bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Salt Electrolyte Solutions Challenge the Electrochemical CO2Reduction Reaction to Formate at Indium and Tin Cathodes
Authors: Kas Aykut , Izadi Paniz , Harnisch Falk
Published: September 2023

Formate is a promising product of the electrochemical CO2reduction reaction (eCO2RR) that can serve as feedstock for biological syntheses. Indium (In) has been shown as a selective electrocatalyst of eCO2RR with high coulombic efficiency (CE) for formate production at small scale at biocompatible non‐halophilic that is low salt conditions. Ohmic losses and challenges on potential/current distribution arise for scaling‐up, where higher salt loads are advantageous for minimizing these. Higher salt concentration within the solution or halophilic conditions also enable the use of halophilic biocatalysts. We optimized eCO2RR with halophilic media by introducing tin (Sn) as a more sustainable alternative to In. At 3 % NaCl providing a catholyte conductivity (of 70 mS cm−1, the maximum specific formate production rates (rformate) of 0.143±0.030 mmol cm−2 h−1and 0.167±0.027 mmol cm−2 h−1were achieved at In and Sn electrocatalysts, respectively. Decrease inrformateand CE, in addition to higher variation between replicates was observed with further increase in NaCl concentration above 3 % (>70 mS cm−1) up to 10 % (=127 mS cm−1). This study sets the foundation for integrated microbial synthesis by halophiles.
Laser‐Assisted Interfacial Engineering for High‐Performance All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Ryoo Gyeongbeom , Lee Byunghak , Shin Sunghyeon , Kim Younghyeon , Han Joong Tark , Jeong Bosu , Park Jong Hwan
Published: September 2023

Safe and high‐energy‐density solid‐state batteries (SSBs) are promising candidates for use as the primary power source of next‐generation electric vehicles. However, their poor rate capabilities and long‐term cyclabilities because of material and interfacial instabilities have hindered their widespread commercialization. This study reviewed the recent progress of laser‐assisted interfacial engineering technologies to address the stability issues at the interfaces of SSBs. First, the overview of the interfacial issues of SSBs is briefly outlined. Subsequently, the recent achievements are summarized according to the photophysical mechanisms of laser processing and the type of interfaces to which they are applied. Consequently, the critical laser processing factors to improve the interfacial stabilities of SSBs are highlighted in detail. Finally, the future challenges and opportunities in laser‐assisted interfacial engineering for manufacturing high‐performance SSBs have been discussed to provide guidelines for developing reliable and scalable processes.
Is Enol Always the Culprit? The Curious Case of High Enantioselectivity in a Chiral Rh(II) Complex Catalyzed Carbene Insertion Reaction
Authors: Harariya Mahesh S. , Gogoi Romin , Goswami Anubhav , Sharma Akhilesh K. , Jindal Garima
Published: September 2023

The mechanism of Rh2(S‐NTTL)4 catalyzed carbene insertion into C(3)−H of indole is investigated using DFT methods. Since the commonly accepted enol mechanism cannot account for enantioinduction, a concerted oxocarbenium pathway was proposed in an earlier work using a model catalyst. However, after considering the full catalytic system, this study finds that akin to other reactions, here, too, the enol pathway is of lower energy, which now naturally raises a conundrum regarding the mode of chiral induction. Herein, a new water promoted mechanistic pathway involving a metal‐associated enol intermediate hydrogen bonding and stereochemical model are proposed to solve this puzzle. It is shown how the catalyst bowl‐shaped structure along with substrate‐catalyst binding is crucial for achieving high levels of enantioselectivity. A stereodetermining water‐assisted proton transfer is proposed and confirmed through deuterium‐labeling experiments. The water molecules are held together by H‐bonding interactions with the carboxylate ligands that is reminiscent of enzyme catalysis. Although several previous studies have aimed at understanding the mechanism of metal catalyzed carbene insertion reactions, the origin of high stereoinduction especially with chiral metal complexes remains unclear, and till date there is no transition state model that can explain the high enantioselectivity with such chiral Rh complexes. The metal‐associated enol pathway is currently underrepresented in catalytic cycles and may play a crucial role in catalyst design. Since the enol pathway is commonly adopted in other metal‐catalyzed X−H insertion reactions involving a diazoester, the presented results are not specific to the current reaction. Therefore, this study could provide the direction for achieving high levels of enantioselectivity which is otherwise difficult to achieve with a single metal catalyst.
Pharmacokinetics, Tolerability, and Safety of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir Co‐formulated Bilayer Tablet Following Repeated Administration in Healthy Chinese Adults
Authors: Kalluri Hari V. , Oberoi Rajneet K. , Chen Qian , Jiang Qi , Asatryan Armen , Alami Negar N. , Yu Chen , Liu Wei
Published: September 2023

Glecaprevir (GLE)/pibrentasvir (PIB) is an all‐oral, interferon‐ and ribavirin‐free, pan‐genotypic fixed‐dose combination regimen approved for the treatment of all major genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in many countries worldwide. To support clinical development in China, an open‐label, single‐center phase 1 study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of GLE/PIB in healthy Chinese adults in Mainland China. Eighteen participants received 3 tablets of coformulated GLE/PIB 100/40 mg once daily (QD) for 7 days. Following GLE/PIB 300 mg/120 mg administration, GLE and PIB reached maximum concentration in 4‐5 hours with a terminal elimination half‐life of 5.9 and 25 hours, respectively. Both GLE and PIB reached steady state by day 5, with no‐to‐minimal accumulation (≤17% higher). GLE/PIB exposures in healthy Chinese participants were similar to historical observations across phase 1 studies in healthy Western participants. GLE/PIB was safe and well‐tolerated, with most adverse events being mild. These pharmacokinetics and safety data, together with existing global efficacy and safety data in healthy and HCV‐infected Western participants, support the use of GLE/PIB 300 mg/120 mg QD in adult Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection.
Molecular Properties of 3d and 4f Coordination Compounds Deciphered by Raman Optical Activity Spectroscopy
Authors: Wu Tao , Pelc Radek , Bouř Petr
Published: September 2023

Molecular properties of coordination compounds can be efficiently studied by vibrational spectroscopy. The scope of Raman spectroscopy has been greatly enhanced by the introduction of Raman optical activity (ROA) sensitive to chirality. The present review describes some of its recent applications to study the coordination compounds. 3d and 4f metal complexes often absorb the excitation light, or exhibit luminescence. Therefore, effects caused in ROA spectra by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) must be taken into consideration.In 3d metal complexes ECD and circularly‐polarized Raman scattering compete with the resonance ROA (RROA) signal. Pure RROA spectrum can thus be obtained by subtracting the so‐called ECD‐Raman component. CPL is frequently encountered in 4f systems. While it can mask the ROA spectra, it is useful to study molecular structure. These electronic effects can be reduced by using near‐infrared excitation although vibrational ROA signal is much weaker compared to the usual green laser excitation scenario. The ROA methodology is thus complex, but capable of providing unique information about the molecules of interests and their interaction with light.
Design and Synthesis of Energetic Melt‐Castable Materials by Substituent‐Specific Modification
Authors: Chen Fang , Wang Yi , Song Siwei , Wang Kangcai , Zhang Qinghua
Published: September 2023

With the increase in the demand for high‐performance composite explosives, the search for advanced energetic melt‐castable compounds has attracted increasing attention in the field of energetic materials. Herein, two new energetic materials with nitromethyl and azidomethyl substituents (1‐(nitromethyl)‐3,4‐dinitro‐1H‐pyrazole (NMDNP) and 1‐(azidomethyl)‐3,4‐dinitro‐1H‐pyrazole (AMDNP) were prepared by the substituent modification of a potential melt‐castable molecule ((3,4‐dinitro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl) methyl nitrate, MC‐4), respectively. NMDNP exhibited a suitable melting point (90 °C), good thermal stability (Td: 185 °C) and excellent detonation performance (8484 m s−1) and impact sensitivity (25 J), thereby demonstrating promise as an energetic melt‐castable material. Simultaneously, compared with the nitrato‐methyl and azidomethyl substituents, the nitromethyl substituent exhibited greater advantages in regulating performance.
Fabrication and Characterization of High‐Dimension Single‐Crystal Yb:YAG Ingots Grown by Horizontal Directed Crystallization Method
Authors: Kajan Juraj , Volkov Mikhail , Damazyan Grigori , Mukhin Ivan , Gregor Tomáš , Palashov Oleg
Published: September 2023

The research conducted herein builds upon the achievement of a successful and stable 170 × 300 × 35 mm YAG and 5% Yb:YAG single‐crystals production via the horizontal directed crystallization method. Based on the analysis of residual birefringence pattern in analyzed ingots, a hypothesis is proposed—debating that in certain stages of the growth, {211} facets start to form within some sections of the crystallization front. The sensitivity of the {211} facets to temperature fluctuations seems to cause striations in the facets’ growth sectors. In a later stage of the growth process the slope of the crystallization front naturally changes, which seems to reduce the formation of facets considerably. As a result, the rear part of the crystal achieves the best optical quality. The samples extracted from that portion of the ingot, after annealing, possess good optical quality and heat release of 0.004 1/m at 1070 nm, which is quite low, and is considered a good result for the garnet family of crystals. The lasing experiment with thin‐disk geometry shows a slope efficiency of 52% and proves that the material is suitable for high‐power lasers application.
Growth and Characterization of Radiation Sensors Based on Single Crystals of Hybrid Metal–Organic Methylammonium Lead Bromide and Iodide Perovskite
Authors: Murgulov Valeria , Daub Michael , Hillebrecht Harald , Fiederle Michael , Franc Jan , Dědič Václav
Published: September 2023

The inverse temperature (T)‐dependent methods yield single crystals of methylammonium lead halide perovskite with strained lattices. In contrast, the antisolvent diffusion method (antisolvent‐vapor crystallization (AVC)) produces unstrained MAPbBr3 crystals with more uniform growth features and lower density of defects. The powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements confirm the cubic and the tetragonal structure of the MAPbBr3 and the MAPbI3 samples, respectively. The XRD pole figure measurements (MAPbBr3) reveal a roughly parallel dominant (100) lattice plane to the sample surface. An optimal crystal growth combines growth of a seed on an oriented substrate by the AVC method followed by either the AVC or a T‐dependent method. The estimated resistivity ρ and the density of trap state ntrap values for the MAPbI3 samples are 107 Ωcm and 1010 cm−3, respectively. The X‐ray detection test reveals promising electrical properties of the MAPbI3 material. Results from the Hall measurements in van der Pauw geometry for the MAPbBr3 samples agree with those in the literature: the charge‐carrier concentration of 109−1010 cm−3 and the mobility of 7–289 cm2 V−1 s−1, ntrap of 109−1010 cm−3, and ρ of 107–108 Ωcm. These electrical parameters indicate that the MAPbBr3 samples satisfy requirements for radiation sensors.
Visible‐Light‐Initiated Air‐Oxygenation of Alkylarenes to Carbonyls Mediated by Carbon Tetrabromide in Water
Authors: Bo Chunbo , Li Min , Chen Fei , Liu Jichang , Dai Bin , Liu Ning
Published: September 2023

Synthesizing benzyl skeleton derivatives via direct oxidation of functionalized benzylic C−H bonds has received extensive research attention. Herein, a method was developed to prepare carbonyl compounds via photoinduced aerobic oxidation of ubiquitous benzylic C−H bonds mediated by bromine radicals and tribromomethane radicals. This method employed commercially available CBr4 as a hydrogen atom transfer reagent precursor, air as an oxidant, water as a reaction solvent, and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAPC) as an additive under mild conditions. A series of substrates bearing different functional groups was converted to aromatic carbonyls in moderate to good yields. Moreover, a low environmental factor (E‐factor value=0.45) showed that the proposed method is ecofriendly and environmentally sustainable.
A novel system matrix building algorithm for stability analysis of interconnected DC microgrids
Authors: K Jithin , N Mayadevi , R Harikumar , VP Mini
Published: September 2023

DC microgrids (DCMGs) are achieving critical significance these days because of their colossal benefits as compared with the existing AC systems. However, with the high penetration of sources interfaced to the grid using various power electronic converters (PECs), stability is often a crucial issue, especially during the interconnected operation of microgrids (MGs). Hence, before the interconnection of DCMGs, the stability of the resultant system needs to be guaranteed. In this work, a novel step‐by‐step procedure, which does not require a complete rebuilding of the system matrix when a new DCMG is added through a distribution line to the cluster, is proposed. Furthermore, stability analysis of the individual DCMGs and the cluster is performed from a control system perspective using the eigenvalue method. From the analysis, it is seen that, even though the individual DCMG units operate as a stable system, the resulting clusters may not be stable. The stability issues of the cluster are resolved by tuning the controller parameters with particle swarm optimization (PSO). The results reveal the importance of stability analysis and the selection of optimum controller gains for the reliable operation of DCMG clusters. Also, the algorithm is verified using simulation in MATLAB/Simulink environment and real‐time experiment using OPAL‐RT simulator.
Calculations of polytropic coefficient for the Tonks–Langmuir Electron‐ion plasma with non‐Maxwellian electron distributions
Authors: Kamran Muhammad , Khan Majid
Published: September 2023

The dynamics of the Tonks and Langmuir‐type bounded plasma requires a closure relation to make the system of equations self‐consistent. Fluid equations are obtained from the moments of velocity distribution function. The two most frequently used closure relations are (a) completely neglecting ion temperature, and (b) setting a constant value for the ion polytropic coefficient. It has been shown that, for a Maxwellian source, either of these assumptions leads to erroneous results. Here, the premise of polytropic coefficient being afunctionof the potential is extended to a nonthermal plasma. Two different cases for the electron velocity distribution function are studied, namely (a) the Kappa distribution, and (b) the Cairns distribution. Number density(ni)and temperature(Ti)for the ions are numerically calculated, for respective spectral indices. The polytropic coefficient is then calculated as a function of the potential, using the relationγi = 1 + (ni/Ti)(dTi/dni). It is concluded that better approximations, vetted by kinetic means, to the polytropic coefficient are crucial for appropriate closure of fluid equations. Present work will be useful in fusion devices where non‐Maxwellian electrons may exist due to various physical phenomena.
Shared bottleneck detection based on trend line regression for multipath transmission
Authors: Zhang Songyang , Lei Weimin , Zhang Wei , zhan Yuzhuo , Li Hao
Published: September 2023

Current proposed congestion control algorithms for multipath transmission couple all subflows together to maintain bottleneck fairness by assuming that the subflows traverse a common bottleneck. The coupled form congestion control algorithms restrict the multipath session to gain better throughput in non‐shared bottleneck situation. The throughput of a multipath session following independent rate control is larger than the throughput achieved by coupled form congestion control algorithm. The key point is to find a method to detect whether flows share a common bottleneck. If the subflows of a multipath session are detected out traversing a common bottleneck, the sender could perform coupled congestion control algorithm to guarantee bottleneck fairness and follow independent congestion control algorithm otherwise to improve throughput. Deduced from fluid model of additive increase multiplicative decrease (AIMD) rule, the delay samples can be linearly fitted when the bottleneck link falls into congestion. A delay trend line regression (TR) method is proposed for shared bottleneck detection. The delay slopes in close proximity indicate that the flows traverse the same bottleneck in great probability. Extensive simulations are performed to validate the effectiveness of TR algorithm in shared bottleneck detection. It is further implemented in multipath QUIC Golang codebase to work in collaboration with linked increases algorithm (LIA). Results show a multipath QUIC session with two subflows can gain higher throughput in non‐shared bottleneck situation and is less aggressive in shared bottleneck cases with the implementation of shared bottleneck detection algorithm.
Two policies for wireless non‐orthogonal multiple access systems: System model and performance enhancement of far user
Authors: Le Chi‐Bao , Do Dinh Thuan
Published: September 2023

Device‐to‐device (D2D)‐enabled non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) network is introduced as promising candidate to support massive connectivity and satisfy the high‐throughput demand. In this paper, two schemes are investigated for situations associated with D2D users and interference from traditional cellular users. The base station equipped multiple antennas is designed to exploit higher diversity gain and make full use of spectrum resources with NOMA technique. Especially, performance improvement can be achieved as enabling D2D link and signal reception of the far user (FU) on cell‐edge area. We study two policies related to downlink and uplink of such D2D NOMA system. The simulation results indicate that the improved ergodic capacity and outage performance can be achieved at FU with more antennas at the base station and higher allocated power factor. In addition, the D2D‐enabled NOMA can significantly improve the spectral efficiency.
An energy‐aware approach for resource managing in the fog‐basedInternet of Thingsusing a hybrid algorithm
Authors: Ren Xiaojun , Zhang Zhijun , Arefzadeh Seyedeh Maryam
Published: September 2023

Regarding the recent information technology improvement, the fog computing (FC) emergence increases the ability of computational equipment and supplies modern solutions for traditional industrial applications. In the fog environment, Internet of Things (IoT) applications are completed by computing nodes that are intermediate in the fog, and the physical servers in data centers of the cloud. From the other side, because of resource constraints, dynamic nature, resource heterogeneity, and volatility of fog environment, resource management problems must be considered as one of the challenging issues of fog. The resource managing problem is an NP‐hard issue, so, in the current article, a powerful hybrid algorithm for managing resources in FC‐based IoT is proposed using an ant colony optimization (ACO) and a genetic algorithm (GA). GAs are computationally costly because of some problems such as the lack of guarantee for obtaining optimal solutions. Then, the precision and speed of convergence can be optimized by the ACO algorithm. Therefore, the powerful affirmative feedback pros of ACO on the convergence rate is considered. The algorithm uses GA's universal investigation power, and then it is transformed into ACO primary pheromone. This algorithm outperforms ACO and GA under equal conditions, as the simulation experiments showed.
Harris Hawk Optimization Algorithm‐based Effective Localization of Non‐Line‐of‐Sight Nodes for Reliable Data Dissemination in Vehicular Ad hoc Networks
Authors: A. Christy Jeba Malar , M. Deva Priya , Janakiraman Sengathir
Published: September 2023

Vehicular Ad hoc NETwork (VANET) is considered as the appropriate candidate for provisioning risk‐free environment that confirms secure cooperation and very minimal congestion among the vehicular nodes in the network. The establishment and maintenance of connectivity between vehicular nodes are determined to be influenced by the existence of Non‐Line‐of‐Sight (NLOS) nodes that introduce channel congestion and broadcasting storm into the network during emergency message delivery. Thus, NLOS nodes need to be localized with optimality for enhancing the emergency data delivery rate with minimized latency degree and energy consumption in the network. In this paper, Harris Hawk Optimization Algorithm (HHOA)‐based NLOS nodes Localization Scheme (NLOS‐LS) (HHOA‐NLOS‐LS) is proposed for facilitating reliable data dissemination among vehicular nodes under emergency situations. HHOA utilizes chasing styles and cooperative behavior of Harris hawks termed as surprise pounce for efficient localization based on reference nodes. In particular, the intelligent strategy of Harris hawks' behavior in attacking the prey in all directions is included for localizing the NLOS nodes from the reference nodes positioned in all directions of the network. It is capable of localizing the NLOS nodes based on adaptive localizing (chasing) styles attained through reference nodes dependingon the dynamic nature of NLOS nodes. The simulation results prove that the mean localization rate is improved by 23.21%, mean neighborhood awareness rate by 19.82%, mean emergency message delivery rate by 18.32% and mean channel utilization by 17.28% when compared to the baseline Weighted Inertia‐based Dynamic Virtual Bat Algorithm (WIDVBA)‐based NLOS‐LS (WIDVBA‐NLOS‐LS), Cooperative Volunteer Vehicular Nodes (CVVN)‐based NLOS‐LS (CVVN‐NLOS‐LS), Vote Selection Mechanisms and Probabilistic Data Association (VSMPDA)‐based NLOS‐LS (VSMPDA‐NLOS‐LS), and Weighted Distance Hyperbolic Prediction (WDHP)‐based NLOS‐LS (WDHP‐NLOS‐LS) for a varying number of vehicular nodes in the network.
Changes in smoking status, amount of smoking and their relation to the risk of microvascular complications in men with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Park Sung Keun , Kim Min‐Ho , Jung Ju Young , Oh Chang‐Mo , Ha Eunhee , Nam Do Jin , Yang Eun Hye , Hwang Woo Yeon , Lee Sangho , Ryoo Jae‐Hong
Published: September 2023

Background

Smoking is a definite risk factor for macrovascular complications in diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the effect of smoking on microvascular complications is inconclusive.

Method

Study participants were 26,673 diabetic men who received health check‐up both in 2003–2004 and 2009, excluding women. Assessing smoking status (never, quitting and current) at 2003–2004 and 2009, changes in smoking status were categorised into 7 groups (never ‐ never, never ‐ quitting, never ‐ current, quitting—quitting, quitting—current, current—quitting and current—current). Smoking amount was categorised into never, light (0–10 pack years), moderate (10–20 pack years), and heavy smoking (>20 pack years) based on 2009 data. They were followed‐up until 2013 to identify incident microvascular complications. We calculated the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) (adjusted HR [95% CI]) for incident microvascular complications according to changes in smoking status and smoking amount.

Results

Current‐quitting (1.271 [1.050–1.538]), current‐current (1.243 [1.070–1.444]) and heavy smoking (1.238 [1.078–1.422]) were associated with an increased risk of overall microvascular complications. The risk of nephropathy increased in current‐current smoking (1.429 [1.098–1.860]) and heavy smoking (1.357 [1.061–1.734]). An increased risk of neuropathy was observed in current‐quitting smoking (1.360 [1.076–1.719]), current‐current smoking (1.237 [1.025–1.492]) and heavy smoking (1.246 [1.048–1.481]). However, we couldn’t see the interpretable findings for the association between smoking and retinopathy.

Conclusions

Lasting and heavy smoking increases the risk of microvascular complications, including nephropathy and neuropathy. Quitting smoking and reducing smoking amount are imperative in preventing microvascular complications in DM patients.
Managing the common problem of co‐occurring mental health conditions in eating disorders: A commentary on Wade et al. (2023)
Authors: Wonderlich Stephen A. , Crosby Ross D.
Published: September 2023

It is well known that individuals with an eating disorder frequently experience a wide range of co‐occurring mental health conditions which significantly impact eating disorders and quality of life. Clinicians attempt a variety of strategies to deal with the behavioral complexity of such co‐occurrence, but little is known about empirically based interventions to treat this common comorbidity. The approach articulated by Wade and Colleagues highlights a potentially valuable strategy for empirically examining a range of treatment strategies to target the full spectrum of eating disorder psychopathology experienced by most patients with eating disorders.
Self‐management interventions for people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis protocol
Authors: Heidari‐Soureshjani Reza , Nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht , Zakerimoghadam Masoumeh , Mohammadi Tayeb , Rasti Arezoo
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

Educational self‐management interventions (SMI) have an important role in improving symptom management, preventing relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS) and promoting quality of life (QoL) of these patients; since there is little knowledge about overall effectiveness of MS self‐management programs and which types of SMI improves the outcomes, this research aims to assess the efficacy of structured SMI in improving health outcomes in people with MS (PwMS) by synthesizing and compare outcomes from related randomized controlled trials.

Methods

In the present systematic review protocol, the keywords related to self‐management and MS will be searched in electronic databases including (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL]), gray literature resources and key journals from 2000 to July 2023. Research‐related articles will be collected and after removing duplicate articles, will be included in the study. In the screening step, titles and abstracts of articles will be reviewed and after deleting irrelevant articles, the full text of related articles will be evaluated independently by two researchers and data will be extracted from final articles and the findings will be categorized in an extraction table. Risk of bias will be assessed by using the Cochrane collaboration's tool. If possible, the data will be analyzed using random effect models and the statistical analysis will be performed using STATA software (version 14.2) developed by StataCorp.

Discussion

Comparative effectiveness of SMI is currently unknown. We will analyze outcome measures used to assess effectiveness of self‐management education in improving QoL, depression, self‐efficacy, pain, and fatigue. These findings will help identify the most promising components of SMIs, guiding targeted interventions for specific subpopulations, and facilitating the design of better interventions.
COVID‐19 vaccines and their underbelly: Are we going the right way?
Authors: Satapathy Bhabani Sankar , Pattnaik Gurudutta , Sahoo Rudra Narayan , Pattanaik Sovan , Sarangi Ashish K. , Kandi Venkataramana , Mishra Snehasish , Rabaan Ali A. , Mohanty Aroop , Sah Ranjit , Mohapatra Ranjan K.
Published: September 2023

Background

Historically, a critical aetiological agent of health concern stays till eternity after its discovery, so shall it be with the COVID‐19 outbreak. It has transformed human life to a ‘new normal’ with huge tolls on the social, psychological, intellectual and financial spheres.

Aim

This perspective aimed to collate numerous reported COVID‐19 vaccine‐associated adverse events and the predisposing factors. It focussed on the efficacy of mix‐n‐match (cocktail) vaccines to effectively counter COVID‐19 infection to facilitate future research and possible interventions.

Material and Methods

Databases like Scopus, Pubmed and the Web‐of‐science were searched for published literature on ‘adverse events associated with COVID‐19 vaccine’. The reports and updates from health agencies like the WHO and CDC were also considered for the purpose. The details with respect to the adverse events associated with COVID‐19 vaccination and the predisposing factors were compiled to obtain insights and suggest possible future directions in vaccine research.

Results

India stood strong to manage its health resources in time and turned into a dominant global vaccine supplier at a time when healthcare infrastructure of many countries was still significantly challenged. Developing indigenous vaccines and the vaccination drive in India were its major achievements during the second and the subsequent COVID‐19 waves. The fully indigenous Covaxin vaccine, primarily as an emergency intervention, was successfully rapidly launched. Similar such vaccines for emergency use were developed elsewhere as well. However, all of these reached the marketplace with a ‘emergency use only’ tag, without formal clinical trials and other associated formalities to validate and verify them as these would require much longer incubation time before they are available for human use.

Discussion

Many adverse events associated with either the first or the second/booster vaccination doses were reported. Evidently, these associated adverse events were considered as ‘usually rare’ or were often underreported. Without the additional financial or ethical burden on the vaccine companies, fortunately, the Phase IV (human) clinical trials of their manufactured vaccines are occurring by default as the human population receives these under the tag ‘emergency use’. Thus, focused and collaborative strategies to unveil the molecular mechanisms in vaccine‐related adverse events in a time‐bound manner are suggested.

Conclusion

Reliable data particularly on the safety of children is lacking as majority of the current over‐the‐counter COVID‐19 vaccines were for emergency use. Many of these were still in their Phase III and Phase IV trials. The need for a mutant‐proof, next‐gen COVID‐19 vaccine in the face of vaccine‐associated adverse events is opined.
Application of CT pulmonary angiography and echocardiography in acute pulmonary embolism: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sametzadeh Mozhgan , Dadgostar Sahar , Hanafi Mohammad Ghasem , Mohammadi Mohammad
Published: September 2023

Background

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is an acute and potentially fatal condition defined as the blockage of pulmonary arteries by an embolism that can be from various origins.

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the findings of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and echocardiography in patients with acute PE.

Methods

The present cross‐sectional study included some patients with clinical manifestations of PE who underwent CTPA and echocardiography. The radiologic findings, PE severity, and outcome of the patients were recorded. Moreover, echocardiography was performed by an expert cardiologist using a high‐resolution device, while CTPA was performed by an expert radiologist using a 16‐slice device and a two‐step selective test bolus method.

Results

According to our findings, a total number of 147 patients were diagnosed with PE, including 44 (29.93%), 44 (29.93%), and 59 (40.14%) cases of mild, moderate, and severe PE, respectively. Moreover, 25 patients (17%) finally expired due to PE. Regarding the CTPA findings, 31 patients (21.1%) had septum flattening, while 35 (23.8%) had a septum deviation toward the left ventricle. Also, there were significant correlations between mortality and some CTPA findings, including severe PE (p < 0.001), the presence of septal deviation (p = 0.007), and higher diameters of the main pulmonary artery (p < 0.001) and right ventricle (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

CTPA is a valid and accessible modality for diagnosing and evaluating PE in suspected patients. Moreover, several findings in CTPA could predict adverse outcomes, such as death, in patients with PE.
Are sex differences in blood cell count and hemoglobin moderated by the 2D:4D ratio? A cross‐sectional study in a Ghanaian population
Authors: Banyeh Moses , Kangkpi Thea , Bani Simon B. , Zogli Kervin Edinam , Tanko Muniru Mohammed , Atuahene Peter Eugene , Iddrisu Aisha Yaaba , Ekor Christine , Akoto Emmanuel Osei , Amidu Nafiu
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

There are sex differences in blood cell count and hemoglobin (HGB) in adulthood due to differences in the levels of circulating sex hormones. The second‐to‐fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is the putative marker of prenatal hormone exposure. The 2D:4D or the right‐left difference (Dr‐l) are sexually dimorphic and are correlates of sex hormones in adulthood. The study sought to determine whether sex differences in adult blood cell count and HGB can be partly explained by the 2D:4D or Dr‐l.

Methods

The study was cross‐sectional between June and December 2021 at the University for Development Studies. The study involved 207 healthy participants (females = 113) aged from 18 to 32 years. The right‐hand (2D:4DR), and the left‐hand (2D:4DL) digit ratio and their difference (Dr‐l) were measured using Computer‐assisted analysis. Blood cell count, HGB, testosterone, and estradiol were measured from venous blood samples using an automated HGB analyzer and ELIZA technique.

Results

The platelet count was inversely related to the 2D:4DR in the total sample with the 2D:4DR accounting for about 0.2% (adjR2 = 0.002) of the variability in platelet count. However, there was a sex difference as indicated by the significant interaction between sex and the 2D:4DR on platelet count (p = 0.03). The relationship between platelet count and the 2D:4DR was negative in females but positive in males. Also, there was a positive relationship between HGB concentration and the Dr‐l in the total study sample, where the Dr‐l accounted for about 0.6% (adjR2 = 0.006) of the variability in HGB concentration. Sex interacted significantly with the Dr‐l on HGB concentration (p = 0.01) such that the relationship between HGB and the Dr‐l was positive in females but negative in males.

Conclusion

Prenatal hormone exposure, as indexed by the 2D:4D ratio, may partly account for the observed sex differences in platelet count and HGB levels in adulthood.
Combination of robot‐assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty for lower moiety ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a partial duplex system and percutaneous endoscopic surgery for renal calculi reusing the port for robotic pyeloplasty
Authors: Nishio Hidenori , Mizuno Kentaro , Matsumoto Daisuke , Tozawa Keiichi , Yasui Takahiro , Hayashi Yutaro
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction is often associated with renal calculus formation. However, there is no report of using robot‐assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty combined with percutaneous endoscopic surgery for ureteropelvic junction obstruction and renal calculi in a partial duplex system.

Case presentation

A 19‐year‐old female patient with lower moiety ureteropelvic junction obstruction and renal calculi in a partial duplex system was referred to our hospital because of left lumbar pain, left acute pyelonephritis, and an increase in left renal calculi during follow‐up at the referral hospital. To prevent the complication of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy following pyeloplasty, robot‐assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty combined with percutaneous endoscopic surgery was performed. Two years after surgery, the patient reported no left lumbar pain.

Conclusion

The combination of robot‐assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty and percutaneous endoscopic surgery can be proposed as a safe and less‐invasive treatment option for ureteropelvic junction obstruction and renal calculi in a partial duplex system.
Front Cover
Authors: Chaki Chironjeet , De Taboada Luis , Tse Kwong Ming
Published: September 2023

In order to deliver safe and effective transdermal deep tissue light therapy (tDTLT), the study simulates laser light propagation in an anatomical human knee model to assess the light transmittance and absorption‐driven thermal changes for various commonly used near‐infrared wavelengths (600‐1200nm) at multiple skin‐applied irradiances. A robust methodology and guidance for investigating high‐power laser therapy dosing prior to clinical research are provided, ensuring the safe and effective delivery of tDTLT.

For further details please visit the article by Chironjeet Chaki, Luis De Taboada, and Kwong Ming Tse (e202200283).

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The first reported use of red blood cell exchange to treat hemoglobin Evans with secondary methemoglobinemia
Authors: Williams Lance A. , Adamski Jill , Kinard Theresa N. , Ertz‐Archambault Natalie M. , Lu Qun , Gray Kristin , Herrick Jennifer L. , Su Leon , Padrnos Leslie
Published: September 2023

This manuscript describes a novel approach for treating patients with long‐term sequelae from hemoglobin Evans (Hb Evans). After instituting conservative therapies for approximately 2 years, our patient's symptoms continually worsened. Therefore, we performed red blood cell exchange (RBCx) to reduce his Hb Evans percentage and his co‐existing elevation of methemoglobin. Our assumptions of clinical benefit were based on our collective experience performing RBCx for patients with sickle cell disease. After the first exchange, pre‐ and post‐laboratory results supported our approach and the patient experienced marked improvement in his clinical signs and symptoms. This report provides preliminary proof of principle for the use of RBCx to treat Hb Evans and other non‐Hb S hemoglobinopathies.
Effect of the secretome of mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing BMP‐9 on osteoblast differentiation and bone repair
Authors: Calixto Robson Diego , Freitas Gileade Pereira , Souza Paola Gomes , Ramos Jaqueline Isadora Reis , Santos Isabela Cristine , de Oliveira Fabiola Singaretti , Almeida Adriana Luisa Gonçalves , Rosa Adalberto Luiz , Beloti Marcio Mateus
Published: September 2023

The secretome present in the conditioned medium (CM) of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising tool to be used in therapies to promote bone regeneration. Considering the high osteogenic potential of the bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP‐9), we hypothesized that the secretome of MSCs overexpressing BMP‐9 (MSCsBMP‐9) enhances the osteoblast differentiation of MSCs and the bone formation in calvarial defects. CM of either MSCsBMP‐9 (CM‐MSCsBMP‐9) or MSCs without BMP‐9 overexpression (CM‐MSCsVPR) were obtained at different periods. As the CM‐MSCsBMP‐9 generated after 1 h presented the highest BMP‐9 concentration, CM‐MSCsBMP‐9 and CM‐MSCsVPR were collected at this time point and used to culture MSCs and to be injected into mouse calvarial defects. The CM‐MSCsBMP‐9 enhanced the osteoblast differentiation of MSC by upregulating RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteopontin protein expression, and ALP activity, compared with CM‐MSCsVPR. The CM‐MSCsBMP‐9 also enhanced the bone repair of mouse calvarial defects, increasing bone volume, bone volume/total volume, bone surface, and trabecular number compared with untreated defects and defects treated with CM‐MSCsVPR or even with MSCsBMP‐9 themselves. In conclusion, the potential of the MSCBMP‐9‐secretome to induce osteoblast differentiation and bone formation shed lights on novel cell‐free‐based therapies to promote bone regeneration of challenging defects.
Tetrabutylammonium bromide/triethanolamine deep eutectic solvents with double hydrogen bond as efficient catalysts for fixation of CO2 in cyclic carbonates under mild conditions
Authors: Yang Hansen , Wang Zhimiao , Yang Qiusheng , Li Fang , Xue Wei , Zhao Xinqiang , Wang Yanji
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Carbon dioxide is not only a major greenhouse gas but also an important carbon resource, which is abundant, renewable, low cost and non‐toxic. The coupling reaction of CO2 with epoxides has shown great potential in the field of chemical carbon fixation due to its 100% atomic utilization efficiency. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) were evaluated for cycloaddition reaction of CO2 with propylene oxide (PO) to propylene carbonate (PC). Density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the catalytic performance of DES in CO2 cycloaddition reaction.

RESULTS

The utilization of DES containing triethanolamine (TEA) as hydrogen bond donor significantly shortened the reaction time. Under optimal reaction conditions (30 mmol PO, 5 mol% TBAB/TEA (1:1) DES, 1.0 MPa CO2, 90 °C, 2 h), high PC yield (98%) was obtained. DFT calculations revealed that TBAB/TEA (1:1) DES was used as the catalyst for the coupling reaction between PO and CO2, with the ring‐opening process serving as the rate‐determining step and energy barrier of 17.9 kcal mol−1. TBAB/TEA (1:1) DES exhibited excellent recyclability and could be reused more than five times.

CONCLUSION

TBAB/TEA (1:1) DES is a highly efficient homogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates through the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 and epoxides. The synergistic catalytic effect of the double hydrogen bonds between DES and Br anions is the reason for its high efficiency. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Muscle power production during intermittent swimming in bluegill sunfish
Authors: Coughlin David J. , Santarcangelo Krista , Wilcock Emma , Tum Suden Daniel J. , Ellerby David J.
Published: September 2023

Locomotion is essential for the survival and fitness of animals. Fishes have evolved a variety of mechanisms to minimize the cost of transport. For instance, bluegill sunfish have recently been shown to employ intermittent swimming in nature and in laboratory conditions. We focused on the functional properties of the power‐producing muscles that generate propulsive forces in bluegill to understand the implications of intermittent activity. We used in vivo aerobic or red muscle activity parameters (e.g., oscillation frequency and onset time and duration of activation) in muscle physiology experiments to examine muscle power output during intermittent versus steady swimming in these fish. Intermittent propulsion involves swimming at relatively slow speeds with short propulsive bursts alternating with gliding episodes. The propulsive bursts are at higher oscillation frequencies than would be predicted for a given average swimming speed with constant propulsion. The work‐loop muscle physiology experiments with red muscle demonstrated that intermittent activity allows muscle to produce sufficient power for swimming compared with imposed steady swimming conditions. Further, the intermittent muscle activity in vitro reduces fatigue relative to steady or continuous activity. This work supports the fixed‐gear hypothesis that suggests that there are preferred oscillation frequencies that optimize efficiency in muscle use and minimize cost of transport.
Novel observations of “freeze resistance” and dynamic blue and green dorsal coloration in frozen and thawing Dryophytes chrysoscelis
Authors: Yokum Elizabeth E. , Goldstein David L. , Krane Carissa M.
Published: September 2023

Freeze tolerant animals survive the winter by tolerating the freezing and thawing of up to 70% of body water and the respective cessation and resumption of essential functions including circulation and respiration during each freeze‐thaw cycle. Cope's gray treefrog Dryophytes chrysoscelis is a freeze tolerant anuran that uses a system of cryoprotectants to prevent intracellular freezing and mitigate osmotic stress during freezing and thawing episodes. Morphological features were documented in D. chrysoscelis using a repeated freeze‐thaw protocol. Dorsal skin in frozen frogs was distinctly blue and green before reverting to brown during thawing. The dorsal color change in frozen frogs does not function similarly to other known color change events in amphibians. The return to brown skin color in thawing animals coincides with recovery of vital functions in freeze tolerant frogs, suggesting that dorsal color change is an indicator of postfreeze recovery in D. chrysoscelis. We also provide evidence of “freeze resistance” in D. chrysoscelis. Two individuals did not freeze following three successive bouts of ice inoculation at −2.5°C and maintained brown dorsal color despite ice crystallization on the dorsum and contact with frozen substrate. Both frogs had similar plasma osmolality, circulating cryoprotectants, and incidence of cryoinjury compared to frogs that were frozen and thawed once or three times. Freeze resistance may be explained by physical changes in the skin including lipid accumulation and dehydration. This integrative study presents novel attributes of organismal freeze tolerance in D. chrysoscelis.
フィブリノゲン濃縮製剤を併用したダメージコントロール戦略により良好な転帰が得られた四肢多発切創による心停止の1例(A damage control strategy, including fibrinogen concentrate, in a patient who suffered cardiac arrest after multiple incision wounds: case report)
Authors: 正留 進 , 雄史 八木 , 靖卓 古賀 , 浩太郎 金田 , 基 藤田 , 良介 鶴田
Published: September 2023

症例は37歳の男性。包丁を用いた自傷行為で四肢頸部を切りつけ受傷した。左上腕動脈断裂，正中神経断裂を含めた複数か所の四肢切創に伴う出血性ショックの状態で搬送された。来院後まもなく心停止となったが，心肺蘇生（low flow time 35分）により心拍再開した。心拍再開時点では動脈血のpH 6.557，フィブリノゲン値55mg/dL，深部体温30.2℃と死の三徴が揃っており循環動態も不安定であった。新鮮凍結血漿による凝固因子の補充を行ったが，新鮮凍結血漿投与下でも進行する凝固障害を認めており，フィブリノゲン濃縮製剤併用でのdamage control resuscitation（DCR）を行ったところ，フィブリノゲン濃縮製剤投与後より循環動態は安定し，死の三徴からの離脱が可能となった。来院約6.5時間後から左上肢の血行再建術を施行し，その後に集中治療管理を行った。心停止に伴う脳機能への影響が考えられたが，適切な全身管理により良好な神経学的転帰が得られた。左上肢についても上腕動脈断裂，正中神経断裂，上腕二頭筋断裂などの損傷を認めていたが，複数回の手術の結果，最終的に軽度の運動障害，感覚障害を残す程度まで改善した。本症例ではDCRにおける凝固障害改善にフィブリノゲン濃縮製剤が非常に有用であり，適切なダメージコントロール戦略により，救命のみならず社会復帰もできたので報告する。
COVID–19に関連したサイトメガロウイルス再活性化による空腸潰瘍出血の1例(Jejunal ulcer hemorrhage due to COVID–19–related cytomegalovirus reactivation: a case report)
Authors: 知久 十倉 , 明秀 今 , 功佑 大向 , 啓太 箕輪 , 有矢 吉村 , 達也 野田頭
Published: September 2023

症例は基礎疾患のない66歳の男性。前医で新型コロナウイルス感染症（COVID–19）と診断されて当センター紹介となった。SPO295%（室内気），CT検査で肺炎像は認めなかったが，CRP著明高値，高度腎機能障害，総リンパ球数減少を認めた。ステロイドは使用せず経過をみていたが，下血を繰り返し第28病日に多量の下血，出血性ショックとなったため造影CT検査を施行したところ，近位空腸に造影剤の血管外漏出像を認め，緊急手術で小腸部分切除術を施行した。病理組織学的にサイトメガロウイルス（cytomegalovirus: CMV）感染細胞が証明されたためCMV腸炎の確定診断となり，CMV–IgG抗体を保有していたことからCMV再活性化と考えられた。COVID–19によってサイトカインストームが引き起こされることにより後天的な免疫不全状態になることが報告されており，画像所見では説明のつかないCRP上昇や腎機能低下，総リンパ球数減少を認めた場合はCMV再活性化の可能性がある。COVID–19を診療する医師は，CMV再活性化を認知することが非常に重要である。