bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Nanoformulated Mono‐ and Di‐nuclear Pt Compounds
Authors: Wang Pan , Wang Jian‐Wei , Zhang Wen‐Hua , Bai Hongzhen , Tang Guping , Young David J.
Published: August 2021

Nanoformulations of mononuclear Pt complexes cis‐PtCl2(PPh3)2 (1), [Pt(PPh3)2(L−Cys)] ⋅ H2O (3, L−Cys=L‐cysteinate), trans‐PtCl2(PPh2PhNMe2)2 (4; PPh2PhNMe2=4‐(dimethylamine)triphenylphosphine), trans‐PtI2(PPh2PhNMe2)2 (5) and dinuclear Pt cluster Pt2(μ‐S)2(PPh3)4 (2) have comparable cytotoxicity to cisplatin against murine melanoma cell line B16F10. Masking of these discrete molecular entities within the hydrophobic core of Pluronic® F‐127 significantly boosted their solubility and stability, ensuring efficient cellular uptake, giving in vitro IC50 values in the range of 0.87–11.23 μM. These results highlight the potential therapeutic value of Pt complexes featuring stable Pt−P bonds in nanocomposite formulations with biocompatible amphiphilic polymers.
Inhibition of glutathione reductase uncovers the activation of NADPH‐inhibited glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase
Authors: González‐Blanco Alejandro , Allo Alejandro , Barcia Ramiro , Ramos‐Martínez Juan Ignacio
Published: August 2021

Eggleston and Krebs pointed to a paradox in glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) regulating process that has not yet been solved, and which originated the term “fine regulation” of G6PD and, therefore, of oxidative phase of pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP). The paradox is that, in basal‐like conditions, the activity of G6PD evaluated “in vitro” is very low or nearly null because of the potent inhibiting effect exerted by NADPH, a coenzyme whose concentration in the cell is much higher than that of the substrate NADP+. However, “in vivo,” flow through OPPP occurs in basal conditions. Eggleston and Krebs speculated on the possible existence of a system that would reverse the inhibition by NADPH. Such system would involve oxidized glutathione and exclude the participation of glutathione reductase (GR). The present work confirms the experimental results obtained by Eggleston and Krebs and proves that oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the absence of NADPH is a direct inhibitor of G6PD. In the presence of GSSG, the G6PD activity recovery system suggested can be observed when GR is previously inhibited by alkylating agents. An unknown element with a molecular weight ranging between 12 and 50 kDa has been found to reverse part of G6PD inhibition by NADPH.
Effect of catechin and commercial preparation of green tea essence on the pharmacokinetics of l‐dopa in rabbits
Authors: Lin Shwu‐Jiuan , Tai Lily , Huang Yu‐Jie , Uang Yow‐Shieng , Ho Yih , Hsu Kuang‐Yang , Wang Li‐Hsuan
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate drug interactions of L‐dopa/carbidopa with catechin and green tea essence in rabbits following the simultaneous administration via an intramuscular injection of catechin or via an intragastric route for green tea essence with L‐dopa/carbidopa. The results indicated that catechin at doses of 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg increased the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUC0–t) of L‐dopa by about 69, 78 and 42%, respectively. The metabolic ratios of the AUC0–t for 3‐O‐methyldopa (3‐OMD)/L‐dopa significantly decreased by about 56, 68 and 76% (P < 0.05), respectively. In addition, a single dose of 5/1.25 mg/kg L‐dopa/carbidopa was co‐administrated with 150 mg/kg green tea essence via an intragastric route with an oral‐gastric tube. Comparing the related pharmacokinetic parameters of L‐dopa, the clearance and metabolic ratio of L‐dopa decreased by 20 and 19% (P < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, catechin and green tea essence can significantly affect the metabolism of L‐dopa by the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) metabolic pathway. Catechin can enhance L‐dopa bioavailability, and both catechin and green tea essence decreased 3‐OMD formation. Therefore, catechin and green tea essence may increase L‐dopa efficacy for Parkinson's disease treatment.
Familiness, business strategy and stakeholder engagement: The internationalisation of Spanish olive oil mills
Authors: Cano‐Rubio Myriam , Lombardi Rosa , Fuentes‐Lombardo Guadalupe , Núñez‐Cacho Pedro
Published: August 2021

Based on social capital theory and the family‐firm context, this paper studies familiness' composition and the result of the overlap of the family and firm systems, analysing their influence on the internationalisation strategies of family firms. In this relationship, the stakeholder engagement becomes at the same time an antecedent and a result when developing family businesses' strategies, being one of the most relevant the internationalisation strategies. Prior research focused on familiness as the result of proxy variables such as the percentage of ownership and management in family hands, or business size, instead of as psychological variables resulting from shared organisational culture and social interactions. Through a qualitative study based on 12 interviews of general managers and/or export managers of Spanish family olive oil mills, this study asserts that the level of familiness influences internationalisation strategies, the reasons underlying a business becoming international and its commitment to activities abroad being the role of stakeholders crucial in those interactions. The higher the level of familiness, the more likely the family business internationalisation and the higher their levels of international commitment. Additionally, the higher the concern about their stakeholders, the higher their levels of international commitment. The family businesses' concern for their stakeholders and their international commitment share a reciprocal relationship. The results regarding the relevance of familiness as social capital resources in sustaining competitive advantages support the decision to promote, develop and nurture social capital when a family business goes international.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Primary and Secondary Aliphatic Amines via Mild and Selective sp3 C−H Imination
Authors: Ghosh Subrata K. , Hu Mengnan , Comito Robert J.
Published: August 2021

The direct replacement of sp3 C−H bonds with simple amine units (−NH2) remains synthetically challenging, although primary aliphatic amines are ubiquitous in medicinal chemistry and natural product synthesis. We report a mild and selective protocol for preparing primary and secondary aliphatic amines in a single pot, based on intermolecular sp3 C−H imination. The first C−H imination of diverse alkanes, this method shows useful site‐selectivity within substrates bearing multiple sp3 C−H bonds. Furthermore, this reaction tolerates polar functional groups relevant for complex molecule synthesis, highlighted in the synthesis of amine pharmaceuticals and amination of natural products. We characterize a unique C−H imination mechanism based on radical rebound to an iminyl radical, supported by kinetic isotope effects, stereoablation, resubmission, and computational modeling. This work constitutes a selective method for complex amine synthesis and a new mechanistic platform for C−H amination.
Symptom clusters in 1330 survivors of 7 cancer types from the PROFILES registry: A network analysis
Authors: de Rooij Belle H. , Oerlemans Simone , van Deun Katrijn , Mols Floortje , de Ligt Kelly M. , Husson Olga , Ezendam Nicole P. M. , Hoedjes Meeke , van de Poll‐Franse Lonneke V. , Schoormans Dounya
Published: August 2021

Background

Research into the clustering of symptoms may improve the understanding of the underlying mechanisms that affect survivors' symptom burden. This study applied network analyses in a balanced sample of cancer survivors to 1) explore the clustering of symptoms and 2) assess differences in symptom clustering between cancer types, treatment regimens, and short‐term and long‐term survivors.

Methods

This study used cross‐sectional survey data, collected between 2008 and 2018, from the population‐based Patient Reported Outcomes Following Initial Treatment and Long Term Evaluation of Survivorship registry, which included survivors of 7 cancer types (colorectal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma). Regularized partial correlation network analysis was used to explore and visualize the associations between self‐reported symptoms (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire) and the centrality of these symptoms in the network (ie, how strongly a symptom was connected to other symptoms) for the total sample and for subgroups separately.

Results

In the total sample (n = 1330), fatigue was the most central symptom in the network with moderate direct relationships with emotional symptoms, cognitive symptoms, appetite loss, dyspnea, and pain. These relationships persisted after adjustments for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Connections between fatigue and emotional symptoms, appetite loss, dyspnea, and pain were consistently found across all cancer types (190 for each), treatment regimens, and short‐term and long‐term survivors.

Conclusions

In a heterogenous sample of cancer survivors, fatigue was consistently the most central symptom in all networks. Although longitudinal data are needed to build a case for the causal nature of these symptoms, cancer survivorship rehabilitation programs could focus on fatigue to reduce the overall symptom burden.
Morphometric analysis of astrocytes in vocal production circuits of common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Turk Ariana Z. , SheikhBahaei Shahriar
Published: August 2021

Astrocytes, the star‐shaped glial cells, are the most abundant non‐neuronal cell population in the central nervous system. They play a key role in modulating activities of neural networks, including those involved in complex motor behaviors. Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), the most vocal non‐human primate (NHP), have been used to study the physiology of vocalization and social vocal production. However, the neural circuitry involved in vocal production is not fully understood. In addition, even less is known about the involvement of astrocytes in this circuit. To understand the role, that astrocytes may play in the complex behavior of vocalization, the initial step may be to study their structural properties in the cortical and subcortical regions that are known to be involved in vocalization. Here, in the common marmoset, we identify all astrocytic subtypes seen in other primate's brains, including intralaminar astrocytes. In addition, we reveal detailed structural characteristics of astrocytes and perform morphometric analysis of astrocytes residing in the cortex and midbrain regions that are associated with vocal production. We found that cortical astrocytes in these regions illustrate a higher level of complexity when compared to those in the midbrain. We hypothesize that this complexity that is expressed in cortical astrocytes may reflect their functions to meet the metabolic/structural needs of these regions.
Transfer learning based attack detection for wireless communication networks
Authors: Li Sijia , Pang Jiali , Wu Qiang , Yao Na , Yuan Weiwei
Published: August 2021

Wireless communication network attack detection is important in the field of wireless communication network data mining. Transfer learning is a powerful tool to solve the problem of link prediction in unlabeled wireless networks. In the feature mapping process of transfer learning, the loss of source domain information is very serious, which leads to the loss of knowledge in inverse mapping. To obtain more specific and complete information in the source domain, a link prediction method based on the distribution function fitting method of domain orthogonal term family is proposed. The key samples in the source domain are used to construct a family of orthogonal polynomials, and the least square approximation of the distribution function is obtained by using the family of orthogonal polynomials. The feature vector set of the key samples is extracted from the source domain, and the pseudo label is assigned to the target training set, so that the link classifier can complete the supervised link prediction task. In addition, an advanced performance of TLAD is obtained by comparing with other state‐of‐the‐art models in practice.
RepExpress: A Novel Pipeline for the Quantification and Characterization of Transposable Element Expression from RNA‐seq Data
Authors: Stockwell Peter A. , Lynch‐Sutherland Chiemi F. , Chatterjee Aniruddha , Macaulay Erin C. , Eccles Michael R.
Published: August 2021

Transposable elements (TEs) are key regulators of both development and disease; however, their repetitive nature presents substantial computational challenges to their analysis. Due to a lack of computational tools and suitable analysis frameworks, TE expression is often not quantified at the locus level. Therefore, we have developed RepExpress, a novel pipeline that enables locus‐level TE quantification and characterization. RepExpress enables the characterization of TE expression in a genomic context, and is the first tool focusing on the identification of tissue‐specific TE‐derived and TE‐regulated genes. RepExpress identifies expressed TEs overlapping with annotated genomic features and enables tissue‐specific profiles of TE‐derived genes. TEs that are expressed with no overlap with any known genomic features are characterized by the closest downstream genomic feature enabling identification of novel TE‐gene regulatory relationships. RepExpress takes standard RNA‐seq data as input and performs genomic alignment optimized for TEs. Our novel pipeline quantifies expression of both TEs and genes using featureCounts and Stringtie, respectively. RepExpress then filters expressed repeats and characterizes their genomic context, enabling the identification of TEs that overlap with genes, or that may be influencing gene expression. Here, we describe RepExpress, and provide a step‐by‐step protocol detailing its workflow. We also discuss other TE analysis tools and their applicability to addressing different biological questions. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: RepExpress workflow
Phenomics Approach to Investigate Behavioral Toxicity of Environmental or Occupational Toxicants in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Audira Gilbert , Lai Yu‐Heng , Huang Jong‐Chin , Chen Kelvin H.‐C. , Hsiao Chung‐Der
Published: August 2021

Over the last few years, environmental pollution, especially water pollution, has become a serious issue worldwide. Thus, methods that can help us understand the impact and effects of these pollutants, especially on aquatic animals, are needed. Behavioral assessment has emerged as a crucial tool in toxicology and pharmacology because many studies have shown, in multiple animal models, that various pharmacological compounds can alter behavior, with many of the findings being translatable to humans. Moreover, behavior study can also be used as a suitable indicator in the ecotoxicological risk assessment of pollutants. Several model organisms, especially rodent models, have been extensively employed for behavior studies. However, assessments using this model are generally time consuming, expensive, and require extensive facilities for housing experimental animals. Moreover, behavioral studies typically use different measurements and assessment tools, making comparisons difficult. In addition, even though behavioral phenomics has the potential to comprehensively illustrate the toxicities of chemicals, there is only a limited number of studies focusing on animal behavior using such a global approach. Here, we describe a phenomics approach that can be used to investigate the impact of pollutants using zebrafish. The approach consists of several behavioral tests, including response to a novel environment, mirror‐reflection image, predator fish, and conspecifics, after exposure to a test chemical. Phenotype fingerprinting, a method for summarizing individual phenotypes based on the results of the behavioral tests, is then conducted to reduce data complexity and display the pattern of each compound on behavioral phenotypes in zebrafish. This approach may be useful to researchers studying the potential adverse effects of different pollutants. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Novel tank test

Basic Protocol 2: Shoaling test

Basic Protocol 3: Aggression test (mirror biting test)

Basic Protocol 4: Social interaction test

Basic Protocol 5: Fear response test

Basic Protocol 6: PCA and heatmap clustering
Sox9CreER‐mediated deletion of β‐catenin in palatal mesenchyme results in delayed palatal elevation accompanied with repressed canonical Wnt signaling and reduced actin polymerization
Authors: Pang Xiaoxiao , Wang Xiaoming , Wang Yahong , Pu Lingling , Shi Jiayu , Burdekin Nathaniel , Shi Bing , Li Chenghao
Published: August 2021

Cleft palate is a good model to pushing us toward a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of spatiotemporal patterns in tissues and organisms because of the multiple‐step processes such as elevation and fusion. Previous studies have shown that the epithelial β‐catenin is crucial for palatal fusion, however, the function of the mesenchymal β‐catenin remains elusive. We investigate the role of mesenchymal β‐catenin in palatal development by generating a β‐catenin conditional knockout mouse (CKO) (Sox9CreER; Ctnnb1F/F). We found that the CKO mice exhibited delayed palatal elevation, leading to cleft palate in both in vivo and ex vivo. Abnormal cell proliferation and repressed mesenchymal canonical Wnt signaling were found in the CKO palate. Interestingly, Filamentous actin (F‐actin) polymerization was significantly reduced in the palatal mesenchyme of mutant embryos. Furthermore, overexpression of adenovirus‐mediated transfection with Acta1 in the mutant could help to elevate the palatal shelves but could not prevent cleft palate in ex vivo. Our results suggest that conditionally knock out β‐catenin in the palatal mesenchyme by Sox9CreER leading to delayed palatal elevation, which results in repressed mesenchymal canonical Wnt signaling, decreased cell proliferation, and reduced actin polymerization, finally causes cleft palate.
Melanic pigmentation and light preference within and between two Drosophila species
Authors: Cooley Arielle M. , Schmitz Suzanne , Cabrera Eduardo J. , Cutter Mitchell , Sheffield Maxwell , Gingerich Ian , Thomas Gabriella , Lincoln Calvin N. M. , Moore Virginia H. , Moore Alexandra E. , Davidson Sarah A. , Lonberg Nikhil , Fournier Eli B. , Love Sophia M. , Posch Galen , Bihrle Matthew B. , Mayer Spencer D. , Om Kuenzang , Wilson Lauren , Doe Casey Q. , Vincent Chantalle E. , Wong Elizabeth R. T. , Wall Ilona , Wicks Jarred , Roberts Stephon
Published: August 2021

Environmental adaptation and species divergence often involve suites of co‐evolving traits. Pigmentation in insects presents a variable, adaptive, and well‐characterized class of phenotypes for which correlations with multiple other traits have been demonstrated. In Drosophila, the pigmentation genes ebony and tan have pleiotropic effects on flies' response to light, creating the potential for correlated evolution of pigmentation and vision. Here, we investigate differences in light preference within and between two sister species, Drosophila americana and D. novamexicana, which differ in pigmentation in part because of evolution at ebony and tan and occupy environments that differ in many variables including solar radiation. We hypothesized that lighter pigmentation would be correlated with a greater preference for environmental light and tested this hypothesis using a habitat choice experiment. In a first set of experiments, using males of D. novamexicana line N14 and D. americana line A00, the light‐bodied D. novamexicana was found slightly but significantly more often than D. americana in the light habitat. A second experiment, which included additional lines and females as well as males, failed to find any significant difference between D. novamexicana‐N14 and D. americana‐A00. Additionally, the other dark line of D. americana (A04) was found in the light habitat more often than the light‐bodied D. novamexicana‐N14, in contrast to our predictions. However, the lightest line of D. americana, A01, was found substantially and significantly more often in the light habitat than the two darker lines of D. americana, thus providing partial support for our hypothesis. Finally, across all four lines, females were found more often in the light habitat than their more darkly pigmented male counterparts. Additional replication is needed to corroborate these findings and evaluate conflicting results, with the consistent effect of sex within and between species providing an especially intriguing avenue for further research.
Versatile Synthesis of Diaminoxylosides via Iodosulfonamidation of Xylal Derivatives
Authors: Jaeschke Sven Ole , Lindhorst Thisbe K.
Published: August 2021

d‐Xylose is a special monosaccharide found in various organisms, which is characterized by conformational dynamics between different pyranose ring forms depending on the substitution pattern. With a perspective to study the conformational equilibria of xylosides and eventually use them as conformational switches, we sought an entry into a flexible synthesis of 2,4‐diamino‐xylosides. In particular, we synthesized 4‐bromophenyl 2,4‐diamino‐3‐O‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐β‐d‐xyloside from l‐arabinose utilizing a concomitant epimerization and differentiation at position 4 and iodosulfonamidation of a difunctional xylal at a later stage of the synthetic pathway. This strategy provides xylose derivatives with high stereochemical precision and a high degree of functionalization. The obtained xylose derivatives are of interest as conformational hinge molecules and as orthogonally protected triamino scaffold molecules.
Enhanced Immunosensor Using a Handheld pH Meter for the Point‐of‐Care, Sensitive Detection of Prostate Specific Antigen
Authors: Gao Rong , Liu Bingqian , Luo Dajuan , Su Yonghuan , Su Lixia
Published: August 2021

An enhanced handheld pH meter based immunosensor was proposed for point‐of‐care, quantitative determination of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Monoclonal antibody‐functionalized magnetic beads (MB‐Ab1) were prepared to capture PSA in sample, and subsequently bond to polyclonal antibody‐immobilized gold nanoparticles‐polyamide‐amine dendrite‐lead ion (GO‐PAMAM‐Pb2+) and dispersed in H2S solution. Based on negative Gibbs free energy of formation, PbS (solubility product constant Ksp=8.0×10−28 was formed by reaction of Pb2+ and H2S. Hence, the pH of solution increased due to the H+ appeared, and the resulting pH value was monitored by a handheld pH meter.
One‐stop fabrication of triboelectric nanogenerator based on 3D printing
Authors: Liu Guoxu , Gao Yuyu , Xu Shaohang , Bu Tianzhao , Xie Yuanyuan , Xu Chaoqun , Zhou Han , Qi Youchao , Zhang Chi
Published: August 2021

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is suitable for collecting low frequency and weak mechanical energy, which has great prospects in powering distributed wireless sensor network nodes. Seeking economical, simple, and efficient fabrication method is highly interesting for researchers who focus on green innovation energy development. Here, we proposed a one‐stop fabrication method of the TENG based on three‐dimensional (3D) printing. A series of functional printing inks were first prepared by doping nickel powders and polytetrafluoroethylene micro particles into the Dragon Slow Skin 10 (DSS10) substrate with different proportions. Each layer of the TENG in contact‐separation mode can be printed in sequence with prepared inks at a programmable three‐axis translation stage, which is of complete encapsulation, isotropy, flexibility, and stretchability. On the basis, the 3D‐printed plantar energy collector and energy‐harvesting bracelet are fabricated and implanted on the soles and wrists, respectively, which can collect biomechanical energy and continuously power portable electronic devices including electronic watch and thermometer. This work provides the advanced fabrication strategy for TENG with low cost and environmental friendliness, which demonstrates great prospects of TENG in standardized and mass manufacturing.

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sEEG for expansion of a surgical epilepsy program: Safety and efficacy in 152 consecutive cases
Authors: Miller Christopher , Schatmeyer Bryan , Landazuri Patrick , Uysal Utku , Nazzaro Jules , Kinsman Michael J. , Camarata Paul J. , Ulloa Carol M. , Hammond Nancy , Pearson Caleb , Shah Vishal , Cheng Jennifer J.
Published: August 2021

Objective

Stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) is an intracranial encephalography method of expanding use. The need for increased epilepsy surgery access has led to the consideration of sEEG adoption by new or expanding surgical epilepsy programs. Data regarding safety and efficacy are uncommon outside of high‐volume, well‐established centers, which may be less applicable to newer or low‐volume centers. The objective of this study was to add to the sEEG outcomes in the literature from the perspective of a rapidly expanding center.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of consecutive sEEG cases from January 2016 to December 2019 was performed. Data extraction included demographic data, surgical data, and outcome data, which pertinently examined surgical method, progression to therapeutic procedure, clinically significant adverse events, and Engel outcomes.

Results

One hundred and fifty‐two sEEG procedures were performed on 131 patients. Procedures averaged 10.5 electrodes for a total of 1603 electrodes. The majority (84%) of patients progressed to a therapeutic procedure. Six clinically significant complications occurred: three retained electrodes, two hemorrhages, and one failure to complete investigation. Only one complication resulted in a permanent deficit. Engel 1 outcome was achieved in 63.3% of patients reaching one‐year follow‐up after a curative procedure.

Significance

New or expanding epilepsy surgery centers can appropriately consider the use of sEEG. The complication rate is low and the majority of patients progress to therapeutic surgery. Procedural safety, progression to therapeutic intervention, and Engel outcomes are comparable to cohorts from long‐established epilepsy surgery programs.
Pharmacologic activation of hepatic farnesoid X receptor prevents parenteral nutrition–associated cholestasis in mice
Authors: El Kasmi Karim C. , Ghosh Swati , Anderson Aimee L. , Devereaux Michael W. , Balasubramaniyan Natarajan , D’Alessandro Angelo , Orlicky David J. , Suchy Frederick J. , Shearn Colin T. , Sokol Ronald J.
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

Parenteral nutrition (PN)–associated cholestasis (PNAC) complicates the care of patients with intestinal failure. In PNAC, phytosterol containing PN synergizes with intestinal injury and IL‐1β derived from activated hepatic macrophages to suppress hepatocyte farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling and promote PNAC. We hypothesized that pharmacological activation of FXR would prevent PNAC in a mouse model.

Approach and Results

To induce PNAC, male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to intestinal injury (2% dextran sulfate sodium [DSS] for 4 days) followed by central venous catheterization and 14‐day infusion of PN with or without the FXR agonist GW4064. Following sacrifice, hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and biliary and sterol transporter expression were determined. GW4064 (30 mg/kg/day) added to PN on days 4–14 prevented hepatic injury and cholestasis; reversed the suppressed mRNA expression of nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, member 4 (Nr1h4)/FXR, ATP‐binding cassette subfamily B member 11 (
Abcb11)/bile salt export pump, ATP‐binding cassette subfamily C member 2 (Abcc2), ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 4(Abcb4), and ATP‐binding cassette subfamily G members 5/8(Abcg5/8); and normalized serum bile acids. Chromatin immunoprecipitation of liver showed that GW4064 increased FXR binding to the Abcb11 promoter. Furthermore, GW4064 prevented DSS‐PN‐induced hepatic macrophage accumulation, hepatic expression of genes associated with macrophage recruitment and activation (ll‐1b, C‐C motif chemokine receptor 2, integrin subunit alpha M, lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus C), and hepatic macrophage cytokine transcription in response to lipopolysaccharide in vitro. In primary mouse hepatocytes, GW4064 activated transcription of FXR canonical targets, irrespective of IL‐1β exposure. Intestinal inflammation and ileal mRNAs (Nr1h4, Fgf15, and organic solute transporter alpha) were not different among groups, supporting a liver‐specific effect of GW4064 in this model.

Conclusions

GW4064 prevents PNAC in mice through restoration of hepatic FXR signaling, resulting in increased expression of canalicular bile and of sterol and phospholipid transporters and suppression of macrophage recruitment and activation. These data support augmenting FXR activity as a therapeutic strategy to alleviate or prevent PNAC.
Mixed convection of a nanofluid past an inclined wavy surface in the presence of gyrotactic microorganisms
Authors: Srinivasacharya D. , Sita Ramana K.
Published: August 2021

The mixed convection of a nanofluid flow past an inclined wavy surface in the existence of gyrotactic microbes is considered. To convert the wavy surface to a plane surface, a transformation of coordinates is applied. The governing equations that are nonlinear and the accompanying boundary conditions are converted into a dimensionless form using pseudo‐similarity variables. Using a local linearization process, the system of nonlinear partial differential equations is linearized. The resulting system is solved using the Bivariate Chebyshev pseudo‐spectral collocation method. The influence of different physical and geometrical factors on the parameters of engineering importance of the flow is analyzed and illustrated graphically. It is observed that the skin friction, the density of motile microorganisms, and nanoparticle mass transfer rate are increasing with an increase in the bioconvection Peclet and Schmidt numbers whereas these quantities are decreasing with an increase in Rayleigh number. The local Nusselt number, nanoparticle Sherwood number, and density number of microbes increases with an increase in the Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameter. These physical quantities are increasing when the surface changes from horizontal to vertical.
Numerical investigation on performance of convergent–divergent nozzle with multi‐inlet combustion chamber of a rocket engine
Authors: Bhaskar Arun , Sahu Mithilesh K.
Published: August 2021

In the present work, a convergent–divergent nozzle with a multi‐inlet combustion chamber of a rocket engine is numerically investigated to precisely understand the flow dynamics and variation of flow properties like pressure, temperature, and velocity distribution. The work also deals with a modified combustion chamber having multiple inlets. According to the entry conditions, when the propellants enter the combustion chamber, they are burning due to high velocity and temperature. Then there is a rapid increase in temperature and pressure in the combustion chamber, and afterward, they decrease over the nozzle's length. In this study, three configurations have been prepared in the design modular of ANSYS, a combined setup of the convergent–divergent nozzle with a combustion chamber with four inlets, six inlets, and one with increased combustion chamber length called a modified combustion chamber configuration. In this analysis, an investigation is performed to see the effect of multi‐inlet and increased length of the combustion chamber on the convergent–divergent nozzle's exit velocity. The results show that the configuration with six inlets modified combustion chamber has a 26.3% increase in velocity than six inlets and 38.6% higher exit velocity than four inlets convergent–divergent nozzle of the rocket engine.
Front Cover Image
Authors: Wu Yujing , Wang Shuo , Li Hong , Chen Liquan , Wu Fan
Published: August 2021

The highly flammable and volatile organic liquid electrolytes in commercial LIBs (green battery) suffers from serious thermal problems. Substituting liquid electrolytes with solid‐state electrolyte (SE) is a promising solution. This review summarizes thermal stability of all solid‐state battery from the aspects of SE materials, SE‐electrode interface and battery device. The five balls represent different SE materials, including polymer, oxide, sulfide, halide and hydride. The clapboard above the five balls represents the interface between SE and electrode. Above the clapboard, thermal stability of battery device (blue battery) still needs to be explored in the future. (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12224)

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Soil carbon dioxide emissions from maize (Zea mays L.) fields as influenced by tillage management and climate*
Authors: Mohammed Safwan , Mirzaei Morad , Pappné Törő Ágnes , Anari Manouchehr Gorji , Moghiseh Ebrahim , Asadi Hossein , Szabó Szilárd , Kakuszi‐Széles Adrienn , Harsányi Endre
Published: August 2021

Emissions of CO2 from the soil are the second‐largest component of the global carbon cycle, which has altered the climate and led to climate change. The main aim of this research was to evaluate the direct impact of climate and soil management systems on soil carbon emissions. Thus, CO2 emissions were measured from maize fields located in two different climate regions (continental and semi‐arid). The experimental design involved two different soil management systems (conventional tillage [CT], non‐tillage [NT]) from two different sites (Debrecen [Hungary], Karaj [Iran]). The results showed that total CO2 emission from the cultivated system (CT) was higher than that from the non‐cultivated (NT) one, regardless of the climate region. However, CO2 emissions from agricultural soil in a humid region are significantly different (p < .05) from semi‐arid regions, which clearly emphasizes the role of climate conditions in the CO2 emission processes. However, the general linear model reveals that all studied variables (soil management systems, date of measurement, soil temperature, soil water content) had a significant (p < .05) effect on soil carbon emission, where the explained variance was 0.866. The findings of this research stress the importance of NT in CO2 mitigations on the farm scale. However, the output could help to draw up mitigation strategies to minimize the total greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soil in both countries.
Front Cover
Authors: Mitrou Androniki , Feng Xin , Khan Ashraf , Yaroslavsky Anna N.
Published: August 2021

Confocal fluorescence imaging of pathological breast tissue stained with the combination of intravital dye, Methylene Blue (MB), with molecular cancer marker, pH low insertion peptide (pHLIP) conjugated with fluorescent Alexa532 (Alexa532‐pHLIP) enables reliable discrimination of breast cancer from benign tumors.

Further details can be found in the article by Androniki Mitrou, Xin Feng, Ashraf Khan, Anna N. Yaroslavsky (e202100007).

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Quality assurance: Evaluation and comparison of methods for electron microscopic measurement of GBM width and the effect of in‐lab calibration in diagnostic renal pathology
Authors: Uner Meral , Demirkol Canlı Secil , Arend Lois J.
Published: August 2021

Replacing equipment and software can improve efficiency and allow updates to laboratory procedures, but has the potential to introduce changes in established values for a laboratory. Replacement of an electron microscope (EM), fitted with an updated digital camera, and use of new software for imaging and analysis prompted this QA study to ensure that new equipment, imaging, and measurement of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) produced data consistent with the laboratory's established range of normal width. GBM measurements from 14 randomly selected human renal biopsies were compared using five different approaches. Original measurements of GBMs obtained on the laboratory's previous EM were compared to images collected on the new microscope with measurements performed using new software, as well as the original images and the new images measured using a separate software method as a control. The widths obtained by five approaches were compared to each other. While measurements showed minor variability between the approaches, significant difference in GBM width was noted in three of the paired comparisons. In some cases, these differences suggested slight diagnostic changes. Evaluation of new equipment, software, and techniques is important for a laboratory's quality assurance. While new equipment and/or procedures can introduce errors in test outcomes, we found that different EMs, cameras, and software made slight differences in our laboratory's values for kidney GBM width. However, a few cases showed enough difference in GBM width to suggest a change in diagnosis, illustrating the necessity of calibration adjustments in the setting of new equipment and software.
Characterization of coxsackievirus A10 strains isolated from children with hand, foot, and mouth disease
Authors: Zhang Jie , Xu Danhan , Liu Hongbo , Zhang Ming , Feng Changzeng , Cong Shanri , Sun Hao , Yang Zhaoqing , Ma Shaohui
Published: August 2021

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious disease that threatens the health of children under 5 years of age. Coxsackievirus A10 (CV‐A10) is one of the main pathogens of HFMD. Currently, preventive vaccines and specific therapeutic drugs are not available for CV‐A10. In this study, a total of 327 stool specimens were collected from pediatric patients from 2009 to 2017 during HFMD surveillance, among which 14 CV‐A10 strains could only be isolated from rhabdomyosarcoma cells, but not from KMB17 and Vero cells. Through adaptive culture, 2 and 11 CV‐A10 strains were recovered from Vero and KMB17 cell cultures, respectively. The growth of CV‐A10 strains in Vero cells was better than that in KMB17 cells. The 14 CV‐A10 strains belonged to the F genotype, and the nucleotides and amino acids of their complete genomes shared 92.6%–96.3% and 98.4%–98.9% identities, respectively. The different CV‐A10 strains exhibited varying virulence in vivo, but had similar effects on tissue injury, with the hind limb muscles, kidneys, and lungs being severely affected. Additionally, the hind limb muscles had the highest viral loads. CV‐A10 was found to exhibit a strong tropism to muscle tissue. The results of this study are critical to developing vaccines against CV‐A10 infections.
Assessment of clinical outcomes in renal transplant recipients with COVID‐19
Authors: Yilmaz Gulay , Ebru Ozdemir , Ibrahim Berber , Ulkem Cakir
Published: August 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has affected more than a hundred million individuals and caused more than three million deaths worldwide. Specific risk groups were defined for increased risk of mortality and morbidity in COVID‐19, and renal transplant recipients are at a significantly increased risk regarding outcomes due to their immunosuppressed conditions. This study evaluated the general characteristics of kidney transplant recipients with COVID‐19 infection. Among 1257 transplant cases, 56 had COVID‐19 infection, and 23 (41%) were hospitalized during the 9‐month study period. Among all COVID‐19 cases, 58% were male with a mean age of 45.5 (±13.2, 19–71) years, and the most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (70.9%) and diabetes (23.6%). Hospitalized patients were older (p = 0.03) and had higher rates of hypertension (p = 0.008), diabetes (p = 0.002), and ischemic heart disease (p = 0.03). Therapeutic management included antimetabolite withdrawal and prednisolone increase in 71%, calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal in 8% and decrease in 58%, hydroxychloroquine in 17%, tocilizumab in 3%, and antivirals in 67% of patients. Acute kidney injury and respiratory failure developed in 34% and 85%, respectively. The mortality rate was 23%. These results emphasized that the COVID‐19 infection in renal transplant recipients significantly increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, these patients should be intervened earlier and monitored closely to prevent poor outcomes.
Impact of COVID‐19 on the mental health in a cohort of Italian rehabilitation healthcare workers
Authors: Farì Giacomo , de Sire Alessandro , Giorgio Vincenzo , Rizzo Laura , Bruni Antonella , Bianchi Francesco P. , Zonno Alessandra , Pierucci Paola , Ranieri Maurizio , Megna Marisa
Published: August 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a strong impact on healthcare workers (HCWs), affecting their physical and mental health. In Italy, HCWs have been among the first exposed to unprecedented pressure, dealing with large numbers of infections during the first pandemic wave. However, the severe psychological consequences on HCWs find little evidence in the literature, especially in terms of comparison to the status quo ante pandemic. The aim of this study was to provide an assessment of the mental health burden in a cohort of Italian HCWs during the COVID‐19 pandemic, comparing their condition with that before the emergency, to direct the promotion of mental well‐being among HCWs worldwide. In this retrospective study, we included physicians, physical therapists, and nurses working in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, Neurology Unit, and Rehabilitation Unit from a Southern Italy University Hospital. All study participants underwent a battery of psychological tests, aimed at verifying their state of mental health during the COVID‐19 emergency and before it. Depressive, anxiety, and burnout symptoms were assessed using the following questionnaires: Maslach Burnout Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), and General Anxiety Disorder‐7. Depressive, anxiety, and burnout clinical relevance symptoms were present in HCWs during the COVID‐19 pandemic more than those before the emergency. Fifty percent of the HCWs obtained a score clinically significant during the emergency. Moreover, a depersonalization factor showed a statistically significant increase in average scores (p < 0.0001). The PHQ‐9 scale showed that 47.1% of the operators reported depressive state presence. The number of operators scoring above the cut‐off for the anxiety scale tripled during the emergency (p < 0.0001). The female gender conferred greater risks for depression. Taken together, the findings of this study showed that our sample of Italian HCWs showed a greater risk for depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID‐19 pandemic. These data might be a starting point to plan mental health monitoring and prevention programs for HCWs, thus ensuring patients receive the best possible care performances even during healthcare crises such as the current pandemic.
A novel approach for effective superior vena cava isolation using the CARTO electroanatomical mapping system
Authors: Inagaki Dai , Fukamizu Seiji , Tokioka Sayuri , Kimura Takashi , Takahashi Masao , Kitamura Takeshi , Hojo Rintaro
Published: August 2021

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that some patients have spontaneous right atrium (RA)‐superior vena cava (SVC) conduction block, which could be utilized to isolate the SVC effectively by using the Rhythmia mapping system (Boston Scientific). However, employing this approach for SVC isolation using the CARTO electroanatomical mapping system (Biosense Webster) has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SVC isolation using the extended early meets late (EEML) tool with the CARTO system.

Methods

The patients who underwent SVC isolation using the CARTO system were enrolled in this study. The RA‐SVC conduction block was visualized with an EEML tool. We prospectively assessed the safety and efficacy of SVC isolation using this system.

Results

We analyzed 54 patients, and all SVCs were successfully isolated with no complications. Altogether, 44 patients (81.5%) had spontaneous RA‐SVC conduction block, and the remaining 10 patients (18.5%) did not. The block group required fewer radiofrequency deliveries for the SVC isolation than the nonblock group (10.7 ± 5.0 vs 15.5 ± 4.8, P = .009). The size of the isolated area in the block group was larger than that in the nonblock group (15.2 ± 5.1 cm2 vs 12.4 ± 2.5 cm2, P = .017).

Conclusions

Approximately 80% of the patients in this study developed a spontaneous RA‐SVC conduction block, which might contribute to shortening the time of ablation and avoiding complications.
The changing malaria risk patterns in East‐Central Europe and the North Balkans in the last 27 000 years
Authors: Trájer Attila J.
Published: August 2021

Southeast Europe has historically been at the crossroads of migration routes between Western Asia and Europe. In the Holocene, this area might have been home to malaria. However, it is questionable when malaria arrived in this area and whether it could persist continuously or not in the Holocene. To begin to answer these questions, the July potential generation number of two malaria parasites were modelled, based on the reconstructed mean July temperatures of 52 times in the last 27 000 years. The results indicate that in the late Pleistocene era (27–12 kya bp), vivax malaria might have been present in the south‐east Black Sea and Aegean Sea's coastal areas. Vivax malaria could also be present in the Pannonian Basin and the inner parts of the North Balkans at least from the mid‐Greenlandian period (~10 kya bp). Although it is questionable whether falciparum malaria could be endemic in the Pannonian Basin during the mid‐Holocene climate optimum (~6 kya bp), this malaria plausibly could be endemic from the Neolithic era (~12–6.5 kya bp) in the major river valleys of the North Balkan region, millennia ahead of the Graeco‐Roman times (8th century bce to 6th century ce).
CARS‐measurement of adsorption isotherms of carbon dioxide in Vycor glass and CARS‐porosimetry
Authors: Arakcheev Vladimir G. , Bekin Alexey N. , Morozov Viacheslav B.
Published: August 2021

It has been shown recently that coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) allows probing the adsorption in optically transparent bulk nanoporous materials. The phases appearing in the pores at different conditions are identified by their resonant spectral contributions characterized by special values of the Raman shift and the linewidth. The present work demonstrates that the spectral amplitudes retrieved from the CARS spectra are the key for numerical description of the specific loadings of the phases. As a result, the adsorption isotherms can be obtained from the spectroscopic data. An essential point here is the presence of the nonresonant background caused by the material of the nanoporous matrix. It is used as the reference to overcome changes in collimated transparency of the sample in the pressure range at which the condensation occurs in the pores. Also, we show that the average pore radius can be estimated by analysis of a single CARS spectrum, allowing for the CARS‐porosimetry.