bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive integration of history variables in constrained mixture models for organ‐scale growth and remodeling
Authors: Gebauer Amadeus M. , Pfaller Martin R. , Szafron Jason M. , Wall Wolfgang A.
Published: November 2024

In the last decades, many computational models have been developed to predict soft tissue growth and remodeling (G&R). The constrained mixture theory describes fundamental mechanobiological processes in soft tissue G&R and has been widely adopted in cardiovascular models of G&R. However, even after two decades of work, large organ‐scale models are rare, mainly due to high computational costs (model evaluation and memory consumption), especially in long‐range simulations. We propose two strategies to adaptively integrate history variables in constrained mixture models to enable large organ‐scale simulations of G&R. Both strategies exploit that the influence of deposited tissue on the current mixture decreases over time through degradation. One strategy is independent of external loading, allowing the estimation of the computational resources ahead of the simulation. The other adapts the history snapshots based on the local mechanobiological environment so that the additional integration errors can be controlled and kept negligibly small, even in G&R scenarios with severe perturbations. We analyze the adaptively integrated constrained mixture model on a tissue patch for a parameter study and show the performance under different G&R scenarios. To confirm that adaptive strategies enable large organ‐scale examples, we show simulations of different hypertension conditions with a real‐world example of a biventricular heart discretized with a finite element mesh. In our example, adaptive integrations sped up simulations by a factor of three and reduced memory requirements to one‐sixth. The reduction of the computational costs gets even more pronounced for simulations over longer periods. Adaptive integration of the history variables allows studying more finely resolved models and longer G&R periods while computational costs are drastically reduced and largely constant in time.
VZV Prophylaxis After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children: When to Stop?
Authors: de Berranger Eva , Derache Anne‐Flore , Ramdane Nassima , Labreuche Julien , Navarin Pauline , Gonzales Fanny , Abou‐Chahla Wadih , Nelken Brigitte , Bruno Bénédicte
Published: November 2024

Background

Acyclovir treatment is an efficient prophylaxis to prevent varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Aims

This single center retrospective study tried to determine if the lymphocytes immunophenotyping could help to determine the duration of prophylaxis, and evaluated complications, and associated risk factors for VZV infection.

Methods and Results

Eighty‐four children underwent an allogeneic HSCT, in which 77 received an acyclovir prophylaxis. Twenty‐one of the 77 had a VZV infection with an incidence rate of 1.30 per 100 patients‐months (exact 95% CI, 0.81 to 2.01). Among these 21 patients with VZV infection, 16 had an infection after withdrawing acyclovir prophylaxis within a median of 49 days (range, 11 days–5.8 months). Thirty‐five percent of the VZV infected patients were hospitalized, 9% had a visceral dissemination, and 9% had postherpetic neuralgia. In multivariate analysis, higher VZV infection rate was associated with conditioning regimen with total body irradiation, immunoglobulin substitution, and antithymocyte globulin. The incidence of VZV infection increased significantly when patients had a CD4+ lymphocytes count below 23% (cHR 3.28 [95% CI, 1.09–9.81]; p = 0.03) or a CD4+/CD8+ ratio less than 0.9 (cHR 3.13 [95% CI, 1.04–9.36]; p = 0.04) at the time of stopping acyclovir prophylaxis.

Conclusion

After cessation of acyclovir prophylaxis, VZV reactivation can occur and be responsible for morbidity after allogeneic HSCT. This study suggests that the proportion of CD4+ lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio can inform decisions about the duration of acyclovir prophylaxis after allogeneic HSCT to prevent VZV reactivation.
Lewis Acid Sites in Hollow Cobalt Phytate Micropolyhedra Promote the Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Qi Jing , Chen Qizhen , Gao Ying , Zhao Yajing , Gao Shengbo , Shangguan Enbo , Chen Mingxing
Published: November 2024

The acid‐base microenvironment of the metal center is crucial for constructing advanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. However, the correlation between acidic site and OER performance remains unclear for cobalt‐based catalysts. Herein, Lewis acid sites in hollow cobalt phytate micropolyhedra (M–CoPA, M = Cu, Sr) were synthesized by a cation‐exchange strategy, and their OER performances were studied systematically. Experimentally, Lewis acid Cu2+ sites with stronger Lewis acidity exhibited superior intrinsic activity and long‐term stability in alkaline electrolytes. The spectroscopic and electrochemical studies show Lewis acid sites in hollow cobalt phytate micropolyhedra can modulate the electronic distribution of the adjacent cobalt center and further optimize the adsorption strength of oxygenated species. This study figures out the effect of Lewis acid sites on the OER kinetics and provides an effective way to develop high‐efficiency electrocatalysts for energy conversion systems.
Early‐ and Late‐Stage Auditory Processing of Speech Versus Non‐Speech Sounds in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An ERP and Oscillatory Activity Study
Authors: Edgar Elizabeth V. , McGuire Kjersti , Pelphrey Kevin A. , Ventola Pamela , van Noordt Stefon , Crowley Michael J.
Published: November 2024

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit greater sensitivity to non‐speech sounds, reduced sensitivity to speech, and increased variability in cortical activity during auditory speech processing. We assessed differences in cortical responses and variability in early and later processing stages of auditory speech versus non‐speech sounds in typically developing (TD) children and children with ASD. Twenty‐eight 4‐ to 9‐year‐old children (14 ASDs) listened to speech and non‐speech sounds during an electroencephalography session. We measured peak amplitudes for early (P2) and later (P3a) stages of auditory processing and inter‐trial theta phase coherence as a marker of cortical variability. TD children were more sensitive to speech sounds during early and later processing stages than ASD children, reflected in larger P2 and P3a amplitudes. Individually, twice as many TD children showed reliable differentiation between speech and non‐speech sounds compared to children with ASD. Children with ASD showed greater intra‐individual variability in theta responses to speech sounds during early and later processing stages. Children with ASD show atypical auditory processing of fundamental speech sounds, perhaps due to reduced and more variable cortical activation. These atypicalities in the consistency of cortical responses to fundamental speech features may impact the development of cortical networks and have downstream effects on more complex forms of language processing.
Nutritional Composition of Forage Available to the Northern Hairy‐Nosed Wombat
Authors: Casey Fiona F. , Old Julie M. , Stannard Hayley J.
Published: November 2024

Access to adequate nutrition supports an animal's chance of survival and reproduction; thus, it is particularly important for threatened species. The nutritional quality of forage available to the critically endangered northern hairy‐nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii; NHW) has not been assessed for two decades. The NHW Recovery Action Plan 2022 highlighted a need to investigate the effects of invasive buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) on the species' diet – reassessing the relative nutritional quality of highly abundant buffel grass will assist this investigation. This study assessed the nutritional composition of NHW food items, including buffel grass. Comparisons of the nutritional composition were made between two geographically distanced sites (both eucalyptus woodland and savannah with highly abundant buffel grass), seasons and plant genera. The nitrogen, gross energy, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, ash and mineral content of plants and their relationship to scats, as faecal nitrogen is a good predictor of palatability of grass and nutritional status, were assessed. The nutritional content of plants varied significantly between sites, seasons and genera. Total forage nutritional quality was greatest during spring 2020 at Epping Forest National Park, during summer 2020/21 and autumn 2021 at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge and poorest during winter at both sites. Buffel grass may be a nutritionally valuable food item of the NHW during winter at both sites. There was no significant relationship between the N and gross energy in forage and scats. The findings of this study will inform management if there is a need to reduce invasive buffel grass, based on enhanced knowledge of the NHW nutritional requirements, by determining whether the species has access to suitable dietary items and meeting their nutritional requirements, particularly when forage quality is poorest or promotion of nutritionally valuable forage items is required. The study will also inform management of nutritional requirements at future translocation sites for the NHW.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Participate in the Pathogenesis of Lupus Through S100A10‐Mediated Regulatory T‐Cell Differentiation and Functional Abnormalities
Authors: Guo Hua , Liang Qian , Xue Zhonghui , Yang Junling , Chen Pengyu , Ji Juan , Li Jing , Guo Genkai , Cao Haixia , Sha Xiaoqi , Zhao Rui , Dong Chen , Gu Zhifeng
Published: November 2024

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), neutrophil dysregulation and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation contribute to disease pathogenesis, potentially worsening the autoimmune response. Although research indicates NETs’ involvement in various autoimmune conditions, their relationship with regulatory T cells (Tregs) in SLE remains elusive. In this study, in vivo experiments were involved in administering NET injections to C57BL/6 and MRL/Ipr mice. In vitro, a co‐culture system facilitated interaction between Tregs and NETs. Proteomic analysis elucidated NET composition, while RNA sequencing delineated their impact on Treg differentiation. We demonstrated that increased NET levels correlate inversely with Treg abundance in SLE patients, influencing both their proportion and functionality. NET administration reduced Treg levels and induced lupus‐like symptoms in C57BL/6 mice, exacerbating symptoms in MRL/Ipr mice. DNase I treatment mitigated NET effects, restoring Treg levels and alleviating symptoms. RNA sequencing revealed altered gene expression in naïve CD4+ T cells exposed to NETs. Additionally, proteomic analysis showed S100A10 protein changes between SLE patients and healthy controls, hindering Treg differentiation. NETs influence TLR‐4 of naïve CD4+ T cells via S100A10, thereby modulating Treg proportion and functionality. These findings highlight the critical role of NETs in Treg differentiation in SLE, suggesting that targeting NETs may provide a novel therapeutic approach.
Highly Diastereoselective Radical Cyclopropanation of Olefins via Cobaloxime‐Based Metalloradical Catalysis
Authors: Tan Liming , Boehme McKay , Papworth Lorenzo , Wu Keyang , Qiu Yunfan , Li Gang
Published: November 2024

Metalloradical catalysis (MRC), predominantly exemplified by metalloporphyrin complexes, has emerged as a promising strategy for regulating radical reactions and broadening their synthetic applications. In this paper, we report that cobaloxime complexes, functioning as a surrogate for metalloporphyrin systems, can mediate radical cyclopropanation of olefins using donor/acceptor‐type carbene precursor α‐aryl diazoacetates through the MRC process. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, yielding cyclopropane derivatives in good yields with high diastereoselectivity. The reaction exhibits extensive substrate tolerance, encompassing gram‐scale transformations and the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds. Our discoveries underscore the potential of cobaloxime‐catalyzed cyclopropanation as a valuable asset in organic syntheses and further expand the repertoire of metalloradical systems in catalysis.
Feasibility analysis of e‐bus‐based transit system for sustainable urban mobility
Authors: Debnath Tushar , Majumder Suman , De Krishnarti
Published: November 2024

Balancing the growing demand for mobility on congested city roads presents a significant challenge in urban areas. One potential solution is a shift towards electric‐based mass transit systems, moving away from personal vehicles. This shift would alleviate traffic congestion and reduce emissions caused by traditional transit systems. However, implementing large‐scale e‐mobility in developing countries has several challenges, including an unreliable electricity grid and limited power sources. Additionally, passenger comfort and system reliability are also raised concerns. Accomplishing sustainable e‐mobility in an urban scenario needs cost‐effective generation with controlled emissions. This study primarily computes power generation costs and emissions from plants like coal‐dominated and renewable energy resources. These two generation plant scenarios would help to understand the exact numbers of generation cost, emission reduction, and health cost reduction in case a nation plans to shift towards green energy. The analysis's findings demonstrate that using solar‐powered energy sources can reduce carbon pollution to 124.96 g/km while releasing relatively few additional pollutants. Furthermore, during 10 years from 2020 to 2030, the generating cost of e‐buses powered by solar PVs is a meager 0.93 million. The anticipated yearly costs for energy generation and health care are 0.875 million and 0.2 million in Indian rupees, respectively. All of these factors are predicted to have substantially reduced, making it clear that moving towards renewable resources in the future could lower overall health expenses and make energy more affordable.
Lateralization of memory function in temporal lobe epilepsy using scene memory fMRI
Authors: Tackett William S. , Mechanic‐Hamilton Dawn , Das Sandhitsu , Mojena Marissa , Stein Joel M. , Davis Kathryn A. , Detre John A.
Published: November 2024

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers an alternative to the traditional Wada test for presurgical language and memory lateralization that carries almost no risk. However, fMRI lateralization of episodic memory remains challenging because the hippocampus, which is fundamental to episodic memory, is smaller, more prone to susceptibility artifact, and harder to functionally modulate than language regions. We previously showed that a complex scene memory task can lateralize memory function in the mesial temporal lobe. Using data acquired from N = 45 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy acquired with an improved stimulus paradigm and high‐resolution fMRI, we now demonstrate that memory activation can be successfully lateralized within hippocampus proper.

Plain Language Summary

Epilepsy surgery can improve seizure control in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) that cannot be controlled with medications also, but ablation or removal of temporal lobe brain tissue can also cause cognitive deficits. Functional MRI (fMRI) can noninvasively map brain activation and perform well in lateralizing and localizing language function, but localizing and lateralizing memory function is more challenging. Building upon prior work using complex scene encoding to map memory function, we demonstrate that the use of high‐resolution fMRI along with an optimized task paradigm allows memory activation to be detected within the hippocampus. Because the hippocampus is both a common site of TLE and a key region underlying memory, this approach is expected to contribute to presurgical evaluation of TLE.
Inductive graph‐based long short‐term memory network for the prediction of nonlinear floor responses and member forces of steel buildings subjected to orthogonal horizontal ground motions
Authors: Chou Yuan‐Tung , Kuo Po‐Chih , Li Kuang‐Yao , Chang Wei‐Tze , Huang Yin‐Nan , Chen Chuin‐Shan
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces a novel hierarchical graph‐based long short‐term memory network designed for predicting the nonlinear seismic responses of building structures. We represent buildings as graphs with nodes and edges and utilize graph neural network (GNN) and long short‐term memory (LSTM) technology to predict their responses when subjected to orthogonal horizontal ground motions. The model was trained using the results of nonlinear response‐history analyses using 2000 sample 4–7‐story steel moment resisting frames and 88 pairs of ground‐motion records from earthquakes with a moment magnitude greater than 6.0 and closest site‐to‐fault distance shorter than 20 km. The results demonstrate the model's great performance in predicting floor acceleration, velocity, and displacement, as well as shear force, bending moment, and plastic hinges in beams and columns. Furthermore, the model has learned to recognize the significance of the first mode period of a building. The model's robust generalizability across diverse building geometry and its comprehensive predictions of floor responses and member forces position it as a potential surrogate model for the response‐history analysis of buildings.
Whole‐Life Embodied Carbon Reduction Strategies in UK Buildings: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Keyhani Maryam , Bahadori‐Jahromi Ali , Fu Changfeng , Godfrey Paulina , Zhang Hexin
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a detailed analysis of embodied carbon (EC) in various case studies using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Through comprehensive assessments, including modules A, B and C, the study evaluates EC across different stages of building life cycles. This study also considers the EC savings achievable through current end‐of‐life strategies in the UK context. As Module A accounts for the highest EC in the case studies, the majority of reduction strategies should focus on this stage. The most impactful strategy for reducing EC emissions involves incorporating Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) as a replacement for cement. This approach has the potential to achieve a substantial reduction in the EC of concrete within the buildings under investigation, ranging from 60% to 70%. The study reveals that specification strategy can lead to significant Whole Life Embodied Carbon (WLEC) reductions, with the residential building achieving a 30.59% reduction, the college building a 46.86% reduction, and the hotel building a reduction of 23.69%. Effective mitigation strategies, such as utilizing recycled and reclaimed materials, demonstrate promising results, showcasing significant reduction in WLEC emissions in the buildings.
Challenging underground geophysical, geological and topographical surveys in the Borna Maggiore di Pugnetto karst collapse cave to delineate its genesis and actual structure
Authors: Comina Cesare , Motta Michele , Muzzolon Walter , Vagnon Federico , Vergnano Andrea
Published: November 2024

Electric resistivity surveys in karst environments are commonly employed to establish parameters that can help in the evaluation of collapse risk related to sinkhole or cave formation. However, these surveys are often executed from the surface with consequent limits in resolution and identification potential as a function of coverage thicknesses. Application of these methodologies directly inside known caves, for a better understanding of their formation mechanisms, is uncommon due to accessibility problems, the nontrivial referencing issues that arise when operating in an underground environment and the challenging 2D/3D interpretation issues emerging from the presence of the cavity itself. This paper reports on the application of electric resistivity tomography along with specific geological and topographic mapping, inside the Borna Maggiore di Pugnetto karst collapse cave. Comprehensive knowledge of this cave, developed in mica‐rich and carbonate‐rich calcschists, is problematic with traditional investigations, due to the cave breakdown that masks its structure. In this study, the 3D geometry of the cave is reconstructed using a topographical survey. This reconstruction is then utilised to perform a 3D inversion of the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) dataset. The results of both 2D and 3D inversions are compared and discussed, focusing on the survey's ability to identify resistivity anomalies within the 3D volume surrounding the cave. Additionally, an open‐source script is provided to facilitate the replication of this 3D modelling and inversion in similar underground contexts. Results of the paper show the effectiveness of the proposed surveys in the delineation of genesis and actual structure of the cave. The paper also proposes a methodological approach that can be adopted in similar contexts to enhance the understanding of speleogenesis.
Place‐based reproductive justice and resistance: Human rights and abortion mobilities in the Post‐Dobbs era
Authors: Mills Elizabeth , DeLaet Debra
Published: November 2024

This article integrates human rights and abortion mobilities frameworks to demonstrate the ramifications of abortion restrictions and highlights historic and emergent forms reproductive justice and resistance. It engages with and critiques narrow conceptualizations of reproductive rights and biopolitics and considers the complex ways that abortion legislation becomes embodied in the post‐Dobbs era. Mobility is explored across three frames—repression, privilege, and resistance—to highlight the interconnections between reproductive (in)justice and place‐based resistance. Situating the analysis within human rights scholarship and reproductive justice and mobilities scholarship, the article outlines the continuities and current configurations of place‐based reproductive (in)justice across three interconnected axes. The first axis traces the embodied ramifications of anti‐abortion laws for marginalized individuals and communities; the second axis explores the complex personal, political, and economic costs of travelling to access abortion care; and the third axis reflects on historic and current forms of community‐based resistance and care. Read together, these axes challenge binary assumptions of agency or subjugation and instead reveal how embodied experiences of abortion restrictions for marginalized individuals and groups also run alongside radical forms of community care to resist these restrictions and address broader forms of lived intersectional inequalities.
Comparative Study on the Hypoglycemic Effects of Different Parts of Musa balbisiana
Authors: Hoang Thi Ngoc Nhon , Nguyen Quang Liem , Le Thi Thanh Ngan , Vo Ngoc Hoa , Dong Thi Anh Dao , Le Thi Hong Anh
Published: November 2024

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that can cause elevated blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin secretion or resistance. Different parts of Musa balbisiana have been used widely in traditional medicine to treat many disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic ability of the corm, pseudostem, inflorescence, fruit, peel, and seed of M. balbisiana via in vitro experiments by inhibiting α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase enzymes as well as in vivo models on diabetic alloxan‐induced mice. The results show that all investigated parts have performed potential inhibition on two investigated digestive enzymes. Seed poses the highest capacity among surveyed parts on α‐amylase (IC50:f μg/mL) and α‐glucosidase (IC50: 21.63 μg/mL) as well as effectively lowers the blood glucose index (IG) in alloxan‐induced mice. In addition, fruit, corm, and inflorescence are considered essential parts that have high hypoglycemic effects via in vivo experiments. These findings indicate that all M. balbisiana parts are possibly a potential source for hypoglycemic agents; further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the safety of human beings before applying them in functional food and pharmaceutical industries.
Drones and Workers of Honeybee Apis mellifera L. Dried Powder: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Assessment
Authors: Abedelmaksoud Tarek Gamal , El‐Masarawy Mohamed Salah , Altemimi Ammar B. , Hesarinejad Mohammad Ali , Hussein Ahmed M. S. , Smuda Sayed Saad
Published: November 2024

This study explores honeybee as a food source through chemical analysis of pupa and adult stages of honeybee drones and workers (Apis mellifera L.). The findings reveal that drones exhibited higher protein and fat content, while workers have the highest carbohydrate levels. Additionally, seventeen amino acids and nine minerals were identified, with drones in the adult stage having elevated levels of fifteen amino acids, notably glutamic acid at 7.97 g/100 g. Moreover, 24 fatty acids were discovered, with oleic acid being most abundant in drones (55.96% in adult, 44.14% in pupa). Furthermore, potassium and sodium were the dominant minerals in both drone and worker samples; however, adult drone had higher concentrations of potassium, iron, copper, and phosphorus than the other samples. Also, nine phenolic compounds were identified, which exhibited the highest concentration in the adult drone sample (20095.72 μg/100 g). Importantly, the adult drone sample demonstrated significant cytotoxic effects on breast and colorectal cancer cells (MCF7 and HCT116), inhibiting them at rates of 98.1% and 81.5%, respectively. These results emphasize the nutritional potential of honeybees (especially adult drones) as a functional food, rich in amino acids, fatty acids and possessing antioxidant and anticancer properties.
Towards Holistic Functional Task Analysis
Authors: Salehi Vahid , Salmon Paul M. , Burns Catherine , McGill Alexis , Smith Doug , Veitch Brian
Published: November 2024

Task analysis (TA) can contribute to work systems design, accident investigation, risk assessment, human error identification, planning, and training. Despite the advantages of existing sequential and hierarchical methods, they decompose tasks into their structure and focus on the order in which tasks are accomplished. They do not trace all interactions among elements/subtasks/operations at different levels. As the complexity of tasks increases, not keeping track of all interactions may result in poor, unwanted outcomes. This research introduces a different approach to TA that decomposes tasks into their constituent functions, describes the functionality of the overall work system, traces (dynamic nonlinear) interactions among functions, and highlights the role of functional variability in forming emergent outcomes. This approach to TA is called functional task analysis (FTA). A case study on nursing work was used to demonstrate the suitability of the FTA approach. The findings of this study show that the FTA approach contributes to task modeling by building a nonsequential, nonhierarchical functional model of a complex task considering dynamic, nonlinear interactions among functions. The FTA also contributes to task description by explaining different ways a task can be accomplished. It also increases the understanding, interpretation, and analysis of how changes in work conditions shape good/acceptable and poor/unacceptable outcomes. The FTA can complement the TA by adding some aspects, including functionality, nonlinearity, dynamics, and emergence, that the TA does not normally consider. The findings highlight how the functional approach to TA can be deployed as an alternative (or complement) to other task analysis methods.
Public Health Crisis Management Caused by COVID‐19: A Scientometrics Review
Authors: Wang Sen , Liu Miaomei
Published: November 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic was one of the most serious public health events of the 21st century, which had a profound impact on the entire human society and sparked extensive debate and research on public health crisis management. To clarify the development path of the issue and to discover the structure and internal logic of related studies, this study conducted a scientometric analysis (co‐citation analysis, co‐occurrence analysis, cooperation network analysis, knowledge domain migration analysis) of 8814 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed using CiteSpace, and drew the following conclusions: (1) The research focuses on empirical studies in medicine and other fields, and expands to non‐medical fields such as “social media”, “COVID‐19 lockdown”, and “air quality”; (2) The USA, UK, Italy and other major developed countries in Europe and America are leading the research trend, while developing countries, notably China, India and Brazil have become the important contributors to the study of this issue in different ways; (3) The research results at this stage are mainly in the fields of medicine, health and biology and are cited internally, but are also developing in the direction of economics, political, environmental and other fields. Finally, this study summarises some of the issues that should be of concern to public health crisis management in the post‐pandemic era, in the hope of providing some insight for researchers on this issue.
Associations Between Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index and Chronic Pain: Insights From National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004
Authors: Huang Qiqi , Lin Liling , Li Jingwen , Lin Jianwei , Zeng Zhaopei , Fu Yuan , Qiu Junxiong , Zheng Junmeng
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Nutrition and inflammation are known factors in chronic pain, but their combined influence is not fully understood. This study investigates the associations between advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) and various types of pain, including joint pain, neck pain, low back pain, and severe headaches and migraines.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, a total of 3842 participants were recruited from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2004. Participants were categorized into three groups based on ALI tertiles: low (≤ 46.982), moderate (> 46.982 and ≤ 70.359), and high (> 70.359). Logistic regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and stratified analyses were employed to assess the relationship between ALI and various types of pain.

Results

High ALI consistently correlated with an increased risk of joint pain (fully adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.284; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.044–1.578) compared to low ALI. However, limited evidence was found in other types of pain. Stratified analyses revealed that high ALI was particularly associated with joint pain in specific demographics, including females (OR: 1.607; 95% CI: 1.205–2.144; p = 0.002), individuals aged ≥ 65 years (OR: 1.914; 95% CI: 1.254–2.923; p = 0.004), and those with a high school diploma (OR: 1.630; 95% CI: 1.171–2.268; p = 0.006). ALI also showed a positive association with multisite pain (p < 0.05), with RCS analysis revealing a linear relationship between ALI and joint pain, escalating beyond 57.85.

Conclusions

This study highlights the association between ALI and joint pain, particularly among females and older individuals. Furthermore, ALI may influence the presence of pain at multiple sites.
The Effects of the oxLDL/β2GPI/anti‐β2GPI Complex on Macrophage Autophagy and its Mechanism
Authors: Wu Qianqian , Zhang Guiting , Wang Ting , Zhou Hong
Published: November 2024

Background

Previous research has established that the oxidized low‐density lipoprotein/β2‐glycoprotein I/anti‐β2‐glycoprotein I antibody (oxLDL/β2GPI/anti‐β2GPI) complex can stimulate macrophages to secrete molecules associated with atherosclerosis (AS), such as monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐1), tissue factor (TF), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). This complex also enhances the uptake of oxLDL, thereby accelerating foam cell formation through the Toll‐like receptor‐4/nuclear factor kappa B (TLR4/NF‐κB) pathway. Given the critical role of macrophage autophagy in the instability of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, it is imperative to investigate whether the oxLDL/β2GPI/anti‐β2GPI complex influences macrophage autophagy in AS. This study aims to elucidate the effects and underlying mechanisms of the oxLDL/β2GPI/anti‐β2GPI complex on macrophage autophagy in AS.

Methods

Experiments were conducted using murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells and the human monocytic cell line THP‐1. Western blot analysis was employed to determine the expressions of autophagy‐associated markers and signaling pathway proteins. Autophagosomes were detected through mRFP‐GFP‐LC3 adenoviral transfection and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

Treatment of macrophages with the oxLDL/β2GPI/anti‐β2GPI complex resulted in decreased expressions of Beclin1 and LC3 proteins, alongside an upregulation of SQSTM1/P62 protein expression. Additionally, there was a reduction in the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. An increase in the phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was also observed. Notably, the expressions of autophagy‐associated markers were partially restored when the TLR4/NF‐κB and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways were inhibited by their respective inhibitors.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the oxLDL/β2GPI/anti‐β2GPI complex inhibits macrophage autophagy in AS via the TLR4/NF‐κB and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways.
Prognostic assessment of T‐cells in primary colorectal cancer and paired synchronous or metachronous liver metastasis
Authors: Trailin Andriy , Ali Esraa , Ye Wenjing , Pavlov Sergii , Červenková Lenka , Vyčítal Ondřej , Ambrozkiewicz Filip , Hošek Petr , Daum Ondřej , Liška Václav , Hemminki Kari
Published: November 2024

Prognostic value of T‐cells between primary colorectal cancer (pCRC) and its paired synchronous and metachronous liver metastasis (LM) is underinvestigated and is the subject of the present study. We enrolled into this retrospective cohort study patients, who underwent resection of both pCRC and synchronous LM (N = 55) or metachronous LM (N = 44). After immunohistochemical staining for CD3+, CD8+, and CD45R0+ whole slides were scanned and T‐cell densities were quantified using QuPath software in tumor center (TC), inner margin (IM), outer margin (OM), and peritumor zone (PT) of pCRC and LM. High densities of CD8+ T‐cells in TC, OM and PT of synchronous LM were associated with longer disease‐free survival (DFS). Greater densities of CD3+ T‐cells in IM and PT and CD8+ T‐cells in IM, OM and PT in synchronous LM over pCRC were associated with longer DFS. Greater densities of CD8+ T‐cells in the TC and IM and CD3+ T‐cells in the IM of pCRC were found in the metachronous over synchronous group. The first novel finding demonstrated that high density of CD8+ T cells in synchronous LM were associated with favorable outcome. The second finding of high CD8+ cell density in pCRC in metachronous over synchronous CRC may provide a mechanistic basis for the delay of metastatic spread. Both findings could be applied clinically with own reference values.
High‐Efficiency Targeted Gene Transfection of Cells Using Temporal and Spatial Shaping Femtosecond Laser Irradiation
Authors: Guo Baoshan , Song Ziyan
Published: November 2024

Laser‐irradiation‐assisted cell gene transfection is sterile and nontoxic, but the low transfection efficiency cannot meet the application requirements. To improve the efficiency, a temporal and spatial shaping method of a femtosecond laser is proposed. Using the time shaping method, we can segment the pulse into subpulses of varying energies and with a defined delay, thereby influencing the interaction between electrons and photons, ultimately enhancing transfection efficiency. The transfection efficiency is further improved by spatially shaping the laser pulse to extend the focusing beam's working distance and reduce the cell's sensitivity to the focal position. Through the characterization of the viability and transfection efficiency of HEK‐293T cells, the method achieved efficient and active transfection, with a maximum transfection efficiency of 45.1% and a cell survival rate of 93.6%. This method provides key technical support for femtosecond laser transfection and promotes its further application in clinical practice.
Novel Insights Into the Ultrastructural and Immunofluorescence Characteristics of Limb Skin in the Red‐Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Authors: Alsafy Mohamed A. M. , El‐Gendy Samir A. A. , Ez Elarab Samar M. , El‐Mansi Ahmed A. , Eldesoqui Mamdouh B. , Rashwan Ahmed M.
Published: November 2024

The red‐eared slider turtle, a species facing environmental challenges and habitat loss, exhibits a complex skin architecture that is crucial for its adaptation and survival. Our study aims to provide a comprehensive characterization of the turtle's skin structure and to elucidate the distribution and localization of its various cellular components, with a focus on understanding the skin's role in adaptation and ecological interactions. To achieve these goals, we employed light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and comprehensive immunofluorescence using 10 specific antibodies. The forelimb skin displays large‐ and moderate‐sized scales with variations in color, including dark, yellow, and gray hues, likely contributing to camouflage and protection. The skin consists of corneous material, the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. The stratum basalis, stratum spinosum, and peri‐corneous layer constitute the three distinct layers of the epidermis. There are four distinct types of chromatophores, including melanocytes located in the epidermis, while melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores are found within the dermal layer. The skin also exhibits well‐developed peripheral nerves, blood vessels, and subcutaneous muscles. Immunofluorescence staining further elucidates the distribution and localization of various skin cells. E‐cadherin and CK14 are strongly expressed in the epidermal layers, excluding the corneous material. E‐cadherin surrounds keratinocyte cells in the epidermis, facilitating cell–cell adhesion, while CK14 is present inside the keratinocyte cells, contributing to their internal structural integrity. Sox10 and CD117 identify the four chromatophore types, with Melan‐A specifically detecting only melanocytes and melanophores and not labeling xanthophores and iridophores. Tom20 is used to detect mitochondrial distribution and intensity in the skin, revealing a high density of mitochondria in all epidermal layers, especially in melanocytes and melanophores, compared to xanthophores and iridophores. Numerous telocytes, spindle‐shaped with extensions called telopods, are detected in the dermis using CD34, PDGFRα, and vimentin. The skin of the red‐eared slider also shows abundant myofibroblasts and well‐developed vascularization, with numerous blood vessels detected using α‐SMA. This novel study offers an in‐depth examination of the limb skin of the red‐eared slider through the use of 10 distinct antibodies, uncovering the intricate interactions among its cellular components and providing valuable insights into its anatomical structure and physiological adaptations. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the turtle's skin, which may aid in its conservation and management.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Nario Steffanie , Househ Zaid , Al‐Sohaily Sam I
Published: November 2024

A 73‐year‐old female with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presented with melena and lethargy. She was found to be iron deficient with a hemoglobin of 101 g/L. Her gastroscopy found six irregular pedunculated non‐bleeding polyps, 10–20 mm in diameter. Histopathology of the resected polyp returned as metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Gastric metastases from any primary malignancy are rare and metastatic RCC accounts for only 7% of these tumors. Furthermore, while RCC commonly metastasises to the lung, bone and lymph nodes, metastasis to the gastrointestinal tract is extremely rare, occurring in <1% of patients. Presentation of RCC as a gastric polyp is usually a late event, and on average occurs 6.7 years after initial diagnosis of RCC. Therefore, this case highlights a rare but important late complication of RCC, presenting as gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to gastric metastases.
Odd chromatic number of graph classes
Authors: Belmonte Rémy , Harutyunyan Ararat , Köhler Noleen , Melissinos Nikolaos
Published: November 2024

A graph is called odd (respectively, even) if every vertex has odd (respectively, even) degree. Gallai proved that every graph can be partitioned into two even induced subgraphs, or into an odd and an even induced subgraph. We refer to a partition into odd subgraphs as an odd colouring of . Scott proved that a connected graph admits an odd colouring if and only if it has an even number of vertices. We say that a graph is ‐odd colourable if it can be partitioned into at most odd induced subgraphs. The odd chromatic number of , denoted by , is the minimum integer for which is ‐odd colourable. We initiate the systematic study of odd colouring and odd chromatic number of graph classes. We first consider a question due to Scott, which states that every graph of even order has , for some positive constant , by proving that this is indeed the case if is restricted to having girth at least seven. We also show that any graph whose all components have even order satisfies , where is the maximum degree of . Next, we show that certain interesting classes have bounded odd chromatic number. Our main results in this direction are that interval graphs, graphs of bounded modular‐width all have bounded odd chromatic number. In particular, every even interval graph is 6‐odd colourable, and every even graph is ‐odd colourable, where is the modular width of a graph.
Same day discharge after hepatectomy: Can it be done safely?
Authors: Kashif Zain , Imtiaz Sayed , Ahmed Saif , Emamaullee Juliet , Sheikh Mohd Raashid
Published: November 2024

Background

With the advent of minimally invasive techniques and enhanced recovery pathways, outpatient surgery is becoming increasingly common, but has not yet been extensively described in liver surgery. The aim of the present study was to analyze the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of patients undergoing outpatient hepatectomy in the US.

Methods

We utilized the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic, elective hepatectomy from 2014 to 2021. Patients discharged on postoperative day 0 were assigned to the “same‐day discharge” group, otherwise the patient was considered “admitted.” Postoperative outcomes were compared with propensity‐matched analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of postoperative LOS (length of stay).

Results

We identified 7279 patients, of which 361 were in the same‐day discharge cohort and 6918 were in the admitted cohort. For admitted patients, median postoperative length of stay was three days (SD = 6). Same‐day discharge patients tended to be younger (age 59 vs. 62, p = .034) and more often ASA class ≤2 (49% vs. 29%, p < .001). Comorbidities such as hypertension (40% vs. 45%, p = .048) and diabetes (12% vs. 19%, p = .002) were less common in the same‐day discharge cohort. On propensity‐matched comparison, there was no significant difference in 30‐day mortality (p > .9), 30‐day readmission (p = .2), and overall postoperative complication rate (p = .2). Predictors of longer postoperative LOS included longer operative time, inpatient hospital status, preoperative transfusion, dependent functional status, and use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that for low‐risk patients and uncomplicated cases, same‐day discharge after minimally invasive, elective hepatectomy is feasible without compromising patient safety and outcomes.
Combination of Boundary Elements and the Ellipsoid Method for Optimizing the Electromagnetic Fields of Overhead Power Lines
Authors: Duane B. A. M. , Afonso M. M. , Paganotti A. L. , Schroeder M. A. O. , Saldanha R. R.
Published: November 2024

This study proposes a numerical approach aimed at mitigating electromagnetic field intensities at ground level generated by overhead power lines. The methodology integrates the boundary element method for field evaluation with the ellipsoid method for field optimization, while adhering to critical design and safety constraints. The optimized power line configurations, derived from this integrated approach, achieved significant reductions in both electric and magnetic field magnitudes at ground level without compromising any specified constraints. Moreover, the research findings demonstrate the robustness, efficiency, and practical applicability of the proposed methodology in the design of optimized power lines, offering potential for increased power transfer capability, and decreased environmental and health impacts.
Ramp lesions of the medial meniscus are associated with greater preoperative anterior knee laxity in anterior cruciate ligament injury
Authors: Tokura Takeo , Nagai Kanto , Hoshino Yuichi , Okimura Kenjiro , Otsuki Yuhei , Nishida Kyohei , Kanzaki Noriyuki , Matsushita Takehiko , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To assess the incidence of ramp lesions in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and to compare preoperative knee laxity between the patients with and without ramp lesions by using an electromagnetic measurement system (EMS).

Methods

Two hundred six patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with preoperative EMS measurements were retrospectively enrolled in the present study. The diagnoses of the ramp lesions were made by arthroscopic inspections. The patients with ramp lesions and no other meniscal lesions were allocated to ‘ramp group’, and the patients without any meniscal lesions were allocated to ‘control group’. Before ACL reconstruction under general anaesthesia, the side‐to‐side difference (SSD) in anterior tibial translation (ATT) during Lachman test (mm) and tibial acceleration (m/s2) of posterior tibial reduction during the pivot‐shift test was measured using the EMS. The SSD in tibial internal/external rotation angle (°) at 30, 60 and 90 were further measured using the EMS. The SSD in ATT using KT‐2000 was also measured. Knee laxity measurements were compared between two groups using unpaired Student's t test.

Results

Ramp lesions were observed in 30 patients (14.7%). Subsequently, 17 patients were allocated to ‘ramp group’ and 77 patients to ‘control group’, and there were no statistical differences with regard to background demographics. ATT‐SSD during Lachman test was significantly greater in ‘ramp group’ (9.1 [95% confidence interval, CI: 5.7–12.5] mm vs. 6.2 [95% CI: 5.1–7.3] mm, p = 0.037). However, SSD in ATT with KT‐2000, tibial acceleration during pivot‐shift test, and SSD in tibial rotational angles were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion

Presence of ramp lesion was associated with increased anterior knee laxity during Lachman test, suggesting ramp lesions may need to be addressed at the time of ACL reconstruction.

Level of Evidence

IV.