bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Refinement of the volcanic slope rating approach for determining slope stability in volcanic rocks of the Canary Islands
Authors: Leyva Sergio , Cruz‐Pérez Noelia , Santamarta Juan C. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractDue to their genesis, volcanic rocks present some singularities that make their geotechnical characteristics significantly different from other, more common types of rock masses, such as sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The formation mechanisms of volcanic rocks are varied, rapid and generally high energy. These processes give this type of rock geotechnical behaviour and geomechanical properties that are completely different from those of nonvolcanic materials, due to their high heterogeneity and anisotropy. In volcanic rock slopes, applying widely used geomechanical classifications to assess the quality of any rock mass present several challenges due to their distinctive and singular characteristics, which detract from their validity. For this reason, the Center for Studies and Experimentation of Public Works (CEDEX) of the Ministry of Public Works, under the agreement signed with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of the Government of the Canary Islands, carried out during 2017 and 2018 an exhaustive analysis and reviews of existing geomechanical classifications and their applications to volcanic terrains. They developed a new geomechanical classification called VSR (volcanic slope rating), based on data obtained from 85 slopes across the Canary Islands, which allowed for the estimation of the stability of volcanic rock slopes by evaluating seven geotechnical parameters. This article presents the work conducted to review and calibrate this tool, based on the study of 94 slopes of different lithotypes throughout the Canary Islands (lavas, pyroclasts, heterogeneous), culminating in the proposal of a new classification for pyroclastic massifs (with new parameters and different weightings) and the adjustment of the current classification for the other slopes (regarding the Surface Regularity parameter). Therefore, the VSR geomechanical classification was applied to assess the stability of these 94 slopes, revealing a strong fit for Types A and C (R2 > 0.97), while the tool overestimated stability in Type B slopes, prompting a new classification proposal for this category.
Phytochemical Profiling and Pharmacological Evaluation of Methanolic Leaf Extract of C. digyna for Cytotoxic, Anti‐inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiarthritic, and Analgesic Activities
Authors: Fatema Kanij , Mia Md. Abdur Rashid , Nipun Tanzina Sharmin , Hossen S. M. Moazzem 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTCaesalpinia digyna (Family: Fabaceae) is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for various medicinal purposes, including as a treatment for wounds, leprosy, skin diseases, fever, diabetes, etc. Although the root and stem of this plant have a significant medicinal value, there was little research on the leaves of this plant. This study aimed to investigate the qualitative phytochemical profile and evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiarthritic activities, as well as the in vivo anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities, of C. digyna leaf extract. The methanolic extract of C. digyna leaves was prepared using an ultrasonic‐assisted extraction process. In vitro and in vivo anti‐inflammatory activities were evaluated using the hypotonicity‐induced hemolysis and carrageenan‐induced paw edema methods, respectively. Additionally, the extract was assessed for in vitro DPPH (1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging, antiarthritic (protein denaturation), and in vivo analgesic (acetic acid‐induced writhing and tail immersion) activities. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLB) showed moderate cytotoxic activity (LC50 = 2.25 μg/mL) compared with the standard vincristine sulfate (LC50 = 1.61 μg/mL). In vitro, anti‐inflammatory activity exhibited 85.13% (IC50 value = 2.51 μg/mL) inhibition of Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane lysis at a concentration of 2000 μg/mL whereas in vivo anti‐inflammatory study exerted its maximum effect (p < 0.05) at 400 mg/kg bw dose. This extract also showed significant antioxidant (IC50 = 0.218 μg/mL), antiarthritic (83.61% inhibition) activity, and moderate analgesic effect (p < 0.05) in both methods. These research findings indicated that C. digyna leaves extract has potent antioxidant, analgesic, and anti‐inflammatory effects which can be used as a supplementary medication for inflammatory pain‐relieving factors. In future, finding the mechanism involved in these effects could have significant impact on clinical science.
RhoA regulates oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination by orchestrating cortical and membrane tension
Authors: Vale‐Silva Raquel , de Paes de Faria Joana , Seixas Ana Isabel , Brakebusch Cord , Franklin Robin J. M. , Relvas João B. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractTimely differentiation and myelin formation by oligodendrocytes are essential for the physiological functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). While the Rho GTPase RhoA has been hinted as a negative regulator of myelin sheath formation, the precise in vivo mechanisms have remained elusive. Here we show that RhoA controls the timing and progression of myelination by oligodendrocytes through a fine‐tuned balance between cortical tension, membrane tension and cell shape. Using a conditional mouse model, we observe that Rhoa ablation results in the acceleration of myelination driven by hastened differentiation and facilitated through membrane expansion induced by changes in MLCII activity and in F‐actin redistribution and turnover within the cell. These findings reveal RhoA as a central molecular integrator of alterations in actin cytoskeleton, actomyosin contractility and membrane tension underlying precise morphogenesis of oligodendrocytes and normal myelination of the CNS.
Dissecting the Hippocampal Regulation of Approach‐Avoidance Conflict: Integrative Perspectives From Optogenetics, Stress Response, and Epigenetics
Authors: Forastieri C. , Romito E. , Paplekaj A. , Battaglioli E. , Rusconi F. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTPsychiatric disorders are multifactorial conditions without clear biomarkers, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. Understanding these disorders requires identifying specific endophenotypes that help break down their complexity. Here, we undertake an in‐depth analysis of one such endophenotype, namely imbalanced approach‐avoidance conflict (AAC), reviewing its significant dependency on the hippocampus. Imbalanced AAC is a transdiagnostic endophenotype, being a feature of many psychiatric conditions in humans. However, it is predominantly examined in preclinical research through paradigms that subject rodents to conflict‐laden scenarios. This review offers an original perspective by discussing the AAC through three distinct lights: optogenetic modulation of the AAC, which updates our understanding of the hippocampal contribution to behavioral inhibition; the impact of environmental stress, which exacerbates conflict and strengthens the stress‐psychopathology axis; and inherent epigenetic aspects, which uncover crucial molecular underpinnings of environmental (mal) adaptation. By integrating these perspectives, in this review we aim to underline a cross‐species causal nexus between heightened hippocampal activity and avoidance behavior. In addition, we suggest a rationale to explore epigenetic pharmacology as a potential strategy to tackle AAC‐related psychopathology. This review assumes greater significance when viewed through the lens of advancing AAC‐centric diagnostics in human subjects. Unlike traditional questionnaires, which struggle to accurately measure individual differences in AAC‐related dimensions, new approaches using virtual reality and computer games show promise in better focusing the magnitude of AAC contribution to psychopathology.
Suppressing Inversion of a Chiral Polycyclic Aromatic Aza Monkey Saddle by Molecular Editing
Authors: Kirschbaum Tobias , Ebel Simone Felicia , Rominger Frank , Mastalerz Michael 
Published: November 2024

AbstractChiral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with monkey saddle topology are a fascinating class of negatively curved compounds. To make the monkey‐saddles valuable building blocks for chirality‐assisted synthesis (CAS) approaches, the inversion barriers between the two possible enantiomers need to be high enough to prevent interconversion under CAS conditions. By molecular editing, aza monkey saddles were converted to the corresponding chromene monkey saddles that are configurationally stable even at temperatures of 220 °C over a period of 47 days. Their structures were studied by single X‐ray diffraction and enantiomers were separated to study the chiroptical properties. Furthermore, mechanistic assumptions of the formation of the chromene monkey saddles by DFT calculations are discussed.
Different minimally invasive surgical methods to hysterectomy for benign gynecological disease: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Guan Meijun , Li Hui , Tian Tian , Peng Jirong , Huang Yan , He Li 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsThis network meta‐analysis aimed to compare the perioperative efficacy of various minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures for treating benign gynecological diseases and to assess whether vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic hysterectomy (VNOTEH), a recently emerging procedure, is inferior to traditional laparoscopy.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), Wanfang Data, and China VIP Database from inception to August 2022 and updated in June 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different minimally invasive hysterectomy techniques in patients with benign gynecological conditions. The intervention measures included nine minimally invasive hysterectomies. The two researchers used the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias assessment tool for study appraisal. All statistical analyses and drawings were performed using STATA 17.0 and R 4.4.1. A network meta‐analysis (NMA) was conducted to compare the effectiveness of minimally invasive hysterectomy and rank its relative impact probabilistically.ResultsA total of 78 RCTs involving 7640 patients and nine minimally invasive hysterectomy methods with 16 intervention combinations were included in this study. Among these, 2, 63, and 13 studies were deemed to have a low, medium, and high risk of bias, respectively. Based on the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking (SUCRA) probability ranking results of NMA, laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery‐laparoscopic‐assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LESS‐LAVH) demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of complications, infections, and 24‐h postoperative pain scores. LAVH exhibited better performance in injuries and hospital stays, total laparoscopic hysterectomy showed the least blood loss, and vaginal hysterectomy had the shortest operation time.ConclusionLESS‐LAVH and LAVH are recommended options, if feasible. Meanwhile, VNOTEH can achieve comparable results to traditional laparoscopy but requires careful attention to the risk of injury and infection. Future research should aim to broaden the search scope by including high‐quality, large‐scale, multicenter RCTs.
Proteinuria is associated with worse outcomes in babies born to mothers with preeclampsia: A retrospective cohort study at a tertiary referral hospital in Brazil
Authors: Alves Ferreira Ana Clara , dos Santos Guedes Samara Mirelly , Rodrigues Tamara Cristina Gomes Ferraz , Barbosa Priscila Oliveira , Cavalli Ricardo de Carvalho 
Published: November 2024

AbstractTo evaluate whether the presence of proteinuria, although no longer mandatory in the revised diagnostic criteria, results in worse maternal and fetal outcomes in preeclampsia (PE). A retrospective cohort study was conducted, analyzing data from pregnant patients diagnosed with PE between January 2015 and December 2019 at a tertiary care center in Brazil. Ethical approval was obtained, and the patient records were reviewed to assess maternal and perinatal outcomes based on the revised diagnostic criteria by the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, focusing on the presence or absence of proteinuria. The study included 816 pregnant patients with PE, of whom 685 (83.9%) were diagnosed based on proteinuria. The revised criteria, which include indicators of organ damage, identified an additional 131 cases (16.4%). Analysis showed no significant differences in maternal outcomes between proteinuria and non‐proteinuria groups, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, acute pulmonary edema (APE), HELLP syndrome, eclampsia, or C‐section rates. However, babies born to mothers with proteinuria PE experienced worse outcomes, including fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, ICU admission, and higher rates of preterm birth. Relative risk analysis demonstrated a high risk of babies being born with low birth weight, ICU admission, and being born preterm and very preterm in cases where proteinuria was present in mothers with PE. The presence of proteinuria is associated with significantly worse outcomes in babies born to mothers with preeclampsia, while no significant differences were observed in maternal outcomes.
Fluctuation of physical function during chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy during rehabilitation intervention: Real‐world data and risk factor analyses
Authors: Hamada Ryota , Arai Yasuyuki , Kitawaki Toshio , Nakamura Naokazu , Murao Masanobu , Matsushita Michiko , Miyasaka Junsuke , Asano Tsugumi , Jo Tomoyasu , Nishikori Momoko , Kanda Junya , Mizumoto Chisaki , Yamashita Kouhei , Ikeguchi Ryosuke , Takaori‐Kondo Akifumi 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIntroductionPatients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy face prolonged treatment timelines and are prone to cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) after infusion. Disabilities in physical function and the importance of rehabilitation during CAR‐T‐cell therapy to maintain physical function have been poorly documented.MethodWe performed a retrospective cohort study to assess changes in exercise tolerance via differences in a 6‐min‐walking distance (Δ6MWD) and factors influencing it.ResultsA total of 77 patients who underwent rehabilitation during CAR‐T‐cell therapy were enrolled, and their 6MWD was 450 m (median, range 180–705 m) before and 450.5 m (107.0–735.0 m) 30 days after CAR‐T treatment. No significant alteration in Δ6MWD was observed overall (11.0 m, 95% confidence interval, −56.1 to 88.2 m). Multiple regression analyses indicated that age (over vs. under 65 years) revealed no notable differences in Δ6MWD (20 vs. 10 m), while ΔHb (β = 0.24, p = 0.03), moderate/severe CRS (grade 1 with continuous fever or grade ≥2; β = −0.25, p = 0.03), and ICANS (any grade; β = −0.22, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with lower Δ6MWD.ConclusionThis real‐world study indicated that CAR‐T‐cell therapy is less likely to reduce physical function even in older patients if rehabilitation is properly performed, whereas CRS and ICANS can be risk factors to deprive exercise tolerance.
Intravenous immunoglobulin‑based adjuvant therapy for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: A single‑center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhai Yu , Li Haopeng , Xia Peng , Jiang Yunfei , Tong Hanwen , Zhou Dongming , Jiang Chenxiao , Liu Yun , Wang Jun 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIntravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is frequently administered to patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), particularly those with severe manifestations, although its efficacy remains controversial. The study retrospectively analyzed the effects of IVIG administration on SFTS patients in both mild and severe groups. The primary outcome measure was 28‐day mortality. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with propensity score was used to account for baseline confounders. A total of SFTS patients with complete data enrolled from January 1, 2015, to August 1, 2023. Death at 28 days occurred for 68 (17.5%) patients. By unadjusted analysis, no difference was observed for 28‐day mortality between the IVIG and non‐IVIG groups in both the mild and severe groups. Similar results were found by propensity score matching and by IPTW analysis. Although IVIG is frequently used as adjuvant therapy for severe SFTS patients, no significant association was observed between IVIG treatment and reduced mortality in this patient population.
A Climatological Analysis of Upper‐Level Velocity Potential Using Global Weather Reanalysis, 1959–2020
Authors: Stanfield Tyler J. , Ramseyer Craig Allen 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTUpper‐level (200 hPa) velocity potential (VP200) is useful in identifying areas of rising or sinking atmospheric motions on varying temporal scales (e.g., weekly, seasonal, interannual) especially in the global tropics. These areas are associated with enhancement (rising motion) or suppression (sinking motion) of tropical convection and subsequent weather phenomena dependent on these processes (e.g., tropical cyclones). This study employed commonly used global weather reanalysis datasets to calculate and compare VP200 on interannual through multidecadal temporal scales and quantify any differences that existed between them from 1959 to 2020 over four key regions of tropical variability (Equatorial Africa, Amazon Basin, Equatorial Central Pacific, and Equatorial Indonesia). To supplement this analysis, the highly correlated variables to VP200 of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and daily precipitation rate were used and directly compared with independent OLR and precipitation datasets to determine the reanalysis' level of agreement with the independent data. The ECMWF ERA5 held the highest agreement to these data over all regions examined and was reasoned to have the highest confidence in accurately capturing the variability of VP200 fields for the study period. Confidence was decreased in the usefulness of the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis 1 as it consistently performed poorly over much of the study domain. The results of this study also emphasised the usefulness in ensemble‐based approaches to assess climate variability and understanding of potential biases and uncertainties that are inherent in these data sources.
Human Biomonitoring of Serum Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers by Supported Liquid Extraction and Gas Chromatography Coupled With Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Liu Miao , Jia Xiangyu , Peng Rongfei , Bai Zhijun , Yuan Jun , Tan Lei 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTThis study aims to develop and validate a robust analytical method for the quantification of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in human serum using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. We compared procedural blanks, recoveries, and operational convenience of liquid–liquid extraction and supported liquid extraction for the determination of serum PBDEs. We evaluated different extraction solvents for their effect on PBDE recoveries. Supported liquid extraction was selected for method validation due to its operational convenience. The method demonstrated satisfactory linearity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, with the range of 0.10–5.00 µg/L for most PBDE congeners and 0.20–10.0 µg/L for PBDE‐154 and PBDE‐183, with limits of detection ranging from 2 to 48 ng/L, and with matrix effects ranging from 94% to 113%. Quality control assessments indicated that recoveries ranged from 85% to 110% and relative standard deviations of less than 11%. The proposed method was applied to biomonitoring of 111 healthy adults, revealing detectable levels of PBDEs in over 90% of the samples. BDE‐47 and BDE‐183 were the most prevalent, with mean concentrations of 4.13 and 22.1 ng/L, respectively. Detection frequencies ranged from 0.90% for BDE‐17 and BDE‐85 to 25.2% for BDE‐47. Males had higher mean concentrations of BDE‐183 than females.
Systematic study on the hydrogen abstraction reactions from oxygenated compounds by H and HO2
Authors: Oppata Hiroki , Shimokuri Daisuke , Miyoshi Akira 
Published: November 2024

AbstractTo extend the rule‐based approach for hydrogen abstraction reactions from oxygenated compounds, a systematic investigation was performed to examine the reactivity of gas‐phase hydrogen abstraction reactions from alkyl groups (methyl and ethyl groups) bound to oxygen atoms in five types of oxygenated compounds (alcohols, ethers, formate esters, acetate esters, and carbonate esters) by H atoms and HO2 radicals comprehensively considering rotational conformers. Quantum chemical calculations were conducted at the CBS‐QB3 level for stationary points. Rate constants were determined employing conventional transition state theory (TST). For hydrogen abstraction reactions by H, the rotational conformer distribution partition function was employed to approximate partition functions, owing to the similarity in vibrational energy‐level structures among conformers. In hydrogen abstraction reactions by HO2, the vibrational structures of transition‐state (TS) conformers varied significantly due to the hydrogen bonding, leading to an inappropriate evaluation of rate constants when using the lowest‐energy conformer as a representative. Therefore, the rate constants were calculated by the multi‐structural TST. It was revealed that the differences in functional groups containing O atoms mainly affect the bond dissociation energies of the C–H bonds and the activation energies of hydrogen abstraction reactions only when the C atoms are adjacent to the O atoms. Additionally, it was found that hydrogen bonds formed in the TSs show minor effect on rate parameters for the overall rate constants, apart from the reduction of the pre‐exponential factors for the H‐abstraction reactions from the methylene position of ethyl groups. The comparison with the rate constants from previous studies showed reasonable results, indicating that the rate constants in this study, which thoroughly consider rotational conformers, can be the current best estimates.
Kinetic studies on the sulfathiazole degradation by activated persulfate with ascorbic acid and cysteine
Authors: Khan Zaheer , Al‐Thubaiti Khloud Saeed , Albishi Hayat M. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn this study, ascorbic acid (AA) and cysteine (Cys) were used as homogeneous potassium persulfate (S2O82−) activators. The efficiency of the S2O82−/AA and S2O82−/Cys systems was investigated to generate sulfate radicals (SO4−•) for the oxidation of sulfathiazole (STZ). The presence of AA and Cys displayed a promoting effect on the activation of S2O82−. The results indicated that the STZ/S2O82− redox reaction followed pseudo‐first order kinetics with respect to STZ concentrations. The oxidative degradation of STZ is accelerated by temperature, dose of S2O82−, AA, Cys, and pH with S2O82−/AA and/or S2O82−/Cys systems. The degradation rates of STZ followed the order S2O82−/AA > S2O82−/Cys > S2O82− under similar experimental conditions. The presence of SO4−• and HO• were tested with two radical scavengers, tertiary butanol (TBA) and ethanol, in which HO• was mainly responsible for STZ degradation at higher pH. In summary, S2O82−/AA and S2O82−/Cys systems might provide a potentially useful technique for remediation of water contaminants.