bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parahydrogen‐Induced Carbon‐13 Radiofrequency Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
Authors: Nelson Christopher , Schmidt Andreas B. , Adelabu Isaiah , Nantogma Shiraz , Kiselev Valerij G. , Abdurraheem Abubakar , de Maissin Henri , Lehmkuhl Sören , Appelt Stephan , Theis Thomas , Chekmenev Eduard Y.
Published: November 2022

The feasibility of Carbon‐13 Radiofrequency (RF) Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (C‐13 RASER) is demonstrated on a bolus of liquid hyperpolarized ethyl [1‐13C]acetate. Hyperpolarized ethyl [1‐13C]acetate was prepared via pairwise addition of parahydrogen to vinyl [1‐13C]acetate and polarization transfer from nascent parahydrogen‐derived protons to the carbon‐13 nucleus via magnetic field cycling yielding C‐13 nuclear spin polarization of approximately 6 %. RASER signals were detected from samples with concentration ranging from 0.12 to 1 M concentration using a non‐cryogenic 1.4T NMR spectrometer equipped with a radio‐frequency detection coil with a quality factor (Q) of 32 without any modifications. C‐13 RASER signals were observed for several minutes on a single bolus of hyperpolarized substrate to achieve 21 mHz NMR linewidths. The feasibility of creating long‐lasting C‐13 RASER on biomolecular carriers opens a wide range of new opportunities for the rapidly expanding field of C‐13 magnetic resonance hyperpolarization.
A Novel Electrode for Value‐Generating Anode Reactions in Water Electrolyzers at Industrial Current Densities
Authors: Wang Changlong , Wu Yufeng , Bodach Alexander , Krebs Moritz Lukas , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Schüth Ferdi
Published: November 2022

Hydrogen generated in electrolyzers is discussed as a key element in future energy scenarios, but oxygen evolution as the standard anode reaction is a complex multi‐step reaction requiring a high overpotential. At the same time,it does not add value‐the oxygen is typically released into the atmosphere. Alternative anode reactions which can proceed at similar current densities as the hydrogen evolution are, therefore, of highest interest. We have discovered a high‐performance electrode based on earth‐abundant elements synthesized in the presence of H2O2, which is able to sustain current densities of close to 1 A cm−2 for the oxidation of many organic molecules, which are partly needed at high production volumes. Such anode reactions could generate additional revenue streams, which help to solve one of the most important problems in the transition to renewable energy systems, i.e. the cost of hydrogen electrolysis.
Upconversion Luminescence through Cooperative and Energy‐Transfer Mechanisms in Yb3+‐Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Xie Yao , Sun Guotao , Mandl Gabrielle A. , Maurizio Steven L. , Chen Jiabo , Capobianco John A. , Sun Lining
Published: November 2022

Lanthanide‐doped metal–organic frameworks (Ln‐MOFs) have versatile luminescence properties, however it is challenging to achieve lanthanide‐based upconversion luminescence in these materials. Here, 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) and trivalent Yb3+ions were used to generate crystalline Yb‐BTC MOF 1D‐microrods with upconversion luminescence under near infrared excitation via cooperative luminescence. Subsequently, the Yb‐BTC MOFs were doped with a variety of different lanthanides to evaluate the potential for Yb3+‐based upconversion and energy transfer. Yb‐BTC MOFs doped with Er3+, Ho3+, Tb3+, and Eu3+ions exhibit both the cooperative luminescence from Yb3+and the characteristic emission bands of these ions under 980 nm irradiation. In contrast, only the 497 nm upconversion emission band from Yb3+is observed in the MOFs doped with Tm3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, and Dy3+. The effects of different dopants on the efficiency of cooperative luminescence were established and will provide guidance for the exploitation of Ln‐MOFs exhibiting upconversion.
Mapping the Complete Photocycle that Powers a Large Stokes Shift Red Fluorescent Protein
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Zhang Ya , Chen Cheng , Zhu Ruixue , Jiang Jiaming , Weng Tsu‐Chien , Ji Quanjiang , Huang Yifan , Fang Chong , Liu Weimin
Published: November 2022

Large Stokes shift (LSS) red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) are highly desirable for bioimaging advances. The RFP mKeima, with coexisting cis‐ and trans‐isomers, holds significance as an archetypal system for LSS emission due to excited‐state proton transfer (ESPT), yet the mechanisms remain elusive. We implemented femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) and various time‐resolved electronic spectroscopies, aided by quantum calculations, to dissect the cis‐ and trans‐mKeima photocycle from ESPT, isomerization, to ground‐state proton transfer in solution. This work manifests the power of FSRS with global analysis to resolve Raman fingerprints of intermediate states. Importantly, the deprotonated trans‐isomer governs LSS emission at 620 nm, while the deprotonated cis‐isomer's 520 nm emission is weak due to an ultrafast cis‐to‐trans isomerization. Complementary spectroscopic techniques as a table‐top toolset are thus essential to study photochemistry in physiological environments.
Innovative Electrochemical Strategies for Hydrogen Production: From Electricity Input to Electricity Output
Authors: Yan Dafeng , Mebrahtu Chalachew , Wang Shuangyin , Palkovits Regina
Published: November 2022

Renewable H2 production by water electrolysis has attracted much attention due to its numerous advantages. However, the energy consumption of conventional water electrolysis is high and mainly driven by the kinetically inert anodic oxygen evolution reaction. An alternative approach is the coupling of different half‐cell reactions and the use of redox mediators. In this review, we, therefore, summarize the latest findings on innovative electrochemical strategies for H2 production. First, we address redox mediators utilized in water splitting, including soluble and insoluble species, and the corresponding cell concepts. Second, we discuss alternative anodic reactions involving organic and inorganic chemical transformations. Then, electrochemical H2 production at both the cathode and anode, or even H2 production together with electricity generation, is presented. Finally, the remaining challenges and prospects for the future development of this research field are highlighted.
Halogen‐Bonding Heteroditopic [2]Catenanes for Recognition of Alkali Metal/Halide Ion Pairs
Authors: Tay Hui Min , Tse Yuen Cheong , Docker Andrew , Gateley Christian , Thompson Amber L. , Kuhn Heike , Zhang Zongyao , Beer Paul D.
Published: November 2022

The first examples of halogen bonding (XB) heteroditopic homo[2]catenanes were prepared by discrete Na+ template‐directed assembly of oligo(ethylene glycol) units derived from XB donor‐containing macrocycles and acyclic bis‐azide precursors, followed by a CuI‐mediated azide‐alkyne cycloaddition macrocyclisation reaction. Extensive 1H NMR spectroscopic studies show the [2]catenane hosts exhibit positive cooperative ion‐pair recognition behaviour, wherein XB‐mediated halide recognition is enhanced by alkali metal cation pre‐complexation. Notably, subtle changes in the catenanes’ oligo(ethylene glycol) chain length dramatically alters their ion‐binding affinity, stoichiometry, complexation mode, and conformational dynamics. Solution‐phase and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies provide evidence for competing host‐separated and direct‐contact ion‐pair binding modes. We further demonstrate the [2]catenanes are capable of extracting solid alkali‐metal halide salts into organic media.
How Crystal Symmetry Dictates Non‐Local Vibrational Circular Dichroism in the Solid State
Authors: Jähnigen Sascha , Le Barbu‐Debus Katia , Guillot Régis , Vuilleumier Rodolphe , Zehnacker Anne
Published: November 2022

Solid‐State Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) can be used to determine the absolute structure of chiral crystals, but its interpretation remains a challenge in modern spectroscopy. In this work, we investigate the effect of a twofold screw axis on the solid‐state VCD spectrum in a combined experimental and theoretical analysis of P21 crystals of (S)‐(+)‐1‐indanol. Even though the space group is achiral, a single proper symmetry operation has an important impact on the VCD spectrum, which reflects the supramolecular chirality of the crystal. Distinguishing between contributions originating from molecular chirality and from chiral crystal packing, we find that while IR absorption hardly depends on the symmetry of the space group, the situation is different for VCD, where completely new non‐local patterns emerge. Understanding the two underlying mechanisms, namely gauge transport and direct coupling, will help to use VCD to distinguish polymorphic forms.
Crystalline Unipolymer Monolayer with High Modulus and Conductivity
Authors: Wang Jinxin , Zhang Hao , Li Shumu , Ding Caijun , Zhao Yongjie , Long Xiuzhen , Wei Chang , Wang Yanfang , Li Yongfang , Shen Lingyun , Cui Shuxun , Hong Wenjing , Li Mao
Published: November 2022

The synthesis of crystalline polymer with a well‐defined orientated state and a two‐dimensional crystalline size beyond a micrometer will be essential to achieve the highest physical feature of polymer material but remain challenging. Herein, we show the synthesis of the crystalline unipolymer monolayer with an unusual ultrahigh modulus that is higher than the ITO substrate and high conductance by simultaneous electrosynthesis and manipulation. We find that the polymer monolayer has fully extended in the vertical and unidirectional orientation, which is proposed to approach their theoretically highest density, modulus, and conductivity among all aggregation formations of the current polymer. The modulus and current density can reach 40 and 1000 times higher than their amorphous counterpart. It is also found that these monolayers exhibit the bias‐ and length‐dependent multiple charge states and asymmetrically negative differential resistance (NDR) effect, indicating that this unique molecular tailoring and ordering design is promising for multilevel resistive memory devices. Our work demonstrates the creation of a crystalline polymer monolayer for approaching the physical limit of polymer electronic materials and also provides an opportunity to challenge the synthetically iterative limit of an isolated ultra‐long polymer.
Results of the 2022 AORN Salary and Compensation Survey
Authors: Bacon Donald R. , Stewart Kim A.
Published: November 2022

AORN conducted its 20th annual compensation survey for perioperative nurses in June of 2022. A multiple regression model was used to examine how several variables, including job title, education level, certification, experience, and geographic region, affect perioperative nurse compensation. Comparisons between the 2022 data and data from previous years are presented. The effects of other forms of compensation (eg, on‐call compensation, overtime, bonuses, shift differentials, benefits) on total compensation are also examined. Additional analyses explore the current state of the nursing shortage and the sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
Design, synthesis, and structure–activity relationships of diindolylmethane derivatives as cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists
Authors: Mahardhika Andhika B. , Ressemann Anastasiia , Kremers Sarah E. , Gregório Castanheira Mariana S. , Schoeder Clara T. , Müller Christa E. , Pillaiyar Thanigaimalai
Published: November 2022

3,3′‐Diindolylmethane (DIM), a natural product‐derived compound formed upon ingestion of cruciferous vegetables, was recently described to act as a partial agonist of the anti‐inflammatory cannabinoid (CB) receptor subtype CB2. In the present study, we synthesized and evaluated a series of DIM derivatives and determined their affinities for human CB receptor subtypes in radioligand binding studies. Potent compounds were additionally evaluated in functional cAMP accumulation and β‐arrestin recruitment assays. Small substituents in the 4‐position of both indole rings of DIM were beneficial for high CB2 receptor affinity and efficacy. Di‐(4‐cyano‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methane (46, PSB‐19837, EC50: cAMP, 0.0144 µM, 95% efficacy compared to the full standard agonist CP55,940; β‐arrestin, 0.0149 µM, 67% efficacy) was the most potent CB2 receptor agonist of the present series. Di‐(4‐bromo‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methane (44, PSB‐19571) showed higher potency in β‐arrestin (EC50 0.0450 µM, 61% efficacy) than in cAMP accumulation assays (EC50 0.509 µM, 85% efficacy) while 3‐((1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methyl)−4‐methyl‐1H‐indole (149, PSB‐18691) displayed a 19‐fold bias for the G protein pathway (EC50: cAMP, 0.0652 µM; β‐arrestin, 1.08 µM). DIM and its analogs act as allosteric CB2 receptor agonists. These potent CB2 receptor agonists have potential as novel drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Relating social skills and social media use to consumer behavior: An investigation across the autism spectrum
Authors: Levin Aron M. , Gaeth Gary J. , Levin Irwin P. , Chen Shiyun
Published: November 2022

In this study, we focus on the role of social functioning on consumer behavior, exploring social media use as a mediating factor. In order to facilitate our identification of social functioning competence as a factor, we increased the range by including a subgroup of respondents who identified themselves as being on the autism spectrum. Indeed, this group stood out as having difficulties in getting along with persons they interact with at school, at work and at home. We used these measures to define an individual differences index of social functioning that we call Quality of Social Functioning (QoSF). In a preliminary report, we showed that this index was predictive of social media use and its influence, with those scoring higher reacting more favorably and utilizing more of its features. In the main study, we focused on the content of social media posts by providing photos of posts that depicted either group activities or individual activities. Those scoring lower on our index gave lower ratings of posts in general, but especially for those posts depicting group activities. Results are discussed in terms of the important role of social functioning in the use of social media and its content as a vehicle for informing consumer behavior. We describe how the results of our study and related studies can be used by marketers to improve the lives of especially vulnerable consumers.
Endoscopic clipping of a complicated esophageal perforation following pneumatic dilation for achalasia: A case study and literature review
Authors: Minakari Mohammad , Sedaghat Nahad
Published: November 2022

A transmural esophageal tear complicated by large size and unusual location was diagnosed in a 59‐year‐old man after undergoing pneumatic balloon dilation for achalasia. It was closed with six endo‐clips. The patient recovered and was discharged with ordinary diet 8 days later, after receiving supportive care for a week.
Case of suspected lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia in a cervical cystic lesion during pregnancy
Authors: Suzuki Sayaka , Sugo Yoshinobu , Hiiragi Kazuya , Obata Soichiro , Iwata Akiko , Imai Yuichi , Aoki Shigeru , Kurasawa Kentaro , Miyagi Etsuko
Published: November 2022

Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH) is characterized by clinically profuse and watery vaginal discharge. In pregnancy with LEGH, with watery fluid leakage persisting throughout pregnancy, it is often difficult to visually diagnose PROM. Adding to this difficulty, auxiliary diagnostic tests might also show positive results, complicating treatment and management.
Rare fibrolipoma of attached gingiva: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rezazadeh Fahimeh , Jaafari‐Ashkavandi Zohreh , Afshari Aylar , Tarjan Armaghan
Published: November 2022

Lipoma is a rare benign tumor. Fibrolipoma, a variant of lipoma, is relatively uncommon in mouth tissues. Among all benign lesions of oral cavity, the approximate incidence rate of lipoma is 1%–4%, with a prevalence rate of about 0.0002%. Fibrolipoma is an extremely rare subtype of lipoma, especially in the attached gingiva. This subtype accounts for 1.6% of all facial lipomas, with a prevalence rate of 1/5000 adults in the oral and oropharyngeal region. It is diagnosed by histopathologic and immunohistochemistry evaluation and treated by total excision. Due to the adhesion to the surrounding tissues and pseudo‐infiltrating characteristics of this lesion, it can get mistaken with malignant lesions; therefore, a histological examination is mandatory. In this paper, a case of a patient with attached gingiva fibrolipoma treated by surgical excision is reported. This case report is about a 26‐year‐old female patient in Shiraz School of Dentistry with a fibrolipoma of attached gingiva. Because of fibrolipoma's growth tendency, adhesion to the surrounding tissues, and specific histological characteristics, its differential diagnosis with malignant infiltrating tumors is important. Surgical excision is the gold standard for treatment. Accurate differential diagnosis, careful histological examination, and periodic follow‐up are essential.
Influence of Triptycene Annulation on the Photochromism of Diphenylnaphthopyrans: Entropic Control of Thermal Reversion
Authors: Jana Kanyashree , Narasimha Moorthy Jarugu
Published: November 2022

Regioisomeric naphthopyrans annulated with triptycene, i. e., Prox‐NP and Dist‐NP, display divergent photochromic behaviors. While steady‐state photolysis of Dist‐NP led to a very labile colored intermediate that is not observable at room temperature, Prox‐NP yielded a remarkably stable species characterized by X‐ray crystallography as the TT isomer of o‐quinonoid intermediate (Prox‐NPQ) with t1/2 ca. 0.18 years at 298 K. The kinetic analysis of thermal reversion reveals that the bleaching of Prox‐NPQ is entropically controlled; the steric effect due to the rigid triptycene scaffold renders Prox‐NP a highly constrained system such that the photogenerated colored o‐quinonoid form is more entropically relaxed. This constitutes the first instance of an entropically‐controlled thermal reversion for the celebrated class of photochromic naphthopyrans. Based on the response of Prox‐NP and its colored intermediate Prox‐NPQ to different stimuli, namely, light, heat, and acid, the molecular system can be likened to a logic gate with the ‘INHIBIT’ function.
Photo‐Assisted Metal‐Air Batteries: Recent Progress, Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Yuan Zhongke , Mao Houzai , Yu Dingshan , Chen Xudong
Published: November 2022

To meet the need of high energy density, long durability, safe and cost‐efficient energy conversion and storage devices, metal‐air batteries like Li−O2 and Zn−O2 batteries have received enormous attention and were subject to exciting development in the past decade. Photo‐assisted strategies that enable the effective combination of photo/electric energy conversion/storage render a new dimension for the conventional metal‐air batteries techniques with mere electric energy utilization. Therefore, tremendous research is ongoing in search of more efficient and durable devices with photo‐assisted strategies. This review provides an overview of photo‐assisted Li−O2 batteries, Zn−O2 batteries, and batteries with various metal/air components. The working mechanism, the basic device architecture and practical performances of various photo‐assisted systems are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, certain technical challenges and future opportunities for the photo‐assisted metal air batteries are emphasized and discussed in the hope of stimulating further research.
Zerkleinerung von Porenbeton in konventionellen Zerkleinerungsmaschinen der Bauschuttaufbereitung
Authors: Krampitz Thomas , Lieberwirth Holger , Hartl Steffen , Nüsse Alexander
Published: November 2022

Mit steigendem Kostendruck für die Entsorgung von Porenbetonabfällen rückt die Herstellung von Recyclingprodukten zunehmend in den Fokus der Betrachtungen. Allerdings fallen bei den Entsorgungsunternehmen stark schwankende Mengenströme an. Investitionen in spezialisierte Aufbereitungstechnik sind daher kaum wirtschaftlich vertretbar. In der Arbeit wird untersucht, ob die verbreitet zur Verfügung stehende konventionelle Zerkleinerungstechnik der Bauschuttaufbereitung auch für die Herstellung potenziell absatzfähiger Recyclingprodukte aus Porenbetonabfällen geeignet ist.
Equiatomic binary phases of Copper‐Rare Earth Elements. An overview of monocuprides from first‐principles calculations
Authors: Caputo Riccarda , Oran Cem , Tekin Adem , Villars Pierre
Published: November 2022

Equiatomic binary phases of copper with rare earth (RE) elements exhibit either primitive cubic (
) or orthorhombic (Pnma) structures and in some cases both. By using density functional theory (DFT), we calculated the enthalpies of formation along the series of RE elements combined equimolarly with copper. For RE from Sc to Lu, the calculated enthalpies of formation fall in the range −49.8 kJ/mol for LuCu to −9.1 kJ/mol for the least thermodynamically stable CeCu. Except NdCu, all the other cubic or orthorhombic compounds exhibit lattice stability. Either forms of NdCu indicated lattice instability. Along the Sc‐group, the hypothetical primitive cubic and orthorhombic forms of LuCu are found thermodynamically and mechanically stable. The overall trend of the formation enthalpies as a function of the Meyer Periodic Number is consistent with the energy trend of the 4 f‐orbital filling as moving from Sc to Lu monocuprides. In addition, the calculated Gibbs free energies indicate that the thermodynamic stability is largely due to the entropic contributions. All standard DFT calculations were also repeated with DFT+U to better describe the correlation between the 5d–4f and 3d shells of RECu compounds. It has been found that DFT+U slightly affects the enthalpies of formation of RECu binaries. Moreover, DFT+U shifts up the f‐band energies of RECu with light RE elements (such as La, Ce and Pr) and in contrast lowers them in the case of RECu with heavy RE elements from Nd to Lu.
Cultured Neonatal Murine Primary Myotubes as a Model to Study Muscle Atrophy
Authors: Tamta Ankit Kumar , Shivanaiah Bhoomika , Ningaraju Sunayana , Prabhashankar Arathi Bangalore , Sundaresan Nagalingam Ravi
Published: November 2022

Besides genetic disorders, skeletal muscle atrophy mainly occurs as a consequence of underlying conditions such as prolonged inactivity, aging, and metabolic diseases, ultimately contributing to the risk of disability. Disturbances in cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in proteolysis and protein synthesis underpin muscle fiber shrinkage and decreased muscle fiber diameter. Stress‐induced primary myotube culture is an established model for studying muscle atrophy. An in vitro model is an essential criterion in establishing preliminary data in a cell‐autonomous manner that can later be validated using in vivo models. Here, we describe protocols for the isolation, culture, and differentiation of primary murine myotubes and the induction of myotube atrophy using dexamethasone, a synthetic corticosteroid. We further elaborate the procedure to validate degenerative parameters, such as assessing muscle fiber diameter, expression of muscle atrophy genes, and protein synthesis status under dexamethasone treatment. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Isolation and culture of primary myoblasts from rat or mouse pups

Support Protocol 1: Preparation of coated tissue culture ware

Support Protocol 2: Subculture of myoblasts

Basic Protocol 2: Induction and assessment of myotube atrophy
Prognostic value of circulating tumour DNA during post‐radiotherapy surveillance in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xin , Yu Nuo , Cheng Guowei , Zhang Tao , Wang Jianyang , Deng Lei , Li Jiao , Zhao Xiaotian , Xu Yang , Yang Peng , Bai Na , Li Yin , Bi Nan
Published: November 2022

Background

The potential of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a reliable biomarker for relapse/metastasis early detection and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (RT/CRT) initiation requires comprehensive investigation.

Methods

Treatment‐naive locally advanced ESCC patients with available baseline plasma samples were prospectively enrolled from November 2018 to January 2020. RT/CRT was delivered with a simultaneous integrated boost of radiation dose. Serial plasma samples were collected at baseline (T0), week 4 of RT/CRT (T1), 1‐3 (T2) and 3‐6 months post‐RT/CRT (T3). ctDNA was analysed using next‐generation sequencing of 474 cancer‐relevant genes.

Results

A total of 128 plasma samples from 40 eligible patients were analysed (median age: 64 [range: 40‐78], 88% males, 95% stage III/IV), and the median follow‐up time was 20.6 months (range: 12.2‐33.3). During the post‐RT/CRT surveillance including 36 patients, radiological progression was observed in 16 patients, and 69% (11/16) had detectable post‐RT/CRT ctDNA prior to radiological progression, with a median lead time of 4.4 months compared with radiological imaging. ctDNA positivity at T1 (hazard ratio, HR: 3.60, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.30‐10.01) or T2 (HR: 5.45, 95% CI: 1.72‐17.26) indicated inferior progression‐free survival (PFS). ctDNA clearance between T0‐T1 (HR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.08‐1.13) or T0‐T2 (HR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02‐0.61) was associated with relatively favourable PFS. Similar results were obtained when focusing on patients without esophagectomy after RT/CRT. Notably, detectable ctDNA at T1 was a potential indicator of high local recurrence risks (HR: 4.43, 95% CI: 1.31‐15.04).

Conclusions

ctDNA was identified as a robust biomarker for early detection of disease progression and post‐RT/CRT prognosis stratification in ESCC. Detectable ctDNA at week 4 of RT/CRT might indicate higher local recurrence risks, implying the potential clinical utility of ctDNA tests in guiding post‐RT/CRT treatments for locoregional control in ESCC.
Infection by a helminth parasite is associated with changes in DNA methylation in the house sparrow
Authors: Lundregan Sarah L. , Mäkinen Hannu , Buer Amberly , Holand Håkon , Jensen Henrik , Husby Arild
Published: November 2022

Parasites can exert strong selective pressures on their hosts and influence the evolution of host immunity. While several studies have examined the genetic basis for parasite resistance, the role of epigenetics in the immune response to parasites is less understood. Yet, epigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation, may allow species to respond rapidly to parasite prevalence or virulence. To test the role of DNA methylation in relation to parasite infection, we examined genome‐wide DNA methylation before and during infection by a parasitic nematode, Syngamus trachea, in a natural population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). We found that DNA methylation levels were slightly lower in infected house sparrows, and we identified candidate genes relating to the initial immune response, activation of innate and adaptive immunity, and mucus membrane functional integrity that were differentially methylated between infected and control birds. Subsequently, we used methylation‐sensitive high‐resolution melting (MS‐HRM) analyses to verify the relationship between methylation proportion and S. trachea infection status at two candidate genes in a larger sample dataset. We found that methylation level at NR1D1, but not CLDN22, remained related to infection status and that juvenile recruitment probability was positively related to methylation level at NR1D1. This underscores the importance of performing follow‐up studies on candidate genes. Our findings demonstrate that plasticity in the immune response to parasites can be epigenetically mediated and highlight the potential for epigenetic studies in natural populations to provide further mechanistic insight into host–parasite interactions.
Heritability of dispersal‐related larval traits in the clown anemonefish Amphiprion percula
Authors: Schlatter E , Klawon CaitLynn , Webb Colleen , Buston Peter
Published: November 2022

A major goal of marine ecology is to identify the drivers of variation in larval dispersal. Larval traits are emerging as an important potential source of variation in dispersal outcomes, but little is known about how the evolution of these traits might shape dispersal patterns. Here, we consider the potential for adaptive evolution in two possibly dispersal‐related traits by quantifying the heritability of larval size and swimming speed in the clown anemonefish (Amphiprion percula). Using a laboratory population of wild‐caught A. percula, we measured the size and swimming speed of larvae from 24 half‐sibling families. Phenotypic variance was partitioned into genetic and environmental components using a linear mixed‐effects model. Importantly, by including half‐siblings in the breeding design, we ensured that our estimates of genetic variance do not include nonheritable effects shared by clutches of full‐siblings, which could lead to significant overestimates of heritability. We find unequivocal evidence for the heritability of larval body size (estimated between 0.21 and 0.34) and equivocal evidence for the heritability of swimming speed (between 0.05 and 0.19 depending on the choice of prior). From a methodological perspective, this work demonstrates the importance of evaluating sensitivity to prior distribution in Bayesian analysis. From a biological perspective, it advances our understanding of potential dispersal‐related larval traits by quantifying the extent to which they can be inherited and thus have the potential for adaptive evolution.
Modeling the geographical distributions of Chordodes formosanus and its mantis hosts in Taiwan, with considerations for their niche overlaps
Authors: De Vivo Mattia , Huang Jen‐Pan
Published: November 2022

Species distribution models (SDMs) have conventionally been used for evaluating the distribution of individual species, but they can also be used, through comparing different SDMs, to evaluate the geographic similarity between taxa. In this study, we used a parasite and host system to infer the geographic overlaps between species with tight biological interaction, for example, parasites and their obligate host. Specifically, we used the horsehair worm Chordodes formosanus and its three mantis hosts to study the extent of niche overlap. We retrieved presence points for the host species and the parasite, and then we built SDMs with MaxEnt implemented in ENMeval using selected bioclim variables (based on variance inflation factor values) at 30s scale. The models showed that the hosts and parasite do not occur in the high elevation areas in Taiwan, which is expected based on their biology. Interestingly, the predicted parasite distribution included areas without collection records, implying local extinction or sampling bias. We subsequently evaluated niche overlap between hosts and the parasite according to five similarity indices (Schoener's D, I statistic, relative rank, Pearson correlation coefficient, and the rank correlation coefficient rho). Our models showed a high similarity of SDM predictions between hosts and the parasite. There were differences among metrics for which host shared the highest similarity with the parasite, but the majority of the results indicated that the Japanese boxing mantis had the highest niche similarity with the horsehair worm. The choice of the niche overlap metric to use can uncover information on the parasite's ecology, which can be important for endangered species. SDMs are reliable tools for host and parasite conservation management and could help improve our understanding of parasite biology and ecology.
New potential for an old kid on the block: Impact of premorbid metformin use on lactate kinetics, kidney injury and mortality in sepsis and septic shock, an observational study
Authors: Van Moorter Nina , Tackaert Thomas , De Decker Koen , Van Vlem Bruno , De Neve Nikolaas
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Sepsis and septic shock cause significant mortality worldwide, with no targeted molecular therapies available. Metformin has pleomorphic effects that may be beneficial in sepsis, but at present, the impact of metformin exposure on sepsis remains controversial. Metformin might alter lactate metabolism, but little is known about its influence on lactate kinetics. We therefore investigated the impact of preadmission metformin use on lactate kinetics, acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality in sepsis.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analysed all ICU admissions with sepsis and septic shock between January 2013 and September 2020, identifying 77 users and 390 nonusers (subdivided in diabetics, n = 48 and nondiabetics, n = 342).

Results

(Sub)groups did not differ in illness severity or sepsis aetiology. Admission lactate levels were similar, but evolution in lactate over the first 24 h showed a larger decrease in users vs nonusers (median − 53% vs. −36%, p = .010). No difference in AKI or renal replacement therapy was found. Mortality was lower in users vs nonusers in case of septic shock (21.9% (n = 7) vs. 42.7% (n = 61) for 90d mortality, p = .029, OR 0.38 [95% CI: 0.15–0.93]), but showed no significant differences in the combined sepsis and septic shock population.

Conclusions

In our data, preadmission metformin use is associated with a significantly larger decrease in lactate after admission with sepsis or septic shock and with reduced mortality in septic shock. This underscores the need for further studies investigating the interplay between metformin, lactate and sepsis, thereby exploring the potential use of metformin or its pathways in sepsis.
Evaluation of ABCA1 gene polymorphism as a prognostic index of fibrosis progression in NAFLD patients
Authors: Ghanem Samar E. , Elsabaawy Maha M. , Abdelkareem Mervat M. , Helal Marwa L. , Othman Warda , Elsayed Mahitab , Elsabaawy Dalia M. , El Fert Ashraf
Published: November 2022

Introduction

It had been evident that non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the new era epidemic. Despite emergence of many drugs on the pipeline that considered candidates to cure NAFLD/NASH, the critical need for defining the cohort liable to fibrosis progression is yet unmet.

Aim

Evaluate ABCA1 (rs1800977) genotyping as a noninvasive predictor of liver fibrosis severity.

Materials and Methods

This study included 118 liver biopsy‐proven NAFLD‐patients. According to Metavir‐fibrosis‐staging, cases were divided to early fibrosis (74 cases), and 44 cases with significant fibrosis (>F2), added to 49 healthy control subjects. All patients were subjected to liver function tests, lipids profile, triglyceride TG index, and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and real‐time PCR ABCA1 SNP (rs1800977).

Results

Significant differences in transaminases (p > .05), albumin (p < .009), cholesterol (p0.03), low density lipoproteins (LDL) (0.006), triglycerides (p < .001), HSI (p < .001), FIB4 (p < .001) and APRI (p < .001) were reported in those with significant than early fibrosis and control groups. CC was the most prevalent in significant (36.4%) than early fibrosis (13.5%) and control groups (8.2%), with prevalence of C allele in significant fibrosis (p ≤ .003). Univariate analysis revealed that DM (p ≤ .001), TG index (p ≤ .022), cholesterol (p ≤ .03), HSI (p ≤ .006), LDL (p ≤ .02), HDL (p ≤ .01), APRI (p ≤ .02) and CC genotype (p ≤ .005) were the main factors affecting fibrosis progression in NAFLD. However multivariate analysis proved only the role of HSI (p ≤ .005), LDL (p ≤ .02), HDL (p ≤ .003) and CC genotype (p ≤ .03) in predicting fibrosis severity.

Conclusion

Dyslipidemias, hepatic steatosis index and ABCA1 (rs1800977) gene polymorphism CC genotype; were the only independent predictors of advanced fibrosis in NAFLD‐patients.
Prognostic value of plasma sAXL in patients with heart failure: insights from the DRAGON‐HF trial
Authors: Liu Yifan , Wang Xiaoyu , Pan Xin , Ma Teng , Xu Yawei , Fen Qimao , Nijiati Muyesai , Chi Chen , Su Yang , Zhang Xianling , Xu Dachun
Published: November 2022

Background

Little is known about the predictive value of soluble AXL (sAXL) in heart failure (HF). This study aimed to describe the prognostic value of plasma sAXL in patients with symptomatic HF.

Methods

This is a multicentre observational prospective cohort study (Registration No. NCT03727828). Plasma sAXL were measured on admission. The primary endpoint is a composite of cardiovascular mortality and HF rehospitalization. Associations between plasma sAXL levels and clinical endpoints are described using Cox regression models and Kaplan–Meier methods.

Results

A total of 1030 symptomatic HF patients were enrolled in the study; the mean age (65% men) was 71 ± 12 years, with a median follow‐up of 32 months (IQR: 26–41 months). The mean baseline sAXL levels were 20.03 ± 6.74 ng/mL. Plasma sAXL positively associated with NYHA classification and negatively associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (both P < 0.001). Cox regression showed that 1‐SD increment of sAXL was associated with primary endpoint [HR (CI): 1.128 (1.024–1.242)], cardiovascular mortality [1.112 (1.032–1.198)], all‐cause mortality [1.142 (1.057–1.234)], and HF rehospitalization [1.122 (1.030–1.224)] after adjustment for potential confounders including NT‐proBNP. Kaplan–Meier curves revealed that patients with the highest sAXL levels were at the highest risk of primary endpoint events, cardiovascular mortality, and all‐cause mortality (all P values < 0.001). Furthermore, both Kaplan–Meier method and Categorical analysis demonstrated that the combined use of sAXL and NT‐proBNP were more likely to predict all‐cause or cardiovascular mortality (both P < 0.001). Similar results were observed when separating patients with respect to left ventricular ejection fraction, namely, in HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF groups.

Conclusions

Plasma sAXL concentrations are of great importance in predicting clinical outcomes in HF patients, independent of NT‐proBNP, suggesting that sAXL is a promising prognostic marker for further study.
Cardiovascular vs. non‐cardiovascular deaths after heart failure hospitalization in young, older, and very old patients
Authors: Nakamaru Ryo , Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Sandhu Alexander T. , Heidenreich Paul A. , Shoji Satoshi , Kohno Takashi , Takei Makoto , Nagatomo Yuji , Nakano Shintaro , Kohsaka Shun , Yoshikawa Tsutomu
Published: November 2022

Aims

The long‐term outcome in patients with heart failure (HF) after hospitalization may vary substantially depending on their age and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We aimed to assess the relative rates of cardiovascular death (CVD) and non‐CVD based on the age and how the rates differ under the updated LVEF classification system.

Methods and results

Consecutively registered hospitalized patients with HF (N = 3558; 39.7% women with a mean age of 73.9 ± 13.3 years) were followed for a median of 2 (interquartile range, 0.8–3.1) years. The CVDs and non‐CVDs were evaluated based on age [young (<65 years), older (65–84 years), and very old (≥85 years)] and LVEF classification [HF with preserved EF (HFpEF; LVEF ≥50%) and non‐HFpEF (LVEF <50%)]. The adverse clinical events were adjudicated independently by a central committee. Overall, 1505 (42.3%) had HFpEF [young: n = 182 (12.1%), older: n = 894 (59.4%), very old: n = 429 (28.5%)], and 2053 (57.7%) had non‐HFpEF [young: n = 575 (28.0%), older: n = 1159 (56.5%), very old: n = 319 (15.5%)]. During the follow‐up, the crude incidence of all‐cause death was higher in non‐HFpEF than in HFpEF across all age groups (non‐HFpEF vs. HFpEF, young: 10.4% vs. 5.5%, log‐rank P = 0.10; older: 26.6% vs. 20.9%, log‐rank P = 0.002; very old: 36.7% vs. 31.7%, log‐rank P = 0.043). CVDs accounted for more than half of all deaths in non‐HFpEF (young 65.0%, older 64.2%, and very old 55.6%), whereas the proportion of CVDs remained less than half in HFpEF (young 50.0%, older 41.2%, very old 38.2%). HF readmission was associated with subsequent all‐cause death in non‐HFpEF [hazard ratio (HR): 1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41–2.09, P < 0.001], but not in HFpEF (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.87–1.43, P = 0.39).

Conclusions

The probability of a non‐CVD increases in both LVEF categories with advancing age, but that it is greater in the HFpEF category. The findings indicate that mitigating CV‐related outcomes alone may be insufficient for treating HF in older population, particularly in the HFpEF category.
Kinetically‐Locked Metallomacrocycle for Host‐Guest Chemistry with Bulky Anions
Authors: Kawano Shin‐ichiro , Harada Takahiro , Sasaki Ako , Tanaka Kentaro
Published: November 2022

As a robust and large molecular receptor, a kinetically‐locked trinuclear Co(III) macrocycle was synthesized with bis(β‐diketone) ligands having large π‐panels of 9,10‐diphenylanthracene moieties via a combination of Co(II)‐assisted self‐assembly and subsequent oxidation of the metal centers. The X‐ray structure revealed that the macrocycle had a discrete nanocavity of more than 300 Å3, which was surrounded by three anthracenyl panels in the middle. As the macrocycle has three cationic centres on each metal ion and a large cavity, it acts as a guest receptor for sodium tetraphenylborate. The binding constant was estimated to be 4.0×10−2 M−1 from 1H NMR titration experiments, whereas no interaction was observed between the macrocycle and potassium 1‐adamantanecarboxylate.
Flexibility versus Rigidity: How Conformational Constraint, Steric Hindrance and Solvent Impact Binding between π‐Electron Poor Tweezer‐Type Hosts and π‐Electron Rich Guests
Authors: Panther Lydia A. , Stankunaite Monika , Sharma Manvendra , Spencer John , Greenland Barnaby W.
Published: November 2022

Tweezer‐type receptors that form π−π stacked supramolecular complexes are important components in functional polymeric materials and molecular machines. Herein, we study how varying specific structural components of tweezer‐receptors impacts their binding. A library of tweezer receptors, each containing two π‐electron poor receptor residues and differing by the nature of the linking unit which was either a flexible 2,2′‐(ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine) residue or a rigid 3,3’’‐diamino‐m‐terphenyl diamine structure, were synthesised. Each tweezer formed 1 : 1 supramolecular complexes with π‐electron rich residues (1,5‐dihydroxynapthalene and pyrene) as confirmed by UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopic studies. Binding constants were determined to be between 2.3×10−5 and 71 M−1 in organic solvents and were one magnitude greater in aqueous solvents for water soluble systems. The nature of the linker had variable effects on the binding constants, showing the design of tweezer type supramolecular receptors with targeted Ka values is non‐trivial and requires structural optimisation supported by binding constant determination studies.
Dynamic fine‐tuning layer selection using Kullback–Leibler divergence
Authors: Wanjiku Raphael Ngigi , Nderu Lawrence , Kimwele Michael
Published: November 2022

The selection of layers in the transfer learning fine‐tuning process ensures a pre‐trained model's accuracy and adaptation in a new target domain. However, the selection process is still manual and without clearly defined criteria. If the wrong layers in a neural network are selected and used, it could lead to poor accuracy and model generalization in the target domain. This paper introduces the use of Kullback–Leibler divergence on the weight correlations of the model's convolutional neural network layers. The approach identifies the positive and negative weights in the ImageNet initial weights selecting the best‐suited layers of the network depending on the correlation divergence. We experiment on four publicly available datasets and six ImageNet pre‐trained models used in past studies for results comparisons. This proposed approach method yields better accuracies than the standard fine‐tuning baselines with a margin accuracy rate of 10.8%–24%, thereby leading to better model adaptation for target transfer learning tasks.
The risk‐targeted verification model of earthquake‐induced sliding displacement of low‐rise thermally base‐insulated buildings
Authors: Žižmond Jure , Dolšek Matjaž
Published: November 2022

New construction technologies are evolving in the market faster than codes for earthquake‐resistant building design. Earthquake‐resistant design of nearly zero‐energy buildings that are constructed throughout Europe and thermally insulated system below the foundation is not yet supported by the codes. However, major earthquakes can cause the sliding of these buildings and damage lifelines, potentially triggering domino effects such as fire or explosions. To address this issue, a numerical framework to evaluate the risk‐targeted engineering demand parameter is introduced and applied to establish a database of risk‐targeted sliding displacements in Slovenia for low‐rise buildings with a specific type of thermally insulated system below foundation pads. The database of risk‐targeted sliding displacement accounts for seismic hazard at the location of the building, the soil type, the thermally insulated foundation pad system variant, and the characteristics of the structure above the thermal insulation layers. The database of the risk‐targeted sliding displacement was then used to introduce a code‐based verification model to design the diameter of the penetration in the structure of low‐rise buildings, with the aim of preventing the failure of hazardous lifelines entering the building. Engineering practitioners can easily apply this simple verification model to design the diameter of the penetrations. However, the model shows that the maximum sliding displacement corresponding to the annual target risk of 2·10−4 is expected to be only about 4 cm for the thermally base‐insulated low‐rise buildings in Slovenia investigated in this study.
Laundoniella, a new replacement name for Skvortzoviella J. Yu, X.W. Wang, S.L. Liu & L.W. Zhou (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota)
Authors: Deshmukh Umakant B.
Published: November 2022

According to article 53.1 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), Skvortzoviella Jia Yu, Xue W. Wang, S.L. Liu & L.W. Zhou (2021;19:12), the name of a genus of fungi described from China is illegitimate, and hence a new name Laundoniella U.B. Deshmukh is proposed here with new a combination for its type species.
Multiclass financial distress prediction based on one‐versus‐one decomposition integrated with improved decision‐directed acyclic graph
Authors: Sun Jie , Li Jie , Fujita Hamido , Ai Wenguo
Published: November 2022

Although binary financial distress prediction (FDP) is widely explored, multiclass FDP (MFDP) lacks enough investigation. This paper designs a new fusion method of improved decision‐directed acyclic graph (IDDAG) based on the principle of maximizing generalization ability and integrates it with the one‐versus‐one (OVO) decomposition method (OVO‐IDDAG) to build MFDP models. Based on data of Chinese listed companies, we categorize corporate financial status into four states (financial soundness, financial pseudosoundness, moderate financial distress, and serious financial distress) and compare the MFDP performance of OVO‐IDDAG with two benchmark methods, that is, the OVO decomposition method integrated with the max‐win fusion method (OVO‐ max‐win) and the OVO decomposition method integrated with the original DDAG fusion method (OVO‐ODDAG). The experimental results show that the OVO‐IDDAG method overall outperformances the benchmark methods. Among the six base classifiers of multivariate discriminant analysis, Logit, naive bayes, support vector machine, decision tree, and random forest and the three imbalance processing mechanisms of random oversampling, random undersampling, and synthetic minority oversampling technique, the combination of the random forest classifier with the imbalance processing mechanism of random undersampling or the support vector machine classifier with the imbalance processing mechanism of random oversampling or synthetic minority oversampling technique is more suitable for MFDP based on OVO‐IDDAG. This study not only improves artificial intelligence methodology for multiclass classification but also enriches applications of intelligent systems to MFDP.