bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Piperazine‐Modified Ketoconazole Derivatives Show Increased Activity against Fungal and Trypanosomatid Pathogens
Authors: Štěpánek Ondřej , Čmoková Adéla , Procházková Eliška , Grobárová Valéria , Černý Jan , Slapničková Martina , Zíková Alena , Kolařík Miroslav , Baszczyňski Ondřej
Published: September 2022

Ketoconazole (KTZ) is an imidazole drug applied topically to treat numerous skin infections. However, as a systemic antifungal, KTZ′ efficacy and safety no longer justify its use as a first‐line treatment. Azole conjugates often display higher solubility and better antifungal activities than their parent azoles. Accordingly, we aimed at developing suitable linkers for clickable azole conjugation with a second antifungal molecule, and targeted drug delivery towards improving antifungal activity. For its low price and high availability, we selected KTZ as a molecular scaffold to introduce such chemical modifications. We prepared a series of piperazine‐modified KTZ derivatives and we evaluated their in vitro antifungal and antitrypanosomal activity against fourteen strains of pathogenic fungi and two strains of Trypanosoma parasites. Several compounds were more effective against the pathogens than KTZ. Compound 5 was 24 times more potent against Aspergillus flavus and 8 times more potent against A. fumigatus than KTZ, with similarly low cytotoxicity to HEK cells up to 100 μM. Derivative 6 had 9‐ and 7‐fold higher activity against T. brucei gambiense and T. brucei brucei than KTZ, respectively, and inhibited trypanosoma growth at single micromolar EC50 values. Combined, our findings will foster further research of piperazine‐modified KTZs as promising antifungal and antiparasitic drugs towards enhancing the properties of both KTZ and other azole derivatives.
Fuzzy optimization based detection of attacker nodes in wireless networks using deep neural network
Authors: Daniel Jesline , Anita Rose J. T. , Francelin Vinnarasi F. Sangeetha
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, information security attacks are emerging as the main threat to network behavior. The deployment of sensor nodes in the open environment will be subjected to various kinds of DoS attacks and it needs to be analyzed. In this article, we considered two attacks namely, black hole attack and wormhole attack. The number of sensor nodes in the wireless network deployed in the network is taken as input data. Data packet drop and transmission latency are considered as two significant drawbacks of black hole and wormhole attack. Therefore, to conquer such limitations, the deep neural network based fuzzy imperialist competitive algorithm (DNN‐FICA) is developed which accurately detects the presence of attacker node in the wireless network. Here, the FICA approach is utilized to optimize the weights of DNN. The simulation is conducted using MATLAB software considering the performance metrics such as detection rate, packet delivery ratio, energy consumption, network lifetime, end‐to‐end delay, communication overhead, throughput, and residual energy. The comparative results are carried out and the result analysis proved that the proposed DNN‐FICA technique achieved greater overall performance than other compared methods.
A blockchain anonymity solution to prevent location homogeneity attacks
Authors: Liu Zhenpeng , Liu Qiannan , Miao Dewei , Ren Lele , Zhao Yonggang
Published: September 2022

Location‐based services currently face two critical issues: an insufficient number of anonymous users and the problem of location semantic homogeneity. To prevent location homogeneity attacks, we suggest a blockchain‐based anonymization approach. This scheme introduces blockchain to store the anonymous process of the requesting user and collaborating user as evidence, establishes an incentive mechanism to promote cooperation between the two parties, and then selects users who meet the semantic threshold through the location semantic tree to construct the final anonymous set. The security analysis and simulation experiments demonstrate that the scheme suggested in this article can effectively motivate and constrain each user. The semantic security value is close to the maximum value of 1, preventing homogeneity attacks caused by location semantics and protecting users' location privacy.
Toward Stable Al Negative Electrodes of Aluminum‐Ion Batteries: Kinetic Parameters and Electrode Structure
Authors: Li Na , She Dongmei , Zhang Kailun , Chen Hao‐Sen , Song Wei‐Li , Jiao Shuqiang
Published: September 2022

Rechargeable aluminum‐ion batteries have attracted significant attention as candidates for next‐generation energy storage devices owing to their high theoretical capacity, safe performance, and abundance of raw materials. Al metal is the best option as the negative electrode, while its issues such as dendrite growth and corrosion accompanying hydrogen evolution in ionic liquid electrolyte have been seriously overlooked. Understanding the electrochemical mechanism of the surface evolution behavior of Al metal is a vital pathway for solving these issues. Kinetic parameters and electrode structure are the two key parameters that affect the surface evolution behavior of Al negative electrodes. Herein, the qualitative relationship between the kinetic parameters and surface evolution behavior of the Al negative electrode was established through a combination of in‐situ optical technology and multi‐physical field numerical simulation method. The key kinetic parameters, including ion concentration and transfer coefficient, exhibited different laws of influence on the surface evolution behavior, such as dendrite growth and corrosion. The electrochemical mechanism on the surface evolution was explored to guide the optimization design of Al‐ion batteries. Based on the coupling design of the electrode structure and kinetic parameters, a highly stable porous aluminum structure composed of Al powder with a particle size of 100 μm was constructed to obtain highly stable and high‐performance aluminum‐ion batteries. This method provides new sight into the design of high‐performance aluminum‐ion batteries.
EPO and the athlete biological passport: Hematological results from a placebo‐controlled, boosting and microdose EPO administration in male recreational athletes
Authors: Miller Geoffrey D. , Husk Jacob , Crouch Andre K. , Eichner Daniel
Published: September 2022

Hematological results in the context of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) from a placebo‐controlled EPO administration study are provided here. Twelve participants administered eight subcutaneous boosting doses of epoetin alfa (at 40 IU/kg) over the course of 20 days. After a 10‐day washout period, the same volunteers administered six microdoses (900 IU), intravenously, over 13 days. A blinded placebo cohort followed the same dosing pattern, administering saline instead of EPO. All participants supplemented with oral iron, daily, throughout the entirety of the study. In the EPO cohort, as expected, significant changes from baseline were identified in IRF, RET#, RET%, RDW, HCT, HGB, and RBC. No meaningful changes were identified in the placebo cohort population. From the ABP perspective, atypical passport findings (ATPF) were identified in 49% of the samples collected during the boosting and initial washout phases, and 24% of the samples during the microdosing and final washout phases. ATPFs from this cohort were flagged as late as Day 70, the final day of the study. Only a single ATPF was identified from all samples collected from the placebo cohort. ABPs from all volunteers in the study are provided as an avenue to visually convey differences in magnitude and timing of the hematological changes caused by EPO on the individual level. These data are expected to provide important content for Athlete Passport Management Units and ABP expert panels alike.
Sexual size dimorphism and male reproductive traits vary across populations of a tropical rainforest dung beetle species (Onthophagus babirussa)
Authors: Toh Kai Xin , Yap Sean , Goh Thary Gazi , Puniamoorthy Nalini
Published: September 2022

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) arises when natural selection and sexual selection act differently on males and females. Male‐biased SSD is rarer in insects and usually indicates strong sexual selection pressure on male body size in a species. Patterns of SSD can also vary between populations of species that are exposed to different environmental conditions, such as differing resource availability and diversity. Here, we investigate intraspecific variation in SSD as well as relative investment in precopulatory (horn length) and postcopulatory traits (sperm length and testes weight) in a tropical rainforest dung beetle Onthophagus babirussa across Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Overall, three out of four populations displayed significant male‐biased SSD, and SSD was greater in populations with smaller overall body size. Average male body size was similar across all populations while female body size was significantly smaller in Singapore, suggesting that the pronounced SSD may also be due to stronger sexual selection on male body size in Singapore populations. All populations showed significant investment in horns as a weapon likely used in male‐male competition, while postcopulatory traits showed no clear scaling relationship with body size, suggesting a higher priority on precopulatory sexual traits in the mating system of this species.
Niche and range dynamics of Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), a globally cultivated invasive tree
Authors: Cao Runyao , Gong Xiang , Feng Jianmeng , Yang Rujing
Published: September 2022

The ecological niche concept has provided insights into various areas in ecology and biogeography. Although there remains much controversy regarding whether species niches are conserved across space and time, many recent studies have suggested that invasive species conserve their climatic niche between native and introduced ranges; however, whether the climatic niche of cultivated invasive species, whose niches are strongly affected by human activities, are conserved between native and introduced ranges remains unclear. Additionally, the range dynamics of invasive species in their native and introduced regions have not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the niche and range dynamics of Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), a globally cultivated invasive tree, using ecological niche models and niche dynamic analyses. The most important factors affecting the niche changes between native and introduced Tasmanian blue gum were max temperature of the warmest month and precipitation of the wettest month. The climate niche was not conserved between introduced and native range Tasmanian blue gum; moreover, the niche area of the former was ca. 7.4 times larger than that of the latter, as introduced Tasmanian blue gum could survive in hotter, colder, wetter, and drier climates. In addition, the potential range of introduced Tasmanian blue gum was ca. 32 times larger than that of its native counterpart. Human introduction and cultivation may play a key role in the niche and range expansion of introduced Tasmanian blue gum. Given that small increases in niche area can result in large range expansions, the niche expansion of an invasive species could be used to evaluate invasion risk, which might even be more sensitive than range expansions.
Rising temperatures threaten pollinators of fig trees—Keystone resources of tropical forests
Authors: van Kolfschoten Lisette , Dück Lovisa , Lind Martin I. , Jandér K. Charlotte
Published: September 2022

Pollinating insects are decreasing worldwide in abundance, biomass, and species richness, affecting the plants that rely on pollinators for fruit production and seed set. Insects are often sensitive to high temperatures. The projected temperature increases may therefore severely affect plants that rely on insect pollinators. Highly specialized mutualisms are expected to be particularly vulnerable to change because they have fewer partner options should one partner become unavailable. In the highly specialized mutualism between fig trees and their pollinating fig wasp, each fig species is pollinated by only one or a few wasp species. Because of their year‐round fruit production, fig trees are considered a keystone resource for tropical forests. However, to produce fruits, wild fig trees need to be pollinated by fig wasps that typically travel a long one‐way trip from the tree donating pollen to the tree receiving pollen. In a few previous studies from China and Australia, increasing temperatures dramatically decreased fig wasp lifespan. Are these grim results generalizable to fig mutualisms globally? Here, we use survival experiments to determine the effect of increasing temperature on the lifespan of Neotropical fig wasps associated with five common PanamanianFicusspecies. Experimental temperatures were based on the current daytime mean temperature of 26.8°C (2SD: 21.6–31.7°C) and the predicted local temperature increase of 1–4°C by the end of the 21st century. We found that all tested pollinator wasp species had a significantly shorter lifespan in 30, 32, 34, and 36°C compared to the current diurnal mean temperature of 26°C. At 36°C pollinator median lifespan decreased to merely 2–10 h (6%–19% of their median lifespan at 26°C). Unless wasps can adapt, such a dramatic reduction in lifespan is expected to reduce the number of pollinators that successfully disperse to flowering fig trees, and may therefore jeopardize both fruit set and eventually survival of the mutualism.
“Realistic strategies” and neutral processes drive the community assembly based on leaf functional traits in a subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest
Authors: Zhao Lijuan , Xiang Wenhua , Li Jiaxiang , Liu Wenqian , Hu Yanting , Wu Huili , Zhang Yiling , Cheng Xing , Wang Weijia , Wang Wentao , Ouyang Shuai
Published: September 2022

Neutral‐theory‐based stochastic and niche‐theory‐based determinative processes are commonly used to explain the mechanisms of natural community assembly. However, considerable uncertainty remains regarding the relative importance of different ecological processes in shaping forest communities. Functional traits and phylogeny provide important information about plant environmental adaptation strategies and evolutionary history and promise a better mechanistic and predictive understanding of community assembly. Based on nine leaf functional traits and phylogenetic data of 18 dominant species in a Lithocarpus glaber–Cyclobalanopsis glauca evergreen broad‐leaved forest, we analyzed the variation in traits, explored the influence of phylogeny and environment on leaf traits, and distinguished the relative effects of spatial and environmental variables on functional traits and phylogenetic compositions. The results showed the following: (i) Leaf traits had moderate intraspecific variation, and significant interspecific variation existed especially among life forms. (ii) Significant phylogenetic signals were detected only in leaf thickness and leaf area. The correlations among traits both supported “the leaf economics spectrum” at the species and community levels, and the relationships significantly increased or only a little change after removing the phylogenetic influence, which showed a lack of consistency between the leaf functional trait patterns and phylogenetic patterns. We infer the coexistent species tended to adopt “realism” to adapt to their habitats. (iii) Soil total potassium and phosphorus content, altitude, aspect, and convexity were the most critical environmental factors affecting functional traits and phylogenetic composition. Total environmental and spatial variables explained 63.38% of the variation in functional trait composition and 47.96% of the variation in phylogenetic structures. Meanwhile, the contribution of pure spatial factors was significantly higher than that of the pure environment. Stochastic processes played dominant roles in driving community functional trait assembly, but determinative processes such as environmental filtering had a stronger effect on shaping community phylogenetic structure at a fine scale.
Using temporal genomics to understand contemporary climate change responses in wildlife
Authors: Jensen Evelyn L. , Leigh Deborah M.
Published: September 2022

Monitoring the evolutionary responses of species to ongoing global climate change is critical for informing conservation. Population genomic studies that use samples from multiple time points (“temporal genomics”) are uniquely able to make direct observations of change over time. Consequently, only temporal studies can show genetic erosion or spatiotemporal changes in population structure. Temporal genomic studies directly examining climate change effects are currently rare but will likely increase in the coming years due to their high conservation value. Here, we highlight four key genetic indicators that can be monitored using temporal genomics to understand how species are responding to climate change. All indicators crucially rely on having a suitable baseline that accurately represents the past condition of the population, and we discuss aspects of study design that must be considered to achieve this.
Association of congestion with worsening renal function in acute decompensated heart failure according to age
Authors: Odajima Susumu , Fujimoto Wataru , Kuroda Koji , Yamashita Soichiro , Imanishi Junichi , Iwasaki Masamichi , Todoroki Takafumi , Okuda Masanori , Hayashi Takatoshi , Konishi Akihide , Shinohara Masakazu , Toh Ryuji , Hirata Ken‐ichi , Tanaka Hidekazu
Published: September 2022

Aims

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a frequent cause of hospitalization for patients with heart disease, and ADHF patients are at high risk of heart failure (HF) re‐hospitalization. Residual congestion at discharge is also a strong predictor of poor outcomes and re‐hospitalization for ADHF patients. However, the impact of residual congestion at discharge on worsening renal function (WRF) in both high‐aged and older patients remains uncertain because previous studies of WRF in ADHF patients were conducted for older patients. We therefore designed and conducted a retrospective, population‐based study using the Kobe University Heart Failure Registry in Awaji Medical Center (KUNIUMI) Registry to investigate the association of residual congestion at discharge with WRF in ADHF patients according to age.

Methods and results

We studied 966 hospitalized ADHF patients with a mean age of 80.2 ± 11.4 years from among 1971 listed in the KUNIUMI Registry. WRF was defined as an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL in the serum creatinine level during the hospital stay compared with the value on admission. The primary endpoint was defined as cardiovascular death or HF re‐hospitalization after discharge over a mean follow‐up period of 2.0 ± 0.1 years. The primary endpoint was recorded for 369 patients (38.2%). As expected, patients with both WRF and residual congestion at discharge had significantly less favourable outcomes compared with those without one of them, and patients without either of these two characteristics had the most favourable outcomes, whereas those with residual congestion and with WRF had the least favourable outcomes. Moreover, WRF was significantly associated with worse outcomes for high‐aged patients ≥80 years old, but not for those <80 years old if decongested. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that both residual congestion at discharge and WRF were the independent predictors of outcomes for high‐aged patients, but residual congestion at discharge, not WRF, was the independent predictor of outcomes for older patients.

Conclusions

Association of residual congestion at discharge with WRF for hospitalized ADHF patients can differ according to age. Our findings showed the importance of WRF and residual congestion at discharge for high‐aged ADHF patients and of aggressive diuresis to alleviate congestion for older ADHF patients for better management of such patients in a rapidly ageing society.
Characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with acute heart failure with a supranormal left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: van Essen Bart J. , Tromp Jasper , ter Maaten Jozine M. , Greenberg Barry H. , Gimpelewicz Claudio , Felker G. Michael , Davison Beth A. , Severin Thomas , Pang Peter S. , Cotter Gad , Teerlink John R. , Metra Marco , Voors Adriaan A.
Published: September 2022

Aim

Recent data suggest that guideline‐directed medical therapy of patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) might improve clinical outcomes in patients with HF up to a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 55–65%, whereas patients with higher LVEF do not seem to benefit. Recent data have shown that LVEF may have a U‐shaped relation with outcome, with poorer outcome also in patients with supranormal values. This suggests that patients with supranormal LVEF may be a distinctive group of patients.

Methods and results

RELAX‐AHF‐2 was a multicentre, placebo‐controlled trial on the effects of serelaxin on 180‐day cardiovascular (CV) mortality and worsening HF at day 5 in patients with acute HF. Echocardiograms were performed at hospital admission in 6128 patients: 155 (2.5%) patients were classified as HF with supranormal ejection fraction (HFsnEF; LVEF >65%), 1440 (23.5%) as HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; LVEF 50–65%), 1353 (22.1%) as HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF; LVEF 41–49%) and 3180 (51.9%) as HFrEF (LVEF <40%). Patients with HFsnEF compared to HFpEF were more often women, had higher prevalence of non‐ischaemic HF, had lower levels of natriuretic peptides, were less likely to be treated with beta‐blockers and had higher blood urea nitrogen plasma levels. All‐cause mortality was not statistically different between groups, although patients with HFsnEF had the highest numerical rate. A declining trend was seen in the proportion of 180‐day deaths due to CV causes from HFrEF (290/359, 80.8%) to HFsnEF (14/24, 58.3%). The reverse was observed with death from non‐CV causes. No treatment effect of serelaxin was observed in any of the subgroups.

Conclusions

In this study, only 2.5% of patients were classified as HFsnEF. HFsnEF was primarily characterized by female sex, lower natriuretic peptides and a higher risk of non‐CV death.
Recent Advances in the Development and Synthesis of Carbohydrate‐Based Molecules with Promising Antibacterial Activity
Authors: de Matos Ana Marta
Published: September 2022

With the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), innovation in antibacterial drug research and development is urgently needed and strongly encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO). Carbohydrates are valuable bioactive scaffolds to be explored in this context, and because of their unique multifunctionality, stereochemical diversity, and natural protein‐binding profile, they come across as attractive starting materials for the synthesis of antimicrobial agents with innovative mechanisms of action (MoA). In this concise review, state‐of‐the‐art methodologies for the synthesis of an array of promising and recently developed carbohydrate‐based molecules with antibacterial activity are presented and discussed. By describing successful case studies as platforms for the scrutiny of carbohydrate modification and coupling approaches in organic chemistry, this work summarizes the latest research efforts in this area, ultimately encouraging the design and synthesis of new and much‐needed glycoantibiotic leads for pharmaceutical development.
Reaction‐to‐fire testing of bus interior materials: Assessing burning behaviour and smoke gas toxicity
Authors: Klippel Andrea , Hofmann Anja , Gnutzmann Tanja , Piechnik Kira
Published: September 2022

Although fire safety regulations for buses have been adapted in recent years regarding, for example, fire detection and engine fire suppression systems, the changes in regulations for bus interior materials are minimal. A comparison of fire safety regulations for interior materials in other transport sectors for trains, ships or aircraft reveals a much lower level of requirements for bus materials. Although repeated bus accidents as well as fire statistics show the danger a bus fire can pose to passengers. In particular, the combination of a fire incident and passengers with reduced mobility led to severe disasters in Germany and other European countries. To enhance the fire safety for passengers, the interior bus materials are crucial as the fire development in the bus cabin determines whether escape and rescue is possible. Against this background, bus interior materials were tested in different fire test scenarios. Measurement of a wide variety of parameters, for example, the mass loss, ignition time, smoke gas composition, heat release rate among others were carried out. Tested materials complied to the newest set of requirements. For this purpose, interior materials and their components had to be identified according to their chemical structure. Parts of the tests were funded by BASt (Federal Highway Research Institute) in the project 82.0723/2018. Experimental results show reaction‐to‐fire behaviour which lead to very limited times for escape and rescue in case of fire in a bus cabin. Based on the studies on fire behaviour and toxicity assessment, recommendations for improved fire safety regulations for interior materials could be made.
Effects of high‐temperature short‐time processing on nutrition quality of Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) using extracted fatty acids as the indicator
Authors: Ding Kaihui , Wang Yifen , Luan Donglei
Published: September 2022

Microwave thermal processing is a promising technology to greatly improve product quality by achieving high‐temperature short‐time (HTST) processing for solid foods. And the non‐thermal effect of microwave fields on nutritional quality is a major public concern. To distinguish the non‐thermal effect of microwave fields, the thermal effect of HTST processing should be revealed first. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different HTST processing on quality of Pacific saury fillets using extracted fatty acids as the indicator. A self‐developed thermal processing system was used to conduct the HTST processing with different heating rate (5.48–18.30°C/min), maximum heating temperature (123, 133 °C), and thermal processing level (F0 = 3.0 min, 6.0 min). Results showed that the extraction coefficient of lipids and fatty acids decreased with increasing heating rates, which implied less thermal damage of fish tissue, while higher thermal processing level increased these extraction coefficients. However, higher maximum processing temperature caused serious thermal damage of fatty acids, especially for PUFAs. Furthermore, changing pattern of each fatty acid during different HTST processing was revealed, which provided fundamental data for designing microwave thermal processing and exploring microwave non‐thermal effects.
Post‐collisional sedimentation of the Early Mesozoic Munamdong Formation in South Korea
Authors: Choi Younggi , Gihm Yong Sik
Published: September 2022

Post‐collisional processes cause uplift and exhumation of the overthickened crust together with the formation of sedimentary basins. To determine the influence of post‐collisional processes on sedimentation, we investigated the Early Mesozoic Munamdong Formation of the Yuljeon Basin in the Korean Peninsula, deposited immediately after the orogenic events caused by the collision of the North China Block and South China Block. Facies analysis shows that the Munamdong Formation was deposited in a streamflow‐dominated alluvial fan under tropical/subtropical climatic conditions. Vertically, the Munamdong Formation exhibits a fining‐upward trend with changes in stacking patterns, from highly amalgamated channel conglomerates to floodplain fines, indicating a progressive increase in the creation of accommodation space exceeding sediment supply. Moreover, the types of gravels in the conglomerate beds and the petrographic characteristics of the sandstones suggest that the sediments were supplied rapidly from nearby Precambrian high‐grade metamorphic rocks and Triassic post‐collisional plutons. These results indicate the supply of sediment from restricted sources, implying that the drainage basins did not widen even during intermittent quiescence of basin subsidence. We interpret the fining‐upward trend and uniform composition of sediments to have resulted from rapid uplift and exhumation of the orogenic crust, together with rapid tectonic subsidence, possibly aided by post‐collisional magmatism. This study shows that the Munamdong Formation reflects a close connection between surficial sedimentation and post‐collisional tectonic processes. This study will help to fill the gap of understanding between deep crustal processes and post‐collision sedimentation with insight into the Early Mesozoic tectonic environment of the East Asian continental margins.
Radiomics based on magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in head and neck cancer: Machine learning study
Authors: Wang Yuepeng , Yu Taihui , Yang Zehong , Zhou Yuwei , Kang Ziqin , Wang Yan , Huang Zhiquan
Published: September 2022

Background

In this study, we use machine learning techniques to develop an efficient preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics approach for evaluation of cervical lymph node (CLN) status.

Methods

After collecting all patients' MRI images, we used CLN radiomic features, the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) from diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), and lymph node short diameter of the CLN to build MRI model to predict the status of the CLN.

Results

One hundred and twenty cases met inclusion criteria. The MRI model including the radiomic features, ADC, and lymph node size of the CLN achieved better performance for CLN status prediction with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.83.

Conclusions

The multiomic signature of MRI radiomics, ADC, and lymph node size of CLNs has high predictive value for the status of CLNs. This model has provided scientific value to the surgeon regarding cervical lymph nodes before surgery.
Systemic conditions associated with increased risk to develop oral squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dos Santos Erison Santana , Pérez‐de‐Oliveira Maria Eduarda , Normando Ana Gabriela Costa , Gueiros Luiz Alcino Monteiro , Rogatto Silvia Regina , Vargas Pablo Agustin , Lopes Márcio Ajudarte , da Silva Guerra Eliete Neves , Leme Adriana Franco Paes , Santos‐Silva Alan Roger
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to map systemic alterations predisposing to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) onset. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses. Five databases were used to access (1) reports of OSCC co‐occurring in patients with systemic conditions, (2) prevalence of OSCC among these patients, and (3) clinicopathological profiles. Data from more than 1 million patients worldwide showed that Fanconi's anemia, xeroderma pigmentosum, dyskeratosis congenital, chronic fatigue syndrome, and patients post bone marrow transplantation (BMT) present increased risk for OSCC development. The overall prevalence of OSCC in syndromic patients and post‐BMT were 0.65% (95% CI = 0.13–3.11, p < 0.01) and 5.83% (95% CI = 0.00–30.90, p < 0.01), respectively. The certainty of the evidence was moderate. This study demonstrated that some systemic conditions predispose to OSCC. These results present an impact on the screening of OSCC in systemically compromised patients.
Towards CR2 evaluation: Culturally ‐reflexive and ‐responsive evaluation in crises times and beyond
Authors: Gautier Lara
Published: September 2022

More than ever, health services evaluators are in high demand. In such context, evaluation deliverables are time‐ and/or culturally‐sensitive. For the target communities or for those with an interest in the evaluation, the priority is to make sure their voice is prominently featured in evaluation deliverables. This priority coincides with a context where evaluators need to negotiate their positionality, in a context where evaluation deliverables are time‐ and/or culturally‐sensitive. Beyond the mere inclusion of health service users as evaluation stakeholders, how do evaluators position themselves in these discussions? How do they meaningfully navigate this new paradigm in health services evaluation? This issue refers to intangible processes, which can be supported through both natural predisposition and the acquisition of specific skills. Core competencies for credentialled evaluators now all feature the importance of self‐awareness and reflexive thinking; as well as the demonstration of appropriate and respectful verbal and non‐verbal communication skills, and the capacity to identify practice communities' needs and capacity to participate, while recognising, respecting, and responding to aspects of diversity. Culturally‐responsive evaluation is a promising approach to reconcile the world of evaluators and diverse practice communities. Recently, the concept of cultural humility—a reflexive learning process initially designed for frontline workers—has also gained important traction. In this perspective paper, we reflect on the added‐value of combining these two approaches (hence, CR2 evaluation—reflexive and responsive) to fulfil the promise of patient and community‐centeredness in health service evaluation.
Prevalence of mental health problems in mothers of preterm infants admitted to NICU: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Deshwali Akanksha , Dadhwal Vatsla , Vanamail Perumal , Sagar Rajesh , Sharma Aparna , Agarwal Ramesh , Malhotra Neena , Bharti Juhi
Published: September 2022

Objective

To study the prevalence of mental health problems among mothers of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods

In this cross‐sectional two‐arm study, 130 mothers in each group, with either term infants not in NICU or preterm infants admitted to NICU, underwent mental health assessment using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale, Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire and Modified Parental Stress Scale—NICU. Their coping styles and quality of life were also assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM 25.0.

Results

Anxiety (66.2% versus 46.9%) and depression (45.4% versus 23.1%) were more common among NICU mothers. Regarding subdomains of acute stress reaction, a higher number of NICU mothers showed symptoms of anxiety, re‐experience and functional impairment. For mothers with infants in NICU, sight, sound, and parental role alterations were stressful. They had reduced quality of life scores in domains of physical health, psychological health, and social relationships. Also, a higher number of these mothers exhibited problem‐solving and emotion‐focused coping.

Conclusion

Preterm birth with NICU admission of the infant is more stressful for a mother than the term birth of a healthy neonate. It affects her mental health and quality of life. Both the obstetrician and the pediatrician should be mindful of this.
Dynamic volume variation of uterine leiomyomas during pregnancy
Authors: Ye Miaomiao , Huang Wenbin , Chen Fengyun , Chen Weinan , Zhu Xueqiong
Published: September 2022

Objective

To investigate the volume variation of uterine leiomyomas and explore factors predicting their growth trends during pregnancy.

Method

A retrospective observational study was performed on pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas between January 2016 and April 2020. The uterine leiomyoma volume was acquired from obstetrical ultrasound at the first, second, and third trimesters of gestation. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors influencing the volume variation of uterine leiomyomas during pregnancy.

Results

A total of 278 pregnant women diagnosed with uterine leiomyomas were enrolled. The volumetric increase in uterine leiomyomas during pregnancy exhibited a higher growth rate from the first to second trimester (34.09%) than that from the second to third trimester (30.08%). Smaller uterine leiomyomas were more likely to increase in size from the first to second trimester and from the first to third trimester. Retroplacental uterine leiomyomas were more likely to increase in volume than that for uterine leiomyomas located away from the placenta in pregnant women from the second to third trimester.

Conclusion

The uterine leiomyoma volume was potentially enlarged in a nonlinear growth pattern during pregnancy, which was associated with the former volume of uterine leiomyomas and the spatial relationship between leiomyoma‐placental site.
Laparoscopically assisted ovarian cystectomy with totally enclosed protective device for tumor isolation
Authors: Yu Huan , Liang Jing , Liang Haiyan , Feng Dingqing , Ling Bin
Published: September 2022

Objective

To present a novel totally enclosed protective device for tumor isolation in laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted of 16 patients with unilateral ovarian teratoma in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the China‐Japan Friendship Hospital. Laparoscopic surgery was performed with a totally enclosed protective device for tumor isolation, followed by a case series retrospective study. The indexes measured included size of cyst, rate of intraoperative rupture, duration of operation, amount of intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative length of stay in the hospital. An intact cyst resected in the device with no spillage seen indicated a successful surgery.

Results

A total of 16 operations were performed successfully. The mean diameter of the cysts was 7.2 ± 1.4 cm. Of them, 12 (75%) had an intraoperative cyst rupture without spillage. The mean duration of surgery was 1.3 ± 0.1 h and the mean amount of intraoperative blood loss was 12.5 ± 3.2 ml. All postoperative histology tests showed benign cysts. The mean length of stay after surgery was 2.4 ± 0.5 days. No peritonitis‐related symptoms or complaints were reported.

Conclusion

Laparoscopically assisted ovarian cystectomy with a totally enclosed protective device for tumor isolation was confirmed safe and feasible.
A case of primary renal oncocytic tumor: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma or oncocytoma?
Authors: Matsui Kenta , Uchida Katsunori , Kanai Masahiro , Asakawa Kana , Usui Miki , Murata Tetsuya
Published: September 2022

Introduction

“Other oncocytic renal tumors of the kidney” is a new category constituted by 2022 WHO classification and different in the point of morphology and immunohistochemistory from typical oncocytic/eosinophilic renal tumors including chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and oncocytoma.

Case presentation

The patient was an 84‐year‐old woman in whom a left renal tumor was incidentally discovered. She underwent left nephrectomy, and the pathological specimens showed a borderline eosinophilic renal tumor between chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and renal oncocytoma. After all recognized oncocytic tumors were excluded, we diagnosed the tumor as other oncocytic renal tumor of the kidney.

Conclusion

Other oncocytic renal tumor of the kidney is a provisional category. Therefore, further research and accumulation of similar cases are necessary.
Abdominal compartment syndrome after endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery
Authors: Okada Shuhei , Saito Takuro , Ichimura Yasushi , Iinuma Masahiro
Published: September 2022

Introduction

We report a case of abdominal compartment syndrome due to hydroperitoneum after endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery.

Case presentation

A 56‐year‐old woman with a left staghorn calculus underwent endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery as a two‐staged procedure and developed a distended abdomen, cyanosis of both legs, and hypotension immediately after the second operation. A computed tomography scan showed hydroperitoneum. We performed urgent laparotomy and evacuated approximately 2 L of nearly transparent fluid. No peritoneal injury was detected. Postoperatively, she required intensive care for shocked liver and acute kidney injury.

Conclusion

Hydroperitoneum after endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery is a rare complication and may lead to abdominal compartment syndrome or a condition where intra‐abdominal pressure exceeds 20 mmHg, causing impaired organ perfusion. Delayed drainage can be fatal.
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Authors: Xia Mengling , Niu Guangda , Liu Linyue , Gao Runlong , Jin Tong , Wan Pengying , Pan Weicheng , Zhang Xianpeng , Xie Zuoxiang , Teale Sam , Cai Zenghua , Luo Jiajun , Zhao Shan , Wu Haodi , Chen Shiyou , Zheng Zhiping , Xie Qingguo , Ouyang Xiaoping , Sargent Edward H. , Tang Jiang
Published: September 2022

Sensitive and fast detection of neutrons and gamma rays is vital for homeland security, high‐energy physics and proton therapy. However, efficient mixed‐field detection using a single material is highly challenging because fast‐neutron detectors rely on light organic scintillators, and γ‐ray detectors use heavy inorganic scintillators and semiconductors. In the cover, the authors (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12325) illustrate organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskites that combine light organic cations and heavy inorganic skeletons at a molecular level to achieve unprecedented performance for mixed‐field radiation detection, so as to obtain the time information and energy information of the nuclear reaction process accurately.

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The potential moderating role of living in a conflict area on the link between classroom psychosocial stressors, perceived stress and change in anxiety symptoms in Israeli school children
Authors: Behnsen Pia , van Lier Pol , Levavi Kinneret , Marieke Buil Joanne , Huizink Anja , Koot Susanne , Atzaba‐Poria Naama
Published: September 2022

Background

Perceived stress associated with relational victimization from peers and conflictual relations with the teacher have been linked with the development of anxiety symptoms in children. Living in conditions of ongoing stress from the broader environment has also been related to anxiety symptoms in children. In this study, we examined (a) the indirect effect between classroom psychosocial stressors (i.e., relational victimization and conflictual relationships with teachers), perceived stress and anxiety symptom development, and (b) whether this indirect effect was stronger for children living in a high threat region than for children living in a lower threat region.

Methods

Children participating in the study attended elementary school either in a high threat of armed conflict region (15 s to hide in bomb shelter when alarm sounds, n = 220) or in a lower threat of armed conflict region (60 s to hide in a bomb shelter when alarm sounds, n = 188) in Israel. Children were first assessed on conflictual relationships with teachers and peers, subjectively perceived stress and anxiety in 2017 (T0; M age = 10.61 years, SD = 0.78; 45% boys) and re‐assessed (T1) 1 year later, in 2018.

Results

Perceived stress mediated the association between classroom psychosocial stressors and anxiety development. No moderation by threat‐region was found in this indirect effect. However, the association between perceived stress and anxiety development was only significant for children in the high threat region.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that threat of war conflict amplifies the association between perceived stress and the development of anxiety symptoms.
Ultrastructural focus on the oral cavity roof of the juvenile and adult white grouper (Epinephelus aeneus): Novel view of its development with carnivorous adaptation
Authors: Madkour Naglaa F. , Abumandour Mohamed M. A. , El‐Bakary Raafat , Karkoura Ashraf , El‐Gendy Samir , Alsafy Mohamed
Published: September 2022

The present study aims to characterize the ultrastructural roof of the oral cavity roof in juvenile and adult Epinephelus aeneus using SEM. The investigation used 10 roofs of the oral cavity of juvenile and adult stages of age. The results in both age groups showed that the roof had five tooth bands, an upper valve, and a palatine region. The upper lip was divided into the anteriorly median and two lateral parts. The posterior margin of the anterior labial part is not attached to the incisive or canine teeth. The anterior surface of the canine teeth was attached to the transverse part of the upper incisive ridge that was separated from the posterior labial part by a deep groove. The semilunar upper velum showed two surfaces, two borders, and two parts. The median part of the oral surface of the velum carried the extension of the longitudinal part of the upper incisive ridge that had some variation among the two examined age stages. In addition, the median part of the oral surface of the upper velum had two rough areas located laterally on each side of the longitudinal part of the upper incisive ridge. The oral surface had several slightly elevated fungiform papillae with taste buds. The palatine region was divided into the peripheral semilunar part and the wide median part, by palatine teeth and the palatine groove laterally and by vomer teeth anteriorly. The results provided important data for the aquaculture in Egypt in relation to their diet.
Ultrastructure of aedeagus, spermatheca and ovipositor of Julodis ehrenbergii Laporte (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Julodinae) by scanning electron microscope
Authors: Bal Neslihan , Özdikmen Hüseyin , Mutlu Damla Amutkan , Suludere Zekiye
Published: September 2022

The paper presents unknown ultrastructure observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) of aedeagus, spermatheca and ovipositor of Julodis ehrenbergii Laporte (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Julodinae) from Turkey. The studied specimens were collected from Çankırı and Çorum provinces which are new provincial records for Turkey, in July and August 2021. The genus Julodis Eschscholtz includes 49 species in the Palearctic region, while it is represented by seven species in Turkey. One of them, J. ehrenbergii Laporte is represented by only the nominate subspecies in Turkey. As known, aedeagus, spermatheca and ovipositor are taxonomically important structures. Before the present study, however, there are no work on these structures of J. ehrenbergii Laporte. For this reason, ultrastructural and detailed investigations of aedeagus, spermatheca and ovipositor of J. ehrenbergii Laporte from Turkey were firstly studied with SEM and stereo microscope to obtain new diagnostic characters in the genus Julodis Eschscholtz. The female spermatheca is found insignificant and not diagnostic but aedeagus is found important for diagnosis. In addition, the ultrastructural characters of the ovipositor can also be useful for diagnosis. Photos in SEM as well as photos in the stereo microscope are also given in the text.

Highlights

Ultrastructural and detailed investigations of aedeagus, spermatheca and ovipositor of Julodis ehrenbergii Laporte from Turkey were firstly studied with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and stereo microscope to obtain new diagnostic characters in the genus Julodis Eschscholtz.

New diagnostic characters that can be distinguished by SEM have been revealed in aedeagus, spermatheca and ovipositor structures, which are used for morphological differentiation of species.