bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of process impurities on crystallization thermodynamics and nucleation kinetics of taurine
Authors: Chen Zhirong , Ding Gaojie , Yuan Shenfeng , Yin Hong
Published: August 2023

Solubility and metastable zone width (MSZW) are the basis for purifying products by crystallization. The effects of two process impurities, sodium isethionate (SI) and sodium N‐(β‐ethyl sulfonic acid) aminoethyl sulfonate (SA), on taurine solubility and MSZW in water under different conditions were studied. Solubility and MSZW were measured by laser transmission method. The results show that the process impurities can increase solubility slightly but increase MSZW significantly. The weak solubilization might be due to the antagonism of salting‐out effect and structural similarity between taurine and impurities. Combining the viscosities and parameters calculated by nucleation models, the reason for the different effects of the two impurities on MSZW was studied. The fitting and experiment results show that the solid–liquid interfacial energy γeff was increased by 9.1% and the viscosity by 5.4% at 303.15 K in the presence of SI (0.12 mol per kilo H2O). Meanwhile, γeff was increased by 90.4% and the viscosity by 10.5% with SA added (0.12 mol per kilo H2O). Changes in thermodynamic factors (solubility, γeff) and kinetic factors (viscosity) caused by impurities contribute to the extension of MSZW. This study expands the understanding of the role of process impurities in taurine crystallization.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated Synthesis of α‐Ketoamides via Oxidative Amination of 2‐Bromoacetophenones Using Eosin Y as a Photoredox Catalyst
Authors: Kishor Kaushal , Prabhakar Neha Sharma , Singh Krishna Nand
Published: August 2023

An oxidative amination of 2‐bromoacetophenones has been accomplished to provide α‐ketoamides by using photoredox catalysis with air as oxidant. The reactants are readily accessible, and the method is endowed with broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. The practicality of the approach is also shown by a gram‐scale reaction.
Validation of a 3D‐printed robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy training model
Authors: Hermans Thomas , Snoeks Joren M. , vom Dorp Frank , Wiesner Christoph , Steiner Thomas , von Rundstedt Friedrich‐Carl
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Most renal tumours can be treated with a partial nephrectomy, with robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy becoming the new gold standard. This procedure is challenging to learn in a live setting, especially the enucleation and renorraphy phases. In this study, we attempted to evaluate face, content, and preliminary construct validity of a 3D‐printed silicone renal tumour model in robotic training for robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy.

Materials and Methods

We compared the operative results of three groups of surgeons with different experience levels (>20 partial nephrectomies, 1–20 partial nephrectomies and no experience at all) performing a robotic tumour excision of a newly developed silicone model with four embedded 3D‐printed renal tumours. We evaluated the participants' performance using surgical margins, excision time, total preserved parenchyma, tumour injury and GEARS score (as assessed by two blinded experts) for construct validity. Postoperatively, the participants were asked to complete a survey to evaluate the usefulness, realism and difficulty of the model as a training and/or evaluation model. NASA‐TLX scores were used to evaluate the operative workload.

Results

Thirty‐six participants were recruited, each group consisting of 10–14 participants. The operative performance was significantly better in the expert group as compared to the beginner group. NASA‐TLX scores proved the model to be of an acceptable difficulty level.

Expert group survey results showed an average score of 6.3/10 on realism of the model, 8.2/10 on the usefulness as training model and 6.9/10 score on the usefulness as an evaluation tool. GEARS scores showed a non‐significant tendency to improve between trials, emphasizing its potential as a training model.

Conclusion

Face and content validity of our 3D renal tumour model were demonstrated. The vast majority of participants found the model realistic and useful for training and for evaluation. To evaluate construct and predictive validity, we require further research, aiming to compare the results of 3D‐model trained surgeons with those of untrained surgeons in real‐life surgery.
Theorising the potential of physical education and school sport to support the educational engagement, transitions and outcomes of care‐experienced young people
Authors: Sandford Rachel , Quarmby Thomas , Hooper Oliver
Published: August 2023

Much research highlights the potential of physical education and school sport (PESS) to provide personal, social and educational benefits for young people. As such, it is suggested that PESS contexts could be particularly relevant to pupils who might be considered marginalised or ‘at risk’—including care‐experienced young people—affording opportunities to gain skills, connections and experiences to aid a positive educational trajectory. This paper presents findings from an empirical project that explored the role of sport/physical activity within the day‐to‐day lives of care‐experienced young people in England. A participatory methodology, underpinned by a youth voice perspective, was employed to generate data via semi‐structured, activity‐based focus groups with care‐experienced young people (aged 8–21 years) and via narrative interviews with care leavers (aged 23–32 years). Data were analysed using inductive and deductive procedures in a process also informed by the work of Bourdieu. Drawing on data related specifically to PESS contexts, this paper looks to theorise the potential of PESS to support the educational engagement, transitions and outcomes of care‐experienced young people. It demonstrates how this context can support the acquisition of physical, social and cultural capital, which can both facilitate engagement and support personal outcomes. In addition, it documents how social support provided within/through PESS can be promotive of positive transitions into further and higher education contexts. As such, it can be recognised as a valuable site within the educational landscape for care‐experienced young people.
Toehold switch plus signal amplification enables rapid detection
Authors: Morey Kevin , Thomas‐Fenderson Tyler , Watson Al , Sebesta Jacob , Peebles Christie , Gentry‐Weeks Claudia
Published: August 2023

Recent world events have led to an increased interest in developing rapid and inexpensive clinical diagnostic platforms for viral detection. Here, the development of a cell‐free toehold switch‐based biosensor, which does not require upstream amplification of target RNA, is described for the detection of RNA viruses. Toehold switches were designed to avoid interfering secondary structure in the viral RNA binding region, mutational hotspots, and cross‐reacting sequences of other coronaviruses. Using these design criteria, toehold switches were targeted to a low mutation region of the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2). The designs were tested in a cell‐free system using trigger RNA based on the viral genome and a highly sensitive fluorescent reporter gene, mNeonGreen. The detection sensitivity of our best toehold design, CSU 08, was in the low picomolar range of target (trigger) RNA. To increase the sensitivity of our cell‐free biosensor to a clinically relevant level, we developed a modular downstream amplification system that utilizes toehold switch activation of tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease expression. The TEV protease cleaves a quenched fluorescent reporter, both increasing the signal fold change between control and sample and increasing the sensitivity to a clinically relevant low femtomolar range for target RNA detection.
CRISPR/Cas systems for in situ imaging of intracellular nucleic acids: Concepts and applications
Authors: Chen Kun , Wang Yufei
Published: August 2023

Accurate and precise localization of intracellular nucleic acids is crucial for regulating genetic information transcription and diagnosing diseases. Although intracellular nucleic acid imaging methods are available for various cell types, their widespread utilization is impeded by the intricate nature of the process and its exorbitant cost. Recently, numerous intracellular nucleic acid labeling techniques based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) have been established due to their modularity, flexibility, and specificity. In this work, we present various CRISPR methods that are currently employed for visualizing intracellular genomic sequences and RNA, based on their detection principles and application scenarios. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the existing CRISPR imaging methods, as well as future research directions. We anticipate that with continued refinement, more advanced CRISPR‐based imaging techniques can be developed to better elucidate the localization and dynamics of intracellular nucleic acids, thereby providing a powerful tool for molecular biology research and clinical molecular pathology diagnosis.
The progress of fabrication designs of polymeric microneedles and related biomedical applications
Authors: Jiang Xue , Zhang Wen , Terry Richard , Li Wei
Published: August 2023

Microneedles (MNs) have been broadly used for transdermal delivery of a variety of drugs, ranging from small chemicals to biological macromolecules, due to the properties of increased drug permeability, minimal invasiveness and improved patient compliance. Despite these MNs can be made of different materials, such as metal, silicon, and glass, polymers have attracted the most attention as a microneedle (MN) matrix because of their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, which eliminates the requirement of MN removal after drug release. To satisfy different needs of transdermal drug delivery, polymeric MNs have been fabricated with several special designs. In this review, we summarize the advancement of the fabrication designs of polymeric MNs, including integrated MNs, two‐segment MNs, core‐shell or multi‐layered MNs, and arrowhead MNs. The related biomedical applications of MNs with these different specific designs are also discussed. Finally, we provide our perspectives on the future development of polymeric MNs.
Economic policy uncertainty and income inequality: unveiling the effects of friendly business environment
Authors: Farooq Rafi , Chisti Khalid Ashraf , Rasheed Shahida , Rahman Amir
Published: August 2023

Recent pandemic in the form of COVID‐19 has been associated with increasing income inequalities because of high uncertainty around the globe. As a result, we examined the nexus between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and inequality and how this relation is moderated by friendly business environment reflected by ease of doing business (EODB). To understand the relation among the different dimensions several techniques like fixed effects model, Driscoll and Kraay, and panel quantile regression were employed for a sample of 20 countries ranging for the period of 12 years. Our findings show that EPU contributes to higher levels of overall income inequality (Gini‐Index) and the results are heterogenous across countries, however the concentration of wealth among top 10% rich people gets reduced with increased EPU. Additionally, we find EODB moderating the impact of EPU on income inequality by mitigating the adverse effects of EPU on income inequality. Finally, we combined the results across different proxies and models to propose suggestive policy recommendations.
Risk–return spectrum of investment for going green: Evidence from Indian equity market
Authors: Debnath Pabitra , Dinda Soumyananda
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the risk–return spectrum of investment for going green and sustainability practice in India. This article analyses three sustainability focused index from Indian equity market viz. S&P BSE GREENEX, S&P BSE CARBONEX and S&P BSE ESG 100. Statistical and financial rates, ratios and latest five‐factor model of asset pricing are used for the said purpose. ESG 100 index turned out to be outperformer whereas the other two gave slightly less return than the market benchmark. Volatility is found to be similar to that of the market for all the indexes. Significant increment of wealth of green investors during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic period is another notable finding of the study. Results of this article indicate that investors are getting more return compared to market if they invest in stocks that perform well in sustainability criterion.
A psychological intervention based on cognitive‐behavioural therapy reduces psychopathological symptoms that indirectly influence the heart rate via cortisol in hypertensive patients: Preliminary results of a pilot study
Authors: Giordano Francesca , Guidotti Sara , Gelo Omar Carlo Gioacchino , Salerno Clemente , Pruneti Carlo
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) integrated with psychoeducation in a group of hypertensive patients with clinically significant psychopathological symptoms.

Methods

One hundred hypertensive patients completed the Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised. Of them, 17 scored above the clinical range (cut‐off = 0.75) on the Global Severity Index and were included in the study. Psychological distress was assessed again after the intervention (T1) and 6 months after the end of treatment (T2). In addition, the cortisol dosage and the heart rate (HR) measurement were collected at both T0 and T2. Then, mediation analyses were carried out to calculate whether psychopathological distress might predict HR through elevated serum cortisol levels, at both T0 and T2.

Results

The psychological intervention (CBT integrated with psychoeducation) reduced most of the psychopathological symptoms (anxiety, depression, somatisations, obsessions and compulsions, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity and paranoid ideation) but not cortisol dosage and HR measurement. However, psychological distress indirectly predicted HR via cortisol at T0 but not at T2.

Conclusion

These results suggest and encourage the replicability of data in larger sample sizes and the comparison with a control group. Nevertheless, these results highlight a need for a multidimensional assessment of disorders affecting the mental and physical spheres of patients to support their overall well‐being.
Terpenoids as Human Neutrophil Elastase (HNE) Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Review of Natural Anti‐inflammatory Isoprenoids
Authors: Tousif Muhammad Imran , Nazir Mamona , Riaz Naheed , Saleem Muhammad , Tauseef Saba , Azam Sheikh Muhammad , Arfan Yawer Mirza , Zengin Gokhan
Published: August 2023

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is an enzyme that plays a key role in the body‘s inflammatory response. It has been linked to several diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and cystic fibrosis. As potential treatments for these diseases, HNE inhibitors are of great interest. Metabolites derived from plants, particularly terpenoids such as β‐caryophyllene found in black pepper and other plants, and geraniol present in several essential oils, are recognized as significant sources of inhibitors for HNE. Because of their ability to inhibit HNE, terpenoids are considered promising candidates for developing novel therapies to treat inflammatory conditions such as COPD and emphysema. Furthermore, nature can serve as an excellent designer, and it may offer a safer drug candidate for inhibiting HNE production and activity in the future. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses were searched to get relevant and up‐to‐date literature on terpenoids as human neutrophil elastase inhibitors. This review focuses on the isolation, chemical diversity, and inhibition of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) of various terpenoids reported from natural sources up to 2022. A total of 251 compounds from various terpenoids classes have been reported. Further, it also provides a summary of HNE inhibitors and includes a thorough discussion on the structure‐activity relationship.
A rare extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis in a chronic kidney disease patient
Authors: Sivanandam Lokesh Koumar , Jhoond Manpreet Kaur , Sujanyal Saurabh Ashok , Sridhar Shreya , Nasser Nathalie , Sanker Vivek , Gupta Umang
Published: August 2023

Key Clinical Message

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and tuberculoma are two distinct medical conditions. Nonetheless, they can be related in very rare cases. The purpose of this case report is to consider screening tests such as IGRA (interferon gamma release assay) and TST (tuberculin skin test), for tuberculosis in CKD patients with a risk of infection, thereby increasing the awareness of tuberculoma in CKD and ensuring early treatment which would eventually decrease the morbidity and mortality rates in such patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with tuberculoma represents one of the rarest conditions occurring worldwide. Among tuberculous patients, only 1% show central nervous system involvement. We present a case of a 45‐year‐old male with CKD who presented with a seizure and was diagnosed to have tuberculoma.
Surgical, endovascular, and hybrid treatment of deep femoral artery aneurysm: Three case reports
Authors: Moriuchi Hiroki , Maeda Takuya , Koide Masaaki , Kunii Yoshifumi , Watanabe Kazumasa
Published: August 2023

Key Clinical Message

Deep femoral artery aneurysms (DFAA) are extremely rare. We treated four DFAAs with different procedures including surgical, endovascular, and hybrid surgery. The best treatment should be selected for each individual case.

We report three cases of deep femoral artery aneurysms treated with different techniques. Case 1: A 69‐year‐old man with a huge deep femoral artery aneurysm underwent open reconstruction using a 6 mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylen graft. Case 2: A 67‐year‐old man presented with bilateral deep femoral artery aneurysms. The right‐sided rupture was treated with hybrid embolization, while the left aneurysm was treated by endovascular stent‐grafts deployment. Case 3: A 87‐year‐old man with a large deep femoral artery aneurysm underwent simply surgical aneurysmectomy. As there are many treatment options for deep femoral artery aneurysms, a comprehensive preoperative assessment is essential, encompassing an evaluation of symptoms, anatomy, and comorbidities.
Recent Advances of Aqueous Electrolytes for Zinc‐Ion Batteries to Mitigate Side Reactions: A Review
Authors: Gao Xuan , Dong Haobo , Carmalt Claire J. , He Guanjie
Published: August 2023

The paper discusses the challenges associated with the performance of zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs), such as side reactions that lead to reduced capacity and lifespan. The strategies for mitigating side reactions in ZIBs, including additives, electrolyte‐electrode interface modification, and electrolyte composition optimization, are explored. Combinations of these approaches may be necessary to achieve the best performance for ZIBs. However, continued research is needed to improve the commercial viability of ZIBs. Areas of research requiring attention include the understanding of the mechanisms behind side reactions in ZIBs and the development of cost‐effective and scalable manufacturing processes for ZIBs with available electrolyte. By developing effective strategies for mitigating side reactions, researchers can improve the efficiency and lifespan of ZIBs, making them more competitive with lithium‐ion batteries in various applications, including grid energy storage.
Green and Facile Preparation of Covalent Organic Frameworks Based on Reaction Medium for Advanced Applications
Authors: Azadi Elham , Dinari Mohammad
Published: August 2023

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as a new class of crystalline, well‐ordered, and porous materials with intermittent constructions, are formed via organic structural parts connected through covalent bonds. These materials have been employed in several fields comprising pollutant adsorption and separation, catalysis, electrical conductivity, gas storage, etc. The preparation of COFs is mainly applied in tubes with high temperatures and degassing treatment. Furthermore, the reaction medium is involved in toxic organic solvents like toluene, dioxane, mesitylene, acetonitrile, and so on. Hence, discovering clean medium and green approaches has attracted wide attention. Recently, facile, less dangerous, and greener methods have been developed for COFs synthesis in diverse applications like performing the reaction at ambient temperature or employing aqueous solvents, ionic liquids, and a mixture of organic solvents/water. This review article summarizes the eco‐friendly production approaches of COFs for diverse applications.
Dispersing LiCl in Zwitterionic COF for Highly Efficient Ammonia Storage and Separation
Authors: Fu Yu , Wu Yue , Zeng Jiahui , Wang Shanshan , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Wenxiang , Ma Heping
Published: August 2023

Efficient and inherently safe NH3 storage and separation are of significant importance for the chemical industry. Herein, we proposed zwitterionic COF as a porous host to disperse LiCl for highly efficient NH3 storage and separation with record adsorption capacity. The equivalently cationic and anionic groups in the channels of zwitterionic COF could act as two separated sites to facilitate the dispersion of LiCl, hence the optimal composite exhibits a high capture capacity of 44.98 mmol/g at 25 °C and 1 bar, far exceeding other existing porous materials. Notably, the adsorption capacity is completely reversible and the efficient separation of NH3 from NH3/CO2/N2 mixture is achieved through breakthrough experiments. DFT calculation combined with XPS and 7Li NMR experimental results give insight into the interaction between zwitterionic COF and LiCl. This work extends possibilities for the development of efficient adsorbents for NH3 storage and separation.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Difunctionalization of Styrenes via Ligand Relay Catalysis†
Authors: Wang Bingcheng , Sun Yufeng , Lu Zhan
Published: August 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Here, we report a cobalt‐catalyzed sequential dehydrogenative Heck silylation/hydroamination of styrenes with hydrosilane and diazo compound to access 1‐amino‐2‐silyl compounds with excellent regioselectivity. This difunctionalization reaction could undergo smoothly using 1 mol% catalyst loading with good functional group tolerance. Not only di‐ and tri‐substituted hydrosilanes, but also alkoxysilane is suitable, which does explore the scope of the family of 1‐amino‐2‐silyl compounds. The ligand relay phenomenon between neutral tridentate NNN ligand and anionic NNN ligand is observed for the first time via absorption spectral analysis in this one‐pot, two‐step transformations. The primary mechanism has been proposed based on the control experiments.
Development of Mixed Matrix Membranes with Penetrating Subnanochannels for Efficient Molecule/Ion Separation
Authors: Li Chen , Chen Xiao , Huang Cheng , Cheng Sha , Xu Shiqing , Jiang Yanan , Zhang Pengchao , Chen Wen
Published: August 2023

Membrane‐based separation technologies are becoming increasingly prominent in many important industrial separation applications. In the past decade, nanoporous materials, as promising filler components for high‐performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), have seen a boom given the merits of remarkable chemical and structural variability. However, it remains challenging to address the trade‐off effect of MMMs between molecular/ionic selectivity and permeability. Biological ion channels that penetrate through cell membranes have provided new insights for the construction of novel structures of MMMs. In recent years, MMMs with cell membrane‐like structures have gained much attention and achieved significant progress in the field of separation. In this minireview, recent advances in the design and construction of MMMs with penetrating subnanochannels are summarized. After that, the applications of these MMMs with penetrating subnanochannels in gas separation and ion sieving are highlighted and discussed in detail. Finally, the future developments and challenges for the MMMs with penetrating subnanochannels are prospected.
Catalytic Graphitization of Biocarbon for Lithium‐Ion Anodes: A Minireview
Authors: Lower Lillian , Dey Shaikat Chandra , Vook Trevor , Nimlos Mark , Park Sunkyu , Sagues William Joe
Published: August 2023

The demand for electrochemical energy storage is increasing rapidly due to a combination of decreasing costs in renewable electricity, governmental policies promoting electrification, and a desire by the public to decrease CO2 emissions. Lithium‐ion batteries are the leading form of electrochemical energy storage for electric vehicles and the electrical grid. Lithium‐ion cell anodes are mostly made of graphite, which is derived from geographically constrained, non‐renewable resources using energy‐intensive and highly polluting processes. Thus, there is a desire to innovate technologies that utilize abundant, affordable, and renewable carbonaceous materials for the sustainable production of graphite anodes under relatively mild process conditions. This review highlights novel attempts to realize the aforementioned benefits through innovative technologies that convert biocarbon resources, including lignocellulose, into high quality graphite for use in lithium‐ion anodes.
Puke or poop? Comparison of regurgitate and faecal samples to infer alpine grasshopper (Paprides nitidus Hutton) diet in experimental plant communities
Authors: Allen Warwick J. , Waller Lauren P. , Barratt Barbara I. P. , Dickie Ian A.
Published: August 2023

Characterising plant‐herbivore interactions is important to understanding the processes that influence community structure and ecosystem functioning. Traditional methods used to identify plant‐herbivore interactions are being superseded by non‐destructive molecular approaches that can infer interactions with greater resolution and accuracy from environmental DNA (e.g. faeces and regurgitate). However, few studies have compared the success of using different sample types and whether they provide similar or contrasting information about species' diet. Here we compared the success of DNA amplification and host plant species identification using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) applied to faecal and regurgitate samples collected from alpine grasshoppers Paprides nitidus Hutton during a grassland community mesocosm experiment. We found that DNA amplification success was 23% and 86% higher for faecal than regurgitate samples from female and male grasshoppers, respectively. In contrast, successful host plant identification using RFLP was 9% higher for regurgitate than faecal samples. The mean number of host plant species identified per sample (1.40) did not differ between sample types or grasshopper sexes. Of the 136 paired faecal‐regurgitate samples, just 41% and 74% produced exactly or partially matching host plant identifications, respectively, indicating that different sample types provided complementary information about herbivore diet. Some plant species were more likely to be identified from faecal samples than expected by chance, and we found that this identification bias skewed towards plant species with higher investment in leaf tissue. We conclude that multiple sample types may be required to fully characterise an invertebrate herbivore species' diet.
Analysis of effect of vertical ground shaking in bridges isolated with spherical sliding bearings
Authors: Ryan Keri L. , Mojidra Rushil
Published: August 2023

Studies have shown that in structures isolated with spherical sliding bearings, the seismic base shear increases when the vertical component of ground shaking is explicitly considered, since the dynamic variation of bearing axial force is passed on to the base shear due to the friction mechanism. In this paper, the effect of vertical shaking is systematically investigated in multi‐span concrete box‐girder highway bridges isolated with triple pendulum bearings. Grounded in the theory of bearing mechanics, a simplified method to predict the amplification of base shear with vertical ground shaking intensity in such bridges is developed and evaluated. The simplified approach is potentially applicable for bridge design based on equivalent static analysis. At low to moderate vertical intensities, the simplified method can capture the observed variation in the base‐shear coefficient with isolation system parameters. The differences in base‐shear amplification for bridge superstructure parameter variations are insignificant, and thus the method is widely applicable. At high intensity vertical ground shaking, the base shear coefficient can be affected by an uplift and impact phenomenon. Thus, application of the simplified method should be limited to motions with peak vertical acceleration up to 1 g; simulation with 3D motions is recommended for intensities beyond 1 g.
Assessing Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Great Lakes Ecosystem: A Decade of Method Development and Practical Application
Authors: Ankley Gerald T. , Corsi Steven R. , Custer Christine M. , Ekman Drew R. , Hummel Stephanie L. , Kimbrough Kimani L. , Schoenfuss Heiko L. , Villeneuve Daniel L.
Published: August 2023

Assessing the ecological risk of contaminants in the field typically involves consideration of a complex mixture of compounds which may or may not be detected via instrumental analyses. Further, there are insufficient data to predict the potential biological effects of many detected compounds, leading to their being characterized as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Over the past several years, advances in chemistry, toxicology, and bioinformatics have resulted in a variety of concepts and tools that can enhance the pragmatic assessment of the ecological risk of CECs. The present Focus article describes a 10+- year multiagency effort supported through the U.S. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to assess the occurrence and implications of CECs in the North American Great Lakes. State-of-the-science methods and models were used to evaluate more than 700 sites in about approximately 200 tributaries across lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior, sometimes on multiple occasions. Studies featured measurement of up to 500 different target analytes in different environmental matrices, coupled with evaluation of biological effects in resident species, animals from in situ and laboratory exposures, and in vitro systems. Experimental taxa included birds, fish, and a variety of invertebrates, and measured endpoints ranged from molecular to apical responses. Data were integrated and evaluated using a diversity of curated knowledgebases and models with the goal of producing actionable insights for risk assessors and managers charged with evaluating and mitigating the effects of CECs in the Great Lakes. This overview is based on research and data captured in approximately about 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and reports, including approximately about 30 appearing in a virtual issue comprised of highlighted papers published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry or Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2506–2518. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
The effect of nutrition and health behavior change communication through community‐level actors on the nutritional status of pregnant women in the Ambo district, Ethiopia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gebremichael Mitsiwat Abebe , Belachew Lema Tefera
Published: August 2023

Pregnant women in Ethiopia often had trouble understanding the normal nutrition and health information given by health professionals and found it inconsistent. Undernutrition is still a significant public health problem as a result. Hence, this trial aimed to assess the effect of nutrition and health behavior change communication using the community‐level actors on the nutritional status of pregnant women. Cluster‐randomized controlled community trial with baseline and endline measurements were used. Endpoint data from 744 pregnant women (372 intervention and 372 control groups) were gathered, respectively. In the intervention group, the community‐level actors delivered the behavior change communication main message based on intervention protocol. The control group got nutrition information during their ANC visits but did not receive the behavior change communication intervention. Binary generalized estimating equations regression analyses adjusted for baseline covariates were used to test effects of the intervention on nutritional status. Following the trial's implementation, the prevalence of undernutrition in the intervention arm fell by 10% from the baseline (23.7% vs. 13.7%) and was 13.7% lower than in the control arm (13.7% vs. 27.4%, p = <.001). Pregnant women in the intervention group showed significantly lower risk of undernutrition than the control group (ARR = 0.21; 95% CI 0.14–0.30). This study showed that engaging community actors to communicate about nutrition and health behavior change was successful in enhancing pregnant women's nutritional status. Therefore, nutrition and health behavior change communication through the community‐level actors is recommended to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women.
A comprehensive view on the apigenin impact on colorectal cancer: Focusing on cellular and molecular mechanisms
Authors: Daneshvar Siamak , Zamanian Mohammad Yasin , Ivraghi Mehraveh Sadeghi , Golmohammadi Maryam , Modanloo Mona , Kamiab Zahra , Pourhosseini Seyed Mohammad Ebrahim , Heidari Mahsa , Bazmandegan Gholamreza
Published: August 2023

Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Oncologists are facing challenges such as development of drug resistance and lack of suitable drug options for CC treatment. Flavonoids are a group of natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant‐based foods. According to research, they have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Apigenin is a flavonoid that is present in many fruits and vegetables. It has been used as a natural antioxidant for a long time and has been considered due to its anticancer effects and low toxicity. The results of this review study show that apigenin has potential anticancer effects on CC cells through various mechanisms. In this comprehensive review, we present the cellular targets and signaling pathways of apigenin indicated to date in in vivo and in vitro CC models. Among the most important modulated pathways, Wnt/β‐catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, JNK, STAT3, Bcl‐xL and Mcl‐1, PKM2, and NF‐kB have been described. Furthermore, apigenin suppresses the cell cycle in G2/M phase in CC cells. In CC cells, apigenin‐induced apoptosis is increased by inhibiting the formation of autophagy. According to the results of this study, apigenin appears to have the potential to be a promising agent for CC therapy, but more research is required in the field of pharmacology and pharmacokinetics to establish the apigenin effects and its dosage for clinical studies.
Implantable arterial doppler efficacy in free flap reconstruction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Kevin G. , Chong Christian T. , Hanlon Hunter , Langenfeld Tyler L. , Johnson R. Michael , Crawford Timothy N. , Wax Mark K. , Kadakia Sameep P.
Published: August 2023

The implantable arterial doppler (IAD) is frequently used to postoperatively monitor free flaps with high accuracy, but there are no guidelines for its use. Bedside exam is used adjunctively to determine necessary intervention. This systematic review seeks to discover why the doppler is used adjunctively despite its established record of accuracy. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion were established. In total, 280 articles were found on PubMed and Web of Science, then screened accordingly. Data from 22 articles were analyzed using a bivariate hierarchical random effects model. Twenty‐two studies yielded 2996 total patients undergoing 3127 free flap procedures. The meta‐analysis found a high sensitivity of 0.809 (95% CI = 0.709, 0.880) and specificity of 0.966 (95% CI = 0.947, 0.979). False‐positive rate was found to be 0.034 (95% CI = 0.021, 0.053). Positive and negative predictive values were 0.711 (95% CI = 0.581, 0.817) and 0.979 (95% CI = 0.966, 0.988). Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 24.7 (95% CI = 14.5, 39.5) and 0.20 (95% CI = 0.12, 0.30). The established efficacy of the IAD is supported by this study. Clinical exams may remain as the final adjunct due to the risks of inaccurate IAD signals. Further studies are warranted to optimize its use for future practice guidelines.
Irrigation development as a booster of the multifunctional roles of paddy rice
Authors: Garcia‐Vila Margarita , Suzuki Hanae , Ahmad Waqas , Ali Akhter , Pek Eva , Salman Maher
Published: August 2023

To promote sustainable production and the multiple roles of paddy rice, it is essential to expand our understanding of the impacts of different management options, with particular emphasis on irrigation development. The impact of various management practices (supplementary irrigation during the rainy season, improved fertilization, cropping during the dry season and mulching practices) on irrigation water requirements, crop productivity and the multifunctional roles of irrigated paddy rice was evaluated in diverse agro‐ecological zones of Zambia, by using the AquaCrop model. Irrigation development has been demonstrated to boost paddy rice production (by 8%) in the southern districts by providing supplementary irrigation (about 150 mm) during the rainy season. Additionally, supplementary irrigation during the rainy season can make improved fertilization more attractive, doubling the yield rise under rainfed conditions. The required irrigation development would also enable paddy rice cropping intensification by allowing for dry season sowing (with net irrigation requirements from 700 to 800 mm). Moreover, the associated straw production increase could also play an important role as mulch during the dry season, reducing the net irrigation requirements by 15%. These findings will enable policymakers to make informed decisions regarding investment strategies and policies.
Efficacy and safety of V1a receptor antagonists in autism spectrum disorder: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Kimi Sneha , Maiti Rituparna , Srinivasan Anand , Mishra Biswa Ranjan , Hota Debasish
Published: August 2023

This meta‐analysis has evaluated the efficacy and safety of V1a receptor antagonists in ASD compared to placebo. The reviewers extracted data from four relevant clinical trials after a literature search on databases and clinical trial registries. Quality assessment was done using the risk of bias assessment tool, and the random‐effects model was used to estimate effect size. Subgroup analysis, meta‐regression and sensitivity analysis were done. PRISMA guidelines were followed in the selection, analysis and reporting of findings. V1a receptor antagonists did not reduce Vineland II Adaptive behaviour composite score significantly (SMD: 0.14; 95% CI: −0.06–0.35; p = 0.16; PI: −0.44–0.73), communication domain subscale score and socialization domain subscale score. The change in daily living skills domain subscale score was significant and favourable for V1a receptor antagonists (SMD: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03–0.26; p = 0.01). The subgroup analysis revealed a significant improvement in Vineland II Adaptive behaviour composite score with doses <10 mg (SMD: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.11–0.78; p = 0.009). Meta‐regression does not show a significant association between SMD of ASD symptom score reduction with the duration and dose of V1a receptor antagonist therapy. Treatment‐emergent adverse effects were not serious and dose dependent. Low doses (<10 mg) of V1a receptor antagonist may be effective in reducing the core symptoms of ASD compared to placebo; however, future active‐controlled clinical trials are necessary to generate conclusive evidence.
Optimizing convection‐permitting ensemble via selection of the coarse ensemble driving members
Authors: Khain Pavel , Shtivelman Alon , Levi Yoav , Baharad Anat , Amitai Eyal , Carmona Yizhak , Vadislavsky Elyakom , Savir Amit , Stav Nir
Published: August 2023

Nowadays, several global ensembles (GEs) which consist of several tens of members are being run operationally. In order to locally improve the probabilistic forecasts, various forecasting centers and research institutes utilize the GEs as initial and boundary conditions to drive regional convection permitting ensembles (RCPEs). RCPEs demand significant computer resources and often a limited number of ensemble members is affordable, which is smaller than the size of the driving GE. Since each RCPE member obtains the initial and boundary conditions from a specific GE member, there are many options to select the GE members. The study uses the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) GE consisting of 50 members, to drive 20 members of COSMO model RCPE over the Eastern Mediterranean. We compare various approaches for automatic selection of the GE members and propose several optimal methods, including a random selection, which consistently lead to a better performance of the driven RCPE. The comparison includes verification of near surface variables and precipitation using various verification metrics. The results are validated using several methods of model physics perturbation. Besides the selection of the optimal ensemble configurations, we show that at high precipitation intensities spatial up‐scaling is recommended in order to obtain useful probabilistic forecasts.
A somatic splice‐site variant in PIK3R1 in a patient with vascular overgrowth and low immunoglobulin levels: A case report
Authors: Wilke Matheus V. M. B. , Schimmenti Lisa , Lopour Madeline Q. R. , Tollefson Megha M. , Klee Eric W.
Published: August 2023

Background

The PI3K/AKT pathway, extensively studied in cancer, is vital for regulating cell metabolism, differentiation, and proliferation. Pathogenic variants in the PIK3R1 gene, which encodes three regulatory units of class IA PI3Ks, have been found in affected tissue of individuals with vascular lesions. These variants predominantly occur in the iSH2 domain, disrupting inhibitory contacts with the catalytic unit and leading to PI3K activation. Germline variants in this gene are also linked to an immunological condition called Activated PI3K delta syndrome type 2 (APDS2).

Methods

This is a case report and literature review. Clinical data were retrieved from medical records.

Results

A male patient presented with extensive vascular malformation covering over 90% of his body, along with complete 2–3 toe syndactyly, suggesting a vascular malformation syndrome called PROS. Low levels of IgA and IgG were detected. The patient achieved his developmental milestones and had above‐average weight, height, and head circumference. Exome sequencing of skin and blood DNA revealed a de novo variant in PIK3R1 (c.1746‐2A>G, p.?) in 9% of the patient's blood cells and 25% of cultured fibroblasts. Initially, classified as a variant of uncertain significance, this variant was later confirmed to be the cause.

Conclusions

This is the first intronic SNV in a canonical splice site within iSH2 described, highlighting the importance of iSH2 in the regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and its involvement in the development of vascular overgrowth and antibody deficiency.
On variational approach to fourth‐order problems with unbounded weight
Authors: Galewski Marek , Motreanu Dumitru
Published: August 2023

We investigate fourth‐order equations with Dirichlet‐type boundary conditions with perturbation unbounded from above making the problem non‐potential. We apply variational method to some auxiliary problem and conclude about the existence and uniqueness to the original one. Multiple solutions are also considered. We conclude our note with the result pertaining to the continuous dependence on parameters.
The nonlocal coupled system of Caputo–Fabrizio fractional q‐integro differential equation
Authors: Ali Khalid K. , Raslan K. R. , Ibrahim Amira Abd‐Elall , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: August 2023

This scheme's main goal is to examine the existence, uniqueness, and continuous dependence of solutions for a nonlinear coupled system of fractional q‐integro‐differential equations involving the derivation and integration of fractional Caputo–Fabrizio. The numerical technique methodology of the proposed problem will be introduced. Proving the existence theorem depends on Schauder's fixed‐point theorem. To drive the numerical method, we use the definitions of the fractional derivative and integral of Caputo–Fabrizio and the q‐integral of the Riemann–Liouville type. Then, the integral part will be treated using the trapezoidal method, and the derivative part will be treated using the forward finite difference method. And therefore, the coupled system will be converted into a system of algebraic equation that will be solved together to get the solutions. Finally, we give two examples to illustrate the effectiveness of the suggested approach.
A gradient mapping guided explainable deep neural network for extracapsular extension identification in 3D head and neck cancer computed tomography images
Authors: Wang Yibin , Rahman Abdur , Duggar William Neil , Thomas Toms V. , Roberts Paul Russell , Vijayakumar Srinivasan , Jiao Zhicheng , Bian Linkan , Wang Haifeng
Published: August 2023

Background

Diagnosis and treatment management for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is guided by routine diagnostic head and neck computed tomography (CT) scans to identify tumor and lymph node features. The extracapsular extension (ECE) is a strong predictor of patients' survival outcomes with HNSCC. It is essential to detect the occurrence of ECE as it changes staging and treatment planning for patients. Current clinical ECE detection relies on visual identification and pathologic confirmation conducted by clinicians. However, manual annotation of the lymph node region is a required data preprocessing step in most of the current machine learning‐based ECE diagnosis studies.

Purpose

In this paper, we propose a Gradient Mapping Guided Explainable Network (GMGENet) framework to perform ECE identification automatically without requiring annotated lymph node region information.

Methods

The gradient‐weighted class activation mapping (Grad‐CAM) technique is applied to guide the deep learning algorithm to focus on the regions that are highly related to ECE. The proposed framework includes an extractor and a classifier. In a joint training process, informative volumes of interest (VOIs) are extracted by the extractor without labeled lymph node region information, and the classifier learns the pattern to classify the extracted VOIs into ECE positive and negative.

Results

In evaluation, the proposed methods are well‐trained and tested using cross‐validation. GMGENet achieved test accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) of 92.2% and 89.3%, respectively. GMGENetV2 achieved 90.3% accuracy and 91.7% AUC in the test. The results were compared with different existing models and further confirmed and explained by generating ECE probability heatmaps via a Grad‐CAM technique. The presence or absence of ECE has been analyzed and correlated with ground truth histopathological findings.

Conclusions

The proposed deep network can learn meaningful patterns to identify ECE without providing lymph node contours. The introduced ECE heatmaps will contribute to the clinical implementations of the proposed model and reveal unknown features to radiologists. The outcome of this study is expected to promote the implementation of explainable artificial intelligence‐assiste ECE detection.