bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA Methylation Markers for Detection of Cholangiocarcinoma: Discovery, Validation, and Clinical Testing in Biliary Brushings and Plasma
Authors: Yang Ju Dong , Ghoz Hassan , Aboelsoud Mohammed M. , Taylor William R. , Yab Tracy C. , Berger Calise K. , Cao Xiaoming , Foote Patrick H. , Giama Nasra H. , Barr Fritcher Emily G. , Mahoney Douglas W. , Moser Catherine D. , Smyrk Thomas C. , Kipp Benjamin R. , Gores Gregory J. , Roberts Lewis R. , Kisiel John B.
Published: May 2021

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has poor prognosis due to late‐stage, symptomatic presentation. Altered DNA methylation markers may improve diagnosis of CCA. Reduced‐representation bisulfite sequencing was performed on DNA extracted from frozen CCA tissues and matched to adjacent benign biliary epithelia or liver parenchyma. Methylated DNA markers (MDMs) identified from sequenced differentially methylated regions were selected for biological validation on DNA from independent formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded CCA tumors and adjacent hepatobiliary control tissues using methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. Selected MDMs were then blindly assayed on DNA extracted from independent archival biliary brushing specimens, including 12 perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, 4 distal cholangiocarcinoma cases, and 18 controls. Next, MDMs were blindly assayed on plasma DNA from patients with extrahepatic CCA (eCCA), including 54 perihilar CCA and 5 distal CCA cases and 95 healthy and 22 primary sclerosing cholangitis controls, balanced for age and sex. From more than 3,600 MDMs discovered in frozen tissues, 39 were tested in independent samples. In the clinical pilot of 16 MDMs on cytology brushings, methylated EMX1 (empty spiracles homeobox 1) had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95‐1.0). In the clinical pilot on plasma, a cross‐validated recursive partitioning tree prediction model from nine MDMs was accurate for de novo eCCA (AUC, 0.88 [0.81‐0.95]) but not for primary sclerosing cholangitis–associated eCCA (AUC, 0.54 [0.35‐0.73]). Conclusion: Next‐generation DNA sequencing yielded highly discriminant methylation markers for CCA. Confirmation of these findings in independent tissues, cytology brushings, and plasma supports further development of DNA methylation to augment diagnosis of CCA.
Burden of pancreatic cancer along with attributable risk factors in Europe between 1990 and 2019, and projections until 2039
Authors: Yu Jingru , Yang Xiaorong , He Wei , Ye Weimin
Published: May 2021

Projecting the burden of pancreatic cancer over time provides essential information to effectively plan measures for its management and prevention. Here, we obtained data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study between 1990 and 2019, to model how pancreatic cancer will affect the 27 countries of the European Union (EU) plus the United Kingdom (the pre‐Brexit EU‐28) until 2039 by conducting the Bayesian age‐period‐cohort analysis. The number of new pancreatic cancer cases in the EU‐28 was 59 000 in 1990, 109 000 in 2019 and projected to be 147 000 in 2039. This corresponded to 60 000, 109 000 and 155 000 for deaths, and a loss of 1.3 million, 2.0 million and 2.7 million for disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs), respectively. The most pronounced increase of the crude incidence rate was observed and projected to be in the population older than 80 years. The age‐standardized rate (ASR) of incidence, however, increased from 8.6 to 10.1 per 100 000 person‐years during 1990‐2019 but was projected to remain stable during 2019‐2039. At the same time, our models only predicted a mild increase in the ASR of mortality until 2039. The fraction of pancreatic cancer mortality attributable to tobacco consumption decreased during 1990‐2019, but we found upward trends for the attributable fractions for high fasting plasma glucose and high body mass index. In conclusion, a substantial increase in counts of incidence, mortality and DALYs lost of pancreatic cancer in the EU‐28 is projected over the next two decades, which indicates the need for future health policies and interventions.
Bilateral testicular adrenal rest tumors in a patient with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Roberts Erica C , Nealon Samantha W , Dhillon Jasreman , Tourtelot John B , McIver Bryan , Sexton Wade J
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Solid testis tumors in post‐pubertal males usually represent germ cell malignancies; however, other uncommon or rare histologies must be considered.

Case presentation

We present a case of an 18‐year‐old male undergoing attempted bilateral partial orchiectomies for suspected germ cell tumors. Tumor pathology, laboratory results, radiographic studies, and post‐surgical elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone levels supported the diagnosis of testicular adrenal rest tumors secondary to previously undiagnosed nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Conclusion

Testicular adrenal rest tumors are rare in patients with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia and may be accompanied by adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadism, which can be treated with glucocorticoid therapy and testosterone replacement. Differential diagnosis of tumors is challenging but necessary for proper symptom‐based management.
Enhancing the performance of hybrid evolutionary algorithms in microarray colon data classification
Authors: Nirmalakumari K. , Rajaguru Harikumar
Published: May 2021

Microarray technology aids in monitoring simultaneous gene expressions of human cells for diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases in a single experiment. The microarray data are of high dimension with a large number of genes and fewer samples. Highly informative features and appropriate classifiers are necessary to increase the accuracy of disease classification. In this paper, a publicly available colon cancer dataset is analyzed for classification. At first, Power Spectral Density (PSD) technique is employed to obtain the reduced gene features and after that, they are classified using various types of classifiers for colon cancer classification. To improve the classification accuracy, the hybridized evolutionary classifiers, namely, Artificial Bee Colony‐Firefly (ABC‐Firefly), Artificial Bee Colony‐Particle Swarm Optimization (ABC‐PSO), Particle Swarm Optimization‐Firefly (PSO‐Firefly) are derived from the conventional evolutionary classifiers, namely, Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Firefly classifiers. The performance of the three hybridized evolutionary algorithms is compared with the conventional classifiers. Additionally, the comparison was also performed on the conventional and hybridized evolutionary algorithms using Expectation Maximization (EM) and cascaded Power Spectral Density‐Expectation Maximization (PSD‐EM) dimensionality reduction techniques. Although there are many classifiers for colon classification, it is wise to use PSD features with a Hybrid ABC‐PSO classifier for enhanced performance. The experimental results reveal that the Hybrid ABC‐PSO classifier with PSD features achieves 98.96% for colon cancer samples and 100% accuracy for colon normal samples when compared with the other classifiers reported in the literature.
Small nucleolar RNA host genes promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition lead cancer progression and metastasis
Authors: Biagioni Alessio , Tavakol Shima , Ahmadirad Nooshin , Zahmatkeshan Masoumeh , Magnelli Lucia , Mandegary Ali , Samareh Fekri Hojjat , Asadi Malek Hossein , Mohammadinejad Reza , Ahn Kwang Seok
Published: May 2021

The small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) belong to the long non‐coding RNAs and are reported to be able to influence all three levels of cellular information‐bearing molecules, that is, DNA, RNA, and proteins, resulting in the generation of complex phenomena. As the host genes of the small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), they are commonly localized in the nucleolus, where they exert multiple regulatory functions orchestrating cellular homeostasis and differentiation as well as metastasis and chemoresistance. Indeed, worldwide literature has reported their involvement in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of different histotypes of cancer, being able to exploit peculiar features, for example, the possibility to act both in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Moreover, SNHGs regulation is a fundamental topic to better understand their role in tumor progression albeit such mechanism is still debated. Here, we reviewed the biological functions of SNHGs in particular in the EMT process and discussed the perspectives for new cancer therapies.
Inside Front Cover
Authors: Shi Ruheng , Li Yuting , Kong Lingjie
Published: May 2021

Wide‐field, optical‐sectioning imaging of neural network in the hippocampus of Thy1‐YFP mouse brain, with (up‐right) and without (down‐left) structured illumination. By interleaved reconstruction, we can recover the speed loss in conventional structured illumination microscopy, which makes it promising for large‐scale imaging of biodynamics at high spatio‐temporal resolutions.

Further details can be found in the article by Ruheng Shi, Yuting Li, and Lingjie Kong (e202000513)

image
Relationship between microsatellite status and immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer and its application to diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Bai Junge , Chen Hongsheng , Bai Xuefeng
Published: May 2021

Due to advances in understanding the immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC), microsatellite classification (dMMR/MSI‐H and pMMR/MSS) has become a key biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC patients and therefore has important clinical value. Microsatellite status is associated with a variety of clinicopathological features and affects drug resistance and the prognosis of patients. CRC patients with different microsatellite statuses have different compositions and distributions of immune cells and cytokines within their tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Therefore, there is great interest in reversing or reshaping CRC TMEs to transform immune tolerant "cold" tumors into immune sensitive "hot" tumors. This requires a thorough understanding of differences in the immune microenvironments of MSI‐H and MSS type tumors. This review focuses on the relationship between CRC microsatellite status and the immune microenvironment. It focuses on how this relationship has value for clinical application in diagnosis and treatment, as well as exploring the limitations of its current application.
Incorporating narrative repair in the treatment of avoidant personality disorders: A case in point
Authors: Lind Majse , Simonsen Sebastian , Dunlop William L.
Published: May 2021

Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) is characterized by multiple struggles, including shyness, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to interpersonal judgments. Research indicates that people with AvPD also show disturbances in narrative identity, which is an internal and evolving story created about the personal past, present, and presumed future. Here, the novel Guide for Narrative Repair (GNaR) recently developed by (Thomsen et al., 2020) is introduced as a potentially useful tool to help people with AvPD in crafting more adaptive narrative identities. The guide is brought to life via a case study analysis of Adam, a male outpatient suffering from AvPD. Consistent with the GNaR, disturbances in Adam's storied self are brought to light and ways to facilitate his narrative repair are proposed. We conclude with implications related to the case as well as the potential narrative turn in AvPD treatment.
Kidney stones are common in patients with short‐bowel syndrome receiving long‐term parenteral nutrition: A predictive model for urolithiasis
Authors: Rudziński Marcin , Ławiński Michał , Gradowski Łukasz , Antoniewicz Artur A. , Słodkowski Maciej , Bedyńska Sylwia , Kostro Justyna , Singer Pierre
Published: May 2021

Background

In short‐bowel syndrome (SBS) treated with parenteral nutrition (PN), multiple complications can occur. The etiology of kidney stones may be linked to the underlying disease thrombosis, surgical complications, complications of therapy for cancer, Crohn's disease, metabolic abnormalities resulting from morphological and functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract, and to treatment used. We analyzed all these parameters in a large cohort of patients receiving home PN (HPN), to define the incidence of stones and groups of patients particularly at risk of stone formation. One of the objectiveswas to develop a predictive model of urolithiasis.

Methods

This observational retrospective study included 459 patients with SBS recieving HPN in a single center. Patient records were evaluated for demographics, SBS etiology, and underlying disease, anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal failure classification, nutrition regimen, and presence of urolithiasis.

Results

Kidney stones were diagnosed in 24% of patients. Nodifferences in incidence were noted between the various etiologic groups. The incidence in patients with a colon in continuity and those with an end stoma was similar. The length of residual small bowel did not play a role in stone formation. There were no differences between patients according to the severity of intestinal failure. In patients treated with PN and limited oral feeding, the risk of urolithiasis was twice as high as in patients receiving PN only.

Conclusions

Patients developed urolithiasis with no relation to the SBS etiology. The risk of kidney stone formation was higher in patients recieving PN with oral feeding.
High‐efficiency transformation of Streptococcus thermophilus using electroporation
Authors: Kong Ling‐Hui , Xiong Zhi‐Qiang , Xia Yong‐Jun , Ai Lian‐Zhong
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus thermophilus, one of the most important lactic acid bacteria, is widely used in food fermentation, which is beneficial to improve food quality. However, the current genetic transformation systems are inefficient for S. thermophilus S‐3, which hinders its further study.

RESULTS

We developed three electroporation transformation methods for S. thermophilus S‐3, and optimized various parameters to enhance the transformation efficiency up to 1.3 × 106 CFU/μg DNA, which was 32‐fold higher than that of unoptimized. Additionally, transcriptional analysis showed that a series of competence genes in S. thermophilus S‐3 were remarkedly up‐regulated after optimization, indicating that improvement of transformation efficiency was attributed to the expression level of competence genes. Furthermore, to prove their potential, expression of competence genes (comEA, cbpD and comX) were employed to increase transformation efficiency. The maximum transformation efficiency was obtained by overexpression of comEA, which was 14‐fold higher than that of control.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of competence gene expression for enhancing transformability in S. thermophilus, which exerts a positive effect on the development of desirable characteristics strains. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
High anchoring photoalignment material based on new photo‐induced hole dipoles' mechanism
Authors: Muravsky Alexander A. , Murauski Anatoli A. , Kukhta Iryna N. , Yakovleva Alina S.
Published: May 2021

Flat nonprofiled surface of photoalignment AtA‐2 azo‐dye layer possesses simultaneously low molecular orientation anisotropy and strong azimuthal anchoring energy. We explain how flat surface of alignment layer orients nematic liquid crystal and show the existence of the new photoalignment mechanism based on photo‐induced hole dipole moments in the azo‐dye layer. The dependence of anchoring energy coefficient on the square of dipole moments of the alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer is formulated, grounding the idea of chemical modification of AtA‐2 azo‐dye with molecular dipole moment ~16D to obtain novel high anchoring photoalignment material. The new AtA‐0042 azo‐dye with molecular dipole moment ~27.5D is synthesized and experimentally verified. Strong azimuthal anchoring energy over >1.4 × 10−4 J/m2 is obtained for AtA‐0042 photoalignment material layer with ~40 mJ/cm2 exposure dose.
Chemical profiling and multicomponents quantitative analysis of Panzerina lanata by ultra‐fast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Mi Yingying , Zheng Wei , Zhao Xiangpei , Zhang Xun , Yang Kang , Shen Gangyi , Liu Weizhi , Li Wenrui , Ma Baiping , Zhu Dan
Published: May 2021

Panzerina lanata is a Chinese medicine with the bioactivity of detumescence and detoxification. In this study, novel qualitative and quantitative methods were established by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry, respectively. As a result, 20 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized including flavonoids, organic acids, alkaloids, and lignans, five of which were identified for the first time based on the reference standards. The quantitative approach exhibited good linearity (R2 > 0.995), precision (RSDs < 4.97%), stability (RSDs < 4.77%), and recovery (96.04‐104.14%). Afterward, this method was implemented to determine 11 flavonoids in four batches of P. lanata. Among them, seven compounds were quantified for the first time. Narcissin was abundant in each batch of P. lanata (average of 10.890‐14.230 mg/g) with the highest quantities. The results provide valuable information for quality evaluation.
Evidence of nitrification associated with globally distributed pelagic jellyfish
Authors: Hubot Nathan D. , Giering Sarah L. C. , Füssel Jessika , Robidart Julie , Birchill Antony , Stinchcombe Mark , Dumousseaud Cynthia , Lucas Cathy H.
Published: May 2021

Often considered detrimental to the environment and human activities, jellyfish blooms are increasing in several coastal regions worldwide. Yet, the overall effect of these outbreaks on ecosystem productivity and structure are not fully understood. Here we provide evidence for a so far unanticipated role of jellyfish in marine nitrogen cycling. Pelagic jellyfish release nitrogen as a metabolic waste product in form of ammonium. Yet, we observed high rates of nitrification (NH4+ → NO3−, 5.7–40.8 nM gWW−1 [wet weight] h−1) associated with the scyphomedusae Aurelia aurita, Chrysaora hysoscella, and Chrysaora pacifica and low rates of incomplete nitrification (NH4+ → NO2−, 1.0–2.8 nM gWW−1 h−1) associated with Chrysaora fulgida, C. hysoscella, and C. pacifica. These observations indicate that microbes living in association with these jellyfish thrive by oxidizing the readily available ammonia to nitrite and nitrate. The four studied species have a large geographic distribution and exhibit frequent population outbreaks. We show that, during such outbreaks, jellyfish‐associated release of nitrogen can provide more than 100% of the nitrogen required for primary production. These findings reveal a so far overlooked pathway when assessing pelagic nitrification rates that might be of particular relevance in nitrogen depleted surface waters and at high jellyfish population densities.
Relational interventions for organizational learning: An experience report
Authors: Thygeson N. Marcus , Logan Caroline , Lindberg Curt , Potts Jennifer , Suchman Anthony , Merchant Robert , Thompson Randy
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Quality improvement and implementation science practitioners identify relational issues as important obstacles to success. Relational interventions may be important for successful performance improvement and fostering Learning Health Systems.

Methods

This case report describes the experience and lessons learned from implementing a relational approach to organizational change, informed by Relational Coordination Theory, in a health system. Structured interviews were used to obtain qualitative participant feedback. Relational Coordination was measured serially using a validated seven‐item survey.

Results

An initial, relational intervention on one unit promoted increased participant engagement, self‐efficacy, and motivation that led to the spontaneous, emergent dissemination of relational change, and learning into other parts of the health system. Staff involved in the intervention reported increased systems thinking, enhanced focus on communication and relationships as key drivers for improvement and learning, and greater awareness of organizational change as something co‐created by staff and executives.

Conclusions

This experience supports the hypothesis that relational interventions are important for fostering the development of Learning Health Systems.
Role of Hydrophilic Monomers in α‐Tocopherol‐Based Copolymers in Causing Cell Death by ROS Production
Authors: Kitazume Takuya , Gan Ning , Yusa Shin‐Ichi , Ooya Tooru
Published: May 2021

α‐Tocopheryl succinate (TOS) is known to induce cell death by intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, TOS is not enough for cancer target ability. This study is aimed to enhance the accumulation and cytotoxicity of TOS by designing random copolymers. Methacrylated α‐tocopheryl succinate (MTOS) is polymerized with three types of hydrophilic monomers to find appropriate hydrophilic monomer, in terms of particle size, self‐assembled structure, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity. N‐Vinylpyrrolidone (VP), 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphocholine (MPC), and glycosyloxyethyl methacrylate (GEMA) are selected to prepare the copolymers, and their effect in forming polymeric assembly and cellular uptake are examined. Each hydrophilic monomer is copolymerized with MTOS to obtain random copolymers [poly(GEMA‐ran‐MTOS), poly(VP‐ran‐MTOS), and poly(MPC‐ran‐MTOS)]. The assembled nature is characterized in terms of particle size by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy: Size of the assembled copolymers increase with the mol% of MTOS. The cytotoxicity of the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa cells) increases significantly after incubating with poly(GEMA‐ran‐MTOS) and poly(VP‐ran‐MTOS), whereas poly(MPC‐ran‐MTOS) do not affect the cell viability. Both the copolymers enhance the mitochondrial ROS generation in HeLa cells. Therefore, choice of hydrophilic monomers to copolymerize with MTOS dominates to enhance the accumulation and cytotoxicity of TOS.
High‐Temperature Bearable Polysulfonamide/Polyurethane Composite Nanofibers’ Membranes for Filtration Application
Authors: Li Yajian , Ming Jinfa , Yuan Ding , Ning Xin
Published: May 2021

Polysulfonamide (PSA)‐based membranes are widely used for high‐temperature filtration. PSA/polyurethane (TPU) composite membranes that can withstand a temperature exceeding 200 °C are fabricated by an electrospinning method. The effects of PSA/TPU mass ratio on the morphology and properties of the prepared composite membranes are investigated to obtain nanofibers with different diameters. These composite membranes are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry, and mechanical and filtration properties of membranes are also investigated. The maximum stress and elongation at break of PSA/TPU nanofibers’ membranes reach 13.66 ±1.43 MPa and 75.01 ± 3.78%, respectively, when the PSA/TPU mass ratio is 3:7. Moreover, filtration results show high filtration efficiency (>99%) and low pressure drop for diethyl‐hexyl‐sebacat (DEHS) and sodium chloride (NaCl) aerosol particles at 4 m3 h−1 airflow velocity. Therefore, PSA/TPU composite membranes are a promising candidate for high‐temperature filtration applications.
Holomorphic functions with large cluster sets
Authors: Alves Thiago R. , Carando Daniel
Published: May 2021

We study linear and algebraic structures in sets of bounded holomorphic functions on the ball which have large cluster sets at every possible point (i.e., every point on the sphere in several complex variables and every point of the closed unit ball of the bidual in the infinite dimensional case). We show that this set is strongly ‐algebrable for all separable Banach spaces. For specific spaces including or duals of Lorentz sequence spaces, we have strongly ‐algebrability and spaceability even for the subalgebra of uniformly continous holomorphic functions on the ball.
Blending as a Strategy to Attain Chiro‐Optically Activity Polymers
Authors: Glislere Ana Paula , Turchetti Denis , Nowacki Bruno , Zanlorenzi Cristiano , Akcelrud Leni
Published: May 2021

Two copolymers, one containing a chiral center and another without any asymmetric site are studied regarding their chiro‐optical properties. The pure polymers do not show any signal of chiro‐optical activity, only a smooth line is observed in the circular dichroism spectra, even for the chiral material. However, blends containing the achiral one as a major component show striking chiro‐optical activity, originating by stable supramolecular structures whose size and shape remain unchanged, regardless of the blend composition. Only the number of such structures (composed by the chiral one), vary with blend composition. The results suggest that working with supramolecular morphology can be an important strategy to attain chiro‐optical active polymers.
Disposition of Dietary Polyphenols in Breast Cancer Patients’ Tumors, and Their Associated Anticancer Activity: The Particular Case of Curcumin
Authors: Ávila‐Gálvez María Ángeles , González‐Sarrías Antonio , Martínez‐Díaz Francisco , Abellán Beatriz , Martínez‐Torrano Alejandro José , Fernández‐López Antonio José , Giménez‐Bastida Juan Antonio , Espín Juan Carlos
Published: May 2021

Scope

Some polyphenol‐derived metabolites reach human breast cancer (BC) tissues at concentrations that induce cell senescence. However, this is unknown for isoflavones, curcuminoids, and lignans. Here, their metabolic profiling in normal (NT) and malignant (MT) mammary tissues of newly‐diagnosed BC patients and the tissue‐occurring metabolites’ anticancer activity are evaluated.

Methods and results

Patients (n = 26) consumed 3 capsules/day (turmeric, red clover, and flaxseed extracts plus resveratrol; 296.4 mg phenolics/capsule) from biopsy‐confirmed diagnosis to surgery (5 ± 2 days) or did not consume capsules (n = 13). NT and MT, blood, and urine are analyzed by UPLC‐QTOF‐MS using targeted metabolomics. Anticancer activity was tested in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 BC cells. Mainly phase‐II metabolites were detected (108, 84, 49, and 47 in urine, plasma, NT, and MT, respectively). Total metabolite concentrations reached 10.7 ± 11.1 and 2.5 ± 2.4 µmol L–1 in NT and MT, respectively. Free curcumin, but not its glucuronide, was detected in the tissues (1.1 ± 1.8 and 0.2 ± 0.2 µmol L–1 in NT and MT, respectively). Breast tissue‐occurring metabolites’ antiproliferation was mainly exerted in p53‐wild‐type MCF‐7 cells by curcuminoids through cell cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis induction via p53/p21 induction, while isoflavone‐derived metabolites exerted estrogenic‐like activity.

Conclusion

Curcuminoids could be coadjuvants that might help fight BC upon regular consumption.
Display Week Provides Sustenance for the Body and Mind
Authors: Atwood Stephen P.
Published: May 2021

I miss restaurants and the incredible variety of places available to indulge in all manner of tastes and the shared experiences to energize me at the same time. Going to California a couple of times each year for Display Week activities was always a highlight of my year. First, we'd gather in January for the technical program committee meetings and then again in May for the main event. I'd see people I truly admire but only get to talk with a few times a year—people who would help me feel re‐energized with their incredible work and personal stories.
Demystifying the HDR Ecosystem
Authors: Lang Karl , Robinson Neil
Published: May 2021

Few terms in display technology are more widely used, less well defined, and more often misunderstood than HDR or high dynamic range. This confusion stems from history, context, and the time immemorial conflict between scientists, engineers, and marketing departments. Here, the authors will provide some clarity.
Toward “Light‐to‐Light” Protection of Automotive Camera Monitor Systems
Authors: Axmann Benjamin , Langner Frank , Xu Chihao , Blankenbach Karlheinz , Conrad Mirko , Bauer Jan
Published: May 2021

The use of CMS to replace rear‐ and side‐view mirror functions in cars is gaining traction. However, implementing these systems safely requires a high level of performance monitoring to ensure that they work properly. The authors describe new methods toward full end‐to‐end or “light‐to‐light” performance monitoring.
ID Asks/Frederic J. Kahn
Authors: Peruvemba Sri
Published: May 2021

We met with inventor, author, tech liberator, businessman, editor, educator, and industry pioneer to review his outstanding achievements and learn what tips he offers for success.
2021 SID/DSCC Business Conference to Celebrate Improved Display Business Outlook
Authors: Young Ross
Published: May 2021

With the increase in remote communication and a higher demand for display technology, the display industry is set to test records for financial performance.
„Die Angewandte ist etwas Besonderes“
Authors: Landfester Katharina , Remenyi Christian
Published: May 2021

Die Polymerchemikerin Katharina Landfester ordnet im Angewandte Council die Steuerungsgremien der Zeitschrift Angewandte Chemie neu. Die Nachrichten aus der Chemie sprachen mit ihr über Monster‐Impact‐Faktoren und warum Editoren aus der Wissenschaft einem Fachjournal gut tun.
Computer statt Kolben
Authors: Tratter Anna
Published: May 2021

Sie arbeiten mit Forschungsergebnissen, ohne das Labor von innen zu sehen – Chemiker:innen in Wissenschaftsverlagen. Sie prüfen Manuskripte, suchen Gutachter, arbeiten mit Datenbanken oder optimieren ihr Produkt: die Wissensvermittlung.
Phthalocyanin‐Synthese: vom Ursprung zu aktuellen Trends
Authors: Galstyan Anzhela
Published: May 2021

Phthalocyanine wurden in Schottland zufällig vor mehr als 90 Jahren bei einem industriellen Prozess entdeckt. Heute sind die Makrocyclen mit alternierender Stickstoff‐Kohlenstoff‐Ringstruktur nicht nur selektiv herstellbar, sondern auch ihre Eigenschaften lassen sich einstellen.
Bilanz 2020: Novartis
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: May 2021

Der Schweizer Pharmakonzern Novartis hat im Jahr 2020 vor allem beim Verkauf von Haut‐ und Augenmitteln sowie Einzelhandelsprodukten unter der Coronakrise gelitten.
Verlagswesen: Von Büchern und Zeitschriften
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: May 2021

Unter den nach Umsatz 15 größten deutschsprachigen Verlagen sind einige Fachinformationsverlage. Internationale Wissenschaftsverlage wie Elsevier, Springer Nature und Wiley setzen jeweils mehr um. Besonders gut verkauften sich im vergangenen Jahr aber Kinderbücher.
Nachruf: Dieter Michel (1940 – 2020)
Authors: Kärger Jörg
Published: May 2021

Dieter Michel starb am 28. Dezember. Der 1940 geborene Physiker war ein international profilierter Forscher auf dem Gebiet der magnetischen Resonanzspektroskopie.
Detection of metabolic change in glioblastoma cells after radiotherapy using hyperpolarized 13C‐MRI
Authors: Kawai Tatsuya , Brender Jeffrey R. , Lee Jennifer A. , Kramp Tamalee , Kishimoto Shun , Krishna Murali C. , Tofilon Philip , Camphausen Kevin A.
Published: May 2021

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) of 13C‐labeled substrates enables the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor specific enzymatic reactions in tumors and offers an opportunity to investigate these differences. In this study, DNP‐MRI chemical shift imaging with hyperpolarized [1‐13C] pyruvate was conducted to evaluate the metabolic change in glycolytic profiles after radiation of two glioma stem‐like cell‐derived gliomas (GBMJ1 and NSC11) and an adherent human glioblastoma cell line (U251) in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. The DNP‐MRI showed an increase in Lac/Pyr at 6 and 16 h after irradiation (18% ± 4% and 14% ± 3%, respectively; mean ± SEM) compared with unirradiated controls in GBMJ1 tumors, whereas no significant change was observed in U251 and NSC11 tumors. Metabolomic analysis likewise showed a significant increase in lactate in GBMJ1 tumors at 16 h. An immunoblot assay showed upregulation of lactate dehydrogenase‐A expression in GBMJ1 following radiation exposure, consistent with DNP‐MRI and metabolomic analysis. In conclusion, our preclinical study demonstrates that the DNP‐MRI technique has the potential to be a powerful diagnostic method with which to evaluate GBM tumor metabolism before and after radiation in the clinical setting.
Anticipated nursing care as perceived by nursing students: Findings from a qualitative study
Authors: Lunardelli Lisa , Danielis Matteo , Bottega Michela , Palese Alvisa
Published: May 2021

Aim

To explore the perceptions of nursing students on the phenomenon of anticipated nursing care.

Design

A descriptive‐qualitative study was performed in 2019 according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research principles.

Methods

Data were collected using 16 face‐to‐face, audio‐recorded interviews across four Italian Bachelor of Nursing degrees. Then, content analysis was performed, identifying, analysing and describing the anticipated nursing care phenomenon as perceived by nursing students.

Results

Administering medications, providing fundamentals of care, managing some clinical procedures, freeing up the patient's bed and starting the shifts early emerged as the most anticipated nursing interventions. Stable, older patients who were more functionally dependent were reported to receive some fundamental nursing care before the expected time, while older, stable and more independent patients were used to receiving medications in advance. Anticipated nursing care is triggered by factors at the time management, resource, programming, professional and organizational levels.
Health literacy and its relation to continuing with breastfeeding at six months post‐partum in a sample of Spanish women
Authors: Valero‐Chillerón María Jesús , González‐Chordà Victor M. , Cervera‐Gasch Águeda , Vila‐Candel Rafael , Soriano‐Vidal Francisco Javier , Mena‐Tudela Desirée
Published: May 2021

Aim

To explore the relation between health literacy (HL) and continuing breastfeeding (BF) at 6 months post‐partum.

Design

Observational, longitudinal and prospective study between December 2018–May 2019. The STROBE checklist was used.

Methods

114 mother/baby pairings from a Spanish Hospital were included. Mothers’ health literacy was studied with the Newest Vital Sign and Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish Adults 50 (SAHLSA‐50). Before hospital discharge, BF efficiency was studied using the LATCH BF score and BF continuity was followed for 6 months. Survival analysis and Cox regression were done.

Results

Health literacy levels and BF effectiveness were adequate before hospital discharge. At 6 months post‐partum, less than half the sample still exclusively breastfed. The main reason for early exclusive BF cessation was lower than the recommended newborn weight gain. The HL level acted as a protective factor against abandonment of BF.
Health promotion behaviours of pregnant women and spiritual well‐being: Mediatory role of pregnancy stress, anxiety and coping ways
Authors: Chehrazi Mohammad , Faramarzi Mahbobeh , Abdollahi Somayeh , Esfandiari Maria , Shafie rizi Shiva
Published: May 2021

Aim

Little is known about the link between spiritual well‐being and health promotion behaviours in pregnant women. The study aimed to explore the direct and indirect effects of spirituality on health promotion behaviours with the mediatory roles of pregnancy stress, anxiety and coping ways.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

Two hundred women aged above 18 years completed Spiritual Well‐Being scale (SWBS), State‐Anxiety Inventory (SAI), Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), Prenatal Coping Inventory (Nu‐PCI) and Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ).

Results

Spirituality directly and negatively affected the state anxiety (β = −.41; p < .001) and NuPDQ (β = −.36; p < .001). Health promotion behaviours were negatively related to state anxiety (β = −.36; p < .001) and positively to planning‐preparation coping (β = .23; p = .001). Spirituality had a significant indirect effect on health promotion behaviours (β = .33; p < .001), mediated through its association with state anxiety and planning‐preparation coping. Thus, health professionals are proposed to consult pregnant women on the benefits of spirituality for improving healthy behaviours.
Metabolic Characterization of Meat, Fish, and Soda Intake in Males: Secondary Results from a Randomized Inpatient Pilot Study
Authors: Mitchell Cassie M. , Piaggi Paolo , O’Brien Diane M. , Krakoff Jonathan , Votruba Susanne B.
Published: May 2021

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate whether a 12‐week, weight‐maintaining, macronutrient‐stable dietary intervention that varies only by meat, fish, or soda consumption alters 24‐hour energy expenditure (24hrEE) and substrate oxidation.

Methods

Healthy males were recruited to participate in a 12‐week inpatient study and were randomized to a weight‐maintaining dietary intervention that contained varying combinations of meat (0% or 19%), fish (0% or 6%), or soda (0% or 14%) in a factorial design. Macronutrient composition across dietary intervention groups was as follows: 50% of energy from carbohydrates, 30% of energy from fat, and 20% of energy from protein. Whole‐room indirect calorimetry at baseline and week 12 were used to measure 24hrEE and substrate oxidation.

Results

Twenty‐six males (mean [SEM], age: 46.6 [10.4] years; BMI: 26.9 [4.1] kg/m2) completed all measurements. Fish consumption resulted in higher 24hrEE by 126 (55) kcal/d compared with no fish consumption (P = 0.03), whereas 24hrEE for soda consumption was 132 (56) kcal/d (P = 0.03) lower. Approximately 80% of the decrease in 24hrEE with soda consumption was due to lower awake‐inactive energy expenditure (EE; P = 0.001). No specific EE component accounted for the differences observed with fish consumption.

Conclusions

The data indicate that dietary sources of protein and carbohydrates appear to influence 24hrEE and inactive EE.
Impact of adherence to drugs for secondary prevention on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity: A population‐based cohort study. IMPACT study
Authors: Sotorra‐Figuerola Gerard , Ouchi Dan , Giner‐Soriano Maria , Morros Rosa
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Adherence to pharmacological therapy for secondary prevention after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) reduces the risk of new cardiovascular events. However, several studies showed poor adherence. Our study aim was to assess the risk of a composite endpoint of major cardiovascular events (MACE) and all‐cause mortality according to the adherence to these drugs in patients after an ACS in a primary health care cohort.

Methods

Population‐based observational cohort study of patients with a first episode of ACS during 2009–2016. Data source: Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) database. Drug adherence was evaluated through proportion of days covered (PDC).

Results

We included 7152 patients and 5692 (79.6%) were adherent (PDC ≥ 75%) to the study drugs during the first year after the event. Adherents to any combination showed a significant reduction of the composite endpoint risk (HR 0.80 [0.73–0.88]), and a significant lower probability of the composite endpoint than nonadherents for all drugs, except beta‐blockers. Adherents to 2 (HR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0–1.3) and 1 drug (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8) had higher composite endpoint risk compared to adherents to 4–3 drugs.

Conclusion

Adherence to any combination of recommended drugs reduced the composite endpoint risk, regardless the number of drugs prescribed. Adherence to a combination of 4–3 drugs was significantly associated with a reduced mortality risk compared with adherents to 2 or 1, but it was not significant for MACE.
Monitoring of nonthermal plasma degradation of phthalates by ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Moravský Ladislav , Michalczuk Bartosz , Hrdá Jana , Hamaguchi Satoshi , Matejčík Štefan
Published: May 2021

Ion mobility spectrometry was used to monitor the degradation of phthalate vapors by corona discharge. Three different phthalates (dimethyl [DMP], diethyl [DEP], and dipropyl [DPP]) were examined in a corona discharge reactor (wire‐to‐cylinder geometry) at direct current positive polarity in ambient air. The relative removal efficiencies up to 96% and energetical degradation efficiencies of 229.27, 216.12, and 198.84 kJ mg−1 were achieved for DMP, DEP, and DPP, respectively. Byproducts such as methanol, ethanol, and 1‐ and 2‐propanol at extremely low densities were also detected. The identified degradation processes involved two steps: (i) An electron‐impact dissociation of phthalates into alkoxyl radicals and (ii) reactions of alkoxy radicals with water molecules to form alcohols.
Protein folding ‐ seeing is deceiving
Authors: Rose George D.
Published: May 2021

This Perspective is intended to raise questions about the conventional interpretation of protein folding. According to the conventional interpretation, developed over many decades, a protein population can visit a vast number of conformations under unfolding conditions, but a single dominant native population emerges under folding conditions. Accordingly, folding comes with a substantial loss of conformational entropy. How is this price paid? The conventional answer is that favorable interactions between and among the side chains can compensate for entropy loss, and moreover, these interactions are responsible for the structural particulars of the native conformation. Challenging this interpretation, the Perspective introduces a proposal that high energy (i.e., unfavorable) excluding interactions winnow the accessible population substantially under physical–chemical conditions that favor folding. Both steric clash and unsatisfied hydrogen bond donors and acceptors are classified as excluding interactions, so called because conformers with such disfavored interactions will be largely excluded from the thermodynamic population. Both excluding interactions and solvent factors that induce compactness are somewhat nonspecific, yet together they promote substantial chain organization. Moreover, proteins are built on a backbone scaffold consisting of α‐helices and strands of β‐sheet, where the number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors is exactly balanced. These repetitive secondary structural elements are the only two conformers that can be both completely hydrogen‐bond satisfied and extended indefinitely without encountering a steric clash. Consequently, the number of fundamental folds is limited to no more than ~10,000 for a protein domain. Once excluding interactions are taken into account, the issue of “frustration” is largely eliminated and the Levinthal paradox is resolved. Putting the “bottom line” at the top: it is likely that hydrogen‐bond satisfaction represents a largely under‐appreciated parameter in protein folding models.
Predicting the longitudinal changes of levodopa dose requirements in Parkinson’s disease using item response theory assessment of real‐world Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
Authors: Chae Dongwoo , Chung Su Jin , Lee Phil Hyu , Park Kyungsoo
Published: May 2021

Item response theory (IRT) has been recently adopted to successfully characterize the progression of Parkinson's disease using serial Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) measurements. However, it has yet to be applied in predicting the longitudinal changes of levodopa dose requirements in the real‐world setting. Here we use IRT to extract two latent variables that represent tremor and non‐tremor‐related symptoms from baseline assessments of UPDRS Part III scores. We show that relative magnitudes of the two latent variables are strong predictors of the progressive increase of levodopa equivalent dose (LED). Retrospectively collected item‐level UPDRS Part III scores and longitudinal records of prescribed medication doses of 128 patients with de novo PD extracted from the electronic medical records were used for model building. Supplementary analysis based on a subset of 36 patients with at least three serial assessments of UPDRS Part III scores suggested that the two latent variables progress at significantly different rates. A web application was developed to facilitate the use of our model in making individualized predictions of future LED and disease progression.
Effect of Rapid Thermal Annealing on the Emission Properties in InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb Multiple Quantum Wells
Authors: Jia Huimin , Wang Dengkui , Azad Fahad , Tang Jilong , Shen Lin , Hou Xiaobing , Fang Xuan , Fang Dan , Lin Fengyuan , Li Kexue , Su Shichen , Ma Xiaohui , Wei Zhipeng
Published: May 2021

An effect of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) on emission properties of InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown by molecular‐beam epitaxy is systematically investigated by photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The emission from free‐exciton and localized carriers is confirmed in as‐grown InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb MQWs using temperature and excitation power‐dependent PL spectra. The results of RTA for different times at a fixed temperature of 350 °C are analyzed. The PL intensity of InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb MQWs is increased after an RTA process, and the peak position is slightly blueshifted at 300 K. Low‐temperature PL spectra show improved emission of free‐exciton and deteriorated localized carriers recombination at an annealing time of 60 s. Double crystal X‐ray diffraction (DCXRD) measurements are also carried out to study the crystalline quality before and after annealing. These results indicate that a suitable RTA treatment is effective in reducing the densities of nonradiative recombination centers, which implies an improved optical property and crystalline quality of quantum well structures. This study provides valuable understanding of recombination processes and improvement of optical properties by RTA treatment in InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb MQWs.
Assessing electronic energy loss of heavy ions detected in reflection geometry
Authors: Kantre Karim‐Alexandros , Moro Marcos V. , Paneta Valentina , Primetzhofer Daniel
Published: May 2021

We study energy loss spectra of bromine ions scattered from silver thin films in the energy range of 4 to 36 MeV in forward reflection geometry. The different contributions to the energy loss are analyzed by complementary Monte Carlo simulations. We assess the dependence of the scattering yield and nuclear and electronic losses on the penetration depth of detected ions. For scattering from larger depth, we observe decreased elastic losses and increased trajectory length in comparison with predictions from single scattering, with increasing effects for lower energies. To investigate the entanglement of energy loss and depth information, electronic stopping cross sections are deduced from the experimental spectra by two different approaches: (a) assuming a single scattering model and (b) making use of Monte Carlo simulations. The data obtained from the two approaches are compared, and we assess the relative contributions from nuclear stopping and from the effect of multiple scattering on trajectory length. Results of both methods are discussed in the context of composition depth profiling and compared with data from literature and with Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) predictions resulting in good agreement.