bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C-reactive Protein and Immunological Indices of Lectin Extract from Edible Fungus (Pleurotus tuber-regium) on Wounded Rats
Authors: Ejike Igbokwe Gabriel , Christian Ezeigwe Obiajulu , Godwin Nwobodo Valentine Osita
Published: May 2023

Lectins are proteins/glycoproteins of non-immune origin with wide distribution in nature with the ability to agglutinate erythrocytes and recognize glycoconjugates. The study aimed at determining the healing effect of lectin extract from Pleurotus tuber- regium on acute wounds induced in male albino rats. Ten grams of the powdered edible mushroom of Pleurotus tuber-regium were used to extract lectin via the dialysis method. A total of 45 albino rats randomized into 9 groups of 5 rats each into Category A and B groups, and the blood sample was collected by ocular puncture for the category A after 10 days, while cardiac puncture for the Category B group after 28 days. The collected blood sample was analyzed for the various immunological parameters, using the quantitative ELISA technique for C-reactive protein, and Mindray BC-200 machine for full blood count. At negative control, the WBC levels and the neutrophils were increased for the Category B group to 19.79±1.22/L and 3.26±0.25%. A 2mg/kg lectin oral administration had 4.72±0.14% neutrophils for Category A group, while Category B group topical application, the highest value at 8mg/kg lectin had 4.98±0.52%. Both 36 mg/kg amoxicillin application and oral administration of lectin generated factors as C3b, and Histamine (H1and H2) receptors on eosinophils by chemotaxis attraction. With Category B group, 8 mg/kg lectin topical had the highest value of 21.30±2.17% eosinophils, and the difference in Category B group compared to the normal control at 17.64±1.1 81% was significant p≤ 0.05 and the rats would be showing signs of allergic responses.  Both the oral and topical lectin applications to the wounded rats had higher platelet levels than the negative control in both Categories A and B groups indicating that lectin mobilized more platelet factors than the negative control group. With negative control, the CRP levels as a marker of inflammation rose to 3 times its normal folds in Category A group with 7.58±0.85ng/L and 6.06±0.85ng/L for Category B group.  On 36 mg/kg amoxicillin administration to the rats from zero week to the 3rd week, there was a decrease in weight at 22.4% compared to the normal control of 31.3%. Both oral and topical administrations showed an increase in weight with 26.4% for 8 mg/kg oral administration and 27.3% for 4 mg/kg topical administration. Both 36 mg/kg amoxicillin and 8 mg/kg lectin oral administration had a two weeks period for the complete healing of the wounded rats.  Oral administration of lectin to the wounded rats was nutritional and added weight to the rats.
Automated Assessment of Cardiac Systolic Function From Coronary Angiograms With Video-Based Artificial Intelligence Algorithms
Authors: Avram Robert , Barrios Joshua P. , Abreau Sean , Goh Cheng Yee , Ahmed Zeeshan , Chung Kevin , So Derek Y. , Olgin Jeffrey E. , Tison Geoffrey H.
Published: May 2023

Importance

Understanding left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during coronary angiography can assist in disease management.

Objective

To develop an automated approach to predict LVEF from left coronary angiograms.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a cross-sectional study with external validation using patient data from December 12, 2012, to December 31, 2019, from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Data were randomly split into training, development, and test data sets. External validation data were obtained from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Included in the analysis were all patients 18 years or older who received a coronary angiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) within 3 months before or 1 month after the angiogram.

Exposure

A video-based deep neural network (DNN) called CathEF was used to discriminate (binary) reduced LVEF (≤40%) and to predict (continuous) LVEF percentage from standard angiogram videos of the left coronary artery. Guided class-discriminative gradient class activation mapping (GradCAM) was applied to visualize pixels in angiograms that contributed most to DNN LVEF prediction.

Results

A total of 4042 adult angiograms with corresponding TTE LVEF from 3679 UCSF patients were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) patient age was 64.3 (13.3) years, and 2212 patients were male (65%). In the UCSF test data set (n = 813), the video-based DNN discriminated (binary) reduced LVEF (≤40%) with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.911 (95% CI, 0.887-0.934); diagnostic odds ratio for reduced LVEF was 22.7 (95% CI, 14.0-37.0). DNN-predicted continuous LVEF had a mean absolute error (MAE) of 8.5% (95% CI, 8.1%-9.0%) compared with TTE LVEF. Although DNN-predicted continuous LVEF differed 5% or less compared with TTE LVEF in 38.0% (309 of 813) of test data set studies, differences greater than 15% were observed in 15.2% (124 of 813). In external validation (n = 776), video-based DNN discriminated (binary) reduced LVEF (≤40%) with an AUROC of 0.906 (95% CI, 0.881-0.931), and DNN-predicted continuous LVEF had an MAE of 7.0% (95% CI, 6.6%-7.4%). Video-based DNN tended to overestimate low LVEFs and underestimate high LVEFs. Video-based DNN performance was consistent across sex, body mass index, low estimated glomerular filtration rate (≤45), presence of acute coronary syndromes, obstructive coronary artery disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Conclusion and relevance

This cross-sectional study represents an early demonstration of estimating LVEF from standard angiogram videos of the left coronary artery using video-based DNNs. Further research can improve accuracy and reduce the variability of DNNs to maximize their clinical utility.
Assessment of Cutaneous Vasculitis and Quality of Life
Authors: Mann Sarah , Hussain Aamir , Dua Anisha B. , Patrone Angelina , Larson Kalen , Merkel Peter A. , Micheletti Robert G. ,   Vasculitis Patient-Powered Research Network
Published: May 2023

This survey study assesses the health-related quality of life outcomes in adult patients with cutaneous manifestations of vasculitis.
Implantable Zinc–Oxygen Battery for In Situ Electrical Stimulation‐Promoted Neural Regeneration
Authors: Li Luhe , Li Dan , Wang Yuanzhen , Ye Tingting , He Er , Jiao Yiding , Wang Lie , Li Fangyan , Li Yiran , Ding Jianxun , Liu Kai , Ren Junye , Li Qianming , Ji Jianjian , Zhang Ye
Published: May 2023

Electrical stimulation is a promising strategy for treating neural diseases. However, current energy suppliers cannot provide effective power for in situ electrical stimulation. Here, an implantable tubular zinc–oxygen battery is reported as the power source for in situ electrical stimulation during the neural repair. The battery exhibited a high volumetric energy density of 231.4 mWh cm−3 based on the entire anode and cathode in vivo. Due to its superior electrochemical properties and biosafety, the battery can be directly wrapped around the nerve to provide in situ electrical stimulation with a minimal size of 0.86 mm3. The cell and animal experiments demonstrated that the zinc–oxygen battery‐based nerve tissue engineering conduit effectively promoted regeneration of the injured long‐segment sciatic nerve, proving its promising applications for powering implantable neural electronics in the future.
Sex‐specific declines in cholinergic‐targeting tRNA fragments in the nucleus accumbens in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Shulman Dana , Dubnov Serafima , Zorbaz Tamara , Madrer Nimrod , Paldor Iddo , Bennett David A. , Seshadri Sudha , Mufson Elliott J. , Greenberg David S. , Loewenstein Yonatan , Soreq Hermona
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Females with Alzheimer's disease (AD) suffer accelerated dementia and loss of cholinergic neurons compared to males, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Seeking causal contributors to both these phenomena, we pursued changes in transfer RNS (tRNA) fragments (tRFs) targeting cholinergic transcripts (CholinotRFs).

Methods

We analyzed small RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐Seq) data from the nucleus accumbens (NAc) brain region which is enriched in cholinergic neurons, compared to hypothalamic or cortical tissues from AD brains; and explored small RNA expression in neuronal cell lines undergoing cholinergic differentiation.

Results

NAc CholinotRFs of mitochondrial genome origin showed reduced levels that correlated with elevations in their predicted cholinergic‐associated mRNA targets. Single‐cell RNA seq from AD temporal cortices showed altered sex‐specific levels of cholinergic transcripts in diverse cell types; inversely, human‐originated neuroblastoma cells under cholinergic differentiation presented sex‐specific CholinotRF elevations.

Discussion

Our findings support CholinotRFs contributions to cholinergic regulation, predicting their involvement in AD sex‐specific cholinergic loss and dementia.
Combining Imine Condensation Chemistry with [3,3] Diaza‐Cope Rearrangement for One‐Step Formation of Hydrolytically Stable Chiral Architectures
Authors: Begato Federico , Penasa Roberto , Wurst Klaus , Licini Giulia , Zonta Cristiano
Published: May 2023

Dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) has, in recent years, provided valuable tools to synthesize molecular architectures of increasing complexity. We have also taken advantage of imine DCC chemistry to prepare TPMA‐based supramolecular cages for molecular recognition applications. However, the versatility of this approach has as a major drawback the intrinsic hydrolytic lability of imines, which hampers some applications. We present herein a synthetic strategy that combines the advantages of a thermodynamic‐driven formation of a supramolecular structure using imine chemistry, together with the possibility to synthetize chiral hydrolytically stable structures through a [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement. A preliminary mechanistic analysis of this one‐pot synthesis and the scope of the reaction are also discussed.
Sequence Control in Asymmetric Terpolymerizations of meso‐Epoxides, CO2, and Phthalic Anhydride: Unprecedented Statistical Ester–Carbonate Distributions
Authors: He Guang‐Hui , Ren Bai‐Hao , Wang Shang , Liu Ye , Lu Xiao‐Bing
Published: May 2023

The statistical terpolymerization of epoxides, CO2 and cyclic anhydrides remains challenging, mainly because epoxide/CO2 and epoxide/anhydride copolymerizations typically proceed at considerably different rates. Herein, we report the syntheses of novel chiral terpolymers with unprecedented statistical distributions of carbonate and ester units (up to 50 % junction units) via the one‐pot reaction of cyclohexene oxide, phthalic anhydride, and CO2 under mild conditions using enantiopure bimetallic aluminum‐complex‐based catalyst systems. Notably, all resulting terpolymers exhibited excellent enantioselectivities (≥96 % ee) that were independent of the carbonate–ester distribution. The statistical compositions of the carbonate and ester units in the resulting terpolymers were determined via 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies. Furthermore, thermal properties were tuned by altering the ester content of the chiral terpolymer without influencing the enantioselective ring‐opening step involving the meso‐epoxide. This asymmetric terpolymerization methodology is also compatible with a variety of meso‐epoxides to afford the corresponding terpolymers with 17 %–25 % junction units and excellent enantioselectivities (94 %–99 % ee). The present study is expected to provide new guidelines for preparing a broad range of biodegradable polymers with excellent enantioselectivities and adjustable properties.
Superprotonic Conductivity of MOFs Confining Zwitterionic Sulfamic Acid as Proton Source and Conducting Medium
Authors: Sharma Amitosh , Lim Jaewoong , Lee Seonghwan , Han Seungwan , Seong Junmo , Bin Baek Seung , Soo Lah Myoung
Published: May 2023

A few metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which typically use strong acids as proton sources, display superprotonic conductivity (≈10−1 S cm−1); however, they are rare due to the instability of MOFs in highly acidic conditions. For the first time, we report superprotonic conductivity using a moderately acidic guest, zwitterionic sulfamic acid (HSA), which is encapsulated in MOF‐808 and MIL‐101. HSA acts not only as a proton source but also as a proton‐conducting medium due to its extensive hydrogen bonding ability and zwitterion effect. A new sustained concentration gradient method results in higher HSA encapsulation compared to conventional methods, producing 10HSA@MOF‐808‐(bSA)2 and 8HSA@MIL‐101. These MOFs show impressive superprotonic conductivity of 2.47×10−1 and 3.06×10−1 S cm−1, respectively, at 85 °C and 98 % relative humidity, and maintain stability for 7 days.
Spectroscopic Signatures of Internal Hydrogen Bonds of Brønsted‐Acid Sites in the Zeolite H‐MFI
Authors: Windeck Henning , Berger Fabian , Sauer Joachim
Published: May 2023

The location of Brønsted‐acid sites (bridging OH groups, b‐OH) at different crystallographic positions of zeolite catalysts influences their reactivity due to varying confinement. Selecting the most stable b‐OH conformers at each of the 12 T‐sites (T=Si/Al) of H‐MFI, a representative set of 26 conformers is obtained which includes free b‐OH groups pointing into the empty pore space and b‐OH groups forming H‐bonds across five‐ or six‐membered rings of TO4 tetrahedra. Chemically accurate coupled‐cluster‐quality calculations for periodic models show that the strength of internal H‐bonds and, hence, the OH bond length vary substantially with the framework position. For 11 of the 19 H‐bonded b‐OH groups examined, our predictions fall into the full width at half maximum range of the experimental signals at 3250±175 cm−1 and 7.0±1.4 ppm which supports previously debated assignments of these signals to H‐bonded b‐OH sites.
Passive‐cooling mica‐TiO2/thermoplastic polyurethane films with enhanced gas‐barrier property
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Liu Xiangdong , Zhou Yan , Tian Xinxin , Sun Yinglu , Shi Biru , Zhong Jiahui , Yang Yuming
Published: May 2023

Passive cooling technology is currently a hot research topic because it can achieve cooling without external energy input, significantly reduce cooling costs and mitigate global warming. At present, passive cooling technology is mainly used in construction, transportation, electronic equipment, and other fields, but most passive cooling materials do not have gas barrier performance, which limits the application of passive cooling technology in inflatable structures such as gas film buildings, blimp bladders and other fields, so a material that has both passive cooling and gas barrier performance is needed. In this paper, PXTPU composites were prepared by melt blending mica‐TiO2 with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). PXTPU not only achieves passive cooling above 10°C with the excellent reflectivity of TiO2 in mica‐TiO2, but also achieves 61.1% or even 74.5% enhancement of gas barrier capacity with the high orientation of lamellar mica in mica‐TiO2. In addition, PXTPU also exhibited good thermal stability and mechanical properties exceeding 31.2 MPa breaking strength and 210.6% breaking elongation. Therefore, PXTPU composites show great potential in inflatable structures for outdoor work, expanding the application field of passive cooling technology.
Effect of multidimensional filler hybridization on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane composites prepared by selective laser sintering
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wu Wei , Hu Huanbo , Rui Zhengguo , Ye Junjian , Shen Hui
Published: May 2023

This paper aims to improve the tensile strength and thermal stability performance of selective laser sintered thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer/spherical alumina/graphene oxide/silicon nitride whisker (TPU/Al2O3/GO/Si3N4ws) composites by investigating the synergistic enhancement of fillers with different dimensions, and solving the problem of excessive porosity, material delamination, and low tensile strength during sintering of semi‐crystalline polymer TPU problems. The results show that the synergistic effect of multidimensional fillers leads to the tensile strength of TPU composites up to 12.1 MPa at 8.9 wt% Al2O3, 0.1 wt% GO and 1.0 wt% Si3N4ws hybrid fillers, which is 38.9% higher than that of pure TPU. In addition, the elongation at break of TPU/Al2O3/GO/Si3N4ws composites was maintained at 254%, which still has good toughness. The effect of fillers on the selective laser sintering (SLS) process, thermal stability, melting, and crystallization behaviors of the composites was also investigated in this work. In general, the multidimensional filler compounding synergistically constructing a three‐dimensional network structure has some improvement on the thermomechanical behavior of TPU composites with a fixed mass component addition.
Fabrication of molecularly imprinted cotton fibers for quantification of streptomycin in honey samples
Authors: Zengin Adem , Badak M. Utku , Bilici Mustafa , Aktaş Nahit
Published: May 2023

Streptomycin is a type of aminoglycoside used in treatment of several infections and with serious side effects in humans and animals, such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we focused on the preparation of streptomycin‐imprinted cotton fiber for rapid, sensitive and selective quantification of streptomycin in honey samples. The imprinted cotton fibers were characterized by attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, the imprinted cotton fibers showed high adsorption capacity (95.4 mg/g) with an imprinting factor of 3.69 and had satisfactory regeneration ability of up to 10 regenerations without significant change in adsorption capacity. The imprinted cotton fibers showed good linearity with a correlation coefficient of 0.9989 and limit of detection was determined to be 0.29 ng/mL for streptomycin in honey samples. The proposed method showed acceptable recovery ranges (98.0%–100.3%) with lower inter‐day and intra‐day precisions. Moreover, the performance of the proposed method was compared to the ELISA method. The results showed that the present method is as sensitive and selective as ELISA. It is concluded that the imprinted cotton fibers could be a potential alternative to antibiotic quantification based on traditional immunoassays or chromatographic techniques.
Application of plasma modified pyrolytic carbon black in improving mechanical properties of natural rubber composite
Authors: Feng Xincong , Dong Hailing , Yang Huiru , Yao Huidan , Hu Shanjun , Zhao Hongying , Zhao Shugao , Sun Chong
Published: May 2023

In this work, the Argon (Ar) plasma technology is adopted for pyrolytic carbon black (CBp) modification and the N330/Modified‐CBp (MCBp) hybrid is then incorporated into the Natural Rubber (NR) matrix. Compared with CBp, the MCBp has smaller particle size, lower ash content, higher specific surface area, and surface activity based on the results of laser diffraction method, transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis, gas sorption analysis (Nitrogen), acetone solvent, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Among them, Dv (90) is found to have reduced by 20% while the specific surface area increased by 4%. According to the bound rubber content experiments, the equilibrium swelling experiments as well as the temperature and strain sweeps, the bound rubber content, filler‐filler bond strength, and cross‐linking density of NR/N330/MCBp are all superior to those of NR/N330/CBp, resulting in an outstanding comprehensive performance of NR/N330/MCBp composite. In particular, the 300% modulus and the tear strength rise by 43% and 14% respectively, surpassing even the system filled with N330. Finally, the mechanism of mechanical properties improvement in the NR/N330/MCBp composite is proposed: the strong filler‐filler bond is formed between the MCBp and N330 aggregates via molecular chains, and they are anchored on the MCBp and absorbed on the N330 simultaneously.
Double sodium channel mutation, I265T/L1014F, is possibly related to pyrethroid‐resistant in Thrips palmi
Authors: Wu Jiantao , Yuan Linlin , Jin Haifeng , Zhang Kun , Li Fen , Wu Shaoying
Published: May 2023

Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) can harm a variety of agricultural crops and transmit plant viruses, causing heavy economic losses. In the Hainan province of China, pyrethroids were sprayed widely to control T. palmi, which leaded to resistance to pyrethroids in T. palmi. The bioassay has shown that the resistance ratio of T. palmi to pyrethroids increases annually. Resistance ratio to λ‐cyhalothrin has increased from 10.711 to 23.321 and to cypermethrin has increased from 5.507 to 23.051 for 3 years, 2020−2022. The double mutation (I265T/L1014F) was identified from the field strain for the first time, which were located in the domains I and II of the voltage‐gated sodium channel of T. palmi, respectively. The double mutation is probably the reason for the higher resistance of T. palmi in Hainan. The frequencies of the double mutation were 53.33% in HN2020, 70.00% in HN2021, and 96.67% in HN2022. Results indicated that T. palmi had developed different degrees of resistance to pyrethroids in Hainan. This study provides theoretical guidance for the use of insecticides in the field control of thrips.
Molecular insights of KMT2D and clinical aspects of Kabuki syndrome type 1
Authors: Golden Carly S. , Williams Saylor , Serrano Maria A.
Published: May 2023

Background

Kabuki syndrome type 1 (KS1), a rare multisystem congenital disorder, presents with characteristic facial features, intellectual disability, persistent fetal fingertip pads, skeletal abnormalities, and postnatal growth delays. KS1 results from pathogenic variants in the KMT2D gene, which encodes a histone methyltransferase protein involved in chromatin remodeling, promoter and enhancer regulation, and scaffold formation during early development. KMT2D also mediates cell signaling pathways, responding to external stimuli and organizing effector protein assembly. Research on KMT2D's molecular mechanisms in KS1 has primarily focused on its histone methyltransferase activity, leaving a gap in understanding the methyltransferase‐independent roles in KS1 clinical manifestations.

Methods

This scoping review examines KMT2D's role in gene expression regulation across various species, cell types, and contexts. We analyzed human pathogenic KMT2D variants using publicly available databases and compared them to research organism models of KS1. We also conducted a systematic search of healthcare and governmental databases for clinical trials, studies, and therapeutic approaches.

Results

Our review highlights KMT2D's critical roles beyond methyltransferase activity in diverse cellular contexts and conditions. We identified six distinct groups of KMT2D as a cell signaling mediator, including evidence of methyltransferase‐dependent and ‐independent activity. A comprehensive search of the literature, clinical databases, and public registries emphasizes the need for basic research on KMT2D's functional complexity and longitudinal studies of KS1 patients to establish objective outcome measurements for therapeutic development.

Conclusion

We discuss how KMT2D's role in translating external cellular communication can partly explain the clinical heterogeneity observed in KS1 patients. Additionally, we summarize the current molecular diagnostic approaches and clinical trials targeting KS1. This review is a resource for patient advocacy groups, researchers, and physicians to support KS1 diagnosis and therapeutic development.
Exact sample size determination for a single Poisson random sample
Authors: Gentile Susanna , Sambucini Valeria
Published: May 2023

Classical power analysis for sample size determination is typically performed in clinical trials. A “hybrid” classical Bayesian or a “fully Bayesian” approach can be alternatively used in order to add flexibility to the design assumptions needed at the planning stage of the study and to explicitly incorporate prior information in the procedure. In this paper, we exploit and compare these approaches to obtain the optimal sample size of a single‐arm trial based on Poisson data. We adopt exact methods to establish the rejection of the null hypothesis within a frequentist or a Bayesian perspective and suggest the use of a conservative criterion for sample size determination that accounts for the not strictly monotonic behavior of the power function in the presence of discrete data. A Shiny web app in R has been developed to provide a user‐friendly interface to easily compute the optimal sample size according to the proposed criteria and to assure the reproducibility of the results.
HHV8 and EBV‐negative primary effusion‐based lymphoma: A case report of a new provisional entity and review of literature
Authors: Canelo‐Vilaseca Marta , Tapia Gustavo , Orna Elisa , Sorigué Marc , Granada Isabel , Palomar‐Muñoz Azahara , Castillo Ana , Grau Javier , Mesa Alba , Ribera Josep‐Maria , Sancho Juan‐Manuel , Navarro José‐Tomás
Published: May 2023

Key Clinical Message

HHV8‐ and EBV‐negative primary effusion lymphoma is an extremely rare neoplasm involving body cavities without detectable tumor mass. It usually presents in elderly patients without known immunodeficiency. Compared to primary effusion lymphoma, it has a better prognosis.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare non‐Hodgkin lymphoma confined exclusively to body cavities without detectable tumor masses. The term PEL‐like is an entity similar to PEL in clinical presentation but without relation to human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8). We report a case of HHV8‐ and EBV‐negative primary effusion‐based lymphoma.
Orbital cellulitis complicated with subperiosteal abscess following post‐nasopharyngeal swab for COVID‐19: A case report
Authors: Abdul‐Kadir Mohd‐Asyraaf , Rosli Abdul‐Hadi
Published: May 2023

Key Clinical Message

The nasopharyngeal swab for COVID‐19 is associated with low risks of severe complications, but it is important to consider the patient's medical history and anatomy of the nasal cavity to ensure safety and accuracy of the test. Orbital complications can occur up to 85% secondary to acute sinusitis, and prompt treatments are crucial, particularly in the pediatric group. A conservative approach is effective for subperiosteal abscess if certain criteria are met, and it is not an absolute indication for immediate surgical intervention. However, timely management of orbital cellulitis is essential for better outcomes.

Pre‐septal and orbital cellulitis are more commonly seen in children than in adults. The incidence of pediatric orbital cellulitis is 1.6 in 100,000. The impact of COVID‐19 has led to the increasing practice of nasopharyngeal swab surveillance. We presented a case of rare pediatric orbital cellulitis complicated with subperiosteal abscess secondary to severe acute sinusitis following a nasopharyngeal swab. A 4‐year‐old boy was brought in by his mother with increasing painful left eye swelling and redness. Three days prior, the patient developed a fever and mild rhinitis with loss of appetite which raised concerns about COVID‐19. He had a nasopharyngeal swab on that same day and tested negative. Clinically, there was marked erythematous and tender periorbital and facial oedema involving the left nasal bridge, maxilla extended to the left upper lip with a deviation of the left nasal tip contralaterally. Computed tomography confirmed left orbital cellulitis with left eye proptosis, fullness of left maxillary and ethmoidal sinuses and left subperiosteal abscess. The patient received empirical antibiotics and surgical intervention promptly and recovered well with improvements in ocular symptoms. The nasal swabbing techniques may vary among practitioners, and it is associated with extremely low risks of severe complications from 0.001% to 0.16%. Whether the swab had aggravated the underlying rhinitis or traumatized the turbinates leading to sinus drainage obstruction; a nasal swab may impose the risk of severe orbital infection in a susceptible pediatric patient. Any health practitioner conducting the nasal swab should be vigilant about this potential complication.
Fully Conjugated Benzyne‐Derived Three‐Dimensional Porous Organic Polymers
Authors: Ashirov Timur , Fritz Patrick W. , Lauber Yanic , Avalos Claudia E. , Coskun Ali
Published: May 2023

Porous organic polymers (POPs) have gained tremendous attention owing to their chemical tunability, stability and high surface areas. Whereas there are several examples of fully conjugated two‐dimensional (2D) POPs, three‐dimensional (3D) ones are rather challenging to realize in the absence of structural templates. Herein, we report the base‐catalyzed direct synthesis of a fully conjugated 3D POPs, named benzyne‐derived polymers (BDPs), containing biphenylene and tetraphenylene moieties starting from a simple bisbenzyne precursor, which undergoes [2+2] and [2+2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions to form BDPs primarily composed of biphenylene and tetraphenylene moieties. The resulting polymers exhibited ultramicroporous structures with surface areas up to 544 m2 g−1 and very high CO2/N2 selectivities.
A Mild Synthesis of Aryl Triflates Enabling the Late‐Stage Modification of Drug Analogs and Complex Peptides
Authors: Schiesser Stefan , Ceklarz Joanna , Kollback Johanna , Borowiec Lucie , Fagerlund Julia , Vahdat Shakiba , Lindhagen Marika , Dwichandra Putra Okky
Published: May 2023

We report the discovery of a straightforward protocol to convert phenols into the corresponding aryl triflates using 1‐methyl‐3‐((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐one in the presence of a fluoride source. This novel reagent can be handled without any precautions to exclude air or moisture making this method highly convenient. The reactions generally show very clean conversions within only a few minutes at room temperature. The mild conditions allow the so far unprecedented O‐triflation of tyrosine in peptides bearing challenging side chains present for example in arginine and histidine including the late‐stage triflation of complex bioactive peptides. We show how aryl triflates – an interesting but so far underutilized group – can be used to optimize physicochemical and in vitro properties of compound series in medicinal chemistry. We believe that this method is highly attractive for applications in peptide functionalization as well as automated and medicinal chemistry.
Progress in reducing cancer mortality in the United States by congressional district, 1996–2003 to 2012–2020
Authors: Islami Farhad , Wiese Daniel , Marlow Emily C. , Kratzer Tyler B. , Massey Jason , Sung Hyuna , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: May 2023

Background

United States cancer death rates have been steadily declining since the early 1990s, but information on disparities in progress against cancer mortality across congressional districts is lacking. This study examined trends in cancer death rates, overall and for lung, colorectal, female breast, and prostate cancer by congressional district.

Methods

County level cancer death counts and population data from the National Center for Health Statistics were used to estimate relative change in age‐standardized cancer death rates from 1996–2003 to 2012–2020 by sex and congressional district.

Results

From 1996–2003 to 2012–2020, overall cancer death rates declined in every congressional district, with most congressional districts showing a 20%–45% decline among males and a 10%–40% decline among females. In general, the smallest percent of relative declines were found in the Midwest and Appalachia, whereas the largest declines were found in the South along the East Coast and the southern border. As a result, the highest cancer death rates generally shifted from congressional districts across the South in 1996–2003 to districts in the Midwest and central divisions of the South (including Appalachia) in 2012–2020. Death rates for lung, colorectal, female breast, and prostate cancers also declined in almost all congressional districts, although with some variation in relative changes and geographical patterns.

Conclusions

Progress in reducing cancer death rates during the past 25 years considerably vary by congressional district, underscoring the need for strengthening existing and implementing new public health policies for broad and equitable application of proven interventions such as raising tax on tobacco and Medicaid expansion.
Gas Flow Sputtering of Pt/C Films and their Performance in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Bernsmeier Denis , Selve Sören , Nissen Jörg , Maticiuc Natalia , Ibaceta‐Jaña Josefa , Szyszka Bernd , Muydinov Ruslan
Published: May 2023

A single step deposition technique of Pt/C films for electrocatalytic applications is presented. The hollow cathode gas flow sputtering (GFS) method allows a catalyst production within few minutes without further steps. The herein presented films consist of small Pt nanocrystals (2–5 nm) deposited in a matrix of nanocrystalline carbon. The films show a low and stable overpotential under acidic conditions in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Relatively low Pt‐mass activity (<1 mA/μgPt) is attributed to the yet too high Pt‐content in the films. Another issue discovered in this work is a non‐graphitic state of carbon resulting in its high resistivity. Still, the GFS deposition technique providing by nature high deposition rates and a substance‐to‐material yield of 80–90 % is advantageous than other sputtering techniques and especially chemical methods in that sense. This technique is scalable to areas in the range of square meters and thus represents an attractive way to efficiently produce large‐scale cathode coatings for industrial electrolysers.
Soft Carbon as Cathode with High Rate Performance for Dual‐Ion Batteries via Fast PF6− Intercalation Improved by Surface Effect
Authors: Shen Yong‐Feng , Zhang Meng‐Meng , Yan Dong , Lv Jia‐He , Wu Tao , He Bin , Li Wen‐Cui
Published: May 2023

Dual‐ion battery is a new type of battery in which both anions and cations participate in the energy storage process. However, this unique battery configuration imposes high requirements on the cathode, which typically presents a poor rate performance due to the sluggish diffusion dynamics and intercalation reaction kinetics of anions. Herein, we report petroleum coke‐based soft carbon as the cathode for dual‐ion batteries, exhibiting a superior rate performance with a specific capacity of 96 mAh g−1 at a rate of 2 C and 72 mAh g−1 remained even at 50 C. In situ XRD and Raman demonstrate that the anions can directly form lower‐stage graphite intercalation compounds during the charge process owing to the surface effect, skipping the long evolutionary process from higher to lower stage, thus significantly improving the rate performance. This study highlights the impact of the surface effect and provides a promising perspective for dual‐ion batteries.
Indirect biomarkers of blood doping: A systematic review
Authors: Krumm Bastien , Saugy Jonas J. , Botrè Francesco , Donati Francesco , Faiss Raphael
Published: May 2023

The detection of blood doping represents a current major issue in sports and an ongoing challenge for antidoping research. Initially focusing on direct detection methods to identify a banned substance or its metabolites, the antidoping effort has been progressively complemented by indirect approaches. The longitudinal and individual monitoring of specific biomarkers aims to identify nonphysiological variations that may be related to doping practices. From this perspective, the identification of markers sensitive to erythropoiesis alteration is key in the screening of blood doping. The current Athlete Biological Passport implemented since 2009 is composed of 14 variables (including two primary markers, i.e., hemoglobin concentration and OFF score) for the hematological module to be used for indirect detection of blood doping. Nevertheless, research has continually proposed and investigated new markers sensitive to an alteration of the erythropoietic cascade and specific to blood doping. If multiple early markers have been identified (at the transcriptomic level) or developed directly in a diagnostics' kit (at a proteomic level), other target variables at the end of the erythropoietic process (linked with the red blood cell functions) may strengthen the hematological module in the future. Therefore, this review aims to provide a global systematic overview of the biomarkers considered to date in the indirect investigation of blood doping.
Ag/K2S2O8‐Mediated Direct Thiolation and Selenylation of Carbazoles
Authors: Yin Jin , Chen Peng , Miao Le‐Wei , Wang Jie , Jiang Yi‐Jun
Published: May 2023

The first direct and selective 3,6‐di‐thiolation and 3,6‐di‐selenylation of carbazoles using diaryl disulfides/diselenide as the sulfur/selenium source were demonstrated. This simple, general, and efficient method could deliver a wide range of 3,6‐di‐sulfenyl‐carbazoles and 3,6‐di‐selenyl‐carbazoles from readily available starting materials with high regioselectivity in an easily‐operated one‐step reaction via a Ag/K2S2O8‐mediated protocol.
A Comparative Study of Conditioning Methods for Hydrocarbon‐Based Proton‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells for Improved Performance
Authors: Nguyen Hien , Stiegeler Julian , Liepold Hannes , Schwarz Claudia , Vierrath Severin , Breitwieser Matthias
Published: May 2023

Recent advances in developing hydrocarbon‐based proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells have focused on optimizing materials. Voltage recovery (VR) has shown notable improvements for perfluorosulfonic acid‐based fuel cells. This study is the first to present a VR protocol designed specifically for hydrocarbon‐based fuel cells. The proposed protocol involves 100 voltage steps at 0.08 and 0.12 V, lasting 20 s each, at 80 °C, under backpressure and oversaturated conditions. The effectiveness of the protocol is compared to other protocols, including one proposed by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and another VR from the literature. The VR protocol results in a 100% increase in the mass activity of the fully hydrocarbon‐based fuel cells after only 1 h, while the DOE protocol leads to no improvement, and another established protocol requires 3 h to show a 70% increase. The proposed protocol is also effective for Nafion catalyst layers. The H2/air performance at 0.7 V of the fully hydrocarbon‐based fuel cells increases by 21%, resulting in a current density of 0.9 A cm−2, similar to the Nafion reference. This suggests that the proposed protocol is highly effective and significantly reduces the conditioning time, which can be a significant cost factor.
Diagenetic controls on pore structure variations in fan deltaic sandstones of the Eocene Shahejie Formation, Bohai Bay Basin, China: Implications for reservoir quality and oiliness heterogeneities
Authors: Wu Hao , Du Zhiwei , Ji Youliang , Cao Huairen , Meng Lingjian , Liu Haiqing , Ma Jinglong
Published: May 2023

The fan deltaic sandstones in the third section of the third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es33) are important hydrocarbon exploration targets in the northern Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China. The Es33 sandstones are characterized by highly variable pore structures. A total of 364 Es33 sandstone samples were measured by a series of petrological and petrophysical analyzes to investigate these variations and their controls on reservoir quality and oiliness heterogeneities. The heterogeneity of Es33 sandstone can be manifested by type I, type II and type III pore structures. Primary intergranular pores and dissolution pores were the main storage spaces for type I sandstones, while dissolution pores and intercrystalline pores were the main storage spaces for type II and type III sandstones, respectively. These results indicate that compaction is the main factor in the loss of primary intergranular porosity, with an average loss of 78%. The grain size controlled the preservation of primary pores in Es33 sandstones with a carbonate cement content of less than 6%. The different types of clay minerals have various effects on the pore structure. Chlorite plays an active role in the preservation of intergranular pores and the improvement of reservoir quality, while mixed layers of illite and smectite greatly reduced the pore size and connectivity and lowered the reservoir quality. The Es33 sandstones have undergone a more open diagenetic system. Dissolution significantly increased the porosity of type I and type II sandstones with more primary intergranular pores, but exerted a minor role in contributing to the permeability. Furthermore, a pore‐throat radius of approximately 0.4 μm is considered to be the threshold for oil accumulation in Es33 fan deltaic sandstones.
Single cell metabolic phenome and genome via the ramanome technology platform: Precision medicine of infectious diseases at the ultimate precision?
Authors: Xu Jian , Zhang Jianzhong , Xu Yingchun , Tang Yi‐Wei , Ma Bo , Wu Yuzhang
Published: May 2023

Due to the limitations of existing approaches, a rapid, sensitive, accurate, comprehensive, and generally applicable strategy to diagnose and treat bacterial and fungal infections remains a major challenge. Here, based on the ramanome technology platform, we propose a culture‐free, one cell resolution, phenome‐genome‐combined strategy called single‐cell identification, viability and vitality tests and source tracking (SCIVVS). For each cell directly extracted from a clinical specimen, the fingerprint region of the D2O‐probed single cell Raman spectrum (SCRS) enables species‐level identification based on a reference SCRS database of pathogen species, whereas the C‐D band accurately quantifies viability, metabolic vitality, phenotypic susceptibility to antimicrobials, and their intercellular heterogeneity. Moreover, to source track a cell, Raman‐activated cell sorting followed by sequencing or cultivation proceeds, producinging an indexed, high coverage genome assembly or a pure culture from precisely one pathogenic cell. Finally, an integrated SCIVVS workflow that features automated profiling and sorting of metabolic and morphological phenomes can complete the entire process in only a few hours. Because it resolves heterogeneity for both the metabolic phenome and genome, targets functions, can be automated, and is orders‐of‐magnitude faster while cost‐effective, SCIVVS is a new technological and data framework to diagnose and treat bacterial and fungal infections in various clinical and disease control settings.
Antiracist school counseling: A consensual qualitative study
Authors: Leigh‐Osroosh Katheryne T. , Clemons Krystal , Robertson Adrianne , Placeres Vanessa , Gay Jan , Lopez‐Perry Caroline , Mason Erin C. , Ieva Kara P. , Lane Erin M. D. , Saunders Rachel
Published: May 2023

School counselors have a unique role as frontline advocates and change agents who work toward addressing systemic inequities within K‐12 education (Placeres et al., 2022). Racism is the systemic prioritization of Whiteness as the standard of humanness, success, and well‐being. School counselors are responsible for resisting racism in the support of the wellness of all students. This consensual qualitative study examined the question, what is antiracist school counseling? Four focus groups (N = 17) were conducted within the School Counseling Interest Network (SCIN), a subgroup of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). The resulting four domains, such as anti‐Blackness, knowledge, action, and responsibility, describe antiracist school counseling. Implications for counselor education, research, and practice are discussed.
Visco‐Elastic Parameters at Three‐Dimensional MR Elastography for Diagnosing Non‐Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Substantial Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Khalfallah Meryem , Doblas Sabrina , Hammoutene Adel , Julea Felicia , Postic Catherine , Valla Dominique , Paradis Valérie , Garteiser Philippe , Van Beers Bernard E.
Published: May 2023

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide and is a growing cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer. The performance of the magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) visco‐elastic parameters in diagnosing progressive forms of NAFLD, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and substantial fibrosis (F ≥ 2), needs to be clarified.

Purpose

To assess the value of three‐dimensional MRE visco‐elastic parameters as markers of NASH and substantial fibrosis in mice with NAFLD.

Study Type

Prospective.

Animal Model

Two mouse models of NAFLD were induced by feeding with high fat diet or high fat, choline‐deficient, amino acid‐defined diet.

Field Strength/Sequence

7T/multi‐slice multi‐echo spin‐echo MRE at 400 Hz with motion encoding in the three spatial directions.

Assessment

Hepatic storage and loss moduli were calculated. Histological analysis was based on the NASH Clinical Research Network criteria.

Statistical Tests

Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis tests, Spearman rank correlations and multiple regressions were used. Diagnostic performance was assessed with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). P value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Among the 59 mice with NAFLD, 21 had NASH and 20 had substantial fibrosis (including 8 mice without and 12 mice with NASH). The storage and loss moduli had similar moderate accuracy for diagnosing NASH with AUCs of 0.67 and 0.66, respectively. For diagnosing substantial fibrosis, the AUC of the storage modulus was 0.73 and the AUC of the loss modulus was 0.81, indicating good diagnostic performance. Using Spearman correlations, histological fibrosis, inflammation and steatosis, but not ballooning, were significantly correlated with the visco‐elastic parameters. Using multiple regression, fibrosis was the only histological feature independently associated with the visco‐elastic parameters.

Conclusion

MRE in mice with NAFLD suggests that the storage and loss moduli have good diagnostic performance for detecting progressive NAFLD defined as substantial fibrosis rather than NASH.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Initial insight into three modes of data sharing: Prevalence of primary reuse, data integration and dataset release in research articles
Authors: Sakai Yukiko , Miyata Yosuke , Yokoi Keiko , Wang Yuqing , Kurata Keiko
Published: May 2023

While data sharing has received research interest in recent times, its real status remains unclear, owing to its ambiguous concept. To understand the current status of data sharing, this study examined primary reuse, data integration, and dataset release as the actual practices of data sharing. A total of 963 articles, chosen from those published in 2018 and registered in the Web of Science global citation database, were manually checked. Existing data were reused in the mode of data integration (13.3%) as frequently as they were for the mode of primary reuse (12.1%). Dataset release was the least common mode (9.0%). The results show the variation in data sharing and indicate the need for standardization of data description in articles based on thorough registration and expansion in public data archives to close the loop that results in the virtuous cycle of research data.