bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacteria and viruses and clinical outcomes of asthma‐bronchiectasis overlap syndrome: A cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐xian , He Jia‐hui , Pan Cui‐xia , He Zhen‐feng , Li Hui‐min , Lin Zhen‐hong , Zhang Xiao‐fen , Cen Lai‐jian , Zhang Ri‐lan , Shi Ming‐xin , Guan Wei‐jie
Published: January 2024

Background

Despite the high prevalence of co‐existing bronchiectasis and asthma (asthma‐bronchiectasis overlap syndrome [ABOS]), little is known regarding the dominant pathogens and clinical correlates.

Objective

To investigate the bacteria and viruses which differentially dominate in ABOS (including its subtypes) compared with bronchiectasis alone, and determine their relevance with bronchiectasis severity and exacerbations.

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted between March 2017 and August 2023. We included 81 patients with ABOS and 107 patients with bronchiectasis alone. At steady‐state baseline, patients underwent comprehensive assessments and sputum collection for bacterial culture and viral detection (quantitative polymerase‐chain‐reaction). Patients were followed‐up to record exacerbation and spirometry.

Results

Patients with ABOS had significantly higher symptom burden and exacerbation frequency than those with bronchiectasis alone. Despite similar pathogen spectrum, the rate of bacteria–virus co‐detection increased less substantially at acute exacerbations (AE) onset than at steady‐state compared with bronchiectasis alone. Pathogenic bacteria (particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were detected fairly common (exceeding 50%) in ABOS and were associated with greater severity of bronchiectasis when stable and conferred greater exacerbation risks at follow‐up. Viral but not bacterial compositions changed substantially at AE onset compared with clinical stability. Higher blood eosinophil count, moderate‐to‐severe bronchiectasis and non‐atopy were associated with higher odds of bacterial, but not viral, detection (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Detection of bacteria or virus is associated with bronchiectasis severity or clinical outcomes in ABOS. This highlights the importance of integrating sputum microbial assessment for ascertaining the dominant pathophysiology (atopy vs. infection) and longitudinal trajectory prediction in ABOS.
Host and floral communities shape parasite prevalence and reproduction in intensively managed forests
Authors: Ponisio Lauren C. , Cohen Hamutahl , Galbraith Sara M. , Zorn Jocelyn , Zitomer Rachel A. , Rivers James W.
Published: January 2024

Understanding how working landscapes can maintain viable wildlife populations is key to evaluating their conservation potential. We assessed the potential of intensively managed conifer forests for supporting healthy, productive bee populations in one of the major timber‐growing regions of the world, the Pacific Northwest. We examined the direct effect of the number of years post‐harvest and other forest characteristics on flowering plant and bee communities and their indirect effect on parasite prevalence (Apicystis spp., Ascosphaera spp., and Crithidia spp.) and reproduction of a native, forest‐dwelling solitary bee (Osmia lignaria). Forest characteristics, including the time elapsed since harvest, influenced floral and bee community diversity and abundance and indirectly impacted parasite prevalence and offspring production. We found that increased bee diversity was associated with reduced parasite prevalence—consistent with a dilution effect—but the strength of the relationship varied across the different parasites. Additionally, bee abundance was more consistently associated with increased parasite prevalence, providing evidence of amplification. Floral abundance was only associated with lower Apicystis spp. prevalence. Across all parasite models, however, the values were <20%, indicating that additional factors shape bee communities beyond those we examined. Offspring production was positively related to floral diversity but not to parasite prevalence. Our results suggest that managing floral diversity is critical to enhancing the value of these landscapes for wild bee communities, both directly through promoting bee diversity and reproduction, and indirectly through facilitating parasite dilution.
Large and thin leaves are compromised more by chewers
Authors: Zhu Jiangling , Sun Lijuan , He Chenqi , Cai Qiong , Zhu Jianxiao , Ji Chengjun
Published: January 2024

A major proportion of primary production is lost to insect herbivory. Leaf functional traits representing defense costs and palatability explain the intensity of herbivory at local scales. However, whether leaf traits explain herbivory at large scales needs clarification. By combining a leaf herbivory database and the TRY plant‐trait database, we compared 190 species from 65 families across 45 sites in nine countries. We hypothesized that defensive and/or nutrient‐poor leaves would compromise herbivory less globally. Both the absolute and percentage of maximum leaf‐area loss were higher in the tropical zone. Larger leaves lost more disproportionate areas to chewer herbivores whenever phylogenetic signals were considered. Thin leaves with low leaf mass per area (LMA) and short lifespan were compromised more by herbivory based on the leaf trait syndrome. Although thin leaves were rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium, only leaf nitrogen marginally explained the loss of leaf area. The contribution of leaf area dominated the herbivory intensity among all other morphological and chemical traits. Overall, the benefits of chewers on herbivory were based on leaf area, because the loss of leaf biomass and nitrogen increased proportionally with its loss. Leaf construction costs, but not nutrient content, determined the intensity of herbivory globally. However, the overall percentage of loss in leaf area was not high, demonstrating the importance of elucidating the relationship between leaf functional traits and induced defense in future studies.
Sarcopenia prognosis using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and prediction model in older patients with heart failure
Authors: Saito Hiroshi , Matsue Yuya , Maeda Daichi , Kagiyama Nobuyuki , Endo Yoshiko , Yoshioka Kenji , Mizukami Akira , Minamino Tohru
Published: January 2024

Aims

This study aimed to determine whether there is a difference in the prognostic value of sarcopenia diagnosed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and that predicted by prediction equations in older patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

We included 269 patients (aged ≥65 years) who were hospitalized for HF. We used two appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) prediction equations: (i) Anthropometric‐ASM, including age, sex, height, and weight, and (ii) Predicted‐ASM, including sex, weight, calf circumference, and mid‐arm circumference. ASM index (ASMI) was calculated by dividing the sum of the ASM in the extremities by the height squared (kg/m2). The cut‐off values proposed by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 were used to define low ASMI. The prognostic endpoint was all‐cause mortality. The median age of the cohort was 83 years [interquartile range (IQR): 75–87], and 135 patients (50.2%) were men. Sarcopenia diagnosed according to DEXA, Anthropometric measurements, and Predicted‐ASM was observed in 134 (49.8%), 171 (63.6%), and 157 (58.4%) patients, respectively. During the median follow‐up period of 690 days (IQR: 459–730), 54 patients (19.9%) died. DEXA‐sarcopenia [hazard ratio (HR), 2.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26–4.31; P = 0.007] was associated with all‐cause mortality after adjusting for pre‐existing risk factors, whereas Predicted‐sarcopenia (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 0.87–3.25; P = 0.123) and Anthropometric‐sarcopenia (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.86–3.12; P = 0.132) were not.

Conclusions

Sarcopenia diagnosed using DEXA was associated with poor prognosis in older patients with HF; however, the prediction equations were not.
Crystallization of the Fundamental Tetracyanamidometallates Li4[Si(CN2)4] and Li4[Ge(CN2)4] from Polymeric Li‐T‐(NCN)‐I Precursors (T=Si, Ge)
Authors: Röseler Kai Daniel , Eichele Klaus , Ströbele Markus , Meyer Hans‐Jürgen
Published: January 2024

The tetracyanamidometallates Li4[T(CN2)4] with T=Si, Ge were prepared by solid‐state metathesis (SSM) reactions between TI4 and Li2(CN2). The new compounds Li4[T(CN2)4] are obtained as crystalline phases in high yields and represent the most basic examples of the family of tetracyanamidometallates. The formation of these compounds, via SiI4 and Li2(CN2), is analyzed by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The [Si(CN2)4]4− ion in the structure of Li4[Si(CN2)4] can be considered an analogue to the [SiO4]4− ion in Li4SiO4. The crystal structures of Li4[T(CN2)4] were solved and refined isotypically on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data in the space group C2/c, and further characterized by infrared and solid‐state NMR techniques.
Population‐based analysis of the human development index and risk factors for head and neck cancer
Authors: Chien I‐An , Hsu Yi‐Chiung , Tsai Chung‐Hsin , Cheng Shih‐Ping
Published: January 2024

Background

We aimed to investigate global variations in incidence and mortality and their associations to possible risk factors for prompt cancer prevention and control.

Methods

Estimates of incidence and mortality rates for six types of head and neck cancer were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2020 database. Summary exposure values for level‐two risk factors were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease. Regression models adjusting for the human development index (HDI) were constructed to analyze correlations between age‐standardized rates and risk factors.

Results

The incidence rates of multiple types of head and neck cancer were positively associated with HDI tiers. In addition to tobacco use and alcohol consumption, high systolic blood pressure was associated with the incidence and mortality of cancers of the salivary glands, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Dietary risks were linked to cancers of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and hypopharynx.

Conclusions

This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into possible risk factors for head and neck cancer.
Medial positioning of the hippocampus and hippocampal fissure volume in developmental topographical disorientation
Authors: Fragueiro Agustina , Cury Claire , Santacroce Federica , Burles Ford , Iaria Giuseppe , Committeri Giorgia
Published: January 2024

Developmental topographical disorientation (DTD) refers to the lifelong inability to orient by means of cognitive maps in familiar surroundings despite otherwise well‐preserved general cognitive functions, and the absence of any acquired brain injury or neurological condition. While reduced functional connectivity between the hippocampus and other brain regions has been reported in DTD individuals, no structural differences in gray matter tissue for the whole brain neither for the hippocampus were detected. Considering that the human hippocampus is the main structure associated with cognitive map‐based navigation, here, we investigated differences in morphological and morphometric hippocampal features between individuals affected by DTD (N = 20) and healthy controls (N = 238). Specifically, we focused on a developmental anomaly of the hippocampus that is characterized by the incomplete infolding of hippocampal subfields during fetal development, giving the hippocampus a more round or pyramidal shape, called incomplete hippocampal inversion (IHI). We rated IHI according to standard criteria and extracted hippocampal subfield volumes after FreeSurfer's automatic segmentation. We observed similar IHI prevalence in the group of individuals with DTD with respect to the control population. Neither differences in whole hippocampal nor major hippocampal subfield volumes have been observed between groups. However, when assessing the IHI independent criteria, we observed that the hippocampus in the DTD group is more medially positioned comparing to the control group. In addition, we observed bigger hippocampal fissure volume for the DTD comparing to the control group. Both of these findings were stronger for the right hippocampus comparing to the left. Our results provide new insights regarding the hippocampal morphology of individuals affected by DTD, highlighting the role of structural anomalies during early prenatal development in line with the developmental nature of the spatial disorientation deficit.
UTX inhibition suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis in patient‐derived glioblastoma stem cells by modulating periostin expression
Authors: Luan Yan , Zhang Hanyue , Liu Yingfei , Xue Jingwen , Wang Ke , Ma Bo , Ma Kaige , Lu Haixia , Chen Xinlin , Liu Yong , Zhang Zhichao
Published: January 2024

Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) exert a crucial influence on glioblastoma (GBM) development, progression, resistance to therapy, and recurrence, making them an attractive target for drug discovery. UTX, a histone H3K27 demethylase, participates in regulating multiple cancer types. However, its functional role in GSCs remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of UTX on GSCs. Analysis of TCGA data revealed heightened UTX expression in glioma, inversely correlating with overall survival. Inhibiting UTX suppressed GBM cell growth and induced apoptosis. Subsequently, we cultured primary GSCs from three patients, observing that UTX inhibition suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. RNA‐seq was performed to analyze the gene expression changes after silencing UTX in GSCs. The results indicated that UTX‐mediated genes were strongly correlated with GBM progression and regulatory tumor microenvironment. The transwell co‐cultured experiment showed that silencing UTX in the transwell chamber GSCs inhibited the well plate cell proliferation. Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that periostin (POSTN) played a role in the UTX‐mediated transcriptional regulatory network. Replenishing POSTN reversed the effects of UTX inhibition on GSC proliferation and apoptosis. Our study demonstrated that UTX inhibition hindered POSTN expression by enhancing the H3K27me2/3 level, eventually resulting in inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis of patient‐derived GSCs. Our findings may provide a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of GBM.
Can natural undisturbed revegetation restores soil organic carbon to levels under native climax vegetation under tropical semiarid climate?
Authors: Tomaz Aline Roma , de Oliveira Ferreira Ademir , Lal Rattan , Amado Telmo Jorge Carneiro , da Silva Belchior Oliveira Trigueiro , da Silva William Ramos , Fracetto Felipe José Cury , Inagaki Thiago Massao , Freire Maria Betânia Galvão dos Santos , Nunes Elves Obede dos Santos
Published: January 2024

Land‐use change has driven soil carbon stock losses in ecosystems worldwide. Implementing agricultural crops and exploiting forest resources trigger the breakdown of soil aggregates, thus exposing organic matter to microbial decomposition and enhancing carbon dioxide emissions, especially in biomes more susceptible to climate extremes as in the tropical semiarid regions. This study was based on the hypothesis that the undisturbed soil from the dry forest (Caatinga biome under natural revegetation in Brazilian semiarid) would have an improvement in the mass of macroaggregates and recover more than 50% of the soil C stock within 10 years. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to investigate soils from the Caatinga biome under native vegetation, “cowpea cropping” for over 30 years, and soil under natural revegetation for over 10 years, after conventional soil cultivation of maize and cowpea, to determine soil and soil‐aggregates carbon stocks and to estimate the recovery rate of these stocks. The proportional mass of aggregates of different sizes and the total stock of particulate organic carbon (POC) were also quantified. The results showed that soil under preserved native vegetation of dry forest Caatinga biome had higher total soil C stock (50.9 Mg ha−1) than that under cowpea cropping (23.2 Mg ha−1) and natural revegetation (45.1 Mg ha−1). The proportional mass of large macroaggregates was higher in soil under native vegetation for all depths. However, soil under cowpea cropping had lower C stocks in macroaggregates, and recovered roughly 63% of the original C stocks, while revegetation recovered 78% of the stock in 10 years. Although the conventional management system for cowpea monoculture aggravated losses in soil carbon stock by more than 50% of the original C stocks, dry forest under natural revegetation recovered 79% of this stock and almost 100% of POC stock in 10 years (~12 Mg ha−1). Furthermore, soil under undisturbed Caatinga dry forest achieved C stock levels equivalent to that of the global average range for semiarid tropical environments. The high recovery rate of C stock in forest soil under natural revegetation indicates the resilience potential of organisms responsible for structural protection of aggregates and the encapsulated soil organic matter content.
Study of Injectable Hydrogel Based on ALN/nHA Promoting Osteogenesis and Inhibiting Osteoclasts in Osteoporotic Bone Defects Repair
Authors: Yang Lu , Chen Xingyu , Chen Long , Li Siyu , Li Jing , Li Zhiqiang , Sun Tong , Li Jianshu , Weng Jie
Published: January 2024

Osteoporotic bone defects cannot withstand surgery with more significant trauma due to bone fragility, while systemic drug therapy has formidable adverse effects. Consequently, the present study introduces an innovatively devised injectable double‐crosslinked hydrogel, as a potential therapeutic avenue for addressing varied shapes of osteoporotic bone defects via a minimally invasive approach. The injectable hydrogel is formed by the formation of Schiff base bonds between oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) and carboxymethyl chitosan, and the polymerization of gelatin methacrylate by UV light crosslinking. Additionally, alendronate sodium (ALN) is loaded into the hydrogel through Schiff base formation with OSA, and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) is incorporated into the hydrogel via blending. The hydrogel demonstrates excellent injectability, and the nHA improves the mechanical properties of hydrogel and can promote bone formation. In addition, the hydrogel can sustain the release of ALN, which has the effect of inhibiting osteoclasts. Cell studies indicate that the hydrogel can promote the differentiation of osteoblasts and inhibit the activity of osteoclast, so as to obtain better osteogenic effect. Therefore, the injectable hydrogel can be used to repair osteoporotic bone defects through a minimally invasive, simple treatment modality.
Mutation profiling in South African patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome phenotype
Authors: Seymour Heather , Feben Candice , Nevondwe Patracia , Kerr Robyn , Spencer Careni , Mudau Maria , Honey Engela , Lombard Zane , Krause Amanda , Carstens Nadia
Published: January 2024

Background

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) presents with a variable multi‐systemic phenotype and pathogenic variants have been identified in five main genes. This condition has been understudied in African populations with little phenotypic and molecular information available.

Methods and Results

We present a cohort of 14 patients with clinical features suggestive of CdLS. Clinical phenotyping was carried out and cases were classified according to the international consensus criteria. According to this criteria, nine patients had classical CdLS, one had non‐classical CdLS and four presented with a phenotype that suggested molecular testing for CdLS. Each patient underwent mutation profiling using a targeted next generation sequencing panel of 18 genes comprising known and suspected CdLS causal genes. Of the 14 patients tested, pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were identified in nine: eight variants in the NIPBL gene and one in the STAG1 gene.

Conclusions

We present the first molecular data for a cohort of South African patients with CdLS. Eight of the nine variants identified were in the NIPBL gene, the most commonly involved gene in cases of CdLS. This is also the first report of a patient of African ancestry presenting with STAG1‐related CdLS.
Multi‐Chromatic Ultrawide Color Gamut, Full‐Color Range Systems
Authors: Feather Gary
Published: January 2024

Implementing a multi‐chromatic display requires much more than the display design itself.
A review of recent developments and applications of high‐permittivity dielectric shimming in magnetic resonance
Authors: Jacobs Paul S. , Brink Wyger , Reddy Ravinder
Published: January 2024

We present a review outlining the basic mechanism, background, recent technical developments, and clinical applications of aqueous dielectric padding in the field of MRI. Originally meant to be a temporary solution, it has gained traction as an effective method for correcting B1+ inhomogeneities due to the unique properties of the calcium titanate and barium titanate perovskites used. Aqueous dielectric pads have used a variety of high‐permittivity materials over the years to improve the quality of MRI acquisitions at 1.5 and 3 T and more recently for 7 T neuroimaging applications. The technical development and assessment of these pads have been advanced by an increased use of mathematical modeling and electromagnetic simulations. These tools have allowed for a more complete understanding of the physical interactions between dielectric pads and the RF coil, making testing and safety assessments more accurate. The ease of use and effectiveness that dielectric pads offer have allowed them to become more commonplace in tackling imaging challenges in more clinically focused environments. More recently, they have seen usage not only in anatomical imaging methods but also in specialized metabolic imaging sequences such as GluCEST and NOEMTR. New colossally high‐permittivity materials have been proposed; however, practical utilization has been a continued challenge due to unfavorable frequency dependences as well as safety limitations. A new class of metasurfaces has been under development to address the shortcomings of conventional dielectric padding while also providing increased performance in enhancing MRI images.
Preparation of green high‐performance biomass‐derived hard carbon materials from bamboo powder waste
Authors: Yin Tianqi , Zhang Zhengli , Xu Lizhi , Li Chuang , Han Dongdong
Published: January 2024

Efficient energy storage systems are crucial for the optimal utilization of renewable energy. Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are considered potential substitutes for next‐generation low‐cost energy storage systems due to the low cost and abundance of sodium resources. However, the industrialization of SIBs faces a great challenge in terms of the anode. Hard carbon could be a promising anode material due to its high capacity and low cost which originates from biomass. This study used pre‐treatment and template carbonization methods to extract a hard carbon material from a large amount of discarded biomass in bamboo powder waste. This material has a good initial Coulombic efficiency of 78.6 % and good cycling stability when applied to sodium ion batteries.Typically, the optimal hard carbon material is used as the anode to prepare sodium ion battery prototypes to demonstrate their potential applications. The anode exhibited excellent sodium storage performance with a reversible capacity of 303 mAh ⋅ g−1 at 1 C rate and good cycling performance, retaining 92.0 % of its capacity after 100 cycles. These results demonstrate that BPPHC is a promising candidate for anode material in sodium‐ion batteries. This work suggests that bamboo powder could be a low‐cost anode material for SIBs.
Molecular mechanism study and potential active ingredients prediction of Danhe granules in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia via TICE
Authors: Shibo Cong , Tong Yu , Sili Wang , Shuxiao Gu , Yanfang Qiao , Susu Liu , Pan Gao , Jingke Meng , Xinlou Chai
Published: January 2024

This study aims to explore the molecular mechanism and potential active ingredients of Danhe granules in improving the blood lipid level of hypercholesterolemia by intestinal TICE (transintestinal cholesterol excretion) through in vivo experimental research, network pharmacology methods, and molecular docking. The diet‐induced hypercholesterolemia rat model evaluated the effects of Danhe granules on fecal cholesterol levels and intestinal TICE‐related protein expression in rats. Based on the experimental results, the network pharmacology method was used to predict the potential active ingredients, and the binding strength between the potential active ingredients and key targets was further confirmed by molecular docking. Danhe granules increased LDLR, ABCG5, ABCB1, and LXRα which can promote the uptake of cholesterol by intestinal cells and the excretion of cholesterol into the intestine, and then reduce the levels of serum LDL‐C and TC and increase the level of fecal TC, so as to achieve the effect of treating hypercholesterolemia. The results of network pharmacology and molecular docking showed that 19 active ingredients had good binding activity with the targets. These may be the active ingredients of Danhe granules for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. This study revealed the molecular mechanism of Danhe granules in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia via TICE, and preliminarily clarified the potential effective ingredients. It provides new ideas for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and the development of new drugs.
White‐button mushroom storage in trays with layerings of chitosan and turmeric
Authors: de Oliveira Mariano Pilger Maria Lidia , da Silva Suse Botelho , Radunz Lauri Lourenço , Bender Renar João
Published: January 2024

White‐button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are short‐lived commodities and preserving freshness and quality poses significant challenges. Considering active packaging as a possibility to extend mushroom shelf life, in the present work two alternative systems were evaluated for their after harvest effects on quality and control of microbiological contamination. Chitosan films, with or without turmeric, were used to layer polystyrene trays for mushroom storage at a temperature of 7°C ± 1.5°C for up to 17 days. At retrieval from storage, quality parameters, respiration rates, total polyphenols and psychrotrophic bacteria counts were determined. Chitosan layers resulted in significantly lower microbiological contamination and the inclusion of turmeric reduced in approximately 2 log CFU g−1 microbial counts compared to the usual storage procedure. Chitosan and chitosan plus turmeric layers enhanced fresh mass losses, though quality traits, polyphenols and respiratory patterns were not influenced by any of the film layering's in the polystyrene trays. These findings suggest that storage trays layered with chitosan and turmeric effectively mitigate microbial contamination on white‐button mushrooms without compromising overall quality characteristics.
From the single‐structure to the multipath approaches: The reactions of the 2‐pentanone with H radical
Authors: Passos Maiara Oliveira , Alves Tiago Vinicius
Published: January 2024

This work accurately estimates the thermal rate constants for hydrogen abstraction reactions from 2‐pentanone by H radical. Different kinetic models that include dynamical (recrossing) and non‐dynamical (quantum tunneling) effects were used to estimate rate coefficients and product distributions for the title reactions. The influence of the multiple structures and transition states was analyzed through the multistructural and multipath variational transition state theory. Torsional anharmonicity was also estimated and included in the rate constants. The best description of our work indicates that product formation by the hydrogen abstraction from the ‐carbon is predominant.
Exploring δ13C data compatibility in a broad δ13C range: Reassembling δ13C values obtained for NIST CO2 RMs 8562–8564 at different laboratories
Authors: Assonov Sergey
Published: January 2024

Rationale

Stable isotope datasets obtained in different laboratories over years must be compared and combined. The strict compatibility in δ13C at ±0.01‰ and ±0.02‰, k = 1, respectively, is required for observations of greenhouse gases CO2 and methane. That implies the long‐term compatibility of calibrations realized at different laboratories. Thus far, this level of compatibility has not been demonstrated for pure CO2 in a broad δ13C range and over years.

Methods

We reassemble the δ13C obtained in different laboratories for NIST CO2 RMs 8562–8564, which are pure CO2 gases. If the measurements are based on independent calibrations and reported on the same 17O correction framework, δ13C of all three RMs can be used to estimate the long‐term δ13C data compatibility.

Results

δ13C values obtained in different laboratories for NIST CO2 RMs 8562–8564 (a range of δ13C from ~ −3.7‰ to ~ −41.6‰) from 1998 to 2020 agree within their uncertainties. Two NIST studies (1999 and 2004) have combined data from several laboratories using different Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) methods and somewhat different approaches. Three single‐laboratory studies (2003, 2008, and 2020) have used the same type of IRMS and similar approaches. The δ13C values from these laboratories agree within ±0.01‰, k = 1, over the entire δ13C range and have uncertainties about two times lower than those obtained at NIST by combining data from several laboratories.

Conclusion

The δ13C values for NIST CO2 RMs 8562–8564 obtained in three laboratories using the same IRMS (2003, 2008, and 2020) agree within ±0.01‰, k = 1. First, this confirms the long‐term stability in δ13C of RMs 8562–8564. Second, this example of compatibility in δ13C calibrations on pure CO2, from −3.7‰ to −41.6‰, is relevant to stable isotope measurements of greenhouse gases CO2 and methane. Third, this confirms the high accuracy of the δ13C(air–CO2) calibrations performed in 2003 and 2008 for the project Civil Aircraft for the Regular Investigation of the atmosphere Based on an Instrumented Container (CARIBIC).
Synthesis and Sorption Profiles of Graphene‐Decorated Silane‐Modified Layered Clays for As(V) Removal: A Quantitative Assessment and Mechanistic Insights
Authors: Mahesh S. Suma , Pavitha P. A. , Sumi V. S. , Rijith S.
Published: January 2024

A novel adsorbent material, graphene decorated silane modified layered clays enriched with Fe(III) (TEOS‐g‐LDH−Fe/rGO) was prepared via emulsion polymerization followed by in situ precipitation and its physicochemical characterization carried out by FTIR, XRD, SEM‐EDS, HRTEM, TG‐ DTG, XPS and Raman analysis. The TEOS‐g‐LDH−Fe/rGO composite utilized for the effective removal of As(V) from aqueous system and the process followed via inner‐sphere surface complexation through ligand exchange between hydroxyl groups in TEOS‐g‐LDH−Fe/rGO and As(V) species. The equilibrium data fitted well with Langmuir model and kinetic data with mixed batch model showed remarkable adsorption capacity of 103.91 mg/g at pH 5.5. The synergistic effects associated with precursors in the composite profoundly improved the removal efficiency of As(V). The optimal conditions for As(V) removal was evaluated by RSM coupled with central composite design(CCD) considering pH(3–6), dose(0.5–2.5) and time (1–80 min) at temperature 30 °C. The sorption efficacy of TEOS‐g‐LDH−Fe/rGO was found to be about four times greater than its precursors. In simulated water matrix, the TEOS‐g‐LDH−Fe/rGO exhibit a retention of sorption performance (90 %) from 98.8 % of its initial sorption capacity for As(V) removal during regeneration. This work proves TEOS‐g‐LDHFe/rGO as a promising candidate for addressing grievous environmental threats from arsenic contamination.
An Injectable Puerarin Depot Can Potentiate Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer Cell Immunotherapy Against Targeted Solid Tumors by Reversing Tumor Immunosuppression
Authors: Liu Yan , Hao Yu , Chen Jiahui , Chen Minming , Tian Jia , Lv Xiang , Zhang Yefei , Ma Xinxing , Zhou Yehui , Feng Liangzhu
Published: January 2024

Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR‐NK) cell therapy represents a potent approach to suppressing tumor growth because it has simultaneously inherited the specificity of CAR and the intrinsic generality of NK cells in recognizing cancer cells. However, its therapeutic potency against solid tumors is still restricted by insufficient tumor infiltration, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments, and many other biological barriers. Motivated by the high potency of puerarin, a traditional Chinese medicine extract, in dilating tumor blood vessels, an injectable puerarin depot based on a hydrogen peroxide‐responsive hydrogel comprising poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate and ferrous chloride is concisely developed. Upon intratumoral fixation, the as‐prepared puerarin depot (abbreviated as puerarin@PEGel) can activate nitrogen oxide production inside endothelial cells and thus dilate tumor blood vessels to relieve tumor hypoxia and reverse tumor immunosuppression. Such treatment can thus promote tumor infiltration, survival, and effector functions of customized epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1)‐targeted HER1‐CAR‐NK cells after intravenous administration. Consequently, such puerarin@PEGel‐assisted HER1‐CAR‐NK cell treatment exhibits superior tumor suppression efficacy toward both HER1‐overexpressing MDA‐MB‐468 and NCI‐H23 human tumor xenografts in mice without inducing obvious side effects. This study highlights a potent strategy to activate CAR‐NK cells for augmented treatment of targeted solid tumors through reprogramming tumor immunosuppression.
Structural Antagonism‐Aided Conformational Regulation Enables an Aptamer‐Loop G‐Quadruplex Modular Sensor of β‐Lactoglobulin
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Xu Ning , Zhu Longjiao , Yang He , Li Chen , Tian Hongtao , Xu Wentao
Published: January 2024

A simple, reliable method for identifying β‐lactoglobulin (β‐LG) in dairy products is needed to protect those with β‐LG allergies. A common, practical strategy for target detection is designing simplified nucleic acid nanodevices by integrating functional components. This work presents a label‐free modular β‐LG aptasensor consisting of an aptamer‐loop G‐quadruplex (G4), the working conformation of which is regulated by conformational antagonism to ensure respective module functionality and the related signal transduction. The polymorphic conformations of the module‐fused sequence are systematically characterized, and the cause is revealed as shifting antagonistic equilibrium. Combined with conformational folding dynamics, this helped regulate functional conformations by fine‐tuning the sequences. Furthermore, the principle of specific β‐LG detection by parallel G4 topology is examined as binding on the G4 aptamer loop by β‐LG to reinforce the G4 topology and fluorescence. Finally, a label‐free, assembly‐free, succinct, and turn‐on fluorescent aptasensor is established, achieving excellent sensitivity across five orders of magnitude, rapidly detecting β‐LG within 22‐min. This study provides a generalizable approach for the conformational regulation of module‐fused G4 sequences and a reference model for creating simplified sensing devices for a variety of targets.
Polyoxometalate Induced Assembly Into Surface Functionalized Multidimensional Heterostructures with Enhanced Catalytic Activity
Authors: Akram Bilal , Ali Mudussar , Liu Qingda
Published: January 2024

The self‐assembly of inorganic nanocrystals offers an efficient way for the fabrication of functional materials. However, it is still challenging for the construction of multidimensional nanostructures with controllable shapes, compositions and functions. Here, a series of heterostructures in different dimensions by surface modification of polyoxometalate (POM) clusters is developed. Three kinds of POM clusters (phosphomolybdic acid (PMA), phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and silicotungstic acid (STA) and five kinds of metal oxides (TiO2, VOx, La2O3, In2O3 and Gd2O3) can be used as building blocks, and a class of 1D, 2D and 3D heterostructures can be achieved by the control of surface ligand coverage. Compared with individual building blocks and other cluster‐based superstructures, TiO2‐PMA superstructures exhibit enhanced catalytic activity toward thioether oxidations, which is attributed to the electron transfer between TiO2 and POM clusters.
Bioanalytical method optimization for simultaneous quantification of structurally related probe drugs in a phenotyping cocktail using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Leuschner Machel , Cromarty Duncan
Published: January 2024

The physicochemical diversity of the structurally related aromatic probe drugs, used together in a drug cocktail to assess metabolic and transport phenotypes, require optimized analytical procedures for simultaneous quantification. The analytical conditions can greatly influence the analyte selectivity, retention, stability, and ultimately the robustness of the method. The aim of this study was to assess the selectivity of the structurally related ionizable analytes between the commonly used C18 column chemistry and an alternative biphenyl column chemistry as well as the influence of changes in the analytical conditions on method robustness using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. A repeated measure two‐factor analysis of variance with Geisser‐Greenhouse correction was used to determine statistical significance. The results showed that a biphenyl stationary phase in combination with methanol as the organic eluent, could provide improved resolution and analyte selectivity. Changes in analytical conditions caused statistically significant variation in the retention behavior, selectivity, column efficiency, and sensitivity of the analytes of interest The robustness experiment confirmed the importance of controlling analytical conditions to ensure the reproducibility and reliability of the quantitative method.
Current evidence on the efficacy of mental health smartphone apps for symptoms of depression and anxiety. A meta‐analysis of 176 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Linardon Jake , Torous John , Firth Joseph , Cuijpers Pim , Messer Mariel , Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz Matthew
Published: January 2024

The mental health care available for depression and anxiety has recently undergone a major technological revolution, with growing interest towards the potential of smartphone apps as a scalable tool to treat these conditions. Since the last comprehensive meta‐analysis in 2019 established positive yet variable effects of apps on depressive and anxiety symptoms, more than 100 new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been carried out. We conducted an updated meta‐analysis with the objectives of providing more precise estimates of effects, quantifying generalizability from this evidence base, and understanding whether major app and trial characteristics moderate effect sizes. We included 176 RCTs that aimed to treat depressive or anxiety symptoms. Apps had overall significant although small effects on symptoms of depression (N=33,567, g=0.28, p<0.001; number needed to treat, NNT=11.5) and generalized anxiety (N=22,394, g=0.26, p<0.001, NNT=12.4) as compared to control groups. These effects were robust at different follow‐ups and after removing small sample and higher risk of bias trials. There was less variability in outcome scores at post‐test in app compared to control conditions (ratio of variance, RoV=–0.14, 95% CI: –0.24 to –0.05 for depressive symptoms; RoV=–0.21, 95% CI: –0.31 to –0.12 for generalized anxiety symptoms). Effect sizes for depression were significantly larger when apps incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) features or included chatbot technology. Effect sizes for anxiety were significantly larger when trials had generalized anxiety as a primary target and administered a CBT app or an app with mood monitoring features. We found evidence of moderate effects of apps on social anxiety (g=0.52) and obsessive‐compulsive (g=0.51) symptoms, a small effect on post‐traumatic stress symptoms (g=0.12), a large effect on acrophobia symptoms (g=0.90), and a non‐significant negative effect on panic symptoms (g=–0.12), although these results should be considered with caution, because most trials had high risk of bias and were based on small sample sizes. We conclude that apps have overall small but significant effects on symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety, and that specific features of apps – such as CBT or mood monitoring features and chatbot technology – are associated with larger effect sizes.
Enhancing mechanical properties and surface quality of FDM-printed ABS: A comprehensive study on cold acetone vapor treatment
Authors: Demircali Ali Anil , Yilmaz Durmus , Yilmaz Abdurrahim , Keskin Onur , Keshavarz Meysam , Uvet Huseyin
Published: January 2024

The development of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies has significantly advanced fabrication capabilities, yet achieving optimal surface quality and mechanical properties in end-use products is challenging. The primary objective of this study is to improve specific characteristics of 3D-printed components by employing a chemical post-processing technique including acetone. This technique is specifically applied to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material, utilizing a customized mechanical cold-vapor system. A complete investigation was undertaken to assess the effects of treatment on many factors, such as temperature, solvent volume, and exposure duration, on the tensile strength, physical dimensions, and mass of the ABS samples. Acetone post-processing has notably improved tensile strength, influenced by treatment duration and temperature and has led to dimensional changes such as a slight length reduction and increases in width and thickness. Furthermore, the mass of the samples exhibited variability upon acetone treatment, which was shown to be dependent on both the ambient temperature and the duration of solvent exposure. The tensile strength was assessed under various conditions, showing a significant enhancement at higher temperatures and longer exposure times. These results, demonstrating smoother surfaces and a tensile strength increase of up to 20% at 65 °C, underscore the efficacy of our techniques in modifying the mechanical and physical properties of 3D-printed ABS components. This innovative approach provides valuable insights into the relationship between post-processing conditions and ABS properties, enriching the body of knowledge in AM technology.
Intra- and Inter-expert Validation of an Automatic Segmentation Method for Fluid Regions Associated with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in OCT Images
Authors: Gende Mateo , Castelo Lúa , de Moura Joaquim , Novo Jorge , Ortega Marcos
Published: January 2024

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a retinal disorder caused by the accumulation of fluid, resulting in vision distortion. The diagnosis of this disease is typically performed through Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging, which displays any fluid buildup between the retinal layers. Currently, these fluid regions are manually detected by visual inspection a time-consuming and subjective process that can be prone to errors. A series of six deep learning-based automatic segmentation architectural configurations of different levels of complexity were trained and compared in order to determine the best model intended for the automatic segmentation of CSC-related lesions in OCT images. The best performing models were then evaluated in an external validation study. Furthermore, an intra- and inter-expert analysis was conducted in order to compare the manual segmentation performed by expert ophthalmologists with the automatic segmentation provided by the models. Test results of the best performing configuration achieved a mean Dice of $$0.868 \mathop {\pm } 0.056$$

0.868
±
0.056

in the internal dataset. In the external validation set, these models achieved a level of agreement with human experts of up to 0.960 in terms of Kappa coefficient, contrasting with a value of 0.951 for agreement between human experts. Overall, the models reached a better agreement with either of the human experts than these experts with each other, suggesting that automatic segmentation models for the detection of CSC-related lesions in OCT imaging can be useful tools for assessing this disease, reducing the workload of manual inspection and leading to a more robust and objective diagnosis method.
Deep Learning Detection of Aneurysm Clips for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety
Authors: Courtman Megan , Kim Daniel , Wit Huub , Wang Hongrui , Sun Lingfen , Ifeachor Emmanuel , Mullin Stephen , Thurston Mark
Published: January 2024

Flagging the presence of metal devices before a head MRI scan is essential to allow appropriate safety checks. There is an unmet need for an automated system which can flag aneurysm clips prior to MRI appointments. We assess the accuracy with which a machine learning model can classify the presence or absence of an aneurysm clip on CT images. A total of 280 CT head scans were collected, 140 with aneurysm clips visible and 140 without. The data were used to retrain a pre-trained image classification neural network to classify CT localizer images. Models were developed using fivefold cross-validation and then tested on a holdout test set. A mean sensitivity of 100% and a mean accuracy of 82% were achieved. Predictions were explained using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), which highlighted that appropriate regions of interest were informing the models. Models were also trained from scratch to classify three-dimensional CT head scans. These did not exceed the sensitivity of the localizer models. This work illustrates an application of computer vision image classification to enhance current processes and improve patient safety.
Multiple Kernel Synthesis of Head CT Using a Task-Based Loss Function
Authors: Nelson Brandon J. , Gomez-Cardona Daniel G. , Thorne Jamison E. , Huber Nathan R. , Yu Lifeng , Leng Shuai , McCollough Cynthia H. , Missert Andrew D.
Published: January 2024

In CT imaging of the head, multiple image series are routinely reconstructed with different kernels and slice thicknesses. Reviewing the redundant information is an inefficient process for radiologists. We address this issue with a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based technique, synthesiZed Improved Resolution and Concurrent nOise reductioN (ZIRCON), that creates a single, thin, low-noise series that combines the favorable features from smooth and sharp head kernels. ZIRCON uses a CNN model with an autoencoder U-Net architecture that accepts two input channels (smooth- and sharp-kernel CT images) and combines their salient features to produce a single CT image. Image quality requirements are built into a task-based loss function with a smooth and sharp loss terms specific to anatomical regions. The model is trained using supervised learning with paired routine-dose clinical non-contrast head CT images as training targets and simulated low-dose (25%) images as training inputs. One hundred unique de-identified clinical exams were used for training, ten for validation, and ten for testing. Visual comparisons and contrast measurements of ZIRCON revealed that thinner slices and the smooth-kernel loss function improved gray-white matter contrast. Combined with lower noise, this increased visibility of small soft-tissue features that would be otherwise impaired by partial volume averaging or noise. Line profile analysis showed that ZIRCON images largely retained sharpness compared to the sharp-kernel input images. ZIRCON combined desirable image quality properties of both smooth and sharp input kernels into a single, thin, low-noise series suitable for both brain and skull imaging.