bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anchoring an Iridium Pincer Complex in a Hydrophobic Microporous Polymer for Application in Continuous‐Flow Alkane Dehydrogenation
Authors: König Michaela , Traxler Michael , Rudolph Maik Alexander , Schmidt Johannes , Küçükkeçeci Hüseyin , Schomäcker Reinhard , Thomas Arne
Published: July 2022

An iridium pincer complex {p‐KO‐C6H2‐2,6‐[OP(t‐Bu)2]2}Ir(C2H4) is immobilized in a propyl bromide‐functionalized microporous polymer network using the concepts of surface organometallic chemistry. The support material enables the formation of isolated active metal sites embedded in a chemically robust and highly hydrophobic environment. The catalyst maintained high porosity and – without prior activation – exhibited high activity in the continuous‐flow dehydrogenation of cyclohexane at elevated temperatures. The catalyst shows a stable performance for at least 7 days, even when additional H2O was co‐fed, owing to its hydrophobic nature.
What Defines a Crystal Structure? Effects of Chalcogen Atoms in 3,7‐Bis(methylchalcogeno)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dichalcogenophene‐Based Organic Semiconductors†
Authors: Takimiya Kazuo , Bulgarevich Kirill , Sahara Kamon , Kanazawa Kiseki , Takenaka Hiroyuki , Kawabata Kohsuke
Published: July 2022

Comprehensive Summary

To understand the effects of chalcogen atoms on the crystal structure of the series of 3,7‐bis(methylchalcogeno)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dichalcogenophene‐based organic semiconductors, three benzodifuran derivatives (1—3) and dimethoxy derivatives of benzodithiophene and benzodiselenophene (4 and 7) were newly synthesized to complete the “3 × 3 matrix” of the oxygen‐, sulfur‐, and selenium‐derivatives (1—9). The crystal structures of 1—9 were classified into four classes, sandwich pitched π‐stack (1), dimeric (2 and 3), pitched π‐stack (4, 5, 7, 8, 9), and brickwork structure (6 and 9). The causes for the different crystal structures depending on the chalcogen atoms were investigated by the theoretical calculations, indicating that the chalcogen atoms in the core and substituents primarily affected the packing structures. Although the crystal growth in the vapor phase afforded different polymorphs, the relationship between the crystal structure and the carrier transport property was carefully investigated. With these comprehensive evaluations, we conclude that; i) methylchalcogenolation is a powerful tool to alter the packing structure, ii) each methylchalcogeno group has its features that largely influence the intermolecular interaction and electronic structure in the solid state, and iii) organic semiconductors being crystallizable into appropriate pitched π‐stack structures are promising as high‐performance active materials for FET applications.
Aqueous OH−/H+ Dual‐Ion Zn‐Based Batteries
Authors: Cai Pingwei , Chen Kai , Lu Zhiwen , Mondal Ritwik , Thotiyl Musthafa Ottakam , Wen Zhenhai
Published: July 2022

Aqueous Zn‐based batteries hold multiple advantages of eco‐friendliness, easy accessibility, high safety, easy fabrication, and fast kinetics, while their widespread applications have been greatly limited by the relatively narrow thermodynamically stable potential windows (i. e., 1.23 V) of water and the mismatched pH conditions between cathode and anode, which presents challenges regarding how to maximize the output voltage and the energy density. Recently, aqueous OH−/H+ dual‐ion Zn‐based batteries (OH−/H+‐DIZBs), where the Zn anode reacts with hydroxide ions (OH−) in alkaline electrolyte while hydrogen ions (H+) are involved in the cathode reaction in the acidic electrolyte, have been reported to be capable of broadening the working voltage and improving the energy density, which offers practical feasibility toward overcoming the above limitations. This Review thus takes this chance to investigate the recent progress on aqueous OH−/H+‐DIZBs. First, the concept and the history of such OH−/H+‐DIZBs are introduced, and then special emphasis is put on the working mechanisms, the progress of the development of new batteries, and how the electrolytes improve their performance. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed.
Priority effects in coral–macroalgae interactions can drive alternate community paths in the absence of top‐down control
Authors: Adam Thomas C. , Holbrook Sally J. , Burkepile Deron E. , Speare Kelly E. , Brooks Andrew J. , Ladd Mark C. , Shantz Andrew A. , Vega Thurber Rebecca , Schmitt Russell J.
Published: July 2022

The outcomes of species interactions can vary greatly in time and space with the outcomes of some interactions determined by priority effects. On coral reefs, benthic algae rapidly colonize disturbed substrate. In the absence of top‐down control from herbivorous fishes, these algae can inhibit the recruitment of reef‐building corals, leading to a persistent phase shift to a macroalgae‐dominated state. Yet, corals may also inhibit colonization by macroalgae, and therefore the effects of herbivores on algal communities may be strongest following disturbances that reduce coral cover. Here, we report the results from experiments conducted on the fore reef of Moorea, French Polynesia, where we: (1) tested the ability of macroalgae to invade coral‐dominated and coral‐depauperate communities under different levels of herbivory, (2) explored the ability of juvenile corals (Pocillopora spp.) to suppress macroalgae, and (3) quantified the direct and indirect effects of fish herbivores and corallivores on juvenile corals. We found that macroalgae proliferated when herbivory was low but only in recently disturbed communities where coral cover was also low. When coral cover was <10%, macroalgae increased 20‐fold within 1 year under reduced herbivory conditions relative to high herbivory controls. Yet, when coral cover was high (50%), macroalgae were suppressed irrespective of the level of herbivory despite ample space for algal colonization. Once established in communities with low herbivory and low coral cover, macroalgae suppressed recruitment of coral larvae, reducing the capacity for coral replenishment. However, when we experimentally established small juvenile corals (2 cm diameter) following a disturbance, juvenile corals inhibited macroalgae from invading local neighborhoods, even in the absence of herbivores, indicating a strong priority effect in macroalgae–coral interactions. Surprisingly, fishes that initially facilitated coral recruitment by controlling algae had a net negative effect on juvenile corals via predation. Corallivores reduced the growth rates of corals exposed to fishes by ~30% relative to fish exclosures, despite increased competition with macroalgae within the exclosures. These results highlight that different processes are important for structuring coral reef ecosystems at different successional stages and underscore the need to consider multiple ecological processes and historical contingencies to predict coral community dynamics.
Improving naive B cell isolation by absence of CD45RB glycosylation and CD27 expression in combination with BCR isotype
Authors: Koers Jana , Pollastro Sabrina , Tol Simon , Niewold Ilse T.G. , van Schouwenburg Pauline A. , de Vries Niek , Rispens Theo
Published: July 2022

In past years ex vivo and in vivo experimental approaches involving human naive B cells have proven fundamental for elucidation of mechanisms promoting B cell differentiation in both health and disease. For such studies, it is paramount that isolation strategies yield a population of bona fide naive B cells, i.e., B cells that are phenotypically and functionally naive, clonally non‐expanded, and have non‐mutated BCR variable regions. In this study different combinations of common as well as recently identified B cell markers were compared to isolate naive B cells from human peripheral blood. High‐throughput BCR sequencing was performed to analyze levels of somatic hypermutation and clonal expansion. Additionally, contamination from mature mutated B cells intrinsic to each cell‐sorting strategy was evaluated and how this impacts the purity of obtained populations. Our results show that current naive B cell isolation strategies harbor contamination from non‐naive B cells, and use of CD27‐IgD+ is adequate but can be improved by including markers for CD45RB glycosylation and IgM. The finetuning of naive B cell classification provided herein will harmonize research lines using naive B cells, and will improve B cell profiling during health and disease, e.g. during diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination strategies.
Severe low back or lower limb pain is associated with recurrent falls among older Australians
Authors: Tse Amy Wing Wai , Ward Stephanie , McNeil John J. , Barker Anna , Cicuttini Flavia , Fitzgibbon Bernadette Mary , Hussain Sultana Monira , Owen Alice , Wang Yuanyuan , Wolfe Rory , Gilmartin‐Thomas Julia Fiona‐Maree
Published: July 2022

Background

Few studies have explored the impact of low back or lower limb pain severity on recurrent (≥2) falls in older adults.

Objectives

Investigate the association between the severity of low back or lower limb pain, and ≥2 falls or falls‐related injuries.

Methods

Community‐dwelling Australian males and females in the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP), aged ≥70 years. Self‐reported, cross‐sectional questionnaire data regarding number of falls and falls‐related injuries in the last 12 months; and sites and severity of pain experienced on most days. Adjusted relative risks (RR) were estimated from multivariable Poisson regression models, for males and females separately.

Results

Of 14,892 ALSOP participants, 13% (n = 1983) reported ≥2 falls (‘recurrent fallers’) in the last 12 months. Males and females who reported severe low back, or severe lower limb pain on most days were more likely to report ≥2 falls in the last 12 months compared to those with mild pain (lower back: males RR = 1.70 and females RR = 1.5, p = 0.001; lower limb: males RR = 2.0, p < 0.001 and females RR = 1.4, p = 0.003). Female recurrent fallers who reported severe low back (RR = 1.3, p = 0.029) or lower limb (RR = 1.2, p = 0.024) pain on most days were more likely to report a falls‐related injury in the last 12 months compared to females with mild pain.

Conclusion

Severe low back or lower limb pain was associated with an increased likelihood of recurrent falls (males/females) or falls‐related injuries (females only). Assessment of severe low back and lower limb pain should be considered as a priority when undertaking falls‐risk evaluation.

Significance

Severe low back pain, or severe lower limb pain is associated with an increased likelihood of recurrent falls in older males and females, and an increased likelihood of falls‐related injuries in older female recurrent fallers. Assessment and management of severe low back and lower limb pain should be prioritized when undertaking falls‐risk assessment. Future longitudinal research is required to further interrogate this relationship and its underlying mechanisms.
9.3% Efficient Flexible Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Solar Cells with High‐Quality Interfaces via Ultrathin CdS and Zn0.8Sn0.2O Buffer Layers
Authors: Lin Beibei , Sun Quanzhen , Zhang Caixia , Deng Hui , Xie Weihao , Tang Jianlong , Zheng Qiao , Wu Jionghua , Zhou Haifang , Cheng Shuying
Published: July 2022

The buffer layer plays a critical role in high‐performance flexible Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cell. The conventional CdS buffer layer causes the photoelectric performance loss and the pollution of toxic Cd. Herein, the ultrathin CdS and Zn0.8Sn0.2O (ZTO) buffer layer engineering is proposed to reduce interface recombination and Cd content. An ultrathin CdS layer acts as the interface passivation layer to protect the CZTSSe layer and passivate its surface defects. To solve the problems of decreased carrier collection capacity caused by thinning the CdS layer, the ZTO layer with low resistivity and high carrier concentration is obtained by doping Sn into the ZnO layer. The systematic study indicates that the ultrathin CdS and ZTO buffer layers‐based solar cells realize high‐quality interface and band matching. Ultimately, 9.3% efficiency of the ultrathin CdS and ZTO‐based solar cell with 448 mV open‐circuit voltage is obtained, which is higher than that of the standard CdS buffer layer‐based device (8.5% with 419 mV). The study provides a new idea for achieving efficient flexible CZTSSe solar cells through heterojunction interface management.
A cross‐sectional study of the FDA approved indications and supporting pivotal trials of small‐molecular kinase inhibitors in cancer therapies with the biomarker of cancer driver gene
Authors: Huang Yafang , Xiong Weiyi , Ma Li , Wu Hao
Published: July 2022

Cancer precision medicine with biomarker of cancer driver gene (CDG) has been achieved by many small‐molecular kinase inhibitors (SMKIs) approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Publicly available FDA documents were collected for all SMKI cancer drugs approved between January 2001 and December 2021. Characteristics of indication and pivotal trial were compared. We identified 62 SMKI cancer drugs with 150 indications approved by the FDA between 2001 and 2021. Of these, 55 indications (36.7%) were CDG biomarker‐directed. There was a significant increase of 20.5% per year in the number of approved CDG biomarker‐directed indications. CDG biomarker‐directed indications were associated with significantly higher odds in receiving accelerated approval (odds ratio [OR] = 2.728; 95% CI, 1.246‐5.973; P = .012), designating orphan drug (OR = 3.952; 95% CI, 1.758‐8.883; P < .001), initial submission of the application (OR = 2.246; 95% CI, 1.063‐4.746; P = .034) and in solid cancer (OR = 7.613; 95% CI, 2.958‐19.590; P < .001), and were associated with significantly lower odds in using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (OR = 0.103; 95% CI, 0.032‐0.338; P < .001) with less number of entered patients (OR = 0.998; 95% CI, 0.997‐1.000; P = .048). The number of CDG biomarker‐directed indications in approved SMKIs increased significantly in past two decades, with higher proportion of approvals using special expedited development and approval pathways at the FDA. Further RCTs should be conducted to prove long‐term effectiveness and safety.
Optical coherence tomography evaluation of vaginal epithelial thickness during CO2 laser treatment: A pilot study
Authors: Miao Yusi , Sudol Neha T. , Li Yan , Chen Jason J. , Arthur Rebecca A. , Qiu Saijun , Jiang Yuchen , Tadir Yona , Lane Felicia , Chen Zhongping
Published: July 2022

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) negatively affects more than half of postmenopausal women. Energy‐based therapy has been explored as a minimally invasive treatment for GSM; however, its mechanism of action and efficacy is controversial. Here, we report on a pilot imaging study conducted on a small group of menopause patients undergoing laser treatment. Intravaginal optical coherence tomography (OCT) endoscope was used to quantitatively monitor the changes in the vaginal epithelial thickness (VET) during fractional‐pixel CO2 laser treatment. Eleven patients with natural menopause and one surgically induced menopause patient were recruited in this clinical study. Following the laser treatment, 6 out of 11 natural menopause patient showed increase in both proximal and distal VET, while two natural menopause patient showed increase in VET in only one side of vaginal tract. Furthermore, the patient group that showed increased VET had thinner baseline VET compared to the patients that showed decrease in VET after laser treatment. These results demonstrate the potential utility of intravaginal OCT endoscope in evaluating the vaginal tissue integrity and tailoring vaginal laser treatment on a per‐person basis, with the potential to monitor other treatment procedures.
Synthesis and antibacterial potential of Loranthus pulverulentus conjugated silver nanoparticles
Authors: Subhani Muhammad Ali , Irshad Muhammad , Nazir Asma , Hafeez Muhammad , Ali Shaukat
Published: July 2022

The green method is not only harmonious to our environment but saves time and is comparatively cheaper than other methods. The current study is aimed to synthesize the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the green method by using the leaves of Loranthus pulverulentus Wall (LPW) which functioned as a reducing as well as capping agent. The synthesis of biogenic AgNPs was confirmed by UV–Vis spectroscopy (UV–Vis.), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The absorbance maxima of the synthesized AgNPs were observed in the range of 405–435 nm. The SEM was used to find out the size and shape of the synthesized AgNPs, which revealed that the NPs were rectangular having sizes from 05 to 16 nm. XRD revealed that the synthesized NPs were crystalline and face‐centered cubic (FCC). EDX analysis reflected the elemental composition of the synthesized product and showed that the percentage of silver = 92. FTIR was used to confirm the functional groups responsible for the reduction and stabilization of silver ions. It revealed that biomolecules present in plant extract were responsible for the reduction and stabilization of silver ions. The effect of temperature, pH, reaction time, silver nitrate concentration, and plant extract concentration on the synthesis of AgNPs were also investigated. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were tested against four bacterial strains which showed strong antibacterial activity. We conclude that biogenic silver nanoparticles could be used as antibacterial agents to treat various diseases.

Research Highlights

Loranthus pulverulentus Wall leaf extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Effects of pH 3, 4, 6, 9, and 11, reaction time 5, 10, 20, 40 min, 1, 2, and 3 h, temperature 30, 40, 50, 60°C, silver nitrate concentration 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mM and plant extract concentration 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g on the AgNPs synthesis were also studied

Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed a small size of synthesized silver nanoparticles (8 nm).

The synthesized silver nanoparticles were found effective against various bacterial pathogens.
Swimming and respiration in cyclopoid copepods Thermocyclops oithonoides and Oithona davisae and calanoid copepod Paracalanus parvus
Authors: Svetlichny Leonid , Rudi Strickler Johann , Obertegger Ulrike
Published: July 2022

Cyclopoid and calanoid copepods differ in how they move. Cyclopoid copepods use the thoracic legs for cruise and escape swimming while most calanoid copepods use the cephalic appendages for cruise swimming and the thoracic legs for escape reactions. Apart from this gross difference, little is known on the comparative aspects of the locomotor function of copepod appendages. This study investigated the main kinematic patterns of cruise and escape swimming of two small cyclopoid copepods, Thermocyclops oithonoides and Oithona davisae, and a small calanoid copepod, Paracalanus parvus, by video filming at a frame rate of up to 1200 frames/s. During escape swimming, O. davisae and the twice as large P. parvus showed similar movement, jumping at a frequency of 150 Hz and moving at 12 cm s−1; however, at a lower jump frequency (∼100 Hz), the cyclopoid T. oithonoides showed an almost two times faster escape swimming than that of P. parvus which has the same body size. This higher speed can be linked to the greater role of the longer abdomen for the flopping strokes in T. oithonoides. In accordance with the Arrhenius law, the kinematic parameters of cruise and escape swimming of T. oithonoides showed temperature dependence in the range of 6.5–27°С. At a temperature of about 20°C, the respiration rate of O. davisae and P. parvus was 1.6 times higher (i.e., ∼1.5 µg O2 mg−1 h−1) than in T. oithonoides during normal swimming; however, in the swarming state, the respiration rate of T. oithonoides increased 3.4 times to 3.0 µg O2 mg−1 h−1, which was nine times higher than the respiratory rate of anesthetized individuals of this species. Based on the speed and duration of locomotor acts, the cyclopoid T. oithonoides consumed about the same amount of respiratory energy as the calanoid P. parvus, but the mechanical energy required for movement in jumps mode was 1.5 times higher.
Polynomial bounds for chromatic number. III. Excluding a double star
Authors: Scott Alex , Seymour Paul , Spirkl Sophie
Published: July 2022

A “double star” is a tree with two internal vertices. It is known that the Gyárfás–Sumner conjecture holds for double stars, that is, for every double star , there is a function such that if does not contain as an induced subgraph then (where are the chromatic number and the clique number of ). Here we prove that can be chosen to be a polynomial.
On the hamiltonicity of a planar graph and its vertex‐deleted subgraphs
Authors: Zamfirescu Carol T.
Published: July 2022

Tutte proved that every planar 4‐connected graph is hamiltonian. Thomassen showed that the same conclusion holds for the superclass of planar graphs with minimum degree at least 4 in which all vertex‐deleted subgraphs are hamiltonian. We here prove that if in a planar ‐vertex graph with minimum degree at least 4 at least vertex‐deleted subgraphs are hamiltonian, then the graph contains two hamiltonian cycles, but that for every there exists a nonhamiltonian polyhedral ‐vertex graph with minimum degree at least 4 containing hamiltonian vertex‐deleted subgraphs. Furthermore, we study the hamiltonicity of planar triangulations and their vertex‐deleted subgraphs as well as Bondy's meta‐conjecture, and prove that a polyhedral graph with minimum degree at least 4 in which all vertex‐deleted subgraphs are traceable, must itself be traceable.
Machine Learning Prediction of Collagen Fiber Orientation and Proteoglycan Content From Multiparametric Quantitative MRI in Articular Cartilage
Authors: Mirmojarabian Seyed Amir , Kajabi Abdul Wahed , Ketola Juuso H. J. , Nykänen Olli , Liimatainen Timo , Nieminen Miika T. , Nissi Mikko J. , Casula Victor
Published: July 2022

Background

Machine learning models trained with multiparametric quantitative MRIs (qMRIs) have the potential to provide valuable information about the structural composition of articular cartilage.

Purpose

To study the performance and feasibility of machine learning models combined with qMRIs for noninvasive assessment of collagen fiber orientation and proteoglycan content.

Study Type

Retrospective, animal model.

Animal Model

An open‐source single slice MRI dataset obtained from 20 samples of 10 Shetland ponies (seven with surgically induced cartilage lesions followed by treatment and three healthy controls) yielded to 1600 data points, including 10% for test and 90% for train validation.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 9.4 T MRI scanner/qMRI sequences: T1, T2, adiabatic T1ρ and T2ρ, continuous‐wave T1ρ and relaxation along a fictitious field (TRAFF) maps.

Assessment

Five machine learning regression models were developed: random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), gradient boosting (GB), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and Gaussian process regression (GPR). A nested cross‐validation was used for performance evaluation. For reference, proteoglycan content and collagen fiber orientation were determined by quantitative histology from digital densitometry (DD) and polarized light microscopy (PLM), respectively.

Statistical Tests

Normality was tested using Shapiro–Wilk test, and association between predicted and measured values was evaluated using Spearman's Rho test. A P‐value of 0.05 was considered as the limit of statistical significance.

Results

Four out of the five models (RF, GB, MLP, and GPR) yielded high accuracy (R2 = 0.68–0.75 for PLM and 0.62–0.66 for DD), and strong significant correlations between the reference measurements and predicted cartilage matrix properties (Spearman's Rho = 0.72–0.88 for PLM and 0.61–0.83 for DD). GPR algorithm had the highest accuracy (R2 = 0.75 and 0.66) and lowest prediction‐error (root mean squared [RMSE] = 1.34 and 2.55) for PLM and DD, respectively.

Data Conclusion

Multiparametric qMRIs in combination with regression models can determine cartilage compositional and structural features, with higher accuracy for collagen fiber orientation than proteoglycan content.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Postendovascular Aneurysmal Repair Increase in Local Energy Loss for Fusiform Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Assessments With 4D flow MRI
Authors: Horiguchi Ryota , Takehara Yasuo , Sugiyama Masataka , Hyodo Ryota , Komada Tomohiro , Matsushima Masaya , Naganawa Shinji , Mizuno Takashi , Sakurai Yasuo , Sugimoto Masayuki , Banno Hiroshi , Komori Kimihiro , Itatani Keiichi
Published: July 2022

Background

Although endovascular aneurysmal repair (EVAR) is a preferred treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) owing to its low invasiveness, its impact on the local hemodynamics has not been fully assessed.

Purpose

To elucidate how EVAR affects the local hemodynamics in terms of energy loss (EL).

Study Type

Prospective single‐arm study.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3.0 T/4D flow MRI using a phase‐contrast three‐dimensional cine‐gradient‐echo sequence.

Population

A total of 13 consecutive patients (median [interquartile range] age: 77.0 [73.0, 78.8] years, 11 male) scheduled for EVAR as an initial treatment for fusiform AAA.

Assessment

4D flow MRI covering the abdominal aorta and bilateral common iliac arteries and the corresponding stent‐graft (SG) lumen was performed before and after EVAR. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured within 1 week before and 1 month after EVAR. The hemodynamic data, including mean velocity and the local EL, were compared pre‐/post‐EVAR. EL was correlated with AAA neck angle and with BNP. Patients were subdivided into deformed (N = 5) and undeformed SG subgroups (N = 8) and pre‐/post‐EVAR BNP compared in each.

Statistics

Parametric or nonparametric methods. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (r). The interobserver/intraobserver variabilities with Bland–Altman plots. A P value < 0.05 is considered significant.

Results

The mean velocity (cm/sec) at the AAA was five times greater after EVAR: 4.79 ± 0.32 vs. 0.91 ± 0.02. The total EL (mW) increased by 1.7 times after EVAR: 0.487 (0.420, 0.706) vs. 0.292 (0.192, 0.420). The total EL was proportional to the AAA neck angle pre‐EVAR (r = 0.691) and post‐EVAR (r = 0.718). BNP (pg/mL) was proportional to the total EL post‐EVAR (r = 0.773). In the deformed SG group, EL (0.349 [0.261, 0.416]) increased 2.4‐fold to 0.848 (0.597, 1.13), and the BNP 90.3 (53.6, 105) to 100 (67.2, 123) post‐EVAR.

Conclusion

The local EL showed a 1.7‐fold increase after EVAR. The larger increase in the EL in the deformed SG group might be a potential concern for frail patients.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Microstructural Alterations in Projection and Association Fibers in Neonatal Hypoxia–Ischemia
Authors: Cao Zuozhen , Lin Huijia , Gao Fusheng , Shen Xiaoxia , Zhang Hongxi , Zhang Jiangyang , Du Lizhong , Lai Can , Ma Xiaolu , Wu Dan
Published: July 2022

Background

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) is known to be sensitive to hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). However, existing dMRI studies used simple diffusion tensor metrics and focused only on a few selected cerebral regions, which cannot provide a comprehensive picture of microstructural injury.

Purpose

To systematically characterize the microstructural alterations in mild, moderate, and severe HIE neonates compared to healthy neonates with advanced dMRI using region of interest (ROI), tract, and fixel‐based analyses.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

A total of 42 neonates (24 males and 18 females).

Field Strength/Sequence

3‐T, diffusion‐weighted echo‐planar imaging.

Assessment

Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), axial diffusivity (AD), fiber density (FD), fiber cross‐section (FC), and fiber density and cross‐section (FDC) were calculated in 40 ROIs and 6 tracts. Fixel‐based analysis was performed to assess group differences in individual fiber components within a voxel (fixel).

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to compare dMRI metrics among severe/moderate/mild HIE and control groups and general linear model for fixel‐wise group differences (age, sex, and body weight as covariates). Adjusted P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

For severe HIE, ROI‐based analysis revealed widespread regions, including the deep nuclei and white matter with reduced FA, while in moderate injury, only FC was decreased around the posterior watershed zones. Tract‐based analysis demonstrated significantly reduced FA, FD, and FC in the right inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (IFOF), right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), and splenium of corpus callosum (SCC) in moderate HIE, and in right IFOF and left anterior thalamic radiation (ATR) in mild HIE. Correspondingly, we found altered fixels in the right middle‐posterior IFOF and ILF, and in the central‐to‐right part of SCC in moderate HIE.

Data Conclusion

For severe HIE, extensive microstructural injury was identified. For moderate–mild HIE, association fiber injury in posterior watershed area with a rightward lateralization was found.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Research on apoptotic mechanism and related pathways involved in postmortem grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) muscle
Authors: Tie Huaimao , Yu Dawei , Jiang Qixing , Yang Fang , Xu Yanshun , Xia Wenshui
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis activation is an essential research to reveal the triggering mechanism of flesh quality deterioration. This study was aimed at explaining apoptotic mechanism of postmortem fish in terms of caspases activation, cytochrome c (cyt‐c) release, B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2) and Bcl2‐associated X (Bax) protein levels, transcriptional levels of its molecules, and apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) translocation at 4 °C for 5 days.

RESULTS

Activation of caspase‐9, caspase‐8, caspase‐3 and the release of mitochondrial cyt‐c were observed during storage. The decreased Bcl‐2 protein levels, increased Bax protein expressions and Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio were major steps for inducing apoptosis. Collectively, transcriptional regulation of Fas ligand (FasL), apoptotic protease activating factor‐1 (Apaf‐1), inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), myeloid cell leukemia‐1 (Mcl‐1), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) indicated that extrinsic apoptotic pathways (FasL/caspase‐8/caspase‐3) and intrinsic pathway [(JNK and p38 MAPK)/(Bcl‐2, Bax and Mcl‐1)/cyt‐c/Apaf‐1/caspase‐9/caspase‐3] were involved in apoptotic process. Mitochondrial AIF translocation to nuclear indicated that AIF mediated caspase‐independent pathway.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, transcriptional and translational alterations of multiple signaling molecules acted important roles in regulating apoptosis activation in postmortem process. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Novel mutations of PMFBP1 in a man with acephalic spermatozoa defects
Authors: Nie Hua , Tang Yunge , Zhang Xiaoyu , Tan Yuqiu , Qin Weibing
Published: July 2022

Background

Acephalic spermatozoa (AS) is a serious but rare reproductive genetic disorder that causes infertility in men. To date, only a few genes associated with AS defects have been identified, including the polyamine modulated factor 1 binding protein 1 (PMFBP1) gene. Consistent with this, PMFBP1 localizes to the head–neck connection, which bridges the implantation fossa and basal body.

Methods

A male patient was diagnosed as having an AS defect. Blood samples from all family members and a sample of the patient's semen were collected to determine the genetic causes of his infertility.

Results

Compound heterozygote mutation in the PMFBP1 gene, which is associated with AS defects in the present case: two loss‐of‐function mutations, with one a nonsense mutation c.361C > T p.Gln121Ter, and another a splice donor mutation c.414 + 1G > T. The current study, together with previous studies, suggests that the nonsense mutation is responsible for a truncated PMFBP1 protein during its formation; a splice donor mutation c.414 + 1G > T might lead to new open reading frames, from which the dysfunction of an abnormal PMFBP1 protein might be predicted. Additionally, the expression of outer dense fiber 1 (ODF1) and ODF2 proteins has been experimentally shown to be regulated by the truncated PMFBP1 protein.

Conclusion

We herein present a case with AS defects associated with heterozygote mutations of PMFBP1, which have been shown to be rare and pathogenic; the association with an AS defect is a monogenic disorder with a recessive inherited pattern in the patient's family.
Virtual element method for the Sobolev equations
Authors: Zhang Buying , Zhao Jikun , Chen Shaochun
Published: July 2022

The virtual element method for the Sobolev equations is proposed in this paper, where the semi‐discrete scheme and the fully discrete scheme are both discussed. With the help of the energy projection operator defined by the discrete bilinear form, the corresponding optimal error estimates in the
norm and
semi‐norm for both the semi‐discrete solution and the fully discrete solution are deduced. Finally, three numerical examples are carried out to verify the theoretical results.
Joint segmentation of retinal layers and macular edema in optical coherence tomography scans based on RLMENet
Authors: Wu Jun , Liu Shuang , Xiao Zhitao , Zhang Fang , Geng Lei
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The segmentation of retinal layers and fluid lesions on retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images is an important component of screening and diagnosing retinopathy in clinical ophthalmic treatment. We designed a novel network for accurate segmentation of the seven tissue layers of the retina and lesion areas of diabetic macular edema (DME), which can assist doctors to quantitatively analyze the disease.

Methods

In this article, we propose the Retinal Layer Macular Edema Network (RLMENet) model to achieve end‐to‐end joint segmentation of retinal layers and fluids. The network employs dense multi‐scale attention to enhance the extraction of retinal layer and fluid detail information and achieve efficient long‐range modeling, which improves the receptive field and obtains multi‐scale features. As the more complex decoder part is designed, which integrates more low‐level feature information on the decoder side, more features are extracted to gradually restore the resolution of the feature map and improve the segmentation accuracy.

Results

We used part of the OCT2017 dataset to train and verify the model to divide the data into a training set, validation set, and test set and set it to a 7:2:1 ratio. We evaluated our method on the ISIC2017 dataset. Experimental results showed that the RLMENet model designed in this work can accurately segment seven retinal tissue layers and DME lesions on the retinal OCT dataset. Finally, the MIoU value in the test set reached 86.55%. The model can be extended to other medical image segmentation datasets to achieve better segmentation performance.

Conclusions

The proposed method was superior to the existing segmentation methods, achieved a more refined segmentation effect, and provided an auxiliary analysis tool for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Directional and inter‐acquisition variability in diffusion‐weighted imaging and editing for restricted diffusion
Authors: Gundogdu Batuhan , Pittman Jay M. , Chatterjee Aritrick , Szasz Teodora , Lee Grace , Giurcanu Mihai , Medved Milica , Engelmann Roger , Guo Xiaodong , Yousuf Ambereen , Antic Tatjana , Devaraj Ajit , Fan Xiaobing , Oto Aytekin , Karczmar Gregory S.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To evaluate and quantify inter‐directional and inter‐acquisition variation in diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and emphasize signals that report restricted diffusion to enhance cancer conspicuity, while reducing the effects of local microscopic motion and magnetic field fluctuations.

Methods

Ten patients with biopsy‐proven prostate cancer were studied under an Institutional Review Board‐approved protocol. Individual acquisitions of DWI signal intensities were reconstructed to calculate inter‐acquisition distributions and their statistics, which were compared for healthy versus cancer tissue. A method was proposed to detect and filter the acquisitions affected by motion‐induced signal loss. First, signals that reflect restricted diffusion were separated from the acquisitions that suffer from signal loss, likely due to microscopic motion, by imposing a cutoff value. Furthermore, corrected apparent diffusion coefficient maps were calculated by employing a weighted sum of the multiple acquisitions, instead of conventional averaging. These weights were calculated by applying a soft‐max function to the set of acquisitions per‐voxel, making the analysis immune to acquisitions with significant signal loss, even if the number of such acquisitions is high.

Results

Inter‐acquisition variation is much larger than the Rician noise variance, local spatial variations, and the estimates of diffusion anisotropy based on the current data, as well as the published values of anisotropy. The proposed method increases the contrast for cancers and yields a sensitivity of with a false positive rate of .

Conclusion

Motion‐induced signal loss makes conventional signal‐averaging suboptimal and can obscure signals from areas with restricted diffusion. Filtering or weighting individual acquisitions prior to image analysis can overcome this problem.
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of quetiapine and lithium for bipolar depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ogasawara Masaya , Takeshima Masahiro , Esaki Yuichi , Kaneko Yoshiyuki , Utsumi Tomohiro , Aoki Yumi , Watanabe Norio , Suzuki Masahiro , Takaesu Yoshikazu
Published: July 2022

Aim

Pharmacological treatments recommended for bipolar depression are inconsistent across guidelines. We compared the efficacy and safety of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers for bipolar depression.

Methods

A systemic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing antipsychotics and mood stabilizers for bipolar depression was conducted based on a literature search of major electronic databases.

Results

Three studies comparing quetiapine with lithium were identified and analyzed; no other antipsychotic‐mood stabilizer combinations were found. The meta‐analysis revealed no significant differences between quetiapine and lithium for the following outcomes: (1) remission from depressive episodes (risk ratio [RR]: 1.80, 95% CI: 0.51‐6.40, P = 0.36), (2) changes in depressive symptom (standardized mean difference: −0.22, 95% CI: −0.52‐0.08, P = 0.15), (3) changes in social function (standardized mean difference: −0.00, 95% CI: −0.19‐0.18, P = 0.98), (4) suicide‐related events (odds ratio [OR]: 2.35, 95% CI: 0.40‐13.65, P = 0.34), (5) severe adverse events (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 0.51‐5.20, P = 0.41), (6) dropouts due to adverse events (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.76‐1.87, P = 0.45, 7) dropout for any reasons (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.74‐1.22, P = 0.70).

Conclusion

Although this study found no differences in the efficacy and safety of quetiapine and lithium for bipolar depression, a comprehensive comparison of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers was not performed. Further studies are needed to clarify which of these, not just quetiapine and lithium, is more useful for bipolar depression.
The dark side of nature experience: Typology, dynamics and implications of negative sensory interactions with nature
Authors: Soga Masashi , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: July 2022

The human health benefits of direct sensory interactions with nature (hereafter direct human–nature interactions) are increasingly recognised. However, these interactions can also have various negative health and well‐being impacts on people, some of which may be severe. Compared to positive ones, there has been relatively little investigation of such negative direct human–nature interactions beyond the medical literature, and what has been done is widely scattered across disciplines.

Here, we provide an overview of the typology, characteristics and dynamics of negative direct sensory interactions with nature and suggest management implications and future research directions.

We highlight the breadth of forms that negative direct human–nature interactions occur, and evidence that the incidences of some have recently grown rapidly in many parts of the world.

Our review also suggests that more intense negative direct human–nature interactions can sometimes occur simultaneously or sequentially with more positive ones, and there may be trade‐offs between the two.

Such serious implications highlight the importance of focusing research and public policy on improving the understanding of negative direct human–nature interactions, taking a more balanced view of the benefits and costs of nature experiences, and developing appropriate mitigation strategies.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
One‐pot sequence‐selective synthesis of polylactone‐containing block terpolymers based on renewable terpenoid‐derived monomer and a simple organocatalyst
Authors: Xie Hongyan , Feng Jiabing , Yang Xiaoxia , Zhao Yan , Song Pingan , Wang Hao , Xu Zhiguang
Published: July 2022

In this work, we report the synthesis and polymerization performances of terpenoid‐derived camphoric anhydride (CA). Utilizing simple organo‐base tBuP2 as the catalyst, CA can polymerize with various epoxides by efficient and controlled ring‐opening alternating copolymerization (ROAC) to afford perfectly alternating poly(CA‐alt‐epoxide). Kinetic study shows that the polymerization proceeds following zero‐order dependence on the concentration of CA. The self‐switchable terpolymerization from the mixture of CA, propylene oxide (PO) and ε‐caprolactone (CL) is conducted under the catalysis of tBuP2. First, ROAC of CA and PO is carried out exclusively with benzyl alcohol as initiator. Then, block copolymer (BCP) poly(CA‐alt‐PO)‐b‐PCL is obtained via the sequential polymerizations after the complete consumption of CA. The followed ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of CL is initiated by the terminal hydroxyl of the ROAC‐resulted poly(CA‐alt‐PO) polyester without external stimulus. During the process, the excess PO compound remains intact. The one‐pot synthesis displays distinct living nature and perfect chemoselectivity. The as‐prepared terpenoid‐derived alternating and BCP's exhibit elevated thermal properties.
Challenges in implementing psycho‐oncology services in Arab low‐ and middle‐income countries: Lessons learned from Lebanon
Authors: Bizri Maya , Ibrahim Nour , El Hayek Samer , Saliba Antoine , Ehlers Shawna L. , Ostroff Jamie S. , Maalouf Fadi , Taher Ali
Published: July 2022

Key points

Psycho‐oncology, a multidisciplinary field that addresses the patients' and their caregivers' physical, psychological, social, and behavioral well‐being, is extensively integrated in cancer care in high‐income countries

Psycho‐oncology services remain underdeveloped, fragmented, and poorly implemented in low‐ and middle‐income countries, particularly those in the Arab Middle East and North Africa region

To upgrade these services, accommodation to both (i) the unique needs of Arab low‐ and middle‐income countries and (ii) the best practices of psycho‐oncology is crucial

There is scarcity of research on the barriers and challenges faced during building or expanding psycho‐oncology services in the Arab low‐ and middle‐income countries

We summarize a priori challenges that may be encountered in psychosocial capacity building in similar Arab low‐ and middle‐income countries using Lebanon as a pilot program
Dynamic Tuning and Swapping of Electric and Magnetic Dipolar Mie Resonances in High Index Dielectric Particles Dispersed in an Anisotropic Medium
Authors: Bhardwaj Amit , Puthoor Navas Meleth , Nair Geetha G.
Published: July 2022

High refractive index (n > 2.5) dielectric particles support strong electric and magnetic Mie resonances in the visible region enabling optical properties such as directional scattering, anapole modes, and Fano resonances with applications in nanophotonics. Selenium particles, which possess a high refractive index at optical frequencies, have been synthesized using a controlled approach involving a moderate reduction of selenious acid to obtain particles of the desired size. The extinction spectra from UV–vis spectroscopy in conjunction with theoretical simulations confirm the presence of highly size‐dependent dipole and quadrupole Mie resonances in the visible region. Dynamic tuning of magnetic and electric Mie resonances and swapping of electric and magnetic dipoles are observed in a colloidal dispersion of 250 nm‐sized selenium particles in a nematic liquid crystal due to the anisotropic nature of the latter. Theoretical simulations reveal the presence of unidirectional scattering and photonic‐nanojet formation, attributed to generalized Kerker's effects in nanophotonics and meta‐optics, due to the swapping phenomena leading to the superposition of dipole and quadrupole resonances. The manipulation of Mie resonances in the liquid crystal based colloidal metamaterial has the potential for large‐scale and cost‐effective nanophotonic device applications.
Optimization of prostate cancer patient lymph node staging via the integration of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratios, platelet–lymphocyte ratios, and 68Ga‐PSMA‐PET‐derived SUVmax values
Authors: Wang Yinzhao , Tang Yongxiang , Gao Xiaomei , Gan Yu , Hu Shuo , Chen Min‐Feng , Cai Yi
Published: July 2022

Background

At present, standardized parameters for quantitatively evaluating 68Ga‐PSMA‐PET/CT outcomes when diagnosing lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients are lacking. Inflammatory hematological biomarkers offer value as robust predictors of certain cancer‐related outcomes. The present study was thus developed to explore approaches to improving the utility of 68Ga‐PSMA‐PET/CT for diagnosing lymph node metastasis through the combined evaluation of inflammatory hematological markers in prostate cancer patients.

Methods

Pretreatment patient details including age, initial TPSA levels, hematological findings, biopsy pathology results (Gleason score and ISUP grouping), radical pathology results, and imaging details were collected. Optimal cutoff values for each predictor then being determined based upon Youden's index, with univariate and multivariate analyses were then used to identify independent predictors of lymph node metastasis and used to construct a nomogram.

Result

Independent predictors of lymph node metastasis in this patient cohort included SUVmax (odds ratio [OR]: 30.549, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.855–85.973, p < 0.001), neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (OR:8.221, 95%CI: 1.335–50.614, p = 0.023), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (OR:8.221, 95% CI: 1.335–50.614, p = 0.023), initial TPSA (OR:2.761, 95% CI: 1.132–6.733, p = 0.026), and clinical T‐stage (T3 vs. T2, OR:11.332, 95% CI:3.929–32.681, p < 0.001; T4 vs. T2, OR:9.101, 95% CI:1.962–42.213, p = 0.005), with corresponding optimal cutoff values of 2.3 (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.873, sensitivity: 0.736, specificity: 0.902), 1.72 (AUC: 0.558, sensitivity: 0.529, specificity: 0.643), 83.305 (AUC: 0.651, sensitivity: 0.299, specificity: 0.979), and 21.875 (AUC: 0.672, sensitivity: 0.736, specificity: 0.601). Subsequent nomogram construction was associated with good predictive ability, with a C‐index of 0.887(95% CI: 0.793–0.981) and an AUC of 0.924 (95% CI: 0.882–0.965).

Conclusion

SUVmax, the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, the platelet–lymphocyte ratio, initial TPSA, and clinical T‐stage represent valuable independent predictors of lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients, offering an opportunity to further optimize lymph node staging for these patients.