bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond book clubs: Establishing a network of teacher‐readers through community, purpose, and joy
Authors: Cissi Emily , Kruep Renee Stites , Goldsmith Christy
Published: May 2024

When a hard‐working, justice‐oriented group of pre‐service English teachers (PSTs) identified themselves as non‐readers, two professors and a program alumna at a flagship university in the Midwest were inspired to create a young adult (YA) literature book club. Through monthly meetings, PSTs (and later first‐year teachers) gathered in a welcoming third space (Gutiérrez, 2008) to discuss YA books as readers and as teachers, considering both the experience of reading and the purpose for using these texts in their classrooms (Rosenblatt, 1994). Outcomes from Overbooked: An Educators' Book Club suggest that pre‐service teachers can find reading joy when offered a supportive space and community to grow as readers and teachers.
Morphology of the pterothoracic musculature in Paraneoptera and its phylogenetic implication (Insecta: Neoptera)
Authors: Kawata Azuma , Ogawa Naoki , Yoshizawa Kazunori
Published: May 2024

Although the monophyly of Paraneoptera (=hemipteroid orders or Acercaria, composed of Psocodea, Thysanoptera and Hemiptera) has been widely accepted morphologically, the results from molecular phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses contradict this hypothesis. In particular, phylogenomic analyses provide strong bootstrap support for the sister group relationship between Psocodea and Holometabola, that is, paraphyly of Paraneoptera. Here, we examined the pterothoracic musculature of Paraneoptera, as well as a wide range of other neopterous insect orders, and analysed its phylogenetic implication. By using the synchrotron microcomputed tomography (µCT) and parsimony‐based ancestral state reconstruction, several apomorphic conditions suggesting the monophyly of Paraneoptera, such as the absence of the II/IIItpm7, IIscm3, IIIspm2 and IIIscm3 muscles, were identified. In contrast, no characters supporting Psocodea + Holometabola were recovered from the thoracic muscles. These results provide additional support for the monophyly of Paraneoptera, together with the previously detected morphological apomorphies of the head, wing base, and abdomen.
Ustekinumab in paediatric patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease: UniStar study long‐term extension results
Authors: Turner Dan , Rosh Joel R. , Cohen Stanley A. , Griffiths Anne M. , Hyams Jeffrey S. , Kierkuś Jarosław , Adedokun Omoniyi J. , Strauss Richard , Kim Lilianne , Volger Sheri ,   UniStar Study Group
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To assess the efficacy, safety, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetics through 240 weeks of ustekinumab treatment in paediatric patients from the long‐term extension (LTE) of the phase 1, double‐blind UniStar trial.

Methods

Paediatric patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) were randomised 1:1 and stratified by body weight (<40 or ≥40 kg) to low‐ or high‐dose intravenous ustekinumab followed by a subcutaneous maintenance dose at Week 8. At Week 16, patients were eligible to enter the LTE at the discretion of the investigator and continued maintenance dosing every 8 weeks up to Week 240.

Results

Of the 34 patients who entered the LTE, 25 patients with evaluable data completed Week 48, and 41.2% (14/34) achieved clinical remission at Week 48. Among the 24 patients with Week‐0 C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels ≥3 mg/L, 29.2% (7/24) achieved normalisation of CRP at Week 48, while imputing missing data as failures. Through Week 240, the most common adverse events were infections (n = 28) and gastrointestinal disorders (n = 26). The most common serious adverse event was worsening of CD (n = 6). Only one patient had detectable antibodies to ustekinumab. Median serum ustekinumab concentrations remained consistent through Week 48, were detectable through Week 224, and trended lower in patients <40 kg.

Conclusions

Efficacy and pharmacokinetics through 1 year and safety and immunogenicity through 4 years of ustekinumab treatment in paediatric patients with CD were generally comparable to those previously reported in adults.
Comparison of the bioactive properties, tocopherol and phenolic components of germinated, roasted, and boiled chufa (Cyperus esculentus) tubers
Authors: Özcan Mehmet Musa , Yılmaz Havvanur
Published: May 2024

Background

Chufa flour can be used as a supplement to cereal flour to increase its calcium content. Many studies have shown that chufa tubers have high nutritional value.

Results

The carotenoid contents of the tubers ranged from 0.270 (roasting) to 1.897 μg/g (germination). The total flavonoid contents of chufa tuber were recorded between 4.60 and 17.93 mg CE/100 g. According to the results obtained, oil yield was determined between 12.55% (germination) and 18.05% (roasting). The protein content of the chufa tuber was found to be 16.60% in the germinated sample with the highest value. Potassium (3792.67–8384.85), sulfur (975.74–1804.01), phosphorus (944.08–1256.78), and magnesium (504.45–672.82 ppm) are the main inorganic components of ash in the samples examined. The highest carotenoid content in the oil was observed in the germinated sample with 7084.10 μg/g, total phenol content 9.44 mgGAE/100 g, total flavonoid content 561.10 mg CE/100 g, and antioxidant activity value 32.39%. It was determined that oleic acid (70.95%–73.47%) was the dominant fatty acid. The results of tocopherol content of chufa tuber oil belong to the highest α‐tocopherol by boiling (8.91 mg/kg), roasting (9.07 mg/kg), and germinating (9.64 mg/kg).

Conclusion

According to the results of the study, the germination process applied to the chufa tuber increased the protein and macro mineral content. The germination process applied to the chufa tuber increased the content of unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherol. Chufa tuber oil contains highly unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and phenolic compounds. Due to its nutritional quality, chufa oil is recommended for consumption and industrial use.
Kinematics, kinetics, and new insights from a contemporary analysis of the first experiments to produce cervical facet dislocations in the laboratory
Authors: Quarrington Ryan D. , Bauze Robert , Jones Claire F.
Published: May 2024

Background

The first experimental study to produce cervical facet dislocation (CFD) in cadaver specimens captured the vertebral motions and axial forces that are important for understanding the injury mechanics. However, these data were not reported in the original manuscript, nor been presented in the limited subsequent studies of experimental CFD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to re‐examine the analog data from the first experimental study to determine the local and global spinal motions, and applied axial force, at and preceding CFD.

Methods

In the original study, quasistatic axial loading was applied to 14 cervical spines by compressing them between two metal plates. Specimens were fixed caudally via a steel spindle positioned within the spinal canal and a bone pin through the inferior‐most vertebral body. Global rotation of the occiput was restricted but its anterior translation was unconstrained. The instant of CFD was identified on sagittal cineradiograph films (N = 10), from which global and intervertebral kinematics were also calculated. Corresponding axial force data (N = 6) were extracted, and peak force and force at the instant of injury were determined.

Results

CFD occurred in eight specimens, with an intervertebral flexion angle of 34.8 ± 5.6 degrees, and a 3.1 ± 1.9 mm increase in anterior translation, at the injured level. For seven specimens, CFD was produced at the level of transition from upper neck lordosis to lower neck kyphosis. Five specimens with force data underwent CFD at 545 ± 147 N, preceded by a peak axial force (755 ± 233 N) that appeared to coincide with either fracture or soft tissue failure.

Conclusions

Re‐examining this rich dataset has provided quantitative evidence that small axial compression forces, combined with anterior eccentricity and upper neck extension, can cause flexion and shear in the lower neck, leading to soft tissue rupture and CFD.
The value of urinary exosomal microRNA‐21 in the early diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer
Authors: Yang Fu‐Kan , Tian Chao , Zhou Lin‐Xiong , Guan Tian‐Yu , Chen Gui‐Liu , Zheng Yi‐Ying , Cao Zheng‐Guo
Published: May 2024

Bladder cancer (BC) poses high morbidity and mortality, with urinary exosomal microRNA (miR)‐21 showing potential value in its diagnosis and prognosis, and we probed its specific role. We prospectively selected 116 BC patients and 116 healthy volunteers as the BC and control groups, respectively. BC urinary exosomal miR‐146a‐5p, miR‐93‐5p, miR‐663b, miR‐21, and miR‐4454 relative expression levels were assessed. The correlations between clinical indexes and urinary exosomal miR‐21, prognostic value of miR‐21, and diagnostic value of the five candidate miRNAs, urine cytology, and miRNA joint diagnostic panel for BC and urinary exosomal miR‐21, miR‐4454, and urine cytology for Ta‐T1 and T2‐T4 stage BC were analyzed. Urinary exosomal miR‐146a‐5p, miR‐93‐5p, miR‐663b, miR‐21, and miR‐4454 were highly expressed in BC patients. miR‐146a‐5p, miR‐93‐5p, miR‐663b, miR‐21, miR‐4454, miRNA combined diagnostic panel, and urine cytology had certain diagnostic value for BC, with miR‐21, miR‐4454, and miRNA co‐diagnostic panel showing the highest diagnostic value. Collectively, urinary exosomal miR‐21 was closely related to Tumor‐Node‐Metastasis staging and grading in BC patients. Urinary exosomal miR‐21 had high diagnostic value for BC and Ta‐T1 and T2‐T4 stage BC, and had high predictive value for BC poor prognosis, providing an effective indicator for the occurrence, development, and prognostic assessment of BC.
The olfactory diary: Tracking awareness and consciousness of the sense of smell throughout the day
Authors: Liu David T. , Besser Gerold , Moser Veronika , Prem Bernhard , Sharma Gunjan , Ehrgott Marie , Renner Bertold , Mueller Christian A.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to follow the daily course of patients with olfactory dysfunction and healthy controls and to assess (i) how many times a day, (ii) at which time, and (iii) in which aspect of daily life participants are conscious about their sense of smell.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, 49 patients with smell loss and 30 healthy participants were enrolled. Olfactory function was assessed using the Sniffin’ Sticks. All participants received paper diaries designed for a 14‐day period, featuring 12 rows representing 12 daily hours and six columns for various daily life aspects. They were instructed to mark their awareness of smell by indicating the relevant row and column in the diary. Following the return of the diaries, a second olfactory test was conducted within the patient group.

Results

On average, patients were consciously aware of their sense of smell around 8 times daily, while healthy participants noted it about 6.5 times a day. Both groups primarily focused on their sense of smell during activities related to “eating,” followed by considerations in “social life” and “personal hygiene.” Interestingly, distinct patterns emerged: patients peaked in awareness at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., whereas healthy individuals showed peaks at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 7 p.m. Despite regular diary use, we observed no improvement in patients' olfactory function or related quality of life.

Conclusion

The olfactory diary is a valuable tool unveiling individual smell awareness patterns in patients with smell loss, aiding in counseling and patient management.

Level of Evidence

4
Multimodal diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: State of the art review and emerging concepts
Authors: Torabi Sina J. , Abiri Arash , Chen Xinlei , Senel Mehmet , Hsu Frank P. K. , Lupták Andrej , Khine Michelle , Kuan Edward C.
Published: May 2024

Objective

Currently, diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea relies on a multimodal approach, increasing costs and ultimately delaying diagnosis. In the United States and internationally, the crux of such a diagnosis relies on confirmation testing (via biomarkers) and localization (e.g., imaging). Biomarker testing may require analysis at an outside facility, resulting in delays diagnosis and treatment. In addition, specialized imaging may be nonspecific and often requires an active leak for diagnosis. There remains a clear need for innovative new technology.

Methods

A comprehensive review was conducted on both foundational and innovative scholarly articles regarding current and emerging diagnosis modalities for CSF.

Results

Current modalities in CSF rhinorrhea diagnosis and localization include laboratory tests (namely, B2T immunofixation), imaging (CT and/or MRI) with or without intrathecal administration, and surgical exploration. Each of these modalities carry flaws, risks, and benefits, ultimately contributing to delays in diagnosis and morbidity. Promising emerging technologies include lateral flow immunoassays (LFI) and biologically functionalized field‐effect transistors (BioFET). Nevertheless, these carry some drawbacks of their own, and require further validation.

Conclusion

CSF rhinorrhea remains a challenging diagnosis, requiring a multimodal approach to differentiate from nonpathologic causes of rhinorrhea. Current methods in diagnosis are imperfect, as the ideal test would be a readily accessible, inexpensive, rapid, highly accurate point‐of‐care test without the need for excess fluid or specialized processing. Critical work is being done to develop promising, new, improved tests, though a clear successor has not yet emerged.

Level of Evidence

N/A
Assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: Development of the Nasal Polyp Patient Assessment Scoring Sheet tool
Authors: Alsaleh Saad , Kamal Nehal , Hopkins Claire , Al Rand Hussain , Marglani Osama A. , Alterki Abdulmohsen , Abu Suliman Omar , Alandejani Talal , Kamel Reda , Al Abri Rashid , Alotaibi Naif H. , Al Amadi Ahmad , Bahakim Abdullah , Han Joseph K. , Javer Amin , Sedaghat Ahmad R. , Gevaert Philippe
Published: May 2024

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a heterogeneous disorder with a wide range of validated subjective and objective assessment tools to assess disease severity. However, a comprehensive and easy‐to‐use tool that integrates these measures for determining disease severity and response to treatment is still obscure. The objective of this study was to develop a standardized assessment tool that facilitates diagnosis, uniform patient monitoring, and comparison of treatment outcomes between different centers both in routine clinical practice and in research.

Methods

To develop this tool, published literature on assessment tools was searched on various databases. A panel of 12 steering committee members conducted an advisory board meeting to review the findings. Specific outcome measures to be included in a comprehensive assessment tool and follow‐up sheet were then collated following consensus approval from the panel. The tool was further validated for content and revised with expert recommendations to arrive at the finalized Nasal Polyp Patient Assessment Scoring Sheet (N‐PASS) tool.

Results

The N‐PASS tool was developed by integrating the subjective and objective measures for CRS assessment. Based on expert opinions, N‐PASS was revised to be used as an easy‐to‐use guidance tool that captures patient‐reported and physician‐assessed components for comprehensively assessing disease status and response to treatment.

Conclusion

The N‐PASS tool can be used to aid in the diagnosis and management of CRS cases with nasal polyps. The tool would also aid in improved monitoring of patients and pave the way for an international disease registry.

Level of evidence

Oxford Level 3.
Formal model theory and higher topology
Authors: Di Liberti Ivan
Published: May 2024

We study the 2‐categories BIon, of (generalized) bounded ionads, and , of accessible categories with directed colimits, as an abstract framework to approach formal model theory. We relate them to topoi and (lex) geometric sketches, which serve as categorical specifications of geometric theories. We provide reconstruction and completeness‐like results. We relate abstract elementary classes to locally decidable topoi. We introduce the notion of categories of saturated objects and relate it to atomic topoi.
Adding highly generic subsets of ω2$\omega _2$
Authors: Naveh Rouholah Hoseini , Golshani Mohammed , Eslami Esfandiar
Published: May 2024

Starting from the generalized continuum hypothesis (), we build a cardinal and preserving generic extension of the universe, in which there exists a set of size so that every countably infinite subset of or is Cohen generic over the ground model.
Curcuminoid PBPD induces cuproptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in cervical cancer via the Notch1/RBP‐J/NRF2/FDX1 pathway
Authors: Zhang Min‐Jie , Shi Mengna , Yu Yang , Ou Rongying , Ge Ren‐shan , Duan Ping
Published: May 2024

Curcumin has been shown to have antitumor properties, but its low potency and bioavailability has limited its clinical application. We designed a novel curcuminoid, [1‐propyl‐3,5‐bis(2‐bromobenzylidene)‐4‐piperidinone] (PBPD), which has higher antitumor strength and improves bioavailability. Cell counting kit‐8 was used to detect cell activity. Transwell assay was used to detect cell invasion and migration ability. Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect protein levels and their messenger RNA expression. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the protein location. PBPD significantly inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 4.16 μM for Hela cells and 3.78 μM for SiHa cells, leading to the induction of cuproptosis. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that PBPD significantly inhibited the Notch1/Recombination Signal Binding Protein for Immunoglobulin kappa J Region (RBP‐J) and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling pathways while upregulating ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) expression. Knockdown of Notch1 or RBP‐J significantly inhibited NRF2 expression and upregulated FDX1 expression, leading to the inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate activity and the induction of oxidative stress, which in turn activated endoplasmic reticulum stress and induced cell death. The overexpression of Notch1 or RBP‐J resulted in the enrichment of RBP‐J within the NRF2 promoter region, thereby stimulating NRF2 transcription. NRF2 knockdown resulted in increase in FDX1 expression, leading to cuproptosis. In addition, PBPD inhibited the acidification of tumor niche and reduced cell metabolism to inhibit cervical cancer cell invasion and migration. In conclusion, PBPD significantly inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and migration of cervical cancer cells and may be a novel potential drug candidate for treatment of cervical cancer.
Preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer using 18F‐FDG PET/CT peritumoral radiomics analysis
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhao Hongyue , Fu Peng , Tian Lin , Su Yexin , Lyu Zhehao , Gu Wenchao , Wang Yang , Liu Shan , Wang Xi , Zheng Han , Du Jingjing , Zhang Rui
Published: May 2024

Background

Radiomics has been used in the diagnosis of tumor lymph node metastasis (LNM). However, to date, most studies have been based on intratumoral radiomics. Few studies have focused on the use of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) peritumoral radiomics for the diagnosis of LNM in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Purpose

Determining the value of radiomics features extracted from 18F‐FDG PET/CT images of the peritumoral region in predicting LNM in patients with CRC.

Methods

The clinical data and preoperative 18F‐FDG PET/CT images of 244 CRC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features were screened using the mutual information method, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. Based on the selected radiomics features, a radiomics score (Rad‐score) was calculated, and independent risk factors obtained from univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to construct clinical and combined (Radiomics + Clinical) models. The performance of these models was evaluated using the DeLong test, while their clinical utility was assessed by decision curve analysis. Finally, a nomogram was constructed to visualize the predictive model.

Results

The most optimal set of features retained by the feature filtering process were all peritumoral radiomic features. Carcinoembryonic antigen levels, PET/CT‐reported lymph node status and Rad‐score were found to be independent risk factors for LNM. All three LNM risk assessment models exhibited good predictive performance, with the combined model showing the best classification results, with areas under the curve of 0.85 and 0.76 in the training and validation groups, respectively. The DeLong test revealed that the performance of the combined model was superior to that of the clinical and radiomics models in both the training and validation groups, although this difference was only statistically significant in the training group. DCA indicated that the combined model displayed better clinical utility.

Conclusions

18F‐FDG PET/CT peritumoral radiomics is uniquely suited to predict the presence of LNM in patients with CRC. In particular, the predictive efficacy of LNM for precision therapy and individualized patient management can be improved by using a combination of clinical risk factors.
Network analysis of additional clinical features of (Internet) gaming disorder
Authors: Martončik Marcel , Adamkovič Matúš , Ropovik Ivan
Published: May 2024

Objectives

There are dozens of screening instruments purporting to measure the (Internet) gaming disorder (IGD/GD). The two prominent diagnostic manuals, DSM‐5 and ICD‐11, list several additional diagnostic or clinical features and problems (e.g., neglect of sleep, neglect of daily duties, health deterioration) that should co‐occur or be caused by the IGD/GD. It remains unclear how specific IGD/GD operationalizations (different screening scales) are related to these functional impairments.

Methods

To explore this, data on six measures of IGD/GD (IGDS9‐SF, GDSS, GDT, GAMES test, two self‐assessments) and 18 additional diagnostic features were collected from a sample of 1009 players who play digital games at least 13 h per week. A network approach was utilized to determine which operationalization is most strongly associated with functional impairment.

Results

In most of the networks, IGD/GD consistently emerged as the most central node.

Conclusion

The similar centrality of IGD/GD, irrespective of its definition (DSM‐5 or ICD‐11) or operationalization, provides support for the valid comparison or synthesis of results from studies that used instruments coming from both DSM‐5 and ICD‐11 ontologies, but only if the goal is to evaluate IGD/GD relationships to other phenomena, not the relationships between the symptoms themselves.
Successful dietary changes correlate with weight‐loss outcomes in a new dietary weight‐loss program
Authors: Lee Mindy H. , Shaffer Annabelle , Alfouzan Nouf W. , Applegate Catherine C. , Hsu Jennie C. , Erdman John W. , Nakamura Manabu T.
Published: May 2024

Background

Currently available behavioral and dietary weight‐loss programs lack magnitude and sustainability compared with bariatric surgery. A novel dietary weight‐loss program was developed to assist participants in achieving sustainable diet changes by building knowledge and skills in food self‐selection. Although the approach worked, a large variation was observed in outcome among participants.

Objective

Determine factors affecting weight‐loss outcomes among participants to further improve the efficacy of the program.

Methods

Participants attended 19 dietary educational sessions during a 1‐year intervention which included prescribed homework. Changes in weight, diet, and body composition were assessed.

Results

Participants (n = 22) achieved mean body weight loss of −6.49(8.37%, p < 0.001) from baseline at 12 months. Nine participants (41%) achieved weight loss >5% of initial bodyweight; two reached a Body Mass Index 25 kg/m2. A large divergence in weight loss among participants was observed; successful (n = 9) achieved −12.9(9.6)% while unsuccessful achieved −2.03(2.78)%. Dietary protein and fiber density by 24‐h records showed a significant and inverse correlation with weight loss (%) throughout the program. Weight loss at 3 months and 12 months showed a strong correlation (r = 0.84). Participants with self‐reported depression lost significantly less weight than those without depression at 12 months (p < 0.03).

Conclusions

Divergence in weight‐loss outcomes among the participants is likely due to a difference in successful dietary implementation. Intra‐cohort analysis indicates early weight‐loss success and early dietary implementation was predictive of long‐term success.
Multiplex imaging reveals spatially resolved DNA‐damage response neighborhoods in TP53‐mutated myelodysplastic neoplasms
Authors: Yeung Tony , Zhang Yi , Kennedy Bridget , Walsh Cara , Love Tanzy , Xia Daniel , Bhattacharya Anindro , Krishnan Rahul G , Head David , Burack Richard
Published: May 2024

While increased DNA damage is a well‐described feature of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), it is unclear whether all lineages and all regions of the marrow are homogeneously affected. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded whole‐section bone marrow biopsies using a well‐established antibody to detect pH2A.X (phosphorylated histone variant H2A.X) that recognizes DNA double‐strand breaks. Focusing on TP53‐mutated and complex karyotype MDS/AML, we find a greater pH2A.X+ DNA damage burden compared to TP53 wild‐type neoplastic cases and non‐neoplastic controls. To understand how double‐strand breaks vary between lineages and spatially in TP53‐mutated specimens, we applied a low‐multiplex immunofluorescence staining and spatial analysis protocol to visualize pH2A.X+ cells with p53 protein staining and lineage markers. pH2A.X marked predominantly mid‐ to late‐stage erythroids, whereas early erythroids and CD34+ blasts were relatively spared. In a prototypical example, these pH2A.X+ erythroids were organized locally as distinct colonies, and each colony displayed pH2A.X+ puncta at a synchronous level. This highly coordinated immunophenotypic expression was also seen for p53 protein staining and among presumed early myeloid colonies. Neighborhood clustering analysis showed distinct marrow regions differentially enriched in pH2A.X+/p53+ erythroid or myeloid colonies, indicating spatial heterogeneity of DNA‐damage response and p53 protein expression. The lineage and architectural context within which DNA damage phenotype and oncogenic protein are expressed is relevant to current therapeutic developments that leverage macrophage phagocytosis to remove leukemic cells in part due to irreparable DNA damage. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Research on quality marker based on the processing from Aconiti lateralis radix praeparata to Heishunpian
Authors: Xue Rong , Zhang Qian , Mei Xi , Wang Bin , Su Lianlin , Mao Chunqin , Guo Zhi Jun , Gao Bo , Ji De , Lu Tulin
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Aconiti lateralis radix praeparata (ALRP), the sub root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., is a traditional Chinese medicine with good pharmacological effects. Heishunpian (HSP), prepared through the process of brine immersing, boiling, rinsing, dyeing, and steaming ALRP is one of the most widely used forms of decoction pieces in clinical practice.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of component changes and transformations during the processing from ALRP to HSP, and to screen for their quality markers through UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS analysis.

Methods

Samples from ALRP to HSP during processing were prepared and analyzed by UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS. By comparing the differences between before and after each processing step, the purpose of processing and the transformation of components during processing were studied. In addition, multiple batches of ALRP and HSP were determined, and potential quality markers were screened.

Results

Through the analysis of ALRP and five key processing samples, 55 components were identified. Immersing in brine, rinsing, and dyeing were the main factors of component loss, and boiling caused a slight loss of components. Some components were enhanced during the steaming process. Combining the screened differences components between multiple ALRP and HSP, 10 components were considered as potential quality biomarkers.

Conclusion

This study found that the adjacent hydroxyl groups of the ester group may have a positive impact on the hydrolysis of the ester group, and 10 quality markers were preliminarily screened. It provides a reference for quality control and clinical application of ALRP and HSP.
Association of right aortic arch and agenesis of ductus arteriosus in prenatal tetralogy of Fallot spectrum and its clinical implications
Authors: Walter Adeline , Herberg Ulrike , Calite Elina , Geipel Annegret , Recker Florian , Strizek Brigitte , Berg Christoph , Gembruch Ulrich
Published: May 2024

Objective

In our center, we observed an increased frequency of right aortic arch (RAA) with an agenesis of the ductus arteriosus (ADA) in prenatally diagnosed tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) and its variations. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association of RAA and ADA in fetuses with ToF. Distribution of genetic anomalies and impact on postnatal outcome were further evaluated.

Method

Single‐center retrospective observational study including pregnancies with prenatal diagnosis of ToF from 2010 to 2023. All cases were subdivided into ToF with pulmonary stenosis (PS) and pulmonary atresia (PA). Clinical and echocardiographic databases were reviewed for pregnancy outcome, genetic anomalies, and postnatal course.

Results

The cohort included 169 cases, 124 (73.4%) with ToF/PS and 45(26.6%) with ToF/PA. Agenesis of the ductus arteriosus was significantly associated with RAA in both subtypes of ToF (p = 0.001) compared to left aortic arch and found in 82.5% (33/40) versus 10.7% (9/84) of fetuses with ToF/PS and in 57.1% (8/14) versus 12.9% (4/31) of fetuses with ToF/PA. In both ToF/PS and ToF/PA, RAA/ADA versus RAA/patent DA revealed a significantly higher risk for the presence of genetic abnormalities, especially microdeletion 22q11.2, major aorto‐pulmonary collateral arteries and a shorter time to complete surgical repair.

Conclusion

We demonstrated a significantly increased frequency of RAA/ADA in patients with prenatally diagnosed ToF. Although this association revealed no significant impact on overall survival, the prenatal detection of RAA/ADA has implications for counseling, genetic evaluation and postnatal management.
Cell‐free DNA screening for common autosomal trisomies using rolling‐circle replication in twin pregnancies
Authors: Vivanti Alexandre J. , Maestroni Camille , Benachi Alexandra , Conotte Stéphanie , Geipel Annegret , Kagan Karl Oliver , Borrell Antoni , El Kenz Hanane , Costa Jean‐Marc , Jani Jacques C.
Published: May 2024

Objective

To evaluate the performance of prenatal screening for common autosomal trisomies in twin pregnancies through the use of rolling‐circle replication (RCR)‐cfDNA as a first‐tier test.

Method

Prospective multicenter study. Women who underwent prenatal screening for trisomy (T) 21, 18 and 13 between January 2019 and March 2022 in twin pregnancies were included. Patients were included in two centers. The primary endpoint was the rate of no‐call results in women who received prenatal screening for common autosomal trisomies by RCR‐cfDNA at the first attempt, compared to that in prospectively collected samples from 16,382 singleton pregnancies. The secondary endpoints were the performance indices of the RCR‐cfDNA.

Results

862 twin pregnancies underwent screening for T21, T18 and T13 by RCR‐cfDNA testing at 10–33 weeks' gestation. The RCR‐cfDNA tests provided a no‐call result from the first sample obtained from the patients in 107 (0.7%) singleton and 17 (2.0%) twin pregnancies. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that significant independent predictors of test failure were twin pregnancy and in vitro fertilization conception.

All cases of T21 (n = 20/862; 2.3%), T18 (n = 4/862; 0.5%) and T13 (n = 1/862; 0.1%) were correctly detected by RCR‐cfDNA (respectively, 20, 4 and 1 cases). Sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 83.1%–100%), 100% (95% CI 39.8%–100%) and 100% (95% CI 2.5%–100%) for T21, T18 and T13, respectively, in twin pregnancies.

Conclusion

The RCR‐cfDNA test appears to have good accuracy with a low rate of no‐call results in a cohort of twin pregnancies for the detection of the most frequent autosomal trisomies.
The Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry: Three decades of prospective monitoring for birth defects
Authors: Albano Jessica D. , Scheuerle Angela E. , Watts D. Heather , Beckerman Karen P. , Mofenson Lynne M. , Pikis Andreas , Vannappagari Vani , Seekins Daniel , Cook Taylor S. , Tilson Hugh ,   Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry Steering Committee
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Antiretrovirals (ARVs) are life‐saving drugs used for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection and antiviral drugs (AVs) for the treatment of chronic HBV infection. ARVs have proven highly effective in reducing perinatal HIV transmission, however the risk of birth defects from prenatal exposure to ARVs/AVs is an ongoing concern. The Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR), an international, prospective exposure‐registration cohort study, monitors ARV and AV use in pregnancy for early signals of teratogenicity. This communication reports results of 30‐years' experience of ARV/AV exposure during pregnancy and lessons learned through continuous quality improvement.

Methods and Results

Birth defect prevalence is estimated and compared to internal and external groups. Statistical inference is based on exact methods for binomial proportions. Between 2006 and 2023, cumulative enrollment more than tripled from 6893 to 25 960 pregnancies and ARVs/AVs monitored increased from 29 to 222. Through January 2023, there were 21 636 live births and 631 outcomes with birth defects, for overall prevalence of 2.9/100 live births (95% CI 2.7, 3.2). The birth defect prevalence was 3.0% (95% CI 2.7%, 3.3%) among first trimester exposures and 2.8% (95% CI 2.5%, 3.2%) among second/third trimester exposures (prevalence ratio 1.04 [95% CI 0.89, 1.21]).

Conclusions

Birth defect prevalence is not statistically significantly different between first trimester ARV/AV pregnancy exposures compared to second/third trimester exposures and is also not different from two population‐based surveillance systems: 2.72/100 live births reported in the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP); and 4.17/100 live births from the Texas Birth Defects Registry (TBDR).
Eco‐friendly bio‐based polybenzoxazine composites derived from sustainable thymol: A versatile approach and multifaceted study for enhanced applications
Authors: Mohamed Mydeen K. , Krishnasamy Balaji , Arumugam Hariharan , Muthukaruppan Alagar
Published: May 2024

This work studied the sustainable approach for the development of bio‐based polybenzoxazine composites derived from sustainable thymol and utilized for diverse applications viz., superhydrophobic, high dielectric, and resistant to bacterial corrosion. The molecular structure of benzoxazines was ascertained from spectral analyses and curing behavior was assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The benzoxazines were polymerized through ring‐opening polymerization to assess their thermal stability using TGA. Among the synthesized polybenzoxazines, the poly(BT‐fa) developed using bis‐thymol (BT) and furfurylamine (fa) which possesses the furfural core contributes to higher thermal stability with the enhanced value of char yield of 43%. Thus, poly(BT‐fa) was chosen for the preparation of composites, and found that 15 wt% chicken feather carbon (CFC) and 15 wt% cashew nutshell cake carbon (CSC) used as reinforcements exhibit significantly enhanced decomposition temperature with char yield of 77% and 69% respectively. Dielectric performance of the composites with high k values of 7.66 and 8.66 was obtained for 15 wt% of the CFC and CSC bio‐carbon reinforcements respectively. These bio‐based benzoxazines also exhibited substantial antibacterial activity, indicating their potential utility toward resistance against microbial colonization. Among polybenzoxazines, poly(BT‐sa) exhibits the highest value of water contact angle (WCA) of 151°. To exploit the superhydrophobic properties of polybenzoxazines, the cotton fabrics were coated with poly(BT‐sa). It was found that poly(BT‐sa) coated cotton fabric possesses an excellent WCA value of 161°, which indicates its suitability for self‐cleaning and water‐repellent applications. Further, poly(BT‐oa) possesses enhanced anti‐corrosion‐resistant behavior than that of other polybenzoxazines and contributes to better protection of mild steel surfaces from corrosion. The values of tensile modulus /flexural modulus and tensile strength and flexural strength obtained for poly(BT‐fa) are 5.1/3.7 GPa and 66 ± 1/103 ± 1 MPa, respectively. Data obtained for bi‐functional bio‐based polybenzoxazine composites from different studies suggest that these materials can be used in antimicrobial, superhydrophobic, and corrosion‐resistant applications.
Adverse effects of the Bordeaux mixture copper‐based fungicide on the non‐target vineyard pest Lobesia botrana
Authors: Garinie Tessie , Nusillard William , Lelièvre Yann , Taranu Zofia E. , Goubault Marlène , Thiéry Denis , Moreau Jérôme , Louâpre Philippe
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Bordeaux mixture is a copper‐based fungicide commonly used in vineyards to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in grapevines. However, this fungicide may adversely affect the entomological component, including insect pests. Understanding the impacts of Bordeaux mixture on the vineyard pest Lobesia botrana is an increasing concern in the viticultural production.

RESULTS

Bordeaux mixture had detrimental effects on the development and reproductive performance of L. botrana. Several physiological traits were adversely affected by copper‐based fungicide exposure, including a decrease in larval survival and a delayed larval development to moth emergence, as well as a reduced reproductive performance through a decrease in female fecundity and fertility and male sperm quality. However, we did not detect any effect of Bordeaux mixture on the measured reproductive behaviors (mating success, pre‐mating latency and mating duration).

CONCLUSION

Ingestion by larvae of food contaminated with Bordeaux mixture had a negative effect on the reproductive performance of the pest L. botrana, which could affect its population dynamics in vineyards. Although this study highlighted collateral damage of Bordeaux mixture on L. botrana, the potential impact of copper‐based fungicides on vineyard diversity, including natural predators is discussed and needs to be taken in consideration in integrated pest management. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Catch and release: controlling eastern yellowjacket Vespula maculifrons colonies using horizontal insecticide transfer
Authors: Buczkowski Grzegorz
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Horizontal insecticide transfer is thought to play an important role in controlling a wide range of urban pests including ants, bed bugs, cockroaches and termites. Trap–treat–release is an effective experimental approach that has been used to successfully manage populations of invasive ants in field applications. Trap–treat–release is based on the principles of horizontal transfer. Individuals are captured, treated with the toxicant and released back into the environment. The treated individuals then return to the colony and transfer the toxicant to other members of the population resulting in secondary mortality. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of the trap–treat–release technique for controlling field populations of the eastern yellowjacket, Vespula maculifrons.

RESULTS

Laboratory experiments demonstrated that fipronil was highly toxic against V. maculifrons across a wide range of concentrations. Furthermore, fipronil was efficiently transferred from treated donors to untreated recipients and caused significant secondary mortality. A field experiment utilized trap–treat–release and demonstrated that fipronil was effectively transferred when foraging worker wasps are trapped, treated, released and allowed to return to their respective colonies.

CONCLUSION

The trap–treat–release method may be an effective alternative to direct nest treatments and could help alleviate problems such as insecticide runoff, environmental contamination, and non‐target effects. This method has the potential to provide effective management of social wasps. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Nb2O5/SnO2Heterojunctions Designed as Optical Absorbers and Microwave Band Filters
Authors: Qasrawi Atef Fayez , Kmail Bayan H.
Published: May 2024

Herein, a 200 nm thick films of SnO2are deposited onto Nb2O5thin substrates (100 nm) to construct an isotype Nb2O5/SnO2(NSO) heterojunction devices. The device is constructed using a thermal coating method in a vacuum media of low pressure reaching 10−5 mbar. NSO heterojunctions represent two amorphous/amorphous‐stacked layers that exhibit enhanced light absorption exceeding 170% and 120% in the visible and infrared regions of light spectrum, respectively. In addition, the interface under study displays band conduction offset of 0.60–0.90 eV and valence bad offset of 0.53–0.83 eV, respectively. The NSO device, which is treated as a planner microwaves resonators by contacting it with two Ohmic Pt electrodes, shows AC electrical conduction by the correlated barrier hopping within correlated barriers of average heights of 0.127 eV. Electrical conduction is actualized within scattering time constant of 0.27 ns. NSO microwaves resonators display gigahertz cutoff frequency spectra that suit 6G technology applications. The cutoff limit can be engineered in the range of 1.0–12.0 GHz by altering the driving frequency value. The features of the NSO heterojunctions nominate them for use in optoelectronic, which require high light absorption. The heterojunction devices are also promising for potential use in microwave technology a 6G bands filters.
Robust Quantum State Manipulation by Composite Pulses in Five‐Level Systems
Authors: Wang Jian‐Hui , Shi Zhi‐Cheng , Chen Ye‐Hong , Song Jie , Huang Bi‐Hua , Xia Yan
Published: May 2024

A scheme is proposed for achieving robust population inversion in five‐level systems by means of composite pulses. An example of such a system consists of the magnetic sublevels with angular momenta and . Through elaborately constructing the relative phases of pulse pairs, the composite sequences perform well in suppressing the uncorrelated pulse area errors. In particular, the five pulse‐pair sequence possesses good robustness and a short evolution time. The composite sequences are further designed to compensate for a single type of pulse area errors to any desired order. This work provides a high‐efficiency way for robust quantum state manipulation in five‐level systems.
Resource redeployment as an entry advantage in resource‐poor settings
Authors: Chauvin Jasmina , Inoue Carlos , Poliquin Christopher
Published: May 2024

Research Summary

Scarcity of productive factors poses a challenge for firms entering underdeveloped regions. We theorize that incumbent firms can overcome scarcity of skilled human capital in local labor markets by redeploying workers from existing units. We predict that redeployment is more valuable when factor markets exhibit large differences in resource scarcity. Redeployment is also more valuable when output is highly sensitive to worker skill and is responsive to complementarities between labor and other inputs. Important implications are that redeployment can endow firms with superior resources and enable them to enter more markets. Data on sugar mills in Brazil, where a sudden demand boom incentivized expansion, corroborate the predictions. Our research identifies a new mechanism of value‐creation from resource redeployment across factor markets.

Managerial Summary

Firms entering underdeveloped regions often struggle to obtain inputs needed for production, such as skilled labor. We propose that incumbent firms expanding into such regions can overcome resource scarcity by redeploying resources from their existing units. Redeployment allows firms to move resources—such as skilled workers—from markets where resources are relatively abundant to markets where they are scarce. We show that such factor market “arbitrage” is most valuable when firms operate across markets with large differences in resource scarcity and when production is sensitive to worker skill and to complementarities between inputs. By redeploying into markets suffering from resource scarcity, firms can enter more markets and seed units with superior resources. This gives incumbent firms with redeployment capabilities an advantage over de novo entrants.
Engineered Microrobots for Targeted Delivery of Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV) in Thrombus Therapy
Authors: Cong Zhaoqing , Li Yangyang , Xie Leiming , Chen Qiwei , Tang Menghuan , Thongpon Phonpilas , Jiao Yanxiao , Wu Song
Published: May 2024

In the realm of thrombosis treatment, bioengineered outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) offer a novel and promising approach, as they have rich content of bacterial‐derived components. This study centers on OMVs derived from Escherichia coli BL21 cells, innovatively engineered to encapsulate the staphylokinase‐hirudin fusion protein (SFH). SFH synergizes the properties of staphylokinase (SAK) and hirudin (HV) to enhance thrombolytic efficiency while reducing the risks associated with re‐embolization and bleeding. Building on this foundation, this study introduces two cutting‐edge microrobotic platforms: SFH‐OMV@H for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment, and SFH‐OMV@MΦ, designed specifically for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) therapy. These platforms have demonstrated significant efficacy in dissolving thrombi, with SFH‐OMV@H showcasing precise vascular navigation and SFH‐OMV@MΦ effectively targeting cerebral thrombi. The study shows that the integration of these bioengineered OMVs and microrobotic systems marks a significant advancement in thrombosis treatment, underlining their potential to revolutionize personalized medical approaches to complex health conditions.