bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topography of optic flow processing in olivo‐cerebellar pathways in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)
Authors: Wylie Douglas R. , Gaede Andrea H. , Gutiérrez‐Ibáñez Cristián , Wu Pei‐Hsuan , Pilon Madison C. , Azargoon Sarina , Altshuler Douglas L.
Published: January 2023

In birds, the nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR) and the nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM) are brainstem nuclei involved in the analysis of optic flow. A major projection site of both nBOR and LM is the medial column of the inferior olive (IO), which provides climbing fibers to the vestibulocerebellum. This pathway has been well documented in pigeons, but not other birds. Recent works have highlighted that zebra finches show specializations with respect to optic flow processing, which may be reflected in the organization of optic flow pathways to the IO. In this study, we characterized the organization of these pathways in zebra finches. We found that the medial column consists of at least eight subnuclei (i–viii) visible in Nissl‐stained tissue. Using anterograde traces we found that the projections from LM and nBOR to the IO were bilateral, but heavier to the ipsilateral side, and showed a complementary pattern: LM projected to subnucleus i, whereas nBOR projected to subnuclei ii and v. Using retrograde tracers, we found that these subnuclei (i, ii and v) projected to the vestibulocerebellum (folia IXcd and X), whereas the other subnuclei projected to IXab and the lateral margin of VII and VIII. The nBOR also projected ipsilaterally to the caudo‐medial dorsal lamella of the IO, which the retrograde experiments showed as projecting to the medial margin of VII and VIII. We compare these results with previous studies in other avian species.
Security and storage improvement in distributed cloud data centers by increasing reliability based on particle swarm optimization and artificial immune system algorithms
Authors: Chamkoori Alireza , Katebi Serajdean
Published: January 2023

One of the major concerns in security and storage improvement of data centers is due to the fact that there is a possibility of access to cloud information, and the distance between data centers for data transfer causes cloud storage problems. In this article, an encryption method using artificial immune system (AIS) is leveraged to secure sensitive data in data centers and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is exploited to improve the selection of storage services in distributed cloud data centers to store and transfer particular a data set between data centers. To obtain satisfied performance considering the transmitting cost, and smallest transmitting distance, we exploited one discrete PSO algorithm and AIS method and called PSO_AIS. To evaluate the proposed PSO_AIS algorithm, we designed the experiments and simulated it in MATLAB software. In the simulation, we conducted experiments on 13 data centers located in different locations in Iran. The experimental results expose that the proposed algorithm reduces 30% the distance and cost to select a particular data center for a particular data set. Experiments have been carried‐out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed encryption method, which is based on AIS. The results showed that the encoding performance of the proposed method is better than other methods.
Trust aware ad hoc routing protocol with key management based mechanism and optimal energy‐efficient cluster head selection in mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Saravanan S. , Prabakar D. , Sathya S. S.
Published: January 2023

The implementation of Mobile Ad hoc Networks in numerous domains is necessitated by the fast evolving wireless service requirements as well as deployment demands over the last few decades. The application areas are environmental monitoring, disaster rescue operations, military communications, and other safety‐critical sectors. The underlying routing protocol has a considerable impact on the effectiveness of an ad hoc network deployment in a specific situation. MANETs are vulnerable to major security risks that are difficult to combat with current security measures. As a result, several safe routing protocols have been created to improve MANET security. This work proposes a safe and energy‐efficient routing mechanism using group key management. Initially, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was adopted for efficient selection of cluster heads and malicious node detection, which aims to establish the trust among connected nodes that can enhance security as every participating node will produce as well as propagate authentic, accurate, and trusted content within the network. Two specialized nodes, dubbed Calculator Key (CK) and Distribution Key (DK), are then responsible for producing, verifying, and distributing secret keys among nodes employing Asymmetric key cryptography. The proposed method is named Optimal Cluster_ Trust Asymmetric Key Management Protocol (OptCH_TAKMP), which is considered an excellent energy‐efficient cluster head election process with a securable routing mechanism. It is compared with three state‐of‐art methods. Simulation results show that proposed OptCH_TAKMP achieves 31.4% of routing overhead, 23% of end‐to‐end delay, 78.6% of energy efficiency, 94.8% of throughput, 28.2% of average latency, 91.4% of malicious detection rate, and 92.4% of packet delivery ratio, 85.2% of network lifetime, 19.2% of communication cost and 28.6% of trust computation error.
Improving the Catalytic Performance of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction of α‐MoB2 via Rational Doping by Transition Metal Elements
Authors: Dohnal Filip , Lazar Petr
Published: January 2023

Abundant transition metal borides are emerging as promising electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts which have a potential to substitute noble metals. Those containing graphene‐like (flat) boron layers, such as α‐MoB2, are particularly promising and their performance can be further enhanced via doping by the second metal. In order to understand intrinsic effect of doping and rationalize selection of dopants, we employ density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study substitutional doping of α‐MoB2 by transition metals as a route towards systematic improvement of intrinsic catalytic activity towards HER. We calculated thermodynamic stability of various transition metal elements to select metals which form a stable ternary phase with α‐MoB2. We inspected surface stability of dopants and assessed catalytic activity of doped surface through hydrogen binding free energy at various hydrogen coverages. We calculated the reaction barriers and pathways for the Tafel step of HER for the most promising dopants. The results highlight iron as the best dopant, simultaneously lowering the reaction barrier of the Tafel step while having suitable thermodynamic stability within MoB2 lattice.
Characterizing Granulocytopenia Associated with Thiamazole in Patients with Hyperthyroidism Based on Real‐World Data from the MID‐NET in Japan
Authors: Kinoshita Yuki , Kajiyama Kazuhiro , Ishiguro Chieko , Nonaka Takahiro , Kimura Ryota , Kikuchi Yuki , Horiuchi Naoya , Iguchi Toyotaka , Uyama Yoshiaki
Published: January 2023

Despite the requirement of routine blood tests during thiamazole treatment in Japan, granulocytopenia among patients treated with thiamazole has been occasionally reported to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). To characterize granulocytopenia in patients with thiamazole in Japan, the effects of routine blood tests were examined in a cohort of new users of thiamazole or propylthiouracil utilizing the MID‐NET. The occurrence of granulocytopenia (neutrophil count ≤ 1,500/μL) in a given period was compared between patients with and without blood test results prior to the period. The trend in neutrophil count during thiamazole treatment was also compared between patients with and without granulocytopenia. A nested case–control study based on the cohort was conducted to identify potential risk factors for granulocytopenia during thiamazole treatment. In the new user cohort including 4,371 patients treated with thiamazole, the occurrence of granulocytopenia in patients who had undergone blood tests at all previous periods was similar or higher than that among those who had not undergone blood test in all previous periods (e.g., adjusted odds ratio in period 2 was 1.63). The neutrophil count was relatively lower in the group of patients with granulocytopenia even before the occurrence of granulocytopenia. In a nested case–control study, an upward tendency of the risk was observed when a patient was co‐prescribed anti‐arrhythmic drugs or antiulcer drugs with thiamazole. The characteristics of granulocytopenia during thiamazole treatment elucidated in this study should be recognized in clinical practice for the proper use of thiamazole.
The impact of social responsibility on corporate financial performance: A systematic literature review
Authors: Coelho Rui , Jayantilal Shital , Ferreira Joao J.
Published: January 2023

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been gaining relevance in the academic, business, and political worlds, the relationship between CSR and performance remains unclear. This study provides a better understanding of the relationship between companies' financial performance and CSR activities. In other words, can the allocation of company resources to address social, environmental, and governance issues be a source of synergy to increase business value and improve financial performance for the benefit of the company and its stakeholders? To shed new light on this issue, we mapped this topic via a systematic review and content analysis of 53 articles identified in the confluence between CSR and financial performance from 1984 to 2021. Our study suggests that CSR directly impacts a company's financial performance, and this impact becomes more significant as the company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores improve. Moreover, we must note that this is a comprehensive study whose results include analyses of companies from the world's largest stock market indices, mutual funds, sustainable portfolios, non‐sustainable portfolios, regions, asset classes for ESG investing, emerging markets, developed and developing countries, among others. Additionally, this study provides a path for future research.
A High‐Rate and Long‐Life Aqueous Rechargeable Mg‐Ion Battery Based on an Organic Anode Integrating Diimide and Triazine
Authors: Cang Ruibai , Zhang Mingyi , Zhou Xuejiao , Zhu Kai , Zhang Xitian , Cao Dianxue
Published: January 2023

Aqueous Mg‐ion batteries (MIBs) lack reliable anode materials. This study concerns the design and synthesis of a new anode material – a π‐conjugate of 3D‐poly(3,4,9,10‐perylenetracarboxylic diimide‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triamine) [3D‐P(PDI‐T)] – for aqueous MIBs. The increased aromatic structure inhibits solubility in aqueous electrolytes, enhancing its structural stability. The 3D‐P(PDI‐T) anode exhibits several notable characteristics, including an extremely high rate capacity of 358 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1, A 3D‐P(PDI‐T)‖Mg2MnO4 full cell exhibits a reversible capacity of 148 mAh g−1 and a long cycle life of 5000 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. The charge storage mechanism reveals a synergistic interaction of Mg2+ and H+ cations with C−N/C=O groups. The assembled 3D‐P(PDI‐T)‖Mg2MnO4 full cell exhibits a capacity retention of around 95 % after 5000 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. This 3D‐P(PDI‐T) anode sustained its framework structure during the charge–discharge cycling of Mg‐ion batteries. The reported results provide a strong basis for a cutting‐edge molecular engineering technique to afford improved organic materials that facilitate efficient charge‐storage behavior of aqueous Mg‐ion batteries.
Immunophenotypical profiling of myeloid neoplasms with erythroid predominance using mass cytometry (CyTOF)
Authors: Maag Abdul‐Habib , Swanton Helen , Kull Miriam , Vegi Naidu M. , Feuring Michaela
Published: January 2023

Acute erythroid leukemia (AEL) is a disease continuum between Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with the cellular hallmark of uncontrolled proliferation and impaired differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. First described by Giovanni di Guglielmo in 1917 AEL accounts for less than 5% of all de novo AML cases. There have been efforts to characterize AEL at a molecular level, describing recurrent alterations in TP53, NPM1 and FLT3 genes. A genomic analysis of AEL cases confirmed its complexity. Despite these advances, the biology underlying erythroid proliferations remains unclear and the prognosis is dismal with a median survival of only 3 months for pure erythroid leukemia (PEL). Marker combinations suitable for the identification and characterization of leukemic stem cell (LSC) candidates, monitoring measurable residual disease (MRD) during chemotherapy treatment and the development of innovative targeted therapies are missing. Here, we developed a mass cytometry panel for an in‐depth characterization of erythroid and myeloid blast cell populations from human AEL bone marrow samples in comparison to other AML subtypes and healthy counterparts. A total of 8 AEL samples were analyzed and compared to 28 AML samples from different molecular subtypes, healthy bone marrow counterparts (n = 5) and umbilical cord blood (n = 6) using high‐dimensional mass cytometry. Identification of erythroid and myeloid blast populations in high‐dimensional mass cytometry data enabled a refined view on erythroblast differentiation stages present in AEL erythroid blasts and revealed immunophenotypical profiles specific to AEL. Profiling of phenotypic LSCs revealed aberrant erythroid marker expression in the CD34+CD38− stem cell compartment. In addition, the identification of novel candidate surface marker combinations and aberrancies might enhance clinical diagnostics of AEL. We present a high‐parameter mass cytometry approach feasible for immunophenotypical analysis of blast and stem cell populations in myeloid neoplasms with erythroid predominance laying the foundation for more precise experimental approaches in the future.
Multi‐institutional questionnaire on treatment strategies for superficial entire circumferential esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kadota Tomohiro , Ishihara Ryu , Hatta Waku , Yoshida Masao , Kanzaki Hiromitsu , Kikuchi Daisuke , Ono Yoichiro , Abe Seiichiro , Yamamoto Yoshinobu , Yoshio Toshiyuki , Urabe Yuji , Yamaguchi Naoyuki , Nagami Yasuaki , Iizuka Toshiro , Takahashi Hiroaki , Oyama Tsuneo , Yano Tomonori
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Recent innovations in prophylactic treatment with steroids have overcome the issue of esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), except in entire circumferential esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (EC‐ESCC). Current Japanese guidelines weakly recommend performing ESD for clinical epithelial/lamina propria EC‐ESCC with a longitudinal extension <50 mm upon implementing prophylactic treatment against stricture. However, the accurate indications for ESD in EC‐ESCC remain unknown, and strategies differ among institutions. The aim of this study was to understand the initial treatment strategy for EC‐ESCC and prophylactic treatment after ESD against esophageal stricture.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted across 16 Japanese high‐volume centers on the initial treatment for EC‐ESCC according to the invasion depth and longitudinal extension, and prophylactic treatment against stricture.

Results

ESD was performed as the initial treatment not only in clinical epithelial/lamina propria lesions <50 mm (88–94% of institutions), but also in clinical epithelial/lamina propria ≥50 mm (44–50% of institutions) and clinical muscularis mucosae/SM1 (submucosal invasion depth invasion within 200 μm) lesions <50 mm (56–75% of institutions). Regarding prophylactic treatment against esophageal stricture, although there was a common point of local steroid injection, the details and administration of other treatments varied among institutions.

Conclusions

As ESD was performed with expanded indications for EC‐ESCC than those recommended by the guidelines in more than half of the institutions, the validity of ESD for expanded EC‐ESCC needs to be clarified. For that, it is necessary to prospectively collect short‐ and long‐term outcomes after ESD and other treatments, including esophagectomy or chemoradiotherapy.
Association between severe hypoglycaemia and risk of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gómez‐Guijarro María Dolores , Álvarez‐Bueno Celia , Saz‐Lara Alicia , Sequí‐Domínguez Irene , Lucerón‐Lucas‐Torres Maribel , Cavero‐Redondo Iván
Published: January 2023

The aim of this systematic review was to analyse whether there is an association between severe hypoglycaemia and the incidence of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We systematically searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from their inception until September 2022 for observational studies on the association between hypoglycaemia and the risk of dementia. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to compute a pooled estimate of the risk for such association. Risk ratio (RR) and its respective 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Two analyses were performed to estimate the risk of dementia: (i) any hypoglycaemia versus no hypoglycaemia and (ii) a dose–response analysis for one, two, or more than three hypoglycemic events versus no hypoglycaemia. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020219200. Seven studies were included. The pooled RR for the association of severe hypoglycaemia and risk of dementia was 1.47 (95% CI: 1.24–1.74). When the dose–response trend was analysed, the pooled RR for the risk of dementia was increased according to the hypoglycaemia events as follows: 1.29 (95% CI: 1.15–1.44) for one hypoglycemic event; 1.68 (95% CI: 1.38–2.04) for two hypoglycemic events; and 1.99 (95% CI: 1.48–2.68) for three or more hypoglycemic events. Our study demonstrates a 54% higher risk of dementia among people who suffer a hypoglycaemia event compared to nonhypoglycaemia. Considering our results and the prevalence of people suffering from diabetes mellitus, health education for both newly diagnosed and already diagnosed people could be a useful tool for glycaemic control, thus avoiding hypoglycaemic events.
Autumn fueling behavior in passerines in relation to migratory distance and daylength
Authors: Engert Elana Rae , Hellström Magnus , Åkesson Susanne
Published: January 2023

Songbirds have evolved diverse strategies to cope with seasonality, including long‐, medium‐, and short‐distance migration. There is some evidence that birds with a longer migration distance deposit fuel faster. However, most studies focus on long‐distance migrants. Comparisons between species with different migration distances are necessary to broaden our understanding of fueling capacity in migratory birds. We present maximum fuel deposition rates of five songbird species migrating along the southeast coast of Sweden in autumn with migration distances ranging from long (neotropical migrant) to short (partial/irruptive migrant) (Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Lesser Whitethroat Curruca curruca, Common Chiffchaff P. collybita, European Robin Erithacus rubecula, and Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus). The birds were fed ad libitum in captivity and were exposed to either extended or natural daylength. All species ceased to increase in mass when they reached a certain fuel load, generally corresponding to migration distance, despite unlimited access to food and ample time for foraging. Blue Tits, Willow Warblers, and Lesser Whitethroats had the highest fuel deposition rates with extended daylength (19%, 20%, and 20%, respectively), and about 13% with natural daylength, which is comparable to the highest rates found in migratory songbirds in nature. European Robins and Common Chiffchaffs that winter in the temperate Mediterranean had the lowest fuel deposition rates (12% and 12% with extended daylength, respectively). Our results suggest that the long‐ and short‐distance migrants in this study have developed an extreme capacity for rapid refueling for different reasons; speedy migration to distant wintering grounds or winter survival in Scandinavia. This study contributes to our current knowledge of maximum fuel deposition rates in different species and the limitations posed by daylength. We highlight the need for future studies of species with different migration strategies in order to draw broad conclusions about fueling strategies of migratory birds.
Breeding origins of a uniquely regular migrant songbird in the Galápagos Islands
Authors: Perlut Noah , Maxwell Logan M. , Kovach Adrienne , Parker Patricia , Renfrew Rosalind B.
Published: January 2023

Little is known about the causes and consequences of alternative pathways flown by long‐distance migratory birds. Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) breed in grasslands across northern North America and migrate from their breeding grounds toward the eastern Atlantic Coast and then proceed through the Caribbean to South America. However, a small but regular number of Bobolinks have been recorded on the Galapagos Islands. We collected genetic samples from nine Galapagos Bobolinks and performed double‐digest restriction site‐associated sequencing. We compared them with samples from seven locations across their breeding distribution to determine their population of origin. Galapagos Bobolinks shared the genetic structure of a cluster in the eastern portion of the breeding range that includes New Brunswick and Ontario, Canada, and Vermont, United States. Genetic assignment tests largely corroborated this finding, although slightly different results were obtained for the two methods. All individuals were assigned to the Ontario breeding population using AssignPop, while Rubias assigned six of the migrants to Ontario and three to a Midwest breeding population. Low average relatedness among Galapagos individuals indicates that they are not more related to one another than to individuals within a breeding population and are therefore likely not from a single, small isolated population. Our results do not support the probability hypothesis—that Galapagos Bobolinks originated from the region that includes the greatest proportion of their breeding range (Great Plains)—or the vagrant hypothesis—that migrants are displaced onto Galapagos due to weather events. Instead, our findings support the proximity hypothesis, where migrants originate from the geographically closest‐breeding populations.
Population genetics of the African snakehead fishParachanna obscuraalong West Africa's water networks: Implications for sustainable management and conservation
Authors: Amoutchi Amien Isaac , Kersten Petra , Vogt Asja , Kohlmann Klaus , Kouamelan Essetchi Paul , Mehner Thomas
Published: January 2023

An essential factor for aquatic conservation is genetic diversity or population divergence, which in natural populations reflects the interplay between geographical isolation with restricted gene flow and local evolution of populations. The long geological history of Africa may induce stronger among‐population divergence and lower within‐population divergence in fish populations of African watersheds. As an example, we studied population structure of the African snakehead fishParachanna obscura.Our study aimed: (1) to develop a set of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers suitable for the analysis of genetic diversity amongP. obscuraand (2) to study the genetic diversity and structure ofP. obscurapopulations from the West Africa region and mostly from Côte d'Ivoire, with respect to the effects of climate region and geographical distance on the genetic differentiation. A total of 259 specimens from 15 locations ofP. obscurawere collected over the West Africa region reflecting a high variability of pairwise geographical distances and variability of hydrological connectivity of the area. We developed a set of 21 polymorphic microsatellite markers for studying population genetics of the fish. The results showed relatively low intragenetic diversity for all the 15 locations, certainly attributable to confinement of fish in segregated catchments, resulting in limited gene flow. We also found evidence for local adaptation processes, suggested by five out of 21 microsatellite loci being under putative selection, according to BAYESCAN analysis. In turn, there was strong genetic differentiation (FST > 0.5) among fish from most locations, reflecting the allopatric development in watersheds without hydraulic connectivity. Neighbor‐joining dendrogram, Principal Coordinate Analysis, and analysis of ancestral groups by STRUCTURE suggested that the 15 locations can be divided into three clusters, mainly matching the dominant climate zones and the segregation of the watersheds in the region. The distinct genetic structure of the fish from the 15 locations obtained in this study suggests that conservation and sustainable management actions of this fish resource should avoid genetic mixing of potentially locally adapted populations.
The diversity of resident passerine bird in the East Yunnan‐Kweichow Plateau is closely related to plant species richness, vertical altitude difference and habitat area
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Yan Lingbin , Yu Lifei , Su Haijun , Hu Canshi , Zhang Mingming , Kong Zhihong
Published: January 2023

East Yunnan‐Kweichow Plateau is rich in biodiversity in China. Complex geographical and climatic conditions and rich bird resources made this area an ideal system for studying the spatial distribution mechanism and influencing factors of birds, which were still unknown. Bird community data from 37 sites in this region were collected, including 505 bird species and 164 species of resident passerine bird, were extracted for analysis. The taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic diversity, functional diversity (FD), and community structure index were calculated. Ordinary least square (OLS), spatial autoregressive models (SAR), and structural equation model (SEM) were used to explore the relationship between bird diversity index and environmental factors which were used to describe the habitat conditions of birds. Results indicated that species richness (SR), phylogenetic diversity (PD), and FD have similar distribution patterns and are mainly affected by vascular plant species richness, habitat area, and vertical altitude difference. The phylogenetic and functional structure of bird community changed in both longitude and latitude direction, and the phylogenetic structure of community was dispersed in the west and clustered in the east, significantly related to habitat area, and vertical altitude difference, the functional structure was dispersed in all sites, significantly related to average annual precipitation. The community in the west and south of the East Yunnan‐Kweichow Plateau is mainly driven by interspecific competitive, while the process in the east and north is mainly driven by environmental filtration. Distribution pattern of bird diversity was caused by the comprehensive action of various habitat factors which were mainly related to food availability and habitat heterogeneity. For maintaining the living space of birds, the protection of urban parks, wetland parks, campuses, and other urban green spaces is as important as national and provincial nature reserves. Revealing the construction mechanism and main influencing factors of bird communities in different areas is conducive to targeted protection work.
Epigenetic Regulations in Autoimmunity and Cancer: from Basic Science to Translational Medicine
Authors: Hui Li , Ziyue Zhao , Chao Liu , Bin Yu , Aoyu Li , Haijing Wu
Published: January 2023

Epigenetics, as a discipline that aims to explain the differential expression of phenotypes arising from the same gene sequence and the heritability of epigenetic expression, has received much attention in medicine. Epigenetic mechanisms are constantly being discovered, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, noncoding RNAs and m6A. The immune system mainly achieves an immune response through the differentiation and functional expression of immune cells, in which epigenetic modification will have an important impact. Because of immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy has become a research hotspot in tumor therapy. Epigenetics plays an important role in autoimmune diseases and cancers through immunology. An increasing number of drugs targeting epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and drug combinations, are being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of various cancers (including leukemia and osteosarcoma) and autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis). This review summarizes the progress of epigenetic regulation for cancers and autoimmune diseases to date, shedding light on potential therapeutic strategies.
Distinct spatiotemporal features of microglia and monocyte‐derived macrophages in glioma
Authors: Banerjee Kaveri , Ratzabi Avinoam , Caspit Itai M , Ganon Or , Blinder Pablo , Jung Steffen , Stein Reuven
Published: January 2023

Gliomas are the most frequent primary tumors of the brain. Glioma progression is regulated by the tumor microenvironment, which is mainly composed of tumor‐associated microglia (TA‐MG) and monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDM). Recent studies have highlighted the distinct properties of these cells in glioma progression. However, their spatiotemporal alteration during tumor progression has not been fully explored. Using a genetic lineage tracing approach, we show that TA‐MG and MDMs differ in their spatiotemporal distribution and interaction with other components of the glioma microenvironment. MDM were present only inside the tumor, whereas TA‐MG accumulated both outside and inside the tumor. However, TA‐MG was eliminated from the tumor mass as the tumor progressed. Depletion of MDM led to enhanced occupancy of TA‐MG in the tumor core, indicating that TA‐MG elimination was regulated by MDM. TA‐MG and MDM are heterogeneous cell populations whose compositions and properties can change during tumor progression. Finally, MG, TA‐MG and MDM were enriched in the perivascular area (PVA) compared to more distal blood vessel‐associated areas. However, inside the tumor, the MDM enrichment in PVA was higher than that in TA‐MG. Collectively, we established that TA‐MG and MDM exhibit different spatiotemporal features in glioma, suggesting distinctive roles during tumor progression.
Periictal water drinking revisited: Occurrence and lateralizing value in surgically confirmed patients with focal epilepsy
Authors: Tanno Yuhei , Matsudaira Takashi , Usui Naotaka , Ogawa Hiroshi , Tokumoto Kentaro , Kawaguchi Norihiko , Kondo Akihiko , Nishida Takuji , Takahashi Yukitoshi
Published: January 2023

Objective

Periictal water drinking (PIWD), which is a rare seizure‐related autonomic behavior, has been reported in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) but only rarely in extra‐TLE. Additionally, the lateralizing value of PIWD is controversial. We aimed to clarify the occurrence and lateralizing value of PIWD in patients with focal epilepsy.

Methods

This retrospective study included 240 focal epilepsy patients aged >10 years with a favorable postoperative seizure outcome (Engel class I). PIWD was defined as water drinking behavior during a seizure or within 2 min in the postictal phase. The occurrence of PIWD documented on video‐electroencephalogram monitoring was assessed. The lateralizing value of PIWD was analyzed among patients whose language dominant hemisphere was identified.

Results

Twenty‐three (9.5%) patients exhibited PIWD. PIWD occurred more frequently in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE; eight of 41 patients, 19.5%) than in TLE (15 of 188 patients, 8%). The occurrence of PIWD was significantly different between FLE and extra‐FLE (P = 0.035), with a low positive predictive value (34.8%). In FLE with PIWD, all but one patient underwent resective surgery involving the medial frontal lobe. In 194 patients whose language dominant hemisphere was determined, the lateralizing value of PIWD in FLE and TLE showed no statistical significance (P = 0.69 and P = 0.27, respectively).

Significance

Periictal water drinking occurred more often in FLE than TLE. Thus, PIWD might not be a specific periictal symptom in TLE. There was no evidence for the lateralizing value of PIWD in FLE and TLE. These findings can provide useful clinical clues for preoperative evaluations to estimate the epileptogenic zone based on seizure semiology and allow for a better understanding of pathophysiological insights into PIWD.
Reactive oxygen species in status epilepticus
Authors: Walker Matthew C
Published: January 2023

It has long been recognized that status epilepticus can cause considerable neuronal damage, and this has become one of its defining features. The mechanisms underlying this damage are less clear. Excessive activation of NMDA receptors results in large rises in internal calcium, which eventually lead to neuronal death. Between NMDA receptor activation and neuronal death are a number of intermediary steps, key among which is the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Although it has long been thought that mitochondria are the primary source for reactive oxygen species, more recent evidence has pointed to a prominent role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, an enzyme localized in cell membranes. There is burgeoning in vivo and in vitro evidence that therapies that target the production or removal of reactive oxygen species are not only effective neuroprotectants following status epilepticus, but also potently antiepileptogenic. Moreover, combining therapies targeted at inhibiting NADPH oxidase and at increasing endogenous antioxidants seems to offer the greatest benefits.
Hazard consistent record selection procedures accounting for horizontal and vertical components of the ground motion: Application to liquid storage tanks
Authors: Kohrangi Mohsen , Bakalis Konstantinos , Triantafyllou Georgios , Vamvatsikos Dimitrios , Bazzurro Paolo
Published: January 2023

A methodology is proposed to enable state‐of‐the‐art record selection using ground motion components in all three principal loading directions. Relying on the well‐established Conditional Spectrum approach, its fundamental concepts are extended to ensure hazard consistency when the vertical ground motion component is considered along with the horizontal ones. To this end, different record selection techniques are employed, spanning sets of ground motion records with and without vertical motions, as well as with and without vertical ground motion hazard consistency. To demonstrate the effect that each record set can potentially have on a structure, an unanchored liquid storage tank is adopted as a case study, because of the vertical uplift motion it can exhibit, even under the application of horizontal loading only. A reduced‐order structural model is employed to generate the numerical output via multi‐stripe analysis, thus enabling the evaluation of the pertinent record selection approaches. Focusing on uplift and compressive meridional stress, response ratios and response hazard curves are extracted. It is shown that although the vertical ground motion component only mildly affects uplift, its effect on compressive meridional stress, on average, amplifies the response by a factor of 1.8 for moderate intensities and 2.8 for higher ones. Accounting for hazard consistency in the vertical component appears to be important for the case at hand, as it reveals notable discrepancies in the mean annual frequency of exceedance for the response parameters examined.
Extremely High Soil Copper Content, yet Low Phytotoxicity: A Unique Case of Monometallic Soil Pollution at Kargaly, Russia
Authors: Dovletyarova Elvira A. , Zhikharev Alexander P. , Polyakov Dmitry G. , Karpukhin Mikhail M. , Buzin Igor S. , Yáñez Carolina , Neaman Alexander
Published: January 2023

Ecotoxicological studies on soil metal toxicity often rely on artificially contaminated soils. A major difficulty in using soils contaminated by anthropogenic activities (e.g., mining and agriculture) is the presence of multiple metals, which can make it impossible to distinguish the toxic effects of a particular metal. Therefore, sites with monometallic pollution have great potential for ecotoxicological research. One such site is an agricultural field in Kargaly, Orenburg region, Russia, where copper mining and smelting activities were carried out during the 18th–20th centuries. Samples of Mollisols (chernozems) were collected in the studied field. At several sampling points there were copper ore rocks on the surface, containing malachite (CuCO3 · Cu(OH)2). The soil samples had a high copper content, up to approximately 10 g kg−1, compared with 75 mg kg−1 in the background soil. Importantly, the content of other elements in all soil samples was similar to that in the background soil, highlighting the uniqueness of the monometallic contamination in the study area. Despite the extremely high total copper content, exchangeable copper was relatively low, with a maximum of approximately 0.5 mg kg−1. We performed a short-term (21-day) ecotoxicity assessment using perennial ryegrass as an indicator of copper toxicity. Contrary to expectations, plant growth was not affected by the high copper content in the studied soils. The low copper phytotoxicity may be explained by the low solubility of malachite. However, future long-term experiments may be warranted to determine copper toxicity thresholds for plants under field conditions. The site discovered in the present study could potentially acquire the same significance as the Danish Hygum site for the study of monometallic soil contamination. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:707–713. © 2023 SETAC
Broadening the Perspective on Reducing Pharmaceutical Residues in the Environment
Authors: Helwig K. , Niemi L. , Stenuick J.-Y. , Alejandre J. C. , Pfleger S. , Roberts J. , Harrower J. , Nafo I. , Pahl O.
Published: January 2023

The present study reviews options for reducing harm from pharmaceuticals that are known to cause adverse impacts by their presence in the environment. It reviews recent global and European Union policy development, which could go further in recognizing and addressing the issue in a global context. It considers green chemistry, which can help clean up production processes but holds only long-term promise for creating “green” alternatives. It explores the potential of health promotion and disease prevention, which can contribute significantly to a reduction of the disease burden and thus the need for medicines, both for infectious and for noncommunicable disease. Eco-directed sustainable prescribing practices are reviewed, which have been adopted successfully to reduce the use of harmful pharmaceuticals. We note recent developments in medicines optimization and precision medicine, which hold promise for improving patient outcomes, saving costs, and reducing pharmaceutical use, through individually tailored prescribing whereby the patient codecides their therapy. Waste prevention through reuse or redistribution is beginning to find public support and “take-back” waste disposal schemes set up via extended producer responsibility systems have achieved high returns. Finally, the paper summarizes preferred advanced wastewater technologies, including innovative low-cost, low-energy options. In summary, although end-of-pipe options have a role to play, particularly for highly concentrated wastewaters, solutions further up the medicinal chain and disease prevention interventions, informed by a broad view of health and health care, are needed to pursue a much greater potential reduction of pharmaceuticals in the environment than can be achieved by end-of-pipe solutions alone. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:653–663. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Nanocelluloses review: Preparation, biological properties, safety, and applications in the food field
Authors: He Hong , Teng Hui , An Fengping , Wang Yiwei , Qiu Renhui , Chen Lei , Song Hongbo
Published: January 2023

Functional diet and food safety requirements, as well as reducing the consumption of nonrenewable resources and environmental pollution are the important development themes on food processing. The development and application of edible nanocelluloses (NCs) is an urgent need in the current food field. NCs are divided into three types, including cellulose nanofibrils, and cellulose nanocrystals from natural fibers, as well as bacterial cellulose synthesized by bacteria. In this review, recent developments in surface modification, biological properties, safety issues, and their applications in the food industry were highlighted. NCs have application limits due to native hydrophilicity, surface modification strengthens their hydrophobicity and stability in the oil phase. NCs exhibit excellent physicochemical properties and successfully be used as edible coatings, emulsion stabilizers, and functional food ingredients. In particular, NCs and modified NCs can be used as low‐calorie fat substitutes and prebiotics for improving gut microbiota. However, the biological properties and safety assessments still require more attention, as well as establishing the regulations for food applications.
Crustal study based on integrated geophysical techniques in the Northwestern Himalayas, Pakistan
Authors: Hameed Fahad , Khan Muhammad Rustam , Dentith Michael
Published: January 2023

The present research aims to explicate the tectonics of the northwest Himalayas, Pakistan, based on integrated gravity, magnetic and earthquake data. The raw gravity and magnetic data were processed, and seven isoanomaly maps were prepared for qualitative interpretation, whereas a gravity model was prepared along the selected profile for quantitative interpretation. The local earthquake data have also been used to identify the various seismogenic layers in the subsurface and to understand how seismicity relates to regional structural features. Three northwest‐trending thick‐skinned blind basement faults are identified from the present study, namely the Indus Kohistan Seismic Zone (IKSZ), Bagh Basement Fault and Hazara Lower Seismic Zone. The IKSZ is the tectonically most active among them and responsible for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake (Mw = 7.6) and 1974 Pattan earthquake (Mw = 6.2) in the region. The present study also delineated the prominent location of the Main Central Thrust in which the high‐grade metamorphic rocks of Higher Himalayan Crystalline thrust over low‐grade metamorphic rocks of Lesser Himalayas along this thick‐skinned fault. The field evidence such as ductile deformation, zone of inverted metamorphism, and brittle deformation also confirm this location. The sharp bending of the crystalline crust, as well as deep basement just south of Kohistan Island Arc (KIA), indicate that the high density and susceptibility rocks of this arc thrust on the leading margin of the Indian Plate along the Main Mantle Thrust. This thrust fault is a major suture zone separating the KIA in the north from the Indian Plate in the south. The other faults in the region exist in the sedimentary/meta‐sedimentary wedge and are thin‐skinned. It is inferred from the current investigation that the study area exhibits a composite style of deformation. Moreover, the gravity model combined with earthquake data suggested the existence of multiple décollement zones below the Hazara‐Kashmir Syntaxis. The model envisaged an increase in the thickness of the Indian Plate continental crust in the northeast direction.
Unravelling neurotransmitters impairment in primary progressive aphasias
Authors: Premi Enrico , Dukart Juergen , Mattioli Irene , Libri Ilenia , Pengo Marta , Gadola Yasmine , Cotelli Maria , Manenti Rosa , Binetti Giuliano , Gazzina Stefano , Alberici Antonella , Magoni Mauro , Koch Giacomo , Gasparotti Roberto , Padovani Alessandro , Borroni Barbara
Published: January 2023

Primary progressive aphasias (PPAs) are a group of neurodegenerative diseases mainly characterized by language impairment, and with variably presence of dysexecutive syndrome, behavioural disturbances and parkinsonism. Detailed knowledge of neurotransmitters impairment and its association with clinical features hold the potential to develop new tailored therapeutic approaches. In the present study, we applied JuSpace toolbox, which allowed for cross‐modal correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based measures with nuclear imaging derived estimates covering various neurotransmitter systems including dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. We included 103 PPA patients and 80 age‐matched healthy controls (HC). We tested if the spatial patterns of grey matter volume (GMV) alterations in PPA patients (relative to HC) are correlated with specific neurotransmitter systems. As compared to HC, voxel‐based brain changes in PPA were significantly associated with spatial distribution of serotonin, dopamine, and glutamatergic pathways (p < .05, False Discovery Rate corrected‐corrected). Disease severity was negatively correlated with the strength of GMV colocalization of D1 receptors (p = .035) and serotonin transporter (p = .020). Moreover, we observed a significant negative correlation between positive behavioural symptoms, as measured with Frontal Behavioural Inventory, and GMV colocalization of D1 receptors (p = .007) and serotonin transporter (p < .001). This pilot study suggests that JuSpace is a helpful tool to indirectly assess neurotransmitter deficits in neurodegenerative dementias and may provide novel insight into disease mechanisms and associated clinical features.
An Unusual Fullerene–Carbene Adduct: Thermal Motion, Disorder, or Both?**
Authors: Carreras Abel , Lorbach Andreas , Bazan Guillermo C. , Alemany Pere , Wu Guang , Garcia‐Garibay Miguel A. , Maverick Emily F.
Published: January 2023

A single‐crystal X‐ray study of a fullerene‐imidazole adduct at nine temperatures (80 K≤T≤480 K), accompanied by energy calculations, strongly suggested thermal motion of the C60 moiety with respect to the imidazolium heterocycle. Analysis of the anisotropic displacement parameters, calculations of frequencies, and the refinement of disorder models for the crystal at four temperatures (230 K≤T≤380 K) lead to the conclusion that the rotator is moving at all temperatures. The rotation barrier is low, with one preferred crystallographic site and several other energy minima.
Extreme risk spillovers across energy and carbon markets: Evidence from the quantile extended joint connectedness approach
Authors: Cao Guangxi , Xie Fei
Published: January 2023

Extreme events have further complicated the already closely related carbon‐energy system, but little research has focused on the extreme spillovers between energy and carbon markets. This paper combines quantile vector autoregression with the extended joint connectedness approach to introduce a new quantile extended joint connectedness approach to study the extreme spillover between the carbon market, fossil energy and clean energy markets, using daily data spanning from October 15, 2010 to February 25, 2022. The results show that markets are more closely linked at extreme risk, and the spillover is time‐varying and cyclical. The impact of extreme events will strengthen the links between markets. Further research shows different clean energy have heterogeneous spillovers on the carbon market, especially when impacted by extreme events. Finally, the hedging and portfolio effectiveness of clean energy to carbon market also show the existence of heterogeneity, and clean energy can diversify the portfolio of carbon market.