bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative risk of acute kidney injury among cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Liu Fei , Wang Zixian , Li Xiaofan , Zhang Zhen , Yang Yue , Chen Junquan , Chen Dinghua , Wu Lingling , Liu Xiangyu , Han Sujun , Wang Fangming , Wahafu Wasilijiang , Gao Yibo , Ren Shancheng , Xing Nianzeng , Cai Guangyan , Chen Xiangmei
Published: December 2022

With the development and introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer patients, immune‐related side effects have increasingly attracted attention. However, the risks of immune‐related renal toxicity are poorly characterized. In this study, we performed a network meta‐analysis (NMA) of ICI‐related randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to elucidate the comparative risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cancer patients receiving different ICIs. We also sought to identify other factors potentially affecting the risk of AKI. PubMed and EMBASE were searched for peer‐reviewed trial reports published between January 2000 and May 2021. Eligible studies were RCTs studying ICIs in cancer patients and reporting AKI data. We performed a frequentist NMA to evaluate the risk ratios for grade 1‐5 and grade 3‐5 AKI between the treatment groups. We also assessed the absolute incidence of AKI in the ICI‐containing arm using traditional direct meta‐analysis. Once significant heterogeneity was detected in a traditional direct meta‐analysis, multivariable meta‐regression analysis was applied to identify factors that significantly affected the absolute incidence of AKI. A total of 85 RCTs were included in this study. In the NMA for the risk of grade 1‐5 and 3‐5 AKI, ipilimumab showed a significantly higher risk than avelumab and durvalumab, whereas 1 mg/kg nivolumab plus 3 mg/kg ipilimumab (N1I3) showed a significantly higher risk than other groups. In terms of treatment ranking, durvalumab ± low‐dose tremelimumab and avelumab were consistently among the top three safest treatments for grade 1‐5 or 3‐5 AKI, whereas N1I3, ipilimumab and tremelimumab were consistently among the top three treatments with the highest risk for grade 1‐5 or 3‐5 AKI. Compared with other cancers, renal cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma showed a significantly higher risk of AKI. The incidence of AKI was significantly higher with ICI+chemotherapy than with ICI monotherapy. In this NMA involving large‐scale up‐to‐date ICI trials, we demonstrated the comparative safety of existing ICI drugs for grade 1‐5 and grade 3‐5 AKI. Based on data from the ICI arms of these trials, we also revealed several potential risk factors for immune‐related AKI, including tumor type and treatment paradigm.
Learn strategies for preventing, addressing sexual misconduct by athletics trainers
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: December 2022

Power dynamics play a significant role in sexual misconduct. And in the patient‐provider relationship that exists between an athletic trainer or team physician and student‐athletes, the student‐athletes are usually the vulnerable ones — even more so when injury or illness is involved — and they expect their health care providers to act in their best interests. On the contrary, in certain circumstances, a coach or athletics director, or even a high‐profile student‐athlete, might have power over the AT or team physician.
Take time to reflect on your career
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: December 2022

It's critical to stop every now and then to take stock of accomplishments and challenges in the recently ended period, to restock with ideas for new activities and projects, and to determine strategies for improvement. I hope you'll take time to reflect on your life and career. Reflection is an important and necessary tool for success.
Impact of implantation technique on conduction disturbances for TAVR with the self‐expanding portico/navitor valve
Authors: Wang Xi , Wong Ivan , Bajoras Vilhelmas , Vanhaverbeke Maarten , Nuyens Philippe , Bieliauskas Gintautas , Jørgensen Troels Højsgaard , Chen Mao , De Backer Ole , Sondergaard Lars
Published: December 2022

Background

Use of a right−left (R−L) cusp overlap view for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with self‐expanding valves has recently been proposed aiming to reduce permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI). An objective, data‐driven explanation for this observation is missing.

Aims

To assess the impact of different implantation techniques on the risk of PPMI following TAVR with the Portico/NavitorTM transcatheter heart valve (THV; Abbott).

Methods

A TAVR‐population treated with Portico/NavitorTM had the THV implanted in a right versus left anterior oblique (RAO/LAO) fluoroscopic view with no parallax in the delivery system. The impact of these different implantation views on the spatial relationship between THV and native aortic annulus and the risk of conduction disturbances and PPMI after TAVR was studied.

Results

A total of 366 matched TAVR patients were studied: 183 in the RAO group and 183 in the LAO group. The degree of aortic annulus plane tilt was significantly smaller in the RAO versus LAO group (median: 0° vs. 23°, p < 0.001), with no plane tilt in 105 out of 183 cases (57.3%) in the RAO group. At 30 days after TAVR, the overall PPMI and guideline‐directed PPMI rates were 12.6% versus 18.0% (p = 0.15) and 8.2% versus 15.3% (p = 0.04) in the RAO versus LAO group, respectively.

Conclusions

Use of a R−L cusp overlap (RAO‐caudal) view for implantation of the Portico/NavitorTM valve results in less tilt of the native aortic annulus plane and a clear trend toward a lower 30‐day PPMI rate as compared to TAVR using the conventional LAO implantation view.
Exploring when, why, and how students circumscribe and compromise science careers
Authors: Jones Lee Kenneth , Hite Rebecca I.
Published: December 2022

Science interest is decreasing in the United States, and Americans of all ages have growing mistrust toward science and scientists, potentially sourcing these negative perceptions from their youth and today's popular culture. Understanding the nature of how K‐12 students perceive scientists and science careers is vital to understanding how their perceptions of science and scientists turn toward negative or harmful stereotypes of scientists and science, causing them to eschew science and science careers. This study used the circumscription and compromise (C&C) theory of career development to discernwhen(grade level),why(gender), andhow(perceptions) students eliminate (circumscribe) science careers within distinct stages of development, thus compromising on what they perceive to be an acceptable future career. Using the Draw‐a‐Scientist Test, 576 students from two private, K‐12 schools in Texas and North Carolina were sampled to model how (using prescribed C&C stages) and why (via thematic coding) this circumscription occurs.
On‐Demand Release of Secondary Amine Bases for the Activation of Catalysts and Crosslinkers
Authors: Spitzbarth Benjamin , Eelkema Rienk
Published: December 2022

Dynamic covalent (DCv) ureas have been used abundantly to design self‐healing materials. We demonstrate that apart from self‐healing materials, the species present in the equilibrium of DCv ureas can be employed as responsive organocatalysts. Easily controllable stimuli like heat or addition of water shift the equilibrium towards isocyanate and free base which can function as an in situ released reagent. We demonstrate this application of DCv ureas with two examples. Firstly, we use the liberated base to catalytically activate a latent organocatalyst for acylhydrazone formation. Secondly, this base can be employed in an equimolar manner to trigger the release of nitrile‐N‐oxides from chlorooximes, which react with acrylate‐terminated polymers to form an isoxazoline polymer gel.
AuNP‐Modulated qPCR: An Optimized System for Detecting MIR Biophotons Released in DNA Replication**
Authors: Yang Yu , Peng Daoling , Gu Zhenglong , Jiang Lei , Song Bo
Published: December 2022

Living systems can utilize energy with a high efficiency. Biophotons are proposed to modulate biological functions with such efficiency; however, the underlying mechanism remains unexplored, especially due to the challenge of ultraweak mid‐infrared (MIR) light detection and the theoretical perturbation from spontaneous MIR emission. Here, we proposed an optimized system to detect MIR biophotons generated in the hydrolysis of deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs, energy‐storing molecules similar to ATP). The system used a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) that was modulated by gold nanoparticle (AuNP) concentration and thus by the inter‐AuNP distance, which depends on the concentration above. The measurements indicate that 33‐ and 84‐THz photons are released by dNTP hydrolysis, which can drive DNA replication. Our findings provide a novel chain‐reaction‐based method for detecting MIR photons in solution, and pave a way for photon‐based insights to understand the highly efficient energy utilization of biology.
Eradicating Biofilms of Carbapenem‐Resistant Enterobacteriaceae by Simultaneously Dispersing the Biomass and Killing Planktonic Bacteria with PEGylated Branched Polyethyleneimine
Authors: Heydarian Neda , Wouters Cassandra L. , Neel Andrew , Ferrell Maya , Panlilio Hannah , Haight Tristan , Gu Tingting , Rice Charles V.
Published: December 2022

Carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are emerging pathogens that cause variety of severe infections. CRE evade antibiotic treatments because these bacteria produce enzymes that degrade a wide range of antibiotics including carbapenems and β‐lactams. The formation of biofilms aggravates CRE infections, especially in a wound environment. These difficulties lead to persistent infection and non‐healing wounds. This creates the need for new compounds to overcome CRE antimicrobial resistance and disrupt biofilms. Recent studies in our lab show that 600 Da branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) and its derivative PEG350‐BPEI can overcome antimicrobial resistance and eradicate biofilms in methicillin‐resistant S. aureus, methicillin‐resistant S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli. In this study, the ability of 600 Da BPEI and PEG350‐BPEI to eradicate carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria and their biofilms is demonstrated. We show that both BPEI and PEG350‐BPEI have anti‐biofilm efficacy against CRE strains expressing Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs) and metallo‐β‐lactamases (MBLs), such as New Delhi MBL (NDM‐1). Furthermore, our results illustrate that BPEI affects planktonic CRE bacteria by increasing bacterial length and width from the inability to proceed with normal cell division processes. These data demonstrate the multi‐functional properties of 600 Da BPEI and PEG350‐BPEI to reduce biofilm formation and mitigate virulence in carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
Pathological personality traits of maladaptive daydreamers measured by the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 in a psychiatric sample
Authors: Horváth‐Labancz Eszter , Sándor Alexandra , Balázs Katalin , Molnár Judit , Kuritárné Szabó Ildikó
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to estimate the frequency of maladaptive daydreaming and to explore the pathological personality traits of probable maladaptive daydreamers. Our sample consisted of 239 psychiatric patients. After screening, 42 persons were probable maladaptive, while 197 participants prove to be normal daydreamers. Two pathological domains and three facets measured by the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 showed a moderate significant correlation with the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale. The score of nearly every domain and facet was slightly higher among probable maladaptive daydreamers. To quantify the difference between the groups, effect sizes were calculated: Significant difference was found on the domain level in Antagonism, while on the facet level in Hostility, Grandiosity, Attention Seeking, Unusual Beliefs and Experiences, Cognitive and Perceptual Dysregulation. The group of probable maladaptive daydreamers was further examined to identify potential subgroups. Cluster analysis revealed heterogeneity in the severeness and patterns of pathological personality domains. Cluster 1 showed higher mean scores on the PID domains and on the MDS compared to Cluster 2. Clusters 1 and 2 broke further down into two subclusters: Cluster 1a and Cluster 1b differed in their mean scores on the domains of Antagonism and Detachment; the mean scores of Cluster 2a were uniformly low on each domain, while the mean values of Cluster 2b were scattered in a mixed way on the domains. Our results suggest that maladaptive daydreaming might manifest with differently pathological personality profiles in the background. This aspect might worth considering in planning treatment.
Optimization of Ammonium Sulfate Crystallization Under Ammonium Nitrate Based on Response Surface Method
Authors: Zi Gaoyong , Huang Bangfu , Dai Meng , Shi Zhe , Wen Zhenjing , Li Wanjun , Luo Liubin , Yang Linjing
Published: December 2022

The response surface method is used to study the influence mechanism of three factors (seed crystal concentration, pH value, and stirring rate) on ammonium sulfate crystallization (average particle size and coefficient of variation [C.V.] value) under ammonium nitrate to prove the effect of ammonium nitrate doping on ammonium sulfate crystallization. Regression equations between each response value and the influencing factors are established. Results show that the interaction between the seed crystal concentration and the stirring rate is stronger than that between the seed crystal concentration and the pH and that between the pH and the stirring rate. The error between the verified model values and the experimental values is minimized when the seed crystal concentration is 1.5%, the pH is 4.5, and the stirring rate is 250 r min−1, at which the average particle size is 1.238 mm, and the C.V. value is 73.53. After optimization, the crystal morphology changes from needle‐ and flake‐like crystals to cubes, resulting in crystals with large average particle size, uniform distribution, regular morphology, and diffraction peak intensity that is close to that in the analysis of pure ammonium sulfate.
Pancreatic cancer with pseudoaneurysm after duckbill‐shaped anti‐reflux metal stent placement: A case report
Authors: Kinoshita Keisuke , Mizukami Kazuhiro , Fukuda Kensuke , Okamoto Kazuhisa , Ogawa Ryo , Okimoto Tadayoshi , Kodama Masaaki , Murakami Kazunari
Published: December 2022

A 74‐year‐old man was diagnosed with unresectable pancreatic cancer with obstructive jaundice. Chemotherapy with gemcitabine and nab‐paclitaxel was initiated after placement of a duckbill‐shaped anti‐reflux metal stent (D‐ARMS). A period of 1 month after D‐ARMS placement, the patient developed hematemesis and entered severe shock following emergency admission for further evaluation.

Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the gastroduodenal artery, coincident with the site of D‐ARMS placement, and bleeding from the same site was diagnosed. Angiography was performed, and the pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization using coils. The patient was subsequently discharged from hospital and experienced no further bleeding until his death due to an aggravation of the pancreatic cancer after 2 months. We report a case of pancreatic cancer with pseudoaneurysm after D‐ARMS placement.
Shifting climate conditions affect recruitment in Midwestern stream trout, but depend on seasonal and spatial context
Authors: Maitland Bryan M. , Latzka Alexander W.
Published: December 2022

Climate change is a complex threat to freshwater ecosystems. Effects on aquatic species will likely differ among populations depending on seasonal and spatial context, which makes a detailed understanding of population responses to shifting climate conditions key to guiding strategic decision‐making. However, few empirical studies have tested for such context dependency on distinct populations across seasons or at large spatial scales. We used 26 years of standardized survey data on recreationally and economically important brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Wisconsin, USA to assess short‐ and long‐term variability in population trends, and quantify the influence of seasonal and spatial climate variability (air temperatures and precipitation) on annual recruitment strength (as indexed by young‐of‐year [YOY] relative abundance in summer). Some short‐term population fluctuations were spatially consistent across the state, indicative of broadscale environmental forcing. Over the longer term, average YOY and age 1 and older brook trout relative abundance has declined since 2006, especially for YOY, while brown trout abundance has substantially increased. The effects of climate conditions on recruitment varied by species, season, and latitude. Increasing maximum summer temperatures were associated with lower brook trout recruitment, but higher brown trout recruitment. The effect for both species was stronger at lower latitudes. Spring temperatures were positively related to brown trout recruitment at lower latitudes; in mid‐latitude and northern streams, they were related to increasing recruitment up to about 1 standard deviation, above which recruitment declined. High and low winter and spring precipitation were associated with precipitous declines in recruitment for both species. By contrast, summer precipitation was positively related to recruitment in northern streams for brook trout and southern streams for brown trout. Our results demonstrate that shifts in climate can affect recruitment in similar species differently depending on temporal (seasonal) and spatial (warm, southern regions compared with cool, northern regions) context. Given trout population trends in Wisconsin and climate projections for the Midwestern United States, location‐ and species‐specific management actions are needed that account for this context dependency. Management should aim to maximize the resiliency of populations to extreme climate conditions by buffering negative influences on recruitment.
Intensity, determinants, and impacts of liana load on tropical trees in central Africa
Authors: Loubota Panzou Grace Jopaul , Loumeto Jean‐Joel , Chantrain Arthur , Gourlet‐Fleury Sylvie , Doucet Jean‐Louis , Forni Eric , Beeckman Hans , Ilondea Bhely Angoboy , Fayolle Adeline
Published: December 2022

Lianas can create dense foliage that reduces the light available for the host trees on which they grow and can directly damage the host trees during their development. A better estimation of liana load and understanding of the determinants and impacts of liana load in tropical forests are both important in community ecology and ecosystem science. This has, however, never been studied to date in central Africa. Here, we evaluated the intensity, determinants, and impacts of liana load in three forest sites in central Africa. We determined the liana load categories for all trees belonging to 78 of the most dominant tree species (2683 trees in total), with tree diameters ranging from 10 to 250 cm. The liana load was visually estimated as the liana cover on host tree using simple scale indices, and the proportion of trees covered by lianas defined as the liana prevalence was estimated for each species. Overall, 42% of the 2683 trees were liana‐loaded and the number of liana‐loaded trees was higher for smaller diameter classes in the three forest sites. Within each forest site, there was a significant difference in liana prevalence among coexisting species. Taller trees with shallow crowns were less covered by liana at the tree level, whereas trees belonging to light‐demanding and wind‐dispersed species showed a lower liana prevalence rate at the species level. In each forest site, the liana load significantly affected tree height–diameter allometry, with liana‐loaded trees being shorter for the same diameter. Lianas promote the structural complexity and influence tree diversity and ecosystem functioning of tropical forests.
The fusion oncogene VAV1‐MYO1F triggers aberrant T‐cell receptor signaling in vivo and drives peripheral T‐cell lymphoma in mice
Authors: Morrish Emma , Wartewig Tim , Kratzert Andreas , Rosenbaum Marc , Steiger Katja , Ruland Jürgen
Published: December 2022

VAV1‐MYO1F is a recently identified gain‐of‐function fusion protein of the proto‐oncogene Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (VAV1) that is recurrently detected in T‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (T‐NHL) patients. However, the pathophysiological functions of VAV1‐MYO1F in lymphomagenesis are insufficiently defined. Therefore, we generated transgenic mouse models to conditionally express VAV1‐MYO1F in T‐cells in vivo. We demonstrate that VAV1‐MYO1F triggers cell autonomous activation of T‐cell signaling with an activation of the ERK, JNK, and AKT pathways. VAV1‐MYO1F expression induces a T‐cell activation phenotype with high surface expression of CD25, ICOS, CD44, PD‐1, and decreased CD62L as well as aberrant T‐cell differentiation, proliferation, and neoplastic transformation. Consequently, the VAV1‐MYO1F expressing T‐cells induce a malignant T lymphoproliferative disease with 100% penetrance in vivo that mimics key aspects of human peripheral T‐cell lymphoma. These results demonstrate that the human T‐cell oncogene VAV1‐MYO1F is sufficient to trigger oncogenic T‐cell signaling and neoplastic transformation, and moreover, it provides a new clinically relevant mouse model to explore the pathogenesis of and treatment concepts for human T‐cell lymphoma.
Phosphine‐Functionalized Porous Materials for Catalytic Organic Synthesis
Authors: Gäumann Patrick , Cartagenova Daniele , Ranocchiari Marco
Published: December 2022

Phosphine ligands are of unique importance in catalysis, especially as ligands for transition metals. Homogeneous catalysis is by far the broadest application of phosphines in industrial processes. The heterogenization of phosphines is challenging even though it would appeal to the chemical industry as a valid strategy for recovery and reutilization. In this Review, we discuss approaches for the immobilization of phosphines through the synthesis of phosphine‐functionalized porous polymers, such as metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and porous organic polymers (POPs). We critically discuss the synthetic strategies for preparing monomers, linkers, and porous materials. We highlight the most successful applications of phosphine‐based porous catalysts and correlate them with their properties, structure, and performance.
What is limiting the potential window in aqueous sodium‐ion batteries? Online study of the hydrogen‐, oxygen‐ and CO2‐evolution reactions at NaTi2(PO4)3 and Na0.44MnO2 electrodes
Authors: Winkler Daniel , Stüwe Teja , Werner Daniel , Griesser Christoph , Thurner Christoph , Stock David , Kunze‐Liebhäuser Julia , Portenkirchner Engelbert
Published: December 2022

NaTi2(PO4)3 (NTP) and Na0.44MnO2 (NMO), and their derivatives, have emerged as the most promising materials for aqueous Na‐ion batteries. For both, NTP and NMO, avoiding the evolution of hydrogen and oxygen is found to be mandatory in order to mitigate material dissolution. Intriguingly, however, no direct determination of the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) has yet been carried out. Using differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) we directly identify the onset potentials for the HER and OER. Surprisingly, the potential window is found to be significantly smaller than suggested by commonly employed cyclic voltammetry measurements. CO2 evolution, upon decomposition of carbon black, is observed at an onset potential of 1.61 VRHE, which is 0.25 V more cathodic than the OER for the NMO electrode. Our results show that the state‐of‐the‐art carbon additive plays a crucial role in the stability of the positive NMO electrode in the ion battery.
Continuous glucose monitoring assessment in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa reveals chronic prolonged mild hypoglycemia all over the nycthemeron
Authors: Germain Natacha , Genteuil Clara Devin , Belleton Gwenaëlle , Da Silva Trecy Lopes , Exbrayat Chloé , Degas Fabien , Hammour Amira , Gay Aurélia , Ravey Baptiste , Massoubre Catherine , Galusca Bogdan
Published: December 2022

Objective

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterised by voluntary dietary restriction leading to severe undernutrition. Hypoglycaemia is mostly described through severe case reports and is always evaluated by fasting or post‐meal blood glucose, showing nothing about hypoglycaemia's length or duration. The interest of continuous interstitial glucose monitoring (CGM), largely used in diabetes mellitus, has never been evaluated in AN patients.

Method

Glycaemia cycles in AN patients were assessed using CGM over 5 days and then analysed according to food intake.

Results

Mean glycaemia was within normal range. 91% of the patients presented with at least one episode with glycaemia under 70 mg/dl. Within the 24 h, the percentage of time spent with a glycaemia under 70 mg/dl was of 20.82 ± 3.90% with a maximum of 52%. We found 2.52 ± 0.33 hypoglycaemia events per 24 h, including 21.11 ± 3.76% at night. CGM parameters correlated with cortisol and IGF1 plasma levels. Comparison with estimated carbohydrate intakes discriminated concordant and non‐concordant estimations depending on patient.

Conclusions

AN patients display chronic prolonged mild hypoglycaemia all over the nycthemeron despite normal fasting glycaemia. Associated adaptive increased counter‐regulatory hormones might protect AN patients from deeper hypoglycaemia. CGM allowed testing food intake self‐estimation reliability of AN patients and could be a very useful biofeedback tool.
Review of fire experiments in mass timber compartments: Current understanding, limitations, and research gaps
Authors: Mitchell Harry , Kotsovinos Panagiotis , Richter Franz , Thomson Daniel , Barber David , Rein Guillermo
Published: December 2022

The use of mass timber in buildings instead of non‐combustible materials has benefits in sustainability, aesthetics, construction times, and costs. However, the uptake of mass timber in modern construction for medium and high‐rise buildings is currently hindered by uncertainty regarding safety and structural performance in fire. We attribute this to a lack of data. Insufficient understanding means that for building designs beyond the current range of experiments the fire performance is unknown. To address this uncertainty, we review the available data in the scientific literature from 63 compartment fire experiments with timber, the majority of which use cross‐laminated timber (CLT). We found that most experiments reached temperatures 80–180°C greater than in non‐combustible compartments. Timber ceilings have on average a 16% lower char rate than timber walls. The heat release rate contribution of timber has a positive linear relationship with charring rate, however is susceptible to significant uncertainty and variability. There are limits to the data available, particularly in large open‐plan compartments of floor areas larger than 100 m2 where a wider range of heating conditions occur. Other topics where further understanding is required are compartments with exposed timber areas greater than 75%, compartments with smaller opening areas, and the hazard of smouldering following the flames. Therefore, additional research is needed to design beyond the limits, specifically in compartment size, ventilation, and timber exposure. This paper identifies correlations in the current body of experimental research to improve fire‐safe design of timber buildings.
Impact of alginate coating combined with free and nanoencapsulated Carum copticum essential oil on rainbow trout burgers
Authors: Hashemi Mohammad , Adibi Shiva , Hojjati Mohammad , Razavi Razie , Noori Seyyed Mohammad Ali
Published: December 2022

Carum copticum essential oil (CEO) is known as a valuable active food and pharmaceutical ingredient with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Solid lipid nanoparticles incorporated with CEO can overcome their limitations, namely low physicochemical stability and water solubility. In the current study, the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of free and nanoencapsulated CEO were measured. The results revealed that although the nanoparticles of CEO had higher DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to free CEO, the antimicrobial activity of free CEO toward Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes was higher than nanoparticles. Fish burger samples coated with free and nanoencapsulated CEO and stored for 12 days at 4°C. Alginate coating without CEO was considered as a control sample. The mean zeta potential, particle size, and polydispersity index (PDI) of nanoparticles were 19.18 ± 0.9 mV, 286.5 ± 18.2 nm, and 0.32 ± 0.01, respectively. The results revealed that lipid oxidation, microbial growth, and production of total volatile basic nitrogen in fish burger samples coated with alginate enriched with nanoencapsulated CEO were lower than free CEO. The main volatile compounds of CEO were para‐cymene, γ‐terpinene, and thymol, which were responsible for the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of CEO. The data obtained by the current study suggest the application of alginate coating with CEO in form of nanoparticle to enhance fish burgers’ shelf life stored at 4°C.
GC–MS analysis and pharmacological evaluations of Phoenix sylvestris (Roxb.) seeds provide new insights into the management of oxidative stress and hyperglycemia
Authors: Shajib Md. Shafiullah , Islam Shanta , Alam Safaet , Rashid Ridwan Bin , Afroze Mirola , Khan Mala , Datta Bidyut Kanti , Nahar Lutfun , Sarker Satyajit Dey , Rashid Mohammad A.
Published: December 2022

Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. (Arecaceae) seeds are used in the treatment of diabetes in the traditional system of medicine. The present study evaluated antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities as well as the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the methanol extract of P. sylvestris seeds (MEPS). The constituents of the extract were identified by GC–MS analysis. MEPS demonstrated strong antioxidant activity against 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 = 162.70 ± 14.99 μg) and nitric oxide (NO) (IC50 = 101.56 ± 9.46 μg/ml) free radicals. It also possesses a substantial amount of phenolics and flavonoids. It significantly (p < .05) reduced blood glucose levels in glucose‐loaded and alloxan‐induced diabetic mice at the doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg b.w., respectively. A total of 46 compounds were detected and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis, among which 8‐methylisoquinoline N‐oxide (32.82%) was predominant. The phytochemical study by GC–MS revealed that the MEPS possesses compounds which could be related to its antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. To recapitulate, P. sylvestris seeds can be a very good option for antidiabetic and antioxidant activity though further studies are still recommended to figure out the responsible phytochemicals and establish their exact mechanism of action.
Climatic shifts, geomorphic change, ancient routes of migration and adaption in southwestern China: Site formation processes at Luojiaba, Sichuan Province
Authors: Zhang Junna , Storozum Michael J. , Chen Weidong , Rao Zongyue , Hamilton Rebecca , Zheng Zhexuan , Chen Zhiyao , Yu Xuetong , Xia Zhengkai
Published: December 2022

Archaeologists frequently invoke climate change as a driving cause for ancient expansions of human populations, but geomorphic changes can also play an important role in opening or closing routes of migration. In China, archaeological evidence demonstrates that valleys in the Jialing River's watershed were important routes for the movement of Neolithic populations from the catchments of the Yellow River to the Yangtze River. Here, we examine how fluvial geomorphological regime shifts may have also influenced the migration pathways and adaptive strategies of Neolithic people into the Sichuan Basin by using a combination of sedimentological and palynological analysis at Luojiaba, an archaeological site located on one of the eastern tributaries of the Jialing River. The results show that people settled on seasonally stable landforms, including the Zhonghe River floodplain at Luojiaba (5300–4800 cal. B.P.). They carried out fishing and hunting activities on the front edge of the floodplain close to the river channel and built dwelling features on the higher ground at the back edge of the floodplain, which was not affected by seasonal floods. We hypothesize that during the Holocene Climatic Optimum before 5500 cal. B.P., high water levels as well as severe surface erosion caused by a strong East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) blocked pathways into the upper reaches of the Jialing River watershed. Only after a series of cold, dry climate events driven by a decrease in EASM intensity ca. 5500–5000 cal. B.P. did water levels recede significantly. This allowed alluvial aggradation to occur, which created floodplains and terraces along the valley that may have opened a new route for the migration into the Sichuan Basin. Our results reveal the human–environment dynamics surrounding Luojiaba in the uplands of southwestern China and highlight the impact of coupled climatic‐geomorphic regime shifts on human settlement and subsistence strategies, across both space and time.
Enhanced hyperalignment via spatial prior information
Authors: Andreella Angela , Finos Livio , Lindquist Martin A.
Published: December 2022

Functional alignment between subjects is an important assumption of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) group‐level analysis. However, it is often violated in practice, even after alignment to a standard anatomical template. Hyperalignment, based on sequential Procrustes orthogonal transformations, has been proposed as a method of aligning shared functional information into a common high‐dimensional space and thereby improving inter‐subject analysis. Though successful, current hyperalignment algorithms have a number of shortcomings, including difficulties interpreting the transformations, a lack of uniqueness of the procedure, and difficulties performing whole‐brain analysis. To resolve these issues, we propose the ProMises (Procrustes von Mises–Fisher) model. We reformulate functional alignment as a statistical model and impose a prior distribution on the orthogonal parameters (the von Mises–Fisher distribution). This allows for the embedding of anatomical information into the estimation procedure by penalizing the contribution of spatially distant voxels when creating the shared functional high‐dimensional space. Importantly, the transformations, aligned images, and related results are all unique. In addition, the proposed method allows for efficient whole‐brain functional alignment. In simulations and application to data from four fMRI studies we find that ProMises improves inter‐subject classification in terms of between‐subject accuracy and interpretability compared to standard hyperalignment algorithms.
Predicting sex, age, general cognition and mental health with machine learning on brain structural connectomes
Authors: Yeung Hon Wah , Stolicyn Aleks , Buchanan Colin R. , Tucker‐Drob Elliot M. , Bastin Mark E. , Luz Saturnino , McIntosh Andrew M. , Whalley Heather C. , Cox Simon R. , Smith Keith
Published: December 2022

There is an increasing expectation that advanced, computationally expensive machine learning (ML) techniques, when applied to large population‐wide neuroimaging datasets, will help to uncover key differences in the human brain in health and disease. We take a comprehensive approach to explore how multiple aspects of brain structural connectivity can predict sex, age, general cognitive function and general psychopathology, testing different ML algorithms from deep learning (DL) model (BrainNetCNN) to classical ML methods. We modelled N = 8183 structural connectomes from UK Biobank using six different structural network weightings obtained from diffusion MRI. Streamline count generally provided the highest prediction accuracies in all prediction tasks. DL did not improve on prediction accuracies from simpler linear models. Further, high correlations between gradient attribution coefficients from DL and model coefficients from linear models suggested the models ranked the importance of features in similar ways, which indirectly suggested the similarity in models' strategies for making predictive decision to some extent. This highlights that model complexity is unlikely to improve detection of associations between structural connectomes and complex phenotypes with the current sample size.
Ultrasound‐guided resection for squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa: A feasibility study
Authors: Adriaansens Carleen M. E. M. , de Koning Klijs J. , de Bree Remco , Dankbaar Jan Willem , Breimer Gerben E. , van Es Robert J. J. , Noorlag Rob
Published: December 2022

Background

Image‐guided surgery could help obtain clear (≥5.0 mm) resection margins. This feasibility study investigated ultrasound‐guided resection accuracy of buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (BMSCC).

Methods

MRI and ultrasound measurements of tumor thickness were compared to histology in 13 BMSCC‐patients. Ultrasound measured margins (at five locations) on the specimen were compared to the corresponding histological margins.

Results

Accuracy of in‐ and ex‐vivo ultrasound (mean deviation from histology: 1.6 mm) for measuring tumor thickness was comparable to MRI (mean deviation from histology: 2.6 mm). The sensitivity to detect <5mm margins using ex‐vivo ultrasound was low (48%). If an ex‐vivo ultrasound cutoff of ≥7.5 mm would be used, the sensitivity would increase to 86%.

Conclusions

Ultrasound‐guided resection of BMSCC's is feasible. In‐ and ex‐vivo ultrasound measure tumor thickness in BMSCC accurately. We recommend ≥7.5 mm resection margins on ex‐vivo ultrasound to obtain histological clear margins. Additional research is required to establish the effect of 7.5 mm ultrasound cutoff.
Evaluation of an empirical equation to compute the nonlinearity parameter of a root water uptake model
Authors: Kumar Navsal , Poddar Arunava , Shankar Vijay
Published: December 2022

The study evaluates an empirical equation to compute the nonlinearity parameter ‘β’ of a root water uptake (RWU) model for a variety of crops. A numerical model for simulating the soil moisture dynamics incorporating the RWU model was used to evaluate the efficacy of the empirical equation. Field experiments on seven crops, namely maize, pea, wheat, sorghum, Indian mustard, guar and potato, were conducted at Hamirpur, India. The soil moisture depletion and moisture status at different depths in the crop root zone predicted by the numerical model reflected satisfactory agreement with the experimentally observed values. The qualitative and quantitative comparative analysis establishes the efficacy of the empirical nonlinearity parameter‐based RWU model in predicting moisture uptake in the root zone for different varieties of crops. The nonlinearity of moisture extraction in the root zone varies for different crops as well as during different growth stages in the same crop.
In vivo exposure to pyriproxyfen causes ovarian oxidative stress and inhibits follicle maturation in zebrafish
Authors: de Oliveira Vanessa Staldoni , Marins Katiuska , Mendes Ana Karla Bittecourt , Zamoner Ariane , Leite Gabriel Adan Araujo , Silva Fátima Regina Mena Barreto
Published: December 2022

We analyzed the effects of pyriproxyfen (PPF) on oxidative stress and ovarian morphology in zebrafish. PPF (10−9 M) exposure increased reactive oxygen species generation in ovaries, in association with a decrease in glutathione content. The activities of glutathione S‐transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were increased, while γ‐glutamyltransferase activity was not altered by pesticide treatment. The histology of ovarian tissue showed an increase in the number of previtellogenic oocytes I, and a decrease in the rate of vitellogenic oocyte (VIT) count, suggesting inhibition of follicular maturation. An increase in the thickness of the vitelline envelope was observed in VIT, as was a tendency toward an increase in atresia in the ovary of the PPF‐treated group. These findings indicate that the deleterious effect of PPF on ovarian maturation is mediated by a redox imbalance and oxidative damage. So, PPF acts as an endocrine disruptor chemical and may compromise fish reproduction by reducing female fertility.
Bisphenol S induces oxidative stress‐mediated impairment of testosterone synthesis by inhibiting the Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Yu‐xiao , Dai Wei , Li Yi‐zhou , Wu Zi‐yao , Kan Ya‐qi , Zeng Huai‐cai , He Qing‐zhi
Published: December 2022

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an environmental endocrine disruptor widely used in industrial production. BPS induces oxidative stress and exhibits male reproductive toxicity in mice, but the mechanisms by which BPS impairs steroid hormone synthesis are not fully understood. Nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2(Nrf2)/HO‐1 signaling is a key pathway in improving cellular antioxidant defense capacities. Therefore, this study explored the effects of exposure to BPS on testosterone synthesis in adult male mice and its mechanisms with regard to the Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathway. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were orally exposed to BPS (2, 20, and 200 mg/kg BW) with sesame oil as a vehicle (0.1 ml/10 g BW) per day for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that compared with the control group, serum testosterone levels were substantially reduced in the 20 and 200 mg/kg BPS treatment groups, and testicular testosterone levels were reduced in all BPS treatment groups. These changes were accompanied by a prominent decrease in the expression levels of testosterone synthesis‐related enzymes (STAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD3B1, and HSD17B3) in the mouse testis. In addition, BPS induced oxidative stress in the testis by upregulating the messenger RNA and protein levels of Keap1 and downregulating the levels of Nrf2, HO‐1, and downstream antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD1, and Gpx4). In summary, our results indicate that exposure of adult male mice to BPS can inhibit Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling and antioxidant enzyme activity, which induces oxidative stress and thereby may impair testosterone synthesis in testicular tissues, leading to reproductive damage.
Antimelanoma effect of manool in 2D cell cultures and reconstructed human skin models
Authors: Nicolella Heloiza D. , Ribeiro Arthur B. , Munari Carla Carolina , Melo Matheus R. , Ozelin Saulo D. , da Silva Lucas Henrique D. , Marquele‐Oliveira Franciane , Orenha Renato P. , Veneziani Rodrigo Cássio S. , Parreira Renato Luis T. , Tavares Denise Crispim
Published: December 2022

Melanoma is the most aggressive and lethal type of skin cancer, characterized by therapeutic resistance. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic potential of manool, a diterpene from Salvia officinalis L., in human (A375) and murine (B16F10) melanoma cell lines. The analysis of cytotoxicity using the XTT assay showed the lowest IC50 after 48 h of treatment with the manool, being 17.6 and 18.2 µg/ml for A375 and B16F10, respectively. A selective antiproliferative effect of manool was observed on the A375 cells based on the colony formation assay, showing an IC50 equivalent to 5.6 µg/ml. The manool treatments led to 43.5% inhibition of the A375 cell migration at a concentration of 5.0 µg/ml. However, it did not affect cell migration in the B16F10 cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the manool interfered in the cell cycle of the A375 cells, blocking the G2/M phase. No changes in the cell cycle were observed in the B16F10 cells. Interestingly, manool did not induce apoptosis in the A375 cells, but apoptosis was observed after treatment of the B16F10 cells. Additionally, manool showed an antimelanoma effect in a reconstructed human skin model. Furthermore, in silico studies, showed that manool is stabilized in the active sites of the tubulin dimer with comparable energy concerning taxol, indicating that both structures can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Altogether, it is concluded that manool, through the modulation of the cell cycle, presents a selective antiproliferative activity and a potential antimelanoma effect.
Study the association of microRNA polymorphisms (miR‐146a, miR‐4513) with the risk of coronary heart diseases in Egyptian population
Authors: Ali Heba Mohamed , Ellakwa Doha El‐Sayed , Elaraby Nesma Mohamed , Zaher Amr Mohamed , Amr Khalda Sayed
Published: December 2022

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent cause of cardiovascular mortality in the world. It is well established that microRNAs (miRNAs) and their variants have an essential role in regulating the development of cardiovascular physiology, thus impacting the pathophysiology of heart diseases. This study was designed to determine the possible association of miRNA polymorphisms (miRNA‐146a rs2910164C/G and miR‐4513 rs2168518G/A) with susceptibility to CHD in Egyptian patients and their correlation with different biochemical parameters. The study comprised 300 participants, including 200 unrelated patients with CHD and 100 healthy controls. Anthropometric and blood biochemical parameters were measured as well genetic analysis for rs2910164C/G and rs2168518G/A polymorphisms were performed for all subjects using TaqMan real‐time PCR assay. Our results revealed that the biomedical parameters have a significant correlation between CHD patients and healthy controls with a p < 0.05. Analyses of genotype distribution for (rs2910164 and rs2168518) revealed a significant association with CHD [odd ratio = 4.54, confidence interval (CI 95%) = (2.41–8.53)] and [odd ratio = 0.88, (CI 95%) = (0.83–0.92)], respectively. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was detected between lipid profile levels and both rs2910164 and rs2168518 polymorphisms. The present study's findings indicated that the selected polymorphisms, miR‐146a rs2910164 and miR‐4513 rs2168518 could represent a useful biomarker for susceptibility to CHD in the Egyptian population. These genetic characteristics and personal habits and environmental factors may contribute to the development of CHD.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the prevalence and correlation of mild cognitive impairment in sarcopenia
Authors: Yang Ying , Xiao Mengmeng , Leng Lin , Jiang Shixie , Feng Lei , Pan Gaofeng , Li Zheng , Wang Yan , Wang Jiang , Wen Yanting , Wu Dan , Yang Yongxue , Huang Pan
Published: December 2022

Sarcopenia is a progressive skeletal muscle disorder involving the loss of muscle mass and function, associated with an increased risk of disability and frailty. Though its prevalence in dementia has been studied, its occurrence in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been well established. As MCI is often a prelude to dementia, our study aims to investigate the prevalence of MCI among individuals with sarcopenia and to also ascertain whether sarcopenia is independently associated with MCI. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Ovid, Embase and Web of Science were systematically searched for articles on MCI and/or sarcopenia published from inception to 1 February 2022. We reviewed the available literature on the number of individuals with MCI and/or sarcopenia and calculated odds ratios (ORs) of sarcopenia in MCI and MCI in sarcopenia, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using the meta package in Stata, Version 12.0. A total of 13 studies and 27 428 patients were included in our analysis. The pooled prevalence of MCI in participants with sarcopenia was 20.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.140–0.269) in a total sample of 2923 cases with a high level of heterogeneity (P < 0.001; I2 = 95.4%). The overall prevalence of sarcopenia with MCI was 9.1% (95% CI: 0.047–0.134, P < 0.001; I2 = 93.0%). For overall ORs, there were 23 364 subjects with a mean age of 73 years; the overall adjusted OR between MCI and sarcopenia was 1.46 (95% CI: 1.31–1.62). Slight heterogeneity in both adjusted ORs (P = 0.46; I2 = 0%) was noted across the studies. The prevalence of MCI is relatively high in patients with sarcopenia, and sarcopenia may be a risk factor for MCI.