bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Hydrological Conditions and Dengue Fever Incidence in Coastal Southeastern China From 2013 to 2019
Authors: Li Chuanxi , Wang Zhendong , Yan Yu , Qu Yinan , Hou Liangyu , Li Yijie , Chu Cordia , Woodward Alistair , Schikowski Tamara , Saldiva Paulo Hilário Nascimento , Liu Qiyong , Zhao Qi , Ma Wei
Published: January 2023

Importance

Dengue fever is a climate-sensitive infectious disease. However, its association with local hydrological conditions and the role of city development remain unclear.

Objective

To quantify the association between hydrological conditions and dengue fever incidence in China and to explore the modification role of city development in this association.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study collected data between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019, from 54 cities in 4 coastal provinces in southeast China. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) was calculated from ambient temperature and precipitation, with SPEI thresholds of 2 for extreme wet conditions and −2 for extreme dry conditions. The SPEI–dengue fever incidence association was examined over a 6-month lag, and the modification roles of 5 city development dimensions were assessed. Data were analyzed in May 2022.

Exposures

City-level monthly temperature, precipitation, SPEI, and annual city development indicators from 2013 to 2019.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was city-level monthly dengue fever incidence. Spatiotemporal bayesian hierarchal models were used to examine the SPEI–dengue fever incidence association over a 6-month lag period. An interaction term between SPEI and each city development indicator was added into the model to assess the modification role of city development.

Results

Included in the analysis were 70 006 dengue fever cases reported in 54 cities in 4 provinces in China from 2013 to 2019. Overall, a U-shaped cumulative curve was observed, with wet and dry conditions both associated with increased dengue fever risk. The relative risk [RR] peaked at a 1-month lag for extreme wet conditions (1.27; 95% credible interval [CrI], 1.05-1.53) and at a 6-month lag for extreme dry conditions (1.63; 95% CrI, 1.29-2.05). The RRs of extreme wet and dry conditions were greater in areas with limited economic development, health care resources, and income per capita. Extreme dry conditions were higher and prolonged in areas with more green space per capita (RR, 1.84; 95% CrI, 1.37-2.46). Highly urbanized areas had a higher risk of dengue fever after extreme wet conditions (RR, 1.80; 95% CrI, 1.26-2.56), while less urbanized areas had the highest risk of dengue fever in extreme dry conditions (RR, 1.70; 95% CrI, 1.11-2.60).

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this study showed that extreme hydrological conditions were associated with increased dengue fever incidence within a 6-month lag period, with different dimensions of city development playing various modification roles in this association. These findings may help in developing climate change adaptation strategies and public health interventions against dengue fever.
Mistreatment and Wellness Among International Medical Graduates in US General Surgical Residency
Authors: Delgado Felipa Jennifer , Hu Andrew , Eng Joshua , Alam Hasan B. , McKoy June M. , Bilimoria Karl Y. , Hu Yue-Yung
Published: January 2023

This study uses data from a cross-sectional national survey of medical residents in the US to assess whether mistreatment experiences and wellness differ between international medical graduates and US medical graduates.
Association of Women Surgeons’ Comprehensive Initiative for Healthy Surgical Families During Residency and Fellowship Training
Authors: Johnson Helen M. , Torres Madeline B. , Möller Mecker G. , Cannada Lisa , Nosanov Lauren B. , Riner Andrea N. , Tatebe Leah C. , Reyna Chantal , Altieri Maria S.
Published: January 2023

Importance

The lack of family-friendly policies continues to contribute to the underrepresentation and attrition of surgical trainees. Women in surgery face unique challenges in balancing surgical education with personal and family needs.

Observations

The Association of Women Surgeons is committed to supporting surgical families and developing equitable family-friendly guidelines. Herein we detail recommendations for adequate paid parental leave, access to childcare, breastfeeding support, and insurance coverage of fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technology.

Conclusions and Relevance

The specific recommendations outlined in this document form the basis of a comprehensive initiative for supporting surgical families.
Neuro‐adaptive finite‐time optimal tracking control for permanent magnet synchronous motors with full‐state constraints
Authors: Ding Lusong , Wang Wei , Yu Yang
Published: January 2023

In this article, the optimal tracking control problem is investigated for permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) with full‐state constraints. By constructing multiple barrier‐type performance index functions, a neuro‐adaptive finite‐time optimized control scheme is presented under identifier‐actor‐critic architecture, where the virtual control laws and the actual laws are designed to optimize corresponding subsystems. It is proven that all signals of the closed‐loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded under the proposed control strategy, and the position tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of the origin in finite time. Besides, the system states are constrained to the effective operation range all the time. Finally, the simulation results and comparisons are carried out to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed optimal control approach.
Leaf‐Like TENGs for Harvesting Gentle Wind Energy at An Air Velocity as Low as 0.2 m s−1
Authors: Li Hao , Wen Jing , Ou Zhiqiang , Su Erming , Xing Fangjing , Yang Yuhan , Sun Yanshuo , Wang Zhong Lin , Chen Baodong
Published: January 2023

Existing technologies for harvesting electrical energy from gentle wind face an enormous challenge due to the limitations of cut‐in and rated wind speed. Here, a leaf‐like triboelectric nanogenerator (LL‐TENG) is proposed that uses contact electrification caused by the damped forced vibration of topology‐optimized structure consisting of flexible leaf, vein bearing plate, and counterweight piece. The effectiveness of the topology‐optimized leaf‐like structure is studied, which solves the problem of reduced output due to electrostatic adsorption between the leaf surfaces while reducing the cut‐in (0.2 m s−1) and rated wind speed (2.5 m s−1). The LL‐TENG unit having small dimensions of 40 cm−2 (mass of 9.7 g) at a gentle wind of 2.5 m s−1 exhibits outstanding electrical performances, which produces an open‐circuit voltage of 338 V, a short‐circuit current of 7.9 µA and the transferred charge density of 62.5 µC m−2 with a low resonant frequency of 4 Hz, giving an instantaneous peak power of 2 mW. A distributed power source consists of the five LL‐TENGs in parallel is developed by designed self‐adaptive structure, for which the peak power output reaches 3.98 mW, and its practicability and durability are successfully demonstrated. This study is a promising distributed power source technology to drive electronics in gentle wind outdoor environments.
Amorphous F‐doped TiOx Caulked SnO2 Electron Transport Layer for Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Exceeding 22.5%
Authors: Zhang Linghui , Fu Chao , Wang Shi , Wang Minhuan , Wang Ruiting , Xiang Shengling , Wang Zhiyong , Liu Jing , Ma Hongru , Wang Yudi , Yan Ying , Chen Min , Shi Lei , Dong Qingshun , Bian Jiming , Shi Yantao
Published: January 2023

Flexible perovskite solar cells (f‐PSCs) show great promise in portable‐power applications (e.g., chargers, drones) and low‐cost, scalable productions (e.g., roll‐to‐roll). However, in conventional n–i–p architecture f‐PSCs, the low‐temperature processed metal oxide electron transport layers (ETLs) usually suffer from high resistance and severe defects that limit the power conversion efficiency (PCE) improvement of f‐PSCs. Besides the enhancement in the mobility of metal oxide and passivation for perovskite/ETL interfacial defects reported in previous literature, herein, the electron transport loss between the metal oxide nanocrystallines within the ETL is studied by introducing an amorphous F‐doped TiOx (F‐TiOx) caulked crystalline SnO2 composite ETL. The F‐TiOx in this novel composite ETL acts as an interstitial medium between adjacent SnO2 nanocrystallines, which can provide more electron transport channels, effectively passivate oxygen vacancies, and optimize the energy level arrangement, thus significantly enhancing the electron mobility of ETL and reducing the charge transport losses. The composite ETL‐based f‐PSCs achieve a high PCE of 22.70% and good operational stability. Furthermore, a moderate roughness of the composite ETL endows f‐PSCs with superior mechanical reliability by virtue of a strong coupling at the ETL/perovskite interface, by which the f‐PSCs can maintain 82.11% of their initial PCE after 4000 bending cycles.
Highly Efficient and Stable Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells via Strain Management
Authors: Hang Pengjie , Kan Chenxia , Li Biao , Yao Yuxin , Hu Zechen , Zhang Yiqiang , Xie Jiangsheng , Wang Ying , Yang Deren , Yu Xuegong
Published: January 2023

Wide‐bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with high performance and stability are in considerable demand to boost tandem solar cell efficiencies. Perovskite bandgap broadening results in a high barrier for enhancing the efficiency of PSCs and phase segregation in perovskite. In this study, it is shown that the residual strain is the key factor affecting the WBG perovskite device efficiency and stability. The dimethyl sulfoxide addition helps lead halide with opening the layer spacing to form intermediate phases that provide more nucleation sites to eliminate lattice mismatch with organic components, which dominates the strain effects on the WBG perovskite growth in a sequential deposition. By minimizing the strain, 1.67 and 1.77 eV nip devices with record efficiencies of 22.28% and 20.45%, respectively, can be achieved. The greatly suppressed phase segregation enables the devices with retained 90–95% of initial efficiency over 4000 h of damp stability and 80–90% of initial efficiency over 700 h of maximum‐power‐point (MPP) stability. Besides, the 1.67 eV pin devices can achieve a competitive 22.3% efficiency with considerable damp‐heat, pre‐ultraviolet (pre‐UV) aging and MPP tracking stability according to IEC 61215. The final efficiency of more than 28.3% for the perovskite/Si tandem is obtained.
Efficient Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells on Industrially Compatible Textured Silicon
Authors: Luo Xin , Luo Haowen , Li Hongjiang , Xia Rui , Zheng Xuntian , Huang Zilong , Liu Zhou , Gao Han , Zhang Xueling , Li Songlin , Feng Zhiqiang , Chen Yifeng , Tan Hairen
Published: January 2023

Monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells promise power‐conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding the Shockley‐Queisser limit of single‐junction solar cells. The conformal deposition of perovskites on industrially feasible textured silicon solar cells allows for both lowered manufacturing costs and a higher matched photocurrent density, compared to state‐of‐the‐art tandems using front‐side flat or mildly textured silicon. However, the inferior crystal quality of perovskite films grown on fully‐textured silicon compromises the photovoltaic performance. Here, an anion‐engineered additive strategy is developed to control the crystallization process of wide‐bandgap perovskite films, which enables improved film crystallinity, reduced trap density, and conformal deposition on industrially textured silicon. This strategy allows the fabrication of 28.6%‐efficient perovskite/silicon heterojunction tandem solar cells (certified 27.9%, 1 cm2). This approach is compatible with the scalable fabrication of tandems on industrially textured silicon, demonstrating an efficiency of 25.1% for an aperture area of 16 cm2. The anion‐engineered additive significantly improves the operating stability of wide‐bandgap perovskite solar cells, and the encapsulated tandem solar cells retain over 80% of their initial performance following 2000 h of operation under full 1‐sun illumination in ambient conditions.
Molecular Generative Model via Retrosynthetically Prepared Chemical Building Block Assembly
Authors: Seo Seonghwan , Lim Jaechang , Kim Woo Youn
Published: January 2023

Deep generative models are attracting attention as a smart molecular design strategy. However, previous models often render molecules with low synthesizability, hindering their real‐world applications. Here, a novel graph‐based conditional generative model which makes molecules by tailoring retrosynthetically prepared chemical building blocks until achieving target properties in an auto‐regressive fashion is proposed. This strategy improves the synthesizability and property control of the resulting molecules and also helps learn how to select appropriate building blocks and bind them together to achieve target properties. By applying a negative sampling method to the selection process of building blocks, this model overcame a critical limitation of previous fragment‐based models, which can only use molecules from the training set during generation. As a result, the model works equally well with unseen building blocks without sacrificing computational efficiency. It is demonstrated that the model can generate potential inhibitors with high docking scores against the 3CL protease of SARS‐COV‐2.
A biallelic frameshift indel in PPP1R35 as a cause of primary microcephaly
Authors: Dawood Moez , Akay Gulsen , Mitani Tadahiro , Marafi Dana , Fatih Jawid M. , Gezdirici Alper , Najmabadi Hossein , Kahrizi Kimia , Punetha Jaya , Grochowski Christopher M. , Du Haowei , Jolly Angad , Li He , Coban‐Akdemir Zeynep , Sedlazeck Fritz J. , Hunter Jill V. , Jhangiani Shalini N. , Muzny Donna , Pehlivan Davut , Posey Jennifer E. , Carvalho Claudia M. B. , Gibbs Richard A. , Lupski James R.
Published: January 2023

Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 35 (PPP1R35) encodes a centrosomal protein required for recruiting microtubule‐binding elongation machinery. Several proteins in this centriole biogenesis pathway correspond to established primary microcephaly (MCPH) genes, and multiple model organism studies hypothesize PPP1R35 as a candidate MCPH gene. Here, using exome sequencing (ES) and family‐based rare variant analyses, we report a homozygous, frameshifting indel deleting the canonical stop codon in the last exon of PPP1R35 [Chr7: c.753_*3delGGAAGCGTAGACCinsCG (p.Trp251Cysfs*22)]; the variant allele maps in a 3.7 Mb block of absence of heterozygosity (AOH) in a proband with severe MCPH (−4.3 SD at birth, −6.1 SD by 42 months), pachygyria, and global developmental delay from a consanguineous Turkish kindred. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) confirmed mutant mRNA expression in fibroblasts. In silico prediction of the translation of mutant PPP1R35 is expected to be elongated by 18 amino acids before encountering a downstream stop codon. This complex indel allele is absent in public databases (ClinVar, gnomAD, ARIC, 1000 genomes) and our in‐house database of 14,000+ exomes including 1800+ Turkish exomes supporting predicted pathogenicity. Comprehensive literature searches for PPP1R35 variants yielded two probands affected with severe microcephaly (−15 SD and −12 SD) with the same homozygous indel from a single, consanguineous, Iranian family from a cohort of 404 predominantly Iranian families. The lack of heterozygous cases in two large cohorts representative of the genetic background of these two families decreased our suspicion of a founder allele and supports the contention of a recurrent mutation. We propose two potential secondary structure mutagenesis models for the origin of this variant allele mediated by hairpin formation between complementary GC rich segments flanking the stop codon via secondary structure mutagenesis.
Mosaic genome‐wide paternal uniparental disomy after discordant results from primary fetal samples and cultured cells
Authors: Mastromoro Gioia , Guadagnolo Daniele , Marchionni Enrica , Torres Barbara , Goldoni Marina , Onori Annamaria , Bernardini Laura , De Luca Alessandro , Torrente Isabella , Pizzuti Antonio
Published: January 2023

Mosaic genome‐wide paternal uniparental disomy (GWpUPD) is a rare condition in which two euploid cell lines coexist in the same individual, one with biparental content and one with genome‐wide paternal isodisomy. We report a complex prenatal diagnosis with discordant results from cultured and uncultured samples. A pregnant woman was referred for placental mesenchymal dysplasia and fetal omphalocele. Karyotype, array‐CGH and Beckwith‐Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS) testing (methylation‐specific multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MS‐MLPA) of 11p15) performed on amniocytes were negative. After intrauterine fetal demise, the clinical suspicion persisted and BWS MS‐MLPA was repeated on cultured cells from umbilical cord and amniotic fluid, revealing a mosaicism for KvH19 hypermethylation/KCNQ1OT1:TSS:DMR hypomethylation. These results, along with microsatellite analysis of the BWS region, were consistent with mosaic paternal 11p15 isodisomy. A concurrent maternal contamination exclusion test, analyzing polymorphic microsatellite markers on multiple chromosomes, showed an imbalance in favor of paternal alleles at all examined loci on cultured amniocytes and umbilical cord samples. This led to suspicion of mosaic GWpUPD, later confirmed by SNP‐array, identifying a mosaic genome‐wide paternal isodisomy affecting 60% of fetal cells. The assessment of mosaic GWpUPD requires multiple approaches beyond the current established diagnostic processes, also entertaining possible low‐rate mosaicism. Clinical acumen and an integrated testing approach are the key to a successful diagnosis.
Valorization of hemp fibers into biocomposites via one‐step pectin‐based green fabrication process
Authors: Both Avinash Kumar , Choudhry Deepa , Cheung Chin Li
Published: January 2023

In this paper, an environmentally friendly fabrication process was reported to valorize hemp fibers into biocomposites through a pectin‐based crosslinking reaction. In this water‐based chemical approach, the hemp fibers were crosslinked via a transesterification process between pectin and lignin present in hemp fibers to produce hemp fiber composites in a one‐step process. Our green process was advantageous over conventional processes that rely on the use of petroleum‐based organic solvents and high reaction temperatures because water was used as the reaction solvent with a mild reaction temperature (70°C). Additionally, to further optimize this biocomposite fabrication process, one‐factor analysis of variance study was carried out for investigating the main and interaction effects of the mass ratios of pectin to hemp fiber (1:5, 2:5, 3:5, 4:5, and 5:5) on the compressive strength and bulk density of the hemp fiber composite materials. In addition, the fabrication process was explored at different pH values to probe its versatility. The compressive strength of the as‐synthesized hemp fiber composite materials was observed to be dependent on the pH of the reaction conditions, indirectly confirming the formation of ester bonds between pectin and the lignin of hemp fibers via transesterification.
Preparation of cationic polyacrylate W/O crude oil emulsion demulsifier by free‐radical solution polymerization
Authors: Yuan Sisi , Wang Yongjun , Wang Xiujun , Liao Donghua , Duan Ming , Fang Shenwen
Published: January 2023

The block polyether demulsifier prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide under high temperature and high pressure is the most widely used demulsifier for water in crude oil emulsion. It has the high synthesis risk and cost. Therefore, the development of non‐block polyether demulsifier has attracted more and more attention. In this article, a new type of demulsifier was sythesized by radical polymerization of acrylate and cationic monomer. It was found that the copolymer PMA‐co‐PDBC of methyl acrylate (MA) and benzyldimethyl [2‐[(1‐oxoallyl)oxy] ethyl] ammonium chloride (DBC) synthesized in the mixed solvent of dipropylene glycol methyl ether and water had a good performance. When dosage of PMA‐co‐PDBC was 200 mg/L, the dehydration rate of water in crude oil emulsion with 50% water content can reach 80% at 80°C within 4 h. Structural and interface properties analysis presented that PMA‐co‐PDBC had a microblock structure similar with block polyether and it can effectively reduce the strength of W/O interfacial film to realize the demulsification. Although the demulsification performance of PMA‐co‐PDBC was not better than block polyether, its preparation safety and cost are much better. The results of this article can provide a new option for the development of crude oil demulsifier.
Preparation and drug release performance of amphiphilic medical hot‐melt pressure sensitive adhesives based on polystyrene‐isoprene‐styrene
Authors: Zhou Jing , Xu Yuhan , Guo Weihong
Published: January 2023

Hot‐melt pressure‐sensitive adhesives (HMPSAs) with polystyrene‐isoprene‐styrene (SIS) as the backbone material are widely used in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) because of their high cohesive strength and drug‐carrying capacity. However, it is restricted by its high hydrophobicity when loaded with hydrophilic drugs. In this study, HMPSAs with amphiphilic properties were created by mixing SIS with fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO‐9) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different molecular weights to improve the ability of HMPSAs to deliver hydrophilic drugs. The effects of different molecular weights of PEG on the hydrophilicity of HMPSAs were also investigated. Additionally, gardenia glycosides and oleanolic acid were selected for drug release experiments. Compared to untreated HMPSAs, HMPSAs modified with AEO‐9 and PEG2000 could convert from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. The contact angle could be reduced from 91.8 to 25.6°, and the 24‐hour water absorption could be raised by 170%. The drug release experiments demonstrate that SIS/AEO‐9/PEG2000 enhances the release efficiency of the hydrophilic drug gardenia jasminoides by 69%. In summary, as a novel amphiphilic medicinal HMPSAs, SIS/AEO‐9/PEG offered a broad application promise in hydrophilic drug release.
Novel antistatic glass fiber reinforced heat‐resistant PA10T composites with excellent processing properties and thermal stability
Authors: Zhu Rongli , Pu Zejun , Hou Hongbo , Wang Xu , Li Xianyong , Yu Dayang , Zhong Jiachun , Song Ying
Published: January 2023

In this work, the antistatic effect of antistatic agent (AA) on semi‐aromatic poly (decamethylene terephthalamide) (PA10T) with 30 wt.% glass fiber (GF) was investigated. The PA10T/AGF antistatic composites with excellent thermal characteristics, balanced toughness, and notched impact strength were prepared through one‐step melt blending, and added the AA and GF to the PA10T matrix. Meanwhile, the structure, morphology, thermal properties, and mechanical properties were examined in detail by FT‐IR, SEM, TGA, DSC, and tensile and impulse testing. The results showed that the antistatic GF dispersed well in the PA10T matrix and interacted well with the PA10T matrix. The antistatic properties increased with the increase of AA content, and AA/GF‐5 composites had the best antistatic effect when AA content was 25 wt.%. However, with the increase of AA content, the melt temperature of PA10T/AGF composites decreased, while the machining performance and thermal stability of PA10T/AGF composites increased. The composites' tensile strength and breaking elongation followed a rising and falling pattern with increasing AA concentration. Notwithstanding, the notched impact strength of PA10T/AGF composites decreased and then increased. Therefore, this work provides us with a deep understanding of the antistatic effect of AA on polymers.
Adult porcine (Sus scrofa) derived inner ear cells: Characteristics in in‐vitro cultures
Authors: Wijesinghe Printha , Sastry Anand , Hui Elizabeth , Cogan Tristan A. , Zheng Boyuan , Ho Germain , Kakal Juzer , Nunez Desmond A.
Published: January 2023

There is a need for an animal model that closely parallels human cochlea gestational development. This study aims to document porcine inner ear anatomy, and in vitro porcine derived inner ear cell culture characteristics. Twenty‐four temporal bone were harvested from 12 adult pigs (Sus scrofa). Six were formalin fixed and their maximal diameters were measured. The cochlea duct length was determined by the insertion length of a Nucleus 22 cochlear implant in two bones. Four formalin fixed bones were sectioned for histology. Cochlear and vestibular tissues were harvested from non‐fixed bones, cultured and characterized at different passages (P). Gene and protein expression of multipotent stem/progenitor (Nestin and Sox2), inner ear hair (Myosin VIIa, Prestin) and supporting (Cytokeratin 18 and Vimentin) cell markers were determined. The porcine cochlea was a 3.5 turn spiral. There was a separate vestibular compartment. The cochlear mean maximal diameter and height was 7.99 and 3.77 mm, respectively. Sphere forming cells were identified on phase‐contrast microscopy. The relative mRNA expression levels of KRT18, MYO7A and SLC26A5 were significantly positively correlated in cochlear cultures; and MYO7A and SLC26A5; SOX2 and KRT18; NES and SLC26A5 genes were positively correlated in vestibular cultures (p = .037, Spearman correlation [τ] = .900). Inner ear sensory and stem cell characteristics persist in passaged porcine inner ear cells. Further work is required to establish the usefulness of porcine inner ear cell cultures to the study of human inner ear disorders.
Extended observer‐based hybrid tracking control strategy for networked system with FDI attacks
Authors: Xu Longyu , Chen Yong , Li Meng , Zhang Longjie , Mahmoud Gafary
Published: January 2023

This paper studies the speed tracking control of networked control systems (NCSs) with external disturbance and false data injection (FDI) attacks. First, the system model with external disturbances and FDI attacks is built. Then, an extended observer based on discrete time sliding function and neural network (NN) is proposed to observe the extended states and suppress the effect of external disturbance and FDI attacks. Furthermore, a novel hybrid discrete‐time sliding mode control (HDSMC) strategy combining discrete time sliding mode control with super‐twisting control is designed to perform closed‐loop control of the system, in which the exponential term and nonlinear term are constructed to restrain the jitters. The convergence and reachability of the sliding motion are proofed. Finally, the validity and feasibility of the proposed methods are proved by simulations and experiments.
A ratiometric fluorescent sensor for the detection of phosphate
Authors: Liu Jiayi , Liu Yibing , Wang Wei , Zhang Siqi , Tang Li , Ma Pinyi , Song Daqian , Fei Qiang
Published: January 2023

Over the past few years, ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobes have garnered substantial interest because of their self‐calibration characteristics. This research developed a ratiometric fluorescent sensor to detect phosphate. Through encapsulating luminescent materials, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and carbon dots (CDs) into a zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8), the fluorescence signal of AuNCs was enhanced, while that of CDs was suppressed. After phosphate was added, it could decompose ZIF‐8, and AuNCs and CDs were released, which weakened the fluorescence signal of the AuNCs while restoring that of the CDs. Thereby, this makes CDs/AuNCs@ZIF‐8 a potential fluorescent sensor for phosphate determination. The ratiometric sensor had facile synthesis, good selectivity, and a low detection limit. Therefore, this sensor was an effective tool for the detection of phosphate.
Distribution of the tensor of the vastus intermedius
Authors: Park Hyeng‐Kyu , Han Jae‐Young , Cho Young‐Suk , Nam Kwang‐Il
Published: January 2023

The tensor of the vastus intermedius (TVI) was first described by Grob et al. in 2016. It originates from the anteroinferior greater trochanter and inserts into the upper patella and receives blood and nerves independently of other muscles. It has been overlooked, but since micro‐surgery and detailed rehabilitation treatments are being developed, more research on it is warranted. Here we report on the TVI in a Korean cadaveric study. A total of 58 cadavers (41 males and 17 females) were included. Thighs were examined using a standardized dissection protocol. The quadriceps femoris muscle was identified and its components were defined by blunt dissection. A total of 116 lower limbs were dissected. In 40 of them, there was a separately innervated TVI muscle belly between the fasciae of the vastus lateralis (VL) and the vastus intermedius (VI) muscles. TVIs were classed as independent (ID), VI, and VL types according to the relative relationship between the TVI, VL, and VI, and subdivided into two parts: Part 1 was the proximal muscular portion of the TVI attached to the VL or VI, and part 2 was the distal aponeurotic area. TVIs were analyzed in detail via 58 Korean cadavers. We subdivided them on the basis of their location and association with related muscles. A larger study is needed to clarify the function and prevalence of the TVI.
Aortic valve fenestrations: Macroscopic assessment and functional anatomy study
Authors: Dudkiewicz Damian , Zhingre Sanchez Jorge D. , Hołda Jakub , Bolechała Filip , Strona Marcin , Kopacz Paweł , Iaizzo Paul A. , Koziej Mateusz , Hołda Mateusz K. , Konieczyńska Małgorzata
Published: January 2023

Aortic valve fenestrations are defined as a loss of aortic valve leaflet tissue. They are a common but overlooked finding with unclear significance. The aim of this study was to investigate the varied functional anatomies of aortic valve fenestrations. A total of 400 formalin‐fixed autopsied human hearts were macroscopically assessed and the function of the aortic valve of 16 reanimated human hearts were imaged using Visible Heart® methodologies. Aortic valve leaflet fenestrations were present in 43.0% of autopsied hearts (in one leaflet in 24.0%, in two leaflets 16.0%, in all leaflets 3.0%). Fenestrations were mostly present in left (25.5%) followed by right (23.3%) and noncoronary leaflet (16.3%). In 93.8% of cases, the fenestrations form clusters and were mainly located at the free edge of the leaflet in the commissural area (95.4%). Hearts with aortic valve fenestrations had significantly larger aortic valve diameters and aortic valve areas (p < 0.001). The average surface area sizes of fenestrations were 23.8 ± 16.6 mm2, and the areas were largest for left followed by right and noncoronary leaflet fenestrations (p < 0.001). The fenestration areas positively correlated with donor age (r = 0.31; p = 0.02). Significant hypermobility and subjective weakening of the leaflet adhesion levels of the fenestrated regions were observed. In conclusion, fenestrations of the aortic leaflets are frequent, and their sizes may be significant. They occur in all age groups, yet their size increase with aging. Fragments of leaflets with fenestrations show different behaviors during the cardiac cycle versus unchanged areas.
A Drug Repurposing Approach to Identify Therapeutics by Screening Pathogen Box Exploiting SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease
Authors: Tyagi Rashmi , Paul Anubrat , Raj V. Samuel , Ojha Krishna Kumar , Kumar Sunil , Panda Aditya K , Chaurasia Anurag , Yadav Manoj Kumar
Published: January 2023

Coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and is responsible for a higher degree of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is a smaller number of approved therapeutics available to target the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, and the virus is evolving at a fast pace. So, there is a continuous need for new therapeutics to combat COVID‐19. The main protease (Mpro) enzyme of SARS‐CoV‐2 is essential for replication and transcription of the viral genome, thus could be a potent target for the treatment of COVID‐19. In the present study, we performed an in‐silico screening analysis of 400 diverse bioactive inhibitors with proven antibacterial and antiviral properties against Mpro drug target. Ten compounds showed a higher binding affinity for Mpro than the reference compound (N3), with desired physicochemical properties. Furthermore, in‐depth docking and superimposition revealed that three compounds (MMV1782211, MMV1782220, and MMV1578574) are actively interacting with the catalytic domain of Mpro. In addition, the molecular dynamics simulation study showed a solid and stable interaction of MMV178221‐Mpro complex compared to the other two molecules (MMV1782220, and MMV1578574). In line with this observation, MM/PBSA free energy calculation also demonstrated the highest binding free energy of −115.8 kJ/mol for MMV178221‐Mpro compound. In conclusion, the present in silico analysis revealed MMV1782211 as a possible and potent molecule to target the Mpro and must be explored in vitro and in vivo to combat the COVID‐19.
2‐Aminothiazole‐Oxadiazole Bearing N‐Arylated Butanamides: Convergent Synthesis, Tyrosinase Inhibition, Kinetics, Structure‐Activity Relationship, and Binding Conformations
Authors: Raza Hussain , Rehman Sadiq Butt Abdul , Athar Abbasi Muhammad , Aziz‐ur‐Rehman  , Zahra Siddiqui Sabahat , Hassan Mubashir , Adnan Ali Shah Syed , Ja Kim Song
Published: January 2023

A multi‐step synthesis of novel bi‐heterocyclic N‐arylated butanamides was consummated through a convergent strategy and the structures of these medicinal scaffolds, 7a–h, were corroborated using spectral techniques. The in vitro analysis of these hybrid molecules revealed their potent tyrosinase inhibition as compared to the standard used. The kinetics mechanism was investigated through Lineweaver‐Burk plots which exposed that, 7f, inhibited tyrosinase enzyme non‐competitively by forming the enzyme‐inhibitor complex. The inhibition constants Ki calculated from Dixon plots for this compound was 0.025 μM. Their binding conformations were ascertained by in silico computational studies whereby these molecules disclosed good binding energy values (kcal/mol). So, it was anticipated from the current research that these bi‐heterocyclic butanamides might be probed as imperative therapeutic agents for melanogenesis.
Bioactive Dimeric Diterpenoids from Taiwania cryptomerioides (Hayata) and Their Biological Activities
Authors: Wang Wen‐Li , Zhu Dong‐Rong , Li Ling‐Nan , Liu Xiao‐Qin , Zhu Li , Zhu Tian‐Yu , Chen Chen , Han Chao , Ying Pin , Lin Zhi‐Hua , Luo Jian‐Guang , Kong Ling‐Yi
Published: January 2023

Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata is an endangered relict plant belonging to Taxodiaceae, and it is also an endemic plant to China. The decay‐resistant of Taiwania timber can provide highly quality wood for building and furniture. Plenty of regenerative of leaves of T. cryptomerioides also has been used as a resource for the discovery of new dimeric diterpenoids. In a search for structurally diverse dimeric diterpenoids and potent bioactive isolates, ten new heterodimeric diterpenoids, taiwaniadducts K−T (1–4, 6, 8–11, and 14), along with five known ones (5, 7, 12, 13, and 15), were isolated from the leaves of T. cryptomerioides. These new compounds were defined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, putative biosynthetic pathways, and the values of optical. Biologically, anti‐multidrug resistance (MDR) activities of compounds were evaluated. Compounds 4 and 10 exerted a 9.18‐fold potentiation effect on bortezmib (BTZ) susceptibility at a tested concentration (20 μM) better than the positive control verapamil. The research of the leaves of T. cryptomerioides not only added the new data to the structural diversity and activities of dimeric diterpenoids but also could provide support for the medical and industrial application of the leaves of this endangered relict plant.
Affinity Studies of Hemicyanine Derived Water Soluble Colorimetric Probes with Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen/Sulfur Species
Authors: Ghosh Riya , Debnath Snehasish , Bhattacharya Arnab , Chatterjee Pabitra B.
Published: January 2023

Peroxynitrite (ONOO‐) is an essential endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in mitochondria under various pathological and physiological conditions. An increase in its level in mitochondria is related to numerous diseases. Herein, we report a series of hemicyanine‐derived water‐soluble colorimetric probes (1–4) and the reactivity of which was studied with various reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur species. Probes 1–4 are formed by conjugating 1,2,3,3‐tetramethyl‐3H‐indolium iodide and 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde or its derivatives through an alkene linkage formed by the Knoevenagel reaction. Oxidative cleavage of the electron‐rich double bond of the conjugated hemicyanine dye revealed a discerning affinity of probe 3 towards peroxynitrite among all reactive oxygen species. The rapid change in color of 3 provides a sensitive and selective method for detecting peroxynitrite with a low detection limit of 180 nM. Notably, the water solubility of the probe displays excellent performance for the selective detection of peroxynitrite among ROS and reactive nitrogen (RNS)/sulfur species (RSS). UV‐vis, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopic data and results from theoretical calculations provide further information on the interaction of peroxynitrite with probe 3.
Tooth adornment among siblings living in an urban slum in Nigeria: Health implications for a vulnerable population
Authors: Osuh Mary E. , Oyaniran Olaide H. , Tunde‐Alao Tobi S. , Lawal Folake B. , Oke Gbemisola A. , Osuh Jackson I. , Harris Bronwyn , Chen Yen‐Fu , Lilford Richard J.
Published: January 2023

Tooth jewelry boosts the appearance and confidence of wearers. However, its use may carry adverse health consequences. This paper creates awareness about a practice not previously reported in Nigeria, to prevent negative health consequences while appropriate measures are taken to quantify and describe the determinants and plan appropriate interventions.
Resynchronization effects and clinical outcomes during left bundle branch area pacing with and without conduction system capture
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Chen Lu , Zhou Xiaohong , Huang Jingjuan , Zhu Shiwei , Shen E. , Pan Changqing , Hou Xumin , Li Ruogu , He Ben
Published: January 2023

Background

Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) includes left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) and left ventricular (LV) septal myocardial pacing (LVSP).

Hypothesis

The study aimed to assess resynchronization effects and clinical outcomes by LBBAP in heart failure (HF) patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) indications.

Methods

LBBAP was successfully performed in 29 consecutive patients and further classified as the LBBP‐group (N = 15) and LVSP‐group (N = 14) based on the LBBP criteria and novel LV conduction time measurement (LV CT, between LBBAP site and LV pacing (LVP) site). AV‐interval optimized LBBP or LVSP, or LVSP combined with LVP (LVSP‐LVP) was applied. LV electrical and mechanical synchrony and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results

All 15 patients in the LBBP‐group received optimized LBBP while 14 patients in the LVSP‐group received either optimized LVSP (5) or LVSP‐LVP (9). The LV CT during LBBP was significantly faster than that during LVP (p < .001), while LV CT during LVSP were similar to LVP (p = .226). The stimulus to peak LV activation time (Stim‐LVAT, 71.2 ± 8.3 ms) and LV mechanical synchrony (TSI‐SD, 35.3 ± 9.5 ms) during LBBP were significantly shorter than those during LVSP (Stim‐LVAT 89.1 ± 19.5 ms, TSI‐SD 49.8 ± 14.4 ms, both p < .05). Following 17(IQR 8) months of follow‐up, the improvement of LVEF (26.0%(IQR 16.0)) in the LBBP‐group was significantly greater than that in the LVSP‐group (6.0%(IQR 20.8), p = .001).

Conclusions

LV activation in LBBP propagated significantly faster than that of LVSP. LBBP generated superior electrical and mechanical resynchronization and better LVEF improvement over LVSP in HF patients with CRT indications.
A Synthetic Overview of Benzoxazines and Benzoxazepines as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Chatterjee Indranil , Ali Kasim , Panda Gautam
Published: January 2023

Benzoxazines and benzoxazepines are nitrogen and oxygen‐containing six and seven‐membered benzo‐fused heterocyclic scaffolds, respectively. Benzoxazepines and benzoxazines are well‐known pharmacophores in pharmaceutical chemistry, which are of significant interest and have been extensively studied because of their promising activity against various diseases including their wide range of anticancer activity. Several reports are known for synthesizing benzoxazine and benzoxazepine‐based compounds in the literature. Herein this review provides a critical analysis of synthetic strategies towards benzoxazines and benzoxazepines along with various ranges of anticancer activities based on these molecules that have been reported from 2010 onwards. This review also focuses on the structure‐activity relationship of the benzoxazine and benzoxazepine scaffolds containing bioactive compounds and describes how the structural modification affects their anticancer activity.
Global cancer surgery in low‐resource settings: A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis
Authors: Sadler Samantha J. , Torio Erickson F. , Golby Alexandra J.
Published: January 2023

Global cancer surgery is an essential and complex component of oncologic care. This study aims to describe global cancer surgery literature since the 2015 Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and Cancer Surgery and perform a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. A systematic search was performed in PubMed of global cancer surgery articles. Themes were extracted from the included studies based on the following criteria: (1) performed in low‐ or low‐middle–income countries, (2) published during or after 2015, (3) published in peer‐reviewed journals, (4) written in the English language, and (5) accessible to the authors. Themes were further grouped into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis). The search strategy identified 154 articles published from 1992 to 2022. Forty‐six articles were included in the qualitative synthesis and SWOT analysis. Recurring themes included local epidemiologic studies, local innovations and feasibility studies, prioritizing quality of life outcomes, multidisciplinary team approaches, limited resources, health system gaps, lack of economic analyses, diverse cancer management strategies and priorities, inter‐setting collaboration, research expansion, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and unchecked technological advancements. These strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were described and related to the themes of research, surgical systems strengthening, economics and financing, and political framing of the 2015 Lancet Commission on Global Cancer Surgery. SWOT analyses of global cancer surgery may be helpful in suggesting future strategies for this expanding field.

Plain language summary

Cancer surgery is a resource‐intensive yet essential component of cancer care.

In the face of projected growth of cancer burden, the present gap in cancer surgery care in low‐resource settings with stressed health care and surgical infrastructure risks further exacerbation.

We present a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis of recent global cancer surgery literature pertaining to low‐resource settings.
A novel clustering and optimal resource scheduling in vehicular cloud networks using MKMA and the CM‐CSO algorithm
Authors: Ruhin Kouser R. , Manikandan T.
Published: January 2023

Various opportunities aimed at the employment of delay‐sensitive applications in the vehicular environment are presented by the vehicular cloud (VC). Contrary to diverse wireless networks, VC networks possess exceptional features among others, namely, shorter transmission time along with a higher dynamic topology. Although integration with the cloud offers higher storage along with computation capabilities, it as well entails restricted resource availability. The restrictions on the number of resources serve as a challenge in servicing the applications with their necessary quality of service (QoS) guarantees as the number of service requests for applications keeps on augmenting with diverse circumstances. Thus, the need for an effective scheduling methodology arises to decide the sequence of servicing application requests and successful utilization of a broadcast medium, along with data transmission. To do efficient resource scheduling on VC networks, an optimization algorithm, namely, the crossover and mutation (CM)‐centered chicken swarm optimization (CSO) is proposed and implemented with the help of a publicly available dataset. Initially, the VC infrastructure is initialized and some vehicle information is extracted as features. Next, the Brownian motion‐centered bacteria foraging optimization (BM‐BFO) algorithm chooses the essential features. Centered on the chosen features, the vehicles are clustered using the modified K‐means algorithm. Next, as for the cloud server's virtual machines (VMs), the resource information is extracted. Lastly, the CM‐CSO algorithm carries out the optimal scheduling in the VC by means of the clustered features of vehicles and features of the VM. The proposed techniques' findings are scrutinized and analogized to the other prevailing methodologies to confirm that the proposed work performs effectively and gives optimal resource allocation (RA) to the VC.
Improved bat optimization algorithm and enhanced artificial bee colony‐based cluster routing scheme for extending network lifetime in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Janakiraman Sengathir
Published: January 2023

In this paper, improved bat and enhanced artificial bee colony optimization algorithm‐based cluster routing (IBEABCCR) scheme is proposed for optimal cluster head (CH) selection with the merits of global diversity and improved convergence rate. It is proposed for achieving optimal CH selection by balancing the tradeoff between the phases of exploration and exploitation. It specifically targeted on the formulation of an ideal CH selection scheme using improved bat optimization algorithm (IBOA) for minimizing the energy depletion rate. It also focuses on the design of an enhanced artificial bee colony (EABC)‐based sink node mobility scheme for determining the optimal points of deployment over which sink nodes can be moved to achieve better delivery of packets from CH to sink node. This CH selection and sink node mobility schemes are contributed for extending the network lifespan using the fitness function, which adopted the factors of node centrality, node degree, distance amid CH and base station (BS), distance among sensor nodes, and residual energy during CH selection process. The simulation experiments were performed using MATLAB version 2018, which confirmed that the number of alive nodes realized in the network is enhanced by 39.21% with the location of BS positioned at (100, 100). The number of rounds (network lifetime) is enhanced by 23.84% with different BS locations in the network. Furthermore, the packets received at the BS are also realized to be enhanced by 26.32% on an average in contrast to the baseline CH schemes used for investigation.