bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Preoperative and Postoperative Anxiety Levels among Surgical Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Rakesh Aishwarya , Nag Abhirup , Milton Beulah , Arun Akhil
Published: December 2024

Background: Surgical procedures, while crucial for medical treatment, often induce significant psychological stress, particularly preoperative and postoperative anxiety. This anxiety can adversely affect clinical outcomes, including increased pain perception, delayed wound healing, and extended hospital stays. Despite advancements in surgical care, the psychological aspects of surgery remain underexplored, highlighting the need for systematic evaluation of anxiety throughout the surgical journey.
Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted at MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital from March 2023 to October 2023, including 212 participants. Preoperative and postoperative anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Socio-demographic and clinical factors contributing to anxiety were also identified.
Results: The study revealed that 61.32% of patients experienced high preoperative anxiety, which significantly decreased to 19.33% postoperatively. Conversely, low anxiety levels increased from 12.7% to 43.34%, indicating a notable reduction in anxiety following surgery. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative anxiety levels (χ² = 86.12, p < 0.00001). Factors contributing to preoperative anxiety included concerns about family (91.03%), fear of complications (80.6%), and financial loss (68.86%).
Discussion: The findings align with existing literature, confirming that surgical interventions reduce anxiety levels. However, moderate anxiety persisted postoperatively, possibly due to residual concerns such as pain and recovery challenges. Addressing both physical and psychological aspects in perioperative care is essential for improving patient outcomes.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of integrating psychological support into perioperative care. While surgery reduces preoperative anxiety, addressing residual postoperative stress is crucial for optimizing recovery and patient satisfaction. Further multicenter studies are needed to generalize these findings.
Enhancing Oil Yield and Quality of Cymbopogon winterianus through Organic Manures in Moringa oleifera-Based Agroforestry Systems
Authors: Dora KND Prasanna Kumar , Dainel Sameer
Published: December 2024

This study evaluated the impact of organic manures on the oil attributes and quality parameters of Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella java) under Moringa oleifera-based agroforestry and open-field systems during 2022–2023. A randomized block design with 14 nutrient management treatments, including combinations of farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and neem cake, was employed. Results indicated that the combined application of FYM, vermicompost, and neem cake (33.3% each) significantly enhanced oil content, oil recovery, and total oil yield compared to the control. Specifically, this combination yielded the highest oil content (1.14%), average oil recovery (0.66%), and total oil yield (81.52 L ha⁻¹) under shade conditions. Physical parameters such as specific gravity (0.87–0.88), refractive index (1.47), and optical rotation (-2.87 to -2.91°) were consistent with BIS standards and unaffected by nutrient treatments. Similarly, chemical properties like acid value (1.21–1.24) and ester value (22.12–24.12) remained within standard specifications. Notably, the agroforestry system improved oil yield and quality parameters compared to open-field conditions, attributed to the favourable microclimatic conditions and nutrient cycling provided by Moringa oleifera.
Oral Biopharmaceutics and In vitro Pharmacokinetics of Commercially Available Pharmaceutical Formulations of Paracetamol: Implications in Paediatric Medicine
Authors: GO Ikeh , MN Nwafor , MN Ndubuisi , KO Okolo
Published: December 2024

Aim: This study aimed to compare the oral pharmacokinetics of different paediatric paracetamol dosage forms that are commercially available in Nigeria.
Study Design: Experimental.
Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, between March and December 2023
Methodology: The study used the regular in vitro dialysis membrane method to predict the in vivo drug release of commercially available paracetamol syrups (n=5) and dispersible tablets (n=5) in the Nigerian market. The sink condition followed the Conventional USP dissolution method, using a dialysis membrane sac. The drug samples were studied in simulated salivary fluid of pH 7.4, simulated gastric fluid of pH 1.2, and simulated intestinal fluid of pH 6.5 over 8 hours to simulate their passage in the gastrointestinal tract. At predetermined time intervals, 5 ml of the dissolution medium was drawn out from the system, diluted appropriately and its absorbance measured against a suitable blank at λ = 250 nm using a UV/Vis Spectrophotometer, while a fresh volume of 5 ml of dissolution medium was introduced into the dissolution vessel after each withdrawal.
Results: Syrup dosage forms showed a faster drug release kinetics, based on their values. Kinetic parameters obtained from the linear regression analysis of the in vitro release resulted in a zero-order release kinetics, with  for paracetamol paediatric syrups, and  for tablets. Two-way ANOVA test of the AUC of dosage forms showed that the time required to elicit therapeutic response was extremely significant (F=44.37, DFn=3, DFd= 32 and P-value < 0.0001).
Conclusion: The comparative in vitro pharmacokinetic study of paracetamol dosage forms revealed that the paediatric syrup formula has a better release kinetics than the scaled down adult formula.
Co‐development of a risk assessment strategy for managed relocation
Authors: Karasov‐Olson Aviv , Schwartz Mark W. , Skikne Sarah A. , Hellmann Jessica J. , Olden Julian D. , Lawrence David J. , Morisette Jeffrey T. , Schuurman Gregor W. , Allen Sarah , Brigham Christy A. , Buttke Danielle , Miller‐Rushing Abraham J. , Trammell Melissa , Hawkins Hoffman Cat
Published: August 2021

Resource managers face mounting challenges when it comes to the implementation of climate change adaptation strategies. Novel adaptation strategies, such as managed relocation, frequently entail embracing substantial risk of unintended harm to the focal ecosystems, in an effort to alleviate serious threats to biological diversity (e.g. extinction). Assessing ecological risks associated with different adaptation strategies is consistently called for, but the process for doing so is often undefined.

Here, we describe a collaboration amongst university researchers, agency scientists and resource managers to create a set of ecological risk assessment protocols for managed relocation decision support. These protocols are designed to foster a rigorous assessment of ecological risk, while simultaneously being flexible and easy to use.

We describe a collaborative process through which we developed a structure for assessing risk that includes a suite of 17 risk categories aggregated into six overarching groups, which is placed within a broader decision context for managed relocation (e.g. evaluating feasibility, social acceptability). Our risk scoring includes both scaled estimates of risk and perceived confidence in those estimates.

Because of differences in the importance of risk categories, we do not recommend a quantitative summary across risk areas, but suggest decision makers make decisions based on three criteria: overall confidence that a proposed action can be confidently evaluated; low overall level or risk across categories; and no single risk category that is highly likely to result in severe adverse outcomes.
Slow Colonic Transit in Systemic Sclerosis: An Objective Assessment of Risk Factors and Clinical Phenotype
Authors: Cheah Jenice X. , Perin Jamie , Volkmann Elizabeth R. , Hummers Laura K. , Pasricha Pankaj J. , Wigley Fredrick M. , McMahan Zsuzsanna H.
Published: August 2021

Objective

Up to 50% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) experience slow colonic transit, which may be associated with severe outcomes. Our objective, therefore, was to identify specific clinical features associated with slow colonic transit in SSc.

Methods

SSc patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were prospectively enrolled and completed a scintigraphy‐based whole gut transit study. Clinical features were compared between patients with and without slow colonic transit in univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Forty‐eight of 100 patients (48%) in our cohort had slow colonic transit. In the univariate analyses, slow colonic transit was positively associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR] 12.61 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.56–101.90]), telangiectasia (OR 4.00 [95% CI 1.32–12.10]), anticentromere antibodies (OR 3.25 [95% CI 1.25–8.44]), prior or current smoking (OR 2.56 [95% CI 1.06–6.21]), and a Medsger gastrointestinal severity score of ≥3 (OR 3.94 [95% CI 1.16–13.36]). Patients were less likely to have significant restriction on pulmonary function tests (OR 0.23 [95% CI 0.09–0.63]). In our multivariable model, the association between slow colonic transit and telangiectasia (OR 3.97 [95% CI 1.20–13.20]) and less restrictive lung disease on pulmonary function tests (OR 0.28 [95% CI 0.09–0.86]) remained statistically significant, though a trend with smoking remained (OR 2.16 [95% CI 0.82–5.75]). Interestingly, there were no significant associations between slow colonic transit and delayed transit in other regions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Conclusion

Distinct clinical features are associated with slow colonic transit in SSc. Such features may provide insight in risk stratification and the study of disease mechanism in more homogeneous subgroups.
Heterogeneous MXene/PS‐b‐P2VP Nanofluidic Membranes with Controllable Ion Transport for Osmotic Energy Conversion
Authors: Lin Xiangbin , Liu Pei , Xin Weiwen , Teng Yunfei , Chen Jianjun , Wu Yadong , Zhao Yifei , Kong Xiang‐Yu , Jiang Lei , Wen Liping
Published: August 2021

Membrane‐based osmotic power harvesting is a strategy for sustainable power generation. 2D nanofluids with high ion conductivity and selectivity are emerging candidates for osmotic energy conversion. However, the ion diffusion under nanoconfinement is hindered by homogeneous 2D membranes with monotonic charge regulation and severe concentration polarization, which results in an undesirable power conversion performance. Here, an asymmetric nanochannel membrane with a two‐layered structure is reported, in which the angstrom‐scale channels of 2D transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) act as a screening layer for controlling ion transport, and the nanoscale pores of the block copolymer (BCP) are the pH‐responsive arrays with an ordered nanovoid structure. The heterogeneous nanofluidic device exhibits an asymmetric charge distribution and enlarged 1D BCP porosity under acidic and alkaline conditions, respectively; this improves the gradient‐driven ion diffusion, allowing a high‐performance osmotic energy conversion with a power density of up to 6.74 W m−2 by mixing artificial river water and seawater. Experiments and theoretical simulations indicate that the tunable asymmetric heterostructure contributes to impairing the concentration polarization and enhancing the ion flux. This efficient osmotic energy generator can advance the fundamental understanding of the MXene‐based heterogeneous nanofluidic devices as a paradigm for membrane‐based energy conversion technologies.
Toward High‐Performance Dihydrophenazine‐Based Conjugated Microporous Polymer Cathodes for Dual‐Ion Batteries through Donor–Acceptor Structural Design
Authors: Ma Wenyan , Luo Lian‐Wei , Dong Peihua , Zheng Peiyun , Huang Xiuhua , Zhang Chong , Jiang Jia‐Xing , Cao Yong
Published: August 2021

Recent studies have demonstrated that dihydrophenazine (Pz) with high redox‐reversibility and high theoretical capacity is an attractive building block to construct p‐type polymer cathodes for dual‐ion batteries. However, most reported Pz‐based polymer cathodes to date still suffer from low redox activity, slow kinetics, and short cycling life. Herein, a donor–acceptor (D–A) Pz‐based conjugated microporous polymer (TzPz) cathode is constructed by integrating the electron‐donating Pz unit and the electron‐withdrawing 2,4,6‐triphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazine (Tz) unit into a polymer chain. The D–A type structure enhances the polymer conjugation degree and decreases the band gap of TzPz, facilitating electron transportation along the polymer skeletons. Therefore the TzPz cathode for dual‐ion battery shows a high reversible capacity of 192 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 with excellent rate performance (108 mAh g−1 at 30 A g−1), which is much higher than that of its counterpart polymer BzPz produced from 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene (Bz) and Pz (148 and 44 mAh g−1 at 0.2 and 10 A g−1, respectively). More importantly, the TzPz cathode also shows a long and stable cyclability of more than 10 000 cycles. These results demonstrate that the D–A structural design is an efficient strategy for developing high‐performance polymer cathodes for dual‐ion batteries.
Anisotropic Iridescence and Polarization Patterns in a Direct Ink Written Chiral Photonic Polymer
Authors: Sol Jeroen A. H. P. , Sentjens Henk , Yang Lanti , Grossiord Nadia , Schenning Albertus P. H. J. , Debije Michael G.
Published: August 2021

The iridescence of structural color and its polarization characteristics originate from the nanoscale organization of materials. A major challenge in materials science is generating the bright, lustrous hues seen in nature through nanoscale engineering, while simultaneously controlling interaction of the material with different light polarizations. In this work, a suitable chiral nematic liquid crystal elastomer ink is synthesized for direct ink writing, which self‐assembles into a chiral photonic structure. Tuning the writing direction and speed leads to the programmed formation of a slanted photonic axis, which exhibits atypical iridescence and polarization selectivity. After crosslinking, a freely programmable, chiroptical photonic polymer material is obtained. The strongly perspective‐dependent appearance of the material can function as specialized anticounterfeit markers, as optical elements in decorative iridescent coatings, or, as demonstrated here, in optically based signaling features.
Analytical Model of Micropyramidal Capacitive Pressure Sensors and Machine‐Learning‐Assisted Design
Authors: Ma Chao , Li Gang , Qin Longhui , Huang Weicheng , Zhang Hongrui , Liu Wenfeng , Dong Tianyu , Li Sheng‐Tao
Published: August 2021

Flexible micro‐pyramidal capacitive pressure sensors provide a high‐level tunability, showing fascinating implications in various applications, such as advanced healthcare, protheses, and smart robots. In this work, analytical models for capacitive pressure sensors are reported based on micro‐pyramidal electrodes and dielectrics, which are confirmed by both finite element simulations and existing experimental results. The proposed models can be used to predict the pressure response in a wide dynamic range, which enables to efficiently analyze the pressure range, linearity, and multiple regimes of sensitivity for designing devices. Moreover, neural networks are introduced to approximate the pressure responses, and, in turn, to inversely design the parameters of the pressure sensors with a desired pressure response. The machine‐learning‐assisted design is able to find multiple designed parameters for the customization purpose, manifesting itself a powerful approach to customize the sensor performance.
Modeling of n‐Alkanes on Calcite/Dolomite by Molecular Dynamics Simulations and First‐Principles Calculations
Authors: Li Huifang , Vovusha Hakkim , Sharma Sitansh , Singh Nirpendra , Schwingenschlögl Udo
Published: August 2021

Using a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and first‐principles calculations, the interaction of n‐alkanes with calcite/dolomite is investigated. It is observed that the n‐alkane molecules align preferentially parallel to the interface, despite interaction by weak physisorption, and give rise to distinct adsorption layers. The ordering turns out to be more pronounced on calcite than dolomite due to a smaller average velocity of the n‐alkane molecules. The observations are explained in terms of adsorption energies and charge transfers. The results show that functionalization is no prerequisite of structural ordering and a distinct mass density profile perpendicular to the interface.
Tailoring Materials with Specific Wettability in Biomedical Engineering
Authors: Sun Lingyu , Guo Jiahui , Chen Hanxu , Zhang Dagan , Shang Luoran , Zhang Bing , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: August 2021

As a fundamental feature of solid surfaces, wettability is playing an increasingly important role in our daily life. Benefitting from the inspiration of biological paradigms and the development in manufacturing technology, numerous wettability materials with elaborately designed surface topology and chemical compositions have been fabricated. Based on these advances, wettability materials have found broad technological implications in various fields ranging from academy, industry, agriculture to biomedical engineering. Among them, the practical applications of wettability materials in biomedical‐related fields are receiving remarkable researches during the past decades because of the increasing attention to healthcare. In this review, the research progress of materials with specific wettability is discussed. After briefly introducing the underlying mechanisms, the fabrication strategies of artificial materials with specific wettability are described. The emphasis is put on the application progress of wettability biomaterials in biomedical engineering. The prospects for the future trend of wettability materials are also presented.
Regulating Local Electron Density of Iron Single Sites by Introducing Nitrogen Vacancies for Efficient Photo‐Fenton Process
Authors: Su Lina , Wang Pengfei , Ma Xiaoli , Wang Junhui , Zhan Sihui
Published: August 2021

The activity of heterogeneous photocatalytic H2O2 activation in Fenton‐like processes is closely related to the local electron density of reaction centre atoms. However, the recombination of electron‐hole pairs arising from random charge transfer greatly restricts the oriented electron delivery to active center. Here we show a defect engineered iron single atom photocatalyst (Fe1‐Nv/CN, single Fe atoms dispersed on carbon nitride with abundant nitrogen vacancies) for the activation of H2O2 under visible light irradiation. Based on DFT calculations and transient absorption spectroscopy results, the engineered nitrogen vacancies serve as the electron trap sites, which can directionally drive the electrons to concentrate on Fe atoms. The formation of highly concentrated electrons density at Fe sites significantly improves the H2O2 conversion efficiency. Therefore, the optimized single atom catalyst exhibiting a higher ciprofloxacin degradation activity, which was up to 18 times that of pristine CN.
Grotthuss Proton‐Conductive Covalent Organic Frameworks for Efficient Proton Pseudocapacitors
Authors: Yang Yi , Zhang Penghui , Hao Liqin , Cheng Peng , Chen Yao , Zhang Zhenjie
Published: August 2021

Herein, we describe the synthesis of two highly crystalline, robust, hydrophilic covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that display intrinsic proton conduction by the Grotthuss mechanism. The enriched redox‐active azo groups in the COFs can undergo a proton‐coupled electron transfer reaction for energy storage, making the COFs ideal candidates for pseudocapacitance electrode materials. After in situ hybridization with carbon nanotubes, the composite exhibited a high three‐electrode specific capacitance of 440 F g−1at the current density of 0.5 A g−1, among the highest for COF‐based supercapacitors, and can retain 90 % capacitance even after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles. This is the first example using Grotthuss proton‐conductive organic materials to create pseudocapacitors that exhibited both high power density and energy density. The assembled asymmetric two‐electrode supercapacitor showed a maximum energy density of 71 Wh kg−1with a maximum power density of 42 kW kg−1, surpassing that of all reported COF‐based systems.
Towards Data‐Driven Design of Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Olefins: Database and Hierarchical Learning
Authors: Xu Li‐Cheng , Zhang Shuo‐Qing , Li Xin , Tang Miao‐Jiong , Xie Pei‐Pei , Hong Xin
Published: August 2021

Asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins is one of the most powerful asymmetric transformations in molecular synthesis. Although several privileged catalyst scaffolds are available, the catalyst development for asymmetric hydrogenation is still a time‐ and resource‐consuming process due to the lack of predictive catalyst design strategy. Targeting the data‐driven design of asymmetric catalysis, we herein report the development of a standardized database that contains the detailed information of over 12000 literature asymmetric hydrogenations of olefins. This database provides a valuable platform for the machine learning applications in asymmetric catalysis. Based on this database, we developed a hierarchical learning approach to achieve predictive machine leaning model using only dozens of enantioselectivity data with the target olefin, which offers a useful solution for the few‐shot learning problem and will facilitate the reaction optimization with new olefin substrate in catalysis screening.
Optically transparent bio‐based polyamides with microcellular foaming properties derived from renewable difunctional aminoamides
Authors: Ranganathan Palraj , Chen Yu‐Hao , Rwei Syang‐Peng , Lee Yi‐Huan
Published: August 2021

A green approach for the synthesis of bio‐based polyamides (PAs) with a new macromolecular structure was developed. These bio‐based PAs were synthesized by solvent and catalyst‐free polycondensation combining fatty dimer acid Pripol™ 1009 with new difunctional aminoamides (DAAs). The later DAAs building blocks were synthesized by aminolysis of renewable dimethyl sebacate (DMS) and dimethyl adipate (DMA) with three different aliphatic diamines having diverse chain lengths, 2, 4, and 6 carbons. Bio‐based PAs showedMwup to 30,581 g/mol, initial thermal degradation over 380°C,Tmfrom 168.3–202.4°C,Tgfrom 28.3–37.5°C, strain from 36.4 ± 4.0–313.5 ± 2.0%, and tensile strength up to 27.4 ± 0.1 MPa. Interestingly, all the PAs films had excellent optical transparency with cut‐off wavelengths of 276.0–283.0 nm, transmittance from 82.7%–90.7% at 600 nm. As a proof‐of‐concept of their usage, one of the PA was shown to be form microcellular foam by the green scCO2method. The foams possessed uniform (cell size; 40 μm, foam density; 0.265 g/cm3, expansion rate; 7.2) and bimodal (cell size; 24/38 μm, foam density; 0.302 g/cm3, expansion rate; 6.5) cell textures depending on their foaming temperatures. This is the first report of bio‐based PA foams and transparent films manufacturing without toxic solvents.
Fintiamin: A diketopiperazine from the marine sponge‐derived fungus Eurotium sp.
Authors: Elsebai Mahmoud F. , Schoeder Clara T. , Müller Christa E.
Published: August 2021

The fungus Eurotium sp., derived from the marine sponge Ircinia variabilis, was found to produce a diketopiperazine–indole alkaloid that we named fintiamin (1). Structural elucidation of 1 was achieved by extensive spectroscopic analysis including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Compound 1 is a lipophilic terpenoid–dipeptide hybrid molecule that shows affinity for the cannabinoid CB1 receptor at low micromolar concentrations. Docking studies based on previous X‐ray structures provide a plausible binding pose for compound 1 in the orthosteric binding site of the CB1 receptor.
Time‐domain signal averaging to improve microparticles detection and enumeration accuracy in a microfluidic impedance cytometer
Authors: Ashley Brandon K. , Hassan Umer
Published: August 2021

Microfluidic impedance cytometry is a powerful system to measure micro and nano‐sized particles and is routinely used in point‐of‐care disease diagnostics and other biomedical applications. However, small objects near a sensor's detection limit are plagued with relatively significant background noise and are difficult to identify for every case. While many data processing techniques can be utilized to reduce noise and improve signal quality, frequently they are still inadequate to push sensor detection limits. Here, we report the first demonstration of a novel signal averaging algorithm effective in noise reduction of microfluidic impedance cytometry data, improving enumeration accuracy, and reducing detection limits. Our device uses a 22 µm tall × 100 µm wide (with 30 µm wide focused aperture) microchannel and gold coplanar microelectrodes that generate an electric field, recording bipolar pulses from polystyrene microparticles flowing through the channel. In addition to outlining a modified moving signal averaging technique theoretically and with a model data set, we also performed a compendium of characterization experiments including variations in flow rate, input voltage, and particle size. Multivariate metrics from each experiment are compared including signal amplitude, pulse width, background noise, and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Incorporating our technique resulted in improved SNR and counting accuracy across all experiments conducted, and the limit of detection improved from 5 to 1 µm particles without modifying microchannel dimensions. Succeeding this, we envision implementing our modified moving average technique to develop next‐generation microfluidic impedance cytometry devices with an expanded dynamic range and improved enumeration accuracy. This can be exceedingly useful for many biomedical applications, such as infectious disease diagnostics where devices may enumerate larger‐scale immune cells alongside sub‐micron bacterium in the same sample.
Advances in mapping the epigenetic modifications of 5‐methylcytosine (5mC), N6‐methyladenine (6mA), and N4‐methylcytosine (4mC)
Authors: Lv Hao , Dao Fu‐Ying , Zhang Dan , Yang Hui , Lin Hao
Published: August 2021

DNA modification plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression in cell development. As prevalent markers on DNA, 5‐methylcytosine (5mC), N6‐methyladenine (6mA), and N4‐methylcytosine (4mC) can be recognized by specific methyltransferases, facilitating cellular defense and the versatile regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have permitted the positions of different modifications to be resolved at the genome‐wide scale, which has led to the discovery of several novel insights into the complexity and functions of multiple methylations. In this review, we summarize differences in the various mapping approaches and discuss their pros and cons with respect to their relative read depths, speeds, and costs. We also discuss the development of future sequencing technologies and strategies for improving the detection resolution of current sequencing technologies. Lastly, we speculate on the potentially instrumental role that these sequencing technologies might play in future research.
In vivo cleavage of solubility tags as a tool to enhance the levels of soluble recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli
Authors: Silva Filipe S. R. , Santos Sara P. O. , Meyer Roberto , Silva Eduardo S. , Pinheiro Carina S. , Alcantara‐Neves Neuza M. , Pacheco Luis G. C.
Published: August 2021

Recombinant proteins are generally fused with solubility enhancer tags to improve the folding and solubility of the target protein of interest. However, the fusion protein strategy usually requires expensive proteases to perform in vitro proteolysis and additional chromatographic steps to obtain tag‐free recombinant proteins. Expression systems based on intracellular processing of solubility tags in Escherichia coli, through co‐expression of a site‐specific protease, simplify the recombinant protein purification process, and promote the screening of molecules that fail to remain soluble after tag removal. High yields of soluble target proteins have already been achieved using these protease co‐expression systems. Herein, we review approaches for controlled intracellular processing systems tailored to produce soluble untagged proteins in E. coli. We discuss the different genetic systems available for intracellular processing of recombinant proteins regarding system design features, advantages, and limitations of the various strategies.
The persistent median artery and its vascular patterns: A meta‐analysis of 10,394 subjects
Authors: Solewski Bernard , Lis Maciej , Pękala Jakub R. , Brzegowy Karolina , Lauritzen Sigurd S. , Hołda Mateusz K. , Walocha Jerzy A. , Tomaszewski Krzysztof A. , Pękala Przemysław A. , Koziej Mateusz
Published: August 2021

The presence of a persistent median artery (PMA) has been implicated in the development of compression neuropathies and surgical complications. Due to the large variability in the prevalence of the PMA and its subtypes in the literature, more awareness of its anatomy is needed. The aim of our meta‐analysis was to find the pooled prevalence of the antebrachial and palmar persistent median arteries. An extensive search through the major databases was performed to identify all articles and references matching our inclusion criteria. The extracted data included methods of investigation, prevalence of the PMA, anatomical subtype (antebrachial, palmar), side, sex, laterality, and ethnicity. A total of 64 studies (n = 10,394 hands) were included in this meta‐analysis. An antebrachial pattern was revealed to be more prevalent than a palmar pattern (34.0% vs. 8.6%). A palmar PMA was reported in 2.6% of patients undergoing surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome when compared to cadaveric studies of adult patients in which the prevalence was 8.6%. Both patterns of PMA are prevalent in a considerable portion of the general population. As the estimated prevalence of the PMA was found to be significantly lower in patients undergoing surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome than those reported in cadaveric studies, its etiological contribution to carpal tunnel syndrome is questionable. Surgeons operating on the forearm and carpal tunnel should understand the anatomy and surgical implications of the PMA and its anatomical patterns.
Peri‐Implantitis and Concomitant Perigraftitis of an Implant Placed in a Site That Had Alveolar Ridge Preservation Three Decades Earlier: A Case Report With Human Histology
Authors: Do Jonathan H.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Although alveolar ridge preservation may minimize alveolar ridge shrinkage following tooth extraction, there is a paucity of data on the effects of alveolar ridge preservation on implant‐related outcomes. The purpose of this manuscript is to report on peri‐implantitis of an implant placed at a site that had alveolar ridge preservation three decades earlier, and the subsequent dislodgement of an approximately 1‐cm3 grafted bone specimen during degranulation 4 months after implant reversal.

Case Presentation

A 58‐year‐old male had #18 removed and the extraction socket grafted in the 1980s. In 2016, an implant was placed at #18 and restored with a screw‐retained restoration. It developed mobility and was removed in 2017; the explantation site was not grafted. In 2018, another implant was placed at #18 and restored in 2019 with a screw‐retained restoration. At the 1‐year follow‐up, the implant had developed peri‐implantitis. Consequently, it was reversed without flap elevation. Four months later, infection remained. A buccal mucoperiosteal flap was reflected. Implant threads remained visible in the grafted bone. During degranulation, an approximately 1‐cm3 grafted bone specimen dislodged from the mandible. Microscopy of the specimen shows numerous synthetic graft particulates surrounded by vital bone, with a mixed acute and chronic inflammatory infiltrate on its periphery.

Conclusion(s)

Within the limitation of this case report, absence of bone resorption due to impaired/altered bone metabolism of the grafted bone likely allowed bacteria to reach and infect the grafted bone via the implant fixture during development and progression of peri‐implantitis.
Percutaneous coronary intervention in end‐stage kidney disease: Trapped between a rock and a hard place
Authors: Shroff Gautam R. , Henry Timothy D.
Published: August 2021

Key Points

Despite advances in technology, patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) continue to have shockingly high 5‐year major adverse cardiac events (83%) and mortality (77.9%) rates.

This study identifies independent variables that could assist in prospective risk modeling in patients with ESKD undergoing PCI.

Clinical impact: The prospective risk modeling is another tool in the therapeutic armamentarium of the heart‐kidney team to utilize in making complex and difficult decisions pertaining to coronary revascularization in ESKD.
Assessing the risk of acute kidney injury after primary PCI: The simpler the sooner the better
Authors: Cao Davide , Dangas George D.
Published: August 2021

Key Points

In patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), five simple variables unrelated to the procedure may accurately identify those at increased risk of contrast‐associated acute kidney injury (CA‐AKI).

Assessing the risk of CA‐AKI at the time of hospital admission for STEMI may facilitate the timely implementation of adequate preventive measures and inform patient centered decisions.

Further research is needed to identify optimal hydration protocols and adjunctive therapies aimed a mitigating the risk of CA‐AKI after primary PCI.
Critical limb ischemia in the end stage renal disease patient: Some next steps
Authors: Winscott John G. , Hillegass William B.
Published: August 2021

Key Points

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing endovascular or open revascularization have 50%–70% lower odds of survival, freedom from amputation, and secondary patency than those without ESRD.

Increased arterial medial calcification, inflammation, comorbidities, and impaired wound healing are the likely causes of worse outcomes in ESRD CLI patients after revascularization compared to other CLI patients without ESRD.

Better risk prediction to inform revascularization decisions and enhanced local wound care are potential avenues for improving outcomes awaiting development of more effective systemic therapies and revascularization approaches for ESRD CLI patients.
Intravascular lithotripsy for calcified coronary arteries in the real‐world: From rock to metal
Authors: Seth Ashok , Kumar Vijay
Published: August 2021

Key Points

The safety and effectiveness of IVL has been demonstrated in DISRUPT CAD studies in selected severely calcified coronary lesion.

'Real‐world use' of IVL extends to more complex calcified lesions not evaluated in the above studies.

Understanding best practices when using IVL ensures optimal outcomes for the patients.
Perforated Jejunal Diverticulitis: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain
Authors: Ben Ismail Imen , Ben Chaabene Hamadi , Rebii Saber , Zoghlami Ayoub
Published: August 2021

It is imperative for surgeons to have a heightened awareness of complications of jejunal diverticular disease so that they can act quickly and contribute to a successful clinical outcome for their patients.
Recent Progress in Liquid State Electrochemistry Coupled with NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Pietrzak Mariusz , Jopa Sylwia , Mames Adam , Urbańczyk Mateusz , Woźny Mateusz , Ratajczyk Tomasz
Published: August 2021

Analytical methods of electrochemistry (EC) are relatively inexpensive, and widely used in science, industry, and medicine. Although EC is distinguished by its high sensitivity, it does not provide direct and detailed data about the bond connectivity or dynamics of the molecular system. Conversely, Magnetic Resonance (MR) gives comprehensive insights into the structure and dynamics of molecules but suffers from low sensitivity. The strengths and shortcomings of EC and NMR are thus complementary. The combination of these orthogonal techniques into EC‐NMR creates a powerful tool that should be able to provide analytical data barely available for EC or NMR alone. This review presents recent developments in the field of EC‐NMR – we describe experimental designs with electrodes made of metal wires, thin films, and nonmetallic materials, as well as performance improvements achieved by the implementation of micro‐NMR, hyperpolarization, new pulse sequences, and 3D printing. We also review the application of EC‐NMR in catalysis for sustainable energy conversion.
A Convenient Formal [4+2] Heterocylization Route to Bis(triflyl)tetrahydroquinolines
Authors: Lázaro‐Milla Carlos , Almendros Pedro
Published: August 2021

We report the sustainable and efficient synthesis of a new type of quinoline derivatives bearing one or two SO2CF3 groups. The protocol is metal‐, catalyst‐ and irradiation‐free, involves the use of readily available and stable precursors, and avoids the formation of side products. Also, the mild conditions of the process allow the tolerance of a wide range of functional groups.
A provably secure sharding based blockchain smart contract centric hierarchical group key agreement for large wireless ad‐hoc networks
Authors: Naresh Vankamamidi S. , Allavarpu V. V. L. Divakar , Reddi Sivaranjani , Murty Pilla Sita Rama , Raju N. V. S. Lakshmipathi , Mohan R. N. V. Jagan
Published: August 2021

Group key management with privacy preserving and trust still remains a precarious and stimulating issue for securing multicast communications in an energy embarrassed large wireless ad‐hoc networks (WANETs). To address this, few researchers with the adaption of blockchain technology and practical usage of a privacy‐preserving smart contract as group controller made these group key agreements adaptable to WANET. However, proportionate to the increase in the size of the group, the processing load on the smart contract is also increasing, which made the capability of the smart contract could not work beyond a certain group size. Contemporary blockchain schemes suffer from various inherent shortcomings in their latency, scalability, and processing throughput. So, in this direction, we adopted blockchain sharding smart contract‐centric processing for making the key agreement adaptable to large WANETs. In this technique, we divide the large network intorsharded subnetworks withG1,G2,G3, …,Gras smart contract instances generated by group controllerG, which acts as subgroup controllers to their respective shards using blockchain sharding technique. This protocol is shown secure under the assumptions elliptic curve decision Diffie–Hellman and group‐elliptic curve Diffie–Hellman. The performance analysis demonstrates that the proposed protocol is highly proficient than examined protocols for secure communication in large WANETs.
An improved model‐based evolutionary algorithm for multi‐objective optimization
Authors: Gholamnezhad Pezhman , Broumandnia Ali , Seydi Vahid
Published: August 2021

The basic idea in the estimation of distribution algorithms is the replacement of heuristic operators with machine learning models such as regression models, clustering models, or classification models. So, recently, the model‐based evolutionary algorithms (MBEAs) have been suggested in three groups: The estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs), surrogate assisted evolutionary algorithms, and the inversed models to map from the objective space to the decision space. In this article, a new approach, based on an inversed model of Gaussian process and random forest framework, is proposed. The main idea is applying the process of random forest variable importance with a random grouping that determines some of the best assignment of decision variables to objective functions in order to form a Gaussian process in inverse models that maps to decision space the rich solutions which are discovered from objective space. Then these inverse models through sampling the objective space generate offspring. The proposed algorithm has been tested on the benchmark test suite for evolutionary algorithms (modified Deb K, Thiele L, Laumanns M, Zitzler E (DTLZ), and Walking Fish Group (WFG)) and indicates that the proposed method is a competitive and promising approach.
Models of Inflammation: Carrageenan Air Pouch
Authors: Fehrenbacher Jill C. , McCarson Kenneth E.
Published: August 2021

The subcutaneous air pouch is an in vivo model that can be used to study the components of acute and chronic inflammation, the resolution of the inflammatory response, the oxidative stress response, and potential therapeutic targets for treating inflammation. Injection of irritants into an air pouch in rats or mice induces an inflammatory response that can be quantified by the volume of exudate produced, the infiltration of cells, and the release of inflammatory mediators. The model presented in this article has been extensively used to identify potential anti‐inflammatory drugs. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Air pouch model in the rat

Alternate Protocol: Air pouch model in the mouse
Mixed‐Halide Double Perovskite Cs2AgBiX6 (X=Br, I) with Tunable Optical Properties via Anion Exchange
Authors: Wu Hua , Erbing Axel , Johansson Malin B. , Wang Junxin , Kamal Chinnathambi , Odelius Michael , Johansson Erik M. J.
Published: August 2021

Lead‐free double perovskites, A2M+M′3+X6, are considered as promising alternatives to lead‐halide perovskites, in optoelectronics applications. Although iodide (I) and bromide (Br) mixing is a versatile tool for bandgap tuning in lead perovskites, similar mixed I/Br double perovskite films have not been reported in double perovskites, which may be due to the large activation energy for ion migration. In this work, mixed Br/I double perovskites were realized utilizing an anion exchange method starting from Cs2AgBiBr6 solid thin‐films with large grain‐size. The optical and structural properties were studied experimentally and theoretically. Importantly, the halide exchange mechanism was investigated. Hydroiodic acid was the key factor to facilitate the halide exchange reaction, through a dissolution–recrystallization process. In addition, the common organic iodide salts could successfully perform halide‐exchange while retaining high mixed‐halide phase stability and strong light absorption capability.
Retracted: An enhance the data security performance using an optimal cloud network security for big data cloud framework
Authors: Venkatesan B. , Chitra S.
Published: August 2021

Venkatesan B, Chitra S. An enhance the data security performance using an optimal cloud network security for big data cloud framework, International Journal of Communication Systems 2021, (https://doi.org/10.1002/dac.4854). The above article published online on 9 August 2021 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the Editor and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Following publication, it has come to our attention that the people named as the Guest Editors of the Special Issue were being impersonated by a fraudulent entity and the articles were not reviewed in line with the journal's peer review standards. The Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards of the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract the article. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. The authors have been informed of the decision to retract.
MicroRNA‐214‐5p aggravates sepsis‐related acute kidney injury in mice
Authors: Guo Cheng , Ye Fang‐Xiong , Jian Yong‐Hong , Liu Chun‐Hua , Tu Zhi‐Hui , Yang Ding‐Ping
Published: August 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a devastating comorbidity in sepsis and correlates with a very poor prognosis and increased mortality. Currently, we use lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish sepsis‐related AKI and try to demonstrate the pathophysiological role of microRNA‐214‐5p (miR‐214‐5p) in this process. Mice were intravenously injected with the miR‐214‐5p agomir, antagomir or negative controls for three consecutive days and then received a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg) for 24 h to induce AKI. Besides, the Boston University mouse proximal tubular cell lines were stimulated with LPS (10 μg/ml) for 8 h to investigate the role of miR‐214‐5p in vitro. To inhibit adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), compound C (CpC) was used in vivo. For glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor (GLP‐1R) silence, cells were transfected with the small interfering RNA against GLP‐1R. miR‐214‐5p level was upregulated in LPS‐treated kidneys and proximal tubular cell lines. The miR‐214‐5p antagomir reduced LPS‐induced renal inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby preventing renal damage and dysfunction. In contrast, the miR‐214‐5p agomir aggravated LPS‐induced inflammation, oxidative stress and AKI in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that the miR‐214‐5p antagomir prevented septic AKI via activating AMPK and that CpC treatment completely abrogated its renoprotective effect in mice. Further detection showed that miR‐214‐5p directly bound to the 3′‐untranslational region of GLP‐1R to inhibit GLP‐1R/AMPK axis. Our data identify miR‐214‐5p as a promising therapeutic candidate to treat sepsis‐related AKI.
Vertebrate scavenging dynamics differ between carnivore and herbivore carcasses in the northern boreal forest
Authors: Peers Michael J. L. , Konkolics Sean M. , Majchrzak Yasmine N. , Menzies Allyson K. , Studd Emily K. , Boonstra Rudy , Boutin Stan , Lamb Clayton T.
Published: August 2021

Vertebrate scavenging can impact food web dynamics, but our understanding of this process stems predominantly from monitoring herbivore carrion and extrapolating results across carcass types. Recent evidence suggests carnivores may avoid intraguild scavenging to reduce parasite transmission. If this behavior is widespread across diverse ecosystems, estimation of nutrient cycling and community scavenging rates are likely biased to a currently unknown degree. We examined whether the time to initiate scavenging, carcass persistence, or the richness of species scavenging in the boreal forest of Yukon, Canada, differed between carnivore and herbivore carcasses. Vertebrates took longer to initiate scavenging on carnivore carcasses (3.2 d) relative to herbivore carcasses (1.1 d), and carnivore carcasses persisted on the landscape for over a month longer (48.4 d and 5.5 d, respectively). The longer persistence times were due to the reduction in scavenging by carnivores such as Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). Decreased scavenging was caused by changes in the propensity to consume carnivore carrion, as the number of species detecting a carcass within the first week did not differ between carnivore and herbivore carcasses. These results have ramifications for our understanding of nutrient cycling and food web dynamics in the boreal forest and provide further support that carcass type should be included in future studies.