bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erosion regime controls sediment environmental DNA‐based community reconstruction
Authors: Morlock Marina A. , Rodriguez‐Martinez Saúl , Huang Doreen Yu‐Tuan , Klaminder Jonatan
Published: August 2023

Analysis of environmental DNA detected in lake sediments shows promise to become a great paleoecological technique that can provide detailed information about organism communities living in past environments. However, when interpreting sedimentary environmental DNA records, it is of crucial importance to separate ecosystem responses to large‐scale environmental change from “noise” caused by changes in sediment provenance or potential post‐depositional DNA mobility. In this study, we show that plant and mammalian communities reconstructed from sediments are strongly affected by sediment provenance, but unaffected by vertical mobility of DNA after sediment deposition. We observe that DNA from aquatic plants was abundant in background sediment, while embedded detrital event layers (sediment deposited under erosion events) primarily contained terrestrial plants; hence, vertical mobility of aquatic plant DNA across sediment layers was negligible within our studied lakes. About 33% of the identified terrestrial plant genera were only found in detrital sediment, suggesting that sediment origin had a strong impact on the reconstructed plant community. Similarly, DNA of some mammalian taxa (Capra hircus, Ursus arctos, Lepus, and Felis) were only or preferentially found in detrital event layers. Temporal changes across the Holocene were the main drivers of change for reconstructed plant communities, but sediment type was the second most important factor of variance. Our results highlight that erosion and sediment provenance need to be considered when reconstructing past mammalian and plant communities using environmental DNA from lake sediments.
Regioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Hydroboration of Pyridines and Quinolines Enabled by the Tris(8‐quinolinyl)phosphite Ligand**
Authors: Chacón‐Terán Miguel A. , Landaeta Vanessa R. , Wolf Robert , Rodríguez‐Lugo Rafael E.
Published: August 2023

A Rh(I) complex [κ2(P,N)‐{P(Oquin)3}RhCl(PPh3)] (1) bearing the P,N ligand tris(8‐quinolinyl)phosphite, P(Oquin)3, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The molecular structure of complex 1 shows that P(Oquin)3 acts as a bidentate P,N chelate ligand. Reactivity studies of 1 reveal that the triphenylphosphine ligand can be replaced by Pcy3 or removed upon oxidation with concomitant coordination of a second 8‐quinolyl unit of P(Oquin)3. In addition, the Rh(III) complex [RhCl2{OP(Oquin)2}] (3), resulting from treating 1 with either wet CDCl3 or, sequentially, with HCl and water, was identified by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 catalyzes the 1,2‐regioselective hydroboration of pyridines and quinolines, affording N‐boryl‐1,2‐dihydropyridines (1,2‐BDHP) and N‐boryl‐1,2‐hydroquinolines (1,2‐BDHQ) in high yield (up to >95 %) with turnover numbers (TONs) of up to 130. The system tolerates a variety of substrates of different electronic and steric nature. In comparison with other transition‐metal‐based hydroboration catalysts, this system is efficient at a low catalyst loading without the requirement of base or other additives.
Multienzymatic Synthesis of γ‐Lactam Building Blocks from Unsaturated Esters and Hydroxylamine
Authors: Jäger Christina , Nieger Martin , Rissanen Kari , Deska Jan
Published: August 2023

The assembly of enzymatic cascades and multi‐step reaction sequences represents an attractive alternative to traditional synthetic‐organic approaches. The biocatalytic reaction mediators offer not only mild conditions and permit the use of environmentally benign reagents, but the high compatibility of different enzymes promises more streamlined reaction setups. In this study, a triple‐enzymatic strategy was developed that enables the direct conversion of γ,δ‐unsaturated esters to N‐hydroxy‐γ‐lactam building blocks. Hereby, a lipase‐catalyzed hydroxylaminolysis generates hydroxamic acid intermediates that are subsequently aerobically activated by horseradish peroxidase and glucose oxidase to cyclize in an intramolecular nitroso ene reaction. Utilizing the hydroxylaminolysis/ene‐cyclization sequence for the preparation of an aza‐spirocyclic lactam, the multi‐enzymatic methodology was successfully employed in the synthesis of key intermediates en route to alkaloids of the Cephalotaxus family.
A review of the zone broadening contributions in free‐flow electrophoresis
Authors: Mahmud Sakur , Ramproshad Sarker , Deb Rajesh , Dutta Debashis
Published: August 2023

The broadening of analyte streams, as they migrate through a free‐flow electrophoresis (FFE) channel, often limits the resolving power of FFE separations. Under laminar flow conditions, such zonal spreading occurs due to analyte diffusion perpendicular to the direction of streamflow and variations in the lateral distance electrokinetically migrated by the analyte molecules. Although some of the factors that give rise to these contributions are inherent to the FFE method, others originate from non‐idealities in the system, such as Joule heating, pressure‐driven crossflows, and a difference between the electrical conductivities of the sample stream and background electrolyte. The injection process can further increase the stream width in FFE separations but normally influencing all analyte zones to an equal extent. Recently, several experimental and theoretical works have been reported that thoroughly investigate the various contributions to stream variance in an FFE device for better understanding, and potentially minimizing their magnitudes. In this review article, we carefully examine the findings from these studies and discuss areas in which more work is needed to advance our comprehension of the zone broadening contributions in FFE assays.
Improved method for positioning crane grab boom corner points using Hough transform and k‐means clustering
Authors: Wang Min , Wan Longkun , Zhao Chengli , Zhao Zhangyan
Published: August 2023

In the process of automatic grabbing of bridge segment beams, it is crucial to accurately locate and align the corner points of the crane's boom with the beam's lifting holes. This requires the utilization of image processing techniques to precisely detect and locate the corner points of the crane's boom. Existing feature matching methods face challenges such as low detection accuracy and unsuitability for this specific scenario. This article proposes a novel approach for corner point localization by using the intersection points of lines, facilitating the matching of feature points between left and right images. The method consists of three steps: first, a grayscale difference map is constructed by utilizing the R and G channels of the RGB color space. This enhances the bimodal characteristics of the grayscale histograms between the foreground and background, which facilitates the subsequent binarization process. Additionally, opening and closing operations are employed to remove small artifacts from the Canny edge detection results, effectively reducing noise. Second, an adaptive thresholding method based on the mean and variance of Hough transform voting scores is proposed. This method filters out interference lines from the clustering results by selecting appropriate voting scores. Furthermore, an improved centroid calculation method is introduced, which utilizes weighted formulas based on different proportions of voting scores. These weighted formulas replace the original clustering centroids as the basis for line fitting. Finally, the corner coordinates of the crane's boom are computed based on the line fitting results, and the recognition accuracy is compared under different lighting conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits smaller detection errors and higher robustness compared to other corner detection algorithms, particularly when there are numerous interference edge points in the edge detection results. The computed corner coordinates achieve pixel‐level accuracy. The algorithm performs optimally under strong supplementary lighting conditions, with an average detection error percentage of 97.1% within 0–2 pixels and a recognition accuracy of 98.6%. The recognition success rates under different lighting conditions are all above 92.9%. This method is superior to traditional corner detection methods, meets the requirements for automatic grabbing of the boom, and holds practical engineering value. It provides a basis for addressing the accuracy and robustness challenges of crane algorithms influenced by multiple environmental factors.
Optimizing solar collector efficiency through nanofluid analysis and investigating the impact of particle concentration, and stability
Authors: Sivaraman Prabhakaran , Kolandaivel Visagavel , Murugesan Senthil , Rajendran Silambarasan
Published: August 2023

The emission of greenhouse gases contributes to global warming, and adopting renewable energy can mitigate the reliance on fossil fuels, which currently account for 84.3% of global energy production. Solar thermal energy represents a significant renewable energy source, with solar collectors contributing 54.1% of the world's solar energy. However, the thermal properties of the liquids used in these collectors are suboptimal, and adding particles to the fluid can enhance absorption and thermal characteristics. Nanofluids refer to solid particles reduced to nanoscale sizes, and this study focuses on producing an Ag nanofluid through mechanical exfoliation and its comparative analysis with a GO nanofluid regarding radiation absorption. The results indicate that the Ag nanofluid outperforms pure water and performs similarly at lower concentrations. Specifically, temperature differences of 4–7°C were observed for a simulated power of 1 unit, while the evaporation efficiency reached up to 40.8% for 200 and 500 ppm concentrations, compared to 28.6% for pure water. Moreover, under a radiation intensity of 60 units, the Ag nanofluid achieved the boiling temperature of the water after 85 s. In contrast, GO required at least 250 s, and pure water did not reach the boiling temperature within the 6‐min study period. Thus, the Ag nanofluid holds promise as an effective nanofluid for direct absorption solar collectors due to its affordability, low toxicity, and comparable benefits to graphene.
Analysis of purification in radioactively contaminated ocean water near the Fukushima nuclear accident site
Authors: Lee Boong Joo , Jang Kyung Bae , Woo Tae Ho
Published: August 2023

The nuclear‐contaminated water in the seawater near the site of the Fukushima nuclear power plant (NPP) accident is being investigated for treating the radioactive material. One of the most important considerations in the treatment is the management of the vast aquatic area of the oceanic scale. There are two methods in the application of osmosis and filtration for the modeling. There is the molecule quantity by the water volume where the list of transition of quantities is shown, where it decreases to 10% from the reversed osmosis method and to 0.01% from the filtration method in 9 days. In the filtrations, the discharge variations in the sea are described as the maximum and minimum values within 100 square velocities. A design for the general radioactive contaminated seawater treatment facility is introduced.
Simple parameterization method using differential evolution algorithm to estimate state of charge for Li‐ion batteries and packs for electric vehicles
Authors: Sandoval‐Chileño Marco A. , Cortez Ricardo , Castañeda Luis A. , Lozada‐Castillo Norma , Vazquez‐Arenas Jorge , Luviano‐Juárez Alberto
Published: August 2023

An accurate method is proposed to measure the electrical parameters describing the experimental charge‐discharge curves of Li‐ion batteries and a pack through an equivalent electric dynamic model based on heuristic optimization algorithms (eg, differential evolution approach). The accuracy of these parameters is critical for on‐board state of charge and Health (SOH) estimations of numerous applications and devices. The procedure is constructed, based on the simple Thévenin electrical model. Charge‐discharge experimental curves collected for different chemistry and capacity batteries are described with the model, revealing better estimation results with respect to other algorithms such as impedance‐based methodologies (decreasing the error until 64.19%) and particle swarm optimization based approaches (decreasing the error until 94.02%). The proposal was assessed with different chemistries, capacities and with a 28 battery pack (LiFeMnPO, 100 Ah) used in an electric vehicle.
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) supplemented cafeteria diet ameliorates glucose intolerance in rats
Authors: Ozcaliskan Ilkay Hatice , Karabulut Derya , Kamaci Ozocak Gonca , Mehmetbeyoglu Ecmel , Kaymak Emin , Kisioglu Betul , Cicek Betul , Akyol Asli
Published: August 2023

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a pseudocereal with rich nutritional composition, gluten free, and organoleptic. The primary aim of this study was to elucidate the possible protective roles of quinoa in glucose homeostasis in a model of cafeteria diet‐induced obesity. Male Wistar rats (3 weeks of age) were randomly allocated to be fed by; control chow (CON; n = 6), quinoa (QUI; n = 6), cafeteria (CAF; n = 6), or quinoa and cafeteria (CAFQ; n = 6) for 15 weeks. CAFQ resulted in decreased saturated fat, sugar, and sodium intake in comparison with CAF. Compared to CON, CAF increased body weight gain, plasma insulin, plasma glucose, decreased liver IRS‐1, AMPK mRNA expressions, and pancreatic β‐cell insulin immunoreactivity, and developed hepatocyte degeneration and microvesicular steatosis. Compared to CAF, QUI lowered body weight, plasma glucose, and plasma insulin, increased liver IRS‐1 and AMPK mRNA expressions, and pancreatic β‐cell insulin immunoreactivity. Compared to CAF, CAFQ lowered plasma glucose, increased liver IRS‐1 mRNA expressions, increased pancreatic β‐cell insulin immunoreactivity, and lowered hepatocyte degeneration and microvesicular steatosis. Dietary treatments did not influence IRS‐2, AKT2, and INSR mRNA expressions. HOMA‐IR, HOMA‐β, and QUICKI were also similar between groups. Restoration of insulin in CAFQ islets was as well as that of CON and QUI groups. In conclusion, as a functional food, quinoa may be useful in the prevention of obesity and associated metabolic outcomes such as glucose intolerance, disrupted pancreatic β‐cell function, hepatic insulin resistance, and lipid accumulation.
Rethinking the Ethics of the Covid‐19 Pandemic Lockdowns
Authors: Miller Daniel , Moss Alvin
Published: August 2023

Public health responses to the Covid‐19 pandemic included various measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. Among these, the most restrictive was a broad category referred to as “lockdowns.” We argue that the reasoning offered in favor of extended lockdowns—those lasting several months or longer—did not adequately account for a host of countervailing considerations, including the impact on mental illness, education, employment, and marginalized communities as well as health, educational, and economic inequities. Furthermore, justifications offered for extended lockdowns set aside a basic tenet of public health ethics: restrictions on liberty and autonomy should be the least intrusive means of achieving the desired end. Since it is now clear that extended lockdowns cause severe harm to many vulnerable populations, the burden of proof is on those who would advocate for them, and there must be a much higher bar to implement an extended lockdown, with high‐quality evidence that the benefit would substantially exceed its harm.
The Moral Value of Telemedicine to the Physician‐Patient Relationship
Authors: Wilfond Benjamin S.
Published: August 2023

Covid‐19 heralded a natural experiment with telemedicine. My experience as a clinician was very positive, and learning how to use telemedicine has made me a better doctor. Telemedicine has flipped the medical service paradigm; families do not need to conform their busy lives to the medical office workflow. An appointment can be a virtual house call that takes less time for my patient's family and allows me to learn even more about their home. While there are limitations of telemedicine, there are good ethical reasons for clinicians to support the broader use of telehealth, including equity, efficiency, effectiveness, and respecting preferences. Empirical health‐services research that assesses satisfaction, quality, and health outcomes will be necessary to determine the impact of telehealth on a population level to ensure that is used in a way that promotes equity in care.
Inequalities in access to paid sick leave among workers in England and Wales
Authors: Patel Parth , Beale Sarah , Nguyen Vincent , Braithwaite Isobel , Byrne Thomas E. , Erica Fong Wing Lam , Fragaszy Ellen , Geismar Cyril , Hoskins Susan , Navaratnam Annalan M. D. , Shrotri Madhumita , Kovar Jana , Aryee Anna , Hayward Andrew C. , Aldridge Robert W.
Published: August 2023

Background

It is poorly understood which workers lack access to sick pay in England and Wales. This evidence gap has been of particular interest in the context of the Covid‐19 pandemic given the relationship between presenteeism and infectious disease transmission.

Method

This cross‐sectional analysis (n = 8874) was nested within a large community cohort study based across England and Wales (Virus Watch). An online survey in February 2021 asked participants in work if they had access to paid sick leave. We used logistic regression to examine sociodemographic factors associated with lacking access to sick pay.

Results

Only 66% (n = 5864) of participants reported access to sick pay. South Asian workers (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.83) and those from Other minority ethnic backgrounds (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.54–5.59) were more likely to lack access to sick pay compared to White British workers. Older workers (OR range 1.72 [1.53–1.93]–5.26 [4.42–6.26]), workers in low‐income households (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.15–2.98) and those in transport, trade, and service occupations (OR range 2.03 [1.58–2.61]–5.29 [3.67–7.72]) were also more likely to lack access to sick pay compared respectively to workers aged 25–44, those in high income households and managerial occupations.

Discussion

Unwarranted age and ethnic inequalities in sick pay access are suggestive of labour market discrimination. Occupational differences are also cause for concern. Policymakers should consider expanding access to sick pay to mitigate transmission of Covid‐19 and other endemic respiratory infections in the community, and in the context of pandemic preparation.
Monthly precipitation prediction at regional scale using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Ni Lingling , Wang Dong , Singh Vijay P. , Wu Jianfeng , Chen Xiaoyan , Tao Yuwei , Zhu Xiaobin , Jiang Jianguo , Zeng Xiankui
Published: August 2023

Variations in monthly precipitation are associated with climate extremes having significant socio‐economic and eco‐environmental impacts. Knowledge of monthly precipitation information is therefore valuable for policy making. Extensive research has been conducted on dynamic prediction using state‐of‐the‐art coupled climate models. However, the skilful prediction of monthly precipitation with dynamical models remains a challenge. With the development of machine learning tools, statistical predictions show comparable performance with dynamic models, but they are limited to at‐site monthly prediction, due to the lack of ability for processing spatially connected geophysical data. To improve monthly precipitation forecasting and provide regional forecasts, we propose a model termed UNet‐RegPre based on convolutional neural network and U‐net architecture. The model shows comparable prediction skills with recurrent state‐of‐the‐art dynamic forecasts (CFSv2), and has the capability to capture spatiotemporal patterns of precipitation and reproduce the main process of representative droughts. The key precursors for rainfall development identified by UNet‐RegPre shows that the constructed model can detect the climatic connection between rainfall in eastern China and summer monsoon, showing the potential to advance hydrometeorological understanding with a deep learning‐based model. These results suggest that the proposed model can be a potential tool for precipitation prediction.
Population attributable proportion and number of cancer cases attributed to potentially modifiable risk factors in Iran in 2020
Authors: Nemati Saeed , Mohebbi Elham , Toorang Fatemeh , Hadji Maryam , Hosseini Bayan , Saeedi Elnaz , Abdi Sepideh , Nahvijou Azin , Kamangar Farin , Roshandel Gholamreza , Ghanbari Motlagh Ali , Pourshams Akram , Poustchi Hossein , Haghdoost Ali Akbar , Najafi Farid , Sheikh Mahdi , Malekzadeh Reza , Zendehdel Kazem
Published: August 2023

In the current study, we aimed to calculate the fraction of cancer attributable to modifiable risk factors in Iran in 2020. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated for established cancer risk factors using three data sources: the national cancer incidence reports, relative risks extracted from global and national meta‐analyses, and exposure prevalence from national/subnational population‐based surveys. In addition to overall cancers, the PAFs were estimated separately for each cancer site among men and women. Overall, 32.6% of cancers in 2020 in Iran were attributable to known risk factors. The PAF in men (40.2%) was twice as high as in women (21.1%). Cigarette smoking (15.4%), being overweight (5.0%), opium use (3.9%) and H. pylori infection (3.8%) were the leading causes of cancers. For men, the highest PAFs belonged to cigarette smoking (26.3%), opium use (6.8%) and being overweight (3.1%), while for women, the highest PAFs belonged to being overweight (7.2%), H. pylori infection (2.7%) and cigarette smoking (2.7%). Among Iranian men and women, the PAFs of waterpipe smoking were 2% and 0.9%, respectively. A third of incident cancers in Iran are due to modifiable exposures, mainly cigarette smoking, being overweight, and H. pylori infection. Opium consumption and waterpipe smoking collectively accounted for 8.8% of cancer occurrence in men and 1.3% in women in Iran. These emerging risk factors should be taken into consideration in future PAF studies.
Advances in Mass Spectrometry‐Based Structural Proteomics: Development of HDX‐MS and XL‐MS Techniques from Recombinant Protein to Cellular Systems
Authors: Courouble Valentine V. , Mann Matthew D. , Griffin Patrick R.
Published: August 2023

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a central analytical technique used to study proteins and biomolecules. It measures mass‐to‐charge ratio of ions to identify and quantify molecules in simple and complex mixtures. Technological advancement in instrumentation, sample preparation methodologies, and data analysis workflows continue to push the capabilities of MS to answer more complicated questions and vice versa. Structural proteomics uses MS‐based methodologies to characterize protein structure. Specifically, but not limited to, hydrogen deuterium exchange MS (HDX‐MS) and crosslinking MS (XL‐MS) are complementary techniques that capture the structural plasticity inherent to proteins in solution. This review is intended to present recent progress in HDX‐MS and XL‐MS that have allowed these techniques to be used not only for simple recombinant protein systems but with complex cellular systems.
Remarks on a copula‐based conditional value at risk for the portfolio problem
Authors: Molina Barreto Andres Mauricio , Ishimura Naoyuki
Published: August 2023

We deal with a multivariate conditional value at risk. Compared with the usual notion for the single random variable, a multivariate value at risk is concerned with several variables, and thus, the relation between each risk factor should be considered. We here introduce a new definition of copula‐based conditional value at risk, which is real valued and ready to be computed. Copulas are known to provide a flexible method for handling a possible nonlinear structure; therefore, copulas may be naturally involved in the theory of value at risk. We derive a formula of our copula‐based conditional value at risk in the case of Archimedean copulas, whose effectiveness is shown by examples. Numerical studies are also carried out with real data, which can be verified with analytical results.
Machine learning‐based establishment and validation of age‐related patterns for predicting prognosis in non‐small cell lung cancer within the context of the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Ma Zeming , Han Haibo , Zhou Zhiwei , Wang Shijie , Liang Fan , Wang Liang , Ji Hong , Yang Yue , Chen Jinfeng
Published: August 2023

Lung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide, with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for over 80% of cases. The impact of aging on clinical outcomes in NSCLC remains poorly understood, particularly with respect to the immune response. In this study, we explored the effects of aging on NSCLC using 307 genes associated with human aging from the Human Ageing Genomic Resources. We identified 53 aging‐associated genes that significantly correlate with overall survival of NSCLC patients, including the clinically validated gene BUB1B. Furthermore, we developed an aging‐associated enrichment score to categorize patients based on their aging subtypes and evaluated their prognostic and therapeutic response values in LC. Our analyses yielded two aging‐associated subtypes with unique profiles in the tumor microenvironment, demonstrating varying responses to immunotherapy. Consensus clustering based on transcriptome profiles provided insights into the effects of aging on NSCLC and highlighted the potential of personalized therapeutic approaches tailored to aging subtypes. Our findings provide a new target and theoretical support for personalized therapeutic approaches in patients with NSCLC, offering insights into the potential impact of aging on cancer outcomes.
The influence of professional identity on perceptions of substance use harm reduction among professional counselors
Authors: Jordan Justin R. , Welfare Laura E. , Fullen Matthew C.
Published: August 2023

Harm reduction (HR) approaches to substance use show promising efficacy, but limited research exists exploring professional counselors’ perceptions of HR. An online survey gathered data from 395 substance use providers, including 128 professional counselors. In measuring HR acceptance, t‐tests compared this sample to prior samples, an analysis of variance compared counselors to other providers, and multiple regression explored the influence of counselor identity factors. Empathic responsiveness and positive social justice attitudes were predictors of HR acceptance. Counselors’ perceptions of HR were similar to other providers. Results indicated that counselor identity influences HR perceptions, with implications for practice and training considered.
Impact of microsampling on toxicological evaluation in rodent safety studies
Authors: Takahashi Kazuaki , Hattori Norimichi , Yokoyama Hideaki , Jinno Fumihiro , Ohtsuka Hirohiko , Nakai Keiko , Takumi Asuka , Shibui Yusuke , Yamaguchi Koki , Shimazaki Taishi , Tanaka Yoichi , Saito Kosuke , Kobayashi Akio , Saito Yoshiro
Published: August 2023

Recently, animal welfare has been attracting worldwide attention, and implementation of 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) is prioritized in every way possible in the drug development. Microsampling, in which small amounts of blood are collected, is attracting attention in this context. ICH S3A Q&A focused on microsampling was published in November 2017 to help accelerate the application of microsampling for toxicokinetic assessment. The increased sensitivity of drug measurement apparatuses such as mass spectrometers has made it possible to measure drug concentrations with small amounts of blood samples. In this review, we summarized the reports on toxicological influence of microsampling in rodents (rats and mice) with or without drug administration or recovery period after blood collection and influences that may arise from differences in the blood sampling site or blood sampling volume. We also summarized some perspectives on further implementation of microsampling in toxicology studies. The use of microsampling in regulatory toxicology studies has gradually increased, although at a lower rate than in discovery studies. Since more animals are used in GLP toxicology studies than in discovery studies, the effect of reducing the number of animals by microsampling is expected to be greater in the toxicology studies. This report aims to promote the application of microsampling to nonclinical studies, as it is beneficial for improving animal welfare and can contribute to the 3Rs.
Advances in laser speckle imaging: From qualitative to quantitative hemodynamic assessment
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Mohsin , Allam Nader , Im Jeongmyo , Kwon Hyuk‐Sang , Chung Euiheon , Vitkin I. Alex
Published: August 2023

Laser speckle imaging (LSI) techniques have emerged as a promising method for visualizing functional blood vessels and tissue perfusion by analyzing the speckle patterns generated by coherent light interacting with living biological tissue. These patterns carry important biophysical tissue information including blood flow dynamics. The noninvasive, label‐free, and wide‐field attributes along with relatively simple instrumental schematics make it an appealing imaging modality in preclinical and clinical applications. The review outlines the fundamentals of speckle physics and the three categories of LSI techniques based on their degree of quantification: qualitative, semi‐quantitative and quantitative. Qualitative LSI produces microvascular maps by capturing speckle contrast variations between blood vessels containing moving red blood cells and the surrounding static tissue. Semi‐quantitative techniques provide a more accurate analysis of blood flow dynamics by accounting for the effect of static scattering on spatiotemporal parameters. Quantitative LSI such as optical speckle image velocimetry provides quantitative flow velocity measurements, which is inspired by the particle image velocimetry in fluid mechanics. Additionally, discussions regarding the prospects of future innovations in LSI techniques for optimizing the vascular flow quantification with associated clinical outlook are presented.
Effect of Race/Ethnicity on United States FRAX Calculations and Treatment Qualification: A Registry-Based Study
Authors: Leslie William D ,   for the ASBMR Task Force on Clinical Algorithms for Fracture Risk
Published: August 2023

Since 2008. the United States has had four race/ethnic fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) calculators: White (“Caucasian”), Black, Asian, and Hispanic. The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Task Force on Clinical Algorithms for Fracture Risk has been examining the implications of retaining race/ethnicity in the US FRAX calculators. To inform the Task Force, we computed FRAX scores according to each US calculator in 114,942 White, 485 Black, and 2816 Asian women (self-reported race/ethnicity) aged 50 years and older. We estimated treatment qualification based upon FRAX thresholds (3% for hip fracture, 20% for major osteoporotic fracture [MOF]). Finally, we examined measures for a hypothetical population-based FRAX calculator derived as the weighted mean for the US population based upon US Census Bureau statistics. With identical inputs, the highest FRAX measurements were found with the White FRAX calculator, lowest measurements with the Black calculator, and intermediate measurements for the Asian and Hispanic calculators. The percentage of women with FRAX scores exceeding the hip fracture treatment threshold was 32.0% for White, 1.9% for Black, and 19.7% for Asian women; the MOF treatment threshold was exceeded for 14.9% of White, 0.0% of Black, and 3.5% of Asian women. Disparities in treatment qualification were reduced after considering additional criteria (fracture history and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA] T-score −2.5 or lower). When fracture risk was recalculated for non-White women using the White FRAX calculator, mean values for Asian women slightly exceeded those for White women but for Black women remained substantially below those for White women. When using a single population–based FRAX calculator, the mean probability of fracture and treatment qualification increased for non-White women across the age range. In summary, use of a single population–based FRAX calculator, rather than existing US race/ethnic FRAX calculators, will reduce differences in treatment qualification and may ultimately enhance equity and access to osteoporosis treatment. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Buds of new bone formation within the Femoral Head of Hip Fracture Patients Coincide with Zones of Low Osteocyte Sclerostin
Authors: Sano Hiroshige , Whitmarsh Tristan , Skingle Linda , Shimakura Taketoshi , Yamamoto Noriaki , Compston Juliet E. , Takahashi Hideaki E. , Poole Kenneth E. S.
Published: August 2023

Romosozumab treatment reduces the rate of hip fractures and increases hip bone density, increasing bone formation by inhibiting sclerostin protein. We studied the normal pattern of bone formation and osteocyte expression in the human proximal femur because it is relevant to both antisclerostin treatment effects and fracture. Having visualized and quantified buds of new bone formation in trabeculae, we hypothesized that they would coincide with areas of (a) higher mechanical stress and (b) low sclerostin expression by osteocytes. In patients with hip fracture, we visualized each bud of active modeling-based formation (forming minimodeling structure [FMiS]) in trabecular cores taken from different parts of the femoral head. Trabecular bone structure was also measured with high-resolution imaging. More buds of new bone formation (by volume) were present in the higher stress superomedial zone (FMiS density, N.FMiS/T.Ar) than lower stress superolateral (p < 0.05), and inferomedial (p < 0.001) regions. There were fewer sclerostin expressing osteocytes close to or within FMiS. FMiS density correlated with greater amount, thickness, number, and connectivity of trabeculae (bone volume BV/TV, r = 0.65, p < 0.0001; bone surface BS/TV, r = 0.47, p < 0.01; trabecular thickness Tb.Th, r = 0.55, p < 0.001; trabecular number Tb.N, r = 0.47, p < 0.01; and connectivity density Conn.D, r = 0.40, p < 0.05) and lower trabecular separation (Tb.Sp, r = −0.56, p < 0.001). These results demonstrate modeling-based bone formation in femoral trabeculae from patients with hip fracture as a potential therapeutic target to enhance bone structure. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Observations on the ultrastructure of the oral appendages of Glenea cantor Fabricius (Coleoptera: Lamiinae)
Authors: Wu Yao , Li Zhixin , Ming Liangshan , Huang Zhongyan , Zhang Gaochuan , Lu Wen , Liu Hongning , Dong Zishu
Published: August 2023

Using scanning electron microscopy, we examined the gross and ultrastructure morphology of the mandibles, labial palpi, and mandibular palpi of adult male and female Glenea cantor beetles. The morphology of these parts, both in their gross and ultrastructure, varied significantly between males and females. The lengths of the mandible, labial palpi, and mandibular palpi were clearly noticeably longer in females than in men, which is mostly related to the oviposition mechanism. In terms of the ultrastructural morphology of the mandibles, labial palpi, and mandibular palpi, seven types of sensilla were found on these parts: sensilla twig basiconica (STB I, II, III, and IV), sensilla chaetica (Scheme IV and V), Böhm's bristles (Bb), sensilla placodea (SP), sensilla trichodea (ST II), sensilla plate (SP), sensilla coeloconica (SC), and sensilla campaniformia (SCa). Females have significantly more ST I and Scheme III on their mandibles than males. The mechanical sensors SCh and Bb, olfactory sensor ST II, taste sensor STB IV, and carbon dioxide sensor and temperature and humidity sensors SC, SP, and SCa were much more developed on the labial and maxillary palpi of females compared to those of males, which further clarified the significance of the oral appendages in oviposition behavior. These findings will advance information‐based technique design and the creation of information‐based pest control strategies by assisting in our understanding of the host preference and oviposition behavior of adult G. cantor.

Research Highlights

The external morphology and distribution of the oral appendages of Glenea cantor between sexes has been researched through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the first time.

Several significant differences between males and females have been found by analyzing the oral appendages of G. cantor with SEM.

The differences in the structure of oral appendages of G. cantor between sexes reflect functional differences in reproductive behaviors.
Effects of postovipositional hypoxia and hyperoxia on leatherback turtle reproductive success and hatchling performance
Authors: Williamson Sean A. , Hoover Aimee L. , Evans Roger G. , Shillinger George L. , Bailey Helen , Bruno Renato Saragoça , Bandimere Ashleigh , Reina Richard D.
Published: August 2023

Leatherback egg clutches typically experience lower hatching success (~50%) than those of other sea turtle species (>70%). The majority of embryonic death (>50%) occurs at early stages of development, possibly because embryos fail to break preovipositional embryonic arrest after oviposition. The embryonic arrest is maintained by hypoxia in the oviduct and following oviposition increased availability of oxygen is the trigger that breaks arrest in all turtle species studied to date. We conducted an ex situ incubator experiment and an in situ hatchery experiment to examine the influence of oxygen availability on hatching success and hatchling traits in leatherbacks. After oviposition, eggs (n = 1005) were incubated in either normoxia (21% O2), hyperoxia (32%–42% O2) for 5 days, or hypoxia (1% O2) for 3 or 5 days. As with other turtles, hypoxic incubation maintained embryos in arrest, equivalent to the time spent in hypoxia. However, extending arrest for 5 days resulted in greater early‐stage death and a significant decrease in hatching success (4% 5‐day hypoxia vs. 72% normoxia). Eggs placed in incubators had greater hatching success than those placed into hatchery nests (67% vs. 47%, respectively). We found no impact of hyperoxia on the stage of embryonic death, hatching success, hatchling phenotype, exercise performance, or early dispersal. Our findings indicate that delayed nesting and the subsequent extension of embryonic arrest may negatively impact embryonic development and therefore the reproductive success of leatherbacks. They also indicate that incubation under hyperoxic conditions is unlikely to be a useful method to improve hatching success in this species.
Association between physical therapy frequency and postacute care for a national cohort of patients hospitalized with pneumonia
Authors: Young Daniel L. , Johnson Joshua K. , Guo Ning , Tereshchenko Larisa G. , Martinez Maylyn , Rothberg Michael B.
Published: August 2023

Background

Annually more than 300,000 patients hospitalized for pneumonia need postacute care. Patients and systems prefer home discharge, but physical limitations often necessitate postacute care. It is unknown whether frequency of physical therapy in the hospital affects postacute care discharges.

Objective

Examine the relationship between physical therapy visit frequency and disposition among a national sample of patients hospitalized with pneumonia.

Designs

Observational cohort study.

Setting

Acute care hospital.

Participants

Adult patients with primary diagnosis of pneumonia in the Premier Data Set who received physical therapy in the hospital during a 5‐day window, with therapy on at least days 1 and 5.

Intervention

Physical therapy visit frequency.

Main Outcome and Measures

Discharge disposition (home or postacute care).

Results

We included 18,886 patients from 595 hospitals. Just over half were discharged home (n = 9638; 51.0%) and 558 (2.95%) died. Patients getting more frequent therapy were older, non‐Hispanic white, treated in small non‐teaching rural hospitals in the West, Midwest, or South, and had fewer severe illness indicators. In adjusted models, patients who received physical therapy on 100% of days were 7% [(95% confidence interval, 4.3–9.7), p < .0001] more likely to go home than patients who received physical therapy on 40% of days. As a falsification test, we found that there was no relationship between physical therapy frequency and all‐cause mortality. Physical therapy visit frequency was positively associated with discharge to home. Increasing visit frequency of physical therapy in hospitals might reduce the need for postacute care, but randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the effect.
Maleic acid is a biomarker for maleylacetoacetate isomerase deficiency; implications for newborn screening of tyrosinemia type 1
Authors: van Vliet K. , Dijkstra A. M. , Bouva M. J. , van der Krogt J. , Bijsterveld K. , van der Sluijs F. , de Sain‐van der Velden M. G. , Koop K. , Rossi A. , Thomas J. A. , Patera C. A. , Kiewiet M. B. G. , Waters P. J. , Cyr D. ,   The Québec NTBC Study Group, Boelen A. , van Spronsen F. J. , Heiner‐Fokkema M. R.
Published: August 2023

Dried blood spot succinylacetone (SA) is often used as a biomarker for newborn screening (NBS) for tyrosinemia type 1 (TT1). However, false‐positive SA results are often observed. Elevated SA may also be due to maleylacetoacetate isomerase deficiency (MAAI‐D), which appears to be clinically insignificant. This study investigated whether urine organic acid (uOA) and quantitative urine maleic acid (Q‐uMA) analyses can distinguish between TT1 and MAAI‐D. We reevaluated/measured uOA (GC–MS) and/or Q‐uMA (LC–MS/MS) in available urine samples of nine referred newborns (2 TT1, 7 false‐positive), eight genetically confirmed MAAI‐D children, and 66 controls. Maleic acid was elevated in uOA of 5/7 false‐positive newborns and in the three available samples of confirmed MAAI‐D children, but not in TT1 patients. Q‐uMA ranged from not detectable to 1.16 mmol/mol creatinine in controls (n = 66) and from 0.95 to 192.06 mmol/mol creatinine in false‐positive newborns and MAAI‐D children (n = 10). MAAI‐D was genetically confirmed in 4/7 false‐positive newborns, all with elevated Q‐uMA, and rejected in the two newborns with normal Q‐uMA. No sample was available for genetic analysis of the last false‐positive infant with elevated Q‐uMA. Our study shows that MAAI‐D is a recognizable cause of false‐positive TT1 NBS results. Elevated urine maleic acid excretion seems highly effective in discriminating MAAI‐D from TT1.
Gadolinium Retention and Nephrotoxicity in a Mouse Model of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Linear Versus Macrocyclic Agents
Authors: Wang Wei , Huang Xin‐Xin , Jiang Run‐Hao , Zhou Jiang , Shi Hai‐Bin , Xu Xiao‐Quan , Wu Fei‐Yun
Published: August 2023

Background

Gadolinium (Gd)‐based contrast agents (GBCAs) have been widely used for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. GBCAs or AIS alone may cause the adverse effects on kidney tissue, respectively. However, whether GBCAs and AIS would generate a synergistic negative effect remains undefined.

Purpose

To evaluate synergistic negative effects of AIS and GBCAs on renal tissues in a mouse model of AIS, and to compare the differences of these negative effects between linear and macrocyclic GBCAs.

Study Type

Animal study.

Animal Model

Seventy‐two healthy mice underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and sham operation to establish AIS and sham model (N = 36/model). 5.0 mmol/kg GBCAs (gadopentetate or gadobutrol) or 250 μL saline were performed at 4.5 hours and 1 day after model establishing (N = 12/group).

Assessment

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) was performed to detect Gd concentrations. Serum biochemical analyzer was performed to measure the serum creatinine (Scr), uric acid (UA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Pathological staining was performed to observe tubular injury, cell apoptosis, mesangial hyperplasia, and interstitial fibrosis.

Statistical Tests

Two‐way analysis of variances with post hoc Sidak's tests and independent‐samples t‐tests were performed. A P‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

AIS groups showed higher Gd concentration than sham group on day 1 p.i. regardless of gadopentetate or gadobutrol used. Increased total Gd concentration was also found in AIS + gadopentetate group compared with the sham group on day 28 p.i. Significantly higher rates for renal dysfunction, higher tubular injury scores, and higher numbers of apoptotic cells on days 1 or 28 p.i. were found for AIS mice injected with GBCA. AIS + gadopentetate group displayed more severe renal damage than the AIS + gadobutrol group.

Data Conclusion

AIS and GBCAs may cause increased total Gd accumulation and nephrotoxicity in a mouse, especially linear GBCAs were used.

Level of Evidence

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 4
Polyphenols from whole millet grain (Setaria italica) alleviate glucose and lipid homeostasis in diet‐induced obese mice by increasing endogenous GLP‐1
Authors: Yuxuan An , Xiaoqin La , Songtao Li , Jinmiao Tian , Xiaxia Fan , Kaili Cui , Lichao Zhang , Zhuoyu Li
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is a whole millet grain that has been considered for improving the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism. The purpose of the work is to explore the extraction and enrichment of polyphenols from foxtail millets which can regulate the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism by increasing endogenous GLP‐1 (glucagon‐like peptide‐1).

RESULTS

The optimum ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) of foxtail millet polyphenols (FMPs) was as follows: 70 °C and 400 W and 70% ethanol concentration, further purification using macroporous resin. In vitro, the FMP eluent of 60% ethanol (FMP‐60) has the best effect in promoting GLP‐1 secretion from L cells among the different active components of FMP. Millet polyphenols (MPs) were obtained from finishing foxtail millet with the bran removed by the same extraction and purification method. Compared with MP‐60, FMP‐60 mainly included eight active phenolic constituents and contained more ferulic acid, p‐coumaric acid, 2‐hydroxycinnamic acid, and coniferaldehyde. After gavage treatment of diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice with FMP‐60, FMP‐60 promoted endogenous GLP‐1 secretion in mice and ameliorated disorders of glucolipid metabolism in DIO mice.

CONCLUSION

FMP‐60 could improve glucose homeostasis and ameliorates metabolic disease by promoting the endogenous GLP‐1 level and preventing weight gain in DIO mice. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.