bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Border‐Crossing Biliteracies: Pláticas of Midwest Transnational Latinx Families Reading and (Re)writing the World
Authors: Nuñez Idalia
Published: June 2023

This article focuses on the experiences of transnational Latinx youth and families through historias shared by the mothers. Transnational communities such as those from Latinx immigrant backgrounds have acquired critical perspectives because of their experiences in and across borders that have become central to their understanding of how to navigate learning in the U.S. context. As such, learning about border‐crossing knowledge and literacies from transnational students, families, and communities has become increasingly relevant and a timely pressing topic in today's U.S. language and literacy education and beyond. This study employed a pláticas methodology to capture how transnational Latinx mothers storied their bilingual children's biliteracies. This study draws on transnational literacies and transcultural knowledge to conceptualize border‐crossing biliteracies, a lens for understanding how transnational children read and write the world. Drawing on this lens, the findings reveal how transnational Latinx families disrupt and expand the meaning of family, language, literacy, and cultural teaching and learning for transnational Latinx youth. Rooted in their experiences, this article discusses and unpacks the meaning of border‐crossing biliteracies pedagogy and offers implications for bilingual educators, curriculum developers, and researchers.
Stakeholder perceptions of sustainability and possible behaviour in a biosphere reserve
Authors: Botha Elricke
Published: June 2023

The sustainability of biosphere reserves is arguably linked to socio‐economic factors, yet limited research exists that links socio‐economic factors, sustainable development, and tourism with biosphere reserves. There is thus a need for studies to determine how stakeholders engage in the process of sustainability. Determining stakeholders' perceptions can be useful during several stages of the conservation programme implementation. These perceptions could also indicate how stakeholders would participate in the conservation programme. This research aimed to gauge tourism entrepreneurs' possible behaviour as custodians of the Marico Biosphere Reserve. This was operationalised by determining their perceptions of sustainability. This research applied thematic analysis which identified themes related to the necessity of protecting natural resources, designation uncertainties and how to ensure sustainability. As there is a link between perceptions and behaviour, these results were further contextualised in the protection motivation theory, which raised concerns about tourism entrepreneurs' self‐efficacy and response costs that could hinder the desired protective behaviour in the reserve. Practical implications relate to employing a bottom‐up management approach, creating awareness, sustainable tourism development, and increasing social cohesion, while theoretical implications suggest extending the protection motivation theory with place attachment and social cohesion dimensions. Future research recommendations are suggested.
Investigating the structure of the oxide on Ni‐Cr‐Mo alloys while presenting a method for analysis of complex oxides using QUASES
Authors: Morgan Adam M. , Henderson Jeffrey D. , Kobe Brad A. , Biesinger Mark C. , Noël James J.
Published: June 2023

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a technique that is widely used to study thin oxide films because of its extremely high surface sensitivity. Utilizing the QUASES (Quantitative Analysis of Surfaces by Electron Spectroscopy) software package developed by Sven Tougaard (University of Southern Denmark), a user can obtain additional information that is not extracted in conventional XPS analysis, specifically the composition as a function of depth. Presented here is the QUASES analysis of four Ni‐Cr‐Mo alloys performed while testing various inelastic mean free path (IMFP) determination methods in the context of providing a framework for the analysis of complex oxides in QUASES. Ni‐Cr‐Mo alloys are often used to replace conventional materials under aggressive conditions, because of their exceptional corrosion resistance. Their corrosion resistance is conferred by the formation of an inert surface oxide film that protects the underlying metal. Using the QUASES software, the thickness of the air‐formed oxide on four Ni‐Cr‐Mo alloys was found to lie within the range of 2.5–3.6 nm. They were found to be composed of an inner Cr2O3 layer and an outer Cr (OH)3 layer, with a transition zone where the two coexisted. Oxidized Mo species, MoO2 and MoO3, were found in trace amounts at the boundary between the Cr2O3‐only and mixed Cr2O3/Cr (OH)3 regions of the oxide. We also determined that using 20% reduced IMFP values gave results similar to those obtained using electron effective attenuation length (EAL) values. Auger depth profiles showed comparable trends to the QUASES models.
Asymmetric Active Sites for Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Han Linkai , Yu Haifeng , Xiang Zhonghua
Published: June 2023

Transition metal‐nitrogen‐carbon materials with atomically dispersed active sites are promising catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) since they combine the strengths of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. However, the canonically symmetric active site usually exhibits poor OER intrinsic activity due to its excessively strong or weak oxygen species adsorption. Here, a catalyst with asymmetric MN4 sites based on the 3‐s‐triazine of g‐C3N4 (termed as a‐MN4@NC) is proposed. Compared to symmetric, the asymmetric active sites directly modulate the oxygen species adsorption via unifying planar and axial orbitals (dx2‐y2, dz2), thus enabling higher OER intrinsic activity. In Silico screening suggested that cobalt has the best OER activity among familiar nonprecious transition metal. These experimental results suggest that the intrinsic activity of asymmetric active sites (179 mV overpotential at onset potential) is enhanced by 48.4% compared to symmetric under similar conditions. Remarkably, a‐CoN4@NC showed excellent activity in alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) device as OER catalyst, the electrolyzer only required 1.7 V and 2.1 V respectively to reach the current density of 150 mA cm−2 and 500 mA cm−2. This work opens an avenue for modulating the active sites to obtain high intrinsic electrocatalytic performance including, but not limited to, OER.
Regulating SEI Components of Sodium Anode via Capturing Organic–Molecule Intermediates in Ester‐Based Electrolyte
Authors: Li Xin , Xu Pan , Ni Hongbin , Lin Xiaodong , Wang Yajing , Fan Jingmin , Zheng Mingsen , Yuan Ruming , Dong Quanfeng
Published: June 2023

Highly reversible sodium metal anodes are still regarded as a stubborn hurdle in ester‐based electrolytes due to the issue of uncontrollable dendrites and incredibly unstable interphase. Evidently, a strong protective film on sodium is decisive, while the quality of the protective film is mainly determined by its components. However, it is challenging to actively adjust the expected components. This work can regulate the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) components by introducing a functional electrolyte additive (2‐chloro‐1,3‐dimethylimidazoline hexafluorophosphate (CDIH, namely CDI++PF6−)) into FEC/PC ester‐based electrolyte. Specifically, the chloride element in the CDI+ can easily react to form a NaF/NaCl‐rich SEI together with the decomposition products of FEC; then the CDI+ without chlorine as a gripper to capture the organic–molecule intermediates generated during FEC decomposition to greatly reduce the content of unstable organic components in SEI, which can be confirmed by molecular dynamic simulation and experiment. Eventually, a highly reversible Na deposition behavior can be delivered. As expected, under the action of CDIH additives, the Na||Na symmetrical cell performs an excellent long‐term cycling (>800 h, 0.5 mA cm−2–0.5 mAh cm−2) and rate performance (0.5–4 mA cm−2). Furthermore, the Na||PB full cell exhibits the outstanding electrochemical performance with small polarization.
Flexural property and design method evaluation of BFRP and steel bars hybrid reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Su Chang , Wang Xin , Ding Lining , Liu Shui , Wu Zhishen
Published: June 2023

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars have been widely used as a replacement for steel bars in civil engineering due to their high strength and superior durability. However, compared to steel reinforced concrete (RC) beams, FRP RC beams have insufficient ductility and are more expensive. Therefore, a hybrid beam reinforced with steel and FRP bars has been proposed recently. In this study, the flexural properties of steel bar RC beam, basalt FRP (BFRP) bar RC beam, and BFRP steel bars hybrid RC beams were studied based on numerical simulation. The effect of As/Af on the stress of longitudinal reinforcements, load–midspan curves, ductility, and overall performance of the hybrid RC beams is analyzed. Results indicated that the hybrid RC beams exhibited a second‐order stiffness after the steel bars yielded owing to the contribution of the BFRP bars. As As/Af increases, the ductility of the hybrid RC beam and the strength utilization of BFRP bars increase, and a preferable ductility and overall performance can be achieved when As/Af was close to 1.0. The theoretical calculation results of hybrid RC beams based on ACI, CSA, and GB codes are compared with the simulation results, and the accuracy of the ultimate flexural strength of the prediction results is verified. In addition, equations for predicting the deflection of hybrid RC beams are proposed, and they exhibit higher prediction accuracy compared to the prediction models based on the ACI code.
Female‐to‐male differential transcription patterns of miRNA‐mRNA networks in the livers of dioxin‐exposed mice
Authors: Hammoudeh Nour , Soukkarieh Chadi , Murphy Denis J. , Hanano Abdulsamie
Published: June 2023

Non‐coding microRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in regulating the expression of liver mRNAs in response to xenobiotic‐exposure, but their roles concerning dioxins such as TCDD (2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin) are less clear. This report concerns the potential implication of liver (class I) and circulating (class II) miRNAs in hepatotoxicity of female and male mice after acute exposure to TCDD. The data show that, of a total of 38 types of miRNAs, the expression of eight miRNAs were upregulated in both female and male mice exposed to TCDD. Inversely, the expression of nine miRNAs were significantly downregulated in both animal genders. Moreover, certain miRNAs were preferentially induced in either females or males. The potential downstream regulatory effects of miRNAs on their target genes was evaluated by determining the expression of three group of genes that are potentially involved in cancer biogenesis, other diseases and in hepatotoxicity. It was found that certain cancer‐related genes were more highly expressed females rather than males after exposure to TCDD. Furthermore, a paradoxical female‐to‐male transcriptional pattern was found for several disease‐related and hepatotoxicity‐related genes. These results suggest the possibility of developing of new miRNA‐specific interfering molecules to address their dysfunctions as caused by TCDD.
A review on ultrasound assisted synthesis of metal oxide and doped metal oxide nanocatalysts and subsequent application as photocatalyst for dye degradation
Authors: Dey Ananya , Gogate Parag R. , Gote Yogesh M.
Published: June 2023

In recent years, research on improving the synthesis of catalysts has been at the forefront because of advancements in nanotechnology and greener conventions. Using ultrasound (US) during nanocatalysts synthesis is one of the green approaches that can yield improved catalyst characteristics under conditions of shorter reaction time and requirement of low temperature and pressure. The current paper aims at giving an insight into US‐assisted synthesis (emphasized on sol‐gel and hydrothermal) of different metal oxide nanocatalysts. It has been elucidated that US‐assisted synthesis gives nanocatalyst with narrower particle size distribution with lower mean size, higher surface area, better morphology with less agglomeration, and higher catalytic activity. Ultrasound has thus been demonstrated to yield improvements in morphological, optical, and electronic properties of the nanocatalysts, however, scalability and industrial application of sonochemical synthesis have not been seen very popular. Some guidelines for future research into the development of novel nanocatalysts and industrial scale‐up studies are also provided. The review also summarizes the application of these metal oxides as photocatalysts for dye degradation or effluent treatment containing dyes, highlighting the fundamentals of photocatalysis as well. A comparative study has been reported for catalysts obtained using the US‐assisted synthesis and conventional synthesis of the photocatalysts in terms of catalytic activity. The benefits of using ultrasound‐assisted synthesis in terms of higher photocatalytic degradation have been clearly demonstrated.
The effects of dietary inclusion of Camelina sativa on performance and ascites incidence in broilers subjected to cold exposure
Authors: Hajiazizi Farzaneh , Sadeghi Amirali , Karimi Ahmad
Published: June 2023

Background

Camelina sativa oilseed has a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) especially α‐linolenic acid. n − 3 FA can improve the deformability of erythrocytes and mediate relaxations in coronary artery such as nitric oxide (NO) that is the principal vasodilator responsible for diminution the pulmonary arterial hypertension response.

Methods

To investigate the effects of camelina sources on ascites incidence in broilers kept on altitude, 672 male chicks were fed with 7 dietary treatments, including control, 2% or 4% camelina oil (CO), 5% or 10% camelina meal (CM) and 5% or 10% camelina seeds (CS) diets.

Results

Supplementation of 2% CO had no negative impact on performance, whereas feed intake and body weight gains decreased (p < 0.05) by adding 4% CO, CM and CS. Birds fed camelina diets had lower serum triglyceride at day 42, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol at both 28 and 42 days. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase decreased (p < 0.001) among 5% and 10% CS groups on day 42. Serum and liver concentrations of malondialdehyde declined (p < 0.05) by camelina treatments, whereas serum NO and liver glutathione peroxidase activity significantly elevated. Red blood cell, heterophils and H:L ratio were lower but lymphocyte was higher in camelina groups. Inclusion of camelina reduced (p < 0.05) relative weights of heart and right ventricle, the weight of right ventricle to total ventricle ratio and ascites mortality.

Conclusions

Use of 2% CO as a source of n − 3 FA can improve ascites condition and mortality in broilers reared at high altitude without the reduction of growth performance. However, feeding 4% CO or 5% and 10% CS or CM reduced broiler performance.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Fasciola isolates from livestock in Golestan province, northern Iran
Authors: Sharbatkhori Mitra , Nasibi Saeid , Mohammadi Mohammad Ali , Aryaeipour Mojgan , Raeghi Saber , Fasihi Harandi Majid
Published: June 2023

Background

Fascioliasis, caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a global zoonotic helminthic disease. The livestock and human are the final hosts of the parasites. Northern Iran is an important endemic region for fascioliasis. Few studies have been conducted on the characterization of Fasciola isolates from eastern regions of the Caspian littoral of the country.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to identify F. hepatica, F. gigantica and intermediate/hybrid forms of Fasciola isolates from livestock in Golestan province, northern Iran, using morphometric and molecular tools.

Methods

Livestock livers naturally infected with Fasciola spp. were collected from Golestan slaughterhouse during 2019–2020. The worms were morphometrically studied using a calibrated stereomicroscope. Genomic DNA was extracted from all samples, and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) was performed on internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region using Rsa1 restriction enzyme. All the isolates were then analysed by multiplex PCR on Pepck region.

Results

A total of 110 Fasciola isolates were collected from the infected livers, including 94 sheep, 12 cattle and 4 goats. Morphometric analysis of 61 adult Fasciola isolates indicated that, 44 and 17 isolates belonged to F. hepatica and F. gigantica, respectively. Eighty‐one and 29 isolates belonged to F. hepatica and F. gigantica using ITS1‐RFLP, respectively. However, Pepck Multiplex PCR indicated 72 F. hepatica, 26 F. gigantica and 12 intermediate/hybrid forms. All 12 hybrid isolates were found in sheep host. Two isolates were identified as F. gigantica using morphometry and F. hepatica using both molecular methods.

Conclusion

The present study confirmed the existence of both F. hepatica and F. gigantica species and reported the first molecular evidence of hybrid Fasciola isolates in ruminants of Golestan province.
First‐Principles Study on Electronic and Thermal Transport Properties of FeRuTiX Quaternary Heusler Compounds (X=Si, Ge, Sn)
Authors: Singh Saurabh , Singh Shubham , Srinivasan Bhuvanesh , Kumar Ashish , Bijewar Nitinkumar , Mori Takao , Takeuchi Tsunehiro , Halet Jean‐François
Published: June 2023

The structural, electronic, thermal and lattice thermal transport properties of the three hypothetical quaternary Heusler alloys FeRuTiX (X=Si, Ge, Sn) were investigated with the aid of first‐principles calculations. All compounds were found to be semiconducting with a small indirect band gap. Flat bands near the conduction band edge and degenerate multi‐bands near the valance band edge suggest that these systems should exhibit both large Seebeck coefficients and good electrical conductivity. The analysis of the calculated vibrational spectra showed that the three compounds are thermodynamically stable. The computed lattice thermal conductivity indicates that among the three compounds that of FeRuTiSn is rather low at high temperature. Indeed, a low lattice thermal conductivity (∼3.5 Wm−1 K−1 at 1000 K) together with a small electronic band gap (0.51 eV) with an appropriate electronic structure (disperse and flat bands) render FeRuTiSn a promising candidate as a high‐temperature thermoelectric material.
One-loop gravitational bremsstrahlung and waveforms from a heavy-mass effective field theory
Authors: Brandhuber Andreas , Brown Graham R. , Chen Gang , De Angelis Stefano , Gowdy Joshua , Travaglini Gabriele
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Using a heavy-mass effective field theory (HEFT), we study gravitational-wave emission in the scattering of two spinless black holes or neutron stars of arbitrary masses at next-to-leading order in the Post-Minkowskian expansion. We compute the contributions to the one-loop scattering amplitude with four scalars and one graviton which are relevant to the calculation of the waveforms, also presenting expressions of classical tree-level amplitudes with four scalars and up to two radiated gravitons. The latter are obtained using a novel on-shell recursion relation for classical amplitudes with four scalars and an arbitrary number of gravitons. Our one-loop five-point amplitude is expressed in terms of a single family of master integrals with the principal value prescription for linearised massive propagators, which we evaluate using differential equations. In our HEFT approach, soft/heavy-mass expansions of complete integrands are avoided, and all hyper-classical iterations and quantum corrections are dropped at the diagrammatic level, thereby computing directly contributions to classical physics. Our result exhibits the expected factorisation of infrared divergences, the correct soft limits, and highly nontrivial cancellations of spurious poles. Finally, using our amplitude result we compute numerically the corresponding next-to-leading corrections to the spectral waveforms and the far-field time-domain waveforms using the Newman-Penrose scalar Ψ4.
What’s been Hapten-ing over the last 88 years?
Authors: Thomson Paul , Hammond Sean , Meng Xiaoli , Naisbitt Dean J.
Published: June 2023

Definition of the relationship between drug protein adduct formation (haptenation) and development of immunological adverse drug reactions (drug hypersensitivity) has been an area of active research for over 80 years. The hapten hypothesis which states that “immunogenicity of low molecular weight organic chemicals is dependent on modification of self-proteins,” evolved from Landsteiner and Jacob’s discovery of a correlation between the reactivity of dinitro-halogenated benzenes and their sensitization potential. The hypothesis rapidly evolved to encompass drugs that often require metabolic activation to generate electrophilic, protein-reactive intermediates. As tissue culture methods advanced, the importance of drug hapten-specific T-cells in the disease pathogenesis was defined. This led to a plethora of studies describing the uptake and processing of drug(metabolite) protein adducts by antigen presenting cells, and the subsequent surface display of hapten-modified peptides in the context of MHC molecules. Although the pathway of hapten-specific T-cell activation is now well established, several questions need to be addressed: first, what is the nature of the hapten-modified peptides displayed by MHC? Second, how many of these peptides stimulate T-cells?; third, what are the critical protein modifications involved in T-cell activation; and finally, what is the role of hapten-specific T-cells in the iatrogenic disease? These questions will become increasingly important as more and more targeted covalent binding inhibitor drugs are approved for human use. In this review, we provide a brief synopsis of hapten research and then describe the approaches used by Pharma and academia to study hapten covalent binding and the role of drug protein adducts in the activation of human T-cells.
A new map of the rat isocortex and proisocortex: cytoarchitecture and M2 receptor distribution patterns
Authors: Haghir Hossein , Kuckertz Anika , Zhao Ling , Hami Javad , Palomero-Gallagher Nicola
Published: June 2023

Neurotransmitters and their receptors are key molecules in information transfer between neurons, thus enabling inter-areal communication. Therefore, multimodal atlases integrating the brain’s cyto- and receptor architecture constitute crucial tools to understand the relationship between its structural and functional segregation. Cholinergic muscarinic M2 receptors have been shown to be an evolutionarily conserved molecular marker of primary sensory areas in the mammalian brain. To complement existing rodent atlases, we applied a silver cell body staining and quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiographic visualization of M2 receptors to alternating sections throughout the entire brain of five adult male Wistar rats (three sectioned coronally, one horizontally, one sagittally). Histological sections and autoradiographs were scanned at a spatial resolution of 1 µm and 20 µm per pixel, respectively, and files were stored as 8 bit images. We used these high-resolution datasets to create an atlas of the entire rat brain, including the olfactory bulb, cerebellum and brainstem. We describe the cyto- and M2 receptor architectonic features of 48 distinct iso- and proisocortical areas across the rat forebrain and provide their mean M2 receptor density. The ensuing parcellation scheme, which is discussed in the framework of existing comprehensive atlasses, includes the novel subdivision of mediomedial secondary visual area Oc2MM into anterior (Oc2MMa) and posterior (Oc2MMp) parts, and of lateral visual area Oc2L into rostrolateral (Oc2Lr), intermediate dorsolateral (Oc2Lid), intermediate ventrolateral (Oc2Liv) and caudolateral (Oc2Lc) secondary visual areas. The M2 receptor densities and the comprehensive map of iso-and proisocortical areas constitute useful tools for future computational and neuroscientific studies.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life in survivors of childhood central nervous system tumours
Authors: Keating Rachael , Curry Sarah , Hussey Juliette
Published: June 2023

Purpose

We assessed cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in survivors of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumours.

Methods

Participants were recruited from the National Children’s Cancer Service in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. Inclusion criteria included diagnosis of a primary CNS tumour, aged between 6 and 17 years, between 3 months and 5 years post completion of oncology treatment, independently mobile, and deemed clinically appropriate to participate by treating oncologist. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the six-minute walk test. HRQoL was assessed with the PedsQL Generic Core Scales, Version 4.0.

Results

Thirty-four participants (n = 16 male) were recruited, with a mean age of 12.21 ± 3.31 years and a mean time since completion of oncology treatment of 2.19 ± 1.29 years. Mean six-minute walk distance (6MWD) achieved was 489.56 ± 61.48 m, equating to the 8th percentile overall. 6MWD was significantly reduced when compared to predicted population norms (p < 0.001). PedsQL parent proxy-report and child-report scores were significantly lower when compared to healthy paediatric norms (p < 0.001 – p = 0.011). A significant positive correlation was found between 6MWD and both parent proxy-report (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) and child-report (r = 0.48, p = 0.005) PedsQL total scores.

Conclusion

Survivors of childhood CNS tumours present with impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL. Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with higher levels of HRQoL.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Routine screening of cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL in survivors of childhood CNS tumours may be beneficial. Healthcare providers should encourage and provide education on the potential benefits of physical activity to improve overall quality of life.
A family of consistent normally distributed tests for Poissonity
Authors: Di Noia Antonio , Marcheselli Marzia , Pisani Caterina , Pratelli Luca
Published: June 2023

A family of consistent tests, derived from a characterization of the probability generating function, is proposed for assessing Poissonity against a wide class of count distributions, which includes some of the most frequently adopted alternatives to the Poisson distribution. Actually, the family of test statistics is based on the difference between the plug-in estimator of the Poisson cumulative distribution function and the empirical cumulative distribution function. The test statistics have an intuitive and simple form and are asymptotically normally distributed, allowing a straightforward implementation of the test. The finite sample properties of the test are investigated by means of an extensive simulation study. The test shows satisfactory behaviour compared to other tests with known limit distribution.
What are the key mechanical mechanisms governing integrin-mediated cell migration in three-dimensional fiber networks?
Authors: Paukner Daniel , Eichinger Jonas F. , Cyron Christian J.
Published: June 2023

Cell migration plays a vital role in numerous processes such as development, wound healing, or cancer. It is well known that numerous complex mechanisms are involved in cell migration. However, so far it remains poorly understood what are the key mechanisms required to produce the main characteristics of this behavior. The reason is a methodological one. In experimental studies, specific factors and mechanisms can be promoted or inhibited. However, while doing so, there can always be others in the background which play key roles but which have simply remained unattended so far. This makes it very difficult to validate any hypothesis about a minimal set of factors and mechanisms required to produce cell migration. To overcome this natural limitation of experimental studies, we developed a computational model where cells and extracellular matrix fibers are represented by discrete mechanical objects on the micrometer scale. In this model, we had exact control of the mechanisms by which cells and matrix fibers interacted with each other. This enabled us to identify the key mechanisms required to produce physiologically realistic cell migration (including advanced phenomena such as durotaxis and a biphasic relation between migration efficiency and matrix stiffness). We found that two main mechanisms are required to this end: a catch-slip bond of individual integrins and cytoskeletal actin-myosin contraction. Notably, more advanced phenomena such as cell polarization or details of mechanosensing were not necessary to qualitatively reproduce the main characteristics of cell migration observed in experiments.
Rice straw for energy and value-added products in China: a review
Authors: Alengebawy Ahmed , Ran Yi , Ghimire Nirmal , Osman Ahmed I. , Ai Ping
Published: June 2023

The rise of global waste and the decline of fossil fuels are calling for recycling waste into energy and materials. For example, rice straw, a by-product of rice cultivation, can be converted into biogas and by-products with added value, e.g., biofertilizer, yet processing rice straw is limited by the low energy content, high ash and silica, low nitrogen, high moisture, and high-quality variability. Here, we review the recycling of rice straw with focus on the global and Chinese energy situations, conversion of rice straw into energy and gas, biogas digestate management, cogeneration, biogas upgrading, bioeconomy, and life cycle assessment. The quality of rice straw can be improved by pretreatments, such as baling, ensiling, and co-digestion of rice straw with other feedstocks. The biogas digestate can be used to fertilize soils. The average annual potential energy of collectable rice straw, with a lower heating value of 15.35 megajoule/kilogram, over the past ten years (2013–2022) could reach 2.41 × 109 megajoule.
MicroRNAs in tumor stem cells
Authors: Hu Xiaochen , Yang Junqiang , Yang Ruijie , Yang Ruina , Wang Xinshuai , Gao Shegan
Published: June 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that are believed to have a significant role in tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis. Cancer stem cells play a major role in tumor recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Research has shown that miRNAs can promote or inhibit the stemness of cancer stem cells and regulate the differentiation and self-renewal of cancer stem cells. In this article, the phenotype and regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in cancer stem cells will be described, together with an explanation of their potential role in tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Improving patient care and accuracy of given doses in radiation therapy using in vivo dosimetry verification ⁎
Authors: Shawata Ahmed Shawky , El Nimr Tarek , Elshahat Khaled M.
Published: June 2023

Objective

This work aims to verify and improve the dose given for cancer patients in radiation therapy by using diodes to enhance patient in vivo dosimetry on a routine basis. Some characteristics of two available semi-conductor diode dosimetry systems were evaluated.

Methods

The diodes had been calibrated to read the dose at Dmax below the surface. Correction factors of clinical relevance were quantified to convert the diode readings into patient dose. The diode was irradiated at various gantry angles (increments of 45°), various Field Sizes and various Source to Surface Distances (SSDs).

Results

The maximal response variation in the angular response with respect to an arbitrary angle of 0° was 1.9%, and the minimum variation was 0.5%. The response of the diode with respect to various field sizes showed the minimum and the maximum variations in the measured dose from the diode; the calculated doses were -1.6% (for 5 cm × 5 cm field size) and 6.6% (for 40 cm × 40 cm field size). The diode exhibited a significant perturbation in the response, which decreased with increasing SSD. No discrepancies larger than 5% were detected between the expected dose and the measured dose.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the diodes exhibit excellent linearity, dose reproducibility and minimal anisotropy; that they can be used with confidence for patient dose verification. Furthermore, diodes render real time verification of the dose delivered to patients.
Effect of dendritic cell/cytokine-induced killer cell immunobiological cancer therapy combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer ⁎
Authors: Zhang Ranran , Xie Wanqing , Han Tao , Liu Yongye , Liu Zhaozhe , Guo Fang , Han Yaling , Ding Zhenyu , Sun Yinghui , Ma Dongchu , Xie Xiaodong
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dendritic cell (DC)/cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) immunobiological cancer therapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

From January 2010 to October 2013, 120 patients with postoperative TNBC were recruited and included in the study. Patients were enrolled in one of two groups according to whether they accepted DC/CIK immunobiological cancer therapy during adjuvant chemotherapy; the patients in the DC/CIK group underwent adjuvant chemotherapy combined with DC/CIK immunobiological cancer therapy, and the control group underwent adjuvant chemotherapy alone. When six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy and six cycles of DC/CIK immunobiological cancer therapy had been completed, differences between the two groups with regard to quality of life (QoL), immunological indicators (CD3, CD4, CD8, and NK cell levels), disease-free survival (DFS), and side effects of chemotherapy and DC/CIK treatment were evaluated.

Results

In the DC/CIK group, the proportion of NK cells and CD3+ and CD4+ T-cell subgroups significantly increased, and the proportion of CD8+ cells decreased when they were compared before and after DC/CIK therapy (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes in the control group. By the final follow-up, DFS of the treatment group and the control group was 38.4 and 34.2 months, respectively. The QoL improved in the patients treated with chemotherapy plus DC/CIK therapy compared with the patients treated with chemotherapy alone, and the difference between groups was significant (P < 0.05). The side effects of two groups were tolerable and not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion

The DC/CIK treatment had potential benefits for patients with TNBC compared with the control group, and was not associated with any obvious side effects. Therefore, DC/CIK therapy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of TNBC.
Research progress of the role of HGF/c-Met in the proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of cancer
Authors: Su Honghui , Fan Hongjun , Su Huiling
Published: June 2023

The HGF/c-Met pathway plays an important role in the proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of tumors. With the successful development of small molecule c-Met kinase inhibitors, this signal pathway has become the focus of oncology research. In this review, we discuss the basic mechanism, targeted therapy, and early results of clinical trials of the HGF/c-Met pathway.
Efficacy analysis and multi-factor retrospective study of third-line chemotherapy in 82 Chinese patients with small cell lung cancer ⁎
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Zhang Shuang , Ma Lixia , Wu Chunjiao , Yang Changliang , Zuo Xuerong , Cheng Ying
Published: June 2023

Objective

As there is currently no clear recommendation for third-line chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), its efficacy is unknown. To date, there have rarely been reports of Chinese patients with SCLC who received third-line chemotherapy. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of Chinese patients with SCLC treated with third-line chemotherapy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients with SCLC who received third-line chemotherapy was performed.

Results

Between 2007 and 2013, 82 patients [62 men (75.6%), 20 women (24.4%); median age at the time of diagnosis, 55 years] received third-line chemotherapy at our center. Of these patients, 44 had limited-stage disease and 38 had extensive-stage disease. On third-line chemotherapy, 55 (67.1%) patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-1, objective response rate of 15.9%, and median overall survival after third-line chemotherapy (OS-3) and median progression-free survival after third-line chemotherapy (PFS-3) of 5.6 months and 3.0 months, respectively. On univariate analysis, PFS-3 was significantly related with ECOG PS (P = 0.005), response to second-line chemotherapy (P = 0.002), response to third-line chemotherapy (P < 0.001), and PFS after second-line chemotherapy (P = 0.026). OS-3 was significantly related with ECOG PS (P < 0.001), response to thirdline chemotherapy (P = 0.033), PFS after first-line therapy (P = 0.044), and PFS after second-line therapy (PFS-2) (P = 0.007). On multivariate analysis, ECOG PS (P = 0.008) and response to third-line chemotherapy (P = 0.046) were independent prognostic factors for PFS-3, while ECOG PS (P = 0.007) and PFS-2 (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for OS-3.

Conclusion

Few patients with SCLC receive third-line chemotherapy. Our findings suggest that patients with an ECOG PS 0-1 and PFS-2 for >3 months will be benefit from third-line chemotherapy, which should be actively offered to them.
Vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel density for detection and prognostic evaluation of invasive breast cancer ⁎
Authors: Yang Lukui , Li Long , Cui Xiangyu , Yang Dalei
Published: June 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD105-microvessel density (MVD) in invasive breast carcinomas. We also aimed to analyze the relationship between VEGF and MVD expression with other standard prognostic parameters associated with invasive breast cancer, such as size, grade, stage of the cancer, metastases, and tumor recurrence.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry via the Ultra SensitiveTM S-P method was used to detect VEGF and MVD expression in 128 cases of invasive breast carcinoma. Specimens were evaluated for CD105 expression. Positively stained microvessels were counted in dense vascular foci under 400× magnification. MVD in the peripheral area adjacent to the lesion and in the central area within the lesion in invasive breast carcinomas and benign leisions groups were also assessed. Fifty cases of benign breast disease tissue were selected as the control group.

Results

Results showed that 64.1% of invasive breast cancer samples were VEGF-positive, higher than in benign breast disease tissue (22.0%, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between VEGF overexpression and histological grade, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis of invasive breast cancer. VEGF expression was not related to age or size of the tumor (P > 0.05). MVD of the peripheral area adjacent to the lesion was significantly higher than those central area within the lesion in both invasive breast cancer and benign breast disease groups (P < 0.01 for each group). There were significant differences in the mean CD105-MVD, between invasive breast tumors with a histological grade of I or II and grade III; between tumors with lymph node or distant metastasis; and between patients with or without recurrence (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the mean MVD between the two age groups (≤ 50 years vs. > 50 years) or the two tumor diameter groups (≤ 2 cm vs. > 2 cm), P > 0.05.

Conclusion

Overexpression of VEGF and MVD may be important biological markers for invasion and lymph node and distant metastases of invasive breast cancer. Combined detection of the two tumor markers could provide better prognostic monitoring for disease recurrence and metastasis, as well as aid with clinical staging of breast tumors. Prediction of the risk for metastasis and recurrence, as well as recurrence patterns based on VEGF and MVD post-surgery, could aid design of better follow-up regimens and appropriate treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.
Preliminary research on dendritic cells loaded with resistant breast cancer antigens in breast cancer-bearing nude mice ⁎
Authors: Zhuang Wei , Lun Limin
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with resistant breast cancer antigens on breast cancer in nude mice.

Methods

A single-cell suspension was prepared from a primary breast cancer and chemotherapeutic drugs were screened using the ATP-PCA susceptibility testing system. Cancer cells were treated with 1/10 × IC50, 1/5 × IC50, 1/2 × IC50, 1 × IC50, and 2 × IC50 medium until their growth became steady in the 2 × IC50 medium. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from the peripheral blood of patients with leukapheresis. The obtained adherent cells were induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to generate DCs, which carried resistant strain cell lysis compounds or non-treated cancer cell lysis compounds. The former mature DCs carried resistant breast tumor antigens. A breast tumor-bearing nude mouse model was established with these resistant strains and the mice were randomly divided in three groups. The mice in the treatment group were injected with DCs loaded with resistant breast cancer antigens. The control group consisted of mice injected with DCs loaded with primary tumor cell antigens and the blank group consisted of mice injected with the same volume of normal saline. Changes in the cancers were observed.

Results

After treatment with the effector cells, the cancer volume and weight were significantly different to those before treatment in every group of mice (P < 0.05). The tumor volume in the blank group was the largest (3.362 ± 0.068 cm3) and the tumor weight was 637.50 ± 59.398 mg. Compared to the blank group, the tumor volume in the experimental group was the smallest (1.273 ± 0.071 cm3) and the tumor weight was 206.81 ± 32.711 mg.

Conclusion

DCs loaded with resistant breast cancer antigens demonstrated a significant inhibition effect on the cancers of breast tumor-bearing nude mice.
Expression of Bmi-1 and EZH2 in tissues adjacent to human epithelial ovarian cancer cells of orthotopic implantation in nude mice ⁎
Authors: Zhu Genhai , Hong Lan , Wang Shengtan , Yang Zhaoxin , Chen Chunying , Wang Shixuan
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study investigated the feasibility of screening residual normal ovarian tissues based on the expression of Bmi-1 and EZH2 in tissues adjacent to orthotopic ovarian carcinomas in nude mice.

Methods

The human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR3 was grown in subcutaneous tissues and the tumor tissues were orthotopically implanted. The expression levels of Bmi-1 and EZH2 were detected by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR in cancer tissues, proximal and remote tissues with respect to the cancer tissues, and normal ovarian tissues of nude mice. Results Thirty-five ovarian tissue samples with normal biopsy results were obtained from 40 cases of human epithelial ovarian cancer in the nude mice in which the tumor tissues were orthotopically implanted. Bmi-1 and EZH2 expression levels were lower in proximal paraneoplastic tissue samples than in cancer tissue samples (P < 0.05) and higher than in remote paraneoplastic tissue samples (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in the expression levels of Bmi-1 and EZH2 using immunohistochemistry among residual normal ovarian tissues obtained from orthotopically implanted models that differed in severity. The expression of Bmi-1 and EZH2 was negative in 20 normal ovarian tissue samples.

Conclusion

The expression levels of Bmi-1 and EZH2 were reduced with increasing distance from the cancer tissues. Negative expression of these tumor-associated genes can be used as a standard for the screening of normal ovarian tissues adjacent to tumor tissues. Normal ovarian tissues can be obtained from the tissues adjacent to tumors.
Clinical role of 18F-FDG PET/CT-based simultaneous modulated accelerated radiotherapy treatment planning for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma ⁎
Authors: Wang Jianshe , Tang Tianyou , Xu Jing , Wang Andrew Z. , Li Liang , Zheng Junnian , Zhang Longzhen
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the long-term local control, overall survival, and late toxicities of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)-guided dose escalation radiotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

A total of 48 patients with stage III-IVa NPC were recruited and randomly administered PET/CTguided dose escalation chemoradiotherapy (group A) or conventional chemoradiotherapy (group B). The dose-escalation radiotherapy was performed using the simultaneous modulated accelerated radiotherapy technique at prescribed doses of 77 gray (Gy) in 32 fractions (f) to the gross target volume (GTV): planning target volume (PTV) 1 received 64 Gy/32 f, while PTV2 received 54.4 Gy/32 f. Patients in group B received uniform-dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy, PTV1 received 70 Gy/35 f and PTV2 received 58 Gy/29 f. Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin [20 mg/m2 intravenous (IV) on days 1-4] and docetaxel (75 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 8) administered during treatment weeks 1 and 4. All patients received 2-4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy of the same dose and drug regimen.

Results

The use of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT significantly reduced the treatment volume delineation of the GTV in 83.3% (20/24) of patients. The 5-year local recurrence-free survival rates of the two groups were 100% and 79.2%, respectively (P = 0.019). The 5-year disease free survival (DFS) rates were 95.8% and 75.0%, respectively (P = 0.018). The 5-year local progression-free survival and DFS rates were significantly different. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 95.8% and 79.2%, respectively. Differences in OS improvement were insignificant (P = 0.079). Late toxicities were similar in the two groups. The most common late toxicities of the two arms were grade 1-2 skin dystrophy, xerostomia, subcutaneous fibrosis, and hearing loss. There were no cases of grade 4 late toxicity.

Conclusion

The use of 18F-FDG PET/CT-guided dose escalation radiotherapy is well tolerated and can reduce local recurrence rates for patients with locally advanced NPC compared to conventional chemoradiotherapy.
Survey of changes in dietary preferences in cancer patients in China
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Liqiong , Tang Qiujun , Yuan Xianglin
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in dietary preferences in cancer patients in China and to determine the need for encouraging the adherence to a sensible diet among such patients.

Methods

A total of 468 cancer patients were interviewed using a self-designed questionnaire focusing on changes in the intake of specific foods. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0.

Results

Most patients completely avoided roosters and carp (73.1%), condiments (51.9%), and meat of aquatic species (40.4%). All other types of the specific foods were completely avoided by different subpopulations of the patients.

Conclusion

In addition to focusing on disease treatment, medical professionals need to help cancer patients overcome barriers associated with the customs of avoiding specific foods encompassed by the term “fawu” and provide them with dietary guidance in order to prevent negative nutritional effects.