bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitation of Cell Cycle and Cellular Migration of Rat Schwann Cells by O‐Carboxymethyl Chitosan to Support Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Jiang Zhiwen , Zhang Wei , Liu Chenqi , Xia Lixin , Wang Shuo , Wang Yanting , Shao Kai , Han Baoqin
Published: June 2023

O‐carboxymethyl chitosan (CM‐chitosan), holds high potential as a valuable biomaterial for nerve guidance conduits (NGCs). However, the lack of explicit bioactivity on neurocytes and poor duration that does not match nerve repair limit the restorative effects. Herein, CM‐chitosan‐based NGC is designed to induce the reconstruction of damaged peripheral nerves without addition of other activation factors. CM‐chitosan possesses excellent performance in vitro for nerve tissue engineering, such as increasing the organization of filamentous actin and the expression of phospho‐Akt, and facilitating the cell cycle and migration of Schwann cells. Moreover, CM‐chitosan exhibits increased longevity upon cross‐linking (C‐CM‐chitosan) with 1, 4‐Butanediol diglycidyl ether, and C‐CM‐chitosan fibers possess appropriate biocompatibility. In order to imitate the structure of peripheral nerves, multichannel bioactive NGCs are prepared from lumen fillers of oriented C‐CM‐chitosan fibers and outer warp‐knitted chitosan pipeline. Implantation of the C‐CM‐chitosan NGCs to rats with 10‐mm defects of peripheral nerves effectively improve nerve function reconstruction by increasing the sciatic functional index, decreasing the latent periods of heat tingling, enhancing the gastrocnemius muscle, and promoting nerve axon recovery, showing regenerative efficacy similar to that of autograft. The results lay a theoretical foundation for improving the potential high‐value applications of CM‐chitosan‐based bioactive materials in nerve tissue engineering.
Continuous functions with impermeable graphs
Authors: Buczolich Zoltán , Leobacher Gunther , Steinicke Alexander
Published: June 2023

We construct a Hölder continuous function on the unit interval which coincides in uncountably (in fact continuum) many points with every function of total variation smaller than 1 passing through the origin. We conclude that this function has impermeable graph—one of the key concepts introduced in this paper—and we present further examples of functions both with permeable and impermeable graphs. Moreover, we show that typical (in the sense of Baire category) continuous functions have permeable graphs. The first example function is subsequently used to construct an example of a continuous function on the plane which is intrinsically Lipschitz continuous on the complement of the graph of a Hölder continuous function with impermeable graph, but which is not Lipschitz continuous on the plane. As another main result, we construct a continuous function on the unit interval which coincides in a set of Hausdorff dimension 1 with every function of total variation smaller than 1 which passes through the origin.
Inhibition of YAP1 activity ameliorates acute lung injury through promotion of M2 macrophage polarization
Authors: Liang Lu , Xu Wenyan , Shen Ao , Fu Xiaomei , Cen Huiyu , Wang Siran , Lin Zhongxiao , Zhang Lingmin , Lin Fangyu , Zhang Xin , Zhou Na , Chang Jishuo , Chen Zhe‐Sheng , Li Chuwen , Yu Xiyong
Published: June 2023

The balance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization plays an important role in regulating inflammation during acute lung injury (ALI). Yes‐associated protein (YAP1) is a key protein in the Hippo–YAP1 signaling pathway and is involved in macrophage polarization. We aimed to determine the role of YAP1 in pulmonary inflammation following ALI and regulation of M1/M2 polarization. Pulmonary inflammation and injury with upregulation of YAP1 were observed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI. The YAP1 inhibitor, verteporfin, attenuated pulmonary inflammation and improved lung function in ALI mice. Moreover, verteporfin promoted M2 polarization and inhibited M1 polarization in the lung tissues of ALI mice and LPS‐treated bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMMs). Additionally, siRNA knockdown confirmed that silencing Yap1 decreased chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) expression and promoted M2 polarization, whereas silencing large tumor suppressor 1 (Lats1) increased CCL2 expression and induced M1 polarization in LPS‐treated BMMs. To investigate the role of inflammatory macrophages in ALI mice, we performed single‐cell RNA sequencing of macrophages isolated from the lungs. Thus, verteporfin could activate the immune‐inflammatory response, promote the potential of M2 macrophages, and alleviate LPS‐induced ALI. Our results reveal a novel mechanism where YAP1‐mediated M2 polarization alleviates ALI. Therefore, inhibition of YAP1 may be a target for the treatment of ALI.
Assessment of cross‐dose contributions from tumors within computational phantoms using a Geant4 radiation dosimetry tool exploiting hybrid analytical/voxelised geometries
Authors: Salman Muhammad , Guatelli Susanna , Rosenfeld Anatoly B. , Malaroda Alessandra
Published: June 2023

Background

Dosimetry software tools developed for Radiopharmaceutical Therapy, such as OLINDA/EXM or IDAC‐Dose, account only for radiation dose to organs from radiopharmaceutical taken up in other organs.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to present a methodology, that can be applied to any voxelised computational model, able to account for cross‐dose to organs from tumors of any shape and number enclosed within an organ.

Methods

A Geant4 application using hybrid analytical/voxelised geometries has been developed as an extension to the ICRP110_HumanPhantom Geant4 advanced example and validated against ICRP publication 133. In this new Geant4 application, tumors are defined using the Geant4 Parallel Geometry functionality, which allows the co‐existence of two independent geometries in the same Monte Carlo simulation. The methodology was validated by estimating total dose to healthy tissue from 90Y and from 177Lu distributed within tumors of various sizes localized within the liver of the ICRP110 adult male phantom.

Results

Agreement of the Geant4 application with ICRP133 was within 5% when masses were adjusted for blood content. Total dose to healthy liver and to tumors was found to agree within 1% when compared to the ground truth.

Conclusions

The methodology presented in this work can be extended to investigate total dose to healthy tissue from systemic uptake of radiopharmaceuticals in tumors of different sizes using any voxelised computational dosimetric model.
Use of teduglutide in adults with short bowel syndrome–associated intestinal failure
Authors: Pironi Loris , Allard Johane P. , Joly Francisca , Geransar Parnia , Genestin Elisabeth , Pape Ulrich‐Frank
Published: June 2023

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare gastrointestinal disorder associated with intestinal failure (SBS‐IF) and poor health‐related outcomes. Patients with SBS‐IF are unable to absorb sufficient nutrients or fluids to maintain significantly metabolic homeostasis via oral or enteral intake alone and require long‐term intravenous supplementation (IVS), consisting of partial or total parenteral nutrition, fluids, electrolytes, or a combination of these. The goal of medical and surgical treatment for patients with SBS‐IF is to maximize intestinal remnant absorptive capacity so that the need for IVS support may eventually be reduced or eliminated. Daily subcutaneous administration of the glucagon‐like peptide 2 analog, teduglutide, has been shown to be clinically effective in reducing IVS dependence and potentially improving the health‐related quality of life of patients with SBS‐IF. The management of patients with SBS‐IF is complex and requires close monitoring. This narrative review discusses the use of teduglutide for patients with SBS‐IF in clinical practice. The screening of patient eligibility for teduglutide treatment, initiation, monitoring of efficacy and safety of treatment, adapting or weaning off IVS, and the healthcare setting needed for SBS‐IF management are described, taking into consideration data from clinical trials, observational studies, and clinical experience.
Severe vitamin C deficiency associated with continuous renal replacement therapy: A case report
Authors: Burslem Ryan , Roberts Susan , Rajwani Kapil , Ziegler Jane
Published: June 2023

Hypovitaminosis C is prevalent in critically ill patients. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) clears vitamin C, increasing the risk for vitamin C deficiency. However, recommendations for vitamin C supplementation in critically ill patients receiving CRRT vary widely, from 250 mg/day to 12 g/day. This case report describes a patient who developed a severe vitamin C deficiency after prolonged CRRT despite receiving ascorbic acid (450 mg/day) supplementation in her parenteral nutrition. This report summarizes recent research investigating vitamin C status in critically ill patients receiving CRRT, discusses the patient case, and provides recommendations for clinical practice. In critically ill patients receiving CRRT, the authors of this manuscript suggest providing at least 1000 mg/day of ascorbic acid to prevent vitamin C deficiency. Baseline vitamin C levels should be checked in patients who are malnourished and/or have other risk factors for vitamin C deficiency, and vitamin C levels should be monitored thereafter every 1–2 weeks.
Impact of hemoglobin A1c level on the association between non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Bonnesen Kasper , Pedersen Lars , Ehrenstein Vera , Sørensen Henrik T. , Lash Timothy L. , Schmidt Morten
Published: June 2023

Objective

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be used cautiously in patients with type 2 diabetes. We examined whether the cardiovascular risks associated with NSAID use depended on HbA1c level in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based cohort study of all adult Danes with a first‐time HbA1c measurement ≥48 mmol/mol during 2012–2020 (n = 103 308). We used information on sex, age, comorbidity burden, and drug use to calculate time‐varying inverse probability of treatment weights. After applying these weights in a pooled logistic regression, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) of the association between use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac) and cardiovascular events (a composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation or flutter, and all‐cause death). We stratified all analyses by HbA1c level (<53 or ≥53 mmol/mol).

Results

For ibuprofen use, the HR of a cardiovascular event was 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–1.75) in patients with HbA1c <53 and 1.24 (95% CI: 1.00–1.53) in patients with HbA1c ≥53 mmol/mol. For naproxen use, the HR was 1.14 (95% CI: 0.59–2.21) in patients with HbA1c <53 and 1.30 (95% CI: 0.49–3.49) in patients with HbA1c ≥53 mmol/mol. For diclofenac use, the HR was 2.40 (95% CI: 1.62–3.56) in patients with HbA1c <53 and 2.89 (95% CI: 1.65–5.04) in patients with HbA1c ≥53 mmol/mol.

Conclusions

In patients with type 2 diabetes, glycemic dysregulation did not affect the cardiovascular risk associated with NSAID use.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of 69 cases of neonatal appendicitis
Authors: Zhao Yong , Tang Caihan , Huang Jinshi , Liao Junmin , Gu Yichao , Hua Kaiyun , Zhang Yanan , Chen Yongwei , Li Shuangshuang
Published: June 2023

Importance

Neonatal appendicitis (NA) is a rare and potentially fatal neonatal disease. However, misdiagnosis is common owing to atypical clinical manifestations and non‐specific laboratory tests.

Objective

The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical characteristics, treatments, and prognoses of infants with NA.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included 69 patients diagnosed with NA admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital between 1980 and 2019. The patients were divided into surgical and non‐surgical groups based on whether surgery was performed. Their clinical characteristics were analyzed using the chi‐square test, t‐test, or the Mann‐Whitney U test.

Results

The study included 47 males and 22 females with NA. The primary symptoms were abdominal distension (n = 36, 52.2%), fever (n = 19, 27.5%), refusal to feed or decreased feeding (n = 16, 23.2%), and vomiting (n = 15, 21.7%). Sixty‐five patients underwent abdominal ultrasound examinations; 43 had definite appendiceal abnormalities, 10 had right lower abdominal adhesive masses, and 14 had neonatal enterocolitis manifestations. Twenty‐nine and 40 patients were in the surgical and non‐surgical groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding sex, age at onset, birth weight, admission weight, or hospitalization time. However, parenteral nutrition was prolonged in the surgical group (P = 0.001). Additionally, two patients (2.9%) died.

Interpretation

NA is a rare neonatal disease with atypical clinical manifestations. Abdominal ultrasonography may aid in the diagnosis. Similarly, appropriate treatment can improve the prognosis.
Investigating the viscoelastic and hysteresis behavior of nano silica/carbon black hybrid reinforced styrene‐butadiene rubber vulcanizates via surface silanization
Authors: Kalantari Masoumeh , Abdi Roxana , Katbab Ali Asghar
Published: June 2023

With the thought of green tires and the need of replacing carbon reinforcing fillers with noncarbon silica filler, the effectiveness of silane surface modification on dispersion state, dynamic viscoelastic, hysteresis, and abrasion resistance of SBR vulcanizates filled with a hybrid of carbon black (CB)/nano SiO2 is investigated. In situ surface modification of nano SiO2 is carried out using bis‐(γ‐triethoxysilylpropyl)‐tetrasulfide (TESPT), and various compounds with different ratios of CB/SiO2 are prepared via a melt mixing process in an internal bath mixer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT‐IR spectroscopy revealed improved dispersion of silica and CB clusters with enhanced molecular interactions using in situ surface modification with 5 phr of TESPT is performed. Evidence for enhanced molecular interactions included lower dynamic loss (tanδ) and less hysteresis measured via dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Our results indicate that appropriate modification of silica allows partial replacement of carbon black with silica for production of eco‐friendly rubber products.
Transcriptome atlas of Striga germination: Implications for managing an intractable parasitic plant
Authors: Irafasha Gilles , Mutinda Sylvia , Mobegi Fredrick , Hale Brett , Omwenga George , Wijeratne Asela J. , Wicke Susann , Bellis Emily S. , Runo Steven
Published: June 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Witchweeds, parasitic plants of the genus Striga, are nicknamed “cereal killers” because of their devastating destruction of Africa's most staple cereals, including maize, sorghum, millets, and upland rice. The parasite relies on biomolecules emitted from the host roots to germinate and therefore initiate its infectious lifecycle. Some sorghum varieties have evolved to not produce effective germination stimulants, making them resistant to the parasite. Here, the genetic factors that underpin Striga germination were assessed, followed by a discussion of how such knowledge can be used to develop new Striga management strategies through the disruption of host–parasite communication exchange.

Seeds of the parasitic plant Striga are dormant. They only germinate in response to biomolecules emitted from the host's root exudate, strigolactones (SL). But it is now emerging that Striga germination is a much more complex process regulated by crosstalk of hormone signaling pathways.

To further understand the genetic basis of the communication exchange between Striga and its host sorghum, we performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis. We sought to identify major transcriptomic changes that define the germination process in Striga and a set of genes that may contribute to the differences in germination rates.

Results showed that germination proceeds immediately after SL perception and is marked by a wave of transcriptional reprogramming to allow for metabolic processes of energy mobilization. Cluster analysis using self‐organizing maps revealed a time‐phased and genotype‐differentiated response to germination stimulation. The variation in germination was also a function of hormonal crosstalk. The early germination stage was associated with significant repression of genes in the abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis pathway. Other hormones influenced germination as follows: (i) ABA and auxin repressed germination; (ii) brassinosteroid, ethylene, and jasmonic acid promoted germination; and (iii) cytokinin had a more prominent role post‐germination rather than during germination. Perception of SL sets the germination program leading to different rates of germination in sorghum, followed by a complex hormonal regulation network that acts to either repress or enhance germination.

We discuss the implications of these findings and present new plausible Striga management strategies.
Society 5.0 versus Industry 5.0: An examination of industrialization models in driving sustainable development from a normative stakeholder theory perspective
Authors: Zhang Yindan , Li Yuanyuan
Published: June 2023

The research on Society 5.0 (s5.0) and Industry 5.0 (i5.0) is a relatively new and emerging domain where researchers are still striving to explore the influence within distinct contexts, worldwide. The study investigates the impact of two major models of industrialization, that is, s5.0 and i5.0 to understand the insights into how it triggers the firms' sustainable development by showing empirical examinations from the Chinese industrial sector drawing on normative stakeholder theory perspective. The results asserted that the i5.0 model positively affects sustainable performance (SSP). The empirical analysis confirmed a positive association of s5.0 model toward SSP. In addition, it found that s5.0 and i5.0 models have a positive correlation with the economic perspective of SSP. Second, the findings asserted the positive linkage between i5.0 and s5.0 from a social perspective. Finally, the study found a significant correlation between i5.0 and s5.0 on the environmental factors, respectively. This study equipped both frameworks to empirically conduct the contextual examination showing insights into the embodiment of such capabilities that may support achieving SSP. This study shows insights into certain policy implications. For instance, i5.0 and s5.0 both models support shaping innovative ecosystems, encouraging ethical and sustainable practices, encouraging effective infrastructure, empowering citizen participation, and supporting work for the betterment of society. Finally, the study enlists certain managerial and theoretical recommendations for the industries together with possibilities of future research for scholars of the world.
Causal inference for recurrent events via aggregated marginal odds ratio
Authors: Zhang Wenling , Cotton Cecilia A.
Published: June 2023

Researchers often work with treatments and outcomes that vary over time. For example, psychologists are interested in the curative effect of cognitive behavior therapies on patients' recurrent depression symptoms. While there are various causal effect measures designed for one‐time treatment, the causal effect measures for time‐varying treatment and recurrent events are relatively under‐developed. In this article, a new causal measure is proposed to quantify the causal effect of time‐varying treatments on recurrent events. We suggest estimators with robust standard errors that are based on various weight models for both conventional causal measures and the proposed measure in different time settings. We outline the approaches and describe how using some stabilized inverse probability weight models are more advantageous than others. We demonstrate that the proposed causal estimand can be consistently estimated for study periods of moderate length, and the estimation results are compared under different treatment settings with various weight models. We also find that the proposed method is suitable for both absorbing and nonabsorbing treatments. The methods are applied to the 1997 National Longitudinal Study of Youth as an illustrative example.
Tackling dynamic prediction of death in patients with recurrent cardiovascular events
Authors: Liang Menglu , Li Zheng , Li Liang , Chinchilli Vernon M. , Zhang Lijun , Wang Ming
Published: June 2023

In the field of cardiovascular disease, recurrent events such as stroke or myocardial infarction (MI) are often encountered, leading to an increase in the risk of death. Accurately evaluating the prognosis of patients and dynamically predicting the risk of death by considering the historical recurrent events can improve medical decisions and lead to better health care outcomes. Recently proposed joint modeling approaches within the Bayesian framework have inspired the development of a dynamic prediction tool, which can be applied for subject‐level prediction of death with implementation in software packages. The prediction model incorporates subject heterogeneity with subject‐level random effects that account for unobserved time‐invariant factors and an extra copula function capturing the part caused by unmeasured time‐dependent factors. Thereafter, given the prespecified landmark time , the survival probability for a prediction horizon time of interest can be estimated for each individual. The prediction accuracy is assessed by time‐dependent receiving operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve and the Brier score with calibration plots is compared to traditional joint frailty models. Finally, the tool is applied to patients with multiple attacks of stroke or MI in the Cardiovascular Health study and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study for illustration.
Pyrazolo[5,1‐b]quinazolines and Their Bis‐analogues Linked to Different Spacers: Regioselective Synthesis, Antibacterial Screening and SwissADME Prediction Study
Authors: Sanad Sherif M. H. , Mekky Ahmed E. M. , Ahmed Ahmed A M.
Published: June 2023

The regioselective synthesis of a new series of pyrazolo[5,1‐b]quinazolines was carried out using a three‐component protocol. The protocol involved the reaction of the appropriate benzaldehydes, dimedone, and 1H‐pyrazole‐ 3,5‐diamine in DMF at 150 °C. Using a similar protocol, three additional series of bis(pyrazolo[5,1‐b]quinazolines), linked to different spacers, were prepared utilizing the respective bis(aldehydes). The new products showed a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity against six different the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) bacterial strains. In general, p‐xylene‐linked bis(pyrazolo[5,1‐b]quinazolines) had good antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values up to 8.3 and 16.6 μM, respectively. Additionally, (4‐nitrophenyl)‐linked pyrazolo[5,1‐b]quinazoline had the best antibacterial activity with MIC/MBC values up to 2.1/4.3 μM. The Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay (Ames mutagenicity test) was used to conclude that the (4‐nitrophenyl)‐linked product was not mutagenic to the Salmonella strains. Both the drug‐likeness model score and the SwissADME predict the (4‐nitrophenyl)‐linked product‘s good physicochemical properties, and drug likeness.
Influence of Acid Catalyst on the Synthesis of trans‐Porphyrins and Crystal Structure of a 5‐(Pyren‐1‐yl)dipyrromethane
Authors: Sundharamurthi Subramani , Bhyrappa Puttaiah
Published: June 2023

A family of trans‐porphyrins (A2B2, A2BC and A2C2), including fewer fused cyclic aromatics, was synthesized using 5‐mesityldipyrromethane under negligible scrambling reaction conditions in high yields (15–48 %) with BF3(OEt2)/EtOH relative to that in trifluoroacetic acid (12–22 %) in CHCl3. The push‐pull trans‐A2BC, Zn(II)‐carboxy porphyrins were prepared from their ester porphyrins and examined their fluorescence and electrochemical redox properties. In addition, the synthesis and single‐crystal X‐ray structure of a 5‐(pyren‐1‐yl)dipyrromethane are also reported.
Unveiling the N‐Nucleophilicity of Non‐Aromatic Pyrroles Through Rhodium Catalysis: A Case of Synthesis and Luminescence Studies of Pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolinium Salts
Authors: Shabalin Dmitrii A. , Zelenkov Lev E.
Published: June 2023

An expedient synthesis of hitherto unknown pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolinium salts from non‐aromatic aryl‐substituted 2H‐ and 3H‐pyrroles and internal alkynes has been developed. The process represents a rare example of N‐nucleophilic reaction of 2H‐ and 3H‐pyrroles and relies on theortho‐C−H bond activation of non‐aromatic arylpyrroles in the presence of rhodium catalyst followed by alkyne annulation reaction. A broad range of diversely substituted salts was obtained in high yields under mild reaction conditions. The photophysical properties for selected representatives of novel pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolinium salts have been evaluated to demonstrate their potential as fluorescent materials for light‐emitting devices and bioimaging.
Standardization Approaches for Extracellular Vesicle Loading with Oligonucleotides and Biologics
Authors: Roerig Josepha , Schulz‐Siegmund Michaela
Published: June 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are widely recognized for their potential as drug delivery systems. EVs are membranous nanoparticles shed from cells. Among their natural features are their ability to shield cargo molecules against degradation and enable their functional internalization into target cells. Especially biological or bio‐inspired large molecules (LMs), like nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, and others, may profit from encapsulation in EVs for drug delivery purposes. In the last years, a variety of loading protocols are explored for different LMs. The lack of standardization in the EV drug delivery field has impeded their comparability so far. Currently, the first reporting frameworks and workflows for EV drug loading are proposed. The aim of this review is to summarize these evolving standardization approaches and set recently developed methods into context. This will allow for enhanced comparability of future work on EV drug loading with LMs.
Construction of Microfluidic Chip Structure for Cell Migration Studies in Bioactive Ceramics
Authors: Ye Sheng , Cao Quanle , Ni Panxianzhi , Xiong Shuting , Zhong Meng , Yuan Tun , Shan Jing , Liang Jie , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong
Published: June 2023

Cell migration is an essential bioactive ceramics property and critical for bone induction, clinical application, and mechanism research. Standardized cell migration detection methods have many limitations, including a lack of dynamic fluid circulation and the inability to simulate cell behavior in vivo. Microfluidic chip technology, which mimics the human microenvironment and provides controlled dynamic fluid cycling, has the potential to solve these questions and generate reliable models of cell migration in vitro. In this study, a microfluidic chip is reconstructed to integrate the bioactive ceramic into the microfluidic chip structure to constitute a ceramic microbridge microfluidic chip system. Migration differences in the chip system are measured. By combining conventional detection methods with new biotechnology to analyze the causes of cell migration differences, it is found that the concentration gradients of ions and proteins adsorbed on the microbridge materials are directly related to the occurrence of cell migration behavior, which is consistent with previous reports and demonstrates the effectiveness of the microfluidic chip model. This model provides in vivo environment simulation and controllability of input and output conditions superior to standardized cell migration detection methods. The microfluidic chip system provides a new approach to studying and evaluating bioactive ceramics.
Positive Charge Holes Revealed by Energy Band Theory in Multiphase TixO2x‐1 and Exploration of its Microscopic Electromagnetic Loss Mechanism
Authors: Li Yang , Qing Yuchang , Cao Yaru , Luo Fa , Wu Hongjing
Published: June 2023

Although numerous experimental investigations have been carried out on the problem of defect engineering in semiconductor absorbers, the relationship among charge carrier, defects, heterointerfaces, and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption has not been established systematically. Herein, the new thermodynamic and kinetic control strategy is proposed to establish multiphase TixO2x−1 (1 ≤ x ≤ 6) through a hydrogenation calcination. The TiOC‐900 composite shows the efficient EM wave absorption capability with a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −69.6 dB at a thickness of 2.04 mm corresponding to an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 4.0 GHz due to the holes induced conductance loss and heterointerfaces induced interfacial polarization. Benefiting from the controllable preparation of multiphase TixO2x−1, a new pathway is proposed for designing high‐efficiency EM wave absorbing semiconducting oxides. The validity of the method for adopting energy band theory to explore the underlying relations among charge carriers, defects, heterointerfaces, and EM properties in multiphase TixO2x−1 is demonstrated for the first time, which is of great importance in optimizing the EM wave absorption performance by electronic structure tailoring.
Violet Antimony Phosphorus with Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zhao Xuewen , Gu Mengyue , Zhai Rui , Zhang Yuhao , Jin Mengting , Wang Yanhao , Li Jiangfan , Cheng Yonghong , Xiao Bing , Zhang Jinying
Published: June 2023

Violet phosphorus (VP), a recently confirmed layered elemental structure, is demonstrated to have unique photoelectric, mechanical, and photocatalytic properties. Element substitution plays a significant role in modifying the physical/chemical properties of semiconducting materials. Herein, antimony is adopted to substitute some phosphorus atoms in VP crystals to tune their physical and chemical properties, resulting in a significantly enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. The antimony‐substituted violet phosphorus single crystal (VP‐Sb) is synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction (CSD‐2214937). The bandgap of VP‐Sb has been found to be lowered from that of VP by UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and density‐functional theory (DFT) calculation, enhancing the optical absorption during photocatalytic reaction. The conducting band minimum of VP‐Sb is found to be upshifted from that of VP from measurements and calculation, enhancing its hydrogen reduction activity. The valance band maximum is found to be lowered to weaken its oxidation activity. The edge of VP‐Sb is calculated to have an excellent H* adsorption–desorption performance and superior H2 generation kinetics. The H2 evolution rate of VP‐Sb is demonstrated to be significantly enhanced to be 1473 µmol h−1 g−1, about five times of that of pristine VP (299 µmol h−1 g−1) under the same experimental conditions.
Investigating Wafer Quality in Industrial Czochralski‐Grown Gallium‐Doped p‐Type Silicon Ingots with Melt Recharging
Authors: Basnet Rabin , Sun Chang , Le Tien , Yang Zhongshu , Liu Anyao , Jin Qian , Wang Yichun , Macdonald Daniel
Published: June 2023

Herein, a systematic study of the electronic quality of gallium‐doped p‐type silicon wafers from Czochralski‐grown ingots with melt recharging is presented. It is found that in the as‐grown state, the ingots contain interstitial iron concentrations in the range of 3 × 109–2 × 1010 cm−3, with a trend of slightly higher concentrations toward the tail end of each ingot, and in subsequently grown ingots. However, analysis of the effective lifetimes indicates that iron–gallium pairs are not the dominant recombination centers in the as‐grown state. Moreover, when these wafers are subjected to a tabula rasa step, an increase in the iron concentration is observed in the range of 1 × 1010–6 × 1010 cm−3, with iron–gallium pairs becoming the dominant recombination centers. This is possibly caused by the dissolution of pre‐existing precipitated iron in the wafers. Nevertheless, the negative impact of iron contamination can be dramatically reduced by subjecting the wafers to a phosphorus diffusion gettering step, as is commonly incorporated in the fabrication of p‐type passivated emitter and rear cells. Therefore, it is concluded that the quality of the ingots is not limited by iron contamination, even after multiple ingots are pulled from the recharged melt.
A call to address structural barriers to Hispanic/Latino representation in clinical trials on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: A micro‐meso‐macro perspective
Authors: Aranda María P. , Marquez David X. , Gallagher‐Thompson Dolores , Pérez Adriana , Rojas Julio C. , Hill Carl V. , Reyes Yarissa , Dilworth‐Anderson Peggye , Portacolone Elena
Published: June 2023

Introduction

This perspective paper addresses the US Hispanic/Latino (herein, Latino) experience with regards to a significant public health concern—the underrepresentation of Latino persons in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) clinical trials. Latino individuals are at increased risk for AD/ADRD, experience higher disease burden, and low receipt of care and services. We present a novel theoretical framework—the Micro‐Meso‐Macro Framework for Diversifying AD/ADRD Trial Recruitment—which considers multi‐level barriers and their impact on Latino trial recruitment.

Methods

Based on a review of the peer‐reviewed literature and our lived experience with the Latino community, we drew from our interdisciplinary expertise in health equity and disparities research, Latino studies, social work, nursing, political economy, medicine, public health, and clinical AD/ADRD trials. We discuss factors likely to impede or accelerate Latino representation, and end with a call for action and recommendations for a bold path forward.

Results

In the 200+ clinical trials conducted with over 70,000 US Americans, Latino participants comprise a fraction of AD/ADRD trial samples. Efforts to recruit Latino participants typically address individual‐ and family‐level factors (micro‐level) such as language, cultural beliefs, knowledge of aging and memory loss, limited awareness of research, and logistical considerations. Scientific efforts to understand recruitment barriers largely remain at this level, resulting in diminished attention to upstream institutional‐ and policy‐level barriers, where decisions around scientific policies and funding allocations are ultimately made. These structural barriers are comprised of inadequacies or misalignments in trial budgets, study protocols, workforce competencies, healthcare‐related barriers, criteria for reviewing and approving clinical trial funding, criteria for disseminating findings, etiological focus and social determinants of health, among others.

Conclusion

Future scientific work should apply and test the Micro‐Meso‐Macro Framework for Diversifying AD/ADRD Trial Recruitment to examine structural recruitment barriers for historically underrepresented groups in AD/ADRD research and care.
Comparison of the prognostic validity of three simplified consciousness assessment scales with the Glasgow Coma Scale
Authors: Anestis Dimitrios M. , Marinos Konstantinos , Tsitsopoulos Parmenion P.
Published: June 2023

Background

Various tools simpler than the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) have been proposed for the assessment of consciousness. In this study, the validity of three coma scales [Simplified Motor Scale, Modified GCS Motor Response, and AVPU (alert, verbal, painful, unresponsive)] is evaluated for the recognition of coma and the prediction of short- and long-term mortality and poor outcome. The predictive validity of these scales is also compared to the GCS.

Methods

Patients treated in the Department of Neurosurgery and the Intensive Care Unit in need of consciousness monitoring were assessed by four raters (two consultants, a resident and a nurse) using the GCS. The corresponding values of the simplified scales were estimated. Outcome was recorded at discharge and at 6 months. Areas Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUCs) were calculated for the prediction of mortality and poor outcome, and the identification of coma.

Results

Eighty-six patients were included. The simplified scales showed good overall validity (AUCs > 0.720 for all outcomes of interest), but lower than the GCS. For the identification of coma and the prediction of long-term poor outcome, the difference was significant (p < 0.050) for all the ratings of the most experienced rater. The validity of these scales was comparable to the GCS only in predicting in-hospital mortality, but without this being consistent for all raters.

Conclusion

The simplified scales showed inferior validity than the GCS. Their potential role in clinical practice needs further investigation. Thus, the replacement of the GCS as the main scale for consciousness assessment cannot be currently supported.
Risikofaktoren für postoperative Hypoxämie während des Transportes in den Aufwachraum und Einfluss von Transport-Monitoring
Authors: Haller Katharina , Trauzeddel Ralf Felix , Treskatsch Sascha , Berger Christian
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Auf Transportwegen innerhalb eines Zentral-OP nach der Narkoseausleitung in den Aufwachraum (AWR) sind Patienten hypoxämiegefährdet. Spezifische Risikofaktoren sind jedoch nicht abschließend geklärt, und einheitliche Empfehlungen zur Überwachung der Vitalparameter bei Transporten innerhalb eines OP-Komplexes existieren nicht. Ziel dieser retrospektiven Datenbankanalyse war es, Risikofaktoren für eine Hypoxämie auf diesen Transporten zu identifizieren und zu prüfen, ob die Verwendung eines Transport-Monitorings (TM) den initialen Wert der peripher-venösen Sauerstoffsättigung (SpO2) im AWR beeinflusst.

Material und Methoden

An einem retrospektiv extrahierten Datensatz von Eingriffen in Allgemeinanästhesie innerhalb eines Zentral-OP einer Universitätsklinik von 2015 bis 2020 wurden Risikofaktoren für eine initiale Hypoxämie im AWR (SpO2 < 90 %) mittels multivariater Analyse ermittelt. Nach Aufteilung des Datensatzes in Patienten ohne TM (Gruppe OM) und mit TM (Gruppe MM) und Propensity Score Matching wurde der Einfluss des TM untersucht.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Acht Risikofaktoren für eine initiale Hypoxämie im AWR konnten identifiziert werden: Alter > 65 Jahre, body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2, chronisch obstruktive Lungenerkrankung (COPD), intraoperativer Beatmungsdruck-Hub (∆p) > 15 mbar und positiver endexpiratorischer Druck (PEEP) > 5 mbar, intraoperative Gabe eines lang wirksamen Opioids, erste präoperative SpO2 < 97 % sowie nach Anästhesieausleitung letzte im OP gemessene SpO2 < 97 %. Bei 90 % aller Patienten lag mindestens ein Risikofaktor für eine postoperative Hypoxämie vor. Bei Vorliegen von Risikofaktoren geht die Verwendung eines TM mit einer geringeren initialen Desaturierung (MM: 97 [94; 99] %, OM: 96 [94; 98] %, p < 0,001) im AWR einher. Demnach erscheint eine konsequente Nutzung von TM auch auf kurzen Transporten innerhalb eines zusammenhängenden OP-Komplexes sinnvoll.
Features and outcomes of bailout repeat transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): the Bailout Acute TAVI-in-TAVI to Lessen Events (BATTLE) international registry
Authors: Giordano Arturo , Corcione Nicola , Barbanti Marco , Costa Giuliano , Dipietro Elena , Amat-Santos Ignacio J. , Gómez-Herrero Javier , Latib Azeem , Scotti Andrea , Testa Luca , Bedogni Francesco , Schaefer Andreas , Russo Marco , Musumeci Francesco , Ferraro Paolo , Morello Alberto , Cimmino Michele , Albanese Michele , Pepe Martino , Giordano Salvatore , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

Aim

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a mainstay in the management of severe aortic stenosis in patients with intermediate to prohibitive surgical risk. When a single TAVI device fails and cannot be retrieved, TAVI-in-TAVI must be performed acutely, but outcomes of bailout TAVI-in-TAVI have been incompletely appraised. We aimed at analyzing patient, procedural and outcome features of patients undergoing bailout TAVI-in-TAVI in a multicenter registry.

Methods

Details of patients undergoing bailout TAVI-in-TAVI, performed acutely or within 24 h of index TAVI, in 6 international high-volume institutions, were collected. For every case provided, 2 same-week consecutive controls (prior TAVI, and subsequent TAVI) were provided. Outcomes of interest were procedural and long-term events, including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, access site complication, major bleeding, and reintervention, and their composite (i.e. major adverse events [MAE]).

Results

A total of 106 patients undergoing bailout TAVI-in-TAVI were included, as well as 212 controls, for a total of 318 individuals. Bailout TAVI-in-TAVI was less common in younger patients, those with higher body mass index, or treated with Portico/Navitor or Sapien devices (all p < 0.05). Bailout TAVI-in-TAVI was associated with higher in-hospital rates of death, emergency surgery, MAE, and permanent pacemaker implantation (all p < 0.05). Long-term follow-up showed that bailout TAVI-in-TAVI was associated with higher rates of death and MAE (both < 0.05). Similar findings were obtained at adjusted analyses (all p < 0.05). However, censoring early events, outlook was not significantly different when comparing the two groups (p = 0.897 for death, and p = 0.645 for MAE).

Conclusions

Bail-out TAVI-in-TAVI is associated with significant early and long-term mortality and morbidity. Thus, meticulous preprocedural planning and sophisticated intraprocedural techniques are of paramount importance to avoid these emergency procedures.
Automated inversion time selection for black-blood late gadolinium enhancement cardiac imaging in clinical practice
Authors: Maillot Aurélien , Sridi Soumaya , Pineau Xavier , André-Billeau Amandine , Hosteins Stéphanie , Maes Jean-David , Montier Géraldine , Nuñez-Garcia Marta , Quesson Bruno , Sermesant Maxime , Cochet Hubert , Stuber Matthias , Bustin Aurélien
Published: June 2023

Objective

To simplify black-blood late gadolinium enhancement (BL-LGE) cardiac imaging in clinical practice using an image-based algorithm for automated inversion time (TI) selection.

Materials and methods

The algorithm selects from BL-LGE TI scout images, the TI corresponding to the image with the highest number of sub-threshold pixels within a region of interest (ROI) encompassing the blood-pool and myocardium. The threshold value corresponds to the most recurrent pixel intensity of all scout images within the ROI. ROI dimensions were optimized in 40 patients’ scans. The algorithm was validated retrospectively (80 patients) versus two experts and tested prospectively (5 patients) on a 1.5 T clinical scanner.

Results

Automated TI selection took ~ 40 ms per dataset (manual: ~ 17 s). Fleiss’ kappa coefficient for automated-manual, intra-observer and inter-observer agreements were $$\overline{\kappa }$$

κ
¯

= 0.73, $$\overline{\kappa }$$

κ
¯

 = 0.70 and $$\overline{\kappa }$$

κ
¯

 = 0.63, respectively. The agreement between the algorithm and any expert was better than the agreement between the two experts or between two selections of one expert.

Discussion

Thanks to its good performance and simplicity of implementation, the proposed algorithm is a good candidate for automated BL-LGE imaging in clinical practice.
Higher order lubrication model between slip walls
Authors: Takeuchi Shintaro , Omori Takeshi , Fujii Takehiro , Kajishima Takeo
Published: June 2023

A higher order lubrication model between slip walls is proposed for predicting the flow fields that cannot be described by the standard lubrication models based on the thin-gap approximation. The analysis shows that when considering the non-negligible pressure gradient in the surface-normal direction, the local pressure can be separated into (i) the base contribution by the modified Reynolds lubrication equation and (ii) the higher order component varying in both longitudinal and wall-normal directions, which takes the form proportional to the longitudinal derivative of the local velocity of the Couette–Poiseuille flow. For both (i) and (ii), the effect of the slip boundaries appears as the apparent displacements of the no-slip solid walls, and for (i) additional terms (to the no-slip case) also appear. The validity of the higher order slip-wall lubrication model is established by comparing the analytical prediction of the pressure with the fully resolved numerical results in a relatively wide region between a no-slip corrugated wall and a flat plate with varying slip length: the contribution of the higher order term is identified as the decreased lubrication pressure due to velocity slip. The model also successfully predicts the trend of pressure change between the varying slip case and a more realistic system with constant slip length for a channel, where the thin-gap approximation does not hold.
PI3K inhibition circumvents resistance to SHP2 blockade in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Amante Romain J. , Jehanno Charly , De Silva Duvini , Coissieux Marie-May , Ackerknecht Markus , Romanet Vincent , Sethi Atul , Hamelin Baptiste , Preca Bogdan-Tiberius , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Ng Charlotte K. Y. , Mohseni Morvarid , Bentires-Alj Mohamed
Published: June 2023

The protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 activates oncogenic pathways downstream of most receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) and has been implicated in various cancer types, including the highly aggressive subtype of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although allosteric inhibitors of SHP2 have been developed and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials, neither the mechanisms of the resistance to these agents, nor the means to circumvent such resistance have been clearly defined. The PI3K signaling pathway is also hyperactivated in breast cancer and contributes to resistance to anticancer therapies. When PI3K is inhibited, resistance also develops for example via activation of RTKs. We therefore assessed the effect of targeting PI3K and SHP2 alone or in combination in preclinical models of metastatic TNBC. In addition to the beneficial inhibitory effects of SHP2 alone, dual PI3K/SHP2 treatment decreased primary tumor growth synergistically, blocked the formation of lung metastases, and increased survival in preclinical models. Mechanistically, transcriptome and phospho-proteome analyses revealed that resistance to SHP2 inhibition is mediated by PDGFRβ-evoked activation of PI3K signaling. Altogether, our data provide a rationale for co-targeting of SHP2 and PI3K in metastatic TNBC.
Explainable AI and Causal Understanding: Counterfactual Approaches Considered
Authors: Baron Sam
Published: June 2023

The counterfactual approach to explainable AI (XAI) seeks to provide understanding of AI systems through the provision of counterfactual explanations. In a recent systematic review, Chou et al. (Inform Fus 81:59–83, 2022) argue that the counterfactual approach does not clearly provide causal understanding. They diagnose the problem in terms of the underlying framework within which the counterfactual approach has been developed. To date, the counterfactual approach has not been developed in concert with the approach for specifying causes developed by Pearl (Causality: Models, reasoning, and inference. Cambridge University Press, 2000) and Woodward (Making things happen: A theory of causal explanation. Oxford University Press, 2003). In this paper, I build on Chou et al.’s work by applying the Pearl-Woodward approach. I argue that the standard counterfactual approach to XAI is capable of delivering causal understanding, but that there are limitations on its capacity to do so. I suggest a way to overcome these limitations.