bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular testing of cytology specimens: Issues in specimen adequacy and clinical utility
Authors: Ghous Ghulam , Ijaz Komal , Esebua Magda , Layfield Lester J.
Published: November 2023

Background

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is standard of care for workup of many neoplasms including adenocarcinomas of the lung. Molecular testing of cytology samples is used for many types of neoplasms but the value of such testing for the selection of “first”‐ and “second‐line” treatment protocols is incompletely understood.

Methods

Fifty‐six sequentially performed cytology specimens (49 fine needle aspirates and 7 fluids) submitted for molecular analysis were reviewed by a medical oncologist to determine specimen adequacy and utility of results for therapy selection. Chart review was performed to determine availability of microsatellite instability status, tumor mutational burden, and presence of driver mutations treatable with targeted therapy in a “first”‐ or “second‐line” application.

Results

Forty of 56 cases were successfully sequenced and 34% (19/56) had targetable mutations detected by NGS. Ten of these 19 cases (53%) received targeted therapy for their tumor type with five of 10 patients receiving “first‐line” therapy and five (50%) “second‐line” therapy. Twenty‐two mutations were detected where no targeted therapy for the patient's tumor type existed but targeted therapies were available for other tumor types. Of these specimens, only one patient received treatment using protocols associated with a second tumor type. Total mutation burden and microsatellite instability status results were obtained in 29 of 56 cases (52%).

Conclusions

71% (40/56) of cytologic specimens were adequate for sequencing with 34% (19/56) demonstrating a targetable mutation and 53% of these patients receiving therapy targeted to the driver mutation of their tumor type.
I2/CAN as a Mild and Efficient Reagent for Oxidative Csp3‐Csp2 Cleavage of 3,3′‐Bis‐7‐azaindolylmethane: A Rapid One‐Pot Access to 3‐Formyl and 3‐Iodo‐7‐azaindoles
Authors: Elavarasan Pavithra , Kannadasan Sathananthan , Shanmugam Ponnusamy
Published: November 2023

The combination of I2/CAN has emerged as a mild and powerful reagent for the oxidative Csp3‐Csp2 cleavage of 3,3′‐bis‐7‐azaindolylmethane to provide a quantitative combined yield of 3‐formyl and 3‐iodo‐7‐azaindole in a one‐pot reaction at RT. A plausible mechanism and characterization, including XRD, has been described. The synthetic transformations of title compounds were explored by reduction, Click, reductive amination, and Suzuki coupling reaction.
The game of energy transition: A game theoretical perspective on public participation procedures in infrastructure planning
Authors: Ruffing Eva , Brendler Viktoria
Published: November 2023

For energy transition, infrastructure construction is often indispensable but also contested and potentially problematic for social cohesion. Through a game theoretical lens, we examine the basic configuration of infrastructure conflicts. Informed by the empirical example of German electricity grid planning, we discuss three approaches to resolve multilevel infrastructure conflicts, (1) technocratic decision‐making, (2) participatory decision‐making, and (3) redistribution and compensation, as well as the conditions under which we can expect them to mitigate conflicts. Each of the three approaches has been tried out in German grid planning over time, which allows us to analyze whether the respective conditions were met and why the approaches were (not) able to resolve existing conflicts. We demonstrate that enduring conflicts in German grid expansion are not caused by a fundamentally ill‐defined decision‐making procedure but rather by a particularly “wicked” conflict structure that can hardly be resolved within planning procedures.
The levels of vitamins and cytokines in serum of elderly patients with community‐acquired pneumonia: A case–control study
Authors: Jing Yongfa , Chen Lingling , Geng Linna , Shan Zhaofei , Yang Juling
Published: November 2023

Background and Aims

The community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease with high incidence rate and mortality among the elderly. This study aims to explore the association between vitamins, cytokines, and CAP infected by different pathogens in Handan First Hospital.

Methods

The subjects of this study were elderly patients with community‐acquired pneumonia in Handan First Hospital and healthy elderly people in the community from February 2018 to December 2019. The study include 234 CAP patients and 180 healthy elderly people. The differences between the healthy and CAP groups were analyzed by blood routine test, urine routine test, Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) detection of vitamin level, and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection of cytokine level. Sputum culture was used to detect pathogens.

Results

According to our results, there was no significant difference in the contents of vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin C in serum between the healthy and CAP elderly. However, compared with the control group, the levels of serum cytokines of IL‐2, IL‐17, and TGF‐β in the CAP patients were significantly increased. In addition, IL‐17 was positively correlated with white blood cells, neutrophils, platelet/lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio of CAP patients, and negatively correlated with lymphocytes. The four pathogens with the highest positive rates were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and H. influenza. In patients with S. pneumoniae infection, the IL‐2, IL‐17, and TGF‐β levels were significantly higher than the levels in the control group; IL‐17 was also significantly increased in the serum of patients infected with M. pneumoniae, K. pneumoniae, and H. influenza.

Conclusions

There is no direct association between vitamins in serum and community acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the cytokines are closely related to the clinical indicators and pathogens of CAP patients, which can provide references for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of CAP patients.
Evaluating the effects of climate change and chemical, physical, and biological stressors on nearshore coral reefs: A case study in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Authors: Mentzel Sophie , Nathan Rory , Noyes Pamela , Brix Kevin V. , Moe S. Jannicke , Rohr Jason R. , Verheyen Julie , Van den Brink Paul J. , Stauber Jennifer
Published: November 2023

An understanding of the combined effects of climate change (CC) and other anthropogenic stressors, such as chemical exposures, is essential for improving ecological risk assessments of vulnerable ecosystems. In the Great Barrier Reef, coral reefs are under increasingly severe duress from increasing ocean temperatures, acidification, and cyclone intensities associated with CC. In addition to these stressors, inshore reef systems, such as the Mackay–Whitsunday coastal zone, are being impacted by other anthropogenic stressors, including chemical, nutrient, and sediment exposures related to more intense rainfall events that increase the catchment runoff of contaminated waters. To illustrate an approach for incorporating CC into ecological risk assessment frameworks, we developed an adverse outcome pathway network to conceptually delineate the effects of climate variables and photosystem II herbicide (diuron) exposures on scleractinian corals. This informed the development of a Bayesian network (BN) to quantitatively compare the effects of historical (1975–2005) and future projected climate on inshore hard coral bleaching, mortality, and cover. This BN demonstrated how risk may be predicted for multiple physical and biological stressors, including temperature, ocean acidification, cyclones, sediments, macroalgae competition, and crown of thorns starfish predation, as well as chemical stressors such as nitrogen and herbicides. Climate scenarios included an ensemble of 16 downscaled models encompassing current and future conditions based on multiple emission scenarios for two 30-year periods. It was found that both climate-related and catchment-related stressors pose a risk to these inshore reef systems, with projected increases in coral bleaching and coral mortality under all future climate scenarios. This modeling exercise can support the identification of risk drivers for the prioritization of management interventions to build future resilient reefs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:401–418. © 2023 Norwegian Institute for Water Research and The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Examining the indirect effect of income on well‐being via individual‐based relative deprivation: Longitudinal mediation with a random intercept cross‐lagged panel model
Authors: Lilly Kieren J. , Sibley Chris G. , Osborne Danny
Published: November 2023

Although the positive relationship between income and well‐being is well established, the psychological mechanisms underlying this process are less understood. One underexplored explanation is that objective wealth (or lack thereof) fosters relative comparisons, which, in turn, predicts well‐being. Extant work has, however, mostly focused on objective indicators of relative deprivation rather than on how people perceive their societal status. We address this oversight by examining the longitudinal indirect effects of income on well‐being via perceived individual‐based relative deprivation (IRD) using traditional and random intercept cross‐lagged panel models. Averaged across 10 annual assessments in a nationwide longitudinal panel sample of adults (N = 66,560), our results revealed reliable indirect effects of income on well‐being via IRD. Specifically, within‐person increases in income predicted within‐person decreases in IRD, which then predicted within‐person increases in personal well‐being over time. Our results replicated across robustness checks, including one using a general life satisfaction measure. We thus extend previous work by highlighting the need to consider one's perceptions of their relative societal position as a mechanism underlying the effects of income on well‐being over time.
Impacts of difficulties with emotion regulation on the longitudinal relationship between peer victimization and changes in adolescent nonsuicidal self‐injury
Authors: Li Jinwen , Gao Yemiao , Liu Jinmeng , Liu Xia , Wang Hui
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Research has found that peer victimization is associated with adolescent nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) behavior; however, most of these studies ignored the association between these constructs at the within‐person level. Additionally, the association between peer victimization and NSSI may vary among adolescents with different personal characteristics. With a longitudinal design, this study investigated whether and how emotion regulation (ER) difficulties moderate the relationship between peer victimization and changes in NSSI, with particular attention given to the unique moderating role of different dimensions of ER difficulties.

Methods

The study sample comprised 3,561 adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years old (Mage = 13.22, SD = 0.85; 56.9% males). Self‐report assessments were administered in December 2021 and June 2022 in Shanxi province, China.

Results

The latent change score model showed that the adolescent NSSI increased during our assessments, with peer victimization as a significant predictor. ER difficulties moderated the association between peer victimization and NSSI changes, but interestingly, in an unexpected pattern. Specifically, peer victimization significantly predicted NSSI changes among adolescents with low ER difficulties but not for those with high ER difficulties. Moreover, among the multiple dimensions of ER difficulties, only nonacceptance of emotional responses and limited access to emotion regulation strategies interacted with peer victimization to predict NSSI changes and showed interaction patterns similar to those at the overall level of ER difficulties.

Conclusions

The current study revealed the moderating role of ER difficulties in the relationship between peer victimization and changes in NSSI. These findings provide intervention implications for adolescents who engage in NSSI.
Near‐infrared light does not induce DNA damage in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Mineroff Jessica , Wang Jennifer Y. , Philip Raichel , Austin Evan , Jagdeo Jared
Published: November 2023

Photobiomodulation (PBM) can be used to treat a range of conditions in dermatology. PBM refers to the changes induced by red (RL, 620–700 nm) and near‐infrared (NIR, 700–1440 nm) light. Light radiation‐induced DNA damage is a major contributor to aging and skin cancer. It is crucial to study the effects of PBM on DNA to ensure safety. Our lab previously demonstrated that RL (633 ± 6 nm) did not result in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) DNA damage. This study employed similar methods to investigate NIR effects. Commercially available LED‐NIR (830 ± 5 nm) panels (66, 132, and 264 J/cm2) did not result in DNA damage measured by cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine‐6,4‐pyrimidone photoproducts in HDFs compared to temperature‐matched controls immediately, 3 h, and 24 h following irradiation and compared to positive and negative controls. This demonstrates that LED‐NIR does not damage DNA in HDFs in vitro.
Varying the RGD concentration on a hyaluronic acid hydrogel influences dormancy versus proliferation in brain metastatic breast cancer cells
Authors: Goodarzi Kasra , Lane Rachel , Rao Shreyas S.
Published: November 2023

A majority of breast cancer deaths occur due to metastasis of cancer cells to distant organs. In particular, brain metastasis is very aggressive with an extremely low survival rate. Breast cancer cells that metastasize to the brain can enter a state of dormancy, which allows them to evade death. The brain microenvironment provides biophysical, biochemical, and cellular cues, and plays an important role in determining the fate of dormant cancer cells. However, how these cues influence dormancy remains poorly understood. Herein, we employed hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels with a stiffness of ~0.4 kPa as an in vitro biomimetic platform to investigate the impact of biochemical cues, specifically alterations in RGD concentration, on dormancy versus proliferation in MDA‐MB‐231Br brain metastatic breast cancer cells. We applied varying concentrations of RGD peptide (0, 1, 2, or 4 mg/mL) to HA hydrogel surfaces and confirmed varying degrees of surface functionalization using a fluorescently labeled RGD peptide. Post functionalization, ~10,000 MDA‐MB‐231Br cells were seeded on top of the hydrogels and cultured for 5 days. We found that an increase in RGD concentration led to changes in cell morphology, with cells transitioning from a rounded to spindle‐like morphology as well as an increase in cell spreading area. Also, an increase in RGD concentration resulted in an increase in cell proliferation. Cellular dormancy was assessed using the ratio of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (p‐ERK) to phosphorylated p38 (p‐p38) positivity, which was significantly lower in hydrogels without RGD and in hydrogels with lowest RGD concentration compared to hydrogels functionalized with higher RGD concentration. We also demonstrated that the HA hydrogel‐induced cellular dormancy was reversible. Finally, we demonstrated the involvement of β1 integrin in mediating cell phenotype in our hydrogel platform. Overall, our results provide insight into the role of biochemical cues in regulating dormancy versus proliferation in brain metastatic breast cancer cells.
Dual Z‐scheme ternary heterojunction photocatalyst with enhanced visible‐light photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants
Authors: Wu Fangzhou , Liu Ying , Chen Xiyu , Han Jun , Hu De , Wang Wei , Wang Shufen
Published: November 2023

Photocatalysis technology driven by solar energy is considered to be promising for solving energy crisis and environmental problems. Graphitic carbon nitride has been widely researched in the photocatalysis field due to its suitable band positions, non‐toxicity, easy synthesis, high stability, and low cost. However, the slow separation and rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers, the poor visible light response and the low specific surface area seriously limit the photocatalytic activity of g‐C3N4. Here, firstly, g‐C3N4 nanosheets with a large specific surface area of 152.2 m2 g−1 which provide more surface‐active sites for photocatalysis were prepared by secondary calcination method. Next, MoS2 and metal–organic framework (MIL‐101(Cr)) were tightly bonded on g‐C3N4 nanosheets to form ternary g‐C3N4/MoS2/MIL‐101(Cr) heterojunction photocatalyst. In which, a ternary dual Z‐scheme heterojunction photocatalyst composed of g‐C3N4, MoS2, and MIL‐101(Cr) was constructed to facilitate the separation and the migration of photogenerated charges. At the same time, MoS2 enhanced the visible light response of the ternary photocatalyst. The optimal ternary photocatalyst displayed the highest activity for methyl orange degradation (degradation efficiency of 98% in 60 min) under visible light irradiation. Finally, a photocatalytic mechanism of a dual Z‐scheme electron transfer channel and h+‐·O2− double oxidation sites were proposed and discussed.
Monitoring by Raman spectroscopy of rabies virus‐like particles production since the initial development stages
Authors: Guardalini Luis Giovani Oliveira , Rangel Rafaela Morais , Leme Jaci , Bernardino Thaissa Consoni , Silveira Suellen Regina da , Tonso Aldo , Jorge Soraia Attie Calil , Núñez Eutimio Gustavo Fernández
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to establish chemometric models using Raman spectroscopy data for biochemical monitoring of rabies Virus‐Like Particles (VLP) production based on baculovirus/insect cell system. The models were developed using fresh and stored samples from the initial development stages (Schott culture flasks). The following modeling techniques were assessed: partial least squares (PLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN). The effects of spectral filtering approaches, spectral ranges (400–1850 cm−1; 100–3425 cm−1), and sample cryopreservation were also considered. The applicability of the models was evaluated using experimental data from assays carried out in a benchtop bioreactor.

RESULTS

The results showed that the prediction capacity of the chemometric models was negatively impacted when samples from rabies VLP production were cryopreserved. Further studies are needed to confirm the maximum storage time for samples (< 4 months) without a significant difference in model predictions compared to those from an in line database. The dilution of the sample should be kept constant throughout the rabies VLP development stages. A nonlinear correlation was observed between dilution and the predicted values of biochemical parameters from Raman spectral data. The choice of spectral filtering has a major impact on the prediction accuracy of chemometric models.

CONCLUSION

The optimal filtering approach should be individually optimized for each biochemical parameter. The ANN models were significantly more suitable for biochemical monitoring than the PLS approach. The 400–1850 cm−1 Raman shift range is recommended for biochemical monitoring of rabies VLP using a baculovirus/insect cell platform when samples are cell‐free. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Transcranial Doppler ultrasound velocities in a population of unstudied African children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: O'Brien Nicole F. , Moons Peter , Johnson Hunter , Tshimanga Taty , Musungufu Davin Ambitapio , Ekandji Robert Tandjeka , Mbaka Jean Pongo , Babatila Lydia Kuseyila , Mayindombe Ludovic , Giresse Buba , Mwanza Suzanna , Lupumpaula Clement , Chilima Janet Simanguwa , Nanyangwe Alice , Kabemba Peter , Kafula Lisa Nkole , Phiri Tusekile , June Sylvester , Gushu Montfort Bernard , Chagaluka George , Chunda‐Liyoka Catherine M.
Published: November 2023

The greatest burden of sickle cell anemia (SCA) globally occurs in sub‐Saharan Africa, where significant morbidity and mortality occur secondary to SCA‐induced vasculopathy and stroke. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) can grade the severity of vasculopathy, with disease modifying therapy resulting in stroke reduction in high‐risk children. However, TCD utilization for vasculopathy detection in African children with SCA remains understudied. The objective was to perform a prospective, observational study of TCD findings in a cohort of children with SCA from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Malawi. A total of 770 children aged 2–17 years without prior stroke underwent screening TCD. A study was scored as low risk when the time‐averaged maximum of the mean (TAMMX) in the middle cerebral artery or terminal internal carotid artery was <170 cm/s but >50 cm/s, conditional risk when 170–200 cm/s, and high risk when >200 cm/s. Low‐risk studies were identified in 604 children (78%), conditional risk in 129 children (17%), and high risk in three children (0.4%). Additionally, 34 (4%) were scored as having an unknown risk study (TAMMX <50 cm/s). Over the course of 15 months of follow‐up, 17 children (2.2%) developed new neurologic symptoms (six with low‐risk studies, seven with conditional risk, and four with unknown risk). African children with SCA in this cohort had a low rate of high‐risk TCD screening results, even in those who developed new neurologic symptoms. Stroke in this population may be multifactorial with vasculopathy representing only one determinant. The development of a sensitive stroke prediction bundle incorporating relevant elements may help to guide preventative therapies in high‐risk children.
Comparison of unilateral and bilateral intraductal plastic stent placement for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction: A propensity score‐matched cohort analysis
Authors: Okuno Mitsuru , Iwata Keisuke , Mukai Tsuyoshi , Iwasa Yuhei , Uemura Shinya , Yoshida Kensaku , Maruta Akinori , Iwashita Takuji , Yasuda Ichiro , Shimizu Masahito
Published: November 2023

Background

Although intraductal plastic stent (IS) placement is an effective treatment for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (UMHBO), the effectiveness of unilateral and bilateral IS drainage remains controversial. This retrospective study investigated the effectiveness of bilateral IS placement for UMHBO using the propensity score matching method.

Methods

Patients who underwent transpapillary endoscopic stenting for UMHBO were analyzed for technical and clinical success, adverse events, and time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO).

Results

A total of 321 patients were enrolled in the study with 27 patients in each unilateral and bilateral IS group in the propensity score‐based cohort. Technical success was 100%, while clinical success was 93% and 96% in the unilateral and bilateral IS groups, respectively (p = 1.0). Cholecystitis occurred in 4% and 7%, respectively (p = 1.0). The median TRBO was shorter in the unilateral group (129 [5–383] days) than that in the bilateral group (226 [16–563] days) (p = .0281). Bilateral IS placement was an independent long TRBO factor (hazard ratio [HR] 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21–0.97; p = .041).

Conclusions

Unilateral and bilateral IS placement had high technical and clinical success rates in primary stent placement. However, bilateral IS placement showed a longer TRBO. Bilateral IS placement may be a good option for initial UMHBO drainage.
Unlike chemical fertilizer reduction, organic fertilizer substitution increases soil organic carbon stock and soil fertility in wheat fields
Authors: He Hao , Peng Mengwen , Hou Zhenan , Li Junhua
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Improvements in farmland soil organic carbon (SOC) stock enhance crop yield and soil fertility while mitigating climate change. Rational fertilization in agricultural production is crucial for safeguarding SOC stock. In this study, field experiments were conducted with different ratios of chemical fertilizer reduction and organic fertilizer substitution for three consecutive years (2018–2020) to explore their effects and interlinkages on SOC fractions, soil properties and SOC stock.

RESULTS

The results showed that organic fertilizer substitution increased SOC and its fractions content, SOC stock (by 3.98–12.98% and 7.15–18.13%) and soil fertility index (by 11.76–49.26% and 33.33–91.47%) compared to conventional fertilization in 2019 and 2020, while chemical fertilizer reduction had the opposite effect. Moreover, soil properties (except total nitrogen to total phosphorus ratio, N/P) and SOC fractions significantly affected SOC stock, with SOC fractions contributing more than soil properties. The high sensitivity of microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) can indicate changes in soil carbon pool. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that organic fertilizer substitution increased SOC content and stock by increasing SOC fractions [recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC) and labile organic carbon (LOC) fractions] content and soil fertility.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed the corresponding mechanisms of the two fertilization modes affecting SOC stock changes. The use of organic fertilizer substitution is recommended to increase SOC stocks and soil fertility in wheat fields. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Deciphering the underlying core microorganisms and the marker compounds of Liupao tea during the pile‐fermentation process
Authors: Pan Jincen , Wang Jie , Teng Jianwen , Huang Li , Wei Baoyao , Xia Ning , Zhu Pingchuan
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Pile fermentation is one of the key steps in developing the Liupao tea (LBT) quality and unique characteristics. The complex biochemical profile of LBT results from microorganisms present during the pile‐fermentation process. However, the critical underlying microorganisms and the marker compounds still need to be determined.

RESULTS

Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium, Kocuria, Aspergillus, and Blastobotrys were the common dominant microorganisms at the end of the pile fermentation of LBT. Staphylococcus, Aspergillus, Blastobotrys, and nine other genera carried by raw tea are the core microorganisms in the LBT during pile fermentation. A total of 29 critical compounds contributed to the metabolic changes caused by the processing of LBT. Of these, gallic acid, adenine, hypoxanthine, uridine, betaine, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde, and α‐linolenic acid could be characterized as potential marker compounds. Correlation analysis showed that the core microorganisms, including Sphingomonas, Staphylococcus, Kocuria, Aureobasidium, Blastobotrys, Debaryomyce, and Trichomonascus, were closely related to major chemical components and differential compounds. Moreover, the mutually promoting Staphylococcus, Kocuria, Blastobotrys, and Trichomonascus were correlated with the enrichment of marker compounds. Integrated molecular networking and metabolic pathways revealed relevant compounds and enzymes that possibly affect the enrichment of marker compounds.

CONCLUSION

This study analyzed the LBT fermentation samples by omics analysis to reveal the stable microbial community structure, critical microorganisms, and markers compounds affecting the quality of LBT, which contributes to a better understanding of pile fermentation of LBT and the fermentation theory of dark tea. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Inhibition of bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in SD rats by sea cucumber peptides
Authors: Wu Jianfu , Chen Yijun , Zhang Jinxuan , Cheng Jinghuan , Chen Yongde , Wu Tao , Zhang Min
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is the terminal manifestation of a type of pulmonary disease, which seriously affects the respiratory function of the body, and with no effective cure for treatment. This study evaluated the effect of sea cucumber peptides (SCP) on bleomycin‐induced SD rat PF.

RESULTS

SCP can inhibit the PF induced by bleomycin. PF and SCP did not affect the food intake of rats, but PF reduced the body weight of rats, and SCP could improve the weight loss. SCP reduced lung index in PF rats in a dose‐dependent manner. SCP significantly reduced IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, α‐SMA and VIM expression levels in lung tissue (P < 0.05), significantly decreased TGF‐β1 expression level in serum (P < 0.01) and the LSCP group and MSCP group had better inhibitory effects on PF than the HSCP group. Histomorphological results showed that SCP could ameliorate the structural damage of lung tissue, alveolar wall rupture, inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast proliferation and deposition of intercellular matrix and collagen fibers caused by PF. The improvement effect of the MSCP group was the most noteworthy in histomorphology. Metabolomics results showed that SCP significantly downregulated catechol, N‐acetyl‐l‐histidine, acetylcarnitine, stearoylcarnitine, d‐mannose, l‐threonine, l‐alanine, glycine, 3‐guanidinopropionic acid, prostaglandin D2 and embelic acid d‐(−)‐β‐hydroxybutyric acid expression levels in lung tissue.

CONCLUSION

SCP ameliorate bleomycin‐induced SD rat PF. KEGG pathway analysis proved that SCP intervened in PF mainly via the lysosome pathway, with d‐mannose as the key factor. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Natural antioxidants enhance the oxidation stability of blended oils enriched in unsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Wang Guangyi , Liu Lele , Peng Fuliang , Ma Yuchen , Deng Zeyuan , Li Hongyan
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Rancidity causes unpleasant tastes and smells, and the degradation of fatty acids and natural antioxidants, so that an oil is unfit to be consumed. Natural antioxidants, including tocopherols, polyphenols (sesamol, canolol, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, etc.), β‐carotene, squalene and phytosterols, contribute to delay the oxidation of vegetable oils. However, studies on the combination of natural antioxidants to lengthen the shelf life of unsaturated fatty acid‐rich blended oil have not been reported.

RESULTS

All of the composite antioxidants had the potential to significantly improve the oxidation stability of blended oil. Blended oil G with 0.05 g kg−1 β‐carotene, 0.25 g kg−1 sesamol and 0.25 g kg−1 caffeic acid showed the best anti‐autooxidation. It is also effective in improving the oxidative stability of vegetable oils containing various fatty acids. The oxidation stability index of the blended oil containing the optimum composition of natural antioxidants was 2.17‐fold longer than that of the control sample. After the end of accelerated oxidation, the oil's peroxide value, p‐anisidine value and total oxidation value were 6.59 times, 12.26 times and 6.65 times lower than those of the control sample, respectively.

CONCLUSION

(1) The combination of natural antioxidants β‐carotene (0.05 g kg−1), sesamol (0.25 g kg−1) and caffeic acid (0.25 g kg−1) enhances the oxidative stability of unsaturated fatty acid‐rich blended oils. (2) β‐Carotene is the main antioxidant in the early stages of oxidation. (3) Sesamol and caffeic acid are the main antioxidants in the middle and late stages of oxidation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of surfactants on the interfacial viscoelasticity and stability of silk fibroin at different oil–water interfaces
Authors: Qiao Xiuying , Miller Reinhard , Schneck Emanuel , Sun Kang
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

The biocompatible amphiphilic silk fibroin, extracted from domesticated silkworms, can adsorb at the oil–water interface and form elastic interfacial layers. In this study, three surfactants (cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, the nonionic polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate) were selected to investigate, through interfacial shear rheology, the influences of surfactants on the interfacial viscoelasticity and stability of silk fibroin at the interfaces between water and two different oils.

RESULTS

The presence of surfactant prolongs the equilibration time and enhances the interfacial elastic modulus and toughness of the interfacial silk fibroin layers, especially at the nonpolar dodecane–water interface. However, when the surfactant exceeds a critical concentration, the shear modulus and stability of interfacial silk fibroin layers begin to decrease due to the competitive adsorption of surfactant molecules and the weakening of the protein network. Owing to electrostatic interactions, the ionic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecyl sulfate can form more hydrophobic complexes with silk fibroin, which results in higher shear moduli than for silk fibroin and silk fibroin–polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate mixture.

CONCLUSION

Both the surfactant type and oil polarity play important roles in the adsorption, shear viscoelasticity, and stability of silk fibroin at the oil–water interface. Enhanced interactions between a silk fibroin–surfactant mixture and the oil phase delay the equilibration of the adsorption layers but strengthen the stability of interfacial layers. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
United States insurance coverage of immediate lymphatic reconstruction
Authors: La‐Anyane Okensama , Alba Brandon E. , Harmon Kelly A. , To Jocelyn , Siotos Charalampos , Adepoju Jubril , Madrigrano Andrea , Alvarado Rosalinda , O'Donoghue Cristina , Perez Claudia B. , Kurlander David E. , Shenaq Deana S. , Kokosis George
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction (ILR) is a prophylactic microsurgical lymphovenous bypass technique developed to prevent breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). We investigated current coverage policies for ILR among the top insurance providers in the United States and compared it to our institutional experience with obtaining coverage for ILR.

Methods

The study analyzed the publicly available ILR coverage statements for American insurers with the largest market share and enrollment per state to assess coverage status. Institutional ILR coverage was retrospectively analyzed using deidentified claims data and categorizing denials based on payer reason codes.

Results

Of the 63 insurance companies queried, 42.9% did not have any publicly available policies regarding ILR coverage. Of the companies with a public policy, 75.0% deny coverage for ILR. In our institutional experience, $170,071.80 was charged for ILR and $166 118.99 (97.7%) was denied by insurance.

Conclusions

Over half of America's major insurance providers currently deny coverage for ILR, which is consistent with our institutional experience. Randomized trials to evaluate the efficacy of ILR are underway and focus should be shifted towards sharing high level evidence to increase insurance coverage for BCRL prevention.
Operator estimates for non‐periodically perforated domains with Dirichlet and nonlinear Robin conditions: Strange term
Authors: Borisov Denis I.
Published: November 2023

We consider a boundary value problem for a general second‐order linear equation in a domain with a fine perforation. The latter is made by small cavities; both the shapes of the cavities and their distribution are arbitrary. The boundaries of the cavities are subject either to a Dirichlet or a nonlinear Robin condition. On the perforation, certain rather weak conditions are imposed to ensure that under the homogenization, we obtain a similar problem in a non‐perforated domain with an additional potential in the equation usually called a strange term. Our main results state the convergence of the solution of the perturbed problem to that of the homogenized one in
‐ and
‐norms uniformly in
‐norm of the right hand side in the equation. The estimates for the convergence rates are established, and their order sharpness is discussed.
The Gauge–Uzawa methods for incompressible fluids with microstructure
Authors: Maimaiti Halimang , Liu Demin
Published: November 2023

In this paper, the Gauge–Uzawa method for the time‐dependent incompressible micropolar fluid problem is proposed. Firstly, the first‐order and second‐order Euler semi‐implicit Gauge–Uzawa methods for the micropolar fluid are constructed, and the unconditionally stability analysis and error estimate of the corresponding first‐order scheme are deduced. Secondly, the fully discrete scheme with finite element approximation in space is presented, and the stability result of the corresponding first‐order scheme is derived. Finally, some numerical results are given, which test the theoretical analysis results.
Neuroimaging Characteristics of Hearing Loss in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging
Authors: Khandalavala Karl R. , Marinelli John P. , Lohse Christine M. , Przybelski Scott A. , Petersen Ronald C. , Vassilaki Maria , Vemuri Prashanthi , Carlson Matthew L.
Published: November 2023

Objective

To investigate the association between standard pure tone and speech audiometry with neuroimaging characteristics reflective of aging and dementia in older adults.

Study Design

Prospective population‐based study.

Setting

Single tertiary care referral center.

Methods

Participants from the Mayo Clinic Study of aging 60 years old or older with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment, baseline neuroimaging, and a behavioral audiogram associated with neuroimaging were eligible for study. Imaging modalities included structural MRI (sMRI) and fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery MRI (FLAIR‐MRI; N = 605), diffusion tensor imaging MRI (DTI‐MRI; N = 444), and fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET; N = 413). Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to evaluate associations with neuroimaging outcomes.

Results

Mean (SD) pure tone average (PTA) was 33 (15) dB HL and mean (SD) word recognition score (WRS) was 91% (14). There were no significant associations between audiometric performance and cortical thinning assessed by sMRI. Each 10‐dB increase in PTA was associated with increased likelihood of abnormal white‐matter hyperintensity (WMH) from FLAIR‐MRI (odds ratio 1.26, P = .02). From DTI‐MRI, participants with <100% WRSs had significantly lower fractional anisotropy in the genu of the corpus callosum (parameter estimate [PE] −0.012, P = .008) compared to those with perfect WRSs. From FDG‐PET, each 10% decrease in WRSs was associated with decreased uptake in the anterior cingulate cortex (PE −0.013, P = .001).

Conclusion

Poorer audiometric performance was not significantly associated with cortical thinning but was associated with white matter damage relevant to cerebrovascular disease (increased abnormal WMH, decreased corpus callosum diffusion). These neuroimaging results suggest a pathophysiologic link between hearing loss and cerebrovascular disease.
Versican and versikine: The dynamism of the extracellular matrix
Authors: Watanabe Hideto
Published: November 2023

Versican is a large chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycan in the extracellular matrix and one of the aggrecan/lectican family. Whereas versican is constitutively expressed and serves as a structural macromolecule in some tissues, it is transiently expressed at high levels when the extracellular matrix dynamically changes. There, versican plays an important role in forming the provisional matrix, which is replaced with the “authentic” extracellular matrix, that is, the matrix as it should be. ADAMTS‐1, 4, 5, 9, 15, and 20 cleave versican core protein and are therefore named versicanases. These proteinases have been believed to play a critical role in versican turnover. A cleaved N‐terminal fragment harbors biological functions, and it is termed “versikine.” This review discusses recent advances in the research on the in vivo function of versican and versikine generated by versicanases.
Formation of the Siberian Yamal gas emission crater via accumulation and explosive release of gas within permafrost
Authors: Schurmeier Lauren R. , Brouwer Gwendolyn E. , Fagents Sarah A.
Published: November 2023

The Arctic landscape has experienced many dramatic forms of change due to anthropogenic warming. Large crater‐like forms surrounded by fragmented blocks scattered outward to great distances with precursor mounds appeared in the continuous permafrost zone of the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas of Western Siberia. The morphologies of these craters, in addition to the abundant evidence of active and intense gas emissions across the region, indicate that they formed due the subsurface accumulation, pressurization, and explosive release of gasses trapped within the permafrost. Therefore, these craters were termed “gas emission craters” (GEC). However, some have suggested that in addition to gas accumulation, these features form in a manner similar to ice‐cored pingos and require pressurization due to the freezing of subsurface ice. This is despite the fact that not all GECs form in areas conducive to pingo‐like ice accumulation. Here, we test whether the pressurization and explosive release of methane gas alone can reproduce the observed morphology of the first‐discovered and most intensely studied GEC, Yamal crater. We use the available field and satellite data to constrain the initial dimension parameters of a model of the explosion process and consider several plausible configurations for the unknown interior cavity shape, the overlying permafrost cap thickness, and gas chamber volume. The explosion process is modeled in phases: gas migrates upward and accumulates in the subsurface until the gas pressure fractures the overlying cap, the expanding gas and cap blocks are initially accelerated outward together, and then the blocks are launched as projectiles. The sizes and locations of the ejected blocks found at Yamal crater are used to determine the initial gas pressures required to launch those projectiles to the observed locations. Finally, we estimate the amount of gas released in each of the multiple model runs testing different plausible internal cavity geometries. For the range of plausible block sizes and densities, and a subset of gas chamber volumes considered, we find that the gas pressure (0.6–2.6 MPa) required to launch the Yamal crater blocks to their observed distances was within the range of the sum of the ice/permafrost tensile strength and the lithostatic pressure (0.22–2.87 MPa). Thus, the observed blocks could have been launched by the energy required to fracture and displace the overlying permafrost cap. We show that the mechanism of formation of this GEC does not require pressure from the freezing of ice in the subsurface to crack and explode the overlying permafrost—gas pressure alone can produce these GECs. We expect that as our planet warms, the Siberian permafrost will continue to warm, weaken, and release gasses such as the greenhouse gas methane, and contribute to a permafrost carbon‐positive feedback cycle that would lead to the formation of even more explosive GECs.
Evaluating signaling bias for synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists at the cannabinoid CB2 receptor
Authors: Patel Monica , Grimsey Natasha L. , Banister Samuel D. , Finlay David B. , Glass Michelle
Published: November 2023

The rapid structural evolution and emergence of novel synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) in the recreational market remains a key public health concern. Despite representing one of the largest classes of new psychoactive substances, pharmacological data on new SCRAs is limited, particularly at the cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2). Hence, the current study aimed to characterize the molecular pharmacology of a structurally diverse panel of SCRAs at CB2, including 4‐cyano MPP‐BUT7AICA, 4F‐MDMB‐BUTINACA, AMB‐FUBINACA, JWH‐018, MDMB‐4en‐PINACA, and XLR‐11. The activity of SCRAs was assessed in a battery of in vitro assays in CB2‐expressing HEK 293 cells: G protein activation (Gαi3 and GαoB), phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and β‐arrestin 1/2 translocation. The activity profiles of the ligands were further evaluated using the operational analysis to identify ligand bias. All SCRAs activated the CB2 signaling pathways in a concentration‐dependent manner, although with varying potencies and efficacies. Despite the detection of numerous instances of statistically significant bias, compound activities generally appeared only subtly distinct in comparison with the reference ligand, CP55940. In contrast, the phytocannabinoid THC exhibited an activity profile distinct from the SCRAs; most notably in the translocation of β‐arrestins. These findings demonstrate that CB2 is able to accommodate a structurally diverse array of SCRAs to generate canonical agonist activity. Further research is required to elucidate whether the activation of CB2 contributes to the toxicity of these compounds.
Resistance to the DMI fungicide mefentrifluconazole in Monilinia fructicola: risk assessment and resistance basis analysis
Authors: Li Guixiang , Zhang Ling , Wang Huakai , Li Xiuhuan , Cheng Fei , Miao Jianqiang , Peng Qin , Liu Xili
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Brown rot disease, caused by Monilinia fructicola, poses a significant challenge to peach production in China. The efficacy of mefentrifluconazole, a new triazole fungicide, in controlling brown rot in peaches has been remarkable. However, the resistance risk and mechanism associated with this fungicide remain unclear. This study was designed to assess the resistance risk of M. fructicola to mefentrifluconazole and reveal the potential resistance mechanism.

RESULTS

The mean median effective concentration (EC50) of 101 M. fructicola isolates to mefentrifluconazole was 0.003 μg mL−1, and the sensitivity exhibited a unimodal distribution. Seven mefentrifluconazole‐resistant mutants were generated from three parental isolates in the laboratory through fungicide adaption. The biological characteristics of the resistant mutants revealed that three of them exhibited enhanced survival fitness compared to the parental isolates, whereas the remaining four mutants displayed reduced survival fitness. Mefentrifluconazole showed strong positive cross‐resistance with fenbuconazole, whereas no cross‐resistance was observed with pyrimethanil, procymidone or pydiflumetofen. No overexpression of MfCYP51 gene was detected in the resistant mutants. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that three resistant mutants (MXSB2‐2, Mf12‐1 and Mf12‐2) had a point mutation (G461S) in MfCYP51 protein. Molecular docking techniques confirmed the contribution of this point mutation to mefentrifluconazole resistance.

CONCLUSION

The risk of M. fructicola developing resistance to mefentrifluconazole is relatively low‐to‐medium and point mutation G461S in MfCYP51 could confer mefentrifluconazole resistance in M. fructicola. This study provided essential data for monitoring the emergence of resistance and developing resistance management strategies for mefentrifluconazole. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Ti‐Doped Nanocomposite Pr2Fe14B/α‐Fe Ribbons with High Coercivity
Authors: Alam Mehran Khan , Raza Shahzab , Han Guangbing , Kang Shishou
Published: November 2023

Nanocomposite permanent magnetic alloys are prepared by the melt‐spinning technique with wheel speed ranging from 21 to 33 ms−1. X‐ray diffraction results show that the as‐spun ribbon is rich of soft α‐Fe, hard Pr2Fe14B magnetic phases, and no other metastable phases are found in our alloy ribbon. Initial magnetization curves reveal that the coercivity mechanism of the ribbons vary with the content of Ti. For x = 2, coercivity is mainly determined by pure pinning; while for x = 1, 3, and 4, it is mainly controlled by the mixture of nucleation of domain and localized pinning at grain boundaries. The coercivity value of 1026 kA m−1, the highest value reported so far, is mainly generated from a pure pinning mechanism in the ribbon with x = 2. The recoil permeability shows a minimum value range from to for x = 2 alloy, suggesting strong exchange coupling between the magnetic grains and then leading to the concurrent reversal of soft and hard phase grains during the demagnetization process. The Henkel plots demonstrate only exchange interaction for x = 1 and exchange interaction with slightly magnetostatic interaction for x = 2, 3, and 4. The exchange interaction exhibits maximum strength for x = 2, which is the reason for high coercivity.