bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the need for structurally competent counselling and psychotherapy: Neoliberal ideology, disability and the psy disciplines
Authors: Hunt Joanne
Published: April 2023

This article highlights and problematises the psy disciplines' articulations with neoliberalism, with a particular focus upon disability and upon counselling and psychotherapy. Recent years have witnessed burgeoning scholarly interest in the potential complicities of the psy professions in a neoliberal agenda of individualisation, pathologisation and responsibilisation of human suffering. Such complicities are, in state therapy settings, driven by a growing need for these professions to offer cost‐effective, evidence‐based interventions to secure funding in an increasingly competitive market. Whilst the entwining of neoliberal ideology with therapy practices may be innocuous for some, it is contended that disabled people may be at particular risk of harm. A case is then made for training and practice to foreground structural competency, an awareness of how therapy encounters and client concerns are shaped by socio‐structural factors, including, but not limited to, politics and political ideology. This would require not only an appreciation of the sociopolitical context in which therapy unfolds and its indubitable shaping of subjectivities, but also greater recognition of disability as a source of social inequity and oppression, as opposed to an individual phenomenon. Moreover, structural competency would require theoretical and demographic diversity in training and practice, which, in turn, would necessitate identifying and addressing barriers to inclusion for disabled people. Points raised are deemed of particular importance given the emergence of long COVID.
Proanthocyanidins in Pruning Wood Extracts of Four European Plum (Prunus domestica L.) Cultivars and Their hLDHA Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Ortega‐Vidal Juan , Ruiz‐Martos Lucía , Salido Sofía , Altarejos Joaquín
Published: April 2023

European plum tree (Prunus domestica L.) is cultivated in many countries for its delicious and nutritive fruit and, accordingly, certain amounts of wood (from pruning works) are generated every year. The main objective of this work was to value this agricultural woody residue, for which the chemical composition of pruning wood extracts from four European plum cultivars was investigated, and the human lactate dehydrogenase A (hLDHA) inhibitory activity of plum wood extracts and pure proanthocyanidins present in those extracts was measured. For the chemical characterization, total phenolic content and DPPH radical‐scavenging assays and HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS analyses were performed, the procyanidin (−)‐ent‐epicatechin‐(2α→O→7,4α→8)‐catechin (4), the phenolic glucoside (−)‐annphenone (3) and the flavan‐3‐ol catechin (1) being the major components of the wood extracts. Some quantitative and qualitative differences were found among plum cultivars, and the content of proanthocyanidins ranged from 1.51 (cv. ‘Claudia de Tolosa’) to 8.51 (cv. ‘De la Rosa’) mg g−1 of dry wood. For the hLDHA inhibitory activity, six wood extracts and six proanthocyanidins were evaluated by a UV spectrophotometric assay, compound 4 showing the highest inhibitory activity (IC50 3.2 μM) of this enzyme involved on the excessive production of oxalate in the liver of patients affected by the rare disease Primary Hyperoxaluria.
Novel (E)‐3‐(3‐Oxo‐4‐substituted‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[b][1,4]oxazin‐6‐yl)‐N‐hydroxypropenamides as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis and Bioevaluation
Authors: Minh Sang Doan , Ho Na Ik , Tien Anh Duong , Thi Mai Dung Do , Thi Thu Hang Nguyen , Phuong‐Anh Nguyen T. , Hai Pham‐The , Thi Kim Oanh Dao , Thanh Tung Truong , Jung Lee Soo , Hee Kwon Joo , Soon Kang Jong , Han Sang‐Bae , Thi Thanh Hai Dinh , Nam Nguyen‐Hai
Published: April 2023

Herein, we report the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel (E)‐3‐(3‐oxo‐4‐substituted‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[b][1,4]oxazin‐6‐yl)‐N‐hydroxypropenamides (4 a–i, 7 a–g) targeting histone deacetylases. Three human cancer cell lines were used to test the cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds (SW620, colon; PC‐3, prostate; NCI−H23, lung cancer); inhibitory activity towards HDAC; anticancer activity; as well as their impact on the cell cycle and apoptosis. As a result, compounds 4 a–i bearing the alkyl substituents seemed to be less potent than the benzyl‐containing compounds 7 a–g in all biological assays. Compounds 7 e–f were found to be the most active HDAC inhibitors with IC50 of 1.498±0.020 μM and 1.794±0.159 μM, respectively. In terms of cytotoxicity and anticancer assay, 7 e and 7 f also showed good activity with IC50 values in the micromolar range. In addition, the cell cycle and apoptosis of SW620 were affected by compound 7 f in almost a similar manner to that of reference compound SAHA. Docking assays were carried out for analysis the binding mode and selectivity of this compound toward 8 HDAC isoforms. Overall, our data confirmed that the inhibition of HDAC plays a pivotal role in their anticancer activity.
Evaluation of in vitro coculture of keratinocytes derived from foreskin and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) on a multilayer oxygen‐releasing electrospun scaffold based on PU/PCL.Sodium percarbonate (SPC)‐gelatine/PU
Authors: Azari Arezo , Rahimi Azam , Rajabibazl Masoumeh , Abbaszadeh Hojjat Allah , Hosseinzadeh Simzar , Rahimpour Azam
Published: April 2023

Despite significant advancements in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine during the last two decades, the fabrication of proper scaffolds with appropriate cells can still be considered a critical achievement in this field. Hypoxia is a major stumbling block to chronic wound healing, which restrains tissue engineering plans because a lack of oxygen may cause cell death. This study evaluated the cocultured human keratinocytes and human adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) on a multilayer oxygen‐releasing electrospun scaffold based on PU/PCL.Sodium percarbonate (SPC)‐gelatin/PU. The scaffold was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. Flow cytometry confirmed mesenchymal stem cells, and then the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and DAPI staining were used to assess the in vitro biocompatibility of the scaffold. The experimental results showed that the multilayer electrospun scaffold containing 2.5% SPC could efficiently produce oxygen. Furthermore, according to cell viability results, this structure makes a suitable substrate for the coculture of keratinocytes and AMSCs. Gene expression analysis of various markers such as Involucrin, Cytokeratin 10, and Cytokeratin 14 after 14 days confirmed that keratinocytes and AMSCs coculture on PU/PCL.SPC‐gelatin/PU electrospun scaffold promotes dermal differentiation and epithelial proliferation compared to keratinocytes single‐cell culture. Therefore, our study supports using oxygen‐releasing scaffolds as a potential strategy to hasten skin tissue regeneration. Based on the results, this structure is suggested as a promising candidate for cell‐based skin tissue engineering. Given that the developed oxygen‐generating polymeric electrospun scaffolds could be used as part of a future strategy for skin tissue engineering, the PU/PCL.SPC‐gelatin/PU hybrid electrospun multilayer scaffold in combination with keratinocyte/AMSC coculture is proposed as an effective substrate for skin tissue engineering and regenerative medicine platforms.
Counselor educators’ views on cognitively complex trainees: A Q method study
Authors: Gantt‐Howrey Alexandra , Kemer Gülşah
Published: April 2023

Our Q method exploration of counselor educators’ perspectives of minimally acceptable cognitive complexity (CC) in trainees at the end of internship yielded two factors: Trainee's Conceptual Integration Ability and Trainee's Ability to Apply Integrated Knowledge. Implications for teaching, supervision, and research pertinent to assessment of and enhancement of CC conclude.
Plastic Extrusion Process Optimization by Inversion of Stacked Autoencoder Classification Machines
Authors: Burr Julia , Sarishvili Alex , Just Daniel , Katsaouni Nikoletta , Moser Kevin
Published: April 2023

In the face of climate change and rising energy prices, lowering energy usage of industrial machines is gaining widespread attention. Αpropriate machine settings could lead to reduced production costs and lower environmental impact, while simultaneously maintaining products' quality. However, defining the complex, nonlinear dependencies between these settings and energy usage or quality in manufacturing is often a challenging task. In the presented work, a method for optimized machine settings recommendation is proposed using inverse classification via autoencoders. The algorithm can suggest operation parameters, based on predefined intervals of energy consumption and product properties. The performance is evaluated on data generated by a digital twin of an extrusion process.
Derivation of Benzothiadiazine‐1,1‐dioxide Scaffolds via Transition Metal‐Catalyzed C—H Activation/Annulation
Authors: Lai Ruizhi , Xu Shuran , Zhang Qingyao , Zhou Hui , Luo Cankun , Wang Yuerong , Hai Li , Wu Yong
Published: April 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Benzothiadiazine‐1,1‐dioxide scaffold is bioactive framework with wild utility and applications. Synthesis of benzothiadiazine‐fused isoquinoline derivatives and spiro benzothiadiazine derivatives through transition metal‐catalyzed C—H activation/annulation was reported. 3‐Phenyl‐2H‐benzothiadiazine‐1,1‐dioxide was used as the reaction substrate, and vinylene carbonate and 4‐diazopyrazolone were used as the coupling reagents, respectively. This strategy provides straightforward access to complex N‐heterocycles in a highly efficient and simple manner.
Thianthrene Radical Cation as a TransientSETMediator: Photoinduced Thiocyanation and Selenocyanation of Arylthianthrenium Salts†
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Yue , Kuang Xin , Wu Yichen , Zhou Jian , Wang Peng
Published: April 2023

Comprehensive Summary

A novel transient SET mediator approach has been developed for the photoinduced radical‐radical cross coupling reaction. Using thein‐situgenerated thianthrene radical cation as the transient SET mediator, the thiocyanation and selenocyanation of aryl thianthrenium salts have been realized under the mild conditions without the need for photocatalyst or single electron donor. In comparison with the photocatalyst enabled process, the protocol features mild conditions, simple manipulation, a broad substrate scope, excellent functional group and heterocycle tolerance. Due to the feasible accessibility of aryl thianthrenium salts, this method has also been applied in the efficient synthesis of a bioactive molecule, and the late‐stage functionalization of complex arenes.
Association between urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio within normal range and hypertension among adults in the United States: Data from the NHANES 2009–2018
Authors: Ming Li , Wang Duan , Zhu Yong
Published: April 2023

Background

Recently it was suggested that urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (uACR), even within the normal range, can be associated with hypertension, but only a few studies have examined. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between normal range uACR and the prevalence of hypertension.

Methods

The research used data from the 2009 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included 14,919 participants. We defined the uACR as the amount of albumin (mg/dL) divided by creatinine (g/dL) in randomly voided urine. Hypertension was defined as mean systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg, or diastolic ≥80 mmHg, or were taking hypertension medication or were informed of a hypertension diagnosis by a physician/health professional.

Results

In multivariable‐adjusted models, per 5 mg/g uACR increment, the hypertension prevalence increased 1.31‐fold (OR, 1.31; 95% CI 1.23–1.40), the odds [95% confidence interval (CI)] for hypertension prevalence were 2.25 (1.86–2.72) for those in the highest quartile compared to those in the lowest quartile. The nonlinear relationship between hypertension prevalence and uACR was found by visually assessing images (p for nonlinearity<.001). In addition, in the subgroup analysis stratified by body mass index, the lower the BMI, the stronger the association between uACR and hypertension prevalence.

Conclusions

Even within the normal range, subtly elevated uACR was associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension in the USA general population, and this association may be enhanced in individuals with low BMI. Further research is needed to assess the clinical applicability of these findings.
The association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and corrected QT interval prolongation among generally healthy Iranian population: Fasa Cohort Study (FACS)
Authors: Naderi Alireza , Farjam Mojtaba , Mojarrad Sani Maryam , Abdollahi Ashkan , Alkamel Abdulhakim , Keshavarzian Omid , Tabrizi Reza
Published: April 2023

Background

There are limited studies about the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation worldwide.

Hypothesis

Therefore, we designed the current study to determine this association in a large cohort of a generally healthy population.

Methods

We analyzed the data of 4603 individuals aged 35–70 who participated in the Fasa Cohort Study (FACS). Based on 12‐lead electrocardiograms, QT intervals were calculated and corrected by Bazzet's formula. A QTc interval of more than 430 ms in men and 450 ms in women was considered prolonged. The Fatty Liver Index was used to identify the participants with NAFLD.

Results

Of all participants, 1550 (33.6%) met the NAFLD criteria. In subjects of both genders with NAFLD, the mean values of the QTc interval were considerably higher than in those without NAFLD (p < .001). After adjusting for a wide range of confounders, including age, gender, smoking status, physical activity, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol levels, diabetes, and hypertension status, in linear regression analysis, the standardized β coefficient of QTc interval among participants with NAFLD was 2.56 ms (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49–4.64). After controlling the same confounders, the odds ratio of NAFLD for a prolonged QTc interval in men was 1.47 (95% CI: 1.18–1.84; p < .001) and in women was 1.39 (95% CI: 1.15–1.68; p < .001) using logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

NAFLD was a risk factor for QTc interval prolongation. Awareness about the risk of NAFLD in increasing the potential cardiac arrhythmias should be raised to lower cardiac mortality.
Structure‐Activity Relationships of Metal‐Based Inhibitors of the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter
Authors: Huang Zhouyang , Wilson Justin J.
Published: April 2023

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is a transmembrane protein that is responsible for mediating mitochondrial calcium (mCa2+) uptake. Given this critical function, the MCU has been implicated as an important target for addressing various human diseases. As such, there has a been growing interest in developing small molecules that can inhibit this protein. To date, metal coordination complexes, particularly multinuclear ruthenium complexes, are the most widely investigated MCU inhibitors due to both their potent inhibitory activities as well as their longstanding use for this application. Recent efforts have expanded the metal‐based toolkit for MCU inhibition. This concept paper summarizes the development of new metal‐based inhibitors of the MCU and their structure‐activity relationships in the context of improving their potential for therapeutic use in managing human diseases related tomCa2+dysregulation.
NiS/MoS2 Anchored Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Generation and Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Ahmed Imtiaz , Biswas Rathindranath , Iqbal Muzahir , Roy Ayan , Haldar Krishna Kanta
Published: April 2023

Although sulfide‐based materials are known to be efficient catalysts for oxygen evolution reactions (OER), hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), and supercapacitor applications, improving the catalytic activity of sulfide materials for both electrochemical water splitting and supercapacitors remains a challenging problem. Here, an easy and one‐step integrated methodology is implemented to develop NiS/MoS2 anchored multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT/NiS/MoS2) catalysts that can effectively and robustly catalyze both the HER and OER. The MWCNT/NiS/MoS2 hybrid composite offers the lowest overpotential of 201 mV and 193 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA/cm2 and −10 mA/cm2 with a small Tafel slope of 58 mV/dec 41 mV/dec for OER and HER, respectively, in alkaline and acidic conditions. The obtained multi‐walled carbon nanotubes anchored with intertwined NiS/MoS2 have a significant number of active sites and defects throughout the structure. The hybrid composite electrode delivered a specific capacitance of >371.45 F/g at 2 A/g in a two‐electrode system, along with high energy density of 51.63 Wh/kg (ED) along with the power density (PD) of 953.63 W/kg, and good capacitance retention ∼82% after 2000 cycles. Therefore, a tandem electron transfer mechanism between NiS and MoS2 (MoS2→NiS) is believed to have an electrical synergistic effect that promotes both HER and OER activity. This research opens a new path for the construction of multi‐component, cheap electrocatalysts that are highly effective for overall water splitting and energy storage applications.
MPKin‐YSTR: Interpretation of Y chromosome STR haplotypes for missing persons cases
Authors: Ge Jianye , Crysup Benjamin , Peters Dixie , Franco Romy , Liu Muyi , Wang Xuewen , Huang Meng , Budowle Bruce
Published: April 2023

Y chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (STR) haplotypes have been used in assisting forensic investigations primarily for identification and male lineage determination. The current SWGDAM interpretation guidelines for Y‐STR typing provide helpful guidance on those purposes but do not address the issue of kinship analysis with Y‐STR haplotypes. Because of the high mutation rate of Y‐STRs, there are complex missing person cases in which inconsistent Y‐STR haplotypes between true paternal lineage relatives will arise and cases with two or more male references in the same lineage and yet differ in their haplotypes. Therefore, more useful methods are needed for interpreting the Y‐STR haplotype data. Computational methods and interpretation guidelines have been developed specifically addressing this issue, either using a mismatch‐based counting method or a pedigree likelihood ratio method. In this study, a software program, MPKin‐YSTR, was developed by implementing those more sophisticated methods. This software should be able to improve the interpretation of complex cases with Y‐STR haplotype evidence. Thus, more biological evidence will be interpreted, which in turn will result in more investigation leads to help solve crimes.
Investigating the energy security performance, productivity, and economic growth for the EU
Authors: Gökgöz Fazıl , Yalçın Engin
Published: April 2023

Energy is one of the key elements of economies. The maintenance of daily economic activities would not be possible without assurance of energy security, which is also a critical contributor to sustainable energy. The European Union (EU) strives to protect the energy security of its members in order to prevent supply problems or crises. The main purpose of our analysis is to evaluate the energy security of EU countries by analyzing their performance, productivity, and relationship with economic growth. Using hybrid and comparative MCDM and Malmquist productivity approaches, we assess the static and dynamic energy security performance of the EU countries in the period from 2014 to 2018. We use IDOCRIW‐weighted SAW, MARCOS, and CODAS techniques for static performance measurement and the Malmquist productivity approach for dynamic performance evaluation. Considering both static and dynamic performance among developed EU countries, Denmark is found to be superior. Further, the Malmquist productivity index results indicate a slight improvement for developed countries and deterioration for developing countries. According to the panel data analysis, energy security is a factor that leads to economic growth. Consequently, energy efficiency initiatives such as efficiency action plans, hybrid and electric vehicles, and energy storage advancements play crucial roles in enhancing the EU's energy security.
Unraveling mitochondria‐targeting reactive oxygen species modulation and their implementations in cancer therapy by nanomaterials
Authors: Peng Haibao , Yao Feibai , Zhao Jiaxu , Zhang Wei , Chen Lingchao , Wang Xin , Yang Peng , Tang Jing , Chi Yudan
Published: April 2023

Functional subcellular organelle mitochondria are emerging as a crucial player and driver of cancer. For maintaining the sites of cellular respiration, mitochondria experience production, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) underlying oxidative damage in electron transport chain carriers. Precision medicine targeting mitochondria can change nutrient availability and redox homeostasis in cancer cells, which might represent a promising strategy for suppressing tumor growth. Herein, this review highlights how the modification capable of manipulating nanomaterials for ROS generation strategies can influence or compensate the state of mitochondrial redox homeostasis. We propose foresight to guide research and innovation with an overview of seminal work and discuss future challenges and our perspective on the commercialization of novel mitochondria‐targeting agents.
Probing multiple algorithms to calculate brain age: Examining reliability, relations with demographics, and predictive power
Authors: Bacas Eva , Kahhalé Isabella , Raamana Pradeep R. , Pablo Julian B. , Anand Apurvaa S. , Hanson Jamie L.
Published: April 2023

The calculation of so‐called “brain age” from structural MRIs has been an emerging biomarker in aging research. Data suggests that discrepancies between chronological age and the predicted age of the brain may be predictive of mortality and morbidity (for review, see Cole, Marioni, Harris, & Deary, 2019). However, with these promising results come technical complexities of how to calculate brain age. Various groups have deployed methods leveraging different statistical approaches, often crafting novel algorithms for assessing this biomarker derived from structural MRIs. There remain many open questions about the reliability, collinearity, and predictive power of different algorithms. Here, we complete a rigorous systematic comparison of three commonly used, previously published brain age algorithms (XGBoost, brainageR, and DeepBrainNet) to serve as a foundation for future applied research. First, using multiple datasets with repeated structural MRI scans, we calculated two metrics of reliability (intraclass correlations and Bland–Altman bias). We then considered correlations between brain age variables, chronological age, biological sex, and image quality. We also calculated the magnitude of collinearity between approaches. Finally, we used machine learning approaches to identify significant predictors across brain age algorithms related to clinical diagnoses of cognitive impairment. Using a large sample (N = 2557), we find all three commonly used brain age algorithms demonstrate excellent reliability (r > .9). We also note that brainageR and DeepBrainNet are reasonably correlated with one another, and that the XGBoost brain age is strongly related to image quality. Finally, and notably, we find that XGBoost brain age calculations were more sensitive to the detection of clinical diagnoses of cognitive impairment. We close this work with recommendations for future research studies focused on brain age.
Does digital financial inclusion reduce the risk of returning to poverty? Evidence from China
Authors: Xu Fang , Zhang Xiaoru , Zhou Di
Published: April 2023

Digital financial inclusion has become an important way to reduce poverty and prevent poverty return; however, few studies examine the relationship between digital financial inclusion measurement with poverty return governance. Based on data from the 2017 China Household Financial Survey, we construct a digital financial inclusion indicator for micro‐households, and explore its impact on the risk of households returning to poverty and its mechanisms. Our findings suggest that digital financial inclusion can reduce the risk of Chinese families returning to poverty, and that it has heterogeneous effects on families and regions with different characteristics. The main function is to improve household income level by promoting entrepreneurship and employment, and to improve risk resistance by enhancing household financial market participation and household asset allocation. Further analysis shows that digital financial inclusion has structural effects, nonlinear effects, and substitution effects with private lending in poverty governance. This paper has implications for understanding and improving the poverty governance effectiveness of digital financial inclusion.
High visceral fat attenuation and long‐term mortality in a health check‐up population
Authors: Lee Jong Hyuk , Choi Seung Ho , Jung Keum Ji , Goo Jin Mo , Yoon Soon Ho
Published: April 2023

Background

The prognostic role of increased visceral fat attenuation (VFA) remains underexplored. We investigated the long‐term prognostic implications of computed tomography (CT)‐derived VFA in a health check‐up population.

Methods

This study included consecutive individuals who had positron‐emission tomography/CT scans for health check‐ups between January 2004 and December 2010. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcomes were cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and non‐cancer‐specific survival (NCS). Commercially available body composition analysis software was used to obtain abdominal waist VFA, visceral fat volume index (VFI) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the L3 level. Sarcopenia was determined using sex‐specific SMI references. VFA and VFI were dichotomized using the thresholds for the highest quartiles. The relationship between CT‐derived body composition parameters and body mass index (BMI) was evaluated with Pearson correlation coefficients. The prognostic implications of VFA and sarcopenic obesity (SO) defined by VFA were assessed by multivariable Cox regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier plots with log‐rank tests.

Results

A total of 2720 individuals (1530 men [56.3%] and 1190 women [43.7%]; median age: 53 years, inter‐quartile range: 47–60 years) were included. During the median follow‐up of 138 months, 128 individuals (5%) died (cancer mortality: 2%; non‐cancer mortality: 3%), with 0.2% (5 of 2720) and 1.1% (30 of 2720) of 1‐ and 5‐year mortality rates. VFA was negatively correlated with BMI (r = −0.62; P < 0.001) and VFI (r = −0.69; P < 0.001). After adjusting for clinical variables, sarcopenia and VFI, high VFA was a negative prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.05 per Hounsfield unit; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 1.08; P = 0.001), CSS (HR: 1.07 per Hounsfield unit; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.12; P = 0.006) and NCS (HR: 1.03 per Hounsfield unit; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06; P = 0.009). Individuals with high VFA had higher high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels than those with low VFA (0.11 vs. 0.03 mg/dL; P < 0.001). Individuals with SO defined by VFA had worse OS (9% vs. 4%; P < 0.001), CSS (3% vs. 2%; P = 0.02) and NCS (6% vs. 3%; P < 0.001) than those without SO, even in the same BMI (underweight‐to‐normal BMI, OS: 8% vs. 4%; overweight‐to‐obese BMI, OS: 38% vs. 4%; P < 0.001 in both) or VFI category (high VFI, OS: 43% vs. 6%; low VFI, OS: 8% vs. 3%; P < 0.001 in both).

Conclusions

High VFA was associated with long‐term mortality and low‐grade inflammation. VFA can further stratify the current SO by BMI or VFI, and SO defined by VFA can identify individuals who are most vulnerable to long‐term mortality.
Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Lin , Yao Honghui , Zhang Le , Garcia‐Argibay Miguel , Du Rietz Ebba , Brikell Isabell , Solmi Marco , Cortese Samuele , Ramos‐Quiroga J. Antoni , Ribasés Marta , Chang Zheng , Larsson Henrik
Published: April 2023

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co‐occurs with other psychiatric and physical diseases. However, available evidence on associations between ADHD and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is mixed. To systematically review, quantitatively synthesize, and appraise available evidence on the link between ADHD with CVDs, we searched relevant articles in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from inception to May 1, 2022. Study quality was assessed by using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale, and random‐effects model meta‐analyses were performed. A total of 18,391,169 (ADHD: n = 421,224) individuals from 11 studies were included in our systematic review and 8,196,648 (ADHD = 332,619) individuals from five studies were included in the main meta‐analysis of adjusted estimates. Pooled estimates showed that ADHD was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVDs in analyses based on adjusted effect size (odds ratio (OR) = 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19–2.23, Q = 140.74, PQ < 0.001, I2 = 97.2%). When restricted among adults, the heterogeneity declined to null (OR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.14–2.62, Q = 6.28, PQ = 0.10, I2 = 6.28%), suggesting age might be the main source of heterogeneity. In subgroup analyses, we found increased risk of CVDs associated with ADHD across age groups, type of CVDs, and data sources. This systematic review and meta‐analyses indicate that ADHD is associated with increased risk for CVDs, but further studies with various study designs are warranted to advance the understanding of the underlying mechanisms for the observed association between ADHD and CVDs. Additional research is also needed to resolve the role of ADHD medications which remains unclear due to the limited number of primary studies exploring this issue.
Effects of fluoxetine withdrawal in the brainstem and hypothalamus of overnourished rats: Chronic modulation on oxidative stress levels
Authors: de Santana Jonata Henrique , Rodrigues Thyago de Oliveira , de Lima Flávia Ariane , Martins Silva Deyvison Guilherme , Beltrão de Lemos Maria Daniele Teixeira , de Andrade Silva Severina Cássia , Lagranha Cláudia J.
Published: April 2023

Poor nutritional quality in the early stages of development is associated with neurological diseases in adulthood. Studies showed that obesity‐induced oxidative stress contributes to the genesis of neurological diseases through dysregulation of the brainstem and hypothalamus. Fluoxetine (Fx) is an antidepressant member in the family of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) that can induce positive effects by reducing oxidative damage in brain tissues. We aimed to evaluate the late effect of Fx in the brainstem and hypothalamus of overnourished rats during development. Male Wistar rats, after birth, were randomly divided into the normal‐nourished group (N, n = 9) and the overnourished group (O, n = 3). On the 39th day of life, the groups were subdivided into normofed, and the overnourished group treated or not with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg daily) (NF, NV, OF, and OV). All groups were treated from the 39th to the 59th day of life, and within 90 days, the tissues were collected for oxidative stress analysis. Briefly, our results showed that Fx treatment induced a tissue‐dependent long‐lasting effect in overfed animals, increasing the enzymatic defense (i.e., CAT and GST activity) in the hypothalamus, but more intensive, increasing the non‐enzymatic defense (i.e., Total Thiols and GSH levels) in the brainstem. Overall, our study suggests that serotonin modulation at the final stage of brain development causes a long‐lasting impact on brain structures in overfed rats at a different mode.
Acute leukemias in pregnant women: Results of a retrospective study at a local tertiary‐care hospital in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Shuhei , Biyajima Kyoko , Matsuzawa Shuji , Sakai Kaoko , Kawakami Fumihiro , Kawakami Toru , Nishina Sayaka , Sakai Hitoshi , Fuseya Chiho , Nakazawa Hideyuki
Published: April 2023

Leukemia may rarely develop in a woman during pregnancy, posing clinical challenges to the patient, fetus, family, and medical staff managing malignancy and pregnancy. We retrospectively analyzed cases of pregnancy‐associated leukemia consecutively diagnosed and treated at a local tertiary‐care hospital in Nagano, Japan, over the past 20 years. Five cases were identified among 377,000 pregnancies in the area (one in every 75,000 pregnancies), all involving acute leukemia (three acute myelogenous leukemia [AML] and two acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]). The cases were diagnosed in the first trimester (n = 1), second trimester (n = 3), or third trimester (n = 1). There were no apparent pregnancy‐associated delays in diagnosing and treating the cases. Three patients underwent induction chemotherapy during pregnancy, two of whom eventually delivered healthy babies. One of the five patients chose abortion before chemotherapy initiation. Two cases showing high‐risk features at the diagnosis (AML with an FLT3‐ITD mutation [n = 1] and relapsed ALL [n = 1]) eventually died despite consolidative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Our results suggested that patients with pregnancy‐associated acute leukemia can be treated similarly to nonpregnant patients, although pregnancy imposes particular clinical challenges that should be resolved with multidisciplinary care.
Effect of shearing‐induced lipolysis on foaming properties of milk
Authors: Ho Thao M , Bhandari Bhesh R , Bansal Nidhi
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

The attraction of cappuccino‐style beverages is attributed to the foam layer, as it greatly improves the texture, appearance, and taste of these products. Typical milk has a low concentration of free fatty acids (FFAs), but their concentration can increase due to lipolysis during processing and storage, which is detrimental to the foamability and foam stability of milk. There are contradictory results in reported studies concerning the effects of FFAs on the foaming properties of milk due to differences in milk sources, methods inducing lipolysis, and methods of creating foam. In this study, the foaming properties and foam structure of milk samples whose lipolysis was induced by ultra‐turraxing, homogenisation, and microfluidisation (1.5–3.5 μ‐equiv. mL−1 FFAs) were investigated.

Results

Compared with others, microfluidised milk samples had the smallest particle size, lowest absolute zeta potential, and highest surface tension; thus exhibited high foamability and foam stability, and very small and homogeneous air bubbles in foam structure. For all shearing methods, increasing FFA content from 1.5 to 3.5 μ‐equiv. mL−1 markedly decreased the surface tension, foamability, and foam stability of milk samples. The FFA level that led to undesirable foam structure was 1.5 μ‐equiv. mL−1 for ultra‐turraxed milk samples and 2.5 μ‐equiv. mL−1 for homogenised and microfluidised ones.

Conclusion

Shearing‐induced lipolysis greatly affected the physical properties of milk samples and subsequently their foaming properties and foam structure. At the same FFA level, lipolysis induced by microfluidisation was much less detrimental to the foaming properties of milk than lipolysis induced by ultra‐turraxing and homogenisation. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A high‐throughput liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of direct oral anticoagulants in human plasma
Authors: Žideková Nela , Pršo Kristián , Brisudová Kristína , Babálová Lucia , Bolek Tomáš , Sivák Štefan , Kurča Egon , Mokrý Juraj , Samoš Matej , Nosáľ Vladimír , Kertys Martin
Published: April 2023

Direct oral anticoagulants are widely used in many indications to prevent thromboembolic events. Routine therapeutic monitoring is not required; however, there is increasing evidence suggesting the benefit of plasma level measurement in some situations. In addition, laboratory monitoring might help improve patient and drug non‐compliance and thus individualize therapy. In the present study, we developed a sensitive and high throughput ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantification of apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban in human plasma. A one‐step extraction procedure in 96‐well formate for phospholipid and protein removal was used for sample pre‐treatment, and analytes were separated using gradient elution over 4.2 min. Analytes were detected on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated according to the European Medicine Agency guideline for the selectivity, linearity, and lower limit of detection, precision and accuracy, matrix effects, extraction recovery, carryover, dilution integrity, and stability over a concentration range of 3.0–1000 ng/ml for all analytes. The validated method was applied to real clinical samples of patients treated with one of the drugs. Therefore, we can conclude that our method is suitable for therapeutic drug monitoring of direct oral anticoagulants.
The Long‐Term Implications of Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Young Adults
Authors: Shopen Yoni , Tsur Nir , Soudry Ethan
Published: April 2023

Background

The long‐term impact of rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) on general health and medical services utilization in young adults have been limitedly studied.

Methods

A case–control study in the Israeli Defense Forces, between the years 2005 and 2019, of all individuals with either rhinitis or CRS and a matched cohort of healthy individuals with a minimum of 5 years of consecutive follow‐up.

Results

The study groups included 617 patients with rhinitis and 296 patients with CRS and 2739 healthy controls with an average age of 28 years. During a mean follow‐up of 8 years, a significant fraction of patients in both study groups were diagnosed with asthma compared to the control group, (26.1% and 23.3% vs. 3.7%, respectively; CI 95%: 12.1%–14.9%, p < 0.0001). 7.6% of patients with rhinitis developed CRS. Significantly increased loss of productivity and medical system utilization were noted in the study groups compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Moreover, deterioration in general health, manifested as loss of physical fitness for combative service was observed in a third of patients during follow‐up.

Conclusions

Rhinitis and CRS significantly impact productivity and medical service utilization in young adults, as well as general health associated with development of asthma and impairment of physical fitness. A minority of rhinitis patients develop CRS overtime, further affecting this patient group. These patients should be followed up and managed to improve disease control and associated outcomes.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:3299–3303, 2023
The diagnostic utility of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging and high‐resolution computed tomography for cholesteatoma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Xun Mengzhao , Liu Xu , Sha Yongfang , Zhang Xin , Liu Jian Ping
Published: April 2023

Objective

The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to compare the efficiency of high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in guiding the diagnosis of middle ear cholesteatoma in clinical practice.

Materials and methods

Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for studies that evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of HRCT or DWI in detecting middle ear cholesteatoma. A random‐effects model was used to calculate and summarize the pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios. Postoperative pathological results were considered as the diagnostic gold standard for middle ear cholesteatoma.

Results

Fourteen published articles (860 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of DWI when diagnosing cholesteatoma (regardless of type) were 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80–0.93) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.86–0.97), respectively, while those of HRCT were 0.68 (95% CI, 0.57–0.77) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.60–0.90), respectively. Notably, the sensitivity and specificity levels of DWI were similar to those of HRCT (p = .1178 for sensitivity, p = .2144 for specificity; pair‐sampled t tests). The sensitivity and specificity of DWI or HRCT for the diagnosis of primary cholesteatoma were 0.78 (95% CI, 0.65–0.88) and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.69–0.93), respectively, while that for recurrent cholesteatoma were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.61–0.99) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.82–0.98), respectively.

Conclusion

DWI and HRCT have similar levels of high sensitivity and specificity in detecting various cholesteatomas. Also, the diagnostic efficiency of HRCT or DWI for recurrent cholesteatoma is identical to that of primary cholesteatoma. Therefore, HRCT may be used in clinical settings to reduce the use of DWI and save clinical resources.

Lay summary

Data on the use of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging and high‐resolution computed tomography in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma were obtained through a literature search. They were analyzed to guide the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cholesteatoma.

Level of evidence

NA
Virus‐Like Particle‐Encapsulated Doxorubicin Enters and Kills Murine Tumor Cells Differently from Free Doxorubicin
Authors: Gonçalves Amanda P. , Ramos José Ésio B. , Madureira Karoline H. , Martins Marcelo L. , Santos Anésia A. , de Vries Renko
Published: April 2023

The use of nanoparticles as chemotherapeutic carriers has been suggested as a way to overcome a range of side effects associated with classical cancer treatment such as poor selectivity and tumor resurgence. Obtaining precise control of the size and shape of therapeutic nanoparticles is crucial to optimize the targeting of tumor sites. In this work, it is shown that a previously developed system of polypeptide encapsulating individual DNA molecules, that forms rod‐shaped nanoparticles of precisely controlled aspect ratio, can be loaded with the DNA‐intercalating chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX). It is characterized the size and shape of the DOX loaded‐Virus‐Like DNA Particles (DOX‐VLDP) and shown that in this system the DOX payload does not leak out. Through in vitro cell studies, it is shown that DOX‐VLDP is internalized by melanoma tumor cells (B16F10 cells) in a delayed and endocytosis‐dependent way culminating in increased cytotoxicity and selectivity to tumor cells in comparison with free DOX. In addition, it is found that DOX‐VLDP trigger apoptosis and autophagy pathways in treated cells. Taken together, the data on the DOX‐VLDP nanoparticles shows that they kill cancer cells differently from free DOX.
The role of chemical microstructures and compositions on the actuation performance of dielectric elastomers: A materials research perspective
Authors: Suresh Jishnu Nirmala , Arief Injamamul , Naskar Kinsuk , Heinrich Gert , Tahir Muhammad , Wießner Sven , Das Amit
Published: April 2023

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are one of the emerging areas of investigation in smart elastomer research and have attracted considerable interests due to their wide‐ranging applications, for instance in automation and soft robotic components. Commonly utilized dielectric elastomers (DEs) such as nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and its hydrogenated and carboxylated derivatives along with the dielectric fillers (titanium oxide, barium titanate, etc.) were considered to be one of the most established composite systems demonstrating high actuation performance. When subjected to external electrical field, the DEAs derived from the composites were, therefore, capable of reproducing high energy density and large deformation with fast response time. The recent research emphasizes that tunable material properties eventually triggered the improved actuation performance. The exploration of compliant electrodes fabricated by the conventional and state‐of‐the‐art lithographic methods was also crucial to improve actuation performance for the soft robotic applications. This review summarizes the commonly used DEs and dielectric fillers, their performances and challenges, and outlines the research progress (experimental and theoretical) in the field of actuators. Finally, a brief introduction to DEA‐based soft robotics application is also presented.
An institutional review of genomic sequencing in pediatric solid tumors
Authors: Turco George M. , Gupta Ajay , Monteleone Philip , Kelly Kara M. , Klein Roger D. , Wiltsie Laura , Barth Matthew
Published: April 2023

Background

Although tumor genomic profiling has aided the advancement of targeted genetic therapy, its clinical integration remains a challenge in pediatric cancers due to lower mutation frequency and less available targeted drugs. There have been multiple novel studies examining molecular sequencing in pediatrics; however, many of these studies primarily utilized large‐scale, genome‐wide screening applications that limit applicable use due to the availability of testing. This study examined the institutional use of a targeted, clinically available approach to tumor genomic sequencing.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on pediatric patients with solid tumors who were managed at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and underwent molecular testing of their tumor biopsy via OmniSeq from August 2016 to July 2021. Results were reviewed for mutations considered to be “actionable” by targeted therapy. Patients with actionable mutations were further examined to evaluate treatment course, receival of targeted therapy, and clinical outcomes.

Results

We identified 64 pediatric patients consisting of 20 (31%) with CNS tumors and 44 (69%) with non‐CNS tumors, ranging in age from 9 months to 21 years. Thirty‐five total actionable mutations were identified amongst 27 patients (42%). Of these 27, 12 patients (44%) received at least 1 targeted drug against a respective actionable mutation, of which 6 patients (50%) achieved clinical benefit to therapy, including 1 complete response.

Conclusions

The use of a clinically focused and readily available targeted molecular sequencing panel identified actionable mutations at a comparable rate to the large‐scale, less readily available sequencing panels utilized in other studies. Half of our patients who received targeted therapy achieved a complete response or clinical benefit from therapy. Although targeted therapy has a role in pediatric cancer treatment, many newer drugs require further research on their safety and efficacy.