bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping lipids associated with Aβ plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease via multiscale mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Trinklein Timothy , Rubakhin Stanislav S. , Asadian Marisa , Sabitha K.R. , Lazarov Orly , Lam Fan , Sweedler Jonathan V
Published: January 2025

Background

Increasing evidence shows that many lipids play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including Aβ plaque formation. Of note, the greatest genetic risk of late onset AD, apolipoprotien E4 (APOE4), plays a major role in lipid transport. However, the profile of lipids that play a role in AD is poorly understood. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a tool of choice for quantifying and spatially mapping lipids in biological samples. Here, we apply MSI at the tissue‐ and single cell‐level to profile lipids in the brains of 5xFAD and wild type mice to identify lipids associated with Aβ plaques.

Method

Female 5xFAD mice at 5 months of age (n = 3) and age‐ and sex‐matched wild type (n = 3) were used. After sacrifice, brains were removed and a coronal slice was frozen and used to obtain 12 µm tissue sections. Fresh tissue was dissected, dissociated into single cells, and dispersed onto glass slides. Using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) MSI, we imaged tissue slices (n = 12, two per animal) and over 10,000 individual cells. After MSI, sections were stained with Thioflavin S and imaged by epifluorescence microscopy. Statistically significant lipids between classes were discovered by the Wilcoxen rank‐sum test with Benjamini‐Hochberg correction.

Result

Co‐registration of mass spectrometry imaging data with histological staining allowed us to identify a suite of plaque‐colocalized and depleted lipids (Fig. 1). We found that many lipid classes including monogangliosides (GM), hexosylceramids (HexCer), phosphatidic acids (PA), phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), phosphatidyleinositol (PI), and lysophosphatidylecholines (LPC) were plaque‐colocalized and in higher abundance in 5xFAD animals relative to controls (Fig. 2). In contrast, sulfatides (ST) were depleted in plaques and in lower abundance (Fig. 2). In total, we identified 20 plaque‐enriched lipids and 5 plaque‐depleted lipids. All 25 lipids were detected in single cells, recapitulating the trends shown in tissue‐level data (Fig. 3).

Conclusion

Our finding revealed accumulation and depletion of lipids in the plaque microenvironment and single cells. Work is ongoing to extend our approach to different ages (to observe disease progression) and other models, such as APOE3/4 knock‐in animals.
Lifestyle Factors’ Influence on Episodic Memory: A Gradient Boosted Tree Analysis
Authors: Berg Addison , Sinclair Stephanie , Acosta‐Parra Ashley , Glosson Ana Nazmi , Moreno Cesar , Fletcher Evan
Published: January 2025

Background

Comprehending the role of participatory lifestyle factors influencing the aging process and subsequent cognitive outcomes is imperative for postulating ways to combat cognitive decline. Recent research points to the independent impacts of leisure time activities (LTAs), physical performance (measures of physical fitness) and socialization (relationships and interaction frequency) on healthy cognitive aging, although the relative importance of this triad of factors is poorly delineated.

Method

From baseline data of two studies examining cognitive aging in older, diverse populations— “Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans” and “Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences,” we scraped subjects’ self‐reported data and Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales (SENAS) measured cognitive performance scores. Lifestyle survey questions revealed features that well‐represented each category in the triad. These features were used as model inputs, along with sex, education, and income. The cohort consisted of n = 1684 subjects, each characterized by 23 features, after removal for missingness. We applied a grid search algorithm with 5‐fold cross‐validation to tune the hyperparameters of a gradient boosted decision tree model. Optimized for accuracy and generalizability, these parameters defined the model to predict episodic memory scores. Per prediction, relative feature importances were computed as Shapley values. Mean absolute importances (global importance) for the full cohort were derived from the relative values. For triad comparison, summated global importance of the features for each lifestyle category was calculated.

Result

Group importance ranking revealed aggregated LTAs with the largest contribution to episodic scores, followed by physical performance, then socialization. Notable LTAs included complex cooking, taking classes, and gaming. Although no individual mean absolute feature importance surpassed that of sex, the aggregate importance of the LTA and physical performance groups did; all categories exceeded education and income.

Conclusion

Our major finding indicates that, beyond the typical factors of interest for episodic memory and healthy cognitive aging, the way one spends their free‐time has a strong association with these outcomes, and suggests LTAs are the most important. It’s worth noting that these three domains may overlap (ex. recreational sporting activities). This research may influence public health guidelines for promoting healthy cognitive aging.
Increased cerebral blood flow after lecanemab infusions: MR‐ASL utility in monitoring Alzheimer disease treatment response
Authors: Nordvig Anna S , Fajardo Andres Ricaurte , Chiang Gloria
Published: January 2025

Background

Since lecanemab, an anti‐amyloid monoclonal antibody targeting Aβ protofibrils, only modestly impacts cognition (27% slower cognitive decline over 18 months), tracking the effects on the brain in the early months is a clinical challenge. Serial noncontrast MRI scans are required by the FDA, to assess for the occurrence of amyloid‐related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). Arterial spin‐labeling MR (ASL‐MR) is a 4‐minute non‐contrast easily‐added sequence. Patterns of abnormal cerebral blood flow (CBF) on ASL‐MR can correlate with neurodegenerative markers including FDG‐PET.

Method

Here we show CBF maps of two patients at baseline, and after receiving 4 infusions of lecanemab. Our figure is representative of six other patients in whom we have noted similar changes on therapy, and who will also be presented.

Result

Figure 1 shows CBF maps of a man in his early seventies with mild cognitive impairment, due to AD. He had a family history of AD, and was diagnosed with a positive 18F‐florbetaben PET and prescribed donepezil, with mild symptom improvement. His CSF markers were borderline (Abeta42 575 pg/mL, t‐tau 289 pg/mL, p‐tau 51 pg/mL, ATI 0.99.). Figure 2 shows CBF maps of a woman in her fifties, with a history of Crohn’s disease, not currently requiring immunosuppression. She was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy due to AD, with a positive 18F‐florbetaben PET and CSF compatible with AD (abeta42 366 pg/mL, t‐tau 486 pg/mL, p‐tau 72 pg/mL, ATI 0.45). She remained employed until a mild COVID infection, at which point her preexisting cognitive symptoms worsened (presumed longCOVID‐related worsening). Both patients carried the ApoE e3/e3 genotype. In both cases, baseline low temporoparietal CBF increased at the scheduled MRI post‐4th infusion.

Conclusion

These cases show that CBF increases on lecanemab from baseline to after the 4th infusion. Preclinical investigations have demonstrated that it can protect neurons from Aβ‐induced apoptosis, leading to neuronal viability and improved brain perfusion. CBF increases may also reflect increased synaptic activity after amyloid clearance and/or vascular changes, such as clearance of fibrinogen/amyloid clotting complexes. CBF has potential as a noninvasive and time‐efficient marker of medication effect and perhaps efficacy over time.
ChristianaCare Swank Memory Center: Launching GUIDE as a New Model Program
Authors: Huege Steven F
Published: January 2025

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Noval Selective Ligand‐Extraction of Bioactive Components in Complex Natural Products Applying Immobilized Multi‐Target Magnetic Beads
Authors: Wang Chen , Qin Xueying , Wang Ying , Wang Weiping , Sun Shuai , Wang Hongsen , Li Shiyu , Dai Xiao , Zhu Xianhong , Gao Xun , Qin Kunming , Zhang Qing
Published: January 2025

Choerospondias axillaris is a medicinal plant used for treating coronary heart disease (CHD) due to its broad spectrum of anti‐inflammatory activities. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) and lipoxygenase 5 (5‐LOX) were immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles for selective ligand‐extraction of these two enzymes present in C. axillaris. Sixteen extracted components were identified and analyzed using ultraperformance liquid chromatography plus Q‐Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐ExactiveOrbitrap‐MS/MS), including flavonoids Curcumin and Epicatechin. The metabolization of the aforementioned 16 components in rats with acute blood stasis indicated a solid pharmacodynamic foundation. This method offers an effective approach for conducting basic research on the enrichment, analysis, and efficacy evaluation of active components in complex natural products.
Can Sustainability Pay Off? Evaluating ESG Disclosure and Financial Outcomes in Chinese's Health Care Firms
Authors: Dossa Joel Victor
Published: January 2025

This study analyzes the influence of environmental, social, and governance disclosure (ESG) on the financial performance (FP) of health care firms listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchange Markets in China. Based on both stakeholder and signaling theory, using panel data from 2012 to 2022 Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), we investigate the influence of ESG overall disclosure score together with their individual components (environmental, social, and governance) on the FP of health care firms. We find that ESG activities have a significant positive impact on the company's both accounting and market‐based measures of performance. In addition, governance and social activities have a positive significant effect on FP. However, environmental activities and disclosure were negatively and significantly associated with FP. The study provides novel insights by describing the nuanced financial trade‐offs of ESG practices in a highly regulated and capital‐intensive industry like health care. It contributes to the literature by emphasizing that although environmental investments may hinder short‐term FP, strong governance and social activities remain essential drivers of sustainable performance in health care. The study provides empirical insights on how ESG practices impact FP in the health care industry and complements the available literature on the economic efficiency of ESG performance, particularly in FP. This calls for more refined ESG strategies tailored to sector‐specific realities.
WDANet: Exploring Stylized Animation via Diffusion Model for Woodcut‐Style Design
Authors: Ou Yangchunxue , Xu Jingjun
Published: January 2025

Stylized animation strives for innovation and bold visual creativity. Integrating the inherent strong visual impact and color contrast of woodcut style into such animations is both appealing and challenging, especially during the design phase. Traditional woodcut methods, hand‐drawing, and previous computer‐aided techniques face challenges such as dwindling design inspiration, lengthy production times, and complex adjustment procedures. To address these issues, we propose a novel network framework, the Woodcut‐style Design Assistant Network (WDANet). Our research is the first to use diffusion models to streamline the woodcut‐style design process. We curate the Woodcut‐62 dataset, which features works from 62 renowned historical artists, to train WDANet in capturing and learning the aesthetic nuances of woodcut prints. WDANet, based on the denoising U‐Net, effectively decouples content and style features. It allows users to input or slightly modify a text description to quickly generate accurate, high‐quality woodcut‐style designs, saving time and offering flexibility. Quantitative and qualitative analyses, along with user studies, confirm that WDANet outperforms current state‐of‐the‐art methods in generating woodcut‐style images, demonstrating its value as a design aid.
High performance CO reduction at electrolyzer stack level through system optimization
Authors: Ayyub Mohd Monis , Fődi Tamás , Endrődi Balázs , Janáky Csaba
Published: January 2025

This study demonstrates the electrochemical reduction of carbon monoxide (COR) at high current densities in a zero‐gap electrolyzer cell and cell stack. By systematically optimizing both the commercially available membrane electrode assembly components (including binder content and gas diffusion layer) and the operating conditions, we could perform COR at current densities up to 1.4 A cm−2 with a maximum C2+ selectivity of 90%. We demonstrated the scale‐up to a 3 × 100 cm2 electrolyzer stack that can sustain stable operation at 1 A cm−2 for several hours without significant performance decay and with a total C2+ selectivity of ~80% and an ethylene selectivity of ~40%. We provide critical insights into the holistic optimization of key system parameters, without using special catalysts or surface additives, which can pave the way for scalable and industrially viable COR processes.
New corresponding state principle based correlation of the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity for pure saturated inorganic liquids
Authors: Lv Yanmeng , Tian Jianxiang , Jiang Hua
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we propose a corresponding state principle based correlation for the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity for 15 pure saturated inorganic liquids. The temperature range that this correlation covers is from the triple point temperature (Ttr) to T0, which is about 0.979 times to 0.989 times the critical temperature (TC). In order to compare with the data from the reference fluid thermodynamic and transport properties database (REFPROP) database, the average absolute deviations (AADs) of the correlation and others for each liquid are calculated. It is found that the correlation proposed here can reproduce the REFPROP data with AAD <1% for 10 liquids, AAD <2% for 12 liquids, AAD <3% for 14 liquids, and AAD <5% for all of the 15 inorganic liquids considered. Because our proposal is specifically designed for saturated inorganic liquids, compared with previously published correlations which were specifically designed for organic liquids or others, the one proposed herein is overall the most accurate for the saturated inorganic liquids considered. Additionally, we independently process water and obtain a 4‐term polynomial correlation with high accuracy for it. The proposed correlations can be applied directly to accurately estimate the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivities of the liquids considered in thermal engineering areas.
An Adaptive Weight Model Predictive Control Strategy for Vienna Rectifiers Under Unbalanced Loads
Authors: Sun Zhang , Jin Weidong , Wu Fan , Han Qi , Wu Yunpu
Published: January 2025

This study tackles the challenge of managing midpoint potential imbalance and suppressing current zero‐crossing distortion in Vienna rectifiers under conditions of unbalanced load. To address this, an adaptive weight model predictive control strategy is proposed. The research begins by analyzing the interaction between maintaining midpoint potential balance and mitigating current zero‐crossing distortion, taking into account influences, such as current ripple, sampling inaccuracies, and load imbalance. A prediction model is formulated to predict the behavior of the voltage vector coupling error. Using this predictive framework, a multiobjective model predictive control strategy is developed, incorporating a weight adaptive optimization technique to enhance the coordination between objectives. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in controlling neutral‐point potential imbalance, reducing current harmonics, and suppressing zero‐crossing distortion, demonstrating its advantages over existing methods.
Mapping of Meaning and Pleasure on the Temporal Horizon: Long‐Term Orientation Predicts Preference for Meaningful Over Pleasurable Activities
Authors: Hong Emily K. , Kim Jinhyung , Choi Incheol
Published: January 2025

Meaning and pleasure, albeit closely tied, are often distinguished in their temporality. The present research aims to deepen the understanding of temporality of meaning and pleasure by examining whether long‐term orientation (LTO) positively predicts the preference for meaning‐oriented behaviours but negatively predicts the preference for pleasure‐oriented behaviours. Four studies (N = 1251) revealed supporting evidence for meaning but less consistent pattern for pleasure. Study 1 demonstrated that LTO was more consistently associated with the preference for meaningful activities (e.g., helping someone) than pleasurable activities (e.g., watching TV). Studies 2–3B further revealed that experimentally induced LTO increased the preference for meaningful activities while attenuating the preference for clearly pleasurable activities (e.g., getting drunk) only, indirectly through the LTO cultural values—tradition and planning. Our findings advance the understanding of how the pursuit of meaning and pleasure is mapped onto a wider scale of temporal orientation.
Water Electrolysis Facing the Gigawatt Challenge—Comprehensive De‐Risking of Proton Exchange Membrane and Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyser Technology
Authors: Karl André , Jodat Eva , Kungl Hans , Dobrenizki Ladislaus , Schmid Günter , Geskes Peter , Eichel Rüdiger‐A.
Published: January 2025

Green Hydrogen (H2) is generally considered to play a key role in enabling sustainable energy storage, as well as a renewable feedstock to various industrial sectors. Accordingly, the production of H2 by water electrolysis at an industrial scale is a key prerequisite for a transformation of our energy system. With respect to water electrolysis, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers are generally considered a technology option for the production of green H2 on a large scale. Prior to market ramp‐up PEM electrolysers have to undergo substantial de‐risking for a technology ramp‐up. For a comprehensive de‐risking, a fundamental and holistic understanding of the degradation phenomena of electrolysers on an industrially relevant scale is a prerequisite. Field data with different application‐specific load profiles needs to be acquired in order to develop countermeasures against possible degradation patterns induced by the operational mode. This is not only crucial for the more mature PEM technology but also in the future relevant for other more novel membrane electrolysis technologies such as anion exchange membrane (AEM) looking to make the step from laboratory operation to large‐scale production and deployment. This editorial aims to outline the current status and general workflow of the de‐risking process and serve as an introduction to the topics of this special issue ranging from fundamental studies on degradation processes on the catalyst level up to novel factory concepts for ramping up of electrolyser production.
Comprehensive Experimental Studies on Smoldering Characteristics of Forest Soil from pinus sylvestris Vegetation
Authors: Heydick Lukas , Piechnik Kira , Klippel Andrea
Published: January 2025

Smoldering combustion, often linked with forest fires in coniferous forests, pose significant health and environmental risks, particularly in densely populated countries like Germany, where these fires commonly occur in wildland–urban interface (WUI) areas. This study investigates the combustion characteristics of Pinus sylvestris soil, focusing on the underlying processes and thermal behavior. The aim is to provide a comprehensive analysis of smoldering combustion in pine forest soil, with a specific focus on fire‐exposed soil horizons. The research integrates soil characterization, elemental analysis, heat of combustion determination, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of pine soil fractions ranging from < 0.063 to > 4 mm, conducted under both air and nitrogen atmospheres. The derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) curves reveal that the fastest mass loss occurs during pyrolysis, with peak temperatures between 240°C and 280°C. Activation energies (Ea) were calculated using the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) methods. The highest activation energies were observed between conversion rates of 0.2 and 0.4. Activation energies at peak temperatures for all fractions were determined using the Kissinger method. Residue analysis reveals significant variations in organic content, ranging from 22.6% to 92.7%. The findings demonstrate that German‐typical pine soil is prone to smoldering combustion, highlighting processes determined as preheating, drying, pyrolysis, and oxidation. As part of the German Pilot of the EUs TREEADS project, this study provides essential data for numerical simulations, emphasizing the need to consider both physical and chemical properties of soil fractions to mitigate the impact of smoldering fires in pine forest ecosystems.
Geochemistry and Source Characteristics of Dykes Straddling the Panvel Flexure, India and Their Relationship to the Deccan‐Aged Seychelles Intrusives
Authors: Raghuram  , Duraiswami Raymond A. , Chinchu S. V. , Saha Chandan
Published: January 2025

Several dykes straddle the Panvel flexure (PF) and intrude the compound pāhoehoe flows in the West Coast of India. Three geochemically distinct groups of dykes, that is, olivine normative tholeiites, quartz normative tholeiites with geochemical affinity to the Bushe, Poladpur and Ambenali formations and a nepheline normative alkali basalt are emplaced straddling the PF, striking parallel to the West Coast Fault (WCF) and the PF (NNW–SSE). The quartz normative tholeiites from the present study are restricted to the east of the PF axis and olivine normative tholeiites dominate west of the PF axis. The presence of olivine‐bearing dykes west of the PF axis may represent the upper parts of a plumbing system that has tapped either a large basic magma chamber variably, that accumulated fairly large quantities of primary magma at the crust–mantle boundary or a distinct but linked magma reservoir that underwent different AFC processes to produce the olivine tholeiites straddling the flexure. Quartz tholeiite east of the PF axis represents differentiated products of these reservoirs. WCF and PF are imprints of the separation of Seychelles from India associated with the rifting subsidence of the crust and upliftment of the Western Ghats. Deccan age (69.1–73.5 Ma) dykes occurring in Praslin, Félicité and Mahé islands of Seychelles are quartz normative, olivine normative and nepheline normative, respectively, forming three distinct geochemical groups and are chemically akin to the Bushe and Khandala formations when plotted in bivariate ratio plots. Trace and REE‐based models of intrusions straddling the PF and their counterparts in the Seychelles; indicate partial melting of dominantly garnet lherzolite source. Partial melting curves show olivine normative and quartz normative tholeiite dykes from Seychelles to dominantly have spinel lherzolite source with different degrees of partial melting. In contrast, the nepheline normative dyke has a spinel + garnet lherzolite source.
Considerations to forgo systemic treatment in patients with advanced esophageal or gastric cancer: A real‐world evidence study
Authors: Slotman Ellis , Pape Marieke , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M. , Pouw Roos E. , van der Linden Yvette M. , Verhoeven Rob H. A. , Siesling Sabine , Fransen Heidi P. , Raijmakers Natasja J. H.
Published: January 2025

The majority of patients with advanced esophageal or gastric cancer do not start palliative systemic treatment. To gain insight into the considerations underlying the decision not to start systemic treatment, we analyzed characteristics of patients starting and not starting systemic treatment, reasons for not starting systemic treatment, and receipt of local palliative treatments on a nationwide scale. Patients diagnosed with advanced esophageal or gastric cancer between 2015 and 2021 were included (n = 10,948). Survival was compared using propensity score matching on patient and disease characteristics. Most patients did not start systemic treatment (esophageal cancer 59%; gastric cancer 64%). These patients were generally older, more often female, had more comorbidities and a worse performance status. The main reason for not starting systemic treatment was patient or family preference (35%). Among patients who did not start systemic treatment, 47% (esophageal) and 19% (gastric), received local palliative treatment, most commonly radiotherapy. Patients who did not start systemic treatment had worse median overall survival compared to patients who did start (esophageal cancer 2.9 months vs. 8.9 months; gastric cancer 2.2 vs. 8.2 months). These findings indicate that patient condition and disease burden are important aspects in systemic treatment decisions. However, patient or family preference was the main reason for not starting systemic treatment, highlighting that their priorities also strongly influence the decision. Systemic treatment did show to be associated with improved overall survival in matched patients, and therefore adequately weighing treatment risks and benefits based on real world data against patient preferences is of utmost importance.
Street Pharmacology: Toxico‐Dermatology of Injection Drug Use
Authors: Lehmann David F. , Nazem Aryana , Marraffa Jeanna , Farah Ramsay Sami
Published: January 2025

Street medicine is a point‐of‐care, mobile approach that services the needs of unhoused individuals who are otherwise unable to access medical care in traditional settings. The prevalence of injection drug use combines with the pipeline of illicit substances, to produce a constellation of severe, potentially life‐threatening dermatological disorders unique to this population. This review applies principles of clinical pharmacology to clarify the mechanisms underlying the dermatological toxicity of xylazine, desomorphine, and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
Are Exposure Recommendations for QT Evaluation Being Fulfilled?
Authors: Wakabayashi Tsubasa , Narukawa Mamoru
Published: January 2025

Pharmaceutical companies have several options to evaluate drug‐induced QT prolongation, often referred to as QT pathways, during clinical development. Current regulatory practices recommend achieving high clinical exposure (HCE) for conventional thorough QT (TQT) studies. An alternative to the TQT study, commonly known as the Q&A 5.1 pathway, recommends a two‐fold HCE as the exposure margin for concentration‐corrected QT (C‐QTc) analysis. To assess the impact of these recommendations, we analyzed the exposure margins of 166 new active substances approved in Japan since 2015. Among these, 28.3% of substances in conventional TQT studies (n = 92) did not achieve HCE, and 50.0% of substances in the C‐QTc analysis (n = 22) did not achieve two‐fold HCE. In the integrated risk assessment, C‐QTc analysis, often incorporated into first‐in‐human studies, is recommended to cover HCE for substances showing no QT prolongation risks in both in vitro and in vivo non‐clinical studies, and we analyzed whether the Cmax achieved in single‐ascending dose (SAD) and multiple‐ascending dose (MAD) studies reached HCE. The result showed that 51.1% and 47.7% of substances did not achieve HCE in SAD and MAD studies, respectively. Our findings highlight the need for dose‐ascending strategy targeting two‐fold therapeutic exposure to ensure HCE. Insufficient exposure may lead to failure to waive the TQT study, and delays in development timelines. To address these challenges, we propose strategies for optimizing early clinical study designs to meet the exposure recommendations and reduce the risk of additional requirements from the regulatory authorities at a later stage.
Microscopic Techniques for Nanomaterials Characterization: A Concise Review
Authors: Aziz Abbas , Shaikh Huma , Abbas Amna , Zehra Kissa E. , Javed Bakhtawar
Published: January 2025

Nanomaterials have been gaining interest due to their remarkable properties at the nanoscale. The surface area of particles becomes high at the nanoscale because of this virtue, they have been used in a bundle of applications like electronics, biomedical, agriculture, wastewater treatment, semiconductor industry, cosmetics, drug delivery, paints, and so forth. The morphology (size and shape) of nanomaterials plays an important role because each application requires the appropriate morphology for better performance. Generally, there are a few microscopic techniques used to characterize nanomaterial morphology, AFM (atomic force microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), and others. In this review, the principles, operations, advantages, and limitations of these microscopic techniques for nanomaterial morphology characterization have been briefly discussed. The existing difficulties and path forward for the development of these techniques have also been highlighted.
MRI Signs Associated With Bladder Injury During Cesarean Delivery in Severe Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Chen Xin , Zheng Xiaohan , Cai Xianyun , Wang Huiwen , Shan Ruiqin , Gu Yongzhong , Wang Xietong , Wang Guangbin
Published: January 2025

Background

Bladder injury during cesarean delivery (CD) in pregnant women with severe placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders mostly occurs in the dissection of vesico‐uterine space. Placental MRI may help to assess the risk of bladder injury preoperatively.

Purpose

To identify the high‐risk MRI signs of bladder injury during CD in women with severe PAS.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

One hundred sixty‐seven women with surgically confirmed severe PAS, defined as to increta or percreta, who underwent planned CD and available placental MRI.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 Tesla, half‐Fourier single‐shot turbo spin echo sequence and true fast imaging with steady state free precession sequence.

Assessment

Presence of following imaging features of the vesico‐uterine region were independently evaluated by three radiologists (with 8, 8, and 15 years of experience, respectively): vesico‐uterine space hypervascularity, vesico‐uterine space without chemical shift line, bladder wall interruption with hyperintense nodularity, bladder tenting, and uterine‐placental bulge.

Statistical Tests

Univariable analyses (Chi‐square or Fisher's exact test) and multivariable regression analyses were used. A P value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Thirty‐three of the women (19.8%) experienced bladder injury during CD. MRI features were significantly more frequent in the bladder injury group compared with the no bladder injury group: 69.7% vs. 26.9% in vesico‐uterine space hypervascularity, 57.6% vs. 21.6% in absent chemical shift line in the vesico‐uterine space, 18.2% vs. 1.5% in bladder wall interruption with hyperintense nodularity, 39.4% vs. 14.9% in bladder tenting, and 78.8% vs. 39.6% in uterine‐placental bulging. Vesico‐uterine space hypervascularity, absent chemical shift line, and uterine‐placental bulge were independently associated with the risk of bladder injury (odds ratios: 4.190, 3.555, and 3.569, respectively).

Data Conclusion

Vesico‐uterine space hypervascularity, vesico‐uterine space without chemical shift line and uterine‐placental bulge were associated with bladder injury during CD in women with severe PAS.

Plain Language Summary

Bladder injury is a serious complication of cesarean delivery in pregnant women with severe placenta accreta spectrum, frequently resulting in massive hemorrhage, bladder dysfunction and severe infection. Accurate prenatal assessment is important to minimize these adverse consequences. This study showed that MRI features, including vesico‐uterine space hypervascularity, vesico‐uterine space without chemical shift line and uterine‐placental bulge, were independently associated with bladder injury. These high‐risk MRI signs may serve as effective means for prenatal assessment of bladder injury. This study would broaden the application of MRI in severe placenta accreta spectrum.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Multiparametric MRI for Assessment of the Biological Invasiveness and Prognosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Zhao Ben , Cao Buyue , Xia Tianyi , Zhu Liwen , Yu Yaoyao , Lu Chunqiang , Tang Tianyu , Wang Yuancheng , Ju Shenghong
Published: January 2025

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the deadliest malignant tumor, with a grim 5‐year overall survival rate of about 12%. As its incidence and mortality rates rise, it is likely to become the second‐leading cause of cancer‐related death. The radiological assessment determined the stage and management of PDAC. However, it is a highly heterogeneous disease with the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, and it is challenging to adequately reflect the biological aggressiveness and prognosis accurately through morphological evaluation alone. With the dramatic development of artificial intelligence (AI), multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) using specific contrast media and special techniques can provide morphological and functional information with high image quality and become a powerful tool in quantifying intratumor characteristics. Besides, AI has been widespread in the field of medical imaging analysis. Radiomics is the high‐throughput mining of quantitative image features from medical imaging that enables data to be extracted and applied for better decision support. Deep learning is a subset of artificial neural network algorithms that can automatically learn feature representations from data. AI‐enabled imaging biomarkers of mpMRI have enormous promise to bridge the gap between medical imaging and personalized medicine and demonstrate huge advantages in predicting biological characteristics and the prognosis of PDAC. However, current AI‐based models of PDAC operate mainly in the realm of a single modality with a relatively small sample size, and the technical reproducibility and biological interpretation present a barrage of new potential challenges. In the future, the integration of multi‐omics data, such as radiomics and genomics, alongside the establishment of standardized analytical frameworks will provide opportunities to increase the robustness and interpretability of AI‐enabled image biomarkers and bring these biomarkers closer to clinical practice.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 4
Approach to anaemia in gastrointestinal disease: A position paper by the ESPGHAN Gastroenterology Committee
Authors: Broekaert Ilse Julia , Assa Amit , Borrelli Osvaldo , Saccomani Marco Deganello , Homan Matjaž , Martin‐de‐Carpi Javier , Mas Emmanuel , Miele Erasmo , Misak Zrinjka , Sila Sara , Thomson Mike , Tzivinikos Christos , Dolinsek Jernej
Published: January 2025

Anaemia is a frequent consequence of many gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in children and it can even be the initial presenting symptom of underlying chronic GI disease. The definition of anaemia is age and gender‐dependent and it can be classified based on pathophysiology, red cell morphology, and clinical presentation. Although nutritional deficiencies, including GI malabsorption of nutrients and GI bleeding, play a major role, other pathophysiologic mechanisms seen in chronic GI diseases, whether inflammatory (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease) or not (e.g., coeliac disease and dysmotility), are causing anaemia. Drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors, mesalamine, methotrexate and sulfasalazine, are also a potential cause of anaemia. Not uncommonly, due to a combination of factors, such as iron deficiency and a chronic inflammatory state, the underlying pathophysiology may be difficult to decipher and a broad diagnostic work‐up is required. The goal of treatment is correction of anaemia by supplementation of iron and vitamins. The first therapeutic step is to treat the underlying cause of anaemia including bleeding control, restoration of intestinal integrity and reduction of inflammatory burden. The route of iron and vitamin supplementation is guided by the severity of anaemia.
EZH2‐mediated downregulation of miR‐155‐5p contributes to prostate cancer cell malignancy through SMAD2 and TAB2
Authors: Bai Zhi‐Jie , Liu Jia‐Yi , Xing Wen‐Zhou , Wang Hai‐Feng
Published: January 2025

miR‐155 exhibits variable expression in different tumors and fulfills diverse biological roles. However, specific molecular mechanisms by which miR‐155‐5p, which is under‐expressed in prostate cancer (PCa), operates are yet to be elucidated. The role of the enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2)/miR‐155‐5p axis in PCa was determined by using bioinformatics tools and performing luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR, CCK‐8 assays, cell migration and invasion assays, RNA isolation, reverse transcription quantity (RT‐qPCR) and Western blot. miR‐155‐5p expression would be reduced and promoter methylation would increase in PCa. After 5‐Aza‐CdR treatment and the integration of the upstream promoter of miR‐155‐5p into a pGL3‐basic/luciferase construct, fluorescence reporter analysis showed that promoter hypermethylation mediated the suppression of miR‐155‐5p in PCa. Furthermore, EZH2 attached to the miR‐155‐5p promoter and modulated its expression. EZH2 facilitated the suppression of miR‐155‐5p through enhanced H3K27me3 methylation, considerably affecting its expression. Through dual‐luciferase assays, SMAD2 and TAB2 were confirmed as downstream targets of miR‐155‐5p, regulating the PCa cellular phenotype governed by miR‐155‐5p. Lastly, 5‐Aza‐CdR regulated miR‐155‐5p expression by modulating its promoter methylation and influenced the malignant behavior of PCa cells. EZH2 promotes H3K27me3 methylation, repressing miR‐155‐5p expression, which subsequently upregulates the downstream targets SMAD2 and TAB2 and promotes PCa cell proliferation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion.
Multi‐Watt Long‐Wavelength Infrared Femtosecond Lasers and Resonant Enamel Ablation
Authors: Yang Xuemei , Zhang Dunxiang , Wang Weizhe , Tian Kan , He Linzhen , Guo Jinmiao , Hu Bo , Pu Tao , Li Wenlong , Sun Shiran , Ding Chunmei , Wu Han , Li Wenkai , Peng Yujie , Li Jianshu , Leng Yuxin , Liang Houkun
Published: January 2025

High average power broadband tunable long‐wavelength infrared (LWIR) femtosecond lasers operating at fingerprint wavelengths of 7–14 µm hold significant promise across a range of applications, including molecular hyperspectral imaging, strong‐field light‐matter interaction, and resonant tissue ablation. Here, a 6–12 µm broadband tunable parametric amplifier based on LiGaS2 or BaGa4S7, generating an output power of 2.4 W at 7.5 µm, and 1.5 W at 9.5 µm, pumped by a simple and effective thin‐square‐rod Yb:YAG amplifier producing 110 W 274 fs output pulses is presented. As a proof of concept, efficient resonant ablation and microstructure fabrication on enamel are showcased at the hydroxyapatite resonant wavelength of 9.5 µm, with a laser intensity two orders‐of‐magnitude lower than that required by non‐resonant femtosecond lasers, which can foster more precision surgical applications with superior biosafety.
Significant Non‐Reciprocal Transmission Achieved by Combining Nonlinear Near‐Zero Index Materials with Bound States in the Continuum
Authors: Bi Dayu , Guo Zhiwei , Wang Qiang , Wei Qian , Wu Jiaju , Sun Yong , Chen Yuguang , Yang Yaping , Jiang Haitao , Chen Hong
Published: January 2025

For many modern photonics applications, significant nonlinear optical interactions are crucial. However, achieving this typically demands powerful laser sources and extended interaction area because most natural materials exhibit extremely weak optical nonlinearities. Hence, integrating nonlinear optics into novel nanophotonics devices poses a challenge. In this work, an asymmetrical optical nonlinear metasurface is proposed that combines effective zero‐index media with bound states in the continuum (BIC). This scheme enables us to achieve a huge non‐reciprocal intensity range of ≈7.1, leveraging significantly enhanced optical nonlinear effects. The high‐Q characteristics of quasi‐BIC within the zero‐index background greatly enhance light‐matter interactions and reduce operational power requirements. The non‐reciprocal metasurface relies on a straightforward set of material requirements and fabrication processes, making it a highly versatile option for various applications in optical communication, light detection, signal processing.
Mechanism of Carbon Steel Corrosion in Accelerated Corrosion Tests
Authors: Popova Kateryna , Prošek Tomáš
Published: January 2025

Understanding the effect of parameters of cyclic accelerated corrosion tests on the corrosion response is crucial for proper test design. The real‐time corrosion rate of carbon steel was measured using electrical resistance sensors in seven tests and was statistically evaluated. A synergistic effect of the chloride concentration and duration of transition phases was explained based on the surface electrolyte distribution. In contrast to the field, the steel corrosion rate increased between particular chloride deposition phases due to the formation of porous red rust with low protection ability. This implies that the corrosivity of future corrosion tests needs to be reduced.
Polymer‐Grafted Gold Colloids and Supracolloids: From Mechanisms of Formation to Dynamic Soft Matter
Authors: Rossner Christian
Published: January 2025

Gold nanoparticles represent nanosized colloidal entities with high relevance for both basic and applied research. When gold nanoparticles are functionalized with polymer‐molecule ligands, hybrid nanoparticles emerge whose interactions with the environment are controlled by the polymer coating layer: Colloidal stability and structure formation on the single particle level as well as at the supracolloidal scale can be enabled and engineered by tailoring the composition and architecture of this polymer coating. These possibilities in controlling structure formation may lead to synergistic and/or emergent functional properties of such hybrid colloidal systems. Eventually, the responsivity of the polymer coating to external triggers also enables the formation of hybrid supracolloidal systems with specific dynamic properties. This review provides an overview of fundamentals and recent developments in this vibrant domain of materials science.
RNF7‐Mediated ROS Targets Malignant Phenotype and Radiotherapy Sensitivity in Glioma With Different IDH1 Genotypes
Authors: Tao Yiran , Shi Zimin , Liang Xianyin , Zheng Yuqian , Dai Lirui , Li Xiang , Li Zian , Liang Wulong , Bai Gaojie , Li Hao , Lyu Yuan , Li Junqi , Zhang Tao , Hu Weihua , Zhou Shaolong , Shan Qiao , Fu Xudong , Wang Xinjun
Published: January 2025

RNF7 (Ring Finger Protein 7) is a key component of CRLs (Cullin‐RING‐type E3 ubiquitin ligases) and has been found to possess intrinsic anti‐ROS capabilities. Aberrant expression of RNF7 has been observed in various tumor types and is known to significantly influence tumor initiation and progression. However, the specific role of RNF7 in glioblastoma remains unclear. IDH (isocitrate dehydrogenase) mutations, which induce metabolic reprogramming and result in notable heterogeneity among glioma with different IDH genotypes. Through analysis of public glioma databases, we identified a high expression of RNF7 in glioma and its correlation with patient prognosis. Moreover, we observed variations in RNF7 expression and its association with patient outcomes under different treatment modalities among different IDH genotypes. In this study, we demonstrated the critical role of RNF7 in the malignant phenotype of IDH1‐mutant glioma and its contribution to radiation resistance. Subsequent functional enrichment analysis of RNF7 in glioma, coupled with validation through cellular experiments, confirmed its significant involvement in maintaining redox balance. Our findings suggest that RNF7 exerts a buffering effect against radiation‐induced oxidative stress and counterbalances the redox stress induced by IDH1 mutation through its anti‐ROS activity. Additionally, our follow‐up investigations revealed that the upregulation of RNF7 after radiation exposure and in IDH1‐mutant glioma cells is induced by ROS. Collectively, our study underscores the potential of RNF7 as a molecular biomarker in glioma. Elevated RNF7 expression often indicates a heightened metabolic resilience in glioma, leading to resistance against radiotherapy.
Can Firms Favor Location Regulation?
Authors: Bui Dang‐Long
Published: January 2025

Government regulations are believed to confine targeted firms' economic power, leading to a decline (rise) in producer (consumer) surplus. This paper explores the implications of location regulation in a spatially discriminatory pricing model with homogeneous products and linear transportation costs. Contrary to conventional wisdom, location regulation benefits (harms) producers but harms (benefits) consumers when firms engage in quantity (price) competition. Next, under location regulation, Bertrand firms are less (more) dispersed than Cournot firms if the transport rate is high (low). I also extend the analysis by comparing location and price regulations, as well as considering product differentiation and quadratic transportation costs.
Formulation Optimization, Physicochemical Characterization, and Biocompatibility Assessment of Curcumin‐Loaded Aquasomes
Authors: Bwalya Fernando , Erdem Murat , Kaynak Mustafa Sinan
Published: January 2025

Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound with numerous health benefits, suffers from poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic potential. This study aimed to characterize and enhance curcumin's bioavailability by aquasomes (AQ)—a novel drug delivery system comprising a core, a carbohydrate layer, and the drug. Using a central composite design within the response surface methodology, formulation parameters—core‐to‐coat ratio, incubation time, and drug amount—were optimized to achieve the desired particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) cores were coated with various sugars (lactose, sucrose, maltose, and trehalose) and loaded with curcumin, then characterized by size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimized HAP cores exhibited a particle size of 55.41 nm. Curcumin‐loaded AQ showed larger sizes, with sucrose and maltose formulations measuring 215.6 and 329.5 nm, respectively. Encapsulation efficiencies ranged from 50% to 55.1%, with trehalose‐coated AQ showing the highest efficiency. Drug release studies demonstrated a sustained release profile, with trehalose AQ achieving 90% release within 100 min. Stability assessments indicated no significant changes over 90 days, and photostability tests showed improved protection against light‐induced degradation. The study developed curcumin‐loaded AQ with enhanced stability and solubility, optimized through quality by design principles, offering a promising strategy to improve curcumin's bioavailability.