bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kangfuxin Accelerates Extraction Socket Healing by Promoting Angiogenesis Via Upregulation of CCL2 in Stem Cells
Authors: Gao Zheng‐Rong , Zhou Ying‐Hui , Zhao Ya‐Qiong , Zhao Jie , Ye Qin , Zhang Shao‐Hui , Feng Yao , Tan Li , Liu Qiong , Chen Yun , Ouyang Ze‐Yue , Hu Jing , Dusenge Marie Aimee , Feng Yun‐Zhi , Guo Yue
Published: May 2023

Kangfuxin (KFX) shows potential in wound healing, but its role in socket healing is unclear. This research finds increased bone mass, mineralization, and collagen deposition in KFX‐treated mice. Mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), and human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are treated with KFX under osteogenic induction. RNA‐sequencing reveals upregulated chemokine‐related genes, with a threefold increase in chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (Ccl2). The conditioned medium (CM) of hPDLSCs and hDPSCs treated with KFX promotes endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. Ccl2 knockdown abolishes CM‐induced endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis, which can be reversed by recombinant CCL2 treatment. KFX‐treated mice showed increased vasculature. In conclusion, KFX increases the expression of CCL2 in stem cells, promoting bone formation and mineralization in the extraction socket by inducing endothelial cell angiogenesis. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Structural, electronic, magnetic and thermoelectric properties of Tl2NbX6 (X = Cl, Br) variant perovskites calculated via density functional theory
Authors: Ali Malak Azmat , Bahajjaj Aboud Ahmed Awadh , Al‐Qaisi Samah , Sillanpää Mika , Khan Afzal , Wang Xiaoyu
Published: May 2023

This article presents detailed structural, electronic, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of two experimentally existing isostructural variant perovskite compounds Tl2NbX6 (X = Cl, Br) with the help of first principles calculations. As per requirement of stability in the device applications, the structural and thermodynamic stabilities were, respectively verified by tolerance factor and negative formation energies. The structural parameters in ferromagnetic phase were calculated and found in close agreement with the available experimental results. The electronic nature was found as half metallic from spin polarized calculations of electronic band structures and density of states, where the semiconductor nature was found in the spin down states and metallic nature in the spin up states. The magnetic moments of both the compounds were calculated as 1 μB majorly contributed by Nb atom. The Boltzmann transport theory was implemented via BoltzTraP for calculating the spin resolved thermoelectric parameters, such as Seebeck coefficient, electronic and thermal conductivities, and figure of merit. Overall, both the compounds were found suitable for use in spintronics and spin Seebeck effect for energy applications.
Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by zinc oxide‐montmorillonite composite
Authors: Wang Danqi , Wang Ruicong , Peng Wencai , Wang Yi , Zhang Na , Huang Minghui
Published: May 2023

Background

Cu(II) is considered to be a heavy metal ion that is quite hazardous to water.

Aims

Zinc oxide‐montmorillonite composite (ZnO‐Mt) for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions.

Materials & Methods

ZnO‐Mt was prepared through ion exchange followed by heat treatment to form a highly effective adsorbent.

Results

The structure and morphology of the composite were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and it was found that Zinc oxide was successfully coated on montmorillonite. The composite has a superior removal effect on Cu(II) in an aqueous solution with an adsorption capacity of 192.89 mg·g−1. The adsorption kinetic model and the adsorption isotherm model are described by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic equation and the Langmuir equation, respectively. The activation energy (Ea) was 84.18 kJ·mol−1, indicating that the adsorption was dominated by chemisorption. In addition, ZnO‐Mt can be applied in a wide pH range (3 ~ 8) and exhibits satisfactory selectivity for the adsorption of Cu(II) in the presence of coexisting cations. The removal efficiency of ZnO‐Mt for Cu(II) remains at 72% of the fresh adsorbent after five cycles.

Discussion

A combination of experiment, characterization, and density functional theory analysis showed that the mechanism of Cu(II) removal was mainly surface complexation, ion exchange, and electrostatic attraction.

Conclusion

Therefore, the ZnO‐Mt composite is a promising and efficient adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions.
Getting political: The value‐protective effects of expressed outgroup outrage on self‐brand connection
Authors: Kermani M. Saeid , Noseworthy Theodore J. , Darke Peter R.
Published: May 2023

Brands are increasingly engaging in social marketing campaigns that take stances on important social issues. Such campaigns can garner considerable awareness and effectively encourage consumers to purchase the focal brand. However, they can also outrage other consumer segments who disapprove of the brand's social stance. While social campaigns that outrage consumer groups would normally be undesirable, our research investigates how they can alternatively have a positive impact for brands that support the attacked value. This prediction is based on the premise that outrage expressed towards a social campaign threatens the value involved, causing consumers who want to defend that value to engage in symbolic protective responses by strengthening self‐brand connections and increasing purchase intentions. Five experiments validate this theorizing, and further show that these social threat effects are moderated by the type of outgroup that expressed the outrage and the level of viral support the expressed outrage received. Implications for the social marketing and brand relationship literatures are discussed.
A qualitative study exploring LGBTQ genetic counseling students' relationships with peers and faculty in graduate school
Authors: Chu Valerie , Zayhowski Kimberly , Collin Cali‐Ryan , Carmichael Nikkola
Published: May 2023

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) students in healthcare professional programs face discrimination in their training, leading them to hide their identities and hindering their ability to form as meaningful connections with their classmates and faculty as non‐LGBTQ students. To date, no studies have been published characterizing the LGBTQ student experience in genetic counseling programs. However, other historically oppressed groups such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) genetic counseling students report feelings of isolation and negative impacts on mental health due to their racial or ethnic identity. This study explored how LGBTQ identity impacted relationships between genetic counseling students and their classmates and faculty in graduate school. In this qualitative study using constructivist grounded theory, 13 LGBTQ students and recent graduates of Canadian and American accredited genetic counseling programs were interviewed via videoconferencing. Participants reported determinants in self‐disclosing their LGBTQ identity to their classmates and faculty and described ways in which their LGBTQ identity impacted relationships with individuals in their training programs. In particular, many described an overall heteronormative training environment, a hesitation to disclose their identity to faculty due to the professional nature of the relationship, and a sense of isolation. Participants also described the ways in which intersecting minoritized identities impacted their experiences as an LGBTQ student. This research contributes to the minimal literature about LGBTQ genetic counseling student experiences and has implications for addressing cisheteronormative curricula and attitudes in genetic counseling programs.
Spatio‐temporal changes in pre‐exposure prophylaxis uptake among MSM in mainland France between 2016 and 2021: a Bayesian small area approach with MSM population estimation
Authors: Wang Haoyi , Molina Jean‐Michel , Dray‐Spira Rosemary , Schmidt Axel J. , Hickson Ford , van de Vijver David , Jonas Kai J.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

In France, oral pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention has been publicly available since 2016, mainly targeting at men who have sex with men (MSM). Reliable and robust estimations of the actual PrEP uptake among MSM on a localized level can provide additional insights to identify and better reach marginalized MSM within current HIV prevention service provision. This study used national pharmaco‐epidemiology surveillance data and regional MSM population estimations to model the spatio‐temporal distribution of PrEP uptake among MSM in France 2016–2021 to identify marginalized MSM at risk for HIV and increase their PrEP uptake.

Methods

We first applied Bayesian spatial analyses with survey‐surveillance‐based HIV incidence data as a spatial proxy to estimate the size of (1) regional HIV‐negative MSM populations and (2) MSM who could be eligible for PrEP use according to French PrEP guidelines. We then applied Bayesian spatio‐temporal ecological regression modelling to estimate the regional prevalence and relative probability of the overall‐ and new‐PrEP uptake from 2016 to 2021 across France.

Results

HIV‐negative and PrEP‐eligible MSM populations vary regionally across France. Île‐de‐France was estimated to have the highest MSM density compared to other French regions. According to the final spatio‐temporal model, the relative probability of overall PrEP uptake was heterogeneous across France but remained stable over time. Urban areas have higher‐than‐average probabilities of PrEP uptake. The prevalence of PrEP use increased steadily (ranging from 8.8% [95% credible interval 8.5%;9.0%] in Nouvelle‐Aquitaine to 38.2% [36.5%;39.9%] in Centre‐Val‐de‐Loire in 2021).

Conclusions

Our results show that using Bayesian spatial analysis as a novel methodology to estimate the localized HIV‐negative MSM population is feasible and applicable. Spatio‐temporal models showed that despite the increasing prevalence of PrEP use in all regions, geographical disparities and inequalities of PrEP uptake continued to exist over time. We identified regions that would benefit from greater tailoring and delivery efforts. Based on our findings, public health policies and HIV prevention strategies could be adjusted to better combat HIV infections and to accelerate ending the HIV epidemic.
Time for change: improving neuromuscular blocking agent safety in Australia
Authors: McRae Amy , Graudins Linda Velta , Ewing Wendy Jane , Bui Thuy , Downey Glenn , Bramley David Edmund Piers , Dooley Michael J.
Published: May 2023

Incidents involving mis‐selection and administration of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) leading to patient harm resulted in the initiation of activity in Victorian hospitals to review the management of this high‐risk group of medicines. Local risk mitigation strategies, such as in‐house labelling and restricting access, were considered partially effective, but it was recognised that a national approach was required. In 2015, hospital pharmacists — together with anaesthetist colleagues and peak patient safety organisations — made a submission to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) describing safety risks with NMBAs, with recommendations for improved NMBA labelling. This report describes the five‐year process which eventually led to the TGA mandating manufacturers to place alert labelling on NMBA products. As a result of this effort, a Victorian Therapeutics Advisory Group (VicTAG) grant enabled the development of a ‘NMBA Safer Practice Advisory Tool for Australian Hospitals’, providing a standard guide to monitor the safe use of NMBAs.
Management of lateral pelvic lymph nodes in rectal cancer
Authors: Chang Gloria , Halabi Wissam J. , Ali Fadwa
Published: May 2023

Lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) involvement occurs in 10%–25% of rectal cancer cases. Total mesorectal excision (TME) with routine LPLN dissection (LPLND) is predominantly applied in Japan whereas TME with neoadjuvant treatment are used in the West. LPLND is a morbid procedure and minimally invasive techniques may help reduce its morbidity. Selective lateral pelvic node dissection with TME following neoadjuvant treatment achieves acceptable disease‐free and overall survival.
Periods of singular double octic Calabi–Yau threefolds and modular forms
Authors: Chmiel Tymoteusz , Cynk Sławomir
Published: May 2023

By the modularity theorem, every rigid Calabi–Yau threefold X has associated modular form f such that the equality of L‐functions holds. In this case, period integrals of X are expected to be expressible in terms of the special values and . We propose a similar interpretation of period integrals of a nodal model of X. It is given in terms of certain variants of a Mellin transform of f. We provide numerical evidence toward this interpretation based on a case of double octics.
Thermoreversible Tissue Adhesion with Hydrogel Through a Topological Entanglement Approach
Authors: Gao Yang , Zhao Fei , Jiang Xiaochun , Zhang Wen
Published: May 2023

Achieving thermoreversible adhesion between hydrogel and living tissues in a facile way is challenging. Existing strategies bring difficulty to the chemical design and synthesis of hydrogels. Herein, an approach to achieve tough thermoreversible tissue adhesion with hydrogel is proposed, which uses a polymer solution with heat‐induced sol‐gel transition as the interfacial polymer matrix, with no chemical design required for the hydrogel network. When the interfacial polymer matrix is introduced to the interface of the hydrogel and living tissues, it can gelate in situ within the substrate networks under a temperature stimulus, and topologically entangle with the preexisting networks of the substrates, which generates a strong adhesion. By triggering with another temperature stimulus, the newly formed network dissociates to realize an easy detachment. Thermoreversible adhesion is demonstrated between polyacrylamide hydrogel and various porcine tissues as examples, and the mechanism of this adhesion strategy is studied by varying various influence factors. A theoretical model that can fit and predict the effects of different parameters on the adhesion energies is also established. This adhesion strategy based on topological entanglement among a thermoreversible polymer system and the substrates may broaden the achieving methods of thermoreversible tissue adhesion.
Innovative advancement of contact lenses for noninvasive diagnosis and therapy: A mini review
Authors: Wen Xin , Liu Qingping , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: May 2023

With the growth of the market and the number of wearers, contact lenses have been widely used for vision correction and cosmetic purposes for a few years. The current study opens up a new path for their applications. On the one hand, contact lenses are ideal sensing platforms due to advances in the monitoring of relevant indicators in tears such as glucose and intraocular pressure. Aside from detecting a single analyte at a time, multifunctional contact lens sensors were proposed to monitor two or more indicators at the same time. Contact lenses, on the other hand, are also suitable drug delivery platforms due to their good biocompatibility and long contact duration with the cornea. Different drug delivery approaches are being investigated to increase drug duration and bioavailability. In addition, the integration of these novel drug delivery methods into wearable sensors has become a topic for a complete closed‐loop program for disease management. We began this review by summarizing the categories and properties of current contact lenses. Then, innovative applications of contact lenses such as biosensors and drug delivery systems were also summarized. In general, the current progress in the applications of contact lenses provides a new possibility for noninvasive diagnosis and therapy of ocular diseases.
Effects of Estuarine Environmental Heterogeneity on the Habitat of Gobiidea Species Larvae
Authors: Zhai Lu , Li Zengguang , Wan Rong , Tian Siquan , Song Pengbo , Lin Jun
Published: May 2023

In aquatic ecosystems around the world, gobies comprise one of the most diverse groups of fishes in estuaries. The Yangtze River estuary, the biggest estuary in the western Pacific, is a major habitat for larval gobies, with the peak spawning and breeding season occurring during late spring and summer. To investigate the adaptation mechanism of larval gobies to environmental factors, three models (a global generalized linear model, a generalized additive model, and a geographically weighted Poisson regression) were used to simulate and forecast the major habitat distributions of larval gobies based on the survey data from 2018 to 2020. Six species of gobies were studied: Rhinogobius giurinu, Odontamblyopus rubicundus, Tridentiger barbatus, Parachaeturichthys polynema, Tridentiger trigonocephalus, and Trypauchen vagina. The habitats for brackish species T. barbatus were mainly in freshwater (where, using the practical salinity scale, salinity is 0–1) of the south branch, whereas the marine species P. polynema was mainly caught in oligohaline waters (where salinity is 1–5) of the north branch. The other euryhaline species were near the exit of the north branch or dispersed throughout the surveyed region. Year, season, salinity, and sample location had significant effects (P < 0.001) on determining the habitat distributions of larval gobies. The geographically weighted Poisson regression identified that the temperature, depth, distance from the coast, and chlorophyll a had a significant effect (P < 0.001) on the local distribution of habitats. This work supplements information about the distribution of major habitats and their interactions with the environment for the ecologically important species of goby in the Yangtze estuary during the larval stage, and the conclusions provide a basis for the management of aquatic ecosystems and biological habitats.
Augmenting bioactivity by docking‐generated multiple ligand poses to enhance machine learning and pharmacophore modelling: discovery of new TTK inhibitors as case study
Authors: AL‐Imam Amenah M. , Daoud Safa , Hatmal Ma'mon M. , Taha Mutasem Omar
Published: May 2023

Dual specificity protein kinase threonine/Tyrosine kinase (TTK) is one of the mitotic kinases. High levels of TTK are detected in several types of cancer. Hence, TTK inhibition is considered a promising therapeutic anti‐cancer strategy. In this work, we used multiple docked poses of TTK inhibitors to augment training data for machine learning QSAR modeling. Ligand‐Receptor Contacts Fingerprints and docking scoring values were used as descriptor variables. Escalating docking‐scoring consensus levels were scanned against orthogonal machine learners, and the best learners (Random Forests and XGBoost) were coupled with genetic algorithm and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) to determine critical descriptors for predicting anti‐TTK bioactivity and for pharmacophore generation. Three successful pharmacophores were deduced and subsequently used for in silico screening against the NCI database. A total of 14 hits were evaluated in vitro for their anti‐TTK bioactivities. One hit of novel chemotype showed reasonable dose‐response curve with experimental IC50 of 1.0 μM. The presented work indicates the validity of data augmentation using multiple docked poses for building successful machine learning models and pharmacophore hypotheses.
Metabolomic profiling of plasma reveals potential biomarkers for screening and early diagnosis of gastric cancer and precancerous stages
Authors: Du Lijing , Li Shasha , Xiao Xue , Li Jin , Sun Yuanfang , Ji Shuai , Jin Huizi , Hua Zhaolai , Ma Juming , Wang Xi , Yan Shikai
Published: May 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) faces a great challenge in clinical diagnosis, that it often is detected at advanced stages and there is a loss of optimum time for treatment. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective strategies for diagnosis of GC. In this study, 82 participants were enrolled, including 50 chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) patients, 7 early gastric cancer (EGC), and 25 advanced gastric cancer (AGC) ones. Metabolites profiling on patient plasma was performed. Furthermore, the proposed biomarkers were used to create random forest models, in which discrimination efficiency and accuracy were ascertained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. l‐carnitine, l‐proline, pyruvaldehyde, phosphatidylcholines (PC) (14:0/18:0), lysophosphatidylcholine (14:0) (LysoPC 14:0), lysinoalanine were defined as the potential biomarker panel for the diagnosis among CSG and EGC patients. Compared with EGC patients, PC(O‐18:0/0:0) and LysoPC(20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)) were found to be upregulated in AGC patients, whereasl‐proline, l‐valine, adrenic acid, and pyruvaldehyde downregulated. Pathway analysis revealed several metabolism disorders, involving amino acids and lipid metabolism. ROC analysis demonstrated a high diagnostic performance in disease diagnosis between CSG and GC. The above results indicate that the biomarker panels are sensitive to early diagnosis of GC disease, which is expected to be a promising diagnostic tool for disease stratification studies.
Target‐oriented deep learning‐based image registration with individualized test‐time adaptation
Authors: Sang Yudi , McNitt‐Gray Michael , Yang Yingli , Cao Minsong , Low Daniel , Ruan Dan
Published: May 2023

Background:

A classic approach in medical image registration is to formulate an optimization problem based on the image pair of interest, and seek a deformation vector field (DVF) to minimize the corresponding objective, often iteratively. It has a clear focus on the targeted pair, but is typically slow. In contrast, more recent deep‐learning‐based registration offers a much faster alternative and can benefit from data‐driven regularization. However, learning is a process to “fit” the training cohort, whose image or motion characteristics or both may differ from the pair of images to be tested, which is the ultimate goal of registration. Therefore, generalization gap poses a high risk with direct inference alone. Purpose: In this study, we propose an individualized adaptation to improve test sample targeting, to achieve a synergy of efficiency and performance in registration.

Methods:

Using a previously developed network with an integrated motion representation prior module as the implementation backbone, we propose to adapt the trained registration network further for image pairs at test time to optimize the individualized performance. The adaptation method was tested against various characteristics shifts caused by cross‐protocol, cross‐platform, and cross‐modality, with test evaluation performed on lung CBCT, cardiac MRI, and lung MRI, respectively.

Results:

Landmark‐based registration errors and motion‐compensated image enhancement results demonstrated significantly improved test registration performance from our method, compared to tuned classic B‐spline registration and network solutions without adaptation.

Conclusions:

We have developed a method to synergistically combine the effectiveness of pre‐trained deep network and the target‐centric perspective of optimization‐based registration to improve performance on individual test data.
Variation in metabolic demand following severe pediatric traumatic brain injury: A case review
Authors: Wallinga Melissa M. , Newkirk Melanie , Gardner Michelle T. , Ziegler Jane
Published: May 2023

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common pediatric traumas among children in the United States. Appropriate nutrition support, including the initiation of early enteral nutrition, within the first 48 h after injury is crucial for children with a TBI. It is important that clinicians avoid both underfeeding and overfeeding, as both can lead to poor outcomes. However, the variable metabolic response to a TBI can make determining appropriate nutrition support difficult. Because of the dynamic metabolic demand, indirect calorimetry (IC) is recommended, instead of predictive equations, to measure energy requirements. Although IC is suggested and ideal, few hospitals have the technology available. This case review discusses the variable metabolic response, identified using IC, in a child with a severe TBI. The case report highlights the ability of the team to meet measured energy requirements early, even in the setting of fluid overload. It also highlights the presumed positive impact of early and appropriate nutrition provision on the patient's clinical and functional recovery. Further research is needed to investigate the metabolic response to TBIs in children and the impact optimal feedings based on the measured resting energy expenditure have on clinical, functional, and rehabilitation outcomes.
Effect of Packing Versus No Packing in Transperforation Myringoplasty for Chronic Tympanic Membrane Perforations
Authors: Lou Zhengcai , Lou Zihan , Chen Zhengnong
Published: May 2023

Objective

To compare the operation times, graft survival and success rates, audiometric outcomes, and complications of patients who underwent transperforation myringoplasty with and without packing but without perforation rimming.

Study Design

A prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Setting

A university‐affiliated teaching hospital.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial that enrolled patients who underwent underlay myringoplasty. No patient underwent perforation rimming. Patients underwent myringoplasty with or without graft lateral packing. The operation times, graft survival and success rates, audiometric outcomes, and complications were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

Sixty patients with unilateral perforations were included. The mean neovascularization score at postoperative week 2 was significantly higher in the no‐packing group than in the packing group (p < .01) but did not differ significantly at postoperative weeks 3 and 4, or postoperative month 3. Neither the graft healing rate (p = .313) nor the perforation closure rate (p = .640) significantly differed between the 2 groups. The mean air‐bone gap improved by 8.91 ± 5.45 dB in the packing group and 8.17 ± 1.19 dB in the no‐packing group (p = .758).

Conclusion

The long‐term graft success and hearing improvements in transperforation myringoplasty with no rimming of the perforation and no‐graft lateral packing were comparable to those in the graft lateral packing group with no rimming of the perforation, with a low incidence of complications. These results may change the traditional practice of packing the external auditory canal and rimming the perforation in underlay myringoplasty, even for all myringoplasty surgery.
A nonequilibrium constitutive equation for the stress–strain behavior of water‐absorbed poly(methyl methacrylate)‐based materials
Authors: Ito Asae , Shin Arisa , Nitta Koh‐hei
Published: May 2023

In this work, the water absorption effects on the tensile behavior of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) doped with lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) was investigated. It was found that the water content in the PMMA/LiCF3SO3system could be controlled using the salt content because of the system's remarkable water absorbability. Moreover, it was found that a dried PMMA/LiCF3SO3is more brittle compared to a pristine PMMA; however, PMMA/LiCF3SO3samples containing high water level demonstrated high drawability. The brittle‐to‐ductile transition was represented using a kinetic mechanism in which water spots accumulated around salts were spread throughout a whole sample specimen and stretched to a homogeneously water‐absorbed condition.
Functional organization of extracellular hyaluronan, CD44, and RHAMM
Authors: Cowman Mary K. , Turley Eva A.
Published: May 2023

The integral membrane protein CD44 is constitutively expressed in most tissues, and is the primary cell surface receptor for hyaluronan (HA). HA is the key scaffolding organizer of proteoglycans and receptors in the extracellular matrix. CD44 is expressed as cell type‐specific and context‐specific alternatively spliced isoforms with variable glycosylation and interreceptor interactions. CD44 plays a critical role in the organization and patterning of domains in the cell membrane, achieved through linking the cortical actin cytoskeleton with the pericellular HA matrix. This functional and spatial organization of CD44 and HA maintains a protective and homeostatic cellular microenvironment. Tissue injury and cellular stress result in HA fragmentation and unconventional export of the CD44 coreceptor, RHAMM, which collectively alter the homeostatic organization of CD44/HA. The resulting interplay among HA, HA fragments, CD44 and RHAMM triggers cellular responses such as cell motility that contribute to tissue repair, and disease processes. Here we review current understanding of the structural biology of HA, CD44, and RHAMM, and provide an overview of their known functional organization and patterning at the cell surface. Changes in their surface organization act as sensors for detecting danger, and are critical to the understanding of consequent intracellular signaling and response mechanisms to cellular stress.
Sustainability of cash transfer programs: A realist case study
Authors: Owusu‐Addo Ebenezer , Renzaho Andre M. N. , Sarfo‐Mensah Paul , Sarpong Yaw A. , Niyuni William , Smith Ben J.
Published: May 2023

Cash transfers (CTs) are increasingly high on the agenda of governments and development partners in low‐and middle‐income countries (LMICs). While CTs have shown to be one of the most potent social policies to reduce poverty and improve human capital, concerns have been raised about their sustainability. This paper examines the mechanisms of, enablers of, and barriers to CT sustainability. Realist qualitative methods were employed to interview policymakers, development partners, and program managers (N = 32), as well as program beneficiaries (N = 93) in Ghana. The data were analyzed using a thematic framework approach. The findings show that enablers of CT sustainability include program institutionalization, availability of a functional exit strategy, and networking of social programs around beneficiary households. CTs' mechanisms of sustainability were shared vision and formalization of roles of service providers, program acceptability and buy‐in, and productive inclusion. Key barriers to CT sustainability were political prioritization and ownership of the program, and weak intersectoral collaboration. From the analyses, we propose a conceptual framework which can be used to plan for CT sustainability.
Proapoptotic effect of nonthermal pulsed ultrasound on prostate cancer cells in a nude mouse model
Authors: Maeda Koki , Shigemura Katsumi , Hayashi Fuuka , Kan Yuki , Hiraoka Aya , Yamaguchi Atomu , Ueda Minori , Yang Yong‐Ming , Maeshige Noriaki , Ooya Tooru , Nakano Yuzo , Fujisawa Masato
Published: May 2023

Background

Ultrasound (US) can induce cell injury, and we have previously reported that adjusting the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of ultrasound output can induce prostate cancer cell destruction without causing a rise in the temperature of the irradiated area. In this study, we examined the mechanism of nonthermal ultrasound cell destruction, which was not fully clarified in our previous reports.

Methods

In vitro, we evaluated postirradiation cells immediately after treatment and examined membrane disruption by proliferation assay, LDH assay, and apoptosis assay. In vivo, we injected mice with human LNCaP and PC‐3 prostate cancer cells and evaluated the therapeutic effects of US irradiation by H‐E staining and immunostaining.

Results

Proliferation assays showed inhibition at 3 h postirradiation independently of PRF and cell line (p < 0.05). Quantitative assessment of apoptosis/necrosis by flow cytometry showed widely varying results depending on cell type. LNCaP showed an increase in late apoptosis at 0 h independent of PRF (p < 0.05), while PC‐3 showed no significant difference at 0 h. The LDH assay showed an increase in LDH independent of PRF in LNCaP (p < 0.05 respectively), but no significant difference in PC‐3. In vivo, tumor volume was compared and a significant reduction was observed at 10 Hz for LNCaP (p < 0.05) and 100 Hz for PC‐3 (p < 0.001) at 3 weeks after the start of irradiation. The excised tumors were evaluated with Ki‐67, Caspase‐3, and CD‐31 and showed a significant treatment effect independent of cell type and PRF (p < 0.001 respectively).

Conclusion

Examining the mechanism behind the therapeutic effect of US irradiation revealed that the main effect was achieved by apoptosis induction rather than necrosis.
The Influence of Internal Interfaces on Charge‐Carrier Diffusion in Semiconductor Heterostructures
Authors: Mengel Nils , Gümbel Lukas , Klement Philip , Fey Melanie , Fuchs Christian , Volz Kerstin , Chatterjee Sangam , Stein Markus
Published: May 2023

The ongoing miniaturization of semiconductor devices renders charge‐carrier transport along interfaces increasingly important. The characteristic length scales in state‐of‐the‐art semiconductor technology span only a few nanometers. Consequently, charge‐carrier transport inevitably occurs directly at interfaces between adjacent layers rather than being confined to a single material. Herein, charge‐carrier diffusion is systematically studied in prototypical active layer systems, namely, in type‐I direct‐gap quantum wells and in type‐II heterostructures. The impact of internal interfaces is revealed in detail as charge‐carrier diffusion takes place much closer to or even across the internal interfaces in type‐II heterostructures. Type‐I quantum wells and type‐II heterostructures exhibit comparable diffusion rates given similar inhomogeneous exciton linewidths. Consequently, the changes in the structural quality of the interfaces are responsible for changes in diffusion and charge‐carrier transport along interfaces rather than the existence of the interfaces themselves.
Investigating the effects of packaging design factors on customer purchasing decisions for goat manure fertilizer
Authors: Tanaiutchawoot Narucha , Saengtawan Warangkana , Sinlapasiriwat Jiraporn , Sukkeaw Nadthanicha
Published: May 2023

Most of the packaging in agriculture products usually focuses on keeping and containing products rather than appealing to customers. However, because today's competition is fierce both online and onsite, it's critical to improve competitiveness through package development and design. Goat manure, one of the best animal manures for fertilizer to help provide the ideal growth conditions for plants, is selected for the pilot study to investigate the influence of packaging design in agriculture products. The goal of this article is to look at (1) consumer behaviour while making a fertilizer purchase and (2) the impact of packaging design on customer purchasing decisions by comparing the old and new designs. Answers from these questions will be a guideline for the new packaging design. To create the packaging for the community's product, researchers collaborated with one community enterprise at Petchburi in Thailand. According to the 110 participants who took part in the pre‐survey, 64.5% of them are more concerned with packaging design than with pricing, market channels, or marketing. The packaging, originality, product feature representation, cleanliness, safety and the ability to pack and unpack the goods are all important considerations when buying goat dung fertilizer. These elements are used to create a new packaging design. Furthermore, the NUDGES idea is included in the packaging design to support the customer's behaviour while using the product. After designing and production, the old and new packages are tested in the market via online and onsite channels. Although the quality and quantity of products remain the same, 87.5% of the 32 consumers who purchased fertilizer chose the new packaging design for 60 baht and the rest chose the other option for 50 baht. As a result, packaging design raises the perceived value of a product and promotes customer acceptability.
The ethics of sustainable AI: Why animals (should) matter for a sustainable use of AI
Authors: Bossert Leonie N. , Hagendorff Thilo
Published: May 2023

Technologies equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) influence our everyday lives in a variety of ways. Due to their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, their high use of energy, but also their impact on fairness issues, these technologies are increasingly discussed in the “sustainable AI” discourse. However, current “sustainable AI” approaches remain anthropocentric. In this article, we argue from the perspective of applied ethics that such anthropocentric outlook falls short. We present a sentientist approach, arguing that the normative foundation of sustainability and sustainable development—that is, theories of intra‐ and intergenerational justice—should include sentient animals. Consequently, theories of sustainable AI must also be non‐anthropocentric. Moreover, we investigate consequences of our approach for applying AI technologies in a sustainable way.
Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Acne Vulgaris Published Between January 2017 and July 2021
Authors: Corcoran Louise , Muller Ingrid , Layton Alison M. , Rucinski Gwennan , Venkatess Viktoria , Sufraz Anicka , Dove Sophie , Lown Mark , Stuart Beth , Francis Nick , Santer Miriam
Published: May 2023

Background

Acne is very common, can cause considerable negative impact on quality of life and there is increasing concern over the use of long courses of oral antibiotics for this condition.

Objectives

(1) To critically appraise reporting in acne guidelines and compare this with previous systematic review of acne guidelines. (2) Examine acne treatment guidance on pre-specified acne treatments of interest and compare between acne guidelines.

Methods

Searches for new or updated guidelines were carried out in MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, LILACS from 1 January 2017 to 31 July 2021, supplemented by searching a guideline-specific depository and checking for updates to guidelines included in previous review. We included guidelines, consensus statements or care protocols on the medical treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and/or children and excluded those that focused on a single intervention or subgroup of acne, regional adaptations of guidelines or guidelines included in previous review. AGREE II checklist was applied to critically appraise reporting of guidelines. Results were synthesised narratively.

Results

Of 807 abstracts identified nine guidelines were identified that were eligible for inclusion. All guidelines had AGREE II scores above average in at least one domain and reporting was substantially improved compared to the systematic review of acne carried out 5 years previously. There was consensus between guidelines on the key role of topical treatments as first-line acne treatment and most recommended continuing topical treatments as maintenance therapy. There was considerable variation between guidelines on classification of severity, indications for commencing oral antibiotics and on maximum duration of oral antibiotics. However, there was consensus on the need for co-prescription of a non-antibiotic topical treatment when using oral antibiotics. There were notable differences on recommendations regarding provision of information for patients on how to use topical treatments or how to mitigate against side effects.

Conclusions

Substantial differences in classification of acne severity hampered comparisons between guidelines. Although development and reporting of guidelines has improved over the past 5 years, differences in key recommendations remain, possibly reflecting uncertainties in the underlying evidence base. Differences between guidelines could have substantial implications for prevalence of antibiotic prescribing for acne.
Study of the CO2 Adsorption Performance of a Metal–Organic Frameworks: Applications in Air Conditioning
Authors: Yang Famei , Ma Jinyu , Chen Liu
Published: May 2023

Air conditioning systems introduce fresh outdoor air mainly to dilute indoor CO2 and meet the high demand for interior environment quality. However, in some cases, introducing fresh outdoor air cannot be done, because of high pollution of the outdoor air or because there is no fresh air. In these cases, limiting CO2 concentration can be done only through adsorption devices. In this study, innovative metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) were employed as adsorbents to handle CO2 independently in air conditioning systems. Three different MOFs, MIL‐101 (Cr), MIL‐101 (Fe), and MIL‐100 (Fe), were compared using a dynamic adsorption experimental device. The dynamic adsorption patterns of CO2 on the three adsorption materials and the corresponding performance index parameters were obtained. According to the experimental findings, when the temperature was raised from 298 K to 313 K, the adsorption breakthrough times for CO2 on the three adsorbent materials decreased from 590 s, 470 s, and 295 s to 305 s, 270 s, and 160 s, respectively. When the relative humidity was 30 % and 60 %, the carbon dioxide removal capacity of MIL‐100(Fe) increased to 1.92 and 1.79 times that under dry conditions.
Metal‐free Organic Dyes Featuring an Azobenzene Bridge for Photochromic Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Simpang Anggia Ismi , Ghifari Alvien , Han Soo‐Young , Hayati Dini , Long Dang Xuan , Jang Yoon Hee , Hong Jongin
Published: May 2023

We report the facile synthesis of photochromic donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) dyes featuring an azobenzene spacer with diphenylamine and dimethylamine as donor residues (DPAC and DMAC). We also investigate the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of these dyes and their application to dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The trans‐cis isomerization of the azobenzene bridge permits regulation of the photovoltaic behaviour in the DSSCs containing iodine‐ and cobalt‐based redox electrolytes. The iodidie/triiodidie redox shuttle is suitable for DMAC‐DSSCs, whereas the cobalt redox mediator is optimal for DPAC‐DSSCs. DMAC‐ and DPAC‐DSSCs yield power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) up to 1.99 % and 1.08 % under one sun illumination, when the solar cells are at the photostationary (PS) state.
Ultrasonic‐Assisted One‐Pot Batch Simultaneous Synthesis of Two Different Types of Heterocyclic Derivatives and DFT Study
Authors: Pan Xin‐Guang , Chen Dan , Wang Yun , Dou Qi‐Juan , Song Yu‐Jia , Wang Shi‐Fan
Published: May 2023

A green method called “one‐pot batch synthesis” has been developed for the simultaneous synthesis of two different types of heterocyclic derivatives, oxazolo [3, 2‐c] pyrimidines and hydroxyl ethyl dihydropyrimidones. The reaction was conducted under ultrasonic irradiation in green bio‐based solvent lactic acid without any additional catalysts and additives. From β‐hydroxyethyl urea, acetoacetyl esters/amines and aromatic aldehydes, fifteen oxazolopyrimidine and eleven hydroxyl ethyl dihydropyrimidones were synthesized using the method for the first time. The generation mechanism of two different kinds of products under ultrasonic irradiation from the same reaction conditions was explained by Density Functional Theory. All products were obtained in high yields and characterized by IR, NMR, ESI MS, and X‐ray diffraction.
Solvothermal Treatment of Visible‐Light‐Responsive TiO2 toward Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation Activity of Tetracycline
Authors: Zhang Lixin , Yan Chumin , Dong Xiaoli , Wang Yu , Zheng Nan , Ma Hongchao , Zhang Xiufang
Published: May 2023

Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants driven by visible‐light is considered as a promising and effective water purification strategy. In this work, solvothermal treatment was carried out on visible‐light‐responsive TiO2 samples in isopropyl alcohol to improve the photocatalytic degradation performance. The effects of solvothermal treatment on the microstructure, band structure, optical properties, photoelectrochemical properties and photocatalytic activity of the obtained TiO2 samples were systematically investigated. The experimental results showed that the photocatalytic degradation performance of the treated TiO2 samples was significantly improved. The TiO2 sample treated for 24 h at 180 °C showed the optimal kinetic constant of photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, which is 4.7 times that of pristine TiO2. This work provides some insight into the effect of solvothermal treatment on the photocatalytic properties of semiconductor photocatalysts.
Efficient Oxidation of Furfural to Furancarboxylic Acid over CuO‐MnCO3 Catalyst
Authors: Liu Qiang , Sun Yong , Zeng Xianhai , Lin Lu , Tang Xing
Published: May 2023

It is of great significance to efficiently produce furancarboxylic acid (FA) by furfural oxidation at room temperature. Here in, based on an available CuO‐MnCO3 bimetallic catalyst, an efficient and sustainable heterogeneous catalyst system in sodium hypochlorite solution was designed to be served for the selective oxidation of furfural to FA. Interestingly, Cu6‐Mn4 showed 100 % furfural conversion and quantitative selectivity to FA (96.9 %). Especially, we demonstrate the CuO exhibited main catalytic performance in this experiment. In particular, the introduction of MnCO3 into Cu‐Mn catalyst resulted in an increase reactivity of the lattice oxygen in the catalyst. More importantly, Cu6‐Mn4 also showed excellent stability in reusability test. This study provides a simple and rapid catalytic strategy and scientific basis for the development of an efficient and mild aerobic oxidation of furfural.
Preparation and Characterization of 5‐Fluorouracil Loaded Cellulose and Exosome Nanocarriers: Sustained Release Behavior and Cytotoxicity Studies**
Authors: Seyedahmadi Mobina , Saeidifar Maryam , Javadpour Jafar , Rezaei Hamid Reza
Published: May 2023

In recent years, much effort has been devoted to designing nanoparticle drug delivery systems and improving the efficacy of anticancer drugs. This study focused on the preparation of a novel biocompatible nanocarrier based on bacterial cellulose (BC) in the presence of exosome (Exo) for the controlled release of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), known as 5‐FU.Exo@BC. The physicochemical properties of 5‐FU.Exo@BC were thoroughly characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). These results confirmed the successful preparation of 5‐FU.Exo@BC. The release behavior of 5‐FU.Exo@BC compared with 5‐FU and 5‐FU@BC demonstrated a significant sustained release over 162 h. The release mechanism of the above three systems followed Korsmeyer‐Peppas with non‐Fickian diffusion for 5‐FU@BC and 5‐FU.Exo@BC. Furthermore, the viability of HT‐29 cells (human colon cancer cell lines) against BC, 5‐FU@BC and 5‐FU.Exo@BC indicated that 5‐FU has promising efficacy in 5‐FU.Exo@BC system. Subsequently, the prepared bio‐nanocomposite could be suggested as a potential drug delivery system with an effective controlled‐release function.