bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Structural Analysis and Bright Emission Performance of a New Family of 3D Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Based on 1,3‐phenylenediacetic Acid
Authors: Pastrana‐Dávila Andrea , Manuel Muñoz Juan , Macías Mario A. , Insuasty Daniel , Ernesto Gomez Germán , D'Vries Richard F.
Published: October 2024

A novel series of isostructural lanthanide coordination polymers with the general formula [Ln2(PDA)3(DMF)2] (where Ln3+= La, Nd, Pr, Tb, Sm and Eu, DMF= N,N’‐dimethylformamide and PDA =1,3‐phenylenediacetate) were hydrothermally synthesized and further characterized by vibrational spectroscopy, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, and powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. In addition, from the crystallographic data, it was possible to determine the topology of the structure, finding that the network consists of 5‐connected nodes with topological type: nov; 5/4/o8 and point symbol (44.66). To study the luminescence properties regarding potential energy transfers among the building blocks, lanthanum‐based samples doped with Tb (III) and Eu (III) (1 %, 2 %, 5 % and 10 %) were analyzed in solid state. Upon ligand sensitization, 4 f transitions could be observed confirming an “antenna effect” of the PDA ligand. These new compounds are potential materials for the construction of photoluminiscent devices.
Multifunctional Organometallic Compounds: An Interesting Luminescent NLO‐Active Alkynylplatinum (II) Complex
Authors: Colombo Alessia , Dragonetti Claudia , Fagnani Francesco , Roberto Dominique , Guerchais Véronique , Roisnel Thierry , Fantacci Simona , Marinotto Daniele
Published: October 2024

Reaction of 4‐methylphenylacetylide with the known chlorido platinum(II) complex bearing the cyclometalated 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4,6‐difluoro‐benzene ligand afforded a novel alkynyl platinum(II) complex, 1, that was fully characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and UV‐visible spectroscopies, by photoluminescence measurements, and by computational modelling. Its structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction studies on a single crystal whereas its second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were determined in solution by the Electric‐Field Induced Second Harmonic generation method. The novel multifunctional complex 1 is characterized by good luminescence properties, like the related chlorido Pt(II) complex, but by a much higher second‐order NLO response.
Locus coeruleus co‐activation patterns at rest show higher state persistence in patients with dissociative seizures: A Pilot Study
Authors: Weber Samantha , Jungilligens Johannes , Aybek Selma , Popkirov Stoyan
Published: October 2024

Objective

Dissociative seizures are paroxysmal disruptions of awareness and behavioral control in the context of affective arousal. Alterations in stress‐related endocrine function have been demonstrated, but the timescale of dissociation suggests that the central locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic system is likely pivotal. Here, we investigate whether LC activation at rest is associated with altered brain network dynamics.

Methods

A preliminary co‐activation pattern (CAP) analysis of resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 14 patients with dissociative seizures and 14 healthy controls was performed by using the LC as a seeding region. The red nucleus served as a control condition. Entry rates, durations, and state transition probabilities of identified CAPs were calculated. Analyses were corrected for demographic, technical, and clinical confounders including depression and anxiety.

Results

Three LC‐related CAPs were identified, with the dominant two showing inverse activations and deactivations of the default mode network and the attention networks, respectively. Analysis of transition probabilities between and within the three CAPs revealed higher state persistence in patients compared to healthy controls for both CAP2LC (Cohen's d = −0.55; p = 0.01) and CAP3LC (Cohen's d = −0.57; p = 0.01). The control analysis using the red nucleus as a seed yielded similar CAPs, but no significant between‐group differences in transition probabilities.

Significance

Higher state persistence of LC‐CAPs in patients with dissociative seizures generates the novel hypothesis that arousal‐related impairments of network switching might be a candidate neural mechanism of dissociation.

Plain Language Summary

Dissociative seizures often arise during high affective arousal. The locus coeruleus is a brain structure involved in managing such acute arousal states. We investigated whether the activity of the locus coeruleus correlates with activity in other regions of the brain (which we refer to as “brain states”), and whether those brain states were different between patients with dissociative seizures and healthy controls. We found that patients tended to stay in certain locus coeruleus‐dependent brain states instead of switching between them. This might be related to the loss of awareness and disruptions of brain functions (“dissociation”) that patients experience during seizures.
Exploration of epileptic networks in temporal lobe encephaloceles with stereotactic EEG: Electroclinical characteristics and surgical outcomes
Authors: Zillgitt Andrew J. , Mong Eric R. , Manasseh Angelique M. , Guider Hannah C. , Baki Nour , Staudt Michael D.
Published: October 2024

Objective

Temporal lobe encephaloceles (TLEN) have been implicated as a cause of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), the treatment which is primarily surgical; however, there is no clear consensus on the optimal surgical approach, because it is unclear whether TLE related to TLEN can be addressed by a restricted encephalocele resection or if a more extensive resection is required. The aim of the current article is to report the clinical and electrophysiological profile of patients with TLE secondary to TLEN who underwent stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG) implantation to identify the epileptogenic network.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of patients with TLE related to TLEN who underwent SEEG implantation. Medical charts were reviewed for demographic data, the results of noninvasive and invasive investigations, and operative details. Surgical outcomes were based on Engel classification with at least 6 months follow‐up.

Results

Nine patients were identified. The mean age at epilepsy onset was 28 years (range, 15–41 years), and 7/9 patients were female. Scalp EEG revealed interictal epileptiform activity most often maximum in the frontotemporal and/or temporal regions. A discrete TLEN was often not identified on initial imaging, but was identified during re‐review or at the time of surgery. Seizure onset zones during SEEG were localized to the mesial temporal structures, the temporal pole, or both. One patient became seizure‐free following SEEG and another refused further surgery. Of the 7 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery, 5/7 underwent an anterior temporal lobectomy—surgical outcomes were favorable, with 5/7 achieving Engel I outcomes.

Significance

Invasive SEEG monitoring demonstrated ictal onsets may not be restricted to the TLEN, and often the temporal pole and mesial structures are involved at seizure onset. Ictal propagation patterns vary significantly, which may be related to the underlying pathology and explain the variability in semiology. These findings may inform surgical treatment options.

Plain language summary

Temporal lobe encephaloceles can cause intractable epilepsy, although their presence may be missed on routine imaging. The management of encephaloceles is primarily surgical; however, the optimal surgical approach can be unclear. Invasive monitoring with SEEG may help characterize the epileptogenic network and result in more optimal surgical outcomes.
Local and global integrative retrofitting of reinforced concrete frames using in‐plane buckling steel braces
Authors: Tewatia Devyani , Kumar P. C. Ashwin
Published: October 2024

Two large‐scale, single‐storey, single‐bay reinforced concrete (RC) moment frames, designed as per an outdated seismic code to represent a typical framing detail of a four‐storey building, have been tested under displacement‐controlled quasi‐static loading protocol as per ACI 374.1‐05. The RC frames include a plinth beam with brick infill underneath, a slab monolithically cast with the top beam and provision for applying axial load to the column to simulate real construction scenario. One of the frames has been tested as a bare frame, and the second one has been retrofitted with conventional steel braces designed to undergo in‐plane buckling. The size of the brace has been selected based on the result of a nonlinear time history analysis of representative low‐ to mid‐rise open‐ground storey RC buildings. Post‐installed chemical anchors have been utilized to connect the steel braces to the narrow RC frame members following the outcomes of an experimental investigation by the same authors. Local‐level retrofitting by steel jacketing using adhesives has been designed and utilized on columns and beams to achieve the desired seismic response. The seismic performance of the retrofitted frame has been compared with the bare frame in terms of strength, stiffness, ductility, energy dissipation and hysteretic damping. The tests provide insight into the role of the plinth beam, effect of RC slab on the strong‐column weak‐beam aspect and the achievement of the desirable hinge mechanism through a precise design and detailing of global and local level retrofitting technique.
Simulating column splice fracture and post‐fracture response for seismic assessment of steel moment frames
Authors: Jhunjhunwala Aditya , Maity Arka , Kanvinde Amit
Published: October 2024

Mitigating fracture in welded column splices is an important challenge for the safety of existing steel moment‐resisting frames. While models to predict splice fracture have recently been developed, suitable approaches are not available to simulate the response of frames after splice fracture. Motivated by this, a two‐dimensional displacement‐based fiber element construct, termed the Splice Fracture Element (SFE), is presented. The SFE includes numerous features: (1) representation of the loss of strength in any fiber at a critical stress determined from fracture mechanics, (2) the ability to simulate the loss of shear strength of the cross‐section when the entire section is severed – a phenomenon not readily simulated in conventional fiber elements, and (3) the ability to track the kinematics of the severed parts of the column to represent transfer of compressive stresses on contact. This formulation is implemented into an open‐source software (OpenSees) and applied to conduct Nonlinear Response History Analysis (NLRHA) of two demonstration problems, including a 1‐story frame and a 20‐story frame. Benchmark simulations that do not simulate splice fracture or represent it without the loss of shear strength are also conducted. The results indicate that the SFE element can successfully simulate the key phenomena associated with splice fracture and post‐fracture response.
Which Way Does the Wind Blow Between SPX Futures and VIX Futures?
Authors: Aikins Ekow A. , Kurov Alexander
Published: October 2024

The negative correlation between returns and volatility is well known. However, there is no consensus on whether returns cause changes in volatility or vice versa. In this paper, we investigate the contemporaneous relation between the VIX futures and E‐mini S&P 500 futures markets with the aim of shedding new light on the relation between market returns and implied volatility. We use the E‐mini S&P 500 futures (often referred to as SPX futures) as a proxy for stock market returns and VIX futures as a proxy for expectations of implied volatility. We consistently find that stock returns cause changes in expectations of implied volatility. To estimate the coefficients of interest, we use an identification through heteroskedasticity approach which takes advantage of predictable intraday shifts in volatility in the two futures markets.
Effect of fermented total mixed rations on rumen microbial communities and serum metabolites in lambs
Authors: Liu Mingjian , Zhang Yulan , Liu Yichao , Li Yuyu , Wang Zhijun , Ge Gentu , Jia Yushan , Du Shuai
Published: October 2024

Background

Diet regulates rumen microbiota, which in turn affects animal health. The present study evaluated the response of rumen microbiota and the immune system of lambs to a fermented total mixed ration diet.

Methods

A total of 30 lambs were assigned into two groups: a group fed an unfermented high‐fiber diet (total mixed ration [TMR]) and a group fed an fermented low‐fiber diet (fermented TMR [FTMR]).

Results

The results showed that FTMR markedly (p < 0.05) increased average daily gain and dry matter intake compared to TMR. The FTMR diet increased the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae_UCG‐001 and decreased the diversity of undesirable microbiota despite stable overall microbial community diversity. Serum metabolomic analysis combined with enrichment analysis showed that serum metabolites were affected by the FTMR and metabolic pathways, and the FTMR diet significantly (p < 0.05) influenced amino acid metabolism of lambs. There was a decrease in inflammatory factors in the FTMR treatment, indicating that inflammatory factors followed the same trajectory as changes in microbial community structure and function.

Conclusions

Overall, the FTMR diet reduced undesirable microbiota diversity, thereby regulating host amino acid metabolism and improving immune status.
RELAX‐Jr: An Automated Pre‐Processing Pipeline for Developmental EEG Recordings
Authors: Hill Aron T. , Enticott Peter G. , Fitzgerald Paul B. , Bailey Neil W.
Published: October 2024

Automated EEG pre‐processing pipelines provide several key advantages over traditional manual data cleaning approaches; primarily, they are less time‐intensive and remove potential experimenter error/bias. Automated pipelines also require fewer technical expertise as they remove the need for manual artefact identification. We recently developed the fully automated Reduction of Electroencephalographic Artefacts (RELAX) pipeline and demonstrated its performance in cleaning EEG data recorded from adult populations. Here, we introduce the RELAX‐Jr pipeline, which was adapted from RELAX and designed specifically for pre‐processing of data collected from children. RELAX‐Jr implements multi‐channel Wiener filtering (MWF) and/or wavelet‐enhanced independent component analysis (wICA) combined with the adjusted‐ADJUST automated independent component classification algorithm to identify and reduce all artefacts using algorithms adapted to optimally identify artefacts in EEG recordings taken from children. Using a dataset of resting‐state EEG recordings (N = 136) from children spanning early‐to‐middle childhood (4–12 years), we assessed the cleaning performance of RELAX‐Jr using a range of metrics including signal‐to‐error ratio, artefact‐to‐residue ratio, ability to reduce blink and muscle contamination, and differences in estimates of alpha power between eyes‐open and eyes‐closed recordings. We also compared the performance of RELAX‐Jr against four publicly available automated cleaning pipelines. We demonstrate that RELAX‐Jr provides strong cleaning performance across a range of metrics, supporting its use as an effective and fully automated cleaning pipeline for neurodevelopmental EEG data.
Provider Perspectives and Access to Palliative Care: An American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) Survey
Authors: Sriram Shreya , Owusu‐Boahene Akua , Gersten Rebecca A. , Gourin Christine G.
Published: October 2024

Background

To explore provider perspectives about palliative care (PC) in head and neck cancer (HNC) care.

Methods

A 25‐question electronic survey was disseminated to the membership of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) from April 10, 2023, through June 13, 2023.

Results

Respondents were most likely to refer to PC at symptomatic disease progression (52%) or terminal diagnosis (29%) rather than at initial diagnosis (17%). Participants less likely to refer to PC were less likely to refer to symptomatic progression (8% vs. 39%, p = 0.0006) or address advance directives (62% vs. 87%, p = 0.0406). Symptom burden questionnaires were used by only 29% of respondents. Discordance was identified between self‐reported and actual access to local inpatient and outpatient PC services.

Conclusions

Barriers to PC identified include a lack of established optimal timing of PC referral, a perceived lack of local access to PC, and a lack of uniform standardized assessment of symptom burden.
Safe and potent anti‐CD19 CAR T‐cells with shRNA‐IL‐6 gene silencing element in patients with refractory or relapsed B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Ma Jin‐Feng , Yan Jia‐Wei , Liu Mei‐Jing , Yan Chun‐Long , Tang Xiao‐Wen , Qiu Hui‐Ying , Miao Miao , Han Yue , Li Li‐Min , Kang Li‐Qing , Xu Nan , Yu Zhou , Tan Jing‐Wen , Zhu Hong‐Jia , Jia Xu , Zhang Zhi‐Zhi , Wang Miao , Dai Hai‐Ping , Yu Lei , Xue Sheng‐Li , Wu De‐Pei , Gong Wen‐Jie
Published: October 2024

Severe cytokine release syndrome (sCRS) and immune effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) have limited the widespread use of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T)‐cell therapy. We designed a novel anti‐CD19 CAR (ssCART‐19) with a small hairpin RNA (shRNA) element to silence the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) gene, hypothesizing it could reduce sCRS and ICANS by alleviating monocyte activation and proinflammatory cytokine release. In a post hoc analysis of two clinical trials, we compared ssCART‐19 with common CAR T‐cells (cCART‐19) in relapsed/refractory B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r B‐ALL). Among 87 patients, 47 received ssCART‐19 and 40 received cCART‐19. Grade ≥3 CRS occurred in 14.89% (7/47) of the ssCART‐19 group versus 37.5% (15/40) in the cCART‐19 group (p = 0.036). ICANS occurred in 4.26% (2/47) of the ssCART‐19 group (all grade 1) compared to 15% (2/40) of the cCART‐19 group. Patients in the ssCART‐19 group showed comparable rates of treatment response (calculated with rates of complete remission and incomplete hematological recovery) were 91.49% (43/47) for ssCART‐19 and 85% (34/40) for cCART‐19 (p = 0.999). With a median follow‐up of 21.9 months, cumulative nonrelapse mortality was 10.4% for ssCART‐19 and 13.6% for cCART‐19 (p = 0.33). Median overall survival was 37.17 months for ssCART‐19 and 32.93 months for cCART‐19 (p = 0.40). Median progression‐free survival was 24.17 months for ssCART‐19 and 9.33 months for cCART‐19 (p = 0.23). These data support the safety and efficacy of ssCART‐19 for r/r B‐ALL, suggesting its potential as a promising therapy.
Flexible Behavioral Adjustment to Frustrative Nonreward in Anticipatory Behavior, but Not in Consummatory Behavior, Requires the Dorsal Hippocampus
Authors: Hagen Christopher , Hoxha Megi , Chitale Saee , White Andre O. , Ogallar Pedro M. , Expósito Alejandro N. , Agüera Antonio D. R. , Torres Carmen , Papini Mauricio R. , Sabariego Marta
Published: October 2024

The hippocampus (HC) is recognized for its pivotal role in memory‐related plasticity and facilitating adaptive behavioral responses to reward shifts. However, the nature of its involvement in the response to reward downshifts remains to be determined. To bridge this knowledge gap, we explored the HC's function through a series of experiments in various tasks involving reward downshifts and using several neural manipulations in rats. In Experiment 1, complete excitotoxic lesions of the HC impaired choice performance in a modified T‐maze after reducing the quantity of sugar pellet rewards. In Experiment 2, chemogenetic inhibition of the dorsal HC (dHC) disrupted anticipatory behavior following a food‐pellet reward reduction. Experiments 3–5 impaired HC function by using peripheral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. This treatment, which induces peripheral inflammation affecting HC function, significantly increased cytokine levels in the dHC (Experiment 3) and impaired anticipatory choice behavior (Experiment 4). None of these dorsal hippocampal manipulations affected consummatory responses in animals experiencing sucrose downshifts. Accordingly, we found no evidence of increased neural activation in either the dorsal or ventral HC, as measured by c‐Fos expression, after a sucrose downshift task involving consummatory suppression (Experiment 6). The results highlight the HC's pivotal role in adaptively modulating anticipatory behavior in response to a variety of situations involving frustrative nonreward, while having no effect on adjustments on consummatory behavior. The data supporting this conclusion were obtained under heterogeneous experimental conditions derived from a multi‐laboratory collaboration, ensuring the robustness and high reproducibility of our findings. Spatial orientation, memory update, choice of reward signals of different values, and anticipatory versus consummatory adjustments to reward downshift are discussed as potential mechanisms that could account for the specific effects observed from HC manipulations.
Effects of zinc supplementation on sleep quality in humans: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Jazinaki Mostafa Shahraki , Gheflati Alireza , Moghadam Mohammad Reza Shadmand Foumani , Hadi Saeid , Razavidarmian Maryam , Nezhad Masoud Yaghob , Akhtari Hale , Nematizadeh Mona , Safarian Mohammad
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims

Alternative therapies, such as zinc supplementation, have been explored as potential interventions for sleep disorders. However, the efficacy of zinc supplementation in improving sleep quality remains uncertain. This systematic review aims to examine the impacts of zinc supplementation on sleep quality in humans.

Methods

The Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were comprehensively searched to find studies investigating the effect of zinc supplementation on sleep quality. After identifying relevant studies by screening, relevant data were extracted from them. The quality assessment was conducted using the Cochrane quality assessment tool.

Results

This systematic review included eight studies. The interventions ranged from 4 to 48 weeks, with a daily dose of zinc supplementation varying between 10 and 73.3 mg. The majority of the evidence examined in this review pointed to the significant improvement effect of zinc supplementation on sleep quality in adults compared to the control groups. Furthermore, zinc supplementation did not have a significant effect on sleep disorders. However, there was no consensus about these findings. Also, the effect of supplementation on sleep duration in nonadults was contradictory.

Conclusions

This systematic review suggests that zinc supplementation may lead to improvements in sleep quality. However, more research, primarily clinical trials, is needed to clarify the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on sleep quality with consideration of dietary zinc intake and the Recommended Dietary Allowances of zinc (RDA) in the different populations. It is also recommended to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on sleep quality in people with zinc deficiency in future studies.
Identification of key ubiquitination‐related genes in gestational diabetes mellitus: A bioinformatics‐driven study
Authors: Dai Yuheng , Lu Sha , Hu Wensheng
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by glucose intolerance that occurs during pregnancy. This study aimed to identify key ubiquitination‐related genes associated with GDM pathogenesis.

Methods

Microarray data from GSE154377 was analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GDM vs normal pregnancy samples. Weighted gene co‐expression network analysis was performed on ubiquitination‐related genes. Functional enrichment, protein‐protein interaction network, and TF‐mRNA‐miRNA interaction network analyses were conducted on differentially expressed ubiquitination‐related genes (DE‐URGs).

Results

We identified 2337 DEGs and 65 DE‐URGs in GDM. Functional enrichment analysis of the 65 DE‐URGs revealed involvement in protein ubiquitination and ubiquitin‐dependent catabolic processes. Protein‐protein interaction network analysis identified 8 hub genes, including MAP1LC3C, USP26, USP6, UBE2U, USP2, USP43, UCHL1, and USP44. ROC curve analysis showed these hub genes have high diagnostic accuracy for GDM (AUC > 0.6). The TF‐mRNA‐miRNA interaction network suggested USP2 and UCHL1 may be key ubiquitination genes in GDM.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study contributes to our understanding of the molecular landscape of GDM by uncovering key ubiquitination‐related genes. These findings may serve as a foundation for further investigations, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for clinical applications in GDM management.
Comparing the effects of premarital booklet‐ and video‐based educations on the reproductive health literacy of engaged couples
Authors: Bahrami‐Samani Sanaz , Mohsenzadeh–Ledari Farideh , Omidvar Shabnam , Khafri Soraya , Mohsenian Hoda
Published: October 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of premarital booklet‐based education (BBE) and video‐based education (VBE) on engaged couples’ RHL.

Methods

This quasi‐experimental study was conducted in 2021–2022. The study population consisted of engaged couples who referred to Amirkola Premarital Counseling Center, Babol, Iran, to receive premarital counseling. One hundred and ten couples were purposefully recruited and randomly allocated to a 55‐couple BBE group and a 55‐couple VBE group. Participants in the BBE group received RH‐related education through an educational booklet, while participants in the VBE group received RH‐related education through 4 weekly RH‐related educational videos shared through WhatsApp. The Sexual and Reproductive Health Literacy questionnaire was used to assess RHL at three measurement time points, i.e., before, 4 weeks after, and 2 months after the intervention onset. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software (v. 23.0).

Results

The mean score of RHL significantly increased in both BBE and VBE groups (p < 0.001). The time‐group interaction was also significant for the mean scores of the access to information, evaluation of information, and decision‐making and application dimensions (p < 0.05) and insignificant for the reading and understanding dimension of RHL (p = 0.56).

Conclusion

Both premarital BBE and VBE are effective in significantly improving RHL among engaged couples, while the effects of VBE on some RHL dimensions are significantly more than BBE.
The aftermath of asbestos prohibition in industry and its association with malignant mesothelioma in the south of Iran: An enduring predicament yet to be resolved
Authors: Rezvani Alireza , Shahriarirad Reza , Jahanshahi Sahar , Fouladi Damoun , Tavallali Maryam , Ziaian Bizhan , Fallahi Mohammad Javad
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a rare malignancy of the serosa membranes with a high mortality rate and long latent period. The relationship between a group of mineral fibers known as asbestos and mesothelioma is now well accepted in which people can be exposed to these fibers by various means during their lifetime and has been its usage has banned in many countries, such as Iran, which announced its gradual elimination from 1999 over a period of 7 years by using safe substitutes. However, the mineral particles are able to sustain itself in the environment, air, water, and soil and on the other hand, symptoms may take up to half a century to develop in exposed individuals. Also, there remains a shortage of comprehensive investigation on the effects of asbestos exposure within the familial context (household or domestic exposure) or on individuals residing in proximity to asbestos mines or factories (environmental exposure). Based on the high number of MM cases in Iran, and also our hypothesis that residuals of asbestos in the environment and petroleum products may be the etiological factor for MM, we conducted this study to evaluate the clinic epidemiological features of MM in the south of Iran its relation to possible asbestos exposure.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the demographic features and occupations of confirmed cases of MM in Shiraz, southern Iran along with the follow‐up of the patients’ disease from 2008 to 2018, while also comparing the features of our patients with a control group compromising of 105 non‐MM patients.

Results

Among the 35 confirmed cases of MM, with an average age of 61 years, 9 (25.7%) were female, and 26 (74.3%) were male. During our assessment, 12 patients had already died, with a mean time of 11.26 months post‐diagnosis. Our findings revealed a higher prevalence of MM among housekeepers and employees of oil companies. In comparison to the control group, individuals with occupational exposure and those residing near refinery locations were at a heightened risk of developing MM. However, based on regression analysis, only occupations associated with refineries exhibited a significant correlation with MM (p = 0.028; OR: 14.602; 95% CI: 1.328–160.499).

Conclusion

Both occupational and para‐occupational exposure demonstrated a significant correlation with MM, whereas our regression analysis did not affirm geographical and environmental factors as contributors to MM. Despite the industry's prohibition of direct asbestos usage, the persistent existence of asbestos particles in the environment for decades, coupled with the long latency period of MM, warrants further investigation. Health authorities and policymakers should recognize this potential hazard, prompting an enhancement of early detection within at‐risk groups.
COVID‐19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: what you need to know – a review
Authors: Mahmoudi Farhad , Mirmosayyeb Omid , Shaabani Elnaz , Ghaffary Elham Moases , Nelson Flavia
Published: October 2024

Background

The appearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) initiated the COVID‐19 pandemic, resulting in millions of confirmed cases and numerous fatalities. In response, rapid vaccine development efforts were launched to mitigate the pandemic's impact. Despite the high efficacy of COVID‐19 vaccines, they are also associated with several common side effects/complications, some of them specific to the multiple sclerosis population. Our goal is to review various types of COVID‐19 vaccines, assessing their efficacy, adverse events, their association with an MS relapse following vaccination, and the influence of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) on vaccines’ efficacy.

Methods

The review was based on a database search that included PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and the Web of Science conducted from January 2020 to July 2024 using the following MeSH terms: MS, COVID‐19, COVID‐19 vaccination, vaccine side effects, and vaccine hesitancy.

Results

Receiving any type of COVID‐19 vaccine is a safer and more reliable approach to building immunity compared to becoming infected with the virus. Complications tend to be mild to moderate, occasionally severe. DMTs could affect the humoral response to the COVID‐19 vaccine. Among all DMTs, a notable reduction in the humoral response has been observed in patients who received anti‐CD20 and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator drugs after their COVID‐19 vaccination.

Conclusion

Despite certain drawbacks, the benefits of the COVID‐19 vaccine significantly outweigh the associated risks, making it a recommended course of action for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, physicians need to be mindful of potential complications especially in patients undergoing anti CD20 and manage them appropriately.
Spatial analysis of risk factors related to colorectal cancer in Iran: An ecological study
Authors: Montaseri Zahra , Kargar Hossein , Sharafi Mehdi , Afrashteh Sima
Published: October 2024

Background and aims

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 10% of cancer deaths. Therefore, this study was performed with the aim of spatial analysis of risk factors for colorectal cancer in Iran.

Method

This study was conducted ecologically using STEPS information (The WHO Stepwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance) in Iran. To analyze the data, the researcher used cluster analysis and Geographically Weighted Regression methods with the help of ArcGIS version 10.

Results

The results of OLS analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between tobacco consumption (B = 0.571, p‐value = 0.044) and smoking (B = 0.772, p‐value = 0.010) and the incidence of colon cancer (CC). There was also a significant relationship between abdominal obesity and the incidence of rectal cancer (RC) (B = 0.061, p‐value = 0.027).

Conclusion

This study showed that (CC) high‐risk areas are located in central and northern parts of Iran, and the significant risk factors related to CC and RC were found to be tobacco use, cigarette smoking, and abdominal obesity. These findings are helpful to inform policymakers to plan screening services to reduce CC and RC, especially in high‐risk populations.
“They can learn it through us”: Youth seeking racial justice through a community‐based book club
Authors: McConnaha Mary M. , Marciano Joanne E. , Brewer Brittany M. , Reine Johnson Lauren Elizabeth
Published: October 2024

In the summer of 2020, amidst state‐mandated social distancing and protests for racial justice, youth participating in an ongoing YPAR initiative sought to design and facilitate a book club for the residents of their subsidized housing community to increase community awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement. Through interviews, youth shared their plans to design and facilitate a book club differently than they had experienced in English classroom settings. Through the lenses of critical literacy and civic praxis, the youths' imaginings reveal a desire to talk about books that were relevant to their lives, involve discussions that were participant‐led and democratic, and lead to meaningful, tangible outcomes. Implications encourage teachers to re‐examine their classroom book club practices and consider ways to center student desires.
Partitioning the projective plane into two incidence‐rich parts
Authors: Nagy Zoltán Lóránt
Published: October 2024

An internal or friendly partition of a vertex set of a graph is a partition to two nonempty sets such that every vertex has at least as many neighbours in its own class as in the other one. Motivated by Diwan's existence proof on internal partitions of graphs with high girth, we give constructive proofs for the existence of internal partitions in the incidence graph of projective planes and discuss its geometric properties. In addition, we determine exactly the maximum possible difference between the sizes of the neighbour set in its own class and the neighbour set of the other class that can be attained for all vertices at the same time for the incidence graphs of Desarguesian planes of square order.
Spontaneous Complete Chorioamniotic Membrane Separation in a Fetus With Ileal Atresia and Umbilical Cord Ulcer: A Case Report
Authors: Goto Hiroyuki , Isohata Hitoshi , Yamazaki Yu , Sakai Kanako , Yoshimura Yoshihiro , Hattori Kyoko , Shimaoka Takao , Sekiguchi Kazuki , Onishi Yoko , Ochiai Daigo
Published: October 2024

Spontaneous complete chorioamniotic membrane separation (cCMS) is rare and associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, such as intrauterine fetal death. Herein, we present a case of spontaneous cCMS in a fetus with ileal atresia and umbilical cord ulcers. In our case, we detected spontaneous cCMS on ultrasonography at 35 weeks of gestation. On the same day, a female infant weighing 2134 g was delivered via cesarean section. Pathological examination of the placenta confirmed cCMS and umbilical cord ulcers. When cCMS is evident in late preterm infants, the fetus should be carefully monitored and considered for delivery.
Experimentally Elevated Levels of Testosterone Advance Daily Onset of Activity in Short‐Day Housed Male House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)
Authors: Galante Holland , Lane Samuel J. , Elderbrock Emily K. , Brown Geoffrey , Greives Timothy J.
Published: October 2024

Seasonal changes in sleep/wake cycles and behaviors related to reproduction often co‐occur with seasonal fluctuations in sex hormones. Experimental studies have established that fluctuations in circulating testosterone mediate circadian rhythms. However, most studies are performed under constant lighting conditions and fail to investigate the effects of testosterone on the phenotypic output of circadian rhythms, that is, chronotype (daily activity patterns under light:dark cycles). Here, we experimentally elevated testosterone with implants during short nonbreeding daylengths in male house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to test if observed seasonal changes in chronotype are directly in response to photoperiod or to testosterone. We fitted individuals with accelerometers to track activity across treatment periods. Birds experienced three treatments periods: short day photoperiods before manipulation (SD), followed by testosterone implants while still on short days (SD + T). Implants were then removed. After a decrease in cloacal protuberance size, an indicator of low testosterone levels, birds were then photostimulated on long days (LD). Blood samples were collected at night, when testosterone peaks, to compare testosterone levels to daily onset/offset activity for experimental periods. Our results indicate that experimentally elevated testosterone under short nonbreeding photoperiods significantly advanced daily onset of activity and total daily activity relative to daylength. This suggests that testosterone, independent of photoperiod, is responsible for seasonal shifts in chronotypes and daily activity rhythms. These findings suggest that sex steroid hormone actions regulate timing of daily behaviors, likely coordinating expression of reproductive behaviors to appropriate times of the day.
Development of a Japanese version of the patient perceptions of deprescribing – Short form
Authors: Kushibuchi Mio , Ie Kenya , Takahashi Masaki , Linsky Amy M. , Albert Steven M.
Published: October 2024

Background

Deprescribing is a critical component of clinical practice, especially in geriatric medicine. Nevertheless, the attributes of patients who are prepared for, interested in, and could potentially benefit from deprescribing have not been well examined. The Patient Perceptions of Deprescribing (PPoD) evaluates patients' overall readiness for deprescribing and is complemented by an 11‐item validated short form (SF‐PPoD). The objective of this study was to develop a Japanese version of the SF‐PPoD and assess its reliability and validity within Japanese older adults with polypharmacy.

Methods

The SF‐PPoD was translated, back‐translated, and assessed in a cognitive interview. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey with 196 patients aged 65 years or older with five or more medications using the Japanese version to test for reliability and validity. We examined internal consistency and construct validity to determine if the Japanese sample responses reproduce the two subscales in the original SF‐PPoD. Finally, we examined intra‐person replicability using the intraclass correlation coefficient, in which 100 participants were invited and 93 participated.

Results

118 males and 78 females, with a mean age of 79.2 [SD 6.5] years, completed the survey. Confirmatory factor analysis of the Japanese version of SF‐PPoD revealed satisfactory structural validity with two‐dimensional structure, “Motivation for Deprescribing” and “Primary Care Physician Relationship.” Cronbach's alpha showed good internal consistency, and test–retest demonstrated acceptable intra‐rater reliability.

Conclusions

We developed and validated a Japanese version of SF‐PPoD with an 11‐item, two‐dimensional structure consistent with the original SF‐PPoD. This scale may facilitate shared decision‐making for medication optimization among older adults living with multimorbidity.
On a conjecture that strengthens Kundu's k k‐factor theorem
Authors: Shook James M.
Published: October 2024

Let be a nonincreasing degree sequence with even . In 1974, Kundu showed that if is graphic, then some realization of has a ‐factor. For , Busch et al. and later Seacrest for showed that if and is graphic, then there is a realization with a ‐factor whose edges can be partitioned into a ‐factor and edge‐disjoint 1‐factors. We improve this to any . In 1978, Brualdi and then Busch et al. in 2012, conjectured that . The conjecture is still open for . However, Busch et al. showed the conjecture is true when or . We explore this conjecture by first developing new tools that generalize edge‐exchanges. With these new tools, we can drop the assumption is graphic and show that if then has a realization with edge‐disjoint 1‐factors. From this we confirm the conjecture when or when is graphic and .
Shrimp allergy leading to severe transfusion reaction: A case report
Authors: Sonneveld Myrthe E. , Bernelot Moens Sophie J. , van den Akker Jolanda , Vos Josephine M. I. , Kwakernaak Arjan J.
Published: October 2024

Background

Transfusion reactions occur at an estimated incidence of 2 per 1.000 transfused products. Anaphylactic transfusion reactions are rarer, and seen in 1 per 10.000 transfusions, and are mostly related to platelet transfusions. Here, we describe a rare cause of a transfusion reaction.

Case presentation

A 19‐year‐old man underwent an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease and developed an anaphylactic shock following a platelet transfusion, after excluding all common causes. The patient reported a shrimp allergy, and one of the blood/platelet donors had consumed shrimp the day before donation. Elevated levels of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) directed against shrimp and tropomyosin allergens were found in the patient. Subsequent transfusions were performed with apheresis platelets from selected donors who were instructed to avoid shrimp consumption, and these transfusions were uneventfully.

Conclusion

When a severe transfusion reaction occurs in a patient with a known food allergy, an IgE‐mediated (food‐related) transfusion reaction should be considered after excluding other causes.
High efficacy of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in Black adults in the United States, including those with pre‐existing HIV resistance and suboptimal adherence
Authors: Andreatta Kristen , D'Antoni Michelle L. , Chang Silvia , Parvangada Aiyappa , Martin Ross , Blair Christiana , Hagins Debbie , Kumar Princy , Hindman Jason T. , Martin Hal , Callebaut Christian
Published: October 2024

BRAAVE (NCT03631732), a Phase 3b, multicenter, open‐label US study, demonstrated the efficacy of switching to bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) among Black individuals with suppressed HIV through 48 weeks. Here, 72‐week resistance, adherence, and virologic outcomes are presented. Enrollment criteria permitted nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)–resistance (R), protease inhibitor (PI)–R, and certain nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)–R (M184V/I allowed; ≥3 thymidine analog mutations [TAMs] excluded); but excluded primary integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)‐R. Pre‐existing resistance was determined using historical genotypes and retrospective baseline proviral DNA genotyping. Adherence, virologic outcomes, and viral blips were assessed. Of 489 participants receiving B/F/TAF with ≥1 post‐switch HIV‐1 RNA measurement: pre‐existing NRTI‐R (15% of participants), M184V/I (11%), ≥1 TAMs (8%), NNRTI‐R (22%), and PI‐R (13%) were observed; pre‐existing INSTI‐R substitutions (2%) were detected post‐randomization; mean viral blip frequency was 0.9% across all timepoints (unassociated with virologic failure); 24% of participants had <95% adherence (98% of whom had HIV‐1 RNA <50 copies/mL at last visit); none had treatment‐emergent study‐drug resistance. Overall, 99% of participants, including all with baseline NRTI‐R/INSTI‐R, had HIV‐1 RNA <50 copies/mL at the last visit, demonstrating that B/F/TAF maintained virologic suppression through 72 weeks regardless of pre‐existing resistance, viral blips, and suboptimal adherence.
Borna disease virus 1 induces ferroptosis, contributing to lethal encephalitis
Authors: Tan Qing , Yang Hongli , He Yong , Shen Xia , Sun Lin , Du Xiaoyan , Lin Gangqiang , Zhou Na , Wang Nishi , Zhou Qian , Liu Dan , Xu Xiaoyan , Zhao Libo , Xie Peng
Published: October 2024

Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV‐1) is a neurotropic RNA virus that has been linked to fatal BoDV‐1 encephalitis (BVE) in humans. Ferroptosis represents a newly recognized kind of programmed cell death that marked by iron overload and lipid peroxidation. Various viral infections are closely related to ferroptosis. However, the link between BoDV‐1 infection and ferroptosis, as well as its role in BVE pathogenesis, remains inadequately understood. Herein, we used primary rat cortical neurons, human microglial HMC3 cells, and Sprague‒Dawley rats as models. BoDV‐1 infection induced ferroptosis, as ferroptosis characteristics were detected (iron overload, reactive oxygen species buildup, decreased antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial damage). Analysis via qRT‐PCR and Western blot demonstrated that BoDV‐1‐induced ferroptosis was mediated through Nrf2/HO‐1/SLC7a11/GPX4 antioxidant pathway suppression. Nrf2 downregulation was due to BoDV‐1 infection promoting Nrf2 ubiquitination and degradation. Following BoDV‐1‐induced ferroptosis, the PTGS2/PGE2 signaling pathway was activated, and various intracellular lipid peroxidation products and damage‐associated molecular patterns were released, contributing to BVE occurrence and progression. More importantly, inhibiting ferroptosis or the ubiquitin‒proteasome system effectively alleviated BVE. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the interaction between BoDV‐1 infection and ferroptosis and reveal BoDV‐1‐induced ferroptosis as an underlying pathogenic mechanism of BVE.
Analytical modeling of STFET biosensor using modulated dielectric for ultrasensitive detection of biomolecules
Authors: Kumar B. Prashanth , Vinod A. , Jena Biswajit , Arivarasi A. , Bahadur Jitendra
Published: October 2024

This paper proposed analytical modeling of a Schottky tunnel field‐effect transistor (STFET)—based biosensor with adjusted gate oxide. This model is developed by resolving the Poisson's equation and calculating the parabolic potential lateral to the channel depth. The special property of the bio‐transistor, which serves as a biosensor, is then included in the analytical modeling of drain current. After the biomolecule interacts with the bio‐transistor, a change in the drain current was employed as a metric to determine the sensitivity. The advanced analytical modeling explored several device restrictions. A device simulation is used to maintain and validate the established and planned characteristic trend. Consequently, the suggested model can be the right solution for the best design and fabrication of a biosensor.