bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of omega‐3 fatty acid fraction mapping using chemical shift encoding‐based imaging at 3 T
Authors: Honecker Julius , Prokopchuk Olga , Seeliger Claudine , Hauner Hans , Junker Daniela , Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Ruschke Stefan
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The aim of this work is to develop an ω‐3 fatty acid fraction mapping method at 3 T based on a chemical shift encoding model, to assess its performance in a phantom and in vitro study, and to further demonstrate its feasibility in vivo.

Methods

A signal model was heuristically derived based on spectral appearance and theoretical considerations of the corresponding molecular structures to differentiate between ω‐3 and non‐ω‐3 fatty acid substituents in triacylglycerols in addition to the number of double bonds (ndb), the number of methylene‐interrupted double bonds (nmidb), and the mean fatty acid chain length (CL). First, the signal model was validated using single‐voxel spectroscopy and a time‐interleaved multi‐echo gradient‐echo (TIMGRE) sequence in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS)‐calibrated oil phantoms. Second, the TIMGRE‐based method was validated in vitro in 21 adipose tissue samples with corresponding GC–MS measurements. Third, an in vivo feasibility study was performed for the TIMGRE‐based method in the gluteal region of two healthy volunteers. Phantom and in vitro data was analyzed using a Bland–Altman analysis.

Results

Compared with GC–MS, MRS showed in the phantom study significant correlations in estimating the ω‐3 fraction (p < 0.001), ndb (p < 0.001), nmidb (p < 0.001), and CL (p = 0.001); MRI showed in the phantom study significant correlations (all p < 0.001) for the ω‐3 fraction, ndb, and nmidb, but no correlation for CL. Also in the in vitro study, significant correlations (all p < 0.001) between MRI and GC–MS were observed for the ω‐3 fraction, ndb, and nmidb, but not for CL. An exemplary ROI measurement in vivo in the gluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue yielded (mean ± standard deviation) 0.8% ± 1.9% ω‐3 fraction.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated strong correlations between gradient‐echo imaging‐based ω‐3 fatty acid fraction mapping and GC–MS in the phantom and in vitro study. Furthermore, feasibility was demonstrated for characterizing adipose tissue in vivo.
Long prodromal symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in patient with intellectual developmental disorder—A case report
Authors: Sadati Seyedehnasibeh , Elyasi Forouzan , Shyasi Zahra , Rouhanizadeh Behzad
Published: June 2024

Background

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare and potentially life‐threatening condition that may arise at any point during treatment and is often associated with adverse reactions to dopamine‐blocking agents. This syndrome is normally characterized by features such as muscle rigidity, alteration in consciousness, autonomic instability, and leukocytosis.

Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate a borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) case in which NMS with insidious disease progression and long prodromal symptoms was developed.

Case Presentation

The investigated patient was a 38‐year‐old female diagnosed with bipolar disorder and a variety of corresponding disorders. The patient exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms and restlessness in the weeks leading up to the study, subsequent to the administration of elevated doses of haloperidol, risperidone, and lithium. In addition, she was hospitalized for restlessness and aggressiveness in the summer of 2023. Furthermore, due to her chief complaint, she received parenteral haloperidol twice in the emergency room, subsequently experiencing fever, altered consciousness, generalized rigidity, and dysphagia. Moreover, the patient's initial creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level was 2550 IU/L, and she was hospitalized in an intensive care unit with the diagnosis of NMS for 8 days.

Conclusions

This case study highlights the necessity of being attentive about prodromal symptoms of NMS and emergent interventions.
Low‐calorie diet‐induced weight loss is associated with altered brain connectivity and food desire in obesity
Authors: Hoang Hai , Lacadie Cheryl , Hwang Janice , Lam Katherine , Elshafie Ahmed , Rosenberg Samuel B. , Watt Charles , Sinha Rajita , Constable R. Todd , Savoye Mary , Seo Dongju , Belfort‐DeAguiar Renata
Published: June 2024

Objective

The main objective of this study is to better understand the effects of diet‐induced weight loss on brain connectivity in response to changes in glucose levels in individuals with obesity.

Methods

A total of 25 individuals with obesity, among whom 9 had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans before and after an 8‐week low‐calorie diet. We used a two‐step hypereuglycemia clamp approach to mimic the changes in glucose levels observed in the postprandial period in combination with task‐mediated fMRI intrinsic connectivity distribution (ICD) analysis.

Results

After the diet, participants lost an average of 3.3% body weight. Diet‐induced weight loss led to a decrease in leptin levels, an increase in hunger and food intake, and greater brain connectivity in the parahippocampus, right hippocampus, and temporal cortex (limbic–temporal network). Group differences (with vs. without type 2 diabetes) were noted in several brain networks. Connectivity in the limbic–temporal and frontal–parietal brain clusters inversely correlated with hunger.

Conclusions

A short‐term low‐calorie diet led to a multifaceted body response in patients with obesity, with an increase in connectivity in the limbic–temporal network (emotion and memory) and hormone and eating behavior changes that may be important for recovering the weight lost.
Identification of Ppy‐lineage cells as a novel origin of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pereye Ofejiro Blessing , Nakagawa Yuko , Sato Takashi , Fukunaka Ayako , Aoyama Shuhei , Nishida Yuya , Mizutani Wakana , Kobayashi Nanami , Morishita Yohei , Oyama Tetsunari , Kawabata‐Iwakawa Reika , Watada Hirotaka , Mizukami Hiroki , Fukuda Akihisa , Fujitani Yoshio
Published: June 2024

The Ppy gene encodes pancreatic polypeptide (PP) secreted by PP‐ or γ‐cells, which are a subtype of endocrine cells localised mainly in the islet periphery. For a detailed characterisation of PP cells, we aimed to establish PP cell lines. To this end, we generated a mouse model harbouring the SV40 large T antigen (TAg) in the Rosa26 locus, which is expressed upon Ppy‐promoter‐mediated Cre–loxP recombination. Whereas Insulin1‐CreERT‐mediated TAg expression in beta cells resulted in insulinoma, surprisingly, Ppy‐Cre‐mediated TAg expression resulted in the malignant transformation of Ppy‐lineage cells. These mice showed distorted islet structural integrity at 5 days of age compared with normal islets. CK19+ duct‐like lesions contiguous with the islets were observed at 2 weeks of age, and mice developed aggressive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) at 4 weeks of age, suggesting that PDAC can originate from the islet/endocrine pancreas. This was unexpected as PDAC is believed to originate from the exocrine pancreas. RNA‐sequencing analysis of Ppy‐lineage islet cells from 7‐day‐old TAg+ mice showed a downregulation and an upregulation of endocrine and exocrine genes, respectively, in addition to the upregulation of genes and pathways associated with PDAC. These results suggest that the expression of an oncogene in Ppy‐lineage cells induces a switch from endocrine cell fate to PDAC. Our findings demonstrate that Ppy‐lineage cells may be an origin of PDAC and may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, as well as possible therapeutic strategies. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Advanced polymer composites and polymer hybrids for cartilage tissue engineering
Authors: Liu Shan , Hu Xiao , He Min , Liu Wei , Zhou Dengfeng , Li Yang , Qin Shuhao
Published: June 2024

The repair and regeneration of cartilage is a challenge for scientists and clinical surgery. Achieving cell adhesion and regeneration, anti‐inflammatory, lubrication, targeted drug delivery and controlled release simultaneously in cartilage treatment are the goals of researchers. Polymer composites and hybrids have the potential to realize above functions in cartilage tissue engineering. This review refers to cartilage injuries, current clinical techniques, and their benefits and limitations, focusing on the most relevant and state of art of advanced polymers for cartilage tissue engineering. The frontier applications of multifunctional polymer composites and hybrids in cartilage tissue engineering are discussed in depth, including polymer scaffold, polymer bio‐lubricant, and zwitterionic polymer for drug delivery and sustained drug release. A summary of comprehensive properties of polymers such as processability, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, hydrophilicity, cytotoxicity, etc., and their mechanisms are analyzed. Furthermore, some key challenges and outstanding concerns on polymer‐based materials for cartilage tissue engineering are presented followed by future perspectives.

Highlights

The state of art of advanced polymers for cartilage tissue engineering.

The advanced bionic property and mechanism of polymer composites and hybrids.

Polymers for scaffold, biolubricant, drug delivery, sustained drug release.

Future perspectives on polymer composites, hybrids‐based cartilage materials.
Dürren in Deutschland
Authors: Kleidon Axel
Published: June 2024

Trockenperioden und Starkregen entstehen durch starke raumzeitliche Unterschiede von Verdunstung und Niederschlag. Physikalisch stellen sie Flüsse dar, die einen Zustand des thermodynamischen Gleichgewichts hinsichtlich der Sättigung von Wasserdampf in der Atmosphäre ab‐ und wieder aufbauen. Der Klimawandel verstärkt diese Unterschiede und das Nichtgleichgewicht, weil erwärmte Luft mehr Feuchte halten kann. Niederschlagsereignisse werden stärker und kürzer, da mehr Kondensation mehr Leistung erzeugt, die zu mehr Bewegung und Entfeuchtung führt. In Deutschland zeigen sich diese Effekte hauptsächlich in einer verstärkten potenziellen Verdunstung und der Zunahme in der Absorption von Solarstrahlung an der Oberfläche, während der Niederschlag keinen klaren Trend zeigt. Deshalb hat die Trockenheit in Deutschland durch den Klimawandel schon erheblich zugenommen.
Role of post‐hepatectomy portal hypertension in predicting the outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection
Authors: Lin Jian , Chen Liangrui , Shi Xiaodong , Li Fengwei , Xu Qian , Liu Hongzhi , Liu Jingfeng , Wang Kui , Shen Feng
Published: June 2024

Aims

Portal venous pressure frequently increases after a major hepatectomy. We aimed to assess the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with different post‐hepatectomy portal pressure statuses and the predictive factors correlated with prognosis and post‐hepatectomy portal hypertension (PHPH).

Methods

Data from consecutive patients who underwent curative‐intent hepatectomy for HCC at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital and Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2008 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed up until March 1, 2022. PHPH was defined as new‐onset portal hypertension (PH) in patients without preoperative PH within 1 month of hepatectomy. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of PHPH: non‐PH and PHPH. The clinicopathological characteristics were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for early and late recurrence of HCC, overall survival (OS), and PHPH.

Results

Disease‐free survival rates were significantly higher in the non‐PH group (n = 1068) than those in the PHPH group (n = 423) (62.0%, 39.0%, and 31.0% vs. 46.2%, 24.5%, and 19.3% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively; all p < 0.001). The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year OS rates were 91.0%, 66.4%, and 51.4% in the non‐PH group and 80.0%, 48.9%, and 32.6% in the PHPH group, respectively (all p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that PHPH was independently associated with early recurrence of HCC and poor OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.476, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.279–1.704, p < 0.001 and HR 1.601, 95% CI 1.383–1.853, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, hepatitis B virus infection, cirrhosis, preoperative alanine aminotransferase > 40 U/L, and major hepatectomy were identified as independent risk factors for PHPH.

Conclusions

PHPH was associated with early recurrence of HCC and poor OS but not with late recurrence. Therefore, PHPH may be an attractive target for therapeutic interventions and follow‐up surveillance to improve prognosis.
A microfluidic platform for automatic continuous flow layer‐by‐layer assembly of polymer multilayered nanofilms
Authors: Miao Kun , Ding Zhenya , Kashem Md Nayeem Hasan , Lim HyunTaek , Wang Wenwen , Li Wei
Published: June 2024

Capillary flow layer‐by‐layer assembly is a microfluidic platform for high throughput preparation and screening of multilayered polymer nanofilms. However, it is time‐consuming and labor‐intensive, since the switching of polyelectrolyte solutions is done manually. As the emergence of flow chemistry and microdevices for artificial intelligence‐based lab automation, an automatic system that can switch polymer solutions and washing liquids is urgently needed for building functional LbL films inside microfluidic devices. Herein, we construct a continuous flow (ConF)‐layer‐by‐layer (LbL) device that can automatically fabricate polymer nanofilms inside a microfluidic device. By including a flow separator and a mixer (a model polyelectrolyte pair), chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose can be deposited inside a microfluidic device using the ConF‐LbL system. Resulting nanofilms are studied by investigating thickness and surface roughness of the nanofilms and comparing with the other conventional LbL methods. The acid dissolution method was used to compare the differences in stability between nanofilms made from ConF‐LbL and static immersive method in similar conditions. Furthermore, by using one optimized film formulation for coating on the inside walls of a microfluidic chip, we successfully demonstrated the ability of this device to capture cancer cells in whole blood. This ConF‐LbL platform is expected to be a convenient tool to coat functional nanofilms inside microdevices for biomedical and sensor applications.
A Boulder Beach Formed by Waves From a Calving Glacier Revisited: Multidecadal Tsunami–Controlled Coastal Changes in Front of Eqip Sermia, West Greenland
Authors: Kostrzewa Oskar , Szczypińska Małgorzata , Kavan Jan , Senderak Krzysztof , Novák Milan , Strzelecki Mateusz C.
Published: June 2024

The calving of glaciers regularly produces tsunami‐like waves that pose a serious threat to coastal environments. Those strong waves are not only able to move ice mélange and redistribute icebergs, growlers, or sea ice across a fjord but also flood and remodel neighbouring cliffs and beaches. Here, we analyze over 90 years (1929–2023) of coastal zone changes that occurred in front of Eqip Sermia. We show that calving waves play a dominant role in transforming the lateral moraine and forming a beach and spit system south of the glacier front. Part of the former moraine has transformed into a boulder‐dominated spit, which closed the lagoon over the years. By multidecadal analysis, we also detected a significant erosion of unconsolidated cliffs located on the opposite side of the bay (~0.53 m per year between 1985 and 2023). In addition, we demonstrate that even a single event (one calving wave) can remodel a beach surface by entrainment of up to 1.8‐m‐diameter boulders and the erosion of the beach surface by washing away sand and gravel from rocky outcrops. Our study constitutes important progress toward modes of paraglacial coastal evolution in regions characterized by rapidly retreating calving glaciers.
Synthesis of Good Solid‐State Emissive Carbon Dots through Microwave‐Assisted Microemulsion Process
Authors: Yue Dong , Zhang Zhiying , Liu Yun , Yan Dong , Nie Shidong
Published: June 2024

Environmental‐friendly carbon dots (CDs) have found wide applications in the fields of white light emitting diode (WLED), chemical sensor, wide‐gamut display, etc. However, for the aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) effect, high dose of CDs immobilization generally suffers from the great fluorescence quenching, hindering their practical uses in many cases. In the present work, a one‐step microwave‐assisted microemulsion process is developed to prepare matrix‐free green CDs powders with absolute fluorescent quantum yield (QY) up to 48.34%. From dilute solution to matrix‐free powder, the QY of CDs decreases only about 20%, significant smaller than the sample prepared without surfactant (74%). Structural characterization and fluorescent lifetime measurements suggest that the passivation of hydrophobic long‐alkyl chains from surfactant Span‐80 is very key for their good solid‐state photoluminescence (PL). For the good solid‐state PL and various solvent‐compatibility, the CDs reported show promising applications in the fabrication of WLED and the measurement of water content of ethanol/water solution. This work provides a new idea to design and simply synthesize desirable CDs‐based luminescent materials with good solid‐state PL.
Effects of psychological interventions on fear of cancer recurrence: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Jie , Sun Yanhong , Shao Ying , Meng Aifeng , Bai Yamei , Li Xiaoli , Zhou Zhiyan , Wang Hui , Zhi Xiaoxu
Published: June 2024

The study aimed to systematically compare the effects of psychological interventions on relieving fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) by a systematic review and network meta‐analysis (NMA). The relevant randomized controlled trials were searched from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase. The retrieval time was from the establishment of each database to January 23, 2024. Review Manager 5.4 software was used to evaluate the quality of each literature that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stata16.0 was used for NMA. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) of patients' FCR outcomes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine the effects. Inconsistency test, network map, surface under the cumulative rankings curve (SUCRA), comparison‐adjusted funnel plot were performed. A total of 41 articles were included, with 4056 patients and 15 psychological interventions. Six psychological interventions (NT, Narrative Therapy; ACT, Accept and Commitment Therapy; GT, Therapy based on Gratitude‐Expanded Behavior Theory; Blend Cognitive Behavior Therapy; PERMA, PERMA Therapy; CBT, Cognitive Behavior Therapy) were effective in alleviating FCR in the short term compared with usual care, whereas the effects of ACT, GT, and CBT were sustained up to more than 3 months postintervention. NT ranked as most likely to alleviate FCR, (SUCRA: 89.8%, SMD: −2.89, 95% CI: −4.08 to −1.69), followed by ACT (SUCRA: 88.1%, SMD: −2.83, 95% CI: −4.38 to −1.27) in short‐term effects. GT ranked as most likely to alleviate FCR in long‐term effects (SUCRA: 100%, SMD: −3.35, 95% CI: −4.21 to −2.50), followed by ACT (SUCRA: 88.9%, SMD: −1.64, 95% CI: −2.36 to −0.91). However, most of the quality of evidence for pairwise comparison was rated as “very low” to “low.” The evidence can help inform evidence‐based practice and guide healthcare providers in deciding on the most effective psychological interventions for FCR, which should also be viewed with caution due to the low level of the quality.
Topological Quantum Transport Characteristic by Three‐band Correlation Mechanism in 2D SnSe
Authors: Li Dongxin , Yan Zhengxin , Song Wei , Kong Juntao , Xu Wuyue , Cheng Qian , Liang Xingkun , Zhao Zehua
Published: June 2024

Understanding electron quantum transport and their coupling interactions in 2D matrix is crucial for manipulating and designing more efficient energy conversion devices, especially in the context of spin transport. Here, we systematically calculate the electronic dispersion properties which the synergistic interaction of the three‐band accounted for the topological transport of edge correlated electrons. The helical state protected by the topology appears at the boundary, accompanied by the upward movement (∼0.2 eV) of the helical point caused by the excitation and the loop channel, which the weak braiding effect reveal local strongly correlated interactions between the boundary electrons. In addition, we also introduce spin Hall conductance and Z2 topological invariants to describe the election dispersion of the topological transport. This provides more possibilities for the realization of topological quantum computing application.
Tunable Quantum Coherence of Luminescent Molecular Spins Organized via Block Copolymer Self‐Assembly
Authors: Hou Liman , Zhang Yu‐Shuang , Zhang Yipeng , Jiang Shang‐Da , Wang Mingfeng
Published: June 2024

Electronic or nuclear spins represent promising candidates of qubits for applications in quantum information technologies and spintronic devices. However, it remains a challenge to achieve scalable and spatially defined organization of a large number of spins as qubits, which is essential in the feasible fabrication of quantum circuits. We report a strategy of block copolymer self‐assembly to organize molecular spins as qubits across molecular to micro‐/nano‐scales in polymeric films of organic luminescent radicals centered in star‐like block copolymers. We have achieved not only scalable and spatially defined organization of the molecular spins in polymeric films with long‐range periodic ordering but also controllable spin‐lattice relaxation dynamics and spin coherence lifetimes that can be finely tuned by the domain sizes and rigidities of the polymeric matrices.
GPX4 mRNA levels in the polymorphonuclear neutrophils are negatively correlated with autoantibody production, disease activity, and lupus alopecia in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Li Liuying , Yang Fangyuan , Liu Huijuan , Zhang Ruilin , Liang Rongmei , Xu Wenchao , Li Yingfei , Luo Minshuang , Zhai Zeqing , Zhuang Jian , Jie Hongyu , Li Xing , Shi Xingliang , Han Xinai , He Yi , Sun Erwei
Published: June 2024

Background

Ferroptosis is a type of regulated necrosis and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) has been recognized as a key enzyme that protects against ferroptosis. However, the significance of GPX4 in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been explored. So we examined GPX4 mRNA in PMNs and analyzed its association with serological and clinical features.

Methods

A single center research from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University was conducted between December 2020 and September 2022. Real‐time transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine the expression of GPX4 mRNA in PMNs from patients suffering from different rheumatoid immune diseases and healthy controls. The associations of GPX4 RNA levels in SLE patients with serological and clinical indicators were assessed by Spearman's correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of GXP4 mRNA for SLE.

Results

GPX4 mRNA levels were lower in SLE patients than those in healthy individuals, patients with rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. GPX4 mRNA levels were negatively correlated with the number of positive autoantibodies (r = −0.3072, p = 0.0300), anti‐dsDNA antibody (r = −0.3654, p = 0.0336), antinucleosome antibody (r = −0.4052, p = 0.0263), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = −0.3773, p = 0.0069), C‐reactive protein (r = −0.4037, p = 0.0036), and SLE disease activity index (r = −0.3072, p = 0.0300). GPX4 mRNA levels were downregulated in patients with alopecia compared with patients without alopecia (p < 0.05). The diagnostic capacity of GPX4 mRNA achieved high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve = 0.848) with sensitivity (78.00%) and specificity (80.95%).

Conclusion

Downregulated GPX4 mRNA in PMNs of SLE patients is negatively associated with the production of antinuclear antibodies, disease activity, and lupus alopecia, suggesting an important role of ferroptosis in SLE, high diagnostic value of GPX4 mRNA in PMNs, and potential therapies targeting GPX4 for SLE patients, especially lupus alopecia.
From text to model: Leveraging natural language processing for system dynamics model development
Authors: Veldhuis Guido A. , Blok Dominique , de Boer Maaike H.T. , Kalkman Gino J. , Bakker Roos M. , van Waas Rob P.M.
Published: June 2024

Textual data is abundantly available, and natural language processing (NLP) facilitates its analysis. However, system dynamics (SD) modelling relies on the modeller to identify relevant information. We explore the ability of NLP models to support SD modelling by identifying causal sentences in texts. We provide a primer on the notion of causality in SD and on the linguistic properties of causality, followed by an introduction of NLP models suitable for this task. Using three test cases, we evaluate the performance of the NLP models using common evaluation metrics and an SD model completeness metric. We conclude that NLP models can add considerable value to SD modelling, provided that remaining challenges are addressed. One such caveat is the difference we observe between information regarded as causal and information relevant for describing system structure. We discuss how these challenges can be addressed through collaboration between the NLP and SD fields. © 2024 The Author(s). System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.
Annular Elastolytic Giant Cell Granuloma Associated with Autoimmune Hepatitis: Response to Ciclosporin
Authors: Sharif Zaina , Javadzadeh Shagayegh , Boissiere Jeanne , Creamer Daniel
Published: June 2024

A 47 year old Caucasian female with a background of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune hepatitis presented with a painful, pruritic, papular eruption in a photosensitive distribution across the upper chest, neck, face, dorsal hands and forearms. On examination, lesions coalesced into annular plaques each with an active, raised margin and an atrophic, yellow centre. Histopathology demonstrated an absence of mucin and elastophagocytosis with giant cells engulfing dermal elastin fibres. These histopathological features favoured a diagnosis of annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG). The patient was managed ciclosporin monotherapy 125 mg twice daily (3 mg/kg/day). At 8 week review, there was a marked improvement in the physical appearance of the dermatosis as well as diminishing of symptoms such as itch and cutaneous pain. AEGCG is a rare inflammatory dermatosis typically affecting sun-exposed sites. It has been proposed that AEGCG is triggered by a solar induced elastolysis however other theories suggest it is a primary granulomatous disorder and not a photodermatosis. AEGCG appears to be aligned to an autoimmune diathesis, indicated by its frequent association with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, vitiligo, giant cell arteritis and, as in our patient, auto-immune hepatitis. Diabetes mellitus occurring concurrently with AEGCG has also been observed, again like our patient. Histopathological features which distinguish AEGCG from granuloma annulare include absent mucin, absent necrobiosis, giant cells with more nuclei, non-palisading granulomata and marked loss of elastic tissue. AEGCG is often unresponsive to standard therapies. The literature indicates varying responses to photo-protection, topical/systemic/intralesional corticosteroids, and oral medications such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and dapsone. Few case reports have also documented improvement with ciclosporin. In aggressive forms of AEGCG, as in our patient, treatment with ciclosporin may be an effective intervention and should be initiated early in the disease.
Unidirectional Transmission Metasurfaces with Topological Continuity Generated from High‐dimensional Design Space
Authors: Deng Miaoyi , Yu Ying , Cao Guowei , Feng Junbo , Zhu Xing , Li Yu
Published: June 2024

With the growing demand for nanodevices, there is a concerted effort to improve the design flexibility of nanostructures, thereby expanding the capabilities of nanophotonic devices. In this work, a Laplacian‐weighted binary search (LBS) algorithm is proposed to generate a unidirectional transmission metasurface from a high‐dimensional design space, offering an increased degree of design freedom. The LBS algorithm incorporates topological continuity based on the Laplacian, effectively circumventing the common issue of high structural complexity in designing high‐dimensional nanostructures. As a result, metasurfaces developed using the LBS algorithm in a high‐dimensional design space exhibit reduced complexity, which is advantageous for experimental fabrication. An all‐dielectric metasurface with unidirectional transmission, designed from the high‐dimensional space using the LBS method, demonstrated the successful application of these design principles in experiments. The metasurface exhibits high optical performance on unidirectional transmission in measurements by a high‐resolution angle‐resolved micro‐spectra system, achieving forward transmissivity above 90% (400–700 nm) and back transmissivity below 20% (400–500 nm) within the targeted wavelength range. This work provides a feasible approach for advancing high‐dimensional metasurface applications, as the LBS design method takes into account topological continuity during experimental processing. Compared to traditional direct binary search (DBS) methods, the LBS method not only improves information processing efficiency but also maintains the topological continuity of structures. Beyond unidirectional transmission, the LBS‐based design method has generality and flexibility to accommodate almost all physical scenarios in metasurface design, enabling a multitude of complex functions and applications.
A survey of the state‐of‐the‐art approaches for evaluating trust in software ecosystems
Authors: Hou Fang , Jansen Slinger
Published: June 2024

Third‐party software has streamlined the software engineering process, allowed software engineers to focus on developing more advanced components, and reduced time and cost. This shift has led to software development strategies moving from competition to collaboration, resulting in the concept of software ecosystems, in which internal and external actors work together on shared platforms and place their trust in the ecosystem. However, the increase in shared components has also created challenges, especially in security, as the large dependency trees significantly enlarge a system's attack surface. The situation is made worse by the lack of effective ways to measure and ensure the trustworthiness of these components. In this article, we explore current approaches used to evaluate trust in software ecosystems, focusing on analyzing the specific techniques utilized, the primary factors in trust evaluation, the diverse formats for result presentation, as well as the software ecosystem entities considered in the approaches. Our goal is to provide the status of current trust evaluation approaches, including their limitations. We identify key challenges, including the limited coverage of software ecosystem entities; the objectivity, universality, and environmental impacts of the evaluation approaches; the risk assessment for the evaluation approaches; and the security attacks posed by trust evaluation in these approaches.
Exceptional High‐Performance Oxygen Transport Membrane and Comprehensive Study on Mass/Charge Transport Properties
Authors: Bae Hohan , Nam Gyeong Duk , Namgung Yeon , Park Kwangho , Park Jun‐Young , Serra José M. , Joo Jong Hoon , Song Sun‐Ju
Published: June 2024

This study focuses on mixed‐conducting perovskite membranes for efficient oxygen supply, aiming to replace energy‐intensive cryogenic distillation with a more practical alternative. A La and Nb co‐doped BaCoO3−δ perovskite is introduced, Ba0.95La0.05Co0.8Fe0.12Nb0.08O3−δ (BLCFN) with a record‐breaking oxygen permeation flux, surpassing all known single‐phase perovskite membranes. To elucidate its superior membrane performance, the mass/charge transport properties and equilibrium bulk properties are investigated and quantitative indicators (DO = 5.8 × 10−6 cm2 s−1, kO = 1.0 × 10−4 cm s−1, σion = 0.93 S cm−1 at 900 °C) reveal fast diffusion and excellent surface gas‐exchange kinetics. The oxygen permeability of 12.4 mL cm−2 min−1 and over 200 h of long‐term stability is achieved in an air/He atmosphere at 900 °C. By presenting a material that demonstrates higher performance than Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF), currently known for its highest permeability, it is believed that this marks a significant step toward innovative performance enhancement of perovskite oxide‐based membranes.
Biomass Derived Biofluorescent Carbon Dots for Energy Applications: Current Progress and Prospects
Authors: Ayisha Naziba T. , Praveen Kumar D. , Karthikeyan S. , Sriramajayam S. , Djanaguiraman M. , Sundaram Senthilarasu , Ghamari Mehrdad , Prasada Rao R. , Ramakrishna Seeram , Ramesh D.
Published: June 2024

Biomass resources are often disposed of inefficiently and it causes environmental degradation. These wastes can be turned into bio‐products using effective conversion techniques. The synthesis of high‐value bio‐products from biomass adheres to the principles of a sustainable circular economy in a variety of industries, including agriculture. Recently, fluorescent carbon dots (C‐dots) derived from biowastes have emerged as a breakthrough in the field, showcasing outstanding fluorescence properties and biocompatibility. The C‐dots exhibit unique quantum confinement properties due to their small size, contributing to their exceptional fluorescence. The significance of their fluorescent properties lies in their versatile applications, particularly in bio‐imaging and energy devices. Their rapid and straight‐forward production using green/chemical precursors has further accelerated their adoption in diverse applications. The use of green precursors for C‐dot not only addresses the biomass disposal issue through a scientific approach, but also establishes a path for a circular economy. This approach not only minimizes biowaste, which also harnesses the potential of fluorescent C‐dots to contribute to sustainable practices in agriculture. This review explores recent developments and challenges in synthesizing high‐quality C‐dots from agro‐residues, shedding light on their crucial role in advancing technologies for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Treatments for delayed ejaculation: a narrative review
Authors: Pizzol Damiano , Trott Mike , Wilson Jason J. , Tully Mark A , Shah Sam , Pratsides Luke , Ilie Petre Cristian , López Sánchez Guillermo F , Smith Lee
Published: June 2024

Delayed ejaculation has a prevalence of approximately 1–3%. The condition may be alarming for individuals and potentially complicates conception. As far as the authors are aware the literature on non‐pharmacological and pharmacological treatments for delayed ejaculation has not been collated or summarised. This narrative review of the academic literature aims to address this knowledge gap.
Pulmonary coinfection by Pneumocystis jirovecii and Aspergillus terreus in an ITP patient after corticosteroid therapy: A case report
Authors: Wang Lili , Wang Fengling , Mao Enqiang , Chen Erzhen , Chen Dayu , Wang Linyu , Qiu Yusi , Bian Xiaolan , Li Yan , He Juan
Published: June 2024

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis are both life‐threatening opportunistic fungal infections. There are only few reports of coinfection by these two fungi in the literature, and Aspergillus fumigatus is the predominant Aspergillus species in the coinfection. We report here the first case of coinfection by Aspergillus terreus and P. jirovecii pneumonia and caspofungin can be an appropriate choice for salvage treatment of the coinfection. A 51‐year‐old man with a history of immune thrombocytopenia treated with prednisone over 2 months was admitted to emergency intensive care unit for acute respiratory failure and a cavity was found on chest computed tomography. Therefore, his trachea was immediately intubated. The patient was treated with a large spectrum of antibiotic regimen, consisting initially of imipenem/cilastatin, moxifloxacin and fluconazole followed by fluconazole, imipenem/cilastatin, vancomycin, trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole (TMP‐SMZ) and azithromycin. When the polymerase chain reaction analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage sample revealed P. jirovecii and A. terreus, all the antibiotics were stopped except TMP‐SMZ, and voriconazole was added. Two weeks later, the patient showed clinical improvement but radiological deterioration. Consequently, caspofungin was started for salvage therapy, then the patient showed gradual clinical improvement. He was discharged with oral voriconazole and TMP‐SMZ. The antifungal treatment was continued for 6 months until complete radiological absorption. In conclusion, early bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid should be considered in order to diagnose and treat promptly in those treated with corticosteroids combined with immunocompromised and caspofungin could be an appropriate choice for salvage treatment of coinfection by P. jirovecii and A. terreus.
An update of the development of motor behavior
Authors: Franchak John M. , Adolph Karen E.
Published: June 2024

This primer describes research on the development of motor behavior. We focus on infancy when basic action systems are acquired—posture, locomotion, manual actions, and facial actions—and we adopt a developmental systems perspective to understand the causes and consequences of developmental change. Experience facilitates improvements in motor behavior and infants accumulate immense amounts of varied everyday experience with all the basic action systems. At every point in development, perception guides behavior by providing feedback about the results of just prior movements and information about what to do next. Across development, new motor behaviors provide new inputs for perception. Thus, motor development opens up new opportunities for acquiring knowledge and acting on the world, instigating cascades of developmental changes in perceptual, cognitive, and social domains.

This article is categorized under:

Cognitive Biology > Cognitive Development

Psychology > Motor Skill and Performance

Neuroscience > Development
Introduction
Authors: Ibričević Aida
Published: June 2024

“I want to go home,” a highly successful documentary series started broadcasting on various Bosnian TV channels in May 2016. The documentary program (Kenović, 2016) features the stories of artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, academics, and other professionals who have built their careers abroad and have now returned “home” to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Scenes of harmonious family life filled with homemade food and drink, breathtaking images of natural landscapes, and the nostalgic sounds of sevdah music are interwoven with the returnees telling their life stories. In the interviews, the participants acknowledge the benefits of greater career opportunities, economic advantages, democratic freedoms, and political stability of living in the West. However, almost every interviewee emphasized how they feel more content as citizens in their country of origin; how they belong there and how they are socially and spiritually more fulfilled in their home environment. The returnees often invoked well-known phrases such as “There’s no place like home,” “Home is where the heart is,” “Home sweet home” or a Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian saying that goes something like “Travel the world, but keep coming back home.” Such expressions seem to have universal appeal, often found dutifully embroidered on handcrafted ornaments stitching together an amalgamation of warmth and comfort. Yet, their direct application to a context of forced migration and displacement, where some returnees were victims of violence, mass expulsions, ethnic cleansing campaigns, and other forms of persecution, while others have endured considerable sacrifices to make their return a reality, seems to be highly questionable. The documentary series also appears to be in line with international community efforts towards diaspora engagement. Countless “diaspora business forums,” networking events and roundtables are being organized by various levels of government to attract investment from members of the BiH diaspora. Faced with a dwindling tax base, because of high unemployment and emigration rates, the BiH authorities are trying to lure the desperately needed investment for job creation. The returnees’ warm and “homely” responses were accepted and not questioned or problematized by the filmmakers, leading me to believe that the popular TV program was made to promote return and not present a more nuanced understanding of it. Unabated by the often overly sentimentalized, and at times saccharine portrayals of warm homecomings, and with my researcher curiosity piqued, I set out to investigate the phenomenon with scholarly rigor and present my findings in this book.
Losing, Creating and Re-creating Home and Belonging
Authors: Ibričević Aida
Published: June 2024

So far, geography scholars have theorized the emotional dimension of citizenship as home and belonging, while relevant scholarly literature treats both concepts as complex and multi-dimensional. This chapter aims to contribute to this literature by exploring the returnees’ understanding of home and belonging. The life experience of my study participants makes this exploration particularly interesting, as its simplified version includes at least three phases: the initial loss of home in BiH, followed by an effort at homemaking in the host state, and ending with an attempt to re-create their home upon return. Along these three stages, the returnees experience various types of belonging, exclusion from belonging both at home and abroad, as well as in-betweenness and multiple belonging. Throughout the process of loss, building and re-building of home and the associated types of belonging, the returnees experience specific emotions, which create links to the overarching concept of emotional citizenship. Expressly, this chapter answers the research questions: What do ‘home’ and ‘belonging’ mean to the returnees? What do they associate these concepts with? Which specific emotions do they convey?
Gut microbiome shifts in people with type 1 diabetes are associated with glycaemic control: an INNODIA study
Authors: Vatanen Tommi , de Beaufort Carine , Marcovecchio M. Loredana , Overbergh Lut , Brunak Soren , Peakman Mark , Mathieu Chantal , Knip Mikael ,   on behalf of the INNODIA consortium
Published: June 2024

Aims/hypothesis

The gut microbiome is implicated in the disease process leading to clinical type 1 diabetes, but less is known about potential changes in the gut microbiome after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and implications in glucose homeostasis. We aimed to analyse potential associations between the gut microbiome composition and clinical and laboratory data during a 2 year follow-up of people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, recruited to the Innovative approaches to understanding and arresting type 1 diabetes (INNODIA) study. In addition, we analysed the microbiome composition in initially unaffected family members, who progressed to clinical type 1 diabetes during or after their follow-up for 4 years.

Methods

We characterised the gut microbiome composition of 98 individuals with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (ND cohort) and 194 autoantibody-positive unaffected family members (UFM cohort), representing a subgroup of the INNODIA Natural History Study, using metagenomic sequencing. Participants from the ND cohort attended study visits within 6 weeks from the diagnosis and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months later for stool sample collection and laboratory tests (HbA1c, C-peptide, diabetes-associated autoantibodies). Participants from the UFM cohort were assessed at baseline and 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months later.

Results

We observed a longitudinal increase in 21 bacterial species in the ND cohort but not in the UFM cohort. The relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was inversely associated with the HbA1c levels at diagnosis (p=0.0019). The rate of the subsequent disease progression in the ND cohort, as assessed by change in HbA1c, C-peptide levels and insulin dose, was associated with the abundance of several bacterial species. Individuals with rapid decrease in C-peptide levels in the ND cohort had the lowest gut microbiome diversity. Nineteen individuals who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the UFM cohort had increased abundance of Sutterella sp. KLE1602 compared with the undiagnosed UFM individuals (p=1.2 × 10−4).

Conclusions/interpretation

Our data revealed associations between the gut microbiome composition and the disease progression in individuals with recent-onset type 1 diabetes. Future mechanistic studies as well as animal studies and human trials are needed to further validate the significance and causality of these associations.

Graphical Abstract
A review of automated cutting tool selection methods
Authors: Navaneethan Gowthri , Palanisamy Suresh , Jayaraman Prem Prakash , Kang Yong-Bin , Stephens Guy , Papageorgiou Angelo , Navarro John
Published: June 2024

The selection of appropriate cutting tool (CT) is a critical part of machining. Selecting the right tool for the right job will enable customers to achieve economic machining, saving time and cost while delivering high-quality products. Nowadays, the complexity of CT and workpiece is increasing; this changes the input and output requirements for cutting tool selection paving way to automation. There are two types of CT selection methods, manual and automated CT selection. This article focuses on automated CT selection, which has different inputs and outputs based on the algorithm/AI technique used. The potential and promising aspects of CT selection could enhance the machining in terms of productivity, time, cost, and quality aspects. A comprehensive review of automated CT selection methods has been presented in this paper. The review surveys different automated CT selection methods in terms of inputs, outputs, and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques/different algorithms since most of the researchers have not focused on this perspective. It outlines the current status of research and application, which has the potential to improve the automated CT selection methods for the benefit of the manufacturing industry.
The impact of diversification on the profitability and risk of Chinese banks: evidence from a semiparametric approach
Authors: Wu Minzhi , Tortosa-Ausina Emili , Cruz-García Paula
Published: June 2024

This paper analyzes the effects of banking diversification and focus strategies on the profitability and risk of Chinese banks in the post-crisis years (2008–2019). For this purpose, semiparametric estimates are used. The main results indicate that Chinese banks do not gain much benefit in terms of profitability and risk from following income or asset diversification strategies, although the former are more beneficial than the latter. These results have important implications for the design of specific diversification strategies for different types of banks. Results suggest that state-owned banks could benefit from a greater degree of diversification to obtain more profits and simultaneously decrease their risk levels, while national shareholding commercial banks and city commercial banks should evaluate these strategies with more caution as the benefits from them are less obvious.