bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher prevalence of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus‐like MRI features in progressive supranuclear palsy: An imaging reminder of atypical parkinsonism
Authors: Fu Mu‐Hui , Huang Chih‐Cheng , Wu Kay L. H. , Chen Ying‐Fa , Kung Yu‐Chih , Lee Cheng‐Chang , Liu Jia‐Shou , Lan Min‐Yu , Chang Yung‐Yee
Published: January 2023

Objectives

The classic triad of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) encompass gait disturbance, cognitive impairment, and urinary incontinence. These symptoms overlap with parkinsonism but with distinct treatment. Lacking applicable differentiation also hampers the prediction to therapeutic response. Here, we try to clarify this issue among different Parkinsonian syndromes and propose some innovative thinking while approaching a patient with parkinsonism and hydrocephalus concomitantly.

Methods

Twenty‐four patients with clinical probable multiple system atrophy (MSA), 34 with probable progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and 58 with sex‐ and age‐matched Parkinson's disease (PD) were enrolled. Evans’ index (EI), callosal angle (CA), antero‐posterior (AP) diameter of the midbrain, length of the midbrain tegmentum diameter (MBTegm), and disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH) were evaluated using the conventional MRI. Logistic regression was applied to identify the independent variables in hydrocephalus.

Results

Patients with PSP had higher mean EI than those with MSA and PD. Around 38.2% of patients with PSP had accompanied hydrocephalus (EI > 0.3). Parkinsonism subtypes (PD, MSA, or PSP), AP diameter of the midbrain, and MBTegm were significantly different among patients with and without hydrocephalus. After regression analysis, parkinsonism subtype stood out to be the most key risk factor of hydrocephalus. The comparison between patients with PSP with and without hydrocephalus did not disclose specific clinical characteristics or risk factors.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the presence of NPH‐like MRI features is much higher in PSP patients, and this tendency is decided upon the determination of parkinsonism subtype. Sharing pathophysiological characteristics in these two diseases is implied. More diagnostic tools are needed to better differentiate the two diseases and decide the treatment. To closely observe hydrocephalic parkinsonism patients and well inform the possible limited shunting benefits if PSP core features appear, will be more pivotal and practical at present clinical practice.
Photocatalytic C−H Amination of Electron‐rich Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Carbon Nitride Photocatalysis
Authors: Mazzanti Stefano , Markushyna Yevheniia , Savateev Oleksandr
Published: January 2023

Construction of C−N bond is a central process in organic synthesis. Typically, it relies on noble‐metal catalysts and prefunctionalized substrates, such as aryl halides. Alternative and more appealing method is a direct C−H amination of hydrocarbons that is based on intrinsic reactivity of the in situ generated radical cations, which are more electrophilic compared to their closed‐shell precursors. In this work, we employ potassium poly(heptazine imide) (K‐PHI), a graphitic carbon nitride semiconductor, to enable C−H amination of electron rich aromatic hydrocarbons with NH3 and pyrazole under oxidative conditions. Screening of oxidants, indicate those molecules that are able to accept not only electrons, but also protons, such as O2, PhNO2 and Ph2S2, mediate the reaction. As such, multisite proton‐coupled electron transfer (MS‐PCET) from the photocharged state of K‐PHI to the acceptor of electrons and protons is the key element in the studied photocatalytic process.
Coordinating Additives as Activity Modulators in Diiodo Latent Olefin Metathesis Catalysts
Authors: Nechmad Noy B. , Iudanov Keren , Tarannam Naziha , Kobernik Victoria , Kozuch Sebastian , Lemcoff N. Gabriel
Published: January 2023

The ruthenium alkylidene catalyzed ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of 5‐membered rings is an intramolecular reaction that is highly favored due to entropic and enthalpic contributions. Counterintuitively, by using trifluoromethyl sulfur‐chelated ruthenium benzylidene (Ru−SCF3−I), RCM of a diene with a hindered dimethyl terminus, diethyl 2‐allyl‐2‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl) malonate (S1), could be achieved at high concentrations but not at low concentrations. This finding led to the discovery that several additives, including ethyl acetate, significantly enhance the latent catalyst's activity. DFT computations and NMR control experiments suggest that additive coordination influences the catalytic cycle. Moreover, the “ethyl acetate effect” was studied in ring‐opening metathesis polymerizations (ROMP), providing a more efficient initiation when the reactions are run in environmentally friendly ethyl acetate as the solvent. The strong influence of simple coordinating additives (sometimes present in the substrate itself) on the activation of latent catalysts provides important insights into the reaction mechanism and opens a doorway towards improving the efficiency of these types of catalysts.
Enhancement of NIR‐Absorbing Ability of Bis(diarylmethylium)‐Type Dicationic Dyes Based on an Ortho‐Substitution Strategy.
Authors: Harimoto Takashi , Suzuki Takanori , Ishigaki Yusuke
Published: January 2023

Electrochromic systems capable of switching near‐infrared (NIR) absorption are fascinating from the viewpoint of applications in the materials and life sciences. Although 11,11,12,12‐tetraaryl‐9,10‐anthraquinodimethanes (AQDs) with a folded form undergo one‐stage two‐electron oxidation to produce twisted dicationic dyes exhibiting NIR absorption, there is a need to establish a design strategy that can enhance the NIR‐absorbing abilities of the corresponding dicationic dyes. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of AQD derivatives with various substituents introduced at the ortho‐position(s) of the 4‐methoxyphenyl group. X‐ray and spectroscopic analyses revealed that NIR‐absorbing properties can be changed by introduction of the ortho‐substituents. Thus, control of the steric and electronic effects of the ortho‐substituents on the 4‐methoxyphenyl groups was demonstrated to be an effective strategy for fine‐tuning of the HOMO and LUMO levels for neutral AQDs and twisted dications, respectively, resulting in the modification of electrochemical and spectroscopic properties under an “ortho‐substitution strategy”.
Synthesis of 9,10‐Phenanthrenes via Rh(III)‐Catalyzed [4+2] Annulation of 2‐Biphenylboronic Acids with Diazo Compounds
Authors: Tian Miaomiao , Yang Lingyun , Liu Bingxian , Chang Junbiao
Published: January 2023

Comprehensive Summary

A Rh(III)‐catalyzed, transmetalation triggered C—H activation/annulation of 2‐biphenylboronic acids with diazo compounds from β‐keto esters or 1,3‐dicarboxylates has been developed, leading to the synthesis of two kinds of 9,10‐phenanthrenes. Notably, a rhodacyle was synthesized by treating the rhodium catalyst with stoichiometric amounts of 2‐biphenylboronic acids and pyridine, which was further verified to be active for the catalytic system. The reactions proceeded under redox‐neutral and air‐tolerant conditions to produce a series of all‐carbon six‐membered rings with high efficiency.
Switching of Organic Fluorophores by Glycerol‐sulfite Interactions for Single‐Molecule Super‐Resolution Microscopy**
Authors: Engdahl Anders Kokkvoll , Grauberger Oleg , Brockhinke Andreas , Schüttpelz Mark , Huser Thomas
Published: January 2023

Photoinduced off‐switching of organic fluorophores is used in super‐resolution microscopy to separate and localize single fluorescent molecules. However, this method typically relies on the use of complex imaging buffers that make use of enzymatic oxygen scavengers to remove oxygen and primary thiols to reversibly reduce excited fluorophores to a non‐fluorescent state. Here, we show that the interactions between sodium sulfite and glycerol can also be used for efficient switching of common organic fluorophores. The addition of glycerol to the imaging buffer allows us to tune the dye switching from intermittent fluorescence to the off‐state. We additionally show that sodium sulfite‐glycerol‐based buffers are especially useful for imaging at low laser illumination intensities in high‐refractive index solutions and samples embedded in agarose gel. This significantly simplifies the implementation of different super‐resolution microscopy modalities such as direct STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (dSTORM) and Super‐resolution Optical Fluctuation Imaging (SOFI).
Genomic prediction of threshability in naked barley
Authors: Massman Chris , Meints Brigid , Hernandez Javier , Kunze Karl , Smith Kevin P. , Sorrells Mark E. , Hayes Patrick M. , Gutierrez Lucia
Published: January 2023

Threshability, defined here as the propensity of grains to lose their hull after harvest, is a key trait in naked barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). While threshability is a defining characteristic of naked grains and has been found to be associated with grain size and shape, its genetic architecture is poorly described. The goals of this study were to identify quantitative trait loci associated with threshability and evaluate their utility as covariates in genomic prediction models. A genome‐wide association study identified two loci on chromosomes 2H and 3H associated with threshability. The locus on chromosome 2H accounted for 9.9% of the phenotypic variance explained (PVE). The locus on chromosomes 3H accounted for 7.8% of the PVE. With effects on threshability of 0.18 and 0.29 for each marker, respectively, these markers could have a limited impact when implemented in marker‐assisted selection. Predictive ability for threshability was 0.842 using a structured genomic best linear unbiased prediction model. Incorporation of the markers with significant associations as covariates in the model did not improve predictive ability. Predictive ability was improved by the use of a multi‐trait model including grain test weight. The high predictive ability for threshability overall indicate that genomic selection would be useful in selection for threshability in naked barley.
Impacts of delta and omicron variants on inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine‐induced T cell responses in patients with autoimmune diseases and healthy controls
Authors: Wang Shuyi , Li Jin , Wang Shuang , Ye Yujin , Li Mengyuan , Liu Yihao , Chen Binfeng , Lai Yimei , Li Liubing , Zhuang Lili , Peng Sui , Yang Niansheng , Zhang Hui , Xiao Haipeng
Published: January 2023

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), which is still devastating economies and communities globally. The increasing infections of variants of concern (VOCs) in vaccinated population have raised concerns about the effectiveness of current vaccines. Patients with autoimmune diseases (PAD) under immunosuppressant treatments are facing higher risk of infection and potentially lower immune responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from PAD or healthy controls (HC) who finished two or three doses of inactivated vaccines. Spike peptides derived from wild‐type strain, delta, omicron BA.1 were utilised to evaluate T cell responses and their cross‐recognition of delta and omicron in HC and PAD by flow cytometry and ex vivo IFNγ‐ELISpot.

Results

We found that inactivated vaccine‐induced spike‐specific memory T cells were long‐lasting in both PAD and HC. These spike‐specific T cells were highly conserved and cross‐recognized delta and omicron. Moreover, a third inactivated vaccine expanded spike‐specific T cells that responded to delta and omicron spike peptides substantially in both PAD and HC. Importantly, the polyfunctionality of spike‐specific memory T cells was preserved in terms of cytokine and cytotoxic responses. Although the extent of T cell responses was lower in PAD after two‐dose, T cell responses were boosted to a greater magnitude in PAD by the third dose, bringing comparable spike‐specific T cell immunity after the third dose.

Conclusion

Inactivated vaccine‐induced spike‐specific T cells remain largely intact against delta and omicron variants. This study expands our understanding of inactivated vaccine‐induced T cell responses in PAD and HC, which could have important indications for vaccination strategy.
New Intermetalloid Ge9‐clusters with Copper and Gold: Filling Vacancies in the Cluster Chemistry of [Ge9(Hyp)3]− (Hyp=Si(SiMe3)3)
Authors: Gienger Christian , Schynowski Leah , Schaefer Janis , Schrenk Claudio , Schnepf Andreas
Published: January 2023

We present a series of new intermetalloid clusters (R3P)CuGe9((Hyp)3, (R=Me, Et, iPr, nBu, tBu) (Hyp=Si(SiMe3)3) (R3P)AuGe9(Hyp)3MGe9(Hyp)3 (R=Ph, Me; M=Au, Cu). In conjunction with already known clusters, these give new insights into the bonding situation of metal bridged Ge9 clusters as well as a better understanding of the formation of these clusters. Additionally, the intermetalloid clusters with the smallest phosphine PMe3 show new bonding motives.
Strapped Porphyrins as Model Systems for Atropisomeric Photosensitizer Drugs
Authors: Donohoe Claire , Charisiadis Asterios , Maguire Sophie , Twamley Brendan , Schaberle Fábio A. , Gomes‐da‐Silva Lígia C. , Senge Mathias O.
Published: January 2023

The time dependence of atropisomer interconversion has limited the pursuit of single atropisomer drug candidates, even in circumstances where one atropisomer presents favorable biological activity over another. Moderate interconversion energy barriers risk compromising drug stability. As a result, examples of atropisomerically pure drugs in current clinical use are rare. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards the development of single, stable atropisomer drug candidates with enhanced activity. Consequently, development of methods which effectively restrict rotation in a configuration which favors activity is highly beneficial. The picket fence porphyrin α4 atropisomer configuration has been previously demonstrated to improve the cell internalization of the pre‐clinical drug, redaporfin, applied in photodynamic therapy. In this work, the α4 configuration was modelled with novel porphyrin photosensitizers through strapped moieties which effectively fixed the atropisomeric configuration. The stable cis‐αα configuration demonstrated enhanced cell membrane permeation, effectively predicting the behavior of the α4 configuration and indicates that strapped porphyrins can serve as stable model systems for the investigation of photoactive drugs.
Analysis and comparison of boundary condition variants in the free‐surface lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Schwarzmeier Christoph , Rüde Ulrich
Published: January 2023

The accuracy of the free‐surface lattice Boltzmann method (FSLBM) depends significantly on the boundary condition employed at the free interface. Ideally, the chosen boundary condition balances the forces exerted by the liquid and gas pressure. Different variants of the same boundary condition are possible, depending on the number and choice of the particle distribution functions (PDFs) to which it is applied. This study analyzes and compares four variants, in which (i) the boundary condition is applied to all PDFs oriented in the opposite direction of the free interface's normal vector, including or (ii) excluding the central PDF. While these variants overwrite existing information, the boundary condition can also be applied (iii) to only missing PDFs without dropping available data or (iv) to only missing PDFs but at least three PDFs as suggested in the literature. It is shown that neither variant generally balances the forces exerted by the liquid and gas pressure at the free surface. The four variants' accuracy was compared in five different numerical experiments covering various applications. These include a standing gravity wave, a rectangular and cylindrical dam break, a rising Taylor bubble, and a droplet impacting a thin pool of liquid. Overall, variant (iii) was substantially more accurate than the other variants in the numerical experiments performed in this study.
Mechanisms of speed encoding in the human middle temporal cortex measured by 7T fMRI
Authors: Gaglianese Anna , Fracasso Alessio , Fernandes Francisco G. , Harvey Ben , Dumoulin Serge O. , Petridou Natalia
Published: January 2023

Perception of dynamic scenes in our environment results from the evaluation of visual features such as the fundamental spatial and temporal frequency components of a moving object. The ratio between these two components represents the object's speed of motion. The human middle temporal cortex hMT+ has a crucial biological role in the direct encoding of object speed. However, the link between hMT+ speed encoding and the spatiotemporal frequency components of a moving object is still under explored. Here, we recorded high resolution 7T blood oxygen level‐dependent BOLD responses to different visual motion stimuli as a function of their fundamental spatial and temporal frequency components. We fitted each hMT+ BOLD response with a 2D Gaussian model allowing for two different speed encoding mechanisms: (1) distinct and independent selectivity for the spatial and temporal frequencies of the visual motion stimuli; (2) pure tuning for the speed of motion. We show that both mechanisms occur but in different neuronal groups within hMT+, with the largest subregion of the complex showing separable tuning for the spatial and temporal frequency of the visual stimuli. Both mechanisms were highly reproducible within participants, reconciling single cell recordings from MT in animals that have showed both encoding mechanisms. Our findings confirm that a more complex process is involved in the perception of speed than initially thought and suggest that hMT+ plays a primary role in the evaluation of the spatial features of the moving visual input.
Role of signal transduction pathways in IL‐1β‐induced apoptosis: Pathological and therapeutic aspects
Authors: Wang Peixuan , Qian Hong , Xiao Manxue , Lv Jingwen
Published: January 2023

Background

Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine mainly produced by monocytes and macrophages with a wide range of biological effects. Evidence has shown that IL‐1β plays a vital role in the process of apoptosis; however, the specific mechanisms, by which IL‐1β induces apoptosis, vary due to different cellular and experimental conditions. Therefore, this present reviewstudy aimed to systematically review the association between the molecular mechanisms of IL‐1β‐induced apoptosis in pathological processes and the role of signaling pathways. This article also sought to briefly investigate the potential of signaling pathway‐targeted therapy in the prevention and treatment of disease.

Methods

This is a literature review article. The present discourse aim is first to scrutinize and assess the available literature on IL‐1β and apoptosis. The relevant studies using the keywords of “IL‐1β‐induced apoptosis” and “signaling pathways” were searched in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Gathered relevant material, and extracted information was then assessed.

Results

IL‐1β can induce apoptosis in various types of cells under different external stimuli via the mitochondrial pathway, death receptor pathway and endoplasmic reticulum pathway, and that the different pathways are often interconnected. The NF‐kB signaling pathway, p38MAPK, and JNK signaling pathways mainly play a proapoptotic part, and the ERK1/2 pathway has a bidirectional role in regulating apoptosis, while activation of the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway can inhibit apoptosis.

Conclusion

This review indicates that IL‐1β‐induced apoptosis plays an important role in pathogenesis and development of pathology of many inflammatory diseases. Elucidating the role of the signaling pathways will aid the development of targeted therapeutic treatments.
Berberine promotes immunological outcomes and decreases neuroinflammation in the experimental model of multiple sclerosis through the expansion of Treg and Th2 cells
Authors: Tavaf Maryam J. , Soltanmohammadi Azita , Zargarani Simin , Yazdanpanah Esmaeil , Sadighimoghaddam Bizhan , Yousefi Bahman , Sameni Hamid R. , Haghmorad Dariush
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Among the most frequent demyelinating autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) is multiple sclerosis. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is used as an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Berberine is an alkaloid found in some medicinal plants with anti‐inflammatory effects.

Methods

C57BL/6 female mice were used and divided into three groups: (1) The control group received PBS, (2) the low‐dose treatment group received 10 mg/kg of berberine, and (3) The high‐dose treatment group received 30 mg/kg of berberine. Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein and complete Freund's adjuvant were subcutaneously administered to induce EAE. Mice were given intraperitoneal injections of pertussis toxin on the day of immunization and 2 days later. Histological studies showed low lymphocyte infiltration and demyelination of CNS in the treated groups.

Results

The clinical scores of the treatment group with low‐dose berberine (T1: 2 ± 0.13) and high‐dose berberine (T2: 1.5 ± 0.14) were significantly (p < .001) lower than the control group (CTRL: 4.5 ± 0.13). Treatment groups decreased pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, interleukin [IL]‐17) (p < .001) as well as increased anti‐inflammatory cytokine expression (IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐27, IL‐33, IL‐35, TGF‐β) (p < .01) when compared to the CTRL group. Treatment groups with berberine reduced expression of the Th1 and Th17 cytokines and transcription factors (p < .001) and increased expression of transcription factors and Th2 and Treg cytokines (p < .01) in contrast to CTRL group.

Conclusion

Berberine appears to have a protective effect on disease development and alleviating disease status in EAE, which appears to be due to the cell expansion and function of Treg and Th2 cells in addition to berberine's anti‐inflammatory properties.
Silicone Wristband Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Combined Exposome and Metabolome Profiling
Authors: Mofidfar Mohammad , Song Xiaowei , Kelly John T. , Rubenstein Mitchell H. , Zare Richard N.
Published: January 2023

Wearing a silicone wristband exposes the internal surface of the wristband to glucose, lipids, and metabolites (metabolome) found in sweat and the external surface to occupational and environmental factors that could impact health found in the air (exposome). We use silicone wristband electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SWESI‐MS) to monitor these species. A 20‐μL drop of a (1 : 1, v/v) water:methanol solution is sufficient to extract abundant metabolites and contacting chemicals derived from ingestion of drink, smoke, diet, drug, and air pollution exposure. A wide coverage of species is successfully detected and identified from a worn wristband including caffeine, glucose, nicotine, reserpine, lactate, phosphocreatinine, oleic acid, and urea. The signal from a triangular wristband surface triggered by applying a voltage of 5 kV to form a spray remains stable for at least 2 minutes. The response is linear from 10 pM to 100 μM. The SWESI‐MS method offers the advantages of onsite sampling, no preprocessing, simple testing, and automatic high‐dimensional data searching. It can be used for simultaneously monitoring hazardous chemical contamination and abnormal expression of sweat‐secreted metabolites that are indicative of some physiological condition.
Impact of pregnancy on long‐term health: Advances in postpregnancy care—An opportunity to improve long‐term maternal health
Authors: McAuliffe Fionnuala M.
Published: January 2023

Synopsis

Pregnancy presents a unique opportunity in the life course to improve women's long‐term health. Postpregnancy interventions, breastfeeding, and optimal nutrition prevent the development of chronic diseases.
Curative effect of cervical lifting suture combined with the improved Hayman suture in pernicious placenta previa under noninterventional conditions: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Cao Hongbin , Wang Hu , Li Xue , Chen Liping , Shi Qi , Li Jiaping
Published: January 2023

Objective

To propose a novel operative strategy involving cervical lifting suture (CLS) in conjunction with the improved Hayman suture (CLS‐Hayman) to apply in the cesarean section of pernicious placenta previa (PPP) under noninterventional conditions and evaluate the curative effect of the CLS‐Hayman operation by comparing with conventional CLS.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 119 pregnant women diagnosed with PPP, including 50 cases in the CLS‐Hayman group and 69 cases in the CLS group. The authors used different statistical methods to compare intraoperative bleeding, 24‐h postpartum bleeding, postoperative complication rates, and uterine involution between the two groups under noninterventional conditions.

Results

The median intraoperative blood loss was 800 mL in the CLS‐Hayman group versus 1000 mL in the CLS group. The amount of 24‐h postpartum bleeding in the CLS‐Hayman group was lower than that in the CLS group. The complication rates in the two groups were 12% and 27.5%, respectively (P = 0.04). B‐ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging data showed that the uterine involution was better in the CLS‐Hayman group.

Conclusion

The CLS‐Hayman suture achieves the desired intraoperative hemostasis and also stands out for its better prevention of postpartum hemorrhage, better prognosis at follow‐up, and lower complication rates.
Reversible pulmonary hypertension in hyperthyroid mother: A case report and review of prior cases
Authors: Ramly Fathi , Mahamooth Mas Irfan Jaya , Abidin Hafisyatul Aiza Zainal , Hassan Jamiyah
Published: January 2023

Synopsis

Hyperthyroid‐induced pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy is reversible with aggressive treatment together with close monitoring of cardiac function.
RETRACTED: Infliximab substantially re‐silenced Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and ameliorated doxorubicin‐induced cardiomyopathy in rats
Authors: Mohamed Hoda E. , Askar Mervat E. , Shaheen Mohamed A. , Salama Alaa E. , Idris Reham A. , Younis Nahla N.
Published: January 2023

The release of inflammatory cytokines, namely tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. TNF‐α increases in plasma and in myocardium of heart failure patients. We aimed to investigate the role of TNF‐α inhibitor (infliximab; IFX) in regulating dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) induced in rats. DCM was induced in rats by doxorubicin (DOX; 3.5 mg. kg−1, i.p) twice weekly for 3 weeks (21 mg. kg−1 cumulative dose). DCM rats were treated with RPL (1 mg. kg−1 orally, daily), IFX (5 mg. kg−1; i.p. once) or their combination for 4 weeks starting next day of last DOX dose. Echocardiography was conducted followed by a collection of blood and left ventricle (LV) for biochemical and histological investigations. DCM rats revealed deteriorated cardiac function (increased CK‐MB activity, LVIDs, LVIDd, ESV, and EDV, while decreased EF% and FS%), hypertrophy (increased HW/TL, β‐MHC, and α‐actin), inflammation (increased IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α). The activation of Wnt/β‐catenin along with increased gene expression of RAS components (RENIN, ACE, and AT1) were evident. LV architecture also revealed abnormalities and some degree of fibrosis. Treatment with RPL and/or IFX suppressed TNF‐α and consequently improved most of these parameters suppressing Wnt/β‐catenin/RAS axis. Combined RPL and IFX treatment was the best among all treatments. In conclusion, Wnt/β‐catenin/RAS axis is implicated in DOX‐induced cardiomyopathy. The upstream TNF‐α was proved for the first time in‐vivo to stimulate this axis where its inhibition by RPL or IFX prevented DCM. Targeting this axis at two points using RPL and IFX showed better therapeutic efficacy.
Investigating students' motivational goals and self‐efficacy and task beliefs in relationship to course attendance and prior knowledge in an undergraduate statics course
Authors: Hunsu Nathaniel J. , Olaogun Olarenwaju P. , Oje Adurangba V. , Carnell Peter H. , Morkos Beshoy
Published: January 2023

Background

Student persistence in undergraduate engineering majors often depends on how they perform in foundational engineering courses. Although mastery of prerequisite knowledge affects how students perform in these courses, research suggests that achievement goal orientations and task‐value and self‐efficacy beliefs play prominent roles in predicting students' achievement.

Purpose/Hypothesis

Drawing on achievement goal, expectancy‐value, and self‐efficacy theories, this study explores the relationships and relative predictive significance of students' achievement goal orientations and task‐value and self‐efficacy beliefs on academic achievement when prior knowledge and class attendance in a foundational engineering course were accounted for.

Design/Method

Participants were students enrolled in engineering statics at a primarily White institution. A multiple regression analysis was conducted using achievement goals, self‐efficacy for learning performance, task value, absence, and prior knowledge as predictor variables, and participants' achievement scores as the outcome variable.

Results

Positive relationships were observed between the different achievement goal constructs. The final regression model explained 50% of the variance in participants' achievement scores. Self‐efficacy and task‐value belief effects remained significant predictors of achievement, even after prior knowledge and regular class attendance were considered. Further, the combined effect of self‐efficacy and task‐value beliefs on achievement was larger than that of prior knowledge alone.

Conclusions

Pedagogical approaches that seek to improve engineering students' task‐value and self‐efficacy beliefs may be more efficacious at promoting achievement than those that focus on fostering achievement goal orientations. Instructors should consider such approaches along with those that effectively address differences in prior knowledge in foundational engineering courses.
Trait‐ and State‐Dependent Changes in Cortical–Subcortical Functional Networks Across the Adult Lifespan
Authors: Wang Ziqi , Yang Jie , Zheng Zihao , Cao Weifang , Dong Li , Li Hechun , Wen Xin , Luo Cheng , Cai Qingyan , Jian Wei , Yao Dezhong
Published: January 2023

Background

How the functional interactions of the basal ganglia/thalamus with the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum change over the adult lifespan in movie‐watching and resting‐state is less clear.

Purpose

To investigate the functional changes in the organization of the human cortical–subcortical functional networks over the adult lifespan using movie‐watching and resting‐state fMRI data.

Study Type

Cohort.

Subjects

Healthy 467 adults (cross‐sectional individuals aged 18–88 years) from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (www.cam-can.com).

Field Strength/Sequence

fMRI using a gradient‐echo echo‐planar imaging (EPI) sequence at 3 T.

Assessment

Functional connectivities (FCs) of the subcortical subregions (i.e. the basal ganglia and thalamus) with both the cerebral cortex and cerebellum were examined in fMRI data acquired during resting state and movie‐watching. And, fluid intelligence scores were also assessed.

Statistical Tests

Student's t‐tests, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected.

Results

As age increased, FCs that mainly within the basal ganglia and thalamus, and between the basal ganglia/thalamus and cortical networks (including the dorsal attention, ventral attention, and limbic networks) were both increased/decreased during movie‐watching and resting states. However, FCs showed a state‐dependent component with advancing age. During the movie‐watching state, the FCs between the basal ganglia/thalamus and cerebellum/frontoparietal control networks were mainly increased with age, and the FCs in the somatomotor network were decreased with age. During the resting state, the FCs between the basal ganglia/thalamus and default mode/visual networks were mainly increased with age, and the FCs in the cerebellum were mainly decreased with age. Moreover, inverse relationships between FCs and fluid intelligence were mainly found in these network regions.

Data Conclusion

Our study may suggest that changes in cortical–subcortical functional networks across the adult lifespan were both state‐dependent and stable traits, and that aging fMRI studies should consider the effects of both physiological characteristics and individual situations.

Evidence Level

2.

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3.
A machine learning approach for prediction of seasonal lightning density in different lightning regions of India
Authors: Chatterjee Chandrani , Mandal Joyjit , Das Saurabh
Published: January 2023

Lightning is one of the most severe weather events causing significant loss of human lives and resources. Increasing number of lightning fatalities due to recent climatic changes is emerging out to be a serious concern for India during last few years. Proper characterization and parameterization of the same, therefore, is extremely crucial. However, lightning is an extremely dynamic phenomenon having enormous spatio‐temporal inhomogeneity especially over such a vast country like India with varied topographic and climatological features. Therefore, proper parameterization of lightning activity over India needs consideration of different lightning climatologies. This study has attempted to resolve the issue by regionalizing Indian subcontinent in different lightning climatologies based on lightning density and associated atmospheric variables that is, CAPE, specific humidity at different pressure levels, temperature, k index and cloud particle size and identified seven distinct lightning climatologies over India. A regression model is proposed for estimating the annual and seasonal (monsoon and pre‐monsoon) lightning activities over the seven resulting lightning zones based on the said atmospheric variables using machine learning techniques. Four machine learning models have been tested among which Random forest has shown the best accuracy. The regression model has shown an R‐squared score of 0.81 during monsoon season and 0.71 during the pre‐monsoon. The atmospheric features based on their influences on the lightning activity in these seven climatologies has been ranked which presented the evidences of largely varied interplay between different atmospheric variables and lightning over different parts of the country and during different seasons.
Chiral analysis of E‐ε‐viniferin enantiomers, towards a new chemotaxonomic marker of the vine
Authors: Gabaston Julien , Buffeteau Thierry , Irvine Agnès Destrac , Gambetta Gregory , Mérillon Jean‐Michel , Waffo‐Téguo Pierre
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

The accurate characterization of grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera) is crucial for grape growers, winemakers, wine sellers, consumers and authorities, considering that mistakes could involve significant damage to the wine economic system. To avoid any misunderstanding, morphological, molecular and chemical tools are developed to positively identify grape varieties.

RESULTS

E‐ε‐viniferin is a stilbene dimer mainly present in the woody part of grapevine and present as a mixture of two enantiomers: (7aR, 8aR)‐(−)‐E‐ε‐viniferin (1) and (7aS, 8aS)‐(+)‐E‐ε‐viniferin (2). In addition to phenotypic and genotypic approaches, a chemotaxonomic method using E‐ε‐viniferin enantiomers as chemical markers of grapevine cultivars was investigated. The isolation and purification of E‐ε‐viniferin enantiomers by preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and chiral HPLC from 14 red and eight white grapevine cane cultivars enabled us to determine the proportion of each enantiomer and therefore to calculate the enantiomeric excess for each variety. The relative abundance of each E‐ε‐viniferin enantiomer permitted us to distinguish grape varieties, as well as to establish cultivar relationships and patterns through statistical analysis.

CONCLUSION

This pioneering work highlighting the enantiomeric excess of E‐ε‐viniferin as a chemical marker of grapevine paves the way for further studies to understand what mechanisms are involved in the production of these enantiomers in grapevine. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Combined effects of lipase and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum1‐24‐LJ on physicochemical property, microbial succession and volatile compounds formation in fermented fish product
Authors: Zhang Zuoli , Wu Ruohan , Xu Wenhuan , Cocolin Luca , Liang Huipeng , Ji Chaofan , Zhang Sufang , Chen Yingxi , Lin Xinping
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that either the addition of starter culture or enzyme can improve fermentation in fish or other products. However, little research has been carried out on the effects of coupling starter cultures with lipase on the microbial community and product quality. Suanzhayu is a Chinese fermented fish product that mainly relies on spontaneous fermentation, resulting in an unstable flavor and quality. The present study investigated the impact of lipase and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 1‐24‐LJ on the quality of Suanzhayu.

RESULTS

Inoculation decreased pH and 2‐thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values, and also helped the dominance of the strain in the ecosystem, whereas lipase addition raised TBARS values and had little effect on pH, water activity (aw) and microbiota. The addition of lipase and/or Lpb. plantarum increased the content of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters and umami amino acids. The co‐additions with the most significant effect and the total contents of volatile compounds (VCs) and free amino acids (FAAs) were 1801.92 g per 100 g and 21 357.05 mg per 100 g, respectively. Former‐Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with pH, aw and Prevotella, but positively with VCs (ethyl ester of heptanoic acid, ethyl ester of octanoic acid) and FAAs (Tyr, Phe). Furthermore, adding Lpb. plantarum 1‐24‐LJ alone or in combination with lipase shortened the fermentation process.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides a recommended Suanzhayu process approach for improving product quality and flavor, as well as shortening fermentation time, by adding Lpb. plantarum 1‐24‐LJ with or without lipase. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of Particle Functionalization on Structural and Dielectric Properties of Flexible TPU/BaTiO3/MWCNTs Composite Films
Authors: Stojchevska Ema , Popeski‐Dimovski Riste , Kokolanski Živko , Gualandi Chiara , Bužarovska Aleksandra
Published: January 2023

Flexible, low‐cost thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite films with functionalized BaTiO3 (BT) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are prepared by solution casting and tested as dielectric materials. Different volume content loadings of BT filler (between 10 and 80 vol%) and 0.12 vol% of MWCNTs are applied. The effects of particle functionalization and BT content on the structural, mechanical, and energy storage properties are studied by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as puncture and dielectric measurements. It is found that the particle functionalization and BT content significantly affect the hydrogen bonding within the polymer matrix, and have a huge impact on the mechanical and dielectric properties. The optimal concentration (30 vol% of functionalized BT and 0.12 vol% of functionalized MWCNTs) giving the highest dielectric constant of 30.28 and dielectric breakdown strength of 42 kV mm−1 is determined.
Combining 13C‐NMR Triad Sequence Data with Joint Molecular Weight and Composition Data to Estimate Parameters in a Gas‐Phase Polyethylene Reactor Model
Authors: Straznicky Jakob I. , Aiello Jennifer P. , Gibson Lauren A. , Jiang Yan , Boller Timothy , Chiang Hsu , McAuley Kimberley B.
Published: January 2023

A three‐site metallocene catalyst is used in a gas‐phase semi‐batch reactor to produce ethylene/hexene copolymers. At the end of each batch, polyethylene (PE) is collected and analyzed to determine the carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C‐NMR) triad sequence distribution. Joint molecular weight (MW) and composition distribution data are obtained using gel permeation chromatography with an infrared detector (GPC‐IR). Data from ten experimental runs are used for kinetic parameter estimation. Using a mean‐squared error (MSE) selection methodology, 23 of the 36 model parameters are selected for estimation using the available polymerization rate and PE characterization data. The remaining parameters are held at initial guesses to avoid overfitting. Addition of the triad data to the parameter estimation problem allows for one additional parameter to be estimated and results in improved parameter estimates. Standard deviations of all but one of the estimated parameters decreased due to inclusion of triad data. The updated parameter estimates result in good fits for the triad data and for joint MW and composition data. The model accurately predicts four validation data sets not used for parameter estimation. The new model and its updated parameter estimates will be valuable for scaling up new polymer grades from laboratory‐scale to commercial‐scale.
Plasma cell‐free DNA methylome profiling in pre‐ and post‐surgery oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Patel Krupal B. , Padhya Tapan A. , Huang Jinyong , Hernandez‐Prera Juan C. , Li Tingyi , Chung Christine H. , Wang Liang , Wang Xuefeng
Published: January 2023

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a highly heterogeneous disease that involves multiple anatomic sites, is a leading cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Although the utility of noninvasive biomarkers based on circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) methylation profiling has been widely recognized, limited studies have been reported so far regarding the dynamics of cfDNA methylome in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). It is hypothesized in this study that comparison of methylation profiles in pre‐ and postsurgery plasma samples will reveal OCSCC‐specific prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. As a strategy to further prioritize tumor‐specific targets, top differential methylated regions (DMRs) were called by reanalyzing methylation data from paired tumor and normal tissue collected in the the cancer genome atlas head‐neck squamous cell carcinoma (TCGA) head and neck cancer cohort. Matched plasma samples from eight patients with OCSCC were collected at Moffitt Cancer Center before and after surgical resection. Plasma‐derived cfDNA was analyzed by cfMBD‐seq, which is a high‐sensitive methylation profiling assay. Differential methylation analysis was then performed based on the matched samples profiled. In the top 200 HNSCC‐specific DMRs detected based on the TCGA data set, a total of 23 regions reached significance in the plasma‐based DMR test. The top five validated DMR regions (ranked by the significance in the plasma study) are located in the promoter regions of genes PENK, NXPH1, ZIK1, TBXT, and CDO1, respectively. The genome‐wide cfDNA DMR analysis further highlighted candidate biomarkers located in genes SFRP4, SOX1, IRF4, and PCDH17. The prognostic relevance of candidate genes was confirmed by survival analysis using the TCGA data. This study supports the utility of cfDNA‐based methylome profiling as a promising noninvasive biomarker source for OCSCC and HNSCC.
Intra-Annual Variability of Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo Electrofishing Data in Shallow Lakes
Authors: Annear Andrew R. , Simonson Martin A. , Dixon Philip M. , Weber Michael J.
Published: January 2023

Common Carp Cyprinus carpio and Bigmouth Buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus are widespread across the Midwest, where they can achieve high population densities in shallow lakes. Despite their contrasting statuses as invasive and native fishes, these species are commonly managed together due to their capacity to have deleterious effects on water quality. However, intra-annual sampling variability is poorly understood for both species, making it difficult to track population changes. We compared boat electrofishing CPUE and proportional size distribution (PSD) of Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo during May–October 2018–2020 in seven shallow northwestern Iowa lakes. We also estimated sampling effort necessary to reach targets of fish captured (100) and precision (relative standard error < 25%) and to detect 25% and 50% differences in CPUE between samples. Common Carp CPUE peaked in June (29 fish/h), declined across the summer, and was lowest in October (9 fish/h). Bigmouth Buffalo CPUE exhibited bimodal peaks in May (16 fish/h) and October (12 fish/h), with low catches during August (2 fish/h). Common Carp size structure was largest during October (PSD of preferred-size fish [PSD-P] = 92) and smallest in July (PSD-P = 58). Bigmouth Buffalo size structure was smaller in June (PSD-P = 20) than in all other months (PSD-P = 34). Our targets for number of fish captured and precision were typically reached within twenty-five 15-min electrofishing transects for Common Carp during periods of high catch rates but were not reached after 100 transects for Bigmouth Buffalo in most cases. Our results suggest that timing of sampling is important for reliably and efficiently assessing Common Carp and Bigmouth Buffalo populations. We recommend the sampling of Common Carp with electrofishing during June and the sampling of Bigmouth Buffalo during May in Midwestern shallow lakes to maximize catch rates while minimizing the influence of seasonal sampling variability.
Dextrin‐graft‐poly(2‐dimethylamino ethyl acrylate‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid) polymer: A potential adsorbent for the fast removal of nitrophenols from aqueous medium
Authors: Ray Jagabandhu , Tripathy Tridib
Published: January 2023

A graft copolymer is synthesized by grafting a mixture of 2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate (DMAEA) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) monomers onto the dextrin, polysaccharide backbone via free radical polymerization process using potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) as radical initiator in aqueous phase. Various characterization techniques like 1H and 13C NMR, FT‐IR, SEM, EDAX, and XRD analysis are used to characterize the copolymer. The polymer is used as an adsorbent for the removal of nitrophenols namely ortho‐nitrophenol (ONP), para‐nitrophenol (PNP), and 2,4‐ dinitrophenol (DNP) from their water solutions. Adsorption dynamics, kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics are studied. The maximum nitrophenol adsorption occurs at time 80 min, temperature 45°C, pH 3.5 (DNP), and 4.5 (ONP and PNP), polymer dose 30 mg/L. The nitrophenol adsorption data are well‐fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity () 215.26 mg g−1 for ONP, 223.60 mg g−1 for PNP, and 288.24 mg g−1 for DNP. The equilibrium kinetics follow pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. Thermodynamic values unfold that the following nitrophenol adsorption onto the polymer surface is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The value of Gibb's free energy for the nitrophenol adsorption is in the range of −6.5 to −9.5 kJ mol−1. The preferential nitrophenol adsorption by the copolymer is followed in the order ONP<PNP<DNP.