bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Astrocytic K+ clearance during disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Stevenson Rebecca , Samokhina Evgeniia , Mangat Armaan , Rossetti Ilaria , Purushotham Sushmitha S. , Malladi Chandra S. , Morley John W. , Buskila Yossi
Published: July 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which patients lose motor functions due to progressive loss of motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Whilst the loss of neurons is central to the disease, it is becoming clear that glia, specifically astrocytes, contribute to the onset and progression of neurodegeneration. Astrocytes play an important role in maintaining ion homeostasis in the extracellular milieu and regulate multiple brain functions by altering their extracellular concentrations. In this study, we have investigated the ability of astrocytes to maintain K+ homeostasis in the brain via direct measurement of the astrocytic K+ clearance rate in the motor and somatosensory cortices of an ALS mouse model (SOD1G93A). Using electrophysiological recordings from acute brain slices, we show region‐specific alterations in the K+ clearance rate, which was significantly reduced in the primary motor cortex but not the somatosensory cortex. This decrease was accompanied by significant changes in astrocytic morphology, impaired conductivity via Kir4.1 channels and low coupling ratio in astrocytic networks in the motor cortex, which affected their ability to form the K+ gradient needed to disperse K+ through the astrocytic syncytium. These findings indicate that the supportive function astrocytes typically provide to motoneurons is diminished during disease progression and provides a potential explanation for the increased vulnerability of motoneurons in ALS.
Relationships between neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive profiles in Alzheimer's disease and related syndromes
Authors: Seixas‐Lima Bruna , Binns Malcolm , Black Sandra E. , Fischer Corinne , Freedman Morris , Kumar Sanjeev , Lahiri Durjoy , Roncero Carlos Tyler , Strother Stephen , Tang‐Wai David F. , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Chertkow Howard ,   the TDRA Clinical Research Database Group
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To investigate the rate of occurrence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and their relationship with age, sex and cognitive performance in subjects with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (Alzheimer's disease and related dementias [ADRD]).

Methods

This is a retrospective matched case‐control study. Data from memory clinic patients included demographic information presence of NPS, and cognitive testing of Orientation, Immediate and Delayed Memory, Visuospatial Function, Working Memory, Attention, Executive Control and Language. Participants were Individuals with subjective cognitive impairment (n = 352), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 369), vascular MCI (n = 80), Alzheimer's disease (n = 147), vascular dementia (n = 41), mixed dementia (n = 33), and healthy controls (n = 305). Logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between the presence of NPS, age and sex. A generalised additive model was used to investigate the relationship between presence of NPS, age and cognitive impairment. Analysis of variance was used to investigate differences in cognition between younger and older groups with and without NPS.

Results

We found an increased likelihood of occurrence of NPS in younger individuals and females across cohorts. Anxiety, depression, agitation, and apathy were associated with higher overall rate of NPS. We also found that individuals under 65 years of age with NPS had worse cognitive scores than their counterpart without NPS.

Conclusion

The younger group with ADRD and NPS had lower cognitive scores, probably reflecting more aggressive neurodegenerative disease. Further work will be needed to elicit the degree to which imaging or mechanistic abnormalities distinguish this group.
An update on vaccine status and the role of nanomedicine against SARS‐CoV‐2: A narrative review
Authors: Tajnur Rabeya , Rezwan Refaya , Aziz Md. Abdul , Islam Mohammad Safiqul
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 novel coronavirus, is a highly communicable disease that gave rise to the ongoing pandemic. Despite prompt action across many laboratories in many countries, effective management of this disease is still out of reach. The focus of this review is to describe various vaccination approaches and nanomedicine‐based delivery systems against COVID‐19.

Methods

The articles included in this study were searched and added from different electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, and preprint databases.

Results

Mass immunization with vaccines is currently at the forefront of COVID‐19 infection control. Such vaccines are live attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, nucleic acid‐based vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, viral‐vector vaccines, and virus‐like particle platforms. However, many promising avenues are currently being explored in laboratory and clinical settings, including treatment options, prevention, diagnosis, and management of the disease. Soft nanoparticles like lipid nanoparticles (solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNPs), liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions, and protein nanoparticles play an essential role in nanomedicine. Because of their unique and excellent properties, nanomedicines have potential applications in treating COVID‐19 disease.

Conclusions

This review work provides an overview of the therapeutic aspects of COVID‐19, including vaccination and the role of nanomedicines in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of COVID‐19.
The recent outbreaks of Marburg virus disease in African countries are indicating potential threat to the global public health: Future prediction from historical data
Authors: Ahmed Iftekhar , Salsabil Lubaba , Hossain Md. Jamal , Shahriar Mohammad , Bhuiyan Mohiuddin Ahmed , Islam Md. Rabiul
Published: July 2023

Marburg virus disease (MVD) caused by the Marburg virus has a high mortality rate. Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats act as the natural reservoir host of the virus. But it can also potentially be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with body secretions. The recent outbreaks have already killed seven people out of nine confirmed cases in Equatorial Guinea and five patients out of eight confirmed cases in Tanzania. In the recent past, Ghana reported three MVD cases and two associated deaths in 2022. Specific treatments or vaccines are unavailable for MVD, and supportive care is the primary treatment option. The history of MVD outbreaks and the current scenario show its potential to become an emerging threat to global public health. The recent outbreaks in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea have already caused a high fatality rate. The absence of effective treatment and vaccines raises concerns about the potential to cause widespread harm. Besides, its capacity for human‐to‐human transmission and potential to cross the country's border could result in a multicountry outbreak. Therefore, we recommend intensive surveillance of MVD, preventative measures, and early detection to limit the spread of the disease and prevent another pandemic.
Semantic automatic annotation method based on artificial intelligence for electric power internet of things
Authors: Jin Yaxi , Zhang Yongkang , Xue Weihao , Shen Pengfei , Jin Zhaoying , He Tao
Published: July 2023

The development of the power Internet of Things is currently underway, and a proposal for a semantic Internet of Things based on artificial intelligence algorithms is made to address the challenges in obtaining prior knowledge for heterogeneous data fusion, improving the real‐time performance of the ontology library, and enhancing the efficiency of manual labeling of instance object data in the power field. This proposal introduces an Automatic Semantic Annotation Method to provide an effective knowledge organization model for sensor systems. Data mining knowledge is utilized to drive ontology update and improvement, resulting in more accurate semantic annotation and enhanced machine understanding. Experimental results show that artificial intelligence algorithms can automatically extract concepts from sensory data and achieve automatic semantic annotation during ontology instantiation.
Photophysical and biological aspects of α, β‐unsaturated ketones: Experimental and in silico approach
Authors: Samreen Hafiza Saba , Hussain Ajaz , Yar Muhammad , Alshammari Mohammed Battah , Ayub Khurshid , Adeel Muhammad , Tariq Muhammad , Lateef Mehreen , Bakht Mohammed Afroz , Rasool Faiz
Published: July 2023

In this work, four fluorinated α, β‐unsaturated ketones named as 3‐(3‐bromophenyl)−1‐(3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (1), 3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)−1‐(3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (2), 3‐(3‐bromo‐5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐(3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (3) and 3‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylphenyl)‐1‐(3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (4) were synthesized by Claisen–Schmidt reaction. The synthesized molecules were then characterized through ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and mass spectrometry. The antioxidant potential, Urease inhibition, and interaction of compounds 1–4 with Salmon sperm DNA were experimentally explored and supported by molecular docking studies. The synthesized compounds strongly interact with SS‐DNA through intercalative mode. It was noticed that compound 1 served as potent Urease inhibitor while compound 4 as better antioxidant among synthesized compounds. Moreover, frontier molecular orbitals, nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, natural bond orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential, natural population analysis, and photophysical properties of synthesized compounds were accomplished through density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory. The band gap of all the compounds have been worked out using Taucs method. In addition to that, a precise comparative account of UV and IR data obtained from theoretical and experimental findings showed good agreement between theoretical and experimental data. The findings of our studies reflected that compounds 1–4 possess better NLO properties than Urea standard and the band gap data also reflected their prospective use towards optoelectronic materials. The better NLO behavior of compounds was attributed to the noncentrosymmetric structure of synthesized compounds.
Melatonin protected against kidney impairment induced by 5‐fluorouracil in mice
Authors: Elbanan Mona E. , Amer Maggie E. , El‐Missiry Mohamed A. , Othman Azza I. , Shabana Sameh M.
Published: July 2023

The utility of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) as a successful chemotherapeutic drug for several cancers is limited by the induction of kidney injury and dysfunction due to redox imbalance, inflammation, and apoptosis. Meanwhile, melatonin (MLT) is a potent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory natural compound with a wide safety range. The current study aimed to investigate MLT's protective effect against 5‐FU‐induced kidney impairment. Male mice were given multiple doses of 5‐FU at 25 and 100 mg/kg, as well as MLT at 20 mg/kg. MLT treatment alleviated the toxic effect of 5‐FU by normalizing blood urea and creatinine levels and preserving the histological structure, indicating MLT's nephroprotective ability. This is accompanied by body weight maintenance, an increase in survival percentage, and preserved hematological parameters in comparison to the 5‐FU‐treated mice. MLT's renoprotective effect was explained by improvements in C‐reactive protein, IL‐6, and caspase‐3 in kidney tissue, indicating MLT's anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic ability. Furthermore, MLT inhibited 5‐FU‐induced lipid peroxidation by maintaining the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as glutathione levels in kidney tissue from mice treated with both doses of 5‐FU. The current findings show that MLT has a novel protective effect against 5‐FU‐induced renal injury and renal impairment.
COVID–19肺炎と鑑別を要した造血器腫瘍に併発した急性呼吸不全の1例(A case of acute respiratory failure accompanied by a hematopoietic tumor differentiated from COVID–19 pneumonia)
Authors: 光 間﨑 , 靖 金子 , 尚実 釣木澤 , 英樹 屋代 , 佑一 栗原 , 文 佐々木 , 季久雄 葉
Published: July 2023

症例は55歳の男性，発熱と呼吸困難感を主訴に来院した。本邦では新型コロナウイルス感染症（coronavirus disease 2019: COVID–19）の市中感染が流行し始めた時期であった。来院時の胸部CTではCOVID–19を疑う両側のすりガラス影を呈したが，SARS–CoV–2 PCR検査は陰性であった。呼吸状態は増悪し，気管挿管・人工呼吸器管理とし，ステロイド投与を開始した。集中治療の結果，約2週間の経過を経て抜管することができた。経過中，SARS–CoV–2 PCR検査を計3回施行したがすべて陰性であった。抜管後から関節痛と紫斑が出現し，血球減少が進行，末梢血からは異型細胞が検出された。骨髄検査では，末梢血と同様の異型細胞が，皮膚生検では真皮中層を中心に血管内および血管周囲にCD79a陽性細胞が検出され血管内大細胞型B細胞リンパ腫（intravascular large B cell lymphoma: IVLBCL）と診断し，近医血液内科へ転院となった。IVLBCLを含めた造血器悪性腫瘍に随伴する急性呼吸不全とCOVID–19肺炎はCT所見でのすりガラス影が酷似することが示唆された。CT所見ですりガラス影を呈し，SARS–CoV–2 PCR検査陰性の場合は，造血器腫瘍も鑑別に挙げる必要がある。
閉塞性大腸炎にCommunity–associated Clostridioides difficile Infectionが関与した1例(A case of obstructive colitis related with Community–associated Clostridioides difficile Infection which required intensive care)
Authors: 薫 小川 , 治郎 神山 , 源 鈴木 , 大輔 山本 , 勝伸 勅使河原 , 茂正 田口 , 和也 清田
Published: July 2023

Clostridioides difficile Infection（CDI）は医療関連感染性下痢症の代表的な原因である。入院歴や抗菌薬の使用歴がないにも関わらず，CDIを発症するcommunity–associated CDI（CACDI）が近年増加傾向である。今回我々は，CACDIを合併した閉塞性大腸炎を救命できた1例を経験した。症例は80歳の男性。尿道狭窄による腎後性腎不全のため約7年前に内尿道切開術を施行した。以後当院泌尿器科で月に1回尿道留置カテーテル交換を実施。今回，2週間前から排便の停止あり。1週間前に当院外来を受診し糞便性腸閉塞の診断で浣腸を施行し，帰宅した。以後も腹部膨満感が持続，体動困難となり救急要請した。来院時意識障害と低血圧を認め，血液検査で炎症反応の上昇と急性腎障害，代謝性アシドーシスを認めた。CTで直腸の高度狭窄と糞便を認め，bacterial translocationに伴う敗血症性ショックの診断でICUに入院した。入院第2病日にCDトキシン陽性よりCDIと診断した。バンコマイシンの経胃投薬とメトロニダゾールの点滴投薬，腎代替療法，人工呼吸管理に伴い全身状態は改善した。第17病日にS状結腸人工肛門造設術を施行した。第26病日にICUを退出した。抗菌薬の使用や入院歴がない閉塞性大腸炎患者を診察するときはCACDIの併発も念頭に置いた診療を考慮すべきである。
肩甲帯部重複損傷から遅発性に上気道狭窄を生じた2例(Two cases of delayed airway stenosis due to complex injuries of the shoulder girdle)
Authors: 渉 白坂 , 直巳 岡田
Published: July 2023

肩甲帯部重複損傷は高エネルギーの外傷を原因とする。この損傷に伴い，遅発性の上気道狭窄を生じうることは知られていない。今回，前述の経過をたどった2症例を経験した。肩甲帯部は結合組織が疎であるため，骨折部からの出血や軟部組織損傷による腫脹が緩徐に増大する。肩甲帯部重複損傷の症例は，遅発性に上気道狭窄が生じることを想定し，入院管理で持続的に呼吸状態を観察する必要がある。
Antioxidant system alterations and physiological characteristics of neonatal and juvenile DAT‐KO rats
Authors: Apryatin S. A. , Traktirov D. S. , Karpenko M. N. , Ivleva I. S. , Pestereva N. S. , Bolshakova M. V. , Trofimov A. N. , Fesenko Z. S. , Klimenko V. M.
Published: July 2023

Dopamine transporter knockout (DAT‐KO) rats represent a valuable rodent model for studying the molecular and phenotypical outcomes of the effects of excessive dopamine accumulation in the synaptic cleft and the prolonged action of dopamine on neurons. Animals with DAT deficiency are characterized by hyperactivity, stereotypy, cognitive deficits, and impairments in behavioral and biochemical indicators. Several key pathophysiological mechanisms are known to be common to psychiatric, neurodegenerative, metabolic, and other diseases. Among these mechanisms, oxidative stress systems play a particularly important role. One of the main antioxidant systems in the brain is glutathione: specifically, glutathione S‐transferase, glutathione reductase, and catalase play a significant role in the regulation of vital oxidative processes, and their dysfunction has been shown in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The current study aimed to analyze the dynamics of the activity levels of glutathione reductase and glutathione S‐transferase in erythrocytes, as well as catalase in the blood plasma, of DAT‐deficient, homo‐ and heterozygous, neonatal and juvenile rats (both male and female). Their behavioral and physiological parameters were evaluated at the age of 1.5 months. For the first time, changes in physiological and biochemical parameters were shown in DAT‐KO rats at 1.5 months of postnatal life. The key role of glutathione S‐transferase, glutathione reductase, and catalase in the regulation of oxidative stress in DAT‐KO rats at the 5th week of life was demonstrated. A positive effect of a slightly increased dopamine level on memory function was shown in DAT‐heterozygous animals.
Nitrogen use efficiency of microalgae application in wheat compared to mineral fertilizer
Authors: Mückschel Flora , Ollo Elijah , Glaeser Stefanie P. , Düring Rolf , Yan Feng , Velten Hermann , Theilen Ulf , Frei Michael
Published: July 2023

Background

Wastewater from sewage treatment plants contains high levels of nutrients, which can be used for plant nutrition. Classical wastewater treatment plants use complex microbial consortia of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms for biological wastewater treatment. Certain autotrophic microalgae (e.g., species of the genera Chlorella, Scenedesmus, and Pediastrum) accumulate nutrients from wastewater very effectively.

Aims

We investigated the potential of microalgae biomass obtained from a prototype wastewater treatment plant as a source of nutrients for crops, focusing on nitrogen.

Methods

We provided wheat plants with different levels of algae biomass equivalent to 60, 120, and 180 kg N per hectare or with mineral fertilizer (N, P, and K) equivalent to the amounts contained in the algal biomass. Physiological and phenotypic traits were measured during growth, including vegetation indices, photosynthetic performance, growth, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). In addition, the adundances of Bacteria, Archaea and fungi and genes of ammonium oxidizing Bacteria and Archaea were determined in the rhizosphere of differently fertilized plants.

Results

Microalgal application at fertilizer levels of 120 and 180 kg N ha–1 showed significantly improved physiological performance, growth, yield and nutrient uptake compared to the unfertilized control. Nevertheless, their yields and NUE were lower than with the application of equal amounts of mineral fertilization, while the adundance of rhizosphere microbes and ammonia‐oxidizing microorganisms were not significantly affected.

Conclusions

Microalgae from wastewater treatments form a suitable source of organic fertilizer for wheat plants with only moderate reductions in N use efficiency compared to mineral fertilizer.
The feasibility and utility of trauma screening for children involved in the juvenile justice system
Authors: Lang Jason M. , Lange Brittany C. L. , Connell Christian M. , Duran Tracy
Published: July 2023

Childhood exposure to potentially traumatic events and adversity is highly prevalent and linked to adverse outcomes. Many children suffering from symptoms related to traumatic stress are not identified or do not receive appropriate trauma‐focused treatment, including evidence‐based treatments. Trauma screening is a promising strategy to improve identification, but many child‐serving staff members have concerns about asking youth and caregivers about trauma. This study aimed to describe staff perceptions about the feasibility, utility, and potential for distress associated with trauma screening. Between 2014 and 2019, the Child Trauma Screen was used in 1,272 trauma screenings completed by juvenile probation officers or mental health clinicians as part of routine practice with youth in the juvenile justice system. Further, 1,190 caregiver reports about youth trauma were completed for youth in the juvenile justice system. Staff completed a brief postscreening survey about the feasibility and utility of the screening and the perceived level of child or caregiver distress. Across staff roles, trauma screening was deemed to be feasible and worthwhile to practice, with very few staff members reporting that children or caregivers appeared very uncomfortable as a result of screening, although some differences in feasibility and utility by staff role did occur. Trauma screening measures appear to be useful and practical in juvenile justice settings when appropriate support is provided, including when administered by nonclinical staff. Nonclinical staff may benefit from additional training, consultation, or support with trauma screening.
Archiving website‐based references in academic papers: Problems caused by reference rot, potential solutions and limitations
Authors: Teixeira da Silva Jaime A. , Nazarovets Maryna
Published: July 2023

Key points

Web‐based references form an integral part of academic culture and literature, as well as scientific communication.

The preservation of web‐based references that are cited in‐text or in reference lists of academic papers is essential to ensure the integrity of knowledge preservation.

When access or links to web‐based resources and references disappear, or if they are dysfunctional, these phenomena are collectively referred to as reference rot.

Even though reference rot degrades the integrity of information in academic papers, no industry‐wide solutions currently exist.

Given its prominence, we propose the Internet Archive as a possible solution to address reference rot, but also note its weaknesses and limitations.
Bioactive Phenylboronic Acid‐Functionalized Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels Induce Chondro‐Aggregates and Promote Chondrocyte Phenotype
Authors: Liu Ying , Yuan Zhongrun , Liu Sa , Zhong Xiupeng , Wang Yanyan , Xie Renjian , Song Wenjing , Ren Li
Published: July 2023

Hydrogels are extensively investigated as biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds in tissue engineering. The physiological properties of ECM affect cellular behaviors, which is an inspiration for cell‐based therapies. Photocurable hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel (AHAMA‐PBA) modified with 3‐aminophenylboronic acid, sodium periodate, and methacrylic anhydride simultaneously is constructed in this study. Chondrocytes are then cultured on the surface of the hydrogels to evaluate the effect of the physicochemical properties of the hydrogels on modulating cellular behaviors. Cell viability assays demonstrate that the hydrogel is non‐toxic to chondrocytes. The existence of phenylboronic acid (PBA) moieties enhances the interaction of chondrocytes and hydrogel, promoting cell adhesion and aggregation through filopodia. RT‐PCR indicates that the gene expression levels of type II collagen, Aggrecan, and Sox9 are significantly up‐regulated in chondrocytes cultured on hydrogels. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the hydrogels have a significant effect on the cell phenotype, with soft gels (≈2 kPa) promoting chondrocytes to exhibit a hyaline phenotype. Overall, PBA‐functionalized HA hydrogel with low stiffness exhibits the best effect on promoting the chondrocyte phenotype, which is a promising biomaterial for cartilage regeneration.
Wind observations from hot‐air balloons and the application in an NWP model
Authors: de Bruijn Evert I. F. , Bosveld Fred C. , de Haan Siebren , Marseille Gert‐Jan , Holtslag Albert A. M.
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we report on a wind observation method based on the movement of hot‐air balloons (HABs). A quality assessment was carried out by comparing against wind observations at the meteorological tower of Cabauw in the Netherlands during May–September 2018, and the obtained standard deviations in error were and for the measured zonal and meridional wind components, respectively. Subsequent comparison against short‐term forecasts of the HARMONIE‐AROME model showed a standard deviation of 2.5 ms−1 for the wind vector difference. From the HAB observation set, a case was selected with a rapidly changing wind field belonging to a small intensifying depression. The HAB wind observation was applied in data assimilation as a proof of principle for a single‐observation experiment. It is shown that in a complex baroclinic situation, the model state is slightly improved.
Charismatic species should be large: The role of admiration and fear
Authors: Prokop Pavol , Zvaríková Martina , Zvarík Milan , Ježová Zuzana , Fedor Peter
Published: July 2023

Humans show strong preferences for large, “charismatic” animals. However, the ultimate reasons for these innate preferences remain unclear.

In our research, we investigate the affective components of human attitudes toward animals, as well as the willingness to pay (WTP) for their conservation in a sample of N = 549 Slovak people using an online questionnaire.

From the use of structural equation modelling, we discovered that particularly large animals trigger both biophobic (fear) and biophilic (admiration) emotions in humans, and as a result, these emotions have contrasting effects on the WTP for animal conservation. Both fear and admiration of animals were influenced by the same emotions triggered by non‐animal objects. Beliefs in the magical power of animals did not directly influence the WTP animal conservation, but was mediated by the admiration of large, non‐animal objects. Females showed greater WTP animal conservation than males, irrespectively of the size of the species.

Therefore, we believe that biophobic responses from large animals and non‐animal objects in contemporary humans were inherited from our mammalian ancestors, who were targets of predation by large prehistoric reptiles throughout a significant part of mammalian evolutionary history.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Miniaturen auf der Wasseroberfläche
Authors: Suhr Wilfried , Schlichting Hans Joachim
Published: July 2023

Auf der Oberfläche von Gewässern kann man häufig kleine Objekte wie Tannennadeln, Blätter und ähnliche Dinge driften sehen, die sich kollektiv zu interessanten Mustern vereinigen. Dieses Verhalten lässt sich auf wechselseitige Anziehung oder Abstoßung der zugehörigen Wassermenisken zurückführen und durch die Physik der Grenzflächen erklären. In Analogie zur Wechselwirkung zwischen elektrischen Ladungen ordnen wir den driftenden Teilchen eine Polarität zu und beschreiben die Interaktionen der Teilchen mit Hilfe energetischer Prinzipien. Beispiele zur Musterbildung mit einfach konstruierten Objekten geben Anregungen zum eigenen spielerischen und gegebenenfalls künstlerischen Tun.
Ferromagnetischer topologischer Isolator
Authors: Corredor Laura T. , Facio Jorge I. , Hinkov Vladimir , Isaeva Anna
Published: July 2023

Ferromagnetische topologische Isolatoren versprechen Spintronik‐Bauelemente und energieeffiziente Elektronik. Der Vorteil der intrinsischen, magnetischen topologischen Isolatoren der (MnBi2Te4)(Bi2Te3)n‐Familie liegt in den geordneten Lagen aus magnetischen Mn‐Atomen. Diese tendieren jedoch dazu, antiferromagnetisch zu ordnen. Wenige Prozent Mn‐Substitutionsatome schaffen jedoch einen neuen magnetischen Kopplungspfad zwischen diesen Lagen und stellen eine ferromagnetische Ordnung her. Diese ist für den quantisierten anomalen Hall‐Effekt und die damit einhergehenden spinpolarisierten Ströme essenziell.
Adolescents' experiences of Help Overcoming Pain Early—A school based person‐centred intervention for adolescents with chronic pain
Authors: Wallbing U. , Nilsson S. , Wigert H. , Lundberg M.
Published: July 2023

To illuminate adolescents' experiences of Help Overcoming Pain Early (HOPE), a person‐centred intervention delivered in a school setting by school nurses. Twenty‐one adolescents with chronic pain recruited from secondary school, who had completed the HOPE intervention, were included in the interview study. The HOPE intervention was built on person‐centred ethics and consisted of four meetings between school nurses and adolescents on the subject of stress and pain management. A qualitative method using content analysis with an inductive approach was employed. In the interviews, the adolescents describe how they reclaim their lives with the help of HOPE. They use different strategies and parts of the intervention to move on with their lives. A trustful relationship, as that with the school nurse, was essential to dare to change. The overarching theme summarizes in Becoming myself again and is built up by three sub‐themes: Trust a pillar for growth, Making sense of my life with pain, and Putting myself into the world again. A person‐centred intervention such as HOPE applied in a school context is promising for promoting confidence in adolescents with chronic pain. A trust‐building process emerged, in terms of both the adolescents' trust in the healthcare staff they meet and their confidence in their own ability to handle and influence their situation, which in the long term can promote trust in themselves as a person.
Comparative study on the rheological properties of cellulose acetate and double‐base propellant
Authors: Hu Qipeng , Gu Han , Zhang He , Li Chunzhi , Ying Sanjiu , Xiao Zhongliang
Published: July 2023

Cellulose acetate (CA) and nitrocellulose (NC) are both cellulose derivatives with similar chemical structure and physical properties, and CA are non‐flammable and biodegradable, so CA has been used as a safe substitute to NC for artillery propellant research. The ester functional groups of CA and NC are different, and there are other components in the propellant, so the rheological properties of CA and propellant can be different slightly. However, the comparative study of rheological properties between CA and propellant is rarely reported. In this paper, the rheological properties of CA and double‐base propellant (DP) in extrusion process was studied by in‐line slit rheometer. The results show that the power‐law model can describe the rheological properties of CA and DP well. The shear viscosity of CA and DP decreases gradually with the increase of solvent ratio, and when the solvent ratio of CA is 0.87 and that of DP is 0.34, the rheological properties of CA and DP are most similar. The Arrhenius equation can reflect the relationship between shear viscosity and temperature of CA and DP, and the viscous activation energy of CA is about 23.68 kJ/mol, while that of DP is about 7.38 kJ/mol. In general, the effect of temperature on the rheological properties of CA is stronger than that of DP.
The complex II resistance mutation H258Y in succinate dehydrogenase subunit B causes fitness penalties associated with mitochondrial respiratory deficiency
Authors: Njiru Christine , Saalwaechter Corinna , Mavridis Konstantinos , Vontas John , Geibel Sven , Wybouw Nicky , Van Leeuwen Thomas
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

The acaricides cyflumetofen, cyenopyrafen and pyflubumide inhibit the mitochondrial electron transport chain at complex II [succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex]. A target site mutation H258Y was recently discovered in a resistant strain of the spider mite pest Tetranychus urticae. H258Y causes strong cross‐resistance between cyenopyrafen and pyflubumide, but not cyflumetofen. In fungal pests, fitness costs associated with substitutions at the corresponding H258 position that confer resistance to fungicidal SDH inhibitors have not been uncovered. Here, we used H258 and Y258 near‐isogenic lines of T. urticae to quantify potential pleiotropic fitness effects on mite physiology.

RESULTS

The H258Y mutation was not associated with consistent significant changes of single generation life history traits and fertility life table parameters. In contrast, proportional Sanger sequencing and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction showed that the frequency of the resistant Y258 allele decreased when replicated 50:50 Y258:H258 experimentally evolving populations were maintained in an acaricide‐free environment for approximately 12 generations. Using in vitro assays with mitochondrial extracts from resistant (Y258) and susceptible (H258) lines, we identified a significantly reduced SDH activity (48% lower activity) and a slightly enhanced combined complex I and III activity (18% higher activity) in the Y258 lines.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the H258Y mutation is associated with a high fitness cost in the spider mite T. urticae. Importantly, while it is the most common approach, it is clear that only comparing life history traits and life table fecundity does not allow to reliably estimate fitness costs of target site mutations in natural pest populations. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The MRC Dyspnoea Scale and mortality risk prediction in pulmonary arterial hypertension: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Arogundade Folawemimo , Jani Bhautesh , Church Colin , Brewis Melanie , Johnson Martin , Stubbs Harrison
Published: July 2023

Risk stratification models in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) rely on World Health Organisation Functional Class (WHO FC). A high proportion of patients are classified as WHO FC III, a heterogenous group which limits the stratification abilities of risk models. The Medical Research Council (MRC) Dyspnoea Scale may allow a more precise assessment of functional status and improve current risk models. We investigated the ability of the MRC Dyspnoea Scale to assess survival in PAH and compared performance to WHO FC and the COMPERA 2.0 models. Patients with Idiopathic, Hereditary or Drug‐induced PAH who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2021 were included. The MRC Dyspnoea Scale was retrospectively applied as derived from a combination of patient notes, 6MWD tests results and WHO functional status using a purpose‐designed algorithm. Survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analyses, log rank testing and Cox proportional hazard ratios. Model performance was compared with Harrell's C Statistic. Data from 216 patients were retrospectively analyzed. At baseline, of 120 patients classified as WHO FC III, 8% were MRC Dyspnoea Scale 2, 12% Scale 3, 71% Scale 4 and 10% Scale 5. The MRC Dyspnoea Scale performed well compared to the WHO FC and COMPERA models at follow up (respectively, C‐statistic 0.74 vs. 0.69 vs. 0.75). It was possible to use the MRC Dyspnoea Scale to subdivide patients in WHO FC III into groups which had distinct survival estimates. We conclude that at follow‐up, the MRC Dyspnoea Scale may be a valid tool for the assessment of risk stratification in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Spatial and temporal resolution of metabolic dysregulation in the Sugen hypoxia model of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Simpson Catherine E. , Ambade Anjira S. , Harlan Robert , Roux Aurelie , Graham David , Klauer Neal , Tuhy Tijana , Kolb Todd M. , Suresh Karthik , Hassoun Paul M. , Damico Rachel L.
Published: July 2023

Although PAH is partially attributed to disordered metabolism, previous human studies have mostly examined circulating metabolites at a single time point, potentially overlooking crucial disease biology. Current knowledge gaps include an understanding of temporal changes that occur within and across relevant tissues, and whether observed metabolic changes might contribute to disease pathobiology. We utilized targeted tissue metabolomics in the Sugen hypoxia (SuHx) rodent model to investigate tissue‐specific metabolic relationships with pulmonary hypertensive features over time using regression modeling and time‐series analysis. Our hypotheses were that some metabolic changes would precede phenotypic changes, and that examining metabolic interactions across heart, lung, and liver tissues would yield insight into interconnected metabolic mechanisms. To support the relevance of our findings, we sought to establish links between SuHx tissue metabolomics and human PAH ‐omics data using bioinformatic predictions. Metabolic differences between and within tissue types were evident by Day 7 postinduction, demonstrating distinct tissue‐specific metabolism in experimental pulmonary hypertension. Various metabolites demonstrated significant tissue‐specific associations with hemodynamics and RV remodeling. Individual metabolite profiles were dynamic, and some metabolic shifts temporally preceded the emergence of overt pulmonary hypertension and RV remodeling. Metabolic interactions were observed such that abundance of several liver metabolites modulated lung and RV metabolite‐phenotype relationships. Taken all together, regression analyses, pathway analyses and time‐series analyses implicated aspartate and glutamate signaling and transport, glycine homeostasis, lung nucleotide abundance, and oxidative stress as relevant to early PAH pathobiology. These findings offer valuable insights into potential targets for early intervention in PAH.
The association between early fluid strategy and prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome: A post hoc study of CHARDS
Authors: Chen Ziying , Huang Xu , Lu Haining , Deng Wang , Huang Linna , Wu Dawei , Wang Daoxin , Zhan Qingyuan , Wang Chen
Published: July 2023

We aimed to assess general fluid management in China and evaluate the association between fluid balance and survival outcomes in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. A retrospective, multicenter study including ARDS patients was conducted. We described the fluid management of ARDS patients in China. Furthermore, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients subdivided by cumulative fluid balance were also analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed with hospital mortality as the outcome. From June 2016 to February 2018, 527 ARDS patients were included in our study. The mean cumulative fluid balance was 1669 (−1101 to 4351) mL in the first 7 day after intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Patients were divided into four groups based on cumulative fluid balance of the first 7 day after ICU admission: Group I (≤0 L), Group II (>0 L, ≤3 L), Group III (>3 L, ≤5 L), and Group IV (>5 L). Significantly lower hospital mortality was observed in patients with a lower cumulative fluid balance on day 7 of ICU admission (20.5% in Group I vs. 32.8% in Group II, 38.5% in Group III, and 50% in Group IV, p < 0.001). A lower fluid balance is associated with lower hospital mortality in patients with ARDS. However, a large‐scale and well‐designed randomized controlled trial is needed in the future.
Sensitivity and robustness of randomization test and F‐test in some experimental designs
Authors: Oladugba Abimibola Victoria , Ugwu Chibuike Emmanuel , Onwuamaeze Uchenna Charity
Published: July 2023

This work examined the sensitivity of randomization test and F‐test in completely randomized design, randomized complete block design and Latin square design in order to ascertain which is more robust in terms of power (sensitivity) of the test and type I error rate in cases with normal error, skewed error (Chi‐square and Exponential distributions), by varying the sample sizes. Using Monte Carlo simulation, response observations were generated for normal error, skewed error at various sample sizes for each of the experimental designs. The results showed that for the normal error, the power and type I error rate of the F‐test were slightly smaller and greater respectively in each of the designs than that of the randomization test. Furthermore, for the skewed error, the randomization test was more sensitive than the F‐test, and also, the type I error was smaller in each of the designs.
Covariate adjustment in randomized clinical trials with missing covariate and outcome data
Authors: Chang Chia‐Rui , Song Yue , Li Fan , Wang Rui
Published: July 2023

When analyzing data from randomized clinical trials, covariate adjustment can be used to account for chance imbalance in baseline covariates and to increase precision of the treatment effect estimate. A practical barrier to covariate adjustment is the presence of missing data. In this article, in the light of recent theoretical advancement, we first review several covariate adjustment methods with incomplete covariate data. We investigate the implications of the missing data mechanism on estimating the average treatment effect in randomized clinical trials with continuous or binary outcomes. In parallel, we consider settings where the outcome data are fully observed or are missing at random; in the latter setting, we propose a full weighting approach that combines inverse probability weighting for adjusting missing outcomes and overlap weighting for covariate adjustment. We highlight the importance of including the interaction terms between the missingness indicators and covariates as predictors in the models. We conduct comprehensive simulation studies to examine the finite‐sample performance of the proposed methods and compare with a range of common alternatives. We find that conducting the proposed adjustment methods generally improves the precision of treatment effect estimates regardless of the imputation methods when the adjusted covariate is associated with the outcome. We apply the methods to the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial to assess the effect of adenotonsillectomy on neurocognitive functioning scores.
A Novel Gateway to InCl3 catalyzed N‐Formylation of Amines: An Access to 2‐unsubstituted, N‐unsubstituted Benzimidazoles
Authors: Sharma Bikash , Ghosh Anjulika , Dubey Manoj Kumar , Bandichhor Rakeshwar , Das Saibal Kumar
Published: July 2023

This article deals with a simple indium(III) chloride catalysed procedure in acetonitrile under mild condition for N‐formylation for a wide variety of amines. The reaction condition was extended to the chemoselective N‐formylation of amino groups as well. Using o‐phenylenediamines in place of mono‐amines, unsubstituted 1H‐benzimidazoles could also be accessed.
Novel WS2/Co9S8 nanoparticles supported on N, S co‐doped mesoporous carbon as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Bi Xinyue , Xu Jing , Zhang Wenting , Tang Duihai , Zhang Ke , Xin Shigang , Zhao Zhen
Published: July 2023

A series of WS2/Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) supported on N, S co‐doped mesoporous carbons were prepared via the molten salts process. Glucose, WCl6 and CoCl2 were used as carbon, tungsten and cobalt precursors, respectively. Thiourea were utilized as nitrogen and sulfur precursor. The common inorganic salts were the porogens, which can be removed and recycled. The molar ratio of the precursors can affect the porosities of the catalysts, which can further determine the electrocatalytic performance. The sample of G2.5TWCo shows the best HER performance due to the high electrochemically active surface area and low electrochemical impedance.
Iron(II) and cobalt(II) Complexes of 3,4‐Dihydroxybenzaldehyde‐4‐ethylthiosemicarbazone: Synthesis, Spectral Studies and Molecular Docking
Authors: Kayed Safa Faris
Published: July 2023

Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes of 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde 4‐ethylthiosemicarbazone were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis (CHNS), magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), nuclear‐magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR) and ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectra. The spectral and analytical data revealed that the obtained thiosemicarbazone‐metal complexes have tetrahedral geometry around the metal center. The studied ligand acts as a bidentate ligand by using both azomethine nitrogen and thiol sulphur as monoanion center of donation. To predict the reactive sites for electrophilic and nucleophilic attack, the Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) was determined. The antibacterial activities of 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde 4‐ethylthiosemicarbazone ligand and its complexes were tested by molecular docking technique into the crystal structure of topoisomerase II and topoisomerase IV proteins. Molecular docking investigation proved that, the ligand and its complexes had interesting interactions with active sites of amino acids of the target proteins. The Co(II) complex exhibited better potential inhibition than other studied compounds.
Synthesis, Spectroscopic (FT‐IR, FT‐Raman), Electronic Properties and Molecular Docking Studies of 1‐(2, 6‐dibromo‐4‐methyl‐phenoxymethyl)‐benzo[f]chromen‐3‐one
Authors: Hiremath Sudhir M. , Khemalapure Seema S.
Published: July 2023

Herein, 1‐(2,6‐dibromo‐4‐methyl‐phenoxymethyl)‐benzo[f]chromen‐3‐one (DBMPBC) is chosen to be thoroughly investigated in terms of structural, spectroscopic (FT‐IR, FT‐Raman) and molecular electronic properties based on density functional theory (DFT). The title molecule is synthesized by the reaction of 5,6‐benzo‐4‐bromomethylcoumarin with 2,6‐dibromo‐4‐methylphenol in presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate in dry acetone. All the computational studies for the selected structure are carried out at the theoretical level DFT/B3LYP/6‐311++G (d, p). The theoretically determined geometrical parameters from optimized structure and experimental values are compared to each other to confirm the structural properties of the molecule. The vibrational wavenumbers are studied by FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectral techniques in both experimental and computational methods and compared to each other. The detailed vibrational assignments are assigned through potential energy distribution method by VEDA. The MEP surface analysis is carried out in order to identify the potential sites of electrophilic and nucleophilic attack. The Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) study significantly verified the existence of the intermolecular interactions in the molecule. The stability and reactivity properties of the molecule are estimated in terms of HOMO‐LUMO energies. Molecular docking investigations are carried out to simulate the inhibitory impact of the title molecule against the VEGFR2 (PDB: 2XIR) and PI3K (PDB: 2RDO) receptors for anti‐angiogenic therapy in the treatment of NSCLC. ADMET parameters and toxicity properties of the title molecule is conducted.
A Halogen‐Bonded Organic Framework (XOF) Emissive Cocrystal for Acid Vapor and Explosive Sensing, and Iodine Capture
Authors: Maji Suman , Natarajan Ramalingam
Published: July 2023

There is a strong and urgent need for efficient materials that can capture radioactive iodine atoms from nuclear waste. This work presents a novel strategy to develop porous materials for iodine capture by employing halogen bonding, mechanochemistry and crystal engineering. 3D halogen‐bonded organic frameworks (XOFs) with guest‐accessible permanent pores are exciting targets in crystal engineering for developing functional materials, and this work reports the first example of such a structure. The new‐found XOF, namely TIEPE‐DABCO, exhibits enhanced emission in the solid state and turn‐off emission sensing of acid vapors and explosives like picric acid in nanomolar quantity. TIEPE‐DABCO captures iodine from the gas phase (3.23 g g−1 at 75 °C and 1.40 g g−1 at rt), organic solvents (2.1 g g−1), and aqueous solutions (1.8 g g−1 in the pH range of 3–8); the latter with fast kinetics. The captured iodine can be retained for more than 7 days without any leaching, but readily released using methanol, when required. TIEPE‐DABCO can be recycled for iodine capture several times without any loss of storage capacity. The results presented in this work demonstrate the potential of mechanochemical cocrystal engineering with halogen bonding as an approach to develop porous materials for iodine capture and sensing.
Reversed phase‐high‐performance liquid chromatography simultaneous estimation of phenolic compounds in hydroalcoholic extract of Potentilla fulgens root
Authors: Chaudhary Sushil Kumar , Sharma K. Chandradev , Sarangthem Indira , Kar Amit , Bhardwaj Pardeep Kumar , Sharma Nanaocha , Mukherjee Pulok K.
Published: July 2023

The roots of Potentilla fulgengs have been utilized for a long time as an astringent and tonic for treating gum and tooth diseases, microbial contagions, inflammation, diabetes mellitus, and wounds and are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. Authentication and constant excellence are the rudimentary limitations of herbal medicines and their complexity is a key challenge for quality control. High‐performance liquid chromatography has become an important technique for the quality control of herbal medicines because of its simplicity and uniformity. It can be applied for the identification, confirmation, and quality control of herbal medicines. So, an approach using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of phenolic compounds in the hydroalcoholic extract (methanol:water::70:30% v/v) of Potentilla fulgens roots. The results revealed that ellagic acid was found in the highest amount (8.191 ± 0.463 mg/g) followed by rutin (5.429 ± 0.062 mg/g) and caffeic acid (3.032 ± 0.453 mg/g) among the studied phenolic compounds while quercetin was not detected. The validation parameters involved selectivity, linearity, range, limits of detection and quantitation, precision, and accuracy. All calibration curves were linear (R2 > 0.99) within the range, and good precision (relative standard deviation < 2.0%) and recovery (96.129%–117.110%) were found for all standards.