bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post‐COVID‐19‐associated multiorgan complications or “long COVID” with literature review and management strategy discussion: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Iqbal Phool , Ata Fateen , Chaudhry Hassan , Muthanna Bassam , Waqas Younas Hafiz , Munamm Syed Ata ul , Sharma Rohit , Fadah Kahtan , Elazzazy Shereen , Hamad Anas , Said Abu Tabar Osama , Omar Nabil E.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To investigate the post‐COVID‐19 long‐term complications or long COVID of various organ systems in patients after 3 months of the infection, specifically before the Omicron variant, with comparative literature analysis.

Methods

A systemic literature search and meta‐analysis were conducted using multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library) with predefined search terms to identify eligible articles. Eligible studies reported long‐term complications of COVID‐19 infection before the Omicron variant infection. Case reports, case series, observational studies with cross‐sectional or prospective research design, case–control studies, and experimental studies that reported post‐COVID‐19 complications were included. The complications reported after 3 months after the recovery from COVID‐19 infection were included in the study.

Results

The total number of studies available for analysis was 34. The effect size (ES) for neurological complications was 29% with 95% confidence interval (CI): 19%–39%. ES for psychiatric complications was 24% with 95% CI: 7%–41%. ES was 9% for cardiac outcomes, with a 95% CI of 1%–18%. ES was 22%, 95% CI: 5%–39% for the gastrointestinal outcome. ES for musculoskeletal symptoms was 18% with 95% CI: 9%–28%. ES for pulmonary complications was 28% with 95% CI: 18%–37%. ES for dermatological complications was 25%, with a 95% CI of 23%–26%. ES for endocrine outcomes was 8%, with a 95% CI of 8%–9%. ES size for renal outcomes was 3% with a 95% CI of 1%–7%. At the same time, other miscellaneous uncategorized outcomes had ES of 39% with 95% CI of 21%–57%. Apart from analyzing COVID‐19 systemic complications outcomes, the ES for hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions were found to be 4%, 95% CI: 0%–7%, and 11% with 95% CI: 8%–14%.

Conclusion

By acquiring the data and statistically analyzing the post‐COVID‐19 complications during the prevalence of most virulent strains, this study has generated a different way of understanding COVID‐19 and its complications for better community health.
From classic medicinal chemistry to state‐of‐the‐art interdisciplinary medicine: Recent advances in proteolysis‐targeting chimeras technology
Authors: Zhao Xuyang , Chen Yifan , Su Huang , Zhang Liqin
Published: April 2023

Proteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs) is a targeted protein degradation (TPD) technique effected by hijacking the ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS) of the cells. A PROTAC molecule specifically binds to its protein of interest (POI) and recruits an E3 ligase to assemble a ternary complex. The POI was subsequently ubiquitinated, followed by being degraded by proteasomes. After 20 years of development, PROTAC technology has made a significant progress, and quite some candidates have entered clinical trials. Along with the excitement of realizing that PROTAC technology can develop therapeutics toward those traditionally believed “undruggable” targets; there are still unmet demands in PROTAC design, screening, and intracellular availability. PROTAC technology is rapidly advancing from employing traditional medicinal chemistry methodologies to integrating state‐of‐the‐art chemical biology technologies, becoming a typical example of interdisciplinary medicine. This review summarizes the progress made in PROTAC technology in recent years, including expanding new targets, developing dual‐target PROTACs, rational design and screening strategies, regulatory activation, targeted delivery, and developing biological macromolecule‐contained PROTACs.
A MODEL FOR DISEASE HETEROGENEITY IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: Relationships Between Histocompatibility Antigens, Autoantibodies, and Lymphopenia or Renal Disease
Authors: Harley John B. , Sestak Andrea L. , Willis Larry G. , Fu Shu Man , Hansen John A. , Reichlin Morris
Published: April 2023

We composed a model from autoimmune serologic findings, HLA antigens, and clinical findings that explains, at least partially, the clinical heterogeneity of 40 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In these patients, anti–Ro (SS‐A) was related to the HLA–DQ1/DQ2 heterozygotes, anti–La (SS‐B) was related to HLA–B8 and HLA–DR3, and anti–nuclear RNP (Sm) was related to HLA–DR4. Lymphopenia was associated with anti–Ro (SS‐A) and, secondarily, with anti‐single‐stranded DNA. Renal disease in these SLE patients was inversely associated with anti–La (SS‐B) and was positively associated with anti–double‐stranded DNA. There were no associations between the HLA antigens and these clinical manifestations. The results support a model of disease expression in which individuals are nonspecifically potentiated for SLE. Their HLA antigen composition influences the production of particular autoantibodies that are related in complex ways to the different particular clinical findings of SLE manifested in individual patients.
Bisphosphonates Preserve Bone Mineral Density and Suppress Bone Turnover Markers in Early Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Ahadzadeh Ardebili Aria , Fu Timothy , Dunnewold Nicole , Aghajafari Fariba , Billington Emma O.
Published: April 2023

Most women do not qualify for pharmacologic osteoporosis treatment until more than a decade after menopause, by which time they will have lost up to 30% of their bone mass and may have already sustained fractures. Short or intermittent courses of bisphosphonate therapy, initiated around the time of menopause, might prevent excessive bone loss and lower long‐term fracture risk. We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the effects of nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates on fracture incidence, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone turnover markers in early menopausal women (ie, perimenopausal or <5 years postmenopausal) over ≥12 months. Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched in July 2022. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Random effect meta‐analysis was undertaken using RevMan v5.3. In total, 12 trials were included (n = 1722 women); five evaluated alendronate, three risedronate, three ibandronate, and one zoledronate. Four were at low risk of bias; eight raised some concerns. Fractures were infrequent in the three studies that reported them. Compared with placebo, bisphosphonates improved BMD over 12 months (mean percentage difference, 95% confidence interval [CI]) at the spine (4.32%, 95% CI, 3.10%–5.54%, p < 0.0001, n = 8 studies), the femoral neck (2.56%, 95% CI, 1.85%–3.27%, p = 0.001, n = 6 studies), and the total hip (1.22%, 95% CI 0.16%–2.28%, p = 0.002, n = 4 studies). Over treatment durations of 24 to 72 months, bisphosphonates improved BMD at the spine (5.81%, 95% CI 4.71%–6.91%, p < 0.0001, n = 8 studies), femoral neck (3.89%, 95% CI 2.73%–5.05%, p = 0.0001, n = 5 studies) and total hip (4.09%, 95% CI 2.81%–5.37%, p < 0.0001, n = 4 studies). Bisphosphonates reduced urinary N‐telopeptide (−52.2%, 95% CI −60.3% to −44.2%, p < 0.00001, n = 3 studies) and bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (−34.2%, 95% CI −42.6% to −25.8%, p < 0.00001, n = 4 studies) more than placebo at 12 months. This systematic review and meta‐analysis shows that bisphosphonates improve BMD and lower bone turnover markers in early menopause, warranting further investigation of these agents for osteoporosis prevention. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Exercise for sarcopenia in older people: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Shen Yanjiao , Shi Qingyang , Nong Kailei , Li Sheyu , Yue Jirong , Huang Jin , Dong Birong , Beauchamp Marla , Hao Qiukui
Published: April 2023

Background

Sarcopenia is a serious public health concern among older adults worldwide. Exercise is the most common intervention for sarcopenia. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different exercise types for older adults with sarcopenia.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effectiveness of exercise interventions on patient‐important outcomes for older adults with sarcopenia were eligible. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials via Ovid until 3 June 2022. We used frequentist random‐effects network meta‐analyses to summarize the evidence and applied the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations framework to rate the certainty of evidence.

Results

Our search identified 5988 citations, of which 42 RCTs proved eligible with 3728 participants with sarcopenia (median age: 72.9 years, female: 73.3%) with a median follow‐up of 12 weeks. We are interested in patient‐important outcomes that include mortality, quality of life, muscle strength and physical function measures. High or moderate certainty evidence suggested that resistance exercise with or without nutrition and the combination of resistance exercise with aerobic and balance training were the most effective interventions for improving quality of life compared to usual care (standardized mean difference from 0.68 to 1.11). Moderate certainty evidence showed that resistance and balance exercise plus nutrition (mean difference [MD]: 4.19 kg) was the most effective for improving handgrip strength (minimally important difference [MID]: 5 kg). Resistance and balance exercise with or without nutrition (MD: 0.16 m/s, moderate) were the most effective for improving physical function measured by usual gait speed (MID: 0.1 m/s). Moderate certainty evidence showed that resistance and balance exercise (MD: 1.85 s) was intermediately effective for improving physical function measured by timed up and go test (MID: 2.1 s). High certainty evidence showed that resistance and aerobic, or resistance and balance, or resistance and aerobic exercise plus nutrition (MD from 1.72 to 2.28 s) were intermediately effective for improving physical function measured by the five‐repetition chair stand test (MID: 2.3 s).

Conclusions

In older adults with sarcopenia, high or moderate certainty evidence showed that resistance exercise with or without nutrition and the combination of resistance exercise with aerobic and balance training were the most effective interventions for improving quality of life. Adding nutritional interventions to exercise had a larger effect on handgrip strength than exercise alone while showing a similar effect on other physical function measures.
Thermophysiological plasticity could buffer the effects of global warming on a Patagonian lizard
Authors: Kubisch Erika L. , Fernández Jimena B. , Ibargüengoytía Nora R.
Published: April 2023

Ecophysiological plasticity determines, to a great extent, the geographic distribution and the vulnerability of ectotherms to climate change. We studied the relationship between locomotor performance and temperature of Liolaemus elongatus lizards in three populations in northern Patagonia, Argentina, differing in thermal characteristics. We related the thermophysiological and locomotor performance parameters with the environmental conditions currently experienced by these populations and analyzed whether the expected increment of the environmental temperature due to climate change could affect these vital traits. We also determined, for one of the populations, the effects of 30 acclimation days at two temperature treatments (22°C and 30°C) on running speed, thermal preference in the laboratory (Tpref), panting threshold, and minimum critical temperature. We found that L. elongatus, despite the differences in environmental temperatures among the three sites, exhibited maximum speed at similar temperatures (optimum temperature for locomotor performance; To). The southern populations currently experience temperatures below that required to reach their maximum locomotor performance while the northernmost population is threatened by peaks of high temperatures that exceed the To. Therefore, global warming could diminish lizards' running performance in northern populations and lizards may spend more time refuging and less time on other activities such as feeding, territory defense, and dispersion. However, we show evidence of plasticity in L. elongatus locomotor performance when acclimated at high temperatures resulting in a potential advantage to cushion the effect of the rising environmental temperatures expected during climate change.
M2e‐specific antibodies protect against influenza PR8 virus in an isotype and route dependent manner
Authors: Sun Tingting , Wang Yingdan , Zou Peng , Wang Qimin , Liu Jiangyan , Liu Wanli , Huang Jinghe , Wu Fan
Published: April 2023

The ectodomain of influenza matrix protein 2 (M2e) is a promising target for the development of universal prophylactic and therapeutic agents against influenza viruses of different subtypes. We constructed three M2e‐specific monoclonal antibody variants, M2A1‐1 (IgG1), M2A1‐2a (IgG2a), M2A1‐2b (IgG2b), which have the same Fab region targeting the M2e epitope but different isotypes, and compared their protective efficacy in influenza PR8‐infected mice. We found that anti‐M2e antibodies provided protection against influenza virus in a subtype‐dependent manner, with the IgG2a variant providing significantly better protection with lower virus titers and milder lung injury than IgG1 and IgG2b isotypes. Additionally, we observed that the protective efficacy was dependent on the administration routes, with intranasal administration of antibody providing better protection than intraperitoneal administration. The timing of administration was also critical in determining the protective efficacy; while all the antibody isotypes provided protection when administered before influenza challenge, only IgG2a provided minimal protection when the antibodies were administered after virus challenge. These results provide valuable information for optimizing the therapeutics usage of M2e‐based antibodies and furthering the development of M2e‐based universal influenza vaccines.
A biosurfactant‐producing novel bacterial strain isolated from vermicompost having multiple plant growth‐promoting traits
Authors: Malakar Chandana , Barman Dipumani , Kalita Mohan C. , Deka Suresh
Published: April 2023

The nutrient‐rich vermicompost which is used as manure for the growth and development of plants is rich in microbial flora. These microbes protect the plants against several infectious pathogenic microbes. As certain microbes are known to produce biosurfactants as metabolites, an investigation was carried out to isolate biosurfactant‐producing bacterial strains from vermicompost with the efficient antifungal property. From the study, it was revealed that biosurfactant‐producing bacterial strains are present in the vermicompost. A total of nine bacterial strains were isolated from the vermicompost. Among them, one most efficient biosurfactant‐producing bacterial strains with antifungal properties have been screened. After molecular characterization of the isolated strain, it was revealed that the bacterial strain is Bacillus licheniformis strain SCV1. The strain produces 3.4 ± 0.1 g/L of crude biosurfactant, which when column purified yields 3.1 ± 0.1 g/L of biosurfactant. The biosurfactant exhibited excellent emulsifying activity (E24) of 96.56% against crude oil. The produced biosurfactant was identified as a lipopeptide consisting of a mixer of surfactin and iturin. Furthermore, the biosurfactant exhibited significant antifungal activity against a wide range of phytopathogens, showing 76.3% inhibition against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, 53% inhibition against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, 51% against Fusarium verticillioides, and 36% against Corynespora cassicolla. Along with antifungal activities, the stain was found to exhibit multiple plant growth‐promoting traits. This study, thus indicates that vermicompost might contain biosurfactant‐producing microbes which can render protection to the plant against various phytopathogens by the production of biosurfactants and can also stimulate plant growth.
Stir‐bar sorptive extraction based on hydroxyl‐functionalized zirconium‐metal‐organic framework for the detection of three quinolones in actual samples
Authors: Wang Jina , Gao Yan , Zhang Nan , Xie Yundong , Xu Xinya , Guo Hui , Bao Tao , Sun Meng , Wang Sicen
Published: April 2023

A novel analytical method based on stir‐bar sorptive extraction was proposed for the determination of three trace quinolones in fish and shrimp samples. UiO‐66‐(OH)2, a hydroxyl‐functionalized zirconium metal‐organic framework, has been coated on frosted glass rods by an in situ growth method. The product, UiO‐66‐(OH)2 modified frosted glass rods, has been characterized and key parameters have been optimized in combination with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography. The detection limits of enoxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were 0.48–0.8 ng ml−1, and the detection concentrations were in the range of 10–300 ng ml−1, showing a good linear relationship. This method was used for the determination of three quinolones in aquatic organisms, and the recoveries in spiked fish and shrimp muscle tissue samples were 74.8%–105.4% and 82.5%–115.8%, respectively. The relative standard deviations were less than 6.9%. The established method combined stir‐bar sorptive extraction based on UiO‐66‐(OH)2 modified frosted glass rods with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography, has good application prospects for the detection of quinolone residues in fish and shrimp muscle samples.
Application of in‐situ formed polymer‐based dispersive solid phase extraction in combination with solidification of floating organic droplet‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction of neonicotinoid pesticides from milk samples
Authors: Anvar Nojedeh Sadat Salehe , Atazadeh Ramin , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2023

An in‐situ formed polymer–based dispersive solid phase extraction in combination with solidification of floating organic droplet‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was developed for the extraction of neonicotinoid pesticides from milk samples. The extracted analytes were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector. In this approach, after precipitating the proteins of milk using a zinc sulfate solution, the supernatant phase (containing sodium chloride) was transferred into another glass test tube, and a homogenous solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone and a suitable water‐miscible organic solvent was rapidly injected into it. By this step, the polymer particles were re‐produced and the analytes were extracted onto the sorbent surface. In the following step, the analytes were eluted with an appropriate organic solvent to use in the following solidification of floating organic droplet‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction step that was done to acquire the low limits of detection. Under the optimized conditions, satisfactory results consisting of low limits of detection (0.13–0.21 ng/ml) and quantification (0.43–0.70 ng/ml), high extraction recoveries (73%–85%), and enrichment factors (365–425), and good repeatability (relative standard deviations equal or less than 5.1% and 5.9% for intra‐ and inter‐day precisions, respectively) were obtained.
A Robust Basis for Multi‐Bit Optical Communication with Vectorial Light
Authors: Singh Keshaan , Nape Isaac , Buono Wagner Tavares , Dudley Angela , Forbes Andrew
Published: April 2023

Increasing the information capacity of communication channels is a pressing need, driven by growing data demands and the consequent impending data crunch with existing modulation schemes. In this regard, mode division multiplexing (MDM), where spatial modes of light form the encoding basis, has enormous potential but is impeded by noise due to imperfect channels. Here, this challenge is overcome by breaking the existing MDM paradigm of using the modes themselves as a discrete basis and instead exploiting the polarization inhomogeneity (vectorness) of vectorial light as the information carrier. It is shown that this vectorness communication basis is completely impervious to channel noise, which is verified by near perfect data fidelity maintained in multi‐bit information transfer through atmospheric turbulence, with negligible changes on the order of 1%. This allows for demonstration of a new state‐of‐the‐art of 50 vectorial modes in a communications channel with little cross‐talk. This approach replaces conventional amplitude modulation with a novel modal alternative for potentially orders of magnitude channel information enhancement, offering a new paradigm to exploiting the spatial mode basis for optical communication.
Multichannel Binary‐Image and Holographic Display Based on Planar Liquid Crystal Devices
Authors: Xie Xin , Du Wenjuan , Shao Zhenglong , Zhou Yingjie , Lou Zhilang , Ji Ruonan , Wen Dandan , Wei Bingyan , Gan Xuetao , Zhao Jianlin , Fan Fan , Tang Dongliang
Published: April 2023

Planar liquid crystal (LC) optics has attracted increasing attention with the development of photoalignment technology. However, current LC devices suffer from single optical manipulation, which hinders the implementation of the device's multifunctionality and light integration. Here, combining the orientation degeneracy and rotation multiplexing scheme, several LC elements are proposed for multichannel image displays through a simple single‐cell design. The first design shows the gray‐image multiplexing at the sample surface, which displays two independent binary gray images without crosstalk in two information channels. The second design shows that the amplitude and phase of incident light can be manipulated separately, and a far‐field holographic image is further integrated into the LC device to achieve tri‐channel display. Both the Fraunhofer and Fresnel holograms are considered, and the experiment results agree well with the theoretical designs. Furthermore, the electrical tunability of the LC molecule is demonstrated, and the images can be turned on and off by controlling the voltage. The proposed strategy significantly increases the information capacity without the cost of complex design and fabrication and has promising prospects in multichannel image display, optical anticounterfeiting, encryption, etc.
Simple, Rapid, and Large‐Scale Fabrication of Multi‐Branched Hydrogels Based on Viscous Fingering for Cell Culture Applications
Authors: Utagawa Yoshinobu , Ino Kosuke , Hiramoto Kaoru , Shiku Hitoshi
Published: April 2023

Hydrogels are widely used in cell culture applications. For fabricating tissues and organs, it is essential to produce hydrogels with specific structures. For instance, multiple‐branched hydrogels are desirable for the development of network architectures that resemble the biological vascular network. However, existing techniques are inefficient and time‐consuming for this application. To address this issue, a simple, rapid, and large‐scale fabrication method based on viscous fingering is proposed. This approach utilizes only two plates. To produce a thin solution, a high‐viscosity solution is introduced into the space between the plates, and one of the plates is peeled off. During this procedure, the solution's high viscosity results in the formation of multi‐branched structures. Using this strategy, 180 mm × 200 mm multi‐branched Pluronic F‐127 hydrogels are successfully fabricated within 1 min. These structures are used as sacrificial layers for the fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane channels for culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Similarly, multi‐branched Matrigel and calcium (Ca)‐alginate hydrogel structures are fabricated, and HUVECs are successfully cultured inside the hydrogels. Also, the hydrogels are collected from the plate, while maintaining their structures. The proposed fabrication technique will contribute to the development of network architectures such as vascular structures in tissue engineering.
Tailoring the Surface Chemistry of PEDOT:PSS to Promote Supported Lipid Bilayer Formation
Authors: Kallitsis Konstantinos , Pappa Anna‐Maria , Lu Zixuan , Alvarez‐Fernandez Alberto , Charalambous Ioanna , Schack Sina , Traberg Walther C. , Thiburce Quentin , Bali Karan , Christie Graham , Guldin Stefan , Daniel Susan , Salleo Alberto , Owens Róisín M.
Published: April 2023

This communication reports on a versatile and substrate‐agnostic method to tune the surface chemistry of conducting polymers with the aim of bridging the chemical mismatch between bioelectronic devices and biological systems. As a proof of concept, the surface of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is grafted with a short‐chain oligoethylene glycol monolayer to favor the formation of cell‐derived supported lipid bilayers (SLBs). This method is tuned to optimize the affinity between the supported lipid bilayer and the conducting polymer, leading to significant improvements in bilayer quality and therefore electronic readouts. To validate the impact of surface functionalization on the system's ability to transduce biological phenomena into quantifiable electronic signals, the activity of a virus commonly used as a surrogate for SARS‐CoV‐2 (mouse hepatitis virus) is monitored with and without surface treatment. The functionalized devices exhibit significant improvements in electronic output, stemming from the improved SLB quality, therefore strengthening the case for the use of such an approach in membrane‐on‐a‐chip systems.
Comprehensive and heart‐cutting multidimensional liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and its applications in food analysis
Authors: Caño‐Carrillo Irene , Gilbert‐López Bienvenida , Montero Lidia , Martínez‐Piernas Ana B. , García‐Reyes Juan F. , Molina‐Díaz Antonio
Published: April 2023

In food analysis, conventional one‐dimensional liquid chromatography methods sometimes lack sufficient separation power due to the complexity and heterogeneity of the analyzed matrices. Therefore, the use of two‐dimensional liquid chromatography (2D‐LC) turns out to be a powerful tool to consider, especially when coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). This review presents the most remarkable 2D‐LC–MS food applications reported in the last 10 years, including a critical discussion of the multiple approaches, modulation strategies as well as the importance of the optimization of the different analytical aspects that will condition the 2D‐LC–MS performance. The presence of contaminants in food (food safety), the food quality, and authenticity or the relationship between the beneficial effects of food and human health are some of the fields in which most of the 2D‐LC–MS applications are mainly focused. Both heart‐cutting and comprehensive applications are described and discussed in this review, highlighting the potential of 2D‐LC–MS for the analysis of such complex samples.
On the solution of the distributed optimal control problem with time‐periodic parabolic equations
Authors: Salkuyeh Davod Khojasteh , Pourbagher Maeddeh
Published: April 2023

We consider the system of linear equations arising from the finite element discretization of the distributed optimal control problem with time‐periodic parabolic equations. A block alternating splitting iteration (BASI) method is presented for solving the obtained system. We prove that the BASI method is unconditionally convergent. We derive the BASI preconditioner and present an estimation formula for the parameter of the BASI preconditioner. Numerical results are presented to verify the efficiency of both the BASI method and the BASI preconditioner. Comparison with some existing methods are also given.
Anemias in ancient Egyptian child mummies: Computed tomography investigations in European museums
Authors: Panzer Stephanie , Schneider Karl O. , Zesch Stephanie , Rosendahl Wilfried , Thompson Randall C. , Zink Albert R.
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anemias in ancient Egyptian child mummies. Whole‐body computed tomography (CT) examinations of 21 ancient Egyptian child mummies from European museums were evaluated for estimation of sex and age at death. CT examinations were systematically assessed for skeletal effects of anemias using a clinical radiological approach as well as quantitative measurements of the thickness of the cranial vault and diploe. Additionally, the technical feasibility to assess porotic hyperostosis on the available CT data was examined. Twelve children were assessed as male and seven as female, and in two, the sex was indeterminate. The estimated age at death ranged from about 1 year to 12–14 years. One case showed radiological signs of thalassemia (β‐thalassemia major) at the cranial vault and postcranial skeleton. Additionally, this case had a macroglossia that probably indicated Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome. Quantitative measurements confirmed a high variability of cranial vault thickness and diploe thickness. Compared with clinical reference values, seven out of the 21 (33%) child mummies had a pathological enlargement of the frontal cranial vault that represents a typical finding of chronic hemolytic anemia and iron deficiency anemia. Assessment of porotic hyperostosis was not feasible on the available CT examinations as the image quality was not sufficient for this examination. In conclusion, pathological enlargement of the frontal cranial vault as an indicator for chronic hemolytic anemia and iron deficiency anemia had a high prevalence, especially in the younger children. The mummy with radiological signs of thalassemia seems to be the first case with radiological evidence of skeletal effects of this anemia to the cranial vault and postcranial skeleton from ancient Egypt.
Desire for biological parenthood and patient counseling on the risk of infertility among adolescents and adults with hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Radauer‐Plank Anne‐Catherine , Diesch‐Furlanetto Tamara , Schneider Monika , Sommerhäuser Greta , Friedrich Lucía Alácan , Salow Vivienne , Dülberg Jill , Diepold Miriam , Rovó Alicia , Njue Linet Muthoni , Drexler Beatrice , Infanti Laura , Kroiss Sabine , Merki Ramona , Scheinemann Katrin , Eisenreich Bernhard , Hegemann Inga , Mandic Ljubica , Kager Leo , Borgmann‐Staudt Anja , Schilling Ralph , Roll Stephanie , Balcerek Magdalena
Published: April 2023

Background

Both diagnosis and treatment of hemoglobinopathies have been associated with an increased risk of fertility impairment. German guidelines recommend annual monitoring of fertility parameters to enable early detection of fertility impairment and/or to offer fertility preservation (FP) when indicated. We explored the general desire for parenthood, the frequency of recalling fertility counseling and testing, and the utilization of FP in adolescents and adults with hemoglobinopathies.

Procedure

In a cross‐sectional study, patients aged 12–50 years, treated in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, were surveyed on fertility‐related aspects. Medical data, including fertility testing results, were collected from patient records.

Results

Overall, 116/121 eligible patients, diagnosed with sickle cell disease (70.7%), thalassemia (27.6%), or other hemoglobinopathy (1.7%), participated in our study (57.8% female, median age 17.0 years, range 12–50 years). All participants required treatment of the underlying hemoglobinopathy: 68.1% received hydroxyurea, 25.9% required regular blood transfusions, and 6.0% underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Most patients (82/108, 75.9%) stated a considerable to strong desire for (future) parenthood, independent of sex, education, diagnosis, or subjective health status. Fertility counseling was only recalled by 32/111 patients (28.8%) and least frequently by younger patients (12–16 years) or those treated with regular blood transfusions or hydroxyurea. While fertility testing was documented for 59.5% (69/116) in medical records, only 11.6% (13/112) recalled previous assessments. FP was only used by 5.4% (6/111) of patients.

Conclusion

Most patients with hemoglobinopathies wish to have biological children, yet only few recalled fertility counseling and testing. Adequate patient counseling should be offered to all patients at risk for infertility.
Clinical manifestations of human Mpox infection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yon Hyunju , Shin Hyoin , Shin Jae Il , Shin Jung U , Shin Youn Ho , Lee Jinseok , Rhee Sang Youl , Koyanagi Ai , Jacob Louis , Smith Lee , Lee Seung Won , Rahmati Masoud , Ahmad Suhana , Cho Wonyoung , Yon Dong Keon
Published: April 2023

Little is known about the ongoing monkeypox (mpox) outbreak, and the clinical features of mpox in patients worldwide have not been rigorously analysed. Thus, we aimed to investigate the clinical features associated with mpox infection and understand the pathophysiology and characteristics of the disease. For this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for articles published till 16 September 2022. We used a random effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI). We used the I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity, Egger's test to assess publication bias, 95% prediction interval to determine the level of uncertainty, and the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale and Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool to assess the risk of bias. Twenty‐six relevant articles from 19 countries across 5 continents were included, and data on 5472 mpox patients with 18 unique features were analysed. The pooled prevalence of clinical features of mpox were rash (85.7%, 95% CI: 68.3–94.3; k = 21), chills (77.8%, 95% CI: 70.5–83.7; k = 3), and fever (62.3%, 95% CI: 51.3–71.6; k = 25), lymphadenopathy (58.6%, 95% CI: 47.2–69.2; k = 21), lethargy or exhaustion (46.8%, 95% CI: 30.7–63.5; k = 14), pruritus (40.6%, 95% CI: 28.5–54.0; k = 5), myalgia (36.0%, 95% CI: 24.3–49.7; k = 16), headache (34.6%, 95% CI: 23.4–47.8; k = 17), skin ulcer (31.1%, 95% CI: 18.6–47.1; k = 7), abdomen symptom (24.2%, 95% CI: 17.9–31.9; k = 11), pharyngitis (23.0%, 95% CI: 12.7–37.9; k = 14), respiratory symptom (19.5%, 95% CI: 6.8–44.6; k = 6), nausea or vomiting (13.0%, 95% CI: 4.6–31.9; k = 3), scrotal or penile oedema (10.7%, 95% CI: 6.3–17.7; k = 4), conjunctivitis (7.1%, 95% CI: 2.4–18.9; k = 6), and death (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.4–2.0; k = 26). This is the first international and comprehensive study to examine all clinical presentations of human mpox infection. Our systematic review proposes a comprehensive understanding of the current mpox outbreak and may serve as key data for future studies on the pathological mechanisms and epidemiology of mpox infections.
StrucNet: a global network for automated vegetation structure monitoring
Authors: Calders Kim , Brede Benjamin , Newnham Glenn , Culvenor Darius , Armston John , Bartholomeus Harm , Griebel Anne , Hayward Jodie , Junttila Samuli , Lau Alvaro , Levick Shaun , Morrone Rosalinda , Origo Niall , Pfeifer Marion , Verbesselt Jan , Herold Martin
Published: April 2023

Climate change and increasing human activities are impacting ecosystems and their biodiversity. Quantitative measurements of essential biodiversity variables (EBV) and essential climate variables are used to monitor biodiversity and carbon dynamics and evaluate policy and management interventions. Ecosystem structure is at the core of EBVs and carbon stock estimation and can help to inform assessments of species and species diversity. Ecosystem structure is also used as an indirect indicator of habitat quality and expected species richness or species community composition. Spaceborne measurements can provide large‐scale insight into monitoring the structural dynamics of ecosystems, but they generally lack consistent, robust, timely and detailed information regarding their full three‐dimensional vegetation structure at local scales. Here we demonstrate the potential of high‐frequency ground‐based laser scanning to systematically monitor structural changes in vegetation. We present a proof‐of‐concept high‐temporal ecosystem structure time series of 5 years in a temperate forest using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). We also present data from automated high‐temporal laser scanning that can allow upscaling of vegetation structure scanning, overcoming the limitations of a typically opportunistic TLS measurement approach. Automated monitoring will be a critical component to build a network of field monitoring sites that can provide the required calibration data for satellite missions to effectively monitor the structural dynamics of vegetation over large areas. Within this perspective, we reflect on how this network could be designed and discuss implementation pathways.
Facile Fabrication of Monodispersed Carbon Sphere: A Pathway Toward Energy‐Efficient Direct Air Capture (DAC) Using Amino Acids
Authors: Alivand Masood S. , McQuillan Rebecca V. , Momeni Arash , Zavabeti Ali , Stevens Geoffrey W. , Mumford Kathryn A.
Published: April 2023

Direct removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, known as direct air capture (DAC) is attracting worldwide attention as a negative emission technology to control atmospheric CO2 concentrations. However, the energy‐intensive nature of CO2 absorption‐desorption processes has restricted deployment of DAC operations. Catalytic solvent regeneration is an effective solution to tackle this issue by accelerating CO2 desorption at lower regeneration temperatures. This work reports a one‐step synthesis methodology to prepare monodispersed carbon nanospheres (MCSs) using trisodium citrate as a structure‐directing agent with acidic sites. The assembly of citrate groups on the surface of MCSs enables consistent spherical growth morphology, reduces agglomeration and enhances water dispersibility. The functionalization‐assisted synthesis produces uniform, hydrophilic nanospheres of 100–600 nm range. This work also demonstrates that the prepared MCSs can be further functionalized with strong Brønsted acid sites, providing high proton donation ability. Furthermore, the materials can be effectively used in a wide range of amino acid solutions to substantially accelerate CO2 desorption (25.6% for potassium glycinate and 41.1% for potassium lysinate) in the DAC process. Considering the facile synthesis of acidic MCSs and their superior catalytic efficiency, these findings are expected to pave a new path for energy‐efficient DAC.
Inhaled Lipid Nanoparticles Alleviate Established Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Li Dongjun , Zhao Ang , Zhu Jiafei , Wang Chunjie , Shen Jingjing , Zheng Zixuan , Pan Feng , Liu Zhuang , Chen Qian , Yang Yang
Published: April 2023

Pulmonary fibrosis, a sequela of lung injury resulting from severe infection such as severe acute respiratory syndrome‐like coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, is a kind of life‐threatening lung disease with limited therapeutic options. Herein, inhalable liposomes encapsulating metformin, a first‐line antidiabetic drug that has been reported to effectively reverse pulmonary fibrosis by modulating multiple metabolic pathways, and nintedanib, a well‐known antifibrotic drug that has been widely used in the clinic, are developed for pulmonary fibrosis treatment. The composition of liposomes made of neutral, cationic or anionic lipids, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is optimized by evaluating their retention in the lung after inhalation. Neutral liposomes with suitable PEG shielding are found to be ideal delivery carriers for metformin and nintedanib with significantly prolonged retention in the lung. Moreover, repeated noninvasive aerosol inhalation delivery of metformin and nintedanib loaded liposomes can effectively diminish the development of fibrosis and improve pulmonary function in bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis by promoting myofibroblast deactivation and apoptosis, inhibiting transforming growth factor 1 (TGFβ1) action, suppressing collagen formation, and inducing lipogenic differentiation. Therefore, this work presents a versatile platform with promising clinical translation potential for the noninvasive inhalation delivery of drugs for respiratory disease treatment.
Engineering Single‐Atom Nanozymes for Catalytic Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zhu Yang , Liao Yaxin , Zou Jianhua , Cheng Junjie , Pan Yuanbo , Lin Lisen , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: April 2023

Nanomaterials with enzyme‐mimicking properties, coined as nanozymes, are a promising alternative to natural enzymes owing to their remarkable advantages, such as high stability, easy preparation, and favorable catalytic performance. Recently, with the rapid development of nanotechnology and characterization techniques, single atom nanozymes (SAzymes) with atomically dispersed active sites, well‐defined electronic and geometric structures, tunable coordination environment, and maximum metal atom utilization are developed and exploited. With superior catalytic performance and selectivity, SAzymes have made impressive progress in biomedical applications and are expected to bridge the gap between artificial nanozymes and natural enzymes. Herein, the recent advances in SAzyme preparation methods, catalytic mechanisms, and biomedical applications are systematically summarized. Their biomedical applications in cancer therapy, oxidative stress cytoprotection, antibacterial therapy, and biosensing are discussed in depth. Furthermore, to appreciate these advances, the main challenges, and prospects for the future development of SAzymes are also outlined and highlighted in this review.
Buried Interface Engineering Enables Efficient, Scalable, and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Luqi , Wang Chao , Li Jing , Geng Cong , Mo Yanping , Li Hanxiao , Bu Tongle , Tong Jinhui , Cheng Yi-Bing , Huang Fuzhi
Published: April 2023

Poly[bis(4‐phenyl)(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)amine] (PTAA), as an extensively used hole transport material in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), has given reason for concern due to its hydrophobicity for a long time. Herein, buried interface engineering is applied for the scalable deposition of perovskite films by introducing an amphiphilic molecule hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride on the PTAA surface, which improves the interfacial wettability of the perovskite precursor solution on the organic hole transport layer (HTL), facilitates the nucleation and growth of perovskites, and reduces the nonradiative recombination at the perovskite/HTL interface. As a result, all photovoltaic parameters of the inverted PSCs are improved significantly. The champion devices demonstrate power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 22.04% and 20.47% with aperture areas of 0.148 and 1.0 cm2, respectively. Moreover, the encapsulated 1.0 cm2 device exhibits excellent stability and maintains over 70% of its initial PCE after 1200 h under continuous 1 sun illumination at 65 °C in a nitrogen environment.
Recent Research Progress in Random Copolymerization of Polymer Photovoltaic Materials for High‐Performance Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Qiu Beibei , Lai Jing , Yuan Jun , Zou Yingping , Li Yongfang
Published: April 2023

Along with the development of narrow‐bandgap A–D–A and A–DA’D–A‐type small‐molecule acceptors (SMAs), polymer solar cells (PSCs) have witnessed a striking progress, with an impressing power conversion efficiency (PCE) approaching 20% recently. Aiming to realize the future commercial application of organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology, developing more efficient organic conjugated materials is urgently needed. Benefiting from the specific advantages in precisely adjusting the optoelectronic materials, random copolymerization strategy has drawn great attention during the past several years and has played a vital role in the development of PSCs. Herein, the functions of random copolymerization strategy in modulating the polymer properties are briefly discussed. Then the recent research progress of random copolymerization strategy of polymer photovoltaic materials in PSCs is reviewed. Finally, perspectives and a concise outlook on the further advancement of the random copolymerization strategy are put forward.
Alumina Nucleation, Growth Kinetics, and Morphology: A Review
Authors: González-Solórzano María Guadalupe , Morales Rodolfo , Ávila Jafeth Rodríguez , Muñiz-Valdés Carlos Rodrigo , Bastida Alfonso Nájera
Published: April 2023

The reaction between aluminum and the dissolved oxygen in liquid steel yields the precipitation of alumina crystals with characteristic morphologies and size distributions. Alumina precipitation and growth involve a wide spectrum of time, length, velocity, and thermodynamic supersaturation scales throughout the refining processes. The smallest length and time scales are those quantifying the nucleation kinetics and the initial growth at the highest supersaturation. Further growth and crystal morphology depend on the concentration of surface tension elements which inhibit the crystal's faces suffering further modifications due to washing effects provided by turbulent flows. This step involves longer time, velocity, length, and moderate supersaturations. The final step involves the growth of alumina inclusions through collision–agglomeration–sintering, and capillary processes on the surfaces of argon bubbles under low supersaturations. Jumps of supersaturation, due to late aluminum additions or steel reoxidation, lead to alumina crystals changing their morphology to dendritic‐type growth. The present contribution reviews each one of these kinetic phenomena closing with the consequences that alumina precipitation has on the continuous casting process. The content of this review is useful to practitioners and theorists alike.
Revealing the In Situ Evolution of Tetrahedral NiMoO4 Micropillar Array for Energy‐Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Production Assisted by Urea Electrolysis
Authors: Yin Zhao-Hua , Huang Yuan , Jiang Li-Wen , Meng Chao , Wu Yong-Zheng , Liu Hong , Wang Jian-Jun
Published: April 2023

The great promise of the combination of urea oxidation reaction (UOR) with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to simultaneously achieve wastewater treatment and hydrogen production calls for the rational design of high‐performance electrocatalysts. Herein, the reconstruction with the formation of Ni2P and Mo2O72− on the surface can largely enhance the alkaline HER activity of P‐NiMoO4 by on‐site electrochemical activation strategy. Systematic experimental results indicate that the reconstruction process enables the exposure of additional Ni sites and the adjustment of hydrogen adsorption to facilitate HER kinetics. Ultimately, a highly efficient alkaline HER electrode with low overpotential of −48.9 mV for 10 mA cm−2 is achieved. More importantly, a UOR electrolyzer assembled with A‐P‐NiMoO4 as the cathode and P‐NiMoO4 as the anode exhibits impressive performance with a small cell voltage of 1.363 V for 10 mA cm−2. The application of the fabricated electrodes in a practical cell driven by a commercial dry battery (1.5 V) demonstrates efficient and stable hydrogen production, making the developed strategy promising for the rational design of highly active electrocatalysts for green hydrogen production.