bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of mindfulness‐based and health self‐management interventions on mindfulness, self‐compassion, and physical activity in older adults with subjective cognitive decline: A secondary analysis of the SCD‐Well randomized controlled trial
Authors: D'elia Ylenia , Whitfield Tim , Schlosser Marco , Lutz Antoine , Barnhofer Thorsten , Chételat Gaël , Marchant Natalie L. , Gonneaud Julie , Klimecki Olga ,   The Medit‐Ageing group
Published: March 2024

INTRODUCTION

Older adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) have a higher risk of dementia. Reducing this risk through behavioral interventions, which can increase emotional well‐being (mindfulness and compassion) and physical activity, is crucial in SCD.

METHODS

SCD‐Well is a multicenter, observer‐blind, randomized, controlled, superiority trial. Three hundred forty‐seven participants (mean [standard deviation] age: 72.7 [6.9] years; 64.6% women) were recruited from memory clinics in four European sites to assess the impact of an 8‐week caring mindfulness‐based approach for seniors (CMBAS) and a health self‐management program (HSMP) on mindfulness, self‐compassion, and physical activity.

RESULTS

CMBAS showed a significant within‐group increase in self‐compassion from baseline to post‐intervention and both a within‐ and between‐group increase to follow‐up visit (24 weeks). HSMP showed a significant within‐ and between‐group increase in physical activity from baseline to post‐intervention and to follow‐up visit.

DISCUSSION

Non‐pharmacological interventions can differentially promote modifiable factors linked to healthy aging in older adults with SCD.
Synaptic pruning during adolescence shapes adult social behavior in both males and females
Authors: Kirkland Julia M. , Edgar Erin L. , Patel Ishan , Feustel Paul , Belin Sophie , Kopec Ashley M.
Published: March 2024

Evolutionarily conserved, peer‐directed social behaviors are essential to participate in many aspects of human society. These behaviors directly impact psychological, physiological, and behavioral maturation. Adolescence is an evolutionarily conserved period during which reward‐related behaviors, including social behaviors, develop via developmental plasticity in the mesolimbic dopaminergic “reward” circuitry of the brain. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is an intermediate reward relay center that develops during adolescence and mediates both social behaviors and dopaminergic signaling. In several developing brain regions, synaptic pruning mediated by microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, is important for normal behavioral development. We previously demonstrated that during adolescence, in rats, microglial synaptic pruning shapes the development of NAc and social play behavior in males and females. In this report, we hypothesize that interrupting microglial pruning in NAc during adolescence will have persistent effects on male and female social behavior in adulthood. We found that inhibiting microglial pruning in the NAc during adolescence had different effects on social behavior in males and females. In males, inhibiting pruning increased familiar exploration and increased nonsocial contact. In females, inhibiting pruning did not change familiar exploration behavior but increased active social interaction. This leads us to infer that naturally occurring NAc pruning serves to reduce social behaviors toward a familiar conspecific in both males and females.
Repetitive neonatal procedural pain affects stress‐induced plasma corticosterone increase in young adult females but not in male rats
Authors: Baudat Mathilde , Simons Sinno H. P. , Joosten Elbert A. J.
Published: March 2024

Exposure to repetitive painful procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit results in long‐lasting effects, especially visible after a “second hit” in adulthood. As the nociceptive system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis interact and are vulnerable in early life, repetitive painful procedures in neonates may affect later‐life HPA axis reactivity. The first aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of repetitive neonatal procedural pain on plasma corticosterone levels after mild acute stress (MAS) in young adult rats. Second, the study examined if MAS acts as a “second hit” and affects mechanical sensitivity. Fifty‐two rats were either needle pricked four times a day, disturbed, or left undisturbed during the first neonatal week. At 8 weeks, the animals were subjected to MAS, and plasma was collected before (t0), after MAS (t20), and at recovery (t60). Corticosterone levels were analyzed using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and mechanical sensitivity was assessed with von Frey filaments. Results demonstrate that repetitive neonatal procedural pain reduces stress‐induced plasma corticosterone increase after MAS only in young adult females and not in males. Furthermore, MAS does not affect mechanical sensitivity in young adult rats. Altogether, the results suggest an age‐ and sex‐dependent effect of repetitive neonatal procedural pain on HPA axis reprogramming.
The Neotropical endemic liverwort subfamily Micropterygioideae had circum‐Antarctic links to the rest of the Lepidoziaceae during the early Cretaceous
Authors: Rayos Antonio L. , Renner Matthew A. M. , Ho Simon Y. W.
Published: March 2024

Lepidoziaceae are the third‐largest family of liverworts, with about 860 species distributed on all continents. The evolutionary history of this family has not been satisfactorily resolved, with taxa such as Micropterygioideae yet to be included in phylogenetic analyses. We inferred a dated phylogeny of Lepidoziaceae using a data set consisting of 13 genetic markers, sampled from 147 species. Based on our phylogenetic estimate, we used statistical dispersal‐vicariance analysis to reconstruct the biogeographic history of the family. We inferred a crown age of 197 Ma (95% credible interval 157–240 Ma) for the family in the Australian region, with most major lineages also originating in the same region. Micropterygioideae are placed as the sister group to Lembidioideae, with these two lineages diverging from each other about 132 Ma in the South American–Australian region. With South America and Australia being connected through Antarctica at the time, our results suggest a circum‐Antarctic link between Micropterygioideae and the rest of the family. Crown Micropterygioideae were inferred to have arisen 45 Ma in South America before the continent separated from Antarctica. Extinction from southern temperate regions might explain the present‐day restriction of Micropterygioideae to the Neotropics. Our study reveals the influence of past geological events, such as continental drift, on the evolution and distribution of a widespread and diverse family of liverworts.
Upper and lower limb impact loading during artistic gymnastics foundation floor tumbling skills
Authors: Campbell Rhiannon A. , Bradshaw Elizabeth J. , Ball Nick , Hunter Adam , Spratford Wayne
Published: March 2024

The floor apparatus is associated with the highest rate of injury for male and female gymnasts in training and competition. This study aims to determine the magnitude of the upper and lower body impact loading when performing foundation floor tumbling skills and sequences. Fourteen sub‐elite artistic gymnasts (male, n = 9; female, n = 5) performed eight tumbling skills and sequences while wearing four inertial measurement units (IMU; upper back, lower back, forearm, and tibia). The peak resultant acceleration (PRA) during all ground contacts was calculated. The forearm and upper back PRA were analyzed for hand contacts, while the lower back and tibia PRA were analyzed for foot contacts. Descriptive statistics (median and inter‐quartile range), Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests and Friedman's ANOVA were calculated between IMU positions and gymnastics skills. Distal IMUs (forearm and tibia) recorded significantly higher loading than proximal IMUs (upper and lower back) for all ground contacts. Proximal IMUs experienced dampening due to shock attenuation properties of the human body, as these positions are located further away from the impact site. Additionally, some foundation skills exposed gymnasts to higher loading when the skill was performed separately, while other skills exposed gymnasts to higher loading when the skill was performed in a tumbling sequence. Training foundation skills separately and as a part of a tumbling sequence exposes the upper and lower body structures to high levels of impact loading. These results can be used by coaches to help in the design of safe training programs.
Soil erosion resistance of gully system under different plant communities on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zeng Rongchang , Zhang Guanghui , Su Xufei , Wang Chengshu
Published: March 2024

Gully erosion, considered as a type of intensive erosion, is the dominant source of sediment at small watershed scales in certain environments. Variation of vegetation may result in the changes in near soil surface characteristics, which likely further affect the resistance of gully systems to erosion. However, the potential effects of near soil surface characteristics of plant communities on resistance to erosion are still unclear in gully systems. This study was performed to investigate the variations in resistance of gully systems to erosion under different plant communities and to identify the dominant influencing factors leading to these variations on the Loess Plateau. Five typical plant communities (two grasses, two shrubs and one forest) that distributed on different gully systems were selected. Six hundred undisturbed soil samples collected from different sites of gully systems were subjected to detach by overland flow under six different shear stresses (6.66 to 15.02 Pa). The results showed that the mean soil detachment capacity of gully systems covered by grass and shrub communities was 0.15 and 0.37 times to that of gully system covered by forest. Compared to forest gully systems, rill erodibility reduced by 29.8% to 85.6% for the other four plant communities. The relative rill erodibility of different vegetation communities generally increased from grass to shrub and forest communities. The critical shear stress of forest gully system was 58.7% and 63.8% of gully systems covered by grass (6.22 Pa) and shrub (5.73 Pa) communities. Bulk density, soil cohesion, water stable aggregate, root mass density, and the thickness of biological soil crust were the dominant factors affecting the resistance of gully systems to soil erosion. Rill erodibility decreased logarithmically with increasing soil cohesion, water stable aggregate and root mass density. Critical shear stress increased with the increase of soil cohesion and root mass density as a power function, and linearly with the increase of water stable aggregate. These results show how vegetation can mitigate against the erosion induced by concentrated flow in relatively stable gully systems.
Hyperlipidemia is negatively associated with pregnancy outcomes in patients following frozen‐thawed embryo transfer: A retrospective study
Authors: Yang Fang , Mao Wei , Ge Yan‐Mei , Zhao Xia , Song Jie , Lu Jin‐Chun , Liang Yuan‐Jiao
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims

It is demonstrated that lipid metabolism disorders are associated with the reproductive performances of assisted reproductive technology. However, it is little known whether hyperlipidemia is associated with the endometrial receptivity and pregnancy outcomes of patients undergoing frozen‐thawed embryo transfer (FET).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis involving 554 infertile women undergoing FET. The patients were divided into the hyperlipidemia group (n = 224) and control group (n = 320) based on the levels of serum lipids. The clinical and laboratory indexes between the two groups were compared. Meanwhile, the stratified analysis based on body mass index (BMI) and endometrial preparation protocols was performed. The independent samples t‐test, Mann−Whitney U test, χ2 test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to compare and analyze the data.

Results

The patients with hyperlipidemia had significantly higher serum lipids levels and BMI and lower clinical pregnancy and implantation rates than those with normal blood lipids (p < 0.05). The impact of hyperlipidemia on pregnancy outcomes was independent of BMI. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that higher cholesterol was associated with lower pregnancy rate and implantation rate (p < 0.05). Regardless of blood lipid levels, the patients undergoing the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) protocol had higher estradiol levels and lower progesterone levels compared with the stimulated cycles (STC) (p < 0.05). Moreover, the clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate of the HRT protocol were higher than those of the STC, although there was no significant difference between the two.

Conclusion

Hyperlipidemia especially higher cholesterol has a negative effect on the pregnancy outcomes of the patients undergoing FET. Actively implementing lipid‐lowering treatment and the HRT protocol seem more friendly for these patients.
Prevalence and risk factors of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis among a Ghanaian clinical cohort: A case‐control study
Authors: Kyei Samuel , Nkansah Mary , Asiedu Kofi , Asiamah Randy , Zaabaar Ebenezer , Afrifa‐Yamoah Ebenezer
Published: March 2024

Background

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) has been determined to be highly prevalent in countries within the tropical climate region. However, little evidence from studies conducted within this region has been put forward to support this claim.

Aim

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of VKC among a Ghanaian clinical cohort.

Methods

A 3‐year case‐control study was conducted in a tertiary eye care institution, and medical records of patients who had been diagnosed of VKC between 2018 and 2021 were reviewed.

Results

Medical records of 3800 patients were reviewed. Some cases of VKC were identified, with a population prevalence rate of . Males comprised of the population with VKC, with a male‐to‐female ratio of . The disease was more prevalent (40.8%) in children (17 years), and the overall odds of incidence decreased by 10% for a unit increase in age. Age and sex‐adjusted models revealed significant positive associations between Keratoconus [aOR = 40.760, 95% CI –5.948 to 339.937], Rhinitis [cOR = 5.183, 95% CI –2.074 to 12.022] and VKC. However, the incidence of VKC was relatively less expressive among pterygium cases [cOR = 0.315, 95% CI –0.077 to 0.846].

Conclusion

VKC is highly prevalent among children and is often associated with comorbidities of atopic origin that exacerbate the impact of the disease among this vulnerable population. It is imperative that clinicians provide holistic care for children with VKC.
Is the Tibetan Plateau really a water tower?
Authors: Tian Fuqiang , Nan Yi , Ni Guangheng , Yang Long , Tang Qiuhong , Grey David
Published: March 2024

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is widely known as the ‘Asian Water Tower’, due to its role in providing fresh water to downstream Asian countries. Based on the runoff data of large river basins on the TP, the weighted average proportion of the TP runoff is approximately 18% (ranging from 6% to 49%) for all the rivers. We argue that the name ‘Water Tower’ is an inappropriate and misleading perception of the TP, and such misperception would influence policy‐making processes and diplomatic activities. We therefore call for correcting the misunderstanding and an ensuring accurate understanding of the TP and its role in water supply for downstream countries. We propose using the term “Towering Asian Spring” instead of “Asian Water Tower” to better illustrate the role of the TP in water supply: while it serves as the source of several major rivers in Asia, its contribution to the overall water supply is relatively limited.
Natural responses of Neoproterozoic dynamic karst springs to rainfall events, São Miguel Watershed, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Marques Tássia , Galvão Paulo , Assunção Pedro , Pandolf Bruno , Marshall Peter , Paiva Isabel
Published: March 2024

Karst aquifers consist of complex networks of conduits in which groundwater flows and recharge/discharge processes are generally more dynamic than in other types of aquifers. Due to their intrinsic heterogeneity and anisotropy, monitoring, quantifying, and analysing natural responses of karst springs is an efficient tool. Unlike Cenozoic and Mesozoic rocks, in Neoproterozoic karst systems, groundwater circulates and stores generally in dissolution features known as tertiary porosity, as the rock's primary porosity is recrystallized, considered negligible. This article studies the hydrodynamics of a karst portion of the São Miguel River basin, southwest of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The region is predominantly composed of Neoproterozoic carbonate rocks, dating from about 570 to 540 million years ago. During a hydrological year (2019–2020), three karst springs (S1, S2, and S3) were daily monitored through their natural responses (variations of electrical conductivity, EC, temperature, T, and discharge, Q) to rainfall episodes. The data were interpreted based on the analysis of spring hydrographs, time series, recession curves (seasonal and intra‐annual), and statistics of EC, T, and Q variations. The results show the three springs generally exhibit quick flow, typically karstic, in the case of hydrosystems with a well‐structured and functional underground drainage network. The time series indicate the hydrosystem drained by S1 presents slower circulation and a lower degree of linearity, resulting from the higher sinuosity of the system, while the hydrosystems of S2 and S3 have similar behaviours, of quick water circulations immediately after a rainy episode. The degrees of karstification classify S1 and S2 as complex and extensive karst systems consisting of several subsystems, and S3 as a system in which the conduit network is more developed at the upper epiphreatic zone than near the outlet.
Reversal of Opioid‐Induced Respiratory Depression in Healthy Volunteers: Comparison of Intranasal Nalmefene and Intranasal Naloxone
Authors: Ellison Mark , Hutton Emily , Webster Lynn , Skolnick Phil
Published: March 2024

An open‐label, randomized, crossover study in healthy volunteers compared the reversal of remifentanil‐induced respiratory depression by intranasal (IN) naloxone hydrochloride (4 mg) to IN nalmefene (2.7 mg) (NCT 04828005). Subjects were administered a hypercapnic gas mixture which produces an elevation in minute ventilation (MV), a result of the ventilatory response to hypercapnia. Subjects breathed a hypercapnic gas mixture through a tight‐fitting mask for an initial period of 46 min prior to a series of mask “holidays” introduced to reduce subject discomfort and encourage study completion. Ten minutes after initiating the hypercapnic gas mixture, a remifentanil bolus was administered, and an infusion continued for the study duration. Subjects were administered either naloxone or nalmefene 15 min after initiating the remifentanil infusion and MV monitored for 21 min followed by a mask holiday. Both nalmefene and naloxone produced a time‐dependent reversal of remifentanil‐induced reductions in MV measured 2.5–20 min post administration. At the primary endpoint (5 min post administration), nalmefene increases in MV (5.75 L/min) were nearly twice that produced by naloxone (3.01 L/min) (P < .0009); the point estimate favors nalmefene, demonstrating non‐inferiority and superiority. In this model of opioid‐induced respiratory depression, nalmefene has a more rapid onset of action than naloxone, which required 20 min to achieve a comparable reversal of respiratory depression. Both nalmefene and naloxone were well tolerated by healthy volunteers. This rapid onset of action may prove particularly valuable in an era when over 90% of fatalities are linked to synthetic opioid overdose.
Premixed calcium silicate‐based ceramic sealers promote osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells: A microscopy study
Authors: López‐García Sergio , Sánchez‐Bautista Sonia , García‐Bernal David , Lozano Adrián , Forner Leopoldo , Sanz José L. , Murcia Laura , Rodríguez‐Lozano Francisco J. , Oñate‐Sánchez Ricardo E.
Published: March 2024

To evaluate the effects of premixed calcium silicate based ceramic sealers on the viability and osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). The materials evaluated were TotalFill BC Sealer (TFbc), AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer (AHPbc), and Neosealer Flo (Neo). Standardized discs and 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 eluates of the tested materials were prepared. The following in vitro experiments were carried out: ion release, cell metabolic activity 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell migration, immunofluorescence experiment, cell attachment, gene expression, and mineralization assay. Statistical analyses were performed using one‐way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p < .05). Increased Ca2+ release was detected in TFbc compared to AHPbc and Neo (*p < .05). Biological assays showed a discrete cell metabolic activity and cell migration in Neo‐treated cell, whereas scanning electronic microscopy assay exhibited that TFbc group had a better cell adhesion process of substrate attachment, spreading, and cytoskeleton development on the niche‐like structures of the cement than AHPbc and Neo. The sealers tested were able to induce overexpression of the CEMP‐1, ALP, and COL1A1 genes in the first days of exposure, particularly in the case of TFbc (***p < .001). All materials tested significantly increased the mineralization of hPDLSCs when compared to the negative control, although more pronounced calcium deposition was observed in the TFbc‐treated cells (***p < .001). Our results suggested that TFbc promotes cell differentiation, both by increasing the expression of key osteo/odontogenic genes and by promoting mineralization of the extracellular matrix, whereas this phenomenon was less evident in Neo and AHPbc.

Research Highlights

TFbc group had a better cell adhesion process of substrate attachment, spreading, and cytoskeleton development on the niche‐like structures of the cement than AHPbc and Neo.

The sealers tested were able to induce overexpression of the CEMP‐1, ALP, and COL1A1 genes in the first days of exposure, particularly in the case of TFbc.

All materials tested significantly increased the mineralization of hPDLSCs when compared to the negative control, although more pronounced calcium deposition was observed in the TFbc‐treated cells.
Impact of a relocation to a new critical care building on pediatric safety events
Authors: Furthmiller Andrew , Sahay Rashmi , Zhang Bin , Dewan Maya , Zackoff Matthew
Published: March 2024

Background

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) relocated the pediatric, cardiac, and neonatal intensive care units (PICU, CICU and NICU) to a newly constructed critical care building (CCB) in November 2021. Simulation and onboarding sessions were implemented before the relocation, aimed at mitigating latent safety threats.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of ICU relocation to the CCHMC CCB on patient safety as measured by the quantity, rate, severity score, and category of safety reports.

Methods

This retrospective, cross‐sectional, observational study compared safety reports filed in a 90‐day period before and following the CCB relocation. The primary outcome was pre‐ and postrelocation safety report rates per 100 patient‐days. Secondary outcomes included safety report severity, category, and rate of hospital acquired conditions (HACs).

Results

Total safety report incidence increased by 16% across all ICUs postrelocation with no difference in post‐ versus prerelocation odds ratio between ICUs. Three isolated instances of special cause variation were found, one in NICU and two in CICU. No special cause variation was found in the PICU. There were no statistical differences in assigned safety report severity pre‐ to postrelocation for all ICUs, and only lab specimen/test related safety reports showed a statistically significant increase postrelocation. Overall rates of HACs were low, with six occurring prerelocation and eight postrelocation.

Conclusions

All three ICUs were relocated to the new CCB with minimal changes in the incidence, severity, or category of safety reports filed, suggesting staff training and preparations ahead of the relocation mitigated latent safety threats.
Man, it's a hot one: Trends and extremes in Florida autumn heat stress
Authors: Ennis Kelsey E. , Milrad Shawn M.
Published: March 2024

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather‐related hazard in the United States, and is increasing in frequency, intensity and duration due to climate change. Heat stress is broadly defined as environmental influences on body temperature, and in this study is evaluated using wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), which incorporates temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation. Heat stress and associated humid heat have increased significantly across many regions of the globe, particularly in the subtropics and Tropics, which exacerbates health and excess mortality risks in those areas. However, heat stress has typically been investigated as a solely summer phenomenon. This study uses WBGT to examine heat stress trends and extremes during climatological autumn from the 1950s to 2022 at eight Florida cities. Results show that average autumn heat stress has increased significantly throughout much of Florida, particularly at coastal locations in the Florida Peninsula. Daytime heat stress increases were larger than their night‐time counterparts in northern Florida, while the opposite was true in central and southern Florida. Extreme (90th percentile) autumn heat stress events also increased in intensity and frequency, particularly in the Florida Peninsula and Florida Keys. Furthermore, locations in the Florida Peninsula and Florida Keys experienced increases of greater than 1.5 extreme autumn heat stress days per decade. Heat stress trends were predominantly largest in urban coastal environments, suggesting links to urbanization as well as statistically significant early autumn warming trends in sea surface temperatures. Overall, results indicated that heat stress in Florida is no longer solely a summer hazard and poses a particular threat to coastal areas in early autumn when ocean heat content is still near its climatological peak.
Selective penetration of fullerenol through pea seed coats mitigates osmosis‐repressed germination via chromatin remodeling and transcriptional reprograming
Authors: Ning Kang , Sun Ting , Wang Zhuoyi , Li Hailan , Fang Pingping , Cai Xiaoqi , Wu Xinyang , Xu Min , Xu Pei
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

The alteration of chromatin accessibility plays an important role in plant responses to abiotic stress. Carbon‐based nanomaterials (CBNMs) have attracted increasing interest in agriculture due to their potential impact on crop productivity, showcasing effects on plant biological processes at transcriptional levels; however, their impact on chromatin accessibility remains unknown.

RESULTS

This study found that fullerenol can penetrate the seed coat of pea to mitigate the reduction of seed germination caused by osmotic stress. RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) revealed that the application of fullerenol caused the high expression of genes related to oxidoreduction to return to a normal level. Assay for transposase accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC‐seq) confirmed that fullerenol application reduced the overall levels of chromatin accessibility of numerous genes, including those related to environmental signaling, transcriptional regulation, and metabolism.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that fullerenol alleviates osmotic stress on various fronts, encompassing antioxidant, transcriptional, and epigenetic levels. This advances knowledge of the working mechanism of this nanomaterial within plant cells. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
On the structure of Nevanlinna measures
Authors: Nedic Mitja , Saksman Eero
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we study the structural properties of Nevanlinna measures, that is, Borel measures that arise in the integral representation of Herglotz–Nevanlinna functions. In particular, we give a characterization of these measures in terms of their Fourier transform, characterize measures supported on hyperplanes including extremal measures, describe the structure of the singular part of the measures when some variable are set to a fixed value, and provide estimates for the measure of expanding and shrinking cubes. Corresponding results are stated also in the setting of the polydisc where applicable, and some of our proofs are actually performed via the polydisc.
A case report of an Egyptian family with familial hypercholesterolemia and an exonic LINE‐1 insertion in LDLR
Authors: Song Yongjun , Elwafa Reham Abdel Haleem Abo , Omar Omneya Magdy , Seo Go Hun , Lee Hane
Published: March 2024

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (MIM: PS143890) is a genetic disorder characterized by an increase in blood cholesterol. LDLR is one of the genes which their defect contributes to the disorder. Affected individuals may carry a heterozygous variant or homozygous/compound heterozygous variants and those with biallelic pathogenic variants present more severe symptoms.

Method

We report an Egyptian family with familial hypercholesterolemia. Both the proband and parents have the disorder while a sibling is unaffected. Exome sequencing was performed to identify the causal variant.

Results

LINE‐1 insertion in exon 7 of LDLR was identified. Both parents have a heterozygous variant while the proband has a homozygous variant. The unaffected sibling did not carry the variant.

Discussion

This insertion may contribute to the high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Egypt and the finding underscores the importance of implementing mobile element insertion caller in routine bioinformatics pipeline.
Dual neovascular targets of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor ameliorate thioacetamide induced liver fibrosis in rats
Authors: Xiong Bin , Bai Yaowei , Liu Jiacheng , Li Tongqiang , Wang Yingliang , Zhou Chen
Published: March 2024

Aims

Neovascularization plays a crucial role in liver fibrosis (LF), and blocking vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) has been shown to improve fibrosis. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of dual neovascularization targets, VEGFR, and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), in ameliorating fibrosis.

Methods

In vitro, we observed the effects of apatinib (APA) (a VEGFR inhibitor) and donafenib (DON) (a VEGFR and PDGFR inhibitor) on the activation, proliferation, and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) from rats and humans. In vivo, we established a thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced liver fibrosis rat model to explore the antifibrosis effect of APA and DON. We used the method of random table to randomly divide the rats into 4 groups. We detected the expression of angiogenesis‐related proteins using Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

Results

APA and DON inhibited the proliferation and activation of HSCs, promoted apoptosis of HSCs, and arrested the S phase of the cell cycle in vitro. We also found that DON had a stronger inhibitory effect on HSCs. In vivo, APA and DON ameliorated liver fibrosis, reduced collagen deposition and α‐SMA expression in rats, and DON had a stronger improvement effect. APA and DON downregulated the expression of VEGFR2 while inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. DON can act through both VEGF and PDGF pathways, whereas APA can only act through the VEGF pathway.

Conclusion

Antiangiogenesis is a promising approach for the treatment of fibrosis. Compared with a single‐target drug (APA), the dual‐target drug (DON) can achieve better therapeutic effects.
Pyroglutamylation modulates electronic properties and the conformational ensemble of the amyloid β‐peptide
Authors: Davidson Darcy S. , Lemkul Justin A.
Published: March 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the formation of extracellular amyloid‐β (Aβ) plaques. The underlying cause of AD is unknown, however, post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of Aβ have been found in AD patients and are thought to play a role in protein aggregation. One such PTM is pyroglutamylation, which can occur at two sites in Aβ, Glu3 and Glu11. This modification of Aβ involves the truncation and charge‐neutralization of N‐terminal glutamate, causing Aβ to become more hydrophobic and prone to aggregation. The molecular mechanism by which the introduction of pyroglutamate (pE) promotes aggregation has not been determined. To gain a greater understanding of the role that charge neutralization and truncation of the N‐terminus plays on Aβ conformational sampling, we used the Drude polarizable force field (FF) to perform molecular dynamics simulations on AβpE3–42 and AβpE11–42 and comparing their properties to previous simulations of Aβ1–42. The Drude polarizable FF allows for a more accurate representation of electrostatic interactions, therefore providing novel insights into the role that charge plays in protein dynamics. Here, we report the parametrization of pE in the Drude polarizable FF and the effect of pyroglutamylation on Aβ. We found that AβpE3–42 and AβpE11–42 alter the permanent and induced dipoles of the peptide. Specifically, we found that AβpE3–42 and AβpE11–42 have modification‐specific backbone and sidechain polarization response and perturbed solvation properties that shift the Aβ conformational ensemble.
Effect of Strain on Electron Transport and Quantum Lifetimes in InxGa1−xAs/In0.52Al0.48As Modulation Doped Double Quantum Well‐Based High Electron Mobility Transistor Structures
Authors: Swain Ram Chandra , Sahu Ajit Kumar , Mishra Madhusudan , Sahu Trinath , Sahoo Narayan
Published: March 2024

The effect of tensile and compressive strain on low‐temperature electron transport (τt) and quantum (τq) lifetimes are analyzed as function of well width (w) in InxGa1−xAs/In0.52Al0.48As modulation‐doped double quantum well (MD‐DQW)‐based high electron mobility transistors structures. The DQW system can be made either lattice‐matched or strained, tensile and compressive, by consideringx = 0.53, 0.41, and 0.75, respectively. Results show that the nonlinearity inτtandτqrelates to the uneven dependence on the ionized impurity (ii), interface roughness (ir), and alloy disorder (al) scatterings. Aswincreases,τtenhances. The improvement inτtis substantial for the strained system compared to the unstrained. Further, forw < 94 Å, their‐scattering is more dominating under the compressive than the tensile strained structure, leading toτt(x = 0.41) > τt(x = 0.75). Conversely,τqis dominated byii‐scattering exhibitingτq(x = 0.75) > τq(x = 0.53) > τq(x = 0.41). A hybrid structure is also proposed with one well tensile (x = 0.41) and the other as compressively (x = 0.75) strained, resulting in a step‐like MD‐DQW structure. As a result, only a single sub‐band is occupied leading to a twofold improvement inτtforw = 150 Å compared to the symmetric structures.
Acoustic Shock‐Wave‐Induced Crystallographically Order–Disorder Switchable Phase Transition of Ammonium Sulfate Crystal: X‐Ray Diffraction and Raman Spectroscopic Approach
Authors: Aswathappa Sivakumar , Palaniyasan Eniya , Sathiyadhas Sahaya Jude Dhas , Dai Lidong , Suresh Kumar Raju , Almansour Abdulrahman I. , Jeyaperumal Kalyana Sundar , Sathiyadhas Amalapushpam Martin Britto Dhas
Published: March 2024

In this framework, the authors have intended to examine the phase‐transition probability of ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 under dynamic shock loaded conditions, whereby it is authenticated from the observations that the title crystal undergoes the process of reversible phase transition of crystallographic nature. The observed phase‐transition sequence is Pnam (crystalline) → Pnam (crystalline) → distorted Pnam (semicrystalline) → Pnam (crystalline) → Pnam (crystalline) under the exposure of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 shocks, respectively, such that the order of the transition is evaluated by diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. The obtained differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis results provide the crystalline‐state ammonium sulfate which has higher thermal stability than that of the disordered‐state ammonium sulfate. Analyzing the acquired results of the analytical experiments, the authentication can be arrived at such that the phase transition of reversible nature is enforced by the molecular distortions followed by the occurrence of rotational disorder involving ammonium and sulfate groups of ions influenced by the impulsion of shock waves thereby the title crystal can be a potential material for molecular switching applications.
Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and its downstream signaling pathways by natural products: A mechanistic insight
Authors: Damare Rutuja , Engle Kritika , Kumar Gautam
Published: March 2024

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that maintains normal tissues and cell signaling pathways. EGFR is overactivated and overexpressed in many malignancies, including breast, lung, pancreatic, and kidney. Further, the EGFR gene mutations and protein overexpression activate downstream signaling pathways in cancerous cells, stimulating the growth, survival, resistance to apoptosis, and progression of tumors. Anti‐EGFR therapy is the potential approach for treating malignancies and has demonstrated clinical success in treating specific cancers. The recent report suggests most of the clinically used EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors developed resistance to the cancer cells. This perspective provides a brief overview of EGFR and its implications in cancer. We have summarized natural products‐derived anticancer compounds with the mechanistic basis of tumor inhibition via the EGFR pathway. We propose that developing natural lead molecules into new anticancer agents has a bright future after clinical investigation.
Precise construction of DNA origami‐based materials for functional regulation on biological interface
Authors: Wu Yushuai , Wu Xiaohui , Tian Run , Wang Yiming , Ding Baoquan , Jiang Qiao
Published: March 2024

Precise design and control of molecular self‐assembly as living creatures are exciting ideas in the field of nanotechnology. Characterized with predesigned geometries and accurate spatial addressability, programmable DNA origami nanostructures have been recognized as optimized tools for assembling multiple functional components. A variety of biomolecules can be attached to the nanoscale drawing boards in a site‐specific fashion, thus facilitating the precise construction of DNA origami‐based materials for studies on biological interface. In this minireview, we highlight the recent advances in the precise construction of DNA origami‐based materials with artificial bio‐structures and/or biomimicking functions. The regulation of biological functions by these DNA origami‐engineered assemblies at the bio‐interface has been summarized and discussed.
Moving forward with intentionality: The scholarship of teaching, learning, and practice
Authors: McCloud Laila I.
Published: March 2024

McCloud offers guidance on fostering a culture of intentionality within the scholarship of teaching, learning, and practice highlighting the role of collaborative partnerships, ongoing assessment, and professional development in advancing this critical agenda.
Prognostic indicators for long‐term outcome of non‐immune hydrops fetalis
Authors: Zhao Y. , Li D.‐Z.
Published: March 2024

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Wu et al. Click here to view the article.
Immediate application of frozen–thawed embryo transfer cycle in month following COVID‐19 recovery does not impair ongoing pregnancy outcome
Authors: Xu Q. , Mao X. , Zhang J. , Wu L.
Published: March 2024

Objective

To investigate whether immediate frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET) in the next month following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) recovery affects ongoing pregnancy outcome.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study carried out at a university‐affiliated reproductive medicine center. The study group (post‐COVID‐19 group) comprised women who were affected by COVID‐19 in December 2022 and immediately underwent FET in January 2023 after recovery, with transferred embryos not exposed to the infection. The control group comprised women treated during the pre‐COVID‐19 period (January 2019). Multivariable logistic regression analysis and a propensity score matching (PSM) approach were used to control for potential confounders and selection bias.

Results

A total of 200 women were included in the post‐COVID‐19 group and 641 women were enrolled in the control group. The rate of ongoing pregnancy was comparable between the study cohorts in both the unadjusted and confounder‐adjusted logistic regression models. Other reproductive outcomes, including the odds of a positive pregnancy test, implantation, clinical pregnancy and early pregnancy loss, were similar between the comparison groups. PSM models further confirmed the lack of significant differences in pregnancy outcome between the post‐COVID‐19 group and the control group.

Conclusions

Among patients affected by COVID‐19 for whom the transferred embryos were generated prior to infection, an immediate FET cycle in the next month after recovery does not seem to compromise ongoing pregnancy outcome. Thus, women who have frozen embryos from preinfection cycles should be counseled and encouraged to undergo FET as soon as possible after COVID‐19 recovery. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Chemical constituents of the leaves of Taxus wallichiana (Taxaceae)
Authors: Le Thinh Duc , Le Da Vy Thi , Tran Tu Hoai , Dang Phu Hoang , Le Tho Huu , Nguyen Mai Thanh Thi , Nguyen Nhan Trung
Published: March 2024

From CHCl3‐soluble extract of the leaves of Taxus wallichiana (Taxaceae), collected in Lam Dong Province, five compounds were isolated and identified as sciadopitysin (1), ginkgetin (2), (S)‐(+)‐rhododenol (3), (+)‐erythro‐N‐benzoyl‐3‐phenylisoserine methyl ester (4), and (−)‐α‐conidendrin (5). Their chemical structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectra and comparison with published data. Except for (−)‐α‐conidendrin, these remaining compounds were first reported of Taxus wallichiana. Among these compounds, ginkgetin (2), and (−)‐α‐conidendrin (5) showed significant α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity with the IC50 values of 98.5, and 172.1 µm, respectively.
Molecular docking and molecular dynamics approach to identify EGFR and HER2 receptors inhibitory effect of compounds in Zanthoxylum simulans Hance
Authors: Mai Tran Hoang , Huong Le Thi , Ha Vu Manh , Thuy Nguyen Thi , Khanh Do Thi Hong , Tung Bui Thanh
Published: March 2024

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epithelium receptor‐2 (HER2) are members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB) family implicated in the development of many types of carcinoma. Zanthoxylum simulans Hance has the effect of inhibiting growth and causing the death of many types of cancer cells. In this study, the molecular docking method and molecular dynamics simulations were used to evaluate the inhibition abilities of EGFR and HER2 receptors of 120 compounds in Zanthoxylum simulans Hance. The results showed two compounds that inhibit both EGFR and HER2 targets including simulanoquinoline and 6‐acetonyldihydroavicine. Therefore, in vivo and in vitro studies of these potential compounds should be carried out to become anti‐cancer drugs in the future.
Improving mechanical properties of huntite hydromagnesite reinforced flame retardant polymer composites with calcite and zeolite minerals
Authors: Yilmaz Atay Gül , Mergen Berfin , Sakan Emre , Yücetürk Buket , Yücetürk Mert
Published: March 2024

Although inorganic minerals used as flame retardants in firefighting are much safer alternative to halogen‐containing ones, it is seen that while they impart non‐flammability, they impair some mechanical properties of polymer composites. In this study, calcite and zeolite minerals, with well‐known incombustibility properties, were used together with huntite hydromagnesite as auxiliary minerals to obtain better mechanical properties. In this context, a synergistic effect was created by adding zeolite and calcite to polymer composite systems containing huntite hydromagnesite, and flame retardant polypropylene matrix composites were produced using a twin screw extruder. The thermal properties of the produced composites were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Tensile test was applied to the samples to determine their mechanical properties. Structural and morphological properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. It was found that with an additive load of 60% by weight, the modulus of elasticity of pure polypropylene was increased from 1215 to 3362 MPa. In addition, by loading zeolite together with huntite hydromagnesite, the maximum tensile strength increased from 15.6 MPa to 22.9 MPa, resulting in an increase of 46.80%. Consequently, the synergistic effect obtained by using zeolite with huntite hydromagnesite improved the mechanical properties of the composite.
Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of Spirolobium cambodianum Baill.
Authors: Yen Huynh Kim , Tuan Nguyen Trong , Thanh Nguyen Quoc Chau , Tran Truong Thi Tu , Men Tran Thanh
Published: March 2024

Spirolobium cambodianum Baill., belonging to Apocynaceae family, was used as a traditional medicine to treat various diseases. This study is the first report on antioxidant activities and chemical composition of S. cambodianum Baill. ethanolic leaf extract. The results showed that ethanolic extract had potent in vitro antioxidant activities in DPPH, ABTS•+ assays (the low concentrations of IC50 were 19.51 ± 0.78 µg/mL and 4.89 ± 0.07 µg/mL, respectively), and in RP, TAC methods (the Abs0.5 were 20.80 ± 0.26 µg/mL and 36.15 ± 1.03 µg/mL). Moreover, investigating in vivo antioxidant activity under oxidative stress conditions caused by paraquat and H2O2 using Drosophila melanogaster showed that flies were raised in the medium supplemented with a concentration of extract (1 mg/mL) lived longer than standard medium. Notably, the chemical investigation of S. cambodianum extract, ten identified compounds were reported for the first time from this plant and from the genus Spirolobium, including 27‐p‐Z‐coumaroyloxyursolic acid (1), lupeol (2), p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (3), ursolic acid (4), tectoquinone (5), daucosterol (6), asiatic acid (7), naringenin (8), 1‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(2S,3S,4R,9Z)‐2‐[(2′R)‐2′‐hydroxytetracosanoylamino]‐octadec‐9‐en‐1,3,4‐triol (9), quercetin (10). This study suggests that the antioxidant efficacy of S. cambodianum leaf extract and its constituents can be explored as a potential antioxidant agent to treat various diseases, especially oxidative stress.
To initiate or not to initiate: A critical assessment of eIF2A, eIF2D, and MCT‐1·DENR to deliver initiator tRNA to ribosomes
Authors: Grove Daisy J. , Russell Paul J. , Kearse Michael G.
Published: March 2024

Selection of the correct start codon is critical for high‐fidelity protein synthesis. In eukaryotes, this is typically governed by a multitude of initiation factors (eIFs), including eIF2·GTP that directly delivers the initiator tRNA (Met‐tRNAiMet) to the P site of the ribosome. However, numerous reports, some dating back to the early 1970s, have described other initiation factors having high affinity for the initiator tRNA and the ability of delivering it to the ribosome, which has provided a foundation for further work demonstrating non‐canonical initiation mechanisms using alternative initiation factors. Here we provide a critical analysis of current understanding of eIF2A, eIF2D, and the MCT‐1·DENR dimer, the evidence surrounding their ability to initiate translation, their implications in human disease, and lay out important key questions for the field.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA‐Protein Complexes

Translation > Mechanisms

Translation > Regulation