bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bisphenol A and polycystic ovary syndrome in human: A systematic review
Authors: Urbanetz Lorena Ana Mercedes Lara , Soares‐Junior José Maria , dos Santos Simões Ricardo , Maciel Gustavo Arantes Rosa , Baracat Maria Candida Pinheiro , Baracat Edmund Chada
Published: January 2024

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Its etiology is uncertain and one of the hypotheses is that environmental factors, such as the bisphenol A (BPA) endocrine disruptor, may be involved.

Objective

To investigate the association between exposure to BPA and PCOS.

Search Strategy

Research was conducted focusing on studies published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish from January 2001 to March 2023 and available in Embase, Medline/PubMed, Rima, Lilacs, Scielo, Google academic, and SCI databases.

Selection Criteria

Studies in humans that evaluated the association between exposure to BPA and a diagnosis of PCOS.

Data Collection and Analysis

Following PRISMA guidelines, study characteristics and relevant data were extracted.

Main Results

Selection of 15 case–control and 7 cross‐sectional studies with a total of 1682 PCOS patients. The studies were carried out in China, Poland, Turkey, Japan, Greece, Italy, the USA, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, India, Czechia, and Slovakia. A positive relationship between exposure to BPA and PCOS was described in19 studies (1391 [82.70%] of the PCOS patients). The fluids used in the studies were serum, urine, plasma, and follicular fluid. BPA was measured by ELISA and by chromatography (HPLC, HPLC‐MS/MS, GC–MS, and GC–MS/MS). Diagnosis of PCOS used Rotterdam criteria in 15, NIH 1999 in 3, AE&PCOS Society in 2, similar to the Rotterdam criteria in 1, and criteria not informed in 1. Androgens were measured in 16 studies; in 12, hyperandrogenism was positively associated with BPA. BPA level was related to body mass index (BMI) in studies. In 15 studies independently of BMI, women with PCOS had higher BPA levels. Carbohydrate metabolism disorders were evaluated in 12 studies and in 6 a positive correlation was found with BPA levels. Lipid profile was evaluated in seven studies and in only one the correlation between lipid profile and BPA levels was present.

Conclusions

Exposure to BPA is positively associated with PCOS, mainly with the hyperandrogenism.
Health information systems in extreme contexts: Using mobile phones to fight AIDS in Uganda
Authors: Njuba Livingstone , Gómez‐Morantes Juan E. , Herrera Andrea , Camacho Sonia
Published: January 2024

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a global issue that has unequally affected several countries. Due to the complexity of this condition and the human drama it represents to those most affected by it, several fields have contributed to solving or at least alleviating this situation, and the information systems (IS) field has not been absent from these efforts. With the importance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as a starting point, several initiatives in the IS field have focused on ways to improve the adherence and effectiveness of this therapy: mobile phone reminders (for pill intake and appointments), and mobile interfaces between patients and health workers are popular contributions. However, many of these solutions have been difficult to implement or deploy in some countries in the Global South, which are among the most affected by this pandemic. This paper presents one such case. Using a case‐study approach with an extreme‐case selection technique, the paper studies an m‐health system for HIV patients in the Kalangala region of Uganda. Using Heeks' design—reality gap model for data analysis, the paper shows that the rich interaction between social context and technology should be considered a central concern when designing or deploying such systems.
Interleukin‐38 alleviates hepatic steatosis through AMPK/autophagy‐mediated suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress in obesity models
Authors: Sun Jaw Long , Cho Wonjun , Oh Heeseung , Abd El‐Aty A. M. , Hong Soon Auck , Jeong Ji Hoon , Jung Tae Woo
Published: January 2024

Interleukin‐38 (IL‐38), recently recognized as a cytokine with anti‐inflammatory properties that mitigate type 2 diabetes, has been associated with indicators of insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study investigated the impact of IL‐38 on hepatic lipid metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We assessed protein expression levels using Western blot analysis, while monodansylcadaverine staining was employed to detect autophagosomes in hepatocytes. Oil red O staining was utilized to examine lipid deposition. The study revealed elevated serum IL‐38 levels in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice and IL‐38 secretion from mouse keratinocytes. IL‐38 treatment attenuated lipogenic lipid accumulation and ER stress markers in hepatocytes exposed to palmitate. Furthermore, IL‐38 treatment increased AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and autophagy. The effects of IL‐38 on lipogenic lipid deposition and ER stress were nullified in cultured hepatocytes by suppressing AMPK through small interfering (si) RNA or 3‐methyladenine (3MA). In animal studies, IL‐38 administration mitigated hepatic steatosis by suppressing the expression of lipogenic proteins and ER stress markers while reversing AMPK phosphorylation and autophagy markers in the livers of HFD‐fed mice. Additionally, AMPK siRNA, but not 3MA, mitigated IL‐38‐enhanced fatty acid oxidation in hepatocytes. In summary, IL‐38 alleviates hepatic steatosis through AMPK/autophagy signaling‐dependent attenuation of ER stress and enhancement of fatty acid oxidation via the AMPK pathway, suggesting a therapeutic strategy for treating NAFLD.
Cold‐induced skin darkening does not protect amphibian larvae from UV‐associated DNA damage
Authors: Hird Coen , Flanagan Emer , Franklin Craig E. , Cramp Rebecca L.
Published: January 2024

Amphibian declines are sometimes correlated with increasing levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). While disease is often implicated in declines, environmental factors such as temperature and UVR play an important role in disease epidemiology. The mutagenic effects of UVR exposure on amphibians are worse at low temperatures. Amphibians from cold environments may be more susceptible to increasing UVR. However, larvae of some species demonstrate cold acclimation, reducing UV‐induced DNA damage at low temperatures. Understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this response is lacking. We reared Limnodynastes peronii larvae in cool (15°C) or warm (25°C) waters before acutely exposing them to 1.5 h of high intensity (80 µW cm−2) UVBR. We measured the color of larvae and mRNA levels of a DNA repair enzyme. We reared larvae at 25°C in black or white containers to elicit a skin color response, and then measured DNA damage levels in the skin and remaining carcass following UVBR exposure. Cold‐acclimated larvae were darker and displayed lower levels of DNA damage than warm‐acclimated larvae. There was no difference in CPD‐photolyase mRNA levels between cold‐ and warm‐acclimated larvae. Skin darkening in larvae did not reduce their accumulation of DNA damage following UVR exposure. Our results showed that skin darkening does not explain cold‐induced reductions in UV‐associated DNA damage in L. peronii larvae. Beneficial cold‐acclimation is more likely underpinned by increased CPD‐photolyase abundance and/or increased photolyase activity at low temperatures.
Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles coupled with morpholine and thiomorpholines
Authors: Chirra Nagaraju , Shanigarapu Varshitha , Abburi Naga Pranathi , Sinegubova Ekaterina O. , Pedapati Ravi Kumar , Esaulkova Yana L. , Zarubaev Vladimir V. , Kantevari Srinivas
Published: January 2024

Herein described the synthesis and antiviral evaluation of a novel series of morpholine and thio‐morpholine coupled imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles. The three‐step reaction sequence involving the condensation of 1,3‐dichloroacetone with thiourea followed by coupling with morpholine and thiomorpholine and finally cyclization with substituted α‐bromoacetophenones yielded the desired imidazothiazoles 7(a–l). Screening of all the new compounds for their in vitro antiviral activity against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) in MDCK cells, resulted in two potent analogs, 7d (IC50: 1.1 μM, C50: >300 μM, SI = 273) and 7e (IC50: 2.0 μM, C50: >300 μM, SI = 150), with a favorable toxicity profile and are the best anti‐influenza hit analogs for further structural optimization.
Biochar application induces different responses of bacterial and fungal communities to metabolic limitation
Authors: Yang Jiayan , Lei Jinyin , Zhang Fengbao , Li Yuanyuan , Gao Jingxia , Deng Lei , Yang Mingyi
Published: January 2024

Biochar, an environmentally friendly soil amendment, has the potential to alleviate soil degradation. However, the mechanisms and effects of biochar addition on soil microbes and metabolic limitation in degraded soils are still ambiguous because of the complex ecosystem and the varying conditions of planting. Therefore, a field experiment with six biochar application rates (0, 24, 60, 96, 132, and 168 Mg ha−1, applied in the 0–20 cm soil layer) was conducted in a loessial soil without planting to determine the response of metabolic limitation and the microbial community to the biochar application rate. Soil samples were collected in mid‐May and mid‐August (before and during the rainy season). The results showed that the soil microbial metabolic activity without biochar application was phosphorus (P) limited in mid‐May (vector angle = 81.37 ± 0.31°) and nitrogen (N) limited in mid‐August (vector angle = 27.36 ± 1.54°), and nutrient limitations generally decreased in the biochar treatments. Structural equation modeling indicated that microbial metabolic restriction was mainly influenced by biochar‐induced changes in element stoichiometric ratios and available phosphorus (p < 0.05). Under the influence of biochar content, only the carbon (C) limitation influenced bacterial composition by directly or indirectly affecting dissolved organic carbon and NO3−–N. However, the fungal composition was strongly shaped by both C limitation and P/N limitation. Our results indicated that the soil P status and its stoichiometric ratios play an important role in the biochar effects on metabolic limitation and that bacteria and fungi have different compositional responses to metabolic limitation in loessial soil.
The impact of reducing trade barriers on enterprises' pollution emissions: Evidence from China
Authors: Hong Lianying , Liu Xujun , Liu Bei , Cao Kewei , Xia Qiu
Published: January 2024

Trade and pollution are important issues for people's well‐being. However, less attention has been paid to the study of changes in international trade rules affecting the emission behavior of micro firms. This paper takes the quota restriction of the multi‐fiber arrangement (MFA) lifted as an exogenous impact and explores the impact of trade barriers reduction on pollution emissions of textile industries using the difference‐in‐differences (DID) method. The results show that (1) after the quota restriction of the MFA was lifted, the reduction of trade barriers increased the pollution emissions of the textile industry. The enterprises' SO2 emission intensity with trade barriers reduced increases by 8.1% compared to the industries with trade barriers that have not been reduced. (2) The impact of the trade barrier reduction on enterprises' pollution emissions varies with the type of enterprise ownership, export nature, and enterprise scale. For private enterprises, export enterprises, and large‐scale enterprises, the promotion effect of trade barrier reduction on enterprises' pollution emissions is more significant. (3) The mechanism test results show that the increase in SO2 emission intensity is mainly caused by the increase in the market share of enterprises, the deterioration of energy structure, and the increase in pollution output of enterprises. Therefore, it is critical to reduce enterprises' pollution emissions by maintaining a reasonable market share, optimizing energy structures, and increasing investment in pollution treatment equipment. This study reveals that changes in MFA international trade rules have profoundly influenced the production decision‐making behavior of companies in exporting countries, producing deep implications for enterprise pollution emission behavior and providing empirical evidence and management guidance for developing countries' development of environmentally friendly trade policies and responses to trade‐induced environmental pollution shocks.
Rethinking Movement Disorders
Authors: Münchau Alexander , Klein Christine , Beste Christian
Published: January 2024

At present, clinical practice and research in movement disorders (MDs) focus on the “normalization” of altered movements. In this review, rather than concentrating on problems and burdens people with MDs undoubtedly have, we highlight their hidden potentials. Starting with current definitions of Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia, chorea, and tics, we outline that solely conceiving these phenomena as signs of dysfunction falls short of their complex nature comprising both problems and potentials. Such potentials can be traced and understood in light of well‐established cognitive neuroscience frameworks, particularly ideomotor principles, and their influential modern derivatives. Using these frameworks, the wealth of data on altered perception‐action integration in the different MDs can be explained and systematized using the mechanism‐oriented concept of perception‐action binding. According to this concept, MDs can be understood as phenomena requiring and fostering flexible modifications of perception‐action associations. Consequently, although conceived as being caught in a (trough) state of deficits, given their high flexibility, people with MDs also have high potential to switch to (adaptive) peak activity that can be conceptualized as hidden potentials. Currently, clinical practice and research in MDs are concerned with deficits and thus the “deep and wide troughs,” whereas “scattered narrow peaks” reflecting hidden potentials are neglected. To better delineate and utilize the latter to alleviate the burden of affected people, and destigmatize their conditions, we suggest some measures, including computational modeling combined with neurophysiological methods and tailored treatment. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Design and analysis of dual‐band plasmonic band pass filter using meandering step impedance resonator
Authors: Chityala Ravi Kiran , Aryal Arjun , Osman Pathan , Sridevi Padavala Veera , Chityala Yashaswi
Published: January 2024

In this article, we demonstrated the minimum significant dielectric thickness of silicon dioxide (SiO2) below the diffraction limit for the confinement in the metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguide and utilizing this idea, we further exhibited the detail design analysis of dual‐band plasmonic meandering step impedance resonator (MSIR), which can achieve a high quality‐factor compared to a traditional step impedance resonator (SIR). MSIRs have sharper wavelength selectivity compared to SIRs, making them more suitable for applications that require precise wavelength tuning. The tunability of reflection and transmission characteristics with respect to design parameters has been reported. The designed MSIR has demonstrated a good passband response at wavelengths λ = 1414‐nm (E‐band) and 1577‐nm (L‐band) as well as turnability with design parameters. This filter achieved a large frequency spectral range of 139 nm and a high Q factor of ~3 × 104. This work enhances the capability of on‐chip filtering in the plasmonic platform.
ECG‐free cine MRI with data‐driven clustering of cardiac motion for quantification of ventricular function
Authors: Ming Zhengyang , Pogosyan Arutyun , Gao Chang , Colbert Caroline M. , Wu Holden H. , Finn J. Paul , Ruan Dan , Hu Peng , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Nguyen Kim‐Lien
Published: January 2024

Background

Despite the widespread use of cine MRI for evaluation of cardiac function, existing real‐time methods do not easily enable quantification of ventricular function. Moreover, segmented cine MRI assumes periodicity of cardiac motion. We aim to develop a self‐gated, cine MRI acquisition scheme with data‐driven cluster‐based binning of cardiac motion.

Methods

A Cartesian golden‐step balanced steady‐state free precession sequence with sorted k‐space ordering was designed. Image data were acquired with breath‐holding. Principal component analysis and k‐means clustering were used for binning of cardiac phases. Cluster compactness in the time dimension was assessed using temporal variability, and dispersion in the spatial dimension was assessed using the Caliński–Harabasz index. The proposed and the reference electrocardiogram (ECG)‐gated cine methods were compared using a four‐point image quality score, SNR and CNR values, and Bland–Altman analyses of ventricular function.

Results

A total of 10 subjects with sinus rhythm and 8 subjects with arrhythmias underwent cardiac MRI at 3.0 T. The temporal variability was 45.6 ms (cluster) versus 24.6 ms (ECG‐based) (p < 0.001), and the Caliński–Harabasz index was 59.1 ± 9.1 (cluster) versus 22.0 ± 7.1 (ECG based) (p < 0.001). In subjects with sinus rhythm, 100% of the end‐systolic and end‐diastolic images from both the cluster and reference approach received the highest image quality score of 4. Relative to the reference cine images, the cluster‐based multiphase (cine) image quality consistently received a one‐point lower score (p < 0.05), whereas the SNR and CNR values were not significantly different (p = 0.20). In cases with arrhythmias, 97.9% of the end‐systolic and end‐diastolic images from the cluster approach received an image quality score of 3 or more. The mean bias values for biventricular ejection fraction and volumes derived from the cluster approach versus reference cine were negligible.

Conclusion

ECG‐free cine cardiac MRI with data‐driven clustering for binning of cardiac motion is feasible and enables quantification of cardiac function.
Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Sargassum spp. for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2
Authors: Figueroa Ramírez Sandra Jazmín , Escobar Morales Beatriz , Pantoja Velueta Diego Alonso , Sierra Grajeda Juan Manuel T. , Alonso Lemus Ivonne Liliana , Aguilar Ucán Claudia Alejandra
Published: January 2024

This study presents a green method of producing copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using aqueous extracts from Sargassum spp. as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents. The CuNPs created using this algae‐based method are not hazardous, they are eco‐friendly, and less toxic than their chemically synthesized counterparts. The XRD characterization of the CuNPs revealed the presence of Cu and CuO, with a crystallite size ranging from 13 to 17 nm. Following this, the CuNPs were supported onto a carbon substrate, also derived from Sargassum spp. (biochar CSKPH). The CuNPs in biochar (CuNPs‐CSKPH) did not appear in the XRD diffractograms, but the SEM‐EDS results showed that they accounted for 36 % of the copper weight. The voltamperometric study of CuNps‐CSKPH in acid media validated the presence of Cu and the amount was determined to be 2.58 μg. The catalytic activity of CuNPs‐CSKPH was analyzed for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. The use of Sargassum spp. has great potential to tackle two environmental problems simultaneously, by using it as raw material for the synthesis of activated biochar as support, as well as the synthesis of CuNPs, and secondly, by using it as a sustainable material for the electrochemical conversion of CO2.
Analysis of Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol by Zinc Oxide Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Seloglu Meliha , Orhan Ramazan , Selen Veyis , Dursun Gülbeyi
Published: January 2024

In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of phenol, which is commonly found in industrial wastewater at high rates, was investigated using a zinc oxide (ZnO) catalyst. It is thought that our findings will contribute to the removal of phenol in industrial wastewater. The experimental study was conducted in a batch‐type air‐fed cylindrical photocatalytic reactor, and a central composite design (CCD) was chosen and analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The study aimed to explore the effects of initial phenol concentration, catalyst concentration, airflow rate, and degradation time on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol and the removal efficiency of total organic carbon (TOC). A quadratic regression model was developed to establish the relationship between phenol degradation, TOC removal effectiveness, and the four factors mentioned. The validity of the model was assessed through an analysis of variance (ANOVA). A good agreement was observed between the model results and the experimental data. As a result of the experiments carried out under optimized conditions, the degradation percentage of phenol was found to be 77.15 %, and the degradation percentage of TOC was 59.87 %. Additionally, pseudo‐first‐order kinetics were used in the photocatalytic degradation of phenol.
Scale‐up fabrication and advanced properties of recycled polyethylene terephthalate aerogels from plastic waste
Authors: Goh Xue Yang , Deng Xinying , Teo Wern Sze , Ong Ren Hong , Nguyen Luon Tan , Bai Tianliang , Duong Hai M.
Published: January 2024

Traditional fabrication methods of aerogels are time consuming, toxic, and difficult to implement, making the production of aerogels expensive and severely limits widespread adoption. Nonwoven technology is introduced to prepare fibers that can be used to create polymer‐based aerogel. With its introduction, it allows the continuous flow of fine fibers and eliminates the bottlenecking fiber preparation phase of the fabrication process. Using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) fibers and polyvinyl alcohol, two types of rPET aerogels are successfully fabricated, namely the lab‐scale and the large‐scale aerogels, to investigate the effectiveness of the nonwoven process line for the fiber preparation processing step. Fibers prepared manually (lab‐scale aerogels) and with the aid of a fiber preparation production line (large‐scale aerogels) are characterized and compared. Both lab‐scale and large‐scale aerogels exhibited the required specifications of low densities (12.6–45.9 and 13.2–43.7 mg/cm3, respectively) and high porosity (99.1%–96.7% and 99.0%–96.8%, respectively). Their thermal conductivity (23.4–34.0 and 23.2–31.9 mW/m⋅K, respectively) and compressive modulus (4.74–21.91 and 4.53–22.29 kPa, respectively) were also relatively similar. The advantage of scaled preparation of fibers for aerogel manufacturing includes higher throughputs (the line can produce up to 60 kg/h), improved consistency for defibrillation, homogenous fiber blending, and accurate replication of laboratory‐made aerogel properties. This demonstrates the viability of using nonwoven technology to scale for continuous production to bring down the production cost.

Highlights

Scale up production of aerogels using nonwoven technology

Improving preparation process of aerogels through homogenous fiber blending

Preparation rate of up to 60 kg/h

Developed high porosity aerogels up to 99%

Good thermal insulation of 23.2–31.9 mW/m⋅K
Registration of Arkot 1102ne cotton germplasm line
Authors: Bourland Fred M. , Jones Don C.
Published: January 2024

Arkot 1102ne (Reg. no. GP‐1142; PI 702558) is a conventional, nectariless cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm line released by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in October 2022. The germplasm line represents an ongoing effort to develop improved genotypes with enhanced yield, yield components, seed traits, earliness, host plant resistance, and fiber properties. Arkot 1102ne was compared to ‘UA48’ and ‘UA222’ over 5 years and four test sites in Arkansas. Across all the test sites, lint yields of Arkot 1102ne were 7.9% and 20.8% higher than those of UA222 and UA48, respectively, due to its higher lint percentage, seed per area, and fiber density. Arkot 1102ne produced the highest average yield of 21 genotypes over 10 locations in the 2019 Regional Breeders’ Network Test (RBTN). Arkot 1102ne produced the highest oil and protein percentages at four 2019 RBTN locations where seed were evaluated. Host plant resistance traits that have been measured on Arkot 1102ne include bacterial blight resistance and Verticillium wilt tolerance. Leaf pubescence and bract trichome density of Arkot 1102ne were intermediate between UA48 and UA222, but stem pubescence was lower. This combination of host plant resistance and yield components should lead to more stable yield production over contrasting environments. The fiber quality of Arkot 1102ne was lower than UA48 and was similar to that of UA222.
Effects of genetic variation on the structure of RNA and protein
Authors: Kang Jingxuan , Wei Siyu , Jia Zhe , Ma Yingnan , Chen Haiyan , Sun Chen , Xu Jing , Tao Junxian , Dong Yu , Lv Wenhua , Tian Hongsheng , Guo Xuying , Bi Shuo , Zhang Chen , Jiang Yongshuai , Lv Hongchao , Zhang Mingming
Published: January 2024

Changes in the structure of RNA and protein, have an important impact on biological functions and are even important determinants of disease pathogenesis and treatment. Some genetic variations, including copy number variation, single nucleotide variation, and so on, can lead to changes in biological function and increased susceptibility to certain diseases by changing the structure of RNA or protein. With the development of structural biology and sequencing technology, a large amount of RNA and protein structure data and genetic variation data resources has emerged to be used to explain biological processes. Here, we reviewed the effects of genetic variation on the structure of RNAs and proteins, and investigated their impact on several diseases. An online resource (http://www.onethird‐lab.com/gems/) to support convenient retrieval of common tools is also built. Finally, the challenges and future development of the effects of genetic variation on RNA and protein were discussed.
Rhamnolipids‐based glycosylated coating for preparing non‐charging polymeric materials surfaces
Authors: Fang Yan , Wang Jie , Gonuguntla Spandhana , Jiang Lei , Ye Xiangyu
Published: January 2024

Polymer materials are typical insulators that are easily charged by contact electrification. Static charge generated by contact electrification on their surfaces can lead to lots of undesirable consequences, including a reduction in efficiency of manufacturing processes, damage to equipment, and even explosions. Thus, it is important to develop effective strategies to prevent the generation of static charge when surfaces of polymer materials come into contact. Here, we coated polymer materials with rhamnolipids (RLs) to create non‐charging surfaces. This innovative technique, based on glycosylated coatings using RLs, offers a universal solution that can be easily applied to a wide range of polymeric materials conferring resistance to surface charging via contact electrification. The amount of static charges generated was found to reduce dramatically in both low (~15%) and high (~60%) humidity situations. The reduction of charge is due to either or both of the following two mechanisms: by increasing surface conductivity driven by the hydrophilic groups of the RLs molecules, and or by their radical‐scavenging properties. Predictably, this new effective strategy is ideal for producing antistatic dipping and spray solution for various practical applications.
Identification of novel biomarkers for frailty diagnosis via serum amino acids metabolomic analysis using UPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Zhou Mengyuan , Sun Wenjing , Chu Jiaojiao , Liao Yingping , Xu Pengfei , Chen Xujiao , Li Meng
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study was aimed to analyze serum amino acid metabolite profiles in frailty patients, gain a better understanding of the metabolic mechanisms in frailty, and assess the diagnostic value of metabolomics‐based biomarkers of frailty.

Experimental Design

This study utilized the ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to examine amino acids associated with frailty. Additionally, we employed multivariate statistical methods, metabolomic data analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and pathway enrichment analysis.

Results

Among the assayed amino acid metabolites, we identified biomarkers for frailty. ROC curve analysis for frailty diagnosis based on the modified Fried's frailty index showed that the areas under ROC curve of tryptophan, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and combination were 0.775, 0.679, 0.667, and 0.807, respectively. ROC curve analysis for frailty diagnosis based on Frail Scale showed that the areas under ROC curve of cystine, phenylalanine, and combination of amino acids (cystine, L‐Glutamine, citrulline, tyrosine, kynurenine, phenylalanine, glutamin acid) were 0.834, 0.708, and 0.854 respectively.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

In this study, we explored the serum amino acid metabolite profiles in frailty patients. These present metabolic analyses may provide valuable information on the potential biomarkers and the possible pathogenic mechanisms of frailty.

Clinical Significance

Frailty is a clinical syndrome, as a consequence it is challenging to identify at early course of the disease, even based on the existing frailty scales. Early diagnosis and appropriate patient management are the key to improve the survival and limit disabilities in frailty patients. Proven by the extensive laboratory and clinical studies on frailty, comprehensive analysis of metabolic levels in frail patients, identification of biomarkers and study of pathogenic pathways of metabolites contribute to the prediction and early diagnosis of frailty. In this study, we explored the serum amino acid metabolite profiles in frailty patients. These present metabolic analyses may provide valuable information on the potential biomarkers and the possible pathogenic mechanisms of frailty.
E. James Milner‐White (1945–2023)
Authors: Leader David P.
Published: January 2024

This is a short appreciation of the contributions made by E. James Milner‐White to the field of protein structure, in particular his description of small hydrogen‐bonded motifs.
Pulmonary hypertension in the setting of interstitial lung disease: Approach to management and treatment. A consensus statement from the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute's Innovative Drug Development Initiative—Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Shlobin Oksana A. , Shen Eric , Wort Stephen J. , Piccari Lucilla , Scandurra John A. , Hassoun Paul M. , Nikkho Sylvia M. , Nathan Steven D.
Published: January 2024

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to interstitial lung disease (ILD), a commonly encountered complication of fibrotic ILDs, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Until recently, the studies of pulmonary vasodilator therapy in PH‐ILD have been largely disappointing, with some even demonstrating the potential for harm. This paper is part of a series of Consensus Statements from the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute's Innovative Drug Development Initiative for Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension, with prior publications covering pathogenesis, prevalence, clinical features, phenotyping, clinical trials, and impact of PH‐ILD. It offers a comprehensive review of and a holistic approach to treatment of PH‐ILD, including the management of underlying interstitial lung diseases, importance of treating the comorbidities, emphasis on importance of exercise and palliation of dyspnea, and review of the most up‐to‐date guidelines for referral for potential lung transplant work up. It also summarizes the prior, ongoing, and possibly future studies in treatment of the vascular derangement of this morbid condition.
Finite‐time adaptive stabilization and H∞$$ {H}_{\infty } $$ control for a class of nonlinear Hamiltonian singular systems with parametric perturbations
Authors: Jin Qiang , Sun Liying , Yang Renming
Published: January 2024

This article addresses the finite‐time adaptive stabilization and finite‐time adaptive control problems of a class of nonlinear Hamiltonian singular systems with parametric perturbations. Under the suitable state feedback control scheme, a dissipative differential‐algebraic form of the nonlinear Hamiltonian singular system is obtained. According to this dissipative form, the finite‐time adaptive stabilization of the nonlinear Hamiltonian singular system with unknown parametric perturbations is investigated using the Hamiltonian function method. Then, considering the system with the external disturbances, a finite‐time adaptive controller is designed. Finally, the simulation results of the nonlinear singular circuit system demonstrate the efficacy of the controller designed in this article.
Molecular Insight into the Ternary Complex Formation between Ethambutol, Isoniazid and β‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Goh Soen Qeng , Adnan Rohana , Jumbri Khairulazhar , Ishak Mohd Adil Iman , Abdullah Nor Ain Fathihah , Rahim Nurul Yani
Published: January 2024

Long term intake of antituberculosis drugs will lead to severe adverse reactions that will ultimately deteriorate a patient's health and well‐being. With that, the ternary inclusion complex was explored, whereby β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was chosen as the supramolecular host carrier to accommodate two kinds of first line antituberculosis guest drug molecules simultaneously, namely isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (ETB) which would provide many therapeutic benefits. The inclusion complex of β‐CD/INH/ETB was prepared using solvent evaporation method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐NMR), and 2‐dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (2D‐NOESY) NMR were used to investigate the functional groups and structure of the complex. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to study the surface morphology and crystallinity changes during complex formation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to investigate the thermal properties of the complex. FT‐IR and both types of NMR results had revealed the successful penetration of both the drug molecules into the β‐CD cavity. SEM images and XRD spectra had shown a drastic change in surface structure and reduction in crystallinity during complex formation, which had indicated successful formation of a new compound. TGA had proven that the complex had significantly greater thermal stability as compared to the pure components. Molecular dynamics (MD) and molecular docking simulations were also performed to understand the molecular interaction between β‐CD, INH, and ETB. Through precise calculations of interaction and binding energies, β‐CD/INH/ETB was found to be a more stable inclusion complex compared to the binary β‐CD/INH and β‐CD/ETB complexes.
Diclofenac Sodium‐Encapsulated Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) Nanoparticles: A Non‐antibiotic Formulation to Attenuate the Proteolytic Activity of P. aeruginosa Clinical Isolates
Authors: Esnaashari Fatemeh , Rostamnejad Dorna , Zahmatkesh Hossein , Asadi Rahmani Fatemeh , Zamani Hojjatolah , Rasti Behnam
Published: January 2024

Encapsulating drugs in poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles can provide a gradual and consistent drug release. Herein, diclofenac sodium‐encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles (DS‐PLGA NPs) were synthesized, characterized, and their effects on bacterial proteolysis and elastolytic activity were evaluated using skim milk agar plate, elastin‐congo red, and staphylolysin disk susceptibility assays. Quantitative PCR was employed to examine the effect of nanoparticles on the expression of lasA/B genes. The DS‐PLGA NPs displayed spherical morphology with an average size of 86 nm, zeta potential of ‐15.2 mV, and DLS size of 124.6 nm. At a sub‐inhibitory concentration, DS‐PLGA NPs inhibited bacterial elastolytic activity by 41.6 to 62.1% during 30–180 min of incubation. The elastolytic curve slopes of samples from PLGA and DS‐PLGA treated groups were respectively 0.0714 and 0.0380 activity/min, indicating a significant reduction of bacterial extracellular elastases by DS‐PLGA NPs. Exposure of bacteria to a sub‐inhibitory concentration of the nanoparticles attenuated the expression of the lasA and lasB genes by 0.21 and 0.31 folds, respectively. Attenuation of the proteolytic activity of P. aeruginosa suggests that the antivirulence potential of the DS‐PLGA NPs along with the anti‐inflammatory properties of diclofenac sodium, can be considered for the treatment of acute and chronic P. aeruginosa infections.
Co‐encapsulation of Curcumin and Paclitaxel using Non‐ionic Surfactant Based Nanovesicles Suppresses Growth of Ovarian Carcinoma through the Inhibition of Nuclear Factor κB and AKT1
Authors: Haghi Karamallah Mojtaba , Alemi Ashraf , Ahmad Hosseini Seyed , Tahery Noorollah , Radmanesh Esmat , Malihi Reza , Zare‐Zardini Hadi , Farrokhifar Majid , Farokhifar Mohammad , Haghi Karamallah Somayeh
Published: January 2024

Curcumin (Cur) indicates P‐glycoprotein inhibitory activity by downregulating the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB signaling and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Curcumin has limited due to its low water‐solubility. Therefore, using novel chemotherapeutic nanoformulations of curcumin or combining it with paclitaxel (PCL) may be more effective against cancer. Recently, we demonstrated that the combination of chemotherapy with PCL and Cur, using non‐ionic surfactant‐based nano‐vesicles (NISV), exhibited enhanced synergistic anticancer efficacy in breast cancer cells. However, the effect of combining these drugs using non‐ionic surfactant‐based nano‐vesicles for treating ovarian cancer, particularly in terms of their influence on AKT1 and NF‐kappa B, has not been investigated. Hereupon, we decided to investigate the single and combination treatment with Cur and PCL on cell apoptosis, expression of the AKT‐1 gene, and determination of p65‐NF‐κB in OVCAR‐3 cell. The combination of chemotherapy with curcumin and paclitaxel, using NISV, resulted in a higher rate of apoptosis, more efficient reduction in AKT‐1 gene expression (91.2 % reduction in PCL‐NISV+Cur‐NISV vs. 72.89 % reduction in PCL+Cur free solution), and 79.42 % reduction in NF‐κB activity compared to individual treatments. The findings indicate that combining curcumin and paclitaxel using non‐ionic surfactant‐based nano‐vesicles may be a promising strategy for reducing ovarian cancer growth.
Complex Metal Oxides as Emerging Inorganic Hole‐Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Bai Yu , He Jingsheng , Ran Ran , Zhou Wei , Wang Wei , Shao Zongping
Published: January 2024

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved revolutionary progress during the past decades with a rapidly boosting rate in power conversion efficiencies from 3.8% to 26.1%. However, high‐efficiency PSCs with organic hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) suffer from inferior long‐term stability and high costs. The replacement of organic HTMs with inorganic counterparts such as metal oxides can solve the above‐mentioned problems to realize highly robust and cost‐effective PSCs. Nevertheless, the widely used simple metal oxide‐based HTMs are limited by the low conductivity and poor light transmittance due to the fixed atomic environment. As an emerging family of inorganic HTMs, complex metal oxides with superior structural/compositional flexibility have attracted rapidly increasing interest recently, showing superior carrier conductivity/mobility and superb light transmittance. Herein, the recent advancements in the design and development of complex metal oxide‐based HTMs for high‐performance PSCs are summarized by emphasizing the superiority of complex metal oxides as HTMs over simple metal oxide‐based counterparts. Consequently, several distinct strategies for the design of complex metal oxide‐based HTMs are proposed. Last, the future directions and remaining challenges of inorganic complex metal oxide‐based HTMs for PSCs are also presented. This review aims to provide valuable guidelines for the further advancements of robust, high‐efficiency, and low‐cost PSCs.
Physically secure and privacy‐preserving blockchain enabled authentication scheme for internet of drones
Authors: Subramani Jegadeesan , Maria Azees , Rajasekaran Arun Sekar , Lloret Jaime
Published: January 2024

The wide applications of the Internet of Drones (IoD), ranging from package delivery to surveillance, attract the attention of industrialists and academicians. Drones are given the task of obtaining sensitive field information within the flying zone in real‐time. Hence, it is important to tackle the privacy and security issues associated with drones that are employed in these kinds of situations. Also, when the drones move to the new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator coverage area, the drones are required to execute the authentication process again, which affects the performance of IoD. To overcome the above‐said shortcomings, a physically secure and privacy‐preserving blockchain enabled authentication method is proposed in this paper. The blockchain network permits drones to perform quick re‐authentication by transferring drone authentication codes to the following UAV operators. In the proposed work, the drone does not need to store the secret keys to perform anonymous authentication, and it provides physical security for the drones. When compared to competing techniques, the proposed scheme delivers the needed security features while incurring lower storage, computational, and communication costs.
Influence of Rare Earth Ce Additions on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Experimental Pipeline Steels
Authors: Oleksak Richard P. , Detrois Martin , Jablonski Paul D. , Rozman Kyle A. , Doğan Ömer N.
Published: January 2024

Herein, the effect of Ce additions ranging from 57 to 263 ppm is evaluated for an experimental pipeline steel. Compared to the Ce‐free steel, progressive Ce additions result in a slightly refined microstructure, significantly improve transverse impact properties, and slightly increase strength. All these observations can be attributed to the gradual transformation of Mn sulfide and Mn–Si–Al oxide inclusions to Ce‐containing oxide/sulfides. In particular, the inclusions consist exclusively of sub‐5 μm spherical Ce2O2S particles upon near‐stoichiometric additions of Ce, considering the oxygen and sulfur impurity level of the steel. The results suggest that Ce is a potentially promising alloying addition for next‐generation pipeline steels by replacing overtly deleterious inclusions with potentially beneficial ones.
Flash drought: A state of the science review
Authors: Christian Jordan I. , Hobbins Mike , Hoell Andrew , Otkin Jason A. , Ford Trent W. , Cravens Amanda E. , Powlen Kathryn A. , Wang Hailan , Mishra Vimal
Published: January 2024

In the two decades, since the advent of the term “flash drought,” considerable research has been directed toward the topic. Within the scientific community, we have actively forged a new paradigm that has avoided a chaotic evolution of conventional drought but instead recognizes that flash droughts have distinct dynamics and, particularly, impacts. We have moved beyond the initial debate over the definition of flash drought to a centralized focus on the triad of rapid onset, drought development, and associated impacts. The refinement toward this general set of principles has led to significant progress in determining key variables for monitoring flash drought development, identifying notable case studies, and compiling fundamental physical characteristics of flash drought. However, critical focus areas still remain, including advancing our knowledge on the atmospheric and oceanic drivers of flash drought; developing flash drought‐specific detection indices and monitoring systems tailored to practitioners; improving subseasonal‐to‐seasonal prediction of these events; constraining uncertainty in flash drought and impact projections; and using social science to further our understanding of impacts, particularly with regard to sectors that lie outside of our traditional hydroclimatological focus, such as wildfire management and food‐security monitoring. Researchers and stakeholders working together on these critical topics will assure society is resilient to flash drought in a changing climate.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water Extremes
New energy decay for a nonlinearly damped system of wave equations
Authors: Zhu Xiangyu , Liao Menglan
Published: January 2024

In this paper, a nonlinearly damped system of wave equations is considered. Uniform energy decay was discussed in the previous work (Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. Ser. S, 2 (2009) 583–608) for if the space dimension is 3. New energy decay is proposed for by choosing appropriate multiplier related to a non‐increasing differential function. As an example, a logarithmic energy decay is also presented.
Realistic Ambitions: Technology Transfer for Biologics Platform Technologies
Authors: Banda Geoffrey , Wanjala Cecilia , Manduku Veronica , Kale Dinar
Published: January 2024

This chapter argues that the recent international support for expanding vaccine production in African countries offers local policymakers and industrialists an opportunity that should be seized, to transition local manufacturing capabilities to produce biologics. Biologics offer a broader portfolio of cancer therapies. Biologics such as monoclonal antibodies represent an incremental innovation for vaccine manufacturers, with lower learning and transition costs than those that would be faced by manufacturers of chemical drugs seeking to move into biologics. However, biologics production in Africa is not only a technological project, it is also political and economic, feeding into geo-politics debates.
Palliation Economics: The Industrial Organisation of Morphine in India
Authors: Srinivas Smita , Ghai Ojasvi , Rajadhyaksha Lekhaabra
Published: January 2024

A shortage of medication for severe pain undermines cancer care—and other treatments—across India and Africa. In India however, the entire supply chain of industrial production of morphine is within the country, yet need remains unmet. This chapter identifies systemic institutional gaps between clinical training, decentralized care, ambition and scope of supply chain management, and difficulty in carving out national autonomy on palliation needs, that are preventing the resolution of this crisis. Tackling these institutional gaps could remove uncertainty for public and private firms making investment decisions, and provide clearer pathways to markets for pain management.
Using Scenarios to Support Innovation and Mutual Linkages
Authors: Steenmans Ine , Idris Maimanah , Chataway Joanna , Njeru Mercy Karimi , Wangwe Samuel
Published: January 2024

This chapter describes scenario building with local stakeholders from industry and healthcare, including clinicians, policymakers and regulators, to identify interlocking scope for intervention towards sustainable health improvement. Scenario building is highly collaborative and envisages different possible futures to answer ‘what if’ policy questions. The chapter explains how to build scenarios using participatory mapping of cross-system linkages, and describes two cancer care innovation exercises: one describes collaborative scenario building on how to tackle pain management gaps in Tanzania; the second documents collective envisaging in Kenya of how to improve access to essential cancer care commodities, needed to support dignity and ability to work.