bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New 3‐Benzylphthalide from the Moss Erythrodontium julaceum
Authors: Khanh Van Nguyen Ngoc , Aree Thammarat , Quynh Trang Nguyen Thi , Ngoc Thao Nguyen Thi , Tri Nguyen Huu , Duong Thuc‐Huy , Nguyen Ngoc‐Hong , Kim Tuyen Pham Nguyen
Published: September 2023

From the moss Erythrodontium julaceum Paris growing in Vietnam, julacelide (1), a new 3‐benzylphthalide, along with methyl orsellinate (2), ethyl orsellinate (3), 4‐O‐methylhaematommic acid (4), and zeorin (5), were isolated and structurally elucidated. Their chemical structures were elucidated through extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis and high‐resolution mass spectroscopy as well as through comparisons to the existing literature. Compound 4‐O‐methylhaematommic acid was a new natural product. The absolute configuration of julacelide was defined using time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. Julacelide was evaluated for α‐glucosidase inhibition.
cFLIPL alleviates myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating pyroptosis
Authors: Zhang Dong , Wu Hui , Liu Di , Ye Ming , Li Yunzhao , Zhou Gang , Yang QingZhuo , Liu YanFang , Li Yi
Published: September 2023

Alleviating myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion injury (MIRI) plays a critical role in the prognosis and improvement of cardiac function following acute myocardial infarction. Pyroptosis is a newly identified form of cell death that has been implicated in the regulation of MIRI. In our study, H9c2 cells and SD rats were transfected using a recombinant adenovirus vector carrying cFLIPL, and the transfection was conducted for 3 days. Subsequently, H9c2 cells were subjected to 4 h of hypoxia followed by 12 h of reoxygenation to simulate an in vitro ischemia‐reperfusion model. SD rats underwent 30 min of ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion to establish an MIRI model. Our findings revealed a notable decrease in cFLIPL expression in response to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injuries. Overexpression of cFLIPL can inhibit pyroptosis, reducing myocardial infarction area in vivo, and enhancing H9c2 cell viability in vitro. I/R and H/R injuries induced the upregulation of ASC, cleaved Caspase 1, NLRP3, GSDMD‐N, IL‐1β, and IL‐18 proteins, promoting cell apoptosis. Our research indicates that cFLIPL may suppress pyroptosis by strategically binding with Caspase 1, inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines and preventing cell membrane rupture. Therefore, cFLIPL could potentially serve as a promising target for alleviating MIRI by suppressing the pyroptotic pathway.
May‐Thurner syndrome due to abdominal aortic aneurysm compression
Authors: Ono Ryohei , Kobayashi Yoshio
Published: September 2023

Key Clinical Message

May‐Thurner syndrome (MTS) can be caused by abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) compressing the left common iliac vein against the lumbar vertebra. We reported a rare case of MTS due to AAA Compression successfully treated with anticoagulation.
Delayed diagnosis of hydrocephalus: Negligence of enlarging head in a child by parents
Authors: Khizar Ahtesham , Zahid Soha , Yadav Pradhumna Kumar
Published: September 2023

A 1‐year‐old girl presented with an overly enlarged head for 5 months. Negligence of parents regarding treatment for this enlarged head is concerning. Early treatment can avoid a lot of complications. Hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis was diagnosed after a thorough history, examination, and investigations. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed.
Anesthesia using remimazolam during coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with decreased left ventricular function
Authors: Narumi Shingo , Ishida Yusuke , Igarashi Sae , Sekiguchi Shunya , Kawachi Aya , Tomino Mikiko
Published: September 2023

Key Clinical Message

Remimazolam is a new benzodiazepine sedative and has the characteristic of causing minimal effects on circulation. This case indicates that it can be considered as an option for anesthesia management of patients with decreased cardiac function.

Some patients who undergo cardiac surgery have reduced cardiac function, which can often make anesthesia management difficult owing to severe hypotension at the time of anesthesia induction. Therefore, it is important to select drugs that cause minimal circulatory depression. On the other hand, in 2020, the use of remimazolam, a short‐acting benzodiazepine sedative, was approved in Japan, and reports of its use in various patients have been increasing. This drug has the characteristic of causing minimal effects on circulation. We here report the safe use of remimazolam in the anesthesia management of a patient with decreased cardiac function who was diagnosed as having angina pectoris. The patient was a 73‐year‐old man scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Remimazolam was used for sedation purposes during anesthesia induction. During surgery, there were no significant hemodynamic changes and the patient remained in stable cardiovascular condition. Our present case indicates that remimazolam can be considered as an option for anesthesia management in CABG for patients with decreased cardiac function.
Bronchopleural fistula associated persistent pneumothorax in a patient recovering from COVID‐19 pneumonia: A case report
Authors: Regmi Milan , Karki Anurag , Shrestha Moon , Pathak Nibesh , Bhandari Sanjeev , Sharma Niraj Kumar , Pant Pankaj
Published: September 2023

Key Clinical Message

Pneumothorax and bronchopleural fistula (BPF) are potentially fatal complications that can occur in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia. Early detection, appropriate treatment, and consideration of surgical intervention are necessary for optimum outcomes.

Introduction

Healthcare professionals face complex challenges as a result of the rare emergence of pneumothorax among the variety of COVID‐19 complications, including severe viral pneumonia.

Case History

A 57‐year‐old male with multiple comorbidities diagnosed with COVID‐19 pneumonia was admitted to our center and exhibited bilateral crepitations. During hospitalization, the patient developed right‐sided pneumothorax that persisted despite chest tube insertion was linked to the presence of BPF.

Discussion

The occurrence of pneumothorax in COVID‐19 patients is relatively rare risk factors for which are not yet fully understood, although smoking history may play a role. Conservative management is recommended for asymptomatic cases, while intercostal drainage is necessary for symptomatic patients. Surgical intervention may be required to manage the BPF in some instances.

Conclusion

Pneumothorax and BPF are rare but potentially life‐threatening complications in patients recovering from COVID‐19 pneumonia. Early recognition, appropriate treatment, and consideration of surgical intervention are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
A Cobalt Nanocatalyst for the Hydrogenation and Oxidative Dehydrogenation of N‐heterocycles
Authors: Hu Yue , Li Xinmin , Liu Mingyang , Bartling Stephan , Lund Henrik , Rabeah Jabor , Dyson Paul J. , Beller Matthias , Jagadeesh Rajenahally V.
Published: September 2023

Catalytic hydrogenation and oxidative dehydrogenation of N‐heterocycles to produce tetrahydroquinoline and quinoline derivatives are important reactions of particular importance in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Herein, we report earth‐abundant cobalt nanoparticles supported on hydroxyapatite (HAP) as an inexpensive and efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation and reverse oxidative dehydrogenation of N‐heterocycles. The optimal nanocatalyst exhibits excellent activity in both reactions for a wide range of substrates including (iso)quinolines, acridine, benzo[h]quinoline, quinoxaline and indole. Reactions proceed under relatively mild conditions without requiring any additives.
Reactive Reductive Species Participating Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Peng Jinlei , Feng Fude
Published: September 2023

Although the development of oxidative photodynamic therapy (O‐PDT) based on reactive oxygen species (ROS) has led to great progress in cancer treatment, tumor hypoxia, cellular adaptation and intrinsic antioxidant defenses are still obstacles at this stage. Fortunately, with the discovery and development of reactive reductive species (RRS) in the PDT process, reductive PDT (R‐PDT) is receiving increasing research interest. R‐PDT with oxygen‐independence is an effective reduction therapy that promises excellent therapeutic efficacy in extremely hypoxic or even anaerobic environments. In the concept, we introduce representative strategies to boost the type‐I photosensitizing pathway, and then focus on the most recent R‐PDT involving hydrogen radical (H⋅) and the single electron transfer (SET) process.
Nitrene C−H Bond Insertion Approach to Carbazolones and Indolones, and a Reactivity Departure for 7‐Membered Analogues**
Authors: Lakshman Mahesh K. , Sebastian Dellamol , Pradhan Padmanava , Neary Michelle C. , Piette Alexis M. , Trzebiatowski Samuel P. , Henriques Alexander E. K. , Willoughby Patrick H.
Published: September 2023

A modular platform for facile access to 1,2,3,9‐tetrahydro‐4H‐carbazol‐4‐ones (H4‐carbazolones) and 3,4‐dihydrocyclopenta[b]indol‐1(2H)‐ones (H2‐indolones) is described. The requisite 6‐ and 5‐membered 2‐arylcycloalkane‐1,3‐dione precursors were readily obtained through a Cu‐catalyzed arylation of 1,3‐cyclohexanediones or by a ring expansion of aryl succinoin derivatives. Enolization of one carbonyl group in the diones, conversion to a leaving group, and subsequent azidation gave 2‐aryl‐3‐azidocycloalk‐2‐en‐1‐ones. This two‐step, one‐pot azidation is highly regioselective with unsymmetrically substituted 2‐arylcyclohexane‐1,3‐diones. The regioselectivity, which is important for access to single isomers of 3,3‐disubstituted carbazolones, was analyzed mechanistically and computationally. Finally, a Rh‐catalyzed nitrene/nitrenoid insertion into the ortho C−H bond of the aryl moiety gave the H4‐carbazolones and H2‐indolones. One carbazolone was elaborated to an intermediate reported in the total synthesis of N‐decarbomethoxychanofruticosinate, (−)‐aspidospermidine, (+)‐kopsihainanine A. With 2‐phenylcycloheptane‐1,3‐dione, prepared from cyclohexanone and benzaldehyde, the azidation reaction was readily accomplished. However, the Rh‐catalyzed reaction unexpectedly led to a labile but characterizable azirine rather than the indole derivative. Computations were performed to understand the differences in reactivities of the 5‐ and 6‐membered 2‐aryl‐3‐azidocycloalk‐2‐en‐1‐ones in comparison to the 7‐membered analogue, and to support the structural assignment of the azirine.
Validation and Uncertainty Assessment of a Software‐Integrated Workflow for pH Calculations
Authors: Kosse Pascal , Hernández Rodríguez Tanja , Frahm Björn , Lübken Manfred , Wichern Marc
Published: September 2023

Accurate pH calculations are essential for scientists across different disciplines to design optimal reactor solutions, but they can be arduous to calculate for complex acid‐base solutions. Visual Water is a powerful software tool that provides accurate pH calculations with automated mathematical uncertainty analysis. Its workflow is presented and validated using acids and bases, showing a deviation of < 0.2 pH units between measured and calculated pH values. This highlights the software's reliability, which can help to simplify the work of non‐experts in water chemistry.
Trianglimine‐Mediated Selective Sieving of Cis Isomer from the Mixture of Dihaloethenes: A Combined Molecular Dynamics and DFT Investigation
Authors: Noble Joyanna Elsa , Ebenezer Cheriyan , Solomon Rajadurai Vijay
Published: September 2023

The manufacture of alkenyl halides on a larger scale often results in the formation of a mixture of isomers, each having individual significant applications while their separation from each other is a strenuous task. Since most of the conventional distillation techniques are known to be intricate, energy consuming and expensive, the quest for an alternative separation strategies is still continuing. In this context, the recently reported trianglimine macrocycle ‐ a new class of intrinsically porous material, is promising in discerning cis isomer from a mixture of cis and trans dichloroethene. Herein, an attempt has been made to apprehend the host‐guest inclusion phenomenon accountable for the selectivity of cis over the trans isomers of 1,2‐dihaloethene (F, Cl and Br) using molecular dynamics simulation and density functional calculations at ω‐B97xd/6‐311G+(d,p) level of theory. The average binding energy of selected snapshots has been calculated at different loadings, temperatures and pressures from molecular dynamics simulation. Our results show that trianglimine can stabilise the cis isomers of the dihaloethenes inside its cavity forming complexes with high interaction energies and the rationale behind the recyclability of the host molecule has been clarified. The outcomes of the calculations bring out the potential utility of this new host architecture to produce highly pure value added chemicals in industries.
CRISPR Based Programmable RNA Editing in Primary Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Ravichandran Karthick , Khargonkar Tulika , Samaddar Sarbani , Banerjee Sourav
Published: September 2023

Investigating the RNA regulation landscape primarily relies on understanding how RNA‐protein interactions are governed in various cell types, including neurons. Analysis of RNA‐protein interactions in physiological environments warrants the development of new tools that rely on RNA manipulation. Recently, a CRISPR‐based RNA‐editing tool (dCas13b‐ADAR2DD) was developed to mitigate disease‐associated point mutations in cell lines. Here, we explored the targeted sequence editing potential of the tool (dCas13b‐ADAR2DD system) by adapting it to manipulate RNA function to visualize RNA editing in primary hippocampal neurons. This two‐component system includes a programmable guide RNA (gRNA) complementary to the target RNA and a catalytically dead version of the Cas13b enzyme fused to ADAR. The RNA editing protocol outlined in this article relies on gRNA‐dependent targeting of the dCas13b‐ADAR fusion protein to the mutant form of the Dendra2 transcript. Dendra2 is not required for intrinsic cellular functioning. It was ectopically expressed for fluorescent detection as a proof‐of‐principle demonstration of targeted RNA editing. We first abrogated the fluorescence of Dendra2 by introducing a nonsense mutation that precludes the formation of the functional protein. To visualize the efficacy of the RNA editing in neurons, we used the dCas13b‐ADAR2DD system to edit specific nucleotides within the Dendra2 mRNA to restore the amino acid codes critical for Dendra2 fluorescence. This method lays the foundation for future studies on the dynamics of activity‐induced RNA‐protein interactions in neurons and can be extended to manipulate the endogenous RNome in diverse neuronal subtypes. Furthermore, this methodology will enable investigators to visualize the spatial and temporal resolution of RNA‐protein interactions without altering the genomes via conventional methods. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Support Protocol: Preparation of mouse primary hippocampal culture

Basic Protocol: Targeted editing of RNA
A novel isolated multi‐port interleaved flyback converter operated TPSL‐DVR for smallscale distribution system
Authors: R Sundar , M Senthil Kumar
Published: September 2023

This study describes a three‐phase six‐level (TPSL) inverter‐based dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) that employs a newly designed isolated multi‐port interleaved flyback converter (IMPIFC). A conventional DVR needs a big and heavy series transformer even for a three‐phase low‐voltage system, which is rated up to 400 V. Power electronic engineers have developed high‐frequency isolated DC–DC converters as a result of the introduction of advanced semiconductor devices and magnetic cores. Control and performance of a low‐voltage DVR utilizing a high‐frequency isolated DC–DC converter are discussed. In the proposed IMPIFC, the high‐frequency (25 kHz) transformer, which is smaller in size than the line‐frequency transformer, is utilized to reduce the size and to integrate multiple energy sources together. In addition, the introduction of a TPSL inverter into the configuration of DVR considerably reduces the injection of harmonic components into the distribution network. The proposed structure of DVR is named as “TPSL‐DVR.” The experimental findings of a three‐phase, three‐wire, 400 V, 50 Hz, 2kW laboratory system validate the boosting ability, feasibility, and efficiency of the system layout.
Standardized high‐dimensional spectral cytometry protocol and panels for whole blood immune phenotyping in clinical and translational studies
Authors: Dott Tom , Culina Slobodan , Chemali Rene , Mansour Cedric Ait , Dubois Florian , Jagla Bernd , Doisne Jean Marc , Rogge Lars , Huetz François , Jönsson Friederike , Commere Pierre‐Henri , Di Santo James , Terrier Benjamin , Quintana‐Murci Lluis , Duffy Darragh , Hasan Milena ,   Milieu Intérieur Consortium
Published: September 2023

Flow cytometry is the method of choice for immunophenotyping in the context of clinical, translational, and systems immunology studies. Among the latter, the Milieu Intérieur (MI) project aims at defining the boundaries of a healthy immune response to identify determinants of immune response variation. MI used immunophenotyping of a 1000 healthy donor cohort by flow cytometry as a principal outcome for immune variance at steady state. New generation spectral cytometers now enable high‐dimensional immune cell characterization from small sample volumes. Therefore, for the MI 10‐year follow up study, we have developed two high‐dimensional spectral flow cytometry panels for deep characterization of innate and adaptive whole blood immune cells (35 and 34 fluorescent markers, respectively). We have standardized the protocol for sample handling, staining, acquisition, and data analysis. This approach enables the reproducible quantification of over 182 immune cell phenotypes at a single site. We have applied the protocol to discern minor differences between healthy and patient samples and validated its value for application in immunomonitoring studies. Our protocol is currently used for characterization of the impact of age and environmental factors on peripheral blood immune phenotypes of >400 donors from the initial MI cohort.
Challenges and Breakthroughs in Z‐Enantioselective Olefin Metathesis
Authors: Morvan Jennifer , Del Vecchio Antonio , Talcik Jakub , Bouëtard Dylan , Mauduit Marc
Published: September 2023

Asymmetric Olefin Metathesis (AOM) represents a highly versatile synthetic tool to lead to relevant chiral building blocks with excellent enantiopurity. As the Z‐alkene moiety is ubiquitous in a wide range of natural products, the development of catalysts which are able to control both the Z‐selectivity and the enantioselectivity of metathesis transformations is in high demands. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview covering all the breakthroughs accomplished in the field of challenging Z‐enantioselective olefin metathesis, which is of interest in the total synthesis of complex molecules.
Data‐driven framework for warranty claims forecasting with an application for automotive components
Authors: Babakmehr Mohammad , Baumanns Sascha , Chehade Abdallah , Hochkirchen Thomas , Kalantari Mahdokht , Krivtsov Vasiliy , Schindler David
Published: September 2023

Automakers spend billions of dollars annually towards warranty costs, and warranty reduction is typically high on their priorities. An accurate understanding of warranty performance plays a critical role in controlling and steering the business, and it is of crucial importance to fully understand the actual situation as well as be able to predict future performance, for example, to set up adequate financial reserves or to prioritize improvement actions based on expected forthcoming claims. Data maturation, a major nuisance causing changes in performance metrics with observation time, is one of the factors complicating warranty data analysis and typically leads to over‐optimistic conclusions. In this paper, we propose a sequence of steps, decomposing and addressing the main reasons causing data maturation. We first compensate for reporting delay effects using a Cox regression model. For the compensation of heterogeneous build quality, sales delay, and warranty expiration rushes, a constrained quadratic optimization approach is presented, and finally, a sales pattern forecast is provided to properly weigh adjusted individual warranty key performance indicators. The results are shown to dramatically improve prior modeling approaches.
A case study: Analyzing the structure and optimizing the design of the aero handlebar assembly for the bicycle used in Japan's Olympic games
Authors: Das Sourav , Di Giuseppe Francesco , Flores Antonio , Parate Sandhya , Bangal Jaideep
Published: September 2023

This article examines a case study involving a 3D‐printed titanium “aero base handlebar” that failed and caused a crash during the Japan 2020 Olympics. The failure was attributed to the handlebar's design, which did not meet the increasing demands of customers in terms of safety, cost, reliability, and comfort. The handlebar was created using in‐house Altair product tools like Inspire Studio, SIMSOLID, and SULIS. Static structural analysis was conducted by estimating boundary forces. The analysis revealed that the original handlebar design, with a width of 50 mm, did not meet the required safety standards. To address safety concerns, the article proposed moving the arms forward by 35 mm (1.37 in.) to create clearance and attempting to secure a modified aero handlebar with an 85 mm width. The modified design incorporated a lattice structure, which exhibited higher levels of deformation and stresses, as well as lower maximum fatigue damage compared to the original 50 mm design. These results highlight the importance of considering customer expectations for safety, reliability, and comfort. Company Altair's advanced proprietary software, including Inspire Studio, SIMSOLID, and SULIS, in addition to employing lattice optimization methods, can support designers and engineers in fulfilling these requirements and creating products that are both safer and more reliable.
Performance‐enhanced eco‐friendly triboelectric nanogenerator via wettability manipulation of lignin
Authors: Jo Hongseok , Park Dogun , Joo Minkyeong , Choi Daekyu , Kang Jisong , Ha Jeong‐Myeong , Kim Ki Hyun , Kim Kwang Ho , An Seongpil
Published: September 2023

Eco‐friendly and sustainable energy harvests that can alleviate concerns on the energy crisis and environmental pollution are in demand. Exploiting nature‐derived biomaterials is imperative to develop these carbon‐neutral energy harvesters. In this study, lignin/polycaprolactone nanofiber (NF)‐based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are fabricated using an electrospinning technique. Nanotextured morphology of electrospun lignin/polycaprolactone NFs and wettability modification of lignin into hydrophilicity can significantly enhance electron transfer between tribopositive and tribonegative materials, resulting in the highest energy‐harvesting efficiency in their class. The output voltage of the lignin‐based TENG exceeds 95 V despite relatively low tapping force of 9 N and frequency of 9 Hz. Various mechanical and physicochemical characterizations, including scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared analysis, and atomic force microscopy, are performed, confirming the mechanical durability, biocompatibility, and industrial viability of lignin‐based TENG developed here.

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Using Multiple Metal Mixture Models to Predict Toxicity of Riverine Sediment Porewater to the Benthic Life Stage of Juvenile White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)
Authors: Balistrieri Laurie S.
Published: September 2023

Five metal mixture dose–response models were used to predict the toxicity of porewater to young sturgeon at areas of interest in the Upper Columbia River (WA, USA/BC, Canada) and to evaluate these models as tools for risk assessments. Dose components of metal mixture models included exposure to free metal ion activities or metal accumulation by biotic ligands or humic acid, and links of dose to response used logistic equations, independent joint action equations, or additive toxicity functions. Laboratory bioassay studies of single metal exposures to juvenile sturgeon, porewater collected in situ in the fast-flowing Upper Columbia River, and metal mixture models were used to evaluate toxicity. The five metal mixture models were very similar in their predictions of adverse response of juvenile sturgeon and in identifying copper (Cu) as the metal responsible for the most toxic conditions. Although the modes of toxic action and the 20% effective concentration values were different among the dose models, predictions of adverse response were consistent among models because all doses were tied to the same biological responses. All models indicated that 56% ± 5% of 122 porewater samples were predicted to have <20% adverse response, 25% ± 5% of samples were predicted to have 20% to 80% adverse response, and 20% ± 4% were predicted to have >80% adverse response in juvenile sturgeon. The approach of combining bioassay toxicity data, compositions of field porewater, and metal mixture models to predict lack of growth and survival of aquatic organisms due to metal toxicity is an important tool that can be integrated with other information (e.g., survey studies of organism populations, life cycle and behavior characteristics, sediment geochemistry, and food sources) to assess risks to aquatic organisms in metal-enriched ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:62–73. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Manganese Exacerbates Seasonal Health Declines in a Suicidally Breeding Mammal
Authors: Amir Abdul Nasir Ami F. , Niehaus Amanda C. , Cameron Skye F. , Ujvari Beata , Madsen Thomas , von Hippel Frank A. , Gao Sisi , Dillon Danielle M. , Buck C. Loren , Charters Jordan , Heiniger Jaime , Blomberg Simone , Wilson Robbie S.
Published: September 2023

Reproductive costs must be balanced with survival to maximize lifetime reproductive rates; however, some organisms invest in a single, suicidal bout of breeding known as semelparity. The northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is an endangered marsupial in which males, but not females, are semelparous. Northern quolls living near mining sites on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, Australia, accumulate manganese (Mn) in their brains, testes, and hair, and elevated Mn impacts motor performance. Whether Mn is associated with other health declines is yet unknown. In the present study we show that male and female northern quolls with higher Mn accumulation had a 20% reduction in immune function and a trend toward reduced cortisol concentrations in hair. The telomere lengths of male quolls did not change pre- to postbreeding, but those with higher Mn levels had longer telomeres; in contrast, the telomeres of females shortened during the breeding season but recovered between the first year and second year of breeding. In addition, the telomeres of quolls that were recaptured declined at significantly higher rates in quolls with higher Mn between prebreeding, breeding, and/or postbreeding seasons. Future research should determine whether changes in cortisol, immune function, or telomere length affect reproductive output or survival—particularly for semelparous males. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:74–86. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Efficient hyperbolic–parabolic models on multi‐dimensional unbounded domains using an extended DG approach
Authors: Vismara Federico , Benacchio Tommaso
Published: September 2023

We introduce an extended discontinuous Galerkin discretization of hyperbolic–parabolic problems on multidimensional semi‐infinite domains. Building on previous work on the one‐dimensional case, we split the strip‐shaped computational domain into a bounded region, discretized by means of discontinuous finite elements using Legendre basis functions, and an unbounded subdomain, where scaled Laguerre functions are used as a basis. Numerical fluxes at the interface allow for a seamless coupling of the two regions. The resulting coupling strategy is shown to produce accurate numerical solutions in tests on both linear and nonlinear scalar and vectorial model problems. In addition, an efficient absorbing layer can be simulated in the semi‐infinite part of the domain in order to damp outgoing signals with negligible spurious reflections at the interface. By tuning the scaling parameter of the Laguerre basis functions, the extended DG scheme simulates transient dynamics over large spatial scales with a substantial reduction in computational cost at a given accuracy level compared to standard single‐domain discontinuous finite element techniques.
Forecasting the volatility of crude oil futures: A time‐dependent weighted least squares with regularization constraint
Authors: Geng Qianjie , Hao Xianfeng , Wang Yudong
Published: September 2023

Parameter instability and model uncertainty are two key problems affecting forecasting outcomes. In this paper, we propose a time‐dependent weighted least squares with ridge constraint (TWLS‐Ridge) to solve the above two problems in the forecasting procedure. The new TWLS‐Ridge approach is applied to the heterogenous autoregressive realized volatility model and its various extensions. The empirical results suggest that TWLS‐Ridge produces more accurate volatility forecasts than several alternative models dealing with parameter instability and model uncertainty. The superior performance of TWLS‐Ridge is robust under different forecast horizons, evaluation periods, and loss functions. An investor with mean–variance preference can improve utility using TWLS‐Ridge forecasts of oil volatility instead of ordinary least squares model forecasts.
An overview on the protective effects of ellagic acid against heavy metals, drugs, and chemicals
Authors: Jamshidi Zahra , Roohbakhsh Ali , Karimi Gholamreza
Published: September 2023

Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenol extracted from many plants. EA modulates inflammatory mediators via antioxidant mechanisms, such as catalase (CAT) activities, superoxide dismutase (SOD), enhancement, increase in glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) suppression. EA has anti‐apoptotic properties that are thought to be mediated by regulating the expression of B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2), Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax), and caspase‐3. In this article, we surveyed the literature dealing with the protective effects of EA against different heavy metals, drugs, and natural toxins. The findings indicated that EA has remarkable protective properties against various toxicants. Its protective effects were mostly mediated via normalizing lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory mediators, for example, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and IL‐1β. The results of this study showed that EA has significant protective effects against a varied range of compounds, either chemical or natural. These effects are mainly mediated via intensifying the antioxidant defense system. However, other mechanisms such as inhibition of inflammatory responses and suppression of apoptosis are important.
Variational log‐Gaussian point‐process methods for grid cells
Authors: Rule Michael Everett , Chaudhuri‐Vayalambrone Prannoy , Krstulovic Marino , Bauza Marius , Krupic Julija , O'Leary Timothy
Published: September 2023

We present practical solutions to applying Gaussian‐process (GP) methods to calculate spatial statistics for grid cells in large environments. GPs are a data efficient approach to inferring neural tuning as a function of time, space, and other variables. We discuss how to design appropriate kernels for grid cells, and show that a variational Bayesian approach to log‐Gaussian Poisson models can be calculated quickly. This class of models has closed‐form expressions for the evidence lower‐bound, and can be estimated rapidly for certain parameterizations of the posterior covariance. We provide an implementation that operates in a low‐rank spatial frequency subspace for further acceleration, and demonstrate these methods on experimental data.
Lipid Peroxidation and Human Sperm Motility: Protective Role of Vitamin E
Authors: SULEIMAN S. A. , ALI M. ELAMIN , ZAKI Z. M. S. , EL‐MALIK E. M. A. , NASR M. A.
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT:Asthenospermia is the main factor of male infertility among patients consulting the Asir Infertility Center in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Lipid peroxidation occurring in both the seminal plasma and spermatozoa was estimated by malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Spermatozoal MDA concentration was higher in men with decreased sperm motility. The MDA concentration in the seminal plasma exhibited no relationship with sperm concentration, sperm motility, the number of immotile spermatozoa, or even the absence of spermatozoa. The MDA concentration in sperm pellet suspensions of asthenospermic and oligoasthenospermic patients was almost twice that of the normospermic males. The MDA concentration in the sperm pellet suspension from normospermic or oligospermic patients was about 10% that in the seminal plasma. However, the MDA concentration in the sperm pellet suspension of asthenospermic or oligoasthenospermic patients was about 15% that in the seminal plasma. Treatment of asthenospermic patients with oral Vitamin E significantly decreased the MDA concentration in spermatozoa and improved sperm motility. Eleven out of the 52 treated patients (21%) impregnated their spouses; nine of the spouses successfully ended with normal term deliveries, whereas the other two aborted in the first trimester. No pregnancies were reported in the spouses of the placebo‐treated patients.
Anti‐Bull Sperm Monoclonal Antibodies: I. Identification of Major Antigenic Domains of Bull Sperm and Manifestation of Interspecies Cross‐Reactivity
Authors: Ambrose J. Divakar , Amahendran Rajadurai Raj , Yoshiki Tatsuhiro , Lee C. Y. Gregory
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: The overall objective of this series of experiments is to generate immunological markers that may elucidate bull sperm surface changes in vitro. Here we report the initial experiments of the study, involving the production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) again bull sperm. BALB/c mice were immunized with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS)‐washed whole bull sperm, and their spleen cells were fused with NS‐1 myeloma cells in two separate cell fusion experiments, resulting in the generation of 15 mAbs. The mAbs were specific to antigens of either the posterior tail or the head regions of bull sperm and detected five major domains of antigen localization in the bull sperm (apical crescent, equatorial band, principal acrosomal, whole head, and posterior tail). Eleven of the 13 head‐specific mAbs recognized intra‐acrosomal antigens, whereas 2 mAbs recognized antigens that were localized in the plasma membrane. One mAb specific to the tail region was of the IgM class; the remaining 14 mAbs were of the IgG class. They were all sperm specific, with no cross‐reactivity to bovine oocytes or to any of the 12 bovine somatic tissues tested. The mAbs were not species specific, however, because 11, 10, 2, and 1 of the 15 mAbs cross‐reacted with sheep, pig, mouse, and human sperm, respectively. None of the mAbs cross‐reacted with rooster sperm. The cognate antigens of the 11 tested mAbs were of testicular origin, but several of them showed enhanced binding to epididymal sperm. In western blot analysis, 3 of the 13 mAbs tested identified more than one protein band (40–200 kDa). Seven others recognized proteins of ≥ 200 kDa, whereas three mAbs recognized no proteins.
Skeletal Health in Patients With Mitochondrial Diabetes: Case Series and Review of Literature
Authors: Karakus Kagan Ege , Suryadevara Varun , Larson Austin , Gangadhar Prathosh , Shah Viral N
Published: September 2023

Monogenic diabetes, including mitochondrial diabetes, constitutes 1% to 3% of all diabetes. Although there is an increased interest in understanding the mechanisms of bone fragility in people with diabetes, skeletal research is mostly focused on type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Little is known on skeletal health among people with mitochondrial diabetes. In this single‐center study, we presented clinical characteristics of individuals with mitochondrial diabetes and clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis. Of 10 patients with mitochondrial diabetes, 4 (40%) had a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis. Patients with osteoporosis were older, had lower body mass index, longer diabetes duration, lower fasting C‐peptide, and presence of multiple comorbidities compared with patients without osteoporosis. In addition to our cases, we also systematically reviewed literature on skeletal health in people with mitochondrial diabetes and provided an overview of potential factors affecting skeletal health and future clinical and research directions to improve the care of people with mitochondrial disease. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The accelerated organ senescence and proteotoxicity in thyrotoxicosis mice
Authors: Feng Qin , Xia Wenkai , Feng Zhong , Tan Yujun , Zhang Yongxia , Liu Deshan , Zhang Guimin
Published: September 2023

The mechanism of aging has always been the focus of research, because aging is related to disease susceptibility and seriously affects people's quality of life. The diseases also accelerate the aging process, especially the pathological changes of substantive organs, such as cardiac hypertrophy, severely shortened lifespan. So, lesions in organs are both a consequence and a cause of aging. However, the disease in a given organ is not in isolation but is a systemic problem. Our previous study found that thyrotoxicosis mice model has aging characteristics including immunosenescence, lipotoxicity, malnutrition. But all these characteristics will lead to organ senescence, therefore, this study continued to study the aging changes of important organs such as heart, liver, and kidney in thyrotoxicosis mice using tandem mass tags (TMT) proteomics method. The results showed that the excess thyroxine led to cardiac hypertrophy. In the liver, the ability to synthesize functional proteins, detoxify, and metabolism were declined. The effect on the kidney was the decreased ability of detoxify and metabolism. The main finding of the present study was that the acceleration of organ senescence by excess thyroxine was due to proteotoxicity. The shared cause of proteotoxicity in the three organs included the intensify of oxidative phosphorylation, the redundancy production of ribosomes, and the lack of splicing and ubiquitin proteasome system function. Totally, proteotoxicity was another parallel between thyrotoxicosis and aging in addition to lipotoxicity. Our research provided a convenient and appropriate animal model for exploring aging mechanism and antiaging drugs.
The most practical diagnostic imaging for detecting body packers during the drug trafficking: Ultrasonography
Authors: Altuğ Ertuğrul , Çakir Adem , Şener Kemal , Nadar Mustafa Oğulcan , Güven Ramazan , Şahin Aynur
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Body packing is one of the most common methods used in the transboundary trafficking of illicit drugs. These drugs are packaged in capsules and taken orally or inserted into the rectum or vagina. Its diagnosis is, therefore, difficult. Methods like x‐ray, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) are usually used to diagnose body packers. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic power and feasibility of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in patients who have a suspicion of being body packers.

Methods

This study is designed as a prospective and single‐centered case‐control study in the emergency department of a training and research hospital. Cases admitted to the emergency department with suspicion of being a body packer were included in the study. The data obtained was recorded on the study form. p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

Results

One hundred and one patients were included in the study; 76.2% (n = 77) were male. Packages were detected in 56.5% (n = 57) of the cases. Ultrasonography was found to be significantly useful in evaluating the presence of intra‐abdominal packages. Ultrasonography had 92.4% sensitivity and 97.8% specificity in evaluating the presence of packs.

Conclusion

CT is frequently used to diagnose patients admitted to the emergency departments with suspected body packing. In our study, ultrasonography is an advantageous imaging method, given its success rate, radiation‐free nature, and low cost. We have found ultrasonography to be a successful imaging modality in examining patients suspected of being body packers for the presence of packs, and it can replace CT in clinics.
Efficacy of staging laparoscopy for resectable pancreatic cancer on imaging and the therapeutic effect of systemic chemotherapy for positive peritoneal cytology
Authors: Fukasawa Mina , Watanabe Toru , Tanaka Haruyoshi , Itoh Ayaka , Kimura Nana , Shibuya Kazuto , Yoshioka Isaku , Murotani Kenta , Hirabayashi Kenichi , Fujii Tsutomu
Published: September 2023

Background

The frequency and prognosis of positive peritoneal washing cytology (CY1) in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (R‐PDAC) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to identify the clinical implications of CY1 in R‐PDAC and staging laparoscopy (SL).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 115 consecutive patients with R‐PDAC who underwent SL between 2018 and 2022. Patients with negative cytology (CY0) received radical surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, while CY1 patients received systemic chemotherapy and were continuously evaluated for cytology.

Results

Of the 115 patients, 84 had no distant metastatic factors, 22 had only CY1, and nine had distant metastasis. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that larger tumor size was an independent predictor of the presence of any distant metastatic factor (OR: 6.30, p = .002). Patients with CY1 showed a significantly better prognosis than patients with distant metastasis (MST: 24.6 vs. 18.9 months, p = .040). A total of 11 CY1 patients were successfully converted to CY‐negative, and seven underwent conversion surgery. There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients with CY0 and those converted to CY‐negative.

Conclusion

SL is effective even for R‐PDAC. The prognosis of CY1 patients converted to CY‐negative is expected to be similar to that of CY0 patients.
Morbidity after left trisectionectomy for hepato‐biliary malignancies: An analysis of the National Clinical Database of Japan
Authors: Terasaki Fumihiro , Hirakawa Shinya , Tachimori Hisateru , Sugiura Teiichi , Nanashima Atsushi , Komatsu Shohei , Miyata Hiroaki , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Kitagawa Yuko , Nakamura Masafumi , Endo Itaru
Published: September 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze the nationwide surgical outcome of a left trisectionectomy (LT) and to identify the perioperative risk factors associated with its morbidity.

Methods

Cases of LT for hepato‐biliary malignancies registered at the Japanese National Clinical Database between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the perioperative risk factors associated with a morbidity of Clavien–Dindo classification (CD) ≥III.

Results

Left trisectionectomy was performed on 473 and 238 cases of biliary and nonbiliary cancers, respectively. Morbidity of CD ≥III and V occurred in 45% and 5% of cases with biliary cancer, respectively, compared with 26% and 2% of cases with nonbiliary cancer, respectively. In multivariable analyses, biliary cancer was significantly associated with a morbidity of CD ≥III (odds ratio, 1.87; p = .018). In subgroup analyses for biliary cancer, classification of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA‐PS) 2, portal vein resection (PVR), and intraoperative blood loss ≥30 mL/kg were significantly associated with a morbidity of CD ≥III.

Conclusions

Biliary cancer induces severe morbidity after LT. The ASA‐PS classification, PVR, and intraoperative blood loss indicate severe morbidity after LT for biliary cancer.
Early‐onset pancreatic cancer: A national cancer registry study from the Czech Republic and review of the literature
Authors: Whitley Adam , Kocián Petr , Nikov Andrej , Krejčí Denisa , Pehalová Lucie , Blaha Milan , Dušek Ladislav , Gürlich Robert
Published: September 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to compare trends in mortality and incidence, clinicopathological features and survival of patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma under 50 years of age (early‐onset pancreatic cancer [EOPC]) with patients diagnosed over 50 years of age (late‐onset pancreatic cancer [LOPC]).

Methods

The national oncological registry of the Czech Republic was reviewed to identify all patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma diagnosed between the years 1985 and 2015. Incidence, mortality, clinicopathological and survival data were analyzed and compared between patients with EOPC and LOPC.

Results

From a total of 18 888 patients included in the study, 1324 patients were under the age of 50 years (7.0%). The average annual percentage changes (AAPC) in incidence of all patients with EOPC was −1.0%. The APPC for male patients with EOPC was −2.0% and for female patients was +0.6%. The AAPC in incidence for LOPC was +1.3%. There were no differences in tumor stage, grade or location between EOPC and LOPC. Young patients were more frequently male (64.4% vs. 52.9%), more frequently underwent treatment and had better overall survival. The median survival interval for EOPC was 5.9 months and for LOPC was 4.5 months (p < .001).

Conclusions

The clinicopathological features of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were similar in patients under and over the age of 50 years. Patients with EOPC survived longer than patients with LOPC. Continued efforts should be made to diagnose early and treat young patients aggressively.
Development of an anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 monoclonal antibody panel and its applicability as a reagent in high‐throughput fluorescence reduction neutralization and immunohistochemistry assays
Authors: Coelho Gabriela M. , Cataneo Allan H. D. , Raboni Sonia M. , Nogueira Meri B. , de Paula Caroline B. Vaz , Almeida Ana C. S. F. , Rogerio Vanessa Z. , Zanchin Nilson T. , de Noronha Lucia , Zanluca Camila , Duarte dos Santos Claudia N.
Published: September 2023

Since its emergence in late 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused millions of deaths and socioeconomic losses. Although vaccination significantly reduced disease mortality, it has been shown that protection wanes over time, and that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants of concern (VOCs) may escape vaccine‐derived immunity. Therefore, serological studies are necessary to assess protection in the population and guide vaccine regimens. A common measure of protective immunity is the presence of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). However, the gold standard for measuring nAbs (plaque reduction neutralization test, or PRNT) is laborious and time‐consuming, limiting its large‐scale applicability. We developed a high‐throughput fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA) to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 nAbs. Because the assay relies on immunostaining, we developed and characterized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to lower costs and reduce the assay's vulnerability to reagent shortages. Using samples of individuals vaccinated with COVID‐19 and unvaccinated/pre‐pandemic samples, we showed that FRNA results using commercial and in‐house mAbs strongly correlated with those of the PRNT method while providing results in 70% less time. In addition to providing a fast, reliable, and high‐throughput alternative for measuring nAbs, the FRNA can be easily customized to assess SARS‐CoV‐2 VOCs. Additionally, the mAb we produced was able to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 in pulmonary tissues by immunohistochemistry assays.