bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fractures in Patients With Acute Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystal Arthritis Versus Matched Comparators in a Large Cohort Study
Authors: Tedeschi Sara K. , Hayashi Keigo , Rosenthal Ann , Gill Muneet , Marrugo Javier , Fukui Sho , Gravallese Ellen , Solomon Daniel H.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease was associated with osteopenia in two cross‐sectional studies. We compared fracture risks in patients with acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal arthritis versus matched comparators.

Methods

We performed a longitudinal cohort study using electronic health record data from a single large academic health system, with data from 1991 to 2023. Patients with one or more episodes of acute CPP crystal arthritis were matched to comparators on the index date (first documentation of “pseudogout” or synovial fluid CPP crystals or matched encounter) and first encounter in the health system. The primary outcome was first fracture at the humerus, wrist, hip, or pelvis. We excluded patients with fracture before the index date. Covariates included demographics, body mass index, smoking, comorbidities, health care use, glucocorticoids, and osteoporosis treatments. We estimated incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios for fracture. Sensitivity analyses excluded patients prescribed glucocorticoids, patients prescribed osteoporosis treatments, or patients with rheumatoid arthritis and additionally adjusted for chronic kidney disease.

Results

We identified 1,148 patients with acute CPP crystal arthritis matched to 3,730 comparators, with a mean age of 73 years. Glucocorticoids and osteoporosis treatments were more frequent in the acute CPP crystal arthritis cohort. Fracture incidence rates were twice as high in the acute CPP crystal arthritis cohort (11.7 per 1,000 person‐years) versus comparators (5.5 per 1,000 person‐years). After multivariable adjustment, fracture relative risk was twice as high in the acute CPP crystal arthritis cohort (hazard ratio 1.8 [95% confidence interval 1.3–2.3]); results were similar in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

In this first published study of fractures and CPPD, fracture risk was nearly doubled in patients with acute CPP crystal arthritis.
Non‐metallic Cation Storage using Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Shells
Authors: Rui Dou Xin , Yu Meng Qing , Zhong Chi Hong
Published: January 2024

Previous studies propose that NH4+ storage in metal oxides and metallic ion storage using Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) both undergo diffusion‐controlled processes. This study, employing experimental and simulation studies, reveals that flower‐like PEDOT shells predominantly store NH4+ ions storage through surface‐controlled processes, constituting over 80 percent of the overall storage. NH4+ ions interact with PEDOT′s π–π stacking via van der Waals interactions, circumventing ionization energy and entropy barriers. Additionally, the controlled polymerization and crystallinity of PEDOT contribute significantly to this storage process. The reduction in lamellar packing distance and face‐to‐face distance between the molecular chains, coupled with an increase in crystalline domains, intensifies inter‐chain weak interactions and extends the overlap length of wave functions. These findings offer a comprehensive insight into cation storage using organic polymers.
How does digitization enable green innovation? Evidence from Chinese listed companies
Authors: Chen Wen , Zhu Changyi , Cheung Qi , Wu Siying , Zhang Jun , Cao Jia
Published: January 2024

The coordinated development of digitization and greening is an essential requirement for the sustainable development of the global economy. With the rapid development of the digital economy, enterprises are facing a new external environment for green innovation. This paper uses the robust principal component analysis method to construct the digital economy development index for Chinese prefecture‐level or above cities from 2012 to 2019 and examines the impact of the digital economy on corporate green innovation. It is found that the development of the digital economy can stimulate corporate green innovation by alleviating financing constraints, improving internal control, and reducing environmental uncertainty. This study further reveals that both increasing government environmental regulation and stronger judicial guarantees can enhance the positive impact of digitization. This research aims to provide inspiration and reference on how better to integrate digital economy development and corporate green innovation.
Unveiling PET Hydrolase Surface Dynamics through Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Rennison A. P. , Nousi A. , Westh P. , Marie R. , Møller M. S.
Published: January 2024

PET hydrolases are an emerging class of enzymes that are being heavily researched for their use in bioprocessing polyethylene terephthalate (PET). While work has been done in studying the binding of PET oligomers to the active site of these enzymes, the dynamics of PET hydrolases binding to a bulk PET surface is an unexplored area. Here, methods were developed for total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy to study the adsorption and desorption dynamics of these proteins onto a PET surface. TIRF microscopy was employed to measure both on and off rates of two of the most commonly studied PET hydrolases, PHL7 and LCC, on a PET surface. It was found that these proteins have a much slower off rates on the order of 10−3 s−1, comparable to non‐productive binding in enzymes such as cellulose. In combination with FRAP microscopy, a dynamic model is proposed in which adsorption and desorption dominates over lateral diffusion over the surface. The results of this study could have implications for the future engineering of PET hydrolases, either to target them to a PET surface or to modulate interaction with their substrate.
Amylose Dimerization in Solution Can Be Studied Using a Model System
Authors: Nybro Dansholm Charlotte , Meier Sebastian , Beeren Sophie R.
Published: January 2024

Amylose, the linear polymer of α‐1,4‐linked glucopyranose units, is known to crystallize as a parallel double helix, but evidence of this duplex forming in solution has remained elusive for decades. We show how the dimerization of short amylose chains can be detected in solution using NMR spectroscopy when the glucans are labeled at the reducing‐end with an aromatic moiety that overcomes chemical shift degeneracy leading to distinct signals for the single‐stranded and duplex amylose. A set of α‐1,4 glucans with varying lengths of 6, 12, 18, and 22 glucose units and a 4‐aminobenzamide label were synthesized, enabling the first systematic thermodynamic study of the association of amylose in solution. The dimerization is enthalpically driven, entropically unfavorable and beyond a minimum length of 12, each additional pair of glucose residues stabilizes the duplex by 0.85 kJ mol−1. This fundamental knowledge provides a basis for a quantitative understanding of starch structure, gelation and enzymatic digestion, and lays the foundations for the strategic use of α‐1,4‐glucans in the development of self‐assembled materials.
Chemical, physical, and sensory properties of nixtamalized oat tortillas
Authors: Aráuz Andrea B. , Jefferies Laura K. , Taylor Bradley J. , Dunn Michael L.
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

While alkaline nixtamalization has historically been used for corn, this process may have application in other cereals. Drawbacks to wider use include the lengthy steep time, as well as the volume of alkaline wastewater produced. This study evaluated a novel, waste‐effluent‐free nixtamalization process for oat (Avena sativa) masa, and compared properties of oat masa and tortillas prepared with 1%, 1.5%, and 2% lime, with and without steeping.

Findings

A minimal‐water‐addition, 45‐min simmering process, without steeping, was effluent‐free, and produced oat tortillas comparable to those produced using a traditional overnight steep. The pH increased significantly with increasing lime content (r = .982). Consumer overall‐liking scores did not significantly differ across treatments, though appearance scores were significantly higher for 2% lime samples (p < .05), which were significantly darker and more yellow, based on L* and b* values. Masa adhesiveness means ranged from 1.49 to 1.52 N, with no significant differences between the no‐steep treatments. Higher lime addition (1.5%–2%) in the no‐steep process significantly improved tortilla flexibility, based on extensibility and rollability scores, though tortilla rupture force did not vary significantly across treatments. Tortilla rollability scores at 3‐days were lowest ( = 1.1 + 0.31, indicating less cracking) for the 1.5%–2% lime no‐steep treatments, which were significantly better than the steeped treatment ( = 3.7 + 0.48). Consumers rated the steeped sample as significantly less flexible. B‐vitamins were negatively impacted by increasing lime, while calcium increased significantly with lime addition.

Conclusions

The no‐steep, effluent‐free nixtamalization process produced oat tortillas with good masa and tortilla texture, which were not significantly different in consumer liking than tortillas produced via a traditional process.

Significance and Novelty

This research suggests nixtamalization can be applied to other grains in a shorter, environmentally friendly process, with broader commercial applicability.
Incorporating Gadolinium Oxide (Gd2O3) as a Rare Earth Metal Oxide in Carbon Nanofiber Skeleton for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Aydın Hamide , Üstün Burcu , Kurtan Ümran , Aslan Ayşe , Karakuş Selcan
Published: January 2024

In this study, we synthesized gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (Gd2O3 NPs) incorporated heteroatom‐doped microporous carbon nanofibers (CNF) to serve as electrode materials for enhancing supercapacitive energy storage. Our primary focus is on elucidating the impact of these hybrid electrode materials on key supercapacitor performance properties such as specific capacitance, specific energy, and specific power. To comprehensively assess the structural and chemical attributes of Gd2O3 NPs‐incorporated heteroatom‐doped microporous CNFs (CNF/Gd2O3) we employed an array of advanced characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy (RAMAN), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Our research has yielded impressive results, demonstrating a significant increase in supercapacitive performance. Specifically, the CNF/Gd2O3‐1 symmetric supercapacitor cell (SSC) has demonstrated a good specific capacitance of 162.3 F/g and a high specific energy of 8.12 Wh/kg at a specific power of 300 W/kg. These findings could be a new pathway to prepare composite electrodes for use in energy storage applications and promote further development for other rare‐earth nanostructures.
H2O ⋅ B(C6F5)3‐Catalyzed para‐Alkylation of Anilines with Alkenes Applied to Late‐Stage Functionalization of Non‐Steroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs
Authors: Winfrey Laura , Yun Lei , Passeri Ginevra , Suntharalingam Kogularamanan , Pulis Alexander P.
Published: January 2024

Anilines are core motifs in a variety of important molecules including medicines, materials and agrochemicals. We report a straightforward procedure that allows access to new chemical space of anilines via their para‐C−H alkylation. The method utilizes commercially available catalytic H2O ⋅ B(C6F5)3 and is highly selective for para‐C‐alkylation (over N‐alkylation and ortho‐C‐alkylation) of anilines, with a wide scope in both the aniline substrates and alkene coupling partners. Readily available alkenes are used, and include new classes of alkene for the first time. The mild reaction conditions have allowed the procedure to be applied to the late‐stage‐functionalization of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including fenamic acids and diclofenac. The formed novel NSAID derivatives display improved anti‐inflammatory properties over the parent NSAID structure.
Fluorogenic Rhodamine Probes with Pyrrole Substitution Enables STED and Lifetime Imaging of Lysosomes in Live Cells
Authors: Zhou Ying , Wang Qiuping , Chanmungkalakul Supphachok , Wu Xia , Xiao Hui , Miao Rong , Liu Xiaogang , Fang Yu
Published: January 2024

Fluorogenic dyes with high brightness, large turn‐on ratios, excellent photostability, favorable specificity, low cytotoxicity, and high membrane permeability are essential for high‐resolution fluorescence imaging in live cells. In this study, we endowed these desirable properties to a rhodamine derivative by simply replacing the N, N‐diethyl group with a pyrrole substituent. The resulting dye, Rh‐NH, exhibited doubled Stokes shifts (54 nm) and a red‐shift of more than 50 nm in fluorescence spectra compared to Rhodamine B. Rh‐NH preferentially exists in a non‐emissive but highly permeable spirolactone form. Upon binding to lysosomes, the collective effects of low pH, low polarity, and high viscosity endow Rh‐NH with significant fluorescence turn‐on, making it a suitable candidate for wash‐free, high‐contrast lysosome tracking. Consequently, Rh‐NH enabled us to successfully explore stimulated emission depletion (STED) super‐resolution imaging of lysosome dynamics, as well as fluorescence lifetime imaging of lysosomes in live cells.
Structure‐Activity Relationship Study to Develop Peptide Amphiphiles as Species‐Specific Antimicrobials
Authors: Pereira Aramis J. , Xing Huihua , de Campos Luana J. , Seleem Mohamed A. , de Oliveira Kelly M. P. , Obaro Stephen K. , Conda‐Sheridan Martin
Published: January 2024

Antimicrobial peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are a promising class of molecules that can disrupt the bacterial membrane or act as drug nanocarriers. In this study, we prepared 33 PAs to establish supramolecular structure‐activity relationships. We studied the morphology and activity of the nanostructures against different Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii). Next, we used principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the key contributors to activity. We found that for S. aureus, the zeta potential was the major contributor to the activity while Gram‐negative bacteria were more influenced by the partition coefficient (LogP) with the following order P. aeruginosa>E. coli>A. baumannii. We also performed a study of the mechanism of action of selected PAs on the bacterial membrane assessing the membrane permeability and depolarization, changes in zeta potential and overall integrity. We studied the toxicity of the nanostructures against mammalian cells. Finally, we performed an in vivo study using the wax moth larvae to determine the therapeutic efficacy of the active PAs. This study shows cationic PA nanostructures can be an intriguing platform for the development of nanoantibacterials.
Photopharmacology of Protease Inhibitors: Current Status and Perspectives
Authors: Coene Jonathan , Wilms Simon , Verhelst Steven H. L.
Published: January 2024

Proteases are involved in many essential biological processes. Dysregulation of their activity underlies a wide variety of human diseases. Photopharmacology, as applied on various classes of proteins, has the potential to assist protease research by enabling spatiotemporal control of protease activity. Moreover, it may be used to decrease side‐effects of protease‐targeting drugs. In this review, we discuss the current status of the chemical design of photoactivatable proteases inhibitors and their biological application. Additionally, we give insight into future possibilities for further development of this field of research.
Boosting Energy‐Transfer Processes via Dispersion Interactions
Authors: Cerveri Alessandro , Scarica Gabriele , Sparascio Sara , Hoch Matteo , Chiminelli Maurizio , Tegoni Matteo , Protti Stefano , Maestri Giovanni
Published: January 2024

The generation of open‐shell intermediates under mild conditions has opened broad synthetic opportunities during this century. However, these reactive species often require a case specific and tailored tuning of experimental parameters in order to efficiently convert substrates into products. We report a general approach that can overcome these ubiquitous limitations for several visible‐light promoted energy‐transfer processes. The use of either naphthalene (5–20 equiv.) or simple binaphthyl derivatives (10–30 mol %) greatly increases their efficiency, giving rise to a new strategy for catalysis. The trend is consistent among different media, photocatalysts, light sources and substrates, allowing one to improve existing methods, to more easily optimize conditions for new ones, and, moreover, to disclose otherwise inaccessible reaction pathways.
Deconstructing Best‐in‐Class Neoglycoclusters as a Tool for Dissecting Key Multivalent Processes in Glycosidase Inhibition
Authors: Liang Yan , Schettini Rosaria , Kern Nicolas , Manciocchi Luca , Izzo Irene , Spichty Martin , Bodlenner Anne , Compain Philippe
Published: January 2024

Multivalency represents an appealing option to modulate selectivity in enzyme inhibition and transform moderate glycosidase inhibitors into highly potent ones. The rational design of multivalent inhibitors is however challenging because global affinity enhancement relies on several interconnected local mechanistic events, whose relative impact is unknown. So far, the largest multivalent effects ever reported for a non‐polymeric glycosidase inhibitor have been obtained with cyclopeptoid‐based inhibitors of Jack bean α‐mannosidase (JBα‐man). Here, we report a structure‐activity relationship (SAR) study based on the top‐down deconstruction of best‐in‐class multivalent inhibitors. This approach provides a valuable tool to understand the complex interdependent mechanisms underpinning the inhibitory multivalent effect. Combining SAR experiments, binding stoichiometry assessments, thermodynamic modelling and atomistic simulations allowed us to establish the significant contribution of statistical rebinding mechanisms and the importance of several key parameters, including inhitope accessibility, topological restrictions, and electrostatic interactions. Our findings indicate that strong chelate‐binding, resulting from the formation of a cross‐linked complex between a multivalent inhibitor and two dimeric JBα‐man molecules, is not a sufficient condition to reach high levels of affinity enhancements. The deconstruction approach thus offers unique opportunities to better understand multivalent binding and provides important guidelines for the design of potent and selective multiheaded inhibitors.
Chiral measure of chiral polyhedrons
Authors: Kimura Tsunehisa , Kimura Ryoma , Mizukoshi Yuki , Furusawa Kazuya
Published: January 2024

To quantify chiral shape, a tensor describing the particle shape has been proposed. This tensor, named the shape tensor (S‐tensor), is an analog of the hydrodynamic tensor that relates the rotational and translational motions of particles in a liquid. The determinant of the S‐tensor, named chirality measure density (CMD), was calculated for chiral tetrahedrons and octahedrons. It was found that CMD is opposite in sign when the mirror images are chiral to each other and vanishes when they are achiral. Therefore, the CMD is a good measure to distinguish the mirror images. The interaction between chiral particles was discussed in terms of the CMD.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Past, present, and future
Authors: Srinivasan Akash , Wong Felyx , Wang Brian
Published: January 2024

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a ground‐breaking, minimally invasive alternative to traditional open‐heart surgery, primarily designed for elderly patients initially considered unsuitable for surgical intervention due to severe aortic stenosis. As a result of successful large‐scale trials, TAVR is now being routinely applied to a broader spectrum of patients. In deciding between TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement, clinicians evaluate various factors, including patient suitability and anatomy through preprocedural imaging, which guides prosthetic valve sizing and access site selection. Patient surgical risk is a pivotal consideration, with a multidisciplinary team making the ultimate decision in the patient's best interest. Periprocedural imaging aids real‐time visualization but is influenced by anaesthesia choices. A comprehensive postprocedural assessment is critical due to potential TAVR‐related complications. Numerous trials have demonstrated that TAVR matches or surpasses surgery for patients with diverse surgical risk profiles, ranging from extreme to low risk. However, long‐term follow‐up data, particularly in low‐risk cases, remains limited, and the applicability of published results to younger patients is uncertain. This review delves into key TAVR studies, pinpointing areas for potential improvement while delving into the future of this innovative procedure. Furthermore, it explores the expanding role of TAVR technology in addressing other heart valve replacement procedures.
No Influence of Asundexian on Cardiac Repolarization
Authors: Brase Christine , Kanefendt Friederike , Loewen Stephanie , Himmel Herbert , Schmitz Sebastian
Published: January 2024

Inhibition of activated factor XI reduces thrombogenesis while maintaining physiological hemostasis, with the expectation of reduced bleeding risk compared with standard of care in the clinical setting. Asundexian (BAY 2433334), an activated factor XI inhibitor, is in clinical development for the prevention of thromboembolic events. The effect of asundexian and its plasma metabolite M10 on cardiac repolarization and potential interactions with the hNav1.5 sodium, hCav1.2 calcium, and human ether‐à‐go‐go‐related gene (hERG) potassium channels was investigated in vitro. Additionally, asundexian effects on cardiac parameters and electrocardiogram were examined in telemetered beagle dogs. A randomized, placebo‐controlled, 4‐way crossover, thorough QT study in healthy adults evaluated the influence of 50 and 150 mg of asundexian on the corrected QT interval, including 400 mg of moxifloxacin as positive control. Across all studies, asundexian and M10 were not associated with any effects on cardiac repolarization. The largest in vitro effects of asundexian (approximately 20% inhibition) were seen for hCav1.2 and hERG. Throughout the thorough QT study, the upper limits of the one‐sided 95% confidence interval of placebo‐corrected mean changes from baseline in Fridericia corrected QT for 50 and 150 mg of asundexian were below Δ = 10 milliseconds. Asundexian demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability profiles.
A Study on Thiol‐Michael Addition to Semi‐Synthetic Elastin‐Hyaluronan Material for Electrospun Scaffolds
Authors: Laezza Antonio , Pepe Antonietta , Solimando Nicola , Armiento Francesca , Oszust Floriane , Duca Laurent , Bochicchio Brigida
Published: January 2024

Thiol‐Michael addition is a chemical reaction extensively used for conjugating peptides to polysaccharides with applications as biomaterials. In the present study, for designing a bioactive element in electrospun scaffolds as wound dressing material, a chemical strategy for the semi‐synthesis of a hyaluronan‐elastin conjugate containing an amide linker (ELAHA) was developed in the presence of tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP ⋅ HCl). The bioconjugate was electrospun with poly‐D,L‐lactide (PDLLA), obtaining scaffolds with appealing characteristics in terms of morphology and cell viability of dermal fibroblast cells. For comprehending the factors influencing the efficiency of the bioconjugation reaction, thiolated amino acids were also investigated as nucleophiles toward hyaluronan decorated with Michael acceptors in the presence of TCEP ⋅ HCl through the evaluation of byproducts formation.
Exploring the role of companies and sustainability disclosure in achieving sustainable development goals: A focus on zero hunger and social inclusion
Authors: Damiano Rodolfo , Di Maria Chiara
Published: January 2024

The Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require collaboration between governments, individuals, and the business community. However, research is still needed to understand how companies should contribute to the SDGs. Notably, researchers acknowledge companies' reporting practices play a crucial role in connecting organizational behavior to sustainability, advocating for more inclusive and transparent reporting to enhance companies' contribution to sustainable development. Despite the extensive literature on sustainability disclosure, limited empirical studies focus on socially inclusive and dialogic reporting as a determinant of SDGs’ achievement. Focusing on the second SDG (“Zero hunger”), this study analyses 211 of the most relevant worldwide large public companies in achieving it. The results reveal that companies adopting more inclusive and dialogic reporting practices also make greater contributions to SDG2, thus underlining the significance of inclusive reporting in achieving SDGs.
Enhanced Electrocatalytic Conversion of Nitrates to Ammonia: Fuel from Waste
Authors: Metem Prattakorn , Toledo‐Carrillo Esteban , Ye Fei , Dutta Joydeep
Published: January 2024

Ammonia (NH3) is globally one of the most produced chemicals. Despite being known for its use as a fuel and as a precursor of multiple chemicals, during its production, it is responsible for more than 1.2 % of the total global CO2 emission and consumes a large amount of energy. In this work, we studied a flow‐through membrane‐free electrocatalytic device (CMED) to produce continuous stream of NH3 from a common water contaminant, nitrate (NO3−). Indium‐palladium (In−Pd) nanoparticles were impregnated in activated carbon cloth (ACC) and used as a cathode in the electrochemical device. It is found that in the counter electrode, adding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) active catalysts like platinum (Pt) for the regeneration of hydrogen ions enhances the rate of ammonia conversion to 7.28 μmol min−1 cm−2, eliminate the production of toxic nitrite by‐products, as well as provide a platform for a stable energy consumption over long periods of time. This method for the conversion of NO3− into NH3 promises a way forward for sustainable resource utilization while generating fuel from waste and contributing to future circular economies, and managing the nitrogen cycle in water that is a major challenge of the 21st century society.
A Metallomicellar Catalyst for Controlled Oxidation of Alcohols and Lignin Mimics in Water using Open Air as Oxidant
Authors: Thiruvengetam Prabaharan , Sunani Pragyansmruti , Kumar Chand Dillip
Published: January 2024

Alcohol groups and β‐O‐4 (C−C) linkages are widespread in biomass feedstock that are abundant renewable resource for value‐added chemicals. The development of sustainable protocols for direct oxidation or oxidative cleavage of feedstock materials in a controlled fashion, using open air as an oxidant is an intellectually stimulating task to produce industrially important value‐added carbonyls. Further, the oxidative depolymerization of lignin into fine chemicals has evoked interest in recent times. Herein, we report the first example of a catalyst system that could activate molecular oxygen from atmospheric air for controlled oxidation and oxidative cleavage/depolymerization of feedstock materials such as alcohols, β‐O‐4 (C−C) linkages and real lignin in water under open air conditions. The selectivity of carbonyl products is controlled by altering the pH between ~7.0 and ~12.0. The current strategy highlights the non‐involvement of any external co‐catalyst, oxidant, radical additives, and/or destructive organic solvents. The catalyst shows a wide substrate scope and eminent functional group tolerance. The upscaled multigram synthesis using an inexpensive catalyst and easily available oxidant evidences the practical utility of the developed protocol. A plausible mechanism has been proposed with the help of a few controlled experiments, and kinetic and computational studies.
Consequences of drought for grassland songbird reproduction
Authors: Smith Emma B. , Roe Austin J. , Silber Katy M. , Williams Emily J. , Winnicki Sarah K. , Boyle W. Alice
Published: January 2024

Abiotic stressors can be major sources of selection, resulting in diverse demographic responses operating via multiple direct and indirect mechanisms. However, unusual weather events are notoriously difficult to study due to their spatial and temporal unpredictability. A severe drought affected the Flint Hills of Kansas in 2018, occurring during the ongoing population‐level studies of three species of declining grassland songbirds: Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum), and Dickcissels (Spiza americana). We compared nest survival, nest initiation date, and potential behavioral drivers of reproductive differences (i.e., nest orientation, investment) between the 2018 drought year and 2–6 years of average‐to‐wet years. Nest initiation in the drought year was concentrated early in the season, suggesting that birds did not renest or attempt second broods. The two species that build domed nests shifted the orientation of nest entrances away from early morning sun and toward the direction of prevailing winds in the drought year. Multiple nest‐level metrics of investment and success were similar in drought and nondrought years. These results suggest that demographic changes during droughts can reflect both direct responses and may also involve biotically mediated trophic consequences.
Long‐term building safety assessment from a series of earthquake excitations
Authors: Huang Yu‐Tzu , Loh Chin‐Hsiung , Chou Chung‐Che , Chen Wen‐Hui
Published: January 2024

Structural health monitoring is conducted to ensure the structural integrity of a building during earthquakes. This study aimed to improve our understanding of the dynamic response of buildings subjected to a series of earthquake excitations, focusing on interpreting structural dynamic characteristics and identifying potential seismic damage subjected to a series of earthquake excitations. To this end, a series of seismic response data of a 13‐story reinforced‐concrete/steel building were collected through long‐term monitoring over 2 years. A systematic approach for monitoring the health of the building was established by integrating several algorithms for vibration‐based (both output‐only and input–output parametric nonparametric feature‐discrimination algorithms) and model‐based feature extraction techniques. Furthermore, the time‐varying dynamic characteristics of the building were determined, including its modal frequency, mode shape, and stiffness, as extracted from features obtained over the monitoring period of 2 years. Safety assessment of this newly compound high‐rise building is investigated to explore the system dynamic characteristics through long‐term seismic monitoring.
A hybrid crude oil price forecasting framework: Modified ensemble empirical mode decomposition and hidden Markov regression
Authors: Lin Muyangzi , Xie Haonan , Yang Cai
Published: January 2024

The considerable influence of crude oil prices on the international economy has motivated numerous scholars to develop various prediction models. Two difficulties are encountered in forecasting. One is that the time series of crude oil prices show massive jumps in high frequency. The other is that the time series of crude oil prices are characterised by nonlinearity, structural breaks and highly volatile states. Therefore, we propose a hybrid model that incorporates the principle of decomposition–integration. Its overall process can be divided into the steps of decomposition and integration. In decomposition step, modified ensemble empirical mode decomposition is used to decompose the data on crude oil prices. Next, K‐means and principal component analysis are utilised to extract the optimal intrinsic mode function (IMF) from diverse frequencies amongst decomposed IMFs. Following decomposition, different forecasting methods are used to match IMFs with various frequencies for prediction. In accordance with structural breaks and the highly volatile states of high‐frequency series, hidden Markov regression is applied to describe predicted values in a probabilistic manner, providing objective interpretation and forecasting. A neural network is taken to predict intermediate‐frequency IMFs by using a fully connected network. Owing to the low frequency and tendency of the residual sequence to be more stable than other frequency sequences, the autoregressive integrated moving average model is applied as the forecasting method for prediction. Finally, all individual predictions for the eventual results are ensembled as final predictions. Results confirm that the proposed model is better than several normal hybrid and single models in terms of prediction accuracy and Diebold–Mariano test results. All results confirm that the newly proposed hybrid model is a promising tool for the analysis and forecasting of crude oil prices.
Associations between adiposity and white matter hyperintensities: Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses of 34,653 participants
Authors: Wang Rong‐Ze , Deng Yue‐Ting , Zhang Wei , Ning Jing , Li Hong‐Qi , Feng Jian‐Feng , Cheng Wei , Yu Jin‐Tai
Published: January 2024

Objectives

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) increase the risk of stroke and cognitive impairment. This study aims to determine the cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between adiposity and WMH.

Methods

Participants were enrolled from the UK Biobank cohort. Associations of concurrent, past, and changes in overall and central adiposity with WMH were investigated by linear and nonlinear regression models. The association of longitudinal adiposity and WMH volume changes was determined by a linear mixed model. Mediation analysis investigated the potential mediating effect of blood pressure.

Results

In 34,653 participants with available adiposity measures and imaging data, the concurrent obese group had a 25.3% (β [95% CI] = 0.253 [0.222–0.284]) higher WMH volume than the ideal weight group. Increment in all adiposity measures was associated with a higher WMH volume. Among them, waist circumference demonstrated the strongest effect (β [95% CI] = 0.113 [0.101–0.125]). Past adiposity also demonstrated similar effects. Among the subset of 2664 participants with available WMH follow‐up data, adiposity measures were predictive of WMH change. Regarding changes of adiposity, compared with ideal weight stable group, those who turned from ideal weight to overweight/obese had a 8.1% higher WMH volume (β [95% CI] = 0.081 [0.039–0.123]), while participants who turned from overweight/obese to ideal weight demonstrated no significant WMH volume change. Blood pressure partly meditates the associations between adiposity and WMH.

Conclusions

Both concurrent and past adiposity were associated with a higher WMH volume. The detrimental effects of adiposity on WMH occurred throughout midlife and in the elderly and may still exist after changes in obesity status.
The volume and the distribution of premorbid white matter hyperintensities: Impact on post‐stroke aphasia
Authors: Vadinova Veronika , Sihvonen Aleksi J. , Wee Fiona , Garden Kimberley L. , Ziraldo Laura , Roxbury Tracy , O'Brien Kate , Copland David A. , McMahon Katie L. , Brownsett Sonia L. E.
Published: January 2024

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a radiological manifestation of progressive white matter integrity loss. The total volume and distribution of WMH within the corpus callosum have been associated with pathological cognitive ageing processes but have not been considered in relation to post‐stroke aphasia outcomes. We investigated the contribution of both the total volume of WMH, and the extent of WMH lesion load in the corpus callosum to the recovery of language after first‐ever stroke. Behavioural and neuroimaging data from individuals (N = 37) with a left‐hemisphere stroke were included at the early subacute stage of recovery. Spoken language comprehension and production abilities were assessed using word and sentence‐level tasks. Neuroimaging data was used to derive stroke lesion variables (volume and lesion load to language critical regions) and WMH variables (WMH volume and lesion load to three callosal segments). WMH volume did not predict variance in language measures, when considered together with stroke lesion and demographic variables. However, WMH lesion load in the forceps minor segment of the corpus callosum explained variance in early subacute comprehension abilities (t = −2.59, p = .01) together with corrected stroke lesion volume and socio‐demographic variables. Premorbid WMH lesions in the forceps minor were negatively associated with early subacute language comprehension after aphasic stroke. This negative impact of callosal WMH on language is consistent with converging evidence from pathological ageing suggesting that callosal WMH disrupt the neural networks supporting a range of cognitive functions.
Enhanced healing of wounds that responded poorly to silver dressing by copper wound dressings: Prospective single arm treatment study
Authors: Gorel Oxana , Hamuda Mozna , Feldman Ilana , Kucyn‐Gabovich Irit
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Dressings containing silver ions are an accepted and common option for wound treatment. However, some wounds fail to heal at the desired rate despite optimal management. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of copper dressings in noninfected wounds.

Methods

The study included 20 patients aged 18–85 years with 2–30 cm2 noninfected wounds treated for 17–41 days with silver wound dressings that failed to reduce by >50% the wound size, who were then treated with copper dressings. Ten patients were diabetics, 10 suffered from hypertension, and six suffered from peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Two patients suffered from two wounds. Most were amputation wounds below the knee.

Results

Five patients dropped out from the study due to complications not related to the wound. The mean period of silver and copper dressings treatment was 25.6 and 29.6 days, respectively (p = 0.25; t test). None of the wounds became infected. Comparing a period of 25 days, during the copper dressings treatment, the mean wound area reduction was ~2.4 times higher than during the silver dressing treatment, 87.35 ± 22.4% versus 37.02 ± 25.11% (mean ± SD; p < 0.001; paired t test), respectively. The average decline during the silver and copper treatments were 1.2% and 2.14% per day (p = 0.002; multiple regression analysis), respectively.

Conclusions

The enhanced wound healing process observed with the copper dressings may be explained by the integral role of copper throughout all physiological skin repair processes. Silver in contrast has no physiological role in wound healing. The results of our study confirm case reports showing enhanced wound healing of hard‐to‐heal wounds with copper dressings, both of infected and noninfected wounds. Taken together, the results of the current study support the hypothesis that the application of copper dressings in situ for noninfected wounds results in the stimulation of the wound healing processes, as opposed to silver dressings.
Did marginal propensities to consume change with the housing boom and bust?
Authors: Cho Yunho , Morley James , Singh Aarti
Published: January 2024

We extend a widely used semi‐structural model to identify and estimate dynamic consumption elasticities with respect to transitory income shocks. Applying our model to household survey data, we find a structural break in marginal propensities to consume following the end of the housing market boom, with the average across households increasing significantly. There is important heterogeneity by different household balance sheet characteristics, and the increase in the average appears to be driven by higher short‐run consumption elasticities for homeowners with low liquid wealth. The change in consumption behavior is consistent with tighter borrowing constraints more than a shift in wealth distributions.
Umbilical cord MSC‐derived exosomes improve alveolar macrophage function and reduce LPS‐induced acute lung injury
Authors: Cui Enhai , Lv Lu , Wang Bin , Li Liqin , Lu Huadong , Hua Feng , Chen Wenyan , Chen Na , Yang Liwei , Pan Ruolang
Published: January 2024

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe condition that can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with a high mortality rate. Currently, no specific and compelling drug treatment plan exists. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising results in preclinical and clinical studies as a potential treatment for ALI and other lung‐related conditions due to their immunomodulatory properties and ability to regenerate various cell types. The present study focuses on analyzing the role of umbilical cord MSC (UC‐MSC))‐derived exosomes in reducing lipopolysaccharide‐induced ALI and investigating the mechanism involved. The study demonstrates that UC‐MSC‐derived exosomes effectively improved the metabolic function of alveolar macrophages and promoted their shift to an anti‐inflammatory phenotype, leading to a reduction in ALI. The findings also suggest that creating three‐dimensional microspheres from the MSCs first can enhance the effectiveness of the exosomes. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action and optimize the therapeutic potential of MSCs and their secretome in ALI and other lung‐related conditions.
Ryanodine receptor dysfunction causes senescence and fibrosis in Duchenne dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Souidi Monia , Resta Jessica , Dridi Haikel , Sleiman Yvonne , Reiken Steve , Formoso Karina , Colombani Sarah , Amédro Pascal , Meyer Pierre , Charrabi Azzouz , Vincenti Marie , Liu Yang , Soni Rajesh Kumar , Lezoualc'h Frank , Stéphane Blot D.V.M. , Rivier François , Cazorla Olivier , Parini Angelo , Marks Andrew R. , Mialet‐Perez Jeanne , Lacampagne Alain , Meli Albano C.
Published: January 2024

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X‐linked disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness due to the absence of functional dystrophin. DMD patients also develop dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We have previously shown that DMD (mdx) mice and a canine DMD model (GRMD) exhibit abnormal intracellular calcium (Ca2+) cycling related to early‐stage pathological remodelling of the ryanodine receptor intracellular calcium release channel (RyR2) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) contributing to age‐dependent DCM.

Methods

Here, we used hiPSC‐CMs from DMD patients selected by Speckle‐tracking echocardiography and canine DMD cardiac biopsies to assess key early‐stage Duchenne DCM features.

Results

Dystrophin deficiency was associated with RyR2 remodelling and SR Ca2+ leak (RyR2 Po of 0.03 ± 0.01 for HC vs. 0.16 ± 0.01 for DMD, P < 0.01), which led to early‐stage defects including senescence. We observed higher levels of senescence markers including p15 (2.03 ± 0.75 for HC vs. 13.67 ± 5.49 for DMD, P < 0.05) and p16 (1.86 ± 0.83 for HC vs. 10.71 ± 3.00 for DMD, P < 0.01) in DMD hiPSC‐CMs and in the canine DMD model. The fibrosis was increased in DMD hiPSC‐CMs. We observed cardiac hypocontractility in DMD hiPSC‐CMs. Stabilizing RyR2 pharmacologically by S107 prevented most of these pathological features, including the rescue of the contraction amplitude (1.65 ± 0.06 μm for DMD vs. 2.26 ± 0.08 μm for DMD + S107, P < 0.01). These data were confirmed by proteomic analyses, in particular ECM remodelling and fibrosis.

Conclusions

We identified key cellular damages that are established earlier than cardiac clinical pathology in DMD patients, with major perturbation of the cardiac ECC. Our results demonstrated that cardiac fibrosis and premature senescence are induced by RyR2 mediated SR Ca2+ leak in DMD cardiomyocytes. We revealed that RyR2 is an early biomarker of DMD‐associated cardiac damages in DMD patients. The progressive and later DCM onset could be linked with the RyR2‐mediated increased fibrosis and premature senescence, eventually causing cell death and further cardiac fibrosis in a vicious cycle leading to further hypocontractility as a major feature of DCM. The present study provides a novel understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the DMD‐induced DCM. By targeting RyR2 channels, it provides a potential pharmacological treatment.
Investigating the effects of acute and chronic stress on DNA damage
Authors: Beattie Ursula K. , Estrada Rodolfo S. , Gormally Brenna M. G. , Reed J. Michael , McVey Mitch , Romero L. Michael
Published: January 2024

A hallmark of the vertebrate stress response is a rapid increase in glucocorticoids and catecholamines; however, this does not mean that these mediators are the best, or should be the only, metric measured when studying stress. Instead, it is becoming increasingly clear that assaying a suite of downstream metrics is necessary in stress physiology. One component of this suite could be assessing double‐stranded DNA damage (dsDNA damage), which has recently been shown to increase in blood with both acute and chronic stress in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). To further understand the relationship between stress and dsDNA damage, we designed two experiments to address the following questions: (1) how does dsDNA damage with chronic stress vary across tissues? (2) does the increase in dsDNA damage during acute stress come from one arm of the stress response or both? We found that (1) dsDNA damage affects tissues differently during chronic stress and (2) the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis influences dsDNA damage with acute stress, but the sympathetic‐adreno‐medullary system does not. Surprisingly, our data are not explained by studies on changes in hormone receptor levels with chronic stress, so the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
AKT/FOXM1/STMN1 signaling pathway activation by SMC1A promotes tumor growth in breast cancer
Authors: Li Kaichun , Dai Ping , Li Jian , Liu Long , Cheng Shiyu , Fang Qingliang , Wu Bingxiang
Published: January 2024

Background

Upregulation of SMC1A (Structural maintenance of chromosomes 1A) is linked with many types of cancer and its oncogenic function, which has been associated with crucial cellular mechanisms (cell division, cell cycle checkpoints regulation and DNA repair). Recent studies have shown that SMC1A was involved in breast cancer, although the exact mechanisms of SMC1A remain to be determined.

Methods

Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we examined SMC1A expression and its relation to other genes, including FOXM1 and STMN1. Short hairpin RNA was used to subsequently examine the biological roles of SMC1A in MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐468 cell lines. Bioinformatics were performed to identify the SMC1A‐related gene FOXM1.

Results

Here, we used the TCGA database to show that SMC1A is overexpressed in breast cancer. Later investigations showed SMC1A's role in breast cancer cell survival, apoptosis and invasion. Using bioinformatics and western blot assays, we confirmed that FOXM1 acted as the downstream of SMC1A, and SMC1A knockdown significantly downregulated the FOXM1 expression via the AKT signal pathway. Interestingly, the inhibition effects induced by SMC1A downregulation could be reversed by FOXM1 overexpression. In the clinic, SMC1A expression is favorably linked with FOXM1 expression in breast cancer tumor tissues.

Conclusions

Collectively, our results not only enhance our knowledge of SMC1A's molecular pathways in breast cancer, but also suggest a potential new therapeutic target.
Synthesis of [3H]Org24598 using in‐house prepared [3H]MeI
Authors: Kriegelstein Michal , Nováková Gabriela , Marek Aleš
Published: January 2024

The synthesis of tritium‐labelled glycine transporter 1 inhibitor Org24598 is reported. Because of the instability of the Org24598 skeleton under hydrogenation conditions, a synthetic approach using an in‐house prepared tritium‐labelled alkylating agent ([3H]MeI, SA = 26.2 Ci/mmol) was employed. Alternative methods of labelling are discussed.