bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Concept of Brain Sparing in a High Income Setting, Using Historical Records of Maternal Influenza or Syphilis Infection
Authors: Le Vu Mathilde , Cortina‐Borja Mario , Wells Jonathan C. K.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

In the context of adverse in utero environments, the fetal brain might be preserved at the expense of other tissues. This trade‐off, brain sparing, has not been studied in the context of maternal infection. We investigated cases of maternal syphilis in the early 20th century and influenza during the 1918–1920 pandemic, in the Swiss city of Lausanne, a relatively high‐income setting. We tested the brain sparing hypothesis, that head circumference is protected at the expense of birth weight.

Methods

A total of 8530 individual birth records from 1911 to 1922 from the University Maternity Hospital of Lausanne were used. We fitted generalized linear and additive linear models to explain how neonatal size varies under disease exposure.

Results

Influenza reduced head circumference and birth weight among livebirths similarly, by −0.11 and −0.14 standard deviation (SD) units respectively. Conversely, for syphilis‐exposed infants, head circumference was affected more than birth weight (−0.61 SD vs. −0.46 SD). Stillborn infants exposed to syphilis experienced a much greater reduction in head circumference (−1.92 SD) than liveborn infants. After adjustment for gestational age, these findings persisted in the case of influenza, but the effects of syphilis were reduced. Furthermore, half of syphilis‐exposed infants were born before term, suggesting that lower infant size was partly mediated by shorter gestation. Nevertheless, head circumference among stillbirths exposed to syphilis was still substantially reduced, even after adjustment for gestational age (−1.26 SD).

Conclusion

Our findings do not support the brain sparing hypothesis. Moreover, the substantial reduction in head circumference among syphilis‐exposed fetuses might help explain why a quarter of them were stillborn.
Preparation of ZIF‐8‐Based Functionalized Magnetic Nanocomposites and Their Application in Aqueous Environment
Authors: Ren Zongli , Zhang Weiwei , Ye Baogui , Ma Xin , Fang Yali
Published: August 2024

In this study, a functionalized magnetic powder complex porous carbon derived from ZIF‐8 (ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C)) was prepared and applied for the waste liquid containing MB, TC, and Cu2+ adsorption removal. The ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) perfectly inherited the feature of parent ZIF‐8, posed a high specific surface area (SBET = 812.73 m2 g−1), be rich in surface nitrogen functional groups, and resulting in a good dynamic adsorption of the MB, TC, and Cu2+. The ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) exhibited the best adsorption performance of high‐concentration waste liquid containing MB, TC, and Cu2+, with equilibrium adsorption capacity of MB (408 mg g−1), TC (417 mg g−1), and Cu2+ (386 mg g−1), respectively. The acetone and toluene adsorption were spontaneously and exothermic, given the negative values of free energy (ΔG) and enthalpy (ΔH). The difference of MB, TC, and Cu2+ adsorption on ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) attributed to the affinity difference (polarity and molecular diameter) and the nitrogen‐containing functional groups (π‐π interaction and electrostatic attraction). Therefore, it was found that ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) could effectively adsorb MB, TC, and Cu2+, and ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) could remove more than 70% of the above pollutants after repeated use for four times; it has a good application prospect.
Scenarios, prospects, and challenges related to supercritical fluid impregnation in the food industry: a scoping review (2018–2023)
Authors: de Araujo Erick Jarles Santos , Martínez Julian
Published: August 2024

Supercritical fluid impregnation (SFI) is an emerging technique for the incorporation of target compounds into solid matrices. It has attracted attention in the food industry, where it can be applied. As it does not use organic solvents and supercritical CO2 is the most commonly used fluid, SFI is considered to be an ecofriendly and ‘green’ strategy. A review of the literature is essential in order to understand the complex interactions that occur in SFI. This is a scoping review of SFI applied to the food industry from 2018 to 2023. The search used the Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct databases. Guiding questions were identified, publications related to the topic were selected, and the information was extracted, organized, and grouped. An overview of the SFI, its operational characteristics, challenges, prospects, and strategies is presented. Initially, 329 records were found; 38 publications were eventually selected for inclusion in this scoping review. The results indicate that the packaging sector has been the focus of publications. However, trends include applications of SFI in micronization, developing of food waste biorefineries, and food protection from direct impregnation. This scoping analysis is therefore a powerful tool for creating new research into the application of SFI to food.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Regioselective Methylative Coupling of Internal Alkynes with Aldehydes/Aldimines
Authors: Zhang Jiwu , Liang Zhikun , Chong Qinglei , Meng Fanke
Published: August 2024

Comprehensive Summary

Catalytic methylative coupling of internal alkynes and aldehydes/aldimines through regioselective oxidative cyclization promoted by a phosphine–Co complex is presented. Such process constitutes an unprecedented and unique approach for Co‐catalyzed generation of metallacycles that reversed inherent regiochemical biases to furnish a wide range of allylic alcohols and allylic amides bearing a tetrasubstituted alkene in up to 98% yield with high regioselectivity, representing a novel and general strategy for reversal of substrate‐controlled regioselectivity in metal‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization.
InDel variations and gene expression analysis related to Fusarium wilt resistance in Gossypium barbadense
Authors: Liu Baojun , Han Wanli , Bai Jianyu , Yu Yu , Wang Xuwen , Qu Yanying , Gu Aixing
Published: August 2024

Fusarium wilt resistance of Gossypium barbadense is very important to maintain its yield and quality, and to disease resistance breeding. Although many individual genes, which are quantitative trait loci associated with wilt resistance have been identified, knowledge of genes controlling wilt resistance in G. barbadense is still limited. In order to screen the InDel fragment related to Fusarium wilt resistance in G. barbadense, a genome‐wide association study was conducted using 110 recombinant inbred lines of Xinhai 14 (susceptible cotton) and 06–146 (resistant cotton). In this study, 207,040 high‐quality InDel loci were identified, of which 595 and 632 InDels were significantly associated (p < 1 × 10−3) with wilt resistance in G. barbadense in the additive and dominant effect module analyses, respectively. Combined transcriptome expression analysis within the FOV7 stably inherited qFOV7‐D03‐1 interval identified three ≥2 bp InDels for two differentially expressed genes. qPCR analysis was used to further validate that the expression of GB_D03G0204 and GB_D03G0238 was significantly different in the parental, resistant, and high susceptibility varieties. The GB_D03G0238 gene InDel was significant in both additive and dominant effect models, and the GB_D03G0204 gene InDel was significantly associated with wilt resistance in G. barbadense in the dominant effect model. The InDel fragments related to wilt resistance in G. barbadense discovered in this study can help gain insights into the genetic basis of wilt resistance and improve cotton breeding with excellent wilt resistance and high fiber quality traits.
General Synthesis of High‐Entropy Oxides and Carbon‐Supported High‐Entropy Oxides by Mechanochemistry
Authors: Gao Ying , Tian Xicai , Niu Qiang , Zhang Pengfei
Published: August 2024

High‐entropy oxides (HEOs) have been receiving a lot of attention due to their excellent properties. However, current common methods for preparing HEOs usually involve high‐temperature processes. The development of green synthesis techniques remains an important issue. Carbon‐supported HEOs have shown excellent performance in electrochemical energy storage in recent years. Crucially, the traditional methods cannot synthesize carbon‐supported HEOs under N2 or air atmospheres. Toward this end, a universal method for preparing carbon‐supported HEOs was proposed. During this process, without high‐temperature post‐treatment, high‐entropy LaMnO3 could be synthesized in 2 hours using the mechanical ball‐milling method. Furthermore, this method was universal and has been proved in the synthesis of a series of HEOs such as PrVO3, SmVO3, and MgAl2O4. The LaMnO3 species synthesized by this method exhibit excellent catalytic performance in CO combustion and could maintain a conversion rate of over 97 % for 350 hours. Subsequently, carbon‐supported HEOs could be obtained with 0.5 hours of additional ball‐milling, offering significant advantages over traditional methods. This process provides a potential method to synthesize carbon‐supported HEOs.
A survey on network lifetime maximization using data aggregation trees
Authors: Kale Preeti A. , Nene Manisha J.
Published: August 2024

The sensor networks are the primary and essential components on which the world of Internet of Things (IoT) is built. IoT empowers smart communication, computation, and sensing capabilities. In sensor networks, the data are collected by the sensor nodes and sent to the sink along a communication path. These communication paths are collaboratively established by the nodes and the sink. By incorporating energy‐efficient data gathering techniques, the lifetime of these networks is improved. The major contribution of the study in this work is to provide a survey of various techniques for data aggregation (DA) and the employed algorithmic strategies that facilitate and influence network lifetime (NL) in these environments. DA in wireless sensor networks (WSN), IoTs, and cloud computing extend the lifetime of these networks since it enables efficient merging of traffic flows, thus reducing transmissions and energy consumption of devices. In sensor networks, data aggregation tree (DAT)‐based routing facilitates energy‐efficient routing that extends NL. NL maximization using DATs constructs DATs with optimal NL and is a known NP‐complete problem. Subsequently, the study in this work surveys the various approaches employed by researchers to construct DATs and discusses techniques for DAT scheduling. This work further explores various sensor deployment techniques and discusses real world scenario in which NL is influenced by uncertainty in communication links. Finally, the study in this survey highlights the achievements in realizing NL improvement using DAT and identifies the limitations and research challenges.
Self‐sensing piezoresistive aerospace composites based on CNTs and 2D material coated fabric sensors
Authors: Khan Tayyab , Umer Rehan
Published: August 2024

The ongoing fourth industrial revolution, also known as “Industry 4.0” is the driving force behind the digitalization of various manufacturing systems by incorporating smart autonomous systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and artificial intelligence. In terms of aerospace composites, comprehensive research has been carried out in the past decade or so to manufacture smart and self‐sensing fiber‐reinforced polymer composites capable of monitoring their own health states. This review focuses on recent developments in smart, self‐sensing fiber‐reinforced composites incorporating nanomaterial‐coated piezoresistive fabric sensors such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and MXene. A comprehensive overview of process monitoring involving the complete resin infusion cycle, such as compaction response, resin flow monitoring, pressure variations within the mold, process‐induced defects monitoring, and cure/post‐cure monitoring, has been provided. The post‐manufacturing structuring health monitoring (SHM) of composites has also been discussed in detail. An overview of the associated challenges of these sensors, such as manufacturability, robustness, conductivity/piezoresistivity calibration, and the effect on structural integrity, is presented. Finally, future insights into the application of these sensors in the physical and cyber domains for smart factories of the future have also been discussed.
Evaluation of the nitrosamine impurities of ACE inhibitors using computational, in vitro, and in vivo methods demonstrate no genotoxic potential
Authors: Cheung Jennifer , Dobo Krista , Zhang Shaofei , Nudelman Raphael , Schmidt Friedemann , Wenzel Jan , Czich Andreas , Schuler Maik
Published: August 2024

Evaluation and mitigation of the potential carcinogenic risks associated with nitrosamines in marketed pharmaceutical products are areas of interest for pharmaceutical companies and health authorities alike. Significant progress has been made to establish acceptable intake (AI) levels for N‐nitrosamine drug substance‐related impurities (NDSRIs) using SAR, however some compounds require experimental data to support derivation of a recommended AI. Many angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, identified by the suffix “pril,” have secondary amines that can potentially react to form nitrosamines. Here we consider a structural assessment and metabolism data, coupled with comprehensive in vitro and in vivo (mouse) genotoxicity testing to evaluate this particular class of nitrosamines. N‐nitroso ramipril and N‐nitroso quinapril, both of which are predicted to have inhibited nitrosamine bioactivation due to steric hinderance and branching at the α‐position were non‐genotoxic in the in vivo liver comet assay and non‐mutagenic in the in vivo Big Blue® mutation and duplex sequencing assays. Predicted metabolism along with in vitro metabolism data and quantum chemical calculations related to DNA interactions offer a molecular basis for the negative results observed in both in vitro and in vivo testing. These nitrosamines are concluded to be non‐mutagenic and non‐carcinogenic; therefore, they should be controlled according to ICH Q3B guidance. Furthermore, these results for N‐nitroso ramipril and N‐nitroso quinapril should be considered when evaluating the appropriate AI and control strategy for other structurally similar “pril” NDSRIs.
Baseline characteristics and predictors for early implantation of vagus nerve stimulation therapy in people with drug‐resistant epilepsy: Observations from an international prospective outcomes registry (CORE‐VNS)
Authors: Kwan Patrick , Boffini Massimiliano , Fahoum Firas , El Tahry Riëm , O'Brien Terence J. , Keough Karen , Boggs Jane , Goldberg‐Stern Hadassa , Beraldi Francesca , Giannicola Gaia , Lee Ying‐Chieh , Sen Arjune ,   CORE‐VNS Registry Group
Published: August 2024

Objective

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) Therapy is routinely indicated for people with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). We analyzed the baseline characteristics of individuals receiving the recently released VNS models and identified factors associated with early or late implantation.

Methods

The Comprehensive Outcomes Registry of subjects with Epilepsy (CORE‐VNS), a prospective observational study evaluating the clinical and psychosocial outcomes of VNS Therapy®, is following participants for up to 60 months after VNS implantation. In this analysis, we used Cox proportional hazards model to identify baseline characteristics associated with the time from diagnosis to first implantation.

Results

Of the 819 enrolled, 792 (96.7%) participants implanted with a VNS device were evaluated. 529 (64.6%) underwent the first implantation and 263 (32.1%) a re‐implantation. Participants' median age at first implant was 24 years; 492 (62.1%) were ≥18 years old and 166 (20.3%) were < 12 years old. The average number of failed ASMs prior to VNS implantation was 7.1, and 145 (17.7%) had undergone previous epilepsy‐related surgery. Epilepsy was classified as focal in 47.7% of participants, generalized in 16.1% and combined focal and generalized in 34.2%. Many of the participants (40.9%) had epilepsy of unknown etiology. The median time from diagnosis to first implantation was 10.33 years and was significantly shorter in participants with combined focal and generalized epilepsy compared to those with focal epilepsy alone, and in participants with genetic and immune epilepsy compared to those with unknown etiologies.

Significance

In people with DRE, VNS Therapy is provided after multiple failures of ASMs and after failure of epilepsy surgery in one in six individuals. Time from diagnosis to first implantation is associated with epilepsy type and etiology, likely reflecting variable treatment pathways. Clearer guidelines on when and how non‐drug therapies should be deployed in people with DRE related to different epilepsy factors are needed.

Plain Language Summary

Neuromodulation can be a very helpful treatment in people who have seizures that do not respond to medications. The most widely utilized neuromodulation therapy is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). We present data from a large, global study to show that people use an average of seven anti‐seizure medications before attempting VNS Therapy and that it takes about 10 years for people to get their first VNS implant. We advocate for clearer treatment guidelines on how and when to consider VNS Therapy in people with seizures that are resistant to medication.
Strategies of water resource utilization and agricultural water management in the coastal saline zone of Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md. Belal , Roy Debjit , Paul Priya Lal Chandra , Yesmin Mst. Shetara , Kundu Palash Kumar , Pranto Mohammad Rezoan Bin Hafiz , Aklimuzzaman Md , Paul Mousumi , Maniruzzaman Md. , Mainuddin Mohammed
Published: August 2024

Access to irrigation water is pivotal for dry season crops in the coastal saline regions of Bangladesh. This research investigates strategic measures aimed at ensuring water availability for polder agricultural purposes in the dry season. This study was performed from 2017 to 2022 to assess the water availability inside polders # 30 and # 31 in Khulna region of the south‐western coastal zone of Bangladesh. Our methodology encompassed diverse approaches: identifying optimal water sources, capturing low‐salinity water for agriculture, implementing crop–soil–water management to enhance cropping intensity, employing irrigation modelling for effective crop planning, utilizing GIS techniques to estimate water storage and conducting impact analysis using satellite images. Irrigation by trapped river water increased the yield of different crops by 13–56% compared with that of farmer‐managed plots. Polders # 30 and # 31 currently have approximately 136 and 190 km of good canals, which store 334 and 502 ha‐m of water, respectively, during the dry period. With the existing stored fresh water, a maximum of 6,680 ha and 10,040 ha of watermelon and a minimum of 334 and 502 ha of boro rice cultivation were possible in polders # 30 and # 31, respectively. However, the excavation of poor and dead canals could increase freshwater storage and crop coverage. The image analysis of polder #31 revealed an increase in crop coverage of 238% from 2017 to 2022, which might be attributed to the introduction of advanced water management technologies and salt‐tolerant cultivars as well as holistic extension approaches by different government organizations (GOs), non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) and farmers. This study will assist in formulating pathways for polder‐scale water management and cropping intensification in coastal saline zones.
Celiac disease is associated with increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and hypotensive shock in patients admitted with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Abboud Yazan , Shah Vraj P , Jiang Yi , Pendyala Navya , Hajifathalian Kaveh
Published: August 2024

Background and Aim

Celiac disease (CD) was shown to be associated with increased risk of developing acute pancreatitis (AP). There is a paucity of literature critically analyzing the association of CD with AP outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the impact of CD on outcomes and complications of AP in recent years.

Methods

A population‐based analysis was performed using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2016 and 2019. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify the independent impact of CD on AP outcomes while controlling for demographics and comorbidities and all patients refined diagnosis‐related groups (APR‐DRG) risk of severity subclass.

Results

From 2016 to 2019, a total of 2 253 730 inpatients with AP were identified, of which 4640 (0.2%) had CD. On multivariable analysis, while controlling for demographics, comorbidities, and severity of illness, CD patients had significantly decreased odds for mortality (OR = 0.387), pseudocyst formation (OR = 0.786), sepsis (OR = 0.707), respiratory failure (OR = 0.806), acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR = 0.804), and myocardial infarction (OR = 0.217), (P < 0.05). However, CD patients were at significantly increased odds for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (OR = 2.240) and hypotensive shock (OR = 1.718) (P < 0.05). Patients with CD had shorter lengths of stay by 0.4 days and lower total charges by $12 690.

Conclusions

Our nationwide study evaluating AP outcomes in patients with CD suggests that patients with CD admitted for AP tend to have better mortality and several other outcomes compared to non‐CD patients. We also show that CD patients admitted for AP have a greater risk for DVT and hypotensive shock. Future studies are warranted to validate the revealed findings in CD patients admitted for AP.
Advancing Graduate Leadership Education for Institutional Alignment
Authors: Gigliotti Ralph A. , Arends Rebecca , Waran Vidhi
Published: August 2024

Building a future pipeline of leaders in higher education remains a topic of importance given the challenges and pressures facing colleges and universities. The current article introduces one initiative dedicated to graduate leadership education, the PreDoctoral Leadership Development Academy at Rutgers University, and highlights points of connection to other similar national programs. In response to the symposium theme, we advance three linkages to the power of place, including an emphasis on graduate leadership education as (1) a shared or collective endeavor, (2) a reflection of institutional values, and (3) a laboratory for analyzing organization‐specific challenges and opportunities.
Development and implementation of a roadmap for improving quality of care in prearthritic hip disease: A journey over 20 years
Authors: Clohisy John C. , Nepple Jeffrey J. , Beaulé Paul E. , Zaltz Ira , Millis Michael , Sierra Rafael J. , Kim Young‐Jo , Sucato Daniel , Sink Ernest ,   ANCHOR Group
Published: August 2024

The understanding and treatment of prearthritic hip disease has evolved remarkably over the past 20 years. The principal investigator and the multicenter Academic Network of Conservational Hip Outcomes Research (ANCHOR) group have had a key role in improving the quality of care for these patients suffering from the three most common prearthritic conditions: femoroacetabular impingement, developmental dysplasia of the hip, and residual Legg‐Calve‐Perthes Disease. We aim to demonstrate that based on the six quality of care dimensions as defined by Donabedian, our 20‐year academic journey has markedly improved the quality of care for young patients with prearthritic hip disease.
Central retinal vein occlusion after infliximab therapy in a young patient with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Lage Joana Victor , Ribeiro Joana Filipe , Vicente‐Ferreira Margarida , Araújo Joana Rodrigues , Pais Isabel , Espinheira Céu , Trindade Eunice
Published: August 2024

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition, characterized by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. While the primary focus of IBD management consists in controlling gastrointestinal symptoms, IBD also presents an increased risk of thromboembolic complications. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) inhibitors, namely infliximab, have become increasingly common in the management of multiple chronic inflammatory diseases such as IBD. However, recent studies have shown an association between treatment with infliximab and an increased thrombotic risk. We report an unusual case of retinal vein thrombosis in a patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) that occurred during infliximab infusion. This case highlights the need to remain vigilant when administering infliximab to individuals with IBD, particularly those with additional risk factors for thrombosis.
Effect of different gliadin/glutenin on the oil content of fried dough sticks: insights obtained from macroscopic to microscopic scales
Authors: Wang Jing , Zheng Xueling , Liu Yuanxiao , Huang Qilin , Li Kexin , Zhang Haopeng , Liu Feifan , Wen Jiping
Published: August 2024

Background

Fried dough sticks, widely enjoyed in southeast Asia, are made by frying a mixture of wheat flour and water at high‐temperature. With the move towards industrial production, there is an increasing demand for healthier versions. Understanding the key properties of fried dough sticks and how the ingredients interact is crucial for meeting these health‐focused consumer preferences.

Results

In this study, the connections between the dough's rheological and thermal properties, alongside the interactions between gluten proteins and the oil content in fried dough sticks, were examined and analyzed at varying gliadin to glutenin mass ratios (Gli/Glu). The results indicated that a general decrease in the viscoelastic properties of the dough was associated with an increase in the Gli/Glu ratio. Furthermore, a heightened concentration of gliadin was observed to augment the mass loss of gluten proteins, thereby engendering a spatially sparse network structure. Additionally, this excessive presence of gliadin precipitated the thermal instability within the dough, necessitating an augmented chemical force to preserve the stability of the gluten network structure.

Conclusion

At the Gli/Glu ratio of 5:5, the gluten protein exhibited enhanced thermal stability and minimal mass loss. At this specific ratio, the gluten network was characterized by a comparatively high prevalence of extended gluten films and short‐chain structures, which resulted in the production of fried dough sticks possessing minimal structural oil content. The study provided a theoretical basis for identifying the Gli/Glu ratio as an effective approach to modulate the oil content in fried dough sticks. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Establishing a Mouse Model of Surgical Vocal Fold Injury
Authors: Kimura Akari , Khan Mohammed Imran , Easwaran Meena , Soo Joanne , Golchin Amirbahador , Erickson‐DiRenzo Elizabeth
Published: August 2024

Objective

Animal models of vocal fold (VF) surgical injury and scar formation provide insight into the wound healing process. The purpose of this study was to establish an alternative model of surgical injury to the mouse VF using materials commonly available in most research laboratories or for purchase and to investigate wound healing of the epithelium (EP) and lamina propria (LP).

Methods

Mice were anesthetized by isoflurane gas delivery and positioned on a platform so that the larynx could be observed using a laryngoscope and dissection microscope. Unilateral VF injury was created using a wire brush. Mice were euthanized and the larynx evaluated 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, 7‐, 14‐, and 28‐days following injury. Histological and immunofluorescent analysis was used to evaluate thickness of the EP, LP area, proliferative (Ki67+) and basal cells (p63+) in the EP, and collagen III content in the LP.

Results

The depth of injury reached the superficial thyroarytenoid muscle on Day 1. The thickness of the EP of the injured VF was increased on Days 3 and 5, and the LP area was increased on Days 3, 5, and 7 as compared with the uninjured VF. Ki67+ and p63+ cells were increased on Day 3 and collagen III content was increased on Days 5 and 28 as compared with the uninjured VF.

Conclusion

We successfully established an alternative method of creating unilateral VF injury in the mouse. This method will be useful for future research regarding VF surgical injury and wound healing.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 2024
Digital otoscopy in remote consultations
Authors: Appelberg Erik , Viitasalo Sanna , Hafrén Lena , Laakso Juha , Suutarla Samuli , Hopsu Erkki , Sinkkonen Saku T.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Otoscopes and otomicroscopes are the most commonly used instruments for visualizing the ear. Digital otoscopy (DO) could be used to improve diagnostics in primary health care by utilizing image enlargement. The aim of the study was to explore the possibilities of DO in remote consultations.

Materials and Methods

Based on real‐life referrals, 45 otologic outpatients were recruited. DO was performed followed by an attending otologist's appointment, serving as the gold standard. Twenty‐four patient cases were analyzed on a digital platform as remote consultation cases containing the given referral information supplemented with DO videos (DOVs). A total of 71 evaluations were performed by five otologists. The quality of the DOVs, their suitability for remote consultations, the accuracy of diagnoses and the usefulness of remote consultations were determined.

Results

The average DOV quality was judged to be 7.4 ± 0.3 (mean ± standard error of the mean; scale of 1–10). The diagnosis was correct in 79% of the cases. In 59% of the patients, the otologists considered that remote consultation could have replaced an in‐person visit.

Conclusions

In our simulated remote consultation setup, DOV quality was sufficient for diagnostic purposes, DO improved diagnostics and treatment planning in most cases and could be used to reduce the need for in‐person visits. DO‐aided remote consultation may improve diagnostics and access to care.

Level of evidence: 3.
Transport and mixing observed in a pond: Description of wind‐forced transport processes and quantification of mixing rates
Authors: Henderson Stephen M. , Nielson Jeffrey R. , Mayne Sandra R. , Goldberg Caren S. , Manning Jeffrey A.
Published: August 2024

Ponds are characterized by high biodiversity, intense biogeochemical cycling, and susceptibility to anthropogenic impacts. Yet few studies have quantified the water velocities responsible for vertical mixing or lateral transport in ponds. We used high‐resolution observations of velocity to examine mixing and transport during summer in a 50‐m‐long, 2.7‐m‐deep temperate pond. Many observed transport and mixing processes resembled those found in larger stratified lakes. A surface mixed layer was observed, whose depth ranged between ~ 1 m at night and < 0.3 m during the day. Turbulence was usually sufficient to vertically mix the surface layer in 4–12 min, but no turbulence was observed in the hypolimnion. Persistent (2.5‐h‐averaged) currents usually flowed downwind near the surface and returned upwind near the mixed layer base. Surface currents were proportional to windspeed, with root‐mean‐squared speed of (persistent hypolimnion currents were much weaker). Superposed on persistent currents were 30‐ to 100‐min‐period fluctuations resulting from internal seiches. These fluctuations were comparable in magnitude to more persistent currents in the mixed layer and dominated in the hypolimnion. Seiches did not advect particles far across the pond, but did contribute to production of mixed layer turbulence. Seiches also contributed to shear dispersion, which was sufficient to mix near‐surface tracers across the pond in 2–4 d. Theory suggests that hypolimnion bottom boundary layers were laminar during the downslope phase of seiche motion, but became turbulent during the upslope phase as near‐bed water flows created unstable stratification.
Retrieval of the optical soliton solutions of the perturbed Schrödinger–Hirota equation with generalized anti‐cubic law nonlinearity having the spatio‐temporal dispersion
Authors: Onder Ismail , Secer Aydin , Ozisik Muslum , Bayram Mustafa
Published: August 2024

In this study, we obtained optical soliton solutions of the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger–Hirota equation with generalized anti‐cubic law nonlinearity in the presence of spatio‐temporal dispersion. This equation models the propagation of optical pulses in fiber optic cables. Due to the anti‐cubic nonlinearity, perturbation, and spatio‐temporal dispersion present in the model, it provides more accurate results for high‐speed and long‐distance transmissions. Given the significant developments in the field of optics, studies on complex equations such as this model are of great importance. With the increase in real‐life applications, obtaining solutions to optical equations has become crucial. In this study, we used the improved F‐expansion method to derive the optical soliton solutions for the relevant model. This technique allows for obtaining various solutions through the Jacobi elliptic auxiliary functions it employs. The obtained solutions consist of trigonometric and hyperbolic functions. As a result of the application, 10 solutions were obtained, and 2D and 3D graphics of these solutions are included. These graphs illustrate the motion directions of optical solitons and the effect of the nonlinearity parameter
and spatio‐temporal dispersion parameter
on soliton behavior. No restrictions were encountered during the study. Finally, the originality of the study lies in the first application of this technique to the relevant model and in examining the effect of the parameters
and
on this model.
Removal of nitrate and phosphate by aquatic plants during aquarium-based ornamental fish production
Authors: Csontos Dániel , Bartal Zsuzsa Petra , Bakacsy László
Published: August 2024

Objective

The rising demand for ornamental fish and plants in aquariums is met through industrial production. However, higher production densities may negatively impact water quality (such as ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and dissolved oxygen levels), thus impacting production. This can be mitigated by utilizing specific aquatic plants to promote sustainable ornamental fish production. This study aimed to determine how the water quality in ornamental fish tanks can be improved using two floating aquarium plant species: Najas grass Najas guadalupensis and Java moss Taxiphyllum barbieri.

Methods

The efficiency of nitrate and phosphate filtration by the two plant species was determined in aquariums containing Endler Guppies Poecilia wingei. The duration of the study was 4 weeks, and the water quality parameters were measured weekly. The growth rates of the two plants were measured at the beginning and end of the study period.

Result

Najas grass effectively maintained lower nitrate and phosphate levels while showing robust growth. By week 4, nitrate levels in control tanks rose to 33.75 and 35.00 mg/L in the two independent experiments, while nitrate in tanks with Najas grass only reached 8.75 and 11.50 mg/L. Phosphate levels in control tanks increased to 2.42 and 2.40 mg/L compared to 1.075 and 1.05 mg/L in tanks with Najas grass. In single-species tanks, Najas grass showed a 1.6-fold biomass increase, while Java moss showed a 1.2-fold increase. In tanks with both species, Najas grass biomass increased significantly, whereas Java moss biomass decreased.

Conclusion

The superior competitive ability of Najas grass (allelopathy and increased nutrient uptake) underlies the findings of this study and indicates that this species is a better option for maintaining low levels of nitrate and phosphate in aquarium water. This finding can contribute to creating a cleaner and healthier environment for fish species involved in industrial ornamental fish production and trade.
Aluminum‐Doped Magnesium–Manganese Mixed Nano Ferrites as an Effective Photocatalyst for Methylene Blue
Authors: Desai Harshal B. , Karki Bhishma , Bhatt Rajesh P. , Verma Roshni , Kane Shashank N. , Tanna Ashish R.
Published: August 2024

In the present study, Al3+‐doped Mg0.5Mn0.5AlxFe2−xO4 (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) spinel ferrite system is synthesized by the modified auto combustion technique. These nano ferrites are studied by various means, that is, EDAX, SEM, XRD, FTIR, DLS, M‐H loop, and UV‐DRS for their structural, magnetic, and optical properties. The dye degradation experiments for the methylene blue using nano ferrites are conducted under solar radiation in the presence of H2O2 to measure the absorbance in a UV–visible spectrophotometer for the various specimens/concentrations. Among all the specimens, 0.25 Al3+‐doped magnesium–manganese nano ferrite degrades the highest methylene blue dye in 75 min with the lowest concentration of H2O2.
Leaf functional traits of Parrotia subaequalis from different environments in eastern China
Authors: Zhang Lifang , Yu Mingjian , Fang Yanming
Published: August 2024

Functional traits are important in understanding how plants respond and adapt to their immediate environment. Parrotia subaequalis is a highly endangered arbor species found throughout eastern China, primarily inhabiting hillsides and valleys, yet, little is known about the variation in leaf traits across these environments. In the present study, we tested this by comparing leaf surface area, leaf weight, leaf length, leaf symmetry and leaf mass per unit area, as well as the relationship between leaf traits and environmental factors and the scaling relationship between leaf surface area versus leaf dry mass. We observed significant differences in leaf surface area, weight, and length among the population sites, and these variables were strongly affected by environmental factors, especially high mean annual temperatures in hillside habitats and high mean annual precipitation in valley habitats. The scaling exponents remained numerically variant among the 10 populations, with different slopes greater than 1.0, and the scaling exponents increased significantly with hillside habitats. These metrics correlated with soil thickness associated with different habitat types. The areal ratio (AR) values in all populations deviated from 1, indicating that the two lamina sides were asymmetrical. The standardized symmetry index (SI) values displayed significant variation, especially in leaves from hillside habitats with a high degree of asymmetry. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that leaf functional traits exhibit considerable variability in response to different environmental contexts and provide valuable reference data that could be useful for conserving this endangered species.
Storable, neglected, and underutilized species of Southern Africa for greater agricultural resilience
Authors: Winstead Daniel J. , Jacobson Michael G.
Published: August 2024

The Southern African region suffers from drought and food system uncertainty with increased risks due to climate change, natural disasters, and global catastrophes. Increasing crop diversity with more appropriate and resilient crops is an effective way of increasing food system resilience. We focus on crop species that are native or naturalized to an area because of their increased resilience than those that are not naturally occurring. Additionally, crops that are easily stored are more useful in times of drought and disaster. In this systematic review, we use scientific interest in neglected and underutilized species (NUS) from Southern Africa to help define next steps toward their cultivation and development as a marketable crop. We found that although scientific interest is minimal for storable Southern African NUS, these crops are worth scaling up due to their economic and nutritional value. We outline next actionable steps and specific NUS for production in a more agrobiodiverse and resilient agriculture system.
Structural and biochemical characterization of the C‐terminal region of the human RTEL1 helicase
Authors: Cortone Giuseppe , Graewert Melissa A. , Kanade Manil , Longo Antonio , Hegde Raghurama , González‐Magaña Amaia , Chaves‐Arquero Belén , Blanco Francisco J. , Napolitano Luisa M. R. , Onesti Silvia
Published: August 2024

RTEL1 is an essential DNA helicase which plays an important role in various aspects of genome stability, from telomere metabolism to DNA replication, repair and recombination. RTEL1 has been implicated in a number of genetic diseases and cancer development, including glioma, breast, lung and gastrointestinal tumors. RTEL1 is a FeS helicase but, in addition to the helicase core, it comprises a long C‐terminal region which includes a number of folded domains connected by intrinsically disordered loops and mediates RTEL1 interaction with factors involved in pivotal cellular pathways. However, information on the architecture and the function of this region is still limited. We expressed and purified a variety of fragments encompassing the folded domains and the unstructured regions. We determined the crystal structure of the second repeat, confirming that it has a fold similar to the harmonin homology domains. SAXS data provide low‐resolution information on all the fragments and suggest that the presence of the RING domain affects the overall architecture of the C‐terminal region, making the structure significantly more compact. NMR data provide experimental information on the interaction between PCNA and the RTEL1 C‐terminal region, revealing a putative low‐affinity additional site of interaction. A biochemical analysis shows that the C‐terminal region, in addition to a preference for telomeric RNA and DNA G‐quadruplexes, has a high affinity for R‐loops and D‐loops, consistent with the role played by the RTEL1 helicase in homologous recombination, telomere maintenance and preventing replication‐transcription conflicts. We further dissected the contribution of each domain in binding different substrates.
An atlas of caspase cleavage events in differentiating muscle cells
Authors: Gomez‐Cardona Erik , Dehkordi Mahshid H. , Van Baar Kolden , Vitkauskaite Aiste , Julien Olivier , Fearnhead Howard O.
Published: August 2024

Executioner caspases, such as caspase‐3, are known to induce apoptosis, but in other contexts, they can control very different fates, including cell differentiation and neuronal plasticity. While hundreds of caspase substrates are known to be specifically targeted during cell death, we know very little about how caspase activity brings about non‐apoptotic fates. Here, we report the first proteome identification of cleavage events in C2C12 cells undergoing myogenic differentiation and its comparison to undifferentiated or dying C2C12 cells. These data have identified new caspase substrates, including caspase substrates specifically associated with differentiation, and show that caspases are regulating proteins involved in myogenesis in myotubes, several days after caspase‐3 initiated differentiation. Cytoskeletal proteins emerged as a major group of non‐apoptotic caspase substrates. We also identified proteins with well‐established roles in muscle differentiation as substrates cleaved in differentiating cells.
Geometric descriptors for beta turns
Authors: Newell Nicholas E.
Published: August 2024

Beta turns, in which the protein backbone abruptly changes direction over four amino acid residues, are the most common type of protein secondary structure after alpha helices and beta sheets and play key structural and functional roles. Previous work has produced classification systems for turn geometry at multiple levels of precision, but these operate in backbone dihedral‐angle (Ramachandran) space, and the absence of a local Euclidean‐space coordinate system and structural alignment for turns, or of any systematic Euclidean‐space characterization of turn backbone shape, presents challenges for the visualization, comparison and analysis of the wide range of turn conformations and the design of turns and the structures that incorporate them. This work derives a turn‐local coordinate system that implicitly aligns turns, together with a set of geometric descriptors that characterize the bulk BB shapes of turns and describe modes of structural variation not explicitly captured by existing systems. These modes are shown to be meaningful by the demonstration of clear relationships between descriptor values and the electrostatic energy of the beta‐turn H‐bond, the overrepresentations of key side‐chain motifs, and the structural contexts of turns. Geometric turn descriptors complement Ramachandran‐space classifications, and they can be used to select turn structures for compatibility with particular side‐chain interactions or contexts. Potential applications include protein design and other tasks in which an enhanced Euclidean‐space characterization of turns may improve understanding or performance. The web‐based tools ExploreTurns, MapTurns, and ProfileTurn, available at www.betaturn.com, incorporate turn‐local coordinates and turn descriptors and demonstrate their utility.
A novel antifungal peptide, SP1.2, from Rhodopseudomonas palustris against the rice blast pathogen
Authors: Wu Xiyang , Qin Yingfei , Li Chenggang , Zhang Xin , Tan Xinqiu , Liu Yong , Chen Yue , Zhang Deyong
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Rice blast has a significant detrimental impact on rice yields, so developing efficient biological control technologies is an effective means for rice blast prevention and control. The GroEL protein has proven to be effective at preventing and managing the pathogenicity of rice blast.

RESULTS

Here, we analyzed the amino acid sequence of the GroEL protein and synthesized the ‘60 kDa chaperonin signature’ (350–373 amino acids) peptide SP1.2, which has potent antifungal activity. Notably, the SP1.2 peptide exhibited potent fungicidal activity against Magnaporthe oryzae, effectively inhibiting appressorium germination. Electron microscopy revealed that SP1.2 disrupted the fungal plasma membrane and bound to multiple bioactive phosphoinositides in vitro, triggering the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, it also caused an increase in the acetylation of M. oryzae and induced autophagy in cells. The spray application of SP1.2 significantly reduced the number of disease spots caused by the fungal pathogen M. oryzae in rice, enhancing the defense response of rice plants. Field trials showed that the control effect was 64.59% after spraying SP1.2.

CONCLUSION

Our study illustrates the antifungal activity of the structurally unique SP1.2 peptide against plant fungal pathogens and paves the way for the future development of this class of peptides as antifungal agents. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.