bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Packaging Types on Fresh Peaches in the Direct‐To‐Consumer Environment: Distribution Testing, Life Cycle Assessment and Economic Impact
Authors: Lytle Brennan , Batt Gregory S. , Hurley R. Andrew , Gasic Ksenija
Published: April 2024

The direct‐to‐consumer (D2C) shipping mode presents new opportunity for fresh peach sales in North America where demand over the past four decades has steadily declined. The hazards in this distribution mode are severe, and fresh peaches are fragile emphasizing the need for proper protection. A full analysis that not only encompasses the effects of the D2C distribution environment but also incorporates analyses of the environmental and economic impact of the packages utilized for transit of peaches is necessary. In this study, we use the metrics of peach grade, firmness, soluble solids concentration and percent softness before and after the distribution simulation to compare the protective performance of six DTC packaging systems. All six packages consist of a single layer corrugated box with varying primary packaging. A life cycle analysis of each package system is performed as well as an economic analysis on the packaged materials and cost to ship. We conclude that peach damage in shock testing is related to the freedom of movement that peaches have within each package type and varies by package system. All the package types evaluated amplify input vibration in the frequency range commonly associated with the input from the tires of truck‐trailer systems. There are no statistical differences between package systems in the distribution simulation of the six package types except in peach softness and grade of melting flesh peaches. Finally, we found that a reduction in material use and change in format, that is, foam sheets to foam netting, provides for sufficient peach protection while reducing environmental and economic impact.
Balloon pulmonary angioplasty under awake veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a patient with class III obesity with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension complicated with multiple serious comorbidities
Authors: Sato Tsukasa , Fukui Shigefumi , Nakano Takao , Hasegawa Kaoru , Kikuta Hisashi , Kameyama Takeyoshi , Shirota Yuko , Endo Tomoyuki , Kawamoto Shunsuke , Kumagai Koji , Izawa Hideo , Komaru Tatsuya
Published: April 2024

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a chronic disease that can rapidly deteriorate into circulatory collapse when complicated by comorbidities. We herein describe a case involving a 43‐year‐old woman with class III obesity (body mass index of 63 kg/m2) and severe CTEPH associated with total occlusion of the left main pulmonary artery who subsequently developed circulatory collapse along with multiple comorbidities, including acute kidney injury, pulmonary tuberculosis, and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. The patient was successfully treated with two sessions of rescue balloon pulmonary angioplasty with veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V‐A ECMO) support under local anesthesia without sedation, at cannulation and during the V‐A ECMO run, to avoid invasive mechanical ventilation. This case suggests the potential usefulness of rescue balloon pulmonary angioplasty under awake V‐A ECMO support for rapidly deteriorating, inoperable CTEPH in a patient with class III obesity complicated with multiple comorbidities.
Parallel Gate Fidelity of Flip‐Flop Qubits in Small 1D‐ and 2D‐Arrays in a Noisy Environment
Authors: De Michielis Marco , Rei Davide , Ferraro Elena
Published: April 2024

The long coherence time of donor atom nuclear spin states and of its bounded electron in can be exploited to define a qubit. This work is focused on a type of donor‐ and quantum dot‐based qubit, the flip‐flop (FF) qubit, that leverages antiparallel electron‐nuclear spin states of a donor atom controlled by an electric field. It can provide long‐range inter‐qubit interactions in the order of some hundreds of nanometers, thus relaxing the common constraints and tolerances on inter‐qubit distances in donor‐based qubits. Simulation results of linear array (LA) and square array (SA) of four FF qubits are presented to study the effect of noise, idle qubits, and simultaneous gating (parallel gating) on gate fidelity. The impact of noise and qubit mutual coupling for both considered types of array are presented and the obtained fidelity results are compared.
Acid‐Catalyzed Ring Opening Reaction of Cyclopropyl Carbinols with Acetonitrile to Synthesize Amides
Authors: Zhou Kang , Wang Yuling , Fan Fengqi , Yu Hai , Pu Chenguang
Published: May 2024

A one‐pot protocol for the synthesis of amides has been developed by employing acetonitrile as nitrogen source and solvent. The reaction undergoes ring‐opening of cyclopropyl carbinols and in situ formation of homoallylic carbocation, which reacts with acetonitrile to give desired products. The substrate of this reaction is widely applicable and the desired products are obtained in moderate to good yields.
Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of N3‐Functionalized TZD‐Indole Conjugates as Potential Anticancer Agents
Authors: Ravi Subhashini , Gaddamedi Sreevani , Gopal Agrawal Harsha , Soni Ambikesh , Kumar Mishra Ashutosh , Narayan Rath Subha
Published: May 2024

Investigation pertaining to the design and synthesis of therapeutic drugs against lung cancer remains in high demand, considering the high fatality rate associated with this disease. Herein, a carboxyl and ester functionalization at the N3 position of the TZD (thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione) moiety in an indole‐TZD conjugate was envisaged and evaluated as a potential anticancer drug. Although TIA (thiazoindole acid) did not demonstrate significant effectiveness against the A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, the ester analog TIE (thiazoindole ester) showed high cytotoxic potential against the A549 cell line in their monolayer and spheroid form. Further, preliminary mechanistic investigations, such as cell viability studies and nuclear staining, revealed typical apoptotic features, including chromatin condensation, cellular shrinkage, and the formation of horseshoe‐shaped nuclei. In addition, the TIE compound can disrupt the F‐actin protein, thereby decreasing cell migration. Moreover, the cell cycle analysis revealed a notable halt in the G2/M phase. Further docking studies elucidate the interaction between TIE and the (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor) PPAR‐γ receptor. In summary, the findings of our investigation suggest that TIE compounds possess considerable efficacy as an anti‐proliferative agent and hold promise for therapeutic applications in lung cancer treatment.
131I Induced In Vivo Proteolysis by Photoswitchable azoPROTAC Reinforces Internal Radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Huihui , Xiong Hehua , Li Changjun , Xu Mengxia , Yun Yuyang , Ruan Yiling , Tang Lijun , Zhang Tao , Su Dan , Sun Xiaolian
Published: April 2024

Photopharmacology, incorporating photoswitches such as azobenezes into drugs, is an emerging therapeutic method to realize spatiotemporal control of pharmacological activity by light. However, most photoswitchable molecules are triggered by UV light with limited tissue penetration, which greatly restricts the in vivo application. Here, this study proves that 131I can trigger the trans‐cis photoisomerization of a reported azobenezen incorporating PROTACs (azoPROTAC). With the presence of 50 µCi mL−1 131I, the azoPROTAC can effectively down‐regulate BRD4 and c‐Myc levels in 4T1 cells at a similar level as it does under light irradiation (405 nm, 60 mW cm−2). What's more, the degradation of BRD4 can further benefit the 131I‐based radiotherapy. The in vivo experiment proves that intratumoral co‐adminstration of 131I (300 µCi) and azoPROTC (25 mg kg−1) via hydrogel not only successfully induce protein degradation in 4T1 tumor bearing‐mice but also efficiently inhibit tumor growth with enhanced radiotherapeutic effect and anti‐tumor immunological effect. This is the first time that a radioisotope is successfully used as a trigger in photopharmacology in a mouse model. It believes that this study will benefit photopharmacology in deep tissue.
Soft and Damping Thermal Interface Materials with Honeycomb‐Board‐Mimetic Filler Network for Electronic Heat Dissipation
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Liu Yijie , Zhong Shujing , Chen Jie , Li Zhe , Zhang Chongyin , Jiang Pingkai , Huang Xingyi
Published: April 2024

High‐power‐density electronic devices under vibrations call for soft and damping thermal interface materials (TIMs) for efficient heat dissipation. However, integrating low hardness, high damping, and superior heat transfer capability into one TIM is highly challenging. Herein, soft, damping, and thermally conductive TIMs are designed and prepared by constructing a honeycomb‐board‐mimetic boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) network in a dynamic polyimine via one‐step horizontal centrifugal casting. The unique filler network makes the TIMs perform a high through‐plane thermal conductivity (> 7.69 W m−1 K−1) and a uniform heat transfer process. Meanwhile, the hierarchical dynamic bonding of the polyimine endows the TIMs with low compressive strength (2.16 MPa at 20% strain) and excellent damping performance (tan δ > ≈0.3 at 10−2–102 Hz). The resulting TIMs also exhibit electrical insulation and remarkable recycling ability. Compared with the commercial ones, the TIMs provide better heat dissipation (4.1 °C) for a high‐power 5G base station and less temperature fluctuation (1.8 °C) for an automotive insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) under vibrations. This rational design offers a viable approach to prepare soft and damping TIMs for effective heat dissipation of high‐power‐density electronic devices under vibrations.
Synergetic Exterior and Interfacial Approaches by Colloidal Carbon Quantum Dots for More Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Against UV
Authors: Zhang Dongjiu , Hu Zhelu , Vlaic Sergio , Xin Chenghao , Pons Stéphane , Billot Laurent , Aigouy Lionel , Chen Zhuoying
Published: April 2024

The achievement of both efficiency and stability in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) remains a challenging and actively researched topic. In particular, among different environmental factors, ultraviolet (UV) photons play a pivotal role in contributing to device degradation. In this work, by harvesting simultaneously both the optical and the structural properties of bottom–up‐synthesized colloidal carbon quantum dots (CQDs), a cost‐effective means is provided to circumvent the UV‐induced degradation in PSCs without scarification on their power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). By exploring and optimizing the number of CQDs and the different locations/interfaces of the solar cells where CQDs are applied, a synergetic configuration is achieved where the photovoltaic performance drop due to optical loss is completely compensated by the increased perovskite crystallinity due to interfacial modification. As a result, on the optimized configurations where CQDs are applied both on the exterior front side as an optical layer and at the interface between the electron transport layer and the perovskite absorber, unencapsulated PSCs with PCEs >20% are fabricated which can maintain up to ≈94% of their initial PCE after 100 h of degradation in ambient air under continuous UV illumination (5 mW cm−2).
Synthesis of Microscopic 3D Graphene for High‐Performance Supercapacitors with Ultra‐High Areal Capacitance
Authors: Pham Viet Hung , Wang Congjun , Gao Yuan , Weidman Jennifer , Kim Ki‐Joong , Matranga Christopher
Published: April 2024

Despite graphene being considered an ideal supercapacitor electrode material, its use in commercial devices is limited because few methods exist to produce high‐quality graphene at a large scale and low cost. A simple method is reported to synthesize 3D graphene by graphenization of coal tar pitch with a K2CO3 catalyst. This produces 3D graphenes with high specific surface areas up to 2113 m2 g−1 and exceptional crystallinity (Raman ID/IG as low as ≈0.15). The material has an outstanding specific capacitance of 182.6 F g−1 at a current density of 1.0 A g−1. This occurs at a mass loading of 30 mg cm−2 which is 3 times higher than commercial requirements, yielding an ultra‐high areal capacitance of 5.48 F cm−2. The K2CO3 is recycled and reused over 10 cycles with material quality and electrocapacitive performance of 3D graphene retained and verified after each cycle. The synthesis method and resulting electrocapacitive performance properties create new opportunities for using 3D graphene more broadly in practical supercapacitor devices.
Interfaces Engineering of Ultrafine Ni@Ni2P/C Core–Shell Heterostructure for High Yield Hydrogen Peroxide Electrosynthesis
Authors: He Yilei , Wei Yanze , Huang Ruiyi , Xia Tian , Wang Ji , Yu Zijian , Wang Zumin , Yu Ranbo
Published: April 2024

Developing cost‐effective and sustainable catalysts with exceptional activity and selectivity is essential for the practical implementation of on‐site H2O2 electrosynthesis, yet it remains a formidable challenge. Metal phosphide core–shell heterostructures anchored in carbon nanosheets (denoted as Ni@Ni2P/C NSs) are designed and synthesized via carbonization and phosphidation of the 2D Ni‐BDC precursor. This core–shell nanostructure provides more accessible active sites and enhanced durability, while the 2D carbon nanosheet substrate prevents heterostructure aggregation and facilitates mass transfer. Theoretical calculations further reveal that the Ni/Ni2P heterostructure‐induced optimization of geometric and electronic structures enables the favored adsorption of OOH* intermediate. All these features endow the Ni@Ni2P/C NSs with remarkable performance in 2e ORR for H2O2 synthesis, achieving a top yield rate of 95.6 mg L−1 h−1 with both selectivity and Faradaic efficiency exceeding 90% under a wide range of applied potentials. Furthermore, when utilized as the anode of an assembled gas diffusion electrode (GDE) device, the Ni@Ni2P/C NSs achieve in situ H2O2 production with excellent long‐term durability (>32 h). Evidently, this work provides a unique insight into the origin of 2e ORR and proposes optimization of H2O2 production through nano‐interface manipulation.
Autonomous Synthesis of Thin Film Materials with Pulsed Laser Deposition Enabled by In Situ Spectroscopy and Automation
Authors: Harris Sumner B. , Biswas Arpan , Yun Seok Joon , Roccapriore Kevin M. , Rouleau Christopher M. , Puretzky Alexander A. , Vasudevan Rama K. , Geohegan David B. , Xiao Kai
Published: April 2024

Autonomous systems that combine synthesis, characterization, and artificial intelligence can greatly accelerate the discovery and optimization of materials, however platforms for growth of macroscale thin films by physical vapor deposition techniques have lagged far behind others. Here this study demonstrates autonomous synthesis by pulsed laser deposition (PLD), a highly versatile synthesis technique, in the growth of ultrathin WSe2 films. By combing the automation of PLD synthesis and in situ diagnostic feedback with a high‐throughput methodology, this study demonstrates a workflow and platform which uses Gaussian process regression and Bayesian optimization to autonomously identify growth regimes for WSe2 films based on Raman spectral criteria by efficiently sampling 0.25% of the chosen 4D parameter space. With throughputs at least 10x faster than traditional PLD workflows, this platform and workflow enables the accelerated discovery and autonomous optimization of the vast number of materials that can be synthesized by PLD.
Cellulose Nanofibrils of High Immunoaffinity for Efficient Enrichment of Small Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Wang Zesheng , Dai Jun , He Huimin , Si Tongxu , Ng Kaki , Zheng Shuang , Zhou Xiaoyu , Zhou Zhihang , Yuan Huijun , Yang Mengsu
Published: April 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), crucial in facilitating the transport of diverse molecular cargoes for intercellular communication, have shown great potential in diagnostics, therapeutics, and drug delivery. The challenge of developing effective preparation methods for EVs is heightened by their intrinsic heterogeneity and complexity. Here, a novel strategy for high EV enrichment is developed by utilizing EV‐affinitive‐modified cellulose nanofibrils. Specifically, modified cellulose with rich carboxyl groups has outstanding dispersing properties, able to be dispersed into cellulose nanofibrils in solution. These cellulose nanofibrils are utilized as scaffolds for the immobilization of EV‐affinitive antibody of CD63 by chemical conjugation. The CD63‐modified nanofibrils demonstrate a superior EV capture efficiency of 86.4% compared with other reported methods. The high performance of this system is further validated by the efficient capture of EVs from biological blood plasma, allowing the detection of bioactive markers from EV‐derived miRNAs and proteins. The authors envision that these modified cellulose nanofibrils of enhanced capability on EV enrichment will open new avenues in various biomedical applications.
Tibia properties in broilers raised on their own commercial diets with different growth rates and sex during a 10‐week rearing period
Authors: Çapar Akyüz Hilal , Onbaşılar Esin Ebru , Yalçın Sakine
Published: April 2024

Background

Genetic selection applied to broilers results in fast growth and an increase in meat yield. However, this situation causes welfare problems in broilers.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to determine the weekly changes in the tibia characteristics in broilers raised on their own commercial diets.

Methods

In the study, 168 (84 female and 84 male) slow‐growing (Hubbard‐Isa Red JA) and 168 (84 female and 84 male) fast‐growing (Ross‐308) day‐old broiler chicks were used. Six broilers from each genotype and sex group were weighed weekly and slaughtered to determine the tibia properties during the 10‐week fattening period.

Results

Fast‐growing broilers had higher tibia weight and longer length, diaphysis diameter and medullary canal diameter than those of slow‐growing broilers at the same age. In fast‐growing genotypes, the cortical index was low only in the 2nd week, and Robusticity and Seedor indices were observed to be better throughout the whole fattening. The ash content of the total tibia in the fast‐growing broilers was higher in all of the examined weeks except the 4th week and the 9th week of fattening than that in the slow‐growing broilers. Although the amount of ash per unit body weight in the 1st week of fattening was higher in fast‐growing broilers, this situation reversed after the 4th week. The level of all minerals examined in total tibia weight is high in fast‐growing broilers, and they differed according to the fattening period.

Conclusions

When comparing tibia characteristics of two different genotypes fed their own commercial diets, the tibia structure was found to be stronger in fast‐growing broilers compared to other genotypes at the same age, but slow‐growing broilers were more prominent in terms of body weight. It was observed that the mineral density was higher in male broilers, except in the 1st week.
AI chatbots in pet health care: Opportunities and challenges for owners
Authors: Jokar Mohammad , Abdous Arman , Rahmanian Vahid
Published: April 2024

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into health care has seen remarkable advancements, with applications extending to animal health. This article explores the potential benefits and challenges associated with employing AI chatbots as tools for pet health care. Focusing on ChatGPT, a prominent language model, the authors elucidate its capabilities and its potential impact on pet owners' decision‐making processes. AI chatbots offer pet owners access to extensive information on animal health, research studies and diagnostic options, providing a cost‐effective and convenient alternative to traditional veterinary consultations.

The fate of a case involving a Border Collie named Sassy demonstrates the potential benefits of AI in veterinary medicine. In this instance, ChatGPT played a pivotal role in suggesting a diagnosis that led to successful treatment, showcasing the potential of AI chatbots as valuable tools in complex cases. However, concerns arise regarding pet owners relying solely on AI chatbots for medical advice, potentially resulting in misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment and delayed professional intervention.

We emphasize the need for a balanced approach, positioning AI chatbots as supplementary tools rather than substitutes for licensed veterinarians. To mitigate risks, the article proposes strategies such as educating pet owners on AI chatbots' limitations, implementing regulations to guide AI chatbot companies and fostering collaboration between AI chatbots and veterinarians. The intricate web of responsibilities in this dynamic landscape underscores the importance of government regulations, the educational role of AI chatbots and the symbiotic relationship between AI technology and veterinary expertise.

In conclusion, while AI chatbots hold immense promise in transforming pet health care, cautious and informed usage is crucial. By promoting awareness, establishing regulations and fostering collaboration, the article advocates for a responsible integration of AI chatbots to ensure optimal care for pets.
Construction and investigation of differential hierarchical models for the Newtonian fluids
Authors: Jaiani George
Published: May 2024

We construct mathematical hierarchical models in Eulerian coordinates for an ideal and a Newtonian viscous fluid flow in the prismatic shell‐like domains. The peculiarities of well‐posedness of boundary conditions for angular domains are discussed.
Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for neuromuscular diseases
Authors: Zambon Alberto Andrea , Falzone Yuri Matteo , Bolino Alessandra , Previtali Stefano Carlo
Published: April 2024

Neuromuscular diseases encompass a heterogeneous array of disorders characterized by varying onset ages, clinical presentations, severity, and progression. While these conditions can stem from acquired or inherited causes, this review specifically focuses on disorders arising from genetic abnormalities, excluding metabolic conditions. The pathogenic defect may primarily affect the anterior horn cells, the axonal or myelin component of peripheral nerves, the neuromuscular junction, or skeletal and/or cardiac muscles. While inherited neuromuscular disorders have been historically deemed not treatable, the advent of gene-based and molecular therapies is reshaping the treatment landscape for this group of condition. With the caveat that many products still fail to translate the positive results obtained in pre-clinical models to humans, both the technological development (e.g., implementation of tissue-specific vectors) as well as advances on the knowledge of pathogenetic mechanisms form a collective foundation for potentially curative approaches to these debilitating conditions. This review delineates the current panorama of therapies targeting the most prevalent forms of inherited neuromuscular diseases, emphasizing approved treatments and those already undergoing human testing, offering insights into the state-of-the-art interventions.
Mapping and characterization of rust resistance genes Lr53 and Yr35 introgressed from Aegilops species
Authors: Xu Binyang , Shen Tao , Chen Hong , Li Hongna , Rehman Shams ur , Lyu Shikai , Hua Lei , Wang Guiping , Zhang Chaozhong , Li Kairong , Li Hao , Lan Caixia , Chen Guo-Yue , Hao Ming , Chen Shisheng
Published: April 2024

Key message

The rust resistance genes Lr53 and Yr35 were introgressed into bread wheat from Aegilops longissima or Aegilops sharonensis or their S-genome containing species and mapped to the telomeric region of chromosome arm 6BS.

Wheat leaf and stripe rusts are damaging fungal diseases of wheat worldwide. Breeding for resistance is a sustainable approach to control these two foliar diseases. In this study, we used SNP analysis, sequence comparisons, and cytogenetic assays to determine that the chromosomal segment carrying Lr53 and Yr35 was originated from Ae.longissima or Ae. sharonensis or their derived species. In seedling tests, Lr53 conferred strong resistance against all five Chinese Pt races tested, and Yr35 showed effectiveness against Pst race CYR34 but susceptibility to race CYR32. Using a large population (3892 recombinant gametes) derived from plants homozygous for the ph1b mutation obtained from the cross 98M71 × CSph1b, both Lr53 and Yr35 were successfully mapped to a 6.03-Mb telomeric region of chromosome arm 6BS in the Chinese Spring reference genome v1.1. Co-segregation between Lr53 and Yr35 was observed within this large mapping population. Within the candidate region, several nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat genes and protein kinases were identified as candidate genes. Marker pku6B3127 was completely linked to both genes and accurately predicted the absence or presence of alien segment harboring Lr53 and Yr35 in 87 tetraploid and 149 hexaploid wheat genotypes tested. We developed a line with a smaller alien segment (< 6.03 Mb) to reduce any potential linkage drag and demonstrated that it conferred resistance levels similar to those of the original donor parent 98M71. The newly developed introgression line and closely linked PCR markers will accelerate the deployment of Lr53 and Yr35 in wheat breeding programs.
Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Defining Components in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Varies According to the Method of Assessment and Adjustment: Findings from the UK Biobank
Authors: Freer Christine L. , George Elena S. , Tan Sze-Yen , Abbott Gavin , Scott David , Daly Robin M.
Published: April 2024

Sarcopenia may increase non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk, but prevalence likely varies with different diagnostic criteria. This study examined the prevalence of sarcopenia and its defining components in adults with and without NAFLD and whether it varied by the method of muscle mass assessment [bioelectrical impedance (BIA) versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)] and adjustment (height2 versus BMI). Adults (n = 7266) in the UK Biobank study (45–79 years) with and without NAFLD diagnosed by MRI, were included. Sarcopenia was defined by the 2018 European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People definition, with low appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) assessed by BIA and DXA and adjusted for height2 or BMI. Overall, 21% of participants had NAFLD and the sex-specific prevalence of low muscle strength (3.6–7.2%) and sarcopenia (0.1–1.4%) did not differ by NAFLD status. However, NAFLD was associated with 74% (males) and 370% (females) higher prevalence of low ASM when adjusted for BMI but an 82% (males) to 89% (females) lower prevalence when adjusted for height2 (all P < 0.05). The prevalence of impaired physical function was 40% (males, P = 0.08) to 123% (females, P < 0.001) higher in NAFLD. In middle-aged and older adults, NAFLD was not associated with a higher prevalence of low muscle strength or sarcopenia but was associated with an increased risk of impaired physical function and low muscle mass when adjusted for BMI. These findings support the use of adiposity-based adjustments when assessing low muscle mass and the assessment of physical function in NAFLD.
Genome-Scale Investigation of the Regulation of azoR Expression in Escherichia coli Using Computational Analysis and Transposon Mutagenesis
Authors: Salem Mona A. , Nour El-Din Hanzada T. , Hashem Abdelgawad M. , Aziz Ramy K.
Published: May 2024

Bacterial azoreductases are enzymes that catalyze the reduction of ingested or industrial azo dyes. Although azoreductase genes have been well identified and characterized, the regulation of their expression has not been systematically investigated. To determine how different factors affect the expression of azoR, we extracted and analyzed transcriptional data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) resource, then confirmed computational predictions by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results showed that azoR expression was lower with higher glucose concentration, agitation speed, and incubation temperature, but higher at higher culture densities. Co-expression and clustering analysis indicated ten genes with similar expression patterns to azoR: melA, tpx, yhbW, yciK, fdnG, fpr, nfsA, nfsB, rutF, and chrR (yieF). In parallel, constructing a random transposon library in E. coli K-12 and screening 4320 of its colonies for altered methyl red (MR)-decolorizing activity identified another set of seven genes potentially involved in azoR regulation. Among these genes, arsC, relA, plsY, and trmM were confirmed as potential azoR regulators based on the phenotypic decolorization activity of their transposon mutants, and the expression of arsC and relA was confirmed, by qRT-PCR, to significantly increase in E. coli K-12 in response to different MR concentrations. Finally, the significant decrease in azoR transcription upon transposon insertion in arsC and relA (as compared to its expression in wild-type E. coli) suggests their probable involvement in azoR regulation. In conclusion, combining in silico analysis and random transposon mutagenesis suggested a set of potential regulators of azoR in E. coli.
In situ X-ray and IR probes relevant to Earth science at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
Authors: Kunz Martin , Armstrong Katherine , Barnard Harold , Bechtel Hans A. , Couper Samantha C. , Kalkan Bora , Lisabeth Harry , MacDowell Alastair A. , Miyagi Lowell , Parkinson Dilworth Y. , Tamura Nobumichi , Williams Quentin
Published: April 2024

Access to synchrotron X-ray facilities has become an important aspect for many disciplines in experimental Earth science. This is especially important for studies that rely on probing samples in situ under natural conditions different from the ones found at the surface of the Earth. The non-ambient condition Earth science program at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, offers a variety of tools utilizing the infra-red and hard X-ray spectrum that allow Earth scientists to probe Earth and environmental materials at variable conditions of pressure, stress, temperature, atmospheric composition, and humidity. These facilities are important tools for the user community in that they offer not only considerable capacity (non-ambient condition diffraction) but also complementary (IR spectroscopy, microtomography), and in some cases unique (Laue microdiffraction) instruments. The availability of the ALS’ in situ probes to the Earth science community grows especially critical during the ongoing dark time of the Advanced Photon Source in Chicago, which massively reduces available in situ synchrotron user time in North America.
Construct validation of the Japanese Core Outcome Measures Index and the impact of diseases on patient-reported outcome measures in preoperative patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and disk herniation: a single-center observational study
Authors: Mizoguchi Yasuaki , Akasaka Kiyokazu , Suzuki Kenta , Kimura Fumihiko , Hall Toby , Ogihara Satoshi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The primary objective was to validate the construct validity of the Japanese Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) in preoperative patients aged 60 years or older undergoing lumbar spine surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar disk herniation (LDH). Additionally, as a secondary aim, we explored the impact of these diseases on quality of life (QOL).

Methods

The analysis included 199 preoperative patients aged 60 and above who were scheduled for lumbar spine surgery. To assess QOL, Japanese versions of the COMI, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension-3 Level (EQ-5D-3L), and SF-12v2 were employed. The study assessed the validity of the COMI and compared demographic and clinical characteristics between the LSS (147 cases) and LDH (52 cases) groups. It used multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) to examine the impact of diseases (LSS and LDH) on each patient-reported outcome measure while considering covariates.

Results

Compared to the LSS group, the LDH group showed more difficulty with the COMI summary score (LSS/LDH [mean]: 6.9/8.1, p < 0.001), ODI score (46.8/57.4, p < 0.001), and EQ-5D utility (0.53/0.43, p < 0.001). The LDH group also reported more difficulties in the COMI-function, COMI-symptom-specific well-being, COMI-disability, ODI-personal care, ODI-social life, and SF-12v2-bodily pain subscales. MANCOVA demonstrated that these results were not influenced by covariates such as gender and medical history.

Conclusions

This study highlights the distinct impact of LSS and LDH on preoperative QOL in older patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery. Tailored interventions are essential to address the specific challenges posed by these conditions and improve patient-centered outcomes and postoperative recovery.
Parastomal hernia repair, trying to optimize the impossible reconstruction
Authors: Maskal S. M. , Ellis R. C. , Miller B. T.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Parastomal hernias are a common and challenging problem with high rates of wound complications and hernia recurrence after repair. We present our approach to optimizing parastomal hernia repair through preoperative preparation, surgical approach, and postoperative management.

Methods

Patients are carefully evaluated and optimized prior to surgery. Our typical surgical approach involves a generous midline laparotomy and retrorectus dissection followed by a posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release. We typically utilize a Sugarbaker technique for retromuscular mesh placement but also use the retromuscular keyhole or cruciate technique if there is insufficient bowel length.

Results

Previously published results from our institution include wound complication rates of up to 16% after open retromuscular parastomal hernia repair. Stoma-specific complications, such as mesh erosion in the bowel, may be attributed to the mesh placement techniques. Hernia recurrence rates range from 11 to 30% up to 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusion

We prefer an open retromuscular approach with a Sugarbaker mesh configuration to treat complex parastomal hernias. However, wound morbidity and repair failure rates remain high, and additional research is needed to optimize surgical outcomes.
Potential current and future distribution for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Colombia: important disease vectors
Authors: Mejía-Jurado Estefanía , Echeverry-Cárdenas Emmanuel , Aguirre-Obando Oscar Alexander
Published: April 2024

Invasive mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (African) and Aedes albopictus (Asian), serve as global vectors for diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, and they are currently present in Colombia. Consequently, the aim of this study was to assess the potential geographic distribution of these A. aegypti and A. albopictus vectors under both present and future environmental conditions in Colombia. To achieve this, a dataset was compiled using global records for each species, with those from Colombia being used for model validation. These records, in conjunction with layers of bioclimatic variables, were incorporated into ecological niche models. Predictions of potential distribution were made with the Maxent algorithm, using the Wallace EcoMod application for current conditions and the Java MaxEnt software for future projections, which represented three climate change scenarios (SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585) for two time periods (2041–2060 and 2081–2100). Additionally, niche overlap was calculated, and the suitable habitat range and population at risk in Colombia were quantified for current predictions. It is suggested that both species share ideal areas in the country with an overlap of 0.85, covering over 70% of the country's territory and reaching altitudes higher than 2,500 m, potentially affecting at least 45% of the population. In the future for both species it is estimated that, with increasing temperatures, the potential distribution could decrease, but they could invade areas with altitudes above 3,500 m (colder). It is concluded that, currently, A. aegypti and A. albopictus could have similar geographic distribution in Colombia and that, in the following years, climate change could lead to latitudinal and altitudinal variations in the distribution areas of these vectors.
There is no "I" in Postphenomenology
Authors: Claassen Kristy
Published: April 2024

Human beings are embedded in diverse social, cultural and political groups through which we make sense of our technologically mediated lived experience. This article seeks to reaffirm the postphenomenological subject as a primarily social subject. Critics maintain that the current postphenomenological framework does not adequately address the social, cultural and political context in which human-technology relations take place. In recent years, various additions to postphenomenology have been suggested in order to address this contextual deficit. In this article, I argue that a return to the phenomenological roots of postphenomenology reveals underexamined analytical tools that allow for greater socio-cultural and political sensitivity. I take Don Ihde’s supposed macroperceptual and microperceptual divide as a point of departure in claiming that postphenomenology has too hastily turned away from the subject as primarily socially situated. I draw upon the phenomenological tradition, particularly the social phenomenology of Alfred Schutz, to develop a social postphenomenological approach. This approach is informed by the Schutzian notions of action, the stock of knowledge at hand and consociates. In the resulting account, the postphenomenological schema of I—Technology—World is reconstrued as We—Technology—World.
Infant Social Attention Associated with Elevated Likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Multi-Method Comparison
Authors: Fu Xiaoxue , Platt Emma , Shic Frederick , Bradshaw Jessica
Published: April 2024

Purpose: The study aimed to compare eye tracking (ET) and manual coding (MC) measures of attention to social and nonsocial information in infants with elevated familial likelihood (EL) of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and low likelihood of ASD (LL). ET provides a temporally and spatially sensitive tool for measuring gaze allocation. Existing evidence suggests that ET is a promising tool for detecting distinct social attention patterns that may serve as a biomarker for ASD. However, ET is prone to data loss, especially in young EL infants. Methods: To increase evidence for ET as a viable tool for capturing atypical social attention in EL infants, the current prospective, longitudinal study obtained ET and MC measures of social and nonsocial attention in 25 EL and 47 LL infants at several time points between 3 and 24 months of age. Results: ET data was obtained with a satisfactory success rate of 95.83%, albeit with a higher degree of data loss compared to MC. Infant age and ASD likelihood status did not impact the extent of ET or MC data loss. There was a significant positive association between the ET and MC measures of attention, and separate analyses of attention using ET and AC measures yielded comparable findings. These analyses indicated group differences (EL vs. LL) in age-related change in attention to social vs. nonsocial information. Conclusion: Together, the findings support infant ET as a promising approach for identifying very early markers associated with ASD likelihood.
Effects of Inpatient Occupational Rehabilitation vs. Outpatient Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Sick Leave and Cost of Lost Production: 7-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Aasdahl Lene , Gismervik Sigmund Østgård , Johnsen Roar , Vasseljen Ottar , Bjørnelv Gudrun M. W. , Bjørngaard Johan Håkon , Fimland Marius Steiro
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Previously, we reported that an inpatient multimodal occupational rehabilitation program (I-MORE) was more effective than outpatient Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (O-ACT) in reducing sickness absence and was cost-effective over a 24-month period. Here we present 7-years of follow-up on sick leave and the cost of lost production.

Methods

We randomized individuals aged 18–60, sick-listed due to musculoskeletal or mental health disorders to I-MORE (n = 82) or O-ACT (n = 79). I-MORE, lasting 3.5 weeks, integrated ACT, physical training, and work-related problem-solving. In contrast, O-ACT mainly offered six weekly 2.5 h group sessions of ACT. We measured outcomes using registry data for days on medical benefits and calculated costs of lost production. Our analysis included regression analyses to examine differences in sickness absence days, logistic general estimating equations for repeated events, and generalized linear models to assess differences in costs of lost production.

Results

Unadjusted regression analyses showed 80 fewer days of sickness absence in the 7-year follow-up for I-MORE compared to O-ACT (95% CI − 264 to 104), with an adjusted difference of 114 fewer days (95% CI − 298 to 71). The difference in costs of production loss in favour of I-MORE was 27,048 euros per participant (95% CI − 35,009 to 89,104).

Conclusions

I-MORE outperformed O-ACT in reducing sickness absence and production loss costs during seven years of follow-up, but due to a limited sample size the results were unprecise. Considering the potential for substantial societal cost savings from reduced sick leave, there is a need for larger, long-term studies to evaluate return-to-work interventions.
Process Evaluation and Investigation of Cultural Adaptations for an Online Parent-Based Intervention Using a Mixed-Method Approach
Authors: Morgan Reed M. , Trejo Constanza , Trager Bradley M. , Boyle Sarah C. , Koning Ina M. , LaBrie Joseph W.
Published: April 2024

Most alcohol intervention research focuses on program efficacy, yet few studies have investigated the acceptability of a program’s design and implementation to the target population or adapting existing alcohol interventions to different populations. To address these gaps in the literature, we (1) examined participant responsiveness to and implementation quality of FITSTART+, a web-app delivered parent-based alcohol intervention designed for incoming first-year college students in the United States, and (2) gathered feedback on how this intervention could be adapted to other populations of parents. A sample of U.S. parents of 17–20-year-old first-year college students (N = 109) participated in FITSTART+ during their child’s first year of college and completed a survey about parents’ responsiveness to the app and its quality. Next, a sample of non-U.S. parents of adolescents aged 13 to 19 (N = 44) participated in one of 11 focus groups in which they briefly explored the app and then discussed how it could be adapted to be applicable and culturally relevant for them and their context. Results revealed that U.S. parents rated the intervention’s quality as high and parents were responsive to the web-app’s content, but some did not visit one of the most critical aspects of the intervention (i.e., alcohol-related parenting resources). Non-U.S. participants provided a range of suggestions for adapting the intervention to their context, which varied by culture. Results identify areas for improvement, particularly regarding the use of alcohol-related parenting resources, in this intervention and for web-delivered PBIs more broadly.
A new method for satellite-based remote sensing analysis of plant-specific biomass yield patterns for precision farming applications
Authors: Hagn Ludwig , Schuster Johannes , Mittermayer Martin , Hülsbergen Kurt-Jürgen
Published: April 2024

This study describes a new method for satellite-based remote sensing analysis of plant-specific biomass yield patterns for precision farming applications. The relative biomass potential (rel. BMP) serves as an indicator for multiyear stable and homogeneous yield zones. The rel. BMP is derived from satellite data corresponding to specific growth stages and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to analyze crop-specific yield patterns. The development of this methodology is based on data from arable fields of two research farms; the validation was conducted on arable fields of commercial farms in southern Germany. Close relationships (up to r > 0.9) were found between the rel. BMP of different crop types and study years, indicating stable yield patterns in arable fields. The relative BMP showed moderate correlations (up to r = 0.64) with the yields determined by the combine harvester, strong correlations with the vegetation index red edge inflection point (REIP) (up to r = 0.88, determined by a tractor-mounted sensor system) and moderate correlations with the yield determined by biomass sampling (up to r = 0.57). The study investigated the relationship between the rel. BMP and key soil parameters. There was a consistently strong correlation between multiyear rel. BMP and soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents (r = 0.62 to 0.73), demonstrating that the methodology effectively reflects the impact of these key soil properties on crop yield. The approach is well suited for deriving yield zones, with extensive application potential in agriculture.
Determining the relationship of p16INK4a and additional molecular markers of aging with clinical frailty in hematologic malignancy
Authors: Rosko Ashley E. , Elsaid Mohamed I. , Woyach Jennifer , Islam Nowshin , Lepola Noah , Urrutia Jazmin , Christian Lisa M. , Presley Carolyn , Mims Alice , Burd Christin E.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Older adults with hematologic malignancies (HM) have unique challenges due to age and fitness. The primary aim of this pilot study was to benchmark the ability of multiple biomarkers of aging (p16, epigenetic clocks, T cell gene expression profiles, and T cell receptor excision circles (TREC) to identify frailty as measured by a clinical impairment index (I2) in patients with HM.

Methods

70 patients newly diagnosed with HM had peripheral blood T lymphocytes (PBTL) analyzed for p16INK4a expression using the OSU_Senescence Nanostring CodeSet. PBTL epigenetic age was measured using 7 epigenetic clocks, and TREC were quantified by qRT-PCR. A composite clinical impairment index (I2) was generated by combining values from 11 geriatric metrics (Independent Activities of Daily Living (iADL), physical health score, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Body Mass Index (BMI), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, self-reported KPS, Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration (BOMC), polypharmacy, Mental Health Inventory (MHI)-17, Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) subscales). Clinical frailty was defined as a score of 7 or greater on the I2.

Results

Age-adjusted p16INK4a was similar in newly diagnosed patients and healthy controls (p > 0.1). PBTL p16INK4a levels correlated positively with the Hannum [r = 0.35, 95% CI (0.09–0.75); p adj. = 0.04] and PhenoAge [r = 0.37, 95% CI (0.11–0.59); p adj. = 0.04] epigenetic clocks. The discrimination ability of the I2 model was calculated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). After adjusting for chronologic age and disease group, baseline p16INK4a [AUC = 0.76, 95% CI (0.56–0.98); p = 0.01], Hannum [AUC = 0.70, 95% CI (0.54–0.85); p = 0.01], PhenoAge [AUC = 0.71, 95% CI (0.55–0.86); p = 0.01], and DunedinPACE [AUC = 0.73, 95% CI (0.57–0.88); p =  < 0.01] measures showed the greatest potential to identify clinical frailty using the I2.

Conclusions

Our pilot data suggest that multiple blood-based aging biomarkers have potential to identify frailty in older adults with HM.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

We developed the I2 index to quantify impairments across geriatric domains and discovered that PBTL p16, Hannum, PhenoAge, and DunedinPACE are promising indicators of frailty in HM.