bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Methods of Detecting an Elusive Dasyurid Marsupial, the Threatened Julia Creek Dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi), in Central Western Queensland, Australia
Authors: Bakker Alice H. , Schoenefuss Pia , Mifsud Greg , Fuller Susan , Baker Andrew M.
Published: November 2024

The Julia Creek dunnart, Sminthopsis douglasi, is a small, threatened carnivorous marsupial occurring in scattered populations in the grasslands of central and northwestern Queensland, Australia. The distribution of the species is largely unknown due to sporadic survey efforts and its historically low detection using traditional live trapping methods. There is an urgent need to determine the best methods of detection to optimise survey methodologies and more effectively manage species conservation efforts. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of live (Elliott) traps, baited white flash camera traps and thermal imagery binocular surveying for detecting S. douglasi. We deployed 40 white flash camera traps at two sites in Bladensburg National Park (south of Winton), where the species is known to occur, for three consecutive periods between June and November 2022. Four comparative sessions of live trapping were undertaken between April and August 2022 at the same locations. During the live trapping periods, a total of 12 nights of surveying were conducted with thermal imagery binoculars in a preliminary assessment of the technique. The total live trapping effort was 3600 trap nights (approximately 700 trap nights per site in each trapping event). Live trapping resulted in 12 detections of individual S. douglasi from 19 total captures. The highest trap success on a given trapping session was 1.71%, and overall trap success from both sites across all sessions was 0.53%. In comparison, baited camera traps (deployed facing the ground at 70 cm range) took 1,269,884 images over 5383 trap nights. There were 11 confirmed images of S. douglasi, on three individual occasions, which represented 2.10% of all small mammal captures and just 0.0009% of the total images. Four species of small mammals were detected using camera traps, whereas live trapping detected only two species. No small mammals were detected on any of the 12 thermal binocular surveys. Overall, our study highlights the comparative high utility of traditional live trapping for detecting S. douglasi. This research provides a framework for ongoing monitoring of the Bladensburg National Park population. It will be more broadly beneficial for informing the best detection techniques of S. douglasi in ongoing work investigating the overall distribution of the species. Similar studies assessing multiple detection methods for small terrestrial mammals have shown an advantage of white flash camera traps compared to other traditional detection techniques. Our contrasting results serve as a reminder that the utility of different techniques for detecting small mammals is best assessed on a species‐by‐species basis.
A modeling approach to forecast local demographic trends in metapopulations
Authors: Chambert Thierry , Barbraud Christophe , Cam Emmanuelle , Chabrolle Antoine , Sadoul Nicolas , Besnard Aurélien
Published: November 2024

Predicting animal population trajectories into the future has become a central exercise in both applied and fundamental ecology. Because demographic models classically assume population closure, they tend to provide inaccurate predictions when applied locally to interconnected subpopulations that are part of a larger metapopulation. Ideally, one should explicitly model dispersal among subpopulations, but in practice this is prevented by the difficulty of estimating dispersal rates in the wild. To forecast the local demography of connected subpopulations, we developed a new demographic model (hereafter, the two‐scale model) that disentangles two processes occurring at different spatial scales. First, at the larger scale, a closed population model describes changes in metapopulation size over time. Second, total metapopulation size is redistributed among subpopulations, using time‐varying proportionality parameters. This two‐step approach ensures that the long‐term growth of every subpopulation is constrained by the overall metapopulation growth rate. It implicitly accounts for the interconnectedness among subpopulations and avoids unrealistic trajectories. Using realistic simulations, we compared the performance of this new model with that of a classical closed population model at predicting subpopulations' trajectories over 30 years. While the classical model predicted future subpopulation sizes with an average bias of 30% and produced predictive errors sometimes >500%, the two‐scale model showed very little bias (<3%) and never produced predictive errors >20%. We also applied both models to a real dataset on European shags (Gulosus aristotelis) breeding along the Atlantic coast of France. Again, the classical model predicted highly unrealistic growths, as large as a 200‐fold increase over 30 years for some subpopulations. The two‐scale model predicted very sensible growths, never larger than a threefold increase over the 30‐year time horizon, which is more in accordance with this species' life history. This two‐scale model provides an effective solution to forecast the local demography of connected subpopulations in the absence of data on dispersal rates. In this context, it is a better alternative than closed population models and a more parsimonious option than full‐dispersal models. Because the only data required are simple counts, this model could be useful to many large‐scale wildlife monitoring programs.
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction worsens prognosis in patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Winiarczyk Mateusz , Dziewięcka Ewa , Wiśniowska‐Śmiałek Sylwia , Stępień Agnieszka , Graczyk Katarzyna , Leśniak‐Sobelga Agata , Hlawaty Marta , Woźniak Jakub , Savitskaya Maryia , Holcman Katarzyna , Kostkiewicz Magdalena , Podolec Piotr , Rubiś Paweł
Published: November 2024

Aims

The prognostic significance of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) severity in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association of LVDD severity and elevated left atrial pressure (eLAP) with patient outcomes in stable, non‐acutely decompensated patients with DCM.

Methods

This single‐centre, retrospective, observational study involved 740 DCM patients (either inpatients or outpatients) managed at our tertiary cardiac centre between 2010 and 2021. Due to incomplete data, 96 patients were excluded. LVDD and eLAP were assessed using echocardiography according to the 2016 guidelines of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI). The primary outcomes were all‐cause mortality and heart failure (HF)‐related mortality.

Results

The final cohort comprised of 644 DCM patients [mean age: 52 ± 12 years, LV ejection fraction (LVEF): 26 ± 10%]. Over a median follow‐up period of 41 (18.5–66.7) months, 105 (16.3%) patients died: 8 (5.3%) patients in the normal left atrial pressure (nLAP) group and 97 (19.6%) patients in the eLAP group. eLAP was identified as an independent prognostic factor for both all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–3.7; P = 0.01] and HF‐related mortality (HR 2.5; 95% CI 1.01–6.5; P = 0.04), even after adjusting for LVEF and atrial fibrillation (AF) presence. Additionally, HF‐related mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe LVDD compared with those with mild LVDD [5 (3.3%) vs. 67 (13.6%), P < 0.05].

Conclusions

This study's findings highlight the importance of assessing the severity of LVDD in patients with DCM, which provides incremental prognostic information over LVEF.
First Evidence of Au‐CH3 Bonding in Superatomic Au13 Clusters
Authors: Bevilacqua Matteo , Roverso Marco , Bogialli Sara , Graiff Claudia , Biffis Andrea
Published: November 2024

Chemical reduction of a dinuclear [(di‐NHC)Au2Cl2(di‐NHC)] complex (NHC=imidazol‐2‐ylidene), using excess NaBH4 as reducing agent in presence of dichloromethane (DCM) as solvent, provides a molecular cluster with formula [Au13(di‐NHC)5(CH3)2]Cl3, exhibiting covalent bonds between gold atoms of the cluster core and methyl groups. The presence of Au‐CH3 bonds, which is unprecedented in gold cluster chemistry, is confirmed by high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), NMR and the reactivity of the reported cluster in solid state. The cluster has been further characterized with single crystal X‐ray diffractometry, UV‐Vis and emission spectroscopies. The cluster displays remarkable stability in solution, which is indicative of the possible role played by Au‐CH3 bond formation in the conventional preparation of molecular gold nanoclusters by reduction with excess borohydride in DCM.
A Reversibly Photoswitchable Zinc Metallocycle based on Azobenzene
Authors: Müller Oliver A. , Schmitt Marcel J. P. , Riehn Christoph , Becker Sabine
Published: November 2024

Photoswitchable metallocycles and cages are of special interest for a photocontrolled uptake and/or release of guest molecules. While most compounds undergo a disassembly‐re‐assembly mechanism among photoisomerization, examples for reversibly switchable compounds without decomposition are extremely rare. Furthermore, most metallocycles and cages are based on 4d and 5d metal ions that form kinetically inert bonds. We here present a dinuclear Zn(II) metallocycle that despite the usually high ligand exchange rate of Zn(II) reversibly undergoes photoisomerization without disassembly. Therefore, we prepared the novel ligand 3,3’‐Azobenz(BPA)2 (1) that is based on an azobenzene scaffold equipped with two benzylpicolylamine (BPA) moieties for metal complexation. With this ligand, the Zn(II) complexes [{ZnCl2}2(1)] (2) and the cyclic 2 : 2 complex [Zn2(1)2](BF4)4 (3) were prepared and characterized. The photophysical switching properties of all compounds have been assessed using NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy as well as quantum chemical calculations by density functional theory (DFT) at the CAM−B3LYP/D4/def2‐TZVPP level. These studies show the highly quantitative and reversible photoinduced cyclic E/Z isomerization of 1–3. To the best of our knowledge, 3 thus represents the only second metallocycle based on azobenzene and first one using Zn(II), which reversibly undergoes photoisomerization.
Facile synthesis of Bidentate Boron Lewis Acids by Pentafluorobenzene Elimination
Authors: Kudina Polina I. , Lisovenko Anna S. , Kryukova Mariya A. , Kazakov Igor V.
Published: November 2024

The obtained results reveal simple synthetic approach for bidentate boron Lewis acids with the ‐OB(C6F5)2 acid group and aliphatic or aromatic linkers. Computational results showed comparable FIA for the ‐OB(C6F5)2 site in boron bidentate Lewis acids relative to initial B(C6F5)3. The relative Lewis acid strength of R[OB(C6F5)2]2 (R=C2H4, p‐C6H4, m‐C6H4) was characterized by Gutman‐Beckett tests. The elimination of pentafluorobenzene by the reaction of R‐OH with B(C6F5)3 can be used for the synthesis of R‐OB(C6F5)2 derivatives and polydentate strong Lewis acids.
Syntheses of Pyrazolato‐ and Formamidinato‐lanthanoid(III) Diiodides from in Situ Generated lanthanoid(III) Pseudo‐Grignard Reagents
Authors: Abdul Halim Md , Guo Zhifang , Blair Victoria L. , Deacon Glen B. , Junk Peter C.
Published: November 2024

Trivalent lanthanoid pseudo‐Grignard reagents PhpLnIIII(3‐p) (P=1 or 2; Ln=La, Ce, Nd, Er and Lu) are readily prepared by the oxidation of lanthanoid metals with iodobenzene at 25 °C, following pre‐activation of the metal with 1 drop Hg in tetrahydrofuran (thf) or acetonitrile (CH3CN) and brief sonication. The protolysis of PhpLnIIII(3‐p) with 3,5‐diphenylpyrazole (Ph2pzH) yields pyrazolato complexes [Ln(Ph2pz)I2(thf)n] (n=4: Ln=La 1, Ce 2, Nd 3; n=3: Ln=Er 4, Lu 5). Interestingly, for Er, a competing complex [ErPh(Ph2pz)I(thf)3]⋅thf (4 a) was obtained along with the expected [Er(Ph2pz)I2(thf)3] (4). In contrast, in CH3CN, [Ln(Ph2pz)3(CH3CN)3]⋅2CH3CN (Ln=Nd 6, Gd 7) complexes were obtained through Schlenk equilibrium redistribution. Reactions with bulky N,N′‐bis(2,6‐di‐isopropylphenyl)formamidine (DippFormH) and N,N’ –bis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)formamidine (XylFormH) produced the Ln(III) complexes, [Ln(DippForm)I2(thf)3]⋅nthf (n=1, Ln=Nd 8; n=0.5, Ln=Er 9) and [Ln(XylForm)I2(thf)3]⋅thf (Ln=Nd 10, Er 11). All the complexes isolated in this study are monomeric; 4–5 and 8–11 are seven coordinate, complexes 1–3 are eight coordinate with one η2‐N‐donor ligand and two trans iodine ligands, and complexes 6–7 are nine coordinate, featuring three η2‐Ph2pz ligands, and three CH3CN ligands.
mRNA for Body Fluid and Individual Identification
Authors: Liu Zidong , Wang Jiaqi , Li Zeqin , Zhang Gengqian
Published: November 2024

Biological stains are one of the most important pieces of evidence, playing a multifaceted role in forensic investigations. An integral facet of forensic practice involves the identification of body fluids, typically achieved through chemical and enzymatic reactions. In recent decades, the introduction of mRNA markers has been posited as a pivotal advancement to augment the capabilities of body fluid identification (BFID). The mRNA coding region single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs) also present notable advantages, particularly in the task of individual identification. Here, we review the specificity and stability of mRNA markers in the context of BFID and the prowess of mRNA polymorphism in individual identification. Additionally, innovative methods for mRNA detection are discussed.
Insights into Martian bedform migration: Results from Gale, Jezero and Pasteur craters
Authors: Sahu Anurag , Mandal Anirban , Banerjee Satyaki , Panda Jagabandhu
Published: November 2024

An attempt is made in this study to advance the understanding of the sand movement on Mars by studying the bedform migration at Gale, Jezero and Pasteur craters. The study on the grain size distribution at Gale Crater using Curiosity rover (MAHLI and APXS) observations reveals that the grains with smaller diameters (~50–150 μ) are more prone to migration and vice‐versa, which gives an idea of the necessary requirements that initiate bedform migration. The chemical analysis of the surface materials at the Gale crater revealed elevated concentrations of P2O5, SO3, Cl and Zn in soil compared to sand and active transportation processes for sand but not soil. The comprehensive chemical makeup of the Martian soil (inactive bedforms) and sand (active bedforms) is characterized by its basaltic nature, with enriched volatile elements such as sulphur, chlorine and zinc, and the presence of minerals like plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine due to the cohesive nature of inactive bedforms. Physical weathering and wind flow velocity play a pivotal role in the formation of different sedimentary bodies, impacting grain size distribution and mineralogy. The effect of dust‐lifting on surface features is studied by analysing Perseverance‐MEDA observations at the Jezero crater to understand the short‐term changes in the bedform. These events are found to involve the redistribution of only a small amount of materials and, thereby, changing surface features on Mars over a short period. To detect the bedform migration in the Pasteur crater, several HiRISE images acquired over different time intervals were used. The changes in the ripple crest (~0.29–1.18 m/Earth year) and dune slip face suggest new grain flow events. In the Pasteur crater, extensive changes in sand deposits near the dunes signify a widespread bedform migration. The stronger north‐westerly and north‐easterly winds dominate these changes. Thus, the bedform migration in the three tropical craters exhibits significant variability driven by localized aeolian processes. This variability is crucial for understanding Mars' geological history, current surface dynamics and eventually, helps in planning future missions.
Kinetic analysis on low‐temperature oxidation of wood pellets by isothermal microcalorimetry
Authors: Yao Can , Sheng Changdong
Published: November 2024

Low‐temperature chemical oxidation is the major driver of self‐heating during storage of wood pellets and its kinetics is essential to describe the heat evolution. In the present work, isothermal microcalorimetry was used to characterize heat generation behavior of three types of wood pellets (pine, fir, and redwood pellets) at 30–70°C. The obtained data were employed to derive the kinetics of low‐temperature oxidation by the peak power, iso‐conversional method, and non‐steady analysis. The consistency and applicability of the kinetics derived by the three methods were evaluated. Kinetic parameters determined by the peak power method were observed to match those from the iso‐conversional method at lower conversions of the oxidation for heat generation. The kinetics derived by the iso‐conversional method indicated the oxidation reactivity generally decreasing and activation energy increasing with the conversion because of O2 consumption and reaction mechanism changing. With the impact of O2 consumption considered separately, the kinetics from the non‐steady analysis is capable of describing the evolution of heat power with the conversion and also consistent with that from the peak power method in describing intrinsic reactivity of pellet materials. The kinetics from the peak power and iso‐conversional methods lump the impact of O2 concentration with the reaction reactivity, suggesting their applications requiring additional models for connecting with O2 consumption.
Comparison of Contact Angle Models in Two‐Phase Flow Simulations Using a Conservative Phase Field Equation
Authors: Shen Mingguang , Li Ben Q.
Published: November 2024

In phase field methods based on a second‐order Allen‐Cahn (AC) equation, contact angles are prescribed mostly via a geometric formulation. However, it is of great interest to utilize the surface‐energy formulation, which is often employed in the Cahn‐Hilliard (CH) phase field method, in the AC phase field method. This article thus put forward a surface‐energy formulation of contact angles. The model was compared with the geometric one in a number of impact problems, including both normal and oblique impacts. The governing equations were discretized using a finite difference method on a half‐staggered grid. The Navier–Stokes equation was tackled using an explicit projection method. The major findings are as follows. First, the geometric model can maintain a fixed contact angle throughout contact line motion, while the surface‐energy one predicts a changeable contact angle, with a fluctuation of about 5°. In the oblique drop impact, contact angle hysteresis was captured even if a static contact angle was applied in the surface‐energy formulation.
Phytochemical composition, antioxidant activities and anti‐obesity potential of selected vegetables as affected by drying methods
Authors: Sanni‐Olayiwola Halimat O. , Kolawole Fausat L. , Onifade Favour O. , Oyeyinka Samson A.
Published: November 2024

Obesity has reached epidemic statistics worldwide and there is an urgent need to explore more available options in addressing the condition. The potential of vegetables as natural sources of enzyme inhibitors that can regulate the progression of obesity is of great interest particularly due to possible synergistic antioxidant activities. In this study, we evaluated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activities, and in vitro enzyme inhibition properties of selected vegetables as influenced by sun and cabinet drying methods. While a significant increase was observed in the phytochemical composition of most of the vegetables, the two drying methods had varying effects on all parameters. Cabinet drying yielded higher saponin (2.86–4.67 mg/100 g), phenolics (19.30–57.02 mg/100 g), and alkaloids (31.58–37.61 mg/100 g) contents while sun drying gave better results for flavonoids (88.13–234.15 mg/100 g). The DPPH (11.45%–29.61%) and ABTS (22.70%–35.48%) antioxidant activities varied significantly. Cabinet‐dried cabbage and sun dried carrot flours displayed the highest inhibition against alpha amylase and pancreatic lipase, respectively. A strong positive correlation was observed between phenolics and amylase inhibition and also between saponin and pancreatic lipase inhibition. Consequently, vegetable flours could serve as versatile products for the therapeutic management of obesity and related diseases.
Study on the effect pattern of moisture on the oxidized combustion of ventilation air methane
Authors: Chen Yankun , Hao Chaoyu , Liu Sai , Li Yongen , Yang Wangrui , Gao Jianwei , Jiao Lifan , Qi Jiaji
Published: November 2024

Ventilation air methane (VAM) is one of the main greenhouse gas sources. Owing to the characteristics of low concentration of ventilation air methane and high moisture content, we build an experimental platform and take the oxidative combustion temperature and methane conversion rate as the research indexes, and the systematic research finds that the inhibitory effect of moisture on the oxidative combustion of ultra‐low concentration of methane (<1%) is a nonlinear polynomial law. In the meantime, we constructed OH(H2O)n+CH4 and studied its reaction potential energy surface using quantum chemical calculations, which used the most significant primitive reaction of methane combustion, OH+CH4→H2O+CH3, as the theoretical basis. We found that as moisture content increased, so did its reaction energy barrier, making the reactants more stable, strengthening the three‐body collision effect, and reducing the number of free radicals, all of which hindered the methane chain reaction. The study aimed to validate the experimental finding that moisture inhibits the oxidative combustion of ventilation air methane by examining the internal mechanism of methane oxidation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pandemic COVID‐19 as a challenge for telemedicine in the Czech Republic
Authors: Angelovská Olga , Dobiášová Karolína , Těšinová Jolana Kopsa
Published: November 2024

The COVID‐19 Pandemic contributed to accelerating the process of using information and communication technologies and digital technologies in healthcare management and delivery within healthcare systems. At that time, the Czech healthcare system faced the same problems as other European systems and struggled with a temporary limitation of direct provision of healthcare services. It was solved by switching to telemedicine. The Czech healthcare system used telemedicine to a minimal extent until then. Despite adopting the law on healthcare digitisation, it is still one of the countries with a lower level of digitisation of healthcare processes. The article presents the results of an exploratory expert investigation focused on the implementation and development of telemedicine in the Czech Republic. The conducted research aimed to identify problems related to the implementation of telemedicine in practice, place them in the broader framework of the healthcare system and structure them, propose possible solutions, and identify the future challenges of telemedicine in the Czech Republic. We based our study on the results of a three‐phase QUAL‐QUAN‐QUAL research. Data collection in the first phase took the form of individual semi‐structured interviews with patients (25) with practical experience in the field of telemedicine, followed by the second quantitative phase of the questionnaire survey with patients (650). The third qualitative phase included semi‐structured interviews with experts (17) with practical experience in telemedicine. The introduction and expansion of telemedicine require several fundamental changes. These include adjustments to the legislative environment and changes to the technological infrastructure, organisation of care and work. Several barriers have been identified at the healthcare system level, healthcare providers, healthcare professionals and patients.
A Thorough Navigation of miRNA's Blueprint in Crafting Cardiovascular Fate
Authors: Nazir Abubakar , Uwishema Olivier , Shariff Sanobar , Franco William Xochitun Gopar , El Masri Noha , Ayele Nitsuh Dejene , Munyangaju Isabelle , Alzain Fatima Esam , Wojtara Magda
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality. MicroRNAs are crucial in the development and progression of these diseases by regulating gene expression in various cells and tissues. Their roles in conditions like atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmias have been widely researched.

Materials and Methods

The present study provides an overview of existing evidence regarding miRNAs' role in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, the study examines current state‐of‐the‐art technologies used in the study of miRNAs in cardiovascular disease. As a final point, we examine how miRNAs may serve as disease biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and prognostic indicators.

Results

In cardiology, microRNAs, small noncoding RNA molecules, are crucial to the posttranscriptional regulation of genes. Their role in regulating cardiac cell differentiation and maturation is critical during the development of the heart. They maintain the cardiac function of an adult heart by contributing to its electrical and contractile activity. By binding to messenger RNA molecules, they inhibit protein translation or degrade mRNA. Several cardiovascular diseases are associated with dysregulation of miRNAs, including arrhythmias, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. miRNAs can be used as biomarkers to diagnose and predict diseases as well as therapeutic targets. A variety of state‐of‐the‐art technologies have aided researchers in discovering, profiling, and analyzing miRNAs, including microarray analysis, next‐generation sequencing, and others.

Conclusion

Developing new diagnostics and therapeutic approaches is becoming more feasible as researchers refine their understanding of miRNA function. Ultimately, this will reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease around the world.
Current Updates on Variants of SARS‐CoV‐ 2: Systematic Review
Authors: Erkihun Mulat , Ayele Bayu , Asmare Zelalem , Endalamaw Kirubel
Published: November 2024

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which has become a pandemic. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is an enveloped, unsegmented, positive‐sense, single‐stranded RNA virus that belongs to the family Coronaviridae.

Aim

The objective of this review is to conduct a qualitative analysis of the current updates on epidemiology, evolution, and vaccine variants for SARS‐CoV‐2.

Method

The search strategy was done from the database based on the PRISMA criteria for qualitative analysis of this review. Literature on variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, published in English in the last 5 years (2019–2023), were included. From 179 a total of 105 articles were reviewed, searched, and retrieved from the electronic databases PubMed. The search was done using keywords like COVID‐19, SARS‐CoV‐2, variants, mutations, and vaccines, and articles were managed using EndNote X8 software. The scope of view for this review was the course of the pandemic by emerging variants and how man is struggling to overcome this sudden pandemic through vaccines. The narrative skeleton was constructed based on the article's scope of view.

Result

From the parent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, many variants emerged during the course of this pandemic. They are mainly categorized into two variants: variants of interest and variants of concern based on the impact on public health. The World Health Organization leveled five variants: Alpha (strain B.1.1.7), Beta (strain B.1.351), Gamma (strain P.1), Delta (strain B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529).

Conclusions

It is crucial to stay informed about the latest developments in the understanding of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, as new variants can emerge and impact the course of the pandemic. Health authorities and researchers continuously have to monitor and study these variants to assess their characteristics, transmissibility, severity, and the effectiveness of vaccines against them. One has to always refer to the latest information from reputable health journals or organizations for the most up‐to‐date and accurate details on COVID‐19 variants.
Climate and political effects on agriculture: Empirical evidence from SSA
Authors: Feye Defaru Adugna , Beyene Amsalu Bedemo , Kumar Suchitra Krishna
Published: November 2024

The most of Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries have been affected by climate change and food insecurity problems due to the reduction of production and productivity of cereal crops in the continent. The purpose of this research was to examine the short‐run and long‐run effects of climate change on agricultural productivity in 24 selected SSA countries. In the study, a systematic Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) Model was used with recent data from 24 SSA countries from 2001 to 2020. The panel regression result revealed that temperature and precipitation showed positive significant effects whereas carbon dioxide emission had negatively influenced the cereal crop productivity in the region. Specifically, the empirical result indicates that a one percent increase in precipitation increases cereal crop productivity by 0.27%. The empirical result of the GMM model revealed that political stability, temperature, GDP per capita, trade openness, carbon dioxide emission, fertilizer consumption, and precipitation have both short‐run and long‐run effects, while precipitation has only a short‐run effect on agricultural productivity in the study area. A key implication of this work is the realization of the lagging effects of climate change in determining cereal crop production and productivity. This study was unable to include all SSA countries because the excluded countries did not have sufficient data on the selected variables in the study. Hence, adopting high‐temperature and drought‐resistant types of enhanced cereal crops is advised to combat the negative effects of climate change in the study area.
The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Lower Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Bagley G. A. , Ackroyd V. J. , Cavigelli M. A. , White K. E. , Schomberg H. H. , Law E. P. , Bejleri K. , Hively W. D. , Fischel M. H. H. , Maul J. E. , Hapeman C. J. , McCarty G. W. , Dulaney W. , Timlin D. J. , Mirsky S. B.
Published: November 2024

The Lower Chesapeake Bay (LCB) Long‐Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Common Experiment (CE) located in Beltsville, MD, focuses on research of concern to producers of the major regional crops, which are corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and various forage species. Livestock production in the region includes broiler and laying chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) and dairy and beef cattle (Bos taurus L.). The LCB region is among the most heavily populated in the United States. Urban development pressure is high for both farms and natural areas. The need to restore Chesapeake Bay water quality is a major influence on regional agricultural practices. Conservation practices such as cover cropping, no‐till agriculture, and nutrient management planning are more common in the region compared to nationally. However, farmers still face management challenges implementing practices that address water quality and the rise of herbicide‐resistant weeds. Researchers at the LCB site recognize the need to protect the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and maintain farmer profitability. The LCB CE compares a 3‐year crop rotation system featuring alternative crop management (cover crop intensification, crop rotation diversification, and integrated weed management [IWM]) with a prevailing 2‐year system (no cover crops and no IWM), both under continuous no‐tillage, to identify the optimal balance to promote the sustainability of regional cropping systems. The LTAR LCB site provides data‐driven tools and solutions to support farmers in the mid‐Atlantic region.
Extracellular vesicles from human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived neural stem cells alleviate proinflammatory cascades within disease‐associated microglia in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Madhu Leelavathi N. , Kodali Maheedhar , Upadhya Raghavendra , Rao Shama , Somayaji Yogish , Attaluri Sahithi , Shuai Bing , Kirmani Maha , Gupta Shreyan , Maness Nathaniel , Rao Xiaolan , Cai James J. , Shetty Ashok K.
Published: November 2024

As current treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) lack disease‐modifying interventions, novel therapies capable of restraining AD progression and maintaining better brain function have great significance. Anti‐inflammatory extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)‐derived neural stem cells (NSCs) hold promise as a disease‐modifying biologic for AD. This study directly addressed this issue by examining the effects of intranasal (IN) administrations of hiPSC‐NSC‐EVs in 3‐month‐old 5xFAD mice. IN administered hiPSC‐NSC‐EVs incorporated into microglia, including plaque‐associated microglia, and encountered astrocyte soma and processes in the brain. Single‐cell RNA sequencing revealed transcriptomic changes indicative of diminished activation of microglia and astrocytes. Multiple genes linked to disease‐associated microglia, NOD‐, LRR‐, and pyrin domain‐containing protein 3 (NLRP3)‐inflammasome and interferon‐1 (IFN‐1) signalling displayed reduced expression in microglia. Adding hiPSC‐NSC‐EVs to cultured human microglia challenged with amyloid‐beta oligomers resulted in similar effects. Astrocytes also displayed reduced expression of genes linked to IFN‐1 and interleukin‐6 signalling. Furthermore, the modulatory effects of hiPSC‐NSC‐EVs on microglia in the hippocampus persisted 2 months post‐EV treatment without impacting their phagocytosis function. Such effects were evidenced by reductions in microglial clusters and inflammasome complexes, concentrations of mediators, and end products of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, the expression of genes and/or proteins involved in the activation of p38/mitogen‐activated protein kinase and IFN‐1 signalling, and unaltered phagocytosis function. The extent of astrocyte hypertrophy, amyloid‐beta plaques, and p‐tau were also reduced in the hippocampus. Such modulatory effects of hiPSC‐NSC‐EVs also led to better cognitive and mood function. Thus, early hiPSC‐NSC‐EV intervention in AD can maintain better brain function by reducing adverse neuroinflammatory signalling cascades, amyloid‐beta plaque load, and p‐tau. These results reflect the first demonstration of the efficacy of hiPSC‐NSC‐EVs to restrain neuroinflammatory signalling cascades in an AD model by inducing transcriptomic changes in activated microglia and reactive astrocytes.
A novel multiplexed immunoassay for surface‐exposed proteins in plasma extracellular vesicles
Authors: Tordoff Emma , Allen Jillian , Elgart Katya , Elsherbini Ahmed , Kalia Vrinda , Wu Haotian , Eren Erden , Kapogiannis Dimitrios , Gololobova Olesia , Witwer Kenneth , Volpert Olga , Eitan Erez
Published: November 2024

Small membranous extracellular vesicles (EV) incorporate proteins and nucleic acids from the parent cell. Proteins exposed on EV surface are dictated by cellular origin and biogenesis pathway. To better understand the EV origin and function, it is important to develop methods that reveal surface protein composition of heterogeneous EV populations in culture supernatants and in biofluids. Tetraspanins CD9, CD63, and CD81 are common and abundant EV markers. However, their relative enrichment (profile) on EVs of specific cellular origins is not fully elucidated. We introduce LuminEV, a novel version of the Luminex assay for the multiplexed analysis of EV surface proteins. Optimized LuminEV reagents enable direct, specific, and sensitive measurements of EV markers in biofluids and in culture supernatants, bypassing EV isolation step. LuminEV assay for CD9, CD63, and CD81 was validated by comparing simplex and multiplex measurements, establishing linearity, spike‐in recovery, inter‐ and intra‐assay precision, and reproducibility between operators. LuminEV measurements of CD9, CD63, and CD81 in conditioned media from 15 cell lines revealed strong variations between cell types and showed high sensitivity, which enabled EV detection without prior concentration. Using tetraspanin levels as a readout, we noted suppression and induction of EV release from the cultured cells by GW6869 and monensin. Measurement of EV CD9, CD63, and CD81 in blood plasma from 70 disease‐free donors showed respective abundance of 72, 16, and 12%. CD63 displayed weak, albeit significant, negative correlation with age and was slightly lower in female samples. The assay was then used to detect cell type‐specific EV surface markers, including CD235a (erythrocytes), GAP43 (neurons), and CD68 (macrophages), and to detect differences in tetraspanin profiles between healthy and diseased donors. In summary, LuminEV offers robust and sensitive approach for multiplexed assessment of EV surface proteins, to facilitate the research into EV biology, biomarker, and therapeutic applications.
Pre‐exposure prophylaxis implementation gaps among people vulnerable to HIV acquisition: a cross‐sectional analysis in two communities in western Kenya, 2021–2023
Authors: Romo Matthew L. , Schluck Glenna , Kosgei Josphat , Akoth Christine , Bor Rael , Langat Deborah , Charles Curtisha , Adjei Paul , Gayle Britt , LeeVan Elyse , Chang David , Yates Adam , Yacovone Margaret , Ake Julie A. , Sawe Fred , Crowell Trevor A. ,   for the Multinational Observational Cohort of HIV and other Infections (MOCHI) Study Group
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Despite the increasing availability of prevention tools like pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV incidence remains disproportionately high in sub‐Saharan Africa. We examined PrEP awareness, uptake and persistence among participants enrolling into an HIV incidence cohort in Kenya.

Methods

We used cross‐sectional enrolment data from the Multinational Observational Cohort of HIV and other Infections (MOCHI) in Homa Bay and Kericho, Kenya. The cohort recruited individuals aged 14–55 years with a recent history of sexually transmitted infection, transactional sex, condomless sex and/or injection drug use. Participants completed questionnaires on PrEP, demographics and sexual behaviours. We used multivariable robust Poisson regression to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations with never hearing of PrEP, never taking PrEP and ever stopping PrEP.

Results

Between 12/2021 and 5/2023, 399 participants attempted the PrEP questionnaire, of whom 316 (79.2%) were female and median age was 22 years (interquartile range 19–24); 316 of 390 participants (81.0%) engaged in sex work or transactional sex. Of 396 participants who responded to the question, 120 (30.3%) had never heard of PrEP. Of 275 participants who had heard of PrEP, 206 (74.9%) had never taken it. Of 69 participants who had ever taken PrEP, 50 (72.5%) stopped it at some time prior to enrolment. Participants aged 15–19 years more often reported never taking PrEP compared with those 25–36 years (aPR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.06–1.61). Participants who knew someone who took PrEP less often reported never hearing about PrEP (aPR 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04–0.23) and never taking PrEP (aPR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60–0.80). Stopping PrEP was more common among participants with a weekly household income ≤1000 versus >1000 Kenyan shillings (aPR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.02–1.93) and those using alcohol/drugs before sex (aPR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.03–2.26). Stopping PrEP was less common among those engaging in sex work or transactional sex (aPR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.40–0.92).

Conclusions

We identified substantial gaps in PrEP awareness, uptake and persistence, which were associated with potential system‐ and individual‐level risk factors. Our analyses also highlight the importance of increasing PrEP engagement among individuals who do not know others taking PrEP.
Excess mortality attributable to AIDS among people living with HIV in high‐income countries: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Trickey Adam , Ambia Julie , Glaubius Robert , van Schalkwyk Cari , Imai‐Eaton Jeffrey W. , Korenromp Eline L. , Johnson Leigh F.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Identifying strategies to further reduce AIDS‐related mortality requires accurate estimates of the extent to which mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is due to AIDS‐related or non‐AIDS‐related causes. Existing approaches to estimating AIDS‐related mortality have quantified AIDS‐related mortality as total mortality among PLHIV in excess of age‐ and sex‐matched mortality in populations without HIV. However, recent evidence suggests that, with high antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage, a growing proportion of excess mortality among PLHIV is non‐AIDS‐related.

Methods

We searched Embase on 22/09/2023 for English language studies that contained data on AIDS‐related mortality rates among adult PLHIV and age‐matched comparator all‐cause mortality rates among people without HIV. We extracted data on the number and rates of all‐cause and AIDS‐related deaths, demographics, ART use and AIDS‐related mortality definitions. We calculated the proportion of excess mortality among PLHIV that is AIDS‐related. The proportion of excess mortality due to AIDS was pooled using random‐effects meta‐analysis.

Results

Of 4485 studies identified by the initial search, eight were eligible, all from high‐income settings: five from Europe, one from Canada, one from Japan and one from South Korea. No studies reported on mortality among only untreated PLHIV. One study included only PLHIV on ART. In all studies, most PLHIV were on ART by the end of follow‐up. Overall, 1,331,742 person‐years and 17,471 deaths were included from PLHIV, a mortality rate of 13.1 per 1000 person‐years. Of these deaths, 7721 (44%) were AIDS‐related, an overall AIDS‐related mortality rate of 5.8 per 1000 person‐years. The mean overall mortality rate among the general population was 2.8 (95% CI: 1.8–4.0) per 1000 person‐years. The meta‐analysed percentage of excess mortality that was AIDS‐related was 53% (95% CI: 45–61%); 52% (43–60%) in Western and Central Europe and North America, and 71% (69–74%) in the Asia‐Pacific region.

Discussion

Although we searched all regions, we only found eligible studies from high‐income countries, mostly European, so, the generalizability of these results to other regions and epidemic settings is unknown.

Conclusions

Around half of the excess mortality among PLHIV in high‐income regions was non‐AIDS‐related. An emphasis on preventing and treating comorbidities linked to non‐AIDS mortality among PLHIV is required.
Fabrication of interfacial crystallized oleogel emulsion for quercetin delivery with enhanced environmental stability and bioaccessibility
Authors: Zhang Dian , Zhong Ruimin , Liao Ziying , Wang Xin , Xiang Pengcheng , Zhang Ao , Su Nan , Cao Yong , Lan Yaqi
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Quercetin is a flavonoid compound with numerous bioactivities. However, the low solubility, easy degradation and low bioaccessibility limit its application. In this study, a novel interfacial crystallized oleogel emulsion was fabricated, where beeswax was used as the oleogelator, for quercetin encapsulation with enhanced stability and bioaccessibility.

RESULTS

The process of interfacial crystallization was investigated using interfacial rheology and polarized microscopy, with a positive correlation between crystal density and beeswax content in the oil phase. Emulsion stability was directly linked to beeswax concentration in the oil phase, with 100 mg g−1 showing enhanced stability under storage, UVB light exposure and ionic conditions. Beeswax addition significantly increased the quercetin loading capacity of the emulsion; particularly, at a 200 mg g−1 beeswax concentration, the loading capacity was improved by 285.55%, and the environmental stability was enhanced against UV light and Ca2+. Ultimately, in vitro simulated digestion experiment indicated improved bioaccessibility of quercetin.

CONCLUSIONS

This strategy significantly enriched the formulation of oleogel emulsion and its potential applications in delivering bioactive ingredients with high environmental vulnerability. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Photoactivated Multicolor Organic Phosphorescence in Intrinsically Stretchable, Self‐Healable and Recyclable Polymers
Authors: Wei Juan , Hu Jingxue , Zhu Mingye , Wu Jilong , Xiao Min , Wang Yulong , Zhou Yuxiang , Liu Shujuan , Ma Yun , Zhao Qiang
Published: November 2024

Smart persistent organic room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials, capable of responding to microenvironmental changes, are critically important in various optoelectronic applications. However, conventional persistent RTP materials usually have not stretchability and flexibility, limiting some practical applications. This study reports a facile and one‐pot photo‐initiated copolymerization method to prepare photoactivated persistent RTP polymers with multicolored afterglow, excellent stretchability, self‐healable and recyclable properties. Impressively, the polymers can be stretched up to 500% without significant loss in RTP intensity and lifetime, and they possess a self‐healing ability with a healing efficiency of 69.6%. Utilizing these photoactivated and stretchable persistent RTP polymers, dual encryption can be achieved under UV irradiation and stretching conditions, thereby enhancing the security levels of the stored confidential information. Overall, this study represents the first example of self‐healable and recyclable stimuli‐responsive RTP materials, demonstrating their bright future for the flexible and wearable optoelectronics.