bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intramolecular Cyclization of the ortho‐Substituted N‐arylquinone Imines under Basic and Thermal Conditions
Authors: Khodykina Evgenia S. , Steglenko Dmitry V. , Vetrova Elena V. , Pugachev Artem D. , Galkina Maria S. , Borodkina Inna G. , Lesin Alexander V. , Demidov Oleg P. , Metelitsa Anatoly V. , Kolodina Alexandra A.
Published: January 2023

The S(O,N)‐benzyl ethers of N‐arylquinone imines undergo cyclization under the action of bases to form products of the benzothiazol, benzoxazole, and benzimidazole series, while under thermal conditions they undergo a non‐catalyzed rearrangement to form spiro‐cyclohexadiene derivatives of benzazines. The benzimidazole, spirobenzothiazine, and spirobenzoxazine structures were supported by the x‐ray diffraction method. The possibility of intramolecular photochemical cyclization was investigated; ortho‐S(O,N)‐benzyl‐substituted N‐arylquinone imines show high photostability under UV irradiation. The features of the cyclization processes of quinone imine derivatives were revealed by DFT calculations using the wB97XD/6‐311++G** method.
Tailored Heterojunction Active Sites for Oxygen Electrocatalyst Promotion in Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Go Hyun Wook , Nguyen Thanh Tuan , Ngo Quynh Phuong , Chu Rongrong , Kim Nam Hoon , Lee Joong Hee
Published: January 2023

Rechargeable zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) are promising energy storage systems due to their low‐cost and safety. However, the working principle of ZABs is based on oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which display sluggish kinetic and low stability. Herein, this work proposes a novel method to design a heterogeneous CoP/CoO electrocatalyst on mesopore nanobox carbon/carbon nanotube (CoP/CoO@MNC‐CNT) that enriched active sites and synergistic effect. Moreover, the well‐defined heterointerfaces could lower the energy barrier for intermediate species adsorption and promote OER and ORR electrochemical performances. The CoP/CoO@MNC‐CNT electrocatalyst presents a high half‐wave potential of 0.838 V for ORR and a small overpotential of 270 mV for OER. The ZABs‐based CoP/CoO@MNC‐CNT air‐cathode shows an open‐circuit voltage of 1.409 V, the long‐term cycle life of 500 h with a small voltage difference change of 7.7%. Additionally, the flexible ZABs exhibit highly mechanical stability, demonstrating their application potential in wearable electronic devices.
L‐Arginine‐Functionalized Carbon Dots with Enhanced Red Emission and Upregulated Intracellular L‐Arginine Intake for Obesity Inhibition
Authors: Wang Liming , Li Licen , Wang Bingzhe , Wu Jun , Liu Yupeng , Liu Enshan , Zhang Huiqi , Zhang Bohan , Xing Guichuan , Li Qinglin , Tang Zikang , Deng Chuxia , Qu Songnan
Published: January 2023

Obesity is a major global health problem that significantly increases the risk of many other diseases. Herein, a facile method of suppressing lipogenesis and obesity using L‐arginine‐functionalized carbon dots (L‐Arg@CDots) is reported. The prepared CDots with a negative surface charge form stronger bonds than D‐arginine and lysine with L‐Arg in water. The L‐Arg@CDots in the aqueous solution offer a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 23.6% in the red wavelength region. The proposed L‐Arg functionalization strategy not only protects the red emission of the CDots from quenching by water molecules but also enhances the intracellular uptake of L‐Arg to reduce lipogenesis. Injection of L‐Arg@CDots can reduce the body weight increase in ob/ob mice by suppressing their food intake and shrinking the white adipose tissue cells, thereby significantly inhibiting obesity.
Electronic Structure Modulation of Nickel Sites by Cationic Heterostructures to Optimize Ethanol Electrooxidation Activity in Alkaline Solution
Authors: Li Xiulan , Chen Mingchuang , Ye Yanting , Chen Chengjie , Li Zilong , Zhou Yifan , Chen Jian , Xie Fangyan , Jin Yanshuo , Wang Nan , Meng Hui
Published: January 2023

It is a good idea for efficient production of hydrogen to use ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in place of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolysis process. Ni‐based non‐precious electrocatalysts are widely used in the conversion of ethanol to acetic acid. Here, different selenide heterostructures (NiCoSe, NiFeSe, and NiCuSe) are prepared in which Ni sites are regulated by transition metal. The valence state of Ni is NiCuSe < NiCoSe < NiFeSe in the three heterojunctions. NiCoSe shows the optimized charge distribution of Ni sites and outstanding catalytic activity. The effective modulations lead to optimized d‐band center and facilitates both adsorption and desorption of reaction intermediates, which improves the kinetics of EOR. The results of this work prove that with appropriate designed catalyst it is possible to replace kinetically slow OER with faster EOR in water electrolysis to produce hydrogen.
Electrolyte Regulation of Bio‐Inspired Zincophilic Additive toward High‐Performance Dendrite‐Free Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Gou Qianzhi , Luo Haoran , Zhang Qi , Deng Jiangbin , Zhao Ruizheng , Odunmbaku Omololu , Wang Lei , Li Lingjie , Zheng Yujie , Li Jun , Chao Dongliang , Li Meng
Published: January 2023

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries hold attractive potential for large‐scale energy storage devices owing to their prominent electrochemical performance and high security. Nevertheless, the applications of aqueous electrolytes have generated various challenges, including uncontrolled dendrite growth and parasitic reactions, thereby deteriorating the Zn anode's stability. Herein, inspired by the superior affinity between Zn2+ and amino acid chains in the zinc finger protein, a cost‐effective and green glycine additive is incorporated into aqueous electrolytes to stabilize the Zn anode. As confirmed by experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations, the glycine additives can not only reorganize the solvation sheaths of hydrated Zn2+ via partial substitution of coordinated H2O but also preferentially adsorb onto the Zn anode, thereby significantly restraining dendrite growth and interfacial side reactions. Accordingly, the Zn anode could realize a long lifespan of over 2000 h and enhanced reversibility (98.8%) in the glycine‐containing electrolyte. Furthermore, the assembled Zn||α‐MnO2 full cells with glycine‐modified electrolyte also delivers substantial capacity retention (82.3% after 1000 cycles at 2 A g‐1), showing promising application prospects. This innovative bio‐inspired design concept would inject new vitality into the development of aqueous electrolytes.
Insight into Interfacial Polarization for Enhancing Piezoelectricity in Ferroelectric Nanocomposites
Authors: Tian Guo , Deng Weili , Yang Tao , Xiong Da , Zhang Hongrui , Lan Boling , Deng Lin , Zhang Binbin , Jin Long , Huang Haichao , Sun Yue , Wang Shenglong , Yang Weiqing
Published: January 2023

The interfacial effect is widely used to optimize the properties of ferroelectric nanocomposites, however, there is still a lack of direct evidence to understand its underlying mechanisms limited by the nano size and complex structures. Here, taking piezoelectricity, for example, the mechanism of interfacial polarization in barium titanate/poly(vinylidene fluoride‐ran‐trifluoroethylene) (BTO/P(VDF‐TrFE)) nanocomposite is revealed at multiple scales by combining Kelvin probe force microscope (KPFM) with theoretical stimulation. The results prove that the mismatch of permittivity between matrix and filler leads to the accumulation of charges, which in turn induces local polarization in the interfacial region, and thus can promote piezoelectricity independently. Furthermore, the strategy of interfacial polarization to enhance piezoelectricity is extended and validated in other two similar nanocomposites. This work uncovers the mechanism of interfacial polarization and paves newfangled insights to boost performances in ferroelectric nanocomposites.
Physicochemical Properties of Sago Starch Fractionated by Butanol
Authors: Ningrum Riska Surya , Rosalina Reny , Sondari Dewi , Fazriyah Latifatul , Putri Rahmawati , Amanda Putri
Published: January 2023

Amylose is one of the sago starch constituents which plays an important role in the processes of gelatinization, retrogradation, and the pasting process of starch texture. By separating amylose from amylopectin through a fractionation process, high‐content amylose can be obtained. In this study, the process of fractionating sago starch is carried out using hot water and the addition of n‐butanol dropwise with certain time variations (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h). The precipitate formed, which is the fractionated sago starch, is separated from the n‐butanol fraction using centrifugation. The physicochemical properties of fractionated sago starch are characterized in terms of chemical change using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), molecular weight using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), particle size, morphology, amylose content, crystallinity, water‐solubility, swelling power, moisture, ash content, thermal stability using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), crystallinity using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results show that the fractionation process using n‐butanol increases the particle size, amylose content, and thermal stability compared to the native sago. The crystallinity, water solubility, and swelling power of the fractionated‐sago starches are decreased. The highest amylose content and gelatinization temperature properties are achieved by the addition of n‐butanol for 4 h.
A history of the 1.5°C target
Authors: Cointe Béatrice , Guillemot Hélène
Published: January 2023

The 1.5°C target is now widely considered as the maximum acceptable limit for global warming. However, it is at once recent and, as it appears increasingly unreachable, already almost obsolete. Adopted as an aspirational target in the Paris Agreement in 2015, the 1.5°C objective originated with a political impetus within UNFCCC negotiations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) endorsed this policy‐driven target when it produced the Special Report on 1.5°C. This article highlights the continuity of the history of the 1.5°C target with that of the 2°C target, but also the differences between the two. Because the 1.5°C target considerably raises the bar on mitigation efforts, it exacerbates political tensions and ambiguities that were already latent in the 2°C target. This article retraces the emergence of the 1.5°C in diplomatic negotiations, the preparation of the IPCC Special report on 1.5°C, and the new kinds of debates they provoked among climate scientists and experts. To explain how an unreachable target became the reference for climate action, we analyze the “political calibration” of climate science and politics, which can also be described as a codependency between climate science and politics.

This article is categorized under:

Integrated Assessment of Climate Change > Integrated Assessment Modeling

Climate, History, Society, Culture > World Historical Perspectives

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change
Elemental and statistical analysis of small individual urinary stones using TXRF spectrometry
Authors: Shaltout Abdallah A. , Abd‐Elkader Omar H. , Lassen Petra , Fittschen Ursula A. E.
Published: January 2023

Due to the small quantity of most of the extracted human urinary stone samples, there is an urgent need for an analytical technique that is able to perform a multi‐elemental quantitative analysis for a small fraction of these samples. In the present work, a few milligrams of different types of urinary stones were microwave digested in ultra‐pure nitric acid, and the elemental determination was achieved by total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF). The elements P, S, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, and Sr were detected in most of the different stones. However, the trace elements: K, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, As, Pb, and U were also found in a certain number of samples. Furthermore, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) was used and the elements Mg, Ti, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Cd were determined. A good agreement between the results of TXRF and ICP‐OES was obtained with respect to the elements Ti, Mn, Cu, and Zn. Cadmium and magnesium were only determined by ICP‐OES. More attention was given to the existence and the spectral interference of As‐Kα and Pb‐Lα as well as As‐Kβ and Br‐Kα in a limited number of urinary stones. Based on the analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation analysis, an additional statistical analysis study was performed in terms of quantified elements and the types of urinary stones. Calcium has a remarkable positive correction with Ni, Zn, and P, whereas a negative correlation was found with K, S, and Cu. Based on the hierarchical cluster analysis, the square Euclidean showed four main groups of urinary stones starting with high to trace amounts of calcium oxalate. Furthermore, the squared Euclidean showed further subgroups of the urinary stones. The role of certain elements in terms of forming or inhabiting the urinary stone formation was discussed. Uranium was determined in a limited number of urinary stones using TXRF and ICP‐OES. The origin of the uranium may be the drinking and groundwater. Uranium could be accumulated in the urinary stones from these sources. In addition, the divalent uranium compounds can deposit on the surface of hydroxyapatite crystal, which is one of the main compounds in the urinary stones.
Smart Contracts in the Cloud
Authors: Bathen Luis Angel D. , Jadav Divyesh
Published: January 2023

The emergence of crypto currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have shown the value in decentralized technologies. The idea of having 24/7 access to programmable money peaked the interest in the field, and as a by-product, came the realization that the same core technologies that enable programmable dog money, can enable highly-available DNS services, highly-available storage services, 24/7 asset exchanges, and peer-to-peer marketplaces to name a few. This paper explores the use of smart contracts in multi-cloud environments in order to facilitate business processes across multiple providers speaking different languages in terms of policies, best practices, APIs, and SLAs.
Imprints of scalar NSI on the CP-violation sensitivity using synergy among DUNE, T2HK and T2HKK
Authors: Medhi Abinash , Devi Moon Moon , Dutta Debajyoti
Published: January 2023

Abstract

The Non-Standard Interactions (NSIs) are subdominant effects, often appearing in various extensions of SM, which may impact the neutrino oscillations through matter. It is important and interesting to explore the impact of NSIs in the ongoing and upcoming precise neutrino oscillations experiments. In this work, we have studied the imprints of a scalar-mediated NSI in three upcoming long-baseline (LBL) experiments (DUNE, T2HK and T2HKK). The effects of scalar NSI appears as a medium-dependent correction to the neutrino mass term. Its contribution scales linearly with matter density, making LBL experiments a suitable candidate to probe its effects. We show that the scalar NSI may significantly impact the oscillation probabilities, event rates at the detectors and the χ2-sensitivities of δCP measurements. We present the results of a combined analysis involving the LBL experiments (DUNE+T2HK or DUNE+T2HKK) which offer a better capability of constraining the scalar NSI parameters as well as an improved sensitivity towards CP-violation.
Towards higher-spin holography in flat space
Authors: Ponomarev Dmitry
Published: January 2023

Abstract

We study the chiral flat space higher-spin algebra, which is the global symmetry algebra of the chiral higher-spin theory in the 4d Minkowski space. We find that it can be constructed as the universal enveloping algebra of a certain chiral deformation of the Poincaré algebra quotiented by a set of quadratic identities. These identities allow us to identify a representation of the latter algebra, which by analogy with the AdS space higher-spin holography, we interpret as the flat space singleton representation. We provide two explicit realisations of this singleton representation — in terms of sl(2, ℂ) spinors and in terms of oscillator-like variables — as well as briefly discuss its properties.
Jump starting the dark sector with a phase transition
Authors: Redi Michele , Tesi Andrea
Published: January 2023

Abstract

We study the possibility to populate the dark sector through a phase transition. We will consider secluded dark sectors made of gauge theories, Randall-Sundrum scenarios and conformally coupled elementary particles. These sectors have in common the fact that the action is approximately Weyl invariant, implying that particle production due to time dependent background is strongly suppressed. In particular no significant production takes place during inflation allowing to avoid strong isocurvature constraints from CMB. As we will show, if the scale of inflation is large compared to the dynamical mass scale, these sectors automatically undergo a phase transition that in the simplest cases is controlled by the Hubble parameter. If the phase transition takes place during reheating or radiation the abundance obtained can be larger than particle production and production from the SM plasma. For phase transitions completing during radiation domination, the DM mass is predicted in the range 108 GeV while larger values are required for phase transitions occurring during reheating.
On tropical intersection theory
Authors: Mihatsch Andreas
Published: January 2023

We develop a tropical intersection formalism of forms and currents that extends classical tropical intersection theory in two ways. First, it allows to work with arbitrary polyhedra, also non-rational ones. Second, it allows for smooth differential forms as coefficients. The intersection product in our formalism can be defined through the diagonal intersection method of Allermann–Rau or the fan displacement rule. We prove with a limiting argument that both definitions agree.
Study of the inhibition effects on glutathione peroxidase immobilized on MNPs using a stopped-flow microfluidic system
Authors: Román-Pizarro Vanesa , Carrión-Escudero Alba María , Écija-Arenas Ángela , Fernández-Romero Juan Manuel
Published: January 2023

A stopped-flow microfluidic system to monitor glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and evaluate potential inhibitors of the enzyme has been developed based on the integration of the microfluidic chip in the reaction/detection zone. This integration supposes the physical alignment at the optimal location of the microfluidic channel, both the magnetically retained enzyme microreactor (MREµR) and the remote luminescence detection using a focused bifurcated fiber optic bundle (BFOB) connected to a conventional spectrofluorometer detector. The method is based on the coupling of two competitive oxidative chemical reactions, in which glutathione (GSH) and homovanillic acid (HVA) competed for their interaction with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the magnetically retained GPx-MNPs. The biocatalytic reaction was followed by monitoring the fluorescence of the biphenyl-HVA dimer formed. The dynamic range of the calibration graph was 0.45–10 µmol L−1, expressed as GSH concentration with a detection limit of 0.1 µmol L−1 (r2 = 0.9954, n = 10, r = 3). The precision expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD%) was between 0.5 and 3.9%. The stopped-flow microfluidic system showed a sampling frequency of 25 h−1. The method was applied to the study of GPx inhibition provided by three inhibitory compounds, two metallic ions Hg(II) and Cu(II) and t-butyl hydroperoxide, and their presence in liquid samples, as water, milk, and edible oil. Recovery values between 88.7 and 99.4% were achieved in all instances.

Graphical Abstract
Non-invasive kinetic modelling approaches for quantitative analysis of brain PET studies
Authors: van der Weijden Chris W. J. , Mossel Pascalle , Bartels Anna L. , Dierckx Rudi A. J. O. , Luurtsema Gert , Lammertsma Adriaan A. , Willemsen Antoon T. M. , de Vries Erik F. J.
Published: January 2023

Pharmacokinetic modelling with arterial sampling is the gold standard for analysing dynamic PET data of the brain. However, the invasive character of arterial sampling prevents its widespread clinical application. Several methods have been developed to avoid arterial sampling, in particular reference region methods. Unfortunately, for some tracers or diseases, no suitable reference region can be defined. For these cases, other potentially non-invasive approaches have been proposed: (1) a population based input function (PBIF), (2) an image derived input function (IDIF), or (3) simultaneous estimation of the input function (SIME). This systematic review aims to assess the correspondence of these non-invasive methods with the gold standard. Studies comparing non-invasive pharmacokinetic modelling methods with the current gold standard methods using an input function derived from arterial blood samples were retrieved from PubMed/MEDLINE (until December 2021). Correlation measurements were extracted from the studies. The search yielded 30 studies that correlated outcome parameters (VT, DVR, or BPND for reversible tracers; Ki or CMRglu for irreversible tracers) from a potentially non-invasive method with those obtained from modelling using an arterial input function. Some studies provided similar results for PBIF, IDIF, and SIME-based methods as for modelling with an arterial input function (R2 = 0.59–1.00, R2 = 0.71–1.00, R2 = 0.56–0.96, respectively), if the non-invasive input curve was calibrated with arterial blood samples. Even when the non-invasive input curve was calibrated with venous blood samples or when no calibration was applied, moderate to good correlations were reported, especially for the IDIF and SIME (R2 = 0.71–1.00 and R2 = 0.36–0.96, respectively). Overall, this systematic review illustrates that non-invasive methods to generate an input function are still in their infancy. Yet, IDIF and SIME performed well, not only with arterial blood calibration, but also with venous or no blood calibration, especially for some tracers without plasma metabolites, which would potentially make these methods better suited for clinical application. However, these methods should still be properly validated for each individual tracer and application before implementation.
Voxel-based dosimetry predicting treatment response and related toxicity in HCC patients treated with resin-based Y90 radioembolization: a prospective, single-arm study
Authors: Kokabi Nima , Arndt-Webster Linzi , Chen Bernard , Brandon David , Sethi Ila , Davarpanahfakhr Amir , Galt James , Elsayed Mohammad , Bercu Zachary , Cristescu Mircea , Kappadath S. Cheenu , Schuster David M.
Published: January 2023

Background

There is an increasing body of evidence indicating Y90 dose thresholds for tumor response and treatment-related toxicity. These thresholds are poorly studied in resin Y90, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of prospective voxel-based dosimetry for predicting treatment response and adverse events (AEs) in patients with HCC undergoing resin-based Y90 radioembolization.

Materials and methods

This correlative study was based on a prospective single-arm clinical trial (NCT04172714), which evaluated the efficacy of low/scout (555 MBq) activity of resin-based Y90 for treatment planning. Partition model was used with goal of tumor dose (TD) > 200 Gy and non-tumoral liver dose (NTLD) < 70 Gy for non-segmental therapies. Single compartment dose of 200 Gy was used for segmentectomies. Prescribed Y90 activity minus scout activity was administered for therapeutic Y90 followed by Y90-PET/CT. Sureplan® (MIM Software, Cleveland, OH) was used for dosimetry analysis. Treatment response was evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Receiver operating characteristic curve determined TD response threshold for objective response (OR) and complete response (CR) as well as non-tumor liver dose (NTLD) threshold that predicted AEs.

Results

N = 30 patients were treated with 33 tumors (19 segmental and 14 non-segmental). One patient died before the first imaging, and clinical follow-up was excluded from this analysis. Overall, 26 (81%) of the tumors had an OR and 23 (72%) had a CR. A mean TD of 253 Gy predicted an OR with 92% sensitivity and 83% specificity (area under the curve (AUC = 0.929, p < 0.001). A mean TD of 337 Gy predicted a CR with 83% sensitivity and 89% specificity (AUC = 0.845, p < 0.001). A mean NTLD of 81 and 87 Gy predicted grade 3 AEs with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the non-segmental cohort at 3- and 6-month post Y90, respectively.

Conclusion

In patients with HCC undergoing resin-based Y90, there are dose response and dose toxicity thresholds directly affecting outcomes.

Clinical trial number: NCT04172714.
Fur removal promotes an earlier expression of involution-related genes in mammary gland of lactating mice
Authors: Król Elżbieta , Turner Frances , Derous Davina , Mitchell Sharon E. , Martin Samuel A. M. , Douglas Alex , Speakman John R.
Published: January 2023

Peak lactation occurs when milk production is at its highest. The factors limiting peak lactation performance have been subject of intense debate. Milk production at peak lactation appears limited by the capacity of lactating females to dissipate body heat generated as a by-product of processing food and producing milk. As a result, manipulations that enhance capacity to dissipate body heat (such as fur removal) increase peak milk production. We investigated the potential correlates of shaving-induced increases in peak milk production in laboratory mice. By transcriptomic profiling of the mammary gland, we searched for the mechanisms underlying experimentally increased milk production and its consequences for mother–young conflict over weaning, manifested by advanced or delayed involution of mammary gland. We demonstrated that shaving-induced increases in milk production were paradoxically linked to reduced expression of some milk synthesis-related genes. Moreover, the mammary glands of shaved mice had a gene expression profile indicative of earlier involution relative to unshaved mice. Once provided with enhanced capacity to dissipate body heat, shaved mice were likely to rear their young to independence faster than unshaved mothers.
Gracilis muscle transposition in complex anorectal fistulas of diverse types and etiologies: long-term results of 60 cases
Authors: Schoene Milla Isabelle , Schatz Sabine , Brunner Marion , Fuerst Alois
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Complex fistulas often require several attempts at repair and continue to be a challenging task for the surgeon, but above all, a major burden for the affected patient. This study is aimed at evaluating the potential of gracilis muscle transposition (GMT) as a therapeutic option for complex fistulas of diverse etiologies.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted over a period of 16 years with a total of 60 patients (mean age 50 years). All were treated for complex fistula with GMT at St. Josef’s Hospital in Regensburg, Germany. Follow-up data were collected and analyzed using a prospective database and telephone interview. Success was defined as the absence of fistula.

Results

A total of 60 patients (44 women, 16 men; mean age 50 years, range 24–82 years) were reviewed from January 2005 to June 2021. Primary fistula closure after GMT was achieved in 20 patients (33%) and 19 required further interventions for final healing. Overall healing rate was 65%. Fistula type was heterogeneous, with a dominant subgroup of 35 rectovaginal fistulas. Etiologies of the fistulas were irradiation, abscesses, obstetric injury, and iatrogenic/unknown, and 98% of patients had had previous unsuccessful repair attempts (mean 3.6, range 1–15). In 60% of patients with a stoma (all patients had a stoma, 60/60), stoma closure could be performed after successful fistula closure. Mean follow-up after surgery was 35.9 months (range 1–187 months). No severe intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperative complications were observed in 25%: wound healing disorders (n = 6), gracilis necroses (n = 3), incisional hernia (n = 2), scar tissue pain (n = 2), suture granuloma (n = 1), and osteomyelitis (n = 1). In 3 patients, a second gracilis transposition was performed due to fistula recurrence (n = 2) or fecal incontinence (n = 1).

Conclusion

Based on the authors’ experience, GMT is an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of complex fistulas when other therapeutic attempts have failed and should therefore be considered earlier in the treatment process. It should be seen as the main but not the only step, as additional procedures may be required for complete closure in some cases.
Co-cultivation of human granulosa cells with ovarian cancer cells leads to a significant increase in progesterone production
Authors: Pietrowski Detlef , Grgic Martina , Haslinger Isabella , Marschalek Julian , Schneeberger Christian
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In humans, granulosa cells (GCs) are part of the follicle and nourish the growing oocyte. GCs produce estrogen and, after ovulation, progesterone. They are embedded in a multicellular tissue structure of the ovary, which consists of a variety of different cell types that are essential for the physiological function of the ovary. However, the extent to which individual ovarian cell types contribute to overall functionality has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of co-culturing human granulosa cells with ovarian cancer cells on their progesterone and estrogen production in an in vitro model.

Methods

After seeding, the cells were stimulated with 200 µM forskolin in DMEM for 72 h and the medium of the different cell culture experiments was collected. Subsequently, progesterone and oestradiol concentrations were determined using an Elisa assay.

Results

Morphologically, it was striking that the cells self-organize and form spatially separated areas. Compared to culturing granulosa cells alone, co-culturing human granulosa cells together with the ovarian cancer cell line OvCar-3 resulted in a significant increase in progesterone production (20.3 ng/ml versus 50.2 ng/ml; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Using a simple in vitro model, we highlight the importance of cellular crosstalk between different ovarian cells in a complex cellular network and that it strongly influences granulosa cell hormone production. This could have potential implications for the procedure of transplanting endocrine tissues after cryopreservation, as it highlights the importance of survival of all cells for the functionality of the transplanted tissue.
Phase 1b study of intravenous coxsackievirus A21 (V937) and ipilimumab for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma
Authors: Lutzky Jose , Sullivan Ryan J. , Cohen Justine V. , Ren Yixin , Li Anlong , Haq Rizwan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

No standard of care therapy exists for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma who are not HLA-A2:01 positive. The phase 1b, open-label CLEVER study (NCT03408587) evaluated V937 in combination with ipilimumab in patients with uveal melanoma.

Methods

Adults with advanced uveal melanoma and liver metastases received up to 8 cycles of intravenous V937 (1 × 109 TCID50 per infusion; infusions on days 1, 3, 5, and 8 [cycle 1], then every 3 weeks [Q3W] thereafter [cycles 2–8]) and 4 cycles of intravenous ipilimumab 3 mg/kg Q3W (beginning at cycle 1 day 8). The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) per immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (irRECIST).

Results

Eleven patients were enrolled (median age, 65.0 years) and received a median of 6 injections of V937 and 3.5 infusions of ipilimumab. The best overall response was stable disease in 3 patients and progressive disease in 8 patients. All patients exhibited progression per irRECIST, with a 9% irPFS rate at week 26. Ten patients had treatment-related AEs, the most frequent of which were diarrhea (55%), fatigue (45%), and myalgia (36%). Two grade 3 AEs (diarrhea, n = 2) were considered related to ipilimumab; neither was related to V937.

Conclusion

Although the combination of V937 with ipilimumab had a manageable safety profile, meaningful clinical benefit was not observed in patients with uveal melanoma and liver metastases.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03408587 (January 24, 2018).
Evolution of Alkaline Mine Drainage and Unique Biodiversity on Soil-Free Mine Substrates, Southern New Zealand
Authors: Craw Dave , Rufaut Cathy , Pillai Dhana
Published: January 2023

Relatively impermeable soil-free substrates (clay-rich outcrops and sediments) exposed at eight abandoned placer gold mines generate alkaline mine drainage through evaporation and minor interaction between water and rock in a semi-arid rain shadow climate. Original mine sluicing a century ago created drainage channels over the land surface that still control the flow of ephemeral surface waters, with localised construction of erosional outwash pans. Ephemeral surface waters and associated evaporitic salts are dominated by halite derived from marine aerosols in rain, yielding circumneutral pH and electrical conductivity (EC) values locally exceeding 50 mS/cm. Weakly altered schist basement rocks and Miocene mudstone exposed at the surface contain abundant calcite, and surface waters are supersaturated with respect to Ca-carbonate minerals with a pH of ≈ 8 and an EC of ≈ 1 mS/cm. Water interaction with albite increases the dissolved Na/Cl molar ratio to > 1, and evaporative formation of Na-carbonate precipitates can raise the pH to > 10. Pyrite oxidation does not offset the alkaline pH in any of these processes, although dissolved sulfate can rise to high levels (> 2000 mg/L; EC ≈ 5 mS/cm), forming evaporative sulfate minerals. Ephemeral waters drain down outcrops and the relatively impermeable erosional pans, leaving salt encrustations with variable mineralogy and associated waters with pH and EC values that are partially controlled by rates of dissolution and reprecipitation of the minerals in the salts. The saline alkaline chemistry of the pans excludes most vegetation and has allowed development of salt-tolerant ecosystems with rare endemic halophytic plants. Maintenance of soil-free halophytic surfaces has potential applications in dryland mine sites around the world, especially as climate change enhances and extends aridity.
Spring phenology is advancing at a faster rate than arrival times of Common Starling
Authors: Dinsbergs Ivo , Keišs Oskars , Briedis Martins
Published: January 2023

Climate change poses significant impact on most migratory species, altering their breeding and non-breeding distributions, migration distances, and phenology. The ability of a population to track and adjust to the changing environmental conditions is a vital prerequisite for its persistence. In this study, we describe changes in spring arrival phenology of a short-distance migrant, the Common StarlingSturnus vulgaris, in Northeastern Europe and their relation to changes in the onset of meteorological spring during the last century. Phenological data were obtained from an open access databaseChronicles of Nature Calendarthat held 4291 usable records of the 1st spring observation date of Starlings from 171 phenological network sites between 1922 and 2017. Air temperature data were downloaded from the European Climate Assessment and Dataset database. We found that spring arrival time of Starlings was positively correlated with the onset of spring on a local and broad scale. Spring arrival progression followed a northeast gradient at an average rate of 1.6 days per one degree of latitude (ca. 71 km day−1) and 0.4 days per one degree of longitude (152 km day−1). During the 96-year long period, Starlings on average advanced their spring arrival time by 4.7 days at a rate of 0.05 days per year. However, changes in the onset of spring occurred more rapidly with an average rate of change of 0.18 days per year over the study period. These findings imply broad-scale adjustments in migratory patterns of a short-distance migrant that result from climate change-induced shifts in spring phenology. However, adaptations in bird migration phenology are not occurring fast enough to track and compensate for the rapid increase in air temperature, thus disrupting the earlier matching between bird arrival and spring onset.
Effects of a 7-Day Pornography Abstinence Period on Withdrawal-Related Symptoms in Regular Pornography Users: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Fernandez David P. , Kuss Daria J. , Justice Lucy V. , Fernandez Elaine F. , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: January 2023

Little is known about whether withdrawal-like symptoms manifest when regular pornography users attempt to abstain from pornography. The present study used a randomized controlled design to examine whether (1) negative abstinence effects that may be potentially reflective of withdrawal-related symptoms manifest when a non-clinical sample of regular pornography users attempt to abstain from pornography for a 7-day period and (2) these negative abstinence effects would only manifest (or manifest more strongly) for those with higher levels of problematic pornography use (PPU). A total of 176 undergraduate students (64.2% female) who were regular pornography users (defined as having used pornography ≥ three times a week in the past 4 weeks) were randomly assigned to an abstinence group (instructed to attempt abstinence from pornography for 7 days, n = 86) or a control group (free to watch pornography as usual, n = 90). Participants completed measures of craving, positive and negative affect, and withdrawal symptoms at baseline and each night of the 7-day period. Contrary to the confirmatory hypotheses, there were no significant main effects of group (abstinence vs. control) or group × PPU interaction effects on any of the outcome measures, controlling for baseline scores. These findings indicate that no evidence of withdrawal-related symptoms was found for abstaining participants, and this was not dependent on level of PPU. However, exploratory analyses showed a significant three-way interaction (group × PPU × past 4-week frequency of pornography use [FPU]) on craving, where an abstinence effect on craving was found at high levels of PPU only once past 4-week FPU reached the threshold of daily use. While these exploratory findings should be interpreted with caution, they suggest that abstinence effects could potentially manifest when there is a combination of high PPU and high FPU—a hypothesis that warrants investigation in future prospective abstinence studies.
The naturalized vascular flora of Malesia
Authors: Holmes Rachael , Pelser Pieter , Barcelona Julie , Tjitrosoedirdjo Sri Sudarmiyati , Wahyuni Indah , van Kleunen Mark , Pyšek Petr , Essl Franz , Kreft Holger , Dawson Wayne , Wijedasa Lahiru , Kortz Alessandra , Hejda Martin , Berrio Juan Carlos , Siregar Iskandar , Williams Mark
Published: January 2023

Major regional gaps exist in the reporting and accessibility of naturalized plant species distribution data, especially within Southeast Asia. Here, we present the Malesian Naturalized Alien Flora database (MalNAF), the first standardized island-group level checklist of naturalized vascular plant species for the Malesian phytogeographical region. We used MalNAF to investigate the composition, origins, and habitat preferences of the naturalized flora. The naturalized vascular flora of Malesia consists of at least 1177 species. Richness is highest in the Philippines (539 spp.) and lowest in the Maluku Islands (87 spp.). But, the Lesser Sunda Islands had the highest naturalized species richness relative to native richness and Singapore has a higher naturalized plant species richness than would be expected given its size. When comparing the data for Malesia with a global dataset, we found that naturalized richness increased with area for islands but not for continental regions. Across the archipelago, 31 species are widespread, occurring in every island group, but the majority have a limited distribution of 2.4 ± 2.3 (mean ± SD) island groups per naturalized species. The naturalized plant species are representatives of 150 families, twenty of which are newly introduced to the region. Families richest in naturalized plant species in Malesia were Fabaceae (= Leguminosae) (160 spp.), Poaceae (= Gramineae) (138 spp.), and Asteraceae (= Compositae) (96 spp.). Most of these have a native range that includes tropical Asia, closely followed by those from Southern America (inclusive of the Caribbean, Central and South America), although at the island-group level, most have a higher proportion with a Southern American native range. Most naturalized species occur in anthropogenic habitats, but many are present in “natural” habitats with fewer species, such as Leucaena leucocephala, reported from specialized habitats like drylands. MalNAF provides a baseline for future studies of naturalized plant species distributions in the region.
Mechanics of an Iron Ore Tailings Exhibiting Transitional Behaviour
Authors: Mmbando Erwin , Fourie Andy , Reid David
Published: January 2023

Laboratory critical state line (CSL) testing used in engineering practice to analyse the stability and liquefaction susceptibility of tailings explicitly assumes a unique CSL for a particular tailings. However, there is evidence of non-unique CSLs in some soils, a behaviour commonly referred to as “transitional behaviour”. There is currently limited consensus or understanding of its applicability, what factors contribute to its occurrence, and whether there is a fundamental divergence from critical state theory or an artefact of the strain limitations of laboratory element tests. In this research, normally consolidated samples of an iron ore tailings prepared using the moist tamping and slurry deposition methods were sheared to critical state in triaxial compression tests. The results of these tests showed that a different CSL was apparent for the two specimen preparation methods used. This further emphasises the need to re-evaluate the effects of fabric on the uniqueness of the CSL, which may be a consequence of different sample preparation methods typically used to prepare laboratory element tests.
Effectiveness of mobile telemonitoring applications in heart failure patients: systematic review of literature and meta-analysis
Authors: Rebolledo Del Toro Martín , Herrera Leaño Nancy M. , Barahona-Correa Julián E. , Muñoz Velandia Oscar M. , Fernández Ávila Daniel G. , García Peña Ángel A.
Published: January 2023

Close and frequent follow-up of heart failure (HF) patients improves clinical outcomes. Mobile telemonitoring applications are advantageous alternatives due to their wide availability, portability, low cost, computing power, and interconnectivity. This study aims to evaluate the impact of telemonitoring apps on mortality, hospitalization, and quality of life (QoL) in HF patients. We conducted a registered (PROSPERO CRD42022299516) systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating mobile-based telemonitoring strategies in patients with HF, published between January 2000 and December 2021 in 4 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, BVSalud/LILACS, Cochrane Reviews). We assessed the risk of bias using the RoB2 tool. The outcome of interest was the effect on mortality, hospitalization risk, and/or QoL. We performed meta-analysis when appropriate; heterogeneity and risk of publication bias were evaluated. Otherwise, descriptive analyses are offered. We screened 900 references and 19 RCTs were included for review. The risk of bias for mortality and hospitalization was mostly low, whereas for QoL was high. We observed a reduced risk of hospitalization due to HF with the use of mobile-based telemonitoring strategies (RR 0.77 [0.67; 0.89]; I2 7%). Non-statistically significant reduction in mortality risk was observed. The impact on QoL was variable between studies, with different scores and reporting measures used, thus limiting data pooling. The use of mobile-based telemonitoring strategies in patients with HF reduces risk of hospitalization due to HF. As smartphones and wirelessly connected devices are increasingly available, further research on this topic is warranted, particularly in the foundational therapy.
Travelling Waves in a PDE–ODE Coupled Model of Cellulolytic Biofilms with Nonlinear Diffusion
Authors: Mitra K. , Hughes J. M. , Sonner S. , Eberl H. J. , Dockery J. D.
Published: January 2023

We analyze travelling wave (TW) solutions for nonlinear systems consisting of an ODE coupled to a degenerate PDE with a diffusion coefficient that vanishes as the solution tends to zero and blows up as it approaches its maximum value. Stable TW solutions for such systems have previously been observed numerically as well as in biological experiments on the growth of cellulolytic biofilms. In this work, we provide an analytical justification for these observations and prove existence and stability results for TW solutions of such models. Using the TW ansatz and a first integral, the system is reduced to an autonomous dynamical system with two unknowns. Analysing the system in the corresponding phase–plane, the existence of a unique TW is shown, which possesses a sharp front and a diffusive tail, and is moving with a constant speed. The linear stability of the TW in two space dimensions is proven under suitable assumptions on the initial data. Finally, numerical simulations are presented that affirm the theoretical predictions on the existence, stability, and parametric dependence of the travelling waves.
Using sediment geochemical records to infer past lake-water total phosphorus concentrations at a site with high internal P loading, Lake Søbygaard, Denmark
Authors: Boyle John , Moyle Madeleine , Søndergaard Martin , Jeppesen Erik
Published: January 2023

In lakes where phosphorus (P) supply is dominated by external loads, long-term mean lake-water total phosphorus (TP) concentrations can be successfully reconstructed from sediment P profiles and dating using the Sediment-Inferred lake-water Total Phosphorous (SI-TP) mass balance model. However, it has not yet been shown that the model is applicable at lakes with high internal P loading, where sediment diagenesis releases P to the water column and degrades the sediment P record. Here we apply the SI-TP model to Lake Søbygaard in Denmark, a shallow lake with exceptionally high internal P loading for several decades since the external loading was reduced by 80–90% in 1982. Our aim was to test the impact of this sediment degradation on P record integrity. Using six published sediment P records collected over the period 1985–2004, we applied the model without site-specific calibration. Degradation of the sediment P record by diagenesis was observed, and occurred at a rate consistent with theoretical models, offering a potential approach to correct for degradation. Even neglecting degradation, the resulting SI-TP record was found to be similar in magnitude and temporal trend to the corresponding monitored TP values. From this test of SI-TP model performance at Lake Søbygaard we conclude that the model has the potential to be more widely applied at lakes with high internal P loading.