bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L’actualitat de la ciència política proposada per Francesc Eiximenis (ca. 1328/32-1409): el Regiment de la cosa pública i el Dotzè del Crestià al servei dels polítics (actuals).
Authors: Martines Vicent
Published: December 2024

Aquest estudi realitza una anàlisi de les aportacions de l’Humanisme cívic medieval i del Renaixementa la Ciència Política (amb especial atenció a la teoria del bon govern) i com d’actuals poden resultar demanera efectiva. L’anàlisi se centra en la contribució de Francesc Eiximenis amb el Regiment de la Cosapública en el conjunt del seu Dotzè del Crestià. Realitzem una breu antologia de fragments (en versió originali en traducció a l’espanyol –a fi que siga més accessible a un públic més ample, especialment, si podia ser,polítics en actiu) amb consells i ensenyaments que poden mostrar com d’útil pot ser actualment la proposaconceptual de Francesc Eiximenis.Paraules clau: Ciència política, Bon govern, Humanisme Cívic, Francesc Eiximenis, Coluccio Salutati, Regimina principes.
La evolución de la música en vivo: ¿experiencias y precios redefiniendo los eventos?
Authors: Moreno Clemente Carlos
Published: December 2024

La industria de la música en directo ha experimentado una transformación sin precedentes en los últimos años. En un mundo pospandemia, los conciertos y festivales han dejado de ser simples eventos para convertirse en experiencias inmersivas y personalizadas. Desde la implementación de precios dinámicos hasta el auge de los festivales de nicho, los cambios en la industria están moldeando no solo la accesibilidad de los eventos, sino también la percepción de valor por parte del público, pero ¿cuál es el rumbo?
Overflow metabolism originates from growth optimization and cellheterogeneity
Authors: Wang Xin
Published: December 2024

A classic problem in metabolism is that fast-proliferating cells use seemingly wasteful fermentation for energy biogenesis in the presence of sufficient oxygen. This counterintuitive phenomenon, known as overflow metabolism or the Warburg effect, is universal across various organisms. Despite extensive research, its origin and function remain unclear. Here, we show that overflow metabolism can be understood through growth optimization combined with cell heterogeneity. A model of optimal protein allocation, coupled with heterogeneity in enzyme catalytic rates among cells, quantitatively explains why and how cells choose between respiration and fermentation under different nutrient conditions. Our model quantitatively illustrates the growth rate dependence of fermentation flux and enzyme allocation under various perturbations and is fully validated by experimental results in
Escherichia coli
. Our work provides a quantitative explanation for the Crabtree effect in yeast and the Warburg effect in cancer cells and can be broadly used to address heterogeneity-related challenges in metabolism.
Professional Subjectivity in the Swedish Healthcare Context: The Ambiguous Rehabilitation Coordinator
Authors: Flädjemark Ulrika , Porter Susann
Published: December 2024

The study examines a new professional function, the rehabilitation coordinator, in Sweden’s healthcare system. The rehabilitation coordinator acts as an inter-organizational facilitator in the return-to-work process. Using a Foucauldian perspective, the rehabilitation coordinator as a subject could be considered both as an objectified function shaped by governmental regulation and as a process by which the individual chooses how to perform the role. The rehabilitation coordinator must navigate between legislative regulations and adhere to their own professional ethics, resulting in varying forms of subjectivity. Metaphors used by rehabilitation coordinators provide insights into how individuals perceive their ethical responsibilities and how they approach interactions with patients and healthcare professionals. The paper underscores the ambiguity of the role and sheds light on how diverse considerations inherent in professional roles but also within the subject molds professional subjectivity in the Swedish healthcare system.
Designing an intelligent push model for user emotional topics based on dynamic text categorization in social media news dissemination
Authors: Wang Jixuan
Published: December 2024

The exploration of social media comment analysis has garnered considerable scholarly attention in recent epochs, precipitated by the pervasive ubiquity of social media platforms and the copious volume of commentaries engendered by their users. As the prevalence of users disseminating opinions, engaging in news discourse, and articulating sentiments on social media escalates, scrutinizing social media comments assumes paramount significance. This treatise employs a sophisticated deep network model for sentiment classification predicated on online social media textual commentary data, utilizing a bidirectional long short-term memory (BI-LSTM) network. The model initiates data input processing by employing word segmentation and word vector extraction, culminating in the formation of an attention-based bidirectional long short-term memory (ATT-Bi-LSTM) model, which incorporates an attention mechanism for discerning positive and negative emotions. Notably, the model attains recognition rates exceeding 80% for both categories of emotions within the public dataset. Concurrently, the model undergoes training migration for practical application validation using the public dataset, yielding recognition accuracy surpassing 90% in authentic testing scenarios. This substantiates the efficacy of the proposed methodology in proficiently accomplishing the emotion classification task within the dynamic text milieu of social media news propagation. Such proficiency, in turn, furnishes pivotal technical underpinnings for subsequent iterations of intelligent push models and astute public opinion analyses.
Diversity analysis of microorganisms on the surface of four summer fruit varieties in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: He Shan , Gao Li , Zhang Zhuomin , Ming Zhihui , Gao Fang , Ma Shuyi , Zou Mingxin
Published: December 2024

Improper storage of post-harvest fruits leads to significant losses, especially due to microbial-induced decay. Understanding the naturally occurring microbial communities on fruit surfaces and their functions is the first step in the development of new strategies for controlling post-harvest fruit decay. These new strategies could generate significant economic value by improving fruit preservation and extending the shelf-life of fruit. In the present study, 16S rRNA and ITS high-throughput sequencing technologies were used to analyze the diversity and composition of microorganisms on the surfaces of four different fruit varieties: three plum varieties and one apple variety, all from the same orchard in Donghe District, Baotou City, China. The results displayed no notable difference in bacterial diversity on the surfaces of the four varieties of fruits (P > 0.05), but there were significant differences in fungal diversity (P < 0.05). The most abundant bacterial phyla detected on the fruit surfaces were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes; the most abundant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota. Though microbial compositions on the fruit surfaces differed between the fruits, the surface microbial community structure of the three plum varieties exhibited higher similarity, indicating that fruit type is a key factor influencing the composition of surface microorganisms. There were also differences in the epidermal microbial community composition between the fruits involved in this study and fruits of the same species reported from other regions, suggesting that geographical factors also play a critical role in microbial composition. The correlation analysis revealed significant associations between the microorganisms with the highest abundance on the surface of the fruits, suggesting the existence of symbiotic and mutualistic relationships between these microorganisms, but the specific mechanisms behind these relationships need to be further explored. This study provides a basis for the establishment of post-harvest fruit preservation strategies.
Effect of discarded smooth and rough glass waste on mechanical properties of cement concrete
Authors: Sivapriya S V , Hariraj M. J. , Rajarajan T. , Vishnu Kumar. S.
Published: December 2024

The depletion of natural material leads to an alternative material in its place in concrete. If the alternative material is a recycled material, it serves the purpose of reuse and reduces its impact on the environment. One such material is glass waste. In this study, two varied textures of transparent waste glass of size 12.5 mm are used as an alternative material for coarse aggregate with 10, 20, and 30% of replacement. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength are studied along with water absorption and unit weight characteristics. It is observed that the compressive strength showed a maximum value at 10% replacement for both textured glasses, beyond that it reduces irrespective of curing period. A similar trend is observed in flexural strength also. The split tensile strength increases with percentage replacement due to the contribution of waste glass in interface transmission zone. The water absorption falls well within 3% for all the combinations indicating its good behaviour. The unit weight decreases making it suitable for making lighter material. When comparing cost, there is a reduction in cost by 3 to 7 %; however, it is minimum it addresses the environmental aspects.
Investigation of wear performance of GFRP profiles under different environmental conditions
Authors: Aydın Ferhat , Arslan Şeymanur , Adahi Şahin Süleyman Nurullah , Toplu Elif
Published: December 2024

Continuous exposure to external factors leads to loss of physical and mechanical properties in building materials due to wear effects. There is little information available on the wear performance of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite profiles, whose usage areas are increasing, under various conditions. In this study, the aim is to determine the wear performance of GFRP box profiles under different conditions. To evaluate the wear performance of GFRP profiles under various conditions, their performance was compared with the wear performance of concrete under different strengths and conditions. The effects of fiber direction, temperature, and cold conditions on the wear performance of GFRP box profiles were investigated. The effects of compressive strength, age of concrete, humidity status, temperature, and cold conditions on the wear performance of concrete were experimentally determined and compared. The wear results of GFRP profiles tested in the Böhme wear test machine and the wear results of concrete in three strength classes were evaluated and compared under different conditions. In addition, the test numbers were increased using the Monte Carlo Simulation method to evaluate the possible result range. The wear losses of GFRP profiles increase with increasing temperature while they perform well under cold conditions. It was observed that GFRP box profiles in the horizontal fiber direction exhibited greater mass and volume loss. Concrete showed a decrease in mass loss as compressive strength increased. Similarly, the wear loss in concrete decreased as the age of the concrete increased, with the greatest mass and volume loss occurring in 3-day-old concrete.
O que procura quem busca a verdade?
Authors: Silva Costa César Miguel
Published: December 2024

Partindo da vida de Edith Stein, pretendemos abeirar-nos dessa busca da Verdade, que ela procurou com afinco e que encontrou na pessoa de Jesus Cristo, como ela própria reconhece: «Quem busca a verdade busca a Deus, seja consciente disso ou não.» Essa procura incessante da Verdade, assumida pela fé, após a sua conversão, é a base sobre a qual constrói o seu pensamento e a sua vida. Tomando a própria Verdade como caminho de procura, partiremos da imortalizada pergunta colocada a Jesus, por Pilatos – Que é a verdade? (Jo 18,38) – que continua a ecoar no íntimo daqueles que, como Edith, se deixam interpelar e, que procurando respostas são, afinal, encontrados por ela. À sombra dessa mesma Verdade, encontraremos, no percurso da vida de Edith Stein, o reflexo das suas manifestações que «a sua mente não se cansou de investigar e o seu coração de esperar», como afirmou S. João Paulo II, há 25 anos, na sua canonização. Ou seja, tentar-se-á descobrir o que procura quem busca a Verdade, identificando diferentes fases na sua vida, respaldando-se nessa mesma verdade, desde os conceitos latino, grego e hebraico, como alicerces que sustentam e projetam a vida desta singular mulher do século XX.
Impact of Foliar Fertilizer Spraying on Productivity and Economics of Greengram (Vigna radiata L.) Grown in Rice Fallow Condition
Authors: Rajarathinam P. , Subrahmaniyan K. , Mathiyazhagan S. , Manimaran R. , Elamathi S. , Nageswari R. , Arulananth R. , Sivakumar G.
Published: December 2024

The field experiment was conducted at the Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, during the rice fallow season of 2022-23 and 2023-24 to evaluate the impact of foliar fertilizer application on the growth, yield and economic performance of rice fallow greengram. The spray treatment viz., Water spray-control, 2% Urea, 2% DAP, 2% NPK 18:18:18, 0.5% ZnSO₄, 2% Urea + 0.5% ZnSO₄, 2% DAP + 0.5% ZnSO₄ and 2% NPK 18:18:18 + 0.5% ZnSO₄. The study was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The greengram variety ADT 3 was used for this study. The treatments were imposed as per treatment schedule. Among the treatments, foliar application of DAP 2% + 0.5% ZnSO₄ at the pre-flowering and pod initiation stage resulted in superior growth and yield parameters, including plant height (72.5 cm), the number of pods plant-1 (56.2), the number of seeds pod-1 (13.5), test weight (4.1 g) and higher seed yield of 1175 kg ha-1, which was comparable with the NPK 18:18:18 @ 2% + 0.5% treatment. Consequently, foliar application of DAP 2% + 0.5% ZnSO₄ achieved the highest economic returns, with a gross income of Rs.82,250 ha-1, a net income of Rs.53,284 ha-1 and a benefit-cost ratio of 2.84.
Whitefly Screening of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) through Insecticide and Plant Extracts
Authors: Thilagam P. , Gopikrishnan A. , Srividhya S.
Published: December 2024

Eight pesticides and five plant extracts were evaluated for efficacy against brinjal whitefly during rabi (2018-19) and kharif (2019-20) at Agricultural Research Station in Virinjipuram, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 0.3 g l-1, imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.5 ml l-1, spiromesifen 240 SC @ 1.0 ml l-1, thiacloprid 240 SC @ 1.0 ml l-1, thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.4 g l-1, dimethoate 30 EC @ 2.0 ml l-1, and profenophos 50 EC @ 2.0 ml l-1, azadirachtin 10000 ppm @ 3.0 ml l-1, neem seed kernel extract at 5%, and leaf extracts of neem, bougainvillea and coconut at 10% were administered to 30-day-old plants at one month intervals. According to the findings, spiromesifen 240 SC (3.05 Nos / 3 leaves) spraying had the lowest whitefly population during the crop time. Thiacloprid 240 SC (3.28 Nos / 3 leaves) and thiamethoxam 25 WG (3.39 Nos / 3 leaves) were next in line. Plots treated with spiromesifen 240 SC, thiacloprid 240 SC, and thiamethoxam 25 WG showed the greatest population reductions (79.16, 77.59, and 76.84 percent) compared to the untreated control. Thiacloprid 240 SC @ 1.0 ml l-1 (5.22%), thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.4 g l-1 (5.87%), and azadirachtin 10000 ppm @ 3 ml l-1 (6.22%) were found to be the next treatments. Plots treated with spiromesifen 240 SC, thiacloprid 240 SC, and thiamethoxam 25 WG yielded the most fruit (28.79, 28. 01 and 27.24 tonnes ha-1, respectively), increasing their cost-benefit ratio by 36.63, 32.93 and 29.28 % over the untreated control.
Evidential Belief Function (EBF) Model for Landslide Susceptibility Analysis in Idukki District, Kerala, India
Authors: Laxmi Ch. N Vara , Kumari K. Padma
Published: December 2024

A Geo-statistical Dempster-Shafer Theory Evidential Belief Function (DST-EBF) model is selected for Landslide susceptibility evaluation. The aim of the study is to delineate zones prone to landslides within the Idukki district, Kerala using the EBF model and Geographical Information System (GIS) Technique. The objective is to integrate  diverse datasets to assess and predict the landslide-prone areas, providing valuable insights for risk management and mitigation startgies. Topographical, Anthropogenic, and Geological factors are considered Landslide Conditioning Factors (LCFs), and Landslide Inventory data are used to establish and validate the Suscebtlity zones. Landslide inventory data is randomly divided into Training(70%) and Testing (30%) data. The resultant Landslide Susceptibility map is categorized into five zones using natural breaking classification method: Very low (20.96%), Low (29.71%), Medium (24.50%), High (18.63%), and Very high (6.20%), respectively, within the study area. The success rate and prediction rate were calculated using the AUC_ROC method and the EBF Model achieved the highest precision with a success rate of 0.935, and a prediction rate of 0.943 in the current study.
Studies on Brown Planthopper Resistance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Sucharitha C. , Sukumar K. , Prakash Om , Prasanna B. Laxmi
Published: December 2024

In India, Rice is a major food crop and consumed by majority of Indian population. The crop often encounters various pests and diseases. Hence, development of Resistant varieties or resistant donors is a continuous process to reduce the losses due to the pests and diseases. Keeping in view of the above, a Research programme was carried out with an objective to study the Brown planthopper (BPH) (Nilaparvata lugens Stal) resistance reactions in the resultant hybrids when crosses were attempted with different sources of resistance against BPH. The current study was carried out at Agricultural Polytechnic (APT), Polasa, Jagtial. Eight lines and three testers were crossed line x tester mating design during Kharif, 2021 and the resultant 24 hybrids were evaluated in Randomized Block Design during Rabi, 2021-22. Among the hybrids, the damage score ranged from 3.2 (CMS 23A x JGL33124 and CMS 46A x JGL 33124) to 9.0 (CMS 23A x KNM 7787, JMS 11A x RNR 21278 and JMS 18A x RNR 21278). Ten hybrids exhibited moderately resistant reaction, one was moderately susceptible, ten were susceptible and three hybrids exhibited highly susceptible reaction. The cross, CMS 46A x JGL 33124 which recorded on par grain yield per plant over the hybrid check, 27 P 31 displayed moderately resistant reaction to BPH.
Effect of Rice Cultivation Practices and Nitrogen Management strategies on Growth and Yield Attributes in Rice under Rice-cowpea Cropping System
Authors: S N Sandeep , Fathima P.S , Yogananda S.B , Suma R. , Shivakumar K.V , Sowmyalatha B.S
Published: December 2024

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2022-23 and 2023-24 at College of Agriculture V.C, Farm, Mandya, India. The experiment consisted of three rice cultivation practices as vertical factors and five nitrogen management strategies as horizontal factors were laid out in strip plot design with three replications. Results revealed that among rice cultivation practices transplanted rice led to higher number of green leaves hill-1(76.05), leaf area index (4.25), SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) value (40.68), panicle length (19.96 cm), lower number of chaffy grains panicle-1 (19.29) and test weight (23.78g). However, among nitrogen management strategies, application of 100% RDN + foliar spray of 0.4% nano urea at tillering and PI stage were found significantly higher number of green leaves hill-1 (87.34), leaf area index (4.80), SPAD value (44.70), panicle length (20.73 cm), lower number of chaffy grains panicle-1(15.28) and test weight (24.35 g). Among interactions, transplanted rice with application of 100% RDN + foliar spray of 0.4% nano urea at tillering and PI stage were found significantly superior for number of green leaves hill-1 (91.56), leaf area index (5.04), SPAD value (47.61), panicle length (21.82 cm) and lower number of chaffy grains panicle-1 (15.06). Transplanted rice combined with 100% RDN and foliar application of 0.4% nano urea at tillering and PI stages demonstrated superior growth and yield attributes, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing productivity.
Radiotherapy–immunotherapy combinations – perspectives and challenges
Authors: Mondini Michele , Levy Antonin , Meziani Lydia , Milliat Fabien , Deutsch Eric
Published: February 2020

Ionizing radiation has historically been used to treat cancer by killing tumour cells, in particular by inducing DNA damage. This view of radiotherapy (RT) as a simple cytotoxic agent has dramatically changed in recent years, and it is now widely accepted that RT can deeply reshape the tumour environment by modulating the immune response. Such evidence gives a strong rationale for the use of immunomodulators to boost the therapeutic value of RT, introducing the era of ‘immunoradiotherapy’. The increasing amount of preclinical and clinical data concerning the combination of RT with immunomodulators, in particular with immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 and anti‐CTLA4, reflects the interest of the scientific and medical community concerning immunoradiotherapy. The expectations are enormous since the rationale for performing such combinations is strong, with the possibility to use a local treatment such as RT to amplify a systemic antitumour response, as illustrated by the case of the abscopal effect. Nevertheless, several points remain to be addressed such as the need to find biomarkers to identify patients who will benefit from immunoradiotherapy, the identification of the best sequences/schedules for combination with immunomodulators and mechanisms to overcome resistance. Additionally, the effects of immunoradiotherapy on healthy tissues and related toxicity remain largely unexplored. To answer these critical questions and make immunoradiotherapy keep its promising qualities, large efforts are needed from both the pharmaceutical industry and academic/governmental research. Moreover, because of the work of both these entities, the arsenal of available immunomodulators is quickly expanding, thus opening the field to increasing combinations with RT. We thus forecast that the field of immunoradiotherapy will further expand in the coming years, and it needs to be supported by appropriate investment plans.
Optically pumped magnetoencephalography in epilepsy
Authors: Vivekananda Umesh , Mellor Stephanie , Tierney Tim M. , Holmes Niall , Boto Elena , Leggett James , Roberts Gillian , Hill Ryan M. , Litvak Vladimir , Brookes Matthew J. , Bowtell Richard , Barnes Gareth R. , Walker Matthew C.
Published: February 2020

We demonstrate the first use of Optically Pumped Magnetoencephalography (OP‐MEG) in an epilepsy patient with unrestricted head movement. Current clinical MEG uses a traditional SQUID system, where sensors are cryogenically cooled and housed in a helmet in which the patient’s head is fixed. Here, we use a different type of sensor (OPM), which operates at room temperature and can be placed directly on the patient’s scalp, permitting free head movement. We performed OP‐MEG recording in a patient with refractory focal epilepsy. OP‐MEG‐identified analogous interictal activity to scalp EEG, and source localized this activity to an appropriate brain region.
Strategies for Designing Antithermal‐Quenching Red Phosphors
Authors: Wei Yi , Yang Hang , Gao Zhiyu , Liu Yixin , Xing Gongcheng , Dang Peipei , Kheraif Abdulaziz A. Al , Li Guogang , Lin Jun , Liu Ru‐Shi
Published: February 2020

Nowadays, red phosphor plays a key role in improving the lighting quality and color rendering index of phosphor‐converted white light emitting diodes (w‐LEDs). However, the development of thermally stable and highly efficient red phosphor is still a pivotal challenge. Herein, a new strategy to design antithermal‐quenching red emission in Eu3+, Mn4+‐codoped phosphors is proposed. The photoluminescence intensity of Mg3Y2(1−y)Ge3O12:yEu3+, Mn4+ (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) phosphors continuously enhances with rising temperature from 298 to 523 K based on Eu3+ → Mn4+ energy transfer. For Mg3Eu2Ge3O12:Mn4+ sample, the integrated intensity at 523 K remarkably reaches 120% of that at 298 K. Interestingly, through codoping Eu3+ and Mn4+ in Mg3Y2Ge3O12, the photoluminescence color is controllably tuned from orangish‐red (610 nm) to deep‐red (660 nm) light by changing Eu3+ concentration. The fabricated w‐LEDs exhibit superior warm white light with low corrected color temperature (CCT = 4848 K) and high color rendering index (Ra = 96.2), indicating the promising red component for w‐LED applications. Based on the abnormal increase in antistokes peaks of Mn4+ with temperatures, Mg3Eu2Ge3O12:Mn4+ phosphor also presents a potential application in optical thermometry sensors. This work initiates a new insight to construct thermally stable and spectra‐tunable red phosphors for various optical applications.
Progression of liver fibrosis in a type 2 biliary atresia female baby before hepatoportoenterostomy
Authors: Chang Chia‐Ming , Chang Mei‐Hwei , Wu Jia‐Feng
Published: February 2020

Type 2 biliary atresia is a relatively rare type of biliary atresia, and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate it from choledochal cysts. This report describes a female newborn with prenatal diagnosis of choledochal cyst who had intermittent clay color stool after birth. The transient elastography showed progressive liver stiffness before surgery, and the intraoperative cholangiogram confirmed the diagnosis of type 2 cystic type biliary atresia. The baby then received hepatoportoenterostomy, and the liver stiffness also declined smoothly after the operation.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lee Jyong‐Hong , Chen Kwei Ming , Chang Chi‐Hsien , Liu Yu‐Tsai , Yang Chi‐Chieh
Published: February 2020

The early detection rate of superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SPSCC) by using narrow‐band imaging is increasing. Importantly, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) provides promising outcomes by experienced endoscopists. The aims of this study were to clarify the feasibility of ESD for SPSCC and its safety and outcomes. In total, 10 patients with 11 lesions were treated by ESD between January 2015 and June 2019. We assessed tumor size, macroscopic type, endoscopic methods, procedure time, histopathologic results, resection results, local recurrence, and adverse events. En bloc resection rate and complete resection rate are 91% (10/11) and 36% (4/11), respectively. Two patients encountered laryngeal edema and one had subcutaneous emphysema. All the three patients recovered after conservative treatment and discharged uneventfully. There was one patient with local recurrence but all 10 of our patients survived (100%) during follow‐up. ESD for superficial pharyngeal cancer is a safe and feasible treatment with satisfactory and promising outcome.
The prevalence and etiology of elevated aminotransferase levels in northeastern Taiwan: A community‐based study
Authors: Chien Cheng‐Hung , Yu Chia‐Ying , Chen Li‐Wei , Lin Chih‐Lang , Shyu Yu‐Chiau , Chen Shuo‐Wei , Hu Ching‐Chih , Chien Rong‐Nan
Published: February 2020

The northeastern coastal regions of Taiwanare a hyperendemic area for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection. We investigated the prevalence of elevated aminotransferase levels and assessed the potential influence of various risk factors among those with elevated levels. We conducted a community‐based study from October 2012 to July 2014. Blood tests included liver biochemistry, glucose, lipids, HBsAg, and anti‐HCV. The degree of fatty liver disease was evaluated by hepatic ultrasound. A total of 2981 participants were analyzed. The overall prevalence of elevated AST and ALT levels was 10.1% and 14.7%, respectively. On multiple logistic regression analysis, male gender and excess alcohol consumption were independently associated with an elevated AST level. Only male gender, BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2, excess alcohol consumption, and moderate or severe fatty liver were significantly associated with an elevated ALT. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for an elevated AST level was 2.27 (1.44‐3.66, P = .001) for excess alcohol consumption alone, 2.45 (1.81‐3.30, P < .001) for either HBsAg or anti‐HCV seropositivity, and 4.04 (1.90‐8.60, P < .001) for both excess drinking and a viral infection.Our results indicate that a fatty liver, especially moderate or severe, is the commonest risk factor in individuals with an elevated ALT level, with or without another identifiable cause of chronic liver disease. Viral hepatitis and excess alcohol consumption have synergic effect on an elevated AST level, someone who has viral hepatitis should avoid excess alcohol consumption.
Outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia related changes depend on diagnostic criteria and therapy
Authors: Montalban‐Bravo Guillermo , Kanagal‐Shamanna Rashmi , Class Caleb A. , Sasaki Koji , Ravandi Farhad , Cortes Jorge E. , Daver Naval , Takahashi Koichi , Short Nicholas J. , DiNardo Courtney D. , Jabbour Elias , Borthakur Gautam , Naqvi Kiran , Issa Ghayas C. , Konopleva Marina , Khoury Joseph D. , Routbort Mark , Pierce Sherry , Do Kim‐Anh , Bueso‐Ramos Carlos , Patel Keyur , Kantarjian Hagop , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Kadia Tapan M.
Published: February 2020

Acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia‐related changes (AML‐MRC) is a heterogeneous disorder defined by multilineage dysplasia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)‐related karyotype, or history of prior MDS. We evaluated 415 patients with AML‐MRC treated from 2013 to 2018 and analyzed their clinical outcomes based on the diagnostic criteria of AML‐MRC, therapy type and mutation profile. Criteria for AML‐MRC included: cytogenetic abnormalities (AML‐MRC‐C) in 243 (59%), prior history of MDS in 75 (18%) including 47 (11%) with previously untreated MDS (AML‐MRC‐H) and 28 (7%) with previously treated MDS (AML‐MRC‐TS), and 97 (23%) with multilineage dysplasia (AML‐MRC‐M). Median age was 70 years (range 18‐94). Among 95 evaluable patients, a total of 37 (39%) had secondary‐type (ASXL1, BCOR, EZH2, SF3B1, SRSF2, STAG2, U2AF1, ZRSR2) mutations. Mutations in ASXL1, BCOR, SF3B1, SRSF2, and U2AF1 tended to appear in dominant clones. By multivariate analysis, AML‐MRC subtype, age and serum LDH levels were independent predictors of outcome, with patients with AML‐MRC‐M (HR 0.56, CI 0.38‐0.84, P = .004) and AML‐MRC‐H having better OS. Compared to a cohort of 468 patients with AML without MRC, patients with AML‐MRC‐M/AML‐MRC‐H had similar outcomes to those with intermediate risk AML by European LeukemiaNet criteria. Intensive therapy was associated with improved OS in patients with AML‐MRC‐M (HR 0.42, CI 0.19‐0.94, P = .036) and with improved EFS in AML‐MRC‐M and AML‐MRC‐H (HR 0.26, CI 0.10‐0.63, P = .003). This data suggests that not all diagnostic criteria for AML‐MRC define high‐risk patients and that specific subgroups may benefit from different therapeutic interventions.
Occupational exposure to manganese and risk of creatine kinase and creatine kinase‐MB elevation among ferromanganese refinery workers
Authors: Huang Sifang , Liu Zhenfang , Ge Xiaoting , Luo Xiaoyu , Zhou Yanting , Li Defu , Li Longman , Chen Xiang , Huang Lulu , Cheng Hong , Hou Qingzhi , Zan Gaohui , Tan Yanli , Liu Chaoqun , Zou Yunfeng , Yang Xiaobo
Published: February 2020

Background

Elevated exposure to manganese (Mn) could induce cardiovascular dysfunction. However, limited research is available on the effects of occupational Mn exposure on myocardial enzymes. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between Mn exposure and myocardial enzyme elevation among Mn‐exposed workers.

Methods

Data were from a follow‐up investigation of a Mn‐exposed workers healthy cohort in 2017. A total of 744 workers were divided into low‐exposure and high‐exposure groups according to Mn time‐weighted average (Mn‐TWA) of less than or equal to 0.15 mg/m3 or greater than 0.15 mg/m3, respectively. Serum levels of myocardial enzymes, including creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB), lactic dehydrogenase, α‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and aspartate transaminase, were assessed, as well as airborne Mn exposure levels.

Results

After adjustment for sex, body mass index, seniority, education, current smoking status, current drinking status, and hypertension, Mn‐TWA levels were positively associated with the risk of CK elevation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18‐1.83) per interquartile range [IQR] increase), and risk of CK‐MB elevation [OR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.03‐2.38) per IQR increase]. In a stratified analysis, Mn‐TWA levels were positively correlated with CK elevation in workers of seniority greater than 19 years, male workers, current smokers, and drinkers.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that occupational exposure to Mn is associated with increased risk of CK and CK‐MB elevation. The potential mechanisms of the associations between airborne exposure to Mn and increased risk of these myocardial enzyme elevations warrant further investigation.
Do radiologists need to review abdominal ultrasound examinations reported as ‘normal’ by the sonographer?
Authors: Necas Martin , Shen Yi , Ong Qi Hao , Prout Kara , Wackrow Wendy
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Sonographers demonstrate a high standard of diagnostic performance and work with a considerable degree of professional independence. In Australasia, sonographers typically generate a preliminary report which is reviewed by the radiologist who issues a final report. The aim of this study was to determine whether radiologist's review is required in cases reported as normal by the sonographer.

Methods

This study was a retrospective review of 1000 abdominal US examinations considered normal by sonographers that were subsequently reported by radiologists. Any findings reported by radiologists that were not reported by sonographers were analysed and separated into errors or discrepancies according to commonly accepted definition.

Results

The 1000 abdominal examinations included 244 complete abdominal, 200 hepatobiliary, 506 urinary tract and 50 other abdominal examinations. Patients’ age ranged from < 1 to 94 years (mean = 35 years, median = 32 years). US examinations were performed by any one of 14 sonographers with 1–21 years (mean = 6 years, median = 7 years) of clinical experience. Two diagnostic errors were made by sonographers and two errors by radiologists. In no single case did the radiologist uncover a case of an acute or serious illness, illness requiring admission or urgent clinical review, nor did the radiologist identify the cause for the presenting symptoms. Eighteen discrepancies were found, but these were of trivial nature and most were rated by specialist clinicians as irrelevant.

Conclusion

Sonographers are accurate in distinguishing normal abdominal US examinations. The involvement of a radiologist in a second reading of normal abdominal US examinations is unnecessary.
Prediction of the neurological outcome using regional cerebral oxygen saturation in patients with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation after out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Joo Woo Jin , Ide Kazuki , Nishiyama Kei , Seki Tomotsugu , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Tsuchiya Jumpei , Ito Noritoshi , Yoshida Kosuke , Kawakami Koji
Published: February 2020

Aim

To investigate the association between regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and neurological outcomes in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) patients after out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

We used data from the Japan‐Prediction of Neurological Outcomes in Patients Post‐Cardiac Arrest Registry. This registry included consecutive comatose patients after OHCA who were transferred to 15 hospitals in Japan from 2011 to 2013. Our primary end‐point was a good neurological outcome (cerebral performance categories 1 or 2) at 90 days after OHCA.

Results

Among the enrolled patients, 121 (6.3%) received ECPR. Eleven (9.1%) had a good neurological outcome. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the optimal cut‐off value as >16%. Good neurological outcomes were observed in 19.6% (9/46) and 2.7% (2/74) of patients with rSO2 >16% and rSO2 ≤16%, respectively.

Conclusion

The neurological outcome of ECPR patients differed according to their rSO2 values. When considering ECPR, the rSO2 value could be important in addition to other criteria. Further studies that focus on ECPR patients and serial rSO2 values are needed.
Herausforderungen und Perspektiven von DNA‐Nanostrukturen in der Biomedizin
Authors: Keller Adrian , Linko Veikko
Published: February 2020

Die DNA‐Nanotechnologie hat vielversprechende Anwendungen in der Medizintechnik und der Entwicklung neuartiger Therapien und diagnostischer Assays. Die Sub‐nm‐Adressierbarkeit von DNA‐Nanostrukturen ermöglicht ihre gezielte Modifikation mit zahlreichen chemischen und biologischen Einheiten, wodurch sie sich perfekt als präzise diagnostische Hilfsmittel und multifunktionale Träger für den gezielten Wirkstofftransport eignen. Die absolute Kontrolle über Form, Größe und Funktion ermöglicht die Herstellung von maßgefertigten, dynamischen Elementen, z. B. DNA‐Nanorobotern, die programmierte Aufgaben ausführen und auf verschiedene externe Reize reagieren können. In mehreren Studien wurde der Einsatz biomedizinischer DNA‐Nanostrukturen in vitro und in vivo demonstriert, jedoch gibt es noch große Hürden auf dem Weg hin zu praktischen Anwendungen der DNA‐basierten Nanomedizin. Wir fassen hier den aktuellen Stand dieses Feldes und die wichtigsten Implementierungen biomedizinischer DNA‐Nanostrukturen zusammen. Wir fokussieren uns dabei auf bestehende Herausforderungen und ungelöste Probleme und diskutieren Lösungsansätze.
Electrochemically Driven Cation Exchange Enables the Rational Design of Active CO2Reduction Electrocatalysts
Authors: He Wenhui , Liberman Itamar , Rozenberg Illya , Ifraemov Raya , Hod Idan
Published: February 2020

Metal oxides or sulfides are considered to be one of the most promising CO2reduction reaction (CO2RR) precatalysts, owing to their electrochemical conversion in situ into highly active electrocatalytic species. However, further improvement of the performance requires new tools to gain fine control over the composition of the active species and its structural features [e.g., grain boundaries (GBs) and undercoordinated sites (USs)], directly from a predesigned template material. Herein, we describe a novel electrochemically driven cation exchange (ED‐CE) method that enables the conversion of a predesigned CoS2template into a CO2RR catalyst, Cu2S. By means of ED‐CE, the final Cu2S catalyst inherits the original 3 D morphology of CoS2, and preserves its high density of GBs. Additionally, the catalyst's phase structure, composition, and density of USs were precisely tuned, thus enabling rational design of active CO2RR sites. The obtained Cu2S catalyst achieved a CO2‐to‐formate Faradaic efficiency of over 87 % and a record high activity (among reported Cu‐based catalysts). Hence, this study opens the way for utilization of ED‐CE reactions to design advanced electrocatalysts.
Autologous Cobalt Phosphates with Modulated Coordination Sites for Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Qi Jing , Lin Yang‐Peng , Chen Dandan , Zhou Tianhua , Zhang Wei , Cao Rui
Published: February 2020

The correlation between metal coordination and electrocatalytic water oxidation performance is elusive in many cobalt‐based materials. Herein, we designed an ideal Co phosphate‐based platform to explore the effect of coordination environment on oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. The cobalt geometry was modulated from octahedral to tetrahedral by simple removal of water ligands in Co3(PO4)2⋅8 H2O. Other features except the coordination structure in the two autologous materials remain similar. The two analogues display the same OER kinetics, but the anhydrous Co3(PO4)2 exhibits a greatly enhanced OER activity. On the basis of Raman and operando XAS results, the higher intrinsic activity of the Co tetrahedral sites is because they facilitate the formation of active high valent cobalt (hydr)oxide intermediates during OER. This work not only brings insights of OER on Co‐based electrocatalysts but also provides a reference system to study the effect of metal geometry on electrocatalysis.
Greener adhesives based on UF/soy protein reinforced with montmorillonite clay for wood particleboard
Authors: Bacigalupe Alejandro , Fernández Mariela , Eisenberg Patricia , Escobar Mariano M.
Published: February 2020

There is a global concern about the types of adhesives used for the binding of wood particles, most of which include formaldehyde in their formulation. The aim of this work is to study the effect of raw montmorillonite (Mt) particles on blended urea formaldehyde (UF)/soy protein (SP) adhesives for the manufacture of wood particleboards to reduce the use of this carcinogenic component. Rheology showed that Mt does not alter the viscosity of adhesives at high shear rates, so they can be applied by spray. Thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetry (TGA/DTG) analysis revealed an enhancement of their thermal stability due to the presence of clay particles. Polymer–Mt interaction was studied by small amplitude X‐ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy. According to these results, the exfoliated structure of the clay particles was achieved. Wood particleboards were manufactured with UF/SP/Mt adhesives in order to study their mechanical properties. The three‐point bending test showed that Mt particles improved the modulus of both rupture and elasticity. UF/SP/Mt resins proved to be a prominent product for the development of environmentally friendlier particleboards with desirable mechanical properties.
Does the Factor Structure of IQ Differ Between the Differential Ability Scales (DAS‐II) Normative Sample and Autistic Children?
Authors: Clements Caitlin C. , Watkins Marley W. , Schultz Robert T. , Yerys Benjamin E.
Published: February 2020

The Differential Abilities Scales, 2nd edition (DAS‐II) is frequently used to assess intelligence in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it remains unknown whether the DAS‐II measurement model (e.g., factor structure, loadings), which was developed on a normative sample, holds for the autistic population or requires alternative score interpretations. We obtained DAS‐II data from 1,316 autistic individuals in the Simons Simplex Consortium and 2,400 individuals in the normative data set. We combined ASD and normative data sets for multigroup confirmatory factor analyses to assess different levels of measurement invariance, or how well the same measurement model fit both data sets: “weak” or metric, “strong” or scalar, and partial scalar if full scalar was not achieved. A weak invariance model showed excellent fit (Confirmatory Fit Index [CFI] > 0.995, Tucker Lewis Index [TLI] > 0.995, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] < 0.025), but a strong invariance model demonstrated a significant deterioration in fit during permutation testing (all p's<0.001), suggesting measurement bias, meaning systematic error when assessing autistic children. Fit improved significantly, and partial scalar invariance was achieved when either of the two spatial subtest (Recall of Designs or Pattern Construction) intercepts was permitted to vary between the ASD and normative groups, pinpointing these subtests as the source of bias. The DAS‐II appears to measure verbal and nonverbal—but not spatial—intelligence in autistic children similarly as in normative sample children. These results may be driven by Pattern Construction, which shows higher scores than other subtests in the ASD sample. Clinicians assessing autistic children with the DAS‐II should interpret verbal and nonverbal reasoning composite scores over the spatial score or General Composite Ability. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1184‐1194. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

The Differential Abilities Scales, 2nd edition (DAS‐II) is a popular intelligence quotient (IQ) test for assessing children with autism. This article shows that the DAS‐II spatial standardized scores should be interpreted with caution because they hold a different meaning for autistic children. Verbal and nonverbal reasoning scores appear valid and to hold the same meaning for those with and without autism spectrum disorder.
Simultaneous quantitation of glycyrrhetic acid and puerarin in plasma using ultra flow liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and application in a pharmacokinetics study in healthy and alcoholic liver injury rats
Authors: Shan Chenxiao , Yuan Qi , Cui Xiaobing , Chai Chuan , Yu Sheng , Wen Hongmei , Huang Xi
Published: February 2020

A rapid, sensitive, and accurate ultra flow liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC–MS/MS ) method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantitation of glycyrrhetic acid and puerarin in plasma derived from healthy and alcoholic liver injury rats. Plasma samples from healthy and model rats were deproteinated with methanol using liquiritin as an internal standard. Chromatography separation was performed by a Waters BEH (ethylene‐bridged hybrid) C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm; 1.7 μm) using a gradient elution from acetonitrile and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Quantitation was performed on a Triple Quad 4500 tandem mass spectrometer coupled with an electrospray ionization source in negative multiple reaction monitoring mode. Specificity, carryover, dilution integrity, recovery, linearity, precision and accuracy, matrix effect, and stability were within acceptable limits. The newly established method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics study to investigate glycyrrhetic acid and puerarin in healthy and alcoholic liver injury rats.
In vitro metabolites characterization of ponatinib in human liver microsomes using ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography combined with Q‐Exactive‐Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Gao Lei , Xu Qiqi , Liu Qingqing , Lang Xiuzhuang
Published: February 2020

Ponatinib is an oral drug for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which has been reported to increase the risk of hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolites of ponatinib in human liver microsomes as well as its reactive metabolites. Ponatinib was incubated with human liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH and trapping agents (glutathione or potassium cyanide). The metabolites were characterized by liquid chromatography in combination with Q‐Exactive‐Orbitrap‐MS. Under the current conditions, six metabolites were detected and structurally identified on the basis of their accurate masses, fragmentation patterns, and retention times. M3 (N‐demethylation) was unambiguously identified by matching its retention time and fragment ions with those of its reference standard. N‐demethylation and oxygenation were proved to be the predominant metabolic pathways of ponatinib. In addition, two reactive metabolites (cyano adducts) were detected in human liver microsomes in the presence of potassium cyanide and NADPH, suggesting that ponatinib underwent CYP450‐mediated metabolic activation, which could be one of the causative mechanisms for its hepatotoxicity. The current study provides new information regarding the metabolic profiles of ponatinib and would be helpful in understanding the effectiveness and toxicity of ponatinib, especially the mechanism of hepatotoxicity.