bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Red‐Light Photocatalytic Activation of Pt(IV) Anticancer Prodrugs Using Methylene Blue
Authors: Carrasco Ana C. , Bajetto Greta , Scoditti Stefano , Pieslinger German E. , Gambino Francesco , De Andrea Marco , Sicilia Emilia , Martínez‐Martínez Virginia , Dell'Oste Valentina , Salassa Luca
Published: November 2024

Catalysis‐based approaches offer versatile strategies for activating anticancer prodrugs, potentially allowing precise control over drug release and localization within tumor tissues while reducing systemic toxicity. In this study, we explore the role of the phenothiazine dye methylene blue (MB+) as a photocatalyst in conjunction with biologically relevant electron donors to facilitate the red‐light conversion of two Pt(IV) complexes, denoted as cis,cis,trans‐[PtCl2(NH3)2(O2CCH2CH2COOH)2] (1) and trans‐[Pt(O2CCH2CH2COOH)21R,2R‐(DACH)(ox)] (2), into cisplatin and oxaliplatin, respectively. Combining spectroscopic techniques (NMR, UV–vis, and flash photolysis) with computational methods, we reveal that the doubly reduced MB+ (leucomethylene blue, LMB) triggers the reductive elimination of axial ligands in the two Pt(IV) precursors, generating the corresponding Pt(II) anticancer drugs. In vitro experiments conducted on the human cervical cancer cell line CaSki, which harbors multiple copies of the integrated HPV‐16 genome, and on nontumoral cells (HaCat) demonstrate that coadministration with Pt(IV) prodrugs improves MB+’s antiproliferative efficacy in cancer cells, particularly under red light exposure. This enhancement could be attributed to the catalytic production of Pt(II) species within the cellular environment.
Asymmetric Organocatalysed Synthesis of (R)‐Mandelic Acid Esters and α‐Alkoxy Derivatives from Commercial Sources
Authors: Battaglia Vincenzo , Meninno Sara , Lattanzi Alessandra
Published: November 2024

Optically active mandelic acid esters represent a highly valuable class of building blocks in organic synthesis and recurrent motifs embedded in bioactive compounds and drugs. Herein, we provide an enantioselective one‐pot synthesis based on Knoevenagel condensation/asymmetric epoxidation/domino ring‐opening hydrolysis (DROH) sequence to the crude mandelic acids, which underwent a final esterification step to (R)‐methyl mandelates. These products have been obtained in good to high overall yield and enantioselectivity, using commercially and widely available reagents and catalyst including aldehydes, phenylsulfonyl acetonitrile, cumyl hydroperoxide, water and an epi‐quinine‐derived urea as the organocatalyst. Moreover, the versatility of the process has been demonstrated to prepare the corresponding α‐alkoxy esters in highly enantioselective manner, when using primary alcohols in a domino ring‐opening esterification (DROE) step. This system is a first example of non‐enzymatic catalytic one‐pot protocol which allows a straightforward asymmetric synthesis of highly valuable mandelic acid derivatives from aldehyde feedstocks.
HHS OIG finds Medicaid and physicians limit access to MOUD
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: November 2024

A new report has found that even patients with insurance coverage, especially from Medicaid in certain states, are less likely to receive medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) because providers are just unwilling to treat them. Young people are most likely particularly victims of this bias, which is understandable on the part of physicians who have not been trained in prescribing buprenorphine. (Methadone can only be prescribed for OUD in certain specific treatment centers called opioid treatment programs, which also dispense the medication.)
Most teens satisfied with gender‐affirming care
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: November 2024

Gender‐affirming medical care includes puberty blockers, gender‐affirming hormones, and/or surgery, and is an important part of health care for transgender and nonbinary minors, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and others. The interventions are associated with improvements in anxiety, depression, and body image. However, less is known about how satisfied or regretful the youth are about receiving such care when they were minors. There are reports that some individuals regret the care they received, creating complications for researchers and clinicians.
The “full species list” fallacy in Floristic Quality Assessment
Authors: Jog Suneeti K. , Bried Jason T.
Published: November 2024

Biological assessments typically involve field surveys that are time‐consuming and require taxonomic expertise. Floristic Quality Assessment, a popular bioassessment method for wetlands and other ecosystems, generally assumes a comprehensive or representative species list for accurate implementation. We explored this long‐held belief by analyzing an essential floristic quality metric (mean conservatism) across real and simulated gradients of species representation in two disparate case studies. In one study, we incrementally removed species at random from an exhaustive floristic survey of a suburban wetland complex in northeast Ohio. Bootstrapping mean conservatism at each removal step, precision scarcely decreased with 10%–30% species loss, becoming noticeable only when about 50% or fewer species remained. For the other study, we exploited varying percentages of dominant species available from hundreds of single‐visit wetland determination surveys throughout Illinois. Comparing dominants‐only mean conservatism with total species mean conservatism, the relationship steadily improved as dominants covered progressively larger fractions of native richness, ranging from r2 = 0.12 at ≤10% dominants to 0.74 at >40% dominants. Both exercises suggest that community size is more important than taxonomic representation or inventory completeness per se in determining accuracy. Our results indicate that full or representative checklists are not a prerequisite for reliable Floristic Quality Assessment, supporting the investigation and potential use of taxonomic shortcuts and empowering a wide range of users beyond expert field botanists.
Addition of Sydnones to para‐Quinone Methides: Selective 1,6‐Additions and Oxidative C−H Functionalizations
Authors: Serrao Lavina Gladis , Naveenkumar S. , Maddani Mahagundappa R.
Published: November 2024

Cu(OTf)2 catalysed 1,6‐addition and oxidative C−H functionalization of p‐quinone methides with sydnones is developed. Diversely substituted triarylmethanes and quinones have been synthesized in good to excellent yields in short reaction time. Further, the antioxidant activity of some of the synthesised triarylmethanes was investigated using DPPH assay and the compounds show good antioxidant property.
Dynamics of Viscous Jeffrey Fluid Flow Through Darcian Medium With Hall Current and Quadratic Buoyancy
Authors: Akolade Mojeed T. , Agunbiade Samson A. , Oyekunle Timothy L. , Malgwi Peter B.
Published: November 2024

This contribution builds on existing studies by investigating the dynamics of Hall current in Jeffery fluid under radiative heat, convective boundary conditions, Joule heating, and Darcy dissipation. Hall current, an important phenomenon in engineering applications involving strong magnetic fields, highlights the impact of electromagnetic force in examining blood flow rate, determining charge drift velocity, density, and movement, and is used in power generators and high‐voltage transformers. This analysis incorporates dissipative and thermal radiative heat and employs the effects of Hall current and Joule heating, resulting from porous medium resistance, to derive the partial differential equations governing the dynamic systems. These equations are then reduced to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) through similarity variables. The Galerkin weighted residual method (GWRM) is employed to examine the dynamics of Hall current and quadratic thermal buoyancy, shedding light on the thermal properties and hydrodynamics of Jeffrey fluid convection within a porous medium. The analysis reveals that in the presence of an applied magnetic field, the contribution of Hall current to flow and heat dynamics induces a magnetic force that enhances fluid motion and negatively impacts heat energy patterns. The imposition of dissipative heat physically increases the fluid temperature, owing to an increase in buoyancy current. The occurrence of thermal radiation, Hall current, viscous dissipation, and Joule heating can efficiently optimize the rate of heat transfer and shear stress. Moreover, the tabular results indicate that Jeffrey fluid, exhibiting higher relaxation time, will experience a lower friction coefficient and heat transfer rate.
Crowd Flow Prediction: An Integrated Approach Using Dynamic Spatial–Temporal Adaptive Modeling for Pattern Flow Relationships
Authors: Ul Abideen Zain , Sun Xiaodong , Sun Chao
Published: November 2024

Predicting crowd flows in smart cities poses a significant challenge for the intelligent transportation system (ITS). Traffic management and behavioral analysis are crucial and have garnered considerable attention from researchers. However, accurately and timely predicting crowd flow is difficult due to various complex factors, including dependencies on recent crowd flow and neighboring regions. Existing studies often focus on spatial–temporal dependencies but neglect to model the relationship between crowd flow in distant areas. In our study, we observe that the daily flow of each region remains relatively consistent, and certain regions, despite being far apart, exhibit similar flow patterns, indicating a strong correlation between them. In this paper, we proposed a novel Multiscale Adaptive Graph‐Gated Network (MSAGGN) model. The main components of MSAGGN can be divided into three major parts: (1) To capture the parallel periodic learning architecture through a layer‐wise gated mechanism, a layer‐wise functional approach is employed to modify gated mechanism, establishing parallel skip periodic connections to effectively manage temporal and external factor information at each time interval; (2) a graph convolutional‐based adaptive mechanism that effectively captures crowd flow traffic data by considering dynamic spatial–temporal correlations; and (3) we proposed a novel intelligent channel encoder (ICE). The task of this block is to capture citywide spatial–temporal correlation along external factors to preserve correlation for distant regions with external elements. To integrate spatio‐temporal flexibility, we introduce the adaptive transformation module. We assessed our model's performance by comparing it with previous state‐of‐the‐art models and conducting experiments using two real‐world datasets for evaluation.
Tidying up white matter: Neuroplastic transformations in sensorimotor tracts following slackline skill acquisition
Authors: Koschutnig Karl , Weber Bernhard , Fink Andreas
Published: November 2024

This study investigated changes in white matter (WM) morphology following complex motor learning, that is, the learning to walk a slackline. A sample of young adults from the general population underwent brain imaging before the slackline intervention, after successful learning, and after a subsequent follow‐up period by applying state‐of‐the‐art measures for the assessment of micro‐ and macrostructural characteristics of WM fiber tracts (voxel‐based and fixel‐based). A randomly assigned control group (CG) was scanned at the same time points of assessment but received no intervention over the study period. Learning to walk a slackline resulted in manifold changes in WM morphology: (1) Whole brain fixel‐based analyses revealed robust increases in the fiber cross‐section in bundles closely associated with sensorimotor functions (e.g., superior longitudinal fasciculi, corticospinal tract); (2) The neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) parameters showed widespread decreases in overlapping fiber bundles. In the CG, no time‐related WM changes were apparent at all. This well‐controlled longitudinal intervention study provides substantial new evidence that learning a complex motor skill modulates fiber organization and fiber density in sensorimotor tracts.
OpenMAP‐T1: A Rapid Deep‐Learning Approach to Parcellate 280 Anatomical Regions to Cover the Whole Brain
Authors: Nishimaki Kei , Onda Kengo , Ikuta Kumpei , Chotiyanonta Jill , Uchida Yuto , Mori Susumu , Iyatomi Hitoshi , Oishi Kenichi ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative,   Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing
Published: November 2024

This study introduces OpenMAP‐T1, a deep‐learning‐based method for rapid and accurate whole‐brain parcellation in T1‐ weighted brain MRI, which aims to overcome the limitations of conventional normalization‐to‐atlas‐based approaches and multi‐atlas label‐fusion (MALF) techniques. Brain image parcellation is a fundamental process in neuroscientific and clinical research, enabling a detailed analysis of specific cerebral regions. Normalization‐to‐atlas‐based methods have been employed for this task, but they face limitations due to variations in brain morphology, especially in pathological conditions. The MALF techniques improved the accuracy of the image parcellation and robustness to variations in brain morphology, but at the cost of high computational demand that requires a lengthy processing time. OpenMAP‐T1 integrates several convolutional neural network models across six phases: preprocessing; cropping; skull‐stripping; parcellation; hemisphere segmentation; and final merging. This process involves standardizing MRI images, isolating the brain tissue, and parcellating it into 280 anatomical structures that cover the whole brain, including detailed gray and white matter structures, while simplifying the parcellation processes and incorporating robust training to handle various scan types and conditions. The OpenMAP‐T1 was validated on the Johns Hopkins University atlas library and eight available open resources, including real‐world clinical images, and the demonstration of robustness across different datasets with variations in scanner types, magnetic field strengths, and image processing techniques, such as defacing. Compared with existing methods, OpenMAP‐T1 significantly reduced the processing time per image from several hours to less than 90 s without compromising accuracy. It was particularly effective in handling images with intensity inhomogeneity and varying head positions, conditions commonly seen in clinical settings. The adaptability of OpenMAP‐T1 to a wide range of MRI datasets and its robustness to various scan conditions highlight its potential as a versatile tool in neuroimaging.
Evaluating the performance and clinical decision‐making impact of ChatGPT‐4 in reproductive medicine
Authors: Chen Rouzhu , Zeng Danling , Li Yi , Huang Rui , Sun Dejuan , Li Tingting
Published: November 2024

Background

ChatGPT, a sophisticated language model developed by OpenAI, has the potential to offer professional and patient‐friendly support. We aimed to assess the accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT‐4 in answering questions related to knowledge, management, and support within the field of reproductive medicine.

Methods

ChatGPT‐4 was used to respond to queries sourced from a domestic attending physician examination database, as well as to address both local and international treatment guidelines within the field of reproductive medicine. Each response generated by ChatGPT‐4 was independently evaluated by a trio of experts specializing in reproductive medicine. The experts used four qualitative measures—relevance, accuracy, completeness, and understandability—to assess each response.

Results

We found that ChatGPT‐4 demonstrated extensive knowledge in reproductive medicine, with median scores for relevance, accuracy, completeness, and comprehensibility of objective questions being 4, 3.5, 3, and 3, respectively. However, the composite accuracy rate for multiple‐choice questions was 63.38%. Significant discrepancies were observed among the three experts' scores across all four measures. Expert 1 generally provided higher and more consistent scores, while Expert 3 awarded lower scores for accuracy. ChatGPT‐4's responses to both domestic and international guidelines showed varying levels of understanding, with a lack of knowledge on regional guideline variations. However, it offered practical and multifaceted advice regarding next steps and adjusting to new guidelines.

Conclusions

We analyzed the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT‐4's responses on the management of reproductive medicine and relevant support. ChatGPT‐4 might serve as a supplementary informational tool for patients and physicians to improve outcomes in the field of reproductive medicine.
Evaluation of the Pregnancy to Parenthood program: A dyadic intervention for mothers with perinatal mental disorders and their infants
Authors: Matacz Rochelle , Byrne Shannon , Nosaka Kaoru , Priddis Lynn , Finlay‐Jones Amy , Lim Izaak , Bloxsome Dianne , Newman‐Morris Vesna
Published: November 2024

Dyadic interventions targeting maternal mental health and the mother‐infant relationship in the perinatal period are critical due to the potential consequences of perinatal mental illness and relational disturbance for the mother, the infant, and their family. This paper describes the Pregnancy to Parenthood (P2P) model of care, a dyadic mother‐infant community‐based program designed to support vulnerable families in Western Australia in the context of an identified need to build workforce capacity. A pragmatic service evaluation study was conducted by analyzing routine clinical data collected from 105 dyads who completed pre‐ and post‐intervention measures, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS), and the Mother Object Relations Scale‐Short Form (MORS‐SF). Reliable change index and cut‐off analyses indicated a clinically reliable pre‐post reduction in perinatal depressive and anxiety symptoms for 71% and 68% of the sample, respectively. Significant pre‐post improvements with medium effect sizes (r = −.46, r = −.32) were found for caregiving representations on the MORS‐SF, suggesting representations became more balanced. These results provide provisional evidence that the P2P model of care may be effective in improving maternal mental health and caregiving representations. Further research is required to evaluate the efficacy of P2P in relation to enhancing family well‐being, and to inform policy and mental health service development.
SFNet: Spatial and Frequency Domain Networks for Wide‐Field OCT Angiography Retinal Vessel Segmentation
Authors: Li Sien , Ma Fei , Yan Fen , Dong Xiwei , Guo Yanfei , Meng Jing , Liu Hongjuan
Published: November 2024

Automatic segmentation of blood vessels in fundus images is important to assist ophthalmologists in diagnosis. However, automatic segmentation for Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) blood vessels has not been fully investigated due to various difficulties, such as vessel complexity. In addition, there are only a few publicly available OCTA image data sets for training and validating segmentation algorithms. To address these issues, we constructed a wild‐field retinal OCTA segmentation data set, the Retinal Vessels Images in OCTA (REVIO) dataset. Second, we propose a new retinal vessel segmentation network based on spatial and frequency domain networks (SFNet). The proposed model are tested on three benchmark data sets including REVIO, ROSE and OCTA‐500. The experimental results show superior performance on segmentation tasks compared to the representative methods.
Food insecurity in a diverse community pediatric gastroenterology clinic: Screening strategies and insights
Authors: Watson Ashleigh , Jazayeri Amir , Raj Priya
Published: November 2024

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) in the community pediatric gastroenterology (GI) subspecialty clinic at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) West Campus and to assess the utilization of services through our partnership with a local food bank.

Methods

From July 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, all patients seen in the pediatric GI clinic at TCH West Campus were screened for FI using the validated Hunger Vital Sign tool and given the opportunity to consult with a local food bank representative. A retrospective chart review was then performed on patients who completed the implemented FI screening process.

Results

13.4% of the total patients screened positive for FI. Hispanic patients (p < 0.0001), patients with the preferred language of Spanish (p < 0.0001), those enrolled in Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (p < 0.0001), and patients with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30.0, p = 0.0003) were more likely to screen positive for FI. Poor weight gain/failure to thrive and steatotic liver disease were significantly more common in those with FI (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0003, respectively), while celiac disease, abdominal pain, and blood in stool were more common in those without FI (p = 0.0003, 0.0475, and 0.0404, respectively). As a result of our implemented FI screening process, 68.4% of those screening positive opted for resource referral, with 50.7% successfully receiving assistance in combating FI.

Conclusions

Identifying the potential impact of FI in common pediatric GI conditions calls for proactive screening and more holistic, patient‐centered approaches in clinical practice
High‐density lipoprotein cholesterol to c‐reactive protein ratio predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after electrical cardioversion
Authors: Sonsöz Mehmet Rasih , Demirtaş İhsan , Canbolat Orkun , Karadamar Nazime , Özkan Eyüp , Özateş Yelda Saltan
Published: November 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cardioversion is common, and inflammation plays a critical role in its pathophysiology. We aimed to elucidate the predictive role of the ratio of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol to c‐reactive protein (HDL‐C/CRP) as an inflammatory marker in AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV). We analyzed patients who underwent elective ECV for atrial fibrillation between June 2020 and December 2023. Baseline levels of HDL‐C and CRP were obtained. Ninety‐six patients were included. The median age was 59 years, and 48% were female. Atrial fibrillation recurred after ECV in 56 patients (58%). In the AF recurrence group, CHA2DS2‐VASc score was higher (2 [1–3] vs. 1[0–2]; p = 0.013), left atrial diameter was larger (43 ± 5 vs. 40 ± 6 mm; p = 0.015), and HDL‐C/CRP ratio was lower (5.6 [2.7–13.0] vs. 14.0 [4.8–38.0]; p = 0.003) compared with the sinus rhythm group. Cox regression analysis showed that HDL‐C/CRP was a predictor of AF recurrence at follow‐up (unadjusted HR = 0.97; CI 95%: 0.95–0.99; p = 0.004; adjusted HR = 0.98; CI 95%: 0.96–0.99; p = 0.030). ROC curve showed that HDL‐C/CRP ratio was able to predict AF recurrence after ECV (AUC = 0.68; p = 0.003). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with baseline HDL‐C/CRP <7.4 had higher AF recurrence (log‐rank test p = 0.013). Our research demonstrated that the lower HDL‐C/CRP ratio predicted AF recurrence after ECV during follow‐up.
L‐Shaped Scapular and Parascapular Combined Flap for Reconstruction of a Large Surface Defect After Sarcoma Resection Using ICG Angiography: A Case Series of 6 Patients
Authors: Karakawa Ryo , Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Imai Hirofumi , Yano Tomoyuki
Published: November 2024

Background

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) pose challenges in management due to large defects following wide resection. Reconstructive options are often limited, especially in patients with large circular defects below the gluteal region. This article addresses the question of how to effectively reconstruct such defects while minimizing donor‐site morbidity. We present our experience with using an L‐shaped combined scapular and parascapular flap after STS resection, highlighting the novelty of employing indocyanine green (ICG) angiography to ensure optimal blood flow and surgical safety.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent STS resection and immediate reconstruction using an L‐shaped scapular and parascapular combined flap between October 2022 and April 2024. The feasibility of the procedure was assessed by analyzing the patient demographics, tumor characteristics, defect and flap sizes, operative time, and postoperative outcomes, including donor‐site complications and shoulder function.

Results

Six patients underwent reconstruction using an L‐shaped combined flap with no donor‐site complications or significant shoulder dysfunction. The average sizes were 15.7 × 13.7 cm for the defect, 20 × 7 cm for the scapular flap, and 23 × 7.3 cm for the parascapular flap. The average operative time was 7 h and 9 min. The average follow‐up period was 10.2 months. Except for one case of partial flap necrosis, all flaps survived completely, highlighting the reliability of the procedure.

Conclusion

L‐shaped combined scapular and parascapular flaps are promising reconstructive techniques for large surface defects after STS resection with low donor‐site morbidity and preservation of shoulder function. The novel application of these flaps for large circular defects below the gluteal region, combined with the use of ICG angiography to ensure flap viability and enhance surgical safety, are key contributions of this study.
New multilinear Littlewood–Paley gλ∗ function and commutator on weighted Lebesgue spaces
Authors: Sun Huimin , Yang Shuhui , Lin Yan
Published: November 2024

Via the new weight function
, the authors introduce a new class of multilinear Littlewood–Paley
functions and establish the boundedness on weighted Lebesgue spaces. In addition, the authors obtain the boundedness of the multilinear commutator and multilinear iterated commutator generated by the multilinear Littlewood–Paley
function and the new
function on weighted Lebesgue spaces. The results in this article include the known results in previous studies. When
, that is, in the case of one linear, our conclusions are also new, further extending the results in previous work.
Improvements on the Leighton‐type oscillation criteria for impulsive differential equations and extension to non‐canonical case
Authors: Zafer A. , Doğru Akgöl S.
Published: November 2024

We investigate the oscillatory behavior of solutions of second‐order linear differential equations with impulses. These equations can be categorized into two types: canonical and non‐canonical. This study examines the canonical and non‐canonical impulsive differential equations in connection with the famous Leighton‐type oscillation theorem. The well‐known theorem states that every solution of

where
and
are continuous with
, is oscillatory if

and

This pioneering work of Leighton has received considerable attention since its inception, and hence, it has been extended to various types of equations, including delay differential equations, dynamic equations, and impulsive differential equations. There are also studies generalizing the Leighton oscillation theorem when the condition
fails, that is, when the equation is of non‐canonical type. Our work focuses on refining the Leighton oscillation theorem to treat the canonical and non‐canonical cases. By doing so, we correct, supplement, and enhance the current literature on the oscillation theory of differential equations with impulses. Examples are also given to illustrate the significance of the obtained results.
Wideband Air‐Filled Coaxial Filter Line
Authors: Platt Jori M. , Boskovic Ljubodrag B. , Filipovic Dejan S.
Published: November 2024

A design for manufacturing (DFM) of a well‐performing wideband coaxial filter line using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) additive manufacturing is proposed. The demonstrated transmission line is an air‐filled coaxial line chosen for low loss and consistent group delay over the bandwidth. Transmission line theory is used first to account for the impact of the shorted stub needed to support the central conductor. Deviations due to parasitics are described to transition the design from an ideal model to a physical prototype. The constraints inherent in DMLS are discussed and accounted for throughout the DFM. This process is demonstrated with a prototype having return and insertion losses of greater than 10 dB and less than 1.64 dB, respectively, over a 5.3:1 bandwidth from 6.4 to 33.9 GHz with a flat group delay of 129 ps ± 7%.
Optimizing Connected Components Graph Partitioning With Minimum Size Constraints Using Integer Programming and Spectral Clustering Techniques
Authors: Cordero Mishelle , Miniguano–Trujillo Andrés , Recalde Diego , Torres Ramiro , Vaca Polo
Published: November 2024

In this work, a graph partitioning problem in a fixed number of connected components is considered. Given an undirected graph with costs on the edges, the problem consists of partitioning the set of nodes into a fixed number of subsets with minimum size, where each subset induces a connected subgraph with minimal edge cost. The problem naturally surges in applications where connectivity is essential, such as cluster detection in social networks, political districting, sports team realignment, and energy distribution. Mixed Integer Programming formulations together with a variety of valid inequalities are demonstrated and computationally tested. An assisted column generation approach by spectral clustering is also proposed for this problem with additional valid inequalities. Finally, the methods are tested for several simulated instances, and computational results are discussed. Overall, the proposed column generation technique enhanced by spectral clustering offers a promising approach to solve clustering and partitioning problems.
Development of a Frailty Prediction Model Among Older Adults in China: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis Using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey
Authors: Tang Xianping , Shen Dongdong , Zhou Tian , Ge Song , Wu Xiang , Wang Aming , Li Mei , Xia Youbing
Published: November 2024

Aims

To identify the risk factors associated with frailty among older adults in China and develop a predictive model for assessing their frailty risk.

Design

Secondary cross‐sectional analysis.

Methods

The 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) provided data for this study. A total of 9006 participants were included in the analysis. Their general demographic, socioeconomic status and health behaviour risk factors were collected in the CLHLS. Frailty was assessed using the Frailty Index. A visual nomogram model was constructed based on independent predictors identified using multivariate analysis. The nomogram's discrimination and calibration capabilities were evaluated using the C‐statistics and calibration curves. A 1000‐times resampling enhanced bootstrap method was performed for internal validation of the nomogram.

Results

The results showed that living in rural settings, having a primary education level, having a spouse, having basic living security, smoking, drinking, exercising and social activities were protective factors against frailty. Increasing age, being underweight or obese, adverse self‐assessed economic status and poor sleep quality were risk factors of frailty. The AUC values of the internal validation set were 0.830. The calibration curve was close to ideal. The Brier score was 0.122. The above results showed that the nomogram model had a good predictive performance.

Conclusions

A simple and fast frailty risk prediction model was developed in this study to help healthcare professionals screen older adults at high risk of frailty in China.

Impact

The frailty risk prediction model will assist healthcare professionals in risk management and decision‐making and provide targeted frailty prevention interventions. Screening high‐risk older adults and early intervention can reduce the risk of adverse outcomes and save medical expenses for older adults and society, thereby realising cost‐effective planning of health resources and healthy ageing.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution. This study was a cross‐sectional, secondary analysis of the CLHLS data.
Management of Prenatal Expanded Genetic Carrier Screening Results for Autosomal Recessive Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Srinivasan Tarika , Redfield Shelby , Poorvu Tabitha , Kenna Margaret A.
Published: November 2024

Objective

Expanded carrier screening (ECS) identified couples at‐risk to have a baby with an autosomal recessive genetic condition. Several genes implicated in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) are included in prenatal or preconception genetics ECS testing. Early identification of SNHL risk may enable prognostication of hearing loss, early educational intervention, and minimization of unnecessary diagnostic testing. We sought to describe cases where ECS enabled early SNHL‐risk identification.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Maternal‐Fetal Care Center and Otolaryngology department at an academic tertiary hospital.

Methods

Medical records of parent‐infant dyads with positive ECS results for variants in autosomal recessive SNHL genes were reviewed. Data regarding genetic diagnostic testing, newborn hearing screening, time to HL diagnosis, audiological evaluation, and clinical consultations were compiled.

Results

Fifteen pregnant with positive ECS results for SNHL were referred for consultation with a pediatric otolaryngologist and genetic counselor. Generally, these couples were highly educated and adequately insured. 14 had pathogenic variants for GJB2 and 1 for USH2A. Four couples pursued prenatal genetic diagnosis via amniocentesis; 11 couples deferred genetic testing to the postnatal period or waited for initial hearing evaluation. Six babies inherited biallelic GJB2 mutations. Four were found to have SNHL on ABR by age 5 weeks and received follow‐up management, 1 had a normal hearing evaluation despite being gene‐positive, and 1 was lost to follow‐up before hearing evaluation.

Conclusions

Carrier screening and confirmatory prenatal or neonatal genetic testing provided considerable lead time for early audiometric testing and appropriate intervention services including hearing aid fitting.
Aqueous solution‐assisted in‐situ polymerization for fabrication of BNNS/PA12T nanocomposites with excellent thermal conductivity and mechanical properties
Authors: Li Shuang , Liu Hangzhuo , Xu Yimin , Wang Chen , Cao Zejun , Zhao Wei , Li Xin , Zhang Yuancheng , Cui Zhe , Fu Peng , Pang Xinchang , Zhang Xiaomeng , Liu Minying
Published: November 2024

Maintaining uniform dispersion of nano filler under high content is critical for fabricating polymer‐based composites with great mechanical and thermally conductive properties. In this work, BNNS/PA12T nanocomposite with the highest boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) content of 23.1 wt% was successfully prepared by the aqueous solution‐assisted in‐situ polymerization method. Results demonstrate that the BNNS can be uniformly dispersed in the composite due to the low viscosity during the polymerization process. As a result, when the content of BNNS is 23.1 wt%, the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of BNNS/PA12T nanocomposite are 62 MPa and 1.55 W/(m·K). Furthermore, the composites also possess excellent high‐temperature resistance with the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 60 ppm/°C, about one third of pure PA12T, and the thermal deformation temperature also reaches 139.4°C. Therefore, the fabricated BNNS/PA12T nanocomposite can be effectively applied as thermal management and packaging materials for electronic devices.

Highlights

BNNS/PA12T nanocomposites were prepared by aqueous solution‐assisted method.

BNNS can be uniformly dispersed at the filling content up to 23 wt%.

The thermal conductivity of BNNS/PA12T nanocomposite can reach 1.55 W/(m·K).

Possessing excellent mechanical properties and dimensional stability.

The nanocomposite can be effectively applied for thermal management.
Density Modifications Toward High Mechanical Performance Nanocellulose Aerogels
Authors: Duan Gaigai , Qin Qin , Hu Rubei , Liang Zhao , Han Xiaoshuai , Yang Haoqi , Huang Yong , Zhang Chunmei , He Shuijian , Jiang Shaohua
Published: November 2024

Mechanical properties are crucial for the application of nanocellulose aerogels. In this work, a series of nanocellulose aerogels with solid content concentration gradient (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 wt%) of precursor dispersion are prepared by freeze‐drying method, and the effect of nanocellulose solid content on the mechanical properties of nanocellulose aerogels was investigated. As the solid content concentration increased, the internal microstructure of the aerogel underwent a transition from a sparse reticular structure to a tightly arranged lamellar structure. This transition led to a substantial improvement in the mechanical properties of the aerogel. At 50% strain, the compressive strength of the aerogel increased from 8.4 to 37.56 kPa with the increase of nanofibrillar cellulose solid content. Furthermore, the specific strength, specific modulus, and compressive modulus also increased, while maintaining a low density (20.02 mg/cm3) and high porosity (98.63%). This work confirms the feasibility of structural strengthening and mechanical property enhancement of nanocellulose aerogels by density modification, which provides a guidance for the design of durability enhancement of nanocellulose aerogels for broadening their application fields.
Localized Thermoresponsive Behavior in P(NIPAm‐co‐AAc) Copolymers: Structural Insights From Rheology and Small Angle X‐Ray Scattering
Authors: Fernandez Bordín S. P. , Rufeil Fiori E. , Padró J. M. , Galván Josa V.M. , Plivelic T. S. , Romero M. R.
Published: November 2024

Stimuli‐responsive polymers stand out for their ability to respond to small environmental changes. One of the most representative thermo‐sensitive materials is poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAm), which presents reversible phase transitions close to the human body temperature. However, previous studies observed that the copolymerization of NIPAm with small quantities of different monomers like acrylic acid (AAc) results in copolymers with reduced or lost thermo‐responsivity. In this study, thermo‐sensitive PNIPAm, pH‐sensitive poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc), and various proportions of their copolymers P(NIPAm‐co‐AAc) were obtained by free radical polymerization and thoroughly characterized. Rheological and structural studies reveal the remaining thermosensitivity of the copolymers manifested at short molecular ranges. These alterations in short‐range interactions are observed in all samples containing NIPAm, and they are evidenced by changes in the fractality of their structure and flow index behavior of the Viscosity Ostwald–de Waele Model. Particularly, when the copolymer proportion of NIPAm/AAc is about 40/60, the Beaucage model reveals two structural levels, ~200 and ~10 nm. Furthermore, the model exhibits a thermal response of the lower‐size substructures, indicating possible segregation of NIPAm‐rich regions from copolymer chains. The evidence found in this work could contribute to the development of nanosystems, in which local thermoresponsive effects are sought, such as for active drug targeting.
Characterization of two glutathione S‐transferase genes involved in clothianidin resistance in Bradysia odoriphaga
Authors: Ma Xingyu , Zeng Junjie , Zhang Chunni , Dai Wu
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) is a key phase II detoxification enzyme involved in xenobiotics metabolism, and plays a pivotal role in the evolution of resistance to various types of insecticides. However, the specific functions of GST genes in clothianidin resistance remain obscure in Bradysia odoriphaga.

RESULTS

Here, a specific GST inhibitor, diethyl maleate (DEM), significantly increased the mortality of Bradysia odoriphaga larvae following exposure to clothianidin, and the activity of GST enzyme in clothianidin‐resistant (CL‐R) strain of Bradysia odoriphaga was markedly greater than that in the SS strain. Two sigma BoGSTs (BoGSTs1 and BoGSTs2) were markedly overexpressed in the CL‐R strain and exhibited a higher abundance in the Malpighian tubules or midgut. Exposure to clothianidin resulted in a significant increased expression of BoGSTs1 and BoGSTs2. The knockdown of BoGSTs1 and BoGSTs2 increased sensitivity of larvae to clothianidin in the resistant strain. Furthermore, overexpression of BoGSTs1 and BoGSTs2 led to a significant increase in Escherichia coli cells tolerance to clothianidin. In vitro metabolic assays indicate that these two GSTs cannot directly metabolize clothianidin and its secondary metabolite desmethyl‐clothianidin. Disk diffusion assays and fluorescence competitive binding assays indicated that BoGSTs1 and BoGSTs2 play a critical role in clothianidin resistance by antioxidant activity and non‐catalytic binding activity. The docking results showed that BoGSTs1 and BoGSTs2 have strong binding affinity toward clothianidin.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings pinpoint the potential role of BoGSTs1 and BoGSTs2 in conferring insecticide resistance in Bradysia odoriphaga and contribute to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of insecticide resistance. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Therapeutic Potential of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Underlying Mechanism for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Pan Jiaojiao , Wang Jinhui , Lei Ziwen , Wang He , Zeng Nan , Zou Junbo , Zhang Xiaofei , Sun Jing , Guo Dongyan , Luan Fei , Shi Yajun
Published: November 2024

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a prevalent disease with high mortality rates worldwide. The course of MI is intricate and variable, necessitating personalized treatment strategies based on different mechanisms. However, variety of postoperative complications and rejections, such as heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiac rupture, and left ventricular thrombus, contribute to a poor prognosis. Despite the inclusion of antiplatelet agents and statins in the conventional treatment regimen, their clinical applicability is constrained by potential adverse effects and limited efficacy. Additionally, the mechanisms leading to MI are complex and diverse. Therefore, the development of novel compounds for MI treatment. The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including MI, is grounded in its profound historical background, comprehensive theoretical system, and accumulated knowledge. An increasing number of contemporary evidence‐based medical studies have demonstrated that TCM plays a significant role in alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life for MI patients. Chinese herbal formulations and active ingredients can intervene in the pathological process of MI through key factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, myocardial fibrosis, angiogenesis, and autophagy. This article critically reviews existing herbal formulations from an evidence‐based medicine perspective, evaluating their research status and potential clinical applications. Additionally, it explores recent advancements in the use of herbal medicines and their components for the prevention and treatment of MI, offering detailed insights into their mechanisms of action.
Linarin Identified as a Bioactive Compound of Lycii Cortex Ameliorates Insulin Resistance and Inflammation Through the c‐FOS/ARG2 Signaling Axis
Authors: Liu Wenxuan , Gui Runlin , Li Yang , Li Man , Lei Zhen , Jin Yanyan , Yu Yi , Li Yujia , Qian Lu , Xiong Yuyan
Published: November 2024

Insulin resistance (IR) is a central pathophysiological process underlying numerous chronic metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Lycii Cortex, a widely used traditional Chinese herb, has demonstrated potential benefits in preventing and managing diabetes and IR. Whereas, the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these protective effects and their underlying mechanisms of action remain elusive. This study aimed to identify the bioactive components within Lycii Cortex that contribute to its anti‐diabetic effects and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial actions on insulin resistance. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were employed to identify the potential active compounds in Lycii Cortex and their corresponding target proteins. An in vitro model of IR was established using palmitic acid (PA)‐treated HepG2 cells. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK‐8 assay, while glucose uptake was evaluated by 2‐NBDG staining and extracellular glucose measurement. To validate the in vitro findings, an in vivo model of obesity‐induced IR was established using high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice. The network pharmacology analysis preliminarily identified 13 candidate chemicals and 10 hub LyC and IR‐related genes (LIRRGs). Molecular docking analysis demonstrates that Linarin as the potential active component exhibits the greatest potential to target c‐FOS for preventing obesity‐induced IR. Enrichment analysis suggested that Linarin‐targeted pathways are correlated with inflammation. In vitro experimental validation demonstrated that Linarin was capable of protecting against PA‐induced IR in HepG2 cells evidenced by improving glucose uptake ability and reducing extracellular glucose content. Additionally, we found that Linarin ablated PA‐induced increase in the expression of c‐FOS and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, in PA‐treated cells, silencing c‐FOS markedly improved glucose consumption, and reduced inflammation and Arginase 2 (ARG2) expression. Similarly, as exposure to PA, silencing ARG2 also ameliorated glucose uptake and inflammation, while not affecting c‐FOS expression. In vivo experiments further showed that Linarin administration remarkably improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and reduced the fat mass and body weight in HFD‐induced obese mice. In this study, Linarin has been identified as the bioactive compound of Lycii Cortex to ameliorate obesity‐related IR and inflammation through the c‐FOS/ARG2 signaling cascade. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of Linarin and provide valuable insights into developing novel intervention strategies for type 2 diabetes therapy.
The Brewer–Dobson circulation in the JRA‐3Q reanalysis and the impact of changes in model physical processes
Authors: Kobayashi Chiaki , Iwasaki Toshiki
Published: November 2024

This study evaluates the climatology and trends of the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) in the Japanese Reanalysis for Three Quarters of a Century (JRA‐3Q) reanalysis compared with those in the Japanese 55‐year reanalysis (JRA‐55) and ERA5 reanalyses. The spatial structure of the BDC shows good agreement among the reanalyses. However, zonal mean tropical upwelling near the lower stratosphere in JRA‐3Q is approximately 80% of that in JRA‐55 throughout the reanalysis period. The long‐term trend of BDC intensity for the period 1948–2022 showed a slight increase in JRA‐3Q and in JRA‐55, whereas that in ERA5 decreased. To investigate the cause of the difference in tropical upwelling between JRA‐3Q and JRA‐55, data assimilation sensitivity experiments were conducted by modifying the forecast model used in the data assimilation system. These results indicate that the difference in BDC intensity between JRA‐3Q and JRA‐55 can be primarily attributed to diabatic heating in the tropical troposphere produced in the forecast model. However, the difference between JRA‐3Q and ERA5 cannot be accounted for by diabatic heating in the forecast model. It is also found that the implementation of the non‐orographic gravity wave drag parameterisation scheme in the JRA forecast model is not the reason for the weaker BDC in JRA‐3Q.