bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional comparison of human ACVR1 and zebrafish Acvr1l FOP‐associated variants in embryonic zebrafish
Authors: Lalonde Robert L. , Nicolas Hannah A. , Cutler Rowan S. , Pantekidis Irene , Zhang Weibo , Yelick Pamela C.
Published: January 2023

Background

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare disease characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification of muscle and connective tissues, is caused by autosomal dominant activating mutations in the type I receptor, ACVR1/ALK2. The classic human FOP variant, ACVR1R206H, shows increased bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and activation by activins.

Results

Here, we performed in vivo functional characterization of human ACVR1R206H and orthologous zebrafish Acvr1lR203H using early embryonic zebrafish dorsoventral patterning as a phenotypic readout for receptor activity. Our results showed that human ACVR1R206H and zebrafish Acvr1lR203H exhibit functional differences in early embryonic zebrafish, and that human ACVR1R206H retained its signaling activity in the absence of a ligand‐binding domain (LBD). We also showed, for the first time, that zebrafish Acvr2ba/Acvr2bb receptors are required for human ACVR1R206H signaling in early embryonic zebrafish.

Conclusions

Together, these data provide new insight into ACVR1R206H signaling pathways that may facilitate the design of new and effective therapies for FOP patients.
Genomic investigation refutes record of most diverged avian hybrid
Authors: Alfieri James M. , Johnson Taryn , Linderholm Anna , Blackmon Heath , Athrey Giridhar N.
Published: January 2023

The most diverged avian hybrid that has been documented (Numida meleagris × Penelope superciliaris) was reported in 1957. This identification has yet to be confirmed, and like most contemporary studies of hybridization, the identification was based on phenotype, which can be misleading. In this study, we sequenced the specimen in question and performed analyses to validate the specimen's parentage. We extracted DNA from the specimen in a dedicated ancient DNA facility and performed whole‐genome short‐read sequencing. We used BLAST to find Galliformes sequences similar to the hybrid specimen reads. We found that the proportion of BLAST hits mapped overwhelmingly to two species, N. meleagris and Gallus gallus. Additionally, we constructed phylogenies using avian orthologs and parsed the species placed as sister to the hybrid. Again, the hybrid specimen was placed as a sister to N. meleagris and G. gallus. Despite not being a hybrid between N. meleagris and P. superciliaris, the hybrid still represents the most diverged avian hybrid confirmed with genetic data. In addition to correcting the “record” of the most diverged avian hybrid, these findings support recent assertions that morphological and behavioral‐based identifications of avian hybrids can be error‐prone. Consequently, this study serves as a cautionary tale to researchers of hybridization.
A simple, low‐cost method to age mammals? An alternative to cementum annuli analysis
Authors: Gable Thomas D. , Johnson‐Bice Sean M. , Windels Steve K.
Published: January 2023

One of the most common and ubiquitous methods to age mammals is by counting the cementum annuli in molars, premolars, incisors, or canines. Despite the ubiquity and perceived simplicity of the method, cementum annuli analysis can be time‐consuming, expensive, inaccurate, and imprecise, and require specialized equipment. Using beavers (Castor canadensis) as a test species, we developed a straightforward method to age mammals that requires little specialized equipment. The method consists of: (1) digitizing longitudinally sectioned teeth and measuring the proportion of tooth surface area comprised of cementum (“proportion cementum”), (2) evaluating the relationship between proportion cementum and specimen age (determined from either known‐age samples or cementum annuli analysis), and (3) using the modeled relationship to estimate the age of other individuals based solely on proportion cementum. The relationship between proportion cementum and age was strongly correlated (R2 = .97–.98 depending on observer), similar between observers, and similar between known‐age specimens and those aged via cementum annuli analysis. Using this proportion cementum method, two independent observers accurately predicted the age of 80%–84% of specimens within 0.5 year and 96%–98% within 1 year. We suggest this aging method will likely work with most mammal species given the relatively consistent deposition of cementum throughout mammals' lives and has promise to be a simple and quick alternative to cementum annuli analysis regardless of whether one develops proportion cementum models using known‐age specimens or those aged via alternative methods.
Plasticity in oviposition and foraging behavior in the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii across natural and agricultural landscapes
Authors: Elsensohn Johanna E. , Burrack Hannah J.
Published: January 2023

The effects and extent of the impacts of agricultural insect pests in and around cropping systems is a rich field of study. However, little research exists on the presence and consequence of pest insects in undisturbed landscapes distant from crop hosts. Research in such areas may yield novel or key insights on pest behavior or ecology that is not evident from agroecosystem‐based studies. Using the invasive fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) as a case study, we investigated the presence and resource use patterns of this agricultural pest in wild blackberries growing within the southern Appalachian Mountain range of North Carolina over 2 years. We found D. suzukii throughout the sampled range with higher levels of infestation (D. suzukii eggs/g fruit) in all ripeness stages in natural areas when compared with cultivated blackberry samples, but especially in under‐ripe fruit. We also explored a direct comparison of oviposition preference between wild and cultivated fruit and found higher oviposition in wild berries when equal weights of fruit were offered, but oviposition was higher in cultivated berries when fruit number was equal. Forest populations laid more eggs in unripe wild‐grown blackberries throughout the year than populations infesting cultivated berries. This suggests D. suzukii may change its oviposition and foraging behavior in relation to fruit type. Additionally, as D. suzukii exploits a common forest fruit prior to ripeness, further research is needed to explore how this affects wild food web dynamics and spillover to regional agroecosystems.
A clinical trial about effects of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation on weight loss, psychological profile and metabolic parameters in obese subjects
Authors: Ben Othman Rym , Ben Amor Nadia , Mahjoub Faten , Berriche Olfa , El Ghali Chaima , Gamoudi Amel , Jamoussi Henda
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The management of obesity is difficult with many failures of lifestyle measures, hence the need to broaden the range of treatments prescribed. The aim of our work was to study the influence of pre and probiotics on weight loss psychological profile and metabolic parameters in obese patients.

Methods

It is a clinical trial involving 45 obese patients, recruited from the Obesity Unit of the National Institute of Nutrition between March and August 2022 divided into three groups: diet only (low‐carbohydrate and reduced energy diet), prebiotics (30 g of carob/day) and probiotics (one tablet containing Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus/day). The three groups were matched for age, sex and BMI. Patients were seen after 1 month from the intervention. Anthropometric measures, biological parameters, dietary survey and psychological scores were performed.

Results

The average age of our population was 48.73 ± 7.7 years, with a female predominance. All three groups showed a significant decrease in weight, BMI and waist circumference with p < .05. Only the prebiotic and probiotic group showed a significant decrease in fat mass (p = .001) and a significant increase in muscle strength with p = .008 and .004, but the differences were not significant between the three groups. Our results showed also a significant decrease in insulinemia and HOMA‐IR in the prebiotic group compared to the diet‐alone group (p = .03; p = .012) and the probiotic group showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose compared to the diet alone group (p = .02). A significant improvement in sleep quality was noted in the prebiotic group (p = .02), with a significant decrease in depression, anxiety and stress in all three groups.

Conclusions

The prescription of prebiotics and probiotics with the lifestyle measures seems interesting for the management of obesity especially if it is sarcopenic, in addition to the improvement of metabolic parameters and obesity‐related psychiatric disorders.
“I really wanna put eyes on these guys”: Caregiving in prisons, pandemic, and protest
Authors: Doughty Kristin , Bedell Precious , N'Gambwa Amina
Published: January 2023

In this article we use our collaborative work with a support group for families of incarcerated people in upstate New York—including participant observation, interviews and focus groups from 2019‐2020—to highlight how COVID‐19 exacerbated challenges they already faced in caring for kin across walls. We focus specifically during the summer of 2020 when New York state prison visitation was closed to prevent the spread of COVID, showing how families struggled to stay connected and also organized to fight the carceral system. We suggest that through these acts of resistance and care, people on the outside caring for incarcerated kin during the pandemic can be understood as what Joy James calls the “captive maternal.” Understanding these women as “captive maternals” within a system structured by racial capitalism renders explicit the way the logics of captivity extend beyond the walls of prisons and jails to shape the experiences of their kin on the outside. It reveals these women to be not simply compassionate individuals caring for people they love, but rather as resistors fighting through their acts of care the logics of abandonment, disposability, and anti‐blackness on which contemporary American society is built, and which people nationwide were protesting.
Nano‐preservation: An emerging postharvest technology for quality maintenance and shelf life extension of fresh fruit and vegetable
Authors: Shan Youxia , Li Taotao , Qu Hongxia , Duan Xuewu , Farag Mohamed A. , Xiao Jianbo , Gao Haiyan , Jiang Yueming
Published: January 2023

Postharvest handling is an important approach to reduce loss and ensure the global supply of fresh fruits and vegetables (FVs). Recently, nanomaterials are increasingly recognized for their great potentials in extending shelf life and maintaining the quality of postharvest FVs owing to their unique properties and outstanding functions with extremely small sizes. This study reviews critically applications of nanotechnology in shelf life extension and quality maintenance of postharvest FVs via nano‐packaging, nano‐coatings, and micro/nano‐bubbles. The advantages of these nanotechnologies to effectively compensate for the shortcomings of the traditional methods are highlighted alongside future research directions at a large low‐cost scale. Generally, nano‐packaging, nano‐coatings, and micro/nano‐bubbles have the functions to modify gas or solvent permeability, inhibit pathogens infection, enhance antimicrobial capacity, and regulate the physiological activity of postharvest FVs. With the development of nanotechnology and quality control measures, it can be expected that green nano‐preservation technology will be an important and novel alternative for the storage and transportation of postharvest FVs.
Effect of myrtle leaves integration in sheep diet and its addition as powder on leg meat' oxidative stability, physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties during storage
Authors: Tibaoui Souha , Essid Ines , Smeti Samir , Atti Naziha
Published: January 2023

The synthetic antioxidant improved the shelf life of meat products; however, consumers start to reject them for health reason. For this, the natural antioxidants like Myrtle distillate leaves (MDL) could be an interesting alternative and potential natural antioxidant given their richness in bioactive compounds. This study aimed to test the effect of myrtle distillate leaves (MDL) as natural antioxidant in premortem phase as diet of cull ewes and in postmortem phase in form of powder added to deboned legs on meat' quality. All ewes received individually 500 g of hay and 750 g of concentrate for Control (C) group; for Myrt group, the concentrate was partially replaced (400 g) by pellets containing 30% MDL and 350 g concentrate. For each ewe, both legs were used for the experiment; one leg was treated with MDL powder and the other with Control. Meat from ewes' fed MDL presented better scores for red color, aftertaste and juiciness, than control group. Meat treated with MDL powder showed the highest values of total phenolic, α‐tocopherol content and redness score with lower lipid oxidation (p < .05). The microbiological quality of meat was not affected by MDL. Myrtle distillate leaves could be used in different forms, in order to obtain higher meat product quality.
Louisiana's “Medically Futile” Unborn Child List: Ethical Lessons at the Post‐Dobbs Intersection of Reproductive and Disability Justice
Authors: Guidry‐Grimes Laura , Stahl Devan , Reynolds Joel Michael
Published: January 2023

Ableist attitudes and structures are increasingly recognized across all sectors of health care delivery. After Dobbs, novel questions arose in the United States concerning how to protect reproductive autonomy while avoiding discrimination against and devaluation of disabled persons. In this essay, we examine the Louisiana Department of Health's emergency declaration, “List of Conditions That Shall Deem an Unborn Child ‘Medically Futile,’” issued August 1, 2022. We raise a number of medical, ethical, and public health concerns that lead us to argue that the declaration should be rescinded. Analysis of this ethically objectionable declaration provides valuable lessons about how to uphold both reproductive and disability justice in a post‐Dobbs landscape.
Robotic versus endoscopic transoral thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid cancer: A comparative analysis of surgical outcomes in 240 consecutive patients
Authors: Lee Jun Ho , Choi Hee Jun , Woo Jung‐Woo , Jung Eun‐Jung
Published: January 2023

Background

This study compared the surgical outcomes of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) and transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Methods

The TOETVA and TORT groups comprised 119 and 121 patients between November 2016 and May 2022. Clinico‐surgical outcomes and operation times were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The TORT group showed a higher number of retrieved central compartment lymph nodes, shorter hospital stays, and lower pain score after 48 h than the TOETVA group. No significant difference was observed in the other postoperative complications, including permanent vocal cord palsy. Total operation, working space creation, and endoscopic or robotic surgery times of the TORT group were longer than those of the TOETVA group.

Conclusions

TORT and TOETVA are feasible and safe. TORT may have some advantages, such as central compartment node dissection, shorter hospital stays, and pain score after 48 h in PTC, despite a longer operative time.
Evaluation of effective features in the diagnosis of Covid‐19 infection from routine blood tests with multilayer perceptron neural network: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Mohammadi Fatemeh , Dehbozorgi Leila , Akbari‐Hasanjani Hamid Reza , Joz Abbasalian Zahra , Akbari‐Hasanjani Reza , Sabbaghi‐Nadooshan Reza , Moradi Tabriz Hedieh
Published: January 2023

Background and Aim

Coronavirus is an infectious disease that is now known as an epidemic, early and accurate diagnosis helps the patient receive more care. The aim of this study is to investigate Covid‐19 using blood tests and multilayer perceptron neural network and affective factors in improving and preventing Covid‐19.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was performed on 200 patients referred to Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran, who were confirmed cases of Covid‐19 by computerized tomography‐scan analysis between 2 March 2020 to 5 April 2020. After verification of lung involvement, blood sampling was done to separate the sera for C‐reactive protein (CRP), magnesium (Mg), lymphocyte percentage, and vitamin D analysis in healthy and unhealthy people. Blood samples from healthy and sick people were applied to the multilayer perceptron network for 70% of the data for training and 30% for testing.

Result

By examining the features, it was found that in patients with Covid‐19, there was a significant relationship between increased CRP and decreased lymphocyte levels, and increased Mg (p < 0.01). In these patients, the amount of CRP and Mg in women and the number of lymphocytes and vitamin D in men were significantly higher (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The important advantage of using a multilayer perceptron neural network is to speed up the diagnosis and treatment.
Comparison of cord blood pro‐BNP levels in newborns of SARS‐COV‐2‐positive and ‐negative women, and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes
Authors: Besimoglu Berhan , Akgün Betül , Ayhan Şule Göncü , Kaya Ecem , Şimşek Gülsüm Kadioğlu , Aşıcıoğlu Osman , Yazihan Nuray , Şahin Dilek
Published: January 2023

Objective

To compare umbilical cord blood pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in newborns of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐COV‐2) positive pregnancies to those of SARS‐COV‐2 negative pregnancies.

Methods

Prospectively cord blood samples from newborns of 42 SARS‐COV‐2 positive women, and 42 negative pregnant were collected at birth and analyzed for pro‐BNP levels.

Results

The mean cord blood pro‐BNP level was significantly higher in newborns of SARS‐COV‐2 positive women than in controls. Furthermore, the pro‐BNP level was an independent predictor of NİCU admission in both SARS‐COV‐2 positive and control patients.

Conclusion

Cord blood pro‐BNP level may be a parameter that can predict the under‐stress fetus and adverse perinatal outcomes especially, in cases where placental involvement is present as in SARS‐COV‐2 infection.
Trophoblastic infiltration of tubal pregnancy may have an association with chronic inflammation of the fallopian tube
Authors: Yan Li , Li Juan , Wang Yang , Zhu Qian , Zhao Xiaoya , He Chuqing , Zhu Chenfeng , Ji Sifan , Zhang Yiqin , MuDanLiFu HaLiSai , Zhang Jian
Published: January 2023

Objective

To explore the factors associated with trophoblastic infiltration in ampullary pregnancy from the perspective of clinical and pathologic characteristics.

Methods

A single‐center, retrospective, clinicopathologic cohort study was conducted in women who were diagnosed with tubal pregnancy and underwent salpingectomy in the International Peace Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2018 to June 2021.

Results

A total of 333 eligible women diagnosed with ampullary pregnancy were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that preoperative β‐human chorionic gonadotropin greater than 3000 IU/L (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02–7.03), and vascular remodeling phenomenon (aOR 4.34, 95% CI 2.41–7.83) were positively correlated with the infiltration of extravillous trophoblasts into serosa, while presence of chronic inflammation of the fallopian tube was a negatively corellated factor (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29–0.85).

Conclusion

The depth of trophoblastic infiltration in tubal pregnancy may be related to the presence of chronic inflammation in the fallopian tube. A tubal pregnancy in a tube with chronic salpingitis is more likely to develop into an abortive ectopic pregnancy; whereas in a fallopian tube without chronic inflammation, the risk of it developing into a ruptured ectopic pregnancy increases. Hence, early identification is needed to properly address this dangerous pregnancy situation.
Interval delivery of 5HT2A agonists using multilayered polymer films
Authors: Hossain Mehjabeen , Sulochana Suresh P. , Heath Katie E. , Bari Saif Mohammad Ishraq , Brewster Parker , Barnes Jared , Munivar Azim , Walker Glenn M. , Puleo David A. , Werfel Thomas A.
Published: January 2023

There is an urgent unmet medical need to develop therapeutic options for the ~50% of depression patients suffering from treatment‐resistant depression, which is difficult to treat with existing psycho‐ and pharmaco‐therapeutic options. Classical psychedelics, such as the 5HT2A agonists, have re‐emerged as a treatment paradigm for depression. Recent clinical trials highlight the potential effectiveness of 5HT2A agonists to improve mood and psychotherapeutic growth in treatment‐resistant depression patients, even in those who have failed a median of four previous medications in their lifetime. Moreover, microdosing could be a promising way to achieve long‐term alleviation of depression symptoms without a hallucinogenic experience. However, there are a gamut of practical barriers that stymie further investigation of microdosing 5HT2A agonists, including: low compliance with the complicated dosing regimen, high risk of diversion of controlled substances, and difficulty and cost administering the long‐term treatment regimens in controlled settings. Here, we developed a drug delivery system composed of multilayered cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP)/Pluronic F‐127 (P) films for the encapsulation and interval delivery of 5HT2A agonists from a fully biodegradable and biocompatible implant. CAPP film composition, thickness, and layering strategies were optimized, and we demonstrated three distinct pulses from the multilayered CAPP films in vitro. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of the 5HT2A agonist 2,5‐Dimethoxy‐4‐iodoamphetamine (DOI) were quantified following the subcutaneous implantation of DOI‐loaded single and multilayered CAPP films. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the interval delivery of psychedelics from an implantable drug delivery system and open the door to future studies into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic delivery.
Why do firms heap dividends? New evidence on the key role of firm characteristics
Authors: Rubio German , Jakob Keith , Castillo Augusto , Niño Jorge
Published: January 2023

In this paper we explore how a cognitive bias known as heaping (or rounding to a higher level) influences the dividend policy of companies. Recent articles have shown that dividend size and the level of several information uncertainty variables help to explain changes in the likelihood of rounding dividends. Using data from the US that covers the 1990–2020 period, we verify that the previous literature overlooked the key role played by a group of variables denominated as firm characteristics. These variables have already proven to have a role in the decision of paying dividends or not. We also show that other attributes, such as being regular payers of dividends, impact the likelihood of rounding dividends. Finally, we verify that the propensity to heap dividends has been changing over time, even after controlling for changes in the dividend size, in the level of the information uncertainty variables and in the status of the firm characteristic variables, opening space to further research.
A case of recurrent intracranial hemorrhage in CADASIL caused by NOTCH3 c.1759C>T heterozygous mutation
Authors: Chu Ying , Wang Qi , Ma Yue , Xu Linying , Ren Kexin , Liu Jiahui , Tao Dingbo , Cao Hua , Ji Xiaofei
Published: January 2023

Background

Cerebral autosomal‐dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a cerebrovascular disease that is closely related to the NOTCH3 gene. Recurrent ischemic stroke, progressive cognitive dysfunction, and mental symptoms are the main clinical manifestations, whereas symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage is rare.

Methods

We detected a heterozygous mutation of c.1759C>T in exon 11 of the NOTCH3 gene that caused recurrent intracranial hemorrhage in CADASIL.

Results

Second‐generation sequencing of a sample of the patient's genome revealed a heterozygous mutation of c.1759C>T in exon 11 of NOTCH3, which resulted in amino acid changes (p.R587C). This variation may be rated as a CADASIL clinical variation.

Conclusion

The discovery of this mutation site provides an important theoretical basis for a gene‐based diagnosis and treatment of recurrent intracranial hemorrhage.
Minimum degree conditions for the existence of a sequence of cycles whose lengths differ by one or two
Authors: Chiba Shuya , Ota Katsuhiro , Yamashita Tomoki
Published: January 2023

Gao, Huo, Liu, and Ma proved a result on the existence of paths connecting specified two vertices whose lengths differ by one or two. By using this result, they settled two famous conjectures due to Thomassen. In this paper, we improve their result, and obtain a generalization of a result of Bondy and Vince.
Snow depth alteration and its relation with climate variability in China
Authors: Saydi Muattar , Tang Guoping , Ding Jianli , Wang Zhengang
Published: January 2023

Various climatic factors and their interactions affect China's snow depth alterations. However, a measure of the relative importance of climatic factors regarding the variance in snow depth is lacking. Here, we use a heretofore largest dataset, quality‐controlled daily observations from 1,665 meteorological stations, and statistical analyses to identify proxy drivers and their contributions regarding regional variability and trends in China's snow depth and snow depth‐climate relationships from 1951 to 2019. Results show that seasonal snow depth alterations are substantial in China and caused by various climatic drivers. In winter, observed positive trends in the northwest and northeast of China mainly respond to augmentation in solid precipitation and snow accumulation in fall. For the Tibetan Plateau, the negative snow depth anomaly seems to respond to the rising air temperature below the freezing point along with some secular changes in solid precipitation and shallower fall snowpacks. All these trends in winter snow depth over the northwest, northeast, and Tibetan Plateau of China account approximately for 30% of the total interannual variance in spring snow depth in these regions. In the milder central north and south of China, snow accumulation is not evident. Besides solid precipitation and rising air temperature below the freezing point, atmospheric humidity is also notable for its effect on the interannual variance in winter snow depth in these regions. In spring and fall, however, the negative effect of warming climate on snow depth becomes remarkably more important. It seems that about 13–33% (12–50%) of the total interannual variance in the widespread decrease (insignificant perturbation), except for some weak increases in the northeast region (decreases in the Tibetan Plateau), of China's spring (fall) snow depth are caused by the rising air temperature below the freezing point.
How should we handle predatory journals in evidence synthesis? A descriptive survey‐based cross‐sectional study of evidence synthesis experts
Authors: Barker Timothy H. , Pollock Danielle , Stone Jennifer C. , Klugar Miloslav , Scott Anna M. , Stern Cindy , Wiechula Rick , Shamseer Larissa , Aromataris Edoardo , Ross‐White Amanda , Munn Zachary
Published: January 2023

Synthesizers of evidence are increasingly likely to encounter studies published in predatory journals during the evidence synthesis process. The evidence synthesis discipline is uniquely positioned to encounter novel concerns associated with predatory journals. The objective of this research was to explore the attitudes, opinions, and experiences of experts in the synthesis of evidence regarding predatory journals. Employing a descriptive survey‐based cross‐sectional study design, these experts were asked a series of questions regarding predatory journals to explore these attitudes, opinions, and experiences.

Two hundred and sixty four evidence synthesis experts responded to this survey. Most respondents agreed with the definition of a predatory journal (86%), however several (19%) responded that this definition was difficult to apply practically. Many respondents believed that studies published in predatory journals are still eligible for inclusion into an evidence synthesis project. However, this was only after the study had been determined to be ‘high‐quality’ (39%) or if the results were validated (13%).

While many respondents could identify common characteristics of these journals, there was still hesitancy regarding the appropriate methods to follow when considering including these studies into an evidence synthesis project.
Docosahexaenoic acid‐acylated astaxanthin monoester ameliorates chronic high‐fat diet‐induced autophagy dysfunction via ULK1 pathway in the hypothalamus of mice
Authors: Wang Xiaoxu , Cong Peixu , Wang Xincen , Wang Zhigao , Liu Bin , Xue Changhu , Xu Jie
Published: January 2023

Background

Dietary astaxanthin (AST) exhibits the ability to resist lipid accumulation and stimulate hepatic autophagy. Natural AST predominantly exists in stable esterified forms. More importantly, in our previous study, docosahexaenoic acid‐acylated AST monoester (AST‐DHA) possessed better stability, bioavailability, and neuroprotective ability than AST in free and diester form. However, the AST‐DHA mechanisms of action in regulating the obese phenotype and autophagy of the central nervous system remain unclear.

Results

High‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed C57BL/6J mice were orally administered AST‐DHA (50 mg/kg body weight/d) for 3 days or 8 weeks. AST‐DHA supplementation alleviated HFD‐induced abnormal body weight gain, significantly enhanced autophagy with an increased microtubule‐associated protein light chain 3 II/I (LC3II/I) ratio, and reduced the accumulation of p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) in the hypothalamus rather than in the hippocampus. Mechanistically, AST‐DHA effectively promoted autophagy and autophagosome formation, and most notably rescued the HFD‐impaired autophagosome‐lysosome fusion (indicated by the colocalization of LC3 and LAMP1) by regulating mTOR‐ and AMPK‐induced phosphorylation of ULK1. Consequently, AST‐DHA enhanced hypothalamic autophagy, leading to pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) cleavage to produce alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH).

Conclusions

This study identified AST‐DHA as an enhancer of autophagy that plays a beneficial role in restoring hypothalamic autophagy, and as a new potential therapeutic agent against HFD‐induced obesity. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Outcomes of KTP Laser Ablation in Glottic Neoplasms: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Suppah Mustafa , Kamal Abdallah , Karle William E. , Saadoun Rakan , Lott David G.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) with potassium‐titanyl‐phosphate (KTP) laser ablation for glottic neoplasms.

Data Source

MEDLINE via PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.

Review Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies assessing the safety and efficacy of KTP laser therapy in patients with early‐stage glottic neoplasms.

Results

Eight studies were included. After an average follow‐up of 3.3 years, the overall survival and disease‐free survival for patients who underwent KTP were 90.7% (95% CI 85%–96.5%) and 98.5% (95% CI 97.3%–99.8%), respectively. In the single‐arm meta‐analysis, the pooled estimate of recurrence was 7.7% (95% CI 3.4%–12%). The overall voice handicap index (VHI) estimate attributed to KTP in the single‐arm meta‐analysis was 6.76 (95% CI [3.05, 10.48]) and 5.21 (95% CI [2.86, 7.56]) within 6 months and after a one‐year follow‐up, respectively.

Conclusion

KTP laser ablation is a safe and effective method for treating patients with early glottic neoplasms. Laryngoscope, 133:1806–1814, 2023
Lp$L^p$ bound for the Hilbert transform along variable non‐flat curves
Authors: Wan Renhui
Published: January 2023

We prove the bound for the Hilbert transform along variable non‐flat curves , where α and β satisfy . Compared with the associated theorem in the work (Guo et al. Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. 2017) investigating the case , our result is more general while the proof is more involved. To achieve our goal, we divide the frequency of the objective function into three cases and take different strategies to control these cases. Furthermore, we need to introduce a “short” shift maximal function to establish some pointwise estimates.
Taylor's inequalities in Orlicz–Sobolev type spaces
Authors: Kovac Federico Dario , Levis Fabián Eduardo
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we obtain inequalities involving the Taylor polynomial and weak derivatives of a function in an Orlicz–Sobolev type space. Moreover, we show that any such function can be expanded in a finite Taylor series almost everywhere. As a consequence, we prove that the coefficients of any extended best polynomial ‐approximation of a function on a ball almost everywhere converge to the weak derivatives of such a function when the radius tends to 0. Lastly, we get a mean convergence result of such coefficients.
Essential finite generation of extensions of valuation rings
Authors: Datta Rankeya
Published: January 2023

Given a generically finite local extension of valuation rings , the question of whether W is the localization of a finitely generated V‐algebra is significant for approaches to the problem of local uniformization of valuations using ramification theory. Hagen Knaf proposed a characterization of when W is essentially of finite type over V in terms of classical invariants of the extension of associated valuations. Knaf's conjecture has been verified in important special cases by Cutkosky and Novacoski using local uniformization of Abhyankar valuations and resolution of singularities of excellent surfaces in arbitrary characteristic, and by Cutkosky for valuation rings of function fields of characteristic 0 using embedded resolution of singularities. In this paper, we prove Knaf's conjecture in full generality.
On the bands of the Schrödinger operator with a matrix potential
Authors: Veliev Oktay
Published: January 2023

In this article, we consider the one‐dimensional Schrödinger operator with a Hermitian periodic matrix potential Q. We investigate the bands and gaps of the spectrum and prove that most of the positive real axis is overlapped by m bands. Moreover, we find a condition on the potential Q for which the number of gaps in the spectrum of is finite.
March Madness prediction: Different machine learning approaches with non‐box score statistics
Authors: Kim Jun Woo , Magnusen Mar , Jeong Seunghoon
Published: January 2023

The popularity of analytical research specializing in forecasting of March Madness saw an increase in the past decades. While the influence of nongame statistics on the game outcome has become a great interest in sports analytics, little research has focused on situational factors in predicting sports tournament outcomes. Therefore, this study is to examine the use of different machine learning algorithms, including artificial neural network (ANN), k‐nearest neighbors (kNN), support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression, and random forest (RF), to forecast the winning in a matchup between any two given teams during the March Madness tournaments. Our data include 1370 observations with 685 tournament games from 2006 to 2007 to 2016 to 2017 seasons. The results show that neural networks outperformed all other classifiers (67% of accuracy), followed by SVM (65%), kNN (63%), logistic regression (63%), and RF (61%).
Virginia governor's MH plan focuses on crisis care in year
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: January 2023

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin last month set the stage for what should be a comprehensive discussion of the state's mental health service needs during this year's legislative session. The debate is likely to focus on whether the governor's proposed three‐year plan to transform the state's behavioral health system is sufficiently targeted to have the greatest impact.
Acrylamide derivatives: A dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance study
Authors: Larina Lyudmila I. , Albanov Alexander I. , Zelinskiy Stanislav N. , Annenkov Vadim V. , Rusakova Irina L.
Published: January 2023

Substituted acrylamides have found an extensive application in organic and medical chemistry; therefore, it is very important to get insight into their features such as electronic structure, spectral properties, and stereochemical transformations. A correct interpretation of the chemical behavior and biological activity of these heteroatomic systems is impossible without knowledge of the structure of stereodynamic forms and factors determining their relative stability. The structure and peculiarities of stereodynamic behavior of substituted acrylamides and their model compounds were studied by dynamic and multinuclear1H,13C, and15N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in CDCl3and DMSO‐d6solution. It has been established that acrylamides in solution are realized asZ‐ andE‐isomers, with theE‐rotamer being somewhat predominant. The obtained experimental values of the free activation energy of rotamers vary within 15–17 kcal/mol, depending on the stereochemical structure of the molecule.15N NMR spectroscopy is the most reliable and fastest method for determining the structural and stereochemical features of nitrogen‐containing compounds.
Psychometric evaluation of modified spinal muscular atrophy functional rating scale (SMAFRS) in adult patients using Rasch analysis
Authors: Sadjadi Reza , Kelly Kristina , Glanzman Allan M. , Montes Jacqueline , Linsenmayer Matthew , Tellez Marco , Bartlett Amy , Heintzman Sarah , Kolb Stephen J. , Arnold W. David , El‐Sheikh Bakri
Published: January 2023

Introduction/Aims

The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Functional Rating Scale (SMAFRS) was first developed as a secondary functional outcome measure to detect changes over time in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in clinical trials. Its modified version evaluates 10 activities of daily living. The aim of the study was to analyze modified SMAFRS data using item response theory psychometric models.

Methods

A total of 253 responses from 41 adult patients with ambulatory and non‐ambulatory SMA types 2, 3, and 4 were analyzed. Rasch analysis was used to explore item‐person targeting, fit statistics, category response functioning, dimensionality, and differential item functioning.

Results

Most items had good fitting with the exception of “toileting” and “respiratory.” There were no major floor or ceiling effects, and most items covered a good range of disability with only a negligible breech of uni‐dimensionality from eating, dressing, and respiratory items. Differential item function highlighted differences in toileting, turning, transferring, walking, and respiratory items between ambulatory and non‐ambulatory populations.

Discussion

Despite subtle misfitting of certain items, mainly related to respiratory and bulbar function, overall modified SMAFRS remained a psychometrically stable and unidimensional outcome measure. There were some differences in measuring properties of certain functional items between ambulatory and non‐ambulatory items that need to be taken into consideration in clinical trial design. Overall, the modified SMAFRS is a psychometrically reliable tool in assessment of adult patients with SMA.
Synthesis and properties of COK‐12 large‐pore mesocellular silica foam
Authors: Henning Laura M. , Smales Glen J. , Colmenares Maria Gracia , Bekheet Maged F. , Simon Ulla , Gurlo Aleksander
Published: January 2023

Large, ink‐bottle‐shaped pores in mesocellular foams (MCFs) are desired for various applications requiring enhanced mass transfer or the immobilization of larger compounds. Hence, the cylindrical pores of COK‐12, an ordered mesoporous silica structurally comparable to SBA‐15 but synthesized at room‐temperature at quasi‐neutral pH, are chemically swollen into ink‐bottle pores. Therefore, p‐xylene is used as a more sustainable swelling agent compared to popular alternatives. Its high boiling point allows for an additional thermal aging step to amplify the mesostructure enlargement without needing additional chemicals. For COK‐12, the MCFs obtained at room temperature reach an unprecedented plateau for the modal mesopore cell and window diameter of 19.9 and 5.5 nm, respectively, with an underlying broad pore size distribution and distorted hexagonal lattice up to 14.5 nm, involving hexagonal and spherical structures. The combined chemical and thermal swelling resulted in the selective enlargement of the window diameter to more than 200% and a slightly increased cell diameter, pore size distribution, and hexagonal lattice distortion in comparison to the room temperature synthesis. Such materials are thought to be promising alternatives to SBA‐15‐based MCFs, often utilizing toxic catalysts during synthesis. The presented results pave the way for enhanced adsorptive, catalytic, and drug delivery performances for COK‐12‐based materials.
A novel CLAVATA1 mutation causes multilocularity in Brassica rapa
Authors: Chow Hiu Tung , Kendall Timmy , Mosher Rebecca A.
Published: January 2023

Locules are the seed‐bearing structure of fruits. Multiple locules are associated with increased fruit size and seed set, and therefore, control of locule number is an important agronomic trait. Locule number is controlled in part by the CLAVATA‐WUSCHEL pathway. Disruption of either the CLAVATA1 receptor‐like kinase or its ligand CLAVATA3 can cause larger floral meristems and an increased number of locules. In an EMS mutagenized population of Brassica rapa, we identified a mutant allele that raises the number of locules from four to a range of from six to eight. Linkage mapping and genetic analysis support that the mutant phenotype is due to a missense mutation in a CLAVATA 1 (CLV1) homolog. In addition to increased locule number, additional internal gynoecia are formed in brclv1 individuals, suggesting a failure to terminate floral meristem development, which results in decreased seed production.
iTRAQ‐based proteomic analysis reveals proteins associated with cold stress response in two different populations of Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum)
Authors: Xu Qiaoyue , Nie Hongtao , Dong Shasha , Song Jun , Wang Qingzhi , Yan Xiwu
Published: January 2023

Water temperature is one of the key environmental factors for marine ectotherms and a change in temperature beyond and organism's capacity limits can cause a series of changes to physiological state and damage to the organism. Understanding how organisms adapt to complex environments is a central goal of evolutionary biology and ecology. Ruditapes philippinarum is an ecologically and scientifically important marine bivalve species. To uncover the molecular mechanisms of acclimation of R. philippinarum to low‐temperature stress, iTRAQ‐based quantitative proteomics was conducted to compare the proteomes of the north and south populations of R. philippinarum under low‐temperature stress. The results showed a total of 6355 and 6352 proteins were identified in two populations, respectively. Among these, 94 and 83 were differentially abundant proteins (DAPs), and most of DAPs were related to oxidation‐process, protein binding, or an integral component of membrane. According to the results of KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, most of DAPs in both populations are involved in immune‐related pathways, while other population‐specific significant abundance proteins of south population and north population were enriched in biosynthesis of amino acids (Enolase, Glutamine synthetase) and unsaturated fatty acids pathways (3‐ketoacyl‐CoA thiolase, Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase), respectively, indicating that two population of clams may have different cold‐stress regulation mechanisms. Our study provides new insights into different cold stress tolerance mechanisms in northern and southern populations of R. philippinarum using iTRAQ‐based proteomics. This work contributes to a better understanding of molecular basis on cold stress response and adaptations, which shed lights on evolutionary biology and general ecophysiology of R. philippinarum.
Electronic properties of carbazole/biphenylamino functionalized sulfone‐based host materials
Authors: Xu Xiaopei , Huang Zehua , Liang Xuefeng , Tang Xinyuan , Zhao Yongze , Li Huifang , He Yan , Zhang Lisheng
Published: January 2023

Sulfone‐based molecules are widely used as molecular building blocks for host materials in the emissive layers of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this work, the electronic properties of dibenzo[b,d]thiophene 5,5‐dioxide (DBTO) and its derivatives were investigated by quantum‐chemical techniques to get more detailed information about the carbazole and biphenylamino functionalization effects on the charge injection property and triplet transition energy of such SO2‐based host materials. Calculated results demonstrated that the charge injection property of DBTO can be tuned by different functionalization strategies. Vertical ionization potential (VIP) and vertical electron affinity (VEA) values are reduced by functionalization, especially in the case of biphenylamino substitution. The S0 → S1 and S0 → T1* transitions, which are mainly dominated by the HOMO and LUMO energy levels, can also be tuned by functionalization. For the S0 → S1 transition, the effect of carbazole substitution is larger than that of biphenylamino substitution, while the effect of carbazole substitution on the S0 → T1* transition energies of DBTO is smaller than that of biphenylamino substitution. This effect will be more obvious if the number of introduced functional groups increases. In addition, it was observed that the substitution effect at the meta‐position of DBTO is much larger than that at the para‐position.
The impact of cancer on psychosocial function and quality of life: A cross‐sectional study in 18 pan‐European countries
Authors: Bazilainsky Svetlana , Cohen Miri , Holtmaat Karen , Erlich Brach , Verdonck‐de Leeuw Irma M.
Published: January 2023

Background

To improve psychosocial cancer care in Europe, more information is needed on psychosocial function and quality of life (QoL) among cancer patients in European countries.

Aims

To investigate differences in psychosocial function between cancer survivors and the general population in Europe, in relation to national economic status and personal factors.

Method

Data were from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (Wave 6). Main outcomes were psychosocial functioning: activity limitations, income adequacy, loneliness, depression, and QoL. Factors possibly associated with the main outcomes were ever having cancer, gross domestic product (GDP), and personal factors (age, gender, education, marriage status, employment status, number of children, number of chronic diseases).

Results

The study sample featured 6238 cancer survivors and 60,961 individuals without cancer aged 50 or older in 17 European countries and Israel. Levels of depression were higher and QoL was lower among cancer survivors compared to individuals without cancer and worse in low GDP countries, whereas differences in income adequacy and loneliness were not statistically significant. The interaction of cancer groups and country groups indicated a significant interactional effect on activity limitations, loneliness, depression, and QoL. In a multivariate regression analysis, personal factors, GDP, and being a cancer survivor predicted the main outcome variables.

Conclusions

Cancer has a persistent negative effect on survivors that is related to a country's GDP. Cancer survivors in low‐GDP countries are affected by the consequences of cancer intertwined with the hardships of living in a low‐GDP country.