bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parent communication with care teams and preparation for family meetings in the paediatric cardiac ICU: a qualitative study
Authors: Gramszlo Colette , Girgis Hannah , Hill Douglas , Walter Jennifer K.
Published: May 2023

Objective:

The paediatric cardiac ICU presents unique challenges to optimal communication practices, which may impact participation in medical decision-making and long-term psychosocial outcomes for families. This study characterised parent perceptions of (1) team practices that impeded or facilitated communication and (2) preparation for family meetings with interprofessional care teams during extended cardiac ICU admissions.

Methods:

A purposive sample of parents of children admitted to the cardiac ICU was selected to participate in interviews about their communication experiences. Data were analysed using a grounded theory approach.

Results:

Twenty-three parents of 18 patients participated with an average length of stay of 55 days at the time of interview. Team practices that impeded communication included inaccurate/incomplete communication, inconsistent within team communication/coordination, and feeling overwhelmed by too many team members/questions. Team practices that facilitated communication included valuing parent preferences, provider continuity, explaining jargon, and eliciting questions. Preparation for family meetings included team practices, parental preferences, and experiences when learning about family meetings (including apprehension about meetings). Family meetings were described as valued opportunities to improve communication.

Conclusion:

Communication with medical teams represents a modifiable determinant of long-term outcomes for families of children in the cardiac ICU. When parents are included as valued members of their child’s care team, they are more likely to feel a sense of control over their child’s outcomes, even in the face of prognostic uncertainty. Family meetings represent an important opportunity to repair fractures in trust between families and care teams and overcome barriers to communication between parties.
Iannis Xenakis in Argentina: Reception, Dialogues, and Exchanges
Authors: HERRERA EDUARDO
Published: May 2023

Iannis Xenakis visited Argentina as a professor of the Centro Latinoamericano de Altos Estudios Musicales (CLAEM) of the Torcuato Di Tella Institute in 1966 where he discussed his interdisciplinary interests – mathematics, architecture, and computer-aided composition. Using archival resources and oral history, this article explores three aspects of Xenakis's trip to Argentina. First, the way the media framed the visit of the European composer and the reception of the events organized around it under a modernist discourse. Second, the direct impact that this visit had on some of the composers at CLAEM, particularly Graciela Paraskevaídis. Finally, the exchanges that Xenakis had with engineer Fernando von Reichenbach, who had been working on transforming graphic material into sound, something that crystallized with the development of Reichenbach's Convertidor Gráfico Analógico (1969), and Xenakis's Unité Polyagogique Informatique CEMAMu (UPIC 1977).
The Future of Soils in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Kwang J. S. , Thaler E. A. , Larsen I. J.
Published: May 2023

Soil is the source of the vast majority of food consumed on Earth, and soils constitute the largest terrestrial carbon pool. Soil erosion associated with agriculture reduces crop productivity, and the redistribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) by erosion has potential to influence the global carbon cycle. Tillage strongly influences the erosion and redistribution of soil and SOC. However, tillage is rarely considered in predictions of soil erosion in the U.S.; hence regionwide estimates of both the current magnitude and future trends of soil redistribution by tillage are unknown. Here we use a landscape evolution model to forecast soil and SOC redistribution in the Midwestern United States over centennial timescales. We predict that present‐day rates of soil and SOC erosion are 1.1 ± 0.4 kg ⋅ m−‐2 ⋅ yr−‐1 and 12 ± 4 g ⋅ m−2 ⋅ yr−1, respectively, but these rates will rapidly decelerate due to diffusive evolution of topography and the progressive depletion of SOC in eroding soil profiles. After 100 years, we forecast that 8.8 (+1.9/−2.1) Pg of soil and 0.17 (+0.03/−0.04) Pg of SOC will have eroded, causing the surface concentration of SOC to decrease by 4.4% (+0.9/−1.1%). Model simulations that include more widespread adoption of low‐intensity tillage (i.e., no‐till farming) determine that soil redistribution, SOC redistribution, and surficial SOC loss after 100 years would decrease by ∼95% if low‐intensity tillage is fully adopted. Our findings indicate that low‐intensity tillage could greatly decrease soil degradation and that the potential for agricultural soil erosion to influence the global carbon cycle will diminish with time due to a reduction in SOC burial.
Recent Convection Decline in the Greenland Sea: Insights From the Mercator Ocean System Over 2008–2020
Authors: Abot Louise , Provost Christine , Poli Léa
Published: May 2023

We investigated wintertime convection evolution in recent years over the Greenland Sea. This area is a major location regarding dense water production and supply of the lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a key component of the global climate. Previous studies mentioned an increase in Greenland Sea wintertime convection intensity during the 2000s in comparison with the previous decade till 2015/2016. Here, we further document the ongoing oceanic changes within the Greenland Sea through the Mercator Ocean Physical System, an operational ocean model with data‐assimilation. The model has shown a large variability, a later start and a decline of convection in the Greenland Sea in recent years. In particular, the depth of the annual maximum mixed layer diminished by 52% between 2008–2014 and 2015–2020, from 1,168 to 559 m, over the convective area. This decline of the convection depth is corroborated with Argo float observations. Within the Greenland Sea, hydrographic changes especially the increasing temperature are associated with isopycnal deepening and stratification strengthening. The stratification is building up at a larger rate in the Boreas Basin compared to the Greenland Basin. The changes of the Greenland Sea hydrography in the model are in part related to Atlantic Water spreading over the Boreas Basin and the eastern part of the Greenland Basin. The model also indicates a decrease in the intensity of the gyre in accordance with the isopycnal deepening while local surface winds and fluxes do not exhibit significant trends nor significant interannual variations.
Microwave Observations of Ganymede's Sub‐Surface Ice: I. Ice Temperature and Structure
Authors: Brown Shannon , Zhang Zhimeng , Bolton Scott , Bonnefoy Lea E. , Ermakov Anton , Feng Jianqing , Hartogh Paul , Levin Steven , Misra Sidharth , Siegler Matthew , Stevenson David
Published: May 2023

On 7 June 2021, Juno flew within 1,000 km of Ganymede's surface, partially mapping its ice shell at six frequencies ranging from 0.6 to 22 GHz. The radiance at these frequencies originates from successively deeper layers of the sub‐surface and may reach depths of 24 km at 0.6 GHz. The MWR observations cover a latitude range from 20°S to 60°N and a longitude range from 120°W to 60°E. We present brightness temperature and derived reflectivity maps of Ganymede with a spatial resolution of up to ∼140 km. The microwave brightness temperature at all MWR wavelengths is anti‐correlated with the visible brightness of the terrain. Normalizing the MWR brightness temperatures using a thermal model for the ice shell reveals that the brightest regions are significantly more reflective in the microwave than the dark regions and that all terrain types are more reflective than is expected from a solid ice surface. We suggest that multiple reflections of the colder sky background at sub‐surface interfaces (e.g., fractures) explain the depressed brightness temperatures observed in brighter terrain types. A thin silicate or salt contaminant surface layer, which is significantly more reflective than ice in the microwave, could explain the microwave reflectivity in the dark regions with little to no contribution from sub‐surface fractures. The observed 0.6–1.2 GHz brightness temperature difference suggests an upper bound on the ice shell conducting layer depth of 150 km in the observation area.
Exploring Signature‐Based Model Calibration for Streamflow Prediction in Ungauged Basins
Authors: Dal Molin Marco , Kavetski Dmitri , Albert Carlo , Fenicia Fabrizio
Published: May 2023

Calibration of precipitation‐streamflow models to streamflow signatures is a promising approach for streamflow prediction in ungauged basins (PUB). The estimation of parameter and prediction uncertainty in this case is not trivial because: (a) calibration takes place in the signature domain, while predictions are required in the time domain, and (b) streamflow signatures are estimated (e.g., from donor catchments) rather than “observed” (computed from observed streamflow in the target catchment), and therefore particularly uncertain. This study investigates model calibration using estimated signatures in an Approximate Bayesian Computation framework. First, we construct a stochastic signature transfer model, based on seasonal flow duration curves. Second, we calibrate a precipitation‐streamflow model to the estimated signatures, accounting for their uncertainty. The proposed method is tested in six catchments of the Thur basin, Switzerland. Three data availability scenarios are considered: (a) concomitant scenario, where signatures are “observed,” (b) non‐concomitant scenario, where signatures are transferred from a different time period, and (c) regionalization scenario, where signatures are transferred from (neighboring) donor catchments. In this study, the switch from observed to regionalized signatures increases predictive streamflow uncertainty by 38% and worsens the (deterministic) fit to observations by 17% (in terms of Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency). Despite this deterioration, posterior predictive uncertainty remains lower than prior predictive uncertainty generated using uniform priors over representative parameter ranges (“uncalibrated” model), which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed signature‐based calibration. More importantly, uncertainty is reliably estimated at the ungauged catchments, which represents a key advance in stochastic streamflow PUB.
Region- and time- specific effects of ketamine on cerebral blood flow: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gärtner Matti , Weigand Anne , Meiering Marvin Sören , Weigner David , Carstens Luisa , Keicher Christian , Hertrampf Rita , Beckmann Christian , Mennes Maarten , Wunder Andreas , Grimm Simone
Published: May 2023

There is intriguing evidence suggesting that ketamine might have distinct acute and delayed neurofunctional effects, as its acute administration transiently induces schizophrenia-like symptoms, while antidepressant effects slowly emerge and are most pronounced 24 h after administration. Studies attempting to characterize ketamine’s mechanism of action by using blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) imaging have yielded inconsistent results regarding implicated brain regions and direction of effects. This may be due to intrinsic properties of the BOLD contrast, while cerebral blood flow (CBF), as measured with arterial spin labeling, is a single physiological marker more directly related to neural activity. As effects of acute ketamine challenge are sensitive to modulation by pretreatment with lamotrigine, which inhibits glutamate release, a combination of these approaches should be particularly suited to offer novel insights. In total, 75 healthy participants were investigated in a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group study and underwent two scanning sessions (acute/post 24 h.). Acute ketamine administration was associated with higher perfusion in interior frontal gyrus (IFG) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), but no other investigated brain region. Inhibition of glutamate release by pretreatment with lamotrigine abolished ketamine’s effect on perfusion. At the delayed time point, pretreatment with lamotrigine was associated with lower perfusion in IFG. These findings underscore the idea that regionally selective patterns of CBF changes reflect proximate effects of modulated glutamate release on neuronal activity. Furthermore, region- specific sustained effects indicate both a swift restoration of disturbed homeostasis in DLPFC as well changes occurring beyond the immediate effects on glutamate signaling in IFG.
Amygdala downregulation training using fMRI neurofeedback in post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized, double-blind trial
Authors: Zhao Zhiying , Duek Or , Seidemann Rebecca , Gordon Charles , Walsh Christopher , Romaker Emma , Koller William N. , Horvath Mark , Awasthi Jitendra , Wang Yao , O’Brien Erin , Fichtenholtz Harlan , Hampson Michelle , Harpaz-Rotem Ilan
Published: May 2023

Hyperactivation of amygdala is a neural marker for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and improvement in control over amygdala activity has been associated with treatment success in PTSD. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial we evaluated the efficacy of a real-time fMRI neurofeedback intervention designed to train control over amygdala activity following trauma recall. Twenty-five patients with PTSD completed three sessions of neurofeedback training in which they attempted to downregulate the feedback signal after exposure to personalized trauma scripts. For subjects in the active experimental group (N = 14), the feedback signal was from a functionally localized region of their amygdala associated with trauma recall. For subjects in the control group (N = 11), yoked-sham feedback was provided. Changes in control over the amygdala and PTSD symptoms served as the primary and secondary outcome measurements, respectively. We found significantly greater improvements in control over amygdala activity in the active group than in the control group 30-days following the intervention. Both groups showed improvements in symptom scores, however the symptom reduction in the active group was not significantly greater than in the control group. Our finding of greater improvement in amygdala control suggests potential clinical application of neurofeedback in PTSD treatment. Thus, further development of amygdala neurofeedback training in PTSD treatment, including evaluation in larger samples, is warranted.
Recent reduced abyssal overturning and ventilation in the Australian Antarctic Basin
Authors: Gunn Kathryn L. , Rintoul Stephen R. , England Matthew H. , Bowen Melissa M.
Published: May 2023

Dense water formed near Antarctica, known as Antarctic bottom water (AABW), drives deep ocean circulation and supplies oxygen to the abyssal ocean. Observations show that AABW has freshened and contracted since the 1960s, yet the drivers of these changes and their impact remain uncertain. Here, using observations from the Australian Antarctic Basin, we show that AABW transport reduced by 4.0 Sv between 1994 and 2009, during a period of strong freshening on the continental shelf. An increase in shelf water salinity between 2009 and 2018, previously linked to transient climate variability, drove a partial recovery (2.2 Sv) of AABW transport. Over the full period (1994 to 2017), the net slowdown of −0.8 ± 0.5 Sv decade−1 thinned well-oxygenated layers, driving deoxygenation of −3 ± 2 μmol kg−1 decade−1. These findings demonstrate that freshening of Antarctic shelf waters weakens the lower limb of the abyssal overturning circulation and reduces deep ocean oxygen content.
Gene expression in African Americans, Puerto Ricans and Mexican Americans reveals ancestry-specific patterns of genetic architecture
Authors: Kachuri Linda , Mak Angel C. Y. , Hu Donglei , Eng Celeste , Huntsman Scott , Elhawary Jennifer R. , Gupta Namrata , Gabriel Stacey , Xiao Shujie , Keys Kevin L. , Oni-Orisan Akinyemi , Rodríguez-Santana José R. , LeNoir Michael A. , Borrell Luisa N. , Zaitlen Noah A. , Williams L. Keoki , Gignoux Christopher R. , Burchard Esteban González , Ziv Elad
Published: May 2023

We explored ancestry-related differences in the genetic architecture of whole-blood gene expression using whole-genome and RNA sequencing data from 2,733 African Americans, Puerto Ricans and Mexican Americans. We found that heritability of gene expression significantly increased with greater proportions of African genetic ancestry and decreased with higher proportions of Indigenous American ancestry, reflecting the relationship between heterozygosity and genetic variance. Among heritable protein-coding genes, the prevalence of ancestry-specific expression quantitative trait loci (anc-eQTLs) was 30% in African ancestry and 8% for Indigenous American ancestry segments. Most anc-eQTLs (89%) were driven by population differences in allele frequency. Transcriptome-wide association analyses of multi-ancestry summary statistics for 28 traits identified 79% more gene–trait associations using transcriptome prediction models trained in our admixed population than models trained using data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project. Our study highlights the importance of measuring gene expression across large and ancestrally diverse populations for enabling new discoveries and reducing disparities.
Targeting fibrotic signaling pathways by EGCG as a therapeutic strategy for uterine fibroids
Authors: Islam Md Soriful , Parish Maclaine , Brennan Joshua T. , Winer Briana L. , Segars James H.
Published: May 2023

Fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, which is a key feature of uterine fibroids. Our prior research supports the tenet that inhibition of fibrotic processes may restrict fibroid growth. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea compound with powerful antioxidant properties, is an investigational drug for uterine fibroids. An early phase clinical trial showed that EGCG was effective in reducing fibroid size and its associated symptoms; however, its mechanism of action(s) has not been completely elucidated. Here, we probed effects of EGCG on key signaling pathways involved in fibroid cell fibrosis. Viability of myometrial and fibroid cells was not greatly affected by EGCG treatment (1–200 µM). Cyclin D1, a protein involved in cell cycle progression, was increased in fibroid cells and was significantly reduced by EGCG. EGCG treatment significantly reduced mRNA or protein levels of key fibrotic proteins, including fibronectin (FN1), collagen (COL1A1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and actin alpha 2, smooth muscle (ACTA2) in fibroid cells, suggesting antifibrotic effects. EGCG treatment altered the activation of YAP, β-catenin, JNK and AKT, but not Smad 2/3 signaling pathways involved in mediating fibrotic process. Finally, we conducted a comparative study to evaluate the ability of EGCG to regulate fibrosis with synthetic inhibitors. We observed that EGCG displayed greater efficacy than ICG-001 (β-catenin), SP600125 (JNK) and MK-2206 (AKT) inhibitors, and its effects were equivalent to verteporfin (YAP) or SB525334 (Smad) for regulating expression of key fibrotic mediators. These data indicate that EGCG exhibits anti-fibrotic effects in fibroid cells. These results provide insight into mechanisms behind the observed clinical efficacy of EGCG against uterine fibroids.
Structural assessment of the full-length wild-type tumor suppressor protein p53 by mass spectrometry-guided computational modeling
Authors: Di Ianni Alessio , Tüting Christian , Kipping Marc , Ihling Christian H. , Köppen Janett , Iacobucci Claudio , Arlt Christian , Kastritis Panagiotis L. , Sinz Andrea
Published: May 2023

The tetrameric tumor suppressor p53 represents a great challenge for 3D-structural analysis due to its high degree of intrinsic disorder (ca. 40%). We aim to shed light on the structural and functional roles of p53’s C-terminal region in full-length, wild-type human p53 tetramer and their importance for DNA binding. For this, we employed complementary techniques of structural mass spectrometry (MS) in an integrated approach with computational modeling. Our results show no major conformational differences in p53 between DNA-bound and DNA-free states, but reveal a substantial compaction of p53’s C-terminal region. This supports the proposed mechanism of unspecific DNA binding to the C-terminal region of p53 prior to transcription initiation by specific DNA binding to the core domain of p53. The synergies between complementary structural MS techniques and computational modeling as pursued in our integrative approach is envisioned to serve as general strategy for studying intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and intrinsically disordered region (IDRs).
Air quality characteristics during 2016–2020 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Liu Hongtao , Alatalo Juha M. , Jiang Bo
Published: May 2023

Implementation of a clean air policy in China has high national importance. Here, we analyzed tempo-spatial characteristics of the concentrations of PM2.5 (PM2.5_C), PM10 (PM10_C), SO2 (SO2 _C), NO2 (NO2 _C), CO (CO _C), and maximum 8-h average O3 (O3_8h_C), monitored at 22 stations throughout the mega-city of Wuhan from January 2016 to December 2020, and their correlations with the meteorological and socio-economic factors. PM2.5_C, PM10_C, SO2 _C, NO2 _C, and CO _C showed similar monthly and seasonal trends, with minimum value in summer and maximum value in winter. However, O3_8h_C showed an opposite monthly and seasonal change pattern. In 2020, compared to the other years, the annual average PM2.5_C, PM10_C, SO2 _C, NO2 _C, and CO _C were lower. PM2.5_C and PM10_C were higher in urban and industrial sites and lower in the control site. The SO2_C was higher in industrial sites. The NO2_C was lower, and O3_8h_C was higher in suburban sites, while CO showed no spatial differences in their concentrations. PM2.5 _C, PM10 _C, SO2 _C, NO2 _C, and CO _C had positive correlations with each other, while O3_8h_C showed more complex correlations with the other pollutants. PM2.5_C, PM10_C, SO2 _C, and CO _C presented a significantly negative association with temperature and precipitation, while O3 was significantly positively associated with temperature and negatively associated with relative air humidity. There was no significant correlation between air pollutants and wind speed. Gross domestic product, population, number of automobiles, and energy consumption play an important role in the dynamics of air quality concentrations. These all provided important information for the decision and policy-makers to effectively control the air pollution in Wuhan.
Exchange biased surface acoustic wave magnetic field sensors
Authors: Schell Viktor , Spetzler Elizaveta , Wolff Niklas , Bumke Lars , Kienle Lorenz , McCord Jeffrey , Quandt Eckhard , Meyners Dirk
Published: May 2023

Magnetoelastic composites which use surface acoustic waves show great potential as sensors of low frequency and very low amplitude magnetic fields. While these sensors already provide adequate frequency bandwidth for most applications, their detectability has found its limitation in the low frequency noise generated by the magnetoelastic film. Amongst other contributions, this noise is closely connected to domain wall activity evoked by the strain from the acoustic waves propagating through the film. A successful method to reduce the presence of domain walls is to couple the ferromagnetic material with an antiferromagnetic material across their interface and therefore induce an exchange bias. In this work we demonstrate the application of a top pinning exchange bias stack consisting of ferromagnetic layers of (Fe90Co10)78Si12B10 and Ni81Fe19 coupled to an antiferromagnetic Mn80Ir20 layer. Stray field closure and hence prevention of magnetic edge domain formation is achieved by an antiparallel biasing of two consecutive exchange bias stacks. The set antiparallel alignment of magnetization provides single domain states over the complete films. This results in a reduction of magnetic phase noise and therefore provides limits of detection as low as 28 pT/Hz1/2 at 10 Hz and 10 pT/Hz1/2 at 100 Hz.
Dietary exposure to potentially harmful elements in edible plants in Poland and the health risk dynamics related to their geochemical differentiation
Authors: Wódkowska Agata , Gruszecka-Kosowska Agnieszka
Published: May 2023

Differences in the health risk values calculated for consumers of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) present in edible plants were investigated. Based on a comprehensive literature search, the highest PHE contents in plants were identified in the southern and western regions of Poland, that also revealed the highest geochemical enrichment with Zn, Pb, Cu, As, Cd, and Tl. The highest unacceptable non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) values for mean PHE contents in Poland were found for Pb: toddlers (2.80), pre-schoolers (1.80), and school-aged children (1.45) and for Cd for toddlers (1.42). The highest unacceptable carcinogenic risk (CR) values for mean As content was observed for adults (5.9 × 10–5). The highest non-carcinogenic risk values for consumers were reported in Silesia, Lower Silesia, Lublin, Lesser Poland, and Opole Provinces, indicating the impact of geochemical variability on risk values.
Quantifying generational and geographical inequality of climate change
Authors: Hadré Emma , Küpper Jonas , Tschirschwitz Janina , Mengert Melissa , Labuhn Inga
Published: May 2023

We relate greenhouse gas emissions and global warming experienced over a lifetime by individual birth cohorts, resolved by world regions. We reveal outstanding geographical inequality between high- and low-emission regions corresponding to the nations of the Global North and Global South, respectively. Additionally, we highlight the inequality different birth cohorts (generations) experience regarding the burden of recent and ongoing warming temperatures as a time-delayed consequence of past emissions. We achieve precise quantification of the number of birth cohorts and populations who see a difference between Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), emphasizing the potential for action and the chances for improvement that exist under the different scenarios. The method is designed to realistically display inequality, as it is experienced by people while motivating action and change needed to achieve emission reduction to reduce climate change and generational and geographical inequality simultaneously.
Heart rate variability changes with respect to time and exercise intensity during heart-rate-controlled steady-state treadmill running
Authors: Brockmann Lars , Hunt Kenneth J.
Published: May 2023

The aim of this work was to investigate the time and exercise intensity dependence of heart rate variability (HRV). Time-dependent, cardiovascular-drift-related increases in heart rate (HR) were inhibited by enforcing a constant heart rate throughout the exercise with a feedback control system. Thirty-two healthy adults performed HR-stabilised treadmill running exercise at two distinct exercise intensity levels. Standard time and frequency domain HRV metrics were computed and served as outcomes. Significant decreases were detected in 8 of the 14 outcomes for the time dependence analysis and in 6 of the 7 outcomes for the exercise intensity dependence analysis (excluding the experimental speed-signal frequency analysis). Furthermore, metrics that have been reported to reach an intensity-dependent near-zero minimum rapidly (usually at moderate intensity) were found to be near constant over time and only barely decreased with intensity. Taken together, these results highlight that HRV generally decreases with time and with exercise intensity. The intensity-related reductions were found to be greater in value and significance compared to the time-related reductions. Additionally, the results indicate that decreases in HRV metrics with time or exercise intensity are only detectable as long as their metric-specific near-zero minimum has not yet been reached.
An antioxidation strategy based on ultra-small nanobubbles without exogenous antioxidants
Authors: Zheng Jin , Qi Juncheng , Song Sanzhao , Yuan Kaiwei , Zhang Lijuan , Zhao Hongwei , Lü Junhong , Zhu Beien , Zhang Yi , Hu Jun
Published: May 2023

Antioxidation is in demand in living systems, as the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in organisms lead to a variety of diseases. The conventional antioxidation strategies are mostly based on the introduction of exogenous antioxidants. However, antioxidants usually have shortcomings of poor stability, non-sustainability, and potential toxicity. Here, we proposed a novel antioxidation strategy based on ultra-small nanobubbles (NBs), in which the gas–liquid interface was employed to enrich and scavenge ROS. It was found that the ultra-small NBs (~ 10 nm) exhibited a strong inhibition on oxidization of extensive substrates by hydroxyl radicals, while the normal NBs (~ 100 nm) worked only for some substrates. Since the gas–water interface of the ultra-small NBs is non-expendable, its antioxidation would be sustainable and its effect be cumulative, which is different to that using reactive nanobubbles to eliminate free radicals as the gases are consumptive and the reaction is unsustainable. Therefore, our antioxidation strategy based on ultra-small NB would provide a new solution for antioxidation in bioscience as well as other fields such as materials, chemical industry, food industry, etc.
Methamphetamine use increases the risk of cerebral small vessel disease in young patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhu Zhu , Vanderschelden Benjamin , Lee Sook Joung , Blackwill Haley , Shafie Mohammad , Soun Jennifer E. , Chow Daniel , Chang Peter , Stradling Dana , Qian Tianchen , Yu Wengui
Published: May 2023

Methamphetamine use causes spikes in blood pressure. Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). The aim of this study is to investigate whether methamphetamine use increases the risk of cSVD. Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke at our medical center were screened for methamphetamine use and evidence of cSVD on MRI of the brain. Methamphetamine use was identified by self-reported history and/or positive urine drug screen. Propensity score matching was used to select non-methamphetamine controls. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of methamphetamine use on cSVD. Among 1369 eligible patients, 61 (4.5%) were identified to have a history of methamphetamine use and/or positive urine drug screen. Compared with the non-methamphetamine group (n = 1306), the patients with methamphetamine abuse were significantly younger (54.5 ± 9.7 vs. 70.5 ± 12.4, p < 0.001), male (78.7% vs. 54.0%, p < 0.001) and White (78.7% vs. 50.4%, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed that methamphetamine use was associated with increased white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, and total burden of cSVD. The association was independent of age, sex, concomitant cocaine use, hyperlipidemia, acute hypertension, and stroke severity. Our findings suggest that methamphetamine use increases the risk of cSVD in young patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Formation of protein-mediated bilayer tubes is governed by a snapthrough transition
Authors: Mahapatra Arijit , Rangamani Padmini
Published: May 2023

Plasma membrane tubes are ubiquitous in cellular membranes and in the membranes of intracellular organelles. Here, we develop a model for how proteins may induce such tube formation.
The influence of Fermi level position at the GaN surface on carrier transfer across the MAPbI3/GaN interface
Authors: Zdanowicz Ewelina , Herman Artur P. , Przypis Łukasz , Opołczyńska Katarzyna , Serafińczuk Jarosław , Chlipała Mikołaj , Skierbiszewski Czesław , Kudrawiec Robert
Published: May 2023

The direction of carrier transfer through MAPbI3/GaN interface depends on Fermi level pinning at GaN surface.
Dynamic behavior of the single-strand DNA molecules from the hydrophilic to hydrophobic regions on graphene oxide surface driven by heating
Authors: Wu Mengjiao , Huang Yingying , Yang Li , Song Yongshun , Lei Xiaoling
Published: May 2023

We theoretically analyze the dynamic behavior of single-strand DNA (ssDNA) molecule on graphene oxide surface driven by heating. The ssDNA moves from the hydrophilic to hydrophobic regions due to the active hydrogen bonds and enhanced flexibility of ssDNA.
Inhibition and enhancement of the spontaneous emission in spherical cavities surrounded by zero-index-materials
Authors: Ma Yun , Liu Qi , Shan Lingxiao , Zhang Xinchen , Jia Yali , Gong Qihuang , Gu Ying
Published: May 2023

In spherical dielectric cavities surrounded by zero-index-materials, by adjusting the polarization of the emitter, the spontaneous emission of it can be controlled from inhibition to enhancement, with the Purcell factor ranging from 10−2 to dozens.
Copper-based metal–organic frameworks for CO2reduction: selectivity trends, design paradigms, and perspectives
Authors: Nwosu Ugochukwu , Siahrostami Samira
Published: May 2023

We relate Cu MOF structure to electrocatalytic performance and outline new lines of inquiry, challenges, and perspectives.
Functionalization of methane using molecular metal complexes as catalysts
Authors: Fujisaki Hiroto , Kojima Takahiko
Published: May 2023

Efficient and selective functionalization of methane is one of the most important tasks in chemistry in light of its utilization as a naturally abundant feedstock toward the development of a sustainable society.
Fecal microbiota transplantation from sodium alginate-dosed mice and normal mice mitigates intestinal barrier injury and gut dysbiosis induced by antibiotics and cyclophosphamide
Authors: Huang Juan , Zhou Haolin , Song Tao , Wang Bing , Ge Hongda , Zhang Demeng , Shen Peili , Qiu Xia , Li Huajun
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the protective properties of fecal microbiota derived from mice treated with sodium alginate (SA) and normal mice with both types immunosuppressed by exposure to antibiotics and cyclophosphamide.
Are green solvents truly green? Integrating life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis for sustainable membrane fabrication
Authors: Hong Seang Uyin , Wang Yida , Soh Leong Sing , Yong Wai Fen
Published: May 2023

This analysis integrates life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis to examine the impacts of solvent selection and synthesis approaches in fabricating 1 m2 of polyimide flat sheet membrane.
Heterogeneous visible-light promoted dehydrogenative [4 + 2] annulation of benzothioamides and alkynes under aerobic conditions
Authors: Guo Yanmin , Chang Rong , Fu Zhen , Zhou Cong-Ying , Guo Zhen
Published: May 2023

We have developed a visible-light induced dehydrogenative [4 + 2] annulation of benzothioamides and alkynes under aerobic conditions to synthesize isothiochromenes.
Regulating pore structures of carbon supports toward efficient selective hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene on Pt nanoparticles
Authors: Lv Yun Peng , Yu Fang , Wang Zhi Peng , Liu Hai Wei , Wang Li Yan , Song Jian , Li Yu , Huang Gui Qiu , Cui Jian
Published: May 2023

A series of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) confined inside ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) were prepared for catalytic hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene.
DsbA-L alleviates tubular injury in diabetic nephropathy by activating mitophagy through maintenance of MAM integrity
Authors: Yang Ming , Zhang Qin , Luo Shilu , Han Yachun , Zhao Hao , Jiang Na , Liu Yan , Li Li , Li Chenrui , Liu Chongbin , He Liyu , Zhu Xuejing , Liu Yu , Sun Lin
Published: May 2023

Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) regulate ATG14- and Beclin1-mediated mitophagy and play key roles in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). DsbA-L is mainly located in MAMs and plays a role in renoprotection, but whether it activates mitophagy by maintaining MAM integrity remains unclear. In the present study, we found that renal tubular damage was further aggravated in diabetic DsbA-L−/− mice compared with diabetic mice and that this damage was accompanied by disrupted MAM integrity and decreased mitophagy. Furthermore, notably decreased expression of ATG14 and Beclin1 in MAMs extracted from the kidneys of diabetic DsbA-L−/− mice was observed. In vitro, overexpression of DsbA-L reversed the disruption of MAM integrity and enhanced mitophagy in HK-2 cells, a human proximal tubular cell line, after exposure to high-glucose (HG) conditions. Additionally, compared with control mice, DsbA-L−/− mice were exhibited down-regulated expression of helicase with zinc finger 2 (HELZ2) in their kidneys according to transcriptome analysis; HELZ2 serves as a cotranscription factor that synergistically functions with PPARα to promote the expression of mitofusin 2 (MFN-2). Treatment of HK-2 cells with MFN-2 siRNA resulted in MAM uncoupling and decreased mitophagy. Moreover, HG notably reduced the expression of HELZ2 and MFN-2 and inhibited mitophagy, and these effects were partially blocked by overexpression of DsbA-L and altered upon cotreatment with HELZ2 siRNA, HELZ2 overexpression or MK886 (PPARα inhibitor) treatment. These data indicate that DsbA-L alleviates diabetic tubular damage by activating mitophagy through maintenance of MAM integrity via the HELZ2/MFN-2 pathway.
Research on a forward‐looking scanning imaging algorithm for a high‐speed radar platform
Authors: Liu Sijia , Pan Minghai
Published: May 2023

The range and azimuth information of a target can be obtained after coherent pulse accumulation of the traditional multiframe stepped‐frequency (SF) synthesis wideband echo and spectrum analysis, and high‐resolution two‐dimensional imaging of the target can be achieved. However, the accumulation of a certain number of pulses requires a long beam dwell time, which cannot meet real‐time imaging requirements for high‐speed radar moving platforms. To solve the above problems, a scanning imaging mode is proposed by combining forward‐looking imaging and scanning imaging, and a target echo signal model with the structure of scanning stepped‐frequency is constructed. The SF pulses are grouped and transmitted according to the scanning order, and the echo pulses are sorted and reorganised. After the timing compensation and range Doppler coupling compensation are completed, the target is located and projected. The proposed imaging mode can achieve high‐resolution scanning forward‐looking imaging and can basically attain an azimuth resolution of approximately 0.1° within the forward‐looking scanning range. This imaging mode has higher real‐time performance and a larger target imaging range than the traditional methods. Moreover, the simulation results showed good performance via the scanning imaging method.
The spatial distribution of an aromatic molecule, C6H5CN, in the cold dark cloud TMC-1
Authors: Cernicharo J. , Tercero B. , Marcelino N. , Agúndez M. , de Vicente P.
Published: May 2023

We present a highly sensitive 2D line survey of TMC-1 obtained with the Yebes 40 m radio telescope in the Q-band (31.13–49.53 GHz). These maps cover a region of 320″×320″ centred on the position of the QUIJOTE line survey with a spatial sampling of 20″. The region covering 240″×240″, where a longer integration time was used, shows a homogenous sensitivity of 2–4 mK across the band. We present in this work the first determination of the spatial extent of benzonitrile (C6H5CN), which follows that of cyanopolyynes rather well, but differs significantly from that of the radicals CnH and CnN. We definitively conclude that aromatic species in TMC-1 are formed from chemical reactions involving smaller species in the densest zones of the cloud.
Makrophthalmus imitiert Mikrophthalmus bei einem 8 Monate alten
Großen Schweizer Sennenhund
Authors: Schippers Paula Andrea , Walter Hanna , Michaely Lukas Mathias , Gerhauser Ingo , Raue Jonathan , Merhof Kristina , Busse Claudia
Published: May 2023

Ein 8 Monate alter Großer Schweizer Sennenhund wurde mit Verdacht auf
rechtsseitigen Mikrophthalmus, Missbildung und Blindheit des Auges seit Geburt
vorgestellt. Im Magnetresonanztomogramm wurde ein ellipsoidförmiger
Makrophthalmus sowie das Fehlen der normalen retrobulbären Strukturen
festgestellt. Die histopathologische Untersuchung zeigte eine dysplastische Uvea
mit unilateraler Zystenbildung und assoziierter geringgradiger
lymphohistiozytärer Entzündung. Der Ziliarkörper
bedeckte halbseitig die Linsenhinterseite und zeigte fokal eine metaplastische
Knochenbildung. Es lag eine beginnende Kataraktbildung sowie eine mittelgradige
diffuse panretinale Atrophie und intravitreale Retinaablösung
vor. Bei Augen, die sich klinisch als Mikrophthalmus darstellen und
enukleiert werden sollen, ist präoperativ ein bildgebendes Verfahren zu
empfehlen. Wie in diesem Fallbericht dargestellt, kann ein Makrophthalmus
vorliegen, der eine Enukleation erschweren kann. Die Durchführung eines
derartigen Eingriffes an einem Standort mit ophthalmologischer und
weichteilchirurgischer Expertise ist anzuraten. Nach Wissen der Autoren handelt
es sich hierbei um den ersten Bericht über einen Fall mit Makrophthalmus
mit multiplen okulären Fehlbildungen eines Hundes.
Wie wirkt der Biofaktor Zink auf das Immunsystem?
Authors: Georg Classen Hans , Birkelbach Daniela , Reich Anna
Published: May 2023

Zink ist ein wichtiges Spurenelement im menschlichen Körper. Zu den Folgen von Zinkmangel gehören unter anderem eine erhöhte Infektanfälligkeit, Hauterkrankungen sowie Wachstums- und Fruchtbarkeitsstörungen. Das Spurenelement spielt eine wichtige Rolle für die Immunabwehr: Zink ist für die humorale und zelluläre Immun­antwort wichtig, unterstützt Bereiche der angeborenen und erworbenen Immunabwehr und führt zu einer direkten Aktivierung von Makrophagen. Typische Symptome, eine Patientenanamnese sowie Laborbefunde weisen einen Zinkmangel nach. Dieser wird durch den Einsatz hoch dosierter Zinkpräparate behoben.
Infektionskrankheiten – Ayurvedaperspektiven
Authors: Samir Chopra Ananda , Gupta Hedwig H. , Keßler Christian S.
Published: May 2023

Die klassischen Werke des Ayurveda zeigen, dass man schon vor Jahrtausenden wusste, dass bestimmte Krankheiten von Mensch zu Mensch übertragen werden können. Die traditionellen ayurvedischen Konzepte haben sich im Laufe der Zeit weiterentwickelt, und so kombiniert der moderne Ayurveda heute das Wissen um Bakterien und Viren als Krankheitsverursacher mit Ayurveda-Behandlungen und Prophylaxe zur Förderung von Gesundheit und Resilienz.
Health Care Disparities and the Emergency Management of Postpartum Patients with Cardiovascular Complaints
Authors: Stafford Irene A. , Viertel Valentina G. , Wilken Lindsay A. , Olmsted Kaleigh E. , Porter Mayrose R. , Armstrong Julia M. , GO Gabriella , Roberts Aaron W.
Published: May 2023

Objective This study aimed to determine health care disparities in evaluation and admission among underserved racial and ethnic minority groups presenting with cardiovascular complaints during the first postpartum year according to patient and provider demographics.

Study Design A retrospective cohort study was performed on all postpartum patients who sought emergency care between February 2012 and October 2020 in a large urban care center in Southeastern Texas. Patient information was collected according to International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes and individual chart analysis. Race, ethnicity, and gender information were self-reported for both patients on hospital enrollment forms and emergency department (ED) providers on their employment records. Statistical analysis was performed with logistic regression and Pearson's chi-square test.

Results Of 47,976 patients who delivered during the study period, 41,237 (85.9%) were black, Hispanic, or Latina and 490 (1.1%) presented to the ED with cardiovascular complaints. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups; however, Hispanic or Latina patients were more likely to have had gestational diabetes mellitus during the index pregnancy (6.2 vs. 18.3%). There was no difference in hospital admission between groups (17.9% black vs. 16.2% Latina or Hispanic patients). There was no difference in the hospital admission rate by provider race or ethnicity overall (p = 0.82). There was no difference in the hospital admission rate when a patient was evaluated by a provider of a different race or ethnicity (relative risk [RR] = 1.08, CI: 0.6–1.97). There was no difference in the rate of admission according to the self-reported gender of the provider (RR = 0.97, CI: 0.66–1.44).

Conclusion This study illustrates that disparities did not exist in the management of racial and ethnic minority groups who presented to the ED with cardiovascular complaints during the first postpartum year. Patient–provider discordance in race or gender was not a significant source of bias or discrimination during the evaluation and treatment of these patients.

Key Points
Synthesis and Epoxidation of Flav-3-enes as Methodology for the Biomimetic Preparation of Flavan-3,4-diols
Authors: Bezuidenhoudt Barend C. B. , van Jaarsveldt Jeanette , Marais Charlene , van Tonder Johannes H.
Published: May 2023

Since flavonoids exhibit a remarkable number of pharmacological properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, a great deal of work has been done on the medicinal and therapeutical application of these compounds. Despite the central role of flavan-3,4-diols in the synthesis of many other classes of flavonoids, only a few methods for the preparation of these compounds have been reported. In this paper, the results on the preparation of methoxy-substituted flavan-3,4-diols, displaying natural substitution patterns, from readily available starting materials through a 3-step process is disclosed. It is also indicated that the 4-aryl-substituted analogues can become available from the corresponding flav-3-enes if an aromatic nucleophile is added during the dimethyldioxirane (DMDO) epoxidation process.
Differential Diagnosis of Metatarsalgia
Authors: Afonso P. Diana , Britto Sabrina Veras , Spritzer Charles E. , Martins e Souza Patrícia
Published: May 2023

Lesser (or central) metatarsalgia is defined as pain in the forefoot under or around the lesser metatarsals and their respective metatarsophalangeal joints. Two common causes of central metatarsalgia are Morton's neuroma (MN) and plantar plate (PP) injury. Because both clinical and imaging features overlap, establishing the correct differential diagnosis may be challenging. Imaging has a pivotal role in the detection and characterization of metatarsalgia. Different radiologic modalities are available to assess the common causes of forefoot pain, so the strengths and weakness of these imaging tools should be kept in mind. It is crucial to be aware of the pitfalls that can be encountered in daily clinical practice when dealing with these disorders. This review describes two main causes of lesser metatarsalgia, MN and PP injury, and their differential diagnoses.