bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of physical activity changes on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in young patients with CHD: a 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Kim Hyun Jeong , Yoon Ja-kyoung , Cho Min Jeong , Kunutsor Setor K. , Kim Seong-Ho , Jae Sae Young
Published: December 2023

Objective:

This study examined the relationship between changes in physical activity and their impact on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life over a 3-year span in patients with CHD.

Methods:

We evaluated 99 young patients with CHD, aged 13–18 years at the outset. Physical activity, health-related quality of life, and exercise capacity were assessed via questionnaires and peak oxygen uptake measurements at baseline and after 3 years; changes in measures were estimated between the two time points and categorised into quartiles. Participants were stratified according to achieved (active) or not-achieved (inactive) recommended levels of physical activity (≥150 minutes/week) at both time points.

Results:

Despite increases in physical activity, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life over 3 years, the changes were not statistically significant (all p > 0.05). However, a positive association was found between physical activity changes and exercise capacity (ß = 0.250, p = 0.040) and health-related quality of life improvements (ß = 0.380, p < 0.001). Those with the most pronounced physical activity increase showed notable exercise capacity (p < 0.001) and health-related quality of life increases (p < 0.001) compared with patients with the largest decline in physical activity. The active-inactive category demonstrated a notable decline in exercise capacity compared to the active-active group, while the inactive-active group showed health-related quality of life improvements.

Conclusions:

Over 3 years, increased physical activity was consistently linked to increases in exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with CHD, highlighting the potential of physical activity augmentation as an intervention strategy.
Evaluation of quality of life and parental attitudes in patients who underwent atrial septal defect closure in childhood
Authors: Torunoğlu Bek Zeynep , Oğuz A. Deniz , Soysal Acar A. Şebnem , Terlemez Semiha , Canbeyli Fatma Hayvacı , Kula Serdar , Tunaoğlu Fatma Sedef
Published: December 2023

Objective:

In this study, we aimed to evaluate quality of life and parental attitudes in children who underwent an atrial septal defect closure procedure with a transcatheter or surgical method in childhood and whether they continued their lives with similar activities to their healthy peers by comparing the two groups.

Methods:

Patient forms to define sociodemographic and clinical features, the Questionnaire for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents (KINDL) to measure the quality of life of children, and the Parent-Child Relationship Test (Parental Attitude Research Instrument) to measure parental attitudes were used.

Results:

The groups were similar in terms of age and sex. The mean quality of life scale scores were high in all groups, and there was no statistically significant difference between the scores. Parents of the patients who underwent closure received higher scores from the demographic attitudes and recognition of quality subdimension compared to the parents of the healthy group.

Conclusions:

The quality of life of children with atrial septal defect closure was found to be similar to their healthy peers. Additionally, the effects of surgical or percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect on quality of life are similar. Children with atrial septal defect closure perceive their health status as well as their healthy peers, and this perception does not cause any difference in the attitudes and behaviours of families.
Dual-band transmissive linear to circular polarization converter with angular-stable and orthogonal polarizations
Authors: Zhang Bianmei , Wang Chen , Yu Shuo , Yang Xiaofan , Fang Zhibin , Liu Xiaoming
Published: December 2023

A dual-band angular-stable transmissive linear to circular polarization converter based on metasurface is proposed and demonstrated in this work. The converter consists of three layers. The top and bottom layers are formed by an array of double split-ring layers. The unit cell of the central layer contains a square loop nesting a slant dipole. The split-rings create two resonances, enabling dual-band operation. The slant dipole and square loop are useful for improving the quality of circular polarization conversion. It is shown that the proposed polarization converter converts the incident linearly polarized wave into circularly polarized wave with opposite polarization modes over the frequency ranges of 8.77–10.58 and 17.59–19.88 GHz. The angular stability is up to 60° for 3 dB axial ratio. Moreover, the thickness of unit cell has a wavelength below 0.06 at the lower band. Compared with other designs in the literature, the structure bears merits of wideband response, high angular stability, and low-profile property within dual-band operational region. To validate the design, a sample prototype was designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones.
Prognostic impact of optimal lifestyle advice and medical therapy in	patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Košuta Daniel , Hvala Urška , Fras Zlatko , Jug Borut
Published: December 2023

Summary: Background: Secondary prevention remains under-implemented in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In the present study, we sought to assess the extent, the predictors and the prognostic impact of optimal lifestyle advice (OLA) and optimal medical therapy (OMT) given at discharge to patients with PAD undergoing invasive peripheral procedures. Patients and methods: We included consecutive patients with PAD undergoing invasive peripheral procedures, between 2012 and 2013. Data were obtained from a mandatory fill-in clinical pathway. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, verified using the National Mortality Registry. Results: A total of 2014 participants were included (mean age 70±11 years, 38.1% women). OLA was given to 279 (14%), OMT to 1186 (59%) participants. Male gender and absence of chronic limb-threatening ischaemia were significant predictors of OLA and OMT. During the median follow-up of 729 days (interquartile range 645) 392 (19.5%) participants died giving an overall mortality rate of 97/1000 patient years. On multivariate analysis both OLA and OMT emerged as independent predictors of survival (HR for all-cause mortality: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.42–0.82, p 0.005 and HR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.22–0.76, p 0.002). Conclusions: OLA and OMT are associated with better long-term prognosis in patients with PAD, however they are still under-implemented, suggesting a considerable potential for improvement, especially in women.
Location and Timing of Magnetic Reconnections in Earth's Magnetotail: Accomplishments of the 29‐Year Geotail Near‐Earth Magnetotail Survey
Authors: Nagai T. , Shinohara I. , Saito Y. , Ieda A. , Nakamura R.
Published: December 2023

The spacecraft Geotail surveyed the near‐Earth plasma sheet from XGSM = −10 to −31 RE and YGSM = −20 to +20 RE during the period from 1994 to 2022. It observed 243 magnetic reconnection events and 785 tailward flow events under various solar wind conditions during plasma sheet residence time of over 23,000 hr. Magnetic reconnections associated with the onset of magnetospheric substorms occur mostly in the range XGSM = −23 to −31 RE. When the solar wind is intense and high substorm activities continue, magnetic reconnection can occur closer to the Earth. The YGSM locations of magnetic reconnections depend on the solar wind conditions and on previous substorm activity. Under normal solar wind conditions, magnetic reconnection occurs preferentially in the pre‐midnight plasma sheet. Under conditions with intense (weak) solar wind energy input, however, magnetic reconnection can occur in the post‐midnight (duskside) plasma sheet. Continuous substorm activity tends to shift the magnetic reconnection site duskward. The plasma sheet thinning proceeds faster under intense solar wind conditions, and the loading process that provides the preconditions for magnetic reconnection becomes shorter. When magnetic flux piles up during a prolonged period with a strongly northward‐oriented interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz, the time necessary to provide the preconditions for magnetic reconnection becomes longer. Although the solar wind conditions are the primary factors that control the location and timing of magnetic reconnections, the plasma sheet conditions created by preceding substorm activity or the strongly northward IMF Bz can modify the solar wind control.
Differential molecular profiles and associated functionalities characterize connective tissue grafts obtained at different locations and depths in the human palate
Authors: Asparuhova Maria B. , Song Xiaoqing , Riedwyl Dominic , van Geest Geert , Bosshardt Dieter D. , Sculean Anton
Published: December 2023

The present study aimed to assess the molecular profiles of subepithelial connective tissue grafts (CTGs) obtained at different locations and depths in the human palate. Sixty-four CTGs belonging to anterior deep (AD), anterior superficial (AS), posterior deep (PD), and posterior superficial (PS) groups were subjected to RNA-Sequencing and their transcriptomes were analyzed computationally. Functional correlations characterizing the CTG groups were validated by cell biological experiments using primary human palatal fibroblasts (HPFs) extracted from the CTGs. A clearly more pronounced location-dependent than depth-dependent difference between the grafts, with a minimal number of genes (4) showing no dependence on the location, was revealed. Epithelial, endothelial, and monocytic cell migration was strongly (P < 0.001) potentiated by AD- and PS-HPFs. Moreover, significantly increased expression of genes encoding C-C and C-X-C motif chemokine ligands as well as significantly (P < 0.01) activated p38 signaling suggested immunomodulatory phenotype for AD- and PS-HPFs. Increased growth factor gene expression and significantly activated (P < 0.001) Erk and Akt signaling in HPFs originating from A-CTGs implied their involvement in cell survival, proliferation, and motility. Prominent collagen-rich expression profile contributing to high mechanical stability, increased osteogenesis-related gene expression, and strongly activated (P < 0.001) Smad1/5/8 signaling characterized HPFs originating from P-CTGs. The present data indicate that in humans, differences between palatal CTGs harvested from different locations and depths appear to be location- rather than depth-dependent. Our findings provide the basis for future personalization of the therapeutic strategy by selecting an optimal graft type depending on the clinical indications.
HOMER3 promotes non-small cell lung cancer growth and metastasis primarily through GABPB1-mediated mitochondrial metabolism
Authors: Sun Teng , Song Chao , Zhao Guoqing , Feng Shoujie , Wei Jianhao , Zhang Lixia , Liu Xiangming , Li Zhuoqun , Zhang Hao
Published: December 2023

Cancer metabolism has emerged as a major target for cancer therapy, while the state of mitochondrial drugs has remained largely unexplored, partly due to an inadequate understanding of various mitochondrial functions in tumor contexts. Here, we report that HOMER3 is highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is closely correlated with poor prognosis. Lung cancer cells with low levels of HOMER3 are found to show significant mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby suppressing their proliferation and metastasis in vivo and in vitro. At the mechanistic level, we demonstrate that HOMER3 and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 1b catalytic subunit 3 cooperate to upregulate the level of GA-binding protein subunit beta-1 (GABPB1), a key transcription factor involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, to control mitochondrial inner membrane genes and mitochondrial function. Concurrently, low levels of HOMER3 and its downstream target GABPB1 led to mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased proliferation and invasive activity of lung cancer cells, which raises the possibility that targeting mitochondrial synthesis is an important and promising therapeutic approach for NSCLC.
Mint3-depletion-induced energy stress sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer to chemotherapy via HSF1 inactivation
Authors: Tanaka Noritaka , Okada Hikari , Yamaguchi Kiyoshi , Seki Masahide , Matsubara Daisuke , Gotoh Noriko , Suzuki Yutaka , Furukawa Yoichi , Yamashita Taro , Inoue Jun-ichiro , Kaneko Shuichi , Sakamoto Takeharu
Published: December 2023

Given the lack of therapeutic targets, the conventional approach for managing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) involves the utilization of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. However, most TNBCs acquire resistance to chemotherapy, thereby lowering the therapeutic outcome. In addition to oncogenic mutations in TNBC, microenvironment-induced mechanisms render chemoresistance more complex and robust in vivo. Here, we aimed to analyze whether depletion of Munc18-1 interacting protein 3 (Mint3), which activates hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) during normoxia, sensitizes TNBC to chemotherapy. We found that Mint3 promotes the chemoresistance of TNBC in vivo. Mint3 depletion did not affect the sensitivity of human TNBC cell lines to doxorubicin and paclitaxel in vitro but sensitized tumors of these cells to chemotherapy in vivo. Transcriptome analyses revealed that the Mint3–HIF-1 axis enhanced heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in tumors of TNBC cells. Administering an HSP70 inhibitor enhanced the antitumor activity of doxorubicin in TNBC tumors, similar to Mint3 depletion. Mint3 expression was also correlated with HSP70 expression in human TNBC specimens. Mechanistically, Mint3 depletion induces glycolytic maladaptation to the tumor microenvironment in TNBC tumors, resulting in energy stress. This energy stress by Mint3 depletion inactivated heat shock factor 1 (HSF-1), the master regulator of HSP expression, via the AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of the rapamycin pathway following attenuated HSP70 expression. In conclusion, Mint3 is a unique regulator of TNBC chemoresistance in vivo via metabolic adaptation to the tumor microenvironment, and a combination of Mint3 inhibition and chemotherapy may be a good strategy for TNBC treatment.
RIF1 regulates early replication timing in murine B cells
Authors: Malzl Daniel , Peycheva Mihaela , Rahjouei Ali , Gnan Stefano , Klein Kyle N. , Nazarova Mariia , Schoeberl Ursula E. , Gilbert David M. , Buonomo Sara C. B. , Di Virgilio Michela , Neumann Tobias , Pavri Rushad
Published: December 2023

The mammalian DNA replication timing (RT) program is crucial for the proper functioning and integrity of the genome. The best-known mechanism for controlling RT is the suppression of late origins of replication in heterochromatin by RIF1. Here, we report that in antigen-activated, hypermutating murine B lymphocytes, RIF1 binds predominantly to early-replicating active chromatin and promotes early replication, but plays a minor role in regulating replication origin activity, gene expression and genome organization in B cells. Furthermore, we find that RIF1 functions in a complementary and non-epistatic manner with minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins to establish early RT signatures genome-wide and, specifically, to ensure the early replication of highly transcribed genes. These findings reveal additional layers of regulation within the B cell RT program, driven by the coordinated activity of RIF1 and MCM proteins.
GRAF1 integrates PINK1-Parkin signaling and actin dynamics to mediate cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis
Authors: Zhu Qiang , Combs Matthew E. , Liu Juan , Bai Xue , Wang Wenbo B. , Herring Laura E. , Liu Jiandong , Locasale Jason W. , Bowles Dawn E. , Gross Ryan T. , Pla Michelle Mendiola , Mack Christopher P. , Taylor Joan M.
Published: December 2023

The serine/threonine kinase, PINK1, and the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Parkin, are known to facilitate LC3-dependent autophagosomal encasement and lysosomal clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria, and defects in this process contribute to a variety of cardiometabolic and neurological diseases. Although recent evidence indicates that dynamic actin remodeling plays an important role in PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy), the underlying signaling mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we identify the RhoGAP GRAF1 (Arhgap26) as a PINK1 substrate that regulates mitophagy. GRAF1 promotes the release of damaged mitochondria from F-actin anchors, regulates mitochondrial-associated Arp2/3-mediated actin remodeling and facilitates Parkin-LC3 interactions to enhance mitochondria capture by autophagosomes. Graf1 phosphorylation on PINK1-dependent sites is dysregulated in human heart failure, and cardiomyocyte-restricted Graf1 depletion in mice blunts mitochondrial clearance and attenuates compensatory metabolic adaptations to stress. Overall, we identify GRAF1 as an enzyme that coordinates cytoskeletal and metabolic remodeling to promote cardioprotection.
Elucidation of the structural basis for ligand binding and translocation in conserved insect odorant receptor co-receptors
Authors: Pacalon Jody , Audic Guillaume , Magnat Justine , Philip Manon , Golebiowski Jérôme , Moreau Christophe J. , Topin Jérémie
Published: December 2023

In numerous insects, the olfactory receptor family forms a unique class of heteromeric cation channels. Recent progress in resolving the odorant receptor structures offers unprecedented opportunities for deciphering their molecular mechanisms of ligand recognition. Unexpectedly, these structures in apo or ligand-bound states did not reveal the pathway taken by the ligands between the extracellular space and the deep internal cavities. By combining molecular modeling with electrophysiological recordings, we identified amino acids involved in the dynamic entry pathway and the binding of VUAA1 to Drosophila melanogaster’s odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco). Our results provide evidence for the exact location of the agonist binding site and a detailed and original mechanism of ligand translocation controlled by a network of conserved residues. These findings would explain the particularly high selectivity of Orcos for their ligands.
Effect of activated carbon microstructure and adsorption mechanism on the efficient removal of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b from Andrographis paniculata extract
Authors: Liang Di , Ji Bao-yu , Wang Yun , Li Xia , Gao Wen-Yuan
Published: December 2023

In order to reveal the effect of activated carbon (AC) properties on the adsorption of chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll b (Chl b) in Andrographis paniculata extract, four commercial activated carbons were first tested and characterized. The results showed that activated carbon 1 (AC1) had the best surface area, pore structure and adsorption capacity. Therefore, adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics and adsorption mechanism were further carried out on AC1. The application of Langmuir model (R2 > 0.978) and Freundlich model (R2 > 0.977) indicated that the adsorption process of Chl a and Chl b on AC1 may be a complex adsorption process of single-layer and multilayer adsorption. The adsorption kinetics indicated that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 > 0.999) was dominant and was mainly chemisorption. The intra-particle diffusion model (R2 > 0.937) shows that the intra-particle diffusion is the rate-limiting step. The decrease of adsorption of AC1 to Chl a and Chl b due to the oxidation of acrylic acid proves the importance of π–π interaction.
F﻿irst detection ﻿of herpesvirus and hemosporidians in the endangered Pyrenean Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus)
Authors: de Francisco Olga Nicolás , Sacristán Irene , Ewbank Ana Carolina , Velarde Roser , Afonso Ivan , Garcia-Ferré Diego , Martín-Maldonado Bárbara , Esperón Fernando , Iglesias Irene , de la Torre Ana , Margalida Antoni , Sacristán Carlos
Published: December 2023

Pathogens affect wild bird populations worldwide, contributing to their decline. Considering the scarce health data regarding the endangered Pyrenean Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus), we molecularly surveyed selected pathogens (Newcastle disease virus, Avian influenza virus, Chlamydia psittaci, avian pathogenic Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Salmonella spp.) in 30 Pyrenean Capercaillie feces collected in the field (Catalonia, northeastern Spain). Additionally, swab and tissue samples from eight wild Pyrenean Capercaillies of Catalonia and Andorra were molecularly tested for herpesvirus and hemosporidians (Plasmodium spp., Haemoproteus spp., and Leucocytozoon spp.). All fecal samples were negative for the pathogens tested. Nevertheless, we detected a novel herpesvirus in 50% (4/8) of the Pyrenean Capercaillies, and hemosporidian DNA in 62.5% (5/8) of the tissue samples (i.e., Haemoproteus sp. [4 of 8] and/or Leucocytozoon sp. [3 of 8]). To our knowledge, this is the first detection of herpesvirus and hemosporidians infections in Pyrenean Capercaillies. The putative novel herpesvirus belongs to the genus Iltovirus. The presence of hemosporidian parasites in this mountain bird species is of concern, and could be related to the marked increase in the average temperature in the Pyrenees as a consequence of climate change. Our findings are fundamental to improve the conservation plans for the endangered Pyrenean Capercaillie population.
A multiscale assessment of bowel impairment in an Italian multiple sclerosis cohort
Authors: Tavazzi Eleonora , Zito Antonio , Montomoli Cristina , Bergsland Niels , Colombo Elena , La Malfa Alessandro , Bergamaschi Roberto
Published: December 2023

Bowel dysfunctions (BD) in multiple sclerosis (MS) are under reported despite their clinical relevance. Scales usually applied do not thoroughly assess constipation and fecal incontinence. Instead, a proper qualitative and quantitative description of these symptoms might have relevant clinical and scientific consequences. The aim of this project is to study the prevalence of BD in a cohort of persons with MS (pwMS). Four-hundred and forty-seven pwMS (330 relapsing–remitting MS-RRMS and 117 progressive MS-PMS) were recruited. Three different questionnaires were administered: the neurogenic bowel dysfunction score (NBDS), the Wexner constipation scale (WexCon) and the Wexner incontinence scale (WexInc). All the scales were divided in subscores according to symptom severity. The prevalence of BD, considered as NBDS > 0, was 53.7%. Mean scores in pwMS group were as follows: NBDS 2.6 (SD 3.5), WexInc 1.1 (SD 2.4), WexCon 4.4 (SD 5.9). NBDS, WexCon and WexInc were significantly higher in PMS vs RRMS (p < 0.001), and significantly associated with disease duration, EDSS, multiple sclerosis severity score (p < 0.001), as well as with each other (p < 0.001). Our study confirms the presence of bowel dysfunctions in a large group of pwMS with a wide range of disability and their association with progressive disease phenotype and clinical disability.
Genetic analysis of chorionic villus tissues in early missed abortions
Authors: Xue Huili , Guo Qun , Yu Aili , Lin Min , Chen Xuemei , Xu Liangpu
Published: December 2023

Chromosomal abnormalities are the most common etiology of early spontaneous miscarriage. However, traditional karyotyping of chorionic villus samples (CVSs) is limited by cell culture and its low resolution. The objective of our study was to investigate the efficiency of molecular karyotyping technology for genetic diagnosis of early missed abortion tissues. Chromosome analysis of 1191 abortion CVSs in early pregnancy was conducted from August 2016 to June 2021; 463 cases were conducted via copy-number variations sequencing (CNV-seq)/quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) and 728 cases were conducted using SNP array. Clinically significant CNVs of CVSs were identified to clarify the cause of miscarriage and to guide the couples’ subsequent pregnancies. Among these, 31 cases with significant maternal cell contamination were removed from the study. Among the remaining 1160 samples, 751 cases (64.7%) with genetic abnormalities were identified, of which, 531 (45.8%) were single aneuploidies, 31 (2.7%) were multiple aneuploidies, 50 (4.3%) were polyploidies, 54 (4.7%) were partial aneuploidies, 77 (6.6%) had submicroscopic CNVs (including 25 with clinically significant CNVs and 52 had variants of uncertain significance), and 8 cases (0.7%) were uniparental disomies. Our study suggests that both SNP array and CNV-seq/QF-PCR are reliable, robust, and high-resolution technologies for genetic diagnosis of miscarriage.
An experimental study of the correlation between P-wave velocity and the physical properties of weakly cemented formations
Authors: Lin Dong , Bu Yuhuan , Liu Huajie , Lu Chang , Guo Shenglai , Xu Hongzhi
Published: December 2023

Deep water and shallow layers mostly feature weakly cemented formations, with complex geological structures, geological looseness, susceptibility to collapse. In order to obtain information on weakly cemented formation materials, weakly cemented argillaceous siltstone is simulated as the research object and the focus is on analysing the influence of ultrasonic frequency, density, particle size (porosity), and compressive strength on P-wave velocity and establishing the correlation relationship between longitudinal wave velocity and each parameter through indoor simulation experiments. The results showed that there is a linear relationship between P-wave velocity and ultrasonic frequency in terms of positive correlation as well as compressive strength. The nonlinear relationship between P-wave velocity and particle size (porosity) is a negative correlation, while the nonlinear relationship between sound velocity and density is a positive correlation. In addition, the influence of core height on P-wave velocity is analysed; it is found that as the core height increases, the velocity slightly decreases, and each ultrasonic frequency has an ultimate height for sound wave penetration. Through the response relationship between ultrasound and the physical properties of weakly cemented formations, indirect acquisition can be achieved, which is of great significance for the development of oil and gas in weakly cemented formations.
Prevention of activated brown adipose tissue on 18F-FDG-PET scans of young lymphoma patients: results of an ancillary study within the EuroNet-PHL-C2 trial
Authors: Pötzsch C. , Kurch Lars , Naumann S. , Georgi T. W. , Sabri O. , Stoevesandt D. , Cepelova M. , Körholz D. , Mauz-Körholz C. , Hasenclever D. , Kluge R.
Published: December 2023

Activated brown fat (aBAT) is known to affect the evaluation of 18F-FDG PET scans, especially in young patients. The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing the occurrence of aBAT, and to investigate the effectiveness of the two preventive measures, warming and beta-blocker (propranolol) administration. Five-hundred-twenty-eight 18F-FDG-PET scans of 241 EuroNet-PHL-C2 trial patients from 41 nuclear medicine departments in Germany and Czech Republic were screened for aBAT. The occurrence of aBAT was analyzed with patient characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, predisposition to aBAT), weather data at the day of 18F-FDG PET scanning as well as the preventive measures taken. Potentially important factors from univariate analyses were included into a logistic regression model. Warming as a preventive measure was used in 243 18F-FDG-PET scans, propranolol was administered in 36, warming and propranolol were combined in 84, and no preventive measures were taken in 165 scans. Whereas age, sex and body mass index had no clear impact, there was an individual predisposition to aBAT. Logistic regression model revealed that the frequency of aBAT mainly depends on the outside temperature (p = 0.005) and can be effectively reduced by warming (p = 0.004), the administration of unselective beta-blocker or the combination of both. Warming is a simple, cheap and non-invasive method to reduce the frequency of aBAT. However, the effect of warming decreases with increasing outside temperatures. Administration of propranolol seems to be equally effective and provides advantages whenever the positive effect of warming is compromised. The combination of both preventive measures could have an additive effect.
Observation of a temperature dependent anomaly in the UV translucency of milk useful for UV-C preservation techniques
Authors: Fiege Jaayke L. , Woll Benedikt , Hebig Stefan , Dabrowski Alexandra , Gräf Volker , Walz Elke , Nöbel Stefan , Schrader Katrin , Stahl Mario
Published: December 2023

Milk fat globules and casein micelles are the dispersed particles of milk that are responsible for its typical white turbid appearance and usually make it difficult to treat with modern ultraviolet light (UV) preservation techniques. The translucency of milk depends largely on the refractive indices of the dispersed particles, which are directly affected by temperature changes, as incorporated triglycerides can crystallize, melt or transition into other polymorphs. These structural changes have a significant effect on the scattering properties and thus on the UV light propagation in milk, especially by milk fat globules. In this study, a temporary minimum in the optical density of milk was observed within UV wavelength at 14 °C when heating the milk from 6 to 40 °C. This anomaly is consistent with structural changes detected by a distinct endothermic peak at 14 °C using differential scanning calorimetry. Apparently, the optical density anomaly between 10 and 20 °C disappears when the polymorphic transition already has proceeded through previous isothermal equilibration. Thus, melting of equilibrated triglycerides may not affect the RI of milk fat globules at ca. 14 °C as much as melt-mediated polymorphic transitioning. An increased efficiency of UV-C preservation (254 nm) at the translucency optimum was demonstrated by temperature-dependent microbial inactivation experiments.
Associate plant parasitic nematodes to weed species in some newly reclaimed lands
Authors: AbdelRazek Ghena Mamdouh , Balah Mohamed Abdelaziz
Published: December 2023

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are vital soil organisms well-known to damage and reduce crop yield worldwide. Surveys were attempts to determine the impact of weed species on the communities and composition of nematodes in barley, wheat, quinoa, eggplant, and tomato crops in Alexandria and Ismailia regions of Egypt. During the surveys, eight occurring genera of nematodes were found namely; Meloidogyne spp, Pratylenchus spp, Helicotylenchus spp, Rotylenchulus spp, Xiphinema spp, Criconemoides spp, Ditylenchus spp, and Longidorus spp associated with the soil’s rhizosphere of 28 weed species belonging to 12 families. Among these weeds, Hordeum marinum and Sonchus oleraceus were good hosts to nematode species. Both wheat and barley had higher nematode diversity than quinoa in the winter season. Pratylenchus spp, Meloidogyne spp and Rotylenchulus spp can be considered vital potential PPNs with economic importance. Nematode abundances and structural indices varied greatly based on the host weed species, crop types and soil characteristics. A positive correlation was monitored among weeds, nematode frequencies and relative abundances as well as their crops. Finally, weed species are critical components in nematode communities that may increase the incidence and severity of nematode risks based on crop type and soil characteristics. Therefore weeds should be managed properly to diminish reservoir sites when developing nematode management options.
THEM6 is a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer and is associated with immune infiltration
Authors: Lu Xingjia , Chen Wenlin , Tian Gengzhou , Ge Fei
Published: December 2023

To characterize the implications of lipid metabolism-related gene thioesterase superfamily member 6 (THEM6) in breast cancer. Several databases including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were utilized for our meticulous bioinformatics analysis. We further performed qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and IHC assays to validate the expression of THEM6 in various breast cancer cells and tissues. In addition, we have carried out relevant functional experiments to explore the regulatory role of THEM6 in vitro. Lipid metabolism-related genes are independent factors for overall survival. According to several databases, THEM6 was significantly more expressed in cancerous tissues of breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) compared to its paracancerous tissues. Furthermore, THEM6 overexpression was correlated with poorer overall survival of BRCA patients, serving as a separate prognostic factor for BRCA. Biological functional analyses revealed that THEM6 was associated with tumor progression and pathogenesis. Finally, we discovered that in BRCA, THEM6 expression was linked to multiple immune cell types. qRT-PCR and Western blotting experiments demonstrated a general upregulation of THEM6 expression in breast carcinoma cells. IHC showed that THEM6 was expressed in both breast cancer tissues and para-cancer tissues, but its expression level was significantly higher in carcinoma tissues. In vitro studies indicated that THEM6 increased proliferation, invasion, and inhibited apoptosis of breast carcinoma cells, while also affecting the cell cycle and promoting cancer progression. Furthermore, THEM6 may influence macrophage recruitment and polarization in the tumor microenvironment by regulating CCL2 secretion, which in turn affects macrophage recruitment in the tumor microenvironment. Our findings indicate that the overexpression of THEM6, which is linked to the development of breast cancer, is a predictor of a poor prognosis and has an impact on the degree of immune cell infiltration. Therefore, THEM6 has the potential to be a valuable target for BRCA.
Graph theory analysis reveals an assortative pain network vulnerable to attacks
Authors: Chen Chong , Tassou Adrien , Morales Valentina , Scherrer Grégory
Published: December 2023

The neural substrate of pain experience has been described as a dense network of connected brain regions. However, the connectivity pattern of these brain regions remains elusive, precluding a deeper understanding of how pain emerges from the structural connectivity. Here, we employ graph theory to systematically characterize the architecture of a comprehensive pain network, including both cortical and subcortical brain areas. This structural brain network consists of 49 nodes denoting pain-related brain areas, linked by edges representing their relative incoming and outgoing axonal projection strengths. Within this network, 63% of brain areas share reciprocal connections, reflecting a dense network. The clustering coefficient, a measurement of the probability that adjacent nodes are connected, indicates that brain areas in the pain network tend to cluster together. Community detection, the process of discovering cohesive groups in complex networks, successfully reveals two known subnetworks that specifically mediate the sensory and affective components of pain, respectively. Assortativity analysis, which evaluates the tendency of nodes to connect with other nodes that have similar features, indicates that the pain network is assortative. Finally, robustness, the resistance of a complex network to failures and perturbations, indicates that the pain network displays a high degree of error tolerance (local failure rarely affects the global information carried by the network) but is vulnerable to attacks (selective removal of hub nodes critically changes network connectivity). Taken together, graph theory analysis unveils an assortative structural pain network in the brain that processes nociceptive information. Furthermore, the vulnerability of this network to attack presents the possibility of alleviating pain by targeting the most connected brain areas in the network.
Sensitive immunoenzyme assay for the detection of antibiotic flumequine in honey
Authors: Hendrickson Olga D. , Zherdev Anatoly V. , Dzantiev Boris B.
Published: December 2023

In this study, the EIA of fluoroquinolone antibiotic flumequine (FLU) in honey has been developed. The LOD of FLU is 30 pg mL−1. The developed EIA has been tested to detect FLU in honey of different origins. It has been demonstrated that 76.2–115.9% of FLU can be determined by the assay.
The pressure-stabilized polymorph of indium triiodide
Authors: Ni Danrui , Wang Haozhe , Xu Xianghan , Xie Weiwei , Cava Robert J.
Published: December 2023

A layered rhombohedral polymorph of indium(iii) triiodide is synthesized at high pressure and temperature. It has an orange color, which is different from ambient pressure InI3, which has a monoclinic molecular structure and a light-yellow color.
Preparation of fluorinated polyimides with low dielectric constants and low dielectric losses by combining ester groups and triphenyl pyridine structures
Authors: Li Hong , Bao Feng , Li Shuanger , Li Yadong , Li Xiyan , Mu Kexin , Wang Mingliang , Zhu Caizhen , Xu Jian
Published: December 2023

By superimposing triphenylpyridine structure, trifluoromethyl group, and ester group, we have obtained PIs with excellent overall performance such as low dielectric and low loss.
High-throughput synthesis of nanoparticles using oscillating feedback microreactors: a selective scaling-out strategy
Authors: Li Mingxin , Wang Wensheng , Xu Cong
Published: December 2023

High-throughput synthesis of high-quality nanoparticles using passive and chaotic oscillating feedback microreactors to be selectively scaled out.
Negative to positive axial thermal expansion switching of an organic crystal: contribution to multistep photoactuation
Authors: Hasebe Shodai , Hagiwara Yuki , Ueno Takashi , Asahi Toru , Koshima Hideko
Published: December 2023

An organic crystal in which the axial thermal expansion changes from negative to positive at room temperature was discovered.
From shear bands to earthquakes in a model granular material with contact aging
Authors: Jagla E. A.
Published: December 2023

Accumulated strain (left) and particle snapshot (right) of a system under an applied simple shear along the x direction. Particles are coloured according to their value of the “aging function”. Note the spatial localization of the deformation.
Improving the performance of a SnS2 cathode with interspace layer engineering using a Na+ insertion/extraction method for aqueous zinc ion batteries
Authors: Molaei Aghdam Ali , Chahartagh Nima Mikaeili , Namvar Shahriar , Ershadi Mahshid , Ajdari Farshad Boorboor , Delfani Ehsan
Published: December 2023

Na ion insertion/extraction in a layered structure of SnS2 leads to considerably high interspace layers SnS2 (SnS2-HIL) from 0.86 to 1.10 nm. It enables higher Zn2+ storage capacity in SnS2-HIL cathodes.
Ce ions and polyaniline co-intercalation into MOF-derived porous V2O5 nanosheets with a synergistic energy storage mechanism for high-capacity and super-stable aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Li Zhihua , Zhao Bo , Wang Ziyi , Liu Jun
Published: December 2023

Layered vanadium oxides with highly open crystal structures and high theoretical capacity are regarded as the most promising cathode materials for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs).
Advances in flexible zinc–air batteries: working principles, preparation of key components, and electrode configuration design
Authors: Fang Weiguang , Yu Xinxin , Zhao Juanjuan , Cao Zhiqian , Wu Mingzai , Ho Derek , Hu Haibo
Published: December 2023

The progress and perspectives of flexible zinc–air batteries, from mechanisms to configurations, are overviewed, focusing on the key components: cathode catalysts, flexible air/Zn cathode/anode and quasi-solid-state electrolytes.
Biomedical applications of cerium vanadate nanoparticles: a review
Authors: Farasati Far Bahareh , Maleki-baladi Reza , Fathi-karkan Sonia , Babaei Meisam , Sargazi Saman
Published: December 2023

Cerium vanadate nanoparticles (CeVO4 NPs), which are members of the rare earth orthovanadate nanomaterial family, have generated considerable interest due to their diverse properties and prospective biomedical applications.
Bio-conjugated carbon dots for the bimodal detection of prostate cancer biomarkers via sandwich fluorescence and electrochemical immunoassays
Authors: Korram Jyoti , Anbalagan Amarnath Chellachamy , Banerjee Anannya , Sawant Shilpa N.
Published: December 2023

A bio-conjugated carbon dot-based detection probe enabled bimodal (fluorescence and electrochemical) detection strategy for the determination of prostate specific antigen in a blood serum sample.
Dual role far red fluorescent molecular rotor for decoding the plasma membrane and mitochondrial viscosity
Authors: Silswal Akshay , Pramanik Anup , Koner Apurba Lal
Published: December 2023

Rationally designed Julolidine-based molecular rotor (JMT) targets mitochondria with far-red emission accounting for mitochondrial dysfunction. Further, the communication between mitochondria and plasma membrane was investigated upon mitochondrial depolarization.
Progress in photodetector devices utilizing transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Li Xin , Aftab Sikandar , Hussain Sajjad , Kabir Fahmid , Al-Sehemi Abdullah G. , Aslam Muhammad , Kim Jae Hong , Goud Burragoni Sravanthi
Published: December 2023

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with two dimensions (2D) exhibit remarkable electronic and optoelectronic properties that have made them a highly promising platform for the development of photodetectors (PDs).
The mass distribution in the outskirts of clusters of galaxies as a probe of the theory of gravity
Authors: Pizzardo Michele , Diaferio Antonaldo , Rines Kenneth J.
Published: December 2023

We show that ς, the radial location of the minimum in the differential radial mass profile M′(r) of a galaxy cluster, can probe the theory of gravity. We derived M′(r) of the dark matter halos of galaxy clusters from N-body cosmological simulations that implement two different theories of gravity: standard gravity in the ΛCDM model, and f(R). We extracted 49 169 dark matter halos in 11 redshift bins in the range 0 ≤ z ≤ 1 and in three different mass bins in the range 0.9 < M200c/1014 h−1 M⊙ < 11. We investigated the correlation of ς with the redshift and the mass accretion rate (MAR) of the halos. We show that ς decreases from ∼3R200c to ∼2R200c when z increases from 0 to 1 in the ΛCDM model. At z ∼ 0.1, ς decreases from 2.8R200c to ∼2.5R200c when the MAR increases from ∼104 h−1 M⊙ yr−1 to ∼2 × 105 h−1 M⊙ yr−1. In the f(R) model, ς is ∼15% larger than in ΛCDM. The median test shows that for samples of ≳400 dark matter halos at z ≤ 0.8, ς is able to distinguish between the two theories of gravity with a p-value ≲10−5. Upcoming advanced spectroscopic and photometric programs will allow a robust estimation of the mass profile of enormous samples of clusters up to large clustercentric distances. These samples will allow us to statistically exploit ς as probe of the theory of gravity, which complements other large-scale probes.
EWOCS-I: The catalog of X-ray sources in Westerlund 1 from the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey
Authors: Guarcello M. G. , Flaccomio E. , Albacete-Colombo J. F. , Almendros-Abad V. , Anastasopoulou K. , Andersen M. , Argiroffi C. , Bayo A. , Bartlett E. S. , Bastian N. , De Becker M. , Best W. , Bonito R. , Borghese A. , Calzetti D. , Castellanos R. , Cecchi-Pestellini C. , Clark J. S. , Clarke C. J. , Zelati F. Coti , Damiani F. , Drake J. J. , Gennaro M. , Ginsburg A. , Grebel E. K. , Hora J. L. , Israel G. L. , Lawrence G. , Locci D. , Mapelli M. , Martinez-Galarza J. R. , Micela G. , Miceli M. , Moraux E. , Muzic K. , Najarro F. , Negueruela I. , Nota A. , Pallanca C. , Prisinzano L. , Ritchie B. , Robberto M. , Rom T. , Sabbi E. , Scholz A. , Sciortino S. , Trigilio C. , Umana G. , Winter A. , Wright N. J. , Zeidler P.
Published: December 2023

Context. With a mass exceeding several 104 M⊙ and a rich and dense population of massive stars, supermassive young star clusters represent the most massive star-forming environment that is dominated by the feedback from massive stars and gravitational interactions among stars.

Aims. In this paper we present the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) project, which aims to investigate the influence of the starburst environment on the formation of stars and planets, and on the evolution of both low and high mass stars. The primary targets of this project are Westerlund 1 and 2, the closest supermassive star clusters to the Sun.

Methods. The project is based primarily on recent observations conducted with the Chandra and JWST observatories. Specifically, the Chandra survey of Westerlund 1 consists of 36 new ACIS-I observations, nearly co-pointed, for a total exposure time of 1 Msec. Additionally, we included 8 archival Chandra/ACIS-S observations. This paper presents the resulting catalog of X-ray sources within and around Westerlund 1. Sources were detected by combining various existing methods, and photon extraction and source validation were carried out using the ACIS-Extract software.

Results. The EWOCS X-ray catalog comprises 5963 validated sources out of the 9420 initially provided to ACIS-Extract, reaching a photon flux threshold of approximately 2 × 10−8 photons cm−2 s−1. The X-ray sources exhibit a highly concentrated spatial distribution, with 1075 sources located within the central 1 arcmin. We have successfully detected X-ray emissions from 126 out of the 166 known massive stars of the cluster, and we have collected over 71 000 photons from the magnetar CXO J164710.20-455217.
Integrating Circular Economy aspects with Manufacturing planning: An MSME perspective
Authors: Kaswan Mahender Singh , Sabale Dattatraya Balasaheb , Rathi Rajeev
Published: December 2023

The circular economy is gaining prominence as a sustainable approach to economic development, emphasizing resource efficiency and minimizing waste. For Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), adopting circular economy principles in their manufacturing planning holds immense potential for achieving both environmental and economic benefits. This research paper explores the concept of circular economy integration in manufacturing planning for MSMEs. Product passes through the different process throughout manufacturing industry till it reaches to the customer hand. Manufacturing process involves lot planning to introduce product from concept to market ready phase. It analyzes the key principles of the circular economy, identifies the challenges faced by MSMEs in adopting circular practices, and proposes strategies to enable successful integration. By incorporating circular economy principles, MSMEs can not only contribute to environmental preservation but also enhance their competitiveness and long-term viability.