bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aquatic quillworts, Isoëtes echinospora and I. lacustris under acidic stress—A review from a temperate refuge
Authors: Čtvrtlíková Martina , Kopáček Jiří , Nedoma Jiří , Znachor Petr , Hekera Petr , Vrba Jaroslav
Published: March 2023

Quillworts (Isoëtes) represent highly specialized flora of softwater lakes, that is, freshwater ecosystems potentially sensitive to acidification. In this paper, we combine a review of previous studies and our new results to address unrecognized reproduction strategies of quillworts to overcome long‐term environmental stresses. These strategies play an important role in the plant's ability to overcome atmospheric acidification of freshwaters, protecting the plants until their environment can recover. Environmental drivers of recovery of Isoëtes echinospora and I. lacustris were studied in two acidified lakes in the Bohemian Forest (Central Europe). Both populations survived more than 50 years of severe acidification, although they failed to recruit new sporelings. Their survival depended entirely on the resistance of long‐living adult plants because the quillworts do not grow clonally. During the past two decades, a renewal of I. echinospora population inhabiting Plešné Lake has been observed, while no such renewal of I. lacustris, dwelling in Černé Lake, was evident, despite similar changes in water composition occurring in both lakes undergoing advanced recovery from acidification. Our in vitro experiments revealed that the threshold acidity and toxic aluminium concentrations for sporeling survival and recruitment success differed between I. echinospora (pH ≤ 4.0 and ≥300 μg L−1 Al at pH 5) and I. lacustris (pH ≤ 5.0 and ≥100 μg L−1Al at pH 5). The higher sensitivity of I. lacustris to both stressors likely stems from its year‐long germination period and underlines the risk of exposure to chronic or episodic acidification in recovering lakes. By contrast, the shorter germination period of I. echinospora (2–3 months) enables its faster and deeper rooting, protecting this quillwort from periodic acidification during the next snowmelt. Our study brings novel insights into widely discussed environmental issues related to the long‐term degradation of softwater lakes, which represent important hotspots of pan‐European biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Multiple stressors prevent gains in native plant diversity following invasive species removal
Authors: Collings Jeremy , Endriss Stacy B. , Dávalos Andrea
Published: March 2023

Land managers spend substantial resources managing invasive species to mitigate their negative ecological and economic impacts. However, invasive species management is seldom coupled with empirical assessments of management outcomes or the ecological impacts of the target species. Additionally, the study of invasive species has, until recently, neglected to acknowledge co‐stressors on native communities, which often are the drivers of ecological degradation. We assessed the effects of the invasive plant Vincetoxicum rossicum and its removal on understory plant communities, as well as whether these effects were mediated by deer and invasive earthworms. We used paired fenced and open plots with V. rossicum and an open plot without V. rossicum at each of the three forested sites in New York State Parks from 2017 to 2020. Following a nested design, we located paired sets of open and fenced plots in areas where V. rossicum was experimentally removed and in areas where it was unmanaged. After three years of V. rossicum removal, V. rossicum significantly declined. However, the ultimate goal of management was native plant recovery. Contrary to this aim, native plant diversity and cover increased if V. rossicum was left unmanaged but did not change with V. rossicum removal. Thus, we provide strong evidence that reducing target species abundance does not always translate into native plant recovery. This disparity may be because deer and invasive earthworms are stronger drivers of understory plant communities than V. rossicum, as native plant cover and diversity were lower the more earthworms were in a plot and invasive plant species declined after fencing to exclude deer. Management that prioritizes reducing deer and earthworm impacts over invasive plant removal is therefore worth exploring, especially when coupled with continued monitoring to assess if these actions result in the desired management outcomes. Overall, our findings underscore the need to collect data to test management assumptions: reducing the abundance of an invader may not always result in native plant recovery, especially if other stressors are the ultimate drivers of change in invaded communities.
Six years of demography data for 11 reef coral species
Authors: Madin Joshua S. , Baird Andrew H. , Connolly Sean R. , Dornelas Maria A. , Álvarez‐Noriega Mariana , McWilliam Michael J. , Barbosa Miguel , Blowes Shane A. , Cetina‐Heredia Paulina , Christie Alec P. , Cumbo Vivian R. , Diaz Marcela , Emms Madeleine A. , Graham Erin , Hansen Dominique , Hisano Mizue , Howells Emily , Kuo Chao‐Yang , Palmer Caroline , Hong James Tan Chun , Zhi En Teo Theophilus , Woods Rachael M.
Published: March 2023

Scleractinian corals are colonial animals with a range of life‐history strategies, making up diverse species assemblages that define coral reefs. We tagged and tracked ~30 colonies from each of 11 species during seven trips spanning 6 years (2009–2015) to measure their vital rates and competitive interactions on the reef crest at Trimodal Reef, Lizard Island, Australia. Pairs of species were chosen from five growth forms in which one species of the pair was locally rare (R) and the other common (C). The sampled growth forms were massive (Goniastrea pectinata [R] and G. retiformis [C]), digitate (Acropora humilis [R] and A. cf. digitifera [C]), corymbose (A. millepora [R] and A. nasuta [C]), tabular (A. cytherea [R] and A. hyacinthus [C]) and arborescent (A. robusta [R] and A. intermedia [C]). An extra corymbose species with intermediate abundance, A. spathulata was included when it became apparent that A. millepora was too rare on the reef crest, making the 11 species in total. The tagged colonies were visited each year in the weeks prior to spawning. During visits, two or more observers each took two or three photographs of each tagged colony from directly above and on the horizontal plane with a scale plate to track planar area. Dead or missing colonies were recorded and new colonies tagged to maintain ~30 colonies per species throughout the 6 years of the study. In addition to tracking tagged corals, 30 fragments were collected from neighboring untagged colonies of each species for counting numbers of eggs per polyp (fecundity); and fragments of untagged colonies were brought into the laboratory where spawned eggs were collected for biomass and energy measurements. We also conducted surveys at the study site to generate size structure data for each species in several of the years. Each tagged colony photograph was digitized by at least two people. Therefore, we could examine sources of error in planar area for both photographers and outliners. Competitive interactions were recorded for a subset of species by measuring the margins of tagged colony outlines interacting with neighboring corals. The study was abruptly ended by Tropical Cyclone Nathan (Category 4) that killed all but nine of the more than 300 tagged colonies in early 2015. Nonetheless, these data will be of use to other researchers interested in coral demography and coexistence, functional ecology, and parametrizing population, community, and ecosystem models. The data set is not copyright restricted, and users should cite this paper when using the data.
Soil microbial responses to large changes in precipitation with nitrogen deposition in an arid ecosystem
Authors: Yu Hongying , Li Lang , Ma Quanhui , Liu Xiaodi , Li Yibo , Wang Yuhui , Zhou Guangsheng , Xu Zhenzhu
Published: March 2023

Climatic change severely affects terrestrial ecosystem functioning by modifying soil microbial communities, especially in arid ecosystems. However, how precipitation patterns affect soil microbes and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear, particularly under long‐term dry–wet cycling and vice versa in field settings. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to quantify soil microbial responses and resilience to precipitation changes with nitrogen addition. We established five levels of precipitation with nitrogen addition over the first 3 years and then balanced this with compensatory precipitation in the fourth year (i.e., reversed the precipitation treatments), to recover to the levels expected over 4 years in a desert steppe ecosystem. Soil microbial community biomass increased with increasing precipitation, and the reversed precipitation reversed these responses. The soil microbial response ratio was constrained by the initial reduction in precipitation, whereas the resilience and limitation/promotion index of most microbial groups tended to increase. Nitrogen addition reduced the response rates of most microbial groups, depending on the soil depth. The soil microbial response and limitation/promotion index could be distinguished by antecedent soil features. The precipitation regime can regulate the responses of soil microbial communities to climatic change via two potential mechanisms: (1) concurrent nitrogen deposition and (2) soil chemical and biological mediation. Soil microbial behaviors and their associations with soil properties should be considered when assessing the responses of terrestrial ecosystems to climatic change.
Anode Interfacial Issues in Solid‐State Li Batteries: Mechanistic Understanding and Mitigating Strategies
Authors: Wang Jiacheng , Chen Liquan , Li Hong , Wu Fan
Published: March 2023

All‐solid‐state Li metal batteries (ASSLBs) using inorganic solid electrolyte (SE) are considered promising alternatives to conventional Li‐ion batteries, offering improved safety and boosted energy density. While significant progress has been made on improving the ionic conductivity of SEs, the degradation and instability of Li metal/inorganic SE interfaces have become the critical challenges that limit the coulombic efficiency, power performance, and cycling stability of ASSLBs. Understanding the mechanisms of complex/dynamic interfacial phenomena is of great importance in addressing these issues. Herein, recent studies on identifying, understanding, and solving interfacial issues on anode side in ASSLBs are comprehensively reviewed. Typical issues at Li metal/SE interface include Li dendrite growth/propagation, SE cracking, physical contact loss, and electrochemical reactions, which lead to high interfacial resistance and cell failure. The causes of these issues relating to the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of Li metal and SEs are systematically discussed. Furthermore, effective mitigating strategies are summarized and their effects on suppressing interfacial reactions, improving interfacial Li‐ion transport, maintaining interfacial contact, and stabilizing Li plating/stripping are highlighted. The in‐depth mechanistic understanding of interfacial issues and complete investigations on current solutions provide foundations and guidance for future research and development to realize practical application of high‐performance ASSLB.
In Situ Reaction Fabrication of a Mixed‐Ion/Electron‐Conducting Skeleton Toward Stable Lithium Metal Anodes
Authors: He Juhong , Ai Liufeng , Yao Tengyu , Xu Zhenming , Chen Duo , Zhang Xiaogang , Shen Laifa
Published: March 2023

Lithium metal batteries are emerging as a strong candidate in the future energy storage market due to its extremely high energy density. However, the uncontrollable lithium dendrites and volume change of lithium metal anodes severely hinder its application. In this work, the porous Cu skeleton modified with Cu6Sn5 layer is prepared via dealloying brass foil following a facile electroless process. The porous Cu skeleton with large specific surface area and high electronic conductivity effectively reduces the local current density. The Cu6Sn5 can react with lithium during the discharge process to form lithiophilic Li7Sn2 in situ to promote Li‐ions transport and reduce the nucleation energy barrier of lithium to guide the uniform lithium deposition. Therefore, more than 300 cycles at 1 mA cm−2 are achieved in the half‐cell with an average Coulombic efficiency of 97.5%. The symmetric cell shows a superior cycle life of more than 1000 h at 1 mA cm−2 with a small average hysteresis voltage of 16 mV. When coupled with LiFePO4 cathode, the full cell also maintains excellent cycling and rate performance.
The importance of calibration in policy mixes: Environmental policy integration in the implementation of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy in Germany (2014–2022)
Authors: Grohmann Pascal , Feindt Peter H.
Published: March 2023

Environmental policy integration (EPI), that is, the incorporation of environmental concerns in non‐environmental policy areas, has been widely adopted in public policies. However, EPI research has found much discrepancy between environmental objectives and actual implementation. This paper argues that analyzing EPI in the context of policy mixes with multiple objectives, multiple instruments and their calibrations helps to better understand unavoidable tensions and limitations. We develop a framework to assess EPI at these three levels of policy output, synthesizing the EPI and policy mix literatures. We further distinguish four analytical dimensions to assess calibrations: stringency, specificity, flexibility, and temporality. A case study of the national implementation of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Germany 2014–2022 is used to elaborate the conceptual argument. The CAP has saliently incorporated environmental objectives, while implementation, including the calibrations of most instruments within predetermined corridors, is left to member states. A systematic meta‐review of 142 texts evaluating policy instruments and calibrations in the CAP 2014–2022, focusing on Germany, found that several CAP instruments link most farm income support to pro‐environmental behavior. These instruments could potentially have high environmental effectiveness and efficiency. But actual policy calibrations delivered weak EPI due to low stringency and specificity, while high flexibility and temporal accommodation of farmers' needs might support EPI by increasing acceptance. Weak EPI resulted from instrument calibrations in the face of unavoidable trade‐offs between competing objectives. Our results demonstrate that calibrations can significantly affect the strength of EPI adoption, and the priorities within policy mixes more generally.
Psychometric validation of the full Yale food addiction scale for children 2.0 among adolescents from the general population and adolescents with a history of mental disorder
Authors: Horsager Christina , LaFata Erica M. , Færk Emil , Lauritsen Marlene Briciet , Østergaard Søren Dinesen , Gearhardt Ashley N.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Food addiction is a phenotype characterised by an addiction‐like attraction to highly processed foods. Adolescence is a sensitive period for developing addictive disorders. Therefore, a valid measure to assess food addiction in adolescents is needed. Accordingly, the aim of the study was to establish a categorical scoring option for the full version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale for Children 2.0 (YFAS‐C 2.0), and to psychometrically validate the full YFAS‐C 2.0.

Method

The data stem from the Food Addiction Denmark (FADK) Project. Random samples of 3750 adolescents from the general population aged 13–17 years, and 3529 adolescents with a history mental disorder of the same age were invited to participate in a survey including the full version of the YFAS‐C 2.0. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out and the weighted prevalence of food addiction was estimated.

Results

The confirmatory factor analysis of the YFAS‐C 2.0 supported a one‐factor model in both samples. The weighted prevalence of food addiction was 5.0% in the general population, and 11.2% in the population with a history of mental disorder.

Conclusions

The full version of the YFAS‐C 2.0 is a psychometrically valid measure for assessing clinically significant food addiction in adolescents.
Vitamin D status among infants and children in Shanghai, China: A hospital‐based study
Authors: Wu Ying , Wang Fang , Li Aiguo , Gao Jiangfang , Li Bosheng , Sheng Huiming , Ma Jun , Liao Xiang‐Peng
Published: March 2023

The variation in vitamin D status is still unclear. We aim to describe the vitamin D status among healthy infants and children in Shanghai (31° N latitude), one of the largest cities in China. We conducted a hospital‐based, 2‐year retrospective observational study and recruited children for health examination at the Tongren Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2019 to December 2020. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 6164 children aged 0–11 years were included. Of these, 94.4% of the serum 25(OH)D measurements at first assessment were within the range of 12–50 ng/mL. The median 25(OH)D level was 31.3 (IQR 25.6, 38.1) ng/mL, the percentages of 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL and 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL were 10.0% and 43.8%, respectively. Low vitamin D status (deficiency and insufficiency) differed significantly by age group (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and schoolers) and seasonality (all p < .001), but not by gender. For the sub‐group (n = 855) of children with repeated assessments, their low 25(OH)D levels increased significantly whether after about a 7‐month (n = 351) or 12‐month (n = 504) interval, and the increments of median 25(OH)D levels were 8.1 ng/mL and 2.1 ng/mL respectively (p < .001). This study documents the vitamin D status in Shanghai, showing that low vitamin D status is common in infants and children and suggesting that the assessment of 25(OH)D level is necessary for individuals who are at risk for deficiency or excess.
Individual nutrients and serum klotho levels in adults aged 40–79 years
Authors: Ostojic Sergej M. , Hillesund Elisabet R. , Øverby Nina C. , Vik Frøydis N. , Medin Anine C.
Published: March 2023

Several dietary factors (including adherence to the Mediterranean diet or higher nut intake) seem to positively affect circulating antiaging Klotho protein levels; yet, a description of possible relationships between individual nutrients and Klotho activity has not been evaluated. We analyzed the association of dietary intake of individual macro‐ and micronutrients and nonnutritive food components with circulating Klotho levels in a sample of 40‐ to 79‐year‐old US adults. Data from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Nutrient/food component intakes were calculated in relation to total energy intake using the nutrient density method, and available pristine serum samples were analyzed for serum Klotho concentrations. The final study sample consisted of 2637 participants (mean age 59.0 ± 10.7 years; 52% women). Higher Klotho concentrations were found with higher intake of carbohydrates (p < .001), total sugars (p < .001), dietary fibers (p < .001), vitamin D (p = .05), total folates (p = .015), and copper (p = .018). The results of the regression analysis with a crude model showed significant associations among five nutrients/food components (carbohydrates, alcohol, total sugars, dietary fibers, and niacin) and soluble Klotho levels across the sample. After adjusting the models for age and gender, the nutrient/food component–Klotho association remained significant for carbohydrates, total sugars, and alcohol (p < .05). Dietary exposure to individual nutrients and nonnutritive food components appears to be associated with Klotho activity; however, additional research is needed to investigate the relationship between cause and effect in diet composition–Klotho interplay.
Health financing and public financial management during the Covid‐19 pandemic: Evidence from Pakistan as low‐income country
Authors: Khan Mohsin Raza , Nazir Muhammad Arsalan , Afzal Sabeen , Sohail Jahanzaib
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This article aims to explore the areas of misalignment between the public financial management (PFM) and health financing during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Pakistan.

Originality/Value

To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study on South Asian countries to adopt a framework and bring forward the dominant themes that cause the misalignment between PFM and health financing. The timing of the research was excellent as the world was facing the biggest health challenge in the form of COVID‐19 which has put pressure on the PFM and has seriously hampered health service delivery. Therefore, the findings of the study are helpful for the ministry of health to draft policies to improve health allocations and move towards Universal Health Coverage.

Design/Methodology/Approach

In‐depth semi‐structured interviews of 15 participants were used to explore the areas of misalignment between PFM and health financing. Based on qualitative data, thematic content analysis has been carried out.

Findings

The findings of the study can be divided into five clusters and their explanations. First overall budget allocation has an impact on the health sector budget. For example, the budget for priority health interventions is not reflected in the budget allocation process. Further, the budget is classified by inputs rather than disease and finally, the budget is not released by the health priorities. The second cluster was the devolution of health to provinces which is unfinished agenda. Under this cluster fiscal decentralisation has been found to cause problems for the provinces as they have not provided fiscal autonomy to spend the money and there is a lack of coordination between the federal and provincial authorities. The third cluster was donor funding, and it was observed that it is not aligned with the government policies and priorities. Forth cluster was procurement and it was discovered that it is a lengthy process and caused delays in procuring the essential health equipment. The fifth cluster was an organisational culture that is not conducive to the health sector. Under this cluster, the attitude, knowledge, and practices of departments responsible for the health sector require complete revamping.
Exploring the cognitive development of children born to adolescent mothers in South Africa
Authors: Steventon Roberts Kathryn J. , Smith Colette , Toska Elona , Cluver Lucie , Wittesaele Camille , Langwenya Nontokozo , Shenderovich Yulia , Saal Wylene , Jochim Janina , Chen‐Charles Jenny , Marlow Marguerite , Sherr Lorraine
Published: March 2023

This study explores the cognitive development of children born to adolescent mothers within South Africa compared to existing reference data, and explores development by child age bands to examine relative levels of development. Cross‐sectional analyses present data from 954 adolescents (10–19 years) and their first‐born children (0–68 months). All adolescents completed questionnaires relating to themselves and their children, and standardized child cognitive assessments (Mullen Scales of Early Learning) were undertaken. Cognitive development scores of the sample were lower than USA reference population scores and relative performance compared to the reference population was found to decline with increasing child age. When compared to children born to adult mothers in the sub‐Saharan African region, children born to adolescent mothers (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] unexposed; n = 724) were found to have lower cognitive development scores. Findings identify critical periods of development where intervention may be required to bolster outcomes for children born to adolescent mothers.

Highlights

An exploration of the cognitive development of children born to adolescent mothers within South Africa utilizing the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.

Cognitive development scores of children born to adolescent mothers within South Africa were lower compared to USA norm reference data and declined with child age.

Previous studies utilizing the Mullen Scales of Early Learning within sub‐Saharan Africa were summarized, and comparisons were made with the current sample.

Findings highlight a potential risk of developmental delay among children born to adolescent mothers compared to children of adult mothers in the sub‐Saharan African region.
Perioperative FLOT plus ramucirumab for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: A randomized phase II/III trial of the German AIO and Italian GOIM
Authors: Goetze Thorsten O. , Hofheinz Ralf‐Dieter , Gaiser Timo , Schmalenberg Harald , Strumberg Dirk , Goekkurt Eray , Angermeier Stefan , Zander Thomas , Kopp Hans G. , Pink Daniel , Siegler Gabriele , Schenk Michael , de Vita Ferdinando , Galizia Gennaro , Maiello Evaristo , Bechstein Wolf O. , Elshafei Moustafa , Loose Maria , Sookthai Disorn , Brulin Tanita , Pauligk Claudia , Homann Nils , Al‐Batran Salah‐Eddin
Published: March 2023

This multicenter, randomized phase II/III study evaluated the addition of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 inhibitor ramucirumab to FLOT as perioperative treatment for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Patients received either FLOT alone (Arm A) or combined with ramucirumab followed by ramucirumab monotherapy (Arm B). The primary endpoint for the phase II portion was the pathological complete or subtotal response (pCR/pSR) rate. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both arms with a high rate of tumors signet‐ring cell component (A:47% B:43%). No between‐arm difference in pCR/pSR rate was seen (A:29% B:26%), therefore the transition to phase III was not pursued. Nevertheless, the combination was associated with a significantly increased R0‐resection rate compared with FLOT alone (A:82% B:96%; P = .009). In addition, the median disease‐free survival was numerically improved in Arm B (A:21 months B:32 months, HR 0.75, P = 0.218), while the median overall survival was similar in both treatment arms (A:45 months B:46 months, HR 0.94, P = 0.803). Patients with Siewert type I tumors receiving transthoracic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis showed an increased risk of serious postoperative complications after ramucirumab treatment, therefore recruitment of those patients was stopped after the first‐third of the study. Overall, surgical morbidity and mortality was comparable, whereas more non‐surgical grade ≥ 3 adverse events were observed with the combination, especially anorexia (A:1% B:11%), hypertension (A:4% B:13%) and infections (A:19% B:33%). The combination of ramucirumab and FLOT as perioperative treatment shows efficacy signals, particularly in terms of R0 resection rates, for a study population with a high proportion of prognostically poor histological subtypes, and further evaluation in this subgroup seems warranted.
Aptamer‐based extracellular vesicle isolation, analysis and therapeutics
Authors: Zhu Lin , Tian Wenhai , Yuan Lijie , Chi Caixing , Wang Yulin , Xiao Qiaoling , Zheng Meiyu , Yang Chaoyong , Song Yanling
Published: March 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in many physiological processes. Thus, EV analysis has a great value for the understanding of mechanisms underlying disease progress or diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. The overlapped physical and immune properties between EVs and events in body fluids, as well as the phenotypic heterogeneity of EVs, require efficient isolation and analysis methods. The unique properties of aptamers, such as facile modification and programmability, make them easily assembled as powerful platforms for EV isolation and analysis. EVs can also be used as vehicles for drug delivery, benefiting from the properties of homing ability, hypo‐immunogenicity, and strong tolerance. The affinity recognition ability to targets and the feature of single stranded DNA of aptamers make them useful in promoting the targetability of EVs and delivery of nucleic acid drugs. This review summarizes recent progress in aptamer‐based EV isolation, analysis, and aptamer‐functionalized EVs for therapeutics.
The quality by design approach for optimization of slayer exciter based low power portable atmospheric plasma jet on bactericidal efficacy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Sidhartha P. N. , Ch. Sanjay , Ghosh Balaram , Chappanda Karumbaiah N.
Published: March 2023

A simple, portable, economical low‐temperature atmospheric plasma (LTAP) for bactericidal efficacy of Gram‐negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) with different carrier gases (argon, helium, and nitrogen) using the quality by design (QbD) approach, design of experiments (DoE), and response surface graphs (RSG) is presented. Box–Behnken design was used as the DoE to narrow down and further optimize the experimental factors of LTAP. Plasma exposure time, input DC voltage, and carrier gas flow rate were varied to examine the bactericidal efficacy using the zone of inhibition (ZOI). A higher bactericidal efficacy was achieved under the optimal bactericidal factors having ZOI of 50.837 ± 2.418 mm2 with the plasma power density of 132 mW/cm3 for LTAP‐Ar at 61.19 s, 14.8747 V, and 219.379 sccm than LTAP‐He and LTAP‐N2. The LTAP‐Ar was further evaluated at different frequencies and probe lengths to achieve a ZOI of 58.237 ± 4.01 mm2.
Surface plasmon resonance based‐optical biosensor: Emerging diagnostic tool for early detection of diseases
Authors: Singh Abhinay Kumar , Anwar Masroor , Pradhan Rashmita , Ashar Mohd Suhail , Rai Nitish , Dey Sharmistha
Published: March 2023

The development of diagnostic tools remains at the center of the health care system. In recent times optical biosensors have been widely applied in the scientific community, especially for monitoring protein–protein or nucleic acid hybridization interactions. Optical biosensors‐derived surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology has appeared as a revolutionary technology at the current times. This review focuses on the research work in molecular biomarker evaluation using the technique based on SPR for translational clinical diagnosis. The review has covered both communicable and noncommunicable diseases by using different bio‐fluids of the patient's sample for diagnosis of the diseases. An increasing number of SPR approaches have been developed in healthcare research and fundamental biological studies. The utility of SPR in the area of biosensing basically lies in its noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic feature due to its label‐free high sensitivity and specificity properties. This makes SPR an invaluable tool with precise application in the recognition of different stages of the disease.
Fluorescence attenuated by a thick scattering medium: Theory, simulations and experiments
Authors: Weber Yitzchak , Duadi Hamootal , Rudraiah Pavitra Sokke , Yariv Inbar , Yahav Gilad , Fixler Dror , Ankri Rinat
Published: March 2023

Fluorescence‐based imaging has an enormous impact on our understanding of biological systems. However, in vivo fluorescence imaging is greatly influenced by tissue scattering. A better understanding of this dependence can improve the potential of noninvasive in vivo fluorescence imaging. In this article, we present a diffusion model, based on an existing master–slave model, of isotropic point sources imbedded in a scattering slab, representing fluorophores within a tissue. The model was compared with Monte Carlo simulations and measurements of a fluorescent slide measured through tissue‐like phantoms with different reduced scattering coefficients (0.5–2.5 mm−1) and thicknesses (0.5–5 mm). Results show a good correlation between our suggested theory, simulations and experiments; while the fluorescence intensity decays as the slab's scattering and thickness increase, the decay rate decreases as the reduced scattering coefficient increases in a counterintuitive manner, suggesting fewer fluorescence artifacts from deep within the tissue in highly scattering media.
Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) inhibits the growth of human osteosarcoma through the BMP‐2/Smad signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Hongfang , Li Chenshuang , Zhou Tangjun , Li Xunlin , Duarte Maria Eugenia L. , Daubs Michael D. , Buser Zorica , Brochmann Elsa J. , Wang Jeffrey C. , Murray Samuel S. , Jiao Li , Tian Haijun
Published: March 2023

Autocrine stimulation of tumor cells is an important mechanism for the growth of skeletal tumors. In tumors that are sensitive, growth factor inhibitors can dramatically reduce tumor growth. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effects of Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) on the growth of osteosarcoma (OS) cells in the presence and absence of exogenous BMP‐2 both in vitro and in vivo. Our study demonstrated that Spp24 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of OS cells as confirmed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazolyl‐2)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and immunohistochemical staining. We found that BMP‐2 increased the mobility and invasiveness of tumor cells in vitro whereas Spp24 inhibited both of these processes alone and in the presence of exogenous BMP‐2. Phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and Smad8 gene expression was enhanced by treatment with BMP‐2 but inhibited by treatment with Spp24. Subcutaneous and intratibial tumor models in nude mice demonstrated that BMP‐2 promoted OS growth in vivo, while Spp24 significantly inhibited tumor growth. We conclude that the BMP‐2/Smad signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of OS growth and that Spp24 inhibits the growth of human OS induced by BMP‐2 both in vitro and in vivo. Interruption of Smad signaling and increased apoptosis appear to be the primary mechanisms involved. These results confirm the potential of Spp24 as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of OS and other skeletal tumors.
Prospects for the application of traditional Chinese medicine network pharmacology in food science research
Authors: Su Yuanyuan , Bai Qiong , Tao Hongxun , Xu Bin
Published: March 2023

There has always been a particular difficulty with in‐depth research on the mechanisms of food nutrition and bioactivity. The main function of food is to meet the nutritional needs of the human body, rather than to exert a therapeutic effect. Its relatively modest biological activity makes it difficult to study from the perspective of general pharmacological models. With the popularity of functional foods and the concept of dietary therapy, and the development of information and multi‐omics technology in food research, research into these mechanisms is moving towards a more microscopic future. Network pharmacology has accumulated nearly 20 years of research experience in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and there has been no shortage of work from this perspective on the medicinal functions of food. Given the similarity between the concept of ‘multi‐component‐multi‐target’ properties of food and TCM, we think that network pharmacology is applicable to the study of the complex mechanisms of food. Here we review the development of network pharmacology, summarize its application to ‘medicine and food homology’, and propose a methodology based on food characteristics for the first time, demonstrating its feasibility for food research. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Analysis of Complications in (Crico‐) Tracheal Resection Anastomosis in Adults: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Fiz Ivana , Filauro Marta , Sampieri Claudio , Ioppi Alessandro , Vallin Alberto , Fiz Francesco , Koelmel Jan Costantin , Lancini Davide , Piazza Cesare , Sittel Christian , Peretti Giorgio
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The gold standard treatments for advanced laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) are represented by partial crico‐tracheal (PCTRA) or tracheal resection and anastomosis (TRA). These procedures are potentially burdened by high postoperative complication rates. We investigated the impact of the most common stenosis and patient‐related characteristics on the onset of complications in a multicentric cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent PCTRA or TRA for LTS of different etiologies in three referral centers. We tested the effectiveness of these procedures, the impact of complications on the outcomes, and identified factors causing postoperative complications.

Results

A total of 267 patients were included in the study (130 females; mean age, 51.46 ± 17.64 years). The overall decannulation rate was 96.4%. Altogether, 102 (38.2%) patients presented at least one complication, whereas 12 (4.5%) had two or more. The only independent predictor of post‐surgical complications was the presence of systemic comorbidities (p = 0.043). Patients experiencing complications needed additional surgery more frequently (70.1% vs. 29.9%, p < 0.001), and had a longer duration of hospitalization (20 ± 10.9 vs. 11.3 ± 4.1 days, p < 0.001). Six of 102 (5.9%) patients with complications had restenosis, although this event did not occur among patients without complications.

Conclusion

PCTRA and TRA have an excellent success rate even when performed for high‐grade LTS. However, a significant percentage of patients may experience complications associated with a longer duration of hospitalization or the need for additional surgeries. The presence of medical comorbidities was independently related to an increased risk of complications.

Level of evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2910–2919, 2023
Online Searches Related to Total Laryngectomy
Authors: Wu Michael P , Miller Lauren E , Meyer Charles D , Feng Allen L , Richmon Jeremy D
Published: March 2023

Objective

To identify the most frequently asked questions regarding “laryngectomy” through an assessment of online search data.

Methods

Google Search data based on the search term “laryngectomy” were analyzed using Google Trends and Search Response. The most common People Also Ask (PAA) questions were identified and classified by the concept. Each website linked to its respective PAA question was rated for understandability, ease of reading, and reading grade level.

Results

Search popularity for the term “laryngectomy” remained stable between 2017 and 2022. The most popular PAA themes were post‐laryngectomy speech, laryngectomy comparison to tracheostomy, stoma and stoma care, survival/recurrence, and post‐laryngectomy eating. Of the 32 websites linked to the top 50 PAA's, eleven (34%) were at or below an 8th grade reading level.

Conclusion

Post‐laryngectomy speech, eating, survival, the stoma, and the difference between laryngectomy and tracheostomy are the most common topics searched online in relation to “laryngectomy.” These are important areas for both patient and healthcare provider education.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 133:2971–2976, 2023
Assessment of adverse events for a home‐use intense pulsed light hair removal device using postmarketing surveillance
Authors: Hattersley Anne M. , Kiernan Michael , Goldberg David , Dierickx Christine , Sliney David H. , Haedersdal Merete , Nash J. Frank
Published: March 2023

Background and objectives

Home‐use intense pulsed light (IPL) hair removal devices are convenient for consumers. Consumer safety associated with home‐use IPL devices, however, remains a subject of interest. In this descriptive analysis, we assessed the most commonly reported adverse events (AEs) for a home‐use IPL device from postmarketing surveillance and qualitatively compared these with AEs from clinical studies and medical device reports of home‐use IPL treatments.

Materials and methods

For this analysis of voluntary reports, we queried a distributor′s postmarketing database for IPL devices for the period beginning January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2021. All sources of comments, for example, phone, e‐mail, company‐sponsored web sites, were included in the analysis. AE data were coded according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terminology. Also, we conducted a PubMed search to identify AE profiles from existing literature on home‐use IPL devices and we searched the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database for reports on home‐use IPL devices. These results were qualitatively compared to the data in the postmarketing surveillance database.

Results

A total of 1692 cases involving IPL were identified from voluntary reports of AEs between 2016 and 2021. The shipment‐adjusted reporting rate for AE cases (number of AE cases/100,000 shipped IPL devices) was 67/100,000 during this 6‐year period. The most commonly reported AEs were pain of skin 27.8% (470/1692), “thermal burn” 18.7% (316/1692), and erythema 16.0% (271/1692). Among the top 25 AEs reported, no unexpected health events were observed. The reported AEs were qualitatively similar to the pattern seen in clinical studies and the MAUDE database associated with such home‐use IPL treatments.

Conclusion

This is the first such report documenting AEs for home‐use IPL hair removal from a postmarketing surveillance program. These data are supportive of the safety of such home‐use low‐fluence IPL technology.
Combining Imaging Sonar Counting and Underwater Camera Species Apportioning to Estimate the Number of Atlantic Salmon and Striped Bass in the Miramichi River, New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Helminen J. , Linnansaari T.
Published: March 2023

A combined method incorporating an imaging sonar and underwater cameras was tested for assessing the size of adult Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar and Striped Bass Morone saxatilis populations in one of the main tributaries of the Miramichi River, New Brunswick, Canada. The number of fish recorded with the sonar in October 2019 was apportioned using the species ratio from the underwater camera data. The combined method estimated 358 Atlantic Salmon and 255 Striped Bass when the species ratio was applied every day and 274 Atlantic Salmon and 337 Striped Bass when the monthly species ratio was applied. The counts were compared to catches in a downstream index trap net using estimated values for trap-net catchability and for the proportion of fish ascending to the same tributary. Depending on the estimated values, the sonar–camera counts were between 40% and 190% of the estimated Atlantic Salmon numbers in the index net. For Striped Bass, the same estimated catchability and proportion values produced a lower agreement (sonar–camera count = 5–24% of the adjusted catch) because unlike Atlantic Salmon, Striped Bass do not deterministically migrate up the tributary in autumn. The fish were mostly detected overnight, and the trends in daily numbers of fish detected with the combined sonar–camera method were similar to the catches in the index net, with most Atlantic Salmon being detected mid-month and most Striped Bass being detected at the end of the month. The similarity of the fish counts with the adjusted trap-net catch and the new information about migration timing demonstrate that the sonar–underwater camera combination can provide tributary-specific and timely information on the Atlantic Salmon population in the Miramichi River.
‘Sometimes you need an eye‐opener’: A qualitative study on nursing assistants' experiences of developing communication skills through an educational intervention on person‐centred communication
Authors: Gustafsson Tanja , Maurin Söderholm Hanna , Sundler Annelie J. , Karlsson Pernilla , Lindberg Elisabeth
Published: March 2023

Aim

To explore nursing assistants' (NAs') experiences of developing communication skills while participating in an educational intervention on person‐centred communication.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted.

Methods

Data were collected from interviews and written assignments before, during and after an educational intervention on person‐centred communication targeting NAs in home care services. The data were analysed using a phenomenological approach. A total of 25 NAs participated in the study.

Results

The findings describe NAs' experiences concerning the communication skills needed for building relationships with older persons and handling emotionally challenging situations. The educational intervention increased their knowledge and awareness of the importance of communication skills and how such skills are developed and refined.
Deep learning system to predict the three‐dimensional contact status between the mandibular third molar and mandibular canal using panoramic radiographs
Authors: Fukuda Motoki , Kise Yoshitaka , Nitoh Munetaka , Ariji Yoshiko , Fujita Hiroshi , Katsumata Akitoshi , Ariji Eiichiro
Published: March 2023

Aim

We aim to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a deep learning (DL) system for determining the three‐dimensional contact status between the mandibular third molar and canal on panoramic radiography images.

Methods

A total of 800 image patches consisting of 400 patches of low‐ and high‐risk groups, each verified by computed tomography (CT) or cone‐beam CT for dental use, were cropped from downloaded panoramic images and input into a DL system. Seven hundred of these patches (350 high‐risk and 350 low‐risk group patches) were randomly assigned to the training and validation datasets, and 100 (50 high‐risk and 50 low‐risk group patches) were assigned to the test datasets. Using data augmentation for the training datasets, the training process was carried out twice. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare the performance of two kinds of observers (residents and radiologists) with the same test images. The interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were determined to evaluate the diagnostic consistency.

Results

The area under the ROC curves (AUCs) of the DL model, residents, and radiologists were 0.85, 0.55, and 0.81, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the DL model and residents, and between the residents and radiologists. The ICCs of the DL model, residents, and radiologists were 0.69, 0.19, and 0.54, respectively.

Conclusions

The DL model has potential for use in diagnostic support in the evaluation of the three‐dimensional contact status between the mandibular third molar and canal on panoramic images.
Formation of nanoparticle aggregates and agglomerates in polymer nanocomposites and their distinct impacts on the mechanical properties
Authors: Sharifzadeh Esmail , Karami Mahshad , Ader Fiona
Published: March 2023

In this study, the different effects of nanoparticle aggregates and agglomerates on the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites are comprehensively investigated. To this end, a specific strategy, based on the equilibrium between the dispersion and cohesion energies in the mixing stage, is proposed using which the content and size of aggregates/agglomerates can be defined. The aggregated/agglomerated networks are considered to place in constrained volumes (CVs), having co‐continuous morphology. An equivalent box model (EBM), corresponding to the system, is used to predict the tensile modulus of the nanocomposite. Different test results of HDPE nanocomposite samples, containing 1–3 wt.% of surface‐modified silica nanoparticles, prepared by a semi‐industrial single screw extruder, are applied to validate the model. Moreover, other data from the literature are also used to further evaluate the accuracy and capability of the proposed analytical method.