bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity of 2-Dose HPV Vaccine Series for Postpartum Women
Authors: Moss Chailee F. , Wang Runzhi , Sao Saumya , Chou Betty , Perin Jamie , Lander Megan E. , Thaker Sejal M. , Mann Melindia , Coleman Jenell S.
Published: January 2024

Importance

Postpartum human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a promising strategy to increase HPV vaccination uptake in the US, particularly for reaching vaccine-naive women and those who lack health insurance beyond the pregnancy period. However, completion of the 3-dose vaccine regimen is challenging.

Objective

To evaluate the immunogenicity of a 2-dose postpartum HPV vaccination regimen (0 and 6 months) and assess whether it is noninferior to a 3-dose postpartum HPV vaccination regimen (0, 1-2, and 6 months) administered to historical controls.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A noninferiority, open-label, nonrandomized immunogenicity trial was conducted from August 4, 2020, to June 23, 2022, of postpartum patients aged 15 to 45 years who delivered at 2 hospitals in Baltimore, Maryland. Historical controls were adolescents and young women aged 16 to 26 years.

Intervention

Two doses of the nonavalent HPV vaccine administered 6 months apart.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was noninferiority (90% CI, lower bound >0.67) of the geometric mean titer (GMT) ratio for HPV-16 among postpartum women compared with historical controls. Secondary outcomes were noninferiority of GMT ratios for the other 8 HPV types and percentage seroconversion for each HPV type. As a noninferiority trial, the primary analysis used the per-protocol analysis.

Results

Of 225 enrolled participants, the mean (SD) age at baseline was 29.9 (6.8) years, and 171 (76.0%) were HPV-16 seronegative at baseline. Of these 171 participants, 129 (75.4%) received a second vaccine dose and completed the subsequent 4-week serologic measurements. Relative to historical controls, the HPV-16 GMT ratio was 2.29 (90% CI, 2.03-2.58). At month 7, HPV-16 GMT was higher after the 2-dose regimen (7213.1 mMU/mL [90% CI, 6245.0-8331.4 mMU/mL]) than among historic controls after the 3-dose regimen (3154.0 mMU/mL [90% CI, 2860.2-3478.0 mMU/mL]). Similarly, the lower bound of the 90% CI of the GMT ratio was above 1 for the 8 HPV types 6, 11, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. A total of 118 of 134 women (88.1%) seroconverted for HPV-16 after the first dose; 4 weeks after the second dose, the seroconversion rate was 99% or greater for all HPV types.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study suggests that immunogenicity of a 2-dose HPV vaccination regimen given 6 months apart among postpartum women was noninferior to a 3-dose regimen among young historical controls. Most women seroconverted after the first dose of the 2-dose regimen. These results demonstrate that postpartum vaccination using a reduced schedule may be a promising strategy to increase HPV vaccine series completion.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04274153
Time to reflect on voice parades: The influence of reflection and retention interval duration on earwitness performance
Authors: Pautz Nikolas , McDougall Kirsty , Mueller‐Johnson Katrin , Nolan Francis , Paver Alice , Smith Harriet M. J.
Published: January 2024

Experiment‐based voice parades often result in low hit‐rates and high false‐alarm rates. One contributing factor may be that the experimental procedures omit elements that might naturally occur in the memory formation process, such as the process of reflection. In Experiment 1 (N = 180, F = 92) we explored if a post‐encoding reflection manipulation, compared to a simple attention control task, prior to a five‐minute retention interval would improve identification performance. In Experiment 2 (N = 180, F = 93), we explored how the effects of this manipulation might change when the retention interval was 24‐h. The results show that the inclusion of a reflection manipulation did not meaningfully improve performance in either experiment. Importantly, we found no meaningful difference in performance when directly comparing the two retention interval durations. We consider theoretical explanations for these results and discuss implications for the design and validity of earwitness voice parade studies.
A Printable Hydrogel Loaded with Medicinal Plant Extract for Promoting Wound Healing
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Zhang Yue , Song Anning , Wang Heng , Wu Yi , Chang Wenju , Tian Bo , Xu Jialu , Dai Huaxing , Ma Qingle , Wang Chao , Zhou Xiaozhong
Published: January 2024

How to promote wound healing is still a major challenge in the healthcare while macrophages are a critical component of the healing process. Compared to various bioactive drugs, many plants have been reported to facilitate the wound healing process by regulating the immune response of wounds. In this work, a Three‐dimensional (3D) printed hydrogel scaffold loaded with natural Centella asiatica extract (CA extract) is developed for wound healing. This CA@3D scaffold uses gelatin (Gel) and sodium alginate (SA) with CA extract as bio‐ink for 3D printing. The CA extract contains a variety of bioactive compounds that make the various active ingredients in Centella asiatica work in concert. The printed CA@3D scaffold can fit the shape of wound, orchestrate the macrophages and immune responses within the wound, and promote wound healing compared to commercial wound dressings. The underlying mechanism of promoting wound healing is also illuminated by applying multi‐omic analyses. Moreover, the CA extract loaded 3D scaffold also showed great ability to promote wound healing in diabetic chronic wounds. Due to its ease of preparation, low‐cost, biosafety, and therapeutic outcomes, this work proposes an effective strategy for promoting chronic wound healing.
Self‐Assembled Nanocomposite Hydrogels as Carriers for Demineralized Bone Matrix Particles and Enhanced Bone Repair
Authors: Chen Chen , Li Zhi , Xu Changlu , Kang Minjee , Lee Chung‐Sung , Aghaloo Tara , Lee Min
Published: January 2024

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) has been widely used as an allogeneic alternative to autologous bone graft for bone repair. However, more extensive use of DBM is limited due to its particulate nature after demineralization and rapid particle dispersion following irrigation, resulting in unpredictable osteoinductivity. Here, a new design of injectable hydrogel carriers for DBM that combine self‐healing ability and osteogenic properties based on the self‐assembly of guanidinylated hyaluronic acid and silica‐rich nanoclays is reported. The nanoclays serve as reversible linkages to form a dynamic hydrogel network with the guanidine moieties on the polymer chains. Gelation kinetics and mechanical properties can be controlled by altering nanoclay content in the hydrogel. The resulting hydrogel exerts self‐healing ability due to its dynamic crosslinks and well retains its overall performance with high DBM loading. The hydrogel exhibits great cytocompatibility and osteogenic effects mediated by the nanoclays. In vivo delivery of DBM using the nanocomposite hydrogel further demonstrates robust bone regeneration in a mouse calvarial defect model in comparison to DBM delivered with aqueous HA. This work suggests a promising hydrogel platform for many applications including therapeutic delivery and tissue engineering.
Artificial Cells and HepG2 Cells in 3D‐Bioprinted Arrangements
Authors: Westensee Isabella N. , Paffen Lars J.M.M. , Pendlmayr Stefan , De Dios Andres Paula , Ramos Docampo Miguel A. , Städler Brigitte
Published: January 2024

Artificial cells are engineered units with cell‐like functions for different purposes including acting as supportive elements for mammalian cells. Artificial cells with minimal liver‐like function are made of alginate and equipped with metalloporphyrins that mimic the enzyme activity of a member of the cytochrome P450 family namely CYP1A2. The artificial cells are employed to enhance the dealkylation activity within 3D bioprinted structures composed of HepG2 cells and these artificial cells. This enhancement is monitored through the conversion of resorufin ethyl ether to resorufin. HepG2 cell aggregates are 3D bioprinted using an alginate/gelatin methacryloyl ink, resulting in the successful proliferation of the HepG2 cells. The composite ink made of an alginate/gelatin liquid phase with an increasing amount of artificial cells is characterized. The CYP1A2‐like activity of artificial cells is preserved over at least 35 days, where 6 nM resorufin is produced in 8 h. Composite inks made of artificial cells and HepG2 cell aggregates in a liquid phase are used for 3D bioprinting. The HepG2 cells proliferate over 35 days, and the structure has boosted CYP1A2 activity. The integration of artificial cells and their living counterparts into larger 3D semi‐synthetic tissues is a step towards exploring bottom‐up synthetic biology in tissue engineering.
Circularly Polarized Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Chiral Hole Transport Enantiomers
Authors: Zhong Xiao‐Sheng , Yuan Li , Liao Xiang‐Ji , Hu Jia‐Jun , Xing Shuai , Song Shi‐Quan , Xi Jia‐Qi , Zheng You‐Xuan
Published: January 2024

The circularly polarized organic light‐emitting diodes (CP‐OLEDs) demonstrate promising application in 3D display due to the direct generation of circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL). But the chiral luminescence materials face challenges as intricated synthetic route, enantiomeric separation, etc. Herein, fresh CP‐OLEDs are designed based on chiral hole transport material instead of chiral emitters. A pair of hole transport enantiomers (R/S‐NPACZ) exhibit intense dissymmetry factors (|gPL|) about 5.0 × 10−3. With R/S‐NPACZ as hole transport layers, CP‐OLEDs are fabricated employing six achiral phosphorescence and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials with different wavelengths, in consistence with the generated CPEL spectra. The CP‐OLEDs based on achiral red, green, and blue iridium(III) complexes exhibit external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 14.9%, 30.7%, and 14.1% with |gEL| factors of 8.8 × 10−4, 2.3 × 10−3, and 2.0 × 10−3, respectively. Moreover, the devices using achiral blue, blueish‐green, and green TADF materials display EQEs of 24.1%, 17.9%, and 25.4% with |gEL| factors of 1.0 × 10−3, 3.6 × 10−3, and 2.2 × 10−3, respectively. As far as known, it is the first example of CP‐OLEDs based on chiral hole transport materials, which act as the organic circularly polarizers and have potential to generate CPEL from achiral luminescence materials.
Ln‐MOF‐Based Hydrogel Films with Tunable Luminescence and Afterglow Behavior for Visual Detection of Ofloxacin and Anti‐Counterfeiting Applications
Authors: Yu Xiaolin , Ryadun Alexey A. , Pavlov Dmitry I. , Guselnikova Tatiana Y. , Potapov Andrei S. , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: January 2024

Highly selective and sensitive quantitative detection of ofloxacin (OFX) at ultralow concentrations in aqueous media and development of new afterglow materials remains a challenge. Herein, a new 2D water‐stable lanthanide metal–organic framework (NIIC‐2‐Tb) is proposed, which exhibits high selectivity towards OFX through the luminescence quenching with the lowest detection limit (1.1 × 10−9 M) reported to date and a fast response within 6 s. In addition, the luminescent detection of OFX by NIIC‐2‐Tb is not affected by typical components of blood plasma and urine. The excellent sensing effect of NIIC‐2‐Tb is further utilized to prepare a composite functional sensing carrageenan hydrogel material for the rapid detection of OFX in meat in real time and the first discovery of impressive afterglow in MOF‐based hydrogels. This study not only presents novel Ln‐MOF materials and Ln‐MOF‐based hydrogel films for luminescent sensing of OFX, but also demonstrates color‐tunable luminescent films with afterglow, which expands the application of composite luminescent materials for detection and anti‐counterfeiting.
External Mechanical Stability Regulates Hematoma Vascularization in Bone Healing Rather than Endothelial YAP/TAZ Mechanotransduction
Authors: Mehl Julia , Farahani Saeed Khomeijani , Brauer Erik , Klaus‐Bergmann Alexandra , Thiele Tobias , Ellinghaus Agnes , Bartels‐Klein Eireen , Koch Katharina , Schmidt‐Bleek Katharina , Petersen Ansgar , Gerhardt Holger , Vogel Viola , Duda Georg N.
Published: January 2024

Bone fracture healing is regulated by mechanobiological cues. Both, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and microvascular assembly determine the dynamics of the regenerative processes. Mechanical instability as by inter‐fragmentary shear or compression is known to influence early ECM formation and wound healing. However, it remains unclear how these external cues shape subsequent ECM and microvascular network assembly. As transcriptional coactivators, the mechanotransducers yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ‐binding motif (TAZ) translate physical cues into downstream signaling events, yet their role in sprouting angiogenesis into the hematoma after injury is unknown. Using bone healing as model system for scar‐free regeneration, the role of endothelial YAP/TAZ in combination with tuning the extrinsic mechanical stability via fracture fixation is investigated. Extrinsically imposed shear across the gap delayed hematoma remodeling and shaped the morphology of early collagen fiber orientations and microvascular networks, suggesting that enhanced shear increased the nutrient exchange in the hematoma. In contrast, endothelial YAP/TAZ deletion has little impact on the overall vascularization of the fracture gap, yet slightly increases the collagen fiber deposition under semi‐rigid fixation. Together, these data provide novel insights into the respective roles of endothelial YAP/TAZ and extrinsic mechanical cues in orchestrating the process of bone regeneration.
Mortality of older construction and craft workers employed at Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear sites: Follow‐up through 2021
Authors: Ringen Knut , Dement John , Cloeren Marianne , Almashat Sammy , Hines Stella , Grier William , Quinn Patricia , Chen Anna , Haas Scott
Published: January 2024

Background

To determine if construction and trades workers formerly employed at US Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons sites are at significant risk for occupational diseases, we studied the mortality experience of participants in the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed).

Methods

The cohort included 26,922 participants enrolled between 1998 and 2021 and 8367 deaths. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated based on US death rates. Cox models compared construction workers (n = 22,747; 7487 deaths) to two nonconstruction subpopulations: administrative, scientific and security workers (n = 1894; 330 deaths), and all other nonconstruction workers (n = 2218; 550 deaths).

Results

Mortality was elevated for all causes, all cancers, cancers of the trachea, bronchus, lung, kidneys, and lymphatic and hematopoietic system, mesothelioma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asbestosis, transportation injuries, and other injuries, particularly accidental poisonings. There were 167 deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), which was lower than expected using US death rates. Overall cause‐specific mortality was significantly higher among construction workers than for internal comparison groups.

Conclusions

Construction workers employed at DOE sites have a significantly increased risk for occupational illnesses. Apart from COVID‐19 deaths, this update: (1) found that mortality among construction workers is significantly elevated compared to the US population and significantly higher than in the internal comparison populations, and (2) confirmed excess risk for these workers for first employment after 1990. Cancer mortality risks are similar to the cancers identified for DOE compensation from radiation exposures. The high lung cancer risk supports the value of early lung cancer detection. Continued medical surveillance is important.
Walking the talk for dementia: A unique immersive, embodied, and multi‐experiential initiative
Authors: Aguzzoli Peres Fernando , Haas Aline Nogueira , Martha Angga Dwi , Chan Melissa , Steele Michelle , Ferretti Maria Teresa , Ngcobo Ntokozo N. , Ilinca Stefania , Domínguez‐Vivero Clara , Leroi Iracema , Sajnani Nisha , Zimmer Eduardo R. , Kornhuber Alex , Kalache Alexandre , Holtzhausen Berrie , Tristão‐Pereira Catarina , Dupont Charlèss , Cohen Dan , de Jong David , Facal David , O'Sullivan Desmond , Mateus Elaine , Roso Enzo , Estrop Evon , Gamba Giulia , San Martin Elexpe Gustavo , Ulises Diaz Hernández Hector , Quaid Helena , Govia Ishtar , Barbosa João , García del Moral Joaquina , Miller Johnny , García García José Antonio , Quaid Kevin , Navarro Laura , García Laura Zúñiga , Waters Laureen , Molete Lebo , Godoy Maria Eugenia , Sigauke Maureen , de Ataide Schulte Max William , Estrop Peter , San Martin Elexpe Cardoso Priscilla , Perez Randall , Patterson Rianna , Chakrabarti Ronika , Wong Ruth , Marsillas Sara , Lowe Shontonese , Rego Taida Sánchez , Farombi Temitope , Montgomery Theresa , in ‘t Veen Ton , Yanni Valli , Weidner Wendy , Ibanez Agustin
Published: January 2024

Coping with dementia requires an integrated approach encompassing personal, health, research, and community domains. Here we describe “Walking the Talk for Dementia,” an immersive initiative aimed at empowering people with dementia, enhancing dementia understanding, and inspiring collaborations. This initiative involved 300 participants from 25 nationalities, including people with dementia, care partners, clinicians, policymakers, researchers, and advocates for a 4‐day, 40 km walk through the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Spain. A 2‐day symposium after the journey provided novel transdisciplinary and horizontal structures, deconstructing traditional hierarchies. The innovation of this initiative lies in its ability to merge a physical experience with knowledge exchange for diversifying individuals' understanding of dementia. It showcases the transformative potential of an immersive, embodied, and multi‐experiential approach to address the complexities of dementia collaboratively. The initiative offers a scalable model to enhance understanding, decrease stigma, and promote more comprehensive and empathetic dementia care and research.
C5aR1 signaling promotes region‐ and age‐dependent synaptic pruning in models of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Gomez‐Arboledas Angela , Fonseca Maria I. , Kramar Enikö , Chu Shu‐Hui , Schartz Nicole D. , Selvan Purnika , Wood Marcelo A. , Tenner Andrea J.
Published: January 2024

INTRODUCTION

Synaptic loss is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that correlates with cognitive decline in AD patients. Complement‐mediated synaptic pruning has been associated with this excessive loss of synapses in AD. Here, we investigated the effect of C5aR1 inhibition on microglial and astroglial synaptic pruning in two mouse models of AD.

METHODS

A combination of super‐resolution and confocal and tridimensional image reconstruction was used to assess the effect of genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of C5aR1 on the Arctic48 and Tg2576 models of AD.

RESULTS

Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of C5aR1 partially rescues excessive pre‐synaptic pruning and synaptic loss in an age and region‐dependent fashion in two mouse models of AD, which correlates with improved long‐term potentiation (LTP).

DISCUSSION

Reduction of excessive synaptic pruning is an additional beneficial outcome of the suppression of C5a‐C5aR1 signaling, further supporting its potential as an effective targeted therapy to treat AD.

Highlights

C5aR1 ablation restores long‐term potentiation in the Arctic model of AD.

C5aR1 ablation rescues region specific excessive pre‐synaptic loss.

C5aR1 antagonist, PMX205, rescues VGlut1 loss in the Tg2576 model of AD.

C1q tagging is not sufficient to induce VGlut1 microglial ingestion.

Astrocytes contribute to excessive pre‐synaptic loss at late stages of the disease.
Enantioselective Self‐Assembly of a Homochiral Tetrahedral Cage Comprising Only Achiral Precursors
Authors: Chen Yixin , Cao Ze , Feng Tinglong , Zhang Xiaobo , Li Zhaoyong , Dong Xue , Huang Shaoying , Liu Yingchun , Cao Xiaoyu , Sue Andrew C.‐H. , Peng Chuanhui , Lin Xufeng , Wang Linjun , Li Hao
Published: January 2024

How Nature synthesizes enantiomerically pure substances from achiral or racemic resources remains a mystery. In this study, we aimed to emulate this natural phenomenon by constructing chiral tetrahedral cages through self‐assembly, achieved by condensing two achiral compounds–a trisamine and a trisaldehyde. The occurrence of intercomponent CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions among the phenyl building blocks within the cage frameworks results in twisted conformations, imparting planar chirality to the tetrahedrons. In instances where the trisaldehyde precursor features electron‐withdrawing ester side chains, we observed that the intermolecular CH⋅⋅⋅π forces are strong enough to prevent racemization. To attain enantioselective self‐assembly, a chiral amine was introduced during the imine formation process. The addition of three equivalents of chiral amino mediator to one equivalent of the achiral trisaldehyde precursor formed a trisimino intermediate. This chiral compound was subsequently combined with the achiral trisamino precursor, leading to an imine exchange reaction that releasing the chiral amino mediator and formation of the tetrahedral cage with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of up to 75 %, exclusively composed of achiral building blocks. This experimental observation aligns with theoretical calculations based on the free energies of related cage structures. Moreover, since the chiral amine was not consumed during the imine exchange cycle, it enabled the enantioselective self‐assembly of the tetrahedral cage for multiple cycles when new batches of the achiral trisaldehyde and trisamino precursors were successively added.
Enantioselective Intramolecular ortho Photocycloaddition Reactions of 2‐Acetonaphthones
Authors: Yan Peng , Stegbauer Simone , Wu Qinqin , Kolodzeiski Elena , Stein Christopher J. , Lu Ping , Bach Thorsten
Published: January 2024

2‐Acetonaphthones, which bear an alkenyl group tethered to its C1 carbon atom via an oxygen atom, were found to undergo an enantioselective intramolecular ortho photocycloaddition reaction. A chiral oxazaborolidine Lewis acid leads to a bathochromic absorption shift of the substrate and enables an efficient enantioface differentiation. Visible light irradiation (λ=450 nm) triggers the reaction which is tolerant of various groups at almost any position except carbon atom C8 (16 examples, 53–99 % yield, 80–97 % ee). Consecutive reactions were explored including a sensitized rearrangement to tetrahydrobiphenylenes, which occurred with full retention of configuration. Evidence was collected that the catalytic photocycloaddition occurs via triplet intermediates, and the binding mode of the acetonaphthone to the chiral Lewis acid was elucidated by DFT calculations.
A Potentiometric Dual‐Channel Microsensor Reveals that Fluctuation of H2S is Less pH‐Dependent During Spreading Depolarization in the Rat Brain
Authors: Liu Rantong , Zhang Shuai , Zeng Hui , Gao Nan , Yin Yongyue , Zhang Meining , Mao Lanqun
Published: January 2024

Spreading depolarization (SD) is one of the most common neuropathologic phenomena in the nervous system, relating to numerous diseases. However, real‐time monitoring the rapid chemical changes during SD to probe the molecular mechanism remains a great challenge. We develop a potentiometric dual‐channel microsensor for simultaneous monitoring of H2S and pH featuring excellent selectivity and spatiotemporal resolution. Using this microsensor we first observe real time changes of H2S and pH in the rat brain induced by SD. This changes of H2S are completely suppressed when the rat pre‐treats with aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), a blocker to inhibit the H2S‐producing enzyme, indicating H2S fluctuation might be related to enzyme‐dependent pathway during SD and less pH‐dependent. This study provides a new perspective for studying the function of H2S and the molecular basis of SD‐associated diseases.
Innovative and Effective Education Strategies for Adult Learners in the Perioperative Setting
Authors: Ward Laura , Gordon Abby , Kirkman Allyson
Published: January 2024

Ongoing nursing education is vital for keeping nurses’ knowledge and skills current and promoting positive patient outcomes. Providing meaningful, quality nursing education in the perioperative setting requires the development and implementation of innovative and effective teaching strategies. Adult learning theory is complex, and it can be challenging to engage multigenerational perioperative staff members in education—often, a variety of creative teaching modalities are required to bridge the gaps among learning styles. This article reviews the use of experiential learning, various kinesthetic activities, advanced technology, microlearning, and other methods that may be helpful to overcome the challenges of providing education to adult learners in the perioperative setting. Educators should promote critical thinking and student engagement to encourage adult learners to be active participants in their continuing education.
Clinical Issues — February 2024
Authors: Cahn Julie
Published: January 2024

THIS MONTH

Retaining count sheets in the patient's medical record

Key words: count sheet, medical record, procedural risk factor, retained surgical item, surgical count.

Counting instruments during cavity closure

Key words: uterine cavity, abdominal cavity, fetal procedure, cesarean delivery, instrument count.

Surgical wound classification of procedures involving cancer removal

Key words: cancer, contamination, infection, surgical wound classification, decision making.

Placing an electrosurgical unit dispersive electrode over a tattoo

Key words: dispersive electrode placement, metallic pigment, burn, tattoo, electrosurgical unit (ESU).
Hydroxychloroquine in Lupus Pregnancy and Risk of Preeclampsia
Authors: Rector Amadeia , Marić Ivana , Chaichian Yashaar , Chakravarty Eliza , Cantu Miranda , Weisman Michael H. , Shaw Gary M. , Druzin Maurice L. , Simard Julia F.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affects women during childbearing years, and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is the standard first‐line treatment. Preeclampsia complicates up to one‐third of pregnancies in lupus patients, although reports vary by parity and multifetal gestation. We investigated whether taking HCQ early in pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

Methods

We studied 1,068 live birth singleton pregnancies among 1,020 privately insured patients with SLE (2007–2016). HCQ treatment was defined as three months preconception through the first trimester, and prescription fills were a proxy for taking HCQ. Modified Poisson regression estimated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), stratified by parity. Propensity scores accounted for confounders, and stratified analyses examined effect modification.

Results

Approximately 15% of pregnant patients were diagnosed with preeclampsia. In 52% of pregnancies, patients had one or more HCQ fills. Pregnant patients exposed to HCQ had more comorbidities, SLE activity, and azathioprine treatment. We found no evidence of a statistical association between HCQ and preeclampsia among nulliparous (RR 1.26 [95% CI 0.82–1.93]) and multiparous pregnancies (RR 1.20 [95% CI 0.80–1.70]). Additional controls for confounding decreased the RRs toward the null (nulliparous pregnancy, propensity score–adjusted [PS‐adj] RR 1.09 [95% CI 0.68–1.76]; multiparous pregnancy, PS‐adj RR 1.01 [95% CI 0.66–1.53]).

Conclusion

Using a large insurance‐based database, we did not observe a decreased risk of preeclampsia associated with HCQ treatment in pregnancy, although we cannot rule out residual and unmeasured confounding and misclassification. Further studies leveraging large population‐based data and prospective collection could characterize how HCQ influences preeclampsia risk in pregnant patients with SLE and among persons at greater risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
An enhanced direct torque control strategy with composite controller for permanent magnet synchronous motor
Authors: Le Thanh‐Lam , Hsieh Min‐Fu
Published: January 2024

Direct torque control (DTC) based on sliding mode control (SMC) has been widely applied to permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives for torque ripple reduction and flux tracking. However, the control performance may be degraded due to disturbances such as variations in motor parameters or uncertainties. In this paper, a DTC strategy with an improved composite SMC controller is proposed for the PMSM drive system to enhance its performance under various disturbances. The speed controller is first designed based on a proposed adaptive reaching law (ARL) to eliminate chattering that appears in the conventional SMC, accelerate convergence, improve tracking performance, and reduce torque ripples. Then, an enhanced extended sliding mode disturbance observer (E2SMDO) is developed to estimate the lumped disturbances of the PMSM drive system in real time and compensate for a feedforward to the speed controller. By combining the ARL and E2SMDO, a composite controller (denoted ARL + E2SMDO) is established, whose stability is proven through the Lyapunov theory. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by simulations and experiments. The results of both simulations and experiments demonstrate that the composite ARL + E2SMDO controller has a fast dynamic response, reduced torque ripples, strong robustness, and good anti‐disturbance compared to other conventional methods.
On CCGG, the De Donder‐Weyl Hamiltonian formulation of canonical gauge gravity
Authors: Vasak David , Kirsch Johannes , van de Venn Armin , Denk Vladimir , Struckmeier Jürgen
Published: January 2024

This short paper gives a brief overview of the manifestly covariant canonical gauge gravity (CCGG) that is rooted in the De Donder‐Weyl Hamiltonian formulation of relativistic field theories, and the proven methodology of the canonical transformation theory. That framework derives, from a few basic physical and mathematical assumptions, equations describing generic matter and gravity dynamics with the spin connection emerging as a Yang Mills‐type gauge field. While the interaction of any matter field with spacetime is fixed just by the transformation property of that field, a concrete gravity ansatz is introduced by the choice of the free (kinetic) gravity Hamiltonian. The key elements of this approach are discussed and its implications for particle dynamics and cosmology are presented. New insights: Anomalous Pauli coupling of spinors to curvature and torsion of spacetime, spacetime with (A)dS ground state, inertia, torsion and geometrical vacuum energy, Zero‐energy balance of the Universe leading to a vanishing cosmological constant and torsional dark energy.
Inhibition of α‐glucosidase activity by curcumin loaded on ZnO@rGO nanocarrier for potential treatment of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Liu Linghong , Wang Zhu , Yap Pei Lay , Zhang Qiulan , Ni Yongnian , Losic Dusan
Published: January 2024

Curcumin (Cur) is an acidic polyphenol with some effects on α‐glucosidase (α‐Glu), but Cur has disadvantages such as being a weak target, lacking passing the blood–brain barrier and having low bioavailability. To enhance the curative effect of Cur, the hybrid composed of ZnO nanoparticles decorated on rGO was used to load Cur (ZnO@rGO‐Cur). The use of the multispectral method and enzyme inhibition kinetics analysis certify the inhibitory effect and interaction mechanism of ZnO@rGO‐Cur with α‐Glu. The static quenching of α‐Glu with both Cur and ZnO@rGO‐Cur is primarily driven by hydrogen bond and van der Waals interactions. The conformation‐changing ability by binding to the neighbouring phenolic hydroxyl group of Cur increased their ability to alter the secondary structure of α‐Glu, resulting in the inhibition of enzyme activity. The inhibition constant (Ki, Cur > Kis,ZnO@rGO‐Cur) showed that the inhibition effect of ZnO@rGO‐Cur on α‐Glu was larger than that of Cur. The CCK‐8 experiments proved that ZnO@rGO nanocomposites have good biocompatibility. These results suggest that the therapeutic potential of ZnO@rGO‐Cur composite is an emerging nanocarrier platform for drug delivery systems for the potential treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Molecular basis of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis 3. A proteomics study
Authors: Guerrero Laura , Carmona‐Rodríguez Lorena , Santos Fátima Milhano , Ciordia Sergio , Stark Luiz , Hierro Loreto , Pérez‐Montero Pablo , Vicent David , Corrales Fernando J.
Published: January 2024

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) is a severe rare liver disease that affects between 1/50,000 and 1/100,000 children. In physiological conditions, bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, and then it flows to the small intestine to play its role in fat digestion. To prevent tissue damage, bile acids (BAs) are kept in phospholipid micelles. Mutations in phosphatidyl choline transporter ABCB4 (MDR3) lead to intrahepatic accumulation of free BAs that result in liver damage. PFIC3 onset usually occurs at early ages, progresses rapidly, and the prognosis is poor. Currently, besides the palliative use of ursodeoxycholate, the only available treatment for this disease is liver transplantation, which is really challenging for short‐aged patients. To gain insight into the pathogenesis of PFIC3 we have performed an integrated proteomics and phosphoproteomics study in human liver samples to then validate the emerging functional hypotheses in a PFIC3 murine model. We identified 6246 protein groups, 324 proteins among them showing differential expression between control and PFIC3. The phosphoproteomic analysis allowed the identification of 5090 phosphopeptides, from which 215 corresponding to 157 protein groups, were differentially phosphorylated in PFIC3, including MDR3. Regulation of essential cellular processes and structures, such as inflammation, metabolic reprogramming, cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell proliferation, were identified as the main drivers of the disease. Our results provide a strong molecular background that significantly contributes to a better understanding of PFIC3 and provides new concepts that might prove useful in the clinical management of patients.
Temperature‐Programmed Reflection Absorption Infrared Spectroscopy: A Methods Review
Authors: Bavisotto Robert , Owen Quintus , Hopper Nicholas , Tysoe Wilfred T.
Published: January 2024

A method is proposed to measure the kinetics of elementary‐step reactions using reflection‐absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) by slowly ramping the sample temperature while continually collecting the interferograms, where the interferograms are post‐processed to provide temperature‐dependent spectra. Heating rates of ~10−2 K/s allow spectra to be collected so that the temperature is essentially constant for each spectrum. This strategy can allow short‐lived intermediates to be observed. The data are fit to analytical formulae similar to those used for conventional temperature‐programmed desorption and the two approaches are complementary. The method is illustrated by measuring the activation energy for the ordering of crystalline thin films and for multilayer desorption. The utility of the approach for measuring surface‐chemical processes is illustrated for the dimerization kinetics of a prochiral reactant, methyl pyruvate (CH3CCO2CH3), on Pd(111), where the monomer has been found to be more reactive than the dimer, and the decarbonylation steps of furfural (C4H3O ⋅ CHO), a product of the treatment of biomass. The results are in good agreement with cases in which there are other methods for measuring the reaction rates. The approach is also useful for establishing how accurate the results of theoretical simulations are for elementary surface reactions.
Fish stranding in relation to river bar morphology and baseflow magnitude: Combining field surveys and hydrodynamic–numerical modelling
Authors: Hayes Daniel S. , Hauer Christoph , Unfer Günther
Published: January 2024

Hydropeaking mitigation based on down‐ramping thresholds is crucial to avoid stranding of fish and ensure sustainable hydropower production. However, the risk of stranding is influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors that interact with the ramping rate, including river morphology and baseflow magnitude. Also, at the river bar scale, the lateral or horizontal down‐ramping velocity may be of even greater importance than the vertical one as the prior integrates bar morphology. This study investigates the connection between ecologically relevant hydraulic parameters (vertical and lateral ramping velocity, dewatered river bar width) and the stranding of young‐of‐the‐year European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) due to down‐ramping, based on field observations of stranded fish at the hydropeaked Drava River in Austria combined with hydrodynamic–numerical modelling. We also examine the interplay between baseflow conditions and river topography in the dewatered areas. Stranding observations in spring and summer found a median rate of 90 individuals per 100 m, ranging from 50 to 500 fish per 100 m shoreline. Stranding rates were three times higher at night than during the day. Our data revealed a positive relationship between stranded fish and down‐ramping hydraulics, with higher intensity resulting in more stranded fish. This association was stronger for the lateral than the vertical ramping velocity, presumably because the former accounts for bar morphology, suggesting that the lateral dewatering velocity is a better indicator to assess fish stranding at the bar scale than the vertical velocity. We also found a negative relationship between the extent of the dewatered area and baseflow magnitude, indicating that the stranding risk is higher during down‐ramping at low flow conditions.
Modeling the effects of selectively fishing key functional groups of herbivores on coral resilience
Authors: Cook Dana T. , Schmitt Russell J. , Holbrook Sally J. , Moeller Holly V.
Published: January 2024

Mounting evidence suggests that fishing can be a major driver of coral‐to‐macroalgae regime shifts on tropical reefs. In many small‐scale coral reef fisheries, fishers target herbivorous fishes, which can weaken coral resilience via reduced herbivory on macroalgae that then outcompete corals. Previous models that explored the effects of harvesting herbivores revealed hysteresis in the herbivory–benthic state relationship that results in bistability of coral‐ and macroalgae‐dominated states over some levels of fishing pressure, which has been supported by empirical evidence. However, past models have not accounted for the functional differences among herbivores or how fisher selectivity for different herbivore functional groups may alter the benthic dynamics and resilience. Here, we use a dynamic model that links differential fishing on two key herbivore functional groups to the outcome of competitive dynamics between coral and macroalgae. We show that reef state depends not only on the level of fishing but also on the types of herbivores targeted by fishers. Selectively fishing browsing herbivores that are capable of consuming mature macroalgae (e.g., unicornfish) increases precariousness of the coral state by moving the system close to the coral‐to‐macroalgae tipping point. By contrast, selectively harvesting grazing herbivores that are only capable of preventing macroalgae from becoming established (e.g., parrotfishes) can increase catch yields substantially more before the tipping point is reached. However, this lower precariousness with increasing fishing effort comes at the cost of increasing the range of fishing effort over which coral and macroalgae are bistable; increasing hysteresis makes a regime shift triggered by a disturbance more difficult or impractical to reverse. Our results suggest that management strategies for small‐scale coral reef fisheries should consider how functional differences among harvested herbivores coupled with fisher selectivity influence benthic dynamics in light of the trade‐off between tipping point precariousness and coral recovery dynamics following large disturbances.
Efficient near‐infrared emission in lanthanum ion doped double perovskite Cs2NaScCl6 via Cr3+ sensitization under visible light excitation
Authors: Huang Weiguo , Peng Hui , Huang Jinling , Yang Ye , Wei Qilin , Ke Bao , Khan Muhammad Sheraz , Zhao Jialong , Zou Bingsuo
Published: January 2024

Herein, we synthesized Cr3+/Ln3+ (Er3+, Tm3+)‐codoped rare earth‐based Cs2NaScCl6 double perovskite, and the near‐infrared emission of Ln3+ can be excited by visible light through the energy transfer (ET) from Cr3+ to Ln3+. Moreover, there are two independent emission bands, which stems from 4T2 → 4A2 transition of Cr3+ (970 nm) and f‐f transition of Ln3+ (1542 nm for Er3+ and 1220 nm for Tm3+), respectively. Particularly, both compounds have ultra‐high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 60% for 10%Cr3+/6%Er3+‐codoped Cs2NaScCl6 (Er3+ emission: ∼26%) and 68% for 10%Cr3+/4.5%Tm3+‐codoped Cs2NaScCl6 (Tm3+ emission: ∼56%), which can be attributed to the ultra‐high ET efficiency from Cr3+ to Ln3+ and the similar ionic activity of Sc3+ and Ln3+ allowing more dopants enter the host lattice. Considering the excellent stability of the samples, we demonstrated Cr3+/Tm3+‐codoped Cs2NaScCl6 in the applications of near‐infrared imaging and night vision. Finally, we reported 10%Cr3+/4.5%Tm3+/9%Er3+‐tridoped Cs2NaScCl6 and further applied it for optical thermometry.

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On magnitudes of rapid intensification and destruction of tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean
Authors: Nekkali Yerni Srinivas , Osuri Krishna Kishore , Mohapatra M.
Published: January 2024

The study targets long‐term analysis of rapid intensification (RI) magnitudes and destructiveness of tropical cyclones (TCs), as well as factors that are responsible for those magnitudes over the North Indian Ocean (NIO). Out of 131 TCs during 1990–2021, 50 TCs (38%) exhibited RI in their lifetime. Results indicate that the lifetime maximum intensity (LMI) and landfall intensity (LFI), along with the potential destructive index (PDI), are directly proportional (correlation coefficient > 0.8) to the lifetime maximum intensification rate. Most RI TCs (~80%) made landfall with an average LMI, LFI and PDI of 95 knots, 85 knots and 4 × 107 knot3, respectively. And the destructive indices are more than double compared to landfalling non‐RI TCs. Recent years have witnessed an increasing trend in RI magnitude and the frequent occurrence of very RI cases (intensity change ≥50 knots in 24 h). It infers that recent TCs have achieved RI and higher magnitudes in a short duration (~20 h). The higher intensification rates are promoted by lower wind shear as well as strong surface latent and sensible heat fluxes. The higher sea surface temperature by ~0.2°C, oceanic heat content by ~60 × 107 J·m−2, lower tropospheric humidity by ~0.2 g·kg−1 and moist static energy by ~6 × 106 J·m−2 in the recent period (2007–2021) supports higher intensification rates as compared to the earlier period (1990–2006). The deep‐layer wind shear has decreased by 1.0 m·s−1 in recent years, which supports higher RI magnitudes. This study highlights the risk associated with RI magnitudes and the efforts to be made for improved predictions of higher intensification rates.
Denitrification, anammox, and DNRA in oligotrophic continental shelf sediments
Authors: Cheung Henry L. S. , Hillman Jenny R. , Pilditch Conrad A. , Savage Candida , Santos Isaac R. , Glud Ronnie N. , Nascimento Francisco J. A. , Thrush Simon F. , Bonaglia Stefano
Published: January 2024

Continental shelf sediments are considered hotspots for nitrogen (N) removal. While most investigations have quantified denitrification in shelves receiving large amounts of anthropogenic nutrient supply, we lack insight into the key drivers of N removal on oligotrophic shelves. Here, we measured rates of N removal through denitrification and anammox by the revised‐isotope pairing technique (r‐IPT) along the Northeastern New Zealand shelf. Denitrification dominated total N2 production at depths between 30 and 128 m with average rates (± SE) ranging from 65 ± 28 to 284 ± 72 μmol N m−2 d−1. N2 production by anammox ranged from 3 ± 1 to 28 ± 11 μmol N m−2 d−1 and accounted for 2–19% of total N2 production. DNRA was negligible in these oligotrophic settings. Parallel microbial community analysis showed that both Proteobacteria and Planctomycetota were key taxa driving denitrification. Denitrification displayed a negative correlation with oxygen penetration depth, and a positive correlation with macrofauna abundance. Our denitrification rates were comparable to oligotrophic shelves from the Arctic, but were lower than those from nutrient‐rich Pacific and Atlantic shelves. Based on our results and existing IPT measurements, the global shelf denitrification rate was reassessed to be 53.5 ± 8.1 Tg N yr−1, equivalent to 20 ± 2% of marine N removal. We suggest that previous estimates of global shelf N loss might have been overestimated due to sampling bias toward areas with high N loads in the Northern Hemisphere.
Effect of cutting and feed speed on lubrication performance of large hydrostatic turntable with constant linear velocity
Authors: Yanqin Zhang , Rong Zhao , Jianting Tao , Mulan Wang , Pengrui Kong
Published: January 2024

The oil film lubrication performance of a large hydrostatic turntable operating at the model of constant surface cutting speed is studied. Firstly, the rotary speed equation which is bound by the constant surface cutting speed is established. According to the fluid lubrication theory, the gap flow equation, the oil film temperature rise equation and the double‐rectangular‐cavity oil pad bearing capacity equation are derived. Further, a prediction model of oil film lubrication performance in the operating mode is established. The change rules of temperature, pressure and other performance indexes of the film with time are obtained by numerical simulation. And, the above laws are verified by design experiments. It is found that the cutting speed, feed rate leaves a significant impact on the law of variations of oil film performance with time. According to the conclusions, it will be beneficial to improve the bearing capacity of the hydrostatic turntable and further improve the machining accuracy by using cutting parameters reasonably to control the speed within a certain range.
Switching to sustainable products: The role of time, product, and customer characteristics
Authors: Karman Agnieszka , Lipowski Marcin
Published: January 2024

Achieving a sustainable economy is one of the primary needs of our time, and sustainable products can play a decisive role in achieving this goal. This article seeks answers about the role of time and product characteristics in the intention to switch to a sustainable product using the example of an everyday product. Drawing from social identity theory, utility maximization and switching theory, the authors propose a conceptual model to examine these questions in a specific market disruption when a product is modified by the same company. The framework focuses on the time‐varying effects of customers' features (brand identification, loyalty, embeddedness) and products' features (perceived value [PV], compliance, switching cost) on switching behavior. The research was carried out using a quasi‐experimental method in three periods. In the first stage, Cox Proportional Hazard Regression was used, and a random‐effects model in the second. Results from longitudinal data of 282 customers during the launch of a new sustainable product show that customer characteristics do not influence the intention to switch. In contrast, the PV and switching costs inhibit the switching behavior, but their effects vary over time. In particular, the effect of the relative PV of the sustainable product on switching will increase over time, but the importance of customer–brand identification also rises. The study has important implications for introducing a sustainable equivalent of an incumbent product of the same brand.