bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of self‐reported voice and swallowing complaints in an outpatient geriatric population
Authors: Gascon Laurence , Belfiglio Mario , Nowacki Amy S. , Adessa Michelle , Hashmi Ardeshir Z. , Bryson Paul C.
Published: September 2024

Background

Older adults suffer from increased rates of dysphagia and dysphonia, both of which have a profound effect on quality of life and are often underdiagnosed. We sought to better understand the prevalence of these complaints and the potential utility of a patient‐reported screening program in a geriatrics clinic.

Methods

Using an IRB‐approved cross‐sectional survey and retrospective cohort design, we recruited participants from a population of new patients seeking care at an academic geriatrics clinic. We used three validated questionnaires to assess self‐reported dysphagia, dysphonia, and pill dysphagia: the Eating‐Assessment Tool‐10 (EAT‐10), the Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10), and the PILL‐5. Patients who screened positive on any questionnaire were offered referral to a laryngologist for additional evaluation. Patients who screened positive on the PILL‐5 were also offered referral to our geriatric pharmacist.

Results

Among our 300 patients surveyed, the mean age was 76 (SD 8.46). A total of 82 (27.3%) patients screened positive (73 on EAT‐10, 10 on PILL‐5, 13 on VHI‐10) and were offered referral, of which 36 accepted. These positive screening patients took more prescription medications (p = .024) and had a higher GDS score (p < .001) when compared to the patients who screened negative.

Conclusions

Many new patients seeking generalized care at our center screened positively for dysphagia and/or dysphonia on validated questionnaires. Geriatric patients may benefit from integrating screening for these disorders to identify the need of further evaluation. It is unknown if these survey tools are appropriate in a non‐otolaryngology clinic.

Level of evidence

III.
Characteristics of intestinal flora in nonobese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients and the impact of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment on these features
Authors: Wang Liyan , Xu Jiali , You Ningning , Shao Li , Zhuang Zhenjie , Zhuo Lili , Liu Jing , Shi Junping
Published: September 2024

The study aimed to investigate the alterations in gut microbiota among nonobese individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their response to treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). A total of 90 patients diagnosed with NAFLD and 36 healthy subjects were recruited to participate in this study. Among them, a subgroup of 14 nonobese nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were treated with UDCA. Demographic and serologic data were collected for all participants, while stool samples were obtained for fecal microbiome analysis using 16S sequencing. In nonobese NAFLD patients, the alpha diversity of intestinal flora decreased (Shannon index, p < 0.05), and the composition of intestinal flora changed (beta diversity, p < 0.05). The abundance of 20 genera, including Fusobacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Klebsiella, etc., exhibited significant changes (p < 0.05). Among them, nine species including Fusobacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Klebsiella, etc. were found to be associated with abnormal liver enzymes and glucolipid metabolic disorders. Among the 14 NASH patients treated with UDCA, improvements were observed in terms of liver enzymes, CAP values, and E values (p < 0.05), however, no improve the glucolipid metabolism. While the alpha diversity of intestinal flora did not show significant changes after UDCA treatment, there was a notable alteration in the composition of intestinal flora (beta diversity, p < 0.05). Furthermore, UCDA treatment led to an improvement in the relative abundance of Alistipes, Holdemanella, Gilisia, etc. among nonobese NASH patients (p < 0.05). Nonobese NAFLD patients exhibit dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota. UDCA can ameliorate hepatic enzyme abnormalities and reduce liver fat content in nonobese NASH patients, potentially through its ability to restore intestinal microbiota balance.
Efficient Spectral Broadening and Few‐Cycle Pulse Generation with Multiple Thin Liquid Films
Authors: Huang Jiacheng , Lu Xiang , Hu Feilong , Deng Yu , Long Jie , Tang Jiajun , He Lixin , Zhang Qingbin , Lan Pengfei , Lu Peixiang
Published: September 2024

High‐energy, few‐cycle laser pulses are essential for numerous applications in the fields of ultrafast optics and strong‐field physics, due to their ultrafast temporal resolution and high peak intensity. In this work, different from the traditional hollow‐core fibers and multiple thin solid plates, the generation of an octave‐spanning supercontinuum broadening is demonstrated by utilizing multiple ultrathin liquid films (MTLFs) as the nonlinear media. The continuum covers a range from 380 to 1050 nm, corresponding to a Fourier transform limit pulse width of 2.5 fs when 35 fs Ti: sapphire laser pulse is applied on the MTLFs. The output pulses are compressed to 3.9 fs by employing chirped mirrors. Furthermore, a continuous high‐order harmonic spectrum up to the 33rd order is realized by subjecting the compressed laser pulses to interact with Kr gas. The utilization of flowing liquid films eliminates permanent optical damage and enables wider and stronger spectrum broadening. Therefore, this MTLFs scheme provides new solutions for the generation of highly efficient supercontinuum and nonlinear pulse compression, with potential applications in the fields of strong‐field physics and attosecond science.
Role of N6‐methyladenosine RNA modification in cancer
Authors: Qu Yi , Gao Nannan , Zhang Shengwei , Gao Limin , He Bing , Wang Chao , Gong Chunli , Shi Qiuyue , Li Zhibin , Yang Shiming , Xiao Yufeng
Published: September 2024

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification of RNA in eukaryotic cells. Previous studies have shown that m6A is pivotal in diverse diseases especially cancer. m6A corelates with the initiation, progression, resistance, invasion, and metastasis of cancer. However, despite these insights, a comprehensive understanding of its specific roles and mechanisms within the complex landscape of cancer is still elusive. This review begins by outlining the key regulatory proteins of m6A modification and their posttranslational modifications (PTMs), as well as the role in chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activity within cancer cells. Additionally, it highlights that m6A modifications impact cancer progression by modulating programmed cell death mechanisms and affecting the tumor microenvironment through various cancer‐associated immune cells. Furthermore, the review discusses how microorganisms can induce enduring epigenetic changes and oncogenic effect in microorganism‐associated cancers by altering m6A modifications. Last, it delves into the role of m6A modification in cancer immunotherapy, encompassing RNA therapy, immune checkpoint blockade, cytokine therapy, adoptive cell transfer therapy, and direct targeting of m6A regulators. Overall, this review clarifies the multifaceted role of m6A modification in cancer and explores targeted therapies aimed at manipulating m6A modification, aiming to advance cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
Radiogenomics: bridging the gap between imaging and genomics for precision oncology
Authors: He Wenle , Huang Wenhui , Zhang Lu , Wu Xuewei , Zhang Shuixing , Zhang Bin
Published: September 2024

Genomics allows the tracing of origin and evolution of cancer at molecular scale and underpin modern cancer diagnosis and treatment systems. Yet, molecular biomarker‐guided clinical decision‐making encounters major challenges in the realm of individualized medicine, consisting of the invasiveness of procedures and the sampling errors due to high tumor heterogeneity. By contrast, medical imaging enables noninvasive and global characterization of tumors at a low cost. In recent years, radiomics has overcomes the limitations of human visual evaluation by high‐throughput quantitative analysis, enabling the comprehensive utilization of the vast amount of information underlying radiological images. The cross‐scale integration of radiomics and genomics (hereafter radiogenomics) has the enormous potential to enhance cancer decoding and act as a catalyst for digital precision medicine. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current framework and potential clinical applications of radiogenomics in patient care. We also highlight recent research advances to illustrate how radiogenomics can address common clinical problems in solid tumors such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and glioma. Finally, we analyze existing literature to outline challenges and propose solutions, while also identifying future research pathways. We believe that the perspectives shared in this survey will provide a valuable guide for researchers in the realm of radiogenomics aiming to advance precision oncology.
Vascularized Femoral Myo‐Periosteal Graft for Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia: A Case Report
Authors: Soldado Francisco , Rivas‐Nicolls Danilo , Rojas‐Neira Juliana , Sevilla‐Tirado Juan J. , Nguyen Trong‐Quynh , Knorr Jorge
Published: September 2024

Pure vascularized periosteal transplants have been shown to be extremely effective at achieving rapid bone healing in children with biologically complex non‐union. Free tibial and fibular periosteal transplants are generally indicated when large periosteal flaps are necessary. We report using a vascularized femoral myo‐periosteal graft (VFMPG) to treat distal tibial osteotomy non‐union in a six‐year‐old boy with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. The graft consisted of a 9 cm myo‐periosteal flap (after 50% of elastic retraction) that incorporated the vastus intermedius muscle and diaphyseal femoral periosteum nourished by the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral vessels. Plantaris medialis was used as a recipient vessel. Healing occurred 10 weeks after surgery. The patient resumed gait and sports activity without orthosis. No donor or recipient site complications occurred 17 months after surgery. Employing a VFMPG might be an alternative to other free or large vascularized periosteal flaps currently in use for complex pediatric non‐unions.
Early Penile and Donor Site Sensory Outcomes After Innervated Radial Forearm Free Flap Phalloplasty: A Pilot Prospective Study
Authors: Hu Sophia , Oles Norah , Reiche Erik , Kim Raphael , Landford Wilmina , Eisenbeis Lauren , Noyes Melissa , Schuster Calvin R. , Parisi Michael , Rahmayanti Siti , Soares Vance , Dellon A. Lee , Coon Devin
Published: September 2024

Background

Radial forearm free flap phalloplasty (RFFF) is a set of complex reconstructive procedures aimed at creating an aesthetic and functional penis in transgender patients. Sensory recovery in the neophallus and donor site is crucial for optimizing outcomes, but the few prior studies that exist assess neophallus sensation at limited locations and time points. The purpose of this study was to prospectively quantify sensory outcomes in the neophallus and donor site following RFFF phalloplasty.

Methods

Sensation testing occurred prospectively over February 2019–January 2021 on Stage 1 RFFF phalloplasty patients using the Pressure Specified Sensory Device (PSSD). On the neophallus, one‐point discrimination (1PS) pressure threshold and lengthwise sensory recovery were measured at six circumferential locations proximally to distally. On the donor site, 1PS was measured at three locations on the donor hand.

Results

Nineteen patients were included (average age 34.0 years old, range 18–53 years). Among patients that received neophallus testing (n = 13), eight had at least two follow‐up appointments. Six of these patients had sensation as of their most recent measurement (75.0%), with an average of 73 days to regain sensation. There was a significantly greater proportion of patients with sensation at the right ventral (80.0% after 3 months vs. 11.1%–60.0% before 3 months, p = 0.024) and right lateral (100.0% after 3 months vs. 11.1%–60.0% before 3 months, p = 0.004) aspects of the neophallus over time. Pressure required to elicit sensation decreased by 18.0% from 1 week–1 month postoperatively to 3–7.7 months postoperatively in the right ventral neophallus (96.2 g/mm2 ± 11.3 g/mm2 to 56.6 ± 39.9 g/mm2, p = 0.037). Among patients that received donor site testing (n = 11), mixed effects regression analysis with random intercepts demonstrated significant changes in the thumb (3.4 g/mm2 ± 1.4 g/mm2, p < 0.05) and webspace (13.5 g/mm2 ± 4.9 g/mm2, p < 0.01) that returned to baseline at 3 months postoperatively (1.7 g/mm2 ± 1.0 g/mm2, p > 0.05, and 2.3 g/mm2 ± 4.0 g/mm2, p > 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion

This pilot study demonstrates that quantitative sensory testing can be used to monitor post‐phalloplasty sensory changes. Recovery was significantly associated with contralateral (i.e, right side in a left forearm RFF) aspects of the neophallus, suggesting a possible pattern of circumferential sensory innervation via RFFF sensory nerves. Future studies with a larger sample size and longer follow‐ups are necessary to fully characterize sensory recovery in phalloplasty patients.
The Use of ECMO and Free‐Fillet‐Leg Flap for Complex Pelvic Reconstruction: A Case Report
Authors: Cigna Emanuele , Bolletta Alberto , Pozzi Mirco , Schettino Michela , Mani Olimpia , Andreani Lorenzo , Boggi Ugo , Capanna Rodolfo
Published: September 2024

Advanced sarcoma treatment in complex anatomical regions such as the pelvis poses significant surgical challenges. This report details a case involving a 35‐year‐old man with recurrent osteosarcoma of the left hemipelvis, who underwent a 16 h surgery for hemipelvectomy and reconstruction using a free tibia and fibula fillet leg flap. The procedure, necessitated by an infected, exposed iliac prosthesis, utilized extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for 8 h to maintain flap viability. The flap, incorporating tibia, fibula, and associated musculature was successfully inset and anastomosed to the left common iliac artery and vein, with additional venous anastomosis to the right iliac vein. Despite postoperative challenges such as venous stasis and intestinal ischemia, necessitating further surgical interventions, the patient achieved mobility with a walker at 3 months post‐surgery, with stable conditions observed during a 2 years follow‐up. ECMO enabled successful preservation and integration of the free fillet leg flap, demonstrating its potential in complex reconstructive surgeries. Specifically, ECMO may extend free flap viability in complex cases, offering new possibilities for challenging oncological and reconstructive surgeries.
Data‐driven dynamical analysis of an age‐structured model: A graph‐theoretic approach
Authors: Deolia Preeti , Singh Anuraj
Published: September 2024

The dynamics of the propagation and outspread of infectious diseases are eminently intricate, mainly due to the heterogeneity of the host individuals. In this paper, an age‐stratified SEIR (susceptible‐exposed‐infected‐recovered) epidemiological model incorporating saturated treatment function and heterogeneous contact rates is developed to study infectious disease transmission dynamics among various age groups. The expression for the basic reproduction number
and conditions for the global stability of the system have been derived by a recently developed graph‐theoretic (GT) approach. Digraph reduction creates a GT version of the Gauss elimination method for computing the
. The global dynamics results have been formed by constructing the Lyapunov function using a GT approach. The endemic equilibrium exists uniquely if
, whereas the disease‐free equilibrium is observed to be globally stable if
. The numerical simulations are demonstrated by extracting the daily reported COVID‐19 cases for the second wave in Italy. The age‐dependent contact matrix for the Republic of Italy (data sourced from the POLYMOD study) is computed via paper–diary methodology (PDM) grounded on a population‐prospective survey in European countries. Our numerical findings imply that (i) for the age group (20–49) years and (50–69) years, the number of infected persons is quite double as compared with the exposed cases; (ii) approximately 50% of positive cases lies in (20–69) years age group; (iii) for the (00–19) years age group, only half of the exposed individuals got infected; and (iv) a consistent graph is detected for the age group of (70–99) years in both cases; it shows that almost all the exposed got infected.
Maternal Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and High‐Fat Diet Influenced Hepatic Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Profile in the Offspring of C57BL/6J Mice
Authors: Gong JiaYu , Xu WenHui , Chen YiFei , Chen ShuTong , Wu YanYan , Chen YiRu , Li YueTing , He Yuan , Yu HaiTao , Xie Lin
Published: September 2024

Scope

This research examines the effects of maternal high‐fat (HF) diet and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on offspring lipid metabolism and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) profile.

Methods and results

GDM is induced using the insulin receptor antagonist S961. Weaning offspring are categorized into HF‐GDM, HF‐CON, NC‐GDM, and NC‐CON groups based on maternal diet or GDM. Adult offspring are then grouped into NC‐CON‐NC, NC‐CON‐HF, NC‐GDM‐NC, NC‐GDM‐HF, HF‐CON‐NC, HF‐CON‐HF, HF‐GDM‐NC, and HF‐GDM‐HF according to dietary patterns. Gas chromatography determines PUFA composition. Western blot assesses PI3K/Akt signaling pathway‐related protein expression.

Feeding a normal chow diet until adulthood improves the distribution of hepatic PUFA during weaning across the four groups. PI3K expression is upregulated during weaning in HF‐CON and HF‐GDM, particularly in HF‐CON‐NC and HF‐GDM‐NC, compared to NC‐CON‐NC during adulthood. Akt expression increases in NC‐GDM‐NC after weaning with a normal diet. The hepatic PUFA profile in HF‐CON‐HF significantly distinguishes among the maternal generation health groups. Maternal HF diet exacerbates the combined impact of maternal GDM and offspring HF diet on hepatic PUFA and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway‐related proteins during adulthood.

Conclusions

Early exposure to HF diets and GDM affects hepatic PUFA profiles and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway protein expression in male offspring during weaning and adulthood.
Development of a proton CT imaging system using scintillator‐based range detection
Authors: Liu Meiqi , Wang Yuxiang , Gu Yue , Gong Haonian , Lu Hsiao‐Ming , Tang Zebo , Yang Yidong
Published: September 2024

Background

The accuracy of proton therapy and preclinical proton irradiation experiments is susceptible to proton range uncertainties, which partly stem from the inaccurate conversion between CT numbers and relative stopping power (RSP). Proton computed tomography (PCT) can reduce these uncertainties by directly acquiring RSP maps.

Purpose

This study aims to develop a novel PCT imaging system based on scintillator‐based proton range detection for accurate RSP reconstruction.

Methods

The proposed PCT system consists of a pencil‐beam brass collimator with a 1 mm aperture, an object stage capable of translation and 360° rotation, a plastic scintillator for dose‐to‐light conversion, and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera for light distribution acquisition. A calibration procedure based on Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was implemented to convert the obtained light ranges into water equivalent ranges. The water equivalent path lengths (WEPLs) of the imaged object were determined by calculating the differences in proton ranges obtained with and without the object in the beam path. To validate the WEPL calculation, measurements of WEPLs for eight tissue‐equivalent inserts were conducted. PCT imaging was performed on a custom‐designed phantom and a mouse, utilizing both 60 and 360 projections. The filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm was employed to reconstruct the RSP from WEPLs. Image quality was assessed based on the reconstructed RSP maps and compared to reference and simulation‐based reconstructions.

Results

The differences between the calibrated and reference ranges of 110–150 MeV proton beams were within 0.18 mm. The WEPLs of eight tissue‐equivalent inserts were measured with accuracies better than 1%. Phantom experiments exhibited good agreement with reference and simulation‐based reconstructions, demonstrating average RSP errors of 1.26%, 1.38%, and 0.38% for images reconstructed with 60 projections, 60 projections after penalized weighted least‐squares algorithm denoising, and 360 projections, respectively. Mouse experiments provided clear observations of mouse contours and major tissue types. MC simulation estimated an imaging dose of 3.44 cGy for decent RSP reconstruction.

Conclusions

The proposed PCT imaging system enables RSP map acquisition with high accuracy and has the potential to improve dose calculation accuracy in proton therapy and preclinical proton irradiation experiments.
Spherical echo‐planar time‐resolved imaging (sEPTI) for rapid 3D quantitative T2* and susceptibility imaging
Authors: Wang Nan , Liao Congyu , Cao Xiaozhi , Nishimura Mark , Brackenier Yannick W. E. , Yurt Mahmut , Gao Mengze , Abraham Daniel , Alkan Cagan , Iyer Siddharth Srinivasan , Zhou Zihan , Jeong Hwihun , Kerr Adam , Haldar Justin P. , Setsompop Kawin
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To develop a 3D spherical EPTI (sEPTI) acquisition and a comprehensive reconstruction pipeline for rapid high‐quality whole‐brain submillimeter and QSM quantification.

Methods

For the sEPTI acquisition, spherical k‐space coverage is utilized with variable echo‐spacing and maximum kx ramp‐sampling to improve efficiency and signal incoherency compared to existing EPTI approaches. For reconstruction, an iterative rank‐shrinking B0 estimation and odd‐even high‐order phase correction algorithms were incorporated into the reconstruction to better mitigate artifacts from field imperfections. A physics‐informed unrolled network was utilized to boost the SNR, where 1‐mm and 0.75‐mm isotropic whole‐brain imaging were performed in 45 and 90 s at 3 T, respectively. These protocols were validated through simulations, phantom, and in vivo experiments. Ten healthy subjects were recruited to provide sufficient data for the unrolled network. The entire pipeline was validated on additional five healthy subjects where different EPTI sampling approaches were compared. Two additional pediatric patients with epilepsy were recruited to demonstrate the generalizability of the unrolled reconstruction.

Results

sEPTI achieved 1.4 faster imaging with improved image quality and quantitative map precision compared to existing EPTI approaches. The B0 update and the phase correction provide improved reconstruction performance with lower artifacts. The unrolled network boosted the SNR, achieving high‐quality and QSM quantification with single average data. High‐quality reconstruction was also obtained in the pediatric patients using this network.

Conclusion

sEPTI achieved whole‐brain distortion‐free multi‐echo imaging and and QSM quantification at 0.75 mm in 90 s which has the potential to be useful for wide clinical applications.
Comparative analysis of in situ and ex situ postmortem brain MRI: Evaluating volumetry, DTI, and relaxometry
Authors: Neuhaus Dominique , Rost Thomas , Haas Tanja , Wendebourg Maria Janina , Schulze Katja , Schlaeger Regina , Scheurer Eva , Lenz Claudia
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To compare postmortem in situ with ex situ MRI parameters, including volumetry, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and relaxometry for assessing methodology‐induced alterations, which is a crucial prerequisite when performing MRI biomarker validation.

Methods

MRI whole‐brain scans of five deceased patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were performed at 3 T. In situ scans were conducted within 32 h after death (SD 18 h), and ex situ scans after brain extraction and 3 months of formalin fixation. The imaging protocol included MP2RAGE, DTI, and multi‐contrast spin‐echo and multi‐echo gradient‐echo sequences. Volumetry, fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, T1, T2, and have been assessed for specific brain regions.

Results

When comparing ex situ to in situ values, the following results were obtained. Deep gray matter as well as the thalamus and the hippocampus showed a reduced volume. Fractional anisotropy was reduced in the cortex and the whole brain. Mean diffusivity was decreased in white matter and deep gray matter. T1 and T2 were reduced in all investigated structures, whereas was increased in the cortex.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that the volumes and MRI parameters of several brain regions are potentially affected by tissue extraction and subsequent formalin fixation, suggesting that methodological alterations are present in ex situ MRI. To avoid overlap of indistinguishable methodological and disease‐related changes, we recommend performing in situ postmortem MRI as an additional intermediate step for in vivo MRI biomarker validation.
Breast Cancer Cell Destruction Using Individually Encapsulated Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Polyelectrolyte Layer Coated with Dual Nanoparticles in Combination with Magnetic Exposure and Laser Irradiation
Authors: Wattanakull Porntida , Pissuwan Dakrong
Published: September 2024

Cell encapsulation can protect cells from the host immune system. It is well‐known that cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) can destroy cancer cells. In this study, we individually encapsulated CTLs in a cationic polyelectrolyte in combination with two types of nanomaterials: magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and gold nanorods (GNRs) conjugated to anti‐human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER2) antibodies referred to as CTLs/mMNPs/PAH/GNRs@HER2. When MCF‐7 breast cancer cells were co‐cultured with CTLs/mMNPs/PAH/GNRs@HER2 and subjected to a magnetic field and laser irradiation, the viability of MCF‐7 cells was significantly decreased to 42.98 ± 0.57% in comparison to MCF‐7 cells without any treatment or MCF‐7 cells co‐cultured with CTLs (51.52 ± 0.57%). This can be a novel strategy for cancer treatment using encapsulated CTLs in polyelectrolytes and dual nanomaterials in combination with magnetic exposure and laser irradiation.
Featured Cover
Authors: Hu Xueyan , Li Zonghao , Bao Ronghao , Chen Weiqiu
Published: September 2024

The cover image is based on the article Stabilized Time‐Series Moving Morphable Components Method for Topology Optimization by Xueyan Hu et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.7562

image
Exploring the dependencies of Poisson's ratio in auxetic structures
Authors: Grünfelder Nicolas , Savall Berta Pi , Seyedpour Seyed Morteza , Waschinsky Navina , Ricken Tim
Published: September 2024

Auxetic materials are mostly known for their negative Poisson's ratio, a parameter used to describe the deformation behavior of structures. This ratio serves a similar role as a material constant, detailing behavior on a microscopic scale. However, the deformation behavior of complex auxetic structures cannot be described completely using the classical Poisson's ratio approach. While it may suffice to describe auxetic behavior in foams or crystals, it fails for larger scales like the auxetic lattice structures, discussed in this study. To address this limitation, an extension to the classical Poisson's ratio is proposed to better describe the behavior of such structures. The developed method shows the different dependencies, namely the directional dependency, the frequency dependency and the position dependency of auxetic unit cells.
An experimental and numerical effort on the vibration behavior of additively manufactured recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol components
Authors: Bolat Çağın , Çebi Abdulkadir , Maraş Sinan , Ergene Berkay
Published: September 2024

The importance of recycling engineering components and thus obtaining low‐cost production solutions has become prominent in today's world. In this study, the mechanical and dynamic behaviors of three‐dimensional‐printed recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol (RePET‐G) beams were investigated numerically and experimentally for the first time in the literature. Initially, the governing equations of the beams were determined according to the Bernoulli–Euler beam theory, and these equations were numerically solved using the differential quadrature method and ANSYS program. Subsequently, to validate the accuracy of the numerical models, the obtained natural frequencies were compared with experimental results. It was observed that the numerical results showed good agreement with the experimental results. Finally, the effects of beam length, infill rate, and building direction on the natural frequencies of RePET‐G beams were investigated. The outcomes showed that as the beam length changed, natural frequencies were significantly affected. Increasing the infill rate, especially for beams with vertical building direction, from 20% to 100% led to a slight decrease in the natural frequency values of the structure. Moreover, it was found that for beams with an infill rate of 100%, the natural frequency values obtained in the horizontal building direction were higher than those obtained in the vertical building direction.

Highlights

Printable recycled filaments have great potential for vibration applications.

Sample length affects the first natural frequency value of RePETG parts.

Differential quadrature and ANSYS methods can be utilized for the vibration.

For the 3D‐printed samples, rising infill rate causes a natural frequency drop.
Prospective results of the minimally invasive laser enucleation of the prostate (MiLEP)
Authors: Alves Breno Barros , Gabrich Pedro , Favorito Luciano A.
Published: September 2024

Background

The objective of the present study is to prospectively analyze the prostate enucleation procedure with Holmium Laser using the minimally invasive technique (MiLEP), comparing the outcomes and their variables pre‐ and postoperatively.

Methods

We studied men aged 40 years or over, with prostate volumes greater than or equal to 35 cm³ with lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. We performed flowmetry and administered the IPSS questionnaire before and 6 months after the MiLEP procedure. The patients were operated on with a 60 W Holmium Laser (Cyber‐Ho Quanta System®) using 54 W of power (energy 1.8 J and frequency of 30 Hz). Enucleation was performed using the en bloc technique with early sphincter release. After enucleation, the tissue was morcellated using a 22 Fr morcescope (RZ‐Medizintechnik GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany) and Piranha (Richard Wolf) morcellator. The final Hemostasis after morcelation was made using laser with 30wW power, energy at 1,0 joules and frequency at 30 Hertz. Student's T test and Man‐Whitney was used to statistical analysis (p < 0.05).

Results

After selection we submitted 73 patients (mean age= 68.2 years) to MiLEP procedure with a follow up of 6 months. The prostate volume presented an average of 94.53 cm³ (65 to 112 cm³, SD = 5.363) preoperatively. The urinary continence rate after the procedure was greater than 95% after 1 week and 99% in the 1st month. All patients were continent after 6 months. The IPSS questionnaire before (mean = 21.18 points/SD = 6.557) and after (mean = 7.92 points/SD = 2.408) the MiLEP had statistical significance (p < 0.001). The flowmetry(ml/s) before (9.02/SD = 2.842) and after (21.07/SD = 6.228) the MiLEP had statistical significance (p < 0.001). The average time of the procedure was 78.5 min and the bladder catheter was removed after 18 h in mean. In 4 patients (5.8%) we observed hematuria and in 1 case (1.47%) the patient needs urinary catheterization.

Conclusion

MiLEP is a safe and effective procedure, with significant improvement in urinary flow and symptoms in the short term. Although the results of this study were satisfactory and the urinary incontinence rate was lower compared to HoLEP data found in the literature, multicenter studies with longer follow‐up are needed to confirm these findings.
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion in pulmonary hypertension—Moving beyond the sector plane
Authors: Ichimura Kenzo , Celestin Bettia E. , Bagherzadeh Shadi P. , Zamanian Roham T. , Salerno Michael , Spiekerkoetter Edda , Haddad Francois
Published: September 2024

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is usually measured with M‐mode using sector line, however, this may not align with the anatomical shortening of the right ventricular (RV). In this study, we compared the different methods to measure TAPSE using three different reference lines (sector line, anatomical line, and apico‐annular line). We included 148 patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who underwent TTE and right heart catheterization within 2 weeks of each other. TAPSE was measured by M‐mode (sector, anatomical), 2D (sector, anatomical), or as tricuspid apico‐annular displacement (TAAD). Agreement between measures was assessed using coefficient of variation (COV), Spearman's correlation, and Bland–Altman analysis. Receiver–operating characteristics and Kaplan–Meier analysis were used to explore associations with the combined outcome of death or lung transplantation at 5 years. There was a good concordance between anatomical and sector M‐mode with a COV of 15.5 ± 1.6% and a bias of −0.6 ± 3.2 mm. In contrast, anatomical M‐mode TAPSE and TAAD differed significantly with the mean difference of 3.3 ± 3.8 mm (COV 30.5 ± 6.1%; p < 0.0001). Among the different 2D methods, anatomical 2D agreed well with anatomical M‐mode TAPSE (COV of 11.8 ± 2.0%; r = 0.89; p < 0.0001). Among the five methods, TADD had the strongest association with the combined endpoint of death or transplantation at 5 years (C‐statistic 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57–0.71). We concluded that different measures of TAPSE are not interchangeable.
Intelligent fibers and textiles for wearable biosensors
Authors: Fu Wanlin , Yu Buyun , Ji Dongxiao , Zhou Zhou , Li Xingyu , Wang Rui , Lu Weibing , Sun Yueming , Dai Yunqian
Published: September 2024

In conjunction with the advancement of digital healthcare, the field of wearable biosensors has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is projected to expand further in the coming years. As wearable biosensors enter their next phase, emphasis is increasingly placed on developing comfortable, breathable, washable, and lightweight intelligent fibers and textiles as key components. This review examines the contributions of both natural and synthetic fibers and textiles to wearable biosensors. The structure and preparation process of intelligent fibers and textiles are systematically elucidated, including the development of the conductive layer. Additionally, key micro–nano technologies that have emerged in this domain are highlighted such as built‐in power supplies, wireless data transmission, precise data analysis driven by artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Furthermore, advanced functionalities integrated into recent biosensing systems, such as heat management, real‐time displays, and human–machine interaction are summarized. Moreover, the applications of fiber‐based wearable biosensors for monitoring biophysical and biochemical signals are presented. Finally, the challenges faced by the community working on wearable sensors based on intelligent fibers and textiles are discussed alongside promising future directions.
Towards more sustainable, nutritious, and affordable plant‐based milk alternatives: A critical review
Authors: Suryamiharja Anthony , Gong Xiping , Zhou Hualu
Published: September 2024

The consumer market has seen a surge in various types of plant‐based milk alternatives (PBMAs), driven by factors such as sustainability, ethics, and the availability of diverse options. However, the global adoption of PBMAs is still hindered by potential nutritional concerns and cost‐ineffectiveness. It is therefore paramount to understand the status and challenges of these alternatives, encompassing production, stabilization strategies, nutrition and health, digestion, and environmental impacts. This review provides a comprehensive examination of these aspects. We begin by scrutinizing the production processes and formulation strategies of PBMAs, followed by an exploration of fundamental stabilization aspects, including homogenization, emulsification, thickening, and quantitative measurements of stabilization. Additionally, we discuss their nutrition facts and potential health benefits, as well as potential differences in the digestion of nutrients from PBMAs. Importantly, their challenges and future directions are discussed individually, highlighting the need for a fundamental understanding and effective food technologies to develop sustainable, nutritious, tasty, and affordable PBMAs. For example, several critical aspects involve maximizing the use of plant materials (e.g., proteins, fibers, and bioactive compounds) and using reliable and unified life cycle analyses to guide the development. This review offers valuable insights for researchers, food technologists, and consumers seeking to navigate and develop the landscape of PBMAs effectively.
Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and in vitro Cytotoxicity Studies of Marine Natural Product Herdmanine Derivatives as Multitarget Inhibitor for EGFR and HER2 Breast Cancer Proteins
Authors: Gunjan  , Kumar Pradeep , Goel Nikita , Ganjoo Samarth , Yadav Monika , Verma Anita Kamra , Bhagat Sunita
Published: September 2024

Breast cancer is a potentially deadly disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Therefore, it is crucial to design highly targeted therapeutic techniques with low toxicity. In this work, we synthesized natural product Herdmanine's ester derivatives and tested them against EGFR and HER2 proteins as multitargated inhibitor of breast cancer progression. Further, the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐157 and the biocompatibility towards NIH 3T3 cells. Higher toxicity and positive viability profiles of Herdmanine derivatives indicate their potential use for further exploration in breast cancer application.
Biodegradation Behaviour of the Composite Consisting of Polypropylene and Bauhinia Vahlii Fiber
Authors: Ray Rashmi , Das SankarNarayan
Published: September 2024

The current study focuses on the degradation rate of polypropylene (PP) and Bauhinia Vahlii (BV) fibers under soil burial and natural weathering conditions for 360 days. The BV‐PP composite was produced with varying BV fiber compositions (0, 10, 20, and 30 wt.%) and 3 % MAPP (Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene). In addition, MAPP is employed as a coupling agent to improve fiber‐matrix compatibility and promote degradation. The XRD examination shows that a 10 % BV‐PP composite has a crystallinity index of 52.05 %, which is higher than that of neat PP. The rate of biodegradability was investigated using weight loss and tensile properties. The largest degradation was seen in natural weathering conditions with 30 % composite showing the maximum weight loss of 3.8 % and loss in tensile strength and modulus of 16.76 % and 5.11 %, respectively. Simultaneously, no weight loss or drop in tensile characteristics was found in the case of neat PP over 360 days. The SEM images of soil burial show material deterioration, which may be aided by bacterial and fungal activity, whereas natural weathering conditions show a large crack, rougher fracture surface, and cavities, which are attributed to thermal stresses, changes in moisture content, and ultraviolet radiation, thereby promoting the degradation process.
Facile and Scalable Synthesis of Tripeptides with a Pro‐Pro Scaffold at C‐end: A TAG Approach
Authors: Nagaraja Akshitha D. , Avula Veeranjaneyulu , Lalithamba H. S. , Rao H. Surya Prakash , Govindappa Nagendra
Published: September 2024

The Pro‐Pro ligated tripeptides Ile‐Pro‐Pro 4 (IPP) and Val‐Pro‐Pro 5 (VPP) isolated from the fermented milk exhibit marked anti‐hypertension activity. Additionally, the naturally occurring Pro‐Pro ligated tripeptide Gly‐Pro‐Pro 6 (GPP) exhibits antioxidant properties. These peptides have enormous potential to be used as dilatory supplements. In the present study, we achieved a scalable, convenient, and high‐yielding synthesis of IPP, VPP, and GPP along with two more hydrophobic Pro‐Pro ligated tripeptides (APP 7, LPP 8) by employing the TAG technique. We used acid labile (2,4‐bis(octadecyloxy)phenyl)methanol as the TAG. We demonstrated synthesis of one of IPP at molar scale. We think that our method has the potential to be escalated to an industrial scale without much difficulty and they become available for general use as dietary supplements.
Metal‐Supported Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Containing Heterocycles: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Damera Thirupathi , Naga Gayatri Sambhani , Pagadala Ramakanth , Abbu Venugopal , Palle Kishor , Gullapelli Kumaraswamy
Published: September 2024

The use of metals in the preparation of heterocycles has become increasingly popular due to several key advantages of metals as catalysts. These include recycling capability, eco‐friendliness, simplicity of catalyst preparation and separation, longer lifespan, abundance, and higher yields. As a result of their novel applications in organic, inorganic, medicinal, industrial, polymer chemistry, material sciences, nanotechnology, and biological processes, the utilization of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles has rapidly increased in recent years. Various nitrogen‐containing organic moieties are used in therapeutic processes to enhance effectiveness against several bacterial and viral diseases. This review covers the preparation of imidazoles, triazoles, tetrazoles, pyridine derivatives, azo compounds, pyrimidines, quinoxalines, and quinolines using metals as heterogeneous catalysts. It provides an overview of current methodologies for metal‐assisted heterogeneous catalytic reactions, including product yield, operating temperature, and solvents, among other factors. Heterogeneous catalyst‐mediated organic synthetic reactions offer several advantages, particularly in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications, by reducing time and energy consumption. This review emphasizes recent advancements in the fabrication of nitrogen heterocycles utilizing heterogeneous catalysts, taking into account various economic, eco‐friendly, and user‐friendly considerations. Additionally, it discusses the benefits, reaction conditions, and yields reported in the literature over the past six years.
Design and Synthesis of New Aminothiazole‐Benzazole Based Ureas: Antiproliferative and Antimigration Activity Studies
Authors: Arslan Gülnur , Erzurumlu Yalçın , Muhammed Muhammed Tilahun , Özçelik Azime Berna
Published: September 2024

In our quest to develop new treatments for cancer, we synthesized and tested a series of urea‐functionalized aminothiazole‐benzazole analogs. Our primary focus was assessing their ability to inhibit the growth of breast cancer (MCF‐7) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. Using 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectra, and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), we confirmed the chemical structures of these compounds. Among them, compound 8a demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 cells, achieving an IC50 value of 9.6±0.6 μM. Similarly, compound 8e exhibited potent cytotoxicity against A549 cells, with an IC50 value of 9.2±1.1 μM. We further investigated the antimigration properties of all compounds that showed promising antiproliferative effects in both MCF‐7 and A549 cells. Additionally, we evaluated how these compounds impact key apoptosis‐related proteins: Caspase‐7, PARP‐1, BAX, and Bcl‐2. These proteins play crucial roles in the regulation of programmed cell death. Overall, our findings suggest that these urea‐functionalized aminothiazole‐benzazole analogs hold promise as potential anticancer agents, warranting further exploration into their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential.
Strategy of Nutrient Recovery from Domestic Wastewater Using Magnesium‐Modified Agricultural‐Waste‐Based Biochars
Authors: Tien Pham Duc , Minh Hoang Trang , Ngoc Truong Minh , Van Dang Thanh , Thi Minh Tran Hang , Van der Bruggen Bart , Manh Nguyen Khai
Published: September 2024

This work presents a reasonable strategy of optimizing the N : P molar ratio of municipal wastewater to simultaneously restore N‐NH4+ and P‐PO43− via struvite precipitation employing biochar modified with magnesium as the seeding material. The phosphate removal efficiency and ammonium removal efficiency could reach up to 71 % and 100 %, respectively. The remaining phosphate can be restored by other techniques for low phosphate concentration input, such as electrocoagulation. The XRD patterns indicate the appearance of struvite with high nutrient contents including Mg, N and P in the resulting precipitate, suggesting its potential agricultural application. The biochar from rice husk and rice straw modified with MgCl2 solution via a simple procedure could be used as a new seeding material in struvite precipitation to simultaneously restore phosphate and ammonium from wastewater. It has been found that modifying with MgCl2 concentration of 0.5 M and 1 M were enough to improve 14.7 % and 26.5 % of the phosphate removal efficiencies of rice straw‐based and rice husk‐based biochar, respectively. Along with the highly compatible of the post‐precipitated product with soil amendment, the magnesium modified biochars from rice husk and rice straw were highly suitable for enhancing the restoration of phosphate and ammonium via struvite precipitation.
Novel Efficient and Eco‐Friendly Biosorbent Derived from Ditax (Detarium senegalense) Fruit Hulls for Removal of Cationic Dyes: Adsorption Modeling and Statistical Optimization
Authors: Tcheka Constant , Salatou Nen‐Oure Benedicte , Alifa Tchigo , Marianne Conradie Marrigje , Conradie Jeanet
Published: September 2024

Remediation of wastewater laden with dyes using optimized and less expensive techniques remains a challenge for environmental protection. In the current research work, alkaline activation approach was employed to derive a biosorbent from ditax fruit hulls (DS‐FHB), and its sorption performance was tested on Methylene blue (MB) dye biosorption with optimizing adsorption parameters. Structural and chemical properties of DS‐FHB including crystallinity, morphology, and surface functionality were analysed using XRD, SEM, FTIR technics, and pHPZC determination. Optimization of adsorption parameters using a centered composite design (CCD) from response surface methodology led to achieving a peak dye removal rate of 98.97 %. The optimal conditions were determined as DS‐FHB mass of 0.23 g, pH 7.12, contact time 39.00 min, and initial MB concentration of 69.35 mg/L. The findings demonstrated a strong alignment with both the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second order kinetic model, suggesting their appropriateness in describing the adsorption process of MB onto DS‐FHB. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the sorption of MB dye onto DS‐FHB occurred by monolayer formation with a maximum dye sorption capacity of 96.453 mg/g. Based on the structural and physico‐chemical properties of DS‐FHB biosorbent, and its adsoption applicability evaluated in the experimental conditions, detax derived‐biosorbent can be proposed as a successful and effective low‐cost biosorbent for removing cationic dyestuffs from aqueous solutions.