bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implantable and transcutaneous photobiomodulation promote neuroregeneration and recovery of lost function after spinal cord injury
Authors: Stevens Andrew R. , Hadis Mohammed , Phillips Alice , Thareja Abhinav , Milward Michael , Belli Antonio , Palin William , Davies David J. , Ahmed Zubair
Published: April 2024

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a cause of profound and irreversible damage, with no effective therapy to promote functional recovery. Photobiomodulation (PBM) may provide a viable therapeutic approach using red or near‐infrared light to promote recovery after SCI by mitigating neuroinflammation and preventing neuronal apoptosis. Our current study aimed to optimize PBM dose regimens and develop and validate the efficacy of an invasive PBM delivery paradigm for SCI. Dose optimization studies were performed using a serum withdrawal model of injury in cultures of primary adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGN). Implantable and transcutaneous PBM delivery protocols were developed and validated using cadaveric modeling. The efficacy of PBM in promoting recovery after SCI in vivo was studied in a dorsal column crush injury model of SCI in adult rats. Optimal neuroprotection in vitro was achieved between 4 and 22 mW/cm2. 11 mW/cm2 for 1 min per day (0.66 J/cm2) increased cell viability by 45% over 5 days (p <0.0001), increasing neurite outgrowth by 25% (p <0.01). A method for invasive application of PBM was developed using a diffusion‐tipped optogenetics fiber optic. Delivery methods for PBM were developed and validated for both invasive (iPBM) and noninvasive (transcutaneous) (tcPBM) application. iPBM and tcPBM (24 mW/cm2 at spinal cord, 1 min per day (1.44 J/cm2) up to 7 days) increased activation of regeneration‐associated protein at 3 days after SCI, increasing GAP43+ axons in DRGN from 18.0% (control) to 41.4% ± 10.5 (iPBM) and 45.8% ± 3.4 (tcPBM) (p <0.05). This corresponded to significant improvements at 6 weeks post‐injury in functional locomotor and sensory function recovery (p <0.01), axonal regeneration (p <0.01), and reduced lesion size (p <0.01). Our results demonstrated that PBM achieved a significant therapeutic benefit after SCI, either using iPBM or tcPBM application and can potentially be developed for clinical use in SCI patients.
Synthesis of 2‐Aryl Indazole: Synthesis, Biological Evaluationand In‐Silico Studies
Authors: Krishna Atikala Vamshi , Akber Ansari Siddique , Aamer Ansari Irfan , Kapavarapu Ravikumar , Babu Bollikolla Hari
Published: April 2024

In this work, a highly effective synthesis technique for obtaining aryl indazole under mild circumstances is provided, using trimethyl phosphine as a powerful reagent. The procedure shows that a wide range of substrates can be investigated, yielding various 2‐aryl indazole derivatives with acceptable to exceptional yields and a wide range of functional group tolerance. Additionally, based on In Silico studies tests were conducted to determine the anticancer activity In Vitro for all produced compounds (3 a–3 j) against A549, HT‐29 and HepG2 cell lines. Compounds 3 c and 3 d, with IC50 values of 15, 53.55, 7.34, 7.10, 56.28, and 17.87 (μM) against A549, HT‐29 and HepG2 respectively, showed significant anticancer activity.
New Solasodine‐Type Glycoalkaloids Isolated from Solanum nigrum and Their Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Luyen Bui Thi Thuy , Trang Bui Thi Thu
Published: April 2024

Three undescribed solalodine‐type glycoalkaloids, named solanigrinoside A−C (1–3), and six known compounds (4–9) were isolated from the whole plants of Solanum nigrum. Their structures were elucidated based on analysis of HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral data, and comparison with those reported in literatures. The solanigrinoside A−C (1–3), solasodine (4), and 3‐acetoxysolasodine (5) exhibited cytotoxic effects against LU‐1, Hep‐G2, and MCF‐7 cells with IC50 values in range from 4.6 μM to 56.2 μM. Compound 2 showed the significant cytotoxic activity with corresponding IC50 values of 5.7 μM, 7.9 μM, and 4.6 μM, respectively.
Amodiaquine Nonspecifically Binds Double Stranded and Three‐Way Junction DNA Structures
Authors: Slavkovic Sladjana , Shoara Aron A. , Kaiyum Yunus A. , Churcher Zachary R. , Liu Tao , Simine Lena , Johnson Philip E.
Published: April 2024

The 4‐aminoquinoline class of compounds includes the important antimalarial compounds amodiaquine and chloroquine. Despite their medicinal importance, the mode of action of these compounds is poorly understood. In a previous study we observed these compounds, as well as quinine and mefloquine, tightly bind the DNA cocaine‐binding aptamer. Here, we further explore the range of nucleic acid structures bound by these compounds. To gauge a wide range of binding affinities, we used isothermal titration calorimetry to explore high affinity binding (nM to tens of μM) and NMR spectroscopy to assay weak binding biding in the hundreds of micromolar range. We find that amodiaquine tightly binds all double stranded DNA structures explored. Mefloquine binds double stranded DNA duplex molecules tightly and weakly associates with a three‐way junction DNA construct. Quinine and chloroquine only weakly bind duplex DNA but do not tightly bind any of the DNA constructs explored. A simulation of the free energy of binding of these ligands to the Dickerson‐Drew dodecamer resulted in an excellent agreement between the simulated and experimental free energy. These results provide new insight into the DNA binding of clinically important antimalarial compounds and may play a role in future development of new antimalarials.
CircORC2 promoted proliferation and inhibited the sensitivity of osteosarcoma cell lines to cisplatin by regulating the miR‐485‐3p/TRIM2 axis
Authors: Chen Tianhua , Zhang Zuyang , Tian Chao , Feng Yuchao , He Xiaojie , Jiang Liangdong
Published: April 2024

Resistance to chemotherapy leads to poor prognosis for osteosarcoma (OS) patients. However, due to the high metastasis of tumor and the decrease in sensitivity of tumor cells to cisplatin (DDP), the 5‐year survival rate of OS patients is still unsatisfactory. This study explored a mechanism for improving the sensitivity of OS cells to DDP. A DDP‐resistant OS cell model was established, and we have found that circORC2 and TRIM2 were upregulated in DDP‐resistant OS cells, but miR‐485‐3p was downregulated. The cell viability and proliferation of the OS cells decreased gradually with the increase of DDP dose, but a gradual increase in apoptosis was noted. CircORC2 promoted OS cell proliferation and DDP resistance and upregulated TRIM2 expression by targeting miR‐485‐3p. Functionally, circORC2 downregulated miR‐485‐3p to promote OS cell proliferation and inhibit DDP sensitivity. Additionally, it promoted cell proliferation and inhibited the sensitivity of DDP by regulating the miR‐485‐3p/TRIM2 axis. In conclusion, circORC2 promoted cell proliferation and inhibited the DDP sensitivity in OS cells via the miR‐485‐3p/TRIM2 axis. These findings indicated the role of circORC2 in regulating the sensitivity of OS cells to DDP.
Rational Design of Amorphous Nanomaterials for Enhanced Electrochemical CO2 and Nitrate Reduction
Authors: Wang Kun , Cheng Ziyao , Wu Guanzheng , Qin Qing
Published: April 2024

Amorphous materials are distinguished by their exceptional attributes, notably their expansive surface area and the profusion of active sites they present. Consequently, the amorphization process stands as an efficacious strategy to augment the catalytic efficacy of electrocatalysts. This is achieved through the meticulous construction of the surface architecture and the precise modulation of the electronic configuration of these materials. Therefore, this review aims to offer a thorough examination of the latest progress in the application of amorphous materials for the enhancement of electrocatalytic processes, with a particular emphasis on the nitrate (NO3−) reduction reaction (NITRR) and the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). Initially, we delve into the structural benefits inherent to amorphous materials, outlining the diverse synthesis techniques and characterization methodologies utilized in their development. Following this, we illustrate the utilization of various amorphous materials in NITRR and CO2RR, accentuating how the amorphous framework influences electrocatalytic activities. Concludingly, we encapsulate the merits and the obstacles encountered in the application of amorphous electrocatalysts for NITRR and CO2RR, whilst also forecasting the future direction for the creation of innovative amorphous electrocatalysts.
Testing differences in predictive ability: A tutorial
Authors: Fearn Tom
Published: April 2024

This paper describes some statistical tests for comparing the predictive performance of two or more prediction rules. It covers the cases of both quantitative and qualitative predictions, that is, both regression and classification problems. Worked examples are included for both cases.
Comparison between beta‐blockers and calcium channel blockers in patients with atrial fibrillation according to renal function
Authors: Parada Barcia José Antonio , Raposeiras Roubin Sergio , Fernández David González , García André González , Otero Carla Iglesias , González Bermúdez Inmaculada , Íñiguez Romo Andrés , Abu‐Assi Emad
Published: April 2024

Background

Rate control is the most commonly employed first‐line management strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Principal agents used to control heart rate (HR) include beta‐blockers (BB) and nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (ND‐CCB). However, there is a paucity of published studies of the differences between those drugs in CKD patients.

Hypothesis

The present study aimed to investigate the differences, in terms of hospitalizations due to a poor HR control, in patients with AF under a rate‐control strategy according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Methods

The study cohort included 2804 AF patients under rate‐control regime (BB or ND‐CCB) between January 2014 and April 2020. The end point, determined by competing risk regression, was hospitalizations for AF with rapid ventricular response (RVR), slow ventricular response (SVR), and need for pacemaker.

Results

On multivariate analysis, there were no statistical differences between ND‐CCB and BB for subjects with GFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (subdistribution heart rate [sHR] 0.850, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61–1.19; p = .442) and GFR 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m2 (sHR 1.242, 95% CI: 0.80–1.63; p = .333), while in patients with GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, ND‐CCB therapy was associated with increased hospitalizations due to poor HR control (sHR 4.53, 95% CI: 1.19–17.18; p = .026).

Conclusion

In patients with GFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, the choice of ND‐CCB or BB had no impact on hospitalizations due to poor HR control, while in GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, a possible association was detected. The effects of these drugs on GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 would require further investigation.
Anti‐Sporothrix Activity of Novel Copper‐Itraconazole Complexes
Authors: de Azevedo‐França José Aleixo , Borba‐Santos Luana Pereira , de Matos Letícia Mota Candal , Galvão Bárbara Verena Dias , Araujo‐Lima Carlos Fernando , Felzenszwalb Israel , de Souza Wanderley , Horn Adolfo , Neves Eduardo S. , Rozental Sonia , Navarro Maribel
Published: April 2024

A series of new metal complexes, [Cu(ITZ)2Cl2] ⋅ 5H2O (1), [Cu(NO3)2(ITZ)2] ⋅ 3H2O ⋅ C4H10O (2) and [Cu(ITZ)2)(PPh3)2]NO3 ⋅ 5H2O (3) were synthesized by a reaction of itraconazole (ITZ) with the respective copper salts under reflux. The metal complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivity, 1H and 13C{1H} nuclear magnetic resonance, UV‐Vis, infrared and EPR spectroscopies. The antifungal activity of these metal complexes was evaluated against the main sporotrichosis agents: Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenkii, and Sporothrix globosa. All three new compounds inhibited the growth of S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii at lower concentrations than the free azole, with complex 2 able to kill all species at 4 μM and induce more pronounced alterations in fungal cells. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibited higher selectivity and no mutagenic effect at the concentration that inhibited fungal growth and affected fungal cells. The strategy of coordinating itraconazole (ITZ) to copper was successful, since the corresponding metal complexes were more effective than the parent drug. Particularly, the promising antifungal activity of the Cu‐ITZ complexes makes them potential candidates for the development of an alternative drug to treat mycoses.
Mouse Surgical Model of Mechanical Uterine Injury and Subsequent Embryo Defects
Authors: Zhang Elisa T.
Published: April 2024

Uterine injury from procedures such as Cesarean sections (C‐sections) often have severe consequences on subsequent pregnancies, leading to disorders such as uterine placenta previa, placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), and Cesarean scar pregnancy. With rates of C‐section at ∼30% of deliveries in the US and projected to continue to climb, an understanding of the mechanisms by which these pregnancy disorders arise and opportunities for intervention are sorely needed. However, there are currently very few animal models of uterine injury and its subsequent impacts on maternal as well as in utero and postnatal fetal outcomes. Here, we describe a procedure for a novel model of surgically induced uterine injury in the genetically tractable laboratory mouse (Mus musculus). We describe preparatory steps for surgery, the induction of uterine injury itself, and post‐surgical recovery. We then provide supporting information regarding downstream dissection of pregnant mice. Lastly, we include additional information regarding estrous cycle staging in order to perform surgeries and dissections at the relevant phase in non‐pregnant mice. This procedure for incurring uterine injury in a mouse model presents an important step forward in understanding uterine damage and its associated pregnancy disorders. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Preparation for surgery

Basic Protocol 2: Surgery and induction of uterine injury

Basic Protocol 3: Mating and dissection of pregnant mice as endpoint analyses

Support Protocol: Estrous staging of animals
Exploring the Cooperation of the Redox Non‐Innocent Ligand and Di‐Cobalt Center for the Water Oxidation Reaction Catalyzed by a Binuclear Complex
Authors: Li Ying‐Ying , Liao Rong‐Zhen
Published: April 2024

Water oxidation is a crucial reaction in the artificial photosynthesis system. In the present work, density functional calculations were employed to decipher the mechanism of water oxidation catalyzed by a binuclear cobalt complex, which was disclosed to be a homogeneous water oxidation catalyst in pH=7 phosphate buffer. The calculations showed that the catalytic cycle starts from the CoIII,III−OH2 species. Then, a proton‐coupled electron transfer followed by a one‐electron transfer process leads to the generation of the formal CoIV,IV−OH intermediate. The subsequent PCET produces the active species, namely the formal CoIV,V=O intermediate (4). The oxidation processes mainly occur on the ligand moiety, including the coordinated water moiety, implying a redox non‐innocent behavior. Two cobalt centers keep their oxidation states and provide one catalytic center for water activation during the oxidation process. 4 triggers the O−O bond formation via the water nucleophilic attack pathway, in which the phosphate buffer ion functions as the proton acceptor. The O−O bond formation is the rate‐limiting step with a calculated total barrier of 17.7 kcal/mol. The last electron oxidation process coupled with an intramolecular electron transfer results in the generation of O2.
Flow cytometric immunophenotypic differentiation patterns of bone marrow eosinophilopoiesis
Authors: Trindade Christopher J. , Sun Xiaoping , Maric Dragan , Sharma Sachein , Komarow Hirsh D. , Hourigan Christopher S. , Klion Amy , Maric Irina
Published: April 2024

Background

Flow cytometry has been widely used to study immunophenotypic patterns of maturation of most hematopoietic lineages in normal human bone marrow aspirates, thus allowing identification of changes in patterns in many myeloid malignancies. Eosinophils play an important role in a wide variety of disorders, including some myeloid neoplasms. However, changes in flow cytometric immunophenotypic patterns during normal and abnormal bone marrow eosinophilopoiesis have not been well studied.

Methods

Fresh bone marrow aspirates from 15 healthy donors, 19 patients with hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES), and 11 patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM) were analyzed for candidate markers that included EMR‐1, Siglec‐8, CCR3, CD9, CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD13, CD16, CD29, CD34, CD38, CD45, CD44, CD49d, CD49f, CD54, CD62L, CD69, CD117, CD125 (IL‐5Rα), HLA‐DR, using 10 parameter flow cytometry. Putative CD34‐negative immature and mature normal eosinophil populations were first identified based on changes in expression of the above markers in healthy donors, then confirmed using fluorescence‐based cell sorting and morphological evaluation of cytospin preparations. The normal immunophenotypic patterns were then compared to immunophenotypic patterns of eosinophilopoiesis in patients with HES and SM.

Results

The eosinophilic lineage was first verified using the human eosinophil‐specific antibody EMR‐1 in combination with anti‐IL‐5Rα antibody. Then, a combination of Siglec‐8, CD9, CD11b, CCR3, CD49d, and CD49f antibodies was used to delineate normal eosinophilic maturational patterns. Early stages (eosinophilic promyelocytes/myelocytes) were identified as Siglec‐8 dim/CD11b dim to moderate/CD9 dim/CCR3 dim/CD49d bright/CD49f dim, intermediate stages (eosinophilic myelocytes/metamyelocytes) as Siglec‐8 moderate/CD11b moderate to bright/CD9 moderate/CCR3 moderate/CD49d moderate/CD49f moderate and mature bands/segmented eosinophils as Siglec‐8 bright/CD11b bright/CD9 bright/CCR3 bright/CD49d dim/CD49f bright. Overall maturational patterns were also similar in patients with HES and SM; however, the expression levels of several surface markers were altered compared to normal eosinophils.

Conclusion

A novel flow cytometric antibody panel was devised to detect alterations in immunophenotypic patterns of bone marrow eosinophil maturation and evaluated in normal, HES and SM samples. This approach will allow us to elucidate changes in immunophenotypic patterns of bone marrow eosinophilopoiesis in other hematological diseases.
Energy characteristics of saturated Jurassic sandstone in western China under different stress paths
Authors: Yang Yi , Lin Jian , Wu Yun , Peng Shilong , Shao Wanhang , Yang Lining
Published: April 2024

To study the energy evolution and failure characteristics of saturated sandstone under unloading conditions, rock unloading tests under different stress paths were conducted. The energy evolution mechanism of the unloading failure of saturated sandstone was systematically explored from the perspectives of the stress path, the initial confining pressure, and the energy conversion rate. The results show that (1) before the peak stress, the elastic energy increases with an increase in deviatoric stress, while the dissipated energy slowly increases first. After the peak stress, the elastic energy decreases with the decrease of deviatoric stress, and the dissipated energy suddenly increases. The energy release intensity during rock failure is positively correlated with the axial stress. (2) When the initial confining pressure is below a certain threshold, the stress path is the main factor influencing the total energy difference. When the axial stress remains constant and the confining pressure is unloading, the total energy is more sensitive to changes in the confining pressure. When the axial stress remains constant, the compressive deformation ability of the rock cannot be significantly improved by the increase in the initial confining pressure. The initial confining pressure is positively correlated with the rock's energy storage limit. (3) The initial confining pressure increases the energy conversion rate of the rock; the initial confining pressure is positively correlated with the energy conversion rate; and the energy conversion rate has a high confining pressure effect. The increase in the axial stress has a much greater impact on the elastic energy than the confining pressure. (4) When the deviatoric stress is small, the confining pressure mainly plays a protective role. Compared with the case of triaxial compression paths, the rock damage is more severe under unloading paths, and compared with the case of constant axial stress, the rock damage is more severe under increasing axial stress.
Ectopic expression in commonly used transgenic DrosophilaGAL4 driver lines
Authors: Winant Mattias , Buhler Kurt , Callaerts Patrick
Published: April 2024

Transgenic tools such as the GAL4/UAS system in Drosophila have been used extensively to induce spatiotemporally controlled changes in gene expression and tissue‐specific expression of a range of transgenes. We previously discovered unexpected expression of the commonly used dilp2‐GAL4 line in tracheal tissue which significantly impacted growth phenotypes. We realized that few GAL4 lines have been thoroughly characterized, particularly when considering transient activity that may have significant impact on phenotypic readouts. Here, we characterized a further subset of 12 reportedly tissue‐specific GAL4 lines commonly used in genetic studies of development, growth, endocrine regulation, and metabolism. Ten out of 12 GAL4 lines exhibited ectopic activity in other larval tissues, with seven being active in the larval trachea. Since this ectopic activity may result in phenotypes that do not depend on the manipulation in the intended target tissue, it is recommended to carefully analyze the outcome while taking this aspect into consideration.
Is the threatened land crab Cardisoma guanhumi conquering human‐dominated systems?
Authors: Riascos José M. , Obonaga Levy D. , Ramos Jhostin
Published: April 2024

Land use changes are heralded as a major driver of biodiversity loss. However, recent findings show that cities, perhaps the most radical habitat transformation, sustain increasing numbers of threatened species. This emerging trend has been mostly chronicled for vertebrates from landlocked cities, although loss of biodiversity and rates or urbanization are higher in coastal marine systems. To advance our understanding on how threatened species may conquer human‐dominated systems, we studied the threatened edible crab Cardisoma guanhumi and assessed how it is proliferating in croplands and urban systems at different spatial scales and whether populations show consequences of long‐term exploitation. We gathered the data on crab populations covering the whole distribution range, including three countries reporting this as a threatened species. The abundance, distribution, and size structure of crab populations among different land uses at local scales were compared and published data for populations thriving in different habitats throughout their distribution range were compiled. We found that at local scale this species is able to thrive in natural and human‐disturbed habitats, where food sources are heavily altered. At larger scales, the species showed no differences in abundance and size structure among natural and anthropogenic habitats. In areas near the southern distribution edge, crab populations were more abundant and composed of larger animals in urban areas and croplands than those in natural habitats, suggesting that human‐disturbed systems are stepping stones to extend the geographic range. However, we found a long‐term reduction in maximum body size, exacerbated by land use changes, that likely reflects exploitation regimes consistently targeting larger crabs. Despite its status as a threatened species, the long history of human exploitation combined with livestock farming practices may explain the proliferation of this crab in human‐dominated systems, which emphasize the need to consider conservation in human‐dominated systems.
Male mating season range expansion results from an increase in scale of daily movements for a polygynous–promiscuous bird
Authors: Lott Holly , Ulrey Erin E. , Kilgo John C. , Collier Bret A. , Chamberlain Michael J. , Byrne Michael E.
Published: April 2024

Males of species with promiscuous mating systems are commonly observed to use larger ranges during the mating season relative to non‐mating seasons, which is often attributed to a change in movements related to reproductive activities. However, few studies link seasonal range sizes to variation in daily space use patterns to provide insight into the behavioral mechanisms underlying mating season range expansion. We studied 20 GPS‐tagged male wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), a large upland gamebird, during the mating and summer non‐mating seasons to test the hypothesis that larger mating season ranges resulted from male wild turkeys expanding the scale of daily movement activities to locate and court females. We delineated mating and non‐mating seasons based on intensity of gobbling, a vocalization tied to courtship behavior, recorded by autonomous recording units distributed across the study area. Mating season ranges were significantly larger than non‐mating season ranges. Daily ranges were larger in the mating season, as were distances between roost sites used on consecutive nights. Variance in daily range size was greater in the mating season, but low temporal autocorrelation suggested considerable daily variability in both seasons. We found no evidence that male wild turkeys changed how they distributed daily movements within seasonal ranges, or differences in habitat use, suggesting larger mating season ranges result from male wild turkeys increasing the scale of their daily movements, rather than a systematic shift to a nomadic movement strategy. Likely, the distribution of females is more dynamic and ephemeral compared to other resources, prompting males to traverse larger daily ranges during the mating season to locate and court females. Our work illustrates the utility of using daily movement to understand the behavioral process underlying larger space use patterns.
Supported Ruthenium Phosphide as a Promising Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Sugars
Authors: Popp Lukas , Kampe Philipp , Fritsch Birk , Hutzler Andreas , Poller Maximilian J. , Albert Jakob , Schühle Patrick
Published: April 2024

This work demonstrates that supported ruthenium phosphides (RuP2) are attractive catalysts for selective production of alditols by sugar hydrogenation. In our studies, carbon supported RuP2 with a ruthenium content of 5 wt.– % led to the highest activity in xylose hydrogenation and to nearly 100 % yield for xylitol. ICP‐OES and XRD measurements revealed the stability of this novel RuP2/C catalyst under typical hydrogenation conditions (50 barH2, 120 °C) in aqueous phase. Furthermore, STEM‐EDX illustrated the close proximity of ruthenium and phosphorous on the catalyst site and the formation of nanoparticles in the size of 2–4 nm. The catalyst system was successfully applied for the selective hydrogenation of further sugar substrates, including glucose, fructose, and disaccharides, such as cellobiose and sucrose. Here, the RuP2/C revealed its bifunctional acidic/metallic character, enabling in a tandem reaction the hydrolysis of disaccharides, directly followed by a selective hydrogenation to form sugar alcohols in high yield.
DBU‐Catalyzed Glutamation of Phenols, Thiophenols, Secondary Amines and Imides
Authors: Wang Xue‐Ying , Zhu Si‐Kai , Cheng Mei‐Ling , Jiang Ru , Zhang Sheng‐Yong , Wang Ping‐An
Published: April 2024

1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) catalyzed Michael addition reactions between α,β‐unsaturated esters and benzophenone‐imines of glycine esters have been realized in THF at room temperature by using LiBr as an additive, effectively enabling the glutamation of phenols, thiophenols, secondary amines and imides. 3‐Substituted glutamic acid esters were obtained in excellent yields and diastereoselectivities (up to quantitative yield and >20 : 1 dr). These glutamic acid esters were readily converted into their corresponding pyroglutamic acid esters in high yields through acidic hydrolysis followed by lactamization.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylation of Isocyanoacetates with Vinyl‐Aziridines
Authors: Yan Shuang , Yu Zhe‐Jia , Guo Zhi‐Kun , Zhang Jun , Zhao Mei‐Xin
Published: April 2024

The first palladium‐catalyzed allylation of isocyanoacetates with vinyl aziridines has been developed. The reaction conditions were suitable for a variety of α‐aryl isocyanoacetates as well as N‐substituted vinyl aziridines, affording the corresponding allylation products in moderate to high yields (up to 98 %) along with excellent stereoselectivity and regioselectivity. Transformations of the allylation products into trans‐4,5‐dehydrolysine analogues and a highly functionalized proline ester derivative were further demonstrated, and a preliminary asymmetric version of the reaction has also been evaluated.
Multicomponent Tandem Cyclization/Aromatization Reaction: Access to 2‐Substituted Naphthothiazoles and Benzothiazoles
Authors: Kumar Upendra , Sharma Ajay , Chaubey Trayambek Nath , Pandey Satyendra Kumar
Published: April 2024

A straightforward, metal‐free multicomponent tandem cyclization/aromatization approach for the synthesis of naphthothiazoles and benzothiazoles is described. This method employs α‐tetralones and cyclohexenones as the starting materials, styrene derivatives as a one‐carbon synthon, an ammonium salt as the N source, elemental sulfur as the S source and an oxidant. This approach offers a broad substrate scope, including α‐tetralones and cyclohexenones adorned with different functional groups, resulting in moderate to high yields of the desired products.
Experimental investigation on the effective condenser glass area of solar still hybrid with photovoltaic cells
Authors: Yuvaraj M. , Ganapathy Sundaram E. , Shanthi R. , Gopinath D.
Published: April 2024

Solar desalination is a broad research field in the production of freshwater. The efficiency of the natural conversion solar desalination system is the only limitation to becoming its commercialization. It needs 1 m2 area for getting approximately 4.5 L of fresh water/day. In active methods 1 m2 area of solar still produce yield up to 10 L/day. In this study a new technology of fixing the photovoltaic cell (PV cells) in the natural passive solar still condenser glass to harvest both freshwater as well as electrical power generation is proposed. The experiments were carried out with conventional solar still of a glass surface area of 0.5 m2, still with an effective glass surface area of 0.3812 m2 and 36 PV cells taken up area of 0.1188 m2, and still with effective glass surface area of 0.3020 m2 and 60 PV cells taken up area of 0.198 m2. The study found that conventional solar still produced 2140 mL/day of yield, still with 36 PV cells produced 1380 mL/day of yield and 98 W of electrical power and still with 60 PV cells produced 840 mL/day of yield and 165 W of electrical power. This hybrid system, solar still with PV cells, produce both fresh water and electrical power. The fresh water yield and electrical power generation depends on the effective area of the solar still glass surface area and area occupied by PV cells attached to the solar still glass cover.
A randomized controlled educational pilot trial of interictal epileptiform discharge identification for neurology residents
Authors: Nascimento Fábio A. , Jing Jin , Traner Christopher , Kong Wan Yee , Olandoski Marcia , Kapur Srishti , Duhaime Erik , Strowd Roy , Moeller Jeremy , Westover M. Brandon
Published: April 2024

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of an educational program leveraging technology‐enhanced learning and retrieval practice to teach trainees how to correctly identify interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs).

Methods

This was a bi‐institutional prospective randomized controlled educational trial involving junior neurology residents. The intervention consisted of three video tutorials focused on the six IFCN criteria for IED identification and rating 500 candidate IEDs with instant feedback either on a web browser (intervention 1) or an iOS app (intervention 2). The control group underwent no educational intervention (“inactive control”). All residents completed a survey and a test at the onset and offset of the study. Performance metrics were calculated for each participant.

Results

Twenty‐one residents completed the study: control (n = 8); intervention 1 (n = 6); intervention 2 (n = 7). All but two had no prior EEG experience. Intervention 1 residents improved from baseline (mean) in multiple metrics including AUC (.74; .85; p < .05), sensitivity (.53; .75; p < .05), and level of confidence (LOC) in identifying IEDs/committing patients to therapy (1.33; 2.33; p < .05). Intervention 2 residents improved in multiple metrics including AUC (.81; .86; p < .05) and LOC in identifying IEDs (2.00; 3.14; p < .05) and spike–wave discharges (2.00; 3.14; p < .05). Controls had no significant improvements in any measure.

Significance

This program led to significant subjective and objective improvements in IED identification. Rating candidate IEDs with instant feedback on a web browser (intervention 1) generated greater objective improvement in comparison to rating candidate IEDs on an iOS app (intervention 2). This program can complement trainee education concerning IED identification.
Inkjet printing for smart electrochromic devices
Authors: Zhang Yingxin , Xu Bing , Zhao Feifei , Li Haizeng , Chen Jingwei , Wang Huanlei , Yu William W.
Published: April 2024

Electrochromic technology has recently made many achievements in research and commercialization. Electrochromic devices are being developed based on various coating and printing methods for multipronged applications, and have great potential for next‐generation flexible electronics. Compared to other coating and printing techniques, inkjet printing (IJP) enables non‐contact patterning on a variety of substrates by programming the movement of the printing nozzle. IJP has great advantages in printing smart electrochromic devices because of its low cost, high resolution, high material utilization rate, and applicability to various large‐size substrates. In this review, the principles and process of IJP and the latest progress of IJP in electrochromic devices are summarized in detail. IJP of electrochromic materials, conductive contacts, and blocking layers are discussed. IJP assisted fabrication of smart electrochromic displays, flexible and stretchable electrochromic devices, electrochromic‐energy storage, smart windows, and others are also demonstrated. The problems and challenges faced by IJP electrochromic devices are emphasized, and the future development trends are prospected. This review aims at further promoting the development of IJP for smart electrochromic devices and encouraging future applications of IJP and electrochromic devices in the era of Internet of Things.
Flexible electronic materials and devices toward portable immunoassays
Authors: Huang Lingting , Tang Dianping , Yang Zhen
Published: April 2024

Biomarker identification is a tried‐and‐true method that can provide precise biological information for disease diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis, disease progression monitoring, therapy efficacy evaluation, and prognosis assessment of cancers all benefit from sensitive, rapid, and precise measurement of significant biomarkers employing chemical and immunological approaches. The study of biomolecules and immunoassay evaluations can profit greatly from recent advancements in flexible electronic materials and technologies, which provide amazing flexibility, affordability, mobility, and integration. However, an overview of the implementation of portable immunoassays in conjunction with flexible electronic devices is rare to come by. This review focuses on recent breakthroughs in flexible electronic materials and devices for portable biomarker testing, which provides an extensive summary of flexible electrical components and sensing‐capable devices, emphasizing their adaptability in the construction of biosensing platforms. These platforms employ various signal transduction systems to record biological affinity recognition events, including pressure, temperature, electrical parameters, colorimetric signals, and other physical features. The challenges for portable, integrated, intelligent, and multifunctional immunoassays based on flexible sensing devices are also discussed. The portable immunoassays with flexible electronics would unlock the potential to transform clinical diagnostics into non‐clinical personalized treatments and achieve home‐based point‐of‐care testing for daily monitoring.
Effect of blanching time–temperature on potassium and vitamin retention/loss in kale and spinach
Authors: Mugo Beatrice Muthoni , Kiio Juliana , Munyaka Ann
Published: April 2024

Hyperkalemia is common among patients with end stage kidney disease. Management involves diet modification. Hot water blanching is recommended to leach potassium in vegetables which results in losses of water‐soluble and heat labile vitamins. Evidence on the effect of blanching in reducing potassium level of locally consumed vegetables in Kenya is limited. This study sought to establish effect of hot water blanching time‐temperature on level of potassium, vitamin B1, B3 and C in kales (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) and spinach (Spinach oleracea) on potassium and vitamins B1, B3 and C retention/loss. The study adopted a full factorial experimental design. Vitamins were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Potassium was quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. To compare nutrient content between samples, independent t‐test and Analysis of Variance were used at 95% confidence level. Nutrient content of fresh kales and spinach were potassium (102 mg/100 g and 615 mg/100 g), vitamin B1 (124 μg/100 g and 51 μg/100 g), vitamin B3 (1165 μg/100 g and 812 μg/100 g) and vitamin C (102 mg/100 g and 116 mg/100 g) respectively. In kales, blanching for 20 min at 1000°C resulted to retention of 86.9%, 55.6%, 27.6% and 12.9% of vitamin B1, B3, C and potassium respectively. In spinach, blanching for 20 min at 1000°C resulted in retention of 79.9%, 88.6%, 12.2% and 40.6% retention of vitamin B1, B3, C and potassium respectively. Vitamin C and Potassium were the most sensitive to heat and leaching. Time had a greater effect than temperature in this study. This study recommends blanching of kale at 15.2 min at 800°C, spinach at 17.7 min at 840°C. Further research on optimal blanching time‐temperature for potassium and vitamin retention/loss is recommended.
The effect of using sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) puree in tarhana formulations on nutritional value and functional properties of tarhana
Authors: Göncü Ali
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using sour cherry puree in tarhana formulations on the nutritional value and quality criteria of tarhana. In the formulation, 50% and 100% of tomato and pepper purees were replaced by sour cherry puree, and in another formulation, 100% of sour cherry puree was used instead of yogurt. The use of sour cherry puree instead of tomato and pepper puree enriched the tarhana in terms of essential and other amino acids. Tarhana samples were found to be rich in oleic acid (22.02%–39.12%) among monounsaturated fatty acids. The presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids including linoleic (11.09%–33.56%) and linolenic acids (14.04%–28.91%) was determined in the samples. The dominant saturated fatty acid found in the samples was palmitic acid (8.05%–12.89%). There were no significant changes in moisture, aw, ash content, pH, HMF content as well as water and fat absorption capacity values. When sour cherry puree was used instead of yogurt, there was a decrease in protein (10.71%) and fat (0.38%) contents as well as L (43.46) value, while an increase was detected in total phenolic content (2.38 mg GAE/g), antioxidant activity (10.35 μmol TE/100 g) and mineral composition, namely K, Fe, Cu, Mn, and B. Considering sensory analyses, the sample in which tomato and pepper purees were substituted with 50% sour cherry puree received the highest scores in general taste, flavor, and consistency parameters together with the control tarhana (CT0). The 50% substitution of sour cherry puree with tomato and pepper purees enriched the tarhana samples both nutritionally and sensorially.
The effects of pension on depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults: A moderated multiple mediator model
Authors: Fang Boye , Wang Youwei , Sun Qian
Published: April 2024

Objectives

This study investigates the impact of pension on depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults. Additional effort is made to test the mediating effect of multidimensional downward intergenerational support and the moderating effect of age on this relationship.

Methods

A total of 1828 Chinese older community‐dwellers who met our inclusion criteria are drawn from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Multivariate regression modeling is applied to analyze the effect of pensions on depressive symptoms of older adults. Additionally, bootstrap method with resampling strategies is used to estimate the mediating effect of three dimensions of downward intergenerational support (instrumental, emotional, and financial support). Further, Johnson‐Neyman technique is employed to analysis and visualize the moderating effect of age.

Results

The findings reveal a significant inverse relationship between pension levels and depressive symptoms (B = −6.664, SE = 2.826, p < 0.05). The analysis shows that downward intergenerational emotional support (B = −0.195, Boot SE = 0.103, 95% Boot CI [−0.404, −0.003]) serves as a partial mediator in this relationship. Furthermore, the results highlight the moderating role of age in the linkage between pension and depressive symptoms (B = 0.065, SE = 0.039, p < 0.1).

Discussion

This investigation is pioneering in simultaneously assessing the mediating role of multidimensional downward intergenerational support and the moderating effect of age in the context of pension and depressive symptoms. The study underscores the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach in devising comprehensive intervention strategies. These should encompass pension policy consultation, respite services, and other crucial elements aimed at mitigating the severity or reducing the risk of depressive symptoms among the older adults.
Lifestyle for brain health and cognitive functioning in midlife to early late‐life New Zealanders: Utility of the LIBRA index
Authors: Röhr Susanne , Stephens Christine , Alpass Fiona
Published: April 2024

Objectives

There is enormous potential to improve brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia based on modifiable risk factors. The Lifestyle for Brain Health (LIBRA) index was developed to quantify modifiable dementia risk or room for brain health improvement. The objective of the study was to investigate the utility of the LIBRA index in relation to cognitive functioning in a midlife to early late‐life sample of New Zealanders.

Methods

A subsample (n = 1001) of the longitudinal New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement (NZHWR) study completed face‐to‐face cognitive assessments using the ‘Kiwi’ Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination—Revised (ACE‐R) in 2010 and again in 2012, in addition to completing biennial NZHWR surveys on socioeconomic, health and wellbeing aspects. The LIBRA index was calculated incorporating information on 8 out of 12 modifiable health and lifestyle factors for dementia. Unadjusted and adjusted regression models and mixed effects models were used to inspect associations of LIBRA with cognitive functioning, cognitive impairment, and cognitive decline.

Results

The analytical sample (n = 881 [88.0%], after considering exclusion criteria and missing data) had a mean age of 63.1 (SD = 6.5) years, 53.3% were female, 26.2% were Māori, and 61.7% were highly educated. Higher LIBRA scores (indicating higher modifiable dementia risk) were associated with lower cognitive functioning (B = −0.33, 95% CI = −0.52;−0.15, p < 0.001) and a higher likelihood of cognitive impairment (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04; 1.42, p = 0.013), but did not predict cognitive decline over 2 years (B = −0.03, 95% CI = −0.22; 0.16, p = 0.766), adjusted for age, age2, gender, education, and ethnicity.

Conclusions

The LIBRA index indicated promising utility for quantifying modifiable dementia risk in midlife and early late‐life New Zealanders. For local use, refinement of the LIBRA index should consider cultural differences in health and lifestyle risk factors, and further investigate its utility with a wider range of modifiable factors over a longer observation period.
Integrating decision modeling and machine learning to inform treatment stratification
Authors: Glynn David , Giardina John , Hatamyar Julia , Pandya Ankur , Soares Marta , Kreif Noemi
Published: April 2024

There is increasing interest in moving away from “one size fits all (OSFA)” approaches toward stratifying treatment decisions. Understanding how expected effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness varies with patient covariates is a key aspect of stratified decision making. Recently proposed machine learning (ML) methods can learn heterogeneity in outcomes without pre‐specifying subgroups or functional forms, enabling the construction of decision rules (‘policies’) that map individual covariates into a treatment decision. However, these methods do not yet integrate ML estimates into a decision modeling framework in order to reflect long‐term policy‐relevant outcomes and synthesize information from multiple sources. In this paper, we propose a method to integrate ML and decision modeling, when individual patient data is available to estimate treatment‐specific survival time. We also propose a novel implementation of policy tree algorithms to define subgroups using decision model output. We demonstrate these methods using the SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), comparing outcomes for “standard” and “intensive” blood pressure targets. We find that including ML into a decision model can impact the estimate of incremental net health benefit (INHB) for OSFA policies. We also find evidence that stratifying treatment using subgroups defined by a tree‐based algorithm can increase the estimates of the INHB.
The novel circ_0004674/miR‐139‐5p/ZBTB2 regulatory cascade inhibits the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Qi Chuang , Zhang Lu , Wang Wenping
Published: April 2024

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are an intriguing family of RNA molecules due to their crucial roles in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, we sought to define the action of human circ_0004674 in OSCC progression.

Methods

The functional role of circ_0004674 was validated by determining its effect on cell growth, apoptosis, and tube formation ability of OSCC cells. For protein quantification, a western blot or immunohistochemistry method was applied. The interaction between miR‐139‐5p and circ_0004674 or zinc finger and BTB domain containing 2 (ZBTB2) was predicted by online algorithms, and their relationships were confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter and RIP assays. Xenograft models were established to uncover circ_0004674's role in tumor growth.

Results

Circ_0004674 expression was upregulated in OSCC. Functionally, knocking down circ_0004674 led to suppressed OSCC cell progression in vitro and delayed tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, circ_0004674 post‐transcriptionally controlled ZBTB2 expression by competitively pairing to miR‐139‐5p. Furthermore, the deficiency of miR‐139‐5p abated circ_0004674 silencing‐mediated OSCC cell progression repression, and augmentation of ZBTB2 reversed the anticancer effect of miR‐139‐5p on OSCC.

Conclusion

Our findings uncover a novel regulatory cascade, the circ_0004674/miR‐139‐5p/ZBTB2 axis, with the ability to affect OSCC development in vitro and in vivo, providing a potential opportunity for development of OSCC therapy.