bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A four‐grating interferometer for x‐ray multi‐contrast imaging
Authors: Miao Houxun , Williams James C. , Josell Daniel 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundX‐ray multi‐contrast imaging with gratings provides a practical method to detect differential phase and dark‐field contrast images in addition to the x‐ray absorption image traditionally obtained in laboratory or hospital environments. Systems have been developed for preclinical applications in areas including breast imaging, lung imaging, rheumatoid arthritis hand imaging and kidney stone imaging.PurposePrevailing x‐ray interferometers for multi‐contrast imaging include Talbot‐Lau interferometers and universal moiré effect‐based phase‐grating interferometers. Talbot‐Lau interferometers suffer from conflict between high interferometer sensitivity and large field of view (FOV) of the object being imaged. A small period analyzer grating is necessary to simultaneously achieve high sensitivity and large FOV within a compact imaging system but is technically challenging to produce for high x‐ray energies. Phase‐grating interferometers suffer from an intrinsic fringe period ranging from a few micrometers to several hundred micrometers that can hardly be resolved by large area flat panel x‐ray detectors. The purpose of this work is to introduce a four‐grating x‐ray interferometer that simultaneously allows high sensitivity and large FOV, without the need for a small period analyzer grating.MethodsThe four‐grating interferometer consists of a source grating placed downstream of and close to the x‐ray source, a pair of phase gratings separated by a fixed distance placed downstream of the source grating, and an analyzer grating placed upstream of and close to the x‐ray detector. The object to be imaged is placed upstream of and close to the phase‐grating pair. The distance between the source grating and the phase‐grating pair is designed to be far larger than that between the phase‐grating pair and the analyzer grating to promote simultaneously high sensitivity and large FOV. The method was evaluated by constructing a four‐grating interferometer with an 8 µm period source grating, a pair of phase gratings of 2.4 µm period, and an 8 µm period analyzer grating.ResultsThe fringe visibility of the four‐grating interferometer was measured to be ≈24% at 40 kV and ≈18% at 50 kV x‐ray tube operating voltage. A quartz bead of 6 mm diameter was imaged to compare the theoretical and experimental phase contrast signal with good agreement. Kidney stone specimens were imaged to demonstrate the potential of such a system for classification of kidney stones.ConclusionsThe proposed four‐grating interferometer geometry enables a compact x‐ray multi‐contrast imaging system with simultaneously high sensitivity and large FOV. Relaxation of the requirement for a small period analyzer grating makes it particularly suitable for high x‐ray energy applications such as abdomen and chest imaging.
Full configurational and conformational analysis of artemisinin by one‐bond carbon–carbon residual dipolar couplings at natural abundance
Authors: Anklin Clemens , Gil Roberto R. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractConfigurational and conformational analysis of the biologically relevant natural product artemisinin was conducted using carbon–carbon residual dipolar couplings (1DCC RDCs) at natural abundance. These RDCs were measured through the 2D‐INADEQUATE NMR experiment using a sample aligned in a compressed poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) gel swollen in CDCl3. Singular value decomposition (SVD) fitting analysis of all carbon–carbon bonds, 1DCC RDCs, in relation to the full configuration/conformational space (32 diastereoisomers) of artemisinin, unambiguously identified the correct configuration of artemisinin.
Deciphering molecular structures: NMR spectroscopy and quantum mechanical insights of halogenated 4H‐Chromenediones
Authors: Martins Lucas M. O. S. , Souto Francielly Thais , Hoye Thomas R. , Alvarenga Elson S. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSesquiterpene lactones (SL) represent a class of secondary metabolites found in the Asteraceae family, notable for their unique structures. The SL α‐santonin (1) and its derivatives are worthy of mention due to their diverse biological properties. Additionally, 4H‐chromenes and 4H‐chromones are appealing frameworks holding the capability to be used as structural motifs for new drugs. Furthermore, unambiguous structural elucidation is crucial for developing novel compounds for diverse applications. In this context, it is common to find in the literature molecules erroneously assigned. Therefore, the use of quantum mechanical calculations to simulate NMR chemical shifts has emerged as a valuable strategy. In this work, we conceived the synthesis of two halogenated 4H‐chromenediones derived from photosantonic acid (2), a photoproduct arising from irradiation of α‐santonin (1) in the ultraviolet region. The structure of the chlorinated and brominated products was determined by NMR analysis, with the aid of quantum mechanical calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311 + G(2d,p)//M062x/6‐31 + G(d,p) level of theory. All analyses were in agreement and led to the assignment of the brominated 4H‐chromene‐2,7‐dione as (3S,3aS,5aR,9bS)‐5a‐(2‐bromopropan‐2‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐3,3a,5,5a,8,9b‐hexahydro‐4H‐furo[2,3‐f]chromene‐2,7‐dione (11b) and of the chlorinated 4H‐chromene‐2,7‐dione as (3S,3aS,5aR,9bS)‐5a‐(2‐chloropropan‐2‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐3,3a,5,5a,8,9b‐hexahydro‐4H‐furo[2,3‐f]chromene‐2,7‐dione (12b). The diastereoselectivities of the reactions were explained based on products and intermediates formation energy calculated using B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d,p) as the level of theory. Structures 11b and 12b were identified as the thermodynamic and kinetic products of the reaction among all candidates. Consequently, the strategy utilized in this study is robust and successfully illustrates the use of quantum mechanical calculations in the structural elucidation of new compounds with potential applications as novel drugs or products.
Geotechnical analysis involving strain localization of overconsolidated soils based on unified hardening model with hardening variable updated by a composite scheme
Authors: Tang Jianbin , Chen Xi , Cui Liusheng , Xu Zhe , Liu Guoqiang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStrain localization simulation of overconsolidated soils with high overconsolidation ratio (OCR) has been a long‐standing challenge. Some critical state soil models, including the modified Cam‐clay (MCC) model, have been widely applied, but they may not predict the shear dilatancy of overconsolidated soils well in some cases. Hence, the unified hardening (UH) model, which may be viewed as a generalized version of the MCC model, is implemented. It has been recognized, nonetheless, that without resorting to the regularization mechanism, the standard finite element method (FEM) or the second‐order cone programming optimized finite element method (FEM‐SOCP) often experiences instability or interruption of calculating the hardening‐softening responses of overconsolidated soils. To resolve the aforementioned difficulty, the UH model is developed and implemented in the framework of FEM‐SOCP based on the micropolar continuum (mpcFEM‐SOCP) to predict strain localizations of overconsolidated soils. Furthermore, to obviate non‐convexity of mpcFEM‐SOCP induced by material softening, an effective composite update scheme of hardening variable pc, which refers to the implicit variable (IV) scheme for the hardening stage and then refers to the explicit variable (EV) scheme for the softening stage, is proposed. Based on one biaxial compression problem and one rigid strip footing problem, numerical analyses disclose that by applying mpcFEM‐SOCP in conjunction with the composite update scheme of pc, the UH model of micropolar continuum can effectively predict the strain localization behavior of overconsolidated soil during its failure stage, and the stable hardening‐softening responses of overconsolidated soils can be readily attained.
Chemical, synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of α‐Fe2O3/ZnO composite nano‐heterojunction for sensing application
Authors: Ngok Sreymean , Razmi Nasrin , Mustafa Elfatih , Liu Xianjie , Chey Chan Oeurn , Willander Magnus , Nur Omer 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLow temperature hydrothermal methods have been utilized to synthesize Hematite/Zinc oxide α‐Fe2O3/ZnO composite nano‐heterojunction nanorods grown on FTO glass substrates while monitoring the effect of different concentrations of urea on the morphology of the composite nano‐heterojunction. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used for the structural characterization of the α‐Fe2O3/ZnO different samples. UV‐visible spectroscopy was used for the characteristic absorbance versus wavelength of α‐Fe2O3/ZnO composite nano‐heterojunction which shows an absorption edge from 400 to 560 nm. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique was applied to study of chemical composition of the α‐Fe2O3/ZnO and the obtained information demonstrated a pure phase α‐Fe2O3/ZnO has been achieved. The best efficiency among urea concentrations for the best composite nano‐heterojunction sample was achieved when using 0.2 M of urea. The electrochemical properties of the composite nano‐heterojunction were investigated using a three‐electrode electrochemical cell. Estimation of the electrochemical area shows that both the composite nano‐heterojunction and the bare α‐Fe2O3 have similar values. This confirms that the enhanced electrochemical property of the composite nano‐heterojunction is due to a synergetic effect as expected.
SIRT1 as a potential therapeutic target in pelvic organ prolapse due to protective effects against oxidative stress and cellular senescence in human uterosacral ligament fibroblasts
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Zhang Weiru , Zhou Yue , Li Yang , Xu Xiaoxuan , Xue Jing , Ma Yanhui , Liu Peishu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), an age‐related disease, has not been fully elucidated. Therapeutic targets of POP are limited. Silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 (SIRT1), a gene considered capable of regulating oxidative stress and cellular senescence, has been widely demonstrated involved in aging and age‐related diseases. The present study aimed to explore the role of SIRT1 in POP in vivo and in vitro.MethodsExpression levels of SIRT1 in uterosacral ligament (USL) tissues from patients with or without POP were measured using immunohistochemical assays. SRT1720, a SIRT1 agonist, was used to upregulate SIRT1, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to establish an oxidative stress model in human uterosacral ligament fibroblasts (hUSLFs). The effects of SIRT1 on cell viability, apoptosis, senescence, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected, respectively. Western blot assays were used to examine expression levels of apoptosis‐ and senescence‐associated biomarkers. Unpaired Student's t test, Mann–Whitney U test, χ2 test, and one‐way ANOVA were performed for determining statistically significant differences.ResultsCompared to the control group, expression levels of SIRT1 were downregulated in USL tissues and hUSLFs from patients with POP, and associated with stage (p < 0.05). hUSLFs of patients with POP had lower growth rates (p < 0.0001) than those of the control group, which were improved by upregulating SIRT1 (p < 0.05). The senescent proportion was higher in the POP group than the control group (43.63 ± 10.62% vs. 4.84 ± 5.32%, p < 0.0001), which could be reduced by upregulating SIRT1 (p < 0.0001). High ROS levels in the POP group were also alleviated by SRT1720. H2O2 exposure increased ROS levels, inhibited proliferation, and triggered apoptosis and senescence in hUSLFs of patients without POP in a concentration‐dependent manner. Further, these damages were alleviated by pretreatment with SRT1720.ConclusionsSIRT1 is downregulated in patients with POP, and the development of SIRT1 activators or agonists may have applications in the treatment and prevention of POP through antioxidative stress and antisenescence effects.
Intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion kurtosis imaging and their machine‐learning‐based texture analysis for detection and assessment of prostate cancer severity at 3 T
Authors: Das Chandan J. , Malagi Archana Vadiraj , Sharma Raju , Mehndiratta Amit , Kumar Virendra , Khan Maroof A. , Seth Amlesh , Kaushal Seema , Nayak Baibaswata , Kumar Rakesh , Gupta Arun Kumar 
Published: April 2024

ObjectivesTo evaluate the role of combined intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion kurtosis imaging (IVIM–DKI) and their machine‐learning‐based texture analysis for the detection and assessment of severity in prostate cancer (PCa).Materials and methodsEighty‐eight patients underwent MRI on a 3 T scanner after giving informed consent. IVIM–DKI data were acquired using 13 b values (0–2000 s/mm2) and analyzed using the IVIM–DKI model with the total variation (TV) method. PCa patients were categorized into two groups: clinically insignificant prostate cancer (CISPCa) (Gleason grade ≤ 6) and clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPCa) (Gleason grade ≥ 7). One‐way analysis‐of‐variance, t test, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to measure the discriminative ability to detect PCa using IVIM–DKI parameters. A chi‐square test was used to select important texture features of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and IVIM–DKI parameters. These selected texture features were used in an artificial neural network for PCa detection.ResultsADC and diffusion coefficient (D) were significantly lower (p < 0.001), and kurtosis (k) was significantly higher (p < 0.001), in PCa as compared with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and normal peripheral zone (PZ). ADC, D, and k showed high areas under the curves (AUCs) of 0.92, 0.89, and 0.88, respectively, in PCa detection. ADC and D were significantly lower (p < 0.05) as compared with CISPCa versus CSPCa. D for detecting CSPCa was high, with an AUC of 0.63. A negative correlation of ADC and D with GS (ADC, ρ = −0.33; D, ρ = −0.35, p < 0.05) and a positive correlation of k with GS (ρ = 0.22, p < 0.05) were observed. Combined IVIM–DKI texture showed high AUC of 0.83 for classification of PCa, BPH, and normal PZ.ConclusionD, f, and k computed using the IVIM–DKI model with the TV method were able to differentiate PCa from BPH and normal PZ. Texture features of combined IVIM–DKI parameters showed high accuracy and AUC in PCa detection.
Intravoxel incoherent motion as a surrogate marker of perfused vascular density in rat brain
Authors: Callewaert Bram , Gsell Willy , Lox Marleen , Backes Walter H. , Jones Elizabeth A. V. , Himmelreich Uwe 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI has emerged as a valuable technique for the assessment of tissue characteristics and perfusion. However, there is limited knowledge about the relationship between IVIM‐derived measures and changes at the level of the vascular network. In this study, we investigated the potential use of IVIM MRI as a noninvasive tool for measuring changes in cerebral vascular density. Variations in quantitative immunohistochemical measurements of the vascular density across different regions in the rat brain (cortex, corpus callosum, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus) were related to the pseudo‐diffusion coefficient D* and the flowing blood fraction f in healthy Wistar rats. We assessed whether region‐wise differences in the vascular density are reflected by variations in the IVIM measurements and found a significant positive relationship with the pseudo‐diffusion coefficient (p < 0.05, β = 0.24). The effect of cerebrovascular alterations, such as blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption on the perfusion‐related IVIM parameters, is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated the effect of BBB disruption on the IVIM measures in a rat model of metabolic and vascular comorbidities (ZSF1 obese rat) and assessed whether this affects the relationship between the cerebral vascular density and the noninvasive IVIM measurements. We observed increased vascular permeability without detecting any differences in diffusivity, suggesting that BBB leakage is present before changes in the tissue integrity. We observed no significant difference in the relationship between cerebral vascular density and the IVIM measurements in our model of comorbidities compared with healthy normotensive rats.
Severe behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia successfully treated at home with a blonanserin transdermal patch: A case report
Authors: Yamaguchi Junji , Sadahiro Ryoichi , Hirayama Takatoshi , Wada Saho , Nakahara Rika , Matsuoka Hiromichi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAimBehavioral psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are sometimes difficult to treat due to severe psychiatric symptoms such as delusions of poisoning and violent behavior. Moreover, in cases of parental neglect, the management of these psychiatric symptoms becomes more difficult. Therefore, home‐visiting doctors sometimes have to manage patients with BPSD and severe psychiatric symptoms, and a new approach is needed. In this case report, the effect of blonanserin transdermal patch on these patients is to be highlighted.MethodsThe patient is a 91‐year‐old woman diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She had severe BPSD such as delusion of robbery and violent behavior, and refused oral medications including memantine and yokukansan. Then she was treated with blonanserin transdermal patch (20 mg/day). The severity of psychiatric symptoms of BPSD was assessed over time using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) score. Moreover, the patient's cognitive function was also assessed over time by Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE).ResultsAfter the introduction of blonanserin patch, the patient's psychiatric symptoms were stabilized markedly, and both NPI and MMSE scores improved. The patient was able to stay at home calmly and was mentally well stabilized to the extent that she did not require hospitalization. No apparent side effects were admitted.ConclusionsThe blonanserin transdermal patch may be able to manage BPSD at home and is effective in patients who refuse oral medications. Home‐visiting doctors may consider the use of blonanserin patches at home for patients with severe BPSD, manifesting as delusions of poisoning and refusing oral drugs.
The plasma‐soluble CSF1R level is a promising prognostic indicator for pediatric Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Zhu Ting , Wang Chan‐Juan , Lian Hong‐Yun , Ma Hong‐Hao , Wang Dong , Wang Tian‐You , Zhang Rui , Cui Lei , Li Zhi‐Gang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLangerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare hematologic neoplasm characterized by the clonal proliferation of Langerhans‐like cells. Colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is a membrane‐bound receptor that is highly expressed in LCH cells and tumor‐associated macrophages. In this study, a soluble form of CSF1R protein (sCSF1R) was identified by plasma proteome profiling, and its role in evaluating LCH prognosis was explored. We prospectively measured plasma sCSF1R levels in 104 LCH patients and 10 healthy children using ELISA. Plasma sCSF1R levels were greater in LCH patients than in healthy controls (p < .001) and significantly differed among the three disease extents, with the highest level in MS RO+ LCH patients (p < .001). Accordingly, immunofluorescence showed the highest level of membrane‐bound CSF1R in MS RO+ patients. Furthermore, the plasma sCSF1R concentration at diagnosis could efficiently predict the prognosis of LCH patients treated with standard first‐line treatment (AUC = 0.782, p < .001). Notably, dynamic monitoring of sCSF1R levels could predict relapse early in patients receiving BRAF inhibitor treatment. In vitro drug sensitivity data showed that sCSF1R increased resistance to Ara‐C in THP‐1 cells expressing ectopic BRAF‐V600E. Overall, the plasma sCSF1R level at diagnosis and during follow‐up is of great clinical importance in pediatric LCH patients.
Proteomic insights into paediatric cancer: Unravelling molecular signatures and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Padhye Bhavna D. , Nawaz Urwah , Hains Peter G. , Reddel Roger R. , Robinson Phillip J. , Zhong Qing , Poulos Rebecca C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSurvival rates in some paediatric cancers have improved greatly over recent decades, in part due to the identification of diagnostic, prognostic and predictive molecular signatures, and the development of risk‐directed therapies. However, other paediatric cancers have proved difficult to treat, and there is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers that reveal therapeutic opportunities. The proteome is the total set of expressed proteins present in a cell or tissue at a point in time, and is vastly more dynamic than the genome. Proteomics holds significant promise for cancer research, as proteins are ultimately responsible for cellular phenotype and are the target of most anticancer drugs. Here, we review the discoveries, opportunities and challenges of proteomic analyses in paediatric cancer, with a focus on mass spectrometry (MS)‐based approaches. Accelerating incorporation of proteomics into paediatric precision medicine has the potential to improve survival and quality of life for children with cancer.
Prenatal detection of mosaicism for a genome wide uniparental disomy cell line in a cohort of patients: Implications and outcomes
Authors: Johansen Margriet , Haskell Gloria T. , Arreola Alexandra , Riordan Christine , Gadi Inder K. , Penton Andrea , Papenhausen Peter R. , Schwartz Stuart 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the prenatal detection rate of mosaicism by SNP microarray analysis, in which an individual has not one, but two, complete genomes (sets of DNA) in their body, a normal biparental line with a Genome Wide Uniparental Disomy (GWUPD) cell line was used.MethodsThis study retrospectively examines the prenatal detection of GWUPD in a cohort of ∼90,000 prenatal specimens and ∼20,000 products of conceptions (POCs) that were studied by SNP microarray.ResultsIn total, 25 cases of GWUPD were detected; 16 cases were detected prenatally with GWUPD (∼0.018%) and 9 POCs revealed GWUPD (0.045%). The nine POC specimens presented with placental abnormalities. The 12 amniotic fluid specimens were ascertained because of abnormal ultrasound findings. Nine of 12 pregnancies had findings consistent with Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome or because of abnormal placentas. However, three pregnancies were detected with GWUPD of maternal origin, with less common findings and demonstrated maternal origin. Four other pregnancies showed GWUPD in a chorionic villus sample, but normal findings in amniotic fluid and apparently normal fetal development.ConclusionsThis cohort with GWUPD mosaicism expands our understanding of GWUPD and has implications for prenatal care and counseling. Additional studies are necessary to understand the rarer maternal GWUPD.