bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perfil epidemiológico e tendência temporal da morbidade hospitalar por neurite óptica no Brasil, 2012-2022
Authors: Ramos Neuza Maria Gusmão Souza , Rocha Angela Machado , Lopes Alan Nascimento , Carletto Tatiane de Oliveira Teixeira Muniz
Published: December 2023

Introdução: a neurite óptica (NO) é uma doença inflamatória do nervo óptico, com incidência anual de um a cinco casos a cada 100 mil pessoas, acometendo, principalmente, indivíduos do sexo feminino. Pode ocasionar perda parcial ou total da visão, diminuição da acuidade visual, deficiência na percepção das cores, dentre outros sintomas. Define-se como típica ou atípica, a depender de como se manifesta, ou se sua ocorrência está associada a outra doença, como a esclerose múltipla ou o distúrbio do espectro da neuromielite óptica, por exemplo. O diagnóstico e o tratamento variam de acordo com sua etiologia, e a NO pode ser identificada a partir de avaliação clínica e exames de imagem, como a ressonância magnética. A utilização de corticosteroides tem sido a abordagem de tratamento tradicional, acelerando a recuperação. No Brasil e demais países latino-americanos, são poucos os estudos epidemiológicos a respeito da temática e, portanto, o presente estudo pretendeu analisar o perfil epidemiológico da morbidade hospitalar por NO e sua tendência temporal no Brasil entre 2012 e 2022. Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo de série temporal, com dados secundários sobre tendência das taxas de internação por NO a partir dos registros do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde. Foi utilizado o modelo de Prais-Winsten para análise da série temporal, adotando-se o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: foram registradas, no período, 6.375 internações por NO, sendo que 66% se referiam a residentes da região Sudeste. Do total, 65% eram do sexo feminino, 50% de cor branca e 56% se situavam na faixa etária de 20 a 49 anos. Os resultados obtidos, no que concerne às variáveis analisadas, apresentam números distintos, a depender da região de residência, o que aponta uma diversificação dos dados. Conclusão: apesar das limitações enfrentadas, acredita-se que o presente estudo e seus resultados podem contribuir para novas investigações a respeito do perfil epidemiológico da doença no Brasil.
Decision-Making for Hospitalized Incarcerated Patients Lacking Decisional Capacity
Authors: Batbold Sarah , Duke Jennifer D. , Riggan Kirsten A. , DeMartino Erin S.
Published: December 2023

Importance

Incarcerated patients admitted to the hospital face threats to their rights to privacy and self-determination in medical decision-making. Little is known about medical decision-making processes for hospitalized incarcerated persons who lack decisional capacity.

Objective

To characterize the prevalence of incapacity among hospitalized incarcerated patients and describe the decision-making processes, including who served as surrogate decision-makers, involvement of prison employees in medical decisions, and ethical concerns emerging from the patients’ care.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective descriptive and qualitative study of medical records for all patients admitted from prison for at least 24 hours between January 1, 1999, and September 1, 2019, at a large Midwestern academic medical center. Data analysis was performed from March 15, 2021, to December 14, 2022.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Prevalence of prison-to-hospital admissions for patients with a loss of capacity and characteristics of medical decision-making.

Results

During the 20-year study period, 462 patients from the prison were admitted to the hospital, totaling 967 unique admissions. Of these, 131 admissions (14%) involved patients with a loss of capacity and 43 admissions (4%, representing 34 unique patients) required surrogate decision-making. Ten of these patients had advance directives. Surrogate decision-makers often faced decisions about end-of-life care (n = 17) or procedural consent (n = 23). A family member was identified as surrogate decision-maker in 23 admissions. In 6 cases with a kindred surrogate, additional consent was requested from a prison employee. In total, prison employees were documented as being present during or participating in major medical decisions for half of the admissions. Five themes emerged from thematic analysis: uncertainty and misinformation about patient rights and the role of prison employees in medical decision-making with respect to these two themes, privacy violations, deference to prison officials, and estrangement from family and friends outside of the prison.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this first in-depth description, to date, of decision-making practices for hospitalized incarcerated patients lacking decisional capacity, admissions of these patients generated uncertainty about their rights, sometimes infringing on patients’ privacy and autonomy. Clinicians will encounter incarcerated patients in both hospital and clinic settings and should receive education on how to support ethically and legally sound decision-making practices for this medically vulnerable population.
Mirror Hand Movements Caused by a Deletion of the DCC Gene
Authors: Kleinendorst Lotte , van Haelst Mieke M.
Published: December 2023

This case report describes the evaluation of 16-year-old twins with chromosomal microarray and mirror movements.
Mandates and Incentives to Support Social Needs Screening—Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Bouchelle Zoe , Vasan Aditi , Cholera Rushina
Published: December 2023

This Viewpoint describes 3 potential challenges associated with implementing regulatory mandates and insurer incentives for health-related social needs screening and suggests opportunities for innovation and improvement.
Hollow‐Structured and Polyhedron‐Shaped High Entropy Oxide toward Highly Active and Robust Oxygen Evolution Reaction in a Full pH Range
Authors: Miao Kanghua , Jiang Wendan , Chen Zhaoqian , Luo Yan , Xiang Dong , Wang Chaohui , Kang Xiongwu
Published: December 2023

High entropy metal oxides (HEO) are superior to many reactions involving multi‐step elementary reactions. However, controlled synthesis of hollow‐structured HEO catalysts, which offers large surface area and fast mass transfer kinetics, remains challenging and unexplored due to the complicated metal precursors. Herein, a metal organic framework‐templated synthesis of hollow‐structured and polyhedron‐shaped HEO catalysts assembled with ultra‐small nanoparticles, with up to ten metal elements, can be achieved, by taking advantage of the ion‐exchange method. ZnFeNiCuCoRu‐O HEO catalyst displays excellent activity and ultra‐stability for oxygen evolution reaction in full pH range, with an overpotential of 170 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, a Tafel slope of 56 mV dec−1, and a decay of activity by 7% in 30 h in alkaline medium, as well as a 12% and 8% decay in acidic and neutral medium, respectively. DFT calculation indicates that the energy barrier of the potential determining step on Ru‐Fe bridge site is significantly lower than any other Ru‐related bridge sites for the unique hollow structured HEO structures. This work highlights the importance of ion‐exchange method in preparing highly stable and active hollow‐structured HEOs catalysts toward highly efficient energy conversion and storage devices.
Ti3C2 MXene as Additive for Low‐Cost Textile Supercapacitors with Enhanced Electrical Performance
Authors: Yong Sheng , Yao Chengning , Hillier Nicholas , Kim Hyunho , Holicky Martin , Liu Sihui , Doherty Regan , Torrisi Felice , Beeby Stephen
Published: December 2023

Textile‐based energy storage components are paramount for establishing invisible electronic textiles that do not require conventional rigid batteries. A novel and scalable fabrication method is reported for introducing MXene (Ti3C2Tx) into activated carbon (AC) supercapacitors to enhance electrochemical performance. Supercapacitors are prepared within a single layer of textile with a phase‐inverted polymer membrane fabricated within the textile yarn structure to form a porous, flexible, and mechanically durable separator. MXene is introduced in two different forms: 1) A multilayer MXene (m‐MXene)powder is mechanically mixed with an AC slurry and deposited onto the textile. 2) Delaminated MXene (d‐Mxene) nanosheets are spray‐coated onto the surface of spray coated AC electrode. With an organic electrolyte, 1 M tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in dimethyl sulfoxide, these supercapacitors are electrochemically stable between +/− 2.6 V and demonstrate a maximum areal capacitance of 148.7 mF cm−2, an energy density of 0.921 mWh cm−2, and a power density of 1.01 mW cm−2. The addition of MXenes improves the areal capacitance and by combining both approaches an improvement of 220% is achieved compared with identical supercapacitors with standard AC electrodes. The novelty of this work is to develop a scalable and straightforward solution processing method for introducing MXene into carbon supercapacitor electrodes enabling high‐performance textile‐based energy storage devices.
Stressmechanically Reconfigurable Chiroptical Meta‐devices in Visible Band
Authors: Zhang Lu , Wang Jie , Xu Lei , Gao Feng , Zhang Wending , Mei Ting
Published: December 2023

The development of low‐cost and convenient procedure to produce large‐area reconfigurable chiroptical meta‐devices (CMDs) enantiomers with dynamically tunable chiroptical response in the visible band has generated significant interest, owing to its tremendous potential for applications such as optical rotary filtering, color switching, information storage, etc. Currently, many methods, such as phase change material, air pressure, bias, etc., are proposed to reconfigure the chiroptical response of the CMDs enantiomers, but still lack of ability to actively regulate the chiroptical response of the large‐area CMDs. Herein, the centimeter‐scale stressmechanically reconfigurable CMDs enantiomers with actively‐tunable chiroptical response in the visible band is proposed. The chirality sign switching and chirality intensity turning on–off of the CMDs enantiomers can be achieved by bending the flexible substrate to the desired curvature radius to turn the electromagnetic modes resonance of the CMDs enantiomers. The results provide an effective approach to supply the large‐area reconfigurable CMDs enantiomers with actively tunable chiroptical response and will open up new possibilities for chirality nanophotonic applications.
Hydrogel‐Based Delivery of antimiR‐195 Improves Cardiac Efficacy after Ischemic Injury
Authors: Eding Joep E. C. , Vigil‐Garcia Marta , Vink Marit , Demkes Charlotte J. , Versteeg Danielle , Kooijman Lieneke , Bakker Maarten H. , Schotman Maaike J. G. , Dankers Patricia Y. W. , van Rooij Eva
Published: December 2023

MicroRNAs (miRs) are potent regulators of biology and disease. The miR‐15 family is shown to regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation and antimiR‐based inhibition induces a cardioprotective effect after myocardial infarction in mice. However, systemic delivery of antimiRs leads to accumulation in kidneys and liver, with relatively poor cardiac exposure. Injectable hydrogels are proposed to serve as sustained‐release drug delivery depots and can potentially be used to improve cardiac efficacy of antimiR therapeutics. Here, the effect of a hydrogel‐formulated antimiR‐195 after myocardial infarction in mice is studied. For this, an injectable, pH‐switchable supramolecular hydrogel based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalized with hydrogen bonding ureido‐pyrimidinone (UPy) units is used. Intracardiac injections under baseline conditions of this UPy–PEG hydrogelator induce a transient inflammatory response that is no longer present 7 days postinjection. In vitro experiments show that antimiR‐195 is released from the gel, and induces microRNA inhibition leading to downstream cardiomyocyte proliferation. In vivo, intramyocardial delivery of antimiR‐195 in UPy–PEG enhances cardiac target derepression compared to phosphate‐buffered‐saline‐dissolved antimiR‐195, despite a low cardiac retention. After ischemic injury, this translates into a greater therapeutic effect by increasing both target derepression and cardiomyocyte proliferation. Intramyocardial injection of UPy–PEG‐formulated antimiR‐195 is sufficient to improve cardiac efficacy of antimiR‐195.
Excessive Lipid Peroxidation in Uterine Epithelium Causes Implantation Failure and Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Lu Yafang , Shao Yuhan , Cui Weiwei , Jia Zhaoyu , Zhang Qian , Zhao Qing , Chen Zi‐Jiang , Yan Junhao , Chu Bo , Yuan Jia
Published: December 2023

The uterine epithelium undergoes a dramatic spatiotemporal transformation to enter a receptive state, involving a complex interaction between ovarian hormones and signals from stromal and epithelial cells. Redox homeostasis is critical for cellular physiological steady state; emerging evidence reveals that excessive lipid peroxides derail redox homeostasis, causing various diseases. However, the role of redox homeostasis in early pregnancy remains largely unknown. It is found that uterine deletion of Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a key factor in repairing oxidative damage to lipids, confers defective implantation, leading to infertility. To further pinpoint Gpx4’s role in different cell types, uterine epithelial‐specific Gpx4 is deleted by a lactotransferrin (Ltf)‐Cre driver; the resultant females are infertile, suggesting increased lipid peroxidation levels in uterine epithelium compromises receptivity and implantation. Lipid peroxidation inhibitor administration failed to rescue implantation due to carbonylation of major receptive‐related proteins underlying high lipid reactive oxygen species. Intriguingly, superimposition of Acyl‐CoA synthetase long‐chain family member 4 (ACSL4), an enzyme that promotes biosynthesis of phospholipid hydroperoxides, along with uterine epithelial GPX4 deletion, preserves reproductive capacity. This study reveals the pernicious impact of unbalanced redox signaling on embryo implantation and suggests the obliteration of lipid peroxides as a possible therapeutic approach to prevent implantation defects.
Bond Trading: Intramolecular Metal and Ligand Exchange within a NO/Ni/Co Complex
Authors: Jana Manish , Zheng Xueyan , Le Trung , Quiroz Manuel , Guererro‐Almaraz Paulina , Darensbourg Donald J. , Darensbourg Marcetta Y.
Published: December 2023

With the goal of generating hetero‐redox levels on metals as well as on nitric oxide (NO), metallodithiolate (N2S2)CoIII(NO−), N2S2 = N,N‐ dibenzyl‐3,7‐diazanonane‐1,9‐dithiolate, is introduced as ligand to a well‐characterized labile [Ni0(NO)+] synthon. The reaction between [Ni0(NO+)] and [CoIII(NO−)] has led to a remarkable electronic and ligand redistribution to form a heterobimetallic dinitrosyl cobalt [(N2S2)NiII∙Co(NO)2]+ complex with formal two electron oxidation state switches concomitant with the nickel extraction or transfer as NiII into the N2S2 ligand binding site. To date, this is the first reported heterobimetallic cobalt dinitrosyl complex.
How do we prevent severe intra‐abdominal infectious complications following minimally invasive gastrectomy for cancer? The usefulness of a novel marker using computed tomography images (minimum umbilicus–vertebra diameter) and robotic surgery
Authors: Kubo Naoshi , Sakurai Katsunobu , Hasegawa Tsuyoshi , Nishimura Junya , Iseki Yasuhito , Nishii Takafumi , Shimizu Sadatoshi , Inoue Toru , Nishiguchi Yukio , Maeda Kiyoshi
Published: December 2023

Background

Intra‐abdominal infectious complications (IAICs) following minimally invasive gastrectomy (MIG) for cancer sometimes worsen short‐ and long‐term outcomes. In this study, we focused on the minimum umbilicus–vertebra diameter (MUVD) in preoperative computed tomography (CT) images and robotic surgery to prevent severe IAIC occurrence.

Patients and Methods

A total of 400 patients with gastric cancer who underwent 204 laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and 196 robotic gastrectomy (RG) procedures were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively investigated the significance of the MUVD and robotic surgery for preventing severe IAICs following MIG using multivariate and propensity score matching analysis.

Results

The MUVD cutoff value was 84 mm by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using severe IAICs as the end point. The MUVD and visceral fat area (VFA) had significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) than BMI (MUVD vs. BMI, p = 0.032; VFA vs. BMI, p < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, high MUVD (HR, 9.46; p = 0.026) and laparoscopic surgery (HR, 3.35; p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for severe IAIC occurrence. In the propensity matching analysis between robotic and laparoscopic surgery in the high MUVD group, the RG group tended to have a lower severe IAIC rate than the LG group (0% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.056).

Conclusion

The MUVD was a novel and easy‐measuring predictor of severe IAICs following MIG. Robotic surgery should be considered first in patients with gastric cancer having an MUVD value of 84 mm or higher from the perspective of severe IAIC occurrence.
Block Copolymer‐Stabilized Metal–Organic Framework Hybrids Loading Pd Nanoparticles Enable Tumor Remission Through Near‐Infrared Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Li Shang-Wei , Hsieh Ming-Feng , Hong Taehun , Chen Pengwen , Osada Kensuke , Liu Xueying , Aoki Ichio , Yu Jiashing , Wu Kevin C.-W. , Cabral Horacio
Published: December 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), such as the magnetic resonance imaging‐fit MIL‐100 based on Fe, are gaining significant attention as versatile theranostics with high‐loading capability. Moreover, as MOFs can be engineered to target tumors, there is much interest in applying them for precise pin‐point treatment of cancer. Herein, Pd nanoparticles within MIL‐100(Fe) are generated to create MOFs with remarkable photothermal conversion properties for cancer therapy. The Pd‐loaded MIL‐100(Fe) (Pd@MIL‐100(Fe)) are stabilized with biocompatible block copolymers to generate MOFs with PEGylated surfaces. This is achieved by directly mixing poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(L‐aspartic acid) (PEG‐p(Asp)) or dopamine‐modified PEG‐p(Asp) (PEG‐p(Asp‐Dopa)) block copolymers with the MOFs in aqueous conditions. The resulting block copolymer‐stabilized MOF hybrids are stable in physiological conditions. Particularly, the Pd@MIL‐100(Fe)/PEG‐p(Asp‐Dopa) hybrids show enhanced blood circulation and increased accumulation in B16F10 melanoma. Furthermore, when irradiated with 808 nm light, the Pd@MIL‐100(Fe)/PEG‐p(Asp‐Dopa) hybrids rapidly increase the temperature to 50 °C, enabling tumor remission. The surface‐stabilized Pd@MIL‐100(Fe)/polymer hybrids open viable opportunities for innovating MOF/polymer hybrid‐based approaches for drug delivery.
Characterizing the Topological Properties of 1D Non‐Hermitian Systems without the Berry–Zak Phase
Authors: Felbacq Didier , Rousseau Emmanuel
Published: December 2023

A new method is proposed to predict the topological properties of 1D periodic structures in wave physics, including quantum mechanics. From Bloch waves, a unique complex valued function is constructed, exhibiting poles and zeros. The sequence of poles and zeros of this function is a topological invariant that can be linked to the Berry–Zak phase. Since the characterization of the topological properties is done in the complex plane, it can easily be extended to the case of non‐Hermitian systems. The sequence of poles and zeros allows to predict topological phase transitions.
Telomere length is not a useful tool for chronological age estimation in animals
Authors: Pepke Michael L.
Published: December 2023

Telomeres are short repetitive DNA sequences capping the ends of chromosomes. Telomere shortening occurs during cell division and may be accelerated by oxidative damage or ameliorated by telomere maintenance mechanisms. Consequently, telomere length changes with age, which was recently confirmed in a large meta‐analysis across vertebrates. However, based on the correlation between telomere length and age, it was concluded that telomere length can be used as a tool for chronological age estimation in animals. Correlation should not be confused with predictability, and the current data and studies suggest that telomeres cannot be used to reliably predict individual chronological age. There are biological reasons for why there is large individual variation in telomere dynamics, which is mainly due to high susceptibility to a wide range of environmental, but also genetic factors, rendering telomeres unfeasible as a tool for age estimation. The use of telomeres for chronological age estimation is largely a misguided effort, but its occasional reappearance in the literature raises concerns that it will mislead resources in wildlife conservation.
Sustainable asymmetric synthesis of diltiazem precursor enabled by recombinant Escherichia coli whole cells co‐expressing an engineered ketoreductase and glucose dehydrogenase
Authors: Yue Xiaoping , Li Yitong , Yang Lin , Sang Di , Huang Zedu , Chen Fener
Published: December 2023

As a key synthetic intermediate of the cardiovascular drug diltiazem, methyl (2R,3S)‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl) glycidate ((2R,3S)‐MPGM) (1) is accessible via the ring closure of chlorohydrin (3S)‐methyl 2‐chloro‐3‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)propanoate ((3S)‐2). We report the efficient reduction of methyl 2‐chloro‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐oxo‐propanoate (3) to (3S)‐2 using an engineered enzyme SSCRM2 possessing 4.5‐fold improved specific activity, which was obtained through the structure‐guided site‐saturation mutagenesis of the ketoreductase SSCR by reliving steric hindrance and undesired interactions. With the combined use of the co‐expression fine‐tuning strategy, a recombinant E. coli (pET28a‐RBS‐SSCRM2/pACYCDuet‐GDH), co‐expressing SSCRM2 and glucose dehydrogenase, was constructed and optimized for protein expression. After optimizing the reaction conditions, whole‐cell‐catalyzed complete reduction of industrially relevant 300 g L−1 of 3 was realized, affording (3S)‐2 with 99% ee and a space‐time yield of 519.1 g∙L−1∙d−1, representing the highest record for the biocatalytic synthesis of (3S)‐2 reported to date. The E‐factor of this biocatalytic synthesis was 24.5 (including water). Chiral alcohol (3S)‐2 generated in this atom‐economic synthesis was transformed to (2R,3S)‐MPGM in 95% yield with 99% ee.
Knockout of IRF3 and IRF7 genes by CRISPR/Cas9 technology enhances porcine virus replication in the swine testicular (ST) cell line
Authors: Sun Xiamei , Wang Jing , Mou Chunxiao , Shi Kaichuang , Bao Wenbin , Chen Zhenhai
Published: December 2023

Antiviral vaccines for pig diseases are essential to prevent epidemic outbreaks. However, their production is often hindered by inefficient manufacturing processes that yield lower quantities of the vaccine. To accelerate the progress of various areas of bioproduction, we have considered the necessity of enhancing viral replication efficiency by optimizing ST (swine testicular) cell lines that are commonly utilized in virus manufacturing. CRISPR/Cas9 gene‐editing technology were utilized to create IRF3 or IRF7 knockout cell lines that facilitate high‐titer viral stock production. Compared to the parental cell lines, the ST IRF3/7 KO cell line displayed a compromised antiviral response to a panel of viruses (Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, Senecavirus A, Parainfluenza virus 5, and Getah virus), as evidenced by decreased expression of interferon and certain antiviral factors. The inhibition of these responses led to heightened viral replication and increased cytopathic effects, ultimately promoting apoptosis. As a result, the development of these cell lines offers a more efficient approach for biopharmaceutical companies to boost their virus production and reduce associated costs.
Genomic insights into clostridia in bioenergy production: Comparison of metabolic capabilities and evolutionary relationships
Authors: Kumar Karan , Barbora Lepakshi , Moholkar Vijayanand S.
Published: December 2023

Bacteria from diverse genera, including Acetivibrio, Bacillus, Cellulosilyticum, Clostridium, Desulfotomaculum, Lachnoclostridium, Moorella, Ruminiclostridium, and Thermoanaerobacterium, have attracted significant attention due to their versatile metabolic capabilities encompassing acetogenic, cellulolytic, and C1‐metabolic properties, and acetone‐butanol‐ethanol fermentation. Despite their biotechnological significance, a comprehensive understanding of clostridial physiology and evolution has remained elusive. This study reports an extensive comparative genomic analysis of 48 fully sequenced bacterial genomes from these genera. Our investigation, encompassing pan‐genomic analysis, central carbon metabolism comparison, exploration of general genome features, and in‐depth scrutiny of Cluster of Orthologous Groups genes, has established a holistic whole‐genome‐based phylogenetic framework. We have classified these strains into acetogenic, butanol‐producing, cellulolytic, CO2‐fixating, chemo(litho/organo)trophic, and heterotrophic categories, often exhibiting overlaps. Key outcomes include the identification of misclassified species and the revelation of insights into metabolic features, energy conservation, substrate utilization, stress responses, and regulatory mechanisms. These findings can provide guidance for the development of efficient microbial systems for sustainable bioenergy production. Furthermore, by addressing fundamental questions regarding genetic relationships, conserved genomic features, pivotal enzymes, and essential genes, this study has also contributed to our comprehension of clostridial biology, evolution, and their shared metabolic potential.
Direct synthesis of N, S co‐doped graphynes via copolymerization strategy for electrocatalytic application
Authors: Hou Yuxin , Sun Haotian , Kong Fanan , Wang Mengyang , Li Longyu , Ren Shijie
Published: December 2023

Graphynes (GYs) are a novel set of carbon allotropes with high potential as future catalytic electrodes for oxygen reduction reactions because of their unique physical and chemical properties. In recent years, a number of heteroatom‐doped graphdiyne (GDYs) based electrocatalysts have been developed. However, the development of GYs has made slow progress due to their limited synthetic strategies. Here, the first case of nitrogen and sulfur co‐doped graphynes (NS‐GYs) synthesized through the copolymerization between hydrogen‐deficient heterocyclic aromatic monomers via the Sonogashira–Hagihara cross‐coupling reaction is reported. The NS‐GYs exhibit abundant porosity after heat treatment with large specific area and high heteroatom content for use as potential electrocatalysts. In addition, NS‐GY‐3‐800 with the best electrocatalytic performance shows excellent power density and stability in Zn‐air batteries.
Recent developments of nanocomposite ionogels as monolithic electrolyte membranes for lithium‐based batteries
Authors: Xie Jian , Chen Qiong , Zhang Huiying , Song Rensheng , Liu Tiefeng
Published: December 2023

To utilize intermittent renewable energy to achieve carbon neutrality, rechargeable lithium‐based batteries have been deemed to be the most promising electrochemical systems for energy supply and storage. However, there still exist safety issues and challenges, especially originating from the intrinsic volatility and flammability of the electrolytes used in lithium‐based batteries. Due to the unique advantages of better safety, (quasi) solid‐state electrolytes have been exploited. Ionogel (IG), known as ionic liquid (IL) based monolithic quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte separator, consists of IL and gelling matrix and has become an active area of research in lithium‐based battery technology, owing to fascinating exotic characteristics including high safety (thermal stability) under extreme operating conditions, wide processing compatibility, and decent electrochemical performances. Among various gelling matrices, nanomaterials are very promising to simultaneously enhance ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal and electrochemical properties of IGs, which make the nanocomposite ionogels (NIGs). Herein, several significant advantages of NIGs as monolithic electrolyte membranes are briefly described. Also, recent advances in the NIGs for Li‐ion batteries, Li‐metal batteries, Li‐S batteries, and Li‐O2 batteries are timely and systematically overviewed. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives on such an interesting and active field are discussed. To the best of our knowledge, there are rare review articles focusing on the NIGs for Li‐based batteries till now. This work could offer a comprehensive understanding of recent advances and challenges of NIGs for advanced lithium storage.
Unicentric Castleman disease presenting as a longstanding axillary and chest wall mass: A case report
Authors: Zhou Wenqing , Liu Xing , Qiu Aiming , Ni Teng , Dong Tiangeng , Ding Lei
Published: December 2023

Key clinical message

Unicentric Castleman disease, particularly the hypervascular variant subtype, commonly presents as a localized lymphadenopathy without systemic symptoms. Surgical excision is often curative for this subtype, leading to a good prognosis. However, some patients with autoimmune complications may require additional systemic therapy along with surgery. Accurate diagnosis through a combination of clinical, radiological, and pathological findings is crucial for optimal management.
Aortoduodenal fistula and abdominal aortic aneurysm as a complication of Brucella Aortitis managed with Insitu aortic aneurysm repair: A case report
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Ahmad , Zehra Jumana , Davarpanah Mohammad Ali , Farsani Mohammad Moeini , Gorji Meghdad Ghasemi , Shahriarirad Reza
Published: December 2023

Key Clinical Message

Brucella aortitis should be one of the differential diagnoses of inflammatory aortic aneurysms. In situ repair of intermittent aortoenteric fitulae and repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysm with synthetic graft can be used in clean scarred fistulae.

Arterial aneurysms are very rare complications of Brucella infection. The purpose of this case report is to document a case of abdominal aortic aneurysm and primary aorto‐duodenal fistula as a complication of Brucella infection, along with the management of brucella induced aortoenteric fistula with insitu synthetic graft. We report a 53‐year‐old man with a complaint of abdominal pain and melena. Radiological evaluation revealed an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm and a primary aorto‐duodenal fistula was identified during surgery. The patient underwent laparotomy, and surgical repair of the aneurysm with a bifurcated Dacron graft, while the entry of the aorto‐duodenal fistula was closed with intra‐aortic sutures. One month later, the patient tested positive for the Wright agglutination test (1:80) and Coomb's test (1:640) for brucella, and was treated with doxycycline, rifampicin, and ciprofloxacin for brucellosis. Though rare, brucella aortitis should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of inflammatory aortic aneurysms. In situ repair of intermittent aortoenteric fistula and repair of the infrarenal aortic aneurysm with synthetic graft could be considered in a clean scarred fistula.
Modelling wax deposition of diesel in sequential transportation of product oil pipeline using optimized back propagation neural network
Authors: Yin Pengbo , Xie Lin , Zhang Hanqing , Li Weidong , Wang Wenda
Published: December 2023

Contamination of gasoline by wax deposit of diesel is a severe problem in sequential transportation of product oil pipelines in cold areas. However, most works on wax deposition are focused on crude oil. In response, this paper aims to investigate wax deposition from a unique perspective of diesel oil in sequential transportation. To this end, a cold finger apparatus was designed and constructed. It is found that the wax deposition rate of diesel oil increases with oil temperature and wax content, and decreases with cold finger temperature. A non‐monotonic variation trend is observed against shear stress. To predict diesel wax deposition rate, a back propagation (BP) neural network optimized by bald eagle search (BES) algorithm is proposed. Grey relational analysis (GRA) is employed to get the highly relevant factors as input parameters of the developed model. Prediction accuracy and generalization ability of the BES‐BP model is experimentally verified. This work will be helpful to schedule the transportation program of product oil to avoid contamination of gasoline by diesel wax deposit.
Dynamic nonlinear soft sensor modelling method using linear slow feature analysis and least squares support vector regression for batch processes
Authors: Zhang Shuning , Liu Ke , Zhang Han , Deng Guanlong
Published: December 2023

Data‐driven soft sensor models have been extensively utilized in industrial processes. Batch processes are usually employed to manufacture low‐volume and high value‐added products in chemical, materials, and pharmaceutical industries. The most distinctive features of batch process lie in nonlinear, repetition, and slow time varying characteristics. In this paper, a data‐driven soft sensor modelling method based on linear slow feature analysis (LSFA) and least squares support vector regression (LSSVR) is proposed. In this method, LSFA was used to effectively capture the driving force behind the data features that change as slowly as possible. Then, a LSSVR model was constructed between the extracted slow feature variables and quality variables. Finally, a numerical example, industrial penicillin fermentation processes, and cobalt oxalate synthesis process were utilized to confirm the prediction accuracy and model reliability of the proposed approach.
Kinetic growth model and metabolic effect of a bacterial consortia from a petrochemical processing plant
Authors: Prithiraj Alicia , Tichapondwa Shepherd , Chirwa Evans M. N.
Published: December 2023

This study focused on presenting the newly developed growth model for bacterial species present in a petrochemical processing plant in South Africa. The findings of the study serve as a theoretical basis for future experiments aimed at understanding the formation of bacterial metabolites as the bacteria develops. An unstructured kinetic model using AQUASIM 2.3, together with experimental spectrophotometric results, were used to evaluate the growth of Gram‐negative bacteria in a batch reactor system. Spectrophotometer results showed the absence of a stationary phase. The exponential bacterial growth phase supported the total organic carbon (TOC) results, showing that bacterial growth occurred on days 6 and 13; this is rarely reported in literature, as the growth in this system was much slower than the growth of single‐strain studies. The TOC concentration values indicated that carbon sources did not deplete in the death phase, suggesting the presence of a long‐term stationary phase and the production of acetate. The presence of Pseudomonas sp. and sulphate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) are commonly reported in industrial systems as they play a role in equipment failure in industry. However, in this multispecies study, methods using third generation sequencing together with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have shown that the selective attachment and production of acetate by abundant Clostridium sp. has ascertained their role in equipment failures in the petrochemical environment.
Activation of Dendritic Cells Isolated from the Blood of Patients with Prostate Cancer by Ex Vivo Fluid Shear Stress Stimulation
Authors: Dombroski Jenna A. , Antunovic Monika , Schaffer Kerry R. , Hurley Paula J. , King Michael R.
Published: December 2023

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the United States and a leading cause of cancer‐related death in men. Treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer include hormone therapies, chemotherapies, radioligand therapies, and immunotherapies. Provenge (sipuleucel‐T) is an autologous cancer‐vaccine‐based immunotherapy approved for men with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Administration of sipuleucel‐T involves leukapheresis of patient blood to isolate antigen‐presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells (DCs), and subsequent incubation of isolated APCs with both an antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) before their infusion back into the patient. Although sipuleucel‐T has been shown to improve overall survival, other meaningful outcomes, such as prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels and radiographic response, are inconsistent. This lack of robust response may be due to limited ex vivo activation of DCs using current protocols. Earlier studies have shown that many cell types can be activated ex vivo by external forces such as fluid shear stress (FSS). We hypothesize that novel fluid shear stress technologies and methods can be used to improve ex vivo efficacy of prostate cancer DC activation in prostate cancer. Herein, we report a new protocol for activating DCs from patients with prostate cancer using ex vivo fluid shear stress. Ultimately, the goal of these studies is to improve DC activation to expand the efficacy of therapies such as sipuleucel‐T. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Sample collection and DC isolation

Basic Protocol 2: Determination and application of fluid shear stress

Basic Protocol 3: Flow cytometry analysis of DCs after FSS stimulation
Making the grade: An analysis of sustainability reporting standards and Global Reporting Initiative adherence ratings
Authors: Friske Wesley , Nikolov Atanas Nik , Morgan Todd
Published: December 2023

Sustainability reporting standards provide a systematic way for organizations to describe their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives to stakeholders. Unfortunately, even organizations that have voluntarily adopted reporting standards may fail to disclose material ESG information to relevant stakeholders. This study aims to investigate how the institutional environment influences an organization's adherence to the Global Reporting Initiative's sustainability reporting standards. Our analysis is based on a panel data sample of 4380 organizations that adopted Global Reporting Initiative's reporting guidelines from 2006 to 2015. Results of a generalized estimating equation model suggest that institutional norms and the pressure to achieve organizational legitimacy lead to relatively high adherence ratings for state‐owned enterprises and public institutions, large organizations, publicly traded companies, and organizations that conduct external audits of their reports. Our study has multiple implications for researchers and policymakers. First, we answer calls for more large‐scale, cross‐country research on sustainability reporting standards. Second, we add to the literature on sustainability reporting by documenting how institutional factors affect the credibility and transparency of ESG information contained within sustainability reports. Third, for policymakers, we identify the types of organizations that are least likely to comply with reporting guidelines. Policymakers can use this information to target underachieving organizations.
Nocturnal behavioral patterns of African ungulates in zoos
Authors: Gübert Jennifer , Schneider Gaby , Hahn‐Klimroth Max , Dierkes Paul W.
Published: December 2023

Currently, most studies on ungulates' behavior are conducted during the daylight hours, but their nocturnal behavior patterns differ from those shown during day. Therefore, it is necessary to observe ungulates' behavior also overnight. Detailed analyses of nocturnal behavior have only been conducted for very prominent ungulates such as Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), African Elephants (Loxodonta africana), or livestock (e.g., domesticated cattle, sheep, or pigs), and the nocturnal rhythms exhibited by many ungulates remain unknown. In the present study, the nocturnal rhythms of 192 individuals of 18 ungulate species from 20 European zoos are studied with respect to the behavioral positions standing, lying—head up, and lying—head down (the typical REM sleep position). Differences between individuals of different age were found, but no differences with respect to the sex were seen. Most species showed a significant increase in the proportion of lying during the night. In addition, the time between two events of “lying down” was studied in detail. A high degree of rhythmicity with respect to this quantity was found in all species. The proportion of lying in such a period was greater in Artiodactyla than in Perissodactyla, and greater in juveniles than in adults.
The distribution of bushmeat mammals in unflooded forests of the Central Amazon is influenced by poaching proxies
Authors: de Souza Ferreira Neto Gilson , Baccaro Fabricio Beggiato , Phillips Matthew J. , Massara Rodrigo Lima
Published: December 2023

Medium to large rainforest mammals are key conservation flagship groups that offer non‐redundant ecosystem functions, but anthropic pressures, such as illegal hunting, may strongly affect their occupancy in Amazonia. We combined camera traps and occupancy models to assess the influence of distance from human settlements, the number of families per settlement and the synergetic effect of the average weight of 27 species on the occupancy probability of mammals. Specifically, we classified mammal species according to the game preferences of hunters (i.e. a group of species depleted for bushmeat, a group of species hunted for retaliation and a group of non‐hunted species). We also accounted for the influence on the detection probability of each group of both the number of days each camera operated and the body weight of mammals. The occupancy probability of the bushmeat group (i.e. deer, peccaries, agoutis, pacas and armadillos) was lower at locations closer to human settlements. Still, the number of families correlated positively with occupancy, with the occupancy probability of the group being slightly higher at sites with more families. This difference was probably due to larger and more abundant crops and fruiting trees attracting wildlife at such sites. Conversely, the occupancy probability of the retaliation group (i.e. carnivores) and the non‐hunted group (i.e. opossums, spiny rats, squirrels and anteaters) were indifferent to anthropogenic stressors. The detection probability of the non‐hunted and particularly the most depleted species correlated negatively with body weight. This may suggest that larger species, especially those from the bushmeat group, are rarer or less abundant in the system, possibly because they are the preferable target of hunters. In the long term, locals will likely need to travel long distances to find harvest meat. Poaching also threatens food security since game bushmeat is an essential source of protein for isolated rural Amazonians.
Protective role of eugenol against diabetes‐induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis in rat testes
Authors: Chilukoti Sri R. , Sahu Chittaranjan , Jena Gopabandhu
Published: December 2023

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder alters gonadal development and spermatogenesis, reactive oxygen species production, DNA damage, and apoptosis, which subsequently lead to male subfertility. Eugenol is an antioxidant, traditionally used as medication for digestive disorders and antioxidant therapy, decrease transport of glucose from GIT to systemic circulation. This experiment was aimed to decipher cellular and molecular insights of eugenol in protecting diabetic germ cells in rats. Rats were assigned randomly into five groups: control, eugenol control (Eugenol 400; EUG), diabetic (DIA), diabetic + eugenol 100 (DIA + EUG 100), and diabetic + eugenol 400 (DIA + EUG 400). EUG 400 and DIA + EUG 400 groups received 400 mg/kg eugenol orally. DIA + EUG 100 group received 100 mg/kg eugenol. Treatment was conducted for 4 weeks. Type 1 diabetes was induced by injecting a single i.p. dose of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Morphometric, biochemical, sperm parameters, oxidative stress, hormonal levels, histopathology, and fibrosis in the testis and epididymis, were evaluated. DNA damage was evaluated using halo and comet assays; DNA fragmentation and apoptosis using TUNEL assay. Eugenol treatment significantly normalized biochemical parameters, reduced MDA while increased albumin and GSH levels in diabetes. Eugenol significantly increased sperm numbers, motility and attenuated abnormal sperm head morphology in diabetes. Moreover, eugenol significantly reversed diabetes‐induced cellular damages, altered spermatogenesis, and collagen deposition in testis and epididymis. It also significantly attenuated diabetes‐associated DNA breaks and apoptosis. These findings suggest that 4 weeks treatment with 400 mg/kg of eugenol could be beneficial for diabetic patients to prevent subfertility.
ZNF746 plays cardinal roles on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell invasion and migration and regulates mitochondrial dynamics and morphological changes of CRC cells—Role of combined melatonin and 5‐FU regimen
Authors: Huang Chi‐Ruei , Chu Yu‐Ting , Chang Chia‐Lo , Yip Hon‐Kan , Chen Hong‐Hwa
Published: December 2023

The underlying mechanism of colorectal cells developing into cancer cells has been extensively investigated, yet is still not fully delineated, resulting in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) remains regrettably an unmet need. Zinc Finger Protein 746/Parkin‐interacting substrate (ZNF746/PARIS) has previously been identified to play a fundamental role on bladder cancer cell proliferation and metastasis that were effectively inhibited by melatonin (Mel). In this study, we utilized ex vivo/in vivo studies to verify whether the ZNF746 signaling was also crucial in CRC growth/invasion/migration. Tissue‐bank specimens showed that the protein expression of ZNF746 was significantly increased in CRC than that of healthy colorectal tissues (p < 0.001). Additionally, in vitro study demonstrated that excessive expression of ZNF746 significantly inhibited mitochondrial activity via (1) interfering with the dynamic balance of mitochondrial fusion/fission and (2) inhibiting the protein expression of MFN1/MFN2/PGC1a (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, we identified that inhibition of ZNF746 protein expression significantly reduced the resistance of CRC cell lines to the anticancer drug of 5‐FU (p < 0.001), whereas overexpression of ZNF746 significantly augmented resistance of CRC cells to 5‐FU (all p < 0.001). Finally, using the cell culture method, we found that combined Mel and 5‐FU was superior to merely one on promoting the CRC cell apoptosis (p < 0.001). Our results confirmed that ZNF746 signaling played a cardinal role of CRC cell proliferation/survival and combined Mel and 5‐FU treatment attenuated the resistance of CRC cells to the drug mainly through suppressing this signaling.