bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Environmental Stresses on Honeybee Population
Authors: Yashdeep  , Kumar Ayush , Dharineesh K. , Sonar Siddharth Sa , Chaudhary Nikhil , Bag Sneha , Gharde S. K.
Published: June 2023

Honeybees are essential pollinators that play a crucial role in maintaining the global ecosystem and food security. However, in recent years, honeybee populations have been declining rapidly due to a combination of factors, including environmental stresses. Environmental stresses such as habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and disease are some of the major stresses that affect the survival and health of honeybee colonies. These stresses can affect honeybees in several ways, including reduced foraging efficiency, impaired immune function, decreased reproductive success, and increased susceptibility to pathogens. Habitat loss and fragmentation have a direct impact on honeybees' foraging efficiency by reducing the availability of floral resources. Pesticide use, especially neonicotinoids, has been shown to affect honeybees' immune function, navigation, and communication. Climate change can affect the time of flowering and alter the distribution of floral resources, which can lead to reduced foraging efficiency. Varroa mites, Nosema, and American foulbrood are some of the diseases that can cause significant damage to honeybee colonies. The presence of these diseases can lead to reduced reproductive success, impaired immune function, and increased mortality.
Exploring the Potential of Probiotics and Fecal Microbiota in Maintaining a Healthy Gut Microbiota
Authors: Rasool Akhter , Porteen K. , Sarath T. , Joshy Keerthana
Published: June 2023

Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer numerous health benefits, particularly in maintaining gut health and reducing the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. They can be found in fermented dairy products, in the form of pills, capsules, powders, and sachets. This paper explores the advantages of using commercial probiotics, including alleviating gastrointestinal pain, preventing gastrointestinal disorders, and enhancing immunity. Probiotics are associated with other axis systems; including gut-skin, gut-lung, gut-heart, and gut-metabolism, further highlighting their significance. It is evident that maintaining a balanced gut microbiota is crucial for overall health and any alteration in its composition can lead to the development of local or systemic disorders. In addition, fecal microbiota transplant has also shown promise in treating gastrointestinal disorders in animals. Therefore, this paper emphasizes the role of probiotics and fecal microbiota transplant in preserving gut health and reducing the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases.
People’s Trust in a Virtual Project Team: Results of a Game Experiment
Authors: Setyanitami Vera , Arini Hilya Mudrika , Lathifah Nurul
Published: June 2023

This study aims to: (1) find out the variables that influence people’s trust in the virtual team in a project, (2) find out the relationship of these variables with people trust in the virtual team in a project, and (3) the relationship between the presence of experienced members on a virtual team in leading an organization to determine the success of a project. The experiment was conducted using online Werewolf game and collected questionnaires from 30 respondents that divided into 3 groups, i.e., (1) having experience of being leaders, (2) a combination of having and having no experience of being leaders, and (3) having no experience of being leaders. A correlation test and a comparative test were used to analyze the result. The results found four variables that could influence people’s trust, i.e., (1) ability, (2) benevolence, (3) integrity, and (4) task faithfulness. All variables had a positive effect, except for task faithfulness. There is a relationship between the presence of leaders in a virtual team to the success of the project.
Menos repulsa, mais fascínio:
Authors: Mascarello Fernando , Weinmann Amadeu de Oliveira
Published: June 2023

Nesse artigo, oferecemos uma reflexão sobre as práticas de feminização dos homens heterossexuais no espaço do erotismo, especialmente em suas formas mais contundentes e psiquicamente ameaçadoras, de que tomamos como exemplos a erotização anal masculina e os erotismos tântrico e taoísta. Essas práticas feminizantes, embora venham exercendo, nas últimas décadas, crescente fascínio sobre muitos homens héteros, seguem produzindo forte repulsa psíquica e permanecem, por consequência, segregadas no terreno da ininteligibilidade cultural. Com vistas a contribuir para a elaboração teórica sobre o tema em psicanálise, buscamos, mais especificamente, sugerir a relativização, expansão e complexificação da noção de repúdio à feminilidade pelos sujeitos masculinos heterossexuais formulada por Freud (1991 [1937]), atualizando-a pela e para a contemporaneidade cultural. Desse movimento de atualização, entendemos que deveria resultar, conceitualmente, uma menor ênfase dessa noção freudiana sobre a repulsa e um maior espaço, nela, ao fascínio dos homens héteros com respeito à sua feminização. Ao recorrer a conceitual não apenas do campo psicanalítico contemporâneo, mas também do campo dos estudos de gênero e sexualidade, procuramos ainda situar nosso trabalho teórico em um horizonte (micro)político, tendo em vista o papel central desempenhado pelo repúdio à feminilidade na reprodução da heteronormatividade, da misoginia e da homofobia.
Infância e Transfobia na família:
Authors: Bento Nosli Melissa de Jesus , Sarat Magda , Xavier Nubea Rodrigues
Published: June 2023

Objetivou-se averiguar os modelos instituídos pela família para determinar comportamentos sociais para a infância e corpos infantis a partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica e empírica. Os fundamentos e pressupostos teórico-metodológicos são os estudos foucaultianos de gênero e as teorias queer que procuram desconstruir a imagem de um corpo em torno de um genital e ou de uma sexualidade definida por características binárias, fixas e construídas. A sociologia da infância permitiu compreender as formas como a infância é concebida, por vezes, negada ou silenciada. Empiricamente entrevistou-se três mulheres transgêneras a partir da metodologia da História Oral relatando suas memórias de infância nos espaços familiares. Os resultados propiciaram reflexões acerca de comportamentos, padrões e normas que, embora tenham sido impostas para legitimar as infâncias e os corpos infantis destes indivíduos, tornam possível dizer que são ‘sobreviventes’, escapando aos discursos patologizantes ouvidos cotidianamente nos contextos familiares aos quais pertenceram.
Os homens e a lógica masculina:
Authors: Santos Michele Priscila Gonçalves dos , Castro Roney Polato de
Published: June 2023

O artigo apresenta uma parte das análises construídas em uma pesquisa de mestrado em educação, a qual se propôs a problematizar discursos de gênero e sexualidade em vídeos do youtuber Felipe Neto, veiculados em seu canal no YouTube. Fazendo uma seleção entre as análises, optou-se por apresentar discussões a partir de dois dos vídeos que constituem o corpus da pesquisa. Neles, o youtuber aciona estratégias humorísticas, com fins de divertimento do público, para apresentar cenas que conduzem a modos de ser homem na cultura, perpassando noções como o ‘hetero tops’, o ‘homem engraçadinho’, o ‘homem prático’, a partir da ideia naturalizada de ‘lógica masculina’. As análises tomaram os vídeos como artefatos culturais, cujas pedagogias de gênero atuam na constituição de sujeitos, interpelando-os a posicionarem-se frente ao audiovisual, aliando-se às suas representações ou refutando-as.
A utilização de línguas estrangeiras por travestis brasileiras como estratégia de marketing no turismo sexual na cidade do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Zickwolff Erick da Cunha Coelho , Cheibub Bernardo Lazary
Published: June 2023

O texto analisa, sob a ótica do conceito de “comodificação do consumidor”, de Zygmunt Bauman, a utilização de línguas estrangeiras como ferramenta de marketing na prestação de serviços sexuais por travestis brasileiras, na busca pela atração de turistas internacionais na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, através do exame de anúncios em sítios de internet. A partir de uma revisão bibliográfica temática e contextual, o trabalho conecta as complexas modificações corporais, sociais e psicológicas engendradas pelas travestis, em seu processo de autoconstrução, com a ideia baumaniana de transformação do ser humano (enquanto consumidor) em mercadoria. Conclui-se, ao final do artigo, que o caso das travestis corporifica tal transformação e que o uso de línguas estrangeiras em seus anúncios é um exemplo marcante da necessidade de autopromoção proposta por Bauman em seus escritos.
Marcas da religião na educação:
Authors: Leite Lucimar da Luz , Maio Eliane Rose
Published: June 2023

Resumo: Este texto socializa os resultados de pesquisa de Doutorado cujo objetivo foi estudar as compreensões de acadêmicas/o, de uma universidade pública localizada em Campo Mourão, PR, sobre temáticas relacionadas ao gênero e à sexualidade, no sentido de compreender a influência da religião nesse meio. Para tanto, fez-se uso de aplicação de questionário e da realização de Grupo Focal com 18 acadêmicas e 01 acadêmico do 2º ano do Curso de Pedagogia. Os resultados alcançados indicam a influência da religião de matriz cristã e do movimento partidário da direita conservadora sobre a educação, em especial, sobre os estudos de gênero e de sexualidade.
Interfacial “Single‐Atom‐in‐Defects” Catalysts Accelerating Li+ Desolvation Kinetics for Long‐Lifespan Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhang Jing , Wu Jian , Huang Min , Jia Lujie , Li Linge , Zhang Yongzheng , Hu Hongfei , Liu Fangqi , Guan Qinghua , Liu Meinan , Adenusi Henry , Lin Hongzhen , Passerini Stefano
Published: June 2023

The lithium‐metal anode is a promising candidate for realizing high‐energy‐density batteries owing to its high capacity and low potential. However, several rate‐limiting kinetic obstacles, such as the desolvation of Li+ solvation structure to liberate Li+, Li0 nucleation, and atom diffusion, cause heterogeneous spatial Li‐ion distribution and fractal plating morphology with dendrite formation, leading to low Coulombic efficiency and depressive electrochemical stability. Herein, differing from pore sieving effect or electrolyte engineering, atomic iron anchors to cation vacancy‐rich Co1−xS embedded in 3D porous carbon (SAFe/CVRCS@3DPC) is proposed and demonstrated as catalytic kinetic promoters. Numerous free Li ions are electrocatalytically dissociated from the Li+ solvation complex structure for uniform lateral diffusion by reducing desolvation and diffusion barriers via SAFe/CVRCS@3DPC, realizing smooth dendrite‐free Li morphologies, as comprehensively understood by combined in situ/ex situ characterizations. Encouraged by SAFe/CVRCS@3DPC catalytic promotor, the modified Li‐metal anodes achieve smooth plating with a long lifespan (1600 h) and high Coulombic efficiency without any dendrite formation. Paired with the LiFePO4 cathode, the full cell (10.7 mg cm−2) stabilizes a capacity retention of 90.3% after 300 cycles at 0.5 C, signifying the feasibility of using interfacial catalysts for modulating Li behaviors toward practical applications.
Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Exosomes Promote Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts Embedded in Collagen/Platelet‐Rich Plasma Scaffold and Accelerate Wound Healing
Authors: Wang Yunchuan , Zhang Yue , Li Ting , Shen Kuo , Wang Ke Jia , Tian Chenyang , Hu Dahai
Published: June 2023

Engineered skin substitutes derived from human skin significantly reduce inflammatory reactions mediated by foreign/artificial materials and are consequently easier to use for clinical application. Type I collagen is a main component of the extracellular matrix during wound healing and has excellent biocompatibility, and platelet‐rich plasma can be used as the initiator of the healing cascade. Adipose mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes are crucial for tissue repair and play key roles in enhancing cell regeneration, promoting angiogenesis, regulating inflammation, and remodeling extracellular matrix. Herein, Type I collagen and platelet‐rich plasma, which provide natural supports for keratinocyte and fibroblast adhesion, migration, and proliferation, are mixed to form a stable 3D scaffold. Adipose mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes are added to the scaffold to improve the performance of the engineered skin. The physicochemical properties of this cellular scaffold are analyzed, and the repair effect is evaluated in a full‐thickness skin defect mouse model. The cellular scaffold reduces the level of inflammation and promotes cell proliferation and angiogenesis to accelerate wound healing. Proteomic analysis shows that exosomes exhibit excellent anti‐inflammatory and proangiogenic effects in collagen/platelet‐rich plasma scaffolds. The proposed method provides a new therapeutic strategy and theoretical basis for tissue regeneration and wound repair.
Thin Film Prepared by Gas–Liquid Interfacial Self‐Assembly Method and its Applications in Semiconductor Gas Sensors
Authors: Yuan Zhenyu , Guo Zhongming , Meng Fanli
Published: June 2023

Semiconductor gas sensors are widely used in the fields of health, safety, energy efficiency, and emission control owing to their high sensitivity, low power consumption, and small size. Among them, the thin film‐based semiconductor gas sensors have excellent sensing characteristics due to their controllable morphology and large specific surface area, which can effectively improve the sensitivity of the gas sensors and shorten the response and recovery time. Gas–liquid interfacial self‐assembly method is an effective method for fabricating thin films, which can be utilized to construct large wafer‐scale thin films on the liquid surface. In this review, the advantages of thin films prepared by gas–liquid interfacial self‐assembly method are introduced. Subsequently, the recent progress in the preparation of thin films by gas–liquid interfacial self‐assembly method and their applications in semiconductor gas sensors are reviewed and summarized, mainly from two aspects of organic materials and inorganic materials. In the end, the technology is prospected, and it is considered that there is still much room for improvement and optimization in the future.
Dual Nickel/Photoredox‐Catalyzed Synthesis of N‐formyl N,N’‐Diaryl Ethylenediamines via Multiple C−N/C−C Coupling of Nitroarenes with Trimethylamine
Authors: Zheng Tongtong , Feng Zhe , Ma Jun‐An , Cheung Chi Wai
Published: June 2023

N,N’‐Diaryl ethylenediamines are common feedstocks in organic synthesis and important structural motifs in medicinal chemistry. Whereas the C−N formation reactions based on anilines and aryl halides are the most direct methods to access N,N’‐diaryl ethylenediamines, the photocatalytic synthetic version remains undeveloped. Herein we describe the dual nickel/photoredox‐catalyzed amination reaction using nitroarenes and trimethylamine as reaction substrates. This cascade transformation hinges on the multiple C−N and C−C coupling events based on the nitrogen radical and α‐aminomethyl radical derived from nitroarene and trimethylamine, respectively. A variety of N‐formyl N,N’‐diaryl ethylenediamines can be obtained under the reaction protocol. Subsequent hydrolysis offers the N,N’‐diaryl ethylenediamines for further derivatizations.
Differential Protein and Glycan Packaging into Extracellular Vesicles in Response to 3D Gastric Cancer Cellular Organization
Authors: Martins Álvaro M. , Lopes Tânia M. , Diniz Francisca , Pires José , Osório Hugo , Pinto Filipe , Freitas Daniela , Reis Celso A.
Published: June 2023

Alterations of the glycosylation machinery are common events in cancer, leading to the synthesis of aberrant glycan structures by tumor cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a modulatory role in cancer communication and progression, and interestingly, several tumor‐associated glycans have already been identified in cancer EVs. Nevertheless, the impact of 3D tumor architecture in the selective packaging of cellular glycans into EVs has never been addressed. In this work, the capacity of gastric cancer cell lines with differential glycosylation is evaluated in producing and releasing EVs when cultured under conventional 2D monolayer or in 3D culture conditions. Furthermore, the proteomic content is identified and specific glycans are studied in the EVs produced by these cells, upon differential spatial organization. Here, it is observed that although the proteome of the analyzed EVs is mostly conserved, an EV differential packaging of specific proteins and glycans is found. In addition, protein–protein interaction and pathway analysis reveal individual signatures on the EVs released by 2D‐ and 3D‐cultured cells, suggesting distinct biological functions. These protein signatures also show a correlation with clinical data. Overall, this data highlight the importance of tumor cellular architecture when assessing the cancer‐EV cargo and its biological role.
Hollow Crystallization COF Capsuled MOF Hybrids Depict Serum Metabolic Profiling for Precise Early Diagnosis and Risk Stratification of Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Yang Chenjie , Pan Yilong , Yu Hailong , Hu Xufang , Li Xiaodong , Deng Chunhui
Published: June 2023

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), comprising unstable angina (UA) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is the leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, lacking effective strategies for classifying ACS hinders the prognosis improvement of ACS patients. Disclosing the nature of metabolic disorders holds the potential to reflect disease progress and high‐throughput mass spectrometry‐based metabolic analysis is a promising tool for large‐scale screening. Herein, a hollow crystallization COF capsuled MOF hybrids (UiO‐66@HCOF) assisted serum metabolic analysis is developed for the early diagnosis and risk stratification of ACS. UiO‐66@HCOF exhibits unrivaled chemical and structural stability as well as endowing satisfying desorption/ionization efficiency in the detection of metabolites. Paired with machine learning algorithms, early diagnosis of ACS is achieved with the area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.945 for validation sets. Besides, a comprehensive ACS risk stratification method is established, and the AUC value for the discrimination of ACS from healthy controls, and AMI from UA are 0.890, and 0.928. Moreover, the AUC value of the subtyping of AMI is 0.964. Finally, the potential biomarkers exhibit high sensitivity and specificity. This study makes metabolic molecular diagnosis a reality and provided new insight into the progress of ACS.
Examining the associations between testosterone and biomarkers as men age
Authors: Smith Stephen J. , Bekele Daniel , Lopresti Adrian L. , Fairchild Timothy J.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Testosterone concentrations in men decline with advancing age. However, the cause of the decline is yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the aims of this study were to examine the associations between chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG), using a large nationally‐representative data set (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; NHANES).

Methods

NHANES is a cross‐sectional survey, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation of a nationally‐representative sample of a non‐institutionalized United States population. Male participants aged ≥18 years during the NHANES 2013–2014 and NHANES 2015–2016 survey periods were selected for this analysis. The analysis included the following data: body mass index (BMI), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), insulin, glucose, and age.

Results

An overweight or obese condition was significantly inversely associated with TT and SHBG, even after adjusting for other variables. Several variables associated with T2DM (OGTT, HOMA‐IR, insulin, and glucose) were also inversely associated with TT; however, only the associations between OGTT and insulin with TT remained significant after adjusting for the other variables. Insulin and HOMA‐IR levels were significantly inversely associated with SHBG; however, only the association between SHBG and pre‐diabetic HOMA‐IR levels remained significant after adjusting for the other variables. OGTT became significantly associated with SHBG after adjusting for the other variables. Age was significantly inversely associated with TT, but positively associated with SHBG, even after adjusting for other variables.

Conclusion

The results of the present study, which is the largest to date, indicate that a marker of obesity, BMI, and some markers of T2DM are both independently and significantly inversely associated with TT and SHBG.
Terpenoids and Unusual Flavonoids Bearing Prenylated Malonic Acids in Dodonaea Species
Authors: Gyeltshen Thinley , Olivier Wesley J. , Dutra‐Nobre Adriana R. , Kilah Nathan L. , Smith Jason A. , Bissember Alex C.
Published: June 2023

Natural products isolation studies were performed on two Dodonaea species. This led to the discovery of one previously unreported prenylated flavonoid bearing a malonic acid moiety and six known compounds from the aerial parts of Dodonaea filiformis. In addition, three previously unreported natural products (another malonic‐acid‐containing prenylated flavonoid, a prenylated flavonoid and an ent‐labdane diterpenoid) and seven known compounds were found from the flowers of D. viscosa. Furthermore, as a result of this work, a revised structure is proposed for a prenylated flavonoid previously isolated from D. viscosa.
Fabrication and performance evaluation of the flexible positive temperature coefficient material for self‐regulating thermal control
Authors: Yu Aimei , Xi Ying , Xu Weigang , Wang Ao , Liu Lin , Zhang Lin
Published: June 2023

In this study, three kinds of newly flexible positive temperature coefficient (PTC) materials are fabricated by a simple preparation method. Due to introducing the hybrid filler of carbon nanotube and carbon black, these materials exhibit remarkable PTC effect including the PTC intensity of more than four‐orders magnitude and the resistivity‐temperature coefficient of 154%/°C. The Curie points of PTC materials are regulated to room‐temperature range by the low melting phase and influenced by melting onset temperatures of their solid–liquid phase change. With the help of transmission electron microscope, the micro‐capsule structure of the phase change regions is observed, and the hybrid conductive fillers randomly distribute in the blend matrix to construct three‐dimensional conductive network. Using the PTC materials as a heating element, the equilibrium temperature of the controlled device can be maintained around their Curie point without any control method. Moreover, the adaptive thermal control effect becomes more obvious with the increase of ambient temperature and initial heating power. Furthermore, the thermal control accuracy fluctuates within 0.15°C without any external control method, and is improved to round 0.08°C in combination with the switch control method. This study provides a new method for the thermal control of electronic devices in the requirement of lightweight and miniaturization at low temperature environment.
From delay to diagnosis: Chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis presenting with facial and orbital complications
Authors: Suri Abhinav , Fortes Precious , Chan Benjamin H. , Sachs Carolyn J.
Published: June 2023

Key Clinical Message

Early identification and management of chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (CIFRS) is key to optimizing outcomes. A missed diagnosis can result in permanent vision loss, chronic facial pain, or death. We present a case of CIFRS and literature review.

This case report presents a 56‐year‐old female with CIFRS involving orbital and facial complications. The patient experienced delayed diagnosis despite multiple ED visits for sinusitis with progressive facial pain and ocular deficits not alleviated with antibiotics, emphasizing the importance of early identification and maintaining high clinical suspicion for CIFRS. Prompt recognition, initiation of antifungal therapy, and aggressive surgical debridement were crucial for preventing disease progression and improving the patient's quality of life.
Integrated Structures of Silicon/CNTs/Graphite Composite as an Advanced Li‐Metal‐Free Anode for Li‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Nulu Arunakumari , Nulu Venugopal , Sohn Keun Yong
Published: June 2023

Silicon (Si) is considered an alternative anode material for Li‐S batteries considering its high theoretical capacity of 3590 mAh g−1 at room temperature, and advantageous to avoid unfavorable Li metal anode, which forms dendrites during the cell charging and discharging process causes short circuits. Here in this study, we have prepared a nanocomposite anode comprising Si nanoparticles, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs), and graphite (G) by low‐temperature annealing approach and studied their electrochemical characteristics by combining with sulfur cathodes into Si‐S full cells in ether‐based liquid electrolytes. The prepared Si‐S battery system exhibits stable electrochemical properties with long cycle life. The fabricated full cell delivered specific capacities of 328 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, and 243 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C, with calculated energy densities of 542 and 473 Wh kg−1, respectively, without any cell failure. These results indicate that the integration of Si, MCNTs, and G is a promising approach to avoiding Li‐metal anodes and achieving high and stable capacities for Li‐S batteries.
The impact of blinding on trial results: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pitre Tyler , Kirsh Sarah , Jassal Tanvir , Anderson Mason , Padoan Adelia , Xiang Alexander , Mah Jasmine , Zeraatkar Dena
Published: June 2023

Background

Blinding—the concealment of the arm to which participants have been randomized—is an important consideration for assessing the risk of bias of randomized trials. A growing body of evidence has, however, yielded inconsistent results on whether trials without blinding produce biased findings.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the evidence addressing whether trials with and without blinding produce different results.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Reviews, JBI EBP, and Web of Science, from inception to May 2022, for studies comparing the results of trials with and without blinding. Pairs of reviewers, working independently and in duplicate, reviewed search results for eligible studies and extracted data. We pooled the results of studies comparing trials with and without blinding of patients, healthcare providers/investigators, and outcome assessors/adjudicators using frequentist random‐effects meta‐analyses. We coded study results such that a ratio of odds ratio < 1 and difference in standardized mean difference < 0 indicate that trials without blinding overestimate the beneficial effects of treatments.

Results

We identified 47 eligible studies. For dichotomous outcomes, we found low certainty evidence that trials without blinding of patients and healthcare providers and trials without blinding of patients may slightly overestimate the beneficial effects of treatments. We found moderate certainty evidence that trials without blinding of outcome assessors overestimate the beneficial effects of treatments. For continuous outcomes, we found low certainty evidence that trials without blinding of patients and healthcare providers may overestimate the beneficial effects of treatments. We found moderate certainty evidence that trials without blinding of outcome assessors/adjudicators probably overestimate the beneficial effects of treatments.

Conclusion

Our systematic review and meta‐analysis suggest that blinding may influence trial results in select situations—although the findings are of low certainty and the magnitude of effect is modest. In the absence of high‐certainty evidence suggesting that trials with and without blinding produce similar results, investigators should be cautious about interpreting the results of trials without blinding.
Selective Chirality Transfer to the Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Anion of an Ionic Liquid
Authors: Blasius Jan , Kirchner Barbara
Published: June 2023

Chirality transfer from the chiral molecule (R)‐1,2‐propylene oxide to the achiral anion of the 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid is observed. The chiral probe selectively affects one part of the binary ionic liquid, i. e., it has previously been shown experimentally and theoretically that this particular imidazolium cation can be affected by chirality transfer, but in the present system chirality is almost exclusively transferred to the anion and not to both parts of the solvent (anion and cation). This observation is of high relevance because of its selectivity and because anion effects are usually much more important in ionic liquid research than cation effects. From ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, a conformational analysis and dissected vibrational circular dichroism spectra are obtained to study the chirality transfer. While in the neat ionic liquid two mirror imaged trans conformers of the anion occur almost equally, we observe an excess of one of these conformers in the presence of the chiral solute, causing optical activity of the anion. Although the cis conformers are not tremendously affected by the chirality transfer, they gain in total population when (R)‐1,2‐propylene oxide is dissolved in the ionic liquid.
Enzyme‐Free Nucleic Acid Circuits for Fold‐Change Detection
Authors: Wang Likun , Zhao Jiayan , Xiong Xiewei , Li Li , Zhu Tong , Pei Hao
Published: June 2023

Invited for this month's cover are is the collaborating group of Prof. Hao Pei and Prof. Tong Zhu at East China Normal University, China. The cover picture shows a DNA‐only dynamical system and the implementation of a fold‐change detection circuit. More information can be found in the Research Article byLikun Wang, Tong Zhu, Hao Pei, and co‐workers.
Periodontal status following orthodontic mini‐screw insertion: A prospective clinical split‐mouth study
Authors: Moeini Negar , Sabri Hamoun , Galindo‐Fernandez Pablo , Mirmohamadsadeghi Hoorieh , Valian Nasrin Keshavarz
Published: June 2023

Background

Anchorage control is one of the most important determinants of orthodontic treatments. Mini‐screws are used to achieve the desired anchorage. Despite all their advantages, there is a possibility that treatment will not be successful due to conditions related to their interaction with the periodontal tissue.

Objective

To evaluate the status of the periodontal tissue at the sites adjacent to the orthodontic mini‐implants.

Methods

A total of 34 teeth (17 case and 17 control) in 17 orthodontic patients requiring a mini‐screw in the buccal area to proceed with their treatment were included in the study. Oral health instruction was provided to the patients prior to the intervention. In addition, scaling and root planing of the root surface were done using manual instruments and ultrasonic instruments if needed. For tooth anchorage, a mini‐screw with Elastic Chain or Coil Spring was used. The following periodontal indices were examined in the mini‐screw receiving tooth and the contralateral tooth: plaque index, pocket probing depth, attached gingiva level (AG), and gingival index. Measurements were made before the placement of the mini‐screws and 1, 2, and 3 months following that.

Results

The results revealed a significant difference only in the amount of AG between the tooth with mini‐screw and the control tooth (p = 0.028); for other periodontal indices, there were no significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusion

This study showed that periodontal indices in adjacent teeth of the mini‐screws do not change significantly compared to other teeth and mini‐screws can be used as a suitable anchorage without posing a threat to the periodontal health. Using mini‐screws is a safe intervention for orthodontic treatments.
Combining stable isotopes, trace elements, and distribution models to assess the geographic origins of migratory bats
Authors: Wieringa Jamin G. , Nagel Juliet , Campbell C. J. , Nelson David M. , Carstens Bryan C. , Gibbs H. Lisle
Published: June 2023

The expansion of industrial‐scale wind‐energy facilities has not only increased the production of low‐carbon emission energy but has also resulted in mortality of wildlife, including migratory bats. Management decisions can be limited by a lack of understanding of the geographic impact of bats killed at wind‐energy facilities. Several studies have leveraged stable hydrogen isotope ratios (δ2H) of bat fur to illuminate this issue but are limited in the precision of conclusion because δ2H values vary primarily across latitudinal and elevational bands. One approach to increase the precision of geographic assignment is to combine independent inferences about spatial location from additional biomarkers and other related information. To test this possibility, we assigned known‐origin individuals of three bat species (Lasiurus borealis,L. cinereus, andLasionycteris noctivagans) commonly killed at on‐shore wind‐energy facilities in North America to a probable origin using δ2H values, trace element concentrations, and species distribution models. We used cross‐validated calibrated combined model tuning to determine the degree to which assignment probabilities improved when combining datasets. We found that combining markers typically performed better than single approaches. ForLasiurus borealisandL. cinereus, combining all three data sources outperformed any single or other combined approach. With an accuracy set at 80%, an average of 39.7% and 36.0% of each species' total geographic range was considered a potential origin, respectively; stable hydrogen alone included 51.8% and 50.6% of the total geographic area. In contrast, forLasionycteris noctivagans, including trace elements did not increase precision and adding distribution data to δ2H values only improved precision by 0.6%. Thus, we found that a combination of multiple biomarkers typically, but not always, outperforms single‐marker approaches and optimized combinations of different markers outperform equal weighting of each marker. From a practical perspective, δ2H values performed better than trace elements alone; in cases where cost is a limiting factor, the stable hydrogen should be the single biomarker used in conjunction with species distribution models. Overall, these results highlight the importance of validating methods for each species they are applied to and show that combining information from intrinsic biomarker approaches is a useful tool to document bat movements.
Sex differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients undergoing heart transplantation
Authors: Kondziella Christoph , Fluschnik Nina , Weimann Jessica , Schrage Benedikt , Becher Peter Moritz , Memenga Felix , Bernhardt Alexander M. , Blankenberg Stefan , Reichenspurner Hermann , Kirchhof Paulus , Schnabel Renate B. , Magnussen Christina
Published: June 2023

Aims

Whether sex affects selection for and outcomes after heart transplantation (HTx) remains unclear. We aimed to show sex differences in pre‐transplant characteristics and outcomes after HTx.

Methods and results

From 1995 to 2019, 49 200 HTx recipients were prospectively enrolled in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate clinical characteristics by sex. Multivariable Cox regression models were fitted to assess sex differences in all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, graft failure, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), and malignancy. In 49 200 patients (median age 55 years, interquartile range 46–62; 24.6% women), 49 732 events occurred during a median follow‐up of 8.1 years. Men were older than women, had more often ischaemic cardiomyopathy (odds ratio [OR] 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.11–3.42; P < 0.001), and a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors, whereas women had less malignancies (OR 0.47, CI 0.44–0.51; P < 0.001). Men were more often treated in intensive care unit (OR 1.24, CI 1.12–1.37; P < 0.001) with a higher need for ventilatory (OR 1.24, CI 1.17–1.32; P < 0.001) or VAD (OR 1.53, CI 1.45–1.63; P < 0.001) support. After multivariable adjustment, men had a higher risk for CAV (hazard ratio [HR] 1.21, CI 1.13–1.29; P < 0.001) and malignancy (HR 1.80, CI 1.62–2.00; P < 0.001). There were no differences in all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and graft failure between sexes.

Conclusions

In this US transplant registry, men and women differed in pre‐transplant characteristics. Male sex was independently associated with incident CAV and malignancy even after multivariable adjustment. Our results underline the need for better personalized post‐HTx management and care.
Eutectic Molten Salt Synthesis of Highly Microporous Macrocyclic Porous Organic Polymers for CO2 Capture
Authors: Ashirov Timur , Puangsamlee Thamon , Robles Alexandra , Fritz Patrick W. , Piech Krzysztof , Miljanić Ognjen Š. , Coskun Ali
Published: June 2023

The development of porous materials is of great interest for the capture of CO2 from various emission sources, which is essential to mitigate its detrimental environmental impact. In this direction, porous organic polymers (POPs) have emerged as prime candidates owing to their structural tunability, physiochemical stability and high surface areas. In an effort to transfer an intrinsic property of a cyclotetrabenzoin‐derived macrocycle – its high CO2 affinity – into porous networks, herein we report the synthesis of three‐dimensional (3D) macrocycle‐based POPs through the polycondensation of an octaketone macrocycle with phenazine‐2,3,7,8‐tetraamine hydrochloride. This polycondensation was performed under ionothermal conditions, using a eutectic salt mixture in the temperature range of 200 to 300 °C. The resulting polymers, named 3D‐mmPOPs, showed reaction temperature‐dependent surface areas and gas uptake properties. 3D‐mmPOP‐250 synthesized at 250 °C exhibited a surface area of 752 m2 g−1 and high microporosity originating from the macrocyclic units, thus resulting in an excellent CO2 binding enthalpy of 40.6 kJ mol−1 and CO2 uptake capacity of 3.51 mmol g−1 at 273 K, 1.1 bar.
Evaluating the attitude of medical students toward the impact of social media on improving learning and increasing awareness during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study in Iran
Authors: Gilavand Abdolreza , Fakhri Fakher , Seyedtabib Maryam
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The use of social media has become an inseparable part of many students' lives. Therefore, in this research, we have tried to evaluate the attitude of medical students toward the impact of social media on improving their learning and increasing their awareness during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Materials and Methods

This is a descriptive correlation study that was conducted in Iran in 2021. The statistical population of this study included medical students. Finally, 260 students participated in it. A researcher‐made questionnaire was used to collect data.

Results

Most students use social media for educational purposes, including sending and sharing educational materials (42.8%), membership in study groups (42.6%), uploading educational content and presenting class topics (39.7%), chatting with students and professors (35.5%), formation of educational groups (34.2%), checking homework (32.7%), class discussion (30%), and sending and sharing photos and videos (29.5%). The most followed topics in social media by students to increase their level of awareness were respectively scientific topics not related to the field of study (46.9%), topics related to immigration (46%), cultural topics (44.2%), learning English (43.2%), academic and scientific materials related to the field of study (40.8%). Also, WhatsApp and Telegram were the most popular social media among students at the same time (58.8%). Also, students had a very positive attitude towards social media and considered them effective in improving learning and raising awareness.

Conclusion

In general, the results of our study showed that social media could play an influential role in improving learning and raising the level of awareness of medical students. However, there may be problems and challenges in using these technologies, such as blocking the popular social media platform in some countries, the imposition of some restrictive government laws, low internet speed, protecting the privacy of students, professors, and so on.
Electrolyte engineering and material modification for graphite‐based lithium‐ion batteries operated at low temperature
Authors: Yin Yue , Dong Xiaoli
Published: June 2023

Graphite offers several advantages as an anode material, including its low cost, high theoretical capacity, extended lifespan, and low Li+‐intercalation potential. However, the performance of graphite‐based lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) is limited at low temperatures due to several critical challenges, such as the decreased ionic conductivity of liquid electrolyte, sluggish Li+ desolvation process, poor Li+ diffusivity across the interphase layer and bulk graphite materials. Various approaches have therefore been explored to address these challenges. On the basis of graphite anode and corresponding LIBs, this review herein offers a comprehensive analysis of the latest advances in electrolyte engineering and electrode modification. First, electrolyte engineering is discussed in detail, highlighting the design of new electrolyte formula with broad liquid temperature range, optimized solvation structure, and well‐performed inorganic‐rich solid electrolyte interface. The advances in material modification have been then depicted with the view of improving the solid bulk diffusion rate to show general strategies with excellent performance at low temperatures. Finally, the corresponding challenges and opportunities have also been outlined to shed light on viable strategies for developing efficient and reliable graphite anode and graphite‐based LIBs under low‐temperature scenarios.
A critical review on brain and heart axis response in COVID‐19 patients: Molecular mechanisms, mediators, biomarkers, and therapeutics
Authors: Abha Mishra KM , Podili Runesh , Pathlavath Teja S. , Sethi Kalyan K.
Published: June 2023

Since the outbreak of highly virulent coronaviruses, significant interest was assessed to the brain and heart axis (BHA) in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐affected patients. The majority of clinical reports accounted for unusual symptoms associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infections which are of the neurological type, such as headache, nausea, dysgeusia, anosmia, and cerebral infarction. The SARS‐CoV‐2 enters the cells through the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE‐2) receptor. Patients with prior cardiovascular disease (CVD) have a higher risk of COVID‐19 infection and it has related to various cardiovascular (CV) complications. Infected patients with pre‐existing CVDs are also particularly exposed to critical health outcomes. Overall, COVID‐19 affected patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) and exposed to stressful environmental constraints, featured with a cluster of neurological and CV complications. In this review, we summarized the main contributions in the literature on how SARS‐CoV‐2 could interfere with the BHA and its role in affecting multiorgan disorders. Specifically, the central nervous system involvement, mainly in relation to CV alterations in COVID‐19‐affected patients, is considered. This review also emphasizes the biomarkers and therapy options for COVID‐19 patients presenting with CV problems.
Cadmium influence on lipid metabolism in Sprague–Dawley rats through linoleic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways
Authors: Chen Mengyuan , Dong Jingjing , Zhao Xiaole , Yin Xiaoyao , Wu Kejia , Wang Qiao , Liu Xin , Wu Yongning , Gong Zhiyong
Published: June 2023

Cadmium (Cd) is widely distributed in the environment and easy adsorbed by living organisms with adverse effects. Exposure to Cd‐contaminated food may disrupt lipid metabolism and increase human health risk. To study the perturbation effect of Cd on lipid metabolism in vivo, 24 male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned four groups and treated by Cd chloride solution (0, 1.375 mg/kg, 5.5 mg/kg, 22 mg/kg) for 14 days. The characteristic indexes of serum lipid metabolism were analyzed. Afterwards, untargeted metabolomics analysis was applied to explore the adverse effects of Cd on rats by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). The results revealed that Cd exposure obviously decreased the average serum of triglycerides (TG) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and caused an imbalance of endogenous compounds in the 22 mg/kg Cd‐exposed group. Compared with the control group, 30 metabolites with significant differences were identified in the serum. Our results indicated that Cd caused lipid metabolic disorders in rats by disrupting linoleic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Furthermore, there were three kinds of remarkable differential metabolites—9Z,12Z‐octadecadienoic acid, PC(20:4(8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/0:0), and PC(15:0/18:2(9Z,12Z)), which enriched the two significant metabolism pathways and could be the potential biomarkers.
Changes in clients' relational patterns with parents and therapist during psychodynamic psychotherapy: Their association and relation to treatment outcome
Authors: Abargil Maayan , Wiseman Hadas , Yonatan‐Leus Refael , Tishby Orya
Published: June 2023

Objective

The study aimed to explore how changes in clients' relational patterns during psychodynamic psychotherapy relate to treatment outcomes and therapy effectiveness.

Method

Seventy clients receiving psychodynamic psychotherapy in a university counseling center were interviewed three times and filled out the OQ‐45 questionnaire five times during therapy. We used the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) to study clients' relational patterns. Mixed models were used to assess the interaction between clients' CCRT intensity toward their parents and toward their therapists, treatment effectiveness, and treatment outcome.

Results

First, we found that clients' relational patterns with their parents correlated with relational patterns with their therapists across several time points in therapy. Then, we found significant interactions, indicating that treatment effectiveness moderates the relationship between clients' CCRT intensity and treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the transference phenomenon is related to therapy outcomes differently in effective and less‐effective therapies, depending on the transference intensity. Further research is needed to expand knowledge about the intensity of transference and its possible impact on treatment choice and management.