bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minoritetsbeskatning - et værktøj til at forstå opretholdelse af strukturelle uligheder i dansk akademia
Authors: Skadegård Thorsen Tess S.
Published: October 2019

Minority Taxation – a Tool for Understanding the Maintenance of Structural Inequality in Danish AcademiaDenmark has a strong tradition for doing critical analyses of the gendered inequalities of Danish academia – a critique that is particularly critical of gendered hiring practices. As such, Danish gender research has long grappled with the meta-scientific theories of positionality we recognize from e.g. Donna Haraway and Eve Sedgwick. However studies have yet to be conducted of the implicit and indirect inequalities that occur in the academic day-to-day experiences of researchers who are minoritized in more ways than their gender. Taking its point of departure in autoethnographic vignettes created during 3 years as a research-employee (PhD Fellow) as well as 7 years of teaching and supervising at 3 Danish universities, this article argues that Minority Taxation, a proposed Danish derivative of the US term Cultural Taxation (Padilla 1994), is a useful analytical tool for understanding the everyday experiences of structural inequalities in Danish academia. Minority Taxation covers both the concrete and affective extra-work minoritized academics are ‘taxed with’ performing due to structural inequalities. Deeming this form of work a tax aids in making more palpable the inequalities that can often seem hard to understand, quantify or negotiate.
Contextual Classification at Out On The Shelves Library
Authors: Dierking Amber
Published: October 2019

Out On The Shelves is Vancouver’s only Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer, Intersex, Aromantic/Asexual (LGBT2QIA+) library. Due to recent organizational changes, it has become apparent that its current classification system is no longer working effectively. Not only was the previous system unstructured and confusing, it failed to explicitly represent many aspects of the community it serves. This project was undertaken during the summer of 2018, researching alternative classification and queer issues in knowledge organization to determine how to improve it. This research, combined with careful consideration of the needs of the library itself and its users, suggested that building a local, contextually-situated, classification system would be best. A new classification system has been built for Out On The Shelves Library, and will be implemented in several stages beginning in October 2018, with the end goal to be finished by the end of December 2018. The new system intends to be living and changeable, one that lays bare its structures and decisionmaking processes while centering and celebrating the LGBT2QIA+ community and working within the realities of being a small, unfunded, volunteer-run, public library.
How flies turn food into progeny
Authors: Flatt Thomas
Published: October 2019

Sex-optimal diets have different effects on gene expression in female and male flies.
Toward a Theory of the Mechanism of High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Technique: A Literature Review
Authors: Hennenhoefer Kevin , Schmidt Deborah
Published: October 2019

This review seeks to integrate the current literature to create a more unified and inclusive theory regarding the therapeutic mechanism of high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique. The authors review the literature currently available regarding the physiologic effects of HVLA. The progression from an articulatory model to a neuromuscular one is discussed, and the body of work demonstrating that HVLA has a centralized mechanism of action, rather than just a local one, is described.
Bioprospection of biocompounds and dietary supplements of microalgae with immunostimulating activity: a comprehensive review
Authors: Silveira Júnior Arialdo M. , Faustino Silvia Maria M. , Cunha Alan C.
Published: October 2019

The objective of this review is to analyze the role of microalgal bioprospecting and the application of microalgae as food supplements and immunostimulants in global and regional aquaculture, highlighting the Brazilian Amazon. This study evaluates the primary advantages of the application of the bioactive compounds of these microorganisms, simultaneously identifying the knowledge gaps that hinder their biotechnological and economic exploitation. The methodology used is comparative and descriptive-analytical, considering the hypothesis of the importance of bioprospecting microalgae, the mechanisms of crop development and its biotechnological and sustainable application. In this context, this review describes the primary applications of microalgae in aquaculture during the last decade (2005–2017). The positive effects of food replacement and/or complementation of microalgae on the diets of organisms, such as their influence on the reproduction rates, growth, and development of fish, mollusks and crustaceans are described and analyzed. In addition, the importance of physiological parameters and their association with the associated gene expression of immune responses in organisms supplemented with microalgae was demonstrated. Complementarily, the existence of technical-scientific gaps in a regional panorama was identified, despite the potential of microalgal cultivation in the Brazilian Amazon. In general, factors preventing the most immediate biotechnological applications in the use of microalgae in the region include the absence of applied research in the area. We conclude that the potential of these microorganisms has been relatively well exploited at the international level but not at the Amazon level. In the latter case, the biotechnological potential still depends on a series of crucial steps that involve the identification of species, the understanding of their functional characteristics and their applicability in the biotechnological area, especially in aquaculture.
Thermal biology and swimming performance of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Authors: Norin Tommy , Canada Paula , Bailey Jason A. , Gamperl A. Kurt
Published: October 2019

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) are two commercially important marine fishes impacted by both overfishing and climate change. Increasing ocean temperatures are affecting the physiology of these species and causing changes in distribution, growth, and maturity. While the physiology of cod has been well investigated, that of haddock has received very little attention. Here, we measured the metabolic response to increasing temperatures, as well as the critical thermal maximum (CTmax), of cod acclimated to 8 and 12 °C and haddock acclimated to 12 °C. We also compared the swimming performance (critical swimming speed,Ucrit) of cod and haddock at 12 °C, as well as theUcritof 12 °C-acclimated cod acutely exposed to a higher-than-optimal temperature (16 °C). The CTmaxfor cod was 21.4 and 23.0 °C for 8- and 12 °C-acclimated fish, respectively, whereas that for the 12 °C-acclimated haddock was 23.9 °C. These values were all significantly different and show that haddock are more tolerant of high temperatures. The aerobic maximum metabolic rate (MMR) of swimming cod remained high at 16 °C, suggesting that maximum oxygen transport capacity was not limited at a temperature above optimal in this species. However, signs of impaired swimming (struggling) were becoming evident at 16 °C. Haddock were found to reach a higherUcritthan cod at 12 °C (3.02 vs. 2.62 body lengths s−1, respectively), and at a lower MMR. Taken together, these results suggest that haddock perform better than cod in warmer conditions, and that haddock are the superior swimmer amongst the two species.
The association of depression with lower urinary tract symptoms: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2008
Authors: Park Jee Soo , Ham Won Sik , Hong Chang Hee , Chung Byung Ha , Koo Kyo Chul
Published: October 2019

Background

To identify the factors associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we investigated associations between psychological factors, including depression and sleep disorders, and LUTS using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database.

Materials and Methods

The NHANES database was examined for the period of 2005 to 2008. Men older than 40 years, who had completed questionnaires surveying their kidney/urologic, prostate, mental health, and sleep conditions were included in this study. LUTS was defined as the presence of two or more of the following symptoms: incomplete emptying, urinary hesitancy, urinary frequency, and nocturia. Multivariable models using logistic regression were used to compare groups of men with or without LUTS.

Results

Of 1,820 participants, 110 (6.1%) men reported depression, and 235 (12.9%) presented with LUTS. Men with LUTS were older and had a significantly higher prevalence of depression and unemployment. Sleep disorder was not associated with LUTS. Multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated that men reporting moderate depression had the highest age-adjusted odds (odds ratio = 5.89, 95% CI [3.44–10.11]; p < 0.001) of reporting clinical LUTS.

Conclusions

A significant association was observed between LUTS and depression, and between LUTS and employment status. Although the pathophysiology of these relationships is unclear, physicians should consider multi-disciplinary evaluation and treatment approaches for LUTS.
Medical Devices: Pre‐ and Postimplant Testing
Authors: Oliva Alessandra , Teresa Mascellino Maria , Vullo Vincenzo , Mastroianni Claudio M.
Published: December 2024

Medical devices are increasingly used to enhance patients' quality of life and support the health care system in terms of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of several diseases. The presence of a device is a significant risk factor for a subsequent infection. Implant‐associated infections, including prosthetic joint infections and infections of endovascular and cardiac implantable electronic devices, are associated with high morbidity and extensive costs for the health care system. Devices can be colonized by bacteria belonging to the normal skin flora or by microorganisms carried on the hands of medical and surgical personnel during implantation procedure. In addition, a device infection can occur as a result of bacteremic seeding from a distant focus of infection. The pathogenesis of a device infection is related to the formation of bacterial biofilm on the implant surface. This chapter focuses on the specimen collection, transport, and handling, quality control, procedure, interpretation and limitations of the procedure.
Genital Cultures
Authors: Filkins Laura M. , Garner Omai B.
Published: December 2024

Routine genital cultures enable detection of nonfastidious aerobic bacteria and are only indicated for some clinical presentations of genital infections. When a routine genital culture is ordered, potentially clinically significant bacteria should be evaluated using an indication specific approach but often include
Enterobacterales
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
S. aureus
, and
Streptococcus pyogenes
. For certain pathogens, such as
Chlamydia trachomatis
,
N. gonorrhoeae
,
Haemophilus ducreyi
, or
S. agalactiae
(group B
streptococcus
(GBS) for prenatal screening), cultures are ordered specifically for those pathogens, with proper collection and selection media or cell culture. For diagnosis of GBS disease in nonpregnant adults and in neonates, routine culture of the symptomatic body site and routine cultures collected based on clinical risk assessment will detect this pathogen, along with the other potential pathogens that can be isolated from those cultures.
Respiratory Tract Cultures
Authors: Alby Kevin , Smedberg Jason R. , Lindsay Diane S. J. , Ricci Maria L. , Yarbrough Melanie L. , Burnham Carey‐Ann D. , Leber Amy L. , Bateman Allen C. , Gonzalez Mark D. , Pence Morgan A.
Published: December 2024

Specimens from the upper respiratory tract (throat specimens, nasopharyngeal swabs, and nasal discharges) can be easily obtained but are contaminated with resident microbiota. Infections of the lower respiratory tract are the sixth leading cause of mortality in the United States, with 2 to 3 million cases per year, resulting in 500,000 hospitalizations. The purpose of the culture of respiratory secretions from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is to isolate organisms associated with CF pulmonary disease so that appropriate interventions may be taken. Tympanocentesis and culture of the middle ear fluid are valuable tools for definitive diagnosis, guiding therapy, and evaluating treatment failures. In many laboratories in areas of low endemicity, culture‐based testing specifically for
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
has been discontinued due to the lack of requests and limitations in media shelf life.
Bartonella
Culture
Authors: Clarridge Jill E. , Harrington Amanda T.
Published: December 2024

The genus
Bartonella
comprises Gram‐negative short rod‐shaped bacteria that belong to the α‐2 subgroup of
Proteobacteria
. Depending on the level of host adaptation,
Bartonella
infection in the reservoir host ranges from asymptomatic to clinical manifestations with low morbidity and limited mortality or, rarely, life‐threatening disease, such as endocarditis. There are several methods of diagnosing bartonellosis in clinical specimens: serology, direct visualization, molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction, and culture. Collection in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes or an Isolator tube system is the preferred method for culturing
Bartonella
species from blood. Detection of
Bartonella
species from clinical specimens using molecular methods has been shown to be more sensitive than culture for all specimen types and especially useful for cases in which lymphadenectomy or biopsy is not feasible or serologic results are equivocal.
Incubation Techniques for Anaerobic Bacteriology Specimens
Authors: Morris Trefor E.
Published: December 2024

This chapter describes the various environmental methods and incubation conditions used for anaerobic bacteriology specimens once a properly selected, collected, and transported specimen arrives in the laboratory. Ideally, the specimen is processed immediately on arrival in the laboratory and incubated under anaerobic conditions to prevent further exposure to oxygen. In general, growing cultures must not be exposed to oxygen for examination of culture media until after 48 h of incubation, since anaerobes are most sensitive to oxygen during the log phase of growth. One of the obvious advantages of using an anaerobic chamber/workstation is that technologists can inspect inoculated media without removing them from the anaerobic environment. The choice of incubation systems is influenced by cost, the number of anaerobic cultures performed, and laboratory space limitations. The anaerobic environment is monitored with a methylene blue strip or resazurin indicator.
Anaerobic Gram‐Negative Bacilli
Authors: She Rosemary C. , Church Deirdre L.
Published: December 2024

The anaerobic Gram‐negative bacteria are part of the microbiota of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and urogenital tract. Many taxonomic changes have been instituted based on newer biochemical and molecular sequencing considerations. Many of the bile‐sensitive species of Gram‐negative bacilli, such as
Prevotella
and
Porphyromonas spp.
, make up a large percentage of the normal microbiota in the oral cavity and are involved in many different types of oral infections. The pigmented anaerobic Gram‐negative bacilli include members of the genera
Prevotella
,
Porphyromonas
, and
Alistipes
. The chapter includes a few additional Gram‐negative rods of human pathogenicity. It also helps the laboratory staff to perform all analyses, including appropriate quality control recommendations, from the receipt of the specimen (anaerobic Gram‐negative bacilli) through processing, testing, interpretation, presentation of the final report, and subsequent consultation.
Clostridioides
(
Clostridium
)
difficile
as a Pathogen Involved in Antimicrobial Agent‐Associated Diarrhea, Colitis, and Pseudomembranous Colitis
Authors: Carroll Karen C. , Paulick Ashley L.
Published: December 2024

Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile
is a major cause of health care‐associated diarrhea and the primary pathogen responsible for pseudomembranous colitis. Recent epidemiological trends note decreases in health care‐acquired
C. difficile
as a possible consequence of decreased fluoroquinolone use and increases in cases in the community in individuals lacking traditional risk factors. While
C. difficile
colitis was originally dubbed “clindamycin‐associated pseudomembranous colitis”, any antimicrobial agent, including those used to treat the infection itself (i.e., metronidazole and vancomycin), can be a risk factor. Disease results from action of toxins produced by the bacteria.
C. difficile
produces two toxins: toxin A, a weakly cytopathic toxin, is predominantly responsible for the enterotoxic activity of the organism, and toxin B, a potent cytotoxin, appears to play a major role in human disease.
Supplementing Blood Cultures with Chromogenic Media to Expedite Microorganism Identification and/or Antimicrobial Resistance Detection
Authors: Faron Matthew L.
Published: December 2024

Chromogenic agar is medium containing specific combinations of antibiotics and/or other inhibitory substances and chromogen substrates. This allows selective growth of specific organisms and differentiation of various species through colony color and morphology. Chromogenic medium has also been developed for the identification of other types of microorganisms, such as
Candida
species. Chromogenic agar is commonly used for screening polymicrobial specimens to identify resistant organisms, such as carbapenem‐resistant
Enterobacterales
or vancomycin‐resistant
Enterococcus
from rectal swabs or surveillance cultures from the anterior nares to identify methicillin‐resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
. After a Gram stain is performed, chromogenic agar appropriate for the Gram stain morphology can be inoculated to reduce the time to identification of bacterial species and/or key resistance profiles. Differentiation of
Candida
spp. can be improved using chromogenic agar, which may be helpful for laboratories that use rapid molecular methods, as some smaller panels may lack species‐specific identification or identify only a few species.
Multiplex Molecular Panels for Positive Blood Cultures
Authors: She Rosemary C. , Van Tam T.
Published: December 2024

This chapter provides microbial analysis of multiplex molecular panels with procedures for the detection, identification, and characterization of microorganisms involved in human infections. This procedure summarizes the major FDA‐cleared methods available for rapid identification of common bloodstream pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers from positive blood culture bottles. The chapter discusses general considerations for implementation and application of such panels in the clinical laboratory. It covers proper quality control principles for analytical tests. With postanalytical considerations, the chapter provides attention to common test limitations, interpretive challenges, and results reporting. It emphasizes the importance of correlating molecular results with Gram stain and culture to help avoid pitfalls and aid in troubleshooting. The chapter also provides guidance on basic interpretations of molecular panels that include antimicrobial resistance markers. It develops collaboration among laboratory, patient providers, and antimicrobial stewardship stakeholders in order to maximize the clinical benefits of these molecular panels.
MALDI‐TOF MS for Identification of Acid‐Fast Bacilli and Aerobic Actinomycetes
Authors: Zelazny Adrian M. , Balada‐Llasat Joan‐Miquel
Published: December 2024

This chapter describes the use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) for the identification of mycobacteria, Nocardia, and other aerobic actinomycetes after growth in culture. It evaluates the MALDI‐TOF MS technique results in a spectral profile that relates to the mass‐to‐charge ratio of the organism. Direct spotting or on‐target extraction is not advised for myco‐bacteria due to safety concerns and the cell wall properties of this microorganism group. For these reasons, tube extraction protocols are recommended and typically involve mechanical disruption via bead beating, sonication, and/ or vortexing in ethanol, formic acid, and/or acetonitrile. The extracted proteins are then spotted onto the target plate for MALDI‐TOF MS analysis, where the microbial profile is then compared with a reference database; matching algorithms are used to determine the organism's identity.
MALDI‐TOF MS for Filamentous Fungi Identification
Authors: Hanson Kimberly E. , Sobczyk Juliana , Snavely Emily
Published: December 2024

Identification of fungi in the clinical microbiology laboratory has traditionally relied on a combination of phenotypic characteristics, including colony morphology, microscopic examination, growth characteristics, and biochemical reactions. Sequencing‐based approaches require specialized molecular expertise, can be costly, and are relatively slow. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) is a more rapid and inexpensive methodology that has been used for the identification of microorganisms, including molds, in the microbiology laboratory. Organisms are identified by using intact cells or cell protein extracts which are ionized into charged molecules using a laser. By measuring the mass to charge ratio of the ionized molecules, a spectral fingerprint is generated. These spectral fingerprints are then compared with a database of known spectra from reference organisms to generate an accurate, species‐level identification. This chapter describes protocols for application of MALDI‐TOF MS to identify filamentous fungi in the clinical microbiology laboratory.
Beta‐Lactamase Tests
Authors: Campeau Shelley , Deak Eszter
Published: December 2024

Beta‐lactamases are important mediators of bacterial resistance to beta‐lactam agents. The beta‐lactamase tests detect penicillinases where detection predicts resistance to the penicillinase‐labile penicillins. Routine beta‐lactamase tests are performed directly from bacterial colonies and are based on visual detection of the end products of beta‐lactamase hydrolysis, demonstrated with a colorimetric reaction. Direct beta‐lactamase testing can be performed on Gram‐negative and Grampositive anaerobes other than the
Bacteroides fragilis
group, as organisms in the
B. fragilis
group are beta‐lactamase producers and predictably resistant to penicillin, amoxicillin, and ampicillin. For direct beta‐lactamase tests, coagulase‐negative staphylococci may require induction to demonstrate a positive beta‐lactamase reaction.
Extended‐Spectrum Beta‐Lactamase Testing for
Enterobacterales
Authors: Pitout Johan J.
Published: December 2024

The extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes that cause resistance to the oxyimino‐cephalosporins and the monobactams but not the cephamycins or the carbapenems. The detection of ESBLs involves a screening step followed by confirmation tests. ESBLs are inhibited by “classical“ β‐lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid, sulbactam, and tazobactam. Laboratory tests for confirming ESBL‐producing bacteria are based on this property. The phenotypic ESBL confirmatory test can be performed by disk diffusion or by the broth microdilution MIC method. Commercially available ESBL gradient diffusion strips may also be used for ESBL confirmatory testing. The chapter covers proper quality control principles for analytical tests. With postanalytical considerations, it provides attention to common test limitations, interpretive challenges, and results reporting.
Solid Media Used for Isolation
Authors: Wengenack Nancy L.
Published: December 2024

Both liquid and solid media are recommended for optimal recovery of mycobacteria in culture. Pure cultures of mycobacteria, particularly
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, are still required, despite the availability of molecular technology, to obtain phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility test results and for strain typing. The advantage of solid medium is that it enables the detection of mixed cultures and contaminants. Egg‐based or agar‐based media may be used. The main advantage of an egg‐based medium is that it best supports the growth of
M. tuberculosis
and permits niacin testing, if needed. The advantages of agar‐based media include less contamination and earlier and easier visibility of colonial morphology. Colonial morphology can aid in the identification of mycobacteria. Use of both nonselective and selective media is needed for optimal mycobacterial isolation, the latter containing one or more antimicrobial agents to prevent overgrowth by contaminating bacteria or fungi.
Susceptibility Testing by the Agar Proportion Method for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Complex
Authors: Escuyer Vincent E. , Salfinger Max
Published: December 2024

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be performed on each patient's initial
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex isolate, in relapse or retreatment cases and when acquired drug resistance is suspected. The modified agar proportion method is used to determine the susceptibility of
M. tuberculosis
complex, indirectly from a pure culture. Quadrant plates are used that contain either Middlebrook 7H10 agar without antimicrobial agents or 7H10 agar with antimicrobial agents at various concentrations. Agar proportion testing compares the growth of an isolate on solid agar medium with and without antimycobacterial drug. The concentrations of the drugs tested are based on the recommendations of the CLSI. The agar proportion method also allows the determination of the proportion or percentage of resistance among the tested isolates. This chapter covers proper quality control principles for analytical tests. With analytical considerations, it provides attention to common test limitations, interpretive challenges, and results reporting.
Introduction and General Considerations
Authors: Lockhart Shawn R. , Wiederhold Nathan P.
Published: December 2024

This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part brings together the contributions of well‐respected mycologists, whose expertise will help laboratories become more adept at identifying fungi, recognizing the significance of an isolated organism, and performing susceptibility testing. Fungi can cause severe illness, but they are often overlooked as causes of clinical disease and often considered only after other etiologies have been ruled out. Infections range in severity from cosmetic onychomycosis to life‐threatening disseminated disease. In some fungal diseases (histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis), the histopathology services may provide the first diagnostic evidence of the disease while the clinical laboratory provides confirmation of the etiology using culture or molecular methods. The appearance of the fungal organism in tissue, along with patient history, risk factors, and signs and symptoms, provides the best guidance about the likely etiology, but these should be confirmed whenever possible by culture.
Risk Assessment
Authors: Buchan Blake W.
Published: December 2024

Working in a clinical microbiology laboratory presents a number of potential hazards in the form of exposure to infectious biological agents, dangerous chemical reagents, and both manual and automated instrumentation capable of causing bodily harm. The collection of safety policies is referred to as a biosafety manual and should be unique to each laboratory, considering the personnel, facilities, test procedures, and biological and other risks inherent to that laboratory. The development of individualized and effective safety policies requires a multistep process formally known as a risk assessment. There are several laboratory‐focused resources that provide recommendations for the design of a risk assessment, as well as important considerations for risk mitigation strategies related to common biological, chemical, and mechanical hazards. These include publications by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIH, and the American Society for Microbiology. The primary goal of hazard characterization is to determine if the relative risk is acceptable or unacceptable.
General Introduction to Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Authors: Rowlinson Marie‐Claire
Published: December 2024

The primary function of the Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats is to respond to biological threats/bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases. This chapter focuses on laboratory preparedness for bioterrorism‐associated biological agents, the challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases serve to highlight the importance of, and the need for, maintaining an integrated network of diagnostic laboratories that are capable of providing rapid detection of both. Bioterrorism events are classified as either overt or covert. In an overt event, the agent is announced. A covert event, which is more likely to occur, is unannounced and is much more of a challenge to detect. The detection of a covert event is likely to occur at the community/sentinel laboratory level. Health care institutions, including the laboratory, should have a preparedness plan that includes the recognition of the covert form of bioterrorism or a highly pathogenic or emerging infectious disease.
White matter hyperintensities and cholinergic degeneration as Lewy body disease
Authors: Kang Sungwoo , Jeon Seun , Kim Yeoju , Jeon Su‐Hee , Choi Minsun , Lee Young‐gun , Yun Mijin , Ye Byoung Seok
Published: December 2024

Objective

Although basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic degeneration and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are important in neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), their relationships with dopaminergic degeneration and clinical manifestations remain unclear.

Methods

A total of 407 patients with cognitive impairment meeting the diagnostic criteria for AD, DLB, or both (AD+DLB) were assessed. All participants underwent 3T MRI, dopamine transporter (DAT) positron emission tomography, neuropsychological tests, and assessments for parkinsonism, cognitive fluctuation, visual hallucination, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD). General linear and logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationships among BF volume, DAT uptake in the anterior caudate (DAT‐AC), WMH volumes in anterior, posterior, periventricular, and deep regions, and clinical manifestations.

Results

DAT‐AC was positively associated with BF volume and negatively associated with anterior periventricular WMH volume, but not with deep WMHs. Both deep and periventricular WMHs volumes were associated with hypertension and the number of microbleeds and lacunae. Lower BF volume and DAT‐AC were independently associated with increased risk of cognitive fluctuation and visual hallucination, whereas lower DAT‐AC was additionally associated with increased risk of RBD and greater parkinsonian severity. Both lower BF volume and DAT‐AC were independently associated with widespread cognitive impairment, whereas higher anterior periventricular WMH volume was associated with executive dysfunction.

Interpretation

BF cholinergic degeneration and anterior periventricular WMHs are closely associated with dopaminergic degeneration. Anterior periventricular WMHs may represent axonal alterations caused by the interplay between Lewy body‐related degeneration and vascular pathologies.
In‐Situ Construction of Solid Electrolyte Interphases with Gradient Zincophilicity for Wide Temperature Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Zetao , Zhou Wanting , Zhao Shunshun , Lou Xinhua , Chen Shimou
Published: December 2024

Dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions on zinc (Zn) metal anode are major challenges limiting the practical application of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs), particularly under wide temperatures conditions. This study proposes a novel hydrated deep eutectic solvent based electrolyte by using ethylene glycol (EG) and SnI4, enabling AZIBs to achieve excellent cycling life from −30 to 60 °C. Spectroscopic characterizations reveal H2O molecules are effectively confined within the eutectic network due to the dual effects of Zn2+ coordination and EG hydrogen bonding, thereby weakening the free water activity and broadening the electrochemical window. Furthermore, resulting from the dissociation‐reduction of the eutectic molecules and SnI4, an organic‐inorganic hybridized solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is formed on Zn surface with the zincophile gradient, this gradient SEI layer effectively inhibits the hydrogen evolution reactions and regulates the oriented Zn deposition. The Zn//Zn  symmetric cell utilizing this electrolyte achieves remarkable cycling stability of over 7800 h at room temperature, over 6000 h at −30 °C, and 2500 h at 60 °C. This work provides insights into the new approach and formation mechanism of zincophile gradient SEI layer on Zn anode, which demonstrates significant potential for developing AZIBs with high stability under wide temperatures conditions.
Intramolecular Aggregation‐Induced Surface Coupling of Metal Nanoclusters: Structure Elucidation and Photoluminescence Manipulation
Authors: Zhu Jian , Zhao Rui , Shen Honglei , Zhu Chen , Zhou Meng , Kang Xi , Zhu Manzhou
Published: December 2024

The restriction of the molecular motion has been extensively exploited in tailoring the photoluminescence (PL) of metal nanoclusters, while the activation of such a restriction at the molecular level remains highly challenging. In this work, a two‐step strategy, that is, surface activating and surface coupling, was proposed to induce the restriction of the molecular motion of nanoclusters at the molecular level, and the corresponding nanoclusters underwent emission appearance and enhancement. The peripheral phosphine ligand functionalization and alkali metal cation introduction gave rise to a series of structural‐correlated M+‐incorporated Cu14 nanoclusters (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) with a surface‐aggregation characteristic, among which the K+‐participating nanocluster displayed the strongest fluorescence intensity in both solution and crystal states. Atomic‐level structure–property correlations were investigated to rationalize the PL comparisons. Overall, this work offers a new perspective for regulating the PL of metal nanoclusters via restricting their molecular motions, hopefully providing insight into the fabrication of highly emissive metal nanoclusters and cluster‐based nanomaterials.
Bioinspired Design, Fabrication, and Wing Morphing of 3D‐Printed Magnetic Butterflies
Authors: Khan Muhammad Bilal , Schäfer Kilian , Hofmann Florian , Lutzi Matthias , Oliveros‐Mata Eduardo Sergio , Pylypovskyi Oleksandr , Makarov Denys , Gutfleisch Oliver
Published: December 2024

Monarch butterflies’ remarkable migratory abilities, facilitated by their efficient wing structures, inspire the development of bioinspired soft robots and microaerial vehicles. This study presents the design, fabrication, and wing‐morphing behavior of 3D‐printed magnetic butterflies, focusing on optimal material and design parameters to replicate monarch wing‐morphing behavior. Using composite of thermoplastic polyurethane and micron‐sized Nd2Fe14B magnetic powder, 12 unique butterfly designs—varying in size, vein patterns, and stiffness—are fabricated via powder bed fusion (PBF) 3D printing, resulting in 84 specimens. Lightweight and batch‐producible with minimal postprocessing, the specimens have weights per unit area of ≈270, 480, and 1045 g m−2 for small, medium, and large sizes, respectively. A permanent magnet induces deformation in the specimens—mimicking monarch butterflies, without embedded electronics. A systematic analysis combining finite element simulations and experiments reveals the effects of size, geometric features, and laser energy scale on wing morphing. Lower laser energy scales result in porous, fast‐bending specimens, while higher scales specimen show greater mechanical strength and varied deformation, with vein structures further improving deformation. The results provide a detailed dataset for optimizing wing‐morphing designs while highlighting the potential of the PBF process in creating lightweight magnetic bioinspired structures capable of optimal shape morphing.
Automated Neuroprognostication Via Machine Learning in Neonates with Hypoxic‐Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Lewis John D. , Miran Atiyeh A. , Stoopler Michelle , Branson Helen M. , Danguecan Ashley , Raghu Krishna , Ly Linh G. , Cizmeci Mehmet N. , Kalish Brian T.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Neonatal hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy is a serious neurologic condition associated with death or neurodevelopmental impairments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely used for neuroprognostication, but there is substantial subjectivity and uncertainty about neurodevelopmental outcome prediction. We sought to develop an objective and automated approach for the analysis of newborn brain MRI to improve the accuracy of prognostication.

Methods

We created an anatomic MRI template from a sample of 286 infants treated with therapeutic hypothermia, and labeled the deep gray‐matter structures. We extracted quantitative information, including shape‐related information, and information represented by complex patterns (radiomic measures), from each of these structures in all infants. We then trained an elastic net model to use either only these measures, only the infants’ demographic and laboratory data, or both, to predict neurodevelopmental outcomes, as measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development at 18 months of age.

Results

Among those infants for whom Bayley scores were available for cognitive, language, and motor outcomes, we found sets of MRI‐based measures that could predict their Bayley scores with correlations that were greater than the correlations based on only the demographic and laboratory data, explained more of the variance in the observed scores, and generated a smaller error; predictions based on the combination of the demographic‐laboratory and MRI‐based measures were similar or marginally better.

Interpretation

Our findings show that machine learning models using MRI‐based measures can predict neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates with hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy across all neurodevelopmental domains and across the full spectrum of outcomes. ANN NEUROL 2024
Catalytic Reductive Amination and Tandem Amination–Alkylation of Esters Enabled by a Cationic Iridium Complex
Authors: Lu Guang‐Sheng , Ruan Zhong‐Lei , Wang Yan , Lü Jin‐Fang , Ye Jian‐Liang , Huang Pei‐Qiang
Published: December 2024

Reported herein is a convenient and efficient method for one‐pot, catalytic reductive amination, as well as the first multi‐component tandem reductive amination—functionalization of bench‐stable and readily available common carboxylic esters. This method is based on the cationic [Ir(COD)2]BArF‐catalyzed chemoselective hydrosilylation of esters, followed by one‐pot acid‐mediated amination and nucleophilic addition. The reaction was conducted under mild conditions at a very low catalyst loading (0.1 mol % of Ir), which could be further reduced to 0.001 mol %, as demonstrated by a reaction at a 15 g scale. The method is highly versatile, allowing the use of esters with or without α‐protons for the N‐mono‐alkylation of primary and secondary amines to produce diverse secondary and tertiary amines, as well as α‐branched/functionalized amines. The method is highly chemoselective and tolerates a variety of functional groups such as bromo, trifluoromethyl, ester, and cyano groups. The value of the method was demonstrated by the one‐step catalytic synthesis of two bio‐relevant N‐mono‐methyl α‐amino esters and the antiparkinsonian agent piribedil, as well as by the use of two shorter chain triglycerides as alkylating feedstock.
The role of the sulfaguanidine molecular scaffold in drug design and development
Authors: Abulkhair Hamada S.
Published: December 2024

Developing new molecular entities is one of the most emerging research areas in the field of Medicinal Chemistry. Over the past few years, rigorous research has been conducted on sulfaguanidine‐linked synthetic molecules because of their promising potential in several biological activities. Sulfaguanidine has been actively incorporated in the design of anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiparkinsonian, anti‐inflammatory, and antiviral candidates. The construction of these effective candidates has adopted many chemical approaches. A number of the prepared compounds displayed promising results that merit further investigations for the development of new medications. This review summarizes the different chemical strategies and the reported activities for sulfaguanidine‐linked synthetic molecules throughout 2020–2024.
Framework Nucleic Acids: Innovative Tools for Cellular Sensing and Therapeutics
Authors: Zhang Yihan , Li Yuting , Fang Bowen , Du Yi , Peng Pai
Published: December 2024

As emerging biomaterials, framework nucleic acids (FNAs) have recently demonstrated great potential in the biomedical field due to their high programmability, biocompatibility, unique structural diversity, and precise molecular design capabilities. This review focuses on the applications of FNAs in cellular sensing and disease treatment. First, we systematically introduce the applications of FNAs in cellular sensing, including their precise recognition and response to the extracellular tumor microenvironment, cell membrane proteins, and intracellular biomarkers. Subsequently, we review the potential of FNAs in disease treatment, covering their applications and development in drug delivery, regulation of cell behavior, and immunomodulation. We also discuss the limitations and potential role of FNAs in personalized medicine, precision diagnostics, and advanced therapies. The broad application of FNAs is expected to drive significant breakthroughs in future biomedical technological innovations and clinical translation.
Automation of Local Regression Model Building for Spectroscopic Data
Authors: Pell Randy J. , Ramos L. Scott , Rohrback Brian
Published: December 2024

The concept of using local calibration for spectroscopic analysis has been discussed since the late 1980s. Since that time, many papers have described modifications to different aspects of the local modeling methodology. In this paper, we briefly discuss some of the modifications and describe an approach for the unattended automation of local model development. Ways to reduce calculation time are discussed. Four example spectroscopic datasets using Raman, FT‐NIR, and dispersive NIR are analyzed, and the local model prediction performance is compared to standard PLS prediction performance. Using independent prediction sets, local modeling is shown to improve prediction performance by 17% to 55%.
Physician and Patient Preferences for Oral Anticoagulation Therapy Decision Making in Atrial Fibrillation: Results From a National Best–Worst Scaling Survey in Türkiye
Authors: Kılıckesmez K. , Aras D. , Degertekin M. , Ozer N. , Hacibedel B. , Helvacioglu K. , Koc U. , Ozdengulsun B. , Dundar Ahi E. , Ergene O.
Published: December 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia and a common cause of ischemic stroke. Stroke prevention with oral anticoagulation (OAC) is the cornerstone of AF management. Patients and their treating physicians may have different views on different attributes of OACs. The objective of this study was to quantify the relative importance that patients and physicians in Turkey place on different OAC attributes when making treatment decisions in AF. A cross‐sectional survey was administered to AF patients (≥ 50 years) receiving OAC and practising cardiologists, including residents with ≥ 2 years of experience in Turkey. For both patients (N = 230; 50% male) and physicians (N = 194; 74% male), the most important attributes for OAC treatment decision making in AF were “success in preventing stroke” (57% and 73.9% or overall importance, respectively) and “risk of major bleeding” (20% and 23.4%, respectively). For patients, other attributes were much less important, but not altogether unimportant: reversal agent availability (7%), monitoring (5%), food or drug interactions (3%), minor bleeding (3%), and ease of swallowing (2%). For physicians, among the other attributes, only the need for monitoring (1.3%) had a relative importance of > 1%. For all Turkish participants, efficacy and safety were found to be the most important attributes influencing OAC choice in AF with these two attributes accounting for 77% and 97.3% of overall importance for patients and physicians, respectively. Certain considerations, especially reversal agent availability and monitoring appear to be more important to patients than to physicians This is the first study to use BWS to quantify patient and physician preferences for OAC treatments in AF in Turkey.
Catalytic Oxidation of Kraft Lignin in a Trickle‐Bed Continuous Reactor
Authors: Hernandez Mañas Antonio , Vilcocq Léa , Fongarland Pascal , Djakovitch Laurent
Published: December 2024

For the first time, the catalytic oxidation of Kraft lignin over a solid heterogeneous catalyst was studied in a continuous lab‐scale trickle‐bed reactor. This catalytic process is able to depolymerize Kraft lignin and produce phenolic compounds of interest such as vanillin. The impact of operating conditions such as temperature, residence time, contact time, catalyst loading and lignin concentration was evaluated. The formation of vanillin, the main phenolic compound detected in reaction products, was favored at medium temperature (200 °C), short contact time (<1gcat.min.gfeed−1), high catalyst loading (32 g) and low lignin concentration (5 g.L−1). The vanillin productivity is 30 times higher in a continuous fixed bed reactor than in a batch reactor.
Enhancing Stability of Microwave‐Synthesized Cs2SnxTi1‐xBr6 Perovskite by Cation Mixing
Authors: Reyes‐Francis Emmanuel , Julián‐López Beatriz , Echeverría‐Arrondo Carlos , Rodríguez‐Pereira Jhonatan , Esparza Diego , López‐Luke Tzarara , Espino‐Valencia Jaime , Prochowicz Daniel , Mora‐Seró Iván , Turren‐Cruz Silver‐Hamill
Published: December 2024

The double‐perovskite material Cs2TiBr6 shows excellent photovoltaic potential, making it a promising alternative to lead‐based materials. However, its high susceptibility to degradation in air has raised concerns about its practical application. This study introduces an interesting synthesis approach that significantly enhances the stability of Cs2TiBr6 powder. We implemented a gradual cation exchange process by substituting Ti4+ with Sn4+ in the efficient microwave‐assisted synthesis method, developing a double perovskite Cs2SnxTi1‐xBr6 type. A systematic study of increasing concentration of Sn4+ in Cs2TiBr6 perovskite has been performed to analyze the effect of Sn‐doping degree on the chemical and thermal stability of the material and the optical features in both nitrogen and ambient atmospheres, significantly increasing the stability of the material in the air for over a week. Furthermore, introducing Sn4+ results in a more uniform polygonal crystal morphology of the powders and a slight band gap broadening. We show that microwave‐assisted synthesis is highly efficient and cost‐effective in producing more sustainable lead‐free perovskite materials with enhanced stability and desirable electrical characteristics. This work suggests a promising method for synthesizing perovskite materials, opening new routes for scientific research and applications.