bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resurrection of dormant zooplankton grazers reveals multiple evolutionary responses to toxic cyanobacteria
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Jiang Xiaodong
Published: July 2022

The cyanobacterial blooms caused by eutrophication exert strong selection on zooplankton grazers. Resurrection ecology, coupled with multivariate reaction norm analysis, can be used to parse the relative contributions of plasticity and evolution to mediating adaptation to environmental changes in natural populations. Here, we tested whether increasing levels of toxic cyanobacteria result in multivariate reaction norm changes in a natural zooplankton population. We resurrected dormant eggs of Ceriodaphnia cornuta (Cladocera) from three sediment layers in Dianshan Lake from 1988 to 2018, a period during which the abundances of cyanobacteria continuously increased, and conducted a common garden experiment to quantify the multivariate reaction norms of nine morphological, life history, and behavioral traits involved in the response to the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. The youngest subpopulation coinciding with the high‐eutrophic period was characterized by smaller size at birth and maturity and fewer offspring in their second broods compared with the oldest subpopulation coinciding with the low‐eutrophic period. Patterns of covariance in multivariate trait space provided strong evidence of adaptive evolution in multiple traits over time. The total trait change generated through both constitutive evolution and evolution of plasticity ranged from 1% to 64% depending on the trait and subpopulations being compared. These results suggest that multivariate phenotypic shifts in response to environmental changes in the study population are achieved by integrating plasticity, evolution of trait means, and evolution of plasticity.
The correlation of flap blood glucose with fat necrosis of free abdominal flap for unilateral breast reconstruction
Authors: Tokumoto Hideki , Akita Shinsuke , Kosaka Kentaro , Kubota Yoshitaka , Mitsukawa Nobuyuki
Published: July 2022

Background

Flap blood glucose (FBG) measurement is proposed as a monitoring technique. A cause of long‐lasting fever could be derived from fat necrosis. If the findings of low FBG correlated with fat necrosis, it could predict the poor cosmetic result and a source of fever. However, this correlation remained unsolved. The purpose of this study was to clarify this correlation in breast reconstruction.

Methods

In the 180 unilateral breast cancer patients (mean age = 49.8 years) performed free abdominal flap, we retrospectively compared the group where fat necrosis occurred with the group where it did not occur (45 patients with fat necrosis vs. 135 patients without). We compared the average of FBG in each postoperative day.

Results

The average FBG was significantly lower in patients with fat necrosis in the second postoperative day (115.3 ± 27.3 vs. 126.3 ± 13.7 mg/dl, p = .026) and the third postoperative day (111.1 ± 22.1 vs. 118.8 ± 13.8 mg/dl, p = .036). Mean BMI and inserted total flap weight were significantly higher in patients with the fat necrosis group (24.8 vs. 22.9 kg/m2, p = .005) (617 vs. 478 g, p = .006). The multivariate analysis revealed early FBG (OR = 0.96, p = .0002) and laterality (right side) (OR = 0.46, p = .043) were independently significant predictors. There were no significant between‐group differences regarding other factors (age, systemic blood glucose, comorbidities and operative details).

Conclusions

The possibility of fat necrosis was high for patients with low FBG in the early postoperative day.
Dynamical analysis of an SDOF quasi‐linear system with jump noises and multitime‐delayed feedback forces
Authors: Jia Wantao , Luo Mingxia , Hao Mengli , Xu Yong
Published: July 2022

In this paper, stochastic dynamics of a single degree‐of‐freedom quasi‐linear system with multitime delays and Poisson white noises are investigated using an approximate procedure based on the stochastic averaging method. The simplified equations, including the averaged stochastic differential equation and the averaged generalized Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equation, are obtained to calculate the probability density functions (PDFs) to explore stationary responses. The expression of the Lyapunov exponent is presented to examine the asymptotic stochastic Lyapunov stability. An illustrative example of a quasi‐linear oscillator with two Poisson white noises controlled by two time‐delayed feedback forces is worked out to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. The approximate stationary PDFs of stochastic responses and asymptotic stochastic stability are demonstrated numerically and theoretically. The results show that the Gaussian white noise has a stronger influence on the dynamics than the Poisson white noise with a small mean arrival rate. Moreover, the influence of the time delay and noise parameters on stochastic dynamics is investigated. It is found that the PDFs under the Poisson white noise approach those under Gaussian white noise as the mean arrival rate increases. The time delay can induce stochastic P‐bifurcation of the system. It is also found that the increase of time delay and the mean arrival rates of the Poisson white noises will broaden the unstable parameter region. The comparison between numerical and theoretical results shows the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On finding strong approximate inverses for tensors
Authors: Khosravi Dehdezi Eisa , Karimi Saeed
Published: July 2022

This article investigates a fast and highly efficient algorithm to find the strong approximation inverse of an invertible tensor. The convergence analysis shows that the proposed method is of ten order of convergence using only six tensor–tensor multiplications per iteration. Also, we obtain a bound for the perturbation error in each iteration. We show that the proposed algorithm can be used for finding the Moore–Penrose and outer inverses of tensors. We obtain the relationship between the singular values of an arbitrary tensor and eigenvalues of the . We give the computational complexity of our algorithm and prove the theoretical aspects of the article. The generalized Moore–Penrose inverse of tensors is defined. As an application, we use the iteration obtained by the algorithm as preconditioning of the Krylov subspace methods to solve the multilinear system . Several numerical experiments are proposed to show the effectiveness and accuracy of the method. Finally, we give some concluding remarks.
Chiral Iodotriptycenes: Synthesis and Catalytic Applications
Authors: Khan Nasim , Itaya Katsunori , Wirth Thomas
Published: July 2022

New iodotriptycenes, including some chiral derivatives, have been synthesised, and their catalytic potential towards oxidative transformations has been investigated. The enantioselectivities observed in the products using chiral iodotriptycene catalysts are low, probably owing to the large distances between the coordinating groups and the iodine moieties in these compounds.
Use of synthetic wollastonite nanofibers in enhancing mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of polyoxymethylene nanocomposites
Authors: Wong Joon Fatt , Chan Jia Xin , Hassan Azman , Mohamad Zurina , Hashim Shahrir , Abd Razak Jeefferie , Ching Yern Chee , Yunos Zaini , Yahaya Ridwan
Published: July 2022

This study investigates the mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of synthetic wollastonite nanofibers (SWN) reinforced polyoxymethylene (POM) nanocomposites. SWN has been added into the POM nanocomposites in the range of 0.5–3 phr via melt blending. The mechanical properties were investigated through tensile and impact tests with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. The thermal characterization was performed by thermogravimetry analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Flame retardancy of nanocomposites was studied through cone calorimetry analysis and limiting oxygen index test. The tensile strength of nanocomposites improved by 5.88% at 1 phr SWN content, whereas Young's modulus increased with increasing content. The thermal stability of nanocomposites was enhanced as indicated by the higher initial degradation temperature, which rose about 22°C at 1 phr SWN content. The POM/SWN nanocomposites exhibited better mechanical strength despite their lower crystallinity due to the substantial reinforcing effect of SWN. The flame retardancy of nanocomposites improved, as indicated by the reduction of peak heat release rate from the cone calorimetry test. This study shows that SWN has simultaneously enhanced the mechanical strength, thermal stability, and flame retardancy of POM nanocomposites and has the potential in automotive applications.
Nondestructive in situ monitoring of pea seeds germination using optical coherence tomography
Authors: Li Xinhua , Yang Xingyu , Li Xiaoran , Zhao Zhiyi , Zhang Zijian , Lin Hungyen , Kang Dingming , Shen Yaochun
Published: July 2022

Seed germination and uniform plant stand in the field are the most critical crop growth stages determining the final yield. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds production is often hampered due to the seed dormancy caused by the hard seed coat. Such effect is mainly attributed to poor or uneven germination and unsynchronised seedling emergence. Understanding the time course of water intake and several critical germination indicators can reveal many features of seed germination such as rate and uniformity. This paper used optical coherence tomography (OCT), a noninvasive and cross‐sectional imaging technique, to monitor the inner structural changes throughout the germination process. A sequence of cross‐sectional OCT images of pea (P. sativum L.) seeds, together with additional microscopic optical images, was recorded continuously and in situ for over 40 h. OCT and microscopic images revealed the changes in the internal structure and the external shape of the pea seeds during germination, respectively. It was found that the cross‐sectional OCT images helped to identify the critical indicators distinguishing the different phases of germination pea seeds. Therefore, the presented OCT approach offers a fast and nondestructive way to precisely measure the structural indicators in different germination phases.
Endosymbionts in cranberry: Diversity, effect on plant growth, and pathogen biocontrol
Authors: Salhi Lila Naouelle , Bustamante Villalobos Peniel , Forget Lise , Burger Gertraud , Lang B. Franz
Published: July 2022

Societal impact statement

This investigation addresses the diversity of microbial endosymbionts in cranberry, which are among the least understood and ill‐defined ericoid symbionts. There is excellent potential for Ericaceous plants, such as cranberry and blueberry, to be farmed more sustainably once the properties and functioning of their associated microbiomes are known in more detail. Here, we demonstrate that some bacterial and fungal endosymbionts of cranberry stimulate plant growth and suppress fungal pathogens. They have the potential for field applications as a first step toward sustainable cranberry farming.

Virtually, all vascular plants harbor bacterial and fungal endosymbionts, which colonize predominantly but not exclusively, roots. Most common among fungal partners are arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF; Glomeromycotina) that live within plant roots and provide soil nutrients to the plant while receiving from the plant organic carbon sources. Ericaceae are an exception as they do not host AMF but rather the taxonomically ill‐defined “ericoid mycorrhizal fungi,” including select ascomycete and basidiomycete species. Because the diversity of endosymbionts in Ericaceae is poorly investigated, we set out to explore the microbiome of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton (cranberry).

Here, we report the isolation and ribotyping of ~180 distinct bacterial and fungal endophytes collected from roots, stems, and leaves of cranberry plants cultivated in Quebec, Canada. Plant growth promotion was assessed after inoculating plant cuttings with these microbes, whereas pathogen suppression was tested on agar plates by growth confrontation.

We show that the cranberry microbiome varies substantially between tissues, cultivars, and across fields of the same farm. Among the isolates, 16 bacterial and 8 fungal strains exhibit biofertilization or biocontrol properties with potential application in sustainable cranberry farming.

We propose to move towards a more rigorous, molecular‐based definition of ericoid mycorrhiza, accounting for their broad evolutionary and morphological diversity.
Heterologous expression of naturally evolved putative de novo proteins with chaperones
Authors: Eicholt Lars A. , Aubel Margaux , Berk Katrin , Bornberg‐Bauer Erich , Lange Andreas
Published: July 2022

Over the past decade, evidence has accumulated that new protein‐coding genes can emerge de novo from previously non‐coding DNA. Most studies have focused on large scale computational predictions of de novo protein‐coding genes across a wide range of organisms. In contrast, experimental data concerning the folding and function of de novo proteins are scarce. This might be due to difficulties in handling de novo proteins in vitro, as most are short and predicted to be disordered. Here, we propose a guideline for the effective expression of eukaryotic de novo proteins in Escherichia coli. We used 11 sequences from Drosophila melanogaster and 10 from Homo sapiens, that are predicted de novo proteins from former studies, for heterologous expression. The candidate de novo proteins have varying secondary structure and disorder content. Using multiple combinations of purification tags, E. coli expression strains, and chaperone systems, we were able to increase the number of solubly expressed putative de novo proteins from 30% to 62%. Our findings indicate that the best combination for expressing putative de novo proteins in E. coli is a GST‐tag with T7 Express cells and co‐expressed chaperones. We found that, overall, proteins with higher predicted disorder were easier to express.

Statement

Today, we know that proteins do not only evolve by duplication and divergence of existing proteins but also arise from previously non‐coding DNA. These proteins are called de novo proteins. Their properties are still poorly understood and their experimental analysis faces major obstacles. Here, we aim to present a starting point for soluble expression of de novo proteins with the help of chaperones and thereby enable further characterization.
ATP‐independent molecular chaperone activity generated under reducing conditions
Authors: Leppert Axel , Chen Gefei , Lianoudaki Danai , Williams Chloe , Zhong Xueying , Gilthorpe Jonathan D. , Landreh Michael , Johansson Jan
Published: July 2022

Molecular chaperones are essential to maintain proteostasis. While the functions of intracellular molecular chaperones that oversee protein synthesis, folding and aggregation, are established, those specialized to work in the extracellular environment are less understood. Extracellular proteins reside in a considerably more oxidizing milieu than cytoplasmic proteins and are stabilized by abundant disulfide bonds. Hence, extracellular proteins are potentially destabilized and sensitive to aggregation under reducing conditions. We combine biochemical and mass spectrometry experiments and elucidate that the molecular chaperone functions of the extracellular protein domain Bri2 BRICHOS only appear under reducing conditions, through the assembly of monomers into large polydisperse oligomers by an intra‐ to intermolecular disulfide bond relay mechanism. Chaperone‐active assemblies of the Bri2 BRICHOS domain are efficiently generated by physiological thiol‐containing compounds and proteins, and appear in parallel with reduction‐induced aggregation of extracellular proteins. Our results give insights into how potent chaperone activity can be generated from inactive precursors under conditions that are destabilizing to most extracellular proteins and thereby support protein stability/folding in the extracellular space.

Significance

Chaperones are essential to cells as they counteract toxic consequences of protein misfolding particularly under stress conditions. Our work describes a novel activation mechanism of an extracellular molecular chaperone domain, called Bri2 BRICHOS. This mechanism is based on reducing conditions that initiate small subunits to assemble into large oligomers via a disulfide relay mechanism. Activated Bri2 BRICHOS inhibits reduction‐induced aggregation of extracellular proteins and could be a means to boost proteostasis in the extracellular environment upon reductive stress.
AlphaFold predicts the most complex protein knot and composite protein knots
Authors: Brems Maarten A. , Runkel Robert , Yeates Todd O. , Virnau Peter
Published: July 2022

The computer artificial intelligence system AlphaFold has recently predicted previously unknown three‐dimensional structures of thousands of proteins. Focusing on the subset with high‐confidence scores, we algorithmically analyze these predictions for cases where the protein backbone exhibits rare topological complexity, that is, knotting. Amongst others, we discovered a 71‐knot, the most topologically complex knot ever found in a protein, as well several six‐crossing composite knots comprised of two methyltransferase or carbonic anhydrase domains, each containing a simple trefoil knot. These deeply embedded composite knots occur evidently by gene duplication and interconnection of knotted dimers. Finally, we report two new five‐crossing knots including the first 51‐knot. Our list of analyzed structures forms the basis for future experimental studies to confirm these novel‐knotted topologies and to explore their complex folding mechanisms.
Pulmonary thromboembolic events in COVID‐19—A systematic literature review
Authors: Overton Paul M. , Toshner Mark , Mulligan Claire , Vora Pareen , Nikkho Sylvia , de Backer Jan , Lavon Ben R. , Klok Frederikus A. ,   the PVRI Innovative Drug Development Initiative
Published: July 2022

Pulmonary thromboembolic events have been linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), but their incidence and long‐term sequelae remain unclear. We performed a systematic literature review to investigate the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE), microthrombi, thrombosis in situ (thromboinflammatory disease), and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) during and after COVID‐19. PubMed and the World Health Organization Global Research Database were searched on May 7, 2021. Hospital cohort and database studies reporting data for ≥1000 patients and autopsy studies reporting data for ≥20 patients were included. Results were summarized descriptively. We screened 1438 records and included 41 references (32 hospital/database studies and 9 autopsy studies). The hospital/database studies reported the incidence of PE but not CTEPH, microthrombi, or thromboinflammatory disease. PE incidence varied widely (0%–1.1% of outpatients, 0.9%–8.2% of hospitalized patients, and 1.8%–18.9% of patients in intensive care). One study reported PE events occurring within 45 days after hospital discharge (incidence in discharged patients: 0.2%). Segmental arteries were generally the most common location for PE. In autopsy studies, PE, thromboinflammatory disease, and microthrombi were reported in 6%–23%, 43%–100%, and 45%–84% of deceased patients, respectively. Overall, the included studies mostly focused on PE during the acute phase of COVID‐19. The results demonstrate the challenges of identifying and characterizing vascular abnormalities using current protocols (e.g., visual computed tomography reads). Further research is needed to detect subtle pulmonary vascular abnormalities, distinguish thromboinflammatory disease from PE, optimize treatment, and assess the incidence of long‐term sequelae after COVID‐19.
Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension previously operated by pulmonary endarterectomy
Authors: Andersen Asger , Hansen Jacob Valentin , Dragsbaek Simone Juel , Maeng Michael , Andersen Mads Jønsson , Andersen Gratien , Mellemjkaer Søren , Ilkjær Lars Bo , Nielsen‐Kudsk Jens Erik
Published: July 2022

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty improved hemodynamics, walking distance, and World Health Organization functional class in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension not eligible for pulmonary endarterectomy (Non‐PEA) and patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension after PEA (PEA). More mild complications were observed in PEA‐ compared to Non‐PEA.
Adaptive event‐triggered dissipative filter design for semi‐Markov jump systems under hybrid network attacks
Authors: Wen Daolin , Yang Zhe , Mu Xiaowu , Fang Jianyin
Published: July 2022

This article investigates the adaptive event‐triggered dissipative filter design for semi‐Markov jump systems under hybrid network attacks, in which hybrid network attacks consist of deception attack on the transmission of system state information and denial of service attack on the transmission of mode information. In order to save network communication resources, a novel adaptive event‐triggered mechanism is proposed, which can automatically adjust the event triggered threshold according to the filter error system changes. Next, a switched filtering error model is constructed by considering hybrid network attacks, adaptive event‐triggered scheme and time delays. Sufficient conditions are given to ensure that the filtering error system satisfies mean square exponential stability and strictly dissipative. Furthermore, filtering parameters and event triggered parameters are solved by linear matrix inequality technique. Finally, two examples are given to verify the validity of the proposed method.
Sulfur‐Free Bimetallic Nix‐Fey/γ‐Al2O3 Catalysts for the Hydrodeoxygenation of Methyl Laurate to Biofuel
Authors: Zhou Guilin , Cheng Zhifa , Lei Qin , Ren Jianmin , Xie Hongmei , Chen Shuang , Xu Benjing , Zhang Xianming
Published: July 2022

The Ni/γ‐Al2O3, Nix‐Fey/γ‐Al2O3 and Fe/γ‐Al2O3 catalysts are prepared by impregnation method, and the influence of nNi/nFe on the performances of the prepared catalysts for the methyl laurate hydrodeoxidation (HDO) was evaluated. The prepared catalysts and precursors were characterized by BET, H2‐TPR, XRD, and H2‐TPD, which confirmed the existence of NiFe alloy is advantageous to improve the catalytic activity, and the synergistic effect between Ni and Fe was elucidated. The catalytic properties of the studied Nix‐Fey/γ‐Al2O3 catalysts with low Fe content was significantly worse than that of monocomponent Ni/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst, due to the migration and agglomeration of highly dispersed Ni0 species on the corresponding catalyst surface. The introduction of Fe species had significant influence on the HDO performances and product selectivity of the Ni‐based catalyst. The higher Fe content can promote the main reaction path from hydrodecarbonylation/hydrodecarboxylation to hydrodeoxygenation, which results in the high C12 alkane selectivity on the corresponding catalysts and inhibits the cracking reaction. The bimetallic Ni3‐Fe7/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst had the best methyl laurate hydrogenation performances. The conversion of methyl laurate was 93.3 % and the selectivity of alkane compounds could reach 90 % on the Ni3‐Fe7/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst at the reaction temperature of 340 °C.
Near‐Infrared Colorimetric and Ratiometric Fluorescence Sensor for Fluoride Ions
Authors: Dai Hui , Yang Jinglian , Ye Zijian , Liu Cong , Xu Bingjia , Shi Guang , Su Shichen , Zhang Yujian , Chi Zhenguo
Published: July 2022

Two novel benzothiadiazole derivatives were prepared. Clear color changes from orange‐red to blue (DPCN) and pink to green (DPTPE) were observed after the addition of fluoride ions (F−). DPCN and DPTPE displayed ratiometric fluorescence changes in the presence of F−. 1H‐NMR titration and DFT calculations confirmed deprotonation in the presence of F−. Compared with DPTPE, the hydrogen proton of the imine group in DPCN had higher activity due to the influence of the strong electron‐withdrawing cyano group, such that it was more easily deprotonated and the detection limit for F− was much lower. This work provided guidance for the further design and preparation benzothiadiazole based colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence sensor for F−.
Nickel Cobaltite Nanosheet Layer as Hole‐Transporting Material in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Guodong , Dong Chunhua , Wang Rongbo
Published: July 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) were demonstrated as prospective candidates to traditional solar cells due to their low‐cost, easy fabrication and excellent opto‐electronic properties. In this study, a quality p‐type semiconductor nickel cobaltite (NiCo2O4) nanosheet layer was prepared on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate via a simple solution thermal method, which was applied as hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) in typical inverted PSCs. The perovskite layer was synthesized by a fast‐crystallization method to form a full coverage film on NiCo2O4 nanosheet layer, which can avoid short circuit of contacting PCBM with NiCo2O4, increase the carrier transportation at the interface and hence lead to less recombination process. Fine crystalline perovskite on NiCo2O4 have a fast hole‐extraction, leading to a champion efficiency of 18.6 % without hysteresis, which indicates the possible replacement of organic HTMs to fabricate low‐cost and highly stable PSCs.
Efficient Electrocatalytic Reduction of Levulinic Acid to Valeric Acid on a Nanocrystalline PbO‐In2O3 Catalyst
Authors: Yuan Tongying , Chu Mengen , Zhang Kaili , Jia Shuaiqiang , Han Shitao , Zhai Jianxin , Wang Huan , Xue Teng , Wu Haihong
Published: July 2022

Electrosynthesis offers an efficient and sustainable strategy for the conversion of biomass‐derived platform molecules. Among this process, developing efficient and cost‐effective electrocatalysts is of vital importance. We report herein the preparation of the nanocrystalline PbO‐In2O3 catalysts for the electrocatalytic reduction of levulinic acid (LA) to valeric acid (VA). A series of non‐noble nanocrystalline PbO‐In2O3 composite materials with different molar compositions were prepared and thoroughly characterized. The prepared nanocrystalline PbO‐In2O3 composite materials were used as working electrode for the electrocatalytic hydrogenation of LA in an H‐type electrolytic cell. A LA conversion of 41.4 % and VA selectivity of 97.8 % was achieved with the VA faradic efficiency of 89.2 % under the high current density of 134 mA cm−2. This is the first report on the electrocatalytic reduction of LA to VA using PbO‐In2O3 composite electrode catalyst.
Promoting Tumor Accumulation of Anticancer Drugs by Hierarchical Carrying of Exogenous and Endogenous Vehicles
Authors: Yue Yu-Xin , Zhang Zhanzhan , Wang Ze-Han , Ma Rong , Chen Meng-Meng , Ding Fei , Li Hua-Bin , Li Juan-Juan , Shi Linqi , Liu Yang , Guo Dong-Sheng
Published: July 2022

Promoting tumor accumulation of active pharmaceutical ingredients is crucial for targeted anticancer therapy. However, this issue has not yet been addressed because of the fast clearance or premature degradation, slow drug release kinetics, and nonspecific biodistribution of the reported formulations. Herein, a new drug delivery paradigm is proposed based on supramolecular hierarchical recognition to achieve high tumor accumulation of anticancer drugs by overcoming these three challenges. The prepared supramolecular ternary formulation of paclitaxel (PTX) contains two steps of molecular recognition: exogenous recognition of PTX by an artificial macrocyclic carrier, sulfonated azocalix[5]arene (SAC5A) in vitro, and endogenous recognition of PTX@SAC5A by intrinsic serum albumin in vivo. The ternary PTX@SAC5A⊂albumin concurrently accomplishes prolonged blood circulation, rapid drug release, and dual passive and hypoxia‐responsive targeting. As a result, the PTX@SAC5A⊂albumin formulation exhibits more efficient tumor accumulation than free PTX and albumin‐based, solvent‐based, liposome‐based, and sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin‐based PTX formulations, thereby contributing to better therapeutic efficacy. The current strategy paves the way for promoting the tumor accumulation of drugs, showing the advantages of simplicity, universality, and reproducibility.
2 Employment and social trends by region
Authors: Al Achkar Souleima
Published: July 2022

Chapter 2 provides an analysis of the impacts of the COVID‐19 crisis since its onset, and of the divergent courses of recovery initiated across the world’s regions in 2021, as determined by the incidence of new waves of the virus, vaccine roll‐out, renewed containment measures, fiscal policies and other macroeconomic factors. For each region, key labour market indicators are first analysed, alongside an assessment of the region’s recovery prospects by 2023. The regional sections then focus on structural issues made more urgent by the pandemic. Specifically, these are the challenges of realigning growth and the creation of decent work in Africa, initiating structural change and private sector development in the Arab States, curbing growing capital–labour imbalances in North America, intensifying formalization in Latin America and the Caribbean, improving working conditions and productivity in the rapidly growing services subsectors in Asia and the Pacific, and facilitating labour market entry and labour force participation in Europe and Central Asia. The Chapter argues that recovery policies must address the root causes of decent work deficits, and that multilateral action and global solidarity are more important than ever to counter widening gaps and set the world back on a more equitable and sustainable trajectory.
Quasi-normal modes of dyonic black holes and magneto-hydrodynamics
Authors: Jeong Hyun-Sik , Kim Keun-Young , Sun Ya-Wen
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We revisit the magneto-hydrodynamics in (2+1) dimensions and confirm that it is consistent with the quasi-normal modes of the (3+1) dimensional dyonic black holes in the most general set-up with finite density, magnetic field and wave vector. We investigate all possible modes (sound, shear, diffusion, cyclotron etc.) and their interplay. For the magneto-hydrodynamics we perform a complete and detailed analysis correcting some prefactors in the literature, which is important for the comparison with quasi-normal modes. For the quasi-normal mode computations in holography we identify the independent fluctuation variables of the dyonic black holes, which is nontrivial at finite density and magnetic field. As an application of the quasi-normal modes of the dyonic black holes we investigate a transport property, the diffusion constant. We find that the diffusion constant at finite density and magnetic field saturates the lower bound at low temperature. We show that this bound can be understood from the pole-skipping point.
Collaborative trial validation of a new multiplex real-time PCR to sensitively detect allergenic nuts in food
Authors: Waiblinger Hans-Ulrich , Geppert Carina , Bartsch Daniela , Neumann Katrin , Hochegger Rupert , Peterseil Verena , Koeppel René , Frenzel Jakob
Published: July 2022

In this article, we present a multiplex real-time PCR method for a simultaneous, sensitive and specific detection and semi-quantitative estimation of the allergenic species peanut, hazelnut, walnut and cashew in food. Due to the use of multicopy target sequences, a very sensitive detection of the allergenic ingredients was possible. The method was validated in-house as well as by a collaborative trial with 12 laboratories. Within the ring trial, 0.64 mg/kg (i.e. approx. 0.1–0.2 mg of peanut and tree nut-derived protein/kg) could still be detected in a processed cookie matrix, confirmed by results of incurred, processed samples spiked at very low levels between 0.9 and 50 mg/kg of the corresponding allergenic ingredient (peanut, tree nut). In addition, the method revealed good precision data. With regard to quantitative analysis though, insufficient recovery data (bias) were determined in some cases, resulting in measurement uncertainties of more than 50%.
Continuous solutions of a system of composite functional equations
Authors: Tóth Péter
Published: July 2022

In this paper we introduce the concept of translation invariant functions: considering an arbitrary set $$\emptyset \ne S \subset {\mathbb {R}}^n$$

∅
≠
S
⊂

R

n

, the function $$F : S \longrightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

F
:
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⟶
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is translation invariant if $$F(x) = F(y)$$

F
(
x
)
=
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(
y
)

implies $$F(x+t)=F(y+t)$$

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(
x
+
t
)
=
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(
y
+
t
)

for any vectors $$x,y,t \in {\mathbb {R}}^n$$

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,
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n

such that $$x ,y , x+t ,y+t \in S$$

x
,
y
,
x
+
t
,
y
+
t
∈
S

. In our main results we shall consider an open, connected set $$\emptyset \ne D \subset {\mathbb {R}}^n$$

∅
≠
D
⊂

R

n

. We prove that if $$F : D \longrightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

F
:
D
⟶
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is a translation invariant, continuous function, then there exists a vector $$a = (a_1, \dots , a_n) \in {\mathbb {R}}^n$$

a
=

(

a
1

,
⋯
,

a
n

)

∈

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and a strictly monotone, continuous function f such that $$\begin{aligned} F(x_1, \dots , x_n) = f (a_1 x_1 + \dots + a_n x_n) \end{aligned}$$

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=
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holds for all $$(x_1, \dots , x_n) \in D \,$$

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. Using this result we also show that continuous solutions $$ F : D \longrightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

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:
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of the system of functional equations $$\begin{aligned} F(x_1 , \dots , x_j + t_j , \dots , x_n) = \Psi _j (F (x_1 , \dots , x_j , \dots , x_n), t_j) \ \ (j=1,\dots ,n) \end{aligned}$$

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(

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+

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can be represented as the composition of a strictly monotone, continuous function and a linear functional as well. Applying the latter theorem, we give a characterization of Cobb–Douglas type utility functions.
Understanding the chemical and mineralogical composition of commercial henna and jagua tattoos and dyes—a multi-analytical approach
Authors: Rubio Laura , Costa Mafalda , Barrulas Pedro , Lores Marta , Garcia-Jares Carmen , Barrocas-Dias Cristina
Published: July 2022

Temporary tattoos and dyes constitute a great analytical challenge in relation to the regulatory control of their ingredients. Most of these commercial products are not labeled according to their content and their chemical nature is highly diverse. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze these complex samples to evaluate the potential presence of metallic impurities, to ensure the safety of cosmetic products contributing to health protection. This study proposes a multi-analytical methodology, which includes handheld X-ray fluorescence (h-XRF) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), complemented by variable pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (VP-SEM–EDS) to fully characterize 34 commercial samples of jagua and henna tattoos and dyes. The approach allowed the identification of the main constituents providing complementary compositional data and differences between sample types were established. In addition, information on the degree of natural pigments homogeneity was also obtained. The results’ discussion considering the current European cosmetics regulation may be useful to support the drafting of safety requirements and specific regulation.
Forest Fire Influence on Tomicus piniperda-Associated Fungal Communities and Phloem Nutrient Availability of Colonized Pinus sylvestris
Authors: Kluting Kerri , Strid Ylva , Six Diana , Rosling Anna
Published: July 2022

Forest fire is known to positively affect bark beetle populations by providing fire-damaged trees with impaired defenses for infestation.Tomicus piniperda, the common pine shoot beetle, breeds and lays eggs under the bark of stressed pine trees and is considered a serious forest pest within its native range. Wood-colonizing fungi have been hypothesized to improve substrate quality and detoxify tree defensive chemistry to indirectly facilitate tree colonization by beetles. While some bark beetle species form symbiotic associations with fungi and actively vector their partners when colonizing new trees,T. piniperdadoes not have mycangia or body hairs for specific vectoring of fungi. To explore theT. piniperda-associated fungal community for signs of specific association, we used ITS metabarcoding to separately characterize fungal communities associated with surface and gut of male and female beetles. We also characterized the temporal changes in fungal community and nutrient status of pine phloem with and without beetle galleries. Sampling was performed 2 years after a natural forest fire and included both burnt and unburnt sites. In our study system, we find that forest fire significantly impacts the fungal community composition associated withT. piniperdaand that fire may also indirectly change nutrient availability in phloem to beetle galleries. We conclude thatT. piniperdacan vector fungi to newly colonized trees but the absence of positive effects on substrate quality and minimal effects of sex indicate that vectoring of associated fungal communities is not a strategy associated with theT. piniperdalife cycle.
Intraprocedural MRI-based dosimetry during transarterial radioembolization of liver tumours with holmium-166 microspheres (EMERITUS-1): a phase I trial towards adaptive, image-controlled treatment delivery
Authors: Roosen Joey , Westlund Gotby Lovisa E. L. , Arntz Mark J. , Fütterer Jurgen J. , Janssen Marcel J. R. , Konijnenberg Mark W. , van Wijk Meike W. M. , Overduin Christiaan G. , Nijsen J. Frank W.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a treatment for liver tumours based on injection of radioactive microspheres in the hepatic arterial system. It is crucial to achieve a maximum tumour dose for an optimal treatment response, while minimizing healthy liver dose to prevent toxicity. There is, however, no intraprocedural feedback on the dose distribution, as nuclear imaging can only be performed after treatment. As holmium-166 (166Ho) microspheres can be quantified with MRI, we investigate the feasibility and safety of performing 166Ho TARE within an MRI scanner and explore the potential of intraprocedural MRI-based dosimetry.

Methods

Six patients were treated with 166Ho TARE in a hybrid operating room. Per injection position, a microcatheter was placed under angiography guidance, after which patients were transported to an adjacent 3-T MRI system. After MRI confirmation of unchanged catheter location, 166Ho microspheres were injected in four fractions, consisting of 10%, 30%, 30% and 30% of the planned activity, alternated with holmium-sensitive MRI acquisition to assess the microsphere distribution. After the procedures, MRI-based dose maps were calculated from each intraprocedural image series using a dedicated dosimetry software package for 166Ho TARE.

Results

Administration of 166Ho microspheres within the MRI scanner was feasible in 9/11 (82%) injection positions. Intraprocedural holmium-sensitive MRI allowed for tumour dosimetry in 18/19 (95%) of treated tumours. Two CTCAE grade 3–4 toxicities were observed, and no adverse events were attributed to treatment in the MRI. Towards the last fraction, 4/18 tumours exhibited signs of saturation, while in 14/18 tumours, the microsphere uptake patterns did not deviate from the linear trend.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated feasibility and preliminary safety of a first in-human application of TARE within a clinical MRI system. Intraprocedural MRI-based dosimetry enabled dynamic insight in the microsphere distribution during TARE. This proof of concept yields unique possibilities to better understand microsphere distribution in vivo and to potentially optimize treatment efficacy through treatment personalization.

Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04269499, registered on February 13, 2020 (retrospectively registered).
Urologists are optimistic surgeons: prevalence and predictors of discordance between intraoperative stone-free rate and cross-sectional imaging evaluation after vacuum-assisted mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Authors: Jannello Letizia Maria Ippolita , Turetti Matteo , Silvani Carlo , Galbiati Gilda , Garbagnati Susanna , Pozzi Efrem , Malfatto Matteo , Zanetti Stefano Paolo , Longo Fabrizio , De Lorenzis Elisa , Albo Giancarlo , Salonia Andrea , Montanari Emanuele , Boeri Luca
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To assess how accurate are urologists in predicting stone-free status (SFS) after vacuum-assisted mini-PCNL (vamPCNL) compared to computed tomography (CT) and clinical predictors of discordant SFS.

Methods

Data from 235 patients who underwent vamPCNL were analysed. Patient’s demographics, stones’ characteristics and operative data were recorded. SFS was evaluated intraoperatively by the treating urologist (iSFS) and with non-contrast CT 3 months after vamPCNL (ctSFS). SFS was defined as no residual stones. Stone complexity was scored with the Guy’s score. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to identify clinical factors associated with discordant SFS (namely iSFS not confirmed at CT).

Results

iSFS and ctSFS were 88.5% and 65.5%, respectively, with 54 (23%) cases resulting in discordant evaluation of SFS between the surgeon and CT imaging. Patients with discordant SFS had larger stone volume (p < 0.001), higher rate of multiple stones (p = 0.03) and higher rate of multiple calyceal groups affected by stones (p < 0.001) than those with concordant SFS. The use of flexible ureteroscopes to look for residual stones after lithotripsy was more frequently reported in cases with concordant SFS (p = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that stones in > 2 calyceal groups (OR 10.2, p < 0.001), Guy’s score II (OR 5.8, p < 0.01) and not using flexible ureteroscopes after lithotripsy (OR 2.9, p = 0.02) were independent predictors of discordant SFS.

Conclusion

One out of five patients is erroneously considered SF after vamPCNL. Urologist should carefully evaluate patients with multiple calyceal stones and consider using flexible ureteroscopes to complete lapaxy of migrated fragments in order to improve their prediction of SFS.
Bicalutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, effectively alleviate allergic rhinitis via suppression of PI3K–PKB activity
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Qilei , Wu Xinyang , Wu Geping , Ma Xingkai , Cheng Lei
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To investigate the therapeutic effect of Bicalutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist on the onset and development of allergic rhinitis in an animal model.

Methods

40 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups (eight mice per group). Aluminum hydroxide powder was used as an adjuvant, combined with Ovalbumin (OVA) to establish the mouse model of allergic rhinitis via ultrasonic nebulization of OVA to stimulate the nasal cavity. Mice in Bica#1 group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.02 mg Bicalutamide/0.5 ml of normal saline daily for 7 consecutive days; mice in Bica#2 group were administered 0.02 mg Bicalutamide/0.5 ml of normal saline via intraperitoneal injection for 5 consecutive days, and then the same amount of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally for 2 consecutive days. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to detect the serological levels of IgE, IL-4, and IL-6 production. Eosinophil infiltration was observed under microscope after hematoxylin and eosin staining of nasal mucosa. Quantitative PCR and Western blot were employed for determination of histamine receptors mRNA expression and PI3K/PKB associated protein levels, respectively.

Results

Histological analysis shown that allergic lesion was induced after OVA sensitization. Intraperitoneal injection with 0.02 mg Bicalutamide daily for 7 consecutive days significantly reduced the allergic lesion; however, mice injected with the same amount of normal saline at the same time demonstrated no allergic rhinitis symptoms. In addition, there was a significant reduction in eosinophils number in Bicalutamide treated mice (n = 8) compared to the OVA group (n = 8) (OVA: 19.6 ± 5.3 vs. Bica#1: 7.7 ± 0.8 vs. Bica#2: 9.4 ± 1.2, both p < 0.01). Furthermore, ELISA results revealed that the serological levels of IgE (OVA: 17.3 ± 1.7 µg/ml vs. Bica#1: 9.2 ± 0.6 vs. Bica#2: 10.4 ± 2.3, both p < 0.05), IL-4 (OVA: 164.3 ± 5.1 pg/ml vs. Bica#1: 110.2 ± 3.1 vs. Bica#2: 115.3 ± 4.1, both p < 0.05) and IL-6 (OVA: 167.3 ± 3.7 pg/ml vs. Bica#1: 117.5 ± 6.5 vs. Bica#2: 114.8 ± 2.4, both p < 0.05) were significantly decreased after two different dosage of Bicalutamide treatment. Similarly, histamine receptors in mast cells were significantly reduced after two different dosage of Bicalutamide treatment. More importantly, p-PKB protein was notably reduced after two different dosage of Bicalutamide treatment compared to the OVA group, mTOR protein levels were also down regulated after two different dosage of Bicalutamide treatment.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that androgen receptor antagonist Bicalutamide can significantly alleviate allergic rhinitis lesion in the animal model. PI3K/PKB activity in mast cells was suppressed after Bicalutamide injection. Our results provide important implication in allergic rhinitis prevention and treatment.
Forschendes Lernen in der Empirischen Medizinethik
Authors: Haltaufderheide Joschka , Kühlmeyer Katja
Published: July 2022

Der Erwerb von Fach- und Forschungskompetenzen kann im besonderen Maße in Lehrveranstaltungen gefördert werden, die Studierende mit der Bewältigung komplexer Probleme konfrontieren. In diesem Artikel stellen wir didaktische Überlegungen zum Forschenden Lernen in der Empirischen Medizinethik dar. Ausgehend von der Theorie des Pragmatismus zeigen wir auf, wie Forschendes Lernen in Lehrangeboten verwirklicht und für die Förderung medizinethischer Kompetenzen genutzt werden kann. Wir fokussieren dabei auf Lehr- und Lernprojekte, in denen die selbstorganisierte Durchführung empirisch-ethischer Forschung für Studierende prozesshaft erfahrbar gemacht werden kann. Solche Lehrangebote bieten große Potenziale, vor allem im Hinblick auf die Erweiterung von Reflexionskompetenzen der Studierenden. Eine Aufnahme solcher Lehrangebote in die fakultative Medizinethik-Lehre wird im Hinblick auf kontextuelle Herausforderungen diskutiert.
What is worthy of investigation?
Authors: Carl Merlin , Schmitz Michael
Published: July 2022

We describe in dialogue form a possible way of discovering and investigating 10-adic numbers starting from the naive question about a “largest natural number”. Among the topics we pursue are possibilities of extensions to transfinite 10-adic numbers, 10-adic representations of rational numbers, zero divisors, square roots and 10-adic roots of higher degree of natural numbers, and applications of 10-adic number representation in computer arithmetic. The participants of the dialogue are idealized embodiments of different philosophical attitudes towards mathematics. The article aims at illustrating how these attitudes interact, in both jarring and stimulating ways, and how they impact mathematical development. Moreover, the article demonstrates how different attitudes translate into mathematical heuristics. In our opinion this is also relevant for teaching mathematics as it raises consciousness for reflections on how mathematical investigations work.