bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative taxonomy using the plant core DNA barcodes in Sumatra's Burseraceae
Authors: Teklemariam Daniel M. , Gailing Oliver , Siregar Iskandar Z. , Amandita Fitri Yola , Moura Carina C. M.
Published: April 2023

The high diversity and limited floral information in tropical forests often pose a challenge for species identification. However, over the past decade, DNA barcoding has been employed in tropical forests, including Sumatran forests, to enhance floristic surveys. This technique facilitates the discrimination of morphologically similar species and addresses the limitations of conventional species identification, which relies on short‐lived reproductive structures. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of matK, rbcL, and the combination of both chloroplast markers for species identification in Burseraceae by employing genetic distance and species tree inference. In this study, we collected 197 specimens representing 20 species from five genera of Burseraceae. The highest percentage of specimens' identification (36%) at the species level was obtained using matK + rbcL, followed by matK (31%), and rbcL (7%). The matK dataset presented the highest interspecific divergence with a mean of 0.008. In addition, a lack of barcode gap was observed in both markers, suggesting potential limitations of the core barcodes for distinguishing Sumatran species within Burseraceae. The monophyly test confirmed five species as monophyletic using Bayesian species tree inferences for matK. Overall, our results demonstrate that matK outperforms rbcL in species identification of Burseraceae, whereas their combination did not enhance species delimitation. To improve the molecular species assignments of this family, future studies may consider including more DNA markers in conjuction with matK, and broadening the availability of reference sequences for species that have not yet been included in the databases. The outcomes of molecular species identification vary depending on the taxonomic group under investigation. Implementation of phylogenomics for species delimitation and diagnostic marker development is strongly recommended for tropical biodiversity assessments, especially for poorly studied clades.
Satellite telemetry reveals habitat selection decisions by black oystercatchers across seasonal, diel, and tidal cycles
Authors: Ware Lena , Hipfner John Mark , Green David J.
Published: April 2023

Habitat use of indicator species is used to prioritize management activities. However, habitat use can vary temporally in response to changes in predation risk and foraging rewards. We deployed satellite tags on 20 black oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) in four regions of British Columbia, Canada, to examine habitat use and selection decisions across seasonal, diel and tidal cycles. We characterized the shoreline in each region and used GLMMs to investigate how habitat characteristics influenced shoreline use by tracked birds. For individuals, we estimated home range size and the frequency key features of the shoreline were re‐visited. Black oystercatchers generally made greater‐than‐expected use of rocky islets and shoreline with freshwater outflows, less tree cover and greater intertidal area. However, while black oystercatchers preferred islets and shoreline with less tree cover at most/all time periods, they only exhibited preferences for greater intertidal area during low tides, and preferences for shoreline with freshwater outflows during the nonbreeding season, day, and high tides. Individual home ranges, on average, contained 46 km of shoreline (range: 12–156 km) and individuals used 10.4 km (range: 6.7–13.9 km). Individuals made greater use of larger islets with less tree cover that were closer to outflows, and greater use of outflows associated with larger streams, greater intertidal areas and gravel substrates. Black oystercatchers' habitat preferences likely reduce predation risk (rocky islets and shoreline with less tree cover) and increase foraging rewards (shoreline with freshwater outflows, greater intertidal area, and gravel substrates). However, habitat preferences appear sensitive to constraints on movement in the breeding season and changes in foraging rewards across the diel and tidal cycle, highlighting the importance of examining habitat use at multiple temporal scales. Black oystercatchers are considered indicators of rocky intertidal health; therefore, critical habitat is expected to be important for a suite of wildlife dependent on safe and productive coastline.
Bait attractiveness changes community metrics in dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)
Authors: Bach Andressa , Mateus Lúcia A. F. , Peres Carlos A. , Haugaasen Torbjørn , Louzada Julio , Hawes Joseph E. , Azevedo Renato A. , Lucena Emanuelly F. , Ferreira José Victor A. , Vaz‐de‐Mello Fernando Z.
Published: April 2023

Species relative abundance (SRA) is an essential attribute of biotic communities, which can provide an accurate description of community structure. However, the sampling method used may have a direct influence on SRA quantification, since the use of attractants (e.g., baits, light, and pheromones) can introduce additional sources of variation in trap performance. We tested how sampling aided by baits affect community data and therefore alter derived metrics. We tested our hypothesis on dung beetles using data from flight interception traps (FITs) as a baseline to evaluate baited pitfall trap performance. Our objective was to assess the effect of bait attractiveness on estimates of SRA and assemblage metrics when sampled by pitfall traps baited with human feces.Dung beetles were sampled at threeterra firmeprimary forest sites in the Brazilian Amazon. To achieve our objective, we (i) identified species with variable levels of attraction to pitfall baited with human feces; (ii) assessed differences in SRA; and (iii) assessed the effect of bait on the most commonly used diversity metrics derived from relative abundance (Shannon and Simpson indices). We identified species less and highly attracted to the baits used, because most attracted species showed greater relative abundances within baited pitfall traps samples compared with our baseline. Assemblages sampled by baited pitfall traps tend to show lower diversity and higher dominance than those sampled by unbaited FITs. Our findings suggest that for ecological questions focused on species relative abundance, baited pitfall traps may lead to inaccurate conclusions regarding assemblage structure. Although tested on dung beetles, we suggest that the same effect could be observed for other insect taxa that are also sampled with baited traps. We highlight a need for further studies on other groups to elucidate any potential effects of using baits.
Factors influencing mammalian community occupancy in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal
Authors: Regmi Sandeep , Belant Jerrold L. , Pant Bindu , Sharma Hari Prasad
Published: April 2023

The decline in mammalian species diversity is increasing worldwide, with areas characterized by high human activities experiencing more prominent effects. Knowledge of spatial distributions of species and factors acting on them is necessary for effective management. We evaluated community‐level occupancy of mammal species in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), Nepal using remote cameras during 15 March–15 June 2022. We used mammal species detections from remote cameras and multispecies hierarchical occupancy modeling to assess the effects of environmental and anthropogenic variables on community‐level occupancy of detected mammal species. We identified a highly heterogeneous mammal species community at DHR with greatest detection probability (0.21) for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and lowest (0.08) for blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur). Naïve occupancy ranged from 0.31 for giant‐flying squirrel (Petaurista magnificus) to 0.84 for red fox. Mammal community occupancy increased with increasing canopy cover and number of livestock detections, but overall occupancy declined close to human settlements. The findings of this study can be used for developing policy at DHR for the management of mammal species through reducing the potential increase of human settlements or livestock grazing.
Riparian cottonwood mortality following compound impacts from river water withdrawal and hydroclimatic variation
Authors: Rood Stewart B. , Mahoney John M.
Published: April 2023

Originating in Glacier Park, Montana, the transboundary St. Mary River has provided a focus for international water sharing for a century. It was dammed and diverted in the USA, and more extensively in Alberta, where it supports Canada's centre for agricultural irrigation. Following water withdrawals, the riparian cottonwoods (Populus angustifolia) collapsed, and we assessed the woodland decline downstream from the St. Mary Dam, through eight sets of aerial photographs over seven decades. These revealed 88% woodland loss from 1951 to 1999 (R2 = 0.984), including a steeper decline with the 1980s drought. Following the implementation of an environmental flow regime that increased minimum flows after 1993, the remnant woodlands were stabilized, with a slight recovery by 2022. Analyses of the historical hydrology revealed compound contributions to the woodland mortality. (1) Annual river flows declined with increasing water diversion, and (2) late summer flows were particularly depleted. (3) Dam operations resulted in abrupt stage recessions and irregular spikes. (4) Accompanying climate warming, the spring snowmelt advanced and late summer flows declined. (5) The greatest climatic influence involved multiple‐year clusters with high versus low flows, corresponding with the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) from 1920 to 1990 (R2 = 0.365), but less coupled thereafter. This long‐term study demonstrates the coordination between hydroclimatic variation, water management and the fate of riparian woodlands, which reveal ecosystem health. An environmental flow regime provided benefit, and for other regulated rivers in dry ecoregions, we recommend functional flow regimes that provide sufficient minimum flows and avoid abrupt flow recession or irregular spikes.
Nonreplicating synthetic mRNA vaccines: A journey through the European (Journal of Immunology) history
Authors: Pascolo Steve
Published: April 2023

The first worldwide article reporting that injections of synthetic nonreplicating mRNA could be used as a vaccine, which originated from a French team located in Paris, was published in the European Journal of Immunology (EJI) in 1993. It relied on work conducted by several research groups in a handful of countries since the 1960s, which put forward the precise description of eukaryotic mRNA and the method to reproduce this molecule in vitro as well as how to transfect it into mammalian cells. Thereafter, the first industrial development of this technology began in Germany in 2000, with the founding of CureVac, which stemmed from another description of a synthetic mRNA vaccine published in EJI in 2000. The first clinical studies investigating mRNA vaccines in humans were performed as collaboration between CureVac and the University of Tübingen in Germany as early as 2003. Finally, the first worldwide approved mRNA vaccine (an anti‐COVID‐19 vaccine) is based on the mRNA technologies developed by BioNTech since its 2008 foundation in Mainz, Germany, and earlier by the pioneering academic work of its founders. In addition to the past, present, and future of mRNA‐based vaccines, the article aims to present the geographical distribution of the early work, how the development of the technology was implemented by several independent and internationally distributed research teams, as well as the controversies on the optimal way to design or formulate and administer mRNA vaccines.
Stability and Bioaccessibility of β‐Carotene in Oil in Water Emulsions: Impact of Antioxidant Type and Emulsifier
Authors: Li Jing , Chen Xianxin , Li Chen , Xiong Hua , Mu Guangqing , Zhu Xuemei
Published: April 2023

The objective of this study is to explore the influence of proteins type and antioxidants on the physicochemical properties, in vitro digestion, and bioaccessibility of β‐carotene laden emulsions. The combination of rutin and whey protein isolate provides optimal bioaccessibility while also stabilizing the emulsion system and effectively preventing β‐carotene degradation. This is due to the amphiphilic rutin adsorbed into the interface of the emulsion stabilized by whey protein, resulting in partially replacing and further improving the physical and oxidative stability of the β‐carotene emulsion. Meanwhile, the rutin emulsions remain stable and carotene content is still higher (22.38–32.07%) than others even after digestion. Hence, these emulsions show great potential to be applied for delivering β‐carotene based on oil‐in‐water emulsions. This study provides valuable information to build up stable excipient emulsions for functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Practical applications: β‐carotene is being exploited for a range of biomedical applications. Concentrate on the blend of antioxidants and proteins displaying various properties in β‐carotene O/W emulsions that can more likely convey β‐carotene to the body and better keep up with natural movement.
Rapid quality assessment of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix based on near‐infrared spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Hao Nan , Wang Long , Li Shunan , Yan Xinhao , Guo Xuting , Lian Yunlan , Li Wenlong
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to establish a rapid quality assessment method for Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (RGM) using near‐infrared (NIR) spectra combined with chemometric analysis. The NIR spectra were acquired using an integrating sphere diffuse reflectance module, using air as the reference. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) analyses were performed on a model P/ACE MDQ Plus system. Partial least squares‐discriminant analysis qualitative model was developed to distinguish different species of RGM samples, and the prediction accuracy for all samples was 91%. The CE response values at each retention time were predicted by building a partial least squares regression (PLSR) calibration model with the CE data set as the Y matrix and the NIR spectra data set as the X matrix. The converted CE fingerprints basically match the real ones, and the six main peaks can be accurately predicted. Transforming NIR spectra fingerprints into the form of CE fingerprints increases its interpretability and more intuitively demonstrates the components that cause diversity among samples of different species and origins. Loganic acid, gentiopicroside, and roburic acid were considered quality indicators of RGM and calibration models were built using PLSR algorithm. The developed models gave root mean square error of prediction of 0.2592% for loganic acid, 0.5341% for gentiopicroside, and 0.0846% for roburic acid. The overall results demonstrate that the rapid quality assessment system can be used for quality control of RGM.
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 89: A novel bi‐allelic variant, molecular dynamics simulation, and a comprehensive clinical and molecular profile
Authors: Khorram Erfan , Amini Masoomeh , Khorrami Mehdi
Published: April 2023

Objective

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult central nervous system, plays an important role during embryonic neural network formation. GAD67 is the rate‐limiting enzyme in GABA synthesis, and its deficiency leads to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 89 (DEE 89). Patients who suffered from this syndrome generally manifested severe to profound neurodevelopmental delay, seizures, and often congenital anomalies such as the cleft palate or/and omphalocele. Up to now, only three papers on this syndrome have been published, and our knowledge about the disease's clinical course and pathophysiology is in its infancy.

Methods

We used whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and multiple in‐silico tools to detect a potential causative variant in a patient with severe neurodevelopmental delay and refractory epilepsy. Moreover, by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, we investigate the effect of the candidate variant on the GAD67 function and structure.

Results

WES data analysis revealed a novel deleterious variant (NM_000817.3: c.850C>T; p.Leu284Phe) in the GAD1 gene, which encodes the GAD67 enzyme. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation showed that this variant has deleterious effects on the structure and function of the GAD67. This study's patient, in addition to typical symptoms of the DEE89, showed microcephaly and clonus in the toe, which were novel clinical findings.

Significance

Our findings expand the mutational and clinical spectrum of DEE 89. Also, by gathering clinical symptoms and genetic findings of previously reported cases, moreover providing a comprehensive clinical picture of the disease, we found that there was no common drug therapy among patients whose epilepsy was controlled. Furthermore, the comparison of clinical symptoms between patients with missense and truncating mutations did not show any significant clinical difference, except that patients with missense mutations did not show cleft palates or omphaloceles.
1H nuclear magnetic resonance‐based metabolomics study of serum and pectoralis major for different commercial chicken breeds
Authors: Tan Chengkeng , Selamat Jinap , Jambari Nuzul Noorahya , Sukor Rashidah , Murugesu Suganya , Muhamad Azira , Khatib Alfi
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to characterize the metabolic composition of four types of commercially available chicken breeds [village chicken, colored broiler (Hubbard), broiler (Cobb), and spent layers (Dekalb)] by 1H NMR coupling and discriminate them using multivariate analysis. Five chickens were collected for each chicken breed based on the marketing age from the respective commercial farms. The orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) results showed an obvious separation of local village chickens from the other breeds based on the metabolites present in their serum and meat (pectoralis major). The cumulative values of Q2, R2X, and R2Y of the OPLS‐DA model for chicken serum were 0.722, 0.877, and 0.841. For the pectoralis major muscle, the cumulative values of Q2, R2X, and R2Y of the OPLS‐DA model were reported as 0.684, 0.781, and 0.786, respectively. The quality of both OPLS‐DA models was accepted by the cumulative values of Q2 ≥ 0.5 and R2 ≥ 0.65. The 1H NMR result with multivariate analysis has successfully distinguished local village chicken from the other three commercial chicken breeds based on serum and pectoralis major muscle. Nonetheless, colored broiler (Hubbard) was not distinguished from broiler (Cobb) and spent layers (Dekalb) in serum and pectoralis major, respectively. The OPLS‐DA assessment in this study identified 19 and 15 potential metabolites for discriminating different chicken breeds in serum and pectoralis major muscle, respectively. Some of the prominent metabolites identified include amino acids (betaine, glycine, glutamine, guanidoacetate, phenylalanine, and valine), nucleotides (IMP and NAD+), organic acids (lactate, malate, and succinate), peptide (anserine), and sugar alcohol (myo‐inositol).
Potential of Seaweeds to Mitigate Production of Greenhouse Gases during Production of Ruminant Proteins
Authors: De Bhowmick Goldy , Hayes Maria
Published: April 2023

The potential of seaweed to mitigate methane is real and studies with red seaweeds have found reductions in methane produced from ruminants fed red seaweeds in the region of 60–90% where the active compound responsible for this is bromoform. Other studies with brown and green seaweeds have observed reductions in methane production of between 20 and 45% in vitro and 10% in vivo. Benefits of feeding seaweeds to ruminants are seaweed specific and animal species‐dependent. In some instances, positive effects on milk production and performance are observed where selected seaweeds are fed to ruminants while other studies note reductions in performance traits. A balance between reducing methane and maintaining animal health and food quality is necessary. Seaweeds are a source of essential amino acids and minerals however, and offer huge potential for use as feeds for animal health maintenance once formulations and doses are correctly prepared and administered. A negative aspect of seaweed use for animal feed currently is the cost associated with wild harvest and indeed aquaculture production and improvements must be made here if seaweed ingredients are to be used as a solution to control methane production from ruminants for continued production of animal/ruminant sourced proteins in the future. This review collates information concerning different seaweeds and how they and their constituents can reduce methane from ruminants and ensure sustainable production of ruminant proteins in an environmentally beneficial manner.
Dyadic effects of cognitive function on depressive symptoms among middle‐aged and older Chinese couples
Authors: Li Yujin , Wu Qi , Guo Lizhi , Weerawardena Nethmi Sulakna , Luo Fengping , Yu Bin
Published: April 2023

Background

Although cognitive function and depressive symptoms have been suggested to be closely related, less attention has been paid to this association within married couples. This study explored the reciprocal dyadic relationship between cognitive function and depressive symptoms over time.

Methods

This study used four waves of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and analyses were restricted to middle‐aged and older couples aged 45 or older. Actor‐partner interdependence model adjusted for confounding factors was employed to examine the reciprocal association between cognitive function and depressive symptoms at both the individual and couple levels. Measures of cognitive function consisted of episodic memory and mental status. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale.

Results

For both husbands and wives, cognitive function was reciprocally associated with depressive symptoms at the individual level. Spouses' lower cognitive function was significantly linked to their partners' greater depressive symptoms. However, ones' depressive symptoms were not related to their partners' cognitive function.

Conclusions

These findings expand our knowledge about the dyadic relationship between cognitive function and depressive symptoms in Chinese couples. Effects of interventions for depression in middle‐aged and older adults may be enhanced by considering the marital context.
Social isolation, loneliness, and motoric cognitive risk syndrome among older adults in China: A longitudinal study
Authors: Zhou Chenxi , Wu Fan
Published: April 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the associations between social isolation, loneliness, and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) among older adults in China.

Methods

Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in the 2011 and 2015 waves. Social isolation and loneliness were measured by an index and an item, and MCR was defined as subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between social isolation, loneliness, and MCR by gender.

Results

Of 3251 eligible participants, the incidence of MCR was 10.03%. Social isolation and loneliness were not significantly associated with incident MCR in men. Loneliness was positively associated with incident MCR in women (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.01), while social isolation was not.

Conclusions

Loneliness is associated with incident MCR among female older adults in China. More attention is advised to be paid to loneliness among female older adults, to hold promise for the prevention and reduction of MCR.
International tertiary education students experienced difficulties in dietary transitions in Australia: A qualitative study
Authors: Shi Yumeng , Hayba Nematullah , Allman‐Farinelli Margaret
Published: April 2023

Issue Addressed

More attention to the diet and nutritional status of international students in Australian universities is indicated. This qualitative research aimed to provide an in‐depth understanding of dietary changes among international students after they arrived in Australia.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with international students from China and India who were studying at a large urban Australian university. An approach of interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed for coding and data analysis.

Results

A total of 14 interviews were included. International students were able to consume more international foods, dairy products and animal proteins in Australia as a result of increased exposure to a larger variety of these foods compared with their home countries. However, they experienced some difficulties in eating vegetables and authentic traditional foods due to limited availability and higher prices in Australia. It was challenging for these students to live independently and cook for themselves for the first time and with a limited food budget and time, but many students improved their cooking skills over time. Less frequent main meals with more snacking sessions were reported. Weight fluctuations were commonly experienced and craving for traditional foods no longer accessible may negatively impact mental health.

Conclusions

International students adapted to the Australian food environment but believed the food choices available did not meet their food preferences or perhaps nutritional requirements.

So What

Some intervention from universities and/or government may be needed to ease the barriers to consumption of affordable and desirable meals in a time‐saving manner for international students.
LMSA‐Net: A lightweight multi‐scale aware network for retinal vessel segmentation
Authors: Chen Jian , Wan Jiaze , Fang Zhenghan , Wei Lifang
Published: April 2023

Retinal vessel segmentation is an essential part of ocular disease diagnosis. However, due to complex vascular structure, large‐scale variations of retinal vessels, as well as inefficiency of vessel segmentation speed, accurate and fast automatic vessel segmentation for retinal images is still technically challenging. To tackle these issues, we present a lightweight multi‐scale‐aware network (LMSA‐Net) for retinal vessel segmentation. The network leverages the encoder‐decoder structure that was used in U‐Net. In the encoder, we propose a ghosted sandglass residual (GSR) block, aiming at greatly reducing the parameters and computational cost while obtaining richer semantic information. After that, a multi‐scale feature‐aware aggregation (MFA) module is designed to perceive multi‐scale semantic information for effective information extraction. Then, a global adaptive upsampling (GAU) module is proposed to guide the effective fusion of high‐ and low‐level semantic information in the decoder. Experiments are conducted on three public datasets, including DRIVE, CHASE_DB1, and STARE. The experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the LMSA‐Net, which can achieve better segmentation performance than other state‐of‐the‐art methods.
SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein induces endothelial dysfunction in 3D engineered vascular networks
Authors: Stern Brett , Monteleone Peter , Zoldan Janet
Published: April 2023

With new daily discoveries about the long‐term impacts of COVID‐19, there is a clear need to develop in vitro models that can be used to better understand the pathogenicity and impact of COVID‐19. Here, we demonstrate the utility of developing a model of endothelial dysfunction that utilizes human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived endothelial progenitors encapsulated in collagen hydrogels to study the effects of COVID‐19 on the endothelium. These cells form capillary‐like vasculature within 1 week after encapsulation and treating these cell‐laden hydrogels with SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein resulted in a significant decrease in the number of vessel‐forming cells as well as vessel network connectivity quantified by our computational pipeline. This vascular dysfunction is a unique phenomenon observed upon treatment with SARS‐CoV‐2 SP and is not seen upon treatment with other coronaviruses, indicating that these effects were specific to SARS‐CoV‐2. We show that this vascular dysfunction is caused by an increase in inflammatory cytokines, associated with the COVID‐19 cytokine storm, released from SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein treated endothelial cells. Following treatment with the corticosteroid dexamethasone, we were able to prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein‐induced endothelial dysfunction. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the interactions between SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein and the endothelium and show that even in the absence of immune cells, the proposed 3D in vitro model for angiogenesis can reproduce COVID‐19‐induced endothelial dysfunction seen in clinical settings. This model represents a significant step in creating physiologically relevant disease models to further study the impact of long COVID and potentially identify mitigating therapeutics.
Long noncoding RNA GHET1 promotes cell proliferation through oxidative stress in prostate cancer
Authors: Wen Yongqin , Huang Huijie , Huang Bo , Liao Xiaomin
Published: April 2023

Gastric carcinoma high expressed transcript 1 (GHET1) is an oncogenic Long noncoding RNA. GHET1 expression promotes multiple levels of developing a complex molecular network. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the mechanism by which long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) GHET1 promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation and related metabolism. In vitro study, lncRNA GHET1 was overexpressed in LN‐cap, PC‐3, 22RV1, and C4‐2 cells. The cell viability was measured by MTT and trans‐well assay. A flow cytometer was also used to detect cell cycles and apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used for protein expression validation. mRNA expression was detected by real‐time PCR. lncRNA GHET1 enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and could resist paclitaxel‐induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest GHET1 expression stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) level upregulated in prostate cancer cells, increased the expression of HIFα, IL‐1B and IL‐6, and activated ROS/STAT‐3/Twsit1 signaling pathway. Knockdown GHET1 could reduce cell proliferation and migration due to the overexpression of GHET1. lncRNA GHET1 promotes prostate cancer growth through oxidative stress signaling pathways and resists the antineoplastic drug paclitaxel, which can be used as a target for antineoplastic therapy and drug resistance therapy in the future in clinics.
Advances in anode configurations for a microbial fuel cell via a computational fluid dynamics electrochemistry and its experimental validation
Authors: Kumar Tukendra , Jujjavarapu Satya Eswari
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

The experimental process for optimizing microbial fuel cell (MFC) design under different electrode geometries is restricted. An MFC can be defined as a bio‐electrochemical system (BES) that facilitates the direct conversion of the chemical energy stored in organic matter into electrical energy by harnessing the metabolic activity of microorganisms. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools allow the simulation and evaluation of electro‐analysis phenomena such as cyclic voltammetry and chemical reactions, which can help the optimization of the BESs. In this study, MFC is designed to provide the maximum peak current and efficiency for the applied voltage on various working (or anode) electrode geometries (i.e. hexagonal, square, pentagonal, circular, triangular, rectangular, and rhombus).

RESULTS

The CFD simulation results demonstrate that a configuration with a larger perimeter value and surface area (i.e. hexagonal design) of the working electrode shows a higher peak current (2422.75 mA) than other configurations. The experimental findings supported the simulation result and reveal that a hexagonal electrode containing a MFC setup produces a maximum power density of 22.41 ± 0.32 mW m−3 and a current density of 41.58 ± 0.35 mA m−2. The MFC operation demonstrated adequate bioelectricity generation of 540 ± 03 mV on Day 4 of operation at 1000 Ω. Additionally, maximum reduction in chemical oxygen demand (76.13 ± 0.5%) and coulombic efficiency (76.03 ± 0.4%) was achieved for synthetic wastewater using a hexagonal MFC.

CONCLUSION

Based on these fundamental discoveries, the CFD simulation and its experimental validation considerably drag focus toward the possibility of employing COMSOL Multiphysics software for system improvement of different MFC system applications. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Doppler ultrasonography blood flow changes of the hepatic artery in liver transplants complicated with cholangitis
Authors: Öztürk Funda Ulu , Tezcan Şehnaz , Soy Ebru Hatice Ayvazoğlu , Uslu Nihal , Haberal Mehmet
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Cholangitis after liver transplantation may lead to bile duct necrosis. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent graft loss. We aimed to investigate cholangitis related hepatic arterial Doppler ultrasonography findings in liver transplants.

Methods

Patients complicated with biopsy proven cholangitis in grafts were prospectively evaluated. Vascular complications were excluded. Doppler ultrasonography parameters including hepatic arterial diameter, resistive index, volume flow, and portal vein maximum velocity were measured twice: first during cholangitis and after full recovery. Data of two groups were compared using paired samples t test and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

The mean hepatic arterial volume flow, resistive index, and diameter of 33 patients complicated with cholangitis was observed to decrease after recovery from 0.356 to 0.273 L/min (p = 0.007), from 0.64 to 0.60 (p < 0.001) and from 4.9 to 4.4 mm (p < 0.001), respectively. Portal vein maximum velocity alteration was not statistically significant (p = 0.6).

Conclusion

Ultrasound follow‐ups after liver transplantation can give us the clue of cholangitis initiation through some altering hepatic arterial Doppler parameters. Even though these are nonspecific findings that can also be observed in vascular complications, baseline Doppler data should be saved for future comparison and considered to prevent biliary associated graft loss.
Hyperthermia alters neurobehavior by affecting cell proliferation and neuronal survival in young male rats
Authors: Mete Fatih , Eyuboglu Signem , Vitrinel Ayca , Kilic Ulkan , Erdogan Cihan Suleyman , Kilic Ertugrul , Yilmaz Bayram
Published: April 2023

Maintenance of body temperature within physiological range is critical for the fetal and neonatal development. Hyperthermia is one of the most frequently encountered pediatric complaints and may cause neurological disorders due to neuronal injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of hyperthermia on behavioral alterations, neuronal survival, apoptosis, and cell proliferation in young male Sprague–Dawley rats. Twenty‐one 13‐day‐old rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 7 per group). Body temperature was increased to 39°C and 41°C in a hyperthermia induction chamber for 30 min, whereas the animals in control group were maintained at 36°C. Twenty‐four hours after hyperthermia, animals were subjected to the open field test, elevated‐O‐maze test, and grip strength test to assess the locomotor activity, anxiety, and motor function. Neuronal survival, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were investigated in cortex, hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 regions, and corpus callosum (CC). Decreased locomotor activity and motor function and increased anxiety were observed in the hyperthermia groups, and these were more pronounced in the 41°C group. Neuronal survival was significantly decreased in DG, CA1, and CC in the hyperthermia groups (**p < 0.01). Apoptosis was significantly induced in cortex, DG, and CC of the animals exposed to heat (*p < 0.05). In addition, cell proliferation positivity decreased significantly only in DG and CC of the animals exposed to heat (*p < 0.05). Our results suggest that neurobehavioral deficits caused by hyperthermia may be due to the increased apoptosis and neuronal cell death and decreased cell proliferation in the brain of postnatal developing rats.
Entrustable professional activities of graduate accredited General Medical Sonographers in Australia – Industry perceptions
Authors: Edwards Christopher , Perry Rebecca , Chester Deanne , Childs Jessie
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Linking individual competencies to entrustable professional tasks provides a holistic view of Sonography graduate work readiness. The Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR) publishes a set of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) as part of its Standards for Accreditation of Sonography Courses. EPAs are distinct ultrasound examinations grouped within six critical practice units. This study reports on industry perspectives of current EPAs and their classification for graduates completing general sonography courses in Australia. The article also examines the value of EPAs and links their function to the assessment of graduate competency.

Methods

An online survey tool elicited stakeholder feedback on graduate EPAs across six critical practice units and the potential for including a new Paediatric unit. From an original sample size of 655, 309 responded to questions about general sonography courses.

Results

A majority (55.3%) recommended no changes to the existing EPA list, and 44.7% recommended amending the list. From respondents that recommended changes (138/309), all current EPAs received >80% agreement to be retained; in addition, nine new examinations received >70% agreement for inclusion at the graduate level. Whilst 42.7% (132/309) supported the current ASAR model requiring competency in five out of six critical practice units, 45.6% (141/309) recommended increasing it to all six. There was limited support, 11.7% (36/309), to reduce this number. Responding to the potential to add a new Paediatric specific critical practice unit, 61.8% (181/293) recommended its inclusion.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate that the current list of EPAs aligns with industry expectations. In contrast, there are divergent views on the modelling and grouping of critical practice units. The article's critical analysis of the results and implications provides stakeholders with a practical approach to clinical teaching and EPA assessment, and helps to inform any review of accreditation standards.
Current AMO mitigating extreme high temperatures in Central Asia under global warming
Authors: Dong Xiao , Zeng Gang , Zhang Guwei , Yang Xiaoye
Published: April 2023

Under global warming, extreme high temperatures (EHTs) have become frequent and enhanced around the world. However, we found that the frequency and intensity of EHTs in Central Asia (CA) are decreasing over the last four decades when the effects of climate warming are removed. From 1979 to 2020, an interdecadal shift in CA's EHTs occurred around the mid‐1990s, preceded by high values (1983–1997) and followed by low values (1998–2016). The observational analysis and numerical simulations using National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model version 5.3 both demonstrate that the phase transition of Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) has an important influence on this interdecadal shift. During 1998–2016, the AMO was in a positive phase (+AMO), meaning warmer sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) in the North Atlantic, which could lift the geopotential height and cause anticyclonic circulations over the basin. Through the cyclonic–anticyclonic circulation alternating teleconnection wave train over Eurasia, the atmospheric system over the North Atlantic could induce cyclonic circulations and reduce the geopotential heights over CA, that is, weaken the high pressure at the upper level, which is not conducive to warming and EHTs in CA. For the −AMO period (1983–1997), due to the similar atmospheric response mechanism, the negative SSTA in the North Atlantic and the wave train with reversed anomaly centres can be found, causing anticyclonic circulations and rising geopotential heights over CA. The high pressure at the upper level in CA would be strengthened, leading to favourable EHT conditions. Overall, we conclude that the current AMO (+AMO) has a mitigating role on the EHTs of CA, and the findings also emphasize that if the future AMO shifts to a negative phase, the EHTs of CA may worsen than at present.
Role of mean, variability and teleconnection of clouds behind Indian summer monsoon rainfall
Authors: Hazra Anupam , Dutta Ushnanshu , Chaudhari Hemantkumar S. , Pokhrel Samir , Konwar Mahen
Published: April 2023

Skilful prediction of the seasonal Indian summer monsoon (ISM) rainfall (ISMR) at least one season in advance has great socio‐economic value. The ISM is a lifeline for about a sixth of the world's population. The ISMR prediction remained a challenging problem with the subcritical skills of the dynamical models due to a limited understanding of the interaction among clouds, convection and circulation. In this study, we have analysed the seasonal mean of high cloud fraction, ice mixing ratio and ice cloud fraction from satellite and reanalysis and demonstrated their importance for ISM. The variability of the mixing ratio of cloud ice in different time scales (3–7 days, 10–20 days and 30–60 days bands) is also examined from reanalysis during ISM. Here, we have shown the teleconnection of different cloud variables over the ISM region with global sea surface temperature. We found that they are tied with slowly varying forcing (e.g., El Niño and Southern Oscillation). Besides, the correlation of cloud ice with different indices (Niño, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation and Extratropics) may enhance the potential predictability of ISMR. The representation of deep convective clouds, which involve the ice‐phase processes in a coupled climate model, strongly modulates ISMR variability in association with global predictors. The results from the two sensitivity simulations using coupled global climate model (CGCM) demonstrate the importance of the cloud ice on ISM rainfall predictability. Therefore, this study provides a scientific basis for improving the simulation of the seasonal ISMR by developing the physical processes of the cloud on a subseasonal time scale and motivating further research in this direction.
High‐resolution monophenolase/diphenolase/radical scavenging profiling for rapid screening of natural whitening candidates from Rosa rugosa cv. ‘Plena’
Authors: Wen Mengyi , Quan Sihua , Qiu Huiyun , Wen Weiyi , Chen Ben , Chen Yuxia , Peng Jianyun , Tong Shengqiang
Published: April 2023

Antioxidants and tyrosinase inhibitory components were successfully screened and separated from Rosa rugosa cv. ‘Plena’ by high‐performance liquid chromatography microfractionation bioactive screening combined with several separation and purification methods. Ethyl acetate extract of Rosa rugosa cv. ‘Plena’ showed high antioxidant activity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity. High‐speed countercurrent chromatography, silica gel column chromatography, and semi‐preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography were used for the preparative separation of four bioactive components from ethyl acetate extract. Two tyrosinase‐inhibiting active substances, flavogallonic acid, and N1‐N5‐N10‐tri‐4‐p‐coumaroylspermidine, were isolated from Rosa rugosa cv. ‘Plena’, and they showed great monophenolase inhibition activity (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration: 664.60 and 23.77 μg/ml, respectively) and excellent diphenolase inhibition activity (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration: 23 614.61 and 16.80 μg/ml, respectively). Meanwhile, gallic acid, flavogallonic acid, and ellagic acid were shown to have excellent 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl antioxidant activity (half maximal inhibitory concentration: 6.66, 20.17, and 13.45 μg/ml), and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) antioxidant activity (half maximal inhibitory concentration: 3.53, 3.83, and 2.78 μg/ml). Molecular docking revealed that flavogallonic acid and N1‐N5‐N10‐tri‐4‐p‐coumaroylspermidine had a strong binding affinity (–9.3 and –10 kcal/mol, respectively) to tyrosinase through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions.
Smith–Purcell Radiation from Highly Mobile Carriers in 2D Quantum Materials
Authors: Lu Shengyuan , Nussupbekov Ayan , Xiong Xiao , Ding Wen Jun , Png Ching Eng , Ooi Zi‐En , Teng Jing Hua , Wong Liang Jie , Chong Yidong , Wu Lin
Published: April 2023

Terahertz (THz) radiation has broad applications ranging from medical imaging to spectroscopy. One viable source of high‐intensity THz radiation is the Smith–Purcell (SP) effect, which involves charge carriers moving over a periodic surface. Conventional SP emitters use electron beams to generate charge carriers, necessitating bulky electron acceleration stages. Here, a compact design for generating THz SP radiation using mobile charge carriers within 2D materials is proposed. This circumvents the beam alignment and beam divergence challenge, allowing for a reduction in the electron‐grating separation from tens of nm to 5 nm or less, leading to more efficient near‐field excitation and a potentially chip‐level THz source. In such a configuration, it is shown that the optimal electron velocity and the corresponding maximum radiation intensity can be predicted from the electron‐grating separation. The numerical demonstration shows that hot electrons can excite SP radiation in graphene on a silicon grating, and the radiation intensity can be increased by graphene surface plasmons. This study can be extended to a broad variety of charge carriers in 2D materials, thus allowing for compact, tunable, and low‐cost THz sources.
Electron Trapping Optical Storage Using A Single‐Wavelength Light Source for Both Information Write‐In and Read‐Out
Authors: Liao Chuan , Wu Hao , Wu Huajun , Zhang Liangliang , Pan Guo‐hui , Hao Zhendong , Liu Feng , Wang Xiao‐jun , Zhang Jiahua
Published: April 2023

In conventional electron trapping optical storage phosphor, both short‐ and long‐wavelength light are needed for information write‐in and read‐out, respectively, complicating the optical storage system. Here, a Y3Al2Ga3O12:Pr3+,Eu3+ optical storage phosphor with Pr3+ as an electron donor and Eu3+ as an electron trap is designed, and a single wavelength write‐read scheme is demonstrated, which employs the same blue laser diode (LD) light source for both optical write‐in through two‐photon up‐conversion charging and for read‐out based on photostimulated luminescence (PSL), originated from 4f15d1→4f2 transition of Pr3+ peaked at 315 nm in UV region. A deep electron trap with the mean depth of 1.42 eV and a narrow distribution of 0.3 eV is observed in the presence of Eu3+ in Y3Al2Ga3O12:Pr3+, implying its long‐term storage potential. The write‐in and read‐out experiments are conducted using 450 nm blue LD light with the power density of 1 W cm−2 for write‐in and that with a low power density of 0.02 W cm−2 for read‐out in order to avoid the effect of up‐conversion luminescence on PSL signal. These results will advance the electron trapping optical storage scheme.