bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endothelium and Subendothelial Matrix Mechanics Modulate Cancer Cell Transendothelial Migration
Authors: Javanmardi Yousef , Agrawal Ayushi , Malandrino Andrea , Lasli Soufian , Chen Michelle , Shahreza Somayeh , Serwinski Bianca , Cammoun Leila , Li Ran , Jorfi Mehdi , Djordjevic Boris , Szita Nicolas , Spill Fabian , Bertazzo Sergio , Sheridan Graham K , Shenoy Vivek , Calvo Fernando , Kamm Roger , Moeendarbary Emad
Published: April 2023

Cancer cell extravasation, a key step in the metastatic cascade, involves cancer cell arrest on the endothelium, transendothelial migration (TEM), followed by the invasion into the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) of distant tissues. While cancer research has mostly focused on the biomechanical interactions between tumor cells (TCs) and ECM, particularly at the primary tumor site, very little is known about the mechanical properties of endothelial cells and the subendothelial ECM and how they contribute to the extravasation process. Here, an integrated experimental and theoretical framework is developed to investigate the mechanical crosstalk between TCs, endothelium and subendothelial ECM during in vitro cancer cell extravasation. It is found that cancer cell actin‐rich protrusions generate complex push–pull forces to initiate and drive TEM, while transmigration success also relies on the forces generated by the endothelium. Consequently, mechanical properties of the subendothelial ECM and endothelial actomyosin contractility that mediate the endothelial forces also impact the endothelium's resistance to cancer cell transmigration. These results indicate that mechanical features of distant tissues, including force interactions between the endothelium and the subendothelial ECM, are key determinants of metastatic organotropism.
Age‐related survey of clinical genetics literature and related resources
Authors: Solomon Amelia M. , Solomon Benjamin D.
Published: April 2023

Genetic conditions affect people throughout their entire lifespan; however, many clinical geneticists focus on the care of pediatric individuals. We analyzed the medical literature and related resources to help assess to what extent adults with genetic diseases were represented. This included general literature searches of PubMed (from 2001 through 2022), specific databases (the FDA orphan drug list and the Clinical Genomic Database) related to management and direct treatment of genetic conditions, and textbooks and morphology guides relevant to the diagnosis of genetic conditions. In the field of genetics/genomics in general, we overall detected a statistically significant emphasis on pediatric populations in the medical literature compared to select other disciplines and compared with the global population distribution. Clinical genetics articles about adults tended to focus on younger adult ages. In clinical genetics, management and treatments, as well as illustrations in several educational/diagnostic resources tended to focus on pediatric populations.
Acenaphthoimidazolylidene‐ligated chiral oxazoline palladacycles: synthesis, structure, and application in intramolecular α‐arylation of amides towards 3,3′‐disubstituted oxindoles
Authors: Yang Hanxiao , Wang Kun , Fang Weiwei
Published: April 2023

A general catalytic protocol for the Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular arylations of N‐(2‐halogenoaryl) amides in eco‐friendly medium was successfully developed by using rationally designed acenaphthoimidazolylidene‐ligated chiral oxazoline palladacycles. Under the optimal reaction condition, a broad scope of substrates with various functional groups were well tolerated, leading to desired 3,3′‐disubstituted oxindoles in excellent yields (up to 98% yield).
Structure and bonding trends of bisthiosemicarbazones: An overview
Authors: Ain Qurat Ul , Sharma Rekha
Published: April 2023

This review gives a comprehensive account in terms of the synthesis, characterization and biological application of bisthiosemicarbazone ligands and their metal complexes that have been reported until 2022. Their coordination chemistry with p and d block elements, where the structure is solved by single crystal X‐ray crystallography is explored. Complexes are placed group‐wise and their structure as well as bonding aspects are discussed separately. Various spectroscopic techniques for the characterization of ligands and their complexes like infrared (IR), ultraviolet‐visible (UV–Vis), electron spin resonance (ESR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1H, 13C, 31P, 59Co, 119Hg) are discussed. Complexes formed by bisthiosemicarbazones are generally mononuclear; however, in some cases, binuclear or polynuclear complexes have also been found. Square planar, square pyramidal, octahedral, and pentagonal pyramidal are some of the common geometries exhibited by these complexes. Structure–activity relationship was established for substituted and unsubstituted diimine bisthiosemicarbazone complexes of different metal ions. The effect of co‐ligands on biological activity is also discussed.
Stability‐indicating method development and validation for quantitative estimation of assay and organic impurities of antiviral drug baloxavir marboxil in drug substance and pharmaceutical dosage form using HPLC and LC–MS methods
Authors: Nagulancha Bhujanga Rao , Lakka Narasimha Swamy , Vandavasi Koteswara Rao
Published: April 2023

Baloxavir marboxil (BXM) is a polymerase acidic endonuclease inhibitor used as an antiviral drug. A simple, reliable, and robust liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated per International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Q2(R1) for estimating the assay and impurities of BXM in drug substance and pharmaceutical formulations. The chromatographic separation was carried out on C18 (100 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with binary solvent delivery system (A:0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water; B:0.1% trifluoroacetic‐acid in acetonitrile) along with detection wavelength of 260 nm, column temperature of 57°C, flow of 1.2 mL/min and injection volume of 10 μL. All five known impurities and unknown impurities were separated well with resolution >1.7 and were estimated accurately without any interference. Recovered values and regression value were 99.5%–101.2% and R2 > 0.999, respectively. The recovery and linearity studies covered from 50% to 150% for assay, and quantitation limit, 120% for five BXM impurities. Stability‐indicating property of the HPLC developed method was assessed from the forced degradation studies. The mass spectral data of unknown impurity formed under oxidation stress condition were discussed. The developed method was also successfully utilized for stability sample analysis of drug substance and tablet dosage form.
Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities
Authors: Parlato Brady P. , Mott Cy L.
Published: April 2023

Consumptive effects (CEs) of predation have been well‐studied in most aquatic systems, but nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) on prey have only recently received limited attention. As aquatic consumers, tadpoles have traditionally been considered strict herbivores, leaving their predatory impacts via CEs and NCEs largely unexplored. We quantified omnivory among wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles and characterized their CEs and NCEs on invertebrate communities. Tadpoles from natural ponds were dissected to quantify the frequency of omnivory generally, as well as specifically in relation to pond size and tadpole morphology. Additional tadpoles were employed in a mesocosm experiment that manipulated tadpole presence (absent, caged, or free‐swimming) to quantify CEs and NCEs on freshwater zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities. Over 70% of tadpoles in natural ponds engaged in omnivory, primarily on zooplankton, and tadpoles with wider heads and deeper tails were more likely to be omnivorous. Tadpoles in mesocosms exhibited CEs and NCEs on invertebrate communities, with stronger effects exerted on zooplankton than macroinvertebrates. The NCEs of tadpoles on invertebrates likely included production of predatory chemical cues that influenced invertebrate behavior, abundance, and community composition. Because tadpoles are often the dominant vertebrate predators in ephemeral aquatic ecosystems, this study stresses their ecological importance in structuring aquatic communities.
The central role of the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus in the face‐name retrieval network
Authors: Burkhardt Eléonor , Zemmoura Ilyess , Hirsch Fabrice , Lemaitre Anne‐Laure , Deverdun Jeremy , Moritz‐Gasser Sylvie , Duffau Hugues , Herbet Guillaume
Published: April 2023

Unsuccessful retrieval of proper names (PNs) is commonly observed in patients suffering from neurological conditions such as stroke or epilepsy. While a large body of works has suggested that PN retrieval relies on a cortical network centered on the left anterior temporal lobe (ATL), much less is known about the white matter connections underpinning this process. Sparse studies provided evidence for a possible role of the uncinate fasciculus, but the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) might also contribute, since it mainly projects into the ATL, interconnects it with the posterior lexical interface and is engaged in common name (CN) retrieval. To ascertain this hypothesis, we assessed 58 patients having undergone a neurosurgery for a left low‐grade glioma by means of a famous face naming (FFN) task. The behavioural data were processed following a multilevel lesion approach, including location‐based analyses, voxel‐based lesion‐symptom mapping (VLSM) and disconnection‐symptom mapping. Different statistical models were generated to control for sociodemographic data, familiarity, biographical knowledge and control cognitive performances (i.e., semantic and episodic memory and CN retrieval). Overall, VLSM analyses indicated that damage to the mid‐to‐anterior part of the ventro‐basal temporal cortex was especially associated with PN retrieval deficits. As expected, tract‐oriented analyses showed that the left ILF was the most strongly associated pathway. Our results provide evidence for the pivotal role of the ILF in the PN retrieval network. This novel finding paves the way for a better understanding of the pathophysiological bases underlying PN retrieval difficulties in the various neurological conditions marked by white matter abnormalities.
Incidence and predictive factors of retropharyngeal lymph node metastases in patients with oropharyngeal cancer undergoing multimodality treatment planning imaging
Authors: Lavigne Danny , De‐Meric‐de‐Bellefon Mailys , Nguyen‐Tan Felix‐Phuc , Landry David , Létourneau‐Guillon Laurent , Bélair Manon , O'Sullivan Brian , Filion Edith , Bahig Houda
Published: April 2023

Background

We investigated the incidence and predictive factors of retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) metastases in patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) undergoing multimodality treatment planning imaging before radiotherapy.

Methods

Consecutive patients with OPC treated with curative‐intent radiotherapy from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment planning comprised contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) unless contraindicated.

Results

Of 300 patients, 66 (22%) had radiological evidence of RPLN involvement on planning images, compared to 17 (6%) on diagnostic CT alone. On multivariate analysis, RPLN involvement was statistically (p < 0.05) associated with tonsil, soft palate, and posterior pharyngeal wall primaries, and with disease extension to the soft palate or vallecula.

Conclusions

Multimodality treatment planning imaging reveals a high rate of RPLN metastases from OPC compared to diagnostic CT alone. Patients with tonsil, soft palate, or posterior pharyngeal wall primaries or disease extending to the soft palate or vallecula appear at higher risk.
Left testicular and pulmonary metastases of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Kato Kisumi , Kamei Jun , Yanase Atsushi , Yokoyama Hirotaka , Sugihara Toru , Ando Satoshi , Hirota Yuka , Sano Naoki , Kume Haruki , Fujimura Tetsuya
Published: April 2023

Introduction

We present a case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate with testicular and lung metastases following robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy, androgen deprivation therapy, and radiotherapy.

Case presentation

A 73‐year‐old man with a prostate‐specific antigen level of 4.3 ng/mL was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Following the robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy, the pathological diagnosis was mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate (pT3bpN0, Gleason score of 4 + 4). Salvage hormonal therapy and irradiation were performed after the prostatectomy. Enlargement of the left testis was noted, and 28 months after prostatectomy, computed tomography detected a left testicular tumor and nodular lesions in the bilateral lungs. The histopathological diagnosis of left high orchiectomy was metastasis of a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Chemotherapy with docetaxel followed by cabazitaxel was initiated.

Conclusion

Mucinous prostate adenocarcinoma with distal metastases following prostatectomy has been managed for longer than 3 years with multiple treatments.
Multi‐branch sustainable convolutional neural network for disease classification
Authors: Naz Maria , Shah Munam Ali , Khattak Hasan Ali , Wahid Abdul , Asghar Muhammad Nabeel , Rauf Hafiz Tayyab , Khan Muhammad Attique , Ameer Zoobia
Published: April 2023

Pandemic and natural disasters are growing more often, imposing even more pressure on life care services and users. There are knowledge gaps regarding how to prevent disasters and pandemics. In recent years, after heart disease, corona virus disease‐19 (COVID‐19), brain stroke, and cancer are at their peak. Different machine learning and deep learning‐based techniques are presented to detect these diseases. Existing technique uses two branches that have been used for detection and prediction of disease accurately such as brain hemorrhage. However, existing techniques have been focused on the detection of specific diseases with double‐branches convolutional neural networks (CNNs). There is a need to develop a model to detect multiple diseases at the same time using computerized tomography (CT) scan images. We proposed a model that consists of 12 branches of CNN to detect the different types of diseases with their subtypes using CT scan images and classify them more accurately. We proposed multi‐branch sustainable CNN model with deep learning architecture trained on the brain CT hemorrhage, COVID‐19 lung CT scans and chest CT scans with subtypes of lung cancers. Feature extracted automatically from preprocessed input data and passed to classifiers for classification in the form of concatenated feature vectors. Six classifiers support vector machine (SVM), decision tree (DT), K‐nearest neighbor (K‐NN), artificial neural network (ANN), naïve Bayes (NB), linear regression (LR) classifiers, and three ensembles the random forest (RF), AdaBoost, gradient boosting ensembles were tested on our model for classification and prediction. Our model achieved the best results on RF on each dataset. Respectively, on brain CT hemorrhage achieved (99.79%) accuracy, on COVID‐19 lung CT scans achieved (97.61%), and on chest CT scans dataset achieved (98.77%).
Loop technique for guidewire manipulation during endoscopic ultrasound‐guided hepaticogastrostomy
Authors: Miwa Haruo , Sugimori Kazuya , Matsuoka Yuto , Endo Kazuki , Oishi Ritsuko , Nishimura Masaki , Tozuka Yuichiro , Kaneko Takashi , Numata Kazushi , Maeda Shin
Published: April 2023

Background and Aim

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS‐HGS) is widely used in the management of biliary obstructions; however, literature on guidewire manipulation is lacking. This study aimed to assess the utility and optimal conditions of the loop technique for guidewire manipulation during EUS‐HGS.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent EUS‐HGS between April 2015 and January 2022 were included in this study. Patient characteristics and procedural details were retrospectively analyzed. Guidewire manipulations were classified as conventional technique or loop technique, based on the shape of the guidewire tip.

Results

A total of 52 patients (Median age: 73 years, 38 male and 14 female) underwent EUS‐HGS. The median guidewire insertion time was 49 s and the median overall procedure time was 20.5 min. The initial guidewire direction was toward the peripheral side in 23 patients (44%). Technical success rate of the EUS‐HGS was 100%. Twenty patients (38%) underwent the procedure using the loop technique and 32 (62%) with the conventional technique. In the logistic regression analysis, an angle between the bile duct and needle of >70° was independently associated with use of the loop technique (OR 9.84; 95% CI: 2.24–43.13; P <0.01).

Conclusion

This study revealed the utility of the loop technique in EUS‐HGS. This technique is recommended if the bile duct is punctured at an angle >70°.
Promoting appropriate midline catheter and PICC placement through implementation of an EHR‐based clinical decision support tool: An interrupted time‐series analysis
Authors: Bredenberg Erin , Atwater Riannon , Grimm Eric , Chopra Vineet , Dale Shamburger Christopher , Anstett Tyler J.
Published: April 2023

Background

Inappropriate use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), including multilumen PICCs, may increase the risk of patient complications.

Objective

Implement computerized decision support to: (a) increase the use of midline catheters over PICCs when appropriate and (b) decrease PICC lumens when a PICC is necessary.

Designs

Quasi‐experimental, interrupted time series.

Setting

Single tertiary academic medical center.

Patients

Hospitalized adults who received a midline or PICC during clinical care.

Intervention

Decision support on appropriate vascular access device choice via a set of electronic orders embedded within the electronic health record.

Measurements

Proportion of midline catheter and single‐lumen PICCs placed between January 2, 2017 and November 19, 2017 (preintervention) versus November 20, 2017 to December 1, 2019 (postintervention).

Results

A total of 8758 midline and PICCs were inserted during the study period. A statistically significant increase in the insertion of midline catheters was observed during the intervention (p = .006). In parallel, single‐lumen PICC insertion as a proportion of all PICCs also increased after the intervention (p = .035). Results were consistent across multiple disciplines, including internal medicine, surgery, and intensive care. After considering the hospital census, total PICC and midline utilization rates and rates of complications did not change over time. However, an increase in catheter exchanges from less to more invasive devices occurred.

Conclusions

In this single‐center study, the implementation of electronic decision support to inform appropriate catheter use led to a more appropriate midline catheter and single‐lumen PICC insertion. Dissemination of this single, effective intervention to examine efficacy in other hospital settings would be welcomed.
Lutein fortification of wheat bread with marigold powder: impact on rheology, water dynamics, and structure
Authors: Kwon Hyukjin , Lee Dong‐Un , Lee Suyong
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Demands for foods conducive to eye health have been on the increase in the global healthcare sector. Marigold powder as a major source of lutein was utilized to produce lutein‐fortified breads for ocular health. The physicochemical characteristics of the doughs and breads were investigated in terms of rheology, water mobility, and protein secondary structures.

RESULTS

The incorporation of marigold powder decreased the water absorption of doughs without significantly altering thermomechanical properties. With a range of fortification levels (1–3%), marigold powder led to decreased storage and loss modulus of doughs by weakening their gluten network, which was supported by their T2 relaxation times. The resistance of the doughs weakened with increasing levels of marigold powder, while their extensibilities significantly incremented. Fourier transform infrared spectral deconvolution revealed the changes in wheat protein structures upon marigold powder incorporation, in which the proportion of β‐turn increased at the expense of β‐sheet ratio. The breads with marigold powder displayed increased specific volume from 4.034 to 4.368 mL g−1, accompanied by softer textures. The baking process led to heat‐induced losses in lutein concentration of less than 10% within the crumb and approximately 30% in the crust.

CONCLUSION

The use of marigold powder induced changes in protein secondary structure and extensional features of doughs, contributing to increased loaf volume and softer texture. Overall, this study provides fundamental information on the rheological and structural effects of marigold powder in a wheat bread system, consequently encouraging the food industry to utilize marigold power as a functional food ingredient. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Implementing the learning health system paradigm within academic health centers
Authors: Easterling Douglas , Perry Anna , Miller David
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The learning health system (LHS) concept represents a bold innovation that combines organizational learning, strategic analysis of patient data, stakeholder engagement and the systematic translation of research into practice – all in service of improving the quality of health care delivered across the organization. This innovation has been diffused and widely adopted by healthcare organizations over the past 15 years, but academic health centers (AHCs) have been slower on the uptake. The irony is that AHCs have the resources (e.g., trained researchers, sophisticated clinical data systems, informatics infrastructure) that are necessary to do the highest‐quality and most impactful LHS work.

Methods

Based on a review of publications describing how AHCs have implemented LHS work, as well as the authors' direct experience promoting the adoption of the LHS paradigm at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (AHWFB), we:identify a set of factors that have inhibited broader adoption of the LHS paradigm among AHCs; distinguish between the forms of LHS work that are consistent and inconsistent with the mission of AHCs; and offer recommendations for broader adoption and fuller implementation of the LHS paradigm.

Results

The LHS paradigm represents an expansion of the scientific paradigm which serves as the foundation of research enterprise within AHCs. Both paradigms value rigorous studies of new treatments and practices, including pragmatic clinical trials. The LHS paradigm also places a high value on quality improvement studies, organizational learning, and the translation of research findings into improved patient care and operations within the local health system. The two paradigms differ on the origin of the research question, i.e., a pressing patient‐care issue facing the health system versus the investigator's own research interests. Academic researchers have been disincentivized from pursuing at least some forms of LHS research. However, a growing number of AHCs are finding ways to integrate the LHS paradigm into their research enterprise, either by providing research faculty with institutional funding to cover their effort on studies that address the health system's priority issues, or by establishing an institute dedicated to LHS research.

Conclusions

The LHS paradigm is a disruptive intervention for AHCs, one that was initially resisted but is increasingly being embraced. AHCs are developing strategies for conducting LHS research, typically in parallel to the more traditional biomedical science that is core to academic medicine. Full implementation of the LHS paradigm will require further alignment between LHS and science, including a shift in the criteria for promotion and tenure to support those researchers who choose to focus on the pressing issues facing the health system.
Influence of Structure and Composition of Polymer Nanocomposites with Carbon and Hybrid Fillers on the Efficiency of Electromagnetic Shielding
Authors: Mamunya Yevhen , Sushko Oleksandr , Maruzhenko Oleksii , Paraschenko Iryna , Pylypenko Andrii , Dubrovka Fedir
Published: April 2023

The shielding efficiency (absorption SEA, reflection SER, and total SET) and conductivity of composites based on organic–inorganic polymer matrix (OIM) and polyethylene (UHMWPE) containing mixtures (hybrid fillers) of carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and iron oxide (Fe2O3) are studied. The best shielding results (SET = 23.1 dB, SEA = 17.7 dB) show a composite based on UHMWPE with a segregated structure of the hybrid filler CNT+CB with a total content of 10 vol%, due to the high electrical conductivity of the composite. It is found a close correlation between the conductivity of the composite and the absorption efficiency SEA which sharply increases when the value of conductivity becomes above 10−3 S cm−1. In composites based on OIM with hybrid filler CNT+Fe2O3, the moderate shielding characteristics are achieved (SET = 12.3–12.7 dB, SEA = 8.8–9.2 dB), but they have the conductivity more than two orders of magnitude lower than the composites with carbon fillers. This effect arises due to the additional contribution to the absorption efficiency of the interaction of ferromagnetic non‐conductive oxide with the magnetic component of electromagnetic wave. Such composites have the potential to achieve high shielding performance at determining the optimal composition of the hybrid filler.
Molecular Conformation and Intermolecular Interactions of Linear and Cyclic Amylose Derivatives in Solution
Authors: Terao Ken , Ryoki Akiyuki , Kitamura Shinichi , Sato Takahiro
Published: April 2023

Four kinds of rigid and semiflexible ring polymers are synthesized from flexible cyclic amylose. Their conformational properties in dilute solution are determined from dimensional and hydrodynamic properties in terms of the wormlike ring model. The helix rise per residuehof some ring polymers is larger or smaller than that for the corresponding linear chains, indicating that the local helical structure of the ring polymer is not the same as that for the linear chain. Intermolecular interactions detected by the second virial coefficient and chiral recognition ability of some ring polymers are different from the linear chain, suggesting the local structural change causes the intermolecular interactions. The study also finds that rigid ring polymers can form liquid crystal phase at high concentration. X‐ray diffraction results suggest that the ring chains form pseudo rodlike conformation in the liquid crystal phase, showing that intermolecular excluded volume effects significantly influence the conformation of the polymer chains.
Alginate Blocks and Block Polysaccharides: A Review
Authors: Solberg Amalie , Draget Kurt I. , Schatz Christophe , Christensen Bjørn E.
Published: April 2023

Alginates consist of distinct blocks with different physical properties. This short review focuses on research carried out in Trondheim related to the early discovery of the block structure, their isolation, their different chemical and physical properties, and how they recently are utilized in diblock polysaccharides to obtain new nanostructuring properties.
A physics‐informed order‐of‐magnitude approach to handling dynamic iterations applied to models of physical systems: Theoretical framework
Authors: Zubik‐Kowal Barbara
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we consider ‐dimensional systems of differential equations applied to model a range of physical phenomena, where represents any positive integer. The defining characteristic that we focus on are the magnitudes of the inherent physical parameters, which are frequently of different orders of magnitude for various physical systems. This property, inherent to the given physical problems, can be exploited to reduce the problems into a set of much simpler subproblems, expanding our ability to gain physical insight in terms of the underlying simpler subproblems. These orders of magnitude motivate the choice of a specific class of transformations that can be chosen to reduce the number of required dynamic iterations in a sequence‐based approach to examining such systems. This is also useful for the development of proof techniques for proving properties of mathematical models, such as their well‐posedness.
Existence and uniqueness of solution for a fractional thixotropic model
Authors: Rahai Amira , Slimani Ali , Guesmia Amar
Published: April 2023

In this work, we study the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the fractional thixotropic problem
in one‐dimensional case. The problem of thixotropic was studied by many researchers. But our study is focussed on the fractional derivative
, which is a new addition to the previous works of thixotropic problem. So, in this work, we based on two parts: The first is studding the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the modified fractional thixotropic model
using regularization, some prior estimates, and Gronwall's lemma. The second is proving that the problem
converges to the fractional thixotropic model
by using fixed point theorem.
Blow up of solutions of systems of nonlinear equations of thermoelasticity
Authors: Kalantarova Jamila
Published: April 2023

Sufficient conditions of blow up in finite time of solutions to initial boundary value problems for nonlinear systems of equations of thermoelasticity type are obtained. It is shown that solutions even with large enough initial energies of the considered problems may blow up in a finite time.
Unsupervised cycle‐consistent network using restricted subspace field map for removing susceptibility artifacts in EPI
Authors: Bao Qingjia , Xie Weida , Otikovs Martins , Xia Liyang , Xie Han , Liu Xinjie , Liu Kewen , Zhang Zhi , Chen Fang , Zhou Xin , Liu Chaoyang
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To design an unsupervised deep neural model for correcting susceptibility artifacts in single‐shot Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) and evaluate the model for preclinical and clinical applications.

Methods

This work proposes an unsupervised cycle‐consistent model based on the restricted subspace field map to take advantage of both the deep learning (DL) and the reverse polarity‐gradient (RPG) method for single‐shot EPI. The proposed model consists of three main components: (1) DLRPG neural network (DLRPG‐net) to obtain field maps based on a pair of images acquired with reversed phase encoding; (2) spin physical model–based modules to obtain the corrected undistorted images based on the learned field map; and (3) cycle‐consistency loss between the input images and back‐calculated images from each cycle is explored for network training. In addition, the field maps generated by DLRPG‐net belong to a restricted subspace, which is a span of predefined cubic splines to ensure the smoothness of the field maps and avoid blurring in the corrected images. This new method is trained and validated on both preclinical and clinical datasets for diffusion MRI.

Results

The proposed network could effectively generate smooth field maps and correct susceptibility artifacts in single‐shot EPI. Simulated and in vivo preclinical/clinical experiments demonstrated that our method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art susceptibility artifact correction methods. Furthermore, the ablation experiments of the cycle‐consistent network and the restricted subspace in generating field maps did show the advantages of DLRPG‐net.

Conclusion

The proposed method (DLRPG‐net) can effectively correct susceptibility artifacts for preclinical and clinical single‐shot EPI sequences.
Numerical fitting of Extrapolated semisolid Magnetization transfer Reference (NEMR) signals: Improved detection of ischemic stroke
Authors: Yong Xingwang , Lu Shanshan , Hsu Yi‐Cheng , Fu Caixia , Sun Yi , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To propose a novel Numerical fitting method of the Extrapolated semisolid Magnetization transfer Reference (NEMR) signal for quantifying the CEST effect.

Theory and Methods

Modified two‐pool Bloch‐McConnell equations were used to numerically fit the magnetization transfer (MT) and direct water saturation (DS) signals at far off‐resonance frequencies, which was subsequently extrapolated into the frequency range of amide proton transfer (APT) and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) pools. Then the subtraction of the fitted two‐pool z‐spectrum and the experimentally acquired z‐spectrum yielded APT# and NOE# signals mostly free of MT and DS contamination. Several strategies were used to accelerate the NEMR fitting. Furthermore, the proposed NEMR method was compared with the conventional extrapolated semisolid magnetization transfer reference (EMR) and magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) methods in simulations and stroke patients.

Results

The combination of RF downsampling, MT lineshape look‐up table, and conversion of MATLAB code to C code accelerated the NEMR fitting by over 2700‐fold. Monte‐Carlo simulations showed that NEMR had higher accuracy than EMR and eliminated the requirement of the steady‐state condition. In ischemic stroke patients, the NEMR maps at 1 μT removed hypointense artifacts seen on EMR and MTRasym images, and better depicted stroke lesions than EMR. For NEMR, NOE# yielded significantly (p < 0.05) stronger signal contrast between stroke and normal tissues than APT# at 1 μT.

Conclusion

The proposed NEMR method is suitable for arbitrary saturation settings and can remove MT and DS contamination from the CEST signal for improved detection of ischemic stroke.
Preparation and properties of composite hydrogels for 3D bioprinting
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhou Anduo , Chen Chongshuai , Huang Xia , Zhang Shanfeng , Chen Junying
Published: April 2023

Bioprinted scaffolds have broad applications in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. 3D bioprinting can prepare complex structures and shapes, and the fabrication of high‐performance bioinks is the key to technological progress. This study selected gelatin, chitosan quaternary ammonium salt, and sodium cromoglycate as substrates to design and characterize two groups of hydrogel materials for bioprinting. Two hydrogels were prepared by extrusion bioprinting: Gel/HACC/DSCG hydrogel and GelMA/HACC‐DSCG hydrogel. The physicochemical and liquid crystal properties of hydrogels were characterized. The effect of liquid crystal on cell proliferation and orientation was evaluated by culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The Gel/HACC/DSCG hydrogels showed inducibility to orientated cell growth. The GelMA/HACC‐DSCG hydrogels had lesser damaged cells and stronger mechanical strength and stability in printing, however, the liquid crystal properties were weakened, and the effect on cell growth orientation was not significant.
Semi‐IPN superabsorbent polymer based on itaconic acid and polyvinyl alcohol with improved gel strength and salt resistance
Authors: Kwon Yong Rok , Kim Hae Chan , Kim Jung Soo , So Ju‐Hee , Chang Young‐Wook , Kim Dong Hyun
Published: April 2023

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) technology was introduced in order to improve the gel strength and salt resistance of itaconic acid (IA)‐based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). A semi‐IPN SAP based on IA and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) was synthesized. Polymerization was performed using a one‐pot method in an aqueous solution in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The structural and thermal properties of PVA/poly(IA‐co‐AMPS) were studied using Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry analysis. PVA formed strong hydrogen bonds with hydrophilic functional groups in the SAP network to improve the gel strength and thermal stability of the SAP. A PVA content of 6 wt% increased the centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under load of the SAP to 60.1 and 16.4 g/g, respectively. Owing to the less salt‐sensitive hydroxyl groups of PVA, semi‐IPN SAP showed higher absorption (up to 26.3%) in an aqueous salt solution. The resulting SAP has a very low concentration of residual monomers (167.4 ppm). Experimental results suggest that PVA/poly(IA‐co‐AMPS) is an eco‐friendly SAP with excellent absorption properties, making it suitable for application in personal care products.
Comparative proteomic analysis identifies differentially expressed proteins associated with meiotic arrest in cattle‐yak hybrids
Authors: Wu Shi‐Xin , Wan Rui‐dong , Wang Guo‐Wen , Zhang Yi‐Wen , Yang Qi‐En
Published: April 2023

Cattle‐yak, the interspecific hybrid between yak and taurine cattle, exhibits male‐specific sterility. Massive loss of spermatogenic cells, especially spermatocytes, results in azoospermia in these animals. Currently, the mechanisms underlying meiosis block and defects in spermatocyte development remain elusive. The present study was designed to investigate the differences in the protein composition of spermatocytes isolated from 12‐month‐old yak and cattle‐yak testes. Histological analysis confirmed that spermatocytes were the most advanced germ cells in the testes of yak and cattle‐yak at this developmental stage. Comparative proteomic analysis identified a total of 452 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in the fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) isolated spermatocytes from cattle‐yak and yak. A total of 291 proteins were only present in yak spermatocytes. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the downregulated DAPs were mostly enriched in the cellular response to DNA damage stimulus and double‐strand breaks (DSBs) repair via break‐induced replication, while the proteins specific for yak were related to cell division and cycle, spermatogenesis, and negative regulation of the extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. Ultimately, these DAPs were related to the critical process for spermatocyte meiotic events, including DSBs, homologous recombination, synapsis, crossover formation, and germ cell apoptosis. The database composed of proteins associated with spermatogenesis, including KPNA2, HTATSF1, TRIP12, STIP1, LZTFL1, LARP7, MTCH2, STK31, ROMO1, CDK5AP2, DNMT1, RBM44, and CHRAC1, is the focus of further research on male hybrid sterility. In total, these results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying failed meiotic processes and male infertility in cattle‐yak.
Association analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma‐related hub proteins and hub genes
Authors: Zhang Xinhong , Zhang Boyan , Zhang Yawei , Zhang Fan
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The occurrence and development of HCC are closely related to epigenetic modifications. Epigenetic modifications can regulate gene expression and related functions through DNA methylation. This paper presents an association analysis method of HCC‐related hub proteins and hub genes.

Experimental design

Bioinformatics analysis of HCC‐related DNA methylation data is carried out to clarify the molecular mechanism of HCC‐related genes and to find hub genes (genes with more connections in the network) by constructing in the gene interaction network. This paper proposes an accurate prediction method of protein–protein interaction (PPI) based on deep learning model DeepSG2PPI. The trained DeepSG2PPI model predicts the interaction relationship between the synthetic proteins regulated by HCC‐related genes.

Results

This paper finds that four genes are the intersection of hub genes and hub proteins. The four genes are: FBL, CCNB2, ALDH18A1, and RPLP0. The association of RPLP0 gene with HCC is a new finding of this study. RPLP0 is expected to become a new biomarker for the treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis of HCC. The four proteins corresponding to the four genes are: ENSP00000221801, ENSP00000288207, ENSP00000360268, and ENSP00000449328.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

The association between the hub genes with the hub proteins is analyzed. The mutual verification of the hub genes and the hub proteins can obtain more credible HCC‐related genes and proteins, which is helpful for the diagnosis, treatment, and drug development of HCC.
Transbronchial needle aspiration in severe cardiac failure patient: ‘The old bull knows best’
Authors: Caterino Umberto , Cesaro Cristiano , Lucci Raffaella , Cesaro Flavio , Masi Umberto , Cotroneo Alessandra , Amore Dario
Published: April 2023

Key message

Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (cTBNA) remains a basic technique that must be part of the bronchoscopists expertise. In cases where EBUS is not available, cTBNA must be kept in mind: ‘the old bull knows best’.
Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction induced by mechanical insufflation‐exsufflation in Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Kuroiwa Ryota , Tateishi Yoshihisa , Oshima Taku , Shibuya Kazumoto , Inagaki Takeshi , Murata Astushi , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: April 2023

Mechanical insufflation‐exsufflation (MI‐E) is an effective airway clearance device for impaired cough associated with respiratory muscle weakness caused by neuromuscular disease. Its complications on the respiratory system, such as pneumothorax, are well‐recognized, but the association of the autonomic nervous system dysfunction with MI‐E has never been reported. We herein describe two cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome with cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction during MI‐E: a 22‐year‐old man who developed transient asystole and an 83‐year‐old man who presented with prominent fluctuation of blood pressure. These episodes occurred during the use of MI‐E with abnormal cardiac autonomic testing, such as heart rate variability in both patients. While Guillain–Barré syndrome itself may cause cardiac autonomic dysfunction, MI‐E possibly caused or enhanced the autonomic dysfunction by an alternation of thoracic cavity pressure. The possibility of MI‐E‐related cardiovascular complications should be recognized, and its appropriate monitoring and management are necessary, particularly when used for Guillain–Barré syndrome patients.
The benefit of indwelling pleural catheter with ambulatory pneumothorax device and autologous blood patch pleurodesis in lymphangioleiomyomatosis with persistent air leak
Authors: Ng Boon Hau , Low Hsueh Jing , Nik Abeed Nik Nuratiqah , Jailaini Mas Fazlin Mohamad , Abdul Hamid Mohamed Faisal , Ban Yu‐Lin Andrea
Published: April 2023

We report a 35‐year‐old woman who presented with dyspnoea and chest pain for 1 week. High‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) thorax revealed bilateral pneumothoraces with diffuse lung cysts. Bilateral intercostal chest tubes were inserted, and there was a persistent air leak (PAL) bilaterally. We performed an autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP) for the left PAL. For the right PAL, she underwent a successful right video‐assisted thoracic (VATS) surgery, wedge biopsy, and surgical pleurodesis. Histopathology examination confirmed the diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). The left pneumothorax recurred. An indwelling pleural catheter (Rocket® IPC™; Rocket Medical plc; WASHINGTON) was inserted and the patient was discharged after 1 day with an atrium pneumostat (Pneumostat™; Atrium Medical Corporation, Hudson, NH, USA) chest drain valve. The patient was initiated on Sirolimus 2 mg daily. The left PAL resolved at 6 weeks. This case highlights the benefit of IPC with an ambulatory pneumothorax device in a patient with LAM with PAL.
Chevrel Phase Mo6S8 Nanosheets Featuring Reversible Electrochemical Li‐Ion Intercalation as Effective Dynamic‐Phase Promoter for Advanced Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Xu Jili , Wang Heng , He Ting , Yan Xiao , Yu Jia , Bi Jingkun , Ye Daixin , Yao Wenli , Tang Ya , Zhao Hongbin , Zhang Jiujun
Published: April 2023

Modifying sulfur cathodes with lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) adsorptive and electrocatalytic host materials is regarded as one of the most effective approaches to address the challenging problems in lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. However, because of the high operating voltage window of Li–S batteries from 1.7 to 2.8 V, most of the host materials cannot participate in the sulfur redox reactions within the same potential region, which exhibit fixed or single functional property, hardly fulfilling the requirement of the complex and multiphase process. Herein, Chevrel phase Mo6S8 nanosheets with high electronic conductivity, fast ion transport capability, and strong polysulfide affinity are introduced to sulfur cathode. Unlike most previous inactive hosts with a fixed affinity or catalytic ability toward LiPSs, the reaction involving Mo6S8 is intercalative and the adsorbability for LiPSs as well as the ionic conductivity can be dynamically enhanced via reversible electrochemical lithiation of Mo6S8 to Li‐ion intercalated LixMo6S8, thereby suppressing the shuttling effect and accelerating the conversion kinetics. Consequently, the Mo6S8 nanosheets act as an effective dynamic‐phase promoter in Li–S batteries and exhibit superior cycling stability, high‐rate capability, and low‐temperature performance. This study opens a new avenue for the development of advanced hosts with dynamic regulation activity for high performance Li‐S batteries.
Recent Progress on Non‐Carbon‐Supported Single‐Atom Catalysts for Electrochemical Conversion of Green Energy
Authors: Zhu Yiming , Wang Jingyao , Ma Jiwei
Published: April 2023

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are a popular area of research for clean energy conversion owing to their cost‐effectiveness and excellent performance. The support plays a vital role in uniformly stabilizing and dispersing the single atoms. Although easily accessible carbon (C) is commonly selected as a support for SACs, its electrochemical properties, particularly stability, usually limits its application. Recently, non‐C materials with flexible physicochemical properties and unique metal–support interactions have attracted increasing attention for loading isolated metal atoms, showing promise for promoting catalytic performance. Therefore, in this review, a comprehensive summary of current research developments in non‐C‐supported SACs for green energy conversion is provided. The review begins with a brief introduction of the four types of non‐C‐supported SACs based on the support used. Thereafter, a systemic summary of synthesis methods for non‐C‐supported SACs analyzing their advantages and disadvantages is provided. The interactions between single metal atoms and non‐C supports are discussed, followed by their applications in green energy conversion. Then, the significance of adopting a variety of in situ/operando approaches is emphasized to gain insight into both the synthesis and reaction mechanisms, which have been successfully deployed for non‐C‐supported SACs. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives on designing promising non‐C‐supported SACs are discussed.
Ti3C2Tx MXene with High Pseudocapacitive Activity and Large Potential Window in a Mild AlCl3 Aqueous Electrolyte
Authors: Xian Yongqiu , Wang Bin , Lin Zifeng
Published: April 2023

MXenes have been extensively explored as supercapacitor electrodes, especially in acidic aqueous electrolytes, where ultrahigh specific capacitance can be achieved; however, their narrow working potential window (≤ 1.0 V) limits the acquisition of high energy. Neutral and alkaline electrolytes can be used to extend the working potential window but MXenes in these electrolytes are less pseudocapacitive active, which leads to reduced charge storage. In this study, it is shown that Ti3C2Tx MXene in a mild AlCl3 aqueous electrolyte can operate at a wide potential range from 0 to −1.3 V versus Hg/Hg2SO4 and retain high pseudocapacitive activity. Thus, a high capacity of up to 85 mAh g−1 is achieved, surpassing its performance in H2SO4 electrolyte of 78 mAh g−1. More interestingly, most of the capacity is released at a more negative potential range than that in acidic electrolytes, making it more suitable as a negative electrode material. In situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance results suggest that the high capacity originates from the pseudocapacitive intercalation/deintercalation of H+ instead of Al3+, providing the possibility of coupling MXene anodes with proton redox active cathodes to achieve high‐energy and high‐power devices.