bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of cystoid macula edema following glaucoma drainage device surgery versus trabeculectomy
Authors: Gietzelt Caroline , Koenig Lilo , Adler Werner , Schaub Friederike , Heindl Ludwig M. , Cursiefen Claus , Dietlein Thomas S. , Enders Philip
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To assess and compare the risk for development of cystoid macula edema (CME) after glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation versus conventional trabeculectomy with mitomycin (trab) for glaucoma.

Methods

Retrospective review of consecutive patients receiving trab or GDD implantation between 2016 and 2018. Inclusion criteria were availability of pre- and postoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of the macula. SD-OCT images were evaluated for presence of CME qualitatively, central subfield thickness (CST) and macular volume (MV).

Results

73 eyes could be included, 42 received trab and 31 GDD surgery. Eyes receiving trab on average had 0.8 ± 0.8 previous intraocular operations, while eyes with GDD implantation had 3.1 ± 1.9 (p < 0.001). Occurrence of postoperative CME was significantly more frequent after GDD implantation (6 out of 31 (19.4%)) than after trab (2 out of 42 eyes = 4.8%), (p = 0.049). Mean preoperative CST as well as MV was comparable in both groups (CST before trab: 282.7 ± 23.0 µm, CST before GDD 284.2 ± 27.3 µm, p = 0.287; MV before trab: 7.8 ± 1.1 mm3, MV before GDD: 8.0 ± 0.8mm3, p = 0.305). Mean postoperative CST and MV were significantly higher after GDD (CST 338.5 ± 129.3 µm, MV 8.8 ± 2.6 mm3) than after trabeculectomy (CST 290.6 ± 60.2 µm, p = 0.038; MV 7.8 ± 1.2mm3, p = 0.039).

Conclusions

In real-life conditions, GDD surgery seems to be associated with a higher risk to develop CME when compared to conventional trabeculectomy. This information may be helpful for glaucoma surgeons to advise the patients on postoperative risks of surgery.
Organ-specific accuracy of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in identifying immune-related adverse events in patients with high-risk melanoma treated with adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor
Authors: Gideonse Birte Molvik , Birkeland Magnus , Vilstrup Mie Holm , Grupe Peter , Naghavi-Behzad Mohammad , Ruhlmann Christina H. , Gerke Oke , Hildebrandt Malene Grubbe
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the organ-specific accuracy of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in identifying immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients with high-risk (stage III/IV) surgically resected melanoma treated with an adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and determine the incidence of irAEs within the first year after starting treatment.

Materials and methods

This registry-based study included individuals who had undergone surgical removal of melanoma and were undergoing adjuvant ICI treatment (either nivolumab or pembrolizumab). The study specifically enrolled patients who had undergone both a baseline and at least one subsequent follow-up [18F]FDG-PET/CT scan. Follow-up scans were performed every third month in the first year after surgery to screen for disease recurrence. We retrospectively compared the follow-up scans with baseline scans to identify irAEs. Clinical information on irAEs was obtained from medical records and served as a reference standard for determining the accuracy of [18F]FDG-PET/CT.

Results

A total of 123 patients with 363 [18F]FDG-PET/CT scans were included, and 65 patients (52.8%) developed irAEs. In decreasing order, the organ-specific incidences of irAEs were: skin 26/65 (40%), muscle and joints 21/65 (32.3%), intestines 13/65 (20%), thyroid gland 12/65 (18.5%), lungs 4/65 (6.2%), and heart 2/65 (3.1%). The sensitivities and specificities of [18F]FDG-PET/CT for diagnosing irAEs were: skin 19% (95% CI: 7–39%) and 95% (88–98%), muscles and joints 71% (48–89%) and 83% (75–90%), intestines 100% (75–100%) and 85% (77–91%); thyroid gland 92% (62–99%) and 95% (89–98%), lungs 75% (19–99%) and 90% (83–95%), and heart 50% (13–99%) and 97% (92–99%), respectively.

Conclusion

[18F]FDG-PET/CT generally had moderate to high sensitivities (except for skin and heart) and specificities in diagnosing irAEs in patients receiving adjuvant ICI; this could be suggested to be systematically assessed and reported in scan reports.
Research Advances in Neuroblast Migration in
Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wu Na , Li Wenlang , Chen Qiang , Chen Meng , Chen Siyuan , Cheng Chongjie , Xie Yimin
Published: March 2024

Neuroblasts were first derived from the adult mammalian brains in the
1990s by Reynolds et al. Since then, persistent neurogenesis in the subgranular zone
(SGZ) of the hippocampus and subventricular zone (SVZ) has gradually been
recognized. To date, reviews on neuroblast migration have largely investigated glial
cells and molecular signaling mechanisms, while the relationship between vasculature
and cell migration remains a mystery. Thus, this paper underlines the partial
biological features of neuroblast migration and unravels the significance and
mechanisms of the vasculature in the process to further clarify theoretically the
neural repair mechanism after brain injury. Neuroblast migration presents three
modes according to the characteristics of cells that act as scaffolds during the
migration process: gliophilic migration, neurophilic migration, and vasophilic
migration. Many signaling molecules, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor
(BDNF), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF), and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), affect vasophilic migration, synergistically
regulating the migration of neuroblasts to target areas along blood vessels.
However, the precise role of blood vessels in the migration of neuroblasts needs to
be further explored. The in-depth study of neuroblast migration will most probably
provide theoretical basis and breakthrough for the clinical treatment of brain
injury diseases.

Graphical Abstract
Electrocortical Correlates of Emotion Processing and Resilience in Individuals with Adverse Childhood Experiences
Authors: Clarke Stephanie D. , Riser Diana K. , Schmidt Mark S.
Published: March 2024

Childhood trauma is associated with poor health outcomes in adulthood, largely due to the impact of chronic stress on the body. Fortunately, there are certain protective characteristics, such as constraint (i.e., impulse control, inhibition, and avoidance of unconventional behavior and risk) and cognitive reappraisal (i.e., reframing circumstances in a more positive light). In the present study, we investigated the interaction between childhood trauma, resilience, and neural correlates of emotion processing. Participants responded to survey questions regarding childhood trauma and resilient characteristics. They were later invited to passively view neutral, unpleasant, and pleasant images while their brain activity was recorded via electroencephalography (EEG). We analyzed two event-related potential (ERP) components of interest: the Early Posterior Negativity (EPN) and Late Positive Potential (LPP). We found that childhood trauma was associated with decreased constraint and reduced sensitivity to unpleasant images (i.e., decreased LPP amplitude differences between neutral and unpleasant images as compared to controls). Further, constraint predicted increased sensitivity to pleasant images. In a hierarchical linear regression analysis, we found that constraint moderated the relation between childhood trauma and emotion processing, such that it predicted increased sensitivity to unpleasant images for adults with childhood trauma in particular. Childhood trauma and cognitive reappraisal independently predicted decreased sensitivity to unpleasant images, (i.e., decreased LPP amplitude differences between neutral and unpleasant images). Our findings suggest that childhood trauma and resilient characteristics independently and interactively influence emotion processing.
Commercialising everyday distress: neurasthenia and traditional Chinese medicine in colonial Hong Kong, 1950s to 1980s
Authors: Chan Kelvin
Published: March 2024

The persistent use of neurasthenia in Asia, an out-dated diagnostic category in modern psychiatry, has confounded many psychiatrists from the 1960s. This paper attempts to understand the prevalence of neurasthenia among the lay public in post-World War II Hong Kong. It examines the social history of psychiatry and focuses on the roles of traditional Chinese medicine in shaping public perceptions and responses towards neurasthenia. This research reveals that, when psychiatrists discarded the term as an ineffective label in the 1950s, practitioners and pharmaceutical companies of Chinese medicine seized on the chance to reinvent themselves as experts in neurasthenia. By commericialising everyday distress, they provided affordable, accessible and culturally familiar healing options to the Chinese public. A case study of neurasthenia, therefore, is not simply about changing disease categories but an important example to illustrate the tensions between traditional medicine and Western psychiatry in Asia.
Self-identified strategies to manage intake of tempting foods: cross-sectional and prospective associations with BMI and snack intake
Authors: Gatzemeier Jennifer , Wilkinson Laura L , Price Menna J , Lee Michelle D
Published: March 2024

Objectives:

Individuals often use self-directed strategies to manage intake of tempting foods, but what these strategies are and whether they are effective is not well understood. This study assessed the frequency of use and subjective effectiveness of self-directed strategies in relation to BMI and snack intake.

Design:

A cross-sectional and prospective study with three time points (T1: baseline, T2: 3 months and T3: 3 years). At T1, demographics, frequency of use and subjective effectiveness of forty-one identified strategies were assessed. At T2 and T3, current weight was reported, and at T2 frequency of snack intake was also recorded.

Setting:

Online study in the UK.

Participants:

Data from 368 participants (Mage = 34·41 years; MBMI = 25·06 kg/m2) were used for analysis at T1, n = 170 (46·20 % of the total sample) at T2 and n = 51 (13·59 %) at T3.

Results:

Two strategy factors were identified via principal axis factoring: (1) diet, exercise, reduction of temptations, and cognitive strategies, and (2) planning, preparation and eating style. For strategy 1, frequency of use, but not subjective effectiveness, was positively related to BMI at T1. Subjective effectiveness predicted an increase in BMI from T1 and T2 to T3. No relationship to snack intake was found. For strategy 2, frequency of use was negatively related to BMI at T1. Neither frequency of use nor subjective effectiveness were related to changes in BMI over time, but subjective effectiveness was negatively correlated with unhealthy snack intake.

Conclusion:

Self-directed strategies to reduce the intake of tempting foods are not consistently related to BMI or snack intake.
The prevalence of intimate partner violence and risk factors for women and men in China during the Shanghai 2022 lockdown
Authors: Yang Liying , Shaw Amy , Nyman Thomas J. , Hall Brian J.
Published: March 2024

Aims

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health concern with negative effects on individuals and families. The present study investigated the prevalence, risk factors and gender disparities associated with IPV during the Shanghai 2022 Covid-19 lockdown – a public health emergency which may have exacerbated IPV.

Methods

We estimated the total IPV prevalence and prevalence of physical, sexual and verbal IPV by using an adapted version of the Extended-Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream scale. This cross-sectional study was carried out using a population quota-based sampling of Shanghai residents across 16 districts during the 2022 Shanghai lockdown (N = 2026; 1058 men and 968 women).

Results

We found a distinct gendered dynamic, where women reported a significantly higher prevalence of experienced IPV (27.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.1–31.4) compared to men (19.8%, 95% CI: 16.1–24.0). Notably, the prevalence estimate mirrored the national lifetime IPV prevalence for women but was over twice as high for men. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, economic stress (income loss: adjusted OR [aOR] = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.28–4.56; job loss: aOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.02–2.92; financial worry much more than usual: aOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.00–3.57) and household burden (one child at home: aOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.12–2.92; not enough food: aOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.04–2.70) were associated with increased odds of overall IPV victimization among women but not men. With regard to more serious forms of IPV, job loss (aOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.09–4.69) and household burden (two or more children at home: aOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.33–7.69) were associated with increased odds of physical IPV against men. For women, a lack of household supplies was associated with increased odds of physical IPV (water: aOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.79–6.25; daily supplies: aOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.18–4.35). Lack of daily supplies (aOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.03–4.55) and job loss (aOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.16–6.12) were also associated with increased odds of sexual IPV.

Conclusions

Although a larger proportion of women reported IPV, men experienced greater IPV during the lockdown than previously estimated before the pandemic. Economic stressors, including job loss, and household burden were critical risk factors for serious forms of IPV. Improving gender equality that my account for disparities in IPV in China is critically needed. Policies that mitigate the impact of economic losses during crises can potentially reduce IPV.
Biological and Physical Controls on Multidecadal Acidification in a Eutrophic Estuary
Authors: Champlin Lena K. , Moore Tiara N. , Jeppesen Rikke , Haskins John , Sayre Bronwyn , Watson Elizabeth B.
Published: March 2024

Estuaries support ecologically and economically important resources that are vulnerable to ocean acidification from rising anthropogenic CO2. However, complex local processes in estuaries complicate and may disguise long‐term pH trends. For example, terrestrial nutrient runoff and coastal upwelling may exacerbate pH variability and declines. We investigated eutrophication impacts on acidification in a central California estuary, Elkhorn Slough, which receives high nutrient loads from intensive surrounding agriculture and upwelling of the California Current System. We examined drivers of acidification including nutrients, ecosystem metabolism, and upwelling by modeling pH trends over 20 years using a Generalized Additive Mixed Model at four sites from the National Estuarine Research Reserve Systemwide Monitoring Program and collected additional water samples to calculate aragonite saturation. Our models revealed acidification trends over two decades which were more pronounced near the marine inlet. Near the marine inlet, high nutrient levels and lower buffering were associated with the greatest rate of acidification in the estuary, which was four times greater than the trend from anthropogenic CO2 alone. Compared to fully tidal sites, a tidally restricted site showed diminished pH declines over time because of higher mean pH and aragonite saturation levels, but greater diel and seasonal variability associated with cycles of ecosystem metabolism and tidal range. Therefore, short‐term drops of saturation are threats to acidity in this location. The effects of enhanced seasonal cycles or long‐term trends in different zones of the estuary have implications for monitoring estuaries with a temporal frequency and scale to capture coastal acidification risks.
Passing Stars Shorten Earth’s Time Horizon
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: March 2024

Stars in the solar neighborhood could jostle planetary orbits, making it harder to turn back the clock and examine Earth’s orbital or climate history.
A structure-based designed small molecule depletes hRpn13Pru and a select group of KEN box proteins
Authors: Lu Xiuxiu , Chandravanshi Monika , Sabbasani Venkata R. , Gaikwad Snehal , Hughitt V. Keith , Gyabaah-Kessie Nana , Scroggins Bradley T. , Das Sudipto , Myint Wazo , Clapp Michelle E. , Schwieters Charles D. , Dyba Marzena A. , Bolhuis Derek L. , Koscielniak Janusz W. , Andresson Thorkell , Emanuele Michael J. , Brown Nicholas G. , Matsuo Hiroshi , Chari Raj , Citrin Deborah E. , Mock Beverly A. , Swenson Rolf E. , Walters Kylie J.
Published: March 2024

Proteasome subunit hRpn13 is partially proteolyzed in certain cancer cell types to generate hRpn13Pru by degradation of its UCHL5/Uch37-binding DEUBAD domain and retention of an intact proteasome- and ubiquitin-binding Pru domain. By using structure-guided virtual screening, we identify an hRpn13 binder (XL44) and solve its structure ligated to hRpn13 Pru by integrated X-ray crystallography and NMR to reveal its targeting mechanism. Surprisingly, hRpn13Pru is depleted in myeloma cells following treatment with XL44. TMT-MS experiments reveal a select group of off-targets, including PCNA clamp-associated factor PCLAF and ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase subunit M2 (RRM2), that are similarly depleted by XL44 treatment. XL44 induces hRpn13-dependent apoptosis and also restricts cell viability by a PCLAF-dependent mechanism. A KEN box, but not ubiquitination, is required for XL44-induced depletion of PCLAF. Here, we show that XL44 induces ubiquitin-dependent loss of hRpn13Pru and ubiquitin-independent loss of select KEN box containing proteins.
Rab GTPases and phosphoinositides fine-tune SNAREs dependent targeting specificity of intracellular vesicle traffic
Authors: Koike Seiichi , Jahn Reinhard
Published: March 2024

In the secretory pathway the destination of trafficking vesicles is determined by specific proteins that, with the notable exception of SNAREs, are recruited from soluble pools. Previously we have shown that microinjected proteoliposomes containing early or late endosomal SNAREs, respectively, are targeted to the corresponding endogenous compartments, with targeting specificity being dependent on the recruitment of tethering factors by some of the SNAREs. Here, we show that targeting of SNARE-containing liposomes is refined upon inclusion of polyphosphoinositides and Rab5. Intriguingly, targeting specificity is dependent on the concentration of PtdIns(3)P, and on the recruitment of PtdIns(3)P binding proteins such as rabenosyn-5 and PIKfyve, with conversion of PtdIns(3)P into PtdIns(3,5)P2 re-routing the liposomes towards late endosomes despite the presence of GTP-Rab5 and early endosomal SNAREs. Our data reveal a complex interplay between permissive and inhibitory targeting signals that sharpen a basic targeting and fusion machinery for conveying selectivity in intracellular membrane traffic.
A restricted dynamic surface self-reconstruction toward high-performance of direct seawater oxidation
Authors: Zhou Ling , Guo Daying , Wu Lianhui , Guan Zhixi , Zou Chao , Jin Huile , Fang Guoyong , Chen Xi’an , Wang Shun
Published: March 2024

The development of highly efficient electrocatalysts for direct seawater splitting with bifunctionality for inhibiting anodic oxidation reconstruction and selective oxygen evolution reactions is a major challenge. Herein, we report a direct seawater oxidation electrocatalyst that achieves long-term stability for more than 1000 h at 600 mA/cm2@η600 and high selectivity (Faraday efficiency of 100%). This catalyst revolves an amorphous molybdenum oxide layer constructed on the beaded-like cobalt oxide interface by atomic layer deposition technology. As demonstrated, a new restricted dynamic surface self-reconstruction mechanism is induced by the formation a stable reconstructed Co-Mo double hydroxide phase interface layer. The device assembled into a two-electrode flow cell for direct overall seawater electrolysis maintained at 1 A/cm2@1.93 V for 500 h with Faraday efficiency higher than 95%. Hydrogen generation rate reaches 419.4 mL/cm2/h, and the power consumption (4.62 KWh/m3 H2) is lower than that of pure water (5.0 KWh/m3 H2) at industrial current density.
Activation and friction in enzymatic loop opening and closing dynamics
Authors: Zinovjev Kirill , Guénon Paul , Ramos-Guzmán Carlos A. , Ruiz-Pernía J. Javier , Laage Damien , Tuñón Iñaki
Published: March 2024

Protein loop dynamics have recently been recognized as central to enzymatic activity, specificity and stability. However, the factors controlling loop opening and closing kinetics have remained elusive. Here, we combine molecular dynamics simulations with string-method determination of complex reaction coordinates to elucidate the molecular mechanism and rate-limiting step for WPD-loop dynamics in the PTP1B enzyme. While protein conformational dynamics is often represented as diffusive motion hindered by solvent viscosity and internal friction, we demonstrate that loop opening and closing is activated. It is governed by torsional rearrangement around a single loop peptide group and by significant friction caused by backbone adjustments, which can dynamically trap the loop. Considering both torsional barrier and time-dependent friction, our calculated rate constants exhibit very good agreement with experimental measurements, reproducing the change in loop opening kinetics between proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrate the applicability of our results to other enzymatic loops, including the M20 DHFR loop, thereby offering prospects for loop engineering potentially leading to enhanced designs.
Context memory formed in medial prefrontal cortex during infancy enhances learning in adulthood
Authors: Contreras María P. , Mendez Marta , Shan Xia , Fechner Julia , Sawangjit Anuck , Born Jan , Inostroza Marion
Published: March 2024

Adult behavior is commonly thought to be shaped by early-life experience, although episodes experienced during infancy appear to be forgotten. Exposing male rats during infancy to discrete spatial experience we show that these rats in adulthood are significantly better at forming a spatial memory than control rats without such infantile experience. We moreover show that the adult rats’ improved spatial memory capability is mainly based on memory for context information during the infantile experiences. Infantile spatial experience increased c-Fos activity at memory testing during adulthood in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but not in the hippocampus. Inhibiting prelimbic mPFC at testing during adulthood abolished the enhancing effect of infantile spatial experience on learning. Adult spatial memory capability only benefitted from spatial experience occurring during the sensitive period of infancy, but not when occurring later during childhood, and when sleep followed the infantile experience. In conclusion, the infantile brain, by a sleep-dependent mechanism, favors consolidation of memory for the context in which episodes are experienced. These representations comprise mPFC regions and context-dependently facilitate learning in adulthood.
Heterozygous missense variant in GLI2 impairs human endocrine pancreas development
Authors: Mueller Laura M. , Isaacson Abigail , Wilson Heather , Salowka Anna , Tay Isabel , Gong Maolian , Elbarbary Nancy Samir , Raile Klemens , Spagnoli Francesca M.
Published: March 2024

Missense variants are the most common type of coding genetic variants. Their functional assessment is fundamental for defining any implication in human diseases and may also uncover genes that are essential for human organ development. Here, we apply CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing on human iPSCs to study a heterozygous missense variant in GLI2 identified in two siblings with early-onset and insulin-dependent diabetes of unknown cause. GLI2 is a primary mediator of the Hedgehog pathway, which regulates pancreatic β-cell development in mice. However, neither mutations in GLI2 nor Hedgehog dysregulation have been reported as cause or predisposition to diabetes. We establish and study a set of isogenic iPSC lines harbouring the missense variant for their ability to differentiate into pancreatic β-like cells. Interestingly, iPSCs carrying the missense variant show altered GLI2 transcriptional activity and impaired differentiation of pancreatic progenitors into endocrine cells. RNASeq and network analyses unveil a crosstalk between Hedgehog and WNT pathways, with the dysregulation of non-canonical WNT signaling in pancreatic progenitors carrying the GLI2 missense variant. Collectively, our findings underscore an essential role for GLI2 in human endocrine development and identify a gene variant that may lead to diabetes.
Reciprocal inhibition between TP63 and STAT1 regulates anti-tumor immune response through interferon-γ signaling in squamous cancer
Authors: Jiang Yuan , Zheng Yueyuan , Zhang Yuan-Wei , Kong Shuai , Dong Jinxiu , Wang Fei , Ziman Benjamin , Gery Sigal , Hao Jia-Jie , Zhou Dan , Zhou Jianian , Ho Allen S. , Sinha Uttam K. , Chen Jian , Zhang Shuo , Yin Chuntong , Wei Dan-Dan , Hazawa Masaharu , Pan Huaguang , Lu Zhihao , Wei Wen-Qiang , Wang Ming-Rong , Koeffler H. Phillip , Lin De-Chen , Jiang Yan-Yi
Published: March 2024

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are common and aggressive malignancies. Immune check point blockade (ICB) therapy using PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies has been approved in several types of advanced SCCs. However, low response rate and treatment resistance are common. Improving the efficacy of ICB therapy requires better understanding of the mechanism of immune evasion. Here, we identify that the SCC-master transcription factor TP63 suppresses interferon-γ (IFNγ) signaling. TP63 inhibition leads to increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and heighten tumor killing in in vivo syngeneic mouse model and ex vivo co-culture system, respectively. Moreover, expression of TP63 is negatively correlated with CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation in patients with SCC. Silencing of TP63 enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of PD-1 blockade by promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration and functionality. Mechanistically, TP63 and STAT1 mutually suppress each other to regulate the IFNγ signaling by co-occupying and co-regulating their own promoters and enhancers. Together, our findings elucidate a tumor-extrinsic function of TP63 in promoting immune evasion of SCC cells. Over-expression of TP63 may serve as a biomarker predicting the outcome of SCC patients treated with ICB therapy, and targeting TP63/STAT/IFNγ axis may enhance the efficacy of ICB therapy for this deadly cancer.
An entanglement association polymer electrolyte for Li-metal batteries
Authors: Wang Hangchao , Yang Yali , Gao Chuan , Chen Tao , Song Jin , Zuo Yuxuan , Fang Qiu , Yang Tonghuan , Xiao Wukun , Zhang Kun , Wang Xuefeng , Xia Dingguo
Published: March 2024

To improve the interface stability between Li-rich Mn-based oxide cathodes and electrolytes, it is necessary to develop new polymer electrolytes. Here, we report an entanglement association polymer electrolyte (PVFH-PVCA) based on a poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVFH) matrix and a copolymer stabilizer (PVCA) prepared from acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, and vinylene carbonate. The entangled structure of the PVFH-PVCA electrolyte imparts excellent mechanical properties and eliminates the stress arising from dendrite growth during cycling and forms a stable interface layer, enabling Li//Li symmetric cells to cycle steadily for more than 4500 h at 8 mA cm−2. The PVCA acts as a stabilizer to promote the formation of an electrochemically robust cathode–electrolyte interphase. It delivers a high specific capacity and excellent cycling stability with 84.7% capacity retention after 400 cycles. Li1.2Mn0.56Ni0.16Co0.08O2/PVFH-PVCA/Li full cell achieved 125 cycles at 1 C (4.8 V cut-off) with a stable discharge capacity of ~2.5 mAh cm−2.
Extreme Li-Mg selectivity via precise ion size differentiation of polyamide membrane
Authors: Peng Quan , Wang Ruoyu , Zhao Zilin , Lin Shihong , Liu Ying , Dong Dianyu , Wang Zheng , He Yiman , Zhu Yuzhang , Jin Jian , Jiang Lei
Published: March 2024

Achieving high selectivity of Li+ and Mg2+ is of paramount importance for effective lithium extraction from brines, and nanofiltration (NF) membrane plays a critical role in this process. The key to achieving high selectivity lies in the on-demand design of NF membrane pores in accordance with the size difference between Li+ and Mg2+ ions, but this poses a huge challenge for traditional NF membranes and difficult to be realized. In this work, we report the fabrication of polyamide (PA) NF membranes with ultra-high Li+/Mg2+ selectivity by modifying the interfacial polymerization (IP) process between piperazine (PIP) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) with an oil-soluble surfactant that forms a monolayer at oil/water interface, referred to as OSARIP. The OSARIP benefits to regulate the membrane pores so that all of them are smaller than Mg2+ ions. Under the solely size sieving effect, an exceptional Mg2+ rejection rate of over 99.9% is achieved. This results in an exceptionally high Li+/Mg2+ selectivity, which is one to two orders of magnitude higher than all the currently reported pressure-driven membranes, and even higher than the microporous framework materials, including COFs, MOFs, and POPs. The large enhancement of ion separation performance of NF membranes may innovate the current lithium extraction process and greatly improve the lithium extraction efficiency.
Transfection of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α mRNA upregulates the expression of genes encoding angiogenic growth factors
Authors: Wlodarczyk Jakub , Leng Albert , Abadchi Sanaz Nourmohammadi , Shababi Niloufar , Mokhtari-Esbuie Farzad , Gheshlaghi Shayan , Ravari Mohsen Rouhani , Pippenger Emma K. , Afrasiabi Ali , Ha Jinny , Abraham John M. , Harmon John W.
Published: March 2024

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) has presented a new direction for ischemic preconditioning of surgical flaps to promote their survival. In a previous study, we demonstrated the effectiveness of HIF-1a DNA plasmids in this application. In this study, to avoid complications associated with plasmid use, we sought to express HIF-1α through mRNA transfection and determine its biological activity by measuring the upregulation of downstream angiogenic genes. We transfected six different HIF-1a mRNAs–one predominant, three variant, and two novel mutant isoforms–into primary human dermal fibroblasts using Lipofectamine, and assessed mRNA levels using RT-qPCR. At all time points examined after transfection (3, 6, and 10 h), the levels of HIF-1α transcript were significantly higher in all HIF-1α transfected cells relative to the control (all p < 0.05, unpaired Student’s T-test). Importantly, the expression of HIF-1α transcription response genes (VEGF, ANG-1, PGF, FLT1, and EDN1) was significantly higher in the cells transfected with all isoforms than with the control at six and/or ten hours post-transfection. All isoforms were transfected successfully into human fibroblast cells, resulting in the rapid upregulation of all five downstream angiogenic targets tested. These findings support the potential use of HIF-1α mRNA for protecting ischemic dermal flaps.
Enhancing explainable SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development leveraging bee colony optimised Bi-LSTM, Bi-GRU models and bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Ozsahin Dilber Uzun , Ameen Zubaida Said , Hassan Abdurrahman Shuaibu , Mubarak Auwalu Saleh
Published: March 2024

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a single-stranded RNA virus that caused the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-19 outbreak has led to millions of deaths and economic losses globally. Vaccination is the most practical solution, but finding epitopes (antigenic peptide regions) in the SARS-CoV-2 proteome is challenging, costly, and time-consuming. Here, we proposed a deep learning method based on standalone Recurrent Neural networks to predict epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 proteins easily. We optimised the standalone Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) and Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (Bi-GRU) with a bioinspired optimisation algorithm, namely, Bee Colony Optimization (BCO). The study shows that LSTM-based models, particularly BCO-Bi-LSTM, outperform all other models and achieve an accuracy of 0.92 and AUC of 0.944. To overcome the challenge of understanding the model predictions, explainable AI using the Shapely Additive Explanations (SHAP) method was employed to explain how Blackbox models make decisions. Finally, the predicted epitopes led to the development of a multi-epitope vaccine. The multi-epitope vaccine effectiveness evaluation is based on vaccine toxicity, allergic response risk, and antigenic and biochemical characteristics using bioinformatic tools. The developed multi-epitope vaccine is non-toxic and highly antigenic. Codon adaptation, cloning, gel electrophoresis assess genomic sequence, protein composition, expression and purification while docking and IMMSIM servers simulate interactions and immunological response, respectively. These investigations provide a conceptual framework for developing a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
Factors influencing delay in malaria treatment seeking at selected public health facilities in South Gonder, Ethiopia
Authors: Alga Adimasu , Wasihun Yitbarek , Ayele Tiruneh , Endawkie Abel , Feleke Sefineh Fenta , Kebede Natnael
Published: March 2024

Early and prompt treatment-seeking for malaria is necessary to reduce the progression of the disease to its severe forms and the associated mortality. Various studies have indicated that treatments sought for malaria were not always within the recommended timeframe. Therefore, this study aims to assess factors influencing delay in malaria treatment seeking at public health facilities in South Gonder, Ethiopia. An unmatched case–control study was conducted among 322 individuals, comprising 161 cases and 161 controls, who were randomly selected malaria patients visiting public health facilities in South Gonder District, Ethiopia, from May 20/2022 to June 25/2022. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which were subsequently cleaned and entered into Epi data. Descriptive statistics were performed, and variables with a p-value of ≤ 0.25 from the bivariate analysis were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. Significant variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were retained in the multivariable model. Patients who were unable to read and write [AOR = 3.47 (1.01–11.9)], fear of side effects of malaria treatment drugs [AOR = 1.89 (1.04–3.42)], lack of access to health education malaria disease and its treatment [AOR = 1.93 (1.02–3.65)], lack of transportation access [AOR = 4.70 (1.73–12.7)], not membership of community-based health insurance [AOR = 2.5 (1.3–4.82)] and lack of confidence on malaria care health facility providing [AOR = 2.14 (1.06–4.29)], were found to be determinants of treatment-seeking delay among malaria patients. In Summary, this study revealed significant associations between delays in seeking malaria treatment and factors such as educational status (those who were unable to read and write), malaria drug side effects, health education on malaria, transportation access, CBHI membership, and confidence in health malaria care. it is recommended that targeted interventions and awareness campaigns be implemented to address these determinants, promoting prompt and effective malaria treatment-seeking behavior in the studied population.
Acute effects of low-intensity one-legged electrical muscle stimulation on arterial stiffness in experimental and control limbs
Authors: Oda Hiroyuki , Fujibayashi Mami , Kume Daisuke , Matsumoto Naoyuki , Nishiwaki Masato
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of low-intensity one-legged electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) for skeletal muscle on arterial stiffness in EMS and non-EMS legs. Eighteen healthy subjects received two different protocols (Control (CT) and Experimental (ET) trials) in random order on separate days. EMS was applied to the left lower limb at 4 Hz for 20 min at an intensity corresponding to an elevation in pulse rate of approximately 15 beats/min (10.9 ± 5.1% of heart rate reserve). Before and after the experiment, arterial stiffness parameters in the control right leg (CRL) and control left leg (CLL) in CT and non-EMS leg (NEL) and EMS leg (EL) in ET were assessed by pulse wave velocity (baPWV, faPWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). No significant changes in all parameters were observed in either leg in CT. Conversely, in ET, low-intensity, single-leg EMS significantly reduced CAVI, baPWV, and faPWV in the EL, but not in the NEL. Acute, low-intensity single-leg EMS reduces arterial stiffness only in the EL. These data support our idea that physical movement-related regional factors rather than systematic factors are important for inducing acute reductions in arterial stiffness.
An analysis of case studies for advancing photovoltaic power forecasting through multi-scale fusion techniques
Authors: Guermoui Mawloud , Fezzani Amor , Mohamed Zaiani , Rabehi Abdelaziz , Ferkous Khaled , Bailek Nadjem , Bouallit Sabrina , Riche Abdelkader , Bajaj Mohit , Dost Mohammadi Shir Ahmad , Ali Enas , Ghoneim Sherif S. M.
Published: March 2024

Integration renewable energy sources into current power generation systems necessitates accurate forecasting to optimize and preserve supply–demand restrictions in the electrical grids. Due to the highly random nature of environmental conditions, accurate prediction of PV power has limitations, particularly on long and short periods. Thus, this research provides a new hybrid model for forecasting short PV power based on the fusing of multi-frequency information of different decomposition techniques that will allow a forecaster to provide reliable forecasts. We evaluate and provide insights into the performance of five multi-scale decomposition algorithms combined with a deep convolution neural network (CNN). Additionally, we compare the suggested combination approach's performance to that of existing forecast models. An exhaustive assessment is carried out using three grid-connected PV power plants in Algeria with a total installed capacity of 73.1 MW. The developed fusing strategy displayed an outstanding forecasting performance. The comparative analysis of the proposed combination method with the stand-alone forecast model and other hybridization techniques proves its superiority in terms of forecasting precision, with an RMSE varying in the range of [0.454–1.54] for the three studied PV stations.
Shift from income breeding to capital breeding with latitude in the invasive Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus
Authors: Reese Tanner C. , Blakeslee April M. H. , Crane Laura C. , Fletcher Laura S. , Repetto Michele F. , Smith Nanette , Stancil Carter , Tepolt Carolyn K. , Toscano Benjamin J. , Griffen Blaine D.
Published: March 2024

Organisms vary in the timing of energy acquisition and use for reproduction. Thus, breeding strategies exist on a continuum, from capital breeding to income breeding. Capital breeders acquire and store energy for breeding before the start of the reproductive season, while income breeders finance reproduction using energy acquired during the reproductive season. Latitude and its associated environmental drivers are expected to heavily influence breeding strategy, potentially leading to latitudinal variation in breeding strategies within a single species. We examined the breeding strategy of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus at five sites spanning nearly 10° of latitude across its invaded United States range. We hypothesized that the primary breeding strategy of this species would shift from income breeding to capital breeding as latitude increases. We found that though this species’ breeding strategy is dominated by capital breeding throughout much of the range, income breeding increases in importance at lower latitudes. This latitudinal pattern is likely heavily influenced by the duration of the foraging and breeding seasons, which also vary with latitude. We also found that reproductive characteristics at the northern and southern edges of the invaded range were consistent with continued range expansion. We suggest that the reproductive flexibility of the Asian shore crab is a key facilitator of its continued invasion success. Our results highlight the influence of latitude on the breeding strategy of a species and emphasize the need for further research regarding the ecological importance and implications of flexibility in breeding strategies within species.
222 nm far-UVC light markedly reduces the level of infectious airborne virus in an occupied room
Authors: Buonanno Manuela , Kleiman Norman J. , Welch David , Hashmi Raabia , Shuryak Igor , Brenner David J.
Published: March 2024

An emerging intervention for control of airborne-mediated pandemics and epidemics is whole-room far-UVC (200–235 nm). Laboratory studies have shown that 222-nm light inactivates airborne pathogens, potentially without harm to exposed occupants. While encouraging results have been reported in benchtop studies and in room-sized bioaerosol chambers, there is a need for quantitative studies of airborne pathogen reduction in occupied rooms. We quantified far-UVC mediated reduction of aerosolized murine norovirus (MNV) in an occupied mouse-cage cleaning room within an animal-care facility. Benchtop studies suggest that MNV is a conservative surrogate for airborne viruses such as influenza and coronavirus. Using four 222-nm fixtures installed in the ceiling, and staying well within current recommended regulatory limits, far-UVC reduced airborne infectious MNV by 99.8% (95% CI: 98.2–99.9%). Similar to previous room-sized bioaerosol chamber studies on far-UVC efficacy, these results suggest that aerosolized virus susceptibility is significantly higher in room-scale tests than in bench-scale laboratory studies. That said, as opposed to controlled laboratory studies, uncertainties in this study related to airflow patterns, virus residence time, and dose to the collected virus introduce uncertainty into the inactivation estimates. This study is the first to directly demonstrate far-UVC anti-microbial efficacy against airborne pathogens in an occupied indoor location.
Fe3+-induced luminescence quenching in carbon dots – mechanism unveiled
Authors: Raveendran P.T. Varsha , C. Anjali , Neeroli Kizhakayil Renuka
Published: March 2024

Luminescence quenching in carbon dots with an increase in Fe3+ concentration and the quantitative variation in luminescence intensity with added ferric ions.
Self-tandem catalysis of fast Mg2+ desolvation and sulfur conversions for ultrahigh-performance Mg–S batteries via serially-assembled atomic reactors
Authors: Guan Qinghua , Wang Jian , Zhuang Quan , Zhang Jing , Li Linge , Jia Lujie , Zhang Yongzheng , Hu Hongfei , Hu Huimin , Cheng Shuang , Zhang Huang , Li Huihua , Liu Meinan , Wang Shuangyin , Lin Hongzhen
Published: March 2024

Serially-assembled train-like atomic reactors employed in long-conductive nanocarbons were initially designed to achieve fast interfacial Mg2+ desolvation kinetics for improving subsequent sulfur redox conversion kinetics.
Intramolecular chaperone-assisted dual-anchoring activation (ICDA): a suitable preorganization for electrophilic halocyclization
Authors: Yang Xihui , Gao Haowei , Yan Jiale , Zhou Jia , Shi Lei
Published: March 2024

In this study, a catalyst-free and highly efficient approach to access seven types of small-sized, medium-sized, and large-sized heterocyclic units via halocyclization was developed, leveraging the use of suitable preorganization by the ICDA model.
Speech-Language Pathology in China: An Overview
Authors: Wei Guanyu , Yuan Aiyun , Tian Rujin , Liu Kai
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

China is a middle-income developing country that is aging rapidly. Speech-language pathology is a developing field in China. The article aims to provide a brief overview of the current status of speech-language pathology in China.

Method:

This article presents the authors' viewpoint, bolstered by insights from nine speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in China. To enrich the depth of the discussion on achievements and challenges within the Chinese speech-language pathology field, the authors also conducted a review of relevant articles in Standard Chinese–based databases.

Result and Discussion:

The authors have delineated both the major achievements and barriers in the field of speech-language pathology in China. Recommendations for improvement are included, emphasizing the importance of sustained efforts from researchers, clinicians, educators, governments, and related organizations within China. Additionally, the authors extend their suggestions to clinicians and researchers in other countries.

Conclusion:

While the field of speech-language pathology has substantially developed in the past 40 years, several challenges confront SLPs in China at both the educational and practical levels.
Domestic experience of unmanned aerial vehicles for forest conditions monitoring
Authors: Shashkova Nina , Lukyanova Yelena , Kazak Anatoliy , Oleinikov Nikolay , Kryukova Anastasia
Published: March 2024

Russia has vast forest resources that require constant conservation and protection measures, the implementation of which is currently impossible without the use of aviation or satellites. The widespread introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles will make it possible to effectively monitor the condition and predict changes in forest lands. The article discusses standard methods for monitoring the condition of forests and their advantages and disadvantages, highlighting the main existing threats to forests. The classification of unmanned aerial vehicles is given. The advantages of using unmanned aerial vehicles in forestry are highlighted. A classification of the areas of application of unmanned aerial vehicles in forestry is given.
Cluster initiatives in agricultural sector: current state, problems and prospects of development
Authors: Barmuta Karine , Matjonov Bekjon , Shichiyakh Rustem , Dymchenko Olga
Published: March 2024

Based on the use of complex and systematic approaches, the article develops the problematic field that characterizes the current state of agro-industrial clusters in Russia in all areas of their activities, taking into account factors of the external and internal environment. The main directions for improving the efficiency of cluster initiatives in the country's regions are substantiated, considering positive domestic and foreign experience. A concept model for creating a regional agro-industrial cluster is developed, considering the entire chain of its operation in the region and the engagement of all achievement of a synergistic effect with stakeholders. Creative sources of innovation funding in agro-industrial clusters are suggested, including public-private partnerships, innovative banks, and corporate venture capital funds.