bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reaction Mechanism of Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol Hydrogenolysis on Ru/SiO2 Studied by In‐Situ FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Innocenti Giada , Emig Stefan , Meyer Lars , Mueller Matthias , Hanf Schirin , Schunk Stephan A. , Kindler Alois M. , Sievers Carsten
Published: September 2022

In situ infrared spectroscopy is used to gain a deep understanding of the surface reactions during the hydrogenolysis of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol vapor on Ru/SiO2 and SiO2 and to identify intermediates that lead to catalyst deactivation. Time‐resolved in situ infrared spectroscopy experiments elucidate the formation and consumption of different surface species. Hydroxy valeraldehyde is the key intermediate and can undergo hydrogenation or the Tishchenko reaction. Both reactions yield 1,5‐pentanediol, but the latter also produces hydroxy valeric acid, which can polymerize on the catalyst surface. Finally, hydroxy‐valeraldehyde can also participate in fouling by means of aldol condensation. The same reaction intermediates are found both on Ru/SiO2 and SiO2 suggesting that the support plays a role in retaining the molecules on the surface and favoring the multi‐step reaction mechanism on the surface rather than the direct ring opening mechanism.
High‐Efficiency Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Novel Zr‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks through Organic Linkers Regulation
Authors: Shao Mingzheng , Li Yuyan , Chen Mingyue , Liu Wendong , Sun Yuzhu , Chu Yiyue , Sun Yajing , Li Xiyan , Zhang Ruizhong , Zhang Libing
Published: September 2022

Exploiting efficiently luminescent metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) for electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) in aqueous solution is very intriguing and challenging. Described here are novel Zr‐based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) electrochemiluminophores (ECLphores) synthesized through a facile solvothermal method by using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as organic linkers. The photoluminescence (PL) and ECL of Zr‐based MOFs are affected by the actual organic linkers’ inherent properties and activities. The tetraphenyl‐carboxylate‐pyrene derived NU‐1000 shows the best ECL performance and reveals an enormous ECL quantum efficiency of 1.42‐fold higher than that of the standard Ru(bpy)32+by using K2S2O8as the coreactant. Due to its providential energy gap, it facilitated the feasibility of electron removal and injection identified by experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Moreover, the ECL mechanisms of NU‐1000 were elucidated based on the voltammetric ECL method, photoluminescence, and spooling ECL spectroscopies. The exceptional porosity and high surface area for the acceleration of mass and electron transfer during electrochemical reactions, along with the coordination immobilization of ECL active PAHs onto the MOF nodes for abolishing energy loss caused by notorious π‐π stacking and intramolecular rotation, representing significant advantages in the development of Zr‐based MOFs for ECL applications.
Effects of tillage and fallow rotation on wireworm populations and damage to cereal grain crops in Montana
Authors: Morales‐Rodriguez Anuar , Wichman David , Wanner Kevin W.
Published: September 2022

Wireworms, the soil‐dwelling larval stage of click beetles, are an increasing pest threat to the sustainable production of cereals, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), and other crops. Producers believe that soil tillage and crop–fallow rotation can reduce the damage caused by wireworms. This study used four field plots maintained under the same regimen of tilling and no‐till management in combination with continuous cropping and alternating fallow systems for more than 17 yr at the Montana State University Central Agricultural Research Station near Moccasin, MT. Bait traps were used to monitor wireworm numbers in the soil during 2011, 2012, and 2013, along with stand density and yield assessments, to gain insights into the effectiveness of tillage and fallow cultural practices to reduce wireworm populations. Wireworm numbers were higher in continuously cropped plots than in those with an alternating crop and fallow rotation. No differences in wireworm numbers were detected when comparing tillage versus no‐tillage plots. Up to six different species of wireworm were identified within an individual field, and the diversity of their biology may influence the effectiveness of cultural practices.
Acridone‐Based Host Materials for Green Phosphorescent and Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent OLEDs with Low‐Efficiency Roll‐Offs
Authors: Yao Ruijuan , Liu Di , Wan Huihui , Mei Yongqiang , Wang Jiahui , Cai Rui , Zhang Huimin , Zhao Yuzhen , He Zemin
Published: September 2022

By linking the carbazole unit to the nitrogen atom of acridone through phenyl or pyridyl, two compounds, named 10‐(4‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)phenyl)acridin‐9(10H)‐one (AC‐Ph‐Cz) and 10‐(5‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)pyridin‐2‐yl)acridin‐9(10H)‐one (AC‐Py‐Cz) were designed and synthesized. These two materials, characterized with highly twisted and rigid structure, good thermal stability, and balanced carrier‐transporting properties, were employed as host materials for green phosphorescent and thermally activated delayed fluorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). The carbazole group, despite its small contribution to the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) of these two materials, plays an essential role as an intramolecular host in energy delivering and improving the hole transporting ability of these two hosts. The incorporation of the electron‐deficient pyridyl group as a linking group slightly improves the electron transporting capability of AC‐Py‐Cz. The green phosphorescent OLED (PhOLED) based on AC‐Py‐Cz exhibited excellent device performance with a turn‐on voltage of 2.5 V, a maximum power efficiency and an external quantum efficiency (ηext) of 89.8 lm W−1 and 25.2 %, respectively, benefitting from the better charge‐balancing ability of AC‐Py‐Cz host due to the presence of the pyridyl bridge. More importantly, all the devices based on these two hosts showed low efficiency roll‐off at high brightness due to the suppressed non‐radiative transition in the emitting layer. In particular, the AC‐Py‐Cz‐hosted green PhOLED exhibited an efficiency roll‐off of 1.6 % from the maximum next at a high brightness of 1000 cd m−2 and a roll‐off of 15.9 % at an extremely high brightness of 10000 cd m−2. This study manifests that acridone‐based host materials have great potential in fabricating OLEDs with low efficiency roll‐off.
Synthesis of Polysubstituted Symmetrical BODIPYs via Fischer Carbene Complexes: Theoretical, Photophysical and Electrochemical Evaluation
Authors: Vázquez Juan Luis , Velazco‐Cabral Ivan , Flores‐Álamo Marcos , Turlakov Gleb , Rodríguez Geraldina , Moggio Ivana , Arias Eduardo , Peña‐Cabrera Eduardo , Vázquez Miguel A.
Published: September 2022

A series of new symmetrical highly substituted BODIPYs 6 a–l was synthesized through a prefunctionalization approach in 35 %–89 % yields from the pyrrole core. This strategy allowed modulation of the substituents at the different positions based on the choice of Fischer's alkynyl carbenes, oxazolones and aldehydes used as precursors. The substituent variation at positions 2, 6, 3 and 5 had the greatest effect on the modulation of their photophysical properties such as absorption (λabs) and emission (λem) wavelengths, extinction coefficient (ϵ), quantum yields (ϕ), Stokes shifts (Δν), fluorescence decay, radiative (krad) and non‐radiative (knr) constants and the CIE 1931 coordinates. Theoretical calculations allowed to corroborate the effect of the substituents of meso‐position on the modification of the dihedral angles. Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed that the BODIPY series presents similar redox potential behavior, being electrochemically active even in successive cycles, which suggests that transport by diffusion is the dominant process.
Comprendre les effets du leadership d’habilitation sur les comportements positifs et négatifs de performance: Étude dans le secteur manufacturier
Authors: Turcotte‐Légaré Nicolas , Gaudet Marie‐Claude , Doucet Olivier
Published: September 2022

For several years, the North American manufacturing sector has been facing several labour issues that undermine productivity. To address these issues and remain competitive, manufacturing firms must implement measures to promote overall worker performance. This study presents an integrative to understand the differentiated impact of empowering leadership (EL) on four dimensions of performance (task, citizenship, innovation, deviance) through two mediators (psychological empowerment (PE) and affective organizational commitment). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from 250 employee‐supervisor dyads in the manufacturing industry. On the one hand, our results reveal that EL exerts a positive influence on citizenship and innovative behavior through increased PE. On the other hand, it is negatively associated to deviance behaviors through heightened levels of affective organizational commitment. This study allows us to better understand how EL enhances multiple performance dimensions necessary to organizations’ competitiveness in the manufacturing and other sector.
The brain‐before‐heart strategy for coronary artery bypass grafting in the severely atherosclerotic aorta: A single‐institution experience
Authors: Nazer Rakan I. , Albarrati Ali M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Severe atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta (SAA) in patients undergoing surgical revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is becoming an increasing problem as more elderly patients are diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Strokes and other neurologic insults are common complications in this group, with devastating impacts on outcomes and prognoses.

Hypothesis

Early detection of the atherosclerotic aorta and the application of a stroke prevention protocol will reduce the risk of stroke in patients with SAA.

Methods

In 2012, we adopted a protocol devised to preemptively detect and manage patients suspected of having SAA. From the time of the application of the protocol, we compared the immediate and late outcomes of CABG in SAA in the 8 years preceding the protocol in a “control” group (30 patients) and in the 8 years following the protocol in a “brain” group (69 patients).

Results

More patients with SAA were detected after the initiation of the protocol. They had significantly more history of stroke, renal dysfunction, and left main coronary disease. The percutaneous coronary intervention was utilized more after the protocol (26% vs. 7%) and there was far less utilization of replacement of the ascending aorta (12% vs. 37%). Postoperative stroke rates were significantly less after the protocol (2% vs. 18%), with an almost twofold reduction in stroke associated with SAA even after risk adjustment. The composite endpoints of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and stroke were significantly reduced after initiating the protocol at a median of 2.3 years from the time of revascularization.

Conclusion

Early detection of SAA and individualized therapeutic strategies for revascularization is effective in reducing athero‐embolic brain injury and are associated with better prognosis.
Cat swarm optimized ensemble technique for emotion recognition in speech signals
Authors: Butta Rajasekhar , Maddu Kamaraju , Vangala Sumalatha
Published: September 2022

One of the fastest and the natural mode of communication between humans is speech. Recently in speech signal processing, noncontact clinical issue, patient remote monitoring, and man–machine interaction application; emotion recognition from the speech is becoming a popular topic of research. The basic principle behind speech emotion recognition is to analyze the diverse emotions expressed by a speaker while uttering the same obsession under dissimilar emotional circumstances. A novel speech emotion recognition method is formulated in this research study in two major phases: spectral feature extraction and recognition. Initially, the extracted spectral skewness, delta AMS, spectral flux, spectral kurtosis, spectral spread, and spectral slope features from the input speech signal are subjected to the proposed ensemble classifier to determine the corresponding emotions from the input signal. The suggested ensemble classifier includes neural network 1, neural network 2, neural network 3, random forest, and recurrent neural network. The final recognized outcome is acquired from the RNN, which is enhanced via tuning its weight. A new improved cat‐swarm optimization algorithm is used to address this optimization problem. Finally, the obtained findings are compared to other state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.
Sphingosine 1‐phosphate lyase facilitates cancer progression through converting sphingolipids to glycerophospholipids
Authors: Uranbileg Baasanjav , Kurano Makoto , Kano Kuniyuki , Sakai Eri , Arita Junichi , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Nishikawa Takeshi , Ishihara Soichiro , Yamashita Hiroharu , Seto Yasuyuki , Ikeda Hitoshi , Aoki Junken , Yatomi Yutaka
Published: September 2022

Background

In addition to potent agonist properties for sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) receptors, intracellularly, S1P is an intermediate in metabolic conversion pathway from sphingolipids to glycerolysophospholipids (glyceroLPLs). We hypothesized that this S1P metabolism and its products might possess some novel roles in the pathogenesis of cancer, where S1P lyase (SPL) is a key enzyme.

Methods

The mRNA levels of sphingolipid‐related and other cancer‐related factors were measured in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal cancer, and esophageal cancer patients’ tumours and in their adjacent non‐tumour tissues. Phospholipids (PL) and glyceroLPLs were measured by using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). In‐vitro experiments were performed in Colon 26 cell line with modulation of the SPL and GPR55 expressions. Xenograft model was used for determination of the cancer progression and for pharmacological influence.

Results

Besides high SPL levels in human HCC and colon cancer, SPL levels were specifically and positively linked with levels of glyceroLPLs, including lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI). Overexpression of SPL in Colon 26 cells resulted in elevated levels of LPI and lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG), which are agonists of GPR55. SPL overexpression‐enhanced cell proliferation was inhibited by GPR55 silencing. Conversely, inhibition of SPL led to the opposite outcome and reversed by adding LPI, LPG, and metabolites generated during S1P degradation, which is regulated by SPL. The xenograft model results suggested the contribution of SPL and glyceroLPLs to tumour progression depending on levels of SPL and GPR55. Moreover, the pharmacological inhibition of SPL prevented the progression of cancer. The underlying mechanisms for the SPL‐mediated cancer progression are the activation of p38 and mitochondrial function through the LPI, LPG‐GPR55 axis and the suppression of autophagy in a GPR55‐independent manner.

Conclusion

A new metabolic pathway has been proposed here in HCC and colon cancer, SPL converts S1P to glyceroLPLs, mainly to LPI and LPG, and facilitates cancer development.
Trajectory of clinical symptoms in relation to amyloid chronicity
Authors: Birdsill Alex C. , Koscik Rebecca L. , Cody Karly A. , Jonaitis Erin M. , Cadman Robert V. , Erickson Claire M. , Chin Nathaniel A. , Przybelski Robert J. , Carlsson Cynthia M. , Asthana Sanjay , Christian Bradley T. , Eisenmenger Laura B. , Betthauser Tobey J. , Johnson Sterling C.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

While it is generally appreciated that amyloid precedes symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) by decades, a greater understanding of this timeline may increase prognostic accuracy, planning, and care of persons who are on the AD continuum.

Methods

We examined trajectories of Clinical Dementia Rating–Sum of Boxes (CDR‐SB) relative to estimated years of amyloid positivity (A+) in n = 123 participants who were all A+ based on [C‐11]Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography.

Results

The average amyloid chronicity at CDR‐SB of 2.5 was 20.1 years. The average trajectory of CDR‐SB accelerated after 10 years of elevated amyloid and varied greatly between 10 and 30 years. Exploratory analyses suggested that older age and higher volume of white matter hyperintensities shortened the interval between amyloid onset and cognitive impairment.

Discussion

The recontextualization of amyloid burden into the time domain will facilitate studies of disease progression, the influence of co‐pathology, and factors that hasten or slow cognitive impairment.
New occurrence of Meloidogyne graminicola (Nematoda: Meloidogyninae) from rice fields in Italy: Variability and phylogenetic relationships
Authors: Fanelli Elena , Gaffuri Francesca , Troccoli Alberto , Sacchi Stefano , De Luca Francesca
Published: September 2022

Since the first detection of Meloidogyne graminicola in Piedmont, North Italy, in 2016, further inspections for the presence of the rice root‐knot nematode were carried out in rice fields of neighboring regions, in accordance with the Italian NPPO (National Plant Protection Organization) to support the official phytosanitary measures, to enable the early detection of the rice pest, and to prevent its spread within the national territory. In 2018, surveys of rice fields in Lombardy region revealed a new occurrence of M. graminicola. In the present study, we confirmed the identification of the rice nematode in Lombardy using the ribosomal ITS region and the mitochondrial COI and COII genes. The sequences and phylogenetic analyses revealed that Lombardy M. graminicola population grouped in all trees in the main cluster containing Meloidogyne species belonging to graminis group, but always in a different subgroup compared to the Piedmont population of M. graminicola. These results clearly suggest that the two Italian populations have been recently and independently introduced and confirm that the geographic origin is not the main factor leading to M. graminicola population variability.
Common Whitethroats Curruca communis show a continuum of residency duration but a high degree of between‐years site fidelity at nonbreeding grounds in Nigeria
Authors: Tapia‐Harris Claudia , Cresswell Will
Published: September 2022

The nonbreeding period represents a significant part of an Afro‐Palearctic migratory bird's annual cycle. Decisions such as whether to remain at a single site and whether to return to it across years have important effects on aspects such as survival, future breeding success, migratory connectivity, and conservation. During this study, we color‐ringed 337 common Whitethroats Curruca communis and undertook daily resightings to understand site persistence and the degree of site fidelity throughout three nonbreeding periods (November–April) in Nigeria. The probability of detecting a color‐ringed Whitethroat when it was present was 0.33. Site persistence varied widely across individuals (1–165 days) and did not differ significantly with sex or year, though first‐year birds remained for significantly shorter periods than adults. We believe that shorter residencies are likely due to the use of multiple stationary nonbreeding sites rather than low winter survival. A minimum of 19% of individuals returned to the study site the following year and shifted, on average, 300 m, suggesting that Whitethroats have a relatively high degree of between‐years site fidelity at a very fine scale. An individual's previous residency duration did not seem to determine its residency duration the following year. We suggest that spatial fidelity is high and constant through years, but temporal fidelity is not, and individual residency patterns vary, probably according to yearly and seasonal conditions. Our results highlight the complexity of the annual cycle of a single species and the importance of carrying out in situ, fine‐scale research throughout a migrant's annual cycle over several years.
Tension zone trapped by exogenous cline: Analysis of a narrow hybrid zone between two parapatricOxytropisspecies (Fabaceae)
Authors: Wang Hui , Li Xin‐Nuo , Mo Song‐Hua , Wang Min , Liu Pei‐Liang , Li Qin , Chang Zhao‐Yang
Published: September 2022

Hybrid zones have been widely highlighted for their interest in understanding evolutionary processes. It is generally accepted that hybrid zones can be maintained in a balance between dispersal and selection. However, the selective forces can either be endogenous (i.e., genetic incompatibilities between parental taxa) or exogenous (i.e., parental taxa are adapted to different environments). In this study, we evaluated these alternatives and determined the maintenance of a narrow hybrid zone between parapatric distributedOxytropis diversifoliaandO. leptophyllain Nei Mongol, China. For 507 individuals sampled from two populations in the hybrid zone, 12O. diversifoliapopulations and fiveO. leptophyllapopulations, we measured leaf‐morphological characteristics, quantified genetic structure using 11 nuclear microsatellite loci and five chloroplast DNA intergenic regions, collected micro‐ and macrohabitat data, and conducted geographical cline analysis. We found that the two species differed in leaf morphology, and putative hybrids showed either intermediacy or a bias toO. diversifolia. Parental taxa formed two genetically distinct clusters, while populations in the hybrid zone consisted of both parental forms and various admixed individuals, exhibiting a bimodal pattern. The hybrid zone was coupled to ecological transitions of both microhabitat (i.e., the slope) and macroclimatic conditions. However, the genetic clines were significantly narrower than the environmental cline. Our results indicate that endogenous selection can be primarily responsible for maintaining the hybrid zone, while local adaptation accounts for the position of the zone. We further suggest the probable outcome of hybridization could be introgression.
Examination of insulation diagnosis in substation by neural network with phase‐resolved partial discharge pattern reconstruction
Authors: Fujioka Shunya , Kawano Hideaki , Kozako Masahiro , Hikita Masayuki , Eda Osamu , Yaguchi Shuhei , Shiina Yasuharu
Published: September 2022

Several studies for partial discharge (PD) pattern recognition using artificial neural network (ANN) were reported in the early 1990s. Usually, in an actual field such as a substation, data on partial discharge is scarcely available, or even rare. In many cases, the power supply phase required for the PRPD pattern cannot be easily obtained. We propose an ANN method that shifts the phase in which the maximum signal intensity detected with PD sensors is generated and used it as training and input data, even for the few phases resolved PD data available in the field. This ANN method was applied to the PRPD pattern obtained in a practical field. As a result, it was shown that the discrimination rate between PD and noise was improved, and therefore the proposed ANN method was found to be effective.
Influence of the Mixing and Dispersing Process on the Slurry Properties and the Microstructure and Performance of Ultrathick Cathodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Hoffmann Alice , Heider Emanuel A. , Dreer Christian , Pfeifer Claudia , Wohlfahrt-Mehrens Margret
Published: September 2022

The influence of industrial‐suited mixing and dispersing processes on the processability, structure, and properties of suspensions and electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries is investigated for the case of ultrathick NCM 622 cathodes (50 mg cm−2). Performed with a 10 dm3 planetary mixer, two different process strategies for the preparation of the suspensions are compared in which 1) all powders are mixed initially and the solvent is added stepwise so that the process starts with very high shear stress or 2) the powders are added stepwise to a binder solution so that lower shear stress is exerted. It is shown that the process strategy and within this, the level of solid content throughout the process as a measure of shear stress strongly affects the properties of the suspensions and the microstructure, mechanical quality, and electrochemical performance of the resulting electrodes. Compared with the more unfavorable processes following strategy: 1) the most beneficial process following strategy 2) leads to a strongly enhanced elasticity of ultrathick electrodes making them suitable for roll‐to‐roll processing and furthermore to a drastic increase of their rate capability expanding their range of outperforming state‐of‐the‐art electrodes regarding energy density to higher current densities.
Sb/N‐Doped Carbon Nanofiber as a Sodium‐Ion Battery Anode
Authors: Gu Yan , Cui Rong Chao , Wang Guo Yong , Yang Chun Cheng , Jiang Qing
Published: September 2022

The electrochemical performance of sodium‐ion battery (SIB), which is considered to have high potential to replace the lithium‐ion battery, in cycling stability at large current density needs to be improved. Herein, a hybrid of antimony nanoparticles and nitrogen‐doped hollow porous hard carbon nanofiber (Sb/N‐HPCNF) is synthesized through electrospinning and in situ replacement. As an anode of SIB, Sb/N‐HPCNF presents excellent cycling stability (281 mAh g−1 after 2000 cycles at 2 A g−1). Such a performance mainly stems from the hollow porous structure, which promotes the electrolyte diffusion along the pores and provides more active sites for Na+ insertion/extraction. This work provides an ingenious strategy for constructing well‐designed structures for advanced energy storage technology.
mRNA nanomedicine: Design and recent applications
Authors: Kubiatowicz Luke J. , Mohapatra Animesh , Krishnan Nishta , Fang Ronnie H. , Zhang Liangfang
Published: September 2022

The rational design and application of mRNA‐based medicine have recently yielded some key successes in the clinical management of human diseases. mRNA technology allows for the facile and direct production of proteins in vivo, thus circumventing the need for lengthy drug development cycles and complex production workflows. As such, mRNA formulations can significantly improve upon the biological therapies that have become commonplace in modern medicine. Despite its many advantages, mRNA is inherently fragile and has specific delivery requirements. Leveraging the engineering flexibility of nanobiotechnology, mRNA payloads can be incorporated into nanoformulations such that they do not invoke unwanted immune responses, are targeted to tissues of interest, and can be delivered to the cytosol, resulting in improved safety while enhancing bioactivity. With the rapidly evolving landscape of nanomedicine, novel technologies that are under development have the potential to further improve the clinical utility of mRNA medicine. This review covers the design principles relevant to engineering mRNA‐based nanomedicine platforms. It also details the current research on mRNA nanoformulations for addressing viral infections, cancers, and genetic diseases. Given the trends in the field, future mRNA‐based nanomedicines have the potential to change how many types of diseases are managed in the clinic.
Long‐term use of probiotics for the management of office and ambulatory blood pressure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized, controlled trials
Authors: Zhao Tian‐Xue , Zhang Li , Zhou Ning , Sun Dong‐Sheng , Xie Jian‐Hong , Xu Shao‐Kun
Published: September 2022

Previous studies showed a controversial result on the relationship between probiotics treatment duration and blood pressure (BP). The present meta‐analysis is performed to summarize the effects of long‐term (≥8 weeks) use of probiotics on office and ambulatory BP using combined evidence from randomized, controlled trials. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and the ClinicalTrials.gov till January, 2021 to identify eligible articles. Primary outcomes were changes in office BP. In the presence of heterogeneity, a random‐effects model was used to calculate the combined treatment effect. Begg's funnel plots and Egger's regression test were used to assess the publication bias. Meta‐analysis of 26 trials in 1624 participants demonstrated that probiotic consumption significantly decreased office systolic BP by 2.18 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], −3.41 to −0.94 mmHg) and diastolic BP by 1.07 mmHg (95% CI, −1.72 to −0.41 mmHg). The analysis on ambulatory BP from three trials showed a similar reduction by −2.35/−1.61 mmHg (p ≤ .052). Subgroup analysis in hypertensive and diabetic patients showed a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic BP (p ≤ .02). The reductions in diabetic and hypertensive patients were comparatively larger than nondiabetic and normotensive patients (p ≥ .052). With the increase of age, baseline body mass index (BMI), treatment duration, and systolic BP, the effects of probiotics on BP did not increase significantly (ptrend ≥ .18). The present meta‐analysis suggests a beneficial effect of probiotics on BP by a modest degree, especially in the diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Prolonging the treatment duration could not improve the antihypertensive effect.
Decision‐making for early major amputation in selected diabetic foot ulcer patients with peripheral vascular disease
Authors: Gorden Lim York Tee , Ariel Ying Fangting , Pei Ho , Meng Lingyan , Yi Zhen N. G. , Graves Nicholas
Published: September 2022

Objective

To estimate the costs from delaying major amputation in patients with concurrent diabetic foot ulcer and peripheral vascular disease. We seek to model economic benefits from saved costs from promoting timely major amputations among these patients.

Methods

Retrospective modeling using data from National University Hospital, Singapore. We identified patients who might have delayed major amputations by applying a hierarchical clustering algorithm. We then modeled the transitions of all patients over time with a Markov process using a number of relevant health states to enable estimation of cost outcomes. We next summarized the expected changes to the bed days used and cost outcomes arising from reassigning some patients who may have had a delayed amputation to timely amputation. The findings from the sample were scaled to reflect national incidence rates for this disease for the years 2014–2019 in Singapore.

Results and Conclusions

Nine of the 137 patients (6.57%) would be suitable for a major amputation at 3 months, yet in reality, their amputation was delayed. Based on this, and assuming a timely amputation is done for the entire population of patients in Singapore we expect annual savings of 264,791 bed days and $211 million in costs. These findings are preliminary and uncertain. The value of this paper is to show a method for estimating outcomes, report the findings from a small sample, and stimulate future research. New cohort studies might be designed to capture a wider range of outcomes and recruit a larger sample of individuals.
Betulinic acid: A natural promising anticancer drug, current situation, and future perspectives
Authors: Aswathy Maniyamma , Vijayan Ajesh , Daimary Uzini D. , Girisa Sosmitha , Radhakrishnan Kokkuvayil V. , Kunnumakkara Ajaikumar B.
Published: September 2022

Natural products serve as the single most productive source for the discovery of drugs and pharmaceutical leads. Among the various chemicals derived from microbes, plants, and animals, phytochemicals have emerged as potential candidates for the development of anticancer drugs due to their structural diversities, complexities, and pleiotropic effects. Herein, we discuss betulinic acid (BA), a ubiquitously distributed lupane structured pentacyclic triterpenoid, scrutinized as a promising natural agent for the prevention, suppression, and management of various human malignancies. Ease of availability, common occurrences, cell‐specific cytotoxicity, and astonishing selectivity are the important factors that contribute to the development of BA as an anticancer agent. The current review delineates the mechanistic framework of BA‐mediated cancer suppression through the modulation of multiple signaling pathways and also summarizes the key outcomes of BA in preclinical investigations.
Comparative analysis of tangential flow filtration and ultracentrifugation, both combined with subsequent size exclusion chromatography, for the isolation of small extracellular vesicles
Authors: Visan Kekoolani S. , Lobb Richard J. , Ham Sunyoung , Lima Luize G. , Palma Carlos , Edna Chai Pei Zhi , Wu Li‐Ying , Gowda Harsha , Datta Keshava K. , Hartel Gunter , Salomon Carlos , Möller Andreas
Published: September 2022

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) provide major promise for advances in cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics, ascribed to their distinctive cargo reflective of pathophysiological status, active involvement in intercellular communication, as well as their ubiquity and stability in bodily fluids. As a result, the field of sEV research has expanded exponentially. Nevertheless, there is a lack of standardisation in methods for sEV isolation from cells grown in serum‐containing media. The majority of researchers use serum‐containing media for sEV harvest and employ ultracentrifugation as the primary isolation method. Ultracentrifugation is inefficient as it is devoid of the capacity to isolate high sEV yields without contamination of non‐sEV materials or disruption of sEV integrity. We comprehensively evaluated a protocol using tangential flow filtration and size exclusion chromatography to isolate sEVs from a variety of human and murine cancer cell lines, including HeLa, MDA‐MB‐231, EO771 and B16F10. We directly compared the performance of traditional ultracentrifugation and tangential flow filtration methods, that had undergone further purification by size exclusion chromatography, in their capacity to separate sEVs, and rigorously characterised sEV properties using multiple quantification devices, protein analyses and both image and nano‐flow cytometry. Ultracentrifugation and tangential flow filtration both enrich consistent sEV populations, with similar size distributions of particles ranging up to 200 nm. However, tangential flow filtration exceeds ultracentrifugation in isolating significantly higher yields of sEVs, making it more suitable for large‐scale research applications. Our results demonstrate that tangential flow filtration is a reliable and robust sEV isolation approach that surpasses ultracentrifugation in yield, reproducibility, time, costs and scalability. These advantages allow for implementation in comprehensive research applications and downstream investigations.
Galectin-3 as a biomarker in breast neoplasms: Mechanisms and applications in patient care
Authors: Niang Doudou Georges Massar , Gaba Folly Mawulolo , Diouf Adame , Hendricks Jacobus , Diallo Rokhaya Ndiaye , Niang Maguette Deme Sylla , Mbengue Babacar , Dieye Alioune
Published: September 2022

Galectin-3 is a member of the lectin family encoded by the LGALS3 gene on chromosome 14. It is secreted by a wide range of immune cells and mammary tumor cells. Through its activity on the tumor microenvironment, in particular on tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, galectin-3 improves the proliferation, survival, and colonizing ability of mammary neoplastic cells. Consequently, galectin-3 expression in the tumor microenvironment could worsen therapeutic outcomes of breast neoplasms and become a biomarker and a therapeutic target in combined immunotherapy in breast neoplasms. There is a limited amount of information that is available on galectin-3 in breast cancer in Africa. In this review, we analyze how galectin-3 influences the tumor microenvironment and its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target in breast neoplasms. We aim to emphasize the significance of investigating galectin-3 in breast neoplasms in Africa based on the results of studies conducted elsewhere.
Tree species affect the vertical distribution of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen
Authors: Steffens Christina , Beer Christian , Schelfhout Stephanie , Vesterdal Lars
Published: September 2022

Background

Forest soils are considered sinks for atmospheric C. Many studies revealed that tree species and their mycorrhizal association affect forest floor and topsoil organic C (OC) and total N, while the knowledge of their effect on subsoil OC and N is still scarce.

Aims

We aimed to identify (1) tree species and mycorrhizal association effects on forest floor, topsoil (0–30 cm) and subsoil (30–80 cm) OC and N stocks and vertical distribution and (2) drivers for soil OC and N distribution.

Methods

We sampled forest floor, topsoil and subsoil under Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L., Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Fraxinus excelsior L. in four Danish common garden experiments along a gradient in soil texture and determined OC and N stocks.

Results

Total N (forest floor + soil) was higher under oak than beech, while total OC was unaffected by species. Forest floor C and N were higher under oak and beech, both ectomycorrhizal species (ECM), compared to under maple and ash, which are both arbuscular mycorrhizal species (AM). Relatively more OC and N were transferred to the topsoil under AM than ECM species, and this could be explained by greater endogeic earthworm biomass in AM species. In contrast, a higher proportion of OC was stored under ECM than AM species in the subsoil, and here OC correlated negatively with anecic earthworms. Subsoil N was highest under oak.

Conclusions

Tree species and in particular their mycorrhizal association affected the vertical distribution of soil OC and N. Tree species differences in topsoil OC and N were not mirrored in the subsoil, and this highlights the need to address the subsoil in future studies on AM‐ versus ECM‐mediated soil OC and N stocks.
Efficacy of Imaging Methods in the Detection and Diagnosis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea
Authors: Hwang Se Hwan , Kim Sun Won , Kim Do Hyun
Published: September 2022

Objective

To assess the diagnostic efficacy of various imaging methods in patients with suspected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea.

Data Sources

The PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Trials, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to December 2021.

Review Methods

Diagnostic accuracy was compared among seven radiological methods: computed tomography (CT), CT cisternography (CTC), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance cisternography (MRC), CT + MRI, radionuclide cisternography, and intrathecal gadolinium (Gd)‐MRC. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were used as outcomes of the analysis. Both a traditional pairwise meta‐analysis and a network meta‐analysis were performed.

Results

Twenty‐three trials were included in the analysis. The results of a network meta‐analysis performed on a network consisting of seven diagnostic methods showed that all imaging modalities had greater diagnostic accuracy than CT, with the exception of CTC, which had lower sensitivity. Only intrathecal Gd‐MRC was significantly superior to other imaging methods with regard to sensitivity and accuracy. Gd‐MRC also showed the greatest surface under the cumulative ranking curve values for all of the outcomes (sensitivity: 0.9200; specificity: 0.8364; accuracy: 0.8920).

Conclusion

This network meta‐analysis demonstrates that intrathecal Gd‐MRC is the most useful diagnostic method to detect CSF rhinorrhea. Laryngoscope, 133:1281–1287, 2023
A Partial Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis With a Concentric Ball Joint in the Headplate
Authors: Bevis Nicholas , Effertz Thomas , Beutner Dirk
Published: September 2022

Objective

In passive middle ear prosthetics, rigid implants have proven successful in reconstructing the ossicular chain. However, these cannot fully replicate the physiology of the ossicular chain. Pressure fluctuations cause high stresses in rigid passive prostheses, which can result in dislocation, protrusion, and pre‐tension in the annular ligament resulting in unsatisfactory hearing results.

Methods

In collaboration with MED‐EL, we developed a new passive middle ear prosthesis that features a balanced, centered ball joint between the headplate and shaft of the prosthesis. We compared the sound transmission properties of this new prosthesis with those of a standard rigid prosthesis. Using Laser‐Doppler‐Vibrometry, we measured the sound‐induced velocity of the stapes footplate relative to a given acoustic stimulus.

Results

The new prosthesis showed equivalent sound transmission characteristics compared to the rigid prosthesis, whereas retaining the ability to compensate for pressure fluctuations due to its ball joint. This ensures good transmission properties even during displacements of the tympanic membrane.

Conclusion

This development is a further step toward a physiological reconstruction of the ossicular chain.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 133:1717–1721, 2023
A comparative study on corrosion failure analysis of hearing aid devices from different markets
Authors: Yadav Abhijeet , Ambat Rajan
Published: September 2022

The vulnerability of hearing aid devices to corrosion is critical due to their exposure to various kinds of ionic contaminants from the human body, such as sweat, sebum, and so forth, and harsh climatic conditions such as high temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pollutants. The device failure rate will vary depending upon the type of geographical location at which the device is used and root cause failure analysis is a crucial tool to understand the effect of geographical location on corrosion failures. In this study, field failed hearing aid devices from Europe, the United States, and Japan markets were investigated using a scanning electron microscope and elemental dispersive spectroscopy to locate failure mechanisms and causes. Information from the analysis was used for statistical analysis to compare the performance of the devices in the three markets based on failure percentage and failure probability for different parts and components. Solder terminals, battery contacts, light‐emitting diodes, and wireless‐link coil showed consistent and high failure probability across all three markets, whereas a higher failure rate for microphones was found in Europe and the United States market as compared to the Japanese market. The majority of the components corrosion failures occurred in the presence of high chloride ions from human sweat and the atmospheric conditions, whereas potassium hydroxide from the leakage of Zn–air battery was found as the additional cause for microphone failure.
Tannic Acid Crosslinked Self‐Healing and Reprocessable Silicone Elastomers with Improved Antibacterial and Flame Retardant Properties
Authors: Jiao Yizhi , Rong Zhihao , Gao Chuanhui , Wu Yumin , Liu Yuetao
Published: September 2022

Silicone elastomers are widely used in aviation, electronics, automotive, and medical device fields, and their overuse inevitably causes recycled problems. In addition, the elastomers are subject to attack by bacteria and fire during use in some application scenarios, which is a safety hazard. Therefore, there is a great need to prepare silicone elastomers with improved antibacterial, flame retardant, self‐healing, and recyclable functions. A new strategy is proposed to prepare silicone elastomers with bio‐based tannic acid as cross‐linkers to solve this problem by using polydimethylsiloxane as a soft chain segment and 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid as an intermediate chain extender. Based on the phenol carbamate bonding and hydrogen bonding interactions, the elastomer has efficient self‐healing ability and can achieve dynamic dissociation at 120 °C for complete recovery. In addition, due to the unique spatial structure and polyphenolic hydroxyl groups of tannic acid, the mechanical properties of the elastomer are greatly improved with an antimicrobial efficiency of over 90% and a final oxygen index of 25.5%. The multifunctional silicone elastomer has great potential applications in recyclable refractory materials and antimicrobial materials.
Two types of detrusor underactivity in men with nonneurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Naito Yushi , Ishida Shohei , Matsuo Kazuna , Majima Tsuyoshi , Gotoh Momokazu
Published: September 2022

Aims

To clarify the clinical features of men with nonneurogenic detrusor underactivity (DU) by focusing on storage dysfunction (SD).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and urodynamic data of men with nonneurogenic DU. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of SD, such as detrusor overactivity (DO) and reduced bladder compliance (BC). Patient characteristics, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and urodynamic parameters were compared. DU was defined as bladder contractility index (BCI) ≤ 100 and bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) ≤ 40.

Results

Of 212 men with DU, 123 (58.0%) had concomitant SD (SD + DU group), and 89 (42.0%) had only DU (DU‐only group). Age, prostate volume, and severity of storage symptoms were significantly higher in the SD + DU group. Particularly, >80% of men in the SD + DU group met the diagnostic criteria for overactive bladder in Japan, which was significantly higher than the 26% of men in the DU‐only group. The frequency of urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) was also significantly higher in the SD + DU group (65% vs. 12% in DU‐only group). In contrast, voiding symptoms, including straining, were more severe in the DU‐only group. Regarding the urodynamic parameters, compared to the DU‐only group, bladder capacity was significantly smaller and BOOI and BCI were significantly higher in the SD + DU group. However, there was no significant difference in the maximum flow rate and bladder voiding efficiency.

Conclusions

Approximately 60% of men with DU had SD, such as DO and/or reduced BC, whereas the remaining 40% had increased bladder capacity without an increase in detrusor pressure during the storage phase. There were significant differences in the storage and voiding symptoms between the groups. It is important to divide patients with DU based on SD to accurately clarify the clinical picture of DU.
A qualitative descriptive study of effective leadership and leadership development strategies used by nurse leaders in European island countries
Authors: Hughes Victoria , Wright Rebecca , Taylor Janice , Petchler Claire , Ling Catherine
Published: September 2022

Aim

Nurse leaders influence workplace culture; however, little is known about ethnic cultural influences on nurse leader development. This research aims to identify personal strategies promoting effective leadership by nurse leaders from European small island countries.

Design

Descriptive qualitative study.

Methods

In 2017, nineteen semi‐structured interviews with nurse leaders from England, Greece, Republic of Ireland and Malta explored leadership journeys, strategies employed to support their growth and development, and how cultural identity played a role. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Four main themes and 12 subthemes captured the strategies and approaches of the nurse leaders: (1) Influences, (2) Communication, (3) Process and (4) Relationships. These findings reflect and validate the five transformational leadership practices of the Exemplary Leadership Model. While cultural island identity was discussed, there was a shared cultural identity within the role of “nurse leader” that spanned all islands.

Patient or Public Contributions

Nineteen nurse leaders contributed to this study.