bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic changes in oligodendrocyte sub‐populations after middle cerebral artery occlusion in neonatal mice
Authors: Frazier Alexandra P. , Mitchell Danae N. , Given Katherine S. , Hunn Genevieve , Burch Amelia M. , Childs Christine R. , Moreno‐Garcia Myriam , Corigilano Michael R. , Quillinan Nidia , Macklin Wendy B. , Herson Paco S. , Dingman Andra L.
Published: February 2023

Neonatal stroke is common and causes life‐long motor and cognitive sequelae. Because neonates with stroke are not diagnosed until days‐months after the injury, chronic targets for repair are needed. We evaluated oligodendrocyte maturity and myelination and assessed oligodendrocyte gene expression changes using single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA seq) at chronic timepoints in a mouse model of neonatal arterial ischemic stroke. Mice underwent 60 min of transient right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) on postnatal day 10 (p10) and received 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) on post‐MCAO days 3–7 to label dividing cells. Animals were sacrificed 14 and 28–30 days post‐MCAO for immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Oligodendrocytes were isolated from striatum 14 days post‐MCAO for scRNA seq and differential gene expression analysis. The density of Olig2+EdU+ cells was significantly increased in ipsilateral striatum 14 days post‐MCAO and the majority of oligodendrocytes were immature. Density of Olig2+EdU+ cells declined significantly between 14 and 28 days post‐MCAO without a concurrent increase in mature Olig2+EdU+ cells. By 28 days post‐MCAO there were significantly fewer myelinated axons in ipsilateral striatum. scRNA seq identified a cluster of “disease associated oligodendrocytes (DOLs)” specific to the ischemic striatum, with increased expression of MHC class I genes. Gene ontology analysis suggested decreased enrichment of pathways involved in myelin production in the reactive cluster. Oligodendrocytes proliferate 3–7 days post‐MCAO and persist at 14 days, but fail to mature by 28 days. MCAO induces a subset of oligodendrocytes with reactive phenotype, which may be a therapeutic target to promote white matter repair.
Japan's valsartan clinical trials shambles; time for fundamental changes
Authors: Ozaki Akihiko , Harada Kayo , Murayama Anju , Saito Hiroaki , Sawano Toyoaki , Tanimoto Tetsuya , Shrestha Sunil , Bhandari Divya , Crump Andy
Published: February 2023

Japan's Diovan®/valsartan ‘scandal’ has received sensational coverage in the nation's media since 2012. Publication of fraudulent research and their subsequent retraction boosted and then curtailed the use of what was a useful therapeutic drug. Some authors of the papers resigned, others disputed the retractions and resorted to legal counsel to protect themselves. One individual, an undeclared Novartis employee involved in the research, was arrested. A complex and virtually unwinnable case was brought against him and Novartis, claiming that data alteration amounted to false advertising, but lengthy criminal court cases resulted in the case failing. Unfortunately, key elements, including conflicts of interest, pharmaceutical company interference in trials of its product, and the role of the institutions involved, have been effectively ignored. The incident also emphasised the fact that Japan's unique society and approach to science does not conform well to international standards. Although the supposed impropriety caused the appearance of a new Clinical Trials Act in 2018, the law has been criticized for being ineffectual and simply increasing clinical trial bureaucracy. This article examines the ‘scandal’ and identifies where changes must be made to clinical research and the roles of the various stakeholders in Japan to increase public trust in clinical trials and biomedical publications.
Groundwater recharge in northern New England: Meteorological drivers and relations with low streamflow
Authors: Crossett Caitlin C. , Hodgkins Glenn A. , Menk Hadley , Dupigny‐Giroux Lesley‐Ann L. , Dudley Robert , Lemcke‐Stampone Mary , Hammond John
Published: February 2023

Meteorological drivers of groundwater recharge for spring (February–June), fall (October–January), and recharge‐year (October–June) recharge seasons were evaluated for northern New England and upstate New York from 1989 to 2018. Monthly groundwater recharge was computed at 21 observation wells by subtracting the water levels at the end of each month from the level of the previous month; only positive monthly values were used to compute seasonal recharge. Precipitation, temperature, sea‐level pressure, 500‐mb geopotential heights, and various teleconnection indices were tested as explanatory variables for the interannual variability of recharge using random forest machine learning models. Precipitation within recharge seasons was positively correlated with groundwater recharge for most wells in all seasons. In general, whilst groundwater recharge in the study area was generally highest during the months of March and April, October precipitation was an important month for explaining the interannual groundwater recharge variability. This is likely because the variability in recharge in October may be high or low for given years. Sea‐level pressure and 500‐mb heights were typically inversely correlated with groundwater recharge during the recharge‐year and fall recharge seasons, as higher sea‐level pressure and heights are usually associated with clearer skies and less precipitation. The North Atlantic Oscillation, Pacific‐North American pattern, and Pacific Decadal Oscillation teleconnections affected groundwater recharge differently by well and season. The influence of groundwater recharge on minimum daily streamflows during the subsequent summer/fall was also analysed. Summer precipitation was the most important explanatory variable for study streams whilst groundwater recharge and summer air temperature were significant variables for a few streams.
School counselors’ perceived school climate, leadership practice, psychological empowerment, and multicultural competence before and during COVID‐19
Authors: Hilts Derron , Liu Yanhong
Published: February 2023

Following a population‐based randomized design, we investigated changes of school counselors’ psychological empowerment, multicultural competence, and leadership practice, as well as their perception of school climate from before to during COVID‐19. Specifically, school counselors were randomized into two conditions: (a) the pre‐COVID‐19 condition (n = 506) and (b) the current‐COVID‐19 condition (n = 542). Participants in the pre‐COVID condition responded to survey items following a retrospective manner based on their experiences between September 2019 and March 2020. We found that participants in the current COVID‐19 condition scored significantly higher in psychological empowerment and perceived school climate and lower in multicultural competence and leadership practices compared to the participants in the pre‐COVID‐19 condition. Regardless of directionality of changes, results supported the significant impacts that the pandemic had on school counselors’ roles related to addressing systemic issues. We discussed implications of the results to school counseling practice and school counselor training.
Chronic morphine exposure and maternal separation induce impairments in cognition and locomotor activity of male adolescent rats
Authors: Fadaei‐kenarsary Maysam , Esmaeilpour Khadijeh , Shabani Mohammad , Joushi Sara , Sheibani Vahid
Published: February 2023

Maternal morphine exposure reduces motivation for basic cognitive tasks, followed by executive function deficits in attention and accuracy. It also induces depression‐like behaviors and has negative consequences for learning and memory in offspring. Interaction between mothers and pups has a crucial effect on the mammal's development. Maternal separation (MS) can originate behavioral and neuropsychiatric abnormalities later in life. It seems that adolescents are more susceptible to the effects of early‐life stress; Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic morphine consumption (21 days before and after mating and gestation) and MS (180 min/day from postnatal day [PND] 1–21) on the cognitive and behavioral performance of male offspring in mid‐adolescence. Six groups, including control, MS, V (vehicle), morphine, V+MS, and morphine+MS, were tested for open field (OF), novel object recognition (NOR), and the Morris water maze (MWM). The results of the OF test showed that MS increased locomotor activity and movement velocity. Inner and outer zone durations did not differ among groups. The body stretching of the morphine+MS rats was significantly more than the MS rats. Moreover, the MS and morphine+MS groups showed significantly less sniffing behavior in the OF test. The MS group showed deficits in spatial learning in the MWM test, but recognition memory in the NOR and spatial memory in the MWM tests were not significantly different among groups. We concluded that MS could induce impairments in spatial learning and locomotor activity that could be worsened by maternal morphine exposure in adolescent male rats.
Morphological examination and scanning electron microscopy of the barn owl's (Tyto alba) tongue
Authors: Ozkadif Sema , Haligur Ayse , Haligur Mehmet , Alan Aydin
Published: February 2023

The beak structure changes according to the feeding patterns of birds. Further, the morphological and histological structures of their tongues vary. Therefore, the current study aimed to perform macroanatomical and histological examinations and scanning electron microscopy of the barn owl's (Tylo alba) tongue. Two dead barn owls were brought to the anatomy laboratory and were used as study material. The tongue of the barn owl was long, triangular‐shaped with a bifurcated tip. There were no papillae in the anterior 1/3 of the tongue, and the lingual papillae were shaped toward the back. The radix linguae were surrounded by a single row of conical papillae. Irregular thread‐like papillae were found on both sides of the tongue. The salivary gland ducts were on the lateral margin of the corpus linguae and the dorsal surface of the radix linguae. The lingual glands were in the lamina propria near the stratified squamous epithelium layer of the tongue. The dorsal surface of the tongue comprised non‐keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, and the ventral surface and caudal part of the tongue had keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Hyaline cartilages were detected in the connective tissue immediately below the non‐keratinized stratified squamous epithelium on the dorsal surface of the root of the tongue. The study results can contribute to the current knowledge on the anatomical structure of birds. Further, they can be useful in managing the barn owl when used as companion animals and in research activity.
Receptor‐binding domain‐based SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine adjuvanted with cyclic di‐adenosine monophosphate enhances humoral and cellular immunity in mice
Authors: Germanó María José , Giai Constanza , Cargnelutti Diego Esteban , Colombo María Isabel , Blanco Sebastián , Konigheim Brenda , Spinsanti Lorena , Aguilar Javier , Gallego Sandra , Valdez Hugo Alberto , Mackern‐Oberti Juan Pablo , Sanchez Maria Victoria
Published: February 2023

Novel adjuvants are highly desired to improve immune responses of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines. This work reports the potential of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist adjuvant, the cyclic di‐adenosine monophosphate (c‐di‐AMP), in a SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine based on the receptor binding domain (RBD). Here, mice immunized with two doses of monomeric RBD adjuvanted with c‐di‐AMP intramuscularly were found to exhibit stronger immune responses compared to mice vaccinated with RBD adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) or without adjuvant. After two immunizations, consistent enhancements in the magnitude of RBD‐specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response were observed by RBD + c‐di‐AMP (mean: 15360) compared to RBD + Al(OH)3 (mean: 3280) and RBD alone (n.d.). Analysis of IgG subtypes indicated a predominantly Th1‐biased immune response (IgG2c, mean: 14480; IgG2b, mean: 1040, IgG1, mean: 470) in mice vaccinated with RBD + c‐di‐AMP compared to a Th2‐biased response in those vaccinated with RBD + Al(OH)3 (IgG2c, mean: 60; IgG2b: n.d.; IgG1, mean: 16660). In addition, the RBD + c‐di‐AMP group showed better neutralizing antibody responses as determined by pseudovirus neutralization assay and by plaque reduction neutralization assay with SARS‐CoV‐2 wild type. Moreover, the RBD + c‐di‐AMP vaccine promoted interferon‐γ secretion of spleen cell cultures after RBD stimulation. Furthermore, evaluation of IgG‐antibody titers in aged mice showed that di‐AMP was able to improve RBD‐immunogenicity at old age after 3 doses (mean: 4000). These data suggest that c‐di‐AMP improves immune responses of a SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine based on RBD, and would be considered a promising option for future COVID‐19 vaccines.
Biphasic alcoholysis coupled with high‐speed countercurrent chromatography for high performance on separating phorbol from Croton tiglium Linn extracts
Authors: Fan Jie‐Ping , He Ban‐Tian , Gao Yi , Xie Chun‐Fang , Chen Hui‐Ping , Peng Hai‐Long
Published: February 2023

Phorbol is a tetracyclic diterpenoid found in Euphorbia tirucalli, Croton tiglium, and Rehmannia glutinosa, and is nuclear of various phorbol esters. The rapid obtaining of phorbol with high purity highly contributes to its application, such as synthesizing phorbol esters with designable side chains and particular therapeutic efficacy. This study introduced a biphasic alcoholysis method for obtaining phorbol from croton oil by using polarity imparity organic solvents in both phases and established a high‐speed countercurrent chromatography method for simultaneous separation and purification of phorbol. The optimized operation conditions of biphasic alcoholysis were a reaction time of 91 min, a temperature of 14°C, and a croton oil‐methanol ratio of 1:30 (g:ml). The phorbol during the biphasic alcoholysis was 3.2‐fold higher in content than that obtained in conventional monophasic alcoholysis. The optimized high‐speed countercurrent chromatography method was using the ethyl acetate/n‐butyl alcohol/water at 4.7:0.3:5 (v:v:v) with Na2SO4 at 0.36 g/10 ml as the solvent system, using the mobile phase flow rate of 2 ml/min, the revolution of 800 r/min, under which the retention of the stationary phase was achieved at 72.83%. The crystallized phorbol following high‐speed countercurrent chromatography was obtained as high purity of 94%.
Design of the new guide vane for the turbo air classifier
Authors: Yu Y. , Chen W. , Kong X. , Ren C. , Liu J.
Published: February 2023

The guide vane is a common guide part in a turbo air classifier. However, there is a lack of a theoretical design basis and an analogy method is often used to design the guide vanes. The guide vanes’ effects of improving the flow field distribution are obtained by means of comparison of the flow field of the classifiers with and without guide vanes. However, the guide vane of a 15° setting angle should be optimized due to the non‐uniform airflow circumferential distribution in the annular region. To obtain a well‐distributed flow field of a turbo air classifier, a design method for the guide vane is provided based on the airflow trajectory in the volute and a new guide vane of a 10° setting angle is designed under the operating condition of 12–1200. The numerical simulation results show that the standard deviation of circumferential radial and tangential velocity is decreased. Besides, the trajectories of the particles with the same size in different circumferential positions show their classification results are consistent. This guide vane design method is feasible and provides the design references for the turbo air classifiers.
Mathematical analysis of an anaerobic co‐digestion model with preference function and mortality
Authors: Berga Hamza , Alla Abdellah , El Khattabi Noha
Published: February 2023

Anaerobic co‐digestion is defined as the simultaneous anaerobic digestion of two or more substrates. Mixing several substrates has many advantages. In particular, it can increase biogas production. In our work, we built a mathematical model to describe the anaerobic co‐digestion of two substrates, with preference and mortality of bacteria in closed mode. The existence and boundedness of positive solutions are investigated. We show that trajectories converge toward a global attractor which is composed of an infinite number of non‐hyperbolic equilibria. The choice of growth functions, for both bacteria, can completely change the performance of the process. Numerical tests are presented to illustrate the theoretical analysis. They allow the prediction of the quantities of the initial mixture for a better biogas production.
Protective effect of saffron carotenoids against amyloid beta‐induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells via the unfolded protein response and autophagy
Authors: Sanjari‐Pour Mariam , Faridi Nassim , Wang Ping , Bathaie S. Zahra
Published: February 2023

The preventive effect of saffron against Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been reported. Herein, we studied the effect of Cro and Crt, saffron carotenoids, on the cellular model of AD. The MTT assay, flow cytometry, and elevated p‐JNK, p‐Bcl‐2, and c‐PARP indicated the AβOs‐induced apoptosis in differentiated PC12 cells. Then, the protective effects of Cro/Crt on dPC12 cells against AβOs were investigated in preventive and therapeutic modalities. Starvation was used as a positive control. RT‐PCR and Western blot results revealed the reduced eIF2α phosphorylation and increased spliced‐XBP1, Beclin1, LC3II, and p62, which indicate the AβOs‐induced autophagic flux defect, autophagosome accumulation, and apoptosis. Cro and Crt inhibited the JNK‐Bcl‐2‐Beclin1 pathway. They altered Beclin1 and LC3II and decreased p62 expressions, leading cells to survival. Cro and Crt altered the autophagic flux by different mechanisms. So, Cro increased the rate of autophagosome degradation more than Crt, while Crt increased the rate of autophagosome formation more than Cro. The application of 4μ8C and chloroquine as the inhibitors of XBP1 and autophagy, respectively, confirmed these results. So, augmentation of the survival branches of UPR and autophagy is involved and may serve as an effective strategy to prevent the progression of AβOs toxicity.
Fast estimation of mixed‐effects location‐scale regression models
Authors: Gill Nathan , Hedeker Donald
Published: February 2023

As a result of advances in data collection technology and study design, modern longitudinal datasets can be much larger than they historically have been. Such “intensive" longitudinal datasets are rich enough to allow for detailed modeling of the variance of a response as well as the mean, and a flexible class of models called mixed‐effects location‐scale (MELS) regression models are commonly used to do so. However, fitting MELS models can pose computational challenges related to the numerical evaluation of multi‐dimensional integrals; the slow runtime of current methods is inconvenient for data analysis and makes bootstrap inference impractical. In this paper, we introduce a new fitting technique, called FastRegLS, that is considerably faster than existing techniques while still providing consistent estimators for the model parameters.
Pruritus as an Early Sign of Abnormal Scarring in the Re-Epithelialising Phase of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Authors: Frederiks Aaron J. , Korbl Jasmin D. , Ardakani Nima Mesbah , Wood Fiona M. , Ricciardo Bernadette
Published: February 2023

We present a 28-year-old remote-living male who presented to our dermatology clinic with increasing pruritus over his torso and limbs in the context of a recent admission for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) secondary to paliperidone depot. Our case demonstrates that pruritus in the re-epithelialising phase of TEN may be a sign of abnormal scarring. Early assessment and measurement for compression garments is recommended.
Through Space Sigma Donation π Acceptor Assisted Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin on TCPP Supported g‐C3N4
Authors: Joseph Merin , Sadik N. K Mohammed , Remello Sebastian Nybin , Haridas Suja , De Susmita
Published: February 2023

Photocatalysis on pristine g‐C3N4 (CN) often suffers from fast recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. Herein, we demonstrate the superior photocatalytic performance of free base tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) – g‐C3N4 (CN/TCPP) hybrids synthesised by a facile ultrasound aided impregnation. Structural and morphological characterisation confirmed the successful formation of the hybrid via noncovalent π–π stacking. Optical/electrochemical characterisation, as well as DFT study, designates the shifting of the optical absorption edge to visible range along with inhibition of carrier recombination through enhanced charge transfer. The CN/TCPP hybrids exhibited superior performance towards the degradation of persistent antibiotic ciprofloxacin under visible irradiation signifying its enhanced visible light sensitivity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of CN/TCPP is ascribed to the charge transfer by through‐space conjugation by migration of electrons and holes in opposite directions, which minimises the possibility of electron‐hole recombination. From the LCMS data, scavenging studies, and first principles DFT analysis, the photodegradation of CIP is proposed to proceed via the destruction of the piperazine ring initiated mainly through the electrophilic attack by the holes.
N‐Coordinated Cu–Ni Dual‐Single‐Atom Catalyst for Highly Selective Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia
Authors: Wang Yunlong , Yin Haibo , Dong Feng , Zhao Xiaoguang , Qu Yakun , Wang Lixin , Peng Yue , Wang Dingsheng , Fang Wei , Li Junhua
Published: February 2023

As a traditional method of ammonia (NH3) synthesis, Haber–Bosch method expends a vast amount of energy. An alternative route for NH3synthesis is proposed from nitrate (NO3−) via electrocatalysis. However, the structure–activity relationship remains challenging and requires in‐depth research both experimentally and theoretically. Here an N‐coordinated Cu–Ni dual‐single‐atom catalyst anchored in N‐doped carbon (Cu/Ni–NC) is reported, which has competitive activity with a maximal NH3Faradaic efficiency of 97.28%. Detailed characterizations demonstrate that the high activity of Cu/Ni–NC mainly comes from the contribution of Cu–Ni dual active sites. That is, (1) the electron transfer (Ni → Cu) reveals the strong electron interaction of Cu–Ni dual‐single‐atom; (2) the strong hybridizations of Cu 3d—and Ni 3d—O 2p orbitals of NO3−can accelerate electron transfer from Cu–Ni dual‐site to NO3−; (3) Cu/Ni–NC can effectively decrease the rate‐limiting step barriers, suppress N–N coupling for N2O and N2formation and hydrogen production.
Stimuli‐responsive silk fibroin for on‐demand drug delivery
Authors: Lin Xiang , Cai Lijun , Cao Xinyue , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: February 2023

Stimuli‐responsive “smart” hydrogel biomaterials have attracted great attention in the biomedical field, especially in designing novel on‐demand drug delivery systems. As a handful natural biomaterial approved by US Food and Drug Administration, silk fibroin (SF) has unique high temperature resistance as well as tunable structural composition. These properties make it one of the most ideal candidates for on‐demand drug delivery. Meanwhile, recent advances in polymer modification and nanomaterials have fostered the development of various stimuli‐responsive delivery systems. Here, we first review the recent advance in designing responsive SF‐based delivery systems in different stimulus sources. These systems are able to release mediators in a desired manner in response to specific stimuli in active or passive manners. We then describe applications of these specially designed responsive delivery systems in wound healing, tumor therapy, as well as immunomodulation. We also discuss the future challenges and prospects of stimuli‐responsive SF‐based delivery systems.
Study on early accurate diagnosis and treatment of COVID‐19 with smart phone tracking using bionics
Authors: Gupta Shweta , Kumar Adesh
Published: February 2023

The replication of biological systems by mechanical and electronic devices is referred to as bionics. The bionics industry has grown along four primary application areas, in addition to hearing, vision, orthopedics, and a small, dispersed group of implants that enhance cardiac and neurological functions. The SARS‐CoV‐2 virus is the infectious disease known as coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). The virus‐infected people require assistance to better understand the situation caused by COVID‐19 and to bring some easy, efficient, and effective solutions. One of the solutions mentioned for the early stages involves wearable sensors with temperature sensors for early Covid‐19 identification and photos delivered to an AI‐enabled smartphone, robotic sensor, or robot itself. In severe situations, lung X‐ray images are captured by robotic and remote sensors, and the lungs are given the right medication to finish off the virus. The paper presents the study on the overview, applications of artificial intelligence, and deep learning from the bionics point of view. Deep learning and machine learning will be used for reducing the Covid‐19 outbreak. Wearable sensors provide important data by having temperature‐embedded sensors in several physical devices that reveal details about the environment and body that are connected. Covid‐19 probability prediction is aided by smartphones with artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. Case history, doctor notes, chest X‐ray reports, details on the sites of breakouts, and other criteria can help forecast the severity of Covid‐19 when it is in its severe phases and direct the administration of medication to a specific area of the lungs.
Nickel induces hepatotoxicity by mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitophagy dysfunction
Authors: Guo Hongrui , Wei Ling , Wang Yihan , Cui Hengmin , Deng Huidan , Zhu Yanqiu , Deng Junliang , Geng Yi , Ouyang Ping , Lai Weiming , Du Zongjun , Ni Xueqin , Yin Heng , Fang Jing , Zuo Zhicai
Published: February 2023

Nickel (Ni) is an important and widely hazardous chemical industrial waste. Excessive Ni exposure could cause multi‐organs toxicity in human and animals. Liver is the major target organ of Ni accumulation and toxicity, however, the precise mechanism is still unclear. In this study, nickel chloride (NiCl2)‐treatment induced hepatic histopathological changes in the mice, and, transmission electron microscopy results showed mitochondrial swollen and deformed of hepatocyte. Next, the mitochondrial damages including mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitophagy were measured after NiCl2 administration. The results showed that NiCl2 suppressed mitochondrial biogenesis by decreasing PGC‐1α, TFAM, and NRF1 protein and mRNA expression levels. Meanwhile, the proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion were reduced by NiCl2, such as Mfn1 and Mfn2, however, mitochondrial fission proteins Drip1 and Fis1 were significantly increased. The up‐regulation of mitochondrial p62 and LC3II expression indicated that NiCl2 increased mitophagy in the liver. Moreover, the receptor‐mediated mitophagy and ubiquitin (Ub)‐dependent mitophagy were detected. NiCl2 promoted PINK1 accumulation and Parkin recruitment on mitochondria. And, the receptor proteins of mitophagy Bnip3 and FUNDC1 were increased in the NiCl2‐treated mice liver. Overall, these results show that NiCl2 could induce mitochondria damage in the liver of mice, and, dysfunction of mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy involved in the molecular mechanism of NiCl2‐induced hepatotoxicity.
Long‐term field study of lispro and neutral protamine Hagedorn insulins treatment in dogs with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kuzi Sharon , Mazaki‐Tovi Michal , Hershkovitz Shai , Yas Einat , Hess Rebecka S.
Published: February 2023

Background

The long‐term clinical and biofhemical effects of basal‐bolus insulin treatment with lispro and NPH in dogs with diabetes mellitus are undocumented.

Objectives

To perform a prospective pilot field study of the long‐term effects of lispro and NPH on clinical signs and serum fructosamine concentrations (SFC) in dogs with diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Twelve dogs received combined lispro and NPH insulins treatment twice a day and were examined every 2 weeks for 2 months (visits 1–4), and every 4 weeks for up to 4 additional months (visits 5–8). Clinical signs and SFC were recorded at each visit. Polyuria and polydipsia (PU/PD) were scored as absent (0) or present (1).

Results

Median (range) PU/PD scores of combined visits 5–8 (0, 0–1) were significantly lower than median scores of combined visits 1–4 (1, 0–1, p = 0.03) and at enrolment (1, 0–1, p = 0.045). Median (range) SFC of combined visits 5–8 (512 mmol/L, 401–974 mmol/L) was significantly lower than SFC of combined visits 1–4 (578 mmol/L, 302–996 mmol/L, p = 0.002) and at enrolment (662 mmol/L, 450–990 mmol/L, p = 0.03). Lispro insulin dose was significantly and negatively, albeit weakly, correlated with SFC concentration during visits 1 through 8 (r = –0.3, p = 0.013). Median duration of follow up was 6 months (range 0.5–6) and most dogs (8, 66.7%) were followed for 6 months. Four dogs withdrew from the study within 0.5–5 months because of documented or suspected hypoglycaemia, short NPH duration or sudden unexplained death. Hypoglycaemia was noted in 6 dogs.

Conclusions

Long‐term lispro and NPH combination therapy may improve clinical and biochemical control of some diabetic dogs with comorbidities. Risk of hypoglycaemia should be addressed with close monitoring.
Clinical characteristics and long-term management of prepubertal testicular teratomas: a retrospective, multicenter study
Authors: Zhou Guanglun , Sun Fenglan , Yu Xin , Huang Ruifeng , Liu Xiaodong , Ouyang Yaoling , Yang Zhilin , Li Shoulin
Published: February 2023

Prepubertal testicular teratomas are rare tumors with limited practical guidance for their management. This study aimed to analyze a large multicenter database to establish the optimal management of testicular teratomas. We retrospectively collected data on testicular teratomas in children younger than 12 years who underwent surgery without postoperative chemotherapy in three large professional children’s institutions in China between 2007 and 2021. The biological behavior and long-term outcomes of testicular teratomas were analyzed. In total, 487 children (with 393 mature teratomas and 94 immature teratomas) were included. Among mature teratomas, 375 cases were testis-sparing, 18 were orchiectomies, 346 were operated through the scrotal approach, and 47 underwent the inguinal approach. The median follow-up period was 70 months, and no recurrence or testicular atrophy was observed. Among the children with immature teratomas, 54 underwent testis-sparing surgery, 40 underwent orchiectomy, 43 were operated through the scrotal approach, and 51 were operated through the inguinal approach. Two cases of immature teratomas with cryptorchidism had local recurrence or metastasis within 1 year of the operation. The median follow-up duration was 76 months. No other patients had recurrence, metastasis, or testicular atrophy.

  Conclusion: Testicular-sparing surgery is the first treatment choice for prepubertal testicular teratomas, with the scrotal approach being a safe and well-tolerated strategy for these diseases. Additionally, patients with immature teratomas and cryptorchidism may have tumor recurrence or metastasis after surgery. Therefore, these patients should be closely followed up in the first year after surgery.

What is Known:• There is a fundamental difference between testicular tumours in childhood and those in adulthood - not only in terms of the difference and incidence but also in terms of histology.• For surgical techniques, the inguinal approach is recommended for the treatment of testicular teratomas in children.

What is New:• The scrotal approach being a safe and well-tolerated strategy for testicular teratomas in children.• Patients with immature teratomas and cryptorchidism may have tumor recurrence or metastasis after surgery. These patients should be closely followed up in the first year after surgery.
Structural characterization of cuboidal α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesized by a facile approach
Authors: Sridevi H. , Bhat M. Ramananda , Kumar P. Senthil , Kumar N. Manoj , Selvaraj Raja
Published: February 2023

α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized using Tabebuia aurea leaf extract by a facile approach. The signature peaks for Fe and O in the EDX spectrum verified the formation of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Cuboidal-shaped nanoparticles were observed in the FE-SEM image. In the XRD pattern, it was observed that the peaks belong to α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. These particles were pure and crystalline with an average particle size of 25.69 nm. The signals at 538 and 494 cm−1 in the FTIR image confirmed the formation of hematite nanoparticles. BET analysis showed a comparatively greater surface area (31.03 m2/g) than the commercial α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, and the pores were mesoporous. XPS analysis confirmed the existence of α-Fe2O3 by showing the specific oxidation states for iron and oxygen at 710.34 and 529.67 eV, respectively. The saturation magnetization value of 13.97 emu/g confirmed the superparamagnetic nature. The TGA, which determined the thermal stability of the nanoparticles, reported a total weight loss of 12.75%. Hence, the highly crystalline, pure, mesoporous, superparamagnetic α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with high surface area synthesized using T. aurea leaf extract can be potentially applied in diverse fields.
Simultaneous model-based inversion of pre-stack 3D seismic data targeting a deep geothermal reservoir, Northwest Hungary
Authors: Masri Emad N. , Takács Ernő
Published: February 2023

The well-known, traditional way to extend P-wave acoustic impedance data between and beyond the well log locations is the post-stack inversion of seismic data usually available in the surroundings of the boreholes. A relatively new trend in the seismic exploration is based on the pre-stack inversion of the seismic CDP gathers providing both the P- and S-wave acoustic impedance sections (and volumes), as well as the estimated density data. This methodology is often called as simultaneous model-based inversion and can be utilized not only for hydrocarbon exploration, but it might also be a useful tool for the investigation of geothermal resources. In this study, we will compare the results of post-stack and pre-stack acoustic impedance inversions utilizing the same seismic volume. We will demonstrate and analyze the inverted attribute sections (and some of their derivatives) obtained by the pre-stack algorithm in detail. Finally, we will draw the conclusions about the lithological discrimination of the studied complex carbonate geothermal reservoir located in the pre-Cenozoic basement of the Little Hungarian Plain.
Recent Advances in Nano-Enabled Seed Treatment Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture: Challenges, Risk Assessment, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Shelar Amruta , Nile Shivraj Hariram , Singh Ajay Vikram , Rothenstein Dirk , Bill Joachim , Xiao Jianbo , Chaskar Manohar , Kai Guoyin , Patil Rajendra
Published: February 2023

Agro seeds are vulnerable to environmental stressors, adversely affecting seed vigor, crop growth, and crop productivity. Different agrochemical-based seed treatments enhance seed germination, but they can also cause damage to the environment; therefore, sustainable technologies such as nano-based agrochemicals are urgently needed. Nanoagrochemicals can reduce the dose-dependent toxicity of seed treatment, thereby improving seed viability and ensuring the controlled release of nanoagrochemical active ingredients However, the applications of nanoagrochemicals to plants in the field raise concerns about nanomaterial safety, exposure levels, and toxicological implications to the environment and human health. In the present comprehensive review, the development, scope, challenges, and risk assessments of nanoagrochemicals on seed treatment are discussed. Moreover, the implementation obstacles for nanoagrochemicals use in seed treatments, their commercialization potential, and the need for policy regulations to assess possible risks are also discussed. Based on our knowledge, this is the first time that we have presented legendary literature to readers in order to help them gain a deeper understanding of upcoming nanotechnologies that may enable the development of future generation seed treatment agrochemical formulations, their scope, and potential risks associated with seed treatment.
FPGA Design Deobfuscation by Iterative LUT Modification at Bitstream Level
Authors: Moraitis Michail , Dubrova Elena
Published: February 2023

Hardware obfuscation is a well-known countermeasure against reverse engineering. For FPGA designs, obfuscation can be implemented with a small overhead by using underutilised logic cells; however, its effectiveness depends on the stealthiness of the added redundancy. In this paper, we show that it is possible to deobfuscate an SRAM FPGA design by ensuring the full controllability of each instantiated look-up table input via iterative bitstream modification. The presented algorithm works directly on bitstream and does not require the possession of a flattened netlist. The feasibility of our approach is verified on the example of an obfuscated SNOW 3G design implemented on a Xilinx 7-series FPGA.
How quality of work-life influence employee job satisfaction in a gas processing plant in Ghana
Authors: Hammond Mavis , Owusu Nicodemus Osei , Nunoo Edward Kweku , Boampong Georgina , Osman Aminu , Panin Anthony , Nyametso Johnie Kodjoe , Essen Bernice
Published: February 2023

The influence of quality of work-life on job satisfaction is critical for sustaining high-level skilled workers and enhancing productivity in the oil and gas industry. This study examined the influence of quality of work-life on job satisfaction among workers in a gas processing plant. A descriptive analytical design and a census approach were used to assess 200 staff. The analysis established a positive relationship between employee job satisfaction and the four constructs of quality of work life; safe working environments, Work-life balance, personal development, and emotional well-being at significant levels. With the latter construct registering the highest correlation with job satisfaction, the study recommends the management of a functional early guidance support system for workers who may exhibit early symptoms of emotional well-being distress. It is imperative for management to consolidate and significantly improve on established measures for employees to maximise both work output and avoid work-family conflicts. Management should maintain robust safety protocols and an emergency response unit to ensure employees work in a relaxed environment that promotes workplace well-being. These are envisaged to sustain employee workplace assistance programs that can confidently discuss and address workers' stress, anxiety, and other related concerns at the workplace.
Can acute care surgery sustain as a specialty in Singapore?
Authors: Tian Brian WCA
Published: February 2023

Acute care surgery [ACS] is a natural evolution of trauma as a specialty. Globally, there have been positive results seen. In Singapore, ACS is a new specialty that is trying to establish itself. Early results appear promising—reduced length of stay, faster times to operation. Although ACS has had a positive impact on workflow, it’s sustainability as a specialty faces many challenges ahead. This paper describes how ACS is run in Singapore General Hospital and the challenges it must overcome to be sustainable service.
A Political Economy of Behavioural Public Policy
Authors: Oliver Adam
Published: February 2023

Behavioural public policy has thus far been dominated by approaches that are based on the premise that it is entirely legitimate for policymakers to design policies that nudge or influence people to avoid desires that may not be in their own self- interest. This book argues, instead, for a liberal political economy that radically departs from these paternalistic frameworks. Oliver argues for a framework whereby those who impose no substantive harms on others ought to be free of manipulative or coercive interference. On this view, BPP does not seek to “correct” an individual's conception of the desired life. This book is the third in a trilogy of books by Adam Oliver on the origins and conceptual foundations of BPP.
Post-compression of high-energy, sub-picosecond laser pulses
Authors: Bleotu P.-G. , Wheeler J. , Mironov S. Yu. , Ginzburg V. , Masruri M. , Naziru A. , Secareanu R. , Ursescu D. , Perez F. , De Sousa J. , Badarau D. , Veuillot E. , Audebert P. , Khazanov E. , Mourou G.
Published: February 2023

The post-compression technique based on self-phase modulation of high-energy pulses leads to an increase in achievable peak power and intensity. Typically, the pulses considered in experiments have been less than 100 fs in duration. Here, the method is applied to the ELFIE laser system at the LULI facility, for a pulse of 7 J energy and an initial measured duration of 350 fs. A 5-mm-thick fused silica window and a 2 mm cyclic-olefin polymer were used as optical nonlinear materials. The 9 cm diameter beam was spectrally broadened to a bandwidth corresponding to 124 fs Fourier-limited pulse duration, and then it was partly post-compressed to 200 fs. After measuring the spatial spectra of the beam fluence, a uniform gain factor of 4 increase in the fluctuations over the studied range of frequencies is observed, due to small-scale self-focusing.
Deterrence effect of penalties upon adolescent cannabis use
Authors: Smyth Bobby P. , Davey Aoife , Keenan Eamon
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Penalties are used in an effort to curtail drug use by citizens in most societies. There are growing calls for a reduction or elimination of such penalties. Deterrence theory suggests that use should increase if penalties reduce and vice versa. We sought to examine the relationship between changes to penalties for drug possession and adolescent cannabis use.

Method:

Ten instances of penalty change occurred in Europe between 2000 and 2014, seven of which involved penalty reduction and three involved penalty increase. We conducted a secondary analysis of a series of cross-sectional surveys of 15–16-year-old school children, the ESPAD surveys, which are conducted every four years. We focused on past month cannabis use. We anticipated that an eight-year time span before and after each penalty change would yield two data points either side of the change. A simple trend line was fitted to the data points for each country.

Results:

In eight cases, the trend slope in past month cannabis use was in the direction predicted by deterrence theory, the two exceptions being the UK policy changes. Using the principals of binomial distributions, the likelihood of this happening by chance is 56/1024 = 0.05. The median change in the baseline prevalence rate was by 21%.

Conclusions:

The science seems far from settled on this issue. There remains a distinct possibility that reducing penalties could contribute to small increases in adolescent cannabis use and consequently increase cannabis-related harms. This possibility should be considered in any political decision-making influencing drug policy changes.
Spatial and temporal dynamics of cropland in the Sanjiang Plain from 2014 to 2020 based on annual 30 m crop data layers
Authors: Jin Cui , Zhang Zeyu , Cai Hongyan , Cao Ge , Li Xintao , Li Xueming
Published: February 2023

The land cover of the Sanjiang Plain has changed dramatically since the 1950s. Although previous studies have analysed its spatiotemporal dynamics at long time intervals, a near real-time and accurate representation of the interannual evolution of cropping patterns in this region is of far-reaching importance for rationally allocating agricultural resources and ensuring food security. Based on the 30 m and 10 m land cover datasets in 2015 and 2017–2019, the current study used Landsat-8 satellite data in 2014, 2016 and 2020 to identify paddy rice and dryland crops using a decision tree classification approach and constructed the annual cropland datasets of the Sanjiang Plain from 2014 to 2020. The results show that the overall classification accuracies of crop datasets exceeded 95%, and the Kappa coefficients were higher than 0.92. The average annual accuracies of users and producers were 93% and 94% for rice fields and 97% and 95% for dryland crops, respectively. During the 7 years, the total area of paddy fields and dryland crops decreased by 5% and 8%. However, with minor positive and negative variation between years. 24.2% of paddy rice and 42% of dryland crops has been cultivated under 4 years. The centres of gravity for both crops mainly aggregated in the central counties with the migration direction and magnitude varying interannually. The current study emphasizes the importance of establishing annual high-resolution crop datasets to track the detailed spatio-temporal trajectories of cropping patterns that are essential to support sustainable cropland management and agricultural development.
Video head impulse test for the assessment of vestibular function in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss without vertigo
Authors: Battat N , Ungar O J , Handzel O , Eta R Abu , Oron Y
Published: February 2023

Objective

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss may be accompanied by dizziness without true vertigo. This study used the video head impulse test to evaluate vestibular function in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients who described experiencing dizziness and not true vertigo.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted of 30 consecutive patients diagnosed with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss with dizziness without true vertigo. A comparison of the video head impulse test results of the patients who complained of dizziness (symptomatic group) with a group of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and no dizziness (asymptomatic) was performed.

Results

Nine patients (30 per cent) were symptomatic. Two of those patients had abnormal video head impulse test findings. Seven patients in the asymptomatic group (7 out of 21, 33 per cent) presented with abnormal video head impulse test results. No significant difference in vestibular function between the two groups was detected by the video head impulse test.

Conclusion

The site of insult in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss without true vertigo is usually limited to the cochlea or the cochlear nerve.
Human papillomavirus related oropharyngeal cancer: identifying and quantifying topics of patient interest
Authors: Fritz C , Barrette L-X , Prasad A , Triantafillou V , Suresh N , De Ravin E , Rajasekaran K
Published: February 2023

Objective

As the incidence of human papillomavirus related oropharyngeal cancer continues to rise, it is increasingly important for public understanding to keep pace. This study aimed to identify areas of patient interest and concern regarding human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer.

Method

This study was a retrospective survey of search queries containing the keywords ‘HPV cancer’ between September 2015 and March 2021.

Results

There was 3.5-fold more interest in human papillomavirus related oropharyngeal cancer (15 800 searches per month) compared with human papillomavirus related cervical cancer (4500 searches per month). Among searches referencing cancer appearance, 96.8 per cent pertained to the head and neck region (3050 searches per month). Among vaccination searches, 16 of 47 (34.0 per cent; 600 searches per month) referenced human papillomavirus vaccines as being a cause of cancer rather than preventing cancer.

Conclusion

The vast majority of online searches into human papillomavirus cancer pertain to the oropharynx. There are relatively few search queries on the topic of vaccination preventing human papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancer, which highlights the continued importance of patient education and awareness campaigns.