bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pressure injury protection strategies are needed in the process of interhospital transport: The findings of a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Wang Runwei , Hu Xiaoshuang , Li Yao , Yao Minwei , Xu Xiulian
Published: February 2024

Background
Pressure injuries (PIs) have implications for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Interhospital transport (IHT) is important to obtain high-quality medical care, but it may complicate PIs.
Objective
To determine the necessity of adopting a PI protective strategy during IHT.
Design
A retrospective cohort study.
Participants
Adult patients admitted to the ICU of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2018 to December 2019 were included.
Methods
Patients who underwent IHT were the IHT group, and those who were admitted directly were the non-transported (NT) group. The Braden score was used to assess the risk of PI.
Results
The prevalence of PIs was not different between the two groups. The risk factors for PI, such as unconsciousness, a high proportion of mechanical ventilation (MV) and low hemoglobin level, were more obvious in IHT patients, but younger age, higher body mass index and lower vasoactive drug (VD) use were protective factors. The Braden score was lower in the IHT group, and in both groups decreased in the first 4 days and recovered in the following 3 days, and the difference disappeared at the end of ICU care, but the price is that IHT consumes more resources. Even in the weighted population created by applying inverse probability weighting, the difference persisted. In subgroup analysis, the Braden score of patients without MV or VD use showed the above characteristics, but not with MV or/and VD use patients. The Braden score difference between ICU-sourced IHT patients and NT patients still existed at the end of ICU care.
Conclusions
IHT brings more challenges to the prevention of PI in critically ill patients. It is very necessary to adopt protective strategies in the process of transportation, especially to transport patients between ICU.
Implications for Clinical Practice
PI protection measures should be adopted in the process of inter-hospital transport, especially in the transfer of patients between ICU.
Mn-inlaid antiphase boundaries in perovskite structure
Authors: Wang Lingyan , Li Chao , Xu Liqiang , Ren Xuerong , Yao Fangzhou , Lu Jiangbo , Wang Dong , Liang zhongshuai , Huang Ping , Wu Shengqiang , Jing Hongmei , Zhang Yijun , Dong Guohua , Liu Haixia , Ma Chuansheng , Lyu Yinong , Wei Xiaoyong , Ren Wei , Wang Ke , Ye Zuo-Guang , Chen Feng
Published: February 2024

Improvements in the polarization of environmentally-friendly perovskite ferroelectrics have proved to be a challenging task. In contrast to traditional methods by complex chemical composition designs, we successfully formed new Mn-inlaid antiphase boundaries in Mn-doped (K,Na)NbO3 thin films using pulsed laser deposition method. Mono- or bi-atomic layer of Mn has been identified to inlay along the antiphase boundaries to balance the charges originated from the deficiency of alkali ions and to induce out-of-plane tensile strain in the KNN films. Thus, rectangular saturated polarization-electric field hysteresis loops have been achieved, with a significantly improved twice remanent polarization of 114 μC/cm2, which can be comparable to that of typical PZT thin films. Moreover, the Mn occupation at the A-site of the KNN perovskite structure was directly revealed using atomic-scale microstructure and composition analysis. The Mn-inlaid antiphase boundary can further enrich the understanding of perovskite crystal structure and open up new possibilities for the design and optimization of perovskite materials.
ELECT: Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Microvascular Plug versus Platinum-Fibered Microcoils for Embolization of Aneurysm Sac Side Branches before Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Konert Manuela , Schmidt Andrej , Branzan Daniela , Wittig Tim , Scheinert Dierk , Steiner Sabine
Published: February 2024

Background
Preemptive selective embolization of aneurysm sac side branches (ASSBs) has been proposed to prevent type II endoleak after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). This study aimed to explore if an embolization strategy using microvascular plugs (MVP) reduces intervention time and radiation dose compared to platinum-fibered microcoils. Further, the effectiveness of the devices in occluding the treated artery was assessed.
Methods
Sixty patients scheduled for EVAR underwent percutaneous preemptive embolization of ASSBs using MVPs or coils after a 1:1 randomization. Follow-up imaging was performed during aortic stentgraft implantation.
Results
Overall, 170 ASSBs were successfully occluded (83 arteries by MVPs and 87 by coils) and no acute treatment failure occurred. The mean procedure time was significantly lower in the group treated with MVPs (55 ± 4 minutes) compared to coil occlusion (67 ± 3 minutes; p = 0.018), which was paralleled by a numerically lower radiation dose (119 Gy/cm2 vs. 140 Gy/cm2; p = 0.45). No difference was found for contrast agent use (34 ml MVP group vs 35 ml coil group; p = 0.87). At follow-up reopening of lumbar arteries was seen in nine cases (four after coil embolization; five after MVPs).
Conclusion
Both microvascular plugs and coils can be effectively used for preemptive embolization of aneurysm sac side branches before EVAR. Use of plugs offers a benefit in terms of intervention time.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03842930 Registered 15 February 2019, https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03842930
Blood oxygen implications of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) combined with patent foramen ovale (PFO) in Northwest, China
Authors: Lv Yidi , Guo Aihong , Lu Zhaoying , Zhang Guoxun , Ruan Litao
Published: February 2024

Purpose: OSA and PFO both can lead to changes in blood oxygen. In this study, we sought to determine whether blood oxygen changes were further exacerbated with OSA combined with PFO.
Methods: Based on c-TCD and PSG results, 623 patients were retrospectively included. According to the results, the patients were divided into 4 groups: OSA and PFO double-positive group, PFO single-positive group, OSA single-positive group, and OSA and PFO double-negative group. In addition, based on the AHI results, we extracted all the severe and moderate patients, and then used the PFO results to group them into the OSA single-positive Moderate-Severe group and the OSA and PFO double-positive Moderate-Severe group. The minimum oxygen saturation, ODI, sleep time with oxygen saturation <90% (TST90) and the percentage of cumulative time with oxygen saturation below 90% in total sleep time(T90) were analysis.
Results: The minimum oxygen saturation, ODI:
There were statistical differences the four groups (P < 0.000). However, there was no statistical difference between the double-positive group and the OSA single-positive group. At the same time, there was no statistical difference between the PFO single-positive group and the all-negative group either. In addition, there was no statistical difference between the all-positive group and the OSA single-positive group in the Moderate-Severe group.
TST90 and T90:
There were statistical differences between the OSA single-positive Moderate-Severe group and the OSA and PFO double-positive Moderate-Severe group.
Conclusions: Patients with OSA-PFO overlap had more severe intermittent hypoxia during sleep than patients with OSA alone.
Large-scale metabolite imaging gallery of mouse organ tissues to study spatial metabolism
Authors: Phapale Prasad , Smith Karl , Fecke Antonia , Kasarla Siva Swapna
Published: February 2024

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has revolutionized the study of tissue metabolism by enabling the visualization of small molecule metabolites (SMMs) in high spatial resolution. However, comprehensive SMM imaging databases for different organ tissues are lacking, hindering our understanding of spatial organ metabolism. To address this resource gap, we present a large-scale SMM imaging gallery for mouse brain, kidney, and liver, capturing over 300 SMMs spanning nine chemical superclasses and encompassing over 40 metabolic pathways. Manual curation of these imaging datasets yielded novel insights into organ-specific metabolic processes, unveiling previously unexplored spatial distribution patterns. Specifically, we identify 82 SMMs annotated in coronal sections and 86 in sagittal tissue sections, including novel spatial patterns for neurotransmitters. Furthermore, we map 111 SMMs in kidney and 69 SMMs in liver, providing new insights into their amino acid and glutathione metabolism. Our comprehensive SMM imaging gallery serves as a critical resource for the spatial metabolism research community, filling a significant resource gap. This resource is freely available for download and can be accessed through the BioImage Archive and METASPACE repositories, providing high quality annotated images for training AI-based computational models and advancing our understanding of tissue metabolism at the spatial level.
Duodenal perforation in children: must surgery be performed?
Authors: Wang Xiang , Zheng Weijun , Chen Fei , Wu Dianming , Fang Yifan , Liu Mingkun
Published: February 2024

Objective：The aim of this study is to share our experience in the conservative treatment of duodenal perforation in children.
Method：Retrospective collection of clinical data on 6 children with duodenal perforation treated at Fujian Children's Hospital from May 2022 to October 2023. Six cases were all males, ranging in age from 8 to 14 years old, and the onset time ranged from 4 to 24 hours. Main manifestations are abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, etc. Among them, 5 children have undergone abdominal CT examination at local hospitals, indicating gastrointestinal perforation.
Result：All 6 patients were diagnosed with perforation of the anterior wall of the duodenum, of which 5 cases were confirmed by ultrasound examination to be located in the bulb, and 1 case was located at the junction of the bulb and the descending part. The perforation diameter of all cases was less than 1cm.Four of them were less than 5mm, and 1 case was 6.9mm. Abdominal X-ray plain film showed 3 cases of free gas downstream of the diaphragm. Five cases underwent conservative treatment, including fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitor (PPI), octreotide, and nutritional support. Blood routine monitoring showed that white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level gradually returned to normal. They recovered after 10-16 days of hospitalization. One case underwent emergency laparoscopic repair of duodenal perforation due to sepsis after 2 days of conservative treatment. Complications such as chyloperitoneum, pleural effusion and subphrenic effusion occurred after the surgery, and the patient recovered after 34 days of hospitalization. All patients recovered and were discharged. Continue to take omeprazole acid therapy for 8 weeks after discharge. All cases were followed up for a period of 1 month to 1 year. Only 1 patient underwent gastroscopy 3 months later and, diagnosed with multiple duodenal ulcers (S2 stage), and continued treatment. The remaining 5 cases showed no signs of second time perforation, bloody stools, abdominal pain, or vomiting.
Conclusion：Duodenal perforation in children is rare and often caused by primary ulcers. Most of them has a history of chronic abdominal pain, with symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and signs of peritonitis during acute attacks. Abdominal X-ray, abdominal CT plain scan, and ultrasound can assist in diagnosis. As long as there is no progression to sepsis, conservative treatment can achieve the same therapeutic effect as surgical treatment, with satisfactory outcomes and acceptable hospital stay.
Microleakage of luting cements in CAD/CAM pediatric zirconia crowns: An in vitro study
Authors: Iampinitkul Sukitta , Chaijareenont Pisaisit , Chinadet Wannapa
Published: February 2024

Objectives To assess and compare the microleakage of custom-made zirconia crowns (CZCs) and prefabricated zirconia crowns (PZCs) on primary maxillary incisors when luted with RelyXTM U200, RelyXTM Luting2, and BioCem®.
Materials and methods A total of 60 primary maxillary incisors were prepared and divided randomly into two groups of the two types of CAD/CAM zirconia crowns. Within each group, the teeth were further randomised into three subgroups that received different luting cements. After cementation and thermocycling, the teeth were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution. Subsequently, the teeth were sectioned and accessed under stereomicroscope. The data were statistically analysed using two-way ANOVA and post hoc Dunnett T3 tests (p < 0.05).
Results PZCs cemented with RelyXTM Luting2 demonstrated the highest microleakage, whereas PZCs cemented with BioCem® exhibited the lowest microleakage. For CZCs, those cemented with RelyXTM Luting2 was significantly greater microleakage than those cemented with BioCem® (p < 0.05). Similarly, PZCs with RelyXTM Luting2 and RelyXTM U200 as luting agents showed significantly higher microleakage compared to those with BioCem® (p = 0.000, p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, when using RelyXTM Luting2 as the cement, PZCs had significantly more microleakage than CZCs (p < 0.01).
Conclusions BioCem® is recommended as the preferred luting cement, especially for PZCs. Practitioners are advised to critically assess their use of RelyXTM Luting2 due to its elevated microleakage rates with both crown types.
Clinical relevance Selecting the appropriate luting cement is vital to minimize microleakage in pediatric zirconia crowns, thereby potentially enhancing the restoration's longevity and clinical success.
Density Functional Theory Investigation of the Contributions of π−π Stacking and Hydrogen Bonding with Water to the Supramolecular Aggregation Interactions of Model Asphaltene Heterocyclic Compounds
Authors: Lessa Milena D. , Stoyanov Stanislav R. , Carneiro José Walkimar M. , Costa Leonardo M.
Published: February 2024

A complex supramolecular process involving electrostatic and dispersion interactions, asphaltene aggregation is associated with detrimental petroleum deposition and scaling that pose challenges to petroleum recovery, transportation, and upgrading. The density functional ωB97X-D with a dispersion correction was employed to investigate supramolecular aggregates incorporating heterocycles dimers with 0, 1, 2, and 3 water molecules forming a stabilizing bridge connecting the monomers. The homodimers of seven heterocyclic model compounds, representative of moieties commonly found in asphaltene structures were studied: pyridine, thiophene, furan, isoquinoline, pyrazine, thiazole, and 1,3-oxazole. The contributions of hydrogen bonding involving water bridges spanning between dimers and π−π stacking to the total interaction energy were calculated and analyzed. The distance between the planes of the aromatic rings is correlated with the π-π stacking interaction strength. All the dimerization reactions are exothermic, although not spontaneous. This is mostly modulated by the strength of the hydrogen bond of the water bridge and the π-π stacking interaction. Dimers bridged by two water molecules are more stable than with additional water molecules or without any water molecule in the bridge. Energy decomposition analysis show that the electrostatic and polarization components are the main stabilizing terms for the hydrogen bond interaction in the bridge, contributing with at least 80% of the interaction energy in all dimers. The non-covalent interaction analysis confirms the molecular sites that have the strongest (hydrogen bond) and weak (π-π stacking) attractive interactions. They are concentrated in the water bridge and in the plane between the aromatic rings, respectively.
Burdens of liver cancer in young adults worldwide from 1990 to 2019, and predictions from 2020 to 2030
Authors: Fan Chenlu , Zhang Xin , Zhang Meichen , Yang Yanmei
Published: February 2024

Background
This study was to investigate the prevalence of liver cancer among individuals aged 15–49 globally and predict future trends in its burden until 2030.
Methods
The age-standardized indicators and their estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated in this study. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were employed to predict the burdens for the period of 2020–2030.
Results
From 1990 to 2019, the burden of liver cancer increased significantly among individuals aged 35–49, with the highest peak observed among those aged 45–49. The burden was higher in men compared to women. During the same period, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized death rate of liver cancer in young adults showed the greatest increase in Central Asia, while the age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate increased the most in Eastern Europe. Among the 204 countries examined, Uzbekistan had the highest increase in ASIR of liver cancer in young adults. Furthermore, using GAMs, we predicted that from 2020 to 2030, the burden of liver cancer will continue to rise among individuals aged 30–34 and 35–39. Notably, the burden of liver cancer attributed to alcohol use is projected to increase significantly between 2020 and 2030.
Conclusions
The burden of liver cancer among young adults has shown an age-dependent increase in 2019, with men experiencing a greater burden compared to women. The projected estimates indicate a rise in the burden of liver cancer attributed to alcohol consumption among young adults, specifically from 2020 to 2030.
Sequence and structural analysis of main protease Mpro mutants of SARS CoV-2 from variant of concern (VoCs)
Authors: KHAN MOHD MUZAMMIL
Published: February 2024

In light of the emergence of new and potentially more virulent SARS-CoV-2 variants, an in-depth analysis of the main protease (Mpro) or 3CLpro, a critical target for COVID-19 therapy due to its essential role in viral replication, was conducted. This study focused on the alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and omicron variants, comparing them to the reference sequence (Wuhan-Hu-1). The comprehensive analysis of the mutational landscape of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro across Variants of Concern (VOCs) provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of the virus. The study utilized a substantial dataset of 222,980 sequences (quality data) and created a library of a total of 51,733 mutations for the Mpro protein. The distribution of mutations varied among the variants, with distinct patterns observed. Certain regions crucial for drug binding and protease function showed relatively fewer mutation rates, unlike the interdomain site, which exhibited higher mutation rates compared to catalytic and dimeric interface sites. Notably, the Omicron variant displayed the prevalent P132H mutation, while the Beta variant featured the prevalent K90R mutation. Furthermore, proline positions in Mpro were investigated, with mutations identified in ten out of thirteen positions, underscoring the potential impact on protein stability. Additionally, the catalytic site S1 sub-pocket was found to be less mutated, whereas the S3 sub-pocket was highly mutated. These findings suggest a critical role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of Mpro, offering valuable insights for future research and therapeutic development.
Early phenotypic and soluble markers of T cell activity can distinguish sepsis associated HLH from sepsis in children
Authors: Chaudhary Anita , Boddu Deepthi , Christal Jone Paulin , Vijayalekshmi Balakrishnan , Kumar Ajith , Syed Chanduni , Saravanan Poornima , Mathew Leni Grace , Sriniva Hema N , Varghese Tintu , Ghosh Urmi , Rajan Roshini Julia , Chandran Jolly , Kishore Ravi , Jacob Ebor , Nair Sukesh C , Samuel Prasanna , Kumar Satish , Prabhu Savit B
Published: February 2024

Sepsis associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (SHLH) is an underrecognized fatal complication of sepsis which requires early diagnosis and aggressive immunosuppressive treatment. However, overlapping clinical symptoms between sepsis and SHLH makes the early diagnosis challenging. Few recent studies have indicated the utility of immune signatures in distinguishing sepsis from HLH due to various underlying triggers. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the proportions of T cell subsets, their activation status (% of HLADR+CD38+ or PD1+ T cells) and cytokine profile within 72 hours of diagnosing the children with sepsis. Among the sepsis children, SHLH were identified if ≥4 HLH-2004 criteria are fulfilled. We report a lower CD4:CD8 ratio, and higher percentages of activated (HLADR+CD38+ or PD1+) CD4 T cells in SHLH children than those with sepsis. We also report an increase in the cytokines/chemokines related to T cell activity (IL-2Ra, IFN-g, MIG/CXCL9 and IL-10) in SHLH. ROC analysis revealed a 100% sensitivity and 78% specificity with CD4:CD8 <1.28 and an 87% sensitivity and 93% specificity with PD1+ CD4 Tcells >23.75% supporting the utility of these immune profiles in differentiating sepsis from SHLH early during the disease. Other markers (HLADR+CD38+CD4+T cells, serum levels of IL2Ra, IL-10 and MIG) also showed a specificity of 81-87%. In conclusion, the PD1+/HLADR+CD38+CD4+T cells, CD4:CD8 ratio, IL-2Ra and IL-10 either individually or together are likely to offer a good diagnostic accuracy in early diagnosis of SHLH from sepsis in children.
Causal association of childhood body mass index (BMI) with the risk of endometrioid endometrial cancer: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lou Yaochen , Du Yan , Jiang Feng , Guan Jun
Published: February 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate if childhood body mass index (BMI) causally contributed to the risk of endometrial cancer (EC), which had not been well answered.
Methods: Genetic instruments were selected using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with childhood BMI in European population from a large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS, n= 39,620). A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to evaluate the effect of higher childhood BMI on risk of EC. The data for endometrioid EC was obtained from a GWAS dataset comprising 54,884 individuals (8,758 cases and 46,126 controls). Inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, weighted mode, and MR-Egger regression approaches were applied.
Results: We selected 16 SNPs with genome-wide significance in childhood BMI for the analysis. The IVW analysis provided a causal link between childhood BMI and EC (beta = 0.408, standard error [SE] = 0.088, P < 0.001). Similarly, the weighted median method also provided robust evidence for the causal correlation (beta = 0.390, SE = 0.119, P < 0.001). Although the MR-Egger regression did not achieve the same significance (beta = 0.071, SE = 0.362, P = 0.848), it showed a minimal intercept value indicating small bias for directionality of pleiotropic effects (intercept = 0.024; P = 0.354). Through Cochran's Q test and visual inspection via funnel plot, the assessment of heterogeneity found no evidence of heterogeneity or asymmetry in our findings, further supporting the absence of directional pleiotropy.
Conclusions: Childhood BMI and risk of EC might be causally related, and early-life intervention on weight control might be considered for children to reduce the life-span risk of EC.
Magnetic Properties of Fe and Cu doped Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized via Sol-Gel Method
Authors: Rehman Abdul , Naseem Shahzad , Riaz Saira
Published: February 2024

The iron and copper doped zinc oxide nanoparticle was synthesized by the Sol-gel method. The prepared powder sample was characterized by using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet Visible Spectroscopy, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer VSM, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy FTIR. The synthesized well-closed pack spherical nanoparticles of wurtzite hexagonal phase, and have characterized their crystalline structure using XRD. The bandgap increases with the addition of the doping material in ZnO NPs which is analyzed by UV spectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the existence of chemical bonding and functional groups in the samples, and it was found that the spectra contained modes associated with iron Fe in addition to ZnO nanoparticles. This suggests the presence of Fe in the nanoparticles. At room temperature, ferromagnetism behavior in the doped ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by magnetic characterization using VSM. This is a significant finding, as ferromagnetism is not typically observed in ZnO, and it could have potential applications in the field of spintronics.
Improving Scalability of Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning with Suboptimal Human Knowledge
Authors: Liu Dingbang , Ren Fenghui , Yan Jun , Su Guoxin , Gu Wen , Kato Shohei
Published: February 2024

Due to its exceptional learning ability, multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL) has garnered widespread research interest. However, since the learning is data-driven and involves sampling from millions of steps, training a large number of agents is inherently challenging and inefficient. Inspired by the human learning process, we aim to transfer knowledge from humans to avoid starting from scratch. Given the growing emphasis on the Human-on-the-Loop concept, this study focuses on addressing the challenges of large-population learning by incorporating suboptimal human knowledge into the cooperative multi-agent environment. To leverage human experience, we integrate human knowledge into the training process of MADRL, representing it in natural language rather than specific action-state pairs. Compared to previous works, we further consider the attributes of transferred knowledge to assess its impact on algorithm scalability. Additionally, we examine several features of knowledge mapping to effectively convert human knowledge to the action space where agent learning occurs. In reaction to the disparity in knowledge construction between humans and agents, our approach allows agents to decide freely which portions of the state space to leverage human knowledge. From the challenging domains of the StarCraft Multi-agent Challenge, our method successfully alleviates the scalability issue in MADRL. Furthermore, we find that, despite individual-type knowledge significantly accelerating the training process, cooperative-type knowledge is more desirable for addressing a large agent population. We hope this study provides valuable insights into applying and mapping human knowledge, ultimately enhancing the interpretability of agent behavior.
Core-sheath PVDF hollow porous fibers via coaxial wet spinning for energy harvesting
Authors: yue tiantian , Li Xingxing , Wang Mengqi , Zheng Minfeng , Liu Jinxin , Lin Jinyou , Liu Yuqing
Published: February 2024

As a promising sustainable power source for intelligent electronics, flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) have gained significant attention for their potential applications in the Internet of Things. Here, the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibers with a core-sheath hollow porous structure that consisting of the liquid metal (LM) as the inner electrode layer and the copper and silver nanoparticle (Cu@AgNP) as the external electrode layer are prepared via a coaxial wet spinning process to construct high-performance PVDF/LM/Cu@AgNP composite fibers. The PVDF fiber has stratified pore structure and the existence of arbitrarily deformable LM electrode, which significantly reduces the effective dielectric constant, thereby enhancing the piezoelectric properties. The results demonstrate that PVDF/LM/Cu@AgNP-PENG yields an optimal voltage output of 410 mV, providing a clear advantage over PENG by using alternative fibers. Moreover, the PVDF/LM/Cu@AgNP-PENG demonstrates an excellent charging capability for energy storage devices, being able to charge 1 µF capacitors to 10 V within 30 seconds and directly power commercial LEDs. This study demonstrates the significant potential for utilizing composite PVDF piezoelectric fibers in flexible wearable electronic devices.
Retinoic Acid-Induced 2 Contributes to Proficient Homologous Recombination and Maintains Genomic Stability in Breast Cancer
Authors: Boettcher Lena , Greimeier Sarah , Borgmann Kerstin , Mughal Shabbir S. , Ellinger Bernhard , Bartkowiak Kai , Zobiak Bernd , Failla Antonio V. , Steffen Pascal , Claus Ellen , Besler Katharina , Buccitelli Christopher , Schaaf Violetta , Ozga Ann-Kathrin , Parretta Simona , Schneegans Svenja , Mansour Wael Y. , Korbel Jan O. , Schlueter Hartmut , Brors Benedikt , Pantel Klaus , Wikman Harriet , Werner Stefan
Published: February 2024

Background
Genome instability is a fundamental feature and hallmark of cancer associated with aggressiveness, drug resistance and poor prognosis. RAI2 was initially identified as a novel metastasis suppressor protein specifically associated with the presence of disseminated tumour cells in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients, but its molecular function is largely unknown.
Methods
We analysed the consequences of RAI2 depletion on gene expression and genomic stability in luminal breast cancer cell lines, performed cytotoxicity profiling using a library of pharmacologically active compounds, and characterized the function of the RAI2 protein in the DNA damage response. We performed in silico validation in different breast cancer datasets.
Results
Analysis of clinical samples revealed that in primary breast tumours, low RAI2 gene expression is significantly associated with genomically unstable tumours and poor prognosis. RAI2 depletion in breast cancer cell lines resulted in loss of mitotic fidelity characterized by prolonged mitosis with increased chromosome segregation errors and micronuclei formation. Drug screening revealed increased sensitivity of RAI2-depleted breast cancer cells to topoisomerase I and Aurora A inhibitors. We also found that genotoxic stress induces RAI2 protein, which shows affinity for poly-(ADP-ribose) and contributes to efficient DNA repair by homologous recombination. We validated the functional association of RAI2 gene expression with DNA double-strand break repair capacity in clinical samples.
Conclusions
Our findings support, for the first time, an important functional role of RAI2 in the maintenance of mitotic fidelity and DNA repair associated with early metastatic relapse. The underlying molecular mechanisms could be exploited to improve patient diagnosis and treatment.
Rock abrasiveness prediction based on multi-source physical, mechanical and mineralogical properties
Authors: Wu Yun , Li Xiao-Zhao , Deng Long-Chuan , Liu Jiang-Feng , Zou Chun-Jiang , Zhang Chi
Published: February 2024

Rock abrasiveness is a vital parameter that affects cutter wear, tunneling efficiency, and cost budgeting during mechanical excavation. The Cerchar abrasivity index (CAI), a suggested standard parameter to characterize the rock abrasiveness, can be obtained through the laboratory test. Understanding the correlations between the CAI and physical, mechanical, and mineralogical properties helps to precisely evaluate the cutter wear and improve the excavation efficiency. In this study, 27 groups of rock samples collected from around the country were determined to establish the correlations between the CAI and 17 commonly used rock parameters using simple regression and multiregression. Based on PCC results, the possibility of linear relationships between CAI and 17 rock physical, mechanical, and mineralogical parameters was analyzed for determining the appropriate model. Subsequently, simple linear regression and Boltzmann models were developed based on physical and mechanical parameters, the model based on the porosity showed the excellent forecasting performance over other models. Through the analysis on the coefficient of determination (R2) value, a better multiregression model (R2=0.922) based on the mechanical parameters was obtained, but a more feasible model (R2=0.912) based on the thermal conductivity, diffusion coefficient, elastic modulus, and Rock Abrasivity Index (RAI) was also suggested after consideration of the simplicity and period of parameter measurement. After classification of rock types, the linear correlations strengthened significantly especially for the mineralogical properties, the CAI showed a linear correlation with equivalent quartz content (EQC) and RAI for the granite and sandstone, the quartz content (Q) still showed no relation with CAI.
Global change and forest disturbances in the Mediterranean basin: factors affecting pine processionary moth populations in two different bioclimatic strata in Northern Algeria
Authors: Boudjahem Ibtissem , Brivio Maurizio.F. , Mastore Maristella , Aouati Amel
Published: February 2024

The pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis and Schiffer-müller), is one of the most important defoliators of pine and cedar forests on the Mediterranean margin. Repeated attacks by this pest are generating considerable natural and economic damage in the area. In order to study the population dynamic patterns of its range, a winter nest abundance survey was conducted in two different areas of cedar forest in the two National Parks of Chréa and Belezma during the three-year period 2020-2022 in northern Algeria. The altitudinal distribution of the insect was developed at three different sites in each area. The effects of temperature and precipitation on the infestation index were developed over the four-year period 2019-2022. Under a global climate change scenario, we discussed how perturbations in meteorological factors can affect PPM density in different bioclimatic layers. Data analysis revealed a permanent increase in PPM population density in Chréa forest and a gradual decrease in its size in Belezma forest. Important winter nest count values were recorded at higher elevations in the two areas mentioned above. Seasonal variation analyses show a strong correlation between perturbations in climatic parameters and winter nest abundance in both semi-arid and sub-humid strata.
Childhood maltreatment and anxiety, depression and self-harm behaviors : A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Wang Xinglian , Qiu Haitang , Wang Yating , Li Jiazheng , Ju Yuanzhi , Luo Qinghua
Published: February 2024

Objective
Observational studies have shown associations between childhood maltreatment (CM) and increased risks of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Anxiety (ANX), and self-harm and suicidal behaviors. We conducted a Mendelian Randomization study to evaluate the causal effects of these associations.
Methods
We gathered genetic data from publicly available Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) on childhood maltreatment, MDD, ANX, age of onset for depression, number of depressive episodes, and self-harm and suicidal behaviors. To assess the causal impact of childhood maltreatment on the incidence and symptoms of ANX and MDD, we conducted comprehensive MR analyses and sensitivity analyses using methods such as Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), MR Egger, Weighted Median (WM), and MR-PRESSO models. The findings were reported as Odds Ratios (ORs) with Confidence Intervals (CIs).
Results
There was a significant association between childhood maltreatment and the risk of developing MDD (IVW: OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.66–3.14, P < 0.001) and ANX (IVW: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 1-1.02, P = 0.027). Additionally, childhood maltreatment was likely to increase the self-harming behaviors (IVW: OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.04–1.08, P < 0.001) and the frequency of depressive episodes (IVW: β = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.17–0.46, P < 0.001), and was associated with an earlier age of onset for depression (IVW: β=-0.17, 95% CI=-0.32 to -0.02, P = 0.025).
Conclusion
Childhood maltreatment is a potential risk factor for MDD, ANX, and self-harming behaviors. It is associated with the frequency of depressive episodes and an earlier age of onset for depression.
Nonlinear steady of natural convection through a high-order continuation approach
Authors: Laasl Boutayna , Hilali Youssef , Mesmoudi Said , Bourihane Oussama
Published: February 2024

In this investigation, we present a novel Meshfree method for addressing nonlinear steady natural convection equations, leveraging the Radial Point Interpolation Method (RPIM) for dis-cretization and a high-order continuation procedure for solution computation. The proposed approach is validated through examples involving two-dimensional air-filled cavities with diverse geometries and different boundary conditions, considering constant fluid properties except density. The numerical simulations demonstrate good agreement with Finite Element Method (FEM) and literature data. Various parameters, such as Rayleigh number, angular position of the inner elliptic cylinder, and radius of the inner circular cylinder, are systematically analyzed. Results, including streamlines, isotherms, and average equivalent conductivity, are presented graphically, establishing the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method.
Comparative Characterization of the Viscoelastic Properties of Additive Manufacturing Polymers
Authors: Singh Anil , Chen Mia , Youssef George
Published: February 2024

The recent availability of a wide range of additively manufactured materials has facilitated the translation from prototype-limited to application-ready 3D printed components. As such, additively manufactured materials deployed in dynamic environments require extensive characterization to elucidate and optimize performance. This research evaluates the dynamic response of fused filament fabrication and vat-photopolymerization printed polymers as a function of temperature. Dynamic mechanical analysis is used to extract the viscoelastic properties of several generations of samples exhibiting a range of thermomechanical behavior, highlighting the stiffness and damping characteristics. A modified stiffness-temperature model supports the experimental characterization and provides additional insight concerning the molecular motion occurring over each thermal transition. The insights from the analysis were collated into a case study that leverages their dynamic characteristics in a multi-material application. The outcomes from this research assimilate a framework that defines the temperature operating range and broadens the design envelope for these additive manufacturing materials.
Maternal polystyrene nanoplastics exposure during pregnancy induces obesity development in adult offspring through disrupting lipid homeostasis
Authors: Shen Zhaoping , Wang Lin , Tang Jiayi , Gao Zhengnan , Tang Can , Huang Donglei , Mo Siyi , Tang Juan , Xiao Pei , Zhao Xinyuan , Wang Xiaoke
Published: February 2024

Background: Airborne nanoplastics have raised increasing concerns since they become an integral part of daily human activities and pose a potential hazard to health. Previous studies indicated that in utero exposure to environmental toxicants is associated with metabolic dysfunction in later life. However, maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) during pregnancy through inhalation route on the development of obesity in offspring still unclear.
Results: Pregnant dams were exposed to 0 µg/µL (0 particles), 0.5 µg/µL (approximately 0.15 × 1011 particles per day) and 1.0 µg/µL (approximately 0.30 × 1011 particles per day) PSNPs during conception period through oropharyngeal aspiration three times per week. Offspring were sacrificed at postnatal 12 weeks and adipose tissue including perigonadal white adipose tissue and interscapular brown adipose tissue were collected for weight measurement, histopathological observation as well as molecular detection. Our data illustrated that maternal PSNPs exposure during pregnancy induced a decline in birth weight in 0.5 μg/μl but increase postnatal body weight both in 0.5 and 1.0 μg/μl without sex specific manner. Moreover, maternal PSNPs exposure significantly increased the weight of perigonadal white adipose tissue with elevated energy efficiency but not food intake. Furthermore, the genes involved in de novo lipogenesis and uptake of fatty acid in perigonadal white adipose tissue were upregulated after maternal PSNPs exposure; while the gene related with triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis was simultaneously significantly increased after maternal PSNPs exposure; In addition, maternal PSNPs exposure also upregulated the gene participated in fatty acid oxidation and adipogenesis in female and male offspring. In term of brown adipose tissue, the weight of interscapular brown adipose tissue was increased with upregulated UCP-1expression after maternal PSNPs exposure.
Conclusion: In summary, these finding demonstrated that maternal exposure to PSNPs in pregnancy can cause the development of obesity in offspring, which is mainly through the increased genes involved in de novo lipogenesis and uptake of fatty acid as well as genes participated TAG synthesis in perigonadal white adipose tissue.
Prognostic value of circular RNAs expression and correlation with clinicopathological features in acute myeloid leukemia; a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mirazimi Yasin , Aghayan Amir Hossein , Atashi Amir , Mohammadi Davood , Rafiee Mohammad
Published: February 2024

Background
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) prognosis is affected by unique factors to each individual and studies have indicated that dysregulated expression of circRNAs may serve as prognostic biomarkers for AML. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess the prognostic value of circRNAs expression and it’s correlation with clinicopathological features.
Methods
Comprehensive search was conducted in WOS, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and grey literature. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the modified GRADE approach for prognostic and clinicopathological meta-analysis. The hazard ratio (HR) was employed to assess the prognostic value of dysregulated expression of circRNAs in patient survival, while the risk ratio (RR) was utilized to analyze the correlation between circRNAs and clinicopathological features.
Results
Our results demonstrated that dysregulation of circRNAs expression was associated with poor prognosis related to overall survival (OS) indicator (HR:2.05; 95%CI: 1.75–2.40) and also related to non-OS indicators such as (EFS, LFS, RFS, and DFS) (HR:2.09, 95%CI: 1.47–2.97). Priori and post-hoc subgroup analysis was conducted to describe variables that potentially affected heterogeneity and effect size. We also evaluated the association between dysregulated expression of circRNAs and 19 clinicopathological parameters. Our results show that there is significant relationship between the dysregulated expression of circRNAs and the mentioned parameters: type M6 vs. other types (RR:1.51, 95% CI:1.12–2.03), FLT3-ITD mutation (RR:1.17, 95%CI: 1.00-1.36), and risk status (RR:1.35, 95% CI: 1.13–1.60).
Conclusion
This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that the investigation of circRNAs expression changes can serve as valuable biomarkers for the assessment of prognosis in AML patients.
Multivariate Model to Predict Survival in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Zhu Changsen , Zheng Guoqiang , Xu Yiyi , Wang Gang , Wang Nan , Lu Jianliang , Lyu Jun , Chen Zhuoming
Published: February 2024

Background & Aims: Pneumonia continues to be a leading source of respiratory complications in emergency medical settings. Limited research has been conducted on constructing predictive models utilizing biomarkers to estimate the in-hospital mortality rates among patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). Our study aims to develop a comprehensive nomogram to project the survival probabilities at 7, 14, and 28 days for individuals afflicted with CAP.
Methods: Utilizing the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) - III database, we selected 1,433 patients. These individuals were subsequently segregated into training set and validation set. Variables were chosen through the Cox regression approach, subsequently crafting a prognostic nomogram. The predictive capacity of this novel model was appraised using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and was juxtaposed against the Acute Physiology Score III (APSIII) and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA).
Results: The constructed nomogram incorporated the following variables: APSIII, Age, Temperature, WBC (White Blood Cell Count), Glucose, INR (International Normalized Ratio), Hemoglobin, Sodium, SOFA, Religion, Ethnicity, and Gender. Notably, this nomogram demonstrated superior performance compared to both the APSIII and the SOFA score, as evidenced by the ROC curve, C-index, NRI, and IDI evaluations.
Conclusion: We have harnessed a diverse array of biomarkers to construct a nomogram that surpasses the accuracy of APSIII and SOFA. This tool holds the potential to assist healthcare professionals in enhancing treatment strategies and prognosticating patient outcomes.
Induction of cellular senescence and apoptosis by anti-mycobacterial drug bedaquiline in mammalian cell lines
Authors: Liu Sihan , Zhang Jiawei , Zhang Jinbo , Wang Jincai , Chen Yang , He Qiyang , Li Xiaohui , Liu Tianjun , Guan Yan , Zhang Pengxia , Wang Xiao , Liu Yishuang , Meng Jianzhou
Published: February 2024

Background
Bedaquiline (BDQ), a first-in-class diarylquinoline compound, was approved for therapy of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) by the FDA in 2012. Previous studies have shown that the addition of BDQ to the preferred regimen resulted in faster sputum-culture conversion, but more deaths compared with the placebo group. Since the mechanism of BDQ is related to ATP synthase, and ATP synthase is closely linked to aging-related diseases, we hypothesized that BDQ may cause mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cellular apoptosis and senescence.
Methods
The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay is used to assess the viability of cells in the presence or absence of bedaquiline treatment. We used flow cytometry to detect Annexin V-PI and ROS levels in different groups of cells. TMRM staining is performed to examine the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells. Western blot is used to measure the expression levels of proteins associated with aging and apoptosis. The β-Galactosidase kit is used for staining to examine the proportion of senescent cells in different groups.
Results
In the current study, we evaluated the apoptosis and senescence induction effects of BDQ in human embryonic lung fibroblasts MRC-5 cells and rat cardiomyocytes H9C2 cells and explored the potential molecular mechanisms. The results demonstrated that BDQ reduced the cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, BDQ induced cellular apoptosis and senescence, and increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) level.
Conclusions
Our results revealed that BDQ can cause cellular apoptosis and senescence for the first time, with the aim of optimizing anti-TB drug regimens in anticipation of better outcomes.