bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BOSQUES SECUNDARIOS DESARROLLADOS EN TIERRAS AGRÍCOLAS ABANDONADAS EN LA REGIÓN DEL PACÍFICO DE NICARAGUA. PROCEDIMIENTO PARA LA RESTAURACIÓN DE ECOSISTEMAS FORESTALES DEGRADADOS
Authors: Castro-Marín Guillermo , Gonzalez-Rivas Benigno
Published: August 2012

En el presente estudio se determinó la composición de especie, diversidad y estructura de la población arbórea de tres bosques secundarios con edades de 4, 9 y 14 años, derivados de tierras agrícolas abandonadas en la comarca La Chipopa-Rio Medina, Nandaime. Todos los individuos de igual altura, o con alturas superiores a 0.30 m de altura fueron identificados y medidos en 70 parcelas de 100 m2 en cada uno de los bosques bajo estudio. Un total de 12, 29 y 22 familias and subfamilias representadas por 17, 48 and 44 especies fueron registradas en los bosques de 4, 9 and 14 años, respectivamente. A través de la cronosecuencia de los bosques secundarios se registró un cambio en las especies dominantes, Lonchocarpus acuminatus registro el índice de mayor importancia en la estado sucesional de 4 años, Myrospermun frutescens y Guazuma ulmifolia tuvieron el más alto índice de valor de importancia en el estado de 9 años and Caesaeria corymbosa y Muntingia calabura, en el bosque de 14 años. La densidad y el área basal incrementaron al aumentar la edad de los bosques secundarios de 4 a 14 años. La diversidad de especie fue mayor en el bosque de 9 años seguido de 14 y 4- años. Se concluye que la recuperación de la vegetación arbórea sobre campos agrícolas abandonados está marchando satisfactoriamente y es un procedimiento adecuado para la restauración forestal, sin embargo, medidas de protección y conservación deben de ser implementadas a fin de evitar perturbaciones naturales o antropogénicas que reviertan el proceso de sucesión. Se recomienda implementar medidas silviculturales como plantaciones de enriquecimiento que aceleren el proceso de recuperación y restauración de las áreas bajo estudio. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v11i16.748 La Calera Vol. 11, No 16 p. 12-23/junio 2011
Alternative Treatment for Asthma: Case Study of Success of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Children from Urban Areas with Different Levels of Environmental Pollution
Authors: Kopnina Helen
Published: August 2012

The present study examined efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment in Dutch children with asthma in areas with differing air pollution. The study results indicate that TCM treatment of children living in more polluted urban area is less successful then that of children living in cleaner air area.
Some Blow-Up and Smooth Solutions about Landau-Lifshitz Equation and Their Spatial Curvature Behavior
Authors: Zhong Penghong , Wang Shu , Zeng Ming
Published: August 2012

We construct the exact solution of (2+1)-dimensional space-time Landau-Lifshitz equation (LLE) without the Gilbert term. Under suitable transformations, some exact solutions are obtained in the radially symmetric coordinates and nonsymmetric coordinates. The type of solutions cover the finite-time blow-up solution, smooth solution in time and vortex solution. At the end, some properties about these solutions and their spatial curvature are illustrated by the graphs.
Project SUCCESS: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Calabro Karen S. , Marani Salma , Yost Tracey , Segura Janice , Jones Mary Mullin , Nelson Sheryl , de Moor Carl , Prokhorov Alexander V.
Published: August 2012

The present investigation tested whether an enhanced smoking cessation program produced higher cessation rates for participants than for controls. Participants in the enhanced intervention condition received in-person motivational counseling with health feedback, a tailored internet-based program, and nicotine patch. Participants in the control group received a smoking cessation self-help manual and nicotine patch. This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a 4-year university with a student body of 32,000. Five hundred-nine students who smoked ≥1 cigarette daily were individually randomized into the enhanced intervention and control groups. Over a 3-month period, participants in the enhanced intervention condition attended two personal sessions with smoking cessation counselors. Participants in both conditions were reassessed for smoking status 12 months post-baseline. Multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to analyze the data using the intent to treat approach. Results indicated that the odds of smoking cessation were 2 times larger for the enhanced intervention group than controls (odds ratio = 2.3, 95%, confidence interval = 1.3, 3.9, P<.01). This study begins to fill research gaps regarding college students and smoking cessation. Suggestions for future advancements in smoking cessation interventions for college students are provided.
Influence ofAlternanthera brasiliana(L.) Kuntze on Altered Antioxidant Enzyme Profile during Cutaneous Wound Healing in Immunocompromised Rats
Authors: Barua Chandana Choudhury , Ara Begum Shameem , Talukdar Archana , Datta Roy Jayanti , Buragohain Bhaben , Chandra Pathak Debesh , Kumar Sarma Dilip , Saikia Bora Rumi , Gupta Asheesh
Published: August 2012

Alternanthera brasiliana(L.) Kuntze (Amaranthaceae) is a herbaceous plant used against inflammation, cough, and diarrhea in Brazilian popular medicine. In our preliminary study, promising wound healing activity of methanol extract of leaves ofA. brasiliana(MEAB) was observed in normal excision and incision wound models. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity along with the antioxidant enzyme profile during cutaneous excision immunocompromised wound after topical application of 5% w/w ointment of MEAB in rats. Immunocompromised state was induced by pretreatment with hydrocortisone (HC) at 40 mg/kg body weight (i.m.) in male rats. Following one-week pretreatment with HC, wounds were created. The vehicle, 5% (w/w) ointment of MEAB, or standard drug (Himax) was applied topically twice daily. Healing potential was evaluated by the rate of wound contraction, estimation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants like catalase, SOD, GSH, protein, vitamin C, and hydroxyproline content, which was supported by histopathological study on the 8th day following wounding. There was significant increase in the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant parameters in the extract-reated group as compared to control group. Histopathological study revealed collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and development of basement membrane inA. brasilianagroup. The results of the present investigation revealed significant wound healing activity of MEAB.
Spherically Symmetric Fluid Cosmological Model with Anisotropic Stress Tensor in General Relativity
Authors: Pawar D. D. , Patil V. R. , Bayaskar S. N.
Published: August 2012

This paper deals with the cosmological models for the static spherically symmetric spacetime for perfect fluid with anisotropic stress energy tensor in general relativity by introducing the generating functions g(r) and w(r) and also discussing their physical and geometric properties.
Blowing in the Wind: Vanishing Payoffs of a Tolling Agreement for Natural-gas-fired Generation of Electricity in Texas
Authors: Woo Chi-Keung , Horowitz Ira , Horii Brian , Orans Ren , Zarnikau Jay
Published: August 2012

We use a large Texas database to quantify the effect of rising wind generation on the payoffs of a tolling agreement for natural-gas-fired generation of electricity. We find that while a 20% increase in wind generation may not have a statistically-significant effect, a 40% increase can reduce the agreement’s average payoff by 8% to 13%. Since natural-gas-fired generation is necessary for integrating large amounts of intermittent wind energy into an electric grid, our finding contributes to the policy debate of capacity adequacy and system reliability in a restructured electricity market that will see large-scale wind-generation development. doi: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol33-No1-9
Has Passion a Place in Philosophy?
Authors: Seigfried Charlene Haddock ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

Since I think that an inability to recognize and respect the dignity of human beings because of perceived differences is at the center of the most intense disputes that we face in the twenty-first century, we have a particularly pressing duty as philosophers to develop and demonstrate principled beliefs that at the same time value beliefs contrary to one’s own. One of the most troubling developments in the discipline of philosophy over the course of the twentieth century, therefore, was its increasing insulation from cultural, social, and political issues as it sought to emulate the presumed value neutrality of the sciences. As a first step toward a more principled and thoughtful approach to the value of diversity, we need to openly address the divisions in our own ranks as to what constitutes philosophyand how it ought to be carried out, and I use feminist and pragmatist approaches as cases in point.
On Some Philosophical Accounts of Perception
Authors: Pappas George S. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

Philosophical accounts of perception in the tradition of Kant and Reid have generally supposed that an event of making a judgment is a key element in every perceptual experience. An alternative very austere view regards perception as an event containing nothing judgmental, nor anything conceptual. This account of perception as nonconceptual is discussed first historically as found in the philosophies of Locke and (briefly) Berkeley, and then examined in the contemporary work of Chisholm and Alston.
Philosophy in a New Century
Authors: Searle John R. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

The central intellectual fact of the present era is that knowledge grows. This growth of knowledge is quietly transforming philosophy, making it possible to do a new kind of philosophy. With the abandonment of the epistemic bias in the subject, such a philosophy can go far beyond anything imagined by the philosophy of a half century ago. It begins, not with skepticism, but with what we know about the real world. It begins with such facts as those stated by the atomic theory of matter and the evolutionary theory of biology, as well as such “common sense” facts as that we are all conscious, that we all really do have intentional mental states, that we form social groups and create institutional facts. Such a philosophy is theoretical, comprehensive, systematic, and universal in subject matter.
What’s Wrong with Functional Foods?
Authors: Kaplan David ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

A “functional food” is a food-based product that provides a demonstrable physiological benefit beyond its dietary or nutritional value. This class of foods for specific health uses are designed to assist in the prevention or treatment of disease, or to enhance and improve human capacities. They include products like vitamin-fortified grains, energy bars, low-fat or low-sodium foods, and sports drinks. Three sets of concerns about functional foods deserve attention. 1) Their health benefits are greatly exaggerated and, in many cases, non-existent; practical questions remain about their efficacy. 2) Their medicinal properties blur the boundaries between food and drugs; public health questions remain about their appropriate use, distribution, and regulation. 3) Their proliferation is fueled by the food industry, not by the medical profession; political questions remain about the role of market forces that too often benefit producers more than consumers.
Climate Change and the Challenge of Moral Responsibility
Authors: Vanderheiden Steve ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

The phenomenon of anthropogenic climate change—in which weather patterns and attendant ecological disruption result from increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere through human activities—challenges several conventional assumptions regarding moral responsibility. Multifarious individual acts and choices contribute (often imperceptibly) to the causal chain that is expected to produce profound and lasting harm unless significant mitigation efforts begin soon. Attributing responsibility for such harmful consequences is complicated by what Derek Parfit terms “mistakes in moral mathematics,” or failures to correctly assess the various individual contributions to collectively produced harm. Combined with the difficulties in attributingresponsibility to agents for spatially and temporally distant harmful effects and that of holding agents culpable for effects (resulting from socially-acceptable acts) about which they may be ignorant, this paper attempts to sort out several ethical problems surrounding the identification of responsible parties contributing to climate change.
Transcriptome Assembly and Expression Data from Normal and Mantled Oil Palm Fruit
Authors: Shearman Jeremy R. , Jantasuriyarat Chatchawan , Sangsrakru Duangjai , Yoocha Thippawan , Vannavichit Apichart , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke , Tragoonrung Somvong
Published: August 2012

We performed RNA sequencing of fruit from three normal and three mantled (somaclonal variant affecting flower development) oil palm plants using a 454 pyrosequencer. The three normal fruit samples were combined and sequenced, generating 237 748 reads. The three mantled fruit samples were combined and sequenced giving 231 438 reads. The reads were assembled into 13 984 sequences that were clustered into 10 218 genes or gene families. This paper describes the generation of this transcriptome database and includes annotation of these genes from Blast2GO and blast results against the Arabidopsis protein database as well as identification of putative transcription factors. In addition to this, the expression values for each gene sequence of the normal samples are presented. This dataset will be of use to anyone working in oil palm genetics.
Newborn Screening for High-Risk Congenital Heart Disease by Dried Blood Spot Biomarker Analysis
Authors: Clausen Henning , Friberg Elin , Lannering Katarina , Koivu Aki , Sairanen Mikko , Mellander Mats , Liuba Petru
Published: June 2024

Importance

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common human organ malformation, affecting approximately 1 of 125 newborns globally.

Objectives

Assessing the performance of 2 diagnostic tests using minimal amounts of dried blood spots (DBS) to identify high-risk CHD compared with controls in a Swedish cohort of neonates.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This diagnostic study took place in Sweden between 2019 and 2023 and enrolled full-term babies born between 2005 and 2023. All cases were identified through centralized pediatric cardiothoracic surgical services in Lund and Gothenburg, Sweden. Controls were followed up for 1 year to ensure no late presentations of high-risk CHD occurred. Cases were verified through surgical records and echocardiography.

Exposure

High-risk CHD, defined as cases requiring cardiac surgical management during infancy due to evolving signs of heart failure or types in which the postnatal circulation depends on patency of the arterial duct. Using 3-μL DBS samples, automated quantitative tests for NT-proBNP and interleukin 1 receptor-like 1 (IL-1 RL1; formerly known as soluble ST2) were compared against established CHD screening methods.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Performance of DBS tests to detect high-risk CHD using receiver operating characteristic curves; Bland-Altman and Pearson correlation analyses to compare IL-1 RL1 DBS with plasma blood levels.

Results

A total of 313 newborns were included (mean [SD] gestational age, 39.4 [1.3] weeks; 181 [57.8%] male). Mean (SD) birthweight was 3495 (483) grams. Analyzed DBS samples included 217 CHD cases and 96 controls. Among the CHD cases, 188 participants (89.3%) were high-risk types, of which 73 (38.8%) were suspected prenatally. Of the 188 high-risk cases, 94 (50.0%) passed pulse oximetry screening and 36 (19.1%) were initially discharged after birth without diagnoses. Combining NT-proBNP and IL-1 RL1 tests performed well in comparison with existing screening methods and enabled additional identification of asymptomatic babies with receiver operating characteristic area under the curve 0.95 (95% CI, 0.93-0.98).

Conclusions and relevance

In this diagnostic study, NT-proBNP and IL-1 RL1 DBS assays identified high-risk CHD in a timely manner, including in asymptomatic newborns, and improved overall screening performance in this cohort from Sweden. Prospective evaluation of this novel approach is warranted.
Discovering Facet‐Dependent Formation Kinetics of Key Intermediates in Electrochemical Ammonia Oxidation by a Electrochemiluminescence Active Probe
Authors: Sun Dina , Zhang Jiaqi , Wang Heng , Song Yanxia , Du Jing , Meng Genping , Sun Shihao , Deng Weihua , Wang Zhiyi , Wang Baodui
Published: June 2024

Facile evaluation of formation kinetics of key intermediate is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of electrochemical ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) mechanisms and the design of efficient electrocatalysts. Currently, elucidating the formation kinetics of key intermediate associated with rate‐determining step is still challenging. Herein, 4‐phtalamide‐N‐(4′‐methylcoumarin) naphthalimide (CF) is developed as a molecular probe to detect N2H4 intermediate during AOR via electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and further investigated the formation kinetics of N2H4 on Pt catalysts with different crystal planes. CF probe can selectively react with N2H4 to release ECL substance luminol. Thus, N2H4 intermediate as a key intermediate can be sensitively and selectively detected by ECL during AOR. For the first time, Pt(100) facet is discovered to exhibit faster N2H4 formation kinetics than Pt(111) facet, which is further confirmed by Density functional theory calculation and the finite element simulation. The AOR mechanism under the framework of Gerischer and Mauerer is further validated by examining N2H4 formation kinetics during the dimerization process (NH2 coupling). The developed ECL active probe and the discovered facet‐dependent formation kinetics of key intermediates provide a promising new tool and strategy for the understanding of electrochemical AOR mechanisms and the design of efficient electrocatalysts.
A Fast‐Charging and Ultra‐Stable Sodium‐Ion Battery Anode Enabled by N‐Doped Bi/BiOCl in a Carbon Framework
Authors: Wei Sheng‐Li , Yang Yan‐Ling , Chen Jin‐Geng , Shi Xiao‐Lei , Sun Yu , Li Peng , Tian Xue‐Feng , Chen Hua‐Jun , Luo Zhao , Chen Zhi‐Gang
Published: June 2024

Owing to the abundant reserves and low cost, sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have garnered unprecedented attention. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by the scarcity of alternative anodes with fast‐charging capability and high stability. To overcome this challenge, a fast‐charging SIB anode, N‐doped Bi/BiOCl embedded in a carbon framework (Bi/BiOCl@NC) with a fast Na+ transport channel and ultra‐high structural stability, is developed. During cycling in ether electrolyte, Bi/BiOCl@NC undergoes a remarkable transformation into a 3D porous skeleton, which significantly reduces the Na+ transport pathway and accommodates volume changes. By employing density functional theory calculations to simulate the storage behavior of Na+ in the structure, Bi/BiOCl@NC is theoretically characterized to have a low Na+ transport barrier (0.056 eV) and outstanding electronic conductivity. Such unique characteristics induce Bi/BiOCl@NC anode to have an ultra‐high Na+ storage capacity of 410 mAh·g−1 at 20 A·g−1 and exhibit outstanding cycling stability with over 2300 cycles at 10 A·g−1. This study provides a rational scenario for the fast‐charging anode design and will enlighten more advanced research to promote the exploitation of SIBs.
Reanalysis of RNA sequencing data ends diagnostic odyssey and expands the phenotypic spectrum of congenital titinopathy
Authors: McNamee Lucy , Schoch Kelly , Huang Alden , Lee Hane , Wang Lee‐kai , Smith Edward C. , Lark Robert K. , Buckley Anne F. , Jobanputra Vaidehi , Nelson Stanley F. , Shashi Vandana ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network
Published: June 2024

Although next‐generation sequencing has enabled diagnoses for many patients with Mendelian disorders, the majority remain undiagnosed. Here, we present a sibling pair who were clinically diagnosed with Escobar syndrome, however targeted gene testing was negative. Exome sequencing (ES), and later genome sequencing (GS), revealed compound heterozygous TTN variants in both siblings, a maternally inherited frameshift variant [(NM_133378.4):c.36812del; p.(Asp12271Valfs*10)], and a paternally inherited missense variant [(NM_133378.4):c.12322G > A; p.(Asp4108Asn)]. This result was considered nondiagnostic due to poor clinical fit and limited pathogenicity evidence for the missense variant of uncertain significance (VUS). Following initial nondiagnostic RNA sequencing (RNAseq) on muscle and further pursuit of other variants detected on the ES/GS, a reanalysis of noncanonical splice sites in the muscle transcriptome identified an out‐of‐frame exon retraction in TTN, near the known VUS. Interim literature included reports of patients with similar TTN variants who had phenotypic concordance with the siblings, and a diagnosis of a congenital titinopathy was given 4 years after the TTN variants had been initially reported. This report highlights the value of reanalysis of RNAseq with a different approach, expands the phenotypic spectrum of congenital titinopathy and also illustrates how a perceived phenotypic mismatch, and failure to consider known variants, can result in a prolongation of the diagnostic journey.
Polyelectrolyte‐Mediated Modulation of Spatial Internal Stresses of Hydrogels for Complex 3D Actuators
Authors: Duan Jinghua , Fan Wenxin , Xu Zihan , Cui Lu , Wang Ziyou , Nie Zhihong , Sui Kunyan
Published: June 2024

Hydrogel actuators with complex 3D initial shapes show numerous important applications, but it remains challenging to fabricate such actuators. This article describes a polyelectrolyte‐based strategy for modulating small‐scale internal stresses within hydrogels to construct complex actuators with tailored 3D initial shapes. Introducing polyelectrolytes into precursor solutions significantly enhances the volume shrinkage of hydrogel networks during polymerization, allowing us to modulate internal stresses. Photopolymerization of these polyelectrolyte‐containing solutions through a mask produces mechanically strong hydrogel sheets with large patterned internal stresses. Consequently, these hydrogel sheets attain complex 3D initial shapes at equilibrium, in contrast to the planar initial configuration of 2D actuators. We demonstrate that these 3D actuators can reversibly transform into other 3D shapes (i.e., 3D‐to‐3D shape transformations) in response to external stimuli. Additionally, we develop a predictive model based on the Flory‐Rehner theory to analyze the polyelectrolyte‐mediated shrinking behaviors of hydrogel networks during polymerization, allowing precise modulation of shrinkage and internal stress. This polyelectrolyte‐boosted shrinking mechanism paves a route to the fabrication of high‐performance 3D hydrogel actuators.
Comparison of Gout Flares With the Initiation of Treat‐to‐Target Allopurinol and Febuxostat: A Post‐Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Multicenter Trial
Authors: Barry Austin , Helget Lindsay N. , Androsenko Maria , Wu Hongsheng , Kramer Bridget , Newcomb Jeff A. , Brophy Mary T. , Davis‐Karim Anne , England Bryant R. , Ferguson Ryan , Pillinger Michael H. , Neogi Tuhina , Palevsky Paul M. , Merriman Tony R. , O'Dell James R. , Mikuls Ted R.
Published: June 2024

Objective

Initiating urate‐lowering therapy (ULT) in gout can precipitate arthritis flares. There have been limited comparisons of flare risk during the initiation and escalation of allopurinol and febuxostat, administered as a treat‐to‐target strategy with optimal anti‐inflammatory prophylaxis.

Methods

This was a post‐hoc analysis of a 72‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, noninferiority trial comparing the efficacy of allopurinol and febuxostat. For this analysis, the occurrence of flares was examined during weeks 0 to 24 when ULT was initiated and titrated to a serum urate (sUA) goal of less than 6 mg/dl (<5 mg/dl if tophi). Flares were assessed at regular intervals through structured participant interviews. Predictors of flare, including treatment assignment, were examined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Study participants (n = 940) were predominantly male (98.4%) and had a mean age of 62.1 years with approximately equal proportions receiving allopurinol or febuxostat. Mean baseline sUA was 8.5 mg/dl and all participants received anti‐inflammatory prophylaxis (90% colchicine). In a multivariable model, there were no significant associations of ULT treatment (hazard ratio [HR] 1.17; febuxostat vs allopurinol), ULT‐dose escalation (HR 1.18 vs no escalation), prophylaxis type, or individual comorbidity with flare and no evidence of ULT‐dose escalation interaction. Factors independently associated with flare risk during ULT initiation/escalation included younger age, higher baseline sUA, and absence of tophi.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that gout flare risk during the initiation and titration of allopurinol is similar to febuxostat when these agents are administered according to a treat‐to‐target strategy using gradual ULT‐dose titration and best practice gout flare prophylaxis.
Proper hepatic artery transection followed by blunt abdominal trauma: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Naseri Reyhaneh , Alishavandi Fatemeh , Rajabian Mohammad Sadegh , Fard Hossein Abdolrahimzadeh
Published: June 2024

Key Clinical Message

Abdominal vascular injuries, especially in the celiac trunk, are uncommon in blunt trauma, yet their life‐threatening nature necessitates rapid surgical interventions to control possible massive bleedings. Damage control surgery principles may aid management. It is crucial to thoroughly assess all trauma patients, even in instances of initial normal physical examinations.
Endodontic management of taurodontic teeth: A case series
Authors: Chamani Ali , Azizi Vahid , Karimpour Sahar
Published: June 2024

Key Clinical Message

This paper illustrated successful endodontic non‐surgical (re)treatments of molars and premolar with different taurodontic classifications and accompanied anomalies like C‐shape and extra root canals in otherwise healthy patients. Magnification with illumination besides active irrigation with NaOCl were the most helpful items in managing these cases.
Red Fluorescent Aminoferrocene (Pro)Drugs for in Cellulo and in Vivo Imaging
Authors: Chernii Svitlana , Selin Roman , Bila Galyna , Bilyy Rostyslav , Körber Marlies , Mokhir Andriy
Published: June 2024

Red fluorescent dyes are usually charged, lipophilic molecules with relatively high molecular weight, which tend to localize in specific intracellular locations, e. g., a cyanine dye Cy5 is biased towards mitochondria. They are often used as markers of biomolecules including nucleic acids and proteins. Since the molecular weight of the dyes is much smaller than that of the biomolecules, the labelling has a negligible effect on the properties of the biomolecules. In contrast, conjugation of the dyes to low molecular weight (pro)drugs can dramatically alter their properties. For example, conjugates of Cy5 with lysosome‐targeting aminoferrocenes accumulate in mitochondria and exhibit no intracellular effects characteristic for the parent (pro)drugs. Herein we tested several neutral and negatively charged dyes for labelling lysosome‐targeting aminoferrocenes 7 and 8 as well as a non‐targeted control 3. We found that a BODIPY derivative BDP‐TR exhibits the desired unbiased properties: the conjugation does not disturb the intracellular localization of the (pro)drugs, their mode of action, and cancer cell specificity. We used the conjugates to clarify the mechanism of action of the aminoferrocenes. In particular, we identified new intermediates, explained why lysosome‐targeting aminoferrocenes are more potent than their non‐targeted counterparts, and evaluated their distribution in vivo.
Researches for higher electrical conductivity copper‐based materials
Authors: Zhang Wen‐Jing , Huang Lue , Mi Xu‐Jun , Xie Hao‐Feng , Feng Xue , Ahn Jee Hyuk
Published: June 2024

Copper and copper‐based materials are widely used in power electronics, automobiles, mechanical manufacturing and high‐tech manufacturing fields such as aerospace, telecommunications and integrated circuits owing to their comprehensive advantages in mechanical, electrical conductivity and processing properties. With the rapid development of technology, many emerging technical fields have introduced more challenging requirements for the electrical conductivity of copper. This article reviews the research status of high‐conductivity copper‐based materials and introduces three methods to improve electrical conductivity, including purification, alloying and addition of nanocarbon materials. We summarise the advantages, disadvantages and future development trends of methods for improving copper conductivity. The key to producing high‐conductivity copper‐based materials is development of low‐cost, continuous and stable processes.
Revolutionary Dreaming
Authors: Arnett Autumn A.
Published: June 2024

ebonyjanice (sic) set out to imagine “a revolution that did not cost us our whole spirit, soul, and bodies” in a world in which she believes Black women are “being known for our resistance, and not for our living.” Her resulting text, “All the Black Girls Are Activists: A Fourth‐Wave Womanist Pursuit of Dreams as Radical Resistance,” explores the dreams and humanity of Black women activists in different spaces and encourages those doing the heavy lifting of resistance work to also take time for softness, hope, imagination, and dreams.
Geographic variation in growth and reproduction trade‐offs: Implications for future tree performance
Authors: Vincent Chantalle , Ibáñez Inés
Published: June 2024

Forests play a crucial role providing ecosystem services to humans, yet many aspects of forest dynamics remain unknown. One key area is how climate change might impact reproduction of tree species. While most studies have focused on predicting tree growth, understanding how reproduction may change will be vital to forecasting future forest communities. Of particular interest is the relationship between annual growth and reproductive output, which has often been hypothesized as a trade‐off between allocating resources to growth or to reproduction. Two proposed pathways of this trade‐off, resource accumulation, that is, storage of resources over time, and resource allocation, that is, same year allocation of resources to reproduction, have been widely explored in relation to masting events. It has also been proposed that there is no internal trade‐off between the two functions, but rather there exists one or more climate variables that are intrinsically linked to both, that is, the weather hypothesis. In this study, we use 15 years of dendrochronological data and seed rain collections from forest stands at two latitudes to determine whether one or more of these strategies are taking place in two commonly occurring tree species: red maple, Acer rubrum; and sugar maple, Acer saccharum. We found evidence of a trade‐off in both species. We also found a combination of strategies was the norm, and there appeared to be evidence to also support the weather hypothesis. However, in both species, the strategy which dictated the trade‐off switched between the northern and southern regions, indicating a degree of plasticity that could be beneficial under changing environmental conditions. By identifying the ways in which growth and reproduction are connected and how these connections vary between different populations, we can gain insights into how trees allocate resources in response to changing conditions.
OPTImal PHARMacological therapy for patients with heart failure: Rationale and design of the OPTIPHARM‐HF registry
Authors: Inciardi Riccardo M. , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Lombardi Carlo M. , Gussago Cristina , Agostoni Piergiuseppe , Ameri Pietro , Aspromonte Nadia , Calò Leonardo , Cameli Matteo , Carluccio Erberto , Carugo Stefano , Cipriani Manlio , De Caterina Raffaele , De Ferrari Gaetano M. , Emdin Michele , Fornaro Alessandra , Guazzi Marco , Iacoviello Massimo , Imazio Massimo , La Rovere Maria Teresa , Leonardi Sergio , Maccallini Marta , Masarone Daniele , Moschini Luigi , Palazzuoli Alberto , Patti Giuseppe , Pedretti Roberto F.E. , Perrone Filardi Pasquale , Piepoli Massimo F. , Potena Luciano , Salzano Andrea , Sciacqua Angela , Senni Michele , Sinagra Gianfranco , Specchia Claudia , Taddei Stefano , Vizza Dario , Savarese Gianluigi , Rosano Giuseppe , Volterrani Maurizio , Metra Marco ,   on behalf of the OPTIPHARM‐HF Investigators
Published: June 2024

Aims

Patients with heart failure (HF) remain often undertreated for multiple reasons, including treatment inertia, contraindications, and intolerance. The OPTIimal PHARMacological therapy for patients with Heart Failure (OPTIPHARM‐HF) registry is designed to evaluate the prevalence of evidence‐based medical treatment prescription and titration, as well as the causes of its underuse, in a broad real‐world population of consecutive patients with HF across the whole ejection fraction spectrum and among different clinical phenotypes.

Methods

The OPTIPHARM‐HF registry (NCT06192524) is a prospective, multicenter, observational, national study of adult patients with symptomatic HF, as defined by current international guidelines, regardless of ejection fraction. Both outpatients and inpatients with chronic and acute decompensated HF will be recruited. The study will enroll up to 2500 patients with chronic HF at approximately 35 Italian HF centres. Patients will be followed for a maximum duration of 24 months. The primary objective of the OPTIPHARM‐HF registry is to assess prescription and adherence to evidence‐based guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) in patients with HF. The primary outcome is to describe the prevalence of GDMT use according to target guideline recommendation. Secondary objectives include implementation of comorbidity treatment, evaluation of sequence of treatment introduction and up‐titration, description of GDMT implementation in the specific HF population, main causes of GDMT underuse, and assessment of cumulative rate of cardiovascular events.

Conclusion

The OPTIPHARM‐HF registry will provide important implications for improving patient care and adoption of recommended medical therapy into clinical practice among HF patients.
General practitioners' and community pharmacists' beliefs and practices on opioids for non‐malignant pain
Authors: Jansen‐Groot Koerkamp E. A. W. , Weesie Y. M. , Heringa M. , Hek K. , Blom J. W. , Numans M. E. , van Dijk L. , Bouvy M. L.
Published: June 2024

Background

In Europe, opioid use has surged, largely due to prescriptions for chronic non‐malignant pain (CNMP). General practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists (CPs) play a major role in opioid prescribing for non‐malignant pain. Exploring their personal beliefs and practices might reveal underlying mechanisms to identify measures that could halt the further escalation of opioid use.

Methods

Guided by the health belief model, a survey was designed and distributed nationwide to examine the practices and beliefs of GPs and CPs in the domains: threats, benefits, barriers and self‐efficacy. The results of GPs and CPs were compared at the statement level using chi‐square analysis.

Results

Of 214 GPs and 212 CPs who completed the survey, the majority agreed that too many opioids are used in the treatment of chronic non‐malignant pain (66.8% GPs and 66.5% CPs). Furthermore, they were concerned about the addictive potential of opioids (83.1% GPs and 71.7% CPs). In general, both professions have concerns about opioid use. GPs report a slightly higher degree of self‐efficacy and perceive fewer benefits from opioids in treating CNMP. GPs and CPs valued the recommended measures to reduce opioid prescribing, yet less than half actively implement these strategies in their clinics.

Conclusion

GPs and CPs believe that opioids are being used too frequently to treat CNMP. However, both professions lack the actions to improve opioid‐related care. GPs and CPs require education, collaboration and tools to implement guidelines on non‐malignant pain and opioids.

Significance

This study, guided by the health belief model, reveals that general practitioners and community pharmacists have serious concerns about opioid use in chronic non‐malignant pain. Despite shared concerns, both professions differ in their beliefs about opioid benefits and perceived self‐efficacy. Both professions have in common that they value recommended measures to reduce opioid prescribing. Also, they both struggle to implement strategies, emphasizing the urgent need for education, collaboration and tools to align practices with guidelines on non‐malignant pain and opioids.
N-glucuronidation and Excretion of Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides in Mice Following Ingestion of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam
Authors: Dukes David A. , McDonough Carrie A.
Published: June 2024

Perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASAs) and other FASA-based per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can transform into recalcitrant perfluoroalkyl sulfonates in vivo. We conducted high-resolution mass spectrometry suspect screening of urine and tissues (kidney and liver) from mice dosed with an electrochemically fluorinated aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to better understand the biological fate of AFFF-associated precursors. The B6C3F1 mice were dosed at five levels (0, 0.05, 0.5, 1, and 5 mg kg−1 day−1) based on perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate content of the AFFF mixture. Dosing continued for 10 days followed by a 6-day depuration. Total oxidizable precursor assay of the AFFF suggested significant contributions from precursors with three to six perfluorinated carbons. We identified C4 to C6 FASAs and N-glucuronidated FASAs (FASA-N-glus) excreted in urine collected throughout dosing and depuration. Based on normalized relative abundance, FASA-N-glus accounted for up to 33% of the total excreted FASAs in mouse urine, highlighting the importance of phase II metabolic conjugation as a route of excretion. High-resolution mass spectrometry screening of liver and kidney tissue revealed accumulation of longer-chain (C7 and C8) FASAs not detected in urine. Chain-length–dependent conjugation of FASAs was also observed by incubating FASAs with mouse liver S9 fractions. Shorter-chain (C4) FASAs conjugated to a much greater extent over a 120-min incubation than longer-chain (C8) FASAs. Overall, this study highlights the significance of N-glucuronidation as an excretion mechanism for short-chain FASAs and suggests that monitoring urine for FASA-N-glus could contribute to a better understanding of PFAS exposure, as FASAs and their conjugates are often overlooked by traditional biomonitoring studies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2274–2284. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Associations of systemic immune‐inflammation index with high risk for prostate cancer in middle‐aged and older US males: A population‐based study
Authors: Yao Wentao , Wu Jiacheng , Kong Ying , Xu Feng , Zhou Yinyi , Sun Qing , Gao Qingqing , Cai Zhenyu , Yang Chendi , Huang Yuhua
Published: June 2024

Background

Systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII) provides convincing evaluation of systemic immune and inflammatory condition in human body. Its correlation with prostate cancer (PCa) risk remains uncharted. The principal objective of this investigation was to elucidate the association between SII and the risk for PCa in middle‐aged and elderly males.

Materials and Methods

Analysis entailed multivariate linear and logistic regression, generalized additive model, and smoothing curve fitting using resource from 2007 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). To ascertain robustness and consistency of this association across different demographic strata, we conducted rigorous subgroup analyses and interaction tests.

Results

Among 3359 participants, those with elevated SII displayed higher total prostate‐specific antigen (tPSA) levels, higher risk for PCa, and lower free/total PSA (f/t PSA) ratio. Specifically, each unit increase of log2 (SII) was associated with a 0.22 ng/mL increase in tPSA (β: 0.22, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.05–0.38), a 2.22% decline in f/t PSA ratio (β: −2.22, 95% CI −3.20 to −1.23), and a 52% increased odds of being at high risk for PCa (odds ratio [OR]: 1.52, 95% CI 1.13–2.04). People in the top quartile of log2 (SII) exhibited 0.55 ng/mL increased tPSA (β: 0.55, 95% CI 0.19–0.90), 4.39% reduced f/t PSA ratio (β: −4.39, 95% CI −6.50 to −2.27), and 168% increased odds of being at high risk for PCa (OR: 2.68, 95% CI 1.32–5.46) compared to those in the bottom quartile.

Conclusion

Systemic immune and inflammatory condition, as represented by SII, is independently and positively associated with tPSA levels and the risk for PCa, as well as independently and negatively associated with f/t PSA ratio among middle‐aged and older US males. These findings may enhance the effectiveness of PCa screening in predicting positive biopsy results.
Impact of heavy metals exposure on herpes simplex virus type I infection: A population‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Qi Qianjin , Zhang Minghao , Wen Lin , Fu Lili , Feng Li , Han Lulu
Published: June 2024

This study aims to investigate the significant relationship between serum heavy metals (lead [Pb], cadmium [Cd], mercury [Hg]) and the risk of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) infection. Data were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in the United States from 2007 to 2016. This nationally representative survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, assessed the health status of participants through interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. After excluding participants lacking serum Pb, Cd, and Hg data, as well as those missing HSV‐1 testing data and pregnant women, the analysis included 13 772 participants, among whom 3363 were adolescents. A survey‐weighted multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between heavy metal exposure and the risk of HSV‐1 infection, and to explore the dose–response relationship between them. In adults and adolescents, serum concentrations of Pb and Cd were higher in those infected with HSV‐1 than in those not infected. However, an increase in serum Hg concentration was observed only in infected adolescents. After adjusting for potential confounders, elevated serum Pb and Cd concentrations in adults were associated with an increased risk of HSV‐1 infection. Higher serum Pb and Cd concentrations were associated with an increased risk of HSV‐2 infection, irrespective of HSV‐1 infection status. In adults, serum concentrations of Pb and Hg showed an approximately linear relationship with HSV‐1 infection risk (p for nonlinearity > 0.05), whereas the dose–response relationship between serum Cd concentration and HSV‐1 infection was nonlinear (p for nonlinearity = 0.004). In adolescents, serum concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) showed an approximately linear relationship with HSV‐1 infection (p for nonlinearity > 0.05). Furthermore, the study examined the relationship between serum heavy metal levels and the risk of HSV‐1 infection across different genders, races, income levels, weight statuses, and immune statuses. In conclusion, there is a significant association between serum heavy metal concentrations and HSV‐1 infection, which warrants further investigation into the causal relationship between them.
Blood pressure variability as a risk factor of recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation
Authors: Yambe Minoru , Kurose Yuki , Hasegawa Kaoru , Kikuta Hisashi , Sumiyoshi Takenori , Sekiguchi Yuko , Kameyama Takeyoshi , Komaru Tatsuya , Kumagai Koji
Published: June 2024

Background

Blood pressure variability has been found to be a predictor of a stroke, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease that is independent of blood pressure control. This study used the variability independent of the mean (VIM) to evaluate the visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability in patients previously undergoing catheter ablation (CA) of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), and its relationship with AF recurrence was examined.

Method and Results

The subjects were 274 consecutive PAF patients who underwent CA at our hospital. Finally, 237 subjects were included in the analysis. The mean follow‐up period was 29.6 months, during which 37 subjects had recurrences, and 200 did not. During the outpatient blood pressure examinations, the VIM of the systolic blood pressure (VIM SBP) was significantly higher in the recurrence group, suggesting that blood pressure variability is associated with recurrence. The Cox proportional hazards ratio of the VIM SBP was significantly higher in the recurrence (4.839) than no‐recurrence group, even after an adjustment, suggesting that the extent of the variability was a risk factor of recurrence post‐CA. In addition, the Cox proportional hazard ratio for recurrence was significantly lower in the patients taking dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, suggesting that the risk of recurrence may differ depending on the type of antihypertensive drug.

Conclusions

Blood pressure variability may be a risk for AF recurrence after CA.
Rural footprints of leisure choice—Exploring spatial complementarities in ‘Happy Feet’ and ‘Green Beauty’ tourism
Authors: Kourtit Karima , Lim Jaewon , Nijkamp Peter
Published: June 2024

The ‘Happy Feet’–‘Green Beauty’ tourism nexus represents the functional spatial interplay between entertainment‐centered tourism and nature‐based visitors' choices. This paper seeks to explain rural (non‐urban) tourism patterns emerging from the interaction between the two forms of tourism in the context of sustainable destination development, using Las Vegas and its hinterland as a case study. The analysis addresses important key concepts related to the urban–rural tourism nexus, namely deconcentrated concentration of tourism, health tourism, nature/eco‐tourism, tourism crowding, spatial substitution/complementarity in tourism, outer‐inner city tourism synergy, and intervening spatial opportunities in tourism. The study develops a novel methodological framework for identifying the drivers of rural (non‐urban) tourism choices as spillover factors from tourism crowding in major attractions. Mapping out this transition in leisure behavior contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the ‘Happy Feet’–’Green Beauty’ tourism nexus for post‐corona tourism development and informs future research and practical implications in tourism spillover studies.