, and positively correlated with low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF). HF‐HRV had a partial mediating effect on the FCR and physical health and mental health, with effects of 30.23% and 9.53%, respectively.

Conclusion

FCR and psychological distress are correlated with HRV parameters in the time domain and the frequency domain, and we preliminarily believe that parasympathetic nerves play an important intermediary role between FCR and subjective physical and mental health. This may provide intervention information for improving the HRQoL of BC patients.
Curcumin inhibits human cancer cell growth and migration through downregulation of SVCT2
Authors: Jang Soon Young , Kim Jiyun , Hong Eunbi , Lee Kyuri , Na Yuran , Yeom Chang‐Hwan , Park Seyeon
Published: June 2023

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol that is extracted from the rhizomes of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family. It has been used for centuries in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for its medicinal properties, including anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor effects. SVCT2 (Solute Carrier Family 23 Member 2, also known as SLC23A2) is a protein that plays a role in the transport of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) into cells. SVCT2 plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis, however, the molecular mechanisms of curcumin on SVCT2 have not been studied to date. Curcumin treatment inhibited proliferation and migration of cancer cells in a dose dependent manner. We found that curcumin reduced the expression of SVCT2 in cancer cells with a wild type p53, but not in those with a mutant type of p53. SVCT2 downregulation also reduced the MMP2 activity. Taken together, our results indicate that curcumin inhibited human cancer cell growth and migration by regulating SVCT2 through a downregulating p53. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of curcumin's anticancer effects and potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of metastatic migration.
Quasi‐Solid‐State Composite Electrolytes with Multifunctional 2D Molecular Brush Fillers for Long‐Cycling Lithium Metal Batteries†
Authors: Cui Yin , Yu Guofang , Liu Ruliang , Miao Dongtian , Wu Dingcai
Published: June 2023

Comprehensive Summary

The ever‐growing demand for next‐generation high‐energy‐density devices drives the development of lithium metal batteries with enough safety and high performance, in which quasi‐solid‐state composite electrolytes (QSCEs) with high ionic conductivity and lithium ion transference number () are highly desirable. Herein, we successfully synthesize a kind of two‐dimensional (2D) molecular brush (GO‐g‐PFIL) via grafting poly(ionic liquid) side‐chain (poly(3‐(3,3,4,4,4‐pentafluorobutyl)‐1‐vinyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide), denoted as PFIL) on the surface of 2D graphene oxide (GO) sheet. GO‐g‐PFIL is used as multifunctional filler to prepare novel composite membranes and corresponding QSCEs (e.g., QSCE‐PH/GPFIL3/P). The as‐obtained QSCE‐PH/GPFIL3/P integrates features of PFIL side‐chain‐enhanced lithium ion conduction, poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropene) backbone‐induced flexibility, and GO‐strengthened mechanical property. As a result, our ultrathin (21 μm) self‐supporting QSCE‐PH/GPFIL3/P exhibits high ionic conductivity (3.24 × 10−4 S·cm−1) and excellent (0.82) at room temperature, and Li/LFP full cell with QSCE‐PH/GPFIL3/P shows superior rate performance (high specific capacities of 79 mAh·g−1 at 30 °C and 5 C) and excellent cycling performance (high capacity retention of 91% after 500 cycles at 80 °C and 1 C).
Identification of Balanol As a Potential Inhibitor of PAK1 That Induces Apoptosis and Cytoprotective Autophagy in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Yi , Zou Yuling , Huang Yunli , Chen Siwei , Zhang Lan
Published: June 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract, often accompanied by poor prognosis and high incidence and mortality. p21 activated kinases (PAKs) have been used as therapeutic targets because of their central role in many oncogenic signaling networks. By exploring tumor databases, we found that PAK1 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer, and therefore, PAK1‐targeted inhibition is a new potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer. We identified that Balanol (compound 6, DB04098) can effectively target PAK1 by high‐throughput virtual screening. In vitro, compound 6 exhibited favorable PAK1 inhibition with potent anti‐proliferative and anti‐migration activity in SW480 cells. Additionally, we also found that compound 6 induced apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy in SW480 cells. Together, these results indicate that compound 6 is a potential novel PAK1 inhibitor, which would be utilized as a candidate compound for future CRC treatment.
A Multiconformational Transition State Theory Approach to OH Tropospheric Degradation of Fluorotelomer Aldehydes
Authors: Viegas Luís P.
Published: June 2023

Experimental work on the OH‐initiated oxidation reactions of fluorotelomer aldehydes (FTALs) strongly suggests that the respective rate coefficients do not depend on the size of the CxF2x+1 fluoroalkyl chain. FTALs hence represent a challenging test to our multiconformer transition state theory (MC‐TST) protocol based on constrained transition state randomization (CTSR), since the calculated rate coefficients should not show significant variations with increasing values of
. In this work we apply the MC‐TST/CTSR protocol to the
cases and calculate both rate coefficients at 298.15 K with a value of
 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, practically coincident with the recommended experimental value of kexp=
 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. We also show that the use of tunneling corrections based on improved semiclassical TST is critical in obtaining Arrhenius‐Kooij curves with a correct behavior at lower temperatures.
Transitions of Collective Motions Driven by Phase Resetting
Authors: Teng Rui , Li Yang , Ren Lin , Ma Juan , Epstein Irving R. , Gao Qingyu
Published: June 2023

The front cover artwork is provided by Prof. Gao's group. The image shows the motion patterns transition of the active gel group under the step light intensity, which describes the mechanism of a new collective emergence structure. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/cphc.202300054.
Pharmacologic Heterogeneity and Risk of Severe Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Sulfonylureas and DPP‐4 Inhibitors: Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Dimakos Jenny , Cui Ying , Platt Robert W. , Renoux Christel , Filion Kristian B. , Douros Antonios
Published: June 2023

Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP‐4i) interact with sulfonylureas to increase their risk of hypoglycemia. Our population‐based study assessed whether intraclass pharmacologic heterogeneity among sulfonylureas (long‐ vs. short‐acting) and DPP‐4i (peptidomimetic vs. non‐peptidomimetic) modifies this interaction. We conducted a cohort study using the UK's Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum linked to hospitalization and vital statistics data. We assembled a cohort of patients initiating sulfonylureas (2007–2020). Using a time‐varying exposure definition, we assessed the risk of severe hypoglycemia (hospitalization with or death due to hypoglycemia) associated with (i) concomitant use of long‐acting sulfonylureas (glimepiride and glibenclamide) with DPP‐4i compared with concomitant use of short‐acting sulfonylureas (gliclazide and glipizide) with DPP‐4i; and (ii) concomitant use of sulfonylureas with peptidomimetic DPP‐4i (saxagliptin and vildagliptin) compared with concomitant use of sulfonylureas with non‐peptidomimetic DPP‐4i (sitagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin). Time‐dependent Cox models estimated confounder‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our cohort included 196,138 sulfonylurea initiators. During a median follow‐up of 6 years, 8,576 events of severe hypoglycemia occurred. Compared with concomitant use of short‐acting sulfonylureas with DPP‐4i, concomitant use of long‐acting sulfonylureas with DPP‐4i was not associated with the risk of severe hypoglycemia (adjusted HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.65–1.16). Compared with concomitant use of sulfonylureas with non‐peptidomimetic DPP‐4i, concomitant use of sulfonylureas with peptidomimetic DPP‐4i was also not associated with the risk of severe hypoglycemia (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.76–1.22). Intra‐class pharmacologic heterogeneity did not modify the association between concomitant use of sulfonylureas (short‐ vs. long‐acting) and DPP‐4i (peptidomimetic vs. non‐peptidomimetic) and the risk of severe hypoglycemia.
A balloon‐assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection using long colonoscope and guidewire
Authors: Watahiki Yu , Kawashima Kazumasa , Hikichi Takuto , Takagi Tadayuki , Onizawa Michio , Gunji Naohiko , Watanabe Chiharu , Wada Jun , Oka Yuka , Hashimoto Yuko , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: June 2023

Balloon‐assisted endoscopy enables stable endoscopic maneuverability. Balloon‐assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (BA‐ESD) is useful in the treatment of proximal colorectal tumors where scope maneuverability is poor. Herein, we reported a case in which BA‐ESD was successfully performed using a long colonoscope with a guidewire, although the lesion could not be reached using the balloon‐assisted endoscopy technique with a therapeutic colonoscopy.

A 50‐year‐old man underwent a colonoscopy that revealed a tumor in the ascending colon. BA‐ESD was performed using a conventional therapeutic endoscope due to excessive intestinal elongation and poor endoscopic maneuverability. However, the transverse colon loop could not be reduced, and the total colonoscopy failed despite using balloon‐assisted endoscopy. The scope was then changed from a conventional colonoscope to a long colonoscope, inserted into the terminal ileum, and the loop was reduced. After the guidewire was placed at the terminal ileum and the long colonoscope was removed, a therapeutic colonoscopy with an overtube was inserted into the ascending colon without reforming the colonic loop, allowing safe BA‐ESD.
Deficits in volumetric bone mineral density, bone microarchitecture, and estimated bone strength in women with atypical anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls
Authors: Haines Melanie S. , Kimball Allison , Dove Devanshi , Chien Melanie , Strauch Julianne , Santoso Kate , Meenaghan Erinne , Eddy Kamryn T. , Fazeli Pouneh K. , Misra Madhusmita , Miller Karen K.
Published: June 2023

Objective

Anorexia nervosa is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and deficits in bone microarchitecture and strength. Low BMD is common in atypical anorexia nervosa, in which criteria for anorexia nervosa are met except for low weight. We investigated whether women with atypical anorexia nervosa have deficits in bone microarchitecture and estimated strength at the peripheral skeleton.

Method

Measures of BMD and microarchitecture were obtained in 28 women with atypical anorexia nervosa and 27 controls, aged 21–46 years.

Results

Mean tibial volumetric BMD, cortical thickness, and failure load were lower, and radial trabecular number and separation impaired, in atypical anorexia nervosa versus controls (p < .05). Adjusting for weight, deficits in tibial cortical bone variables persisted (p < .05). Women with atypical anorexia nervosa and amenorrhea had lower volumetric BMD and deficits in microarchitecture and failure load versus those with eumenorrhea and controls. Those with a history of overweight/obesity or fracture had deficits in bone microarchitecture versus controls. Tibial deficits were particularly marked. Less lean mass and longer disease duration were associated with deficits in high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR‐pQCT) variables in atypical anorexia nervosa.

Discussion

Women with atypical anorexia nervosa have lower volumetric BMD and deficits in bone microarchitecture and strength at the peripheral skeleton versus controls, independent of weight, and particularly at the tibia. Women with atypical anorexia nervosa and amenorrhea, less lean mass, longer disease duration, history of overweight/obesity, or fracture history may be at higher risk. This is salient as deficits in HR‐pQCT variables are associated with increased fracture risk.

Public Significance

Atypical anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder in which psychological criteria for anorexia nervosa are met despite weight being in the normal range. We demonstrate that despite weight in the normal range, women with atypical anorexia nervosa have impaired bone density, structure, and strength compared to healthy controls. Whether this translates to an increased risk of incident fracture in this population requires further investigation.
Amazonian Odonata Trait Bank
Authors: Ferreira Victor Rennan Santos , de Resende Bethânia Oliveira , Bastos Rafael Costa , da Brito Joás Silva , de Carvalho Fernando Geraldo , Calvão Lenize Batista , Oliveira‐Junior José Max Barbosa , Neiss Ulisses Gaspar , Ferreira Rhainer , Juen Leandro
Published: June 2023

Discussion regarding the gaps of knowledge on Odonata is common in the literature. Such gaps are even greater when dealing with basic biological data for biodiverse environments like the Amazon Rainforest. Therefore, studies that address, classify, and standardize functional traits allow the elaboration of a wide range of ecological and evolutionary hypotheses. Moreover, such endeavors aid conservation and management planning by providing a better understanding of which functional traits are filtered or favored under environmental changes. Here, our main goal was to produce a database with 68 functional traits of 218 Odonata species that occur in the Brazilian Amazon. We extracted data on behavior, habit/habitat (larvae and adults), thermoregulation, and geographic distribution from 419 literature sources classified into different research areas. Moreover, we measured 22 morphological traits of approximately 2500 adults and categorized species distributions based on approximately 40,000 geographic records for the Americas. As a result, we provided a functional matrix and identified different functional patterns for the Odonata suborders, as well as a strong relationship between the different trait categories. For this reason, we recommend the selection of key traits that represent a set of functional variables, reducing the sampling effort. In conclusion, we detect and discuss gaps in the literature and suggest research to be developed with the present Amazonian Odonata Trait Bank (AMO‐TB).
Lightning scars on tropical trees—Evidence and opportunities
Authors: Zoletto Bianca , van der Sande Masha T. , van der Sleen Peter , Sheil Douglas
Published: June 2023

Lightning strikes are a significant cause of tree mortality and damage in some regions of the tropics. Formation of lightning scars on tropical trees, however, is considered rare and therefore of little relevance in identifying trees struck by lightning. Here, we suggest, based on observations made in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda), that lightning scars can be frequent and may be a useful diagnostic feature to aid in identifying trees struck by lightning.
Asymmetrical facilitation ameliorates environmental conditions through positive feedback in partner traits
Authors: Moore Althea F. P. , Hughes A. Randall
Published: June 2023

Positive species interactions, including facilitation and mutualism, are important in shaping ecological communities through the amelioration of stressful conditions. Facilitation results from traits (e.g., plant growth form) that create benefits for one or more interacting partners. The outcomes of facilitation depend on positive or negative feedbacks between partners, which can determine the stability of interactions over time. We can expand our understanding of these dynamics through a bidirectional approach that identifies the specific mechanisms creating benefits for the associated species, the traits related to those benefits, and the potential for feedbacks to affect amelioration by modifying traits. We characterized an association between the salt marsh plant Limonium carolinianum and mussel Geukensia sp. in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We used a field survey and three field experiments to establish the bidirectional effects of the association, the underlying mechanisms, and the relevant traits for each partner species. Mussels benefitted from Limonium canopies, which ameliorated high temperatures and predation for mussels, increasing survival and recruitment. These positive effects were particularly evident under larger canopies. Mussels enriched sediment organic matter and thus over time are expected to alleviate nutrient limitation for Limonium. Changes in functional traits of both species contributed to facilitation. Limonium both benefitted from and promoted higher mussel density, and mussels both allowed Limonium to grow or retain more leaves and benefitted from stress amelioration under larger canopies. The benefits of the association appear asymmetrical: mussels consistently benefitted in both experiments, but we found only modest positive effects on Limonium, and only over the longer term. These differences likely reflect variation in the seasonality and/or timescale of the facilitative mechanisms. The bidirectional and mechanistic design of our study revealed positive feedbacks that reinforced the traits conferring benefits to each partner, potentially stabilizing this positive interaction. Understanding how feedbacks influence the outcomes of facilitation is increasingly important as anthropogenic stressors increase globally.
Mammal mitogenomics from invertebrate‐derived DNA
Authors: Danabalan Renita , Merkel Kevin , Bærholm Schnell Ida , Arandjelovic Mimi , Boesch Christophe , Brazzola Gregory , Dieguez Paula , Dupain Jef , Kambale‐Vyalengerera Magloire , Kühl Hjalmar S. , Hoffmann Constanze , Lapuente Juan , Ngoc Thinh Van , Zimmermann Fee , Leendertz Fabian H. , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Roos Christian , Mazzoni Camila , Gogarten Jan F. , Calvignac‐Spencer Sébastien
Published: June 2023

The metabarcoding of vertebrate DNA found in invertebrate‐derived DNA (iDNA) has proven a powerful tool for monitoring biodiversity. To date, iDNA has primarily been used to detect the presence/absence of particular taxa using metabarcoding, though recent efforts demonstrated the potential utility of these data for estimating relative animal abundance. Here, we test whether iDNA can also be used to reconstruct complete mammalian mitogenomes and therefore bring the field closer to population‐level analyses. Specifically, we used mitogenomic hybridization capture coupled with high‐throughput sequencing to analyze individual (N = 7) or pooled (N = 5) fly‐derived DNA extracts, and individual (N = 7) or pooled (N = 1) leech‐derived DNA extracts, which were known a priori to contain primate DNA. All sources of iDNA showed their ability to generate large amounts of mammalian mitogenomic information and deeper sequencing of libraries is predicted to allow for even more complete recovery of primate mitogenomes from most samples (90%). Sixty percent of these iDNA extracts allowed for the recovery of (near) complete mammalian mitochondrial genomes (hereafter mitogenomes) that proved useable for phylogenomic analyses. These findings contribute to paving the way for iDNA‐based population mitogenomic studies of terrestrial mammals.