bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flucloxacillin Is a Weak Inducer of CYP3A4 in Healthy Adults and 3D Spheroid of Primary Human Hepatocytes
Authors: Iversen Ditte B. , Dunvald Ann‐Cathrine Dalgård , Jespersen Daniel M. , Nielsen Flemming , Brøsen Kim , Damkier Per , Hammer Helen S. , Pötz Oliver , Järvinen Erkka , Stage Tore B.
Published: May 2023

Flucloxacillin is a widely used antibiotic. It is an agonist to the nuclear receptor PXR that regulates the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Treatment with flucloxacillin reduces warfarin efficacy and plasma concentrations of tacrolimus, voriconazole, and repaglinide. We conducted a translational study to investigate if flucloxacillin induces CYP enzymes. We also investigated if flucloxacillin induces its own metabolism as an autoinducer. We performed a randomized, unblinded, two‐period, cross‐over, clinical pharmacokinetic cocktail study. Twelve healthy adults completed the study. They ingested 1 g flucloxacillin 3 times daily for 31 days, and we assessed the full pharmacokinetics of the Basel cocktail drugs on days 0, 10, and 28, and plasma concentrations of flucloxacillin on days 0, 9, and 27. The 3D spheroid of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) were exposed to flucloxacillin (concentration range: 0.15–250 μM) for 96 hours. Induction of mRNA expression, protein abundance, and enzyme activity of CYP enzymes were assessed. Flucloxacillin treatment reduced the metabolic ratio of midazolam (CYP3A4), (geometric mean ratio (GMR) 10 days (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.75 (0.64–0.89)) and (GMR 28 days (95% CI): 0.72 (0.62–0.85)). Plasma concentrations of flucloxacillin did not change during 27 days of treatment. Flucloxacillin caused concentration‐dependent induction of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 (mRNA, protein, and activity), CYP2C9 (mRNA and protein), CYP2C19 (mRNA and activity), and CYP2D6 (activity) in 3D spheroid PHH. In conclusion, flucloxacillin is a weak inducer of CYP3A4, which may lead to clinically relevant drug–drug interactions for some narrow therapeutic range drugs that are substrates of CYP3A4.
Measurement of Microtubule Stability in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Fermino do Rosário Carline , Wadsworth Patricia
Published: May 2023

The microtubule cytoskeleton is essential for various biological processes such as the intracellular distribution of molecules and organelles, cell morphogenesis, chromosome segregation, and specification of the location of contractile ring formation. Distinct cell types contain microtubules with different extents of stability. For example, microtubules in neurons are highly stabilized to support organelle (or vesicular) transport over large distances, and microtubules in motile cells are more dynamic. In some cases, such as the mitotic spindle, both dynamic and stable microtubules coexist. Alteration of microtubule stability is connected to disease states, making understanding microtubule stability an important area of research. Methods to measure microtubule stability in mammalian cells are described here. Together, these approaches allow microtubule stability to be measured qualitatively or semiquantitatively following staining for post‐translational modifications of tubulin or treating cells with microtubule destabilizing agents such as nocodazole. Microtubule stability can also be measured quantitatively by performing fluorescence recovery after photobleaching or fluorescence photoactivation of tubulin in live cells. These methods should be helpful for those seeking to understand microtubule dynamics and stabilization. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Fixing and staining cells for tubulin post‐translational modifications

Basic Protocol 2: Evaluating microtubule stability following treatment with nocodazole in live or fixed cells

Basic Protocol 3: Measurement of microtubule dynamic turnover by quantification of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching

Basic Protocol 4: Measurement of microtubule dynamic turnover by quantification of dissipation of fluorescence after photoactivation
Constructing N,S and N,P Co‐Coordination in Fe Single‐Atom Catalyst for High‐Performance Oxygen Redox Reaction
Authors: Lu Xiaoqing , Li Jiao , Cao Shoufu , Hu Yuying , Yang Chunyu , Chen Zengxuan , Wei Shuxian , Liu Siyuan , Wang Zhaojie
Published: May 2023

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), in which the coordination environment plays a crucial role in activating the intrinsic activity of the central metal. Taking the FeN4 SAC as a probe, this work investigates the effect of introducing S or P atoms into N coordination (FeSxN4−x and FePxN4−x (x=1–4)) on the electronic structure optimization of Fe center and its catalytic performance. Attributing to the optimal Fe 3d orbitals, FePN3 can effectively activate O2 and promote ORR with a low overpotential of 0.29 V, surpassing FeN4 and most reported catalysts. FeSN3 is beneficial to H2O activation and OER, proceeding with an overpotential of 0.68 V, which is superior to FeN4. Both FePN3 and FeSN3 exhibit outstanding thermodynamic and electrochemical stability with negative formation energies and positive dissolution potentials. Hence, the N,P and N,S co‐coordination might provide better catalytic environment than regular N coordination for SACs in ORR and OER. This work demonstrates FePN3/FeSN3 as high‐performance ORR/OER catalysts and highlights N,P and N,S co‐coordination regulation as an effective approach to fine tune high atomically dispersed electrocatalysts.
Seabed structures and foundations related to deep‐sea resource development: A review based on design and research
Authors: Rui Shengjie , Zhang Haojie , Xu Hang , Zha Xing , Xu Mengtao , Shen Kanmin
Published: May 2023

The deep‐sea ground contains a huge amount of energy and mineral resources, for example, oil, gas, and minerals. Various infrastructures such as floating structures, seabed structures, and foundations have been developed to exploit these resources. The seabed structures and foundations can be mainly classified into three types: subsea production structures, offshore pipelines, and anchors. This study reviewed the development, installation, and operation of these infrastructures, including their structures, design, installation, marine environment loads, and applications. On this basis, the research gaps and further research directions were explored through this literature review. First, different floating structures were briefly analyzed and reviewed to introduce the design requirements of the seabed structures and foundations. Second, the subsea production structures, including subsea manifolds and their foundations, were reviewed and discussed. Third, the basic characteristics and design methods of deep‐sea pipelines, including subsea pipelines and risers, were analyzed and reviewed. Finally, the installation and bearing capacity of deep‐sea subsea anchors and seabed trench influence on the anchor were reviewed. Through the review, it was found that marine environment conditions are the key inputs for any offshore structure design. The fabrication, installation, and operation of infrastructures should carefully consider the marine loads and geological conditions. Different structures have their own mechanical problems. The fatigue and stability of pipelines mainly depend on the soil‐structure interaction. Anchor selection should consider soil types and possible trench formation. These focuses and research gaps can provide a helpful guide on further research, installation, and operation of deep‐sea structures and foundations.
Density‐dependent changes in elk resource selection over successional time scales following forest disturbance
Authors: Ruprecht Joel , Wisdom Michael J. , Clark Darren A. , Rowland Mary M. , Levi Taal
Published: May 2023

There is an increasing need to understand how animals respond to modifications of their habitat following landscape‐scale disturbances such as wildfire or timber harvest. Such disturbances can promote increased use by herbivores due to changes in plant community structure that improve forage conditions, but can also cause avoidance if other habitat functions provided by cover are substantially reduced or eliminated. Quantifying the total effects of these disturbances, however, is challenging because they may not fully be apparent unless observed at successional timescales. Further, the effects of disturbances that improve habitat quality may be density dependent, such that the benefits are (1) less valuable to high‐density populations because the per‐capita benefits are reduced when shared among more users or, alternatively, (2) more valuable to animals living in high densities because resources may be more depleted from the greater intraspecific competition. We used 30 years of telemetry data on elk occurring at two distinct population densities to quantify changes in space use at diel, monthly, and successional timescales following timber harvest. Elk selected logged areas at night only, with selection strongest during midsummer, and peak selection occurring 14 years post harvest, but persisting for 26–33 years. This pattern of increased selection at night following a reduction in overhead canopy cover is consistent with elk exploiting improved nutritional conditions for foraging. The magnitude of selection for logged areas was 73% higher for elk at low population density, consistent with predictions from the ideal free distribution. Yet elk avoided these same areas during daytime for up to 28 years post logging and instead selected untreated forest, suggesting a role for cover to meet other life history requirements. Our results demonstrate that while landscape‐scale disturbances can lead to increased selection by large herbivores and suggest that the improvement in foraging conditions can persist over short‐term successional timescales, the magnitude of the benefits may not be equal across population densities. Further, the enduring avoidance of logging treatments during the daytime indicates a need for structurally intact forests and suggests that a mosaic of forest patches of varying successional stages and structural completeness is likely to be the most beneficial to large herbivores.
Supplementing a grain diet with insects instead of fruits sustains the body condition of an omnivorous bird
Authors: Simon Ojodomo G. , Manu Shiiwua A. , Nwaogu Chima J. , Omotoriogun Taiwo C.
Published: May 2023

Omnivores utilize dietary sources which differ in nutrients, hence dietary limitations due to environmental change or habitat alteration could cause nutrient limitations, and thus deterioration of body condition if omnivory is obligate. We investigated how the body condition of the omnivorous Village weaverPloceus cucullatus(weavers), which forages predominantly on grains, responds to the supplementation of its grain diet with insects instead of fruits. Forty wild‐caught weavers held in aviaries were fed a combination of grains and fruits, or grains and insects ad libitum for 8 weeks. We determined diet preference by recording the number of birds on each diet option per minute for 1 h and the amount of food left‐over after 3 h of foraging. Fortnightly, we assessed indices of body condition including body mass, pectoral muscle, and fat scores, packed cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin concentration (HBC). We modeled the number of foragers, food left‐over, and body condition indices as functions of diet, while accounting for time (weeks) and sex effects. Grains were the preferred diet, but males ate more fruits and insects than females. Weavers fed on grains and fruits lost body and pectoral muscle mass and accumulated less fat than those fed on grains and insects. This effect was sex‐dependent: females supplemented with fruits lost more pectoral muscle mass than males of the same group and males but not females, supplemented with insects accumulated more fat reserve than those supplemented with fruits. PCV and HBC did not differ between diets but increased over the 8 weeks. Weavers are likely obligate rather than facultative omnivores, with insects as being a more nutritive supplement than fruits. Nutrient limitation arising from environmental change or habitat alteration could impair body condition and affect physiological function to environmental seasonality in obligate omnivores like the weavers.
Observations of nectarivorous birds and potential biological control agents in berry orchards
Authors: Santos Karen C. B. S. , Davis Abby E. , Rocchetti Maurizio , Hocking Brad , Shermeister Bar , Rader Romina
Published: May 2023

We observed the brown honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta, visiting blueberry orchards in eastern Australia. L. indistincta is considered to be a nectarivorous bird, feeding almost entirely on nectar. However, we report observations of this species as both a nectarivore and insectivore in blueberry crops and as an insectivore in raspberry crops. Brown honeyeaters may be acting as biological control agents when feeding on leaf‐roller caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in blueberry orchards and on brown blowflies (Calliphora stygia) in raspberry orchards. Although most blueberry growing regions use managed honey bees as the main pollinator, more studies on the complex tritrophic interactions occurring in these crops are needed to better understand the costs and benefits of different farm management practices upon alternative pollinators.
Soil versus atmospheric drought: A test case of plant functional trait responses
Authors: Watson Samantha J. , Aguirre Beatriz A. , Wright Alexandra J.
Published: May 2023

Climate change alters mean global surface temperatures, precipitation regimes, and atmospheric moisture. Resultant drought affects the composition and diversity of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. To date, there have been no assessments of the combined impacts of reduced precipitation and atmospheric drying on functional trait distributions of any species in an outdoor experiment. Here, we examined whether soil and atmospheric drought affected the functional traits of a focal grass species (Poa secunda) growing in monoculture and eight‐species grass communities in outdoor mesocosms. We focused on specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area, stomatal density, root:shoot ratio, and fine root:coarse root ratio responses. Leaf area and overall growth were reduced with soil drying. Root:shoot ratio only increased for P. secunda growing in monoculture under combined atmospheric and soil drought. Plant energy allocation strategy (measured using principal components) differed when P. secunda was grown in combined soil and atmospheric drought conditions compared with soil drought alone. Given a lack of outdoor manipulations of this kind, our results emphasize the importance of atmospheric drying on functional trait responses more broadly. We suggest that drought methods focused purely on soil water inputs may be imprecisely predicting drought effects on other terrestrial organisms as well (other plants, arthropods, and higher trophic levels).
Near‐source ground motion in the M7.8 Gaziantep (Turkey) earthquake
Authors: Baltzopoulos Georgios , Baraschino Roberto , Chioccarelli Eugenio , Cito Pasquale , Vitale Antonio , Iervolino Iunio
Published: May 2023

On the night of February 6, 2023, a major earthquake struck Turkey and nearby Syria, whose moment magnitude (M) was estimated at 7.8 (or 7.7, depending on the data source). It started what can be considered a seismic sequence with thousands of recorded earthquakes with magnitude larger than two, including another M6.7 event (or 6.6) occurring shortly after, and one M7.5 (or 7.6) a day and a half later. The area in the south‐eastern part of Turkey hit by the sequence is considered, according to probabilistic models, one of the most hazardous in the wider region. This technical note aims at a preliminary illustration of some features of the shaking, deemed of earthquake engineering relevance. To this aim, it preliminarily analyzes the evolution of the sequence so far and the related ground motion intensity, as estimated from ShakeMap envelopes, then focuses on the largest magnitude event, for which a preliminary model of the source is available, while a supplementary report is provided for the other two events. Based on data available at the time of writing, it is found that the development of the sequence and the recorded ground motions are generally in agreement with available models, although some locations may have experienced peak ground accelerations larger than 1.0 g, and near‐source effects, determining pulse‐like ground motions, apparently occurred.
Dynamic identity‐based broadcast proxy re‐encryption for data sharing in autonomous vehicles
Authors: Zhou Yuanjian , Cao Zhenfu , Dong Xiaolei
Published: May 2023

Autonomous vehicles (AVs), as the essential part of intelligent autonomous transportation system, improves vehicle communication efficiency and supports diverse kinds of social services. However, with the development of AVs, more data has been generated by the sensors about the road, traffic, street light, and weather conditions. This also inevitably bringing new security problems, such as secure data sharing. Although the identity‐based broadcast proxy re‐encryption (IBBPRE) can be used to realize one‐to‐many data sharing, most existing schemes require access to the data owner for the group shared key update phases since the data owner's private key is mandatory for the group shared key generation. Therefore, frequent interaction with the data owner increases the operational burden and risks leaking the data owner's private key. Thus, we design a dynamic identity‐based broadcast proxy re‐encryption (DIB‐BPRE) to solve the problem of re‐encryption update. In the proposed scheme, a vehicle cloud server directly revokes or adds a group of data receivers, designated by the data owner, from the re‐encryption key. Finally, the theoretical and experimental analyses demonstrate that the DIB‐BPRE scheme is efficient, and it is suitable for data sharing in AVs.
Health care utilization and its association with sociodemographic factors among slum‐dwellers with type 2 diabetes in Tabriz, Iran: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ghammari Fawzieh , Jalilian Habib , Khodayari‐zarnaq Rahim , Gholizadeh Masumeh
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

Slums are known as growing underprivileged areas. One of the health adverse effects of slum‐dwelling is health care underutilization. Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requires an appropriate utilization. This study aimed to investigate the extent of health care utilization among slum‐dwellers with T2DM in Tabriz, Iran, in 2022.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study on 400 patients with T2DM living in slum areas of Tabriz, Iran. Sampling was conducted using a systematic random sampling method. A researcher‐made questionnaire was used for data collection. To develop the questionnaire, we used Iran's Package of Essential Noncommunicable (IraPEN) diseases, in which potential needs and essential health care for patients with diabetes and the appropriate time intervals for use are specified. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results

Although 49.8% of patients needed outpatient services, only 38.3% were referred to health centers and utilized health services. The results of the binary logistic regression model showed that women (OR = 1.871, CI 1.170–2.993), those with higher income levels (OR = 1.984, CI 1.105–3.562), and those with diabetes complications (Adjusted OR = 1.7, CI 0.2–0.603) were almost 1.8 times more likely to utilize outpatient services. Additionally, those with diabetes complications (OR = 1.93, CI 0.189–2.031) and those taking oral medication (OR = 3.131, CI 1.825–5.369) were respectively 1.9 and 3.1 times more likely to utilize inpatient care services.

Conclusions

Our study showed that, although slum‐dwellers with type 2 diabetes needed outpatient services, a small percentage were referred to health centers and utilized health services. Multispectral cooperation is necessary for improving the status quo. There is a need to take appropriate interventions to strengthen health care utilization among residents with T2DM living in slum sites. Also, insurance organizations should cover more health expenditures and provide a more comprehensive benefits package for these patients.
Prevalence of Brucella endocarditis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Narimisa Negar , Razavi Shabnam , Khoshbayan Amin , Masjedian Jazi Faramarz
Published: May 2023

Background

Endocarditis caused by Brucella infection is one of this infection's complications, including a high mortality rate. However, studies on the prevalence of this complication have been limited to some case reports. This study investigated the prevalence of Brucella endocarditis globally using a systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched using appropriate keywords until September 2022. All studies reporting the prevalence of endocarditis in patients with brucellosis were included in this current study. To investigate the pooled prevalence of Brucella endocarditis, random model was used in comprehensive meta‐analysis software.

Results

A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis. The prevalence of Brucella endocarditis was 1.3%, and the death rate was 26.5%. The results did not show a significant difference in the prevalence of this complication in different regions.

Conclusion

According to this study's results, the prevalence of Brucella endocarditis is low, but it includes a large percentage of the deaths of affected patients. To complete our understanding of this complication and its management, more research should be done to investigate the effect of other factors, such as age and gender.
Convection‐assisted intra‐vitreous drug delivery in human eye: An experimental investigation
Authors: Vibhute Shrinivas , Narasimhan Arunn
Published: May 2023

We report an in vitro transient experimental study of the human eye to determine the effects of convection on the transport of drugs from the point of injection to the retinal surface through the fluid in the vitrectomized eye. The human eye is modeled as a glass orb of realistic proportions, and water and silicone oil mimic the vitreous fluid. In a series of experiments, the dye that is used to mimic the drug is injected at two different spots in the vitreous chamber, and its transport through the vitreous fluid mimic to the retinal surface is recorded under conditions of simple diffusion and convection‐assisted diffusion. The drug concentrations at two different spots on the retinal surface at different times are monitored. It is shown that the drug reaches all parts of the retinal surface much faster during convection‐assisted diffusion than during pure diffusion, irrespective of where it is injected in the cavity. In a snapshot, it is seen that the dye concentration reaches at the target central retinal pigmented epithelium spot in just 12 min (0.2 h) with convection‐assisted diffusion as against 12 h in pure diffusion. The steady‐state average drug concentration at the target retinal region is seen to be 56.25 times greater for the convection‐assisted drug transport than for the pure diffusion case. The results show that applying mild heat to the retinal surface by methods such as laser irradiation can induce convection‐based transport of the drug in the vitreous fluid. This method makes the drug available much faster at the target retinal region than drug transport by pure diffusion. The faster transport of the drug within the cavity can expedite the drug's effect and prevent drug loss due to delays.
A surface and ground‐water integrated investigation of streamflow drying up in semi‐arid regions
Authors: Wang Mingjun , Xu Bo , Li Yu , Han Feng , Du Xinqiang , Zhang Jiayan , Zhang Chi , Peng Yong
Published: May 2023

Groundwater exploitations in semi‐arid regions result in significant declines of groundwater levels and streamflow and even trigger seasonal streamflow drying up, which may bring adverse impacts on riparian ecosystems. It is critical to explore future streamflow changes caused by variable climate scenarios and groundwater exploitation intensities; however, a comprehensive assessment of the streamflow drying up frequency remains lacking. Furthermore, the thresholds of controlling factors beyond which streamflow drying up occurs have rarely been explored. Here we develop an integrated surface water‐groundwater model for the Taoer River Basin (TRB), a typical semi‐arid watershed in northeast China. We apply the model to multiple future scenarios to reveal the frequency of potential streamflow drying up and explore the thresholds of controlling factors of streamflow drying up based on a decision tree method. We find that the groundwater level in the lower region of the TRB (LTRB) is hard to recover to the riverbed elevation and the streamflow drying up frequency is still high unless the groundwater exploitation is reduced by 50%. However, this leads to a competition between the ecological and economic objectives. Our results also show that the streamflow drying up frequency in the LTRB is very sensitive to the upstream water inflow that can be regulated through the reservoir operation or inter‐basin water diversion, indicating the importance of a basin scale strategic management. The findings of this paper can help policy makers sustainably exploit water resources in semi‐arid regions.
Confounded association between proton pump inhibitor use and risk of biliary tract cancer: Result from three cohorts
Authors: He Qiangsheng , Huang Chongfei , Qin Xiwen , Yu Yuanyuan , Tang Di , Huang Junjie , Kuo Zi Chong , Ling Yuyao , Mao Deli , Xia Bin , Li Wenjing , Lu Kuiqing , Yang Man , He Yulong , Meng Wenbo , Yuan Jinqiu , Pan Yihang
Published: May 2023

Recent epidemiological studies suggested that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was associated with an increased risk of biliary tract cancer (BTC), however, confounders were not adequately controlled. Our study aimed to evaluate PPI use and subsequent risk of BTC and its subtypes in three well‐established cohorts. We conducted a pooled analysis of the subjects free of cancers in UK Biobank (n = 463 643), Nurses' Health Study (NHS, n = 80 235) and NHS II (n = 95 869). Propensity score weighted Cox models were used to estimate marginal HRs of PPIs use on BTC risk, accounting for potential confounders. We documented 284 BTC cases in UK Biobank (median follow‐up: 7.6 years), and 91 cases in NHS and NHS II cohorts (median follow‐up: 15.8 years). In UK biobank, PPI users had a 96% higher risk of BTC compared to nonusers in crude model (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.44‐2.66), but the effect was attenuated to null after adjusting for potential confounders (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.60‐1.49). PPI use was not associated with risk of BTC in the pooled analysis of three cohorts (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.60‐1.43). We also observed no associations between PPI use with risk of intrahepatic (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.49‐2.04), extrahepatic bile duct (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.52‐2.27) and gallbladder cancers (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.26‐1.66) in UK Biobank. In summary, regular use of PPIs was not associated with the risk of BTC and its subtypes.
Possible Approaches to Drug Delivery via Glutathione Transferase Proteins and Chitosan
Authors: Sjödin Birgitta , Farsi Pedram , Mannervik Bengt
Published: May 2023

Novel means of drug delivery are in great demand in particular for the administration of macromolecules. Glutathione transferase proteins can undergo cellular uptake and thereby deliver pharmaceutical cargo to intracellular sites. The proteins are soluble and can be produced in large quantities by facile bacterial expression. Molecular engineering may endow the proteins with signal sequences directing the delivery to specific intracellular targets and escape domains that facilitate cargo release from endosomes. Sequences providing high affinity for nucleic acids may find use in vaccines based on DNA or RNA. The combination of chitosan and glutathione transferase synergistically enhances the cellular uptake of the protein. Engineered glutathione transferase proteins offer great potential in the area of drug delivery research.
Enhanced grasshopper optimization‐based selection of ultrasound and elastography features for breast lesion classification
Authors: Rengarajan Rajeshwari , Geetha Devasena M. S. , Gopu G.
Published: May 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of death in women worldwide, caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells in the breast. It is very tough to differentiate cancer from non‐cancer cells because of their shape and structure. Therefore, early diagnosis and classification of breast tumors as benign is a hot research topic. However, existing methods for early diagnosis have shortcomings like high computational cost and low classification accuracy. To trounce those limitations, this paper presented a computer‐aided diagnosis (CAD) system employing metaheuristic algorithms and machine learning classifiers. The proposed system uses fused features of ultrasound (US) and elastography images to enhance classification accuracy. Firstly, both US and elastography images are separately preprocessed using an enhanced wavelet thresholding method to diminish speckle noise. Secondly, a new segmentation algorithm is proposed to extract the lesion region from the preprocessed US image. Then the contour of the segmented lesion is mapped on an elastography image to obtain the corresponding region of interest (ROI), and texture and morphology features are separately extracted and concatenated. Subsequently, the enhanced grasshopper optimization algorithm (EGOA) is adopted to select salient features and reduce the dimension. Finally, based on the selected features, two machine learning classifiers, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM), are employed to classify the lesions into benign and malignant. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated on 520 tumor images, including both benign and malignant samples. The suggested performance has been assessed by computing the confusion matrix and receiver operating characteristic curve. The developed method, EGOA‐SVM, outperforms the other classifiers by reaching a higher classification rate of 99.4%, specificity of 100%, the sensitivity of 99.2%, and Matthew's coefficient of 0.979. The introduced method can improve the radiologist's performance in categorizing breast lesions with a good classification rate. It could be a promising tool for clinical use.
Medication use optimization in critical care through a pharmacy morbidity, mortality, and improvement program
Authors: Droege Molly Elizabeth , Cunningham Michael , Droege Christopher Allen , Kuebel Dalton John , Philpott Carolyn Dosen , Rice Timothy Daniel , Barnett Rachelle , Roell Claire , Mueller Eric William
Published: May 2023

Pharmacy‐led morbidity, mortality, and improvement (MMI) programs enhance practitioner education and improve patient‐safety culture. The impact of MMI programs on process improvement (PI) outcomes is lacking, particularly within critical care. The purpose of this retrospective report was to describe PI interventions from critical care medication errors evaluated through a pharmacy MMI program. Medication errors reported between June 2013 and August 2022 that occurred in an intensive care unit, emergency department, or procedural area were included. Error severity and potential were assessed using the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC MERP) Medication Error Index and Harm Associated with Medication Error Classification (HAMEC), respectively. The primary outcome of PI interventions was classified as clinical update, operations change, pharmacy or hospital administration change, and/or informatics and technology (IT) updates. Electronic medical record (EMR) were further classified as best practice advisory, medication order build/change, order set build/change, dose limit/alert, or infusion smart pump change. Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) reliability level was evaluated as a secondary outcome. A total of 54 errors were included. Most errors were classified as NCC MERP category D (13 [24.1%]) and C (12 [22.2%]) with severe harm potential (HAMEC 4, 26 [48.1%]; median score 3 [interquartile range, IQR, 3–4]) error potential. A total of 88 PI interventions were identified (median 1.5 [IQR 1–2] per error); clinical (30 [34.1%]) and IT (26 [29.5%]) updates were the most common. Order set build or change (20 [45.5%]) was the most common EMR enhancement. PI interventions were a median IHI level 1 reliability (IQR, 1–2). EMR enhancements had a median IHI level of reliability of 2 (IQR, 1–2). Critical care medication errors addressed through a formal Pharmacy MMI program have high harm potential and often involve multiple PI interventions. EMR interventions generally had higher levels of empiric reliability.
Antibacterial properties and osteoblast interactions of microfluidically synthesized chitosan – SPION composite nanoparticles
Authors: Kafali Melisa , Şahinoğlu O. Berkay , Tufan Yiğithan , Orsel Z. Cemre , Aygun Elif , Alyuz Beril , Saritas Emine Ulku , Erdem E. Yegan , Ercan Batur
Published: May 2023

In this research, a multi‐step microfluidic reactor was used to fabricate chitosan – superparamagnetic iron oxide composite nanoparticles (Ch – SPIONs), where composite formation using chitosan was aimed to provide antibacterial property and nanoparticle stability for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Monodispersed Ch – SPIONs had an average particle size of 8.8 ± 1.2 nm with a magnetization value of 32.0 emu/g. Ch – SPIONs could be used as an MRI contrast agent by shortening T2 relaxation parameter of the surrounding environment, as measured on a 3 T MRI scanner. In addition, Ch – SPIONs with concentrations less than 1 g/L promoted bone cell (osteoblast) viability up to 7 days of culture in vitro in the presence of 0.4 T external static magnetic field. These nanoparticles were also tested against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), which are dangerous pathogens that cause infection in tissues and biomedical devices. Upon interaction of Ch – SPIONs with S. aureus and P. aeruginosa at 0.01 g/L concentration, nearly a 2‐fold reduction in the number of colonies was observed for both bacteria strains at 48 h of culture. Results cumulatively showed that Ch – SPIONs were potential candidates as a cytocompatible and antibacterial agent that can be targeted to biofilm and imaged using an MRI.
Influence of Indian Ocean warming on rainfall of Sri Lanka
Authors: Kajakokulan Pathmarasa , Pathirana Gayan , Dheerasinghe Maheshi , Edirisooriya Indeewari
Published: May 2023

Recent studies have pointed out an increased warming over the tropical Indian Ocean (IO) and how such warming could alter the convection and rainfall in the region. In this study, using observational/reanalysis datasets from 1981 to 2020, we show that the early Maha rainfall of Sri Lanka (SL) has been increasing, and it is considerably influenced by the North‐western IO sea surface temperature (SST) increase in the second inter‐monsoon (SIM). A significant warming in the North‐western IO alters the zonal SST gradient and strengthens the low‐level circulation, which induces large‐scale convergence over the western IO during SIM, contributing to the enhancement of rainfall over SL. However, despite the substantial impact of IO warming, the moderate correlation suggests the importance of examining other factors, which may influence the rainfall variability of SL.
Recyclable dynamic imine‐based nonionic surfactants and potential use in postprocessing of eluted emulsions
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Sun Lianlian , Chen Hui , Liu Xuefeng , Fang Yinjun , Zhang Yongmin
Published: May 2023

Recovery of surfactants and retrieval of hydrocarbons from eluted emulsions in surfactant‐enhanced washing are essential to save useful resources and avoid secondary contamination. A novel nonionic surfactant of C6‐DIB‐PEG has been constructed by using a dynamic imine bond (DIB) as the linker between hexyl amine (C6‐NH2) and an aromatic aldehyde modified polyethylene glycol (PEG‐CHO). The results presented in this study reveal that an oil‐in‐water emulsion of tetradecane‐H2O stabilized by C6‐DIB‐PEG is pH‐switched. Upon reaction with HCl, C6‐DIB‐PEG readily converts to its inactive forms C6‐NH3+Cl− and PEG‐CHO when the pH is changed from 12.0 to 4.0, resulting in a complete tetradecane‐water two‐phase separation. Both C6‐NH3+Cl− and PEG‐CHO are insoluble in tetradecane but soluble in water, allowing subsequent retrieval of nearly surfactant‐free tetradecane. Recovery of C6‐DIB‐PEG was enabled by treating aqueous solutions of C6‐NH3+Cl− and PEG‐CHO with NaOH after pH was increased from 4.0 to 12.0. The pH‐switched C6‐DIB‐PEG renders a potential use for oil retrieval and surfactant recovery in the postprocessing of eluted emulsions, as demonstrated by the C6‐DIB‐PEG‐enhanced washing of tetradecane‐contaminated sand. Around 95.2% of the tetradecane and about 99.7% of the C6‐DIB‐PEG were retrieved and recycled over 10 cycles of washing. In addition, the total organic carbon (TOC) of the residual wastewater was remarkably reduced from around 7065.3 to ~54.1 mg L−1 after NaHSO3 treatment followed by ion‐exchange resin and active carbon adsorption.
A strand displacement signal amplification‐assisted fluorescence assay for sensitive detection of microRNA
Authors: Chen Ye , Gao Ruru , Ji Ruoyang , Dong Wei
Published: May 2023

MicroRNA is a vital biomarker because of its abnormal expression in the emergence and development of diseases, especially in cancers. Herein, a label‐free fluorescent sensing platform is proposed for detecting microRNA‐21, coupled with the cascade toehold‐mediated strand displacement reaction and magnetic beads. Target microRNA‐21 acts as an initiator to trigger the cascade toehold‐mediated strand displacement reaction and it outputs double‐stranded DNA. After magnetic separation, the double‐stranded DNA is intercalated by SYBR Green I, resulting in an amplified fluorescent signal. Under the optimal conditions, a wide linear range (0.5–60 nmol/L) and low limits of detection (0.19 nmol/L) are exhibited. What's more, the biosensor shows great specificity and reliability between microRNA‐21 and other microRNAs involved in cancer (microRNA‐34a, microRNA‐155, microRNA‐10b, and let‐7a). Owing to the properties of fabulous sensitivity, high selectivity, and simplicity of operator, the proposed method paves a promising way for microRNA‐21 detection in cancer diagnosis and biological research.
Modern automated microextraction procedures for bioanalytical, environmental, and food analyses
Authors: Sartore Douglas M. , Vargas Medina Deyber A. , Bocelli Marcio D. , Jordan‐Sinisterra Marcela , Santos‐Neto Álvaro J. , Lanças Fernando M.
Published: May 2023

Sample preparation frequently is considered the most critical stage of the analytical workflow. It affects the analytical throughput and costs; moreover, it is the primary source of error and possible sample contamination. To increase efficiency, productivity, and reliability, while minimizing costs and environmental impacts, miniaturization and automation of sample preparation are necessary. Nowadays, several types of liquid‐phase and solid‐phase microextractions are available, as well as different automatization strategies. Thus, this review summarizes recent developments in automated microextractions coupled with liquid chromatography, from 2016 to 2022. Therefore, outstanding technologies and their main outcomes, as well as miniaturization and automation of sample preparation, are critically analyzed. Focus is given to main microextraction automation strategies, such as flow techniques, robotic systems, and column‐switching approaches, reviewing their applications to the determination of small organic molecules in biological, environmental, and food/beverage samples.
Advances in Large Gap Peripheral Nerve Injury Repair and Regeneration with Bridging Nerve Guidance Conduits
Authors: Wu Shang , Shen Wen , Ge Xuemei , Ao Fen , Zheng Yan , Wang Yigang , Jia Xiaoni , Mao Yueyang , Luo Yali
Published: May 2023

Peripheral nerve injury is a common complication of accidents and diseases. The traditional autologous nerve graft approach remains the gold standard for the treatment of nerve injuries. While sources of autologous nerve grafts are very limited and difficult to obtain. Nerve guidance conduits are widely used in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries as an alternative to nerve autografts and allografts. However, the development of nerve conduits does not meet the needs of large gap peripheral nerve injury. Functional nerve conduits can provide a good microenvironment for axon elongation and myelin regeneration. Herein, the manufacturing methods and different design types of functional bridging nerve conduits for nerve conduits combined with electrical or magnetic stimulation and loaded with Schwann cells, etc., are summarized. It summarizes the literature and finds that the technical solutions of functional nerve conduits with electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation and nerve conduits combined with Schwann cells can be used as effective strategies for bridging large gap nerve injury and provide an effective way for the study of large gap nerve injury repair. In addition, functional nerve conduits provide a new way to construct delivery systems for drugs and growth factors in vivo.
Effects of Secondary Dopant Anions on Emissivity and Related Properties of Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)
Authors: Dalgleish Jacob L. , Rudd Sam , Jane Marta Llusca , Murphy Peter J. , Mahjoub Reza , Zuber Kamil
Published: May 2023

Smart materials that are energy efficient and take up less space are crucial in the development of new technologies. Electrochromic polymers (ECPs) are one such class of materials that actively change their optical behavior in both visible and infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. They show promise in a wide range of applications, from active camouflage to smart displays/windows. The full capabilities of ECPs are still yet to be explored, for while their electrochromic properties are well established, their Infrared (IR) modulation is less reported on. This study addresses the potential of ECPs in active IR modulating devices by optimization of Vapor Phase Polymerized poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin films via the substitution of its dopant anion. Dynamic ranges denoting emissivity changes between reduced and oxidized states of PEDOT are found across dopants of tosylate, bromide, sulfate, chloride, perchlorate, and nitrate. Relative to the emissivity of reduced (neutral) PEDOT, a range of ±15% is achieved from the doped PEDOT films, and a maximum dynamic range of 0.11 across a 34% change is recorded for PEDOT doped with perchlorate.
Chemo‐proteomics in antimalarial target identification and engagement
Authors: Bailey Brodie L. , Nguyen William , Cowman Alan F. , Sleebs Brad E.
Published: May 2023

Humans have lived in tenuous battle with malaria over millennia. Today, while much of the world is free of the disease, areas of South America, Asia, and Africa still wage this war with substantial impacts on their social and economic development. The threat of widespread resistance to all currently available antimalarial therapies continues to raise concern. Therefore, it is imperative that novel antimalarial chemotypes be developed to populate the pipeline going forward. Phenotypic screening has been responsible for the majority of the new chemotypes emerging in the past few decades. However, this can result in limited information on the molecular target of these compounds which may serve as an unknown variable complicating their progression into clinical development. Target identification and validation is a process that incorporates techniques from a range of different disciplines. Chemical biology and more specifically chemo‐proteomics have been heavily utilized for this purpose. This review provides an in‐depth summary of the application of chemo‐proteomics in antimalarial development. Here we focus particularly on the methodology, practicalities, merits, and limitations of designing these experiments. Together this provides learnings on the future use of chemo‐proteomics in antimalarial development.
Effect of pelvic floor muscle training on female sexual function: A systematic review protocol and meta‐analysis
Authors: Saus‐Ortega Carlos , Sierra‐Garcia Ester , Martínez‐Sabater Antonio , Chover‐Sierra Elena , Ballestar‐Tarín María Luisa
Published: May 2023

Aim

To recognize, appraise and summarize the research evidence that has explored the results of pelvic floor muscle training on female sexual function.

Design

Systematic review and possible meta‐analysis.

Methodology

Between September and October 2022, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Scopus electronic databases will be searched. We will include RCT's in English, Spanish and Portuguese that investigate the results of pelvic floor muscle training on female sexual function. The data will be extracted by two researchers independently. Risk of bias will be measured from the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The meta‐analysis of the results will be performed using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis Version 2.

Results

This systematic review and possible meta‐analysis will contribute significantly to the promotion of pelvic floor health and women's sexual function and to strengthen clinical practice and define other areas of study.
Nondestructive3Dpathology with analysis of nuclear features for prostate cancer risk assessment
Authors: Serafin Robert , Koyuncu Can , Xie Weisi , Huang Hongyi , Glaser Adam K , Reder Nicholas P , Janowczyk Andrew , True Lawrence D , Madabhushi Anant , Liu Jonathan TC
Published: May 2023

Prostate cancer treatment decisions rely heavily on subjective visual interpretation [assigning Gleason patterns or International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade groups] of limited numbers of two‐dimensional (2D) histology sections. Under this paradigm, interobserver variance is high, with ISUP grades not correlating well with outcome for individual patients, and this contributes to the over‐ and undertreatment of patients. Recent studies have demonstrated improved prognostication of prostate cancer outcomes based on computational analyses of glands and nuclei within 2D whole slide images. Our group has also shown that the computational analysis of three‐dimensional (3D) glandular features, extracted from 3D pathology datasets of whole intact biopsies, can allow for improved recurrence prediction compared to corresponding 2D features. Here we seek to expand on these prior studies by exploring the prognostic value of 3D shape‐based nuclear features in prostate cancer (e.g. nuclear size, sphericity). 3D pathology datasets were generated using open‐top light‐sheet (OTLS) microscopy of 102 cancer‐containing biopsies extractedex vivofrom the prostatectomy specimens of 46 patients. A deep learning‐based workflow was developed for 3D nuclear segmentation within the glandular epithelium versus stromal regions of the biopsies. 3D shape‐based nuclear features were extracted, and a nested cross‐validation scheme was used to train a supervised machine classifier based on 5‐year biochemical recurrence (BCR) outcomes. Nuclear features of the glandular epithelium were found to be more prognostic than stromal cell nuclear features (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.72 versus 0.63). 3D shape‐based nuclear features of the glandular epithelium were also more strongly associated with the risk of BCR than analogous 2D features (AUC = 0.72 versus 0.62). The results of this preliminary investigation suggest that 3D shape‐based nuclear features are associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness and could be of value for the development of decision‐support tools. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.