bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knockout of microglial Hv1 proton channel reduces neurotoxic A1 astrocytes and neuronal damage via the ROS/STAT3 pathway after spinal cord injury
Authors: Li Ying , Xie Yi , Liu Rui , Wang Ziyue , Chen Peng , Wang Minghuan , Yu Zhiyuan , Wang Wei , Luo Xiang
Published: July 2023

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes severe functional deficits and neuronal damage, accompanied by intense glial activation. The voltage‐gated proton channel Hv1, selectively expressed on microglia, is associated with SCI progression. However, the effect of Hv1 on the phenotypes and functions of reactive astrocytes after SCI remains unclear. Here, we combined Hv1 knockout (Hv1−/−) mice and T10 spinal cord contusion to investigate the effects of microglial Hv1 on SCI pathophysiology and the phenotypes and functions of reactive astrocytes. After SCI, astrocytes proliferated and activated in the peri‐injury area and exhibited an A1‐dominant phenotype. Hv1 knockout reduced neurotoxic A1 astrocytes and shifted the dominant phenotype of reactive astrocytes from A1 to A2, enhancing synaptogenesis promotion, phagocytosis, and neurotrophy of astrocytes. Moreover, synaptic and axonal remodeling as well as motor recovery after SCI benefited from the improved astrocytic functions of Hv1 knockout. Furthermore, exogenous and endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) in astrocytes after SCI were reduced by Hv1 knockout. Our in vitro results showed that inhibition of ROS reduced the neurotoxic A1 phenotype in primary astrocytes via the STAT3 pathway. Similar to the effect of Hv1 knockout, the application of the ROS scavenger N‐acetylcysteine reduced SCI‐induced neurotoxic A1 astrocytes in vivo. Based on the in vivo and vitro results, we elucidated that microglial Hv1 knockout promotes synaptic and axonal remodeling in SCI mice by decreasing neurotoxic A1 astrocytes and increasing neuroprotective A2 astrocytes via the ROS/STAT3 pathway. Therefore, the Hv1 proton channel is a promising target for the treatment of SCI.
Clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 patients infected by the Omicron variants in Macao, China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Cheong Hou Hon , Sio Fong I , Chan Chi Chung , Neng Seong In , Sam Ip Pio , Cheang Teng , Tou Weng Ieong , Lei Hong San , Cheong Tan Fong , Lao Edmundo Patricio Lopes , Cheong Tak Hong , Kuok Cheong U , Lo Iek Long
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

The evolving mutants of SARS‐CoV‐2 have made the COVID‐19 pandemic sustained for over 3 years. In 2022, BA.4 and BA.5 were the Omicron variants dominating the spread globally. Although COVID‐19 was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) as announced by WHO, the SARS‐CoV‐2 variants remain a challenge to global healthcare under the circumstances of withdrawal and loosening of personal protective behavior in the post‐quarantine era. This study aims to acknowledge the clinical characteristics caused by Omicron BA.4/BA.5 in COVID‐19 naive people and analyze possible factors affecting disease severities.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we report and analyze the clinical features of 1820 COVID‐19 patients infected with the BA.4/BA.5 Omicron variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 during a local outbreak that occurred in Macao SAR, China, from June to July 2022.

Results

A total of 83.5% of patients were symptomatic eventually. The most common symptoms were fever, cough, and sore throat. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus were the leading comorbidities. There were significantly more elderly patients (p < 0.001), more patients with comorbidity (p < 0.001) and more patients without vaccination or not completing the series (p < 0.001) in the “Severe to Critical” group. All deceased patients were elderly with at least three comorbidities and were partial to totally dependent in their daily lives.

Conclusion

Our data are consistent with a milder disease caused by BA.4/5 Omicron variants in the general population, while patients with old age and comorbidities have developed severe to critical diseases. Complete vaccination series and booster doses are effective strategies to reinforce protection against severe diseases and avoid mortality.
Detection and classification of hepatocytes and hepatoma cells using atomic force microscopy and machine learning algorithms
Authors: Zeng Yi , Liu Xianping , Wang Zuobin , Gao Wei , Li Li , Zhang Shengli
Published: July 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a high‐risk malignant tumor. Hepatoma cells are transformed from normal cells and have unique surface nanofeatures in addition to the characteristics of the original cells. In this paper, atomic force microscopy was used to extract the three‐dimensional morphology and mechanical information of HL‐7702 human hepatocytes and SMMC‐7721 and HepG2 hepatoma cells in culture, such as the elastic modulus and viscoelasticity. The characteristics of different cells were compared and analyzed. Finally, the cell morphology and mechanics information were used for training machine learning algorithms. With the trained model, the detection of cells was realized. The classification accuracy was as high as 94.54%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.99. Thus, hepatocytes and hepatoma cells were accurately identified and assessed. We also compared the classification effects of other machine learning algorithms, such as support vector machine and logistic regression. Our method extracts cellular nanofeatures directly from the surface of cells of unknown type for cell classification. Compared with microscope image‐based analysis and other methods, this approach can avoid the misjudgment that may occur when different doctors have different levels of experience. Thus, the proposed method provides an objective basis for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Research Highlights

The 3D appearance and mechanical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma cells are very similar to those of hepatocytes.

Application of atomic force microscopy with machine learning algorithm.

Collect the data set of nano‐characteristic parameters of the cell.

The machine learning algorithms is trained by data set, and its classification effect is better than that of a single nano‐parameter.
Spatiotemporal walking gait kinematics of semi‐arboreal red pandas (Ailurus fulgens)
Authors: Plocek Maura R. , Dunham Noah T.
Published: July 2023

Semi‐arboreal mammals must routinely cope with the differing biomechanical challenges of terrestrial versus arboreal locomotion; however, it is not clear to what extent semi‐arboreal mammals adjust footfall patterns when moving on different substrates. We opportunistically filmed quadrupedal locomotion (n = 132 walking strides) of semi‐arboreal red pandas (Ailurus fulgens;n = 3) housed at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and examined the effects of substrate type on spatiotemporal gait kinematic variables using linear mixed models. We further investigated the effects of substrate diameter and orientation on arboreal gait kinematics. Red pandas exclusively used lateral sequence (LS) gaits and most frequently utilized LS lateral couplet gaits across terrestrial and arboreal substrates. Red pandas moved significantly slower (p < 0.001), and controlling for speed, had significantly greater relative stride length (p < 0.001), mean stride duration (p = 0.002), mean duty factor (p < 0.001), and mean number of supporting limbs (p < 0.001) during arboreal locomotion. Arboreal strides on inclined substrates were characterized by significantly faster relative speeds and increased limb phase values compared with those horizontal and declined substrates. These kinematics adjustments help to reduce substrate oscillations thereby promoting stability on potentially precarious arboreal substrates. Red panda limb phase values are similar to those of (primarily terrestrial) Carnivora examined to date. Despite the similarity in footfall patterns during arboreal and terrestrial locomotion, flexibility in other kinematic variables is important for semi‐arboreal red pandas that must navigate disparate biomechanical challenges inherent to arboreal versus terrestrial locomotion.
Identification of module genes and functional pathway analysis in septic shock subtypes by integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Mao Yujing , Lei Ruyi , Pei Hui , Zhang Yepeng , Jiang Yumin , Gu Yulei , Zhu Changjv , Zhu Zhiqiang
Published: July 2023

Background

The present study aimed to identify the module genes and key gene functions and biological pathways of septic shock (SS) through integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

In the study, we performed batch correction and principal component analysis on 282 SS samples and 79 normal control samples in three datasets, GSE26440, GSE95233 and GSE57065, to obtain a combined corrected gene expression matrix containing 21,654 transcripts. Patients with SS were then divided into three molecular subtypes according to sample subtyping analysis.

Results

By analyzing the demographic characteristics of the different subtypes, we found no statistically significant differences in gender ratio and age composition among the three groups. Then, three subtypes of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and specific upregulated DEGs (SDEGs) were identified by differential gene expression analysis. We found 7361 DEGs in the type I group, 5594 DEGs in the type II group, and 7159 DEGs in the type III group. There were 1698 SDEGs in the type I group, 2443 in the type II group, and 1831 in the type III group. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between the expression data of 5972 SDEGs in the three subtypes and the gender and age of 227 patients, constructed a weighted gene co‐expression network, and identified 11 gene modules, among which the module with the highest correlation with gender ratio was MEgrey. The modules with the highest correlation with age composition were MEgrey60 and MElightyellow. Then, by analyzing the differences in module genes among different subgroups of SS, we obtained the differential expression of 11 module genes in four groups: type I, type II, type III and the control group. Finally, we analyzed the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment of all module DEGs, and the GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of different module genes were different.

Conclusions

Our findings aim to identify the specific genes and intrinsic molecular functional pathways of SS subtypes, as well as further explore the genetic and molecular pathophysiological mechanisms of SS.
Clinical presentation of 13 children with alkaptonuria
Authors: Kujawa Mariusz J. , Świętoń Dominik , Wierzba Jolanta , Grzywińska Małgorzata , Budziło Oskar , Limanówka Monika , Pierzynowska Karolina , Gaffke Lidia , Grabowski Łukasz , Cyske Zuzanna , Rintz Estera , Rąbalski Łukasz , Kosiński Maciej , Węgrzyn Grzegorz , Mański Arkadiusz , Anikiej‐Wiczenbach Paulina , Ranganath Lakshminarayan , Piskunowicz Maciej
Published: July 2023

Until now, only a few studies have focused on the early onset of symptoms of alkaptonuria (AKU) in the pediatric population. This prospective, longitudinal study is a comprehensive approach to the assessment of children with recognized AKU during childhood. The study includes data from 32 visits of 13 patients (five males, eight females; age 4–17 years) with AKU. A clinical evaluation was performed with particular attention to eye, ear, and skin pigmentation, musculoskeletal complaints, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US) imaging abnormalities. The cognitive functioning and adaptive abilities were examined. Molecular genetic analyses were performed. The most common symptoms observed were dark urine (13/13), followed by joint pain (6/13), and dark ear wax (6/13). In 4 of 13 patients the values obtained in the KOOS‐child questionnaire were below the reference values. MRI and US did not show degenerative changes in knee cartilages. One child had nephrolithiasis. Almost half of the children with AKU (5/13) presented deficits in cognitive functioning and/or adaptive abilities. The most frequent HGD variants observed in the patients were c.481G>A (p.Gly161Arg) mutation and the c.240A>T (p.His80Gln) polymorphism. The newly described allele of the HGD gene (c.948G>T, p.Val316Phe) which is potentially pathogenic was identified.
The impact of liver transplantation on health‐related quality of life in (acute) intoxication‐type inborn errors of metabolism
Authors: Greco Benedetta , Caviglia Stefania , Martinelli Diego , Capitello Teresa Grimaldi , Liccardo Daniela , De Nictolis Francesca , Pietrobattista Andrea , Huemer Martina , Piga Simone , Olivieri Giorgia , Spagnoletti Gionata , Spada Marco , Dionisi‐Vici Carlo
Published: July 2023

Organic acidurias (OAs), urea‐cycle disorders (UCDs), and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) belong to the category of intoxication‐type inborn errors of metabolism (IT‐IEM). Liver transplantation (LTx) is increasingly utilized in IT‐IEM. However, its impact has been mainly focused on clinical outcome measures and rarely on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Aim of the study was to investigate the impact of LTx on HrQoL in IT‐IEMs. This single center prospective study involved 32 patients (15 OA, 11 UCD, 6 MSUD; median age at LTx 3.0 years, range 0.8–26.0). HRQoL was assessed pre/post transplantation by PedsQL‐General Module 4.0 and by MetabQoL 1.0, a specifically designed tool for IT‐IEM. PedsQL highlighted significant post‐LTx improvements in total and physical functioning in both patients' and parents' scores. According to age at transplantation (≤3 vs. >3 years), younger patients showed higher post‐LTx scores on Physical (p = 0.03), Social (p < 0.001), and Total (p =0.007) functioning. MetabQoL confirmed significant post‐LTx changes in Total and Physical functioning in both patients and parents scores (p ≤ 0.009). Differently from PedsQL, MetabQoL Mental (patients p = 0.013, parents p = 0.03) and Social scores (patients p = 0.02, parents p = 0.012) were significantly higher post‐LTx. Significant improvements (p = 0.001–0.04) were also detected both in self‐ and proxy‐reports for almost all MetabQoL subscales. This study shows the importance of assessing the impact of transplantation on HrQoL, a meaningful outcome reflecting patients' wellbeing. LTx is associated with significant improvements of HrQol in both self‐ and parent‐reports. The comparison between PedsQL‐GM and MetabQoL highlighted that MetabQoL demonstrated higher sensitivity in the assessment of disease‐specific domains than the generic PedsQL tool.
循環動態不安定な小児外傷性肝損傷に対し防災ヘリ搬送のため約1時間のIABO inflationを行った1救命例(Survival of a hemodynamically unstable pediatric patient with liver trauma who underwent 1h aortic balloon occlusion for air transport)
Authors: 雄一 三宅 , 裕子 置塩 , 尚明 柴田 , 秀治 川嶋 , 亨 那須 , 健太郎 上田 , 正哉 加藤
Published: July 2023

近年，体幹部外傷による出血性ショックに対してIABOが広く利用されている。出血性ショックの成人外傷患者にIABOを用いて長距離搬送が行われた報告はあるが，小児患者での報告は限られる。本症例は，11歳女児が軽乗用車にはねられ受傷し，当院から約60km離れた前医へ搬送された。搬送時よりショック状態で，造影CTで肝損傷を認め，止血処置目的に当院へヘリ搬送の方針となった。前医でIABOが留置され，バルーン遮断された状態で搬送された。当院搬送後に開腹止血術と経カテーテル動脈塞栓術が施行された。術後は一時的な肝腎機能悪化が見られたが，その後は改善し，近隣病院へ転院後に自宅退院した。重症腹部外傷の小児患者に対して，IABOを用いた転院搬送を行うことで救命へとつなげることができた。また，小児での報告例は限られており，エビデンス構築のためにも今後さらなる議論が必要である。
Isolation and characterization of emerging Mpox virus from India
Authors: Sharma Sushil Kumar , Dash Paban Kumar , Yadav Ram Govind , Shrivastava Ambuj , Menon Rohit , Kumar Jyoti S. , Sharma Shashi , Dhankher Suman , Dhiman Sunil , Kumari Divya , Shukla Manisha , Relhan Vineet , Kumar Suresh , Parida Manmohan
Published: July 2023

Mpox (previously known as Monkeypox) has recently re‐emerged, primarily through human‐to‐human transmission in non‐endemic countries including India. Virus isolation is still considered as the gold standard for diagnosis of viral infections. Here, the qPCR positive skin lesion sample from a patient was inoculated in Vero E6 cell monolayer. Characteristic cytopathic effect exhibiting typical cell rounding and detachment was observed at passage‐02. The virus isolation was confirmed by qPCR. The replication kinetics of the isolate was determined that revealed maximum viral titre of log 6.3 PFU/mL at 72 h postinfection. Further, whole genome analysis through next generation sequencing revealed that the Mpox virus (MPXV) isolate is characterized by several unique SNPs and INDELs. Phylogenetically, it belonged to A.2 lineage of clade IIb, forming a close group with all other Indian MPXV along with few from USA, UK, Portugal, Thailand and Nigeria. This study reports the first successful isolation and phenotypic and genotypic characterization of MPXV from India.
Femtosecond Laser Fabrication of Refractive/Diffractive Micro‐Optical Components on Hard Brittle Materials
Authors: Tan Jia‐Wei , Wang Gong , Li Yunfei , Yu Yu , Chen Qi‐Dai
Published: July 2023

Micro‐optical components exhibit significant potential applications in various fields such as imaging, optical fiber communication, and aerospace owing to their small size, light weight, and flexible design. It is imperative to fabricate micro‐optical components on hard brittle materials to improve stability and broaden the optical transmission range. Therefore, femtosecond laser processing technology is demonstrated to be an efficient processing strategy for preparing refractive/diffractive micro‐optical components on hard brittle materials compared to other established micromachining techniques. This study reviews recent advances in refractive/diffractive micro‐optical components using femtosecond laser processing technologies. The applications of refractive/diffractive micro‐optical components with high accuracy, efficiency, and quality in the fields of imaging, sensing, display, and integration are also summarized. Moreover, the challenges of femtosecond laser processing technologies and the outlook of micro‐optical components are highlighted.
Supermicrosurgery with perforator‐to‐perforator anastomoses for lower limb reconstructions – A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lo Torto Federico , Firmani Guido , Patanè Luca , Turriziani Gianmarco , Di Rocco Arianna , Vestri Annarita , Ribuffo Diego
Published: July 2023

Background

Supermicrosurgical flaps based on perforator‐to‐perforator microanastomoses have been described for lower limb reconstruction. This approach offers the benefit of raising short pedicles while sparing axial vessels, which effectively enables complex reconstructive techniques in comorbid patients at high risk of reconstructive failure. The aim of our study is to assess the surgical outcomes of perforator‐to‐perforator based flaps in comparison to conventional free flaps for reconstructions of the lower limb district, through a systematic review of literature and meta‐analysis.

Methods

A search on PubMed, Embase, Cohrane, and Web of Science was performed between March–July 2022. No restrictions were placed on study date. Only English manuscripts were assessed. Reviews, short communications, letters, correspondence were excluded after reviewing their references for potentially relevant studies. A Bayesian approach was used to conduct the meta‐analysis comparing flap‐related outcomes.

Results

From 483 starting citations, 16 manuscripts were included for full‐text analysis in the review, and three were included in the meta‐analysis. Out of 1556 patients, 1047 received a perforator‐to‐perforator flap. Complications were reported in 119 flaps (11.4%), which included total flap failure in 71 cases (6.8%), partial flap failure in 47 cases (4.5%). Overall flap complications had a HR of 1.41 (0.94–2.11; 95% C.I.). Supermicrosurgical and conventional microsurgical reconstructions were not associated with statistically significant differences (p = .89).

Conclusion

Our evidence supports the safety of surgical outcomes, with acceptable flap complication rates. Nevertheless, these findings are limited by poor overall quality which must be addressed and used to encourage higher‐level evidence in the field.
The Beta‐Pochhammer and its application to arbitrary threshold phase error probability of a vector in Gaussian noise
Authors: De Freitas Jolyon M.
Published: July 2023

This paper develops a calculus around a new β‐Pochhammer symbol of two variables, (a,b)m,n based on the Beta weighting
. The approach is a natural rising factorial formulation that offers a new way to express hypergeometric functions of two variables. The results are implemented to solve the problem of finding the phase error probability of a vector perturbed by Gaussian noise with an arbitrary phase threshold in closed form for the first time, in terms of the incomplete confluent hypergeometric function 1ℱ1. This has been an unresolved problem in angle modulation dating back to the 1950s. Closed‐form solutions are developed around the lower and upper incomplete Humbert second Φ2 confluent hypergeometric function of two variables using the new incomplete β‐Pochhammer calculus.
Persistence of overactive bladder pharmacological treatment in women as reflected from large‐scale real‐world data of prescription claims: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Karin Lifshitz , Igor Mintz , Chen Shenhar , Yariv Stabholtz , Grotz Osnat , Jack Baniel , Ofer Yossepowitch , Shachar Aharony
Published: July 2023

Introduction and Objectives

Medical treatments for overactive bladder (OAB) have proven efficacy in controlled trials. However, 1‐year treatment persistence is reported to be as low as 25% for anticholinergics and 40% for β3 agonists. Real‐world data on treatment continuation and treatment sequence is limited. Therefore, we aimed to study treatment persistence trends in women initiated on OAB medications.

Materials and Methods

We used advanced data‐mining techniques to query the largest regional provider's medication purchase database, dispensing for patients, for all women initiating OAB pharmacotherapy between 2010 and 2020. Treatment persistence was measured as days in which the patient was in possession of medication and nonpersistence was defined as prescription nonrefilling for 90 days. We employed a Sankey diagram to explore trends in OAB medication acquisition and treatment sequence. We compared treatment persistence using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and pairwise log‐rank analysis.

Results

Here, 46 079 women made 791 681 unique claims of OAB medications. Only 39% of the patients tried more than one OAB formulation, including dose change. The overall persistence rate for all drugs was 55% in 30 days, 46% in 90 days, and 37% per year. The persistence rate for Mirabegron at 30 days was 54%, 42% at 90 days, and 17% at 1 year. Overall, persistence rates were unchanged when stratifying by the time Mirabegron insurance acceptance into coverage (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Real‐world OAB pharmacotherapy persistence rates are lower than previously reported. The introduction of Mirabegron did not seem to improve these rates or affect the treatment sequence.
Using the discriminant in a numerically stable symmetric 3 × 3 direct eigenvalue solver
Authors: Harari Isaac , Albocher Uri
Published: July 2023

Analytical methods for solving eigenvalue problems involving real symmetric matrices are computationally efficient compared to iterative approaches, but not numerically robust when two of the eigenvalues coalesce. Analysis of the associated characteristic polynomial reveals an alternative form for the definition of the discriminant in terms of a sum of squares which is not susceptible to the numerical difficulties of conventional methods. Expressions for the angle used in the definition of the eigenvalues are derived in terms of simple combinations of the matrix invariants and the discriminant. The proposed method improves over previously proposed robust analytical schemes and is comparable in speed with the standard analytical method, making it a viable alternative.
Effects of caregiver‐child acculturation on child obesity among US Latino individuals
Authors: Ravanbakht Sophie N. , Skinner Asheley C. , Armstrong Sarah , Weinberger Morris , Hassmiller‐Lich Kristen , Frerichs Leah
Published: July 2023

Objective

The goal of this study was to assess the association of Latino caregiver‐child nativity status (US‐ and foreign‐born) with child obesity using a nationally representative sample.

Methods

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999–2018), this study used generalized linear models to identify associations between caregiver‐child nativity status (as a proxy for acculturation) and children's BMI.

Results

Compared with foreign‐born caregiver‐child dyads, US‐born caregiver‐child dyads had 2.35 times the risk of class 2 obesity (95% CI: 1.59–3.47) and 3.60 times the risk of class 3 obesity (95% CI: 1.86–6.96). Foreign‐born caregiver and US‐born child dyads had 2.01 times the risk of class 2 obesity (95% CI: 1.42–2.84) and 2.47 times the risk of class 3 obesity (95% CI: 1.38–4.44; p < 0.05 for class 2 and class 3).

Conclusions

Compared with foreign‐born Latino caregiver‐child dyads, dyads with US‐born caregivers and children and dyads with foreign‐born caregivers and US‐born children had significantly increased risk across the severe classes of obesity. Examining the influence and relationship of varying acculturation levels in an immigrant household will help guide more effective clinical and policy guidelines surrounding obesity and weight management in both pediatric and adult US Latino populations.
The numerical treatment of fractal‐fractional 2D optimal control problems by Müntz–Legendre polynomials
Authors: Rahimkhani Parisa , Ordokhani Yadollah , Sedaghat Salameh
Published: July 2023

In this work, we introduce a method based on the Müntz–Legendre polynomials (M‐LPs) for solving fractal‐fractional 2D optimal control problems that the fractal‐fractional derivative is described in Atangana‐Riemann‐Liouville's sense. First, we obtain operational matrices of fractal‐fractional‐order derivative, integer‐order integration, and derivative of the M‐LPs. Second, the under study problem is converted into an equivalent variational problem. Then, by applying the M‐LPs, their operational matrices and Gauss–Legendre integration, the mentioned problem is converted to a system of algebraic equations. Finally, this system is solved by Newton's iterative method. Also, we introduce an error bound for the described method. Two examples are included to test the applicability and validity of the present scheme.
Hybridization effect of silane treated basalt fiber on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of polypropylene/bamboo composite
Authors: Hemlata
Published: July 2023

The aim of present work summarizes the synergistic effect of basalt fiber on mechanical, thermal and morphological behavior of PP/bamboo composite. The basalt fibers were varied at four different levels 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% which replaces the bamboo fiber at 40 wt% while keeping both the fibers content constant at 40 wt%. PP/bamboo composite and PP/bamboo/basalt hybrid composites were fabricated through melt compounding of PP (polypropylene), PP‐g‐MA (grafted maleic anhydride polypropylene), alkaline treated bamboo fiber and silane treated basalt fiber, followed by injection molding. The addition of silanized basalt fiber in PP/bamboo composite linearly increased the tensile and flexural related properties while the impact strength decreased with the increase in basalt fiber. Theoretical modeling for tensile strength and modulus indicate the positive hybrid effect of basalt fiber. Results obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that the crystallinity of the neat PP increased with the incorporation of both the bamboo and basalt fiber. The Thermal degradation results showed that the PP/bamboo composite degraded earlier while the hybrid composite at 5 wt% basalt fiber showed highest thermal stability as compared to neat PP. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results exhibited that the viscoelastic properties enhanced with the addition of bamboo and basalt fiber. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs on the tensile fractured surface revealed random orientation and wetting of basalt and bamboo fibers in PP matrix.
Experimental study on the mechanical properties of three‐dimensional braided composite circular tubes with preembedded licker‐in
Authors: Luo Haibo , Wang Qian , Yang Yanchu , He Xiaohui , Feng Hui , Nie Ying , Li Tao
Published: July 2023

This study investigates the tensile and compression properties of three‐dimensional five‐direction (3D5D) braided composite circular tubes with preembedded titanium alloy licker‐ins. The influence of the braided angle, braided thickness, and braided configuration on the bearing capacity is analyzed, and the microdamage morphology and failure mechanism of the tube structure are examined using scanning electron microscopy. Results show that the 3D5D braided tube has a larger tensile failure load than the 3D full five‐direction braided tube of the same outer diameter. In circular tubes of the same braided configuration and outer diameter, the compression failure load increases with the wall thickness, and the C‐ø30t3 circular tube achieves the maximum compression failure load. The damage morphology is characterized by the pulling‐off failure of the licker‐in joint. The T‐ø30t2.5 and T‐ø25t3 circular tubes achieve a large failure load, with an average tensile load of over 120 kN. The failure morphology is characterized by the cracking of the fiber at the end of the tube after the licker‐in joint has been pulled off. The average tensile failure load of the T‐ø30t3 circular tubes is over 105 kN, and the failure morphology reveals a broken licker‐in joint, indicating design deficiencies that require further optimization. The findings of this paper can provide an important scientific basis for the lightweight and high‐strength connection design for 3D braided composites in near‐space aerostats and their flight applications.
Decision and timing of safety‐related labeling changes for new drugs in Japan: Comparison with the United States and the European Union
Authors: Fukuda Koichi , Narukawa Mamoru
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare safety‐related labeling changes for newly approved drugs in Japan with those in the United States (US) and the European Union (EU), where guidance on the details of pharmacovigilance (PV) process has been published, to examine the extent to which the Japanese PV process is working.

Methods

Safety‐related labeling changes for new drugs approved within 1 year in Japan, the US, and the EU were reviewed for the number, timing, and concordance of contents of the labeling change between countries/region.

Results

The number of labeling changes and median time from approval to the change (min, max) were 57 cases and 814 (90, 2454) days in Japan, 63 cases and 852 (161, 3051) days in the US, and 50 cases and 851 (157, 2699) days in the EU. Distribution of the revision date of the concordant labeling change in the three countries/region and distribution of differences in revision date between the two countries/region showed no trend of delayed labeling change in a specific country/region. Concordance rate of the labeling change was 36.1% (30/83) in US‐EU, 21.2% (21/99) in Japan‐US, and 23.0% (20/87) in Japan‐EU (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.0313 [Japan‐US vs. US‐EU], p = 0.066 [Japan‐EU vs. US‐EU]).

Conclusions

There was no trend of fewer or later labeling changes in Japan compared to those in the US/EU. While the concordance rate in US‐EU was low, that in Japan‐US and Japan‐EU were even lower. Further investigation is needed to understand the reasons for these differences.
RETRACTED: Carbon nanotube‐based polymer nanocomposites: Evaluation of barrier, hydrophobic, and mechanical properties for aerospace applications
Authors: Xavier Joseph Raj , Sadagopan Pandian Vinodhini
Published: July 2023

The anticorrosive and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in epoxy resin (EP) coatings have been improved by the integration of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) for surface modification based on CNTs. SEM/EDX, TEM, TGA/XRD, XPS, and XRD techniques were used to characterize the composites for the various formulations, including APTMS/CNTs, CNTs/MoS2, and APTMS/CNTs‐MoS2. By including APTMS/CNTs‐MoS2 composite, the EP coating exhibits improved anticorrosive and mechanical performance, as demonstrated by electrochemical methods and mechanical testing. Superior hydrophobic property of EP‐APTMS/CNTs‐MoS2 is confirmed by its WCA of 167°. Additionally, it was discovered that the EP‐APTMS/CNTs‐MoS2 had a resistance that was significantly larger (17,421 kΩ.cm2) than the plain epoxy (102 kΩ.cm2), and its hardness (1695 MPa), adhesion (19.7 MPa), and tensile (237 MPa) properties all are improved significantly. Therefore, the newly developed EP‐APTMS/CNTs‐MoS2 could act as the vital material for coating AA7475 aluminum alloy used in aerospace applications.
Nachhaltiger fliegen
Authors: Niesen Björn , Jansohn Peter , Roth Jörg
Published: July 2023

Luftfahrt ist besonders klimaschädlich, hat aber das Emissionsziel netto Null bis 2050. Die Einführung neuer Antriebe ist eine technische Herausforderung. Doch die bestehende Flugzeugflotte ließe sich durch synthetisch hergestelltes Kerosin nachhaltiger machen. Dieses Drop‐in‐Kerosin lässt sich aus verschiedenen Ausgangsstoffen über unterschiedliche Synthesepfade herstellen. Im Kern drehen sie sich meist um das Fischer‐Tropsch‐Verfahren, um längerkettige Kohlenwasserstoffe herzustellen. Am Weitesten ist dies für trockene und feuchte Biomasse entwickelt, die nachhaltig allerdings nur begrenzt vorhanden ist. Eine Alternative bieten elektrochemische Verfahren, die Wasser oder CO2 aufspalten, woraus dann e‐Kerosin hergestellt werden kann. Solche Verfahren befinden sich noch im Stadium der Demonstrations‐ und Pilotprojekte. Vor allem die Herstellungskosten müssen noch drastisch gesenkt werden, um mit fossilem Kerosin konkurrieren zu können.
Elektronen auf den Punkt gebracht
Authors: Volk Christian , Banszerus Luca , Stampfer Christoph
Published: July 2023

Nachdem erstmals ein Einzelelektronen‐Quantenpunkt in zweilagigem Graphen gezeigt wurde, folgten in kurzer Zeit wegweisende Experimente. Dazu zählen die Untersuchung des Ein‐ und Zweiteilchenspektrums, der Elektronen‐Loch‐Übergang, die kontrollierbare Kopplung von Quantenpunkten, Ladungsdetektion, Pauli‐Blockade und die hier gezeigten Messungen der Spin‐Relaxationszeit. Diese Experimente tragen wesentlich zum Verständnis der elektronischen Zustände in Graphen‐Quantenpunkten bei. Sie sind wichtige Meilensteine auf dem Weg zur Realisierung eines graphenbasierten Qubits. Die gemessenen Spin‐Relaxationszeiten sind bereits hinreichend lang und Mechanismen zur Spin‐Detektion sind vorhanden. Damit lassen sich Spin‐Qubits angehen.
Rasantes Rollenspiel
Authors: Thaller Sigrid , Mathelitsch Leopold
Published: July 2023

Obwohl beim Laufen die Krafteinwirkung nach vorne gerichtet ist und beim Skaten seitwärts, erzielt letzteres eine größere Endgeschwindigkeit. Das hat mehrere Gründe. Erstens muss der Fuß beim Laufen während des Bodenkontakts immer ruhen, während ein Skate rollt. Zweitens kann die Seitwärtsbewegung beim Rollen länger sein als die Abstoßphase des Fußes beim Laufen. Drittens erlaubt das Skaten einen langsamen Bewegungsablauf, was der Kraftentfaltung im Muskel entgegenkommt. Viertens entfällt das bremsende Trägheitsmoment des im Knie rotierenden Unterschenkels beim Laufen. Die Double‐Push‐Technik verlängert zudem die Abstoßungsphase, was das Skaten noch schneller macht. Sie wurde auch auf Langlaufski übertragen.
Kettenbildung im Plasmastaub
Authors: Joshi Eshita
Published: July 2023

Komplexe Plasmen sind Niedertemperaturplasmen, die Mikropartikel enthalten, die auch als Staub bezeichnet werden. Bei Experimenten unter dem Einfluss eines elektrischen Feldes wird häufig beobachtet, dass der Staub lange Ketten bildet, sogenannte „String‐Like Clusters“ (SLCs). Experimente auf der Internationalen Raumstation und Simulationen zeigen, dass diese Ketten auch dann entstehen können, wenn keine Anziehung zwischen den Mikropartikeln vorliegt.
Heliumbrennen auf Weißem Zwerg entdeckt
Authors: Greiner Jochen , Werner Klaus
Published: July 2023

Ein Weißer Zwergstern kann als Supernova explodieren, wenn seine Masse die Chandrasekhar‐Grenze von etwa 1,4 Sonnenmassen überschreitet. In der Großen Magellanschen Wolke wurde nun ein Doppelsternsystem gefunden, in dem Materie von dem Begleiter des Weißen Zwergs auf diesen überströmt und auf seiner Oberfläche durch Kernbrennen reichlich sogenannte superweiche Röntgenstrahlung aussendet. Ungewöhnlich daran ist, dass nicht wie in bisher gefundenen superweichen Röntgenquellen Wasserstoff überströmt und verbrennt, sondern Helium.
Mit Magna‐AR magnetische Feldlinien visualisieren
Authors: Bresges André , Scheld Jochen , Wilhelm Thomas , Kuhn Jochen
Published: July 2023

Magnetische Feldlinien sind modellhafte Visualisierungen magnetischer Felder. Allerdings bringt ihre dreidimensionale Struktur das räumliche Vorstellungsvermögen vieler Lernender an seine Grenzen. Hier eignet sich die App Magna‐AR aus der Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite sehr gut, um spielerisch eine räumliche Vorstellung der magnetischen Feldlinien um einen stromdurchflossenen Draht, eine Spule oder einen Stabmagneten zu entwickeln.
Wells posthumane Welten
Authors: Mecke Klaus
Published: July 2023

Posthumane Literatur begann mit H. G. Wells „Zeitmaschine“, die nicht nur ein fiktives physikalisches Gerät ist, sondern eine innovative narrative Technik, um über die Tiefenzeit der Erdgeschichte erzählen zu können.
Efficacy of mind‐body therapies for sleep disturbance in patients with early‐stage cancer: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Han Jing , Shi Ming , Bi Liu‐Na , Wang Lin‐lin , Cai Yan‐xiu
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of different mind‐body therapies (MBTs) for sleep disturbance in patients with early‐stage cancer.

Methods

Randomised controlled trials that included patients (aged ≥18 years) with early stage cancer who underwent MBTs (mindfulness, hypnosis, relaxation, yoga, and qigong) were searched in the CINAHL via the EBSCO Host, Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus databases, from the date of database inception to October 2022. The outcomes were subjective sleep disturbance and objective sleep efficiency. Network meta‐analysis (NMA) and comparative effects ranking were performed using STATA (v14.0; STATACorp, College Station, TX, USA).

Results

Forty‐seven studies investigating five MBTs were included in the NMA. For cancer patients receiving active treatment, mindfulness demonstrated the largest effect size in reducing subjective sleep disturbance (standardised mean difference [SMD]: 0.85; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.20–1.50; Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation assessment: moderate), and had the highest cumulative probability compared to usual care or waitlist. For cancer patients who had completed active treatment, qigong demonstrated the largest effect size in reducing subjective sleep disturbance (SMD: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.35–1.63; GRADE: low), followed by hypnosis (SMD: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.32–1.42; GRADE: moderate), and mindfulness (SMD: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.24–0.59; GRADE: moderate). Qigong also demonstrated the largest effect size in improving objective sleep efficiency (weighted mean differences: 10.76; 95% CI: 2.01–19.50; GRADE: low); however, the effect of qigong was tested in only one study in this NMA. Among the eight different treatment conditions, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed the highest cumulative probability (surface under the cumulative ranking curve: 96.3%) in reducing subjective sleep disturbance and the second highest cumulative probability (SUCRA: 83.3%) in improving objective sleep efficiency.

Conclusion

There is no evidence supporting the use of MBTs to replace or be comparable to CBT. Mindfulness can be recommended as an optional treatment for reducing sleep disturbance in patients with early‐stage cancer. Some support was observed for qigong and hypnosis in reducing sleep disturbances in patients with early‐stage cancer who had completed active treatment. More rigorous trials are warranted to confirm whether different forms of MBTs have different effects on sleep in patients with cancer.
PSMA PET‐based stereotactic body radiotherapy for locally recurrent prostate cancer after definitive first‐line therapy
Authors: Gruen Arne , Tegel Katharina , Kluge Anne , Budach Volker , Zips Daniel , Boehmer Dirk
Published: July 2023

Background

Advances in prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET–computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow the detection and localization of exclusively local prostate‐cancer‐recurrences after definitive first‐line therapy. PSMA‐based early detection of circumscribed local recurrences followed by hypofractionated high‐precision stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) might yield long‐term disease control at moderate rates of adverse effects.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 35 patients treated for locally recurrent prostate cancer between November 2012 and December 2021 with PSMA PET‐ and MRI‐based robotic SBRT.

Results

Thirty‐five patients treated with local prostate cancer recurrence post surgery, post surgery, and adjuvant/salvage radiotherapy (RT) and after definitive RT. All but one patients had fractionated SBRT in 3–5 fractions. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 52.2 months for all patients and 52.2 months in the radical prostatectomy (RPE) group, 31.2 months in the RPE + RT group and not reached in the RT group. The most common event was increased urinary frequency grade 1–2. 54.3% of all patients had no acute and 79.4% no late toxicity during follow‐up.

Discussion

Our PFS of 52.2 months (RPE), 31.2 months (RPE + RT) and not reached (RT) compares favorably with published data. This method constitutes a valid alternative to morbidity‐prone invasive approaches or palliative systemic therapy.
Thirty years of slug control using the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita and beyond
Authors: Rae Robbie , Sheehy Laura , McDonald‐Howard Kerry
Published: July 2023

Several slug species are highly pestiferous and threaten global sustainable agriculture. Current control methods rely heavily on metaldehyde pellets, which are often ineffective, harm nontarget organisms and have been banned in some countries. A viable alternative is the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (and recently P. californica), which has been formulated into a biological control agent (Nemaslug®) to control slugs across northern Europe. Nematodes are mixed with water and applied to soil where they seek out slugs, penetrate behind the mantle and kill them in 4–21 days. Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita has been on the market since 1994 and since then there has been ample research on its use. Here we review the research carried out on P. hermaphrodita over the last 30 years since its development and release as a commercial product. We provide information on life cycle, worldwide distribution, history of commercialisation, gastropod immunity, host range, ecological and environmental factors that affect its success in the field, bacterial relationships, and summarise results of field trials. Finally, we suggest future directions for P. hermaphrodita research (and other Phasmarhabditis species) to enhance its use as a biological control agent to control slugs for the next 30 years. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Antidepressant use patterns in pregnancy
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: July 2023

The occurrence of depression during pregnancy and the peripartum period can have an adverse effect on both the mother (affecting proper dietary intake, normal sleep pattern, and general maternal health) and the child (including preterm birth and low birthweight). Maternal depression can also decrease breastfeeding initiation and lower maternal‐infant bonding.
Surgery of the alimentary tract for benign and malignant disease with the novel robotic platform HUGOTM RAS. A first world report of safety and feasibility
Authors: Gangemi Antonio , Bernante Paolo , Rottoli Matteo , Pasquali Federica , Poggioli Gilberto
Published: July 2023

Introduction

As robotic surgery increases its reach, novel platforms are being released. We present the first 17 consecutive cases of alimentary tract surgery performed with the HugoTM RAS (Medtronic).

Methods

patients were selected to undergo surgery from February through April 2023. Exclusion criteria were age <16 years, BMI>60, ASA IV.

Results

17 patients underwent ileocaecal resection for Chrons disease (2 M and 1 F) and pseudo‐obstruction of the terminal ileum (1 M), cholecystectomy (3 M and 5 F), subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy (1 F), sleeve gastrectomy (1 F), hiatal hernia repair with Nissen fundoplication (1 M), right hemicolectomy (1 M) and sigmoidectomy (1 M). No conversion to an open approach or any arm collisions requiring corrective actions were reported.

Conclusions

Our preliminary experience with the HugoTM RAS point to safety and feasibility for a rather wide spectrum of surgical procedures of the alimentary tract.
Robust distributed control within a curve virtual tube for a robotic swarm under self‐localization drift and precise relative navigation
Authors: Gao Yan , Bai Chenggang , Quan Quan
Published: July 2023

To guide the movement of a robotic swarm in a corridor‐like environment, a curve virtual tube with no obstacle inside was designed in our previous work. This article generalizes the controller design to the condition that all robots have self‐localization drifts and precise relative navigation, where the flocking algorithm is introduced to reduce the negative impact of the self‐localization drift. Similar to the “many wrongs principle,” it is shown that the cohesion behavior and the velocity alignment behavior are able to reduce the influence of the position measurement drift and the velocity measurement error, respectively. For convenience in practical use, a modified vector field controller with five control terms is put forward. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by numerical simulations and real experiments.