bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angulation of the dural venous sinuses of the posterior cranial fossa: Anatomical study with clinical and surgical applications
Authors: Cardona Juan J. , Iwanaga Joe , Chaiyamoon Arada , Wang Arthur , Nickele Christopher M. , Amans Matthew R. , Heiferman Daniel M. , Johnson Kendrick D. , Dumont Aaron S. , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: March 2024

Cerebral vein and dural venous sinus thromboses (CVST) account for 0.5%–1% of all strokes. Some structural factors associated with a potentially higher risk for developing CVST have been described. However, angulation of the dural venous sinuses (DVS) has yet to be studied as a structural factor. The current study was performed because this variable could be related to alterations in venous flow, thus predisposing to a greater risk of CVST development. Additionally, such information could help shed light on venous sinus stenosis (VSS) at or near the transverse‐sigmoid junction. The angulations formed in the different segments of the grooves of the transverse (TS), sigmoid (SS), and superior sagittal sinuses (SSS) were measured in 52 skulls (104 sides). The overall angulation of the TS groove was measured using two reference points. Other variables were examined, such as the communication pattern at the sinuses' confluence and the sinus grooves' lengths and widths. The patterns of communication between sides were compared statistically. The most typical communication pattern at the sinuses' confluence was a right‐dominant TS groove (82.98%). The mean angulations of the entire left TS groove at two different points (A and B) were 46° and 43°. Those of the right TS groove were 44° and 45°. The median angulations of the left and right SSS‐transverse sinus junction grooves were 127° and 124°. The mean angulations of the left and right TS‐SSJsv grooves were 111° (range 82°–152°) and 103° (range 79°–130°). Differentiating normal and abnormal angulations of the DVSs of the posterior cranial fossa can help to explain why some patients are more susceptible to pathologies affecting the DVSs, such as CVST and VSS. Future application of these findings to patients with such pathologies is now necessary to extrapolate our results.
A nomogram based on TFE3 IHC results and clinical factors as a preliminary screening scheme for TFE3‐rearranged renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Pengju , Xu Quanhui , Chen Minyu , Zhu Jiangquan , Wang Yinghan , Mumin Mukhtar A. , Huang Kangbo , Jiang Zeying , Liang Hui , Deng Qiong , Wang Zhu , Liao Bing , Chen Wenfang , Cao Yun , Cao Jiazheng , Luo Junhang
Published: March 2024

Background

TFE3 immunohistochemistry (TFE3‐IHC) is controversial in the diagnosis of TFE3‐rearranged renal cell carcinoma (TFE3‐rearranged RCC). This study is to investigate the accuracy and sensitivity of IHC and establish a predictive model to diagnose TFE3‐rearranged RCC.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed by collecting IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results from 228 patients. IHC results were evaluated using three scoring systems. Scoring system 1 is graded based on nuclear staining intensity, scoring system 2 is graded based on the percentage of stained tumor cell nuclei, and scoring system 3 is graded based on both the nuclear staining intensity and the percentage. We collected patients' IHC results and clinical information. Important variables were screened based on univariate logistic regression analysis. Then, independent risk factors were established through multivariate logistic regression, and a nomogram model was constructed. The model was validated in internal test set and external validation set. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were generated to assess discriminative ability of the model.

Results

The accuracy of IHC based on three scoring systems were 0.829, 0.772, and 0.807, respectively. The model included four factors including age, gender, lymph node metastasis and IHC results. Area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.935 for the training set, 0.934 for the internal test set, 0.933 for all 228 patients, and 0.916 for the external validation set.

Conclusions

TFE3 IHC has high accuracy in the diagnosis of TFE3‐rearranged RCC. Clinical information such as age and lymph node metastasis are independent risk factors, which can be used as a supplement to the results of TFE3 IHC. This study confirms the value of IHC in the diagnosis of TFE3‐rearranged RCC. The accuracy of the diagnosis can be improved by incorporating IHC with other clinical risk factors.
COX‐2 in lung cancer: Mechanisms, development, and targeted therapies
Authors: Liu Xueqi , Zhang Junli , Sun Wenwu , Cao Jianping , Ma Zhuang
Published: March 2024

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide, with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprising 85% of all cases. COX‐2, an enzyme induced significantly under stress conditions, catalyzes the conversion of free arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. It exhibits high expression in various tumors and is closely linked to LC progression. COX‐2 functions as a pivotal driver in cancer pathogenesis by promoting prostaglandin E2 synthesis and facilitating tumor cell occurrence and development. Furthermore, COX‐2 holds potential as a predictive marker for early‐stage NSCLC, guiding targeted therapy in patients with early COX‐2 overexpression. Additionally, combining COX‐2 inhibitors with diverse treatment modalities enhances tumor therapeutic efficacy, minimizes adverse effects on healthy tissues, and improves overall patient survival rates posttreatment. In conclusion, combined therapy targeting COX‐2 presents a promising novel strategy for NSCLC treatment, offering avenues for improving prognosis and effective tumor treatment. This review provides novel insights and ideas for developing new treatment strategies to improve the prognosis of NSCLC.
Low‐Voltage Acidic CO2 Reduction Enabled by a Diaphragm‐Based Electrolyzer
Authors: Perazio A. , Schreiber Moritz W. , Creissen C. E. , Fontecave M.
Published: March 2024

Large‐scale implementation of electrochemical CO2 conversion to value‐added products is currently hampered by high electrolyzer cell voltages, resulting in low energy efficiency and high operating costs. Cell voltages are typically well above 3 V and need to be significantly lowered whilst maintaining current densities greater than 200 mA cm−2 to enable energy‐efficient CO2 electroreduction. This can be addressed through modification of the resistive components of the device to reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs. Electrodes, electrolyte solutions, and the separator between compartments, provide the largest contributions to the overall cell voltage, therefore decreasing their resistance can lower the electricity input required to drive effective CO2 conversion. Here, by careful analysis and tuning of the various sources of voltage drops within the cell, an optimized diaphragm‐based CO2R device is presented, which is able to operate at an industrially relevant current density of 200 mA cm−2 with an |Ecell| as low as 2.89 V, amongst the lowest reported values to date.
Superalkalis with Hydrogen as Central Electronegative Atom and their Possible Applications: Ab Initio and DFT Study
Authors: Sarkar Subhendu , Debnath Tanay , Das Abhijit K.
Published: March 2024

Superalkalis are unusual species having ionization energies lower than that of the alkali metals. These species with various applications are of great importance in chemistry due to their low ionization energies and strong reducing property. A typical superalkali contains a central electronegative core decorated with excess metal ligands. In the quest for novel superalkalis, we have designed the superalkalis HLi2, HLiNa and HNa2 using hydrogen as central electronegative atom for the first time employing high level ab initio (CCSD(T), MP2) and density functional theory (ωB97X‐D) methods. The superalkalis exhibit very low ionization energies, even lower than that of cesium. Stability of these species is verified from binding energy and dissociation energy values. The superalkalis are capable of reducing SO2, NO, CO2, CO and N2 molecules by forming stable ionic complexes and therefore can be used as catalysts for the reduction or activation of systems possessing very low electron affinities. The superalkalis form stable supersalts with tailored properties when interact with a superhalogen. They also show remarkably high non‐linear optical responses, hence could have industrial applications. It is hoped that this work will enrich the superalkali family and spur further theoretical and experimental research in this direction.
Not All Binding Sites Are Equal: Site Determination and Folding State Analysis of Gas‐Phase Protein‐Metallodrug Adducts
Authors: Eade Liam , Sullivan Matthew P. , Allison Timothy M. , Goldstone David C. , Hartinger Christian G.
Published: March 2024

Modern approaches in metallodrug research focus on compounds that bind protein targets rather than DNA. However, the identification of protein targets and binding sites is challenging. Using intact mass spectrometry and proteomics, we investigated the binding of the antimetastatic agent RAPTA‐C to the model proteins ubiquitin, cytochrome c, lysozyme, and myoglobin. Binding to cytochrome c and lysozyme was negligible. However, ubiquitin bound up to three Ru moieties, two of which were localized at Met1 and His68 as [Ru(cym)], and [Ru(cym)] or [Ru(cym)(PTA)] adducts, respectively. Myoglobin bound up to four [Ru(cym)(PTA)] moieties and five sites were identified at His24, His36, His64, His81/82 and His113. Collision‐induced unfolding (CIU) studies via ion‐mobility mass spectrometry allowed measuring protein folding as a function of collisional activation. CIU of protein–RAPTA‐C adducts showed binding of [Ru(cym)] to Met1 caused a significant compaction of ubiquitin, likely from N‐terminal S−Ru−N chelation, while binding of [Ru(cym)(PTA)] to His residues of ubiquitin or myoglobin induced a smaller effect. Interestingly, the folded state of ubiquitin formed by His functionalization was more stable than Met1 metalation. The data suggests that selective metalation of amino acids at different positions on the protein impacts the conformation and potentially the biological activity of anticancer compounds.
DGAMDA: Predicting miRNA‐disease association based on dynamic graph attention network
Authors: Jia ChangXin , Wang FuYu , Xing Baoxiang , Li ShaoNa , Zhao Yang , Li Yu , Wang Qing
Published: March 2024

MiRNA (microRNA)‐disease association prediction has essential applications for early disease screening. The process of traditional biological experimental validation is both time‐consuming and expensive. However, as artificial intelligence technology continues to advance, computational methods have become efficient tools for predicting miRNA‐disease associations. These methods often rely on the combination of multiple sources of association data and require improved feature mining. This study proposes a dynamic graph attention‐based association prediction model, DGAMDA, which combines feature mapping and dynamic graph attention mechanisms through feature mining on a single miRNA‐disease association network. DGAMDA effectively solves the problems of feature heterogeneity and inadequate feature mining by previous static graph attention mechanisms and achieves high‐precision feature mining and association scoring prediction. We conducted a five‐fold cross‐validation experiment and obtained the mean values of Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1‐score, which were .8986, .8869, .9115, and .8984, respectively. Our proposed model outperforms other advanced models in terms of experimental results, demonstrating its effectiveness in feature mining and association prediction based on a single association network. In addition, our model can also be used to predict miRNAs associated with unknown diseases.
Facile Synthesis of Iron Carbide via Pyrolysis of Ferrous Fumarate for Catalytic CO2 Hydrogenation to Lower Olefins
Authors: Qi Haochen , Si Wuqiang , Xu Zhiren , Wang Guofeng , Liu Xuangan , Lyu Changjiang , Huang Bin , Tsubaki Noritatsu , Xing Chuang , Sun Jian
Published: March 2024

Hydrogenation of CO2 to olefin catalyzed by iron‐based catalysts is a sustainable and important way to achieve carbon neutrality. In this study, iron‐based catalysts were facilely prepared by direct pyrolysis of ferric fumarate (FF), which are applied to CO2 hydrogenation to olefin reaction to explore the effects of pyrolysis temperature and atmosphere on catalytic performance of the catalysts. Among them, NaFe‐Air‐400 catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity with 33.7 %, and light olefin selectivity reaches as high as 47.1 %. The catalytic performance of pyrolytic catalysts is better than that the impregnated NaFe catalyst on activated carbon (NaFe/AC). A series of XRD, Raman and SEM characterization results show a suitable pyrolysis temperature would promote the balance between amorphous carbon and graphene, which can affect the formation of FexCy phase, leading the distinctive activity and olefin selectivity. Hence, the presented one‐step pyrolysis methodology would provide a facile and quick synthesis of highly‐active iron‐based catalyst design for CO2 conversion.
Prediction of intravenous immunoglobulin retreatment in children with Kawasaki disease using models combining lymphocyte subset and cytokine profile in an East Asian cohort
Authors: Zhang Chun , Chen Sun , Bian Yan , Qian Xiaohua , Liu Yurui , Zhao Liqing , Shen Jia , Song Jiani , Zhang Peng , Chen Lun , Jiang Limin
Published: March 2024

Objectives

For children with Kawasaki disease (KD) at high risk of developing coronary artery lesions and requiring retreatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), the availability of accurate prediction models remains limited because of inconsistent variables and unsatisfactory prediction results. We aimed to construct models to predict patient's probability of IVIG retreatment combining children's individual inflammatory characteristics.

Methods

Clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations of 266 children with KD were retrospectively analysed to build a development cohort data set (DC) and a validation cohort data set (VC). In the DC, binary logistic regression analyses were performed using R language. Nomograms and receiver operating curves were plotted. The concordance index (C index), net reclassification index, integrated discrimination improvement index and confusion matrix were applied to evaluate and validate the models.

Results

Models_5V and _9V were established. Both contained variables including the percentages of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD3+ T cells, levels of interleukin (IL)‐2R and CRP. Model_9V additionally included variables for IL‐6, TNF‐α, NT‐proBNP and sex, with a C index of 0.86 (95% CI 0.79–0.92). When model_9V was compared with model_5V, the NRI and IDI were 0.15 (95% CI 0.01–0.30, P < 0.01) and 0.07 (95% CI 0.02–0.12, P < 0.01). In the VC, the sensitivity, specificity and precision of model_9V were 1, 0.875 and 0.667, while those of model_5V were 0.833, 0.875 and 0.625.

Conclusion

Model_9V combined cytokine profiles and lymphocyte subsets with clinical characteristics and was superior to model_5V achieving satisfactory predictive power and providing a novel strategy early to identify patients who needed IVIG retreatment.
Analysing and quantifying chronic stress‐associated endogenous steroids in hair samples
Authors: Grafinger Katharina Elisabeth , Kassis Wassilis , Favre Céline A. , Aksoy Dilan , Gaugler Stefan
Published: March 2024

In previous studies, various steroids have been associated with stress and have therefore been quantified to investigate stress‐related questions. Since the main stress‐related steroid cortisol follows a circadian rhythm, often hair is analysed to quantify this steroid. Further, hair analysis gives the unique possibility of long‐time monitoring by analysing a certain segment of hair, since hair grows on average 1 cm per month. Hair is a difficult matrix due to the complex sample preparation with many steps including washing and grinding, followed by various extraction steps. Additionally, steroids are endogenous and are therefore present in the hair matrix. Hence, no analyte free matrix is available, which is needed for the quantification via external calibrators. To overcome this problem, the so‐called surrogate methods can be used, for which a 13C3 labelled or deuterated reference compound of the steroid of interest is used for quantification. In the present study, a surrogate method was developed and fully validated for the quantitative analysis of seven steroids in human hair. Validation experiments showed that the method is further suitable for semi‐quantitative analysis of estradiol. However, it is not suitable for the analysis of androsterone and DHEAS. The method was successfully used to analyse steroids in a comprehensive study of 360 adolescent hair samples, enabling research into stress markers.
Synthesis of Ferrocenyl Boranes and their Application as Lewis Acids in Epoxide Rearrangements
Authors: Köring Laura , Birenheide Bernhard , Krämer Felix , Wenzel Jonas O. , Schoch Roland , Brehm Martin , Breher Frank , Paradies Jan
Published: March 2024

A series of substituted ferrocenyl boron derivatives was synthesized. The oxidation of the ferrocenyl unit resulted in a significant increase of the boron‐centered Lewis acidity. The neutral and cationic Lewis acids were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, crystal structure analysis and by computational methods. The new Lewis acids were then applied in the Meinwald rearrangement of epoxides, predominantly furnishing aldehydes as the kinetic products.
CO‐Boosted Protocol for the Photocatalytic C−H Thiolation of Aldehydes Using Phenylthiobenzenesulfonate
Authors: Pan Lin‐Wei , Taniguchi Nobukazu , Hyodo Mamoru , Ryu Ilhyong
Published: March 2024

The formyl C−H thiolation of aldehydes using thiosulfonates and the decatungstate anion as a photocatalyst is reported. Using this photocatalytic protocol together with a CO atmosphere, both aromatic and aliphatic thioesters can be synthesized in good yields. The transformation consists of a cascade of double SH2 reactions, HAT and an ArS group transfer. CO atmosphere effectively limits the extent of decarbonylation of acyl radicals that are generated in the reaction.
Effect soluble organic fraction mass fraction on emission characteristics of carbon black
Authors: Li Jiansong , Meng Zhongwei , Liao Jianxiong
Published: March 2024

According to China's latest emission regulations for the year 2021, diesel vehicles are required to be equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in accordance with emission standards. To comprehensively understand the regeneration and emission performance of the DPF, an externally heated regeneration performance test bench was established. This study aims to investigate the influence of the soluble organic fraction (SOF) and types of carbon black on particle emissions from the outlet of the DPF. The experimental results indicate that both SOF and carbon black structure can affect DPF regeneration. When the SOF mass fraction increases to 20%, SOF plays a dominant role. The regeneration efficiency of Printex‐U and FW200 carbon black is 62.4% and 60.6%, respectively, with total mass concentrations of 21.8 and 14.9 mg/m3 at the DPF outlet. Compared to conditions without SOF, the regeneration efficiency and total mass concentration at the DPF outlet increase by 1.3 times and 6.6 times for Printex‐U carbon black, and 1.8 times and 440 times for FW200 carbon black, respectively. Additionally, when SOF mass fraction is 0%, the highest proportion of the average particle diameter for both Printex‐U and FW200 carbon black is in the [10, 20] nm range, at 20% and 95%, respectively. When the SOF mass fraction is increased to 20%, the proportions of the average particle diameter for both types of carbon black in the [10, 20] nm range rise to above 99%. This study provides a relevant experimental foundation for the emission control of DPF.
Use of All-Male cyp17a1-Deficient Zebrafish (Danio rerio) for Evaluation of Environmental Estrogens
Authors: Jia Jingyi , Shi Shengchi , Liu Congying , Shu Tingting , Li Tianhui , Lou Qiyong , Jin Xia , He Jiangyan , Du Zhenyu , Zhai Gang , Yin Zhan
Published: March 2024

Natural and synthetic environmental estrogens (EEs) are widespread and have received extensive attention. Our previous studies demonstrated that depletion of the cytochrome P450 17a1 gene (cyp17a1) leads to all-testis differentiation phenotype in zebrafish and common carp. In the present study, cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish with defective estrogen biosynthesis were used for the evaluation of EEs, as assessed by monitoring vitellogenin (vtg) expression. A rapid and sensitive assessment procedure was established with the 3-day administration of estradiol (E2), followed by examination of the transcriptional expression of vtgs in our cyp17a1-deficient fish. Compared with the control fish, a higher E2-mediated vtg upregulation observed in cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish exposed to 0.1 μg/L E2 is known to be estrogen receptor–dependent and likely due to impaired in vivo estrogen biosynthesis. The more responsive vtg expression in cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish was observed when exposed to 200 and 2000 μg/L bisphenol A (BPA) and perfluoro-1-octanesulfonate (PFOS). The estrogenic potentials of E2, BPA, and PFOS were compared and assessed by the feminization effect on ovarian differentiation in cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish from 18 to 50 days postfertilization, based on which a higher sensitivity of E2 in ovarian differentiation than BPA and PFOS was concluded. Collectively, through the higher sensitivity to EEs and the capacity to distinguish chemicals with different estrogenic potentials exhibited by the all-male cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish with impaired estrogen biosynthesis, we demonstrated that they can be used as an excellent in vivo model for the evaluation of EEs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1062–1074. © 2024 SETAC

The higher sensitivity to EEs exhibited by the all-male cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish with impaired estrogen biosynthesis.
HTG: A heterogeneous topology aware model to improve cold start in cloud service QoS prediction
Authors: Chen Manman , Yu Jian , Wang Junfeng , Li Xiaohui
Published: March 2024

The massive deployment of cloud services makes it a significant challenge to guarantee end‐to‐end QoS, QoS prediction is used to address this challenge. Accurate QoS prediction values can help select quality services and sense the network situation. Most existing QoS prediction methods focus only on improving prediction accuracy in the warm‐start situation. However, they do not consider the frequent cold‐start phenomenon, hindering their applicability in real‐world scenarios. In addition, previous approaches have made great progress in leveraging contextual information, such as geographic regions, but have neglected the process of service invocation. This article proposes a Heterogeneous Topology aware model based on Graph neural network (HTG) for QoS prediction. In HTG, users/services and invocation processes are modeled as a heterogeneous communication subgraph. HTG captures subgraph neighborhood features of users and services based on a predefined node information aggregation approach. Multi‐task learning is introduced to enhance HTG's generalization ability and simultaneously predict multiple QoS attributes. For new users or services, HTG generates their representations by fusing their attributes with geographically adjacent neighbors' features. Then, these representations of new users/services are fed into the well‐trained HTG to obtain their related QoS prediction values, without relying on additional training. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that HTG not only outperforms the current state‐of‐the‐art methods in the warm‐start situation but also significantly improves the prediction accuracy in the cold‐start situation. In the warm‐start situation, HTG improves the state‐of‐the‐art method by an average of 11.47% and 9.08% for MAE in different matrix densities on the task of throughput and response time prediction, respectively. As for the cold‐start situation, these gains are 31.76% and 32.17%.
Calcium‐dependent antimicrobials: Nature‐inspired materials and designs
Authors: Wang Zhong , Zeng Yongjie , Ahmed Zubair , Qin Hui , Bhatti Ijaz Ahmad , Cao Huiliang
Published: March 2024

Bacterial infection remains a major complication answering for the failures of various implantable medical devices. Tremendous extraordinary advances have been published in the design and synthesis of antimicrobial materials addressing this issue; however, the clinical translation has largely been blocked due to the challenge of balancing the efficacy and safety of these materials. Here, calcium's biochemical features, natural roles in pathogens and the immune systems, and advanced uses in infection medications are illuminated, showing calcium is a promising target for developing implantable devices with less infection tendency. The paper gives a historical overview of biomedical uses of calcium and summarizes calcium's merits in coordination, hydration, ionization, and stereochemistry for acting as a structural former or trigger in biological systems. It focuses on the involvement of calcium in pathogens’ integrity, motility, and metabolism maintenance, outlining the potential antimicrobial targets for calcium. It addresses calcium's uses in the immune systems that the authors can learn from for antimicrobial synthesis. Additionally, the advances in calcium's uses in infection medications are highlighted to sketch the future directions for developing implantable antimicrobial materials. In conclusion, calcium is at the nexus of antimicrobial defense, and future works on taking advantage of calcium in antimicrobial developments are promising in clinical translation.
Facile construction of dual‐response super‐resolution probes for tracking organelles dynamics
Authors: Liu Daili , Fang Guiqian , Wang Yanfeng , Meng Caicai , Liu Zhidong , Chen Qixin , Shao Xintian
Published: March 2024

Super‐resolution imaging techniques, such as structured illumination microscopy (SIM), have enabled researchers to obtain nanoscale organelle‐level outputs in living systems, but they impose additional stringent requirements on fluorescence probes. However, high‐performance, custom‐designed SIM probes that can explain underlying biological processes remain unavailable. Herein, a customizable engineering toolkit is developed for the facile assembly of SIM probes suitable for subcellular component detection. This toolkit is used to customize a fluorescent molecule, CPC (coumarin–phenylhydrazine–carboxyl), capable of simultaneously monitoring peroxynitrite (ONOO−) and polarity distribution in mitochondria and lipid droplets (LDs), respectively, through functional ON–OFF mechanisms. The customized CPC molecule demonstrated excellent imaging capabilities under SIM, enabled the successful localization of multiple organelles, and reliably tracked the distribution of different components, thus facilitating the study of the interplay between organelles. Using CPC, the physical transition of intracellular LDs is demonstrated from heterogeneity to homogeneity. This was specifically observed during ferroptosis where the polarity of the LDs increased and their morphology became more contracted. Furthermore, the loss of LDs functionality could not counteract the accumulation of ONOO− within the mitochondria, leading to the decoupling of mitochondrial LDs during ferroptosis. These results confirmed the potential mechanism of LDs dysfunction and decoupling triggered via cumulative mitochondrial oxidative stress during ferroptosis. To summarize, this toolkit will be a powerful tool for examining subtle variations among components during the interplay between different organelles, thus offering novel avenues for understanding and treating related diseases.
Industry 4.0 technologies for cultivated meat manufacturing
Authors: Kamalapuram Sishir K. , Choudhury Deepak
Published: March 2024

Industry 4.0 integrates the physical, digital, and biological realms by applying digital automation in systems, processes, and manufacturing facilities. Industry 4.0 is actively shaping the development of intelligent food processing industries in cultivated meat (CM) sector. This integration plays a crucial role in accelerating progress within the global CM sector, facilitating the achievement of its objectives related to food sustainability, security, human health, environmental concerns, and hygiene. Incorporating Industry 4.0 into CM manufacturing systems empowers upstream and downstream production processes to become more intelligent and capable of self‐optimisation. However, enabling rapid adoption of Industry 4.0 by emerging startups and small to medium‐sized enterprises in the CM industry necessitates a thorough understanding of prerequisites and evaluation of technological and biological limitations. Challenges include the substantial initial costs associated with establishing Industry 4.0 infrastructure, robust cybersecurity measures to ensure effective risk management, and acquiring skilled professionals proficient in both operational and maintenance roles. Integrating Industry 4.0 with the evolving CM sector presents an exciting opportunity to foster business‐to‐business investments across various domains, including local markets, export opportunities, and the broader global consumer ecosystem.
Silver mining and landscape changes in medieval Central Europe: Reconstructing ore processing in a buried fir forest on the Bohemian‐Moravian Highlands (Koječín, Czech Republic)
Authors: Hrubý Petr , Kaiser Knut , Kočár Petr , Malý Karel , Petr Libor
Published: March 2024

This study discusses the potential of archaeological organic objects in anthropogenic sediments in terms of research into human impact on the medieval landscape and environment. In the Bohemian‐Moravian Highlands, at a mid‐altitudinal stream valley site (ca. 510 m asl), remains of a cut medieval forest stand with anthropogenic wooden structures and buried by technogenic sediments (e.g., ore, gangue and tailings) were archaeologically excavated. The site was analysed using an interdisciplinary approach, applying methods from archaeology, archaeobotany, sedimentology, pedology and geochemistry as well as dendrochronology and radiometric dating. The vegetation can be reconstructed as forest with a dominance of fir and an admixture of spruce and alder. The surrounding slopes were covered by broadleaf trees. Remains of wooden technical structures, stamped, ground and washed ores and gangue, together with fragments of grinding stones, allow the interpretation of the site as an ore and stamp mill linked to ore washing equipment. This record of a buried medieval fir forest can be likewise used as a historical testimony and analogue for present‐day issues on ecology and forestry, aiming at ecological revitalisation and adaptation of forests to ongoing climate change in Central Europe.
Elevated level of circulating calprotectin correlates with severity and high mortality in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Zhang Qingyu , Liu Kun , Yuan Zenong , Xu Xiqiang , Dong Jun
Published: March 2024

Background

Patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) are characterized by hyperinflammation. Calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9) is a calcium‐ and zinc‐binding protein mainly secreted by neutrophilic granulocytes or macrophages and has been suggested to be correlated with the severity and prognosis of COVID‐19.

Aim

To thoroughly evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of calprotectin in patients with COVID‐19 by analyzing relevant studies.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched from inception to August 1, 2023 to retrieve studies about the application of calprotectin in COVID‐19. Useful data such as the level of calprotectin in different groups and the diagnostic efficacy of this biomarker for severe COVID‐19 were extracted and aggregated by using Stata 16.0 software.

Results

Fifteen studies were brought into this meta‐analysis. First, the pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used to estimate the differences in the levels of circulating calprotectin between patients with severe and non‐severe COVID‐19. The results showed an overall estimate of 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–2.60). Diagnostic information was extracted from 11 studies, and the pooled sensitivity and specificity of calprotectin for diagnosing severe COVID‐19 were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.64–0.84) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79–0.94), respectively. The AUC was 0.89 and the pooled DOR was 18.44 (95% CI: 9.07–37.51). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between elevated levels of circulating calprotectin and a higher risk of mortality outcomes in COVID‐19 patients (odds ratio: 8.60, 95% CI: 2.17–34.12; p < 0.1).

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis showed that calprotectin was elevated in patients with severe COVID‐19, and this atypical inflammatory cytokine might serve as a useful biomarker to distinguish the severity of COVID‐19 and predict the prognosis.
Berberine: A natural modulator of immune cells in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Yazdanpanah Esmaeil , Dadfar Sepehr , Shadab Alireza , Orooji Niloufar , Nemati MohammadHossein , Pazoki Alireza , Esmaeili Seyed‐Alireza , Baharlou Rasoul , Haghmorad Dariush
Published: March 2024

Berberine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in such plants asBerberis vulgaris, Berberis aristata, and others, revealing a variety of pharmacological properties as a result of interacting with different cellular and molecular targets. Recent studies have shown the immunomodulatory effects of Berberine which result from its impacts on immune cells and immune response mediators such as diverse T lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cells (DCs), and different inflammatory cytokines. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by the recruitment of autoreactive T cells into the CNS causing demyelination, axonal damage, and oligodendrocyte loss. There have been considerable changes discovered in MS regards to the function and frequency of T cell subsets such as Th1 cells, Th17 cells, Th2 cells, Treg cells, and DCs. In the current research, we reviewed the outcomes of in vitro, experimental, and clinical investigations concerning the modulatory effects that Berberine provides on the function and numbers of T cell subsets and DCs, as well as important cytokines that are involved in MS.
Health utility values of breast cancer treatments and the impact of varying quality of life assumptions on cost‐effectiveness
Authors: Kregting Lindy M. , Vrancken Peeters Noëlle J. M. C. , Clarijs Marloes E. , Koppert Linetta B. , Korfage Ida J. , van Ravesteyn Nicolien T.
Published: March 2024

In breast cancer research, utility assumptions are outdated and inconsistent which may affect the results of quality adjusted life year (QALY) calculations and thereby cost‐effectiveness analyses (CEAs). Four hundred sixty four female patients with breast cancer treated at Erasmus MC, the Netherlands, completed EQ‐5D‐5L questionnaires from diagnosis throughout their treatment. Average utilities were calculated stratified by age and treatment. These utilities were applied in CEAs analysing 920 breast cancer screening policies differing in eligible ages and screening interval simulated by the MISCAN‐Breast microsimulation model, using a willingness‐to‐pay threshold of €20,000. The CEAs included varying sets on normative, breast cancer treatment and screening and follow‐up utilities. Efficiency frontiers were compared to assess the impact of the utility sets. The calculated average patient utilities were reduced at breast cancer diagnosis and 6 months after surgery and increased toward normative utilities 12 months after surgery. When using normative utility values of 1 in CEAs, QALYs were overestimated compared to using average gender and age‐specific values. Only small differences in QALYs gained were seen when varying treatment utilities in CEAs. The CEAs varying screening and follow‐up utilities showed only small changes in QALYs gained and the efficiency frontier. Throughout all variations in utility sets, the optimal strategy remained robust; biennial for ages 40–76 years and occasionally biennial 40–74 years. In sum, we recommend to use gender and age stratified normative utilities in CEAs, and patient‐based breast cancer utilities stratified by age and treatment or disease stage. Furthermore, despite varying utilities, the optimal screening scenario seems very robust.
Associations between maternal smartphone use and mother‐infant responsiveness: A cluster analysis of potential risk and protective factors
Authors: Golds Lisa , Gillespie‐Smith Karri , MacBeth Angus
Published: March 2024

Contradictory results in the extant literature suggests that additional risk factors should be considered when exploring the impacts of maternal smartphone use on mother‐infant relationships. This study used cluster analysis to explore whether certain risk factors were implicated in mother‐infant dyads with high smartphone use and low mother‐infant responsiveness. A cross‐sectional survey of 450 participants in the UK measured infant social‐emotional development, maternal depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms, wellbeing, social support, smartphone use, and mother‐infant responsiveness. Participants were predominantly White (95.3%) and living with a partner (95.2%), with infants who were born full‐term (88.9%). Cluster analysis identified three clusters characterized as; cluster (1) “infant at risk” showing high infant development concerns, high maternal smartphone use, and low mother‐infant responsiveness; cluster (2) “mother at risk” showing high maternal depressive, anxiety, and stress scores, low social support, high maternal smartphone use, and low mother‐infant responsiveness, and cluster (3) “low risk” showing low maternal smartphone use and high mother‐infant responsiveness. Significant differences were found between all risk factors, except for maternal smartphone use and mother‐infant responsiveness between clusters 1 and 2 suggesting that both clusters require early intervention, although interventions should be tailored towards the different risk factors they are presenting with.
Combined positron emission tomography‐guided modified black phosphorus nanosheet‐based photothermal therapy and anti programmed cell death protein ligand 1 therapy
Authors: Sun Xiaona , Zhang Siqi , Jiang Shuo , Shen Jieting , Wu Yuxuan , Zhang Hailong , Zhang Ming‐Rong , Wang Rui , Hu Kuan
Published: March 2024

Background

Patients with cold tumors gain limited benefits from immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy owing to low programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression and minimal immune cell infiltration. Mild photothermal therapy (PTT) using black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) is a promising approach to enhance the efficacy of ICB therapy. However, to ensure that BPNS‐based PTT‐enhanced ICB therapy is clinically adaptable, a noninvasive, bedside‐accessible imaging tool capable of monitoring the status of PD‐L1 is imperative. We demonstrated that positron emission tomography (PET) using [64Cu]HKP2202 precisely delineated PD‐L1 expression in tumors receiving PTT.

Methods

BPNSs were modified with polyethylene glycol to prepare BPNS@PEG, which were then characterized. MC38 cells and tumor allografts were treated with BPNS@PEG followed by 808 nm near‐infrared light exposure. PET using [64Cu]HKP2202 was performed to monitor PD‐L1 expression in vivo. We also evaluated whether the efficacy of ICB therapy improved after delivering BPNS@PEG‐based PTT.

Results

BPNS@PEG had a well‐defined lamellar structure with clear edges and an average size of 150 nm. PET and Western blotting assays indicated that PD‐L1 expression was upregulated after BPNS@PEG and NIR‐light treatment. Notably, the antitumor effect of anti PD‐L1 therapy was enhanced in mice treated with BPNS@PEG‐based PTT.

Conclusions

BPNS@PEG had the capacity to convert cold tumors into hot tumors to facilitate the efficacy of ICB therapy. Importantly, the complementary diagnostic PET radiotracer targeting PD‐L1 allowed real‐time monitoring of PD‐L1 expression in the tumor microenvironment to guide ICB administration, holding great potential to achieve efficient and precise tumor immunotherapy.
The impact of children's and young adult literature courses on teachers' selection of global and culturally diverse texts for the classroom
Authors: Liang Lauren Aimonette , Cromwell Raven , Hacker Douglas J.
Published: March 2024

This large‐scale survey study examined how teachers select and integrate global and culturally diverse children's and young adult literature for their classrooms. Results from the survey captured self‐reports of the selection process, suggesting if and how teachers were selecting and integrating this literature and reflecting possible influence from children's and young adult literature courses taken in teacher preparation programs. Taking general children's and young adult literature courses, and specific courses on diverse literature and global literature was found to be related to teachers' responses to questions centered on selecting, evaluating, and integrating global and culturally diverse literature. These courses may be pivotal to increase the needed integration of global and culturally diverse children's and young adult literature into secondary and elementary classroom instruction.
Statistical identification in panel structural vector autoregressive models based on independence criteria
Authors: Herwartz Helmut , Wang Shu
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces a novel panel approach to structural vector autoregressive analysis. For identification, we impose independence of structural innovations at the pooled level. We demonstrate robustness of the method under cross‐sectional correlation and heterogeneity through simulation experiments. In an empirical application on monetary policy transmission in the Euro area, we find that bond spreads rise significantly after an unexpected monetary tightening. Furthermore, the central bank responds to offset effects of adverse financial shocks. Additionally, we document sizable heterogeneity in country‐specific output responses.
Formal synthesis of 10‐Hydroxy‐6‐Aryldibenzo[b,g][1,8]Naphthyridin‐11(6H)‐ones from 2‐chloroquinolin‐3‐carbaldehydes and 3‐(Arylamino)cyclohexenones
Authors: Lee Han‐Joo , Jeon Joo‐Hyun , Kim Jin‐Hee , Jalani Hitesh B. , Jeong Jin‐Hyun
Published: March 2024

We have described herein a simple and formal synthesis of 10‐Hydroxy‐6‐Aryldibenzo[b,g][1,8]naphthyridin‐11(6H)‐ones from 2‐chloroquinolin‐3‐carbaldehydes and 3‐(Arylamino)cyclohexenones. This protocol provides the formation of four rings including 1,8‐naphthyridin under the mild conditions. Furthermore, the cyclohexanone part of the enaminone undergoes air oxidation provided the phenol ring is attached directly to the 1,8‐naphthyridin scaffold. These newly formed chemo‐types may be useful in drug discovery programs probably as antibacterial agents due to the presence of 1,8‐naphthyridine.
Association between protocol change to a higher‐protein formula with lower energy targets and nutrient delivery in critically ill patients with COVID‐19: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wittholz Kym , Hinckfus Chloe , Karahalios Amalia , Panganiban Haustine , Phillips Nadine , Rotherham Hannah , Rechnitzer Thomas , Ali Abdelhamid Yasmine , Deane Adam M. , Fetterplace Kate
Published: March 2024

Background

Guidelines recommend prioritizing protein provision while avoiding excessive energy delivery to critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), but there are no prospective studies evaluating such a targeted approach in this group. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a “higher‐protein formula protocol” on protein, energy, and volume delivery when compared with standard nutrition protocol.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with COVID‐19 who received mechanical ventilation for >72 h and enteral nutrition. Before October 2021, the standard nutrition protocol for patients was 0.7 ml/kg/h ideal body weight (IBW) of a 63 g/L protein and 1250 kcal/L formula. From October 2021, we implemented a higher‐protein formula protocol for patients with COVID‐19. The initial prescription was 0.5 ml/kg/h IBW of a 100 g/L protein and 1260 kcal/L formula with greater emphasis on energy targets being directed by indirect calorimetry when possible. Measured outcomes included protein, energy, and volume delivered.

Results

There were 114 participants (standard protocol, 48; higher‐protein protocol, 66) with 1324 days of nutrition support. The median (95% CI) differences in protein, energy, and volume delivery between targeted and standard protocol periods were 0.08 g/kg/day (−0.02 to 0.18 g/kg/day), −1.71 kcal/kg/day (−3.64 to 0.21 kcal/kg/day) and −1.5 ml/kg/day (−2.9 to −0.1 ml/kg/day). Thirty‐three patients (standard protocol, 7; higher‐protein protocol, 26) had 44 indirect calorimetry assessments. There was no difference in measured energy expenditure over time (increased by 0.49 kcal/kg/day [−0.89 to 1.88 kcal/kg/day]).

Conclusion

Implementation of a higher‐protein formula protocol to patients with COVID‐19 modestly reduced volume administration without impacting protein and energy delivery.
Covalent organic framework/layered double hydroxide composite–coated poly(ether ether ketone) jacket for stir bar sorptive extraction of Sudan dyes
Authors: He Zhenfu , Ma Shumin , Huang Peiqi , Liang Qionghuan , Wang Rong
Published: March 2024

A novel coating for stir bar sorptive extraction was developed by growing a covalent organic framework, TpPa‐1 (derived from phenylenediamine and 1,3,5‐trimethylphloroglucinol), onto the surface of Ni‐Al layered double hydroxide. Using a poly(ether ether ketone) tube as the supporting substrate, a TpPa‐1/layered double hydroxide–coated stir bar was fabricated and demonstrated excellent extraction performance for Sudan dyes. Notably, its extraction efficiency significantly exceeded that of stir bars modified with only TpPa‐1 or Ni‐Al layered double hydroxide. Based on this innovative coating, a stir bar sorptive extraction‐high performance liquid chromatography method was established. This method exhibited low limits of detection (0.04–0.08 ng/mL) for the analysis of Sudan dyes. It also featured a wide linear range (0.25–100 or 200 ng/mL) and demonstrated good repeatability with relative standard deviations ≤6.22%. The recoveries obtained for spiked lake water and chili powder samples were 93.5%–105.2% and 87.8%–100.6%, respectively, demonstrating the practical potential of the developed method for detecting trace Sudan dyes in real samples.