bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen storage mechanism of metal–organic framework materials based on metal centers and organic ligands
Authors: Zhang Bo , Sun Yanli , Xu Hong , He Xiangming
Published: October 2023

The effective storage and utilization of hydrogen energy is expected to solve the problems of energy shortage and environmental pollution currently faced by human society. Metal–organic framework materials (MOFs) have been shown by scientists to be very potential hydrogen storage materials. However, the current design methods and strategies for MOFs are still generally in the trial‐and‐error stage, and the research works are at the overall level. To solve the problems of directional design and rational construction of new MOFs, this work uses the principles and methods of coordination chemistry and crystal engineering to carry out the theoretical design and mechanism research of new MOFs for high‐efficiency hydrogen storage application scenarios. In this study, the structures selected for theoretical calculation were divided into two types: different ligands for the same metal (IRMOFs, MOF‐205, and DUT‐23‐Zn) and different metals for the same ligand (DUT‐23‐M [(M = Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn]). The model construction process, hydrogen loading with temperature, specific surface area, hydrogen adsorption energy, charge density and hydrogen storage mechanism of the above structures were analyzed, and the key indicators that may affect the hydrogen storage performance of MOFs were summarized: type and quantity of coordination metals, temperature, pressure, adsorption site and specific surface area.
Survival and predictors of mortality among acute leukemia patients on follow‐up in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A 5‐year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Balta Bargude , Gebreyohannis Tigistu , Tachbele Erdaw
Published: October 2023

Background

Although Ethiopia has more than 78% of leukemia cases and a significant burden of the disease, the survival of leukemia patients in the country is poorly recognized. The purpose of this study was to assess the survival and predictors of acute leukemia patients.

Methods

A 5‐year retrospective cohort study was conducted including all acute Leukemia patients who visited Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital between January 2015 and December 2019. Data were retrieved from patient's medical records between March and April 2020. Using SPSS version 25, the Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox regression models were employed to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 119 patients with acute leukemia were retrospectively evaluated for 60 months, having 196 person‐years of risk. About 46 deaths (38.7%) were recorded over the follow‐up period, giving a mortality incidence rate of 23.5 (95% CL:18–52) per 100 person‐years. The median survival time was 35 months (95% CI, 28.3–41.7). At 60 months of follow‐up, the predicted overall survival rate after diagnosis for acute leukemia was 21%. The adjusted hazard ratio for acute leukemia subtypes (aHR:4.9, 95% CI:2.3–10.4), history of relapse (aHR:3.9, 95% CI:1.0–7.9), participant age (aHR:1.25, 95% CI:1–1.75), hepatomegaly (aHR:2.7, 95% CI:1.36–5.36), and splenomegaly (aHR:2.29, 95% CI:1.2–4.4).

Conclusion

The 5‐year overall survival rate was found to be 21%. The finding was remarkably lower than other published reports. Survival among acute leukemia patients was significantly associated with older age, history of relapse, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, as well as certain subtypes. Therefore, improving early detection and initiation of treatment for all acute leukemia patients is necessary in order to improve patient's survival status.
Critical Assessment of pH‐Dependent Lipophilicity Profiles of Small Molecules: Which One Should We Use and In Which Cases?
Authors: Bertsch Esteban , Suñer Sebastián , Pinheiro Silvana , Zamora William J.
Published: October 2023

Lipophilicity is a physicochemical property with wide relevance in drug design, computational biology, food, environmental and medicinal chemistry. Lipophilicity is commonly expressed as the partition coefficient for neutral molecules, whereas for molecules with ionizable groups, the distribution coefficient (D) at a given pH is used. The logDpH is usually predicted using a pH correction over the logPN using the pKa of ionizable molecules, while often ignoring the apparent ion pair partitioning
. In this work, we studied the impact of
on the prediction of both the experimental lipophilicity of small molecules and experimental lipophilicity‐based applications and metrics such as lipophilic efficiency (LipE), distribution of spiked drugs in milk products, and pH‐dependent partition of water contaminants in synthetic passive samples such as silicones. Our findings show that better predictions are obtained by considering the apparent ion pair partitioning. In this context, we developed machine learning algorithms to determine the cases that
should be considered. The results indicate that small, rigid, and unsaturated molecules with logPN close to zero, which present a significant proportion of ionic species in the aqueous phase, were better modeled using the apparent ion pair partitioning
. Finally, our findings can serve as guidance to the scientific community working in early‐stage drug design, food, and environmental chemistry.
Ticagrelor Increases Exposure to the Breast Cancer Resistance Protein Substrate Rosuvastatin
Authors: Lehtisalo Minna , Tarkiainen E. Katriina , Neuvonen Mikko , Holmberg Mikko , Kiiski Johanna I. , Lapatto‐Reiniluoto Outi , Filppula Anne M. , Kurkela Mika , Backman Janne T. , Niemi Mikko
Published: October 2023

Ticagrelor and rosuvastatin are often used concomitantly after atherothrombotic events. Several cases of rhabdomyolysis during concomitant ticagrelor and rosuvastatin have been reported, suggesting a drug–drug interaction. We showed recently that ticagrelor inhibits breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1, 1B3, and 2B1‐mediated rosuvastatin transport in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ticagrelor on rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics in humans. In a randomized, crossover study, 9 healthy volunteers ingested a single dose of 90 mg ticagrelor or placebo, followed by a single 10 mg dose of rosuvastatin 1 hour later. Ticagrelor 90 mg or placebo were additionally administered 12, 24, and 36 hours after their first dose. Ticagrelor increased rosuvastatin area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC) and peak plasma concentration 2.6‐fold (90% confidence intervals: 1.8–3.8 and 1.7–4.0, P = 0.001 and P = 0.003), and prolonged its half‐life from 3.1 to 6.6 hours (P = 0.009). Ticagrelor also decreased the renal clearance of rosuvastatin by 11% (3%–19%, P = 0.032). The N‐desmethylrosuvastatin:rosuvastatin AUC0–10h ratio remained unaffected by ticagrelor. Ticagrelor had no effect on the plasma concentrations of the endogenous OATP1B substrates glycodeoxycholate 3‐O‐glucuronide, glycochenodeoxycholate 3‐O‐glucuronide, glycodeoxycholate 3‐O‐sulfate, and glycochenodeoxycholate 3‐O‐sulfate, or the sodium‐taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide substrate taurocholic acid. These data indicate that ticagrelor increases rosuvastatin concentrations more than twofold in humans, probably mainly by inhibiting intestinal BCRP. Because the risk for rosuvastatin‐induced myotoxicity increases along with rosuvastatin plasma concentrations, using ticagrelor concomitantly with high doses of rosuvastatin should be avoided.
Prevalence of C‐shaped canals and three‐rooted mandibular molars in the Iranian population by using cone‐beam computed tomography
Authors: Shekarian Mina , Majlesi Masih , Zare Jahromi Maryam
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of C‐shaped canals and three‐rooted mandibular molars in the Iranian population using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods

This study evaluated mandibular teeth on 292 CBCT scans of patients referred to the Department of Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran. All CBCT scans were obtained with the same three‐dimensional CBCT scanner, and sections were reconstructed in all three planes (sagittal, axial, and coronal) with 1 mm slice thickness. A total of 291,402, and 200 first, second, and third molars, respectively, were evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 26.0).

Results

Of 291 mandibular first molars, 0.7% were single‐rooted, 96.6% were two‐rooted, and 2.7% were three‐rooted. The prevalence of C‐shaped canals was 1.7% in mandibular first molars. Of 402 mandibular second molars, 8.5% were single‐rooted, 90.5% were two‐rooted, and 1% were three‐rooted. The prevalence of C‐shaped canals was 2% in mandibular second molars. Of 200 mandibular third molars, 21.5% were single‐rooted, 77.5% were two‐rooted, and 1% were three‐rooted. The prevalence of C‐shaped canals was 2% in mandibular third molars.

Conclusion

In the present study, the majority of mandibular molars were two‐rooted, and three‐rooted mandibular molars were less common. The third and second mandibular molars both had an increased prevalence of C‐shaped canals. Mandibular first molars had the highest prevalence of three‐rooted molars.
Gendered sweetpotato trait preferences and implications for improved variety acceptance in Uganda
Authors: Mulwa Chalmers K. , Campos Hugo , Bayiyana Irene , Rajendran Srinivasulu , Ssali Reuben , McEwan Margaret , Heck Simon
Published: October 2023

The principal selection objective in crop breeding has for a long time been driven by agronomic gains like yield maximization and climate resilience. Nevertheless, the continued low adoption of new varieties and documented gender technology adoption gap has triggered re‐thinking of this strategy, with end‐user acceptability of released varieties a key strategy in breeding objectives. Using a mixed‐methods approach with a survey of 122 producers and focus group discussions with 200 male and female producers in two major sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] producing districts in Uganda, this study set out to understand gender‐disaggregated traits that drive acceptance for improved sweetpotato varieties as a guide to development of new varieties in the region. A generalized structural equation model approach is used to analyze how interrelated trait preferences shape acceptance for improved varieties, while in‐depth insights from a qualitative approach are used to further ground observed results. Traits such as high root yields, drought tolerance, and vitamin A are shown to be key drivers to acceptance of improved varieties, while good taste and dry matter content dampen acceptance of improved varieties in favor of landraces. Male farmers are also shown to mainly prefer agronomic traits such as high yields and stress tolerance, while women mostly prefer quality traits such as good taste, vitamin A, and high dry matter content. To achieve higher acceptability and adoption of improved varieties across the gender divide, new varieties need to not only consider agronomic gains, but also quality‐related traits such as taste and dry matter content.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor may contribute to the occurrence of multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas
Authors: Liu Wei , Yang Hao‐Shuai , Zhi Fei‐Hang , Feng Yan‐Fen , Luo Hong‐He , Zhu Ying , Lei Yi‐Yan
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aimed to identify the key genes involved in the development of multiple primary lung cancers.

Methods

Differential expression analysis was performed, followed by comparing the infiltration levels of 22 immune cell types between multiple and single primary lung adenocarcinomas. Marker genes for epithelial cells with different proportions between the two types of lung adenocarcinomas were identified. The common genes between the marker genes and differentially expressed genes were identified. Finally, the effects of the key genes were tested on the in vitro proliferation, migration and morphology.

Results:

The infiltration levels of helper follicular T cells, resting NK cells, activated NK cells, M2 macrophages and resting mast cells were higher in the patients with multiple than in those with single primary lung adenocarcinomas. A total of 1553 differentially expressed genes and 4414 marker genes of epithelial cells were identified. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the 164 resulting genes. The macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression was positively associated with the occurrence of multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas. Moreover, its signalling pathway was the key pathway among the epithelial cells and multiple and single primary lung adenocarcinoma cells, and it was upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma cells. It also increased the expression of lung cancer markers, including NES and CA125, induced morphological changes in alveolar epithelial type II cells, and promoted their proliferation, migration and invasion.

Conclusions

Multiple and single primary lung adenocarcinomas have different tumour immune microenvironments, and migration inhibitory factor may be a key factor in the occurrence of multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas.
A flow cytometry method for safe detection of bacterial viability
Authors: Servain‐Viel S. , Aknin M.‐L. , Domenichini S. , Perlemuter G. , Cassard A.‐M. , Schlecht‐Louf G. , Moal V. Lievin‐Le
Published: October 2023

Flow cytometry is a relevant tool to meet the requirements of academic and industrial research projects aimed at estimating the features of a bacterial population (e.g., quantity, viability, activity). One of the remaining challenges is now the safe assessment of bacterial viability while minimizing the risks inherent to existing protocols. In our core facility at the Paris‐Saclay University, we have addressed this issue with two objectives: measuring bacterial viability in biological samples and preventing bacterial contamination and chemical exposure of the staff and cytometers used on the platform. Here, we report the development of a protocol achieving these two objectives, including a viability labeling step before bacteria fixation, which removes the risk of biological exposure, and the decrease of the use of reagents such as propidium iodide (PI), which are dangerous for health (CMR: carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic). For this purpose, we looked for a non‐CMR viability dye that can irreversibly label dead bacteria before fixation procedures and maintain intense fluorescence after further staining. We decided to test on the bacteria, eFluor Fixable Viability dyes, which are usually used on eukaryotic cells. Since the bacteria had size and granularity characteristics very similar to those associated with flow cytometry background signals, a step of bacterial DNA labeling with SYTO or DRAQ5 was necessarily added to differentiate them from the background. Three marker combinations (viability‐DNA) were tested on LSR Fortessa and validated on pure bacterial populations (Gram+, Gram−) and polybacterial cultures. Any of the three methods can be used and adapted to the needs of each project and allow users to adapt the combination according to the configuration of their cytometer. Having been tested on six bacterial populations, validated on two cytometers, and repeated at least two times in each evaluated condition, we consider this method reliable in the context of these conditions. The reliability of the results obtained in flow cytometry was successfully validated by applying this protocol to confocal microscopy, permeabilization, and also to follow cultures over time. This flow cytometry protocol for measuring bacterial viability under safer conditions also opens the prospect of its use for further bacterial characterization.
(E)‐SIS3 suppressed osteosarcoma progression via promoting cell apoptosis, arresting cell cycle, and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment
Authors: Huang Zhen , Zhang Chunlin , Zhu Kunpeng , Hu Jianping , Xu Enjie , Ma Xiaolong , Wang Yongjie , Zhu Yurun , Zhu Jiazhuang
Published: October 2023

Osteosarcoma is a prevalent malignant bone tumor with a poor prognosis. Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3) present as a therapeutic target in antitumor treatment, whereas its functions in the osteosarcoma have not been well explored. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Smad3 in the progression of osteosarcoma. The tumor immune single‐cell hub 2 website was used for graph‐based visualization of Smad3 status in osteosarcoma single‐cell database. Western Blot was applied to detect the expression of Smad3 protein in cell lines. Colony formation and cell counting kit‐8 assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Transwell and wound healing assays were used to detect the migration and invasion abilities of cells. Cell apoptosis rates and cell cycle changes were explored by using flow cytometry analysis. The xenograft tumor growth model was applied to explore the effect in tumor growth after Smad3 blockage in vivo. Moreover, to confirm the potential mechanism of Smad3's effects on osteosarcoma, bioinformatics analysis was performed in TARGET‐Osteosarcoma and GSE19276 databases. Our study found that the Smad3 protein is overexpressed in 143B and U2OS cells, suppressing the expression of Smad3 protein in osteosarcoma cells by Smad3 target inhibitor (E)‐SIS3 or lentivirus can inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion, promote cell apoptosis, arrest cell G1 cycle in osteosarcoma cells in vitro, and suppress tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, the bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that high expression of Smad3 is closely associated with low immune status in TARGET‐Osteosarcoma and GSE19276 databases. Our study suggested that Smad3 could contribute positively to osteosarcoma progression via the regulation of tumor immune microenvironment, and Smad3 may represent as an valuable potential therapeutic target in osteosarcoma therapy.
Detecting reading difficulties in Spanish in older elementary students in the context of the Response to Intervention model
Authors: Ramos‐Carrillo José M. , Moreno‐Perez Francisco J.
Published: October 2023

Detecting students with reading difficulties (RD) is particularly important in the context of the Response to Intervention (RTI) model, in terms of both research and professional practice. However, there is no unanimous agreement on the best procedure to carry it out. In addition, most of the research in this field has been carried out in the English language, and there is little evidence on how these measures behave in other languages. This study focuses on identifying the best procedure for detecting RD in Spanish in older elementary students, comparing the validity, accuracy and goodness of fit of three different universal screening assessment approaches—the Psychometric Assessment Approach, the Curriculum‐Based Assessment Approach and the Teacher Detection Approach—using RTI as a criterion to determine the goodness of fit of the different approaches. A total of 154 fifth‐year primary students participated in this study. The results reveal that the multivariate inclusion of the evaluation approaches used is the best means of ensuring an efficient, valid assessment when attempting to identify RD among fifth graders. This finding has practical implications for the implementation of the RTI model in the field of RD.
Effects of vehicle traffic on space use and road crossings of caribou in theArctic
Authors: Severson John P. , Vosburgh Timothy C. , Johnson Heather E.
Published: October 2023

Assessing the effects of industrial development on wildlife is a key objective of managers and conservation practitioners. However, wildlife responses are often only investigated with respect to the footprint of infrastructure, even though human activity can strongly mediate development impacts. In Arctic Alaska, there is substantial interest in expanding energy development, raising concerns about the potential effects on barren‐ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti). While caribou generally avoid industrial infrastructure, little is known about the role of human activity in moderating their responses, and whether managing activity levels could minimize development effects. To address this uncertainty, we examined the influence of traffic volume on caribou summer space use and road crossings in the Central Arctic Herd within the Kuparuk and Milne Point oil fields on the North Slope of Alaska. We first modeled spatiotemporal variation in hourly traffic volumes across the road system from traffic counter data using gradient‐boosted regression trees. We then used generalized additive models to estimate nonlinear step selection functions and road‐crossing probabilities from collared female caribou during the post‐calving and insect harassment seasons, when they primarily interact with roads. Step selection analyses revealed that caribou selected areas further from roads (~1–3 km) during the post‐calving and mosquito seasons and selected areas with lower traffic volumes during all seasons, with selection probabilities peaking when traffic was <5 vehicles/h. Using road‐crossing models, we found that caribou were less likely to cross roads during the insect seasons as traffic increased, but that response dissipated as insect harassment became more severe. Past studies suggested that caribou exhibit behavioral responses when traffic exceeds 15 vehicles/h, but our results demonstrate behavioral responses at much lower traffic levels. Our results illustrate that vehicle activity mediates caribou responses to road infrastructure, information that can be used in future land‐use planning to minimize the behavioral responses of caribou to industrial development in sensitive Arctic landscapes.
Tropical forest mammal occupancy and functional diversity increase with microhabitat surface area
Authors: Gorczynski Daniel , Rovero Francesco , Mtui Arafat , Shinyambala Steven , Martine Joseph , Hsieh Chia , Frishkoff Luke , Beaudrot Lydia
Published: October 2023

Many animal–environment interactions are mediated by the physical forms of the environment, especially in tropical forests, where habitats are structurally complex and highly diverse. Higher structural complexity, measured as habitat surface area, may provide increased resource availability for animals, leading to higher animal diversity. Greater habitat surface area supports increased animal diversity in other systems, such as coral reefs and forest canopies, but it is uncertain how this relationship translates to communities of highly mobile, terrestrial mammal species inhabiting forest floors. We tested the relative importance of forest floor habitat structure, encompassing vegetation and topographic structure, in determining species occupancy and functional diversity of medium to large mammals using data from a tropical forest in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. We related species occupancies and diversity obtained from a multispecies occupancy model with ground‐level habitat structure measurements obtained from a novel head‐mounted active remote sensing device, the Microsoft HoloLens. We found that habitat surface area was a significant predictor of mean species occupancy and had a significant positive relationship with functional dispersion. The positive relationships indicate that surface area of tropical forest floors may play an important role in promoting mammal occupancy and functional diversity at the microhabitat scale. In particular, habitat surface area had higher mean effects on occupancy for carnivorous and social species. These results support a habitat surface area–diversity relationship on tropical forest floors for mammals.
Wood decomposition is increased by insect diversity, selection effects, and interactions between insects and microbes
Authors: Zou Jia‐Yun , Cadotte Marc W. , Bässler Claus , Brandl Roland , Baldrian Petr , Borken Werner , Stengel Elisa , Luo Ya‐Huang , Müller Jörg , Seibold Sebastian
Published: October 2023

Biodiversity drives ecosystem processes, but its influence on deadwood decomposition is poorly understood. To test the effects of insect diversity on wood decomposition, we conducted a mesocosm experiment manipulating the species richness and functional diversity of beetles. We applied a novel approach using computed tomography scanning to quantify decomposition by insects and recorded fungal and bacterial communities. Decomposition rates increased with both species richness and functional diversity of beetles, but the effects of functional diversity were linked to beetle biomass, and to the presence of one large‐bodied species in particular. This suggests that mechanisms behind observed biodiversity effects are the selection effect, which is linked to the occurrence probability of large species, and the complementarity effect, which is driven by functional differentiation among species. Additionally, beetles had significant indirect effects on wood decomposition via bacterial diversity, fungal community composition, and fungal biomass. Our experiment shows that wood decomposition is driven by beetle diversity and its interactions with bacteria and fungi. This highlights that both insect and microbial biodiversity are critical to maintaining ecosystem functioning.
A participatory framework to evaluate coherence between climate change adaptation and sustainable development policies
Authors: Beretić Nađa , Bauer Alissa , Funaro Matteo , Spano Donatella , Marras Serena
Published: October 2023

Adapting to climate change involves taking a series of actions that reduce and/or avoid the effect of climate risks while ultimately increasing development opportunities in affected environments. Therefore, adaptation to climate change must become an integral part of a sustainable development process, in which it maintains the same priority as other development goals and strategies. Aiming to address the conceptual gap in coherent policy research in the fields of climate change and sustainable development, we performed coherence analysis research, categorized the different approaches, and defined methodology. The methodological framework was tested during the Living Lab based on a deliberative participatory process, making it easily applicable to diverse targets and contexts. The methodological framework developed in this study represents an unprecedented experience at the national (Italy) and regional level (Sardinia), projected to address global current/future environmental issues and problems through local knowledge, peculiarities, and resources.
Epidemiology and treatment of heart failure with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Canadian primary care
Authors: Hawkins Nathaniel M. , Peterson Sandra , Salimian Samaneh , Demers Catherine , Keshavjee Karim , Virani Sean A. , Mancini G.B. John , Wong Sabrina T.
Published: October 2023

Aims

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are largely managed in primary care, but their intersection in terms of disease burden, healthcare utilization, and treatment is ill‐defined.

Methods and results

We examined a retrospective cohort including all patients with HF or COPD in the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network from 2010 to 2018. The population size in 2018 with HF, COPD, and HF with COPD was 15 778, 27 927, and 4768 patients, respectively. While disease incidence declined, age–sex‐standardized prevalence per 100 population increased for HF alone from 2.33 to 3.63, COPD alone from 3.44 to 5.96, and COPD with HF from 12.70 to 15.67. Annual visit rates were high and stable around 8 for COPD alone but declined significantly over time for HF alone (9.3–8.1, P = 0.04) or for patients with both conditions (14.3–11.9, P = 0.006). For HF alone, cardiovascular visits were common (29.4%), while respiratory visits were infrequent (3.5%), with the majority of visits being non‐cardiorespiratory. For COPD alone, respiratory and cardiovascular visits were common (16.4% and 11.3%) and the majority were again non‐cardiorespiratory. For concurrent disease, 39.0% of visits were cardiorespiratory. The commonest non‐cardiorespiratory visit reasons were non‐specific symptoms or signs, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and mental health. In patients with HF with and without COPD, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker/angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor use was similar, while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist use was marginally higher with concurrent COPD. Beta‐blocker use was initially lower with concurrent COPD compared with HF alone (69.3% vs. 74.0%), but this progressively declined by 2018 (74.5% vs. 73.5%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of HF and COPD continues to rise. Although patients with either or both conditions are high utilizers of primary care, the majority of visits relate to non‐cardiorespiratory comorbidities. Medical therapy for HF was similar and the initially lower beta‐blocker utilization disappeared over time.
Effect of feeding astaxanthin with different E/Z‐isomer ratios on astaxanthin accumulation in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Honda Masaki , Kamizono Shohei , Illijas Muhammad Ikbal , Nakamura Tomoharu
Published: October 2023

Astaxanthin is traditionally utilized in crustacean aquaculture to enhance the characteristic pink‐red color of these species. It has been reported that the bioavailability and body accumulation efficiency of astaxanthin differ based on its E/Z‐isomer species, and these trends vary widely among animal species. This study investigated the influences of feeding astaxanthin having different E/Z‐isomer proportions on astaxanthin accumulation in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Z‐Isomer‐rich astaxanthin was prepared from the synthetic (all‐E)‐astaxanthin standard by thermal treatment, and the prepared all‐E‐isomer‐rich astaxanthin pellets (E‐AST‐P; total Z‐isomer proportion = 4.7%) and Z‐isomer‐rich astaxanthin pellets (Z‐AST‐P; total Z‐isomer proportion of astaxanthin = 81.8%) were fed to L. vannamei for 8 weeks. The feeding of Z‐AST‐P significantly improved the body astaxanthin concentration compared to those fed the control pellets without adding astaxanthin isomers and E‐AST‐P; the astaxanthin concentrations after the 8‐week treatments of the control pellets, E‐AST‐P, and Z‐AST‐P were 7.3 ± 0.5, 6.2 ± 1.8, and 12.3 ± 1.3 µg g–1, respectively. This result suggested that astaxanthin Z‐isomers have higher bioavailability and/or body accumulation efficiency than (all‐E)‐astaxanthin in L. vannamei.

Practical Applications: The bioavailability of astaxanthin is generally very low, which is a critical issue for its use in crustacean aquaculture. In this study, we found that feeding a pellet rich in astaxanthin Z‐isomers showed a greater accumulation efficiency of astaxanthin in the whole body of L. vannamei than that fed a pellet rich in the all‐E‐isomer. Thus, the use of Z‐isomer‐rich astaxanthin feeds would contribute to improving the quality of crustacean and reducing the feed costs (i.e., reduction of the use amount of astaxanthin).
Influence of Coal Gangue Powder on the Macroscopic Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Zhenli Zhi , Shu Zhile , Wu Qihong , Li Jiaxin , Wu Haikuang , Chen Wenlong , Zeng Xinhang
Published: October 2023

The construction and coal industries generate substantial industrial waste, including coal gangue and construction and demolition (C&D) waste, leading to environmental pollution and high disposal costs. Integrating recycled aggregates (RAs) and coal gangue powder (CGP) into concrete is an effective approach for waste management. However, CGP can affect the performance of traditional recycled concrete. This study primarily aims to optimize the utilization of RAs and CGP while maintaining concrete performance. They utilized orthogonal experimental designs and microscopic characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Orthogonal experimental analysis indicated that with a water‐cement ratio (WCR) of 0.5 and replacement rates of 10% for CGP and 60% for RA, compressive and splitting tensile strengths reached 73.6% and 77.4% of ordinary C30 concrete, respectively. This mix proportion minimizes strength decline in coal gangue powder‐recycled aggregate concrete (CGP‐RAC) while maximizing recycled material replacement. Microscopic analysis revealed that CGP increased the Ca/Si ratio in cement paste, impeding hydration reactions, resulting in a looser internal structure and reduced concrete strength. These findings are anticipated to provide fresh theoretical insights for solid waste recycling and utilization.
Systematic analysis of nonfatal suicide attempts and further diagnostic of secondary injury in strangulation survivors: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Etgen Thorleif , Stigloher Manuel , Förstl Hans , Zwanzger Peter , Rentrop Michael
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Data on nonfatal suicide attempts in Germany are sparse. The study aimed to analyze data on nonfatal suicide attempts and consecutive diagnostic steps to identify secondary injuries after strangulation.

Methods

All admissions after nonfatal suicide attempt in a large Bavarian psychiatric hospital between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed and the methods were analyzed.

Results

A total of 2125 verified cases out of 2801 registered cases of nonfatal suicide attempts were included in further analysis. The most common methods were intoxication (n = 1101, 51.8%), cutting (n = 461, 21.7%), and strangulation (n = 183, 8.6%). Among survivors of strangulation with external neck compression (n = 99, 54.1%), no diagnostic steps were performed in 36 (36.4%) patients and insufficient imaging in 13 (20.6%) patients. Carotid artery dissection was detected in two (4.0%) of 50 patients with adequate neuroimaging.

Conclusions

This study provides details on nonfatal suicide attempts in Germany. Slightly more than half of the patients with strangulation underwent adequate diagnostic work‐up, with 4.0% being diagnosed with dissection. Further studies with systematic screening for dissection after strangulation in psychiatric hospitals are recommended to reduce possible under‐reporting.
Long‐term prognosis and clinical practice for new‐onset ulcerative colitis in the era of biologics: A Japanese retrospective study
Authors: Moroi Rintaro , Kakuta Yoichi , Obara Taku , Shimoyama Yusuke , Naito Takeo , Shiga Hisashi , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: October 2023

Background and Aim

There is a scarcity of data on long‐term outcomes in patients with new‐onset ulcerative colitis (UC) in the era of biologics. We aimed to clarify the long‐term prognosis of UC and the clinical practice of prescriptions for UC.

Methods

We collected 6689 new‐onset UC cases using a medical claim database provided by DeSC Healthcare, Inc. We investigated the surgery‐free, systemic steroid‐free, and molecular targeting drug‐free rates and compared their differences based on UC‐onset age. We used multivariate analysis to identify clinical factors affecting long‐term prognosis and investigated the transition of prescriptions for UC.

Results

The surgery‐free, systemic steroid‐free, and molecular targeting drug‐free rates at 5 years post‐UC diagnosis were 98.5%, 61.0%, and 88.7%, respectively. Pediatric patients had higher surgery‐free rates compared with elderly patients and non‐pediatric/non‐elderly patients (P = 0.022), whereas the systemic steroid‐free and molecular targeting drug‐free rates were significantly lower (P< 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). The retention rate of the first molecular targeting drug did not differ between drugs. The prescription rates of systemic steroid, immunomodulator, and molecular targeting drug increased from the second quarter in 2014 to the fourth quarter in 2021 (29.8%–39.1%, 6.8%–17.7%, and 7.6%–16.4%, respectively).

Conclusions

We clarified the long‐term prognosis and clinical practice of new‐onset UC cases. The long‐term outcome after UC onset might improve because of increasing use of new therapeutic agents. Further investigations are warranted.
ラグビー競技での死亡例の経験(Experience of fatal case in rugby competition)
Authors: 靖一 小守林 , 創太郎 大志田 , 慎平 佐藤 , 智彦 眞瀬 , 邦昭 小笠原
Published: October 2023

16歳の男性がラグビーの練習の補助のために厚さ30cm程度のタックルマットを持ち，チームメイトのタックルを受けていたところ，20回目のタックル後に崩れ落ちるように倒れて地面に横たわり，呼びかけに応じなくなったため当院へ救急搬送された。経緯として，搬送前日の練習中に脳振盪を起こしその後の練習は休んでいたが，当日はチームメイトの熱心な練習に触発され練習の補助を志願したのであった。頭部CTでは正中構造偏位を伴う最大厚が約6mmの右急性硬膜下血腫を認め，迂回槽は消失していた。受傷から約1時間50分後に全身麻酔下に頭蓋内血腫除去術を施行した。血腫を除去後に脳表を観察すると，脳挫傷はなく架橋静脈からの出血も認めなかった。内減圧と硬膜形成を行い，頭蓋内圧センサーを設置し外減圧状態として閉創した。術後頭蓋内圧は15～18mmHgで推移していたが，徐々に増悪し第17病日に死亡した。本例ではスポーツに関連した脳振盪後の事例として報告し考察する。
骨髄異形成症候群の心嚢腔内の急性転化による癌性心タンポナーデの1剖検例(An autopsy case of acute transformation of myelodysplastic syndrome leading to carcinomatous cardiac tamponade)
Authors: 稜 上石 , 淳司 畠山 , 史人 加藤
Published: October 2023

今回我々は，急性発症の病歴で骨髄異形成症候群（myelodysplastic syndromes: MDS）の急性転化が心嚢腔内で生じ，心タンポナーデに至った稀な1例を経験したため報告する。症例は80歳の男性。入院7か月前にMDSと診断され，化学療法を施行されていた。受診前日に突然呼吸困難感を自覚し，経過をみていたが改善がなく，受診当日に意識消失し救急要請となった。初療時血圧は保たれているも頻脈性心房細動があり，心臓超音波検査にて心嚢液貯留を認めた。急性大動脈解離を疑い造影CT施行するも解離腔は認めず，血液検査，心電図，心臓超音波検査からは急性心筋梗塞は否定的だった。その後血圧が低下したため，心タンポナーデと判断し心嚢穿刺を実施したところ，800mLの血性心嚢液が引け，血圧が安定化した。集中治療室入室後，末梢血よりも心嚢液で芽球比率が高いことが判明し，心嚢腔内にてMDSが急性転化した可能性が考えられた。骨髄所見では急性転化を疑う所見は認めず，心嚢腔内では染色体異常を伴う細胞を多数認めたことにより心嚢腔内でMDSが急性転化したと診断した。入院中に再度心タンポナーデを発症し，多臓器不全が進行し第15病日に死亡退院となった。剖検では心外膜全周性に骨髄肉腫と考えられる腫瘍性病変が広がっていた。急性発症の病歴で血性心嚢液貯留を認めた場合，MDSの急性転化も念頭に置く必要がある。
Prevalence of dermatological self‐treatment among medical doctors of a Spanish hospital
Authors: Soto‐García Diego , Batalla Ana , Braña‐Valige Sara , Varela‐Fontán Sara , Vilanova‐Trillo Lucía , Couselo‐Rodríguez Carmen , Martínez‐Fernández Sandra , Gutierrez‐Meré Raúl , Flórez Ángeles
Published: October 2023

Background

Self‐medication is a fairly common practice among medical doctors. Although frequently seen in clinical practice, there are few published studies that describe the process of self‐treatment in dermatology, being even lower in number those that evaluate this circumstance among health professionals.

Objectives

To know the prevalence of self‐medication among medical professionals in our centre, to assess the need for preventive and training actions that help to avoid the misuse of dermatological treatments.

Methods

Descriptive cross‐sectional study based on the responses of non‐dermatologist medical professionals at the University Hospital of Pontevedra (Spain). Data were collected through a self‐administered, anonymous and voluntary online questionnaire.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 283 physicians (50.63% participation rate, 62.90% females). Up to 77.39% of the physicians carried out self‐treatment for any pathology, and 55.12% for dermatological problems. The mean age of the doctors who practiced self‐treatment was significantly higher. The most used drugs were corticosteroids as topical treatment and antihistamines as systemic therapy. Irritant or allergic contact dermatitis was the most frequent pathology considered suitable for self‐medication (18.02%), followed by fungal infections (16.86%). After self‐treatment, the 7.5% needed to be seen by a dermatologist. A large group of 69.23% stated that they would recommend the treatment carried out to someone suffering from a similar process.

Conclusions

The prevalence of self‐treatment for skin diseases among doctors was strikingly high (55.12%). More than two‐thirds of the surveyed physicians would recommend self‐treatment in the dermatology field. As the literature on this topic is yet scarce, further studies are required to corroborate data collected in this study.
Ultra‐High Bandwidth Density and Power Efficiency Chip‐To‐Chip Multimode Transmission through a Rectangular Core Few‐Mode Fiber
Authors: Zhang Ruihuan , Li Xingfeng , He Yu , Chen Gang , Xiong Liangming , Chen Haoshuo , Fontaine Nicolas K. , Zhang Yong , Xie Weiqiang , Su Yikai
Published: October 2023

Optical interconnects have emerged as promising solutions for assisting electrical interconnects in short‐reach scenarios, where high bandwidth density and energy efficiency are of particular importance. Mode‐division multiplexing (MDM), capable of enhancing the bandwidth density and energy efficiency of optical systems, has drawn tremendous interest. However, the chip‐to‐chip MDM optical interconnects are impeded by the multimode chip‐fiber interfaces, where the transverse modes on the MDM chip mismatch with the linear polarization modes in the circular core few‐mode fiber (CCF). Moreover, the high differential group delays (DGDs) of a conventional CCF make the digital signal processing (DSP) computation complex thus consuming high power. To overcome these bottlenecks, a new multimode coupling solution based on a rectangular core few‐mode fiber with ultra‐low DGDs and an integrated multimode coupler is proposed. Based on this coupling scheme, a chip‐to‐chip MDM transmission experiment is performed on the TE00, TM00, TE10, and TM10 modes, and the highest bandwidth density of 19.4 Tb s mm −1 is realized at the chip facet. The DSP power consumption is ≈6% of a conventional CCF‐based system. It is believed that this work will pave the way for ultra‐compact, high density, low cost, and low computation‐complexity optical interconnects, such as data centers, cloud computing, and telecommunications.
Tunable Liquid Lenses: Emerging Technologies and Future Perspectives
Authors: Liu Chao , Zheng Yi , Yuan Rong‐Ying , Jiang Zhao , Xu Jin‐Bo , Zhao You‐Ran , Wang Xin , Li Xiao‐Wei , Xing Yan , Wang Qiong‐Hua
Published: October 2023

Tunable liquid lenses with controllable focal length attract much attention from many researchers due to the unique advantages of strong adjustability, low power consumption, fast response time, and easy integration. In the last two decades, tunable liquid lenses have already been applied in machine vision, code scanner cameras, cellphone cameras, webcams, microscopes, mini projectors, AR/VR displays, 3D displays, and so on. There is no doubt that the tunable liquid lenses play an increasingly more important role in the field of optical technology. In this review, the research background and significance of the tunable liquid lenses are introduced. Tunable liquid lenses are systematically qualified according to the driving mechanism, and their current status and latest progress are presented in detail. The existing problems, directions for future research, and current and potential applications of the tunable liquid lenses are also discussed.
Opto‐Hydrodynamic Driven 3D Dynamic Microswarm Petals
Authors: Li Xing , Shi Yang , Pan Ting , Lu Dengyun , Zhu Guoshuai , Xiong Jianyun , Wang Danning , He Ziyi , Huang Jingping , Xin Hongbao
Published: October 2023

Artificial microswarms with a collective intelligence that can execute cooperative tasks will serve as intelligent micro/nanorobot systems for many biomedical and microengineering applications. However, it remains challenging to construct microswarms with 3D dynamic and reconfigurable structures that can execute complex spatiotemporal‐dependent tasks. Here, simply using a tapered optical fiber (TOF) with 1.55 µm wavelength light irradiation, a convenient opto‐hydrodynamic strategy for 3D dynamic microswarm actuation based on photothermal gradient‐induced Marangoni effect is reported. With light irradiation at the water‐air interface, randomly distributed microparticles are reorganized into firework‐like 3D swarms with four petals. Such petals in the microswarm are controllably reconfigurable by adjusting the angle between TOF and water‐air interface. These microswarms are also deformable and capable of performing stable migration by simply moving the TOF. Importantly, this opto‐hydrodynamic strategy is applicable for the formation of artificial 3D‐dynamic bio‐microswarms using different biological cells, which further facilitate the regulation of biological processes such as bacteria growth/division. This opto‐hydrodynamic strategy provides a new solution for 3D dynamic microswarm formation, with many potentials for biomedical and microengineering applications that need spatiotemporal‐dependent individual cooperation.
Fast Lithium Niobate Photodetector
Authors: Jin Chunyan , Wang Chenxiong , Qu Lun , Zhang Di , Liu Qiang , You Jingfei , Zheng Dahuai , Wu Wei , Cai Wei , Ren Mengxin , Xu Jingjun
Published: October 2023

Despite various successes in lithium niobate (LN) integrated photonic devices (e.g., light sources, waveguides, modulators, etc.), LN photodetectors (PD) that converts light into electrical signals have received less research attention. Here, fast LN PDs are demonstrated. Defect energy states are used within the forbidden band of the LN as electron donor centers to generate free carriers in the conduction band under optical excitation in the visible range. Compared with previous pyroelectric LN PDs whose response speeds are normally limited to the order of 100 Hz, these LN PDs show faster responses up to 10 kHz. The dependences of the PDs' performances on the electrode gap, external driving voltage, illumination power, and impurity dopants are also studied. This work provides a step toward high‐performance LN PDs for constructing monolithic full‐functional integrated LN photonic chips.
Design of compact low‐profile planar filtering antenna with enhanced suppression level
Authors: Yan Dong , Tang Hao‐Chun , Hu Kun‐Zhi , Pan Shuai‐Yu , Xiang Min , Luo Zhang , Wang Rui‐Qiong
Published: October 2023

A compact low‐profile planar filtering antenna with an enhanced suppression level is presented in this paper. The presented antenna has a simple structure, consisting of an E‐shaped driving patch, a shorted parasitic patch, and a defected ground structure (DGS). The E‐shaped driving patch serves as an effective radiator and facilitates the filtering response. The shorted parasitic patch is horizontally arranged and coupled with the driving patch through the radiating edge. And a radiation null and an extra in‐band resonance can be generated, which would simultaneously broaden the impedance bandwidth and improve the suppression level. In addition, a DGS on the metalized ground plane is etched to introduce another radiation null, and the out‐of‐band suppression level would be significantly enhanced. The filtering antenna with a center frequency of 3 GHz was constructed and tested to verify its performance. The measured values, which indicate a bandwidth of 10% (2.85–3.15 GHz) and a peak realized gain of 5.2 dBi, are in agreement with the simulated values. The presented filtering antenna features a low profile of 0.016λ0, a compact antenna size of 0.16λ20, as well as an improved suppression level of more than 22 dB.