bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural, optical, electrical, and DFT studies on polyvinyl pyrrolidone/polyethylene oxide polymer blend filled with MoO3 nanoplates for flexible energy‐storage devices
Authors: Al‐Muntaser A.A. , AlSaidi Ramadhan A. M. , Sharma Kamal , Alamri Hatem R. , Makhlouf M.M.
Published: May 2022

Nanocomposite films of PVP/PEO containing MoO3 nanoplates were prepared using a casting procedure. XRD results showed that the addition of MoO3 in the virgin PVP/PEO blend increases the amorphous domains of polymer nanocomposite (PNC) films. The DFT/FT‐IR results have established the miscibility and the interaction between PVP and PEO polymers via hydrogen bonds. Also, FTIR studies showed a coordination interaction between MoO3 nanoplates and the C=O group of PVP and/or the C‐O‐C group of PEO of the PVP/PEO blend. The optical band gap values of PNC films of PVP/PEO/MoO3 decreased with increasing MoO3 content. The relaxation processes and dielectric dispersion of the prepared PNC films were examined and discussed. The electrical conductivity was enhanced via the addition of MoO3 nanoplates because of an increase in the number density of the charge carriers. The dominated conduction mechanism of PNC films reveals the correlated barrier hopping model, while the type of relaxation process follows the non‐Debye one. These observations illustrate the applicability and potential uses of these PNC films as a nanodielectric material in ceramic capacitors and electrochemical applications such as devices of energy storage and separators in batteries.
An ultra‐short‐term wind speed prediction model using LSTM based on modified tuna swarm optimization and successive variational mode decomposition
Authors: Tuerxun Wumaier , Xu Chang , Guo Hongyu , Guo Lei , Zeng Namei , Cheng Zhiming
Published: May 2022

Accurate ultra‐short‐term wind speed prediction is extremely important for the power control of wind farms, the safe dispatch of power systems, and the stable operation of power grids. At present, most wind farms mainly rely on supervisory control and data acquisition systems to obtain operation and maintenance data which includes operating characteristics of wind turbines. In the ultra‐short‐term wind speed prediction, a long short‐term memory network is one of the commonly used deep learning methods. To address the problem that improper selection of long short‐term memory network's hyperparameters may affect the prediction results, In the present study, a hybrid prediction model based on the long short‐term memory and the modified tuna swarm optimization algorithm was established, and was used to predict after the wind speed sample data had been decomposed by successive variational mode decomposition method. The experimental results reveal that the proposed model effectively improved the accuracy of wind speed prediction for wind farms compared with the support vector regression, deep belief networks, and long short‐term memory models optimized by particle swarm optimization algorithm.
Avermectin Toxicity to Benthic Invertebrates is Modified by Sediment Organic Carbon and Chemical Residence Time
Authors: Jacova Ruben , Kennedy Christopher
Published: May 2022

Chemicals used in sea lice management strategies in salmonid aquaculture include the avermectin class of compounds that can accumulate and persist in the sediments underneath salmon farms and directly impact nontarget benthic fauna. The effects of sediment organic carbon content and chemical residence time (CRT) on the lethal and sublethal toxicity of emamectin benzoate (EB; formulation: Slice®) and ivermectin (purified) and a combination of both were examined in two benthic invertebrates, the amphipod Eohaustorius estuarius and the polychaete Neanthes virens. In both species, increased sediment organic carbon content significantly reduced lethal toxicity, a modulation that was more pronounced for ivermectin and combination exposures. At a CRT of 4 months, lethal toxicity was reduced in E. estuarius but was unaffected in N. virens. Sublethal toxicity in N. virens (burrowing behavior) was modulated by sediment organic carbon and CRT in a similar manner to the trend in lethal toxicity. Inconsistencies in behavior (phototaxis) in E. estuarius made conclusions regarding toxicity modification by sediment organic carbon or CRT inconclusive. Our results indicate that environmental factors including sediment organic carbon content and the time compounds reside in sediments are important modifiers of chemotherapeutant toxicity in nontarget benthic species and should be considered when regulatory decisions regarding their use are made. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1918–1936. © 2022 SETAC
Simultaneous detection of viable Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus in bird's nest, donkey‐hide gelatin, and wolfberry using PMA with multiplex real‐time quantitative PCR
Authors: Liang Taobo , Long Hui , Zhan Zhongxu , Zhu Yingfei , Kuang Peilin , Mo Ni , Wang Yuping , Cui Shenghui , Wu Xin
Published: May 2022

Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus are common microbial contaminants within the homology of medicine and food that can cause serious food poisoning. This study describes a highly efficient, sensitive, specific, and simple multiplex real‐time quantitative PCR (mRT‐qPCR) method for the simultaneous detection of viable Salmonella spp., E. coli, and S. aureus. Primers and probes were designed for the amplification of the target genes invA, uidA, and nuc. Dead bacterial genetic material was excluded by propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment, facilitating the detection of only viable bacteria. This method was capable of detecting Salmonella spp., E. coli, and S. aureus at 102, 102, and 101 CFU/ml, respectively, in pure culture. PMA combined with mRT‐qPCR can reliably distinguish between dead and viable bacteria with recovery rates from 95.7% to 105.6%. This PMA‐mRT‐qPCR technique is a highly sensitive and specific method for the simultaneous detection of three pathogens within the homology of medicine and food.
Nano‐liposomal encapsulation of Artemisia aucheri phenolics as a potential phytobiotic against Campylobacter jejuni infection in mice
Authors: Mehdizadeh Asmae , Karimi Ehsan , Oskoueian Ehsan
Published: May 2022

Background

Artemisia aucheri contains antibacterial phenolic compounds. The current work was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of a nanoliposome‐encapsulated phenolic‐rich fraction (PRF‐NLs), as a dietary phytobiotic derived from Artemisia aucheri's areal parts, on the inhibition of enteropathogenic Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) infection in mice.

Methods

The phenolic‐rich fraction was loaded into the nanoliposome structure to obtain a nanometer‐scale size liposome with homogenous dispersion. Next, 40 white male balb/c mice were assigned to 4 treatment groups. The PRF‐NLs antibacterial potential was evaluated by evaluating the blood parameters, liver lipid peroxidation, and gene expression profiling in the mice challenged by C. jejuni infection.

Results

Mice infected by C. jejuni showed impairment in food intake, weight gain, liver function, ileum morphometric features, and ileum tissue inflammation. The diet of fortified food with the nonencapsulated and nanoliposome‐encapsulated phenolic compounds was found to improve these parameters at 10 mg TPC/kg BW/day concentration. Our data indicated that the nanoliposome‐encapsulated PRF was more effective in promoting the health parameters in mice as compared to nonencapsulated PRF.

Conclusion

It could be concluded that the liposomal encapsulation can promote the solubility, availability, and effectiveness of Artemisia aucheri phenolic compounds playing a key role as phytobiotic in mice intervened by enteropathogenic C. jejuni.
Mineralogy of a rare Ediacaran epidote‐bearing trondhjemitic complex from the Nubian Shield: Insights into P‐T conditions of magma emplacement
Authors: Abdel‐Rahman Abdel‐Fattah M. , Shwairi Eliane R.
Published: May 2022

Igneous epidote occurring in tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) rocks provides valuable insight into the physiochemical parameters of their magmatic system. Epidote has been identified within a newly discovered, rare, Ediacaran, high‐Al TTG‐suite at the Fannani Igneous Complex (FIC), Nubian Shield. The objective is to assess P–T conditions of magma emplacement using petrographic‐, mineral chemical data, and thermobarometry methods. The TTG‐suite is made up of ubiquitous oligoclase, variable contents of quartz, K‐feldspar, amphibole, biotite, epidote, accessory titanite, zircon, apatite and magnetite. Feldspars vary from An14 to An26 in plagioclase, with K‐feldspar having near‐end‐member compositions (Or91–Or95). Amphiboles are Al‐rich (AlT = 1.65–2.04 atoms per formula unit [apfu]), calcic (Ca = 1.83–1.93, apfu), with average Mg/(Fe + Mg) of 0.44, and are ferroedenite–edenite–ferropargasite. Biotites are moderately Fe‐rich (Fe/(Fe + Mg) = 0.50–0.58) characteristic of type ‘C’–biotite of calc–alkaline orogenic rocks. Epidote exhibits pistacite components [Ps = Fe3+/(Fe3++Al)] of Ps24–Ps33, typical of magmatic epidote. The average crystallization pressure of 5.41 kbar (calculated using the Al‐in‐Hb barometer) is consistent with the presence of magmatic epidote and reflects the mesozonal crustal levels of emplacement. The Hb–Plag–geothermometer produced an average crystallization temperature of 721°C. These values fall within experimentally‐determined P–T ranges of stability of magmatic epidote with fO2 buffered from nickel‐nickel‐oxide (NNO) to hematite (HM). The FIC rocks were developed from a wet, subsolvus, orogenic, Al‐rich magmatic system. Findings reported here could have implications for conditions of magma emplacement and mineralogical characterization of TTGs occurring within various continental masses.
Special issue “The advance of solid tumor research in China”: Real‐world clinical outcomes of alectinib for advanced nonsmall‐cell lung cancer patients with ALK fusion in China
Authors: Su Chunxia , Zhou Juan , Qiang Huiping , Zhao Jing , Chang Qing , Ji Xianxiu , Li Jiaqi , Xie Mengqing , Chu Tianqing
Published: May 2022

Global phase 3 trials have demonstrated the priority of several next‐generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK‐TKIs). However, clinical studies are conducted with specific populations that differ from the real world. The study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of alectinib in real‐world settings. Patients with advanced nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and EML4‐ALK fusion were enrolled from two medical centers between June 2018 and June 2020. The primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and progression‐free survival (PFS) to alectinib. The secondary endpoint was response of brain metastases. The risk factors for disease progression were also investigated. In total, 127 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled into this study. Of them, 54.3% received first‐line alectinib. The 1‐ and 2‐year PFS rates were 77.4% and 68.3%, respectively. ORR and disease control rate (DCR) were 53.5% and 91.3%, respectively. Among patients with brain metastases, intracranial ORR and DCR were 63.6% and 88.6%, respectively. In addition, we found that “crizotinib pretreatment”, “liver metastasis” and “TP53 co‐mutation” were individually associated with shorter PFS in alectinib treatment. In conclusion, this study confirms the salient clinical outcomes of alectinib for ALK‐fusion‐driven NSCLC patients with or without brain metastases, adding real‐world evidence to the priority of alectinib in clinical practice.
At the feet of storytellers: Equity in early relational health conversations
Authors: Condon Marie‐Celeste , Charlot‐Swilley Dominique , Rahman Tininka
Published: May 2022

Early Relational Health (ERH) focuses attention on family‐baby relationships during the first 1000 days of life. Positive ERH enhances child health and development and family wellbeing. Universal, early identification of RH and vulnerability could add value to care. How to screen, when, where, and with whom is the question. Tools and models for screening are practitioner‐centered. Bias can affect family engagement and outcomes. This may be problematic for African American families. Authors present findings of a discourse analysis and phenomenological study of experiences of African American families’ and HealthySteps Specialists’ (HSS) of color with screening ERH in Washington, D.C., USA (N= 13). Findings indicate relevance, acceptance and utility may be influenced by positionality, cultural context, issues of equity, and engagement in mutual reflection. A family‐centered approach that opened space for non‐dominant knowledge about ERH made positive differences in engagement and utility for families and practioners alike. Health and vulnerability were detected reliably using this approach. Outcomes include new theories about ERH‐focused visits with African American families and infants, and a new model for centering ERH in pediatric practice, entitledEarly Relational Health Conversations. ERH‐C is a family reflection model, not necessarily dyadic. It may have value for other populations. Future directions in ERH‐C research are suggested.
Low expression of PCK2 in breast tumors contributes to better prognosis by inducing senescence of cancer cells
Authors: Ma Xingjie , Gao Yue , Liu Jianhua , Xu Lei , Liu Weili , Huna Anda , Wang Xiaoling , Gong Weijuan
Published: May 2022

Cell cycle arrest, one of the main characteristics of cellular senescence, has been described as a crucial barrier that needs to be bypassed for cancer progression. Typically, cellular senescence can be induced by multiple stresses including telomere shortening, oncogenic activation as well as therapy treatment, and contributes to the inhibition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor suppression or progression depending on the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) components. However, the mechanisms underlying cancer cell senescence remain partially understood. Here, according to METABRIC database, we identified that patients with senescent‐like breast tumors show better short‐term survival, lower tendency of neoplasm histological grades, lower tumor stages, and negative status of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) compared with non‐senescent ones. Interestingly, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis identified insulin signaling was significantly repressed in senescent breast tumors. Further verification in cultured breast cancer cells indicated that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2) was significantly inhibited after therapy treatment. In addition, knockdown of PCK2 induced a senescent phenotype of breast cancer cells. Moreover, comparing with the non‐senescent group, the senescent breast cancers displayed lower EMT capacity both in patients and breast cancer cell lines after knocking down PCK2. In conclusion, we described for the first time that low expression level of PCK2 may contribute to better prognosis via triggering senescent phenotype and thereby inhibiting EMT capacity in breast cancers.
Serum albumin and nucleic acids biodistribution: From molecular aspects to biotechnological applications
Authors: Vita Gian Marco , De Simone Giovanna , De Marinis Elisabetta , Nervi Clara , Ascenzi Paolo , di Masi Alessandra
Published: May 2022

Serum albumin (SA) is the most abundant protein in plasma and represents the main carrier of endogenous and exogenous compounds. Several evidence supports the notion that SA binds single and double‐stranded deoxynucleotides and ribonucleotides at two sites, with values of the dissociation equilibrium constant (i.e., Kd) ranging from micromolar to nanomolar values. This can be relevant from a physiological and pathological point of view, as in human plasma circulates cell‐free nucleic acids (cfNAs), released by different tissues via apoptosis, necrosis, and secretions, circulates as single and double‐stranded NAs. Albeit SA shows low hydrolytic reactivity toward DNA and RNA, the high plasma concentration of this protein and the occurrence of several SA receptors may be pivotal for sequestering and hydrolyzing cfNAs. Therefore, pathological conditions like cancer, characterized by altered levels of human SA or by altered SA post‐translational modifications, may influence cfNAs distribution and metabolism. Besides, the stability, solubility, biocompatibility, and low immunogenicity make SA a golden share for biotechnological applications related to the delivery of therapeutic NAs (TNAs). Indeed, pre‐clinical studies report the therapeutic potential of SA:TNAs complexes in precision cancer therapy. Here, the molecular and biotechnological implications of SA:NAs interaction are discussed, highlighting new perspectives on SA plasmatic functions.
A review of current advancements for wound healing: Biomaterial applications and medical devices
Authors: Deng Xiaoxuan , Gould Maree , Ali M. Azam
Published: May 2022

Wound healing is a complex process that is critical in restoring the skin's barrier function. This process can be interrupted by numerous diseases resulting in chronic wounds that represent a major medical burden. Such wounds fail to follow the stages of healing and are often complicated by a pro‐inflammatory milieu attributed to increased proteinases, hypoxia, and bacterial accumulation. The comprehensive treatment of chronic wounds is still regarded as a significant unmet medical need due to the complex symptoms caused by the metabolic disorder of the wound microenvironment. As a result, several advanced medical devices, such as wound dressings, wearable wound monitors, negative pressure wound therapy devices, and surgical sutures, have been developed to correct the chronic wound environment and achieve skin tissue regeneration. Most medical devices encompass a wide range of products containing natural (e.g., chitosan, keratin, casein, collagen, hyaluronic acid, alginate, and silk fibroin) and synthetic (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, poly[lactic‐co‐glycolic acid], polycaprolactone, polylactic acid) polymers, as well as bioactive molecules (e.g., chemical drugs, silver, growth factors, stem cells, and plant compounds). This review addresses these medical devices with a focus on biomaterials and applications, aiming to deliver a critical theoretical reference for further research on chronic wound healing.
Oral Bisphosphonates Are Associated With Increased Risk of Severe Acute Kidney Injury in Elderly Patients With Complex Health Needs: A Self-Controlled Case Series in the United Kingdom
Authors: Oda Tetsuro , Jödicke Annika M. , Robinson Danielle E. , Delmestri Antonella , Keogh Ruth H. , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel
Published: May 2022

Although oral bisphosphonates (BP) are commonly used, there is conflicting evidence for their safety in the elderly. Safety concerns might trump BP use in older patients with complex health needs. Our study evaluated the safety of BP, focusing on severe acute kidney injury (AKI), gastrointestinal ulcer (GI ulcer), osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), and femur fractures. We used UK primary care data (Clinical Practice Research Datalink [CPRD GOLD]), linked to hospital (Hospital Episode Statistics [HES] inpatient) and ONS mortality data. We included all patients aged >65 with complex health needs and no BP use in the year before study start (January 1, 2010). Complex health needs were defined in three cohorts: an electronic frailty index score ≥3 (frailty cohort), one or more unplanned hospitalization/s (hospitalization cohort); and prescription of ≥10 different medicines in 2009 (polypharmacy cohort). Incidence rates were calculated for all outcomes. Subsequently, all individuals who experienced AKI or GI ulcer anytime during follow-up were included for Self-Controlled Case Series (SCCS) analyses. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated separately for AKI and GI ulcer, comparing event rates between BP-exposed and unexposed time windows. No SCCS were conducted for ONJ and femur fractures. We identified 94,364 individuals in the frailty cohort, as well as 78,184 and 95,621 persons in the hospitalization and polypharmacy cohorts. Of those, 3023, 1950, and 2992 individuals experienced AKI and 1403, 1019, and 1453 had GI ulcer/s during follow-up, respectively. Age-adjusted SCCS models found evidence of increased risk of AKI associated with BP use (frailty cohort: IRR 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25–2.19), but no association with GI ulcers (frailty cohort: IRR 1.24; 95% CI, 0.86–1.78). Similar results were obtained for the hospitalization and polypharmacy cohorts. Our study found a 50% to 65% increased risk of AKI associated with BP use in elderly patients with complex health needs. Future studies should further investigate the risk–benefit of BP use in these patients. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
HPLC fingerprint profiles of lucidenic acids from Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi)
Authors: Chen Deng‐Hai , Wang Jian‐Yuan , Chen Mon‐Tarng , Chen William Kuang‐Dee
Published: May 2022

Ganoderic acids (GAs) and lucidenic acids (LAs) are the two specific triterpene compositions of Ganoderma lucidum. The HPLC fingerprint profile of GAs has been well‐established, but the reports for LAs were rare. In this study, six new lucidenic acids: H2 (1), H3 (2), I2 (3), I3 (4), K (5), L (6) and nine known compounds: lucidenic acids A (7), B (8), C (9), D2 (10), E2 (11), F (12), N (13), P (14), Q (15), were isolated from a strain of G. lucidum fruiting body (YK‐02). A specific fingerprint of the lucidenic acid type (LA‐type) HPLC spectrum comprised of these triterpenes was revealed for the first time. The HPLC spectra of four strains of G. lucidum were investigated and showed identical profiles with the typical ganoderic acid type (GA‐type, strains YK‐01 and BCRC36065) and lucidenic acid type spectra (strains YK‐02 and BCRC36090). The fingerprint profiles can be used in both species and strain identification of G. lucidum. Quantitation of lucidenic acid A by using HPLC was also validated.
The cross‐talk between soluble “Find me” and “Keep out” signals as an initial step in regulating efferocytosis
Authors: Tajbakhsh Amir , Yousefi Fatemeh , Abedi Seyedeh M. , Rezaee Mehdi , Savardashtaki Amir , Teng Yong , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: May 2022

The rapid clearance of apoptotic cells (ACs), known as efferocytosis, prompts the inhibition of inflammatory responses and autoimmunity and maintains homeostatic cell turnover by controlling the release of intracellular contents. The fast clearance of ACs requires professional and nonprofessional phagocytic cells that can accurately and promptly recognize ACs and migrate towards them. Cells undergoing apoptosis alarm their presence by releasing special soluble chemotactic factors, such as lactoferrin, that act as “Find me,” “Keep out,” or “Stay away” signals to recruit phagocytic cells, such as macrophages or prevent granulocyte migration. Efferocytosis effectively serves to prevent damage‐associated molecular pattern release and secondary necrosis and inhibit inflammation/autoimmunity at the very first step. Since less attention has been given to the cross‐talk and balance of “Find me” and “Keep out” signals released from ACs in efferocytosis, we set out to investigate the current knowledge of the roles of “Find me” and “Keep out” signals in the efferocytosis process.
Evaluation of internal standards for inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometric analysis of arsenic in soils
Authors: Alvarado Taylor R. , Lee Andrew C. , Tomlin Bryan , Schwab Paul
Published: May 2022

Arsenic (As) is a common contaminant in soils, and analysis of soils by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) is often used to detect As in soil extracts. Internal standards (ISs) are part of ICP‐MS analyses to enhance precision and accuracy by compensating for instrument variability; however, an improper choice of IS can result in negative analytical bias. The goal of this study was to develop a protocol for evaluating ISs commonly used in ICP‐MS. Three soils of varying clay content and total As were extracted with a dilute electrolyte [0.005 mol L–1 Mg(NO3)2] and an acid digest. Arsenic concentrations were quantified by ICP‐MS using typical ISs: 6Li, 45Sc, 69Ga, 89Y, 103Rh, 115In, 159 Tb, and 209Bi. Standard addition was used as a benchmark for As quantification. The most consistent IS was 115In. Elevated, naturally occurring concentrations were detected for several of the ISs, particularly in the total digests, emphasizing the necessity for screening soils prior to analysis.
An artificial intelligence system applied to recurrent cytogenetic aberrations and genetic progression scores predicts MYC rearrangements in large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: García Rolando , Hussain Anas , Chen Weina , Wilson Kathleen , Koduru Prasad
Published: May 2022

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common type of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, is characterized by MYC rearrangements (MYC R) in up to 15% of cases, and these have unfavorable prognosis. Due to cryptic rearrangements and variations in MYC breakpoints, MYC R may be undetectable by conventional methods in up to 10%–15% of cases. In this study, a retrospective proof of concept study, we sought to identify recurrent cytogenetic aberrations (RCAs), generate genetic progression scores (GP) from RCAs and apply these to an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to predict MYC status in the karyotypes of published cases. The developed AI algorithm is validated for its performance on our institutional cases. In addition, cytogenetic evolution pattern and clinical impact of RCAs was performed. Chromosome losses were associated with MYC‐, while partial gain of chromosome 1 was significant in MYC R tumors. MYC R was the sole driver alteration in MYC‐rearranged tumors, and evolution patterns revealed RCAs associated with gene expression signatures. A higher GPS value was associated with MYC R tumors. A subsequent AI algorithm (composed of RCAs + GPS) obtained a sensitivity of 91.4 and specificity of 93.8 at predicting MYC R. Analysis of an additional 59 institutional cases with the AI algorithm showed a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 87% each with positive predictive value of 92%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. Cases with a MYC R showed a shorter survival.
Synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of 5‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide derivatives as potential anticancer and antifungal agents
Authors: Xie Dewen , Yang Jingxin , Niu Xue , Wang Zhenchao , Wu Zhibing
Published: May 2022

In this paper 25 novel 5‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro anticancer and antifungal activities; some exhibited good anticancer activity against cancer cells and antifungal activity against fungi. The IC50 values of T1, T4, T6, and T7 against A549 cells were 24.9, 21.9, 14.0, and 10.2 μM, respectively, and those of T15 against Thanatephorus cucumeris and Botryosphaeria dothidea were 22.0 and 27.7 μg/ml, respectively. A morphological study using FM and SEM demonstrated that T15 destroys the integrity and permeability of the T. cucumeris cell membrane. The results of molecular docking between T15 and SDH (PDB code: 2FBW) indicated that amide and trifluoromethyl might be the key functional groups for target compounds with high fungicidal activities.
Respiratory virus circulation in children after relaxation of COVID‐19 restrictions in fall 2021—A nationwide register study in Finland
Authors: Kuitunen Ilari , Artama Miia , Haapanen Marjut , Renko Marjo
Published: May 2022

Social restrictions interrupted the normal respiratory virus circulation in Spring 2020. This report describes virus circulation in the pediatric population before and after the restrictions ended in Finland in September 2021. We used data from the Finnish Infectious Disease Register. Nationwide influenza A and B, rhinovirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐Cov‐2), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) findings from January 2018 to December 2021. Age stratified (0–4, 5–9, and 10–14 years) weekly incidences per 100 000 children were calculated. School and day‐care closures interrupted completely the circulation of all other respiratory viruses than rhinovirus in spring 2020. After restrictions were relaxed in September 2021, SARS‐Cov‐2 detections increased majorly. We observed high RSV season atypically early. SARS‐Cov‐2 was detected in older children whereas RSV season peaked especially among children aged under 5. Influenza seemed to return to normal circulation. In conclusion, we report that the ending of social restrictions in September 2021 led to an increase in SARS‐Cov‐2 detections and high epidemic peaks of RSV and parainfluenza in atypical timing in children. Our results highlight the importance of continuous pathogen surveillance during the pandemic, as atypical surges of non‐COVID‐19 respiratory viruses were observed.
UNC93B1 attenuates the cGAS–STING signaling pathway by targeting STING for autophagy–lysosome degradation
Authors: Zhu Huifang , Zhang Rongzhao , Yi Li , Tang Yan‐Dong , Zheng Chunfu
Published: May 2022

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a pivotal innate immune adaptor, and its functions during DNA virus infections have been extensively documented. However, its homeostatic regulation is not well understood. Our study demonstrates that Unc‐93 homolog B1 (UNC93B1) is a crucial checker for STING to prevent hyperactivation. Ectopic expression of UNC93B1 attenuates IFN‐β promoter activity and the transcriptions of IFN‐β, ISG54, and ISG56 genes. Moreover, UNC93B1 also blocks the IRF3 nuclear translocation induced by ectopic expression of both cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS) and STING and reduces the stability of STING by facilitating its autophagy–lysosome degradation, which can be reversed by lysosome inhibitors. Mechanistically, UNC93B1 interacts with STING and suppresses STING‐activated downstream signaling by delivering STING to the lysosomes for degradation, depending on its trafficking capability. UNC93B1 knockout in human embryonic kidney 293T cells facilitates IFN‐β promoter activity, IFN‐β, ISG54, and ISG56 transcriptions, and IRF3 nuclear translocation induced by ectopic expression of cGAS and STING. Infected with herpes simplex virus‐1 (HSV‐1), UNC93B1 knockdown BJ cells or primary peritoneal macrophages from Unc93b1‐deficient (Unc93b1−/−) mice show enhanced IFN‐β, ISG54, and ISG56 transcriptions, TBK1 phosphorylation, and reduced STING degradation and viral replication. In addition, Unc93b1−/− mice exhibit higher IFN‐β, ISG54, and ISG56 transcriptions and lower mortality upon HSV‐1 infection in vivo. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that UNC93B1 attenuates the cGAS–STING signaling pathway by targeting STING for autophagy–lysosome degradation and provide novel insights into the function of UNC93B1 in antiviral innate immunity.
The tremors of interconnected triggers over time: How psychological contract breach can erupt
Authors: Wiechers Hermien E. , Coyle‐Shapiro Jacqueline A.‐M. , Lub Xander D. , ten Have Steven
Published: May 2022

Adopting an intra‐individual process, we explore the dynamics that underlie the emergence of a psychological contract breach. Thirty‐seven unique storylines expose how selected stimuli shake employees' psychological contracts to attention and give rise to perceptions of breach as a result of an iterative process of disrupting (introducing triggers that prompt a shift from automatic processing to conscious attention of psychological contract terms), appraisal (revealing elements—goals, attribution, fairness, and resources—playing a role in appraising and making sense of triggers), and (problem‐focused and emotion‐focused) coping. We discuss the implications of accounting for breach in the absence of a discrete event and draw on selective attention theory to differentiate when stimuli become triggers with the capacity to activate the psychological contract. We extend existing research by revealing the unique role that triggers, and their interconnectedness play in the cognition of contract breach, building up pressure until a threshold has been surpassed and breach is perceived. Our study highlights the need for managers to use strategies to deescalate the accumulation of triggers.
Response of the water footprint of maize production to high temperatures in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai region of China
Authors: Li Yingjie , Qi Xinyu , Wang Kaixuan , Gu Jiali , Zhao Jinfeng , Hu Xinyu , Sun Shikun
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Water footprint (WF) can comprehensively evaluate agricultural water use efficiency under high‐temperature weather. Based on the historical meteorological data in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai (3H) region of China, this study used the percentile threshold method to analyze the distribution of high‐temperature events and set three types of meteorological scenarios, namely the actual temperature scenario (S1), the high temperatures in the ear stage scenario (S2), and the high temperatures in the flowering‐maturity stage scenario (S3). The growing degree day (GDD) mode and calendar day (CD) mode in the AquaCrop model were used to simulate the yield per unit area (Yunit) of maize under different temperature scenarios and then the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and production WF during maize growth period were calculated.

RESULTS

The occurrence frequency of extreme high‐temperature event in ear stage in the 3H region was lower than that in the flowering‐maturity stage. There were significant differences in the WF of maize between S1 and S2 and between S1 and S3 in GDD mode, and significant differences in Yunit, ETc, and WF of maize under three temperature scenarios in the CD mode.

CONCLUSION

High temperature events occur in maize growth period, especially in the flowering‐maturity stage, will increase the WF of maize. Measures such as changing the planting structure, changing the sowing date of maize and cultivating heat‐resistant maize varieties could be taken to reduce the negative impacts of high‐temperature weather. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
The patient perspective on the preoperative colorectal cancer care pathway and preparedness for surgery and postoperative recovery—a qualitative interview study
Authors: Cuijpers Anne C. M. , Lubbers Tim , van Rens Heleen A. , Smit‐Fun Valerie , Gielen Christel , Reynders Kim , Kimman Merel L. , Stassen Laurents P. S.
Published: May 2022

Background and Objectives

This study aimed to explore colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' perspectives and experiences regarding the preoperative surgical care pathway and their subsequent preparedness for surgery and postoperative recovery.

Methods

CRC patients were recruited using purposive sampling and were interviewed three times (preoperatively, and 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively) using semistructured telephone interviews. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed independently by two researchers using thematic analysis with open coding.

Results

Data saturation was achieved after including 18 patients. Preoperative factors that contributed to a feeling of preparedness for surgery and recovery were patient‐centred‐ and professional healthcare organization, sincere and personal guidance, and thorough information provision. Postoperatively, patients with complications or physical complaints experienced unmet information needs regarding the impact of complications and what to expect from postoperative recovery.

Conclusions

The preoperative period is a vital period to prepare patients for surgery and recovery in which patients most value personalized information, personal guidance and professionalism. According to CRC patients, the feeling of preparedness for surgery and recovery can be improved by continually providing dosed information. This information should provide the patient with patient‐tailored perspectives regarding the impact of (potential) complications and what to expect during recovery.
Quality of life after intratympanic steroid injection for Ménière's disease
Authors: Schenck Annejet A. , Bommeljé Claire C. , van Benthem Peter Paul G. , Blom Henk M.
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study explores how treatment with intratympanic steroid injection affects quality of life, as well as several subjective complaints in patients with Ménière's disease.

Methods

Patients filled in the Ménière's Disease Outcome Questionnaire (MDOQ) and answered questions about subjective complaints. Scores before and after treatment were compared using paired t tests.

Results

Forty‐nine patients treated with intratympanic steroid injection were included. Quality of life was improved in 36 (73%) patients, the same in 9 (18%) patients, and lower in 4 (8%) patients. Overall, the mean change in MDOQ was +20.6 points (95% confidence interval +14.5 to +26.7 points, p < 0.001). The improvement was seen in the emotional, physical, and mental domain. Most patients experienced less vertigo and instability but did not notice change in subjective hearing, tinnitus, or aural fullness after treatment.

Conclusion

Treatment with intratympanic steroid injection leads to an improvement in quality of life in most patients. Moreover, the procedure is only minimally invasive. Based on the findings in this study, treatment with ITS should be discussed with every patient suffering from vertigo attacks due to active Ménière's disease.

Level of evidence

Level 4
A stream‐to‐sea experiment reveals inhibitory effects of freshwater residency on organic‐matter decomposition in the sea
Authors: Frainer André , Tiegs Scott D.
Published: May 2022

One billion tons of carbon are annually transported to the global ocean, and the fate of this carbon hinges not only on marine processing rates, but also on freshwater processing during downstream transport. Using a cotton‐strip assay, we assessed the decomposition of organic matter in marine and freshwater sites and simulated its downstream transport from freshwater to the sea by translocating cotton strips approximately half‐way through the freshwater incubation period. We observed faster decomposition in the sea relative to the stream and interestingly, an inhibitory effect of stream incubation on subsequent decomposition in the sea. Total nitrogen content and ∂15N in the cotton strips were both greater in the strips incubated entirely in the sea, suggesting greater microbial activity in the marine habitat. Our results lend needed insights into global carbon cycling, the factors that govern organic‐carbon processing, and highlight the importance of connections that exist among some of Earth's major ecosystems.
3D Printing: An Emerging Technology for Biocatalyst Immobilization
Authors: Pose‐Boirazian Tomás , Martínez‐Costas Jose , Eibes Gemma
Published: May 2022

Employment of enzymes as biocatalysts offers immense benefits across diverse sectors in the context of green chemistry, biodegradability, and sustainability. When compared to free enzymes in solution, enzyme immobilization proposes an effective means of improving functional efficiency and operational stability. The advance of printable and functional materials utilized in additive manufacturing, coupled with the capability to produce bespoke geometries, has sparked great interest toward the 3‐dimensional (3D) printing of immobilized enzymes. Printable biocatalysts represent a new generation of enzyme immobilization in a more customizable and adaptable manner, unleashing their potential functionalities for countless applications in industrial biotechnology. This review provides an overview of enzyme immobilization techniques and 3D printing technologies, followed by illustrations of the latest 3D printed enzyme‐immobilized industrial and clinical applications. The unique advantages of harnessing 3D printing as an enzyme immobilization technique will be presented, alongside a discussion on its potential limitations. Finally, the future perspectives of integrating 3D printing with enzyme immobilization will be considered, highlighting the endless possibilities that are achievable in both research and industry.
Investigating Pore‐Opening of Hydrogel Foams at the Scale of Freestanding Thin Films
Authors: Andrieux Sébastien , Patil Mayur , Jacomine Leandro , Hourlier‐Fargette Aurélie , Heitkam Sascha , Drenckhan Wiebke
Published: May 2022

Controlling the pore connectivity of polymer foams is key for most of their applications, ranging from liquid uptake, mechanics, and acoustic/thermal insulation to tissue engineering. Despite their importance, the scientific phenomena governing the pore‐opening processes remain poorly understood, requiring tedious trial‐and‐error procedures for property optimization. This lack of understanding is partly explained by the high complexity of the different interrelated, multiscale processes which take place as the foam transforms from an initially fluid foam into a solid foam. To progress in this field, this work takes inspiration from long‐standing research on liquid foams and thin films to develop model experiments in a microfluidic “Thin Film Pressure Balance.” These experiments allow the investigation of isolated thin films under well‐controlled environmental conditions reproducing those arising within a foam undergoing cross‐linking and drying. Using the example of alginate hydrogel films, the evolution of isolated thin films undergoing gelation and drying is correlated with the evolution of the rheological properties of the same alginate solution in bulk. The overall approach is introduced and a first set of results is presented to propose a starting point for the phenomenological description of the different types of pore‐opening processes and the classification of the resulting pore‐opening types.
Is corporate philanthropy a pretext for executives' excess perk consumption? Evidence from China
Authors: Su Zhi , Yi Bo , Wang Linan
Published: May 2022

Using a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2007 to 2019, we investigate the impact of corporate philanthropy on excess perks. Companies are likely to make philanthropic donations from the motivations of building political connections, serving the personal interests of self‐serving managers, disguising excess perks and deviating public attention, leading to higher excess perks. Agency theory is probably a view to interpret the positive relationship. From the perspectives of CEO power and board effectiveness, we examine the impact of corporate governance on the relationship between corporate philanthropy and excess perks. The findings provide valuable insights for directors, managers and shareholders.
COVID‐19 Infection Enhances Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress–Induced Parkinsonism
Authors: Smeyne Richard J. , Eells Jeffrey B. , Chatterjee Debotri , Byrne Matthew , Akula Shaw M. , Sriramula Srinivas , O'Rourke Dorcas P. , Schmidt Peter
Published: May 2022

Background

Viral induction of neurological syndromes has been a concern since parkinsonian‐like features were observed in patients diagnosed with encephalitis lethargica subsequent to the 1918 influenza pandemic. Given the similarities in the systemic responses after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection with those observed after pandemic influenza, there is a question whether a similar syndrome of postencephalic parkinsonism could follow coronavirus disease 2019 infection.

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine whether prior infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 increased sensitivity to a mitochondrial toxin known to induce parkinsonism.

Methods

K18‐hACE2 mice were infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 to induce mild‐to‐moderate disease. After 38 days of recovery, mice were administered a non‐lesion‐inducing dose of the parkinsonian toxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and euthanized 7 days later. Subsequent neuroinflammation and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) dopaminergic (DA) neuron loss were determined and compared with SARS‐CoV‐2 or MPTP alone.

Results

K18‐hACE2 mice infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 or MPTP showed no SNpc DA neuron loss after MPTP. In mice infected and recovered from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, MPTP induced a 23% or 19% greater loss of SNpc DA neurons than SARS‐CoV‐2 or MPTP, respectively (P < 0.05). Examination of microglial activation showed a significant increase in the number of activated microglia in both the SNpc and striatum of the SARS‐CoV‐2 + MPTP group compared with SARS‐CoV‐2 or MPTP alone.

Conclusions

Our observations have important implications for long‐term public health, given the number of people who have survived SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, as well as for future public policy regarding infection mitigation. However, it will be critical to determine whether other agents known to increase risk for PD also have synergistic effects with SARS‐CoV‐2 and are abrogated by vaccination. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Age‐related outcome of facial reanimation surgery using cross face nerve graft and gracilis free functional muscle transfer—A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Weiss Jakob B. W. , Spuerck Felicitas , Kollar Branislav , Eisenhardt Steffen U.
Published: May 2022

Background

Free functional muscle transfer has become the criterion standard for the treatment of long‐standing flaccid facial paralysis. Clinical experience suggests that a two‐stage approach using a cross‐face nerve graft (CFNG) as a donor nerve for free functional muscle transfers (FFMT) is less successful in older patients when compared to the pediatric population. However, clear data and scientific evidence are still rare. This study examines the age‐related outcome of CFNG‐driven FFMT.

Methods

Twenty‐eight patients with a mean age of 20.73 years (ranging 5–51 years) who received two‐stage facial reanimation with CFNG‐driven gracilis FFMT at our institution from 1998 to 2019 were included. The ipsilateral sural nerve was used as CFNG. After 12 months, the ipsilateral gracilis muscle was used as FFMT. Patients were distributed equally into three cohorts according to their age. We assessed facial symmetry before and after facial reanimation measuring the angle between the interpupillary and the intermodiolar line (pupillo‐modiolar angle). Additionally, the commissure height was measured using the Emotrics software.

Results

The mean follow‐up of the pediatric, young adults and the middle‐aged cohort was 29.5 ± 7.3, 24.9 ± 6.3, and 25.5 ± 12.4 months, respectively. One patient suffered flap loss due to flap ischemia. Four patients suffered insufficient innervation of the FFMT. Otherwise no major complication occurred. The likelihood of successful innervation of the FFMT was significantly higher in patients younger than 31 years (100% vs. 50%; p = .003). Smiling facial symmetry (pupillo‐modiolar angle) significantly improved in the pediatric cohort (5–16 years; 8.68° ± 0.69° to 1.48° ± 0.67°; p < .001) and the young adults' cohort (17–30 years; 11.55° ± 1.95° to 4.62° ± 1.08°; p = .005), but improved only slightly in the middle‐aged cohort (31–51 years; 11.77° ± 1.16° to 9.4° ± 1.8° p = .27). The postoperative smiling symmetry showed a significant correlation with increasing age (r = .62, p < .001). The smiling commissure height deviation significantly improved in the pediatric cohort (5–16 years; 6.5–2.3 mm; p = .006) and the postoperative result was significantly better than the middle‐aged group (31–51 years; 2.3 vs. 7.5 mm; p = .02).

Conclusions

The outcome of CFNG‐driven gracilis FFMT is age‐related. Static as well as dynamic facial symmetry after two‐stage facial reanimation was best in the pediatric and young adult population. For older patients, other approaches like the nerve‐to‐masseter‐driven FFMT should be considered.