bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A induces autophagy in bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells involving the PI3K/mTOR pathway
Authors: Tan Hongyi , Cao Liyan
Published: April 2023

Background

Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is the major virulence factor of Acinetobacter baumannii and plays a wide role in the pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance of A. baumannii. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most effective antigen‐presenting cells and play a crucial role in regulating the immune response to multiple antigens and immune sentries. We aimed to study the role and molecular mechanisms of OmpA‐induced mouse bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) autophagy in the immune response of A. baumannii.

Methods

First, purified A. baumannii OmpA was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and western blot. OmpA effect on BMDCs viability was evaluated by MTT assay. BMDCs were pretreated with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine or transfected with overexpression plasmids (oe‐NC or oe‐PI3K). Then BMDCs apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines, protein kinase B (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and autophagy‐related factors levels were evaluated.

Results

SDS‐PAGE and western blot verified the successful purification of OmpA. BMDCs viability repressed gradually with the increase of OmpA concentration. OmpA treatment of BMDCs led to apoptosis and inflammation in BMDCs. OmpA caused incomplete autophagy in BMDCs, and light chain 3 (LC3), Beclin1, P62, and LC3II/I levels were significantly elevated with the increase of the time and concentration of OmpA treatment. Chloroquine reversed OmpA effects on autophagy in BMDCs, that was, LC3, Beclin1, and LC3II/I levels were reduced, while P62 level was elevated. Furthermore, chloroquine reversed OmpA effects on apoptosis and inflammation in BMDCs. PI3K/mTOR pathway‐related factor expression was affected by OmpA treatment of BMDCs. After overexpression of PI3K, these effects were reversed.

Conclusions

A. baumannii OmpA induced autophagy in BMDCs involving the PI3K/mTOR pathway. Our study may provide a novel therapeutic target and theoretical basis for treating infections caused by A. baumannii.
Behçet syndrome: The disturbed balance between anti‐ (CLEC12A, CLC) and proinflammatory (IFI27) gene expressions
Authors: Oğuz Ali Kemal , Oygür Çağdaş Şahap , Taşır Seda , Özdağ Hilal , Akar Mehmet Nejat
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Behçet syndrome (BS) is a chronic, multisystemic inflammatory condition with unanswered questions regarding its pathogenesis and rational therapeutics. A microarray‐based comparative transcriptomic analysis was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of BS and identify any potential therapeutic targets.

Methods

Twenty‐nine BS patients (B) and 15 age and sex‐matched control subjects (C) were recruited. Patients were grouped as mucocutaneous (M), ocular (O), and vascular (V) according to their clinical phenotypes. GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays were used for expression profiling on peripheral blood samples of the patients and the control subjects. Following documentation of the differentially expressed gene (DEG) sets, the data were further evaluated with bioinformatics analysis, visualization, and enrichment tools. Validation of the microarray data was performed using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Results

When p ≤ 0.05 and fold change ≥2.0 were chosen, the following numbers of DEGs were obtained; B versus C: 28, M versus C: 20, O versus C: 8, V versus C: 555, M versus O: 6, M versus V: 324, O versus V: 142. Venn diagram analysis indicated only two genes, CLEC12A and IFI27, in the intersection of M versus C ∩ O versus C ∩ V versus C. Another noteworthy gene appeared as CLC in the DEG sets. Cluster analyses successfully clustered distinct clinical phenotypes of BS. While innate immunity‐related processes were enriched in the M group, adaptive immunity‐specific processes were significantly enriched in the O and V groups.

Conclusions

Distinct clinical phenotypes of BS patients displayed distinct expression profiles. In Turkish BS patients, expression differences regarding the genes CLEC12A, IFI27, and CLC seemed to be operative in the disease pathogenesis. Based on these findings, future research should consider the immunogenetic heterogeneity of BS clinical phenotypes. Two anti‐inflammatory genes, namely CLEC12A and CLC, may be valuable as therapeutic targets and may also help design an experimental model in BS.
Profiling of innate and adaptive immune cells during influenza virus infection reveals sex bias in invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells
Authors: Humeniuk Piotr , Barrett Aidan , Axelsson Hannes , Corciulo Carmen , Drevinge Christina , Pons Alicia Del Carpio , Angeletti Davide , Scheffler Julia M. , Islander Ulrika
Published: April 2023

Background

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Biological sex influences the immune responses to IAV infection, resulting in higher mortality in women of reproductive age. Previous studies revealed increased activation of T and B cells in female mice after IAV infection, but extensive analysis of sex differences in both innate and adaptive immune cells over time is lacking. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are fast‐reacting forces and modulators of immune responses that are important to IAV immunity, but it is not known if the presence and function of iNKT cells differ between females and males. The aim of this study was to determine immunological mechanisms that contribute to the increased disease severity in female mice during IAV infection.

Methods

Female and male mice were infected with mouse‐adapted IAV and monitored for weight loss and survival. Immune cell populations and cytokine expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung, and mediastinal lymph node were determined at three time points after infection using flow cytometry and ELISA.

Results

The results reveal increased severity and mortality in adult female mice compared to age‐matched males. Female mice show larger increases in innate and adaptive immune cell populations and cytokine production in lung compared to mock on Day 6 postinfection. On Day 9 postinfection, female mice express higher numbers of iNKT cells in lung and liver compared to males.

Conclusions

This comprehensive analysis of immune cells and cytokines over time following IAV infection reveals increased leukocyte expansion and stronger proinflammatory cytokine responses in female mice during disease initiation. Furthermore, this is the first study to report a sex bias in iNKT cell populations after IAV infection. The data suggests that the process of recovery from IAV‐induced airway inflammation is associated with increased expansion of several different iNKT cell subpopulations in female mice.
Dehydrated human amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid allograft for the treatment of complex rectovaginal fistulas: A novel technique
Authors: Clark Jessica , Tulenko Thomas N. , Echols Karolynn
Published: April 2023

Synopsis

Using a dehydrated human amniotic membrane along with an amniotic suspension allograft, an effective therapy for complex rectovaginal fistula is demonstrated.
Evaluating depression anxiety and stress assessment before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic using generalisability theory
Authors: Lightburn Scott J. , Pratscher Steven D. , Bettencourt B. Ann , Hartstone Jayne M. , Medvedev Oleg N.
Published: April 2023

The current study investigated the assessment of depression, anxiety, and stress during normal and COVID‐19 pandemic conditions. Generalisability theory (G‐theory) was applied to examine stable and dynamic aspects of psychological distress and the overall reliability of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS‐21), using data from two independent samples collected on three occasions with 2‐ to 4‐week intervals. The US data (n = 115) was collected before the COVID‐19 pandemic, and the New Zealand (NZ) data (n = 114) was obtained during the pandemic. The total DASS‐21 demonstrated excellent reliability in measuring enduring symptoms of psychological distress (G = .94–.96) across both samples. While all DASS‐21 subscales demonstrated good reliability with the pre‐pandemic US sample, the subscales' reliability was below an acceptable level for the NZ sample. Findings from this study indicate that the overall psychological distress is enduring and can be reliably measured by the DASS‐21 across different conditions and populations, while shifts across depression, anxiety and stress levels are likely during emergency and uncertainty, as seen in the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Effects of miR‐190a‐3p on Sevoflurane‐induced postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD)
Authors: Guo Long‐Long , Wang Yang , Wang Hai‐Yan , Song Shan , Zhang Jing
Published: April 2023

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is regularly observed in patients postsurgery due to the usage of anesthetics, including Sevoflurane. Research has confirmed the participation of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation in the pathogenesis of POCD. Recently, the potential therapeutic function of miR‐190a‐3p against cognitive dysfunction has been reported. However, its role and mechanism in POCD are unclear. Our study will focus on the protective property and mechanism of miR‐190a‐3p on POCD to seek potential biomarkers and treatment targets for POCD. The animal model of POCD was constructed by the injection of Sevoflurane, followed by the administration of mimic negative control and miR‐190a‐3p. MiR‐190a‐3p was found to be downregulated in POCD rats. Declined time to explore the platform, swimming distance, and times that rats crossed the platform were observed in POCD rats, accompanied by increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, elevated malondialdehyde levels, repressed superoxide dismutase activity, and decreased levels of reduced glutathione, all of which were dramatically reversed by miR‐190a‐3p. Furthermore, the downregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and activation of toll‐like receptor 4/nuclear factor‐κB signaling were observed in POCD rats, which were greatly rescued by miR‐190a‐3p. Lastly, the Nrf2 luciferase activity and Nrf2 levels in HT22 cells were extremely improved by miR‐190a‐3p. Collectively, miR‐190a‐3p alleviated Sevoflurane‐induced POCD in rats by repressing OS and inflammation.
Alanine boronic acid functionalized UiO‐66 MOF as a nanoreactor for the conversion of CO2 into formic acid
Authors: Faizan Mohmmad , Pawar Ravinder
Published: April 2023

The alarming increase in the atmospheric CO2 concertation is a global concern today. Thus, the researchers around the globe are finding ways to decrease the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Converting CO2 into valuable chemicals like formic acid is one of the best ways to address this issue, but the stability of the CO2 molecule poses a great challenge in its conversion. To date various metal‐based and organic catalysts are available for the reduction of CO2. Still there is a great need for better, robust and economic catalytic systems and the advent of functionalized nanoreactors based on metal organic frame works (MOF) have opened a new dimension in this field. Thus, in the present work UiO‐66 MOF functionalized with alanine boronic acid (AB) have been theoretically investigated for the reaction of CO2 with H2. The density functional theory (DFT) based calculations were carried out to probe the reaction pathway. The result shows that the proposed nanoreactors can efficiently catalyze the CO2 hydrogenation. Further, the periodic energy decomposition analysis (pEDA) unveils important insights about the catalytic action of the nanoreactor.
Evaluation of Drug‐Drug Interactions of Ensitrelvir, a SARS‐CoV‐2 3CL Protease Inhibitor, With Transporter Substrates Based on In Vitro and Clinical Studies
Authors: Shimizu Ryosuke , Matsuzaki Takanobu , Oka Ryoko , Sonoyama Takuhiro , Fukuhara Takahiro , Kuwata Aya , Matsuo Yumiko , Kubota Ryuji
Published: April 2023

Drug‐drug interaction potentials of ensitrelvir, a novel oral inhibitor of 3C‐like protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, for drug transporters were evaluated by in vitro and clinical studies. The target drug transporters assessed were P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1, OATP1B3, organic anion transporter (OAT) 1, OAT3, organic cation transporter (OCT) 1, OCT2, and multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 and 2K. In vitro study revealed that ensitrelvir is a substrate for P‐gp and BCRP and inhibits P‐gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OCT1, and OAT3. Based on these results, a clinical drug‐drug interaction study to evaluate the effect of ensitrelvir on the pharmacokinetics of P‐gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and OCT1 substrates was conducted with a cocktail approach using digoxin (P‐gp substrate), rosuvastatin (BCRP, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 substrate), and metformin (OCT1 substrate). The cocktail was administered first, and after the washout period, the cocktail was coadministered with 500 mg of ensitrelvir. No treatment‐emergent adverse events were observed. Pharmacokinetic analyses demonstrated that the ratios (90% confidence intervals) of “cocktail with ensitrelvir” to “cocktail without ensitrelvir” for maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration–time curve were, respectively, 2.17 (1.72‐2.73) and 1.31 (1.13‐1.52) for digoxin, 1.97 (1.73‐2.25) and 1.65 (1.47‐1.84) for rosuvastatin, and 1.03 (0.91‐1.16) and 1.02 (0.94‐1.11) for metformin. The results indicate that the exposure levels of digoxin and rosuvastatin increased when coadministered with ensitrelvir, but those of metformin were not changed. In conclusion, ensitrelvir has an impact on the exposure levels of P‐gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 substrates.
Effect of accessibility of a genetic counselor on uptake of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT‐A) and carrier screening for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization
Authors: Singh Prapti , Martin Caitlin E. , Jamro‐Comer Erica , Andrews Marisa V. , Almgren‐Bell Alison , Riley Joan , Jimenez Patricia T.
Published: April 2023

This retrospective cohort study assessed the accessibility of a genetic counselor on uptake of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT‐A) and carrier screening in a single academic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) clinic. A total of 420 patients were evaluated with 219 patients counseled by a REI physician only and 201 patients after the addition of a genetic counselor (GC) to the REI clinic team. Cycles initiated before hiring of a GC (pre‐GC) were assessed from June 2018 to December 2018 and after integration of a GC (post‐GC) from March 2019 to August 2019. Additionally, information regarding carrier screening was collected if available in the medical record. Results showed more patients utilized PGT‐A post‐GC (9.5% vs. 5.5%), although the difference between groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.12). Individuals who were screened post‐GC or who started screening pre‐GC and continued screening post‐GC were screened for a larger number of conditions than if they were only screened pre‐GC (median pre‐GC = 3, post‐GC = 27, pre‐ and post‐GC = 274; p < 0.0001). The change in practice from using physician‐only counseling to counseling with accessibility to a GC did not change the utilization of PGT‐A in a single clinic.
Enantioseparation/Recognition based on nano techniques/materials
Authors: Daneshvar Tarigh Ghazale
Published: April 2023

Enantiomers show different behaviors in interaction with the chiral environment. Due to their identical chemical structure and their wide application in various industries, such as agriculture, medicine, pesticide, food, and so forth, their separation is of great importance. Today, the term “nano” is frequently encountered in all fields. Technology and measuring devices are moving towards miniaturization, and the usage of nanomaterials in all sectors is expanding substantially. Given that scientists have recently attempted to apply miniaturized techniques known as nano‐liquid chromatography/capillary‐liquid chromatography, which were originally accomplished in 1988, as well as the widespread usage of nanomaterials for chiral resolution (back in 1989), this comprehensive study was developed. Searching the terms “nano” and “enantiomer separation” on scientific websites such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science yields articles that either use miniaturized instruments or apply nanomaterials as chiral selectors with a variety of chemical and electrochemical detection techniques, which are discussed in this article.
The influence of frontline employee self‐disclosure about products in a retail store on customer trust in the retailer in the context of service encounters
Authors: Park Jihye , Yi Youjae
Published: April 2023

The current research investigates how customers respond to self‐disclosure by frontline employees in the service encounter context of retailing. Three scenario‐based experiments demonstrate that self‐disclosure by frontline employees related to the promoted products in a retail store has a beneficial impact on the trust which customers feel in the store. This effect is mediated by both perceived employee effort and intimacy toward employees. However, this self‐disclosure effect is mitigated when customers perceive strong persuasive intent via persuasive attempts by employees. From a practical viewpoint, our investigations offer applicable tactics for producing desired outcomes regarding relational benefits (i.e., trust) during service encounters.
Effective Stakeholder Engagement for Offshore Wind Energy Development: The State of New York's Fisheries and Environmental Technical Working Groups
Authors: Brunbauer Morgan , McClellan Press Kate , Williams Kathryn A. , Dresser Brian K. , Gulka Julia , Lampman Greg
Published: April 2023

The offshore wind (OSW) energy industry is rapidly developing in the United States. New federal mandates require at least 30 GW of OSW by 2030. With the largest goal in the eastern United States, the state of New York seeks to advance OSW in a way that is both environmentally and socially responsible as well as cost-effective. To achieve this, New York developed technical working groups (TWGs) in 2017 focused on critical topics relating to OSW energy development, including the Fisheries Technical Working Group and Environment Technical Working Group (F-TWG and E-TWG; collectively, “the TWGs”). The TWGs are composed of OSW developers, fishing industry (F-TWG) or environmental nongovernmental organizations (E-TWG), federal agency representatives, and state representatives from Maine to North Carolina. These groups advise the state of New York on OSW issues by emphasizing the use of science and technical expertise to inform decision making. The effectiveness of TWG collaborations is due to a variety of reasons, including the regional scale of stakeholder involvement, which allows the groups to develop guidance at an appropriate geographic scale relative to OSW and fishing activities and wildlife populations. The regional collaboration and communication fostered by the TWGs are essential for building trust among stakeholder groups and working collectively to minimize fisheries and environmental impacts as the OSW industry progresses. This paper highlights the OSW stakeholder engagement process and approach implemented by New York through the development of TWGs, as a means of identifying needs for environmental and fisheries resources to inform responsible OSW development within New York and regionally across the eastern United States. The lessons learned from the TWG process can be used to inform stakeholder engagement efforts in other locations.
Modified algebraic reconstruction technique based on circular scanning geometry to improve processing time in photoacoustic tomography
Authors: Ahangar Darband Maryam , Qorbani Omid , Najafi Aghdam Esmaeil
Published: April 2023

Photoacoustic imaging is low‐risk, and noninvasive tool for imaging biological tissues that acoustically respond to absorbed irradiating nonionized short laser pulse by tissue, then the image of light energy absorption distribution in the tissue has been reconstructed by image reconstruction algorithms. Indeed, photoacoustic tomography is a hybrid imaging modality that combines pure optical and acoustic imaging methods to take advantage of them, therefore, it contains high optical contrast with good ultrasonic resolution. However, improving its main parts is challenging. One of the most important parts of photoacoustic imaging is image reconstruction using appropriate algorithms. There are various image reconstruction methods. Image reconstruction based on an algebraic algorithm can reconstruct a clear image without artifact, but the algorithm is typically time‐consuming. This paper deals with this drawback of the algorithm. Simulations demonstrate significant improvement in the processing time of reconstructed images achieved by our proposed algorithm as compared to the phase‐controlled algorithm. Based on the image reconstruction algorithm in circular scanning geometry presented in this article, the processing time required to create a 2D tomographic image is reduced from 60 to 3.89 s compared to our previous work, which was based on a phase‐controlled algorithm. This improvement was based on inspiration from the experiences of our past works in dealing with various image reconstruction algorithms, which ultimately led to improvement in the calculation time.
The Major Depression Inventory for diagnosing according to DSM‐5 and ICD‐11: Psychometric properties and validity in a Swedish general population
Authors: Lundin Andreas , Möller Jette , Forsell Yvonne
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) was constructed to assess DSM‐IV and ICD‐10 depression symptoms, and does not fully cover the symptoms listed in DSM‐5 and ICD‐11. This study aimed to augment the MDI to the new diagnostic standards by adding a new item, and to assess and compare the measurement performance of the MDI items and diagnostic algorithms for major depression according to DSM‐IV, ICD‐10, DSM‐5 and ICD‐11.

Methods

Surveys collected 2001–2003 and 2021, including self‐assessed MDI were used. A new hopelessness item was constructed and analyzed alongside the hopelessness item in the Symptom Checklist. The performance of items was compared using Rasch and Mokken analyses. Criterion validity was examined using equivalent diagnoses from psychiatric interview (Schedules for Clinical Assessments in Neuropsychiatry [SCAN]) as standard.

Results

MDI information was provided by 8511 individuals in 2001–2003 (SCAN subsample n = 878), and 8863 in 2021. All items, including hopelessness had good psychometric properties. Sensitivity ranged between 56% and 70%, and specificity between 95% and 96%, indicating similar criterion validity.

Conclusions

Hopelessness and the MDI items had good psychometrics. MDI for DSM‐5 and ICD‐11 had similar validity as for DSM‐IV and ICD‐10. We recommend that MDI is updated to DSM‐5 and ICD‐11 by adding a hopelessness item.
Detection of car parking space by using Hybrid Deep DenseNet Optimization algorithm
Authors: Rajyalakshmi Vankadhara , Lakshmanna Kuruva
Published: April 2023

Internet of Things (IoT) and related applications have revolutionized most of our societal activities, enhancing the quality of human life. This study presents an IoT‐based model that enables optimized parking space utilization. The paper implements a Hybrid Deep DenseNet Optimization (HDDNO) algorithm for predicting parking spot availability involving Machine Learning (ML) and deep learning techniques. The HDDNO‐based ML model uses secondary data from the National Research Council Park (CNRPark) in Pisa, Italy. Different regression algorithms are employed to forecast parking lot availability for a given time as part of the prediction process. The DenseNet technique has generated promising results, whereas the HDDNO model yielded better accuracy. The use of five optimizers, namely, Adaptive Moment Estimation (Adam), Root Mean Squared Propagation (RMSprop), Adaptive Gradient (AdaGrad), AdaDelta, and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD), have played significant roles in minimizing the loss of the model. The part of Adam has enabled the HDDNO model to generate predictions with high accuracy 99.19% and low loss 0.0306%. This proposed methodology would significantly improve environmental safety and act as an initiative toward developing smart cities.
Clinical ethics problems in psychiatry and the need for clinical ethics consultation in Japan: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sato Hiroyuki , Takimoto Yoshiyuki
Published: April 2023

Aim

Psychiatrists often encounter ethical dilemmas in their daily clinical practice. Clinical ethics consultations (CECs) have been recently increasing, especially in general hospitals. However, the current situation in the psychiatric field is unclear. This study clarifies clinical ethics problems in psychiatry and determines the need for CECs.

Methods

We conducted an anonymous self‐administered questionnaire survey in February 2022, which targeted directors and supervisors of psychiatric specialty training programs at 1224 psychiatry facilities.

Results

Responses were received from 311 facilities (response rate: 25.4%). CEC systems existed in 223 (72.2%) facilities, and medical safety committees were the most common. Clinical ethics problems occurred at 248 (80.3%) facilities; the most common method for managing the problems was discussions at case conferences without using CECs. The top four reasons for psychiatrists to solicit advice were conflicts with patients’ relatives, treating a patient with cognitive impairment, discontinuation of treatment, and suicide/attempted suicide. Most respondents (89.9%) considered CECs necessary.

Conclusion

Although CECs exist in psychiatry, they may not meet the needs of clients. Future studies are needed to investigate client satisfaction and CEC evaluation methods in facilities where psychiatric CECs are provided.
Effective polymerization of linear higher alpha olefins from refinery stream for lubricant application
Authors: Sharma Bhawna , Verma Akash , Kukrety Aruna , Saini Swati , Kumar Umesh
Published: April 2023

Polyalphaolefins (PAOs) have potential applications as synthetic lubricants in automotive, industrial, and aviation equipment, including motor oils, hydraulic, and transmission fluids. During the present work, the linear higher alpha olefins (LHAOs) ranging from C8 to C12 present in the refinery stream (RS) are polymerized using Lewis acid catalyst combination of transition metal halide of Group 4, that is, TiCl4 and Group 13 metal halide, that is, AlCl3. The influence of Ti:Al (1:1, 1.5:1, 1:2, and 2:1) molar ratios, polymerization time (2–8 h), and polymerization temperature (100–170°C) on the polymerization behavior of LHAOs were also investigated. The synthesized PAOs were characterized using different analytical techniques, including 1H‐13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The performance evaluation of PAOs was evaluated in terms of density, pour point, oxidation stability, thermal stability, kinematic viscosity (KV), viscosity index (VI), friction, and corrosion studies. The synthesized PAOs exhibit low pour point (<−30°C) and high VI (120–150), making them suitable synthetic lubricant for various applications.
Physical activity in kindergarten, fundamental movement skills, and screen time in Spanish preschool children
Authors: Carballo‐Fazanes Aida , Díaz‐Pereira María P. , Fernández‐Villarino María A. , Abelairas‐Gómez Cristian , Rey Ezequiel
Published: April 2023

Schools have been postulated as ideal environments to encourage physical activity (PA). This study aimed to assess the relationship between PA in school hours, motor competence, and screen time in a sample of Spanish preschool children. Fifty‐seven 4–5‐year‐old preschoolers (n = 32 girls) participated. The Garmin Vivofit wristband was used to measure the PA levels during school hours in a week. Sedentary behavior was estimated through screen‐time hours reported by preschoolers' families and motor competence was assessed by the Athletic Skills Track. The anthropometry (weight/height) and demographic data were also collected. We found that motor competence was significantly associated with PA both in minutes and in steps. Therefore, increased motor competence was related to higher engagement in PA during school hours. No association was found between screen time and PA or proficiency of motor competence. No gender differences were found in any variable assessed. Based on the relationship between motor competence proficiency and the amount of PA in preschool children, our findings support the need for specific strategies to promote fundamental movement skills and increase PA practice from early childhood.
Survey of physicians' and physiotherapists' ankle muscle strength assessment practices for safe return to sports after lateral ankle sprain: A short report
Authors: Aguilaniu Aude , Delvaux François , Schwartz Cédric , Martens Géraldine , Forthomme Bénédicte , Kaux Jean‐François , Croisier Jean‐Louis
Published: April 2023

Background and Purpose

Ankle muscle strength is an important criterion to consider and assess for return to play (RTP) after lateral ankle sprain (LAS). This study therefore focuses on the reported ankle muscle strength consideration for RTP by physicians and physiotherapists, both clinicians involved in RTP decisions, and how they assess it in daily practice. The primary aim is to compare reported clinical practice on ankle muscle strength evaluation between physicians and physiotherapists. Our secondary aims are: to assess the prevalence of use of qualitative versus quantitative assessment and; to determine if there are any differences in how clinicians with or without a Sports Medicine or Physiotherapy Education approach this assessment.

Methods

A survey on RTP criteria after LAS was completed by 109 physicians in a previous study. A number of 103 physiotherapists completed the same survey. A comparison between clinicians' answers was realized and additional questions on ankle muscle strength were analysed.

Results

Physiotherapists consider ankle strength for RTP more than physicians (p < 0.001). A large majority of physicians (93%) and physiotherapists (92%) reported assessing ankle strength manually and less than 10% use a dynamometer. Physicians and physiotherapists with Sports Medicine or Physiotherapy Education selected more quantitative assessment than those without (p < 0.001).

Discussion

Despite being recognized as an important criterion, ankle muscle strength is not always part of the RTP criteria after LAS in daily practice. The dynamometers are scarcely used by physicians and physiotherapists, whereas it could accurately quantify ankle strength deficits. Sports Medicine or Physiotherapy Education increases the use of quantitative ankle strength assessments by clinicians.
Synthetic Model Combination: A new machine‐learning method for pharmacometric model ensembling
Authors: Chan Alexander , Peck Richard , Gibbs Megan , van der Schaar Mihaela
Published: April 2023

When aiming to make predictions over targets in the pharmacological setting, a data‐focused approach aims to learn models based on a collection of labeled examples. Unfortunately, data sharing is not always possible, and this can result in many different models trained on disparate populations, leading to the natural question of how best to use and combine them when making a new prediction. Previous work has focused on global model selection or ensembling, with the result of a single final model across the feature space. Machine‐learning models perform notoriously poorly on data outside their training domain, however, due to a problem known as covariate shift, and so we argue that when ensembling models the weightings for individual instances must reflect their respective domains—in other words, models that are more likely to have seen information on that instance should have more attention paid to them. We introduce a method for such an instance‐wise ensembling of models called Synthetic Model Combination (SMC), including a novel representation learning step for handling sparse high‐dimensional domains. We demonstrate the use of SMC on an example with dosing predictions for vancomycin, although emphasize the applicability of the method to any scenario involving the use of multiple models.
The effect of Andrographis paniculata water extract on palliative management of metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma—A phase II clinical trial
Authors: Chiu Philip Wai‐Yan , Yue Grace Gar‐Lee , Cheung Man Kit , Yip Hon‐Chi , Chu Siu‐Kai , Yung Man‐Yee , Wu Justin Che‐Yuen , Chan Shannon Melissa , Teoh Anthony Yuen‐Bun , Ng Enders Kwok‐Wai , Norimoto Hisayoshi , Lau Clara Bik‐San
Published: April 2023

Patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have a grave prognosis with limited life expectancy. Here, a phase II clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effect of Andrographis paniculata (AP) on the palliative care of patients with metastatic ESCC. Patients with metastatic or locally advanced ESCC deemed unfit for surgery, and who have already completed palliative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy or are not fit for these treatments, were recruited. These patients were prescribed AP concentrated granules for 4 months. They also received clinical and quality of life assessments for clinical response, as well as positron emission tomography–computed tomography at 3 and 6 months after AP treatment for the assessment of tumor volume. Furthermore, the change in gut microbiota composition after AP treatment was studied. From the results, among the 30 recruited patients, 10 completed the entire course of AP treatment, while 20 received partial AP treatment. Patients who completed the AP treatment achieved significantly longer overall survival periods with the maintenance of the quality of life during the survival period when compared to those who could not complete AP treatment. The treatment effect of AP also contributed to the shift of the overall structure of gut microbiota for ESCC patients towards those of healthy individuals. The significance of this study is the establishment of AP as a safe and effective palliative treatment for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical trial of AP water extract in esophageal cancer patients demonstrating its new medicinal use.
Cover Image
Authors: Ban Yanfei , Wang Yang , Qiao Liming , Zhang Chengzhong , Wang Hongrui , He Xuhui , Jia Dan , Zheng Chengjian
Published: April 2023

The cover image is based on the Research Article Total lignans from Vitex negundo seeds attenuate osteoarthritis and their main component vitedoin A alleviates osteoclast differentiation by suppressing ERK/NFATc1 signaling by Yanfei Ban et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7750.

image
An observational view of rainfall characteristics and evaluation of ERA5 diurnal cycle in the Yarlung Tsangbo Grand Canyon, China
Authors: Chen Xuelong , Cao Dianbin , Liu Yajing , Xu Xin , Ma Yaoming
Published: April 2023

The Yarlung Tsangbo Grand Canyon (YGC), one of the world's deepest canyons, is located within the East Himalayas, which are remote and poorly instrumented. In this study, a rain gauge network was established around the YGC region. Data collected from the network for more than three years disclose that the rainfall spatial pattern in the south of the YGC region is relatively homogeneous. Diurnal cycles showed some variations among sites, but a clear floor was visible in the afternoon and peak values were exhibited in the early morning. The monthly precipitation in the YGC region shows two peaks, in April and July. There are two regions (500 m and 2,500 m AMSL) with high precipitation in the YGC. For rainfall extremes, vertical convection and vapor transport are important in this region. The diurnal cycle from our observations provides a key test of the physical parameterizations for use in the fifth‐generation ECMWF (European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts) reanalysis product (ERA5). Our observations indicate that ERA5 cannot reproduce the diurnal patterns of precipitation in the YGC region. ERA5 showed a wet bias when estimating light cumulus rainfall and a dry bias when estimating heavier (convective) precipitation. The erroneous diurnal variation of ERA5 precipitation (false afternoon rainfall) was due to the CAPE (Convectively Available Potential Energy)‐based convective precipitation scheme. The higher ERA5 precipitation than observed was due to the large‐scale rainfall scheme in the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) of ERA5. These findings indicate that there still is room for improvement of the ERA5 reanalysis data in the eastern Himalaya region.
Application of elemental analysis‐coupled isotope ratio mass spectrometry for protein turnover analysis using deuterium labeling: Purification and analysis of hydrogen isotope ratio of non‐derivatized protein‐bound alanine
Authors: Sumi Koichiro , Munakata Kinuyo , Nakagawa Mayuko , Yamada Keita , Yoshida Naohiro
Published: April 2023

Rationale

Heavy water can be used as a tracer for the evaluation of protein turnover. By adding heavy water (D2O) to the precursor pool, nonessential amino acids, including alanine, can be isotopically labeled in vivo. Protein turnover can then be quantified by measuring the hydrogen isotope ratio of protein‐bound alanine.

Methods

In this study, we constructed a novel method to apply deuterium labeling of alanine to the evaluation of protein turnover using elemental analysis‐coupled isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA‐IRMS). We established a preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography method to isolate alanine from protein hydrolysates. EA‐IRMS was then used to determine the hydrogen isotope ratio of alanine isolated from hydrolysates of protein from mouse myoblast C2C12 cells that had been treated with D2O over the course of 72 h.

Results

In cells treated with 4% D2O, the deuterium enrichment of alanine increased to approximately 0.9% over time, while that of cells treated with 0.017% D2O increased to approximately 0.006%. The rate of protein synthesis calculated by fitting the increase of deuterium excess to rise‐to‐plateau kinetics was similar regardless of the concentration of D2O. When C2C12 cells treated with insulin and rapamycin were analyzed 24 h after the addition of 0.017% D2O, protein turnover was found to be accelerated by insulin, but this effect was offset by co‐treatment with rapamycin.

Conclusion

The derivative‐free measurement of the hydrogen isotope ratio of protein‐bound alanine using EA‐IRMS can be applied to the evaluation of protein turnover. The proposed method is an accessible option for many laboratories to perform highly sensitive IRMS‐based evaluations of protein metabolic turnover.
Robust exponential stability analysis of switched systems under switching boundary mismatch
Authors: Li Bingyun , Song Chunyue , Zhao Jun , Yu Jingxian
Published: April 2023

Switching boundary is an integral part of the switched system, but the existing literature on switched systems does not focus on the system under switching boundary mismatch. In this article, the switching boundary mismatch is considered, and the control strategy based on observation algorithm is designed for the state dependent switched system. By implementing the proposed strategy, the system can realize robust exponential stability and track the desired trajectory. Since the switching boundary mismatch is unmeasurable, an observation algorithm is designed. Combining the observation algorithm and iterative learning control law, the new control strategy can be derived. According to the Lyapunov stability theory and mode dependent average dwell time method, the robust exponential stability conditions of the closed‐loop system based on linear matrix inequalities are given. The mode dependent average dwell time of each subsystem can be solved simultaneously. Finally, simulations have been taken to verify the designed strategy can render the closed‐loop system achieve robust exponential stability and can track the desired trajectory.
Down‐set thresholds
Authors: Gunby Benjamin , He Xiaoyu , Narayanan Bhargav
Published: April 2023

We elucidate the relationship between the threshold and the expectation‐threshold of a down‐set. Qualitatively, our main result demonstrates that there exist down‐sets with polynomial gaps between their thresholds and expectation‐thresholds; in particular, the logarithmic gap predictions of Kahn–Kalai and Talagrand (recently proved by Park–Pham and Frankston–Kahn–Narayanan–Park) about up‐sets do not apply to down‐sets. Quantitatively, we show that any collection of graphs on that covers the family of all triangle‐free graphs on satisfies the inequality for some universal , and this is essentially best‐possible.
The spectral gap of random regular graphs
Authors: Sarid Amir
Published: April 2023

We bound the second eigenvalue of random ‐regular graphs, for a wide range of degrees , using a novel approach based on Fourier analysis. Let be a uniform random ‐regular graph on vertices, and be its second largest eigenvalue by absolute value. For some constant and any degree with , we show that asymptotically almost surely. Combined with earlier results that cover the case of sparse random graphs, this fully determines the asymptotic value of for all . To achieve this, we introduce new methods that use mechanisms from discrete Fourier analysis, and combine them with existing tools and estimates on ‐regular random graphs—especially those of Liebenau and Wormald.
Sources of knowledge and innovation for sustainable development: A multifaceted perspective
Authors: Wu Aihua , Zhai Xiaoqing
Published: April 2023

How and when internal and external sources of knowledge impact green innovation outcomes for sustainable development remain unclear. This study goes beyond examining their direct effects and takes a multifaceted approach to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how the two sources of knowledge influence sustainable development outcomes. This includes exploring the balanced effect and combined effect of the two sources of knowledge, as well as the synergistic effect of the balanced and combined fits. Furthermore, from the perspective of contingency, this study also proposes a non‐linear moderating role of interpersonal relation‐specific investments in the knowledge source‐green innovation link. Based on the survey of Chinese heavily polluted and high energy‐consuming industry, adopting regression analysis and hierarchical moderated method to test the hypotheses, our findings show that not only the two sources of knowledge boost green innovation outcomes, but the balanced and combined fits of them can also promote green innovation outcomes. Moreover, high levels of balanced and combined fits can yield synergistic effect. In addition, the non‐linear moderating effects of the external/internal interpersonal relation‐specific investments are also revealed. Thus, this research expands our integrated understanding of knowledge sources mainly by unveiling the balanced and combined fits of them, and their synergistic benefits as well as the inverted U moderating effect of the interpersonal relation‐specific investments in green innovation.
Matrix‐enhanced secondary ion mass spectrometry: Effects of aliphatic carboxylic acid matrices on the sensitivity enhancement of biological phospholipids
Authors: Shishido Rie
Published: April 2023

Matrix‐enhanced secondary ion mass spectrometry (ME‐SIMS) is an effective pre‐treatment method for the sensitivity enhancement of large molecules. Recently, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) matrices, which consist of aromatic acids with benzene rings, have been developed using this technique. However, there are several differences in the desorption and ionization processes of SIMS and MALDI. In this study, the sensitivities of phospholipids mixed with aliphatic carboxylic acids were investigated using Bi‐cluster time‐of‐flight SIMS (TOF‐SIMS). Trans‐aconitic acid (tri‐carboxylic acid) and citric acid (hydroxycarboxylic acid) were used as the matrices. 2,5‐Dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), which is a typical aromatic MALDI matrix, was selected as the reference matrix. When trans‐aconitic acid and DHB were used as matrices, the secondary ion yields of [M + H]+ and [2 M + H]+ for phospholipids were approximately 10–150 times higher than that of the pristine lipid. For samples with citric acid, the yield enhancements of [M + H]+ and [2 M + H]+ were approximately 400–1000 times higher than those of pristine lipids. Furthermore, the protonated ionization of citric acid was mostly suppressed because of mixture with phospholipids. These results indicate that the matrix effect between phospholipids and the matrix contributes to the sensitivity enhancement of the target molecules. Hence, aliphatic carboxylic acid was equally or more effective than the MALDI matrix for the sensitivity enhancement of phospholipids in Bi‐cluster TOF‐SIMS.
Models for cluster randomized designs using ranked set sampling
Authors: Ozturk Omer , Kravchuk Olena , Jarrett Richard
Published: April 2023

Cluster randomized designs (CRD) provide a rigorous development for randomization principles for studies where treatments are allocated to cluster units rather than the individual subjects within clusters. It is known that CRDs are less efficient than completely randomized designs since the randomization of treatment allocation is applied to the cluster units. To mitigate this problem, we embed a ranked set sampling design from survey sampling studies into CRD for the selection of both cluster and subsampling units. We show that ranking groups in ranked set sampling act like a covariate, reduce the expected mean squared cluster error, and increase the precision of the sampling design. We provide an optimality result to determine the sample sizes at cluster and sub‐sample level. We apply the proposed sampling design to a dental study on human tooth size, and to a longitudinal study from an education intervention program.
Design and Development of Copper Trimesic Acid Anchored sPEEK/Polyimide Composite Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Aparna Mahalingam , Hemalatha Pushparaj , Paradesi Deivanayagam , Raj David Akash
Published: April 2023

Electrolyte membranes play a critical role as their properties directly influences the performance of fuel cell. A copper‐based metal organic framework (MOF) anchored polymeric blend membrane was developed for fuel cell application. Cu‐MOF serves as an excellent filler material due to its small size, high degree of crystallinity and surface area. Through XRD analysis well defined crystallite sites was evidenced and the average crystallite size measured ∼ 0.3 Å. The acidic functional group in MOF interacts with sulfonic acid (−SO3H) group in sulfonated polyetheretherketone (sPEEK) matrix which further improves proton conduction via. hydrogen bonding interaction. With the as‐prepared sPEEK as the matrix; polyimide (PI) was blended to improve its processibility and thermal stability. Cu‐MOF loaded composite membranes (X wt.% Cu‐MOF‐sPEEK/PI) were prepared and characterized. To assess the suitability of the developed membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications, ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake and proton conductivity was measured. 3 wt.% Cu‐MOF‐2‐sPEEK/PI membrane displayed an IEC value of 2.35 meq g−1 with a water uptake of 38.18 % and proton conductivity of 0.0711 S cm−1. Overall, the experimental results of the prepared membranes revealed that they act as an efficient proton exchange membrane (PEM) for PEMFCs.