bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional adaptation of the education in palliative and end‐of‐life Care Pediatrics (EPEC‐Pediatrics) curriculum in Eurasia
Authors: McNeil Michael J. , Ehrlich Bella , Yakimkova Taisiya , Wang Huiqi , Mishkova Volha , Bezler Zhanna , Kumirova Ella , Madni Arshia , Movsisyan Narine , Williams Karen , Baizakova Baglan , Borisevich Marina , Chatman Georgia , Erimbetova Indira , Quintero Ximena Garcia , Golban Rodica , Kirby Brandi , Nunez Paola , Ranadive Radhikesh , Sakhar Nadezhda , Sonnenfelt Jason , Volkova Alisa , Moreira Daniel , Friedrichsdorf Stefan J. , Wolfe Joanne , Remke Stacy , Hauser Joshua , Devidas Meenakshi , Baker Justin N. , Agulnik Asya
Published: September 2022

Background

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) is a priority to improve pediatric hematology oncology (PHO) care in Eurasia. However, there are limited regional opportunities for PPC education. We describe the adaptation and implementation of a bilingual end‐user Education in Palliative and End‐of‐Life Care (EPEC)‐Pediatrics course for PHO clinicians in Eurasia.

Methods

Due to COVID‐19, this course was delivered virtually, consisting of prerecorded, asynchronous lectures, and a bilingual workshop with interactive lectures and small group sessions. A pre–postcourse design was used to evaluate the knowledge acquisition of the participants including their knowledge alignment with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance, ideal timing of palliative care, and comfort in providing palliative care to their patients. Questions were mostly quantitative with multiple choice or Likert scale options, supplemented by free‐text responses.

Results

A total of 44 (76%) participants from 14 countries completed all components of the course including pre‐ and postcourse assessments. Participant alignment with WHO guidance improved from 75% in the pre‐ to 90% in the postcourse assessments (p < 0.001). After participation, 93% felt more confident controlling the suffering of children at the end of life, 91% felt more confident in prescribing opioids and managing pain, and 98% better understood how to hold difficult conversations with patients and families. Most participants (98%) stated that they will change their clinical practice based on the skills and knowledge gained in this course.

Conclusions

We present a successful regional adaptation of the EPEC‐Pediatrics curriculum, including novel delivery of course content via a virtual bilingual format. This course resulted in significant improvement in participant attitudes and knowledge of PPC along with an understanding of the ideal timing of palliative care consultation and comfort in providing PPC to children with cancer. We plan to incorporate participant feedback to improve the course and repeat it annually to improve access to high‐quality palliative care education for PHO clinicians in Eurasia.
Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Mechanisms of Guizhi‐Fuling Treatment for Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Duan Bailu , Ye Yan , Zhou Zhenxiang , Han Lintao , Huang Fang , Li Jingjing , Wang Qiong , Zeng Xiangfa , Yu Xiaoming
Published: September 2022

Myocardial ischemia is a cardio‐physiological condition due to a decrease in blood perfusion to the heart, leading to reduced oxygen supply and abnormal myocardial energy metabolism. Guizhi‐Fuling (GZFL) is effective in treating Myocardial ischemia. However, its mechanism of action is unclear and requires further exploration. We attempt to decipher the mechanisms behind GZFL treating Myocardial ischemia by integrating metabolomics and network pharmacology. In this study, myocardial metabolomic analysis was performed using GC/MS to identify the potential mechanism of action of GZFL during myocardial ischemia. Then, network pharmacology was utilized to analyze key pathways and construct a pathway‐core target network. Molecular docking was incorporated to validate core targets within network pharmacological signaling pathways. Finally, western blots were utilized to verify core targets of metabolomics, network pharmacology integrated pathways, and key signaling targets. Thus, 22 critical biomarkers of GZFL for treating myocardial ischemia were identified. Most of these metabolites were restored using modulation after GZFL treatment. Based on the network pharmacology, 297 targets of GZFL in treating myocardial ischemia were identified. The further comprehensive analysis focused on three key targets, such as Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinases (PIK3CA), and their related metabolites and pathways. Compared with the model group, the protein expression levels of TH, MPO and PIK3CA were reduced in GZFL. Therefore, the mechanism of GZFL for treating myocardial ischemia could inhibit myocardial inflammatory factors, reduce myocardial inflammation, and restore endothelial function while controlling norepinephrine release and uric acid concentration.
Co3O4 and CuBi2O4 Hybrid Nanostructures for Efficient Nonenzymatic Glucose Detection in Human Blood and Serum Samples with Mechanistic Insights
Authors: Gudipati Neeraja Sinha , Sinha Lichchhavi , Korutla Srikanth , Vanjari Sivaramakrishna , Tammineni Rajagopala Rao , Challapalli Subrahmanyam
Published: September 2022

In this report, CuBi2O4/Co3O4 has been used for the electrochemical detection of glucose. Herein, CuBi2O4 nanorods and Co3O4 has been hybridized with CuBi2O4 to form CuBi2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite hydrothermally. CuBi2O4 and CuBi2O4/Co3O4 electrodes are fabricated by using drop casting method. Structural, morphological studies of CuBi2O4/Co3O4 and electrochemical characterizations pertaining to its performance in comparison to CuBi2O4 for electrochemical detection of glucose are performed and discussed elaborately. The detailed mechanism involved in the electrochemical detection of glucose is proposed. The electrode has shown the sensitivity of 49 μA mM−1 cm−2 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.136 μM. DFT calculations are performed on the optimized molecules involved in the electrochemical detection of glucose confirming CuBi2O4/Co3O4 acting as electron donor while glucose as electron acceptor. Further, natural bond orbital (NBO) for charge distribution calculations and ESP mappings for the optimized molecules are performed to understand nucleophilic/electrophilic positions. This study reveals that CuBi2O4 and its modifications are promising materials for the electrochemical detection of glucose. Further, the role of Co3O4 in improving the sensitivity and electrochemical performance for detection of glucose has been discussed.
Supramolecular Architecture of an Amphiphilic Amino Alcohol as a Versatile Chiral Environment for Stereocontrolled Photoreaction of Various Anthracenes
Authors: Kanai Hayato , Yamada Kuniyo , Salikolimi Krishnachary , Kodama Koichi , Ishida Yasuhiro
Published: September 2022

The photocyclodimerization of 2‐anthracenecarboxylic acid has been extensively studied as a model reaction of asymmetric photochemistry. So far, numerous chiral environments have been employed to control this photoreaction, while the scope of photoreactants has been limited only to 2‐anthracenecarboxylic acid and its simple esters and amides. Here, we developed a systematic series of photoreactants (2 a–d) by introducing various substituents to 2‐anthracenecarboxylic acid, which showed different reactivities and selectivities depending on the substituents. By using the photoreactants 2 a–d, we evaluated the performance of a chiral environment composed of an amphiphilic amino alcohol (1), where the photocyclodimerization of 2 a–d generally proceeded in excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivities (71–98 % regio ratio, 76–86 % ee). Furthermore, by reacting 2 a and 2 b together in the chiral environment of 1, we succeeded in the first stereocontrolled cross‐photocyclodimerization between two prochiral anthracenes (58 % chemo ratio, 83 % regio ratio, 90 % ee).
Hydrophilic Chitosan Derivatives: Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Cohen Erez , Poverenov Elena
Published: September 2022

Polymer alternatives sourced from nature have attracted increasing attention for applications in medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, food, water purification, and more. Among them, chitosan is the most versatile due to its full biodegradability, exceptional biocompatibility, multipurpose bioactivity, and low toxicity. Although remarkable progress has been made in its synthetic modification by using C3/C6 secondary/primary hydroxy (−OH) and the C2 amino (−NH2) active sites, its solubility under physiological conditions remains limited and has hampered larger‐scale adoption. This review summarizes different synthetic methods that increase chitosan‘s hydrophilicity and water solubility by using covalent modifications, namely amino acid addition, quaternary ammonium formation, phosphorylation, and carboxymethylation. We also review several applications for each type of substitution in fields such as cosmetics, medicine, agriculture, and water purification, and provide an outlook and perspective for future modifications and implementations.
Mechanistic Aspects on [3+2] Cycloaddition (32CA) Reactions of Azides to Nitroolefins: A Computational and Kinetic Study
Authors: Kawamura Meire Y. , Alegre‐Requena Juan V. , Barbosa Thaís M. , Tormena Cláudio F. , Paton Robert S. , Ferreira Marco A. B.
Published: September 2022

[3+2] cycloadditions of nitroolefins have emerged as a selective and catalyst‐free alternative for the synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazoles from azides. We describe mechanistic studies into the cycloaddition/rearomatization reaction sequence. DFT calculations revealed a rate‐limiting cycloaddition step proceeding via an asynchronous TS with high kinetic selectivity for the 1,5‐triazole. Kinetic studies reveal a second‐order rate law, and 13C kinetic isotopic effects at natural abundance were measured with a significant normal effect at the conjugated olefinic centers of 1.0158 and 1.0216 at the α and β‐carbons of β‐nitrostyrene. Distortion/interaction‐activation strain and energy decomposition analyses revealed that the major regioisomeric pathway benefits from an earlier and less‐distorted TS, while intermolecular interaction terms dominate the preference for 1,5‐ over 1,4‐cycloadducts. In addition, the major regioisomer also has more favorable electrostatic and dispersion terms. Additionally, while static DFT calculations suggest a concerted but highly asynchronous Ei‐type HNO2 elimination mechanism, quasiclassical direct‐dynamics calculations reveal the existence of a dynamic intermediate.
An integrated CFD methodology for tracking fluid interfaces and solid distributions in a vortexing stirred tank
Authors: Pukkella Arjun Kumar , Subramanian Sivakumar
Published: September 2022

Distribution of solid phase in a solid–liquid suspension being mixed in a vortexing, unbaffled stirred tank is difficult to model numerically. The need is to be able to predict the shape of the vortex (air–water interface) and the distribution of solids in the liquid domain. Typically, the problem is approached with assumptions about the shape of the interface to capture the solid distribution through a multi‐phase Eulerian model (doi: 10.1016/j.ces.2018.07.023). In this work, a multi‐step modelling framework for multi‐phase systems that have a free surface along with the dispersion of secondary phase(s) in the liquid domain is proposed. To demonstrate the method, it is applied to a laboratory‐scale vortexing unbaffled system reported in the literature (doi: 10.1021/ie071225m) and a pilot‐scale tank (doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2018.10.020). The predictions from the computational fluid dynamics model are compared with the experimental profiles of solid volume fractions. Using the model, the effects of solid density, particle size, particle loading, and impeller speed are investigated for the laboratory‐scale system. An interesting self‐similar nature in the axial distribution of solid is observed when the loading is varied from 0.5 to 10 volume percent.
Bimetal Covalent Organic Frameworks/Carbon Nanotube‐Derived Iron‐, Cobalt‐ and Nitrogen‐Codoped Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalysis and Zinc−Air Batteries
Authors: Mo Yiping , Liu Shanshan , Liu Guilin , Wang Gangqiang , Lu Wangyang
Published: September 2022

The preparation and research of high‐efficient bifunctional non‐noble metal electrocatalyst is the key to bolster the further development of Zinc−air batteries. Herein, we account the fabrication of a kind of Fe/Co/N‐codoped catalysts (CoFe‐COFbpda/CNT−X) derived from bimetallic COFs/carbon nanotube composites toward both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The bipyridine were optioned and indited in the COFs to anchor metal ions (Fe), which can effectively keep back the migration and aggregation of metal ions during pyrolysis. The obtained CoFe‐COFbpda/CNT‐700 exhibits higher ORR catalytic performance, with half‐wave potential reaches 0.862 V and the limiting current density is 5.12 mA cm−2 in 0.1 M KOH solution. For OER, the CoFe‐COFbpda/CNT‐700 at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 is as low as 1.67 V and smaller Tafel slope compared to most oxygen electrocatalysts in 0.1 M KOH solution. Furthermore, the application of CoFe‐COFbpda/CNT‐700 as the air cathode in Zinc−air battery displays outstanding property and enhanced cycling stability compared with Pt/C−IrO2.
VFLF: A verifiable federated learning framework against malicious aggregators in Industrial Internet of Things
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Tian Youliang , Peng Changgen , Yang Nan , Long Shigong
Published: September 2022

As an important approach to overcome data silos and privacy concerns in deep learning, federated learning, which can jointly train the global model and keep data local, has shown remarkable performance in a range of industrial applications. However, federated learning still suffers from the problem that shared gradients may be subject to tampering, inference functions, and falsification. To address this issue, we propose a verifiable federated learning framework to deal with malicious aggregators. Initially, we propose a reputation calculation mechanism to solve the problem of selecting a reliable aggregator based on a multiweight subjective logic model. Furthermore, we design a verifiable federated learning scheme to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and verifiability, as well as support the client's dynamic withdrawal. Security analyses indicate that our framework is secure against malicious adversaries. Furthermore, experimental results on real datasets show that our verifiable federated learning has high accuracy and feasible efficiency.
Influence of Polyfluorinated Side Chains and Soft‐Template Method on the Surface Morphologies and Hydrophobic Properties of Electrodeposited Films from Fluorene Bridged Dicarbazole Monomers
Authors: Possetto David , Pecnikaj Ilir , Marzari Gabriela , Orlandi Simonetta , Sereno Silvia , Cavazzini Marco , Pozzi Gianluca , Fungo Fernando
Published: September 2022

A clear case of relationship between the monomer molecular structure and the capability of tuning the morphology of electrodeposited gas bubbles template polymer thin films is shown. To this end, a series of fluorene‐bridged dicarbazole derivatives containing either linear or terminally branched polyfluorinated side chains connected to the fluorene subunit were synthesized and their electrochemical properties were investigated. The new compounds underwent electrochemical polymerization over indium tin oxide electrodes to give hydrophobic films with nanostructural and morphological properties strongly dependent on the nature of the side chains. Gas bubbles templated electropolymerization was next achieved by the addition of tiny amounts of water to the monomer solutions, without using surfactants. Within the investigated set of molecules, the nanostructural properties of the soft‐templated films obtained from monomers bearing linear side chains could be fine‐tuned by adjusting electrochemical parameters, leading to superhydrophobic surfaces.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Neomycin‐Imidazole Conjugates for RNA Cleavage
Authors: Martin Céline , Bonnet Maurinne , Patino Nadia , Azoulay Stéphane , Di Giorgio Audrey , Duca Maria
Published: September 2022

Targeting RNA with synthetic small molecules attracted much interest during recent years as a particularly promising therapeutic approach in a large number of pathologies spanning from genetic disorders, cancers as well as bacterial and viral infections. In this work, we took advantage of a known RNA binder, neomycin, to prepare neomycin‐imidazole conjugates mimicking the active site of ribonuclease enzymes able to induce a site‐specific cleavage of HIV‐1 TAR RNA in physiological conditions. These new conjugates were prepared using a straightforward synthetic methodology and were studied for their ability to bind the target, inhibit Tat/TAR interaction and induce selective cleavage using fluorescence‐based assays and molecular docking. We found compounds with nanomolar affinity, promising cleavage activity and the ability to inhibit Tat/TAR interaction with submicromolar IC50s.
Nickel Oxide Clusters on TiO2@Carbon Cloth Nanowires for Efficient Photocatalytic Oxidation of Formaldehyde under 420 nm LED Irradiation
Authors: Xu Jiayue , Jiang Haiqin , Rao Xi , Zhang Yongping
Published: September 2022

It is a great challenge to fabricate effective visible‐light‐driven photocatalysts to decompose indoor volatile organic pollutants in the air. Herein, rutile TiO2 nanorods were prepared on carbon cloth by means of a seed assisted hydrothermal method, and NiO clusters were loaded subsequently onto the TiO2 nanorods. Loading of NiO clusters enhances the absorption of visible light due to the surface plasma resonance (SPR) effect at the interface of NiO/TiO2. The degradation efficiency of the optimized sample reaches 94 % for formaldehyde under 420 nm LED irradiation, higher than value of 34 % obtained for TiO2. While under 365 nm LED light, the degradation rate obtained with the same sample compared with TiO2 decreases dramatically since 365 nm light cannot activate the NiO/TiO2 junction and NiO coverage blocks partly light absorption. The SPR effect for NiO/TiO2 facilitates the generation and transfer of photoinduced electron/hole pairs, thus enhancing the photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous formaldehyde under visible‐light irradiation.
Acetamidobenzoxazolone scaffold as a promising translocator protein (18 kDa, TSPO) marker for neuroinflammation imaging: Advancement in last decennial period
Authors: Adhikari Anupriya , Zhang Ming‐Rong , Tiwari Anjani Kumar
Published: September 2022

Inflammation has been linked to the onset and progression of a wide range of neuropathological disorders. The well‐conserved outer mitochondrial membrane 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is perceived as an in vivo neuroinflammation marker. A dearth of a reference region, genetic disparity influencing the ligand's affinity for TSPO, and a substantial signal in the endothelium of the brain veins contributes toward complications in quantifying TSPO positron emission tomography (PET) image. Up to the present time several radiotracers based on different pharmacophore such as (R)[11C]PK11195, [18F]DPA714, [11C]PBR28, [11C]ER176, and many more have been recognized for envisaging the prominent TSPO level observed in neurological conditions. Recently acetamidobenzoxazolone (ABO) scaffold, a bicyclic ring system composed of a phenyl ring fused to a carbamate and its substituted radiolabelled analogues especially at C‐5 position has evidenced encouraging outcomes as next generation of TSPO PET ligands. Diverse ABO framework‐based TSPO ligands have been designed embracing imperative aspects such as lipophilicity, metabolic profile, and capability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier apart from least effect of polymorphism (rs6971). Over the years numerous systematic literature reviews compiling different structural class of TSPO ligands characterized on the grounds of their binding affinity and metabolite profile have been reported but none is especially focused toward a fascinating benzoxazolone scaffold. This review exclusively bestows an overview of the recent advancements on ABO derivatives with neuroinflammation imaging potential and emphases on the structural features accountable for visualizing TSPO in‐vivo with collation of published reports during last 10 years.
Additive manufacturing technology in mining engineering research
Authors: Feng Xiaowei , Carvelli Valter
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, additive manufacturing, or 3D printing (3DP), though not a new technology in many industrial fields, is still relatively novel in mining engineering. This study explored the application of 3D metal printing, 3D polylactic acid/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene printing, and 3D concrete printing in coal mining. Some examples of physical models established via 3DP technologies were studied in detail, namely, 3DP bolts, 3DP steel ladder beams, 3DP face plates, and 3DP metal arches, which were installed in scaled 3DP concrete prototype models of coal mine excavation. Through the comprehensive laboratory loading tests, the models could simulate the damage scenario highly similar to the real failures. The results show that the 3D printed physical models greatly improved the accuracy and reliability of experiments. On this basis, the conceptual design of a 3DP machine for physical models was proposed, which had the potential of resembling the strata deformation/collapse in natural scenarios. Through assessing the applicability of the additive manufacturing technology in mining engineering, this study aimed to further explore its potential applicability in other engineering contexts such as slope controlling, large underground engineering, and underground space stability.
From runoff contributor to runoff absorber: Spate irrigation on exclosures in Tigray's semi‐arid environment (Ethiopia)
Authors: Guyassa Etefa , Frankl Amaury , Jacob Miro , Zenebe Amanuel , Damtew Abebe , Tolera Motuma , Descheemaeker Katrien , Poesen Jean , Nyssen Jan
Published: September 2022

Despite many years of establishment of exclosures in the semi‐arid environments of north Ethiopia for rehabilitation of degraded areas, its effectiveness is constrained by water deficit. There is lack of empirical data on the response of vegetation to additional water (spate irrigation) application. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of spate irrigation using storm runoff on the growth of trees in exclosures. Two exclosures (May Ba'ati and Adi Kolakol), in Dogu'a Temben district, Tigray, north Ethiopia, were used for this study. Each exclosure was divided in two blocks (irrigated and non‐irrigated) to allow comparison of change of vegetation using several diversity indices as well as contrasts in tree ring widths. The amount of spate irrigation water diverted onto the exclosures (762 mm) was in the same order of magnitude as the direct rainfall on the sites (645 mm). The results show that the irrigated exclosures have larger species richness, Shannon–Weaver diversity index, tree density, abundance, evenness and basal area than the non‐irrigated areas. Following low rainfall (353 mm) in 2015, these indices decreased in the non‐irrigated area, whereas most indices remained much higher in the irrigated area. The findings indicate that diverting runoff to exclosures results in an average 15% increase in ring width as compared to non‐irrigated trees. In addition, there is strong abstraction of storm runoff in gullies in the study area. Besides the promotion of forestry in washout semi‐arid areas of existing spate irrigation systems, we suggest to apply spate irrigation to exclosures in order to improve their productivity.
Apple orchards feed honey bees during, but even more so after, bloom
Authors: Steele Taylor N. , Schürch Roger , Ohlinger Bradley D. , Couvillon Margaret J.
Published: September 2022

Many of the fruits that add diversity and nutrition to our diet are wholly or partially dependent upon flower‐visiting insects. For example, apples (Malus spp.) are self‐incompatible and therefore rely on insect pollinators for fruit development and seed production. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are often migrated into these orchards when the apples are in bloom. While previous studies have focused on the impact of honey bees to fruit orchards, fewer studies have examined the reciprocal relationship of the orchards to honey bees, particularly if the bees are in the orchard for the entire foraging season, not just during bloom. Here we investigated the foraging dynamics of honey bees in apple orchards in Virginia for two full foraging seasons (April–October, 2018–2019). We decoded, mapped, and analyzed the waggle dances (n = 3710) made by returning foragers, which communicate the distance and direction from the hive to valuable resources, usually nectar or pollen. We found that bees foraged locally at <2 km throughout the season in both 2018 and 2019, with some long‐range recruitment of up to 11 km. Contrary to our expectations, apple blooms did not drive honey bee foraging. We determined in our calculations of percent (%) foraging that honey bees recruit more to the apple orchards after the bloom than during the bloom (29.4% vs. 18.6% in 2018 and 28.5% vs. 21.4% in 2019, respectively). Interestingly, honey bees recruited more to forests while the apples bloomed (36.9% and 25.7% in 2018 and 2019, respectively). Lastly, our odds ratio analysis, which includes a distance correction, indicates the honey bees were more than twice as likely to recruit to apple orchards in June, which is after the bloom, than in April or May, which is during the bloom. Our ground truthing revealed that post‐bloom apple orchards provided foraging opportunities on the growing understory of red and white clover (Trifolium spp.) and plantain (Plantago spp.). These data might therefore have important implications for best management practice decisions for bees located in fruit orchards.
Effects of preheating temperatures on β‐lactoglobulin structure and binding interaction with dihydromyricetin
Authors: Zhang Wenyuan , Guan Hui , Huang Dongjie , Zou Hui , Li Dapeng
Published: September 2022

Low aqueous solubility limits the bioactivity and bioaccessibility of dihydromyricetin (DHM). Preheating treatment affects the loading efficiency of β‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg) to polyphenols, but the mechanism remained unclear. In this study, a serial of temperatures (298 K, 318 K, 338 K, 358 K, and 373 K) were set to analyze the preheating effects on the loading efficiency of β‐Lg to DHM, and secondary structure change, binding interactions, and particle size distribution were measured and compared with discover the effects. β‐Lg preheated at 358 K possessed the highest binding percentage of 0.45, higher than 0.27, 0.30, 0.36, and 0.40 at 298 K, 318 K, 338 K, and 373 K, the exposure of inside hydrophobic residues contribute the hydrophobic interaction with DHM. Fluorescence quenching and molecular docking analysis showed that DHM tend to bind to β‐Lg preheated at 358 K with a binding constant of 1.76 × 105 L mol−1 and a binding score of −5.84 kcal mol−1, higher than that of other temperatures. Particle size distribution showed that Z‐average size at 358 K was 16.34 nm, significantly higher than others of 7.64, 8.06, 6.84, and 13.4 nm. Preheating unfolded the structure of β‐Lg, exposing the internal residues and enhancing the interaction with DHM.
Dyskalemia in people at increased risk for heart failure: findings from the heart ‘OMics’ in AGEing (HOMAGE) trial
Authors: Monzo Luca , Ferreira João Pedro , Cleland John G.F. , Pellicori Pierpaolo , Mariottoni Beatrice , Verdonschot Job A.J. , Hazebroek Mark R. , Collier Tim J. , Cuthbert Joe J. , Pieske Burkert , Edelmann Frank , Petutschnigg Johannes , Khan Javed , Ahmed Fozia Z. , Girerd Nicolas , Bozec Erwan , Díez Javier , González Arantxa , Clark Andrew L. , Cosmi Franco , Staessen Jan A. , Heymans Stephane , Rossignol Patrick , Zannad Faiez
Published: September 2022

Aims

In people at risk of heart failure (HF) enrolled in the Heart ‘OMics’ in AGEing (HOMAGE) trial, spironolactone reduced circulating markers of collagen synthesis, natriuretic peptides, and blood pressure and improved cardiac structure and function. In the present report, we explored factors associated with dyskalaemia.

Methods and results

The HOMAGE trial was an open‐label study comparing spironolactone (up to 50 mg/day) versus standard care in people at risk for HF. After randomization, serum potassium was assessed at 1 and 9 months and was defined as low when ≤3.5 mmol/L (hypokalaemia) and high when ≥5.5 mmol/L (hyperkalaemia). Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify clinical predictors of dyskalaemia. A total of 513 participants (median age 74 years, 75% men, median estimated glomerular filtration rate 71 mL/min/1.73 m2) had serum potassium available and were included in this analysis. At randomization, 88 had potassium < 4.0 mmol/L, 367 had potassium 4.0–5.0 mmol/L, and 58 had potassium > 5.0 mmol/L. During follow‐up, on at least one occasion, a serum potassium < 3.5 mmol/L was observed in 6 (1.2%) and <4.0 mmol/L in 46 (9%) participants, while a potassium > 5.0 mmol/L was observed in 38 (8%) and >5.5 mmol/L in 5 (1.0%) participants. The median (percentile25−75) increase in serum potassium with spironolactone during the study was 0.23 (0.16; 0.29) mmol/L. Because of the low incidence of dyskalaemia, for regression analysis, hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia thresholds were set at <4.0 and >5.0 mmol/L, respectively. The occurrence of a serum potassium > 5.0 mmol/L during follow‐up was positively associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus {odds ratio [OR]: 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.14; 3.79]} and randomization to spironolactone (OR: 2.83 [95% CI 1.49; 5.37]). Conversely, the occurrence of a potassium concentration < 4.0 mmol/L was positively associated with the use of thiazides (OR: 2.39 [95% CI 1.32; 4.34]), blood urea concentration (OR: 2.15 [95% CI 1.34; 3.39] per 10 mg/dL), and history of hypertension (OR: 2.32 [95% CI 1.02; 5.29]) and negatively associated with randomization to spironolactone (OR: 0.30 [95% CI 0.18; 0.52]).

Conclusions

In people at risk for developing HF and with relatively normal renal function, spironolactone reduced the risk of hypokalaemia and, at the doses used, was not associated with the occurrence of clinically meaningful hyperkalaemia.
Evaluation of the HFA‐PEFF Score: results from the prospective DIAST‐CHF cohort
Authors: Hashemi Djawid , Mende Meinhard , Trippel Tobias D. , Petutschnigg Johannes , Hasenfuss Gerd , Nolte Kathleen , Herrmann‐Lingen Christoph , Feuerstein Anna , Langhammer Romy , Tschöpe Carsten , Pieske Burkert , Wachter Rolf , Edelmann Frank
Published: September 2022

Aims

Although the number of patients suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) increases, the routine diagnosis remains a challenge. In the absence of a pathognomonic sign for HFpEF or specific treatment strategies, a prognosis‐based characterization of suspected patients remains promising for both the risk stratification of the patients and a disease definition. The Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology has introduced an algorithm with different levels of likelihood regarding the diagnosis of HFpEF, the HFA‐PEFF score. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of this algorithm in a large cohort regarding mortality, symptom burden, and the functional status.

Methods and results

DIAST‐CHF is a multicentre, population‐based, prospective, observational study in subjects with at least one risk factor for HFpEF between the age of 50 and 85. We calculated the HFA‐PEFF score (n = 1668) and analysed the risk groups for overall mortality, cardiovascular hospitalization, and submaximal functional capacity (6‐min walk distance) at baseline and after a follow‐up period of 10 years. Patients with high HFA‐PEFF score values 5&6 showed a higher mortality than those with an intermediate score (score values 2–4) and low score values (high 21.3% vs. intermediate 10.1% vs. low 4.3%, P < 0.001). Also, the burden of MACE (death, cardiovascular hospitalization, new myocardial infarction, first diagnosis of HF) was increased in the high score values group (high 40.7% vs. intermediate 25.9% vs. low 13.9%, P < 0.001). Similarly, patients with higher scores had higher cumulative incidences of cardiovascular hospitalizations (P = 0.011). Subjects with higher scores also had lower 6‐min walk distance both at baseline and during follow‐up.

Conclusions

The HFA‐PEFF score provides a reliable instrument to stratify suspected HFpEF patients by their risk for mortality, symptom burden, and functional status in cohort at risk with a follow‐up period of 10 years. As high HFA‐PEFF scores are associated with worse outcome, the HFA‐PEFF algorithm describes a defining approach towards HFpEF.
Clustering Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil According to Sensory Profile, Volatile Compounds, and k‐Mean Algorithm
Authors: Cecchi Lorenzo , Parenti Alessandro , Bellumori Maria , Migliorini Marzia , Mulinacci Nadia , Guerrini Lorenzo
Published: September 2022

A real valorization of monovarietal extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) through diverse sensory profiles is missing, hindering different uses of samples with different sensory profiles and leading to negative impacts on EVOO competitions and consumer choices. The aim of this research is to group monovarietal EVOOs according to similar sensory and chemical profiles. The volatile and phenolic composition and the sensory profile of 46 monovarietal EVOOs are analyzed by head space‐solid phase micro extraction‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, HPLC‐DAD, and Panel Test; the data are used to feed a k‐mean algorithm aimed at samples clustering. A group of non‐monovarietal samples is also included. It is hypothesized that samples of a cultivar are located in a cluster, while non‐monovarietal samples are randomly located in different clusters. Two clusters of samples are identified; all samples belonging to a specific cultivar are in the same cluster and the non‐monovarietal ones randomly placed in the two clusters. The significant attributes in differentiating between the two clusters belong to sensory descriptors and volatile compounds; phenolic compounds do not give significant differentiation. All sensory descriptors result in prevalence in one cluster. The two clusters are differentiated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating by different branches of the lipoxygenase‐pathway.

Practical Applications: The results of this research will help toward a real valorization of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs), and particularly, the monovarietal ones. In this sense, the results clearly suggest the use of an adequate profile sheet for the definition of the sensory profile of monovarietal EVOOs. By this way, during EVOO competitions, samples with a certain type of sensory profile will compete against samples with the same type of sensory profile, just as it happens for other types of products.
Equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic study on biosorption of indigo carmine using Hypnea musciformis algae
Authors: Pujari Murali , Srikanth Komarabathina , Sunil Killi , Arya Adarsh Kumar
Published: September 2022

This work investigated the potentiality of Hypnea musciformis algae as a biosorbent for the removal of indigo carmine dye from synthetic solution. The sorption experiments were performed in batch mode under different parametric conditions like pH, contact time, the average particle size of biosorbent and its dosage, dye solution initial concentration, and temperature. The experimental results confirmed the optimum contact time is at least 25 min and favorable pH of 5 for the biosorption of carmine dye. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms have been used to test the equilibrium data and found the best fit with the Freundlich isotherm with a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.992 followed by Langmuir (R2 = 0.979) and Temkin isotherm (R2 = 0.94). The analysis of kinetic data revealed Pseudo first order as the best fit. The thermodynamic parameter evaluated confirmed the endothermic nature of indigo carmine dye biosorption process.
Biogeomorphic recovery of a river reach affected by mining
Authors: Dawson Martin , Gurnell Angela , Lewin John
Published: September 2022

Environmental changes are impacting river systems worldwide. These arise from factors such as flood magnitude–frequency changes, direct human management interventions, inadvertent human impacts on sediment supply and fluvial regimes and landscape‐scale changes in climate. Historical and active metal mining is significant in this regard. Here, we investigate morphodynamic changes within a reach of the River Ystwyth, Wales, since 1845. We analyse historical and contemporary information derived from maps, river flow records (1962–2021), metal analyses of sediment samples (1970s and 2021), ground geomorphological surveys (1970s and 1986–1987) and remotely sensed imagery (2001–2021) to investigate changes during a period of active metal mining followed by a century of post‐mining recovery. During the studied period, an initially meandering river was transformed into a braided one, subsequently reverting to a single sinuous channel. Sinuosity reduced from 1.31 in 1845 to 1.09 in 1982 before recovering to 1.39 in 2019. Inversely, the braiding index reduced from a maximum of 2.0 in 1987 to 1.5 in 2021. Evolution in planform was associated with a change from expansive bar formation and avulsion under braided conditions to lateral bar accretion and associated bank erosion along a sinuous single channel. The initial 19th‐century channel pattern and floodplain instability seems to have been related to mining sediment toxicity effects rather than a response to high sediment volumes, with recent recovery and channel style reversion being attributable to vegetation encroachment and biomass stabilization of the floodplain. Causal factors of recent recovery appear to be colonization by gorse (Ulex europeaus) in the absence of physical control measures and a reduction in grazing by the native rabbit population because of a disease‐induced decline in their numbers. These results highlight the importance of riparian vegetation in addition to sediment balance and hydrological processes in controlling fluvial responses to environmental changes.
Reactive microglia are the major source of tumor necrosis factor alpha and contribute to astrocyte dysfunction and acute seizures in experimental temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Henning Lukas , Antony Henrike , Breuer Annika , Müller Julia , Seifert Gerald , Audinat Etienne , Singh Parmveer , Brosseron Frederic , Heneka Michael T. , Steinhäuser Christian , Bedner Peter
Published: September 2022

Extensive microglia reactivity has been well described in human and experimental temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). To date, however, it is not clear whether and based on which molecular mechanisms microglia contribute to the development and progression of focal epilepsy. Astroglial gap junction coupled networks play an important role in regulating neuronal activity and loss of interastrocytic coupling causally contributes to TLE. Here, we show in the unilateral intracortical kainate (KA) mouse model of TLE that reactive microglia are primary producers of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and contribute to astrocyte dysfunction and severity of status epilepticus (SE). Immunohistochemical analyses revealed pronounced and persistent microglia reactivity, which already started 4 h after KA‐induced SE. Partial depletion of microglia using a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor prevented early astrocyte uncoupling and attenuated the severity of SE, but increased the mortality of epileptic mice following surgery. Using microglia‐specific inducible TNFα knockout mice we identified microglia as the major source of TNFα during early epileptogenesis. Importantly, microglia‐specific TNFα knockout prevented SE‐induced gap junction uncoupling in astrocytes. Continuous telemetric EEG recordings revealed that during the first 4 weeks after SE induction, microglial TNFα did not significantly contribute to spontaneous generalized seizure activity. Moreover, the absence of microglial TNFα did not affect the development of hippocampal sclerosis but attenuated gliosis. Taken together, these data implicate reactive microglia in astrocyte dysfunction and network hyperexcitability after an epileptogenic insult.
Characterizing critical predictors of an academic career following head and neck fellowship in otolaryngology
Authors: Suresh Neeraj V. , Xu Mary Jue , Harris Jacob , Balar Eesha , Barrette Louis‐Xavier , Chorath Kevin T. , Moreira Alvaro G. , Rajasekaran Karthik
Published: September 2022

Background

Historically, graduating head and neck (HN) fellows outpace available academic HN positions, resulting in a highly competitive job market. We identified factors that associate with full‐time academic HN positions post‐HN fellowship.

Methods

Graduates of American Head and Neck Society (AHNS)‐accredited fellowships from 2005 to 2017 (n = 356) were extracted from the AHNS website.

Results

From 2015 to 2017, the supply–demand mismatch for academic HN jobs improved. Of the 57.3% (n = 204) of graduating HN fellows who entered academia, 64% (n = 130) trained at just 10 fellowship institutions, 47% (n = 94) attended OHNS residency at an NIH top 40 funded institution, and 54% (n = 111) attended OHNS residency at an AHNS‐accredited institution offering HN fellowship. After multivariate regression, number of manuscripts (OR = 1.14; p = 0.01) was significantly associated with initial academic job post‐fellowship.

Conclusion

The recent improvement in supply–demand mismatch for academic jobs is promising for future HN fellows interested in academia.
Acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of smartphone‐based delivery of written educational materials in Iranian patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized control trial study
Authors: Nikraftar Fahimeh , Heshmati Nabavi Fatemeh , Dastani Mostafa , Mazlom Seyed Reza , Mirhosseini Seyedmohammad
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

Providing education to patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the crucial roles of nurses and, there are various education methods for these patients. This study aimed to investigate the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of smartphone‐based delivery (SPBD) of written educational materials in Iranian patients with CAD.

Methods

A total of 104 patients with CAD who were admitted to the cardiovascular unit of a large hospital in the northeast of Iran were randomly divided into control and intervention groups. When the standard educational content was provided, educational materials were delivered to the intervention group using a SPBD and to the control group using the routine print delivery (PD). The authors investigated the usability in the postintervention phase and information satisfaction and medication self‐efficacy in the pre‐ and postintervention phases.

Results

The mean age and the standard deviation of “patients” age in SPBD and PD groups was 51.8 ± 1.1 and 52.7 ± 1.3 years, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of mean information satisfaction score (p = 0.726); however, the information satisfaction score was significantly higher in the SPBD group than PD group after the intervention (p = 0.012). The findings showed no statistically difference between two groups in terms of usability score (p > 0.05). The two groups were homogenous in terms of the mean medication self‐efficacy score in the preintervention phase (p = 0.987); however, it was significantly higher in SPBD group than PD group in the postintervention phase (p = 0.045).

Conclusion

The SPBD method had the same usability as the PD method and at the same time this method was more effective in promoting medication self‐efficacy. Therefore, SPBD could be used to educate patients with CAD and their caregivers and have appropriate effectiveness and acceptability among the Iranian population.
Metamorphism observation and model of snow from summit, Greenland under both positive and negative temperature gradients in a micro computed tomography
Authors: Li Yuan , Baker Ian
Published: September 2022

Three sets of snow specimens with different initial densities ranging from 311 to 486 kg m−3, which were collected from depths of 7, 40 and 57 cm at Summit, Greenland (72°35′ N, 38°25′ W) in June 2017, were subjected to the temperature gradient (TG) of ~160 K m−1 in opposing directions. The snow metamorphism was characterized using both X‐ray micro computed tomography and optical microscopy. The formation of depth hoar is evident as the snow grains transformed from the initial approximately rounded particles to needles, broad‐plates, columns and cup‐shapes. The de‐densification process of snow is also reflected in various microstructural parameters, viz., the density and the structure thickness (the feature size of ice particle) generally decreased with time, while the area‐equivalent circle diameter (the feature size of pore), the total porosity, the specific surface area and the structure model index (a measure of convexity/concavity of ice surface) increased. Based on an ice‐sphere pair of equal size, a vapour transport model, which depends on the initial particle radius, , and the ratio of the initial particle‐bond radius to the initial particle radius, , was constructed to simulate the main characteristics of change in the density with time under the TG metamorphism. We found critical values of  = 0.1 mm and  = 0.1 that determine how fast the geometric coefficient, (a tuning parameter used in this model at the cone angle between the two ice spheres), changes. We propose a conceptual model in which an ice‐sphere pair can be regarded as a volume element of morphogenesis of depth hoar. This model can be used to explain the formation of the needle‐like, broad‐plate and column depth hoar by combining particle‐by‐particle with inter‐layer vapour transport.
Development of a nomogram for predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Simeng , Zhao Jing , Zhao Hongqin , Hu Yan , Zhu Haiyan
Published: September 2022

Objective

To develop and validate a nomogram for predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis (LNM) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

This was a retrospective study that included 715 patients with cervical SCC who underwent radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy between 2009 and 2018. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for pelvic LNM. Based on these risk factors, a nomogram predicting LNM risk was constructed and internally validated using the bootstrapping resampling method.

Results

The rate of LNM in FIGO (the International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics) Stage IA2–IIA2 cervical SCC was 24.2%. In multivariate analysis, FIGO Stage II, moderately differentiated or poorly differentiated histology, abnormally elevated serum SCC‐antigen, and triglyceride were identified as independent risk factors for LNM. Tumor size greater than 2 cm and parametrial involvement had borderline significance. Ultimately, the nomogram contained the six variables mentioned above, showing positive calibration and positive discrimination. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curvewas 0.827 and the bootstrap‐validated C‐index was 0.827. The Youden index of this paper was 0.540.

Conclusions

We developed and validated a nomogram to predict pelvic LNM in SCC based on clinical data, which can help physicians develop an optimal treatment strategy.