bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Attitudes Towards Academic Self‐Efficacy and Self and Peer Assessment in Turkish Nursing Students: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: İncesu Olga , Ulupınar Sevim
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Academic self‐efficacy (ASE), as well as self (SA) and peer assessment (PA), is associated with the subjective judgements of the individual. The correlation among these concepts merits further research. This study aims to examine the correlation between nursing students' attitudes towards ASE and SA and PA.

Design

This is a correlational cross‐sectional study.

Methods

The sample consisted of 1401 nursing students from five universities in Istanbul, Turkey. The study employed the proportional quota sampling method. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form, View Scale for Peer and Self‐Assessment and ASE Scale. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression model (stepwise) tests were used to analyse the data.

Results

Descriptive statistics revealed that 82.2% of the participants were female and their Academic Grade Point Average was 3.00 ± 0.48. As a result of the regression analysis, it was determined that students' age, gender, perception of academic achievement, status of receiving PA training and attitudes towards doing PA and self‐assessment significantly predicted their ASE score.

Conclusions

Students' ASE was found to be medium‐level, their attitudes towards peer and self‐assessment were high and SA and PA attitudes was associated with ASE.

Patient or Public Contribution

A total of 1401 undergraduate nursing students from five undergraduate universities participated in the study and responded to questions on ASE, peer assessment, self assessment, etc.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of SiO2 Nanoparticles Using Extract of Gracilaria Crassa Via Green Chemistry Approach
Authors: Palanimuthu Vanathi , Periakaruppan Rajiv , Romanovski Valentin , Bharathi Ayyarappan , Vijai Selvaraj Karungan Selvaraj , Anukeerthana Somasundaram , Nishanthi Rajendran , Vanajadevi Gurumoorthy
Published: November 2024

Biologically synthesized nanoparticles via biological entities are produced with less negative impact on the environment and without expensive chemicals, which have biocompatibility and are eco‐friendly. Gracilaria crassa is a well‐known marine red alga that is edible and unique and is the commercial source of agar and agarose production. In this work, Gracilaria crassa‐mediated SiO2 NPs were synthesized by the green synthesis method. In order to characterize the physicochemical properties of the synthesized SiO2 NPs, a variety of microscopic and spectroscopic approaches were used, including imaging with Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, UV spectrophotometry, X‐ray diffraction analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, Zeta potential, and Thermo gravimetric analysis. These results shown that Gracilaria crassa‐mediated SiO2 NPs were amorphous nature, negatively charged −15.5 mV and spherical shape in size of 20–50 nm. The antioxidant capacity of synthesised SiO2 NPs was examined by 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay and it observed as IC50 value of 49.4 μg/mL denotes that could counteract the production of free radicals and oxidative stress. The characteristics of the synthesized Gracilara crassa‐mediated SiO2 NPs suggest their application as potential antioxidant agents.
Influence of different types of SiO2 nanoparticles in polyamic acid for enhanced dielectric and mechanical performance at room temperature
Authors: Singh Amit Kumar , Xue Wei
Published: November 2024

In power transmission applications, there is an increasing demand for insulating materials capable of maintaining high dielectric and mechanical strength across a broad temperature range. However, achieving effective insulating properties with a single polymer is challenging. Therefore, thin films of polymer‐based nanocomposites are under investigation. This study investigates the effects of three types of SiO2 nanoparticles, one as non‐coated and the other two with different surface coatings, in polyamic acid (PAA) utilizing four different solvents for SiO2 dispersion within the matrix, in achieving high dielectric and mechanical strength at room temperature. High‐voltage breakdown and tensile tests were performed to determine the dielectric and mechanical properties of nanocomposites, respectively. The breakdown structures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The characterization shows that both the nanoparticles and processing solvents have direct impact on the dielectric and mechanical performance of the samples. The combination of 3‐aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) surface‐coated SiO2 and dimethyl sulfoxide solvent resulted in the highest performing dielectrics, with dielectric strengths of 141.15 kV/mm (alternating current, AC) and 184.60 kV/mm (direct current, DC) as well as superior mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength of 64.34 MPa, yield strength of 43.11 MPa, and elastic modulus of 2405.05 MPa. These values represent a significant improvement of both dielectric and mechanical properties from the pure polymer by 13%–20%. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the surface functionalization of SiO2 nanoparticles with APTES that promotes molecular interactions, facilitates charge redistribution, and strengthens the interfacial adhesion when they are incorporated into PAA.

Highlights

Performance of composite‐based dielectrics can be improved by material design.

Nanoparticles with surface functional groups enhance properties of composites.

Solvent to disperse nanoparticles plays a significant role in film quality.

Dielectric/mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites are quantified.
Colombian natural fibers: Potential applications in sustainable natural fiber reinforced composites materials
Authors: Hidalgo‐Salazar Miguel A. , Correa‐Aguirre Juan P. , Román Allen J. , Gonzalez Ronalds , Vera Ramon , Osswald Tim A.
Published: November 2024

Using natural fibers in bio‐based product development offers a promising path toward an environmentally sustainable future. This study aims to characterize natural fibers obtained from food processing companies and artisans across Colombian regions, employing a methodology that can be extended to natural fibers characterization worldwide and supporting research focused on sustainable product development based on natural fibers. The thermal, mechanical, morphological, and surface properties of the fibers were measured using advanced techniques such as dynamic mechanical analysis‐DMA, thermogravimetry‐TGA, computed microtomograph, and 3D‐microscopy. The chemical composition was analyzed using Van Soest methodology and TGA thermogram deconvolution. Thermal characterization reveals that natural fibers start their degradation between 227 and 258°C, defining a safe thermal processing range for natural fiber‐reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC) products. Mechanical properties were measured at temperatures ranging from −50 to 150°C. Among the tested fibers, pineapple leaf fibers, hemp fibers, and toquilla straw exhibited superior mechanical performance up to 100°C suggesting their potential for developing bioproducts across various applications. In contrast, banana and coir coconut fibers showed lower tensile strength and tensile modulus. Surface roughness differs in the longitudinal and transverse directions, suggesting that chambira straw (Ra 0.067 mm), fique fibers (Ra 0.03 mm), and hemp and pineapple leaf fibers (Ra 0.021 mm) may be of interest for further investigation in NFRPC production. This research highlights the progress and challenges in utilizing natural fibers to develop sustainable products. It positively impacts regional economies, drives technological advancements, and expands the potential applications of natural fiber‐reinforced composites.

Highlights

Novel micro‐CT technique reveals accurate cross‐sectional areas of natural fibers

Colombian natural fibers maintain stable tensile properties from −50 to 125°C

Toquilla straw shows highest strength‐to‐density ratio among studied fibers

Thermal analysis offers rapid verification of natural fiber chemical composition

Ashby charts allow comparison of natural fibers and their uses in composites.
Portal hypertension as an independent risk factor for cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: An investigation on its mechanism based on bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Hu Youwen , Yi Jing , Xiao Yangyang , Guo Li , He Bo , Degejirifu  , Wen Zhili
Published: November 2024

Aims

Despite being commonly found in patients with various etiologies of liver cirrhosis, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is often overlooked, and its mechanism remains unknown. This study aimed to illuminate the epidemiological data and risk factors of CCM and to explore its potential mechanisms through a bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

Clinical data were collected from January 2008 to December 2022 retrospectively, and patients were divided into the CCM and non‐CCM groups based on the criteria proposed by the 2005 World Congress of Gastroenterology. Independent risk factors for CCM were identified through a multivariate logistic regression analysis. CCM‐related genes were explored using the GeneCards database, and enrichment analysis was performed. Protein–protein interaction analysis was conducted using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database, and hub genes were identified using Cytoscape software. The Transcriptional Regulatory Relationships Unraveled by Sentence‐based Text Mining (TRRUST) database was utilized to explore transcription factors (TFs), and a network regulatory diagram of TF‐gene pathways was constructed. Finally, potential drugs were predicted using the Drug Gene Interaction Database.

Results

A total of 965 patients with liver cirrhosis were included, among whom 563 (58.3%) were diagnosed with CCM. Portal hypertension (PHT) was identified as the only independent risk factor for CCM. The hub genes included IL6, TNF, TGFB1, IL1B, MMP9, and IL10. Enrichment analysis revealed that Forkhead box O (FoxO), mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF‐1), phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐protein kinase B (PI3K‐AKT), interleukin (IL)‐17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK‐STAT), and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐beta pathways were enriched. TFs such as CEBPB, NFKB1, STAT1, STAT3, and SP1 were also implicated. Potential drugs included pravastatin and atorvastatin.

Conclusions

The morbidity associated with CCM was high, and PHT was the only independent risk factor. The mechanism may be related to inflammation, and statins may hold therapeutic promise.
Clinicopathological Significance of Extranodal Adipose Tissue Invasion in Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Patients With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Nagasaka Hirotaka , Sato Shinya , Suzuki Atsuto , Terao Hideyuki , Nakamura Yoshiyasu , Yoshihara Mitsuyo , Okubo Yoichiro , Washimi Kota , Yokose Tomoyuki , Kishida Takeshi , Miyagi Yohei
Published: November 2024

Background

Lymph node (LN) metastasis is a poor prognostic factor in patients with prostate cancer. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying cancer progression in the metastatic microenvironment of LNs is crucial to establishing novel therapies. Adipocytes interact with cancer cells and regulate cancer progression. In this study, we aimed to clarify the clinicopathological significance of extranodal adipose tissue invasion in metastatic LNs and preoperative adipokine concentration in patients with prostate cancer exhibiting metastatic LNs.

Methods

We examined the pathological findings of primary and metastatic nodes and clinical information of 66 specimens from 46 patients with prostate cancer. A sub‐analysis was performed to assess the relationship between preoperative adiponectin/leptin concentrations and clinical/pathological findings in the blood samples of 56 patients with prostate cancer who either did or did not show LN metastasis.

Results

The number of metastatic LNs in patients correlated with the involvement of adipose tissue and lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.039 and < 0.001, respectively). Preoperative adiponectin concentration was lower in patients with resected margin‐positive and extraprostatic extension‐positive primary cancers (p = 0.0071 and 0.02, respectively). Preoperative adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with metastatic LNs than in patients without LN metastasis (p < 0.001). Moreover, leptin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with metastatic LNs than in patients without LN metastasis (p < 0.001). In patients with metastatic LNs, preoperative adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with biochemical recurrence than in patients without biochemical recurrence (p = 0.031). There was no correlation between biochemical recurrence and pathological findings.

Conclusions

This is the first report on the detailed histopathological characteristics of prostate cancer with LN metastases and the significance of preoperative adiponectin concentration in predicting the pathological features of primary cancers. Also, adipokines are a significant prediction factor of LN metastases for prostate cancer patients. Adipose tissue and adipose‐secreting factors may be involved in the progression of metastatic and primary prostate cancer.
Population pharmacokinetics of selexipag for dose selection and confirmation in pediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Axelsen Lene Nygaard , Kümmel Anne , Perez Ruixo Juan Jose , Russu Alberto
Published: November 2024

Selexipag is an oral selective prostacyclin receptor agonist approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults. To date, no treatment targeting the prostacyclin pathway is approved for pediatric patients. Our goal is to identify a pediatric dose regimen that results in comparable exposures to selexipag and its active metabolite JNJ‐68006861 as those shown to be efficacious in adult PAH patients. Extrapolation from the population pharmacokinetic (PK) model developed in adults (GRIPHON study; NCT01106014) resulted in the definition of three different pediatric body weight groups (≥9 to <25 kg, ≥25 to <50 kg, and ≥50 kg) with corresponding starting doses (100, 150, and 200 μg twice daily) and maximum allowed doses (800, 1200, and 1600 μg twice daily). The proposed pediatric dose regimen was subsequently tested in a clinical study (NCT03492177), including 63 pediatric PAH patients ≥2 to <18 years of age and a body weight range of 9.9–93.5 kg. The body weight‐adjusted dose regimen for selexipag resulted in comparable systemic exposures to selexipag and its active metabolite in pediatric patients as previously observed in adult PAH patients. Updating the adult selexipag population PK model provided overall consistent parameters and confirmed that the PK characteristics of selexipag and its active metabolite were comparable between pediatric and adult patients. The presented selexipag dose regimen for pediatric PAH patients is considered appropriate for continuing the clinical evaluation of the safety and efficacy of selexipag in pediatric patients ≥2 years of age.
Simulation‐Based Analysis of Environmentally Friendly Perovskite Solar Cells: Projecting 21.61% Efficiency with Lead‐Free CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3
Authors: Jain Ayush , Subudhi Poonam , Khanal Gaurav Mani , Punetha Deepak
Published: November 2024

In this study, a simulation‐based analysis of environmentally friendly, lead‐free perovskite (PVK) solar cells (PSC) with high power conversion efficiency (PCE), is presented. Various PVK materials, including lead‐, tin‐, germanium‐, and tin–germanium‐based compounds, are evaluated through simulations to explore their impact on device performance. Among these, CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3 demonstrates the highest simulated efficiency, with a rectangular cell architecture of 0.45 × 0.9 mm. Key parameters such as thickness, temperature, doping concentration, and bandgap are systematically varied in the simulations to study their effects on device performance. The optimized architecture is found to be Au/Spiro‐MeOTAD (hole‐transport layer)/CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3/TiO2 (electron‐transport layer)/FTO, achieving a simulated PCE of 21.61%, with an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.2 V, short‐circuit current density (Jsc) of 21.32 mA cm−2, and fill factor of 84.43%. Furthermore, in this study, detailed electrical simulations (electric field distribution, Shockley–Read–Hall recombination, and electron and hole concentrations) and thermal simulations (nonradiative recombination heating, joule heating) of the device are included. In this work, the potential of lead‐free PSCs is underscored and the importance of continuous simulation studies to design eco‐friendly, high‐efficiency photovoltaic devices is highlighted.
Adaptive Fixed‐Time Sliding Mode Control for Trajectory Tracking of Uncertain Dynamical Systems
Authors: Yang Jianxiang , Fan Yiran , Mu Anle , Zhou Feihang , Li Nailu , Xiong Jianbin
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces an innovative adaptive fixed‐time sliding mode control (SMC) method that eliminates chattering, enhancing trajectory tracking accuracy and robustness in nonlinear dynamical systems facing uncertainties and external disturbances. The proposed control scheme ensures fixed‐time convergence of system states to a predefined neighborhood around the origin, independent of initial conditions. An innovative adaptive tuning law is proposed to estimate the unknown upper bounds of synthetic uncertainties and disturbances without requiring prior knowledge. This law forces system states to trend to the sliding surface within a fixed time, achieving stabilization of tracking errors at the origin without undesirable chattering and while avoiding singularities. Comprehensive simulations and comparisons among four control strategies (C1, C2, C3, and C4) demonstrate that the proposed C1 control strategy outperforms others in terms of faster convergence speed, higher tracking accuracy, less chattering, and stronger robustness.
An Efficient 3D Point Cloud‐Based Place Recognition Approach for Underground Tunnels Using Convolution and Self‐Attention Mechanism
Authors: Ye Tao , Liu Ao , Yan Xiangpeng , Yan Xiangming , Ouyang Yu , Deng Xiangpeng , Cong Xiao , Zhang Fan
Published: November 2024

Existing place recognition methods overly rely on effective geometric features in the data. When directly applied to underground tunnels with repetitive spatial structures and blurry texture features, these methods may result in potential misjudgments, thereby reducing positioning accuracy. Additionally, the substantial computational demands of current methods make it challenging to support real‐time feedback of positioning information. To address the challenges mentioned above, we first introduced the Feature Reconstruction Convolution Module, aimed at reconstructing prevalent similar feature patterns in underground tunnels and aggregating discriminative feature descriptors, thereby enhancing environmental discrimination. Subsequently, the Sinusoidal Self‐Attention Module was implemented to actively filter local descriptors, allocate weights to different descriptors, and determine the most valuable feature descriptors in the network. Finally, the network was further enhanced with the integration of the Rotation‐Equivariant Downsampling Module, designed to expand the receptive field, merge features, and reduce computational complexity. According to experimental results, our algorithm achieves a maximum score of 0.996 on the SubT‐Tunnel data set and 0.995 on the KITTI data set. Moreover, the method only consists of 0.78 million parameters, and the computation time for a single point cloud frame is 17.3 ms. These scores surpass the performance of many advanced algorithms, emphasizing the effectiveness of our approach.
Insights From Intensive Stream Monitoring in an Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Catchment Illuminate Anthropogenic Impact on Water Quality
Authors: Shtull‐Trauring E. , Egozi R. , Ben‐Yona M. , Bernstein N.
Published: November 2024

Degraded water quality is one of the well‐documented adverse effect of intensive agriculture on the riverine environment. It can result from nutrient leaching from agricultural fields, stream flow harvesting, irrigation with treated wastewater, full or partial damming, and cultivating the riparian zone. The weight of each cause on the regime water quality is only sometimes apparent. Thus, stream restoration planning requires understanding of the dynamics of water quality, and stakeholders' efforts do not address the right stressors on time. This is further exacerbated in Mediterranean agriculture catchments, which are prone to water scarcity, seasonal rainfall and streamflow variations. We therefore aim to evaluate how monitoring water quality parameters can help direct river restoration projects in Eastern Mediterranean watersheds. The present project focused on water quality dynamics along the main channel of the Nahalal stream and employed high spatiotemporal monitoring of basic water quality parameters: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and macro‐nutrients in the context of (1) spatial gradients: Channel upstream vs. downstream; (2) seasonality: Base flow vs. flood water flows; and (3) hydraulic constraint: open vs. closed channel sluice gate. The results from the systematic stream grab water sampling, 34 times over two years at 13 locations, revealed increased concentrations at the downstream direction by dry‐wet conditions prior to the date of sampling. Contrary to expectations, higher concentrations of nitrates were found upstream near a spring—a source for base flow, than at the downstream reach, and the opposite trend was found for P concentrations. The results suggest that combined effects of several stressors control stream water quality dynamics: Riparian vegetation dominated by Phragmites australis, soil‐erosion processes, and water resources management. Lack of high spatiotemporal monitoring could result in misinterpretation of the intervention actions needed at the channel and watershed scales and may lead to poor initiation of self‐stream restoration ecology.
Irrigation and Water Management of Tomatoes–A Review
Authors: Somefun Olabisi Tolulope , Masasi Blessing , Adelabu Anuoluwapo Omolola
Published: November 2024

Effective water management practices are essential for maximising tomato yield while mitigating the risks associated with climate change. The need for climate‐smart irrigation management techniques in agriculture has increased to optimise water use efficiency and enhance crop productivity. Irrigation scheduling using precision agriculture technologies like soil moisture sensors is an effective and efficient water management strategy in crop production. This strategy helps growers apply the right amount of water at the right time to meet crop needs, thus reducing water wastage and increasing environmental sustainability. Combining soil moisture sensors and crop simulation models for real‐time irrigation scheduling can enhance water use efficiency while reducing operations, energy costs, and labour in crop production. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive review of the current efforts to improve irrigation management by integrating precision agriculture technologies such as soil moisture sensors, plant sensors, and crop models for irrigation scheduling in tomato production.
Regression Trees With Fused Leaves
Authors: Su Xiaogang , Liu Lei , Liu Lili , Zhou Ruiwen , Wang Guoqiao , Dusseldorp Elise , Zhou Tianni
Published: November 2024

We propose a novel regression tree method named “TreeFuL,” an abbreviation for ‘Tree with Fused Leaves.’ TreeFuL innovatively combines recursive partitioning with fused regularization, offering a distinct approach to the conventional pruning method. One of TreeFuL's noteworthy advantages is its capacity for cross‐validated amalgamation of non‐neighboring terminal nodes. This is facilitated by a leaf coloring scheme that supports tree shearing and node amalgamation. As a result, TreeFuL facilitates the development of more parsimonious tree models without compromising predictive accuracy. The refined model offers enhanced interpretability, making it particularly well‐suited for biomedical applications of decision trees, such as disease diagnosis and prognosis. We demonstrate the practical advantages of our proposed method through simulation studies and an analysis of data collected in an obesity study.
Experimental and DFT Studies of Antibiotics Removal Through Activated Carbon: A Step‐by‐Step Adsorption Process at Atomic Level
Authors: Badshah Khan , Ali Qaisar , Khan Adnan Ali , Ahmad Rashid , Ahmad Iftikhar
Published: November 2024

In this paper, starch‐based porous activated carbon adsorbent (KOH@SAC) is prepared, characterized (by BET, SEM, XRD, FTIR and TGA), and assessed for the removal of broad‐spectrum antibiotics, cefotaxime (CEFO), and ceftriaxone (CEFT), from aqueous solutions. The experimentally measured adsorption capacity of KOH@SAC is 333.76907 ± 6.01983 mg g−1 for CEFO and 262.42692 ± 11.252 mg g−1 for CEFT. The negative change in Gibbs free energy with the increase in temperature and positive change in enthalpy, for both antibiotics, reveal spontaneous, and endothermic nature of adsorption. The experimental data follows Langmuir, DR, Freundlich, and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The reaction follows pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and is controlled by film diffusion and Intraparticle diffusion concurrently. Quantum mechanical, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations are also carried out to verify the experimental results. These results provide a clear understanding of the step‐by‐step adsorption process at the atomic level. The DFT results revealed that oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen atoms of the CEFO and CEFT are the active sites that lead to its adsorption onto KOH@SAC. The experimental and theoretical results presented in this paper reveal that KOH@SAC is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of hazardous antibiotics from water.
1,2,3‐Triazole‐Based New Aurones as Anticancer Agents with the Capability to Target Extracellular Digestive Enzymes
Authors: Kumar Gourav , Saroha Bhavna , Kumar Suresh , Kumari Bavita , Arya Priyanka , Raghav Neera , Ghosh Sushmita , Nassare Vilas D.
Published: November 2024

This study involves the synthesis of a series of dimethyl substituted novel aurones, featuring 1,2,3‐triazole as an integral structure. All the newly synthesized compounds were thoroughly characterized using various spectroscopic tools and also subjected to computational analysis utilizing the DFT/B3LYP methodology, which involved the determination of frontier molecular orbital energy values and the computation of various quantum chemical parameters. Further their impact on cell viability and cytotoxic activity on the adenocarcinoma gastric cell line (AGS) was investigated using cell‐based MTT assay. Compounds 6d, 6o and 6p displayed significant cytotoxic activity, reducing cell viability to a greater extent with IC50 values of 9.74, 20.09, and 5.92 µM, respectively and even better than the standard chemotherapeutic drug leucovorin (IC50 = 30.8 µM). In addition, all the compounds were also screened for their extracellular enzymatic assay and through in vitro results compound 6n emerged as the efficient inhibitor of amylase (% inhibition = 51.92) and trypsin (% inhibition = 68.36), whereas an activation is observed for lipase (% activation = 269.48). In silico molecular docking was also conducted to assess the interactions between proteins and ligands, revealing the binding patterns of the synthesized compounds and the standard drug with receptor proteins.
m6A Ribonucleic Acid Methylation in Fibrotic Diseases of Visceral Organs
Authors: Dai Xiaoniu , Cheng Yusi , Luo Wei , Wang Jing , Wang Cuifen , Zhang Xinxin , Zhang Wei , Chao Jie
Published: November 2024

Fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the tissue's extracellular space, leading to structural injury and organ dysfunction, and even organ failure, posing a threat to human life. Despite mounting evidence suggesting that fibrosis is reversible, effective treatments for fibrotic diseases are lacking. Accumulating evidence has elucidated that ribonucleic acid (RNA) modifications have emerged as novel mechanisms regulating gene expression. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a well‐known prevalent RNA posttranscriptional modification that participates in essential biological processes such as RNA splicing, translation, and degradation. It is tightly implicated in a wide range of cellular processes and various human diseases, particularly in organ fibrosis. The m6A modification is a dynamic and reversible process regulated by methylases, commonly known as “writers,” and demethylases referred to as “erasers,” while m6A modifications are recognized by “readers.” Accumulating evidence suggests that m6A modification on RNAs is tightly associated with fibrotic diseases of visceral organs including the lungs, heart, liver, and kidney. In this review, recent advances in the impact of m6A methylation of RNAs on visceral organ fibrosis are highlighted and the potential prospects for therapy in treating fibrotic diseases of visceral organs are discussed.
Polyphenol‐Mediated Multifunctional Human–Machine Interface Hydrogel Electrodes in Bioelectronics
Authors: Jiang Lili , Gan Donglin , Xu Chuangyi , Zhang Tingting , Gao Mingyuan , Xie Chaoming , Zhang Denghui , Lu Xiong
Published: November 2024

Human–machine interface (HMI) electrodes enable interactions between humans and bioelectronic devices by facilitating electrical stimulation and recording neural activity. However, reconciling the soft, hydrated nature of living human tissues with the rigid, dry properties of synthetic electronic systems is inherently challenging. Overcoming these significant differences, which is critical for developing compatible, effective, and stable interfaces, has become a key research area in materials science and technology. Recently, hydrogels have gained prominence for use in HMI electrodes because these soft, hydrated materials are similar in nature to human tissues and can be tuned through the incorporation of nanofillers. This review examines the functional requirements of HMI electrodes and highlights recent progress in the development of polyphenol‐mediated multifunctional hydrogel‐based HMI electrodes for bioelectronics. Furthermore, aspects such as mussel‐inspired and polyphenol‐mediated adhesion, underlying mechanisms, tissue‐matching mechanical properties, electrochemical performance, biocompatibility, biofouling resistance, stability under physiological conditions, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant properties are discussed. Finally, applications in bioelectronics and further perspectives are outlined. Advances in HMI hydrogel electrodes are expected to facilitate the unprecedented integration of biological systems and electronic devices, potentially revolutionizing various biomedical fields and enhancing the capabilities and performance of bioelectronic devices.
Creative‐Becoming Holism: Reflections on and Development of Creative Holism in the Case of Science Education
Authors: Xu Chenjia , Fan Dongping
Published: November 2024

Creative holism has garnered significant scholarly interest in China since its introduction into Chinese academia in the mid‐2000s. Building on and contributing to the ongoing dialogue between ‘East and West’ systems thinking, in this article, we propose ‘Creative‐Becoming Holism’ as an attempt to advance creative holism. Our theoretical construal emphasises the dynamic process of generation and evolution as central to holism, which we consider to be the foundation of systems thinking. We justify this theoretical stance by drawing from the research on the mechanism of emergence in complexity sciences, the preoccupation with creative evolution and processual generation in traditional Chinese thought, and the reflections on the intellectual trajectory of applied systems thinking. We believe the notion of ‘becoming’ offers a fresh perspective on the nature of holism, under which creativity can be seen as a local rule of interactions within the system as a processual, dynamic whole. Moreover, ‘becoming’ also prompts us to move towards a generative view of holism where the whole is granted with ontological and epistemological primacy instead of being construed as a mere collection of system elements. Creative‐Becoming Holism provides a methodological framework for dealing with complex social systems. To highlight its application prowess, we then explore how Creative‐Becoming Holism can address critical challenges in science education, including cultivating Ideas of Big Science Education (STESE), fostering Engineering Habits of Mind and understanding Nature of Science (NOS).
Real‐Time Observation of Strain Evolution in Lap Shear Test of BH220 Steel Resistance Spot‐Welded Joints via a Digital Image Correlation Method
Authors: Zhao Dawei , Guseinov Kirill , Vdonin Nikita , Radionova Lyudmila , Glebov Lev
Published: November 2024

This article presents an investigation of the real‐time deformation and strain field changes of baked hardening (BH) 220 steel plate resistance spot welds in the lap tensile shear tests via digital image correlation (DIC) technology. 2D DIC analysis can be used to provide a quantitative assessment of the strain competition between the weld nugget and the surrounding metal. The data obtained from the DIC technique indicate that the shear strain is primarily concentrated in the outer metal of the weld, consistent with a nugget pull‐out failure (PF) mode. In contrast, if the welding parameters are inappropriate, for example, if the welding current is 7.2 kA, the welding time is 10 cycles and the electrode pressure is 0.35 MPa, a significant shear strain appears in the nugget of the BH220 weld. This subsequently causes the weld to fail in an unfavorable interface failure mode in the shear test. Calculations show that if the failure mode is nugget pull‐out, the mean failure strength is 13.5 kN, while the value for interface failure is 6.55 kN. The PF mode is characterized by ductile failure, whereby the material yields and necks through the base material. This failure mode is not associated with the notch region.
Acid Degradation Study of Dapagliflozin: Structural Characterization of Dapagliflozin and its Degradation Products Using Advanced Analytical Techniques and In Silico Toxicity Prediction
Authors: Bhuma Dastagiri Reddy , Maddala Venkata Kanaka Srivani , Raghupathi Jayaprakash Kanijam , Salakolusu Suresh , Ranga Mahesh , Kaliyapermal Muralidharan , Katari Naresh Kumar
Published: November 2024

The research investigates the stress degradation behavior of Dapagliflozin (DAP), a type‐2 diabetic treatment, following International Council for Harmonization Guidelines. It found that DAP is stable in thermal, photolytic, neutral, and alkaline hydrolysis conditions, but significant degradation was detected in acid hydrolysis. Two novel degradation products (DPs) were identified and isolated in acid degradation, providing the first documented structural characterization of all two DPs. The identification of DPs was achieved through the use of ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, semi‐preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for structural characterization. In acid degradation, a total of two primary DPs, degradation products 1 and 2 (DP1 and DP2), were found and separated. It was not previously reported that the two DPs that were generated were all new. This is the first time that these two DPs’ full structural characterizations employing cutting‐edge analytical techniques have been recorded. In the current work, liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were employed to get a specific confirmation of DP structures. In the further, degrading impurity with lower runtime will also be identified using the current method.
Attitudes and opinions of Brazilian veterinarians towards the assessment and management of acute avian pain
Authors: Justo André Augusto , Pinho Renata Haddad , Garofalo Natache Arouca , Trindade Pedro Henrique Esteves , Luna Stelio Pacca Loureiro , Carregaro Adriano Bonfim , Cortopassi Silvia Renata Gaido
Published: November 2024

Background

Veterinarians' approaches to the management of avian pain have been poorly documented despite the rising number of pet birds seen in clinical settings.

Methods

An online survey was advertised nationwide to recruit Brazilian veterinarians who had treated traumatic and surgical conditions in birds within the previous year. The survey comprised 25 closed or semi‐closed questions divided into four sections (demographics, routinely performed medical procedures and pain recognition, drug choices for analgesia and challenges to pain treatment, and attitudes towards pain relief in birds). Survey results are expressed as a percentage of responses and a chi‐squared test was used to compare proportions.

Results

A total of 370 completed surveys were received. Approximately 72% of respondents worked exclusively in wild/exotic animal practice. Parrots and related species were the most commonly seen birds. The most frequently reported painful conditions were fractures (88.4%), feather plucking (73.0%) and limb amputation (65.1%). Although pain was diagnosed behaviourally by 97.6% of the respondents, 83.5% believed that the presence of an observer inhibited avian pain expression. NSAIDs and opioids, most commonly meloxicam and tramadol, were always provided perioperatively by 66.4% and 42.1% of respondents, respectively. Although nearly all respondents (95.4%) agreed that analgesics improve the quality of recovery after surgery, 80.3% stated that acute pain in birds is frequently undiagnosed in the clinical setting.

Limitations

Selection bias could have overestimated the attitudes concerning avian pain in relation to the wider veterinary population.

Conclusion

Practising veterinarians in Brazil revealed a positive attitude towards avian pain management. However, the lack of validated pain assessment methods makes avian pain relief highly challenging.
Preventing Wrong-Level Spine Surgery
Authors: Agolia James Paul , Robertson Scott , Turel Keki , Kasper Ekkehard M.
Published: November 2024

Importance: Wrong-level spine surgery (WLSS), a medical error in which a surgeon operates at an unintended vertebral level, is considered a “never event.” However, it continues to be a problem in spine surgery today despite the implementation of preventive measures such as the Universal Protocol. The consequences of this event are severe for both the afflicted patient and the treating physician and may result not only in physical harm but also in costly medicolegal proceedings.

Observations: While WLSS incidence varies with the patient population and practice setting, large studies generally report rates below 1%. Given the ubiquity of spine surgery, this remains a concerning number. Risk factors for WLSS can be categorized into three domains: patient factors, imaging issues, and technical issues. Awareness of risk factors allows surgeons to plan for difficulties in level localization. Many techniques for preventing WLSS have been developed, including invasive preoperative marking strategies. Intraoperative radiography or fluoroscopy is necessary but not sufficient for WLSS prevention, in that many errors occur after imaging. The evidence for prevention methods remains of low quality, necessitating future prospective comparison studies.

Conclusions and relevance: Consensus has been reached in professional societies: All spine surgeons should implement WLSS prevention protocols. We assess the reported techniques for safer surgery and emphasize one crucial time-out element: the time-out for level localization (TOLL). Addressing WLSS as a problem specific to spine surgery, we show that by using specially tailored prevention strategies, such measures will allow WLSS to become a true never event.
Dysgraphia Following the Resection of a Left Parietal Glioma
Authors: de Almeida Eduardo Robatto Plessim , Santos Lucival Silva , Maldonado Igor Lima
Published: November 2024

We report herein the case of a 41-year-old man operated on for a small inferior parietal lobule ganglioglioma with a sleep-awake-sleep protocol and language mapping to avoid major speech disorders. Postoperatively, however, writing disturbance was characterized by persistent graphemic errors that lasted for about 8 months. The topic is discussed in light of recent literature, exploring the possible relationship between writing difficulties and disconnections produced by a combination of resecting supramarginal gyrus components and interrupting arcuate fasciculus fibers. Awake mapping of eloquent structures is typically done using direct brain stimulation to maximize the extent of the resection while minimizing permanent neurological deficits. However, most intraoperative language tests focus on language skills such as oral and reading skills. Therefore, the detection of dysgraphia requires a high degree of attention from the surgical team and direct examination intra-and perioperatively. To this end, employing an intraoperative writing test during awake surgery may be considered. Advances in this field may aid in increasing the accuracy during parenchymal dissections, influencing the extent of the resection, improving the patient’s functional prognosis and long-term quality of life.
Cerebral Venous Infarction After AVM Resection: Pictorial
Authors: Beneš Vladimír
Published: November 2024

A case report of a 68-year-old otherwise-healthy female patient with Spetzler-Martin (SM) grade I arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her left frontal region is presented. After an uneventful surgery, cerebral venous infarction developed, and the patient was rendered hemiparetic with motor aphasia. After bony decompression, slow improvement was seen, and 3 months after surgery, the patient was neurologically intact. Six months after AVM resection, cranioplasty was performed. Infarction was caused by the thrombosis of a long primary draining vein, which finished its course in the normal cortical venous system. The case supports the venous origin of postoperative bleeding after AVM resection instead of the normal perfusion pressure phenomenon.
Venous Compromise/Deep Venous Thrombosis During Parasagittal Meningiomas Resection
Authors: Colli Benedicto Oscar , Carlotti Junior Carlos Gilberto , de Oliveira Ricardo Santos , Gondim Guilherme Gozzoli Podolski
Published: November 2024

We are reporting the case of JB, a 28-year-old male who presented to our hospital in 2009. The patient reported a progressive increase in a known mass that had been deforming their head since 2005. He had suffered from a first-time seizure four years later (in 2009). Neurological examination revealed a large tumor protruding in the parietal region, which was confirmed by CT. A subsequent MRI demonstrated a hyperostotic contrast-enhancing parasagittal tumor occluding the middle third of the superior sagittal sinus, with cortical veins joining the sinus adjacent to the tumor.

The patient was taken to the OR for a craniotomy and a resection of the tumor with cranioplasty in the same setting. The tumor was exposed by using a straight incision on the scalp. A craniotomy was performed around the tumor by using multiple burr holes; now the bone could be separated from the dura and removed. The intradural tumor was exposed, and a cortical vein draining into the tumor could not be preserved. Some residual tumor was left close to the anterior part of the superior sagittal sinus. The dura was reconstructed with pericranium, and the bony defect was closed with titanium mesh. The patient woke up initially paraplegic, but 7 days later, he started with proximal movements in both legs. Unfortunately, he died suddenly in the second postoperative week, due to pulmonary embolism. The case is reviewed in this manuscript to analyze the contributing factors of the complications that were observed and to suggest management strategies to avoid them.
Blindness After Frontal Craniotomy
Authors: Dubovoy Andrey V.
Published: November 2024

In our practice at our department, we have encountered two clinical cases involving the complete loss of vision and ophthalmoplegia after craniotomy on the vascular pathology of the brain. Both patients underwent microsurgery via bifrontal skin incision. In the first case, the subfrontal craniotomy on the right side was made, and then microsurgical resection of an arteriovenous malformation of the right frontal lobe was performed. In the second case, a fronto-basal interhemispheric craniotomy was made for aneurysm surgery. This surgery included an intracranial anastomosis in a side-to-side fashion between the A3 segments of both anterior cerebral arteries, and a clip was applied proximal to a fusiform aneurysm located in the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery. The intracranial part of the procedure was uneventful. However, upon awakening from anesthesia after surgical treatment, both patients developed bilateral amaurosis and ophthalmoplegia.

A thorough morbidity and mortality (M&M) analysis of these cases was performed, including a retrospective analysis of the clinical condition of patients and their ophthalmological status prior to surgery. Video recordings of the surgery and of anesthesia management and its records were carried out. Intraoperative iatrogenic direct damage to the cranial nerves and arteries was excluded.

From the data obtained, a putative intraoperative explanation of the decisive causative factor was highlighted: direct pressure on the eyeballs from the retracted skin flap during both surgeries.
The Nightmare of AVM Surgery: Early Rupture of the Venous Drainage—Lessons from Personal Experience and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Florian Ioan Stefan , Florian Ioan Alexandru
Published: November 2024

We describe the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with signs of increased intracranial pressure, right-sided motor deficit, and repeated episodes of epilepsy due to a left frontal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with a large superficial draining vein. Despite great efforts to protect the vein from the start, it ruptured shortly after we removed the bone flap. This required rigorous hemorrhage control, which in turn led to profuse bleeding from the nidus throughout the process of the dissection and coagulation of the arterial feeders. The postoperative course was initially uneventful; however, the patient declined neurologically and became unresponsive on the second day after surgery. Emergent CT revealed a significant hematoma occupying the space where the AVM nidus had been resected. The patient was taken back to the OR for emergency evacuation of the hematoma. Despite these efforts, the neurological status remained poor, and the patient was transferred to a territorial hospital after spending 3 weeks in the ICU.

An early rupture of the venous drainage represents a dreaded complication of AVM surgery, which can compromise the intervention before the start of the definite resection. We discuss our experience of and strategy for preventing and managing the intraoperative venous rupture of AVMs by describing our seven rules of “Don’t.” We also provide a brief overview of the relevant literature.