bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi‐objective Firefly algorithm combining logistic mapping and Cauchy mutation
Authors: Fan Feiyan , Cheng Xiaoling , Yan Xijun , Wu Yongqiang , Luo Zhonghua
Published: December 2023

In the process of evolution, the multi‐target Firefly algorithm has a single learning strategy and is easy to fall into premature convergence, resulting in poor comprehensive performance of the algorithm. To solve this problem, a multi‐objective firefly algorithm (MOFA‐LM) combining logistic mapping and Cauchy mutation is proposed in this article. To improve the uneven distribution of the initial population, the initial population with good ergodicity is generated by logistic mapping. Aiming at the problem that the population is easy to fall into local optimal, Cauchy mutation can generate relatively large disturbance when fireflies are updating their positions, which makes it easier to jump out of the local optimal value with a wide range of individual optimization, effectively improve the optimization accuracy of the algorithm, overcome the premature convergence of the algorithm and maintain the convergence of the population. In the experimental part, the proposed algorithm is compared with some multi‐objective optimization algorithms in 19 benchmark test functions, and the effectiveness of the strategy added by MOFA‐LM is verified. The results show that MOFA‐LM has obvious advantages over other algorithms in improving population convergence and distribution.
Covalent inhibitors: An ambitious approach for the discovery of newer oncotherapeutics
Authors: Cheke Rameshwar S. , Kharkar Prashant S.
Published: December 2023

Covalent inhibitors have been used to treat several diseases for over a century. However, strategic approaches for the rational design of covalent drugs have taken a definitive shape in recent times. Since the first appearance of covalent inhibitors in the late 18th century, the field has grown tremendously and around 30% of marketed drugs are covalent inhibitors especially, for oncology indications. However, the off‐target toxicity and safety concerns can be significant issues related to the covalent drugs. Covalent kinase inhibitor (CKI) targeted oncotherapeutics has advanced dramatically over the last two decades since the discovery of afatinib (Gilotrif®), an EGFR inhibitor. Since then, US FDA has approved 10 CKIs for diverse cancer targets. The present review broadly summarizes the ongoing development in the discovery of newer CKIs from 2016 till the end of 2022. We believe that these efforts will assist the modern medicinal chemist actively working in the field of CKI discovery for varied indications.
Women are expected to smile: Preliminary evidence for the role of gender in the neurophysiological processing of adult emotional faces in 3‐year‐old children
Authors: Portengen Christel M. , Junge Caroline M. M. , van Baar Anneloes L. , Endendijk Joyce J.
Published: December 2023

Children form stereotyped expectations about the appropriateness of certain emotions for men versus women during the preschool years, based on cues from their social environments. Although ample research has examined the development of gender stereotypes in children, little is known about the neural responses that underlie the processing of gender‐stereotyped emotions in children. Therefore, the current study examined whether 3‐year‐olds differ in the neural processing of emotional stimuli that violate gender stereotypes (i.e., male faces with fearful or happy expressions) or confirm gender stereotypes (i.e., female faces with fearful or happy expressions), and whether boys and girls differ in their neural processing of the violation and confirmation of gender stereotypes. Data from 72 3‐year‐olds (±6 months, 43% boy) were obtained from the YOUth Cohort Study. Electroencephalography data were obtained when children passively viewed male and female faces displaying neutral, happy, or fearful facial expressions. This study provided first indications that happy male faces elicited larger P1 amplitudes than happy female faces in preschool children, which might reflect increased attentional processing of stimuli that violate gender stereotypes. Moreover, there was preliminary evidence that girls had larger negative central (Nc) responses, associated with salience processing, toward female happy faces than male happy faces, whereas boys had larger Nc responses toward male happy faces than female happy faces. No gender differences were found in the processing of neutral and fearful facial expressions. Our results indicate that electroencephalography measurements can provide insights into preschoolers’ gender‐stereotype knowledge about emotions, potentially by looking at the early occipital and late fronto‐central responses.
Global overview on groundwater fauna
Authors: Koch Fabien , Blum Philipp , Korbel Kathryn , Menberg Kathrin
Published: December 2023

Groundwater is an important global resource, providing water for irrigation, industry, geothermal uses and potable water. Moreover, groundwater contains the world's largest terrestrial freshwater biome with ecosystems, inhabited mainly by invertebrates (stygofauna) and microbes, undertaking important services including water purification, as well as nutrient and carbon cycling. Despite investigations on the spatial and temporal variations of groundwater fauna and the influence of environmental parameters on these organisms, in parts of the world, even the most basic knowledge of these ecosystems is still lacking. The aims of this study are to provide an overview on groundwater fauna (stygofauna) research, including the historical evolution of research topics and the development of sampling methods and secondly to identify the global distribution of groundwater fauna research and resulting data gaps. To achieve this, an extensive review of accessible groundwater fauna data was conducted by analysing 859 studies. It was evident that over time, there has been an exponential increase in the number of groundwater fauna studies together with changing paradigms in the research focus, particularly as sampling methods have developed from using simple nets, substrate samples and hand‐pumps in the beginning to recent molecular analyses (e.g. eDNA). As application of molecular methods becomes more common, knowledge on groundwater diversity and functional ecology is expected to increase. Studies on groundwater fauna are spatially uneven and are dominated by research in Europe and Australia, with few studies in Africa, Asia and the Americas. This presently biased view on groundwater biota hinders the identification of biodiversity patterns and ecosystem functions on a wider geographic and climatic scale. In the future, a more evenly distributed stygofauna sampling effort in currently underrepresented areas of the globe is necessary to ensure a more comprehensive perspective on stygofauna biodiversity, roles and functional significances. This is increasingly important with the accumulating knowledge of the sensitivities of these ecosystems to anthropogenic activities, including climate change, and is fundamental to effective management of these ecosystems.
Automated parameterization of velocity pulses in near‐fault ground motions
Authors: Chang Zhiwang , Wu Haoran , Goda Katsuichiro
Published: December 2023

Proper parameterization of near‐fault ground motions is of critical importance in earthquake engineering, and this process is traditionally performed by directly fitting an analytical pulse model to the original motion. Yet such a process is usually limited by the trial‐and‐error procedure, which is strongly dependent on the initial guesses and may converge to local rather than global minimums. In this study, we propose a progressive (step‐by‐step) iterative approach that can achieve a fully automated parameterization of the velocity pulse contained in near‐fault motions. Assuming that a velocity pulse can be characterized by a pulse model with four key parameters, the approach is conducted by iteratively matching the pulse model to the smoothed ground motion, and the parameterized pulse is analytically derived by best fitting to the smoothed motion not only in the time domain but also in the spectral domain. Specifically, the velocity time history of interest is initially smoothed by a moving average filter so that the low‐frequency content can be filtered out of the original motion, from which the pulse amplitude as well as its epoch is accordingly determined. The coherent velocity pulse is then progressively extracted by performing the nonlinear least‐square‐fitting of the pulse model to the filtered low‐frequency content, during which the remaining parameters, that is, the pulse period, the number of cycles and the phase of the pulse, are estimated successively. Finally, the above procedure is applied repeatedly to the original ground motion by changing an empirical factor controlling the extent of smoothing of the motion so that convergence to local minimums that frequently occurs in the trial‐and‐error procedure could be largely avoided, and best match of the spectrum of the extracted pulse to that of the original motion can be acquired. Fitting quality of the velocity pulses is examined by comparing with existing methods. Prospective applications of the proposed procedure include the stochastic simulations of near‐fault ground motions and parametric investigations of the influence of velocity pulses on various engineered structures.
Effect of flame‐retardant melamine and dispersants on the mechanical, thermal, and foaming properties of flexible polyurethane foam
Authors: Jeon Yu Yeong , Jeon Euy Sik , Kim Young Shin
Published: December 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of adding flame‐retardant melamine and five different dispersants on the precipitation, foaming, mechanical, and thermal properties of flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF). Precipitation experiments were conducted to analyze the effect of dispersant on the separation of flame retardant and polyol, and the foaming characteristics of polyurethane (PU) foam after adding dispersant were analyzed. The effect of adding a dispersant on mechanical strength was characterized by measuring tensile strength, tearing strength, and hardness, and scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to analyze morphological characteristics. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to analyze the thermal properties of PU foam. A horizontal flame test, limiting oxygen index test, and cone calorimeter tests were conducted to examine the flame retardancy of PU foam with flame retardant melamine and dispersant added. The dispersant ANTI‐TERRA‐U is a solution of a salt of unsaturated polyamine amides and low‐molecular acidic polyesters. And, the dispersant BYK‐220S is a solution of a low molecular weight, unsaturated acidic polycarboxylic acid polyester with a polysiloxane copolymer. The dispersants ANTI‐TERRA‐U and BYK‐220S improved the density, tensile strength, tear strength, and hardness of FPUF. TGA of the top and bottom portions of the foam showed less weight difference for samples containing dispersants, indicating better homogeneity due to improved dispersibility. Therefore, we conclude that dispersants are beneficial additives to improve the mechanical properties and dispersibility of PU foam.
The Private Virtual Network Operator Model for Field Area Network
Authors: Timberg Chris , Liebovitz Leah , Miller Ben
Published: December 2023

Uninterrupted grid edge connectivity is essential for distribution utilities driving towards a future where efficient, secure, and reliable field area network (FAN) operation is not just preferable but required. Communications and network connectivity have been rapidly evolving over the last several years and will continue to do so—including in the areas of spectrum options, carrier solutions, device manufacturers, core manufacturers, and network management options. Utilities have a greater choice of options to deploy, while needing to remain prudent in their investments. One of the options gaining traction in the United States is the private virtual network operator (PVNO) model.
Corrosion performance of carbon/stainless steel in amine‐based solvents under different conditions for CO2 chemical absorption process
Authors: Wang Yuwei , Fang Mengxiang , Wang Tao , Gao Jun , Huang Yan , Li Shuifei , Lu Xiaozheng , Sun Yuhang , Zhang Feng
Published: December 2023

The overall corrosion behavior of S304 stainless steel and A3 carbon steel in 30 wt.% MEA (monoethanolamine) and AMP/MEA (2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanol / monoethanolamine) blended amine solutions at 40–100°C was investigated. The characterization analysis of the corroded material surfaces was performed, and the changes in the properties of both solvents after long‐term immersion corrosion were measured, including the accumulation of heat stable salts (HSS) and viscosity changes. The results of the long‐term immersion corrosion experiments showed that the corrosion rate of S304 stainless steel was significantly lower than that of A3 carbon steel in both amine solutions. However, the corrosion rate of both materials exhibited a similar trend, initially decreasing and then stabilizing over time. Due to the higher concentration of carbonate ions in the AMP/MEA system, it exhibited better overall corrosion resistance and degradation resistance compared to the MEA system. The main component of the corrosion product on carbon steel was identified as Fe2(OH)2CO3. The electrochemical test results showed that the corrosion current of S304 stainless steel was much smaller than that of A3 carbon steel, and its charge transfer resistance was much higher, indicating that it was less prone to electron loss in the organic amine solutions. Additionally, the AMP/MEA system exhibited superior corrosion resistance. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adolescents' qualitative expressions of functional seizure illness representation
Authors: Tanner Andrea L. , von Gaudecker Jane R. , Crowder Sharron J. , Buelow Janice M. , Miller Wendy R.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Adolescents with functional (nonepileptic) seizures experience challenges self‐managing this mental health condition, especially at school where adolescents experience stress, bullying, accusations of faking seizures, and stigma. According to the Common Sense Model of Self‐Regulation, adolescents' self‐management decisions and outcomes may be shaped by their functional seizure illness representation (perceptions or mental depictions formed in response to a health threat). However, current research has only explored adults' functional seizure illness representation; little is known about adolescents. The aim of this study was to explore adolescents' expressions of illness representation characteristics (identity, cause, consequence, controllability/curability, and timeline) when describing their experience attending school with functional seizures.

Methods

We analyzed qualitative data from 10 adolescents (age 12–19 years, 100% female) from the United States with functional seizures. Data collection occurred in 2019 via semistructured interviews about adolescents' school experiences. The theme of illness representation emerged without prompting adolescents to discuss illness representation or its characteristics. This study involved inductive analyses and magnitude coding of adolescents' unsolicited expressions of illness representation.

Results

All five characteristics of illness representation were mentioned by adolescents; however, not all characteristics were mentioned by all adolescents. Adolescents' expressions of illness representation characteristics resulted in the following descriptive themes: clashing labels and mind‐body façade for identity, stress for cause, gains and losses for consequence, control/lack of control for controllability/curability, and no end of seizures in sight for timeline.

Conclusions

Adolescents' expressions of illness representation reveal perceptions considered “threatening” within the Common Sense Model, especially those expressing lack of controllability/curability and condition timelines with no end in sight. The Common Sense Model offers a framework for understanding how these threatening perceptions may impact health and academic outcomes or change with intervention.
Pitavastatin induces caspase‐mediated apoptotic death through oxidative stress and DNA damage in combined with cisplatin in human cervical cancer cell line
Authors: Hacıseyitoğlu Aysun Ökçesiz , Doğan Tuğbagül Çal , Dilsiz Sevtap Aydın , Canpınar Hande , Eken Ayşe , Bucurgat Ülkü Ündeğer
Published: December 2023

Pitavastatin (PITA) is a 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitor to treat hypercholesterolemia and in recent studies is focused that its potential anti‐cancer effect. This study was aimed to elucidate the effect of PITA alone and in combination with cisplatin on cervical cancer cells (HeLa) in vitro. Cytotoxicity of PITA (5–200 μM) was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle analyses were performed in flow cytometry (0.1–100 μM). The evaluation of genotoxic effects and oxidative DNA damage of PITA (2–200 μM) were performed with standard comet assay, formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (fpg)‐modified comet assay, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation in HeLa cells. PITA alone reduced cell viability in a dose‐dependent manner (20–200, 20–200, and 5–200 μM for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively, in MTT). The combined treatment of PITA with cisplatin resulted in significantly greater inhibition of cell viability. ROS and DNA damage increased significantly at 100 μM for 4 h and 20 μM for 24 h, respectively. PITA‐induced apoptosis, an increased proportion of sub G1 cells, was monitored, and also, it increased the expression of active caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 and upregulated cleaved poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) by western blotting and caspase 3/8/9 multiple assay kit. We conclude that PITA can be used to efficiently cervical cancer studies, and promising findings have been obtained for further studies.
7,8‐dihydroxyflavone displayed antioxidant effect through activating HO‐1 expression and inhibiting caspase‐3/PARP activation in RAW264.7 cells
Authors: Chen Ting‐Xiao , Wang Shou‐Kai , Zhang Yu‐Qing , Wang Wei , Wang Qi , Yu Jian‐Chun , Zhao Sheng‐Chen , Xi Gao‐Lei , Jin Zhen , Chen Ze‐Shao , Tang You‐Zhi
Published: December 2023

Flavonoids, which contain a benzo‐γ‐pyrone (C6–C3–C6) skeleton, have been reported to exhibit effective antioxidant ability. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant activities of 7,8‐dihydroxyflavone (7,8‐DHF) and 7‐hydroxyflavone (7‐HF) in H2O2, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BHP)‐induced RAW264.7 cells, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of 7,8‐DHF and 7‐HF were firstly evaluated by 2,2‐azinobis‐3‐ethyl‐benzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Then, reactive oxygen species (ROS), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) productions in H2O2, LPS, or t‐BHP‐induced RAW264.7 cells were tested and compared, respectively. Finally, the antioxidant mechanisms of 7‐HF and 7,8‐DHF were initially investigated by western blot. Our results showed that 7,8‐DHF possessed stronger free‐radical scavenging capacity than 7‐HF. Both 7,8‐DHF and 7‐HF suppressed MDA production and ROS accumulation, improved the activity of SOD in H2O2, LPS, or t‐BHP‐induced RAW264.7 cells, respectively. And 7,8‐DHF exerted a better antioxidant effect than 7‐HF, especially in t‐BHP‐induced oxidative stress. Mechanically, 7,8‐DHF prevented the activation of poly ADP‐ribosepolymerase and caspase‐3, meanwhile markedly upregulated the expression of HO‐1 protein in t‐BHP‐induced oxidative stress. These results suggested that 7,8‐DHF might serve as a potential pharmaceutical drug against oxidative stress injury.
A clinically relevant large‐scale biomanufacturing workflow to produce natural killer cells and natural killer cell‐derived extracellular vesicles for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: St‐Denis‐Bissonnette Frederic , Cummings Sarah E. , Qiu Shirley , Stalker Andrew , Muradia Gauri , Mehic Jelica , Mediratta Karan , Kaczmarek Shelby , Burger Dylan , Lee Seung‐Hwan , Wang Lisheng , Lavoie Jessie R.
Published: December 2023

Natural killer cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (NK‐EVs) have shown promising potential as biotherapeutics for cancer due to their unique attributes as cytotoxic nanovesicles against cancer cells and immune‐modulatory activity towards immune cells. However, a biomanufacturing workflow is needed to produce clinical‐grade NK‐EVs for pre‐clinical and clinical applications. This study established a novel biomanufacturing workflow using a closed‐loop hollow‐fibre bioreactor to continuously produce NK‐EVs from the clinically relevant NK92‐MI cell line under serum‐free, Xeno‐free and feeder‐free conditions following GMP‐compliant conditions. The NK92 cells grown in the bioreactor for three continuous production lots resulted in large quantities of both NK cell and NK‐EV biotherapeutics at the end of each production lot (over 109 viable cells and 1013 EVs), while retaining their cytotoxic payload (granzyme B and perforin), pro‐inflammatory cytokine (interferon‐gamma) content and cytotoxicity against the human leukemic cell line K562 with limited off‐target toxicity against healthy human fibroblast cells. This scalable biomanufacturing workflow has the potential to facilitate the clinical translation of adoptive NK cell‐based and NK‐EV‐based immunotherapies for cancer with GMP considerations.
Strengthening the directed Brooks' theorem for oriented graphs and consequences on digraph redicolouring
Authors: Picasarri‐Arrieta Lucas
Published: December 2023

Let be a digraph. We define as the maximum of and as the maximum of . It is known that the dichromatic number of is at most . In this work, we prove that every digraph which has dichromatic number exactly must contain the directed join of and for some such that , except if in which case must contain a digon. In particular, every oriented graph with has dichromatic number at most . Let be an oriented graph of order such that . Given two 2‐dicolourings of , we show that we can transform one into the other in at most steps, by recolouring exactly one vertex at each step while maintaining a dicolouring at any step. Furthermore, we prove that, for every oriented graph on vertices, the distance between two ‐dicolourings is at most when . We then extend a theorem of Feghali, Johnson and Paulusma to digraphs. We prove that, for every digraph with and every , the ‐dicolouring graph of consists of isolated vertices and at most one further component that has diameter at most , where is a constant depending only on .
Metabolic alterations unravel the maternofetal immune responses with disease severity in pregnant women infected with SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Hora Sandhya , Pahwa Prabhjyoti , Siddiqui Hamda , Saxena Anoushka , Kashyap Minal , Sevak Jayesh K. , Singh Ravinder , Javed Maryam , Yadav Pushpa , Kale Pratibha , Ramakrishna Gayatri , Bajpai Meenu , Rathore Asmita , Maras Jaswinder S. , Tyagi Shakun , Sarin Shiv K. , Trehanpati Nirupama
Published: December 2023

Pregnancy being an immune compromised state, coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) disease poses high risk of premature delivery and threat to fetus. Plasma metabolome regulates immune cellular responses, therefore we aimed to analyze the change in plasma secretome, metabolome, and immune cells with disease severity in COVID‐19 positive pregnant females and their cord blood. COVID‐19 reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction positive pregnant females (n = 112) with asymptomatic (Asy) (n = 82), mild (n = 21), or moderate (n = 9) disease, healthy pregnant (n = 18), COVID‐19 positive nonpregnant females (n = 7) were included. Eighty‐two cord blood from COVID‐19 positive and seven healthy cord blood were also analyzed. Mother's peripheral blood and cord blood were analyzed for untargeted metabolome profiling and cytokines by using high‐resolution mass spectrometry and cytokine bead array. Immune scan was performed only in mothers' blood by flow cytometry. In Asy severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, the amino acid metabolic pathways such as glycine, serine, l‐lactate, and threonine metabolism were upregulated with downregulation of riboflavin and tyrosine metabolism. However, with mild‐to‐moderate disease, the pyruvate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism were mostly altered. Cord blood mimicked the mother's metabolomic profiles by showing altered valine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, serine, threonine in Asy and NAD+, riboflavin metabolism in mild and moderate. Additionally, with disease severity tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon (IFN)‐α, IFN‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐6 cytokine storm, IL‐9 was raised in both mothers and neonates. Pyruvate, NAD metabolism and increase in IL‐9 and IFN‐γ had an impact on nonclassical monocytes, exhausted T and B cells. Our results demonstrated that immune‐metabolic interplay in mother and fetus is influenced with increase in IL‐9 and IFN‐γ regulated pyruvate, lactate tricarboxylic acid, and riboflavin metabolism with context to disease severity.
Fully automatic system to detect and segment the proximal femur in pelvic radiographic images for Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease
Authors: Ditmer Sofie , Dwenger Nicole , Jensen Louise N. , Kim Harry , Boel Rikke V. , Ghaffari Arash , Rahbek Ole
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to develop a method using computer vision techniques to accurately detect and delineate the proximal femur in radiographs of Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease (LCPD) patients. Currently, evaluating femoral head deformity, a crucial predictor of LCPD outcomes, relies on unreliable categorical and qualitative classifications. To address this limitation, we employed the pretrained object detection model YOLOv5 to detect the proximal femur on over 2000 radiographs, including images of shoulders and chests, to enhance robustness and generalizability. Subsequently, we utilized the U‐Net convolutional neural network architecture for image segmentation of the proximal femur in more than 800 manually annotated images of stage IV LCPD. The results demonstrate outstanding performance, with the object detection model achieving high accuracy (mean average precision of 0.99) and the segmentation model attaining an accuracy score of 91%, dice coefficient of 0.75, and binary IoU score of 0.85 on the held‐out test set. The proposed fully automatic proximal femur detection and segmentation system offers a promising approach to accurately detect and delineate the proximal femoral bone contour in radiographic images, which is essential for further image analysis in LCPD patients. Clinical significance: This study highlights the potential of computer vision techniques for enhancing the reliability of Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease staging and outcome prediction.
Lactational changes in Filipino human milk oligosaccharides reveal maternal secretor status
Authors: Albaladejo Anthony Salvador B. , Nacario Ruel C. , Navarro Baby Richard R. , Lebrilla Carlito B. , Completo Gladys C.
Published: December 2023

Background

Breast milk contains human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are the third most abundant solid component and are considered indigestible with no nutritional value to infants. However, HMOs provide protection against pathogens, support gut bacteria, and aid in brain development. This study investigated the relationship between HMOs and secretor status and tracked changes in HMO levels throughout lactation. The study employed a rapid‐throughput extraction method, nano‐HPLC Chip/TOF‐MS analysis, and an annotated HMO structure library for oligosaccharide analysis.

Results

Results from the study revealed that 81% of Filipino mothers (N = 155) are secretors, while 19% are non‐secretors. The total HMO abundance significantly decreased (p = 0.0001) throughout lactation but was significantly (p = 0.0390) higher in colostrum compared with mature milk. The total fucosylated HMOs had a significantly (p = 0.0460) lower absolute abundance, while the total sialylated HMOs showed a significantly (p = 0.0012) higher abundance in colostrum relative to mature milk. Non‐fucosylated neutral HMOs showed no significant (p = 0.1040) difference in abundance between colostrum and mature milk.

Conclusion

This is the first comprehensive data on the maternal secretor status of Filipino mothers, showing the decrease in total HMO abundance throughout lactation and differences in the abundances of various oligosaccharide types between colostrum and mature milk.
Effects of rosmarinic acid on immune response and intestinal microbiota in ovalbumin‐induced intestinal allergy mice
Authors: Yang Qing , Jia Binmei , Shang Jieli , Wang Xuanpei , Xu Lin , Liu Xin , Fang Min , Zeng Fengbo , Zeng Hao‐Long , Gong Zhiyong
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is an active polyphenol that is widely found in various edible herbs. This study explored the potential anti‐allergic activities and the underlying mechanisms of RA in ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced intestinal allergic mice.

RESULTS

Forty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group (OVA sensitized/challenged), RA‐Low group (OVA sensitized/challenged, 30 mg kg−1 RA intervention), RA‐Middle group (OVA sensitized/challenged, 90 mg kg−1 RA intervention) and RA‐High group (OVA sensitized/challenged, 270 mg kg−1 RA intervention). RA effectively attenuated allergic reactions, including alleviating allergic symptoms and regulating the hypothermia of mice in the model group. Moreover, the anaphylactic mediator (OVA‐specific IgE, histamine and mMCP‐1) levels of OVA allergic mice were markedly decreased after RA intervention. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that RA significantly inhibited Th2 cytokine expression, while Th1 and Treg cytokines were markedly increased. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that RA effectively regulated the richness and diversity of the intestinal microbiota in OVA allergic mice. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio were altered by RA intervention. At the genus level, RA was found to regulate the disturbances in the relative abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus and Prevotella.

CONCLUSION

RA exhibited potential anti‐allergic activity in OVA allergic mice by regulating hypersensitive immune responses and the intestinal microbiota structure. These results provide important evidence that RA can be developed into a novel functional food‐derived ingredient against food allergy. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
A multidimensional evaluation of the effects of sweetener selection and UV‐C treatment on orange juice and pectin‐based confectionery gels
Authors: Andreone Antonella , Kozono María Luz , Schenk Marcela , Guerrero Sandra
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Consumers are seeking healthier alternatives to traditional confectioneries. They value the use of sugar replacers, more natural ingredients and/or environmentally friendly preservation technologies. UV‐C light is considered an emerging alternative to thermal pasteurization that leaves no residue and requires minimal energy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of novel sweetener combinations and juice UV‐C assisted by mild heat treatment (UV‐C/H) on the physicochemical, microbiological, morphological, rheological and sensory properties of orange juice pectin‐based confectioneries stored at 5 ± 1 °C for 35 days.

RESULTS

For orange juice processing, UV‐C/H (pilot‐scale Dean‐flow reactor; 892 mJ cm−2; 50 ± 1 °C) and thermal (T‐coil, 80 °C; 6 min) treatments were used. Low‐calorie confectionery gels were elaborated using the treated juices, low‐methoxyl pectin and various sweetener combinations. UV‐C/H and T‐coil effectively inactivated juice native microbiota. The proposed formulations, derived from a previous Box–Behnken optimization study, included partial (F1: 3%‐sucrose‐S + 0.019%‐rebaudioside‐A‐RA) or complete sucrose replacement (F2: 5.5%‐erythritol‐E + 0.019%‐RA), and one control (C:10%‐S). In general, the microbiota of the gels prepared with the UV‐C/H or T‐coil treated juices did not recover during storage. The physicochemical and mechanical parameters of the formulations were significantly influenced by the choice of sweetener and the duration of storage. The gel surface got smoother and had fewer holes when the sucrose level dropped, according to a scanning electron microscopy study. The UV‐C/H‐treated samples did not differ in acceptability, whereas the measured sensory attributes approached ideal levels. F1 and F2 showed distinctive temporal‐dominance‐of‐sensations profiles, mainly dominated by sweetness and orange taste, respectively. However, consumers perceived sourness and astringency in C during consumption.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides significant evidence in support of the development of confectionery gels F1 and F2 made from fruit juice treated by UV‐C light assisted by mild heat and combinations of sucrose‐alternative sweeteners. In terms of the properties investigated, these confectionery gels were comparable to, or even outperformed the full‐sucrose option. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Serum Neurofilament Light Chain in Replication Factor Complex Subunit 1 CANVAS and Disease Spectrum
Authors: Quartesan Ilaria , Vegezzi Elisa , Currò Riccardo , Heslegrave Amanda , Pisciotta Chiara , Iruzubieta Pablo , Salvalaggio Alessandro , Fernández‐Eulate Gorka , Dominik Natalia , Rugginini Bianca , Manini Arianna , Abati Elena , Facchini Stefano , Manso Katarina , Albajar Ines , Laban Rhiannon , Rossor Alexander M. , Pichiecchio Anna , Cosentino Giuseppe , Saveri Paola , Salsano Ettore , Andreetta Francesca , Valente Enza M. , Zetterberg Henrik , Giunti Paola , Stojkovic Tanya , Briani Chiara , López de Munain Adolfo , Pareyson Davide , Reilly Mary M. , Houlden Henry , Tassorelli Cristina , Cortese Andrea
Published: December 2023

Background

Biallelic intronic AAGGG repeat expansions in the replication factor complex subunit 1 (RFC1) gene were identified as the leading cause of cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, vestibular areflexia syndrome. Patients exhibit significant clinical heterogeneity and variable disease course, but no potential biomarker has been identified to date.

Objectives

In this multicenter cross‐sectional study, we aimed to evaluate neurofilament light (NfL) chain serum levels in a cohort of RFC1 disease patients and to correlate NfL serum concentrations with clinical phenotype and disease severity.

Methods

Sixty‐one patients with genetically confirmed RFC1 disease and 48 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled from six neurological centers. Serum NfL concentration was measured using the single molecule array assay technique.

Results

Serum NfL concentration was significantly higher in patients with RFC1 disease compared to age‐ and‐sex‐matched HCs (P < 0.0001). NfL level showed a moderate correlation with age in both HCs (r = 0.4353, P = 0.0020) and patients (r = 0.4092, P = 0.0011). Mean NfL concentration appeared to be significantly higher in patients with cerebellar involvement compared to patients without cerebellar dysfunction (27.88 vs. 21.84 pg/mL, P = 0.0081). The association between cerebellar involvement and NfL remained significant after controlling for age and sex (β = 0.260, P = 0.034).

Conclusions

Serum NfL levels are significantly higher in patients with RFC1 disease compared to HCs and correlate with cerebellar involvement. Longitudinal studies are warranted to assess its change over time.
Cystic acne treatment: A comprehensive review
Authors: Durairaj Akiladevi , Elumalai Karthikeyan , Shanmugam Anandakumar
Published: December 2023

Acne, a common skin condition, is primarily seen in teenagers and young adults and is characterised by large pus‐filled bumps beneath the skin. Cystic acne is a common form and is linked to a high incidence of acne‐related skin diseases. Causes include age, sex, and lifestyle changes. Treatment options for severe acne include medications, laser therapy, chemical peels, and microneedling patches. This review focuses on cystic acne treatment options and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. Medications like isotretinoin reduce inflammation but have side effects. Laser therapy targets bacteria without medication but may require multiple sessions for optimal results.
γ‐Oryzanol Ameliorates Depressive Behavior in Ovariectomized Mice by Regulating Hippocampal Nitric Oxide Synthase: A Potential Therapy for Menopausal Depression
Authors: Kim Minji , Yoon Minseok , Cho Suengmok , Lee Changho , Um Min Young
Published: December 2023

Scope

Depression is a severe mental condition, common among menopausal women. γ‐Oryzanol (ORY) has various biological properties; however, the effect of ORY on menopausal depression and its underlying mechanisms have not been investigated.

Methods and results

ORY is orally administered to ovariectomized (OVX) mice for 20 weeks. ORY administration results in lower immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swim test and increases locomotor activity in the open field test. In the primary hippocampal neurons and hippocampi of OVX mice, ORY treatment increases nitric oxide (NO) production and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) expression. Further, the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB), and tropomyosin receptor kinase B, along with the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factior (BDNF), is upregulated. These stimulatory effects of ORY are diminished by treatment with estrogen receptor β (ERβ) antagonist. ORY similarly interacts with ERβ in the molecular docking analysis. Moreover, intracerebroventricular injection of 7‐nitroindazole, a nNOS inhibitor, abolishes the antidepressant effects of ORY.

Conclusions

The results indicate that ORY attenuates depressive behavior in OVX mice by upregulating ERβ‐mediated hippocampal nNOS expression and activating the ERK‐CREB‐BDNF signaling networks. The findings suggest that ORY is a potential therapeutic agent for attenuating menopausal depression.
AAPM Task Group Report 311: Guidance for performance evaluation of fluorescence‐guided surgery systems
Authors: Pogue Brian W. , Zhu Timothy C. , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Wilson Brian C. , Paulsen Keith D. , Gioux Sylvain , Nordstrom Robert , Pfefer T. Joshua , Tromberg Bruce J. , Wabnitz Heidrun , Yodh Arjun , Chen Yu , Litorja Maritoni
Published: December 2023

The last decade has seen a large growth in fluorescence‐guided surgery (FGS) imaging and interventions. With the increasing number of clinical specialties implementing FGS, the range of systems with radically different physical designs, image processing approaches, and performance requirements is expanding. This variety of systems makes it nearly impossible to specify uniform performance goals, yet at the same time, utilization of different devices in new clinical procedures and trials indicates some need for common knowledge bases and a quality assessment paradigm to ensure that effective translation and use occurs. It is feasible to identify key fundamental image quality characteristics and corresponding objective test methods that should be determined such that there are consistent conventions across a variety of FGS devices. This report outlines test methods, tissue simulating phantoms and suggested guidelines, as well as personnel needs and professional knowledge bases that can be established. This report frames the issues with guidance and feedback from related societies and agencies having vested interest in the outcome, coming from an independent scientific group formed from academics and international federal agencies for the establishment of these professional guidelines.
Exploring the dimensions of NGO donor‐based brand equity: A literature review
Authors: Romero Maria Jesus Rios , Abril Carmen
Published: December 2023

The increasing participation of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in addressing developmental issues has resulted in a surge of NGOs globally and, consequently, intensified the competition among them for donations. NGOs, a type of nonprofit organization (NPO), have a distinctive characteristic: promoting a particular cause, which often pertains to social and political issues in an international context. The enhanced brand equity of NGOs can result in increased donor attraction, leading to a rise in both their amount of donations and donor loyalty. Conceptualizations of NGO brand equity, however, are scarce. This study thus critically reviews the current literature on NPO brand equity and proposes some guidelines for future, distinctive donor‐based brand equity models for NGOs. Our results also have important managerial implications for NGOs, highlighting relevant aspects in the brand equity building process that suggest future lines of research.
Philanthropic innovations: A historical analysis of Foundations' adoption, implementation, and diffusion of program‐related investment (PRI) strategies
Authors: Weber Peter C.
Published: December 2023

Philanthropic foundations are credited with being sources of social innovation. Yet, most scholarship focuses on foundations funding innovations rather than adopting innovative philanthropic practices. Program‐related investments (PRIs) serve as lenses to understand how philanthropic innovations are adopted, implemented, and diffused. Scholars describe PRIs as innovations broadening grantmaking practices, but foundations today do not widely use PRIs despite their increased use in the 1980s and 2000s. I propose a theoretical model integrating foundation behavior literature with social transition theory, linking the diffusion of philanthropic innovations to specific configurations of micro‐, meso‐, and macro‐factors. Drawing on archival research, the study analyzes the Ford Foundation's PRI Office and the Cooperative Assistance Fund between 1968 and 1988. It shows that individual foundations acted upon the favorable environment for PRIs created by a broader agreement that social responsibility was to be shared across sectors. Long‐lasting norms about not mixing investments and philanthropy slowed the broad diffusion of PRIs in the foundation sector, which as an organizational field lagged the innovativeness of individual foundations. By focusing on how foundations adopt and implement innovative philanthropic strategies, the study moves beyond the practice of measuring philanthropic impact through grantees' performance rather than through philanthropic strategies.
Early‐ and later‐stage persistence with antiobesity medications: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Gasoyan Hamlet , Pfoh Elizabeth R. , Schulte Rebecca , Le Phuc , Rothberg Michael B.
Published: December 2023

Objective

The study's objective was to examine the percentage of patients with an initial antiobesity medication (AOM) fill who were persistent with AOM at 3, 6, and 12 months and to characterize factors associated with persistence at 12 months.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used electronic health records from January 2015 to July 2023 in a large health system in Ohio and Florida and included adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 who had an initial AOM prescription filled between 2015 and 2022.

Results

The authors identified 1911 patients with a median baseline BMI of 38 (IQR, 34–44). Over time, 44% were persistent with AOM at 3 months, 33% at 6 months, and 19% at 12 months. Across categories of AOM, the highest 1‐year persistence was in patients receiving semaglutide (40%). Semaglutide (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.26, 95% CI: 3.04–6.05) was associated with higher odds of 1‐year persistence, and naltrexone‐bupropion (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46–1.00) was associated with lower odds, compared with phentermine‐topiramate. Among patients who were persistent at 6 months, a 1% increase in weight loss at 6 months was associated with 6% increased odds of persistence at year 1 (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.09).

Conclusions

Later‐stage persistence with AOM varies considerably based on the drug and the weight loss at 6 months.
Extreme hypernatraemia and rhabdomyolysis in a child with hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state mixed with diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Hesketh Christine , Lau Sinny , Holloway Edward
Published: December 2023

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is present at diagnosis for about 40% of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM).1 Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) is another acute complication of DM more typically associated with type 2 DM in adults or adolescents. Recent evidence indicates that a mixed picture of HHS and DKA also occurs in children with type 1 DM2 but it is not frequently reported and therefore at risk of under‐recognition.

Here, we report a rare case of HHS mixed with DKA as the first presentation for type 1 DM in a five‐year‐old child with underlying neurodevelopmental problems. Failure to recognise the HHS aspects led to severe hypernatraemia, hyperosmolarity, acute renal impairment and rhabdomyolysis but ultimately the child made a full recovery. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and potential pitfalls in management of mixed HHS with type 1 DM. Copyright © 2023 John Wiley & Sons.
Reflections on the Diabetes Self‐Management Alliance Workshop: providing better emotional support in diabetes routine care
Authors: Hadjiconstantinou Michelle , Causer Heather , Graham Rodger , Kelleher Síofra , Davies Mark
Published: December 2023

Optimal diabetes self‐management requires the balancing of physical, behavioural and psychological health. Although ownership lies with the person living with diabetes, the interaction and relationship between the individual and their health care professionals play a key role in achieving that outcome. This paper presents key summaries generated from the 6th International Diabetes Self‐Management Alliance conference workshop, exploring barriers to emotional support in routine diabetes care. In particular, we explored barriers around: (a) not having sufficient time during consultations to routinely address emotional well‐being; (b) the lack of confidence expressed by health care professionals in their ability to have emotional conversations with their patients; (c) training, bringing a focus to a more person‐centred approach for existing service models; and (d) the fear of opening Pandora's Box and discovering complex or emotionally overwhelming topics. The aim of this practice point paper is to provide a platform for researchers and policymakers to further explore these barriers and generate ideas to inform future research aimed at improving the landscape of emotional support in diabetes care. Copyright © 2023 John Wiley & Sons.
Multiple baseline and multiple probe design studies targeting academic skills: Trends over time in effect sizes
Authors: Zink Henry H. , Van Norman Ethan R. , Klingbeil David A.
Published: December 2023

Single‐case design (SCD) is a quantitative experimental technique in which participants serve as their own control. The use of an effect size in SCD allows evaluation of outcomes as well as comparison of outcomes via meta‐analyses. Characteristics of SCD research make the selection of an appropriate effect size complicated. Additionally, there are a number of factors that complicate the use of SCDs as a means to improve academic skills. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns by which SCD effect sizes are used to quantify outcomes from academic interventions. To do so, a descriptive analysis of an extant database of SCD studies was conducted. The authors created frequency tables for each effect size identified in the database as well as graphs to show the extent to which the use of effect sizes changed over time. The authors also determined whether the most frequently used effect sizes were appropriate for summarizing changes in academic outcomes. Although many effect sizes have been developed, only a small number are routinely used in SCD research for academic skills. The most frequently used effect sizes were those that come from standardized statistics, compared with those that utilized principles of regression or Bayesian analysis.