bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remittances and food security in Bangladesh: an empirical country-level analysis
Authors: Szabo Sylvia , Ahmed Sayem , Wiśniowski Arkadiusz , Pramanik Malay , Islam Rashadul , Zaman Ferdousi , Kuwornu John KM
Published: May 2022

Objective:

To examine the association between remittances and food security in Bangladesh, controlling for other key factors.

Design:

The secondary data analysis was performed on the most recent (2016) nationally representative Household Income and Expenditure Survey. We used logistic regression models to measure the association between food security of the household and remittances received. The household food security was measured based on expenditure on food items and the energy intake of the household members. The key explanatory variables included the receipt of remittances by the household and household-level socio-economic characteristics.

Setting:

Bangladesh.

Participants:

Totally, 45 977 households across seven divisions of Bangladesh.

Results:

Findings suggested that remittances have a significant positive effect on food security. Further, the households with female heads were significantly more likely to be food insecure. The wealth status and geographical locations were significantly associated with food security status in Bangladesh.

Conclusions:

The findings highlight the importance of considering remittance as one of the key factors, while stakeholders implement nutritional interventions in Bangladesh and other low-income settings. Future research should consider this as an important determinant while further examining food security in such settings.
Feasibility of the automatic ingestion monitor (AIM-2) for infant feeding assessment: a pilot study among breast-feeding mothers from Ghana
Authors: Cerminaro Caroline , Sazonov Edward , McCrory Megan A , Steiner-Asiedu Matilda , Bhaskar Viprav , Gallo Sina , Laing Emma , Jia Wenyan , Sun Mingui , Baranowski Tom , Frost Gary , Lo Benny , Anderson Alex Kojo
Published: May 2022

Objective:

Passive, wearable sensors can be used to obtain objective information in infant feeding, but their use has not been tested. Our objective was to compare assessment of infant feeding (frequency, duration and cues) by self-report and that of the Automatic Ingestion Monitor-2 (AIM-2).

Design:

A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in Ghana. Mothers wore the AIM-2 on eyeglasses for 1 d during waking hours to assess infant feeding using images automatically captured by the device every 15 s. Feasibility was assessed using compliance with wearing the device. Infant feeding practices collected by the AIM-2 images were annotated by a trained evaluator and compared with maternal self-report via interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Setting:

Rural and urban communities in Ghana.

Participants:

Participants were thirty eight (eighteen rural and twenty urban) breast-feeding mothers of infants (child age ≤7 months).

Results:

Twenty-five mothers reported exclusive breast-feeding, which was common among those < 30 years of age (n 15, 60 %) and those residing in urban communities (n 14, 70 %). Compliance with wearing the AIM-2 was high (83 % of wake-time), suggesting low user burden. Maternal report differed from the AIM-2 data, such that mothers reported higher mean breast-feeding frequency (eleven v. eight times, P = 0·041) and duration (18·5 v. 10 min, P = 0·007) during waking hours.

Conclusion:

The AIM-2 was a feasible tool for the assessment of infant feeding among mothers in Ghana as a passive, objective method and identified overestimation of self-reported breast-feeding frequency and duration. Future studies using the AIM-2 are warranted to determine validity on a larger scale.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's Mars Color Imager (MARCI): A New Workflow for Processing Its Image Data
Authors: Robbins Stuart J.
Published: May 2022

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's (MRO's) Mars Color Imager (MARCI) has returned approximately daily, approximately global image data of Mars since late 2006, in up to seven different colors, from ultraviolet through near‐infrared. To‐date, that is over 5,300 Mars days of data, nearly eight full Mars Years, or more than 15 Earth years. The data are taken at up to nearly 500 m per pixel, and the nearly circular orbit of MRO and its consistent early afternoon imaging provide an unprecedented baseline of data with which to study Mars' atmosphere and surface processes. Unfortunately, processing MARCI data is difficult, fraught with exploding file sizes, issues that require work‐arounds in free software, and other problems that make this a severely under‐utilized data set. This article discusses a workflow to process MARCI data to their fullest, including suggestions on how to work around issues unique to MARCI and how the data work with the current version of the free software ISIS (Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers). Discussion of some trades that can be made to dramatically speed data processing are also described. Examples of processed MARCI images, mosaics, and color composites are shown, demonstrating the abilities of this workflow on global, regional, and local areas at the full, 96 pixels per degree scale afforded by MARCI.
Fractional crystallisation of eclogite during the birth of a Hawaiian Volcano
Authors: Miller Laura A. , O’Neill Hugh St. C. , Berry Andrew J. , Le Losq Charles
Published: May 2022

The initial melts erupted by a Hawaiian volcano have a range of alkalic compositions but are rarely observed as they are covered by enormous volumes of shield stage tholeiites. A remarkable record of the early evolution of Hawaiian volcanoes, however, is preserved by a volcanic sandstone dredged from the submarine flank of Kilauea, which contains a suite of petrogenetically related pre-shield basanite to nephelinite glasses. Here we show that the systematic variation in the rare earth element (REE) patterns of these samples requires the fractional crystallisation of garnet. A fractionating assemblage of Ca-rich garnet (32%), omphacitic clinopyroxene (63%), and minor phlogopite can explain the variation in the major and trace element contents of the suite. The results suggest fractional crystallisation of eclogite from a primitive Hawaiian melt near the base of the lithosphere (>90 km) and that a deep magma chamber is the first stage in the development of a Hawaiian volcano.
An integral genomic signature approach for tailored cancer therapy using genome-wide sequencing data
Authors: Wang Xiao-Song , Lee Sanghoon , Zhang Han , Tang Gong , Wang Yue
Published: May 2022

Low-cost multi-omics sequencing is expected to become clinical routine and transform precision oncology. Viable computational methods that can facilitate tailored intervention while tolerating sequencing biases are in high demand. Here we propose a class of transparent and interpretable computational methods called integral genomic signature (iGenSig) analyses, that address the challenges of cross-dataset modeling through leveraging information redundancies within high-dimensional genomic features, averaging feature weights to prevent overweighing, and extracting unbiased genomic information from large tumor cohorts. Using genomic dataset of chemical perturbations, we develop a battery of iGenSig models for predicting cancer drug responses, and validate the models using independent cell-line and clinical datasets. The iGenSig models for five drugs demonstrate predictive values in six clinical studies, among which the Erlotinib and 5-FU models significantly predict therapeutic responses in three studies, offering clinically relevant insights into their inverse predictive signature pathways. Together, iGenSig provides a computational framework to facilitate tailored cancer therapy based on multi-omics data.
Genomic analyses of 10,376 individuals in the Westlake BioBank for Chinese (WBBC) pilot project
Authors: Cong Pei-Kuan , Bai Wei-Yang , Li Jin-Chen , Yang Meng-Yuan , Khederzadeh Saber , Gai Si-Rui , Li Nan , Liu Yu-Heng , Yu Shi-Hui , Zhao Wei-Wei , Liu Jun-Quan , Sun Yi , Zhu Xiao-Wei , Zhao Pian-Pian , Xia Jiang-Wei , Guan Peng-Lin , Qian Yu , Tao Jian-Guo , Xu Lin , Tian Geng , Wang Ping-Yu , Xie Shu-Yang , Qiu Mo-Chang , Liu Ke-Qi , Tang Bei-Sha , Zheng Hou-Feng
Published: May 2022

We initiate the Westlake BioBank for Chinese (WBBC) pilot project with 4,535 whole-genome sequencing (WGS) individuals and 5,841 high-density genotyping individuals, and identify 81.5 million SNPs and INDELs, of which 38.5% are absent in dbSNP Build 151. We provide a population-specific reference panel and an online imputation server (https://wbbc.westlake.edu.cn/) which could yield substantial improvement of imputation performance in Chinese population, especially for low-frequency and rare variants. By analyzing the singleton density of the WGS data, we find selection signatures in SNX29, DNAH1 and WDR1 genes, and the derived alleles of the alcohol metabolism genes (ADH1A and ADH1B) emerge around 7,000 years ago and tend to be more common from 4,000 years ago in East Asia. Genetic evidence supports the corresponding geographical boundaries of the Qinling-Huaihe Line and Nanling Mountains, which separate the Han Chinese into subgroups, and we reveal that North Han was more homogeneous than South Han.
The long noncoding RNA ADIPINT regulates human adipocyte metabolism via pyruvate carboxylase
Authors: Kerr Alastair G. , Wang Zuoneng , Wang Na , Kwok Kelvin H. M. , Jalkanen Jutta , Ludzki Alison , Lecoutre Simon , Langin Dominique , Bergo Martin O. , Dahlman Ingrid , Mim Carsten , Arner Peter , Gao Hui
Published: May 2022

The pleiotropic function of long noncoding RNAs is well recognized, but their direct role in governing metabolic homeostasis is less understood. Here, we describe a human adipocyte-specific lncRNA, ADIPINT, that regulates pyruvate carboxylase, a pivotal enzyme in energy metabolism. We developed an approach, Targeted RNA-protein identification using Orthogonal Organic Phase Separation, which identifies that ADIPINT binds to pyruvate carboxylase and validated the interaction with electron microscopy. ADIPINT knockdown alters the interactome and decreases the abundance and enzymatic activity of pyruvate carboxylase in the mitochondria. Reduced ADIPINT or pyruvate carboxylase expression lowers adipocyte lipid synthesis, breakdown, and lipid content. In human white adipose tissue, ADIPINT expression is increased in obesity and linked to fat cell size, adipose insulin resistance, and pyruvate carboxylase activity. Thus, we identify ADIPINT as a regulator of lipid metabolism in human white adipocytes, which at least in part is mediated through its interaction with pyruvate carboxylase.
Multiomics reveals persistence of obesity-associated immune cell phenotypes in adipose tissue during weight loss and weight regain in mice
Authors: Cottam Matthew A. , Caslin Heather L. , Winn Nathan C. , Hasty Alyssa H.
Published: May 2022

Within adipose tissue (AT), immune cells and parenchymal cells closely interact creating a complex microenvironment. In obesity, immune cell derived inflammation contributes to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Diet-induced weight loss improves glucose tolerance; however, weight regain further exacerbates the impairment in glucose homeostasis observed with obesity. To interrogate the immunometabolic adaptations that occur in AT during murine weight loss and weight regain, we utilized cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITEseq) in male mice. Obesity-induced imprinting of AT immune cells persisted through weight-loss and progressively worsened with weight regain, ultimately leading to impaired recovery of type 2 regulatory cells, activation of antigen presenting cells, T cell exhaustion, and enhanced lipid handling in macrophages in weight cycled mice. This work provides critical groundwork for understanding the immunological causes of weight cycling-accelerated metabolic disease. For further discovery, we provide an open-access web portal of diet-induced AT immune cell imprinting:https://hastylab.shinyapps.io/MAIseq.
Tandem utilization of CO2 photoreduction products for the carbonylation of aryl iodides
Authors: Xia Yuan-Sheng , Tang Meizhong , Zhang Lei , Liu Jiang , Jiang Cheng , Gao Guang-Kuo , Dong Long-Zhang , Xie Lan-Gui , Lan Ya-Qian
Published: May 2022

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction has been developed as an effective strategy to convert CO2 into reusable chemicals. However, the reduction products of this reaction are often of low utilization value. Herein, we effectively connect photocatalytic CO2 reduction and amino carbonylation reactions in series to reconvert inexpensive photoreduction product CO into value-added and easily isolated fine chemicals. In this tandem transformation system, we synthesize an efficient photocatalyst, NNU-55-Ni, which is transformed into nanosheets (NNU-55-Ni-NS) in situ to improve the photocatalytic CO2-to-CO activity significantly. After that, CO serving as reactant is further reconverted into organic molecules through the coupled carbonylation reactions. Especially in the carbonylation reaction of diethyltoluamide synthesis, CO conversion reaches up to 85%. Meanwhile, this tandem transformation also provides a simple and low-cost method for the 13C isotopically labeled organic molecules. This work represents an important and feasible pathway for the subsequent separation and application of CO2 photoreduction product.
SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins reveal distinct serological signatures in children
Authors: Hachim Asmaa , Gu Haogao , Kavian Otared , Mori Masashi , Kwan Mike Y. W. , Chan Wai Hung , Yau Yat Sun , Chiu Susan S. , Tsang Owen T. Y. , Hui David S. C. , Mok Chris K. P. , Ma Fionn N. L. , Lau Eric H. Y. , Amarasinghe Gaya K. , Qavi Abraham J. , Cheng Samuel M. S. , Poon Leo L. M. , Peiris J. S. Malik , Valkenburg Sophie A. , Kavian Niloufar
Published: May 2022

The antibody response magnitude and kinetics may impact clinical severity, serological diagnosis and long-term protection of COVID-19, which may play a role in why children experience lower morbidity. We therefore tested samples from 122 children in Hong Kong with symptomatic (n = 78) and asymptomatic (n = 44) SARS-CoV-2 infections up to 200 days post infection, relative to 71 infected adults (symptomatic n = 61, and asymptomatic n = 10), and negative controls (n = 48). We assessed serum IgG antibodies to a 14-wide antigen panel of structural and accessory proteins by Luciferase Immuno-Precipitation System (LIPS) assay and circulating cytokines. Infected children have lower levels of Spike, Membrane, ORF3a, ORF7a, ORF7b antibodies, comparable ORF8 and elevated E-specific antibodies than adults. Combination of two unique antibody targets, ORF3d and ORF8, can accurately discriminate SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. Principal component analysis reveals distinct pediatric serological signatures, and the highest contribution to variance from adults are antibody responses to non-structural proteins ORF3d, NSP1, ORF3a and ORF8. From a diverse panel of cytokines that can modulate immune priming and relative inflammation, IL-8, MCP-1 and IL-6 correlate with the magnitude of pediatric antibody specificity and severity. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 internal proteins may become an important sero surveillance tool of infection with the roll-out of vaccines in the pediatric population.
The effect of low-intensity exercise on emotional and cognitive engagement in the classroom
Authors: Tamura Ayame , Murayama Kou , Ishii Ryo , Sakaki Michiko , Tanaka Ayumi
Published: May 2022

This study examined whether engaging in physical exercise during a university class would have beneficial effect on students’ learning motivation. One hundred and forty-nine participants took part in a psychology class over nine weeks (one lesson per week); for each lesson, participants engaged in a three-minute physical activity (low-intensity aerobic exercise) or control activity (watching a video), about 20 min after the lesson started. Participants reported higher vigour and lower fatigue during the class when they exercised than when they engaged in control activities. These findings suggest the utility of incorporating a short exercise activity in university settings to enhance students’ classroom motivation.
Phage-like particle vaccines are highly immunogenic and protect against pathogenic coronavirus infection and disease
Authors: Davenport Bennett J. , Catala Alexis , Weston Stuart M. , Johnson Robert M. , Ardanuy Jeremy , Hammond Holly L. , Dillen Carly , Frieman Matthew B. , Catalano Carlos E. , Morrison Thomas E.
Published: May 2022

The response by vaccine developers to the COVID-19 pandemic has been extraordinary with effective vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States within 1 year of the appearance of the first COVID-19 cases. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and obstacles with the global rollout of new vaccines highlight the need for platforms that are amenable to rapid tuning and stable formulation to facilitate the logistics of vaccine delivery worldwide. We developed a “designer nanoparticle” platform using phage-like particles (PLPs) derived from bacteriophage lambda for a multivalent display of antigens in rigorously defined ratios. Here, we engineered PLPs that display the receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein from SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, alone (RBDSARS-PLPs and RBDMERS-PLPs) and in combination (hCoV-RBD PLPs). Functionalized particles possess physiochemical properties compatible with pharmaceutical standards and retain antigenicity. Following primary immunization, BALB/c mice immunized with RBDSARS- or RBDMERS-PLPs display serum RBD-specific IgG endpoint and live virus neutralization titers that, in the case of SARS-CoV-2, were comparable to those detected in convalescent plasma from infected patients. Further, these antibody levels remain elevated up to 6 months post-prime. In dose-response studies, immunization with as little as one microgram of RBDSARS-PLPs elicited robust neutralizing antibody responses. Finally, animals immunized with RBDSARS-PLPs, RBDMERS-PLPs, and hCoV-RBD PLPs were protected against SARS-CoV-2 and/or MERS-CoV lung infection and disease. Collectively, these data suggest that the designer PLP system provides a platform for facile and rapid generation of single and multi-target vaccines.
iTRAQ proteomics of sentinel lymph nodes for identification of extracellular matrix proteins to flag metastasis in early breast cancer
Authors: Pathania Sheetal , Khan Mohd Imran , Bandyopadhyay Sabyasachi , Singh Suneet Shekhar , Rani Komal , Parashar Tanvi Ramesh , Jayaram Jnaneshwari , Mishra Piyush Ranjan , Srivastava Anurag , Mathur Sandeep , Hari Smriti , Vanamail Perumal , Hariprasad Gururao
Published: May 2022

Patients with early breast cancer are affected by metastasis to axillary lymph nodes. Metastasis to these nodes is crucial for staging and quality of surgery. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy that is currently used to assess lymph node metastasis is not effective. This necessitates identification of biomarkers that can flag metastasis. Early stage breast cancer patients were recruited. Surgical resection of breast was followed by identification of sentinel lymph nodes. Fresh frozen section biopsy was used to assign metastatic and non-metastatic sentinel lymph nodes. Discovery phase included iTRAQ proteomics coupled with mass spectrometric analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins. Data is available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD027668. Validation was done by bioinformatic analysis and ELISA. There were 2398 unique protein groups and 109 differentially expressed proteins comparing metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. Forty nine proteins were up-regulated, and sixty proteins that were down regulated in metastatic group. Bioinformatic analysis showed ECM-receptor interaction pathways to be implicated in lymph node metastasis. ELISA confirmed up-regulation of ECM proteins in metastatic lymph nodes. ECM proteins have requisite parameters to be developed as a diagnostic tool to assess status of sentinel lymph nodes to guide surgical intervention in early breast cancer.
Increased abundance of a common scavenger affects allocation of carrion but not efficiency of carcass removal in the Fukushima Exclusion Zone
Authors: Gerke Hannah C. , Hinton Thomas G. , Okuda Kei , Beasley James C.
Published: May 2022

The 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan caused the evacuation of > 100,000 people and prompted studies on environmental impacts of radiological contamination. However, few researchers have explored how the human evacuation has affected ecosystem processes. Despite contamination, one common scavenger (wild boar, Sus scrofa) is 2–3× more abundant inside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone (FEZ). Shifts in abundance of some scavenger species can have cascading effects on ecosystems, so our objective was to investigate impacts of the evacuation and the resulting increase in wild boar on vertebrate scavenger communities. We deployed cameras at 300 carcasses in the FEZ and a nearby inhabited area, and quantified carcass fate, scavenger species, and detection/persistence times. We also tested effects of carcass size and habitat on scavenger community composition and efficiency by balancing trials across two carcass sizes and habitats in each zone. Overall scavenger richness and carcass removal rates (73%) were similar in the FEZ and inhabited area, but species-specific carcass removal rates and occurrence differed between zones. Wild boar removed substantially more carcasses inside the FEZ, with implications for nutrient and contaminant distribution. Our results suggest carcass size affects scavenging dynamics more than human activity or habitat, and abundance changes of common scavengers can influence carrion resource allocation.
A spider silk-derived solubility domain inhibits nuclear and cytosolic protein aggregation in human cells
Authors: Schellhaus Anna Katharina , Xu Shanshan , Gierisch Maria E. , Vornberger Julia , Johansson Jan , Dantuma Nico P.
Published: May 2022

Due to the inherent toxicity of protein aggregates, the propensity of natural, functional amyloidogenic proteins to aggregate must be tightly controlled to avoid negative consequences on cellular viability. The importance of controlled aggregation in biological processes is illustrated by spidroins, which are functional amyloidogenic proteins that form the basis for spider silk. Premature aggregation of spidroins is prevented by the N-terminal NT domain. Here we explored the potential of the engineered, spidroin-based NT* domain in preventing protein aggregation in the intracellular environment of human cells. We show that the NT* domain increases the soluble pool of a reporter protein carrying a ligand-regulatable aggregation domain. Interestingly, the NT* domain prevents the formation of aggregates independent of its position in the aggregation-prone protein. The ability of the NT* domain to inhibit ligand-regulated aggregation was evident both in the cytosolic and nuclear compartments, which are both highly relevant for human disorders linked to non-physiological protein aggregation. We conclude that the spidroin-derived NT* domain has a generic anti-aggregation activity, independent of position or subcellular location, that is also active in human cells and propose that the NT* domain can potentially be exploited in controlling protein aggregation of disease-associated proteins.
MRI-compatible electromagnetic servomotor for image-guided medical robotics
Authors: Hofstetter Lorne W. , Hadley J. Rock , Merrill Robb , Pham Huy , Fine Gabriel C. , Parker Dennis L.
Published: May 2022

The soft-tissue imaging capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with high precision robotics has the potential to improve the precision and safety of a wide range of image-guided medical procedures. However, functional MRI-compatible robotics have not yet been realized in part because conventional electromagnetic servomotors can become dangerous projectiles near the strong magnetic field of an MRI scanner. Here we report an electromagnetic servomotor constructed from non-magnetic components, where high-torque and controlled rotary actuation is produced via interaction between electrical current in the servomotor armature and the magnetic field generated by the superconducting magnet of the MRI scanner itself. Using this servomotor design, we then build and test an MRI-compatible robot which can achieve the linear forces required to insert a large-diameter biopsy instrument in tissue during simultaneous MRI. Our electromagnetic servomotor can be safely operated (while imaging) in the patient area of a 3 Tesla clinical MRI scanner.
Multiscale coupling of surface temperature with solid diffusion in large lithium-ion pouch cells
Authors: Lin Jie , Chu Howie N. , Howey David A. , Monroe Charles W.
Published: May 2022

Untangling the relationship between reactions, mass transfer, and temperature within lithium-ion batteries enables approaches to mitigate thermal hot spots and slow degradation. Here, we develop an efficient physics-based three-dimensional model to simulate lock-in thermography experiments, which synchronously record the applied current, cell voltage, and surface-temperature distribution from commercial lithium iron phosphate pouch cells. We extend an earlier streamlined model based on the popular Doyle–Fuller–Newman theory, augmented by a local heat balance. The experimental data reveal significant in-plane temperature non-uniformity during battery charging and discharging, which we rationalize with a multiscale coupling between heat flow and solid-state diffusion, in particular microscopic lithium intercalation within the electrodes. Simulations are exploited to quantify properties, which we validate against a fast full-discharge experiment. Our work suggests the possibility that non-uniform thermal states could offer a window into—and a diagnostic tool for—the microscopic processes underlying battery performance and cycle life.
A water soluble extract of radish greens ameliorates high fat diet-induced obesity in mice and inhibits adipogenesis in preadipocytes
Authors: Oh Mi-Jin , Lee Hyun Hee L. , Lee Hye-Bin , Do Moon Ho , Park Miri , Lee Chang-Hyun , Park Ho-Young
Published: May 2022

A water-soluble extract from radish greens (WERG) inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and ameliorates high fat diet-induced obesity in mice.
Chitosan entrapped microporous activated carbon composite as a supersorbent for remazol brilliant blue R
Authors: Nandanwar Pradip M. , Saravanan D. , Bakshe Pankaj , Jugade Ravin M.
Published: May 2022

In this work, we synthesized a chitosan-activated carbon composite (Cs–C) using sodium tripolyphosphate (STTP) as a crosslinker and it was evaluated for the adsorptive removal of RBBR dye showing excellent capacity of 540.3 mg g−1.
Food authentication: truffle species classification by non-targeted lipidomics analyses using mass spectrometry assisted by ion mobility separation
Authors: Creydt Marina , Fischer Markus
Published: May 2022

Truffles are among the most counterfeited foods in the world. High financial gains can be achieved by changing the variety specifications. For this reason, analytical methods are required to uncover this food fraud.
Study and application of graphene oxide in the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted quinolinesviaa Povarov multicomponent reaction and subsequent oxidation
Authors: Caputo Samantha , Kovtun Alessandro , Bruno Francesco , Ravera Enrico , Lambruschini Chiara , Melucci Manuela , Moni Lisa
Published: May 2022

Graphene oxide is exploited as a heterogeneous, metal-free and sustainable catalyst for the three-component Povarov reaction and subsequent oxidation. The multistep synthesis can also be performed as a one-pot procedure.
ZnO nanowire arrays with in situ sequentially self-assembled vertically oriented CdS nanosheets as superior photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Li Chunmei , Lin Hua , Jing Maoxiang , Zhang Lian Ying , Yuan Weiyong , Li Chang Ming
Published: May 2022

High-density CdS nanosheets were vertically self-assembled on ZnO nanowire arrays, forming a photoanode with superior performance toward water splitting.
Shared knowledge distillation for robust multi‐scale super‐resolution networks
Authors: Na Youngju , Kim Hee Hyeon , Yoo Seok Bong
Published: May 2022

Although developments in deep learning have resulted in considerable perormance enhancements in super‐resolution (SR), they have also caused substantial increases in computational costs and memory requirements. Thus, various compression techniques, such as quantisation, pruning, and knowledge distillation (KD), for single SR models have been introduced. However, multiple SR models are required in the real world to robustly reconstruct low‐resolution (LR) images of varying input sizes. Because of the limited resources, storing multiple models is impossible for mobile devices and embedded systems. In this letter, we propose a multi‐scale SR network using weight‐sharing method to effectively eliminate redundant parameters. To train our multi‐scale SR network and mitigate SR performance degradation due to knowledge confusion, we divide backpropagation into two stages. Furthermore, we propose a compression framework that distils shared knowledge within a multi‐scale SR network. We achieve a compression rate of 94% from storing multiple scales of single SR models, while only compromising 0.3 dB on average in terms of peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR).
Symptomenlehre
Authors: Kerbl-Seidelberger Elisabeth
Published: May 2022

Diese Rubrik greift praxisrelevante und theoretische Themen auf, die Ein- oder
Wiedereinsteigern zur Orientierung dienen sollen. Dabei steht eine pragmatische
Vorgehensweise im Zentrum, die rasch und unkompliziert nachvollzogen werden
kann. Theoretische Inhalte können naturgemäß in dieser
Kürze nur angeschnitten werden. Davon abweichende Erfahrungen und
Erkenntnisse sind berechtigt, aber nicht Thema dieser Reihe.
Abschließend soll eine knappe Literaturauswahl zu weiterem Studium
anregen.
Wie kam Sepia in die Materia medica? Eine Spurensuche
Authors: Lucae Christian
Published: May 2022

Über die Entdeckung von Sepia officinalis durch Samuel Hahnemann kursiert
eine sehr bekannte Anekdote in der homöopathischen Literatur: Ein Maler
soll einen in Sepiatinte getauchten Pinsel abgeleckt und dadurch Symptome
entwickelt haben, was Hahnemann zur Arzneimittelprüfung dieser Substanz
inspiriert haben soll.

In der vorliegenden Untersuchung konnte keine eindeutige, sichere Quelle
für diese Begebenheit identifiziert werden. Die vielen unterschiedlichen
Varianten der Anekdote legen nahe, dass es sich dabei um eine Legende handeln
könnte.
Microstructured Polymer System Containing Proanthocyanidin-Enriched Extract from Limonium brasiliense as a Prophylaxis Strategy to Prevent Recurrence of Porphyromonas
gingivalis
Authors: Pilatti Fernanda , Isolani Raquel , Valone Larissa , de Paula Mariana Nascimento , Caleare Angelo de Oliveira , Ferreira Sabrina Barbosa de Souza , Bruschi Marcos Luciano , de Medeiros Araújo Daniela Cristina , Guedes Terezinha Aparecida , Hensel Andreas , de Mello João Carlos Palazzo
Published: May 2022

Periodontal diseases are a global oral health problem affecting almost 10% of the global population. Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the main bacteria involved in the initiation
and progression of inflammatory processes as a result of the action of the cysteine proteases lysin- and arginine-gingipain. Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles containing a lyophilized
proanthocyanidin-enriched fraction from the rhizomes of Limonium brasiliense, traditionally named “baicuru” (ethyl acetate fraction), were manufactured. The ethyl acetate
fraction was characterized by UHPLC by the presence of samarangenins A and B (12.10 ± 0.07 and 21.05 ± 0.44%, respectively) and epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (13.44 ± 0.27%).
Physiochemical aspects of Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles were characterized concerning particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, ethyl acetate fraction release, and
mucoadhesion. Additionally, the presence of the ethyl acetate fraction-loaded microparticles was performed concerning potential influence on viability of human buccal KB cells, P.
gingivalis adhesion to KB cells, gingipain activity, and P. gingivalis biofilm formation. In general, all Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles tested showed strong adhesion to
porcine cheek mucosa (93.1 ± 4.2% in a 30-min test), associated with a prolonged release of the ethyl acetate fraction (up to 16.5 ± 0.8% in 24 h). Preincubation of KB cells with
Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles (25 µg/mL) resulted in an up to 93 ± 2% reduced infection rate by P. gingivalis. Decreased activity of the P. gingivalis-specific
virulence factors lysin- and arginine-gingipain proteases by Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles was confirmed. Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles decreased biofilm formation of P.
gingivalis (97 ± 2% at 60 µg/mL). Results from this study prove the promising activity of Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles containing ethyl acetate fraction microparticles as a
prophylaxis strategy to prevent the recurrence of P. gingivalis.
Malignant Transformation of Recurrent Residual Cerebellopontine Angle Epidermoid Tumor: Significance of Clinical Vigilance and Long-Term Surveillance
Authors: Sayyahmelli Sara , Sayyahmelli Sima , Salamat Shahriar , Başkaya Mustafa K.
Published: May 2022

Epidermoid tumors (ET) are slow-growing masses where malignant transformations occur extremely rarely. Malignant transformation warning signs are the rapid-onset, progression, and recurrence of symptoms. The radiologic evidence for malignant transformation is contrast enhancement with rapid growth, observed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scans. Here, we provide a case report of a 68-year-old woman with a long-standing history of left-sided cerebellopontine angle ET who presented with a recent worsening of symptoms, and MRI observation of new ET contrast enhancement. Surgical re-exploration and histopathologic confirmation are mandatory in this setting of recent symptom worsening and MRI observation of rapid mass growth.
5-Aminolevulinic Acid—A Biomarker for Worse Prognosis in IDH-Wildtype II Tumors? Evolution of a Fluorescence-Positive Diffuse Astrocytoma: A Case Report
Authors: Valerio Jose E. , Ochoa Sebastian , Alvarez Sandra , Borro Matteo , Alvarez-Pinzon Andres M.
Published: May 2022

Introduction In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) as an intraoperative optical imaging agent in patients with suspected high-grade gliomas (HGGs). However, the application of 5-ALA for low-grade gliomas is still less accepted. Astrocytoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant tumors are diffuse infiltrating astrocytic tumors where there is no identifiable border between the tumor and normal brain tissue, even though the borders may appear relatively well-marginated on imaging. Generally, it is considered that 5-ALA cannot pass through a normal blood–brain barrier (BBB). Thus, 5-ALA fluorescence may mean disruption of BBB in grade II glioma.

Case Report A 74-year-old male patient was diagnosed with a right parietal lesion suggestive of a low-grade brain tumor in a surgical resection using 5-ALA, which led to the detection of tiny fluorescence spots during the surgery. The frozen section was consistent with diffuse astrocytoma, IDH-wildtype (World Health Organization [WHO] grade II). The patient's postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed complete resection. Eight months after surgery, he began experiencing symptoms again and was admitted with a brain MRI finding consistent with recurrent infiltrating astrocytomas. This required reoperation of the brain tumor resection with 5-ALA. Unlike the first surgery, they observed a high fluorescence intensity; the pathological finding was glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (WHO grade IV). Postsurgical brain MRI showed total resection of the tumor. The patient was discharged 4 weeks after surgery and continued with specialized clinical follow-up.

Conclusion The use of 5-ALA continues to be a great contributor to the improvement in complete resection of primary brain tumors, especially HGG. Besides, fluorescence is increasingly approaching its use as a prognostic tool for aggressive clinical course, regardless of the initial grade of the tumor. This case report is an effort to expand knowledge for potentially using 5-ALA to help prognosticate brain tumors. Nevertheless, more clinical prospective studies must be conducted.
Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion: Where Are We Now?
Authors: Guinde Julien , Dutau Hervé , Astoul Philippe
Published: May 2022

Pleural malignancies are among the most common causes of pleural disease and form the basis of our daily pleural practice. There has been significant research and increase in both diagnostic and therapeutic management of malignant pleural diseases in the last decade. Good-quality data have led to a paradigm shift in the management options of pleural malignancies, and indwelling pleural catheter is now recommended and widely used as first-line intervention. Several trials compared different treatment modalities for pleural malignancies and continue to emphasize the need to reduce hospital length of stay and unnecessary pleural intervention, and the importance of patient choice in clinical decision making. This practical review aims to summarize the current knowledge for the management of pleural malignancies, and the understanding of the steps that we still have to climb to optimize management and reduce morbidity.
Epi-fluorescence imaging of the human brain through a multimode fiber
Authors: Lochocki Benjamin , Verweg Max V. , Hoozemans Jeroen J. M. , de Boer Johannes F. , Amitonova Lyubov V.
Published: May 2022

Visualization of the subcellular structures deep into the living brain is a major challenge in life science. Miniaturized microendoscopes allow for imaging of deep brain structures in vivo. Conventional approaches use gradient index (GRIN) microlenses, which unfortunately suffer from greater aberrations and restricted fields of view if they become smaller and less invasive. Multimode fiber based endoscopes offer minimal invasive access to deep tissue, and when combined with advanced wavefront engineering techniques, they provide high-resolution imaging. Here, we report auto-fluorescence human brain imaging through a single 50 μm-core multimode fiber probe with a numerical aperture of 0.22 via two approaches: raster-scan imaging by active wavefront shaping and speckle-based compressive imaging enabled by computational image recovery. The compressive imaging approach significantly decreases the acquisition time for an up to three times bigger area of interest while maintaining a high spatial resolution. Accumulation of age-related pigment lipofuscin in Alzheimer’s disease human brain has been visualized with sub-Nyquist–Shannon speed with an improvement of up to 18 times. The proposed technique offers fast, sensitive, and high-resolution endoscopic imaging through a single hair-thin fiber, which would be of broader interest in the fields of neuroimaging and (pre-)clinical research.
Sperm parameters following hormonal induction of spermiation in an endangered frog [the alpine tree frog] (
Authors: Pham Thien H. , Brannelly Laura A.
Published: May 2022

Context With global amphibian biodiversity rapidly declining, improving reproductive technology outcomes has become essential. Captive breeding programs have struggled because amphibian breeding physiology often requires specific environmental cues that reproductive technologies can circumvent. Aims This study tests the efficiency of hormonal induction by evaluating sperm quality in the endangered Litoria verreauxii alpina. Methods We assessed the effects of exogenous hormones – gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a, Lucrin), and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG, Chorulon) – on sperm quality. Key results Hormone induction with hCG showed high efficacy while GnRH-a yielded a low response in producing sperm. Sperm quantity was affected by time post injection, with the greatest quantity at 1 h post injection. Sperm quality was also affected by time, where the sperm head size decreased by 11% at 7 h post injection. Conclusions Based on the results from this study, we recommend that that sperm be collected soon after induction, and not more than 4 h post induction in L. v. alpina. More work needs to be completed before recommending an optimal hormone induction method and dose, but 120 IU of hCG per male was successful for inducing spermiation. Implications This study represents a useful starting point for developing assisted reproductive techniques for non-model organisms.
Disentangling the chemistry of Australian plant exudates from a unique historical collection
Authors: Georgiou Rafaella , Popelka-Filcoff Rachel S. , Sokaras Dimosthenis , Beltran Victoria , Bonaduce Ilaria , Spangler Jordan , Cohen Serge X. , Lehmann Roy , Bernard Sylvain , Rueff Jean-Pascal , Bergmann Uwe , Bertrand Loïc
Published: May 2022

Significance

For millennia, Aboriginal Australian peoples have used the extraordinary physicochemical properties of plant exudates from practical applications to cultural expression. We employ state-of-the-art spectroscopy to characterize the molecular compositions of well-preserved, native Australian plant exudates (Xanthorrhoea,Callitris,Eucalyptus, andAcacia) from a historic collection assembled over a century ago. This work demonstrates the benefits of X-ray Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of these complex natural systems. It provides key information for a broader understanding of their terpenoid, aromatic, phenolic, and polysaccharide composition and subsequent chemical classification. It complements Fourier-transform infrared and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry by allowing bulk-sensitive analysis in a fully noninvasive manner and probes molecular features which remain silent in these commonly employed analyses.
Long-lifetime spin excitations near domain walls in 1T-TaS
2
Authors: Aishwarya Anuva , Raghavan Arjun , Howard Sean , Cai Zhuozhen , Thakur Gohil S. , Won Choongjae , Cheong Sang-Wook , Felser Claudia , Madhavan Vidya
Published: May 2022

Significance

There is an intense ongoing search for two-level quantum systems with long lifetimes for applications in quantum communication and computation. Much research has been focused on studying isolated spins in semiconductors or band insulators. Mott insulators provide an interesting alternative platform but have been far less explored. In this work we use a technique capable of resolving individual spins at atomic length scales, to measure the two-level switching of spin states in 1T-TaS
2
. We find quasi-1D chains of spin-1/2 electrons embedded in 1T-TaS
2
which have exceptionally long lifetimes. The discovery of long-lived spin states in a tractable van der Waal material opens doors to using Mott systems in future quantum information applications.
Gaps in Naloxone Ownership among People who Inject Drugs during the Fentanyl Wave of the Opioid Overdose Epidemic in New York City, 2018
Authors: Rivera Alexis V. , Nolan Michelle L. , Paone Denise , Carrillo Sidney A. , Braunstein Sarah L.
Published: May 2022

Background: Community distribution of naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdose, is an effective public health strategy to prevent overdose deaths. However, data are limited on who has naloxone during the current fentanyl wave of the opioid overdose epidemic in the United States. We aim to determine correlates of naloxone ownership among a community sample of people who inject drugs (PWID) from New York City (NYC). Methods: Data were drawn from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Study among PWID. Participants were recruited via respondent-driven sampling. Eligible participants completed an interviewer-administered survey. Log-linked Poisson regression was used to determine adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) current naloxone ownership. Results: Of 503 PWID, 60% currently owned naloxone. In the past 12 months, 74% witnessed an opioid overdose and 25% experienced one. Those who experienced current homelessness were less likely to own naloxone (aPR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.91), as were those who had been recently incarcerated (aPR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.97). Respondents who reported recent known or possible fentanyl use were more likely to own naloxone (aPR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.43) as were those who experienced an opioid overdose in the past 12 months (aPR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.53). Conclusions: The prevalence of naloxone ownership among PWID in NYC was high, potentially due to widespread community naloxone distribution programs; however, gaps in naloxone ownership existed. Interventions that further ease access to naloxone, such as reclassifying naloxone as an over-the-counter medication and making it available “off the shelf,” should be considered. More research is needed to identify barriers to access, uptake, and sustained possession within this group to maximize the impact of naloxone distribution during the ongoing fentanyl wave of the opioid overdose epidemic.
A Systematic Literature Review and Narrative Synthesis of Effective Interventions for Family and Caregivers of People who use Methamphetamine
Authors: Sanatkar Samineh , Heinsch Milena , Tickner Campbell , Hunt Sally , Teesson Maree , Geddes Jenny , Gilbert Jayden , Pedemont Lauren , McKetin Rebecca , Kay-Lambkin Frances
Published: May 2022

Background: Methamphetamine is a highly addictive central nervous stimulant associated with numerous adverse health, psychological, and social impacts. Family and friends of people who use methamphetamine often take on a crucial caregiving role in supporting their loved one. Consequently, they can experience a range of psychosocial challenges themselves. This review aimed to identify and assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to support caregivers of people who use methamphetamine. Methods: A systematic search of relevant literature published in the English language was conducted. Of 2257 records identified, only 2 evaluation studies examined interventions specifically designed for caregivers of people who use methamphetamine. Additionally, four qualitative accounts described experiences of caring for people who use methamphetamine. These accounts were summarized narratively to provide a more complete picture of family and caregiver experiences and coping strategies. Results: Effective treatment components included tending to caregiver concerns and providing training to enhance informational support and problem-solving skills. Qualitative accounts uncovered a range of challenges experienced by caregivers, such as emotional distress, concern for the person using methamphetamine, disrupted family structures, and financial difficulties. Coping strategies included attempts at managing and supporting the person using methamphetamine while protecting the overall cohesion and wellbeing of the family unit. Conclusions: This review highlighted a lack of evidence-based interventions for caregivers of people who use methamphetamine. More research is needed to clarify concerns that may be particularly relevant for those in a caregiving role.