bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rare case of systemic lupus erythematosus‐associated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with cystic lesions and dual seropositivity for anti‐AQP4 and anti‐MOG antibodies
Authors: Al Jassem Omar , Rifi Rami , Kheir Karim , Masri Alaa , Eid Hassan
Published: August 2024

Key Clinical Message

In patients with SLE, concurrent NMOSD can manifest with optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. AQP‐4 antibody positivity confirms the diagnosis. Prompt treatment is critical to manage the acute symptoms and prevent relapses, as highlighted by a young patient's case with optic neuritis and extensive spinal cord lesions.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. It is associated with autoantibodies against aquaporin‐4 (AQP‐4) and/or myelin oligodendrocytes glycoproteins. It is diagnosed based on clinical, radiological, and serological criteria, and treated with immunosuppressants in the acute phase. Long‐term immunosuppression is essential to prevent potential relapses. In this case report, we present the case of a 19‐year‐old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), who presented with blurriness and loss of vision in her left eye. Optical coherence tomography was normal, but a gadolinium‐enhanced cervico‐dorsal MRI showed multiple lesions extending from the brainstem to the C7‐T1 junction suggestive of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), the largest of which was a cystic lesion at the cervico‐spinal junction. A contrast injection also revealed left optic neuritis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated IgG and red blood cell count, but no oligoclonal bands. The patient tested positive for AQP‐4 autoantibodies, confirming the diagnosis of NMOSD. Treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone led to partial improvement, but the patient experienced a relapse with severe neurological symptoms, including tetraplegia and bladder and bowel dysfunction. This case illustrates the importance of considering NMOSD in the differential diagnosis of patients with SLE who present with optic neuritis and/or myelitis, especially when MRI findings are suggestive of LETM. Early diagnosis and adherence to treatment are crucial to prevent further relapses and deleterious sequelae.
A novel implant placement technique using a three‐dimensionally printed duplicate denture for implant‐supported overdenture in patients with severe residual ridge resorption: A case report
Authors: Izumikawa Tomoko , Doi Kazuya , Iwaguro Shogo , Tsuga Kazuhiro
Published: August 2024

Key Clinical Message

The treatment method of placing a small number of implants in the mandible as a removable implant‐supported overdenture (IOD) enables implant placement and denture stability, even in cases with severe residual ridge resorption. In this case report, a new implant placement technique was performed using a three‐dimensionally (3D)‐printed duplicate denture fabricated by a 3D printer, resulting in the restoration of masticatory function through IOD.
Superior and inferior vena cava syndrome caused by a rare lung cancer: A case report
Authors: Joshi Amey , Law Jason , Shah Niket , Ghnaima Harith , Akanbi Maxwell , Tikaria Richa
Published: August 2024

Key Clinical Message

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is commonly caused by mediastinal malignancies. Early identification through clinical signs and imaging is critical to avoid complications including cerebral and laryngeal edema, and cardiogenic shock. We present a case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma causing superior and inferior vena cava compression that responded well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Fatal scenario following dental extraction in middle‐aged man with history of acquired hemophilia: Employment of surgical tracheostomy and use of FFP and cryoprecipitate to gain patent airway
Authors: Bhatta Sunil , Pandit Sukriti , Nepal Sabin , Chaudhary Pratik
Published: August 2024

Key Clinical Message

Acquired hemophilia A can upshot in a life‐threatening hemorrhage and airway obstruction. Airway bleeding is a weighty emergency in hemophilia care, necessitating the immediate start of effective hemostatic therapy (porcine factor VIII, the factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity and recombinant factor VIIa) and the decision to undertake proper airway control, such as tracheal intubation and tracheostomy. However, due to the dearth deficiency of effective hemostatic measures we relied upon the use of fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate to gain control of the bleeding despite the precarious threat of infectious disease transmission associated with their use.
Deciphering the Cell Surface Sugar‐Coating via Biochemical Pathways
Authors: Ghosh Pritam
Published: August 2024

Cell surface components, specifically glycans, play a significant role in several biological functions like cell structure, crosstalk between cells, and eventual target recognition of the cells for therapeutics. The dense layer of glycans, i. e., glycocalyx, could differ in taxon, species, and cell type. Glycans are coupled with lipids and proteins to form glycolipids, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored proteins, making their study challenging. However, understanding glycosylation at the cellular level is vital for fundamental research and advancing glycan‐targeted therapy. Among different pathways, metabolic glycan labelling uses the natural metabolic processes of the cell to introduce abiotic functionality into glycan residues. The Bertozzi group pioneered metabolic oligosaccharide engineering using glycan salvage pathways to convert monosaccharides with unnatural modifications. This eventually results in the probe becoming part of the complex cellular glycan structures via click chemistry using copper. On the other hand, the boronic acid‐based probe can recognise carbohydrates in a single step without any chemical modification of the surface. This review discusses the significance of glycans as biomarkers for different diseases and the necessity to evaluate them in situ within the physiological environment. The review also discusses the prospect of this field and its potential applications.
Conformation Regulation of Trisresorcinarene Directed by Cavity Solvation
Authors: Shimoyama Daisuke , Sekiya Ryo , Inoue Shoichiro , Hisano Naoyuki , Tate Shin‐ichi , Haino Takeharu
Published: August 2024

This compound is a synthetic macrocycle comprising three pivaloyl‐protected resorcinarene units connected by six pentylene chains. We conducted a conformational study using 1H‐NMR, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and computational analyses. The macrocycle adopts two conformers, one open, the other closed. The ratio of the open to closed forms depended on the solvent used. Only the open form existed in [D8]toluene, both forms coexisted in [D6]benzene, and the closed form was the major conformer in [D1]chloroform. The benzene‐solvated open form observed in the solid state suggests that cavity solvation by solvent molecules directs the open form. The open form was the major or only conformer in [D10]o‐ and [D10]m‐xylene and [D12]mesitylene, whereas the closed form was the major conformer in [D6]acetone. The open and closed forms were equally populated in [D10]p‐xylene, suggesting that the size, shape, and dimensions of the solvent molecules most likely influenced the conformation of the protected trisresocinarene.
Frequency tunable CMOS ring oscillator‐based Ising machine
Authors: Rahaman Nayan Mizanur , Hassan Orchi
Published: August 2024

Oscillator‐based Ising machines (OIMs) particularly those realized in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) have gained popularity for solving combinatorial optimization problems (COPs) in recent years due to its scalability, low‐power consumption, and room temperature operation. The implemented OIMs have thus far focused on solving optimization problems with a single global minima. However, real‐life optimization problems often have multiple solutions. In this paper, we propose a generalized approach to solve COPs with single (without contention), as well as multiple (with contention) solutions using frequency tunable CMOS ring oscillator (ROSC)‐based Ising machine. A capacitive frequency tunable CMOS ring‐oscillator coupled with an internal subharmonic injection locking (SHIL) generator realized using 14‐nm FinFET models works as Ising spin in the proposed approach. We demonstrate how frequency tuning can help in attaining good quality results and also determine all possible solutions of COP with contention. We also propose a generalized algorithm for monitoring the states of the oscillator network to indicate tuning necessity and extract solutions from the oscillator's output irrespective of the type of COP.
Heart failure treatment in the last years of life: A nationwide study of 364 000 individuals
Authors: Sundström Johan , Gustafsson Stefan , Cars Thomas , Lindholm Daniel
Published: August 2024

Aims

In patients with heart failure, treatment patterns in the last years of life have not been assessed at large scale. We aimed to assess whether heart failure treatment patterns up to 5 years prior to death changed over time.

Methods and results

In a cohort study covering the whole Swedish population, we assessed all heart failure patients who died between 1 July 2007 and 31 December 2020 for evidence‐based treatments. The proportion on the respective treatment at the time of death was examined by year of death using binomial regression. Looking back in time, treatment discontinuation rates were estimated using Poisson regression on time‐split data. Combining these models, the proportion on each medication was estimated up to 5 years prior to death. A total of 364 480 patients died with heart failure during the study period. Half were women, and the median (interquartile range) age at death was 86 (79–90). The use of all heart failure treatments decreased gradually closer to death, but the discontinuation rate of beta blockers decreased over time, resulting in an increasing proportion of patients on treatment at the time of death.

Conclusion

In patients with heart failure, a changing pattern of medical treatment during the last years of life was observed, most notably with an increasing use of beta blockers. This may in part be due to a changing pattern of comorbidities over time, with an increase in e.g. hypertension and atrial fibrillation, but a decline in ischaemic heart disease.
Theoretical Implications of Bifunctional Ligands to Improve Uranium Extraction Performance
Authors: Xu Han , Wang Cong‐Zhi , Wu Qun‐Yan , Lan Jian‐Hui , Liu Zhi‐Rong , Chen Shu‐Sen , Song Yan , Li Hao , Shi Wei‐Qun
Published: August 2024

Extraction of uranium from seawater is considered to be an effective way to solve the shortage of uranium resources, and the development of efficient adsorption functional groups is the key to uranium extraction. In this work, the complexation of uranyl cations with a series of diamidoxime and bifunctional (amidoximate‐carboxylate, amidoximate‐phosphate) ligands has been probed by quantum chemical calculations. For most of the uranyl complexes, the amidoxime groups adopt η2 mode to uranyl cations. Based on bonding analyses, we found that the uranyl complexes with methyl‐substituted ligands (H2L′) possess stronger covalent interactions than those with phenyl‐substituted ligands (H2L). Consequently, the uranyl complexes with H2L’ are more stable in the extraction process according to thermodynamic analysis. The amidoximate‐phosphate bifunctional ligand (H2L3′) has stronger extraction capacity to uranyl cations than other ligands, which is related to the relatively lower decomposition energy, and it shows selectivity in seawater for uranyl cations over vanadium ions, which may be a potential ligand for uranium extraction. Therefore, the introduction of synergistic functional groups, i. e. the bifunctional ligands, enhance the extraction properties of uranyl cations. This work improves understanding of synergistic ligands, and may contribute to design and development of efficient ligands for recovery of uranium from seawater.
Exercise‐Induced cytokines, diet, and inflammation and their role in adipose tissue metabolism
Authors: Al‐Ibraheem Abdullah Muataz Taha , Hameed Al‐Tuaama Abdullah Zeyad , Marsool Mohammed Dheyaa Marsool , Jain Hritvik , Prajjwal Priyadarshi , Khazmi Istevan , Nazzal Ridha Saad , AL‐Najati Hussein Mezher Hameed , Al‐Zuhairi Baqer Hadi Yusur Kharibet , Razzaq Maryam , Abd Zainab Baqir , Marsool Ali Dheyaa Marsool , wahedaldin Abdulrahman Isam , Amir Omniat
Published: August 2024

Background

Obesity poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating effective prevention and treatment strategies. Exercise and diet are recognized as pivotal interventions in combating obesity. This study reviews the literature concerning the impact of exercise‐induced cytokines, dietary factors, and inflammation on adipose tissue metabolism, shedding light on potential pathways for therapeutic intervention.

Methodology

A comprehensive review of relevant literature was conducted to elucidate the role of exercise‐induced cytokines, including interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐15 (IL‐15), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, myostatin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), follistatin (FST), and angiopoietin‐like 4 (ANGPTL4), in adipose tissue metabolism. Various databases were systematically searched using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies. Articles selected for inclusion underwent thorough analysis to extract pertinent data on the mechanisms underlying the influence of these cytokines on adipose tissue metabolism.

Results and Discussion

Exercise‐induced cytokines exert profound effects on adipose tissue metabolism, influencing energy expenditure (EE), thermogenesis, fat loss, and adipogenesis. For instance, IL‐6 activates AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), promoting fatty acid oxidation and reducing lipogenesis. IL‐15 upregulates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor delta (PPARδ), stimulating fatty acid catabolism and suppressing lipogenesis. BDNF enhances AMPK‐dependent fat oxidation, while irisin induces the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), augmenting thermogenesis. Moreover, myostatin, FGF21, FST, and ANGPTL4 each play distinct roles in modulating adipose tissue metabolism, impacting factors such as fatty acid oxidation, adipogenesis, and lipid uptake. The elucidation of these pathways offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between exercise, cytokines, and adipose tissue metabolism, thereby informing the development of targeted obesity management strategies.

Conclusion

Understanding the mechanisms by which exercise‐induced cytokines regulate adipose tissue metabolism is critical for devising effective obesity prevention and treatment modalities. Harnessing the therapeutic potential of exercise‐induced cytokines, in conjunction with dietary interventions, holds promise for mitigating the global burden of obesity. Further research is warranted to delineate the precise mechanisms underlying the interactions between exercise, cytokines, and adipose tissue metabolism.
Gd Added Mg Alloy for Biodegradable Implant Applications
Authors: Surendran Arun Kumar , Jayaraj Jithu , Veerappan Rajinikanth , Gupta Manoj , Amirthalingam Srinivasan , K Gopalan Raghu
Published: August 2024

Microstructure, mechanical, in vitro and in vivo behavior of extruded Mg alloys with varying Zn/Gd ratios, Mg‐2Gd‐2Zn‐0.5Zr (Zn/Gd = 1), Mg‐2Gd‐6Zn‐0.5Zr (Zn/Gd = 3), and Mg‐10Gd‐1Zn‐0.5Zr (Zn/Gd = 0.1) were investigated. The results revealed that the major secondary phases such as W (Mg3Zn3Gd2), (Mg,Zn)3Gd, LPSO (Long period stacking order) and I (Mg3Zn6Gd) phase in alloys depended on Zn/Gd ratio. These second phases influenced the mechanical as well as biological characteristics of the alloys. Among studied alloys, Mg‐10Gd‐1Zn‐0.5Zr alloy showed the highest yield strength and tensile strength of 270 (±9.29) and 330 MPa (±15.8), respectively, with a reasonably good elongation of 12% (±2.36). The presence of Gd2O3 in the degradation film of Mg‐10Gd‐1Zn‐0.5Zr enhanced the resistance offered by the film, which resulted in its lowest biodegradation, better viability, and cell proliferation under in vitro condition. The short term (subcutaneous implantation in rats for 1 month) in vivo studies showed that the alloy Mg‐10Gd‐1Zn‐0.5Zr degraded at a rate of 0.35 mm/y (±0.02) and did not induce any toxicity to the vital organs.
Longitudinal associations between youth prosocial behavior and dimensions of psychopathology
Authors: Reimann Gabrielle E. , Lahey Benjamin B. , Jeong Hee Jung , Durham E. Leighton , Archer Camille , Cardenas‐Iniguez Carlos , Berman Marc G. , Moore Tyler M. , Applegate Brooks , Kaczkurkin Antonia N.
Published: August 2024

Background

Studies suggest that prosocial behavior, having high empathy and engaging in behaviors intended to benefit others, may predict mental health or vice versa; however, these findings have been mixed. The purpose of the current study was to examine the bidirectional relationships between prosocial behavior and dimensions of psychopathology in children.

Methods

The relationships between prosocial behavior and four dimensions of psychopathology (general psychopathology, internalizing symptoms, conduct problems, and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms) were examined longitudinally in children 9–12 years of age from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (N = 9122). We used a random intercept cross‐lagged panel model to distinguish between stable, trait‐like (between‐person) and time‐dependent (within‐person) fluctuations across a 24‐month period.

Results

Between‐person results revealed that prosocial behavior was negatively associated with general psychopathology and conduct problems while being positively associated with internalizing symptoms. Within‐person results demonstrated that, out of four possible directional paths tested, one was significant. This path showed that greater general psychopathology and conduct problems at the first‐year follow‐up predicted fewer prosocial behaviors at the second‐year follow‐up, although the effect size was small. In contrast, prosocial behavior did not predict psychopathology dimensions for any year.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that prosocial behaviors have stable associations with psychopathology across preadolescence; however, evidence of a directional association in which psychopathology predicts fewer prosocial behaviors in the future was only modest.
Exploring the effects of international experiences on cultural intelligence
Authors: Morin Geneviève , Talbot David
Published: August 2024

This study aims to assess the effects of pre‐adult international experiences on expatriate workers' cultural intelligence (CQ). Two data sources were used to achieve this goal; a quantitative survey administered online to expatriates (n = 1713) and the culture database of Hofstede. The analyses identified six deep antecedents of CQ. This study contributes to the scientific literature on the antecedents of CQ by examining non‐work‐related international experiences before adulthood in two cultural contexts. It is also one of the first studies to use the third culture kids concept to explain expatriate CQ.
Spontaneous Brain Activity Abnormalities in Patients With Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Meta‐Analysis of 1474 Patients
Authors: Xiao Shu , Yang Zibin , Lin Zitao , Chen Liqing , Liao Weiming , Wang Jurong , Gao Cuihua , Lu Jianjun , Song Yang , Su Sulian , Jiang Guihua
Published: August 2024

Background

Abnormalities in resting‐state functional brain activity have been detected in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The results of individual neuroimaging studies of TLE, however, are frequently inconsistent due to small and heterogeneous samples, analytical flexibility, and publication bias toward positive findings.

Purpose

To investigate the most consistent regions of resting‐state functional brain activity abnormality in patients with TLE through a quantitative meta‐analysis of published neuroimaging data.

Study Type

Meta‐analysis.

Subjects

Exactly 1474 TLE patients (716 males and 758 females) from 31 studies on resting‐state functional brain activity were included in this study.

Field Strength/Sequence

Studies utilizing 1.5 T or 3 T MR scanners were included for meta‐analysis. Resting‐state functional MRI using gradient echo‐planar imaging, T1‐weighted imaging.

Assessment

PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases were searched to identify studies investigating amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF), fractional ALFF (fALFF), and regional homogeneity (ReHo) at the whole‐brain level between patients with TLE and healthy controls (HCs).

Statistical Tests

Seed‐based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images, standard randomization tests and meta‐regression analysis were used. Results were significant if P < 0.05 with family‐wise error corrected.

Results

Patients with TLE displayed resting‐state functional brain activity which was a significant increase in the right hippocampus, and significant decrease in the right angular gurus and right precuneus. Additionally, the meta‐regression analysis demonstrated that age (P = 0.231), sex distribution (P = 0.376), and illness duration (P = 0.184), did not show significant associations with resting state functional brain activity in patients with TLE.

Data Conclusion

Common alteration patterns of spontaneous brain activity were identified in the right hippocampus and default‐model network regions in patients with TLE. These findings may contribute to understanding of the underlying mechanism for potentially effective intervention of TLE.

Level of Evidence

1.

Technical Efficacy Stage

Stage 2.
Re‐designing a yield‐improving strategy of pear orchards in the Yangtze River Basin, China
Authors: Chen Hong , Chen Jinling , Fu Haoran , Ye Yanmei
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Pear yield is a primary source of income for smallholder farmers in China, yet significant yield disparities exist among different smallholders. Systematic analyses of limiting factors and the feasibility of solutions at the smallholder level are limited. This study employs a novel DEED (Describe, Explain, Explore, and Design) research cycle centered on smallholders to formulate yield‐improving strategies.

RESULTS

A comprehensive survey of 173 smallholders in the Yangtze River pear district, encompassing Zhejiang province, Jiangxi province, and Shanghai city, was conducted to delineate the current yield status. The boundary line analysis model was applied to elucidate the contributions of various yield‐limiting factors. Findings reveal an average yield ranging from 16.7 to 19.3 t ha−1, with a potential highest yield of 37.5 t ha−1. Fertilizer nitrogen (N) was identified as the most pervasive yield‐limiting factor, constituting 62.7% of the average limitation at the regional level and 37.7% at the individual smallholder level, surpassing other yield‐related factors in all three regions. Subsequently, a 2‐year field optimization experiment was conducted to explore the potential for yield improvement through adjustments in N fertilizer rates. Compared with traditional farmer management (FM), the N fertilizer optimization treatment (OPT) resulted in a 38.1% and 22.5% increase in yield for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results identify N fertilizer application rate as the most important yield‐limiting factor and verify the feasibility of optimizing N fertilizer management practices for improving pear yield. This study integrates farmer surveys, boundary line models, and field experiments to provide valuable insights into addressing yield disparities among smallholders in the pear industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
A comprehensive strategy of lipidomics and pharmacokinetics based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction
Authors: Li Xin , Xie Juan , Li Yuhan , Cui Wenxuan , Zhang Tongrui , Li Qing , Bi Kaishun , Liu Ran
Published: August 2024

Shaoyao Gancao Decoction (SGD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been proven to have a good liver protection effect, but the mechanism and pharmacodynamic substances of SGD in the treatment of acute liver injury are still unclear. In this study, an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) method was established to characterize 107 chemical components of SGD and 12 compounds absorbed in rat plasma samples after oral administration of SGD. Network pharmacology was applied to construct a component‐target‐pathway network to screen the possible effective components of SGD in acute liver injury. Using lipidomics based on UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS coupled with a variety of statistical analyses, 20 lipid biomarkers were screened and identified, suggesting that the improvement of acute liver injury by SGD was involved in cholesterol metabolism, glycerol‐phospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid signaling pathways and fatty acid biosynthesis. In addition, the UHPLC‐tandem MS method was established for pharmacokinetics analysis, and 10 potential active components were determined simultaneously within 12 min through the optimization of 0.1% formic acid water and acetonitrile as a mobile phase system. A Pharmacokinetics study showed that paeoniflorin, albiflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritin, ononin, formononetin, glycyrrhizic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid as the potential active compounds of SGD curing acute liver injury.
In‐office Eustachian Tube Dilation Reduces Symptoms Among Patients With Barometric Challenges
Authors: Møller Martin Nue , Berthelsen Debbie , Svahn Malene
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube has gained ground in the treatment of chronic dysfunction. A new indication for a larger group of patients has emerged, which is characterized by barochallenge only, which affects even more patients. Given the recent validation of the balloon dilation, we set out to explore if this procedure could be useful in treating this specific sub‐group of patients in an in‐office setting.

Methods

Balloon dilation was performed using inly nasal cottonoids soaked in 2% tretracainephenylephrine combined with xylocaine nasal spray and lidocaine/prilocaine gel and a mild oral sedative. The effect of eustachian tube balloon dilation on the function of the eustachian tube was evaluated by using the eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire‐7 (ETDQ‐7) and a VAS score. The questionnaires were completed beforehand and 3 months and 12 months postoperatively to determine subjective surgical success.

Results

Two hundred and forty‐six balloon dilation were performed in 132 participants. The results from the ETDQ‐7 questionnaire and VAS scores showed a significant improvement in symptoms during pressurization after eustachian tube balloon dilation (p = 0.0001). A mean pain score during procedure in local anesthesia was 3.4 on a scale from 1 to 10.

Conclusion

Eustachian tube balloon dilation significantly reduced symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction during non‐physiological pressure, which was determined by ETDQ‐7 and Vas scores. Additionally, we found that the procedure is well suited for private practice or the outpatient clinic, using local anesthetics and a mild sedative.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2024
Spectral properties for discontinuous Dirac system with eigenparameter‐dependent boundary condition
Authors: Zheng Jiajia , Li Kun , Zheng Zhaowen
Published: August 2024

In this paper, Dirac system with interface conditions and spectral parameter dependent boundary conditions is investigated. By introducing a new Hilbert space, the original problem is transformed into an operator problem. Then the continuity and differentiability of the eigenvalues with respect to the parameters in the problem are showed. In particular, the differential expressions of eigenvalues for each parameter are given. These results would provide theoretical support for the calculation of eigenvalues of the corresponding problems.
Employee Compensation of Nonprofit Child Welfare Agencies in New York: Crises and Strategies
Authors: Zhao Rong , Bies Angela , Kim Seon Mi
Published: August 2024

While existing literature documents the low compensation of nonprofit human services workers, it is not well understood how managers of these organizations perceive and respond to the problem. Adopting resource dependency and competing institutional logics perspectives, we chose the New York nonprofit child welfare sector—a heavily government‐funded field—as a collective case to study these issues. Based on interviews with 17 leaders of the primary NY nonprofit child welfare agencies, we found that these agencies' employee compensation was primarily constrained by government contracts, and they were torn by conflicting institutional logics from the state, the labor market, private funders, and unions. Overall, government contracts and market competition determined worker pay, and nonprofit child welfare agencies faced labor competition not only from peer organizations, but also from the government and for‐profit sectors. With the “great resignation” atmosphere and increased cost of living intensified by the COVID‐19 pandemic, agencies were under tremendous pressure to raise worker pay. However, programs chronically underfunded by the government were incapable of providing competitive wages and were experiencing high staff turnover and vacancies. Agency leaders agreed on the need to push the government to pay programs adequately but disagreed about advocacy goals and messaging. Most leaders had reservations about aggressive collective bargaining measures such as “going on strike.” These common but attenuated labor dynamics, related managerial responses, and implications for the future of the sector are discussed, particularly in response to competing institutional pressures.
Maternal Vascular Malperfusion and Anatomic Cord Abnormalities Are Prevalent in Pregnancies With Fetal Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Carreon Chrystalle Katte , Ronai Christina , Hoffmann Julia K. , Tworetzky Wayne , Morton Sarah U. , Wilkins‐Haug Louise E.
Published: August 2024

Objective

Impairments in the maternal‐fetal environment are associated with adverse postnatal outcomes among infants with congenital heart disease. Therefore, we sought to investigate placental anomalies as they related to various forms of fetal congenital heart disease (FCHD).

Methods

We reviewed the placental pathology in singleton pregnancies with and without FCHD. FCHD was divided into separate categories (transposition physiology, obstructive left, obstructive right, biventricular without obstruction, and others). Exclusion criteria included other prenatally known structural malformations and/or aneuploidy. The significance threshold was set at p < 0.05 or False Discovery rate q < 0.05 when multiple tests were performed.

Results

The cohort included 215 FCHD and 122 non‐FCHD placentas. FCHD placentas showed increased rates of maternal vascular malperfusion (24% vs. 5%, q < 0.001) and cord anomalies (27% vs. 1%, q < 0.001). Placentas with fetal TGA demonstrated a lower rate of hypoplasia when compared with other FCHD types (1/39 vs. 51/176, Fisher's exact p = 0.015).

Conclusion

Placental maternal vascular malperfusion is increased in FCHD. The prevalence of vascular malperfusion did not differ by FCHD type, indicating that CHD type does not predict the likelihood of placental vascular dysfunction. Further investigation of the placental‐fetal heart axis in FCHD is warranted given the importance of placental health.
Effects of methyl jasmonate seed treatments on adult oviposition preference and larval performance of seed corn maggot (Delia platura) in corn (Zea mays)
Authors: Ray Swayamjit , Hsu Gen‐Chang , Pappous Noelle T. , Rooney Olivia , Taylor Alan G. , Thaler Jennifer S.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Eliciting host plant resistance using plant hormones such as jasmonates has the potential to protect seeds and seedlings against insect pests; however, several hurdles exist for adapting it for pest management. This includes determining a dose that promotes resistance without limiting plant growth, an application method that growers could use, and ensuring the plants are responsive in the abiotic conditions when the pest occurs. In laboratory and field assays, we tested if treating corn seeds with multiple concentrations of methyl jasmonate would reduce the preference of ovipositing seed corn maggot adults and the performance of larvae feeding on seeds.

RESULTS

We found that corn seeds soaked in aqueous 0.2 mM methyl jasmonate solution showed marginally lower seedling growth, but the adult oviposition preference was ~60% lower on these seeds compared to control water‐soaked seeds. Seeds that were treated with methyl jasmonate using a conventional polymer‐based seed coating showed no effect on seedling growth but reduced adult oviposition preference. In no‐choice bioassays with adult flies, we found reduced oviposition on seeds soaked with aqueous methyl jasmonate compared to controls. Larval survival to pupation was also lower in methyl jasmonate‐treated seeds. Lastly, the methyl jasmonate‐induced resistance also occurred at the lower temperatures typical of the spring soil conditions when this fly is most damaging.

CONCLUSION

Methyl jasmonate seed treatment in aqueous solution or using conventional polymer‐based technology, has the potential to deter adult oviposition and reduce maggot performance in spring temperature conditions with minor effects on seed germination and growth. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Inflammatory bowel disease genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metagenomics meet artificial intelligence
Authors: Cannarozzi Anna Lucia , Latiano Anna , Massimino Luca , Bossa Fabrizio , Giuliani Francesco , Riva Matteo , Ungaro Federica , Guerra Maria , Brina Anna Laura Di , Biscaglia Giuseppe , Tavano Francesca , Carparelli Sonia , Fiorino Gionata , Danese Silvio , Perri Francesco , Palmieri Orazio
Published: August 2024

Various extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as drug exposures, antibiotic treatments, smoking, lifestyle, genetics, immune responses, and the gut microbiome characterize ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, collectively called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). All these factors contribute to the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease etiology and pathogenesis leading to major challenges for the scientific community in improving management, medical treatments, genetic risk, and exposome impact. Understanding the interaction(s) among these factors and their effects on the immune system in IBD patients has prompted advances in multi‐omics research, the development of new tools as part of system biology, and more recently, artificial intelligence (AI) approaches. These innovative approaches, supported by the availability of big data and large volumes of digital medical datasets, hold promise in better understanding the natural histories, predictors of disease development, severity, complications and treatment outcomes in complex diseases, providing decision support to doctors, and promising to bring us closer to the realization of the “precision medicine” paradigm. This review aims to provide an overview of current IBD omics based on both individual (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metagenomics) and multi‐omics levels, highlighting how AI can facilitate the integration of heterogeneous data to summarize our current understanding of the disease and to identify current gaps in knowledge to inform upcoming research in this field.
Realizing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda Through Foreign Aid: A Comparative Analysis of Korea and Germany
Authors: Park Min Joung
Published: August 2024

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda has gained significant traction globally as a framework to address the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and promote their active participation in peace processes. In recent years, donor countries have expanded their efforts to contribute to the implementation of the WPS agenda through their development assistance. This chapter explores how Germany and the Republic of Korea (hereafter referred to as Korea) have responded to the current trend of integrating the WPS agenda into development cooperation by analysing their National Action Plans (NAPs) on implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and Security.
The Impact of Geopolitics on the Field of Development in Korea and Germany
Authors: Howe Brendan , Klingebiel Stephan
Published: August 2024

Geopolitical tensions are omnipresent in all areas of international relations, in theory and in practice. This also applies to the field of development discourse, including in the discussions in September 2023 on the (lack of) progress made towards realizing the 2030 Agenda and in the specific development policies and initiatives of individual governments. This chapter analyses how the dynamic international context is influencing the development policy approaches of OECD countries and of two donor countries in particular: the Republic of Korea (hereafter referred to as Korea) and Germany. It analyses the overall geopolitical context and strategies of both countries, and the intersection of geopolitics and geoeconomics. Geographically, the piece pays special attention to the Indo-Pacific Region. It discusses how far development policy in Germany is dependent upon or independent of the geostrategic approaches of the two donor countries.
The Southernization of the EU’s Development Policy? A Critical Review of the EU Global Gateway
Authors: Keijzer Niels
Published: August 2024

In December 2019, the newly elected European Commission (EU) President tasked one of her Commissioners to ensure that the EU’s approach to development cooperation would evolve in line with new global realities, while contributing to the EU’s wider political priorities. Two summers and a pandemic later, the Commission announced its Global Gateway initiative. This proposal sought to strengthen the EU’s visibility and impact in the area of infrastructure investment, and committed the EU and its member states to jointly mobilize EUR 300 billion in investment during the period 2022 to 2030. This chapter discusses the emergence of this initiative in relation to the literature on the “southernization” of the OECD members’ development policies. It observes that Global Gateway has since become the defining feature in the EU’s international partnerships policy and has become ubiquitous in its public discourse. Its effects on public expectations of development policy may thus be greater than the changes in approaches “on the ground”. The chapter concludes by discussing the policy relevance of Global Gateway for the development policy and operations of Korea and Germany.
A Comparative Analysis of the Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Korea and Germany: Implemented Technology and Financial Mechanism Projects Under the UNFCCC
Authors: Kim Tae Kun , Jeon Jee Hyo , Lee Donmin
Published: August 2024

While technology aids the fight against climate change, this chapter focuses on contrasting Korea and Germany’s approaches, not just strategies, in utilizing technology for achieving green transitions, carbon neutrality and climate responses. Funded by Technology Mechanism (TM) and Green Climate Fund (GCF), Korea prioritizes smaller scale TM-backed technical assistance and domestic infrastructure, while Germany focuses on larger, GCF-financed international projects. This offers valuable insights into complementary national approaches to leverage technology collaboration for effective climate action.
Trial and Investigation Testimonies of Wounded Maidan Activists and Witnesses
Authors: Katchanovski Ivan
Published: August 2024

This chapter analyzes testimonies concerning snipers by wounded Maidan activists and prosecution, defense, and Maidan witnesses at the Maidan massacre trial and the investigation in Ukraine.
The Maidan Massacre on February 18–19, 2014, and Related Cases of Violence During the EuroMaidan in Ukraine
Authors: Katchanovski Ivan
Published: August 2024

This chapter analyzes the Maidan massacre in Kyiv on February 18–19, 2014 and other related cases of violence in Ukraine during the EuroMaidan. Various evidence, such as videos, live streams, SBU and police radio communications recordings, and witness testimonies, shows that the violent attack of the Ukrainian parliament and the Party of Regions headquarters was initiated on February 18 by the Maidan leadership and Maidan Self-Defense, including the far-right Svoboda and Right Sector, and that the Security Service of Ukraine and police launched an attempt to clear the Maidan by force in response.
A Variational Model of Charged Drops in Dielectrically Matched Binary Fluids: The Effect of Charge Discreteness
Authors: Muratov Cyrill B. , Novaga Matteo , Zaleski Philip
Published: August 2024

This paper addresses the ill-posedness of the classical Rayleigh variational model of conducting charged liquid drops by incorporating the discreteness of the elementary charges. Introducing the model that describes two immiscible fluids with the same dielectric constant, with a drop of one fluid containing a fixed number of elementary charges together with their solvation spheres, we interpret the equilibrium shape of the drop as a global minimizer of the sum of its surface energy and the electrostatic repulsive energy between the charges under fixed drop volume. For all model parameters, we establish the existence of generalized minimizers that consist of at most a finite number of components “at infinity”. We also give several existence and non-existence results for classical minimizers consisting of only a single component. In particular, we identify an asymptotically sharp threshold for the number of charges to yield existence of minimizers in a regime corresponding to macroscopically large drops containing a large number of charges. The obtained non-trivial threshold is significantly below the corresponding threshold for the Rayleigh model, consistently with the ill-posedness of the latter and demonstrating a particular regularizing effect of the charge discreteness. However, when a minimizer does exist in this regime, it approaches a ball with the charge uniformly distributed on the surface as the number of charges goes to infinity, just as in the Rayleigh model. Finally, we provide an explicit solution for the problem with two charges and a macroscopically large drop.
Microbiological toxicity tests using standardized ISO/OECD methods—current state and outlook
Authors: Strotmann Uwe , Durand Marie-José , Thouand Gerald , Eberlein Christian , Heipieper Hermann J. , Gartiser Stefan , Pagga Udo
Published: August 2024

Microbial toxicity tests play an important role in various scientific and technical fields including the risk assessment of chemical compounds in the environment. There is a large battery of normalized tests available that have been standardized by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) and which are worldwide accepted and applied. The focus of this review is to provide information on microbial toxicity tests, which are used to elucidate effects in other laboratory tests such as biodegradation tests, and for the prediction of effects in natural and technical aqueous compartments in the environment. The various standardized tests as well as not normalized methods are described and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. In addition, the sensitivity and usefulness of such tests including a short comparison with other ecotoxicological tests is presented. Moreover, the far-reaching influence of microbial toxicity tests on biodegradation tests is also demonstrated. A new concept of the physiological potential of an inoculum (PPI) consisting of microbial toxicity tests whose results are expressed as a chemical resistance potential (CRP) and the biodegradation adaptation potential (BAP) of an inoculum is described that may be helpful to characterize inocula used for biodegradation tests.

Key points

• Microbial toxicity tests standardized by ISO and OECD have large differences in sensitivity and applicability.

• Standardized microbial toxicity tests in combination with biodegradability tests open a new way to characterize inocula for biodegradation tests.

• Standardized microbial toxicity tests together with ecotoxicity tests can form a very effective toolbox for the characterization of toxic effects of chemicals.
Evolution from viral encephalitis to autoimmune encephalitis to multiple sclerosis: a case report
Authors: Wurdack Katharina , Prüss Harald , Finke Carsten
Published: August 2024

Background

There are established associations between viral and autoimmune encephalitis as well as between autoimmune encephalitis and demyelinating central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Here, we report the evolution from varicella zoster virus (VZV) encephalitis to limbic autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) to multiple sclerosis (MS) in one patient.

Case report

A woman in her mid-thirties presented with headache, aphasia, and a generalized tonic–clonic seizure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) VZV polymerase chain reaction was positive and treatment with acyclovir was administered for VZV encephalitis. Five months later, the patient presented with cognitive deficits and MRI showed new bilateral hippocampal T2-hyperintensities. CSF analyses revealed pleocytosis and neuropil antibodies in tissue-staining. A diagnosis of limbic AIE was established and treatment with IV steroids and IV immunoglobulins initiated. One year later, the patient developed paresthesia of both legs and magnetic resonance imaging studies now showed new supratentorial and spinal demyelinating lesions. The patient was diagnosed with MS and treatment was changed to rituximab.

Conclusions

This unique case report links three important neuroimmunological entities in characterizing the evolution from infectious to autoimmune encephalitis to multiple sclerosis in one patient. Identification of such rare clinical constellations is critical for correct treatment choice and provides important novel insights into the pathophysiology of neuroimmunological disorders including viral triggers and overlap manifestations of autoimmune CNS diseases.