bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Distance Online Laughter Yoga (DOLY) on Work Stress, Work Anxiety, Aloneness & Work Depression Feeling on Corporate Employees Who Worked from Home during the COVID Pandemic
Authors: Rawat Harish , Bisht Saloni , Gupta Abhishek , Elahi Irfan , Sachan Anupam Kumar , Vighnahartayyapodu Challa Krishnaveer Abhishek Ram Kukkurah
Published: October 2023

Aim: This study evaluated the  Impact of Distance Online Laughter Yoga (DOLY) on Work Stress, Work Anxiety,  aloneness  & Work Depression  feelings in Corporate Employees Who Worked from Home During the COVID  Pandemic

Methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to assess the effects of distance online laughter yoga (DOLY) on work depression, work anxiety, work stress, and aloneness  among adults. Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to receive DOLY twice weekly for four weeks, while twenty-nine participants were assigned to a control group that received no intervention. Data were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DGLS) at the beginning of the study and at week four.

Randomization Process : Using this website (http://www.randomizer.org)

Results: The online laughter yoga (DOLY) intervention resulted in a statistically significant reduction in work depression symptoms (DASS-21: t(59) = -2.31, p < 0.05). The mean work depression scores for the intervention and control groups at pre-test were 10.0 and 12.0, respectively. After the DOLY intervention, the mean work depression scores for the intervention and control groups were 8.0 and 12.0, respectively.

There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups in work anxiety, work stress, or work loneliness symptoms.

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that DOLY may be an effective intervention for reducing work depression symptoms. However, further research is needed to determine whether DOLY is effective in reducing other work-related stressors, such as anxiety, stress, and loneliness.
Elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor decreases pseudomonas abundance in the sinonasal microbiome in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Zemke Anna C. , Hilliam Yasmin , Stapleton Amanda L. , Kimple Adam J. , Goralski Jennifer L. , Shaffer Amber D. , Pilewski Joseph M. , Senior Brent A. , Lee Stella E. , Cooper Vaughn S.
Published: October 2023

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is common in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and is marked by chronic inflammation and episodes of infection that negatively impact quality of life. Several studies have shown that elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor (ETI) improves symptoms and examination findings in CF‐CRS. The current study determines the effect of ETI on the sinonasal microbiota in CF.

Methods

Sinonasal samples were collected under endoscopic visualization before and after starting ETI. Samples were subjected to 16S amplicon sequencing and sequences were processed with the QIIME2 pipeline with subsequent analysis using the vegan R‐package.

Results

Twenty‐nine individual baseline samples and 23 sample pairs pre‐/post‐ETI were available. At baseline, the cohort had samples dominated by Staphylococcus, and alpha diversity was lower than that of a published reference set of individuals without sinonasal disease. Individuals with prior sinus surgery had lower alpha diversity as measured by Shannon Index, Observed Richness, and Faith's phylogenetic diversity Index. Beta diversity differed between individuals with and without allergic rhinitis, with higher Staphylococcus abundance in those with allergic rhinitis. No change in alpha or beta diversity was seen after a median of 9 months on ETI. With ETI, the Pseudomonas genus and the genus containing Burkholderia decreased in samples containing these taxa at baseline. Pseudomonas abundance decreased with treatment as measured by qPCR. Core sinonasal microbiome members Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Streptococcus were unchanged, while Moraxella increased with ETI.

Conclusions

Treatment with ETI leads to a reduction in Pseudomonas abundance within the sinonasal microbiome of individuals with Pseudomonas at baseline.
Combined Connectomics, MAPT Gene Expression, and Amyloid Deposition to Explain Regional Tau Deposition in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Zheng Lukai , Rubinski Anna , Denecke Jannis , Luan Ying , Smith Ruben , Strandberg Olof , Stomrud Erik , Ossenkoppele Rik , Svaldi Diana Otero , Higgins Ixavier Alonzo , Shcherbinin Sergey , Pontecorvo Michael J. , Hansson Oskar , Franzmeier Nicolai , Ewers Michael ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2023

Objective

We aimed to test whether region‐specific factors, including spatial expression patterns of the tau‐encoding gene MAPT and regional levels of amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), enhance connectivity‐based modeling of the spatial variability in tau‐PET deposition in the Alzheimer disease (AD) spectrum.

Methods

We included 685 participants (395 amyloid‐positive participants within AD spectrum and 290 amyloid‐negative controls) with tau‐PET and amyloid‐PET from 3 studies (Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, 18F‐AV‐1451‐A05, and BioFINDER‐1). Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained in healthy controls (n = 1,000) from the Human Connectome Project, and MAPT gene expression from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Based on a brain‐parcellation atlas superimposed onto all modalities, we obtained region of interest (ROI)‐to‐ROI functional connectivity, ROI‐level PET values, and MAPT gene expression. In stepwise regression analyses, we tested connectivity, MAPT gene expression, and amyloid‐PET as predictors of group‐averaged and individual tau‐PET ROI values in amyloid‐positive participants.

Results

Connectivity alone explained 21.8 to 39.2% (range across 3 studies) of the variance in tau‐PET ROI values averaged across amyloid‐positive participants. Stepwise addition of MAPT gene expression and amyloid‐PET increased the proportion of explained variance to 30.2 to 46.0% and 45.0 to 49.9%, respectively. Similarly, for the prediction of patient‐level tau‐PET ROI values, combining all 3 predictors significantly improved the variability explained (mean adjusted R2 range across studies = 0.118–0.148, 0.156–0.196, and 0.251–0.333 for connectivity alone, connectivity plus MAPT expression, and all 3 modalities combined, respectively).

Interpretation

Across 3 study samples, combining the functional connectome and molecular properties substantially enhanced the explanatory power compared to single modalities, providing a valuable tool to explain regional susceptibility to tau deposition in AD. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:274–287
Selective Four‐Electron Reduction of Oxygen by a Nonheme Heterobimetallic CuFe Complex
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Tao , Xie Fei , Guo Yu‐Hua , Xiao Yao , Zhang Ming‐Tian
Published: October 2023

We report herein the first nonheme CuFe oxygen reduction catalyst ([CuII(bpbp)(μ‐OAc)2FeIII]2+, CuFe−OAc), which serves as a functional model of cytochrome c oxidase and can catalyze oxygen reduction to water with a turnover frequency of 2.4×103 s−1 and selectivity of 96.0 % in the presence of Et3NH+. This performance significantly outcompetes its homobimetallic analogues (2.7 s−1 of CuCu−OAc with %H2O2 selectivity of 98.9 %, and inactive of FeFe−OAc) under the same conditions. Structure‐activity relationship studies, in combination with density functional theory calculation, show that the CuFe center efficiently mediates O−O bond cleavage via a CuII(μ‐η1 : η2‐O2)FeIII peroxo intermediate in which the peroxo ligand possesses distinctive coordinating and electronic character. Our work sheds light on the nature of Cu/Fe heterobimetallic cooperation in oxygen reduction catalysis and demonstrates the potential of this synergistic effect in the design of nonheme oxygen reduction catalysts.
CO Binding Energy is an Incomplete Descriptor of Cu‐Based Catalysts for the Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Reaction
Authors: Gao Wenqiang , Xu Yifei , Xiong Haocheng , Chang Xiaoxia , Lu Qi , Xu Bingjun
Published: October 2023

CO binding energy has been employed as a descriptor in the catalyst design for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR). The reliability of the descriptor has yet been experimentally verified due to the lack of suitable methods to determine CO binding energies. In this work, we determined the standard CO adsorption enthalpies (
) of undoped and doped oxide‐derived Cu (OD−Cu) samples, and for the first time established the correlation of
with the Faradaic efficiencies (FE) for C2+ products. A clear volcano shaped dependence of the FE for C2+ products on
is observed on OD−Cu catalysts prepared with the same hydrothermal durations, however, the trend becomes less clear when all catalysts investigated are taken into account. The relative abundance of Cu sites active for the CO2‐to‐CO conversion and the further reduction of CO is identified as another key descriptor.
Uniform Colloidal Polymer Rods by Stabilizer‐Assisted Liquid‐Crystallization‐Driven Self‐Assembly
Authors: Li Minchao , Guo Jin , Zhang Chuang , Che Yanke , Yi Yuanping , Liu Bing
Published: October 2023

The synthesis of anisotropic colloidal building blocks is essential for their self‐assembly into hierarchical materials. Here, a highly efficient stabilizer‐assisted liquid‐crystallization‐driven self‐assembly (SA‐LCDSA) strategy was developed to achieve monodisperse colloidal polymer rods. This strategy does not require the use of block copolymers, but only homopolymers or random copolymers. The resulting rods have tunable size and aspect ratios, as well as well‐defined columnar liquid crystal structures. The integrated triphenylene units enable the rods to exhibit unusual photo‐induced fluorescence enhancement and accompanying irradiation memory effect, which, as demonstrated, are attractive for information encryption/decryption of paper documents. In particular, unwanted document decryption during delivery can be examined by fluorescence kinetics. This SA‐LCDSA‐based approach can be extended to synthesize other functional particles with desired π‐molecular units.
Isolation and Reactivity of Homoleptic Diphosphene Lead Complexes
Authors: Chen Ming , Zhang Zhaoyin , Liu Jun , Li Gongyu , Zhao Lili , Mo Zhenbo
Published: October 2023

Due to their limited capacity for π‐backdonation, isolation of π‐complexes of main‐group elements remains a great challenge. We report herein the synthesis of a homoleptic diphosphene lead complex (2) from the degradation of P4 with a bis(germylene)‐stabilized Pb(0) complex. Structural and computational studies showed that 2 possesses significant π bonding interactions between Pb atom and diphosphene ligands, which is reminiscent of transition‐metal diphosphene complexes. Consistent with its unique electronic structure, complex 2 can deliver Pb(0) atoms to perform redox reaction with an iminoquinone to produce a cyclic plumbylene (4) and perform 2,5‐dimethyl‐3,4‐dimethylimidazol‐1‐ylidene (IMe2Me2) induced phosphorus cation abstraction to give an anionic PbP3 complex (6).
Comparisons of coherent systems with two types of heterogeneous components having proportional reversed hazard rates
Authors: Rao T. V. , Naqvi Sameen
Published: October 2023

The comparison of coherent systems in terms of stochastic orders is vital in reliability theory. While there is a considerable amount of literature devoted to comparing systems with homogeneous and independent components, real‐world systems often consist of heterogeneous components. Hence, this article aims to investigate systems with heterogeneous and independent components, as well as, those with heterogeneous and dependent components. For this purpose, we consider systems comprise of three components, which are of two different types of components, namely two components of type A and one component of type B. The system's lifetime distribution is represented using the failure signature when the components are independent, which is a function of the component's life distribution. However, when the components are dependent, the system's lifetime distribution is represented using copula and diagonal sections. Additionally, distorted distributions are utilized to enable distribution‐free stochastic comparisons. Using these representations, we compare systems with components having proportional reversed hazard rates, in three scenarios: (i) when components are heterogeneous and independent; (ii) when components are heterogeneous and dependent; and finally, (iii) comparing systems with homogeneous and independent components with those that have heterogeneous components. To illustrate the applicability of these results, we provide some examples and applications.
Integrated biorefinery for xylooligosaccharides, pectin, and bioenergy production from orange waste
Authors: Martins Manoela , Goldbeck Rosana
Published: October 2023

Orange waste is one of the most underutilized biowastes. It accounts for 50% of the fruit weight after juice extraction, presenting an environmental problem due to inappropriate disposal. Industrial waste exploitation is a sustainable way to obtain bioproducts and bioenergy. However, the efficiency of chemical treatments and enzymatic cocktails is still a bottleneck in these processes. One potential route to reduce costs is to design consecutive extraction and hydrolysis stages to yield more products from different fractions of the same feedstock, reducing the use of time and bulk materials. This study assessed the economic performance of an orange processing waste (OPW) biorefinery for xylooligosaccharides (XOS), pectin, and bioenergy, involving three aspects: (1) experimental procedures, (2) a simulation approach, and (3) optimization tools. The optimization of hydrothermal treatment for pectin extraction decreased material costs by more than 60% and preserved the xylan content for xylooligosaccharide production by enzymatic hydrolysis. This study analyzed different biorefinery capacities, and solid waste exploitation for heat and steam generation, improving sustainability. The production cost per kg of high‐purity pectin and xylooligosaccharides is 3.67 $ with an efficient solvent recovery and self‐sufficiency for standard power usage. These results proved the economic feasibility and low environmental impact of the OPW biorefinery.
A facile route for highly enantioenriched six‐membered 1,4‐N,N‐ and N,O‐heterocycles from L‐serinate‐derived α‐bromoacetates
Authors: Lee So Jeong , Park Min Ji , Kim Seyeon , Park Yong Sun
Published: October 2023

Preparation of highly enantioenriched six‐membered 1,4‐N,N‐ and N,O‐heterocycles has been developed through [4 + 2] heteroannulation of α‐bromoacetates with 1,4‐binucleophiles. Two consecutive substitutions of highly diastereoenriched L‐serinate‐derived α‐bromoacetates provide convenient access to a wide range of C‐aryl/aliphatic substituted 1,4‐N,N‐ and N,O‐heterocycles with up to 99:1 er.
The impact of epilepsy and antiseizure medications on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kuo Cheng‐Yen , Kuo Chang‐Fu , See Lai‐Chu , Chiou Meng‐Jiung , Hung Po‐Cheng , Lin Jainn‐Jim , Lin Kuang‐Lin , Wang Huei‐Shyong , Chou I‐Jun
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Our objective was to assess the adverse outcomes during pregnancy, as well as for the fetus and neonates, in women with epilepsy, both with and without the use of antiseizure medications (ASMs).

Methods

A cohort of singleton pregnancies between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2014 was identified using the Taiwan National Health Database. The pregnancies were categorized into ASM exposure, ASM nonexposure, and control (consisting of women without an epilepsy diagnosis) groups. We recorded adverse outcomes in neonates and documented pregnancy complications. The generalized estimating equation with logit link was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios.

Results

There were 629 singleton pregnancies in the group exposed to ASMs, 771 in the epilepsy group without ASM exposure, and 2,004,479 in the control group. Women with epilepsy had a significantly higher risk of puerperal cerebrovascular diseases (adjusted odds ratios in the exposure and nonexposure groups = 54.46 and 20.37, respectively), respiratory distress syndrome (5.1 and 2.99), mortality (3.15 and 3.22), sepsis (2.67 and 2.54), pregnancy‐related hypertension (1.71 and 1.8), preeclampsia (1.87 and 1.79), cesarean delivery (1.72 and 2.15), and preterm labor (1.38 and 1.56). The use of ASMs may increase the risk of eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio = 12.27). Compared to controls, fetuses/neonates born to women with epilepsy had a higher risk of unexplained stillbirth (adjusted odds ratios in the exposure and nonexposure groups = 2.51 and 2.37, respectively), congenital anomaly (1.37 and 1.33), central nervous system malformation (3.57 and 2.25), low birth weight (1.90 and 1.97), and a low Apgar score at 5 min (2.63 and 1.3). The use of ASMs may introduce an additional risk of small for gestational age; the adjusted odds ratio was 1.51.

Conclusion

Women with epilepsy, irrespective of their exposure to ASMs, had a slightly elevated risk of pregnancy and perinatal complications. Puerperal cerebrovascular diseases may be a hidden risk for women with epilepsy.
Curcumin/L‐OHP co‐loaded HAP for cGAS‐STING pathway activation to enhance the natural immune response in colorectal cancer
Authors: Xiao Yao , Guo Guohu , Wang Huaiming , Peng Bin , Lin Yinglin , Qu Gaowen , Li Ben , Jiang Zhaojun , Zhang Fan , Wu Jiaming , Liang Min
Published: October 2023

Insufficient immune cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment (TME) greatly compromises the clinical application of immune‐checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)‐based immunotherapy. Recent findings have shown that activation of the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS‐STING) pathway can enhance natural immunity and increase lymphocyte infiltration into the TME, which presents a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we constructed hydroxyapatite nanoparticles co‐loaded with curcumin and L‐oxaliplatin (Cur/L‐OHP@HAP NPs). We analyzed the particle‐size distribution, zeta potential, spectral characteristics (Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy), and drug‐release properties of the Cur/L‐OHP@HAP NPs. The cellular uptake of the Cur/L‐OHP@HAP NPs detected by flow cytometry and confocal laser‐scanning microscopy. We comprehensively evaluated the anti‐tumor properties and immune‐activating effects of the NPs, both in vitro and in vivo. Physicochemical characterizations demonstrated that the Cur/L‐OHP@HAP NPs were successfully synthesized and were capable of pH‐dependent drug release. Notably, the Cur/L‐OHP@HAP NPs efficiently entered cancer cells, after which the released L‐OHP induced nuclear DNA (nDNA) damage to some extent. HAP promoted the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores in cancer cells, and curcumin inhibited Ca2+ efflux, resulting in intracellular Ca2+ overload and the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Damage to both nDNA and mtDNA greatly stimulated the cGAS‐STING pathway, thereby activating natural immunity, accompanied by immune cell recruitment to the TME. In summary, the Cur/L‐OHP@HAP NPs show good prospects for improving cancer immunotherapy.
Prodrug Rewards in Medicinal Chemistry: An Advance and Challenges Approach for Drug Designing
Authors: Husain Asif , Monga Jyoti , Narwal Smita , Singh Gurvirender , Rashid Mohammad , Afzal Obaid , Alatawi Abdurahhman , Almadani Norah M
Published: October 2023

This article emphasizes the importance of prodrugs and their diverse spectrum of effects in the field of developing novel drugs for a variety of biological applications. Prodrugs are chemicals that are supplied inactively, but then go through enzymatic and chemical transformation in vivo to release the active parent medication that can have the desired pharmacological effect. By adding an inactive chemical moiety, prodrugs are improved in a number of ways that contribute to their potency and durability. For the purpose of illustrating the usefulness of the prodrug approach, this review covers examples of prodrugs that have been made available or are now undergoing human trials. Additionally, it included lists of the most common functional groups, carrier linkers, and reactive chemicals that can be used to create prodrugs. The current study also provides a brief introduction, several chemical methods and modifications for creating prodrugs and mutual prodrugs, as well as an explanation of recent advancements and difficulties in the field of prodrug design. The primary chemical carriers employed in the creation of prodrugs, such as esters, amides, imides, NH‐acidic carriers, amines, alcohols, carbonyl, carboxylic, and azo‐linkages, are also discussed. This review also discusses glycosidic and triglyceride mutually activated prodrugs, which aim to deliver the drugs after bioconversion at the intended site of action. The article also discusses the extensive chemistry and wide variety of applications of recently approved prodrugs, such as antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, cardiovascular, antiplatelet, antihypertensive, atherosclerotic, antiviral, etc. In order to illustrate the prodrug and mutual drug concept's various applications and highlight its many triumphs in overcoming the formulation and delivery of problematic pharmaceuticals, this work represents a thorough guide that includes the synthetic moiety for the reader.
Development of Ruthenium Nanophotocages with Red or Near‐Infrared Light‐Responsiveness
Authors: Zhang Zongwei , He Maomao , Wang Ran , Fan Jiangli , Peng Xiaojun , Sun Wen
Published: October 2023

The development of light‐triggered ruthenium (Ru) nanophotocages has revolutionized conventional methods of drug administration, thereby facilitating cancer therapy in a noninvasive and temperate manner. Ru nanophotocages employ a distinct approach known as photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT), wherein light‐induced ligand dissociation yields a toxic metal complex or a ligand capable of performing other functions such as optically controlled protein degradation and drug delivery. Simultaneously, this process is accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which serve as an effective anticancer agent in combination with PACT and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Due to its exceptional attributes of extended tissue penetration, and minimized tissue damage, red light or near‐infrared light is widely acknowledged as the “phototherapeutic window” (650–900 nm). In this Concept, we present an overview of the most recent advancements in Ru nanophotocages within the phototherapeutic range. Diverse aspects, including design principles, photocaging efficacy, photoactivation mechanisms, and potential applications in the field of biomedical chemistry, are discussed. Questions and challenges regarding their synthesis, characterization, and applications are also discussed. This Concept would foster further exploration into the realm of Ru nanophotocages.
Hybrid assessment of fiber orientation influence on the load resistance of anchors in SFRC
Authors: Mellios Nikolaos , Losse Jeffrey , Spyridis Panagiotis
Published: October 2023

The consistent evolution of concrete has led to a variety of concrete types that enhance the material's versatility, cost‐efficiency, and sustainability. Despite the rapid development and extensive research regarding steel fiber‐reinforced concrete (SFRC) in the last decades, there are still knowledge gaps on the material's resistance against locally applied tension loads on anchor bolts, as well as the interaction of possible nonhomogeneous fiber orientations on the anchorage axisymmetric stress field. This aspect becomes particularly relevant since anchors are placed at the component boundaries, where fibers tend to align parallel to the external surface. Through an innovative experimental investigation on 64 single‐bonded anchors using layer‐casting concrete and a supporting set of nonlinear finite element simulations, this work aspires to exhibit the influence of controlled unidimensional fiber orientation on the load‐bearing capacity and behavior of anchorages in SFRC.
Long‐term multimorbidity trajectories in older adults: The role of cancer, demographics, and health behaviors
Authors: Rees‐Punia Erika , Masters Matthew , Teras Lauren R. , Leach Corinne R. , Williams Grant R. , Newton Christina C. , Diver W. Ryan , Patel Alpa V. , Parsons Helen M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Multimorbidity is associated with premature mortality and excess health care costs. The burden of multimorbidity is highest among patients with cancer, yet trends and determinants of multimorbidity over time are poorly understood.

Methods

Via Medicare claims linked to Cancer Prevention Study II data, group‐based trajectory modeling was used to compare National Cancer Institute comorbidity index score trends for cancer survivors and older adults without a cancer history. Among cancer survivors, multinomial logistic regression analyses evaluated associations between demographics, health behaviors, and comorbidity trajectories.

Results

In 82,754 participants (mean age, 71.6 years [SD, 5.1 years]; 56.9% female), cancer survivors (n = 11,265) were more likely than older adults without a cancer history to experience the riskiest comorbidity trajectories: (1) steady, high comorbidity scores (remain high; odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.29–1.45), and (2) high scores that increased over time (start high and increase; OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.38–1.65). Cancer survivors who were physically active postdiagnosis were less likely to fall into these two trajectories (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.64–0.84, remain high; OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.33–0.53, start high and increase) compared to inactive survivors. Cancer survivors with obesity were more likely to have a trajectory that started high and increased (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 2.32–3.45 vs. normal weight), although being physically active offset some obesity‐related risk. Cancer survivors who smoked postdiagnosis were also six times more likely to have trajectories that started high and increased (OR, 6.86; 95% CI, 4.41–10.66 vs. never smokers).

Conclusions

Older cancer survivors are more likely to have multiple comorbidities accumulated at a faster pace than older adults without a history of cancer. Weight management, physical activity, and smoking avoidance postdiagnosis may attenuate that trend.
Developmental profile of microglia distribution in nuclei of the superior olivary complex
Authors: Zacher Alina C. , Hohaus Kiara , Felmy Felix , Pätz‐Warncke Christina
Published: October 2023

In the brain, microglia are involved in immune responses and synaptic maturation. During early development, these cells invade the brain, proliferate, and morphologically mature to achieve coverage of the surrounding tissue with their fine processes. Their developmental proliferation overlaps with the postnatal development of neuronal circuits. Within the superior olivary complex (SOC), an auditory brainstem structure, microglia, and their early postnatal development have been documented. A quantification over the full developmental profile of the arrangement and morphological changes in single microglia cells is missing. Here, we used immunofluorescence labeling to quantify their distribution, morphological changes, and coverage during early and late postnatal development in the SOC of Mongolian gerbils. Microglia distributed rather homogenously within each nucleus with a bias to the nucleus borders at postnatal day (P) 5 and more centrally in the nucleus in mature stages. We found a nucleus‐specific transient increase in microglia cell number and density reaching its peak at P17 with a subsequent decline to P55 values. Length and branching of microglia protrusions increased especially after P12. The stronger ramification together with the increase in cell density allows coverage of the surrounding tissue from P5 to mature stages, despite the large developmental increase in nucleus size. The transient increase in density during synaptic refinement in SOC nuclei suggests that microglia are important during the pruning period, compensating for developmental increase in tissue volume, and that in mature stages their main function appears tissue surveillance.
Exploring and validating observations of non‐local species in eDNA samples
Authors: Westerduin Coen , Suokas Marko , Petäjä Tuukka , Saarela Ulla , Vainio Seppo , Mutanen Marko
Published: October 2023

The development of DNA‐based methods in recent decades has opened the door to numerous new lines of research in the biological sciences. While the speed and accuracy of DNA methodologies are clearly beneficial, the sensitivity of these methods has the adverse effect of increased susceptibility to false positives resulting from contamination in field or lab. Here, we present findings from a metabarcoding study on the diet of and food availability for five insectivorous birds, in which multiple lepidopteran species not known to occur locally were discovered. After describing the pattern of occurrences of these non‐local species in the samples, we discuss various potential origins of these sequences. First, we assessed that the taxonomic assignments appeared reliable, and local occurrences of many of the species could be plausibly ruled out. Then, we looked into the possibilities of natural environmental contamination, judging it to be unlikely, albeit impossible to fully falsify. Finally, while dissimilar combinations of non‐local species' occurrences across the samples did not initially suggest lab contamination, we found overlap with taxa and sequences handled in the same lab, which was undoubtedly not coincidental. Even so, not all exact sequences were accounted for in these locally conducted studies, nor was it clear if these and other sequences could remain detectable years later. Although the full explanation for the observations of non‐local species remains inconclusive, these findings highlight the importance of critical examination of metabarcoding results, and showcase how species‐level taxonomic assignments utilizing comprehensive reference libraries may be a tool in detecting potential contamination events, and false positives in general.
Diversity of freshwater algal assemblages across the United States as revealed by DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Schulte Nicholas O. , Craine Joseph M. , Leopold Devin R. , Devitt Jessica K. , Fierer Noah
Published: October 2023

As freshwater algae respond strongly to environmental conditions, algal communities are routinely used as indicators of aquatic health. Algal bioassessments have historically relied upon microscopy‐based identifications that are typically slow, expensive, taxonomically restricted, and inconsistent across analysts and time. Metabarcoding of water column DNA (environmental DNA, or eDNA) can characterize assemblages more quickly, at lower cost, and with higher taxonomic precision than microscopy. As such, eDNA metabarcoding has the potential to improve bioassessments, but relationships between environmental conditions and eDNA‐derived algal assemblage composition need to be determined first. We performed metabarcoding of a plastid 23S rRNA gene region for 1230 freshwater eDNA samples collected from 51 lakes and 617 streams across the conterminous United States to test for assemblage‐wide patterns that may indicate ecological condition. Samples were collected by citizen, academic, and research scientists using a standardized commercial kit. This effort constitutes the largest published water column eDNA survey yet of algal diversity across freshwaters in the United States. We detected 14,943 algal exact sequence variants (ESVs) from 11 divisions. The richness and abundance of cyanobacteria was higher in lakes, while streams were dominated by diatoms. Nationwide, only 1% of variation in stream assemblages was explained by catchment integrity. The remaining, explicable 19% was associated with forest cover, stream order, elevation, and broad‐scale spatial variables. Nevertheless, select ESVs were candidate indicators of gradients in stream catchment integrity and possible eutrophication. Together, we show that algal eDNA metabarcoding has potential for measuring ecological condition relative to water quality. Yet, further sampling along anthropogenic gradients is needed before algal eDNA can be used for large‐scale biomonitoring in the United States. We also found that only 2% of algal ESVs could be assigned to U.S. morphospecies, highlighting the importance of building a more comprehensive reference sequence database to integrate existing morphospecies autecology with eDNA‐based bioassessments.
CD95L concatemers highlight different stoichiometries of CD95‐mediated apoptotic and nonapoptotic pathways
Authors: Lebrault Eden , Oblet Christelle , Kurma Keerthi , Levoin Nicolas , Jeannet Robin , Jean Mickael , Vacher Pierre , Legembre Patrick
Published: October 2023

To better understand the stoichiometry of CD95L required to trigger apoptotic and nonapoptotic signals, we generated several CD95L concatemers from dimer to hexamer conjugated via a flexible link (GGGGS)2. These ligands reveal that although the hexameric structure is the best stoichiometry to trigger cell death, a dimer is sufficient to induce the apoptotic response in CD95‐sensitive Jurkat cells. Interestingly, only trimeric and hexameric forms can implement a potent Ca2+ response, suggesting that while CD95 aggregation controls the implementation of the apoptotic signal, both aggregation and conformation are required to implement the Ca2+ pathway.
Somatotopic disruption of the functional connectivity of the primary sensorimotor cortex in complex regional pain syndrome type 1
Authors: Hotta Jaakko , Saari Jukka , Harno Hanna , Kalso Eija , Forss Nina , Hari Riitta
Published: October 2023

In complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the representation area of the affected limb in the primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) reacts abnormally during sensory stimulation and motor actions. We recorded 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging resting‐state data from 17 upper‐limb CRPS type 1 patients and 19 healthy control subjects to identify alterations of patients' SM1 function during spontaneous pain and to find out how the spatial distribution of these alterations were related to peripheral symptoms. Seed‐based correlations and independent component analyses indicated that patients' upper‐limb SM1 representation areas display (i) reduced interhemispheric connectivity, associated with the combined effect of intensity and spatial extent of limb pain, (ii) increased connectivity with the right anterior insula that positively correlated with the duration of CRPS, (iii) increased connectivity with periaqueductal gray matter, and (iv) disengagement from the other parts of the SM1 network. These findings, now reported for the first time in CRPS, parallel the alterations found in patients suffering from other chronic pain conditions or from limb denervation; they also agree with findings in healthy persons who are exposed to experimental pain or have used their limbs asymmetrically. Our results suggest that CRPS is associated with a sustained and somatotopically specific alteration of SM1 function, that has correspondence to the spatial distribution of the peripheral manifestations and to the duration of the syndrome.
Artificial intelligence for emergency medical care
Authors: Rajput Shivam , Sharma Pramod Kumar , Malviya Rishabha
Published: October 2023

There is increasing research into the potential benefits of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms into emergency medical services. AI is finding new applications across a wide range of sectors, one of which is healthcare, where it is being used to enhance clinical diagnostics. AI solutions have enormous untapped potential to improve healthcare efficiency and quality, thus researchers have focused heavily on emergency medicine (EM). Many individuals without prior experience with any physician often receive their initial medical care in the emergency room. Two areas that could benefit from the implementation of AI are reducing waiting times and enhancing diagnostic capabilities. This study provides further explanation of how AI is used in emergency rooms. Several machine learning‐based algorithms are also addressed. In this research, we summarise recent developments in the use of AI in EM. This research tries to summarise the usefulness of AI in EM by looking at recent developments in emergency department operations and clinical patient management.
Vocal cord leukoplakia classification using deep learning models in white light and narrow band imaging endoscopy images
Authors: You Zhenzhen , Han Botao , Shi Zhenghao , Zhao Minghua , Du Shuangli , Yan Jing , Liu Haiqin , Hei Xinhong , Ren Xiaoyong , Yan Yan
Published: October 2023

Background

Accurate vocal cord leukoplakia classification is critical for the individualized treatment and early detection of laryngeal cancer. Numerous deep learning techniques have been proposed, but it is unclear how to select one to apply in the laryngeal tasks. This article introduces and reliably evaluates existing deep learning models for vocal cord leukoplakia classification.

Methods

We created white light and narrow band imaging (NBI) image datasets of vocal cord leukoplakia which were classified into six classes: normal tissues (NT), inflammatory keratosis (IK), mild dysplasia (MiD), moderate dysplasia (MoD), severe dysplasia (SD), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Vocal cord leukoplakia classification was performed using six classical deep learning models, AlexNet, VGG, Google Inception, ResNet, DenseNet, and Vision Transformer.

Results

GoogLeNet (i.e., Google Inception V1), DenseNet‐121, and ResNet‐152 perform excellent classification. The highest overall accuracy of white light image classification is 0.9583, while the highest overall accuracy of NBI image classification is 0.9478. These three neural networks all provide very high sensitivity, specificity, and precision values.

Conclusion

GoogLeNet, ResNet, and DenseNet can provide accurate pathological classification of vocal cord leukoplakia. It facilitates early diagnosis, providing judgment on conservative treatment or surgical treatment of different degrees, and reducing the burden on endoscopists.
Implication of Calmodulin‐Dependent Phosphodiesterase Type 1 During Bovine Sperm Capacitation
Authors: Fournier Valérie , Leclerc Pierre , Cormier Nathaly , Bailey Janice L.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that degrade cyclic nucleotides. The calcium‐calmodulin dependent PDE type 1 (PDE 1) and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)‐specific PDE type 4 (PDE 4) have been implicated in sperm function. We tested the hypothesis that specific PDEs regulate capacitation of bovine sperm in a manner independent of those that mediate motility. Our objectives were to determine the effects of inhibiting PDE 1 and PDE 4 on capacitation and motility, and to compare these effects to those of heparin, which is necessary for capacitation of bull sperm in vitro. Fresh sperm were supplemented either with 15 μg/mL heparin (positive control) or the PDE inhibitors vinpocetine (specific for PDE 1) and rolipram (specific for PDE 4), and then incubated for 5 hours. At 0, 3, and 5 hours, samples were assayed for capacitation and motility parameters according to the chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescent pattern B and computer‐assisted sperm analysis, respectively. A higher percentage of CTC pattern B sperm relative to heparin controls was observed at 0 and 3 hours when sperm were incubated with vinpocetine. After 5 hours, the percentage of heparin‐ and vinpocetine‐treated sperm showing pattern B did not differ (P > .05). Rolipram did not affect CTC patterns (P > .05; n = 4). Vinpocetine and heparin both reduced the percentage of progressively motile sperm after 3 and 5 hours, but vinpocetine reduced it more than heparin (P < .05; n = 4). Rolipram transiently increased linearity versus sperm with heparin (P < .05; n = 4). To further test the hypothesis that PDE 1 inhibition permits capacitation, we conducted in vitro fertilization. Vinpocetine did not support the ability of sperm to penetrate homologous oocytes (n = 5). Although cAMP regulation by PDE 1 may occur early during capacitation, downstream events appear to prevent full capacitation from occurring prematurely.
Structural invariance of the Global Wellness Model: A national sample
Authors: Kalkbrenner Michael T.
Published: October 2023

Total wellness (combined physical and mental health) is an integral element in the professional identity of counselors. Counselors need wellness‐based models with corresponding screening tools to measure their clients’ wellness. A number of sociodemographic disparities in mental and physical wellness exist among US adults. While a number of wellness models exist (e.g., Global Wellness Model), the literature is missing a model that has been tested for invariance (equivalent meaning) across extant wellness‐based sociodemographic variables. Invariance testing is a crucial next step in this line of research, as it is not appropriate to apply a model in practice if the meaning of the model's latent trait differs between subgroups of the population. Results demonstrated that the Global Wellness Model was invariant by gender, ethnicity, help‐seeking history, income, and education among a national sample (N = 772) of US adults. Results also revealed sociodemographic differences in Global Wellness by income and help‐seeking history.
Market share, investor horizon, and stock crash risk
Authors: Ngo Thanh , Susnjara Jurica , Yi Ha‐Chin
Published: October 2023

On a 1990–2016 sample of 78,594 firm‐year observations, we document strong evidence of lower stock crash risk for more prominent firms (those with greater market share). This evidence is consistent across various proxies for stock crash risk, raw versus instrumented market share, and ordinary least squares versus logistic regressions. We also find that the market share's suppressing effect on stock crash risk is weakened by the relative prevalence of long‐term investors. This moderating effect of investor horizon suggests the quasi‐monopolistic insulation from market pressures as the explanation for the reduction in stock crash risk among more dominant firms.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease‐the Developing World's Perspective
Authors: Patel Khushboo , Kalikavil Puthanveedu Divya , Vijayaraghavan Asish , Kesavapisharady Krishnakumar , Sarma Gangadhara , Sarma Sankara P. , Krishnan Syam
Published: October 2023

Background

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the most widely used device‐assisted therapy in patients with moderately advanced stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) experiencing motor complications. Only a minority of eligible patients get the opportunity to undergo DBS in the developing world.

Objectives

To examine the proportion and characteristics of patients with motor complications of PD who are willing for DBS and who undergo surgery.

Methods

Patients with motor complications of PD eligible for DBS over a five‐year study period (2016–2020) were included. The demographic, clinical and socio‐economic characteristics and information on their status in 2021 were collected and analyzed.

Results

Among 1017 patients, 223 had motor symptoms qualifying for DBS and follow‐up information available. Only 78 (35%) opted for surgery. The willing patients had higher socioeconomic status, were older and had longer duration of PD and motor complications, more freezing of gait, cognitive symptoms, and neuropsychiatric disturbances. 37 of them were found unfit during pre‐operative work‐up; only 41 (18%) with motor complications were finally taken up for DBS. Age, duration or severity of motor symptoms did not differ between patients who were finally selected for surgery and those who were not.

Conclusions

Less than one‐fifth of our patients with motor complications of PD finally underwent DBS. The patients appeared to wait till the late stages of PD, before making a decision on availing surgical treatment. The delay resulted in nearly half of them being found unfit in pre‐operative work‐up. Our findings may enable clinicians to counsel eligible patients more efficiently.
The evolution of research and development cooperation in dynamically interorganizational project networks: Effects of reference‐point‐based expectations
Authors: Wang Ding , Guo Peng , Guo Ning
Published: October 2023

Considering the coevolution of interorganizational project and social networks, this study examines the evolution of research and development (R&D) cooperation by simulating the play of an appropriate game model. We assume that decision‐makers are aggressive or prudent in terms of expectations. The results show that the effects of expectation type and heterogeneity on cooperation evolution depend on the project scale. Aggressive decision‐makers are more sensitive to free‐riding behaviors than prudent decision‐makers. The effect of supervision on cooperation is contingent on decision‐makers' expectations. Finally, the study develops suggestions for the governance of interorganizational R&D cooperation.
A necessary and sufficient condition for the global existence of solutions to nonlinear reaction‐diffusion equations on the half‐spaces in ℝN
Authors: Chung Soon‐Yeong , Hwang Jaeho
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we study the existence and nonexistence of the global solutions to nonlinear reaction‐diffusion equations

where
is the half‐space
,
is a nonnegative continuous function, and
is a locally Lipschitz function with some additional properties. The purpose of this paper is to give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of global solutions as follows: There is no global solution for any nonnegative and nontrivial initial data
if and only if
for every
. In fact, we introduce a very special curve in

to obtain the lower bound of decay of the heat semigroup, which is essential to prove the main result.
Periodic solutions of seasonal epidemiological models with information‐dependent vaccination
Authors: Guerrero‐Flores Shaday , Osuna Osvaldo , Vargas‐De‐León Cruz
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we study nontrivial periodic solutions for seasonal epidemiological models with information‐dependent vaccination. Using Leray–Schauder degree theory, we establish new results concerning the existence of at least one nontrivial periodic solution for the
and
models with seasonality, state‐dependent vaccination coverage and delayed information. Some numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the effect of such vaccination coverage.