bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data on vegetation across forest edges from the FERN (Forest Edge Research Network)
Authors: Harper Karen A. , Gray Logan , Macdonald S. Ellen , Lesieur Daniel , DeFields Danielle , Dodonov Pavel , Franklin Caroline Mary Adrianne , Haughian Sean R. , Mascarúa López Liliana , Heathcote Alexandra , Jager Krista , Yang Renee , Angelidis Christine , Braga Andreza Lanza , Butler Wendy , Coley Sarah , Kornelsen Jonathan M. E. , Murphy Liam , Pelton Julia , Recco Everton Viotto , de Oliveira Xavier Rafael , Wilson Iain , Ribeiro Milton C. , da Silva Matos Dalva Maria , Bergeron Yves
Published: May 2023

Many studies have focused on vegetation across forest edges to study impacts of edges created by human activities on forest structure and composition, or patterns of vegetation at inherent natural edges. Our objective was to create a database of plant‐related variables across different types of edges from various studies (mainly from across Canada, but also in Brazil and Belize) to facilitate edge research. We compiled data on vegetation along more than 300 transects perpendicular to forest edges adjacent to clear‐cuts, burned areas, bogs, lakes, barrens, insect disturbances, and riparian areas from 24 studies conducted over the past three decades. Data were compiled for more than 400 plant species and forest structure variables (e.g., trees, logs, canopy cover). All data were collected with a similar sampling design of quadrats along transects perpendicular to forest edges, but with varying numbers of transects and quadrats, and distances from the edge. The purpose for most of the studies was either to determine the distance of edge influence (edge width) or to explore the pattern of vegetation along the edge to interior gradient. We provide data tables for the cover of plant species and functional groups, the species and size of live and dead trees, the density of saplings, maximum height of functional groups and shrub species, and the cover of functional groups at different heights (vertical distribution of vegetation). The Forest Edge Research Network (FERN) database provides extensive data on many variables that can be used for further study including meta‐analyses and can assist in answering questions important to conservation efforts (e.g., how is distance of edge influence from created edges affected by different factors?). We plan to expand this database with subsequent studies from the authors and we invite others to contribute to make this a more global database. The data are released under a CC0 license. When using these data, we ask that you cite this data paper and any relevant publications listed in our metadata file. We also encourage you to contact the first author if you are planning to use or contribute to this database.
Does a history of population co‐occurrence predict plant performance, community productivity, or invasion resistance?
Authors: Agneray Alison C. , Forister Matthew L. , Parchman Thomas L. , Leger Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2023

A history of species co‐occurrence in plant communities is hypothesized to lead to greater niche differentiation, more efficient resource partitioning, and more productive, resistant communities as a result of evolution in response to biotic interactions. A similar question can be asked of co‐occurring populations: do individual species or community responses differ when communities are founded with plants sharing a history of population co‐occurrence (sympatric) or originating from different locations (allopatric)? Using shrub, grass, and forb species from six locations in the western Great Basin, North America, we compared establishment, productivity, reproduction, phenology, and resistance to invaders for experimental communities with either sympatric or allopatric population associations. Each community type was planted with six taxa in outdoor mesocosms, measured over three growing seasons, and invaded with the annual grass Bromus tectorum in the final season. For most populations, the allopatric or sympatric status of neighbors was not important. However, in some cases, it was beneficial for some species from some locations to be planted with allopatric neighbors, while others benefited from sympatric neighbors, and some of these responses had large effects. For instance, the Elymus population that benefited the most from allopatry grew 50% larger with allopatric neighbors than in single origin mesocosms. This response affected invasion resistance, as B. tectorum biomass was strongly affected by productivity and phenology of Elymus spp., as well as Poa secunda. Our results demonstrate that, while community composition can affect plant performance in semi‐arid plant communities, assembling communities from sympatric populations is not sufficient to ensure high productivity and invasion resistance. Instead, we observed an idiosyncratic interaction between sampling effects and evolutionary history, with the potential for seed source of individual populations to have community‐level effects.
The Chemistry of Vanadium bis‐Phenolate NHC Complexes in Three Oxidation States
Authors: Neururer Florian R. , Leitner Daniel , Liu Shenyu , Wurst Klaus , Kopacka Holger , Seidl Michael , Hohloch Stephan
Published: May 2023

Twenty‐one vanadium bis‐phenolate benzimidazolylidene complexes, spanning three oxidation states, have been investigated. Special emphasis is placed on their salt metathesis reactivity and the accessibility of the +IV oxidation state by reductive or oxidative routes, starting from vanadium(V) or vanadium(III) respectively. While the reductive route is highly dependent on the reducing agent and starting material used, the oxidative route gives clean access to vanadium(IV) dihalide complexes. The low‐valent vanadium(III) complexes are excellent precursors for salt metathesis reactions which lead to the isolation of a rare vanadium(III) NHC alkyl complex. All new complexes have been characterized by (paramagnetic) 1H NMR and 51V NMR, UV–VIS, IR and EPR spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis. Cyclic voltammetry has been performed in selected cases to study the influence of imido or phenolate supporting ligands towards the redox‐potential of the vanadium(V/IV) redox couple compared to the parent oxo‐chlorido complex A.
N‐Boc‐Protected α‐Amino Acids by 1,3‐Migratory Nitrene C(sp3)−H Insertion
Authors: Zhou Bing , Ye Chen‐Xi , Meggers Eric
Published: May 2023

N‐Boc‐protected α‐amino acids are synthesized in two steps from linear or branched carboxylic acid feedstocks. In the first step, the carboxylic acid is coupled with tert‐butyl aminocarbonate (BocNHOH) to generate azanyl ester (acyloxycarbamate) RCO2NHBoc. In the second step, this azanyl ester undergoes a stereocontrolled iron‐catalyzed 1,3‐nitrogen migration to generate the N‐Boc‐protected non‐racemic α‐amino acid. This straightforward protocol is applicable to the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α‐monosubstituted α‐amino acids with aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl side chains. Furthermore, α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids are accessible in an enantioconvergent fashion from racemic carboxylic acids. The new method is also advantageous for the synthesis of α‐deuterated α‐amino acids. N‐Boc‐protected α‐amino acids synthesized using this two‐step protocol are ready‐to‐use building blocks.
CO2‐Enhanced Production and Synthesis of 2,5‐ Furandicarboxylic Acid under CO2 Flow through Henkel Reaction
Authors: Chang Po‐Hsun , Wong David Shan‐Hill , Ou John Di‐Yi , Pan Yung‐Tin , Jang Shi‐Shang
Published: May 2023

The present study investigated the preparation of 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) via the Henkel reaction between furoic acid alkali metal salts and zinc chloride under a continuous CO2 flow at atmospheric pressure. The results obtained were compared with those of previous studies that used high‐pressure conditions or toxic cadmium catalysts. The pathways and rate‐determining steps of the reaction are revealed for the first time. Furthermore, the enhanced formation of FDCA through the promotion of carboxyl exchange and rearrangement during the reaction under a CO2 flow was examined. The CO2‐rich environment afforded a high FDCA yield of 86.30 %, which is the highest yield obtained to date using the Henkel reaction. The findings of this study offer economically improved conditions for large‐scale FDCA production.
Aptamer‐functionalized field‐effect transistor biosensors for disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring
Authors: Wang Jingfeng , Chen Duo , Huang Wanting , Yang Nianjun , Yuan Quan , Yang Yanbing
Published: May 2023

Nano‐biosensors that are composed of recognition molecules and nanomaterials have been extensively utilized in disease diagnosis, health management, and environmental monitoring. As a type of nano‐biosensors, molecular specificity field‐effect transistor (FET) biosensors with signal amplification capability exhibit prominent advantages including fast response speed, ease of miniaturization, and integration, promising their high sensitivity for molecules detection and identification. With intrinsic characteristics of high stability and structural tunability, aptamer has become one of the most commonly applied biological recognition units in the FET sensing fields. This review summarizes the recent progress of FET biosensors based on aptamer functionalized nanomaterials in medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring. The structure, sensing principles, preparation methods, and functionalization strategies of aptamer modified FET biosensors were comprehensively summarized. The relationship between structure and sensing performance of FET biosensors was reviewed. Furthermore, the challenges and future perspectives of FET biosensors were also discussed, so as to provide support for the future development of efficient healthcare management and environmental monitoring devices.
Microglial targeted therapy relieves cognitive impairment caused by Cntnap4 deficiency
Authors: Zhang Wenlong , Chen Huaqing , Ding Liuyan , Huang Jie , Zhang Mengran , Liu Yan , Ma Runfang , Zheng Shaohui , Gong Junwei , Piña‐Crespo Juan C. , Zhang Yunlong
Published: May 2023

Contactin‐associated protein‐like 4 (Cntnap4) is critical for GABAergic transmission in the brain. Impaired Cntnap4 function is implicated in neurological disorders, such as autism; however, the role of Cntnap4 on memory processing is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that hippocampal Cntnap4 deficiency in female mice manifests as impaired cognitive function and synaptic plasticity. The underlying mechanisms may involve effects on the pro‐inflammatory response resulting in dysfunctional GABAergic transmission and activated tryptophan metabolism. To efficiently and accurately inhibit the pro‐inflammatory reaction, we established a biomimetic microglial nanoparticle strategy to deliver FDA‐approved PLX3397 (termed MNPs@PLX). We show MNPs@PLX successfully penetrates the blood brain barrier and facilitates microglial‐targeted delivery of PLX3397. Furthermore, MNPs@PLX attenuates cognitive decline, dysfunctional synaptic plasticity, and pro‐inflammatory response in female heterozygous Cntnap4 knockout mice. Together, our findings show loss of Cntnap4 causes pro‐inflammatory cognitive decline that is effectively prevented by supplementation with microglia‐specific inhibitors; thus validating the targeting of microglial function as a therapeutic intervention in neurocognitive disorders.
Anthocyanins improve liver fibrosis in mice by regulating the autophagic flux level of hepatic stellate cells by mmu_circ_0000623
Authors: Du Jinhui , Liu Likun , Fan Haiqing , Yu Yue , Luo Yilin , Gu Fang , Yu Hui , Liao Xin
Published: May 2023

Liver fibrosis is a key step in the progression of various chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer, it is also an important link affecting prognosis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of anthocyanins on liver fibrosis and the molecular mechanism of mmu_circ_0000623 in anthocyanin therapy. In this study, CCL4 was used to build a mouse liver fibrosis model, and the treatment groups were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg of anthocyanins daily by gavage. Liver fibrosis indicators, macrophage polarization markers, and liver injury markers were further detected by real‐time quantitative PCR (qRT‐PCR), western blotting (WB), and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Morphological verification of liver injury in different treatment groups was performed by histopathological method. A mouse hepatic stellate cell (HSC) model and a mouse liver fibrosis model were constructed to verify the expression of circ_0000623, miR‐351‐5p, and TFEB. Transfected with mRFP‐GFP‐LC3 to detect the autophagic flux of HSCs. We found that 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg of anthocyanins could significantly reduce the degree of liver fibrosis in mice. In addition, anthocyanins can inhibit the proliferation, activation, and migration ability of HSCs. circ_0000623 was lowly expressed in mice with liver fibrosis, and anthocyanin treatment could promote its increased expression. Further testing found that anthocyanins could reverse the blocked autophagic flux induced by PDGF or CCL4. This effect is achieved by regulating the expression of TFEB by competitive adsorption of miR‐351‐5p. Anthocyanins could treat liver fibrosis by modulating circ_0000623/miR‐351‐5p/TFEB‐mediated changes in HSC autophagic flux.
Analytical techniques for determination of heavy metal migration from different types of locally made plastic food packaging materials using ICP‐MS
Authors: Nguyen Van‐Trong , Linh Truong Thi Truc , Vo The‐Ky , Nguyen Quoc Hung , Van Thanh‐Khue
Published: May 2023

Plastic food packaging is an essential element for customer convenience and the preservation of food quality. Nonetheless, heavy metals in the packaging materials, either intentionally or nonintentionally added, can be transferred to the food. Therefore, determining heavy metal contents in these packaging materials is essential. In this study, heavy metals, including Co, Ge, As, Cd, Sb, Pb, Al, and Zn from different intrinsic plastic food packaging materials were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) method. Moreover, the migration of these elements into the environment was also investigated. This method is validated following the new technique's requirements, which include linearity range, accuracy, precision, the limit of detection (LOD), and the limit of quantitation (LOQ). The method has been suitably validated with the regression equation from the standards prepared in HNO3 1% v/v. The linear range was found to be ~1–20 ng mL−1 for Co, Ge, As, Cd, Sb, and Pb and 5–80 ng mL−1 for Al and Zn elements. The LODs are ~0.10, 0.25, 0.12, 0.13, 0.11, 0.12, 0.61, and 0.85 ng mL−1, and the LOQs are 0.33, 0.83, 0.40, 0.43, 0.36, 0.40, 2.01, and 2.81 ng mL−1 obtained for Co, Ge, As, Cd, Sb, Pb, Al, and Zn, respectively. In addition, the recovery percentages received ranged 85.4%–94.1% for Co, 82.6%–95.1% for Ge, 86.3%–97.9% for As, 87.3%–96.3% for Cd, 88.0%–104.4% for Sb, 96.3%–106.0% for Pb, 88.4%–104.0% for Al, and 95.1%–99.7% for Zn. Finally, the migration of these heavy metals from polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) into foodstuffs was also simulated according to EU legislation, showing that the most leached element was Zn, followed by Al and Pd, with the migration of ~8.38% and ~0.41%, and ~0.19%, respectively.
Cortical haemodynamic responses predict individual ability to recognise vocal emotions with uninformative pitch cues but do not distinguish different emotions
Authors: Moffat Ryssa , Başkent Deniz , Luke Robert , McAlpine David , Van Yper Lindsey
Published: May 2023

We investigated the cortical representation of emotional prosody in normal‐hearing listeners using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and behavioural assessments. Consistent with previous reports, listeners relied most heavily on F0 cues when recognizing emotion cues; performance was relatively poor—and highly variable between listeners—when only intensity and speech‐rate cues were available. Using fNIRS to image cortical activity to speech utterances containing natural and reduced prosodic cues, we found right superior temporal gyrus (STG) to be most sensitive to emotional prosody, but no emotion‐specific cortical activations, suggesting that while fNIRS might be suited to investigating cortical mechanisms supporting speech processing it is less suited to investigating cortical haemodynamic responses to individual vocal emotions. Manipulating emotional speech to render F0 cues less informative, we found the amplitude of the haemodynamic response in right STG to be significantly correlated with listeners' abilities to recognise vocal emotions with uninformative F0 cues. Specifically, listeners more able to assign emotions to speech with degraded F0 cues showed lower haemodynamic responses to these degraded signals. This suggests a potential objective measure of behavioural sensitivity to vocal emotions that might benefit neurodiverse populations less sensitive to emotional prosody or hearing‐impaired listeners, many of whom rely on listening technologies such as hearing aids and cochlear implants—neither of which restore, and often further degrade, the F0 cues essential to parsing emotional prosody conveyed in speech.
Characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma focusing on cases unaffected by smoking and drinking: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Harada Hiroyuki , Kikuchi Masahiro , Asato Ryo , Hamaguchi Kiyomi , Tamaki Hisanobu , Mizuta Masanobu , Hori Ryusuke , Kojima Tsuyoshi , Honda Keigo , Tsujimura Takashi , Kumabe Yohei , Ichimaru Kazuyuki , Kitani Yoshiharu , Ushiro Koji , Kitamura Morimasa , Shinohara Shogo , Omori Koichi
Published: May 2023

Background

Some oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases are unaffected by smoking or drinking. This study aimed to clarify distinctive groups among OSCC patients and examine the characteristics of multiple primary carcinomas (MPCs).

Methods

We analyzed data from 970 patients. The patients were divided into three groups: all individuals <45 years (<45 y), smokers/drinkers ≥45 years (SD ≥45 y), and non‐smokers/non‐drinkers ≥45 years (NSND ≥45 y).

Results

Tongue cancers were more common in the <45 y group than in the other groups (p < 0.001). The NSND ≥45 y group was significantly older and more likely to be female than the SD ≥45 y group (p < 0.001). MPCs in the upper aerodigestive tract were more common in men and smokers/drinkers, whereas women were at risk for multiple primary OSCCs (p = 0.022).

Conclusions

The “young tongue” and “elderly female” subgroups and characteristics of MPCs suggest carcinogenic factors of OSCC other than smoking and drinking.
Has the Rio Doce “time bomb” been defused? Using a weight-of-evidence approach to determine sediment quality
Authors: Abessa Denis , Burton G. Allen , Cervi Eduardo C. , Simpson Stuart L. , Stubblefield William , Ribeiro Caio C. , Cruz Ana C. F. , Kruger Gisele , Smith Ross
Published: May 2023

The Fundão mine tailings dam rupture of 2015, in the Rio Doce basin, Brazil, resulted in the deposition of tailings downstream of the dam. It has yet to be determined if metals associated with the tailings have contributed toxicity to organisms, burying a time bomb that could be ticking. Currently the data on toxicity to benthic and aquatic organisms have not been assessed sufficiently to allow an informed assessment using an approach based on weight-of-evidence. This study was conducted to ascertain if sediments at “hot spots” that received Fundão tailings reflected elevated concentrations of metals and if these concentrations were sufficient to result in toxicity to freshwater organisms. The lines-of-evidence considered included assessing metals concentrations in relation to sediment quality criteria, establishing biogeochemical characterizations, completing an evaluation of potential metal release upon resuspension to provide information on bioavailability, and identifying acute and chronic toxicity effects using sensitive native species for waters (water flea, Daphnia similis) and sediments (burrowing midge larvae, Chironomus sancticaroli). Only porewater concentrations of iron and manganese exceeded Brazilian surface water criteria, whereas most trace elements exhibited no enrichment or elevated environmental indexes. The concentrations of bioavailable metals were assessed to be low, and metal concentrations did not increase in the overlying water upon resuspension; rather, they decreased through time. Toxicity testing in resuspended waters and bulk sediments resulted in no acute or chronic toxicity to either benthic or aquatic species. The low metal bioavailability and absence of toxicity of the tailings-enriched sediments was attributed to the strong binding and rapid removal of potentially toxic metal ions caused by oxyhydroxides and particles in the presence of iron-rich particulates. The findings of these sediment hot-spot studies indicate the Fundão dam release of tailings more than six years ago is not causing the current release of toxic concentrations of metals into the freshwaters of the Rio Doce. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:148–158. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
GSK‐J4: An H3K27 histone demethylase inhibitor, as a potential anti‐cancer agent
Authors: Dalpatraj Nidhi , Naik Ankit , Thakur Noopur
Published: May 2023

Aberrant epigenetic modifications are emerging as potent drivers of tumor initiation and progression. The deregulation of H3K27me3 marks has shown to play an important role in cancer progression in several cancers. The H3K27me3 mark is associated with gene silencing. The reversible nature of these epigenetic aberrations makes them an important target for treating cancer. GSK‐J4 is a histone demethylase inhibitor that inhibits the JMJD3/UTX enzyme, which results in the upregulation of H3K27me3 levels. In this review, the anti‐cancer properties of GSK‐J4 have been summarized, the various molecular pathways targeted, in‐vivo studies, and drug combination studies in different cancer models. GSK‐J4 targeted pathways like apoptosis, cell cycle, invasion, migration, DNA damage repair, metabolism, oxidative stress, stemness, etc. GSK‐J4 is a promising candidate alone and in combination with other conventional anti‐cancer drugs against different cancer types.
Could the simultaneous persistence of greater cash holdings and interest‐bearing debts affect stock price crash risk?
Authors: Xu Pan , He Jun , Wang Daojuan , Johan Sofia A. , Lin Siwei
Published: May 2023

We study the impact of a unique financial anomaly—the simultaneous persistence of greater cash holdings and interest‐bearing debts (SP‐GCHID) on stock price. Due to institutional diversity and the nature of transition economies, high cash holdings do not always stem from precautionary motive as usually claimed but can be the result of cash misappropriation and debt manipulation by major shareholders. Analysing data from Chinese listed firms from 2010 to 2018, we find that SP‐GCHID is associated with a higher stock price crash risk (SPCR). It is more evident among firms with major shareholders pledging their shares and firms exposed to more external information monitoring. SP‐GCHID also affects SPCR through increasing real earnings management, further suggesting that major shareholders' misappropriation is the main reason for SP‐GCHID's adverse effect. These findings are also robust in a range of endogenous tests. To our knowledge, this study is the first to explore the economic consequences of SP‐GCHID.
US weekly economic index: Replication and extension
Authors: Wegmüller Philipp , Glocker Christian
Published: May 2023

We revisit the US weekly economic index (WEI) put forth by Lewis, Mertens, Stock and Trivedi (2021). In a narrow sense, we replicate their main results with data gathered from its original sources. In a wide sense, we apply the methodology established in Wegmüller, Glocker and Guggia (2023) to adjust the weekly input series for seasonal patterns, calendar day effects, and excess volatility. In a long sense, we show that our proposed data adjustment significantly improves the nowcasting performance of the WEI.
Dividend smoothing and ownership concentration: Evidence from Latin America
Authors: Tigero Tamara , Saens Rodrigo , Castillo Augusto
Published: May 2023

We evaluate the impact of ownership concentration on dividend smoothing for six Latin American economies characterized by both a low level of investor protection and high ownership concentration. Using a panel data set, we find that firms with higher ownership concentration tend to engage more in dividend smoothing, which is more evident for firms with high growth opportunities and greater financial constraints. Our results also show that companies with a mandatory minimum dividend rule (Brazil and Chile) do not engage in dividend smoothing as much as companies without this regulation (Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru). These results are consistent with the idea that in countries where the legal system does not protect minority shareholders, firms would smooth dividends to build a reputation for moderation in expropriating shareholders. According to our results, this need for reputation would be more important for firms with high ownership concentration, more growth opportunities, and greater financial constraints.
Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of thyroid‐stimulating immunoglobulin and thyrotropin receptor antibodies for Graves' disease
Authors: Xu Shiji , Shao Wenqi , Wu Qun , Zhu Jing , Pan Baishen , Wang Beili , Guo Wei
Published: May 2023

Objective

To evaluate thyroid‐stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) diagnostic performance for Graves' disease (GD) and determine clinical cut‐off value for diagnosing GD.

Methods

Of 1369 retrospectively enrolled subjects, 1364 had a definitive diagnosis of untreated GD (GD‐UT, n = 87); treated GD (GD‐T, n = 206); autoimmune thyroid disease (AIT, n = 241); thyroid nodules (TN, n = 677); subacute thyroiditis (ST, n = 28); healthy subjects (HS, n = 125); other diseases with serological hyperthyroidism (n = 5) and were grouped into the following: UT‐GD and control groups (AIT, TN, ST, and HS); and UT‐GD and non‐GD hyperthyroidism groups. Diagnostic performance of TSI and TRAb was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) of receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and optimal clinical cut‐off value was determined using maximization of Youden index.

Results

TRAb AUC and clinical cut‐off value for diagnosing GD were 0.981 and 1.245 IU/L (sensitivity, 96.6%; specificity, 97.1%; positive predictive value [PPV], 71.8%; negative predictive value [NPV], 99.9%; positive likelihood ratio [PLR], 33.31; negative likelihood ratio [NLR, 0.035), respectively, for the GD‐UT and control groups. Those for TSI were 0.992 and 0.467 IU/L (sensitivity 98.8%; specificity, 96.4%; PPV, 68.8%; NPV, 99.9%; PLR, 27.472; NLR, 0.011). Those for TRAb in GD‐UT and non‐GD hyperthyroidism groups were 0.923 and 1.78 IU/L (sensitivity, 92.0%; specificity, 89.1%; PPV, 93%; NPV, 87.5%; PLR, 8.44; NLR, 0.089), respectively. For TSI, these were 0.92 and 0.545 IU/L (sensitivity, 97.7%; specificity, 83.6%; PPV, 90.4%; NPV, 95.8%; PLR27.472, NLR, 0.011), respectively.

Conclusion

TSI diagnostic performance for GD was excellent and had better sensitivity than TRAb.
Better resolving of anti‐CD38 antibody interference with blood compatibility testing by using manual polybrene method compared with dithiothreitol‐pretreatment indirect antiglobulin test
Authors: Feng Chiu‐Che , Chang Ci‐Wen , Lien Zhi‐Yi , Lin Jinun‐An , Chen Tzu‐Ting , Yeh Su‐Peng
Published: May 2023

Background

It is advised to pretreat the reagent erythrocytes with Dithiothreitol (DTT) to denature the surface CD38 to prevent anti‐CD38 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) from interfering with the blood compatibility test. Anti‐CD38 has little impact on the Polybrene test, but it is still unknown how sensitive it is to detect irregular antibodies and how effective it is when compared to the standard DTT‐based method.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients receiving daratumumab (N = 13) and isatuximab (N = 8) had their serum collected. Standard anti‐sera (anti‐c, D, E, Fyb, Jka, M, Mia) with serial dilution were added to patients' serum. Antibody screening tests were performed simultaneously using the manual polybrene method (MP) and DTT‐pretreated, automatic indirect antiglobulin test (DTT‐IAT) to compare the detection sensitivity. These two methods' operating times and costs were also analyzed.

Results

Both MP and DTT‐IAT can overcome the interference caused by anti‐CD38 MoAb. However, MP is more sensitive in detecting anti‐M and anti‐Mia and is comparable to DTT‐IAT in detecting other antibodies. In terms of cost and operating time, MP is also far superior to DTT‐IAT.

Conclusion

MP is a cost‐effective alternative to DTT‐IAT in resolving anti‐CD38 interference and is especially suitable for populations with a high prevalence of anti‐M and anti‐Mia. However, both methods have a well‐known drawback of low detection sensitivity for anti‐K, and K‐units should be provided to patients to prevent hemolytic transfusion reactions.
Post or perish? Social media strategies for disseminating orthopedic research
Authors: Buettmann Evan G. , Chlebek Carolyn , Lockard Carly A. , Clayton Sade W. , Lewis Karl J. , Collins Kelsey H.
Published: May 2023

Social media usage, particularly Twitter, among scientists in academia has increased in recent years. However, Twitter's use in scholarly post‐publication dissemination of orthopaedic research and musculoskeletal advocacy remains low. To enhance usage of Twitter among musculoskeletal researchers, this article reviews data supporting the professional benefits of using the platform to disseminate scholarly works. Next, we provide a linear workflow for Tweet curation, discuss the importance of data‐driven decision making behind tweet curation and posting, and propose new guidelines for professional Twitter usage. Since this workflow may not eliminate all the identified barriers and new institutionalized shifts in policies regarding curation and consumption of social media on Twitter, we also briefly introduce and explore using other social media platforms. We hope this information will be persuasive and compelling to those in the orthopedic research field and be broadly applicable to others in related scientific fields who wish to disseminate findings and engage a public audience on social media. In addition, we encourage the Orthopedic Research Society (ORS) and Journal of Orthopedic Research (JOR) communities to take advantage of the many tools curated by the Wiley editorial office and the ORS social media committee to increase dissemination of their scholarly works online. Twitter and social media can assist in accomplishing our mission of creating a world without musculoskeletal limitations via the timely dissemination of orthopedic information. However, this can only be accomplished if the orthopedic research community has a unified and strong online presence actively engaged in orthopaedic research findings and news.
Shifting potential tree species distributions from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Mid‐Holocene in North America, with a correlation assessment
Authors: Hanberry Brice B.
Published: May 2023

Pollen reconstructions of tree genera in North America since glaciation are available, but species distributions predicted for paleoclimate based on tree inventories may inform knowledge gaps. Here I examined the distributions of 25 species or species groups from 20 000 years ago (ka) to 5 ka to give potential paleoecological ranges of boreal and temperate tree species. I also assessed the effects of correlated climate variables on species distribution models for current and past climate, which were modeled with the non‐linear random forests classifier. Climate change alone was enough to create unique, species‐specific paths that did not run directly north. At 20 ka, black spruce (Picea mariana) occurred as far north as the ice sheet and most boreal species generally may have extended as far south as 32°N, or the northern southeastern United States. Temperate eastern species may have extended as far north as 39°N in low‐elevation locations and temperate eastern species displayed both continuous and clustered distributions across the southeastern United States. Rate of movement was 5.5 km per century between 20 and 14 ka, 13.3 km per century between 14 and 10 ka, and 3.25 km per century between 10 and 5 ka. Species retreated southward between 7 and 5 ka. Regarding correlation, models with all variables had greater accuracy than models with the two most important variables, which had greater accuracy than models with two variables of intermediate importance, demonstrating both reduced accuracy with omission of relevant variables and isolation of important variables that improve accuracy in models with correlated climate variables. Models from different climates identified the same two most important variables and ranked the remaining variables similarly, revealing robustness in the models over time. Distribution models agreed with pollen reconstructions regarding timing and rate of change, while generating detailed species‐specific information about movement trajectories and velocities, latitudinal extents, and distribution continuities.
Clinicopathological features and survival of rare primary pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma: A cohort from a single center
Authors: Nie Kai , Tao GuangYu , Zhu Lin , Zhang Yuxuan , Zhao Ruiying , Parrington John , Yu Hong
Published: May 2023

Background

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma (PLEC) is a rare subtype of nonsmall cell lung cancer. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of resected primary PLEC.

Materials and Methods

In this retrospective study, 95 consecutive patients with primary PLEC, who received radical surgical resection treatment, were examined from October 2009 to January 2022. The clinicopathological features and their association with survival outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Primary PLEC predominated in relatively younger patients and nonsmokers, who lacked driver mutations and were always positive for immunohistochemical markers of the squamous cell lineage. Further, 21.1% of patients had abnormally elevated preoperative serum marker fragments of cytokeratin 19 (Cyfra21‐1). The median follow‐up time was 43.5 months. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rates were 96.5%, 81.8%, and 64.3%, respectively. The median RFS time was not reached. Cox univariate survival analysis showed that patients with positive lymph nodes had significantly worse RFS than those with negative ones (p = 0.017). The patients with open surgery experienced significantly worse RFS than those with video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (p = 0.038). The multivariate survival analysis confirmed that only lymph node involvement (hazard ratio: 2.769; 95% confidence interval: 1.171–6.548, p = 0.020) was an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions

Primary PLEC is a rare type of lung cancer with a favorable outcome, more common in young and nonsmoking Asian populations. Driver gene mutations are rare. Regional lymph node metastasis is an independent prognostic factor for RFS after radical surgical resection.
Value of High‐Frequency Ultrasonography in the Qualitative and Semi‐Quantitative Assessment of Immunoglobulin G4‐Related Submandibular Sialadenitis
Authors: Chen Lei , Nong Lin , Liu Jumei , Chen Luzeng , Shao Yuhong , Sun Xiuming
Published: May 2023

Objective

To assess the value of high‐frequency ultrasonography in the evaluation of immunoglobulin G4‐related submandibular sialadenitis (IgG4‐SS).

Methods

Thirty‐four submandibular glands in 17 patients with IgG4‐SS were retrospectively enrolled, as well as 34 submandibular glands in 17 healthy control subjects. Qualitative ultrasonic features including submandibular gland size, border, echogenicity, and vascularity were reviewed. Two different scoring systems (0–16 and 0–48, respectively) were used for semi‐quantitative analysis of imaging features. Comparison of both qualitative and semi‐quantitative ultrasonic analysis were made between patients with IgG4‐SS and healthy controls. Spearman correlation was used to explore relationships between variables.

Results

The submandibular glands with IgG4‐SS presented with enlarged size, rough border, increased vascularity, and abnormal echogenicity (All P < .05). The most common echogenicity pattern for IgG‐SS was diffuse hypoechoic foci pattern (44.1%), followed by superficial hypoechoic pattern (20.6%), tumor‐like pattern (14.7%), and diffuse hypoechogenicity pattern (11.8%). Most IgG4‐SS glands presented linear hyperechogenicity in parenchyma (91.2%). Based on both scoring system, scores of IgG4‐SS were significantly higher than those of the controls (All P < .05). Association analysis of both scoring systems showed positive correlation of scores with vascularity in the gland parenchyma (All P < .05).

Conclusion

The ultrasonic features of IgG4‐SS comprise enlarged gland, rough border, increased vascularity, and abnormal echogenicity, which correlate with its pathological characteristics. The most common echogenicity pattern for IgG4‐SS was diffuse hypoechoic foci pattern. Semi‐quantitative analysis systems could be useful in the assessment of IgG4‐SS. Ultrasound is a potential, valuable, and non‐invasive tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of IgG4‐SS.
Folate Functionalized and Evodiamine‐Loaded Pluronic Nanomicelles for Augmented Cervical Cancer Cell Killing
Authors: Solanki Raghu , Jangid Ashok Kumar , Jadav Mahima , Kulhari Hitesh , Patel Sunita
Published: May 2023

Evodiamine (Evo) is a natural, biologically active plant alkaloid with wide range of pharmacological activities. In the present study Evo‐loaded folate‐conjugated Pluronic F108 nano‐micelles (ENM) is synthesized to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of Evo against cervical cancer. ENM are synthesized, physicochemically characterized and in vitro anticancer activity is performed. The study demonstrates that ENM have nanoscale size (50.33 ± 3.09 nm), monodispersity of 0.122 ± 0.072, with high drug encapsulation efficiency (71.30 ± 3.76%) and controlled drug release at the tumor microenvironment. ENM showed dose‐dependent and time‐dependent cytotoxicity against HeLa human cervical cancer cells. The results of in vitro anticancer studies demonstrated that ENM have significant anticancer effects and greatly induce apoptosis as compared to pure Evo. The cellular uptake study suggests that increased anticancer activity of ENM is due to the improved intracellular delivery of Evo through overexpressed folate receptors. Overall, the designed ENM can be a potential targeted delivery system for hydrophobic anticancer bioactive compound like Evo.
Spectrum comparison on free boundary minimal submanifolds of Euclidean domains
Authors: Adauto Diego , Batista Márcio
Published: May 2023

In this paper, using ideas of Simons, Ros, and Savo, we prove a comparison between the spectrums of the stability operator and the Hodge–Laplacian acting on differential 1‐forms on a compact minimal submanifold immersed into a Euclidean domain.
Compression of molecular fingerprints with autoencoder networks
Authors: Ilnicka Agnieszka , Schneider Gisbert
Published: May 2023

Several binary molecular fingerprints were compressed using an autoencoder neural network. We analyzed the impact of compression on fingerprint performance in downstream classification and regression tasks. Classifiers trained on compressed fingerprints were negligibly affected. Regression models benefitted from compression, especially of long fingerprints (Morgan, RDK). However, their performance dropped rapidly for compression levels exceeding 90 %. Property co‐learning positively influenced the predictive power of the compressed fingerprints, with a mean score improvement up to 20 %, suggesting that autoencoder compression with property co‐learning biases the molecular representation toward the predicted target, facilitating downstream training.
Application of TVD‐Net for sagittal alignment and instability measurements in cervical spine radiographs
Authors: Xiao Qiangqiang , Chen Yao , Wang Jianxi , Zang Fazhi , Wang Yunhao , Zheng Genjiang , Yang Kunyu , Zhang Rongcheng , Hu Bo , Chen Huajiang
Published: May 2023

Background

Cervical spinal malalignment and instability are frequently occurring pathological conditions involving neck pain, radiculopathy, and myelopathy, often requiring surgical intervention. Accurate assessment of cervical alignment and instability are essential in surgical planning and evaluating postoperative outcomes.

Purpose

To automatically measure the sagittal alignment and instability of the cervical spine, we develop a novel deep‐learning model by detecting landmarks on cervical radiographs.

Methods

We introduce the transformer‐embedded residual network (ResNet) as the network's core to automatically identify vertebral landmarks on digital and film‐transformed cervical radiographs, and simultaneously measure the segmental Cobb angle and horizontal displacement. A Transformer Module was embedded into the latent space to extract the relationship between different vertebrae. Then a Rotating Attention Module was integrated between the encoder‐decoder pairs to highlight the key points and maintain more details. Finally, a Vector Loss Module was proposed to restrain the orientation of the adjacent vertebra to reduce misdetection. All images were obtained from local hospital. Digital images were split into training, validation, and test subsets (896, 225, and 353 images, respectively). Likewise, film‐transformed images were split into 404, 115, and 150 images, respectively. The results of the model were compared with manual measurements.

Results

Our deep learning algorithm achieved mean absolute difference (MAD) at a level of 2.20° and 2.33°, symmetric mean absolute error(SMAPE)at 16.63% and 19.35%, respectively, when measuring Cobb angle on digital images and films. On evaluating cervical instability, the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, and F1‐score evaluation metrics were calculated. The corresponding values were 89.80%, 86.49%, 90.68%, 71.11%, and 78.05% on digital images, and 90.00%, 83.78%, 91.15%, 75.61%, and 79.49% on film‐transformed images, which were comparable to experienced surgeons. Visualization results demonstrated robust effectiveness in subjects with severe osteophytes or artifacts.

Conclusion

This study presents a novel and efficient deep‐learning model to assist landmarks identification and angulation and displacement calculation on lateral cervical spine radiographs, and demonstrates excellent accuracy in measuring cervical alignment and sound sensitivity and specificity in cervical instability diagnosis. It should be helpful for future research and clinical applications.
Polydopamine and polyethyleneimine comodified carbon fibers/epoxy composites with gradual and alternate rigid‐flexible structures: Design, characterizations, interfacial, and mechanical properties
Authors: Han Ping , Zhang Susu , Hu Shaokai , Yu Ying , Han Shaolong , Wang Haoyu , Wang Jianfa , Wei Gang , Gu Zheng
Published: May 2023

Polymer composites with tailored structure and enhanced properties and functions have attracted great attentions due to their wide applications in materials science, nanotechnology, and engineering science. In this work, we demonstrate the innovative concepts of fabricating both gradual “rigid‐flexible” and alternate “rigid‐flexible” structures, which are achieved by altering the grafting sequence of flexible polyethyleneimine with high flexibility and polydopamine with suitable rigidity. Then, the effect of different rigid‐flexible structures on the structure and properties of the carbon fiber‐epoxy (CF/EP) composites are studied. It is found that the composites reinforced by the alternate rigid‐flexible polymer layer possess superior interfacial effects and mechanical properties. Compared with the CF/EP without polymer layer modification, the rigid‐flexible layer contributes to about 80.3% and 167.3% on the interfacial shear strength and the impact strength of final composites. These great improvements are attributed to the complex crack propagation path, more energy consumption, wider interface region, higher wettability, as well as strong physical and chemical interactions. This work provides practical and scalable potentials for regulating the structure and functions of the CF‐reinforced polymer composites by optimal interfacial design.
Psychosis treatment in the context of tetralogy of Fallot and prolonged QTc
Authors: D'Souza Dina , Kar Nilamadhab , Jiwanmall Stephen Amarjeet
Published: May 2023

We present a case of a 27‐year‐old Caucasian male with a background of surgically corrected tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and pulmonary valve regurgitation, who presented with psychotic symptoms. The case presented a challenge in treatment due to the patient's cardiac history and ongoing cardiac‐related health problems with prolonged QTc before initiation of the antipsychotic drug. Treatment included careful monitoring of ECG while on antipsychotics, which led gradually to improvement in his mental state. The case highlights the possibility of a link between TOF and psychosis, the vulnerability of such patients to their treatment and the importance of multidisciplinary support for cardiac side‐effects.
Lithium and chronic kidney disease: to stop or not to stop?
Authors: Velani Bharat , Tomar Rahul
Published: May 2023

Lithium is the first‐line treatment as a mood stabiliser in bipolar affective disorder, but it is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Consideration of ongoing lithium therapy in patients with CKD is a relatively common clinical scenario, but there is a lack of clear clinical guidelines and management practices vary. We discuss two cases of patients on lithium therapy who developed CKD, in order to provide a meaningful context to further explore the clinical framework for decision making and management.
Characteristics and multidisciplinary team management of FND
Authors: Rixon Melissa , Clarke Katherine , Hernandez Sabrina , Bower Wendy
Published: May 2023

Care of patients with functional neurological disorders (FND) is complex, often with poor outcomes. There is currently only low quality evidence of interventions needed for recovery in the acute phase. In this paper the characteristics of a cohort of acute FND patients managed within a large tertiary neurosciences centre are described and health service provision explored to identify fidelity with best practice.
Synthesis and characterization of reversible thermosensitive methylated chitin and its application in zinc‐ion battery thermal runaway
Authors: Zhan Hejun , Chen Yongzhi , Huang Long , Yang Chao , Zhong Yalan , Wang Lihua , Jiang Xulin
Published: May 2023

Novel water‐soluble methylated chitins (MCHs) were synthesized homogeneously in aqueous alkaline solution. The relatively mild reaction conditions resulted in the MCH with high degree of acetylation (DA >0.76). The chemical structure of the obtained MCHs was analyzed and the degree of methylation substitution (DS) and DA were determined by proton NMR in both D2O and 20% DCl/D2O. The MCH aqueous solutions (DS = 0.46 ~ 0.71) showed a reversible thermosensitive sol–gel–sol transition upon heating and cooling. The gel transition temperature of these MCHs (in the range of 15–85 °C) increased with increasing DS and decreasing polymer concentration. Thermal runaway has been an important safety issue impeding the development of high‐energy‐density zinc‐ion batteries. A smart thermosensitive reversible electrolyte was prepared based on this MCH for the aqueous zinc‐ion battery to prevent thermal runaway. When the temperature of zinc‐ion battery rises or even gets out of control, the thermosensitive electrolyte can quickly gel and inhibit the migration of zinc ions, resulting in increase of the internal resistance and realizing intelligent and efficient thermal self‐protection. Thus the novel thermosensitive methylated chitin shows promise for safe aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.