bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activating Oxygen via the 3‐Electron Pathway to Hydroxyl Radical by La−O4 Single‐atom on WO3 for Water Purification
Authors: Zhou Zhiruo , Zhao Shiyi , Li Zhihao , Wang Pengfei , Zhan Sihui , Wang Meizhen
Published: November 2024

Shifting photocatalytic oxygen activation towards 3‐electron (e−) pathway to hydroxyl radicals, instead of the normal 1 e− to superoxide radicals, becomes increasingly important for pollution degradation since hydroxyl radicals possess a high oxidation potential (2.80 V). Here, we demonstrate a selective oxygen activation to hydroxyl radicals via 3 e− pathway using single atomically dispersed La based on WO3 fabricated with oxygen vacancies to weaken La−O coordination strength (denoted as LaO4−WOv). Unsaturated‐state La overcomes the rate‐limited step of 2 e− oxygen reduction reaction towards to hydrogen peroxide via tuning binding free energy of key reaction intermediate *OOH, stepped by easy generation of hydroxyl radicals via 1 e−. This strategy alters the activation of oxygen process from 1 e− to 3 e−. Hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals over LaO4−WOv produces 3.8 and 3.3 mmol L−1 h−1, 35 and 8 times that of detected over WO3, respectively. Rapid and complete removal of tetracycline realizes over LaO4−WOv with 0.077 min−1 of rate constant, 38 times that of WO3. Degradation efficiencies keep greater than 98 % following five repeats, revealing a practical‐utilization‐level robust stability. This work builds an unsaturated‐state transition metal site for manipulating oxygen activation towards an effective water purification as a representative application.
Modulation for Redox States of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Effect of Wrapping Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Wu Siyuan , Zhu Haibiao , Hong Liu , Nakashima Naotoshi , Yang Cheng
Published: November 2024

Controlling the redox states of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is important for the optimization of their real performances in various fields. By means of in situ photoluminescence (PL) spectroelectrochemical measurements, we report a successful modulation for the redox parameters (redox potentials and electrochemical band gap) of (6,5) and (7,5)SWNTs with a simple change in conjugated polymers (CPs) non‐covalently wrapped on the nanotubes. The large shift in the band gap (187 meV for (6,5)SWNTs and 101 meV for (7,5)SWNTs) was connected to the prominent difference in the interactions between the CPs and SWNTs as suggested by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, while a striking difference in the π‐electrons states of CP/SWNTs enabled the tuning of SWNTs’ electronic states. Asymmetrical modulation for the reduction potential (LUMO) and oxidation potential (HOMO) of the SWNTs was observed as well. Our results can be promising for a simple but precise control of the electric states of SWNTs.
A Sequential Learning Procedure for Estimating Coefficients in Linear Regression With Applications to Online Sales Examination
Authors: Hu Jun , Zhuang Yan , Zhao Shunan
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating coefficients in a linear regression model. We propose a sequential learning procedure to determine the sample size for achieving a given small estimation risk, under the widely used Gauss‐Markov setup with independent normal errors. The procedure is proven to enjoy the second‐order efficiency and risk‐efficiency properties, which are validated through Monte Carlo simulation studies. Using e‐commerce data, we implement the procedure to examine the influential factors of online sales.
Fructus Arctii Mitigates Depressive Disorder via the Let‐7e‐Modulated Toll‐Like Receptor (TLR) Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Weifang , Zhou Qin
Published: November 2024

Background

Depressive disorder is a common and serious public health challenge globally. Fructus arctii is a traditional medicinal plant ingredient with diverse pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Fructus arctii in alleviating depressive‐like behaviors.

Materials and Methods

We established a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)‐induced depression mouse model to assess the antidepressant effects of Fructus arctii. BV2 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to mimic neuronal damage. Behavioral tests, including the sucrose preference test, tail‐suspension test, and forced swim test, were conducted to evaluate the impact of Fructus arctii on depressive‐like behaviors. Let‐7e expression was detected by RT‐qPCR, and TLR4 signaling pathway activation was evaluated by western blot analysis, which also assessed the inflammatory response by measuring levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β, MCP‐1, TNF‐α, and iNOS. Immunohistological analysis was conducted to detect the expression of microglia markers. Luciferase reporter assays verified the interaction between let‐7e and TLR4.

Results

Fructus arctii administration effectively alleviated depressive‐like behaviors induced by CUMS in mice, as evidenced by improved sucrose preference and reduced immobility time in behavioral tests. Mechanistically, Fructus arctii reversed the CUMS‐induced downregulation of let‐7e and upregulation of TLR4 and MyD88 protein levels in mice hippocampus tissues. In addition, Fructus arctii suppressed microglial activation and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors by upregulating let‐7e. Let‐7e was verified to bind to TLR4, thereby negatively regulating its expression. TLR4 overexpression reversed the suppressive effect of let‐7e upregulation on inflammatory reactions and microglial activation. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular injection of let‐7e agomiR alleviated depressive‐like behavior and inhibited microglial activation in vivo.

Conclusion

In summary, Fructus arctii mitigates depression by regulating the let‐7e/TLR4/MyD88 pathway, offering new insights into potential depression therapies.
Towards Bacterial Resistance via the Membrane Strategy: Enzymatic, Biophysical and Biomimetic Studies of the Lipid cis‐trans Isomerase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Mauger Mickaël , Makarchuk Iryna , Molter Yasmin , Sansone Anna , Melin Frédéric , Chaignon Philippe , Schaeffer Philippe , Adam Pierre , Schünemann Volker , Hellwig Petra , Ferreri Carla , Chatgilialoglu Chryssostomos , Seemann Myriam
Published: November 2024

The lipid cis‐trans isomerase (Cti) is a periplasmic heme‐c enzyme found in several bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogen known for causing nosocomial infections. This metalloenzyme catalyzes the cis‐trans isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids in order to rapidly modulate membrane fluidity in response to stresses that impede bacterial growth. As a consequence, breakthrough in the elucidation of the mechanism of this metalloenzyme might lead to new strategies to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance. We report the first comprehensive biochemical, electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of a Cti enzyme. This has been possible by the successful purification of Cti from P. aeruginosa (Pa‐Cti) in favorable yields with enzyme activity of 0.41 μmol/min/mg when tested with palmitoleic acid. Through a synergistic approach involving enzymology, site‐directed mutagenesis, Raman spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and electrochemistry, we identified the heme coordination and redox state, pinpointing Met163 as the sixth ligand of the FeII of heme‐c in Pa‐Cti. Significantly, the development of an innovative assay based on liposomes demonstrated for the first time that Cti catalyzes cis‐trans isomerization directly using phospholipids as substrates without the need of protein partners, answering the important question about the substrate of Cti within the bacterial membrane.
Investigating the Prevalence of Hypercalciuria in Children Aged 2–16 Years With Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria in 2020 in Tehran Children's Medical Center
Authors: MohammadKhawajah Izat , Shamshiri Khamene Sima , Mahboobipour Amir Ali , Radmehr Elahe , Moghtaderi Mastaneh
Published: November 2024

The prevalence of hypercalciuria in children is 3%–10% globally and up to 35% in the United States. Hypercalciuria in children has many presentations; it causes different metabolic disorders and can negatively affect a child's growth. It also increases the risk of low bone mineral density and urinary tract infections. In addition, it is the most widespread cause of persistent microscopic hematuria. Changes in the diet and medications in cases of advanced stage can be useful to prevent further complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypercalciuria and to investigate its relationship with different factors in children aged 2–16 years with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria in 2020 in the Children's Medical Center hospital. This retrospective cross‐sectional study was performed in a population of children aged 2–16 years old with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria who were referred to the Children's Medical Center clinic in 2020. Data such as age, sex, serum creatinine level, and proteinuria were extracted from the patient's medical records, and their relationship with hypercalciuria was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. According to the inclusion criteria, 166 children with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria (72 boys and 94 girls) were included in this study. The prevalence of hypercalciuria (ratio of random urine calcium to creatinine more than 0.2) in these patients was estimated at 25% with a confidence interval of 18%–32%. In order of prevalence, the most common conditions accompanying microscopic hematuria were kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and proteinuria. The age of patients with hypercalciuria was 2 years younger on average. Each year of age increase and every 5 years of age increase between the ages of 2 and 16 years reduced the chance of hypercalciuria in this category of patients by 12% and 45%, respectively. Our findings also showed that children with a positive history of kidney stones were about 2.2 times more likely to have hypercalciuria than their counterparts, which is considered a medium effect size. Our results showed that hypercalciuria in children with hematuria is significantly related to younger age and a positive history of kidney stones.
Functionalization of Emulsion Interfaces: Surface Chemistry Made Liquid
Authors: Courrégelongue Clémence , Baigl Damien
Published: November 2024

Disperse systems, and emulsions in particular, are currently massively used in fields as varied as food industry, cosmetics, health care and environmentally‐friendly materials. To meet increasingly precise needs or targeted applications, these systems need to be endowed with new functionalities at their interfaces, in addition to their composition and structural properties. However, due to the fragility of drops and the low reactivity of their surface, conventional solid surface chemistry cannot be used for such a purpose. Several specific emulsion interface functionalization techniques have thus been developed for targeted systems and applications, but a general framework has yet to be drawn. In this review, we attempt to present these methods in a unified way through the prism of what we may call “liquid surface chemistry”. We propose to categorize existing methods into drop‐coating strategies, including layer‐by‐layer techniques and polymer coating, with a particular focus on polydopamine, and emulsifier‐carrier approaches involving particles and/or amphiphilic molecules. They are discussed in a transversal way, highlighting the underlying physico‐chemical principles and providing a comparative analysis of their advantages, current limitations and potential for improvement. We also propose future directions and opportunities, involving for instance DNA‐based programmability or artificial intelligence, which could make liquid surface chemistry more versatile and controlled.
Beyond the Diffusion Limit: Pre‐Associated Ion‐Pair Photoinitiating Systems for Radical Photopolymerization
Authors: Niederst Léo , Allonas Xavier , Ley Christian , Rölle Thomas , Holzheimer Mira , Nault Lena
Published: November 2024

The pre‐association mechanism of an ion‐pair Type II photoinitiating system (PIS) acting in the visible range was studied. The choice of a dye as photoinitiator (crystal violet) with an excited state lifetime of 200 ps ensured the absence of dynamical quenching by the borate salts used as coinitiator. In spite of the fact that no diffusional bimolecular quenching can take place, excellent polymerization efficiency was found, underlining the high reactivity of the PIS. A saturation effect is observed when increasing the concentration of borate as a consequence of the pre‐association mechanism arising from coulombic interaction between the cationic dye and the anionic coinitiator. The association equilibria of the system were described and the corresponding association constant values were calculated, allowing to quantify the pre‐association efficiency. This was further successfully correlated to the observed maximal rates of polymerization. The efficiency of this super‐stoichiometric sample with an excess of borate was finally compared to the stoichiometric 1 : 1 dye:borate ion‐pair. It is shown that the pre‐association mechanism could lead to much higher efficiency than the stoichiometric ion‐pair.
[18F]NP3‐627, a Candidate PET Imaging Agent Targeting the NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Central Nervous System
Authors: Whitehead David M. , Fischer Christian , Briard Emmanuelle , Farady Christopher J. , Graveleau Nadège , Karrer Joel , Kaupmann Klemens , Lapointe Guillaume , Mackay Angela , Reichert Lisa , Wright Michael , Mu Linjing , Auberson Yves P.
Published: November 2024

We describe the identification of a candidate positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent for the NLRP3 protein. NLRP3 plays a critical role in the immune system and has proven a difficult target for the development of imaging agents due to its low and cell‐specific expression profile. A recently described series of pyridazine‐based inhibitors, with improved permeability and brain‐penetration properties, was used as a starting point for the development of a suitable PET imaging agent. Optimization of affinity, non‐specific binding and pharmacokinetic properties led to the identification of aminopyridazine (R)‐2‐(6‐((1‐cyclopropylpiperidin‐3‐yl)amino)pyridazin‐3‐yl)‐5‐fluoro‐3‐methylphenol (17 b), which meets the preclinical profile of a successful imaging agent, and whose tritiated version demonstrated excellent specificity in a radioligand saturation binding assay, confirming its imaging potential.18F labeling led to [18F]NP3‐627, the proposed PET imaging agent.
A Case of Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer With EGFR Amplification That Responded to Necitumumab
Authors: Sugimori Makoto , Nishimura Masaki , Sugimori Kazuya , Tsuyuki Sho , Hirotani Akane , Miwa Haruo , Kaneko Takashi , Hirose Haruka , Inayama Yoshiaki , Nozaki Akito , Numata Kazushi , Kunisaki Chikara , Maeda Shin
Published: November 2024

Background

Recent advances in cancer genome analysis and the practice of precision medicine have made it possible to identify fractions with rare genetic alterations. Among biliary tract cancers, EGFR‐amplified cancers are known to be rare fractions across organs and have a poor prognosis. The use of anti‐EGFR antibody for EGFR‐amplified cancers has been promising; however, the evidence is not yet clear.

Case

In this report, we describe the case of a 48‐year‐old man diagnosed with advanced gallbladder cancer. The patient was administered gemcitabine plus cisplatin, followed by S‐1 monotherapy; however, disease progression was observed after two cycles of each regimen. Comprehensive genomic profiling test revealed EGFR‐amplification, and the patient was treated with combination therapy with the anti‐EGFR antibody necitumumab, gemcitabine, and cisplatin. After two cycles of treatment, tumor size reduced, and the treatment response was evaluated as partial response. On Day 90, after five cycles of treatment, tumor progression was confirmed. In addition, after disease progression, liquid biopsy revealed acquired pathogenic gene alterations suggesting anti‐EGFR antibody resistance.

Conclusion

This report supports the clinical benefit of anti‐EGFR antibodies for EGFR‐amplified biliary tract cancers and the importance of genomic analysis in personalized therapy and drug resistance research.
Using the RNAstructure Software Package to Predict Conserved RNA Structures
Authors: Mittal Abhinav , Ali Sara E. , Mathews David H.
Published: November 2024

The structures of many non‐coding RNAs (ncRNA) are conserved by evolution to a greater extent than their sequences. By predicting the conserved structure of two or more homologous sequences, the accuracy of secondary structure prediction can be improved as compared to structure prediction for a single sequence. Here, we provide protocols for the use of four programs in the RNAstructure suite to predict conserved structures: Multilign, TurboFold, Dynalign, and PARTS. TurboFold iteratively aligns multiple homologous sequences and estimates the pairing probabilities for the conserved structure. Dynalign, PARTS, and Multilign are dynamic programming algorithms that simultaneously align sequences and identify the common secondary structure. Dynalign uses a pair of homologs and finds the lowest free energy common structure. PARTS uses a pair of homologs and estimates pairing probabilities from the base pairing probabilities estimated for each sequence. Multilign uses two or more homologs and finds the lowest free energy common structure using multiple pairwise calculations with Dynalign. It scales linearly with the number of sequences. We outline the strengths of each program. These programs can be run through web servers, on the command line, or with graphical user interfaces. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Predicting a structure conserved in three or more sequences with the RNAstructure web server

Basic Protocol 2: Predicting a structure conserved in two sequences with the RNAstructure web server

Alternative Protocol 1: Predicting a structure conserved in multiple sequences in the RNAstructure graphical user interface

Alternative Protocol 2: Predicting a structure conserved in two sequences with Dynalign in the RNAstructure graphical user interface

Alternative Protocol 3: Running TurboFold on the command line
A Harmonic Current Injection Technique for Dual‐Channel Integrated Onboard Charger
Authors: Tao Tao , Yu Feng , Cheng Xunhui
Published: November 2024

The concept of the dual channels provides integrated onboard charger (IOC) with robust fault tolerance capability and high reliability. This paper investigates a dual‐channel IOC system integrated symmetrical six‐phase permanent magnet synchronous machine (SSPMSM) drives. A key challenge in this system is the inevitable occurrence of unbalanced charging powers between the two channels, which results in a rotating field and hence a charging torque generation during charging. To address this issue, a harmonic current injection technique is proposed, leveraging the inherent multicontrol degrees of freedom of the SSPMSM to counteract the rotating field. By injecting harmonic components of the x‐, y‐, and 01‐axes, the desired straight‐line‐shaped trajectory can be maintained in the α–β subspace. Then, the specified harmonic components can be calculated with two constraints of balanced grid currents and zero average charging torque. Subsequently, a unified controller is designed for dual‐channel IOC. Finally, the efficacy of the harmonic current injection technique is validated through experimentation.
Common Food Sources for Macrobenthic Communities in Different Bottom Covers: Submerged Macrophytes and Benthic Cyanobacteria in a Japanese Temperate Lake
Authors: Takamura Kenzi , Kondo Natsuko I. , Nakajima Nobuyoshi
Published: November 2024

Macrobenthic communities in a lake are affected by the type of bottom cover such as macrophytes or algae. In the southern basin of Lake Biwa, mats of the benthic cyanobacteria (BC) Microseira wollei widely cover the lake bottom and are interspersed with submerged macrophytes (SMs). Because different macrobenthos species appear to occur at those bottoms, we investigated the composition of the communities. Furthermore, as M. wollei is supposed to be inedible to consumer organisms owing to its hard sheath and toxins, the food possibility of the cyanobacteria and macrophytes for macrobenthos was analyzed. In this study, macrobenthos were collected, identified molecularly, counted in the BC and SM zones, and analyzed for carbon and nitrogen stable‐isotopic compositions. In the BC zone, asellids and amphipods dominated the macrobenthic community, while chironomids dominated the SM zone. The stable‐isotope analysis revealed that M. wollei was a minor food source for macrobenthos and other higher‐level consumers, with some macrophytes, particulate organic matter and bottom sediment potentially being a major source. The dominance of crustacean macrobenthos in M. wollei mats suggested that they provided a refuge from predation for crustaceans, whereas SMs were not sufficiently abundant to achieve this. Although different macrobenthic communities in the BC and SM zones were likely supported by common food sources, with the exeption of M. wollei, the present study was conducted over a short period and lacked advanced methods for gut content analysis. Therefore, further monitoring and food web analysis are required.
All in the Details: A First Assessment for the Viability of Metabarcoding in Diet Composition Analysis of African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus)
Authors: O'Connor Bridget C. , Crossey Bruce , Hall Grant , Ganswindt Andre , Oosthuizen Carel J.
Published: November 2024

DNA metabarcoding is a contemporary technique in diet composition studies and stands to fill key knowledge gaps left by traditional diet analysis methods. For endangered species such as the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), the fulfilment of these knowledge gaps presents an opportunity for improved management practices and vulnerability assessments. There are an estimated ~600 African wild dogs remaining in South Africa. These dogs are generally understood to prey upon impala (Aepyceros melampus) and other medium‐sized ungulates. Here, we present the first assessment of DNA metabarcoding as a valuable method for diet composition analysis of this highly social carnivore. DNA from faecal samples collected across seven landscape types in the Kruger National Park (KNP) was extracted and used to determine the presence of seven unique prey taxa, including novel species such as the Cape hare (Lepus capensis). Impala was identified as a prey item in all landscape types, complementing the diet preference prediction made with stable isotope analysis using the same samples and existing understanding of wild dog diet. Given recommended improvements, the application of DNA metabarcoding in wild dog diet analysis shows promising prospects for identifying novel prey species and validating previous records of this endangered canids diet.
Moths versus Bees: Contrasts in Habitat Preferences Across Barrens of the Northeastern USA
Authors: Barton Andrew M. , Poulos Helen M. , Crisfield Elizabeth , Dillon Amanda , Mello Mark , Selfridge Jennifer , Van de Poll Rick , Hardy Sarah
Published: November 2024

Bees and moths are globally important pollinators. Xeric barrens in the largely mesic northeastern USA support high levels of pollinator diversity, including rare bees and moths. We investigated the response of bee vs. moth communities to abiotic and vegetation drivers in barrens across the region. We sampled local environmental conditions, vegetation, bees, and moths for 2–4 years in 19 preserves. Employing random forest analysis, we tested the role of 29 abiotic and vegetation predictors of bee vs. moth abundance, species richness, Shannon‐Wiener Index, evenness, and species composition. Variables related to climate, canopy cover, and soils were the most important predictors of abundance, diversity, and species composition for both bees and moths. Vegetation variables, such as species richness of shrubs and hostplants, were also important for bees. The direction of these relationships contrasted sharply between bees and moths: bees were more abundant and species rich in more open, sandy sites and moths the opposite. Habitat preferences for a subset of moth xeric specialists were much more similar to bees than to other moths, with a preference for open, sandy conditions. Contrasts between bees and moths in habitat preferences likely stemmed from differences in their life histories: bees rely on flowers for feeding and porous substrates for nesting, whereas most moth adults feed on flowers, but many moth caterpillars use woody plants as hosts. In sharp contrast to the results for abundance and richness, bees and moths responded similarly for the Shannon‐Wiener Index, which raises important general questions about the conservation value of these two metrics. Our results suggest that, because of differences in habitat preferences among pollinators, barrens management for both open and more closed habitats is likely to promote the highest abundance and diversity of local bee and moth pollinator communities jointly.
Pumping Groundwater to Create Cold‐Water Thermal Refuges in Warming Rivers
Authors: Smith Kathryn A. , Kurylyk Barret L.
Published: November 2024

Thermal refuges in rivers and streams provide critical habitat for cold‐water species during periods of thermal stress. In this study, we created a new cold‐water thermal refuge by pumping cool groundwater to a warm coastal river in Nova Scotia, Canada. Thermal infrared imagery revealed a notable thermal plume, measuring approximately 55 m2 at the water surface during low‐flow conditions, with mixing limited by the installation of a flow deflector. Above‐water and underwater cameras recorded several fish utilizing the created cold‐water plume during periods of high ambient river temperatures (up to 30°C). Thermal numerical modelling was conducted to interpret the field data and assess the impact of alternative designs and conditions. Model results revealed that the extent of the created thermal plume substantially increased (+202%) with the use of a deflector and that the plume size was controlled by several factors including the river flow rate and temperature, the pumping rate and the groundwater temperature. The study findings demonstrate the efficacy of creating cold‐water habitat in the face of a warming climate and lay the foundation for future proactive thermal management strategies aimed at maintaining thermal diversity in warming rivers.
Numerical Study of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Rectangular Microchannel Equipped With Hollow Hemispheres
Authors: Zoubir Belkacemi , Latifa Belhani
Published: November 2024

The heat transfer and the hydraulic performance of laminar flow using water–CuO nanofluid and pure water in smooth and complex channels with embedded hollow half‐spheres are numerically studied over a range of Reynolds numbers. Pure water is first used as the coolant for all selected configurations, followed by low‐volume fractions (3% and 5%) of water–CuO nanofluid in the optimal configuration. Three configurations are evaluated by varying the number and diameter of the opposing half‐spheres. The results show that the heat transfer coefficient for microchannels with half‐spheres increases, reaching up to 3.5 times that of smooth microchannels. Additionally, within the same Reynolds number range, the friction factor increases by up to 50%. The use of nanofluids results in a 6% and 14% increase in the heat transfer coefficient for concentrations of 3% and 5%, respectively, compared with pure water. These enhancements are directly correlated with the increase in thermal conductivity of the nanofluids relative to water.
Dual‐Low Technology in Coronary and Abdominal CT Angiography: A Comparative Study of Deep Learning Image Reconstruction and Adaptive Statistic Iterative Reconstruction‐Veo
Authors: Meng Zhanao , Xiang Qing , Cao Jian , Guo Yahao , Deng Sisi , Luo Tao , Zhang Yue , Zhang Ke , Zhu Xuan , Ma Kun , Wang Xiaohong , Qin Jie
Published: November 2024

To investigate the application advantages of dual‐low technology (low radiation dose and low contrast agent dose) in deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) compared to the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction‐Veo (ASIR‐V) standard protocol when combing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and abdominal computed tomography angiography (ACTA). Sixty patients who underwent CCTA and ACTA were recruited. Thirty patients with low body mass index (BMI) (< 24 kg/m2, Group A, standard protocol) were reconstructed using 60% ASIR‐V, and 30 patients with high BMI (> 24 kg/m2, Group B, dual‐low protocol) were reconstructed using DLIR at high strength (DLIR‐H). The effective dose and contrast agent dose were recorded. The CT values, standard deviations, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) were measured. The subjective evaluation criteria were scored by two radiologists using a blind Likert 5‐point scale. The general data, objective evaluation, and subjective scores between both groups were compared using corresponding test methods. The consistency of objective and subjective evaluations between the two radiologists were analyzed using Kappa tests. Group B showed a remarkable 44.6% reduction in mean effective dose (p < 0.01) and a 20.3% decrease in contrast agent dose compared to Group A (p < 0.01). The DLIR‐H demonstrated the smallest standard deviations and highest SNR and CNR values (p < 0.01). The subjective score of DLIR‐H was the highest (p < 0.01), and there was good consistency between the two radiologists in the subjective scoring of CCTA and ACTA image quality (κ = 0.751 ~ 0.919, p < 0.01). In combined CCTA and ACTA protocols, DLIR can significantly reduce the effective dose and contrast agent dose compared to ASIR‐V while maintaining good image quality.
Meta‐Analysis of Exposure‐Adverse Event Relationships for Antibody–Drug Conjugates
Authors: Wang Cheng , Irons Linda , Kimko Holly , Shah Dhaval K.
Published: November 2024

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) have become a vital class of therapeutics in oncology because of their ability to selectively deliver potent drug molecules to tumor cells. However, ADC‐associated toxicities cause high failure rates in the clinic and hinder their full potential. Due to the complex structure and pharmacokinetics of ADCs, it is challenging to identify the drivers of their toxicities. Here, quantitative analysis was performed to correlate the incidence of clinical adverse events (AEs) with nine different commonly measured exposure parameters collected from study‐level summary data. We considered ADC analytes for different classes of ADCs, to identify ADC analytes that are strongly associated with the AEs for ADCs. Published clinical exposure and safety data for any grade and grade ≥3 AEs from 40 publications across six ADCs and three payloads were collected and analyzed. Exposure‐AE relationships were quantified using logit models, and the strength of the correlations and rank order were determined. The analysis suggests that deruxtecan ADC‐related toxicities correlated most strongly with the exposure of the free payload; monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) ADC‐related toxicities correlated with the free MMAE area under the curve; and pyrrolobenzodiazepine ADC‐related toxicities correlated with no specific analyte but the dose. These findings agree with the published literature and support the notion that AE profiles are often shared by ADCs that deliver the same cytotoxic payload. The exposure–AE relationships presented here, together with identification of the most informative ADC analytes, may facilitate more focused mechanistic studies on the drivers of clinical AEs and could support dosing decisions during clinical development of ADCs.
Roseomonas aestuarii, as a Potential In Situ Surfactin Producer During Hydrocarbon Biodegradation
Authors: Hosseini Saman , Sharifi Rouhallah , Habibi Alireza , Khezri Sholeh
Published: November 2024

In situ biosurfactant production by hydrocarbon degrader microorganisms is an attractive approach in the bioremediation of oil contamination because of their compatibility, biodegradability, environmental safety, and stability under extreme environmental conditions. Given the high efficiency of bacteria in degrading petroleum hydrocarbons, the present work studied the detection and characterization of a biosurfactant‐producing hydrocarbon degrader, Roseomonas aestuarii NB833. This strain was able to synthesize a biosurfactant during the biodegradation of crude oil, which reduced the surface tension of the aqueous system from 70 to 34 mN m−1, with a critical micelle concentration of 200 mg L−1. The emulsification ability of the biosurfactant was sustained at various temperatures, pH values, and salinities. The biosurfactant chemical structure was identified via FT‐IR, LC‐MS, and NMR analyses. These analyses confirmed the production of surfactin‐C14 with a molecular mass of 1007 g mol−1. These results revealed the high potential of R. aestuarii NB833 as an in situ surfactin‐producing bacteria for bioremediation applications under extreme environmental conditions.
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Characteristics of Soil Enzymes in Pure and Mixed Forest Samples on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Xiao Lie , Min Xuxu , Li Zhanbin , Li Peng
Published: November 2024

Background

Soil enzymes are key to predicting nutrient availability and forest fertility.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the influence of forest type on the kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of soil enzymes.

Methods

Soils were sampled at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depth from two pure forests (Pinus tabulaeformis [PTF] and Quercus acutissima [QAF]) and a mixed forest of PTF and QAF (MF) on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Kinetic parameters (maximum enzyme activity [Vmax], half‐saturation constant [Km], and enzyme efficiency [Kcat]) and thermodynamic parameters (temperature coefficient [Q10] and activation energy [Ea]) of β‐1,4‐glucosidase (BG), β‐1,4‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), l‐leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were determined.

Results

Forest type exerted significant influence on soil enzyme kinetic parameters. The Vmax and Kcat values of BG, NAG, and AP in PTF of 0–10 cm soil depth were 42.54% and 59.22%, 77.18% and 23.08%, and 62.82% and 58.21% higher than that in MF, respectively. The Vmax of AP and Kcat of NAG in PTF of 10–20 cm depth were 34.61% and 39.90% higher than that in MF. The soil enzyme thermodynamic parameters were significantly influenced by forest type and soil depth. At 0–10 cm depth, low values of Q10–Vmax and Q10–Km of BG, Q10–Vmax and Q10–Kcat of NAG, and Ea of BG and NAG were found in PTF. At 10–20 cm depth, low values of Q10–Vmax, Q10–Kcat, and Ea of BG and NAG were found in MF.

Conclusions

PTF was more effective in promoting soil enzymatic reactions, especially in surface soil. MF improved subsoil enzyme thermal stability and reduced temperature sensitivity. The study showed that pure and mixed forests affect soil enzyme characteristics differently, with soil depth as a key factor.
Quality Assessment of Corydalis saxicola Bunting Using Quantitative Analysis of Multi‐Components by Single Marker and Fingerprint Analysis
Authors: Shen Yuanle , Yang Xu , Feng Hongli , Ruan Huini , Zhou Yuan , Li Zihong , Li Jilang , Zhang Peng , Li Kaitong , Wang Honglan , Liu Shen , Shi Xiaoxiu , Huang Jielan , Xian Jinyan , Chen Qiujie , Liu Zhenjie , Feng Jianfang
Published: November 2024

Yan Huanglian is the whole grass and rhizome of Corydalis saxicola Bunting (CSB) of the Papaveraceae family. CSB has various pharmacological effects and is a promising ethnopharmaceutical. The chromatographic fingerprint of 16 batches of CSB samples was established in this study. Quantitative analysis of multi‐components by single marker and the external standard method (ESM) was used to quantitatively assess seven constituents of CSB. Because of its high stability and availability, dehydrocavidine was used as a reference to determine the relative correction factors (RCFs) of columbamine, epiberberine, coptisine hydrochloride, palmatine chloride, berberine hydrochloride, and chelerythrine based on high‐performance liquid chromatography. The calculated quantitative analysis of multi‐components by single marker values is consistent with those obtained from the ESM, and the repeatability of the RCFs was demonstrated. For the first time, the quantitative analysis of multi‐components by the single marker method has been established for the simultaneous determination of seven components, and it is demonstrated to be feasible and accurate for the quality evaluation of CSB combined with chromatographic fingerprint analysis. The combination of these methods could be used as a reference for quality control in Chinese medicine.
Feasibility of Using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to Augment Cadaveric Temporal Training
Authors: Wesson Troy , Ambike Satyajit , Patel Radha , Yates Charles , Nelson Rick , Francis Alexander , Burgin Sarah
Published: November 2024

Objective

Insertional speed of cochlear implant electrode arrays (EA) during surgery is correlated with force. Low insertional speed, and therefore force, may allow for preservation of intracochlear structures leading to improved outcomes. Given the importance of low insertional speeds, we investigate the feasibility of using inertial sensors for kinematic analysis during EA insertion to augment otolaryngology‐head and neck surgery training.

Methods

Practicing otolaryngology surgeons were recruited and inertial measurement units (IMU; Metamotions+, MBIENTLAB Inc, San Jose, CA) consisting of accelerometers were used to measure hand speed during EA (Cochlear™Nucleus®CI522 cochlear implant with Slim Straight electrode, Cochlear Limited, Sydney, Australia) insertion into a cadaveric cochlea. A mixed regression model was utilized to determine differences in speed across trials within a surgeon.

Results

A total of nine trials were performed by three surgeons. The highest mean ± SD speed obtained was 8.4 ± 1.7 mm/s, and the highest speed was 22.5 mm/s. Mean speed was not significantly different across trials within surgeons (p > 0.05).

Discussion

IMUs are relatively inexpensive and relatively easy to use sensors that provide information on variables that may be of interest for otolaryngology resident training. The use of IMUs as part of advanced temporal training for cochlear electrode insertion can provide insight into hand speed, thereby allowing residents to train with specific regard to this variable. Future randomized‐controlled trials can be carried out to determine whether IMUs are conducive to lower insertional speeds.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 2024
Evaluation of DNA Extraction Methods for Microbial Community Profiling in Deadwood Decomposition
Authors: Zhang Yanmei , Song Zewei , Schilling Jonathan S.
Published: November 2024

As technologies advance alongside metabarcoding and metagenomic resources, particularly for larger fungal genomes, DNA extraction methods must be optimized to meet higher thresholds, especially from complex environmental substrates. This study focused on extracting fungal genomic compounds from woody substrates, a challenge due to the embedment of endophytic and saprotrophic fungi within wood cells, the physical recalcitrance of wood, the adsorption of nucleic acids to wood polymers, and the release of downstream inhibitors. Hypothesizing that cetyltrimethylammonium bromide would be the best option, we compared prominent methods by extracting and sequencing microbial DNA from sound and decayed birch (Betula papyrifera) and pine (Pinus resinosa). DNA quantities varied significantly depending on extraction methods and decay stage. The quality of DNA, in terms of purity and integrity, significantly impacted whether the samples could be amplified and sequenced. However, amplicon sequencing of bacterial and fungal communities revealed no significant extraction bias. This, along with the sequencing effectiveness and cost/time efficiency, indicates that Qiagen is the gold standard for woody substrates. This study increases confidence in published amplicon data sets regardless of the extraction methods, provides a cost‐benefit table for making protocol decisions, and offers guidance on fungal DNA extractions from complex organic substrates (sound and decayed wood) that would best suit future metagenomic efforts.
The Role of SMAD7 in the Epigenetic Regulation of TGF‐β Targets in the Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Chen Lin‐Yu , Yang Shu‐Yi , Chou Jian‐Liang , Chou Han‐Lin , Yeh Chia‐Chou , Chiu Chien‐Chih , Lai Hung‐Cheng , Chan Michael W. Y. , Jhang Jing‐Siang
Published: November 2024

The role of TGF‐β signaling in the epigenetic modifications involved in ovarian cancer is not fully understood. This study investigated the relationship between TGF‐β signaling, epigenetic modifications, and cellular behaviors in ovarian cancer. We found that E‐cadherin, a key cell adhesion molecule, underwent epigenetic silencing via promoter DNA hypermethylation in ovarian cancer cell lines and that this was accompanied by the upregulation of vimentin, which is indicative of a mesenchymal and invasive phenotype. DNA‐demethylating agents restored E‐cadherin expression, which suggests that TGF‐β signaling mediates this epigenetic silencing. Overexpression of SMAD7, an inhibitory component of TGF‐β signaling, reversed E‐cadherin silencing, which suggests a role of SMAD7 in modulating the epigenetic status. Functionally, SMAD7 overexpression inhibited the migration and invasion in ovarian cancer cells, which suggests its therapeutic potential for suppressing metastasis. Clinically, ovarian cancer patients with high SMAD7 expression had significantly longer disease‐free survival. Mechanistically, SMAD7 overexpression decreased the acetylation of H3K9 and the binding of the transcriptional repressor TWIST1 at the E‐cadherin promoter, which promoted its demethylation and reactivation. Disruption of TGF‐β signaling upregulated SMAD4 target genes, which are silenced by epigenetic mechanisms, a finding that suggests broader therapeutic implications. Overall, our results provide insights into the role of TGF‐β‐mediated epigenetic regulation in ovarian cancer metastasis and underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting TGF‐β signaling and its downstream effectors. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and validate these therapeutic strategies.
Occult Urinary Incontinence, Diabetes, Obesity, Prolapse Severity, and Type of Surgical Repair as Risk Factors for De Novo Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women Undergoing Surgical Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Oliveira Ianne Kaline Bezerra , da Silva Calisto Sergio Luis , Ferreira Caroline Wanderley Souto , de Aguiar Cavalcanti Geraldo
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The International Continence Society and the International Urogynecological Association have not yet standardized the definition of de novo stress urinary incontinence. Recent studies define the development of stress urinary incontinence as occurring after surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse in previously continent women. The mechanisms that cause de novo stress urinary incontinence are not yet clear. Knowledge of the predictive factors for this outcome after surgical correction of pelvic organ prolapse would be useful for assessing whether a concomitant anti‐incontinence procedure should be performed.

Materials and Methods

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to identify some of the risk factors for de novo stress urinary incontinence: high body mass index, pelvic organ prolapse stage before surgery, presence of occult urinary incontinence, type of surgery, and the presence of diabetes mellitus. The present study was registered in the PROSPERO database under number CRD42021293764, and the systematic review was carried out according to the MOOSE recommendations and with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Results

A total of 2429 articles were identified. Nine cohort studies were included in the systematic review and seven in the meta‐analysis. The risk of bias was assessed via the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach for each outcome. In the meta‐analysis, associations were identified between de novo stress urinary incontinence and occult urinary incontinence (n: 422; OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.26–3.22; p = 0.004), diabetes (n: 1213; OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.30–4.26; p = 0.005), and advanced pelvic organ prolapse (n: 1003; OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.14–3.30; p = 0.01). Consulting a meta‐analysis for the type of surgery was deemed impossible. A previous study comparing abdominal sacrocolpopexy with minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy revealed that women who underwent abdominal sacrocolpopexy were more likely to develop de novo stress urinary incontinence (n: 77; OR: 4.73; 95% CI: 1.56–14.34; p = 0.005). Another study found that pelvic organ prolapse repair using a transvaginal mesh was associated with higher levels of de novo stress urinary incontinence compared to robot‐assisted sacrocolpopexy (n: 76; OR: 6.74; 95% CI: 1.35–33.75; p = 0.02). A meta‐analysis of overweight or obesity was not possible due to the different assessment methods used in the studies.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis revealed that occult incontinence, diabetes, and advanced pelvic organ prolapse before repair were associated with de novo stress urinary incontinence and these groups may therefore benefit from for anti‐incontinence procedures concomitant with pelvic organ prolapse repair.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Commercially Available Phosphite Antioxidants
Authors: Zhu Yuliang , Liu Xinyue , Tang Ying , Xu Kexin , Tang Xin , Zhu Longzhi , Xiong Biquan
Published: November 2024

Phosphite antioxidants exhibit superior anti‐aging and color‐stabilizing properties when incorporated into polymer materials. Their synergistic antioxidative effects are particularly noteworthy when used in combination with hindered phenol antioxidants and other primary antioxidants, serving as effective secondary antioxidants, displaying noteworthy synergistic antioxidation effects. This review systematically classifies the synthetic methods for phosphite antioxidants into three distinct categories based on the types of starting materials: synthesis from phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus‐containing esters, and white phosphorus. Additionally, it delineates the reaction mechanisms associated with these approaches and provides an overview of future potential research directions and applications for organophosphorus antioxidants.