bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nephro‐protective effects of alpha‐lipoic acid in type I diabetes
Authors: Kushwaha Kriti , Mandal Debojyoti , Khurana Navneet , Gupta Jeena
Published: April 2024

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an insulin‐dependent autoimmune condition. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are volatile fatty acids with 1–6 carbon atoms that influence glucose storage in the body and can reduce appetite, potentially decreasing T1D risk. Alpha‐lipoic acid (α‐LA), a type of SCFA, has previously been used to treat diabetic neuropathy and inflammation due to its antioxidant properties. This study aims to assess α‐LA's protective effects against T1D and associated kidney damage in rats induced with streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with α‐LA orally for 15 days, resulting in improved blood glucose (56% decrease) and kidney function markers like blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid. α‐LA also showed significant antioxidant effects by decreasing LPO as well as improving activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione‐S transferase and alleviated kidney damage caused by diabetes. Docking experiments suggest that α‐LA may regulate diabetes‐related changes at the epigenetic level through interactions with the SIRT1 protein, indicating its potential as a target for future antidiabetic drug development.
Comparison of muscle and fat parameters measured by ultrasonography and dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry between older palliative care patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Catikkas Nezahat Muge , Safer Vildan Binay , Bas Suleyman , Gunay Deniz Sevindik , Durak Ayfer , Utku Irem Kirac , Safer Umut
Published: April 2024

Background and Aims

There are limited data on the comparison of body compositions between diabetic and non‐diabetic patients. We aimed to compare the muscle mass and fat parameters measured by ultrasonography (USG) and dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) between older palliative care patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

We conducted a prospective, cross‐sectional study. We recorded the demographics, comorbidities, blood pressures, microvascular complications, pressure injuries, ambulation and nutritional status, and laboratory parameters. We measured the handgrip strength with a hand dynamometer and anthropometric parameters. We analyzed the subcutaneous fat thickness, muscle thickness (MT), and cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps brachii muscles by USG and the total and regional muscle mass and fat parameters by DXA. We performed a regression analysis to examine the independently associated factors of DM.

Results

We included 55 patients (mean age: 79.0 ± 8.0 years, 56.4%: female). 43.6% had type 2 DM. The patients with DM had significantly higher glucose and HbA1c levels and lower RFMT and RFCSA values than the patients without DM (p < 0.01, for all). The RFMT was independently associated with DM after adjusting age, sex, and body mass index (Odds ratio = 0.735, 95% confidence interval = 0.565–0.956, p = 0.022).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the RFMT might be associated with type 2 DM. This was the first study comparing the body compositions measured by USG and DXA between older diabetic and non‐diabetic palliative patients with a wide range of laboratory evaluations. Longitudinal, multi‐center studies are warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms.
Transport of CLCA2 to the nucleus by extracellular vesicles controls keratinocyte survival and migration
Authors: Seltmann Kristin , Hettich Britta , Abele Seraina , Gurri Selina , Mantella Valeria , Leroux Jean‐Christophe , Werner Sabine
Published: April 2024

Chloride channel accessory 2 (CLCA2) is a transmembrane protein, which promotes adhesion of keratinocytes and their survival in response to hyperosmotic stress. Here we show that CLCA2 is transported to the nucleus of keratinocytes via extracellular vesicles. The nuclear localization is functionally relevant, since wild‐type CLCA2, but not a mutant lacking the nuclear localization signal, suppressed migration of keratinocytes and protected them from hyperosmotic stress‐induced cell death. In the nucleus, CLCA2 bound to and activated β‐catenin, resulting in enhanced expression of Wnt target genes. Mass‐spectrometry‐based interaction screening and functional rescue studies identified RNA binding protein 3 as a key effector of nuclear CLCA2. This is of likely relevance in vivo because both proteins co‐localize in the human epidermis. Together, these results identify an unexpected nuclear function of CLCA2 in keratinocytes under homeostatic and stress conditions and suggest a role of extracellular vesicles and their nuclear transport in the control of key cellular activities.
Surface protein profiling and subtyping of extracellular vesicles in body fluids reveals non‐CSF biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Cai You , Chen Ting , Cai Yanling , Liu Jiabang , Yu Bin , Fan Yixian , Su Jun , Zeng Yixuan , Xiao Xiaohua , Ren Lijie , Tang Yizhe
Published: April 2024

Noninvasive and effortless diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains challenging. Here we report the multiplexed profiling of extracellular vesicle (EV) surface proteins at the single EV level in five types of easily accessible body fluids using a proximity barcoding assay (PBA). A total of 183 surface proteins were detected on the EVs from body fluids collected from APP/PS1 transgenic mice and patients with AD. The AD‐associated differentially expressed EV proteins could discriminate between the control and AD/AD model samples with high accuracy. Based on machine learning predictive models, urinary EV proteins exhibited the highest diagnostic potential compared to those on other biofluid EVs, both in mice and humans. Single EV analysis further revealed AD‐associated EV subpopulations in the tested body fluids, and a urinary EV subpopulation with the signature proteins PLAU, ITGAX and ANXA1 could diagnose patients with AD in blinded datasets with 88% accuracy. Our results suggest that EVs and their subpopulations from noninvasive body fluids, particularly urine, are potential diagnostic biomarkers for AD.
Multiple myeloma, IL6, and risk of schizophrenia: A Mendelian randomization, transcriptome, and Bayesian colocalization study
Authors: Lin Shuyang , Gao Bei , Xu Rui , Shang Hongming , Xiong Yan , Zhou Jiayi , Yang Zhe , Jiang Chao , Yan Shumei
Published: April 2024

Numerous clinical studies speculated the association between multiple myeloma (MM) and inflammatory diseases; however, there is limited validation of these claims via establishing a causal relationship and revealing the underlying mechanism. This exploratory study employed bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal relationships between MM and inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis, asthma, ankylosing spondylitis, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type II diabetes, and schizophrenia (SZ). Transcriptomic and genome‐wide Bayesian colocalization analyses were further applied to reveal the underlying mechanism. A significant and previously unrecognized positive association was identified between genetic predisposition to MM and the risk of SZ. Two independent case reports showed that treatment‐resistant psychosis is due to underlying MM and is resolved by treating MM. From our MR analyses, various statistical methods confirmed this association without detecting heterogeneity or pleiotropy effects. Transcriptomic analysis revealed shared inflammation‐relevant pathways in MM and SZ patients, suggesting inflammation as a potential pathophysiological mediator of MM's causal effect on SZ. Bayesian colocalization analysis identified rs9273086, which maps to the protein‐coding region of HLA‐DRB1, as a common risk variant for both MM and SZ. Polymorphism of the HLA‐DRB1 allele has been implicated in AD and PD, further highlighting the impact of our results. Additionally, we confirmed that interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a risk factor for SZ through secondary MR, reinforcing the role of neuroinflammation in SZ etiology. Overall, our findings showed that genetic predisposition to MM, HLA‐DRB1 polymorphism, and enhanced IL‐6 signaling are associated with the increased risk of SZ, providing evidence for a causal role for neuroinflammation in SZ etiology.
Altered neural oscillations in classical galactosaemia during sentence production
Authors: Mazzini Sara , Yadnik Sai , Timmers Inge , Rubio‐Gozalbo Estela , Jansma Bernadette M.
Published: April 2024

Classical galactosaemia (CG) is a hereditary disease in galactose metabolism that despite dietary treatment is characterized by a wide range of cognitive deficits, among which is language production. CG brain functioning has been studied with several neuroimaging techniques, which revealed both structural and functional atypicalities. In the present study, for the first time, we compared the oscillatory dynamics, especially the power spectrum and time–frequency representations (TFR), in the electroencephalography (EEG) of CG patients and healthy controls while they were performing a language production task. Twenty‐one CG patients and 19 healthy controls described animated scenes, either in full sentences or in words, indicating two levels of complexity in syntactic planning. Based on previous work on the P300 event related potential (ERP) and its relation with theta frequency, we hypothesized that the oscillatory activity of patients and controls would differ in theta power and TFR. With regard to behavior, reaction times showed that patients are slower, reflecting the language deficit. In the power spectrum, we observed significant higher power in patients in delta (1–3 Hz), theta (4–7 Hz), beta (15–30 Hz) and gamma (30–70 Hz) frequencies, but not in alpha (8–12 Hz), suggesting an atypical oscillatory profile. The time‐frequency analysis revealed significantly weaker event‐related theta synchronization (ERS) and alpha desynchronization (ERD) in patients in the sentence condition. The data support the hypothesis that CG language difficulties relate to theta–alpha brain oscillations.
The paralobe: A new diagnostic and synapomorphic character for the generaPaulipalpinaGnaspini & Peck, 1996 andParapaulipalpinaGnaspini, 1996 (Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Ptomaphagini)
Authors: Gomyde Eduardo C. , de Medeiros Bruno A. S. , Gnaspini Pedro
Published: April 2024

In insect taxa with homogeneous external morphology, genital structures often emerge as essential traits for interspecific differentiation. In the tribe Ptomaphagini (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Cholevinae), precise identification often depends on analyzing the male genital morphology, even at the genus level. Here, we present a new character for diagnosing the generaPaulipalpinaGnaspini & Peck, 1996 andParapaulipalpinaGnaspini, 1996. This feature, which we dub ‘paralobe’, is a projection arising from the internal surface of the right lobe of the aedeagal apex. Based on its absence in other beetles, including other Ptomaphagini, we recognize it as a putative synapomorphy for those genera. The recognition of this previously overlooked structure adds important information for understanding the sequence of changes that occurred in the male genitalia among the genera of Ptomaphagini.
A novel adaptive control design for exponential stabilization of memristor‐based CVNNs with time‐varying delays using matrix measures
Authors: Jayanthi N. , Santhakumari R. , Grienggrai Rajchakit R. , Praneesh M.
Published: April 2024

The present study introduces a new adaptive control framework that aims to attain exponential stability in complex‐valued neural network systems utilizing memristors while accounting for time‐varying delays. The control issues in systems of this nature are mostly attributed to the presence of memristors and time‐varying latency. To overcome these challenges and achieve stabilization outcomes, a methodology is employed that integrates adaptive control approaches inside a matrix‐based framework. This study employs Lyapunov's stability theory to establish exponential stabilization conditions and conduct convergence analysis. The efficacy of the suggested control algorithm in achieving exponential stabilization and robustness under varied delays is demonstrated through numerical simulations.
Effect of XC functionals and dispersion corrections on the DFT‐computed structural and vibrational properties of SrCl2–NaCl and ZrF4–LiF
Authors: Mofrad Amir M. , Christian Matthew S. , Schorne‐Pinto Juliano , Palma Jorge P. S. , Besmann Theodore M.
Published: April 2024

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to examine the impact of exchange–correlation (XC) functionals and van der Waals corrections (specifically the D3 method) on the structural and vibrational properties of the SrCl2–NaCl and ZrF4–LiF salt systems. Multiple XC functionals, including the local density approximation (LDA), the generalized gradient approximation using the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) model, and its modified form suitable for solids (PBEsol), the dispersion‐corrected PBE‐D3 and PBEsol‐D3, were considered. Of these functionals, LDA was found to exhibit the highest degree of error, while PBEsol and PBE‐D3 displayed the least error. Underestimated lattice parameters compared with experimental values were observed to result in higher force constants, leading to an overprediction of vibrational frequencies. Conversely, an overestimation of lattice parameters was associated with lower vibrational frequencies. The methodology presented in this study yielded results that are in good agreement with experiment, irrespective of the method (finite differences vs. density functional perturbation theory) employed for calculating infrared and Raman spectra. It was further demonstrated that for alkali halides with weak Raman scattering, utilizing a supercell constructed from primitive cells better predicts Raman features than does the use of conventional cells.
Analysis of the value of potential biomarker S100‐A8 protein in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Ren Zhibo , Ji Jinke , Lou Caili , Gao Yuxin , Feng Xueyan , Ye Qiang , Jia Wei , Zhang Xu , Niu Ningkui
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of S100‐A8 protein as a diagnostic marker for spinal tuberculosis and to explore its role in the potential pathogenesis of spinal tuberculosis (STB).

Methods

The peripheral blood of 100 spinal tuberculosis patients admitted to the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2018 to June 2021 were collected as the observation group, and the peripheral blood of 30 healthy medical examiners were collected as the control group. Three samples from the observation group and three samples from the control group were selected for proteomics detection and screening of differential proteins. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes (KEGG) was used to enrich and analyze related signaling pathways to confirm the target protein. The serum expression levels of the target proteins were determined and compared between the two groups using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical methods were used to evaluate the value of target protein as a diagnostic marker for STB. A macrophage model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was constructed and S100‐A8 small interfering RNA was used to investigate the molecular mechanism of the target protein.

Results

S100‐A8 protein has the value of diagnosing spinal tuberculosis (AUC = 0.931, p < 0.001), and the expression level in the peripheral blood of the observation group (59.04 ± 19.37 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that of the control group (43.16 ± 10.07 ng/mL) (p < 0.05). S100‐A8 protein expression showed a significant positive correlation with both CRP and ESR values (p < 0.01). Its AUCs for combined bacteriological detection, T‐SPOT results, diagnostic imaging, antacid staining results, and pathological results were 0.705 (p < 0.05), 0.754 (p < 0.01), 0.716 (p < 0.01), 0.656 (p < 0.05), and 0.681 (p < 0.01), respectively. Lack of S100‐A8 leads to a significant decrease in the expression levels of TLR4 and IL‐17A in infected macrophages.

Conclusion

S100‐A8 protein is differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with spinal tuberculosis and healthy individuals and may be a novel candidate biomarker for the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. The feedback loop on the S100‐A8‐TLR4‐IL‐17A axis may play an important role in the inflammatory mechanism of spinal tuberculosis.
Increased serum adipokines are associated with sarcopenia in non‐obese women with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Fang Tzu‐Jung , Chiu Min‐Hsi , Huang Ming‐Shyan , Dai Chia‐Yen , Yeh Yao‐Tsung , Yen Jeng‐Hsien
Published: April 2024

Large cohort studies have disclosed the association between obesity and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk. The sarcopenia prevalence in RA patients can be up to 31%. However, there is little information linking adipokines to sarcopenia in RA, so this study aimed to investigate whether adipokines were indeed involved in secondary sarcopenia in RA with a focus on non‐obese females. Sixty‐four female patients and 36 controls were included in this study. The serum adipokine levels (leptin and adiponectin) were determined by ELISA kits. The impacts of adipokines on muscle atrophy and potential autophagy were examined in mouse myoblasts, C2C12, upon treatment with recombinant leptin and adiponectin agonist (AdipoRan). Interestingly, serum adiponectin was significantly increased but the ratio of leptin/adiponectin was dramatically decreased in the RA patients with sarcopenia. After normalization by body mass, serum leptin was positively associated but adiponectin was negatively associated with muscle mass respectively, even after adjustment for fat mass. Treating C2C12 cells with leptin and AdipoRan inhibited proliferation of mature myotube respectively, as did treatment with the serum from RA patients. A combination of low leptin and high AdipoRan greatly decreased myogenin, but instead increased MAFbx and MuRF‐1 as well as increased Beclin 1, Atg5, and LC3β. Taken together, our study reveals that secondary sarcopenia of RA females may be an imbalance of RA‐related, but not obesity‐related, increase in adipokine production; additionally, the reduced leptin/adiponectin ratio could be a better indicator in monitoring sarcopenia in non‐obese RA females. Moreover, adipokine imbalance may promote muscle atrophy through inducing autophagy.
A Comparison of Spectral Preprocessing Methods and Their Effects on Nutritional Traits in Cowpea Germplasm
Authors: Padhi Siddhant Ranjan , John Racheal , Tripathi Kuldeep , Wankhede Dhammaprakash Pandhari , Joshi Tanay , Rana Jai Chand , Riar Amritbir , Bhardwaj Rakesh
Published: April 2024

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp)) is a multipurpose legume, which has good nutritional properties. Nutritional parameters assessed conventionally can be labour intensive, costly and time taking for germplasm screening. Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is a rapid and nondestructive method, which can facilitate high‐throughput germplasm screening. In our study, estimation of amylose and sugars has been done using NIRS. Two preprocessing methods, that is, SNV‐DT (standard normal variate with detrending) and MSC (multiplicative scatter correction), were performed for optimization of the original spectra. Subsequently, MPLS (modified partial least square) regression method was employed to construct the prediction models. In amylose, the best RSQexternal (coefficient of determination) (0.962) was found in SNV‐DT with mathematical treatment 3,8,8,2. The same result was shown in sugar where the best RSQexternal (0.914) was found in SNV‐DT with mathematical treatment 3,4,4,1. Overall, in the case of amylose and sugars, SNV‐DT was found to be a good preprocessing treatment than MSC. Paired t‐test values in all the treatments for both the preprocessing methods were > 0.05 indicating their reliability. High RSQexternal values for both the traits imply the applicability of the prediction models. Thus, these models can facilitate high‐throughput germplasm screening in different national and international crop improvement programmes focusing on quality traits.
Development and use of a novel diver‐operated ski for surveying nearshore rocky reef habitats
Authors: Thornber Carol S. , Cicchetti Giancarlo , Green‐Gavrielidis Lindsay , Hobbs Niels‐Viggo S. , Pantoni Gabrielle , Taylor David L.
Published: April 2024

The use of camera and video technologies for conducting underwater surveys has rapidly expanded over the past several decades. However, the utility of these systems can be significantly hampered by numerous logistical factors, including limited underwater visibility, rough bottom topography, and ease of use for the operator. Video studies can be difficult to compare when methods and terminologies differ. Here, we describe the development of a cost‐effective diver‐propelled underwater ski‐based video system for rapidly acquiring videos in challenging shallow, high‐energy rocky benthic habitats for quantifying fish, macroalgae, and invertebrates in a coastal temperate system. The ski held the camera at a (relatively) fixed distance from the seafloor, we used parallel lasers to quantify our observations, and we used the standardized language of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard to acquire consistent quantitative data to serve as an ecological baseline, also including archived images. Our results indicate that the ski proved to be an effective tool for capturing insightful data that would otherwise be very difficult and time‐consuming to collect. Our baseline and repeatable methods can be used by other investigators at this or other locations for monitoring, re‐evaluation, or comparisons to other sites.
Lanosterol synthase deficiency promotes tumor progression by orchestrating PDL1‐dependent tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment
Authors: Gao Yuan , Zhao Kun , Huang Yulan , Zhang Dapeng , Luo Na , Peng Xiaoqing , Yang Feng , Xiao Weidong , Wang Meng , Shi Rongchen , Miao Hongming
Published: April 2024

Lipid metabolic reprogramming is closely related to tumor progression with the mechanism not fully elucidated. Here, we report the immune‐regulated role of lanosterol synthase (LSS), an essential enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Database analysis and clinical sample experiments suggest that LSS was lowly expressed in colon and breast cancer tissues, which indicates poor prognosis. The biological activity of tumor cell lines and tumor progression in NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice were not affected after LSS knockdown, whereas LSS deficiency obviously aggravated tumor burden in fully immunized mice. Flow cytometry analysis showed that LSS knockdown significantly promoted the formation of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment, characterized by the increase in M2 macrophages and polymorphonuclear myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (PMN‐MDSCs), as well as the decrease in anti‐tumoral T lymphocytes. With the inhibition of myeloid infiltration or loss function of T lymphocytes, the propulsive effect of LSS knockdown on tumor progression disappeared. Mechanistically, LSS knockdown increased programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) protein stability by 2,3‐oxidosqualene (OS) binding to PDL1 protein. Anti‐PDL1 therapy abolished LSS deficiency‐induced immunosuppressive microenvironment and cancer progression. In conclusion, our results show that LSS deficiency promotes tumor progression by establishing an OS–PDL1 axis‐dependent immunosuppressive microenvironment, indicative of LSS or OS as a potential hallmark of response to immune checkpoint blockade.
Manufacturers' vertical integration strategies in competing three‐tier supply chains with asymmetric customer loyalty
Authors: An Qi , Zhang Nana , Zhao Lianxia
Published: April 2024

This study investigates manufacturers' vertical integration strategies within two competing three‐tier supply chains, focusing on the dynamics of asymmetric supply chains. This asymmetry stems from varying customer loyalties toward two products engaged in pricing and quality competition. By characterizing the equilibrium operational decisions and integration choices, we provide insights into how asymmetric customer loyalty compares and price–quality competition collectively influence the equilibrium channel structure. Our findings highlight that the option for backward integration can lead to an asymmetric equilibrium channel structure, driven by disparities in customer loyalty. In cases marked by significant differences in customer loyalty and a high market demand for product quality, the manufacturer with weaker customer loyalty might unilaterally implement decentralization. This analysis illuminates scenarios where manufacturers diverge from conventional integration norms and offers valuable insights into evolving supply chain dynamics.
Qualitative properties of solutions for dual parabolic equation involving uniformly elliptic nonlocal operator
Authors: Zhang Wei , He Yong , Yang Ze Rong
Published: April 2024

In this research, we study certain characteristics of the solution for an equation involving uniformly elliptic nonlocal operator by establishing various maximum principles in bounded and unbounded regions. Additionally, we don't need the conditions that the narrow region principle's bound assumption and decay in the unbounded domain. In order to get the monotonicity of the solution, we use several maximum principles and averaging effects to overcome the challenges that generated by the uniformly elliptic nonlocal operator and fractional‐order variable
. Of course, while investigating the qualitative characteristics of the equation, we also provide some estimates of auxiliary function. For the study of additional nonlocal operators, we believe the method of uniformly elliptic nonlocal operators will also be helpful.
Susceptibility of Delta Select and Delta Control Channel Catfish lines to experimental Edwardsiella ictaluri and Edwardsiella piscicida infection
Authors: Bosworth Brian G. , Koshy Manoj Chandy , Ware Cynthia C. , Yamamoto Fernando Y. , Byars Todd S. , Griffin Matt J. , Wise David J.
Published: April 2024

Objective

The Delta Select line of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus was established in 2006 and has undergone five generations of genetic selection, specifically targeting increased growth rate and carcass yield, and was released to U.S. catfish farmers in 2020. While improvements in growth rate and carcass yield have been confirmed, performance for other important production traits has yet to be evaluated. Infectious disease, particularly bacterial infections caused by Edwardsiella spp., cause significant economic losses to catfish producers in the southeastern United States. Given the economic consequences of these bacterial pathogens, experimental infectivity trials were conducted comparing susceptibility to Edwardsiella spp. between the Delta Select line and a randomly bred line of Channel Catfish originating from the same base population (Delta Control line).

Methods

Twenty-six full-sib families from each line were used in infectivity trials consisting of a high and a low dose of E. ictaluri (immersion challenge: high dose = 1.6 × 107 CFU/mL, low dose = 8.0 × 106 CFU/mL) and E. piscicida (intracoelomic challenge: high dose = 6.3 × 105 CFU/fish, low dose = 1.9 × 105 CFU/fish).

Result

The high challenge dose resulted in the highest mortality for both pathogens (p < 0.001), regardless of selection line. There was no significant difference in cumulative percent mortality between the Delta Select and Delta Control lines following the E. ictaluri challenge at either dose (p = 0.55). Delta Selects had reduced mortality (p < 0.001) in response to E. piscicida challenge compared with the Delta Controls, regardless of dose.

Conclusion

These results indicate that selection for increased growth rate and carcass yield in the Delta Select Channel Catfish line did not negatively impact resistance to E. ictaluri while potentially improving resistance to E. piscicida.
Maximum flow‐based formulation for the optimal location of electric vehicle charging stations
Authors: Parent Pierre‐Luc , Carvalho Margarida , Anjos Miguel F. , Atallah Ribal
Published: April 2024

With the increasing effects of climate change, the urgency to step away from fossil fuels is greater than ever before. Electric vehicles (EVs) are one way to diminish these effects, but their widespread adoption is often limited by the insufficient availability of charging stations. In this work, our goal is to expand the infrastructure of EV charging stations, in order to provide a better quality of service in terms of user satisfaction (and availability of charging stations). Specifically, our focus is directed towards urban areas. We first propose a model for the assignment of EV charging demand to stations, framing it as a maximum flow problem. This model is the basis for the evaluation of user satisfaction with a given charging infrastructure. Secondly, we incorporate the maximum flow model into a mixed‐integer linear program, where decisions on the opening of new stations and on the expansion of their capacity through additional outlets is accounted for. We showcase our methodology for the city of Montreal, demonstrating the scalability of our approach to handle real‐world scenarios. We conclude that considering both spacial and temporal variations in charging demand is meaningful when solving realistic instances.
Impact of sustained calorie restriction and weight cycling on body composition in high‐fat diet‐fed male and female C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Smith Daniel L. , Yang Yongbin , Mestre Luis M. , Henschel Beate , Parker Erik , Dickinson Stephanie , Patki Amit , Allison David B. , Nagy Tim R.
Published: April 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate body composition changes with weight cycling (WC) among adult C57BL/6J mice with diet‐induced obesity.

Methods

A total of 555 single‐housed mice were fed a high‐fat diet ad libitum (AL) from 8 to 43 weeks of age. The 200 heaviest mice of each sex were randomized to the following four groups: ever obese (EO, continued AL feeding); obese weight loser (OWL, calorie‐restricted); obese weight loser moderate (OWLM, body weight halfway between EO and OWL); and WC (diet restricted to OWL followed by AL refeeding cycles). Body weight and composition data were collected. Linear regression was used to calculate residuals between predicted and observed fat mass. Linear mixed models were used to compare diet groups.

Results

Although weight loss and regain resulted in changes in body weight and composition, fat mass, body weight, and relative body fat were not significantly greater for the WC group compared with the EO group. During long‐term calorie restriction, males (but not females) in the OWLM group remained relatively fatter than the EO group.

Conclusions

WC did not increase body weight or relative fat mass for middle‐aged, high‐fat diet‐fed adult mice. However, long‐term moderate calorie restriction resulted in lower body weight but greater “relative” fat in male mice.
Serum apelin as a potential biomarker for infantile hemangiomas
Authors: Chen Qiang , Zhang Yunxuan , Ni Sili , Yang Liuqing , Li Jiwei , Yuan Xingang , Chen Meng , Liu Jing , Luo Xiaoyan , Xie Yimin , Wang Hua
Published: April 2024

Background

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are common benign vascular tumors in infants. Apelin, an endogenous cytokine, is implicated in the angiogenesis of neoplastic diseases. We aimed to explore the association between apelin and IHs, providing a foundation for clinical applications.

Methods

We identified differential expression of apelin in proliferative IHs compared to healthy controls (HCs) through bioinformatics analysis of publicly available databases and verified by Immunofluorescence. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify the serum levels of apelin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a cohort of 116 cases of proliferative IHs, 65 cases of capillary malformations (CMs), and 70 HCs.

Results

Apelin and APJ (APLNR, apelin receptor) were identified as the significantly upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in proliferative IHs. Immunofluorescence staining indicated high expression of apelin in proliferative IHs, while minimal expression in non‐IH lesions. Apelin in IHs was reduced following 6 months of propranolol treatment. Serum apelin levels were significantly higher in the IH group compared to both the CM and HC groups. Moreover, apelin exhibited excellent discriminatory ability in distinguishing IHs from HCs, with an area under the curve (AUC) exceeding 0.90. A positive correlation was observed between the levels of apelin and the size of superficial IHs. The expression profiles of VEGF and apelin in IHs were found to be consistent.

Conclusions

Apelin shows promise as a potential biomarker for IHs. The association between apelin and IH size, as well as its responsiveness to propranolol treatment, indicates its possible utility as a valuable indicator for the therapeutic evaluation of IHs.
Effect of blend composition on the adhesion strength of EVA‐g‐MA/LLDPE‐g‐MA films to epoxy substrates
Authors: Gholami Farzad , Cordeiro Brandon , Sarikhani Kaveh , Behzadfar Ehsan
Published: April 2024

Heat shrink sleeves (HSS) are multilayer polymers that provide corrosion resistance for welding joints of steel pipes. Within the HSS structure, the adhesive layer is a blend of components, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE). In this study, a systematic approach was employed to investigate the effect of the rheology and blend composition of the maleic anhydride‐modified EVA and maleic anhydride‐modified LLDPE (EVA‐g‐MA/LLDPE‐g‐MA) adhesive layer, prepared by melt processing, on its adhesion properties. Various characterization techniques were employed to investigate the local morphology of the prepared blends at different zones. Peel strength tests were used to characterize the adhesion strength of the prepared adhesives. Our findings demonstrate that the local distribution of EVA‐g‐MA within LLDPE‐g‐MA plays a crucial role in the adhesion strength of the adhesive. The results show that the adhesion strength enhanced by nearly 45% as the composition of EVA‐g‐MA at the surface went up by 20%, shifting the failure location from the epoxy/adhesive interface to the bulk of the adhesive layer. Our hypothesis of the decrease of EVA‐g‐MA intrachain bonding and increase in the EVA‐g‐MA free chain amount in the presence of LLDPE‐g‐MA to improve the adhesion properties was corroborated through our calorimetry results where the relative EVA‐g‐MA crystallinity decreased as LLDPE‐g‐MA was introduced to the blend. The findings of our study highlight the importance of rheological behavior and blend composition in obtaining optimized performance of adhesives within the HSS structure.

Highlights

Compression molding of EVA‐g‐MA/LLDPE‐g‐MA induces a layered morphology.

Local distribution EVA‐g‐MA/LLDPE‐g‐MA components influence their adhesion.

EVA‐g‐MA at the interface improves the adhesion of EVA‐g‐MA/LLDPE‐g‐MA.

LLDPE‐g‐MA suppresses the EVA‐g‐MA crystallinity.

EVA‐g‐MA/LLDPE‐g‐MA composition affects adhesion at different temperatures.
Fiber Bragg grating detection of gel time and residual strain of curing in epoxy resins
Authors: Hao Yanpeng , Zhang Yingying , Shen Zikui , Du Dongyuan , Huang Shenglong , Liu Lin , Huang Lei
Published: April 2024

The curing shrinkage of epoxy resin can generate residual strains and internal stresses that reduce the material's strength and life. In this paper, a thermocouple‐compensated fiber grating detection method for the gel time and residual strain in epoxy resin is proposed. The strain evolution and glass transition temperature of E51/W93 epoxy systems with different Al2O3 contents cured at 30°C are detected by fiber Bragg gratings and DSC tests. The generation mechanism of residual strain in epoxy resin filled with Al2O3 fillers is studied. The gel time, gel temperature and residual strain of epoxy resin can be measured by this method. The results show that the cure shrinkage of epoxy is affected by chemical shrinkage, thermal expansion or shrinkage, and demolding, resulting in residual strain of the material after curing. Moreover, the glass mold has a great interference with the curing shrinkage of epoxy. The Al2O3 filler can prolong the gel time of E51/W93 epoxy systems, and reduce the exothermic peak temperature of curing. When the content of Al2O3 filler exceeds 44.44 wt.%, the low proportion of epoxy and the thermal conductivity of the filler make the curing shrinkage of epoxy during the heating stage mainly affected by chemical shrinkage. The glass transition temperature of the epoxy with Al2O3 content of 70.59 wt.% is the maximum, and the residual strain is at a low level. This method is helpful to analyze the curing shrinkage characteristics of materials, and is of great significance for evaluating the properties of epoxy cured products and guiding the optimization of material parameters.

Highlights

A method for measuring the gel time and residual strain of curing in epoxy resin is proposed.

The study focuses on the detection of key parameters during the curing of epoxy resins with different Al2O3 contents.

The aim is to analyze the curing shrinkage and residual strain generation mechanism of epoxy resin filled with different contents of Al2O3.
Imputation of missing values in lipidomic datasets
Authors: Frölich Nicolas , Klose Christian , Widén Elisabeth , Ripatti Samuli , Gerl Mathias J.
Published: April 2024

Lipidomic data often exhibit missing data points, which can be categorized as missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random, or missing not at random (MNAR). In order to utilize statistical methods that require complete datasets or to improve the identification of potential effects in statistical comparisons, imputation techniques can be employed. In this study, we investigate commonly used methods such as zero, half‐minimum, mean, and median imputation, as well as more advanced techniques such as k‐nearest neighbor and random forest imputation. We employ a combination of simulation‐based approaches and application to real datasets to assess the performance and effectiveness of these methods. Shotgun lipidomics datasets exhibit high correlations and missing values, often due to low analyte abundance, characterized as MNAR. In this context, k‐nearest neighbor approaches based on correlation and truncated normal distributions demonstrate best performance. Importantly, both methods can effectively impute missing values independent of the type of missingness, the determination of which is nearly impossible in practice. The imputation methods still control the type I error rate.
Diphenolic acid/furfurylamine‐based, semi‐biopolyamide/cyclophosphazene covalent composite: Preparation and application in Pb(II) probing and dye adsorption
Authors: Sun Baiyang , Shi Wei , Zhang Qiao , Huang Kaiping , Zhu Yuanqiang , Xie Zhengfeng
Published: April 2024

Diphenolic acid/furfurylamine‐based bio‐benzoxazine (DPA‐fa‐Boz) was selected here as the starting material to prepare a phenol hydroxyl‐containing polyamide (PA) derivative, PA‐DFB, via sustainable benzoxazine‐isocyanide mechanochemistry (BIC‐MC). Further, a type of PA/phosphazene‐based, organic–inorganic covalent hybrid (PD‐HCCP), which comprises various N/P/O‐containing substructures (NP ring, amide, carboxylic acid, and tertiary amine), was successfully prepared by the condensation between PA‐DFB and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP). The presence of heteroatoms‐containing segments endows PD‐HCCP with specific affinity for some cationic agents. PD‐HCCP's binding capability for Pb(II) can be feasibly utilized for the detection of this heavy metal. The downstream application investigation of PD‐HCCP revealed that it can be used as an enrichment‐type Pb(II) electrochemical probe, characterizing a wide detection range (1–40 μM) and a low detection limit (0.0245 μM). Meanwhile, PD‐HCCP also showed the selective binding for cationic dye, methylene blue (MB), providing a maximum adsorption capacity of ~424.97 mg/g and a high adsorption rate (with 98% removal efficiency at 6 min), with the pseudo‐second‐order rate constant up to 0.0325 g mg−1 min−1.
Thermodynamic consequences of stapling side‐chains on a peptide ligand using a lactam‐bridge: A theoretical study on anti‐angiogenic peptides targeting VEGF
Authors: Kalathingal Mahroof , Rhee Young Min
Published: April 2024

Peptides are promising therapeutic agents for various biological targets due to their high efficacy and low toxicity, and the design of peptide ligands with high binding affinity to the target of interest is of utmost importance in peptide‐based drug design. Introducing a conformational constraint to a flexible peptide ligand using a side‐chain lactam‐bridge is a convenient and efficient method to improve its binding affinity to the target. However, in general, such a small structural modification to a flexible ligand made with the intent of lowering the configurational entropic penalty for binding may have unintended consequences in different components of the binding enthalpy and entropy, including the configurational entropy component, which are still not clearly understood. Toward probing this, we examine different components of the binding enthalpy and entropy as well as the underlying structure and dynamics, for a side‐chain lactam‐bridged peptide inhibitor and its flexible analog forming complexes with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), using all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that introducing a side‐chain lactam‐bridge constraint into the flexible peptide analog led to a gain in configurational entropy change but losses in solvation entropy, solute internal energy, and solvation energy changes upon binding, pinpointing the opportunities and challenges in drug design. The present study features an interplay between configurational and solvation entropy changes, as well as the one between binding enthalpy and entropy, in ligand‐target binding upon imposing a conformational constraint into a flexible ligand.
International students' socioeconomic affluence and staying likelihood
Authors: Němeček Filip
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the relationship between international university students' staying likelihood and their socioeconomic affluence. It contributes to a literature that explores the role of socioeconomic differences in selection into international student mobility, but rarely considers their association with the staying likelihood. The analysis is based on a primary data set of 3205 observations collected among international students at 27 universities in the United Kingdom and Czechia. Several explanations, translated into hypotheses, are statistically tested, which complements the predominantly qualitative studies in the field. The results show that students with less affluent parents, defined in terms of income, are more likely to stay. A substantial part of this relationship is explained by these students placing greater emphasis on career‐related considerations when making their staying decision, as emphasizing these considerations is associated with a higher staying likelihood.
SiNx‐Based Digital–Analog Hybrid Resistive Random Access Memory via Heterogeneous Integration
Authors: Zhu Shilong , Gao Haixia , Duan Yiwei , Bai Yifan , Qiu Xuan , Ma Xiaohua , Yang Yintang
Published: April 2024

Herein, a digital–analog hybrid resistive random‐access memory (RRAM) is prepared by integrating the structurally similar SiNx‐based digital‐type RRAM with analog‐type RRAM by heterogeneous integration method. The Pt/SiNx/Ta/Ru is a digital RRAM due to the formation and breakage of the internal silicon dangling bonds conductive filaments, and the TiN/SiNx/Ta/Ru structure is an analog RRAM due to the traps‐filled limit region of the space‐charge limited current. The heterogeneously integrated digital RRAM has good cycling stability and endurance characteristics, and the heterogeneously integrated analog RRAM has high linearity and multistate counting characteristics. This heterogeneous integration approach is useful for the implementation of hybrid digital–analog RRAM.
Transit‐Time Instability Mechanism in Lateral Graphene n+‐i‐n‐i‐n+ Structure with Transverse Terahertz Pasmonic Resonant Cavity
Authors: Ryzhii Victor , Ryzhii Maxim , Shur Michel S. , Otsuji Taiichi
Published: April 2024

The terahertz (THz) plasmonic instability in the lateral graphene structure (LGS) with the n+‐i‐n‐i‐n+ junction in its graphene channel (GC) is analyzed. The i‐regions in the LGS n+‐i‐n‐i‐n+ GC plays the role of the transit spaces of the electrons emitted from the n+‐regions (the emitters) and collected by the gated n‐region (collector) and the side contact to the latter. The interband Zener–Klein tunneling (ZKT) in the i‐regions also contributes to the currents received by the n‐region. Simultaneously, the n‐region constitutes the transverse resonant plasmonic cavity, in which the plasmons with the wave vector directed perpendicular to the electron propagation direction are excited. The plasmonic instability in the LGSs is associated with the transit‐time negative dynamic conductance of the i‐regions supported by the plasmonic resonances in the n‐region. The self‐excitation of plasmonic oscillations associated with the instability in the LGS with sub‐micrometer i‐regions and supplied with a proper antenna can lead to the emission of THz radiation. The LGS can form periodic arrays, which can serve as an active distributed antenna.
Mechanistic insights into anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of plant secondary metabolites and their therapeutic potential for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yuandani  , Jantan Ibrahim , Salim Emil , Septama Abdi Wira , Rullah Kamal , Nainu Firzan , Fasihi Mohd Aluwi Mohd Fadhlizil , Emran Talhah Bin , Roney Miah , Khairunnisa Nur Aini , Nasution Halimah Raina , Fadhil As'ad Muh. , Shamsudin Nur Farisya , Abdullah Maryam Aisyah , Marwa Rani Haya Luthfiyyah , Al Chaira Diany Mahabbah , Aulia Nabila
Published: April 2024

The anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities of plant secondary metabolites are due to their diverse mechanisms of action against multifarious molecular targets such as modulation of the complex immune system associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This review discussed and critically analyzed the potent anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of several phytochemicals and their underlying mechanisms in association with RA in experimental studies, including preliminary clinical studies of some of them. A wide range of phytochemicals including phenols, flavonoids, chalcones, xanthones, terpenoids, alkaloids, and glycosides have shown significant immunosuppressive and anti‐inflammatory activities in experimental RA models and a few have undergone clinical trials for their efficacy and safety in reducing RA symptoms and improve patient outcomes. These phytochemicals have potential as safer alternatives to the existing drugs in the management of RA, which possess a wide range of serious side effects. Sufficient preclinical studies on safety and efficacy of these phytochemicals must be performed prior to proper clinical studies. Further studies are needed to address the barriers that have so far limited their human use before the therapeutic potential of these plant‐based chemicals as anti‐arthritic agents in the treatment of RA is fully realized.