bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of pH of Ganoderma lucidum aqueous extract on green synthesis of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Smirnov Oleksandr , Dzhagan Volodymyr , Yeshchenko Oleg , Kovalenko Mariia , Kapush Olga , Vuichyk Mykola , Dzhagan Veronika , Mazur Nazar , Kalynovskyi Vitalii , Skoryk Mykola , Yukhymchuk Volodymyr
Published: August 2023

Perspective applications of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) stimulate intense research on their affordable synthesis, including green routes. The use of fungi extracts has advantages over other organisms, because of their relatively easy isolation and higher efficiency in a reduction of metal ions and NP formation. Here we report mycosynthesis of AgNPs based on Ganoderma lucidum fruit body extract with different pH values as the bioreducing and stabilising agent. Stable NPs colloids with distinct plasmonic resonance peaking at 408–418 nm are obtained by using photoreduction in a broad pH range (5 to 11). Synthesis efficiency drops only at very acidic conditions, pH = 2.5. The NP size and morphology are studied by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. An analysis of FTIR spectra of pure analyte and NP sample indicates that stabilisation of the AgNPs by the components of Ganoderma lucidum extract may take place via forming chemical bonds with the NP surface. These bio-friendly AgNPs are both optically and chemically active, as inferred from surface-enhanced Raman scattering of a standard dye analytes and charge transfer-induced quenching of the photoluminescence of both dye and inorganic NPs, and can be studied for various applications which require direct access to the AgNP surface.
Analyzing the role of Ni dopant to change the structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of SnO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Pradhan Lipan , Rout Shantinarayan , Parida Bipin Kumar , Mohapatra S R , Sakthivel R , Behera Debadhyan
Published: August 2023

SnO2 and 5 wt% Ni doped SnO2 nanoparticles (SnO2:Ni NPs) were successfully synthesised by a template-free hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns depicted polycrystalline nature of the NPs in rutile-type cassiterite phase with dominant (110) and (101) Bragg diffraction peaks. Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns supported single phase tetragonal crystal structure having space group P42/m n m. With Ni doping, crystallite size of NPs decreased from 39 nm to 35 nm whereas lattice strain increased from 3.56 × 10−3 to 3.99 × 10−3. This is attributed to the substitution of Sn4+ ion by Ni2+ ions. The morphology of the SnO2 NPs also changed from regular spherical shape to elongated irregular shape upon Ni doping. The dominant Raman peak obtained at 634 cm−1 matched with the signature peak for rutile SnO2 (Raman A1g mode). Further, we observed disappearance of E

g
mode due to Ni doping, which indicated the formation of oxygen vacancies. Also, XPS analysis indicated an increase of oxygen vacancy concentration in the doped NPs due to charge imbalance between Sn4+ and Ni2+. The direct optical band gap of SnO2 increased from 3.97 eV to 4.11 eV when doped with 5 wt% Ni and it is ascribed to Burstein–Moss effect. Irrespective of higher optical band gap of SnO2:Ni NPs, they showed enhanced photocatalytic activity to degrade Rhodamine B (RhB) dye molecules under UV-visible irradiation. The first order kinetic reaction rate constants for degradation of RhB were found to be 0.014 min−1 and 0.045 min−1 in case of SnO2 and SnO2:Ni NPs respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity in SnO2:Ni NPs is explained by relating to the formation of more oxygen vacancies and chemisorptions of O2 and H2O molecules followed by generation of radicals. This work demonstrates the superiority of SnO2:Ni NPs for use as photocatalytic material for industrial waste water treatment.
The effect of heat input in multi-pass GMAW of S960QL UHSS based on weaving and stringer bead procedure on microstructure and mechanical properties of HAZ
Authors: Mert Tolga , Gurol Ugur , Tumer Mustafa
Published: August 2023

Quenched and tempered S960QL (yield strength ≥ 960 MPa) ultra-high strength steel (UHSS) thick plates were joined by multi-pass robotic gas metal arc welding (GMAW) using weaving and stringer bead techniques. The effects of microstructural changes in heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the joint on toughness and hardness were examined. Weaving and stringer bead techniques applied for the multi-pass welding procedure altered average peak temperatures and exposure time to those temperatures. Mechanical properties of HAZs were evaluated by utilizing notch impact and hardness tests, and these results were correlated with microstructural characterizations using optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Prior austenite grain (PAG) coarsening occurred because of increased exposure time to peak temperature in coarse-grained HAZ (CGHAZ) of the W-5 (weaving pass) joint. CGHAZs at the face pass, which have not been subjected to a second thermal cycle, have the highest hardness in both joints. Hardness of SCHAZ and CGHAZ of S-12 joint was 7% and 1% higher compared with W-5 joint, respectively. Weld metal hardness of W-5 joint was 15% lower than that of S-12 joint. Both joints not only fulfilled the requirements of minimum 50 J per EN ISO 10025-6 at −20 °C but exceeded this limit by 50% (W-5) and 200% (S-12). Lateral expansions for impact toughness specimens were around 17.5% for S-12 joint, whereas it was 4% for W-5 joint. Since HAZ in the S-12 (stringer bead) joint is narrow compared with the one in the W-5 joint, impact toughness values were higher with the S-12 joint due to the locations of the notches of the impact specimens.
Synthesis of uniformly ordered single-crystalline TiO2 nanorods on flexible Ti substrate
Authors: Zhong Dong , Zheng Mingxi
Published: August 2023

With high conductivity and ionic mobility, one-dimensional (1D) titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoarrays have attracted great interest in the photoanode of solar cells and the cathode of lithium-ion/sodium-ion batteries. However, the synthesis of TiO2 nanoarrays often requires highly toxic or corrosive solution circumstances. Meanwhile, the case that most TiO2 nanoarrays are grown on rigid conductive substrate can’t satisfy the demand for application in the space of complex shape. In this work, we developed a simple method to prepare highly ordered single crystalline rutile TiO2 nanorod arrays with high density on flexible metal Ti substrate in relatively weak acid solution, and the orientation of the nanorods were more uniform than those by other means ever before. Based on detailed analysis, an ion-assisted and concentration-limited epitaxial growth mechanism by H+ and

SO

4

2
−

is proposed for this uniformly ordered rutile TiO2 nanorod array. This work can promote the research and application of flexible solar cells and lithium-ion batteries, especially their integration.
Nano-based drug delivery system for therapeutics: a comprehensive review
Authors: Prakash Satyendra
Published: August 2023

Nanomedicine and nano-delivery systems hold unlimited potential in the developing sciences, where nanoscale carriers are employed to efficiently deliver therapeutic drugs at specifically targeted sites in a controlled manner, imparting several advantages concerning improved efficacy and minimizing adverse drug reactions. These nano-delivery systems target-oriented delivery of drugs with precision at several site-specific, with mild toxicity, prolonged circulation time, high solubility, and long retention time in the biological system, which circumvent the problems associated with the conventional delivery approach. Recently, nanocarriers such as dendrimers, liposomes, nanotubes, and nanoparticles have been extensively investigated through structural characteristics, size manipulation, and selective diagnosis through disease imaging molecules, which are very effective and introduce a new paradigm shift in drugs. In this review, the use of nanomedicines in drug delivery has been demonstrated in treating various diseases with significant advances and applications in different fields. In addition, this review discusses the current challenges and future directions for research in these promising fields as well.
Green synthesis of highly luminescent CsPbBr3 quantum dots through silica coating and post-treatment with ligands
Authors: Wu Xianyao , Yin Kai , Yang Mu , Hu Yufeng , Peng Hongshang
Published: August 2023

All-inorganic perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have received considerable attentions due to their fascinating optical properties. However, the mainstream preparation methods rely on toxic solvents, raising significant environmental and safety concerns. In this work, ethyl acetate was chosen as the environmentally friendly anti-solvent to prepare silica-coated CsPbBr3 PQDs using a aminoalkoxysilane-assisted reprecipitation–encapsulation method. The as-prepared PQDs exhibited tunable emission wavelength and a medium photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 60%. Furthermore, CsPbBr3 PQDs were post-treated by different ligands with the aim of passivating surface defects. This strategy successfully mitigated the presence of surface defects and minimized non-radiative recombination losses in PQDs. As a result, the PLQY (achieving up to 73%) and stability of PQDs were substantially enhanced (luminescence stability improved by about 40% under the same test conditions). Our studies offer a novel approach for the environmentally friendly large-scale production of PQDs, opening up new possibilities for their practical applications.
Predicting the sheet resistance of laser-induced graphitic carbon using machine learning
Authors: Le Hung , Minhas-Khan Aamir , Nambi Suresh , Grau Gerd , Shen Wen , Wu Dazhong
Published: August 2023

While laser-induced graphitic carbon (LIGC) has been used to fabricate cost-effective conductive carbon on flexible substrates for applications such as sensors and energy storage devices, predicting the resistance of the component fabricated via LIGC remains challenging. In this study, a two-step machine learning-based modeling framework is developed to predict the sheet resistance of the materials fabricated using LIGC. The two-step modeling framework consists of classification and regression. First, random forest (RF) is used to classify successful and failed trials. Second, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), RF, support vector machine with radial basis function, multivariate adaptive spline regression, and multilayer perceptron are used to predict the sheet resistance in each successful trial. In addition, an analysis of the change in sheet resistance with respect to laser energy per unit area is conducted to remove data points with high sheet resistance. XGBoost is also used to determine the importance of each process parameter. We demonstrate the modeling framework on datasets collected from experiments where LIGC lines (1D) and LIGC squares (2D) are engraved. For the 1D dataset, the RF classification model achieves a 95% accuracy. For both 1D and 2D datasets, a comparative study shows that XGBoost outperforms other algorithms. XGBoost predicts the sheet resistance of the LIGC lines and squares with a MAPE of 7.08% and 8.75%, respectively. XGBoost also identifies laser resolution as the most significant parameter. Moreover, experimental results show that models built on the dataset merging the 1D and 2D datasets result in lower prediction accuracy than those built on the 1D and 2D datasets separately. The modeling framework allows one to determine the sheet resistance of LIGC with varying laser processing conditions without conducting expensive and time-consuming experiments.
Comparison of Relatively Unipotent Log de Rham Fundamental Groups
Authors: Chiarellotto Bruno , Di Proietto Valentina , Shiho Atsushi
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we prove compatibilities of various definitions of relatively unipotent log de Rham fundamental groups for certain proper log smooth integral morphisms of fine log schemes of characteristic zero. Our proofs are purely algebraic. As an application, we give a purely algebraic calculation of the monodromy action on the unipotent log de Rham fundamental group of a stable log curve. As a corollary we give a purely algebraic proof to the transcendental part of Andreatta–Iovita–Kim’s article: obtaining in this way a complete algebraic criterion for good reduction for curves.
One-year retrospective analysis of anti-FXa apixaban and rivaroxaban levels demonstrates utility for management decisions in various urgent and nonurgent clinical situations
Authors: Lucas Fabienne , Lewis Joshua , Grandoni Jessica , Sylvester Katelyn W , Bernier Thomas D , Ting Clara , Sek Rebecca , Ballard Kathleen , Connors Jean M , Battinelli Elisabeth M
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Quantification of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) plasma levels can guide clinical management, but insight into clinical scenarios surrounding DOAC-calibrated anti-FXa assays is limited.

Methods

Apixaban- and rivaroxaban-calibrated chromogenic anti-Xa assays performed over a 1-year period were retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographics, DOAC history, concomitant medications, and renal/liver comorbidities were obtained. Indications for testing and associated clinical actions were reviewed. Machine learning (ML) models predicting clinical actions were evaluated.

Results

In total, 371 anti-FXa apixaban and 89 anti-FXa rivaroxaban tests were performed for 259 and 67 patients in recurring urgent (acute bleeding, unplanned procedures) and nonurgent situations, including several scenarios not captured by existing testing recommendations (eg, drug monitoring, recurrent thromboembolic events, bleeding tendency). In urgent settings, andexanet reversal was guided by radiologic and clinical findings over DOAC levels in 14 of 32 instances, while 51% of apixaban patients qualified for nonreversal strategies through the availability of levels. Levels also informed procedure/intervention timing and supported management decisions when DOAC clearance or DOAC target levels were in question. The importance of clinical context was emphasized by exploratory ML models predicting particular clinical actions.

Conclusions

Although clinical situations are complex, DOAC testing facilitates clinical decision-making, including reversal, justifying more widespread implementation of these assays.
Hurdles and opportunities in implementing marine biosecurity systems in data-poor regions
Authors: Carvalho Susana , Shchepanik Hailey , Aylagas Eva , Berumen Michael L , Costa Filipe O , Costello Mark John , Duarte Sofia , Ferrario Jasmine , Floerl Oliver , Heinle Moritz , Katsanevakis Stelios , Marchini Agnese , Olenin Sergej , Pearman John K , Peixoto Raquel S , Rabaoui Lotfi J , Ruiz Greg , Srėbalienė Greta , Therriault Thomas W , Vieira Pedro E , Zaiko Anastasija
Published: August 2023

Managing marine nonindigenous species (mNIS) is challenging, because marine environments are highly connected, allowing the dispersal of species across large spatial scales, including geopolitical borders. Cross-border inconsistencies in biosecurity management can promote the spread of mNIS across geopolitical borders, and incursions often go unnoticed or unreported. Collaborative surveillance programs can enhance the early detection of mNIS, when response may still be possible, and can foster capacity building around a common threat. Regional or international databases curated for mNIS can inform local monitoring programs and can foster real-time information exchange on mNIS of concern. When combined, local species reference libraries, publicly available mNIS databases, and predictive modeling can facilitate the development of biosecurity programs in regions lacking baseline data. Biosecurity programs should be practical, feasible, cost-effective, mainly focused on prevention and early detection, and be built on the collaboration and coordination of government, nongovernment organizations, stakeholders, and local citizens for a rapid response.
FedEVCP: Federated Learning-Based Anomalies Detection for Electric Vehicle Charging Pile
Authors: Lin Zhaoliang , Li Jinguo
Published: August 2023

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a technology that enables electric vehicles to use smart charging methods to harness low-cost and renewable energy when it is available, and obtain income by feeding energy back into the grid. With the rise of V2G technology, the use of electric vehicles has begun to increase dramatically, which relies on the reliable Electric Vehicle Charging Pile (EVCP). However, most EVCPs are online and networked, introducing many potential network threats, such as Electricity Theft, Identity Theft and False Data Injection etc. Prior work has mostly focused on machine learning, which is not able to effectively capture the relationships and structures in network traffic, making it difficult to deal with the propagation and infection of the novel network attacks. Moreover, most neural network models collect and transfer data from EVCPs to the central server for training, which makes the central server attractive to attackers. It poses a serious threat to user privacy. To address these issues, propose an anomaly detection model that incorporates Federated Learning and Deep Autoencoder, which can increase the amount and diversity of data used to train deep learning models without compromising privacy. The proposed model forms a layer-by-layer unsupervised representation learning algorithm by autoencoder stacking, while batch normalization of hidden layers accelerates the convergence of the model to avoid overfitting and local optima, and introduces an attention mechanism to enhance key features of sequences composed of data vectors to improve the accuracy rate. To prevent the risk of user privacy leakage on the central server, EVCP is allowed to retain local data for model training and send model parameters to the central server for constructing new global models. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme achieves improved detection accuracy with superior performance than other similar models.
Increase in intracellular and extracellular myocardial mass in patients with acromegaly: a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Wolf Peter , Bouazizi Khaoula , Kachenoura Nadjia , Piedvache Céline , Gallo Antonio , Salenave Sylvie , Maione Luigi , Young Jacques , Prigent Mikaël , Lecoq Anne-Lise , Kuhn Emmanuelle , Agostini Helene , Trabado Severine , Redheuil Alban , Chanson Philippe , Kamenický Peter
Published: August 2023

Background

Acromegaly is associated with an increased left ventricular (LV) mass, as reported in echo-based and, more recently, in a few cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. One possible explanation for this increased LV mass could be water retention and subsequent myocardial edema.

Methods

In this prospective cross-sectional study, 26 patients with active acromegaly before and after treatment and 31 controls of comparable age and sex were investigated using cardiac MRI. Cardiac morphology, function, and myocardial tissue characteristics were evaluated. Myocardial T2 relaxation time was used as the main outcome measure of myocardial edema. The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02948322).

Results

Patients compared to controls had greater LV mass indexes (58.1 [54.7-68.6] vs 46.0 [41.3-49.8] g/m2; P < .001) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) indexes (97.3 [88-101.2] vs 81.6 [78.1-96.2] mL/m2; P = .0069) and had comparable global contractile function. T2 values were not different between patients and controls. Both intracellular (43.83 [41.0-50.0] vs 34.32 [28.9-38.7] g/m2; P < .001) and extracellular (15.06 [13.5-17.1] vs 11.6 [10.8-12.7] g/m2; P < .001) LV mass indexes were higher in patients compared to controls. Log growth hormone correlated with myocardial mass (r = 0.75; P < .001). Sex, systolic blood pressure (BP), and the presence of acromegaly were predictors of the LV mass index. The extracellular LV mass index was associated with sex and the presence of acromegaly, whereas the intracellular LV mass index was associated with sex, systolic BP, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Acromegaly treatment reduced EDV and total and intracellular LV mass indexes without significantly affecting extracellular mass.

Conclusion

Acromegaly results in a disease-specific form of LV hypertrophic remodeling, characterized by an increase in both intra- and extracellular mass. The LV mass index and intracellular mass were decreased by treatment.
The effect of seminal fluid gene expression on paternity
Authors: Simmons Leigh W , Lovegrove Maxine
Published: August 2023

When females mate with more than one male, competition between rival ejaculates is expected to favor adaptations that promote fertilization success. There is now compelling evidence that sperm competition selects for increased production and allocation of sperm. However, sperm comes packaged in ejaculates that also contain protein-rich seminal fluids. Predicting how males should allocate individual seminal fluid proteins in response to sperm competition is hampered by our limited knowledge of their precise function. We use gene expression studies and interference RNA to ask how seminal fluid proteins in the ejaculate of a cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus, affect a male’s paternity share when in competition for fertilizations. We find that the relative expression of one seminal fluid gene, gagein, positively affects the paternity share of competing males and that knockdown of this and two other seminal fluid protein genes renders males mating in the offensive role of sperm competition incapable of fathering living offspring. Despite having a negative effect on offspring viability these seminal fluid genes have been found to be up regulated in response to rival males, consistent with a role in promoting competitive fertilization success. Our data contribute to a growing body of evidence that, like sperm, seminal fluid gene expression is subject to post-mating sexual selection via sperm competition.
Development and clinical application of a rapid, visually interpretable polymerase spiral reaction for tcdB gene of Clostridioides difficile in fecal cultures
Authors: Yin Caihong , Song zhanyun , Wang Xianghui , Li Hui , Liu yue , Wang Qiulin , Feng xin , Song Xiuling
Published: August 2023

In the surveillance of outbreaks of Clostridioides difficile infection, the rapid detection and diagnosis of C. difficile remain a major challenge. Polymerase spiral reaction (PSR) is a nucleic acid amplification technique that uses mixed primers and the strand displacement activity of Bst DNA polymerase to achieve a pair of primers and a single enzyme in an isothermal environment. The primer design is simple, the reaction is efficient, and a color indicator can be used to visualize the result. In this study, we developed a rapid and visually interpretable PSR to detect C. difficile by analyzing artificially contaminated feces samples and clinical isolates from patient feces samples. We designed two pairs of primers for a PSR that specifically targeted the conserved tcdB gene of C. difficile. The amplification results were visualized with the chromogenic dye hydroxynaphthol blue. The entire process was accomplished in 50 min at 64°C, with high specificity. The limit of detection of C. difficile with PSR was 150 fg/μl genomic DNA or 2 × 10 CFU/ml in artificially contaminated feces samples. With this method, we analyzed four clinical isolates and also compared the PSR with an isolation-and-culture detection method, polymerase chain reaction, and the Sanger sequencing. The four clinical isolates were found positive for tcdB, which confirmed the high specificity of the primers. The positive rates of tcdB in toxigenic C. difficile detected with PSR, PCR, and Sanger sequencing were 100%. The proportions of toxin types in these clinical C. difficile strains were 50% tcdA+tcdB+CDT− and 50% tcdA+tcdB+CDT+. The assay described should extend our understanding of the incidence of C. difficile. This may allow the rapid diagnosis and screening of C. difficile-related disease outbreaks in the field.
Identification of the Teopod1, Teopod2, and Early Phase Change genes in maize
Authors: Sauer Matt , Zhao Jianfei , Park Meeyeon , Khangura Rajdeep S , Dilkes Brian P , Poethig R Scott
Published: August 2023

Teopod1 (Tp1), Teopod2 (Tp2), and Early phase change (Epc) have profound effects on the timing of vegetative phase change in maize. Gain-of-function mutations in Tp1 and Tp2 delay all known phase-specific vegetative traits, whereas loss-of-function mutations in Epc accelerate vegetative phase change and cause shoot abortion in some genetic backgrounds. Here, we show that Tp1 and Tp2 likely represent cis-acting mutations that cause the overexpression of Zma-miR156j and Zma-miR156h, respectively. Epc is the maize ortholog of HASTY, an Arabidopsis gene that stabilizes miRNAs and promotes their intercellular movement. Consistent with its pleiotropic phenotype and epistatic interaction with Tp1 and Tp2, epc reduces the levels of miR156 and several other miRNAs.
Embedding Caregiver Support within Adult Day Services: Outcomes of a Multi-site Trial
Authors: Gitlin Laura N , Roth David L , Marx Katherine , Parker Lauren J , Koeuth Sokha , Dabelko-Schoeny Holly , Anderson Keith , Gaugler Joseph E
Published: August 2023

Background and Objectives

Adult day services (ADS) provide quality-of-life benefits to people with dementia , but few provide systematic caregiver support. We report outcomes of a multi-site, national trial testing a staff-delivered caregiver program, ADS Plus.

Research Design and Methods

Cluster randomized trial involving 34 ADS: 18 sites provided ADS (controls); 16 provided ADS and ADS Plus (intervention). Trained staff met with caregivers to provide dementia education, support/validation, referrals/linkages, and strategies for care challenges and self-care over 12-months. Main outcomes included depressive symptoms (CES-D) and well-being at 6-and 12-months, and client attendance over 12-months.

Results

Of 203 caregivers (Intervention=102; Control=101), 5.9% at 3-months, 12.8% at 6-months, and 22.7% at 12-months were lost-to-follow-up. Caregivers were predominantly female (80.3%), with 76.4% identifying as white/Caucasian, 14.8% Black/African American, and 12.3% Hispanic/Latino. Most (88.2%) had ≥college education and were 65.0 years old (SD=13.46). For those with 6-month data, 40.4% control and 40.2% ADS Plus caregivers had depressed symptoms (≥16 CES-D) at baseline. By 6-months, 43.6% control versus 34.2% ADS Plus caregivers had ≥16 scores (odds ratio=0.38, p=0.072). By 12-months, after covariate adjustments, ADS Plus caregivers reported reduced total depression scores versus controls (p=0.013) and lower depressed affect scores (p=0.015). Of 18 sites providing 12-month client attendance data, nine intervention sites reported 126.05 days attended versus 78.49 days for nine control sites (p=0.079).

Discussion and Implications

Compared to ADS alone, by 12-months ADS Plus improved caregiver mood and increased ADS utilization by 60.6%. Results support ADS staff delivering evidence-based caregiver support to enhance ADS benefits.
Clinical checking in practice: qualitative perspectives from community pharmacists
Authors: Elgebli Ali , Hall Jason , Phipps Denham L
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Community pharmacists (CPs) are the last healthcare professional to check the clinical appropriateness of prescribed medicines before being dispensed to patients. This process is known as ‘clinical checking’ and is intended to ensure the prescribed medications are safe and effective. This study aims to explore how CPs carry out clinical checking in practice, and the main factors affecting their clinical decisions.

Methods

The study was qualitative in nature, and data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. The interview questions aimed to explore how CPs carry out clinical checking in practice. A purposive sampling strategy was employed to recruit a sample representative of CPs in England. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic template analysis.

Key findings

Twelve CPs of various professional backgrounds participated in the interviews. The analysis yielded three overarching themes, namely: pharmacists’ perception of the clinical checking process; clinical checking as a naturalistic decision-making process and barriers to effective clinical checking. Interviewees described being faced with a trade-off between examining each prescription thoroughly and maintaining the throughput of prescriptions, due to the highly pressurised environment they work within. A number of factors inform this trade-off: (1) assuming the safety of repeat medicines; (2) lacking access to sufficient clinical information and (3) working under challenging circumstances (such as a lack of resources).

Conclusions

Clinical checking is a complex, variable and experience-driven process which is heavily influenced by the surrounding environment and information accessibility. Further research should investigate the cognitive process involved in clinical checking and explore the practicalities and potential benefits of the recommendations identified in this study.
A large fibrotic nodule on the A1 pulley with severe tenosynovitis after repetitive prolotherapy in trigger finger: a case report
Authors: Oh Sang Ho , Sik Yun Yeong
Published: August 2023

Prolotherapy is used to treat chronic musculoskeletal diseases. The efficacy of prolotherapy was recently acknowledged. However, it has not been usually used to treat trigger fingers. Our study was a case report of aggravated flexor tenosynovitis and a fibrous nodule on thickened A1 pulley after repetitive prolotherapy for treating the trigger finger. A 47-year-old electrical engineer complained of a locked and painful triggering in his right ring finger. Preoperative ultrasonography revealed a large hyperechoic mass on the A1 pulley and tenosynovitis. Mass resection and tenosynovectomy were performed. The histological examination revealed a benign fibrous nodule without inflammatory cells. There were no complications at 6 months post-operative, and the patient regained a full range of motion. Reducing inflammation around the flexor tendon and A1 pulley was the most important strategy for the non-surgical management of the trigger finger.
Cancer Survivors’ Resilience During COVID-19 and Virtual Community-Based Choral Singing: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Anglade Debbie , Kauffman Mary A , Gattamorta Karina A , Sheikh-Wu Sameena F , Roman Laporte Roberto L
Published: August 2023

The study aimed to determine the study feasibility of a weekly virtual community-based choral singing program and to explore the impact of weekly choral singing on resilience, anxiety, and benefit finding in cancer survivors. Six participants were recruited from the Survivorship Choir (SC), led by a board-certified music therapist and affiliated with a cancer center. Study participants attended their standard 90-minute rehearsals, which were conducted virtually because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Researchers followed participants over eight weeks, collecting data at weeks one and eight. Five self-report instruments were used and included a researcher-designed Demographic Form. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) is a 10-item questionnaire assessing participants’ resilience. The PROMIS: Emotional Distress-Anxiety Scale measured participants’ anxiety levels, and the Carver Benefit Finding Scale assessed participants’ benefit finding levels. The participant Feedback Form, designed by the researchers, assessed the study’s feasibility and effectiveness. High attendance and completion rates demonstrated the study’s feasibility. Choral singing led to a statistically significant increase in resilience (W = 0.00, p = .036, rrb = -1.00) between baseline (M = 28.33, SD = 7.20) and week 8 (M = 33.83, SD = 4.88), demonstrating a large effect. While not significant, anxiety and benefit finding trended in a desirable direction with large effects. The present study format was feasible during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study showed that community-based choral singing, even in a virtual format, may positively affect cancer survivorship by increasing resilience and benefit finding and alleviating anxiety.
Recombinase-independent chromosomal rearrangements between dispersed inverted repeats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae meiosis
Authors: Allison Rachal M , Johnson Dominic J , Neale Matthew J , Gray Stephen
Published: August 2023

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR) uses a DNA template with similar sequence to restore genetic identity. Allelic DNA repair templates can be found on the sister chromatid or homologous chromosome. During meiotic recombination, DSBs preferentially repair from the homologous chromosome, with a proportion of HR events generating crossovers. Nevertheless, regions of similar DNA sequence exist throughout the genome, providing potential DNA repair templates. When DSB repair occurs at these non-allelic loci (termed ectopic recombination), chromosomal duplications, deletions and rearrangements can arise. Here, we characterize in detail ectopic recombination arising between a dispersed pair of inverted repeats in wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae at both a local and a chromosomal scale—the latter identified via gross chromosomal acentric and dicentric chromosome rearrangements. Mutation of the DNA damage checkpoint clamp loader Rad24 and the RecQ helicase Sgs1 causes an increase in ectopic recombination. Unexpectedly, additional mutation of the RecA orthologues Rad51 and Dmc1 alters—but does not abolish—the type of ectopic recombinants generated, revealing a novel class of inverted chromosomal rearrangement driven by the single-strand annealing pathway. These data provide important insights into the role of key DNA repair proteins in regulating DNA repair pathway and template choice during meiosis.
Cell-type specific regulator RBPMS switches alternative splicing via higher-order oligomerization and heterotypic interactions with other splicing regulators
Authors: Yang Yi , Lee Giselle C , Nakagaki-Silva Erick , Huang Yuling , Peacey Matthew , Partridge Ruth , Gooding Clare , Smith Christopher W J
Published: August 2023

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing decisions are regulated by RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that can activate or repress regulated splice sites. Repressive RBPs typically harness multivalent interactions to bind stably to target RNAs. Multivalency can be achieved by homomeric oligomerization and heteromeric interactions with other RBPs, often mediated by intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), and by possessing multiple RNA binding domains. Cell-specific splicing decisions often involve the action of widely expressed RBPs, which are able to bind multivalently around target exons, but without effect in the absence of a cell-specific regulator. To address how cell-specific regulators can collaborate with constitutive RBPs in alternative splicing regulation, we used the smooth-muscle specific regulator RBPMS. Recombinant RBPMS is sufficient to confer smooth muscle cell specific alternative splicing of Tpm1 exon 3 in cell-free assays by preventing assembly of ATP-dependent splicing complexes. This activity depends upon a C-terminal IDR that facilitates dynamic higher-order self-assembly, cooperative binding to multivalent RNA and interactions with widely expressed splicing co-regulators, including MBNL1 and RBFOX2, allowing cooperative assembly of stable cell-specific regulatory complexes.
ABL1 and ABL2 promote medulloblastoma leptomeningeal dissemination
Authors: Jones Jill K , Zhang Hengshan , Lyne Anne-Marie , Cavalli Florence M G , Hassen Wafa E , Stevenson Kevin , Kornahrens Reb , Yang Yuanfan , Li Sean , Dell Samuel , Reitman Zachary J , Herndon James E , Hoj Jacob , Pendergast Ann Marie , Thompson Eric M
Published: August 2023

Background

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, and leptomeningeal dissemination (LMD) of medulloblastoma both portends a poorer prognosis at diagnosis and is incurable at recurrence. The biological mechanisms underlying LMD are unclear. The Abelson (ABL) tyrosine kinase family members, ABL1 and ABL2, have been implicated in cancer cell migration, invasion, adhesion, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance, and are upstream mediators of the oncogene c-MYC in fibroblasts and lung cancer cells. However, their role in medulloblastoma has not yet been explored. The purpose of this work was to elucidate the role of ABL1/2 in medulloblastoma LMD.

Methods

ABL1 and ABL2 mRNA expression of patient specimens was analyzed. shRNA knockdowns of ABL1/2 and pharmacologic inhibition of ABL1/2 were used for in vitro and in vivo analyses of medulloblastoma LMD. RNA sequencing of ABL1/2 genetic knockdown versus scrambled control medulloblastoma was completed.

Results

ABL1/2 mRNA is highly expressed in human medulloblastoma and pharmacologic inhibition of ABL kinases resulted in cytotoxicity. Knockdown of ABL1/2 resulted in decreased adhesion of medulloblastoma cells to the extracellular matrix protein, vitronectin (P = .0013), and significantly decreased tumor burden in a mouse model of medulloblastoma LMD with improved overall survival (P = .0044). Furthermore, both pharmacologic inhibition of ABL1/2 and ABL1/2 knockdown resulted in decreased expression of c-MYC, identifying a putative signaling pathway, and genes/pathways related to oncogenesis and neurodevelopment were differentially expressed between ABL1/2 knockdown and control medulloblastoma cells.

Conclusions

ABL1 and ABL2 have potential roles in medulloblastoma LMD upstream of c-MYC expression.
Cutting Bodies, Reaping Souls: Catholic Medical Missionaries between Rome and East Africa around 1700
Authors: Röder Brendan
Published: August 2023

Research on medical missions has largely focused on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries paying comparatively little attention to earlier periods. The Roman Catholic Church in particular was seen as a latecomer in medical missionary work because canon law supposedly forbade clergymen to engage too closely with the human body. This article offers a different view of medicine and law in early modern conversion efforts and argues that some Catholic missionaries can be called ‘medical missionaries’. Looking at Franciscan friars sent to Ethiopia around 1700, the article analyses the legal negotiations surrounding the use of surgery by Catholic clergymen, healing practices they used during the missions and the relationship between medicine and conversion. It shows that missionaries received systematic medical and surgical training in Rome, that they used the acquired skills during their travels and that medicine was crucial to Catholic strategies of spiritual conquest.
Neuroproliferative dyspareunia in endometriosis and vestibulodynia
Authors: Mwaura Agnes N , Marshall Nisha , Anglesio Michael S , Yong Paul J
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Endometriosis is a common cause of deep dyspareunia, while provoked vestibulodynia is a common cause of superficial dyspareunia. The etiology of dyspareunia in both conditions is multifactorial and may include the role of local nerve growth (neurogenesis or neuroproliferation) that sensitizes pelvic structures and leads to pain with contact.

Objectives

To review the evidence for neuroproliferative dyspareunia in endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia.

Methods

Narrative review.

Results

The pelvic peritoneum and vulvar vestibule receive somatic and autonomic innervation. Various markers have been utilized for nerve subtypes, including pan-neuronal markers and those specific for sensory and autonomic nerve fibers. The nerve growth factor family includes neurotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and their receptors. Studies of endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia have demonstrated the presence of nerve fibers around endometriosis epithelium/stroma in the pelvic peritoneum and within the vulvar vestibule. The number of nerve fibers is higher in these pain conditions as compared with control tissue. Nerve growth factor expression by endometriosis stroma and by immune cells in the vulvar vestibule may be involved in local neuroproliferation. Local inflammation is implicated in this neuroproliferation, with potential roles of interleukin 1β and mast cells in both conditions. Several studies have shown a correlation between nerve fibers around endometriosis and dyspareunia severity, but studies are lacking in provoked vestibulodynia. There are several possible clinical ramifications of neuroproliferative dyspareunia in endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia, in terms of history, examination, biopsy, and surgical and medical treatment.

Conclusions

A neuroproliferative subtype of dyspareunia may be implicated in endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia. Additional research is needed to validate this concept and to integrate it into clinical studies. Neuroproliferative pathways could serve as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of dyspareunia in endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia.
From distal to proximal to interactive: behavioral and brain synchrony during attraction, courtship, and sexual interaction—implications for clinical assessments of relationship style and quality
Authors: Pfaus James G , Safron Adam , Zakreski Ellen
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Synchronous behaviors between individuals are nonverbal signs of closeness and common purpose. In the flow from initial attraction to intimate sexual interaction, attention and synchrony move from distal to proximal to interactive and are mediated by sensitized activation of neural systems for sexual motivation, arousal, and desire and those that recognize and mimic common facial and body movements between individuals. When reinforced by sexual pleasure and other relationship rewards, this results in the strengthening of attraction and bonding and the display of more common motor patterns. As relationships falter, nonverbal behaviors likely become asynchronous.

Objectives

To define behavioral, romantic, and sexual synchrony during phases of attraction and how their disruption can be observed and utilized by clinicians to assess individual relationship styles and quality.

Methods

We review the literature on behavioral and attentional synchrony in humans and animals in an effort to understand experiential and innate mechanisms of synchrony and asynchrony and how they develop, as well as implications for attraction, relationship initiation, maintenance of romantic and sexual closeness, and relationship disintegration.

Results

Evidence is presented that behavioral synchrony and the neural mechanisms that underlie it are vital to relationship formation and satisfaction.

Conclusion

Behavioral synchrony helps to create feelings of sexual and romantic synergy, cohesion, and arousal among individuals. Asynchrony is aversive and can spark feelings of discontent, aversion, and jealousy. Thus, observing patterns of nonverbal sexual and romantic synchrony between individuals offers insights into the potential quality of their relationships.
Prebiotic effect of poly‐D‐3‐hydroxybutyrate prevents dyslipidemia in obese mice
Authors: Mishima Mayuko , Takeda Shiro , Nagane Masaki , Suzuki Takehito , Ogata Masaya , Shima Ayaka , Aihara Naoyuki , Kamiie Junichi , Suzuki Rimina , Mizugaki Hinano , Okamatsu‐Ogura Yuko , Satoh Takumi , Yamashita Tadashi
Published: August 2023

Obesity is a global health problem caused by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors and is associated with various health disorders. As such, there is a growing focus on the prevention of obesity and related diseases. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in these diseases and has become a therapeutic target. Prebiotics, such as poly‐d‐3‐hydroxybutyric acid (PHB), have gained attention for their potential to alter the gut microbiota, promote beneficial bacterial growth, and alleviate obesity. In this study, we examined the prebiotic effects of PHB in obese mice. We found that, in C57BL/6N mice, PHB reduced blood lipid levels. Analysis of the intestinal microflora also revealed an increase in short‐chain fatty acid‐producing bacteria. When PHB was administered to obese mice, subcutaneous fat and dyslipidemia were reduced, and the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microflora increased. Furthermore, fatty degradation and oxidative stress were suppressed in the liver. PHB regulates gut bacterial changes related to obesity and effectively inhibits dyslipidemia, suggesting that it could be a prebiotic agent for curing various obesity‐related diseases. In summary, PHB increases the beneficial gut microbiota, leading to an alleviation of obesity‐associated dyslipidemia.
Study on the efficacy of brace therapy for developmental dysplasia of the hip with Graf IIc and greater severity
Authors: He Jingnan , Lyu Xuemin , Chen Tao
Published: August 2023

To assess changes in the α and β angle with brace treatment in DDH classified as Type Graf IIc, D, III, and IV; to study the α angle threshold that can predict the treatment effect; to analyze the effective rate in different groups. A retrospective study was conducted on children from 2013 to 2018 with Graf type IIc and greater diagnosed with ultrasound (US). Brace therapy was applied to 356 patients, with 423 affected hips (Graf IIc: 202 hips; Graf D: 17 hips; Graf III: 118 hips; and Graf IV: 86 hips). For follow-up efficacy analyses using US, X-ray and clinical examination, based on the success of early treatment of the brace, the outcomes were divided into ‘effective’ and ‘noneffective’ groups. The statistical results showed that the α angle increased (P < 0.05) and the β angle decreased (P < 0.05). When α≥43°, the accuracy of success with early treatment was 95.95%. The overall effective rate of bracing treatment was 74.70%. Children with α ≥ 43° are recommended to receive brace therapy as soon as possible and demonstrate the best effects. The effective rate varies across different Graf types and the age at treatment initiation. Brace therapy is more effective for Graf IIc and D hips compared to Graf III and IV.