bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating Culprit Drugs for Adverse Drug Reactions Based on Bayesian Inference
Authors: Hamada Kazuki , Abe Takeshi , Kouda Kyoji , Nakatsui Masahiko , Kitahara Takashi , Matsunaga Kazuto , Asai Yoshiyuki
Published: February 2023

The utility of big data in spontaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reporting systems has improved the pharmacovigilance process. However, identifying culprit drugs in ADRs remains challenging, although it is one of the foremost steps to managing ADRs. Aiming to estimate the likelihood of prescribed drugs being culprit drugs for given ADRs, we devised a Bayesian estimation model based on the Japanese Adverse Drug Events Reports database. After developing the model, a validation study was conducted with 67 ADR reports with a gross of 1,387 drugs (67 culprit drugs and 1,320 concomitant drugs) prescribed and recorded at Yamaguchi University Hospital. As a result, the model estimated a culprit drug of ADRs with acceptable accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.88–0.97)). The estimation results provided by the model to healthcare practitioners can be used as one clue to determine the culprit drugs for various ADRs, which will improve the management of ADRs by shortening the treatment turnaround time and increasing the precision of diagnosis, leading to minimizing the adverse effects on patients.
Gut microbiota intervention strategies using active components from medicinal herbs to evaluate clinical efficacy of type 2 diabetes – A review
Authors: Patel Bharati Kadamb , Patel Kadamb Haribhai , Moochhala Shabbir M.
Published: February 2023

There is a myriad of phytocomponents in various medicinal herbs, and some of these substances have low absolute oral bioavailability. There is a complex and nuanced interaction between metabolic profiles and gut microbiota that influences human health and illness. An important component of alternative and complementary health care is the use of medicinal herbs for therapeutic purposes. Expanding facets from numerous scientific discoveries mentioned the potential linkage between intestinal microbiota and the curative capabilities of beneficial components from medicinal herbs upon their recognition. There is a strong interaction between gut microbiota and host at the mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal tract. This reinforces the notion that it is important to consider the effects of medicinal herbs in relation to gut flora and metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes. There has been an explosion in the number of medicinal herbs coming into the spotlight with phytocomponents already recognised as having anti‐diabetic effects, such as increased insulin sensitivity and decreased blood sugar levels. The review sites' assertion that altering gastrointestinal microbial community by intervention tactics that modulate the gut microbiota by using phytocomponents from medicinal herbs with a major emphasis only on flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and terpenoids may very well be relevant to T2DM rehabilitation may indeed be relevant. The goal of this review is to present an overview of the potential impacts of using medicinal herbs for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes by modifying the gut microbiota in a healthier manner. Based on the available scientific literature, in order to gain a deeper understanding of how to integrate specialised treatments that are based on intestinal bacteria into mainstream clinical practice, this review is aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM, as well as more thoughtful strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota with medicinal herbs as an integral part of intervention strategies.
Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders
Authors: Wolf Nathan , Smeltz T. Scott , Cook Craig , Martinez del Rio Carlos
Published: February 2023

Understanding the ecological consequences of supplemental feeding to both hummingbirds and the plants they pollinate is complicated by logistical challenges associated with assessing relative dietary resource use with commonly applied observational methods. Here, we describe the results of research conducted to assess the relative use of feeder and flower nectar by Broad‐tailed (Selasphorus platycercus) and Rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) using two distinct methodological variations to measure the δ13C values of exhaled CO2. Because of the relatively quick time in which both species switch from exogenous to endogenous resources to fuel metabolism, our experiment allowed us to assess resource use at two timescales. Our results suggest variability in the relative contributions of the two dietary sources within and among species and timescales, with most birds employing a mixture of feeder and flower sugars as fuel sources. This diversity in relative resource use may mitigate potential negative effects of supplemental feeding on hummingbirds and their plant symbionts.
Metal‐Free, Light‐Mediated, Site‐Specific, Radical C6−H Alkylation of Purines with Alcohols Intervened by Oxalates without Catalysts
Authors: Liu Gang , Mu Xianfeng , Tian Miao , Wang Weili , Zou Chunhui , Chen Yiwen , Yu Mingwu
Published: February 2023

Herein, we report the development of a radical deoxy‐functionalization strategy for the direct C−H alkylation of purines and purine nucleosides with alcohols (1°, 2°, 3°) intervened by oxalates under 12 W blue LED irradiation. The reaction shows high regioselectivity at C6−H position of purine and is suitable for N9‐, N7‐substitued purines. The process accommodates purines and alcohols to deliver a wide range of products (31 examples) in 41–91 % yields, which avoids transition metal catalysts and organometallic reagents, and is not sensitive to moisture and air. Besides, the mild protocol displays broad functional groups tolerance and is easily up scalable to gram scale and can be used for late‐stage C−H alkylation of purine to synthesize pharmaceutical 6‐cyclopentyl nebularine with anti‐CEM activity or natural d‐menthol modification.
ZnO‐Doped In2O3 Front Transparent Contact Enables >24.0% Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Qiu Qingqing , Bai Yu , Li Junjun , Guo Cong , Chen Hongyuan , Zhang Haichuan , Shi Jianhua , Liu Wenzhu , Chen Tao , Liao Jiaxuan , Yu Jian
Published: February 2023

Transparent conductive oxide (TCO) film acts as the window layer and carrier transport layer of silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. The optoelectrical and contact properties of TCO films, as well as the sputtering damage, limit the further efficiency improvement. Herein, the microstructure, morphology, and optoelectrical properties of sputtering‐prepared zinc‐doped indium oxide (IZO) are analyzed. The substrate temperature has a significant impact on the film growth and the cell performance. The IZO film is amorphous when substrate temperature is below 200 °C, while it seems the emergence of nanocrystals with the increased temperature, resulting in the highest conductivity (3070 S cm−1) and carrier mobility (47.9 cm2 V−1 s−1). In addition, the low carrier concentration and surface potential of IZO promote less optical parasitic absorption and higher work function. The IZO films are applied as the contact layer of SHJ solar cells. An impressive efficiency of 24.02% on an M2‐sized wafer is achieved, indicating great potential for the mass production application after careful optimization.
UiO‐66‐NH2@67 Core–Shell Metal–Organic Framework as Fillers in Solid Composite Electrolytes for High‐Performance All‐Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wang Sijia , Liu Ye , Wang Mengting , Chen Rentian , Zhu Zongyuan , Qiu Xiangyun , Xu Shoudong , Wei Tao
Published: February 2023

Benefiting from employing solid composite electrolytes (SCEs), all‐solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries (ASSLBs) are recognized to occupy with high energy density and safety. Herein, a polymer‐based SCE membrane (SCE‐66@67) with core–shell structured metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) (UiO‐66‐NH2@67) as the fillers is presented. The SCE has combined the advantages of the two kinds of MOFs and shows a satisfying ionic conductivity (2.09 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 60 °C) and a wide electrochemical stability window of ≈5.0 V. The full cell (Li/SCE‐66@67/LiFePO4) also maintains a high capacity of 120.9 mAh g−1 at 3 C. This research might help to promote the development of future SCEs for ASSLBs.
High Performance and Direct Current Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Using Lithium‐Doped Zinc Oxide Nanosheets
Authors: Kim Jeongeun , Kim Yuseok , Kim Yerin , Lee Cheoljae , Lee Ju-Hyuck
Published: February 2023

The wurtzite structured zinc oxide has been studied extensively because of its unique characteristics, such as transparency, semiconducting properties, and excellent piezoelectricity. However, the defects that are inevitably present in ZnO grown by the aqueous solution method generate excessive free electrons, which reduce the piezoelectric potential by the screening effect, thus reducing the piezoelectric output performance. Herein, direct current high‐performance piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) based on Li‐doped ZnO nanosheets are demonstrated. Doping with the p‐type dopant Li reduces the number of free electrons in ZnO, minimizing the screening effect and improving the piezoelectric output performance. First, Li‐doped ZnO nanosheet is synthesized at various Li concentrations using the aqueous solution method. The doping effect on the morphology and crystal structure of the ZnO nanosheet is investigated via scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the ZnO nanosheet is doped with lithium. The Li‐doped ZnO nanosheet‐based PENG produce an output power of 6.552 mW cm−2, that is, a 16‐fold enhancement in output power compared to that of the undoped ZnO nanosheet‐based PENGs.
Preparation of tea tree oil nanoemulsion: Characterisation, antibacterial mechanism and evaluation of apoptosis
Authors: Han Rui , Wang Zixuan , Zhuansun Xiangxun , Gao Yuan , Li Yao , Liu Qi
Published: February 2023

Tea tree oil (TTO) is a natural plant essential oil that has strong bactericidal properties and low toxicity. However, owing to its irritability, volatility, instability under light/oxygen and hydrophobicity, the application of TTO in pharmaceutical production technology and the food industry is limited. To overcome these problems, TTO nanoemulsions (TTONs) were prepared using a high‐speed shearing method. The mean droplets size of TTON was measured. TTON droplets were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and analysed using a Turbiscan scanning spectrum. The most suitable nanoemulsion formula was obtained as follows: TTO content, 10% (w/w); Tw‐40 content, 8% (w/w); deionised water content, 82% (w/w); shearing time, 5 minutes. The antibacterial effect of TTON was studied, and it was found that its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was more potent than that against Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial mechanism of TTON was also investigated by observing bacterial morphology using scanning electron microscopy and testing the levels of bacterial reactive oxygen species. The effect of TTON on L‐02 cells was evaluated. The results showed that the cell survival rates of L‐02 cells treated with TTON at 0.05‐0.25 μg/μL were all >90%. At each concentration, the total apoptosis rate of L‐02 cells was <10%. These results indicated the high biocompatibility and biological safety of TTON. Therefore, the preparation of TTO into a nanoemulsion can improve its bioavailability, which has positive implications for further applications of TTO.
Nowcasting the state of the Italian economy: The role of financial markets
Authors: Ceci Donato , Silvestrini Andrea
Published: February 2023

This paper compares several methods for constructing weekly nowcasts of recession probabilities in Italy, with a focus on the most recent period of the Covid‐19 pandemic. The common thread of these methods is that they use, in different ways, the information content provided by financial market data. In particular, a battery of probit models are estimated after extracting information from a large dataset of more than 130 financial market variables observed at a weekly frequency. The accuracy of these models is explored in a pseudo out‐of‐sample nowcasting exercise. The results demonstrate that nowcasts derived from probit models estimated on a large set of financial variables are, on average, more accurate than those delivered by standard probit models estimated on a single financial covariate, such as the slope of the yield curve. The proposed approach performs well even compared with probit models estimated on single time series of real economic activity variables, such as industrial production, business tendency survey data or composite PMI indicators. Overall, the financial indicators used in this paper can be easily updated as soon as new data become available on a weekly basis, thus providing reliable early estimates of the Italian business cycle.
How media content influences economic expectations: Evidence from a global expert survey
Authors: Boumans Dorine , Müller Henrik , Sauer Stefan
Published: February 2023

This article sheds light on the impact of the media on economists' expectations for future economic developments. We conducted a worldwide economic expert survey and find that the media provides most economists with valuable information that influences their expectations. This applies significantly more for economists in countries with long standing democratic systems and developing countries with somewhat flawed democratic institutions than for economists in newer democracies and countries with authoritarian regimes. Moreover, the experts estimate the influence of the media remarkably higher on others than on themselves. This is consistent with the theory of the third‐person effect that says that an individual's behavior is influenced due to the belief that other people find certain issues important and act accordingly.
Convergent dysbiosis of upper aerodigestive microbiota between patients with esophageal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Hengyan , Yip Hon Chi , Cheung Man Kit , Chan Hiu Ching , Ng Cherrie , Lau Eric H. L. , Yeung Zenon W. C. , Wong Eddy W. Y. , Leung Leanne , Qu Xinyu , Wang Daijuanru , Cai Liuyang , Chan Paul K. S. , Chan Jason Y. K. , Chen Zigui
Published: February 2023

The bidirectional association between primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) suggests common risk factors and oncogenic molecular processes but it is unclear whether these two cancers display similar patterns of dysbiosis in their upper aerodigestive microbiota (UADM). We conducted a case‐control study to characterize the microbial communities in esophageal lavage samples from 49 ESCC patients and oral rinse samples from 91 OSCC patients using 16S rRNA V3‐V4 amplicon sequencing. Compared with their respective non‐SCC controls from the same anatomical sites, 32 and 45 discriminative bacterial genera were detected in ESCC and OSCC patients, respectively. Interestingly, 20 of them were commonly enriched or depleted in both types of cancer, suggesting a convergent niche adaptation of upper aerodigestive SCC‐associated bacteria that may play important roles in the pathogenesis of malignancies. Notably, Fusobacterium, Selenomonas, Peptoanaerobacter and Peptostreptococcus were enriched in both ESCC and OSCC, whereas Streptococcus and Granulicatelia were commonly depleted. We further identified Fusobacterium nucleatum as the most abundant species enriched in the upper aerodigestive SCC microenvironment, and the higher relative abundances of Selenomonas danae and Treponema maroon were positively correlated with smoking. In addition, predicted functional analysis revealed several depleted (eg, lipoic acid and pyruvate metabolism) and enriched (eg, RNA polymerase and nucleotide excision repair) pathways common to both cancers. Our findings reveal a convergent dysbiosis in the UADM between patients with ESCC and OSCC, suggesting a shared niche adaptation of host‐microbiota interactions in the pathogenesis of upper aerodigestive tract malignancies.
Childhood trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among adolescents: Role of executive function and life events stress
Authors: Wei Xiaomin , Lü Wei
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Exposure to childhood trauma is found to increase internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in adolescents, however, the potential mechanism of this link remains underexplored. This study investigated the associations between childhood trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among adolescents, and tested the mediating role of executive function and the moderating role of life events stress in this relationship.

Methods

Questionnaire data were collected from 952 junior students in Northwest China. Participants ranged in age from 11 to 15 years old (M = 12.88 years, SD = 0.72; 53% females). SPSS 26.0 was used to analyze the relationship between variables and examine the mediation model and the moderated mediation model.

Results

Childhood trauma was positively associated with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among adolescents. In addition, executive function partially mediated the relations between childhood trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Life events stress was observed to moderate the relations between childhood trauma and executive function, as well as executive function and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, but the effect sizes were relatively small.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the role of executive function and life events stress in the association between childhood trauma and behavioral problems among adolescents.
Role of the heat shock protein family in chlorpromazine‐induced cardiotoxicity
Authors: Qishuo Tian , Youyou Zhang , Jie Zhang , Yalei Yu , Wei Zhang , Quan Liu , Liang Liu , Liang Ren
Published: February 2023

Chlorpromazine (CPZ), a first‐generation antipsychotic, is widely used in treating schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. However, CPZ is also associated with an increased likelihood of sudden cardiac death, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In our study, we aimed to determine the CPZ‐induced changes in some members of the heat shock protein family in rat hearts and further explore the possible mechanisms of CPZ‐induced cardiotoxicity. Twenty‐four Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8 per group): control, low dose (33.216 mg/kg) and high dose (94.211 mg/kg). CPZ administration induced hypothermia in rats. Pathological changes, including ischaemia and hypoxia, were observed in rat hearts. Furthermore, the serum levels of cardiac Troponin T (c‐TN‐T) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were elevated in the CPZ‐exposed groups. Meanwhile, the protein and gene expression of HSP70, HSP60, HSP27 and HSP10 significantly differed between the CPZ‐exposed and control groups. We conclude that acute CPZ exposure could lead to myocardial injury in rats, in which HSPs might play a crucial role. Further investigations are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Association between perceived social support and suicide ideation distress among psychiatric inpatients: The role of thwarted interpersonal needs
Authors: Sparks Sarah , Mitchell Sean M. , LeDuc Michael K.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The interpersonal theory of suicide posits that thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB) are proximal risk factors for suicide ideation; however, there are mixed results regarding this hypothesis among psychiatric inpatients.

Objective

The current study examined the mediating role of TB and PB in the relationship between perceived social support (i.e., support from family, friends, a significant other, and total) and suicide ideation distress among psychiatric inpatients.

Methods

Participants (short‐term psychiatric inpatients; N = 139) were administered self‐report assessments cross‐sectionally.

Results

Nonparametric mediation results indicated that the total (additive) indirect effects of TB and PB, in parallel, were significant in all models, yet there were only significant specific (unique) indirect effects of PB.

Conclusion

TB and PB, in combination, may be proximal risk factors for suicide ideation distress among psychiatric inpatients with lower perceived social support from family, friends, a significant other, and in total. These findings are congruent with the interpersonal theory of suicide's propositions that the combination of TB and PB increases the risk for suicide ideation. Clinicians may consider using interventions that target increasing perceived social support and decreasing TB and PB (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy and social skills training) for this population.
Computational models of stimulus equivalence: An intersection for the study of symbolic behavior
Authors: Tovar Ángel Eugenio , Torres‐Chávez Álvaro , Mofrad Asieh Abolpour , Arntzen Erik
Published: February 2023

Stimulus equivalence is a central paradigm in the analysis of symbolic behavior, language, and cognition. It describes emergent relations between stimuli that were not explicitly trained and cannot be explained by primary stimulus generalization. In recent years, researchers have developed computational models to simulate the learning of equivalence relations. These models have been used to address primary theoretical and methodological issues in this field, such as exploring the underlying mechanisms that explain emergent equivalence relations and analyzing the effects of training and testing protocols on equivalence outcomes. Nonetheless, although these models build upon general learning principles, their operation is usually obscure for nonmodelers, and in the field of stimulus equivalence computational models have been developed with a variety of approaches, architectures, and algorithms that make it difficult to understand the scope and contributions of these tools. In this paper, we present the state of the art in computational modeling of stimulus equivalence. We seek to provide concise and accessible descriptions of the models' functioning and operation, highlight their main theoretical and methodological contributions, identify the existing software available for researchers to run experiments, and suggest future directions in the emergent field of computational modeling of stimulus equivalence.
Shell‐less culture system for chick embryos from the blastoderm stage to hatching
Authors: Dunn Bruce E.
Published: February 2023

Since 2014, methods have been described to hatch chick embryos from shell‐less culture after egg contents are first incubated within shells for 55–70 h. The present report describes for the first time a shell‐less culture system for chick embryos from the blastoderm stage to hatching. For the first 69–70 h, egg contents suspended in polymethylpentene kitchen wrap (F.O.R. Wrap, Riken Fabro, Tokyo, Japan) supported in 6.35 or 6.67 cm inside diameter tripods and covered with a disc of immobilized Milli‐Wrap, were rotated back and forth through 90° at 16 or 22 cycles per minute (CPM). Subsequently, the Milli‐Wrap disc was removed and culture tripods were transferred to environmental chambers, which were rocked ±20° through incubation day 8.5 (E8.5). From E9, environmental chambers were maintained in the horizontal position through to hatching with controlled O2 and CO2. To provide supplemental calcium, an aqueous solution containing 100 mg/mL of calcium
l‐lactate hydrate was injected through the plastic wrap into the albumen at E9 (2.5 mL) and at E13 (1.0 mL) or E15 (1.0 mL). After incubation for 69–70 h at 16 or 22 CPM, 80%–83% of previously unincubated egg contents yielded apparently normal embryos. Hatch rate of normal embryos resulting from turntable incubation at 16 or 22 CPM was approximately 43%. Of note, egg contents remained in the same culture tripod from blastoderm stage to hatching. This technique may find use as an educational tool and in basic investigations of early embryogenesis, teratogenesis, and gene transfer experiments.
Regions of homozygosity confer a worse prognostic impact in myelodysplastic syndrome with normal karyotype
Authors: Mallo Mar , Tuechler Heinz , Arenillas Leonor , Raynaud Sophie , Cluzeau Thomas , Shih Lee‐Yung , Tung‐Liang Chiang , Ganster Christina , Shirneshan Katayoon , Haase Detlef , Mascaró Martí , Palomo Laura , Cervera José , Such Esperanza , Trim Nicola , Jeffries Sally , Ridgway Emma , Marconi Giovanni , Martinelli Giovanni , Solé Francesc
Published: February 2023

Half of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have normal karyotype by conventional banding analysis. The percentage of true normal karyotype cases can be reduced by 20–30% with the complementary application of genomic microarrays. We here present a multicenter collaborative study of 163 MDS cases with a normal karyotype (≥10 metaphases) at diagnosis. All cases were analyzed with the ThermoFisher® microarray (either SNP 6.0 or CytoScan HD) for the identification of both copy number alteration(CNA) and regions of homozygosity (ROH). Our series supports that 25 Mb cut‐off as having the most prognostic impact, even after adjustment by IPSS‐R. This study highlights the importance of microarrays in MDS patients, to detect CNAs and especially to detect acquired ROH which has demonstrated a high prognostic impact.
Analysis of urinary oligosaccharide excretion patterns by UHPLC/HRAM mass spectrometry for screening of lysosomal storage disorders
Authors: Hagemeijer Marne C. , van den Bosch Jeroen C. , Bongaerts Michiel , Jacobs Edwin H. , van den Hout Johanna M. P. , Oussoren Esmee , Ruijter George J. G.
Published: February 2023

Oligosaccharidoses, sphingolipidoses and mucolipidoses are lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) in which defective breakdown of glycan‐side chains of glycosylated proteins and glycolipids leads to the accumulation of incompletely degraded oligosaccharides within lysosomes. In metabolic laboratories, these disorders are commonly diagnosed by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) but more recently also mass spectrometry‐based approaches have been published. To expand the possibilities to screen for these diseases, we developed an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with a high‐resolution accurate mass (HRAM) mass spectrometry (MS) screening platform, together with an open‐source iterative bioinformatics pipeline. This pipeline generates comprehensive biomarker profiles and allows for extensive quality control (QC) monitoring. Using this platform, we were able to identify α‐mannosidosis, β‐mannosidosis, α‐N‐acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency, sialidosis, galactosialidosis, fucosidosis, aspartylglucosaminuria, GM1 gangliosidosis, GM2 gangliosidosis (M. Sandhoff) and mucolipidosis II/III in patient samples. Aberrant urinary oligosaccharide excretions were also detected for other disorders, including NGLY1 congenital disorder of deglycosylation, sialic acid storage disease, MPS type IV B and GSD II (Pompe disease). For the latter disorder, we identified heptahexose (Hex7), as a potential urinary biomarker, in addition to glucose tetrasaccharide (Glc4), for the diagnosis and monitoring of young onset cases of Pompe disease. Occasionally, so‐called “neonate” biomarker profiles were observed in young patients, which were probably due to nutrition. Our UHPLC/HRAM‐MS screening platform can easily be adopted in biochemical laboratories and allows for simple and robust screening and straightforward interpretation of the screening results to detect disorders in which aberrant oligosaccharides accumulate.
Magnetic resonance imaging organ at risk delineation for nasopharyngeal radiotherapy: Measuring the effectiveness of an educational intervention
Authors: Ryan Olivia , Dundas Kylie , Surjan Yolanda , Elwadia Doaa , Nguyen Kimberley , Cardoso Michael , Kumar Shivani
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates superior soft tissue contrast and is increasingly being used in radiotherapy planning. This study evaluated the impact of an education workshop in minimising inter‐observer variation (IOV) for nasopharyngeal organs at risk (OAR) delineation on MRI.

Methods

Ten observers delineated 14 OARs on 4 retrospective nasopharyngeal MRI data sets. Standard contouring guidelines were provided pre‐workshop. Following an education workshop on MRI OAR delineation, observers blinded to their original contours repeated the 14 OAR delineations. For comparison, reference volumes were delineated by two head and neck radiation oncologists. IOV was evaluated using dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Hausdorff distance (HD) and relative volume. Location of largest deviations was evaluated with centroid values. Observer confidence pre‐ and post‐workshop was also recorded using a 6‐point Likert scale. The workshop was deemed beneficial for an OAR if ≥50% of observers mean scores improved in any metric and ≥50% of observers' confidence improved.

Results

All OARs had ≥50% of observers improve in at least one metric. Base of tongue, larynx, spinal cord and right temporal lobe were the only OARs achieving a mean DSC score of ≥0.7. Base of tongue, left and right lacrimal glands, larynx, left optic nerve and right parotid gland all exhibited statistically significant HD improvements post‐workshop (P < 0.05). Brainstem and left and right temporal lobes all had statistically significant relative volume improvements post‐workshop (P < 0.05). Post‐workshop observer confidence improvement was observed for all OARs (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The educational workshop reduced IOV and improved observers' confidence when delineating nasopharyngeal OARs on MRI.
Influence of process conditions on the sulfonation of methyl ester synthesized from used cooking oil: Optimization by Taguchi approach
Authors: Bode‐Olajide Favour B. , Yusuff Adeyinka S. , Adesina Olusola A. , Adeniyi Adekunle T.
Published: February 2023

Developing a robust and facile process route for fatty acid methyl ester sulfonate (MES) synthesis is of importance for industrial applications. Herein, Taguchi orthogonal array (OA) approach was used for the first time to establish the optimum process condition for the sulfonation of methyl esters (ME) with chlorosulfonic acid (CSA). According to the experimental design, the most significant parameter was sulfonation temperature, followed by CSA/ME molar ratio. Under the optimum sulfonation conditions (that is, 70°C sulfonation temperature, 2.0 h sulfonation time, 1.5:1 mol/mol CSA/ME molar ratio and 2.0 h aging time), the MES yield and the corresponding signal/noise ratio were 92.08 ± 0.28% and 39.28, respectively. The obtained FTIR and 1H NMR data revealed spectra associated with methyl (CH2 asymmetric and CH2 symmetric stretching vibrations), esters (CO, CO, and OCH3), and sulfonate (SO) groups in the MES sample synthesized under optimal conditions, thus confirming the target MES product. Surface tension measurements revealed that the optimal MES sample had a low critical miscelle concentration of 0.082 g/L at a surface tension of 51.2 mN/m, implying the possibility of better performance.
Kinetics of uncatalyzed oxidation of ammonium sulfite from wet ammonia desulfurization
Authors: Peng Jian , Yang Zhen , Lian Peichao
Published: February 2023

The kinetics of oxidation of ammonium sulfite from flue gas desulfurization by ammonia process was studied by changing initial ammonium sulfite concentration, pH, air flow rate, temperature, and concentration of ammonium sulfate in a bubble reactor. The experimental results show that the oxidation rate of ammonium sulfite decreased with the increase of pH but increased with the increase of temperature and airflow rate when the concentration of ammonium sulfate is 0.15 mol/L, temperature of 25–60°C, and an airflow rate of 150–400 L/h. When the concentration of ammonium sulfate increases from 0.2 to 1.0 mol/L, the oxidation rate of ammonium sulfite decreases. At pH 5.0, the activation energy of the apparent oxidation is 26.40 kJ/mol. A kinetics model containing SO32−, SO4, and O2 is used to simulate the oxidation of ammonium sulfate. The results can provide a theoretical basis for the uncatalyzed oxidation of ammonium sulfite in the process of wet ammonia desulfurization process.
Inhibition of endogenous hydrogen sulfide production suppresses the growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Da‐Yong , Zhang Jing , Li Hai‐Xia , Zhang Yan‐Xia , Jing Mi‐Rong , Cai Chun‐Bo , Wang Di , Qi Hui‐Wen , Wang Yi‐Zhen , Chen Hao‐Jie , Li Tao , Zhai Yuan‐Kun , Ji Xin‐Ying , Wu Dong‐Dong
Published: February 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been widely recognized as one of gasotransmitters. Endogenous H2S plays a crucial role in the progression of cancer. However, the effect of endogenous H2S on the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is still unknown. In this study, aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA, an inhibitor of cystathionine‐β‐synthase), dl‐propargylglycine (PAG, an inhibitor of cystathionine‐γ‐lyase), and l‐aspartic acid (l‐Asp, an inhibitor of 3‐mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase) were adopted to detect the role of endogenous H2S in NPC growth. The results indicated that the combine (PAG + AOAA + l‐Asp) group had higher inhibitory effect on the growth of NPC cells than the PAG, AOAA, and l‐Asp groups. There were similar trends in the levels of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, the combine group exhibited lower levels of phospho (p)‐extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase but higher expressions of p‐p38 and p‐c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase than those in the AOAA, PAG, and l‐Asp groups. Furthermore, the combine group exerted more potent inhibitory effect on NPC xenograft tumor growth without obvious toxicity. In summary, suppression of endogenous H2S generation could dramatically inhibit NPC growth via the ROS/mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway. Endogenous H2S may be a novel therapeutic target in human NPC cells. Effective inhibitors for H2S‐producing enzymes could be designed and developed for NPC treatment.
On a thermo‐visco‐elastic model with nonlinear damping forces andL1temperature data
Authors: Owczarek Sebastian , Wielgos Karolina
Published: February 2023

The aim of this paper is to prove the existence of weak solutions to thermo‐visco‐elastic system of equations. In considered problem, the temperature term is included in the elastic constitutive equations (generalized Hooke's law) as well as in describing the evolution of visco‐elastic strain. The main idea of presented proof is to analyze reformulated model, in which visco‐elastic strain (internal variable) is eliminated. For such system of equations, we propose a two‐level Galerkin approximation, which allows us to show a non‐negativity of temperature during the entire deformation process. In order to characterize the weak limits in the nonlinearities occurring in the system at different levels of approximation, the following tools are used: Truncation methods for heat equation proposed in the paper of D. Blanchard [Nonlinear Analysis, 21(10):725‐743, 1993], modified Boccardo‐Gallouët's approach, and Minty‐Browder trick.
𝒢p Spaces for hyperholomorphic functions in the unit ball of ℝ4
Authors: Reséndis Ocampo Lino Feliciano , Tovar S. Luis Manuel
Published: February 2023

We present the generalization of Dirichlet, Bloch, and
spaces for the case of hyperholomorphic functions defined in the unit open ball of
. We show the main relations among them, and we give an infinite family of examples of these spaces.
Modeling clinical outcomes in radiotherapy: NTCP, TCP and the “TECs”
Authors: Yorke Ellen
Published: February 2023

Radiation therapy is a double‐edged sword which damages both tumor and normal cells. Achieving treatments with high tumor control probability (TCP) yet low normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) is often a struggle because we rarely have a unified understanding of the dosimetric and clinical correlates of the desired outcomes. I am fortunate to have participated in some of these struggles, including analyzing and using in‐house data and being involved in the AAPM and ASTRO “TEC” projects—QUANTEC (Quantitatie Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic), HyTEC (Hypofractionated Treatment Effects in the Clinic) and PENTEC (Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic).
Application of chaos assisted sine cosine algorithm on wind–solar integrated hydrothermal scheduling problem
Authors: Dasgupta Koustav , Roy Provas Kumar , Mukherjee V.
Published: February 2023

In recent times, renewable energy sources are essential for generating low‐cost, pollution‐free power. Since the last two decades, hydrothermal coordination system has been used to fulfill the demand power. The traditional generating model's two biggest flaws are high generation cost and excessive fossil fuel emission. In the proposed work, generation process of traditional hydrothermal scheduling (HTS) has been improved by integrating wind–solar energy. To overcome current issues of HTS, that is, excessive emission and generation cost, hydrothermal–solar–wind scheduling (HTSWS) problem has been introduced where two wind and two solar power generating units have been considered with four hydro and three thermal power generating units. Here, effective performance of low cost‐emission based proposed HTSWS has been examined by using chaos‐based sine cosine algorithm (SCA) (CSCA). Chaos has been used in sine cosine function of SCA to improve searching process for finding global optimal results. The proposed CSCA has been used to investigate three separate situations of standard HTS and recommended HTSWS problems including generation cost, emission, and combined cost‐emission. The cost of generation and emissions from conventional HTS can be reduced by 11% and 68%, respectively, by the suggested renewable energy source‐based generation model. The results of several case studies of proposed HTSWS and standard HTS reveal that wind–solar energy is effective in the HTS issue, and chaos assists in the SCA to improve its optimization process. In this study, effectiveness and robustness of the CSCA have been demonstrated by comparing the CSCA‐based results to existing methods for the challenges under consideration.
Design, synthesis, antifungal activity and molecular docking of ring‐opened pimprinine derivative containing (thio)amide structure
Authors: Cheng Lan , Liu Jing‐Rui , Liu Jia‐Mu , Guo Dale , Deng Fang , Bian Qiang , Zhang Haifeng , Han Xinya , Ali Abdallah S , Zhang Wei‐Hua , Zhang Ming‐Zhi , Gu Yu‐Cheng
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

To obtain new environmentally friendly fungicides, we used the natural product pimprinine as the lead compound, and designed and synthesized two series of ring‐opening derivatives of pimprinine containing amide/thioamide. We then studied their antifungal activity against six common plant pathogenic fungi in vitro.

RESULTS

Most of the target compounds have good antifungal activity against six important plant pathogenic fungi in vitro. At a concentration of 50 μg ml−1, compound 3o showed prominent antifungal effects on Alternaria solani and Rhioctornia solani, with inhibition rates of 91.8% and 97.4%, and a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 6.2255 and 0.6969 μg ml−1 respectively. The EC50 of compound 3o against Alternaria solani was significantly lower than that of boscalid (13.0380 μg ml−1) and flutriafol (11.9057 μg ml−1). In addition, compound 3o had good antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, cucumber powdery mildew, cucumber Botrytis cinerea and Phytophthora capsici in vivo; the antifungal activity of compound 3o against cucumber Botrytis cinerea is 91.7%. At the same time, docking results for highly active compound 3o with the presumed target succinate dehydrogenase and the molecular docking prediction scores of all compounds further indicate its possible antifungal activity mechanism.

CONCLUSION

The designed and optimized derivative 3o of ring‐opening pimprinine has good antifungal activity and can be used as a new antifungal drug for further research. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Narirutin exerts anti‐inflammatory activity by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages
Authors: Ri Myong Hak , Li Ming Yue , Xing Yue , Zuo Hong Xiang , Li Guangyi , Li Chengcheng , Ma Juan , Jin Xuejun
Published: February 2023

Citrus peel has long been used in traditional medicine in Asia to treat common cold, dyspepsia, cough, and phlegm. Narirutin–a flavanone‐7‐O‐glycoside–is the major flavonoid in citrus peel, and has anti‐oxidative, anti‐allergic, and anti‐inflammatory activities. However, the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of narirutin has not been fully elucidated. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of narirutin on the Nod‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)‐mediated inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo, and determine the underlying mechanism. THP‐1 differentiated macrophages and bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) were used for in vitro experiments, while dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis and alum‐induced peritonitis mouse models were constructed to test inflammation in vivo. Narirutin suppressed secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β and pyroptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/ATP‐stimulated macrophages. Narirutin decreased the expression of NLRP3 and IL‐1β in the LPS‐priming step through inhibition of NF‐κB, MAPK and PI3K /AKT signaling pathways. Narirutin inhibited NLRP3–ASC interaction to suppress NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Furthermore, oral administration of narirutin (300 mg/kg) alleviated inflammation symptoms in mice with peritonitis and colitis. These results suggest that narirutin exerts its anti‐inflammatory activity by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation via inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome priming processes and NLRP3–ASC interaction in macrophages.
Assessment of the accuracy of the 17O correction algorithm used in δ13C determinations by CO2 mass spectrometry
Authors: Assonov Sergey
Published: February 2023

Rationale

High‐accuracy δ13C values are required for observations of greenhouse gases CO2 and methane, and, consequently, for international reference materials (RMs). Recently, another application, clumped isotope geothermometry of natural carbonates, has demonstrated the requirement for high‐accuracy δ13C values. δ13C determinations by mass spectrometry use an 17O isobaric correction on m/z 45, where 17O abundance is calculated from the measured 18O with the 17O–18O relationship assumed with λ = 0.528. This relationship is the key assumption of the algorithm proposed in 2003 and accepted by IUPAC in 2010. However, to date, this relationship and potential δ13C biases have not been verified using 17O measurements.

Methods

To verify the 17O correction and to estimate potential δ13C biases, we compile measured 17O data for carbonate RMs, for a range of natural carbonates that are typically analyzed in clumped isotope geothermometry and for CO2 in isotope equilibrium with natural waters including plants and biota. δ13C biases are calculated based on 17O deviation from the 17O–18O relationship assumed in the 17O correction.

Results

To estimate δ13C biases accurately, the VPDB‐CO2 framework for expressing 17O excess is defined and linked to the δ13C scale definition. δ13C biases estimated for carbonate RMs are found within ±0.004‰; the biases estimated for natural carbonates and CO2 in equilibrium with natural waters are mostly within ±0.010‰ (bidirectional distribution around zero). In all cases, the estimated biases are found within the best instrumental uncertainty of modern isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) (around ±0.014‰, k = 2).

Conclusions

For the first time, high accuracy of δ13C data obtained by CO2 mass spectrometry using the 17O correction with fixed λ = 0.528 has been demonstrated using measured 17O data. δ13C biases estimated are within the best IRMS precision (±0.014‰, k = 2) and can be neglected in most practical applications. To obtain high‐quality δ13C data, it is strictly necessary that all data are treated on the VPDB‐CO2 scale.
Voltammetric Sensors: A Versatile Tool in COVID‐19 Diagnosis and Prognosis
Authors: Nambiar Souparnika , Mohan Malavika , Rosin Jose Ammu
Published: February 2023

The recent events of outbreaks of corona virus caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus −2(SARS‐CoV‐2) raised a concern and increased urge for quick and rapid detection techniques of disease causing pathogens. The detection of the virus with high sensitivity and accuracy holds great importance. Nowadays, the most commonly employed technique is the Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction test (qRT‐PCR) and antigen test. While RT‐PCR technique is time consuming, expensive and labour intensive, antigen tests though simple, can often give false positive and false negatives. In this context, electrochemical biosensors developed in recent times have been identified as a potential strategy to overcome the limitations of these common techniques. This review article summarizes the current advancements in the field of voltammetric sensors for the detection of COVID‐19 virus and various biomarkers associated with it.
Data interoperability assessment, case of messaging‐based data exchanges
Authors: Laval Jannik , Amokrane Nawel , Thiam Niang Boubou , Derras Mustapha , Moalla Néjib
Published: February 2023

Data interoperability implies data exchanges among intra and inter enterprises collaborating with information systems (IS). The multiplicity of these exchanges and the increasing number of data exchanged generates complexity and brings out the needs for control to avoid dysfunctions with a negative impact on the overall performance of the systems. Indeed, actually, interoperability has become a necessary performance lever that thus requires particular attention. Being at a low level in the enterprise interoperability concerns, data interoperability is mainly automated, which leads us to question: Is it possible to evaluate data interoperability performance and security based on inspection and analysis of ongoing data exchanges? We therefore endeavored to answer this question by establishing monitoring and analysis systems. In this paper, we present a research work which addresses services provided by a messaging‐based communication system. In order to collect information on Information System interactions allowing one to assess their level of data interoperability, we propose a messaging metamodel that aggregates the collected information. It provides a single point of control and enables one to determine indicators of potential interoperability problems. The approach is validated on two case studies. An industrial case study of interactions among existing systems is presented to showcase the feasibility and interest of the approach. It is proposed on top of RabbitMQ and allows our partner to identify some issues in the studied information system. The second case study shows that the approach can integrate other protocols, by reading MQTT messages. The approach is implemented using Moose, a software analysis platform.