bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying and detecting black hole and gray hole attack in MANET using gray wolf optimization
Authors: Vatambeti Ramesh , Supriya Kola Sangeetha , Sanshi Shridhar
Published: September 2023

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) become most vibrant and are widely used in various applications, including military, commercial sectors, and personal area networks. However, security is a major issue in routing; because of moving nodes, mainly it suffers from a black hole and gray hole attack. This kind of attack is difficult to predict and is harmful to the network. To address this problem, here, we introduce the gray wolf optimization (GWO) with trust setup data aggregation called gray wolf trust accumulation in wireless ad hoc network architecture. To maintain and enhance the security in routing, here, we update the trust setup data aggregation in GWO mechanism. After the detection of black hole and gray hole attack, we need to maintain the path stability for data transmission, trust schematic process monitor all the nodes, and maintain path stability. Using the behavior of GWO, we can detect the black hole and gray hole attack at a rate of 98.5% and also improve the packet delivery ratio by 98.2% with 10 m/s. Also, with the help of the trust setup data aggregation model, we can update our trust model and security maintenance. Thus, our proposed technique enhances the packet transmission in MANET and secures the routing layer.
Optimal network restructure via improved whale optimization approach
Authors: Abd Elazim Sahar M. , Ali Ehab S.
Published: September 2023

Latterly, reduction of power loss in distribution system is the objective of many researches due to its impact on total costs and voltage profiles. It can be handled by optimal restructure of radial distribution system (RDS). This article introduces an innovative approach to restructure of RDS by electing the optimal switches combination subject to the system operating constraints, which is improved whale optimization approach (IWOA). The suggested approach combines exploitation of WOA with exploration of differential evolution (DE), and thus, it supplies a promising candidate solution. The suggested approach is tested on IEEE 33 and 69 bus RDS. The superiority of the suggested approach compared with other well‐known approaches is verified through simulation results by observation of total losses, cost, and saving. Also, the impact of alterable loading is investigated to prove the effectiveness of the suggested IWOA.
Achieving balance between economic efficiency and user fairness in traffic rate management
Authors: Pan Lian , Wang Hanwu , Li Hexin
Published: September 2023

This paper studies achieving the desired balance between the resource economic efficiency and user fairness in network traffic rate allocation management. Fairness is a basic requirement of different competing traffic users, while maximizing the economic efficiency of traffic rate resource is desired by the network system resource provider. Hence, how to balance these two respects to achieve the desired trade‐off is a key challenging issue in real applications. Particularly, we propose a weight mechanism to specify the rate allocation weight ratio among different competing traffic users and also a trade‐off factor mechanism to clarify the extent of fairness compromise. To optimize the system rate resource economic efficiency, we formulate an objective optimization problem with consideration of both user weight diversity and fairness trade‐off as well. We also derive the balance curve, which shows the rate resource economic efficiency improved in relation to the extent of traffic user fairness trade‐off. The demonstration models are also constructed to implemented to implement both the trade‐off acceptable and unacceptable cases in practical traffic rate resource allocation applications.
Capacity improvement through selection diversity for dual‐polarized antenna systems
Authors: Wang Hanho
Published: September 2023

In newly developed wireless communication systems, the millimeter wavelength frequency band and massive‐MIMO‐based beamforming technology provide a channel environment that supports multiplexing transmission using dual‐polarization antenna (DPA). In such a channel environment, a DPA system can transmit two independent data streams using the two orthogonal polarizations. However, random rotation angle (PRA) mismatch between the transmitting and receiving DPAs causes interference in cross‐polarization antenna, which can degrade the DPA system capacity. To solve the PRA mismatch problem, selection diversity is utilized in this paper, and the capacity gain and PRA mismatch reduction achieved by the selection diversity are mathematically analyzed. Previously, performance analyses have not been conducted on the selection diversity in DPA systems considering the random PRA mismatch in the conventional studies. Through the result of this study, the improved capacity and PRA mismatch reduction of the DPA system can be accurately calculated as the number of mobile terminals (MTs) available increases. Based on this analysis, five practical scheduling schemes corresponding to various types of channel feedbacks are proposed, and their performance is evaluated.
Probability density of irradiance for optical waves propagating underwater in the presence of air bubbles
Authors: Shishter Yousef Mostafa
Published: September 2023

The use of wireless optical waves could prove valuable to numerous underwater applications compared to radio frequency and acoustic waves. However, optical signals are susceptible to attenuations and scintillation (fading) due to the turbulent nature of underwater environments. Therefore, it is imperative to determine the wave intensity distribution. General approach to this problem is to apply existing atmospheric propagation models or to device a statistical distribution based on experimental data. Recent studies show that the well‐known probability density functions poorly describe EM optical wave propagation underwater in the presence of air bubbles, and thus, mixture distributions were proposed. This, however, ignores the physical aspects of the phenomena, and as such may limit the model region of validity. In this paper, a novel intensity distribution model is derived based on the Rytov theory of propagation through weak turbulence. Furthermore, the distribution is validated by experimental data over a large range of turbulence levels.
A novel ant colony optimization algorithm for PAPR reduction of OFDM signals
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Aghdam Mehdi , Sharifi Abbas Ali
Published: September 2023

The high peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) is the main challenge of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Partial transmit sequence (PTS) is a useful approach to diminish the PAPR. Although the PTS approach significantly decreases the PAPR, it requires to explore all possible sequences of phase weighting factors. Hence, the computational cost exponentially increases with the number of divided subblocks. This paper proposes a novel PTS technique based on ant colony optimization (ACO) to diminish the high PAPR and computational cost of OFDM systems. By the new representation of phase factors as a graph, the improved ACO algorithm is combined with the PTS method to explore the optimal compound of the phase rotation factors. Simulation results represent that the proposed ACO‐based PTS approach significantly reduces the PAPR and improves the computational cost at the same time. A comparative analysis of the other meta‐heuristics shows that the ACO‐PTS approach outperforms the genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, and gray wolf optimization in terms of reducing PAPR.
Generalized solution to symbol error probability integral containing over different fading models
Authors: Aggarwal Supriya
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a generalized solution to the symbol error probability (SEP) integral containing the product of two Gaussian Q‐functions
. Numerical integration technique is first used to approximate the polar form of
as a sum of exponentials. This approximation is then used to derive a closed‐form solution to the related SEP integral. Due to the exponential nature of the approximation, solution to the integral is expressed in terms of moment generating function (MGF) of a fading distribution. Therefore, the solution to integral exists for all fading distributions which have well‐defined MGF. The mathematical complexity of the proposed solution is directly proportional to the complexity of MGF expression. For most of the fading models, the corresponding MGF involves power or exponential functions, which guarantees algebraic simplicity of the proposed solution. Further, this generalized solution is used to evaluate the SEP of various modulation schemes over different fading channels. Various computer simulations run in MATLAB for wide range of scenarios confirm the accuracy of the proposed approximation and solution.
Hybrid optimization‐based deep neuro‐fuzzy network for designing m‐user multiple‐input multiple‐output interference channel
Authors: Reddy Gondhi Navabharat , Ravi Kumar C. V.
Published: September 2023

Multiple‐input multiple‐outputs (MIMOs) have eminent quality in maximizing the throughput of wireless communication models. In MIMO, the antenna arrays can be utilized for fulfilling the needs of 5G by utilizing various spatial signatures of users. Even though 5G communication is imminent, there exist issues, like network interference that arise due to reused frequency spectrum resources. This delving presents an optimized deep model for suppressing interference occurring in the Rayleigh channel in the multiple‐user MIMO (MU‐MIMO) model. Here, an MU‐MIMO model is employed with correlated interference wherein there exist various users around the base station (BS) with several antennas at the transmitter and receiver. Here, a deep neuro‐fuzzy network (DNFN) is used to upgrade the performance of detectors underneath correlated interference. Here, the model comprises zero forcing‐maximum likelihood detection (ZF‐MLD) that assists to generate an initial estimate of broadcasted signals in a particular time slot. The DNFN is used to capture latent correlation among several symbols. Here, the DNFN training is performed using developed autoregressive Henry gas spider monkey optimization (RHGSMO), which is the combination of conditional autoregressive value at risk (CAViaR), Henry gas solubility optimization (HGSO), and spider monkey optimization (SMO). With the lowest symbol error rate (SER), bit error rate (BER), and signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR), the suggested RHGSMO‐based DNFN performed better than existing approaches.
Design, synthesis, and antitumor screening of new thiazole, thiazolopyrimidine, and thiazolotriazine derivatives as potent inhibitors of VEGFR‐2
Authors: Abd Elhameed Alaa A. , Ali Ahmed R. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Bayomi Said M. , El‐Gohary Nadia S.
Published: September 2023

New thiazole, thiazolopyrimidine, and thiazolotriazine derivatives 3–12 and 14a–f were synthesized. The newly synthesized analogs were tested for in vitro antitumor activity against HepG2, HCT‐116, MCF‐7, HeP‐2, and Hela cancer cells. Results indicated that compound 5 displayed the highest potency toward the tested cancer cells. Compound 11b possessed enhanced effectiveness over MCF‐7, HepG2, HCT‐116, and Hela cancer cells. In addition, compounds 4 and 6 showed promising activity toward HCT‐116, MCF‐7, and Hela cancer cells and eminent activity against HepG2 and HeP‐2 cells. Moreover, compounds 3–6 and 11b were tested for their capability to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 (VEGFR‐2) activity. The obtained results showed that compound 5 displayed significant inhibitory activity against VEGFR‐2 (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 0.044 μM) comparable to sunitinib (IC50 = 0.100 μM). Also, the synthesized compounds 3–6 and 11b were subjected to in vitro cytotoxicity tests over WI38 and WISH normal cells. It was found that the five tested compounds displayed significantly lower cytotoxicity than doxorubicin toward normal cell lines. Cell cycle analysis proved that compound 5 induces cell cycle arrest in the S phase for HCT‐116 and Hela cancer cell lines and in the G2/M phase for the MCF‐7 cancer cell line. Moreover, compound 5 induced cancer cell death through apoptosis accompanied by a high ratio of BAX/BCL‐2 in the screened cancer cells. Furthermore, docking results revealed that compound 5 showed the essential interaction bonds with VEGFR‐2, which agreed with in vitro enzyme assay results. In silico studies showed that most of the analyzed compounds complied with the requirements of good oral bioavailability with minimal toxicity threats in humans.
Strontium isotope analysis of otoliths reveals differences in the habitat salinity among three sympatric stickleback species of the genus Pungitius
Authors: Uji Konomi , Ishikawa Asano , Shin Ki‐Cheol , Tayasu Ichiro , Kitano Jun
Published: September 2023

The analysis of otolith Sr isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) is a powerful method to study fish migration in freshwater areas. However, few studies have applied this method to study fish movement in brackish‐water environments. Furthermore, despite the fact that habitat differentiation has been shown to drive genetic differentiation and reproductive isolation among stickleback fish, no studies have used the otolith 87Sr/86Sr ratios to analyze habitat differentiation between stickleback ecotypes and species. In this study, we analyzed the otolith 87Sr/86Sr ratios of three sympatric stickleback species of the genus Pungitius in the Shiomi River on Hokkaido Island, Japan: P. tymensis, the brackish‐water type of the P. pungitius–P. sinensis complex, and the freshwater type of the P. pungitius–P. sinensis complex. First, we created a mixing equation to depict the relationship between habitat salinity and the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of river water. We found that the otolith 87Sr/86Sr ratios differed significantly among the three species, indicating that the three species utilize habitats with different salinities: P. tymensis and the brackish‐water type inhabit freshwater and brackish‐water environments, respectively, with the freshwater type using intermediate habitats. In addition, we found that some freshwater individuals moved to habitats with higher salinities as they grew. Our study demonstrates that the analysis of otolith 87Sr/86Sr ratios is a useful method for studying the habitat use of fish in brackish‐water environments and habitat differentiation among closely related sympatric and parapatric species.
Triphenylphosphine‐Assisted Exsolution Engineering on Ruddlesden–Popper Perovskites for Promoting Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Bai Juan , Shang Jing , Mei Jun , Qi Dongchen , Liao Ting , Sun Ziqi
Published: September 2023

Metal exsolution engineering has been regarded as a promising strategy for activating intrinsically inert perovskite oxide catalysts toward efficient oxygen evolution reaction. Traditional metal exsolution processes on perovskites are often achieved by using the reducing hydrogen gas; however, this is not effective for the relatively stable phase, such as Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite oxides. To address this issue, triphenylphosphine is proposed to be a reduction promotor for accelerating the reduction and migration of the target metal atoms, aiming to achieve the effective exsolution of metallic species from Ruddlesden–Popper‐type parent perovskites. Upon oxygen evolution reaction, these exsolved metallic aggregates are reconstructed into oxyhydroxides as the real active centers. After further modification by low‐percentage iridium oxide nanoclusters, the optimal catalyst delivered an overpotential as low as 305 mV for generating the density of 10 mA cm−2, outperforming these reported noble metal‐containing perovskite‐based alkaline oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts. This work provides a potential approach to activate catalytically inert oxides through promoting surface metal exsolution and explores a novel class of Ruddlesden–Popper‐type oxides for electrocatalytic applications.
A Biomimetic Stereoselective Approach to Euolutchuol C and Its Structural Assignment
Authors: R. S. Reyno , Surendran Sravya , James Glory , Rajendar Goreti
Published: September 2023

The first stereoselective total synthesis of euolutchuol C using a biomimetic cationic polyene cyclization is demonstrated, and its absolute structure has been established. Four potential stereoisomers of euolutchuol C were synthesized to confirm the structure as an aromatic abietane diterpenoid consisting of 15(S)‐stereogenic center. Asymmetric Sharpless dihydroxylation was employed to construct the chiral epoxide, while CBS‐reduction was utilized for enantiomerically pure benzylic alcohols. A convergent approach is used to synthesize euolutchuol C in seven longest linear steps to give an overall yield of 23 %.
From Shale to Ship: The Potential for Lower Carbon U.S. LNG Production
Authors: Russo Thomas N.
Published: September 2023

Many liquified natural gas (LNG), oil, and natural gas companies in the United States are committed to reducing emissions, achieving the nation's climate commitments, and continuing America's role of providing reliable, ever‐cleaner energy to US allies worldwide. The central question is how quickly these companies can achieve these goals and provide significant supplies of lower‐carbon LNG to global customers.
New Electric Transmission and Permitting Reform: Can't Have One without the Other
Authors: DeCotis Paul A.
Published: September 2023

A May 4, 2023 Editorial in the New York Times conveyed very well a strong message that industry leaders have been talking about and stressing for years. “The United States needs to dramatically expand the electric grid between places with abundant wind and sunshine and places where people live and work. And it needs to happen fast.” While many mainstream news publications have shared this same view, and industry trade publications have talked about this need for decades, only now have federal and state policymakers found a path forward to take new transmission project siting and permitting reform. Retail energy providers, electric distribution utilities and their unregulated subsidiaries, and renewable energy developers have done all they could to highlight the need and costs to consumers of a congested electric grid that cannot easily move power among and between electricity markets and states, or from remote renewable generation sources to load centers.
The Contribution of Ruthenium in the Development of Metallomesogens
Authors: Therrien Bruno
Published: September 2023

Ruthenium remains one of the most popular metals in inorganic and organometallic chemistry. The multiple oxidation state that it possesses and the versatility in its coordination mode have contributed to this success. However, despite the facility to synthesize all kind of ruthenium‐based complexes, the insertion of ruthenium in metallomesogens remains scarce. This review presents all metallomesogens incorporating ruthenium over the last 35 years, suggesting that the contribution of ruthenium in the development of metallomesogens has just begun.
Pancreatitis as immune‐related adverse event during pembrolizumab therapy for multiple lung metastases from renal pelvic cancer
Authors: Kokura Kazuki , Watanabe Jun , Takuma Takaaki , Yokozeki Hitoshi , Uketa Shoko , Uemura Yuichi
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Pembrolizumab administration has become the standard of care for patients with urothelial carcinoma, though a variety of adverse events have been reported. Presented here is a rare case of pancreatitis that occurred as an immune‐related adverse event.

Case presentation

An 81‐year‐old man undergoing treatment with pembrolizumab for multiple lung metastases from renal pelvic cancer was presented with a fever and diagnosed with pancreatitis based on elevated pancreatic enzyme levels and imaging findings. There was no history of alcohol consumption or findings indicating gallstones, elevated liver enzymes, or abdominal complications. The patient was diagnosed with immune‐related adverse event pancreatitis and treated with Lactate Ringer's solution (3000 mL/day) and steroids, during which his condition improved.

Conclusion

Although pancreatitis is a rare complication, it should always be considered as a potential immune‐related adverse event in patients treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor such as pembrolizumab.
Secondary and within‐session analyses to improve the feasibility and precision of assessments of sociability
Authors: Morris Samuel L. , Pizzuto Adelaide
Published: September 2023

Previous research has improved the feasibility and precision of assessments of sociability, but further progress is warranted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate secondary measures and within‐session analyses to further improve the feasibility and precision of assessments of sociability. We reanalyzed previously published assessment results to evaluate whether initial and conditional (i.e., on therapist movement) approach and avoidance may approximate established continuous measures. Results indicated that both measures were strongly correlated with the percentage of session on the social side and may provide a more feasible approximation for use in clinical practice. We also conducted within‐session analyses of these assessment results to evaluate whether they may improve precision or clarity. Correlational and matching‐based analyses of the within‐session data suggest that clear conclusions may be drawn from the results of a single session and facilitate a richer understanding of sociability. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
Brief report: Revealing the nuance: Examining approaches for research with adolescents who identify with multiple racial/ethnic groups
Authors: Moon Julia , Centeno Betsy , De León José A. , Mello Zena R.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Increasing racial/ethnic diversity in the United States calls for methodological approaches that capture participants who identify with multiple racial/ethnic groups. Existing approaches are oriented toward large samples (N > 500); yet, we do not know how effective these approaches are with more common smaller convenience samples. We explored how several approaches were associated with the sample distribution of racial/ethnic groups and ethnic identity using a small convenience sample.

Methods

In 2017, 320 U.S. adolescents (Mage = 16.04 years, SDage = 1.33; 59% female) responded to an open‐ended question regarding their racial/ethnic group(s) in a cross‐sectional survey. Seventy‐five (23%) adolescents identified with multiple racial/ethnic groups. Remaining adolescents identified solely with the Asian/Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander (19%), Black/African American (3%), European American (21%), Latinx (34%), or Native American/Alaska Native (<1%) group.

Results

Three approaches for adolescents with multiple racial/ethnic groups were employed. Findings indicated that the sample distributions differed across the approaches. The greatest differences were shown for Black/African American, Native American/Alaska Native, and Other Race/Ethnicity groups. Descriptively, ethnic identity also differed across the approaches. For example, multiracial/ethnic adolescents reported greater ethnic identity‐exploration than their European American counterparts in one approach than in others.

Conclusions

Researchers should carefully consider approaches to research with adolescents who identify with multiple racial/ethnic groups given implications for the literature. This study demonstrates the critical need to further develop approaches for capturing the complexity of race/ethnicity.
Coleus vettiveroides ethanolic root extract induces cytotoxicity by intrinsic apoptosis in HepG2 cells
Authors: Mohamed Azar Kadmad Abdul Hameed , Ezhilarasan Devaraj , Shree Harini Karthik
Published: September 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) contributes to more than 80% of all primary cancers globally and ranks fourth in cancer‐related deaths, due to the lack of an effective, definite therapeutic drug. Coleus vettiveroides (CV) has been used in Indian traditional medicine to treat diabetes, liver ailments, skin diseases, leukoderma, and leprosy. This study investigates the anticancer effect of CV ethanolic root extract in HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were treated with CV extract, and its cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTT assay. AO/EB staining, propidium iodide staining, DCFH‐DA assay, phalloidine staining, flow cytometry, and qPCR studies were performed for ROS expression, apoptosis and cell cycle analysis. The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of quercetin and galangin in CV root extract. The results showed that CV inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, with altered cellular and nuclear morphology. CV was also found to increase intracellular ROS levels and oxidative stress markers in HepG2 cells. CV significantly altered the actin microfilament distribution in HepG2 cells and caused cell cycle arrest at the sub G0‐G1 phase. CV also induced mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis, as evidenced by increased expression of p53, Bax, cytochrome C, Apaf‐1, PARP, caspase‐3 and caspase‐9, and downregulated Bcl‐2 expression. Therefore, CV exerts its anticancer effect by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, cytoskeletal disorganization, cell cycle arrest, and mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis, and it could be a potent therapeutic option for HCC.
Role of immune related genes in predicting prognosis and immune response in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Yi , Shen Chuchen , Wu Juju , Yan Xiaodan , Huang Qin
Published: September 2023

Immunotherapy has developed rapidly in recent years. This study aimed to establish a prognostic signature for immune‐related genes (IRGs) and explore related potential immunotherapies. The RNA‐seq transcriptome profiles and clinicopathological information of patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Differentially expressed IRGs in tumors and normal tissues were screened and a risk score signature was constructed to predict the prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Receiver operating characteristic curves, survival analyses, and correlation analyses were used to explore the clinical application of this model. We further analyzed the differences in clinical characteristics, immune infiltration, somatic mutations, and treatment sensitivity between the high‐ and low‐risk populations characterized by the prognostic models. The immune cell infiltration score and immune‐related pathway activity were calculated using the single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) set enrichment analysis. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes, and GSEA were used to explore the underlying mechanisms. We constructed a nine‐IRG formula to predict the prognosis in HCC patients. The higher the risk score, the higher the malignancy of the tumor and the worse the prognosis. There were significant differences in immune related processes between the high‐ and low‐risk groups. TP53 and CTNNB1 mutations were significantly different between different risk groups. The expression of model gene was closely related to the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. This risk score model, which is helpful for the individualized treatment of patients with different risk factors, could be a reliable prognostic tool for HCC patients.
Potential molecular mechanisms of myrtenal against colon cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Boopathy Lokesh Kumar , Roy Anitha , Gopal Thiyagarajan , Kandy Rakhee Rathnam Kalari , Arumugam Madan Kumar
Published: September 2023

Colon cancer is a serious health problem across the globe with various dietary lifestyle modifications. It arises as an inflammation mediated crypts in the colon epithelial cells and undergoes uncontrolled cell division and proliferation. Bacterial enzymes contribute to a major outbreak in colon cancer development upon the release of toxic metabolites from the gut microflora. Pathogen associated molecular patterns and damage associated molecular patterns triggers the NLPR3 inflammasome pathways that releases pro‐inflammatory cytokines to induce cancer of the colon. Contributing to this, specific chemokines and receptor complexes attribute to cellular proliferation and metastasis. Bacterial enzymes synergistically attack the colon mucosa and degenerate the cellular integrity causing lysosomal discharge. These factors further instigate the Tol like receptors (TLRs) and Nod like receptors (NLRs) to promote angiogenesis and supply nutrients for the cancer cells. Myrtenal, a monoterpene, is gaining more importance in recent times and it is being widely utilized against many diseases such as cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. Based on the research data's, the reviews focus on the anticancer property of myrtenal by emphasizing its therapeutic properties which downregulate the inflammasome pathways and other signalling pathways. Combination therapy is gaining more importance as they can target every variant in the cellular stress condition. Clinical studies with compounds like myrtenal of the monoterpenes family is provided with positive results which might open an effective anticancer drug therapy. This review highlights myrtenal and its biological potency as a cost effective drug for prevention and treatment of colon cancer.
Protective effects of esculetin against ovary ischemia–reperfusion injury model in rats
Authors: Güvenç Mehmet , Yüksel Murat , Kutlu Tuncer , Etyemez Muhammed , Gökçek İshak , Cellat Mustafa
Published: September 2023

Aims

Ovarian ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is a phenomenon that necessitates urgent intervention, which occurs as a result of ovarian torsion, and it is frequently seen in young women. A large amount of free radical and oxidative damage as a result of I/R plays a role in the cause of the incident. Antioxidant agents are thought to be beneficial in preventing this damage, and the potential protective effects of esculetin, which had not been tested previously, were investigated in this study.

Study Design

The rats in the study were divided into five groups at random: control, sham, esculetin, I/R, and treatment. Oxidative stress parameters, proinflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf‐2)/nuclear factor‐kβ (NF‐κβ) pathway, and histopathological analyses were evaluated at the end of the study.

Key Findings

After I/R, malondialdehyde levels, proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β levels and NF‐κβ expressions were increased, Nrf‐2 expression and glutathione level decreased and the histopathologic picture deteriorated. However, as a result of the esculetin treatment, ameliorative effects in the aforementioned parameters were determined, and it was ensured that they returned to normal levels.

Conclusion

According to these findings, esculetin has protective effects on I/R damage by lowering lipid peroxidation and having antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties.

Significance

Our results proved the protective effect of esculetin against ovarian IR injury in rats and this may be attributed to Nrf‐2/NF‐κβ axis which showed antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. Therefore, esculetin can be used in the future for preventive effects to ovarian IR injury.
Development of lectin‐based lateral flow assay for fucosylated alpha‐fetoprotein
Authors: Puangpila Chanida , Anukulkich Nattakritta , Chiapleam Siraphatsorn , Intajan Benyarat , Jakmunee Jaroon , Pencharee Somkid
Published: September 2023

Fucosylated alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP‐L3) is a more specific and sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than only the alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) level. Rapid and simple detection of AFP‐L3 level greatly facilitates the early detection as well as the treatment of HCC, resulting in the reduction of mortality. Here, we developed a rapid and sensitive lateral flow assay (LFA) using lectin Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), which has a specific affinity to AFP‐L3 fraction of AFP, as a biorecognition element for determination of the fucosylation of AFP. The assay is based on a sandwich format performed on a lateral flow test strip. LCA was immobilized on the membrane as a test line (T). Quantitative detection of AFP‐L3 was achieved by measuring the green color intensity of captured gold nanoparticle conjugates on the T and control line (C) utilizing an in‐house test strip reader. The calculated absorbance obtained by the green color intensity signals proportionally increased with AFP concentrations. The developed lectin‐based LFA provided a detection limit of 0.8 ng/mL for AFP with a linear range between 1.5 and 160.0 ng/mL within an assay time of 10 min. Recoveries between 74.5% and 113.2% with relative standard deviations of 5.2%–8.7% for measuring spiked human serum were also achieved. The results reveal that the proposed assay offers a rapid, sensitive, and specific method, which is useful for development in point‐of‐care testing for early detection and treatment of HCC.
Characterization of pediatric transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients in a large academic center
Authors: Zarrabian Dorsa , Hanna Mirette
Published: September 2023

Background

Transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients are at high risk of transfusion‐related complications. Yet, there is scanty data on the frequency of transfusion reactions, particularity alloimmunization among pediatric transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients. In addition, there is no consensus on the prophylactic antigen matching for prevention of alloimmunization or the extent of antigen matching for alloimmunized thalassemia patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study to assess the frequency and specificity of alloimmunization among pediatric transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients receiving ABO, RhD, and K‐matched red blood cell units. In addition, we studied the association between patients' characteristics and alloimmunization. The clinical and transfusion records of transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients followed up at our institution between July 2018 and June 2022 were reviewed.

Results

Ninety‐two transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients having mean age of 13.37 years (SD, 5.56) were included in our study. Eight patients (9%) had developed clinically significant alloantibodies; six patients (6%) developed alloantibody against E antigen while two patients (2%) developed more than one alloantibody. Of alloimmunized patients, five patients had received transfusion outside Canada. Patients' sex, age, having a genotype variant, total number, and duration of transfusion received were not associated with the risk of alloimmunization. The transfusion‐recipient's diagnosis of β‐thalassemia, having developed autoantibody, and history of receiving transfusion outside Canada were associated with alloimmunization.

Conclusion

Blood matching for ABO, RhD, and K antigens resulted in, although not eliminated, lower frequency of alloimmunization than that previously reported among pediatric thalassemia patients. Extending matching to include Rh antigens could further reduce the rate of alloimmunization.
Simulating fate and transport of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs using Root Zone Water Quality Model 2
Authors: Shu Weixi , Price Gordon W. , Jamieson Rob , Lake Craig
Published: September 2023

The fate and transport of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in soil are determined by various processes, and the complexity of the system lends itself to the use of computer simulation models to help understand it. This study demonstrated the first attempt to use empirical data from lab incubation and field studies to parameterize and test a process‐based agricultural systems model, Root Zone Water Quality Model 2 (RZWQM2), to simulate the fate and transport of naproxen (NPX), ibuprofen (IBF), and ketoprofen (KTF) in field‐based lysimeters amended with alkaline‐treated biosolids (ATBs). The model calibrated for the soil–water balance module and contaminant transport module was used to predict water seepage through the soil profile in 2017 and 2018 within a 15% error of the field measured data, with model performance statistics such as Nash—Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) and R2 all greater than 0.70. The overall predicted percent recovery of initial spiked NSAIDs in both soil and water samples, after further calibration of the contaminant transport module, was within the same order of magnitude as the measured data. The model underestimated the percent recovery of initial spiked NSAIDs at the 30‐ to 55‐cm soil depth for all treatments on day 3. The calibrated soil subsurface aerobic half‐lives of NPX and IBF were found to be considerably lower than their laboratory‐measured half‐lives obtained from the incubation study. The overall performance of RZWQM2 in simulating the soil hydrology and behavior of NSAIDs in soil profiles receiving various rates of ATB amendments was satisfactory.
Exploring spiritual/religious coping strategies among mothers of children with severe or profound intellectual disability during genetic counseling in Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues Stephania de Araújo , de Carvalho Ellen Zapparoli Nunes , Campos Crispim Antonio , Fontanella Bruno José Barcellos , Melo Débora Gusmão
Published: September 2023

Parents use several coping strategies to deal with the challenges of caring for children with disabilities. This qualitative study explored the spiritual/religious coping strategies adopted by Brazilian mothers of children with severe or profound intellectual disabilities who were attending the medical genetics clinic for genetic counseling. Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants, selected by convenience. Thematic content analysis was used to investigate the data. Five major themes were recognized: (1) spirituality/religion as a source of resilience; (2) surrender to God's plan; (3) a feeling of predestination; (4) children with a disability perceived/conceived as a blessing; and (5) pleading for divine intervention. Participants highlighted the ability to recover and adapt to bad circumstances and stressful events with God's support using spiritual/religious resources and practices. They attributed the cause and control of events in their lives to an external and transcendental source, showing themselves to be resigned to the condition of their child with a disability and his/her demands. The feeling of predestination appeared as a form of divine intervention as well as a way of attributing meaning to the situation. Their child with a disability was compared constantly to an “angel,” a celestial being created by God to be a messenger and fulfill divine purposes. From the participants' perspective, these coping mechanisms appeared to have helped them adjust to the situation. Spirituality and religiousness have become crucial in cultures such as Brazil, where religious practices, often highly syncretic, are common. A more detailed and comprehensive understanding of how spiritual/religious coping strategies are mobilized during the genetic counseling process can improve the cultural competence of genetic counselors and help guide proposals for more effective clinical interventions.
Structural elucidation of amino amide‐type local anesthetic drugs and their main metabolites in urine by LC‐MS after derivatization and its application for differentiation between positional isomers of prilocaine
Authors: Weissberg Avi , Drug Eyal , Prihed Hagit , Madmon Moran , Shamai Yamin Tamar
Published: September 2023

The demand for clinical toxicology analytical methods for identifying drugs of abuse and medicinal drugs is steadily increasing. Structural elucidation of amino amide‐type local anesthetic drugs and their main metabolites by GC‐EI‐MS and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS is of great analytical challenge. These compounds exhibit only/mostly fragments/product ions representing the amine‐containing residue, while the aromatic amide moiety remains unidentified. This task becomes even more complicated when discrimination between positional isomers of such compounds is required. Here, we report the development of a derivatization procedure for the differentiation and structural elucidation of a mixture of local anesthetic drugs and their metabolites that possess tertiary and secondary amines in water and urine. A method based on two sequential “in‐vial” instantaneous derivatization processes at ambient temperature followed by LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis was developed. 2,2,2‐Trichloro‐1,1‐dimethylethyl chloroformate (TCDMECF) was utilized to selectively convert the secondary amines into their carbamate derivatives, followed by hydrogen peroxide addition to produce the corresponding tertiary amine oxides. The resulting derivatives exhibited rich fragmentation patterns, enabling improved structural elucidation of the original compounds. The developed method was successfully applied to the differentiation and structural elucidation of prilocaine and its four positional isomers, which all possess similar GC and LC retention times and four of them exhibit almost identical EI‐MS and ESI‐MS/MS spectra, enabling their structural elucidation in a single LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis. The developed technique is fast and simple and enables discrimination between isomers based on different diagnostic ions/fragmentation patterns.
YAP suppresses human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 transcription
Authors: Li Hengbo , Zou Feng , Zhang Jie , Zhu Shengyu , Chu Kaifei , Zhang Xu , Zhao Tiejun
Published: September 2023

Human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) is an oncogenic retrovirus that causes adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). HTLV‐1 encodes Tax protein that activates transcription from viral long terminal repeats (LTR). Multiple cofactors are involved in the regulation of HTLV‐1 transcription via association with Tax. Yes‐associated protein (YAP), which is the key effector of Hippo pathway, is elevated and activated in ATL cells. In this study, we reported that YAP protein suppressed Tax activation of HTLV‐1 5′ LTR but not 3′ LTR. The activation of the 5′ LTR by Tax was potentiated when YAP was depleted. Moreover, overexpression of YAP repressed HTLV‐1 plus‐strand viral gene expression and virion production, whereas compromising YAP by RNA inference augmented the expression of HTLV‐1 protein. As mechanisms of YAP‐mediated viral transcription inhibition, we found that YAP interacted with Tax, and prevented the association between Tax and p300. It finally led to the inhibition of recruitment of Tax to the Tax‐responsive element in the 5′ LTR of HTLV‐1. Taken together, our results demonstrate the negative regulatory function of YAP in Tax activation of HTLV‐1 transcription. It may achieve sufficient transcriptional repression to maintain persistent infection and long‐term latency of HTLV‐1 in the host cells.
Intravenous tecovirimat treatment of oral monkeypox lesions in a patient with HIV‐1
Authors: Chen Wan Hsiang , Axell‐House Dierdre B.
Published: September 2023

A man in his mid‐30s presented with 1 week of painful, progressive, and confluent tongue and chin ulcerations. Swabs of the lesions were detected positive for monkeypox (mpox) DNA by polymerase chain reaction. During hospitalization, he received a diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus‐1. Due to severe oral pain, the patient was treated with intravenous tecovirimat 200 mg every 12 h for 4 days with remarkable improvement in lingual lesions. He completed a total 14‐day course with oral tecovirimat. Our patient's clinical progress contributes to the data available for the potential efficacy of intravenous tecovirimat for mpox infection in humans.
Designing the transition to operations in large inter‐organizational projects: Strategy, structure, process, and people
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Denicol Juliano , Chan Paul W. , Le Yun
Published: September 2023

The transition from projects to operations requires a spanning from more temporary, goal‐oriented, and evolving organizational forms to more permanent, routine, and ongoing organizational forms. A question of practical and theoretical significance is how to organize the transition to operations in large inter‐organizational projects. To answer this question, we conducted a longitudinal case study of Beijing Daxing International Airport, which is the largest transportation hub in China to date, and provides rich evidence for successfully managing the transition to operations. By analyzing the organizational design strategy, structures, processes, and management of people in the transition, we provide a synthetic framework for designing the transition to operations in large inter‐organizational projects. The framework provides a set of considerations to design organizational boundaries that build connections, emphasize coordination, and achieve continuity between projects and operations. This study contributes to the nexus of operations management and project management and the organizational design of large inter‐organizational projects.
Impact of surface characteristics on the peri‐implant microbiome in health and disease
Authors: Sinjab Khaled , Sawant Shriya , Ou Alice , Fenno J. Christopher , Wang Hom‐Lay , Kumar Purnima
Published: September 2023

Background

Because little is known about the impact of implant surface modifications on the peri‐implant microbiome, we aimed to examine peri‐implant communities in various surface types in order to better understand the impact of these surfaces on the development of peri‐implantitis (PI).

Methods

One hundred and six systemically healthy individuals with anodized (AN), hydroxyapatite‐coated (HA), or sandblasted acid‐etched (SLA) implants that were >6 months in function were recruited and categorized into health (H) or PI. Peri‐implant biofilm was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and compared between health/disease and HA/SLA/AN using community‐level and taxa‐level metrics.

Results

Healthy implants did not demonstrate significant differences in clustering, alpha‐ or beta‐diversity based on surface modification. AN and HA surfaces displayed significant differences between health and PI (p < 0.05); however, such a clustering was not evident with SLA (p > 0.05). AN and HA surfaces also differed in the magnitude and diversity of differences between health and PI. Six species belonging to the genera Shuttleworthia, Scardovia, and Prevotella demonstrated lower abundances in AN implants with PI, and 18 species belonging to the genera Fretibacterium, Tannerella, Treponema, and Fusobacterium were elevated, while in HA implants with PI, 20 species belonging to the genera Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Veillonella, Rothia, and family Ruminococcaceae were depleted and Peptostreptococcaceae, Atopobiaceae, Veillonellaceae, Porphyromonadaceae, Desulfobulbaceae, and order Synergistales were enriched.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, we demonstrate that implant surface can differentially modify the disease‐associated microbiome, suggesting that surface topography must be considered in the multi‐factorial etiology of peri‐implant diseases.