bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ULUSAL KALKINMA ve BÖLGE PLANLARI ÇERÇEVESİNDE DEZAVANTAJLI GRUPLAR
Authors: ÇALHAN Merve
Published: September 2023

Dezavantajlı grup kavramı hem ekonomik hem de sosyal ve kültürel alana katılımda yaşanan sorunlardan kaynaklanan, sadece kentsel yoksulluk üzerinden değil; kentsel yoksunluk üzerinden de ilerleyen çok boyutlu bir kavramdır. Bu çalışmada dezavantajlı grupların tanımları ile dezavantajlılığın yapısal nedenlerinin incelenmesi ve ulusal kalkınma planları ile bölge planlarında dezavantajlı grupların hangi açılardan ele alındığının tartışılması amaçlanmaktadır. Ulusal kalkınma planlarında “dezavantajlılık” kavramsal olarak yer almamakla birlikte, dezavantajlı grupların içinde değerlendirilen kadın ve çocuklara ilişkin politikalara tüm plan metinlerinde yer verilmiştir. Bu amaçla, öncelikle dezavantajlı gruplar özelinde ulusal kalkınma planlarında belirlenen strateji, hedef ve öncelikler incelenmiştir. 2007-2013 dönemini kapsayan Dokuzuncu Kalkınma Planı, dezavantajlı grupların kavramsal olarak yer bulduğu ilk kalkınma planıdır. Daha sonra, kalkınma ajanslarının hazırladıkları bölge planlarında dezavantajlı gruplar için oluşturulan stratejiler; 2014-2023 Doğu Marmara Bölge Planı örneği üzerinden irdelenmiştir. Planın dezavantajlı gruplara yönelik verilerine göre, iç göçle gelen kadın ve çocuklar ile kırsal alanda yaşayan gençler, yaşlılar, kadın ve çocuklar dezavantajlı gruplar tanımı içinde değerlendirilmiştir. Son olarak, ulusal düzeyde ve Doğu Marmara Bölge Planı özelinde dezavantajlı gruplar için ortaya konulan strateji, öncelik ve hedefler ile Doğu Marmara Kalkınma Ajansı tarafından uygulanan Sosyal Gelişmeyi Destekleme Programı’nda (SOGEP) yer alan öncelikler karşılaştırılmıştır.
Study of diabetes mellitus among patients with hepatitis C virus
Authors: Raouf Mona Abdel , Yousry Zeinab A. , Hindy Olfat M. , Eissa Somayh S. , Soliman Dalia S.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and type 2 diabetes are two common disorders with high impact on health worldwide. There is growing evidence to support the concept that HCV is associated with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose

This work aimed to study the clinical phenotype of type 2 diabetes in HCV patients.

Patients and methods

Our study was conducted upon 100 nonobese, noncirrhotic hepatitis C positive patients who were classified into two groups according to homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) test for insulin resistance (HOMA IR). This study also included 15 nonobese type 2 diabetic patients negative for HCV and hepatitis B virus infection classified as control groups. We excluded alcoholics and drug addicts and patients with conditions that affect blood glucose such as endocrine diseases associated with disordered glucose metabolism and use of drugs. All participants were subjected to full history taking and complete clinical examination including BMI and the following investigations: complete blood count, fasting blood sugar, 2 h postprandial blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting insulin level, cholesterol level, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, serum urea, creatinine, complete urine analysis, liver function tests: total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, prothrombin time, INR, SGOT, SGPT, quantitative PCR for determination of HCV-RNA, surface antigen (HbsAg), abdominal ultrasonography, liver biopsy when needed and possible for HCV patients, and ECG.

Results

In this study, we found that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in group I is 24%. HCV can independently contribute to IR with viral genotypes 1 or 4. We noticed significant positive correlation between fasting insulin and HOMA IR in hepatitis C +ve patients. IR in HCV-infected patients is high irrespective of the degree of liver injury even before a minimal fibrosis is present. Both IR and diabetes can adversely affect the course of chronic hepatitis C, leading to enhanced steatosis and liver fibrosis, and even increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. A significant correlation between HOMA IR and steatosis, a significant positive correlation between fasting insulin and steatosis and a negative correlation between steatosis and BMI in HCV patients was found. No correlation was found between HOMA IR and the viral load (quantitative HCV RNA).

Conclusion

We can concluded that diabetic HCV patients had intermediate clinical phenotype lower BMI and LDL than control and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in HCV patients was significantly higher in nontreated patients than treated patients. Antiviral therapy and clearance of HCV improves IR, β-cell function, the blood glucose abnormalities.
Correlations of folic acid, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and thrombopoietin to platelet count in HCV infection
Authors: Eissa Somayh S. , Hendy Olfat M. , Younis Fatma , Omar Samy Aziza K. , Abdallah Ayat R. , Ahmed Laila A.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The platelet count is known to decrease in proportion to the advancement of the stage of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) viral infection. The platelet count is currently used as an index for fibrosis staging. The pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia (TCP) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not completely understood.

Purpose

This work aimed to study the correlations of folic acid (FA), vitamin B12 (Vit B12), homocysteine (Hcy), and thrombopoietin to the platelet count in HCV infection.

Patients and methods

Sixty-seven patients (51 men and 16 women) with HCV infection were included in this study. All patients were sero-negative for hepatitis B viral markers. In addition, 20 healthy volunteers, matched for sex and age, were included as a control group. All patients and control individuals were subjected to the following: assessment of medical history, thorough clinical examination, and laboratory investigations including the following: complete blood cell counts, viral hepatitis markers, liver and renal function tests, HCV-RNA by quantitative PCR, serum folate, Vit B12, thrombopoietin, and plasma Hcy. Abdominal ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided liver biopsy for histopathologic examinations were carried out for the patients. Patients were divided into two groups of 36 patients with CHC and 31 patients with cirrhosis with HCV liver cirrhosis (LC).

Results

The results indicated a significant decrease in the platelet count in CHC and LC patients compared with the healthy control group. There was a highly significant decrease in the FA level in CHC and LC patients compared with the control group; also, a significant decrease in the platelet count was found in LC patients compared with CHC patients. Hcy was significantly increased in CHC and LC patients. There was a nonsignificant decrease in Vit B12 in CHC patients, whereas it was significantly increased in LC patients. There was a nonsignificant decrease in thrombopoietin in CHC patients compared with the control group, whereas in LC patients, there was a highly significant decrease. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the platelet count and FA, but an insignificant correlation between the platelet count and Hcy, Vit B12, thrombopoietin, and viral load.

Conclusion

This study concluded that TCP in HCV-related chronic liver diseases is multifactorial and decreased FA is involved in its pathogenesis as an independent risk factor. Increased Hcy may cause TCP through platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction.
The importance of using ultrasonography in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Ragab Gaafar , El-Ghobary Mohamed A. , El Gohary Rasmia M.
Published: September 2023

Background

Radiographic features of osteoarthritis (OA) do not correlate with its symptoms at the individual patient level; thus, conventional radiography has limitations. Ultrasonography plays an important role in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders. It reveals soft-tissue abnormalities such as pes anserine bursitis, Baker’s cyst, effusion, synovial hypertrophy, meniscal tear, and collateral ligament injury.

Aim of work

The aim of this study was to detect changes in the knee that cannot be visualized using conventional radiography and to better understand and manage unexplained pain in OA.

Results

There was a discrepancy between the results obtained by clinical examination and those by ultrasonography. Knee effusion was found in 21 knees (70%); synovial hypertrophy was found in three knees (10%), of them two showed Baker’s cyst and marked effusion; Baker’s cyst was found in eight knees (27%); and pes anserine bursitis was found in one knee. Results that could not be found by clinical examination were: cartilage degeneration in 27 knees (90%) and meniscal degeneration in 26 (86%). Meniscal degeneration and synovial hypertrophy were correlated significantly with advanced cartilage degeneration (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Ultrasonography can be used for diagnosing soft-tissue lesions, for grading the severity of OA, and for guiding and monitoring therapy.
Nonendoscopic predictors of large esophageal varices
Authors: ElNaggar Ahmed A. , Gomaa Mohamed S. , Fawzy May M.
Published: September 2023

Background

There is a particular need for noninvasive predictors of esophageal varices (EV) that might help reduce medical, social, and economic costs. Our study aimed at studying the noninvasive predictors of EV.

Patients and methods

A total of 100 live cirrhotic patients with compensated liver functions were subjected to full clinical, laboratory, and imaging investigations.

Results

A total of 55% of the studied groups showed EV; 39% showed high-grade EV (grades III, IV, and V). Platelet count and platelet count/splenic diameter ratio have the highest accuracy and specificity for predicting EV, whereas platelet count/splenic diameter ratio has the highest predictive accuracy for the presence of large EV.

Conclusion

The platelet count/splenic diameter ratio can predict the presence of EV and large-sized EV.
Sinus involvement in cases of rhinoscleroma: a cause of antibiotic resistance and early recurrence after medical treatment
Authors: Atef Ahmed , Talaat Nassim , El Farouk Ahmed , Qotb Mohamed , Fathi Hesham , Ilia Shady
Published: September 2023

En

Abstract

Theory

To investigate the true incidence of sinus infection in cases of rhinoscleroma, and the possible role of reinfection from the sinuses to explain recurrence and resistant to treatment in cases of scleroma.

Materials and methods

Twenty-five patients with histologically proved granular rhinoscleroma were included in this cohort prospective study.

Results and conclusion

More than one-third of the cases of rhinoscleroma in our series were associated with histologically proved sinus lesions, and these sinus-positive lesions were associated with resistance to standard medical treatment and with early recurrence.
Lateral nasopharyngeal cysts
Authors: Khalifa Mohamed Adel , Makshat Mohsen
Published: September 2023

En

Abstract

Objective

We report an extremely rare case of lateral nasopharyngeal cysts.

Method

Case reports and a review of the world literature on lateral pharyngeal cysts are presented.

Results

A 45-year-old male patient presented with a swelling in the nasopharynx. This swelling was oblong in shape, with a smooth bluish red surface with its inferior aspect projecting toward the oropharynx. Endoscopic nasal examination showed its attachment to be superior to the left side of the nasopharynx. Computed tomography scan axial cut showed a radio-opaque shadow of the cyst occupying the left half of the nasopharynx.

Conclusion

Congenital branchiogenic cysts of the nasopharynx are quite rare. They originate from the second pharyngeal pouch and attach to one side of the nasopharyngeal roof just behind the posterior choanal opening.
Anxiety in female teachers with dysphonia: correlation between the voice handicap index and anxiety state
Authors: Shoeib Rasha Mohammed , Nassar Jilan F. , Ghandour Hassan H.
Published: September 2023

En

Abstract

Background

Female teachers are at particular risk of developing voice disorders. They are more likely to have psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression.

Aim

To assess the presence of anxiety in female teachers with dysphonia, paying particular attention to the association between the patient’s self-evaluation of her voice handicap and anxiety state.

Participants and methods

Thirty-nine female teachers with dysphonia were subjected to a voice assessment protocol, Arabic voice handicap index (VHI), to quantify the degree of handicap related to voice disorders and assessment of anxiety using the Manifest Anxiety Scale of Taylor. The results obtained were compared with the results of 34 normal female teachers who were subjected to the same assessment protocols.

Results

There were highly significant differences between both the groups in the scores of VHI and the anxiety scale. Anxiety showed a significant correlation with the duration of dysphonia, the grade of dysphonia, the total score of VHI, and its three domains.

Conclusion

Anxiety is frequent among dysphonic female teachers, with a significant association between the patient’s self-evaluation of her voice handicap and anxiety state. Such a high association advocates for both vocal education programs and psychiatric consultations.
Assessment of nonsymbolic communication skills in children with Down syndrome and autism
Authors: Hegazi Mona , Ismail Samira , Nasser Jilan , Mamdouh Mohammed
Published: September 2023

En

Abstract

Introduction

Communication is among the most basic of human needs. Verbal communication is the highest level of communication, whereas nonverbal (nonsymbolic) communication may remain the only mode of communication in individuals with significant cognitive limitation. Assessment of nonsymbolic skills of two categories of patients with limited verbal output, namely, those with autism [autistic disorder (AD)] and those with Down syndrome (DS), is our main aim. We used the Dynamic Assessment of Nonsymbolic Communication (DANC) test to achieve our aim, because most traditional language tests underestimate this type of communication. Insight into the nonverbal communication abilities of AD and DS patients helps to maintain the communication between them and their caregivers.

Participants and methods

The current study recruited 20 patients with DS, 20 patients with AD, and 20 normal children as controls. The age of the AD and DS patients ranged from 2 to 5 years, whereas the age of controls ranged from 1 to 2 years. All participants were subjected to detailed personal, family, medical, and developmental history taking. Full clinical examination, hearing tests, and assessment of mental ability (intelligence quotient) were performed. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale was provided to evaluate the severity of autism. The DANC test was administered to evaluate the nonsymbolic skills of all participants.

Results

The control group achieved the highest score in all parts of the DANC test, followed by the DS group and the AD group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the DS group and normal group (P>0.05), whereas the autistic group showed highly significantly lower scores compared with both the normal and DS groups (P<0.001). There was also a highly significant difference in scores on the DANC test among the patients in the autistic group in terms of its severity.

Conclusion

Application of the DANC test reflected a specific pattern of nonsymbolic skills of AD and DS patients with respect to their relative strengths and weakness. Such patterns should be considered while designing their intervention program aiming either at developing verbal communication or at enhancing the nonverbal skills. Maintaining communication with such patients helps to fulfill their simple needs and prevents frustration among their caregivers caused by lack of communication.
Predictive outcomes of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Talaat El Ghonemy Mohamed M. , Shehata Wael , Abd El Atti Rasha M.
Published: September 2023

En

Abstract

Objective

This article aims at addressing some inflammatory markers obtained from patients who underwent a functional endoscopic sinus surgery for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) to predict the outcome of such surgeries according to the inflammatory load and to determine whether certain immune markers can predict a poor prognosis in these patients.

Methods

Fourteen patients (eight women and six men) with diffuse rhinosinusitis as evident from a computed tomography scan but without nasal polyposis underwent ethmoidectomy. All patients had undergone biopsies of the ethmoid sinuses at the time of surgery. All tissue samples were subjected to immunohistochemical staining using CD3, CD4, CD8, and interleukin (IL)-5 antibodies, and the number of lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, and CD8) and IL-5-expressing cells at the time of surgery were compared with the clinical response and nasal endoscopic findings 6 months after surgery.

Results

Only six patients showed an improvement with a decrease in nasal symptoms and a decrease in the need for medications. Eight patients had an unchanged status or worsened, with disabling rhinorrhea and repeated sinusitis.

Conclusion

Almost more than half of the patients with CRS and a diffuse mucosal disease do not respond to surgery. T lymphocytes play an important role in the pathophysiology of CRS. An increased number of IL-5-expressing cells in the ethmoid sinuses at the time of surgery could predict a poor prognosis. It may eventually be possible to classify patients with CRS into different groups with different prognoses.
Acute-phase reactants in children with recurrent tonsillitis treated by tonsillectomy versus long-acting penicillin
Authors: Mohamed Azza , El Tabbakh Mohamed , Zeitoun Alaa , El Hennawi Diaa
Published: September 2023

En

Abstract

Introduction

Tonsillitis is widespread among children and has serious poststreptococcal complications, and both the patients and the otolaryngology surgeon have to face the question on what is the role and benefit of using long-acting penicillin and whether it is an alternative method of treatment to surgery? This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of tonsillectomy compared with long-acting penicillin in the treatment of recurrent tonsillitis, comparing their effects on the levels of the antistreptolysin O titer (ASOT) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Patients and methods

A total of 200 patients aged 4–15 years with recurrent tonsillitis and signs of chronic tonsillitis, after exclusion of patients with bleeding diathesis, anemia, chronic illness, and criteria of rheumatic fever, who were attending the Ismailia General Hospital were included in this study; they were divided to two groups comprising 100 patients each. The first group was treated by tonsillectomy, whereas the second group was treated using long-acting penicillin monthly for 6 months. They were clinically evaluated; ESR and ASOT levels were recorded for all patients before management, after 3 months, and after 6 months.

Results

The mean ESR readings before management, after 3 months, and after 6 months for the first group treated by tonsillectomy were 45.28, 22.36, and 7.4 ml/h, respectively (P-value<0.0021); for the second group treated with penicillin, they were 45.39, 14.98, and 6.48 ml/h, respectively (P-value<0.020). The mean ASOT readings for the tonsillectomy group were 518.29, 253.28, and 117.13 IU/ml, respectively (P-value<0.004), whereas for the penicillin group, they were 526.70, 413.39, and 262.98 IU/ml, respectively (P-value<0.072).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the first line of treatment of recurrent chronic tonsillitis is tonsillectomy, as it is both clinically effective and cost-effective for children and that the second line of treatment is long-acting penicillin with a long-term follow-up, and in patients, have contraindications for surgery such as bleeding diathesis.
Clinical balance tests for evaluation of balance dysfunction in children with sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Said Eman A. F.
Published: September 2023

En

Abstract

Aim

Children with hearing impairment may have a potential risk for vestibular dysfunctions. They may undergo a sensory redistribution process whereby visual and somatosensory information becomes more essential for postural control. The aim of the study was to assess the balance ability in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) compared with normal-hearing controls using clinical balance subset tests. A second aim was to determine the prognostic value of some etiological, audiological, and demographic (age and sex) factors in predicting a possibility for vestibular impairment for the early identification of children with vestibular deficits.

Participants and methods

Thirty children with normal hearing (17 girls and 13 boys) and 50 children with bilateral SNHL of varying degree, aged between 5 and 15 years, were recruited from the Audiology Unit of Assiut University Hospital. All of them were subjected to the following: basic audiological evaluation (pure tone, speech audiometry), immittancemetry and auditory brainstem responses, clinical balance subset tests of the standardized Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of motor proficiency (BOT-2), modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance (mCTSIB), one-leg stand (OLS), and tandem stand.

Results

Hearing-impaired (HI) children showed bilateral SNHL of varying degree, ranging from moderate to profound hearing loss (moderately–severe 32%, severe 18%, and profound 50%) and of different etiologies (heredofamilial 46%, acquired 38%, not known 16%).

Balance abilities as measured in this study were significantly poorer in HI children compared with normal-hearing children. HI children with acquired cause and profound degree of SNHL had the highest abnormal score in these clinical tests compared children with other etiologies and degrees of SNHL (although this difference did not reach statistical significance).

In most clinical balance tests that were done in this study, the youngest children in the HI group achieved scores that were almost lower than the scores obtained by the older age groups; the most significant difference was observed for tests performed with eyes closed.

Conclusion

Balance dysfunction occurs in a significant percentage of HI children and may have significant detrimental effects on motor development mainly in very young children. Therefore, information on the identification and treatment of these balance dysfunctions is crucial.
The DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway tailors behavioral and molecular host responses to a variety of bacteria in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Madhu Bhoomi , Lakdawala Mohammed Farhan , Gumienny Tina L
Published: September 2023

Generating specific, robust protective responses to different bacteria is vital for animal survival. Here, we address the role of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) member DBL-1 in regulating signature host defense responses in Caenorhabditis elegans to human opportunistic Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. Canonical DBL-1 signaling is required to suppress avoidance behavior in response to Gram-negative, but not Gram-positive bacteria. We propose that in the absence of DBL-1, animals perceive some bacteria as more harmful. Animals activate DBL-1 pathway activity in response to Gram-negative bacteria and strongly repress it in response to select Gram-positive bacteria, demonstrating bacteria-responsive regulation of DBL-1 signaling. DBL-1 signaling differentially regulates expression of target innate immunity genes depending on the bacterial exposure. These findings highlight a central role for TGF-β in tailoring a suite of bacteria-specific host defenses.
The differentiation and integration of the hippocampal dorsoventral axis are controlled by two nuclear receptor genes
Authors: Yang Xiong , Wan Rong , Liu Zhiwen , Feng Su , Yang Jiaxin , Jing Naihe , Tang Ke
Published: September 2023

The hippocampus executes crucial functions from declarative memory to adaptive behaviors associated with cognition and emotion. However, the mechanisms of how morphogenesis and functions along the hippocampal dorsoventral axis are differentiated and integrated are still largely unclear. Here, we show that Nr2f1 and Nr2f2 genes are distinctively expressed in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus, respectively. The loss of Nr2f2 results in ectopic CA1/CA3 domains in the ventral hippocampus. The deficiency of Nr2f1 leads to the failed specification of dorsal CA1, among which there are place cells. The deletion of both Nr2f genes causes almost agenesis of the hippocampus with abnormalities of trisynaptic circuit and adult neurogenesis. Moreover, Nr2f1/2 may cooperate to guarantee appropriate morphogenesis and function of the hippocampus by regulating the Lhx5-Lhx2 axis. Our findings revealed a novel mechanism that Nr2f1 and Nr2f2 converge to govern the differentiation and integration of distinct characteristics of the hippocampus in mice.
Multiple dynamic interactions from basal ganglia direct and indirect pathways mediate action selection
Authors: Li Hao , Jin Xin
Published: September 2023

The basal ganglia are known to be essential for action selection. However, the functional role of basal ganglia direct and indirect pathways in action selection remains unresolved. Here, by employing cell-type-specific neuronal recording and manipulation in mice trained in a choice task, we demonstrate that multiple dynamic interactions from the direct and indirect pathways control the action selection. While the direct pathway regulates the behavioral choice in a linear manner, the indirect pathway exerts a nonlinear inverted-U-shaped control over action selection, depending on the inputs and the network state. We propose a new center (direct)-surround (indirect)-context (indirect) ‘Triple-control’ functional model of basal ganglia, which can replicate the physiological and behavioral experimental observations that cannot be simply explained by either the traditional ‘Go/No-go’ or more recent ‘Co-activation’ model. These findings have important implications on understanding the basal ganglia circuitry and action selection in health and disease.
Effect of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass with increased kynurenic acid content on selected metabolic indicators in mice
Authors: Matusiewicz Magdalena , Wróbel-Kwiatkowska Magdalena , Niemiec Tomasz , Świderek Wiesław , Kosieradzka Iwona , Rosińska Aleksandra , Niwińska Anna , Rakicka-Pustułka Magdalena , Kocki Tomasz , Rymowicz Waldemar , Turski Waldemar A.
Published: September 2023

Background

The unconventional yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica is a valuable source of protein and many other nutrients. It can be used to produce hydrolytic enzymes and metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous metabolite of tryptophan with a multidirectional effect on the body. The administration of Y. lipolytica with an increased content of KYNA in the diet may have a beneficial effect on metabolism, which was evaluated in a nutritional experiment on mice.

Methods

In the dry biomass of Y. lipolytica S12 enriched in KYNA (high-KYNA yeast) and low-KYNA (control) yeast, the content of KYNA was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Then, proximate and amino acid composition and selected indicators of antioxidant status were compared. The effect of 5% high-KYNA yeast content in the diet on the growth, hematological and biochemical indices of blood and the redox status of the liver was determined in a 7-week experiment on adult male mice from an outbred colony derived from A/St, BALB/c, BN/a and C57BL/6J inbred strains.

Results

High-KYNA yeast was characterized by a greater concentration of KYNA than low-KYNA yeast (0.80 ± 0.08 vs. 0.29 ± 0.01 g/kg dry matter), lower content of crude protein with a less favorable amino acid composition and minerals, higher level of crude fiber and fat and lower ferric-reducing antioxidant power, concentration of phenols and glutathione. Consumption of the high-KYNA yeast diet did not affect the cumulative body weight gain per cage, cumulative food intake per cage and protein efficiency ratio compared to the control diet. A trend towards lower mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit, higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lower serum total protein and globulins was observed, increased serum total cholesterol and urea were noted. Its ingestion resulted in a trend towards greater ferric-reducing antioxidant power in the liver and did not affect the degree of liver lipid and protein oxidation.

Conclusions

The improvement of the quality of Y. lipolytica yeast biomass with increased content of KYNA, including its antioxidant potential, would be affected by the preserved level of protein and unchanged amino acid profile. It will be worth investigating the effect of such optimized yeast on model animals, including animals with metabolic diseases.
Seasonal Influence on the Microbiology and Physicochemistry of Crude Oil Polluted Wetlands
Authors: Chibuike, P. M.  , Wemedo, S. A.  , Williams J. O.  , Ugboma, C. J.  , Ogbonna D.N.
Published: September 2023

Pollutants such as crude oil spills in an environment, affect the physical, chemical and biological properties of that environment. This study was conducted to determine the effect of seasonal variations on the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of three crude oil-polluted wetlands in Rivers State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected at 3 depths (0-15cm, 15-30cm and 30-45cm) with the aid of a hand auger, sampling was done for a period of twelve months covering the rainy (March to August) and dry seasons (September to February). Samples were analyzed for physicochemical characteristics, using standard analytical and microbiological methods. The data obtained was analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22 and Duncan’s multiple range test was used to separate means where differences occurred. Microbiological analyses showed that significantly higher microbial counts were observed in the dry season than in the rainy season in the wetland samples which could be due to favourable environmental conditions during the period of study. Wetland soil total heterotrophic bacterial (THB) count in the wet season ranged from 1.09x107cfu/g to 10.45x107cfu/g and from 2.43x107cfu/g to 18.56x107cfu/g in the dry season. Total heterotrophic bacteria had the highest population in all soil depths (0-15cm, 15-30cm and 30-45cm) in both seasons. Hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria such as Bacillus subtilllis, B. rigui, B. flexus, Lysinibacillus macrolides, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus penneri and fungi such as Aspergillus species, Fusarium species, Mucor species and Rhizopus species were genetically identified in this study. Temperature and other physicochemical parameters in the wetlands were altered due to the variation in season. Higher temperature ranges were observed in the dry season than in the rainy season as seen in Iwofe, temperature ranged from 26.500C (0-15cm) to 28.500C (30-45cm) in the rainy season while in the dry season it ranged from 31.500C (0-15cm) to 33.500C (30-45cm) which was above FEPA permissible limit of 300C for soil temperature. The study showed that season of study as well as crude oil spillage have significant effects on the microbiology and physicochemical characteristics of wetlands and therefore, contribute to microbiological degradation in wetlands.
Induced Abortion and the Risk of Rh Sensitization
Authors: Horvath Sarah , Huang Zhen-Yu , Koelper Nathanael C. , Martinez Christian , Tsao Patricia Y. , Zhao Ling , Goldberg Alisa B. , Hannum Curtiss , Putt Mary E. , Luning Prak Eline T. , Schreiber Courtney A.
Published: September 2023

Importance

While population-level data suggest Rh immunoglobulin is unnecessary before 12 weeks’ gestation, clinical evidence is limited. Thus, guidelines vary, creating confusion surrounding risks and benefits of Rh testing and treatment. As abortion care in traditional clinical settings becomes harder to access, many people are choosing to self-manage and need to know if ancillary blood type testing is necessary.

Objective

To determine how frequently maternal exposure to fetal red blood cells (fRBCs) exceeds the most conservative published threshold for Rh sensitization in induced first-trimester abortion.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Multicenter, observational, prospective cohort study using high-throughput flow cytometry to detect circulating fRBCs in paired maternal blood samples before and after induced first-trimester abortion (medication or procedural). Individuals undergoing induced first-trimester abortion before 12 weeks 0 days’ gestation were included. Paired blood samples were available from 506 participants who underwent either medical (n = 319 [63.0%]) or procedural (n = 187 [37.0%]) abortion.

Exposure

Induced first-trimester abortion.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with fRBC counts above the sensitization threshold (125 fRBCs/5 million total RBCs) after induced first-trimester abortion.

Results

Among the 506 participants, the mean (SD) age was 27.4 (5.5) years, 313 (61.9%) were Black, and 123 (24.3%) were White. Three of the 506 participants had elevated fRBC counts at baseline; 1 of these patients had an elevated fRBC count following the abortion (0.2% [95% CI, 0%-0.93%]). No other participants had elevated fRBC counts above the sensitization threshold after induced first-trimester abortion. The median change from baseline was 0 fRBCs, with upper 95th and 99th percentiles of 24 and 35.6 fRBCs, respectively. Although there was a strong association between the preabortion and postabortion fRBC counts, no other baseline characteristic was significantly associated with postabortion fRBC count.

Conclusions and Relevance

Induced first-trimester abortion is not a risk factor for Rh sensitization, indicating that Rh testing and treatment are unnecessary before 12 weeks’ gestation. This evidence may be used to inform international guidelines for Rh immunoglobulin administration following first-trimester induced abortion.
Detection and virulence of Lactococcus garvieae and L. petauri from four lakes in southern California
Authors: Abraham Taylor , Yazdi Zeinab , Littman Eric , Shahin Khalid , Heckman Taylor I. , Quijano Cardé Eva Marie , Nguyen Diem Thu , Hu Ruixue , Adkison Mark , Veek Tresa , Mukkatira Kavery , Richey Christine , Kwak Kevin , Mohammed Haitham H. , Ortega Cesar , Avendaño-Herrera Ruben , Keleher William , LePage Véronique , Gardner Ian , Welch Timothy J. , Soto Esteban
Published: September 2023

Objective

The first objective of the study aimed to detect the presence of Lactococcus petauri, L. garvieae, and L. formosensis in fish (n = 359) and environmental (n = 161) samples from four lakes near an affected fish farm in California during an outbreak in 2020. The second objective was to compare the virulence of the Lactococcus spp. in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides.

Methods

Standard bacterial culture methods were used to isolate Lactococcus spp. from brain and posterior kidney of sampled fish from the four lakes. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was utilized to detect Lactococcus spp. DNA in fish tissues and environmental samples from the four lakes. Laboratory controlled challenges were conducted by injecting fish intracoelomically with representative isolates of L. petauri (n = 17), L. garvieae (n = 2), or L. formosensis (n = 4), and monitored for 14 days postchallenge (dpc).

Result

Lactococcus garvieae was isolated from the brains of two Largemouth Bass in one of the lakes. Lactococcus spp. were detected in 14 fish (8 Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus and 6 Largemouth Bass) from 3 out of the 4 lakes using a qPCR assay. Of the collected environmental samples, all 4 lakes tested positive for Lactococcus spp. in the soil samples, while 2 of the 4 lakes tested positive in the water samples through qPCR. Challenged Largemouth Bass did not show any signs of infection postinjection throughout the challenge period. Rainbow Trout infected with L. petauri showed clinical signs within 3 dpc and presented a significantly higher cumulative mortality (62.4%; p < 0.0001) at 14 dpc when compared to L. garvieae (0%) and L. formosensis (7.5%) treatments.

Conclusion

The study suggests that qPCR can be used for environmental DNA monitoring of Lactococcus spp. and demonstrates virulence diversity between the etiological agents of piscine lactococcosis.
Ultralow Roll‐Off Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes Using Engineered Carrier Injection Layer
Authors: Liao Zebing , Mallem Kumar , Prodanov Maksym F. , Kang Chengbin , Gao Yiyang , Song Jianxin , Vashchenko Valerii V. , Srivastava Abhishek K.
Published: September 2023

Quantum dot (QD) light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) have attracted extensive attention due to their high color purity, solution‐processability, and high brightness. Due to extensive efforts, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of QLEDs has approached the theoretical limit. However, because of the efficiency roll‐off, the high EQE can only be achieved at relatively low luminance, hindering their application in high‐brightness devices such as near‐to‐eye displays and lighting applications. Here, this article reports an ultralow roll‐off QLED that is achieved by simultaneously blocking electron leakage and enhancing the hole injection, thereby shifting the recombination zone back to the emitting QDs layer. These devices maintain EQE over 20.6% up to 1000 mA cm−2 current density, dropping only by ≈5% from the peak EQE of 21.6%, which is the highest value ever reported for the bottom‐emitting red QLEDs. Furthermore, the maximum luminance of the optimal device reaches 320 000 cd m−2, 2.7 times higher than the control device (Lmax: 128 000 cd m−2). A passive matrix (PM) QLED display panel with high brightness based on the optimized device structure is also demonstrated. The proposed approach advances the potential of QLEDs to operate efficiently in high‐brightness scenarios.
Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Chiral Photonic Crystals of Caesium Lead Halide Perovskites
Authors: Zhao Cai‐Yun , Zhao Hongbo , Chen Zhang , Pei Renjun , Wang Pei‐Xi
Published: September 2023

The generation and detection of circularly polarized light (CPL) are of importance in many modern technologies such as digital communications, machine vision, bio‐imaging, and 3D displays. In this study, inspired by the fact that various species of plants and animals can efficiently produce and/or perceive CPL with chiral photonic crystal structures, efforts are made to fabricate luminescent chiral photonic crystals with caesium lead halide perovskites, a class of solution‐processable semiconductors that have excellent luminescence properties and readily tunable electronic band gaps. Coupling between the emission frequency of the perovskite and the cavity resonance frequency of the photonic crystal structure can be established at any desired point in the visible region, giving rise to CPL output with a dissymmetry factor up to −0.34. These results suggest a new approach to chiral light‐emitting materials and may contribute to the development of semiconductors with ordered microstructures.
Scutellarin Rescued Mitochondrial Damage through Ameliorating Mitochondrial Glucose Oxidation via the Pdk‐Pdc Axis
Authors: Sheng Ning , Zhang Zhihui , Zheng Hao , Ma Congyu , Li Menglin , Wang Zhe , Wang Lulu , Jiang Jiandong , Zhang Jinlan
Published: September 2023

Mitochondrial bioenergetic deficits and their resulting glucose hypometabolism are the key pathophysiological modulators that promote neurodegeneration. However, there are no specific potential molecules that have been identified to treat neurological diseases by regulating energy metabolism and repairing mitochondrial damage. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex (PDC), which can be phosphorylated by pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), is the gate‐keeping enzyme for mitochondrial glucose oxidation. In this study, a small‐molecule scutellarin (SG) is discovered that can significantly alleviate the neuropathological changes in hippocampal CA1 of cerebral hypoperfusion model rats, rescued the morphological changes of abnormal mitochondria, and restored mitochondrial homeostasis. Mitochondrial proteomics, energy metabolism monitoring, and 13C‐metabolic flux analysis targeted SG activity on PDK2, thus regulating PDK‐PDC‐mediated glycolytic metabolism to TCA cycle during mitochondrial OXPHOS damage. The knockdown of PDK2 in the SK‐N‐SH cells validated that SG could rescue mitochondrial damage via the PDK‐PDC axis, promote the MMP level and reduce the mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis. Collectively, this study explored the novel therapeutic approach: the PDK‐PDC axis for neurological injury and cognitive impairment and uncovered the effect of SG on mitochondrial protection via the PDK‐PDC axis and mitochondrial glucose oxidation. The findings indicate that active components ameliorating mitochondrial bioenergetic deficits could be of significant value for neurological disease therapy.
General Figures of Merit ZQ for Thermoelectric Generators Under Constant Heat‐In Flux Boundary
Authors: Li Huan , Wang Yupeng , Zhu Kang , Han Zhijia , Wu Xinzhi , Wang Shuaihua , Zhang Wenqing , Liu Weishu
Published: September 2023

The thermoelectric figure of merit ZT bridges the efficiency and material parameters for a thermoelectric device operating under constant temperature of the hot‐ and cold‐source thermal boundary (Type‐I TB). However, many application scenarios fall under the constant heat‐in flux (qh) and constant cold‐source temperature (Tc) thermal boundary (Type‐II TB), for which a figure of merit is absent for more than half a century. This study aims to fill this gap and propose a figure of merit ZQD for the thermoelectric devices under the Type‐II TB condition, defined as , where Z, h, and κ are the traditional figure of merit, leg height, and thermal conductivity, respectively. The effectiveness of ZQD is verified through both numerical calculations and experiments, which are more accurate and practical than ZT. Furthermore, a system‐level figure of merit ZQS is suggested after considering the external thermal resistance. Finally, optimization strategies for thermoelectric systems based on ZQS are proposed, showing a 30% enhancement in the efficiency. ZQD and ZQS are expected to be widely used in the thermoelectric field.
A Dithiin‐Linked Covalent Organic Polymer for Ultrahigh Capacity Half‐Cell and Symmetric Full‐Cell Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Shen , Wang Chenchen , Song Tianyi , Yao Huiying , Yang Jie , Wang Xin , Zhu Jia , Lee Chun‐Sing , Zhang Qichun
Published: September 2023

Sodium ion‐batteries (SIBs) are considered as a class of promising alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) to overcome their drawbacks of limited sources and safety problems. However, the lack of high‐performance electrode materials hinders the wide‐range commercialization of SIBs. Comparing to inorganic counterparts, organic electrode materials, which are benefitted from flexibly designable structures, low cost, environmental friendliness, and high theoretical gravimetric capacities, should be a prior choice. Here, a covalent organic polymer (COP) based material (denoted as CityU‐9) is designed and synthesized by integrating multiple redox motifs (benzoquinone and thioether), improved conductivity (sulfur induction), and intrinsic insolubility (rigid skeleton). The half‐cell SIBs exhibit ultrahigh specific capacity of 1009 mAh g−1 and nearly no capacity drop after 650 cycles. The first all‐COP symmetric full‐cell shows high specific capacity of 90 mAh g−1 and excellent rate capability. This work can extend the selection of redox‐active moieties and provide a rational design strategy of high‐performance novel organic electrode materials.
Nickel‐Based Single‐Molecule Catalysts with Synergistic Geometric Transition and Magnetic Field‐Assisted Spin Selection Outperform RuO2 for Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Saini Kavish , Nair Aruna N. , Yadav Anju , Enriquez Lissette Garcia , Pollock Christopher J. , House Stephen D. , Yang Shize , Guo Xin , Sreenivasan Sreeprasad T.
Published: September 2023

Overcoming slow kinetics and high overpotential in electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) requires innovative catalysts and approaches that transcend the scaling relationship between binding energies for intermediates and catalyst surfaces. Inorganic complexes provide unique, customizable geometries, which can help enhance their efficiencies. However, they are unstable and susceptible to chemical reaction under extreme pH conditions. Immobilizing complexes on substrates creates single‐molecule catalysts (SMCs) with functional similarities to single‐atom catalysts (SACs). Here, an efficient SMC, composed of dichloro(1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) nickel [NiCl2dppp] anchored to a graphene acid (GA), is presented. This SMC surpasses ruthenium‐based OER benchmarks, exhibiting an ultra‐low onset and overpotential at 10 mAcm−2 when exposed to a static magnetic field. Comprehensive experimental and theoretical analyses imply that an interfacial charge transfer from the Ni center in NiCl2dppp to GA enhances the OER activity. Spectroscopic investigations reveal an in situ geometrical transformation of the complex and the formation of a paramagnetic Ni center, which under a magnetic field, enables spin‐selective electron transfer, resulting in enhanced OER performance. The results highlight the significance of in situ geometric transformations in SMCs and underline the potential of an external magnetic field to enhance OER performance at a single‐molecule level.
Spatiotemporal Studies of Soluble Inorganic Nanostructures with X‐rays and Neutrons
Authors: Yin Jia‐Fu , Amidani Lucia , Chen Jiadong , Li Mu , Xue Binghui , Lai Yuyan , Kvashnina Kristina , Nyman May , Yin Panchao
Published: September 2023

This Review addresses the use of X‐ray and neutron scattering as well as X‐ray absorption to describe how inorganic nanostructured materials assemble, evolve, and function in solution. We first provide an overview of techniques and instrumentation (both large user facilities and benchtop). We review recent studies of soluble inorganic nanostructure assembly, covering the disciplines of materials synthesis, processes in nature, nuclear materials, and the widely applicable fundamental processes of hydrophobic interactions and ion pairing. Reviewed studies cover size regimes and length scales ranging from sub‐Ångström (coordination chemistry and ion pairing) to several nanometers (molecular clusters, i.e. polyoxometalates, polyoxocations, and metal‐organic polyhedra), to the mesoscale (supramolecular assembly processes). Reviewed studies predominantly exploit 1) SAXS/WAXS/SANS (small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray or neutron scattering), 2) PDF (pair‐distribution function analysis of X‐ray total scattering), and 3) XANES and EXAFS (X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure, respectively). While the scattering techniques provide structural information, X‐ray absorption yields the oxidation state in addition to the local coordination. Our goal for this Review is to provide information and inspiration for the inorganic/materials science communities that may benefit from elucidating the role of solution speciation in natural and synthetic processes.