bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-vessel Disease Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: El Amrawy Ahmed Mahmoud , Hassan Abdelnabi Mahmoud , Almaghraby Abdallah
Published: February 2023

Background: Revascularization of the coronary arteries is associated with better short term and long term prognosis in patients having multivessel coronary artery disease (MV-CAD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, whether revascularization using coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug eluting stents (DES) is better remains unknown.

Objectives: To compare the outcomes of revascularization by multi-vessel PCI using DES versus revascularization by CABG in patients with CKD having multivessel CAD, regarding in-hospital and one-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the data of a group of patients having CKD with eGFR less than 60 ml/min with multivessel CAD who underwent revascularization by PCI or revascularization by CABG and were compared as regards in-hospital and one-year MAACE.

Results: A total of 565 patients were reviewed in this study, 230 patients had multivessel PCI using DES while 335 patients had CABG. Comparing both revascularization groups regarding in-hospital MACCE, patients who had mutli-vessel PCI had significantly lower in-hospital mortality, cerebrovascular events (stroke/TIA) and lower total MACCE than patients who had CABG (P-value = 0.03 & 0.01 & 0.04 respectively). When comparing both revascularization groups regarding one-year MACCE, patients who had mutli-vessel PCI had significantly lower cerebrovascular events and total MACCE than those patients who had CABG (P-value = 0.02 & 0.03 respectively).

Conclusion: This is a retrospective study to determine which strategy is better for revascularization of CKD patients having  multivessel CAD; we can conclude that multi-vessel PCI using DES for CKD patients and multivessel CAD had advantages over CABG regarding in-hospital and one-year cerebrovascular accidents (TIA/stroke) and regarding total MACCE. Larger randomized controlled trials are required to confirm our findings.
Research Progress on Trajectory Planning of Industrial Robots
Authors: Shijie Li
Published: February 2023

The research status of industrial robot trajectory planning is discussed in detail, and the applicable occasions of cubic polynomial interpolation, quintic polynomial interpolation, B-spline curve, mixed polynomial interpolation and other methods commonly used in basic trajectory planning are comprehensively analyzed. At the same time, various methods of optimal trajectory planning for industrial robots are comprehensively reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of various methods are compared and the important research direction of optimal trajectory planning is prospected.
Phosphorus Fractionation in Sediment and Agricultural Soils Surrounding Lake Toho in the Rainy Season
Authors: Tometin Lyde , K. Chouti Waris , E. Chitou Nafiou , O. Dakpo Mathias , Dannon Marius , Suanon Fidèle , Yalo Nicaise , Mama Daouda , M. Bawa Limam
Published: February 2023

In recent years, land use related to anthropogenic activities has contributed to high surface water contamination. During the last decade, Lake Toho, in the Republic of Benin, has suffered anthropogenic pollution by the use of fertilizers from farmers around the lake. We assessed the mobility and bioavailability of phosphorus in cultivated soils around the lake to detect the extent of the contamination. The results showed that the cultivated soils around Lake Toho are weakly acidic or even basic with water pHs between 6.25 and 8.3. The humidity of cultivated soils varies from 1% to 38% on different horizons. The content of organic matter is ranged from 40.30% to 49.70%. The total phosphorus concentration ranged from 1049.74 μg.g-1 to 28436.52 μg.g-1 with a high rate of enrichment at the 30 cm horizon. The high contents of total phosphorus recorded at the superficial horizon were due to the use of fertilizers to amend the soil. All forms of phosphorus are represented (P-L, P-Fe, P-Ca, P-Al, and P-OM). The organic fraction predominates on the upper layer of the soil except for sites located outside crop fields. The strong correlation between the Total phosphorus (TP), the (Pr), mobile phosphorus (P-L), and the to organic matter-bound Phosphorus (P-OM) showed that the high phosphorus contents at the upper horizon of the soil were due not only to the anthropogenic contribution but also to the source rock. The remarkable presence of phosphorus in the P-L and P-MO fractions poses a risk of phosphorus transport to the lake. This can lead to eutrophication which can cause the death of fish and harmful toxins development.
Assessment of Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trials Including Patients With Leptomeningeal Disease
Authors: Sharma Alisha E. , Corbett Kathryn , Soliman Hany , Sahgal Arjun , Das Sunit , Lim-Fat Mary Jane , Jerzak Katarzyna J.
Published: February 2023

This systematic review examines the proportion of patients with leptomeningeal disease included in phase 3 randomized clinical trials for patients with metastatic breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.
Association of Blood Pressure With Rates of Macular Ganglion Cell Complex Thinning in Patients With Glaucoma
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Vahid , Su Erica , Mohammadi Massood , Law Simon K. , Coleman Anne L. , Caprioli Joseph , Weiss Robert E. , Nouri-Mahdavi Kouros
Published: February 2023

Importance

There are scarce data on the association of blood pressure measures with subsequent macular structural rates of change in patients with glaucoma.

Objective

To investigate the association of baseline blood pressure measures with rates of change of the macular ganglion cell complex in patients with central or moderate to advanced glaucoma damage at baseline.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study, conducted from August 2021 to August 2022, used data from patients in the Advanced Glaucoma Progression Study at the University of California, Los Angeles. Participants were between 39 and 80 years of age and had more than 4 macular imaging tests and 2 or more years of follow-up.

Exposures

A diagnosis of glaucoma with either central damage or a visual field mean deviation worse than −6 dB.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was the association of blood pressure measures with ganglion cell complex rates of change. Macular ganglion cell complex thickness rates of change were estimated with a bayesian hierarchical model. This model included relevant demographic and clinical factors. Blood pressure measures, intraocular pressure, and their interactions were added to the model to assess the association of baseline blood pressure measures with global ganglion cell complex rates of change.

Results

The cohort included 105 eyes from 105 participants. The mean (SD) age, 10-2 visual field mean deviation, and follow-up time were 66.9 (8.5) years, –8.3 (5.3) dB, and 3.6 (0.4) years, respectively, and 67 patients (63.8%) were female. The racial and ethnic makeup of the cohort was 15 African American (14.3%), 23 Asian (21.9%), 12 Hispanic (11.4%), and 55 White (52.4%) individuals based on patient self-report. In multivariable analyses, female sex, history of taking blood pressure medications, higher intraocular pressure, thicker central corneal thickness, shorter axial length, higher contrast sensitivity at 12 cycles per degree, and higher baseline 10-2 visual field mean deviation were associated with faster ganglion cell complex thinning. Lower diastolic blood pressure was associated with faster rates of ganglion cell complex thinning at higher intraocular pressures. For intraocular pressures of 8 and of 16 mm Hg (10% and 90% quantiles, respectively), every 10 mm Hg–lower increment of diastolic blood pressure was associated with 0.011 μm/y slower and –0.130 μm/y faster rates of ganglion cell complex thinning, respectively.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, a combination of lower diastolic blood pressure and higher intraocular pressure at baseline was associated with faster rates of ganglion cell complex thinning. These findings support consideration of evaluating and addressing diastolic blood pressure as a therapeutic measure in patients with glaucoma if supported by appropriate clinical trials.
MiR‐15b‐5p inhibits castration‐resistant growth of prostate cancer cells by targeting the muscarinic cholinergic receptor CHRM3
Authors: Asai Shunichi , Goto Yusuke , Tanigawa Kengo , Tomioka Yuya , Kato Mayuko , Mizuno Keiko , Sakamoto Shinichi , Seki Naohiko
Published: February 2023

Cholinergic receptor muscarinic 3 (CHRM3)‐mediated focal adhesion kinase/YES‐associated protein (YAP) signalling is essential for the growth of castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells. Here, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms through which CHRM3 overexpression facilitates castration‐resistant growth. Small RNA sequencing combined with in silico analyses revealed that CHRM3 was a putative target of miR‐15b‐5p. Notably, androgen deprivation suppressed miR‐15b‐5p expression and increased CHRM3 expression. Moreover, miR‐15b‐5p bound directly to CHRM3 and inhibited YAP activation induced by CHRM3 stimulation. Furthermore, miR‐15b‐5p abolished the growth of CRPC cells induced by CHRM3 stimulation. We conclude that the miR‐15b‐5p/CHRM3/YAP signalling axis promotes the castration‐resistant growth of prostate cancer.
Shellfish relaying on longlines in the open sea: A note
Authors: Zorita Izaskun , Solaun Oihana , Rodríguez José Germán
Published: February 2023

Since bivalves are filter‐feeding organisms that can concentrate microorganisms and contaminants from the surrounding environment, there are strict sanitary requirements to ensure food safety. The legislation establishes a time limit of 2 months for shellfish relaying processes, but this study aims to determine whether the purification time can be reduced to make relaying an attractive activity for producers. For this purpose, mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) were submerged for 6 weeks in a port near untreated urban discharges and then transferred to a relaying site located in open waters off the Basque coast (Southeastern Bay of Biscay). Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli were analysed at 0, 2, 8, 14 and 21 days of depuration. After 2 days, Salmonella spp. was no longer detected in mussels or Pacific oysters. Geometric mean concentrations of E. coli (13068‐14662 most probable number [MPN]/100 g) were high at the beginning of the experiment but decreased progressively. Pacific oysters needed 8 days to show E. coli values below the acceptable threshold for human consumption (230 MPN/100 g), while mussels needed 21 days. Under the studied conditions, the shellfish relaying period in open waters could be reduced while ensuring food safety.
Marked intrafamilial variability of clinical and neuroimaging manifestations in NFIB‐related developmental disorder
Authors: Gana Simone , Serpieri Valentina , Giorgio Elisa , Iorio Melanie , Rognone Elisa , Pichiecchio Anna , Chiappedi Matteo , Valente Enza Maria
Published: February 2023

NFIB belongs to the nuclear factor I (NFI) family of transcription factors that, by activating or repressing gene expression during embryogenesis, has a relevant role in the development of several organs including the brain. Heterozygous pathogenic variants of NFIB have recently been associated with developmental delay and mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability, macrocephaly, nonspecific facial dysmorphisms, and corpus callosum dysgenesis. We identified a heterozygous missense variant in the NFIB gene in a 15‐year‐old boy with neurodevelopmental disorder and brain malformations, who inherited the variant from his substantially healthy mother presenting only minor physical and neuroanatomical defects.
Archaeological prospection of a prehistoric lithic workshop site using ground penetrating radar with a high‐frequency antenna unit
Authors: Ryazantsev Pavel , Tarasov Aleksey , Potakhin Maksim
Published: February 2023

We surveyed in detail the Chalcolithic lithic workshop Fofanovo XIII an East Fennoscandian region by ground‐penetrating radar (GPR). A high‐frequency antenna unit was applied to map small‐scale features, mainly waste flakes. To substantiate the efficiency of the GPR technique, we performed a primary analysis of a set of equivalent models in a sandbox. The laboratory‐scale GPR investigation highlights differences in GPR patterns depending on the spatial arrangement of small features and supports the further interpretation of real‐life data. The GPR survey in the field covered 2200 m2, revealing areas with a high density of artefacts in the cultural layer and locating individual structural elements of the Fofanovo XIII archaeological site. We suggested using microdebitage samples from manual probing to verify the detected anomalous values of GPR attributes. The results point to a significant correlation between microdebitage and the envelope peak amplitude of the echo signal. Ultimately, our study confirmed the cultural layer in the Fofanovo XIII workshop site to be rich in lithic production wastes, indicating it was a place of mass‐scale production of lithic chopping tools.
High glucose leads to redistribution of the proteasomal system
Authors: Grune Tilman , Schnell Vanessa , Jung Tobias
Published: February 2023

The impact of high glucose on the cellular redox state, causing both induction of antioxidative systems and also enhanced protein oxidation is discussed for a long time. It is established that elevated glucose levels are disrupting the cellular proteostasis and influencing the proteasomal system. However, it is still unresolved whether this is due to a reaction of the cellular proteasomal system towards the high glucose or whether this is a secondary reaction to inflammatory stimuli. Therefore, we used a dermal fibroblast cell line exposed to high glucose in order to reveal whether a response of the proteasomal system takes place. We investigated the α4 and the inducible iβ5 subunits of the 20S proteasome, as well as the Rpn1‐subunit of the 19S proteasomal regulator complex, measured activity of the 20S, 20S1, and 26S proteasome and detected as well changes in expression as a redistribution into the nucleus. Interestingly, while the activity of the proteasomal forms rather decreased under high glucose treatment; higher expression levels of components of the proteasomal system and higher concentrations of protein‐bound 3‐nitrotyrosine and Nrf2 (nuclear factor [erythroid‐derived 2]‐like 2) were detected. However, no change in the cytosol‐nucleus distribution could be detected for most of the quantified parameters. We concluded that high glucose alone, without additional inflammatory stimuli, provokes a regulatory response on the ubiquitin‐proteasomal system.
New Specific α‐Glucosidase Inhibitor Flavonoid from Thymelaea tartonraira Leaves: Structure Elucidation, Biological and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Soltani Siwar , Koubaa Imed , Dhouib Ines , Khemakhem Bassem , Marchand Pascal , Allouche Noureddine
Published: February 2023

The phytochemical investigation of Thymelaea tartonraira leaves led to the isolation and characterization of six compounds, including one new flavonoid glycoside identified as hypolaetin 8‐O‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside (4) along with five known compounds, daphnoretin (1), triumbelletin (2), genkwanin (3), tiliroside (5) and yuankanin (6). Their structures were established based on spectroscopic methods, such as UV, IR, NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS. Triumbelletin (2) and tiliroside (5) were isolated for the first time from T. tartonraira leaves. The antioxidant property of all isolated compounds was tested based on DPPH, FRAP and total antioxidant capacity assays. Compound 4 displayed an antioxidant potency more interesting than vitamin C with an IC50=15.00±0.50 μg/ml, followed by compound 5. Furthermore, the both compounds 4 and 5 were tested for their α‐amylase inhibitory activity in‐vitro. Compound 4 displayed higher potency to inhibit α‐amylase, with an IC50=46.49±2.32 μg/ml, than compound 5, with an IC50=184.2±9.2 μg/ml, while the reference compound acarbose presented the highest potency to inhibit α‐amylase with an IC50=0.44±0.022 μg/ml. Compound 4 displayed a strong inhibitory ability of α‐glucosidase activity approximately twice more than the reference compound, acarbose, with IC50 values of 60.00±3.00 and 125.00±6.25 μg/ml, respectively. Thus, compound 4 exhibited a specific inhibitory activity for α‐glucosidase. The molecular docking studies have supported our findings and suggested that compound 4 has been involved in various binding interactions within the active site of both enzymes α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase.
Incidental Langerhans cell histiocytosis associated with metastatic neuroendocrine tumor in the adult liver
Authors: Joseph Nancy M. , Wen Kwun Wah
Published: February 2023

This is an unusual adult case of a metastatic well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumor with incidentally discovered subtle involvement of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells. It is important to recognize that LCH can often co‐exist with other malignancies (solid > hematologic).
IgG4‐related sclerosing cholangitis, a mimicker of the cholangiocarcinoma: A case report
Authors: Gyawali Siddinath , Pokhrel Biraj , Uprety Pratik , Gnawali Arun
Published: February 2023

An 83‐year‐old‐male patient presented with obstructive jaundice, whose imagings were consistent with the cholangiocarcinoma of the distal common bile duct. The tumor markers were within normal limits. IgG4 level was raised; therefore, IgG4‐sclerosing cholangitis was made as the provisional diagnosis. Steroid therapy was started to which he responded well.
Understanding the scope of preventable acute care spending among patients with eating disorders
Authors: de Oliveira Claire , Tanner Bryan , Colton Patricia , Kurdyak Paul
Published: February 2023

Objective

The economic burden of eating disorders is substantial. One potential way to reduce costs, without sacrificing care, may be to target preventable (i.e., potentially unnecessary) acute care. This study sought to determine the amount and proportion of preventable and non‐preventable acute care spending among individuals with eating disorders.

Method

We undertook a population‐based, cross‐sectional study of all individuals over the age of 17 with eating disorders (diagnosed through hospitalization) in Ontario, Canada, to determine potentially preventable and non‐preventable acute care spending. Preventable acute care (i.e., preventable emergency department visits and hospitalizations) was defined using previously validated algorithms. We undertook analyses for the full sample, by sex and by eating disorder diagnosis (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, eating disorder not otherwise specified, multiple).

Results

Among 7547 individuals with eating disorders, 15% of all acute care spending (i.e., $1.33 million) was considered preventable; this figure was higher for females (14%) and those with bulimia nervosa (21%). Among emergency department visits, 25% of visits were considered preventable; the largest proportions were for non‐emergent (11%) and primary care treatable (10%) conditions. Among hospitalizations, 9% were considered preventable; the highest proportions of preventable care spending were for short‐term diabetes complications (1.8%) and urinary tract infections (1.8%).

Discussion

Although the economic burden of eating disorders is substantial, there is some scope to decrease acute care spending among this patient population. Care coordination and improved access to primary care and disease prevention, particularly related to diabetes, may help prevent the occurrence of some acute care episodes.

Public Significance

Many jurisdictions have implemented strategies to reduce costs and improve the quality of care among patients with high health care needs, such as those with eating disorders; however, it is unclear whether any costs can be reduced and, if so, which costs. Cost‐savings resulting from the reduction of unnecessary care could provide further economic justification for increased investment in outpatient care for individuals with eating disorders.
Resident species, not immigrants, drive reorganization of estuarine fish assemblages in response to warming
Authors: de Souza Joice Silva , dos Santos Luciano Neves
Published: February 2023

Climate change is reshaping biological communities, as species track environmental temperature. Assemblage reorganization is underpinned by shifts in species abundance and distribution, but studies often focus on documenting compositional turnover. As a consequence, phenomena such as the tropicalization of temperate communities have been widely associated with increased occupancy of warm‐affinity species. Abundance‐weighted change in thermal affinity can be tracked with the Community Temperature Index (CTI), and decomposed into four processes: tropicalization (increasing warm‐affinity), borealization (increasing cold‐affinity), deborealization (decreasing cold‐affinity), and detropicalization (decreasing warm‐affinity). Further evaluation of these processes according to species persistence (i.e., immigrant, emigrant, and resident) may provide insights on whether novel communities emerge primarily from local shifts in species abundance or distribution. Using long‐term data on fish assemblages undergoing climate change's effects across 19 temperate estuaries surveyed for at least 20 years, we hypothesized (1) deborealization is the main process reshaping communities under climate change, and (2) the contribution of resident species to processes reshaping communities surpass the ones from immigrants and emigrants. Community dissimilarity was calculated through the Temporal Beta Index (TBI), which was further decomposed into species and individual losses and gains. These values were then used as effect sizes in the meta‐analyses performed to detect systematic trends in assemblage reorganization in response to climate change. We also calculated CTI and the strength of temperature‐related processes for resident, immigrant and emigrant species. Species and individual gains outweighed losses in estuaries. Temperature was correlated with changes in species abundance, but not occurrence. Fish abundance decreased with warming, and initially cooler estuaries gained more fish than warmer ones. Novel communities were shaped by a variety of processes, but mainly tropicalization. Assemblage reorganization was primarily driven by shifts in abundance of resident species with distinct thermal affinities, while contributions of arriving and exiting species played a secondary role. These findings reveal that novel communities are drawn primarily from the local species pool, due to changes in climate‐related drivers that favor distinct resident species.
Can Brazilian Central Bank communication help to predict the yield curve?
Authors: de Andrade Alves Cássio Roberto , Joseph Abraham Kuruvilla , Poletti Laurini Márcio
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates whether Brazilian Central Bank communication helps to forecast the yield curve. Our forecast strategy involves two steps: First, we analyze textual Central Bank documents to extract sentiment variables that describe its communication, and then, we include those sentiment variables as additional factors into the dynamic Nelson–Siegel term structure model. We found that sentiment variables contain predictive information for yield curve forecasting. Specifically, when combined with macroeconomic variables, the sentiment variables improve the accuracy of the forecast for short maturities and forecast horizons. In addition, sentiment variables are useful in forecasting for medium and long forecast horizons for all maturities. Besides finding a new source of information to forecast the yield curve, the results indicate that the information provided by Central Bank affects market participants, proving to be a useful tool for monetary policy.
School‐age vaccination, school openings and Covid‐19 diffusion
Authors: Amodio Emanuele , Battisti Michele , Gravina Antonio Francesco , Lavezzi Andrea Mario , Maggio Giuseppe
Published: February 2023

This article investigates the relationship between school openings and Covid‐19 diffusion when school‐age vaccination becomes available. The analysis relies on a unique geo‐referenced high frequency database on age of vaccination, Covid‐19 cases and hospitalization indicators from the Italian region of Sicily. The study focuses on the change of Covid‐19 diffusion after school opening in a homogeneous geographical territory (i.e., with the same control measures and surveillance systems, centrally coordinated by the Regional Government). The identification of causal effects derives from a comparison of the change in cases before and after school opening in the school year 2020/21, when vaccination was not available, and in 2021/22, when the vaccination campaign targeted individuals of age 12–19 and above 19. Results indicate that, while school opening determined an increase in the growth rate of Covid‐19 cases in 2020/2021, this effect has been substantially reduced by school‐age vaccination in 2021/2022. In particular, we find that an increase of approximately 10% in the vaccination rate of school‐age population reduces the growth rate of Covid‐19 cases after school opening by approximately 1%.
Obstacle's effects and their location inside the square cavity on the thermal performance of Cu–Al2O3/H2O hybrid nanofluid
Authors: Hachichi Farid , Belghar Nourredine , Kamel Chadi , Saleh Momen S. M. , Kadja Mahfoud , Lachi Mohammed , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: February 2023

The current study focuses on the effect of obstacles and their positioning within the square cavity (L = H) on heat exchange. This work considers heating the cavity's bottom wall to a steady, high temperature. The top wall of the cavity is adiabatic, while the two vertical side walls are cooled. Four cases are explored under these conditions: the first case is a square‐shaped cavity holding a square‐shaped obstacle h = l = 0,15 L, while the other three cases, respectively, each include two, three, and four square obstacles. The cavity was filled with Cu–Al2O3/H2O hybrid nanofluid with a volume fraction φ = 0.03. Numerical results for laminar and stationary flow regimes with Rayleigh numbers 104 ≤ Ra ≤ 106. The finite volume approach solves the governing equations numerically. The findings show that the number of square obstacles within the square‐shaped cavity significantly impacts heat exchange and hybrid nanofluid flow. The second example, with two square obstacles, improves heat exchange more than other cases with one to four barriers. In the second example, the obstacle location at the plane Y = 0.25H is suitable and helps boost heat transmission of the hybrid nanofluid. The ideal obstacle position in the fourth scenario, which has four square barriers, is at the plane Y = 0.75H.
Feasibility of conjunctive use of canal and alkali groundwater for toria–chicory crop rotation in western Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Chauhan Satish K. , Kaledhonkar Malharimartand J. , Singh Raja B. , Chauhan Ramesh S. , Shishodia Pawan K.
Published: February 2023

The response of toria–chicory crop rotation under different conjunctive water use modes of good‐quality canal water with an electrical conductivity (ECCW) of 1.8 dS/m, residual sodium carbonate (RSCCW) of 0 and sodium adsorption ratio (SARCW) of 5.97 and alkali water with an ECAW of 2.81 dS/m, RSCAW of 10.12 meq/L and SARAW of 11.45 was evaluated for 5 years (2015–2020) on a well‐drained sandy loam soil. The initial pH of soil saturated paste (pHs), EC of saturated paste extract (ECe) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) values were 8.1, 2.3 dS/m and 5.5, respectively. The pHs values under different modes varied from 7.0 to 9.1, ECe varied from 3.4 to 4.7, and ESP varied from 8.9 to 13.5. The ECe and ESP build‐up affected yields. The highest and lowest yields were recorded in the canal water and alkali water treatments, respectively. Alkali water irrigation at the initial stage adversely affected yield, while canal water irrigation reduced adverse effects. The relative yields and economic returns were better under different conjunctive modes than under irrigation with alkali water alone. Farmers should prefer conjunctive use of canal water with alkali water. The use of canal water at the initial stages of crops is preferable.
Significantly elevated serum human epididymis protein‐4 in chronic kidney disease patients without ovarian cancer: A large‐scale retrospective study
Authors: Yan Shuidi , Lin Yong , Tian Xuelin
Published: February 2023

Backgrounds

Human epididymis protein‐4 (HE‐4) is a commonly used biomarker for diagnosing ovarian cancer. Elevated HE‐4 has also been observed in various benign conditions including chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, generalizability and statistical power of previous studies have been limited by small sample sizes.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective study that included 80 pathologically confirmed ovarian cancer patients, 641 CKD patients, and 2661 healthy controls. Serum HE‐4 and several renal function parameters were collected and compared between the three groups. Correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between HE‐4 and renal function parameters. A receiver operating characteristic curve was established to evaluate its diagnostic performance.

Results

CKD patients had the highest levels of HE‐4, with a median of 193.00 pmol/L, while the median in ovarian cancer patients was 90.82 pmol/L. HE‐4 levels also increased with CKD progression, and Spearman's rank correlation showed that HE‐4 had a strong correlation with renal function parameters in CKD patients. Furthermore, HE‐4 exhibited a satisfactory diagnostic performance in both differentiating CKD patients and controls as well as stage 2 CKD patients and controls.

Conclusion

HE‐4 can be used as an alternative biomarker for diagnosing CKD as it is less affected by several preanalytical factors. Nevertheless, in clinical practice, elevated HE‐4 requires taking both CKD and ovarian cancer into consideration.
Effects of polysaccharides from Gastrodia elata on the immunomodulatory activity and gut microbiota regulation in cyclophosphamide‐treated mice
Authors: Li Na , Wang Dan , Wen Xingjian , Chu Rui , Fan Jiuyu , Chen Yilong , Luo Yanfeng
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of malignant tumors and autoimmune diseases. However, it can cause immunosuppression and damage the intestinal mucosa. The development of new agents to counteract these side effects is becoming increasingly important. Previous studies have shown that the polysaccharides from Gastrodia elata (GEPs) have strong immune‐enhancing effects; however, their functions regarding the intestines and the underlying mechanism are still unclear. In this study, the effects of GEPs on immunomodulatory activity, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota regulation were investigated in a mouse model of CTX‐induced immunosuppression.

RESULTS

Gastrodia elata polysaccharides attenuated the CTX‐induced decrease in organ indices of the thymus and spleen, and promoted the secretion of immune‐related cytokines and immunoglobulins in the serum. They also improved the intestinal pathology and restored the intestinal barrier function by elevating the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, occludin and ZO‐1. Moreover, GEPs restored the composition and abundance of the gut microbiota and increased the short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in the colon. The abundance of SCFA‐producing bacteria (Muribaculaceae, Prevotellaceae, and Bacteroidaceae) also increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastrodia elata polysaccharides can effectively alleviate immunosuppression and regulate the intestinal barrier integrity and the structure of gut microbiota in CTX‐treated mice. They may be used as ingredients to develop functional foods for intestinal health. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Corticosteroid‐LABA inhalers increase phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and flow (PTF) in rabbits
Authors: Tanner Kristine , Robison Heidi J. , Stevens Maya Elena , Merrill Ray M. , Dromey Christopher , Barkmeier‐Kraemer Julie , Christensen M. Ben
Published: February 2023

Objectives

This study examined the effects of a combination corticosteroid plus long‐acting beta2‐adrenergic agonist inhaler (IC) on rabbit phonation.

Methods

White New Zealand male rabbits were assigned randomly to experimental and control groups (n = 11 per group). The experimental group received twice‐daily doses of Advair HFA™ (fluticasone propionate 45 mcg and salmeterol 21 mcg) via a veterinary facemask with 1‐way valve and spacer; the control group received aerosolized saline. After 8 weeks, animals were euthanized, larynges excised, frozen, and subsequently thawed and mounted on a standard bench apparatus. Phonation was elicited during 15 successive trials, and phonation threshold pressure (PTP; cmH2O) and flow (PTF; L/min) were quantified.

Results

Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.05). Mean PTP and PTF values were higher (worse) for rabbits that received Advair HFA™.

Conclusion

Following 8‐week exposure to ICs, rabbit larynges required greater air pressure and flow to initiate phonation. Because even modest phonation onset differences can have a meaningful clinical impact on voice function, these findings suggest that LABA ICs may put patients at risk for voice disorders. Furthermore, these voice disorders may occur within a relatively short timeframe. The results from this study have important clinical implications for voice care in those who use ICs.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 133:2680–2686, 2023
Adhesive Films from Dopamine‐Functionalized Polydimethylsiloxane Polymer Conetworks
Authors: Mugemana Clément , Mertz Grégory , Grysan Patrick , Dieden Reiner , Ruch David
Published: February 2023

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) adhesive films have increasingly attracted attention due to their inherent properties such as biocompatibility, high flexibility, optical transparency, and many others. In this contribution, dopamine‐functionalized polydimethylsiloxane polymer conetworks prepared from poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate)‐l‐polydimethylsiloxane (PFPA‐l‐PDMS) amphiphilic polymer conetwork precursors are proposed. This straightforward approach gives easy access to polydopamine‐functionalized PDMS polymer conetworks with a different composition, stiffness of the polymer conetwork, and their corresponding nanoscale phase‐separated morphologies. The adhesive property of the polymer films on the glass substrate obtained by lap shear testing gives a maximum adhesive strength of 0.85 ± 0.08 MPa thanks to phase‐separated morphologies at the nanometer scale and the high flexibility inherent to polysiloxane. The proposed approach provides an easy and straightforward way to introduce dopamine into a polymer conetwork with tunable adhesive properties.
Synthesis and Properties of a Novel Thermally Conductive Pressure‐Sensitive Adhesive with UV‐Responsive Peelability
Authors: Cui Xiaohua , Liu Jiaming , Zhang Ending , Gong Ziyang , Liang Liyan , Shi Jun , Hao Xiaopeng , Hu Jiwen , Lu Mangeng
Published: February 2023

Thermally conductive pressure‐sensitive adhesive (PSA) has received a great amount of attention in recent years, but the traditional PSA hardly loses adhesion properties after UV irradiation or heating. Therefore, endowing thermally conductive adhesive with UV‐responsive peelability becomes a design strategy. Herein, vinyl‐functionalized graphene (AA‐GMA‐G) is prepared by modifying graphene with acrylic acid and subsequently reacting with glycidyl methacrylate. Then, the UV‐curable acrylate copolymer is synthesized by grafting glycidyl methacrylate. Finally, the novel thermally conductivity PSA with UV‐responsive peelability is obtained by blending the copolymer with AA‐GMA‐G and photoinitiator. The results show that the PSA at 2 wt% AA‐GMA‐G loading exhibits an excellent thermal conductivity (0.74 W m−1 K−1) and a relatively strong peel strength, increasing by 15% compared with pristine graphene/PSA. Interestingly, the peel strength of AA‐GMA‐G/PSA can achieve a dramatic drop after UV treatment, and the decrease rate is 96.7%. Therefore, the novel thermally conductive PSA with UV‐responsive peelability has potential applications in certain electronic devices.
Crosslinked and Multi‐Responsive Polymeric Vesicles as a Platform to Study Enzyme‐Mediated Undocking Behavior: Toward Future Artificial Organelle Communication
Authors: Wang Dishi , Moreno Silvia , Boye Susanne , Voit Brigitte , Appelhans Dietmar
Published: February 2023

Various cellular functions are successfully mimicked, opening the door to the next generation of therapeutic approaches and systems biology. Herein, the first steps are taken toward the construction of artificial organelles for mimicking cell communication by docking and undocking of cargo in the membrane of swollen artificial organelles. Stimuli‐responsive and crosslinked polymeric vesicles are used to allow docking processes at acidic pH at which ferrocene units in the swollen membrane state can undergo desired specific host–guest interaction using β‐cyclodextrin as model cargo. The release of the cargo mediated by two different enzymes, glucose oxidase and α‐amylase, is investigated, triggered by distinct enzymatic undocking mechanisms. Different release times for a useful transport are shown that can be adapted to different communication pathways. In addition, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments further support the hypotheses of host–guest inclusion complexation formation and their time‐dependent breakdown. This work paves a way to a platform based on polymeric vesicles for synthetic biology, cell functions mimicking, and the construction of multifunctional cargo delivery system.
Effects of safe handling education on cognition, compliance and stress handling of antineoplastic drugs in clinical nurses
Authors: Jun Eun‐Mi , Kang Se‐Won
Published: February 2023

To evaluate the effects of safe‐handling education on the cognition, practice and stress handling of antineoplastic drugs in clinical nurses. This study uses a quasi‐experimental, non‐equivalent control group pre‐test and post‐test design. The experimental and control groups had 30 nurses each, who handled antineoplastic drugs from three institutions. This study examines the safe handling of antineoplastic drugs six times, for two hours each over two weeks. To verify the homogeneity of the experimental and control groups and the effectiveness of safe‐handling education about antineoplastic drugs, a chi‐square test and independent samples t‐test were performed. The results were statistically significant in both groups (cognition [t = 6.84, p < 0.001], practice [t = 5.86, p < 0.001], and the stress of handling antineoplastic drugs [t = 5.15, p < 0.001]). Education on ways to safely handle antineoplastic drugs improves cognition, practice and stress handling of these drugs; moreover, proper education minimizes exposure.
Clozapine and aripiprazole‐induced neutropenia
Authors: Tial Stephanie Vel En , Dixon Michael
Published: February 2023

Neutropenia is a well‐known adverse side‐effect of clozapine that can also be seen with other atypical antipsychotics. In this article the authors discuss a patient who experienced neutropenia with clozapine and who subsequently redeveloped neutropenia with aripiprazole after a short trial. The case illustrates that close monitoring and caution is advisable when trialing patients on any further antipsychotics after a neutropenic event with clozapine.
MOG antibody associated with central and peripheral demyelination
Authors: Gullapalli Sagari , Ramesh Rithvik , Shanmugam Sundar , Hazeena Philo
Published: February 2023

MOG antibody disorder presenting as a combined central and peripheral demyelination (CCPD) is uncommon. CCPD has been associated with other primary demyelination syndromes such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Here, the authors describe the diagnosis and management of a 21‐year‐old female with historically sequential demyelinating plaques in her right thalamus, cervical cord, left optic nerve and electrophysiology suggestive of bilateral ulnar nerve demyelination.
Clinical practice guideline for clozapine use in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Ansari Saba , Kelbrick Marlene , Paduret Gabriela , Diaz Natasha , Menzel Rose , Rogers Rowena , Wareham Claire , Griffiths Chris , Jugon Sue , Tidy Katy , Johnson Sara , Mann Nick , Tanner James , Millward Tim , Latif Shahid
Published: February 2023

National and local guidelines focus mainly on clozapine monitoring frequency, and actions based on full blood count results. Prescribing clozapine in the context of COVID‐19‐positive patients brings a complexity of challenge beyond this. In this article the authors put forward an example of a practical clinical guideline in this regard.
Synthesis, characterization, and applications of cobalt bismuth layered double hydroxide nanoparticles: Physical insights towards a potential material as fuel additive and photocatalyst
Authors: Jamil Saba , Alvi Afaaf Rahat , Bibi Shamsa , Jahan Nazish , Naqvi Syed Ali Raza , Khan Shanza Rauf , Zia Khalid Mahmood , Janjua Muhammad Ramzan Saeed Ashraf
Published: February 2023

In present research, novel cobalt bismuth layered double hydroxides (Co/Bi‐LDHs) were fabricated by urea hydrolysis approach at laboratory scale in mixed solvent of water and ethylene glycol. Synthesized product was analyzed by different techniques such as powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) was obtained after calcinations in nanometer range, which showed excellent catalytic characteristics. Calcined LDHs were used as photocatalyst to degrade Congo Red (CR) under different conditions of catalyst and hydrogen peroxide. Different parameters such as flash point, fire point, cloud point, pour point, kinematic viscosity, and specific gravity were also studied in order to check the efficiency of commercial diesel at different concentrations of catalyst.
Predicting binding affinity changes from long‐distance mutations using molecular dynamics simulations and Rosetta
Authors: Wells Nicholas G. M. , Smith Colin A.
Published: February 2023

Computationally modeling how mutations affect protein–protein binding not only helps uncover the biophysics of protein interfaces, but also enables the redesign and optimization of protein interactions. Traditional high‐throughput methods for estimating binding free energy changes are currently limited to mutations directly at the interface due to difficulties in accurately modeling how long‐distance mutations propagate their effects through the protein structure. However, the modeling and design of such mutations is of substantial interest as it allows for greater control and flexibility in protein design applications. We have developed a method that combines high‐throughput Rosetta‐based side‐chain optimization with conformational sampling using classical molecular dynamics simulations, finding significant improvements in our ability to accurately predict long‐distance mutational perturbations to protein binding. Our approach uses an analytical framework grounded in alchemical free energy calculations while enabling exploration of a vastly larger sequence space. When comparing to experimental data, we find that our method can predict internal long‐distance mutational perturbations with a level of accuracy similar to that of traditional methods in predicting the effects of mutations at the protein–protein interface. This work represents a new and generalizable approach to optimize protein free energy landscapes for desired biological functions.
Distributed secure balancing control for battery energy storage systems subject to random denial‐of‐service attacks
Authors: Lu Kunjie , Tian Engang , Wang Licheng
Published: February 2023

This paper is concerned with the distributed secure balancing control problem for battery energy storage systems (BESSs) in a Direct Current (DC) microgrid. The Denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks, which appear in a random way, are taken into account during the data exchange of individual BESS units. By introducing a well‐designed compensation term, an improved distributed consensus algorithm is developed to deal with the state‐of‐charge (SOC) balance issue in the presence of randomly occurring cyber attacks. With the aid of the Lyapunov stability theory, sufficient conditions are established for the networked control system such that the balance of the SOC for each BESS unit is achieved under certain constraints. The effectiveness of the proposed balance scheme is verified by a series of illustrative simulation experiments.
Engineered Cobalt Single‐Atoms@BiFeO3 Heteronanostructures for Highly Efficient Solar Water Oxidation
Authors: Djatoubai Essossimna , Khan Muhammad Shuaib , Haq Sajjad ul , Heidari Golnaz , Dong Chung‐Li , Nga Ta Thi Thuy , Chen Jeng‐Lung , Shen Shaohua
Published: February 2023

Efficient charge–carrier separation and their utilization are the key factors in overcoming sluggish four‐electron reaction kinetics involved in photocatalytic oxygen evolution. Here, a novel study demonstrates the significance of Na2S2O8 as a sacrificial agent in comparison to AgNO3. Resultantly, BiFeO3 (BFO) and titanium doped‐oxygen deficient BiFeO3 (Ti‐BFO‐R) nanostructures achieve ≈64 and 44.5 times higher O2 evolution in the presence of Na2S2O8 compared to AgNO3 as a sacrificial agent, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of Co single atoms (Co‐SAs) deposited via immersion method on BFO and Ti‐BFO‐R nanostructures led to achieving outstanding O2 evolution at a rate of 16.11 and 23.89 mmol g−1 h−1, respectively, which is 153 and 227.5 times higher compared to BFO (in the presence of AgNO3), the highest O2 evolution observed for BFO‐based materials to date. The successful deposition of Co‐SAs is confirmed by aberration‐corrected high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC HAADF‐STEM) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES). The charge transfer investigations confirm the significance of Co‐SAs on BFO‐based photocatalysts for improved charge–carrier separation, transport, and utilization. This novel study validates the excellent role of Na2S2O8 as a sacrificial agent and Co‐SAs as a cocatalyst for BFO‐based nanostructures for efficient O2 evolution.