bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous genetic monitoring of transient mesenchymal gene activities in distal tubule and collecting duct epithelial cells during renal fibrosis
Authors: Xu Zihang , Zhang Shaotong , Han Tingting , Cai Letong , Zhong Simin , Yang Xiaojie , Zhang Shaohua , Li Yan , Liu Kuo , Zhou Bin , Tian Xueying 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEpithelial cells (ECs) have been proposed to contribute to myofibroblasts or fibroblasts through epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) during renal fibrosis. However, since EMT may occur dynamically, transiently, and reversibly during kidney fibrosis, conventional lineage tracing based on Cre‐loxP recombination in renal ECs could hardly capture the transient EMT activity, yielding inconsistent results. Moreover, previous EMT research has primarily focused on renal proximal tubule ECs, with few reports of distal tubules and collecting ducts. Here, we generated dual recombinases‐mediated genetic lineage tracing systems for continuous monitoring of transient mesenchymal gene expression in E‐cadherin+ and EpCAM+ ECs of distal tubules and collecting ducts during renal fibrosis. Activation of key EMT‐inducing transcription factor (EMT‐TF) Zeb1 and mesenchymal markers αSMA, vimentin, and N‐cadherin, were investigated following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Our data revealed that E‐cadherin+ and EpCAM+ ECs did not transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts, nor transiently expressed these mesenchymal genes during renal fibrosis. In contrast, in vitro a large amount of cultured renal ECs upregulated mesenchymal genes in response to TGF‐β, a major inducer of EMT.
An enantioselective study of β‐cyclodextrin and ionic liquid‐β‐cyclodextrin towards propranolol enantiomers by molecular dynamic simulations
Authors: Ishak Mohamad Adil Iman , Aun Tan Tiek , Sidek Nadiah , Mohamad Sharifah , Jumbri Khairulazhar , Abdul Manan Ninie Suhana 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this study, the enantioselectivity of β‐cyclodextrin and its derivatives towards propranolol enantiomers are investigated by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) have previously been shown to be able to recognize propranolol (PRP) enantiomers. To improve upon the enantioselectivity of β‐cyclodextrin, we propose the use of an ionic‐liquid‐modified‐β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD‐IL). β‐CD‐IL was found to be able to complex R and S propranolol enantiomers with differing binding energies. The molecular docking study reveals that the ionic liquid chain attached to the β‐CD molecule has significant interaction with propranolol. The formation of the most stable complex occurred between (S)‐β‐CD‐IL and (S)‐propranolol with an energy of −5.80 kcal/mol. This is attributed to the formation of a hydrogen bond between the oxygen of the propranolol and the hydrogen on the primary rim of the (S)‐β‐CD‐IL cavity. This interaction is not detected in other complexes. The root mean‐squared fluctuation (RMSF) value indicates that the NH group is the most flexible molecular fragment, followed by the aromatic group. Also of note, the formation of a complex between pristine β‐CD and (S)‐propranolol is the least favorable.
The structure of digraphs with excess one
Authors: Tuite James 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA digraph is ‐geodetic if for any (not necessarily distinct) vertices there is at most one directed walk from to with length not exceeding . The order of a ‐geodetic digraph with minimum out‐degree is bounded below by the directed Moore bound . The Moore bound can be met only in the trivial cases and , so it is of interest to look for ‐geodetic digraphs with out‐degree and smallest possible order , where is the excess of the digraph. Miller, Miret and Sillasen recently ruled out the existence of digraphs with excess one for and and for and . We conjecture that there are no digraphs with excess one for and in this paper we investigate the structure of minimal counterexamples to this conjecture. We severely constrain the possible structures of the outlier function and prove the nonexistence of certain digraphs with degree three and excess one, as well closing the open cases and left by the analysis of Miller et al. We further show that there are no involutary digraphs with excess one, that is, the outlier function of any such digraph must contain a cycle of length .
Inclusive human development effect of financial inclusion in sub‐Saharan Africa: A gender perspective
Authors: Dianda Issa , Ouedraogo Idrissa , Sawadogo Hamidou 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates the effect of financial inclusion on inclusive human development in a panel of 35 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa for the years 2011, 2014 and 2017 from a gender perspective. Different methods, including fixed effect and random effect models, Tobit and quantile regressions, are used for the estimates. We find that financial inclusion improves inclusive human development. In addition, the effect of women's financial empowerment is stronger than that of men. Moreover, we find a complementary effect of financial account ownership and mobile money usage in the achievement of inclusive human development. Furthermore, the increasing effects of financial inclusion are greater in countries with lower inclusive human development than those with higher inclusive human development. African governments should therefore improve financial inclusion, particularly female financial inclusion, to achieve higher inclusive human development.
Spatial heterogeneity of COVID‐19 impacts on urban household incomes: Between‐ and within‐city analyses of two African countries
Authors: Batana Yele Maweki , Nakamura Shohei , Rajashekar Anirudh , Vilpoux Mervy Ever Viboudoulou , Wieser Christina 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper examines spatial heterogeneity in the impacts of the early days of the COVID‐19 pandemic on urban household incomes in Ethiopia and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Combining new panel household surveys with spatial data, the fixed‐effects regression analysis for Ethiopia finds that households in large and densely populated towns were more likely to lose their labour incomes in the early phase of the pandemic and afterwards than other households. Disadvantaged groups, such as females, low‐skilled, self‐employed and poor, particularly suffered in those towns. In Kinshasa, labour income‐mobility elasticities are higher among workers—particularly female and low‐skilled workers—who live in areas that are located farther from the city core area. The between‐ and within‐city evidence from two Sub‐Saharan African countries points to the spatial heterogeneity of COVID‐19 impacts, implying the critical role of mobility and accessibility in urban agglomerations.
Evaluation, in a highly specialised enzyme laboratory, of a digital microfluidics platform for rapid assessment of lysosomal enzyme activity in dried blood spots
Authors: Hirachan Rohit , Horman Alistair , Burke Derek , Heales Simon 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are predominantly enzyme deficiencies leading to substrate accumulation, causing progressive damage to multiple organs. To date, a crucial part of diagnosing LSDs is measuring enzymatic activity in leucocytes, plasma, or dried blood spots (DBS). Here, we present results from a proof‐of‐principle study, evaluating an innovative digital microfluidics (DMF) platform, referred to as SEEKER®, that can measure the activity of the following four lysosomal enzymes from DBS: α‐L‐iduronidase (IDUA) for mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), acid α‐glucosidase (GAA) for Pompe disease, β‐glucosidase (GBA) for Gaucher disease, and α‐galactosidase A (GLA) for Fabry disease. Over 900 DBS were analysed from newborns, children, and adults. DMF successfully detected known patients with MPS I, Pompe disease, and Gaucher disease, and known males with Fabry disease. This is the first demonstration of this multiplexed DMF platform for identification of patients with LSDs in a specialised diagnostic enzyme laboratory environment. We conclude that this DMF platform is relatively simple, high‐throughput, and could be readily accommodated into a specialised laboratory as a first‐tier test for MPS I, Pompe disease, and Gaucher disease for all patients, and Fabry disease for male patients only.
Human papillomavirus genotyping in high‐grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: A multicentric Italian study
Authors: Preti Mario , Boldorini Renzo , Gallio Niccolò , Cavagnetto Cristina , Borella Fulvio , Pisapia Elena , Ribaldone Raffaella , Bovio Enrica , Bertero Luca , Airoldi Chiara , Cassoni Paola , Remorgida Valentino , Benedetto Chiara 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to analyze the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution in a large cohort of high‐grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) (vaginal HSIL, VaIN2/3) patients from two Italian referral centers. We included all patients with histologically confirmed VaIN2/3 from the Department of Surgical Sciences, Sant'Anna Hospital, University of Torino, Torino, Italy, and Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy, between 2003 and 2022. After the histological evaluation of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples, we performed HPV genotyping with VisionArray HPV Chip 1.0. We detected HPV DNA in 94.4% of VaIN2/3 (168/178), with HPV 16 as the most prevalent genotype, accounting for 51.8% of all infections, 41.2% of VaIN2 and 77.6% of VaIN3 cases. Other frequent genotypes were HPV 58 (8.3%, 10.9% of VaIN2 and 2.0% of VaIN3), HPV 73 (5.4%, 5.0% of VaIN2 and 6.1% of VaIN3), and HPV 31 (5.4%, 6.7% of VaIN2 and 2.0% of VaIN3). 73.2% of VaIN2/3 had a single HPV genotype infection and 26.8% a multiple infection (20.8% a double infection, 4.8% a triple infection, and 1.2% a quadruple infection). Single infection was more frequently present in VaIN3 than VaIN2 (81.6% vs. 69.8%). 69.1% of single infections and 73.3% of multiple infections had one or more genotypes covered by nine‐valent HPV vaccine. HPV vaccination is expected to have a large impact on reducing the incidence of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.
Haemovigilance survey and screening strategy for arthropod‐borne viruses in blood donors from Argentina
Authors: Blanco Sebastián , Marín Ángeles Lorena , Frutos María Celia , Barahona Nubia Yandar , Rivarola María Elisa , Carrizo Luis Horacio , Spinsanti Lorena , Gallego Sandra Verónica 
Published: February 2024

AbstractArthropod‐borne viruses (arboviruses) count among emerging infections, which represent a major challenge for transfusion safety worldwide. To assess the risk of arboviruses‐transmission by transfusion (ATT), we performed a survey to evaluate the potential threat for transfusion safety. Samples were retrospectively and randomly collected from donors who donated during the peak of dengue incidence in Cordoba (years: 2016 and 2019–2022). A cost‐efficient strategy for molecular screening was implemented with a nucleic acid test (NAT) configured with Flavivirus and Alphavirus‐universal degenerated primers targeting conserved gene regions. Besides, we evaluated the neutralizing antibody (NAb) prevalence by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). A total of 1438 samples were collected. Among the NAT‐screened samples, one resulted positive for Flavivirus detection. Subsequent sequencing of the PCR product revealed Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLEV) infection (GeneBank accession number OR236721). NAb prevalence was 2.95% for anti‐Dengue, 9.94% anti‐SLEV, 1.09% anti‐West Nile Virus, and 0% anti‐Chikungunya. One of the NAb‐positive samples also resulted positive for IgM against SLEV but negative by ARN detection. This is the first haemovigilance study developed in Argentina that evaluates the potential risk of ATT and the first research to determine the prevalence of NAb against Flavivirus through PNRT to avoid possible cross‐reactions between Ab against Flavivirus. Herein, the finding of one SLEV‐viremic donor and the detection of anti‐SLEV IgM in a different donor demonstrated a potential threat for transfusion safety and emphasized the need for increased vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the safety of blood supplies.
Defects‐Induced Photochromism and Luminescent Modulation Based on Lanthanides‐Doped Cadmium Glass Toward Optical Storage Applications
Authors: Zhu Xiaodong , Huang Anjun , Zhao Heping , Liu Yue , Cun Yangke , Song Zhiguo , Qiu Jianbei , Tatiana Cherkasova , Liao Jiayan , Yang Zhengwen 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOwing to the large storage capacity, the transparent luminescent glass with photo‐induced coloration properties has attracted considerable interest in recent years. However, lots of the photochromic (PC) mechanisms for glass are related to the ionic valence transformation, and the study associated with the defects‐induced photochromism of glass is limited. Herein, a kind of Sm3+ doped PC cadmium glass is fabricated, for which the PC mechanism is systematically investigated by various techniques, such as XPS spectra, thermoluminescence spectra, EPR spectra, etc. The results show that the mechanism of coloration for such glass should be due to the presence of oxygen vacancy‐related electron centers. Under 365 nm light irradiation, the color of the glass turns from colorless to brown, exhibiting a large color contrast, of 62%. Utilizing the re‐absorption process between absorption spectra and emission/excitation spectra, the emission intensity of Sm3+ is reversibly regulated, indicating their promising applications as an optical storage medium.
Total Patient Delay: A Comparison of Patient and Clinician/Health System Delays in the Diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Syndrome
Authors: Swallow Diane M.A. , Murchie Peter , Counsell Carl E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundEarly diagnosis in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is important for clinical care and key to developing successful disease‐modifying agents. The patient‐dependent phases of decision‐making made before contact with a healthcare professional have been inadequately studied.ObjectivesTo evaluate the patient‐dependent phases of decision‐making from symptom onset, comparing this to clinician and/or health system delays within the overall diagnostic pathway.MethodsUsing the Anderson General Model of Total Patient Delay and a mixed‐methods approach in participants with PSP/CBS and their caregivers recruited to the Scottish PSP and CBS cohort, we quantified and evaluated the determinants of “appraisal”, “illness,” and “behavioral” delay, comparing this to the clinician and/or health system delays (“treatment” delay) within the overall time from symptom onset to diagnosis.ResultsThe time from index symptom onset to diagnosis was 3.26 (interquartile range [IQR] = 2.42, 4.75) years in PSP and 2.58 (IQR = 1.69, 4.08) years in CBS. Patient appraisal delay was 24 (IQR = 6, 60) weeks in PSP and 8 (IQR = 5, 24) weeks in CBS, illness delay 0 (IQR = −14, 0) weeks in PSP and 0 (IQR = −4, 0) weeks in CBS, with little perceived behavioral delay. Determinants of delay included the non‐specificity of symptoms, normalization of symptoms within the context of age or normal physiological variability, and the extent of insight into new somatic symptoms.ConclusionsAlthough patient appraisal delay contributes to overall diagnostic delay in PSP/CBS, the greater proportion of overall diagnostic delay arises after contact with a healthcare professional (treatment delay).
Completion of a Nutrition‐Focused Physical Exam with hospitalized adults and pediatric patients: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study
Authors: Jimenez Elizabeth Yakes , Lamers‐Johnson Erin , Long Julie M. , Mordarski Beth A. , Ma Xingya , Steiber Alison 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundNutrition‐Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) feasibility is not well‐studied. We describe registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)–reported NFPE completion for hospitalized adult and pediatric patients overall and by assessment parameters.MethodsTrained RDNs systematically conducted NFPEs for hospitalized adult and pediatric patients during the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Indicators to diagnose Malnutrition multisite cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03928548). RDNs reported their ability to evaluate assessment sites for subcutaneous fat and muscle loss, fluid accumulation, and micronutrient status and to complete handgrip strength (adults and children ≥6 years) and mid‐upper arm circumference measurements (children). RDNs noted if they could complete the full NFPE; if not, they noted challenges. We descriptively summarized results and used multilevel logistic regression models to examine relationships between patient characteristics and NFPE completion.ResultsRDNs from 39 adult and 29 pediatric US hospitals conducted NFPEs for 327 adults and 214 children aged 1 month to 17.9 years. RDNs reported completing the examination for 44% (n = 145) of adults and 15% (n = 33) of children. They successfully evaluated 25 of 27 and 19 of 26 unique NFPE components in >80% of adults and children, respectively. Common reasons the full NFPE was not completed were limited mobility in adults and patient refusal in children. RDNs had lower odds of completing NFPEs in adults with lower vs higher education levels or higher vs lower nutrition complexity and in younger vs older children.ConclusionRDNs evaluated NFPE components for a high proportion (>80%) of hospitalized patients.
Assessing coagulopathy and endothelial dysfunction in pediatric venous malformation: A thromboelastometry and syndecan‐1 study
Authors: Nava y Hurtado Francisco , Monzon Manzano Elena , Viana‐Huete Vanesa , Triana Junco Paloma , Alvarez‐Roman Maria Teresa , Arias‐Salgado Elena G. , Butta Nora , Lopez Gutierrez Juan Carlos 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe occurrence of unpredictable pain crises are the principal determinant of the quality of life for patients with venous malformations (VM). A definite coagulation phenomenon, characterized by an increase in D‐dimer levels and the presence of phleboliths within the malformation, has been previously reported. By applying Virchow's triad and evaluating intralesional samples, our objective is to delineate the coagulation profile and the extent of endothelial dysfunction within the malformation.MethodsWith the authorization of the Ethics Committee, a research project was undertaken on intralesional and extralesional blood samples from 30 pediatric patients afflicted with spongiform VM. Thromboelastometry analyses were performed using ROTEM Sigma, and the concentration of syndecan‐1 was determined by ELISA.ResultsIn the ROTEM analyses, the A5, A10, and maximum clot firmness (MCF) values were below the established reference ranges in the intralesional samples in both the EXTEM and INTEM assays, indicating that intralesional clots had significant instability. Furthermore, during the investigation of the delayed fibrinolysis phase using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) in EXTEM analysis, widespread hyperfibrinolysis was observed intralesional. Additionally, analysis of syndecan‐1 showed significant differences between extralesional and intralesional levels (p < .026) and controls (p < .03), suggesting differences in the state of endothelium.ConclusionsFor the first time, we developed a comprehensive understanding of the coagulopathic profile of VM and the role of endothelial dysfunction in its pathogenesis. These findings will enable the implementation of targeted therapies based on the individual coagulation profiles.
Microwave and ultrasound extraction of antioxidant phenolic compounds from Lantana camara Linn. leaves: Optimization, comparative study, and FT‐Orbitrap MS analysis
Authors: de Jesus Raphael Amancio , da Silva Wenes Ramos , Wisniewski Alberto , de Andrade Nascimento Luís Fernando , Blank Arie Fitzgerald , de Souza Daniel Alves , Wartha Elma Regina Silva de Andrade , Nogueira Paulo Cesar de Lima , Moraes Valéria Regina de Souza 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe species Lantana camara is used in folk medicine. The biological activities of this medicinal plant are attributable to the presence of various derivatives of triterpenoids and phenolic compounds present in its preparations, indicating excellent economic potential.ObjectiveIn this study, the operational conditions of ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) were optimized using Box–Behnken design to improve the total phenolic content (TPC) recovered in hydroethanolic extracts of L. camara leaves.Material and methodsThe TPC, total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities of the hydroalcoholic extracts of L. camara, prepared by UAE and MAE under the optimized extraction conditions, were compared with those of the extracts obtained by conventional extraction methods.ResultsUnder the optimal conditions, the extracts obtained by UAE (35% ethanol, 25 min, and a solvent‐to‐solid ratio of 60:1 mL/g) and by MAE (53% ethanol, 15 min, and 300 W) provided high yields of 32.50% and 38.61% and TPC values of 102.89 and 109.83 mg GAE/g DW, respectively. The MAE extract showed the best results with respect to TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities, followed by extracts obtained by UAE, Soxhlet extraction, decoction, maceration, and infusion, in that order.ConclusionThe results obtained indicate that L. camara may be used as an important source of antioxidant phenolic compounds to obtain products with high biological and economic potential, especially when the extraction process is performed under appropriate conditions using MAE and/or UAE, employing environmentally friendly solvents such as water and ethanol.
Chlorinated plastics offer unique opportunities and challenges in upcycling
Authors: Al Alshaikh Ali , Bara Jason E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractChlorinated plastics are part of the everyday lives of consumers and producers alike. They can be found in buildings, automobiles, fashion, packaging and many other places. This prevalence makes them a considerable part of the plastic waste crisis. Interest in ‘upcycling’ (as opposed to recycling) has grown recently to augment the possibilities of managing plastic waste. The advances made in plastic upcycling have focused on polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polystyrene while chlorinated plastics, chiefly poly(vinyl chloride), have received much less attention. The release of chlorine‐containing molecules during treatment of chlorinated plastic greatly complicates cross‐method upcycling, or even the treatment of plastic mixes containing chlorinated plastics. This review presents a case for extracting value from chlorinated plastics by highlighting appealing upcycling products made owing to, or despite, the CCl bond via depolymerization, carbonization and modification. © 2024 Society of Industrial Chemistry.