bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β‐lapachone protects against doxorubicin‐induced hepatotoxicity through modulation of NAD+/SIRT‐1/FXR/p‐AMPK/NF‐kB and Nrf2 signaling axis
Authors: Kalantary‐Charvadeh Ashkan , Nazari Soltan Ahmad Saeed , Aslani Somayeh , Beyrami Mehdi , Mesgari‐Abbasi Mehran 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDoxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used antineoplastic drug, but its clinical use is limited by significant toxicities, such as hepatotoxicity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of β‐lapachone (β‐LAP), a natural quinone‐containing compound, in a mouse model of DOX‐induced hepatotoxicity. β‐LAP was orally administered at 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg for 4 days, and a single dose of DOX (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally on the second day. Histopathological changes, liver function markers, antioxidant and inflammatory markers were assessed. β‐LAP ameliorated liver injury and liver function markers evoked by DOX. β‐LAP also downregulated the mRNA expression of nuclear factor‐kB‐corresponding genes including interleukin‐6, interleukin‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Moreover, β‐LAP increased the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 target genes heme oxygenase‐1 and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, along with antioxidant enzymes including reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase with simultaneous reduction in the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde. Meanwhile, it recovered NAD+/NADH ratios and subsequently elevated the protein levels of sirtuin‐1 (SIRT‐1), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and phosphorylated AMP‐activated protein kinase (p‐AMPK). Collectively, these findings suggest a protective role of β‐LAP against DOX‐induced hepatotoxicity by partly regulating the NAD+/SIRT‐1/FXR/p‐AMPK axis.
Canola meal‐derived biochar for highly efficient dye removal and the impact of compression treatment on porous structure
Authors: Li Sheng , Zhang Sitian , Xu Chengzhi , Zhu Lian , Wei Benmei , Chen Lingyun , Wang Haibo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study reported a canola meal‐based biochar adsorbent for highly efficient organic dyes removal. SEM, BET, Zeta‐potential and XPS etc. were employed to characterize the micro‐structure and chemical composition of the biochar, demonstrating the impact of compression treatment on its inner pore structure.RESULTSKOH‐activated carbonized canola meal‐compressed (KCCM‐C) showed a high specific surface area of up to 2135 m2 g−1 with an average pore size of 2.65 nm, which exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for both positively and negatively charged dyes with maximum values of 985 mg g−1 and 813 mg g−1 for methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) respectively, exceeding majority of the biochar adsorbents reported so far. The dye adsorption behavior was dominated by monolayer coverage with both physical adsorption and chemisorption. Langmuir isotherm model fitted well with the adsorption data, and the adsorption kinetic followed the pseudo‐second‐order model. Negative Gibbs free energy and positive enthalpy change indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous endothermic process. XPS analysis indicated that the amino groups of proteins inside the canola meal as the active sites were oxidated by KOH prior to other components, while the compact structure of compressed canola meal was more conducive to the formation of uniform meso‐pores inside canola meal‐derived biochar improving its adsorption performance.CONCLUSIONSThis high‐quality porous biochar, directly synthesized from the compressed canola meal, simplifies the grinding process and presents a valuable opportunity for the value‐added application of canola meal. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Dental students’ perceptions of instructor storytelling for clinical learning: A qualitative description study
Authors: Atiah Nafisa , Dahlseide Paulette , Sharmin Nazlee , Ganatra Seema , Perez Arnaldo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveStorytelling has been infrequently used in dental education to link clinical knowledge and practice. Our study aimed to explore dental students’ views of instructor storytelling with an emphasis on clinical reasoning within a case‐based oral pathology seminar.MethodsQualitative description guided the study design. Participants were third‐ and fourth‐year undergraduate dental students who participated in the seminar. Data were collected through semi‐structured, one‐on‐one interviews. Data analysis was approached using inductive, manifest thematic analysis. Verification strategies were employed to ensure methodological rigor throughout the analysis.ResultsIn total, 21 students participated in the study ranging in age from 22 to 29 years. Three interrelated themes were identified, which were related to storytelling authenticity, benefits, and recommendations for improvement. Specifically, students reported that instructor stories effectively conveyed genuine cases and clinical reasoning; were beneficial in terms of engagement, awareness, knowledge acquisition, and skill development; and needed to be educationally and clinically relevant to bridge the knowledge‐practice gap.ConclusionsInstructor storytelling was regarded by dental students as both positive and beneficial. Research is needed to further demonstrate the effectiveness of instructor storytelling in fostering clinical learning and reasoning using indirect and direct outcome measures.
A case of hyperlysinemia identified by urine newborn screening
Authors: Yeganeh Mehdi , Auray‐Blais Christiane , Maranda Bruno , Sabovic Amanda , DeVita Robert J. , Lazarus Michael B. , Houten Sander M. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHyperlysinemia is a rare autosomal recessive deficiency of 2‐aminoadipic semialdehyde synthase (AASS) affecting the initial step in lysine degradation. It is thought to be a benign biochemical abnormality, but reports on cases remain scarce. The description of additional cases, in particular, those identified without ascertainment bias, may help counseling of new cases in the future. It may also help to establish the risks associated with pharmacological inhibition of AASS, a potential therapeutic strategy that is under investigation for other inborn errors of lysine degradation. We describe the identification of a hyperlysinemia case identified in the Provincial Neonatal Urine Screening Program in Sherbrooke, Quebec. This case presented with a profile of cystinuria but with a very high increase in urinary lysine. A diagnosis of hyperlysinemia was confirmed through biochemical testing and the identification of biallelic variants in AASS. The p.R146W and p.T371I variants are novel and affect the folding of the lysine‐2‐oxoglutarate domain of AASS. The 11‐month‐old boy is currently doing well without any therapeutic interventions. The identification of this case through newborn urine screening further establishes that hyperlysinemia is a biochemical abnormality with limited clinical consequences and may not require any intervention.
Potentials of mycorrhizal fungi in altering eight biomechanical properties of plant roots
Authors: Chen Xun Wen , Kamchoom Viroon , Wu Jiaqi , Sun Guodong , Zhang Qiang , Li Huishan , Wong Ming Hung , Li Hui , Wang Junjian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are ubiquitous and impactful symbionts of most land plants and can regulate essential ecological processes. AM fungi can increase the cellulose content of root cell walls and hence the root tensile strength of grass. How AM fungi can alter other essential biomechanical properties is not clear. This study aims to study the contribution of AM fungi in altering biomechanical properties by comparing mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal roots. We inoculated three fungal species to vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) for comparison. Eight root biomechanical properties (i.e., yield strain, yield stress, break strain, tensile strength, Young's modulus, plastic modulus, plastic strain, and toughness) were determined for each root using a newly developed Fortran language‐based program. Inoculating AM fungi decreased both Young's modulus and plastic modulus by 23% and 17%, respectively, versus control, although it was species‐dependent. Yield stress was not significantly affected, but tensile strength was increased by 7%–17% upon fungal symbiosis. Together with the increases in break strain by 15%–20%, mycorrhizal roots possessed a notably higher toughness than non‐mycorrhizal roots by up to 36%. Greater root cohesion of mycorrhizal roots confirmed the enhanced (1.5‐fold) factor of safety in the soil‐root system. Our findings imply that AM fungi are of significant interest in plant biomechanics and geotechnical engineering. Applying AM fungi on soil slopes has considerable potential to improve vegetation and stability of green slopes.
Effects of microplastic pollution on agricultural soil and crops based on a global meta‐analysis
Authors: Sun Hongping , Ai Lin , Wu Xianliang , Dai Yuxin , Jiang Chun , Chen Xiang , Song Yumei , Ma Jiangming , Yang Hao 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAgricultural soil serves as a crucial reservoir for microplastics (MPs), necessitating an understanding of their global‐scale environmental impacts and potential risks that they pose to agricultural soil and crops. Little is known about the potential impact of MPs in agricultural soils, compared with MPs in aquatic sediments, especially their effects on crop traits. The purpose of our study was to explore whether different types, concentrations, sizes, and exposure time of MPs, as well as soil conditions (such as soil pH or organic matter concentration), have different effects on soil properties and crop traits. In addition, differences between soil and crop enzymes in response to MPs were compared in detail. Network analysis was used to understand the current research progress on MPs in agricultural soil. Furthermore, utilizing 63 publications and 3268 observations, a meta‐analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of MPs on soil properties and crop traits. Our result showed that China has contributed the most to MP research. Crop traits, rather than soil properties, were more sensitive to MPs, significantly increasing crop biochemical traits (p < 0.05) and decreasing crop morphological traits (p < 0.001). MPs significantly inhibited fruit, shoot, and root morphological traits by 13.34% (p < 0.05), 9.7% (p < 0.001), and 6.65% (p < 0.001), respectively; inhibited crop physiological traits such as photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration by 9.1% (p < 0.001), 34.44% (p < 0.001), and 14.74% (p < 0.05), respectively; inhibited crop biochemical traits such as organic and inorganic metabolites， and improved enzyme activity by 11.37% (p < 0.001), 10.07% (p < 0.001), and 10.16% (p < 0.001), respectively. MPs decreased soil enzyme activities of leucine aminopeptidases and sucrase by 7.22% (p < 0.01) and 27.26% (p < 0.001), respectively, and increased peroxidase, acid phosphatase, catalase (CAT), and urease activities by 59.21%, 7.34%, 6.86%, and 13.13%, respectively. MPs increased crop enzyme activities of CAT and malondialdehyde by 12.71% and 14.82%, respectively. Conclusively, the effect of MPs on crop traits warrants considerable attention and an urgent need to explore whether MPs cause differences between crops with regard to crop traits.
Enrichment of core competencies to maximize health system impact: An analysis of an embedded research training program
Authors: Kasaai Bahar , Thompson Erin , Glazier Richard H , McMahon Meghan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroductionThe Health System Impact (HSI) Fellowship is an embedded research training program that aims to prepare doctoral trainees and postdoctoral fellows for stronger career readiness and greater impact as emerging leaders within and beyond the academy, including in learning health systems (LHS). The program supports fellows to develop 10 leadership and research competencies that comprise the Enriched Core Competency Framework in Health Services and Policy Research through a combination of experiential learning, mentorship, and professional development training. This study tracks competency development of HSI fellows over time and examines fellows' perspectives on which program design elements support their competency development.MethodsA competency assessment tool developed for the program was independently completed by 95 postdoctoral and 36 doctoral fellows (self‐assessments) and their respective 203 dyad (academic and health system) supervisors in the 2017 to 2019 program cohorts, who independently rated the strength of fellows' 10 competencies at baseline and several points thereafter. Competency strength ratings were analyzed to understand change over time and differences in ratings across groups (between fellows' sex, supervisor type, and supervisor vs. fellow). Program design element ratings were examined to understand perspectives on their contribution toward fellows' competency development.ResultsFellows' competency strength significantly improved in all 10 domains over time, based on independent assessments by the fellows and their dyad supervisors. Supervisors tended to rate the fellows' competency strength higher than the fellows did. Differences in competency ratings between male and female fellows (self‐assessments) and between academic and health system supervisors were either negligble or not significant. Fellows identified all nine program design elements as enriching their competency development.ConclusionThe HSI Fellowship provides an opportunity for fellows to develop the full suite of enriched core competencies and to prepare a cadre of emerging leaders with the skills and experience to contribute to the advancement of LHS.
Accelerated 2D Cartesian MRI with an 8‐channel local B0 coil array combined with parallel imaging
Authors: Tian Rui , Uecker Martin , Davids Mathias , Thielscher Axel , Buckenmaier Kai , Holder Oliver , Steffen Theodor , Scheffler Klaus 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPurposeIn MRI, the magnetization of nuclear spins is spatially encoded with linear gradients and radiofrequency receivers sensitivity profiles to produce images, which inherently leads to a long scan time. Cartesian MRI, as widely adopted for clinical scans, can be accelerated with parallel imaging and rapid magnetic field modulation during signal readout. Here, by using an 8‐channel local coil array, the modulation scheme optimized for sampling efficiency is investigated to speed up 2D Cartesian scans.Theory and MethodsAn 8‐channel local coil array is made to carry sinusoidal currents during signal readout to accelerate 2D Cartesian scans. An MRI sampling theory based on reproducing kernel Hilbert space is exploited to visualize the efficiency of nonlinear encoding in arbitrary sampling duration. A field calibration method using current monitors for local coils and the ESPIRiT algorithm is proposed to facilitate image reconstruction. Image acceleration with various modulation field shapes, aliasing control, and distinct modulation frequencies are scrutinized to find an optimized modulation scheme. A safety evaluation is conducted. In vivo 2D Cartesian scans are accelerated by the local coils.ResultsFor 2D Cartesian MRI, the optimal modulation field by this local array converges to a nearly linear gradient field. With the field calibration technique, it accelerates the in vivo scans (i.e., proved safe) by threefold and eightfold free of visible artifacts, without and with SENSE, respectively.ConclusionThe nonlinear encoding analysis tool, the field calibration method, the safety evaluation procedures, and the in vivo reconstructed scans make significant steps to push MRI speed further with the local coil array.
Bi‐component dictionary matching for MR fingerprinting for efficient quantification of fat fraction and water T1 in skeletal muscle
Authors: Slioussarenko Constantin , Baudin Pierre‐Yves , Reyngoudt Harmen , Marty Benjamin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPurposeTo propose an efficient bi‐component MR fingerprinting (MRF) fitting method using a Variable Projection (VARPRO) strategy, applied to the quantification of fat fraction (FF) and water T1 () in skeletal muscle tissues.MethodsThe MRF signals were analyzed in a two‐step process by comparing them to the elements of separate water and fat dictionaries (bi‐component dictionary matching). First, each pair of water and fat dictionary elements was fitted to the acquired signal to determine an optimal FF that was used to merge the fingerprints in a combined water/fat dictionary. Second, standard dictionary matching was applied to the combined dictionary for determining the remaining parameters. A clustering method was implemented to further accelerate the fitting. Accuracy, precision, and matching time of this approach were evaluated on both numerical and in vivo datasets, and compared to the reference dictionary‐matching approach that includes FF as a dictionary parameter.ResultsIn numerical phantoms, all MRF parameters showed high correlation with ground truth for the reference and the bi‐component method (R2 > 0.98). In vivo, the estimated parameters from the proposed method were highly correlated with those from the reference approach (R2 > 0.997). The bi‐component method achieved an acceleration factor of up to 360 compared to the reference dictionary matching.ConclusionThe proposed bi‐component fitting approach enables a significant acceleration of the reconstruction of MRF parameter maps for fat‐water imaging, while maintaining comparable precision and accuracy to the reference on FF and estimation.
Identification of arbitrarily shaped critical 3D failure surface of a slope based on the sliding direction
Authors: Sun Jiaping , Yu Tiantang , Dong Pingting 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe determination of critical failure surface and stability evaluation of 3D slopes have been a hot and difficult problem in geotechnical engineering. The conventional method defines the critical failure surface using the safety factor (SF) whereas it is powerless for some special problems, such as two different failure surfaces with equal SFs. So far, many studies on the critical failure surface of a 3D slope have mainly focused on rotational ellipsoid, while less research has been done on the arbitrary shape. To solve the above problems, we develop a model for constructing a arbitrarily shaped failure surface and ascertain the critical failure surface by the sliding direction (SD). To verify rationality of the introduced theory, the critical failure surfaces of two benchmark symmetric slopes and corresponding SFs are reanalyzed, and the results are compared with the reference solutions. Meanwhile, the results obtained by the proposed method are also consistent with the reference solutions for the complex slope with the asymmetric failure surface. The parametric analysis explores the relationships between the mechanical properties of soil and the SD as well as the SF. Furthermore, influence factors of the spatial characteristics of sliding mass are also revealed. The proposed method is used as a helpful complement to the existing methods.
Quasi‐Newton variable preconditioning for nonlinear elasticity systems in 3D
Authors: Karátson J. , Sysala S. , Béreš M. 
Published: October 2023

SummaryQuasi‐Newton iterations are constructed for the finite element solution of small‐strain nonlinear elasticity systems in 3D. The linearizations are based on spectral equivalence and hence considered as variable preconditioners arising from proper simplifications in the differential operator. Convergence is proved, providing bounds uniformly w.r.t. the FEM discretization. Convenient iterative solvers for linearized systems are also proposed. Numerical experiments in 3D confirm that the suggested quasi‐Newton methods are competitive with Newton's method.
Model‐based optimization of an ion exchange chromatography process for the separation of von Willebrand factor fragments and human serum albumin
Authors: Cebulla Dominik H. , Kirches Christian , Kümmerer Nico , Potschka Andreas 
Published: October 2023

AbstractColumn liquid chromatography plays a vital role in the downstream processing of biopharmaceuticals, where the goal is to extract and purify a target protein from a mixture. In this work, we examine a real‐world ion exchange chromatography process where electrostatic interactions between proteins and the chromatographic medium are the predominant forces being exploited for the separation of the participating species. More specifically, we successfully separate a recombinant dimeric fragment of the von Willebrand factor, used for the half‐life prolongation of certain proteins, from human serum albumin. Compared to the originally conducted experiments, the optimized experiment achieves a higher product purity in less time and with lower consumption of buffer salts, hence being favorable both in economical and ecological terms.
A data‐driven constitutive model for soft biological tissues
Authors: Açan Alp Kağan , Tikenoğullari Oğuz Ziya , Dal Hüsnü 
Published: October 2023

AbstractConstitutive modeling of soft biological tissues is crucial for biomedical simulations and a deep understanding of tissue mechanics. Classical constitutive models have a fixed mathematical expression, however, the microstructure and the corresponding macro‐mechanical response of different tissue types can vary significantly. A model that works for one tissue may not work for another kind of tissue, and choosing the right model may become challenging. To solve this issue, this study introduces a new data‐driven approach to creating a unified model for predicting the mechanical response of various tissue classes. The proposed model is based on B‐Spline approximations and assumes the strain energy function can be divided into volumetric, isotropic, and anisotropic components. The B‐Spline ansatz replaces partial derivatives of free energy energy function with respect to invariants with control points and polynomial degree, and allows the use of existing dispersion models. The model adapts its control point values to reduce the error between data and prediction until a threshold is reached, and is thermodynamically consistent through the use of optimization constraints. The model is demonstrated on various biological tissues, showing excellent fitting capabilities with a minimal number of control points. The outcome is a generic framework that can model any tissue given the data from experiments and imaging techniques.
Data augmentation for design of concentric tube continuum robots by generative adversarial networks
Authors: Hoffmann Matthias K. , Gulakala Rutwik , Mühlenhoff Julian , Ding Zhaoheng , Sattel Thomas , Stoffel Marcus , Flaßkamp Kathrin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractConcentric tube continuum robots are a promising type of robot for various medical applications. Their application in neurosurgery poses challenging requirements for design and control that can be addressed by physics‐informed data‐based approaches. A prerequisite to data‐based modeling is an informative, rich data set. However, limited access to experimental data raises interest in partially or entirely synthetic data sets. In this contribution, we study the application of generative adversarial networks (GANs) for data augmentation in a data‐based design process of such robots. We propose a GAN framework suitable for curve‐fitting to generate synthetic trajectories of robots along with their corresponding control parameters. Our evaluation shows that the GANs can efficiently produce meaningful synthetic trajectories and control parameter pairs that show a good agreement with simulated trajectories.