bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of growing season on some qualitative and functional attributes of different potato genotypes
Authors: Ilahy Riadh , Tlili Imen , Ghannem Samir , Pék Zoltán , Azam Muhammed , Siddiqui Mohammed Wasim , Helyes Lajos , Takács Sándor , Lenucci Marcello Salvatore , Khamassy Nouri
Published: June 2023

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a staple food widely consumed in Tunisia and a source of nutrients beneficial for human health. The tubers are, indeed, important source of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. However, data regarding the functional quality of potato varieties grown and consumed in Tunisia are very scarce. For this reason, two field trials were conducted to focus on the effect of the growing season on the functional quality of four potato genotypes (Selena, El Beidha, Naima, and CL07F172.5): a first autumnal trial in Teboulba, Monastir (September 2015–February 2016), which is the late cropping season (LCS) and a second summer cropping season (SCS) in El ksour, El Kef region at an altitude > 1000 m (July 2015–October 2015). Total carotenoids, total phenolics, and flavonoids contents, as well as the hydrophilic radical scavenging activity and lipophilic radical scavenging activity (LRSA) were determined. The obtained results confirmed the importance of potato tubers as a source of bioactive compounds. All quality traits varied significantly among varieties and cropping seasons. Tubers grown under colder weather conditions (LCS: minimum and maximum averages temperatures and relative humidity (RH) ranging between 14.25 and 22.55°C and 25.46% and 83.07%, respectively) accumulated the highest total vitamin C content and exhibited the highest LRSA values. However, temperature and warmer growing conditions (SCS: minimum and maximum averages temperatures and RH ranging between 19.74 and 34.22°C and 35.46% and 87.51%, respectively) probably enhanced the synthesis and accumulation of total carotenoids, total phenolics, and total flavonoids, associated with higher LRSA values.
Mechanical demands of bite in plane head shapes of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers
Authors: Klunk Cristian L. , Argenta Marco A. , Casadei‐Ferreira Alexandre , Pie Marcio R.
Published: June 2023

Food processing can exert significant evolutionary pressures on the morphological evolution of animal appendages. The ant genus Pheidole displays a remarkable degree of morphological differentiation and task specialization among its workers. Notably, there is considerable variation in head shape within worker subcastes of Pheidole, which could affect the stress patterns generated by bite‐related muscle contraction. In this study, we use finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the effect of the variation in head plane shape in stress patterns, while exploring the morphospace of Pheidole worker head shapes. We hypothesize that the plane head shapes of majors are optimized for dealing with stronger bites. Furthermore, we expect that plane head shapes at the edges of each morphospace would exhibit mechanical limitations that prevent further expansion of the occupied morphospace. We vectorized five head shapes for each Pheidole worker type located at the center and edges of the corresponding morphospaces. We conducted linear static FEA to analyze the stresses generated by mandibular closing muscle contraction. Our findings indicate that plane head shapes of majors exhibit signs of optimization to deal with stronger bites. Stresses are distinctly directed along the lateral margins of the head, following the direction of muscle contraction, whereas the stresses on the plane head shapes of minors tend to concentrate around the mandibular articulations. However, the comparatively higher stress levels observed on majors' plane head shapes suggest a demand for cuticular reinforcement, like increased cuticle thickness or sculpturing pattern. Our results align with the expectations regarding the main colony tasks performed by each worker subcaste, and we find evidence of biomechanical limitations on extreme plane head shapes for majors and minors.
Increased importance of cool‐water fish at high latitudes emerges from individual‐level responses to warming
Authors: Smalås Aslak , Primicerio Raul , Kahilainen Kimmo K. , Terentyev Petr M. , Kashulin Nikolay A. , Zubova Elena M. , Amundsen Per‐Arne
Published: June 2023

High latitude ecosystems are experiencing the most rapid warming on earth, expected to trigger a diverse array of ecological responses. Climate warming affects the ecophysiology of fish, and fish close to the cold end of their thermal distribution are expected to increase somatic growth from increased temperatures and a prolonged growth season, which in turn affects maturation schedules, reproduction, and survival, boosting population growth. Accordingly, fish species living in ecosystems close to their northern range edge should increase in relative abundance and importance, and possibly displace cold‐water adapted species. We aim to document whether and how population‐level effects of warming are mediated by individual‐level responses to increased temperatures, shift community structure, and composition in high latitude ecosystems. We studied 11 cool‐water adapted perch populations in communities dominated by cold‐water adapted species (whitefish, burbot, and charr) to investigate changes in the relative importance of the cool‐water perch during the last 30 years of rapid warming in high latitude lakes. In addition, we studied the individual‐level responses to warming to clarify the potential mechanisms underlying the population effects. Our long‐term series (1991–2020) reveal a marked increase in numerical importance of the cool‐water fish species, perch, in ten out of eleven populations, and in most fish communities perch is now dominant. Moreover, we show that climate warming affects population‐level processes via direct and indirect temperature effects on individuals. Specifically, the increase in abundance arises from increased recruitment, faster juvenile growth, and ensuing earlier maturation, all boosted by climate warming. The speed and magnitude of the response to warming in these high latitude fish communities strongly suggest that cold‐water fish will be displaced by fish adapted to warmer water. Consequently, management should focus on climate adaptation limiting future introductions and invasions of cool‐water fish and mitigating harvesting pressure on cold‐water fish.
Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Efficient Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Chipojola Mtukula Austin , Zhang Xiang‐Da , Hou Shu‐Zhen , Huang Jian‐Mei , Xu Ming , Gu Zhi‐Yuan
Published: June 2023

The large concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere can be utilized in industrial production using effective electrocatalysts such as metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). Due to good properties such as high surface area, designable functionality, and uniform constitution, MOFs are regarded as promising electrocatalysts for the carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction reaction (eCO2RR). This review covers the importance, challenges, and mechanism of eCO2RR, and simply discusses the progress in the synthesis methods and characterization of MOFs. The review also thoroughly discusses the advances of single metal‐based MOFs, mixed metal‐based MOFs, and MOF derivatives as electrocatalysts for efficient eCO2RR.
Pd‐Catalyzed Regioselective Domino C−C Bond Formation to Access N‐Fused Benzimidazo‐Indolo‐Isoquinoline Heterocycles
Authors: Babu Pathi Vijay , Manna Arindam , Srinath Ravuri , Adhikary Supriyo , Banerji Biswadip
Published: June 2023

Regioselective synthesis of N‐fused benzimidazo‐indolo‐isoquinoline heterocycles via Pd‐catalyzed domino coupling reaction of 1‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazoles and aryl halides was developed. This one pot methodology proceeded via a five‐member carbopalladacycle intermediate and provided direct and facile route to access structurally complex polyheterocycles in moderate to good yields. These unique hybrid molecules resembled structural similarity with naturally isolated alkaloids. Notably, the present domino process occurred through activation of three C−H bonds and the simultaneous formation of two new C−C bonds in one‐shot. These molecules exhibited strong solid and solution phase fluorescence and their emission spectra in both the medium are reported here.
Tolerance of Silicon Oxide‐Coated Pt/C Catalyst Toward CO and H2S Contamination in Hydrogen for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Prass Sebastian , Nerlich Leon , Singh Rajveer , Godoy Andres O. , Jankovic Jasna , Friedrich K. Andreas , Zamel Nada
Published: June 2023

Platinum on graphitized low surface area carbon (Pt/C) is coated with a silicon oxide thin film and is employed as anode catalyst to manipulate the tolerance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells toward carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide contamination. The SiO2 coating, prepared by successive hydrolysis of 3‐aminopropyl‐triethoxisilane and tetraethoxysilane, forms clusters in proximity to Pt in sizes comparable to the catalyst particles, leaving most of the carbon surfaces free. The performance with and without CO is investigated in situ at relative humidities (RH) of 100%, 70%, and 40%. When operated with neat hydrogen, SiO2‐Pt/C shows marginally better performance owing to an improved protonic conduction due to the water retaining hydrophilic SiO2. Upon operation with CO‐contaminated fuel, the SiO2‐Pt/C performs worse than that of Pt/C particularly at high RH. CO stripping measurements reveal an increase in CO oxidation potential for the SiO2‐Pt/C, suggesting an increased CO coverage and consequently higher anode overpotentials during operation with CO‐contaminated fuel. Upon operation with H2S in the fuel, the SiO2 coating extends the lifetime until the cell voltage broke down, which is attributed to the enhanced water retention due to SiO2 and the solubility of sulfuric species.
Augmenting Power Efficiency by Virtue of a Novel Physical Reconfiguration of Solar Photovoltaic Array in Tandem with Experimental Validation
Authors: Anjum Shahroz , Mukherjee Vivekananda , Ahluwalia Divya
Published: June 2023

The growing interest in solar energy has led to large photovoltaic (PV) energy parks in today's world. Though the commonly used total‐cross‐tied (TCT) interconnection scheme reduces mismatch losses (MLs), the occurrence of partial shading on massive PV arrays (PVAs) reduces the output power. It invokes numerous local maximum power points (LMPPs) on the power–voltage (P–V) profiles. To counteract the undesired LMPPs, reconfiguration of PVAs is done either through electrical or physical reconfiguration methods. In this respect, physical relocation scheme is more economical for better distribution of partial shade. A novel greater‐than‐SuDoKu (GTS) topology is presented in this paper for achieving physical rearrangement of PV modules amalgamated with TCT interconnection scheme. For analysis, five shading cases are considered and obtained results are compared with conventional TCT and 10 newly established methods. In general, the proposed GTS strategy has shown its eminence in receiving a smootherP–Vcharacteristic, enhanced efficiency, better fill factor, and reduced MLs, which ranges up to 1343 W. Moving forward, herein, the efficacy of the proposed reconfiguration scheme is validated, under the influence of partial shading conditions, through an experimental lab prototype for a 3 × 3 PVA.
A Green Solution to Energy Storage: Brewers’ Spent Grains Biocarbon–Silica Composites as High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries Anodes
Authors: Raviolo Sofía , Bracamonte María Victoria , Calderón Cecilia Andrea , Cometto Fernando Pablo , Luque Guillermina Leticia
Published: June 2023

The demand for more efficient energy storage devices has become increasingly important in order to face the ongoing energy transition. In this regard, it is equally important to attain the production of these devices with the lowest possible environmental impact. In light of this, the use of waste materials and low‐polluting methods has become a strategic priority. In this study, brewers’ spent grains were utilized as raw material to produce anodic electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The synthesis process involves only two pyrolysis steps at low temperatures without any chemical treatment, reducing energy investment and waste generation. The result is a porous biocarbon structure—with mixed graphitic and amorphous characteristics—decorated with silica nanoparticles. The presence of silica greatly enhances storage capacity. The obtained biocarbon based electrodes exhibites a capacity of 455 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, surpassing the standard anode material commonly used in commercial LIBs.
Leaf epidermal characteristics of Annonaceae Juss. and its taxonomic evidence in Nigeria and the Cameroons
Authors: Adeniran Sunday Adebunmi , Kadiri Akeem Babalola , Olowokudejo James Dele
Published: June 2023

This study describes the comprehensive micromorphology and taxonomic evidence of 28 species of Annonaceae from Nigeria and the Cameroons using light microscopy to provide additional anatomical and morphological diagnostic characters to complement the systematics boundaries of the infrafamilial and tribal clades. The epidermal cell shape varies from polygonal to irregular on both or either surface except Annona reticulata with isodiametric on the adaxial surface. The anticlinal wall patterns are either undulated, straight, or curved in the family. The constant generic feature encountered includes hypostomata which are mostly paracytic except in Cananga odorata, Isolona zenkeri, Uvaria angolensis and Letestudoxa bella possessing pericytic, 1 + 2 laterocytic and stephanocytic, respectively. Hemiparacytics, brachyamphiparacytic and brachyparacytic stomata, which are variables of paracytic are also present. These stomata complexes proved useful in species delimitation and diagnostic of the family Annonaceae. Other foliar epidermal features were crystals of different shapes and sizes mainly of druses and styloid, unicellular trichome type, and anticlinal wall pattern. The pattern of affinity among the species suggested evidence of similarity and differences in the micromorphological characters, which cumulated to the distinct identification of each species. Based on the most reliable characters within the family, the k‐means cluster, distance matrix, correlation coefficient, and UPGMA dendrogram tree were constructed.
The effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on liver enzymes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Soleimani Damaneh Mohadeseh , Fatahi Somaye , Aryaeian Naheed , Bavi Behbahani Hossein
Published: June 2023

Coenzyme Q10 is a potent antioxidant and is necessary for energy production in mitochondria. Clinical data have suggested that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has some beneficial effects on liver function. However, these results are equivocal. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to clarify the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the serum concentration of liver function enzymes. We searched the online databases using relevant keywords up to April 2022. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of CoQ10, compared with a control group, on serum concentrations of liver enzymes were included. We found a significant reduction following supplementation with CoQ10 on serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) based on 15 effect sizes from 13 RCTs (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −5.33 IU/L; 95% CI: −10.63, −0.03; p = .04), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) based on 15 effect sizes from 13 RCTs (WMD = −4.91 IU/L; 95% CI: −9.35, −0.47; p = .03) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) based on eight effect sizes from six RCTs (WMD = −8.07 IU/L; 95% CI: −12.82, −3.32; p = .001; I2 = 91.6%). However, we found no significant effects of CoQ10 supplementation on alkaline phosphatase concentration (WMD = 1.10 IU/L; 95% CI: −5.98, 8.18; p = .76). CoQ10 supplementation significantly improves circulating ALT, AST, and GGT levels; therefore, it might positively affect liver function. Further high‐quality RCTs with more extended intervention periods and larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm our results.
Occurrence and dietary exposure assessment of heavy metals in baby foods in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alharbi Najla S. , Akamsiei Rawdah M. , Almaiman Lama A. , AL‐Samti Mostafa A. , Al‐Mutairi Hamad S. , Al‐owais Bandar S. , Alkhalaf Majid M. , Bineid Mohammed A.
Published: June 2023

Early childhood exposure to heavy metals like arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) through baby foods unfolds many concerns about their toxic effects on growth and health. In this study, occurrence and dietary intake of As, Cd, and Pb in stage 1 infant formula (0–6 months), stage 2 infant formula (7–12 months), cereal‐based meals, and biscuits were estimated. First, the levels of As, Cd, and Pb were determined with ICP‐MS, followed by the calculation of estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) for As and Cd, and margin of exposure (MoE) for Pb. Mean levels of As, Cd, and Pb were the highest in cereal‐based meals and biscuits as 15.5–11.1, 5.18–8.76, and 35.2–53.8 μg/kg, respectively. Newborns to 6 months old infants were estimated to be the highest exposed population to Cd and Pb (0.08 and 0.36 μg/kg bw/day), while infants aged 7–12 months old were exposed the highest to As. Based on the THQ, HI, and MoE findings, the current exposure levels from the selected baby foods to As, Cd, and Pb pose low potential chronic risks to both infant age groups. This research provides a roadmap for future investigations in chemical contaminants often detected in baby foods consumed regularly by Saudi infants.
Subaqueous felsic volcanic sequence and its contribution to the ancient alkaline lacustrine deposits in the Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, NW China
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Yuanyuan , He Wenjun , Tang Yong
Published: June 2023

Subaqueous eruptions alter the chemical conditions of the lake by intensifying the interaction between hot volcanic rocks and water, resulting in the exchange of alkalis. The lower part of the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag, NW China, has abundant rhyolitic welded tuff and related pyroclastic deposits, which were deposited under ancient alkaline lacustrine deposits of the Fengcheng Formation. Despite this, the effect of the eruption process on the formation of the alkali lake remains unclear. To gain a better understanding of the eruptive behaviour and emplacement processes, detailed drilling core descriptions, microscopic observations, and interpretations of textural characteristics of rhyolitic welded tuff units and adjacent volcano‐sedimentary associations have been conducted. The rhyolitic welded tuff can be categorized into seven lithofacies units based on the degree of welding, devitrification characteristics, pore development, and filling characteristics. The age of eruption was determined through zircon U–Pb dating of the rhyolitic welded tuff, revealing it to be approximately 300 Ma, thereby providing constraints on the deposition time of alkaline lacustrine deposits. Mudstones that encase the welded tuff unit and quenched structures such as perlitic fractures, quench cracks of spherulite and lithophysae, and chalcedony spherules indicate that the welded tuff unit was formed through subaqueous eruption. Alkali fractionation (sodium and potassium) occurs in the spherulite and lithophysae zone and at the top condensation boundary, demonstrating that the subaqueous eruption process significantly enhanced devitrification and hydration, causing sodium to escape from the welded tuff and released into the lake water as sodium ions. The rhyolitic welded tuff provides evidence of the evolution of a subaqueous felsic eruption where the water‐rock reaction played a fundamental role in alkalizing the lake by providing the lake with sodium ions in Mahu Sag.
Quality of glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its association with markers of coagulation and inhibitors of fibrinolysis: A case–control study in the Upper West Region, Ghana
Authors: Selleh Peter K. , Anto Enoch O. , Boadu Wina I. O. , Sackey Benedict , Boateng Lilian A. , Nkansah Charles , Nsafoah Frederick , Saasi Abdul R. , Mintaah Selina , Wiafe Yaw A. , Derigubah Charles , Korsah Emmanuel E. , Frimpong Joseph , Ansah Ezekiel , Tamakloe Valentine C. K. T. , Adu Patrick , Boachie Joseph , Addai‐Mensah Otchere
Published: June 2023

Background and Aims

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) individuals are at a higher risk of developing diabetes complications, with approximately 80% complication‐related mortality. The increased morbidity and mortality among T2DM patients are partly due to dysregulated hemostasis. This study determined the quality of glycemic control in T2DM and its association with markers of coagulation and inhibitors of fibrinolysis.

Methods

This case–control study recruited 90 participants involving: 30 T2DM patients with good glycemic control, 30 with poor glycemic control, and 30 nondiabetic subjects as controls at a Municipal Hospital in Ghana. Fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), calculated international normalized ratio (INR), and full blood count (FBC) were determined for each respondent. Plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) were determined using the solid‐phase sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method. Data were analyzed using R language software.

Results

Plasma PAI‐1 antigen levels were significantly higher in the participants with poor glycemic control as compared to participants with good glycemic control (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in plasma TAFI levels between the participants with poor glycemic control as compared to participants with good glycemic control (p = 0.900). T2DM patients had significantly shorter APTT, PT, and INR than controls (p < 0.05). At a cut‐off of ≥161.70 pg/μL, PAI was independently associated with increasing odds (adjusted odds ratio = 13.71, 95% confidence interval: 3.67–51.26, p < 0.0001) of poor glycemic control and showed the best diagnostic accuracy for poor glycemic control (area under the curve = 0.85, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

PAI‐1 levels were significantly increased in T2DM with poor glycemic control and emerged as the best predictor for poor glycemic control. Good glycemic management to control the plasma levels of PAI‐1 is required to prevent hypercoagulability and thrombotic disorders.
Designing a minimum data set of laboratory data for the electronic summary sheet of pediatric ward in Iran: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Shahbakhsh Farzaneh , Khajouei Reza , Sabahi Azam , Mehdipour Yousef , Ahmadian Leila
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim

Iranian hospitals are provided with hospital information systems (HISs) from different vendors, which make it hardly possible to summarize laboratory data in an consistent manner. Therefore, there is a need to design a minimum data set of laboratory data that will define standard criteria and reduce potential medical errors. The purpose of this study was to design a minimum data set (MDS) of laboratory data for an electronic summary sheet to be used in the pediatric ward of Iranian hospitals.

Methods

This study consists of three phases. In the first phase, out of 3997 medical records from the pediatric ward, 604 summary sheets were chosen as sample. The laboratory data of these sheets were examined and the recorded tests were categorized. In the second phase, based on the types of diagnosis we developed a list of tests. Then we asked the physicians of the ward to select which ones should be documented for each patient's diagnosis. In the third phase, the tests that were reported in 21%–80% of the records, and were verified by the same percentage of physicians, were evaluated by the experts' panel.

Results

In the first phase, 10,224 laboratory data were extracted. Of these, 144 data elements reported in more than 80% of the records, and more than 80% of experts approved them to be included in the MDS for patients' summary sheet. After data elements were investigated in the experts' panel, 292 items were chosen for the final list of the data set.

Conclusions

This MDS was designed such that, if implemented in hospital information systems, it could automatically enable registering data in the summary sheet when patient's diagnosis is registered.
Global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among patients with mental and neurological disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bisetegn Habtye , Debash Habtu , Ebrahim Hussen , Mahmood Naunian , Gedefie Alemu , Tilahun Mihret , Alemayehu Ermiyas , Mohammed Ousman , Feleke Daniel Getacher
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim

Toxoplasmosis is the most widespread zoonotic disease that affects one‐third of the world's population, and imposes a major public health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among patients with neuropsychiatric patients.

Methods

Electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Research Gate, and Scopus were thoroughly searched from February to March 2022 to identify all relevant studies. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle−Ottawa quality scale for case‐control and cross‐sectional studies. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 12 software. A random effect model was used to compute the global pooled seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Heterogeneity was quantified by using I2 value. Subgroup analysis was done, and publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger's test.

Result

Of 1250 studies, 49 containing 21,093 participants and conducted in 18 countries were included. The global pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody was 38.27% (95% CI: 32.04−44.9) among neuropsychiatric patients and 25.31% (95% CI: 21.53−29.08) in healthy controls with substantial heterogeneity of 98.3%. The prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody was higher in males (17.52%) than in females (12.35%) neuropsychiatric patients. The highest pooled prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody was in Europe (57%) followed by Africa (45.25%) and Asia (43%). Time based analysis showed the highest pooled prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody in 2012−2016 (41.16%).

The global pooled seroprevalence T. gondii IgM antibody among neuropsychiatric patients and healthy controls was 6.78% (95% CI: 4.87−8.69) and 3.13% (95% CI: 2.02−4.24), respectively.

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of chronic and acute T. gondii infection among neuropsychiatric patients was 38.27% and 6.78%, respectively. This showed a high burden of toxoplasmosis among neurological and psychiatric patients and urges routine screening of those patients and providing appropriate treatment. It also indicates the need for different stakeholders to develop targeted prevention and control strategies for T. gondii infection.
Why narcissists are more likely to be aggressive? The role of hostile attribution bias
Authors: Subra Baptiste
Published: June 2023

Narcissism is commonly associated with aggressiveness, but the underlying mechanisms of this relationship are still not yet fully understood. Based on previous research showing that narcissists are suspicious, the present research investigated whether hostile attribution of intent could explain the relationship between narcissism and aggression. In Study 1, participants (N = 347) completed a self‐report measure of grandiose narcissism (Narcissistic Personality Inventory) and a measure of hostile attribution bias (Social Information Processing‐Attribution Emotion Questionnaire). Analyses revealed that narcissism was a strong predictor of hostile attribution bias, angry feelings, and aggressive reactions. Moreover, hostile attribution bias appeared to mediate the relation between narcissism and aggressive reactions. Study 2 (N = 130) replicated the findings of Study 1 using a measure of vulnerable narcissism (Hypersensitive narcissism scale). In addition, perspective taking was manipulated in Study 2 and the results showed that participants in the high perspective‐taking condition (vs. low perspective taking) were less likely to make hostile attributions. These findings suggest that hostile attribution of intent is particularly relevant to understand narcissistic aggression. (170 words).
Scattered‐light‐sheet microscopy with sub‐cellular resolving power
Authors: Subedi Nava R. , Stolyar Sergey , Tuson Sabrina J. , Marx Christopher J. , Vasdekis Andreas E.
Published: June 2023

Since its first demonstration over 100 years ago, scattering‐based light‐sheet microscopy has recently re‐emerged as a key modality in label‐free tissue imaging and cellular morphometry; however, scattering‐based light‐sheet imaging with subcellular resolution remains an unmet target. This is because related approaches inevitably superimpose speckle or granular intensity modulation on to the native subcellular features. Here, we addressed this challenge by deploying a time‐averaged pseudo‐thermalized light‐sheet illumination. While this approach increased the lateral dimensions of the illumination sheet, we achieved subcellular resolving power after image deconvolution. We validated this approach by imaging cytosolic carbon depots in yeast and bacteria with increased specificity, no staining, and ultralow irradiance levels. Overall, we expect this scattering‐based light‐sheet microscopy approach will advance single, live cell imaging by conferring low‐irradiance and label‐free operation towards eradicating phototoxicity.
Analysis of the adhesive interface of dentine treated with carbodiimide and chitosan before cementation of fiberglass posts with different resin cements
Authors: Assis Helena Cristina de , Bertolini Gunther Ricardo , Sousa‐Neto Manoel Damião , Lopes‐Olhê Fabiane Carneiro
Published: June 2023

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐carbodiimide (EDC) and chitosan (CHI) on the adhesive interface of resin cements to root dentine. Forty‐five upper canines were sectioned, endodontically treated, prepared and divided into three groups according to dentine treatment (distilled water—DW, CHI 0.2% and EDC 0.5) and in three subgroups according to resin cement: RelyX ARC, Panavia F 2.0 or RelyX U200. Slices were obtained, with five slices of each third submitted to the analysis of the adaptation of the adhesive interface through scores and the perimeter with gaps in confocal laser scanning microscopy and one slice of each third later evaluated qualitatively in scanning electron microscopy. The results were analyzed using with Kruskal–Wallis and Spearman correlation tests. There was no difference in adaptation for the different resin cements (p = .438). EDC presented better adaptation when compared to the groups treated with DW and CHI (p < .001), while the CHI and DW presented similar adaptation values (p = .365). No difference was observed in the perimeter referring to the gap areas for the different resin cements (p = .510). EDC showed a lower percentage of perimeters with gaps when compared to CHI (p < .001), with the percentage of perimeter with gaps of teeth treated with CHI being lower than DW (p < .001). A positive correlation coefficient equal to 0.763 was obtained between the perimeter with gaps and the adaptation data of the adhesive interface (p < .001). EDC resulted in better adaptation of the adhesive interface and a lower percentage of perimeters with gaps compared to chitosan.
A DFT and kinetic study: Is it possible to prepare epoxides without catalysts using the in‐situ generated peroxy radicals or peroxides by one‐step method?
Authors: Wu Yufeng , Kang Jiajie , Gao Wei , Bi Mingshu , Yang Dongcheng , Ji Runlai , Meng Qingwei , Ma Cunfei
Published: June 2023

DFT calculations and kinetic analysis have been employed to comprehensively explore the possibility to prepare epoxides by one‐step method using the in‐situ generated peroxy radicals or hydroperoxides as epoxidizing agents. Computational studies demonstrated that the selectivities for the reaction systems of O2/R2/R1, O2/CuH/R1, O2/CuH/styrene, O2/AcH/R1 were 68.2%, 69.6%, 100% and 93.3%, respectively. The in‐situ generated peroxide radicals, such as HOO˙, CuOO˙ and AcOO˙, could react with R1 or styrene by attacking the CC double bond to form a CO bond and subsequently undergoing a cleavage of OO bond to yield epoxides. Peroxide radicals could abstract a hydrogen atom from methyl group on R1, forming unwanted by‐products. It should be noted that the hydrogen atoms of HOO˙ is easy to be abstracted by CC double bond and simultaneously the oxygen atom is connected to the CH moiety to form an alkyl peroxy radical (Rad11), greatly limiting the selectivity. The comprehensive mechanistic studies provide a deep understanding on preparing epoxides by one‐step method.
T‐cell redirecting bispecific antibodies in multiple myeloma: Current landscape and future directions
Authors: O'Neill Chloe , van de Donk Niels W. C. J.
Published: June 2023

T‐cell engaging bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have substantial activity in heavily pretreated patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The overall response rate obtained with B‐cell maturation antigen (BCMA)‐targeting BsAbs is approximately 60%–70%, including a high proportion of patients achieving very good partial response or complete response. Comparable efficacy is seen with BsAbs targeting GPRC5D or FcRH5. Cytokine release syndrome is frequently observed with BsAb treatment, but mostly during the step‐up doses and the first full dose. Early intervention with IL‐6 receptor blocking antibodies (e.g., tocilizumab) prevents escalation to severe manifestations. Infections are also common during treatment and related to the extent of exposure to immune suppressive anti‐MM agents, as well as development of hypogammaglobulinemia due to elimination of normal plasma cells, and probably because of T‐cell exhaustion resulting from continuous BsAb‐mediated T‐cell activation. Adequate monitoring for infections and institution of infectious prophylaxis are essential. Patients treated with GPRC5D‐targteing BsAbs often develop skin and nail disorders and loss of taste, which is likely related to GPRC5D expression in cells that produce hard keratin. Currently ongoing studies are aiming at further improving these results by evaluating BsAbs in combination with other drugs, such as immunomodulatory agents and anti‐CD38 antibodies, as well as the application of BsAbs in earlier lines of therapy, including patients with newly diagnosed disease. We expect that the outcomes of patients with MM will further improve by the introduction of this novel type of T‐cell immunotherapy.
Use of nonstigmatizing language is associated with improved outcomes in hospitalized people who inject drugs
Authors: Carpenter Joseph E. , Catalanotti Jillian , Notis Melissa , Brokus Christopher , Moran Timothy P. , Akselrod Hana , Burkholder Greer , Eaton Ellen F. , Kuo Irene , Mai William , McGonigle Keanan , Steck Alaina , del Rio Carlos , Saag Michael , Kottilil Shyamasundaran , Masur Henry , Kattakuzhy Sarah , Rosenthal Elana S.
Published: June 2023

Background

Stigma surrounding opioid use disorder (OUD) is a barrier to treatment. The use of stigmatizing language may be evidence of negative views toward patients.

Objective

We aimed to identify associations between language and clinical outcomes in patients admitted for infectious complications of OUD.

Designs

We performed a retrospective medical record review.

Settings and Participants

Four U.S. academic health systems. Participants were patients with OUD admitted for infectious complications of injection opioid use from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, identified through international classification of diseases, 10th revision codes consistent with OUD and acute bacterial/fungal infection.

Main Outcome and Measures

Discharge summaries were reviewed for language, specifically: abuse, addiction, dependence, misuse, use disorder, intravenous drug use, and others. Binary outcomes including medication for OUD, planned discharge, naloxone provision, and an OUD treatment plan were evaluated using logistic regressions and admission duration was evaluated using Gamma regression.

Results

A total of 1285 records were reviewed and 328 met inclusion criteria. Of those, 191 (58%) were male, with a median age of 38 years. The most common term was “abuse” (219, 67%), whereas “use disorder” was recorded in 75 (23%) records. Having “use disorder” in the discharge summary was associated with increased odds of having a documented plan for ongoing OUD treatment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.89–8.93) and having a documented plan for addiction‐specific follow‐up care (AOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.30–4.09).

Conclusions

Stigmatizing language was common in this study of patients hospitalized for infectious complications of OUD. Best‐practice language was uncommon, but when used was associated with increased odds of addiction treatment and specialty care referrals.
A mathematical model of SARS‐CoV‐2 immunity predicts paxlovid rebound
Authors: Ranard Benjamin L. , Chow Carson C. , Megjhani Murad , Asgari Shadnaz , Park Soojin , Vodovotz Yoram
Published: June 2023

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), an oral antiviral medication targeting SARS‐CoV‐2, remains an important treatment for COVID‐19. Initial studies of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir were performed in SARS‐CoV‐2 unvaccinated patients without prior confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection; however, most individuals have now either been vaccinated and/or have experienced SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. After nirmatrelvir/ritonavir became widely available, reports surfaced of “Paxlovid rebound,” a phenomenon in which symptoms (and SARS‐CoV‐2 test positivity) would initially resolve, but after finishing treatment, symptoms and test positivity would return. We used a previously described parsimonious mathematical model of immunity to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection to model the effect of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment in unvaccinated and vaccinated patients. Model simulations show that viral rebound after treatment occurs only in vaccinated patients, while unvaccinated (SARS‐COV‐2 naïve) patients treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir do not experience any rebound in viral load. This work suggests that an approach combining parsimonious models of the immune system could be used to gain important insights in the context of emerging pathogens.
NFX1‐123: A potential therapeutic target in cervical cancer
Authors: Chintala Sreenivasulu , Dankoski Maura A. , Anbarasu Anand , Ramaiah Sudha , Miryala Sravan Kumar , Katzenellenbogen Rachel A.
Published: June 2023

NFX1‐123 is a splice variant isoform of the NFX1 gene. It is highly expressed in cervical cancers caused by HPV, and NFX1‐123 is a protein partner with the HPV oncoprotein E6. Together, NFX1‐123 and E6 affect cellular growth, longevity, and differentiation. The expression status of NFX1‐123 in cancers beyond cervical and head and neck cancers, and its potential as therapeutic target, have not been investigated. TSVdb of TCGA was used to quantify NFX1‐123 expression in 24 cancers compared with normal tissues. The NFX1‐123 protein structure was predicted and then submitted to retrieve suitable drug molecules. The top four compounds, found to bind in silico to NFX1‐123, were tested experimentally to determine their effects on NFX1‐123‐related cellular growth, survival, and migration. 46% of cancers (11 of 24 had significant differences in NFX1‐123 expression, with nine having had greater NFX1‐123 expression, when compared with adjacent normal tissues. Bioinformatics and proteomic predictive analysis modeled the three‐dimensional structure of NFX1‐123, and drug libraries were screened for high‐binding affinity compounds using this modeled structure. Seventeen drugs with binding energies ranging from −1.3 to −10 Kcal/mol were identified. The top four compounds were used to treat HPV‐ and HPV+ cervical cancer cell lines, three of which (Ropitoin, R428 and Ketoconazole) reduced NFX1‐123 protein levels, inhibited cellular growth, survival, and migration, and enhanced the cytotoxicity of Cisplatin. These findings highlight cancers expressing high levels of NFX1‐123, and drugs that target it, may reduce cellular growth, survival, and migration, making NFX1‐123 a potential novel therapeutic target.
Diverse intratumoral heterogeneity and immune microenvironment of two HPV‐related cervical cancer types revealed by single‐cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Li Chunbo , Liu Danyang , Zhao Yu , Ding Yan , Hua Keqin
Published: June 2023

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AD) are the main histological types of human papillomavirus‐related cervical cancer. However, there are few reports on cell type‐specific molecular differences between SCC and AD. Here, we used unbiased droplet‐based single‐cell RNA sequencing to elucidate the cellular differences between SCC and AD in tumor heterogeneity, and tumor microenvironment (TME). A total of 61 723 cells from three SCC and three AD patients, were collected and divided into nine cell types. Epithelial cells exhibited high intra‐ and interpatient heterogeneity and functional diversity. Signaling pathways, such as epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal‐transition (EMT), hypoxia and inflammatory response were upregulated in SCC, while cell cycle‐related signaling pathways were highly enriched in AD. SCC was associated with high infiltration of cytotoxicity CD8 T, effector memory CD8 T, proliferative natural killer (NK), and CD160+ NK cells as well as tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) with high major histocompatibility complex‐II genes. AD exhibited a high proportion of naive CD8 T, naive CD4 T, Treg CD4, central memory CD8, and TAMs with immunomodulatory functions. Additionally, we also observed that the majority of cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were from AD, and participated in inflammation regulation, while SCC‐derived CAFs exhibited similar functions to tumor cells, such as EMT and hypoxia. This study revealed the widespread reprogramming of multiple cell populations in SCC and AD, dissected the cellular heterogeneity and characteristics in TME, and proposed potential therapeutic strategies for CC, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Spatiotemporal variation and multivariate controls of short‐cycle drought–flood abrupt alteration: A case in the Qinling‐Daba Mountains of China
Authors: Song Xiaoyan , Lei Xiaoping , Ma Rui , Hou Jingzhi , Liu Wenbin
Published: June 2023

A comprehensive understanding of the patterns of drought and flood alternation in adjacent months is essential for enabling climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. However, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding short‐cycle drought–flood abrupt alteration (s‐DFAA) and its responses to multiple environmental factors at various timescales. This is because of the inadequate formula construction of the existing short‐cycle drought–flood abrupt alteration index (SDFAI), such as the inability to introduce drought standards. To accurately capture the s‐DFAA's characteristics in the Qinling‐Daba Mountains (Qinba Mountains), we proposed a revised SDFAI (R‐SDFAI), which incorporates the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and allows for the customization of drought standards. Next, we used wavelet transform coherence and multiple wavelet coherence to investigate the timescale relationships between s‐DFAA events and their influence factors such as relative humidity, sunshine duration, temperature, evaporation, Arctic Oscillation (AO), Niño3.4 SSTA Index (Niño3.4), Total Sunspot Number Index (TSNI) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation Index (PDO). Our results showed that the R‐SDFAI outperformed traditional SDFAI in capturing s‐DFAA events and characterizing their severity. Furthermore, s‐DFAA events identified by R‐SDFAI at different levels (i.e., mild, moderate, severe, extreme and total) displayed insignificant downward trends. Spatially, there were more s‐DFAA events in the east than the west. Wavelet analysis indicated that meteorological factors and teleconnections significantly impact s‐DFAA events at large timescales, though their driving mechanisms differed substantially. Among meteorological factors, single relative humidity and its related combinations exhibited relatively high percent area of significant coherence (PASC, ranging from 17.47 to 29.46). Each teleconnection and its combinations are irreplaceable, with PASC values always increasing with the number of variables. The PASC ranges from 8.3 to 10.29 for one factor, 12.38 to 18.65 for two factors, 24.02 to 30.58 for three factors and 40.88 for four factors, respectively.
Influence of boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation on summer precipitation in North China
Authors: Hao Lisheng , Li Tim , Zhang Lujun , Ma Ning
Published: June 2023

To understand the impact of the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) propagation on summer precipitation in North China, this study analysed the quantitative relationship between the BSISO and summer precipitation in North China and its influence mechanism using summer precipitation data from 1981 to 2020, the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and the NOAA outgoing longwave radiation (OLR). The results show that there is a strong correlation between summer precipitation in North China and the BSISO. Over the past 40 years, the variance in summer precipitation anomalies in North China caused by BSISO1 accounted for 16.8%, whereas the impact of BSISO2 accounted for 13.1%. Their combined impact accounted for 30% of the variance in summer precipitation in North China. The BSISO influences summer precipitation process in North China primarily through upper tropospheric circulation and lower‐level water vapour transport. At 500 and 200 hPa, the BSISO excited some disturbance centres of a deep barotropic structure propagating from west to east along the upper‐tropospheric westerly jet. North China is controlled by the blocking circulation pattern of “high in the east and low in the west” while there is a negative (positive) anomaly near Lake Baikal and a positive (negative) anomaly near the Korean Peninsula. At 850 hPa, the BSISO stimulates an anticyclonic circulation anomaly on the north side of its convective area, and the southerly winds on the west side of the anticyclone enhance water vapour transport to North China. This high‐ and low‐level circulation configuration is favourable for precipitation processes in North China. The results suggest that the influence of both low‐frequency signals in the middle and high latitudes and the BSISO signal in the tropics should be considered to make extended‐range forecasts of precipitation processes in North China.