bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Luspatercept's use in a patient with transfusion‐dependent beta‐thalassemia and intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH)
Authors: Seijari Mohammed Najdat , Alshurafa Awni , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: May 2024

Key Clinical Message

This case report and literature review examine the use of a relatively novel agent in a transfusion‐dependent beta‐thalassemia patient with extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH). It examines the benefits and risks associated with its use and reviews the available literature while highlighting the drug's results in our patient with a higher risk profile.

Beta thalassemia can be complicated by EMH, which causes different symptoms based on location and size. Luspatercept is a new agent approved for transfusion‐dependent thalassemia and Non‐transfusion‐dependent thalassemia (NTDT). Still, its use in patients with EMH was not well studied, and literature showed an increased risk of EMH expansion or development of new masses after its use. We discuss, in this case, the results of luspatercept treatment in a patient with transfusion‐dependent thalassemia who is considered high risk for its use due to the patient's specific characteristics (history of symptomatic intrathoracic EMH, previous splenectomy, refusal to use antithrombotic medications). While also highlighting the benefits of using luspatercept regarding decreasing the iron overload and improving hemoglobin levels and examining how it was used safely to manage a transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patient with an extramedullary hematopoiesis mass with no adverse events of note.
Transverse colon volvulus: A case report of an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in pediatrics
Authors: Ortega Evenildo Martinez , Ruano Dollis De Jesús Rodríguez , Al‐Zoubi Raed M. , Alansari Amani N.
Published: May 2024

Key Clinical Message

Transverse colonic volvulus (TCV) is a serious condition with a mortality rate of up to 33%. It is very rare, especially in children. Despite its rarity, surgeons should have a high index of suspicion and include it in the list of differential diagnoses, especially in patients with developmental delays and associated uncommon syndromes. Resection and anastomosis, whether as a one‐stage or two‐stage procedure, proved to be the best treatment options for children. Since prompt identification and management are vital, this paper presents useful information on the presentation, treatment, and outcome of this case report.
Steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) presenting as subacute psychosis: Case report and literature review
Authors: Abdelmahmuod Elabbass A. , Jasim Noor , Ibrahim Buthaina , Mokhtar Marwa
Published: May 2024

Key Clinical Message

Clinicians should consider autoimmune thyroiditis in patients presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms and promptly initiate appropriate investigations and treatment, such as corticosteroids, to improve clinical outcomes.
IgG4‐related disease: Case report and 6‐year follow‐up of an elusive diagnosis mimicking malignancy
Authors: Oliveira Sara Melo , Gomes Isabel , Trigo Inês , Fonseca Elsa , Lopes Rita Neto , Oliveira Ana Sofia
Published: May 2024

Key Clinical Message

IgG4‐related disease is a rare and emerging pathology, characterized by the appearance of pseudotumors. Due to the ability to mimic other pathologies, it is essential to consider it as a differential diagnosis in multisystemic processes. The diagnosis is challenging, requiring a multidisciplinary approach, to minimize the associated morbidity and mortality.

IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) is a rare, emerging, systemic and chronic pathology, characterized by the appearance of pseudotumors resulting from tissue infiltration by IgG4‐positive plasma cells that promote eosinophilic inflammation of the tissue with subsequent fibrosis. We present the case of a male, 45‐year‐old patient, with marked weight loss and skin pallor detected by his family doctor during a child health consultation of his daughter. When questioned, the patient referred complaints of postprandial discomfort in the left hypochondrium with a feeling of fullness, weight loss, chronic fatigue and hyperhidrosis that had lasted for a month. On physical examination, he was pale, and had pain at palpation of the left hypochondrium. Laboratory data showed increased inflammation markers, abdominal ultrasound and CT demonstrated numerous enlarged lymph nodes in the upper quadrants, raising concern for a malignant lymphoproliferative process. Serological, imaging, clinical and laparoscopic excisional biopsy revealed features of IgG4‐related disease and excluded malignant lymphoproliferative disease. The immediate response to treatment with oral prednisolone 30 mg/day also contributed for diagnosis confirmation. Due to refractory disease after gradual prednisolone reduction, second‐line therapy with rituximab was initiated. Over the 6 years of follow‐up, the patient presented multiple exacerbations characterized by the emergence of systemic symptoms, being maintained under close clinical and imaging follow‐up by reumathology, infectious diseases, and family medicine specialists.
Proteomic analysis reveals potential therapeutic targets for childhood asthma through Mendelian randomization
Authors: Wu Yi‐Qing , Cai Yi‐Xin , Chen Xiao‐Li , Chen Shang‐Qin , Huang Xiu‐Feng , Lin Zhen‐Lang
Published: May 2024

Background

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children and poses a significant threat to their health. This study aims to assess the relationship between various plasma proteins and childhood asthma, thereby identifying potential therapeutic targets.

Methods

Based on publicly available genome‐wide association study summary statistics, we employed a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to elucidate the causal relationship between plasma proteins and asthma. Mediation analysis was then conducted to evaluate the indirect influence of plasma proteins on childhood asthma mediated through risk factors. Comprehensive analysis was also conducted to explore the association between plasma proteins and various phenotypes using the UK Biobank dataset.

Results

MR analysis uncovered a causal relationship between 10 plasma proteins and childhood asthma. Elevated levels of seven proteins (TLR4, UBP25, CBR1, Rac GTPase‐activating protein 1 [RGAP1], IL‐21, MICB, and PDE4D) and decreased levels of three proteins (GSTO1, LIRB4 and PIGF) were associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma. Our findings further validated the connections between reported risk factors (body mass index, mood swings, hay fever or allergic rhinitis, and eczema or dermatitis) and childhood asthma. Mediation analysis revealed the influence of proteins on childhood asthma outcomes through risk factors. Furthermore, the MR analysis identified 73 plasma proteins that exhibited causal associations with at least one risk factor for childhood asthma. Among them, RGAP1 mediates a significant proportion (25.10%) of the risk of childhood asthma through eczema or dermatitis. Finally, a phenotype‐wide association study based on these 10 proteins and 1403 diseases provided novel associations between these biomarkers and multiple phenotypes.

Conclusion

Our study comprehensively investigated the causal relationship between plasma proteins and childhood asthma, providing novel insights into potential therapeutic targets.
Genotype by environment interaction and stability analysis of three agronomic traits in Kersting's groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum) using factor analytic modeling and environmental covariates
Authors: Coulibaly Mariam , Bodjrenou Guillaume , Fassinou Hotègni Nicodème V. , Akohoue Félicien , Agossou Chaldia A. , Azon Christel Ferréol , Matro Xavier , Bello Saliou , Adjé Charlotte O. A. , Sanou Jacob , Batieno Benoît Joseph , Sawadogo Mahamadou , Achigan‐Dako Enoch Gbènato
Published: May 2024

Understanding genotype by environment interaction (GEI) represents a challenge in Kersting's groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal and Baudet] breeding for selecting high‐performing and stable lines across environments. Here, we investigated GEI and stability in Kersting's groundnut using factor analytic (FA) based linear mixed models and environmental covariates. A total of 375 accessions were evaluated across 3 years (2017, 2018, and 2019) and two locations (Sékou and Savè) in Benin, generating five environments (E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5). The traits measured included days to 50% flowering (DFF), grain yield (YLD), and 100‐seed weight (HSW). The study generated multi‐environment values for grain yield and its components in Kersting's groundnut. The genetic correlations between pairs of environments ranged from −0.71 to 0.99. The genetic correlations between YLD and HSW indicated positive and moderate to high correlations in all environments. The FA analysis revealed that FA2 structure accounted for 93.9% of the genetic variability in DFF with factor 1 accounting for more than 90% of the environments variations. Two factors explained 87% of the genetic variance in grain yield, and 70% of the environments variability were clustered by factor 1. For HSW, two factors explained 85% of the genetic variance of the environments, and factor 1 accounted for 72.7%. Combining environmental covariates to FA models revealed that precipitation, temperature, and growth cycle duration were highly correlated to the environmental loadings of factor 1. Relative humidity and solar radiation showed moderate to high correlations with factor 2 loadings. Those covariates explained the high GEI among environments clustered by a given factor. Precipitations and temperatures affected the variations in grain yield. Finally, based on latent regression analysis, the accessions AF202, AF221, AF223, AF225, and AF256 were identified as accessions combining best performance for grain yield, early flowering, and 100‐seed weight, showing adaptability across environments and stability to some environments.
New maize inbred development method I: Inter‐heterotic group composite and tester choice
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Li Dongdong , Lamkey Kendall R. , Stine Warren H. , Yu Jianming , Stine Harry H.
Published: May 2024

Current maize (Zea mays L.) breeding methods and the limited germplasm infusion and mixing may slow the rate of genetic gain in the future. Using inter‐heterotic group composites for maize inbred development has been questioned because of the issue of choosing appropriate testers. However, three observations can be revisited to facilitate the exploration of alternative methods. First, since the adoption of single‐cross hybrids and the establishment of heterotic groups, the amount of heterosis has only been increasing slightly. Second, genomic analysis indicated the frequencies of the favorable alleles had significantly increased after a century's breeding. Third, the divergence of maize heterotic groups was preceded by the merging of landraces and diverse inbreds, after which three major heterotic groups were established. The objective of this study was to design different scenarios to generate inter‐heterotic group composites and evaluate their usefulness in the commercial breeding program. We investigated two methods: the inter‐heterotic group composite method (termed as super population [SupPop]) and the modified SupPop method (ModiSP, that is, backcrossing SupPop lines with elite inbreds). The results showed that the best scenario for the SupPop method was to use the SupPop inbreds to cross with a tester from the B14 group. When all four heterotic groups were mixed, the favored tester was from stiff stalk. However, ModiSP showed a higher chance of producing the best yield performance. These empirical results suggest that solutions can be proposed to identify the testers so that using inter‐heterotic group composites for inbred development can be considered.
Resist Thermal Shock Through Viscoelastic Interface Encapsulation in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Sai , Tang Jiahong , Yuan Guizhou , Zhang Ying , Wang Yan , Wu Yuetong , Zhu Cheng , Wang Yimiao , Wu Shengfang , Lu Yue , Chi Shumeng , Song Tinglu , Zhou Huanping , Sui Manling , Li Yujing , Chen Qi
Published: May 2024

Enhancing the lifetime of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is one of the essential challenges for their industrialization. Although the external encapsulation protects the perovskite device from the erosion of moisture and oxygen under various harsh conditions. However, the perovskite devices still undergo static and dynamic thermal stress during thermal and thermal cycling aging, respectively, resulting in irreversible damage to the morphology, component, and phase of stacked materials. Herein, the viscoelastic polymer polyvinyl butyral (PVB) material is designed onto the surface of perovskite films to form flexible interface encapsulation. After PVB interface encapsulation, the surface modulus of perovskite films decreases by nearly 50%, and the interface stress range under the dynamic temperature field (−40 to 85 °C) drops from −42.5 to 64.8 MPa to −14.8 to 5.0 MPa. Besides, PVB forms chemical interactions with FA+ cations and Pb2+, and the macroscopic residual stress is regulated and defects are reduced of the PVB encapsulated perovskite film. As a result, the optimized device's efficiency increases from 22.21% to 23.11%. Additionally, after 1500 h of thermal treatment (85 °C), 1000 h of damp heat test (85 °C & 85% RH), and 250 cycles of thermal cycling test (−40 to 85 °C), the devices maintain 92.6%, 85.8%, and 96.1% of their initial efficiencies, respectively.
Ab Initio Design of Ni‐Rich Cathode Material with Assistance of Machine Learning for High Energy Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Mu Daobin , Lu Shijie , Zhang Yuanxing , Zhang Yuxiang , Yang Zhuolin , Zhao Zhikun , Wu Borong , Wu Feng
Published: May 2024

With the widespread use of lithium‐ion batteries in electric vehicles, energy storage, and mobile terminals, there is an urgent need to develop cathode materials with specific properties. However, existing material control synthesis routes based on repetitive experiments are often costly and inefficient, which is unsuitable for the broader application of novel materials. The development of machine learning and its combination with materials design offers a potential pathway for optimizing materials. Here, we present a design synthesis paradigm for developing high energy Ni‐rich cathodes with thermal/kinetic simulation and propose a coupled image‐morphology machine learning model. The paradigm can accurately predict the reaction conditions required for synthesizing cathode precursors with specific morphologies, helping to shorten the experimental duration and costs. After the model‐guided design synthesis, cathode materials with different morphological characteristics can be obtained, and the best shows a high discharge capacity of 206 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and 83% capacity retention after 200 cycles. This work provides guidance for designing cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries, which may point the way to a fast and cost‐effective direction for controlling the morphology of all types of particles.
Enhanced performance of complementary electrochromic device with hierarchical‐porous NiOx decorated ITO glasses as the transparent conductive electrodes
Authors: Chen Biao , Hu Fei , Zhao Yinghui , Yang Yuanhaobo , Yan Bin , Yang Qin , Gu Yingchun , Chen Sheng
Published: May 2024

To pursuit advancing electrochromic technology, the preparation of a novel hierarchical‐porous NiOx‐decorated ITO transparent conductive electrode was developed through the vapor‐assisted conversion and subsequent calcination processes. The modified transparent electrode exhibited advantages in the electrodeposition of conductive polymer films, which significantly enhanced electrochromic cycling stability. Moreover, the complementary electrochromic device based on NiOx‐decorated ITO transparent electrode was fabricated, demonstrating rapid response time (1.75 s for coloration and 0.87 s for bleaching), high optical contrast (53.4 %), and remarkable cycling stability (90 % optical contrast retention over 2000 cycles). This finding holds prominent potential for applications in related fields.
Identification of Relevant Parameters for Traceability in the Continuous Mixing Process in Battery Cell Production
Authors: Otte Simon , Sufian Nik Nur Atikah Mohamad , Schabel Sebastian , Fleischer Jürgen
Published: May 2024

The growing demand for lithium‐ion batteries in electric vehicles pose challenges, particularly for the use of critical materials such as cobalt in electrode slurry mixing. Due to regulatory requirements such as the battery passport, an accurate traceability system is mandatory. However, there is no solution for the continuous mixing process, which is a major challenge in electrode production. This article describes an approach to solve this problem. Based on the results of a literature review, a design structure matrix is constructed to analyze parameter influences. The overall result is a list of relevant parameters that should be recorded in the continuous mixing process in order to characterize the mixing process.
Twitter policy uncertainty and stock returns in South Africa: Evidence from time‐varying Granger causality
Authors: Nyakurukwa Kingstone , Seetharam Yudhvir
Published: May 2024

The study uses time‐varying Granger causality models that incorporate two proxies for Twitter policy uncertainty and South African returns stock returns to investigate the causal relationship between Twitter uncertainty and South African stock returns for the period between 2017 and 2023. The findings demonstrate that Twitter Market Uncertainty and Twitter Economic Uncertainty mostly lead JSE returns around the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the Russia‐Ukranainan war respectively. The findings also show significant out‐of‐sample forecasts using uncertainty indexes from Twitter.
A study and development of high‐order fuzzy time series forecasting methods for air quality index forecasting
Authors: Pradhan Sushree Subhaprada , Panigrahi Sibarama
Published: May 2024

The endless adverse effects of air pollution incidents have raised significant public concerns in the past few decades. The measure of air pollution, that is, the air quality index (AQI), is highly volatile and associated with different kinds of uncertainties. Following this, the study and development of accurate fuzzy time series forecasting (TSF) methods for predicting the AQI have a significant role in air pollution control and management. Motivated by this, in this paper, a systematic study is made to evaluate the true potential of fuzzy TSF methods employing traditional fuzzy set (TFS), intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS), hesitant fuzzy set (HFS), and neutrosophic fuzzy set (NFS) in forecasting the AQI. Two novel high‐order fuzzy TSF methods, TFS‐multilayer perceptron (MLP) and HFS‐MLP, are proposed employing TFS and HFS in which ratio trend variation of AQI data is used instead of original AQI, MLP is used to model the fuzzy logical relationships (FLRs), and none/mean of aggregated membership values are used while modeling the FLRs using MLP. The results from the proposed fuzzy TSF methods are compared with recently proposed fuzzy TSF methods employing TFS, IFS, and NFS and six popular machine learning models, including MLP, support vector regression (SVR), Bagging Regressors, XGBoost, long‐short term memory (LSTM), and convolutional neural network (CNN). The “Wilcoxon Signed‐Rank test” and “Friedman and Nemenyi hypothesis test” are applied to the results obtained by employing different ratios in the train‐validation‐test to draw decisive conclusions reliably. The simulation results show the statistical dominance of the proposed TFS‐MLP method over all other crisp and fuzzy TSF methods employed in this paper.
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons promotes the progression of low‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: A population‐based cohort study in China
Authors: Cui Meng , Song Li , Mao Rui , Lyu Yuanjing , Ding Ling , Wang Zhilian , Pei Ruixin , Yan Jiaxin , Wu Caihong , Li Xiaoxue , Jia Haixia , Zhang Le , Zhang Mingxuan , Wang Jiahao , Wang Jintao
Published: May 2024

Low‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1) is an early stage of cervical cancer development. Previously, we reported that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increases the risk of cervical precancerous lesions, especially in females with a high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) infection. However, the effects of PAHs on CIN1 progression remain unclear. A community‐based prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the role of exposure to PAHs in the progression of CIN1. A total of 564 patients diagnosed with CIN1 were followed‐up at 6, 12, and 24 months, post‐diagnosis, to determine CIN1 reversion, persistence, and progression. Exposure to PAHs was determined by the urine 1‐hydroxipayrene (1‐OHP) level. Our results showed that the 1‐OHP level was significantly higher in patients with CIN1 persistence/progression than in those with reversion (P < .05). High exposure to PAHs increased the risk of CIN1 persistence/progression, with hazard ratios (HR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) of (1.62, 1.24–2.67), (1.98, 1.42–2.75), and (2.37, 1.61–3.49) at 6, 12, and 24 months, post‐diagnosis, respectively. The effect was enhanced with HR‐HPV positivity, as determined at 6 (1.82, 1.24–2.67), 12 (3.02, 1.74–5.23), and 24 (2.51, 1.48–4.26) months, post‐diagnosis. Moreover, the predictive value of exposure to PAHs for CIN1 persistence/progression was higher in HR‐HPV‐positive patients than in HR‐HPV‐negative patients. The results revealed that exposure to PAHs facilitated the malignant progression of CIN1 and hindered its reversal, particularly in patients with HR‐HPV infection. Our findings provide novel insights into early prevention and intervention targeting the initiation and progression of cervical neoplasia.
Reframing reentry: Understanding how reentry programming affects the well‐being and quality of life of returning citizens
Authors: Wilson Patrick A. , Lee Esther , Hutchinson Carole L. , Malcolm Narine
Published: May 2024

This study examined the experiences returning citizens (RCs) have in participating in different reentry programs and how these experiences may lead to improved well‐being and quality of life (QOL). We conducted 14 semi‐structured interviews with RCs participating in employment‐oriented reentry programs. The interviews focused on participants’ reentry programming experience and areas affecting their well‐being (e.g., housing, education, financial stability). QOL was enhanced for RCs when they were able to access stable housing, develop supportive relationships, have a job that permitted them the resources needed to live independently, and increase their perceptions of self‐efficacy and social capital. While reentry programs maintain a focus on employment for RCs, housing, healthy relationships, and opportunities for increasing self‐efficacy and social capital are tied to well‐being and QOL among RCs. Reentry programs have the potential to influence a variety of factors at multiple levels that shape well‐being and QOL, and in turn employment and recidivism, among RCs.
Naturally derived organic biochar as an alternative to commercially activated carbon in the oxygen removal of seafood processing wastewater
Authors: Dhinesh Rajendiran , Aruna Satyapriyan , Manikandavelu D. , Ravaneswaran Krishnan , Kirthiga Subramoniapillai Sethulekshmi , Al‐Ghanim Khalid A. , Kamaraj Chinnaperumal
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

The seafood processing industries are tremendously increasing in numbers which eventually discharge a large quantity of wastewater with a high range of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), directly into the aquatic environment. A high level of BOD and COD in wastewater pertains to a higher level of pollution which must be reduced to prevent hazardous impacts on ecosystems. The main objective of the research aimed to develop cost‐effective biochar and to remove BOD and COD from processing wastewater using two natural biomasses: water hyacinth and sugarcane bagasse.

RESULTS

NaOH‐treated and non‐treated biochar for both water hyacinth as well as sugarcane bagasse were prepared through the process of pyrolysis carried out at 600 °C with three different residence times of 30, 45 and 60 min. The wastewater was initially analyzed for BOD and COD levels. The results showed that among all the groups of biochars, the water hyacinth NaOH‐treated biochar pyrolyzed at 600 °C for 60 min exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels of reduction in BOD (86.6 ± 0.03%) and COD (94.3 ± 0.05%) at a residence time of 60 min in D2 (0.5 g (250 mL)−1). The maximum removal efficiency was observed for water hyacinth NaOH‐treated biochar pyrolyzed at 600 °C for 60 min.

CONCLUSION

The removal efficiencies of organic load revealed that the treated biochars exhibited a better reduction of nutrients. The biochar efficiencies when compared with those of activated carbon exhibited a higher removal level. The present research can be used to reduce BOD and COD levels in wastewater treatments. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Engaging student analysis of the practitioner‐patient relationship assessed with reflective outcomes
Authors: Tenenbaum Annabelle , Bérat Pierre‐Jean , Vital Sibylle , Gosset Marjolaine
Published: May 2024

The representations and beliefs of both patient and practitioner influence the relationship that develops between them. We developed an innovative, interactive teaching tool in two stages (1‐ interviews with the patient or healthcare practitioner and 2‐ a session with sharing of the patient's and practitioner's perspective) whose objectives are to recognize the basic characteristics of PPR and identify how it can be influenced by expectations, beliefs and emotions. This pedagogical device was particularly appreciated by the students, as it enabled them to identify the importance of the patient's point of view and to reflect on their future professional identity
Smartphone microscopic method for imaging and quantification of microplastics in drinking water
Authors: Karki Asmita , Thaiba Bishan Man , Shishir Acharya K. C. , Sedai Thakur , Kandel Baburam , Paudyal Hari , Sharma Khaga Raj , Giri Basant , Neupane Bhanu Bhakta
Published: May 2024

Analysis of microplastics in drinking water is often challenging due to smaller particle size and low particle count. In this study, we used a low cost and an easy to assemble smartphone microscopic system for imaging and quantitating microplastic particles as small as 20 μm. The system consisted of a spherical sapphire ball lens of 4 mm diameter attached to a smartphone camera as a major imaging component. It also involved pre‐concentration of the sample using ZnCl2 solution. The spike recovery and limit of detection of the method in filtered distilled and deionized water samples (n = 9) were 55.6% ± 9.7% and 34 particles/L, respectively. Imaging performance of the microscopic system was similar to a commercial bright field microscopic system. The method was further implemented to examine microplastic particles in commercial bottled and jar water samples (n = 20). The particles count in bottled and jar water samples ranged from 0–91 particles/L to 0–130 particles/L, respectively. In both sample types, particles of diverse shape and size were observed. The particles collected from water samples were further confirmed by FTIR spectra (n = 36), which found 97% of the particles tested were made of plastic material. These findings suggested that the smartphone microscopic system can be implemented as a low‐cost alternative for preliminary screening of microplastic in drinking water samples.

Research Highlights

Ball lens based smartphone microscopic method was used for microplastic analysis.

Particles of diverse shape and size were found in bottle and jar water samples.
Implementing narrow banding imaging with dual focus magnification for histological prediction of small rectosigmoid polyps in Vietnamese setting
Authors: Huynh Tien Manh , Le Quang Dinh , Le Nhan Quang , Le Huy Minh , Quach Duc Trong
Published: May 2024

Background and Aim

Small rectosigmoid colorectal polyps (<10 mm) are prevalent, with a low prevalence of advanced neoplastic lesions. The “diagnose‐and‐leave” strategy, employing narrow band imaging (NBI), is gaining popularity for its safety and cost‐effectiveness by reducing polypectomy complications and minimizing histopathology expenses. This study assessed the diagnostic efficacy of NBI with dual focus (DF) magnification for real‐time neoplastic prediction of rectosigmoid polyps and explored the feasibility of implementing this strategy in Vietnam.

Methods

In a prospective single‐center study, 307 rectosigmoid polyps from 245 patients were analyzed using three consecutive endoscopic modes: white light endoscopy (WLE), NBI, and NBI‐DF. Endoscopists assessed polyps for size, location, macroscopic shape, optical diagnosis, and confidence levels before histopathological evaluation. High confidence was assigned when the polyp exhibited all features of a single histology type. Predictions were compared with final histopathology results.

Results

Of the total, 237 (77.2%) were diminutive (≤5 mm) polyps, and 18 (5.8%) were advanced neoplastic lesions. WLE + NBI and WLE + NBI + NBI‐DF exhibited significantly higher accuracy compared to WLE (88.6% and 90.2% vs 74.2%, P < 0.01). For diminutive polyps, the DF mode significantly increased the rate of high‐confidence optical diagnoses (89.1% vs 94.9%, P < 0.001). WLE + NBI + NBI‐DF demonstrated high sensitivity (90.1%), specificity (95.5%), and negative predictive value (93.4%) in high‐confidence predictions, enabling the implementation of the “diagnose‐and‐leave” strategy. This approach would have reduced 58.2% of unnecessary polypectomies without missing any advanced neoplastic lesions.

Conclusion

NBI and DF modes provide accurate neoplastic predictions for rectosigmoid polyps. For diminutive polyps, DF magnification improves the confidence level of the optical diagnosis, allowing the safe implementation of the “diagnose‐and‐leave” strategy.
Employing acetoacetamide as a key synthon for synthesizing novel thiophene derivatives and assessing their potential as antioxidants and antimicrobial agents
Authors: Almatari Altaf S. , Saeed Ali , Abdel‐Ghani Ghada E. , Abdullah Mahmood M. S. , El‐Demerdash Amr , Abdel‐Latif Ehab
Published: May 2024

The objective of this study is to synthesize novel heterocyclic scaffolds containing a thiophene moiety using easily accessible acetoacetamide as a key synthon. The reaction of acetoacetamide with diazonium salts resulted in the formation of the corresponding thiophene derivatives 4a–c. Additionally, the reaction of acetoacetamide derivative 3 with malononitrile, ethyl cyanoacetate, or 2‐cyanoacetamide, along with elemental sulfur, under refluxing in dioxane containing triethylamine afforded thiophene‐containing derivatives 5a–c. Furthermore, compound 3 reacted with phenyl isothiocyanate in dry dimethylformamide and K2CO3 to yield compound 7. In situ alkylation of the non‐isolable salt 6 was achieved by the addition of methyl iodide, resulting in the formation of methylthio‐thiophene‐2‐carboxamide 8. Compound 7 was employed with numerous alpha‐halogenated reagents in ethanol, affording thiazole derivative 9 and thiophene derivatives 10a and 10b, respectively. Moreover, compound 8 was reacted with hydrazine to produce the 1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide derivative 11. Additionally, refluxing acetoacetamide derivative 3 with malononitrile and/or ethyl cyanoacetate in dioxane, in the presence of catalytic amount of triethylamine afforded 4‐imino‐3,7‐dimethyl‐4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]thieno[3,2‐e]pyrimidin‐9(5H)‐one derivatives 12a and 12b. Furthermore, the reactivity of acetoacetamide derivative 3 with 2‐cyanoacetohydrazide was investigated through refluxing the reactants in dioxane, which subsequently yielded the corresponding cyanoacetamide derivative 13. The chemical identity of the newly synthesized compounds was determined by employing infrared spectroscopy (IR), 1H NMR, and 13C NMR techniques. Newly synthesized heterocycles incorporating thiophenes were evaluated for their antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials. Notably, thiophene scaffolds 5a, 10b, 11, and 13 displayed notable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Climatology of thermodynamic indices and background synoptic conditions responsible for severe convection during pre‐ to post‐monsoon seasons over Indian region
Authors: Madhulatha A. , Mohapatra M. , Devi K. Sathi , Pattanaik D. R. , Rajeevan M. , Das Anand Kumar , Jenamani R. K. , Kumar Naresh
Published: May 2024

To investigate the mechanisms responsible for severe convection linked with a variety of mesoscale, synoptic systems over the Indian region, a preliminary analysis is conducted. Using IMD RSRW/Reanalysis (ERA5)/Lightning (TRMM LIS) products both local‐scale thermodynamics and large‐scale background conditions responsible for the major lightning hot spots in different seasons are investigated. In the pre‐monsoon season, high lightning activity over NE Indian region is due to moisture intrusion by south‐westerly at lower levels (warm air advection), along with mid‐level north westerlies (cold air advection) which favour the low‐level convergence and upper‐level divergence. SCS over south India are mainly attributed to wind discontinuity over the region. During monsoon season major lightning activity in NW India is due to the presence of heat low and the rest of the country less intense SCS activity is evident due to high wind shear conditions in connection with low‐level (westerly) and upper‐level (easterly jet stream). In the post‐monsoon season, major lightning in south India are due to the prevailing north‐easterlies and in north India, the activity is attributed to the passage of western disturbance (WD). Station plot analysis suggests the varied distribution of thermodynamic indices season/region‐wise due to the diverse background forcing. Correlation analysis between the lightning and thermodynamic indices suggests that more skillful indices are KI (~0.7 to 0.8), precipitable water (PPW) (~0.8) (pre‐monsoon, monsoon) and (PPW) (~0.8), convective available potential energy (CAPE) (~0.6) in post monsoon over respective lightning hot‐spot regions. Independent verification using Wyoming data/reanalysis for different case studies suggests that monitoring the monthly thresholds of highly correlated indices provides a helpful proxy to operationally forecast the severe convective systems (season/region). Mean Equivalent potential temperature, and mixing ratio in mixed layer has shown reasonable association with the lightning occurrence over all lightning hot spot regions which are implemented in the IMD GFS and IMD WRF models.
Dietary kelp meal improves serum antioxidants, intestinal immunity, and lipid metabolism in hybrid snakehead (Channa maculata ♀ × Channa argus ♂)
Authors: Wang Shaodan , Sun Di , Ye Bin , Xu Guohuan , Zou Jixing
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Dietary kelp possesses a variety of useful biological qualities but does not have a toxic effect on the host. In this study, we examine how kelp dietary supplementation enhances the serum biochemistry, intestinal immunity, and metabolism of hybrid snakehead. A total of 810 juvenile hybrid snakeheads (Channa maculata ♀ × Channa argus ♂), with an initial average weight of 11.4 ± 0.15 g, were allocated randomly to three treatment groups (three replicates per group). The fish were fed for 60 days with isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets. The groups were the control group (C) (20% high‐gluten flour), the medium replacement group (MR) (10% high‐gluten flour and 10% kelp meal), and the full replacement group (FR) (0% high‐gluten flour and 15% kelp meal).

RESULTS

The results showed that dietary kelp increased the activity of serum antioxidant enzymes significantly and decreased the content of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) in hybrid snakeheads, with significant changes in the FR group (P < 0.05). The intestinal morphology results showed that dietary kelp helped to increase the specific surface area of intestinal villi, which was beneficial for intestinal digestion and absorption. According to transcriptome and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis, dietary kelp can improve the expression of intestinal immunity and metabolism‐related pathways. Among them, immune‐related genes MHC1 and HSPA1 were significantly up‐regulated, and IGH, MHC2, and IL‐8 were significantly down‐regulated (P < 0.05). Lipid metabolism‐related genes DGAT2, FABP2, RXRα, and PLPP1 were all significantly up‐regulated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dietary kelp can effectively improve the antioxidant function of hybrid snakeheads, improve intestinal morphology, reduce intestinal inflammation, and promote intestinal lipid synthesis and transportation, thereby improving intestinal immunity and metabolic functions. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
High efficiency and high color purity deep‐blue organic light‐emitting diodes with blue index >500
Authors: Gao Wei , Xiang Yepeng , Niu Jinghua , Wang Jianyun , Chen Long , Lee Bong‐Geum
Published: May 2024

Thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) and phosphorescent blue organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been developed to overcome the relatively low triplet exciton utilization of traditional fluorescent OLEDs. However, broad emission spectra originating from charge transfer process limit the commercial application of such blue OLEDs. Herein, an effective phosphor‐sensitized fluorescent (PSF) OLED device structure was designed. PSF OLED exhibited a maximum blue index (BI) of 508 cd/A/CIEy with CIEy of 0.060, which has been the highest efficiency result reported for PSF deep‐blue OLEDs. A nearly 100% improvement in operational lifetime LT95 (L/L0 = 95%) was achieved successfully by using lower triplet energy (T1) and deuterated host materials. Impressively, the sensitized OLEDs maintained BI of 407 cd/A/CIEy, narrow emission spectra (FWHM = 17 nm), and high color purity (CIEy = 0.046), revealing the attractive technical advantages and commercial application potential.
Repeat it without me: Crowdsourcing the T1 mapping common ground via the ISMRM reproducibility challenge
Authors: Boudreau Mathieu , Karakuzu Agah , Cohen‐Adad Julien , Bozkurt Ecem , Carr Madeline , Castellaro Marco , Concha Luis , Doneva Mariya , Dual Seraina A. , Ensworth Alex , Foias Alexandru , Fortier Véronique , Gabr Refaat E. , Gilbert Guillaume , Glide‐Hurst Carri K. , Grech‐Sollars Matthew , Hu Siyuan , Jalnefjord Oscar , Jovicich Jorge , Keskin Kübra , Koken Peter , Kolokotronis Anastasia , Kukran Simran , Lee Nam G. , Levesque Ives R. , Li Bochao , Ma Dan , Mädler Burkhard , Maforo Nyasha G. , Near Jamie , Pasaye Erick , Ramirez‐Manzanares Alonso , Statton Ben , Stehning Christian , Tambalo Stefano , Tian Ye , Wang Chenyang , Weiss Kilian , Zakariaei Niloufar , Zhang Shuo , Zhao Ziwei , Stikov Nikola ,   the ISMRM Reproducible Research Study Group and the ISMRM Quantitative MR Study Group
Published: May 2024

Purpose

T1 mapping is a widely used quantitative MRI technique, but its tissue‐specific values remain inconsistent across protocols, sites, and vendors. The ISMRM Reproducible Research and Quantitative MR study groups jointly launched a challenge to assess the reproducibility of a well‐established inversion‐recovery T1 mapping technique, using acquisition details from a seminal T1 mapping paper on a standardized phantom and in human brains.

Methods

The challenge used the acquisition protocol from Barral et al. (2010). Researchers collected T1 mapping data on the ISMRM/NIST phantom and/or in human brains. Data submission, pipeline development, and analysis were conducted using open‐source platforms. Intersubmission and intrasubmission comparisons were performed.

Results

Eighteen submissions (39 phantom and 56 human datasets) on scanners by three MRI vendors were collected at 3 T (except one, at 0.35 T). The mean coefficient of variation was 6.1% for intersubmission phantom measurements, and 2.9% for intrasubmission measurements. For humans, the intersubmission/intrasubmission coefficient of variation was 5.9/3.2% in the genu and 16/6.9% in the cortex. An interactive dashboard for data visualization was also developed:
https://rrsg2020.dashboards.neurolibre.org.

Conclusion

The T1 intersubmission variability was twice as high as the intrasubmission variability in both phantoms and human brains, indicating that the acquisition details in the original paper were insufficient to reproduce a quantitative MRI protocol. This study reports the inherent uncertainty in T1 measures across independent research groups, bringing us one step closer to a practical clinical baseline of T1 variations in vivo.
Motion‐robust free‐running volumetric cardiovascular MRI
Authors: Arshad Syed M. , Potter Lee C. , Chen Chong , Liu Yingmin , Chandrasekaran Preethi , Crabtree Christopher , Tong Matthew S. , Simonetti Orlando P. , Han Yuchi , Ahmad Rizwan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To present and assess an outlier mitigation method that makes free‐running volumetric cardiovascular MRI (CMR) more robust to motion.

Methods

The proposed method, called compressive recovery with outlier rejection (CORe), models outliers in the measured data as an additive auxiliary variable. We enforce MR physics‐guided group sparsity on the auxiliary variable, and jointly estimate it along with the image using an iterative algorithm. For evaluation, CORe is first compared to traditional compressed sensing (CS), robust regression (RR), and an existing outlier rejection method using two simulation studies. Then, CORe is compared to CS using seven three‐dimensional (3D) cine, 12 rest four‐dimensional (4D) flow, and eight stress 4D flow imaging datasets.

Results

Our simulation studies show that CORe outperforms CS, RR, and the existing outlier rejection method in terms of normalized mean square error and structural similarity index across 55 different realizations. The expert reader evaluation of 3D cine images demonstrates that CORe is more effective in suppressing artifacts while maintaining or improving image sharpness. Finally, 4D flow images show that CORe yields more reliable and consistent flow measurements, especially in the presence of involuntary subject motion or exercise stress.

Conclusion

An outlier rejection method is presented and tested using simulated and measured data. This method can help suppress motion artifacts in a wide range of free‐running CMR applications.
The combination of berberine and isoliquiritigenin synergistically improved adipose inflammation and obesity‐induced insulin resistance
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Yu , Yu Lingling , Wang Keke , Wang Mingsu , Li Ping , Zheng Zu‐Guo , Yang Hua
Published: May 2024

White adipose tissue accumulation and inflammation contribute to obesity by inducing insulin resistance. Herein, we aimed to screen the synergistic components of the herbal pair Coptidis Rhizoma‐Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma for the treatment of insulin resistance and explore the potential synergistic mechanisms. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative PCR were used to detect expression levels of inflammatory genes in vitro and in vivo. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect protein levels of the insulin signaling pathway and macrophage markers. The effects on obesity‐induced insulin resistance were verified using a diet‐induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. Interactions between macrophage and adipocyte were assessed using a cellular supernatant transfer assay. Berberine (BBR) and isoliquiritigenin (ISL) alleviated mRNA levels and secretion of inflammatory genes in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, BBR acted synergistically with ISL to ameliorate obesity and dyslipidemia in DIO mice. Meanwhile, the combination treatment significantly improved glucose intolerance and insulin resistance and decreased M1‐macrophage accumulation and infiltration in the adipose tissue. Mechanistically, co‐treatment with BBR and ISL upregulated the protein expression of the IRS1‐PI3K‐Akt insulin signaling pathway, enhanced glucose uptake in adipocyte, and suppressed the interaction between macrophage and adipocyte. BBR and ISL were identified as the synergistic components of the herbal pair Coptidis Rhizoma‐Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma for treating insulin resistance. The synergistic combination of BBR with ISL can be a promising and effective strategy for improving obesity‐induced adipose inflammation and insulin resistance.
System reliability modeling and analysis for a marine power equipment operating in a discrete‐time dynamic environment
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Wei , Cui Lirong , Gao Hongda
Published: May 2024

Exploring on reliability modeling and analysis on a marine equipment in a dynamic environment is a meaningful and challenging issue, because the system commonly carries out the task at sea away from land and suffers a distinct influence of environment. Thus, a reliability model of a multi‐state repairable system operating in dynamic environment is developed by introducing the background of the marine power system in this paper. The novelty of the research lies in the modeling and computing methods are relatively innovative by employing the aggregated stochastic processes, Hadamard production and matrix‐analytic method. First, the working modes of the marine power system under several different kinds of conditions are introduced. Then, the evolution of both the system states and environment are described as discrete‐time Markov chains with multiple and different transition probability matrices. The failure probability and repair probability of components are also distinct in different environments. Furthermore, some performance indexes, especially the index relevant to the environment, are derived, respectively. Finally, the conclusion is obtained by a numerical example of the marine power system, which also illustrates the validity and applicability of the proposed model.
Determination of Binding Constants for the Complexes Between Heavy Metal Ions and Cucurbit[n]uril
Authors: Murray Alenzo , Baker Priscilla , Iwuoha Emmanuel
Published: May 2024

One of the major concerns worldwide is the rapid increase in water pollution with hazardous heavy metals. The Cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) structure provides an inner hydrophobic cavity accessible through two electrostatically negative portals with polar carbonyl groups, allowing for charged ion–dipole interaction between cationic species with excellent binding affinities. In this work we selected CB[5], and CB[7] for the titrimetric and electrochemical evaluation of the heavy metal complexes formed with Copper(II), Cadmium(II) and Lead(II). The host–guest interaction was found by either attenuation of the redox peaks, the formation of a new peak, or the slight shift in the redox peaks of the heavy metal ions. Titration data were obtained for CB[n] with the heavy metal solutions to determine the molar coefficient of binding. The stoichiometry of the complexes was 1 : 1 by Job′s plot. We calculated the binding constants using the Benesi–Hildebrand method achieving relatively good binding constants (K) ranging from (1.80±0.14)×105–(4.98±0.13)×105 M−1. The results showed that the complexes of Cadmium(II) and Lead(II) with both CB[5] and CB[7] are highly stable in aqueous media. Copper(II) was able to bind to the smaller sized portal of CB[5], whereas with CB[7] the heavy metal ion could not form a favourable complex. This phenomenon suggests that the CB[5] is an ideal host at forming stable host–guest interactions than their larger homologue.